[FBALL]

Easy FBALL.....Just IMO. Yes, you could say they have all been playing well, or pretty good. But I have high expectations set for this year’s team (2006 AA State Champs), and certain things that I'm looking for from the line I haven't seen yet. I look for flat backs and driving defensive linemen 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. As a unit seeing holes open at the line that has everyone looking at each other and saying, man did you see that hole. I want to be able to run between the tackles without being hit at the line of scrimmage, or in the backfield. Clark got a lot of his yards against Ashland after getting hit.

I hope the line feels the same way and continue to improve and not be satisfied until they are playing at that level.

P.S. I gave a Kudo to Ethan for no fumbled snaps at the line of scrimmage. That to me is important.

Ashland loaded up the line of scrimmage and blitzed to make the short traps impossible. It was all about penetration and not allowing the blocking angles that make that offense effective. The second half when Russell went to the power I, they were more effective but EVERYBODY knew who was going to get the ball and where it was going. The lineman were outnumbered in their blocking assignments. Ashlands defense is very quick and the fact that Russell's offense was so predictable that night made the linemen look worse. Thats not to say they couldn't have played better because they could.

I don't disagree with you about Gullet playing well, but this group has the talent, they need to develope the cohesiveness that will make them champions. I didn't mean for it to sound harsh but team work, especially along the offensive line, is of utmost importance if you want this group to accomplish the goals that they and we as fans have set.

IMO the line has played well. They have had missed assignmets( the fumble in the first quarter at Ashland was a direct result of this). But the physical talent is there. I think Russell will be just fine if they start playing with the heart and desire that they had last year.