Chicago Just Can`t Beat Arizona
Kevin Sheller
Tuesday May 13, 2003
The story reads the same. Mistakes, penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities were the reasons for all of the Rush losses, including this one.
“We were out-executed. I don’t think they played any harder than we did,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “Tonight their veterans made veteran plays when they needed to make them, and we made rookie mistakes. I thought we killed ourselves with penalties.”
“They came out and made adjustments,” said DS Marvin Taylor. “They were smart. I don’t think they beat us. We beat ourselves. We made our mistakes and they capitalized on them.”
One of those mistakes was yet another offsides penalty on the defense during a 3rd-and-goal situation. OL/DL James Baron was the culprit.
“They got me,” said Baron. “It was a hard count. [Sherdrick Bonner] is one of the best in the business at it. He’s a good hard count guy.”
Baron has made a career out of accurately predicting the snap and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. In 2003, a new rule was introduced to cut down on penalties for NBC broadcasts. If the defense jumps offsides, the offense is awarded five yards and an automatic first down.
“Personally I think the [automatic first down] rule is a terrible rule,” said Baron. “I don’t know what that’s all about. I think that’s the James Baron rule.”
In an effort to make the rule change fair, offenses are no longer allowed to use freeze-motion: A play in which a receiver in motion can’t abruptly stop at the line of scrimmage in coordination with a hard count to make the defense jump offsides. Now receivers must keep running.
Against Arizona, however, Chicago used another offensive tactic: Slow-to-freeze motion, where the receiver jogs as he approaches the line of scrimmage before coming to a stop. The officials allowed it.
“The coaches are going to figure ways around [the no freeze-motion rule],” said Baron. “There’s still freeze-motion, so why is it still five yards for a first down? It’s the James Baron rule. I just have to be more focused.”
This is just one of many mistakes the Rush must find a way to overcome as they enter what may be their final game of the season. The scenario is simple: Beat Indiana and earn a playoff spot.
“We put ourselves in that situation,” said DS Cedric Walker. “You win, you’re in. If not, you go home. So we’ll test our character.”
“I told them if you wanted to play in the championship,” said Hohensee, “then next Sunday you’re in it.”
Next Year
The nucleus of the Chicago Rush will return for another go at a championship in 2004. However, don’t expect to see any more of WR/DB Dameon Porter. The team hasn’t been able to sign him for 2004, and all the rumors say he’ll be leaving this offseason.
Although he hasn’t been signed yet, expect to see Taylor in 2004. He has made an impact in the secondary, and both sides are reportedly close to a deal.
Meanwhile, seven players are still unsigned for 2004. DS DuJuan Alfonzo, Taylor, WR/DB Cornelius Bonner, WR/LB Anthony Ladd, OL/DL Furnell Hankton, and QB Brian Ah Yat.
Squeaking is Allowed
If Buffalo beats Las Vegas this weekend, the Rush still back into the playoffs even if they fall to Indiana.
Kevin Sheller ia founder of Arenafan Online and was the principal owner until 2004. Kevin graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in technical writing, and has been a member of the Arena Football Internet community since 1993. He has worked as a professional web programmer and is also the executive producer for a computer/video game company. The most recent Xbox title to his credit is called Hunter: The Reckoning.
