Cooper 2013

[Ram]

What does Cooper need to do to improve in 2013? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

[Hellbird]

This will be very interesting to see if they can capitalize on the success of last year.

They actually started their turn for the better in 2011 when they went undefeated in district and going into last year they had some of the same questions they have this year. 1. The O and D-lines. going into last season they lost a lot off their lines due to graduation but didn't seem to miss a beat.

Borchers has a way of finding a diamond in the rough to be a force on the D-line. 2 years ago it was Blau, last year after losing Blau to graduation they had Mitchell and Centers.

 

This year after losing a lot of the players off their lines, they need to replace 2 of the best and I'm curious to see who if Borchers can keep his magic run going with another diamond in the rough on their D-Line to cause havoc to opposing QB's.

 

So the line is the #1 question they have, the 2nd question to answer will be how will Ludwig do at QB.

He's played QB at the varsity level even going back to his sophomore year where Cooper started the season dividing time between him and Tyler Morris at that position, but after the half way mark of that 2011 season Ludwig barely saw any snaps at that position unless it was in scrub time. Last year when he was put in that position I don't think he threw a single pass.

 

Watching him in practice, he looks very good at completing the short to intermediate routes but needs more time with his recievers to get the long pass timing down. that will come with more practice, he has a very strong arm, just needs to work on the timing element.

 

As far as defense, their LB's and DB's should be very solid. Many of the returning seniors were the starters or seen a lot of playing time as juniors last year on that side of the ball. Morgan may be the best CB in the region and along with Fussinger and Pauls who have seen plenty of time last year in the secondary, they should be pretty solid with the 3 of them returning again this year. Bricking was their starting LB last year and will be returning again this year as a Senior and should be very solid again.

 

Offense, as said earlier the big question will be on the new QB Ludwig who will be moving from TE last year to take up the starting QB position. He has great size and can take the hits he will receive this year but the question will be is he going to be mobile enough with his size to create time in the pocket to allow the plays to develop.

 

The other skill positions are set. Bricking who has been the starting FB last year will be a great RB this year. He is a lot faster than he appears. He avg's a ridiculous 13 yards per carry last year.

The WR's may be the best in the district with Fussinger and Morgan who will be 3 year returning starters at that position. Fussinger for the 2nd season in a row avg'd over 20 yards per reception and Morgan with his break out year last season with over 700 yards receiving and 7 TD's.

The O-Line just as in the D-Line will be the big question mark this season. Can the Jaguars replace the starters from last year they lost to graduation?

 

Should be a very competitive district with South Oldham, Conner and Scott all in the mix.

 

Going old school and I will say it all starts in the trenches, both O-line and D-line will be the telling tale on how succesful Cooper will be this year.

[Ram]

Thanks for the information Hellbird.

[JustADad]

Hellbird covered all the bases. Nothing else to say. I agree huge questions will be how the lines come together. I have faith in the kids and especially the line coaches to put together good units.

[PigSkin Junkie]

I just hope the now Juniors will be more athletic than they have shown in the past and that the now sophomores (and their parents!!) will be more willing to accept their roles on this team than they have shown in the past!

[Geek61]

Hellbird covered all the bases. Nothing else to say. I agree huge questions will be how the lines come together. I have faith in the kids and especially the line coaches to put together good units.

 

Is bob Burnett still coaching the line? If so, there's no one better at getting the most out of a lineman.

[PigSkin Junkie]

Yes, it's still Coach Burnett ~ great news for Cooper that he keeps coming back!!

[Clyde]

Yes, it's still Coach Burnett ~ great news for Cooper that he keeps coming back!!

 

My Bob Burnett memory:

 

7th grade gym class. Dodgeball. Early in the game with lots of kids still on my team. The people seemed to part like the sea and then I saw why. Bob B had just cut loose a fastball. Nailed me right in the head. Good dude.

[Clyde]

What I'm very curious about is how Cooper works Aaron Morgan into the offense more this year. I can't imagine we'll see him JUST running routes. I'd get him a lot of touches from different spots including from the QB position.

[Fear the Nation]

What I'm very curious about is how Cooper works Aaron Morgan into the offense more this year. I can't imagine we'll see him JUST running routes. I'd get him a lot of touches from different spots including from the QB position.

 

Motion Jet Sweep, maybe a few reverses.

[PigSkin Junkie]

Morgan is quick, has great hands - there is nothing the kid can't do. But his role on defense is going to be beyond crucial so I hope he gets a little breather on offense....maybe out one play every 3 or 4 downs if we are putting sustained drives together. Rest him on 3rd and short and the following first down play if we can. I think Ludwig, Fussinger and Bricking can carry the offense quite capably if the O line is doing work. I think we were very well-conditioned last year and Morgan is in top shape now, no doubt about it. He has been and should continue to be a force on both sides of the ball.

[Hellbird]

Yes, it's still Coach Burnett ~ great news for Cooper that he keeps coming back!!

The best line coach in the area imo.

 

Love this story that was told to me by a Beechwood alum. When Max Montoya was hhelping coach at BW after he retired from the NFL, Coach Burnett was there and Max made the statement after the season that he had a ton of great coaches in College and the NFL but he never learned more his entire career than what he learned from Bob Burnett at Beechwood.

 

Now that is some of the highest praise you can receive if you ask me.

[Hellbird]

What I'm very curious about is how Cooper works Aaron Morgan into the offense more this year. I can't imagine we'll see him JUST running routes. I'd get him a lot of touches from different spots including from the QB position.

Last year he touched the ball a ton, not just running routes but also running the ball. I think you'll see more of the same with reverses etc.

 

They may be the deepest at WR this year than any other year so I wouldn't be surprised to see a player like Richie Pauls get some snaps at WR or slot either to give Aaron a breather now and then. The offense will all come down to how well Ludwig's passing game is I think.

 

Conditioning will be the key again this year because Borchers always has played a lot of guys both ways and last year they never seemed to get too gassed at all. Their conditioning was great. I expect to see a lot of that this year. There are a lot of seniors in this group and should mix nicely by getting some of the sophomores a few snaps to work them in etc. I believe there are something like 16 seniors or so.

[Fear the Nation]

I heard you guys are going to be younger and smaller than last year. Was told this year will be a litmus test for the program. Any truth to that.

[Hellbird]

I heard you guys are going to be younger and smaller than last year. Was told this year will be a litmus test for the program. Any truth to that.

i wouldn't say they are younger. They have more seniors this year than last year.