Personnel changes lead to first win
Tim Parry
Friday May 3, 2002
The team did not win because Jarrod Rouanzoin was under center instead of Phil Stambaugh, who signed with the New York Giants last week. Arguably Stambaugh, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars at the end of the NFL season, is the better on-field talent. But Rouanzoin said the team’s attitude was certainly more positive and upbeat after he left.
"It was a great team effort, we really changed our attitude this week,
Rouanzoin said after the game. “We came out with the mindset that we were going to win this game. We didn`t have the mindset of `I hope we don`t lose.` It was all in the attitude.”
It also could be said that the infusion of new talent has also helped the Ninjas win its first game in franchise history, as well as the first Constitution Cup, which goes to the winner of each New Haven-Mohegan game.
The Ninjas activated FB/LB Kerry Taylor off its inactive list after the UMass grad was let go by the AFL Dallas Desperados. That roster move helped offset the loss of Stambaugh. That’s because veteran head coach Rick Buffington used his ingenuity to play the game a little different – he and offensive coordinator Wayne Morris called almost as many running plays as it did passing plays.
New Haven rushed the ball 16 times for a net gain of 60 yards. Taylor ran the ball 10 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Rouanzoin passed the ball 19 times, and completed just seven passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
"If we have to run the ball 30 percent of the time, we will,” Buffington said. "Jarrod still got a lot of work to do. He`s got to get used to it. It`s not like the outdoor game. We`ll work on some things. He held on to the ball to long, he missed some open guys and he missed some reads, but he`ll pick it up.”
The addition of lineman Eric Bouris also proved to be an instant hit, because Rouanzoin was sacked just once. Stambaugh was sacked four times in the team’s home opener against Cape Fear a few weeks back. Bouris also recovered a muffed field goal for a touchdown at the end of the first half.
"We still have to work on offense, but our defense stepped up big time,” Buffington said.
Stambaugh, who will compete for the Giants third-string quarterback job, made it no secret he wanted to make it back to the NFL. That in fact was his goal all along, and it may have worn thin o his teammates, who never seemed to be in sync with the former NFL-Europe starter.
“I’m happy this opportunity came up,” said Stambaugh on the move. “My agent and the fact I was playing with the Ninjas both helped me get to this point.”
But by playing with the Ninjas, Stambaugh was able to keep in shape and have a solid tryout with the Goiants on April 18.
“This is what playing Arena Football is all about,” said Buffington. “The goal is to move up, whether it’s from af2 to Arena Football or to the NFL or CFL. I’m happy for Phil because I knew this is what his goal was from the start.”
However, Rouanzoin added he was able to learn a lot from Stambaugh, even if it was only a short-term thing.
"In the three weeks Phil was here I actually got a feel for the game without actually being in there,” Rouanzoin said. “Phil and I have the same style of play and we`re the same size. It was good to watch him so I can get a feel for it.”
Tim Parry is a veteran Arena Football writer whose work has appeared in several print and online publications. After coordinating AFL coverage for one website for the past three seasons, he now does the same for his own website, Football Galore.
