The defense returns its leading hit-man and former, two-time, defensive MVP, David “Tenacious” Tate Jr. In what will be his 3rd season ever playing football, “Tenacious” Tate is he’s expected to have another super season at Defensive Tackle. He’s been looking good and fast, running down runners in team drills. Tate will be teamed on the line with Nose Guard Brenden Sombelon; who, through perseverance and persistence, became a starter for the first time last season. He’ll put opposing runners in the “Sombeloni” Sandwich.
Andrew Salamag is a returning second year player that posses tremendous speed and quickness off the ball. Defensive End Johnny “Reliable” Rivera is looking to be “Johnny-on-the-Spot” this season with improved tackling and pass rushing ability. He’s brings a consistently positive attitude to practice, accompanied with hustle and determination.
Another player making a comeback is Kenny Petty. Better known as “Petty-Bear”, Kenny looked tall and fast at mini-camp. Part of our Nose Guard / Line-Backer rotation will include Tod Sizemore, Salamaj and Stephen Sarria. “Tod-Zilla” put the “Charley-Hustle” back in his game this off-season and is having his all-time, best mini-camp ever as a Patriot. He’s been running and hustling. That’s his game. It’s predicated on, making it muddy and bloody and bringing the pressure up the middle.
Newcomers and football converts come from basketball and soccer. Stephen “Soccer” Sarria is giving American football a shot. His soccer hustle and speed are quite noticeable and expected. The pleasant and unexpected surprise has been his pass catching ability. With those hands, he’s been playing the wrong game of football all along.
Coming off the basketball court are Defensive Ends James “Big Games” Davis and Johnathan “Dunk-a-than” Jean-Laurent. James made a couple of athletic interceptions during mini-camp 2 weeks ago. Johnathan has been a 14-year dunking machine on the basketball court. We need him to dunk opposing quarterbacks and running backs and catch alley-oops in the end-zone.
Overall, the Lightning D-Line has speed and quickness getting to ball. The Thunder D-Line will include the O-Linemen playing in the interior at nose guard and defensive tackle. Both sides of have shown strength, speed and plenty of hustle.
Schedule
Cheers & Chants
Oct. 9 - Weikiva