Crush look to keep playoff hopes alive tonight on ESPN2
June 16, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
The Arizona Rattlers, one of the hottest teams in the AFL, trying to keep their four-game winning streak alive as they host the Colorado Crush on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday. The game begins at 10:00 p.m. EST and will also be shown in HD.
Colorado leads the series four games to three and the Crush has beaten Arizona each of the past three years. Last year, Colorado held on to beat the Rattlers 56-54.
The Stakes
This game is a playoff game for Colorado while Arizona has already clinched a home playoff game and the third seed in the American Conference. The Rattlers can no longer catch San Jose for the Western Division title as the SaberCats clinched this weekend.
Colorado is currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs. It didn't help them that Los Angeles and Grand Rapids both won this weekend. The Crush finish the season against Kansas City next week but will need some help to get in.
The Players
The Rattlers have won four in a row, second only to Georgia's current seven-game winning streak for the longest active win streak in the league. But how have they been able to do it? Smart play, defense and good coaching, that's how. First year head coach Kevin Guy has done an amazing job turning the Rattlers around.
Arizona has used two different QBs during the win streak, as Jeff Smoker started the first two and Matt Sauk has been the man in the last two. Sauk has done a great job of protecting the football and getting it to the right spot in offensive coordinator Skip Foster's "ball control" offense.
Colorado has lost five straight and seven of their last eight but amazingly still have a chance for the playoffs. QB John Dutton has struggled to put a full game together. He is brilliant at times but seems to have sinking spells at some point in each game that have been costly.
Arizona has a dynamic duo at receiver that would make any QB look good in Siaha Burley (93-1034-28 TDs) and Trandon Harvey (92-1179-23 TDs). Burley has overcome early injuries and is back in the form that won him Offensive Player of the Year honors after last season. Todd Devoe (38-434-8 TDs) has been reliable as a third option and can make some plays.
Colorado is strong at the receiver position as well although losing Chad Owens (65-668-9 TDs) to a knee injury last week doesn't help matters. Ben Nelson (108-1176-27 TDs) is an excellent deep threat and Willie Quinnie (107-1097-27 TDs) has developed into an outstanding Arena receiver. Aaron Hosack (28-247-8 TDs) will take Owen's spot and has proven a reliable target, especially in the red zone.
Arizona has played some solid defense of late forcing four turnovers in the first half of each of their past two games. DB Isaiah Trufant is the leading tackler and interceptor as he anchors the secondary. Veteran DE Wendall Gaines leads the team in sacks with three and in tackles for loss with 7.5. Kurt Kahui is back from injury and makes a lot of plays from his linebacker spot. This is a stingy group that has allowed the fewest amount of first downs in the AFL.
When you talk about the Colorado defense the conversation starts with DB Rashad Floyd. Floyd is the heart and soul of the defense and backs it up with his consistent play. Floyd has over 100 tackles and leads the team with seven interceptions. Aaron McConnell brings the heat up front with nine sacks. Jason Harmon has also had a solid year in the secondary.
The Game
Arizona leads the league in time of possession which is usually not a good thing in Arena Football. However, the Rattlers have been able to slow games down, control the clock and limit their opponents' possessions. They can also open it up if they have to.
Colorado has, like all other teams, had to deal with injury problems. This has been a frustrating year for head coach Mike Dailey as he has tried to figure a way for his team to get back on track. Dailey will never surrender and you can expect his team to fight to the end.
Arizona is playing with great confidence right now and has been jumping all over their foes in the first half by forcing turnovers and taking advantage of them. It will be extremely important for the Crush to get off to a good start in this one. They need to slow down the Rattler mojo and get some confidence of their own if they are to get off the shnide.
The Crush also needs to get a pass rush going against Sauk. If they can get him running for his life and force him to have to make quicker decisions they will have a chance to force a few turnovers of their own.
Arizona is set as the number three seed, so this game is meaningless in regards to the playoffs while Colorado is in a must win situation. I expect Coach Dailey will pull out all the stops to try to get a "W" in this one. Even though the game will not affect the Rattlers playoff positioning you can be sure Coach Guy will have his team ready to play. It should be a good one.
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