Shock open season
The Spokane Shock return seven players from last year’s ArenaCup championship team, but that won’t matter to opponents. The Shock know their uniforms might as well have a target emblazoned on their chest.
“Even though we’re not the same team, we’re the defending champions so we’re going to get people’s best games,” said defensive back Rob Keefe, a standout on last year’s crew that thumped Green Bay 57-34 to win the arenafootball2 title in the franchise’s first season.
Spokane’s second season begins the same way it did in 2006 – against West Division rival Stockton, tonight at 5 at the Arena. The Shock debuted with a 41-40 win over Stockton last year, which helped generate fan interest and fueled the team’s habit for pulling out narrow victories.
“It’s a home game and the fans have a lot of anticipation, but it’s a completely different year,” said receiver Raul Vijil, back for his second year with the Shock. “Last year was amazing. We’re going to do the best we can and take it one at a time, but the opener is huge.”
The Lightning, 5-11 a year ago, have a new head coach, Doug Murray, who was the assistant head coach last season.
“Some of our guys are new (to arena football) so just that challenge and novelty is exciting and then going on the road is exciting and new,” Murray said. “And obviously, we’re playing not only the defending champions but a franchise that does everything well. The crowd will be great. It’ll be a great environment, and for our first game out of the chute to be at a place like Spokane, it will help me and the team understand that this is a quality level of play.”
Both teams start af2 neophytes at quarterback. Spokane will go with Andrico Hines. Stockton’s starter is Derrick Crudup, who was in camp with Louisville last year and spent part of the regular season with Spokane.
Hines is well versed on Spokane’s successful 2006 season. He researched the team on the Internet when he heard Spokane had interest in him. If that weren’t enough, the ArenaCup trophy sits about 10 feet away from the front door inside team headquarters.
“My biggest concern is just living up to the bill of the championship the team brought in,” Hines said. “It’s a championship organization. We don’t feel any pressure to win a championship, but it’s kind of expected around here.”
New Shock head coach Adam Shackleford hopes Hines’ job is made easier by a front he calls “the finest offensive line I’ve had the privilege of coaching.” The starters will probably be 2006 holdover Rico Ochoa, Amos Lamb (6-foot-5, 321 pounds) and Brandon Leyritz (6-3, 315). Fullback Ben Brown will also play a key role in protection.
“My role is to block and make sure my quarterback doesn’t get touched,” Brown said. “These guys on our line can play in the NFL. All three of them are really good.”
Antwone Savage, one of the most productive players in af2 last season, returns at receiver, along with Vijil. Chico Mackey, whom Shackleford called the fastest player he’s coached, Andre Rector and Lynzell Jackson are also receiving threats. Mackey will be the primary kick returner.
Crudup practiced at quarterback, receiver and on special teams at various times last year. He caught three passes in the ArenaCup.
“The hardest thing in this league for the quarterback is the development,” Keefe said. “It maybe takes a DB a year or two. You saw ‘ET’ (Charles Frederick) took one year to get to the next level. (Last year’s starting QB) Kyle Rowley played four years. This is Derrick’s first time starting so we’re going to try to confuse him.”
Keefe will be joined in the secondary by former Washington State Cougar Alex Teems and Nygel Rogers. The line should be anchored by returners Jerome Stevens and Katon Bethay, and Marquess Ledbetter, who signed earlier this week. Wyatt Gayer, who had 3 1/2 sacks in a scrimmage against Tri-Cities, Kelvin Morris and newcomer Jermaine Harris will be in the linebacker rotation.
Notes
Stockton is counting on big things from former Washington Husky Manase Hopoi. “We tried to get him here,” Shackleford said. Ex-Shock receiver Chris Stallworth, who tore his ACL last season, is on Stockton’s injured reserve with a groin injury. The Lightning are also without James Newson (knee injury). … The Shock will hold a halftime ceremony honoring the 2006 team. … Harris is the nephew of Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris.