Getting to know Conquest WR/LB Vernard Abrams
Thursday June 5, 2008
Find Out A Little More About Albany’s Two-Way Ironman
In a new feature to AlbanyConquest.com, the Albany Conquest PR department sat down with Conquest utilityman #11 Vernard Abrams this week to find out a little more about the guy who has already lined up at wide receiver, defensive back, “Jack” linebacker and long snapper this season for Albany.
How long have you been a two-way player? Does it date back to High School? College?
I’ve actually been a two-way player since I started playing football. It’s kind of been a gift and a curse, but I love playing on both sides of the ball. In 2006 with Bossier-Shreveport, I played defense and offense when you had to go both ways. This year Coach Hoffman has experimented with me; he knew I played defense before and I was just the emergency guy. In the Tennessee Valley game I ended up playing a little defensive back as well as receiver. It worked out well and he’s been telling me to be ready to be on both sides of the ball the past couple games. I love it either way, as long as I’m playing.
Do you have a preference, Offense or defense?
(Laughs) I don’t have a preference. I’ll play offense and defense. It doesn’t even matter.
Which do you find more challenging?
I would have to say offense is more challenging because you have to know what your offense is doing, you have to know what their defense is doing, and then you also have to focus on catching the ball. At least on defense you know what you’re doing and you can just react to what’s going on on the field.
So do you get more satisfaction from a touchdown, an interception or a sack?
I would have to say I probably get more satisfaction from scoring a touchdown. Everybody wants to score a touchdown, plus you get to dance and show off a little. (Laughs) I actually just got my first sack last week. I didn’t even know it was a sack until after the game was over. I’ll let you know how an interception feels this weekend against Wilkes-Barre.
Tell us what your role is as a “Jack” linebacker?
Well as a Jack linebacker, the rules changed this season. You’re allowed to go side to side so your more involved in the defense instead of just standing in a five by five box. You can go sideline to sideline now and you’re more involved in stopping the passing game as well as the run game.
Back in your LaSalle days, you were the 2004 MAAC player of the year as a quarterback. Why’d you give it up?
Well, I didn’t really give it up. I was given the impression that I’d be able to go further playing receiver and/or defensive back. I probably still could play quarterback. If Coach Hoffman decides to let me give it a try I will. (Laughs) But playing receiver and DB has just been something that I thought would take me further in my career.
Think you could give starting QB Dan Cole a run for his money?
Uh oh! Absolutely not! There’s no quarterback controversy going on here!
You were also a receivers coach for two years at University of Minnesota-Duluth. How did that experience help you out as a player?
It was a great experience. After two years of coaching, you know techniques and the way that your receiver is supposed to go against defensive backs. You know how to handle yourself, your body, and because you drill it into your receivers every day, it naturally is the way you react when you’re out on the field. It’s really helping me out a lot now.
So do you still have the coaching mentality while you’re out there on the field?
Yeah, I actually do. I helped out at camps while I was coaching at Minnesota-Duluth and I used to coach the Offensive Line sometimes. I still go over to some of our linemen now and say ‘I’m sorry, you don’t have to listen to me if you don’t want to, but I do know a little bit about O-line,’ so I find myself coaching all the positions once in a while.
You’ve played Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Linebacker, and Defensive Back during your career. Should we expect any kicking in your future?
(Laughs) Well just last game I had to snap for the field goals. So if I had to kick, I’m always up for the task.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Nah, I really don’t. I feel like I just make sure I do the same thing week to week. If I played well last game, I’ll do whatever I did before that game. I’ll cut my sleeves the same way I cut them the previous week or whatever the case is. So I guess you can say that’s really the only pre-game ritual I have.
Does anyone on the team have anything embarrassing that they do before every game?
Anything embarrassing? I can think of a couple guys but I don’t want to put they’re business out there like that. (Laughs)
Did you play any other sports growing up other than football?
I actually tried to get involved in every sport I could. I played baseball, I played a lot of soccer with my friends, nothing organized though. I actually even got into golf a little bit just this past year. I like it a lot, so after the football season I might have to go out and hit a couple shots and see if I can start moving my career. Maybe I can take on Tiger one day.
Who would you say the best golfer on the team is?
I really don’t know. I haven’t gotten anyone out on the course yet. I’m sure once we get some time off I’ll be able to sneak a couple guys out there and take their money.
What are your favorite sports teams, other than the Conquest of course.
Coming from Philadelphia, I’d be wrong to say any teams other than the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and the Flyers.
Do you model your game after any NFL players, past or present?
You know that’s a funny question. When I was playing quarterback I liked Steve Young and Randall Cunningham. I actually threw like Randall a little bit. My coaches used to tease me about that. As a receiver I try to take a little bit from all the good receivers in the NFL. I like Chad Johnson’s game. I like Randy Moss, and I like to block also as a receiver. So I take over some of the things that bigger, more physical receivers do. Like Hines Ward, he’s a tough guy.
What are your interests or talents off the field? Non-sports related.
Wow, good question. You know people say I can move my ears. (Laughs) I know that’s a little corny, but I can move both of my ears and I can move one at a time too.
Last question. Who is your pick in the NBA Finals: Celtics or Lakers?
That’s a tough one. I just cannot get myself to like the Lakers for whatever reason. I think its cause they beat the Sixers in 2001 or something like that. But that was way back. I would have to say the Celtics.
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The Conquest are home this weekend as they host the 7-2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers on Saturday, June 7th for a 7:00 pm Kick Off at the Times Union Center. The pre-game block party begins at 5:30 pm on South Pearl Street, featuring a live musical performance by Ten Year Vamp. The Conquest are looking for redemption from their Week 8 loss to the Pioneers in Pennsylvania, while the visitors will be looking for their first win in Albany since April 14, 2006. Fans are encouraged to stay after the game for the post-game autograph session on the field with the players before heading over to Broadway Joe’s for the official Conquest Post-Game Party immediately following the game.
Partial season ticket packages and individual game tickets are now on sale for the remainder of the 2008 Albany Conquest regular season. For more information please contact the Conquest at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyconquest.com.
