Combines Lose, Sparks Loses It

Warrick Dunn runs for a TD while Duckett hides in the tunnel

(Lind, WA) - Seven total yards. That's what second round draft pick RB T.J. Duckett contributed to the Inland Empire Fightin' Combine's 67-69 loss to the Ramblers this weekend. The Rambler's RB Clinton Portis single-handedly did the Combines in scoring 21 points, two more points than the Combines three runningbacks. The performance also cost one scout his job.

"This was an amazing embarrassment." said a furious Sparks following the game on Sunday night. "How a guy we were so convinced about can only rush for seven yards....It's...it's....well, it's just a black eye for this organization."

On Monday, Bill Lumbergh, head of scouting for the Southeast, was fired by the Combines. "He didn't do his job," commented Sparks at Goble's Golden Grain Cafe in Lind during his weekly meet the Combines appearance. "He convinced us to pick a backup number two and really dropped the ball...mmmm, OK. And he kept going on about TPS reports. Is that some kind of scouting lingo? Whatever it is, it didn't work."

The blame did not end at Duckett. "Everybody stunk. We have nothing to be happy about," continued Sparks in a 45 minute rant that chased many people out of the Golden Grain. "What? Ron Dayne scored 10 on the bench. So what? You like that? You think that's good? It isn't good enough, and it can't continue."

The Combines look to improve on this weekend when they come home to Lind to take on the Sissyboys2 who also lost in week one. It is Lind Community Day at the Lion's Club Arena. Lind residents get into the game for half price and receive a Combine logo Rally Towel courtesy of Goble's Golden Grain Cafe.