RAGE PLAYERS HEAR OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING
By MIKE THOMPSON
It’s a league to be proud of, for sure, this NIFL...Now entering it’s 6th year of play, with more expansion, better local media coverage, a greater fan base and more and more quality players securing roster spots on each individual team, it’s a league that has pole-vaulted over it’s various obstacles into an end-zone of opportunity in 2006. In just reaching this point in terms of operation, it’s already outlasted the WFL, The USFL, and various other fly-by-night upstarts that have started up and then disappeared in six yards and a cloud of dust.
Even super showman Vince McMahon’s circus on turf, the XFL, (remember He-Hate-me?) mercifully only hung around for one season. Yes, this is one solid, fan-friendly, player-quality set of teams calling itself the National Indoor Football League.
So why would anyone want to leave?? Because as great as it is and as great as it will be, for most players in the league, there is still the dream of the NFL, The CFL, or the Arena Football League, and while many, if not all, are loyal are true to the goals of The Rage, The Guard, The War birds, etc., the reality is that football is what these guys live and breathe 24-7. Most have been stars since they were in Peewee league, stars in high school, and standouts and stars at their respective colleges and universities. Yes, this NIFL is a showcase league, but a league filled with the chance for a shot at the next level, and for athlete’s striving to achieve the next goal, that brass ring looms large.
Last week, four Rage players took their best shot at movin’ on up. And while if any or all of these guys were to be gone next season, no one understands this process better than Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt himself “In many ways, I see myself and our league on somewhat of a mission, if you would, to help these guys move on to the next level. Sure, it would be a challenge to replace any of them, but you’d have to be happy for the players, and remember this, too, any of our guys make it to the Arena League, don’t kid yourself, that would open the door for top-notch players to FLOCK to this team, wanting to play. But the reality is that I understood all this when I signed on to coach this team. There is always the possibility you may lose a quality guy to a different level.”
So let’s run ‘em down..........
Scott Pingel...Scott’s off season has consisted on coaching football at CBC High School and teaching math, but he spent this past weekend at an invitation only workout for the Utah Blaze of the AFL. Pingel, the most prolific receiver in NCAA history, had a training camp shot with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, and worked out for Blaze Head Coach Danny White on Saturday, participating in 3 on 3 drills and had an opportunity to display his skills going one-on-one against the D-Backs of the Blaze. His reaction? “I felt good, actually better than I expected. I matched up well and they seemed impressed, but whatever happens, happens. I can live with whatever decisions come down.”
Coach Wyatt on Scott: I told them (Utah) If you’re looking for a speedster or someone who will bench press 25 reps of 225, he’s not your guy. But if you want someone who will catch the football, and get himself open to be in a position to grab it, you won’t find better.”
Bruce Blue...Finishing up a degree at Western New Mexico, but took the time to take a second go-round with the Utah Blaze. The Blaze organization was impressed with Blue at the NIFL All-Star Game in Odessa back in August, and gave him a chance this past weekend to show his ability at both defensive end and fullback (AFL players go both ways).
Coach Wyatt on Bruce: “ He’s got a great first step, and you need that to get hip-to-hip on an offensive lineman. He also has great pass rush capacity. Remember, he led the team that led the league in sacks last year.”
Hurtis Chinn...The Rams and Seattle Seahawks expressed interest in Hurtis last season and he went to an NFL type combine tryout in June. The Blaze asked about him, Coach Wyatt responded with game film, and Chinn found himself trying out as an offensive specialist and return man.
Coach Wyatt on Hurtis: “I always felt if the right person saw him, he would get picked up. He has blazing speed and that makes it hard for opponents to get a ‘jam’ on him. He’d make an excellent return man or go-to receiver.”
Rob Findley...Coaching football at Brentwood High School, but secured through his agent a tryout with the Columbus Destroyers of the AFL. An All-Division defensive back for the team in 2004, Rob was injured in the last game of the season and was used sparingly by Coach Wyatt this past year. Recovered, he hopes to take the next step in his football career.
Coach Wyatt on Rob: He’s an exceptional athlete. Here’s a guy who high jumped 6’11” and was an All-American track star in college. Those skills come in handy when working one-on-one against top-notch receivers.”
So, there it is.... four guys who love the Rage, have contributed much to the team’s success, and who will be ready to go again for coach Wyatt should that be the case in the coming months. But as I stated before, no one know the process better than Wyatt himself. “I am in constant contact with scouts from the NFL, the AFL, even the CFL...scouts who want game film on our players. I never know who might next be headed for a tryout, a workout, a look-see with the next level, but they do it with my blessing and the blessing of the owners, too. We understand the nature of this business is looking ahead all the time in terms of advantage and opportunity. I’d hate to lose any of my quality guys, but if they did move on, I know I’d feel some pride in knowing myself and the Rage and the league as a whole had a hand in making it happen.”
Stay tuned!!!
