Quarterback Hines piles up notable rookie numbers

Could Andrico Hines be a future Rookie of the Year?

It’s a little early to answer that question, but it’s never too early to start comparing the Spokane Shock quarterback to the 2006 Rookie of the Year.

Last season, Brett Dietz won the award with the Louisville Fire. Dietz signed with Spokane at the beginning of the season, but was picked up by the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League shortly after joining the Shock.

Dietz’s 2006 arenafootball2 season was spent under Shock coach Adam Shackleford, the former offensive coordinator for Louisville.

Through five games, the comparison between Dietz and Hines is eerie.

Last season, Dietz connected on 113 of 162 passes (70 percent completion) and threw for 1,175 yards, with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Hines, who threw four of his five interceptions of the season in the Shock’s second-week loss to Quad City, has completed 110 of 161 passes (68 percent) for 1,165 yards and has thrown for 20 TDs.

In Dietz’s first five games, four of his five interceptions were also in a single contest.

“I think they are very comparable,” Shock coach Adam Shackleford said.

“Last year Brett struggled early and this year Andrico struggled early – but he’s figured out the system and is getting better every week.

“Brett is starting quarterback in the AFL now and Andrico had every bit of talent that Brett does – he just needs to continue what he’s doing.”

Koker no choker

Shock fans booed kicker John Koker two weeks ago, when the Shock crushed Lubbock 63-26 at the Arena.

Koker struggled on that night, missing six extra-point attempts and a field goal.

“The kicker is a person to always take the heat,” Shackleford said. “Jon didn’t play well – there was no secret to that. I’ve said it from the first day – John is our kicker and we’re going to stick with him.

“You can have one bad game, you just can’t have three or four. That’s when we look at what we can do.”

Maybe fans failed to remember what Koker has done outside of his hiccup two weeks ago.

He is tied for seventh in league scoring with 33 points, and has made 27 of 35 extra-point attempts, tying him for fourth in the league on PAT kicking with 77.1 percent of kicks made.

That means, outside of the uncharacteristic bad game against the Renegades, Koker has missed two extra point kicks.

“We hope fans are still supportive,” Shackleford said. “But the reality is they’ve paid for their right to boo and we need to do the right things on the field to give them something to cheer about.”

Notes

The Shock moved up for the second straight week in the coaches poll, climbing three spots to No. 11 after their win over Lubbock. … The Shock return to action Saturday when they host the Bakersfield Blitz.