Shock notes: Spokane thrilled to have Arvell Nelson back with team

Arvell Nelson left the 50-yard football field behind this season and went 1,800 feet underground for a paycheck.

Nelson was working 8-12 hour days at a salt mine in his hometown of Cleveland. He was making good money, but he lost his job recently and dialed up Spokane Shock coach Andy Olson.

Olson quickly brought Nelson back to Spokane, where the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was the definition of versatility in 2013. He backed up league MVP Erik Meyer at quarterback while seeing time at wide receiver, jack linebacker and on several special teams.

“It was work (at the mine),” Nelson said. “Here it’s fun. It’s a privilege to play this game.”

Nelson had a rushing touchdown and played on special teams in Sunday’s win at Portland. He handled some quarterback reps, contributed on special teams and long-snapped at Wednesday’s practice as the Shock (4-8) prepare for Friday’s meeting with the Meyer-led San Jose SaberCats (12-1) at the Arena.

Nelson backed up Tommy Grady in Pittsburgh in 2014 and ended up having an outstanding season filling in at jack linebacker when the starter suffered a broken thumb. He wants to play quarterback but said he’s fine lining up elsewhere.

“I’m down for anything that helps our team,” said Nelson, who was dismissed from the University of Iowa’s team in 2008 before finishing his career at Texas Southern.

Nelson said the physical demands of working in the mine helped him stay in shape.

“You’re sweeping salt, shoveling salt constantly,” he said. “I was also working part time as a personal trainer so I was in the gym all the time. Now it’s just trying to get back into full football shape.”

Nelson saw limited time at quarterback in 2013, but finished 16 of 20 with five touchdown passes and four rushing. He also had nine receptions, six for TDs, and made 16 tackles. He provides an option at quarterback, including in the red zone, and his versatility should be helpful when Olson is deciding on a game-day roster.

“As soon as he walked in here he was the best athlete on the team,” Olson said. “It’s more than just being a good player. He brings chemistry and an upbeat attitude, all those things that are kind of irreplaceable. It’s something that maybe we’ve been missing a little bit because of our immaturity and not having a lot of vets out there.”

Coffman returns

Quarterback Carson Coffman returned to the starting lineup and delivered a turnover-free, nine-touchdown performance in a 69-54 victory over Portland. Coffman saw mop-up duty against San Jose last month, but hadn’t started since New Orleans, the Shock’s fifth game.

“I was nervous,” said Coffman, who passed for 328 yards and was named AFL offensive player of the week. “I was telling someone pregame is a lot different, especially the pregame meal. When you’re not starting you can eat as much as you want. When you’re starting you’re a little more nervous.”

Spokane went 2-4 under Warren Smith, including a couple of tough losses in the final minute.

“We felt like Coffman is a little bit more veteran,” Olson said. “He’s been clutch in some games, he’s been clutch in the past for a couple other teams. We felt that’s what we were missing.”

Coffman had a season-high 136.5 passer rating against the Thunder. He has 25 touchdown passes and four interceptions this season.

Married to the game

Linebacker Kevin McCullough was placed on league suspension last week because of the AFL’s abundant lists for transactions … there isn’t one for getting married. McCullough and long-time girlfriend Alyssa were married on Sunday, which kept him from playing against Portland.

“We will have been together 10 years in October,” McCullough said. “We’ve had it planned since last Halloween. All of our family is back East so they needed time to be able to prepare and come out.”

McCullough is back on the field this week. The couple is planning a honeymoon trip this fall.