Post by fwp on Mar 19, 2010 9:32:43 GMT -5
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/18/hell-fix-it-ronnie-simpson-is-way-more-than-your/?sports
If you’re looking for an exciting quarterback with experience in the indoor football game, Ronnie Simpson is your man.
If you’re looking for someone to fix a chip in your windshield, Ronnie Simpson is still your man.
Besides being coach Keith Evans’ choice to lead the Wenatchee Valley Venom offense, Simpson is a mobile pro repair medic for Safelite Auto Glass. And if it weren’t for that job, Simpson might not be in Wenatchee at all.
Simpson began working for Safelite Auto Glass while playing for the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme in the Indoor Football League last year, and transferred to a branch near his home in Southern California after the season. As a result, Simpson was reluctant to let go of his steady job when Evans asked him to bring his game to Wenatchee.
So he didn’t.
“When football season came back around, I was debating whether to play again or keep my job,” says Simpson, a two-year veteran of the indoor game. “It took over a month to get me here.”
What it took was some serious recruiting on Evans’ part, but also a talk with the general manager of the Safelite branches in Washington state. Even though the company has no branches in North Central Washington, it decided to expand to the region by assigning Simpson a company vehicle loaded with all the necessary tools.
“I operate out of my house, and I have my company vehicle,” Simpson says. “It’s working out really well.”
As is his other job.
Simpson is expected to be the Venom’s opening day starting quarterback, and it comes as no surprise considering his résumé so far, which includes an all-conference nod at Division II New Mexico Highlands, a successful rookie season for the AIFA’s New Mexico Wildcats, and a 5-0 record as a starter for Bloomington last year, where his favorite target was former Florida State standout and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Peter Warrick.
“People will come to find out that I’m a quarterback first, but the fact that I can run makes me a dual threat,” Simpson says. “I’m a quarterback that reads defenses pretty well, and that’s what makes me a good indoor quarterback.”
“Ronnie’s just an explosive player,” Evans says. “He could be a franchise player. … Ronnie should definitely be a league MVP candidate.”
Evans is excited to see what Simpson can do with the Venom’s offense.
“I’d be in a lot of trouble if Ronnie wasn’t here,” he says. “Ronnie can get us where we want to be. We definitely have the players, but he is a big piece to the puzzle.”
One of the reasons Simpson came to Wenatchee is that he likes the team Evans and Co. have assembled.
“I think this will be a good opportunity,” Simpson says. “I think (Evans) got some great players to come here. Most of these players could have went other places. (Wide receiver) Phil Goodman will be one of the best I’ll ever play with, and the DBs we got are some of the best in this league.”
Simpson also hopes to catch the eyes of scouts this season.
“I want to get to the CFL, and I think this is going to be the best opportunity for me,” he says. “I can’t play indoor football my whole life. I’m here to get this team a championship, and hopefully move on to the CFL.”
Evans thinks he has a shot.
“With his experience, mobility, and knowledge of the game, he’s going to get a serious look from a CFL team,” Evans says.
If you’re looking for an exciting quarterback with experience in the indoor football game, Ronnie Simpson is your man.
If you’re looking for someone to fix a chip in your windshield, Ronnie Simpson is still your man.
Besides being coach Keith Evans’ choice to lead the Wenatchee Valley Venom offense, Simpson is a mobile pro repair medic for Safelite Auto Glass. And if it weren’t for that job, Simpson might not be in Wenatchee at all.
Simpson began working for Safelite Auto Glass while playing for the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme in the Indoor Football League last year, and transferred to a branch near his home in Southern California after the season. As a result, Simpson was reluctant to let go of his steady job when Evans asked him to bring his game to Wenatchee.
So he didn’t.
“When football season came back around, I was debating whether to play again or keep my job,” says Simpson, a two-year veteran of the indoor game. “It took over a month to get me here.”
What it took was some serious recruiting on Evans’ part, but also a talk with the general manager of the Safelite branches in Washington state. Even though the company has no branches in North Central Washington, it decided to expand to the region by assigning Simpson a company vehicle loaded with all the necessary tools.
“I operate out of my house, and I have my company vehicle,” Simpson says. “It’s working out really well.”
As is his other job.
Simpson is expected to be the Venom’s opening day starting quarterback, and it comes as no surprise considering his résumé so far, which includes an all-conference nod at Division II New Mexico Highlands, a successful rookie season for the AIFA’s New Mexico Wildcats, and a 5-0 record as a starter for Bloomington last year, where his favorite target was former Florida State standout and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Peter Warrick.
“People will come to find out that I’m a quarterback first, but the fact that I can run makes me a dual threat,” Simpson says. “I’m a quarterback that reads defenses pretty well, and that’s what makes me a good indoor quarterback.”
“Ronnie’s just an explosive player,” Evans says. “He could be a franchise player. … Ronnie should definitely be a league MVP candidate.”
Evans is excited to see what Simpson can do with the Venom’s offense.
“I’d be in a lot of trouble if Ronnie wasn’t here,” he says. “Ronnie can get us where we want to be. We definitely have the players, but he is a big piece to the puzzle.”
One of the reasons Simpson came to Wenatchee is that he likes the team Evans and Co. have assembled.
“I think this will be a good opportunity,” Simpson says. “I think (Evans) got some great players to come here. Most of these players could have went other places. (Wide receiver) Phil Goodman will be one of the best I’ll ever play with, and the DBs we got are some of the best in this league.”
Simpson also hopes to catch the eyes of scouts this season.
“I want to get to the CFL, and I think this is going to be the best opportunity for me,” he says. “I can’t play indoor football my whole life. I’m here to get this team a championship, and hopefully move on to the CFL.”
Evans thinks he has a shot.
“With his experience, mobility, and knowledge of the game, he’s going to get a serious look from a CFL team,” Evans says.