Dantzler still clinging to QB dream
Former Clemson star in the Arena Bowl with Chicago, but not under center
By MICHAEL PRESTON
Special To The State
LAS VEGAS, NEV. — Woody Dantzler has not quite given up his dream of being a professional quarterback.
A record-setting passer at Clemson who became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, Dantzler first hopes to win an Arena Bowl XX ring with the Chicago Rush on Sunday. Then the former Orangeburg-Wilkinson High star will pressure Rush coach Mike Hohensee to let him take some snaps under center.
Dantzler was converted into either a safety or wide receiver during four seasons with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe and now Chicago of the Arena League. But he is itching to pass the ball again.
“I would love to be a quarterback in this league,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game against the Orlando Predators in Las Vegas (NBC, 3 p.m.). “It would be perfect for me. There are fewer players on the field, there’s less reads and it’s engineered for quarterbacks and for offenses. That’s why there’s so many points put on the board. It’s all out fun.
“I’m always in (coach Hohensse’s) ear and he plays back and forth with me saying I can or I can’t do what it takes to be a quarterback in this league. If there comes an opportunity to do that then I’m going to grab it. Right now I’m just a team guy and if I’ve got to run down on kickoff for the team then that’s what I’ll do.”
Dantzler is equally as passionate convincing doubters that he can successfully transition to receiver or safety.
He added: “I’m blessed with athletic ability and I just ignore people when they say I played quarterback, so it’s going to be a tough transition to being a wide receiver or a defensive back. I don’t agree with that. I dislike when people tell me I can’t do something.”
Dantzler’s contribution to Chicago’s unlikely run to the championship game on the back of a 7-9 regular season has been conservative rather than spectacular. Activated from the practice squad April 9, he caught 26 passes for 333 yards and five touchdowns from the league’s third-rated quarterback Matt D’Orazio, whose job he covets. He is eager to step into the spotlight against the Predators.
“Coming from a quarterback’s background I want to be the guy who makes that play and I want to have that ball in my hands,” he said. “Not being a quarterback anymore, I might not get that many chances to show what I can do. Every chance I have to make a play I have to be ready because that could be the play that decides the game.”
In Dantzler’s eyes, that decisive play could come on offense, where he lines up at receiver, defense, where he operates as a corner, or on special teams.
“It’s going to be won on all three phases,” he explained. “Whoever gets the edge and makes the fewest mistakes is going to win. Both teams have great athletes and are very competitive.”
Despite celebrating 20 years on the sporting landscape, Arena Football is still fighting against its detractors who are unconvinced that an eight-man game played on a 50-yard field is proper football.
Dantzler is a newcomer to the game, with last season being his rookie year. Yet he balks at those who cast doubts on the merits of the indoor war and lauds its fans.
“The biggest difference is that there are less men on the field and it’s a smaller field,” he said. “Other than that it’s just football. There are some rules that you have play both ways, but its really just football.
“It’s really fan-orientated and you appreciate their enthusiasm and it makes you go out there and give that extra bit of effort.”
There will be 14,000 Arena Football faithful packed into the Thomas & Mack Arena on Sunday. Dantzler hopes he and the Chicago Rush will be listening to their cheers when they lift the Fosters Trophy.