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Our first order of breaking news comes from the Arena Football League. The following is a statement from the league office regarding potential rule changes for the 2013 season:
Arena Football League owners are currently meeting in Phoenix to discuss a series of potential rule changes at the League’s annual meetings.
Among the items discussed has been the possibility of returning to “Ironman Football” for the 2013 season. However, after taking into consideration fan influence, coach and player input, and the evolution of the game, the decision was made to continue with free substitution. While players will continue to be allowed to play multiple positions, the League will not return to Ironman rules in 2013. One change that will be implemented is a return to five-man officiating crews. The League will utilize one referee, an umpire, line judge, side judge and back judge. The League also set the dates for free agency. The AFL’s exclusive period will begin on Monday, October 15. At that time, players will be able to sign contracts to remain with their 2012 teams. On Monday, October 29, the exclusive period will end and all uncontracted players will become unrestricted free agents able to sign with any AFL team. Multi-year contracts for coaches and exhibition games in China are among the topics that will be discussed on Wednesday.
The other big story comes out of South Bend regarding the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
It was announced this afternoon that the Fighting Irish will be moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference in the future. While an exact date for the move has not been set, it’s been said that while all other sports will become full-time ACC members, Notre Dame’s football team will still remain an independent team to some degree.
The only catch is that the Irish football team will be required to play five ACC schools each season. The rivalries with Southern California, Stanford, Navy etc…. will still remain intact. This year Notre Dame will play current ACC members Miami {FL}, Boston College, and Wake Forest. They will also play another future ACC member in Pittsburgh.
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Late last night, multiple sources conveyed information to me that the AFL Players Union is threatening another work stoppage. And with the AFL playoffs starting this week, this news couldn’t have come at a worst time. While details are still sketchy, reports are that AFLPU President Ivan Soto has said that there have been multiple issues between the union and the league in regards to ratifying the collective bargaining agreement that was agreed to back in June. Soto has said that the issue is over the league trying to take away “certain rights of the players”.
Although he hasn’t specified what exactly those rights are Soto has said that the option of a work stoppage is back on the table. While the legitimacy of the union has been questioned, they have been very busy during the 2012 season. Back on week 1 of the regular season the league almost had a work stoppage then. The season opener between Orlando and Pittsburgh was played with much controversy as both teams dismissed their regular players and played the game with replacement players. This was all because Soto and the union threatened to strike before the game.
The basis for the unions threats has been their demand for a salary increase for the players. In past years the AFL was able to play their players a fairly decent amount of money. When the economy tanked in the fall of 2008, the AFL was one of the many businesses hit hard by the financial fallout. And as a result they were forced to suspend the 2009 season. The league restructured for 2010 and has been back in business ever since. But in order to keep the finances regulated, the league had to scale back on player salaries. The AFLPU has said that the AFL has become profitable once again and that the players deserve a pay increase.
But AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz has said that the leagues recent profitability has only been able to pay for current expenses. The union doesn’t buy it and thus the current stalemate as come about. After week 1 the league and the union had put aside their differences because both sides agreed to work out a deal. But as the month of May came around both sides walked away from the table. Once the calender reached June, the union was encouraging the players to strike. Back on June 8th the Cleveland Gladiators were happy to do so and forfeited their game with Pittsburgh.
And as a result of this the NFL Network cancelled their June 8th broadcast of the Philadelphia/Milwaukee game, and tape delayed the June 15th game between Orlando and Tampa Bay. But one day later on June 16th, it was announced that the league and the union had finally come to an agreement. Both Jerry Kurz and Ivan Soto were attending the Chicago/Georgia game at Allstate Arena. It was at this game that both sides agreed in principle to a deal and decided to forge a collective bargaining agreement between both sides. This would have been the first agreement of it’s kind in league history.
After both sides agreed, they said that the formal CBA would be announced within a few days. The announcement never came and the assumption was that both sides kept the agreement under wraps. That was until recently when Ivan Soto came out with this latest information. The hope is that the league will be able to finish the season without issue and then they can work things out during the off season. But I guarantee you that this is not the last we’ve heard from Ivan Soto.
I will keep you updated on this situation as it develops.
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Luke Drone finishes the 2012 season with a 1-2 record as the starting quarterback for the Rush.
Despite a slow paced first half, and despite injuries to Jared Perry and Terrance Turner, the Rush gave it everything they had. After a low scoring first half, both teams kicked it into high octane in the second half. The Rush and the Gladiators seemed to score at will in the final two quarters. At one point it seemed like the Rush had the advantage when the Gladiators benched starting quarterback John Dutton and replaced him with backup Matt Bassuener. But on the other hand it looked like the Gladiators had the leg up when the Rush resulted to using Kelvin Morris at wide receiver and shuffling the lineup to compensate for the injured Turner and Perry.
But neither team would budge and it came down to the wire. The turning point in the game came in the final minute. The Rush led 47-46 and had just recovered a failed onside kick attempt by the Gladiators. With 46 seconds left Luke Drone ran the ball on 3rd and goal but lost his footing and slipped on the turf and fell behind the line of scrimmage stopping the clock with 39 seconds left. On 4th and goal Drone attempted a red zone pass only for it to be intercepted by Gladiators defensive back Levy Brown and taken all the way back for a touchdown.
The extra point put Cleveland up 54-47 with just under 30 seconds remaining. But the Rush would come back and try to force overtime. It started with “Big Play” Reggie Gray taking a kick return deep out of his own endzone and out to the Rush 17 yard line. A couple of plays later Reggie Gray would catch his 48th touchdown pass of the season {he had 2 scores on the night} to tie the game at 54 with 9 seconds left. All the Rush needed was a couple of stops on defense to force the extra period. But a hail mary pass by Matt Bassuener with no time on the clock went off of the rebound net and it was caught by Gladiators receiver Dominick Goodman to end the game.
The Rush end the season with a 60-54 loss to the Gladiators. They finish the season with a road record of 3-6, and an overall record of 10-8. Reggie Gray’s two touchdown catches have given him a career high, as well as a franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season. Luke Drone finished the game completing 20 of 29 passes for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also had 2 rushing touchdowns as well. The big negative stat of the night is that the Rush defense finished the final six games of the season without recording a sack. And since the Rush were eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago, the Rush are now homeward bound to begin the offseason.
But I will keep you updated on all of the Rush’s offseason activities. I would like to personally thank the Rush organization, especially their Media Relations Manager Ryan Young for their hospitality, and giving me access to the team. I hope to do so again in 2013.
Here is the box score from tonight’s game: http://www.arenafootball.com/game/chicago-rush-cleveland-gladiators-7-21-2012
The Rush finish their home schedule on a losing note and here’s how it all went down:
First Quarter: A brawl between both teams broke out before kickoff. But once the game started Rush Receiver Reggie Gray returned the opening kick the full 50 yards to take a 7-0 lead with 14:10 remaining in the game.
But the Talons would tie the game on their first drive of the game. Aaron Garcia went 3-4 passing and capped it off with a 27 yard touchdown pass to Derek Lee to tie the game at 7 with 11:22 left in the first.
The Rush would turn the ball over when Russ Michna over threw Jared Perry and it was intercepted by the Talons. But the Rush would get the ball back 4 plays later when Jorrick Calvin picked off an Aaron Garcia pass. Russ Micha would drive the Rush downfield and cap the drive off with a 4 yard touchdown run by Luke Drone. But Joe Houston would miss the extra point so the Rush only led 13-7 with 2:22 remaining.
The first quarter would end with San Antonio making it all the way down to the Rush 15 yard line.
Second Quarter: Garcia puts the Talons in the end zone again with a touchdown pass to Receiver Jomo Wilson. It was 14-13 Talons with 12:00 remaining.
When the Rush went back on offense Russ Michna got sacked and knocked down twice. Then on 3rd down Michna under pressure again found a wide open Jared Perry from 41 yards out to take a 20-14 lead with 7:38 left before halftime.
On the Talons next possession it seemed like Jorrick Calvin had his 2nd pick of the game but it was wiped out by an illegal defense penalty. A few plays later Aaron Garcia found Derek Lee again but they would miss the extra point. The game was tied at 20 with 2:03 left before halftime.
But Russ Michna would answer back as he throws it to Jared Perry who makes a beautiful overhead catch to take a 27-20 lead at the one minute warning.
On the ensuing kickoff the Rush for whatever reason beyond any human understanding attempted an onside kick but the Talons would recover and score thanks to Derek Lee. The game was now tied at 27 with :57 left to play.
Third Quarter: San Antonio started the 2nd half on offense. First Aaron Garcia converted a huge 3rd down and 20 to put the Talons on the Rush 9. Then Garcia would hook up with Lee again for another touchdown pass. San Antonio would take a 34-27 lead with 9:09 remaining in the third.
But 3 minutes later Russ Michna would fin Jared Perry for the 2nd time to tie the game at 34 with 6:04 remaining in the third.
On the ensuing kickoff the Rush would strip the ball from Talons kick returner Brent Holmes but the referees initially ruled down by contact. Coach McMillen would issue a challenge and the replay proved it was a fumble and the Rush won the call. On the very next play Reggie Gray would score but then another fight would break out before the extra point. Once things calmed down the Rush would convert the PAT to take a 41-34 lead.
But then the Talons would come right back with another Aaron Garcia touchdown pass to tie the game at 41. 3:24 was left on the clock at that point.
Fourth Quarter: San Antonio started the game 1st and 10 from the Rush 15. Garcia threw a pass towards the end zone but it was broken up by Semaj Moody. But for some reason the refs called pass interference on Moody. So the Talons had it 1st and goal from the Rush 2. They tried a running play but the Rush defense stopped the play back at their own 15. But Garcia would throw another touchdown pass afterwards. But the Talons would miss the extra point so the game was tied at 41 with 13:22 left. Then on the Rush’s next possession J.J. Payne would score from half of the field on a beautiful screen pass from Russ Michna with a great block from T.J. Watkins. The Rush would take the lead back 54-47 with 10:41 left in the game.
But the celebration would be short lived as the Talons would score again. It started with a monster kick return by Talons Receiver Jomo Wilson to take San Antonio down to the Rush 14 yard line. Aaron Garcia would follow it up with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Wide Receiver Jason Willis to tie the game at 54 with 9 minutes left.
The Rush would turn the ball over on downs as Russ Michna was sacked twice on the next drive. The Talons would get another generous call courtesy of today’s officials, illegal defense against the Rush. Then San Antonio scored on a 6 yard run by Fullback Chad Cook, Jeffery Fitzgerald was held on that play but it was not called. The Talons led 61-54 at the one minute warning.
The Rush would try to answer back but would turn the ball over on downs again when Russ Michna would get sacked. He was sacked 5 times on the day, the Talons would run the clock out from there and go on with a 61-54 win.
Later tonight I’ll have a full post-game report complete with the press conference, interviews, and the box score. Keep your browser log onto Q101.com
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:
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
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:
The Rush hit the road again this week but this time they do so with a little more optimism on their side. The Rush make their way to Kansas City to take on the second worst team in the Arena Football League. The Kansas City Command are only 3-10 this year, with two of those victories on their home turf.
However, one of those two home victories came last week against the mighty San Jose SaberCats {The Rush will play the Cats at home next week}. Of course KC’s victory over San Jose, combined with the Rush’s victory over Georgia last week puts the Rush just a half game out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the National Conference.
This week San Jose plays host to Spokane, while Utah plays host to the same Georgia Force team that was embarrassed at Allstate Arena last weekend. A win for the Rush would keep them in the hunt. But if you add combined upsets by Spokane and Georgia then the Rush would be in the drivers seat and in the number three spot in the playoff race.
Of course that is easier said than done as San Jose defeated Spokane earlier in the season, and Georgia is winless against the West Division this season and they are only 3-4 on the road in 2012. If the Rush can get at least one upset to come their way, then they will just manage to get the number four slot. But the best thing the Rush can do is just worry about themselves and win.
And I believe they will do just that on Saturday night. The Rush defeated KC earlier this season 69-40. The Command has used three quarterbacks this season, and they didn’t win their first game until May 19th. KC is only 2-4 at home this year, and statistically they are one of the worst teams both offensively and defensively.
Kansas City is hoping to ride the momentum from last week’s victory over San Jose. But that victory only happened because of special teams miscues by the SaberCats. This week they will not be so lucky. There is just no slowing down this Rush offense. And new Rush Defensive Back Jorrick Calvin was named Defensive Player Of The Week for his play against the Force last week.
With Vic Hall still on injured reserve, Calvin will get another chance and I know he will be looking to capitalize on last weeks effort. Kelvin Morris and the rest of the Rush defense will be licking their chops to get another shot at this struggling Command team. I expect the Rush to return home with their 9th victory of the season.
Also on Saturday, while I’m keeping an eye on the Rush I will also be covering the Chicago Fire. Kickoff at Toyota Park is at 7:30pm and I will be in the press box viewing all of the action. I will post my reports right here on Q101.com. And you can follow me during the game on Twitter @GabeSalgado82, and using the following hashtags: #Q101Sports #CHIvCLB and #cf97
You can also friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GabeSalgado82
And I am available on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gws1182
As I reported in my previous article, the Arena Football League executive office and the Arena Football League Players Union reached a principle agreement over the weekend: http://q101.com/2012/06/the-rush-defense-stands-its-ground/
As of late Sunday night I had received word that for the first time in AFL history, the league and it’s players will have a formal, legally binding collective bargaining agreement. When Monday morning came along, the details of the agreement had not been released but AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz had issued the following statement:
“I would like to thank both the AFL Labor Committee and the executives of the AFLPU for the long hours they have put in over many months, but most especially the last two days to get this deal done,” Commissioner Kurz said. “I would also like to thank our fans. We know how upsetting any disruption to the sport you love can be and we want to thank you for your patience and understanding.
This has most certainly not been an easy process, but it has been a necessary process to help the Arena Football League continue to move in the right direction for our teams, players and fans. We look forward to turning our full attention back to the game on the field and enjoying the 25th season of Arena Football.”
As of Monday afternoon no further information had been released. But both the league and the union had announced that the “multi-year agreement” will be officially signed by both parties this Wednesday. It is believed that the details of the agreement will also be revealed on Wednesday. For most of this 2012 season, the AFLPU had aired multiple grievences towards the league through the media on numerous issues.
Issues ranging from salary increases, to medical expenses/coverage, and covering travel expenses when a player is traded from one team to the next. This among many other issues clouded the AFL during this season. In another previous article: http://q101.com/2012/06/who-is-ivan-soto/ I had mentioned how the AFLPU seemed to have created problems instead of resolving them.
Especially since the union had been unknown to most of the players in the league. But all of that seems to be out of the window now that this new agreement is in place. As soon as the details of the agreement are released, I will post those details right here on Q101.com.
Ivan Soto is a name that has been making waves on the arena football scene recently. Ivan Soto according to the AFLPU website, is the Executive Vice President of the Arena Football League Players Union. A union which has only come into existence fairly recently. Before the AFL suspended the 2009 season, there wasn’t a formal players union.
But from what I’ve been able to gather the AFLPU appears to have formed sometime last season but didn’t begin to make their presence felt until this season. As I’ve reported in previous articles, ever since the beginning of the season the AFL league office has been embattled with the AFLPU over recent player salaries.
Another thing that I mentioned in previous articles is that since the re-birth of the AFL in 2010, player salaries have decreased due to economic conditions across the board. The disagreement between the AFL and the AFLPU is about whether or not the league is capable of giving players raises at this moment. The AFLPU says that the league has become profitable again and that it should increase player salaries immediately.
But the league says that while they do want to increase salaries, they maintain that it should be done responsibly to prevent another financial collapse like the one in 2009 that almost destroyed the AFL. But the AFLPU says that the league is just stalling because they don’t want to increase player salaries. The AFLPU also demands that a formal collective bargaining agreement be forged between the two entities.
Now while this seems like a simple matter that could easily be cleared up through negotiations as is the case in other leagues, there are many compelling issues at hand here. Most of them revolve around Ivan Soto and the AFLPU. As I’ve already said, the AFLPU has not been around for very long. It must also be said that Ivan Soto has built quite a negative reputation for himself.
The first indicator should be the AFLPU’s poorly constructed website. Another issue is that the union claims to represent the players but according to ArenaFan.com most of the players in the league have never met or even heard of Ivan Soto or the AFLPU. Chicago Rush Linebacker Kelvin Morris told me earlier this season that there is “no formal players union” in existence that he’s aware of.
Another indicator is that on the AFLPU’s website, there is an online registration form for players who wish to join the union. Something that does not occur in other leagues as players already join their unions upon signing their contracts. Another pressing problem is that the AFLPU is not an official member of the Arena Football League and is not a participating partner.
This is in stark contrast to other sports leagues where the unions are official members of their respective leagues. And there are many around the league who say that while Ivan Soto is the mouthpiece behind the AFLPU, his tactics are questionable. AFL insiders report that the league has considered banning Mr. Soto from AFL games and practices {If they haven’t done so already}.
There are also many fans around the league who do not approve of Mr. Soto’s methods. The AFL has accused Ivan Soto of being the person responsible for the forefit of the Cleveland Gladiators last week, and the labor unrest that occured at the beginning of the season. In return, Ivan Soto has accused the league of unfair labor practices.
Ivan Soto apparently was an insurance salesman before taking part in the AFLPU. Ivan Soto was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the union. Soto says he means well but there are many who say that he is going about it the wrong way. Due to the labor unrest this season, the NFL Network has drastically changed it’s broadcast schedule of their Friday night AFL telecasts.
As of this week, the NFL Network will record Friday night games and they will be broadcast on Saturday afternoons instead. AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz says that Soto and the AFLPU are to blame for this decision by the NFL Network and that it could ultimately cost them their current TV contract. NFL Network is the only television contract that the league has had since it’s resurgence in 2010.
The AFL maintains that while they are trying to workout new salaries for it’s players, the league still provides housing, meals, and transportation for it’s players during the season. The AFLPU says that the league could do and should do better. Earlier this week the AFL league office issued an open letter to the fans through it’s website. The letter details the labor situation on their end of the table.
In the past the AFL has been quiet on internal league issues. But they decided to issue the open letter because they say that “Mr. Soto has misinformed the AFL players, media, and it’s fans about the negotiations and continues to use underhanded tactics.” You can read the letter here: http://www.arenafootball.com/news/arena-football-league-open-letter
Just yesterday the AFLPU issed a response to the open letter which can be read here: http://aflpu.org/index.html
The “underhanded tactics” that the league accuses Ivan Soto of using are as follows:
1. Making unreasonable demands.
2. Setting unrealistic deadlines for labor decisions.
3. Incouraging players to stand against the league for the purpose of forcing the league to increase players salries.
4. Causing labor unrest which has contributed to low attendance numbers and put it’s television contract with the NFL Network in jeopardy .
5. Misinforming the AFL players, media, and fans on the labor situation.
6. Rejecting recent league offers within just hours after the offers are made.
7. Rejecting recent offers without votes from AFL players {A claim which Soto denies}.
8. Underminding the AFL’s member teams.
9. Deceiving the AFL players.
And 10. Insulting the integrity of the AFL fans.
Now you have to admit, those are very strong accusations for someone who claims to work in the best interest of the players and the future of the Arena Football League. Another thing that doesn’t help the images of Soto or the AFLPU is this recent youtube video:
When I looked at the video comments, just about all of them were negative and directed towards Ivan Soto. Facebook and Twitter have also spoken out against Ivan Soto and the union. Many feel that should Ivan Soto continue this current path of negotiating, it will hurt the AFL more than it would help it.
The biggest worry is that the AFL will resort to using replacement players and that doing so could be the downfall of the Arena Football League. This is something that all parties involved are trying to prevent. So who exactly is Ivan Soto? From his perspective he is someone who is trying to give the AFL players a better quality of life.
To others he is someone that made the wrong people angry, and is causing a lot problems.
It’s obvious that the Rush are hungry for a victory with the way they’ve been playing Spokane thus far. The Rush got off to a hot start and so far have yet to look back. Russ Michna has 4 touchdown passes already, Terrance Turner has 2 touchdown catches, and the defense has also done it’s job. Kelvin Morris has a fumble recovery and Semaj Moody has an interception. The Rush have been controlling the game and doing their job. My only concerns for the Rush are the offensive line because Russ Michna has been hit a couple times, sacked twice, and under pressure most of the day.
My other concern is the penalties, the Rush have 8 penalties costing them 64 yards thus far. Hopefully the Rush can improve in pass protection and limit the penalties in the second half. If the Rush keep scoring on offense they should have no problems pulling this one out. You can continue to follow me on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports
The Rush during pre-game warmups.
The Rush are more than happy to be back home at the Allstate Arena after a disasterous road trip to Arizona and San Jose. The Rush lost both of those games are now licking their wounds with a 6-4 record. They are now two games behind the San Antonio Talons in the Central Division. The Rush are hoping to bounce back with a victory against the Spokane Shock, a team that has won 5 of their last 6. They also have two former Rush players on their team this season, Lineman Palauni Ma Sun and WR/DB Josh Ferguson. Spokane has an undefeated record against the Rush.
The Shock eliminated the Rush from the playoffs from 2010, and Rush Quarterback Russ Michna has received season ending injuries at the hands of the Spokane defense. So it will be a very physical game to say the least. And if that wasn’t enough, the Rush will be playing with heavy hearts today and have been practicing with heavy hearts all week. FB/LB Johnie Kirton who played with the Rush in 2011, passed away earlier this week. He scored the game winning touchdown when the Rush lost to San Jose last weekend. Kirton was very good friends with Rush WR/DB Reggie Gray and LB/FB Kelvin Morris.
Earlier in the week I spoke with both Reggie and Kelvin and both men are trying to keep it together after losing their friend. Kelvin Morris was teammates and roommates with Kirton back in 2010 when both men played for the Arizona Rattlers. The cause of Kirton’s death is still under investigation. Both men have dedicated today’s game to Johnie Kirton. Kelvin Morris has decided to make a season long tribute to Kirton by changing his jersey number from 11 to 37 which was Kirton’s number. Emotions have been running high all week and the Rush are very hungry and determined to get back in the win column.
So I am expecting a high energy game full of big hits and big plays. You can follow me during the game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports and I will be posting my next Q101.com report at halftime.
Linemen T.J. Waktins and Jason Peters are inactive for the Rush today, as is DB/WR Reggie Sullivan. But on the positive side FB/LB Russell Monk finally joins team this season after getting injured in training camp.
Here are the starting lineups for the Rush today:
QB: #12 Russ Michna
FB: #43 J.J. Payne
WR: #1 Reggie Gray
WR: #6 Jared Perry
WR: #2 Terrance Turner
TE: #75 Colin Madison
C: #51 Billy Eisenhardt
G: #70 C.J. Cobb
DE: #93 Cedric McKinley
NT: #92 Darrel Campbell
DE: #95 Jeffery Fitzgerald
MLB: #56 Nekos Brown
JLB: #37 Kelvin Morris
DB: #3 Brian Lainhart
DB: # 21 Kelvyn Hemphill
DB: #8 Leslie Majors
Here is my pre-game interview with Reggie Gray:
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