Thunder's pre-season training camp notes
Published on February 6, 2006 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
HERE WE GO AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME: It's kinda complicated. The Daytona Beach Thunder begins its inaugural season training camp on Wednesday, February 8 at 6 p.m. at Mulberry Field, just east of the corner of Nova Road and James Engram Blvd. in Daytona Beach. It's the first camp for the Thunder, but for Head Coach General Manager Ervin Bryson and many Thunder players, it's another year of preparing for another season. "It's exciting because we have a great organization that supports us and has given us the tools needed to be champions," Bryson said. "But once we get on the practice field, it's the same story - getting players in shape and teaching them the system."
SPEAKING OF THE PRACTICE FIELD: The Thunder will not play indoors until its season opener Feb. 26 in Columbus, Ga. against the Chattahoochee Valley Vipers. However, the team will have the next best thing at its Mulberry Field practice facility: inflatable walls. When owners Kevin and Zack McDonald purchased the Thunder's field system from the defunct Carolina Cobras, one of the bonuses thrown in was an inflatable wall system. "It's a great asset and it doesn't take that long to set up," Bryson said. "Anything that helps us simulate game conditions will give us an extra advantage."
SPEAKING OF THE SYSTEM: Bryson and assistant coach Chad Rhodes spent time at the Orlando Predators' camp this month picking up techniques and ideas from the AFL powerhouse. With the American Indoor Football League being more pass-oriented than the National Indoor Football League, the Thunder will utilize concepts from the scheme similar to the one Jay Gruden runs in Orlando. "If we want to get players to the AFL or the next level, then it's going to be a plus using their techniques," Bryson said. "Jay's been great to us and we appreciate it." Thunder quarterbacks will be visiting Predator practices during the day.
SPEAKING OF THE QUARTERBACKS : [ Don't you love how we transition from one note to the next so fluently?] Bryson has announced that Travis Wilson is the front-runner for the starting job as training camp begins. Three QBs are in camp: former North Carolina State and Florida A&M starter Jose Laureno and Marcus Walker of Benedict will challenge Wilson for playing time.
OTHERS TO WATCH : Nick Allison, who tied the NIFL single-season interception with 14 last year in Daytona Beach, will join the Thunder this season. Though the Daytona Beach team was kicked out of the NIFL playoffs, Allison got some post-season experience with the Sioux City Bandits of United Indoor Football, playing in that league's championship game.
DATE IN DELAND: The Thunder's first intrasquad scrimmage will be held Saturday, February 11 at Spec Marin Stadium in DeLand beginning at 11 a.m.
MEDIA: Practice reports will be filed daily within one hour of the conclusion of practice nightly. Of course you can come to practice at any time. We understand that the relatively late conclusion of practice may come into play. If you wish to do a player interview, please contact the Thunder Communications Department at dryan@dbthunder.net so we can accommodate your needs. Hi-Res photography and video will be available on the Thunder's FTP site. Contact us for a user ID and password. We will be shooting video in Mini DV format and can make it available upon request.
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