Coach Mike Dailey is to the point with his Colorado Crush that what you see is what you get.
But at least Saturday against the Kansas City Brigade, what Dailey saw was good enough to keep the Crush going in the Arena Football League playoffs. The Crush continued to be plagued by turnovers, but still won 49-42 in the wild-card round – on the road.
Crush quarterback John Dutton put aside two interceptions to pass for five touchdowns, four in the second half.
The victory over the Brigade brought Colorado’s postseason record to 5-2 in five years.
“Our defense made some key stops during the game, but especially right after halftime,” Dailey said.
The Crush (9-8) plays the San Jose SaberCats (13-3) in the divisional round Saturday in San Jose, Calif. San Jose, which had a first-round bye, has won 14 consecutive games at home.
“All year during the regular season, you’re striving to get better at the little things,” Dailey said. “But now it’s just win any way you can.”
The SaberCats have been rough on the Crush, winning six of the seven meetings. Colorado’s only victory (56-48) came in the 2005 playoffs. The Crush went on to win the ArenaBowl. Otherwise, the SaberCats have won six games by an average of 26.1 points, including an 89-41 thrashing during the regular season in 2005. This season, San Jose beat the Crush 72-44 on April 6.
“This is going to be an uphill battle for us,” Dailey said. “But we’re glad to have the opportunity to continue to play. San Jose is a great football team and they’re difficult to beat at home.”
For the Colorado quarterback, it will be a homecoming of sorts. Before coming to the Crush for the 2003 season, Dutton quarterbacked San Jose to the ArenaBowl title in 2002.
Dailey isn’t ready to accept the turnovers, but he also isn’t dwelling on them.
“Turnovers as a whole have been a problem for us all year,” Dailey said. “But you can’t coach caution into your players.
“We are concerned about the turnovers, it has been a strange year in regards to that situation. Last week, we had three fumbles against Dallas. It seems as if it’s something different each game.
“But it’s a team sport, and we’re at the time of the year where you fight, kick and scrap to just keep winning.”
