Crush Notebook
April 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
DEFENSE
Defensive Line: All three play both offense and defense. Defensive lineman are not permitted to twist or stunt. They must bull or speed rush on every play. Defensive Backs: Two of the three defensive backs are defensive specialists. The third is a WR/DB. Linebackers: The Mac linebacker is permitted to rush the passer on every play. The Jack linebacker must stay in the box and cannot leave until a pass is thrown or until the ball is handed off. The Mac is usually a FB/LB, while the Jack is usually a WR/LB.
OFFENSE
Offensive Line: Tight end, center, guard. The tight end signals his distinction by raising his hand to the official before taking his stance. On most plays, he acts like a lineman, but he is eligible to go downfield for a reception. All OLs play defense. Wide Receivers: One is an offensive specialist, one is a WR/LB and the third is a WR/DB. One receiver can go in forward motion prior to the snap. Quarterback: Passes on nearly every down, usually from a three-step drop. Fullback: Mostly used for pass protection and rushing near the goal line. Also plays linebacker.
ON A TYPICAL PLAY
Prior to the snap, one of the wide receivers is permitted to go in forward motion (A). His defensive counterpart (B) will likely follow him and either jam him or allow a cushion. Once the ball is snapped, the fullback (C) steps up to block the Mac linebacker, who rushes the passer (D). The Jack linebacker (E) stays in the box and tries to disrupt the passing lanes. He can move out of the box once the ball is thrown or handed off.
UNIQUE SKILLS OF AN AFL PLAYER
The game of Arena Football is a derivative of the 100-yard stadium-played game that fans know and love, but with the quick, intense action, high scoring and unique Ironman substitution rules, Arena Football requires a special skill set that many 100-yard stadium players may not possess.
Receivers In the vast space of a 100-by-53-yard stadium-played football game with 10-yard end zones, the emphasis for a receiver is on raw speed in order to secure separation to get open.
In the game of Arena Football (50-yard field, 85-feet wide with 8-yard end zones), there is not enough space for separation so the emphasis is on quickness and timing in order to secure position so as to frequently make a catch with a defender hanging on the receiver's back. On the next possession, that receiver has to turn around and demonstrate his own skills at back peddling as the defender against the player who guarded him and who is now the receiver.
In Arena Football, one receiver can be in forward motion on the snap, which necessitates an extremely quick defensive specialist who must make a critical defensive decision on every play as to how he should check or guard his adversary.
Quarterbacks The close confines of Arena Football's 50-yard field force a quarterback to stare directly into the face of a defense that will devour interceptions or slam him on his back a majority of the time (even when he successfully completes a pass). That's why Arena Football is a two quarterback game. As a result, AFL quarterbacks have to be especially durable.
There are NO 10-yard outs in Arena Football -- not just because there is not enough space for it but because there is not enough time for the long-arm outdoor delivery common in stadium-played football. Without the two tackles and extra tight end, a quarterback does not have the angles of protection to take a seven-step drop. Nor does he have the lateral space to scramble. Instead, he must take a quick, three-step drop, make a lightening-fast read and deliver an accurate throw with the aggressive intention of scoring on every possession. Failure to do any of these will result in poor performance.
Linemen Linemen must be especially athletic. Twists and stunts are not allowed so the result is strong, physical pass blocking on every play. Then, on a change of possession, that lineman must turn around and pass rush the same opponent he pass blocked.
Kickers While outdoor kickers have to deal with weather, AFL kickers must deal with accuracy. AFL goal posts are only 9-feet wide with a 15-foot high crossbar, as opposed to stadium played goal posts, which are 18.5-feet wide with a 10-foot high crossbar. Kickers must also make tackles more frequently.
Athleticism Six of the eight AFL players on each team play offense, defense and special teams. Additionally, pursuant to the AFL's Ironman substitution rules, there can be only one substitution per quarter. In stadium-played football, players are not only specialists (on offense or defense) but often situational specialists, such as a third-down pass rusher, prevent-defense cornerback or a long snapper. An AFL athlete, in contrast, must be so athletic and well conditioned that he can play offense, defense and special teams with only one substitution per quarter. Even AFL kickers must be prepared to serve as a backup quarterback or receiver.
Coaching In stadium-played football, the opportunities to score are so rare that a coach will take any score for his team he can get. A stadium coach will run out the clock. But, in the high-scoring action of Arena Football, having the last possession can spell the difference between elation in victory or ignominious defeat. As a result, arena coaches will frequently stall before a critical scoring strike or even allow an opponent to score in order to secure the last possession.
Further, AFL rules dictate that a winning team in the last minute of play cannot take a knee. Instead, the teams must make forward progress or the clock will stop. It's exciting even to the last play.
Must-see Matchups: Week 12
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COLORADO OS DAMIAN HARRELL vs. TAMPA BAY DS OMARR SMITH
One of this weekend's best matchups will occur when Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 195, Florida State) battles Tampa Bay DS OMARR SMITH (5-9, 174, San Jose State) at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.
Harrell is a big target with great hands and provides Colorado quarterbacks with the security of being able to throw the ball into tight coverages knowing that he will make the tough catch. The four-year veteran is on pace to set new personal-highs with 113 receptions, 1,678 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns.
Smith, who is in his second AFL season, is one of the best cover specialists in the League. The former Spartan leads the AFL in fumble recoveries (5), while tallying 67.0 tackles (No. 2), six interceptions (tie-No. 3) and 18 passes defended (No. 4). Fellow Florida State alum COREY SAWYER will also provide blanketing coverage in the secondary for the Storm.
Omarr and Corey are veterans and know what they're doing back there, said Tampa Bay Head Coach TIM MARCUM. That allows me to mix up some coverages and confuse the quarterbacks, which I think is why we've been able to pick off so many passes this season."
Crush Falls to 1-10 With Loss to Chicago
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Turnovers again cost the Colorado Crush as the team fell for the 10th time in 11 games this season, 76-58 to the Chicago Rush in Denver.
In front of another sold-out Pepsi Center crowd -- the fifth in as many home games this season -- Colorado opened strongly, taking a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter. But the Rush scored two touchdowns to re-take the lead by the end of the first period, and never trailed from that point forward. At two junctures in the fourth quarter, Colorado's deficit was as large as 25 points.
Dooming the Crush were five turnovers - three interceptions and two lost fumbles. Chicago, meanwhile, did not turn the ball over once. The turnovers nullified the Crush's statistical advantages; Colorado had eight more first downs than the Rush (22 to 14) and 82 more yards (354 to 272).
The turnover trend began from the game's opening kickoff, which Crush wide receiver/linebacker Joe Douglass fumbled after returning it to the Colorado 15, allowing Chicago's John Moyer to recover. Colorado's defense subsequently stiffened, stopping the Rush on a fourth-and-one, but the Crush promptly gave it back when Jeff Lewis was intercepted by Chicago's Marvin Taylor on Colorado's first offensive play. Lewis was again intercepted on Colorado's final first-quarter drive.
Lewis, a former member of the Denver Broncos, was making his second consecutive start for the Crush, but went to the sidelines midway through the second quarter. John Dutton took over the reins and performed well, completing 21 of 35 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception.
Crush offensive specialist Damian Harrell turned in another outstanding performance, with four of his six receptions going for touchdowns as he accounted for 92 receiving yards during the afternoon. But he was forced out of the contest in the fourth quarter due to a sprained left foot.
Colorado returns to action on Easter Sunday, April 20, when the Crush travels to Tampa to face the Tampa Bay Storm, the league's oldest franchise, which is now rolling at 9-2 with an eight-game winning streak. Kickoff at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa is scheduled for 1 p.m. MDT.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 18, 2003
- Turnovers Doom Cobras In Loss To Georgia - Carolina Cobras
- SaberCats Activate WR/DB Cobbs from IR - San Jose SaberCats
- Rampage Post Sellout No. 4 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Week 12 Injury Report - AFL I
- Desperados Put Larrimore on IR, Re-sign Greenwood - Dallas Desperados
- Crush Notebook - Colorado Crush
- Cooper Taken Off IR, Coleman Placed on IR - Colorado Crush
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