Rotating Rush Lineup Earns Another Win
Kevin Sheller
Sunday May 19, 2002
This dramatization was a reflection of my experience as I learned the overhaul that was to be the Saturday night Chicago Rush. The team entered the week five home game against the Georgia Force with the biggest lineup change since the team was born a year ago -- and only one change due to injury. The coaches just wanted to get their best players on the field, and this was how they thought they could do it.
If the first half of Saturday’s game was any indication, the switch appeared to be the right move. The Rush lead was 42-14 at halftime. Chicago put on a grand show for the hometown fans in the first half, and Dicken was practically perfect, going 11 of 14 for four touchdowns.
 Dicken prepares to do battle before Saturday`s game against the Force Image courtesy of Kevin Sheller |
To make it interesting (and boring), toss in a host of penalties (26 accepted and a whole lot more declined) and a collapse of the east end zone boards that dumped a few unsuspecting fans onto the field. Add it all up, and you have a 3-hour game. (Not good for NBC, who want games to last no longer than 2:30).
In the first half, the Georgia Force made the Rush look like the San Jose Sabercats. Dicken and the offense scored TDs on all six first-half possessions. Meanwhile, when Georgia had the ball, QB Kevin McDougal looked like he was carrying the key to the front gate during a jailbreak. The Georgia offense only scored twice on six possessions as McDougal ran for his life.
“We played probably as good of a half of football as I’ve ever seen in Arena Football so far,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “And we played extremely poor in the second half.”
In the second, the teams swapped identities. The Force scored on all six possessions, and prevented the Rush from scoring on three of seven.
Halftime Adjustments
Once again, the Rush failed to make the correct halftime adjustments while their opponent made all the right ones.
“They made more adjustments (at halftime.) They made plays,” said Hohensee. “We weren’t as effective with the pass rush. Their quarterback made better decisions. I think they tried to get something deep early on in the first half.”
In the second half Georgia relied on the short passing game. It worked perfectly. The Rush deep three defensive backs gave large-enough cushions to connect for 10-yard strikes or less, and the defense had trouble containing Force receivers in the open field.
“We tackled very poorly in the second half and that’s what gave them a chance,” said Hohensee.
So far this season, the Rush have only scored an average of 10.8 points in the third quarter. Twice the Rush have gone scoreless in the dreaded period. Hohensee and his coaching staff need to keep mixing it up after the break.
Finger Pointing
Later in Saturday’s game, some Rush players appeared to become unraveled. They were often flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and some finger-pointing ensued.
“I think we wanted to be too perfect in that second half, and when we weren’t, some people got upset,” said Hohensee. “We can’t have that, especially from our leaders.
“I’m embarrassed about the way some of our players conducted themselves. We’ll work on that, and we’ll make some changes if we have to. This football team has too much going for it for individuals to take things upon themselves, and it just won’t be tolerated here.
“We have a lot of finger-pointing going on (in the defensive secondary.) And the finger should be pointed straight back at yourself.”
Of course, both teams lost composure during the game. One player, Georgia’s rookie OL/DL Jermaine Smith, was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
From the top of the press box, the Force looked out of control, and the Rush looked like they were being pulled from their game by the emotions and frustrations of their guests from Atlanta.
It comes as no surprise that Georgia head coach Robert Lyles was fired on Sunday.
Beat the Bums
Georgia has only one win this season, and that came against the 1-4 Orlando Predators. Consistency is key. If the Rush want to climb to the top, they have to consistently beat the lesser teams. A win against the Force is a step in the right direction.
However, it’s only the first step. One week ago the Rush lost to Tampa Bay and remain the victim of the Storm’s only win on the season. So far the Rush are 2-0 against teams with winning records, and 1-2 against teams with losing records.
Plenty of Good News
McGourty`s return was rather eventful. The monster running back rumbled for 39 yards on a screen pass, rushed for two more scores, and got some pressure on Georgia quarterbacks.
OL/DL John Moyer got into the act as a Dicken target when he hauled in a short pass and bashed his way for a powerful, tackle-breaking 14-yard run in the second half. Some more passes to the Hulk would be an excellent way to mix things up a bit. And it sure would give the hometown crowd a good time.
OS Antonio Chatman ended up playing a series at defensive specialist. Porter went to the locker room early at the end of the first half to get his bothersome ankle re-taped. Since all of the Rush WR/DBs had maxed out their substitution exchange for the quarter, the Rush sent in Chatman. The OS had never played a down of defense in the AFL in his life. (Well, preseason – but preseason doesn’t count.) He could be seen asking DS Cedric Walker what he should do.
Chatman continues to look great on kick returns. Expect the rookie to light up the scoreboard a few more times this season.
A.J.`s First Touchdown
OL/DL A.J. Blazek earned the first TD of his career against the Force. With only a few seconds remaining in the first half, the Rush tried a long field goal. Blazek, playing center, roared downfield just in case K Bruce Reinecker missed. Wide right. Force return men scrambled to contain the ball after it bounced off the iron, and suddenly, Blazek was there, wrapping it up as he slid out of the back of the end zone.
There was a moment of uncertainty as the judge tried to ascertain where Blazek was when he gained possession.
Touchdown.
“That’s just how [Blazek] plays, and that’s why he’s still here,” said Hohensee. “Because he hasn’t been playing great at the center position, but he works hard at it. He’s very emotional and comes to work every night. He’s got a place to play here if he keeps playing like that.”
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.
