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Dispatch

4/12/06

DESTROYERS

Offensive doldrums frustrate QB Kaleo

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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The commercial now seems ironic.
There’s Columbus Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo, football in hand, game face firmly in place, promising "Fast-forward Football" in a widely shown promotional spot.
In Kaleo, it seemed, Columbus finally had the franchise quarterback so vital to a successful Arena Football League team. Gone would be the revolving door at quarterback that doomed the Destroyers’ first two seasons in Columbus. With 12 years of experience, including a 2003 AFL championship with the Tampa Bay Storm, Kaleo was signed to be the rock-solid foundation upon which the team could be built.
So far, it hasn’t quite worked out. Someone has hit the pause button on fast-forward football. Through 11 games, the offense ranks last in touchdowns, total offense and yards per play. Kaleo’s 14 interceptions are the most in the AFL.
After a loss Sunday to the Orlando Predators in which Columbus scored only 36 points and Kaleo threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, he didn’t try to hide his emotions.
"It’s probably the most frustrated I’ve been in 13 years in this league," he said.
That feeling hadn’t abated yesterday. With the Destroyers (5-6) on the verge of finding themselves on the wrong side of the playoff bubble heading into a home game Friday against the New York Dragons, time is running out.
"It hasn’t been a smooth year, to say the least," Kaleo said. "It’s just been a frustrating year because I haven’t been able to show the fans, community and management what I’m capable of doing. I haven’t been able to play at the level I’m used to playing."
Kaleo pointed the blame at himself first. He has made decisions he said are uncharacteristic, such as throwing a deep ball up for grabs Sunday for one of the interceptions.
"That’s not (the real) me," he said. "That’s just sheer stupidity and frustration."
It hasn’t helped that the Destroyers haven’t settled on an offensive specialist. Six different players have been tried at that crucial spot. On Sunday, Darcey Lane got his chance, only to be knocked out of the game on the second possession.
"If you look at my track record over the years, I’ve always had a great relationship with the OS," Kaleo said. "I’ve always had a guy I’ve fed the ball to and that guy has put up tremendous numbers. I haven’t had that guy this year. That’s not to say that guy isn’t on the team. It’s just that due to injuries, due to inconsistent play or whatever, it just hasn’t happened this year."
As a result, Kaleo hasn’t been able to develop the chemistry with his receivers needed to make an offense flow. That’s essential for someone like Kaleo, whose success is based on timing and accuracy, not arm strength.
"I’m not a drop-back, wait, wait and then try to gun it in quarterback," Kaleo said. "Everything has to be almost kind of like a dance, like a ballet. It’s got to be choreographed 1, 2, 3, throw, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, throw. That’s been a problem this year because we haven’t been in unison."
Coach Doug Kay acknowledged that Kaleo’s season has been disappointing. But Kay said he hasn’t seriously contemplated benching him.
"A quarterback in our league is put in such a pressure situation because he’s expected to score every time," Kay said. "We say the rules dictate it, and they do in essence. He knows I expect it.
I always set the bar high for all players. I set the bar high for John simply because he’s proven he can play at that level. He’s good at what he does. He hasn’t played as good as he is yet.
"I think John’s the right man. But he’s got to prove it, too.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com