AFL: Comradery Inside The Huddle
I have been on many championship teams where we have been faced with having to be a ?target.? During my time on those teams though, sometimes, people had huge egos and the team wasn?t able to defend the title, because people became individuals. In football, the Quarterback and Wide Receiver are probably the two biggest roles. 2006 is the year of defense and being the team to knock-off, for the Colorado Crush. The difference between the past teams I?ve been on and the Crush is that the Crush are a TRUE UNIT. Recently I sat down with Crush members John ?JD? Dutton and Andy ?DayDay? McCullough to go inside the huddle to find out how the team is handling 2006 and also a little about each of their careers.
Before they where champions in 2005, they were one play away from making it to the Arena Bowl in 2004. ?That was our 1st year together, coaching staff, team, etc. We looked at each and said ?We were one play away.? Everyone went home and got to work and knew that we could make that one play if we worked hard,? said Dutton about the conversation in the locker room.
Comradery is something that is very important, but takes on a new meaning when you are the defending champions, ?We are a balanced team all the way around. Comradery separates us from other teams, off the field, which stems from Coach Dailey. We are never out of a game because coach stresses being a unit. We are a team not individuals,? said Dutton. ?Everyone is so humble here. Throughout my career I?ve never been on a team like this. We are the world champs, but everyone has a low key swagger,? said McCullough when asked how the team bounced back at Philadelphia after falling in Nashville.
Coming into this season, the Crush have to deal with a different goal and reality which also causes different attitudes and a different overall approach, ?It?s one of those weird feelings. When I won in 2002, I didn?t have a chance to repeat because I came here to Colorado. I talked to John Elway and he said ?We were a better team when we repeated.? On our team here, noone panics if we get into a tough position,? said Dutton. Dutton went on to comment about the toughest part of defending the championship, ?Learning that we are on top and other teams are hungrier and we have to top that because if we don?t we won?t win. We have to forget about last year.? Dutton?s feelings were echoed by McCullough, ?Everyone comes with their A-Game, and they all want what we have.?
Another part of being able to sustain the level of play and overall team success that the Crush have this season, is recognizing specifics jobs, ?Damian is the best player in the league and the most unselfish player. He loves it when other guys make plays. If he is unselfish the other guys better be unselfish as well. Everyone knows what their role is on the team, and the guys know that if there is a big play that needs to be made that Damian will get the ball. We just want to win as a team,? said Dutton about how they are able to spread the ball around. ?My speed is a big part. I also have to be consistent, I strive off making big plays,? said McCullough about what he needs to do to help the team.
If the Crush continue on this path, and continue getting this type of leadership from Dutton and McCullough as well as Harrell, then they will be in great shape come playoff time. Below are the portions of the interviews done with Duton and McCullough that deal with their careers.
JOHN ?JD? DUTTON
Q: You?ve been described as someone who loves the pressure of your position in the AFL. Talk about that?
A: In this game in the AFL, it is setup around the QB. There is no really big running game. Everything is on the QB?s shoulder?s. As I?ve gotten more comfortable I?d rather have the ball in my hands. I want the ball at the end of the game to make that key read and throw.
Q: Marketing in a league the AFL is very important. Describe your feelings on being the cover person for the first ever AFL video game?
A: It was a big honor. There are so many great athletes on our team and in this league. Being the QB of a championship team helped. But I like it because it helps me in being a role model for kids and in promoting the league. EA and the AFL did a great job with the game.
Q: 2002, was your first real shot to lead after Grieb went down. Did you feel you could do what was needed to ultimately get the result that was achieved?
A: The season prior I started around nine games. The coaches helped me and got me prepared. I had confidence in my team and they had it in me. It was great to be able to win that 1st championship for the Storm.
Q: How often is John Elway at practices? And what advice does he give to the teams?
A: John is there everyday, and he allows coach do his thing. John does the business end of things but he does also watch film but that is the existent of his involvement on the actual football side.
Q: Advice for someone who may read this that wants to be an AFL Quarterback?
A: You have to be patient. Everyone is shooting for the NFL. Never sell yourself short, the AFL is a really league and give every opportunity a shot.
ANDY ?DayDay? McCULLOUGH
Q: Discuss the influence Peyton Manning had on you and impact of having him for a college quarterback?
A: He was a hard worker and would be at the facility until almost midnight every day doing the extra studying. The main thing I learned from him was to never settle and to always stay at the top of your game.
Q: You wore ?18" in Frankfurt and now you have ?81". Any significance to that?
A: I try to pattern my game after Terrell Owens. When I came here, the number was open so I took it.
Q: 2002 and 2003 were a great seasons in Dallas for you. Talk about your time with that franchise?
A: I had the opportunity to play with a great QB in Andy Kelly. It was an awesome time, being my first year in Arena Football. Then I tested Free Agency and went to Georgia, which was a business decision. After that I went to Indiana and ended up here in Colorado during the Dispersal Draft, which a lot of people don?t know that the Dispersal Draft took place.
Q:When did you find out that Firebirds were folding? Describe was your initial thoughts about the future of your career?
A: I was down, because I was close to home. The fan base in Indiana was awesome. As a player you may be a top player or marked man for that team. Anytime you go into a new team, you don?t know if you?ll fit in.
Q: What would you consider your biggest individual accomplishment in the AFL?
A: Making All-Rookie Team.
Rapid Fire Word Association
Dutton
Tim Marcum: Legend
Michael Bishop: Athlete
Clay Rush: Long Legs
Andy McCullough: Fast Runner
McCullough
Hunkie Cooper: One of the best Receiver and LB ever
Kevin Ingram: Ironman
Damian Harrell: Electrified
John Dutton: Competitor
Andy McCullough: Playmaker
Official Site: Colorado Crush
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