Blizzard Defense #1 in af2
June 4, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
As they say, defense wins championships! Going into week 11, as the Blizzard take on the Iowa Barnstormers, the team's defense is tops in the league. Defense has been the philosophy of the Blizzard ever since Head Coach Bob Landsee and Defensive Coordinator Doug Lytle joined the team in 2005.
Although the Blizzard have had success with moving QB's Chris Griesen Georgia Force, James MacPhearson Grand Rapids Rampage, Gino Guilduli B.C.Lions, Offensive Linemen Robert Boss Chicago Rush, Brett Huiser- Colorado Crush and FB's Peter Lazar Cleveland Gladiators, Matt Huebner Georgia Force, Antonio Ficklin Kansas City Brigade) it's their defense were they've made their biggest impact! Names like Stephen Cason Georgia Force, Ronnie Amadi New York, Joe Peters Chicago Rush, Jason Hardee New York Dragons, David Crocker Georgia Force and Randee Drew with the Montreal Allouetts, it leaves the impression that even though the Blizzard have done their fair share of putting points on the board, keeping teams from doing just that have led the Blizzard to the post season the past three years! Great defenses have been a staple of the Blizzard organization and the same holds true for 2008. This year the team's defense is first in the league in total yards (211.0 yards/game), pass defense (188.1 yards/game) and fourth in the league in scoring defense (39.6 points/game).
The defense all starts up front on the defensive line. The team is currently first in the league in total sacks (34). DL Joe Sykes leads the af2 in sacks (13.5) and tackles for loss (14.5). FB/LB Gus Tyson is an extension of the defensive line at the Mack Linebacker and is eighth in the league in sacks (7.5) and seventh in tackles for loss (9.0). DL Quartez Vickerson rounds out the line with 4.5 sacks on the year. "If the guys on our defensive line do their jobs, our defense will be successful," said Coach Lytle. "Not only will they put pressure on the quarterback, it allows our secondary to do more with their coverage's."
Coach Lytle refers to Defensive Backs Coach Sammy Walker as a great teacher of technique. Coach Walker's secondary is first in the league in passing yards allowed, giving up only 188.1 yards per game. "You must be fast, aggressive and have no fear to be on this defense, stated Blizzard DB Nate Green. The Blizzard travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to take on the Barnstormers in a Midwest Division matchup. The Blizzard is currently a three-way tie for first place in the division with the Lexington Horsemen and Louisville Fire with a 6-3 record. The Horsemen will travel to Tennessee Valley to take on the Vipers and Louisville travel to Peoria to play the Pirates. The Blizzard returns home on Friday, June 20th and will host the Mahoning Valley Thunder. The night features a "White Out Night" sponsored by Aurora BayCare Medical Center. 7,000 white "9th Man" tshirts will be handed out to fans as they arrive at the Resch Center.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 4, 2008
- Special Edition Jerseys Coincide with Military Night - Tri-Cities Fever
- Copperheads Debut Official Podcast - Texas Copperheads
- New Number 1: Shock Top Week 11 Coaches Poll - af2
- 2008 Sirens Dance Team Host Dance Clinic - Arkansas Diamonds
- Blizzard Defense #1 in af2 - Green Bay Blizzard
- Conquest Take Losing Skid Back Home To Face Division-Leading Pioneers - Albany Firebirds
- Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2-7) VS. Corpus Christi Sharks (4-5) - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Sharks late surge proves not to be enough - Corpus Christi Sharks
- Texas Copperheads: Coach's Corner - Texas Copperheads
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.
