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Destroyers linemen looking to have best season yet

January 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers continued with Day 5 of Training Camp at the Columbus FieldHouse Wednesday with the day's activities much of the same, only with more emphasis on the red zone. Also getting a lot of work in were the offensive/defensive linemen.

In a game of high powered offense, much of the credit goes to the quarterbacks and receivers, but it's after the game when the quarterbacks and receivers are talking about how great the linemen played to make it all happen. A lot of football coaches will say that a game is won or lost in the "trenches." Destroyers offensive/defensive lineman Chris Janek agreed.

"When teams don't do well, it's usually because they don't have that great of a line," Janek said. "If you don't block, you don't score."

Janek and Ken Jones are the only two holdovers from the 2005 season as head coach Doug Kay has brought in a slew of AFL veterans while adding some top up and comers. All of them have something to prove.

"Coach Kay and the staff brought in what seems to be a real good mix of vets and a lot of hungry youngsters from the af2," Janek said. "It's great. Everyone is really working hard."

Wednesday's practices with the linemen were spent mainly on technique and play calls, something Janek feels is vital, especially for a new group of players.

"We haven't played football as a group in a while, so we have to work all the kinks out," Janek said.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS

In goal line passing work, defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin thought he had a pass breakup in the end zone only to have offensive specialist Thabiti Davis put his hands behind his back and make a miraculous catch without looking Wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre had numerous catches on the day, but highlighted the day with a one-handed touchdown reception along the boards Wide receiver/defensive back Ira Gooch had a big day in one-on-ones, making a one handed, over the shoulder touchdown reception, intercepted a pass and broke up a few more

Defensive Assistant Vinnie Clark's comments on the day...

On how the fifth day of camp went...

"I feel like we are making progress. From a secondary standpoint, I feel that the guys are picking it up. Having a group of guys coming from different teams, to have them come together and pick it up so quickly, I think that's a plus to those guys working hard, doing what we ask them to do."

On the secondary's work in the red zone drills during the day...

"In this game, if you stop them in the red zone and hold them to a field goal, that's a stop. During Training Camp that is important to work on because it's a key part of the game. I felt that we did a pretty good job today against our offense, but we have to continue to get better."

Quarterback Billy Dicken's comments on the day...

On being in camp...

"It feels good to be throwing the ball around. It's nice to get back into it and prepare for this season. It seems like that when the season is over that the next season is so far away, but it creeps up on you real fast, and before you know it, it's here."

On what differences he has noticed so far in this camp...

"We kind of started a little late and we jumped right into it, but we have a veteran group and coach had a lot of confidence in us that we were going to come into camp in good shape and ready to go."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 11, 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.

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