Defense lifts Preds over VooDoo

Jason Lucas
Sunday May 13, 2007

Impressive—Physical—nasty, all words used to describe the play of the Orlando Predators (6-4) defensive efforts Friday night against the New Orleans VooDoo (4-6). The Preds offense tried everything they could think of to give away a game in which their defense forced four turnovers and two missed field goals from the VooDoo. 

Somehow, some way, the Preds escaped the Jungle with a 42-33 victory after their offense was all but dead in the second half.

Preds defensive end Greg White finally had the game of the season I have been waiting for. I tell him pretty much every week he should be getting three sacks per game. White did just that on Friday as he was credited with three sacks and one forced fumble. 

With under a minute to go in the fourth quarter the VooDoo recovered an onsides kick as they trailed 35-33. White made his biggest play of the day sacking New Orleans’ quarterback Andy Kelly. On the next play White pressured Kelly again and Rayshun Reed came up with a big interception for the Predators. 

Orlando’s new receiver Ron Johnson made a big catch on the Preds ensuing drive to convert on second and long to the VooDoo six yard line. Two plays later Orlando QB Shane Stafford hit Johnson on a fade route to put the game out of reach. 

Leading 28-19 in the third quarter Orlando’s defense would force two consecutive VooDoo turnovers only to watch their offense march backwards forcing Jay Taylor to try two 60-plus yard field goal attempts. 

As disappointing as the Preds offense was in this game the kickoff return team was equally upsetting. The return team gave up two onside kick recoveries to the VooDoo, one squandered a comfortable first half lead and sent the teams into the locker rooms 21-19. The other gave the VooDoo a golden opportunity to win the game. Not only that, Orlando’s return man Ryan Bowers fumbled with two seconds left in the first half. Lucky for Bowers New Orleans would miss the attempt to take a one-point lead into halftime. 

Defense is Tops in the AFL

Orlando’s defense has allowed just 42.5 points per game during the 2007 season; far and away the best scoring defense in the AFL. In a season where their offense has been mediocre at best, it’s easy to see why the Predators are 6-4 when you watch their attacking defense. 

The performances of defensive backs Ryan Bowers, Rayshun Reed, and Lin-J Shell this season has been nothing short of surprising. Coming into the season it was widely believed the Preds were in trouble after losing All-Arena player Kenny “The Glove” McEntyre and hitman Jeroid Johnson. 

Bowers and Reed each had interceptions of Andy Kelly in Friday’s game. Shell had a solid game with eight tackles on the night and two pass defenses. Reed was inexplicably named Ironman of the Game for his two interceptions of Kelly, but did not record any offensive statistics. Reed’s second interception of the game came when he was lying flat on his back and set-up the game clinching score. 

Ron Johnson Bright Spot on Offense

All season long the Predators go-to receiver has been Javarus Dudley. Friday saw the official emergence of Ron Johnson who I am calling “Jay Gruden’s new toy”. Stafford found Johnson 10 times against the VooDoo for 106 yards and two scores. 

Stafford repeatedly attempted to take advantage of Johnson’s 6’3 233lb frame against the New Orleans secondary. Johnson was most effective running the slant route which is the most essential route in the Gruden style of offense. His biggest play was made in the fourth quarter when he put the game away with a six-yard touchdown reception from Stafford on a fade route. 

Week 12

Next Sunday the Predators travel to Texas to take on the Austin Wranglers in the Erwin Center. Game time is set for 4pm EST and will be televised in Florida via Sun Sports. The Wranglers pose a few unnamed challenges to the Predators as they have yet to play their week 11 match-up with the Arizona Rattlers. One thing is for sure, Adrian McPherson is no longer the leader for the Wranglers. That burden has fallen on the shoulders of Lang Campbell who may or may not be Austin’s starter next week.