STEAMWHEELERFANS.COM SPECIAL PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Article:  2008 Training Camp Report - Day 6                                         Date:  March 13, 2008 By:  Gary Stibolt, Staff Writer

..... Focus! If there was a theme for today's practice, it had to be about focus. Bringing guys into camp is one thing, but bringing guys into camp that are ready to play from day one?...well, that is what camp is for too; to get guys into shape not just physically but mentally too. It starts with the talent but after not playing for several months, some cob webs have to be 'knocked' out and polishing up the technique skillset is a must. That is what the drills were geared towards today, technique. New drills were introduced to help the guys work on the little things and those areas that will enable them to use great leverage against their opponent. It was also the second day the team worked out in full pads. I say full pads but the truth is, these guys are wearing shorts and sweats and no protection for their legs, hips, and rump. After getting knocked around and/or stepped on, the pants and pads might not be a bad idea. But that is just my 43-year old, 'that had to hurt,' mentality talking. The practice again was a good workout. There was more one-on-one and three-on-three drills ran as they ramped up to their first intrasquad scrimmage that will take place on Friday in a closed practice session. The offensive line did much better today at pass protection and it was great to see. The defense was still bringing it but when you get pass protection for just a few seconds against a physically fast pass rush, things start to click and the tempo picks up. There is something else that I noticed about this year's camp and that is from day one, the offensive unit and the defensive unit had been identified. Now there have always been some natural defensive linemen and linebackers and the same with offensive-minded players, but due to the ironman rule change, coaches have adjusted their recruiting accordingly. Last year the rule went into effect but this year, the Jack Linebacker can now move freely from sideline to sideline (but can't go deeper than five yards from the line of scrimmage nor can he advance beyond the line of scrimmage unless the quarterback breaks beyond the guards outside shoulder (referred to as the 'box'). Where several players use to play both ways, now the emphasis is no longer playing two ways. Therefore, coach Biladeau has his offensive unit (wearing red) and defensive unit (wearing blue) and that is pretty much it. It is set like that from day one just because of how guys were recruited as coach built his team. That is not to say some guys aren't getting reps at other positions, they are but just not as many. Despite the rule change, this is still Arena Football and you still only get 19 guys on your active roster. So you have to have a few guys who can play both ways. Just exactly who those guys are this year remains to be seen. Today was a much better practice especially in team drills. A few things are starting to get sorted out and others will work out over the next week. Tomorrow is the scrimmage but for today, that's the report. - End ..... .....

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