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Fitzpatrick has bigger challenge
By CAREY FREEMAN © St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001 CRYSTAL RIVER -- No matter what happens in the next two months, Shane Fitzpatrick will have bigger shoes to fill come August. The analysis is twofold. Not only will the former Crystal River tight end be assuming a more important role in the offense for Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.), but Fitzpatrick will need to expand his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame in the upcoming months if he hopes to make a difference. "They told me I need to gain about 15 pounds," said Fitzpatrick, a rising junior for the Bulldogs who played a part in four district title runs at Crystal River. "I'm going to get a lot of time next year. It's between me and another guy for the No. 1 position, and I've got to gain some weight," he said. "That's my only problem. You can be as strong as you can, but if you don't have the weight, it doesn't matter." Whether Fitzpatrick is the No. 1 or No. 2 tight end really doesn't matter either. Since the Bulldogs, members of the NAIA, use two tight ends on most plays, he essentially will be a starter. Though Fitzpatrick always has spent a lot of time in the weight room, the lack of overall mass can be a problem when blocking down on larger defensive ends or outside linebackers. The formula for gaining weight is pretty simple. Fitzpatrick will need to bulk up on calories, specifically proteins, and hit the weights like never before. So much for summer vacation. Though Fitzpatrick will be taking some time to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine, he also will be spending a lot of time in a familiar place -- the Crystal River weight room. It's not unusual to find several former Pirates working out there in the off-season, including Fitzpatrick and former teammates Justin Wentworth (Missouri Valley College) and Ricky Posselt (Delta State). Fitzpatrick has been given a workout plan by Cumberland and will be hitting the weights with Wentworth beginning next week. Luckily for Fitzpatrick, he comes from a family that's well aware of the challenges of college football. His father, Pat, was an offensive lineman from 1976-79 at Clemson, where he played alongside former NFL veteran center Jeff Bostic (Redskins 1980-1993). "Jeff Bostic was my roommate, and he came to Clemson weighing 205 pounds," Pat said. "What he did was drink a lot of protein shakes. "There are all kinds of ways to do it. We looked at Creatine, but we've heard that it may be too dangerous. Drink shakes and work out is what he'll have to do." Fitzpatrick was quick to notice the differences at the college level -- from the bigger and faster athletes to the more business-like nature of the game. He spent most of his freshman season on special teams before assuming the No. 3 position at tight end last year. However, while he has done well at Cumberland, Fitzpatrick did have some second thoughts and even considered giving up football and finishing at the University of South Florida. With the onset of spring, he found new motivation and decided to stay for his final two years. "I was thinking about transferring, but once I got to spring practice, I realized I wanted to stay up there," Fitzpatrick said. "I didn't want to sit out. I want to play football." Fitzpatrick's transition at Cumberland was made easier by the fact the Bulldogs' system closely resembles that at Crystal River. Both teams run the wing-T offense and use similar plays. But there are differences. "People are so much faster," Fitzpatrick said. "Plus, they are bigger and stronger. In high school, I was a pretty big guy. Up there, I'm outweighed by 40 pounds by some linemen."
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