Friday, Mar. 28, 2008

Is this heaven? No, it's the Tri-Cities

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

Meet the kinder, gentler, calmer Cedric Walker.

Apparently that's what happened when the new Tri-Cities Fever coach arrived in heaven.

At least that is what Walker is calling the Tri-Cities after spending a tumultuous season in Everett a year ago.

How long the Tri-Cities will remain a serene place is debatable with the four-month-long season getting under way tonight.

Tri-Cities, the lone arenafootball2 league expansion franchise to make the playoffs last season, opens its second af2 season against the Stockton Lightning at 7 p.m. at Toyota Center.

"I love it here," he said. "There is a good structure in place and things are done the right way."

The high-octane Walker prefers not to elaborate about the struggles he endured in guiding the Hawks to a 6-10 record last season. He chalks it up as a learning experience.

But it's safe to say all the curveballs he has dealt with already this season and will have to deal in the coming weeks do not even compare to being locked out of transactions for 13 weeks, as he was in Everett last season for several different reasons.

"You learn to have a lot of patience," Walker said.

Walker, a former Arena Football League star, comes into the Fever organization with a lot of expectations, not only for himself, but from the community.

Usually one of the first ones in the office and the last ones to leave, Walker will not settle for average. His phone doesn't go three minutes without ringing as he is trying to assemble a championship roster.

As the Fever enters the home opener tonight, the roster is about 85 percent set, but Walker will make a change at the drop of a hat if he thinks it will improve the team.

"Nobody is safe on the roster," he said.

Walker has put a lot of pressure on himself to succeed. He has aspirations of coaching in the AFL in the near future and knows he will need success, just like the players, in the af2 to get there.

There is also the pressure to succeed from the community. The Fever franchise enters its fourth season of indoor football and has been to the playoffs in each of the first three seasons.

In 2005, the Fever won the National Indoor Football League championship and made the playoffs the following year. Last season, embattled coach Tony Wells led Tri-Cities to an 8-8 record in its first year in the af2 and a near-upset of top-ranked Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the first round of the playoffs.

"This is what he wants," said Fever offensive coordinator Steve Papin, who worked with Walker in Everett last season. "He likes the expectations."

Papin and some of his players that he brought with him from Everett agree that Walker is a little more reserved because of the change in environment this season. But what is reserved for Walker could be considered high strung for others.

Walker is easily excitable and will be the first one to run out on the field to celebrate a touchdown or a jarring defensive hit. He is also not afraid to get in a player's face and have a heart-to-heart talk.

"He's got a lot of energy," said Fever quarterback John Pierce.

Walker has already said that if the team wants him back for a second season, he's ready.

But he said even without playing one regular-season game, he has already learned what will be the biggest lesson of the season.

On his way to the Tri-Cities, Walker chose to take some back highways and roads to make the 1,100-mile trek from Victorville, Calif., during the winter.

Never again.

Next time he is taking the path of least resistance to paradise.

"I am taking I-5," he said with a big smile.

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