Former OSU football players stay fit and boost their futures by joining arenafootball2

When playing outdoors isn’t possible, going inside and seeing what’s available is the next logical step.

That’s what four former Oregon State football players have done by joining arenafootball2 for the season. The first game of the season is Thursday night with the schedule running through July, and the postseason in August.

Af2 is a 23-team league under the Arena Football League umbrella, with clubs stationed in smaller markets around the country. There are two Northwest teams, based in Everett and Spokane, Wash.

Place-kicker Kirk Yliniemi (2001-03) was recently assigned to the Spokane Shock, but is not on the roster, yet. He was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2005 briefly but did not play.

Lineman David Lose (2000, 2002-03) and wide receiver James Newson (2000-03) are on the Stockton Lightning of California, and defensive back Aaron Miller (2005) is with California’s Central Valley Coyotes.

They all have their stories in how they joined these teams, but the basic premise is to give their careers a boost.

“It’s definitely a steppingstone,” Lose said. “People don’t want to be in this league very long. We want to be in a higher level — Arena League, Canada, Europe or even the NFL. Playing here is a way to keep active and become a better player.”

Players are signed year-to-year and if the AFL or any other larger league wants them, they are bought out of their contracts.

Lose, a 6-foot-3, 317-pounder from Sacramento, Calif., played for the Bakersfield Blitz of af2 last season and for the National Indoor Football League.

He plays on both sides of the line. All players, except the quarterbacks, go both ways. Because he played both defense and offense for the Beavers in different seasons, it wasn’t a big adjustment. Conditioning was the challenge.

“It’s a lot different,” Lose said of the indoor game. “But it just boils down to imposing your will on someone. There are a lot of different techniques to remember. The style is quicker because you are on a smaller field. It was tough at first to adjust to the speed.”

While Lose is still figuring out the pace of the games, the Lightning signed him for his strength and vocal leadership in the locker room. Lose has personal-best marks of 550 pounds in the back squat and 405 in the bench press.

Newson bounced around NFL camps the last two seasons, and said he hopes to get regular playing time to rejuvenate his career. The Stockton native signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004 but did not play.

He signed with the Miami Dolphins last year and was sent to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe, where he caught two passes for 23 yards.

Newson was living in Minnesota after his European stay when Stockton coach Richard Davis called to see if was available. Since the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder was only training with no prospects; he jumped at the opportunity to get back in the game.

“It was a surprise thing, but it was blessing that they called,” Newson said. “I think I can make a career of this. With the program they have here, I think I could have a good life if I were to stay here.”

Learning the speed has been difficult for Newson, too. There’s limited room to work down field in a tight field, but feels it should be an easy adjustment.

He’s also playing linebacker for the first time. Newson says it’s similar to playing special teams with his previous clubs, so being a tackler instead of avoiding them is easy.

“I’ve been working for three weeks with the coaches, and I’ve learned a lot already,” Newson said. “Everything I do, I look at it as a way to get another chance (at the NFL) if I can. If they don’t like me as a receiver, maybe they like me as a linebacker or defensive back. You never know what people think.”

Lose and Newson, however, look at playing together again as a good sign. They were part of the 2000 team Fiesta Bowl team for OSU. It also helps to have a friend with them as they get comfortable to a new team.

Miller spent one season with the Beavers, after transferring from Fresno City College in California. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound cornerback played a limited role on special teams.

He left with a year of eligibility to start his pro career early. He’s learning how to be a receiver, but Miller is someone the Coyotes say can help the team right away.

For all of them, this is an important season. It may not be the premier level of football, but it’s an opportunity to still pursue their dreams.

“It’s just feels good to still be playing football,” Lose said. “But if you just want to make this a weekend thing, this is not the league for you.”

OREGON AND AF2

Here’s a look at the several players from Oregon playing in

arenafootball2 this season:

Player, school team

• WR/DB Antonio Chandler, Portland St. Everett Hawks

• FB/LB Andrew Dorsey, Portland State Spokane Shock

• OL/DL Chuck Jones, Portland State Spokane Shock

• OL/DL David Lose, Oregon State Stockton Lightning

• WR/DB Aaron Miller, Oregon State Central Valley Coyotes

• WR/LB James Newson, Oregon Stockton Lightning

• WR/DB Vernon Smith, Eastern Oregon Tenn. Valley Vipers

• OL/DL Ed Wangler, Oregon Macon Knights

• WR/DB DeOnte Taylor, Portland State Albany Conquest

• WR/LB Jay Williams, Portland State Everett Hawks

• QB Joe Wiser, Portland State Spokane Shock

• K Kirk Yliniemi, Oregon State, Spokane Shock