Post by Banana Cat on Mar 8, 2012 9:22:37 GMT -5
www.theindependent.com/sports/danger-coach-sees-positives-after-season-opening-loss/article_d25b8d34-68e2-11e1-8c2f-0019bb2963f4.html
Danger coach sees positives after season-opening loss
March 7, 2012
By Bob Hamar / theindependent.com
Nebraska Danger coach Mike Davis liked some of what he saw when he watched the tape of his team’s season-opening loss to the Tri-Cities Fever.
The Danger played the Fever close, but in the end came up short in a 38-23 loss Sunday at the Heartland Events Center.
“All the things we did wrong are correctable,” Davis said. “A couple missed routes, a couple missed throws, a couple missed tackles. It’s all stuff that’s correctable.
“The effort was there and that was the most important thing, because that’s the one thing you can’t change. All in all, there was a lot to learn from it. We’ll be just fine when it’s all said and done.”
Davis estimated that the Danger executed well about 80 percent of the time on offense against the Fever. It was the other 20 percent that got the team in trouble.
“Defensively it was the same thing,” Davis said. “I think we had five thirds-and-9 or longer. Three of them where Houston Lilliard ran at least 21 yards and the other one ones we missed two tackles and they turned them into long gains.
“If we do a few things right, that’s a whole different ball game.”
Danger quarterback Terry Mayo completed 16-of-39 passes for 193 yards with three interceptions.
Davis said it was a learning experience for Mayo.
“He was a little anxious, a little nervous,” Davis said. “That’s to be expected, and he’ll be the first one to tell you he missed some throws. We had some receivers that ran some wrong routes. Once again, it’s all correctable.”
Mayo did complete five passes to receiver Chris Bell for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Mayo and Bell have not only been working out together for the past six weeks, but they also came together in a trade from the Allen Wranglers.
“We had some bright spots, but I’d give our overall offensively play a grade of 60 or 65 percent,” Bell said of the opening game. “We’re still a new team and on offense, we’ve still got a few kinks to work out. As receivers, we have to do a better job of catching the ball, but overall, it was an all right game.”
Danger running back Erick Jackson had eight carries for 21 yards and one reception for four yards. Davis will be looking to get Jackson some more touches when the Danger hosts the Omaha Beef on Monday.
“That’s one of the things we’ve talked about,” Davis said. “Our offensive philosophy is more of a balanced philosophy, so our running backs will definitely get some more touches whether it will be running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield.
“It goes back to us jelling as a cohesive unit offensively and trusting the man beside you.”
Crowd count
Danger general manager Mike McCoy said there were 5,100 tickets out for the opener against the Fever. He didn’t yet have a count on the exact number that were scanned at the events center.
“We were very pleased with that crowd,” McCoy said. “You never know what to expect when you play on a Sunday night or a Monday night. That’s why our fans are the No. 1 fans in our league. They support us.”
The Danger also did away with the horns that bothered some fans a year ago. A few youngsters brought their horns from last year with them to the opener, but there were just a handful in the crowd.
March 7, 2012
By Bob Hamar / theindependent.com
Nebraska Danger coach Mike Davis liked some of what he saw when he watched the tape of his team’s season-opening loss to the Tri-Cities Fever.
The Danger played the Fever close, but in the end came up short in a 38-23 loss Sunday at the Heartland Events Center.
“All the things we did wrong are correctable,” Davis said. “A couple missed routes, a couple missed throws, a couple missed tackles. It’s all stuff that’s correctable.
“The effort was there and that was the most important thing, because that’s the one thing you can’t change. All in all, there was a lot to learn from it. We’ll be just fine when it’s all said and done.”
Davis estimated that the Danger executed well about 80 percent of the time on offense against the Fever. It was the other 20 percent that got the team in trouble.
“Defensively it was the same thing,” Davis said. “I think we had five thirds-and-9 or longer. Three of them where Houston Lilliard ran at least 21 yards and the other one ones we missed two tackles and they turned them into long gains.
“If we do a few things right, that’s a whole different ball game.”
Danger quarterback Terry Mayo completed 16-of-39 passes for 193 yards with three interceptions.
Davis said it was a learning experience for Mayo.
“He was a little anxious, a little nervous,” Davis said. “That’s to be expected, and he’ll be the first one to tell you he missed some throws. We had some receivers that ran some wrong routes. Once again, it’s all correctable.”
Mayo did complete five passes to receiver Chris Bell for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Mayo and Bell have not only been working out together for the past six weeks, but they also came together in a trade from the Allen Wranglers.
“We had some bright spots, but I’d give our overall offensively play a grade of 60 or 65 percent,” Bell said of the opening game. “We’re still a new team and on offense, we’ve still got a few kinks to work out. As receivers, we have to do a better job of catching the ball, but overall, it was an all right game.”
Danger running back Erick Jackson had eight carries for 21 yards and one reception for four yards. Davis will be looking to get Jackson some more touches when the Danger hosts the Omaha Beef on Monday.
“That’s one of the things we’ve talked about,” Davis said. “Our offensive philosophy is more of a balanced philosophy, so our running backs will definitely get some more touches whether it will be running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield.
“It goes back to us jelling as a cohesive unit offensively and trusting the man beside you.”
Crowd count
Danger general manager Mike McCoy said there were 5,100 tickets out for the opener against the Fever. He didn’t yet have a count on the exact number that were scanned at the events center.
“We were very pleased with that crowd,” McCoy said. “You never know what to expect when you play on a Sunday night or a Monday night. That’s why our fans are the No. 1 fans in our league. They support us.”
The Danger also did away with the horns that bothered some fans a year ago. A few youngsters brought their horns from last year with them to the opener, but there were just a handful in the crowd.