Post by fwp on Mar 19, 2010 12:25:10 GMT -5
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/18/taking-it-dishing-it-out-former-delaware-st-and/?sports
In the pass-happy game of indoor football, a lot of emphasis is put on the guys who can catch the ball. As a result, it’s just as important to have players who can keep the ball from being completed.
The Venom’s coaching staff knows this, and that’s why it put together the dynamic duo of cornerback Kofi Amoah and safety Ruschard Dodd-Masters to lead its secondary.
“It’s a passing game, so everything in my defense is designed to help the secondary,” Venom defensive coordinator Brian Smith says. “With Kofi and Ruschard, their style of play is exactly what I’m looking for — they have the intelligence and violence to play defense. It’s like having coaches on the field.”
“If you don’t have a good secondary, you don’t have a good team,” says Amoah. “Everything starts from the secondary on the defensive side of the ball. As long as you can defend the pass, that’s the game.”
A lot is expected of Amoah, a three-year pro out of Delaware State University, who has the distinction of being the first player ever signed by the Venom. And no one may expect more out of Amoah than himself.
“I’m competing with myself, trying to make myself better and take my game to the next level,” he says.
“(Amoah) is a man of character. He works hard to perfect his craft, and he’s coachable,” Smith says. “That transfers on the field.”
Amoah isn’t short on confidence, either. When asked what fans will see when he’s on the field, he replied, “Excitement, non-stop eye-popping plays, and a lot of ‘wows.’”
As for Dodd-Masters, a four-year veteran from UNLV, the Venom have an experienced football mind.
“He knows the game,” Smith says. “He has a good understanding as far as spacing and taking the opportunities that the offense gives you.”
Amoah says his and Dodd-Masters’ playing styles complement each other.
“The way we play is totally different, but with the same mentality,” Amoah says. “I feel like I’m the best corner in the league, and he feels he’s the best safety in the league. It feels good to play with somebody like that.
“I’m more of a ball hawk, and I read the quarterback well. He’s more of an aggressive defensive back. He’s trying to shut down the route, and I’ll let the route develop and close down on the ball.”
Amoah is excited about playing under Smith.
“(Smith) has a real consistent philosophy, which is that the defense is always in attack,” Amoah says. “You’re attacking, constantly on the move. It’s not a wait-and-catch defense.”
In the pass-happy game of indoor football, a lot of emphasis is put on the guys who can catch the ball. As a result, it’s just as important to have players who can keep the ball from being completed.
The Venom’s coaching staff knows this, and that’s why it put together the dynamic duo of cornerback Kofi Amoah and safety Ruschard Dodd-Masters to lead its secondary.
“It’s a passing game, so everything in my defense is designed to help the secondary,” Venom defensive coordinator Brian Smith says. “With Kofi and Ruschard, their style of play is exactly what I’m looking for — they have the intelligence and violence to play defense. It’s like having coaches on the field.”
“If you don’t have a good secondary, you don’t have a good team,” says Amoah. “Everything starts from the secondary on the defensive side of the ball. As long as you can defend the pass, that’s the game.”
A lot is expected of Amoah, a three-year pro out of Delaware State University, who has the distinction of being the first player ever signed by the Venom. And no one may expect more out of Amoah than himself.
“I’m competing with myself, trying to make myself better and take my game to the next level,” he says.
“(Amoah) is a man of character. He works hard to perfect his craft, and he’s coachable,” Smith says. “That transfers on the field.”
Amoah isn’t short on confidence, either. When asked what fans will see when he’s on the field, he replied, “Excitement, non-stop eye-popping plays, and a lot of ‘wows.’”
As for Dodd-Masters, a four-year veteran from UNLV, the Venom have an experienced football mind.
“He knows the game,” Smith says. “He has a good understanding as far as spacing and taking the opportunities that the offense gives you.”
Amoah says his and Dodd-Masters’ playing styles complement each other.
“The way we play is totally different, but with the same mentality,” Amoah says. “I feel like I’m the best corner in the league, and he feels he’s the best safety in the league. It feels good to play with somebody like that.
“I’m more of a ball hawk, and I read the quarterback well. He’s more of an aggressive defensive back. He’s trying to shut down the route, and I’ll let the route develop and close down on the ball.”
Amoah is excited about playing under Smith.
“(Smith) has a real consistent philosophy, which is that the defense is always in attack,” Amoah says. “You’re attacking, constantly on the move. It’s not a wait-and-catch defense.”