Matt Kinsinger - Stepping Up His Game
Tim Ball
Thursday March 17, 2005
Adding to his run totals with two more rushing touchdowns against the Philadelphia Soul, Kinsinger also garnered his second interception of the season.
Two-way players must shoulder a tremendous load. They are expected to perform at the same level of effectiveness on both offense and defense while being the backbone of the arena game. Kinsinger is also adding stability to the all-important kicking game as snapper on all extra-points and field goal attempts, and he brings much needed consistency to a team suffering losses to key starters and having rookies learning the game on the field in prime time.
The SaberCats are known for quiet unassuming stars and Kinsinger does not go out of his way to trumpet his abilities. While most big men spike the ball or thrust their arms high into the air for all to see, Kinsinger takes it all in stride. As a key veteran Kinsinger knows the drill. Score a touchdown, celebrate, hear the cheers, toss the ball to the ref, and forget about it. In a matter of seconds you’re on defense.
As shocking as it may seem to SaberCats fans, in 2001 Kinsinger played on a team with no home field and every game a road trip. Such was the plight of Houston ThunderBears players enduring a final season of loneliness. He then took over the fullback/linebacker position for San Jose when Bob McMillen went to the Chicago Rush in November of 2002. The SaberCats offense has maintained their most feared status and Kinsinger is key to that red-zone reputation both as a lead blocker rusher.
Now with one of the AFL’s top franchises, Kinsinger - who lives in Augusta, Georgia in the off-season - is a self-confessed "country guy" who knows the importance for roots in the foundation of success.
"This team is truly that," said Kinsinger. "The coaching staff, the support from the fans to the front office is truly awesome. There’s a unity for success and it shows. But without doubt my teammates, many I consider friends, make playing on this team so special."
"Matt is a blue-collar Guy. What you see is what you get." said Fullback/Linebacker and Special Teams coach Anthony Ross. "He’s been a solid performer for us since his acquisition and has emerged as a team leader in his own right."
Kinsinger sees the game as most SaberCats veterans do. "It’s more than four-quarters football," said Kinsinger "in this game it really can be decided on any play and usually is. From the opening kickoff to the last second you have to be ready to make the play."
With the SaberCats at 3-3, Kinsinger knows the journey and what it takes. "We’ve experienced just about everything already," said Kinsinger. "We’re going to have tough games and especially on the road. It’s a long season and we have a lot of games left to play. Now it’s time to settle down and play SaberCats football."
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
