Did you ever miss your chance?

[Damaramu 0]

Watching football casually is different from knowing what's happening and why. If you want to play defense, you have to react to what's happening in front of you. You were saying that you want to rush the quarterback, but would you know how to recognize a screen pass?

I wasn't saying that I want to rush the QB everytime! I was merely giving an example.

No I don't know all of that. But I am working on it. I'm studying. I plan on taping all the big bowl games(especially OU/LSU since that's where I'm going) and studying each play and watching what the defensive lineman does and how he reacts.

Plus my dad was a defensive lineman in High School(he's 6'6" and about 300 pounds) so I'm going to use him to help me practice and learn what I need to do.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Don't forget the possibility of special teams. Special teams is alot simpler than offense and defense and those guys usually aren't the superstars of the team.

[Damaramu 0]

Don't forget the possibility of special teams. Special teams is alot simpler than offense and defense and those guys usually aren't the superstars of the team.

Yeah I was thinking about that to.

I'm just afraid that I'm not even going to get the chance to try out. Or I'm going to walk into try outs and get laughed out of the stadium.

That's why I've been working out so hard...so that I'm in great shape and that I'm built like a house.

I have broad shoulders and a huge frame which would make me in addition to being tall very wide. Which is why I think I should be a defensive lineman. But I'm fine with being on special teams. I just want to play. Period. Be it on the prep squad or at games.

I'm just afraid I'll get cut at try outs. Or they'll see that I haven't played before and say "Don't bother."

So I guess I need to work on the confidence beforehand. I've looked for statistics on the walk-on deal but I can't find anything. I hear that a lot of walk-ons are looked down on and most of the time don't even make the prep squad cut. And then some walk-ons turn into gigantic stars.

But I bet those walk-ons played in High School.

But like I said.....I may get out there and have a gigantic natural talent that I didn't know about.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I'd mark out for you if you had "THE MIGHTY DAMARAMU" on your name plate. That makes any sort of hijinks the XFL attempted with names look like a pile of puke.

[Damaramu 0]

I'd mark out for you if you had "THE MIGHTY DAMARAMU" on your name plate. That makes any sort of hijinks the XFL attempted with names look like a pile of puke.

"Let's meet the defense for the Oklahoma Sooners. Here we have The Mighty Damaramu."

[The Czech Republic 0]

Yeah, it'd be cool, the name plate would have to go like across your arms, like that KGB guy on the Packers, or Jamie Langenbrunner.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Make sure that you can run. I can't stress that enough. I'm sure that there will be people who will be out of shape because even professional players do it sometimes. If you come to tryouts in good shape, you will do alot to make sure you don't embarass yourself. I'm not saying don't jog at all, but you would be better off doing alot of short-mid distance sprints and timing your rest periods in between sprints.

[Damaramu 0]

Yeah my mom is telling me that if I come in there with the correct attitude and looking like I know what the hell I'm doing plus being in tremendous shape then they may just see something and put me on the prep squad or red shirt me.

So I think if I can do all those things then I'll make it.

I can't tell if I have a good shot or a bad shot.

At press time I don't have any shot. But in 3 months I will probably have a great shot.

[Dr. Tom 0]

I still think you should focus on being an inside linebacker. Small defensive linemen (anyone under 280 pounds) HAVE to be quick and explosive. Maybe you can become that way ina few months, but I wouldn't go betting the farm on it. A guy like Dwight Freeney can blow past some offensive linemen and get sacks, but there are times he gets pushed around like a little bitch because he's small. If you end up at 260 or so, you're going to get dogged by a 300-pound offensive lineman unless you can get around him right off the bat. If he has good technique and footwork, though (and some guys that size are surprisingly quick and agile), then you're going to spend a considerable amount of time on your backside.

 

Go the linebacker route. I really think it's a better call. You shouldn't have to cover speedy wide receivers: that's the job of the DBs. You'll be in zone coverage sometimes, and WRs might come into your zone, but that's when you lower your shoulder and try to separate them from the ball when they make the catch. Your man coverage roles will be against tight ends, so if you can run with people your own size and build, you should be fine.

[Damaramu 0]

I may be a Linebacker.

I wonder if over the next few months I worked my ass off(which I am) and got really strong and became built like a house, became super agile, and then worked on and got freaky speed if I'd be able to go in only having average football skills and get put on the team anyways because of potential they see in me? Maybe they'll be like "This guy is strong, fast, and agile...he hasn't played football before but he has some average skills. He's very teachable. We'll teach him." That could happen. They could red shirt me and teach me for that season. Or stick me on 3rd string and be like "Learn" or hell even stick me on the prep squad and tell me to learn.

They may see potential. That's why I have to get in super shape. Which I am.

I am getting a physical assessment at my gym. Then they want me to tell them what my goal is and I'm telling them I want to be a football player(which is one of the people they work with) and then they'll give me a personalized workout to get me in shape. I love this gym.