Arena League: 2008 Chicago Rush Preview

Here is the first in my series of team by team previews for the Arena Football League. First up is the Chicago Rush (Central Division, 2007 record 12-4, lost in conference finals to San Jose).

Key Additions: QB Sherdrick Bonner (2007 team Arizona), WR Damian Harrell (Colorado), FB/LB Dan Alexander (Nashville), OL/DL Vince Amey (Arizona), WR/DB Ryan Dennard (Utah)

Key Losses: QB Matt D'Orazio (2008 team Philadelphia), WR Bobby Sippio (NFL Kansas City), FB/LB Bob McMillen (Retired, Coach with Rush), DL E.J. Burt (Utah)   

The Chicago Rush look to return to the ArenaBowl for the second time in three years with a new quarterback and wide receiver combo of Sherdrick Bonner and Damian Harrell. Bonner is a veteran QB who is no stranger to playing in the ArenaBowl, leading the Arizona Rattlers to Championships in 1994 and 1997. He is only one of three QBs to throw for over 800 touchdowns in AFL history (Clint Dolezel and Andy Kelly are the other two).

WR Damian Harrell takes over as the number one WR for the Rush, replacing Bobby Sippio, who left for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. Harrell was the favorite target for Colorado's John Dutton while he was with the Crush. He was named the 2005 Offensive Player of the Year.

FB/LB Dan Alexander steps in to replace FB Bob McMillen as the Rush's fullback. Alexander lead the AFL in rushing last year with a league-leading 426 yards, shattering the AFL record with 41 rushing touchdowns.

The Rush do return a lot of key players from last year's team including OL/DL John Moyer, DB Jeremy Unertl, WR/DB DeJuan Alfonso, WR Rob Mager, K Dan Frantz, and OL/DL John Sikora.

Head Coach Mike Hohensee has lead the Chicago Rush to the playoffs in each of his seven years there, leading them to the 2006 ArenaBowl Championship.

With the additions the Rush have made this offseason, I wouldn't be surprised to see them back in the ArenaBowl this year.

Next up in team previews will be the Colorado Crush on Friday.

Dates of all the upcoming team previews for the 2008 Arena Football Season:

Today-Chicago Rush

Jan.25-Colorado Crush

Jan.28-Grand Rapids Rampage

Jan.30-Kansas City Brigade

Feb. 4-Arizona Rattlers

Feb. 5-Los Angeles Avengers

Feb. 6-San Jose Sabercats

Feb. 7-Utah Blaze

Feb.11-Cleveland Gladiators

Feb.12-Columbus Destroyers

Feb.13-Dallas Desperados

Feb.14-New York Dragons

Feb.15-Philadelphia Soul

Feb.18-Georgia Force

Feb.19-New Orleans VooDoo

Feb.20-Orlando Predators

Feb.21-Tampa Bay Storm