Post by marinersmedia on Jun 18, 2010 10:19:31 GMT -5
Undefeated Mariners Set to Take on Winless New Jersey
BALTIMORE, MD (June 18, 2010) – In television world Baltimore and New Jersey have travelled in much the same circles. Thanks to “The Wire” and “The Sopranos” when the average person thinks of Charm City and the Garden State they probably have many of the same images in mind, Tony Soprano and “Stringer Bell,” Paulie “Walnuts” and Omar Little, McNulty and Dr. Melfi. When it comes to indoor football, however, most would have vastly different views of Baltimore and New Jersey.
In their three years in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) the Baltimore Mariners have experienced much success. They have now earned two playoff berths in three seasons, compiled a 21-5 record in 2009 and 2010, and are currently trying to make AIFA history with the league’s first undefeated season.
Their opponents this weekend, the New Jersey Revolution, are now in their fifth season of play. Their career record through last weekend is 7-42, their best finish was 3-9 in 2008, and they are currently mired in a 0-12 season, which could end as their second winless season in franchise history.
Despite the drastic differences in these two team’s resumes, the Mariners are not looking past New Jersey. “New Jersey continues to improve as a team across the board. The thing this team does
not have in them is quit. They come to play every game,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
There are stats to back-up Coach Simpson’s statement. Against the Erie Storm (7-6) on the road, New Jersey had much the same result as Baltimore, but lost 40-38. They also took the third place Reading Express (8-5) to the final whistle before falling 71-69.
Still they have had vastly different results then the Mariners who enter this Saturday’s game at 7:00 PM at 1st Mariner Arena with a 12-0 record in 2010, a 17-1 regular season record since May 23, 2009, and finished an undefeated road season after defeating the Erie Storm 39-37 on a last second field goal by kicker J.R. Cipra last weekend.
The Mariners also continue to lead the AIFA in scoring, averaging 61.8 points per game, and rank second in the league allowing just 29.7 points per game. New Jersey, meanwhile, ranks 11th in the 13 team AIFA in scoring offense with 35.3 points per game and their defense sits last in the league giving up 63.2 points per game.
Despite these major differences on paper, Coach Simpson does not consider this game a done deal and still feels there are things his Mariners need to work on to prepare for the playoffs. Simpson, noted, “We want to achieve more consistency on offense. We've had some struggles but, they are
minor things that we simply need to make adjustments to. Defensively, we need to continue
our aggressive and physical play. I am treating our last two regular season games as tune
ups for the post season.”
- John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (June 18, 2010) – In television world Baltimore and New Jersey have travelled in much the same circles. Thanks to “The Wire” and “The Sopranos” when the average person thinks of Charm City and the Garden State they probably have many of the same images in mind, Tony Soprano and “Stringer Bell,” Paulie “Walnuts” and Omar Little, McNulty and Dr. Melfi. When it comes to indoor football, however, most would have vastly different views of Baltimore and New Jersey.
In their three years in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) the Baltimore Mariners have experienced much success. They have now earned two playoff berths in three seasons, compiled a 21-5 record in 2009 and 2010, and are currently trying to make AIFA history with the league’s first undefeated season.
Their opponents this weekend, the New Jersey Revolution, are now in their fifth season of play. Their career record through last weekend is 7-42, their best finish was 3-9 in 2008, and they are currently mired in a 0-12 season, which could end as their second winless season in franchise history.
Despite the drastic differences in these two team’s resumes, the Mariners are not looking past New Jersey. “New Jersey continues to improve as a team across the board. The thing this team does
not have in them is quit. They come to play every game,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
There are stats to back-up Coach Simpson’s statement. Against the Erie Storm (7-6) on the road, New Jersey had much the same result as Baltimore, but lost 40-38. They also took the third place Reading Express (8-5) to the final whistle before falling 71-69.
Still they have had vastly different results then the Mariners who enter this Saturday’s game at 7:00 PM at 1st Mariner Arena with a 12-0 record in 2010, a 17-1 regular season record since May 23, 2009, and finished an undefeated road season after defeating the Erie Storm 39-37 on a last second field goal by kicker J.R. Cipra last weekend.
The Mariners also continue to lead the AIFA in scoring, averaging 61.8 points per game, and rank second in the league allowing just 29.7 points per game. New Jersey, meanwhile, ranks 11th in the 13 team AIFA in scoring offense with 35.3 points per game and their defense sits last in the league giving up 63.2 points per game.
Despite these major differences on paper, Coach Simpson does not consider this game a done deal and still feels there are things his Mariners need to work on to prepare for the playoffs. Simpson, noted, “We want to achieve more consistency on offense. We've had some struggles but, they are
minor things that we simply need to make adjustments to. Defensively, we need to continue
our aggressive and physical play. I am treating our last two regular season games as tune
ups for the post season.”
- John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.