Post by marinersmedia on May 28, 2009 6:07:05 GMT -5
The Weekly Match-up Report
The Baltimore Mariners continue their weekly match-up report by previewing and breaking down the Baltimore Mariners’ upcoming game against the D.C. Armor.
Baltimore Mariners (5-4) vs. D.C. Armor (2-7)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 30th, 7:00 PM
Place: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Mariners Last Outing:
The Mariners toppled the South Division leading Columbus Lions 52-32, to maintain their hold on second in the North.
D.C. Armor Last Outing:
The Armor pulled within 43-35 of the Reading Express late in the game, before succumbing 51-35.
Series:
This is the first match-up in the “Battle of the Beltways,” indoor football style. Baltimore has built strong rivalries with its Pennsylvania brethren to the north, now over the next five weeks when the teams meet three times; we’ll see what a rivalry really means.
Baltimore Mariners Profile:
After spending most of the last two months on the road, the Mariners came home and made a statement about the AIFA’s power structure by mauling the Lions 52-32. Now they stand 2 ½ games up on Harrisburg with five to go.
D.C. Armor Profile:
The Armor is 2-7, but they have played tight games the last three weeks. D.C. lost back to back games on the road by a combined 10 points and then gave the division leading Express a scare before falling late.
Players to Watch:
Baltimore Mariners:
QB E.J. Nemeth (6’3", 245, Sacred Heart), RB Isaiah Greer (6’1", 215, Rhode Island), WR Jamaal Stokes (6’1", 185, Alcorn St.), WR Scorpio Brown (6'4", 225, Morehouse), WR Aaron Yarbough (5'10", 185, Virginia Military Institute), DB/WR Armar Watson (5’11", 180, Duquesne), DB Richard Johnson (5'11", 200, Virginia Tech), DB Andre Letren (5'11", 195, Troy State), LB Fearon Wright (6'4", 245, Rhode Island), DB T-Wuan Prather (5'10", 180, Bowie State), LB/DL Adam Goboloski (6'0", 235, Richmond), LB Vincent Tiberi (6'2", 240. Wesley), K J.R. Cipra (5'9", 170, Ohio Northern).
D.C. Armor:
RB James Gibson (6’2”, 270, North Carolina), WR Darnell McDonald (6’3”, 215, Kansas State), DB William Haith (6’0”, 200, Liberty), LB Joe Hooks (6’0”, 230, Shepherd), DB Ahmad Hawkins (5’10”, 198, Virginia).
When the Mariners have the ball:
It has been a steady climb and the Mariners now rank 5th in the AIFA in scoring offense with 44.8 points per game. Their rushing offense not only leads the league, but is averaging over 16 yards more per game then their nearest rival. Baltimore has built one of the most diverse and consistent offenses in the league. Grier continues to lead the league in rushing and Nemeth has developed a wide array of targets in Brown, Stokes, Watson, and Yarbough. This was never more evident then last week against Columbus when Grier rushed for three scores, while Nemeth found Brown on end zone strikes three times, while all four receivers garnered receptions. In the Armor the Mariners face the league leading total defense. D.C. has surrendered a league best 181.7 yards per game and has surrendered only 81 first downs all season (nine a game). The defense is led by LB Mike Woodhouse who ranks 8th in the league with 4.4 tackles per game and leads the AIFA with 6.5 sacks.
When the Armor has the ball:
As good as the Armor’s defense has been the offense’s struggles have kept their record at 2-7. D.C. ranks last in the league in scoring offense with 23.7 points per game and 12th in total offense (185 yards per game). They also are at the bottom of the league in passing efficiency and have been plagued by a league worst 38 turnovers, including 26 interceptions. Where the Armor offense has struggled the Mariner defense has succeeded. They are second in the league in takeaways and as a team have an AIFA best +12 turnover ratio. They also rank second in the league in pass defense efficiency. Armar Watson (nine interceptions and one fumble recovery) and Richard Johnson (seven INTs) have led the takeaway splurge.
Game Outlook:
Ravens-Redskins, Orioles-Nationals, now add Mariners-Armor to the list of Baltimore-D.C. sports’ rivalries. The Mariners earned a huge win last week and took control of their own destiny with a 2 ½ game lead with five to go. The Armor, however, can make life miserable for Baltimore as these two teams face off three times in five weeks. A win this week by the Mariners puts them one step closer to a playoff berth; a loss and D.C. is back within striking distance.
The Baltimore Mariners continue their weekly match-up report by previewing and breaking down the Baltimore Mariners’ upcoming game against the D.C. Armor.
Baltimore Mariners (5-4) vs. D.C. Armor (2-7)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 30th, 7:00 PM
Place: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Mariners Last Outing:
The Mariners toppled the South Division leading Columbus Lions 52-32, to maintain their hold on second in the North.
D.C. Armor Last Outing:
The Armor pulled within 43-35 of the Reading Express late in the game, before succumbing 51-35.
Series:
This is the first match-up in the “Battle of the Beltways,” indoor football style. Baltimore has built strong rivalries with its Pennsylvania brethren to the north, now over the next five weeks when the teams meet three times; we’ll see what a rivalry really means.
Baltimore Mariners Profile:
After spending most of the last two months on the road, the Mariners came home and made a statement about the AIFA’s power structure by mauling the Lions 52-32. Now they stand 2 ½ games up on Harrisburg with five to go.
D.C. Armor Profile:
The Armor is 2-7, but they have played tight games the last three weeks. D.C. lost back to back games on the road by a combined 10 points and then gave the division leading Express a scare before falling late.
Players to Watch:
Baltimore Mariners:
QB E.J. Nemeth (6’3", 245, Sacred Heart), RB Isaiah Greer (6’1", 215, Rhode Island), WR Jamaal Stokes (6’1", 185, Alcorn St.), WR Scorpio Brown (6'4", 225, Morehouse), WR Aaron Yarbough (5'10", 185, Virginia Military Institute), DB/WR Armar Watson (5’11", 180, Duquesne), DB Richard Johnson (5'11", 200, Virginia Tech), DB Andre Letren (5'11", 195, Troy State), LB Fearon Wright (6'4", 245, Rhode Island), DB T-Wuan Prather (5'10", 180, Bowie State), LB/DL Adam Goboloski (6'0", 235, Richmond), LB Vincent Tiberi (6'2", 240. Wesley), K J.R. Cipra (5'9", 170, Ohio Northern).
D.C. Armor:
RB James Gibson (6’2”, 270, North Carolina), WR Darnell McDonald (6’3”, 215, Kansas State), DB William Haith (6’0”, 200, Liberty), LB Joe Hooks (6’0”, 230, Shepherd), DB Ahmad Hawkins (5’10”, 198, Virginia).
When the Mariners have the ball:
It has been a steady climb and the Mariners now rank 5th in the AIFA in scoring offense with 44.8 points per game. Their rushing offense not only leads the league, but is averaging over 16 yards more per game then their nearest rival. Baltimore has built one of the most diverse and consistent offenses in the league. Grier continues to lead the league in rushing and Nemeth has developed a wide array of targets in Brown, Stokes, Watson, and Yarbough. This was never more evident then last week against Columbus when Grier rushed for three scores, while Nemeth found Brown on end zone strikes three times, while all four receivers garnered receptions. In the Armor the Mariners face the league leading total defense. D.C. has surrendered a league best 181.7 yards per game and has surrendered only 81 first downs all season (nine a game). The defense is led by LB Mike Woodhouse who ranks 8th in the league with 4.4 tackles per game and leads the AIFA with 6.5 sacks.
When the Armor has the ball:
As good as the Armor’s defense has been the offense’s struggles have kept their record at 2-7. D.C. ranks last in the league in scoring offense with 23.7 points per game and 12th in total offense (185 yards per game). They also are at the bottom of the league in passing efficiency and have been plagued by a league worst 38 turnovers, including 26 interceptions. Where the Armor offense has struggled the Mariner defense has succeeded. They are second in the league in takeaways and as a team have an AIFA best +12 turnover ratio. They also rank second in the league in pass defense efficiency. Armar Watson (nine interceptions and one fumble recovery) and Richard Johnson (seven INTs) have led the takeaway splurge.
Game Outlook:
Ravens-Redskins, Orioles-Nationals, now add Mariners-Armor to the list of Baltimore-D.C. sports’ rivalries. The Mariners earned a huge win last week and took control of their own destiny with a 2 ½ game lead with five to go. The Armor, however, can make life miserable for Baltimore as these two teams face off three times in five weeks. A win this week by the Mariners puts them one step closer to a playoff berth; a loss and D.C. is back within striking distance.
