Nashville Kats Playbook: Week 5

After a thrilling 40-32 victory in Week 4 against the Oregon Lightning, the Nashville Kats are working hard every day to prepare for their next game. We spoke with Kats General Manager and Head Coach Darren Arbet about his team's performance, getting his first Arena Football One win, how practice has gone so far this week, and much more. As always, be sure to tune into EvergreenNOW! and Vice TV for all 2025 AF1 games!

week 4 win

The Kats were led by Quarterback Tyler Kulka in their 40-32 victory over the Oregon Lightning. Kulka was a model of efficiency and poise in Nashville’s first win in AF1 history. Coach Arbet spoke highly of Kulka, who was just signed last week to bolster the club's QB position. “I thought he played a good game. He was locked in. He didn’t have the wide eyes that most rookies have.  The thing about this young man [is], he loves playing football. After practice, he’s playing with the kids [out] on the field. [He is] Teaching them what to do —giving them tips on when to release the ball. Even the older guys who are out there, he [is] throwing them the ball. He just loves playing football.” Kulka finished the game 20 of 25 for 154 yards and two touchdowns on the night. Next, the conversation switched to Fullback Carlton Brown. Brown had three touchdowns on the ground in the win over Oregon in Week 4. Arbet spoke on what Brown means to the ground game and as a blocker for his team. “He’s a solid blocker. He’s one of the best blocking fullbacks in arena football. You top it off with carrying the football. He’s doing a good job of finding holes, making cuts, and getting into the endzone. You have to give credit to our offensive linemen. The holes are there and they’re doing an excellent job.” Wide Receiver Robert Jones, Jr. added three scores of his own in the big win last weekend. His performance garnered the league's attention as Jones, Jr. was awarded the Real American Beer MVP of the Week in Week 4.

Shifting to the other side of the ball, Kats Defensive Back Shaun Lewis picked off Oregon Quarterback Dalton Cole twice in the win. The second interception was a momentum changer, and it ultimately sealed the victory for the Kats. Here is what Arbet had to say about Lewis. “Yeah, Lewis has been playing really well. [He] won a championship last year. [He] has a championship pedigree. He’s one of the leaders back there. I expect him to make plays like that for us.” Recapping the third phase of the game, Nashville looked great on special teams this past week. Coach Arbet also spoke on his special teams unit, which looked great in Week 4. Oregon had multiple drives that started deep in their own territory due to Nashville’s relentlessness on special teams. Coach Arbet noted that it takes a collective effort to ensure positive results on kickoffs. “The receivers and the DB’s and Carlton Brown. Three receivers, three defensive backs, and Brown. They do a great job of hustling [and] making plays. I’m very fortunate to have a group like that that gives that type of effort on the kickoff team.”

team health

As the Kats entered Week 5, they were fortunate enough not to sustain any new injuries coming out of their win against Oregon. Aside from the players who are currently on Injured Reserve, Coach Arbet had some positive news to report regarding team health this week. No new injuries meant nothing new to report in regard to his team as the season continues. “Knock on some wood, we got lucky. Nothing [new].”

we're talkin' about practice

With a “bye week” on the schedule for Nashville, practice this week has shifted from opponent-based to more of a reflection phase. The Kats will play the Washington Wolfpack in Week 6, but the emphasis for this week has been self-scouting and getting back to the most basic forms of football. Coach Arbet expanded on this slightly. “[We are] just going over basics. Going over fundamentals. Tackling and fundamentals. Self-scouting ourselves. All [of]  those things.” One of those players who is getting back to the fundamentals is Nashville Quarterback Dalton Oliver. Oliver, who was signed last week, continues to stay busy both on the field and in meetings. “All the players I have, they have something to give to this team.  Dalton, he’s a veteran.  He’s throwing the ball well.  [He] just has to get the playbook down more. Work on his timing a bit. He’s a veteran of the game.”