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Weber knows Miners must improve...now
The Linton-Stockton Miners have just crossed the halfway point of the 2007 football season, in spite of the 5-0 mark, coach Steve Weber sees areas of improvement, especially on the offensive side of the football.
At my high school, teachers used to give mid-term progress reports, which were basically what your grade was, and your progress halfway into the nine week grading period.
Recently I spoke with coach Weber and asked him his progress report in the areas of offense, defense, special teams, and coaching.
He was candid with his comments, giving praise when it was deserving, but also criticizing when it was neccesary.
One area that Weber hasn't been thrilled with is on the offensive end.
Despite other teams not coming close to defeating Linton-Stockton, and the Miners having little trouble putting points on the board, Weber still sees several spots where the offense could be better.
"Offensively I don't think we are where we need to be," said Weber. "We have way too many missed snaps, fumbles, and penalties. We've really put the defense in a hole quite a bit. I'm not real happy with the way the offense is looking."
One area Weber has been pleased with is the spread offense, run by junior Keth Cunningham.
"I am happy with our spread offense," noted Weber. "We're throwing the ball well. Keith has made some good decisions, so I'm happy with that part of it, but the running part, I think we need to do a lot better job with that."
A concern for Weber is that the run offense isn't where it needs if the sectional were to begin next Friday. Fortunately for Weber, his staff, and the players, the Miners still have four regular season games to perfect the run.
"We (coaches) aren't going to be happy until they do what (we know) they can do," stressed Weber. "They're a lot better than what they're showing. We're not used to a team shutting us down in the run like we have been. We should be able to move the ball better that that. We've had to rely on the pass more than I'd like. The pass has been working, but I want to run.
"Come late in the year like this the weather is going to deteriorate and you never know what kind of game you're going to have weather-wise, so I'm a firm believer that you've got to be able to run the ball during playoff time."
Another area that Weber has been pleased with is on the defensive side of the football. This season the offense -- with fumbles, interceptions, and missed snaps -- has placed the defense in some situations that required the defense to step up, and they've done their job this year.
"I think, defensively, we're playing real good," noted Weber. "I think that's the key to our team and it needs to be. To win championships you've got to have a strong defense and I think we do.
"We've been able to play the pass when teams have wanted to throw and we've been able to stop the run when teams keep it on the ground.
"We've got a complete package and kids who know the package and they're pretty aggressive kids. As long as we can stay healthy, we'll be pretty good."
Coach Weber gives several credits for the success of the defense, including defensive coordinator Mike Hayden and, of course, the players.
But Weber also believes that the scheme that Linton has run the past several years has also been key to their success.
"I think (success) has to do with being in the same system for seven years. We know it as coaches and the kids know it. It's something we've done for a long time. That's primary.
"We've got the full unit to be able to do different things. We've got Jaron Powell to be able play run if we need him to play run. Our corners have been able to play pass when we need them to play pass. Our linebackers, we're really three strong. Three good guys who can play and give us some good reps.
"On the defensive line we're bigger than we've been with (Josh) Meurer and (J.D) Fish, and even when Jayton Wright comes in we give up size, but we add some speed there with him. We've been able to move some kids out to end to get a little bigger there with Lance Irwin and Dusty Haldeman, who are both real good defensive ends.
"With our outside linebackers, Nate Padgett has done a whale of a job for us this year on both pass and run, but mostly run -- he's a pretty good run stopper -- and Cameron Coleman on the other side. I just think, as far defense, it's a total package where everyone knows their job and what their role is and they execute that.
"We haven't had too many breakdowns. We haven't given up any long passes or any long runs and that's good. Teams are going to complete passes, but as long as we can keep that under five yards and make them earn it all the way down the field, then they're a good team if they can do that. But when you give up 20 yard strikes, that's where you're defense struggles."
Special teams have yet to surrender a punt or a kick off return for a score. That being said, sophomore Evan Magni has returned two kick offs to the house, including a game-breaker against Sullivan in week 2 and a opening kick off last week in a win at West Vigo.
"I think our special teams are playing really good, too," said Weber. "There's a lot of good, talented kids there, and even back ups.
"Again, it's the same thing we've been doing year after year, so they understand what they're doing and they do it well. We've got some good athletes on the team and anytime you put speed and space out there you've got an advantage.
"Coach (Brian) Oliver does a great job with the special teams and Evan Magni is returning kicks now. He's returned two and is doing a good job, but they're also doing a good job of blocking for him."
One of the biggest advantages that Weber feels his players have over many of the teams they'll face throughout the season is that of his coaching staff. Overall, he believes he has the best staff, who are teaching the kids good football.
"The coaching staff has done a great job. These guys (players) have got some of the best position coaches there are. A lot of teams will go to team and scrimmage a lot, we're able to split up and work on the individuals of football. There's not too many staff that I'd say are doing a better job than what they're doing.
"I think coach (Mike) Hayden is doing a good job calling the defense and getting us in the right positions, whether it's a passing situation or a run situation. I think coach Oliver is doing a nice job scouting other teams special teams and getting us a position to do good there."
Perhaps the biggest criticism by Weber was reserved for himself.
"Offensively I think I might be a little bull-headed at times in forcing the run when the pass is there," he mentioned. "I'm a firm beleiver in being able to run the ball. Maybe the last few weeks it's taken me a little longer to go to he pass, but we're going to keep working."
What grade whould you give the Miners for their midterm report?
Keep in mind, when you judge, that the most important thing is not what their grade is after five weeks, but what it will be once the season is completed.
Greene County Daily World sports editor Paul Wilcoxen welcomes comments by phone at 1-800-947-4487 ext. 20 or by e-mail at pwilcoxen@dailycitizen.com or sportsgreenecounty@yahoo.com