Post by Free Agent Fan on Feb 2, 2007 15:39:46 GMT -5
Written by Erie Freeze
Friday, 02 February 2007
( Erie, PA - February 2, 2007) Dave Arnold coached the Erie Freeze in 2006. In 2007, Arnold continues to coach the American Indoor Football Association team with the moniker the Erie Freeze. The way Arnold sees it, after the first week of grueling twice a day workouts in preparation for the 2007 kickoff, this edition of the Freeze is a totally different team.
Even before workouts began in earnest this past week, the savvy coach could sense a change in attitude. When workouts began, Arnold and his staff noticed an on field change in demeanor and physicality immediately.
“The guys came in here this week and were in the best shape I’ve ever seen a Freeze team,” said Arnold. “Maybe the biggest thing we all noticed is the change in attitude. We have some of our key veterans back and right away you could tell something was different. Different guys have developed into leaders from day one and you can see that rubbing off on the new guys,” add Arnold.
The coach likes what he sees so far, but most coaches at any level will tell you that they’re never satisfied at any level of football and Dave Arnold is no different.
“We are working on a lot of things,” said Arnold, “We are installing a new offense and working on various conditioning, skill, and scheme parts of our game. There’s plenty more structure this year that goes down to the smallest detail. The players were even saying that this is the most we’ve ever worked on the kicking game and we still have a ways to go before the start of the season.”
A few players that Arnold has witnessed make progress in early training camp are the veterans. Chris Blackshear, Shea D’Ambrosio, and Darmel Whitfield have all given witness that this year must be different for the Freeze.
“Blackshear and Shea have really come along even just the way they think about the game. They were ready to play a game the time they first stepped into camp. Darmel? Well, Darmel is Darmel,” beamed Arnold.
There is a dilemma of sorts regarding Darmel Whitfield in the Erie Freeze training camp these days and most coaches would love to have Coach Arnold’s “problem”. Whitfield is penciled in on the Freeze’s depth chart in the Quarterback, receiver, slot, and defensive back position simultaneously. In an emergency, Whitfield has already stepped up to be the kicker, also.
Arnold said, “What we’re looking at is how to use Darmel’s talents the most effectively to help the team. We just have to figure that out in camp.”
Some of the new comers that Coach Arnold thinks can enhance the Freeze’s chances of a championship are Ian Nutt and quarterback Randall Secky.
Secky, a two time New York State High School Player of the Year selection, could be the one caveat that Freeze opponents weren’t expecting after last year. An imposing presence at 6’5” and 220 pounds, Secky is the strategic opposite of Whitfield. While Whitfield is Indoor Football’s version of a Michael Vick, Secky has the poise and stature of a Peyton Manning along with trying to find a bit of swagger.
After a collegiate career where Secky was expected to be the “savior” at the University of Buffalo, he comes into Freeze camp with an entirely different perspective. “I’m just happy to be playing again,” admitted Secky, “I thought my playing days might be over, but the Freeze was a perfect fit. I just live about a half hour out of Erie across the State border and Freeze games will be “real” home games for me. I am so happy that my family will be able to see me play again. You don’t realize how much it means to you or how much you took things for granted until you have to fight to get back into the swing of things.”
Owner Dave Hodas said, “We are gearing up for the season opener and the best Freeze season ever.”
The Freeze open the season in Canton on February 9 before returning to Erie for the home opener against the Danville Demolition. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com or the Freeze office at (814) 454-0200.
Friday, 02 February 2007
( Erie, PA - February 2, 2007) Dave Arnold coached the Erie Freeze in 2006. In 2007, Arnold continues to coach the American Indoor Football Association team with the moniker the Erie Freeze. The way Arnold sees it, after the first week of grueling twice a day workouts in preparation for the 2007 kickoff, this edition of the Freeze is a totally different team.
Even before workouts began in earnest this past week, the savvy coach could sense a change in attitude. When workouts began, Arnold and his staff noticed an on field change in demeanor and physicality immediately.
“The guys came in here this week and were in the best shape I’ve ever seen a Freeze team,” said Arnold. “Maybe the biggest thing we all noticed is the change in attitude. We have some of our key veterans back and right away you could tell something was different. Different guys have developed into leaders from day one and you can see that rubbing off on the new guys,” add Arnold.
The coach likes what he sees so far, but most coaches at any level will tell you that they’re never satisfied at any level of football and Dave Arnold is no different.
“We are working on a lot of things,” said Arnold, “We are installing a new offense and working on various conditioning, skill, and scheme parts of our game. There’s plenty more structure this year that goes down to the smallest detail. The players were even saying that this is the most we’ve ever worked on the kicking game and we still have a ways to go before the start of the season.”
A few players that Arnold has witnessed make progress in early training camp are the veterans. Chris Blackshear, Shea D’Ambrosio, and Darmel Whitfield have all given witness that this year must be different for the Freeze.
“Blackshear and Shea have really come along even just the way they think about the game. They were ready to play a game the time they first stepped into camp. Darmel? Well, Darmel is Darmel,” beamed Arnold.
There is a dilemma of sorts regarding Darmel Whitfield in the Erie Freeze training camp these days and most coaches would love to have Coach Arnold’s “problem”. Whitfield is penciled in on the Freeze’s depth chart in the Quarterback, receiver, slot, and defensive back position simultaneously. In an emergency, Whitfield has already stepped up to be the kicker, also.
Arnold said, “What we’re looking at is how to use Darmel’s talents the most effectively to help the team. We just have to figure that out in camp.”
Some of the new comers that Coach Arnold thinks can enhance the Freeze’s chances of a championship are Ian Nutt and quarterback Randall Secky.
Secky, a two time New York State High School Player of the Year selection, could be the one caveat that Freeze opponents weren’t expecting after last year. An imposing presence at 6’5” and 220 pounds, Secky is the strategic opposite of Whitfield. While Whitfield is Indoor Football’s version of a Michael Vick, Secky has the poise and stature of a Peyton Manning along with trying to find a bit of swagger.
After a collegiate career where Secky was expected to be the “savior” at the University of Buffalo, he comes into Freeze camp with an entirely different perspective. “I’m just happy to be playing again,” admitted Secky, “I thought my playing days might be over, but the Freeze was a perfect fit. I just live about a half hour out of Erie across the State border and Freeze games will be “real” home games for me. I am so happy that my family will be able to see me play again. You don’t realize how much it means to you or how much you took things for granted until you have to fight to get back into the swing of things.”
Owner Dave Hodas said, “We are gearing up for the season opener and the best Freeze season ever.”
The Freeze open the season in Canton on February 9 before returning to Erie for the home opener against the Danville Demolition. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com or the Freeze office at (814) 454-0200.
