Desperados Demolish Destroyers
K.E. Schlosser
Monday March 1, 2004
Defensively, the only way the Destroyers were able to stop the Desperados was with the assistance from the clock at the end of each half. With time running out in the first half, Dallas missed a field goal that was returned by Blalock for the touchdown. Penalties again proved costly as they enabled Dallas to extend several drives that turned into scores. While Chris Angel was named the Ironman of the Game for several big hits, he also allowed several big catches by being burnt several times for touchdowns.
In Arena Football, it often proves to be true that the best defense is a good offense, something the Destroyers have had a hard time finding this year. For the season, Columbus is scoring on just over half of their total possessions while the division leading teams are approaching an 80% success rate. An improved and more consistent offensive attack will do as much for Destroyers defense as any changes in personnel or schemes.
Coach Earle Bruce decided to give backup quarterback John Rayborn his first start of the season to shake things up and kick start the offense. Rayborn, who finished up last week’s loss against Philadelphia, had limited success and did little to solidify a start again this week. While his production was better in the first half, Rayborn was unable to move the ball consistently on the ground or through the air throughout the Destroyers lifeless second half. Rayborn finished the game 20-31 for 183 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, with a third that was dropped. Rayborn also came up short on a key fourth quarter fourth-and-short play on a call that could have went either way. To Rayborn’s credit, he stood tall in the pocket all day long; taking several monster hits while being hurt by several players running the wrong routes on both interceptions.
Whether Bruce will stick with Rayborn or return to rookie Ryan Vena has yet to be decided. When assessing the play of his quarterback on Sunday, Bruce was as complimentary to the defensive pressure created by the Desperados as he was with his dissatisfaction with Rayborn’s two costly interceptions, a dropped potential third interception, and the failure to pick up the fourth quarter first down.
In his post game news conference, Bruce said he “hadn’t thought about this week’s starter at all and a decision will not be made until after looking at film and practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Bruce was also careful to note that the play of the quarterback cannot be evaluated on statistics alone, as football is a team game and the play of one is affected by the play of every one.
"We knew he was going to drop back and get rid of the ball quickly,” said Dallas head coach Will McClay when pressed to evaluate the play of Rayborn. “He`s not like Vena, who moves around a lot. They are both quality quarterbacks, but you get something different with each one. With John being in there, we knew where he was in our rush lanes."
The Destroyers have a short week this week as they will be leaving Thursday for Arizona to play the Arizona Rattlers on Friday night. The Rattlers currently stand at 2-2, but they are riding a two-game winning streak against Carolina and New York. When assessing the performance of his team as a whole both this week and this season, Bruce remained true to his belief “that there was no problem with effort, and that they were only a few inches and a few players away from getting it done.”
The time to start getting “it” done is now. If the Destroyers want to put a stop to their own three-game losing streak and turn this season around, they need to find some answers very fast or the Soul may drive the nail in the coffin on March 13th.
Game Notes:
- The Desperados seized sole control of first place in the Eastern Division standings as Dallas moved to 3-1 and 3-0 in the Eastern Division with the Carolina Cobras falling to 2-2 with a 59-43 loss to the Orlando Predators.
- The Destroyers fell to 0-2 at home, 0-3 in the Eastern Division, and remained in a three-way tie for last place as the Philadelphia Soul (40-37 loss to the Tampa Bay Storm) and the New York Dragons (53-41 loss to the Arizona Rattlers).
- Dallas quarterback Glen Gauntt led all passers, going 22-32 for 259 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.
- Desperado receiver Kevin Aldridge had a game high 86 yards receiving and fellow receiver Bobby Sippio had a game high three touchdown receptions. Columbus receiver CoCo Blaylock led all receivers with nine catches and Cornelius White had seven catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns, respectively.
- The Destroyers hosted their second consecutive home sellout in Nationwide Arena (17,171) in as many games this season. The Destroyers are leading the Arena Football League in average attendance so far this year.
