Five Game Losing Streak didn`t Change Firebirds` Approach
Matthew Pickut
Saturday April 5, 2003
“We try and treat it as a program whether we win or lose,” said Dailey. “But especially during a 5 game losing streak.”
Dailey never seemed to press the panic button during the slide and kept practices much the same as he always does. “If you ask our players they would say it hasn’t changed much.”
One big difference was using DS Evan Hlavacek at WR/LB. Hlavacek responded by leading the team to victory against the Dallas Desperadoes with a performance that merited Ironman-of-the-week honors from the league. Hlavacek scored three touchdowns including a clutch touchdown during the fourth quarter and returned a kick for a touchdown that clearly gave the team a big lift.
Using Hlavacek in all three aspects of the game first occurred to Dailey after the Orlando game. With both WR/LB Terrance Blackwell and WR/DB Brett Bech on the shelf, Dailey knew that the team needed more speed at the wide receiver position.
“After we played Orland, we felt after what happened last year we needed more speed. Then Black went down and we knew we wouldn’t get Bech back. We were getting back to having more possession receivers.”
Hlavacek is used to playing offense in college but his skills still need some refinement.
“He’s got a way to go, he’s a natural running back, played some slot, and was with Jacksonville for a while. He’s got speed and works hard on his routes.”
If what Firebirds’ fans have seem from Hlavacek is merely his raw talent and speed than his playing time may present an opportunity for the team to turn their season around.
One positive, despite all the injuries, is that QB Jose Davis finally played a full game with the skill he showed as a second-stringer coming into the game several times as a backup. Coach Dailey credits Davis’s growing experience and his consistency with helping the team break the streak.
“It’s experience. He didn’t turn the ball over once and we’ve had trouble with that.”
This week against the Grand Rapids Rampage, the Firebirds will be facing the division leader in what is an early must-win game. Both Davis and Hlavacek will need big games to overcome the Rampage’s balanced attack, but the key to this game will be in the defensive back field as Rampage QB Clint Dolezel brings three great receivers into town in Terrill Shaw, Willis Marshall, and Steve Smith.
Adding to the intrigue of this week`s matchup is the possible return of previous starting QB Raymond Philyaw. Philyaw was activated from the IR after five weeks out of uniform with a dislocated finger.
"We are very excited to have him back in uniform," said Dailey. "He is one of our leaders and I`m sure it will be a great inspiration for everyone to have him back in gear."
Team sources report that the identity of this week’s starter will be a game-time decision.
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.
