SEASON PREVIEW: Talented and determined, Desperados hope for better finish in 2007
Sean Chaffin
Saturday March 3, 2007
The ’07 Desperados are trying to put their disappointment behind them and believe they have the talent again to win the National Conference East and hopefully, an ArenaBowl Championship. The team opens the season Sunday on ABC (11:30 a.m. eastern) as one of the league’s marquee match-ups, kicking off a major five-year television deal with ESPN-ABC.
“Our objective is to win every game,” head coach Will McClay says. “They don't always pan out like that but our main goal is to get into the playoffs and go far in the playoffs. Our No. 1 goal is to win a championship.”
RETURNING TALENT
After being named 2006 AFL Coach of the Year, McClay goes into his fourth season with the team with a 28-21-1 record and a wealth of talent and accolades. Honors from 2006 include: Dolezel, All-Arena First-Team; FB/LB Duke Pettijohn, All-Arena First-Team; WR/DB Will Pettis, All-Ironman First-Team; and OL/DL Colston Weatherington, All-Arena First-Team and AFL Lineman of the Year. After leading the team in sacks and tackles for a loss, Weatherington was awarded a contract extension last week making him a Desperado through 2008.
OFFENSE
Dolezel leads this unit and will be hoping to repeat last year’s blockbuster season. Dolezel continues to show why he is the league’s best QB and only trails Andy Kelly (767) for the league’s all-time record for TD passes and only 2,900 yards behind him for the record for career passing yards. Seven-year AFL veteran Nick Browder will serve as Dolezel’s backup. At the fullback position, the ‘Rados return Josh White and Duke Pettijohn. The two combined last year for 217 yards and 5 TDS, but, more importantly, helped the offensive line allow only two sacks all season. White will get the starting nod this season, with Pettijohn focusing more on defense.
Last year, Dallas’ receiving corps became only the second trio of receivers on one team to each top 1,000 yards. Despite losing WR Terrill Shaw to free agency, the Desperados have more than made up for that with the addition of Marcus Nash. From 2004-2006, Nash led the league in receptions and was second in receiving yards and TDs. He is reunited with Dolezel after the two played together in Las Vegas from 2004-05. The Desperados also added rookie Andrae Thurman and also return Pettis, who had 1,256 yards and 26 TDs last season. The team must also cope with the loss of Dialleo Burks, who accounted for 1,130 yards and 29 TDs. On Wednesday, the Desperados signed two-time ArenaBowl Champion and former Colorado Crush WR Willis Marshall to help add even more offensive potency. Marshall, who has played in the AFL for six years, was just eight yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark in 2006 and caught 10 TDs to complement Damian Harrell and Andy McCollough. For Desperados fans, Marshall also has Texas roots as a former Rice Owl. McClay is optimistic his receiver group will continue the success established last season.
“We've got a strong corps and we're always looking to improve that, too. Once we get rhythm and timing down - and that will start with the first game of the season - and we protect our quarterback, all of our receivers should have a good year,” the coach says.
Up front, Dallas returns lots of experience in OL Devin Wyman (6-8, 335 pounds), TE Terrence Dotsy, and center Jeff Chase. Rickie Simpkins will also again serve as an experience backup for this unit. Weatherington also will get some time at TE, after posting 3 receiving TDs last season. The Desperados also coaxed former LA Raider and NFL Pro Bowler Lincoln Kennedy out of retirement. Kennedy should be a big part of the team’s OL unit after getting off the IR.
DEFENSE
Despite the change in free substitution, some players should be Ironmen again this season. All-Ironman Will Pettis should get some time in the secondary. The team brings back experienced Jermaine Jones, who led the team in tackles with 98, broke up 23 passes and snagged 8 interceptions. After receiving limited play last year, Chris Brown will start at the DB position along with rookie Bobby Keyes, at least until Jacoby Shepherd returns from IR. Bobby Perry, who had 47 tackles and 3 INTs will also see playing time.
At the mack linebacker position, Pettijohn returns after having 40 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 interception and 4 fumble recoveries in ‘06. Rookie Jonathan Jackson fills the role as jack linebacker. Bobby Perry and rookie Peter Lazare will also figure to get playing time.
On the D-line, Weatherington leads a talented squad, including another former Dallas Cowboy, Daleroy Stewart. After receiving limited action last season, he returns as the team’s starting noseguard. Seven-year AFL veteran Rickie Simpkins will start at the opposite end of Weatherington and added a sack to Weatherington’s total of 7.5 last year and 2 tackles for losses. Veterans James Cannida (2 sacks in 2006) and Devin Wyman (7 pass deflections in ’06) will also serve as tough customers to opposing linemen.
SPECIAL TEAMS
After losing reliable kicker and fan favorite Carlos Martinez to the Cowboys practice squad, the team will be going with Dustin Bell from arenafootball2. Pettis will be back again as an extremely dangerous kick returner. He total 1,093 in kickoff return yards and averaged 17.3 yards per return.
POST-SEASON POSSIBILITIES
On paper, the Desperados should again be one of the best teams in the league. But this year, McClay knows his team must get over some more hurdles to help bring an ArenaBowl Championship to Dallas fans and owner Jerry Jones.
“It's great to have fans that believe in the Desperados and the product we're putting out on the field,” he says. “We'll continue to try and put a quality product out there. Our goal this season is to bring home that cup from New Orleans.”
Sean Chaffin is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an AFL, NFL, and fantasy football fan living in Rockwall, Texas. He owned The Rockwall Express newspaper for five years and worked for several other newspapers in the Dallas area. He is now an English as a Second Language teacher in the Dallas area.
