[Reginald Rutledge]

Like you, I have a definitive handicap that I must challenge myself to live with every day. And I know like you, I am one that do not want "hand-outs" in any manner because I never want to feel that I did not accomplish something based on my own abilities.

Some guys would ask, "Why would Reg try law school, knowing he stutters?" People have laughed at such a challenge. But I also understand that going into territory that I am not comfortable with is important because whether I do well or not, it has educational implications on all that follow. So it is not only a challenge, but a very necessary one for the good of what we are trying to do.

Similarly, in the DFW, the same can be said for "The Box" rule. Yes, we do allow the option of either passing with a QB or shaking "The Box". Like anything different from what people think the norm is, you will have guys that think they were shortchanged. For those who think that way, I really have no interest in hanging around them because they do not see the big picture. The big picture is to allow everyone to play, in harmony, on a competitive level. If "The Box" is what makes them competitive, that's good for our league.

In a recent game between Jim Davis and Norbert here in the DFW, Jim Davis used "The Box". Norbert, being the guy that he is, never once complained to any of us about Jim using the Box. In turn, you could see the enthusiasm Jim had when shaking up "The Box". Every shake came with an unbridled wonderment of whether something happened. That made me feel good. I saw Jim throw interceptions using "The Box" and great passes using "The Box". I saw him throw the pass, then shake "The Box" and have a dropped pass. His passing averages are just about on average with everyone else. The key ingredient is that he walks away happy and feeling that he played everyone without an asterisk.

Jim is one of those who has great self-confidence so whether or not he could use the dice, he still would be a winning coach. But having that option allows him to compete on a more equal footing.

Jim has played other coaches using this rule. It has not been a problem. It has been a necessary experiment because the "kinks" need to be worked out and Jim has been willing to use the rule.

Furthermore, because we know we are not the NFL and don't try to be, our games have luck. "The Box" brings out the magic in that luck. So if something happens with "The Box", stuff happens! But no one feels any less or better and feel an asterisk has to be put there.

Also, for what we try to do in the game, getting in quantity quality plays is important. With "The Box" and the passing, we stay at 80-100 plays. Both coaches have many opportunities to get something done. And for the Shootout style of play, that's important.

I know you said that this would only work if both of you use this method. What is so different from the stick method? Do you think it is the same if you use sticks and I passed using the QB?

The BAM has it's own rule on that but we have ruled to allow this rule in the league. It takes time and effort to work out the kinks. This is why it is important for guys like Jim to play this method because it is a part of what we do. And only with his input will we know how to tweak the system.

Reg