CAROLINA (July 14, 2000) - My god, what can you say about these New Jersey Red Dogs? They needed a win and a big one. In the Pre-Game Preview, we called for a thirty-point blow out. Well, we got it. The expansion Carolina Cobras, the 2-10 Carolina Cobras, the worst-record-in-the-AFL Carolina Cobras kicked the crap out of the New Jersey Red Dogs 77-47.
The Dogs played without Dimitrious Stanley (out for the season - knee) and Michael Lewis (signed with the Philadelphia Eagles) and showed absolutely nothing in the first half as they fell behind 38-0 to the Cobras. Tommy Maddox and the offense went three plays and out on the first two drives. Then on the next two drives Maddox lost a fumble and threw an INT. And that was just the first quarter! After 15 minutes, NJ trailed 17-0. Fast forward to the second quarter. Three and out again, another fumble and two missed FGs. End the half 38-0.
Open the second half with Maddox benched and Foggie in relief. Foggie fumbles in the end zone, Robert Stewart recovers, but in the end zone. Carolina gets the safety and goes up 40-0. After that, the teams traded TDs as New Jersey went for bombs and on-sides kicks on just about every play, while Carolina pulled it's starters.
Perhaps play-by-play announcer Joe Nolan put it best when he said during the broadcast, "we stink". And when you lose 77-47 to the team with the worst record in the league, it's hard to argue that we don't stink.
So where to the Dogs and the fans go from here? With a Buffalo win over Los Angeles tonight, NJ is officially eliminated for the post-season (as if they deserve to make the playoffs?).
Face it. This team has been in a free-fall since the day John Hufnagel went to the Cleveland Browns. And when the Dogs had a chance to promote Defensive Coordinator Frank Haege to Head Coach, they brought in Frank Mattiace instead. Mattiace was a coach who was 0-8 with Bergenfield High School. He coached a college in Jersey City. Do they play football in Jersey City? Mattiace should have turned down the job because he was over his head. He treated players and fans poorly. And as a result, he tore this team apart. So do they rebuild all over again? Will the fans stand for it? Or are the Red Dogs like the 1-15 NY Jets of 1996, a team with talent but no leadership? Is there a AFL version of Bill Parcells to save the day? Say isn't Frank Haege floating around in the AF2? He's got the Quad City Steamwheeler at 13-0. Maybe he would like a shot at Head Coach in the AFL.
Keep Kevin Guy on staff, but do whatever it takes to bring back Haege!!! And let him bring as many Quad City boys with him.
Unfortunately, the rest of the teams in NJ's division are all getting better. Albany is a top notch team. New England is on track with Mike Hohensee. Ray Bentley has Buffalo looking up. And that leaves New Jersey on the bottom looking up. The Dogs need an AFL experienced person running the football aspects of the team. Maybe Kevin Guy is that person. But what do you say after tonight?
Hey, things may not change soon, but just enjoy the ride while it lasts. There was a story out of Minneapolis saying the Dogs will move to the Twin Cities. While we ind that hard to believe, don't give the current or future owners a reason to leave. Don't stop going to the games or supporting Arena Football in New Jersey. Win or lose, the Arena game is still exciting entertainment. It's the only professional game in the NYC metro srea that you can still take a family to without having to take a second mortgage out to pay for tickets. Remember Arena Football when you're shelling out $50 a seat to wacth the Jets play the Saints in pre-season games which are no more than overblown practice sessions. This team may stink, but Arena Football in New Jersey doesn't. The Kennel Club still makes the games fun with great tailgate parties and cheering in the arena. And please join us all at Charlie Browns after the game, no matter what the outcome of next Saturday's game is, if for no other reason, than to give the 2000 New Jersey Red Dogs a proper burial.
-Scoop