10/10/18 Bailey Beat Bedichek Badly?

    What can I say that I haven't said before?  It seemed this week, Javalina was going to be allowed to focus on defense, but after two series, one of the offensive linemen gave up and Javalina was tossed in at Left Tackle.  He has now played all the offensive linemen positions except right tackle in 5 short games, how is he expected to master any of them?  There are different approaches to any of the positions, such as at tackle, you deal with usually faster defensive ends versus stronger bodies pushing you straight back.  The first week he played back-up center and because we knew this, we went outside and practiced at the house, first concentrate on delivering the ball to the QB, then blocking anybody in front of you or even a possible blitzing person from the backfield.  Then he went two weeks where he did no center work, but then last week he played center most of the game which he hadn't practiced much at.  He had said he was going to be stuck at guard again, which he likes better.  He did horribly, this week he started only on defense but eventually found himself on the field most of the game.  I'm glad the coaches count on him, but I don't believe he can be explosive on either side when he is going the whole time.
    I think they need to focus on some sort of short passing game.  They have like two completions a game, knowing this, the other teams just bring everybody and overwhelm the front five, thus there is no space to run.  If they had an effective passing game, the linebackers and secondary might back up and open the running game for them.  The only positive thing I can tell Javalina is that he just needs to keep learning, both how to tackle and the nuances of the game, such as angles to take, maybe even some footwork.  He did a couple weeks of boxing class, this off season, he will do a lot more of that, mostly because I think that could help make him better at dancing around without falling, and possibly make him leaner and meaner.
    My folks did get to see him this week, which was fun.  Wife was able to make it up too, as did Boy and the GF.  I know that our boy is trying hard on the field, he is the only one soaked with sweat all the way through his jersey and that is saying something since the nights are kind of cool.