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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Shock take to carpet


Former U-Hi grad Jake Roberts, left, hauls in a pass against ex-EWU standout Muhammad Shamsid-Deen.  
 (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Among the many firsts on the first day of Spokane Shock training camp: Raul Vijil played some defensive back, Billy Newman ran post patterns and Charles Frederick discovered pass routes in arena football aren’t quite the same as they were a few years ago at Husky Stadium.

“I was a running back in high school,” said Newman, who was a standout safety at Washington State University. “It was actually fun. With defensive back, there’s going to be some rust but I didn’t really have to push myself too hard because I want to give myself some time. But at receiver, I have a lot to learn so I had to push myself – and that’s probably why I strained my hamstring.”

The expansion Shock took their first formal steps with a three-hour, 30-minute practice Monday at the Spokane Indoor Soccer Center.

For newcomers to the arena game, which numbered roughly 22 of the 31 players, some of those steps came at positions they’d never played before.

Arena football is a condensed version of the outdoor game – smaller field, fewer players and most guys see time on both sides of the ball.

“It’s a whole lot different,” said the speedy Frederick, a University of Washington product who was released by three NFL teams last season. “There are a lot of different rules. It’s somewhat similar (to the outdoor game) but I’ve got to change a couple of things. I’ll just take it one day at a time.”

Vijil, a wide receiver at Eastern Washington, was adapting to arena-friendly pass routes as well as working in at defensive back.

“The arena game is a lot different than what I’m used to and a lot of guys have to go both ways,” Vijil said. “I didn’t play (DB) in college. I didn’t even play it in high school, but I’m getting used to it and it’ll eventually work out.”

Vijil said he’s learning from the coaches, by watching tape of AFL teams and on Monday by watching arena veterans like former WSU receiver Nian Taylor.

“You watch them and learn everything you can; ask them questions,” Vijil said. “And the quarterbacks, too, they’re very informative with the game.”

Players sported new practice gear, including 40 helmets the equipment staff, head coach Chris Siegfried and his assistants were busy assembling Monday morning at 1:30 to be ready for the opening practice.

Siegfried was generally pleased with the players’ fitness level, thanks in part to pre-camp conditioning regimens set up by the Rockwood Clinic, but knows much work remains.

“We have some skill guys with knowledge of the game and they understand a little bit the nuances of the arena game,” Siegfried said. “But even a guy like Charles Frederick, as great a receiver as he is, at times he looked a little lost. A week from now, it’ll be old hat for him.”

Siegfried said he will divide repetitions between the three quarterbacks for the next week. “We won’t decide (on a starter) for at least a week, week and a half,” the coach said.

Notes

Fullback/linebacker Corey Taylor, who manages a fitness training facility in North Idaho, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon midway through practice. “I was just rushing in and it blew,” Taylor said. “I was having a good one (practice), too.” … The Shock will hold their first session in the Spokane Arena on Saturday with an intrasquad scrimmage. On the following Saturday, Everett and Spokane will hold a controlled scrimmage at the Arena.