Arena Football League
Predators Training Camp Report
The
Orlando Predators reported to their second day of practice at Tinker
field this morning. With just under two weeks before their preseason
scrimmage, with the Jacksonville Sharks, the team is in high gear
"Everything
is going very well," said Marlon Moye-Moore, returning Linebacker and
Fullback. "I have been with the Predators since 2004, and in the past
two days I can say that this years team, hands down has the best group
of football players I have seen in my 8 years with the team".
The team returns to practice tomorrow morning at 8am and will continue practices through the weekend until Sunday, March 10th.
With
all practices open to the media, coaches and players will be made
available for interviews following the conclusion of each practice. As a
courtesy, members of the media who are planning to attend a practice
are asked to notify our Media Relations Coordinator, Johanna Kimberley
at jkimberley@orlandopredators.com.
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 5
The
2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks held their second
full-contact workout in as many days on Tuesday morning, taking to the
practice field at Plantation Park for a second consecutive day.
Tuesday's
practice provided the toughest conditioning test yet, as temperatures
climbed into the seventies during the team session at the tail end of
practice. That team workout followed a lengthy series of one-on-one and
three-on-three work.
The
one-on-one portion of practice highlighted the team's veteran
secondary, as each of the Sharks who lined up at defensive back has
prior indoor football experience, and four players have at least three
previous seasons in the Arena Football League. Following Tuesday's
practice, defensive back Micheaux Robinson talked about the advantages
of the high level of experience at his position group.
"It's
definitely a positive, it makes it a lot easier as far as far as
communication goes," Robinson said. "Even when we're unable to
communicate, guys just have that natural knowledge and experience and
they can make up for it."
On
the flip side, the Shark receiving corps features a number of newcomers
who are adjusting to the pace and style of the indoor game, including
Dorian Graham, Jacksonville native Charles Gilbert and fellow rookie
J.J. Hayes. Hayes spoke about the adjustments he has had to make during
this transition.
"I
like the tempo of it," Hayes said. "I like that it's fast paced,
there's a lot of receivers and a lot of receiving plays. There's a lot
of opportunities to block too, so it really works to my abilities."
The
Sharks have eight more practices before the team's preseason scrimmage
against the Orlando Predators. In that time, the team's young receivers
will have many more chances to test themselves against the team's
veteran defensive backs as they continue to learn the ins and outs of
the indoor game.
Roster Moves
The
Sharks made an addition at receiver on Tuesday, announcing that Maurice
Avery has been assigned to the team's roster. The 29-year-old Avery
(6'1", 215) has not played in the Arena Football League, but does bring
five seasons of professional indoor football experience to Jacksonville.
Avery spent his collegiate career at Memphis.
In
other Tuesday transactions, the team announced that defensive lineman
Jerry Turner has been activated from the Refused to Report list, while
wide receiver London Crawford has been placed on the Physically Unable
to Perform list.
Player Spotlight
Hayes
joined the Sharks just over a year after wrapping up his collegiate
career at Lamar University. As a senior in 2011, Hayes was his team's
leading receiver, recording 53 receptions for 951 yards and eight
touchdowns. He earned a spot on the All-Southland Conference Second Team
that season and owns school records for most receiving yards in a
season (951 in 2011), most receiving yards in a single game (212), and
most receptions in a single game (14).
After Tuesday's practice, Hayes discussed his performance to this point in training camp.
"It's
pretty difficult but I think I'm doing pretty well," Hayes said. "I've
made some mental mistakes here and there but it's just all a part of
learning."
Hayes
has also had to adjust to the tempo of practice, as the Sharks have
limited time to pack in as much repetition as possible.
"It's
different from training camp in college, because we're not out here as
long but we're getting so much done in that period of time," Hayes said.
"I'm just enjoying it and I'm happy to be out here."
Up Next
The
Sharks return to Plantation Park on Wednesday morning for the team's
fifth practice in as many days. Wednesday's workout will begin at 8:30
a.m. and is open to the public.
Second Day of Full-Contact Play Completed in Philadelphia
The
2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx
Casino, have two days of padded practices in the books at the NovaCare
Complex in Philadelphia. Strengths are continuing to show in all players
in every position, just in time before first cuts this Friday, March 8.
The
veterans, defensive lineman Dustin Barno (6'3", 275, East Stroudsburg)
and wide receiver Larry Brackins (6'5", 221, Pearl River C.C.), are
helping lead the younger guys in plays. They are introducing them to how
the Soul's offense and defense mesh on the field. The leadership roles
from the veterans show how the players can lead and guide one another to
be successful.
As
the week is nearing its end towards first cuts, players stepping up to
their roles are proving they're here to stay. Two recent competitors,
Soul veteran linebacker Brandon Perkins (6'1", 245, Kansas) and previous
Jacksonville Jaguar defensive back David Richardson (6'2", 205, Cal
Poly), stepped onto the field for the first time this afternoon. Forced
into the swing of things, they picked up quickly with the pace and hard
hits. Veteran wide receiver Tiger Jones (5'11", 195, Louisville) will be
expected to start play at tomorrow's practice.
PLAYER
SPOTLIGHT: OL JASON TOWNSON (6'4", 315, Tennessee State): OL Jason
Townson is a rookie coming into Soul training camp. He was previously
with the IFL Bloomington Edge (2012) and the IFL Wenatchee Valley Venom
(2011). At Tennessee State he started 5-of-12 games played (2008) and
recorded 12 tackles (4 solo, 8 assists), one sack (7-yard loss) and two
quarterback hurries. He went to Hazelwood East High School where he was
regarded as No. 1 defensive line prospect out of the St. Louis area, and
ranked No. 16 overall in the state of Missouri according to Rivals.com.
He recorded 91 tackles, 6 sacks as a senior (2004) and was named First
Team All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference as a defensive lineman.
QUOTE
OF THE DAY: "Being back in Philly is like a home away from home," said
rookie DL Morkeith Brown. "I'm glad to be back here because it's not far
from my hometown in Harrisburg, where my mother and son live, so they
will be able to make every game this season. Having previous training
camp experience within the NFL has really helped me grow as a player. It
was a blessing to work with some of the best coaches and athletes, and
overall they helped me improve my footwork, how to use my hands better
and to analyze film more thoroughly. Those experiences will help me to
succeed in this camp."
LOOKING
TO BE ANOTHER CHAMPION: FB Tombe Kose (5'9", 240, Syracuse) is one of
the youngest guys on this season's 2013 roster. Playing for Syracuse,
they won the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in 2010. Being a rookie among guys
with professional and indoor experience is no problem for Kose; he has
overcome more in life than most can imagine.
Kose
was born in Sudan, where his family was forced to flee to Kenya due to
civil war in their home country. A family from American sponsored them
to come to the United States when he was around the age of ten. They
moved to San Diego, California where they were thrown into a completely
different world. Kose worked hard on his English and soon began to love
the game of football.
Excelling
in football, Kose found himself receiving a scholarship to attend
Syracuse University to play for them. He received Academic Honor Roll
while attending college and earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology.
Becoming the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Champions only pushed him to achieve
more. Through all of his triumphs in his life, going against older and
more experienced players will be nothing short of a breeze, as Kose
fights to gain a spot on the 2013 roster in hopes of winning the
ArenaBowl XXVI.
Indoor Football League
Slaughter Look to Stay on Good Side of the Force
The
Force was strong in Chicago on their Star Wars Theme Night as the
Slaughter beat the Green Bay Blizzard by a score of 50-41. Darth Vader,
Storm Troopers, Jawas and more were on hand to greet Slaughter and Star
Wars fans upon arrival Saturday night.
Quarterback,
Cody Kirby has appeared in all three games this season, but made his
first start Saturday. Kirby led the Slaughter offense completing 13 of
19 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown! He also ran 11 times for 46
yards and three touchdowns. For Kirby's outstanding play on the field,
he was awarded the Five Star Realty Star of the Game!
Join
them for St. Patrick's Day as the Slaughter battle the Texas Revolution
at 2:05 PM. Show the Irish spirit and wear green. May the luck of the
Irish be with you as they will have Lucky Seat Drawings throughout the
game.
They
are offering a FREE football mini camp to all children (ages 5-13) who
purchase a game ticket for the March 17 game. The one hour mini camp
with Slaughter players will begin at 11 AM. Camp will include passing,
catching, and speed & agility drills.
Ultimate Indoor Football League
Monsters Sign 2012 UIFL Offensive Player of the Year Aric Evans
The
Missouri Monsters professional indoor football team are pleased to
announce the signing of veteran wide receiver Aric Evans. Evans finished
the 2012 UIFL season as the leading receiver, and the top Receiver in
the league since inception.
"Having
played against Aric the last two season, I am thrilled to be on the
same team with him! Not only was he great on the field, but he was
heavily involved in community events for his team. We expect big things
from Aric, and know he will be a major contributor to the Monsters
organization." Said Monsters Owner Andrew Haines.
In
2012 while playing for the Eastern KY Drillers he caught 63 passes for
1,094 yards, and 29 touchdowns in just 10 games. On the defensive side
of the ball he had 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery for a TD. He
set a season high for touchdowns in a game, and most receiving
touchdowns in a game with 6 against the Rampage. He holds the season
high records for most receiving yards in a game at 209 yards against the
Blue Racers, and 187 receiving yards against the Rampage. His 48 yard
reception against the Rampage is the 2nd longest reception of the 2012
season.Aric was named Offensive Player of the Year, and was named First
Team All-UIFL Wide Receiver for his efforts.
Prior
to the 2012 season, Aric began his professional football career with
the Eastern KY Drillers in the UIFL. During the 2011 season Aric caught
79 passes for 1,069 yards, and 33 touchdowns. He also contributed on
defense in the postseason with an interception. He was named First Team
All-UIFL Wide Receiver for the 2011 season.
Evans
played college football at UVA-WISE where he had over 100 receptions
for 2,980 yards, and 36 touchdowns during his four year career.
The
Monsters 2013 season kicks off this Friday night at Family Arena where
the Monsters will host the Corpus Christi (TX) Fury at 7:30pm. Tailgate
party starts at 4:30pm and parking is free until 5:00.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Daily League News & Notes
Arena Football League
Gladiators Open 2013 Training Camp with Returning Star Receiver, Former NFL'er and New Quarterback
The fifth season of Gladiators football in Cleveland officially began today with the open of the team's 2013 training camp at MultiPlex at The Word Church in Warrensville Heights. Thirty five players began practice, before the roster gets cut to 28 after one week and then the final 24 the following week. The Gladiators will open the season at home, hosting Spokane on Sunday, March 24th at 1:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena. The team has announced that all kids age 14 and under will be able to attend the opener for free.
The complete 2013 training camp roster can be seen here: http://clevelandgladiators.com/team/roster/
Head coach Steve Thonn returns to the Gladiators sideline for his fourth season in 2013, after leading the team to an 8-10 record last year.
Fans will recognize several players returning from last season, among which Dominick Goodman is the most notable. The wide receiver is entering his third season with the Gladiators and in the AFL. He led the team in both receptions and receiving yards the past two seasons and was named Second Team All-Arena in 2012.
The majority of the players taking the field to start 2013 are new to the Gladiators, including former NFL player and Glenville High School graduate, Pierre Woods. Today marked Woods' return to football since his NFL career ended following the 2010 season. The University of Michigan alum played for the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2010 before finishing the 2010 season, and his career, with the Buffalo Bills.
There are two new quarterbacks reporting to camp; Brian Zbydniewski and Chris Dieker. Zybydniewski is entering his fourth season in the AFL, having played previously for New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Spokane. He has recorded a total of 3,009 yards and 59 touchdowns over the past three years. This season will be Dieker's second in the AFL, after spending 2012 in Iowa, where he threw for 246 yards and four touchdowns.
When the Gladiators open the season at The Q on March 24th, all kids age 14 and under will be able to come to the game for free. For every one adult ticket purchased, two kids tickets will be free of charge. In addition, with the "Fun, Food and Football" ticket offer, for every ticket purchased for the home opener, $5 in loaded ticket value - which can be used for concessions or merchandise at The Q - will be added per ticket for free.
The complete 2013 Gladiators regular season schedule can be found here: http://clevelandgladiators.com/schedule/season/
Eager Soul Players Start Padded Practices
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, completed their first day of padded practices at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. After much anticipation, the players were finally able to start hitting and running plays at full speed.
The competition on the football field was evident today, as the players were finally able to showcase their skills. The coaches were able to evaluate how the lineman battled out at the line of scrimmage. The newcomers to the defensive front (Morkeith Brown, Calvin Fance, Brandon Johnson, Andre Mathis, Michael Robinson, and Lawon Scott) were finally able to show their abilities to read plays, pursue the ball and make the tackles.
The repetition of training camp will begin as tomorrow will consist of more contact practices. The players should have a high intensity in their motors, as Friday will bring the first cuts of the roster.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: OL CHRISTIAN JOHNSON (6'4", 330, Kentucky): Three-year veteran, OL Christian Johnson, enters his second season with the Philadelphia Soul. Last season, Johnson started in all 14 games he played and contributed towards the Soul allowing the least amount of sacks in the AFL (5). As a rookie in 2011, Johnson started every game for the Dallas Vigilantes. While playing at Kentucky, during his first start as a junior, Johnson helped lock down the offensive line to allow zero sacks and record 125 rushing yards to let Kentucky defeat the 2007 BCS Champion, LSU.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "To start hitting again felt real good," said Soul veteran LB Bryan Robinson. "This is the way football is suppose to be played. It's good to see everyone coming together to where they need to be. The first couple of plays, you know, you're a little rusty but we've been trained and we've been playing the game for a while. After a few snaps, we're good to go. I'm excited to see everyone get back to their football mindset, see the offense gel. On defense, we already know what we need to do, we just got to get the team back to where we left off."
CHANGE OF COMMAND: DB Kent Richardson (6'0, 200, West Virginia) and DB Rayshaun Kizer (5'10, 190, Walsh) were the top leaders for the Soul secondary last season, recording a combined 25 interceptions and 45 pass breakups. The two led the Soul to having the second overall pass defense in the AFL during the 2012 season.
Kizer, the league-leader in interceptions in 2011, had yet another record-breaking season in 2012, as he defended a league-high 41 passes. He set the Soul season record for pass breakups in a season (30). To go along with his pass-defending skills, Kizer finished second on the team in total tackles (81).
With Richardson on the league-exemption list, Kizer is now in the spotlight to be the new leader of the secondary. After a phenomenal 2012 season, there will be high expectations for Kizer and the Soul secondary. Led by returning starter LaRico Stevenson, the Soul will look to Jeff Hodges, Darius Pettigrew, David Richardson and James Romain to also battle it out.
Where There Are Pads, There Are Oklahoma Drills
On this third day of training camp the Tampa Bay Storm strapped on the pads and participated in Oklahoma drills. This is an exciting event that everyone on the team looks forward to. It is also a useful tool to get the players used to the physicality and rush of adrenaline that comes with the big hits on the field.
"We wait for something like this," said second-year Storm linebacker John-Kevin Dolce. "We work hard all off-season waiting for days like this. I can't wait to start getting after guys in different jerseys."
While most days consist of drills on the open field, this one forces offensive and defensive players into a small, restricted space. Once the whistle blows there is no stopping the action. Whoever steps into the zone knows immediately that they are in for some big hits and tons of excitement. This drill also shows the coaches, and team, the players that are committed and willing to take a hit out on the field.
The Storm finished the day with meetings, watching film, and running situational drills.
Coaches' Perspective: "It was good to see these guys out there in pads," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "They may be a little sore, but it is good to get the rust off.
Quote of the Day: Talking about the Oklahoma drill, Storm wide receiver Michael Lindsey said, "It feels great to get the pads on and start working on hitting. It really separates the men from the boys."
Player Spotlight: Today's "Player Spotlight" goes to Alfred McCullough. The rookie offensive lineman was a two-time BCS National Champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He spent some time in the National Football League with the Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles. During today's drills he stood up several defensive linemen and showed his ability to protect his quarterback in the fast-paced game of arena football.
Alumni Sighting: Former Storm quarterback John Kaleo came to visit the team today. Kaleo won an ArenaBowl Championship in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm. He continues to develop high school quarterbacks at the Kaleo Quarterback Academy. While observing offensive drills Kaleo said, "I am really interested in observing the quarterbacks. They looked good out there."
ESPN Radio to broadcast San Antonio Talons games
ESPN-AM 1250 once again will broadcast live each of the San Antonio Talons’ games this season on the radio and online.
Each broadcast will include a pre-game show hosted by 1250 ESPN San Antonio play-by-play announcer Eric Messersmith and Talons head coach Lee Johnson.
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 4
The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks took to the Plantation Park field on Monday morning for the team's first full-contact practice of 2013 training camp.
With all players wearing shoulder pads and ready to hit, the Sharks had their most competitive session of one-on-one work to date. Receivers and defensive backs squared off in both one-on-one and three-on-three matchups, highlighted by showdowns between longtime Shark veterans in receiver Jeron Harvey and defensive back Micheaux Robinson.
In the trenches, the Sharks' offensive and defensive linemen enjoyed the physicality of the day's workout. This served as a great opportunity for fourth-year offensive lineman Isaac Morales welcome some of the team's new faces along the defensive line, including veterans Dusty Bear and Matt Marcorelle and rookie Malcolm Riley. In addition, fullback Rendrick Taylor had some notable collisions with the Shark defenders rushing from the Mac linebacker position.
Once again, the practice concluded with a lengthy team session that pitted offense against defense. While the tension was constantly high between the whistles, the goal remains overall team improvement, as evidenced by a number of occasions between snaps when veteran players gave specific suggestions and other instruction to younger players.
Player Spotlight
Entering his fourth AFL season, defensive lineman Dusty Bear has joined the Sharks after spending a season with the Philadelphia Soul. Following Monday's practice, the Sarasota native talked about getting the chance to play in his home state.
"My whole family is from down here in Florida, and I feel so comfortable being here back home in the state," Bear said. "And Jacksonville has a great fanbase and it's a great place to be. It's going to be an honor for me to play here."
With the Soul last season, Bear battled through injury to finish the campaign with 19 total tackles (15 solo), five tackles for loss and three sacks. He also recovered three fumbles, grabbed an interception, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. As someone with experience at both the defensive end and Mac linebacker positions, Bear touched on the differences between the two spots.
"It's just a mental thing. When I get down at D-end, I know I have to play bigger than what I am, because I'm going against a guard or a tight end that's a little bit bigger than me." Bear said. "At Mac you've got to be a little more responsible with the guys, relaying the play and communicating."
Up Next
The Sharks return to Plantation Park on Tuesday morning for another full-contact workout. The practice is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be open to the public.
"Barnstormers Weekly" Returns March 19th
The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League are pleased to announce that for the fourth straight season, OverTime Neighborhood Hub Sports & Grub in Urbandale will be the official home of the Barnstormers Weekly radio show. The show will air live from OverTime each Tuesday night from 6:00pm - 7:00pm on KXNO AM 1460, as part of the Barnstormers new radio agreement with Clearchannel Radio.
Veteran sports broadcaster Joe Stasi returns for his sixth season as host of Barnstormers Weekly. Each show will feature live interviews with Barnstormer players and coaching staff, along with a re-cap of the previous week's game and a preview of upcoming opponents. There will be food and drink specials for Barnstormer fans and season ticket holders along with great prizes all season long. OverTime Neighborhood Hub Sports & Grub is located at 4810 86th Street in Urbandale, just South of I-80/35. The first show of the 2013 season will air on Tuesday, March 19th at 6:00pm.
The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers season begins on Saturday March 23rd with a road contest against the Chicago Rush. The home portion of the schedule begins Friday, April 5 when the Spokane Shock come to town for a 7:05pm kickoff.
VooDoo Straps on the Pads
The New Orleans VooDoo strapped on pads for the first time in training camp and for the 2013 season on Monday morning at Tad Gormley Stadium.Monday's practice started off with position drills, which was followed by 3-on-3 drills for the wide receivers and defensive backs, and offensive and defensive line work. After the two sides took a quick break, both the offense and defense scrimmaged against one another.The scrimmage was full of intensity with the offense and defense putting forth maximum effort.  Here is what Head Coach Pat O'Hara had to say about his team's fourth practice overall and first in pads:
http://youtu.be/99ZQ2hENOsY
The New Orleans VooDoo will travel to San Antonio on Tuesday for their first and only exhibition game of the season which will be held at the Alamodome on March 6.
Lone Star Football League
Amarillo Venom Single Game Tickets on Sale
Single-game tickets for the Amarillo Venom home games are now on sale. Come and check out your Amarillo Venom as they return to the field Saturday, March 23 and start their campaign for a repeat at the Lone Star Football League championship.
Here is the schedule of home games:
o Saturday, March 23- vs. New Mexico Stars
o Saturday, April 20- vs. Laredo Rattlesnakes
o Saturday, May 4- vs. Abilene Bombers
o Saturday, May 18- vs. San Angelo Bandits
o Saturday, June 1- vs. Laredo Rattlesnakes
o Saturday, June 22- vs. New Mexico Stars
Fans can purchase their tickets at the Amarillo Venom office at 901 S. Buchanan or call us at (806) 350-7277.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.panhandletickets.com
For more information of the Amarillo Venom fans can visit www.govenom.com
Professional Indoor Football League
Panthers 4th Annual "Meet and Greet Party" Huge Success
The Panthers are well-loved. Evidence of how the Albany area feels about its Professional Indoor Football League team could be seen in the numbers that crowded Phoebe Field on Friday to enjoy the club's annual Meet and Greet.
"You have to love this team," said Albany resident Wanda Dyson, who was one of more than 1,000 people in attendance. "The organization does more for the community than all the other pro teams combined. And the team has heart. You've heard that song, 'You've Gotta Have Heart?' Well, this team has heart. I can't wait for the season to get started."
And the feeling was mutual with Panthers players, who were on hand throughout the event. "Our fans are great," said Cecil Lester. "They always support us. I'm real excited about this season, and it seems like the fans are more excited about this year than years past.
"We've got plenty of fans. I was in Atlanta and Macon this offseason and saw a lot of Panthers fans, and look at them out there today."
Added Adrian Howard: "[It] feels like the fans are really excited about the way we finished last season and the new acquisitions, like Stony Woodson and Cecil Lester coming back." Panthers General Manager Will Carter smiled when looking out at the field swelling with Panthers fans.
"It's a great turnout," Carter said. "There are a lot of Panthers fans here. Hopefully they'll come out and keep supporting the team. I'm excited about this team. It's a good team and I think we have a chance to go back to the Championship."
Fans began to pour through the Albany James H. Gray Civic Center gates at 5 p.m. ET and they continued to do so through closing time at 8 p.m.
This year's event included interactive activities, increased player involvement and an array of autograph opportunities, activities for all ages and photo opportunities with club mascot Prowler and a host of Panther players.
Special discussions took place with Panthers broadcasters, players, coaches and media personnel. "We've had a great day," said an exhausted looking Kate Tabor. "I think it's really nice what the Panthers do. I'm looking forward to a great season."
The Panthers kick off the season on the road against the Louisiana Swashbucklers Saturday, March 9th at 8p.m. ET. You can catch all the action on 97.3 WGEX-FM.
Gladiators Open 2013 Training Camp with Returning Star Receiver, Former NFL'er and New Quarterback
The fifth season of Gladiators football in Cleveland officially began today with the open of the team's 2013 training camp at MultiPlex at The Word Church in Warrensville Heights. Thirty five players began practice, before the roster gets cut to 28 after one week and then the final 24 the following week. The Gladiators will open the season at home, hosting Spokane on Sunday, March 24th at 1:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena. The team has announced that all kids age 14 and under will be able to attend the opener for free.
The complete 2013 training camp roster can be seen here: http://clevelandgladiators.com/team/roster/
Head coach Steve Thonn returns to the Gladiators sideline for his fourth season in 2013, after leading the team to an 8-10 record last year.
Fans will recognize several players returning from last season, among which Dominick Goodman is the most notable. The wide receiver is entering his third season with the Gladiators and in the AFL. He led the team in both receptions and receiving yards the past two seasons and was named Second Team All-Arena in 2012.
The majority of the players taking the field to start 2013 are new to the Gladiators, including former NFL player and Glenville High School graduate, Pierre Woods. Today marked Woods' return to football since his NFL career ended following the 2010 season. The University of Michigan alum played for the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2010 before finishing the 2010 season, and his career, with the Buffalo Bills.
There are two new quarterbacks reporting to camp; Brian Zbydniewski and Chris Dieker. Zybydniewski is entering his fourth season in the AFL, having played previously for New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Spokane. He has recorded a total of 3,009 yards and 59 touchdowns over the past three years. This season will be Dieker's second in the AFL, after spending 2012 in Iowa, where he threw for 246 yards and four touchdowns.
When the Gladiators open the season at The Q on March 24th, all kids age 14 and under will be able to come to the game for free. For every one adult ticket purchased, two kids tickets will be free of charge. In addition, with the "Fun, Food and Football" ticket offer, for every ticket purchased for the home opener, $5 in loaded ticket value - which can be used for concessions or merchandise at The Q - will be added per ticket for free.
The complete 2013 Gladiators regular season schedule can be found here: http://clevelandgladiators.com/schedule/season/
Eager Soul Players Start Padded Practices
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, completed their first day of padded practices at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. After much anticipation, the players were finally able to start hitting and running plays at full speed.
The competition on the football field was evident today, as the players were finally able to showcase their skills. The coaches were able to evaluate how the lineman battled out at the line of scrimmage. The newcomers to the defensive front (Morkeith Brown, Calvin Fance, Brandon Johnson, Andre Mathis, Michael Robinson, and Lawon Scott) were finally able to show their abilities to read plays, pursue the ball and make the tackles.
The repetition of training camp will begin as tomorrow will consist of more contact practices. The players should have a high intensity in their motors, as Friday will bring the first cuts of the roster.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: OL CHRISTIAN JOHNSON (6'4", 330, Kentucky): Three-year veteran, OL Christian Johnson, enters his second season with the Philadelphia Soul. Last season, Johnson started in all 14 games he played and contributed towards the Soul allowing the least amount of sacks in the AFL (5). As a rookie in 2011, Johnson started every game for the Dallas Vigilantes. While playing at Kentucky, during his first start as a junior, Johnson helped lock down the offensive line to allow zero sacks and record 125 rushing yards to let Kentucky defeat the 2007 BCS Champion, LSU.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "To start hitting again felt real good," said Soul veteran LB Bryan Robinson. "This is the way football is suppose to be played. It's good to see everyone coming together to where they need to be. The first couple of plays, you know, you're a little rusty but we've been trained and we've been playing the game for a while. After a few snaps, we're good to go. I'm excited to see everyone get back to their football mindset, see the offense gel. On defense, we already know what we need to do, we just got to get the team back to where we left off."
CHANGE OF COMMAND: DB Kent Richardson (6'0, 200, West Virginia) and DB Rayshaun Kizer (5'10, 190, Walsh) were the top leaders for the Soul secondary last season, recording a combined 25 interceptions and 45 pass breakups. The two led the Soul to having the second overall pass defense in the AFL during the 2012 season.
Kizer, the league-leader in interceptions in 2011, had yet another record-breaking season in 2012, as he defended a league-high 41 passes. He set the Soul season record for pass breakups in a season (30). To go along with his pass-defending skills, Kizer finished second on the team in total tackles (81).
With Richardson on the league-exemption list, Kizer is now in the spotlight to be the new leader of the secondary. After a phenomenal 2012 season, there will be high expectations for Kizer and the Soul secondary. Led by returning starter LaRico Stevenson, the Soul will look to Jeff Hodges, Darius Pettigrew, David Richardson and James Romain to also battle it out.
Where There Are Pads, There Are Oklahoma Drills
On this third day of training camp the Tampa Bay Storm strapped on the pads and participated in Oklahoma drills. This is an exciting event that everyone on the team looks forward to. It is also a useful tool to get the players used to the physicality and rush of adrenaline that comes with the big hits on the field.
"We wait for something like this," said second-year Storm linebacker John-Kevin Dolce. "We work hard all off-season waiting for days like this. I can't wait to start getting after guys in different jerseys."
While most days consist of drills on the open field, this one forces offensive and defensive players into a small, restricted space. Once the whistle blows there is no stopping the action. Whoever steps into the zone knows immediately that they are in for some big hits and tons of excitement. This drill also shows the coaches, and team, the players that are committed and willing to take a hit out on the field.
The Storm finished the day with meetings, watching film, and running situational drills.
Coaches' Perspective: "It was good to see these guys out there in pads," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "They may be a little sore, but it is good to get the rust off.
Quote of the Day: Talking about the Oklahoma drill, Storm wide receiver Michael Lindsey said, "It feels great to get the pads on and start working on hitting. It really separates the men from the boys."
Player Spotlight: Today's "Player Spotlight" goes to Alfred McCullough. The rookie offensive lineman was a two-time BCS National Champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He spent some time in the National Football League with the Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles. During today's drills he stood up several defensive linemen and showed his ability to protect his quarterback in the fast-paced game of arena football.
Alumni Sighting: Former Storm quarterback John Kaleo came to visit the team today. Kaleo won an ArenaBowl Championship in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm. He continues to develop high school quarterbacks at the Kaleo Quarterback Academy. While observing offensive drills Kaleo said, "I am really interested in observing the quarterbacks. They looked good out there."
ESPN Radio to broadcast San Antonio Talons games
ESPN-AM 1250 once again will broadcast live each of the San Antonio Talons’ games this season on the radio and online.
Each broadcast will include a pre-game show hosted by 1250 ESPN San Antonio play-by-play announcer Eric Messersmith and Talons head coach Lee Johnson.
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 4
The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks took to the Plantation Park field on Monday morning for the team's first full-contact practice of 2013 training camp.
With all players wearing shoulder pads and ready to hit, the Sharks had their most competitive session of one-on-one work to date. Receivers and defensive backs squared off in both one-on-one and three-on-three matchups, highlighted by showdowns between longtime Shark veterans in receiver Jeron Harvey and defensive back Micheaux Robinson.
In the trenches, the Sharks' offensive and defensive linemen enjoyed the physicality of the day's workout. This served as a great opportunity for fourth-year offensive lineman Isaac Morales welcome some of the team's new faces along the defensive line, including veterans Dusty Bear and Matt Marcorelle and rookie Malcolm Riley. In addition, fullback Rendrick Taylor had some notable collisions with the Shark defenders rushing from the Mac linebacker position.
Once again, the practice concluded with a lengthy team session that pitted offense against defense. While the tension was constantly high between the whistles, the goal remains overall team improvement, as evidenced by a number of occasions between snaps when veteran players gave specific suggestions and other instruction to younger players.
Player Spotlight
Entering his fourth AFL season, defensive lineman Dusty Bear has joined the Sharks after spending a season with the Philadelphia Soul. Following Monday's practice, the Sarasota native talked about getting the chance to play in his home state.
"My whole family is from down here in Florida, and I feel so comfortable being here back home in the state," Bear said. "And Jacksonville has a great fanbase and it's a great place to be. It's going to be an honor for me to play here."
With the Soul last season, Bear battled through injury to finish the campaign with 19 total tackles (15 solo), five tackles for loss and three sacks. He also recovered three fumbles, grabbed an interception, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. As someone with experience at both the defensive end and Mac linebacker positions, Bear touched on the differences between the two spots.
"It's just a mental thing. When I get down at D-end, I know I have to play bigger than what I am, because I'm going against a guard or a tight end that's a little bit bigger than me." Bear said. "At Mac you've got to be a little more responsible with the guys, relaying the play and communicating."
Up Next
The Sharks return to Plantation Park on Tuesday morning for another full-contact workout. The practice is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be open to the public.
"Barnstormers Weekly" Returns March 19th
The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League are pleased to announce that for the fourth straight season, OverTime Neighborhood Hub Sports & Grub in Urbandale will be the official home of the Barnstormers Weekly radio show. The show will air live from OverTime each Tuesday night from 6:00pm - 7:00pm on KXNO AM 1460, as part of the Barnstormers new radio agreement with Clearchannel Radio.
Veteran sports broadcaster Joe Stasi returns for his sixth season as host of Barnstormers Weekly. Each show will feature live interviews with Barnstormer players and coaching staff, along with a re-cap of the previous week's game and a preview of upcoming opponents. There will be food and drink specials for Barnstormer fans and season ticket holders along with great prizes all season long. OverTime Neighborhood Hub Sports & Grub is located at 4810 86th Street in Urbandale, just South of I-80/35. The first show of the 2013 season will air on Tuesday, March 19th at 6:00pm.
The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers season begins on Saturday March 23rd with a road contest against the Chicago Rush. The home portion of the schedule begins Friday, April 5 when the Spokane Shock come to town for a 7:05pm kickoff.
VooDoo Straps on the Pads
The New Orleans VooDoo strapped on pads for the first time in training camp and for the 2013 season on Monday morning at Tad Gormley Stadium.Monday's practice started off with position drills, which was followed by 3-on-3 drills for the wide receivers and defensive backs, and offensive and defensive line work. After the two sides took a quick break, both the offense and defense scrimmaged against one another.The scrimmage was full of intensity with the offense and defense putting forth maximum effort.  Here is what Head Coach Pat O'Hara had to say about his team's fourth practice overall and first in pads:
http://youtu.be/99ZQ2hENOsY
The New Orleans VooDoo will travel to San Antonio on Tuesday for their first and only exhibition game of the season which will be held at the Alamodome on March 6.
Lone Star Football League
Amarillo Venom Single Game Tickets on Sale
Single-game tickets for the Amarillo Venom home games are now on sale. Come and check out your Amarillo Venom as they return to the field Saturday, March 23 and start their campaign for a repeat at the Lone Star Football League championship.
Here is the schedule of home games:
o Saturday, March 23- vs. New Mexico Stars
o Saturday, April 20- vs. Laredo Rattlesnakes
o Saturday, May 4- vs. Abilene Bombers
o Saturday, May 18- vs. San Angelo Bandits
o Saturday, June 1- vs. Laredo Rattlesnakes
o Saturday, June 22- vs. New Mexico Stars
Fans can purchase their tickets at the Amarillo Venom office at 901 S. Buchanan or call us at (806) 350-7277.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.panhandletickets.com
For more information of the Amarillo Venom fans can visit www.govenom.com
Professional Indoor Football League
Panthers 4th Annual "Meet and Greet Party" Huge Success
The Panthers are well-loved. Evidence of how the Albany area feels about its Professional Indoor Football League team could be seen in the numbers that crowded Phoebe Field on Friday to enjoy the club's annual Meet and Greet.
"You have to love this team," said Albany resident Wanda Dyson, who was one of more than 1,000 people in attendance. "The organization does more for the community than all the other pro teams combined. And the team has heart. You've heard that song, 'You've Gotta Have Heart?' Well, this team has heart. I can't wait for the season to get started."
And the feeling was mutual with Panthers players, who were on hand throughout the event. "Our fans are great," said Cecil Lester. "They always support us. I'm real excited about this season, and it seems like the fans are more excited about this year than years past.
"We've got plenty of fans. I was in Atlanta and Macon this offseason and saw a lot of Panthers fans, and look at them out there today."
Added Adrian Howard: "[It] feels like the fans are really excited about the way we finished last season and the new acquisitions, like Stony Woodson and Cecil Lester coming back." Panthers General Manager Will Carter smiled when looking out at the field swelling with Panthers fans.
"It's a great turnout," Carter said. "There are a lot of Panthers fans here. Hopefully they'll come out and keep supporting the team. I'm excited about this team. It's a good team and I think we have a chance to go back to the Championship."
Fans began to pour through the Albany James H. Gray Civic Center gates at 5 p.m. ET and they continued to do so through closing time at 8 p.m.
This year's event included interactive activities, increased player involvement and an array of autograph opportunities, activities for all ages and photo opportunities with club mascot Prowler and a host of Panther players.
Special discussions took place with Panthers broadcasters, players, coaches and media personnel. "We've had a great day," said an exhausted looking Kate Tabor. "I think it's really nice what the Panthers do. I'm looking forward to a great season."
The Panthers kick off the season on the road against the Louisiana Swashbucklers Saturday, March 9th at 8p.m. ET. You can catch all the action on 97.3 WGEX-FM.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Daily League News & Notes
Arena Football League
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 3
The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks held the team's second practice of 2013 training camp at The Bolles School on Sunday morning.
For the second straight day, the team practiced in helmets, shorts and jerseys, giving players a chance to get acclimated to the rigors of training camp before transitioning to full pads. The Sharks began the workout by breaking out into positional groups for individual drills, then moved to one-on-one competition.
Following the completion of one-on-ones, the Sharks came together for an extensive team session that allowed the Jacksonville coaching staff to evaluate their squad as a whole.
The level of competition remained high throughout the roster, especially among a group of defensive backs that includes three returning Sharks (Bill Alford, Micheaux Robinson and LaRoche Jackson), three AFL veterans (Tracy Belton, Tanner Varner and Jamaal Fudge), and a rookie in Cortez Stubbs who has prior indoor football experience.
Following the conclusion of practice, Shark head coach Les Moss emphasized the importance of body maintenance and proper treatment, especially when taking into account today's cold temperatures and the upcoming transition to full-contact workouts.
Player Spotlight
One of the many new faces on the Jacksonville roster is defensive back Tanner Varner. Though he has won a Shark uniform for just two days, Varner is no stranger to the Arena Football League, playing with the San Jose SaberCats last season, the Philadelphia Soul in 2011 and the Iowa Barnstormers in 2010. The Northern Iowa product also spent three seasons with the Barnstormers while that team competed in af2.
After Sunday's practice, Varner spoke about what went into his decision to join the Sharks.
"Coach Moss, I've known throughout the years playing against him," Varner said. "And then Jacksonville with their fans, you just can't beat that. Florida is a place that I wanted to be, so this is just a place that I wanted to come down to."
A versatile defender, Varner finished third on the SaberCats with 63 total tackles in 2012, adding 1.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and five pass breakups. Varner also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered two others. A physical presence in the secondary, Varner is looking forward to practicing in full pads.
"Oh yeah, hitting is what DBs do," Varner said. "We're ready to hit, and there will be some wide open eyes going tomorrow. It'll be fun."
Up Next
The Sharks will hold their first full-contact practice of 2013 on Monday morning at Plantation Park, located at 3060 Race Track Road in St. Johns. The practice will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
Low Temperatures Could Not Stop The Storm
The saying goes, "March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb." Today, the Storm felt the lion, as temperatures dipped to the low 40s for the second day of training camp. While the players may have been cold, it did not stop them from preparing for the upcoming season.
"It was cold out there today, but it actually felt good," said second-year Storm offensive lineman Wondell Rutledge. "Once you get the blood flowing, you're ready to get out there and go to work."
As the day progressed, the Storm receivers and quarterbacks showed that they can work together and are on the same page. They continued to make several plays, and started to gain the trust an offense needs in order to succeed.
However, the defense did not make it easy for the offensive unit. Practicing in a new system, the defense did all it could to disrupt the passing game. The defensive backs worked hard at taking the receivers out of their comfort zone and the defensive line kept the offensive unit on its heels.
"I liked what I saw out there today," said Storm defensive backs coach Doug Kay. "The guys showed enthusiasm which is always good to see in camp."
The team finished the day conducting meetings and watching film.
Coaches Perspective: "While I liked what I saw, it is still very early out there," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "The offense was a little slow today but that is to be expected in the first few days."
Quote of the Day: "Sure it was cold out there," said returning defensive lineman Paul Griffin. "But it's mind over pain. You just have to push through it and get the job done."
Player Spotlight: Michael Lindsey returns for his third season in a Storm uniform. He is a dynamic wide receiver and kick returner that has racked up over 1,000 kick return yards in each season. Lindsey has also steadily increased his scoring production on the receiving end from season to season. This seems to be an area in which he is continuing to improve as he hauled in a couple of touchdowns during today's session.
Training Camp: Soul Players Starting to Get Warmed Up
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, completed another day of practice at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. The players, still running on excitement for training camp, are starting to build chemistry and competition amongst one another.
Each side of the ball is starting to get familiar with their fellow teammates and oppositions. As the competition and chemistry builds in the locker room, the players are starting to push and challenge one another. The coaches are starting to see who fits in certain positions and what they can do to improve each side of the ball.
Tomorrow, the players will report for the first padded practice.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE! DL MICHAEL ROBINSON (6'4", 260, Nassau CC): Second-year DL, Michael Robinson, turns 27 today. Robinson enters training camp for his first season with the Soul, having spent the last four games of the 2012 season with the Kansas City Command. While with the CIFL Erie Explosion, Robinson erupted for 20 sacks in 12 games and earned 1st Team All-UIFL Honors (2012) and with the UIFL Huntington Hammer he earned First-Team All-UIFL (2011).
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm so excited to be a part of this organization," said Soul QB Steven Gachette (6'1", 195, Southwest Baptist). "Just off the first couple days of camp, the Soul are five steps ahead of everyone else in the league. The treatment of the players, their dedication to winning, it's obvious they want to be back at the ArenaBowl. To me, this team is the New England Patriots of the AFL in regards to their "Do-it-right" standards. On top of that, they have great fans behind them. I know I'm excited to see the Philly fans. I hear there's nothing like it, so we will have to wait and see."
A TIGER IN THE BOOKS: This season, Tiger Jones may find himself in the Soul record books for multiple categories. In 2012, Tiger brought in 133 receptions for 2,010 yards and 47 touchdowns in 16 games. In 2011, Tiger caught 170 receptions and 2,225 and 42 touchdowns in 18 games; both seasons were with QB Dan Raudabaugh.
Tiger is 67 catches away from breaking into third place for career receptions with the Soul, 1,176 yards from being first in career receiving yards, 2,008 yards from being first in all-purpose career yards, and 28 touchdowns from being first in career receiving touchdowns and total career touchdowns for the Soul's record books.
With Raudabaugh once again at QB for the Soul and Tiger's proven track record with his quarterback, it is easy to imagine him reaching the numbers necessary during his 2013 season. If all goes planned, Tiger's name will be all over the Soul record books.
Pittsburgh Power Open 2013 AFL Training Camp
The Pittsburgh Power opened their 2013 training camp last Friday, three weeks before the team's regular-season Arena Football League opener on Saturday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. against the Utah Blaze at CONSOL Energy Center.
The Power gathered for a weekend of team meetings and physicals before hitting the field for the first full-pads practice this morning. Training camp will run through Sunday, March 17, when the opening game roster will be finalized.
All remaining training camp practices will be held at Southpointe Fieldhouse (104 Cecil Henderson Road, Canonsburg, PA) and will be closed to the general public, with the exception of the Power's joint practice with division foe Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday, March 9, which will be OPEN to the public from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
After an additional week of training camp, the Power will travel to Philadelphia for another joint practice, with the 2012 AFL American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul.
Indoor Football League
Storm Fall to Danger
The Sioux Falls Storm (1-1) were defeated 30-21 by the Nebraska Danger(1-0) on Saturday night due to minimal offensive production. This was their first loss since June 11 of 2011 when they fell to the Beef in Omaha 41-37 on a last second touchdown.
Nebraska started the game off strong with an opening kickoff return touchdown by Marcus Barnett, which put the Danger up 7-0 only eight seconds into the game. Parker Douglass put the Storm on the board with two early field goals to make it 7-6 after the first quarter, the Danger hanging on to a slight lead.
The Sioux Falls Storm defense dominated the game in the second quarter. With the Danger pinned up against their goal line, the Storm defensive front forced a safety to give the Storm its first lead of the game at 8-7. Douglass hit another field goal before the end of the half to make it 11-7 Storm lead going into halftime.
Nebraska came out with more energy in the second half and finally put up the first offensive touchdown in the game. Kanye Farquharson recaptured the lead for the Danger with a 35-yard touchdown reception from Jameel Sewell. Farquharson finished the game with 73 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. Sewell went 11 of 21 for 129 yards and two touchdown passes in the game.
The Storm tried to work their way back into the game late but could never retake the lead. Tory Harrison scored the Storm's lone touchdown on a one yard run. Martevious Young struggled in the game going 20 of 34 for 215 yards and two critical interceptions.
Sioux Falls now gets a week off and will play next against the Wyoming Cavalry on March 17 for the 2013 home opener. Kickoff for the St. Patrick's Day game is schedule for 3:05.
Professional Indoor Football League
Lions Training Camp Report Part Two: Offensive Explosion
The wait is almost over as the Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) begin their second and final week of training camp with the season opener taking place in "The Jungle" on Sunday March 10th vs. the Knoxville Nighthawks.
For the past six seasons, Head Coach Jason Gibson has been the mastermind of a Columbus Lions offensive squad that consistently ranks around the top in majority of their league's offensive categories. Last season was no different as the Lions lead the PIFL in pass offense (269 yards/game) and total offense (280 yards/game).
Other than Gibson, there really has only been two other constants in the Lions offensive success that being WR Gerald "G-G" Gales and OL Dion Small. "G-G" returns for his sixth season while Small is back protecting Columbus quarterbacks for his fourth season. Gales re-joins the Lions as the team's all-time leader in receptions (326), yards (4,205), and touchdowns (87).
Also returning is the PIFL's 2012 Offensive MVP in WR Maurice Dupree. Dupree lead the league in scoring (242), touchdown receptions (40), and receiving yards (1278) and will once again be a pivotal asset in the Lions passing offense.
One other recurrent trend has been the consistent revolving door at the quarterback position. Last season Randy Hippeard took over the starting duties after out-dueling the incumbent Chris McCoy during training camp. Hippeard enjoyed a successful 2012 campaign finishing on the PIFL's All 2nd Team by leading the league in passing touchdowns (72), passing yards (3,280), and completion percentage (64.5%).
When Columbus opens the season on Sunday March 10th they will do so with a new signal-caller under center for the fifth consecutive year as Hippeard elected to sign with the PIFL's Knoxville Nighthawks in the off-season in hopes of continuing his education closer to home.
Battling it out during training camp for the top QB spot has been Marcus Jones (6'4 225, Duke) and Garrett Sutphen (6'4 220, UNC-Pembroke). Jones joined the Lions late last year seeing limited action with just nine pass attempts in one game. Last season, while with the AIF's Cape Fear Heroes Sutphen split time under-center guiding them to an undefeated championship season.
Whomever the coaching staff elects to start under-center will certainly have two of the league's guards blocking for them. In addition to Small, also returning is Brandon Thomas (6'5 310, Tulsa) who left mid-way through last season after earning a spot with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
No off-season is met without a bevy of fresh faces and departures.
In addition to Hippeard, gone is the ultra-talented WR London Crawford whom after earning the PIFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012 signed with the AFL's Jacksonville Sharks. There is still an out-side chance Crawford could re-join the Lions but with a Lions coaching staff that praises themselves on sending players to the next level they believe he will stick with the Sharks.
Looking to replace him will be local home-bred WR Jarmon Fortson (6'3 225, North Alabama). As a senior, he led the Carver Tigers to a state championship while later on signing his letter of intent to play at Florida State. In two seasons with the Noles, Fortson hauled in 53 receptions and five touchdowns before transferring to North Alabama where he closed out his collegiate career in 2010 by grabbing 32 receptions along with five touchdowns.
On special teams the club will replace kicker Trey Crum with Chandler Brooks (6'1 175, Auburn). Over the past three seasons combined Crum has managed to score 331 points in addition to punching through 52 Uno's. Brooks will provide the team with some familiarity having seen action in three games last season scoring 35 points along with four Uno's. Chandler made a splash in his indoor debut when back on Saturday May 12th he made a game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired giving the Lions a three-point win over Knoxville.
The Lions coaching staff will have just two more days to judge and evaluate the talent on the field before they make their final roster cut-down to 27 on March 6th. With AFL cut-downs around the corner don't expect the opening game roster to look the same a couple of weeks down the road.
"I have already made a number of cuts in hopes of leaving some spots open for those who fall by the wayside during AFL cut-down period," said Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "Competition is the greatest equalizer and despite our recent success on offense as long as I am Head Coach we will never become complacent."
The Columbus Lions 2013 season will kick-off on Sunday March 10th when they host the Knoxville Nighthawks for "Military Appreciation Night."
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 3
The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks held the team's second practice of 2013 training camp at The Bolles School on Sunday morning.
For the second straight day, the team practiced in helmets, shorts and jerseys, giving players a chance to get acclimated to the rigors of training camp before transitioning to full pads. The Sharks began the workout by breaking out into positional groups for individual drills, then moved to one-on-one competition.
Following the completion of one-on-ones, the Sharks came together for an extensive team session that allowed the Jacksonville coaching staff to evaluate their squad as a whole.
The level of competition remained high throughout the roster, especially among a group of defensive backs that includes three returning Sharks (Bill Alford, Micheaux Robinson and LaRoche Jackson), three AFL veterans (Tracy Belton, Tanner Varner and Jamaal Fudge), and a rookie in Cortez Stubbs who has prior indoor football experience.
Following the conclusion of practice, Shark head coach Les Moss emphasized the importance of body maintenance and proper treatment, especially when taking into account today's cold temperatures and the upcoming transition to full-contact workouts.
Player Spotlight
One of the many new faces on the Jacksonville roster is defensive back Tanner Varner. Though he has won a Shark uniform for just two days, Varner is no stranger to the Arena Football League, playing with the San Jose SaberCats last season, the Philadelphia Soul in 2011 and the Iowa Barnstormers in 2010. The Northern Iowa product also spent three seasons with the Barnstormers while that team competed in af2.
After Sunday's practice, Varner spoke about what went into his decision to join the Sharks.
"Coach Moss, I've known throughout the years playing against him," Varner said. "And then Jacksonville with their fans, you just can't beat that. Florida is a place that I wanted to be, so this is just a place that I wanted to come down to."
A versatile defender, Varner finished third on the SaberCats with 63 total tackles in 2012, adding 1.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and five pass breakups. Varner also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered two others. A physical presence in the secondary, Varner is looking forward to practicing in full pads.
"Oh yeah, hitting is what DBs do," Varner said. "We're ready to hit, and there will be some wide open eyes going tomorrow. It'll be fun."
Up Next
The Sharks will hold their first full-contact practice of 2013 on Monday morning at Plantation Park, located at 3060 Race Track Road in St. Johns. The practice will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
Low Temperatures Could Not Stop The Storm
The saying goes, "March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb." Today, the Storm felt the lion, as temperatures dipped to the low 40s for the second day of training camp. While the players may have been cold, it did not stop them from preparing for the upcoming season.
"It was cold out there today, but it actually felt good," said second-year Storm offensive lineman Wondell Rutledge. "Once you get the blood flowing, you're ready to get out there and go to work."
As the day progressed, the Storm receivers and quarterbacks showed that they can work together and are on the same page. They continued to make several plays, and started to gain the trust an offense needs in order to succeed.
However, the defense did not make it easy for the offensive unit. Practicing in a new system, the defense did all it could to disrupt the passing game. The defensive backs worked hard at taking the receivers out of their comfort zone and the defensive line kept the offensive unit on its heels.
"I liked what I saw out there today," said Storm defensive backs coach Doug Kay. "The guys showed enthusiasm which is always good to see in camp."
The team finished the day conducting meetings and watching film.
Coaches Perspective: "While I liked what I saw, it is still very early out there," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "The offense was a little slow today but that is to be expected in the first few days."
Quote of the Day: "Sure it was cold out there," said returning defensive lineman Paul Griffin. "But it's mind over pain. You just have to push through it and get the job done."
Player Spotlight: Michael Lindsey returns for his third season in a Storm uniform. He is a dynamic wide receiver and kick returner that has racked up over 1,000 kick return yards in each season. Lindsey has also steadily increased his scoring production on the receiving end from season to season. This seems to be an area in which he is continuing to improve as he hauled in a couple of touchdowns during today's session.
Training Camp: Soul Players Starting to Get Warmed Up
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, completed another day of practice at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. The players, still running on excitement for training camp, are starting to build chemistry and competition amongst one another.
Each side of the ball is starting to get familiar with their fellow teammates and oppositions. As the competition and chemistry builds in the locker room, the players are starting to push and challenge one another. The coaches are starting to see who fits in certain positions and what they can do to improve each side of the ball.
Tomorrow, the players will report for the first padded practice.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE! DL MICHAEL ROBINSON (6'4", 260, Nassau CC): Second-year DL, Michael Robinson, turns 27 today. Robinson enters training camp for his first season with the Soul, having spent the last four games of the 2012 season with the Kansas City Command. While with the CIFL Erie Explosion, Robinson erupted for 20 sacks in 12 games and earned 1st Team All-UIFL Honors (2012) and with the UIFL Huntington Hammer he earned First-Team All-UIFL (2011).
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm so excited to be a part of this organization," said Soul QB Steven Gachette (6'1", 195, Southwest Baptist). "Just off the first couple days of camp, the Soul are five steps ahead of everyone else in the league. The treatment of the players, their dedication to winning, it's obvious they want to be back at the ArenaBowl. To me, this team is the New England Patriots of the AFL in regards to their "Do-it-right" standards. On top of that, they have great fans behind them. I know I'm excited to see the Philly fans. I hear there's nothing like it, so we will have to wait and see."
A TIGER IN THE BOOKS: This season, Tiger Jones may find himself in the Soul record books for multiple categories. In 2012, Tiger brought in 133 receptions for 2,010 yards and 47 touchdowns in 16 games. In 2011, Tiger caught 170 receptions and 2,225 and 42 touchdowns in 18 games; both seasons were with QB Dan Raudabaugh.
Tiger is 67 catches away from breaking into third place for career receptions with the Soul, 1,176 yards from being first in career receiving yards, 2,008 yards from being first in all-purpose career yards, and 28 touchdowns from being first in career receiving touchdowns and total career touchdowns for the Soul's record books.
With Raudabaugh once again at QB for the Soul and Tiger's proven track record with his quarterback, it is easy to imagine him reaching the numbers necessary during his 2013 season. If all goes planned, Tiger's name will be all over the Soul record books.
Pittsburgh Power Open 2013 AFL Training Camp
The Pittsburgh Power opened their 2013 training camp last Friday, three weeks before the team's regular-season Arena Football League opener on Saturday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. against the Utah Blaze at CONSOL Energy Center.
The Power gathered for a weekend of team meetings and physicals before hitting the field for the first full-pads practice this morning. Training camp will run through Sunday, March 17, when the opening game roster will be finalized.
All remaining training camp practices will be held at Southpointe Fieldhouse (104 Cecil Henderson Road, Canonsburg, PA) and will be closed to the general public, with the exception of the Power's joint practice with division foe Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday, March 9, which will be OPEN to the public from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
After an additional week of training camp, the Power will travel to Philadelphia for another joint practice, with the 2012 AFL American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul.
Indoor Football League
Storm Fall to Danger
The Sioux Falls Storm (1-1) were defeated 30-21 by the Nebraska Danger(1-0) on Saturday night due to minimal offensive production. This was their first loss since June 11 of 2011 when they fell to the Beef in Omaha 41-37 on a last second touchdown.
Nebraska started the game off strong with an opening kickoff return touchdown by Marcus Barnett, which put the Danger up 7-0 only eight seconds into the game. Parker Douglass put the Storm on the board with two early field goals to make it 7-6 after the first quarter, the Danger hanging on to a slight lead.
The Sioux Falls Storm defense dominated the game in the second quarter. With the Danger pinned up against their goal line, the Storm defensive front forced a safety to give the Storm its first lead of the game at 8-7. Douglass hit another field goal before the end of the half to make it 11-7 Storm lead going into halftime.
Nebraska came out with more energy in the second half and finally put up the first offensive touchdown in the game. Kanye Farquharson recaptured the lead for the Danger with a 35-yard touchdown reception from Jameel Sewell. Farquharson finished the game with 73 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. Sewell went 11 of 21 for 129 yards and two touchdown passes in the game.
The Storm tried to work their way back into the game late but could never retake the lead. Tory Harrison scored the Storm's lone touchdown on a one yard run. Martevious Young struggled in the game going 20 of 34 for 215 yards and two critical interceptions.
Sioux Falls now gets a week off and will play next against the Wyoming Cavalry on March 17 for the 2013 home opener. Kickoff for the St. Patrick's Day game is schedule for 3:05.
Professional Indoor Football League
Lions Training Camp Report Part Two: Offensive Explosion
The wait is almost over as the Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) begin their second and final week of training camp with the season opener taking place in "The Jungle" on Sunday March 10th vs. the Knoxville Nighthawks.
For the past six seasons, Head Coach Jason Gibson has been the mastermind of a Columbus Lions offensive squad that consistently ranks around the top in majority of their league's offensive categories. Last season was no different as the Lions lead the PIFL in pass offense (269 yards/game) and total offense (280 yards/game).
Other than Gibson, there really has only been two other constants in the Lions offensive success that being WR Gerald "G-G" Gales and OL Dion Small. "G-G" returns for his sixth season while Small is back protecting Columbus quarterbacks for his fourth season. Gales re-joins the Lions as the team's all-time leader in receptions (326), yards (4,205), and touchdowns (87).
Also returning is the PIFL's 2012 Offensive MVP in WR Maurice Dupree. Dupree lead the league in scoring (242), touchdown receptions (40), and receiving yards (1278) and will once again be a pivotal asset in the Lions passing offense.
One other recurrent trend has been the consistent revolving door at the quarterback position. Last season Randy Hippeard took over the starting duties after out-dueling the incumbent Chris McCoy during training camp. Hippeard enjoyed a successful 2012 campaign finishing on the PIFL's All 2nd Team by leading the league in passing touchdowns (72), passing yards (3,280), and completion percentage (64.5%).
When Columbus opens the season on Sunday March 10th they will do so with a new signal-caller under center for the fifth consecutive year as Hippeard elected to sign with the PIFL's Knoxville Nighthawks in the off-season in hopes of continuing his education closer to home.
Battling it out during training camp for the top QB spot has been Marcus Jones (6'4 225, Duke) and Garrett Sutphen (6'4 220, UNC-Pembroke). Jones joined the Lions late last year seeing limited action with just nine pass attempts in one game. Last season, while with the AIF's Cape Fear Heroes Sutphen split time under-center guiding them to an undefeated championship season.
Whomever the coaching staff elects to start under-center will certainly have two of the league's guards blocking for them. In addition to Small, also returning is Brandon Thomas (6'5 310, Tulsa) who left mid-way through last season after earning a spot with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
No off-season is met without a bevy of fresh faces and departures.
In addition to Hippeard, gone is the ultra-talented WR London Crawford whom after earning the PIFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012 signed with the AFL's Jacksonville Sharks. There is still an out-side chance Crawford could re-join the Lions but with a Lions coaching staff that praises themselves on sending players to the next level they believe he will stick with the Sharks.
Looking to replace him will be local home-bred WR Jarmon Fortson (6'3 225, North Alabama). As a senior, he led the Carver Tigers to a state championship while later on signing his letter of intent to play at Florida State. In two seasons with the Noles, Fortson hauled in 53 receptions and five touchdowns before transferring to North Alabama where he closed out his collegiate career in 2010 by grabbing 32 receptions along with five touchdowns.
On special teams the club will replace kicker Trey Crum with Chandler Brooks (6'1 175, Auburn). Over the past three seasons combined Crum has managed to score 331 points in addition to punching through 52 Uno's. Brooks will provide the team with some familiarity having seen action in three games last season scoring 35 points along with four Uno's. Chandler made a splash in his indoor debut when back on Saturday May 12th he made a game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired giving the Lions a three-point win over Knoxville.
The Lions coaching staff will have just two more days to judge and evaluate the talent on the field before they make their final roster cut-down to 27 on March 6th. With AFL cut-downs around the corner don't expect the opening game roster to look the same a couple of weeks down the road.
"I have already made a number of cuts in hopes of leaving some spots open for those who fall by the wayside during AFL cut-down period," said Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "Competition is the greatest equalizer and despite our recent success on offense as long as I am Head Coach we will never become complacent."
The Columbus Lions 2013 season will kick-off on Sunday March 10th when they host the Knoxville Nighthawks for "Military Appreciation Night."
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Daily League News & Notes
Arena Football League
Competitive Day Completes Soul First Practice
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, finished their first day of non-padded practice at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. The first practice of the 2013 season kicks off the Soul's run for ArenaBowl XXVI in Orlando.
Players were eager and excited to finally get on the field after completing physicals for the previous two days of camp. The competition is high as veteran players OL Christian Johnson and Brennen Carvalho looked strong on the offensive line, while rookies DL/LBs Morkeith Brown and Calvin Fance were impressive in their first Soul practices. There will be another two days of non-padded practices before contact starts on Tuesday, March 5.
With many new players added to the mix, the team needs to get into the groove of things as their season-opening game is three weeks away. The Soul will put their team to the test a week before with a scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Power.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR/KR ALVANCE ROBINSON (5'9", 170, Alabama St.): Enters his fourth AFL season and his first season with the Philadelphia Soul. Robinson had the two best seasons of his career with the Utah Blaze (2011-12) recording 185 receptions, 2,363 yards, and 47 touchdowns in 27 games.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I am thrilled to be around, and a member of, a championship-caliber program," said Soul WR Armand Robinson. "This team is designed to make a run at the ArenaBowl. One thing that really makes this team special is the fans. It's great to be in a city that loves football. To see the way this city rallies around this team is something special. With training camp starting, I'm happy to be here, get back to football, and be a part of this."
WELCOME HOME, MORKEITH: Soul DL/LB Morkeith Brown (6'5", 255, Temple), comes back to Philadelphia, the same city he attended college at Temple University. Before attending Temple, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2005.
Brown played for Temple's football program, earning All MAC Honoree and being named a nominee for the Vern Smith Leadership Award. After college, Brown had the opportunity to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers camp (2012), Cleveland Browns camp (2012), and two workouts with the Philadelphia Eagles (2012).
Brown, a Criminal Justice major and decorated veteran, naturally has defense in his mindset. He defended our country and now looks to help defend for the Soul.
Storm Training Camp Day 1
The Tampa Bay Storm held its first day of training camp at Skyway Park, as the team reported for duty at 12:00 PM with the day concluding at 6:00 PM. Today marked the first of three non-padded, helmets only practice as the team worked on conditioning, and installing the offense and defense.
Like many other training camps, the first day was full of excitement and nerves as the team came together and started to get to know each other better.
"We're a little nervous, but excited at the same time," said Storm center Brad Serini. "Camp will be hard, but we're ready to go through it as a team."
The Storm worked on conditioning before moving on to the team drills. The process included sprints and several different types of stretches. Each conditioning drill was used to test endurance to see who was ready to take on the game of arena football.
"We used the conditioning to see who was in shape," said Storm defensive line coach Chris Hovan. "It also helped us see who was mentally and physically prepared to play."
The end of the day saw the team working on offense and defense. Both sides were making plays, and trying to outdo the other.
Comings and Goings: Defensive lineman Rodney Beamon was acquired by the Storm. Beamon (6-foot-2, 285 lbs., Tennessee-Chattanooga) played with the Mocs from 2007 - 2008. In 23 games, he tallied 56 tackles including five sacks for 21 yards. He also recorded a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Wide receiver Carlos Singleton and offensive lineman Thomas Claiborne were reassigned.
Coaches Perspective: "We're going to work on everything," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "Now is the time to translate what we teach in meetings to the field, and make sure everyone understands the offense and defense."
Quote of the Day: "We're excited, it's the first day and we were anxious to get out here to see what the team looks like on the field," said Storm President Derrick Brooks. "To physically see the guys get out here, and get ready for the season is special to all of us."
Player Spotlight: Mid-way through last season the Storm acquired Joe Hills to help add depth to an already stout receiving corp. The Palmetto, FL native did not disappoint, and in just five games he had 39 receptions for 648 yards and 13 touchdowns. He looks to continue his success with the Storm this season, and made several plays during the first day of camp.
OL Narcisse, LB Mortensen Return to Blaze
The Utah Blaze have agreed to terms with two veterans in OL Antonio Narcisse and LB Joe Mortensen, the franchise announced today. Starters for the Blaze in 2012, both players inked new deals after being cleared from injured reserve.
"I'm happy to have Joe and Antonio back with the Blaze this season. They bring leadership qualities to this football team," Head Coach Ron James stated. "Joe and Antonio are hard working players that set the tone with their blue collar mentality. I expect them to contribute to this team on the field and in the locker room."
Narcisse returns for his third season with the Blaze after starting 27 straight games at center from 2011-2012. He was originally acquired midway through the 2011 season via a trade with the Spokane Shock, where he played from 2010-2011. Throughout his five-year AFL career, Narcisse has also played for the Cleveland Gladiators (2008) and New Orleans VooDoo (2007).
As a rookie in 2012, Mortensen started 14 games at Mac linebacker for the Blaze. He totaled 25 tackles (15 solo), including 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, adding one pass breakup and one safety. Mortensen is best known for his performance in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, where he sacked San Antonio Talons QB Jeff Garcia on fourth down to secure a victory.
Training Camp-Day 1 a Success for VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo held its first practice of the 2013 season at Pan American Stadium Saturday morning.
The 35-man roster worked on basic play installation, position drills, and other team-oriented drills.
Here is what Head Coach Pat O'Hara had to say about his team's first practice:
http://youtu.be/2PUABLT3dBU
The team will embark on its second practice tomorrow (Sunday, March 3), at Tad Gormley Stadium.
Competitive Day Completes Soul First Practice
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, finished their first day of non-padded practice at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. The first practice of the 2013 season kicks off the Soul's run for ArenaBowl XXVI in Orlando.
Players were eager and excited to finally get on the field after completing physicals for the previous two days of camp. The competition is high as veteran players OL Christian Johnson and Brennen Carvalho looked strong on the offensive line, while rookies DL/LBs Morkeith Brown and Calvin Fance were impressive in their first Soul practices. There will be another two days of non-padded practices before contact starts on Tuesday, March 5.
With many new players added to the mix, the team needs to get into the groove of things as their season-opening game is three weeks away. The Soul will put their team to the test a week before with a scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Power.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR/KR ALVANCE ROBINSON (5'9", 170, Alabama St.): Enters his fourth AFL season and his first season with the Philadelphia Soul. Robinson had the two best seasons of his career with the Utah Blaze (2011-12) recording 185 receptions, 2,363 yards, and 47 touchdowns in 27 games.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I am thrilled to be around, and a member of, a championship-caliber program," said Soul WR Armand Robinson. "This team is designed to make a run at the ArenaBowl. One thing that really makes this team special is the fans. It's great to be in a city that loves football. To see the way this city rallies around this team is something special. With training camp starting, I'm happy to be here, get back to football, and be a part of this."
WELCOME HOME, MORKEITH: Soul DL/LB Morkeith Brown (6'5", 255, Temple), comes back to Philadelphia, the same city he attended college at Temple University. Before attending Temple, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2005.
Brown played for Temple's football program, earning All MAC Honoree and being named a nominee for the Vern Smith Leadership Award. After college, Brown had the opportunity to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers camp (2012), Cleveland Browns camp (2012), and two workouts with the Philadelphia Eagles (2012).
Brown, a Criminal Justice major and decorated veteran, naturally has defense in his mindset. He defended our country and now looks to help defend for the Soul.
Storm Training Camp Day 1
The Tampa Bay Storm held its first day of training camp at Skyway Park, as the team reported for duty at 12:00 PM with the day concluding at 6:00 PM. Today marked the first of three non-padded, helmets only practice as the team worked on conditioning, and installing the offense and defense.
Like many other training camps, the first day was full of excitement and nerves as the team came together and started to get to know each other better.
"We're a little nervous, but excited at the same time," said Storm center Brad Serini. "Camp will be hard, but we're ready to go through it as a team."
The Storm worked on conditioning before moving on to the team drills. The process included sprints and several different types of stretches. Each conditioning drill was used to test endurance to see who was ready to take on the game of arena football.
"We used the conditioning to see who was in shape," said Storm defensive line coach Chris Hovan. "It also helped us see who was mentally and physically prepared to play."
The end of the day saw the team working on offense and defense. Both sides were making plays, and trying to outdo the other.
Comings and Goings: Defensive lineman Rodney Beamon was acquired by the Storm. Beamon (6-foot-2, 285 lbs., Tennessee-Chattanooga) played with the Mocs from 2007 - 2008. In 23 games, he tallied 56 tackles including five sacks for 21 yards. He also recorded a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Wide receiver Carlos Singleton and offensive lineman Thomas Claiborne were reassigned.
Coaches Perspective: "We're going to work on everything," said Storm head coach Dave Ewart. "Now is the time to translate what we teach in meetings to the field, and make sure everyone understands the offense and defense."
Quote of the Day: "We're excited, it's the first day and we were anxious to get out here to see what the team looks like on the field," said Storm President Derrick Brooks. "To physically see the guys get out here, and get ready for the season is special to all of us."
Player Spotlight: Mid-way through last season the Storm acquired Joe Hills to help add depth to an already stout receiving corp. The Palmetto, FL native did not disappoint, and in just five games he had 39 receptions for 648 yards and 13 touchdowns. He looks to continue his success with the Storm this season, and made several plays during the first day of camp.
OL Narcisse, LB Mortensen Return to Blaze
The Utah Blaze have agreed to terms with two veterans in OL Antonio Narcisse and LB Joe Mortensen, the franchise announced today. Starters for the Blaze in 2012, both players inked new deals after being cleared from injured reserve.
"I'm happy to have Joe and Antonio back with the Blaze this season. They bring leadership qualities to this football team," Head Coach Ron James stated. "Joe and Antonio are hard working players that set the tone with their blue collar mentality. I expect them to contribute to this team on the field and in the locker room."
Narcisse returns for his third season with the Blaze after starting 27 straight games at center from 2011-2012. He was originally acquired midway through the 2011 season via a trade with the Spokane Shock, where he played from 2010-2011. Throughout his five-year AFL career, Narcisse has also played for the Cleveland Gladiators (2008) and New Orleans VooDoo (2007).
As a rookie in 2012, Mortensen started 14 games at Mac linebacker for the Blaze. He totaled 25 tackles (15 solo), including 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, adding one pass breakup and one safety. Mortensen is best known for his performance in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, where he sacked San Antonio Talons QB Jeff Garcia on fourth down to secure a victory.
Training Camp-Day 1 a Success for VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo held its first practice of the 2013 season at Pan American Stadium Saturday morning.
The 35-man roster worked on basic play installation, position drills, and other team-oriented drills.
Here is what Head Coach Pat O'Hara had to say about his team's first practice:
http://youtu.be/2PUABLT3dBU
The team will embark on its second practice tomorrow (Sunday, March 3), at Tad Gormley Stadium.
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