TRAINING CAMP PART 1 - MEET THE TEAM!!!

Gene Dahlquist

HEAD COACH

Gene Dahlquist is back for a second term. We were fairly harsh on coach D last year, but believe firmly in second chances! The experience of the 2001 season should serve him well, and with a healthy squad leaving camp for Scotland, he should have his team primed for a run at World Bowl X.

In an effort to help the coach's popularity we made him a surprise selection in the fan draft to the bewilderment of onlookers! More on that later ...

Thomas McGaughey

ASSISTANT COACHES

Coach D brings back nearly all his staff except DB's coach Richard Kent who left for Berlin. In his place is new defensive assistant Thomas McGaughey who seems to have settled in pretty well. He was in camp with the Claymores as a player in 1997, but ended up playing defensive back for the Dragons that year.

The rest of the staff is as you were, with offensive cordinator Mike Deal and assistants Kevin O'Neal and Steve McCusker. On defensive, returns Ray Woodward as co-ordinator and fan favourite Jim Tomsula as line coach.

Scott Dreisbach (#12)

QUARTERBACK

The Claymores season will rise and fall on the arm of ex Michigan star Scott Dreisbach (#12) - the unquestioned starter at quarterback. He didn't get to show much in the scrimmages, until an impressive final outing versus Berlin. He certainly shows no sign of the leg injury that de-railed his NFL career and is primed for a solid NFL Europe season. James Brown (#5) won the back-up job with a good showing throughout camp, but lacks the consistency of Dreisbach.

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Herbert 'Whisper' Goodman (#29)

RUNNING BACK

Two years ago, we felt Aaron Stecker was a prime contender for the league rushing title in camp (which he ended up wining) and we feel the same about Herbert 'Whisper' Goodman (#29). He has great moves, good hands and should be focal point of the offense. Even when the offensive line hasn't cleared the way for him he's shown the ability to gain something out of nothing. Robert Arnaud (#20) will come off the bench, and is a big back who runs tall and hits the hole hard. National Kofi Campbell (#32) was injured early in camp and didn't get much of a look in the scrimmages. K

JJ Moses (#85)

WIDE RECIEVER

This is the most improved area of the team from 2001. While it is easy to make a Dante Hall comparison with diminutive JJ Moses (#85) and his jitterbug moves, he has better hands, and gives it 100% every time out. The other 2 starters in the 3WR sets will be Scott McCready (#16) and Dondre Gilliam (#86). Both had great moments in the scrimmages. McCready, a rangy wideout, will make the tough catch over the middle and could be a red zone factor. The speedy Gilliam looks to have a habit of making the spectacular catch, and may be the teams top target at season's end. Kevin McKenzie (#87) and recently signed Corey Nelson (#?) round out the allocated players. Jason Byworth (#89) looks much improved and will look to fill Scott Couper's role as national starter. Rowelle Blenman (#21) will likely stick to special teams. Kwame Cavil (#80) had some moments in camp, but is on the practice squad for now.

Stevan Fontana (#84)

TIGHT END

There will be no repeat of the 66 catch season by James Whalen by the tight ends this season as blocking will be the main responsibility for returning Stevan Fontana (#84) and Elliot Carson (#88). However both made good catches in the scrimmages and will give Dreisbach another weapon. They are similar type players and will probably share playing time throughout the year. National Peter Sochart (#44) returns from an injury that cost him his 2001 season, and will look to develop at his new position.

Ian Allen (#77)

OFFENSIVE LINE

As always, this unit looks patchy in training camp (as it does for every team) - but looked like it was coming together in the final scrimmage. Matt O'Neal (#63) is the center, with guards Josh Lovelady (#70) on the right, and Pita Elissara (#74) on the left. The tackles look to be the strength of the line with Ian Allen (#77) manning the right side, and massive Jarvis Borum (#71) soaking up Dreisbach's blind side on the left. Versatile McAllister Collins (#72) played both center and tackle during camp, while Luke Fritz (#73) will back up the guards. Andy Stensrud (#66) is on the practice squad for now.

Tom Tovo (#96)

DEFENSIVE LINE

The dawgs are gone, but not forgotten. This group was relatively quiet during camp compared to its predecessors, instead letting their performance make the noise, as they look a capable group once again. As always D-line coach Jim Tomsula will rotate personnel, but Jarrett Procell (#92) and Radell Lockhart (#94) look to be the starting ends, with Pernell Davis (#98) starting inside. Cedric Pittman (#90) and DeVonte Peterson (#95) are the other newcomers. The familiar faces are nationals Tom Tovo (#96), back after a year in Canada, and Robert Flickinger (#91). Flick was held out of most of camp with an injury but should be ready for opening day.

London Dunlap (#54)

LINEBACKERS

This group has a lot of potential and was probably the most competitive position during camp. On the inside Michael Hawkes (#58) and Junior Robinson (#59) look like the starters, with the latter looking like a potential star. Yubrenal Isabelle (#51) will back them up. On the outside, Tony Ortiz (#52) looks recovered from his torn ACL injury that cut short his 2001 season and has reclaimed his starting job. Mawuko Tugbenyoh (#53) may have the edge on returning special teams hero London Dunlap (#54) at the other outside spot. National Stuart Hare (#57) joined camp mid-way, and will sit and learn in 2002.

Earl Riley (#46)

SECONDARY

The Claymores need to find a way to get their 3 safeties on the field at the same time as all look like major contributors. Earl Riley (#46) is back and has a fellow hitter in Willie Gary (#30). Imposing Scott Shields (#45) always seem to be around the ball and will pick off some opposing passes. The corners got better as the camp progressed after a toasting in the first scrimmage. James Rooths (#25) looks to be the pick of them and will probably start with 2000 veteran Hurley Tarver (#40). The trio of Todd Franz (#26), Mesene Louisdor (#27) and Keith Hayward-Johnson (#28) round out the secondary.

Lawrence Tynes (#1)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Rob Hart (#8) is back for another season, and again showed in camp that he has a stronger leg than he managed to show in games. Greenock born NFL allocate Lawrence Tynes (#1) will likely handle the longer attempts (though Hart outshone him whenever we watched) and kick-offs. The punter is Aron Langley (#11), who doesn't quite have the booming kicks of last years Brad Costello but seems solid enough. On returns JJ Moses will make a big impact. Hurley Tarver backs him up, with the possibility of newcomer Corey Nelson seeing action here too.

MORE PHOTOS FROM CAMP!

Todd Franz (#26)

Scott Shields (#45)

Junior Robinson (#59)

Scott McCready (#16)

Willie Gary (#30)

Dondre Gilliam (#86)