Saturday, Jun. 13, 2009

A QB in any language

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK -- Tomotsuna Inoue is the Tri-Cities Fever's Japanese quarterback.

He would prefer to be just the Tri-Cities Fever quarterback.

His journey to the Tri-Cities sets him apart from his teammates for obvious reasons, but he doesn't look at how he got here.

Inoue focuses on why he is here, and it's for the same reasons the rest of the players have made the sacrifice to play for $200 a game in the arenafootball2 league.

Inoue has dreams of playing at a higher level -- he says he would like to play in the NFL someday -- but to get there he knows he needs to prove himself at this level.

His next chance comes tonight against the Boise Burn (8-2) when he makes his second start for the Fever.

"I would like to give Coach (Pat) O'Hara a win," Inoue said.

Inoue, a rookie from Waseda University in Tokyo, threw for 312 yards in his first career start against Stockton last week -- the most passing yards by a Fever quarterback since Brian Baker threw for 317 against Spokane on July 14, 2007.

But Inoue also threw three second-half interceptions in the Fever's 53-37 loss, one that was returned for a touchdown.

No one doubts Inoue's ability to play at the af2 level. He just needs to be more consistent.

Inoue is the Fever's fourth starting quarterback this season and eighth in the past two seasons.

"I think he's on the right track," said O'Hara, who is one of the best Arena Football League quarterbacks of all-time. "We just need to work on cutting down those mistakes."

Inoue, 23, like any other af2 rookie, has had to adjust to the confinement and rules of the indoor game.

But for him, that's been the easy part. With a deft touch and physical presence -- 6-foot-3, 215 pounds -- he has the tools to succeed and, some believe, turn into a really good af2 quarterback.

The hardest part for Inoue has been communicating with his teammates and coaches. With his limited English, the playbook terminology and relaying the plays from O'Hara to the huddle has caused confusion.

To help this along, Inoue and Fever assistant coach Bob Bees have spent countless hours in the team's hotel going over the lingo.

"We've really just worked on going over the syllables," Bees said. "Sometimes he tends to take syllables and words out."

Inoue's progression with learning the offense and expanding on his English at the same time has gained the admiration of most.

He is a driven individual who wants to beat the odds and succeed in American football.

He became just the third international player in league history to throw a touchdown when he stepped on the field for the first time against Boise on May 16.

Inoue says he wasn't nervous about playing -- just excited for the opportunity.

It's an opportunity that Inoue has had to create on his own, proving that he has the skill set to play football in the U.S.

With the help of his agent, Inoue sent out highlight tapes to several AFL coaches, wanting to find a place to play. As evidenced from the tape, Inoue was the biggest player on his college team. He ran the offense from the shotgun, returned kicks and punted for a level of football that has been said to rival that of Division III or junior college.

Inoue attended several AFL open tryouts this past summer. One of those was for O'Hara and the Los Angeles Avengers.

"We took a look at the tape and filed it away," O'Hara said.

Inoue says he was in talks with the Utah Blaze about earning a spot on the practice squad for the 2009 season. But when the AFL decided to shut down operations for the year, Inoue was looking for another place to play.

He wound up in Amarillo, Texas, on the Dusters' roster, was third on the depth chart and never played a down.

Then in April, the week before the Fever fired coach Richard Davis, Inoue was acquired in a trade for Joe Ayoob.

Inoue arrived in the Tri-Cities the following Monday -- the same day O'Hara was hired as the Fever's new coach.

The two walked into the Clarion Hotel in Richland at nearly the same time.

"It was really weird," O'Hara said. "I thought to myself, 'That's got to be that same kid.' How many Japanese quarterbacks are there that are 6-3, 215 pounds?"

Inoue is approved by the league for international status -- meaning he doesn't count on the 19-man roster.

While it's a nice luxury for a coach to have, Inoue has earned a roster spot whether it counts or not.

"He has gotten better each week," Bees said. "He's definitely earned his spot."

As the Fever's starting quarterback.

Boise Burn (8-2) vs. Tri-Cities Fever (1-9)

7:05 p.m., Toyota Center

Last week: Boise beat Central Valley 67-48. Tri-Cities lost 53-37 at Stockton.

Last meeting: Boise won 77-28 on May 16 at home.

Series: Boise leads 5-2.

Streaks: Boise has won four in a row; Tri-Cities has lost three in a row.

Players to watch: Boise: KR Terrence Sanders (32.1 yards per return, 6 TDs), LB Levi Madarieta (6 INTs, 3 TDs). Tri-Cities: QB Tomotsuna Inoue (40-75-4-548 7 TDs), LB Joe Artis Ratti (3.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL).

Of note: Boise ranks fourth in the league in scoring defense (41 ppg) ... leads the league in kick returns (24.7 ypr) ... ranks second in the league in third-down conversions (58.7 percent) ... has allowed just four sacks all season (tied for af2 lead). Tri-Cities has lost 16 of its last 17 games ... lost three straight to Boise ... scored a franchise-worst 15 points in a 48-15 loss to Boise on March 27.