Post by Banana Cat on Feb 18, 2011 19:29:39 GMT -5
A big blow to the Cav's, that's a lot of continuity gone. He had a great career though and it was probably a good time to retire.
trib.com/sports/article_e0401fe5-f09d-5357-9186-de9167966ac3.html
trib.com/sports/article_e0401fe5-f09d-5357-9186-de9167966ac3.html
Cavs' QB Strand calls it quits after nine seasons
By JACK NOWLIN -- Star-Tribune staff writer trib.com
February 18, 2011
Playing in a new league won't be the only thing different for the Wyoming Cavalry this season.
While the Cavs did join the Indoor Football League after three years in the American Indoor Football Association, the team's biggest change comes under center.
Matt Strand, the Cavs' quarterback the past nine seasons, retired during the offseason. That leaves 2008 Chadron State College graduate Joe McLain as the Cavs' lone signal-caller when they open camp this weekend in Casper.
"I don't know what it's going to be like without Matt," Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. "I spent the past four years working with him, so it's going to be different."
Strand was twice an All-AIFA selection and last year threw for more than 3,200 yards and 76 touchdowns in leading the Cavs to the league championship game for the fourth consecutive year.
While the thought of returning for another year was tempting to Strand, he cited the added time he'll be able to spend with his wife and two kids as his deciding factors to retire.
"I'm going to have to make some adjustments as far as my time is concerned," Strand said, "but it's going to be nice to have spring available and not have to worry about football.
"But it's going to be strange because, for me, this is the time for football."
The Cavs will also have to make some adjustments in going from the 6-foot-3 Strand to the 5-9 McLain, who will be playing in the indoor league for the first time.
"Obviously there's a size difference and Joe doesn't have experience with the indoor game," Maciejczak said. "But I think Joe has the advantage on quickness.
"There's actually a lot of similarities between them, especially in the way they approach the game. And Joe had great coaches at Chadron so I'm know what I'm getting ... I won't have to worry about correcting his technique or anything like that."
One other noticeable difference at this weekend's Cavs camp will be the addition of kickers as both 46-year-old Ron Gullberg of Casper and Buffalo's Travis Atter, a recent graduate of Chadron State, will compete for the position.
The Cavs went without a kicker on the roster for years, with Strand handling the kickoff duties.
Maciejczak said he expects both Gullberg and Atter to make the final roster.
"Unless one doesn't do a good job I'm probably going to keep both of them," Maciejczak said. "But I have the utmost confidence in both those guys."
The Cavs' open their initial IFL season March 6 at the Colorado Ice and will play their first home game at the Casper Events Center on April 1 against the Arizona Adrenaline.
By JACK NOWLIN -- Star-Tribune staff writer trib.com
February 18, 2011
Playing in a new league won't be the only thing different for the Wyoming Cavalry this season.
While the Cavs did join the Indoor Football League after three years in the American Indoor Football Association, the team's biggest change comes under center.
Matt Strand, the Cavs' quarterback the past nine seasons, retired during the offseason. That leaves 2008 Chadron State College graduate Joe McLain as the Cavs' lone signal-caller when they open camp this weekend in Casper.
"I don't know what it's going to be like without Matt," Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. "I spent the past four years working with him, so it's going to be different."
Strand was twice an All-AIFA selection and last year threw for more than 3,200 yards and 76 touchdowns in leading the Cavs to the league championship game for the fourth consecutive year.
While the thought of returning for another year was tempting to Strand, he cited the added time he'll be able to spend with his wife and two kids as his deciding factors to retire.
"I'm going to have to make some adjustments as far as my time is concerned," Strand said, "but it's going to be nice to have spring available and not have to worry about football.
"But it's going to be strange because, for me, this is the time for football."
The Cavs will also have to make some adjustments in going from the 6-foot-3 Strand to the 5-9 McLain, who will be playing in the indoor league for the first time.
"Obviously there's a size difference and Joe doesn't have experience with the indoor game," Maciejczak said. "But I think Joe has the advantage on quickness.
"There's actually a lot of similarities between them, especially in the way they approach the game. And Joe had great coaches at Chadron so I'm know what I'm getting ... I won't have to worry about correcting his technique or anything like that."
One other noticeable difference at this weekend's Cavs camp will be the addition of kickers as both 46-year-old Ron Gullberg of Casper and Buffalo's Travis Atter, a recent graduate of Chadron State, will compete for the position.
The Cavs went without a kicker on the roster for years, with Strand handling the kickoff duties.
Maciejczak said he expects both Gullberg and Atter to make the final roster.
"Unless one doesn't do a good job I'm probably going to keep both of them," Maciejczak said. "But I have the utmost confidence in both those guys."
The Cavs' open their initial IFL season March 6 at the Colorado Ice and will play their first home game at the Casper Events Center on April 1 against the Arizona Adrenaline.