HUNGRY
Rush look to ring that championship dinner bell after falling short
the last two years
By: Gary Zahara
Just 35 yards. That's what separated Keith Gispert and the Chicago Rush with a date with destiny for the second straight year.
Two years ago it was two blown calls and a injury to quarterback Raymond Philyaw that cost them a victory against the eventual champion San Jose SabreCats. Last year it was a missed 35-yard field goal by Keith Gispert in overtime against the eventual champion Colorado Crush that cancelled a title date in Sin City. Ironically, Gispert hit a 17-yard field goal amid a shower of confetti to send the game into overtime.
But no pink slip was included in his final paycheck of the season.
Instead it was a pat on the back from head coach Mike Hohensee and encouragement of his teammates on the plane ride back that led Gispert to beat out two kickers to start training camp and solidify his spot for the fourth straight season, the longest tenure of a kicker in team history.
"That reaction was very important to me," Gispert said." I talked to several teammates and they said to keep my head up. Kicking is 90% mental in this league. If another opportunity to win the game comes along, I'm confident I can go out there and do it."
Togetherness, confidence and very hungry. That's the focus of the 2006 Chicago Rush as they prepare to go after their first title that has eluded them three times before. The scenario couldn't be better for the Rush as they get first crack at the team that eliminated them in last year's semifinal, the defending AFL champion Colorado Crush, Sunday at 2pm(NBC) in Denver.
"(The opener) is for ratings obviously. There is a chip on our shoulder. We need to make sure that we don't get to high if we beat them or go in the tank if we lose, Hohensee said. They're not going to give us the trophy if we beat them and our season won't end if we lose."
The Rush still have their core of veterans and young talent in place to return to Central Division champions status and another title shot, their fourth in six years. Sixteen players return from last year including the heart and soul of the Rush, Bob McMillen. McMillen, named one of the 20 greatest AFL players of all-time, replaces the retired Jamie McGourty as the oldest veteran on the team. McMillen needs just 55 yards to become the AFL's all-time leading rusher.
"It's a tremendous honor being on that list with guys like Hunky Cooper and Barry Wagner. I've been in this league long enough and for people to recognize me and put me in the top twenty is just an amazing feat," McMillen said.
Another crucial piece of the championship puzzle has turned into three. The Rush have three quarterbacks who are still competing for the opening day start in Colorado.
Asad Abdul-Khaliq, Matt D'Orazio and Michael Bishop are competing hard until the final day to see who takes this team under its wing. Abdul-Khaliq returns from last year. He did not see any action. D'Orazio comes from Columbus with only 16 games under his belt with three teams in four years.
But once again, Hohensee and his staff always find a quarterback with speed and a cannon. Bishop was picked up from Grand Rapids to replace the oft injured Raymond Philyaw, who ironically replaces Bishop on the Rampage. Like Philyaw, Bishop can run as well as pass. He set the AFL single season rushing record with 459 yards and 17 TD's in 2005.
"The starting job is between all three. They all have improved since they've been here and that's why they're all still here," said Hohensee.
Bishop look to be the front runner on stats and athletic ability alone.
"I'm going in with an open mind and just keep working hard. When I came here, I told the guys I wanted to be the guy to lead them to the championship," Bishop said. "There is a huge difference here than in Grand Rapids. More guys care about winning here. But most importantly the coaching staff works hard to make you better on and off the field."
Defensively, leading sack man John Moyer is back to anchor a defense that was fourth best in scoring, but 13th in the takeaway/giveaway category. Moyer has 29 sacks in four years with the Rush. Cornelius White, acquired from Columbus as a free agent, along with DeJuan Alfonzo and Etu Molden, make Chicago's linebacker core the best in the league.
Tony Lukins and Todd Howard return to share defensive specialist duties.
Offensively, Molden returns to lead a formidable offensive 1-2 punch with C.J. Johnson emerging as a dangerous offensive specialist threat. His 19 for 272 yards, six touchdown playoff performance means they expect bigger things from him in 2006. He should challenge Henry Douglas every week.
Will the Rush finally make it to the promised land in 2006 after so many lost voyages? That's the $64,000 question. If Bishop and McMillen stay injury free and Gispert mentally rebounds, we could see a football title in Chicago for the first time in 20 years. If not, it's just a date for homecoming while they get stood up for prom.
Prediction: 11-5-Central Division champs