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football Edit

Improved Munchie

Thursday Munchie Legaux found elevated success because he finally started connecting with his receivers. Remember Munchie repeatedly anchoring his November offensive attack upon tight end routes?
As his vision expands the field opens up. Between two drills Munchie connected with Kenbrell Thompkins, Alex Chisum, and Shaq Washington.
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Legaux knows his weakness. Arm strength and toughness were never concerns. More vexing was hitting receivers in stride, finding the underneath routes.
Though he was able to zip the ball anywhere on the field his touch was terrible. Every throw was hard or harder.
From whence he came
In his first two years the maturity of Munchie lagged. After his deplorable loss at Rutgers UC coaches hid him from the media. The solitary media figure of Bill Koch represented Cincinnati that day.
Why?
Well Munchie admitted on the subsequent Tuesday that he asked not to take any questions. Cincinnati's media is hardly tough. Most of the college beat writers are fans masquerading as reporters. But Munchie was understandably disapointed and wanted his space.
The coaching staff protected him.
Now Legaux understands his responsibilities. He must lead the team and he must step forward and discuss why they won or lost.
Late 2011 Munchie was conducting a practice at the Sheakley Athletics Complex. Head Coach Butch Jones instructed a student manager to focus his video camera on Munchie pre-snap.
After a few seconds of watching Legaux stroll to the offensive line again Coach Jones pulled Munchie aside.
His body language was awful. Legaux looked like he was walking through his high school hall on the way to European History class not leading his best friends to six points.
Coach Jones tried to impart confidence.
Munchie has always been capable of talking, but whether it be in the huddle or after a game he was meek. Shy.
No more.
Munchie is the loudest (offensive) voice on the field each practice. He commands the huddle.
"It is definitely his team, his huddle," said ascending starting center Dan Sprague. "We go as he goes."
Cincinnati Bearcats finished 10-3 in 2011, but are forced to replace five offensive starters including the leading rusher and leading passer.
Assuming the starting QB spot is a young man who completed 47.4% of his passes. Munchie's passing accuracy was the worst UC mark in over a decade.
"Last year I think he was kind of guiding the ball," reflected Sprague. "Now this year he is ready to just get back there and throw it."
Commanding the pocket seems to be an area where Muchie has absolutely improved.
"Last year when Zach went down he was the leader but he wasn't because he wasn't comfortable," said Sprague. "But he is definitely comfortable now. He doesn't have a problem with getting in someone's face or anything like that."
For all the success Brendon Kay has had this spring he is a distant backup like Chazz Anderson. He should never see the field in 2012 unless Legaux completely fails.
Young talents like Patrick Coyne, [db]Bennie Coney, and Trenton Norvell are simply not getting enough snaps to prepare. It is Munchie's job to lose though Coach Jones will not announce a starter until camp closes.
"He is our unquestioned leader, especially with guys like Zach (Collaros) and (Alex) Hoffman, and Isaiah (Pead) are gone he has definitely stepped up," said Sprague. "It is definitely his time."
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