Post by 50yardfan on Feb 24, 2012 23:10:35 GMT -5
Steinmeyer picks McKenna to start at QB for Express
readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=367044
The Reading Express has chosen a quarterback to engineer the offense for Sunday's Indoor Football League opener in Bloomington, Ill.
Scranton High grad A.J. McKenna has been chosen to start in the Express' seventh season opener, said first-year coach Mark Steinmeyer.
The Express will play the Edge at 3:05 p.m. Sunday in the Bloomington Coliseum.
McKenna played college football at Albany (Ga.) State and spent half of last season with the Albany (Ga.) Panthers in the Southern Indoor Football League.
McKenna also was invited to an NFL minicamp by the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
"He's very talented," Steinmeyer said. "Any time you get a chance to go to camp with the New Orleans Saints for minicamp you have to have talent."
Ronald Thompson, acquired in a trade with Lehigh Valley, will be the backup.
Brandon Kirsch, the Cedar Crest High and Purdue product who was on the preseason roster, has decided not to play for personal reasons, Steinmeyer said.
Still, Steinmeyer is satisified with the quarterback position as the Express seeks to find a replacement for one-year starter Chris Malleo.
"Both of those guys are really athletic, making good reads and picking up the offense," Steinmeyer said. "Both have strong arms. We're excited."
McKenna also is excited to be with the Express and give indoor football another try.
"Coach Steinmeyer and this organization changed my perspective on the indoor game," McKenna said. "I'm just happy to be here and get to work.
"It's a great organization. They've got a lot of tradition here. It's close to home so family and friends can come see me play. It's just a great opportunity with a great organization."
McKenna was known for having a strong arm and was listed as a possible late-round draft choice in 2010 by some experts. After going undrafted, he signed with the Saints as a free agent.
McKenna's high school career was slowed by a broken leg his junior season. After throwing for 1,800 yards at Scranton in 2005, he went on to lead Lackawanna Junior College to a junior college national title.
McKenna hopes to continue in the line of successful Express quarterbacks that included Tom Stetzer, 2009 American Indoor Football Association MVP Rob Flowers and Malleo.
"I'm definitely excited," McKenna said. "Whenever you commit to something you want to be 100 percent into it. I'm happy to be here; I'm happy with the guys we have on the team."
In six seasons, the Express has gone 73-27, winning five division titles, two conference championships and the 2009 AIFA title.
After going 8-6 last season and winning the Atlantic Division title during its first year in the IFL, the Express underwent its biggest offseason roster overhaul.
Steinmeyer said the Express will announce its 25-man roster this week, prior to the league mandated 48 hours before the opener. Twenty-one players will dress for each game.
The Express will play its first home game in the Sovereign Center March 2 at 7 p.m. against the Green Bay Blizzard.
readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=367044
The Reading Express has chosen a quarterback to engineer the offense for Sunday's Indoor Football League opener in Bloomington, Ill.
Scranton High grad A.J. McKenna has been chosen to start in the Express' seventh season opener, said first-year coach Mark Steinmeyer.
The Express will play the Edge at 3:05 p.m. Sunday in the Bloomington Coliseum.
McKenna played college football at Albany (Ga.) State and spent half of last season with the Albany (Ga.) Panthers in the Southern Indoor Football League.
McKenna also was invited to an NFL minicamp by the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
"He's very talented," Steinmeyer said. "Any time you get a chance to go to camp with the New Orleans Saints for minicamp you have to have talent."
Ronald Thompson, acquired in a trade with Lehigh Valley, will be the backup.
Brandon Kirsch, the Cedar Crest High and Purdue product who was on the preseason roster, has decided not to play for personal reasons, Steinmeyer said.
Still, Steinmeyer is satisified with the quarterback position as the Express seeks to find a replacement for one-year starter Chris Malleo.
"Both of those guys are really athletic, making good reads and picking up the offense," Steinmeyer said. "Both have strong arms. We're excited."
McKenna also is excited to be with the Express and give indoor football another try.
"Coach Steinmeyer and this organization changed my perspective on the indoor game," McKenna said. "I'm just happy to be here and get to work.
"It's a great organization. They've got a lot of tradition here. It's close to home so family and friends can come see me play. It's just a great opportunity with a great organization."
McKenna was known for having a strong arm and was listed as a possible late-round draft choice in 2010 by some experts. After going undrafted, he signed with the Saints as a free agent.
McKenna's high school career was slowed by a broken leg his junior season. After throwing for 1,800 yards at Scranton in 2005, he went on to lead Lackawanna Junior College to a junior college national title.
McKenna hopes to continue in the line of successful Express quarterbacks that included Tom Stetzer, 2009 American Indoor Football Association MVP Rob Flowers and Malleo.
"I'm definitely excited," McKenna said. "Whenever you commit to something you want to be 100 percent into it. I'm happy to be here; I'm happy with the guys we have on the team."
In six seasons, the Express has gone 73-27, winning five division titles, two conference championships and the 2009 AIFA title.
After going 8-6 last season and winning the Atlantic Division title during its first year in the IFL, the Express underwent its biggest offseason roster overhaul.
Steinmeyer said the Express will announce its 25-man roster this week, prior to the league mandated 48 hours before the opener. Twenty-one players will dress for each game.
The Express will play its first home game in the Sovereign Center March 2 at 7 p.m. against the Green Bay Blizzard.