Crescent City Kings Media Day

I spent the afternoon with some of the Kings from New Orleans. The Crescent City Kings are excited and ready for the 2017 season to start. After a disappointing loss to the league champions last season, the Kings have been hard at work preparing for this season. The veterans have been working out since October and have been hosting private practices. Since March the Kings Coaching Staff has been working with the rookies to get them ready for the 2017 season.

In an interview with Sherman Gillum, Director of Football Ops, and Devin Richardson, Vice Chairman of Kings, the Kings were very positive for the season to come.

What is your goal for the 2017 football season?

Sherman Gillum: Win a national championship with the mixture of talent from veterans and the rookies coming in.

Devin Richardson: in the previous 3 years we have built a fairly solid organization and for 2017, we want this to be a spring board for the future.

You have had several guys that have been picked up by the CFL, how does that help to recruit?

Sherman Gillum: We promise no one a spot in a pro league; we only promise that they will have an opportunity to show what they are made of.  Players like Jonah Austin and Torri Stewart who are in CFL camps are living testaments as to what can be accomplished.

Devin Richardson: It shows that the platform we provide gives football people the opportunity to see the skills to our people and to inquire about them.

I sat down with several of the Kings players to get a better feel for the personalities on the team.

Jonathan Stewart

Why football?

It’s all for love.  Football is the first thing I ever loved.

Why do you play for the Kings?

They have a real program and I know with them I can get somewhere.  This is a great opportunity for the NFL, CFL, AFL, and other pro teams to see me play.  My desire is to play pro football.  By the time I go to the Lestini Camp, my 40 time will be 4.40.

What is your goal for the 2017 season?

I want the top rushing average, the most touchdowns in the league, and a National Championship.  Also to prepare to move on to the next level.

What are your thoughts about the coaching staff with the Kings?

The coaching staff is real great.  If you are doing something right they will applaud you, and if you are messing up they will instruct you on how to fix it.

Kenneth Dabney

Why do you play football?

I come from an aggressive mindset.  I like figuring out ways to beat people.

How did you perform in college?

I started all 4 years.  I was #2 and 3 in kick and punt returns in the SWAC.  Starting out I was a walk on.  Coach offered me a scholarship the same day as the condition test.  Coach came up to me and wanted to put some money in my pocket as a scholarship.

Why do you play for the Kings?

I knew one of the guys on the team.  I reached out to him and asked him what he thought.  He told me that this was a good organization, well organized, and had just played for the National championship.  So I talked to “Animal” (Coach Fred Washington) and I liked what he had to say, so I joined the team.

What are your thoughts since joining?

Well structured, good coaches, family oriented, provided opportunities.  I got to go to the Lestini Camp where I was ranked as a blue chip prospect.

What is your goal for this season?

Honestly, I want to compete.  I am not a selfish person so it is all about the team.  I just want to do what I can to help my team be competitive. Go kings!

Java Marcell

Why do you play football?

It is something I love to do.  I loved playing it with my friends.

Why did you join the Kings?

The Kings are different.  It helps me get to where I want to go.  I want to go to the NFL/CFL.

How was last season?

Once I got my release from the Doctors to play, I had a lot of fun.  It was an emotional season with a lot of ups and downs.   the ups had to be beating Mississippi 70-0 where I had 370 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns.

What is your goal for this year?

My goal is to rush for 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns or more, and at least 13 yards per carry.  And of course a National Championship.

How are the coaches?

The Coaching Staff is really good. They push you to do your best.  Good Leadership.

What would you say to your college teammates?

If you feel like you have been overlooked, then this a great place to start off and get to where you want to go.  This is a great stepping stool, great fun, and very supportive environment.

How do you feel about Torri Stewart going to the CFL?

This makes me want to play harder.  It is a real eye opener.  It is exciting that one of my teammates has made it so it gives me hope that I can achieve my dreams and goals.

Joshua Matthews

Why football?

It is something I always loved.  It was a great way to escape from my surroundings.  I don’t know where I would be if not for football.  I’m from the 9th ward. not a whole lot of opportunities without football.  I’m very thankful for football. It kept me out of trouble.

Tell me about playing college ball?

I wasn’t able to accomplish what I wanted to do.  I played DT/DE in college.

Why the Kings?

My cousin, Java, told me about it and got me to come try out.  So I came out and I saw that the Kings were the best spot to go.

Why did you choose the Kings over other semi professional teams?

This is a family oriented team.  They are real, honest, and are willing to help me achieve my personal goals. Coaching Staff is great.  They are not hard to talk to, and get a hold of.

How do you feel about Torri Stewart going to the CFL?

It motivates me to step up and play hard. I’m in a spot where I’m not just passing time but I can get looks to play pro ball.  It makes me want to give my best.  At the end of the day when the lights come on, I want to give my all even though I do not get payed I feel that pro teams will see my efforts and give me an offer.

Luke Corass

Why football?

Been playing since 5 years old. I like hitting people and I can’t do that in basketball or baseball.

Why the Kings?

The most organized team in New Orleans besides the Saints and Tulane. I played for other semipro teams and it was like playing park ball for adults.  there was no organization, no leadership, no discipline.  There was no opportunity for anyone to get film or advancement to paying leagues.

What is your goal in 2017?

I just want to have a great season. I am coming off a knee injury.  I just want to show everyone that I can still play after my injury.

What is the value of a team like the Kings?

We get film, the coaches see to it that if you put the work in they will do everything they can to help you move up to a paying league. Other semi pro teams say that but they don’t. They didn’t even get good pictures at their games like the Kings do.

Bryant Carter

Why do you play football?

I play for the love of the game. It is a real stress reliever.

Why the Kings?

The Kings are a world class organization.  They have a lot of class.  They don’t charge you for anything, and they are really organized.

Tell me about last season?

I was starting nickle corner for the Kings.  I had 1 pick.  I was the starting corner during the playoffs as well.

What is your goal for the 2017 season?

My goal for 2017 is to help the Kings bring home the National Championship.  this is my 4th year so it is a now or never season for me.  So I want to give it my all and try to make a pro roster.

Adrian Williams

Why football?

Since I was 5 it was a passion to play football.  I didn’t play any other sport except football.

Why didn’t you play college ball?

When Katrina hit it relocated me.  I was never settled into just 1 school, we moved a lot.  I was behind on a lot of stuff.  I never got to settle in one school my senior year I relocated back to New Orleans. I played intramural at Delgado.  I came out for the Kings last season and red shirted so I could learn the system. And DB was new to me because I had always played receiver.

Why the Kings?

My friend called me an hour before the tryouts and come to the Kings. I had never even heard of any other team until I started playing for the Kings.  The Kings are well organized. The staff is always willing to help you especially with the equipment. This team is the first organization that I ever heard that wants to help you move to a pro team somewhere.

Kings fans will be excited to see these guys start the season next Saturday.  Tickets are 10$ a person and kids under 13 get in for free. Come on out and support this local team that is giving back in the community.