Fury Ugly in Loss
Neal Ruhl
Thursday April 10, 2003
Interceptions, fumbled snaps, and missed opportunities were the story for the Fury offense on Friday. The Arena League’s all time leading passer was even pulled from the game at halftime. Back up quarterback John Rayborn came in to replace Andy Kelly as the second half started, but he was promptly sacked twice as the offense went three and out coming out of the locker room. Kelly then went back in to replace Rayborn.
“We were looking for a spark.” Said Fury Coach Al Luginbill. “I wanted to see if I could shake things up.” When asked if Andy Kelly was going to be the starter next week, Coach Luginbill gave a less than ringing endorsement. “I would think so, he did some nice things in the second half, coming from behind. It’s frustrating because a veteran quarterback made some rookie errors.”
Kelly finished the game 16-33, for a meager 172 yards, and two scores to go along with two interceptions.
“I have played games like that before, and I have bounced back. I think I will be able to do it again,” said Kelly.
“Andy’s a great quarterback, and I know he will come back strong,” said WR Jason Kaiser.
The loss was a tough one for the Fury however, as the schedule sees them heading out on the road for the next three in a row. Next week, they head to San Jose to take on the defending Arena Bowl champs. The SaberCats have not lost at home in 18 games. The Fury follow that with a trip to take on the much-improved New York Dragons, and go to Las Vegas to try their luck against the division-leading Gladiators.
The offense must improve for this team to go anywhere. They are turning the ball over way too often to even have a chance against the upper level Arena league teams. The problems were masked with wins over hapless Buffalo and Colorado, but with much stiffer competition coming up, Kelly needs to hold on the football for this squad to have a shot at the playoffs. Things have to turn around, or this team will fade quickly.
Inside the Fury
Marcus Nash missed the game with a broken finger, he listed as day to day…The Fury will need Nash to come back quickly as they lost WR Junior Lord for the season today with a ruptured Achilles tendon…The loss dropped the Fury to 1-4 against Chicago all time…Ron Carpenter had 264 all purpose yards for the Fury, highlighted by a 56 yard td return…Rush players got the game awards with OS Antonio Chatman earning the MVP, and Lindsay Fleshman the Ironman.
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
