Catching Up

I have not written anything on here in a long time.  I’m going to attempt to catch you up.

Football

We ended our season at 3-7.  We played pretty well for a 3-7 team.  I really think we were a much better team than our record indicates.  We were a couple of plays away from being 7-3.  When you think about football it always comes down to that.  If a couple of plays go your way it’s all the difference.  That being said, I think we can stop this snowball effect and win right now.  We are currently hard at work trying to recruit a class that will further help the solid classes coming back for the 2007 season.  

Defensive Lineman

I finished the year with 16 defensive linemen.  I will lose two to graduation.  Those two player, Mike and Brandin, were good football player, great leaders, and greater people.  They will be missed.  Brandin was a defensive end that played in our rotation, he really did well when you think that this was his first year at defensive line.  He played wide receiver in the past.  Mike Stephens was a four year starter from day one of his freshman year.  He was a First Team All CCIW selection at Defensive End.  Mike was really good.  He should have been an All American but his numbers were off due to the fact that teams game planned around him.  Mike really helped make my transition to college football a lot easier.  I seen some really good football players over the last few years and Mike is up there in my top 10.  He is the best defensive player that I have ever coached.  Both guys were a lot of fun to be around as football players and young men.  I wish them both much success in what lies a head.

I am really excited about the guys that are coming back.  Leading the Titans next season at D-Line will be Rob Hoyland, a second team All CCIW Nose.  Rob cost me 20 large pizzas, which I was glad to donate, for returning a fumble 70 yards for a TD last season.  My expectations are high for Rob, I’m sure he expects the same.  Our top returning Defensive End is Tim Wilkins.  Tim is a fast and explosive player.  Tim will make a run at being one of the best Defensive Ends in the conference.  He is a natural leader, and his speed will cause havoc in the backfield.  Brock Collins, will return as our 3 tech.  Brock is a little unique to say the least.  Brock was a solid defensive lineman and will no doubt be itching to compete in his senior season.  Mike Ammirati saw a lot of the field early as a freshman.  Unfortunately he fell ill and missed a good portion of the season.  Mike will be competing for a starting spot at Defensive End.  Andrew Boyd played in the rotation of inside defensive lineman.  He will no doubt be bigger and stronger and a bigger force in 2007.  Kevin O’Connor really came on his freshman year and was the talk of a lot of offensive coaches as he earned scout player of the year.  Kevin will push for time and for a starting position at Defensive End.  Other guys that will be back and ready to push for time include JaLaser Jolly, Joe Holmes, Alex Holmberg, Joe Vanchieri, Matt Beres, Kindred Cook, Jim Phillip.  It remains to be seen if I will get to keep Travis Boothe.  The Offense has been salivating with idea of making him a tackle.  I really don’t want to lose anyone of our guys, but I also know that we need Offensive Lineman Now!  

Recruiting

I love it.  It’s new, different, and exciting. Javan, it is a lot more fun than NCAA 2007.  Javan is a friend of mine from Napoleon who loves simulating seasons to recruit in NCAA Football.   There are five of us recruiting.  I have probably 100 schools to contact and maybe 50 to visit.  I recruit North Chicago Suburbs, Decatur, Danville, Champaign, Urbana, and a lot of in-between.  It is an every night event.  

School

Grad class kicked my ass.  I haven’t been a full time student since 2001.  I was full time again this fall.  I was learning how to do things all over.  School and football is tough to balance.  But I survived and made it through.  I will have 3 B’s at worst and maybe one A in there.  I’m happy.  To be honest, football consumed my time, but I wanted to do well.  I’ll take B’s there good.  Good news is this spring will be my last full semester.  I will finish after next fall, and I will only have to take 2 classes then.  I’ll graduate a year from today I think, December 15, 2007.   That will be nice to be done and not have to worry about school.  

Christmas Vacation

I think I will leave here on Wednesday morning. I’ll be home so give me a call if your around.  I have no Christmas gifts yet, no time.  Maybe I’ll try tomorrow to get some stuff.  Otherwise, I’ll be one of those people rushing at the last minute.

Poker

I haven’t played poker in a long time.  It was obvious when I was home for Thanksgiving.  I played a couple of times and was always third or one out of the money.  Guys….Guys at Glick’s House…I’m going to win the time!  I am looking forward to it.

Well that’s all I’m going to write for now.  A am going to try to post some videos though.  We shall see how that works.

I’ve updated….long time coming.

Eb