Post by AZ Adrenaline Junkie on May 19, 2008 1:25:24 GMT -5
Adrenaline look to bounce back from loss
Special to the Courier
Sunday, May 18, 2008
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Bouncing back from a tough loss isn't something the Adrenaline have had to deal with much this season. But dealing with a revamped New Mexico Wildcats team? That's become old hat.
The Adrenaline (5-2) and Wildcats (2-5) will meet for the fourth time this season Tuesday night (6 p.m.) in Rio Rancho, N.M., and once again it appears that Floyd Johnson's Wildcats have improved themselves as the Adrenaline have a shot at virtually sewing up a playoff spot in the AIFA's West Division.
The Adrenaline have scored 69.3 points against New Mexico in the three meetings. But the margin of victory has decreased in each game from 47 to 36 to 17. Johnson feels that his defense, ranked 14th in the 16-team AIFA, is in its best shape yet after an overhaul that resulted in eight new players prior to last week's 32-9 victory over winless Utah.
"I brought in eight new guys on defense," Johnson told the Albuquerque Journal. "A lot of D-1 guys who didn't get picked up in the (NFL) draft. Makes a big difference."
Meanwhile, Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore is taking a different approach to his team's situation after last week's fast-paced 72-56 home loss to Wyoming. During practice on Wednesday, Moore lined his team up and named his 20-man roster, with the caveat that "anyone not on the roster will have to challenge somebody to earn a spot.
"We'll have a 'challenge day' at practice this week and just let two guys go 1-on-1 for 15 minutes," Moore said. "Whoever beats the other guy out gets the spot."
Moore has addressed the team's inconsistencies in the defensive secondary by signing young cornerback Odell Jackson from Portland State. Defensive back Sully Beard said he expects New Mexico to use the same blueprint that made Wyoming virtually unstoppable on Sunday.
"I'm sure they'll watch the film of the Wyoming game, so we have to mix up the coverages," Beard said. "They'll probably run a trips package that gave us more trouble than it should have against Wyoming. But whenever you play a team this many times, it gets harder each time."
New Mexico threw a veritable scare into the Adrenaline during the team's last trip to the Santa Ana Star Center. Arizona led that game only 41-40 early in the fourth period before a key touchdown catch by receiver David Penland was followed by a big defensive stand that resulted in sacks by Sydney Hayes, Josh Duran and Fernandez Shaw in the 63-46 win.
But the Wildcats' biggest problem has been finding an answer for veteran receivers Maurice Bryant and Quincy Jackson.
In the three wins over New Mexico, the pair has combined for 46 catches, 18 of them for touchdowns, for a staggering 542 yards.
Notes: New Mexico coach Floyd Johnson said that Wildcat receiver Darren Haliburton has received an invitation to the Minnesota Vikings' training camp in July ... June 10 is the final day that AIFA teams can add players to their 30-man roster ... Adrenaline receiver Quincy Jackson leads the AIFA in receptions per game (7.9) and touchdown receptions (19), while Maurice Bryant is fifth in TD catches (15). Quarterback Chad DeGrenier leads in completion percentage (64.2%), while Fernandez Shaw ranks third in the league in sacks (8.5), linebackers Nick Hannah (32.5) and Chris Whitaker (31) are fourth and sixth, respectively, in total tackles and Sully Beard fifth in interceptions (6).
Special to the Courier
Sunday, May 18, 2008
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Bouncing back from a tough loss isn't something the Adrenaline have had to deal with much this season. But dealing with a revamped New Mexico Wildcats team? That's become old hat.
The Adrenaline (5-2) and Wildcats (2-5) will meet for the fourth time this season Tuesday night (6 p.m.) in Rio Rancho, N.M., and once again it appears that Floyd Johnson's Wildcats have improved themselves as the Adrenaline have a shot at virtually sewing up a playoff spot in the AIFA's West Division.
The Adrenaline have scored 69.3 points against New Mexico in the three meetings. But the margin of victory has decreased in each game from 47 to 36 to 17. Johnson feels that his defense, ranked 14th in the 16-team AIFA, is in its best shape yet after an overhaul that resulted in eight new players prior to last week's 32-9 victory over winless Utah.
"I brought in eight new guys on defense," Johnson told the Albuquerque Journal. "A lot of D-1 guys who didn't get picked up in the (NFL) draft. Makes a big difference."
Meanwhile, Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore is taking a different approach to his team's situation after last week's fast-paced 72-56 home loss to Wyoming. During practice on Wednesday, Moore lined his team up and named his 20-man roster, with the caveat that "anyone not on the roster will have to challenge somebody to earn a spot.
"We'll have a 'challenge day' at practice this week and just let two guys go 1-on-1 for 15 minutes," Moore said. "Whoever beats the other guy out gets the spot."
Moore has addressed the team's inconsistencies in the defensive secondary by signing young cornerback Odell Jackson from Portland State. Defensive back Sully Beard said he expects New Mexico to use the same blueprint that made Wyoming virtually unstoppable on Sunday.
"I'm sure they'll watch the film of the Wyoming game, so we have to mix up the coverages," Beard said. "They'll probably run a trips package that gave us more trouble than it should have against Wyoming. But whenever you play a team this many times, it gets harder each time."
New Mexico threw a veritable scare into the Adrenaline during the team's last trip to the Santa Ana Star Center. Arizona led that game only 41-40 early in the fourth period before a key touchdown catch by receiver David Penland was followed by a big defensive stand that resulted in sacks by Sydney Hayes, Josh Duran and Fernandez Shaw in the 63-46 win.
But the Wildcats' biggest problem has been finding an answer for veteran receivers Maurice Bryant and Quincy Jackson.
In the three wins over New Mexico, the pair has combined for 46 catches, 18 of them for touchdowns, for a staggering 542 yards.
Notes: New Mexico coach Floyd Johnson said that Wildcat receiver Darren Haliburton has received an invitation to the Minnesota Vikings' training camp in July ... June 10 is the final day that AIFA teams can add players to their 30-man roster ... Adrenaline receiver Quincy Jackson leads the AIFA in receptions per game (7.9) and touchdown receptions (19), while Maurice Bryant is fifth in TD catches (15). Quarterback Chad DeGrenier leads in completion percentage (64.2%), while Fernandez Shaw ranks third in the league in sacks (8.5), linebackers Nick Hannah (32.5) and Chris Whitaker (31) are fourth and sixth, respectively, in total tackles and Sully Beard fifth in interceptions (6).
