Post by Free Agent Fan on Feb 17, 2007 10:45:03 GMT -5
Freeze coach hopes offense heats up
BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com
After one American Indoor Football Association game, Erie Freeze coach Dave Arnold feels pretty good about his defense.
The Freeze picked off three passes, forced four turnovers and gave up 248 total yards in a 43-26 season-opening road loss to the defending league-champion Canton Legends last week.
It's the offense that Arnold is more concerned with heading into Erie's home opener today against the expansion Danville Demolition (0-0).
Kickoff at Tullio Arena is 7:05 p.m.
"Our offense didn't click with a lot of first-year guys last week," Arnold said.
Newcomers to Erie's offense and the indoor game are quarterback Randall Secky, wide receivers Ian Nutt and Kevin Scott and lineman Greg Pullen.
"Those are all key spots," Arnold said. "The Canton game was kind of like a preseason game for us. I kind of expected the things that happened to happen. That's OK. One game won't make or break us. The best thing we can do is improve and do a great job offensively and continue to play well defensively."
The Freeze managed 173 total yards last week. Arnold would like to see his offense improve in several areas, beginning with Secky making quicker decisions and improving his timing and release.
Secky threw three interceptions against Canton and was 11-of-23 for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He split duty with Darmel Whitfield, whom Arnold pressed into duty early in the second quarter after Erie fell behind 15-0 when Canton returned a Secky interception 48 yards for a touchdown.
Arnold said he doesn't want to play Whitfield at all at quarterback this season because he is too valuable as a multi-role, big-play threat. Whitfield, who excels at wideout, defensive back and kickoff returns, had two touchdown passes a week ago, completing 7-of-14 passes for 73 yards and one interception.
"I felt pretty good, but quarterback is not where I want to play the whole season," Whitfield said.
Secky will start today's game. Arnold said he will dress back-up quarterback Ed Nelson, who played at Division III Brockport, and will give him some snaps if Secky struggles.
"I don't want to go back and forth with quarterbacks," Arnold said. "I want to get one guy set and get him going."
The Freeze offensive line got good reviews from Arnold. The line gave Secky good protection last week, but the former University of Buffalo quarterback admittedly struggled holding on to the ball too long in the pocket.
"This game is a lot different than regular football and college football," Freeze offensive lineman Anthony Peluso said. "It's a lot faster. You have to make your reads fast, but now he has a game under his belt and hopefully he will get the experience and grow from that."
Arnold also wants to see improvement from kicker Brendon McNicholas, a former Gannon kicker who had a rough game last week. McNicholas missed an extra point, had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked, missed a 39-yarder and had field goal attempts of 50 and 54 yards returned.
"He has to come back and kick well this game," Arnold said. "He has to get some kicks and kickoffs down. He has to have that tunnel vision and disregard the people who are sitting behind the (9-foot-wide) uprights and put the ball through."
BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com
After one American Indoor Football Association game, Erie Freeze coach Dave Arnold feels pretty good about his defense.
The Freeze picked off three passes, forced four turnovers and gave up 248 total yards in a 43-26 season-opening road loss to the defending league-champion Canton Legends last week.
It's the offense that Arnold is more concerned with heading into Erie's home opener today against the expansion Danville Demolition (0-0).
Kickoff at Tullio Arena is 7:05 p.m.
"Our offense didn't click with a lot of first-year guys last week," Arnold said.
Newcomers to Erie's offense and the indoor game are quarterback Randall Secky, wide receivers Ian Nutt and Kevin Scott and lineman Greg Pullen.
"Those are all key spots," Arnold said. "The Canton game was kind of like a preseason game for us. I kind of expected the things that happened to happen. That's OK. One game won't make or break us. The best thing we can do is improve and do a great job offensively and continue to play well defensively."
The Freeze managed 173 total yards last week. Arnold would like to see his offense improve in several areas, beginning with Secky making quicker decisions and improving his timing and release.
Secky threw three interceptions against Canton and was 11-of-23 for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He split duty with Darmel Whitfield, whom Arnold pressed into duty early in the second quarter after Erie fell behind 15-0 when Canton returned a Secky interception 48 yards for a touchdown.
Arnold said he doesn't want to play Whitfield at all at quarterback this season because he is too valuable as a multi-role, big-play threat. Whitfield, who excels at wideout, defensive back and kickoff returns, had two touchdown passes a week ago, completing 7-of-14 passes for 73 yards and one interception.
"I felt pretty good, but quarterback is not where I want to play the whole season," Whitfield said.
Secky will start today's game. Arnold said he will dress back-up quarterback Ed Nelson, who played at Division III Brockport, and will give him some snaps if Secky struggles.
"I don't want to go back and forth with quarterbacks," Arnold said. "I want to get one guy set and get him going."
The Freeze offensive line got good reviews from Arnold. The line gave Secky good protection last week, but the former University of Buffalo quarterback admittedly struggled holding on to the ball too long in the pocket.
"This game is a lot different than regular football and college football," Freeze offensive lineman Anthony Peluso said. "It's a lot faster. You have to make your reads fast, but now he has a game under his belt and hopefully he will get the experience and grow from that."
Arnold also wants to see improvement from kicker Brendon McNicholas, a former Gannon kicker who had a rough game last week. McNicholas missed an extra point, had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked, missed a 39-yarder and had field goal attempts of 50 and 54 yards returned.
"He has to come back and kick well this game," Arnold said. "He has to get some kicks and kickoffs down. He has to have that tunnel vision and disregard the people who are sitting behind the (9-foot-wide) uprights and put the ball through."
