Post by JustMomma on Feb 29, 2008 9:51:47 GMT -5
Colts making strides in camp
Players say they are ahead of the curve thus far
By Billy Byler| Staff Writer
Friday, February 29, 2008
Augusta Colts training camp kicked off this week. With less than two weeks before the new indoor football team's first game, head coach Bubba Diggs said he's got his work cut out for him.
"I've got 30-40 guys out here every night," he said. "I can keep 20 active on the roster, and I'll keep about five more on the practice squad."
The numbers don't quite add up, and the players know it.
Diggs said he plans to cut 10-12 players by Sunday, which was enough motivation for more than 30 potential Colts to brave the wind and cold this week for nightly practices at May Park.
"Last year at camp there wasn't this many people," Colts defensive back Chip Dykes said. "We've got so many people we doubled what we had out here last year."
But the Colts didn't exist at this time last year. Dykes was talking about the now defunct Augusta Spartans. That team won a World Indoor Football League championship last season in its first year of competition but has since folded.
The Augusta Colts franchise, a member of the American Indoor Football Association, came in to take the Spartans' place. Officially, they're different organizations, but while the name on the practice jerseys is different, many of the names on the roster are the same.
"It's really not all that different for us players," said Marvin Stone, who is designated as the team's franchise player. "I say with the group of guys coach has brought in, we're actually ahead of the game from where we were last year."
Along with Stone, Dykes and more than a dozen other former Spartans, the Colts have added a few notable new names. Former Laney and Middle Tennessee standout J.K. Sabb signed with the team on Wednesday.
The Colts also have picked up quarterback Brandon Satcher, who was with the Spartans for the early part of last season.
Reach Billy Byler at (803) 648-1395 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
KEY DATES
SATURDAY: Last day of training camp
SUNDAY: Coach Bubba Diggs makes cuts
MONDAY: First official practices begin
MARCH 8: Start of American Indoor Football Association season
MARCH 13: Home opener vs. Columbus Lions
JULY 3: AIFA Playoffs begin
JULY 19: AIFA Championship Bowl II
From the Friday, February 29, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle
chronicle.augusta.com/stories/022908/spa_189165.shtml
Players say they are ahead of the curve thus far
By Billy Byler| Staff Writer
Friday, February 29, 2008
Augusta Colts training camp kicked off this week. With less than two weeks before the new indoor football team's first game, head coach Bubba Diggs said he's got his work cut out for him.
"I've got 30-40 guys out here every night," he said. "I can keep 20 active on the roster, and I'll keep about five more on the practice squad."
The numbers don't quite add up, and the players know it.
Diggs said he plans to cut 10-12 players by Sunday, which was enough motivation for more than 30 potential Colts to brave the wind and cold this week for nightly practices at May Park.
"Last year at camp there wasn't this many people," Colts defensive back Chip Dykes said. "We've got so many people we doubled what we had out here last year."
But the Colts didn't exist at this time last year. Dykes was talking about the now defunct Augusta Spartans. That team won a World Indoor Football League championship last season in its first year of competition but has since folded.
The Augusta Colts franchise, a member of the American Indoor Football Association, came in to take the Spartans' place. Officially, they're different organizations, but while the name on the practice jerseys is different, many of the names on the roster are the same.
"It's really not all that different for us players," said Marvin Stone, who is designated as the team's franchise player. "I say with the group of guys coach has brought in, we're actually ahead of the game from where we were last year."
Along with Stone, Dykes and more than a dozen other former Spartans, the Colts have added a few notable new names. Former Laney and Middle Tennessee standout J.K. Sabb signed with the team on Wednesday.
The Colts also have picked up quarterback Brandon Satcher, who was with the Spartans for the early part of last season.
Reach Billy Byler at (803) 648-1395 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
KEY DATES
SATURDAY: Last day of training camp
SUNDAY: Coach Bubba Diggs makes cuts
MONDAY: First official practices begin
MARCH 8: Start of American Indoor Football Association season
MARCH 13: Home opener vs. Columbus Lions
JULY 3: AIFA Playoffs begin
JULY 19: AIFA Championship Bowl II
From the Friday, February 29, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle
chronicle.augusta.com/stories/022908/spa_189165.shtml