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By JOE PETRUCCI jpetrucci@leader.net
Thursday, March 20, 2003 Page: 5B
The recent departure of another member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Pioneers front office had little effect on the team’s first training camp
practice on Wednesday at Wyoming Valley Sports Dome.
Pioneers Owner/Operator Greg Smith said General Manager Rick Sneed left the
team effective Friday to take another job. Also Wednesday, 30 candidates for
21 opening-day roster spots looked skilled, sharp and energetic during a 3
1/2-hour workout that opened Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s second arneafootball2
training camp.
Pioneers head coach Dean Cokinos, on the job two weeks after taking over
for Lary Kuharich – who left for an assistant job with the Arena Football
League’s New York Dragons – wasn’t surprised.
“That’s just organization, being professional and doing the job the right
way,” Cokinos said.
All players were in full pads and participated in live contact drills,
including blocking and tackling. About two dozen fans were on hand at the
public workout. The 13-day camp continues from 7:30-10 p.m. today at the dome.
Smith said he will spend more time in the Wyoming Valley during the next
month to try to find a replacement for Sneed, who took a position with a firm
that builds athletic training facilities.
“We want to bring in a character person, like Dean talked about,” said
Smith.
The duties of the general manager position in af2 are unlike those in other
leagues. The af2 GM is typically not responsible for player acquisitions but
serves in more of a supervisory role over sponsorships, ticketing and public
relations.
The Pioneers have more than twice as many players in camp (13) with arena
football experience than last year (six). In addition, eight Pioneers who were
on last year’s inaugural 6-10 season are back.
One, offensive specialist Opio Gary, made the play of the day during a
three-on-three passing drill. On an out pattern, Gary made a diving,
one-handed catch of a Kelvin Robinson pass, much to the delight of his
teammates.
“I was just focused,” said Gary, who was the team’s third-leading
receiver last year with 32 catches for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He also
made 22.5 tackles on defense and had two interceptions. “I’m coming in here
trying to make a new team. I want to be a part of this team. I had to go after
it. I didn’t want to let it drop.”
Gary spent the offseason in Wilkes-Barre with the intent to play another
year in af2 with the Pioneers. He knows it won’t be easy.
“This year is different. The coaches set a different tone,” said Gary.
“They already told us everybody has to earn a spot.”
Lineman Bo Thomas was also impressed with the coaching. Thomas, 28, was on
the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in 1997 and ’98 before playing in NFL
Europe for a few years. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder, who played three games with
the af2’s Richmond Speed last season, looked strong in two-on-two and pass
rushing drills.
“It was a nice strong practice,” said Thomas, who dislocated the middle
finger on his right hand midway through the workout and didn’t participate in
any more contact drills. He said he’ll be hitting again today.
“The coaches were outstanding, way better than Richmond.”
According to a league release, the Pioneers on Wednesday released
fullback/linebacker Carl Beaty and placed wide receiver/defensive back Aman
Abye and fullback/linebacker Willie Owens on the refuse to report list. Refuse
to report is not necessarily a negative designation.
Abye, the team’s top receiver a year ago, is finishing his doctorate degree
at Temple and won’t be available to play until May. Owens is tending to a
personal matter and his status is uncertain. Owens said he will try to make as
many practices as he can. Neither player counts against the team’s roster
number.
Five more players are expected to join the team today. The team has to cut
down to 30 by 2 p.m. tomorrow.