STEAMWHEELERFANS.COM SPECIAL PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Article:  2008 Training Camp Report - Day 11                                         Date:  March 18, 2008 By:  Gary Stibolt, Staff Writer

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"Very Impressive!  The Steamwheelers were able to move their training camp practice schedule to the i-Wireless Center for this week and it is paying off with huge dividends.  They are putting in an extra half hour of work which means more drills, more team workout, and special teams.  Coach Biladeau and his staff feel like they can win some football games with the guys they have right now especially with the way they are working out, practicing, and the results they are generating.  Practice today was nothing short of what we've seen all camp long.  Coach introduced special teams by running kickoffs, kickoff returns, field goals, and PAT's.  Our kicker, Derek Pearson (Central Connecticut) has great leg strength and accuracy.  He only missed three of about 30 PAT's and short field goals during practice and five of about 45 kicking attempts overall on the day (including special team practice with the full unit).  Coach also ran both offensive units down the length of the field in a timed scenario where the game would be/could be on the line and no timeouts.  The drill included penalties and the whole nine-yards of what to expect in the final seconds of the game and must-win touchdown is needed.  The guys performed very well.  There is clearly a game-mode taking place with the Wilkes-Barre/Scarnton Pioneers coming in here a week from Friday to open the season. The guys are very focused, disciplined, and are working hard.  Our linemen have speed and agility.  In the team workout drill where they run plays at full contact/full speed the offensive line is protecting much better.  The quarterback is still getting hurried somewhat but you also have to keep in mind, they are facing, arguably, the leagues best defense this season.  But they have not been so lop-sided anymore either.  Starting Wednesday though, the offensive line should get much better with the arrival of Derek Warford whom flew in from Arizona.  The six-foot-four, 315-pound Alabama State University lineman played a half a season with the NFL's Tennessee Titans and was in camp with the Kansas City Brigade in 2007.  There was another lineman who was signed to a two-day waiver out of William-Penn College that is expecting to report to a CFL camp.  He worked out tonight and will again on Wednesday. Also reporting to the team was the Steamwheelers International Player.  Alexander Hoad is from Canada and will rotate in with defensive back's.  Speaking of DB's, we have a very solid core of talent and the sad thing is someone (possibly three) is going to have to be released by Monday.  I must say when I saw the roster for this year, Malik Jackson's name was on it and I wasn't quite sold based on last year.  Malik saw very limited time last year down the stretch and was not able to contribute a lot as a result.  But Malik committed to himself and to playing football at a very high level.  He spent the entire off-season working out in the Acceleration progarm here in the Quad Cities.  When camp opened, I had to look twice.  Malik is leading the way with Jordan Davis on the list of DB's that will protect the secondary for the Steamwheelers this season.  His speed, feet and hips movement, and agility along with his physical presence and toughness on the field is just amazing to see from a year ago.  Malik will be playing corner and possibly some Jack Linebacker this year.  He has good height for the Jack spot and has some great closing speed as well.  Lavar Stepter returns from last year and also commands a very physical presence on the field.  Jordan Davis came in late last year and contributed right away.  He'll likely take over the middle spot.  What he gives up in height, he well makes up for in speed, agility, and pure skill.  He's not as physical as a Malik or Kevin Adam's (now with the Utah Blaze) but he can and will tackle. Receivers...what can we say here?  We've been accustomed to three talented receivers with a combination of skill, speed, and height that have racked up numbers like all three catching over 100 passes for over 1,000 yards on the season.  So there is no reason to think we can't do that again this year.  Kris Peters is just simply amazing.  He can back up anything he says with his play-making on the field.  He has great speed, runs great routes, and has the uncandid ability to get tall down field to haul in a pass three feet over his head.  Next, Jesse Schmidt.  Jesse was injured very early last year and we had a glimpse then of what he can do.  Jesse brings a powerful physical presence to the receiving corp with blazing speed.  He's tall and can leap and will punish anyone who tries to stop him.  He has great hands like Peters.  Rounding out the top three is Deontrae Johnson.  A guy who moved around a bit last year before landing in Tri-Cities with the af2 Fever and racked up over 1,100 yards receiving.  He brings great speed, height, and amazing catchability as well to the line-up.  When camp breaks, I expect these to be the starting three but others are also making a statement.  Who coach keeps for the 4th and/or 5th spot will be difficult to decide.  Those guys will likely have to be able to play two ways either at WR/LB or WR/DB. Fullback's are doing much better than a week ago.  Nik Kerr still looks like he has an edge on the competition but other guys are getting some reps too. There are some other positions we'll look at over the next couple of days.  Also, on Friday, the Steamwheelers Fan Club will be providing a hot breakfast smorgasboard for the players following practice.  For now, that's the report. - End ..... .....

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