Post by Banana Cat on Feb 10, 2011 12:52:41 GMT -5
www.coloradoan.com/article/20110210/SPORTS/102100362/Ice-trying-to-improve-on-tough-season
Ice trying to improve on tough season
BY JEFF BERSCH / coloradoan.com
February 10, 2011
A two-win season a year ago hasn't shaken the confidence of Colorado Ice coach Collins Sanders.
The Ice, a member of the Indoor Football League, start training camp Friday and will play an exhibition game a week from today.
Before actually getting on the field, Sanders and the rest of the Ice's organization have done what they felt necessary to improve upon last season's 2-12 campaign.
"Every year a coach goes into the season pretty darn excited," Sanders said Wednesday. "We've had a great year recruiting players, and our returning players played at a high level last year.
"We've done some nice things on and off the field, and we're very optimistic about our potential moving forward."
The Ice have 45 players who will be in camp starting Friday, Sanders said, and will cut to 30 before the team's season opener Feb. 25 at home against the Amarillo Venom.
In the next few weeks, Sanders and his staff will evaluate players in attempt to find the right mix.
"Ultimately, you want to find a mix of experience and talent," Sanders said. "We want the best 30 guys on roster, but you never know until you get on the field."
David Knighton will return at quarterback for the Ice, who went through five quarterbacks in six weeks because of injury at the start of last season.
Knighton, a product of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., played eight games last season for the Ice. He threw for 1,329 yards, with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
He also was the starting quarterback for both of Colorado's wins.
"This may be the first time we're going into a season with the same quarterback we finished with," Sanders said. "David had a great statistical effort in the games he played for us."
The Ice also will have back standout receivers Jason English and Lemans Casimier, who had 20 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards between them.
Prince Hall, Tyrone King, Brandon Fanney and Eryk Anders all were members of the Alabama team that won the BCS championship game in 2009.
Only King finished his career at Alabama, intercepting a pass in the Crimson Tide's 37-21 win over Texas.
"We have a lot of talent at a lot of positions," Sanders said. "I'm very excited about the season and ready to get going. I think we're poised to make a statement."
BY JEFF BERSCH / coloradoan.com
February 10, 2011
A two-win season a year ago hasn't shaken the confidence of Colorado Ice coach Collins Sanders.
The Ice, a member of the Indoor Football League, start training camp Friday and will play an exhibition game a week from today.
Before actually getting on the field, Sanders and the rest of the Ice's organization have done what they felt necessary to improve upon last season's 2-12 campaign.
"Every year a coach goes into the season pretty darn excited," Sanders said Wednesday. "We've had a great year recruiting players, and our returning players played at a high level last year.
"We've done some nice things on and off the field, and we're very optimistic about our potential moving forward."
The Ice have 45 players who will be in camp starting Friday, Sanders said, and will cut to 30 before the team's season opener Feb. 25 at home against the Amarillo Venom.
In the next few weeks, Sanders and his staff will evaluate players in attempt to find the right mix.
"Ultimately, you want to find a mix of experience and talent," Sanders said. "We want the best 30 guys on roster, but you never know until you get on the field."
David Knighton will return at quarterback for the Ice, who went through five quarterbacks in six weeks because of injury at the start of last season.
Knighton, a product of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., played eight games last season for the Ice. He threw for 1,329 yards, with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
He also was the starting quarterback for both of Colorado's wins.
"This may be the first time we're going into a season with the same quarterback we finished with," Sanders said. "David had a great statistical effort in the games he played for us."
The Ice also will have back standout receivers Jason English and Lemans Casimier, who had 20 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards between them.
Prince Hall, Tyrone King, Brandon Fanney and Eryk Anders all were members of the Alabama team that won the BCS championship game in 2009.
Only King finished his career at Alabama, intercepting a pass in the Crimson Tide's 37-21 win over Texas.
"We have a lot of talent at a lot of positions," Sanders said. "I'm very excited about the season and ready to get going. I think we're poised to make a statement."