Thunder players getting crash course in camp

By John Bassetti

NILES — Absorption might be the key word during week two of preseason camp for Mahoning Valley Thunder players.

Absorption would be the ability and amount of knowledge seeping inside their helmets as the af2 team’s coaching staff crams to instruct and instill its methods.

“We’ve been throwing a lot at everybody,” coach Mike Hold said after practice at the new Infante Wellness Center.

“But will they pick it up in time?” Hold said of the question that should have an answer when the Thunder cuts to its final roster of 22 this weekend.

“We’re looking to see what each and every guy brings to the team,” he added.

Hold explained why even the progress of the quarterbacks may be impeded.

“You’re at your best when you’re reacting and not thinking; I think everybody’s doing a lot of thinking right now.”

Davon Vinson and rookie Rick Webster are the QBs in camp.

Even though Vinson played a few games in 2008, he’s seeing playbook material that’s new to him.

The Thunder camp has drills that are individual, drills that include small groups and drills that involve the whole team.

A 3-on-3 passing drill pits defensive backs against receivers but excludes linemen. Others match 4-on-4 or a full 8-on-8.

“How much of each [drill] depends on how practice is going,” Hold said. “We have timed periods devoted to a segment, but if we’re not getting it done we’re going to stay out there until we get it right. We try to touch on a little bit of everything.”

Hold said it’s no surprise that the team needs work.

“We’re not where we need to be, by far. I think some guys are showing good things, some have taken a step back. That may be because camp gets old and long.

“We only have a short amount of time to throw in a lot of stuff, so we’ve got to spend time studying, knowing plays and knowing what’s going on so that we have a chance to compete on the 27th.”

Hold is impressed with the Infante facility.

“It gives us plenty of room and we’ve got runoff, but it’s not lined. If it were lined, it would be the greatest thing we could have.”

The absence of padded walls or barriers isn’t a drawback, but benches on the sidelines are. Even so, players have been able to avoid them if they approach.

“It’s been a week-plus and we’ve had no injuries because of the confines of the facility, so that’s good,” said Hold.

A new player was in camp Tuesday after George Shackleford was put on the “refuse to report” list.

“He won’t be in,” Hold said of Shackleford, a University of Washington alumnus who was among a group assigned to the Thunder on Jan. 29. Defensive back Brandon Golder (Tennessee-Chattanooga) suited up Tuesday. That brought the practice count to 27 healthy players. Kicker Derek Schorejs is a 28th.

In addition to accommodating Schorejs, who has a job locally, Hold said that “he can’t kick in here anyway,” because the wellness center’s roof and beams aren’t high enough.

The Thunder’s day isn’t just 9 a.m. to noon.

After practicing in Niles, the team has lunch, then goes to meetings. At coaches’ meetings, talent is evaluated and plans are made for the following day’s practice.

“We have dinner at 5:30, then go home and crash,” Hold said.

bassetti@vindy.com