A Sit Down with Carolina’s Todd Doxzon
Chuck DiLullo
Friday February 20, 2004
Doxzon was an All-Big 8 quarterback with the Iowa State Cyclones, and spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons as the backup quarterback with the Miami Dolphins. Doxzon is joined on the Cobras roster by six former Dragons and looks to continue his successful start in the Cobras first home game on February 21st versus the Arizona Rattlers.
I had a chance to sit down with Todd.
ArenaFan: How do you like Charlotte so far?
Todd Doxzon: I love the area. My wife is working at the YMCA. We live here with our twin two-year old boys.
ArenaFan: What makes this offense fun to play in?
Todd Doxzon: Coach Gregory’s philosophy is to promote a relaxed feeling and put the playmakers in a position to make plays. That’s the best thing I love about this offense.
ArenaFan: Have other players been coming to you for advice on the nuances of Coach Gregory’s offense?
Todd Doxzon: Basically, early on in camp one of my roles was just to be alongside Coach Gregory and just help in any way to help the guys out with finer points of the offense. We have a great group of guys and they picked up the offense great and now the guys understand the whole picture and it has been great.
ArenaFan: Is the first opportunity for you to enjoy extended playing time on the field?
Todd Doxzon: Yes. My first two years, I played two ways and this is my first opportunity to play as an OS. When you get more time on the field, you get more opportunities to make plays and that has been the biggest thing that has contributed to my early success.
ArenaFan: Matt Nagy has said that Coach Gregory was the only coach that truly believed in him and gave him the opportunity to play professional football. How do you feel about Coach Gregory and the opportunities he has given you?
Todd Doxzon: I feel the same way that Matt does. Coach has given me a great opportunity and I want to nothing more than to make him proud and to pay him back for the opportunities he has given me. I like his style of just putting the plan out there and saying you guys go make it work. He let’s you relax and play your game and he does it in a unique way as compared other coaches I have played for because he won’t jump on you if you make a mistake.
ArenaFan: What about the camaraderie of this team?
Todd Doxzon: The closeness of this team is one of the biggest keys and you have to credit that to the management and the coaching staff. The individuals on this team have come together real quick because the coaches have had us spend a lot of time together. The personalities on this team are not individualistic at all and that is one of the biggest reasons we have come together so quick. Our collective goal is to win a championship.
ArenaFan: Has there been any mention of last year’s difficulties and disappointments?
Todd Doxzon: One of the first things Coach Khayat said was that the past is the past. We have a completely different team. This is a new deal and we need to focus on what we can accomplish and not what happened last season.
ArenaFan: What do you consider the best thing about playing Arena Football?
Todd Doxzon: I’d say the relationships I have been able to make have been priceless.
ArenaFan: How would you compare Aaron Garcia and Matt Nagy?
Todd Doxzon: Number one they are both fierce, fierce competitors and that is one of the biggest similarities and plusses they have going for them. The only difference is the level of experience, but Matt has proven this year that he is gaining that experience. They both have the same leadership qualities and are both great guys off the field and you feed off their energy.
ArenaFan: What does Todd Doxzon see as a successful season for Todd Doxzon?
Todd Doxzon: I have only one thought in mind and that is the championship. Early on in my career, I probably thought more of my individual numbers but now I go out there and try hard every single play to sell out for the team and whatever I can do to help the team I will. I don’t care if I have five touchdowns or no touchdowns, if we win the game that is all that matters.
ArenaFan: Do you consider yourself fortunate to play for a coaching staff with this much experience and pedigree?
Todd Doxzon: There is no question I feel fortunate. This is the perfect blend of experience and leadership for this team. I couldn’t be more blessed than to be coached by these guys. One thing for me has been to get to know Coach Khayat and learn from his lessons in life. He knows his football, but he has been around so much and has experienced so much in his life, I am just trying to glean something from those life experiences and lessons to improve myself as a person.
Todd Doxzon and the rest of the Carolina Cobras open their home schedule on Saturday, February 21st versus the winless Arizona Rattlers, and will try to open up a season 3-0 for the first time on franchise history and earn their first victory against the Rattlers.
Chuck DiLullo works for a manufacturer of process control instrumentation as a sales engineer. He has been a fan of professional, college and high school football since he could walk. Chuck is originally from Philadelphia and he became a huge Arena Football League fan while living in Buffalo. Chuck has lived in Charlotte since 2000 with his wife & three children.
