Fort Wayne Freedom

Tuesday practice notes

Nothing too exciting today. The guys didn't wear pads for the second consecutive week, and they were done by probably about 10 a.m. So it was about a two-hour practice.
At the end, the linemen ran while the "athletes" (receivers, defensive backs, linebackers and quarterbacks) did push-ups and sit-ups.

• I spent 10 minutes with receiver Cesare Manning after practice for a story that will run in Thursday's paper. He has a big tattoo of a bear on his left bicep with the word "bear" over it. It's a nickname his grandfather gave him when he was a kid, and most of his family calls him that. Manning said the guys on the team don't call him it, though he did admit to getting teased sometimes. Cody Hodges used to growl at him.
• Receiver Jermaine Jackson, who hasn't played the last two weeks, was back running around with the first team offense. Blayne Baggett was the quarterback, a position I was curious about. Brown didn't seem too happy with him after the loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and I still think Baggett's fourth-quarter interception in the end zone was the play that changed the game. Just a bad decision. It was only second down. He should have thrown it away. We'll see what happens this weekend at Tennessee Valley. I wouldn't be shocked if he struggles again to see Brown not waste time and go to backup Joe Micco -- and then have Micco start the finale at Quad City.
• At one point during 8-on-8 work, Baggett completed a short pass, but Brown told him to throw it quicker. "Quicker even?" Baggett said. "I don't know if my back foot dropped." It's interesting to see and hear stuff like that. Makes you realize how different the arena game is -- that it's not only OK to throw off one foot but encouraged.
• On an unrelated note, the Kalamazoo Xplosion beat Chicago 51-44 in its playoff game last weekend to advance to the semifinals in the Continental Indoor Football League. Kalamazoo, which has six former Freedom players, will play the league's best team this weekend. Port Huron hasn't lost a game in its two seasons (25-0).

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

First-quarter update against Green Bay

There's no score after the first quarter in Green Bay where the Fusion are playing its third game in a four-game stretch against Midwest Division opponents. Like most of you, I'm listening to the game on the radio, and as always, will provide my observations throughout the game.

• In his first game, cornerback Arthur Berlanga intercepted a pass on Green Bay's first play from scrimmage. Berlanga got the start because corner Barry Drakeford didn't make the trip. Coach Eddie Brown said Drakeford took a helmet to the knee last week and wanted to sit Drakeford this week for precautionary reasons. The af2 transactions have corner Jamaal Rufus, who was in pads at Tuesday's practice, listed on injured reserve. So, again, the depth in the secondary is quickly being depleted. Derrick Simmons and Nate Williams started Friday in the secondary with Berlanga. Berlanga has been in practice for a couple weeks.
• I know Brown likes to mix in the run, but does it have to be with fullback Joe Johnsonbaugh? I'm not sure if I've ever seen a guy more fumble-prone than Johnsonbaugh. Every time he touches it, I just wait for it to pop out. Officially, he only had one fumble entering the game (that shocked me), but he had another in the first quarter tonight.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Thursday's practice

Expect another new offensive line to play this weekend.
Coach Eddie Brown told me center Jesse Anderson quit the team, giving only an explanation of he wasn't motivated. Lenard Black spent the week at center, and Sunungura Rusununguko will fill in on the edge. Stephenol Santos, the only guy who has played up front all season, also will get the start.

• Windale Bates wasn't at practice this week, but he should play Saturday. Brown said Bates had a prior commitment out of state, one the team knew about ahead of time. He should join Ken West and Ernest Bentz on the defensive line.
• Receiver Mario Pratcher was back with the first team unit Thursday. It's been a couple weeks since he's played much on offense -- he had been practicing at the jack linebacker spot while Derek Brown moved to the secondary where the team had some injuries.
• Cody Hodges showed up near the end of practice to say his goodbyes, delivering hugs and hand shakes. He said he felt more comfortable being at home in Texas with family while he's recovering from suffering two concussions in a five-week span. On a personal note, Cody was a class act, a gracious guy whose strong faith was evident in his everyday life. He'll be missed, and I wish him well. I'll try to keep you guys posted on his future, should it involve football again. I know he wants his career to continue. 
• I am planning to listen to the Louisville game and will blog throughout. So check back for updates.
• I spoke to safety Nate Williams this week for a feature that will run in Friday's paper.
• As I expected, the attendance for the last home game (Quad City) was the lowest of the season. Coliseum GM Randy Brown said turnstile was 2,315, about 400 under the previous low.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

From Tuesday's practice

As I expected, defensive back Farrell Asbell wasn't around Tuesday, but he appeared to be the only player cut after Saturday's losing streak-snapping victory.
Asbell got yanked for a linebacker in the second half last week. Lawrence Wade was practicing with the first team at cornerback Tuesday in Asbell's place.
"(Asbell) did some things that put us in bad situations, but just the way he responded wasn't acceptable," coach Eddie Brown said.
Derek Brown, who replaced Asbell on Saturday, was working at safety Tuesday but that was because starter Nate Williams was out. Brown said Williams sprained the MCL in his knee and was going to get fitted for a brace. It didn't sound like Williams would miss playing time.

• Williams wasn't the only player nursing an injury. Terrel White, Windale Bates and Lenard Black also got treatment Tuesday.
• A couple more new faces were in practice, but, per usual, we'll wait and see if they're still around Thursday. There was a new center practicing with the offensive line, and I'm guessing he'll stick.
• Got the Stephenol Santos mystery cleared up. Brown initially thought that if a player was ejected, he had to miss the next game per league rules. But when he saw others players who had gotten the boot played last week -- one week after -- he called the league office to find out what was up. Turns out, the player just needs to pay a fine, and he doesn't need to miss a game. Santos got lucky and didn't even have to pay a fine because the league forgot to fine him right after the game, Brown said.
• Receiver Jermaine Jackson was back working with the first team offense.
• A season-low 2,687 fans were in the stands Saturday. The announced crowd was 4,000-plus.
• I spent almost two hours with GM Mike McCaffrey Monday morning for a feature on him that will be in Wednesday's paper. I'll post some additional audio and notes that don't make it in the story.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Tuesday's practice

As is our weekly ritual, coach Eddie Brown and I dissected all the personnel movement following last weekend's game. Some of the moves were expected (Patrick Horne) and some surprised me (Melvin Parris).
Brown said Horne had eight blown coverages the last two weeks -- I certainly noticed Horne getting victimized frequently against Cincinnati -- and Horne was cut. So was Warren Holloway, who returned kicks but not well enough. Brown isn't sure who will assume returning duties.
The most surprising move, I thought, was the trade of Parris. Parris was one of the team's veterans and he was a versatile player who played some linebacker, some defensive line and some fullback. But Brown said Parris and defensive lineman Eze Ejelonu were traded to Cincinnati for Joe Johnsonbaugh and future considerations.
"We run a team system where if there's one breakdown, the whole thing is broken down," Brown said. "So we need more discipline, team-oriented guys. Not saying those guys wasn't. They were team guys, but they had issues we no longer wanted to deal with."

• Brown said defensive backs Marlin Maxwell and Lawrence Wade were placed on injured reserve. Wade injured his right ankle in practice April 17 and just returned to the field Tuesday. He deflected a couple passes, and after the first one, announced "Wade's back." Maxwell had started every game this season but left the Cincinnati game in the first with a shoulder injury. Brown said the shoulder pops in and out and expects Maxwell to have surgery this week.
• Cody Hodges got the reps with the first team offense. He completed all eight of his passes during 8-on-8 drills, most of the short variety.
• Blake Saunders, a Delaware State product who joined the team last week, played with the first-team defense, joining Nate Williams and Farrell Asbell in the secondary.
• Defensive coordinator Tony Henderson was forced into action during practice because the team was short bodies. Henderson played both lines in the AFL and was an all-Big Ten lineman at Michigan.
• With the Komets done, Brown hopes his team will be able to get into the Coliseum for some practices. Brown wanted to do that this week, but it wasn't possible with graduation ceremonies. Next week, the team has a bye week and will take Tuesday-Thursday off.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Notes

Per usual (or so it seems), coach Eddie Brown made cuts after last weekend's game. Gone are receivers Reginald Ferguson and Antonio Madison. Brown said they weren't productive or ready to contribute. There were quite a few new receivers at practice Tuesday, but we'll see who sticks around and is there Thursday. Then I'll find out who's staying.

• Brown said lineman Randy Degg was at the game Saturday. I had mentioned in a blog I hadn't seen him. I told Brown how I think the offensive line is better with Degg, and he actually agreed. He said he takes the opinions of his assistant coaches seriously, so that's why he went with Stephenol Santos, Gary Freeman and Lou Vega in the starting lineup. The thing I like about Degg in the lineup, too, is that he can play nose tackle.
• Coliseum general manager Randy Brown said the turnstile attendance for the game was 3,041. That's not going to cut it. The team needs to be bringing in 5,000 at least. I've heard a lot of people say it should advertise more. I guess we'll see.
• Defensive back Nathan Williams, who crashed head-first into the boards Saturday, practiced Tuesday and looked fine.
• I saw some of you were wondering about what happened after backup Aaron Marshall was released. Brown admitted there was an argument but said no punches were thrown. Marshall also traveled back with the team.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Wrapping up practice

The most interesting element of Thursday's practice was to see the different looks on defense. There's an entirely new defensive line and some shake-ups in the linebacking corps. There will be some new names to learn this weekend, too.
Three guys who came off injured reserve will play. Eze Ejelonu (check out the story about him Saturday) and Tyus Jackson likely will start at end and linebacker, and Antonio Madison should get time at receiver.
Melvin Parris has played fullback and linebacker this season, but it looks like he'll start at end against Albany. With Parris on the line, Jackson moves to linebacker.
Derek Brown, the starter at the "jack" linebacker, got some work in the secondary. Brown was a safety in college and played cornerback in camp. Keep in mind, though, he was going to get cut until the coaches moved him to linebacker. So maybe seeing him in the defensive backfield isn't such a great sign. But at least practicing there offered Brown a chance to shake off some rust and, minimally, be an option. Starting DB Lawrence Wade is out against this week, still nursing a sprained ankle.

• The backup quarterback is Joe Micco, who was a walk-on at San Jose State. He looked decent in the 3-on-3 and 8-on-8 work I saw. He had a couple nice deep balls for would-be touchdowns, and he also showed nice zip on a couple passes on the goal line. But he nearly threw a couple interceptions, including one right to the jack linebacker.
• One of the best catches in practice was Tyrone Walker's right-handed snag in the end zone.
• Fort Wayne (2-2) is No. 15 in the coaches poll, four votes behind Spokane. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton moved past Florida into the top spot.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Tuesday's practice; roster moves

Coach Eddie Brown is making changes. And not only to the roster.
More injuries and lack of solid performance in a 54-41 loss at Manchester Saturday meant a different look in Tuesday's practice in terms of personnel changes but also in altering the approach to practice.
Gone are backup quarterback Aaron Marshall, who got his first start last week, and defensive lineman Grant Cameron.
Out season-ending injuries are kick returner/receiver R.J. Harvey (ruptured patella tendon) and starting defensive end Patrick Pa'u (torn ACL, MCL and meniscus).
On the shelf for at least four weeks after being placed on IR are starting receivers Cesare Manning (hamstring) and Jonathan Graham (torn ligament in thumb).
New arrivals include Reginald Ferguson at receiver and kick returner. More likely will be coming this week.
But Brown is more concerned with why these injuries are occurring and trying to curtail that during practice. He said he's going to shorten practices, for one.
"I think I've been practicing them too hard," Brown said. "Just the caliber of play we play, we're a very physical football team, and what I've got to do is learn to cut back on them and not beat them up too bad in practice. So our practice is more fundamentals and mental reps."
That's not an easy adjustment to make for Brown, who was known for an intense work ethic during his AFL playing days.
"I've got to realize they're not me," Brown said. "I could practice and go hard every day, all day. But they're not me. So I've got to make sure I make wise decisions and make sure I protect my kids because they're falling like flies, and I can't afford to lose all of them. So I've been cutting back in places I can afford to cut back in. They still are physical. But I've just got to do a better job making sure I protect them the best I can."
Tuesday's practice spent time emphasizing tackling, striping the ball, scoping it up and scoring. There was also walk through work with assignments, so players could do visualization of the recently installed game plan. The final hour of practice included usual three-on-three work with the receivers and DBs, individual defensive line drills, special teams work and conditioning.

• For more on Marshall's departure, be sure to check out Wednesday's paper. I wasn't at all surprised Marshall got cut. From the opening of camp, though he made strides, it was clear wasn't as sharp as he should have been. Especially once Cody Hodges got into practice and you saw how the offense was supposed to run. Though I'm sure you've heard it by now, Hodges was in his brother's wedding in Texas last week. I would bet he's happy to be back -- and bring his own car with him. Hodges' SUV was hooked up to a U-Haul in the Dome's parking lot. He had been renting a car the last couple weeks.
• Brown isn't sure if nose tackle A.J. Lindsay will return to the team or not. Brown said Lindsay has a tryout for the CFL April 25-28. "He didn't want to do anything," Brown said of Lindsay, who skipped practice Tuesday and Wednesday last week. "He was afraid of getting hurt. He made that decision on his own, so that's why we put him on team suspension."

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette

Tuesday's practice

Not much to report from Tuesday's practice. The team was only in shirts and shorts and worked mostly on adding some new plays on offense, working some scout defense and conditioning. Before coach Eddie Brown had the team line up to begin running for about the final 10 minutes of practice, he said, "We can make this nice and easy or we can make you all dead. We have this place (the Dome) until 10."
The linemen mostly compromised the first group of players who ran down-and-backs, and Brown rode center Gary Freeman especially hard. Brown said the offensive line, which also includes Lou Vega and Stephenol Santos, was "awful" against Bossier-Shreveport.

• There have been a couple roster moves since Saturday's loss. As expected, kicker Dave Weller was cut after his second consecutive poor showing -- missing an extra point and a 26-yard field goal against Bossier-Shreveport. Weller missed two extra points in the opener and only reached the net on a kickoff once. Coach Eddie Brown said Kyle Hooper, an Indiana State product, will be the team's new kicker. Hooper is expected to be at practice Wednesday. There will be more on the kicking situation in Wednesday's paper.
• Linebacker J.J. Horne, who started the first two games, also was released. Melvin Parris will move from fullback to linebacker to fill Horne's spot, and Sunungura Rusununguko will start at fullback.
• GM Mike McCaffrey said the team started running TV ads this week, so he's hoping for the turnout to be at least 5,000 -- or "the magic number," as he called it -- Sunday.

-- By Stacy Clardie, The Journal Gazette