School started the week after Coal's funeral. Just as we had discussed that night on the corner at the record shop, I rejoined the team, and Nut came with me to try-out. We both quit smoking and drinking. We both stopped hanging-out. Every night after practice, we talked on the telephone about football for hours. It was the first time Nut had shown special interest in any thing but clowning around. He was never dumb. But he also never challenged himself to do anything constructive. Right away he was popular with the players on defense. Maybe because he could play football. The high school team was not his football initiation. Like most male in the neighborhood, sports were the only recreation we could afford (reading was my way to escape the boredom and monotony of life in Binghampton). Playing was a way of life--the fix for idle time--playing was the air you breathed. Football was just another game. Those who were coordinated enough and prone to mano-a-mano confrontation made sports their arena for proving it.
High school was Nut's first exposure to organized football as opposed to the sandlot and street versions of the game. Once he got use to the equipment, and started responding to coaching with grasp of technique as defensive player, his aggression and energy on the field made him a favorite with my JV class--we ruled the team. Seniors from my Junior year when I did not play, were not supportive of him nor me because they knew he was going to beat-out one of them and take a spot on defense--just as they knew I would be the star player--even though I was a quitter to them.
It was the last week of training camp for '68 season. Cleats clacking along sidewalk between gym and East end of main building at Lester High, we were on our way to football field when Coach Robinson popped out of the double doors to gym.
"NuBreed, I need to talk to you, Son."
"I'm listening, Coach."
"See you out there, QB," Nut skipped into a trot on his way to practice field.
"About your decision to leave the team last year."
“You mean when I quit?"
"I don't think of you as a quitter, Son."
"Coach, I was selfish........."
"That. But you have to have confidence in your ability. You have to believe you're the best, to be
good. I was wrong for discouraging you. It broke your spirit. And it didn't help the team.
"And just between me and you.
"Coaches aint always right.
"Maybe I just didn't understand you. What motivates you. Although I thought I was doing what was best for the team. And showing concern about you getting a college education.
"Maybe I was kind of hard on you."He slapped my shoulder pads--clack!
Arm around right shoulder, Coach Robinson continued conversation as we walked out towards the practice field…….
"You my starting quarterback now. No competition. You and Coach Adams run the offense. I think this year, this team, can be something special for Lester. We deserve a winning team--for Binghampton--for the students who are here and the ones who graduated. GODdamn-it! I'm sick-n-tired of walking off fields thinking the football gods hate us.
"Your undefeated JV team all Seniors now. They're still just as hungry. We have the talent in key positions--the attitude and pride to get this thing done this year. What we've never had is a DEfense. Thisyear the DEEfense is my BAby.
"I'm turning the offense over to Ross.”
"Coach Adams taught me how to play quarterback. He the main man for me--I'll follow Coach to hell for a hot tamale. But I'm down for the team. I don't have to play quarterback. We just want Lester to stand-up and fight for every inch on the football field--kick some ass for Binghampton and the black-n-gold"
"You're Lester's quarterback."
"That means a lot to me.
"To hear you say that. I won't let you down, Coach Robinson."
"I know you won't.
"Better not," we mutually extended hands palms up--to slap palms.
"You under center. Humphries in the backfield. He's a bruiser. You can run off his blocking. All we need is 3 or 4 yards at a time to soften-up the D-line.
"The toss sweep and screen pass--will be our calling card. We get the two of you out in space and run the ball and clock down their throats. Your play-action is sweet enough to keep the linebackers back on their heels. Hey!--if they rush up the middle--you run to the edge--no rush from the edge--watch the tendency--it leaves the end stuck-out with no 2-deep coverage--call a sweep to the side where linebacker is set the deepest--watch the flow--toss-it or cut back--bang-bang--believe it!
"We going to take you from under center on some plays. Set you up in the backfield--call the signal from where your 5-step drop stops--that way you can read the coverage better.
"You're good at throwing routes--but if coverage takes it away-- see the gap in blocking lanes--if you can get to it--green light!--GO.
"You have to work on lunging low to meet contact--keep from getting nailed straight-up. Big target. But after a few games--defenses won't be able to key on the pass and run at the same time."
"I like it, Coach. I can do all that. I always could call a play."
"It's your time to shine BAby--hit the field--NUBreed!"
"Heads-up!" Coach Adams threw a pass in my direction from practice field.
"We back together again."
"How you feel?'
"I'm ready for some football, Coach."
"That's what I want to hear.
"Glad to have you back."
"You know it was never about you."
"Remember. I was a player too. You had some growing-up to do. Can't play the game by yourself. And I don't care how gifted you are. You have to respect the pecking order.
"Football is a team process, Son. And the team is only as good as the coaching staff."
Coach Adams was the youngest of our four coaches and JV head coach and gym teacher. He was probably in his early 30's (at age 16, 18 was old to me--could not imagine myself as 21--thought I turned 17 that September '68). Though he played collegiate ball at Florida A&M, Coach did not project a jock presence nor demeanor (I was actually taller than him by a few inches). He never raised his voice, but blew the whistle soon as there was a breakdown--technique--read--or judgement. Coach had a way of shaking his head from upright to bowed position that spoke volumes.
"Keep-it--it's yours," we had been tossing the football back and forth.
"We put in the offense today that Coach Robinson was talking to you about.
"Not that different than what we ran in JV. Big difference, is a big advantage for you. The Rifle formation. You line-up--call the signals from 5-step drop in backfield. Your speed and quickness--the D can't get to you. We pick'um apart with pass-run option. Big Claude punishing them with 2 and 3 yard a carry turns into 5 and 6 in the second half--helmet and knees--the D don't want none--what we say!?"
"Got to bring some to get some."
“That what I'm talking about.
"I want you to run more. Not run first. But run more.
"You've got to practice running under the tackle--takes away the tackler's leverage."
"I love to run with-it--you know that, Coach. "
"We can win with this offense just like we did in JV. I was holding you back. Now I think you ready to run off the porch out front with the big dogs. They might be bigger and stronger. But they still got to stop the ball. And we go keep it moving………..."
