Post by Banana Cat on Mar 4, 2011 8:13:37 GMT -5
www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=31339
Ice ready to defend progress
Colorado's defense ready for next challenge
3/3/2011
By Mike Brohard | Loveland Reporter-Herald
There was a feeling, but then again, that had been there before.
Every new season brings about a renewed optimism, and even coming off a 2-12 season in 2010, the Colorado Ice were no different. But whereas last year never fell into place, the Ice — and especially their defense — backed that intuition on the field in a 37-26 season-opening win over Amarillo.
The defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, registered four sacks and limited the Venom to only 154 yards of total offense. It was a heck of a base to start a season heading into Sunday’s 3 p.m. home game against the Wyoming Cavalry at the Budweiser Events Center.
Then again, new defensive coordinator Heron O’Neal expected a strong showing right out of the gates.
“I knew the type of talent we had coming in, and I knew with a new scheme, it always brings energy,” O’Neal said. “And if you’re successful in that new scheme early, it builds the confidence and then you roll it until the wheels fall off, so they say.
“I think with the guys that we have, if we continue to get better — we’re not the finished product yet — we can do something special in this league.”
It started up front with a defensive line that generated a pass rush that was non-existent last year. Dominic Applehans and Chase Vaughn combined for 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss from the defensive end spots.
In a quarterback-driven league, that kind of pressure is priceless. While the Ice gave up early yardage on scrambles to X’Zavier Bloodsaw, a small adjustment limited his production overall.
Applehans, a late addition to the roster last year, said he felt the improvement from the first day of camp. With a unit that has built some cohesion, he feels more can be expected.
“I hope we can keep it up. I don’t want to get too overconfident, but every week we’re looking to do is get some sacks,” Applehans said. “That would be great if we could continue that all year. Hopefully everyone expects to do that now.”
O’Neal brought in a new system and different philosophy, one predicated on speed, one that is suited for the ends.
“The scheme is conducive to defensive ends like (Applehans) and Chase,” O’Neal said. “My scheme is about quickness, and we’re all about getting in the right gap and getting there faster than the other guy and being physical when we get there.”
This week, the Ice are focusing more on what they can do to improve, mostly out of necessity. The Calvary out of Casper, while not new to indoor football (it played in the last three American Indoor Football Association title games), are new to the Indoor Football League.
Colorado head coach Collins Sanders is familiar with coach Dave Maciejczak, but the Cavalry have yet to play an IFL game. To make it a more important meeting, it’s a Mountain West Division game for both teams.
Sanders added the real importance is keeping his team moving forward and building off a solid start.
“Amarillo’s a good team, and everyone thinks they’ll be a pretty solid team again this year,” Sanders said. “That’s a plus for us knowing we competed against somebody considered to be a solid team. With the talent we have, we’re a lot faster than we’ve been. In the second half, the offense started to click. If we get all the pieces going, we can be a good team.”
Colorado's defense ready for next challenge
3/3/2011
By Mike Brohard | Loveland Reporter-Herald
There was a feeling, but then again, that had been there before.
Every new season brings about a renewed optimism, and even coming off a 2-12 season in 2010, the Colorado Ice were no different. But whereas last year never fell into place, the Ice — and especially their defense — backed that intuition on the field in a 37-26 season-opening win over Amarillo.
The defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, registered four sacks and limited the Venom to only 154 yards of total offense. It was a heck of a base to start a season heading into Sunday’s 3 p.m. home game against the Wyoming Cavalry at the Budweiser Events Center.
Then again, new defensive coordinator Heron O’Neal expected a strong showing right out of the gates.
“I knew the type of talent we had coming in, and I knew with a new scheme, it always brings energy,” O’Neal said. “And if you’re successful in that new scheme early, it builds the confidence and then you roll it until the wheels fall off, so they say.
“I think with the guys that we have, if we continue to get better — we’re not the finished product yet — we can do something special in this league.”
It started up front with a defensive line that generated a pass rush that was non-existent last year. Dominic Applehans and Chase Vaughn combined for 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss from the defensive end spots.
In a quarterback-driven league, that kind of pressure is priceless. While the Ice gave up early yardage on scrambles to X’Zavier Bloodsaw, a small adjustment limited his production overall.
Applehans, a late addition to the roster last year, said he felt the improvement from the first day of camp. With a unit that has built some cohesion, he feels more can be expected.
“I hope we can keep it up. I don’t want to get too overconfident, but every week we’re looking to do is get some sacks,” Applehans said. “That would be great if we could continue that all year. Hopefully everyone expects to do that now.”
O’Neal brought in a new system and different philosophy, one predicated on speed, one that is suited for the ends.
“The scheme is conducive to defensive ends like (Applehans) and Chase,” O’Neal said. “My scheme is about quickness, and we’re all about getting in the right gap and getting there faster than the other guy and being physical when we get there.”
This week, the Ice are focusing more on what they can do to improve, mostly out of necessity. The Calvary out of Casper, while not new to indoor football (it played in the last three American Indoor Football Association title games), are new to the Indoor Football League.
Colorado head coach Collins Sanders is familiar with coach Dave Maciejczak, but the Cavalry have yet to play an IFL game. To make it a more important meeting, it’s a Mountain West Division game for both teams.
Sanders added the real importance is keeping his team moving forward and building off a solid start.
“Amarillo’s a good team, and everyone thinks they’ll be a pretty solid team again this year,” Sanders said. “That’s a plus for us knowing we competed against somebody considered to be a solid team. With the talent we have, we’re a lot faster than we’ve been. In the second half, the offense started to click. If we get all the pieces going, we can be a good team.”