Destroyers begin training camp Tuesday

Published on January 3, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Destroyers, under the direction of first-year Head Coach/General Manager Chris Spielman, will open their 2005 training camp on Tuesday, January 4, at the Columbus FieldHouse, the official training facility of the Destroyers. All players currently under contract with the club reported for training camp on Sunday as Columbus begins preparations for their second season in the Arena Football League.

The Destroyers take the field for the first time in full pads Tuesday morning with the first session beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 10:30 a.m. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Both practice sessions will be open to the media and general public. All players and coaches will be made available to the media immediately following each session.

Training camp will conclude on Jan. 22, and features a controlled practice with the Grand Rapids Rampage in Grand Rapids on Monday, January 10. AFL teams are permitted to bring 37 players into camp. Rosters must be cut to 24 by Monday, January 24, 2005.

Twenty-six newcomers will be in training camp to compete for roster spots with 11 returnees. Among the familiar faces are 2004 team MVP and AFL All-Ironman selection wide receiver/defensive back Sedrick Robinson, the team's leading receiver from 2004 in wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White and defensive specialist JoJo Polk, the Destroyers' all-time leading tackler.

Leading the way for the newcomers is a group of key free agent additions including defensive specialist Donvetis Franklin, who has finished among the AFL's leading tacklers the past three seasons, offensive specialist Damien Groce, and three former Buckeyes in offensive specialist Bobby Olive, defensive specialist Bobby Britton and quarterback Scott McMullen.

The Columbus Destroyers open the 2005 season on Friday, January 28 when the club hosts the expansion Nashville Kats at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is slated for 7PM. Season tickets are available now starting as low as $99 for eight regular season games plus one home playoff game. Individual game tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 8. Tickets start as low as $11 and will be available at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster outlets and at the Blue Jackets Zones located at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton and Chiller North. For a season schedule and further information on reserving season tickets visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

2005 COLUMBUS DESTROYERS

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

WEEK ONE

Players and coaches will be available for comment immediately following each practice, unless otherwise noted. All practices will take place at the Columbus FieldHouse (6124 Busch Blvd.).

WEEK 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2005

8:30-10:30 a.m. - Practice

10:30 a.m. – Media availability

2-4 p.m. – Practice

4 p.m. – Media availability

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2005

8:30-10:30 a.m. – Practice

10:30 a.m. – Media availability

2-4 p.m. – Practice

4 p.m. – Media availability

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005

8:30-10:30 a.m. - Practice

10:30 a.m. – Media availability

2-4 p.m. – Practice

4 p.m. – Media availability

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2005

8:30-10:30 a.m. – Practice

10:30 a.m. – Media availability

2-4 p.m. – Practice

4 p.m. – Media availability

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 2005

8:30-10:30 a.m. - Practice

10:30 a.m. – Media availability

2-4 p.m. – Practice

4 p.m. – Media availability

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2005

Travel to Grand Rapids

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2005

Controlled practice with the Grand Rapids Rampage

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