Force takes field without star Bergeron

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/28/06

Without Troy Bergeron, the Georgia Force opens the season needing to replace his 2,552 total yards and 31 touchdowns.

After coming within 18 seconds of winning ArenaBowl XIX last season, the Force opens the season against Orlando at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Philips Arena. Bergeron, like Adrian McPherson did last season, declared for the NFL draft, making him ineligible for the AFL season.

"At the end of last year, we knew," Force coach Doug Plank said. "Troy expressed to the organization that was his intention. It didn't sneak up on us. There were no surprises."

The electrifying Bergeron caught 105 passes for 1,372 yards and 31 touchdowns to help the Force win the National Conference championship. Bergeron also has 1,058 yards on kickoff returns and 122 yards on missed field goal returns.

"Troy is an amazing player that you come across once in a lifetime," wide receiver Derek Lee said.

The 1,372 yards broke Oronde Gadsden's AFL single-season record for receiving yards.

"We went into the offseason knowing what we had to do from a personnel standpoint," Plank said. "Try to find another receiver with the skills and abilities that Troy Bergeron had."

The Force is comfortable with Lee, who spent time on the Falcons' practice squad last season, and Chris Jackson, a midseason pickup.

Lee caught 12 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns in the 51-48 ArenaBowl loss to John Elway's Colorado Crush. Lee combined with Bergeron to become the AFL's top receiving touchdown duo with 64.

"What made us so effective last year was that every one of our receivers was capable of making big plays," Plank said. "All of them were quick in terms of being able to separate from defensive backs."

Ricky Parker is listed as the starting third wide receiver. He's backed up by Rob Carey and Jamin Elliot.

"We think we've got some excellent third receivers, but without playing, we just don't know," Plank said. "We've got some people that have some great experience both on the National Football League level as well as in the Arena League."

Quarterback Matt Nagy said, "All three of those guys have potential to have breakout seasons."

While the players are jockeying for the third receiver spot, expect the Force to lean on Jackson until a player takes hold of that spot.

"If you have a player like Chris Jackson, it would not be responsible for us not to look for Chris Jackson initially on almost every play," Plank said.

Nagy, who will be the Force's fifth opening-day starting quarterback in five seasons, is comfortable with his receivers.

"Troy was a weapon obviously that snuck up on some people, along with Derek Lee," Nagy said. "There are a lot of guys on this team looking to fill that void."

Plank is not real pleased that the Force must open against former Georgia Tech star Joe Hamilton and the Predators, the team Georgia beat to reach the ArenaBowl and went 2-1 against last season.

"It really doesn't give us any breathing room," Plank said. "You really can't go into the season expecting to improve certain areas of your team. You have to come out firing on all cylinders."