Shock notes: QB Warren Smith a student of AFL game

It became a ritual for quarterback Warren Smith long before he signed with the Spokane Shock.

He began studying video back in college, first at Iona, which disbanded its program after the 2008 season, and more meticulously at Maine with offensive coordinator Kevin Bourgoin. It wasn’t just a 15-minute glance at the day’s practice or a glimpse at an opposing defense.

“My college coaches made me come in after every single practice and watch for 2 1/2 hours after practice,” said Smith, who cracked Spokane’s starting lineup last week and passed for six touchdowns in a win over the L.A. Kiss. “That credit goes to Kevin. He taught me everything, good habits and I brought it over to the arena game. If you attack it the same way in the indoor game you get such an advantage pre- and post-snap.”

Shortly after signing with the Shock last October, Smith received a playbook and he asked coach Andy Olson for the password to comb through video archives. During breaks in class as a substitute teacher on the East Coast, Smith watched every 2014 Shock regular-season game.

He memorized the playbook in roughly three hours.

“I broke down every single play, just to get a feel for how coach Olson calls plays and also to see the personnel, Smith said. “It took me 3 to 4 days to get through one game.”

Smith took detailed notes of down and distance, formation, play call and coverage. He texted numerous questions to Olson.

“I wanted to know so everything would be a lot easier when I got here,” Smith said.

Smith arrived in Spokane well prepared but he wasn’t the favorite to become the starter. He injured his MCL and patella (knee cap) before the season opener and watched from the sidelines as four quarterbacks handled snaps in Spokane’s first five games.

Smith beat out Carson Coffman last week and completed nearly 80 percent of his passes against L.A. The 6-foot, 200-pounder added a rushing touchdown. L.A. is the Arena Football League’s only winless team. Spokane’s task is tougher Saturday when unbeaten San Jose (7-0) visits the Arena.

“He’s got a notepad of all our games last season. He’s a studier, he wants to win,” Olson said. “It means that he cares. He studies quarterbacks, the game itself. He understands coverages, knows how to read them.”

Smith said his preparation won’t change this week.

“Break down film Sunday and Monday, watch throughout the week,” he said. “I just treat every game like we’re going into the Super Bowl.”

Shock retiring Vijil’s jersey

Former Shock great Raul Vijil’s No. 15 will be retired Saturday at halftime, the first number retired in the franchise’s 10 seasons.

Vijil, the former Eastern Washington Eagle, was a key figure in Spokane’s three arena championships, two in arenafootball2 and the 2010 AFL title. In six seasons, Vijil had 489 receptions, 5,701 yards and 151 touchdowns, not counting several af2 postseason games.

“What I brought to the table was leadership, enthusiasm, hard work, pride and a good sense of team,” said Vijil, the Shock’s strength and conditioning coach. “I’m incredibly honored.”

Spokane called off a 2013 retirement ceremony for Vijil because he wasn’t quite ready to sign retirement papers. At the time, Vijil thought there was an outside chance he could return in an emergency situation.

“It was a lot easier when they put the papers in front of me this time,” he said.

On-field adjustment

Olson made several player changes last week and a minor one involving defensive backs coach Will Mulder and defensive coordinator/line coach Travis Crusenberry. Mulder was on the field signaling plays against L.A. instead of Crusenberry, who has handled that role for several seasons.

“Cruse is still calling the plays,” Olson said. “We wanted Will out there to communicate better with our defensive backs. Cruse is still the defensive coordinator, there really wasn’t any change. We felt we could adjust better with Cruse on the sideline and Will on the field.”