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When the CFL entry draft started, there was one man the Boxcars were targeting, and much to their pleasant surprise he was available when they were picking at the twelveth spot.
"Obviously Barber and Sanderson were the top two guys out there," said Fargo's director of college scouting <b>Bryan Porter</b>, "But we knew we wouldn't be in contention for them, and after those two it was really a toss up. There were a few good quarterbacks out there, but with Bridges we weren't going to go in that direction, along with the offensive tackle and linebacker positions, so the number three guy on our list was <b>Quinn Elway</b>."
Elway is the 6'2", 259 pound defensive end out of Central Florida. In his four years playing for the Golden Knights, he managed to rewrite the school's record books with his ability to get to the quarterback. He capped it all off with a 15.5 sack season his senior year, and although it wasn't against top competition it was impressive nonetheless.
It was expected Elway would go higher, but some teams were scared away by what was considered a poor showing at the combine. Fargo was not scared away however, as they were doing what to could to ensure they could land him. Team general manager <b>Daniel McCarney</b> told reporters he'd tried calling several teams picking ahead of the Boxcars, hoping to strike a deal to trade up and take Elway, but he was pleased when in the end no trade was needed.
"He immediately fills the void left by the departure of <b>Chris Carpenter</b>," Boxcars head coach Korey Tyworth said to the media after the selection, speaking of the former Boxcars defensive end whose career may be over after suffering a serious knee injury last season. "He's already at the top of the depth chart at left end. He'll provide us with a strong pass rush from the left side, and should be able to take up several blockers to help out our linebackers."
Elway won't be the answer to all the problems the defense faces, and his critics see him as somewhat of a one dimensional player, but ask anyone in Fargo's front office and they'll tell your their defense got a lot better with him.
<b>News & Notes</b>
*It's not all good news for players in Fargo, as several players are said to be close to being released. <b>Mark Alpert</b> and <b>Jose Pichardo</b> are players on the defensive side of the ball said to be on their way out. Alpert started the final game of the season last year, but was a disappointment overall. He never recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the 2003 preseaon while with Baltimore, and this likely spells an end to his football playing career. Pichardo was taken in the 4th round by Fargo last season as a defensive tackle, but coaches are disappointed by his lack of development. Longsnapper <b>Michael Kowalczyk</b> may also get the boot if the team believes star tight end <b>Delbert Lonergan</b> can take over his role as well.
*Alpert may be done in Fargo as a player, but the team may bring him back at training camp as a linebackers coach. That role is currently occupied by the defensive coordinator <b>James Stuart</b>, but he may not want to take the duties this season. There is talk that undrafted rookie quarterback and close friend of Dwayne Bridges, <b>Harry Kornbluth</b> may also wind up with a coaching role on the team.
*Tight end <b>Ian Tucker</b> made the team as an undrafted free agent rookie last year, and although he didn't play in a single game he looks to have a good shot at making the roster again this year. Offensive coaches are excited with what the 6'6", 280 pound tight end can provide them in the running game, and think he can develop into a passing threat. They also think he could be a valuble special teamer.
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