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THE FIRE SAY GOODBYE
Well the time has come for the Fire to say goodbye to their die-hard fans in Columbia. Even knowing that 2009 was the final season for the Fire, fans continued to show their support for their beloved team by nearly selling out every game (Columbia averaged over 70,000 fans per home game). Many fans were encouraged by the teams play early in the season, and then injuries hit the team hard and sent the Fire spinning into a 5 game losing streak to end the year.
When reached for comments, David "Iceman" Hiley spoke about the Fire's fans. "It’s going to be hard leaving this place! These fans are awesome, and we will always keep our ties to the Columbia area. Unfortunately it was a business decision that convinced us move to Atlanta, and we are hoping to build a solid fan base there as well... But it is going to take a lot to make up for the following we have had here over the years. This was one great place to play"!
Despite the frustrating season overall, there were several highlights that stood out in 2009. QB Deron Markel entered his first season as a starter and finished with 19 TDs, WR David Norris broke the 1000 receiving yard mark for the first time in his career and pulled in 10 TDs, the teams young developing D line recorded 14.5 sacks in the first season running the 4-3 defense, and the Legend John Maynard posted a career year at MLB. So while it did not finish how everyone wanted it to, there were a lot of things the team is looking forward to building on in 2010.
The biggest question going into 2010 is who is returning? All Pro MLB John Maynard, SS John Hines, RT Winston Gribble are talking retirement, CB Steven Hamilton and G Darren Gordon are both eligible for free agency and there are many holes to fill via the draft. With a projected 14 Million in available cap space (before retirements and cuts) the team should be active on the free agent market.
The season may be over, but the best is yet to come as the team looks to rebuild and restock for 2010. The trucks are ready to move out and there is a new stadium waiting for the team in Atlanta.
Well the time has come for the Fire to say goodbye to their die-hard fans in Columbia. Even knowing that 2009 was the final season for the Fire, fans continued to show their support for their beloved team by nearly selling out every game (Columbia averaged over 70,000 fans per home game). Many fans were encouraged by the teams play early in the season, and then injuries hit the team hard and sent the Fire spinning into a 5 game losing streak to end the year.
When reached for comments, David "Iceman" Hiley spoke about the Fire's fans. "It’s going to be hard leaving this place! These fans are awesome, and we will always keep our ties to the Columbia area. Unfortunately it was a business decision that convinced us move to Atlanta, and we are hoping to build a solid fan base there as well... But it is going to take a lot to make up for the following we have had here over the years. This was one great place to play"!
Despite the frustrating season overall, there were several highlights that stood out in 2009. QB Deron Markel entered his first season as a starter and finished with 19 TDs, WR David Norris broke the 1000 receiving yard mark for the first time in his career and pulled in 10 TDs, the teams young developing D line recorded 14.5 sacks in the first season running the 4-3 defense, and the Legend John Maynard posted a career year at MLB. So while it did not finish how everyone wanted it to, there were a lot of things the team is looking forward to building on in 2010.
The biggest question going into 2010 is who is returning? All Pro MLB John Maynard, SS John Hines, RT Winston Gribble are talking retirement, CB Steven Hamilton and G Darren Gordon are both eligible for free agency and there are many holes to fill via the draft. With a projected 14 Million in available cap space (before retirements and cuts) the team should be active on the free agent market.
The season may be over, but the best is yet to come as the team looks to rebuild and restock for 2010. The trucks are ready to move out and there is a new stadium waiting for the team in Atlanta.
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