Steamwheelers Enter Bye Week with Question Marks
Gary Stibolt
Monday May 24, 2004
From an offensive perspective, the Steamwheelers actually played fairly well. The 52-points they put up were all theirs unlike the 13 their defense scored a week earlier against Wichita. When you score 50 points in arena football you should win. When you have defensive struggles, the game is a toss-up. It was offense that the Steamwheelers have been struggling with for the first half of the season but have been showing signs of improvement. The pass protection is still an issue though.
As for the bad calls, the biggest crucial call in last weekend’s game was a touchdown by Tim Dodge with just over seven minutes remaining; it was ruled incomplete. That call forced the Steamwheelers into driving instead of going for it all. The drive took some valuable time off the clock. That was one incident but if the defense had showed up, that particular call would not have mattered (at least not as much).
The Steamwheelers were already lacking the services of Bear Brown heading into the San Diego match-up. Bear has been the bull rush guy up the middle and could be back as early as June 5th when the Steamwheelers travel to Louisville for a division showdown. The other injury that was critical to the Steamwheelers defense came on the 3rd play from the line of scrimmage. Brian Berg went down with a slight tear of his MCL and he could miss the next six weeks. The injury forced the Steamwheelers into utilizing multiple linemen in the Mack position that aren’t accustomed to playing there.
From my perspective, that appears to be the difference in the way the defense played. San Diego, to their credit, was able to take advantage. The Steamwheelers did not have an effective and consistent pass rush. They had moments of triumph but it was a night that belonged to Kane Claunch. Even when the Steamwheelers did have Claunch on the run and buried in a sea of white jerseys, he was able to throw down field and make the play.
Coach Ingold said some changes were going to have to be made and with the obvious exception of getting another true fullback/linebacker quickly, those changes are sure to include a couple of linemen. Linemen, Pete Traynor is still on Long Term IR as is Brandon Williams. Harvie Herrington is still bothered by his knee but has been playing. Jason Weite opted to be cut than to wait out a 4-week IR mandate with a mangled thumb. At this point, Jason could be re-signed but external recruiting looks to be in order here for Ingold in any case.
Another tough decision will be at the fullback/linebacker position. They get Fred Barr back but lose Brian Berg. Jesse Beckom has seen little action this season but had a decent game against Wichita. Another FB/LB could be added to the mix if for anything, a backup, in case of injuries.
The Steamwheelers have the talent to win the cup, but getting them to play consistent in all facets is taking its’ time and at a frustrating 6-2, it is taking its’ toll. Injuries have a lot to do with it. All teams have to endure injuries. With the Steamwheelers, this is worst year for injured linemen in recent memory. It is also one of the most frustrating years’ on the line.
The next several days will tell what direction coach Ingold is thinking of going in with regards to the changes he said he was going to have to make. Until then or their first practice following their bye week will we then have some answers to the questions that surround the Steamwheelers.
Gary Stibolt has covered the Quad City Steamwheelers since their 2000 inaugural season. He also owns, operates and is the Chief Editor/Publisher of SteamwheelerFans.com, a website dedicated to the Steamwheelers and their fans. He coresponds for other media outlets covering arenafootball2. In addition to leading the Steamwheelers Fan Club, Gary serves as Coordinator of the National af2 Fan Club. He is married with two sons and works as an Infrastructure Analyst for Deere & Company in their Corporate Computer Center in Moline, Illinois.