Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. This week a special look will be made at each team’s defense.
1. Chicago Rush (8-2) (LW: 2):Chicago’s rise to the top spot could be debated, but narrow victories and defeats by top National Conference teams put them No. 1 in the poll. The victory over TampaBay was important, as it was the first victory against a National Conference team in 2008. Should Chicago make it to ArenaBowl XXII, they would have to go up against an American Conference opponent. The Rush defense has been dominant, behind DB/WR Dennison Robinson’s 65.5 tackles and eight interceptions. DeJuan Alfonzo and Jeremy Unertl have also added 7 total interceptions between them. Chicago held TampaBay to just 46 points, right at their season average (they rank second in the league, giving up just 46.1 points per game). The Rush can clinch a playoff sport during their bye week if any number of five teams lose, so don’t expect them to go anywhere next week.
2. Dallas Desperados (8-1) (LW: 3): Dallas might have barely defeated the Columbus Destroyers, but this just goes to show how strong the National Conference is from top to bottom. While they have eight wins, their one loss to Philadelphia was against a much different team than the one that is currently being fielded, with all of the injuries that have set in for the Soul. The Desperados’ defense – led by guys like Colston Weatherington, Duke Pettijohn and Will Pettis – is the stingiest in the league, allowing a league-low 44.6 points per game.
3. Philadelphia Soul (9-1) (LW: 1): This team seemed in great position to complete a perfect season after beating Dallas, but the loss to Cleveland derailed any hope rather quickly. The loss was compounded by the fact that the team is now marred with injuries. Philadelphia has, throughout the 2008 season, shown adversity in the face of injuries. The defense has shown signs of greatness, specifically in the game against Dallas, but in six of their 10 games, they have allowed more then 50 points. In comparison, Dallas has given up more then 50 points only three times. Nevertheless, the Soul can clinch a playoff spot with a win this week and a TampaBay loss, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to last week’s loss in Cleveland.
4. New Orleans VooDoo (7-3) (LW: 4): Much like the Soul, the VooDoo entered Week 10 facing a division opponent, and ended up being demolished. Despite the loss, the mystique that the VooDoo have will hopefully return as they continue their string of divisional games. A win this week would secure at least a .500 record for the 2008 season, quite a turn around from 2007. The secondary has been the key for New Orleans, as they seem to be guiding this turnover-happy defense. The VooDoo have accumulated 23 interceptions this season.
5. New York Dragons (5-4) (LW: 5): While four of the six teams that entered Week 10 over .500 lost, the Dragons were able to escape the week with a bye. The Dragons did not drop in the poll, but their competition has caught up. Four of the top six teams in the Power Poll are now from the Eastern Division. The defense for the Dragons starts with Henry Taylor and the defensive line, which has 15 sacks already this season.
6. Cleveland Gladiators (5-4) (LW: 8): The Gladiators needed to gain some consistency and win a big game, and they did just that as they defeated the Philadelphia Soul. This victory over the Soul is as valuable to the Gladiators now as the 3-0 start to the season because it comes on the heels of a tough 1-4 stretch. The key is that they must maintain momentum, and keep moving towards the top of the Eastern Division. Much like the Dragons, the defensive line is a significant force for this team, having compiled 13 sacks already this season.
7. Orlando Predators (7-3) (LW: 7): The Predators mauled the SaberCats, and in doing so provided another example of the National Conference dominance. Orlando alone is 4-0 against the American Conference. The Predators must keep pace with the VooDoo to reach the top of the Southern Division, something well within their grasp. The defense has the necessary veteran leadership in DB Kenny McEntyre. Leadership on defense is ever so important as the season continues, and his five interceptions have led the way. The veteran DB has made them count, with four of them going for touchdowns.
8. San Jose SaberCats (5-5) (LW: 6): The SaberCat defense is filled with playmakers – Omaar Smith, Clevan Thomas and Marquis Floyd have combined for 12 INTs and 29 passes defended. The defensive backfield is helped by the pressure put on quarterbacks by Steve Watson and Alan Harper, who have combined for nine sacks and seven forced fumbles.
9. Georgia Force (4-5) (LW: 11): A strong showing against the VooDoo was not only a needed win, as they inch closer to a .500 record, but it is a nice confidence booster as the team now prepares to face another top team in Philadelphia. Though the offense can score points, the Force defense should be a concern. It has allowed 60+ points four times, and has won just one of those games.
10. Colorado Crush (4-5) (LW: 12): The Crush were able to dismantle the Rampage, which is a good sign for Colorado. Not only were they expected to win, but they face a similar opponent in Utah this week. The defense for the Crush is once again led by DB Rashad Floyd, who not only continues to accumulate tackles, but has also notched six interceptions this season.
11. TampaBay Storm (3-6) (LW: 10): While they could not pull off a win against Chicago, they did have a nice showing, as they gave the Rush a battle until the end. Being a team in the middle of the pack in the National Conference has been a difficult position to be in this season. This team has lost only two games by more than 10 points, and has the opportunity to defeat a second straight division opponent as they face the VooDoo this weekend. While TampaBay has not created that many turnovers (14), this defense has done well to contain opponents and keep the Storm in close games, as they did against the Rush.
12. Arizona Rattlers (4-5) (LW: 9): The Rattlers had the opportunity to separate themselves from the Avengers with a win, and they failed to accomplish the feat. If there is a silver lining, it was that they lost by less than a touchdown. The defeat represented the first loss they had that was less than 24 points. In contrast, three of their four wins have been by five points or less. While I’m not implying that there is no hope for the defense in Arizona (they did have a positive showing earlier this season against New York), the Rattlers defense has not allowed fewer then 59 points in any other game. That puts added extra pressure on the offense and young quarterback Lang Campbell.
13. Los Angeles Avengers (4-6) (LW: 15): The Avengers needed a victory, and they got just that. But more importantly, it showed they can win a close game. Before this, the closest game they had played in was a 13-point loss to Colorado. L.A., like every team, would like to have a few more wins on their record, but the Avengers are in a much more favorable spot than they were just a month ago. While injuries can lead to a less productive unit, the stellar defense that the Avengers had in the first two weeks of the season has all but vanished. In the past eight games they have not allowed fewer then 58 points.
14. Grand Rapids Rampage (3-6) (LW: 14):Grand Rapids collapsed when it played Colorado, and continues to show a lack of consistency. Not every team is Kansas City (who the Rampage defeated twice), and it has become evident that there are ways to prevent this team from scoring astronomical amounts of points. While DB Ahmad Hawkins is not having the standout year like he did in Nashville in 2007, his five interceptions are still respectable.
15. Utah Blaze (1-9) (LW: 17): The Utah Blaze have won their first game of the season and climbed up two spots. Now the question is when will they win their second? The Blaze are in need of upsets right now, however even with the mediocrity that is being displayed in the Western Division, that still seems a bit out of their reach. The fact that the Blaze held a team to 50 points would be considered a breakthrough says all you need to know about their defense. In other words, it hasn’t been good.
16. Columbus Destroyers (2-7) (LW: 14): The Destroyers were so close to climbing back into the playoff hunt in the National Conference, but they are now 0-5 in the Eastern Division. The sad part for this team is that they could have a much better record, as they are 2-4 in games decided by three points or less. Unlike many of the other lower ranking teams, this defense has only allowed more then 60 points twice this season.
17. Kansas City Brigade (1-8) (LW: 16): The opportunity to pick up a second win was not to be for the Brigade. In their game this week against Columbus, they need to win or they will be securing a losing record in 2008. In contrast to the 2007 season, inexperience seems to be what has plagued this squad. The defense has a number of holes, and DB Jerald Brown cannot hold the defense together by himself. Until he gets more help, Kansas City will stay in the Power Poll basement.
Fans, click hereto e-mail a question to Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Coach Ho" will answer the questions each week as part of the Allstate "Ask Coach Ho" feature."
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