Jeckle and Hyde mentality haunt Steeldogs
Sonny Sanders
Friday May 5, 2006
In their first match up with the Louisville Fire the Steeldogs offense was working well, but there were defensive struggles and, as has become common this season, mental breakdowns and turnovers. Ryan Hawk had a solid game throwing for 355 yards on 19 completions with zero interceptions. Yet when the Steeldogs were going for the tie he fumbled the ball and the defense was unable to stop the Fire.
In every game this season the Steeldogs have had a Jeckle and Hyde mentality. At times they have looked confused and disorganized while at other times they were running like a well oiled machine. Last Saturday against South Georgia they piled on the stats but had four key turnovers that nearly cost them the game. Some of the problems can be attributed to the lack of arena football experience, but a lack of concentration is an issue as well. If the Steeldogs want to be contenders they must eliminate the mistakes.
Against the Louisville Fire the Steeldogs must also reverse the mistakes and poor performance they had the last time these teams met especially on the defensive line. If the Steeldogs cannot get pressure on the Fire QB then it will be another long night for the Steeldogs. Against other opponents Birmingham has pressured the QB but against Louisville the defensive line was man handled. This cannot be the case tonight if the Steeldogs want to gain revenge on the Fire.
Sonny Sanders is a 36 year old network administrator and is married with one daughter and two grandkids. He has been an Arena Football fan for over a decade and a Steeldogs fan from the beginning. Sonny is a former writer for XFLBoard.com and a prep sports reporter for the Birmingham News.
