How to avoid implosion
Here are 5 realistic changes that will help team now
In Week 1, the Eagles had little clue how to protect Carson Wentz and even less desire to shorten their game against the Washington Football Team by running the ball after jumping out to a 17-0 lead. The result was a 27-17 loss.
In Week 2, the Eagles patched their leaky protection issues partly by taking fewer deep shots, but they had little clue how to stop the Los Angeles Rams’ misdirection game. And Wentz picked up where he left off against Washington, misfiring often on his way to two more interceptions and a 56.5 passer rating.
Now with a Week 3 home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals looming, is there any way to avoid what is beginning to look like a train wreck of a season?
Maybe not, but here are five ways the Eagles can attempt to stop the water from circling the bowl.
1. Play football again.
Make their one padded practice this week a full-contact, tackling-to-the ground extravaganza. This includes taking the red jersey off Wentz and subjecting him to hits.
This may seem radical, and it is by today’s standards. But a little more football and a little less choreography, which is what NFL practices become by the start of the season, can’t make the Eagles any worse than they’ve been.
It might even, you know, get them ready for real competition following a training camp in which they clearly were not prepared to play 60 minutes
Joe’s Gymnasium in Hazleton, past referees and former Dieruff basketball players were priceless.”
Piston said Arlotto was also a treasure trove for school history.
“He would tell stories about the racial tensions from the 1970s, the asbestos controversies of the 1980s — [those] are a few that come to mind,” she said. “He was a supporter of sports, scholarships, the arts, the music program, to mention a few.
“His legacy as a chemistry teacher is unmatched. He was known as a demanding teacher, but [he] also had that respect that you came out of his class as a better student and person.”
Piston added that Arlotto would “always kid me in the beginning of a season: ‘I heard you’re loaded this year’ because he loved to joke.”
“But he was the best supporter,” she said. “I was very sad to hear of his passing, another good friend. There are few left that bleed as much blue and gray as he did.”
Athletic director David Stoudt agreed it was a sad day for the school.
“He kept score for 12 different coaches,” Stoudt said. “Mr. Arlotto was a walking encyclopedia of Dieruff basketball.
“It is going to be very strange not to see him at the scorer’s table this season. He was one of those people that you just thought would be there forever. He is going to be deeply missed.”
Former Dieruff player and coach Tommy Young, who now lives in Florida, was saddened by the loss of his longtime friend.
“What he accomplished over the years is remarkable,” Young said. “He was a true Dieruff person who bled blue and gray. He just enjoyed watching young people mature over the years and was not critical of anyone.
“There were not many athletic events in the area that you wouldn’t see him at. I still called him about twice a month to find out what was going on in the Lehigh Valley.”
Pete Carpenter, Dieruff’s first music teacher and choir director when the school opened in 1959, considered Arlotto like a brother. They first met in 1962 when Arlotto started at Dieruff and they worked together in numerous capacities, especially on the school’s Broadway-style musicals, through the years.
Even after both retired, they remained close, with regular visits to each other’s home.
“People associate him with basketball, but Roy was in charge of the stage crew and he did the lighting for our musicals and was very well loved by the stage crew,” Carpenter said. “Hewas a big, big part of Dieruff in so many ways. Everyone respected him, and he was so proud of the kids he taught and what they accomplished.
“We talked many times about the education the kids were receiving at Dieruff and in the Allentown School District. We were very proud of what wewere able to do for the student.”
Arlotto led the movement to have the basketball court inside the Schmidt Gymnasium named in honor of Linda Cruttenden, who led the Huskies girls program to two state championships in the 1970s. He felt strongly that the court dedication should take place, and it did in 2015.
Cruttenden, who is a spectator at numerous boys and girls basketball games every winter across the area, has the same passion for the sport Arlotto had.
He served Dieruff, and the local basketball community with humility and class.” Cruttenden said. “Roy became my ‘go-to guy’ for all things basketball.
“I so enjoyed spending time with him at summer tournaments and league play. His sense of humor kept me laughing, but his warm and caring heart was what made him so special. His kindness, humor and empathy touched so many lives. He really cared about us all and we are all better people for having known him.”