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Training camp comes to an end for Destroyers

January 20, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers held one practice Friday, the final day of Training Camp. The last day allowed the coaching staff one more look at the players prior to making their decisions this weekend on the final roster.

The decisions that the coaching staff will have to make of the next 24-48 hours will decide what shape the team will take for the 2006 season. It's a decision that Destroyers Vice President of Football Operations/Line Coach Jim Lachey feels will be a challenging one. Lachey, who was around camp with the Destroyers in 2004, feels that this camp is one of the better groups yet, especially at the quarterback position.

"Based on my past experience, I feel really comfortable about our quarterback position," Lachey said. "Obviously it was something we addressed in the off-season and both John (Kaleo) and Billy (Dicken) have come in and done an outstanding job. They make protecting the offense a little bit easier because they spit that ball out and get rid of it quick. That's so important in this game."

Other veteran Arena Football League players were noted by Lachey as well.

"Guys like Thabiti Davis have come in and done some very good things," he added. "You got to have some defensive specialists and Jerald Brown has been doing a great job. Brandon Hefflin has come through and been able to get the job done. Jeremy Unertl continues to be a vital part of this team. Wherever you line him up, he goes out and gets it done."

The finals days were positive all the way around with players fighting for spots. The roster stands at 28 with the staff having to work down to a 20-man active roster, which is due to the Arena Football League office by Monday.

"I think we brought in a good group," Lachey said. "Everyone has been fighting for jobs and they have come through and won the jobs."

Overall the camp was one of the best in Destroyers history, but have been one of the more grueling camps that players have been in."

"I thought that it went well," Lachey said. "You hear some of the comments from the players, and they were talking about how physical the camp was. But for me, this is the way camp has always been.

"It's always been hard, always been physical, but hopefully good things will come out of it."

Lachey added that the camp had a lot of bright spots with a lot of players stepping up and making decisions for the coaching staff even more difficult.

"We worked them hard, and they responded," Lachey said. "I think they are ready to go and get ready for Grand Rapids."

Wide Receiver/Linebacker Eddie Galles' comments on the day...

His thoughts on how the last day of Training Camp went...

"It went pretty good. It was good to be out there and finally get it over with. Overall, I think it has been a great camp for everybody. We have really been jelling as a team. It will be nice to get off my legs this weekend and get some rest."

On how his nerves will be over the next 24-48 hours...

"It won't be too nerve wracking. I pretty much just have to stay focused as much as I can. I am just looking forward to this next week. Basically everything that we have done in camp so far is building us for the season opener on the 29th, and I think that a lot of guys are really looking forward to that."

Training Camp Schedule

The Destroyers concluded Training Camp on Friday. The team has the weekend off from practice as the coaches meet with each member of the team to let them know their fate. The team will return to practice in preparation for the 2006 season opener on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena against the Grand Rapids Rampage at 3 p.m. with a light practice on Monday and full practices Tuesday-Friday.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 20, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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