Secondary First in Rush Victory
Jeff Sims
Sunday March 11, 2007
After the team raised its ArenaBowl XX championship banner into the rafters at Allstate Arena on Friday night, the Rush defense raised its intensity level in its first game at home since May 6, 2006. The result was a 48-45 Rush victory over the San Jose SaberCats that really did not seem as close as the final score may show.
After a disappointing loss to Kansas City in the season opener where they failed to make tackles, Rush DB Dennison Robinson started the defensive flurry early when he caused a fumble on the Sabercat’s first possession. The fumble was recovered by one of last season’s playoff heroes, DeJuan Alfonzo. The Rush scored on the ensuing play on a 23-yard touchdown reception by WR Bobby Sippio.
It was off and running from there. The Rush would cause two more turnovers in the first half, both interceptions by DB Jeremy Unertl. The Rush secondary held the Sabercat’s heralded receiving duo of Ben Nelson and James Roe scoreless through the first three quarters.
“We work together with the defensive line and when they play good, we play good,” said Unertl. “If we are covering well, it gives them a chance to get to the QB, which helps us out in the secondary.”
“Grieb held on to the ball a little longer than he is comfortable doing and we got our hands on some balls coming out of his arm,” said Hohensee. “The defensive line responded and kept coming.”
While Grieb was only sacked one time, he was moved from the pocket a number of times and forced to make throws he would not normally make. Not something typical you would say following a Grieb performance that saw him go 36-56 for 327 yards.
The secondary came up big for the Rush. They broke up six passes, recorded 19 tackles, and provided an energy level that not many teams would have matched. A number of hits resembled the ones in the video game commercial sending opponents over the wall. The team attributed the energy level to finally getting to play a game at home.
Hohensee stated that “being home on defense, you go off energy and you’re flying around to the football. We were flying around over the walls today. Our guys were finishing plays. I really think the crowd was a big difference.”
But what home fan would not get excited when a player that you just signed takes a kickoff return 58 yards for a touchdown before the end of a quarter?
The newly signed Jonathan Ordway did just that. After being released by Grand Rapids at the end of training camp (a move that I do not understand, but certainly will not complain about), the Rush were quick to move on the DB that led the Tampa Bay Storm in tackles last season and is known for his ability to complete tackles. Ordway not only brings a much needed special teams presence while Ahmad Merritt learns the game, but he also brings a much more valuable piece to the Rush secondary.
“Jonathan brings something different,” says Unertl. “He is a guy that can cover the motion and play man to man. When you have one guy that can do it that doesn’t trust the other two guys, it ends up in easy reads for the quarterback. Jonathan brings veteran leadership and brings man-to-man skills that maybe we didn’t have in the past.”
According to Ordway; “I just want to come in and contribute the best that I can.”
Well Jonathan, you already have.
You know that your defense has done the job on a night when your offense only totaled 115 yards and you come out with a victory.
That makes Rush QB Matt D’Orazio’s job just a little bit easier.
“If they continue to play that way, there is no reason to force things or create turnovers,” said D’Orazio smiling after the game. “(I) just have to be smart and manage the game.”
In my eyes, that makes this secondary….. a primary and one to watch out for this season!!!
Game Notes
How clutch is Dan Frantz? The guy only makes 50+ yard field goals when you need them the most. Tied 7-7 in the first quarter, Frantz connected on a career long and Rush team record 56 yard field goal that gave the Rush a 10 – 7 lead that they never relinquished. Frantz also converted all six of his extra point attempts after struggling the previous week.
More proof that arena football is growing in Chicago; the Rush have sold-out their last three games and the crowd of 16,201 was the second largest crowd in team history.
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.