McPherson back in starting QB position
Chip Burch
Thursday June 7, 2007
McPherson started the season as the starting quarterback with the Austin Wranglers. On Saturday he will start for the Grand Rapids Rampage against the Chicago Rush.
McPherson’s path to the starting role wasn’t intended. Rampage starter Chad Salisbury suffered rib and ankle injuries in a loss to the Kansas City Brigade on June 2. Salisbury was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
The 2004 Arena Football League Rookie Of The Year is grateful to have the chance to play again after the Wranglers released him May 7.
“It's just that I got the chance to play again,” he said. “I'm in a pretty good situation with the talent here. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the game this week and try to be successful.”
As Austin’s quarterback McPherson completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 2,379 yards, 42 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 226 yards and six touchdowns. In three games with the Rampage he is 5-of-6 for 42 yards in the air. His one non-reception was a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Brigade.
The Florida State product said he won’t change the way he plays for the Rampage as opposed to the way he played for the Wranglers.
“That's my game,” he said. “That's what's got me to where I am in football. I've got some weapons. It's a good feeling to have to know you don't always have to take the deep ball and know that they can catch the short ball. We have a great offensive line here and that's a good feeling to have as a quarterback.”
McPherson didn’t really know what went wrong at Austin.
“I can’t put my finger on it,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “I just know that I’m in a great situation here" in Grand Rapids.
He thinks that way because of who he has to throw the ball to.
“I'm excited about playing with the playmakers we have,” he said. “My job is to get them the ball and let them do what they love to do.”
McPherson knows what he has to do to get a win over the Rush.
“The biggest thing is to take care of the ball, minimize mistakes,” he said. “The other part is getting the ball to the playmakers.”
McPherson lost one of his playmakers Tuesday. Wide receiver Timon Marshall signed a three-year contract with the NFL’s Chicago Bears and will attend their minicamp. Marshall was the only receiver who had played in all 13 of the Rampage's previous games.
"It's hard to lose a player of Timon's caliber because it puts a damper on the offense," McPherson said. "But when you lose a player for whatever reason it allows another player to step up. We've got Jerome Riley coming off of IR so he'll make an impact. To lose a guy like Timon hurts but it gives other people a chance to step up."
McPherson's backup will be Kyle Rowley, who spent most of this season on the Philadelphia Soul's practice squad. Rowley quarterbacked the af2's Spokane Shock to the 2006 ArenaCup title.
Chip Burch has been covering the Rampage since 2005. He is a sports reporter for WSCG AM-FM in Greenville Michigan, where he currently resides.
