Post by Gene on Mar 27, 2010 4:18:33 GMT -5
3/27/2010
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA - The Reading Express is learning it can't win games on reputation alone.
Coming off a championship season, a team that has won division titles in all four years of its existence has been brought back to reality. Losing twice in the first three games of the 2010 American Indoor Football Association season can do that to a team.
"I think sometimes it's definitely a good wake-up call," said Erik Rockhold, in his fifth season as kicker for the Express. "We've got to get back that hunger like we used to have. I've been here since Day 1 so I've seen a lot happen with this team."
Rockhold has to think back to 2006, the Express' first season, when Reading last started 1-2. After Sunday's 55-42 loss to Harrisburg, only Reading's fourth regular season home loss in four seasons, the Express is trying to get back on track.
The Erie Storm, which defeated Reading 41-28 in Erie in the season opener, visits the Express tonight at 7 at the Sovereign Center.
"They're not happy, and I think they're starting to show a little urgency," Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski said of his players.
The Express has many of the same players back from last year's championship team, especially in the skill positions.
Quarterback Rob Flowers has his top two receivers back in Carmelo Ocasio and Jeff Willis. But Flowers has thrown eight interceptions in three games playing behind a new offensive line. Overall, Reading has 12 turnovers in three games.
The Express offense was dealt another blow last week when fullback Jason Henley, starting for the third season, was injured and may be lost for the rest of the season.
"We're only three games in; we've got another three at home before we go away," Willis said. "We'll be fine. We're at home; we've got to win at home."
It used to be that easy. While going 54-14 in its first four seasons, the Express found winning in the Sovereign Center was almost a given. After losing its first two home games during its inaugural season in 2006, Reading didn't lose another regular season home game until last year.
But, as the players found out in the loss to Harrisburg, just showing up to play at home doesn't guarantee a win.
"I just think it takes showing up and being hungry to play every week," Rockhold said. "Let's not talk about last year's championship, last year's banner and everything we've done in the past and just get back to the now. We can't really live on our reputation. It's not last year."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=208702
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA - The Reading Express is learning it can't win games on reputation alone.
Coming off a championship season, a team that has won division titles in all four years of its existence has been brought back to reality. Losing twice in the first three games of the 2010 American Indoor Football Association season can do that to a team.
"I think sometimes it's definitely a good wake-up call," said Erik Rockhold, in his fifth season as kicker for the Express. "We've got to get back that hunger like we used to have. I've been here since Day 1 so I've seen a lot happen with this team."
Rockhold has to think back to 2006, the Express' first season, when Reading last started 1-2. After Sunday's 55-42 loss to Harrisburg, only Reading's fourth regular season home loss in four seasons, the Express is trying to get back on track.
The Erie Storm, which defeated Reading 41-28 in Erie in the season opener, visits the Express tonight at 7 at the Sovereign Center.
"They're not happy, and I think they're starting to show a little urgency," Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski said of his players.
The Express has many of the same players back from last year's championship team, especially in the skill positions.
Quarterback Rob Flowers has his top two receivers back in Carmelo Ocasio and Jeff Willis. But Flowers has thrown eight interceptions in three games playing behind a new offensive line. Overall, Reading has 12 turnovers in three games.
The Express offense was dealt another blow last week when fullback Jason Henley, starting for the third season, was injured and may be lost for the rest of the season.
"We're only three games in; we've got another three at home before we go away," Willis said. "We'll be fine. We're at home; we've got to win at home."
It used to be that easy. While going 54-14 in its first four seasons, the Express found winning in the Sovereign Center was almost a given. After losing its first two home games during its inaugural season in 2006, Reading didn't lose another regular season home game until last year.
But, as the players found out in the loss to Harrisburg, just showing up to play at home doesn't guarantee a win.
"I just think it takes showing up and being hungry to play every week," Rockhold said. "Let's not talk about last year's championship, last year's banner and everything we've done in the past and just get back to the now. We can't really live on our reputation. It's not last year."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=208702
