Post by MOnarchsRule on Apr 25, 2006 2:52:25 GMT -5
This is the KC stop in the series of postcards that SI.com's Don Banks will e-mail from his annual XFL training camp tour. (paraphrased from SI.com) [/i]
1. Monarchs training camp has begun here in Kansas City, MO. on the campus of Avila University, but I'm wondering if anybody here knows it? Fewer than 100 fans -- and I'm not exaggerating, folks -- showed up for the Monarchs' first workout of the new season, which took place in cool, comfortable temperatures perfect for summer football, with nary a break in the morning's overcast skies. You'd think that with all the changes, more folks would show up. We'll see what happens as the week goes on.
2. Newly signed defensive tackle Sam Adams, 32, is here at training camp, but he's not doing much of anything so far. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, Adams watched both of Monday's workouts without taking part. Suprisingly, he's already in football shape. Listed on the roster as weighing 334 pounds, Adams, the former Raider, former Raven, former Bill, and former 'Hawk is said to have approached 350 pounds when he weighed in last week, just before joining the Monarchs. Head coach Donnie Henderson acknowledged that Adams won't practice any time this week, and some believe it may be game two into the Monarchs' three-game preseason schedule before he's fit to play. Said one wise-cracking beat writer upon spying KC's big new acquisition on Monday, "So that's why the sun isn't out today."
3. Smart thing the Monarchs did this year, switching to the new artificial surface called Field Turf for training camp at Avila. The same stuff is scheduled to be installed at Arrowhead, following last season's debacle of a natural grass playing surface. Remember how hopelessly chewed up the field was late in 2004 and 2005? It won't happen again, which is downright pivotal for an XFL stadium that's in use 17 weekends a year. Also, the 'Archs also have Field Turf in their practice bubble in KC, giving them a rare bit of uniformity in the footing department.
4. The quote of the day was issued by one Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo, who'll turn 34 in August. Now the Monarchs' starting quarterback the 17-year CFL and XFL veteran is sliding gracefully into a new role, that of mentor. Calvillo, wearing a T-shirt that said "Get your mind right," had this to say about entering camp fighting for his job. "Hey, I'm still here, and I'm happy about it. I think being around a lot of young kids keeps me young. As long as the team plays well, I'll have a long career."
That's why I've always liked AC.
5. The Monarchs' starting strong safety this year is projected to be first-year man Daniel Bullocks, a first-round territorial pick in 2006 out of Nebraska. His twin brother Josh is the starting strong safety for the NFL's Saints. Small world, ain't it?
6. No sign of first round pick LenDale White, though the team assures me he'll be here by this weekend. "He's still rehabbing that hamstring. We are not worried," Coach Henderdon said, "By season's start, he'll be ready."
FILE THIS NAME AWAY......
Cory Ross. The 5-foot-6, 195-pound rookie running back/kick returner from nearby Nebraska has a real shot to make this team as an late-round territorial draft pick. Yeah, he's small, but Ross runs tough and aggressive on every snap, and consistently has shown a knack for makng the big play when he has the ball in his hands. He has the quickness, agility and balance to stop and start in a flash; he can really shake and cut to make tacklers miss. He'll return kickoffs and punts this preseason and will be worked into the backfield rotation at times.
"He's a productive guy, and he's quick," Henderson said. "He's going to get a long look with us, you bet. Going to get a real long look, like long, long look. Like real long. I think he's a good football player, I really do. I just think he's got a little something to him. I think the players feel that too."
1. Monarchs training camp has begun here in Kansas City, MO. on the campus of Avila University, but I'm wondering if anybody here knows it? Fewer than 100 fans -- and I'm not exaggerating, folks -- showed up for the Monarchs' first workout of the new season, which took place in cool, comfortable temperatures perfect for summer football, with nary a break in the morning's overcast skies. You'd think that with all the changes, more folks would show up. We'll see what happens as the week goes on.
2. Newly signed defensive tackle Sam Adams, 32, is here at training camp, but he's not doing much of anything so far. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, Adams watched both of Monday's workouts without taking part. Suprisingly, he's already in football shape. Listed on the roster as weighing 334 pounds, Adams, the former Raider, former Raven, former Bill, and former 'Hawk is said to have approached 350 pounds when he weighed in last week, just before joining the Monarchs. Head coach Donnie Henderson acknowledged that Adams won't practice any time this week, and some believe it may be game two into the Monarchs' three-game preseason schedule before he's fit to play. Said one wise-cracking beat writer upon spying KC's big new acquisition on Monday, "So that's why the sun isn't out today."
3. Smart thing the Monarchs did this year, switching to the new artificial surface called Field Turf for training camp at Avila. The same stuff is scheduled to be installed at Arrowhead, following last season's debacle of a natural grass playing surface. Remember how hopelessly chewed up the field was late in 2004 and 2005? It won't happen again, which is downright pivotal for an XFL stadium that's in use 17 weekends a year. Also, the 'Archs also have Field Turf in their practice bubble in KC, giving them a rare bit of uniformity in the footing department.
4. The quote of the day was issued by one Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo, who'll turn 34 in August. Now the Monarchs' starting quarterback the 17-year CFL and XFL veteran is sliding gracefully into a new role, that of mentor. Calvillo, wearing a T-shirt that said "Get your mind right," had this to say about entering camp fighting for his job. "Hey, I'm still here, and I'm happy about it. I think being around a lot of young kids keeps me young. As long as the team plays well, I'll have a long career."
That's why I've always liked AC.
5. The Monarchs' starting strong safety this year is projected to be first-year man Daniel Bullocks, a first-round territorial pick in 2006 out of Nebraska. His twin brother Josh is the starting strong safety for the NFL's Saints. Small world, ain't it?
6. No sign of first round pick LenDale White, though the team assures me he'll be here by this weekend. "He's still rehabbing that hamstring. We are not worried," Coach Henderdon said, "By season's start, he'll be ready."
FILE THIS NAME AWAY......
Cory Ross. The 5-foot-6, 195-pound rookie running back/kick returner from nearby Nebraska has a real shot to make this team as an late-round territorial draft pick. Yeah, he's small, but Ross runs tough and aggressive on every snap, and consistently has shown a knack for makng the big play when he has the ball in his hands. He has the quickness, agility and balance to stop and start in a flash; he can really shake and cut to make tacklers miss. He'll return kickoffs and punts this preseason and will be worked into the backfield rotation at times.
"He's a productive guy, and he's quick," Henderson said. "He's going to get a long look with us, you bet. Going to get a real long look, like long, long look. Like real long. I think he's a good football player, I really do. I just think he's got a little something to him. I think the players feel that too."