If the subject was boxing instead of football, the Colorado Crush would be in the semi-main event today.
At least that’s how Crush coach Mike Dailey sees it.
Some five hours before Super Bowl XL, the defending Arena Football League champion Crush (1-0) plays the Georgia Force (1-0) in a rematch of ArenaBowl XIX. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. in Atlanta’s Philips Arena, where the Force has won 13 straight games.
“Hey, I think it’s good for our league, I really do,” Dailey said. “You know people are football junkies and they’re going to be all excited, and they’re going to have their football parties. So hopefully earlier in the day, they’ll turn their TVs on and get a chance to see a little arena football.
“I think it’s a good idea. I think the people that really love football and maybe the people that never have been exposed to arena football that are not real dedicated fans but are at a Super Bowl party will maybe get a chance to see us for the first time and we’ll end up picking up a few fans.”
Today’s rematch features one of the league’s top offenses against one of its top defenses.
The Crush scored 65 points in a last-second victory over Chicago, while the Force beat Orlando 48-31 in last week’s season openers.
The Crush beat the Force 51-48 in last year’s title game.
Except for offensive specialist Troy Bergeron, who left the team to prepare for the NFL draft this year, “they’ve basically got all their guys back, same as us,” said Crush quarterback John Dutton, who threw for eight touchdowns in the opener.
“Last year, we were obviously pretty even,” Dutton said. “Three points away and a couple of seconds away. So it’s going to be a battle. We know what they’re all about. They’re a physical team, so our guys are going to have to be physical, and I’m talking about our receivers catching the ball, running people over and that kind of stuff.”
The Force’s defense features relentless pass-rushers in Jermaine Smith and Gillis Wilson, but the real rough stuff is going to be well beyond the line of scrimmage, said Crush offensive specialist Damian Harrell – the player of the year in the AFL last season.
“You know they’re going to come after us,” Harrell said. “I think it’s probably going to be more physical between the wide receivers and the DBs than it will be up front between the offensive and defensive linemen. It’s going to be a fun game.”
Dutton and Harrell like the idea of warming up football fans for the Super Bowl, too.
“I think it’ll be good,” Dutton said. “They’ll probably get all excited watching our game and then fall asleep during the NFL game.”
Today’s game
Who: Colorado Crush (1-0) at Georgia Force (1-0)
What: Arena Football League game
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta
TV/Radio: NBC/KOA 850
Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.
