After falling 71-47 to the Philadelphia Soul, “encouraged” might seem a strange word coming from the losing team. But Colorado Crush coach Mike Dailey said it Friday as he looked ahead to today’s Arena Football League game against the Nashville Kats.
“We’d like to be better than 2-2, but I don’t think we’ve played really well yet,” Dailey said. “I don’t know if it’s good logic to be encouraged, but if we were playing well and still were 2-2, I’d have to say that maybe we don’t have what it takes to win.”
Dailey expressed confidence the Crush will play through its early-season slump and regain its position among the league’s premier teams.
“Hopefully, we can fix some things and get moving in the right direction,” Dailey said. “I would hope that at the end of the year, we are looked upon with the same regard as in the past. … I much prefer to be better at the end of the year than in the beginning.”
The Crush has been among the league’s elite in each of Dailey’s first three seasons. The 2-2 start shouldn’t alarm – the Crush began the 2005 season 2-2 and went on to win the ArenaBowl.
Dailey’s primary concern is injuries. The Crush has several, including a quadriceps for receiver Damian Harrell, who has been less than 100 percent in the first four games.
Defensive backs Tony Scott and Delvin Hughley are hampered by hamstring injuries.
Dailey pointed to several other factors to explain the slow start, including a revamped roster. The departed include veterans Willis Marshall, Andy McCullough and Ahmad Hawkins, who returns Sunday to the Pepsi Center with Nashville. The league also went through extensive rules changes from last year.
The major problem for the Crush has been turnovers. The team is at minus-four – well off the league lead in turnover margin.
Quarterback John Dutton has contributed to the problem with a league-leading seven interceptions. He also has lost the ball once on a fumble.
“This is not all John Dutton’s fault by any means,” Dailey said. “A lot of the interceptions weren’t his fault. We have some new people on offense, and experience in working together is important in all sports and in all businesses as well. We’ll have to play together and play very well to beat Nashville.”
Crush/Today
Who: Nashville Kats (2-2) vs. Colorado Crush (2-2)
What: Arena Football League
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Pepsi Center
TV/radio: FSN/KKZN 760 AM
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
