New Players in Key Positions give Firebirds New Chances
Matthew Pickut
Tuesday July 16, 2002
It was exactly the classic kind of arena game that the league would like the nation to see and thanks to TNN and Garner, a national audience saw not only a great finish but also a compelling match-up for 60 minutes.
“I’m a big advocate of the league,” said Firebirds’had cach Mike Dailey after the win, “ I’m very proud of our league, I consider myself one of the pioneers of this league and to have that kind of game in front of a national audience is great.”
A record 12,228 fans witnessed what may be the greatest victory in the Firebirds short Indiana tenure and during the fourth quarter, the Fieldhouse was rocking and rolling louder than ever before. So, in honor of that feeling, allow me to present a special musical edition of the Firebirds broadcasting Network:
“This looks like a job for me, cause’ we need a little controversy, cause’ it feels so empty without me”
Its official there is now a QB controversy in Indiana. With QB Raymond Philyaw withheld by coach’s decision, QBs Dameyune Craig and Jim Ballard split the game at quarterback. Craig started the game with a fumbled exchange from center but quickly found three different receivers for touchdowns. After failing to complete a pass in the second quarter and an interception to start the second half Ballard replaced Craig and led the Firebirds to victory.
“I knew I’d get in,” said Ballard who completed six of eight passes with no interceptions or touchdowns, “but you have to be ready to play all the time.” Ballard knew that he needed to make the most of the opportunity when it came and gave credit to the offensive line for their help.
“It felt good. I’m an older guy. I’ve been around a bit and all you can do is wait for your opportunity and make the most of it. Coach Dailey gave me that opportunity. The offensive line played great and gave me some time.”
In his post-game interview, Dailey remained non-committal, but knows that he needs to come to a decision this week. “We’l have to look at the film this week and see what happens, I’m happy with what our guys did, I think we have some good ones [QBs].”
The choice now must hinge on which QB performed better and will perform better in the future. While Ballard’s passing was more constant, Craig displayed a good arm and scrambling ability and threw for the only passing TD’s for the Firebirds. Enter into the equation a very talented and experience Raymond Philyaw and this week’s practice should be very interesting.
“I’m coming out, so you better get this party started”
WR/DB Brett Bech had a “coming out” last night so to speak. But before I start any rumors, let’s just leave the Mike Piazza references for another column. Bech, who garnered game MVP honors, caught 6 passes for 132 yards, including a highlight reel 45 yard touchdown on offense and returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown on defense.
The scary thing is that Bech, playing in only his second game as a Firebird is just getting acclimated to the indoor game. “Its definitely different but I’m getting accustomed to it,” said a somewhat soft-spoken Bech after the game, “the Good Lord put me in the right place at the right time and hopefully we can make the playoffs.”
While the Arena game remains new to Bech, he spoke highly of the product. “It’s a complete production,” Bech said of the AFL game, “they balance the football and everything else pretty well”
“But in the end it doesn’t really matter”
Nelson Garner missed three PATs and three field goals during the first 59 minutes and 55 seconds of the game, including on field goal that exited the end zone for a safety after being blocked… and in the end (for the standings at least) it doesn’t really matter. That’s because Nelson’s 50-yard field goal, the exact same kick he missed to end the first half, went through the uprights, leaving no room for an L.A. overtime comeback.
“It’s no secret that I’ve struggled at times,” said Garner. “It’s nice to have the opportunity to redeem myself. I mean these guys work so hard and then to go out and miss some kick that could have lost us the game, it’s just a relief to lift the team up like that. The whole team played hard and that was just one part of it. You just praise God, through the good times and the bad times.”
Nelson’s teammates rewarded his kick the way all great victories get celebrated: the pile-on. What a choice, miss the kick and face overtime, make the kick and face about 2 tons of teammates jumping all over you.
For his part, OS Eddie Brown knew the team faced some rough times this year. “The thing is, if you look at our season, the ball hasn’t bounced our way one time, and tonight it finally bounced our way. Their kicker missed a few, Nelson missed a few, but we gave Nelson the chance to come back and he came through for us.”
“Getting Ugly”
Big Ugly that is. The big guys up front only allowed one sack and put pressure on Avenger QB Tony Graziani all night long, forcing two fumbles and recording two sacks. Most importantly, the uglies kept the game close during the three quarters the Firebirds failed to score a passing TD.
During the passing drought that came after the first quarter, the offensive line managed to spring FB/LBs Leroy Thomson and Rich Young for touchdowns, enabling Indiana to stay in the game. “I really appreciate playing with these guys,” said Moore-Brown playing in his 113th consecutive game, “we stuck together and at times it didn’t look like we were going to pull it off. We stuck together as a team through thick and thin and believed in each other”
“Momma I’m coming home”
Avenger’s WR/LB Greg Hopkins returned to face his teammates from last year and caught seven passes for 104 yards, including three touchdowns. With Hopkins gone, the Firebirds have failed to find a replacement to compliment Eddie Brown on offense, although Bech may be ready to do so after Sunday’s game.
“It was tough,” said Hopkins of his return to play against Indiana, “I played with some of these guys for four or five years and it is never an easy thing to come back and play against your teammates.”
After the game, Hopkins remained up-beat and hoped that game would serve as a wakeup call for the Avengers “This game was kind of a portrayal of the team,” Hopkins commented, “we’re already in the playoffs and some guys maybe weren’t taking this game as seriously.”
Here comes the boom
With the win, the Firebirds move into the eighth playoff spot and at 6-7 have a chance to salvage a .500 record for the season with a win next week against the Chicago Rush. With the Rush already clinching the division the Firebirds again might be able to sneak up on a team with a better record and get the win, but the chances of that are slim as the Chicago/Indiana rivalry is building.
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
