Former Milford High football star looking forward to his summer camp at home
Zach Strief returned to Cincinnati Sunday afternoon (Nov. 5) and this time one of Clermont County’s most noted and respected athletes returned as a temporary enemy of many Greater Cincinnatians.
The 6-foot, 7-inch, 320-pounder plays offensive tackle and as a blocking tight end for the Saints who are the defending champions of the 2010 Super Bowl.
The Northwestern University graduate was of course pleased with the come-from-behind victory.
“This is a crazy game and a crazy league . It’s the only professional sport I can think of where consistently anybody can win at any time,” he said in a post-game interview.
Strief, a member of the Milford High School Athletic Hall of Fame, is officially listed by the Saints as the back-up right tackle to Jon Stinchcomb, an eight year veteran.
But the official Saints’ media guide states of the Clermont countian, “he has proven himself to be ready to step into the lineup whenever given the opportunity and also has evolved in a key component to the Saints’ rushing attack an an extra blocking tight end.”
He is usually put on the gridiron for special teams performances, but it is noted he is very versatile and can play both right and left tackle with equally capable talent while yet being inserted into the lineup as an additional blocker at the tight end position.
Strief became a member of the Saints after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 draft from Northwestern University. The first contract he signed was a three-year contract and he has since agreed to two one-year contracts after the expiration of the first contract.
On the college level, he was a three-year starter at Northwestern playing 40 games as a right tackle.
He was honored with First Team All-American selection by the Football Writers Association of America.
As a senior he was an All-Big Ten Conference selection who was very instrumental in helping the Wildcats to a school record-setting 500 yards-plus per game offensive average that ranked the Wildcats fourth throughout the entire country.
In the classroom, he was a major in communications studies and he minored in business institutions.
As an Eagle at Milford High he was a Greater Miami Conference all-star and personally allowed his quarterback to be sacked just once in two years. He also earned varsity letters in basketball and track and field during his prep career.
As a Saint, upon entering this season, he had played in a total of 57 regular-season games and has made appearances in five post-season games.
He still keeps an eye on the football program of his high school alma matter and has positive expectations for the Eagles.
“The football program will get better. (Head coach) Shane (Elkin) cares about the kids and he likes Milford. He and his staff do a good job.”
Strief is pleased with his situation with the Saints.
“I love it in New Orleans. I love the organization and the city and the team. The last couple of weeks the team has improved and battled back in our games. We need to make up one game to get back into first. . . We still have the winning resolve.
The Saints are one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the National Conference’s South Division with a 9-3 record.
“The tight end package I’m in has evolved into a really good part of our offense and a lot of the other NFL teams are beginning to utilize this type of offensive plan. I like it.”
He is looking forward to his annual spring football camp that will take place at Milford. The Saints’ media guide praises him as one of squad’s “most community-minded players.”
“We’re going to have the camp again for sure. No date has been set, but it will be about the same time its usually is. I always look forward to it,” he said.
“It was good to come back home this weekend. I love to see the people who helped me get here. This is always a lot of fun to come back home and see my family and a lot of old friends.”