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When Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Tony Bowick began constructing the 2009 Albany Firebirds, the first-time head coach proclaimed that his focus would be on acquiring young, raw talent regardless of arena football experience.

“I wanted guys that were hungry and I wanted guys that wanted to compete day-in and day-out for a job,” said Bowick. “I didn’t want any veterans thinking they could just go through the motions. Everyone had to earn their spot on the roster.”

Albany’s 26 man training camp roster carried four players with two or more years of indoor experience. The mostly green crop of former outdoor players discovered quickly how different the shorter game was.

“Just learning the arena game in general was a challenge,” admitted 23 year-old D-Lineman David Tash, who came over mid-season from division rival Manchester. “It’s a lot different from the outdoor game. The angles are different. The way the game is played is different. The game’s kind of crazy to be honest with you. You just run around for 60 minutes on a short field and try to knock each other out.”

Some players transitioned not only to the smaller playing surface, but also to new positions.

“I just came out of college so this was my first year of arena football,” said former SUNY Albany O-Lineman turned Firebirds Tight End Jon Leible. “I learned a lot about technique and how the game is played. Not to mention how to catch a football.”

Even more notable was explosive Wide Receiver Johnnie Butler, who was new to the sport entirely. The former Grambling State track star played in his first ever organized football game last season in South Georgia and saw his first extended look at Wide Receiver this year with Albany.

The team’s inexperience showed early in the season when the Firebirds suffered their worst start in franchise history at 0-5. However, Bowick’s youth movement paid off down the stretch, as his hungry club refused to quit and rallied to a 7-4 finish, earning Albany its first playoff berth since 2003.

“I think the youth of the team helped us and hurt us at different points during the season,” explained Fullback Norman Bauer, one of just three Conquest players to make the squad. “We turned in a better season than we did last year, so that’s always a plus. Hopefully we’ve turned this thing around and next year’s team can build on what we’ve done this year.”

Days after their playoff loss to the top-seeded Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, the players are already looking forward to 2010, when they hope to return just as hungry, but considerably less green.

“We were actually there – we made it to the dance,” rookie Defensive Lineman Reggie Paramoure pointed out. “We just weren’t able to finish it. We saw what we wanted and it will give us more motivation to work harder next year.”

The 17-plus game veterans gathered at the Times Union Center this week for their final meeting as the 2009 Albany Firebirds. Before they said their goodbyes, each Firebird shared his memories from the season.

Overshadowing various statistical feats, jarring hits and diving grabs was the unifying feeling of team-camaraderie that permeated this year’s squad even more so, said most players, than previous affiliations.

“As a team, we came a long way: we grew,” said rookie Center Junior Ramos. “The real highlight from this year was getting to know these wonderful players that I’ve been around.”

Buaer added, “the thing I’ll remember from the whole year is the relationships that we built. I’m never going to forget these guys.”

By Week 6 Coach Bowick had taught his players the game. After a rollercoaster season that saw the 0-5 club make the playoffs, he’d built a team.

“A lot of little things didn’t go our way, but in the end you make a lot of bonds, meet a lot of friends. It’s definitely worth it. I had a lot of fun being up here,” Concluded Tash.