ARTICLE: Drew Henson Fired up
It is time to go to work according to quarterbacks Drew Henson and Timmy Chang, both of whom voiced their eagerness to get started in implementing the Rhein Fire’s offense after arriving for training camp in Tampa Bay, Florida this weekend.
“In camp you have a whole new team and a whole new offense to put in so we have these three weeks to get in sync,” Henson explained. “We have to get the running game and passing game to come together as a team as quickly as possible before we head over there.”
“I want to come out and make the right reads and put the balls in the receivers’ hands,” said Chang, the NCAA career passing leader in several different categories. “I want to feel comfortable in the offense that we’re in.”
Henson and Chang both have plenty to offer the Fire at quarterback, and both anticipate an exciting season ahead for Rhein – even if they cannot both be satisfied with enough playing time.
“I love throwing the ball,” admits Chang, who played his college ball at pass-happy Hawaii. “I’m use to throwing the ball 60 times a game, so hopefully I’ll have a chance to throw the ball.”
“We’re going to try to bring some excitement, but first and foremost we’re going to try to win some games,” Henson said. “We want to be a winning team and we want to win the World Bowl, that’s what I came over here for. That’s the ultimate goal. We want to give them some excitement and show our fans what American football is like.”
Henson was a one-year starter at Michigan after backing up Tom Brady for his first two years with the Wolverines, who was touted as a possible top draft pick in the NFL before switching to the baseball diamond after his junior season. The opportunity to play in NFL Europe allows him to build on his limited NFL experience, which has seen him start one game for the Dallas Cowboys. The desire to play means that he will go into training camp hungry to see some action.
“I think any good player is always hungry anytime they go out there to play or practice,” Henson continued. “You really need to get game repetitions to move the ball and get back in sync.
“I haven’t been out of football it’s just game action that I haven’t been in so much lately. We’re only two months removed from the season. The NFL season is a long year to. Having a shorter time off is good, because it doesn’t give you a long time to sit down and get rusty.”
The fact that NFL Europe training camp takes place in Tampa Bay – home of the Yankees during spring training – means that Henson will certainly feel at home.
“I’ve lived here for three years and I’ve had plenty of spring training with the Yankees. But I’m here for business and here to play football. I’m ready to do this.”
Fire fans can look forward to a potent ground game to go with their aerial attack, and running back Jacque Lewis feels he is up to the job. Lewis comes to Europe allocated by the Buccaneers – so this is a home from home experience for him too.
“I look at this as a second opportunity for me to get a shot at the NFL,” said Lewis after he made the short trip to training camp registration. “I’m very excited about this, because I didn’t really get an opportunity to showcase my talent last year throughout the preseason in camp. This will give me a chance to show what I can do.
“Rhein’s fans can expect a lot of big plays from me. I have big play capability. I bring spark to whatever team I’m own. When we need somebody to make a big play I’m usually that guy. Hopefully when I come over there I can be that guy for Rhein.”
Fire first year head coach Jim Tomsula is famed for the aggressive defenses he built with London, Scotland and Berlin as an assistant, and for the Fire defensive players, getting to work with one of the best is a big draw.
Defensive end Ja’Waren Blair played with Amsterdam in 2004, so he saw first hand what a Tomsula-led defense is capable of, and is excited to be getting to play with him this time. After missing 2005 with injury, Blair is even more happy to be back on the field.
“It just feels good to be back in this game,” said Blair. “After suffering from injury after injury you start to eat up all your chances. Then when you get someone who loves you like head coach Jim Tomsula and offensive coordinator Steve Logan it makes it better. They looked out for me and bought me to a good team. I’m getting another chance so I’m going to make this thing work.”
Blair explained that Tomsula’s defensive scheme meant that fans can expect: “Sack after sack after sack. You can expect a tenacious defensive line. We’re not going to take nothing from any other team. We’re going to dictate to them and we’re going to dominate the game.”
The Fire will get started making that defense work when they open camp at Tampa Catholic High School on Monday.
“In camp you have a whole new team and a whole new offense to put in so we have these three weeks to get in sync,” Henson explained. “We have to get the running game and passing game to come together as a team as quickly as possible before we head over there.”
“I want to come out and make the right reads and put the balls in the receivers’ hands,” said Chang, the NCAA career passing leader in several different categories. “I want to feel comfortable in the offense that we’re in.”
Henson and Chang both have plenty to offer the Fire at quarterback, and both anticipate an exciting season ahead for Rhein – even if they cannot both be satisfied with enough playing time.
“I love throwing the ball,” admits Chang, who played his college ball at pass-happy Hawaii. “I’m use to throwing the ball 60 times a game, so hopefully I’ll have a chance to throw the ball.”
“We’re going to try to bring some excitement, but first and foremost we’re going to try to win some games,” Henson said. “We want to be a winning team and we want to win the World Bowl, that’s what I came over here for. That’s the ultimate goal. We want to give them some excitement and show our fans what American football is like.”
Henson was a one-year starter at Michigan after backing up Tom Brady for his first two years with the Wolverines, who was touted as a possible top draft pick in the NFL before switching to the baseball diamond after his junior season. The opportunity to play in NFL Europe allows him to build on his limited NFL experience, which has seen him start one game for the Dallas Cowboys. The desire to play means that he will go into training camp hungry to see some action.
“I think any good player is always hungry anytime they go out there to play or practice,” Henson continued. “You really need to get game repetitions to move the ball and get back in sync.
“I haven’t been out of football it’s just game action that I haven’t been in so much lately. We’re only two months removed from the season. The NFL season is a long year to. Having a shorter time off is good, because it doesn’t give you a long time to sit down and get rusty.”
The fact that NFL Europe training camp takes place in Tampa Bay – home of the Yankees during spring training – means that Henson will certainly feel at home.
“I’ve lived here for three years and I’ve had plenty of spring training with the Yankees. But I’m here for business and here to play football. I’m ready to do this.”
Fire fans can look forward to a potent ground game to go with their aerial attack, and running back Jacque Lewis feels he is up to the job. Lewis comes to Europe allocated by the Buccaneers – so this is a home from home experience for him too.
“I look at this as a second opportunity for me to get a shot at the NFL,” said Lewis after he made the short trip to training camp registration. “I’m very excited about this, because I didn’t really get an opportunity to showcase my talent last year throughout the preseason in camp. This will give me a chance to show what I can do.
“Rhein’s fans can expect a lot of big plays from me. I have big play capability. I bring spark to whatever team I’m own. When we need somebody to make a big play I’m usually that guy. Hopefully when I come over there I can be that guy for Rhein.”
Fire first year head coach Jim Tomsula is famed for the aggressive defenses he built with London, Scotland and Berlin as an assistant, and for the Fire defensive players, getting to work with one of the best is a big draw.
Defensive end Ja’Waren Blair played with Amsterdam in 2004, so he saw first hand what a Tomsula-led defense is capable of, and is excited to be getting to play with him this time. After missing 2005 with injury, Blair is even more happy to be back on the field.
“It just feels good to be back in this game,” said Blair. “After suffering from injury after injury you start to eat up all your chances. Then when you get someone who loves you like head coach Jim Tomsula and offensive coordinator Steve Logan it makes it better. They looked out for me and bought me to a good team. I’m getting another chance so I’m going to make this thing work.”
Blair explained that Tomsula’s defensive scheme meant that fans can expect: “Sack after sack after sack. You can expect a tenacious defensive line. We’re not going to take nothing from any other team. We’re going to dictate to them and we’re going to dominate the game.”
The Fire will get started making that defense work when they open camp at Tampa Catholic High School on Monday.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:53 PM
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