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Fisher Ready To Be Critical Publicly

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 2, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Tom Fisher has a longstanding policy of not publicly criticizing his players. Friday, the Zephyrhills coach came close in an effort to motivate the Bulldogs to stay in shape this summer and prepare for next year.

All spring, concluding with Friday's 6-6 tie in the annual Orange and Black Game, Fisher has been openly impressed with the athletic ability of quarterback Tyler Guy, running backs Ryan Commadore, Algernon Sampson and Donterrell Parker, and receivers Alex Sampson and Lance Hayes. Fisher believes an improved work ethic is all that separates them from success in 2008.

"Our offensive line, believe it or not, got better over the spring, but I'm not sure our skill position guys did," Fisher said. "They've got to step it up and make up for a lack of experience on the line. And if they don't make the effort to do that, we're not going to get any better.

"I made my mind up. I'm not pulling any punches this year. I'm going to say it like it is to them and to anybody that wants to listen. I'm putting them on the spot. If they think they can perform, it's up to them to do it. ... I probably won't and never will put a kid down in the newspaper. But I'm going to start hinting in that direction, putting the pressure on them."

Fisher's sense of urgency stems from the relative youth of the Bulldogs, who had 35 players participate in the Orange and Black Game. Had it been a regular-season game, Fisher said two freshmen would have started. Most of that inexperience is at running back and offensive line, but the young guys did do some impressive things.

Commadore, a junior-to-be, had 78 yards on seven carries, and appears to be the closest thing to the shifty departed senior Chris Henry, the Bulldogs' 1,000-yard rusher from a year ago. Algernon Sampson, a sophomore-to-be, had 74 yards on seven carries, utilizing a more straight-ahead running style to break off back-to-back runs of 28 and 21 yards late.

Guy was accurate, completing six of his first seven passes for 82 yards, and 8-for-14 for 119 yards overall playing for both teams. Backup Michael Brown did the same and had the game's only touchdown pass, an 18-yard strike to Hayes.

But senior-to-be Alex Sampson probably had the most complete performance of any Bulldog on either squad. He caught four passes for 55 yards, ran twice for 16 yards and had two interceptions playing safety. Last year, he was a Tampa Tribune All-Pasco County first-team selection as a defensive end, and showed as much playmaking ability in his new position.

His second interception was the game's most impressive play. He snatched the ball away from a receiver while getting hit by two other offensive players, remarkably holding onto the ball.

"I try, just try to do what I can do," Alex Sampson said. "I'm excited about playing offense next year. I'm going to be playing a lot of offense and defense, starting safety, receiver ... touching the ball as a wingback."

But Fisher does not want Alex Sampson to get too excited, knowing that having more than one key contributor will help the Bulldogs improve on their 5-5 record from last season.

"He's got to realize, and I try to tell him that if he wants to be the only person we throw to, then he'll get double-covered and he'll get no catches," Fisher said. "So we've got to spread it around."

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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