Post by lionsroar on May 9, 2008 6:11:17 GMT -5
Big catch for Lions
Columbus receiver's big-time talents just what team needs as it takes on unbeaten Mississippi
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com
The Columbus Lions put in a call to receiver Gerald Gales a year ago, but it was just a bit too late.
His plane was landing in Orlando as he prepared to join the Osceola Ghostriders, a rival of the Lions. Lions coach Jason Gibson wanted to sign the talented receiver, but came up short. After seeing the numbers Gales put up against a talented Lions defense a year ago, Gibson knew he would keep going after Gales.
"He killed us when we played against them," Gibson said. "I said 'I've got to have him if I'm going to spend so much time trying to stop him.' "
Gales, who played college football at West Alabama in Livingston, Ala., had been awaiting word on several Arena Football tryouts, including the Georgia Force, before deciding to take Osceola's offer.
"I made my mind up at the last minute about Osceola," Gales said.
Gales has made an impact since arriving in Columbus. He leads the American Indoor Football Association with 62 catches for 759 yards and 16 touchdowns (which is second). That's exactly what Gibson had in mind when he brought the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Gales to Columbus.
Gales has helped the Lions to a 6-2 record. Tonight, the Lions will take on undefeated Mississippi (7-0) in a South division showdown at 7:30 at the Columbus Civic Center. This marks the first of back-to-back games for the Lions against Mississippi. A win would bring the Lions within half a game of the first-place Mudcats.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a Lions jersey.
"Mississippi has a great quarterback and great coaching," Gibson said. "They don't make mistakes. It's hard to beat a team that doesn't make mistakes. They're not flashy. They just don't make mistakes."
Gales and the rest of the Lions have been seeped in film study this week.
"We have to study guys and take what they give us," Gales said. "We've got to make plays and make less mistakes than they do."
The Lions found a steal in the speedy Gales, who had a free agent tryout with the Atlanta Falcons after graduating from West Alabama with a degree in computer science in 2006.
"He's phenomenal," Gibson said. "He catches every ball. What he does better than anybody is he blocks. When he's not getting the ball, he never complains."
Gale's lack of ideal height hindered him from catching on at the NFL level, although it's a dream he hasn't relinquished yet.
"Some teams get small receivers, but some don't look at those," Gales said. "I'm hoping to continue to have a great year and keep at it. Hopefully, I'll get a shot."
Gales is realistic. He's shooting for Arena Football, at least. And if not, he has his future planned out. He's good with computers, but discovered a passion for being a personal trainer and wants to own a gym and coach football.
Gibson said he thinks it's just a matter of time before Gales gets a shot with an Arena Football team.
"He belongs at the next level," Gibson said. "If you continue to do what you do and put up the numbers year after year, something will click."
GERALD GALES
Ht./Wt.: 5-9/165
Position: Receiver
High school: Jackson-Olin High, Birmingham, Ala.
College: West Alabama
2008 statistics: 62 catches, 759 yards, 16 TDs
You might not know: Gales has a degree in computer science, but dreams of owning a gym.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/317776.html
Columbus receiver's big-time talents just what team needs as it takes on unbeaten Mississippi
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com
The Columbus Lions put in a call to receiver Gerald Gales a year ago, but it was just a bit too late.
His plane was landing in Orlando as he prepared to join the Osceola Ghostriders, a rival of the Lions. Lions coach Jason Gibson wanted to sign the talented receiver, but came up short. After seeing the numbers Gales put up against a talented Lions defense a year ago, Gibson knew he would keep going after Gales.
"He killed us when we played against them," Gibson said. "I said 'I've got to have him if I'm going to spend so much time trying to stop him.' "
Gales, who played college football at West Alabama in Livingston, Ala., had been awaiting word on several Arena Football tryouts, including the Georgia Force, before deciding to take Osceola's offer.
"I made my mind up at the last minute about Osceola," Gales said.
Gales has made an impact since arriving in Columbus. He leads the American Indoor Football Association with 62 catches for 759 yards and 16 touchdowns (which is second). That's exactly what Gibson had in mind when he brought the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Gales to Columbus.
Gales has helped the Lions to a 6-2 record. Tonight, the Lions will take on undefeated Mississippi (7-0) in a South division showdown at 7:30 at the Columbus Civic Center. This marks the first of back-to-back games for the Lions against Mississippi. A win would bring the Lions within half a game of the first-place Mudcats.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a Lions jersey.
"Mississippi has a great quarterback and great coaching," Gibson said. "They don't make mistakes. It's hard to beat a team that doesn't make mistakes. They're not flashy. They just don't make mistakes."
Gales and the rest of the Lions have been seeped in film study this week.
"We have to study guys and take what they give us," Gales said. "We've got to make plays and make less mistakes than they do."
The Lions found a steal in the speedy Gales, who had a free agent tryout with the Atlanta Falcons after graduating from West Alabama with a degree in computer science in 2006.
"He's phenomenal," Gibson said. "He catches every ball. What he does better than anybody is he blocks. When he's not getting the ball, he never complains."
Gale's lack of ideal height hindered him from catching on at the NFL level, although it's a dream he hasn't relinquished yet.
"Some teams get small receivers, but some don't look at those," Gales said. "I'm hoping to continue to have a great year and keep at it. Hopefully, I'll get a shot."
Gales is realistic. He's shooting for Arena Football, at least. And if not, he has his future planned out. He's good with computers, but discovered a passion for being a personal trainer and wants to own a gym and coach football.
Gibson said he thinks it's just a matter of time before Gales gets a shot with an Arena Football team.
"He belongs at the next level," Gibson said. "If you continue to do what you do and put up the numbers year after year, something will click."
GERALD GALES
Ht./Wt.: 5-9/165
Position: Receiver
High school: Jackson-Olin High, Birmingham, Ala.
College: West Alabama
2008 statistics: 62 catches, 759 yards, 16 TDs
You might not know: Gales has a degree in computer science, but dreams of owning a gym.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/317776.html
