11/6/2007 12:24:41 PM

Reflection

Traveling as much as I have, I find airports to be great places for reflection and finding clarity. It may seem odd because airports are so bustling but it’s full of so many people from all walks of life and all parts of the globe, walking right past each other with no intention of learning anything about each other. Amidst all this I find myself sitting at my layover stop in Phoenix, Arizona on my way to Maryland trying to catalogue not so much what went wrong with this season (I’ve done enough of that I think,) but looking for things that went right in 2007. In absence of an abundance of positives, I think I’ll settle for some things that I’m excited about for 2008.
While the off-season is in its infancy for us currently, I sense change on the horizon already. I’ve been on enough bad teams to know that they seldom stand pat after a season of disappointment. Everyone has an opinion as to who should take the fall for this particular years episode of ineptitude and that debate will rage on probably until this time next year with the inevitable comparisons that will follow coming personnel and coaching moves throughout the season.
Although we’ve had our struggles offensively, a great deal of my excitement going into next season lies in the possibility of being in this offense for a second year. I can recall the first year that B.C. was in this offense and they had one receiver over 1500 yards and no-one else reached 1000. Yet, the following year they had 3 receivers over 1000, followed by Brazzell with 900yds plus and Frank Cutolo with 800yds plus. With Jason and T.J. healthy going into next year I certainly like our chances at our own three over 1000 yards, and I be thrilled if all the pieces stayed in place in order for that to happen. However, I’d have to be blind and deaf to look past all of the speculation that either my offensive coordinator or head coach, may no longer be with the team. Honestly, I don’t want to see either of them go. I feel that both coaches have a lot to offer the team in 2008, and I hope that the powers that be can find a way to maximize both parties for the future of this team. I can’t express how exciting it would be to come back to the same offensive system in the coming training camp with a season already under our belts in which we definitely got enough kinks out to flourish.
From a personal standpoint, I suppose that I had a pretty good year. That being said, I look forward to taking larger strides towards becoming the player I feel that I can be. Having an 80 catch, 1000yd season under my belt is certainly a good start, but for those that may think that this season is the ceiling on my capabilities in this league – prepare for more shock and awe. My statistical goals for the 2007 season were 80 catches, 1200yds and 10 touchdowns so by my own standards I came up short. I came very close to reaching those goals which is promising, and finishing as one of the top 10 receivers in the league is a refreshing change – but not enough. I expect a great deal from myself, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of elevating myself even further in 2008. Understanding how I’m perceived in this league, I’m sure that there will be no shortage of people pulling for my past to come back to haunt me – which is fine by me. I know what I bring to the table and I always have, which is why it didn’t shock me that I was able to play the way I did this year, and it won’t shock me at all to find my name even closer to the top of the receiving charts next year. The challenge alone is exciting to me. The six months that I’ve got to prepare myself will be grueling but rewarding, like I said before – it’s the journey that I enjoy most. As an Eskimo if there’s one thing that this season has provided us with…it is motivation.
I’m excited to branch out into the Edmonton community itself next year as well. I wanted to take a year to feel my way around and gauge my acceptance level in Titletown but from the beginning, Edmonton has been fair and supportive of me. Naturally, I feel that it’s the least I can do is aid the community any way that I can.
I want to take the time to thank anyone that read the blog this year – I was shocked by the response that I received from it. I hope that by reading it, you may have found some insight into the game itself – or at least some understanding of the game as I see it.
Good luck to the rest of the teams that are still playing. If I had to root for someone it may surprise most to know that I will be pulling for Winnipeg. Not because I have any allegiance to the team or the city, quite the contrary. I simply can’t think of anyone more deserving of a ring than Milt Stegall, and what a way it would be to end a fantastic career.
As for me, I’ll rest my body for a month or so then it’s back to work. Enjoy the off-season because it goes by so quick it’s unbelievable. Before we know it, recess will be back in session and in order to avoid a repeat of this season – it’s up to us to be ready for anything. ©

KP8