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Banged-up Coyotes head into a much needed week off

June 21, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


The Central Valley Coyotes are getting much needed rest and relaxation during their final bye week of the season.

After playing nine straight games since their last bye week, the Coyotes will have light practices Monday through Wednesday with the rest of the week off. The Coyotes will return to action in Week 14 as they travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Yard Dawgz.

With several players recovering from injuries and many others banged-up from a long season, a bye came at a perfect time.

"This bye is very helpful for us at this point in the season," head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. said. "We have a lot of guys that are pretty banged up and need a full week to heal to be effective throughout the end of the season. We're going to have some light practices this Monday through Wednesday and then give them the rest of the week off to spend with family and friends."

Leading interceptor VonKeith Spencer who injured his ankle last weekend in Bakersfield and who has been plagued with little injuries throughout this season will use the week to rest his body. With the proper rehabbing procedures Spencer should be at 100% in Oklahoma City.

"It's a perfect time to have a bye week," said Spencer. "I've been beat up all season long and now I can sit and just rest my body. During this week I'm going to be watching a lot of film on Oklahoma City and mentally prepare myself for the game. I can't just shut football down because we are on a bye week. I have to always be looking to get better someway and somehow."

The extra week also gives newly acquired players like quarterback Juston Woods, fullback/linebacker Jabari Jackson and offensive/defensive lineman Al Noga an extra week to learn the Coyotes system and be more effective.

"This week gives me another seven days to get into my playbook and learn the offensive plays inside and out," said Wood. "I'm looking forward to going to Oklahoma City and competing."

The bye gives the Coyotes (1-10) more time to evaluate the status of wide receiver/linebacker Marvin Brown. He broke his right arm in Week 4 against San Diego, and now has an extra week to test the healed arm. Brown, who hauled in 9 receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown, is anxious to get back on the field and help his team.

"I just want to get out on the field and contribute somehow," said Brown. "It's been tough these past two months just being on the sidelines and not being able to catch passes, but I think I'm almost healed and ready to go. The bye week just gives me another opportunity to test the arm and see how strong it is. I'll get my chance to get back on the field and I'm going to do whatever it takes to help my team get a win."

The Coyotes finish out their season with five games remaining, four against divisional opponents and one non-divisional game against the Yard Dawgz. Central Valley will host San Diego and Hawaii at home and then travel to Bakersfield and San Diego to round out divisional play.

Central Valley is looking to play spoiler to someone's post-season hopes during their five remainder games. With a tight race between Bakersfield and Hawaii and San Diego riding a four-game win streak the Coyotes will have the opportunity to send someone home for the post-season.

"Well we still have the opportunity to win some games and shake up the West a little," said defensive coordinator Doug Murray. "There's a tight little race going on for the number one slot and I think only one team is going to be able to get a playoff berth from the West, so that makes each game that much more important. If we can knock off some of these teams and play spoiler then that's how we'll do it. We are still a competitive team and are not going to lay down for anybody."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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