Post by Free Agent Fan on Jan 31, 2007 15:22:11 GMT -5
Training camp is finished and the season opener is only days away. The Heroes are ready to make a run at the AIFA championship with a core of returning players and some new faces to fill in some gaps. We preview the 2007 season and this week's opponent, the Carolina Speed.
The Heroes are coming off of a successful 2006 season, it's first in the former AIFL, and are now aiming to improve in 2007. Head Coach Garry McPeek offered a look back at 2006 and the expectations for 2007, "I have always lived by the saying, 'You can not predict the future, however you can analyze the past', That is what we have tried to do this off season. Look back at the players that we had that we felt could compete for a championship and sign them back. Then take a hard look at where we needed to improve and sign some guys for those positions. I felt we have been able to achieve both of these objectives."
The Heroes are returning a core group of players, particularly on defense. "We are very experienced on defense", said McPeek, "It all starts up front with Jamus Martin and Marcus Hairston at defensive line. Then I feel that we have the two best linebackers in the league in Micheal "Kool-Aid" Owens and Charlie Tynes."
Not to be overlooked the offense returns some core players from 2006. "We return our two top receivers in James Hawkins and Shane Holsinger and up front the best center in the AIFA, Luke Salmons."
The Heroes, however do have some gaps to fill, particularly at quarterback. Both quarterbacks on the roster are new to the Heroes. "Jimmy Skinner will be our starter. I feel that Skinner is a winner. Every time the he comes into the game I feel the level of every player on the field goes up a notch."
The projected starter through much of training camp, Ramon Robinson, is out for the season thrusting Skinner into the starting role. "Ramon Robinson has suffered a season ending injury", says McPeek, "and will play a vital role in the position of quarterback coach/assistant offensive coordinator."
The Heroes will host the Carolina Speed, an expansion team in 2007, this Saturday to kick off the 2007 season. Even though they are an expansion team coach McPeek says don't let that fool you. "Expansion team or not they have great Division I players from some SEC schools. We will have our hands full. This league is about players making plays. They have some play makers. This will be a big test for us."
The 2007 season kicks off at 7:00 pm this Saturday at Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
The Heroes are coming off of a successful 2006 season, it's first in the former AIFL, and are now aiming to improve in 2007. Head Coach Garry McPeek offered a look back at 2006 and the expectations for 2007, "I have always lived by the saying, 'You can not predict the future, however you can analyze the past', That is what we have tried to do this off season. Look back at the players that we had that we felt could compete for a championship and sign them back. Then take a hard look at where we needed to improve and sign some guys for those positions. I felt we have been able to achieve both of these objectives."
The Heroes are returning a core group of players, particularly on defense. "We are very experienced on defense", said McPeek, "It all starts up front with Jamus Martin and Marcus Hairston at defensive line. Then I feel that we have the two best linebackers in the league in Micheal "Kool-Aid" Owens and Charlie Tynes."
Not to be overlooked the offense returns some core players from 2006. "We return our two top receivers in James Hawkins and Shane Holsinger and up front the best center in the AIFA, Luke Salmons."
The Heroes, however do have some gaps to fill, particularly at quarterback. Both quarterbacks on the roster are new to the Heroes. "Jimmy Skinner will be our starter. I feel that Skinner is a winner. Every time the he comes into the game I feel the level of every player on the field goes up a notch."
The projected starter through much of training camp, Ramon Robinson, is out for the season thrusting Skinner into the starting role. "Ramon Robinson has suffered a season ending injury", says McPeek, "and will play a vital role in the position of quarterback coach/assistant offensive coordinator."
The Heroes will host the Carolina Speed, an expansion team in 2007, this Saturday to kick off the 2007 season. Even though they are an expansion team coach McPeek says don't let that fool you. "Expansion team or not they have great Division I players from some SEC schools. We will have our hands full. This league is about players making plays. They have some play makers. This will be a big test for us."
The 2007 season kicks off at 7:00 pm this Saturday at Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
I hope