Post by fwp on Mar 7, 2010 9:41:05 GMT -5
www.albanyherald.com/sports/headlines/86737707.html
ALBANY — Thirteen candidates tried out for two open roster spots on the Albany Panthers’ arena football team on Saturday on Albany State’s practice field.
“It went well,” Panthers GM Will Carter said. “We had advertised less than a month out, so it was a decent turnout.”
And it appears, as of Saturday, that two leading candidates are receivers with Southwest Georgia and SIAC ties. Former Albany State player Antonio Ivey of Thomasville and former Fort Valley State player Antwontis Cutts of Americus are high on Panthers coach Lucious Davis’ list.
“They were both impressive, have good size and I feel they are possible players,” said Davis, who was the defensive coordinator of the now-defunct South Georgia Wildcats last year. “We will just analyze things and figure out which players best fit into our system.”
Davis added the official announcements of who made the roster could come by Tuesday, and the team begins minicamp Saturday with full-time camp starting March 16. The Panthers’ first game is April 3 against the Columbus Lions at the Albany Civic Center.
Among the other players who tried out were former Monroe standout Justin Smith and ex-Dougherty standout Derrick Mathis. Smith, who was named the state defensive player of the year in 2006, likes the possibility of playing for the Panthers.
“I made the Wildcats’ team last year but the roster was full so they had me on the main reserve,” said Smith, who is trying out for linebacker after being a defensive tackle at Monroe. “It would be very exciting to be on this team and play in front of family and friends.”
Mathis, who played outside linebacker at Dougherty, has played for Americus’ South Georgia Stars, a semi-pro team, the past two years. On Saturday, he tried out for cornerback/receiver.
“It’d be a dream come true to play closer to home,” Mathis said. “I’m doing my best to make something happen.”
There is more urgency than pressure to fill those two spots, considering more than two tried out.
“Our job is to bring in the best athletes and best talent,” Carter said. “Our goal is to win football games.”
ALBANY — Thirteen candidates tried out for two open roster spots on the Albany Panthers’ arena football team on Saturday on Albany State’s practice field.
“It went well,” Panthers GM Will Carter said. “We had advertised less than a month out, so it was a decent turnout.”
And it appears, as of Saturday, that two leading candidates are receivers with Southwest Georgia and SIAC ties. Former Albany State player Antonio Ivey of Thomasville and former Fort Valley State player Antwontis Cutts of Americus are high on Panthers coach Lucious Davis’ list.
“They were both impressive, have good size and I feel they are possible players,” said Davis, who was the defensive coordinator of the now-defunct South Georgia Wildcats last year. “We will just analyze things and figure out which players best fit into our system.”
Davis added the official announcements of who made the roster could come by Tuesday, and the team begins minicamp Saturday with full-time camp starting March 16. The Panthers’ first game is April 3 against the Columbus Lions at the Albany Civic Center.
Among the other players who tried out were former Monroe standout Justin Smith and ex-Dougherty standout Derrick Mathis. Smith, who was named the state defensive player of the year in 2006, likes the possibility of playing for the Panthers.
“I made the Wildcats’ team last year but the roster was full so they had me on the main reserve,” said Smith, who is trying out for linebacker after being a defensive tackle at Monroe. “It would be very exciting to be on this team and play in front of family and friends.”
Mathis, who played outside linebacker at Dougherty, has played for Americus’ South Georgia Stars, a semi-pro team, the past two years. On Saturday, he tried out for cornerback/receiver.
“It’d be a dream come true to play closer to home,” Mathis said. “I’m doing my best to make something happen.”
There is more urgency than pressure to fill those two spots, considering more than two tried out.
“Our job is to bring in the best athletes and best talent,” Carter said. “Our goal is to win football games.”