A Coach’s Perspective
Two days before the preseason opener against the South Central Broncos and the Lions run through their offensive and defensive schemes in short pants and helmet. No one gets hit today. My ribs are thankful, but I wonder if my hamstrings are just plain history: dilapidated rubber bands that will never regain their youthful form. I plan on soaking, hydrating, and eating nothing but bananas for the next 32 hours. But I’m here to praise the preseason Lions, not to bury my antiquated body.
At the end of practice Coach Brian Schremp let out a snarl, effectively saying, “We’ll see how good we are on Saturday.” And for now, even for the coach, how good is anyone’s best guess. This is a new league for the Lions. Schremp is familiar with a couple of the teams who are also joining it, but confesses that most don’t really share film and they often try to keep some of their talent “close to the vest.” But he says even a preseason win is important because it influences power rankings. So the Lions should be going for the kill.
It will be a renewed perspective for Schremp. Back on the field as a playing coach, he’s trading in a headset in for a helmet after one year on the sidelines. For someone who’ll turn forty during the season, football simply runs through this guy’s blood. After college at Ferris State, he coached at his old high school outside Detroit for a few years. When a job moved him to Lafayette about 15 years ago he planned on easing into the sedentary habits of middle age. But he soon discovered the then Lafayette Generals, and the subsequent history is still being written a dozen years later for the offensive lineman who’s also calling the shots.
Saturday should indeed be telling for the Lions. Schremp will get to reevaluate his own talent in game situations, while sizing up some of the somewhat familiar competition. God help all of us.