Down Time At The Right Time For Thunder

FRISCO, Tex. (April 23, 2008) - - � In this case, Frisco Thunder Head Coach Troy Esprit doesn't mind the rest of the league catching up with his team.

The Thunder enters its two-week bye period after starting the season earlier then the rest of the Intense Football League and playing at least two more games than everyone else. Fairbanks has played six games and the other eight teams have played five.

While Frisco's taking a much-deserved break, every one will add two more weeks of bumps and bruises to their bodies as the 2008 season continues.

``The bye weeks couldn't have come at a better time,'' Esprit said. ``We need to rest and regroup. We'll utilize the next two weeks to get back to where we need to be both physically and mentally and then get back to business.''

Esprit feels Saturday's loss at Odessa symbolized the team�s need for a bye week . The

Thunder played with a depleted receiving corps (Richard Morris played with a pulled hamstring and Jason Deml was benched with a concussion) and without leading kick returner Kevin Lenford. During the game, another player took a head shot and the Thunder finished the game with defensive backs scoring the final offensive touchdown.

``Everything caught up to us,'' Esprit said. ``We'll put it behind us and move on. There's still a lot of football to be played.''

Frisco is currently 5-3 and is in third place in the nine-team IFL. The top six teams make the post-season.

``It's good to be 5-3, but by no means are we satisfied,'' Esprit said. ``We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know we'll be ready to meet the challenge.''

The Thunder returns to action May 10 at the CenTex Barracuadas.

NOTES: The unbalanced scheduled is causing a slight debate on the standings. Frisco (5-3) is percentage points and a half game ahead of both Alaska (3-2) and Odessa (3-2) for third place. Both the Roughnecks and the Wild can take percentage point leads by winning their next game, but Odessa meets Corpus Christi on May 3 and Alaska faces unbeaten Louisiana (5-0) the same weekend the Thunder returns to action � QB Wes Cooper leads the IFL in passing yards per game (248.4) but is just sixth in pass efficiency ... WR Richard Morris leads in receptions (9.25) and yards (109.0) per game ... K Dennis Hopovac is the only IFL kicker averaging over one field goal per game.