Steamwheelers Set The Stage For ‘06
Gary Stibolt
Saturday March 25, 2006
"You don’t win games in the season if you don’t win them during the recruiting process," stated Frazier. "If I don’t get the guys I think we need to be competitive during the off-season, then we are just spinning our wheels once the season starts back up."
Frazier brought in former San Diego Riptide Head Coach Sean Ponder as his offensive coordinator and with it came a new pool of talent to draw from. Camp opened up with a team meeting on March 12 and has since battled through camp. Part of their 2006 season preparation included a two-a-day workout that went head-to-head with the Green Bay Blizzard before an eventual preseason game held at OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities on Thursday evening (3/23). The Steamwheelers won the game handily 40-20 despite turning the ball over five times (3 Interceptions, 2 Fumbles).
Last year, when these two teams met up in camp it was all Green Bay under the leadership of head coach, Bob Landsee. Both teams were playoff contenders a year ago and this year, they look to be there again. So when Green Bay came to town this week many were waiting and anticipating to see what type of team the Steamwheelers would field. After all, there was a lot of hype about Ponder and his offensive philosophy and the dreadful memories many fans had about last years’ offensive performance.
The Steamwheelers team that showed up this year in camp with Green Bay versus the one we had last year came with some significant improvements. The Steamwheelers have the much needed intensity at every position. The offense is designed better and we have an improvement at the quarterback spot with Tim Hicks. Tim seems to fit into the new system very well. The line group is lighter, quicker, and just as tough as what we had a year ago. Pass protection will be one of the best in the league this year and pass rushing was a lot better in the preseason game than what we saw in any given practice. New to the Steamwheelers this year making the difference is Kika Kaululaau, William Lobendahn, and Chris Jahnke and some much needed pass rushing from Tony McClain. The wide receiver corps is fast. With the additions of Bo Smith, Kris Peters, and Reggie Perkins to a line-up that includes Jack Walker Jr. and Tim Dodge is going to be a threat for anyone to cover. The FB/LB position is stacked and led by AFL tested veterans A.J. Novak and Jeff Macrea. Add to that Mikey Novak who comes in twenty-pounds heavier and a year wiser along with Rob May who himself is new to the af2. Mikey Novak picked up Defensive Player of the Game accolades for his performance Thursday night as well (2.5 Tackles, 1 FF, 2 FR).
Having the preseason game is something that I feel is much needed in the af2. I would like to see it happen across the board. Sure you run the risk of injury but being able to enter the season knowing exactly where you’re at and having time to correct what you need to is what I would consider starting the season off on the right foot. It elevates the competition from game one and it gives fans a chance to see their team in action before the season starts. Obviously there are added financial considerations to an already marginal operational budget for these teams but if at all possible, it is well worth it and being that much more prepared could be the difference in getting that win in week one. Green Bay and the Steamwheelers did and now the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting season of Arena Football in the af2.
Gary Stibolt has covered the Quad City Steamwheelers since their 2000 inaugural season. He also owns, operates and is the Chief Editor/Publisher of SteamwheelerFans.com, a website dedicated to the Steamwheelers and their fans. He coresponds for other media outlets covering arenafootball2. In addition to leading the Steamwheelers Fan Club, Gary serves as Coordinator of the National af2 Fan Club. He is married with two sons and works as an Infrastructure Analyst for Deere & Company in their Corporate Computer Center in Moline, Illinois.