Showing the way

Flathead senior linebacker Coltin Weber leads Braves on and off the field

Flathead linebackers coach Arron Deck had a nickname last year for Braves' outside linebacker Coltin Weber.

It was "Pile Inspector."

Weber was around every play, but didn't always make the tackle, Deck explained.

Those days are long past - and Deck is the first to admit it.

Weber, who has helped the Braves to a 2-1 start on the 2006 season, is second on this year's Flathead defensive statistics list with 24 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. He's broken up two passes, sacked the opposing

quarterback once and recovered a fumble.

"He's definitely grown out of that nickname," Deck smiled.

"He definitely has a gift. He's a great football player. He's a year older, a year stronger. A lot of those offensive guys are lucky he's a nice guy, because he could do some damage."

In three games so far this season, "there hasn't been one person who's blocked him," the coach said.

As weakside linebacker, Weber says his job is to stop the run, stop the pass, and reroute receivers.

"He plays a lot bigger than he is," Deck added.

Weber thinks somewhat less of his own abilities.

"I fill holes well for the run. But my pass drops and my rerouting … they're not my strong point," he said.

The player he'd most like to be like is Chicago's Brian Urlacher.

"He hits well. He reads the field really well," Weber said.

Deck is happy with the player the Braves have on the field.

"Our defensive scheme, we couldn't do it if (Weber) wasn't in the game," Deck said.

"He understands the game. He's another coach on the field. He gets everybody lined up. Sometimes he's got to remind me what I'm doing," he laughed.

And he's been willing to put in the work.

Weber wanted to improve his 40 time after last season.

"I worked on it all spring and summer with coach (Dan) Hodge," he said.

Weber, a javelin thrower on the track team, added Hodge's running workout to his regimen every day.

Thirty minutes a day - it improved the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Weber's 40 time by 0.2 seconds - down to 4.7.

But it is as a person that Weber truly impresses.

"I try to bring out the best in things, help people if they need it. I try to be a leader on and off the field," Weber said.

On the field "I try to keep my cool when there are plays that don't go our way," he said.

Off the field, he tries to make the right decisions.

That means no smoking and no drinking, he said.

"That's a pledge I've made. I've just been brought up that way. There's no reason to get in trouble, to get kicked off the team. You could screw your whole life up by one choice you make," Weber said.

Deck hopes the younger Braves are watching - and emulating.

"He's matured into a fine young man. You can see those qualities in the hallway. He's just a solid kid. He's trustworthy. I could trust him baby-sitting my kids for a week," Deck said.

"He's a man of his word," the coach added.

"My parents have helped me through. They've helped me through every game," Weber said.

His entire family, including grandmother Virginia, attends every game.

Mom Bonnie videotapes every one.

"She tries to understand it," her son said.

Ask Weber to describe his biggest dream and you won't hear about personal stats or glory.

"Win a state championship with my team," Weber said.

The Braves may have stumbled a bit last week in trying to bring that goal to fruition as they lost 18-13 to CMR.

"We mentally weren't there," Weber admitted. "We knew what we had to do, we just weren't doing it. The coaches have got on us," he added.

No matter last week's result, Weber says the Braves are on the same page for tonight's game.

They want to win homecoming.