Utah Blaze notebook: Team trying to shake that losing feeling
This year, Wyman is on a team that can't seem to win, the 0-7 Utah Blaze.
Obviously, Wyman knows it's more fun playing on a winning team.
"To be honest, all the losing has been frustrating," said Wyman, a 6-foot-8, 350-pound mountain of a man who blocks for Blaze quarterback Joe Germaine. "It's different for me because I have always been on teams that have been successful."
In addition to playing for Dallas the previous two years, Wyman was with the San Jose SaberCats for three seasons, including a 2004 ArenaBowl campaign. And as an NFL rookie, he also was on a New England Patriots team that went to the Super Bowl.
So Utah's slow start is a new experience for Wyman. Still, he's not bitter about the offseason trade that sent him from Dallas to Utah.
"I still feel blessed and our spirits are still good because we know we have a very good team," Wyman said. "Sometimes you just get into certain situations and you get in a slump. We just need to keep fighting to dig out of it."
MISLEADING STATS: Utah quarterback Joe Germaine leads the AFL in passing yardage with 2,233 through seven games. He's on pace to shatter his own record, set last season, for passing yards in a single season.
Yet the Blaze are 0-7.
Blaze coach Danny White has a simple explanation.
"Joe's leading the league in yardage because we're behind all the time," White said. "We have to gain more yardage to try to catch up. More times than not, the team with the least amount of time of possession, fewest number of yards and fewest pass attempts wins the game in this league. That's not the case on the big field in the traditional game."
Still, Germaine has been remarkably consistent. He's thrown for at least five touchdown passes in each of his past 32 games.
Utah's Aaron Boone, a former Millard High star, leads the AFL in catches with 59, while teammate Huey Whittaker is third in the league in scoring with 20 touchdowns.
COUGAR TRYOUT: Former BYU and Snow College receiver Nate Meikle was signed by the Blaze on a two-day contract, and White liked what he saw from the former Cougar during Wednesday's practice.
"He's looked good. He's got great quickness," White said. "He hasn't played for a year, so he is a bit out of shape, but he's got some good moves. Too bad he's not 6-4."
Meikle, who is listed at 5-9, will have a hard time making the Blaze roster, however, since the receiving corps has been one of the few bright spots this season. In addition to Boone and Whittaker, who are among the league leaders at receiver, J.J. McKelvey has been consistent. He caught 11 passes for a career-high 171 yards and five touchdowns against Los Angeles on Saturday.
In addition, Blaze receiver Tom Pace (knee sprain) is eligible to come off the injured list next week.
Blaze back home
San Jose SaberCats (3-4)
at Utah Blaze (0-7)
EnergySolutions Arena
Friday, 7 p.m.
TV: none Radio: 1320AM
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com
Recent comments
Agreed. I think all Utah sports should be liked and supported.
Gunner | April 17, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.
Ok, I am not a Blaze fan, and prefer RSL and soccer over american...
Truce? | April 17, 2008 at 12:40 p.m.
