Stingley Sets the Record Straight
Kevin Sheller
Wednesday March 20, 2002
 Derek Stingley waits for a kickoff in last year`s Chicago Rush uniform Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
There’s no doubt that after talking to Stingley on the phone recently that the defensive specialist is still an all-around cool guy. His mood, demeanor, and professionalism were exemplary, as always.
On the field, his presence was not felt. He didn’t dominate the defense like his coaches expected him to, and players like WR/DB Dameon Porter and late-signing DS Cedric Walker seemed to steal all of the thunder.
So what happened that caused him to go from All-star to unemployed after only one year of his multi-year contract?
“I am a man-to-man cover guy,” explained Stingley. “Everything that I did last year, I did what was asked of me. The Rush play a zone. These quarterbacks are smart. They can always find the open man underneath.”
From 1997 – 2000, Stingley played for the then Albany Firebirds. The successful Firebirds predominantly played a man-to-man defense, an environment in which Stingley flourished.
“I can’t do that [dominate] when I’m constantly playing zone. I even went to coach [Mike] Hohensee a lot, because I felt I could bring a lot to the table.”
On many defensive plays throughout the season, Stingley would be trailing an opposing wide receiver into the end zone. This made him look more guilty than he felt.
“I was trying to make up when [other Rush defenders] would get out of position. It might look like I was getting beat, but I was trying to help in other areas.”
Stingley admitted that he isn’t the physical player that Walker is, but feels he can definitely tackle and definitely hit.
“I’ve never been that way [an intimidating player.] I don’t always have to be a force to try to go out there and break somebody’s heart. This is a game of football. I’ve always been able to do what I have to do to win. I’m not going to let anybody just run me over, but I’m thinking ball first.”
In his career, Stingley has experienced nothing but success, so dealing with the disappointment of being released by the Rush and the stinging nature of recent negative comments from his former coach hasn’t been easy.
“It was a trying year for me, because I’m always making plays. When they released me, I went back through the film. Did I really not have a great year? I did everything they asked me to do. I blew maybe two coverages: One in Milwaukee, one in Orlando in the playoffs. In Orlando, I was trying to make something happen.”
Professional athletes often find that adversity like a benching or a waiving forces them to take a different perspective on their lives and ultimately their play. The same might be true for Stingley.
“I learned so much from what happened to me. I learned that this is a business -- that nothing is a guarantee. You are evaluated every day. I thought something like this would never happen to me, but it did. It makes me a much better player.”
He now has the opportunity to prove himself – again. Stingley recently signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Rattlers. His strategy is simple: Play well this year and either re-sign with the Rattlers or test the open market after re-establishing himself as the dominant defender he was in Albany.
Although Stingley didn’t turn out to be the all-star that the Chicago Rush and their fans were looking for, the “Man in the Middle” may find himself back on the top of his game in Arizona. The man-to-man defense, teaming up with fellow DS Cecil Doggette, and a fresh opportunity may be his new recipe for success.
Stingley Reunion
This year, the Rush visit Stingley and the Rattlers on May 25. Don’t think that he doesn’t have the date memorized. He wouldn’t come out and say it, but you can be sure that Stingley has his sights set on giving his former team a little payback.
Kevin Sheller ia founder of Arenafan Online and was the principal owner until 2004. Kevin graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in technical writing, and has been a member of the Arena Football Internet community since 1993. He has worked as a professional web programmer and is also the executive producer for a computer/video game company. The most recent Xbox title to his credit is called Hunter: The Reckoning.
