What Else is There to Do?
Jeff Sims
Sunday April 10, 2005
But at least there were a few things in my life to help me get through this rough time; plenty of painkillers, my recliner, and my satellite dish complete with the full spectrum of Fox Sports Networks. So you know what that meant for me, a full lineup of Arena Football League action from Friday night on. The following is an idea of how the weekend went.
Friday Night
6:30 p.m. CT – Fox Sports South as Georgia takes on Austin. I am quite surprised as neither team scores until late in the first quarter. I like defense.
7:30 p.m. CT – Fox Sports Southwest as Nashville takes on Dallas. I enjoy watching the Desperados and with Nashville being in the same division as the Chicago Rush, I have more of an interest.
8:05 p.m. CT – Neither Dallas or Nashville has scored in the first quarter. I’m seeing as many stops early this evening as the cops do outside the bar that overlooks my patio. This is great!
8:15 p.m. CT – To be honest, I fell asleep for half an hour. The medications kicked in.
8:45 p.m. CT – Looks like Nashville is going to defeat Dallas, flip back to the Georgia versus Austin game to watch the end as Georgia gets a stop with about two minutes to go and just holds on to win. Chris Jackson comes up big in his first game for the Force.
9:00 p.m. CT – Fox Sports Detroit as Grand Rapids takes on Las Vegas. Las Vegas comes into Chicago in a few weeks. I need to do some research and I always like to watch Grand Rapids lose. Yes it’s that Chicago Rush division thing again, so shoot me for actually being a fan!
9:45 p.m. CT – Flip back to see Dallas tie the score with no time remaining on a 35-yard pass off the nets from QB Clint Stoerner that was caught by Bobby Sippio to send the game into overtime. You’ve got to be kidding me!
10:15 p.m. CT – I have a headache and I am screaming at the TV because neither one of these teams can score in overtime. I am only making this harder on myself as I go along.
10:30 p.m. CT – I am screaming even more because the clock doesn’t stop with one minute to go! After 74 minutes worth of football, you would think they would know the rules by now!
10:31 p.m. CT (after the clock does not stop) – A tie! Something is just not right. It was certainly a very entertaining game though.
10:32 p.m. CT – Flip back to watch Las Vegas defeat Grand Rapids as expected. I must say that I like the team of Clint Dolezel and Marcus Nash. It also appears that other teams in the league are learning how to stop Grand Rapids QB Michael Bishop.
11:45 p.m. CT – Game is over and I fall back to sleep for a while. It’s hard to sleep for very long when you can’t breathe very well.
1:30 a.m. CT – I wake up and start flipping channels. I missed the Arizona versus Columbus game? Thank God for replays!
Saturday Night
6:30 p.m. CT – After all of yesterday’s action, I have been looking forward to the War on I-4 as Orlando takes on Tampa Bay. There is always hard-hitting action between these two teams. This time is no exception as Tampa Bay comes away with the win. I always like watching Orlando head coach Jay Gruden screaming late in a game.
Sunday
8:00 a.m. CT – I wake up and it is time to take the bandages off my nose. I feel okay, but I know deep down that I will not be able to attend today’s game. My head feels completely congested. I’m not very happy.
12:00 p.m. CT – Chicago kicks to start the game. I feel like I’m missing something.
1:22 p.m. CT – Chicago 27 San Jose 26 at halftime. San Jose K Dan Frantz has missed two extra points and Chicago gets the ball to start the second half. I feel my sinuses opening as I am happy with the Chicago first half performance.
1:55 p.m. CT – Rush QB Raymond Philyaw is running again! This team looks good!
2:14 p.m. CT – Rush WR/LB Etu Molden intercepts San Jose QB Mark Grieb. This is a great performance.
2:26 p.m. CT – Philyaw gets intercepted. It is just like this team to keep it close!
2:31 p.m. CT – Rush OL/DL John Moyer recovers a fumble. I let out a sigh of relief!
2:40 p.m. CT – Philyaw hits OS Henry Douglas for a touchdown. Game over! I let out a figurative breath (because I really still can’t breathe).
3:00 p.m. CT – The Rush get their first ever victoy over San Jose. I think I will calm down by turning to Fox Sports New York and watch the Dragons take on the Avengers.
It has certainly been an uncomfortable weekend from one standpoint, but a very fun one from another. Although next weekend, I plan on being there.
Jeff has been writing for ArenaFan.com since 2004. Originally from New York, Jeff has been living in the Chicago area for the past ten years and is an avid football fanatic. He holds a BA in communications from Hofstra University in New York and a sports management certificate from Loyola University in Chicago.
