Now What?
Mick Cornett
Tuesday May 8, 2001
After three games that went `down to the wire` the Wranglers got clothes-lined by the San Jose SaberCats 73-17. The loss the previous week to Detroit seemed difficult for the Wranglers to accept because they committed six turnovers and basically beat themselves. But in San Jose, it did not seem to be a series of self-destructing, correctable miscues that beat the Wranglers. Instead, it was clearly a difference in talent and/or fundamentals; and that may be even more difficult to accept.
Problem Areas: Virtually everything. Offensively-pass protection was inadequate and primary receivers typically weren`t open. The SaberCats did a great job of not letting the Wrangler receivers get deep. Defensively-pass coverage was shaky.
Bright Spots: No injuries. Pass-rush seemed OK. Lamont Cooper did a good job of returning kicks except for one fumble late in the game. Bobby McGowens caught seven passes.
Solutions: I suppose it`s possible that the Wranglers could address their problems by doing something brash, however it is more likely they`ll try to address the offensive concerns by getting Carlos Johnson in the lineup. Johnson led the league in receptions last year, but has been
recovering from an injury and hasn`t played all season. If he`s 100%, he can definitely help on the deep routes. However, Johnson has lost his starting offensive-specialist job to Cooper and would have to play the wide receiver/linebacker position. That spot is currently manned by McGowens and Shawn Foreman and both have been productive.
Mick Cornett was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
