Steeldogs Ready to Begin Training Camp
March 15, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
Eight months after closing the chapter on their most dismal season, the Birmingham Steeldogs are readying for rebirth.
For the first time in the team's seven year history a new coach will blow the whistle when the team opens training camp on Friday, March 17 at the BJCC. Ron Selesky, an arena football coaching veteran, will lead the team in 2006.
"We've made a number of changes in the off-season in order to continue to provide family entertainment and winning football," said Scott Myers, the teams' managing partner. "We are excited about Coach Selesky and the team he is putting together."
Selesky and Co. cleaned the slate following the 2005 season, which saw the Steeldogs finish last in the af2 standings with a 2-14 mark. Only three players from last year's team made this year's 35-man training camp roster, which is a mixed blessing for the new coach.
The good thing is that you know that the younger players are starving for an opportunity to prove themselves," Selesky said. "The challenge is that you only have three weeks to teach them the game of arena football.
"That being said, I see no reason why we can't be ready to play championship-caliber football on opening night."
The buzz this year centers around the linemen, which, in the arena football system, forces players to play both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. In the outdoor game, offensive linemen are typically judged in terms of mass, while defensive linemen are measured in terms of quickness. Therefore, to win in the indoor game, one must find an effective mix of massive, quick men. This is not an easy task.
However, Selesky believes that effective mix has been achieved. David Daniel, a former University of Alabama lineman and the Steeldogs' most tenured player, returns for a fourth season. The new class of big men is led by Shamar Abrams (UAB), Eric Thomas (Troy) and Myron Powe (Southern Mississippi).
Last season, the Steeldogs suffered through dramatic turnover at the quarterback position, shuffling through seven signal-callers. This season, Robert Kent and Ryan Hawk will duel for top Steeldog.
Kent (6-4, 221 lbs.) is the all-time leading passer at Jackson State University, throwing for nearly 12,000 yards and 104 touchdowns. Hawk (6-2, 212 lbs.) threw for over 1,500 yards during his senior season at Ohio University in 2004. His brother, former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, is awaiting a first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The team's seventh seasons kicks off on April 8 at 7 p.m. inside the BJCC Arena versus the Everett (Wash.) Hawks.
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