Cobras Prepare for Kubiak-less Desperados
Chuck DiLullo
Friday February 6, 2004
Cobras defensive coordinator Ron Selesky was adamant that his planning will not be affected by Kubiak’s absence.
“We need to nail down what we do best before we can worry about anything else,” said Selesky. “Regardless of who they have at quarterback, they will be running the same type of offense they always have, and we just have to execute to stop them. We need to get eight new guys at a time that are on the field to play as one. We have gelled through training camp and look to take that next step into game day.”
The absence of Kubiak will have a tremendous impact on the Deperados. He is coming off a season where he posted league records for single-season passing yardage (4,762) and completion percentage (69.7). Ex-Cobra, Glen Gauntt, will start after coming off a strong preseason scrimmage versus the New Orleans Voodoo. Gauntt should be familiar with Steve Thonn’s offense, having run it while with Augusta in af2 and last year with the Cobras under head coach Mike Hold, who played for Thonn in Houston.
“It will certainly help Glen that he understands the offense and understands the terminal- ogy, but Glen is still going through that learning curve getting to know his receivers,” said Selesky.
“The coaches are coming to me for special input on Glen Gauntt because I was around him last year with the Cobras and the year before in Augusta,” said defensive backs coach Maurice Blanding. “But many people have given their input because there are guys on the team that have played with Glen in college and af2.”
The one common thread with any Dallas team fielded by head coach, and former defensive coordinator, Will McClay will be the speed of the defensive team.
“Dallas has always had excellent team speed,” said offensive coordinator John Gregory. “That’s going to be the major factor in our game preparation. They have lost some key people. However, I still expect them to have a very quick pass rush and very quick defensive backs.”
“We are right on track and accomplished everything we had to coming out of training camp,” commented Khayat. “We had a great camp and have put together an outstanding squad. Nothing will change as far as preparation for Dallas, even though they don’t have Kubiak. They will run their offense and go about their business as they have always done. We feel we have a good read on what they will do, and I am sure they feel they have a good read on us.”
Chuck DiLullo works for a manufacturer of process control instrumentation as a sales engineer. He has been a fan of professional, college and high school football since he could walk. Chuck is originally from Philadelphia and he became a huge Arena Football League fan while living in Buffalo. Chuck has lived in Charlotte since 2000 with his wife & three children.
