The open tryout has been a rite of spring for Carolina Cobras coach Doug Kay. The coach has seen the cattle call of second chances and faded dreams for the past nine seasons that he has been in the Arena Football League. Today's tryout at Dorton Arena will be similar to the others. There will be legitimate athletes, the former college football players from local colleges, and there will be dreamers, the Al Bundys of the world reaching back with one last grasp at high school glory. More than 250 players showed up for last year's tryout, and the Cobras expect a similar showing today at their renovated practice facility at the State Fairgrounds.
Spectators are welcome.
Registration starts at 7 a.m. and testing begins at 8 a.m. Each player will be tracked in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, standing long jump and bench press. At noon, the hopefuls will be split up by position for skill specific drills. They get to see where they fit. One player out of last year's group was invited to training camp.