Post by 50yardfan on Feb 26, 2012 13:50:13 GMT -5
readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=367448
The seventh edition of the Reading Express is being billed as younger, bigger and faster.
Does that mean better?
The Express will begin to answer that question today when it visits Bloomington, Ill., to face the Bloomington Edge in its Indoor Football League opener at 3:05 p.m.
"We're very excited," first-year coach Mark Steinmeyer said. "We think we put together a very talented football team. I've got a great coaching staff here. We feel with the combination of the two we should be fairly successful this season."
The Express has enjoyed much success during its first six seasons, going 73-27 and reaching the playoffs every year except one. Reading won the 2009 American Indoor Football Association title.
Steinmeyer said that success has helped lure some talented players to Reading as the Express undergoes a major roster overhaul.
Only running back/wide receiver Elliott White returns on offense from a team that went 8-6 last year and won the Atlantic Division title during its first season in the IFL.
The offense and kick return game could focus on Josh Floyd, the 2011 IFL all-purpose yardage leader. He will be joined at wide receiver by T.J. Porter and Dominque Jones. Jones also can be used as a fullback, according to Steinmeyer.
Scranton High grad A.J. McKenna has been tabbed as the starting quarterback for the opener and will be backed up by Ronald Thompson.
"It's a great organization with a lot of history," McKenna said. "You definitely want to be a part of something like that."
Up front, the offensive line will be anchored by center Corey Dowless, who started 42 games in college at East Carolina.
On defense, linebackers Michael Thompson and Mike Dell return for a unit that Steinmeyer said should be much improved.
"Defensively, on paper we look scary," said Steinmeyer, last year's defensive coordinator. "We have speed at every position. We could really be good defensively."
Troy Epps, a member of the University of Florida's 2008 national championship team, will use his speed alternating between the defensive end and linebacker positions.
Florida International product Marquis Rolle highlights a group of defensive backs in a totally revamped secondary.
The kicking game will be handled by Erik Rockhold, the only remaining member of the Express' first team in 2006.
"We have some talent," Steinmeyer said. "We're excited about the people that we have here."
Bloomington enters the game 0-1 after losing its opener on the road to Chicago 50-34 last Sunday.
"Any time you play a team that has a game under their belt already, it's difficult because there's always a big improvement from Game 1 to Game 2," Steinmeyer said. "Even though they got beat, I'm expecting a real good football team out there."
The Express will face Green Bay its home opener in the Sovereign Center Friday at 7 p.m.
The seventh edition of the Reading Express is being billed as younger, bigger and faster.
Does that mean better?
The Express will begin to answer that question today when it visits Bloomington, Ill., to face the Bloomington Edge in its Indoor Football League opener at 3:05 p.m.
"We're very excited," first-year coach Mark Steinmeyer said. "We think we put together a very talented football team. I've got a great coaching staff here. We feel with the combination of the two we should be fairly successful this season."
The Express has enjoyed much success during its first six seasons, going 73-27 and reaching the playoffs every year except one. Reading won the 2009 American Indoor Football Association title.
Steinmeyer said that success has helped lure some talented players to Reading as the Express undergoes a major roster overhaul.
Only running back/wide receiver Elliott White returns on offense from a team that went 8-6 last year and won the Atlantic Division title during its first season in the IFL.
The offense and kick return game could focus on Josh Floyd, the 2011 IFL all-purpose yardage leader. He will be joined at wide receiver by T.J. Porter and Dominque Jones. Jones also can be used as a fullback, according to Steinmeyer.
Scranton High grad A.J. McKenna has been tabbed as the starting quarterback for the opener and will be backed up by Ronald Thompson.
"It's a great organization with a lot of history," McKenna said. "You definitely want to be a part of something like that."
Up front, the offensive line will be anchored by center Corey Dowless, who started 42 games in college at East Carolina.
On defense, linebackers Michael Thompson and Mike Dell return for a unit that Steinmeyer said should be much improved.
"Defensively, on paper we look scary," said Steinmeyer, last year's defensive coordinator. "We have speed at every position. We could really be good defensively."
Troy Epps, a member of the University of Florida's 2008 national championship team, will use his speed alternating between the defensive end and linebacker positions.
Florida International product Marquis Rolle highlights a group of defensive backs in a totally revamped secondary.
The kicking game will be handled by Erik Rockhold, the only remaining member of the Express' first team in 2006.
"We have some talent," Steinmeyer said. "We're excited about the people that we have here."
Bloomington enters the game 0-1 after losing its opener on the road to Chicago 50-34 last Sunday.
"Any time you play a team that has a game under their belt already, it's difficult because there's always a big improvement from Game 1 to Game 2," Steinmeyer said. "Even though they got beat, I'm expecting a real good football team out there."
The Express will face Green Bay its home opener in the Sovereign Center Friday at 7 p.m.