The OSC Interview: New York Dragons Assistant Coach Chad Lindsey
by Fran Stuchbury
January 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons
OSC contributor Fran Stuchbury recently spoke with New York Dragons Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers-Linebackers Coach/Co-Special Teams Coordinator coach Chad Lindsey at a scrimmage with the Philadelphia Soul. Lindsey is entering his second year with the team.
Fran Stuchbury: Do you like the new special teams rules? Does that make your job a little bit easier?
Chad Lindsey: It makes it easier, but there are advantages and disadvantages. It takes away from the kicker. Last year we had Rob Bironas, who can kick the ball over the net. Now they are taking that aspect of the game out. They want more returns which is fine. From our aspect last season we led the league in returns, we will be okay with that standpoint.
Overall, they are trying to make the game fun, more exciting and keep everyone into it. I will never have a problem if it all works out in the end.
FS: With defensive specialist Billy Parker signing with the NFL's Carolina Panthers, is the defense a little more suspect this year?
CL: We'll see, that's what the scrimmages are for. We have a lot of young guys back here, up front and in the secondary. Coach Harding is a great technician and great coach. If you pull Billy Parker out of tryout camp, during the off-season, we have a couple of players he did the same thing with, we'll see how they adapt to the game. As they go we go.
FS: How do you like coaching under Dragons head coach Weylan Harding?
CL: Excellent, we have a lot of freedom. He allows me to coach and teach. He allows me to do my thing as a coach. He didn't hire us to have him coach us. He lets us coach and lets us do our thing, if he has questions he will come see us.
FS: Is it tough to get new players to play both offense and defense - to get them comfortable playing Arena Football?
CL: Not really, because they want to learn. As long as they want to learn, I want to teach. They want to learn how to play wide receiver, they want to learn how to play defensive back. As long as they keep learning and improving each day, that's no problem. They are really excited about playing this game. It's different for them.
FS: Did you enjoy your time doing radio color commentary for the Memphis Xplorers af2 team this past season?
CL: It worked out just fine. I just came in jokingly asking Xplorers coach Danton Barto, I'll help out as much as I can and maybe do some radio. A couple of days later, they asked me to do games. I said no problem. I know the radio guy was all by himself so I chimed in and helped out as much as I could.
FS: Any coincidence the Dragons signed Xplorers defensive specialist Dahnel Singfield?
CL: He's doing well so far. It will be his first time in the AFL. In the af2 he has dominated the past couple of years. Now he has to play with the big boys, that's what I always tell him, so now you have to adapt and learn quickly.
If you have any questions or comments about this interview feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
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- The OSC Interview: New York Dragons Assistant Coach Chad Lindsey - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Soul release Philadelphia native Crespina - Philadelphia Soul
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