Fan Perspective: Been Down so Long it Looks Like Up to Me
John Klaers
Wednesday May 9, 2001
Old players are gone, new players have been brought in, and a lengthy injury list means that a short period of time is needed to rebuild. Then you combine being in the toughest division in the AFL with having to play the reigning champion`s schedule, and you end up 0-3 and staring at remaining games against Nashville and Tampa, just to name two.
It`s inconceivable to us Pred fans but it`s possible that we could end up calling it a rebuilding year before long.
We Predator Fans are not used to this kind of thing. We`ve never been 0-3 before, even in our very first year. We don`t quite know exactly how to handle it. Personally I`m clutching desperately to the knowledge that if there`s anyone who can pull us out of this it`s Jay Gruden. It appears that he has solved our quarterback situation already. Now, some help with the defensive line seems to be the greatest need, in this fan`s opinion.
Perhaps we`ve been down so long that I`ve become desperately optimistic, but I do see light up ahead.
Jay brought in quarterback Craig Whelihan on Wednesday, and had him starting on that Friday with only one practice with the team. All the former San Diego Charger QB did was throw for 253 yards and 5 TDs. Now he and coach Gruden have two weeks to practice and prepare before the next game against the Nashville Kats. In addition, our players on I.R. have a chance to heal, and I wouldn`t be at all surprised if Jay pulls a new OL/DL out of his pocket.
I think that the Predators will not be kept out of the playoffs, and once there, they will wreak havoc again. Call it faith, call it the desperate wishful thinking of a fan who doesn`t know when to give up, but here`s one coach and one team that`s never truly out of it. That is Jay Gruden and the Predators. Yes, to me it does look like up!
John Klaers was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
