The Rampage at half-way
Chip Burch
Saturday May 3, 2008
I'll do it again here, and I'm happy to report the team is doing a little better this year overall than last year under coach Sparky McEwen.
Offense: B-. You had to figure coach Steve Thonn would bring a high-scoring offense to the Rampage, as that's what he had as the offensive coordinator of the Georgia Force. That's exactly what happened; the Rampage are the second-highest scoring team in the Arena Football League, second only to the Philadelphia Soul. The Rampage can score quickly, as they have the fewest offensive plays in the league and are averaging 7.1 yards a play, third-best in the league.
The Rampage have also added a new wrinkle to the offense: a running game. They are the league leaders in rushing offense at 38 yards a game, seven more than the Kansas City Brigade.
If only the offense would be more consistent. The Rampage's three wins are scoring 92, 84 and 72 points. Two of the five losses had them scoring 35 and 34 points. This is hurt by Grand Rapids being the worst passing team in the league at only 243 yards a game.
Defense: D+. The worst defense in the league last year has improved a bit, but not much. The Rampage are the third-worst defense in the league this year, giving up 311 yards a game and giving up 59 points a game, fifth-worst in the league.
While Grand Rapids can run the ball, they can't stop other teams from doing so, as they are the second-worst rushing defense in the league at 25 yards a game. Only the Brigade are giving up more real estate on the ground.
The Rampage are also allowing 285 yards a game through the air, which is fifth-worst in the league.
On the good side, the Rampage have recovered the second-most fumbles in the league at 15, three less than the league-leading San Jose SaberCats. Overall the Rampage are +4 in turnover margin.
But defense was going to be a sore spot from the start of the season, as Thonn started four AFL rookies on the defensive side of the ball in the beginning of the season.
Special teams: B. Kicker Brian Gowins has been good for the Rampage this season despite being only 3-of-8 in field goals. He's fifth-best in PATs with 62 made and his 93.7 conversion percentage is second-best in the league behind Utah's Steve Azar.
The Rampage lost kick return specialist Timon Marshall to the Los Angeles Avengers this past offseason but Chris Martin has filled in admirably. Martin has the fifth-best return average (20 yards a game), the sixth-most returns in the league (48) and the third-most return yards in the league (946). He also has four return touchdowns, most in the league.
Coaching: B-. At the halfway point last season the Rampage were 2-6. They're only one better this year at 3-5, so Thonn has had an impact on the team.
The offense is Thonn's doing. He looked like a genius when he relieved Adrian McPherson of his starting role and switched to James MacPherson, who Thonn had as a backup to Chris Greisen in Georgia. MacPherson is 3-3 since taking over the starting role.
Defensive coordinator Ron Selesky has had to make do with what he had to work with. Yes, there were four AFL rookies starting the first game against San Jose March 10, and that has had an impact on the defense.
Overall grade: C. For a change, there's a bit of optimism for the Rampage this year, as there are winnable games against Utah, the Tampa Bay Storm and the Columbus Destroyers coming up on the schedule. They've also split with the Colorado Crush the past two seasons. Adding four more wins will put them at 7-9, the first time they've had more than five wins since the 2003 season.
It also looks like the Rampage will make the playoffs this season, as Kansas City and Utah are well behind the Rampage for the final spot in the American Conference.
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.
