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Everything's Bigger in Texas: Revolution coach taken aback by team's first tryout
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
Growing up and coaching in Ohio, Texas Revolution head coach Billy Back was under the impression he was in the midst of football's talent apex.
Then he held his first tryout in Texas.
"It was a biased opinion," Back said. "But once I told that to the players, they had almost a gasp and wondered if I was being serious. They went out and showed me exactly what I was looking for and I was so impressed.
Prior to their inaugural season, the Revolution held a tryout Nov. 11 from Allen's Blue Sky Indoor Soccer Facility. The tryout focused on individual assessment, with attendees submitting times in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle and five-star cone drill. Comparing the talent on hand to their Ohio counterparts, the physical intangibles caught the coach's eye.
"I hadn't ever been around as much speed," Back said. "The size and speed of it all was a huge difference."
The Revolution inked multiple players for 2013, including several with Division I experience -- defensive back Darien Williams (Oklahoma), offensive lineman Shawn Santos (Tulsa), defensive back Kedrick Alexander (Tulsa), wide receiver Keith Smith (Purdue), wide receiver Justin Siller (Purdue) and former Allen Wrangler Jeremy Brown (Texas A&M).
"The roster we have signed is one of the most talented I've been a part of," Back said. "We've got 39 players who can all start for any team in this league and I don't think there are any weak links that we've brought in."
Another tryout standout was Florida running back Mon Williams, who Back said instantly drew comparisons to Greg Moore, a versatile rusher from Back's string of league championships with the Cincinnati Commandos.
"Once I saw [Williams] run the ball, break out for a route out of the backfield and run a route from the slot," Back said, "I turned to one of my assistants, who's also from Cincinnati, and I said, 'I think we've found our Greg Moore.'"
Winston Salem State's John Mobley will bolster the offensive line while Alcorn State receiver Simon Collier and Arizona receiver Terrell Turner ran the fastest 40s at 4.36 and 4.41 seconds, respectively. The defense will enjoy the additions of defensive back Eddrick Loften (Tennessee), linebacker Anthony Kelly (Florida State) and linebacker Jermaine Love (Arkansas).
Signings of that ilk have Back optimistic about the defense's prospects, with linebacker and secondary among the Revolution's strong suits on paper.
Offensively, Back had similar praise for the running backs and receivers, while Texas still looks to sort out a formula on the offensive and defensive lines.
Quarterback is another wait-and-see area, with Allen product Nathan Dick unproven at the indoor level and Marcus Jackson boasting just one year of starting experience with the Wichita Wild.
The Revolution hope to fill remaining voids Feb. 2 at 9-11 a.m. from Blue Sky for the team's second tryout.
"The key to us being successful is how well we mesh at camp and how we come together as a team," Back said. "You can have the best individual players but if they don't play well as a team, then we won't be very successful.
Holiday packs now available
The Revolution (972-422-7277) is running a trio of holiday packages.
First is a Family Four Pack for $400, which includes four select section season tickets, four t-shirts, four caps and a Revolution football autographed by general manager Tim Brown. Also available is a package that includes 12 reserved section vouchers, four t-shirts, eight soda vouchers, eight hot dog vouchers and an autographed team football for $350.
Also, season tickets are 15 percent off through Jan. 1.
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
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