I attended part of Shock practice today and put together a notebook that will run in Thursday's S-R. The unedited version, which discusses the Shock's pass protection, the organization's decision to ban artificial noisemakers and the team's new five-year lease to use the Arena, is below.

By Jim Meehan

Staff writer

The Spokane Shock had 38 offensive plays against the Stockton Lightning last Friday. Quarterback Nick Davila remembers getting hit once.

“Not even knocked down once,” Davila said. “On a rollout down by the goal line I got hit, but it was a run play, not a drop-back (pass).”

Spokane was sharp in the first three quarters, scoring on six of its first seven possessions en route to a 59-42 season-opening arenafootball2 win. Davila completed his first seven passes and was 16 of 21 with six touchdowns before cooling off in the fourth quarter with the outcome already decided.

“I think it was an indication of having most of the receivers back and the line back and they did a great job of protecting me all game. That helps out tremendously in the arena game,” Davila said. “We left at least 21 points on the board. It was still a good offensive explosion, but we set a high standard around here.”

Head coach Adam Shackleford said pass protection was one of the highlights of the opener. Ryan Belcher, center Kyle Young and newcomer John Booker are the front three. Fullback Harrison Nikolao, an Eastern Washington University product, also plays a key role in protection.

“Those three (linemen) just kind of bonded right away,” Shackleford said. “Harrison is like another offensive lineman. He’s the most versatile guy we have. He played defensive line in college, offensive line in the NFL, center for the (Cincinnati) Bengals in camp. We asked him to play defensive line and fullback. And if we have one injury he’s back on the offensive line.

“When you have a guy that can do all those things, you’re able to dress a (Damon) Jenkins and (Patrick) Bugg and that’s extremely valuable.”

Noisemakers banned

The Shock have banned artificial noisemakers, including cowbells, whistles and air horns, beginning with Saturday’s home contest against Tri-Cities. Thunderstix will be permitted.

“We sent out an e-mail” to season ticket holders, majority owner Brady Nelson said. “We got a lot of complaints from people who want to move seats because of the cowbells. We’ve got a lot of e-mails back saying thanks and we’ve got a lot from fans saying they can’t believe we did it.”

New Arena lease

The Shock’s original three-year lease with the Spokane Public Facilities District to use the Arena ran out after the 2008 season. Nelson said the team has a new five-year lease with some favorable components.

“The perception was that we were making a lot on concessions and we really weren’t. We were making about 3 percent, 3 cents on the dollar,” Nelson said. “This year it’s higher and it’s a significant impact. There’s also an incentive if we get to the playoffs that our rent gets progressively cheaper with each home playoff game.”

Nelson added that the arena is taking a smaller percentage on merchandise sales.

“It’s definitely a good two-way street,” Nelson said of the agreement. “We are making money, we are profitable, but this isn’t a business where you’re going to get rich doing it.”

Notes

Brian Jackson, who was 8 of 8 on PATs and 1 of 1 on field goals, missed practice to serve as an instructor at a camp for high school kickers in Las Vegas. Shackleford gave his approval months ago and figures it’ll help Jackson to kick outside for a few days. Jackson will be back for Saturday’s game. …. Former Shock defensive back Nygel Rogers has signed with Boise, giving the Burn five former Spokane players (Tremaine Tyler, Levi Madarieta, Roshawn Marshall and Palauni Ma Sun). Tyler apparently hasn't reported as of yet. … The league is considering a proposal to lengthen the 16-game regular season to 18. Nelson supports the proposal, which would mean nine home games, but hopes the season would start in early March and finish by the end of July. … Spokane remained No. 1 in the coaches’ poll for the fourth straight week. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton stayed at No. 2, followed by Arkansas at No. 3. … Defensive lineman Martrel Brown, sidelined by a rib cartilage injury suffered in a preseason game against Arkansas, has returned to practice.