The Cincinnati Commandos have begun preparations for their third straight championship, and we are taking a look at the position battles.
Training Camp Preview: Linebacker/Defensive Backs
Training Camp Preview: Defensive Line
With the Cincinnati Commandos third training camp in full swing, we continue to take a look at the training camp roster.
Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line
Two-time all-league performer Frank Straub returns for his third season.
As training camp starts today, we continue taking a look at the training camp roster as the Cincinnati Commandos work towards their third straight league championship.
Offensive line (6) – Richard Bailey, Matt Byrd, Richard Deutch, James Jenkins, Mike Nitz, Frank Straub
Training Camp Preview: Receivers
Phillip Barnett may have to improve his practice habits to ensure chances at touchdowns.
With the players scheduled to report to training camp on February 18th, we take a look at the camp roster and how things could shake out in preparation for the season opener March 3rd against the Johnstown Generals.
Training Camp Preview: Quarterback/Running back
Running back Derrick Moss is almost guaranteed a roster spot.
With the players scheduled to report to training camp on February 24th, we take a look at the camp roster and how things could shake out in preparation for the season opener against the Johnstown Generals.
New League, Same Championship team
James Frazier, Terrill Byrd and Tony Longo (R-L) will spearhead a Commandos defense.
CINCINNATI, OH – Coming off back-to-back league championships, Cincinnati head coach Billy Back has a lot of reasons for optimism as the team starts a new chapter in the clubs tenure.
After dominating the Continental Indoor Football League to the tune of a two-year record of 23-1, the Commandos are about to embark on its first season in the United Indoor Football League.
“This is the most talented team we have had since I been here,” said Back. “The additions of players like Tony Longo, Darren Barnett and Mack Ogeltree make us even more athletic.”
Barnett, when he takes his first snaps, will be the second player in the history of the UIFL that has played on a Super Bowl winning team. Like his predecessor, Jared Lorenzen, Barnett was on the Giants’ XLII team that defeated the New England Patriots. The former Michigan State product graduated from Cincinnati Princeton High School, and joins an already stout secondary.
While the new additions are nice to talk about, it’s the veterans that make Cincinnati one of the odds on favorites to claim its third title in three seasons. Terrill Byrd (Colerain/Univ. of Cincinnati) and James Frazier (Middletown) anchor the defensive line that has driven opposing offenses crazy for two seasons.
But in the indoor game, if you can’t score, you don’t win and the Commandos’ powerful offense returns many of their key cogs – starting with quarterback Tyler Sheehan. His favorite target, Brandon Boehm, is back for this third stint, while the explosive Phillip Barnett and Kyenes Mincy are also back.
Stay tuned to cincinnaticommandos.com as we will breakdown each position battle in the coming weeks leading up to training camp.
Cincinnati announces three players move on
CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Commandos are pleased to announce that three players from their preseason roster have moved on a greater opportunity.
Former UIFL first-teamer Ricardo Lenhart and Calvin Bini have signed to play in the Indoor Football League (IFL), while former UIFL first-teamer Matt Rahn has signed to play with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
Rahn marks the second straight season a player with ties with the Commandos has signed with the Gladiators, following in the footsteps of receiver Dominick Goodman.
“Were happy and eager to move players up as soon as possible even if the season hasn’t even started, its part of our job description as coaches,” said head coach Billy Back. “Calvin Bini, Ricardo Lenhart and Matt Rahn never played a down for the Commandos in our 2.5 year existence, but I knew they belonged at a different level. Our goals are simple at this level, give players a fair opportunity to play the game they love, compete every day for a championship and get them where they want to be and succeed at their goals.”
Lenhart, who is heading to play for the Bloomington Edge, led the UIFL last season in receptions and touchdowns en route to helping Northern Kentucky claim the regular season championship, while Rahn was stout along the line as NKY was the most explosive offense in the league.
Bini will take his talents to Indiana, and will suit up for the Chicago Slaughter.
The Cincinnati Commandos are the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the city of Cincinnati. The two-time champions will embark on their third consecutive title 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3 when they host Johnstown. Tickets are currently on sale via TicketMaster or via the Cincinnati Gardens box office, calling (513) 631-7793 or visiting in person at 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212.
Cincinnati announces 11-game slate
CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Commandos professional indoor football team has announced its 2012 schedule, a slate which features seven home games. (Full Schedule)
The Commandos will kick off the season on March 3 with the first of three straight home games. Former CIFL rival Marion visits April 28, the only one of three meetings to be held at the Cincinnati Gardens. The home dates have remained the same as the previous schedule.
The team recently released its 38-player training camp roster that features 28 players with ties to the Cincinnati area.
Cincinnati is the longest tenured professional indoor football team in the history of the city. Season tickets are currently on sale, buy one, get one half off at the Cincinnati Gardens box office. You can follow all our Cincinnati Commandos news at www.cincinnaticommandos.com; follow us on Twitter @commandos_cincy; and fan us on Facebook.
Commandos announce training camp roster
CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Commandos professional indoor football team has released its training camp roster for the 2012 season. (Full Roster)
The 38-player roster features 28 players with ties to the Cincinnati area. The two-time league champions have 17 players that have played for the Commandos in either of the two season.
When the team kicks off on March 3, the Commandos will be the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the history of the city. Season tickets are currently on sale at the Cincinnati Gardens box office, and can be purchased buy one, get one half off.
Cuties announce 2012 team
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Commandos Cuties coordinator Rachel Horton has announced the 2012 version of the team that will feature five returners.
The Commandos Cuties will be a 16-member team will perform at halftime of the Commandos football games and also serve as community ambassadors for the professional indoor football team.
The following members, Jessica Baker, Angela Siemer, Heidi Sprowls, Emily McCracken and Aimee Signorelli, are returning from last year’s team. The 11 new Cuties are Carol Ayers, Chelsea Bitter, Samantha Bitter, Angela Caliguri, Noelle Holt, Hanna Kaltenbach, Kellie Ann Kulka, Kelly Larson, Michelle Mayhall, Loise Reid and Elizabeth Schroeder.
When they kick off in March, the Cincinnati Commandos will be the longest-tenured professional indoor football in the city’s history. Season tickets, which start at $70, are currently on sale at the Cincinnati Gardens Box Office or via Ticketmaster.
