Getting to Know the Firebirds
Matthew Pickut
Saturday February 7, 2004
Quarterback
Replacing last year’s starter, Raymond Philyaw, will be a difficult task, but first year starter Kevin Daft out of UC-Davis brings an unexpected level of depth to the position.
“I bring some experience,” says Daft. “I’ve been around NFL Europe and I’ve been around some NFL teams. I bring some leadership. I want to get the ball into the hands of some our talented people and let them make plays.”
While Daft was a backup last year in San Jose, in addition to his outdoor experience, he didn’t find learning DeBerg’s new system difficult.
“Every system is a little hard to grasp at first, but I like the way it feels, and the way we call plays.”
Last year’s af2 offensive player of the year, Tony Zimmerman, waits in the wings should anything happen. Zimmerman’s presence and experience should help avoid a situation like last year when the ‘Birds struggled after Philyaw’s injury. Also in waiting is Adrian McPherson, who came into camp late but impressed coaches with his athleticism and skills.
Wide Receiver
“There’s no doubt that our biggest acquisition is Mike Horacek,” revealed new Firebirds GM John Kolner. “Last year, we were probably one of the slowest teams in the league. Mike is a dominant player at his position—in the prime of his career—so when you can get a guy like that you don’t pass it up.”
Add to Horacek a returning Brett Bech and Evan Hlavacek and speed will no longer be the issue.
The biggest difference will be the absence of fan favorite and long time Firebird Eddie “touchdown” Brown, who the team released before last week.
“It was tough; he was kind of Mr. Firebird for a long time,” said Kolner of letting Brown go. “His first game was my first game, but at the end of the day the coach’s job is to come in and evaluate talent and he felt that there were other guys who could help us more. Hopefully he can catch on with someone else.”
Grade: A – Speed kills and getting speed was a priority in the off-season. The loss of Brown will certainly make the touchdown celebrations less dramatic, but as long as they keep coming everything will be fine.
Fullback
The team lists only two fullbacks on their pregame roster, veteran Leroy Thompson and second year man Jeff Cogell. Thompson’s eight years makes him the elder statesmen of the Firebirds and he looks forward to helping the team come together.
“It feels good [to be a leader]. I’m just hoping that some of the other veterans step up and become leaders also. We’re going to need Mike Horacek and guys who have been in the league awhile, like Kerry Brown, to step up and become leaders. Obviously EB was one of those guys, but his not here now.”
Grade: B – I would like to see another player available, but Thompson was voted 2002 Ironman of the year for a reason.
Offensive Line
Chris Janek joins Rick Hall and Chris Snyder as starters averaging over 280 pounds and four years of experience. The addition of former NFL lineman Hans Olsen will make the Firebirds strong upfront, even if injuries force more than all eight of their linemen into the rotation. Still, the bulk of growth for the new Firebirds will come on this side of the ball. Chris Snyder knows it’s his job to help his linemates’ growth and he’ll be work at “getting some of these defensive linemen to understand the ins and outs of playing off line helping with the little things.”
Grade: B – Traditionally a strength in Indiana, the addition of Olsen will make an interesting rotation with a lot of depth. With a first year starter at quarterback, their play will make a big difference in how well the offense works.
Defensive Backs
Defensive specialists Anthony Derricks and Delvin Hugely both bring new faces to the Firebirds at a position where they were lacking last year. Evan Hlavacek will be the lone returning player from last year’s defensive backfield. They will need to gel quickly at a position where communication is of the utmost importance. Other newcomers like Kerry Brown will add much needed depth and speed.
Grade: Incomplete – If they can work together, they have the individual talent to be very good, but it takes a unit playing together to make a successful defensive backfield in the AFL.
Linebacker
Thompson and Cogell will be joined by Brown and Bech as this year’s linebacker corps. Look for Thompson and Cogell to provide the pressure and Brown and Bech to help the secondary. The combination will need a good rush up front to be effective as they learn to rely on each other.
“Chemistry is going to come with playing games,” said Thompson. “As far as the talent is concerned, we have some unbelievable players at wide receiver and rushing the passer. My greatest concern is how fast we can come together.”
Grade: A- – In the past, the tandem has been flashier, but the mere presence of Thompson makes this group a unit to be taken seriously.
Defensive Line
While there is still some growth needed at O-line, the Firebirds concentrated on bringing in players with experience on defense. Much of this experience has not come in the indoor game and, while there is definitely talent there, getting to the quarterback is that much more difficult in the indoor game.
Grade: B- – A lot of talent here, and some good speed, but questions will remain until they show they can work as a unit.
Overall
The sense of excitement coming into the 2004 season is obvious if you spend much time around the team. The front office has worked hard at bringing in talent and speed while making some difficult decisions about cutting ties with the past.
“It’s taken a lot of work; probably little more than normal,” says Kolner. “We’ve brought in a lot of talent, but that’s what is exciting about it. We kind of went out of our way and found guys that were maybe just cut from the NFL. So we have a lot of new talent.”
Grade: B+ – A good start will go a long way towards building team chemistry and making the Firebirds a contender in their Division.
Can that talent translate into wins? Only time will tell, but after a disappointing 2003, 2004 looks to give the Firebirds faithful something to look forward to.
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
