Moody, Hawg line hold their own in NIFL
May 6, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. â Playing in the trenches can be deadly. Not for the offensive side in a National Indoor Football League game near the beach.
If you are the opponent coming onto TUI Business Machines Field at the Ocean Center, you will be looking at the Daytona Beach Hawgs. With no pun intended, that offensive line of the Hawgs averages 6-foot-4 in height and each weighs 356.2 pounds.
The starting three linemen in the eight-man indoor game for Daytona weigh a half-ton (1,051 pounds to be exact). That's a lot of beef.
Thomas Moody lines up at right tackle for the Hawgs, who are 5-2 in the Atlantic South of the NIFL. The former University of Florida lineman admits "when the opponent looks across at us, they sometimes think we aren't that quick or talented."
Prepare For Saturday Miami Meeting
Moody, center Terrance Butler (Bethune-Cookman) and Steve Candidate (Utah State) at left tackle are all rookies in the NIFL. There also is backup center Robert Reece and tackle Anthony Nobles.
The trio is preparing for the Miami Morays (5-1) on Saturday. The Morays defeated the Hawgs in Miami last Sunday, 58-53, in the last 10 seconds of the game. Game time Saturday is 7:05 p.m.
Between the five linemen, they have combined this season (7 games) to give up only four sacks to quarterback Oscar Davenport. This has made the Hawgs' pass blocking to be called devastating.
"There are great athletes on both sides of the ball," said Moody. "And everything develops quickly in the indoor game. I like both run and pass blocking. I'm having a blast doing this."
Moody, who teaches at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, says run blocking requires a more aggressive technique. "We are very athletic for our size," he said. "Pass blocking is like a craft â you can't be too passive or too aggressive."
Line Play Demanding, Disciplined
The 26-year-old said the offensive line play is very demanding. "You have to be unselfish and very disciplined."
He emphasizes that this is 3-on-3 blocking and it exposes you more than the 11-man game. "You take your man on one-on-one and there is not much double blocking or help to keep defenders away from the quarterback."
Not only has the line protected Davenport so he can remain in the top 10 of total offense (916 yards) in the league, but the running game is one of the fiercest in the NIFL.
Brad Lee is usually behind one of the âbig three' up front. He ranks second in the league in rushing with 486 yards on 143 carries (3.4 per carry and 69.4 yards a game).
"I guess you have to be a different kind of person to do what we do," said Moody, âBut, this is a treat for me and I also am learning as I go in this game."
After an outstanding career with the Gators, Moody signed with the Arizona Cardinals out of school. He went to training camp and he made it to the last cut down. He went to camp with the Carolina Panthers the next year and they assigned him to Amsterdam of NFL Europe in 2003.
With his degree in sociology, he decided it was time to settle in to a âreal' job. "When the Daytona Beach franchise came about, I thought it would be fun to play again."
Head coach Ervin Bryson is pleased with his linemen. "They are a very intelligent group and they have great character."
High School, College Ball First
Moody said he didn't get to play football until high school. "I was too heavy as a kid. They all used to pick on me because of my weight, but I used to say, âwait until high school.'"
At Pierson-Taylor High School in Pierson, Florida, Moody played both sides of the ball. He played guard at Florida.
"I raise my hand when we go to the line of scrimmage, which means I am eligible for a pass," Moody laughed about the NIFL rule that says he can be an eligible end. "You think they would throw to me? I haven't seen one ball my way."
Of course, it doesn't matter to him about catching a pass, but only once did the two-time all-Southeastern Conference player be fortunate to catch a ball.
It was against South Carolina and we were playing for the SEC eastern division title," he said. "It was 3rd (down) and six (yards) to go and there was a pass thrown that deflected off a defensive lineman. I just happened to be in the right spot, caught the ball and carried it seven yards for a touchdown.
"Now, that was exciting. Only time I've ever done something like that."
The Deland, Florida, native said he doesn't expect linemen to get publicity. "It just doesn't happen, but we are always happy to get some credit for the job we do," he said.
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