UFL New York Sentinels and Florida Tuskers Scrimmage

My experience at the New York Sentinels vs. Florida Tuskers scrimmage game, September 24, 2009.

To start things out, we fans received the 2009 Florida Tuskers roster. Couldn’t get anything on the New York Sentinels, even though, there are quite a bit of Florida boys on the team.

The scrimmage it’s self started out with practicing kickoff returns. I was not impressed by either team when it came to kickoff returns, punting, and field goals. Accuracy was way off and yardage was short.

I was how ever very impressed with the Tuskers Quarter Backs. The one QB that impressed me the most was Darrell Hackney, who has now been released from the Tuskers. He was able to gain yardage on every play.

During which time, the Sentinels Defense was leaving many openings on the line. They even left the wide receivers open on both corners. There were three big plays on the Sentinels defense. No. 90 was able to “touch” sack the quarter back twice, in back to back plays. And No. 51 got an interception and ran it 80 yards for a touchdown.

The big hit of the night was delivered by the Tuskers line backer No. 59, Tim McGarigle. McGarigle took down Sentinels wide receiver Ryan Hoag after a pass over the middle tipped his fingers and fell to the turf.

Now, on the Sentinels offense, they showed great blocking action. I was very impressed by #86, Tight End, Ronnie Ghent. Even with him being the smallest of the three tight ends, he really holds his own. His total body strength and abilities while helping on the offensive line is incredible.

Ronnie Ghent also played on the special teams during the scrimmage, which included him on kick offs, punting, and field goals. Ronnie Ghent is also very quick on his feet for a tight end. He’s definitely got some hands and is very capable of receiving the ball. As long as, the QB is on target and is getting the right coverage from the offensive line, he, along with the other eligible receivers can do their job adequately.

The Sentinels running backs had a hard time breaking through the Tuskers defensive line. A few of the wide receivers had a very hard time holding onto the ball during passes. The Tuskers were able to pick off two interceptions on No. 8 WR of the Sentinels. No. 10 WR of the Sentinels wasn’t able to hang onto the ball after getting hit. Both No. 8 and No. 10 WRs of the Sentinels are very small. I noticed both were very easy to cover.

Now, back to my thoughts on the Sentinels Quarter Back. The big hit the Tuskers were able to get, came to the fault of the QB. With a six-yard hitch the QB waited for the receiver to turn around before he threw the ball. That’s a rookie mistake.  He needs more time training.

During the game there were the occasional fights. And there was also a few injuries on the Tuskers’ team.

There were a few big name players on both teams that sat out and or took it easy. Sentinels DE Simeon Rice No. 97 and WR Koren Robinson sat out of the game completely. Koren Robinson was released from the Tuskers and picked up by the Sentinels while they were there at the Citrus Bowl.

So, all he had to do was basically cross over the turf. Tuskers RB Michael Pittman definitely took it easy out there. And Tuskers Dexter Jackson sat out with a sore neck.

Now back to the point, I believe the Sentinels need to have a special team. They were using so many of their players over and over again. There were some players who seemed to never get a break. I feel like the players will end up using a good bit of their resources, and not be able to perform as well in their true position.

I also happen to believe I’m going to have to wait till October 10, when they face off again, to see the true talent of these two teams. It was very difficult to see what the Sentinels could bring when they were using the same 10 plays.