Post by lionsroar on May 17, 2008 3:57:50 GMT -5
Gibson expects better defense
BY CHRISTA TURNER
Columbus Lions coach Jason Gibson said he knew Mississippi sported a top-notch offense and would score points against his defense.
He just didn't think they would score 70 points and score on almost all their opportunities in a 70-61 win over the Lions a week ago.
"We're the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses in the league. It's arena football. Obviously, we're going to score," Gibson said. "It's which defense adjusts."
Last week, the Columbus defense did not adjust. Mississippi had two turnovers and didn't score on possessions at the end of the half and the end of the game. The Mudcats scored every other time they touched the ball.
Columbus (6-3) gets another shot at division-leading Mississippi (8-0) tonight at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo at 7:30.
The Lions made a big change this week that Gibson hopes will shore up his defense, which failed to mount much pressure against ultra-efficient Mississippi quarterback Tommy Jones, who was 20-of-26 for 344 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Lions added former Arena Football League player Thaddeus Bullard, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman out of the University of Florida. Bullard played successfully in the AFL at Las Vegas, Tampa Bay and Utah before signing with the Lions. Bullard and Gibson briefly played together in the AFL, also.
"I'm expecting big things," Gibson said. "That was the issue last week -- giving up points. Both teams are looking for ways to try to stop the other offense."
Gibson said he didn't like the defensive schemes his team used and would make changes for today's game.
"We had guys doing their own thing," Gibson said. "You're not going to stop a good team from scoring, but I expected the game to be in the 40s and 50s, rather than the 60s and 70s. We want to go to their house and beat them. Our defensive performance was not indicative of the defense we have."
The Lions will be without leading receiver Gerald Gales, who sustained a deep knee bruise in last week's game against the Mudcats. Gibson said Gales could probably play but was being held out as a precautionary measure.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/324503.html
BY CHRISTA TURNER
Columbus Lions coach Jason Gibson said he knew Mississippi sported a top-notch offense and would score points against his defense.
He just didn't think they would score 70 points and score on almost all their opportunities in a 70-61 win over the Lions a week ago.
"We're the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses in the league. It's arena football. Obviously, we're going to score," Gibson said. "It's which defense adjusts."
Last week, the Columbus defense did not adjust. Mississippi had two turnovers and didn't score on possessions at the end of the half and the end of the game. The Mudcats scored every other time they touched the ball.
Columbus (6-3) gets another shot at division-leading Mississippi (8-0) tonight at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo at 7:30.
The Lions made a big change this week that Gibson hopes will shore up his defense, which failed to mount much pressure against ultra-efficient Mississippi quarterback Tommy Jones, who was 20-of-26 for 344 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Lions added former Arena Football League player Thaddeus Bullard, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman out of the University of Florida. Bullard played successfully in the AFL at Las Vegas, Tampa Bay and Utah before signing with the Lions. Bullard and Gibson briefly played together in the AFL, also.
"I'm expecting big things," Gibson said. "That was the issue last week -- giving up points. Both teams are looking for ways to try to stop the other offense."
Gibson said he didn't like the defensive schemes his team used and would make changes for today's game.
"We had guys doing their own thing," Gibson said. "You're not going to stop a good team from scoring, but I expected the game to be in the 40s and 50s, rather than the 60s and 70s. We want to go to their house and beat them. Our defensive performance was not indicative of the defense we have."
The Lions will be without leading receiver Gerald Gales, who sustained a deep knee bruise in last week's game against the Mudcats. Gibson said Gales could probably play but was being held out as a precautionary measure.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/324503.html