AFL On NBC This Sunday 03/16, Orlando At Tampa Bay
Published on March 13, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss â The AFL game on NBC this Sunday will be the Orlando Predators (6-0) at the home of the Tampa Bay Storm (4-2). The following is a preview of the game.
ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-0) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (4-2)
Sunday, March 9th, 11 a.m. CT, (NBC Broadcasters- Tom Hammond, Pat Haden and Lewis Johnson)
As the only undefeated team, the Predators have a big bull's eye on their backs and the Storm are taking aim. Orlando holds the advantage in this storied regular-season rival series, 13-12. When Orlando makes the short two-hour drive to face Tampa Bay on Sunday, they'll be met by the AFL's winningest coach TIM MARCUM and his third-ranked defense (255.3 YPG). The Storm defense - led by COREY SAWYER - has out-intercepted their opponent 9 to 5 through Week 6 and have allowed opponents to advance on 4th-down in just one of eight attempts. Guided by JOHN KALEO, Tampa Bay's fourth-ranked pass offense (268.3 YPG) is clicking on all cylinders, averaging 58 points in their three consecutive wins off of the feats of the Storms' top two scorers FREDDIE SOLOMON and LAWRENCE SAMUELS. The Predators defense will be on the prowl on Sunday, with KENNY MCENTYRE (35.0 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 pass breakups) and REGGIE DOSTER (32.0 tackles, 2 pass breakups) patrolling the backfield. The Predators hold the second-best turnover margin (+8), lead League in sacks with 13, and own the No. 3 scoring defense. CONNELL MAYNOR continues to be an ultimate weapon for Orlando, capable passing (13 TDs) or rushing (3 TDs). A trio of targets for Maynor - TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS - are each on pace to break the 1,000 receiving-yard barrier this season, a first in team history.
STORIED RIVALRY ADDS ANOTHER CHAPTER ON NBC
NEW YORK - Separated by 85 miles of highway, the intense rivalry between Tampa Bay and Orlando heats up this Sunday on NBC at noon ET. In their last meeting on February 9, JAY GRUDEN passed for 330 yards and six touchdowns as the Predators edged the Storm, 54-51.
Heading into their second regular-season match this Sunday, Orlando will be guided by capable backup CONNELL MAYNOR. Gruden suffered an ankle sprain in Week 4 and Maynor stepped in, leading the Predators to three consecutive wins, an undefeated record and the top position in the Southern Division.
In his 10th season, Maynor is only 29 rushing yards away from becoming the first player in AFL history to record more than 500 yards in three different offensive categories: passing, rushing and receiving.
With three players on pace for 1,000-plus receiving-yard performances this season, Orlando shows no signs of letting down. Rookies TRAVIS MCGRIFF and THABITI DAVIS are joined by veteran CORY FLEMING in this trio of top-notch receivers.
The Storm's third-ranked defense is tough on their home turf inside St. Pete Times Forum. Tampa Bay - 3-0 at home - has allowed opponents to score an average of only 35.7 points at the Forum. Meanwhile, the Storm are averaging 58.0 points per home game.
Since their first meeting in 1991, history has proven this matchup to be one of the AFL's exciting every season. In 25 regular-season meetings, the two teams have evenly split all contests with a dozen apiece. Facing off six times in the postseason, the Predators have four wins over the Storm. With six AFL championships between them, these two teams have tangled in two ArenaBowls -- Tampa Bay won ArenaBowl IX in 1995 and Orlando was the victor in ArenaBowl XII in 1998. Overall, the scoring-differential in their 31 combined games is only 18 points; advantage Tampa Bay (1,286 to 1,268).
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