Post by 50yardfan on Feb 24, 2012 22:58:48 GMT -5
Season begins Sunday at New Mexico
www.reporterherald.com/loveland-sports/ci_20031740
The jump last season was remarkable. The Colorado Ice went from a 2-10 outcast in 2010 to an 11-3 campaign that led to the Mountain West Division title and the overall top seed out of the Indoor Football League's Intense Conference.
But it wasn't enough, and first year head coach Heron O'Neal said it will always be that way for him as the season kicks off Sunday on the road at New Mexico (3 p.m.)
"My goal every year is to win a championship," said O'Neal, who was the team's defensive coordinator a year ago. "That's my first goal. Second goal is to win the conference. If we do that, you pretty much have home field at least up until the championship, if not the championship. We take it week by week from there. I don't come all the way from Chicago to go to the first round. I come in and win the championship. That's what I want to do, and my players have the same mindset."
He takes over for Collins Sanders, who moves into the front office after being the Ice's only head coach prior. O'Neal will take over the play-calling duties this year, as he did in Billings when he won three league championships. He brings with him a different approach, one that third-year quarterback David Knighton is ready to implement.
After completing 58 percent of his passes in 2011 for 2,038 yards and 38 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, Knighton believes the offense will not only be more potent, but more consistent.
"I think you'll get all of that," said Knighton, who had an early start on the new playbook by meeting with O'Neal often in the offseason. "I definitely believe we'll be more explosive from the fact that O (O'Neal) is going to go for it. He's an aggressive coach, and I'd like to think we're aggressive players as well, so we're going to back him. We've got explosive players who can make the big play. I've just got to get them the ball."
While roster turnover is commonplace in the IFL, Knighton said the learning curve was aided by the fact the core of his receivers is still intact. Duane Brooks is coming off a 48-catch season, and Kenneth Witter returns after leading the Ice with 11 scoring catches. O'Neal thinks both Brooks and Knighton are ready to take their games to the next level.
The biggest change on the team -- literally -- is across the defensive line. Both fronts have undergone sweeping changes, but the defensive line will most certainly be bigger to fit O'Neal's style.
New Mexico is a new addition to the IFL, which means the Ice have little info on what awaits them. O'Neal knows Stars coach Chris Williams could come with anything, so the Ice have had long practices to be prepared for everything.
Ice defensive back Idly Etienne, who returns after leading the team with 94 stops last year, said what the team anticipates most of all is getting the season started.
"Football is going to be football, and we're excited to go out there," said Etienne, who intercepted three passes in 2011. "Whatever they come with, we've got something for it. The biggest task we have to do is win our first game on the road. We win that first game and come home and defend our home, we'll be ready to go. It's definitely a big game, going on the road."
The IFL is down to 16 teams (a drop of six), now split evenly in two conferences. The Ice remain in the Intense, but will not play every team. Half of their schedule will be spent facing the Stars (three times) and Wyoming (four games), but they won't play Wichita.
www.reporterherald.com/loveland-sports/ci_20031740
The jump last season was remarkable. The Colorado Ice went from a 2-10 outcast in 2010 to an 11-3 campaign that led to the Mountain West Division title and the overall top seed out of the Indoor Football League's Intense Conference.
But it wasn't enough, and first year head coach Heron O'Neal said it will always be that way for him as the season kicks off Sunday on the road at New Mexico (3 p.m.)
"My goal every year is to win a championship," said O'Neal, who was the team's defensive coordinator a year ago. "That's my first goal. Second goal is to win the conference. If we do that, you pretty much have home field at least up until the championship, if not the championship. We take it week by week from there. I don't come all the way from Chicago to go to the first round. I come in and win the championship. That's what I want to do, and my players have the same mindset."
He takes over for Collins Sanders, who moves into the front office after being the Ice's only head coach prior. O'Neal will take over the play-calling duties this year, as he did in Billings when he won three league championships. He brings with him a different approach, one that third-year quarterback David Knighton is ready to implement.
After completing 58 percent of his passes in 2011 for 2,038 yards and 38 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, Knighton believes the offense will not only be more potent, but more consistent.
"I think you'll get all of that," said Knighton, who had an early start on the new playbook by meeting with O'Neal often in the offseason. "I definitely believe we'll be more explosive from the fact that O (O'Neal) is going to go for it. He's an aggressive coach, and I'd like to think we're aggressive players as well, so we're going to back him. We've got explosive players who can make the big play. I've just got to get them the ball."
While roster turnover is commonplace in the IFL, Knighton said the learning curve was aided by the fact the core of his receivers is still intact. Duane Brooks is coming off a 48-catch season, and Kenneth Witter returns after leading the Ice with 11 scoring catches. O'Neal thinks both Brooks and Knighton are ready to take their games to the next level.
The biggest change on the team -- literally -- is across the defensive line. Both fronts have undergone sweeping changes, but the defensive line will most certainly be bigger to fit O'Neal's style.
New Mexico is a new addition to the IFL, which means the Ice have little info on what awaits them. O'Neal knows Stars coach Chris Williams could come with anything, so the Ice have had long practices to be prepared for everything.
Ice defensive back Idly Etienne, who returns after leading the team with 94 stops last year, said what the team anticipates most of all is getting the season started.
"Football is going to be football, and we're excited to go out there," said Etienne, who intercepted three passes in 2011. "Whatever they come with, we've got something for it. The biggest task we have to do is win our first game on the road. We win that first game and come home and defend our home, we'll be ready to go. It's definitely a big game, going on the road."
The IFL is down to 16 teams (a drop of six), now split evenly in two conferences. The Ice remain in the Intense, but will not play every team. Half of their schedule will be spent facing the Stars (three times) and Wyoming (four games), but they won't play Wichita.