Post by Gene on Apr 17, 2009 8:45:04 GMT -5
4/17/09
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
For a backup quarterback who hasn't taken a snap this season, Dan Kelly has been pretty busy.
In his second season with the Reading Express, Kelly has done a lot more than get daily health reports on starting quarterback Rob Flowers and chart plays on a clipboard.
"Rob's a great quarterback, a heck of an athlete," Kelly said. "I'm just here to have a good time and get my chances whenever I can. I want to play anywhere I can. Any time I can get on the field, I want to be out there."
The fact that Flowers has taken every offensive snap this season hasn't stopped Kelly from getting on the field. He always plays on the kickoff coverage and return teams, is a backup wide receiver and has even played defensive back.
Kelly enjoyed his biggest game as a member of the Express in last Saturday's 47-13 win over Erie. With Yardon Brantley resting a nagging injury, Kelly played wide receiver the entire second half and caught four passes for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
"He is our multi-purpose athlete," Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski said. "He does everything and anything for us without hesitation or question. He's that type of player. I can't say enough about him."
Kelly filled in at defensive back in the Express' previous home game, when Justin Gibbs left with a cramp, and broke up a deep pass.
"I feel like I'm a fairly quick learner," Kelly said. "I just go out there and play football is what it comes down to."
Kelly (6-0, 190) was the starting quarterback for three years each at Upper Merion High School and Lebanon Valley College.
He was limited to playing offense in high school because of an injury to his left shoulder.
At Lebanon Valley, Kelly played wide receiver and moved to defense during his freshman season before starting the last game at quarterback.
Now he could possibly play those three positions all in one night.
"He does it all; he's our everything guy," Nowotarski said. "You need a guy like that. I'm thrilled to have him."
Kelly threw for 61 touchdowns and ran for nine at Lebanon Valley. During his junior season in 2005, he even kicked a field goal and nine extra points.
That's one job Kelly hasn't tried with the Express - yet.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=134113