Rattlers Roll Fury
Neal Ruhl
Monday May 17, 2004
“You can put this one on me,” said Fury head coach Tom Luginbill. “For whatever reason, I can’t get the guys to understand that possessions are the life blood of this game. We gave up six possessions in the first half alone. It was the same old story. Like I said, put this one on me.”
The Fury put up a meager seven points in the first half, their lowest first half output of the season, and Arizona took a 30-7 advantage into the locker room.
“We came out flat,” said Fury receiver Junior Lord, who came back from the injured list after missing eight weeks due to a separated shoulder.
Lord’s return was about the only bright spot for the Fury; the receiver caught two touchdowns in his return to the field.
“I was just tired of sitting on the sideline with the other injured guys,” said Lord. “I felt like I wanted to get out there and do something. It feels good to get the scores, but it did hurt physically.”
As far as games go, this one was as ugly as gas prices for the Fury. Detroit did a little bit of everything; fumbles, interceptions. Even a Rattlers’ kickoff bounced off the net and was recovered for a touchdown by Wendall Gaines of Arizona.
The Fury were outplayed in every facet of the game, and that effort was reflected in the final score. I understand that the Fury are banged up, and things aren’t going well, but a more professional effort is definitely in order for next week. Players have to remember that jobs are on the line for everyone and these last two games are auditions for other teams.
Unleash the Fury
Fury DS Ron Carpenter will return next week after missing Saturday’s game with an injured knee... The Fury host John Elway’s Colorado Crush at 3:00 p.m. next Sunday... Fury WR/LB Thabiti Davis had another eight catches for the Fury and needs only 16 more to break the Fury’s all-time record for receptions.
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
