Against Memphis, Cowdrey Looking For Improvement From Offensive Line
Steve Robinson
Thursday April 11, 2002
But that also appears to be the problem. It was a come-from behind victory, which tells Cowdrey there is still more work to be done.
“We didn’t play very well,” Cowdrey said. “Anytime you win on the road, you’re glad, but we have a ton of work to do.”
While they can’t be blamed for Cowdrey briefly switching quarterbacks during the second quarter in Wichita – yanking starter Walter Church during the second quarter, and replacing him with backup Ronnie Gordon – Cowdrey said the offensive front line is likely to have received a tune-up before the Pirates’ home debut Friday against the Memphis Xplorers.
Church returned to the game at the beginning of the second half.
“We need to improve the front line 100 percent,” Cowdrey stressed. “We didn’t give our quarterbacks a chance to throw at all.”
Wichita scored nine unanswered points to start the contest before kicker Todd Kurz put a 32-yard field goal through the narrow uprights in the second quarter against the Stealth. The Pirates regrouped enough to lead 10-9 by halftime, but Cowdrey said he would like to avoid further episodes like that.
“I don’t think (any of our players) who hasn’t played arena football before was prepared for the speed of the game,” Cowdrey explained. “We need to improve markedly from last week to this week.”
SCOUTING REPORT: MEMPHIS
Cowdrey’s scouting report on Memphis winds up starting and ending with one name: Xplorers offensive specialist Russell Copeland. Characterizing Copeland as “a very solid player,” Cowdrey said Copeland’s experience on any field – whether it’s 100 yards or half that – was impressive.
Against the Louisville Fire in their Memphis’ debut game, Copeland led all receivers, as he caught 11 passes for 153 yards and rushed once for three yards.
Prior to arriving in Memphis, Copeland suited up and played under center for the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League, and played for the Chicago Enforcers of the now-defunct XFL.
“They have a very explosive team offensively,” Cowdrey said of his team’s next opponent.
The Xplorers will be looking for win number one when the visit the Carver Arena Friday. The Louisville Fire hammered Memphis, 60-46 last Friday.
Steve Robinson, a freelance writer since 1984, has written about the Peoria Pirates since the Pirates were members of Indoor Football League, beginning in 1999. He covers the Pirates currently for the Bloomington IL Pantagraph.
