Defense moves to forefront in April
May 6, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
Rage Head Football Coach, Mike Wyatt has always been known for his offensive prowess. The 49 year old Oklahoma native has set numerous offensive records during his career both in the USA and Europe. After the Rage's lone loss to the Tri Cities Fever, Wyatt revamped the Rage defense and took over the reigns of calling both the offense and the defense.
"When you run both sides of the football, you basically have no one to blame but yourself. As General Manager and Head Football Coach it is hard to fire the Defensive Coordinator when to do so would be self destructive." joked Wyatt.
Wyatt had been involved with the defense for the last two seasons, but had left the game day calls to Mike Dailey in 2004 and Mark Wilson in 2005.
"Both Mike and Mark are good coaches and both have a real feel for the defensive side of the football. I guess it was just a matter of knowing that the won-loss record gets attached to my name that made me want to be ultimately responsible." Wyatt added.
Wyatt has seen the defense start to move up the NIFL stat list over the last two weeks and has seen players like Terrell Washington and Clarence Jones starting to exert their influence on the field.
"Terrell, at Illinois and CJ at Mizzou, both played at very high levels of the game of football. They should be dominating players and we are beginning to see that." Wyatt noted.
In the Rage's new defensive scheme Wyatt has placed more emphasis on getting defensive pressure on the passer, but has done so in less conventional ways.
"We have the capacity to blitz, but don't necessarily have to play man to man coverage behind it. We want to make the quarterbacks always have to make the adjustments on the fly in order to be successful against us." Wyatt explained.
MAY HOME GAMES
IN THE FAMILY ARENA
NEW JERSEY XTREME-May 8........... 5 PM
DAYTON WARHAWKS- May 14.......... 7 PM
NEW JERSEY XTREME-May 29.......... 7 PM
WIN A CANCUN VACATION
Rage Fans will have a chance to win a Cancun Vacation by registering online and must be present at the last home game to win. This contest is being sponsored by Majestic Travel and Funjet Vacations.
ONLINE CHAT ADDED TO WEBSITE
Be sure to check out ragefootball.com for our new "live chat sessions". Rage players, coaches, and cheerleaders will schedule times to chat with fans. It's your chance to get better acquainted with the Rage family. Coach Wyatt has scheduled Mondays from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM for Q & A.
No registration is necessary. All you need do is go to the website, come up with a user name, click on "Live Chat" and then fire away.
The Extra Point: DUO OF BIG 10 SIGNEES/ACTIVATIONS
The Rage has added Joe Bevis, a 3 year starter at outside linebacker for the Fighiting Illini of the U of Illinois. Bevis, a native of Edwardsville will be active vs. the New Jersey Xtreme on May 8. He will compete with fellow Illini, Terrell Washington for playing time at middle linebacker. Washington also has the capacity to play defensive end, as well.
Another former Big 10 star, Butler B'ynote' will be activated for the Xtreme game on May 8. The former Ohio State star will challenge for playing time in the Rage secondary.
B'ynote' was a running back and return specialist for the Buckeyes before signing with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL and playing for the Barcelona Dragons in the NFL Europe. In 2003, he was a defensive specialist for the Denver Crush in the Arena Football League.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 6, 2005
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- Daytona Beach âRookie' Feasts On Quarterbacks - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Daytona Beach Hawgs game notes - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Defense moves to forefront in April - RiverCity Rage
- Daytona Beach Hawgs mid-season report card - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Moody, Hawg line hold their own in NIFL - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- ThunderBolts meet Kissimmee Sunday - Lakeland ThunderBolts
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