Post by Gene on Jul 4, 2010 1:37:25 GMT -5
Flowers, Bryant among players expected to be missing for an uncertain 2011 campaign
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=232537
7/4/10
By Brian Rippey
From an in-season coaching change to a minor quarterback controversy, the Reading Express' fifth season was quite eventful.
Throw in three home games and another on the road that were decided on the final play, and the season featured almost everything.
The one thing that was missing for the defending American Indoor Football Association champs was a return trip to the playoffs. The Express (8-6) finished fourth in the AIFA East Division and missed the playoffs for the first time in the team's five-year history.
"You can't win a championship every year," said Express president/owner Ted Lavender. "It turned out to be not a bad season. Overall, I believe it was a very good year."
It also was a busy season for Lavender, who spent the last six weeks as the interim general manager after head coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski left the team in what Lavender termed a mutual agreement.
Chris Thompson, the assistant general manager and offensive coordinator, finished the season as the head coach. He led the Express to three straight victories before a 69-35 loss to undefeated Baltimore ended Reading's season one win shy of a playoff berth.
"We're very happy with his handling of the players," said Lisa Lavender, owner/chief operating officer of the Express. "We couldn't be more pleased with the way he handled everything."
Thompson stamped himself as a candidate to become the Express' fourth head coach. But the Lavenders said the Express is opening its search and hopes to name a head coach and general manager by August. The positions are likely to be filled by two people.
While it's uncertain if Thompson will return, several players have indicated they will not be back, led by 2009 league MVP quarterback Rob Flowers.
After throwing for 86 touchdowns and running for 20 in 2009, Flowers struggled most of this season. He threw 21 interceptions as he tried to get used to playing behind a rebuilt offensive line and throwing to a new group of receivers.
Flowers' struggles led to him being pulled at the end of Reading's next-to-last game of the season. With Reading's playoff hopes on the line, Flowers watched as backup quarterback Dan Kelly led the winning touchdown drive in the final seconds.
Flowers, a Muhlenberg and Kutztown University product, said he made up his mind at the beginning of the season that this would be his last. He returned to play in the season finale at Baltimore.
Kelly, who also was a receiver and kick returner when he wasn't playing quarterback, said he will return and could be the leading candidate to replace Flowers for the 2011 season.
The Express also will be looking to replace defensive back Sam Bryant after three injury-plagued seasons. Bryant, a Reading High grad, returned home to great fanfare, but missed most of the 2008 season with a torn Achilles' tendon. Bryant was healthy for most of the 2009 championship season but was in and out of the lineup with a toe injury this year.
Bryant, who led the Express with five interceptions, indicated on his Facebook page that last Saturday's game was his last.
"That was the last time you'll hear Sam Bryant with the interception, tackle, pass breakup, etc.," Bryant wrote. "Love anyone who ever supported me, followed me or looked up to me or looked out."
It also likely was the end of the line for wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio, another Reading High grad who was the first player signed by the Express prior to its inaugural season in 2006.
Ocasio, who had more than 100 touchdown receptions for the Express, had his most unproductive season. He was suspended by the league for three games after an altercation with an official and missed others because his work schedule made it difficult to regularly attend practices.
Playing in just eight of 14 games, Ocasio caught 54 passes for 503 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked fourth on the team in TD receptions.
Also uncertain is the future of three-year starting fullback Jason Henley, a Boyertown grad. Henley went down with a torn hamstring in the third game and spent the rest of the season helping the coaching staff.
Henley's replacement, Jamar Brittingham, also went down with a season-ending injury in his only game but is likely to return.
Brittingham could be among a new group of Express players that includes former Daniel Boone and Albright standout Nate Romig. Romig had 12 TD catches in seven games after signing a contract midway through the season.
Two other five-year Express veterans, linebacker Matt Sola and kicker Erik Rockhold, have indicated they are likely to return next season.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=232537
7/4/10
By Brian Rippey
From an in-season coaching change to a minor quarterback controversy, the Reading Express' fifth season was quite eventful.
Throw in three home games and another on the road that were decided on the final play, and the season featured almost everything.
The one thing that was missing for the defending American Indoor Football Association champs was a return trip to the playoffs. The Express (8-6) finished fourth in the AIFA East Division and missed the playoffs for the first time in the team's five-year history.
"You can't win a championship every year," said Express president/owner Ted Lavender. "It turned out to be not a bad season. Overall, I believe it was a very good year."
It also was a busy season for Lavender, who spent the last six weeks as the interim general manager after head coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski left the team in what Lavender termed a mutual agreement.
Chris Thompson, the assistant general manager and offensive coordinator, finished the season as the head coach. He led the Express to three straight victories before a 69-35 loss to undefeated Baltimore ended Reading's season one win shy of a playoff berth.
"We're very happy with his handling of the players," said Lisa Lavender, owner/chief operating officer of the Express. "We couldn't be more pleased with the way he handled everything."
Thompson stamped himself as a candidate to become the Express' fourth head coach. But the Lavenders said the Express is opening its search and hopes to name a head coach and general manager by August. The positions are likely to be filled by two people.
While it's uncertain if Thompson will return, several players have indicated they will not be back, led by 2009 league MVP quarterback Rob Flowers.
After throwing for 86 touchdowns and running for 20 in 2009, Flowers struggled most of this season. He threw 21 interceptions as he tried to get used to playing behind a rebuilt offensive line and throwing to a new group of receivers.
Flowers' struggles led to him being pulled at the end of Reading's next-to-last game of the season. With Reading's playoff hopes on the line, Flowers watched as backup quarterback Dan Kelly led the winning touchdown drive in the final seconds.
Flowers, a Muhlenberg and Kutztown University product, said he made up his mind at the beginning of the season that this would be his last. He returned to play in the season finale at Baltimore.
Kelly, who also was a receiver and kick returner when he wasn't playing quarterback, said he will return and could be the leading candidate to replace Flowers for the 2011 season.
The Express also will be looking to replace defensive back Sam Bryant after three injury-plagued seasons. Bryant, a Reading High grad, returned home to great fanfare, but missed most of the 2008 season with a torn Achilles' tendon. Bryant was healthy for most of the 2009 championship season but was in and out of the lineup with a toe injury this year.
Bryant, who led the Express with five interceptions, indicated on his Facebook page that last Saturday's game was his last.
"That was the last time you'll hear Sam Bryant with the interception, tackle, pass breakup, etc.," Bryant wrote. "Love anyone who ever supported me, followed me or looked up to me or looked out."
It also likely was the end of the line for wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio, another Reading High grad who was the first player signed by the Express prior to its inaugural season in 2006.
Ocasio, who had more than 100 touchdown receptions for the Express, had his most unproductive season. He was suspended by the league for three games after an altercation with an official and missed others because his work schedule made it difficult to regularly attend practices.
Playing in just eight of 14 games, Ocasio caught 54 passes for 503 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked fourth on the team in TD receptions.
Also uncertain is the future of three-year starting fullback Jason Henley, a Boyertown grad. Henley went down with a torn hamstring in the third game and spent the rest of the season helping the coaching staff.
Henley's replacement, Jamar Brittingham, also went down with a season-ending injury in his only game but is likely to return.
Brittingham could be among a new group of Express players that includes former Daniel Boone and Albright standout Nate Romig. Romig had 12 TD catches in seven games after signing a contract midway through the season.
Two other five-year Express veterans, linebacker Matt Sola and kicker Erik Rockhold, have indicated they are likely to return next season.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
