Shock bench Rowley, to start Stull

Brian Beaudry
Wednesday May 11, 2011

After another dismal road performance against a team the Shock felt they should beat, last year's ArenaBowl MVP Kyle Rowley will be starting the next game on the bench for the first time since becoming a member of the Shock.

"The decision was made to jump-start our team. I don't know where this decision is going to go - I don't know what this is going to lead us into, but obviously we need to make a change. The entire offense played terrible," said Shock Head Coach Rob Keefe. "It was a tough decision. It was obviously a decision I didn't jump right to a conclusion. This is to motivate, not to downgrade. [Rowley] is still our quarterback. He is still the guy that I believe can lead us to the promised land."

Center Antonio Narcisse echoed the idea that the move had motivational undertones rather than indicating wholesale change.

"It's something temporary, I guess, something to wake him up a little bit and get us all back focused on winning again. It's nothing major, nothing to worry about...we'll be alright," Narcisse said." I don't think it's a long-term answer; everybody needs a wake-up call sometimes."

Shock fans on the team's message boards seemed largely supportive of the change, who felt the team's inconsistent play was reflected in Rowley's performances. Rowley's two picks against Pittsburgh put him at 11, equaling his total number of interceptions last season in 19 overall games.

"It's a lot of very inconsistent play because of the mental game," said Keefe. "I just need consistency. When there's inconsistent play, it's because they're overthinking, there's lack of trust, and there's a mentality that every play doesn't matter. And that's a problem, because every play does matter."

Keefe added that several players were making errors and playing inconsistently, not just Rowley, but that a move had to be made because "it starts and finishes with the quarterback."

Stull will enter the Dallas game looking to improve on an AFL career which, thus far, has included a mop-up duty interception in his only pass against Kansas City.

"With Bill, I think the players really enjoy him. I think he's a hard worker. Physically, he has all the tools. University of Pittsburgh starter, played for the Kansas City Chiefs, he has a big arm, he's excited," said Keefe. "I'm very, very curious to see how he's going to do. I think the inexperience and the youth brings a different mentality that we haven't had here in a while."

The second-half debacle in Pittsburgh included two turnovers on downs and a final alley-oop interception that ended Spokane's chances to come back on a second-down play with 32 seconds left. The performance was puzzling, as it came on the heels of consecutive victories and a 13-point halftime lead over the Power.

"We just beat the No. 1 team in the league, the No. 2 team in the league back-to-back. There's no reason we should've faltered the way we did in this game," said Keefe. "We just have to spark these guys. I really believe the team that was more physical lost that game. We're better athletes than Pittsburgh was. It's a problem that we're losing these games and we've just got to figure out why."

With the Shock sitting at 3-5 in a loaded West division containing three teams above .500, Spokane finds themselves needing to win now and for the rest of the season. Keefe sees the switch as a potential win-win situation for Spokane.

"Two great things can happen out of this: Bill plays unbelievable, and we find a gem. That's how stars are born," said Keefe. "At the same time, if he struggles, I've got a proven quarterback who recognizes that he had a consequence for his actions. He's understanding that he needs to get in there and help his team out and his team realizes how valuable he is."

With four of their next five games at home, the Shock hope the spark will help them take advantage of the cozy confines of the Spokane Arena as they try to right the ship and steer it toward the playoffs.