The Chicago Rush entered 2013 with desires to return to the postseason after missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2012. Amidst turmoil in the front office, being taken over by the League, and having to play eight home games in Rockford, Illinois the Rush overcame it all to win the central division and return to the postseason.
The Rush's 2013 campaign got off to a slow start when they dropped their first two games, both at home, by a combined score of 139-102. Things quickly turned in the right direction when Chicago reeled off four consecutive wins that were highlighted by a thrilling 64-63 overtime victory in Iowa. Entering week seven the Rush sat alone in first place with a 4-2 record and was riding a wave of momentum, but suddenly the tide calmed as they lost three in a row to fall to 4-5 and enter week ten in the middle of a three-team race for the central division. The inconsistency of the first half of the season fortunately vanished and turned into consistent playmaking from the defense and Carson Coffman establishing himself as an Arena Football quarterback, which allowed Chicago to win six of their nine games in the second half and finish with a ten-win season. During a 6-3 second half the Rush impressed with wins at Tampa Bay and Arizona in weeks fourteen and eighteen, and earned the franchise another central division crown via a greater point spread vs. common opponents than their San Antonio. The key reasons for the Rush's success came from Carson Coffman gaining a grip on the game, the emergence of Jared Jenkins, and of course having one of the most exciting players in the AFL, Reggie Gray as your "do it all" man. The defense also was sparked by Jorrick Calvin, Vic Hall, and Kelvin Morris who all made key plays night in and night out to earn game-changing stops.
Chicago's 10-8 record paired them with Spokane in a National Conference Semifinal matchup. Despite being a division champ the home-field issue forced the Rush on the road for the game. The hostile Spokane crowd was the least of Chicago's problems, as Jose Martinez was injured in the team's final walk through, as a result he did not play in the playoff game, and Coffman was unable to go because of a nagging shoulder injury. For 57 minutes it looked like the Rush might be able to overcome these obstacles and pull the upset, but Luke Drone's solid performance was marked up with a pair of pick-sixes by Ruschard Dodd-Masters that secured Spokane's spot in the conference championship and ended the Rush's season.
The Good from 2013:
- A 7-3 road record
- Pulling out two one-point victories on the road (Iowa in week six and Tampa Bay week 14)
- Fighting through all the ridiculous adversity to win the division and ten games
- Winning the Central Division
- Being the ONLY team to win in the Snake Pit this year (at Arizona) 63-42 in week 18
- Reggie Gray named as the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Year
- Reggie Gray as the lone All Arena selection
-Bob McMillen being named AFL Coach of the Year
PLAYER STATS
- Carson Coffman 283-467, 3583 TD, 17 Int; 56 rush yds, 9 TD (16 games)
- J.J. Payne 76 rush, 161 yds, 13 TD; 14 rec, 143 yds, 2 TD (17 games)
- Reggie Gray 140 rec, 1978 yds, 46 TD; 20 pass yds, 2 TD; 50 kick-ret, 1145 yds, 3 TD (18 games)
- Jared Jenkins 81 rec, 936 yds, 22 TD (15 games)
- Rodney Wright 48 rec, 552 yds, 15 Total TD (8 games)
- Taurus Johnson 16 rec, 229 yds, 5 TD (8 games)
- Vic Hall 90.5 tackles, FF, 8 Int (16 games)
- Jorrick Calvin 94.5 tackles, 0.5 sack, 5 Int, 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD, Kick-ret TD (15 games)
- Kelvin Morris 39.5 tackles, sack, 2 Int, 2 Fumb Rec, 2 Def TD (18 games)
- Tyus Jackson 17 tackles, 6.5 sacks, Fumb Rec, Blocked PAT (17 games)
- Jose Martinez 119-132 PAT, 2-12 FG (27) (18 games)TEAM STATS
- Fifth in scoring offense with 54.1 ppg
- Second in kick returns: 2207 yards, 8 TD (20.8 y/return)
- Fourth in first downs with 359- Allowed the 6th-fewest sacks with 22
- Least-penalized team (113 penalties, 37.9 ypg)
- Best 4th down conversions 65% (26/40)
The Bad from 2013:
- All the ownership issues, being kicked out of Allstate Arena, and having the League take over operations
- A "home" record of 3-5
- The ugly rumors that the Rush will not play in 2014, and can possibly be on the move to Portland
PLAYER STATS
- The fact that Rodney Wright was limited to just eight games because of injury
- Having to see Jorrick Calvin suffer two major injuries this season; never would wish that on any player
TEAM STATS
- 8th by allowing 52.6 ppg
- 10th in total offense with 270.6 ypg
- 12th in pass defense by allowing 271.1 ypg
- 11th in total defense by allowing 294.2 ypg
- Fourth-worst 3rd down conversions 39.1%
- 9th with 24 sacks
- Third-worst red zone defense, opponents scored on 77/92 possessions
Final Take:
The Rush overcame many obstacles this season en route to winning the central division and returning to the playoffs. Chicago may not have an Arena Football team for next season, but if that's the case this year's team at least left one final positive for the Chicago Rush that we knew. Reggie Gray had a season that earned him Second-Team All Arena Offense and will keep him among the AFL's elite. Carson Coffman made major strides and the defense jelled in the last part of the season. It will be interesting in the coming weeks to see what is to become of the franchise, but to finish on a positive the Rush's 2013 season was a perfect demonstration of how to beat tough times and find success.
2013 Finish: 10-9 (2-2 in Central), Central Division Champs, Lost in Conference Semifinals
For more on the Chicago Rush:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/teams/aflrush/
http://www.arenarush.com/home/
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-arena-football-season-kickoff.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-afl-season-frist-quarter-anaylsis.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-afl-midway-report-central.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/07/afl-turning-into-home-stretch-central.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-semifinals-recap.html
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/stats/2013/CONFSTAT.HTM
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