Post by marinersmedia on May 28, 2010 7:07:03 GMT -5
MARINERS PLAYOFF BERTH RESTS ON BEATING A TOUGH RAIDERS TEAM
BALTIMORE, MD (May 27, 2010) – The Baltimore Mariners return to business as usual this Saturday night as the team travels to Richmond to take on a familiar foe, the Richmond Raiders. Mariners’ fans remember the epic battle that ensued between these two great teams at the 1st Mariner Arena two months ago. The Raiders wore out the Mariners defense, but the offense and special teams kept them in the game. Thanks to a 40-yard field goal and a follow up uno from kicker J.R. Cipra, Baltimore went up 49-45 late in the 4th quarter, and forced Richmond to go for the touchdown. The Mariners defense did not back down as the game rested on their very capable shoulders. The Swashbucklers stopped the Raiders on a 4th and goal with under a minute left to go to preserve their fourth straight win of the season. The will and determination of the Mariners in this game set the tone for the rest of the season, and proved to everyone that you can never count out the Mariners. In order for the Mariners to clinch their second straight playoff berth; here are my keys to victory:
AN ULTIMATE CHALLENGE: The Mariners defense has been stifling and stingy, ranking in the top five in nearly every defensive category this season. The defense has allowed only 27 points per game this season, and just 13 rushing yards per game, which is tops in the AIFA. The Mariners pass defense ranks fourth in the AIFA, allowing a mere 152 passing yards per game and 26 touchdowns through the air. This week, they will be taking on a very potent Richmond Raiders offense that ranks third overall in the AIFA. The Raiders running attack ranks second in the AIFA, averaging 44 yards per game, and the passing game ranks 5th putting up 197 yards per game. The Mariners know the Raiders offense, and they will have to contain and control them like they have been doing all season.
THEIR WEAKNESS, OUR STRENGTH: While these teams do seem to match up very well against each other, there is one aspect of the game that Baltimore has a significant edge over the Raiders: the kicking game. The Mariners kicking game has been outstanding this season, thanks to the foot of all-pro kicker J.R. Cipra. He is 47% accurate on all his field goals, 95% accurate on extra points, and an uno making machine. On the Richmond side of the ball, their kicking game is less than stellar. They are ranked near the bottom of the AIFA, only making 20% of their field goals.
IRRESSITABLE FORCE MEETS IMMOVABLE OBJECT: The leading rusher in the AIFA, Isaiah Grier, will have a tall task ahead of him against a stingy Richmond run defense. Grier ranks first in the AIFA in rushing, rushing touchdowns, and scoring. He will have to contend with a Richmond run defense that ranks third in the AIFA and only surrenders 20 yards per game on the ground.
These two teams are very evenly matched, but when it comes down to who has the greater will, I would have to give the edge to the Mariners. Richmond has a great offense and defense, but when it comes down to the wire, can they out will the Mariners? They couldn’t do it last time, and I don’t see them doing it Saturday night.
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (May 27, 2010) – The Baltimore Mariners return to business as usual this Saturday night as the team travels to Richmond to take on a familiar foe, the Richmond Raiders. Mariners’ fans remember the epic battle that ensued between these two great teams at the 1st Mariner Arena two months ago. The Raiders wore out the Mariners defense, but the offense and special teams kept them in the game. Thanks to a 40-yard field goal and a follow up uno from kicker J.R. Cipra, Baltimore went up 49-45 late in the 4th quarter, and forced Richmond to go for the touchdown. The Mariners defense did not back down as the game rested on their very capable shoulders. The Swashbucklers stopped the Raiders on a 4th and goal with under a minute left to go to preserve their fourth straight win of the season. The will and determination of the Mariners in this game set the tone for the rest of the season, and proved to everyone that you can never count out the Mariners. In order for the Mariners to clinch their second straight playoff berth; here are my keys to victory:
AN ULTIMATE CHALLENGE: The Mariners defense has been stifling and stingy, ranking in the top five in nearly every defensive category this season. The defense has allowed only 27 points per game this season, and just 13 rushing yards per game, which is tops in the AIFA. The Mariners pass defense ranks fourth in the AIFA, allowing a mere 152 passing yards per game and 26 touchdowns through the air. This week, they will be taking on a very potent Richmond Raiders offense that ranks third overall in the AIFA. The Raiders running attack ranks second in the AIFA, averaging 44 yards per game, and the passing game ranks 5th putting up 197 yards per game. The Mariners know the Raiders offense, and they will have to contain and control them like they have been doing all season.
THEIR WEAKNESS, OUR STRENGTH: While these teams do seem to match up very well against each other, there is one aspect of the game that Baltimore has a significant edge over the Raiders: the kicking game. The Mariners kicking game has been outstanding this season, thanks to the foot of all-pro kicker J.R. Cipra. He is 47% accurate on all his field goals, 95% accurate on extra points, and an uno making machine. On the Richmond side of the ball, their kicking game is less than stellar. They are ranked near the bottom of the AIFA, only making 20% of their field goals.
IRRESSITABLE FORCE MEETS IMMOVABLE OBJECT: The leading rusher in the AIFA, Isaiah Grier, will have a tall task ahead of him against a stingy Richmond run defense. Grier ranks first in the AIFA in rushing, rushing touchdowns, and scoring. He will have to contend with a Richmond run defense that ranks third in the AIFA and only surrenders 20 yards per game on the ground.
These two teams are very evenly matched, but when it comes down to who has the greater will, I would have to give the edge to the Mariners. Richmond has a great offense and defense, but when it comes down to the wire, can they out will the Mariners? They couldn’t do it last time, and I don’t see them doing it Saturday night.
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.