Silverbacks Kick Off Training Camp
Published on February 11, 2008 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Dayton Silverbacks News Release
The waiting is finally over.
Players reported Saturday for the start of training camp as the Miami Valley Silverbacks prepare for their third season of professional indoor football at Hobart Arena.
"It feels good to start camp," Silverbacks coach Carl Allen said. "It feels good to start football again."
Twelve members of last season's Silverbacks return for training camp and will be joined by a plethora of new talent. Some players from the Silverbacks' first season return after a year away, giving Allen a good mix of experience and youth as the squad looks to improve on their first playoff appearance last season.
"I feel good about the roster we have," Allen said. "We have some good guys with a lot of experience. "We have a good mix of experience from last season, rookies and new guys with experience in the indoor game."
Quarterback Jim Oliver, running backs Eddie Davis and Wiley Pugh, receivers Billy Back and James Frazier return as does the team's second leading tackler last season, Chris Respress. Add in kicker Travis Johnson, linemen Chris Young, Jim Crawford, Mitch Crossley, Scott Powell and Mike South and Allen likes the experience. The Silverbacks have some added experience and talent in the return of 2006 Silverbacks Moe Lee (Ohio State) and Brandon Price as well as the addition of Toledo standout Donta Green to the roster.
Last season, the Silverbacks lost four games by five points or fewer, including last second losses to Kalamazoo, Chicago and Chesapeake.
"We are looking to grow from those experiences," Allen said. "We were in a lot of games last year and it came down to experience. "With the mix we have this year that experience is there. It has that feeling of a good year."
The Silverbacks kick off the season March 15 against the New Jersey Revolution at Hobart Arena. Season tickets are still available by calling 718-7044.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from February 11, 2008
- Silverbacks Kick Off Training Camp - Dayton Silverbacks
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