What if's won't do it for Cobras 
by Brian Distelberg, CobraZone 
   The Carolina Cobras are asking questions. 
   What if a 21-point lead hadn't evaporated in week 1?  What if the defense hadn't given up a 34-point explosion last time out against Nashville?  What if Fred McNair hadn't been intercepted in Orlando?  What if the playcalling last week had been more aggressive on the last series of the fourth quarter? 
   Unfortunately, the 'W' in the standings doesn't stand for 'What if?'.  It stands for 'Win,' something the Cobras have done, despite numerous close calls, only  
Cobras (1-8) at Kats (7-3)
 
Time: 8:30 p.m. EDT 
Location: Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville  
TV: WKFT TV-40   
Radio: Cobras Radio Network   
Internet Broadcast: Kats 
Roxy Line: Kats by 16 
Injuries: Cory Fleming (NAS), Marrio Grier (CAR), Marlon Estes (CAR), Kevin Lee (CAR), Reggie Carthon (CAR), Randy Neal (CAR), Dwaine Robinson (CAR) 
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once this year.  Something they'll have to do, realistically, in every game for the rest of the season to have a shot at the playoffs. 
   It will have to start Friday in Nashville.  All-everything Cory Fleming won't be on the field when the curtain rises.  Unfortunately for the Cobras, that's little consolation.  Fleming wasn't the Cobras' worst problem on May 26, the last time they faced the Kats.  The Cobras' were torn apart by WR/DB Jarrick Hillery, who led Nashville in receptions, rushing yards and interceptions and scored two touchdowns, all en route to an Ironman of the Week award.  Carolina lost, needless to say, 60-28. 
   Now the Cobras face Hillery again, this time in 'The Alley.'  The Cobras, coming off of a tough overtime loss in Hartford, also face QB Andy Kelly, who is threatening to topple the AFL record for touchdown passes.  They face the league's best ground attack, one of its most opportunistic defenses and an offensive line that has allowed just one sack all season.  They face a team that is 12-4 all time after losses. 
   And the Kats lost last week, 40-30 in a penalty- and turnover-ridden contest to Tampa Bay. 
   It was in that game that Fleming, second only to Eddie Brown in his three-year totals for receiving yards and touchdowns, injured his foot in the third quarter.  The Kats' three-game win streak ground to a halt.  But Nashville is still just a win away from clinching a playoff berth. 
   To prevent that from happening, the Cobras' weak secondary must shut down Hillery and WR/LB Darryl Hammond, or at least hamper them enough to keep the Cobras in it.  Fred McNair must repeat his steady performance of a week ago, and Dexter Dawson must be the go-to guy again.  Role players like Dave McLeod, Jason Nichols and Cornelius White must do their part. 
   But perhaps more important than any of these things, the coaching staff must make sure that the game is decided on the field, and not on the sidelines. 
   Questionable playcalling has cost the Cobras chances at wins, if not wins themselves, twice in the past three weeks.  A win is so vital that, if coaching decisions cost another victory, serious consideration should be given to repercussions.  A team trying to establish itself in a new market can not afford to have the casual sports fan read some variation of "Cobras lose" in 36-point font in the paper.  That is the headline, no matter the circumstances of the loss.  CZ readers might know how close a win was, but the casual fan debating whether to shell out for a couple tickets won't. 
   For their post-season chances, for their pride, and perhaps for their survival, the Cobras desperately need, on Friday, for 'W' to mean 'win' and not 'what if?'.