The players for the Chicago Rush went to sleep on Friday night not really knowing what would lie ahead the following evening. They were scheduled to play their home opener against the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday night.
Baseball purists say that you see something odd in their sport every single day. Maybe we should start saying the same thing about the Arena Football League. A night after watching the Orlando Predators get shut out in the second half for the first time in a decade and a half, the Tampa Bay Storm and Jacksonville Sharks put on a show at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
It has been five games since the Kansas City Command scored at least 50 points. Three were losses. Saturday night, at the Sprint Center, newly promoted quarterback Stephen Wasil led the Command back to the 50 point plateau. The result was an exciting 50-41 victory over the visiting Cleveland Gladiators.
The two West Coast OT thrillers highlighted the first week of the league's 25th season, but its first game was perhaps the lowest point in the league's history. There were three other games and for some strange reason five teams had byes to open the season. Welcome to Breaking it Down - the most comprehensive coverage of Arena Football anywhere.
And now. the moment that you all have been waiting for. The Week 7 Dubious Distinctions!
The Sparky McEwen Bonehead Coaching Move of the Week:
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Head Coach Sparky McEwen successfully ran the Grand Rampage into the ground for three seasons, finishing 13-35 and drawing the ire of many across the state of Michigan. This award will be handed out to the head coach who displayed the most ineptitude for the week.
And the award goes to.
Ernesto Purnsley, Utah Blaze: I mean, really. Really. I may have to rename this award. Coach, I understand that you left play calling at the end of your game against the Milwaukee Iron up to one of your coordinators, but ultimately, if they screw up, you take the fall. The Blaze had every chance in the world to pull the biggest upset of the season and beat the Iron, but somehow, they snapped defeat from the jaws of victory. With the game tied at 48 with 0:55 to play facing 3rd down and goal to go with neither team having a timeout