Arnold Makes a Cameo Appearance
Matthew Pickut
Wednesday April 4, 2001
That is because winning in the pre-season is like having Gary Coleman as a guest star on your favorite show. It makes you smile; you get a warm fuzzy feeling; but in the end you are not going to remember it for long. What you will remember is how the regulars played.
The final score isn’t what coaches and fans should be concerned with at this point in the season anyway.
“Right now our concern is maximum effort, physically and mentally,” said Coach Dailey of the win. That effort will determine just how far the team can go this year.
Offensive specialist “Touchdown” Eddie Brown saw restricted action but scored on a one-yard touchdown dive on the first drive. He saw restricted action to limit his exposure to injury. According to Coach Dailey the recently un-retired Brown has, “a little rust on him like any player, but he’s a player that’s done a great job taking care of himself. He’s in tremendous shape.” Dailey also said fans can expect more playing time from Brown this week against the vagabond Houston Thunderbears at Conseco Fieldhouse.
On the other side of the ball, defensive specialist Cornelius Coe had two interceptions in his first game since moving up from the AF2. The second of which came as the Predators were driving for a possible go-ahead score in the final seconds.
“He had a great game the other night, and he’s done some great things in practice,” said Dailey. “You know obviously its the first day for him, the first game, but I think he’s shown some promise and hopefully he’ll just get better and better.”
The team will carry four quarterbacks into next week’s game. Coach Dailey insists the battle for the starting spot is still open. When asked who is currently the front-runner to start the season at quarterback, Dailey responded, “We still have this week [of practice] and next weeks game, no decision has been made. We’re just going to stay open-minded about it, and see who’s the best.”
All four quarterbacks played against the Predators with Raymond Philyaw (7/15 50yds 1TD) getting the most attempts. Philyaw split the first half with Chris Dittoe (3/9 24yds 1 int). The second half saw both rookies, John Rayborn (1/5 6 yrds 1 int) and Chris Boden (stats unavailable), get playing time.
Next week’s game, April 7th 7:00, against the Thunderbears will mark the first home game for the Firebirds at Conseco Fieldhouse. No word yet on whether Mr. Coleman will attend – but come anyway. Why? Because right now its not about winning or losing, its about finding out who is willing to put forth the effort to make the team. For my money, that always makes a good show.
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
