'I miss Texas, but I know I'm in a different situation.' - Anthony Armstrong

IRVING, Texas - As Anthony Armstrong walks on the field of Texas Stadium, he reminisces of the days when this was his place to practice. With the voice of his former head coach ringing through his ears, Armstrong watches countless others walk the same path he did two years ago, a path that provided him with growth, strength and opportunity.

But his time has passed, and his life has moved on. Now, it is someone else's time to stand out and face the competition.

On Saturday, Nov. 1, at Texas Stadium, the Dallas Desperados held open tryouts in an effort to find new talent that might have slipped through the scouting cracks. Roughly 450 participants attended the tryouts. Athletic ability and $85 for the registration fee was all they needed for a shot at a potential spot on the team.

At the open tryout in the fall of 2006, Armstrong, who played his high school ball at nearby Carrollton (Texas) Newman-Smith, proved his ability to play football, which led him to more than just a playing position with the Desperados. After two seasons with the Desperados in the AFL, Armstrong has now found himself a place on the Miami Dolphins' practice squad.

"I miss Texas, but I know I'm in a different situation. I'm learning everyday and getting better," said Armstrong, who flew in during the Dolphins bye weekend just to show his face (he's still on the Desperados' reserve list) and to make sure they know if no team signs him to an expanded 80-man roster in the off-season he's not too proud to return to the Arena game.

But Armstrong was a living example for all these others guys who came here just looking for a chance.

Lance Hoyt, a professional wrestler with Total Nonstop Action, played three years of college football as a quarterback. Now at 31 years of age, Hoyt is hoping for a chance to get back in the game, no matter he's probably past his playing prime.

"I'm very optimistic," Hoyt said after running his first 40-yard dash. "I felt like I was flying but who knows,"

For former Southern Miss defensive back Jasper Faulk, the tryouts are nothing new. Faulk played arena ball with the New Orleans Voodoo and the Tennessee Valley Vipers. He has been training the past six months for these tryouts and is willing to go anywhere to get on a team again.

"I will be in Orlando next week and Georgia at the end of the month, if I don't get here," Faulk said.

Desperados head coach Will McClay says the tryout is a great opportunity for guys who used to play football to see if they still have it. For former football players that are new to arena football, it takes time to adjust to the differentials of the game.

"Everything is in halves," said McClay, who is starting his sixth season as the Desperados head coach. "You have to be quicker and more exact."

Not everyone who comes to the tryout has the necessary skills to play arena football, played on the 50-yard field indoors. Prospective players must demonstrate an ability to run, catch and think quickly in order to separate themselves from the rest of the participants - and possibly receive a chance to participate in the team's training camp.

"You have to be able to standout," McClay said. "We have been fortunate to get athletes that have skills."

Some participants try to use more than their skills to get themselves noticed. Still wearing his Halloween face paint from the night before, Mario Thomas was confident in his ability to impress the coaches.

"I think I have a better quality to provide the people," said Thomas, a former National Indoor Football League player.

His only concern about the face paint was that it would lead the coaches questioning his mentality.

"They may question if I have personality issues, but it's just enthusiasm," Thomas said.

The competition is tight and the number of spots available, if any, is highly limited. Last year, only two players from the open tryouts were invited to training camp with the team. If participants do not make the cut, they are still able to walk away with a great experience.

"To be able to walk on the field and workout at Texas Stadium is great," McClay said.

If any of the participants are selected from the tryout, they will be invited back for a private workout. There, the coaches scrutinize them even closer, and then determine if they want to bring a guy or three to training camp with the rest of the team.

Just as they did with some unknown guy at the time named Anthony Armstrong.