Preseason Feels Good for the Firebirds
Matthew Pickut
Saturday April 6, 2002
New faces, new names, new attitude – but will it translate into wins? You can sense a new positive outlook among the players during practice. In their scrimmage, the contact and trash talk was all there, right where it was supposed to be. But is this team ready? This Saturday, April 6th, the Firebirds will get their first real test against the Orlando Predators and hope the new attitude carries over to the regular season.
QB Raymond Philyaw credits the team’s veterans with the attitude. “It kind of happened naturally with us getting within one game last year [of the ArenaBowl], we kind of gelled together, and we have a lot of veterans. It’s not like we have a lot of new guys. We added some stuff to the team we didn’t have last year,” said Philyaw.
“Being here last year we were just so amazed at how nice the arena is and just looking forward to playing here,” recalled Brown, “and now this year [we are saying,] ‘let’s just play.’ I think we were just amazed at the beauty of [the arena] and the atmosphere. I think a lot of our energy went there – worrying about if the fans are going to come and see us play. My goals are just to improve from last year. Me personally I didn’t think that I had a good year. I think it was a little below average, so I just rededicated myself to playing and getting ready.”
In his second year as a starter, Philyaw is looking to improve on a great season where he led the league in QB rating. “I feel comfortable now. Last year I was competing for a job, but now I’m the leader of this team. So now it’s not like I’ve got to worry about myself because I feel comfortable. I’ve gotten a chance to work with the guys. With Gary Compton [WR/LB] here, I feel like we’re further along than we were last year.”
Gary Compton joins the team after playing the last seven years of his ten-year career with Milwaukee. “I was excited to get a chance to play with Eddie [Brown] and Jay Jones,” Compton said, “and come to Indiana where the team has won an Arenabowl which I’ve yet to accomplish in my career. It’s kind of a new start for me, a chance to prolong my career.”
Compton, a three-time All-Arena and last year’s Ford Tough Man of the year award winner, knows that taking departed WR/LB Greg Hopkins’ place will be difficult. “I don’t know if you can ever replace a guy, but you use your skill to do what you can do and help the team. These guys have big hopes for me and I want to come in and contribute and hopefully we won’t miss a beat.”
Compton has impressed head coach Mike Dailey in the preseason, but he knows it will take a while for the veteran to get comfortable. “Similar guys [Hopkins and Compton],” said Dailey. “You know Greg has been in the program so much longer so Greg knew the terminology and the system like the back of his hand. Gary has been in the league a long time but he hasn’t been with our system. So the main difference is Gary is trying to learn the terminology. They are both great players.”
Even in his short time in Indianapolis, Compton’s work ethic and professionalism are evident to the coaching staff. “I think he’s had a very good preseason, I’ve been very impressed by him,” said the head coach, “A coach can look at a guy on film, and statistics and things, my wife could go on the internet and punch up the stats, those things don’t lie, but what is he going to be like when he gets there? Is he going to be a work ethic guy? Is he going to be a team guy? Is he going to be an unselfish guy? Gary is all those things. He’s a hark working guy, he’s a team guy, he’s a professional and I’ve been impressed with him. And when you’re in a league like this the more guys you have with that kind of demeanor the better chance you have for a championship season. He’s a true professional.”
Big Ugly Update : “I definitely think we upgraded our pass rush with the addition of [OL/DL] Hugh Hunter,” said OL/DL Mark Valvo. “He’s a good solid veteran with a lot of savvy especially on the defensive side of the ball. And we’re expecting some great things out of [OL/DL] Van Tuinei. He’s having a really good camp. We knew he was good on defense, but he’s really picked up his game on offense."
Dailey really stresses the offense on the defensive guys and depending on how fast you pick it up is whether you get a job. All the veterans are playing up to par. [OL/DL] Chris Snyder was having a really good preseason before he left for Carolina [Panthers] mini-camp.”
New additions Hunter and Tuinei join the “Big Uglies” bringing 4 years of AFL and 4 years NFL experience respectively. Hunter, who like Compton joins the Firebirds from the Milwaukee Mustangs, hopes to return to his 1999 season form where he totaled nine sacks. For his part, Tuinei brings his 6-4, 290lbs to the Arena league hoping to make a great debut after his time in the NFL.
“They’re both good pass rushers [Hunter and Tuinei],” added Coach Dailey, “and that was one of the things we wanted to upgrade, and I think right from the start they can get in there and make a difference. Hugh has experience playing both sides of the ball. He’s not a guy you have to worry about. Van is growing and will get better on that side of the ball.”
Staying Put?
As you watch Valvo this year check out his left shoulder. Over the off-season he had the finishing touches put on a large Firebird tattoo (15+ total hours of Tattooing).
“I hope I don’t get traded.”
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.
