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The University of Mississippi Athletics
REBELOG: Football's Jason Cook 09.19
9/19/2008 | Football
REBELOGS provide fans with a look inside the life of Ole Miss student-athletes. One of four team captains, fullback Jason Cook is blogging throughout his senior season on the Rebel football team.
September 19, 2008
The SEC is undoubtedly the best conference in America and here on the eve of embarking upon a brand new SEC run, excitement is everywhere. All week the focus has not been the opponent but on ourselves. Tweaking the offense to a fine tune has been a priority as well as making sure the defense is clicking on all cylinders.A word is being thrown around nowadays that is unlike any that has ever been synonymous with the program over the past few years. It's a word that is utterly important for the success of any team: confidence. From day one, Coach Nutt has always preached that we must have confidence in our coaches, system and most importantly each other. That confidence does not solely lie in winning games or being successful, but day in and day out camaraderie that is built on the proving grounds for hours everyday plugging away in order to make each other, as well as the community and our families, proud.
The approach to this game is the same as it has always been. Make sure that we are the best that we can possibly be, stay healthy and rely on each other to be accountable in every area and phase of the game. So as game time draws near and anticipation builds, the focus and preparation all comes to a head. A crazy concoction of camaraderie, connection and ceaseless effort will join to produce one ultimate conclusion.
August 28, 2008
It's finally here. After hours of long, strenuous practices, bloodshed and pain, it's here game week. Fall camp this year was the best it's been in my five years here. We not only practiced hard and hit each other, but we became a family. We spent time with each other and threw away the negativity, allowing us to concentrate on the task at hand. We spent the mornings in meetings watching film and discussing plays, and then we would have a walk through. After a break where we caught up on some much needed rest, we all reconvened to begin practice. Once practice was over, many of us headed to the cold tubs to sit neck-deep in ice water. This is essential during camp in order to get your legs back for the next day. And so, the next day we repeated the same process. That is until yesterday.
After a mock scrimmage and two hours of ogling over the insanely massive jumbotron, it was finally game week. And with game week comes the attitude of focus and preparation. Guys all week have said they are starting to get the game time jitters. For those of you who don't know what these are, allow me to expound. These are not nervous jitters or jitters of fear. It is the feeling in the pit of your stomach of anticipation, a little anxiety and ultimate excitement. It's the place where nerves meet impregnable focus and vision. It truly is an amazing feeling.
So with students pouring onto campus and friends and family heading into Oxford this weekend for the game, my last, first, home game draws near. With that comes excitement, adrenaline and jitters. As Coach Nutt always says, "These are the best days of your life!" I am certainly realizing that now! HOTTY TODDY!!
