Predators Head Coach Issues Midterm Report Card
Published on March 26, 2003 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 26) -- With the Arena Football League reaching the midway point of the 2003 season last weekend, Orlando Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero delivered his team's "report card" for the first half of the season.
"To be fair, if you would have told me before the season started that we would be 6-2 at the halfway point, I might have gave us a B+ on the spot," Papasedero said. "But the great start combined with how we lost last week's game changed all of that. Right now, I look at our talent and know we have the potential to get a lot better. For that reason, I'll give us a C+."
Papasedero's comments on each aspect of his team follows:
Passing Offense: Collectively, I would give us a B-, we started off great with Jay and Connell had a couple of good games, but our offense has struggled the last three weeks and that starts with your play at quarterback. We didn't pass protect exceptionally well against either Tampa Bay or Indiana, still there were instances where maybe Connell might have held on to the ball too long or started scrambling when he didn't need to. Whether it's Jay or Connell in the game, both guys are competitors and I'm sure we'll get better play out of this position as the season goes on.
Rushing Offense: We probably earned a C+ here. Injuries probably hurt our consistency here. We're still in the top third in the league in rushing, but we haven't dominated like we used to. We've used five different players at this position and when we get Ricky Wood healthy, I'm sure we will see some improvement here.
Receivers: I think we earn an A- or B+ here. Collectively, our starters of Travis McGriff, Thabiti Davis and Cory Fleming are probably as good as anyone's in the league and I like our depth with Rashad Floyd, Lamont Moore and Antonio Stanley in the wings. Obviously the play of our offensive line and quarterbacks will play a role in how well the receivers play.
Offensive Line: Solid B here. We've given up a few more sacks than I would like, but there are other factors involved. Sometimes our quarterbacks have been holding the ball too long. We've only had a couple of blown protections and the group is playing pretty well as a whole.
Defensive Line: B+ Here. I would have given an A, except our run defense was a little suspect for a few games. Our pass rush is solid and we've dominated up front quite a few games.
Defensive Backs: Probably a B- here. Our guys have been pretty consistent and haven't given up a lot of big plays this year. Our tackling in the secondary has certainly improved. On the down side, we haven't made a lot of big plays and our interceptions are down this season. I have also been a little disappointed in our 3rd down pass coverage. We've made too many mental mistakes.
Linebackers: Our "macs" have been getting pretty good pressure, but we've made some mistakes â particularly on goal line situations. Our "jacks" have been solid on tackles, yet I know Thabiti and Cory have the ability to make more plays, particularly after Thabiti gains some experience there. Let's call this a B- for now.
Special Teams: A real mixed bag here. Brian Schmitz has done a good job. Almost all of his field goal misses have gone from 50 yards or longer and you don't expect to make those. We do have room for improvement on extra points. Our kick coverage has been outstanding this season and we haven't given up a kickoff return for touchdown yet. Our kick returns have been okay, but will probably improve once Travis gets more comfortable taking the ball off the net. Because we are outside all the time, the only experience he gets is in games and that's a difficult situation. Our up-backs have made some big plays, doing a good job covering balls off the iron. We have had some breakdowns on blocking assignments that have led to some blocked kicks. Let's call this a B-.
Arena Football League Stories from March 26, 2003
- Battle Wings to Host Free Fan Appreciation Scrimmage Friday - Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
- Military Personnel to be Honored, Entertainment Review to Make Encore Performance - Orlando Predators
- Andre Bowden returns to the Storm - Tampa Bay Storm
- Predators Head Coach Issues Midterm Report Card - Orlando Predators
- Streaking Storm Face Tough Rattlers - Tampa Bay Storm
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.
