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Little Rock, AR; With both Head Coach BCris Kelly and Defensive Coordinator Vinny Reynolds having expired contracts, General Manager Cringer McFreaky made it a priority to bring back the entire staff intact. He accomplished this by resigning both of them onthe same day. Kelly and Reynolds resigned, and look to be at the controls of the Toads for the next 5 years.
Though Little Rock went 2-12 lst season, and finished with a horible 8 game losing streak, ownership and G.M. Cringer felt that Kelly and his staff were the right guys for the job. Kelly is given much of the credit for the strong performance of the offense, particulary the running game. With a rookie, or an aging veteran who has never done much in his career, being the choice at QB, plus young WR's, Kelly made the decision of going with a strong running game. Kelly's strenght in play calling helped make the Toads one of the top rushing teams in the league despite having a rookie RB and only 2 linemen that could be rated as above average talent. There where times when Coach Kelly mixed things up, like against Columbia, when he went to and all out passing attack. Though not always successful, at times it did make the team much more competitive as they cuaght their opponents of guard. He is also well liked by all the players, and seems to get the highest effort from everyone on the roster.
Defensive Coordinator Vinny Reynolds is a key member of this franchise "because he is excellent with younger players, and his specialty with defensive backs, and against the pass overall, will be important if these team is going to find a way to stop Columbia and win this division," said G.M. Cringer. Reynolds' knowledge seemed to have played a big role for the Toad's defense in 2003, as the team performed fairly well against both the pass and the run, despite the lack of talent and the young players who filled several key positions. As this team looks to add a couple new starters to the defensive side this off season, and the younger players maturing, Little Rock believes that they will be even better in the 2004 campaign.
Perhaps the only move that is questionable, is one of the "non-moves." Keeping Offensive Coordinator Thurman Kawakami instead of making a change has created some talk in the papers and on the radio shows. With a young QB and RB holding the future of this team in their hands, Kawakami has never been real well in working with either positions. G.M. Cringer said that there is no perfect coach, and that Kawakami has tremendous ability relating and working with young players at ALL positions. He also pointed out that a strong offensive line is what makes an offense move, and that Kawakami is solid in that area.
Though Little Rock went 2-12 lst season, and finished with a horible 8 game losing streak, ownership and G.M. Cringer felt that Kelly and his staff were the right guys for the job. Kelly is given much of the credit for the strong performance of the offense, particulary the running game. With a rookie, or an aging veteran who has never done much in his career, being the choice at QB, plus young WR's, Kelly made the decision of going with a strong running game. Kelly's strenght in play calling helped make the Toads one of the top rushing teams in the league despite having a rookie RB and only 2 linemen that could be rated as above average talent. There where times when Coach Kelly mixed things up, like against Columbia, when he went to and all out passing attack. Though not always successful, at times it did make the team much more competitive as they cuaght their opponents of guard. He is also well liked by all the players, and seems to get the highest effort from everyone on the roster.
Defensive Coordinator Vinny Reynolds is a key member of this franchise "because he is excellent with younger players, and his specialty with defensive backs, and against the pass overall, will be important if these team is going to find a way to stop Columbia and win this division," said G.M. Cringer. Reynolds' knowledge seemed to have played a big role for the Toad's defense in 2003, as the team performed fairly well against both the pass and the run, despite the lack of talent and the young players who filled several key positions. As this team looks to add a couple new starters to the defensive side this off season, and the younger players maturing, Little Rock believes that they will be even better in the 2004 campaign.
Perhaps the only move that is questionable, is one of the "non-moves." Keeping Offensive Coordinator Thurman Kawakami instead of making a change has created some talk in the papers and on the radio shows. With a young QB and RB holding the future of this team in their hands, Kawakami has never been real well in working with either positions. G.M. Cringer said that there is no perfect coach, and that Kawakami has tremendous ability relating and working with young players at ALL positions. He also pointed out that a strong offensive line is what makes an offense move, and that Kawakami is solid in that area.