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Thunder rookies making impact
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THUNDER - (12) Ryan Greiser of the Thunder hauls down (6) Steve Savoy during their game Friday night. - Special to The Vindicator/Nick Mays
Patrick Wells and Ryan Greiser have each started games for the af2 team.
YOUNGSTOWN — Defensive backs Patrick Wells and Ryan Greiser have made good showings so far in three starts.
Although af2 rookies, both have had an impact.
Both had their first starts at Albany on June 13, followed by games at the Covelli Centre against Manchester and Wilkes-Barre.
For a second straight week, Wells led the Thunder in tackles with seven against Wilkes-Barre. He had 10 against Manchester.
Wells last played in college in 2007 as a safety at Ferris State in Grand Rapids, Mich.
He attended mini-camps with the Browns and Buffalo Bills last spring, then meandered through the AFL gauntlet until the league suspended its 2009 season.
Wells said his primary reason for playing af2 is to get some film, especially as a cornerback.
“There are a lot of [NFL] teams interested and want to see me play.”
Wells (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) said that af2 suits his style.
“It’s made for guys who want to tackle and run and I do both,” said Wells who hasn’t had any opportunity to play receiver yet.
“I want to focus — and get it right — on defense since I’m rookie. I’m more physical [than most] as a corner. I think that’s what’s helping me out as far as the position.”
Wells is in the backfield with Brandon Taylor, who is designated as a middle safety.
“He’s like an on-field coach,” Wells said of the Thunder player who started at the Jack linebacker position before moving to defensive back the latter part of the season.
“He knows everything that’s going on, so we feed off him mostly.”
Wells gave credit to coach Nick Ward, too.
“That’s why we’re playing so well,” Wells said of his position coach. “The first week I got here, I got thrown into a game and he helped me out the whole way.”
The Taylor-Wells-Greiser combination forms a good chemistry that hit a high note on June 19 with four interceptions.
“We’re right there for it to start clicking,” Wells said of the final three games. “We had four ‘picks’ the second game [Manchester] and it’s only going to get better.”
It’s been a sign of the trio’s capability.
“We’re at the end of the season, so you could only imagine if we were together in the beginning. The sky’s the limit.”
To Greiser, playing in af2 is like being in a small room with a lot of fast guys.
The 22-year-old is a weakside corner, who has looked to Taylor for guidance.
“Brandon knows the scheme real well, so he’s the leader back there and has been helping as far as schemes are concerned.”
Of the three opponents he’s faced so far, Wilkes-Barre stands out.
“They’re one of the best in the league with their combination of [QB Ryan] Vena’s accuracy and the receivers. Some of those guys played in the NFL for a while.”
The speed, of course, is the major difference from outdoors.
“It’s quicker when you have that wide receiver running at you. Outdoors, you have a little more time to read everything. Now, it’s boom, boom, boom. It was hard to adjust at first, but now I’m getting the hang of it and every week getting better.”
Greiser was an all-conference safety his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Liberty University, a FCS school in Virginia.
Greiser, who has two interceptions, tries to combine intelligence and ability to stay in step with the competition.
“From what I’m seeing in film study, I’m trying to use my intelligence to the best of my ability right now to keep me on pace with the athleticism of the guys in this league.”
bassetti@vindy.com