Post by Canton Cougar Fan on May 2, 2008 7:38:11 GMT -5
Olive plans to put the 'oh' in Legends' offense
Friday, May 2, 2008
BY Jim Thomas
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
CANTON The mad scientist is back.
"I've got to get to my laboratory and start putting together a lineup," Bobby Olive said Thursday, two days after returning as head coach of the Canton Legends.
Canton's coach in 2006 and 2007, Olive's first game back is Saturday as the Legends travel to Erie (5-2) in an American Indoor Football Association North matchup. He takes over a Legends squad that is 0-6 and has scored just 13 points combined in their last two games.
Former first-year coach Ed Korns will remain as defensive coordinator, the position he held previously under Olive. Korns has returned to that role, Olive said, "because he didn't have any choice. We wouldn't be friends anymore if he didn't come back. I need him there (at defensive coordinator)."
Olive's magic in Canton has been on the offensive end. He enticed indoor football veteran Kevin Mason to quarterback the Legends midway through the 2006 season when the team was .500. Together, they routinely lit up scoreboards for 50 or 60 points on their way to the AIFL title.
Canton is averaging 24 points a game, 14th in the 16-team league. Olive has guaranteed that the fireworks that used to thrill the Memorial Civic Center crowds will be back.
"There will be a huge, dramatic change in points scored," Olive said. "I promise you that."
It begins with the return of the Legends' other magician, Mason. Olive said both Mason and last year's backup, former Ohio State quarterback Scotty McMullen, are on the 20-man roster for this weekend.
"I don't know who will start," he said. "We'll have to see after practice."
Olive said quarterback Jami Williamson could be moved to receiver. Williamson has thrown for 862 yards, 12 TDs and 10 interceptions, completing 44.9 percent of his passes.
"He's a good athlete," Olive said. "I think with his abilities, he can be better used (at receiver)."
Olive also has brought back kicker Jon McClain and linebacker Marcus Hayes, both former Akron Zips. He's got some other players in mind to make over the roster, but is focusing on Saturday.
"I just got here Tuesday," he said while in transit from Columbus. "It's a short week. But we'll be fine."
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=410492&Category=17&subCategoryID=0
Friday, May 2, 2008
BY Jim Thomas
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
CANTON The mad scientist is back.
"I've got to get to my laboratory and start putting together a lineup," Bobby Olive said Thursday, two days after returning as head coach of the Canton Legends.
Canton's coach in 2006 and 2007, Olive's first game back is Saturday as the Legends travel to Erie (5-2) in an American Indoor Football Association North matchup. He takes over a Legends squad that is 0-6 and has scored just 13 points combined in their last two games.
Former first-year coach Ed Korns will remain as defensive coordinator, the position he held previously under Olive. Korns has returned to that role, Olive said, "because he didn't have any choice. We wouldn't be friends anymore if he didn't come back. I need him there (at defensive coordinator)."
Olive's magic in Canton has been on the offensive end. He enticed indoor football veteran Kevin Mason to quarterback the Legends midway through the 2006 season when the team was .500. Together, they routinely lit up scoreboards for 50 or 60 points on their way to the AIFL title.
Canton is averaging 24 points a game, 14th in the 16-team league. Olive has guaranteed that the fireworks that used to thrill the Memorial Civic Center crowds will be back.
"There will be a huge, dramatic change in points scored," Olive said. "I promise you that."
It begins with the return of the Legends' other magician, Mason. Olive said both Mason and last year's backup, former Ohio State quarterback Scotty McMullen, are on the 20-man roster for this weekend.
"I don't know who will start," he said. "We'll have to see after practice."
Olive said quarterback Jami Williamson could be moved to receiver. Williamson has thrown for 862 yards, 12 TDs and 10 interceptions, completing 44.9 percent of his passes.
"He's a good athlete," Olive said. "I think with his abilities, he can be better used (at receiver)."
Olive also has brought back kicker Jon McClain and linebacker Marcus Hayes, both former Akron Zips. He's got some other players in mind to make over the roster, but is focusing on Saturday.
"I just got here Tuesday," he said while in transit from Columbus. "It's a short week. But we'll be fine."
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=410492&Category=17&subCategoryID=0
