Post by 50yardfan on Dec 27, 2010 19:37:22 GMT -5
GREEN BAY, WI - With the season quickly approaching, Blizzard Head Coach Rik Richards and Assistant Director of Football Operations Ian Harris have spent the off-season in search of top players around the nation. They are pleased to announce the addition of two outstanding players, Offensive Lineman Nathan Bennett from Clemson University and A.J. Nicholson from Florida State University.
OL Nathan Bennett (6'5" 316lbs.) Bennett was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Cleveland Browns on May 5, 2008. Bennett was waived by the team on Sept. 2, 2008 and released from the practice squad Sept. 23, 2008. He has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
In 2002, Bennett redshirted at Clemson University. In 2003, he started each of the first six games at right guard, but started just one of the last seven. That season, Bennett had 45 total knockdown blocks, which was the fourth-most on the team, and he played 599 snaps in 13 games. He played at least 22 plays in every game and at least 47 in each of the first six games. Bennett had a 75.1 percent average film grade for the season.
In 2004, Bennett had five games in which he graded in the 80s for film, including each of the last three games. He had an 82 percent grade in 53 snaps as a starter in the win at then No. 10 Miami. He had at least one knockdown block in each of the 11 games and a 75 percent film grade in every game except the Texas A&M contest.
In 2005, Bennett started eight of the 12 games at offensive guard, which includes a start in the win over Colorado in the Champs Sports Bowl where he played 48 snaps and had eight knockdown blocks
Bennett emerged as a dominating drive blocker for the Tigers in 2006, as he paved the way for a rushing unit that ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 217.85 yards per game. He led the team with 97 knockdown blocks and 20 intimidations as a senior, and became the first Clemson offensive lineman to make an Associated Press All-American team (third-team) since Jim Bundren was a third-team selection in 1997. Also, he garnered a First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honor. He allowed only one quarterback sack in 822 plays. In 47 games at Clemson, Bennett started 38 times. He participated in 2,192 plays for the Tigers, registering 261 knockdown blocks.
Coach Richards was thrilled about signing Bennett saying "Adding an ACC All-American Offensive lineman to battle our Big 12 All-American on the Defensive Line was a huge step in the right direction for the Blizzard heading into 2011, and we look forward to Nathan not only being a fan favorite in the trenches but in an NFL camp again very soon."
LB A.J. Nicholson (6'3" 245lbs.) Nicholson was taken with the 24th pick in the 5th round (157th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a Senior in 2005, Nicholson was a Butkus Award semifinalist and second team All-ACC selection, and started all 12 regular season games for the Florida State Seminoles. He led the defense with 100 tackles, recording a team-best 53 solos along the way. Nicholson was tied for third on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and set a new career-high for interceptions with two, and scored his second career touchdown on an interception return at Boston College.
Nicholson's Junior Year saw him lead the team in tackles with 88 and recorded a season-high 14 tackles against Duke while having had two tackles for loss in that game. In the Gator Bowl against West Virginia Nicholson had 12 tackles, one for loss and an interception in the FSU victory.
In 2003, Nicholson saw action in all 13 games and started three (Duke, Wake Forest and Notre Dame). He recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss and recovered two fumbles including one he returned for a touchdown in his first career start at Duke. He ranked eighth on the team with 55 total tackles and had three tackles for loss, two pass break-ups, four QB hurries, three recovered fumbles and a forced fumble.
Nicholson's Freshman year, he played in 13 games as a true freshman and finished 20th on the team with 23 tackles. Nicholson was one of only eight true freshmen to see playing time during the year. He had 14 unassisted tackles and nine assisted tackles in 2002, including one sack and a tackle for loss and recorded a season-high five tackles on two occasions (Clemson and North Carolina). Nicholson was the leading tackler among the freshmen class and saw action as a member of special teams as well as a backup outside linebacker.
Richards had great things to say about Nicholson, "Signing a Butkus Award Semi-finalist and an All-ACC selection is a huge step for our defense." Richards went on to say "Every guy we sign is important to our team, but signing Nicholson is a big step towards building the type of defense we are looking for."
The Green Bay Blizzard is a proud member of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The reigning Central North Division Champions play all home games at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. 2011 Season tickets are on SALE NOW and the season opener is Friday March 18th against the Bloomington Extreme. Call 920-405-1264 to reserve your seat in the action! Make sure to follow the Blizzard on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news and updates on the team. ~~~~~
Green Bay Freeze Announce Open Dance Tryout
GREEN BAY, WI - The Green Bay Blizzard announces today they will be holding an open tryout for the Green Bay Freeze Dance team. Do you have what it takes to be on the hottest dance team Here is your chance to be a member of the 2011 Freeze Dance Team.
Date - Sunday, January 16, 2011 Location - YMCA in Howard (601 Cardinal Lane) Cost - $20 Pre-registration - $25 day of tryout (Cash Only) To pre-register call the Blizzard Office at 920-405-1264. Credit cards accepted only for Pre-Registration Make checks payable to Green Bay Blizzard
*** Must be 19 years of age and out of High School***
*Wear Black active wear (pants/capris/short), white t-shirt and jazz or athletic shoes *Please have hair and makeup done like you would for a game *Bring a water bottle and a light snack
Agenda: 12:45-1:15pm Registration 1:15-1:45pm Intro & stretch 1:45-3:30pm Learn Skills required & Routine 3:30-4:00pm Change & Open practice 4:00-5:00pm
*TRY OUTS*
***Practice is every Wednesday night 7-9:30pm starting Jan. 19th***
OL Nathan Bennett (6'5" 316lbs.) Bennett was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Cleveland Browns on May 5, 2008. Bennett was waived by the team on Sept. 2, 2008 and released from the practice squad Sept. 23, 2008. He has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
In 2002, Bennett redshirted at Clemson University. In 2003, he started each of the first six games at right guard, but started just one of the last seven. That season, Bennett had 45 total knockdown blocks, which was the fourth-most on the team, and he played 599 snaps in 13 games. He played at least 22 plays in every game and at least 47 in each of the first six games. Bennett had a 75.1 percent average film grade for the season.
In 2004, Bennett had five games in which he graded in the 80s for film, including each of the last three games. He had an 82 percent grade in 53 snaps as a starter in the win at then No. 10 Miami. He had at least one knockdown block in each of the 11 games and a 75 percent film grade in every game except the Texas A&M contest.
In 2005, Bennett started eight of the 12 games at offensive guard, which includes a start in the win over Colorado in the Champs Sports Bowl where he played 48 snaps and had eight knockdown blocks
Bennett emerged as a dominating drive blocker for the Tigers in 2006, as he paved the way for a rushing unit that ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 217.85 yards per game. He led the team with 97 knockdown blocks and 20 intimidations as a senior, and became the first Clemson offensive lineman to make an Associated Press All-American team (third-team) since Jim Bundren was a third-team selection in 1997. Also, he garnered a First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honor. He allowed only one quarterback sack in 822 plays. In 47 games at Clemson, Bennett started 38 times. He participated in 2,192 plays for the Tigers, registering 261 knockdown blocks.
Coach Richards was thrilled about signing Bennett saying "Adding an ACC All-American Offensive lineman to battle our Big 12 All-American on the Defensive Line was a huge step in the right direction for the Blizzard heading into 2011, and we look forward to Nathan not only being a fan favorite in the trenches but in an NFL camp again very soon."
LB A.J. Nicholson (6'3" 245lbs.) Nicholson was taken with the 24th pick in the 5th round (157th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a Senior in 2005, Nicholson was a Butkus Award semifinalist and second team All-ACC selection, and started all 12 regular season games for the Florida State Seminoles. He led the defense with 100 tackles, recording a team-best 53 solos along the way. Nicholson was tied for third on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and set a new career-high for interceptions with two, and scored his second career touchdown on an interception return at Boston College.
Nicholson's Junior Year saw him lead the team in tackles with 88 and recorded a season-high 14 tackles against Duke while having had two tackles for loss in that game. In the Gator Bowl against West Virginia Nicholson had 12 tackles, one for loss and an interception in the FSU victory.
In 2003, Nicholson saw action in all 13 games and started three (Duke, Wake Forest and Notre Dame). He recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss and recovered two fumbles including one he returned for a touchdown in his first career start at Duke. He ranked eighth on the team with 55 total tackles and had three tackles for loss, two pass break-ups, four QB hurries, three recovered fumbles and a forced fumble.
Nicholson's Freshman year, he played in 13 games as a true freshman and finished 20th on the team with 23 tackles. Nicholson was one of only eight true freshmen to see playing time during the year. He had 14 unassisted tackles and nine assisted tackles in 2002, including one sack and a tackle for loss and recorded a season-high five tackles on two occasions (Clemson and North Carolina). Nicholson was the leading tackler among the freshmen class and saw action as a member of special teams as well as a backup outside linebacker.
Richards had great things to say about Nicholson, "Signing a Butkus Award Semi-finalist and an All-ACC selection is a huge step for our defense." Richards went on to say "Every guy we sign is important to our team, but signing Nicholson is a big step towards building the type of defense we are looking for."
The Green Bay Blizzard is a proud member of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The reigning Central North Division Champions play all home games at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. 2011 Season tickets are on SALE NOW and the season opener is Friday March 18th against the Bloomington Extreme. Call 920-405-1264 to reserve your seat in the action! Make sure to follow the Blizzard on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news and updates on the team. ~~~~~
Green Bay Freeze Announce Open Dance Tryout
GREEN BAY, WI - The Green Bay Blizzard announces today they will be holding an open tryout for the Green Bay Freeze Dance team. Do you have what it takes to be on the hottest dance team Here is your chance to be a member of the 2011 Freeze Dance Team.
Date - Sunday, January 16, 2011 Location - YMCA in Howard (601 Cardinal Lane) Cost - $20 Pre-registration - $25 day of tryout (Cash Only) To pre-register call the Blizzard Office at 920-405-1264. Credit cards accepted only for Pre-Registration Make checks payable to Green Bay Blizzard
*** Must be 19 years of age and out of High School***
*Wear Black active wear (pants/capris/short), white t-shirt and jazz or athletic shoes *Please have hair and makeup done like you would for a game *Bring a water bottle and a light snack
Agenda: 12:45-1:15pm Registration 1:15-1:45pm Intro & stretch 1:45-3:30pm Learn Skills required & Routine 3:30-4:00pm Change & Open practice 4:00-5:00pm
*TRY OUTS*
***Practice is every Wednesday night 7-9:30pm starting Jan. 19th***