Post by 50yardfan on Feb 26, 2012 13:28:32 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/edge/veterans-leading-edge-into-home-debut/article_d6b6d65e-5fff-11e1-abec-0019bb2963f4.html
BLOOMINGTON — Veteran defenders James Temple and Quince Holman each played in a franchise-best 63 games for the Bloomington Extreme.
The nickname “Edge” now appears on their uniforms, but Temple and Holman are back for another home opener at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
“This environment right here is great,” Temple said ahead of Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. Indoor Football League game against the Reading Express. “I never even thought about playing someplace else; I love it here. This community supports us and the players know that. We’ve got something to play for.”
The Edge are looking to bounce back after a season-opening 54-30 loss at Chicago last Sunday. Coach Kenton Carr said offensive miscues and a lack of physicality on defense resulted in the defeat.
“Offensively we killed ourselves. It wasn’t them that beat us at all,” said Carr, noting several botched snaps and turnovers thwarted drives. “On defense, we’ve got some work to do.
“We just weren’t physical at all. I didn’t expect that; it’s not the type of defense I want. I want physical guys and we’ll make changes as needed to get those guys in here.”
The return of Holman, who was unavailable for the Chicago game, should bolster the veteran defensive line of Antonio Ficklin, Jon Kowalyshen and Jeff Sobol after the Edge failed to record a sack against Slaughter quarterback Perry Patterson.
“If guys up front defensively don’t get in shape and play better next week, they’re going to be sitting the bench,” said Carr. “We’ve got to have guys that are conditioned to play in the fourth quarter.”
After scoring a touchdown on the game’s first possession, the Edge offense failed to maintain its rhythm.
“We want to show how explosive of an offense we are,” said receiver Ricardo Lenhart, who caught two of Dusty Burk’s four touchdown passes. “We feel we can average at least 60 points a game. We want to show the home crowd that we can start strong and finish strong and come out with a ‘W.’”
Reading’s Mark Steinmeyer will be making his head coaching debut after spending five seasons on the Express staff, the two last years as defensive coordinator. Quarterback A.J. McKenna participated in minicamp with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
“He’s a big quarterback at 6-3, 240 and he can run and throw,” said Carr. “But that’s the type of league this is; there’s no dogs.”
Temple expects the team will rise to the occasion in front of the home crowd.
“The emotion is going to be there so it’s going to be fun,” he said. “We’re going to be up for it and the fans are going to come out and support us, they always do. We’ve just got to execute.”
Promotions: The first 2,500 fans will receive Edge magnetic schedules, sponsored by Heller Stores. Also, as part of Heller Stores Family Day, fans can get a seat in the sideline sections (regularly $15), a hot dog, chips and a drink for $10.
Home opener
Reading at Edge
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com
Roster
Here are the Bloomington Edge players and coaches for today’s IFL home opener at U.S. Cellular Coliseum:
Head coach: Kenton Carr. Assistants: Ted Schmitz, John Johnson, Frank West, Brian Thomas, Nick Ruud, Jim Meyer, Mike Lawrence.
Quarterbacks: Dusty Burk, Charles Dowdell
Running backs: Andre Raymond, Kevin Marshall (inactive)
Wide receivers: John Cooper, Ricardo Lenhart, Brandon Walker-Roby, Deion Whiteside
Offensive line: Ray Krishock, Keenan Wimbley, Jason Townson, Brandon Ford (inactive), Aric Flowers (IR)
Defensive line: Jon Kowalyshen, Antonio Ficklin, Jeff Sobol, Quince Holman
Linebackers: Ray Michel, Ameer Ismail (inactive)
Defensive backs: Brandon Mosley, James Temple, Eric Gray, Rashad Haynes, Antonio Dishman, Mario Russell (inactive)
Kicker: Pete Christofilakos
BLOOMINGTON — Veteran defenders James Temple and Quince Holman each played in a franchise-best 63 games for the Bloomington Extreme.
The nickname “Edge” now appears on their uniforms, but Temple and Holman are back for another home opener at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
“This environment right here is great,” Temple said ahead of Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. Indoor Football League game against the Reading Express. “I never even thought about playing someplace else; I love it here. This community supports us and the players know that. We’ve got something to play for.”
The Edge are looking to bounce back after a season-opening 54-30 loss at Chicago last Sunday. Coach Kenton Carr said offensive miscues and a lack of physicality on defense resulted in the defeat.
“Offensively we killed ourselves. It wasn’t them that beat us at all,” said Carr, noting several botched snaps and turnovers thwarted drives. “On defense, we’ve got some work to do.
“We just weren’t physical at all. I didn’t expect that; it’s not the type of defense I want. I want physical guys and we’ll make changes as needed to get those guys in here.”
The return of Holman, who was unavailable for the Chicago game, should bolster the veteran defensive line of Antonio Ficklin, Jon Kowalyshen and Jeff Sobol after the Edge failed to record a sack against Slaughter quarterback Perry Patterson.
“If guys up front defensively don’t get in shape and play better next week, they’re going to be sitting the bench,” said Carr. “We’ve got to have guys that are conditioned to play in the fourth quarter.”
After scoring a touchdown on the game’s first possession, the Edge offense failed to maintain its rhythm.
“We want to show how explosive of an offense we are,” said receiver Ricardo Lenhart, who caught two of Dusty Burk’s four touchdown passes. “We feel we can average at least 60 points a game. We want to show the home crowd that we can start strong and finish strong and come out with a ‘W.’”
Reading’s Mark Steinmeyer will be making his head coaching debut after spending five seasons on the Express staff, the two last years as defensive coordinator. Quarterback A.J. McKenna participated in minicamp with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
“He’s a big quarterback at 6-3, 240 and he can run and throw,” said Carr. “But that’s the type of league this is; there’s no dogs.”
Temple expects the team will rise to the occasion in front of the home crowd.
“The emotion is going to be there so it’s going to be fun,” he said. “We’re going to be up for it and the fans are going to come out and support us, they always do. We’ve just got to execute.”
Promotions: The first 2,500 fans will receive Edge magnetic schedules, sponsored by Heller Stores. Also, as part of Heller Stores Family Day, fans can get a seat in the sideline sections (regularly $15), a hot dog, chips and a drink for $10.
Home opener
Reading at Edge
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com
Roster
Here are the Bloomington Edge players and coaches for today’s IFL home opener at U.S. Cellular Coliseum:
Head coach: Kenton Carr. Assistants: Ted Schmitz, John Johnson, Frank West, Brian Thomas, Nick Ruud, Jim Meyer, Mike Lawrence.
Quarterbacks: Dusty Burk, Charles Dowdell
Running backs: Andre Raymond, Kevin Marshall (inactive)
Wide receivers: John Cooper, Ricardo Lenhart, Brandon Walker-Roby, Deion Whiteside
Offensive line: Ray Krishock, Keenan Wimbley, Jason Townson, Brandon Ford (inactive), Aric Flowers (IR)
Defensive line: Jon Kowalyshen, Antonio Ficklin, Jeff Sobol, Quince Holman
Linebackers: Ray Michel, Ameer Ismail (inactive)
Defensive backs: Brandon Mosley, James Temple, Eric Gray, Rashad Haynes, Antonio Dishman, Mario Russell (inactive)
Kicker: Pete Christofilakos