ArenaBowl XX Coaches Conference Call
Jason Lucas
Monday June 5, 2006
Jay Gruden revealed to the media that the Predators newest addition, WR/LB Cory Fleming, injured his foot in yesterday’s game which could open the door for the return of Jerrian James who was serving a one game suspension in the game against Dallas.
Mike Hohensee explained how the Rush managed to pick up Bobby Sippio earlier this season. In week eight Sippio was released by the Tampa Bay Storm and was all set to be picked up by the Kansas City Brigade. However, the Chicago Rush had some "future considerations" with the Brigade and were able to jump into the Brigade’s spot on the waiver wire. Sippio, who is a 25 year old single father, was not thrilled about going to Chicago because of his situation. The Rush and Hohensee were able to make sure that Sippio’s daughter would be taken care of and the rest is history. Hohensee also said that the Rush would not be going to ArenaBowl this weekend if not for the pick-up of Sippio.
Chicago’s QB Matt D’Orazio has proven to be one of the toughest players in the AFL this season. D’Orazio has taken many beatings all year long and is on record as saying the more he gets hit the better he plays. Orlando’s style of play is to rush the passer, and hit the passer as frequently as possible. Jay Gruden was asked if he felt this would work against the Predators. Basically this will not effect how the Preds prepare for D’Orazio. In the match-up during the regular season the Predators were able to force the Chicago QB into quite a few mistakes in executing a 55-27 victory in the Jungle.
One thing many fans do not realize is how much being a head coach in any league is like being a babysitter. Jay Gruden has been to a lot of ArenaBowl’s, but never to one in Las Vegas with his team. He feels it will be somewhat of a challenge to keep his guys in check all week so that they are not at the Blackjack tables until 5 am. The Predators have a very young team, and a fun loving team, those of you who hang out at Latitudes after Preds games know what I am talking about. Gruden will definitely have his hands full once everything gets started in Las Vegas this week.
Both coaches were asked what is the key about being a quarterback in the AFL and transferring to a coach? Gruden said he thinks it has a lot to do with how quarterback’s have to know everything on the field, from blocking, to where his receivers are supposed to be. As opposed to say a lineman who may just know blocking schemes or a receiver who just knows how to run routes. Hohensee was quick to point out that Gruden left out the leadership factor. Everybody knows the leader of every team should be the quarterback and Hohensee feels that is the biggest factor in becoming a head coach.
Coach Hohensee was asked what it was during the regular season match-up that Orlando QB Joe Hamilton was able to do that gave Chicago problems. Hohensee clearly feels that Hamilton was underestimated by himself and the Rush. They underestimated his vision and his ability to make the big throw and he feels they were proven wrong in many ways. He believes that Gruden has done a great job with Hamilton by keeping him a confident quarterback.
Overall I feel it is pretty hard to get a read on either coach at the moment since it is only Monday. The Predators have carried themselves with a quiet confidence all postseason long and that really speaks to the character of Jay Gruden. The Chicago Rush and coach Hohensee are nearly a mirror image of the Preds. Neither of these teams was expected to be in Las Vegas this week, clearly Chicago at 7-9 during the regular season had to take the longest road to the ArenaBowl. I feel that this could be a very classic ArenaBowl that may just come down to the final minute of the game.
The ArenaBowl XX festivities continue on Tuesday when AFL Commissioner C. David Baker joins the media for a chat. Stay tuned to Arenafan.com all week long for all of your ArenaBowl XX coverage from Las Vegas!
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.
