The aftermath of an embarrssing loss
Charliy Nash
Friday March 16, 2007
In the wake of last week’s embarrassing loss, heads were expected to roll.
When the smoke cleared there was no major exodus of players. Just one trade a a few more players added to injured reserve.
That injured reserve list is getting to be quite a problem. As of Tuesday morning the Nashville Kats had more linemen on IR than on their active roster. This is causing an unintended youth movement. “The dilemma we’re running into is this: we’re getting younger not by choice,” head coach Pat Seprduto explained.
“We’re getting younger by not having specific guys. We’re younger in the secondary because Monty [Montgomery]’s out, we’re younger on the offensive line because Charlie [Morris] is out, we’re younger on the defensive line because now Joe [Minucci]’s out, we’re younger at the fullback linebacker position because Rupe [Rupert Grant]’s out, we’re younger at receiver now because Alonzo [Nix]’s out.”
To fill some of these holes, the Kats have signed lineman Fitu Tu’ua and have brought up WR Kenny Higgins and LB Brendan Givan from their practice squad.
The Kats needed to do more than just replenish their depleted roster. “There is not one position that does not have to get better,” emphasized Sperduto. With one more player signing they not only got better, they got “Mo’ Better.”
One of my favorite players in last year’s preseason camp was Maurice Brown. After playing for a season in New York, “Mo’ Better” is back in a Kats’ uniform. “I just felt like I was coming home again,” Brown said, “My first though was ‘It’s good to be back.’” He’s quickly getting back into the flow and getting familiar with the offense.
“We’ve got him back now,” added Sperduto, “We liked him last year a whole bunch.” Brown is a perfect fit for Sperduto’s concept of “big boy football” and is expected to contribute right away.
Charliy Nash has covered both incarnations of the Nashville Kats, and now has make the 2 hour drive to Huntsville for an Arena Football fix. He also covers the Tennessee Titans as a blogger for nfl.com and still hopes this will eventually lead to a paying gig.
