Over the past four Arena Football League seasons, the team with the
most regular season sacks has achieved notable success during the
ensuing playoffs.

In 2000, San Jose led the AFL with 31 sacks and advanced to the AFL
semifinals. A year later in 2001, Nashville registered 25 sacks en
route to an ArenaBowl appearance.

In 2002, Orlando tallied 22 sacks as the Predators made their way to
the AFL semifinals. And last season, Tampa Bay proved that getting
to the quarterback equals championships, with 29 sacks and a ring to
boot.

The 2004 Chicago Rush has more potential to join this group of
successful sackers with the addition of AFL veteran and former
Michigan all-America, William Carr, who signed with the team on
November 10.

Rush linemen John Moyer and James Baron helped increase Chicago's
proficiency at pass rushing in 2003, elevating their squad to fifth
in the AFL with 19 sacks after finishing in the bottom half of the
league in 2001 and 2002. But the opposition still could find ways to
double-team the dual-threat of Moyer and Baron.

With Carr creating a trio of formidable pass rushers in 2004, someone
will be left one-on-one. That could translate into headaches for
opposing offenses.

"I'm just very excited to come to Chicago," Carr said. "I feel like
a kid again knowing I have a chance to come play for a great
organization like the Rush. For me to get to play with players like
(John) Moyer and (James) Baron, I'm pumped. I'm a fan of those guys
as players."

Carr realizes the quality of the Chicago line and feels it is the
best step in fueling a championship run.

"Having the opportunity to play alongside those guys, it's like the
trilogy," Carr said. "To me, defense wins championships no matter
what level of football you're playing at. We should dominate the
line and that will help achieve the goal of winning a championship."

Originally a seventh-round pick of Cincinnati in the 1997 NFL draft,
Carr (6-0, 295) has spent time with the Bengals, Carolina Panthers,
Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons. He also
has played for the Rhein Fire and Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.

In 1999, Carr played 10 games for the Orlando Predators, recording
9.5 tackles and four sacks, as the Predators advanced to the
ArenaBowl. He returned to the AFL with the Georgia Force late last
season and recorded 6.5 tackles and 1 sack in five games (3 regular
season and two playoff).

But it was his college that prepared him for professional football.

"Playing in the big house, there's nothing like it," Carr explained.
"Playing in front of 110,000 fans is something special.

"Coach (Lloyd) Carr really prepared me and made me a better player.
And when playing with guys like Charles Woodson and Amani Toomer, you
really had to bring your `A' game."

There was a lot of education on the field for Carr at Michigan, but a
Big Ten degree isn't too shabby, either. He put that diploma to work
and established Will-O, a Dallas-based apparel company specializing
in school uniforms, athletic uniforms and other clothing lines.

"We do any kind of uniform and we try to bring an urban feel to it,"
Carr said. "I felt that I needed to do something outside of football
and this has been a lot of fun. We're doing very well."

Also doing very well is Carr's workout program. Working out with Bob
King, a noted strength and conditioning coach, he is increasing his
fitness level and Carr believes this will elevate him in 2004.

"I've had the opportunity to train with a great coach in Bob King and
I really feel like I am in great shape and I'm ready to step out of
my element and have a great season," Carr said.

Carr's acquisition is key for the Rush. Possessing that raging
defensive mindset bodes well for Chicago fans and his presence is
sure to alleviate pressure on others and increase productivity.

"The team that is able to get those key stops is usually the team
that wins," Carr pointed out, knowing the offensive nature of Arena
Football.

Those defensive stops should become more attainable with Carr
around.

When the AFL regular season nears conclusion, Rush fans can turn to
the sack stats and see where their team ranks. If Chicago is listed
near the top, don't be surprised to see the triumvirate pass-rushing
toward an ArenaBowl title.

And a new slogan: Pass Rush B.M.C.