8-Year Old Carter Picks the Rush Over Orlando
Mary-Ann Williams
Thursday April 25, 2002
I think the Chicago Rush will win because they have a better offensive line than the Orlando Predators. Billy Dicken didn’t get sacked any yards last week, but Jay Gruden got sacked by the Georgia Force and lost one yard.
Also, Joe Douglass, Chicago Rush kick returner, got a touchdown and an average run of 23 yards each time he got the ball off a kick. Siaha Burley of Orlando didn’t get any touchdowns when he ran the ball back, and he only got an average of 15 yards each run. Orlando had to work on their special teams to do better if they want to win Friday night in Orlando.
Orlando has more injuries than the Chicago Rush, including Junior Lord and Lamont Moore. Gruden had to pass to Andre’ Cooper, who’s new to the AFL this year. Chicago Rush got three interceptions last week and that might make the difference this week if they can do it again. Dameon Porter, Anthony Ladd, and Cedric Walker on the Chicago defense can make Gruden throw the ball too soon, and make mistakes.
David Cool, Predators’ kicker, has been in the league more than Bruce Rienecker. It will probably help the Predators get more field goals and extra points. That can make a difference in the game. The Chicago Rush’ special teams can help keep Cool away from field goal range, and make it harder for him to get more points. I think Rieneker will get better kicks and better position on the field because Dicken will do a good job throwing the ball and getting downfield.
Orlando’s game plan is to pass downfield until a touchdown situation. Then they hand the ball off to their running backs to get the points. The Rush defense will block their running backs and prevent the touchdowns because they did a good job in Indiana on defense. Plus, the Predators allowed 67 points last week, which is 10 points more than any other team.
Last year the Chicago Rush knocked Orlando out of the play-offs. I think Orlando will try to practice a lot so they can win against the Rush, but I pick Chicago because they have a better offense and defense. The score will be 50-32.
Mary-Ann Williams lives in Chicagoland with her four children, Carter, Jackson, Jeremy, and Riley Jade. As a freelance writer, she`s written articles for the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Daily Herald. She also serves as editor of the AFL-side of Arenafan Online, and covers the Chicago Rush.
