November 1, 2007 - I am a Spitfire rookie preparing to
play my first year of full contact football, but that initial or
introductory phase didn’t last too long. Although the rookie label
still applies, there has been little “taking it easy on the rookie”
since the second weekend of tryouts. I’ve been shot-gunned into
“THE quarterback” role. I went from walking the sidelines and
trying to find my footing, to diving head first into the end zone!
I am, though, slowly learning how to slide and go feet first to keep
from getting too banged up, but it’s felt like a constant 2-minute
drill!
I’m also beginning to find my voice
on the field, not just with the endless questions I ask every
practice (thanks Coach!), but with my play-calling, encouraging my
teammates, and those frequent apologies for having a brain
malfunction while in the middle of play execution! There’s a split
second right after the ball gets snapped that by brain goes
comatose, so I’m still waiting for that QB instinct to take charge
of my brain!
I still collide with running-backs,
hit the occasional receiver in the shin with a pass, and put a
little too much zip on the ball (sorry about the jammed fingers and
bruises!), but the more we practice, the more I see unity of mind
and physical talent.
The first few weeks were about the
basics: how many people on the line, who’s eligible to catch a pass,
where the running lanes are, how to block… Now, more than a month
into it, I no longer only have to remember who’s going through which
hole, or how far a 6-route goes down-field; but also not to stare at
receivers or telegraph my passes. I’m learning to step up in the
pocket when I feel pressure from the defense, and remembering to
note the line of scrimmage so I don’t throw an illegal forward pass.
My mind is going from seeing
circles and arrows on a play-book page to seeing the whole field so
I can make adjustments when a play breaks down and to recognize
defensive configurations.
One thing I now understand is that
even though it only takes 10 yards to gain a first down, it takes a
unified team to get there: the offensive line has to stay set until
the ball is snapped; the running backs have to read their blocks
while hustling through the correct hole; and the receivers have to
remember to keep their pinkies together when making that
over-the-shoulder catch on the 8-route.
I’m working to better understand
how the defense works, and to read the entire field. It enables me
to make the best decision and to move those sticks down field to
another 1st and 10!
From inside the (tackle) Box,
hoping your line protects you ‘til next time!
~The Rookie Quarter-Boyce
