If the real Colorado Crush stood up in the second half last week against Las Vegas, coach Mike Dailey thinks it’s about time.
The Crush trailed by nine points at halftime and came back to win by 10, 63-53, over the Gladiators, and the 19-point swing was just what Dailey wanted to see. Now, he’s wondering if the big second-half comeback will trigger more consistent play and a chance to contend in the second half of the Arena Football League season.
The answers begin tonight when the Crush (5-3) plays Kansas City in Kemper Arena.
“Does it mean we turned a corner? I hope it does,” Dailey said. “A good turnaround in a game like that where you’re down by nine and win by 10, that’s a real good chance. That’s a chance to say we can do this. We proved it to ourselves. I hope that energizes us as we start the second half of the season.”
The Crush had given indications through the first seven games of the season that this team might not jell. Included in three losses were shellackings by San Jose, 72-44, and Philadelphia, 71-47.
Dailey noted that his team’s roster contains several new players to take advantage of the new substitution rules in the league, and his team has held its own despite injuries to key players such as veteran defensive back Delvin Hughley, new receiver Willie Quinney and veteran fullback John Peaua.
“Time will tell,” Dailey said. “I can’t make a prediction that we’ll win every game. The biggest thing for me as a coach is understanding it’s a process and getting them herded in the right direction with a common goal.”
As has been the case most of the season, the Crush defense triggered last week’s victory. Defensive back Rashad Floyd returned two interceptions for TDs. The Crush enters the second half of the season with 10 interceptions, equaling the total for the entire 2003 season when Colorado entered the league.
Floyd believes the new rules that limit the number of players who play both offense and defense have benefited both sides of the ball.
“I think the new rules make for a better league in the future,” Floyd said. “Arena League football always was ironman football. That changed a little bit when you don’t think of the two-way player. Seeing a true receiver running a route is nicer to see than a defensive back trying to run a route. Right now, I think it has helped the defense a little more. You have true defensive linemen rushing the passer instead of an offensive lineman trying to play defense.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
Arena Football
Colorado Crush (5-3) vs. Kansas City Brigade (4-3)
When: Tonight, 6 p.m. MDT
Where: Kemper Arena, Kansas City
TV/radio: None/KKCN 760 AM
