Rick Webster Etelä-Karjalan Rajaritareiden pelinrakentajaksi kaudelle 2007
12.02.2007
Rick Webster, joka on kaksi viimeistä kautta pelannut Hanover Collegen (Indiana) aloittavana pelinrakentajana, on allekirjoittanut viikonlopun aikana pelaajasopimuksen Rajaritareiden kanssa ensi kesästä.
Hyökkäyksen valmentajan Kari Ketosen kommentit Rickistä: ”Rick tulee samasta koulusta josta Brett Dietz tuli Turku Trojansien pelinrakentajaksi kaudelle 2003 ja Brett olikin osaltaan vaikuttamassa asiaan suositellen Rickiä ensin Roostersien hyökkäyksen koordinaattorille Jens Holmströmille, joka puolestaan informoi minua hänestä. Katseltuani Rickin videon ja muutaman yhteydenoton jälkeen, oli erittäin helppo tehdä tämä päätös. Rick on nimittäin juuri sellainen kaveri jota olen tässä pitkin talvea etsinyt meille pelinrakentajaksi. Oman pelaamisensa ohessa Rickillä tulee kesällä olemaan myös iso rooli hyökkäyksen valmennuksessa ja tällä hetkelläkin jo sen suunnittelussa. Uskon myös, että Rick on kaipaamamme luontainen johtajahahmo ja että hän on myös kaveri jonka kanssa ei tule olemaan minkäänlaisia vaikeuksia kentän ulkopuolellakaan.”
Rick Websterin tilastot kahdelta viimeiseltä kaudelta Hanover Collegesta (kaudet 2005 ja 2006):
Kaudella 2005 Rick Websterin juoksuilla ja heitopeleillä edettiin yhteensä 3198 jaardia, joka oikeutti hänet pienten yliopistojen (NCAA; Divisioona 3) tilastoissa kymmenenteen sijaan.
Seuraavassa vielä Rickin vastaukset Rajaritareiden hänelle esittämiin kysymyksiin ja samalla terveiset Rajaritareille:
Name: Richard “Rick” Webster Height: 6’3” (190 cm) Weight: 215 lbs (97 kg) Date of birth: February 22, 1984
Born in: St. Petersburg, Florida (not Russia). I moved to Indiana when I was three, so I don’t really remember too much about Florida
Tell us about the place you live: I live in Carmel, IN. It is on the north side of Indianapolis, which is the capital city of Indiana. I would say it is pretty boring compared to other US cities.
Can you tell us about your family: I am the youngest of 4 kids. I have two older brothers and an older sister. There is a 6 year difference between my closest sibling and I so I was pretty much a mistake from my parents standpoint, haha. None of them ever played high school or college sports. It’s kind of weird because I’m the only athletic one in my family.
When did you start playing football? What was your first team: I started playing “organized” PeeWee football when I was 9 years old. My first team was the “Arizona Cardinals”, which is also an NFL team, but that’s who we named our youth teams after. I was throwing a football as soon as I could hold it which was about 5 or 6. I have been playing ever since then.
You have a big role in our team and a lot is expected, what do you think of that? I’m eagerly awaiting the challenge. I look forward to leading you guys to the Maple Bowl. I believe that all it takes is the effort level and playing as a TEAM to achieve that goal. Everyone else just needs to buy into that belief.
What do you expect to bring to the team? I expect to bring a better passing game to the team. The offense that I played in was mostly passing. I think I can bring some good routes and plays to the team and if you incorporate that in with the pre-existing run game, it will be very tough to contain our offense. As far as non-tangible things, I think I will bring a high level of leadership and a new sense of passion for the game. I’m just ready to have fun with the new team, and in doing that, be winning a lot of games.
What do you expect from your time in Finland, on and off the field? I expect to see and learn a lot of new things. I have never been outside the U.S. and I am very excited to be traveling. I’ve heard great things about the people in Finland and look forward to building a lot of new friendships. With football, I just expect everyone to give 110% when they step out on the field. I understand that a lot of you guys will have other obligations, but when you’re at practice or the game, that should be your number one priority.
What did you know about Finland before starting this recruitment process? Not a whole lot actually. I knew it was somewhere near Russia and I figured it would be very cold. When I first heard about people playing American football there, I thought to myself there was no way.
Do you want to say something to the team in Finland? One of the main reasons I decided to do this was because of the previous people that I had talked to. They said that their trip to Finland was one of the best experiences of their lives. When I talked to Craig Kastning about the Rajaritarit, he said you guys were some of the best guys that he’d ever been around. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and building a good relationship. If we can do that, then the rest of the football stuff will fall into place.
Have you heard the rumour that polar bears are loose on the streets here? Do you believe it? I have not heard that, but I don’t know if it would surprise me too much. I know Finland is part of the Arctic Circle, so it wouldn’t be too weird if one of those polar bears maybe wondered down to Lappeenranta.
Do you know from which country Santa Claus originates? I have no idea where he originates from. I just know that I enjoy the holiday :)
I hope this questionnaire helps you guys get to know me a little better. I’m counting down the days until May when I’ll be flying out there. If you guys have any other questions or just want to talk. You can email me at
