Post by rkozak201 on Jul 3, 2008 5:01:25 GMT -5
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Reading Express defensive lineman Eddie Robinson knows the Erie RiverRats better than his own team.
Robinson played for the RiverRats for the first half of the season before being released and joining the Express. In his two games with Reading, the 6-2, 280-pounder has made a huge impact.
Robinson came up with a key fumble recovery that led to the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter in Baltimore to help the Express clinch home-field advantage throughout the American Indoor Football Assocation playoffs.
But Robinson was much more satisfied with his performance when the Express routed the RiverRats 66-26 in the Sovereign Center June 14. He was key on a Express defense that dominated in recording seven turnovers and six sacks against his former teammates.
"When they came here to play us, we showed them," said Robinson, an AIFA North Division All-Star last season for Canton. "It was a great time doing it. I had fun chasing (quarterback) Rob Rutherford all around the field, knocking him around a little bit."
Robinson will get another shot at his former teammates tonight at 7 when the Express (10-4) plays the RiverRats (10-4) in the Sovereign Center in the AIFA North Division championship game. Reading has won two of three against the RiverRats, including a 44-34 win in Erie March 31 when Robinson was with the RiverRats.
Robinson is looking forward to seeing his former teammates again but isn't exactly going to roll out the red carpet in the Sovereign Center, where the Express has won 18 straight.
"I really want to stick it to them to let them know who's boss," Robinson said. "I came to a much better organization, a much better team."
Robinson and his new defensive line teammates, Brett Kolk and Mike Schwebel, along with linebacker Matt Sola plan on a repeat of their last home game. Robinson said he doesn't see how the Express can lose to the RiverRats, who defeated Reading 51-32 only a week before Reading's 40-point blowout win.
"Erie will never play as well as they did again when they beat us in Erie," Robinson said. "In actuality, we have a much better team here. They played their best game and they still only beat us by our mistakes. "
Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski is a little less brash when talking about the RiverRats. He is concerned about Rutherford and his array of receivers, led by Eugene Baker.
Baker, who played in the Arena Football League earlier this season, had nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in Erie's win over Reading, then made eight catches for 117 yards in the RiverRats' loss in Reading.
"We're going to have to put a good game together," Nowotarski said. "Rob Rutherford is a very active quarterback. He's a good athlete and they've got good skill people."
Reading's offense will be run by former Muhlenberg and Kutztown University standout Rob Flowers, whohas passed for 49 touchdowns and run for 21.
He also is surrounded by talented wide receivers in Carmelo Ocasio, Shawn Foxworth and Yardon Brantley.
Defensively, Robinson has solidified a pass rush that will help the defensive backs cover Erie's receivers.
"Reading had a great defensive line before I got here," Robinson said. "But when I got here it was like an injection of a steriod in the arm to an already big bicep."
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Reading Eagle
Reading Express defensive lineman Eddie Robinson knows the Erie RiverRats better than his own team.
Robinson played for the RiverRats for the first half of the season before being released and joining the Express. In his two games with Reading, the 6-2, 280-pounder has made a huge impact.
Robinson came up with a key fumble recovery that led to the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter in Baltimore to help the Express clinch home-field advantage throughout the American Indoor Football Assocation playoffs.
But Robinson was much more satisfied with his performance when the Express routed the RiverRats 66-26 in the Sovereign Center June 14. He was key on a Express defense that dominated in recording seven turnovers and six sacks against his former teammates.
"When they came here to play us, we showed them," said Robinson, an AIFA North Division All-Star last season for Canton. "It was a great time doing it. I had fun chasing (quarterback) Rob Rutherford all around the field, knocking him around a little bit."
Robinson will get another shot at his former teammates tonight at 7 when the Express (10-4) plays the RiverRats (10-4) in the Sovereign Center in the AIFA North Division championship game. Reading has won two of three against the RiverRats, including a 44-34 win in Erie March 31 when Robinson was with the RiverRats.
Robinson is looking forward to seeing his former teammates again but isn't exactly going to roll out the red carpet in the Sovereign Center, where the Express has won 18 straight.
"I really want to stick it to them to let them know who's boss," Robinson said. "I came to a much better organization, a much better team."
Robinson and his new defensive line teammates, Brett Kolk and Mike Schwebel, along with linebacker Matt Sola plan on a repeat of their last home game. Robinson said he doesn't see how the Express can lose to the RiverRats, who defeated Reading 51-32 only a week before Reading's 40-point blowout win.
"Erie will never play as well as they did again when they beat us in Erie," Robinson said. "In actuality, we have a much better team here. They played their best game and they still only beat us by our mistakes. "
Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski is a little less brash when talking about the RiverRats. He is concerned about Rutherford and his array of receivers, led by Eugene Baker.
Baker, who played in the Arena Football League earlier this season, had nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in Erie's win over Reading, then made eight catches for 117 yards in the RiverRats' loss in Reading.
"We're going to have to put a good game together," Nowotarski said. "Rob Rutherford is a very active quarterback. He's a good athlete and they've got good skill people."
Reading's offense will be run by former Muhlenberg and Kutztown University standout Rob Flowers, whohas passed for 49 touchdowns and run for 21.
He also is surrounded by talented wide receivers in Carmelo Ocasio, Shawn Foxworth and Yardon Brantley.
Defensively, Robinson has solidified a pass rush that will help the defensive backs cover Erie's receivers.
"Reading had a great defensive line before I got here," Robinson said. "But when I got here it was like an injection of a steriod in the arm to an already big bicep."
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
