For those of you in the know, can we agree this looks like the best Beechwood team in a long time on paper?

 

No. On paper, this team isn't close to the 2011 team. This team is not as good on paper as the 2007 or 2008 teams. There is a lot of youth and a lot of question marks on this team.

 

In fact, as I think about it more, I am not sure how much better this team looks on paper than last year's team. I like this year's receivers and QB better than last year's. Beyond that, I can't say for sure I like anything else better "on paper" than last year's team.

Is my eyeball estimation correct that Combs is 6'5? I saw him at the 9th region tourney and he's a specimen. If he gets to 6'6 or 6'7 and has some athletic ability he will get looks from D1 programs as an offensive tackle as well as a tight end. Happens all the time.

 

Good for him. Always nice to have some options.

No. On paper, this team isn't close to the 2011 team. This team is not as good on paper as the 2007 or 2008 teams. There is a lot of youth and a lot of question marks on this team.

 

In fact, as I think about it more, I am not sure how much better this team looks on paper than last year's team. I like this year's receivers and QB better than last year's. Beyond that, I can't say for sure I like anything else better "on paper" than last year's team.

 

How much sand do you have in that bag?

You will find no bigger fan of these two kids than me, but let's get put some reality in here. I think Justice played a total of 4 games last year. As such, he did not get a chance to have that big of an impact overall. If they had been healthy and eligible all year, along with Nate Kinman, they would have been one of the best (if not the best) linebacker crews in NKY. You do not replace Max Nussbaum, you simply try to cope without him. Especially when you figure he started every varsity game he was available since his Freshman season ended in 2009. Definitely hard to replace, but this is the least of my worries on the defensive side. If coaches make some movements on defense, I think we have some guys that can do a great job there. Talley was great at linebacker last year. Add Slusher to the mix and I think its a solid start. With all the focus on Stringer and Feiger, I think Slusher is actually the next Beechwood standout in the mold of Nussbaum. There are also guys like Everett who love to hit and can step up and play linebacker. Of course, it all depends on what the coaches do with him. Also, with some better play from D-End with Combs and others, there will not be so much pressure on the Linebackers. Nussbaum had to be a stud so that BW could reliably keep good backs from gaining significant yardage on the outside. He was amazing at it, but how many linebackers can handle their assignments up the middle, but also have the instincts, talent and speed to get to the outside stop the run there. I just don't expect that the new defense will require a Max Nussbaum type. In my opinion, the Def-End spot is where the cracks appeared last year. If you can't contain the backfield, it makes for a long Friday night for DBs and Linebackers. I expect Combs to be a game changer in that position this year.

 

All that to say that I believe we will "cope" with the loss of Nussbaum by spreading out the talent. Yes, we don't yet have a Max Nussbaum, but by improving in other areas of defense, it will be much easier to cope with the loss of the last year's senior Linebacking crew.

 

On a side note...

Since his name came up, I wanted to take the opportunity to say that Beechwood was lucky to have Justice last year. Even when hurt or ineligible, he had an impact. I loved watching him play, but he was a great leader and supported his teammates when hey were struggling. Not often do you see a transfer come in and be a leader like that. A lot of BW kids could take a lesson from him. Good Luck Colin.

 

Good thoughts across the board ....

To clear something up ... Defensive Ends at Beechwood rarely have contain responsibilities (5% to 10% of the time at the most).

They are considered heavy inside players.

While the group from last year may not have been the best in Beechwood history ... they did improve (and when you consider the fact that 8 different D-Ends started last year ...

 

Not directly related to defense .. but related to Beechwood ....

Are there really people worried about seating for the Skyline game?

This one makes me laugh ... simply because Beechwood rarely fills their side of their home field ... and rarely outdraws many of their opponents (it has been this way for a LONG time now)

I will end with a question ... when is the last time that Beechwood filled the stadium for a game? ...

Maybe CovCath ... NCC is usually well attended.

Outside of that people could justify their argument much easier if this place seated 500 as opposed to 1200.

It looks like the 2013 version of the Tigers will have a look unfamiliar to most BW teams of the past. For that reason only, I feel it is difficult to compare past teams with this year's team that has yet to take snap one. I will reserve my right to pass judgement until the young Tigers have a few games behind them.

Good thoughts across the board ....

To clear something up ... Defensive Ends at Beechwood rarely have contain responsibilities (5% to 10% of the time at the most).

They are considered heavy inside players.

While the group from last year may not have been the best in Beechwood history ... they did improve (and when you consider the fact that 8 different D-Ends started last year ...

 

Not directly related to defense .. but related to Beechwood ....

Are there really people worried about seating for the Skyline game?

This one makes me laugh ... simply because Beechwood rarely fills their side of their home field ... and rarely outdraws many of their opponents (it has been this way for a LONG time now)

I will end with a question ... when is the last time that Beechwood filled the stadium for a game? ...

Maybe CovCath ... NCC is usually well attended.

Outside of that people could justify their argument much easier if this place seated 500 as opposed to 1200.

I am not worried. I will be a week removed from knee replacement surgery so I am sure I will be able to park my wheelchair somewhere.

It looks like the 2013 version of the Tigers will have a look unfamiliar to most BW teams of the past. For that reason only, I feel it is difficult to compare past teams with this year's team that has yet to take snap one. I will reserve my right to pass judgement until the young Tigers have a few games behind them.

 

Good Lord, if we are not going to speculate then why even get on here? The fact is that there are at 15-16 kids returning that started Varsity games at some point last year. Some started regularly both ways, some saw regular action on one side of the ball, but there are a lot of kids who had opportunities last year. So the makeup really doesn't look that different to me.

 

That siad, from what I understand, the Offense will look very different. Not in terms of personnel, but definitely in terms of the design and play calling.

I am not worried. I will be a week removed from knee replacement surgery so I am sure I will be able to park my wheelchair somewhere.

 

Can I rent you to get me to the front of the line?

 

I agree with Slick, I really don't think its going to be a problem and as I said, it sounds like most of the kids are excited to get to play there. As I recall, that is who the sports are for and if they are excited, then I'm happy.

 

There are not 1200 seats for sure, It's 900 seats and standing room for 300 to 500. I know there were over 900 people at the Beechwood Simon Kenton matchup last year. Beechwood used up much of the visiting side of Simon Kenton.

 

Again, I'm not worried. Looking forward to seeing how the Tigers do so I'll stand on someones shoulders if I have to.

Good thoughts across the board ....

To clear something up ... Defensive Ends at Beechwood rarely have contain responsibilities (5% to 10% of the time at the most).

They are considered heavy inside players.

While the group from last year may not have been the best in Beechwood history ... they did improve (and when you consider the fact that 8 different D-Ends started last year ...

 

...

 

This I don't understand. While that may be true by design, I think it puts a lot of pressure on your DBs. I'm not a football genius, but I know that in any game against good teams, there was too much required of the LBs. I think that concept works if you have a dominant line. Let's face it, there aren't many Max Nussbaum's out there that can get to the outside from the middle or other side of the field to hold a team to 2 or 3 around the outside.

 

I assume the staff know what they are doing. Whether by design or by lack of ability in the players, it just seemed to be too easy for good teams to get to the outside. Perhaps its only my perception, but I know that's the reality. I saw it and thought about it in just about every game. I'm remember thinking, we are screwed if Max Nussbaum goes out

 

The fact that 8 different players started at D-End last year is very scary to me. I think it s a very under estimated position. I have always thought it was more important than many teams make it. I am looking forward to having someone very strong in there. Contain or not, I would love to see a Dominant BW Defensive End. I think it changes everything behind them.

Edited June 14, 201313 yr by Randy Parker
Rule 5

Good Lord, if we are not going to speculate then why even get on here? The fact is that there are at 15-16 kids returning that started Varsity games at some point last year. Some started regularly both ways, some saw regular action on one side of the ball, but there are a lot of kids who had opportunities last year. So the makeup really doesn't look that different to me.

 

That siad, from what I understand, the Offense will look very different. Not in terms of personnel, but definitely in terms of the design and play calling.

 

I love to speculate. All I said was that I was not going to pass judgement for awhile which would be impossible anyway until they play some games. I think you are bang on when you say the look will be different which is the direction I was pointing to.

Can I rent you to get me to the front of the line?

 

I agree with Slick, I really don't think its going to be a problem and as I said, it sounds like most of the kids are excited to get to play there. As I recall, that is who the sports are for and if they are excited, then I'm happy.

 

There are not 1200 seats for sure, It's 900 seats and standing room for 300 to 500. I know there were over 900 people at the Beechwood Simon Kenton matchup last year. Beechwood used up much of the visiting side of Simon Kenton.

 

Again, I'm not worried. Looking forward to seeing how the Tigers do so I'll stand on someones shoulders if I have to.

 

I might take you up on that. My Purcell Marian (they play before BW) buddy is my designated pusher for the night but he is not the most reliable chap.

How much sand do you have in that bag?

 

This post below \/ is one part of the answer.

 

It looks like the 2013 version of the Tigers will have a look unfamiliar to most BW teams of the past. For that reason only, I feel it is difficult to compare past teams with this year's team that has yet to take snap one. I will reserve my right to pass judgement until the young Tigers have a few games behind them.

 

Not sandbagging. I don't trust promises and potential. I trust proven on field performance. Beechwood doesn't have a lot of that proven varsity experience coming back.

This I don't understand. While that may be true by design, I think it puts a lot of pressure on your DBs. I'm not a football genius, but I know that in any game against good teams, there was too much required of the LBs. I think that concept works if you have a dominant line. Let's face it, there aren't many Max Nussbaum's out there that can get to the outside from the middle or other side of the field to hold a team to 2 or 3 around the outside.

 

I assume the staff know what they are doing. Whether by design or by lack of ability in the players, it just seemed to be too easy for good teams to get to the outside. Perhaps its only my perception, but I know that's the reality. I saw it and thought about it in just about every game. I'm remember thinking, we are screwed if Max Nussbaum goes out

 

The fact that 8 different players started at D-End last year is very scary to me. I think it s a very under estimated position. I have always thought it was more important than many teams make it. I am looking forward to having someone very strong in there. Contain or not, I would love to see a Dominant BW Defensive End. I think it changes everything behind them.

 

To give some extra perspective ... most of the time ... especially with the increased speed of the game ... you rarely see D-Ends who have outside contain responsibilities anymore (non existent in college and in pro football--and high school is not all that far behind). If you check out the break down of where teams ran against Beechwood ... teams rarely got outside (which--if you think about what you said about Max .. that would make more sense). As far as putting pressure on DB's ... well .. I guess it depends on your definition of a DB (just like DE's .. times have changed ... and someone who may have been called an Safety in the past ... is much more like an LB now). And on that note ... the strength of last years team (and this years team) is skill players. Guys that can run--that have the potential to make plays all over the field. I would much rather have those guys playing down hill to the outside than a 230/250 pound DE.

 

Also ... think of it like this ... would you rather have some bangers up front--who try to control the inside .. and let the Max Nussbaum's of the world use their speed to make plays all over the field ... or would you rather force commit/him to play B to B? For me .. I want him to be able to run. Same thing for Kinman.

 

One thing that I can tell you ... D-Ends are not underestimated at Beechwood. Overall--there have been some of the best athletes (D. Mainello, B. Slusher, Drew Davis, Dane Everett, Kevin Mitts, Neico Teipel, D. Everett) in the program play there (last year was tough due to injuries .... which speaks to why there was 8 different starters in the position). But the fact of the matter is ... Beechwood's defense is designed for the athletes to make plays (which Max did often--and Nate and Colin did when they were not injured). A dominant defensive end in our scheme is going to be someone who can squeeze the front .. and play back out LATE. When you think about 2007/2008 ... things were handled at the LOS ... because personnel dictated that (and the LB's--while gutsy/gritty players .. were not the most talented athletes and just had to play B to B). Where again ... someone like Max would be wasted if he sat inside and took on blocks all night.

 

As far as 8 different D-Ends go ... that is purely an example that speaks directly to the type of injuries and situations that we battled all season.

I'm not overlooking Stokes at all. Again, I don't want to be mean to a kid, but a player has to be reliable. That starts with being eligible to play and extends to simply coming to practice and having a work ethic. Most of his missed games last year had nothing to do with injuries. If you want to be a talent and make an impact for your team, you MUST be on the field. That means staying academically eligible and not breaking team rules. The work ethic piece is huge for me. Two weeks ago, I ran into a player and was told that Stokes has not been to practice yet. Hopefully that has changed. While I don't think he's a "difference maker" I do think he can be a contributor if he wants to be. He also has a temper. I can remember a number of "Personality-based" penalties last year. If he can get past this stuff, then I think the coaches can help him be the player we need.

 

I also don't think he has the hands. He had a lot of opportunities last year and I remember more than a few dropped balls. Especially in key third-down situations. For the first time in a long-time, we are going to have a QB with the ability check down the receivers. We need a very reliable Tight-End to be the outlet. If we have that outlet, I think this Beechwood team will look like no other in recent history.

 

I'm good with your explanation about fixing the line, but I'm concerned about the missed opportunity here. Does Combs have WR speed, NO, but that's not what is needed at Tight End. He has very solid speed. Better than any Tight End I can remember in recent years. Its the whole package that I think is a loss. Hopefully, I'm completely wrong on my assessments and other kids will step-up. Fortunately, I'm not in-the-know and don't pretend to be the expert. Just a fat old alumnus that was lucky to play in the days when you didn't have to have size or talent.

 

If Combs doesn't play tight-end then maybe some Tackle-eligible plays will make their way into the BW playbook

Combs is needed on the offensive line, BW will be fine at TE, they have three kids who will be an upgrade over last year. No offense to Combs, but he does not have the speed to play TE at the next level, if he wants a D1 scholarship it will be as a member of the interior line.

Combs is needed on the offensive line, BW will be fine at TE, they have three kids who will be an upgrade over last year. No offense to Combs, but he does not have the speed to play TE at the next level, if he wants a D1 scholarship it will be as a member of the interior line.

 

That is absolutely true. Not only based on his athletic skill set but he also will be working with line coach Darrick Brilz who has developed several D1 offensive linemen at Beechwood.