Destroy Everything Moving
I didn’t watch the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. If you have that good of a memory to remember why, I was on a plane flying back to Alabama from Southern California, formally ending my winter vacay. So yes, I suffered two blows that late night: coming back to hear that the Buckeyes blew the game in the final seconds, and realizing that I was back in Alabama.
God. Damn. It.
I try not to throw stones at the players, but I wasn’t particularly thrilled to read that a few of the players thought the loss was admirable. Sadly, the footage escapes me at the moment, but I remember Alex Boone1 saying that he thought the fact that it was a close loss silenced a lot of the critics. Similarly, James Laurinaitis was proud of the defense that got shredded the length of the field en route to giving up the last second score. I understand Laurinaitis was also thinking within the context of a 4 year career, but I was a little more partial to how Terrelle Pryor took the loss: Hard. It sucked. Losses suck. I never want to lose again.
…and someone’s gotta pay.
That’s why I’m excited to read that Thaddeus Gibson announced he wants to destroy everything moving, though I will ignore the casual laugh he offered after that sentence. The time for niceties is over; somebody’s gotta pay. Hyperbole aside, it’s good to know that Thaddeus Maximus is taking the necessary initiative to strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy his brothers.
Recognizing the run, on the field and in the film room, is the main priority. Gibson is also adjusting to playing with offensive linemen coming at him, not just when he’s trying to blow past them. He checks his progress multiple times a day with text messages to Heacock.
” ‘How was I today coach? What do you think I need to work on tomorrow? How was my hand placement today?’ ” Gibson said, describing his messages. “You just have to know when to be aggressive and when not to.”
Do Work, Thaddeus.
On that same note, it’s invigorating with just a smack of absurdism to read that someone’s taking that same philosophy to the offensive line already. That someone happens to be a (former) Michigan Wolverine, Justin Boren. Apparently he’s been bringing the aggression to practice, and then some.
“Boren is so physical,” defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. “You look at him and you see how big and how wide he is (6 feet 3, 315 pounds), but he brings it, and he brings it real, real quick.”
Which just adds to the theme of the spring for the offensive line: play more physical. Worthington said that goal is shared by the defensive front, too, resulting in some pithy scrimmage sessions thus far.
“Boren is a monster, he’s a man among boys,” said Worthington.
“He’s really a very, very physical offensive lineman, one of the most physical offensive linemen I’ve ever gone against.
“Boren is a good friend and I love going against him because he’s a big bowling ball and strong as an ox.
“Boren is something to deal with.
“Definitely.”
Testy, heated exchanges in the trenches this early into the 2009 preseason can only be a good thing. That offensive line lacked a thirst for violence — at least: the good kind of violence (~4:05 into the clip), not the stupid kind of violence, Alex Boone. At least a second generation Michigan Wolverine (expatriate) is bringing it in 2009.
Not to be outdone, our returning quarterback — some dude named Terrelle Pryor — has been obsessing about getting better as well.
It’s a cliche to say that this is the time of the year where championships are won, but… yes… this is the time of the year where championships are won. It’s uplifting to read that this is being internalized by a few players who will play key roles in 2009.
- I think it was Boone. [↩]
Is it wrong to say, ‘Of course Boren is good he wasn’t coached by Bollman and Co.’?
before he signed with us, i always had felt that pryor was kind of arrogant and full of himself, which he still might be. but it’s also undeniable that he works his ass off and takes the potential success or failure of his team with deadly seriousness. can’t wait to see what pryor and the rest of the team does this year.
I’m encouraged too. But, I heard alot of lip service over the last few years on how “much improved” the lines and especially the offense should be….not.
We will know only when USC rolls into town. We’ll see how tough and revenge oriented these guys are then. That game will propel us to greatness or ruin the season.
No pressure.
……yes what has been missing is the killer instinct to finish what we start. Get pissed off and come back for the spoils…. I hope and pray that is going to be different this year.
WHERE IS DORIAN BELL BKAB?!?!?!