Rush to rely on veteran QB Bonner

Two years ago, the conventional wisdom was that highly touted free agent Michael Bishop would be the Chicago Rush's starting quarterback.

Instead, quarterback Matt D'Orazio outperformed Bishop in training camp and ended up leading the Rush to its first ArenaBowl title.

The same scenario almost played out the same way in this year's training camp.

In the off-season, the Rush signed 14-year veteran Sherdrick Bonner, who had played his entire career with the Arizona Rattlers.

Bonner, voted one of the AFL's 20 Greatest Players, struggled initially adjusting to a new team. While this was going on, Russ Michna, a 1999 Conant graduate, was impressing the heck out of coach Mike Hohensee.

"Russ probably had as good a training camp as anybody we've ever had," Hohensee said. "I was getting ready to lean (his) way. That's how close he is. If he wants to stay, I expect him to be our quarterback of the future."

In the present, Hohensee decided it's still Bonner's time. Bonner will be behind center when the Rush opens its season at 8 p.m. today against defending champion San Jose at Allstate Arena.

The turning point for Bonner, who at 39 is the league's oldest player, came in the Rush's Feb. 12 scrimmage against Columbus.

"I didn't think he was having a very good camp, but I liked the way he kept fighting," Hohensee said. "He had a poor first series in the scrimmage, but then he led us down for a key touchdown in the second half. From there, he got nothing but better. He showed what kind of leader he is, and that he still has that competitive edge."

Bonner said it took him longer than he expected to start to feel comfortable with the offense.

"The terminology I used for 14 years was almost completely reversed," he said. "Things that were second nature for me (in Arizona) took a little more time to figure out. I kept working through it and it finally came together. To make a play call and know it immediately is a pretty awesome feeling."

Although Bonner's place in league history is secure, he is approaching this season with the same hunger as a young player.

"I've really been preparing because I want to be great for this team," he said. "I'm excited to be given this opportunity and I don't want to leave anything in the bag."

Bonner and Michna are both signed through the 2009 season.

Michna's stock really began to rise when he replaced an injured D'Orazio in last year's playoff game at San Jose. The Western Illinois graduate completed 22 of 30 passes for 247 yards. He threw 5 touchdowns against 1 interception.

Michna said he is much more comfortable in his second AFL season.

"Like anything, it's a growing process," he said. "The more snaps you take, the easier it gets."

Although almost all of the Rush's personnel turnover in the off-season was on offense, it will be the defense that carries the team, at least in the early going. While just two starters return on offense, the defense welcomes back nine starters.

Last season's defense, led by lineman John Moyer, linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo and defensive backs Jeremy Unertl and Dennison Robinson, was perhaps the best in franchise history.

"It's kind of instinctive for the defense; we know what the other guys are going to do," Moyer said. "I hope the offense realizes we don't mind taking a lot of the burden on our shoulders. We accept that challenge."

Moyer said the offense looks completely different than it did early in camp.

"There were fumbled snaps and receivers were tripping over each other," he said. "They've come 180 degrees."

The transition on offense began when offensive specialist extraordinaire Bobby Sippio signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Then, concerned about D'Orazio's rehabilitation with his back injury, the Rush signed Bonner and offensive specialist Damian Harrell. After Sippio, Harrell is regarded as the league's best offensive specialist.

Dan Alexander will fill the void at fullback left by Bob McMillen's retirement. Alexander set an AFL record last year in Nashville as he rushed for 41 touchdowns.

The two returning starters are linemen John Sikora and Robert Boss.

"I was nervous because besides Boss there were no familiar faces in the first day of camp," Sikora said. "Going against our defense all through training camp has made us a lot better."

Today will be the first opportunity for the new-look offense to test itself in a real game.

And kickoff can't come soon enough for Harrell.

"It's going to be a fun season," he said. "I haven't felt this excited since maybe my first game in college at Florida State."