Post by Banana Cat on Jul 27, 2010 18:47:24 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/with-cut-day-looming-players-make-one-last-passionate-plea/
WITH CUT DAY LOOMING PLAYERS MAKE ONE LAST PASSIONATE PLEA
The day of reckoning has arrived. After a grueling process that included open try-outs, mini-camp, more open try-outs, and then big, bad, training camp, the Philadelphia Passion is set to select the 20 players that will be on their squad come opening day. The dozens of women that remain are hoping they’ll get that positive phone call this week, informing them that they are indeed officially a member of the green machine and not that heart wrenching “thanks, but no thanks” sayonara send-off.
Some players, veterans and newcomers alike, have already excused themselves. Many pointed to work obligations, scheduling conflicts, and other circumstances that will prevent them from forging ahead to elimination day. Some didn’t give a reason at all. Whatever the case, they’ve made head coach Chandler Brown’s job a little easier. Just a little. He still has to make those very difficult last cuts, where the difference between players number 18-20 and 21-26 can be ever so slight.
Most of the hopefuls that remain are either LFL vets or rookies that have been here fighting for a roster spot for months. Three players, however, are trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Kim Garcia and Jessica and Heather Roy have only put in a week’s worth of work. Despite their gridiron cameo, the trio showed the Passion staff enough during open try-outs on July 19th to be asked back. A little over a week later, they hope they’ve showcased their talents just enough to squeak on to the team and edge out players that have been busting their tails for much longer.
The Roy sisters, of Sayreville, NJ, heard about the opportunity to take a stab at LFL stardom while Jessica was working in Philadelphia. “I saw there was a league and jumped at the chance,” she said. Her sister Heather was immediately on board as well. “I just want to hit people,” she told me. Both are interested in playing on the interior line. The Roy sisters agree that the team has been pretty accepting of them during their short stint at camp, treating them as fellow football players and not as party crashers.
Kim Garcia is the third long shot looking to make the Philadelphia club. The Rockaway, NJ co-ed flag football player made the long commute to participate in training camp because she “loves football.” Garcia added, “I’m just going to do my best and see what happens. I know the girls that have been here have been working really hard and I’m just here to try to help them win.”
So how do the players who have been here the whole time feel? Is it really fair for walk-ons to lace up their shoes for one week and grab a roster spot over someone who‘s put in countless hours? The short answer is ‘yes’. This isn’t Pop Warner, this isn’t Little League, this is professional football. Teams want to win and they are going to choose the players that will give them the best chance to do so. Yet, it must be tough for some to put in so much effort, only to potentially see it all go up in smoke, snatched away by someone you hardly even know.
Veterans Kim Wheat and Donna Ferry are both expressing understanding and acceptance of the newcomers. “While I can understand the feelings of those who may feel threatened by the new players, I think all in all, it’s a good thing,” Wheat said. “If they’re better, they’re better. They deserve to make it.” Ferry concurred. ‘The Train’ said, “Having as many new players to select from as possible is a good thing. It will make us all better.” But do any of the three fresh faces have a real case for making the team? That’s the big question. One that will be answered this week.
So now the players have made their pitch. They have demonstrated what they’re made of. It’s up to the coaches now. Veterans like Wheat and Ferry wonder if all their teammates from last season who are still in camp will make the final cut. Names like Cheryl Fairweather, Kim Storm, Shelley Lashley, Lauren LaBella, Tyrah Lusby and Heather Perez. Will all eight be back? Probably not.
Three former Majesty players are in the mix. All with something to offer, no doubt. Each one has individual talent, but they are coming off a disastrous season in New York. None of them has won a game yet. So does Brown bring in Angela Perfetto, Tanyka Renee, and Ciara DaMuccio. I’d guess, yes. However, it’s not out of the question that only one or two of them survive cut day.
Then there’s the talented crop of rookies who have shown they want this. They wouldn’t have made it this far if they didn’t. They are names you don’t know yet, but you will soon. Some of them at least. Others will be excused. One thing’s for sure. There’s plenty of talent here. It’s just a matter of what Brown and crew feel is the best formula for success and which players fit into that equation. So while upstart quarterback Christie Bell appears to be a lock, and her back up in camp the versatile Colleen Burns seems safe as well, the others will be left to sweat it out.
Will the team include Jaleesa McCrary, Meghan Anderson, and Renee Ficzko? Does the roster make room for Nikki Galladay, Rebecca Hojnowski, and Dana Kent? How about Stacy Moon, Danielle Gassler, Olivia Baltimore, and Kellie Caldwell? Then there’s Garcia and the Roy sisters.
The waiting will be over soon. Those who made enough of an impression to continue will turn their attention toward a championship run. Those who did not, will see their LFL experience come to a screeching halt, at least for now. One thing is clear, however. It won’t be for a lack of effort.
The day of reckoning has arrived. After a grueling process that included open try-outs, mini-camp, more open try-outs, and then big, bad, training camp, the Philadelphia Passion is set to select the 20 players that will be on their squad come opening day. The dozens of women that remain are hoping they’ll get that positive phone call this week, informing them that they are indeed officially a member of the green machine and not that heart wrenching “thanks, but no thanks” sayonara send-off.
Some players, veterans and newcomers alike, have already excused themselves. Many pointed to work obligations, scheduling conflicts, and other circumstances that will prevent them from forging ahead to elimination day. Some didn’t give a reason at all. Whatever the case, they’ve made head coach Chandler Brown’s job a little easier. Just a little. He still has to make those very difficult last cuts, where the difference between players number 18-20 and 21-26 can be ever so slight.
Most of the hopefuls that remain are either LFL vets or rookies that have been here fighting for a roster spot for months. Three players, however, are trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Kim Garcia and Jessica and Heather Roy have only put in a week’s worth of work. Despite their gridiron cameo, the trio showed the Passion staff enough during open try-outs on July 19th to be asked back. A little over a week later, they hope they’ve showcased their talents just enough to squeak on to the team and edge out players that have been busting their tails for much longer.
The Roy sisters, of Sayreville, NJ, heard about the opportunity to take a stab at LFL stardom while Jessica was working in Philadelphia. “I saw there was a league and jumped at the chance,” she said. Her sister Heather was immediately on board as well. “I just want to hit people,” she told me. Both are interested in playing on the interior line. The Roy sisters agree that the team has been pretty accepting of them during their short stint at camp, treating them as fellow football players and not as party crashers.
Kim Garcia is the third long shot looking to make the Philadelphia club. The Rockaway, NJ co-ed flag football player made the long commute to participate in training camp because she “loves football.” Garcia added, “I’m just going to do my best and see what happens. I know the girls that have been here have been working really hard and I’m just here to try to help them win.”
So how do the players who have been here the whole time feel? Is it really fair for walk-ons to lace up their shoes for one week and grab a roster spot over someone who‘s put in countless hours? The short answer is ‘yes’. This isn’t Pop Warner, this isn’t Little League, this is professional football. Teams want to win and they are going to choose the players that will give them the best chance to do so. Yet, it must be tough for some to put in so much effort, only to potentially see it all go up in smoke, snatched away by someone you hardly even know.
Veterans Kim Wheat and Donna Ferry are both expressing understanding and acceptance of the newcomers. “While I can understand the feelings of those who may feel threatened by the new players, I think all in all, it’s a good thing,” Wheat said. “If they’re better, they’re better. They deserve to make it.” Ferry concurred. ‘The Train’ said, “Having as many new players to select from as possible is a good thing. It will make us all better.” But do any of the three fresh faces have a real case for making the team? That’s the big question. One that will be answered this week.
So now the players have made their pitch. They have demonstrated what they’re made of. It’s up to the coaches now. Veterans like Wheat and Ferry wonder if all their teammates from last season who are still in camp will make the final cut. Names like Cheryl Fairweather, Kim Storm, Shelley Lashley, Lauren LaBella, Tyrah Lusby and Heather Perez. Will all eight be back? Probably not.
Three former Majesty players are in the mix. All with something to offer, no doubt. Each one has individual talent, but they are coming off a disastrous season in New York. None of them has won a game yet. So does Brown bring in Angela Perfetto, Tanyka Renee, and Ciara DaMuccio. I’d guess, yes. However, it’s not out of the question that only one or two of them survive cut day.
Then there’s the talented crop of rookies who have shown they want this. They wouldn’t have made it this far if they didn’t. They are names you don’t know yet, but you will soon. Some of them at least. Others will be excused. One thing’s for sure. There’s plenty of talent here. It’s just a matter of what Brown and crew feel is the best formula for success and which players fit into that equation. So while upstart quarterback Christie Bell appears to be a lock, and her back up in camp the versatile Colleen Burns seems safe as well, the others will be left to sweat it out.
Will the team include Jaleesa McCrary, Meghan Anderson, and Renee Ficzko? Does the roster make room for Nikki Galladay, Rebecca Hojnowski, and Dana Kent? How about Stacy Moon, Danielle Gassler, Olivia Baltimore, and Kellie Caldwell? Then there’s Garcia and the Roy sisters.
The waiting will be over soon. Those who made enough of an impression to continue will turn their attention toward a championship run. Those who did not, will see their LFL experience come to a screeching halt, at least for now. One thing is clear, however. It won’t be for a lack of effort.