KENNEWICK -- Houston Lillard likes what he sees so far.
Lillard, the Tri-Cities Fever's standout quarterback from a year ago, and the rest of the Fever have been through four practices since camp opened.
The team got an extra practice in Saturday when physicals only took 90 minutes.
"If you asked me this morning, I would say it's just too early to tell," Lillard said Sunday evening. "But after this last practice, I think we've got a lot of talent. The defensive backs and linebackers are great players."
As for the offensive line, Lillard will be playing behind an all-new front this season.
"They are all physical and aggressive," said Lillard. "Those are good traits to have if you're an offensive lineman."
Just like last season, the Fever have had the benefit of getting to practice inside the Toyota Center, with the dasher boards up.
"That's the reason we're going two-a-days," said Fever coach Adam Shackleford. "The field needs to be picked up for a hockey game Tuesday night, then put back down Wednesday, and we'll have it the rest of the week."
It will give Shackleford and his staff plenty of time to evaluate the team, which opens the Indoor Football League season Feb. 25 at home against the Everett Raptors.
"It's been really positive," Shackleford said. "It's a real good group of guys. They work hard and they ask the right questions."
Shackleford said both the offensive and defensive lines have looked good so far, as have the two rookie quarterbacks, Herbert Bynes and Kasey Peters.
"They're both young quarterbacks who have picked things up quickly," said Shackleford. "Houston is ahead of them, but they're doing well.
"I also like the way Allen Walker is playing at linebacker."
Camp continues today with two practices in the Toyota Center, one at 9 a.m. and the second at 4 p.m.
Notes: DB Marquise Liverpool was drafted in 2004 by the Seattle Mariners and actually played for the Everett AquaSox against the Tri-City Dust Devils. ... Former Pasco High standout Leon Wright-Jackson competed in the open tryout Saturday night, and Shackleford was impressed enough that he may bring him back for a closer look. Wright-Jackson played at the University of Nebraska before transferring to Hawaii and finishing his collegiate career as a running back. ... All players expected to camp have arrived, except for DL Bailey Johnson, who is attending a Canadian Football League camp. Shackleford expects Johnson in later this week. ... DL Randy Earl and DB Amarr Dyson signed with Arena Football League camps. Earl is with San Jose, while Dyson signed with Cleveland.
