"Blue Crush," the record-setting, Ultimus-winning Sarasota Defensive Squad, suffered a lot of player turnover this offseason. In particular, they lost their two veteran Linebackers: (1) Haha Mango-Panda who retired to probably go live his best life on a beach sipping mai tai's somewhere even beachier than Sarasota and (2) Derred DeVille who entered free agency and decided it was time to return a bit closer to home, taking a new contract with the Berlin Fire Salamanders. So most of the offseason, Ernest Lover, who had only started playing Linebacker for the most recent season, was preparing to have to step up his game and leadership role on the squad. And there was a big question mark around who would be playing alongside him.
But the Sarasota coaching staff decided to get creative and hold an all-team tryout for Linebacker (and Safety). For two intensive days, they drilled every player on the roster in defensive formations and play calls, then spent the next three out on the practice field rotating players (with the exception of the precious franchise quarterback) in and out of defensive positions. Ernest had a blast playing opposite so many of his teammates. The offensive players on a whole struggled, especially James Angler who kept his eyes so focused on his mark that he kept running into the other defenders. The exception was wide receiver Michael Witheblock. Once he got a bit of coaching on proper tackling technique, Witheblock straight-up balled at Linebacker. His veteran knowledge of routes helped him stick to his man in coverage. His knowledge of offensive playbooks helped him quickly read plays and make decisions on when to blitz (and he went hard), when to shore up the defensive line, or when to drop back in support.
Going into the offseason, Ernest never expected to be playing opposite Witheblock at Linebacker this season. But, crazier things have happened!
But the Sarasota coaching staff decided to get creative and hold an all-team tryout for Linebacker (and Safety). For two intensive days, they drilled every player on the roster in defensive formations and play calls, then spent the next three out on the practice field rotating players (with the exception of the precious franchise quarterback) in and out of defensive positions. Ernest had a blast playing opposite so many of his teammates. The offensive players on a whole struggled, especially James Angler who kept his eyes so focused on his mark that he kept running into the other defenders. The exception was wide receiver Michael Witheblock. Once he got a bit of coaching on proper tackling technique, Witheblock straight-up balled at Linebacker. His veteran knowledge of routes helped him stick to his man in coverage. His knowledge of offensive playbooks helped him quickly read plays and make decisions on when to blitz (and he went hard), when to shore up the defensive line, or when to drop back in support.
Going into the offseason, Ernest never expected to be playing opposite Witheblock at Linebacker this season. But, crazier things have happened!
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