Dallas finding ways to win

Scott Smithey
Wednesday April 9, 2008

"Just Win Baby” became the famed Al Davis quote and slogan of the Oakland Raiders during their championship years.  The Raiders won games regularly without flash, spectacular highlights, or consistent lopsided scores.  They did it with a grind it out style and a what ever it takes attitude.

Welcome to the 2008 season for the Dallas Desperados.  Saturday’s 58-51 win over the Cleveland Gladiators was handled in a methodical, business-like manner.  By the way, it was Dallas’ sixth win in as many games this season.  The Desperados and divisional foe the Philadelphia Soul are the only two Arena Football League teams left that are undefeated.  Forgive the Desperados  if they do not seam ecstatic or overly emotional about their success.  They have been here before only to suffer two early round exits in the playoffs.  

Dallas did regain the services of professional football’s all-time passing leader Clint Doelzel.  It took Doelzel one play to rekindle the offense when he threw a 25 yard strike to Anthony Armstrong.  Doelzel finished the night with five touchdown passes (all to Marcus Nash), 18-27 for 220 yards and one rushing touchdown.   His all-time AFL leading touchdown total is now 877.  

Doelzel was injured in the first game of the season when he suffered a separated shoulder in the second half.  The Gladiators would make sure that the shoulder would be tested in his first game back.  Early in the second quarter, Gladiator sack specialist Silas Demary blasted Doelzel just after he let go of a pass that fell incomplete.  Demary even shoved Doelzel back to the ground when he was trying to get up.  On the ensuing play, the 38 year old Doelzel called his own number and strolled toward the end zone after a play fake from 5 yards out.  I had visions of a John Elway or Troy Aikman diving and crashing into the end zone late in their careers.  Doelzel scored easily however and did not need such heroics.  Demary would deliver blows to Doelzel several more times with the last one ending with a late hit, personal foul penalty. 

This game or Doelzel’s performance would not gain Picasso status, however.  There were fumbles, penalties, collisions in the backfield and other near catastrophes that the Desperados survived.  Two fumbles inside the Gladiators 5 yard line kept this from becoming a Dallas blowout.  “We were fortunate to win this game with the mistakes that we made,” said Head Coach Will McClay who won his 50th game as a head coach.  Another sign that this team knows now is not the time to peak.

Dallas and Doelzel did get things going on offense as the game went on.  Doelzel at one point completed 12 passes in a row.  Nash had another outstanding game at receiver as did Armstrong.

The Dallas defense made plays when it had to including a Bobby Perry interception return for a touchdown.  The special teams also contributed with a touchdown of its own by recovering a mishandled kickoff in the end zone for a game changing touchdown.  The kickoff unit also had excellent coverage most of the night often tackling Cleveland returners inside the five. 

So how does Dallas keep winning?  They have an experienced offense with a quarterback/offensive coordinator that is already an all-time great. They have a defense that makes plays when the game is on the line.  They excel in all phases of the kicking game.  This year however, their depth is the main story.  Dallas continues to win with up to four starters missing every game.  “It’s a credit to our backups that step it up when it is their chance and our front office for bringing in quality players,” according to Doelzel.

Dallas has yet to display a well-oiled machine this year.  Unlike the past two years, they have yet to put total fear into the rest of the league.  Maybe this is a good omen meaning Dallas will peak in the playoffs instead of before, like the early departures from the playoffs the last two years.

Or maybe all they have to do is “Just Win Baby.”