Post by Free Agent Fan on Aug 26, 2006 9:20:15 GMT -5
Dinkins follows route home
By Bob Jarzomski
bob.jarzomski@timesnews.com
Freezes ex-QB eager to play in Pittsburgh with AIFL expansion team
His family grew in the middle of the AIFL season with the birth of twin daughters. The indoor football league’sexpansionfor2007includedthe addition of a team from his hometown.
Just do the math. Put two and one together, and the logical answer was that David Dinkins would not be back forhisthirdseasonasthedo-it-allquarterback for the Erie Freeze.
The most valuable player in the inaugural 2005 season, Dinkins, the Freeze’s franchise player, recently signed as the franchise player with the new Pittsburgh RiverRats.
While the switch is a lateral move for the 27-year-old former Buffalo Bills practice squad player, Dinkins appears to be satisfied with his decision, but unhappy with the what he called a lack of promotion of the Freeze players.
“There’s some great players in this league, and on the Freeze, that deserve a shot to go higher, but the scouts don’t know about the AIFL,” Dinkins said.
“I just think the organization is kind of laid back, and didn’t promote its players like it should have,” Dinkins said.
Freeze co-owner Dave Hodas did not believe the organization let the players down.
“We didn’t always see eye-toeye, but I don’t know what he means by laid-back,’’ Hodas said. “Everyone worked hard to make this business go and put a potential championship team on the field.’’
Despite his feelings, Dinkins, 6 feet 2 inches, 230 pounds, would have likely left anyway.
“I’m going to play in my hometown which is cool, especially because I’ve got the two little girls (Zianne and Zaire) that are four-months old, and I don’t want to be away from them,” Dinkins said. “What’s better yet, they look like me.”
His wife Montia was not nearby to rebut the comical comment from the outspoken Freeze offensive leader, who would never hold back on what he had to say.
Before head coach Jerry Crafts and the organization parted ways at midseason because of philosophical differences, Dinkins lashed out at the former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman for a lack of preparation before a lopsided home loss to the Huntington Heroes.
“You can’t beat a great team with one day of practice,” Dinkins said after Erie’s 55-33 loss, the first of the season. “We think we’re the gods of arena football, but other teams are just as good as us. They practice, and they’re professional. Maybe we can be more professional now.”
When lone assistant Dave Arnold took over the club in mid-April, Dinkins welcomed the change.
“I mean 25 guys showed up for practice today,’’ he said after the first practice. “Now, people know there will be fines, and people will be cut.”
The Freeze won three straight road games under Arnold, but then lost three straight. They rebounded with two wins to make the playoffs with a 10-4 record, but lost to the eventual champion Canton Legends 54-45 in the first round.
Dinkins saluted the Erie fans, and the Legends, who had several former Freeze players on the roster.
“Steelers fans and Erie fans are no different, just different scale,’’ he said. “I wish I could have brought Erie fans to Canton, to get a ring, and have a great coach like Bobby Olive.’’
Dinkins admitted he didn’t always get along with the Erie coaches, beginning with promoter-deluxe Mike Esposito in 2005, Crafts and Arnold, who was the assistant both seasons.
Arnold, a Gannon assistant (secondary) who had the overwhelming task of being a oneman staff with the Freeze, was not overly surprised by Dinkins’ announcement.
“In this league, players come and go,’’ Arnold said. “We had talked, and I knew he wanted to go. He has the twins, he’s from Pittsburgh, so his decision makessense.Wehavenoproblem with that. We wish him well.’’
Dinkins said his priorities are now a playpen rather than a playbook.
“I’m not really worried about going further,’’ he said. “I had a chance with NFL Europe, but I didn’t want to be away from my girls. I’ve been to the highest level. I can’t see myself pursuing anything higher now.’’
Dinkins, who attended Schenley High before going to Morehead State in Kentucky, said he is content to stay home and be a family man. His part time job in the AIFL as the River Rats’ franchise player is up to $500 a game – others who suit up make $250, $300 for a win – will pay for diapers and little else.
“I’m a postman now, a good job I got a month ago,’’ he said. “I live in the city, and deliver the mail in McKees Rocks. I’m also an assistant at Westinghouse High, our old rivals, and I’m an NFL mentor, telling the kids about football and life outside of football. Then I’m playing in the AIFL. I’m not complaining.’’
By Bob Jarzomski
bob.jarzomski@timesnews.com
Freezes ex-QB eager to play in Pittsburgh with AIFL expansion team
His family grew in the middle of the AIFL season with the birth of twin daughters. The indoor football league’sexpansionfor2007includedthe addition of a team from his hometown.
Just do the math. Put two and one together, and the logical answer was that David Dinkins would not be back forhisthirdseasonasthedo-it-allquarterback for the Erie Freeze.
The most valuable player in the inaugural 2005 season, Dinkins, the Freeze’s franchise player, recently signed as the franchise player with the new Pittsburgh RiverRats.
While the switch is a lateral move for the 27-year-old former Buffalo Bills practice squad player, Dinkins appears to be satisfied with his decision, but unhappy with the what he called a lack of promotion of the Freeze players.
“There’s some great players in this league, and on the Freeze, that deserve a shot to go higher, but the scouts don’t know about the AIFL,” Dinkins said.
“I just think the organization is kind of laid back, and didn’t promote its players like it should have,” Dinkins said.
Freeze co-owner Dave Hodas did not believe the organization let the players down.
“We didn’t always see eye-toeye, but I don’t know what he means by laid-back,’’ Hodas said. “Everyone worked hard to make this business go and put a potential championship team on the field.’’
Despite his feelings, Dinkins, 6 feet 2 inches, 230 pounds, would have likely left anyway.
“I’m going to play in my hometown which is cool, especially because I’ve got the two little girls (Zianne and Zaire) that are four-months old, and I don’t want to be away from them,” Dinkins said. “What’s better yet, they look like me.”
His wife Montia was not nearby to rebut the comical comment from the outspoken Freeze offensive leader, who would never hold back on what he had to say.
Before head coach Jerry Crafts and the organization parted ways at midseason because of philosophical differences, Dinkins lashed out at the former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman for a lack of preparation before a lopsided home loss to the Huntington Heroes.
“You can’t beat a great team with one day of practice,” Dinkins said after Erie’s 55-33 loss, the first of the season. “We think we’re the gods of arena football, but other teams are just as good as us. They practice, and they’re professional. Maybe we can be more professional now.”
When lone assistant Dave Arnold took over the club in mid-April, Dinkins welcomed the change.
“I mean 25 guys showed up for practice today,’’ he said after the first practice. “Now, people know there will be fines, and people will be cut.”
The Freeze won three straight road games under Arnold, but then lost three straight. They rebounded with two wins to make the playoffs with a 10-4 record, but lost to the eventual champion Canton Legends 54-45 in the first round.
Dinkins saluted the Erie fans, and the Legends, who had several former Freeze players on the roster.
“Steelers fans and Erie fans are no different, just different scale,’’ he said. “I wish I could have brought Erie fans to Canton, to get a ring, and have a great coach like Bobby Olive.’’
Dinkins admitted he didn’t always get along with the Erie coaches, beginning with promoter-deluxe Mike Esposito in 2005, Crafts and Arnold, who was the assistant both seasons.
Arnold, a Gannon assistant (secondary) who had the overwhelming task of being a oneman staff with the Freeze, was not overly surprised by Dinkins’ announcement.
“In this league, players come and go,’’ Arnold said. “We had talked, and I knew he wanted to go. He has the twins, he’s from Pittsburgh, so his decision makessense.Wehavenoproblem with that. We wish him well.’’
Dinkins said his priorities are now a playpen rather than a playbook.
“I’m not really worried about going further,’’ he said. “I had a chance with NFL Europe, but I didn’t want to be away from my girls. I’ve been to the highest level. I can’t see myself pursuing anything higher now.’’
Dinkins, who attended Schenley High before going to Morehead State in Kentucky, said he is content to stay home and be a family man. His part time job in the AIFL as the River Rats’ franchise player is up to $500 a game – others who suit up make $250, $300 for a win – will pay for diapers and little else.
“I’m a postman now, a good job I got a month ago,’’ he said. “I live in the city, and deliver the mail in McKees Rocks. I’m also an assistant at Westinghouse High, our old rivals, and I’m an NFL mentor, telling the kids about football and life outside of football. Then I’m playing in the AIFL. I’m not complaining.’’