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AFL teams pride themselves on defensive specialists

September 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


It may be just as difficult to find a defensive specialist in the Arena Football League as it is to find a bag of the new mega M&M's. Until they hit the store, that's ‘eye candy' on television.

Like the limited mega M's, defensive backs - the very good ones - are few. Even the ‘good ones' give up touchdowns in the aerial assault-dominated AFL where touchdowns can be scored almost at will.

One coach analyzed, a few years ago, that "defenders will give up scores almost three to one, but it's the key defensive stop that allows a team to get the edge. Once you hold serve, you put yourself in the drivers seat to score and hold the edge."

BEST EVEN GET BEAT

In the past five years, Defensive Players of the Year KENNY McENTYRE of the Orlando Predators and CLEVAN THOMAS and OMARR SMITH of the San Jose SaberCats have vaulted to the front of the class as backs that make the ‘big stop.' Sure, they get beat on occasion, but not on a consistent basis, and quarterbacks tend not to throw in their area so the likelihood of them getting tackles is minimal.

This is why the case for tackles, especially by defensive backs, is not that important and it comes down to total passes defended (pass break ups and interceptions) as the key to a great defender.

Quarterbacks definitely stay away from McEntyre, Thomas and others like KEVIN GAINES of Georgia and BILLY PARKER of New York, who led the league with 10 interceptions last season.

So what mega M's are in the AFL's defensive specialist free agent bag this season? With the signing date moved back to October 1, which allows for more time for teams to evaluate - yet allows players to hold out a little longer for more remuneration - the list won't get long, just more scrutinized.

HANDFULL OF GOOD ONES

There are 21 DS's on the list of the near 200 total free agents who could decide the future of some AFL teams in 2006. Sometimes simplification and ‘gut feelings' override the solid numbers of how a player can make a fit with a certain team. The handful of outstanding defensive backs is just that. You can count them on one hand. The younger, marginal ones will learn and make a presence in time.

Free agency could cripple some teams, even decimate some, but teams have to be realistic with their salary cap. What's important to one team, may not be to another, or another may think they can get by with what they have or develop over time. The key is getting a defense to click on all cylinders: As in linemen & linebackers pressure the quarterback so the defensive back has cover time and an opportunity to deflect or intercept an errant ball.

PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES

It's that football philosophy at all levels, but in the indoor game, where it moves so quickly in just a small space, that coordination of the 8-man game is paramount. This is evident in the consistent defensive teams like San Jose, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Georgia, Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.

The Georgia Force will have to deal with losing Gaines. Despite being 34, this seasoned 8-year vet (last three with Georgia) is at the top of the DS commodities list. Make no doubt about it, Gaines gives the top taker experience and an opportunity to teach the younger cover guys the biz.

Gaines has 77 career pass breakups (almost 10 a season) and nearly five interceptions a year. The former Louisville player is not a full-time return man either, so it allows him the specialty time a team needs in the secondary.

DAMON MASON, another 8-season guy, can hold his own and has with mostly Orlando, but was at Grand Rapids last season where he led the AFL in passes defended. That's the combination of pass breakups (34) and INT's (5) with 39. Mason, out of Southwest Louisiana, is 31.

VET HARRIS AVAILABLE

The most interesting DS free is possibly JOHNNIE HARRIS. If the name sounds familiar there is a reason. This 33-year-old defender has more experience than some teams' entire defensive specialist corps. The former Mississippi State product began his professional football career with the Tampa Bay Storm in 1996, moved to the Canadian League and the Toronto Argonauts after the AFL season. Interestingly, Harris helped lead coach Tim Marcum and the Storm to an ArenaBowl title and the Argos to the Grey Cup championship of the CFL in the same year.

Harris had strong years in both 1997 and 1998 when he led the AFL in passes defended (33 PBUs, 11 INT). That prompted the Oakland Raiders to sign the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder that would begin a 5-year NFL run. Harris, not only would play 58 total NFL games (3 years with Oakland; 5 with the New York Giants), but also earn more than $1.5 million including a 2003 Giants contract of more than $500.000). Harris earned the pro-rated amount of $88,000 in eight games for the Orlando Predators in 2005.

In helping Orlando into the playoffs this past season, Harris had four pass breakups and four interceptions. In the two playoff games, Harris had a pair of pass breakups.

ORLANDO'S LIST LONG

The other key defensive specialist with Orlando is REGGIE DOSTER out of Central Florida. Doster had seven PBUs and an interception in 15 games for head coach Jay Gruden's Preds. Doster is a three-year vet and is 29. Gruden does not want to lose one of these players, but still has the ‘high-priced spread' McEntyre, who is worth his weight in more than butter. Orlando spent more than $250,000 on its defensive cover guys in 2005. The fourth DS on the Preds roster was Mississippi State rookie Korey Banks.

New Orleans could lose two of their rostered defensive specialists in ALVIN PORTER and DENARIO SMALLS. The 28-year-old Porter has four NFL seasons under his belt (33 total games) and last season with the VooDoo had nine pass break ups. Smalls, 26, out of East Tennessee State, is a two-year AFL pro.

Las Vegas would not like to lose DS MARVIN TAYLOR, who is 6-foot-1, and in four AFL seasons has 31 PBUs and 17 INTs.

The others include Arizona's CLARENCE LAWSON, DONVETIS FRANKLIN with Columbus, RAPHAEL BALL and veteran CECIL DOGGETTE with Grand Rapids, and Philadelphia's CALVIN COLEMAN.

KICKERS ARE FINISHERS

Last, but not least in the ‘grab bag' of frees, are the kickers. Yes, the guys that stand at the end of the field alone until called upon, the guys that stay after regular practice to get in extra kicking practice with the center and holder and the guys you either love or hate when it comes down to the game-winning kick at the end of the game.

This group includes seasoned veterans STEVE VIDETICH (Columbus), NELSON GARNER (Georgia), MATT GEORGE (Tampa Bay) and BRIAN SCHMITZ (New Orleans). Videtich, in his ninth season, had 126 points and was fourth in field goals made (14).

Storm coach Marcum, who has been known to go through a number of kickers in a season, stuck with George last season and he delivered. George, a five-year AFL booter, played all 16 regular-season games for Tampa Bay and scored 148 points (3rd in the league).

Garner has several years of experience and collected 118 points and Schmitz helped New Orleans win some games with 133 points.

Okay, the majority of the ‘bag' is empty, it's just a matter of time when the players will find their team for 2006 and maybe mega M's will be available. Look at it this way, neither the players or the candy is free.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 13, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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