Post by 50yardfan on Feb 19, 2012 15:10:35 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/edge/edge-to-begin-new-era-in-season-opener-at-chicago/article_4e18721c-5a7d-11e1-b9a0-001871e3ce6c.html
BLOOMINGTON — Meet the new team, same as the old team? Not quite, but it sure bears a resemblance — including the red, white and blue color scheme.
The Bloomington Edge will feature many familiar faces Sunday when the franchise begins the next era of indoor football in the Twin Cities. The Indoor Football League’s Kickoff Classic pits the Edge against the Chicago Slaughter in a 2:05 p.m. game at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
“I think we’ve got more talent than we had last year,” said reigning IFL defensive player of the year Antonio Ficklin, one of 10 members of last season’s Extreme team on the Edge’s opening day roster.
“Everybody’s humble, poised and ready to get the season going. If we keep that poise and everybody stays together and stays a family like we’ve been, then I think we’ll end up winning the ring.”
In addition to the holdovers from last season, Bloomington has brought back two key figures from the Extreme’s run to the 2008 United Bowl. Edge coach Kenton Carr returns to the helm after guiding the Extreme from 2007-09, while franchise passing leader Dusty Burk will be back in action for the first time in three years.
“I’m excited about the team. I think we’ve got some talented rookies and key veterans,” said Carr. “Everybody’s been sharp. We had guys really getting after it last week and you love to see that in camp.”
Ficklin, who was credited with 15½ sacks last season, will be joined on the defensive line by returnee Jeff Sobol and newcomer Jon Kowalyshen, who played the past two seasons with Chicago. Ty Myers will start at linebacker with returning starters Mike McGee and James Temple anchoring the secondary.
“I know a lot of people are going to be keying on me. I know what I’ve got to do, and that’s just do my job,” said Ficklin. “We’ve all got the same goal and it’s simple: whoever’s got the ball, make sure he doesn’t want the ball anymore.”
Burk is expected to start but Carr said backup Charles Dowdell is likely to take a fair share of snaps.
“He’s electrifying; he can run and he can throw. He’s a good, young quarterback still learning the indoor game but he’s going to be outstanding eventually,”
Returnees Brandon Walker-Roby and John Cooper head the list of receiving targets. Running back Andre Raymond will work behind an offensive line of Ray Krishock, Jason Townson and Keenan Wimbley.
“I feel like we have a great group of guys who are team-oriented first,” said Cooper, who noted the team’s continuity despite management changes and the new team name. “It’s just really exciting to be back around a core group of guys.”
The Steve McMichael-coached Slaughter boast a double-threat quarterback tandem of former University of Illinois speedster Juice Williams and strong-armed Syracuse product Perry Patterson.
“We’ve got to prepare for both quarterbacks; one’s more of a throwing quarterback and one’s more of a runner,” said Carr. “I know they’re struggling a little bit defensively so I’d like to say we can move the ball, especially since we have a veteran quarterback.”
Edge opener
Edge at Chicago
Time: 2:05 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com
BLOOMINGTON — Meet the new team, same as the old team? Not quite, but it sure bears a resemblance — including the red, white and blue color scheme.
The Bloomington Edge will feature many familiar faces Sunday when the franchise begins the next era of indoor football in the Twin Cities. The Indoor Football League’s Kickoff Classic pits the Edge against the Chicago Slaughter in a 2:05 p.m. game at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
“I think we’ve got more talent than we had last year,” said reigning IFL defensive player of the year Antonio Ficklin, one of 10 members of last season’s Extreme team on the Edge’s opening day roster.
“Everybody’s humble, poised and ready to get the season going. If we keep that poise and everybody stays together and stays a family like we’ve been, then I think we’ll end up winning the ring.”
In addition to the holdovers from last season, Bloomington has brought back two key figures from the Extreme’s run to the 2008 United Bowl. Edge coach Kenton Carr returns to the helm after guiding the Extreme from 2007-09, while franchise passing leader Dusty Burk will be back in action for the first time in three years.
“I’m excited about the team. I think we’ve got some talented rookies and key veterans,” said Carr. “Everybody’s been sharp. We had guys really getting after it last week and you love to see that in camp.”
Ficklin, who was credited with 15½ sacks last season, will be joined on the defensive line by returnee Jeff Sobol and newcomer Jon Kowalyshen, who played the past two seasons with Chicago. Ty Myers will start at linebacker with returning starters Mike McGee and James Temple anchoring the secondary.
“I know a lot of people are going to be keying on me. I know what I’ve got to do, and that’s just do my job,” said Ficklin. “We’ve all got the same goal and it’s simple: whoever’s got the ball, make sure he doesn’t want the ball anymore.”
Burk is expected to start but Carr said backup Charles Dowdell is likely to take a fair share of snaps.
“He’s electrifying; he can run and he can throw. He’s a good, young quarterback still learning the indoor game but he’s going to be outstanding eventually,”
Returnees Brandon Walker-Roby and John Cooper head the list of receiving targets. Running back Andre Raymond will work behind an offensive line of Ray Krishock, Jason Townson and Keenan Wimbley.
“I feel like we have a great group of guys who are team-oriented first,” said Cooper, who noted the team’s continuity despite management changes and the new team name. “It’s just really exciting to be back around a core group of guys.”
The Steve McMichael-coached Slaughter boast a double-threat quarterback tandem of former University of Illinois speedster Juice Williams and strong-armed Syracuse product Perry Patterson.
“We’ve got to prepare for both quarterbacks; one’s more of a throwing quarterback and one’s more of a runner,” said Carr. “I know they’re struggling a little bit defensively so I’d like to say we can move the ball, especially since we have a veteran quarterback.”
Edge opener
Edge at Chicago
Time: 2:05 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com