In an exciting new feature as part of the ongoing efforts for the Cats to raise not only their profile, but to promote the sport or Britball as a whole, the organisation will be running a series of coach and Player interviews online. First in the series is Defensive Coordinator Sean Gray.
Cats Talk
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Coach Gray, you’ve had a playing career with many honours, but now you are moving less from the field and more to your coaching role. How do the achievements of the Cats defense rank amongst your personal achievements within the sport?
Coach Gray: In my 21 year career in this sport, the 2007 Cats Defense has ranked up in my top 3. As a second year Defense Co-ordinator/player, I am very pleased and proud to be part of the Cats pride. Over my career, I have been honoured and fortunate to be coached from some of the best coaches over the years in the UK like Coach Ian Ellis, Coach James Mitchell and Coach Brian Smallworth. These coaches that I have looked up too over the years to give a smile and positive comments on our achievements this past year, it is a proud and awesome lift and push for us in the coming 2008 season. This is why the Cats 2007 Defense is high up on my personal achievement and I cannot wait to see what other future achievements lie before us.
Delozier leading the way.
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Royer and Coco combine to bring the ball carrier down
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Cats Talk
: So despite your limited playing time in 2007, the Cats still managed to set records on defense. Tell us about some of the players who you trust to execute on the field in your absence.
Coach Gray: Again, I just want to say a huge well done to all the lads for a record breaking season. Every player showed their true metal out there! Coming from a linebacker background, middle linebacker David Delozier and outside linebacker Justin Royer, a Texas boy, both played like solid granite for the defense and complement each other nicely. In the middle Delozier is very strong, reads the game well and communicates his experience to his young teammates.
Coco contributed with 6 defensive touchdowns.
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up close checking Ashby’s tackling technique
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Royer played like a true Texas footballer all year, with speed and great intensity at the strong side of our linebacking core. Both showed versatility as they also plied their talents in the offensive line when needed, showing the perfect attitude and determination for success to the coaching staff and teammates.
James Kocherhans, the kid we call Coco, had an awesome season as top tackler. James is a bit of a rough diamond at the moment but has a lot of potential for a young man. With his continued commitment and dedication to learn from the excellent coaching staff Head Coach Bice has assembled, Coco will be a big name in this sport in the future.
I also thought my two starting cornerbacks and safeties did a great job this year in the defensive secondary; Nate Ashby along side Matt Casey and step in safety Gurkinder Mann. These guys have set a very high benchmark for our rookies, which is how it should be.
Brown’s aggression has got him to the ball no matter where he played
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Case returns another interception
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Another player who stood out as well was defensive end Matt Brown, Matt is one of those aggressive players that we coaches love and hate! Matt being undersized for a lineman really impressed us all, not least of all in willingness to play anywhere as we moved him down from safety to linebacker because he was still too aggressive!! So we gave him a shot on the Defensive Line under Coach Marco Fasulo and that’s where he’s seemed best suited. Coach Fasulo, who played for the Cats during the mid 90’s himself and has had a huge career especially at the London O’s, has given a positive input with the D-Line and we am very pleased to be teamed up with him again.
One other player who was my general on the field was Ray Palmer. Ray took over defensive captain responsibilities from Martin Brown when Martin took over at quarterback. Both did a great job with their experience and maturity when the change was needed. Ray has been around a long time and has a good aptitude for the game. He supports the coaching staff 100% and relays it on the field and in turn we trust him 100% as a field general.
Cats Talk
: So of all the defensive statistics from this past season, which ones do you feel should make the league stand up and take notice?
Coach Gray: That’s an easy one! The total points against and defensive touchdowns in total the Cats defense conceded only 9 touchdowns last year; however, we balanced that stat by scoring 9 9efensive touchdowns and added a safety which any coach would agree are awesome stats. How we manage to achieve that record you may think! It took us a year to establish a defense that can adapt to most offences, just by keeping the system simple. Add to that, our no nonsense practices and adopted “train as you play” philosophy along with the right drills and talented players to coach made it happen. With our family pride attitude we can only improve for 2008 season.
Cats Talk
: The Cats have been a part of your footballing life with playing in the mid 90s for the club and then to come back in 2006 as a coach/player, but what of the future of the Cats. Where do you see yourself and the Cats in 3, 5 years?
Coach Gray: Well my personal goals for myself is to get more coaching experience with guidance from Head Coach Rick Bice and to wean myself from playing, which if you ask any passionate player, is very hard to do!! Additionally, both personally and for the team, to always push the Defense harder and have fun doing it as well.
For the team, I would like to expand the Defensive Coaching staff as we are growing! Maybe one day take over the Head Coach job in the future and continue what this team of coaches have put together. On more of a personal note, I would love to be part of the coaching staff on the international stage for my country. But until then, I will continue to work to improve myself, teach the team to be the best and help show what is needed defensive touchdowns to win games.
Images courtesy of Cambridgeshire Cats.