Post by Banana Cat on Jun 26, 2011 19:33:24 GMT -5
I agree with Knighton's comments in bold below. He was better than last year at times, but not near the top tier of qb's in the league imho. This team wins and loses with it's defense. I see potential with him though and if he keeps working hard he could make it into the top tier next yera.
www.coloradoan.com/article/20110626/SPORTS/106260341/Leading-charge
www.coloradoan.com/article/20110626/SPORTS/106260341/Leading-charge
Leading the charge
Knighton's MVP-type season has helped guide the Ice to the top seed in IFL playoffs
Jun. 25, 2011
Written by Jeff Bersch
» Next up: Fever at Ice, 7 p.m. Monday, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland
» TV/radio: none/KJMP (AM 870)
Looking at the other talent in the Indoor Football League, David Knighton isn't sure he was MVP worthy.
"I put forth an MVP effort," he said. "I will say that."
MVP or not, Knighton, a second-year quarterback, is one of the main reasons the Colorado Ice have found the success they have this season.
Knighton, one of 10 nominees in the IFL for MVP honors that went toSioux City Sioux Falls quarterback Chris Dixon, will lead the Ice into their first home playoff game in franchise history Monday night.
Colorado will host the Tri-Cities Fever at 7 p.m. at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland in a second-round matchup in the Intense Conference playoffs.
By going 11-3 during the regular season, the Ice won their division and earned the conference's top seed and a first-round bye.
"You can't get any better than being a No. 1 seed," Knighton said. "I'd say the season went pretty well."
This season was quite a turnaround from a year ago, when the Ice went 2-12.
Knighton was part of that team the final eight games, coming in to solidify the quarterback position and leading the Ice to their only two wins.
A former All-American at Division II Harding University in Arkansas, Knighton threw for 1,329 yards a season ago with 26 touchdowns at four interceptions.
His performance allowed him to enter this season the definitive starter for an Ice squad that revamped most or its roster.
"David has grown up as a player," Ice coach Collins Sanders said. "He's found a comfort level on the field and with the team. He's got the ability to lead by example, by what he's doing on the field.
"I couldn't be happier with what he's done for us."
Although the Ice rushed to a 7-0 start, Knighton struggled some early this season.
By season's end, he had thrown for 2,038 yards and 38 touchdowns, enough to be one of four IFL quarterbacks nominated for the league's MVP award.
"It's amazing," said Knighton, who was named the league's most improved player. "I'm honored to be mentioned with those other guys.
"I prepared to play like (an MVP), but to see it happen is kind of surprising. But it's not just me. This is something great for the team."
Before coming to the Ice last season, Knighton spent training camp with the Calgary Stampede of the Canadian Football League and was with theArizona Arkansas Diamonds of the IFL.
After not making it with the Stampede, Knighton found no interest from the Diamonds and would up with the Ice for the second half of the season.
Though he found success right away with the Ice, Sanders sees a different and much more confident quarterback in his second season.
In a league that puts a premium on quarterback play, Knighton had made the necessary adjustments. With the smaller field, windows to throw in are tighter and reads must be made quicker.
"He was great for us last year, maybe plateaued early this year and took off again," Sanders said. "He's got experience in this league. He knows what teams will give you and what they'll take away.
"In this league, experience is the only thing that can prepare you for what you're facing."
Knighton agreed.
"I learned so much about the game in general," he said. "Just the experience of playing the games has helped. It's different than the outdoor game, but at the end of the day it's still football."
Knighton's MVP-type season has helped guide the Ice to the top seed in IFL playoffs
Jun. 25, 2011
Written by Jeff Bersch
» Next up: Fever at Ice, 7 p.m. Monday, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland
» TV/radio: none/KJMP (AM 870)
Looking at the other talent in the Indoor Football League, David Knighton isn't sure he was MVP worthy.
"I put forth an MVP effort," he said. "I will say that."
MVP or not, Knighton, a second-year quarterback, is one of the main reasons the Colorado Ice have found the success they have this season.
Knighton, one of 10 nominees in the IFL for MVP honors that went to
Colorado will host the Tri-Cities Fever at 7 p.m. at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland in a second-round matchup in the Intense Conference playoffs.
By going 11-3 during the regular season, the Ice won their division and earned the conference's top seed and a first-round bye.
"You can't get any better than being a No. 1 seed," Knighton said. "I'd say the season went pretty well."
This season was quite a turnaround from a year ago, when the Ice went 2-12.
Knighton was part of that team the final eight games, coming in to solidify the quarterback position and leading the Ice to their only two wins.
A former All-American at Division II Harding University in Arkansas, Knighton threw for 1,329 yards a season ago with 26 touchdowns at four interceptions.
His performance allowed him to enter this season the definitive starter for an Ice squad that revamped most or its roster.
"David has grown up as a player," Ice coach Collins Sanders said. "He's found a comfort level on the field and with the team. He's got the ability to lead by example, by what he's doing on the field.
"I couldn't be happier with what he's done for us."
Although the Ice rushed to a 7-0 start, Knighton struggled some early this season.
By season's end, he had thrown for 2,038 yards and 38 touchdowns, enough to be one of four IFL quarterbacks nominated for the league's MVP award.
"It's amazing," said Knighton, who was named the league's most improved player. "I'm honored to be mentioned with those other guys.
"I prepared to play like (an MVP), but to see it happen is kind of surprising. But it's not just me. This is something great for the team."
Before coming to the Ice last season, Knighton spent training camp with the Calgary Stampede of the Canadian Football League and was with the
After not making it with the Stampede, Knighton found no interest from the Diamonds and would up with the Ice for the second half of the season.
Though he found success right away with the Ice, Sanders sees a different and much more confident quarterback in his second season.
In a league that puts a premium on quarterback play, Knighton had made the necessary adjustments. With the smaller field, windows to throw in are tighter and reads must be made quicker.
"He was great for us last year, maybe plateaued early this year and took off again," Sanders said. "He's got experience in this league. He knows what teams will give you and what they'll take away.
"In this league, experience is the only thing that can prepare you for what you're facing."
Knighton agreed.
"I learned so much about the game in general," he said. "Just the experience of playing the games has helped. It's different than the outdoor game, but at the end of the day it's still football."