Post by fwp on Apr 24, 2010 7:56:09 GMT -5
www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100424/GPG0211/4240501/Arena-football--Burnoski-adds-experience-to-Blizzard-receiving-corps
ASHWAUBENON — A few weeks ago, Green Bay Blizzard coach Rik Richards stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods after practice.
He was shopping for one of the best wide receivers in Blizzard history.
That was Scott Burnoski, who works at the store and played for Green Bay in 2007 and 2008.
Looking to plug a veteran into the team's budding receiving corps, Richards approached Burnoski about a return at the urging of assistant coach Robert Garth, a former teammate of Burnoski.
It wasn't a tough sell.
"I knew they had a good team here," Burnoski said at practice Wednesday. "The guys here are great people, good teammates. It made it a lot easier to come play here."
In two seasons with the Blizzard, Burnoski caught 141 passes for 1,878 yards and 44 touchdowns. In 2008, he tied the franchise record for single-season receptions with 83 before Nate Forse shattered the mark with 131 grabs last season.
The other dimension the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse alumnus offers the Blizzard is his versatility. In addition to leading Milwaukee in all receiving categories last season with 101 receptions for 1,267 yards and 19 touchdowns, Burnoski had 19½ tackles with two interceptions and a fumble recovery defensively.
When starter Tyler Donovan went down with an injury during a game last season, Burnoski even stepped in at quarterback, completing 5-of-10 passes for 39 yards and touchdown.
He received a spot on the all-arenafootball2 ironman team for his multifaceted efforts. Richards said he wants Burnoski to focus on offense for the time being but wouldn't rule out using him as a defensive back or emergency quarterback later in the season if injuries dictate.
"He's just an athlete," Richards said. "He's a hard-working kid who brings a great attitude every day and just wants to get better, and help us win a championship. As a coach, that's the best attribute that I like."
Burnoski said he talked with the new regime that took over this year in Milwaukee, which is led by former Blizzard coach Bob Landsee, about playing for the Iron but determined it was in his best interests to stay in Green Bay.
When he made the decision to play for the Iron last season, it forced him to take time off from his full-time job. Although he had housing in Milwaukee, he spent a lot of time traveling to and from Green Bay to see family.
"I didn't want to do that again," Burnoski said. "It was kind of a hardship to commute back and forth, so I knew if I was going to play anywhere, it was probably here in Green Bay."
Burnoski re-signed with Green Bay on March 31 and has played in two games. He caught his first IFL touchdown pass last weekend during the first quarter of Blizzard's 72-69 win over West Michigan.
While he has the experience, Burnoski knows he's going to have to earn his playing time.
"It's a new experience for me, even though I've played for Green Bay before," Burnoski said. "It was a totally different team. I didn't expect anything coming in. Just because I played the game before doesn't mean I earned anything with this team because this is a new franchise."
Tonight's preview
Who: Omaha Beef (2-3, fourth in IFL Central West Division) at Green Bay Blizzard (6-1, first Central North).
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Resch Center, Ashwaubenon.
Blizzard update: Green Bay edged West Michigan 72-69 last Saturday with a 39-point fourth quarter. … The Blizzard is averaging 229.4 yards per game while scoring 47.6 per contest. … Green Bay's opponents are averaging 195.1 yards per game and averaging 37.4 per contest. … Quarterback Jake Phillips, who was the IFL offensive player of the week, leads the league in passing yards with 1,202. Phillips has completed 111 of 179 passes for 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. … Despite playing in only four games, running back Randy Bell leads the team in total yardage (457 yards). He also has 33 carries for 166 yards and five touchdowns. … Wide receiver Daniel Robinson has only played in three games because of injury but has 10 receptions for 144 yards and a team-high seven touchdown receptions. … Linebacker Maurice Simpkins continues to lead the league in tackles with 71 (47 solo, 24 assist) to go along with 3½ sacks and two interceptions.
Beef update: Omaha was on bye last week after falling 56-50 to Wichita in its most recent game on April 10. … The Beef is outscoring opponents 46.8-44.0 points per game despite losing the total yardage battle 242-220. … Omaha quarterback Ben Sanky has completed 92 of 142 passes for 911 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. … Running back R.J. Rollins has 27 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns in four games played. … Wide receiver O.J. Simpson leads the team with 32 receptions for 317 yards and seven touchdowns. … Linebacker Jeff Souder leads the team with 34 tackles. … Defensive lineman Chris Bradford has four sacks in four games.
ASHWAUBENON — A few weeks ago, Green Bay Blizzard coach Rik Richards stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods after practice.
He was shopping for one of the best wide receivers in Blizzard history.
That was Scott Burnoski, who works at the store and played for Green Bay in 2007 and 2008.
Looking to plug a veteran into the team's budding receiving corps, Richards approached Burnoski about a return at the urging of assistant coach Robert Garth, a former teammate of Burnoski.
It wasn't a tough sell.
"I knew they had a good team here," Burnoski said at practice Wednesday. "The guys here are great people, good teammates. It made it a lot easier to come play here."
In two seasons with the Blizzard, Burnoski caught 141 passes for 1,878 yards and 44 touchdowns. In 2008, he tied the franchise record for single-season receptions with 83 before Nate Forse shattered the mark with 131 grabs last season.
The other dimension the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse alumnus offers the Blizzard is his versatility. In addition to leading Milwaukee in all receiving categories last season with 101 receptions for 1,267 yards and 19 touchdowns, Burnoski had 19½ tackles with two interceptions and a fumble recovery defensively.
When starter Tyler Donovan went down with an injury during a game last season, Burnoski even stepped in at quarterback, completing 5-of-10 passes for 39 yards and touchdown.
He received a spot on the all-arenafootball2 ironman team for his multifaceted efforts. Richards said he wants Burnoski to focus on offense for the time being but wouldn't rule out using him as a defensive back or emergency quarterback later in the season if injuries dictate.
"He's just an athlete," Richards said. "He's a hard-working kid who brings a great attitude every day and just wants to get better, and help us win a championship. As a coach, that's the best attribute that I like."
Burnoski said he talked with the new regime that took over this year in Milwaukee, which is led by former Blizzard coach Bob Landsee, about playing for the Iron but determined it was in his best interests to stay in Green Bay.
When he made the decision to play for the Iron last season, it forced him to take time off from his full-time job. Although he had housing in Milwaukee, he spent a lot of time traveling to and from Green Bay to see family.
"I didn't want to do that again," Burnoski said. "It was kind of a hardship to commute back and forth, so I knew if I was going to play anywhere, it was probably here in Green Bay."
Burnoski re-signed with Green Bay on March 31 and has played in two games. He caught his first IFL touchdown pass last weekend during the first quarter of Blizzard's 72-69 win over West Michigan.
While he has the experience, Burnoski knows he's going to have to earn his playing time.
"It's a new experience for me, even though I've played for Green Bay before," Burnoski said. "It was a totally different team. I didn't expect anything coming in. Just because I played the game before doesn't mean I earned anything with this team because this is a new franchise."
Tonight's preview
Who: Omaha Beef (2-3, fourth in IFL Central West Division) at Green Bay Blizzard (6-1, first Central North).
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Resch Center, Ashwaubenon.
Blizzard update: Green Bay edged West Michigan 72-69 last Saturday with a 39-point fourth quarter. … The Blizzard is averaging 229.4 yards per game while scoring 47.6 per contest. … Green Bay's opponents are averaging 195.1 yards per game and averaging 37.4 per contest. … Quarterback Jake Phillips, who was the IFL offensive player of the week, leads the league in passing yards with 1,202. Phillips has completed 111 of 179 passes for 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. … Despite playing in only four games, running back Randy Bell leads the team in total yardage (457 yards). He also has 33 carries for 166 yards and five touchdowns. … Wide receiver Daniel Robinson has only played in three games because of injury but has 10 receptions for 144 yards and a team-high seven touchdown receptions. … Linebacker Maurice Simpkins continues to lead the league in tackles with 71 (47 solo, 24 assist) to go along with 3½ sacks and two interceptions.
Beef update: Omaha was on bye last week after falling 56-50 to Wichita in its most recent game on April 10. … The Beef is outscoring opponents 46.8-44.0 points per game despite losing the total yardage battle 242-220. … Omaha quarterback Ben Sanky has completed 92 of 142 passes for 911 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. … Running back R.J. Rollins has 27 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns in four games played. … Wide receiver O.J. Simpson leads the team with 32 receptions for 317 yards and seven touchdowns. … Linebacker Jeff Souder leads the team with 34 tackles. … Defensive lineman Chris Bradford has four sacks in four games.