Shock notes: Former Spokane standout Kevin McCullough rejoins team
The notion of returning to arena football has been floating around in Kevin McCullough’s mind for some time. He talked with Spokane Shock officials prior to the season, but the timing wasn’t right.
McCullough was settling into a new job selling cars. He stayed in shape and attended a few Shock home games. He’s expected to attend the next Shock game, too, in uniform against Las Vegas on Saturday.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have the itch for quite some time,” McCullough said after Wednesday’s practice. “I was very busy with work and I still am, but now seemed like a really good time. My body is ready for it and I’ve put in a lot of work. Anything I can do to help the team is what I’m going to do.”
McCullough, nicknamed “The Chainsaw,” was a popular and productive jack linebacker for the Shock from 2008-2010. McCullough had 15 interceptions on the 2008-09 teams that went 37-3 and won an arenafootball2 title. In 2010, McCullough was blind-sided when he was traded to Oklahoma City by former coach Rob Keefe, who said at the time he wanted more athleticism and flexibility at the position because of a 20-man roster.
McCullough finished out the season with Oklahoma City while the Shock went on to win the ArenaBowl. He played for Arizona from 2011-13.
“I’m not surprised (to be back with Spokane) because nothing in sports surprises me, nothing in life surprises me anymore,” he said. “I’m fortunate and I’m very excited that it’s come full circle. I have a lot of emotions, all positive. What happened in the past is in the past and it’s part of the industry.”
McCullough played with head coach Andy Olson and veterans Sergio Gilliam and recent addition Micah King, and he’s lined up against numerous current Shock players. Gilliam (five starts) and J.T. Fitzgerald (two) have been the primary options at jack. Fitzgerald and defensive back Devon Dace, who started the first seven games, were placed on recallable reassignment.
“We felt like we haven’t gotten the best play out of the jack the last 3-4 weeks,” Olson said. “We’ve kind of had a decline, haven’t really felt an impact there, not really getting into windows and causing the quarterback to pump a little bit.
“Kevin was one of the best jacks to play this game in my opinion.”
McCullough said he hopes to “bring some energy, some leadership. I’ve had some success in this league and been fortunate to be part of successful teams. I know what it takes to be a winner.”
Spokane, torched for 83 points by San Jose last Saturday, ranks last in the AFL at 58.7 points allowed per game.
“From a leadership perspective, it’s very important,” Olson said. “We needed a couple more confident, intelligent people on defense, I think we were lacking a little bit of intelligence and understanding the game. Kevin obviously brings that, Micah brings that.”
Washington sidelined
Standout receiver Mike Washington is expected to have surgery in the next few days to repair a right Achilles tendon injury.
Washington went down in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss to San Jose after he made a reception and started to make a move. It was a noncontact injury. Defensive back Sam Pope suffered a similar injury in practice last week. Defensive tackle Terrance Taylor is expected to miss Saturday’s game because of injury.
Washington ranks in the top 10 in receptions (59), receiving yards (801) and touchdowns (15).
Nick Truesdell is expected to join Rashaad Carter and Anthony Amos in the starting lineup. Spokane has acquired Jabin Sambrano, a former University of Montana receiver, from the L.A. Kiss as part of the Danny Southwick trade.
“Someone has to step up,” Olson said. “The young guys have to learn real fast, because we probably have the youngest receiver corps in this league right now.”
Shock No. 11
Unbeaten San Jose received all 16 first-place votes and is ranked No. 1, followed by Philadelphia, Arizona and Cleveland in the first AFL media poll, released Wednesday. Those four are the only teams above .500 in the 12-team league.
Spokane (2-5) is No. 11.