Just last week, Colorado Crush coach Mike Dailey was explaining that just because the Arena Football League is considered a showcase for the offensive side of football, it doesn’t mean defense can be ignored.
Dailey was analyzing his team’s anemic point production through the first six games as putting too much focus on defense to win games. The Crush was 3-3 heading into a game at the New York Dragons and appeared to be slipping too far behind Chicago in the American Conference’s Central Division race.
“This league is skewed toward the offense,” Dailey said. “I think if you asked every coach in this league they’d say the same thing. But you can’t just throw your hands up and say we’ll discount the defense, because it doesn’t matter. You want to be as sound as you can possibly be.”
Almost on cue, defensive back Chris Angel stepped up to make a case for the defense. Angel equaled the Crush record for interceptions in a game with three. The third interception allowed the Crush to run out the clock and gain a 49-48 victory over the Dragons. It wasn’t the first time that Angel made defense count.
Two weeks before, his second interception of the game against Nashville in the Pepsi Center put the Crush into position to pull out a 55-48 victory.
With the interceptions, Angel has become a prize find for the Crush at a time of need – and a player Dailey doesn’t plan to be without as the season continues tonight at 7 against Las Vegas at the Pepsi Center.
Angel was activated from the practice squad for the third game of the season against Arizona for injured Tony Scott. Scott will rejoin the team against Las Vegas, but Dailey plans to go with the hot hand.
“Right now that wouldn’t be a thought of mine,” Dailey said when asked if Angel would give up his spot. “It would be foolish on my part to say we’re going to take him completely out. We could do some rotation of players.”
Dailey believes Angel plays with the ability to deceive quarterbacks into thinking he’s out of the play, but is able to recover and make a pick.
“He plays with a lot of savvy,” Dailey said.
“I’m not much of a guesser, I play as close to my (man) as possible,” Angel said. “I’m not doing anything special out there. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. It’s the first time I’ve had three interceptions in a game.”
Notebook
Dailey is forced again to revamp his lineup because of injuries. Receiver Willie Quinnie and fullback John Peaua are out for a month on injured reserve, both with hamstring injuries.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303- 954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
