Post by Gene on Jun 5, 2010 0:31:56 GMT -5
6/5/2010
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Help!
The Reading Express will need plenty of it to continue its streak of American Indoor Football Association playoff appearances.
But interim coach Chris Thompson said the Express must first help itself and take care of business by winning its last three games. The first is at 8 tonight in the Sovereign Center against the winless New Jersey Revolution.
"Our big goal is to win all three games and get ourselves back on track and get us situated for the 2011 season," said Thompson, who was elevated to interim coach when the Express and former coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski parted ways. "We need some help from other teams and we need to do our part."
The Express (6-5) opens the weekend in fourth place in the thick of a four-team scramble for the final two playoffs spots in the AIFA East Division. Undefeated Baltimore has clinched a playoff berth and could earn the division title with a win at home against the Erie Storm.
The Storm (7-4) is one game ahead of Reading for the third playoff spot. Second-place Harrisburg (7-3), which Reading defeated two weeks ago in its last game, is home against fifth-place Richmond (5-6).
This will be the first time in its five-year history the Express will not win the division title.
"Our division has gotten extremely more competitive this year," Thompson said. "There are a number of things that have played into the fact that we're 6-5. The bottom line is we're not out of it."
Coming off an AIFA championship season, the Express has struggled with consistency on the offensive and defensive lines. Snaps to quarterback Rob Flowers have been an adventure most of the season.
The Express has committed 30 turnovers and is minus-8 in the turnover department.
"You've got to have consistency," Thompson said. "One thing about offense it's all about rhythm."
Thompson said the snaps were much better in a convincing win over Harrisburg thanks to the return of Scott Blum, the Express center in 2008.
Injuries to three-year starting fullback Jason Henley and his replacement, Jamar Brittingham, also have slowed the Express offense.
The Express has won three of its last four. Reading has back-to-back home games with New Jersey (0-10) and Fayetteville (2-9) before closing out the regular season June 26 at Baltimore.
"We're still getting better and we still can get better," Thompson said. "We've got to play one game at a time, one win at a time and let the cards fall where they may."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=225103
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Help!
The Reading Express will need plenty of it to continue its streak of American Indoor Football Association playoff appearances.
But interim coach Chris Thompson said the Express must first help itself and take care of business by winning its last three games. The first is at 8 tonight in the Sovereign Center against the winless New Jersey Revolution.
"Our big goal is to win all three games and get ourselves back on track and get us situated for the 2011 season," said Thompson, who was elevated to interim coach when the Express and former coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski parted ways. "We need some help from other teams and we need to do our part."
The Express (6-5) opens the weekend in fourth place in the thick of a four-team scramble for the final two playoffs spots in the AIFA East Division. Undefeated Baltimore has clinched a playoff berth and could earn the division title with a win at home against the Erie Storm.
The Storm (7-4) is one game ahead of Reading for the third playoff spot. Second-place Harrisburg (7-3), which Reading defeated two weeks ago in its last game, is home against fifth-place Richmond (5-6).
This will be the first time in its five-year history the Express will not win the division title.
"Our division has gotten extremely more competitive this year," Thompson said. "There are a number of things that have played into the fact that we're 6-5. The bottom line is we're not out of it."
Coming off an AIFA championship season, the Express has struggled with consistency on the offensive and defensive lines. Snaps to quarterback Rob Flowers have been an adventure most of the season.
The Express has committed 30 turnovers and is minus-8 in the turnover department.
"You've got to have consistency," Thompson said. "One thing about offense it's all about rhythm."
Thompson said the snaps were much better in a convincing win over Harrisburg thanks to the return of Scott Blum, the Express center in 2008.
Injuries to three-year starting fullback Jason Henley and his replacement, Jamar Brittingham, also have slowed the Express offense.
The Express has won three of its last four. Reading has back-to-back home games with New Jersey (0-10) and Fayetteville (2-9) before closing out the regular season June 26 at Baltimore.
"We're still getting better and we still can get better," Thompson said. "We've got to play one game at a time, one win at a time and let the cards fall where they may."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=225103