Muskegon Thunder Open 2009 Training Camp
March 3, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Muskegon Thunder News Release
Spring Lake - Anyone walking outside the Shoreline Soccer complex on Sunday probably thought there must be a large group of kids screaming their heads off at a pop concert inside. They wouldn't have been entirely wrong.
When the Indoor Football League's Muskegon Thunder was finally able to slip on their shoulder pads and snap up their chin straps, there was more than a little childlike enthusiasm that needed to be released. Most of the shouting and yelling came from a defensive unit that whooped and hollered after nearly every whistle.
"We're bigger, faster and have a lot more attitude," stated defensive lineman Ernest Bentz, comparing the current roster to last year's squad. "I'm very excited about this year."
Bentz, a 31-year-old Montague native, was a steady force at defensive end for the Thunder last season until injuries took their toll down the stretch. He spent the offseason rehabbing injuries including hernia surgery in November.
"It'll be nice going back to 8-man," added Bentz, who played two seasons of 8-on-8 before joining Muskegon in the 7-on-7 Continental Indoor Football League in 2008. "I'm 100 percent."
Home Sweet Home
Also excited about the new scenario is Muskegon native Ronnie McCrae, who played against the Thunder last year for the Fort Wayne Fusion and has three years of indoor football under his belt.
"I never would have thought that I would be playing at home," gushed McCrae, a defensive back who graduated from Muskegon Heights before attending Pasadena City College. "When the opportunity came for me to come home, I left everything that I had to be able to say I was playing for my home city.
"I'm excited about playing at the L.C.Walker (Arena). I'm excited about playing in front of everybody that I love and everybody that loves me."
McCrae, nicknamed "All Day" for both his nonstop energy and persistent chatter on the field, was at the center of all the barking on Sunday. His passion was contagious as every pass break up or would-be sack generated additional physical and verbal barrages.
"My first impression of the overall defense is ruthless aggression," summed up McCrae of the scheme employed by defensive consultant Rod Miller. Miller, an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Rampage, who is using the AFL's suspended season in 2009 to help recruit talent for the team's return next season.
From the Beginning
Playing alongside McCrae in the defensive backfield will be a somewhat familiar face in Derrick Phillips. The Chicago native joined the Thunder at the midway point last season, making an immediate impact on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. The Grand Valley State product is looking forward to a full grasp of the playbook this time around.
"A lot of the games last year I was just letting my athletic ability take over," admitted Phillips, who works at the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in Grand Rapids while also attending GVSU fulltime. "I'm a defensive player at heart, but at the same time I'm a team player. I'm definitely willing to step up to the challenge as far as playing (everywhere)."
Phillips may be a team player, but he's not shy about sharing his personal goals for the upcoming season, which starts with a home game against the Saginaw Sting on March 13th.
"I want to be the best, I'm not gonna lie," commented Phillips, who can bench press 390 pounds.
"I don't think that's a cocky thing to say. If you're not out there striving to be the best, then what are you out there for?"
Flash of Lightning
While the defense was celebrating each accomplishment, the offense preferred a more business-like approach Sunday. Positive gains were followed by simply placing the ball down and returning to the huddle. No theatrics. No bravado.
Receiver Tremaine "Flash" Rembert earned his nickname for his speed, but he was probably wondering if the back of his jersey said "Smash" on it, the way defenders banged into him and his fellow receivers on the opening day of camp. Rembert crashed into the boards heavily on two occasions, but each time he quietly went about his business.
The speedster quickly learned the value of patience at the beginning of the 2007 season. He was on the outside looking in when the Thunder released him before the season began.
"I was in camp the first year, but I didn't have the skill set yet," acknowledged Rembert, a graduate of East Kentwood High and Cornerstone University. "I worked really hard and came back (in 2008) and made the team. I figured I was only one injury away from playing. I just made sure when that injury came, I was ready."
Rembert made the most of his debut in 2008, a 60-35 Thunder win at Milwaukee in the third game of the season. He reeled in three catches for 91 yards that included a pair of spectacular diving touchdowns in heavy traffic. The success continued until a late season injury limited him to 19 catches and 4 scores over a half dozen games. A complete season would allow the budding star to reach new heights.
"I plan on having a big season and putting up big numbers," said Rembert, who prefers a motorcycle when weather permits. "If I can duplicate the numbers I put up in six games last year for a full season, I'll have a big year."
Quiet Before the Storm
Rembert learned a lot about running routes into the teeth of a riled up defense from fellow wideout Richard Gills IV. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound graduate of Northwood University plays a physical brand of football and gives as much punishment as he gets. That style of play has led to a handful of missed games over the past two years, so staying healthy is a top priority.
"I want to play the whole season, score two touchdowns per game and win every game," said Gills matter-of-factly. Fans familiar with the guy in the Carolina Blue No. 4 jersey, have seen glimpses of greatness when the stakes are high. In two playoff games with Muskegon, the Chicago native has done his share, tallying 15 receptions and five scores. But Gills is always looking to improve.
"I've been working on my conditioning and the mental part of the game," continued Gills, who has three years of indoor experience including the last two in Muskegon. The case worker for the State of Michigan feels when the time is right, he and the Thunder will make a statement.
"We should make a lot of noise this season," he concluded.
Winners Wanted
Orchestrating the offense will be head coach Brent White, who served as the offensive coordinator for the organization the past two years.
"I'm extremely pleased with the progress that we have made," offered White, a 24-year-old Muskegon native. "We went out in this offseason and we wanted to get not just good football players, we wanted to get winners.
"We wanted guys with a 'refuse to lose' attitude," continued White. "That's the reason why we targeted the guys we targeted and we hope they all can equally contribute."
New Faces
Among those targets invited to camp is quarterback Cullen Finnerty, a three-time national champion at GVSU. The Lakers posted a 51-4 record with Finnerty at the controls, making the Brighton native the winningest college signal caller in NCAA history regardless of division. He is expected to challenge last year's starter, Dan Richard, along with two-year backup Ryan Ferguson for the starting job.
Also in camp is offensive lineman T.J. Watkins, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound Clemson grad that has spent parts of two seasons with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills. Last year the nimble big man actually started games at fullback for the Rampage.
Thunder fans will recognize Eric Gardner as the former Kalamazoo Xplosion all-purpose threat that could and did play just about every position on the field including quarterback for the CIFL runners-up. Expect more of the same with the Thunder.
Defensive Lineman Renard McDaniel, who suited up for the CIFL's Rock River Raptors last season, is a disruptive force that could help make the defensive line one of the better units in the IFL this year.
Kickin' It
The Thunder will host their annual Kickoff Party on Saturday, March 7th from 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the CIO Hall next to the L.C. Walker Arena in downtown Muskegon. There will be silent auctions, kids games, face painting, live music, reasonably priced concessions and of course a chance to meet many 2009 Thunder players, coaches and Boomer, the team's mascot. Season tickets, beginning at just $60.00, will be available for purchase.
On the Dotted Line
On Monday, March 9th the Thunder will be at Buffalo Wild Wings, 5648 Harvey Street, next to the Lakes Mall in Muskegon for their annual Contract Signing Party beginning at 7:00 pm. All players and coaches will be officially introduced for the 2009 Indoor Football League season.
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