There are so many places to identify change with this "team." I use the term loosely, because I am referring to the group of individuals who have been a part of this common goal of football here in Missoula. I mean it not as the "Raptors" or "Phoenix" or "Missoula..." anything, but the faces and names and actions of the people I have come to love and respect as my surrogate family. We have learned a lot in the previous two years, myself more than most seeing as I've had the most to learn and the least amount of experience coming into this whole deal. Last year I was a rookie ST Coordinator who learned on the go, so this year I'm a year more experienced while adding Asst. Linebacker coach to my title. Another year, another unfamiliar territory. I'm very excited to tackle this task though as the corps of linebackers we've accrewed this season brings a healthy dose of optimism. To me, attitude is as important as physical attributes if not more, and still they both take a back seat to football intelligence. Once we implement our full Defensive scheme I'm convinced the attitude and heart of our linebackers will be rivaled by their knowledge and preparation for gameday. So to recap, I'm excited and sometimes I like to use big words not normally found in the sports section.
I've tried to get to know all of the new coaches, and that's no easy task this year. I feel as though I'm the weak link, a position I'm familiar and comfortable with. All of the new coaches bring in unique experience and a refreshing new attitude to some of the veterans who had become familiar and a little complacent with the old routine. It's just enough of a shakeup to recharge the desire without being alienating or forcible. I look forward to being a part of this staff and contributing to the best of my ability.
While some may be excited about the new logo (as I am), uniforms, colors, yada yada, yada, I find myself the most eager to troll the sidelines of Washington Grizzly Stadium with the rest of the Phoenix. Even as much as one game would get me charged up. The atmosphere in that place, regardless of the matchup or attendance is electric. It's quite an opportunity for a kid who played one year of Jr. High Football in small-town Montana.
I'll be jotting down more throughout the season in my own brand of humor, so I hope you enjoy. I know I'll be enjoying the hell out of this season from a coaching standpoint so I hope you enjoy it from whatever vantage point you have chosen.
Monson