CHICAGO RUSH VS SAN ANTONIO TALONS 7-8-12 PRE-GAME REPORT

So far it’s quiet at the Allstate Arena

Today is the final home game for the Chicago Rush on the 2012 AFL season, but it is also the most important game of the season. Today the Rush welcome division rivals the San Antonio Talons to Rosemont. The Talons are first place in the Central Division and have already clinched a playoff spot. They are hoping to clinch the division title as well and they can do that with a victory over the rush today. But the Rush have other plans in mind as they continue to fight for a playoff spot of their own. They currently are fifth in the AFL’s National Conference but only the top four get into the playoffs.

San Jose currently occupies the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference but have yet to clinch. But they already have the advantage over the Rush because they beat them twice this season {including handing the Rush their first home loss of the season last week}, and the SaberCats won their game with New Orleans last night. Here is the box score from that game: http://www.arenafootball.com/game/new-orleans-voodoo-san-jose-sabercats-7-7-2012 They now own a full game lead over the Rush. The Rush can knock that lead back down to a half game with a victory today.

But it won’t be easy as San Antonio is currently on a 9 game winning streak. They also have one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play arena football in Aaron Garcia. The future hall of famer is one of the greatest passers this league has ever seen. And he has always given the Rush fits for every team that he’s ever played for. And to think Garcia’s career nearly ended four years ago when he sustained a serious shoulder injury. Garcia can read defenses, has a quick release, and is pretty good at avoiding the pass rush. Combine that with a solid San Antonio pass rush and the Rush have their work cut out for them today.

But the Rush are on their home turf where they have compiled a record of 7-1. They also want to keep the franchise record of playoff appearances alive. The team has made it to the playoffs in every season of their existence. The Rush know what’s on the line and they will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I expect a hard fought game today.

Rush Defensive Back Vic Hall is still on the injured list with his leg injury, but another defensive back joins him on that list. Brian Leinhart who was injured a couple weeks ago against Georgia is still healing from his injuries. The defensive secondary for the Rush has taken a pounding during these summer months but they’ve always found a way to get through the adversity.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

For The Rush:

Offense:

QB #12 Russ Michna

FB #43 J.J. Payne

WR #1 Reggie Gray

WR #6 Jared Perry

WR # 2 Terrance Turner

TE #73 T.J. Watkins {He has returned from his thigh injury}

C #51 Billy Eisenhardt

G #70 C.J. Cobb

Defense:

DE #93 Cedric McKinley

NT #92 Darrell Campbell

DE # 95 Jeffery Fitzgerald

MLB #56 Nekos Brown

JLB# 37 Kelvin Morris

DB #18 Boubacar Cissoko

DB #22 Semaj Moody

DB# 14 Jorrick Calvin

For San Antonio:

Offense:

QB #8 Aaron Garcia

FB #28 Chad Cook

WR #18 Derek Lee

WR #7 Jason Willis

WR # 10 Brent Holmes

TE #90 Ty Nsekhe

C #99 Jamarr Ward

G # 64 Ray Hisatake

Defense:

DE #42 Victor DeGrate

NT #56 Devon Allen

DE #22 Gabe Nyenhuis

MLB# 17 Wesley Mauia

JLB #44 Jamar Ransom

DB #6 Fred Shaw

DB # 2 Eric Crocker

DB #4 Kevin Fontenette

Last night, I along with other writers who cover the Rush were featured on the Rush website. We gave our predictions for today’s game, you can read that article here: http://arenarush.com/news/rush/index.html?article_id=208

You can follow me during the game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports and I will be posting on q101.com again at halftime.

Here is a pre-game interview I conducted with Rush Head Coach Bob McMillen: