Saturday, January 13, 2001 – ORLANDO – The Birmingham Thunderbolts spent the better part of a light, 90-minute practice Saturday night working on the kicking game and correcting mistakes from Friday’s scrimmage against New York/New Jersey. The practice closed with about 30 minutes of pass skeleton and team drills.
Off Day for Players
Sunday will be the first off day for Bolts players since reporting to training camp Jan. 1. The only things on the players’ itinerary are meals and a trip to the Wyndham Resort Hotel Sunday night for an address by XFL founder Vince McMahon and NBC executive Dick Ebersol. Birmingham returns to the practice field Monday morning.
But Not For Coaches and Staff
While the players take a deserved day off, Thunderbolts coaches will be working. Head coach Gerry DiNardo has separate meetings scheduled Sunday afternoon with the offensive and defensive staffs, then a full staff meeting Sunday night.
Equipment manager Mike Spencer will spend most of the off day facilitating the move back into the Citrus Bowl locker rooms, training rooms and equipment rooms. The Bolts were forced to vacate the facilities for Saturday’s Rotary Gridiron Classic.
Roster Reduction By Monday Morning
Birmingham will have until 8 a.m. CST Monday to reduce the roster to 62 players. The Thunderbolts are not expected to announce any roster moves until Monday.
Family Night
Saturday night was family night at the Bolts practice session. Quarterback Casey Weldon’s 11-year-old daughter Kendall played catch with her dad during warm-ups and special teams work. Also at practice was running back Eric Hickson’s family, including 6-year-old son Eric, Jr. who gave the tackling dummies a run for their money prior to practice.
Blevins to Have Surgery
Cornerback Anthony Blevins will have surgery later this week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The UAB product injured the knee while making a tackle during Friday’s scrimmage against New York/New Jersey.
Also Rehabbing
Center Ryan Thomassie had successful surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee Friday. Thomassie is expected back by the second game of the season.
