Post by lionsroar on Jun 21, 2008 6:19:54 GMT -5
Gibson calls on friend
Florida's Bullard brings in veteran defensive help
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com --
Columbus coach Jason Gibson had an ace up his sleeve for the last portion of the Lions' schedule.
Conversations with an old friend meant the Lions would have a top-notch, experienced lineman join his team. The week before Columbus played division-leading Mississippi, Gibson brought in former Florida Gators star Thaddeus Bullard.
"He's an old friend," Gibson said. "He'd been sitting around, and I knew we'd pick him up at the right time. He wanted to play at the end. He was still trying to get back (the Arena Football League.) He had other business ventures."
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end brings a storied career and plenty of other intangibles with him. While at Florida, Bullard earned community service awards, served as vice president of the student government association and was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame in 2000. He spent five years playing with various teams in the Arena Football League.
"He knows what he's doing," Gibson said. "He's a veteran that can make plays. He's like a coach on the field. I've never played the D-line before. He can teach the young guys something I don't know, like techniques and hand placement."
Bullard said coaching is something he wants to try when he's finished playing, so he's learned from Gibson and defensive coordinator Norbert Sullivan.
"I enjoy teaching the game and playing the game," Bullard said. "I'm going to do everything I can do to help the team, from breaking down film to helping game plan to selling tickets if I need too."
The Lions (9-4) will finish the regular season tonight at the Fayetteville Guard (5-7) at the Crown Center in a 7:30 game. The Lions have already clinched a playoff berth in the South division, while the Guard remains half a game out of a playoff spot in the East.
Bullard said he had no problems coming to Columbus, which he called a nice town, with just one problem -- too many Georgia Bulldogs fans.
"I was at home, just golfing, bowling, playing with my kids and running my business," Bullard said.
Bullard and his brother, Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham, have several business ventures together, including a commercial cleaning business and a travel agency. Their latest is talkfusion.com, a business geared to helping clients jazz up their e-mail offerings.
For now, Bullard's biggest venture is playing for the Lions with the hopes of bringing in a championship.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/story/352793.html
Florida's Bullard brings in veteran defensive help
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com --
Columbus coach Jason Gibson had an ace up his sleeve for the last portion of the Lions' schedule.
Conversations with an old friend meant the Lions would have a top-notch, experienced lineman join his team. The week before Columbus played division-leading Mississippi, Gibson brought in former Florida Gators star Thaddeus Bullard.
"He's an old friend," Gibson said. "He'd been sitting around, and I knew we'd pick him up at the right time. He wanted to play at the end. He was still trying to get back (the Arena Football League.) He had other business ventures."
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end brings a storied career and plenty of other intangibles with him. While at Florida, Bullard earned community service awards, served as vice president of the student government association and was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame in 2000. He spent five years playing with various teams in the Arena Football League.
"He knows what he's doing," Gibson said. "He's a veteran that can make plays. He's like a coach on the field. I've never played the D-line before. He can teach the young guys something I don't know, like techniques and hand placement."
Bullard said coaching is something he wants to try when he's finished playing, so he's learned from Gibson and defensive coordinator Norbert Sullivan.
"I enjoy teaching the game and playing the game," Bullard said. "I'm going to do everything I can do to help the team, from breaking down film to helping game plan to selling tickets if I need too."
The Lions (9-4) will finish the regular season tonight at the Fayetteville Guard (5-7) at the Crown Center in a 7:30 game. The Lions have already clinched a playoff berth in the South division, while the Guard remains half a game out of a playoff spot in the East.
Bullard said he had no problems coming to Columbus, which he called a nice town, with just one problem -- too many Georgia Bulldogs fans.
"I was at home, just golfing, bowling, playing with my kids and running my business," Bullard said.
Bullard and his brother, Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham, have several business ventures together, including a commercial cleaning business and a travel agency. Their latest is talkfusion.com, a business geared to helping clients jazz up their e-mail offerings.
For now, Bullard's biggest venture is playing for the Lions with the hopes of bringing in a championship.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/story/352793.html