Destroyers` Battle for QB Job Begins
Greg Kasprzak
Saturday March 24, 2001
The Destroyers began camp last Sunday with two practices and will continue to practice twice a day for the first week of camp. Between all the on-field work, the Destroyers players and coaches will also do a lot of film and classroom work until camp ends on April 6th .
The biggest battle in Camp will be for the starting QB job. The Destroyers signed two new QB’s, Buffalo native Jim Kubiak and AF2 Offensive Player of the year in 2000, former Augusta Stallion Aaron Sparrow. “It’s going to be a great battle between Jim Kubiak and Aaron Sparrow for the number one spot. I`m very excited that Jim Kubiak will be a Buffalo Destroyer," said Bentley. "Our number one target in free agency was the quarterback position, and we`ve got two very good ones now."
Kubiak (6’2” 218), a Buffalo native, attended St. Francis High School in nearby Athol Springs, NY and went on to the Naval Academy where he holds team records for most yards and most completions, along with 20 other team passing records. Originally signed by the Carolina Panthers in 1996, Kubiak has also spent time on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets. Most recently he played the 2000 Season with the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL-Europe. This will be his first AFL Season.
"I am really looking forward to competing again," said Kubiak. "I`m tired of watching other guys play on television. I just want to get back out there and start working towards something again. And it`s not just football matters I`m ready to get after; it`s finding that compatibility and gelling with the other players. I can`t wait to get things rolling."
Sparrow, 6’1” 200, from Norfolk St. spent the 2000 season with the AF2’s Augusta Stallions. He was named the AF2 Offensive Player of the Year. Throwing for an incredible 3,668 Yards with 69 TD’s and only 5 interceptions.
Also in camp are returning veteran Browning Nagle who played in 9 Games for the Destroyers in 2000 and AFL Rookies Chad May from Kansas St and Damone Scott from Cal-St Northridge. The Destroyers also have some insurance at the QB spot in the form of Kevin Mason, another WNY native who saw action in 6 games at QB for the Destroyers in 2000. This season he will be used primarily as a WR/CB.
The Destroyers begin the Regular Season on April 14th at Toronto versus the Phantoms.
Greg Kasprzak was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
