92 degrees to center
AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

92 degrees to center

by Janja Taylor
Published on February 11, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


As Guns N Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" pulsates throughout the stadium, dubbed the "Jungle," Center Colin Greczek (#92) and the rest of the Orlando Predators pounce out onto the field. This is Colin's third season playing arena football, his second with the Predators.

Janja Taylor: You're calling Orlando your home now, but you were bounced around quite a bit before this.

Colin Greczek: After college at Western Michigan, I was signed by the Detroit Fury. Soon after I was waived. Arizona called and offered me a job, but I turned them down. Then Carolina signed me for half the season. I was having some issues with the coach, so I was waived by the Cobras, and here I am in Orlando.

JT: What kind of issues were you and the coach having?

CG: Well, ironically enough, there was a problem with a quarterback/center exchange against Orlando, and I was blamed for it. Coach and I just didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things, and this exchange problem was the last straw.

JT: What is the biggest difference between college and Arena football?

CG: Arena is a lot different than any other type of football out there, whether it's pro or college. Mainly the field size is on a smaller scale--50 yards total distance, with 5 yards to make a down, there are no out of bounds. You play off the walls a lot, and the games tend to be high-scoring.

JT: Your goal is to play in the NFL, but you're 24 years old. Do you think time is running out?

CG: I wouldn't say time is running out, but I will say that it's harder to get into the NFL if you aren't coming straight out of college.

JT: You can't play football forever. After this aspect of your career is over, do you plan on becoming the next ex-pro football player turned commentator?

CG: No way. I studied business in college and I would much rather start my own business or something to do with the outdoors. Maybe even join the Peace Corps.

JT: Interesting, I wouldn't have linked football with the Peace Corps.

CG: That just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by its cover.

JT: Touché! Alright, time for a serious question. Last year, Brett Favre was sacked per se by Giants' Michael Strahan. It's rumored that Favre took the fall to help Strahan set the NFL record for single season sacks.

CG: I don't know about that. I'd like to believe he didn't. What's with the complicated question (laughing)? Okay, fine, it's wrong. Honestly, it takes away from the purity of the game.

JT: Speaking of the purity of the game, do women take away from that? Andy Rooney seems to think that women shouldn't even be on the sidelines.

CG: Ooh, let me think about this before I answer. See, the thing is, women don't know the sport physically. Not all men do either, but there aren't any women in the NFL.

JT: I'm sure one day there will be.

CG: No, there won't. Women weren't built to play football in the NFL. Their bodies wouldn't be able to withstand the physical wear and tear.

JT: What do you think about five women sitting around talking about sports with a sexy male sidekick?

CG: The show wouldn't be successful. Women right now are not credible enough with football knowledge. I'm all for having women on sports-related shows—they bring a different point of view to the table, and, of course, sex sells.

JT: Alright, what about you and your team this season. What are your goals?

CG: Last season, we clinched our division and this season we have to push things forward. We're gonna keep moving because that's the only way you can make progress. The game we're gunning for is undoubtedly San Jose.

JT: What about you personally? What are your concerns going into this season?

CG: Honestly, I don't worry about games. I concentrate on whose next and then I move on.

JT: That's a good way of thinking of things. Who's your inspiration in the NFL?

CG: I don't look up to anyone in the NFL. I look into myself for inspiration. I'm not saying that I'm the greatest guy in the world, but you'll never meet another guy like me.

JT: Whether that's considered cockiness or just good old-fashioned confidence, it worked for Colin Greczek and the Orlando Predators in their season opener against the Chicago Rush on February 2 and again on February 9 against the Tampa Bay Storm.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 11, 2003


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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