Post by Free Agent Fan on Feb 1, 2007 15:27:04 GMT -5
Whitfield gets shot as Freeze's starting QB
BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]
Darmel Whitfield is ready to step in and play quarterback full time for the Erie Freeze, even if that means seeing his "Slash" role reduced.
The former Gannon star is the leading candidate to replace David Dinkins, a former league MVP who signed as a free agent with the American Indoor Football Association's Pittsburgh RiverRats.
"I bring a lot of energy and fire to this team, and there's never a boring day with me in practice," Whitfield said.
Whitfield, 24, a Buffalo native, also brings a lot of versatility. Used extensively as a utility player by the Freeze the past two seasons, Whitfield has showcased athleticism and big-play ability at wide receiver, defensive back, on kickoff returns and as a backup QB.
He is competing for the starting QB job in training camp with former Brockport quarterback Edwin Nelson and former Buffalo QB Randall Secky, a native of Bemus Point, N.Y.
"What's going to help determine who gets the starting job is if they can throw under pressure when guys are in their face," Freeze coach Dave Arnold said. "We'll see if they can pinpoint the ball to receivers under pressure and see what they can do. It's a competitive race right now."
The AIFA opens its third season this weekend, although the Freeze are idle. Erie opens its regular season Feb. 9 at Canton, which won the American Indoor Football League title last season. The league has new ownership and a new name this year.
The Freeze had 31 players in preseason camp earlier this week. The team's active roster must be whittled to 20 players by Feb. 7.
Whitfield hopes he's at the top of the QB chart by that time.
"I want to be the quarterback because it will be something new and challenging, but if I don't win the job, I won't be disappointed because there still are a lot of other positions I can play and help the team," he said. "I'm pretty sure I can adjust to anything."
From an experience standpoint, Arnold considers the 5-foot 11-inch, 180-pound Whitfield the leader in the quarterback race. Whitfield set numerous school offensive records at Gannon, where Arnold also was a defensive assistant coach through the end of the 2006 season.
Neither Secky, who played at Buffalo from 2001-04, nor Nelson, who played at Brockport in 2001-02, have indoor football experience.
"Secky and Nelson really have strong arms and, right now, are putting the ball where it needs to be," Arnold said. "They're showing great leadership."
Arnold said another option is keeping all three quarterbacks, which would allow Whitfield to stay at wide receiver, continue to play numerous positions and remain as a backup quarterback.
"Darmel would obviously come off of being a return specialist if he is our quarterback," Arnold said. "His roles would be limited. Hopefully these two guys will come in and do it so I can use Darmell as the type of athlete he really is. He does so much. He's an X-factor and a big key to our offense."
RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.
