Conquest Season Preview

March 28, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release


Albany, N.Y. - The Albany Conquest open their fifth anniversary arenafootball2 season on the road Friday, March 31, 2006 against the Green Bay Blizzard at 8:30pm. The Conquest completed the 2005 season with a 4-12 record, placing fifth in the East Division and tied for eighth in the American Conference. Albany ranked fourth in total offense with 4,560 yards, while leading the league in rushing defense by allowing just 201 rushing yards. The club excelled on special teams placing second with a 23.1 kick return average and leading the af2 with a 15.9 kick return average for the opposition.

VENA FOR VICTORY: QB Ryan Vena returns to the scene of his greatest on-field accomplishments, reuniting with head coach Pete Costanza at Pepsi Arena. The Colgate alumnus was named all-af2 as he set the league record for passing yardage (4,462) during the 2003 season with the Conquest. Vena led the club to a 13-3 record and their second straight Northeast Division championship that year and spent the last two seasons with the Columbus Destroyers (AFL) working under coach Costanza.

TALENTED VETS: Joining Vena on the roster are another 11 players with prior arenafootball2 experience. OL/DL Jamarr Ward, an Amsterdam native, returns home after spending the last five seasons in the AFL where his play on the line and offensive instincts near the goaline make him a unique player. WR/LB Manwell Talbert returns following a solid second af2 season that saw him haul in the second-most catches (900), receiving yards (1,264) and TDs (26) on the squad.

LINE POWER: Joining Ward on the line will be a host of returning players with experience in both arenafootball2 and beyond. Steve Cully played in NFL Europe last season, while David Dean record six tackles in spot duty during the 2005 season as a rookie. Karleton Thomas can lineup as well as catch the ball and is entering his fourth af2 campaign. Lou Vega returns after joining the club for the second time midway through the 2005 campaign. Youngster Jesse Pickens played at Clemson, while Ralph Horton attended New York's 2006 AFL training camp after spending time at Stony Brook.

LOCAL FLAVOR: WR/DB Kenny Williams joins the club out of the State University of New York at Albany. His kick-returning and offensive ability will provide yet another big-play threat. DS Derrick Black & WR/DB Shawn Miller played at Hudson Valley Community College, while area resident and returning K Vinny Cirrincione is back for his third season.

PREVIEW: Offense: The team will go as far as QB Ryan Vena can throw and/or run them. A return to All-Star form is likely working under coach Costanza. His desire to win and ability to both throw the ball and get defenses off balance with his running will be a MAJOR plus. QB Thomas Ricks joins the club from Birmingham Steeldogs, where he completed 51 passes with seven TDs in limited action during the 2005 season. WR/LB Manwell Talbert opens the season with raised expectations following an all-af2 caliber 2005 season, while veteran WR/LB Jim Jones provides speed, hands and the swagger all winning teams must have. OS Chris Brewer brings his 6-3 frame and speed to the Offensive Specialist position, while Christian Pereria could re-join the club later this season. FB/LB Melvin Parris will help lead the ground game for Vena, while showing the ability to get critical yardage down by the goaline.

Defense: DS Derrick Black was an All-American Honorable mention at Appalachian State University and will be given the tough assignments. His speed should allow him to be among the league's best at ball-hawking. WR/DB DeOnte Taylor comes off a solid rookie season with the Quad City Steamwheelers, where he earned the teams' rookie of the year honors. WR/DB Pete McBride was second on the Conquest in tackles last season and returned to the Capital District in a trade with the Stockton Lightning. Jamarr Ward will be a presence all-season-long on the front line and, along with Steve Cully, David Dean, Karleton Thomas and Lou Vega, will provide a more stable unit compared to last season. Newcomers to the two-way game include WR/LB Antwan Williams from Virginia State and UAlbany's WR/DB Kenny Williams.

Special Teams: The Conquest will look to duplicate last season's stellar special teams play. Black set school records at Hudson Valley with his kick returning ability, while Jones ranked third in the af2 during the 2003 season with just under 25 yards per return. Much like the duo of WR/DB Cy Butler and WR/LB Jeff Higgins from last year, the Albany Conquest figure to once again be among the league leaders on special teams.

Kicking: Cirrincione started slowly during the 2005 season after a breakthrough rookie campaign back in 2004. He was cut by Albany and went to kick for Birmingham where he never really got into a comfort zone. The Italian-born kicker came on towards the end of last season, setting a career-high with 10 PATs in the record-breaking 88-82 victory over Green Bay on July 15, 2005. His uncanny ability to provide a perfect onside kick cannot be underestimated.

Coaching: Pete Costanza returns for the second season of his second stint behind the bench. His track record with quarterbacks and high-powered offenses will likely continue this season. Bill Cook and Dave Bochette return in their roles as defensive backs coach and Assistant head coach respectively. Former Conquest WR/LB Jeff Higgins has joined the staff as special teams coordinator, while former Albany Firebirds OL/DL Tony Bowick will work with the linemen.



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