Mustangs 2001 Preview
John Hoh
Wednesday March 14, 2001
 Craig Kusick will get a fresh start in Milwaukee. Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
The Mustangs also need to find a new kicker, again the third in three years. Steve Videtich signed with his hometown New Jersey Gladiators (previously known as the Red Dogs). So far the Mustangs’ roster lists Jamie Pucci (St. John Fischer, NY) and Don Silvestri (Pittsburgh) as competitors for the open spot.
On defense, the Mustangs combed the various indoor minor leagues to sign top talent to get pressure on the quarterback, an area coach Frazier expressed some concern.
So how do the Mustangs look this year? Where can they finish?
The Mustangs lost their two major divisional rivals in the off-season. The Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York to became the Dragons (the rivalry with New Jersey should make this the Medieval Bowl or the Damsel in Distress battle). As a result, the team moved to the Eastern Division. The league also moved the Houston (in name only) Thunderbears to the Western Division.
Two expansion teams—the Chicago Rush and Detroit Fury—take their place in the Central Division. It takes time to build an expansion team and I don’t expect either team to be challenging for the divisional title any time soon.
Grand Rapids is an improving team, and a bitter rival with Milwaukee. But like the Mustangs, the Rampage must adjust to a new quarterback. Meanwhile, the Albany Firebirds moved to Indianapolis and into the Central Division. Milwaukee has never beaten the Firebirds in the regular season. That should end this year with two match-ups scheduled. The Firebirds must also start the season with a new signal caller after seeing Mike Pawlawski go to the XFL.
Milwaukee’s defense has to assert itself and take control early in the season if the Indoor Equines are to avoid the slow starts that plagued them the past two seasons. History usually tells us that an offense with a new quarterback takes time to find its rhythm. Fortunately for the Mustangs, the other four teams in its division also start new field generals.
The influx of talent from the IFL, IPFL, and af2 on the defensive side of the ball promises to put pressure on opposing passers. Among the recruits are the league sack leaders of the IPFL and af2, as well as the leading sacker from the IPFL Portland Prowlers who may have led the league had he played the full slate of games.
With no proven kicker, Coach Frazier may have to find he needs to gamble more on offense. If the ‘Stangs can find an accurate foot to split the uprights they’ll find themselves on solid ground.
Injuries plagued the Milwaukee franchise in previous years, but past injuries should help the Mustangs with depth as they were forced to play younger players last year. If injuries strike again, the Mustangs need depth to compete for the division crown. If the Mustangs can stay healthy, they can compete fiercely with Indiana’s Firebirds for the division crown.
 Fan favorite Gary Compton has become a staple at WR/LB Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
With the departure of Lincoln Coleman, Milwaukee needs to find another running back to take pressure off the QB. While running backs don’t amass much yardage in the pass-friendly Arena League, a viable running back is still needed to keep defenses honest.
Milwaukee should compete for the division crown this year. They need to avoid the costly injuries that plagued them in the past, they need to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they need to avoid a slow start like the last two years.
My predictions for the 20001 Arena League’s Central Division:
If Milwaukee gets off to a slow start or has a rash of injuries, they could fall to third.
Milwaukee looks to gain its first-ever divisional title and its first playoff victory. The Mustangs should buck the rest of the Central to corral the title and then stampede to a victory in the playoffs—also their first ever—as a home team with a bye week.
John L. Hoh, Jr., is a free-lance writer from Milwaukee who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, as an avid Dolphins fan. He followed Arena Football since its inception, at one point watching tape-delayed games on low-powered WAV-TV in Waukesha. His happiest day was when Milwaukee was awarded the Mustangs franchise; his saddest when the Mustangs were contracted out of the league. John is married to his wife Maija (13+ years) and has a young son, Matthew. John pines for the return of the Arena Football League to Milwaukee.
