Post by fwp on Mar 6, 2010 9:18:30 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_20534820-28c5-11df-aba7-001cc4c002e0.html
BLOOMINGTON -- The Bloomington Extreme is battling a bit of uncertainty as the Indoor Football League season begins.
The franchise's fifth season begins Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum with a 7 p.m. contest against the expansion Richmond Revolution, a team that is somewhat of a mystery to coach Kenton Carr.
"One advantage we have is they haven't played in this league yet," said Carr. "Otherwise, we don't know much about them. We've just got to be prepared for anything really."
Former Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall and versatile offensive threat Rodney Landers, who played QB at James Madison, will lead the offense for the Revolution and first-year head coach Steve Criswell. The Extreme coaching staff has been focusing on ways to contain Randall, who led the Hokies to the 2005 Sugar Bowl, and holds the Virginia Tech career records for total yards (8,034), passing yards (6,508) and passing touchdowns (48).
Extreme defensive lineman Quince Holman believes his unit has the athleticism to meet the challenge.
"We're ready to go. We look really good for a defense that's only been together for less than two weeks," said Holman. "Everybody's close to being evenly matched as far as athletic ability."
Randall has some NFL experience, playing on practice squads for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spending one preseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a member of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he served as a backup to former Illinois State star Kevin Glenn.
Richmond also features former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Zuriel Smith and reigning IFL special teams player of the year Demarcus James, who set a league record with 206 kick return yards against the Extreme last season while playing for the Alaska Wild. Despite not having played, the Extreme stands in first place by a half-game in the Central North Division -- both Chicago and La Crosse lost their openers, while Green Bay also opens its season Saturday.
Former Redbird standout Luke Drone will start at quarterback for Bloomington, which went 10-4 in the regular season last year before losing its playoff opener to the Wichita Wild. Drone and the Extreme are eager to get the season started.
"I think everybody's ready to get on the field, see some fans in the stands and go hit somebody else with a different color uniform," said Drone, who will make his Extreme debut after spending one season with the Peoria Pirates of arenafootball2. "We're ready to go have some fun."
Richmond at Extreme
Time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com
BLOOMINGTON -- The Bloomington Extreme is battling a bit of uncertainty as the Indoor Football League season begins.
The franchise's fifth season begins Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum with a 7 p.m. contest against the expansion Richmond Revolution, a team that is somewhat of a mystery to coach Kenton Carr.
"One advantage we have is they haven't played in this league yet," said Carr. "Otherwise, we don't know much about them. We've just got to be prepared for anything really."
Former Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall and versatile offensive threat Rodney Landers, who played QB at James Madison, will lead the offense for the Revolution and first-year head coach Steve Criswell. The Extreme coaching staff has been focusing on ways to contain Randall, who led the Hokies to the 2005 Sugar Bowl, and holds the Virginia Tech career records for total yards (8,034), passing yards (6,508) and passing touchdowns (48).
Extreme defensive lineman Quince Holman believes his unit has the athleticism to meet the challenge.
"We're ready to go. We look really good for a defense that's only been together for less than two weeks," said Holman. "Everybody's close to being evenly matched as far as athletic ability."
Randall has some NFL experience, playing on practice squads for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spending one preseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a member of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he served as a backup to former Illinois State star Kevin Glenn.
Richmond also features former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Zuriel Smith and reigning IFL special teams player of the year Demarcus James, who set a league record with 206 kick return yards against the Extreme last season while playing for the Alaska Wild. Despite not having played, the Extreme stands in first place by a half-game in the Central North Division -- both Chicago and La Crosse lost their openers, while Green Bay also opens its season Saturday.
Former Redbird standout Luke Drone will start at quarterback for Bloomington, which went 10-4 in the regular season last year before losing its playoff opener to the Wichita Wild. Drone and the Extreme are eager to get the season started.
"I think everybody's ready to get on the field, see some fans in the stands and go hit somebody else with a different color uniform," said Drone, who will make his Extreme debut after spending one season with the Peoria Pirates of arenafootball2. "We're ready to go have some fun."
Richmond at Extreme
Time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: wjbc.com