Sports stats

Countdown to Ignition, Day 11

January 17, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - What's the big deal about a number? If you ask Utah Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE and offensive coordinator HUNKIE COOPER, it means a lot.

This week, the Blaze are currently in Nashville, TN for joint practices with the Nashville Kats. One of the interesting stories this training camp involves rookies OL/DL GARRETT SMITH and DS KEVIN MOFFETT. The two are not only trying to make the team, but they are also trying to "earn" their numbers.

Smith, who is wearing Coach White's old number (11), and Moffett, who is wearing Coach Cooper's old number (14), both know that the use of their respective numbers is something of great value.

"Coach (White) made it clear that choosing a uniform number is not a right, it's a privilege," Smith said. "It will be something that I have to earn and I don't plan on letting him down."

"I take a lot of pride in how I represented my number," Coach Cooper said. "I told (Kevin) Moffett that he has to take the same pride or I'm going to come off the sideline and take that number back for myself."

Extra motivation or not, both players have been having a solid camp.

IN THE HUNT

In today's Salt Lake Tribune, JAY DREW focused on sixth-year veteran DS KELVIN HUNTER.

Hunter, 28, played for Coach White at Arizona from 2002-04 when White coached the Rattlers, but spent last season with the Austin Wranglers. He was Utah's first selection in the Sept. 26 expansion draft "for symbolic reasons, and because we wanted a guy who could come in and play," White said.

Ten days into training camp, Hunter has more than lived up to expectations, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator LEE LESLIE said. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder who had a career-high four interceptions last season, is the defense's unquestioned leader right now.

LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY 12

The Blaze will be at the Tennessee Titans Practice Bubble for a joint scrimmage with the Nashville Kats and the Georgia Force. The scrimmage will be from 10 a.m. until noon. The team will then catch a flight back home to Salt Lake City and practice at the Delta Center on Thursday.

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Tuesday, January 17

Practice (at NASHVILLE KATS)

Tennessee Titans Practice Bubble

10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

Wednesday, January 18

Joint scrimmage (Nashville Kats and Georgia Force)

Tennessee Titans Practice Bubble

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Travel Day

Return from Nashville, TN

Thursday, January 19

Delta Center

Practice: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Friday, January 20

Delta Center

Practice: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

TRAINING CAMP ENDS



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 17, 2006


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.

Other Recent Utah Blaze Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central