Pittsburgh Power at Arizona Rattlers Preview

It's time to start over for the Pittsburgh Power.  While they can't erase their 2-8 start to the season, they did make a change at head coach.  Chris Siegfried is gone and will be replaced by interim head coach Derek Stingley.   Stingley is a former AFL standout and does have some head coaching experience in the league, having gone 2-12 last year for the New Orleans VooDoo.

The Power have also brought in Mike Tomczak to be the new offensive coordinator.   The move is a curious one, as Tomczak has zero experience with the indoor game.  The thought behind the move is that Tomczak, as a former pro quarterback, will help develop the Power quarterbacks.  It is a quarterback driven league after all.

I'm not sure the Power could have drawn a harder test for this new configuration of coaches than having to go and face the 8-3 Arizona Rattlers on the road.   The Rattlers boast the top scoring offense in the league at 67.1 PPG

Arizona features reigning league MVP Nick Davila who is having another fantastic season.  He's currently third in the league with 3323 yards, 3rd in completion percentage (68.1%), 2nd in touchdowns (77), and 1st in QB rating (127.0).  He's also thrown just 10 interceptions through 11 games, which is very good by arena standards.

The Rattlers also have standout receiver Maurice Purify, the reigning Aaron's Rookie of the Year and a 2011 second team all arena WR.  The 6'3" Nebraska product is 2nd in the league in yards (1411) and 2nd in receiving TD's (38).  He's been nearly impossible to cover in his two AFL seasons.

Keep an eye on Rattlers WR Kerry Reed as well. He's also got great size (6'2") and ability as well as a big school pedigree from Michigan State.  He's got 53 receptions for 823 yards and 19 TD's this year for the Rattlers.

Arizona fullback Odie Armstrong currently ranks 2nd in rushing yards (162) and 3rd in rushing TD's (11).  At 5'11" 260 pounds he's not the usual giant fullback that most teams choose to employ.  He has elusive running ability and can make you pay if you don't focus on containing him.  

Pittsburgh has announced that Bryan Randall will take the reigns as quarterback again this week, despite being benched in the loss to Kansas City two weeks ago.  Randall is quietly putting up some very good stats for the Power.  In his four games as a starter, Randall is 96 for 139 (69.1%) for 1083 yards, 20 TD's and 4 interceptions.  His biggest problem has been fumbles.  If he can learn to control the ball better while scrambling he has the ability to become a big time AFL quarterback.

The Power love to spread the ball around to their talented receivers.   P.J. Berry, the reigning JLS Ironman of the Year, is once again leading the league in all-purpose yardage. He has 1269 yards in returns and 2 TD's, to go with 741 yards receiving and 9 TD's.  

Mike "The Joystick" Washington has 64 receptions for 862 yards and 20 TD's (12th in the AFL) and Oderick Turner has been strong since returning from injury a few weeks ago.  He has 309 yards receiving and 4 TD's in just a few games of action this year.

The Power also signed A.J. Jackson this week, a 6'4" receiver out of California (Pa.) University.  If activated, he could bring a whole new dimension to the Power offense.  He's got great playmaking ability but the knock on him in the past has been his focus.

Defensively the Rattlers might give up big chunks of passing yardage, but they are also good at forcing turnovers.  The Rattlers have recorded 14 interceptions this year.  Randall will need to stay very aware of where Arkeith Brown (5 INT), Marquis Floyd (3 INT), and Virgil Gray (2 INT) are.  The Rattlers also force a lot of fumbles, which is bad news for the fumble-prone Power.

Pittsburgh's only chance of winning this game is to rely on their passing defense,which is tops in the league.  If the Power can somehow hold the Rattlers in check and minimize their own mistakes, we might have a game on our hands.  Prior history tells us otherwise.

Too much is going against Pittsburgh in this one for me to have much faith in them pulling out a victory.  I think Arizona has a huge edge at quarterback, they have the homefield advantage, and they also have more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.  It's one thing to have the top yardage defense in the league, it's another to have the better defense at forcing turnovers.

Don't expect a miracle....

THE VOICE SAYS....Arizona 65, Pittsburgh 48

Remember When? The Pittsburgh Gladiators

A lot of fans around here who root for the Pittsburgh Power may not realize that this is actually the second time Pittsburgh has played in the AFL.  Our city was directly involved in the inaugural season of the Arena Football league all the way back in 1987.

The Pittsburgh Gladiators were one of the original four franchises of the AFL, along with the Washington Commandos, Denver Dynamite, and the Chicago Bruisers.



The Gladiators were coached by Joe Haering, a local football standout who was elected to the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall Of Fame in 2010.   Haering currently serves as the linebackers coach at SMU.

Haering was a tough as nails, old school coach who would get on you even when you were winning.  In a 1989 game in Sacramento, as part of the "Travelling Circus" promotion to show the game to new fans,  Chicago Bruiser quarterback Ben Bennett was ejected from the game for starting a brawl, but AFL commissioner Jim Foster overruled the decision.  Haering proceeded to punch out the commissioner and earn himself a suspension.

The Pittsburgh Gladiators practicing at Robinson Township Community Park

Pittsburgh began that 1987 season 4-0, before losing their final two regular season games.  They still finished as one of the top two teams and earned the right to play the Denver Dynamite in Arena Bowl I.  The game was held in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena but the Gladiators lost 45-16 to become a footnote in Arena Bowl history.

The Gladiators featured league MVP Russell Hairston, who played wide receiver and linebacker.  Hairston finished the season with 67 receptions for 1126 yards and 18 TD's.  He also had four interceptions for 50 yards and a TD.  In addition to league MVP, he was named first team all arena.

Pittsburgh Gladiator Uniforms

Offensive/defensive lineman Craig Walls was also a first team all arena player by virtue of his league leading 13 sacks in that 1987 season and WR/DB Mike Stoops was named second team all-arena.  Current Iowa Barnstormers head coach Mike Hohensee was the starting quarterback for the Gladiators.

1988 saw the team finish with a 6-6 regular season record and once again qualify for the playoffs.  This time the team lost in the first round to eventual champion, the Detroit Drive, by the score of 34-25.

Quarterback Mike Hohensee led the league in completion percentage (58.6%) and QB rating (104) and threw 32 touchdowns versus only 3 interceptions.    Lineman Craig Walls was once again named first team all-arena after recording a league leading 12 sacks.  He would later go on to become one of the members of the AFL Hall of Fame in 1998.  Julius Dawkins, out of the University of Pittsburgh, led the team in receiving with 61 receptions for 927 yards and 21 TD's.  

1989 saw the AFL play a shorter schedule.  The Gladiators finished the regular season 3-1 and beat the Denver Dynamite 39-37 in the first round of the playoffs to advance to face the Detroit Drive in Arena Bowl III.  Pittsburgh once again fell short in their quest for a championship, falling 39-26.  

Standouts in that '89 season included a few first team all-arena players in quarterback Willie Totten and wide receiver Alvin Williams.  

1990 would be the franchise's final season in Pittsburgh.  The team did not have as much success on the field that year, finishing 3-5, but still made the playoffs, making them 4 for 4 in that category during their time in the Steel City.  They would lose 61-30 to the eventual champion Detroit Drive. WR/DB Thomas Monroe was named Ironman of the Year and first team all-arena.  WR/DB Julius Dawkins and OL/DL Keith Browner would earn second team all-arena nods.

The franchise relocated to Tampa Bay for the 1991 season and would go on to win four of the next six Arena Bowls and five titles overall.  They remain active today.

Gone, but not completely forgotten.

Special thanks to former Gladiators equipment manager Chuck Botta and ArenaFan.com for stats and stories.  

Power sign wide receiver A.J. Jackson

The Power have a new wide receiver in the mix for playing time.  A.J. Jackson, from California (Pa) University has been assigned to the team and could contribute quickly to the team.

Jackson set school records in 2009 with 101 receptions for 1424 yards and 18 TD's.  He totaled 2130 yards and 28 TD's in his two season with the Vulcans.

His size (6'4" 236 pounds) makes him very tough to cover, and he has enough speed to make defenders pay if they make a mistake in coverage.  Jackson is also skilled at making yards after the catch.

He was named to the 2009 AP Little All-America (Division II, III & NAIA) second team.

Take a glance at his highlight video below.  He makes some incredible catches and shows great footwork along the sidelines.   He should be a fun player to watch if he is given a chance to play.

"Superfans" of the Pittsburgh Power

One of the coolest parts of the arena football game is how close the fans can sit to the action.  You can sit so close to the field you feel like you are part of the action.

Some Pittsburgh Power fans have taken on personas to become larger than life "Superfans" who only add to the excitement and thrills of a Pittsburgh Power game.

If you've been to a Power game at Consol Energy Center, you're bound to have seen one or more of these people cheering or dancing in support of the Black and Gold.  

I wanted to take a few moments to thank them for their efforts in making the Consol Energy Center a true party atmosphere.

The Pittsburgh Power Green Man

The Pittsburgh Power Green Man was probably the first "Superfan" I noticed last year, mostly because it's hard not to stand out wearing a bright green bodysuit.  This faceless wonder moves around the arena and loves dancing up a storm in between breaks in the action.   

You might be confused because there do seem to be more than one of these guys at the arena.  It's like they say, Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  

According to his Facebook page, He loves taunting, flailing and pterodactyl noises, making the other team feel shame, and making any players on that team wish they had never been born.

The Pittsburgh Power American Man

Another supersuit wearing fan of the Power is The Pittsburgh Power American Man.  

He seems to be cut from the same mold as the Green Man, although his suit has more of a patriotic flair to it.    In addition to the red and white striped suit, he dons an American flag cape, boxer shorts, and usually has a bright flamboyant pair of shoes on to finish the outfit.  

Green Man and American Man often seem to hang out around each other.  Perhaps they are friends outside of the Power games as well.

Pittsburgh Steelman

The Pittsburgh Steelman fills the role of superhero at the Power games.  His shiny, metallic costume can be seen from anywhere in the arena.  The costume itself is based on the actual uniforms used in Pittsburgh's steel making past.

He was named "Pittsburgh's Official Superhero" at the City of Pittsburgh Comic Book Convention.

He captures the essence of this glorious Steel town, and is a proud fan of the game.  

He also looks out for others at the game.  For example, he caught two footballs at the game, which you are allowed to keep by rule, but gave the footballs to kids sitting near him instead.  

The Pittsburgh Power Brothers

A longtime staple at Power games are The Pittsburgh Power Brothers.  This pair has had front row seats in the end zone for many of the Power's games in 2011 and 2012.  

It does seem like one of the brothers looks vastly different from last year.  A new member perhaps, but the fact remains these guys are true diehards.  

They made it to the finals of the costume contest for "Superhero" night.

Pittsburgh Pony

One Power fan dons a horse mask and personalized jersey to become The Pittsburgh Pony.  PA announcer Bubba Snider often calls him "Horsehead" instead, leading the Pony to point to the name on the back of his jersey clearly marked "Pittsburgh Pony."

He can usually be seen in the end zone ready to receive a football on kickoffs.  He is also a staple of the dance for your dinner contests.  

He occasionally wears a Mike Wallace jersey, playing off the "One Trick Pony" theme.

Pittsburgh Power Ref Guy

Anytime the referee challenge is called at the Consol Energy Center, you can expect to hear a lone voice in the crowd began to chant "Ref Ref Ref!"

This is when the Pittsburgh Power Ref Guy shines.  He'll keep the chant going strong during the review of the play.  The passion and dedication this fan brings to the game would make his idol Ed Hochuli proud.  

The addition of an actual ref costume only adds to the character.  

Who is your favorite?

So which of these "Superfans" is your favorite?  Who best represents the Pittsburgh Power?  Cast your vote in the poll to the upper right.

Pittsburgh Power head coach Chris Siegfried fired.

The Pittsburgh Power announced today that head coach Chris Siegfried was relieved of his duties.  The team currently has a record of 2-8 after falling at home on Saturday to the previously winless Kansas City Command.

Anyone familiar with the Power had to see this coming.  The team is dead last in turnover margin in the league and constantly found ways to lose games.  Constant turnover at the key quarterback position prevented the team from finding any continuity, and Siegfried was also responsible for the offensive playcalling for a team that has struggled for two seasons to score with any consistency.

Siegfried told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Pittsburgh was his dream job and expressed disappointment that he was unable to get things turned around.  

Former Power head coach Chris Siegfried.
Photo Credit: John Buffone

The Power will go with defensive coordinator Derek Stingley as their interim head coach.  Stingley took on more of the coaching duties during Saturday's loss to the Command due to Siegfried's bout with food poisoning.  Stingley was the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo last season, compiling a 2-12 record.  He has over 20 years of AFL experience as a player and coach.  Former Steeler quarterback Mike Tomczak will join the team as offensive coordinator.  

The team never seemed to recover from the opening night labor dispute that saw the team fire their players at a pregame meal and roll with a mix of players crossing the picket line and replacement players in a 40-28 win over Orlando.  Kyle Rowley and Taylor Rowan never rejoined the team and the lack of a consistent quarterback and kicker have clearly cost the team a few victories this year.  

Pittsburgh is currently on their bye week, so Stingley's first game as head coach of the Power will be against the Arizona Rattlers on June 2nd in Arizona.