BananaCat
01-10-2008, 10:01 AM
Practicing in the dark
http://www.bradenton.com/sports/story/315839.html
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Knights kick off camp
By RYAN T. BOYD
rboyd@bradenton.com
PALMETTO --Wes Thompson stood with his right hand latched onto the crossbar of a goal. The chilly night blanketing his body.
In front of him, guys worked on several football plays. Quarterbacks yelled cadences. Wide receivers ran routes and coaches barked instructions.
Exactly the atmosphere Thompson enjoys. . . . football practice.
"I'm just happy to be playing ball," said Thompson, 25. "This is a chance for me to elevate in life. Any time you have a chance to move up in life you should take it."
Thompson was among 30 guys who opened training camp Tuesday night as members of the Florida Knights, an upstart indoor professional football team who will play their home games at the Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto.
Training camp started rocky for the Knights.
Initially, the Knights, members of the American Professional Football League, were scheduled to practice at Big Kick Indoor Soccer Field in Sarasota. But because the facility is not listed on the team's insurance policy the Knights were forced to practice at Palmetto's Lincoln Park.
The Knights practiced on a dimly-lit field.
Alton Walker, general manager of the Knights, said his team showed a strong sense of dedication.
"The guys were the ones who made the suggestion to come down here and get some work in," Walker said. "That by itself, made me feel a lot better about the miscommunication with the insurance.
"To see the players are ready to go and you don't have to tell them anything makes me feel good."
Knights officials said the problem with Big Kick would be resolved in a few days.
Thompson wouldn't care if he practiced in complete darkness.
The team's only kicker, Thompson, kicked the past three years for the Bradenton Gladiators, of the Southern States Football League, but saw this as a chance to better himself.
"Playing for the Gladiators was a great opportunity," said the 2002 Manatee High graduate. "But I'm happy to move on the next level, and hopefully I can move higher."
Training camp will last through mid-February, then the Knights will play two preseason games in March, and the regular season starts in April. The Knights will play a 12-game season, with seven of those being home games, but the season schedule hasn't been released.
Lamon Caldwell, the Knights head coach, said he's optimistic about the upcoming season.
"We are trying to put a good product on the field," he said. "We want to be crisp, professional, and we want to do the right things."
http://www.bradenton.com/sports/story/315839.html
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Knights kick off camp
By RYAN T. BOYD
rboyd@bradenton.com
PALMETTO --Wes Thompson stood with his right hand latched onto the crossbar of a goal. The chilly night blanketing his body.
In front of him, guys worked on several football plays. Quarterbacks yelled cadences. Wide receivers ran routes and coaches barked instructions.
Exactly the atmosphere Thompson enjoys. . . . football practice.
"I'm just happy to be playing ball," said Thompson, 25. "This is a chance for me to elevate in life. Any time you have a chance to move up in life you should take it."
Thompson was among 30 guys who opened training camp Tuesday night as members of the Florida Knights, an upstart indoor professional football team who will play their home games at the Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto.
Training camp started rocky for the Knights.
Initially, the Knights, members of the American Professional Football League, were scheduled to practice at Big Kick Indoor Soccer Field in Sarasota. But because the facility is not listed on the team's insurance policy the Knights were forced to practice at Palmetto's Lincoln Park.
The Knights practiced on a dimly-lit field.
Alton Walker, general manager of the Knights, said his team showed a strong sense of dedication.
"The guys were the ones who made the suggestion to come down here and get some work in," Walker said. "That by itself, made me feel a lot better about the miscommunication with the insurance.
"To see the players are ready to go and you don't have to tell them anything makes me feel good."
Knights officials said the problem with Big Kick would be resolved in a few days.
Thompson wouldn't care if he practiced in complete darkness.
The team's only kicker, Thompson, kicked the past three years for the Bradenton Gladiators, of the Southern States Football League, but saw this as a chance to better himself.
"Playing for the Gladiators was a great opportunity," said the 2002 Manatee High graduate. "But I'm happy to move on the next level, and hopefully I can move higher."
Training camp will last through mid-February, then the Knights will play two preseason games in March, and the regular season starts in April. The Knights will play a 12-game season, with seven of those being home games, but the season schedule hasn't been released.
Lamon Caldwell, the Knights head coach, said he's optimistic about the upcoming season.
"We are trying to put a good product on the field," he said. "We want to be crisp, professional, and we want to do the right things."