Travel Guide to Indiana
Matthew Pickut
Saturday May 5, 2001
1. Visitors to the local AFL games can experience the thrill of watching Eddie Brown and Co. – OS Eddie Brown needs only 22 catches to pass Barry Wagoner and become the all-time AFL receiver. Brown picked up his game last week while passing the 700-reception mark. WR/LB Greg Hopkins’ 118 yards on seven catches last week balanced the Indiana attack. Teams can`t just focus on one receiver either because QB Raymond Philyaw spreads the ball around. Last week Philyaw completed 23 passes to four receivers for over 300 yards. Visitors to the Fieldhouse are advised to bring their “A” game with them if they hope defend against these guys.
2. It’s called tenderloin – it’s pork, you eat it on a bun with pickles.
3. Newcomers to the Indiana area are advised to bring their helmets. – The Firebirds rank first in total defense, allowing just 213.3. For the year so far, they are a +6 on turnovers, which ties them for second in the league. DS Cornelius Coe continues to prove that he can play at the AFL level. He leads the league with 34 tackles and anchors a Firebirds’ backfield that has gelled after being frustrated early in the season. For his part, DS Cedrick Walker is no slouch at patrolling the defensive backfield. His seven tackle (5 solo) performance against the Orlando Predators last week helped key a strong second half for the Firebirds’ "D". After three games, Walker ranks second in the league with eight passes defended.
4. Daylight Savings Time? --We don’t need no stinkin’ Daylight savings time! Good luck with the clocks. Are we on the same time as Chicago? Are we on the same time as New York? I’ve been here 9 years and I can’t tell you.
5. Anyone wishing to make contact with Raymond Philyaw during the game should see the “Big Uglies” first. – The Indiana O line has only allowed one sack this year and keeps Philyaw’s calendar open, making sure no one gets to disturb him while he’s at work. The Uglies seem to lack proper etiquette, barging into the other teams backfield without even being invited. Last week they introduced Orlando QB Craig Welihan to their brand of hospitality visiting him early and often.
If you are new to the area, I hope these hints make your stay just a little more enjoyable. Oh, one last thing: when the people on the street look you strait in the eyes and say “Hi”, they’re not looking for a fight. They are just being friendly. As I said, it is a different world out here.
BTW . . .
The first Matthew Pickut Audience Participation award goes to Jason Matti for his help in finding the names of past leagues. Jason wins a prize package of Firebirds’ stuff as well as the undying admiration of people everywhere (and you can’t get that every day).
Tune in next week as we recap Saturday’s game and go “outside the boards” with Cornelius Coe.
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.
