There’s no time for a shakedown for the revamped Rush offense.
Ready or not, the six new starters face a significant test Monday night when they open their Arena Football League season against defending champion San Jose at Allstate Arena.
But coach Mike Hohensee doesn’t sound too worried.
“We started off poorly in training camp and ended up great,” Hohensee said. “We were going against the [league’s] No. 1 defense from last year and [the new players] made us better, made us compete.”
After winning Arena Bowl XX in 2006, the Rush went a franchise-best 13-5 and reached last year’s conference championship game before falling 61-49 to the SaberCats.
But that offensive unit broke up as veteran fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen retired after 13 seasons and game-breaking wide receiver Bobby Sippio signed with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Matt D’Orazio, who helped lead the Rush to the 2006 crown, was released after a back injury.
The Rush picked up free-agent quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, who played 14 seasons at Arizona and was named one of the league’s 20 greatest players in 2006.
In place of Sippio, the team landed Colorado free agent Damian Harrell, who won back-to-back AFL offensive player of the year honors in 2005 and ’06. Harrell enters 2008 on track to become the AFL’s all-time receiver. He’s second in touchdown catches (295), third in yards (11,881) and fourth in receptions (893).
There are few worries, however, about the Rush defense.
The league’s top unit last season gave up the fewest points (44.9 per game) and was second in total defense and pass defense.
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At that age, Sherdrick Bonner is the oldest active AFL player. But he says he’s in terrific condition and he has adjusted to his new teammates. “It’s going to take a little time for us to see the same things on every play, but each week we’re going to get better and better,” Bonner said.
Familiar faces
Free-agent fullback Matt Kinsinger spent five of the last six seasons with San Jose, winning three championships. Fullback/linebackers coach Bob McMillen, named one of the AFL’s 20 greatest players, played for San Jose before joining the Rush.
NFL notables
Rush: Chicago’s AFL alumni include wide receiver Antonio Chatman (the ex-Packer re-signed last month with the Bengals), defensive end Khreem Smith (cut last month by the Chiefs) and receiver Bobby Sippio (Chiefs).
SaberCats: Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis played receiver and cornerback for San Jose for four seasons. He led the 2004 AFL champions with 1,785 all-purpose yards.
Commercial break
Rush co-owner Mike Ditka, coach Mike Hohensee and several players, including newcomers Sherdrick Bonner and Damian Harrell, will be featured in three TV spots for Discover Card, which will air during Monday’s game against San Jose and throughout the AFL season, according to Sports Business Daily. In one ad, a fan wearing a Discover Card shirt poses as a trainer and makes a mess of Harrell’s ankle tape.
Secondary to none
The secondary features second-team All-Arena defensive back Jeremy Unertl, along with Jonathan Ordway, Dennison Robinson and James Sadler. The group combined for 16 interceptions last season.
— Tribune, chicagobears.com, ap, Cincinnati Enquirer
