Copperheads Look For Improvement Following Win
May 17, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
HOUSTON - It's not unusual for Copperheads kicker Nick Gatto to be practicing inside the Berry Center one hour before practice. Gatto said he's tried to do this for years.
"I always try to be early inside kicking at least an hour before practice," Gatto said. "That's a routine I've had for almost five years now. I know how to prepare for each game, so I try to get my practice in before everyone showing up."
A lot of times Gatto doesn't get to practice in the arena due to situational circumstances - a situation he was forced into this past week. But he showed no sign of weakness in the Copperheads 42-34 victory over Laredo. Gatto was the game's Iron Man of the Game converting on five-of-seven field goals. But the kicker knows the team still has ways to go to win on a consistent basis.
"We want to focus on improving on things we've done well," Gatto said. "Offensively, there are still some things we need to improve on, like putting the ball in the end zone or moving the ball downfield consistently. Every positive we can get is going to help us out. On special teams things have gone well for us, but there's always room for improvement."
One thing the Copperheads need to cut down on is penalties. They are the most penalized team in the league and coach Bryan Blake knows how vital this is to winning football games. Against Laredo, it cost the team two safeties and a touchdown.
"We're committing way too many penalties and it's unfortunate because we're not a dirty team," Blake said. "We're just committing way too many mental mistakes. Things like jumping off side and delay of game are things we can fix, so that's what we're going to try and focus on this week."
Another aspect of practice this week is determining who the starting quarterback will be this week against Corpus Christie. But Blake said he's going to let Tony Eckert and Damone Scott battle it out at practice this week. The starter will be a game-time decision.
One thing is for sure as far as Blake is concerned. The Copperheads need to be better offensively to be successful. "We're still focusing on our offense," he said. "We need to score more points to consistently win games. So we're still working hard on that end of the ball."
Blake already has a plan of action.
"We're going to try to simplify things because our playbook is pretty extensive," Blake said. "We're going to work on some of our better plays and try to focus on those."
SPECIAL THANKS TO ENEA ZHONGA HCN - Sun Correspondent
Copperheads Tickets are available at the Copperheads office and online at ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets start at just $9. Special discounts are available to corporate partners and special groups of 20 or more. To purchase tickets by phone, dial 888-897-FANG.
Copperheads' season tickets are available now by calling or visit texascopperheads.com.
The arenafootballleague2 Texas Copperheads play all home games at the 8,239 seat Berry Center (www.berrycenter.net) in Northwest Houston. For more information, get player photos for media outlets or to get your 2007 Texas Copperheads season tickets, contact the Copperheads office at (888) 897-FANG or visit www.texascopperheads.com. J. Ronald Oswalt, Director of Media Relations can be reached at (832) 754-7666 or by electronic mail at oswalt1@houston.rr.com.
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