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Murray: Technique is key this week

April 27, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


Editor's Note: One of the most significant moves the Coyotes made during the 2004 off-season was acquiring Doug Murray as defensive coordinator. Murray spent the pas two seasons at UC Davis as the secondary coach.

In Central Valley, Murray inherits a defense that finished 3rd in the af2 last season. The team also acquired talented players in the off-season, including linebacker Kevin Nelson, defensive specialists Kalangi Muagututia, and Jermaine Smith to add to the veteran leadership of defensive end Ricky Leung-Wai, defensive specialist VonKeith Spencer and linebacker Howard Maxwell.

Murray's comments will appear regularly on Centralvalleycoyotes.com throughout the 2004 season.

Last weekend the defense recorded two defensive stops, how important is it to tally at least one stop in this game?

"It's extremely important. I'm sure there is some kind of statistical report that would give you a better win percentage based on the number of stops you tallied, but we need to focus on at least matching the opposing team's stops. If we can match their stops, then we can put the ball in the hands of our offense to score points."

In San Diego you held the Riptide to only 253-yards of total offense, the lowest by any opponent this year, is the defense beginning to gel together?

"I'm hoping we are starting to gel together. I think the critical thing is to keep the score down of the opposing team. Total yards is one variable, and it is important, but the ultimate stat is points scored. They [San Diego] didn't have a lot of yards compared to Hawaii or Bakersfield, but when the did get touches, they were turning them into points. So I think overall we are getting better and it's just a matter of time before we turn that corner."

VonKeith Spencer has been playing with a lot of emotion on the field, how do the player's respond to his leadership?

"VonKeith has demonstrated himself as a player and a hard worker, and I think those two things are crucial when other player's on the team are trying to solidify themselves. VonKeith needs to improve like everybody on this team needs to improve from the player's all the way up to myself and the coaching staff. He is definitely a valuable asset to the team and I am very proud to be coaching him this year."

What are you looking to improve on in defense?

"Our number one goal is to improve on being more techniquely sound. We need to be perfect in our alignments and exact in our assignments. We also need to get sacks, I think we did a better job last week of getting pressure on the quarterback and getting hurries, but he was still able to get the ball off. So I think we need to work upfront more on getting sacks and obviously we need to be cleaner in the secondary."

Peoria enters this week's contest with a 1-2 record, does their record represent their capabilities on the field?

"No, a 1-2 record doesn't mean anything in a 16 game season. I think they are trying to gel as are we, if you look on their roster they have a lot of first year player's on the team. I think it's going to take them a little time, just like us to do it. They are one game better then us because they do have a win, so I know they know that they are able of coming out on top in a game. They are getting scarier every week just like everybody else, and hopefully we can match them and secure our first win."

Offensively, who on the Pirates team poses the biggest threat on the field?

"They have two pretty good receivers. I like Patterson, I think he is a real dangerous player, which means we are going to have to be sharp on defense. We are going to have to avoid mistakes, or they will capitalize on them. They are a very talented team who is very strong and quick. I don't think there is one guy that poses a threat offensively, as a team they pose a threat."

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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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