Training camp continues with work on running game

Published on January 8, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers continued today with Day 2 of Training Camp on Sunday at the Columbus FieldHouse, the official practice facility of the Destroyers. The day focused mainly on the short passes and the running game.

With the game of Arena Football mainly concentrated on the passing game, teams will occasionally look to the run to surprise teams. It is often used in short yardage situations as well. With a large number of players new to the team, working on timing of the handoff and timing of the short passes is key, along with the protection.

"Those guys (offensive/defensive linemen and fullback/linebackers) are to key to our pass protection and key to our running game," offensive assistant/special teams coordinator Chris MacKeown said. "It's one-on-one. They can rush four and we can protect with four, which means we can't have any breakdowns.

Quarterback John Kaleo noted how well the linemen were doing.

"The linemen and the fullbacks are doing a great job," Kaleo said. "Coach Kay and coach Lachey are asking a lot of them these first couple of days, and they are performing.

It was the second day the team had a chance to play with one another and it showed as players started to get a better feel for one another. The day saw the team only hold one practice with meetings before and after. But it was another solid day's work.

"We watched film yesterday and we talked about the mistakes they made yesterday," MacKeown said. "Today, I didn't see them making the same mistakes. It shows that they are focused on improving."

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS

Towards the start of practice, kicker Miro Kesic and the rest of the special teams worked on onside kicks for the first time Wide receiver/defensive back Jeremy Unertl stood out in one-on-one's with a few pass breakups Wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Galles had a fumble recovery and a couple of pass breakups in full team work

Offensive Coordinator Ken Matous' comments on the day...

On how the second day of camp went...

"We still got a long ways to go because we have so many new faces around here that don't know each other. Just like when (quarterback) John Kaleo threw one here today to (wide receiver/linebacker) David Saunders and said ‘Hey, it's been a couple of years since we've played together. We'll get back used to each other again.' It's little things like that with guys just learning who and when to throw the ball to. Those things take a few days to rust out and hopefully in the next day or two we start coming together as a group."

On how the quarterbacks are looking...

"(Quarterbacks) John Kaleo and Billy Dicken spit that ball out so fast, and that's what I really like. That is key to this game. If you have a slow, long wind up quarterback that doesn't deliver the ball quick, then you are in for a long season."

Quarterback John Kaleo's comments on the day...

On the feelings of being back on the field for a second day...

"It feels good to be mixing with the guys, I think we are improving each day."

On getting the timing down with the receivers...

"It's an integral part of the offense. It's really important to get that chemistry down with your receivers. Once you get that down, you can start working on different pass patterns, but it's just a feeling out process right now."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 8, 2006


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