We’re less than one week away from fall practices and the beginning of a new era of Air Force football. So this is as good a time as any to begin a new era of The Gazette’s coverage of the Falcons.
Welcome to the Air Force sports blog. This is the first entry in what I hope will be an informative and fun place for those following the Falcons to check on a daily basis. It will include quick updates from practices and games, notes that didn’t quite make the paper due to space limitations, and observations from fall camp, the press box and the road.
Like this: I just returned from a visit to Jack’s Valley, an area on the north side of the academy grounds where incoming freshmen spend the more physically grueling portion of basic training. The visit will provide much of the material for a story I will be writing for the paper, but I thought I’d pass along some observations about two incoming athletes I met.
One, Phillip Brown – who former men’s basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik called “a very big-time recruit” – most definitely passes the eye test. He’s all of 6-foot-6, has long arms and, judging by the way he went through the obstacle course at Jack’s Valley, is extremely athletic.
Two, Mike Martinovich should challenge for a spot on the football team’s travel roster. Though he is entering the academy directly without going to the prep school (like Brown), he already has the size – 6-4, 237. He too looked impressive on the course.
Mr Shaller….Congrats! An outstanding idea that’s similar in content to forums and message boards but obviously has the qualifier of ‘inside’ insights from you or your staff. While many items on forums are speculative (and while even your comments on this blog are your observations and opinions), entries from you here carry more substantiated ‘facts’ than on the above mentioned boards (of which I participate!). Keep up the good work in your watching, reviewing and supporting our Falcons!! See you at Clune (aka THE CHAMBER)this fall and Beat South Carolina State! Go Falcons
Dear Mr. Schaller—Talk about an idea whose time has come! Kudos to you for taking the time to do this. I have already enjoyed your excellent coverage of our Falcons, and I look forward to finding out your take on the happenings in Jack’s Valley. I have a son who is a soccer recruit going through Basic Training right now, and a son on the football team, so this sounds like the blog for me! Thanks again!
Mr. Schaller – I love reading your stories each day and think you’re a huge asset to the Gazette. I’ve been reading the paper for years and enjoy your work more than anyone else’s. You’re not a cheerleader, but someone who reports the facts in an interesting manner. Please keep the articles coming! GO AIR FORCE!
Dear Mr. Schaller,Thank goodness there is a place I can surf for AF sports! I think you can appreciate the frustration of trying to follow our team from somewhere around the world… I’ve just added your blog to my favorites.Now, about them Falcons! I don’t think many of us knowledgeable fans are concerned about scoring points… We’ll get our share… But, if we’re going to turn things around this year it’s going to be the result of pure nastiness from our defense.I’m happy the team likes their new unis… I just can’t wait to see how good they look dirty!Thanks again for taking the time to write about our Falcons… I hope to get back to the States for a home game this year. Look forward to meeting you over a Brat and barley pop.
foursin -Thanks for the comment. Hopefully the blog will help you keep up with the Falcons a bit better.And, yes, I think you’re right on the money about the defense. Last year lowly UNLV put up 555 yards on the Falcons!!! They can’t let stuff like that happen again this year.What I like is that new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter (and Calhoun, of course) have instilled a new philosophy. Gone are the bend-but-don’t break days of the past few years. Air Force now is going to be blitzing often and trying to make things happen.I love that. I’d much rather play aggressively and get burned for a big play now and then. That’s way better than sitting back and suffering a slow death.Thanks again for the note.-Jake