Post by Gene on Jun 26, 2010 15:46:35 GMT -5
6/26/10
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=230680
What quarterback controversy?
Reading Express interim coach Chris Thompson said he made it clear to Rob Flowers and his teammates who would lead the Express into tonight's regular season finale against the undefeated Baltimore Mariners.
"Rob's our guy," Thompson said. "He's the reigning MVP; he took us to a national championship last year. I wanted to clear things up to make sure that he understood that he's still our leader; he's our captain. We go as far as he wants to take us."
The quarterback situation became a bit muddled when Thomspon pulled a struggling Flowers in the Express' last home game, with backup Dan Kelly rallying the Express to a 49-48 win over Fayetteville's to keep Reading's playoff hopes alive.
"I wasn't too happy about it," Flowers said. "I'm a competitor. I always want to contribute."
Flowers' only contribution on the game-winning drive was as the holder when Erik Rockhold kicked the winning extra point with less than a second left.
"We won so there's nothing I can complain about," Flowers said. "I'm the ultimate team guy."
Still, Thompson knew he needed to explain to Flowers, who led the Express to last year's American Indoor Football Association title, why the move was made. After all, Thompson was a QB at Manheim Central and Bloomsburg University before being a backup for the Express.
"Rob wasn't too happy, and I know that," Thompson said. "I've been there. It's all part of the game."
So Flowers is expected to start at 7 tonight when the Express (8-5) faces the Mariners (13-0) at 1st Mariner Arena with its season on the line. A win and the Express earns the third and final playoff spot in the East Division. A loss and Reading will miss the playoffs for the first time in its five-year history.
Part of the reason Reading is in a do-or-die situation is Flowers' inconsistency, especially early in the season. Flowers is the first to admit his efficiency doesn't match the high standards he set last year while winning the AIFA MVP Award.
Through 13 games, Flowers is completing 57.3 percent of his passes with 52 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Last year in 17 games, Flowers was intercepted just 15 times while throwing for 86 TDs and completing 60.2 percent of his passes.
Kelly, who has thrown just 37 passes compared with 398 attempts by Flowers, has completed 56.8 percent of his passes for six touchdowns with no interceptions.
"Anyone can see that my numbers are down this year," Flowers said. "Last year was just such a great year."
The Express has struggled this year trying to build an offensive line and replace fullback Jason Henley, who has missed most of the season with an injury. Thompson said some of that has affected Flowers.
What it hasn't affected is the decision Flowers, 28, made in the winter that this would be his last season. He said he wants to spend more time with this 6-year-old daughter, Jabrea; concentrate more on his coaching position at Reading High; and finish grad school.
But Flowers said he doesn't plan on retiring after tonight's game.
"I don't feel like this is going to be my last game," Flowers said. "I think we can beat Baltimore."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=230680
What quarterback controversy?
Reading Express interim coach Chris Thompson said he made it clear to Rob Flowers and his teammates who would lead the Express into tonight's regular season finale against the undefeated Baltimore Mariners.
"Rob's our guy," Thompson said. "He's the reigning MVP; he took us to a national championship last year. I wanted to clear things up to make sure that he understood that he's still our leader; he's our captain. We go as far as he wants to take us."
The quarterback situation became a bit muddled when Thomspon pulled a struggling Flowers in the Express' last home game, with backup Dan Kelly rallying the Express to a 49-48 win over Fayetteville's to keep Reading's playoff hopes alive.
"I wasn't too happy about it," Flowers said. "I'm a competitor. I always want to contribute."
Flowers' only contribution on the game-winning drive was as the holder when Erik Rockhold kicked the winning extra point with less than a second left.
"We won so there's nothing I can complain about," Flowers said. "I'm the ultimate team guy."
Still, Thompson knew he needed to explain to Flowers, who led the Express to last year's American Indoor Football Association title, why the move was made. After all, Thompson was a QB at Manheim Central and Bloomsburg University before being a backup for the Express.
"Rob wasn't too happy, and I know that," Thompson said. "I've been there. It's all part of the game."
So Flowers is expected to start at 7 tonight when the Express (8-5) faces the Mariners (13-0) at 1st Mariner Arena with its season on the line. A win and the Express earns the third and final playoff spot in the East Division. A loss and Reading will miss the playoffs for the first time in its five-year history.
Part of the reason Reading is in a do-or-die situation is Flowers' inconsistency, especially early in the season. Flowers is the first to admit his efficiency doesn't match the high standards he set last year while winning the AIFA MVP Award.
Through 13 games, Flowers is completing 57.3 percent of his passes with 52 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Last year in 17 games, Flowers was intercepted just 15 times while throwing for 86 TDs and completing 60.2 percent of his passes.
Kelly, who has thrown just 37 passes compared with 398 attempts by Flowers, has completed 56.8 percent of his passes for six touchdowns with no interceptions.
"Anyone can see that my numbers are down this year," Flowers said. "Last year was just such a great year."
The Express has struggled this year trying to build an offensive line and replace fullback Jason Henley, who has missed most of the season with an injury. Thompson said some of that has affected Flowers.
What it hasn't affected is the decision Flowers, 28, made in the winter that this would be his last season. He said he wants to spend more time with this 6-year-old daughter, Jabrea; concentrate more on his coaching position at Reading High; and finish grad school.
But Flowers said he doesn't plan on retiring after tonight's game.
"I don't feel like this is going to be my last game," Flowers said. "I think we can beat Baltimore."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.