Hit the Road, Jack

This week, the Power head back out on the road, Keller and I follow them again, and several players get the boot.  It's action-packed, and I haven't even gotten to the part where I talk about Chickie's and Pete's Crabfries.

I mean, just look at them.  LOOK AT THEM!

Let's start with what we will be facing when we meet up with the Soul for the first time this season.  At 3-3, they're not quite the powerhouse they were last season...but that doesn't mean they're not decisively at the top of our division.  Part of their slide this year is due to the loss of Tiger Jones, Captain Morgan, and few others.  However, they've kept stars like Dirty Dan Raudabaugh, Derrick Ross and LaRico Stevenson (seriously, I miss that guy.)

Dirty Dan continues to be the red-headed menace that he's always been.  This season, he's on the right side of a 32/6 touchdown vs interception ratio.  He has good protection, thinks well on his feet, and is mobile.  He is the prime threat, and there's no two ways about it.

On the receiving side, Larry Brackins - stud of the last Arena Bowl -is still around and doing his thing, but definitely in more of a supporting role.  The heavy lifting is being done by Anthony Jones, and that dude is a monster, with 775 yards and 14 TDs in just six games this season.

While he's the threat in the air, Derrick Ross is most assuredly a threat on the ground in a league that doesn't use infantry very often.  His 14 TDs on the ground is a pretty good stat for a fullback for a season.  In just a third of a season, it's phenomenal. 

On the other side of the ball, LaRico Stevenson and Joe Goosby are twin terrors, putting up respectable numbers in sacks, turnovers, and tackles.  Given the continuing situation with our offensive line, these are the two that scare me the most.  Add to that the fact that Stevenson can return...


In typical Power fashion, it's time to replace some QBs and swap out kickers.  Czajkowski who, while formidable in Words With Friends, has been struggling.  He was let go, while Baker and Wolford have been placed on IR.  This makes room for a new kicker, a new receiver, and QB Steven Sheffield.  If that name sounds familiar, it's because we had originally signed him to a 3-year contract in November.  That's good.  It means he was someone the Power thought was worth locking in.  He was Garcia's backup, after all.  On the other hand, he didn't play for us because he didn't show up. That's bad.  But it was for family reasons.  That's...none of our business, really.

I'm just not super stoked about the situation.  Quarterback drama has become our bread and butter.  Last week, we brought back Derrick Cassidy - architect of the killer comeback against the Preds last year - to fill in while Shane Austin is out with an injury.  However, not only did they only use him for one or two plays, but Jefferson kept running back on the field like he was going to play whether coach liked it or not.  I have no frickin' clue what the situation really was, but best case it's that everyone was confused and worst case, it was that Coach Sting has no control over Jefferson.  Neither is good.

So, what's going to happen is, the Power, Keller, and myself are going to drive to Philly, the Power are going to figure some stuff out while we drink some beers, and then I'm gonna eat a cheesesteak and some crabfries while I enjoy some football and Soulmate cheerleaders.

LOOK AT THEM!

Elsewhere in the League

• Tampa at San Jose is mainly interesting to me because we're playing Tampa next week.  Both teams are looking strong right now, but being in different divisions, there's not a lot riding on this one.
• Chicago at Cleveland.  You know what?  This game is pretty important.  (Just bear with me for a second on this one.)  Playoff spots go to division leaders, then the next two best records.  Right now, Philly and Jacksonville are leading their respective divisions.  Tampa Bay is coming up on the Sharks hard.  That leaves a spot open.  NOLA, Cleveland, Orlando and Pittsburgh are all tied at 1-5.  If we can't get the wins honestly, I'll take our rivals losing.  So....Go Rush.
• NOLA at Iowa.  See above.  Go 'Stormers
• Utah at Arizona:  The Blaze is still at the bottom of a strong division and need every win.  I really don't know how to call this game.  Blaze is better than their record and the Ratts need to lose occasionally.   But I don't think they will this week.
• Sharks are on the road in San Antonio, and they will most likely rack up another win.
• Orlando at Spokane.  This will show whether or not the Preds beating us was a fluke or if Garcia is going to make them the real deal.