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He's spent a large part of the summer huddling with his coaching staff, going over the play book and wondering how quickly the players will adjust to the new system. Now, he can actually start teaching it to his new pupils.

Collins knows he's fortunate, too, that former coach Kevin Taylor has agreed to stay on the staff as what might be called an unofficial consultant.

He knows he'll benefit greatly from Taylor's 16 years of experience as the Blazers head man. And it will help ease the transition for the players have their old coach around.

Especially when the real games start on Aug. 24. Until then, he'll learn as much as he can from Taylor, and transfer some of that knowledge into his own style of football. That style includes running the Wing-T formation on offense.

Deception is the key to executing the Wing-T successfully. The quarterback and running backs must carry out their fakes perfectly in order for the ground attack to be effective.

Collins knows it'll take some time for the players to become familiar with the new system, as well as his personal coaching style. But it can't take too long.

If the Blazers are to contend for the Lake Michigan Conference championship, they'll need to come around in a hurry. Mastering the new offense might be their biggest challenge, but Collins also believes in having a strong defense that can put pressure on the quarterback.

So it was only natural for the players and Collins to be a little nervous as they arrived for the first day of pre-season conditioning and practice on Monday, Aug. 6.

Of course, everyone was a little groggy because it was 7 a.m. But, at least they escaped some of the heat and humidity that reaches its zenith around 4 p.m.

Scrimmage at Benzie Aug. 17

The Blazers will practice for two weeks before their pre-season scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 17 at Benzie Central, which is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.

By then, Collins should have a better grasp on the kind of team the Blazers might have this year. He'll certainly learn more about it in the scrimmage.

No amount of practice, or intrasquad scrimmaging, can adequately replicate actual game action.

If the Blazers' offense can look sharp against the Huskies, even though it's still only a scrimmage, than it's certainly possible that they can be a legitimate force in the league this season.

Collins obviously expects the Blazers to be competitive at the very least.

But, he's being cautiously optimistic as the team begins the process of transitioning to a new head coach, with his own plans for the offense and defense.

The Blazers promise to be exciting to watch, win or lose. Collins hopes there's more wins in that equation than losses.