FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[seventiesraider]

On a happier note: I see Nick Sirranni is doing a football camp at W & J this summer. Good news for you western PA and east border Ohioans

Are you sure it isn't Mike running the camp?  He is the HC at W&J.

sorry, Nick was in some of my education classes.

OK, just make sure you type beyond the LAST quotation mark. [/quote] then type

A little bit of teacher in me after all

[beenhit2hard]

Being a former Teacher,,I accept the info from a fellow teacher. Sorry to hear about the "retirement",,,,I did 34 years,,and enjoyed it,, but ending the school day on the practice field was a gooooood feeling,,,and I will work on my quotes,,but I did get the info on Nick correct,,do you give credit for content,,,even if the format is wrong ??

[HURFMUC]

I think it's Mike.....didn't Nick pick up a job with one of the NFL teams??



K C Chiefs

[/quote

KC Chiefs

don't feel bad beenhit2hard hscoach is a good teacher for helping peolpe quote better. He was my teacher

[HURFMUC]

And I still get it wrong

[beenhit2hard]

And I still get it wrong

I don't feel bad,, I just go look at my rings !!!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

And I still get it wrong

I don't feel bad,, I just go look at my rings !!!

LOL, best line on PP today!

Almost as good as Patrick Roy's quote about not being to hear someone because of the Stanley Cup Rings in his ears.

[kyalliance]

nice article on pierre from colts' web site


June 3
COMING ALONG
By John Oehser - Special to Colts.com

Caldwell: Second-Year Receiver Pierre Garcon Making Strides in Organized Team Activities
INDIANAPOLIS – Pierre Garcon didn't bother hiding his smile.
On a bright, early June morning this past Tuesday, Garcon – a second-year wide receiver for the Colts and one of several receivers vying for increased playing time at the position next season – had what Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell later said was an impressive workout.

He got open deep. He made long catches.

He got open short. And made tough catches in crowds.

Yes, it was "only" a summer-school workout, and there were no pads or no contact. But Garcon stood out enough for the Colts' head coach to notice.

And enough to crack a smile later.

"It's good," Garcon said after a mid-morning session of the Colts' 2009 OTAs, which will continue through next week at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. "If they're throwing it to me, you have to catch it. It lets them know I'm still around and he (Colts quarterback Peyton Manning) is still looking at me.

"It helps. You try to get better."

Garcon, a sixth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft from Mount Union, said he was more concerned Tuesday about a long pass he didn't 

 

catch.

"Try to get it tomorrow," he said.

Garcon, who played sparingly as a rookie last season, is one of three or four receivers who has been mentioned by Caldwell and Manning as competing for the third receiver position, which came open in part because of the release for salary-cap reasons of eight-time Pro Bowl selection Marvin Harrison.

"He's coming along," Caldwell said of Garcon Tuesday. "I think you could see in practice today that he can catch your eye. He has the speed, size and strength to be a real fine player. It's just a matter of getting enough experience and getting a better grasp of the system."

Of the roster vacancy left by Harrison's release, Garcon said, "Somebody has to fill it. I plan on doing that, but you can't replace Marvin at all, so I'll do my best, and do what I can."

Garcon played sparingly as a rookie at receiver, catching four passes for 23 yards, and Caldwell earlier this offseason said Garcon mainly needed repetitions to make the improvement necessary to contribute.

"He's gotten better," Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden said. "That's the thing. You want to make that step from your rookie year to your second year. I think he's making those leaps. He's putting in the work and working hard.

"All you have to do now is continue to improve and I think he'll do that."

Garcon this week was asked what he needed to do to continue making that improvement. He listed several important areas. Consistency. Big plays. Knowledge of the offense.

"Making plays," he said. "Being there."

Asked the difference between his rookie offseason and now, smiled and answered quickly.

"I know the playbook a lot better," he said, "and Peyton trusts me a little more. I understand the defenses more. I know a little more what to do and the timing is better.

"I'm more confident in myself and more relaxed."

With Harrison not on the roster, Caldwell has been asked often this offseason about the need to find a young receiver to be productive along with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne and third-year veteran Anthony Gonzalez, a pair of former first-round draft selections.

"Obviously, we depend heavily on the pass," Caldwell said. "It has been an integral part of our offense, just in terms of our ability to put the ball in the end zone, so what we're looking for is just the same thing we've had year in and year out. That's a guy who plays that third position who can be a contributor and that comes along and understands the system and is able to adapt and adjust to various coverages.

"I think that's what we're working on and getting. We have some young guys who are in position to give us some help in that situation."

Garcon, who along with Roy Hall, first-year veteran Sam Giguere and rookie fourth-round selection Austin Collie have been mentioned as possibilities at third receiver, said while nothing's guaranteed, "It's a great opportunity."

"It's what I dream for and what I wish for," Garcon said. "I have one year under my belt to learn. Now, to put it all to work, it's the best opportunity I could have."

In other Colts news Wednesday, wide receiver Reggie Wayne participated in the team's OTA session. He is expected to also attend the team's three-day mandatory mini-camp Friday through Sunday.

"Year in and year out, he's probably kept the same schedule," Caldwell said. "He's a guy who keeps himself in great physical condition. I spoke with him a few days ago. He told me he may be in the best shape he ever has been. That's pretty good shape, because he does an excellent job maintaining his condition."




Stay up to date with the Colts by having the Colts Newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.
Click here to subscribe

 



 

















   

[Small but Slow]

By all appearances Garcon is going to have a chance to prove himself with the Colts.  Kiper & Co. Predicted they would draft a WR to replace Harrison and they didn't, nor did they bring in any free agents to compete for the job.  I can't imagine a better place for him at this point in his career behind Reggie Wayne and a somewhat proven #2 in Gonzales.  The Colts did spend a draft pick on him and gave him a year on the roster to get comfortable in the league.  With Manning at QB if he has the work ethic and talent (which must be the case) he will get a shot to show what he can do.  I believe a lot can be said about what is not being said about the WR position to indicate they believe in his ability.

[seventiesraider]

Encouraging news on Pierre. Glad the Colts recognize the pure talent and joy of the game that is Mr. Garcon. Looking forward to meeting Tony Dungy this weekend and asking him about his experience with Pierre.

BTW for those who recently requested a Garcon rookie card, they went into the mail today

[Blutarsky]

Just to be on a "first name basis" with Manning would be pretty cool to me.

[frank uible]

Playing in the NFL involves as much meritocracy as anything I know.

[Blutarsky]

OK, for all of us on the OAC forum who attended public schools:

MERITOCRACY--"A system whereby intellectual achievement is rewarded by rapid advancement; leadership selected on intellectual criteria" (Webster's)

[SaintsFAN]

OK, for all of us on the OAC forum who attended public schools:

MERITOCRACY--"A system whereby intellectual achievement is rewarded by rapid advancement; leadership selected on intellectual criteria" (Webster's)

or an organization (in this case the NFL) where stardom is based on merit --- ie... you have to earn it on the field.

[reality check]

OK, for all of us on the OAC forum who attended public schools:

MERITOCRACY--"A system whereby intellectual achievement is rewarded by rapid advancement; leadership selected on intellectual criteria" (Webster's)

or an organization (in this case the NFL) where stardom is based on merit --- ie... you have to earn it on the field.

or a system of basic government in which the leadership is based on the accumulation of Boy Scout merit badges... a meritocracy.

Next week's lesson: Pinewoodderbyism.

[HScoach]

Wow.  Those words are way too big for me.  Back to football:



(ALLIANCE, OH)—Hudsonville (MI) High School senior Zak Hundley has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Hundley, a 5-10, 200-pound linebacker, was an all-conference and all-academic selection for coach Dave Durham at Hudsonville High School.  Hundley plans to study exercise science and is the son of Pat and Wendy Hundley of Hudsonville.



(ALLIANCE, OH)—Edison High School senior Jesse Byron has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Byron, a 5-10, 210-pound linebacker, was an all-Ohio, all-district and all-conference selection for coach Mike McKenzie at Edison High School.  Byron plans to study engineering and is the son of Brenda and Randy Byron



(ALLIANCE, OH)—Marysville High School senior Kevin Bennett has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Bennett, a 6-2, 260-pound offensive lineman, was a two-time all-conference, all-district and team captain for coach Jeff Gafford at Marysville High School.  Bennett is an undeclared major and the son of Kevin and Mary Bennett of Marysville.



(ALLIANCE, OH)—LaBrae High School senior Bryan Watkins has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Watkins, a 6-1, 210-pound linebacker, was an all-Ohio and a two-time all-conference and all-district selection for coach Bill Borehn at LaBrae High School.  Watkins plans to study marketing and is the son of Brenda Grooms of Newton Falls.




(ALLIANCE, OH)—Oxford Talawanda High School senior Noah Krall has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Krall, a 5-11, 200-pound linebacker, was an all-Ohio, all-conference, all-district and two-time conference defensive player of the year for coach Michael Wright at Talawanda High School.  He is the school's career tackles leader and also holds a school record for tackles in a game (24).  Krall plans to study business administration and is the son of James and Jene Krall of Oxford.