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Baron Primed For Season

January 29, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


Rush lineman James Baron, a six-time all-Arena Football League selection and two-time AFL Lineman of the Year, was left off the 2003 postseason awards list for the first time in his career.

He registered four sacks (T-11th in the AFL), 14.5 tackles and three fumble recoveries during last year's campaign. In comparison during the 2002 season, Baron made three sacks (T-16th in the AFL) and 18 tackles without a fumble recovery and was a first-team all-Arena selection and finalist for Lineman of the Year.

"James Baron making the all-Arena team is inconsequential to me," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "All I know is he is a great player in this league and he helps us win games. But last year I don't think he was as under control mentally as he needed to be."

Furthermore, his team lost in the first-round of the AFL playoffs in frustrating fashion. A season that started with so much hope and anticipation ended painfully on a last-second field goal in New York.

No awards. No ArenaBowl. Nothing.

However, Baron didn't go back to his off-season Nashville home completely empty-handed.

Indeed, he departed Chicago with a terrible feeling packaged up inside.

"It was a disappointing season for us," he said. "(This year) we just need to focus on football. When it's time for football, it's time for football. Nothing else."

The unpleasant feeling continued to nag at him, and keeping his off-season focus on football was a priority. Distractions were mounting in Nashville and Baron was eager to get back into the gridiron groove.

So Baron packed up and moved to Chicago in October, arriving almost three months prior to the start of training camp, which began today.

"James has taken steps this off-season to show how mentally tough he is and get back to the level he wants," Hohensee said.

Baron is determined to leave no doubt that he is one of the best linemen in the league in 2004.

"I had a lot going on down in Tennessee and I just wanted to focus in and really limit the distractions," Baron explained. "It was almost Rocky-style. I wanted to get back to Chicago and get better."

Some might say it would be difficult for Baron—a member of the league's 15th Anniversary all-time team—to make a whole lot of improvement.

Entering his eighth season in the AFL, Baron is among the league's career leaders in sacks (33.5, T-5th all-time) and tackles for loss (19, 2nd all-time). He was the AFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and has appeared in a pair of ArenaBowls, including the 2000 championship when he was voted Ironman of the Game.

Statistically, last year wasn't unlike the previous six, all of which ended in all-league accolades. Over his career, Baron has averaged nearly five sacks and just over 13 tackles per season. But it might be his attributes that don't show up in the stats that are more important.

"He's a targeted individual in this league," Hohensee said. "Teams double-team him, people cheap-shot him and they try to get to him any way they can."

New Rush quarterback Raymond Philyaw knows all too well the circumstances of competing against Baron from his playing days with Central Division-rival Indiana.

"His presence makes you change the entire offense around him," Philyaw explained. "We made sure we got rid of the ball quicker, because he can really bring the pressure."

Now, Baron enters the 2004 season with a little extra motivation.

"It hurts a little bit," Baron said about not earning all-Arena status that is doled out to six players. "You're not going to tell me I'm not the best lineman in the league, let alone six of them that are better that can play both ways like me.

"That's okay though," Baron warned. "I already play with a chip on my shoulder so this season, there's just more fuel for the fire."

Baron has been preparing to engulf the opposition with his early arrival in Chicago.

"It just starts with wanting to be better," Baron said. "I want to continue what I've started in this league and make sure I'm getting that respect."

Philyaw's Firebirds respected his ability.

"He deserved the respect and we gave it to him by switching to quicker passes and three-step drops," Philyaw said. "I was tired of playing against him. One of the reasons I wanted to play here in Chicago is because of the way he plays."

Baron has been working out with serious intensity since arriving from Nashville. Specifically, he has concentrated on improving his explosion off the line, which was one of the league's best to begin with.

"I know what it's like to work hard. I'm a Hokie," Baron said, pointing to his collegiate days at Tech where their tradition of success is evident. "Since I got here, I've put myself on the line. I'm just trying to be more focused on football."

In 2003, expectations were sky-high. The majority of pundits picked the Rush to go all the way.

Then, following an 0-3 start, the Rush fought uphill for the remainder of the season. Coupled with unexpected injuries, the inability to focus on each game may have caused the Rush to underachieve.

Baron and the returning members of the team won't forget last year's difficult lesson.

"We have to be prepared and maintain an attitude all season long," Baron said. "We have to keep the effort up all year and limit the mistakes and take it game-by-game.

"If we do those things, we should be in good shape."

James Baron is in great shape. The team is too, with several key additions, including more big bodies to surround Baron.

"I want to produce for the team because I'm always looking for that ring," he added, "A championship is the only thing I play for."

With that said, Rush fans will have to wait and see how the 2004 season shapes up. The season opening February 8th game versus Grand Rapids should give a pretty good indication of this squad's focus.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 29, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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