Into the Fire

The athletes have proved their abilities. Wide receivers making extreme catches. Defensive backs shadowing opponents after hearty bumps within the first five yards. Quarterback avoiding sacks. Decent running game. O-line working together to provide a reasonable pocket. D-line rushing the passer.

Coach retires. New coach steps in. Confident. Ready. With a whole new scheme. Proclaiming a new emphasis. Brings in his guys. More guys than the last coach.

The new scheme severely contrasts the familiar scheme of the previous coach. Radically different. Not easy to convert to workable cohesion. The O-line falters and the quarterback is soon sacked more frequently than in the entire last season. The wide receivers look confused running their routes. Interceptions erupt. The D-line can’t seem to get to the passer nor can they stop the run effectively. Although the team wins its first and third games against inferior opponents, the season is quickly lost in the games to follow.

The strengths of this team which made the playoffs repeatedly in the last eight years now seem destined for the basement in all statistical categories. Because the players believe in each other, they remain quiet and thoughtful in the public forum. However, in private meetings they realize this system doesn’t work. Not for them. Not for anyone. It’s a bad system. Doomed to fail in this league, the system with all of its built-in weaknesses has been proven to be unsuccessful whenever attempted.

Now in football, in spite of all the contract mumbo jumbo, there’s always an out clause. At least for coaches. It’s very possible to get fired after only one year.

Hmmm.

Father, protect us from evil schemes. Not because we deserve it but because you are powerful and merciful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.