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Theus, Part of the Brigade Vision

May 30, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


The Rochester Brigade's offensive specialist arrived after spending time with three other teams last season including the Memphis Xplorers, the Arkansas Twisters and the Norfolk Nighthawks. Of these three teams, none of them saw this OS in their plans as a starter or even capable of contributing; however, their thoughts of this athlete may have changed since, and they may even want a chance to get him back as their own. This individual is the well-traveled Martino Theus from Jackson, Tennessee, who is currently tearing up the league at the OS position and turning heads along the way.

Prior to the af2, Theus was a member of the Mississippi Firedogs of the IPFL for two seasons, where he earned a championship title in 2000. Playing behind his good friend, starting Florida Firecats' OS Kenny Causey, Theus decided to give the af2 a chance and take a step up to the next level.

"I figured the af2 was a step up and that's when I went to Memphis to play," commented Theus.

After two games with Memphis last season, they didn't see him in their plans and released him.

"It's not a slap in the face being passed up by a team... I was just looking for the opportunity to play, and they just missed out on a good athlete," retorted Theus.

Theus joined the Brigade halfway through the 2001 season, playing in six games. During that time, he played at a variety of positions and awaited his opportunity to shine. His glory day came in the second to last game of the regular season when OS Derek Baker was out with a hamstring injury.

Being awarded the opportunity to be the OS that game, Theus didn't disappoint. Conversely, he proved he was able to handle the workload as he led the Brigade to a 31-28 victory over the Pensacola Barracudas. In just one game, he had caught nine balls for 126 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown, returned three kickoffs for 63 yards and returned one missed field goal for 20 yards to give him 209 all-purpose yards.

"Due to the injury I got a chance to step up and play, I succeeded... I showed coach (Mark Saunders) I could play the position," stated Theus. "I expected Baker to move on after the season, so I knew my chance would come."

In the off-season, Theus received a call from Coach Saunders and was just the call Theus was waiting for. Baker had received a contract with the Buffalo Destroyers (AFL) and that translated into Theus moving into the starting role.

"I told him I was ready," proclaimed Theus. "Last season's 4-12 record left a sour taste in the team's mouth, and I knew I was capable of helping the team win."

This season, as the teams' starting OS, Theus has been nothing short of a blessing for Saunders and the team. Prior to the season, Theus committed himself to a goal of 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards; a goal of which he is quickly closing in on. He currently is the league's leading receiver with 88 receptions and has racked up 962 receiving yards. Theus is averaging more yards a game receiving than any other player, with 120.2 yards per game. Theus was named MVP of the game twice this season, the first coming on the road against the Albany Conquest. His performance against the Conquest consisted of 14 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns for a come from behind victory. The second came in another come from behind victory against the Greensboro Prowlers on May 24, when he broke the receptions record on his sixth catch of the game and later totaled 13 on the night for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Theus has also broke a number of Baker's receiving records from last season, ranking him as the Brigade's leader in receptions for a single game with 14, receiving yards in a game with 195 and receptions in a season with 88 (in just 8 games played). Theus is on pace to top the league mark of 148 catches, set last season by Wichita's Pascal Volz.

"This is sort of like a blessing and a dream... I haven't woke up yet and I'm not ready to," commented Theus.

Theus doesn't think about his success on the field, nor does he plan how many catches he wants to tally for the night.

"I just try to move the chains, get in the end zone and win," stated Theus.

Despite the adoration of being in the spotlight for his achievements, Theus was excited to see Baker return. Instead, the two have produced a powerful 1-2 punch that stretches the field, gives the QB more options and has expanded the spotlight for not only Baker and Theus, but also the team as a whole. The Brigade has a pair that creates a true threat, which is something teams don't like to see.

"I have a great relationship with Baker... he's like a brother I never knew," Theus added. "He gives everybody on the team respect and listens to what people have to say."

While at practice, the two work with each other. Being able to talk about different routes and coverage with somebody of the same expertise enables them to learn from one another. If one is down the other picks him up.

Theus also attributes a fair amount of his success to this season's QB Matt D'Orazio and the offensive line, which allows D'Orazio ample time to throw the ball.

"Matt's one of my favorites... he knows the game and knows where I'm going to be," said Theus. "He just wants you to make plays for him and he'll keep feeding you the ball."

Brigade OS Martino Theus is definitely making a name for himself in the af2 this season, taking advantage of the opportunity to play and proving what he can do on the field. With the combination of Theus's winning attitude, dedication to better himself and the opportunity to just play on a solid team this season, his future appears promising.

"I feel I can fit in somewhere if I continue to improve and do well," proclaimed Theus.

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