Five Things the Firebirds Need
Matthew Pickut
Thursday July 18, 2002
1. Some nicknames. A moniker is needed for WR/DB Brett Bech (pronounced Besh). The Firebirds already have a “touchdown” (Eddie Brown), a “Biggs” (Mark Valvo), and the “Big Uglies” (the ol/dl), but if Bech is going to make it in this league he needs a nickname, and fast. Choices so far include: B-dog, B-rod, Double B, and Bigby (sorry, I couldn’t resist the 1980’s AD&D reference). Second, there needs to be a name for the Chicago/Indiana rivalry, something like ‘the War on I-4’ from down in Florida. The rivalry is already taking shape as the past three games included the kind of passion you hope to see with a regional skirmish.
Have some ideas of your own? Email me and I will post the best prospective nicknames here on Arenafan.com, winners will receive something from the fabulous Matt Pickut Prize Closet (actually it’s the back seat of my car, but email me anyway).
2. A quarterback. Last week QBs Dameyune Craig and Jim Ballard both looked good at times. Ballard looked slightly more at ease in the AFL game, but Craig managed to show off some impressive skills before going cold in the second quarter. Lurking in the background is Raymond Philyaw, last year’s starter and until last week, this year’s starter.
One of the three must emerge as the starter this week against the Chicago Rush. My vote, as if it matters, is for Raymond Philyaw – while he struggled earlier, this year against Chicago (3 interceptions and only 222 yards) he remains the most experienced AFL QB on the roster. In big games (and with a possible home playoff game on the line this is a big game both in terms of record and in terms of business) I would want someone at QB who knows the plays and can draw on experience to make reads on the run.
3. DS Cornelius Coe. The defense ranks third in total scoring allowed, sacks, and turnover margin, and first in red-zone defense with a strong rush up front and the addition of Bech and the emergence of WR/DB Dejaun Alfonzo and DS Evan Hlavacek. Still the return of a healthy Coe, last year’s leading tackler, would give the Firebirds a major lift in a league were defense relies on pass coverage almost every play.
4. Love sweet love – it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of, at least according to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Don’t get me wrong, the last two home games have been great, setting the season high and then an all-time high for attendance. But let’s face it, we can do better. The Firebirds have the largest official fan club in the league, a great facility, and a great team – if we get a home playoff game and cannot beat 12,228 we should be ashamed. Just imagine the atmosphere at the end of last week’s game… now add 4,000 more people – that’s a lot of love.
For crying out loud, the team from New York City is averaging 2000 more people a game then we are, lets show some Midwest pride. Nobody in Indiana would stand for anyone saying New York City is a better basketball city than Indianapolis, and I don’t think we should let them get away with saying they’re a better AFL city either!
5. Consistency – When this team puts together four quarters of quality Firebirds’ football not much can get in their way. At times this year this edition of the Firebirds team lacked the ability to get everyone on the same page for a whole game. That is dangerous in the AFL because, like in basketball, every team makes a run. You need a lead big enough to withstand your opponent’s rally if you want to win consistently.
With a win, the Firebirds can salvage a 7-7 record and have the momentum going into the playoffs at home. A loss means they need some help just to get into the playoffs. Chicago, for their part, cannot lose its first round bye after clinching the Division crown, no matter who wins on Saturday. Knowing the rivalry that exists between the Rush and the ‘Birds, however, you can expect Chicago to play hard for their 10th win of the season, and a sweep of the Central Division.
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.
