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It's Time: Bollinger, Thurman Look Forward to 2010 Season

September 15, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2010- For most pro football players, the pre-season is tedious at best. Five weeks of the same repetitive schedule makes the days blend together. And for players in the United Football League, the pre-season is even tougher with no pre-season games.

And that's why Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger simply said "It's Time," when asked about Saturday's season-opening tilt with the Las Vegas Locomotives (TV: 11 p.m. EDT, HD NET; Radio: 540 AM WFLA).

"Training camp was so repetitive, every day you go against the same guys, running the same routes, and going against the same defenses. Sometimes the offense would win, sometimes the defense would win and sometimes it would just be plain scrappy," Bollinger said. "That's why we really want to get started and play Las Vegas."

Odell Thurman, a linebacker and one of the Tuskers' team captains, agreed with Bollinger's assessment of the training camp. "A month of camp with no pre-season games or scrimmages was really tough. Sometimes the days seemed to last forever. At least it's over now and it's time to get down to business."

For Bollinger and Thurman, two of the driving forces in the Tuskers perfect 6-0 regular season of a year ago, the 2010 season promises to be one of excitement and -- to some-extent -- uncertainty.

"It's going to be exciting to see how we stack up against the other teams in the league," Bollinger says. "From top to bottom, I'm pretty happy with what we have here in the locker room. There's no question we have more talent then what we had last year, but it's a pretty safe bet the other teams can say the same thing. Until the lights go on and we play another team, we won't know for sure."

The anticipated increase in overall talent, some of which is big-name talent, has Bollinger excited about the upcoming season. The overall improvement in just the quarterback position is apparent as former pro bowlers Daunte Culpepper and Jeff Garcia join the league, along with former NFL signal caller Josh McKown.

"I think it's huge for this league. You see guys that have played in pro bowls and have substantial time in the NFL and that brings us credibility to fan base to say look at who is playing in this league," Bollinger said. "Furthermore, now that some of these guys are coming, more will follow and it gives us even more credibility."

As far as opening with the defending champion, Thurman wouldn't have it any other way. The Locomotives lost twice to the Tuskers in the regular season, only to win a stunning 20-17 decision over Florida in the UFL title game.

"We have some unfinished business with them," Thurman said. "We felt we had the best team in the league last year and we didn't back it up in the championship so Saturday's game is important to establish that we will be the team to beat this year. It's been tiring beating on our own teammates for the last four weeks so I am looking forward to mixing it up with a few of the Vegas players."

While both Bollinger and Thurman are anxious to get the season underway, both players do not underestimate the importance of a fast start as Florida will face the defending champs twice in the first three weeks.

"Regardless of who we play, in a short season it's important to start fast," Bollinger said. "We had some good battles with them last season, beat them a couple of time s but they won the big one and are the defending league champion. Facing them twice in the first three weeks can definitely set the tone for the season."

"We need to send a message early," Thurman said.

FROM THE TUSKER PRACTICE FIELD: WR Chas Gessner continues to nurse a nagging thigh strain...he was held out of practice Tuesday and continues to be listed as questionable for Saturday's game...The Tuckers ticket office is offering group discounts for all home games this season, call 407-545-8123...The Tuskers players are close to announcing a partnership with the Orange County School Board where deserving students will be able to attend a Tuskers game free of charge...details of the program will be announced in the near future...A Tuskers win would not only keep the team perfect in regular season games (7-0) but would be a great present to LB Weston Dacus (9/19), LB Arnold Harrison (9/20) and CB Fahkir Brown (9/21) who will celebrate birthday on successive days after the game...EMBER (42 W. Central) will hold a "Tuskers Watch Party" on Saturday night beginning at 11 p.m...Tusker cheerleaders will be there to hand out promotional items.



United Football League Stories from September 15, 2010


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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