Despite Offseason Ownership Issues, Rush Have Quality Roster
Jeff Sims
Tuesday March 19, 2013
Most of the attention this offseason for the Chicago Rush, and deservedly so, has gone toward their ownership debacle. Going from getting a new owner with only months to go prior to the season, the owner getting terminated from the league due to not securing sponsorships or a lease with the Allstate Arena, being taken back over by the league, and then getting another new owner with just five weeks to go before the 2013 season definitely warrants the attention of both the fans and the rest of the league.
The drama has certainly all been well documented across the fan sites of the AFL and in the newspapers here in Chicago. There has definitely been more negativity than positivity surrounding the Rush over the past few months.
While at times it was unsure whether there would be an Arena Football team in Chicago this season or not, the organization (what little there was) continued to put together a solid roster that any other team in the league would be jealous of.
“It was very difficult to have guys believe in what we are trying to put together (because of the situation)”, said Rush head coach Bob McMillen. “It was difficult to tell (the players) that we are going to get this thing going in Chicago and we are going to put a good product on the field. Scott Bailey (Director of Player Personnel) was the one that really kept the guys focused and understanding that this was going to go on no matter who was in charge and running the ship.”
Personally, I already give Bailey the Salesman of the Year Award in the Arena Football League! Who would have wanted to play in a place where it was unknown if a team would even exist? If they did play, would they get paid (hey, it’s happened before)?
To get a group of mostly veterans to come in and play for the Chicago Rush this season is a feat within itself. Also considering that Bailey could have jumped ship at any time because he wasn’t being paid also says volumes about the job that he did during those months of uncertainty.
“I have loyalty to Bob,” Bailey said. “I didn’t want him holding the bag with no team. I called all the players, kept them positive, and continued to work with these guys.”
With the ownership uncertainty, there were periods of time where the team could not make any transactions or sign new players. This made Bailey’s job even more difficult to get done.
“We treat our players the right way,” he said. “We don’t play games and we are straight up honest. Guys appreciate that honesty. Guys respect that type of stuff and as a result are willing to stick around. They come here because they want to play in Chicago and they want to play for this coaching staff. It’s also great being in a large market like this. It’s awesome.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rush return jack linebacker Kelvin Morris after a trade was completed with the Orlando Predators (where Morris had signed during the offseason). The coaching staff is pleased to have Morris back in the mix.
“Defensively, we are legit,” said Bailey. “K-Mo just does everything that we want schematically. On the defensive side of the ball, he does everything that we want. Just imagine a guy at 6’4” changing the quarterback’s windows. He changes quarterbacks windows more than any other jack linebacker in the league. We are still offered some flexibility as he can play DB and goal line offense for us.”
Morris is certainly happy to be back as well.
“ I’m Ecstatic,” Morris stated. “Nobody knew the situation about Chicago and I really didn’t want to move from Chicago. I’ve made my home here. I was confused (with the whole ownership situation). I went to Orlando to be closer with my family. (The Predators) have great people and great players, but it didn’t feel like K-Mo! It didn’t feel like me.”
Playing alongside Morris at mack linebacker is Tyus Jackson. Jackson played with the Milwaukee Mustangs last season.
In the defensive backfield, the Rush have acquired Joe Phinisee, who played the last three seasons for the Cleveland Gladiators. Last season he had a solid 67 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, 2 fumble recoveries, and five interceptions.
“When they found out I had signed with Chicago, they called me asking to come back,” Phinisee said.
Returning will also be the leading tackler from last season, Semaj Moody, and late season acquisition Jorrick Calvin, who is expected to play the middle position.
Also announced during the Media Day festivities was the re-signing of playmaking DB Vic Hall. Hall has been with the team the past two seasons.
“We are going to dress four DBs each game no matter what,” said McMillen. “They are going to do kickoffs, special teams, and they will be covering motions, so we will have that fourth guy that can come in at any point and give the guys a breather or if they get dinged up a little, that is always a plus.”
The defensive line appears to be solid as well. Returning are linemen Darrell Campbell and Derek Walker. When Walker was in the lineup prior to his season ending injury last season, the Rush went 4-0.
The big addition on the defensive front is the addition of Anthony Hoke. Hoke played in 2010 and 2011 with the Gladiators. In 2012, he spent some time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals . In the two seasons with the Gladiators, he compiled an impressive 14 sacks, 11 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, and four recoveries.
“In 2011, we only had an average front and we still led the league in almost every defensive category,” said Morris. “I am telling you that this team here could be something special. We have some guys up front that can flat out play. I’m glad people are picking us to come in last in the division. Just wait and see.”
Also on the defensive line, the staff has been impressed with the play of rookie Brian McNally and feels that he could be a strong contributor as well.
The team had approximately 15 different starting defensive line-ups last season. This was something that Bailey and the Rush are trying to avoid with assembling a roster of veteran players.
“We do not want as much turnover as we had last year,” he said. “It hurt with the cohesiveness of the team and ideally we would like to keep our full 24 man roster all season. “
The defense may once again need to be the anchor for the Rush as the offense will need some time together in order to gel.
“Our defense will be the backbone of this team,” McMillen stated. “I think it has always been. It is our persona here in Chicago. We are a fast physical team that wants to make plays on defense.”
It is going to have to be since the team will be introducing their third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Siaha Burley, who was the wide receivers coach in Arizona last season, comes aboard to run the offense while also introducing a new quarterback to the fan base of Chicago.
With the retirement of the franchise passing leader, Russ Michna, starting will be second year player Carson Coffman. Coffman was the back-up to AFL MVP Tommy Grady last season with the Utah Blaze. He has worked with a high powered offense and the Rush coaching staff felt that it was time to give him an opportunity to shine.
“We have confidence in Coffman,” stated Bailey. “He has come in for camp and done a nice job for us. We think we have a durable guy; tough guy; a guy that wants to win; a guy that is going to work hard to win, and be 100% into this team. We feel like we have a guy that can be a franchise guy for years to come.”
(Note: The Rush had also signed veteran QB Gino Guidugli to compete with Coffman during training camp for the starting job. Guidugli will not be joining the team as he has been offered a coaching position with Central Michigan.)
In order to help the young QB, he will have veteran receivers in Reggie Gray, who returns for his third season with the team, Rodney Wright, who was a significant contributor with San Jose, and Nate Forse, who played with Orlando last season and has reportedly turned some heads during training camp.
The team had also signed receiver Troy McBroom in the offseason. After suffering a shoulder injury, McBroom did not play in 2012. He now has an abdominal injury that will sideline him for at least the first four to five weeks of the season.
One other receiver to take notice of will be Taurus Johnson, who spent last season deep on the list in San Jose. He is believed to be able to fill any of the three receiver spots if needed.
“We think it is a complete team,” Bailey said with enthusiasm. “We are very well balanced. I will say that the defense has the chance to be the best in the league.”
“In my three years of coaching here,” McMillen continued, “I think that this is the best roster that we have been able to establish. I know that we have a young quarterback, but with the veteran offensive players that we have put around him, we are trying to make it as comfortable as possible for him.”
In an environment where winning cures all ills, especially after a tumultuous offseason, nothing would be more satisfying than a league title.
“There is no such thing as rebuilding,” Bailey said with emphasis. “This isn’t going to be one of those years where we are just looking to stay competitive. We are working to win this thing. We’ve got the roster we wanted and we feel that we are better than last year.”
So as Rush fans, we should be sold on the solid roster and be excited that the team has been able to bring in what looks to be an experienced and hungry to win team, even after a rough offseason of maybes.
Let’s just hope that Bailey and McMillen haven’t sold us a lemon!
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.