Sports stats



Final week of camp sees players fighting for roster spots

January 16, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's the final week of Training Camp for the Columbus Destroyers as the 20-man active roster is due to the Arena Football League office in less than a week.

After a day of Special Teams work on Sunday, players and coaches returned to the field at the Columbus FieldHouse to "hit it hard" and set the tone of practice for the week.

Despite two challenging practices, players were happy to be back at it, working hard in preparation for the start of the season.

"We got right back to it," defensive specialist Cecil Doggette said. "We had some things that we needed to improve on from the scrimmage, which we worked on today."

It will not be an easy week for the coaches or the players as trimming a roster is never fun. But the competition at practice has increased as players fight for positions.

"You have to have your mind right and ready to go," Doggette said. "Right now it's time to buckle down and learn your assignments and get ready for that first game."

With the season less than two weeks away, players also are getting anxious to kick off the 2006 campaign.

"It was a great practice," Doggette added. "Guys were flying around, having fun and not blowing assignments, so it was a good day today."

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS

Players were back to full contact on Monday after a minimal contact practice on Sunday Even with the full contact, no players suffered any major injuries Wide receiver/linebacker Sir Mawn Wilson returned to full practice after sitting out a couple of days due to injury

Vice President of Football Operations Jim Lachey's comments on the day...

On getting back at it on Monday...

"Anytime you have a scrimmage and then follow that with a day of special teams work, you know that the guys are going to have to come back and work hard. I think they accepted that today, and they got a lot out of it. It was two good practices. It's hard to believe how quick Camp has gone by. We're definitely on the downhill side."

On the importance of this final week of Camp for the players and coaches...

"Guys are still fighting for roster spots. This is the week, as a team, I really feel that we have to improve, and I think the guys accepted that challenge. They are working hard right now and it's going to be interesting next couple of days because after that, it's game time."

Offensive/defensive lineman Ken Kocher's comments on the day...

On how Monday's practices went...

"It was fun. It was good to get back in and get the legs working and to be with the team."

On what he feels is the most important thing for him this week...

"The number one part is being healthy. Then, mentally you have to know what you are doing on every single play, so when game time comes you ready to go and you don't make any mistakes. You just go out there and play as hard as you can and know that everything will fall into place."



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 16, 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 Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central