Firecats benefitting from practicing inside

Arena players own cleats, too, but they’d rather keep them in the closet.

Like this week.

Florida is in the middle of its first full run of indoor practices, so the Firecats might be extra crisp for Saturday’s game against Tennessee Valley.

The vast majority of the team’s practices this season have come at Three Oaks Park, where the Firecats commute from Germain Arena after lacing up their cleats on the other side of Interstate 75.

Preparations for Tennessee Valley have required simpler travel: The Germain Arena turf is right down the stairs from Florida’s activity room, where players study film each day before practice.

But the true advantage is on the field. That’s because practicing outside, in the open, cannot ready players for the angles of the indoor game.

“When you’re outside you don’t have to worry about the walls,” said Florida quarterback Chris Wallace, who wore white Nike basketball shoes to Tuesday’s practice. “Being inside helps with timing. The receivers and the DBs benefit more than anyone.”

-- CATCH HIM ON TV: The AFL playoffs offer something for everyone, even Firecats fans.

A degree of separation exists in Orlando, where former Florida receiver Javarus Dudley continues to be a star.

The Fordham product was one of the AFL team’s top receivers during the regular season, making 78 catches for 1,035 yards and 14 touchdowns as a rookie.

He continued to shine on Sunday afternoon, catching nine balls for 67 yards and a score in Orlando’s 31-27 victory over Philadelphia in the AFL quarterfinals.

“We keep up with all the guys who leave here for the AFL,” said Florida coach Kevin Bouis. “When someone like Javarus has success at a higher level, it gives credibility to what we’re doing here.”

Dudley didn’t spend much time in Estero. He joined the team at the start of last season and played in just five games, but he was one of Florida’s top players during that stretch.

He had 16 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the Firecats, then left to play for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

This year, though, he is settled in. Dudley was named to the AFL’s all-rookie team on May 17, reaching that status despite a limited role for the Predators early in the season.

-- VOICEOVER: Florida fans haven’t heard much of Thom Abraham for two years, but the Big Dog will be in the house for Saturday’s game.

On the other side, though.

Abraham is the voice of the Vipers, who visit Germain Arena this weekend for the first time since July 2004. It’s a homecoming of sorts for the former Firecats play-by-play man, who left SportsRadio 770 before the ‘04 season to join AM-730 WUMP in Athens, Ala.

-- GOOD TO SEE YOU: Last week’s arrival of Chris Morant adds extra punch on defense, but the Firecats benefited from the acquisition in more ways than one.

Running back/fullback Deon Dyer, who plays Morant’s positions, has been playing with a nagging knee injury since the first week of the season. Now he’s getting a much-needed break.

Bouis doesn’t expect to have Dyer back until the Macon game on June 17, which gives the two-way starter time to heal. He did not play Saturday against South Georgia, with Morant stepping in.

“I wouldn’t have just asked to come out,” Dyer said. “I’m a throwback. I would want to be out there helping the guys.”

With Morant onboard, Dyer didn’t have to make the decision. Bouis did, knowing it was best for the team.

Dyer knows it, too.

“I know right now that I need to get some rest,” he said. “Three weeks off should do me good.”