Midseason Report Card for Chicago
Kevin Sheller
Friday June 7, 2002
Quarterback—Billy Dicken has played very well for most of the first half of the season. His inconsistency last season contributed to the Rush’s 7-7 record. This year, he’s on, and although the Rush are only 4-3, you can’t blame the losses on the QB. Grade: B+
Fullback/Linebacker—Jamie McGourty is back, and look out. After missing much of the first half of the season with a knee injury, the powerful, FB/LB is never more than a few steps away from the play on defense, and carries the ball and protects the quarterback with great skill. His substitutes played admirably, but most of them are no longer on the team. If McGourty is healthy for the second half, expect great things, and an even better grade. Grade: B
Receiver/Defensive Back—Everyone knows that Dameon Porter is the perfect fit for this position, but he’s had very little impact the first half of the season. Blame that on his injury and trouble in the defensive specialist position. Porter’s healthy again, so expect great success. Cornelius Bonner filled in well on offense, but some miscues on defense gave the team some trouble. Lindsay Fleshman proved he can make the tough catches last week. But beyond Porter, the position has little experience. Grade: B-
Receiver/Linebacker—Anthony Ladd has been quiet, but effective. He’s no Hunkie Cooper, but Ladd has improved from last season’s rookie campaign. Six touchdowns and two interceptions are nothing to sneeze at. Grade: B
Offensive Specialist—The biggest injury of the season befell noted OS Joe Douglass. Dicken and Douglass had a real chemistry, and at times the offense has struggled as a result. But don’t forget about Antonio Chatman. Chatman is one of the fastest players in the AFL, and he has proved it on the field. Still, Dicken hasn’t bonded with Douglass’ replacement yet. Grade: B-
Offensive/Defensive Line—The line is definitely one of the team’s strengths. Who can deny OL/DL James Baron? He gives opposing offensive linemen something to worry about. Then there are studs like Hulk John Moyer who can be an offensive weapon as well as a fierce pass rusher. Marcus McKenzie and Tony Bowick are both solid two-way players. And fan-favorite A.J. Blazek has helped the team win with some outstanding individual plays, despite an average showing on the line. They aren’t perfect, but very close. If they stay healthy, they give the Rush the best chance of clawing deeper into the playoffs. Grade: A-
Defensive Specialist—Cedric Walker loves to hit almost as much as he loves to talk, and he leads the team in tackles. There’s no denying the presence felt when Walker takes the field both in power and the gift of gab. Call that spot good to go. Meanwhile, the other DS slot has seen some inconsistency. Since Derek Stingley’s departure, a suitable replacement has yet to be found. Tristan Moss was inconsistent and didn’t get the vote of confidence from his teammates. Porter even filled in at DS for a game and a half. Now the team has Verone McKinley, and the former Thunderbear has been improving each week. Perhaps he’s the right man for the job, but only time will tell. Until recently, this position has been the most suspect. Grade: C
Special Teams—The coverage team has been excellent. Returns have been above average. Nothing to complain about here. Grade: B+
Kicker—Um. Who’s the kicker now? David Cool. Bruce Rienecker was doing OK this season, but last week against the Gladiators, Rienecker had trouble all around, and told his coach that he couldn’t kick anymore. That’ll pretty much end your career. Cool has been with the Orlando Predators all of his five years in the AFL and he even kicked the game-winner in the 2000 ArenaBowl. But he was cut from Orlando for a reason. We’ll see how he recovers in Chicago. The team’s rotating roster of kickers is almost as bad as the Fury’s rotating quarterback situation. After seven games, the Rush have nothing to show for the position and must face a brand new unknown. Grade: F
At 4-3 with seven games to go, the Rush still have a chance to pull off a ten-win season, but it won’t be easy. The only impossible game on the schedule is San Jose. Of course, a road stop in Grand Rapids won’t be easy either. Look for the Rush to go 9-5 now that injuries are on the mend. While the Rush have the talent to find a way to beat either the Rampage or the SaberCats, expect them to lose one they “should” win. The team isn’t quite consistent enough to beat all the bums, and a real rivalry is developing with the Fury, who they still must play twice.
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.
