Chicago Brings Intensity and New Additions to Defeat Predators
Jeff Sims
Wednesday March 24, 2004
What made the loss even harder to swallow was the fact that the team had to take their first loss of the season into their bye week. After two weeks of “standing in the corner” thinking about what they had done wrong, the team was anxious and ready to get back on the field to prove themselves once again.
The Rush showed up for their game on Sunday against Orlando with an aggression and intensity that the team had been lacking in its previous two games. Orlando QBs Joe Hamilton, who eventually left the game with a strained knee injury, and Connell Maynor never had much of an opportunity to get the ball out of their hands as the Rush recorded seven sacks, three fumble recoveries, and three interceptions in posting its largest margin of victory in franchise history defeating the Orlando Predators 58 – 15. The 43-point margin eclipsed the team’s previous record of 37 against Detroit in 2002.
Orlando took the first possession of the game and scored on a Sean Riley fumble recovery in the endzone. The Rush gave Orlando this score as if it were a head start in the soap box derby for the kid with the slow car considering they recorded five penalties for 24 yards keeping Orlando’s drive alive more than once. Despite all of the penalties, this aggressiveness and intensity had set the tone of the game.
“It’s not like we tried to do that on purpose,” stated Rush OL/DL John Moyer. “ But with the emotions, the adrenaline, and especially with another team coming into our house and talking a lot of talk like they did before the game, we were bound to be overexcited.”
The Rush were able to settle down after the first drive and did not allow another score until there was a little over five minutes left in the game.
Said Rush OL/DL star James Baron, “I think everyone was kind of high on how many sacks they had and what they could do on the defensive side of the ball. I think we took offense to that a little bit defensively and wanted to show them that we can get after (the quarterback) too.” Note that the Rush offense allowed its first sack of the season on Sunday.
It wasn’t only the veterans of the defense that helped secure this win. In what appears to be a never-ending merry-go-round in the Chicago Rush secondary, newly acquired DS Malcolm Moore, who had just been signed to the 24-man roster last week, started and played a major role in this game until he fell into the “black hole” in the third quarter.
After making a great play to break up what would have been a sure touchdown, Moore went leg first into the sidewall, fracturing both his left tibia and fibula. Prior to his season ending injury, Moore had recorded an assisted tackle and broken up three passes.
“Malcom was the biggest reason we had such a big lead at halftime,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “Orlando kept trying to beat him deep and never could. His ability to take away the deep pass allowed our linemen time to get to the quarterback.”
Moore wasn’t the only new addition to add a spark to this team. Newly acquired FB/LB Lavelle Brown, playing in place of the injured Jamie McGourty, and WR/DB Hurley Tarver were both able to come in and make contributions to the win. Brown rushed for 5 yards and had an interception before leaving the game in the second quarter after sustaining a shoulder injury. Tarver, who somehow managed to escape without having to visit the Rush’s reserved wing in the infirmary, had three tackles and handled some of the returns on special teams.
“We have been unfortunately losing some players here and there,” said Brown. “We’ve got a good team with a lot of depth, so players are stepping up and making big plays and that’s what you need to be a championship team. Everybody’s got confidence in everybody that we have on this team. Another guy steps in and we have full confidence in that guy like we never miss a beat. You don’t feel nervous or worried because you know that they can get the job done.”
According to Rush RB/LB Bob McMillen, “That is part of our organization; the coaching staff going out and getting the right players. (Malcolm) was playing an unbelievable game until that unfortunate accident. But also, you can’t say enough about Kareem Larrimore. He came in and stepped up and did a great job. He got a pick for us. These guys go out in practice and work their butts off every week, and I guess that’s why we’ve been so successful.”
The Rush now lead the Central Division with a 5-1 record and will look to carry their momentum, and probably some new players on defense, into their next game this Sunday against division rival Detroit at Allstate Arena.
Jeff has been writing for ArenaFan.com since 2004. Originally from New York, Jeff has been living in the Chicago area for the past ten years and is an avid football fanatic. He holds a BA in communications from Hofstra University in New York and a sports management certificate from Loyola University in Chicago.
