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Which Central Division team do you think has the best dancers?
AFL Insider: Conference Championship
Courtesy: Wayne Morris
           Release: 07/12/2008
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Courtesy: Andy Lopusnak/AFL/GettyImages.com
SaberCats QB Mark Grieb

 

 

By Wayne Morris -- Each week, former AFL player and current broadcasting analyst Wayne Morris takes an insider’s look at every game. Check out Wayne's breakdown for Satuday's Conference Championship.

 

 

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Cleveland Gladiators @ Philadelphia Soul

 

Why to Watch

Round Three! For the third straight week in the National Conference playoffs two Eastern Division teams will meet for the third time this season. The Gladiators take their third shot at the Soul who have been the top team in the AFL this season. But unlike the previous two match ups this regular season series was a split. The Gladiators handed the Soul their first loss and they were a 2-point conversion away from sweeping the season series.  The Gladiators have been a tremendous story with one of the greatest turnarounds in AFL history after improving 7 games in the win column from a year ago when they were 2-14 in Las Vegas.  The key to the turnaround was head coach Mike Wilpolt who stripped this team down completely and made great personnel choices as he rebuilt this team. Wilpolt’s efforts earned him Coach of the Year honors this week. The Gladiators have nothing to lose in this game win or lose it has been a great season but don’t tell anyone in that locker room that a loss would be okay. This team is hot and has a lot of confidence that they cannot only play well in this game, but also win the game and earn a trip to New Orleans for a shot at the title.

 

The Soul escaped with a dramatic and controversial win last week over New York. Many feel that WR Larry Brackins did not get in but the call was made on the field that he did get in and that the replay was inconclusive and it could not be overturned.  Regardless of how the Soul got here this week they are here and they are still the best team in the AFL.  They are looking to end the jinx that has hit the number one seeds in the National Conference the last three years and send Cinderella home packing.  Sometimes a scare like Philadelphia had last week lights a fire and forces a talented team like the Soul to play even harder the next game. Considering all the veterans on this team, it’s very unlikely that the Soul will come out and lay an egg in front of their home crowd. So the Gladiators must expect to get the Soul that won 13 games rather that the one that looked very beatable a week ago.

 

Keys to the Game

Pressure on Philyaw! This has been a key for every defense that has faced Cleveland in the playoffs but it has not happened yet. The veteran quarterback has been well protected and when he has faced pressure he has gotten rid of the ball quickly. Philyaw was the second highest rated QB in the regular season for a reason. He is accurate with the football and he will not make mistakes on his own. The Soul who can get after the quarterback as good as any front four in the AFL must get some hits on Philyaw to either disrupt his timing or put him on the ground.

 

Limit big plays by Soul!  The Soul has been the number one rated offense from wire to wire. The Soul averaged 62 points per game in the regular season and they have the ability to strike fast and furious. The Gladiators must slow the game down from the standpoint that they make the Philly offense work their way down the field and look to solid defense in the red zone. The key will be to contain WR Chris Jackson and not let the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year have a monster game.

 

Key Match Ups

Cleveland C Craig Heimburger vs. Philadelphia NT Bryan Save

The Soul have speed on the edges with DE Gabe Nyenhuis leading the charge but quick inside pressure in the face of a veteran top notch QB like Philyaw will be the key for the Soul. This is exactly what Save brings to the table. He is one of the best in the game and he will put the pressure on Heimburger to play big and hold his ground. Heimburger needs at least a stalemate at the point of attack. If he can get this done then the Gladiators will be able to utilize more 5-step drops to go down the field instead of quick short passes which will allow Philyaw to utilize the whole field in attacking the Philadelphia defense.

 

Cleveland WR Otis Amey vs. Philadelphia WR Eddie Moten

Get ready for a battle that will be one of physicality and finesse. Moten is a defensive playmaker that will take chances at big plays because he reads routes very well, while Amey is a very good route runner that is strong at the point of attack whether it is at the line of scrimmage, against the jam or down the field battling for the football. So they might be a lot of grabbing or pushing off in this one. Hopefully the officials will let them play and keep the flags in their pockets for a good old fashion battle down the field.   It will be important for Moten and the rest of the secondary to play tight man coverage and do not allow Philyaw to check down underneath. This will not allow their great pass rush to get neutralized by quick passes underneath vs. soft coverage.

 

Edge:  Philadelphia

 

 

Grand Rapids Rampage @ San Jose SaberCats

 

Why to Watch

The AFL playoffs have been a land of opportunity for teams that have struggled to find themselves in the regular season but some how get on remarkable runs to steal the show.  In 2006 the Chicago Rush finished 7-9 and won the ArenaBowl. Last season Columbus (7-9) tried to duplicate the Rush run but fell short in the ArenaBowl to San Jose. Now the Rampage who have one less win than those two 7-9 ball clubs is looking to pull off another huge upset on the road vs. the No. 2 seed and defending champs. Last week they shocked everyone win their upset win over top seeded Chicago. Now they take their own 5-game winning streak into the Pavilion and face a red hot SaberCats squad that has won 7 in a row overall.  All season long the Rampage have lived and died with their ability to put up a lot of points. But in the playoffs it has been the near perfect execution of their offense combined with a stingy defense that allowed over 60 points per game in the regular season, but has allowed just 41 points in each of their two postseason games. The Rampage are looking to beat the No. 3, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds to make the trip to New Orleans. 

 

The SaberCats put an end to Columbus’ Cinderella dream season last year in the ArenaBowl with a dominating and convincing win. They will be looking to duplicate their efforts and represent the American Conference for the second straight season and attempt to be the first team to repeat since the 1995-96 Tampa Bay Storm. The SaberCats have not only been the best team in the AFL since 2000, they have also been one of the best home teams in the AFL including winning 20 of the their last 22 games.  It is tough to win in San Jose and the SaberCats like last year are playing their best football in the second half of the season and come into the playoffs red-hot winning 7 straight overall. This is a hungry veteran laden team filled with winners but mixed in with some new young talent, so do not expect the SaberCats to take the Rampage for granted.  With leaders like QB Mark Grieb, WR James Roe and DB Clevan Thomas expect a great effort from the defending champs and this should be another exciting match up!

 

 

Keys to the Game

One more time for the Rampage “D”! The Rampage are known for their ability to put up points in a hurry this season setting the record for most times (4) scoring 80 plus points in a single game. But in these playoffs no one would argue that the catalyst has been their defense. The Rampage 16th ranked defense (60.5 pts/gm) has stolen the show and this is the major reason why they are in this game facing the defending champs for a chance to go the big game. The Rampage need another huge effort from their defense because their facing a more experienced and explosive offensive unit. It is remarkable for a defense to allow almost 20 points less per game in the playoffs than what they did in the regular season.

 

Look to play a physical game with the Rampage receivers!  The San Jose defense led the AFL in forced turnovers and sacks. This is the kind of pressure both up front and in the secondary that the SaberCats can put on an opponent. The Rampage will adjust their offense to the situation so you can see the short, quick passing game early to slow down the San Jose pressure. The SaberCats have one of the best trios of starting defensive backs in the AFL -- this group will get after opposing receivers and they all have consistently made big plays in the secondary. They are the most aggressive trio of defensive backs in the AFL and they should look to challenge the Rampage receivers at the line of scrimmage with tight man press coverage at every opportunity.

 

Red Zone battle! The SaberCats are the best red zone team in the AFL on both sides of the football while the Rampage were 16th on offense and dead last on defense (88%). But in these playoffs the Rampage defense has been outstanding in the red zone making big stops and forcing turnovers. Can the Rampage come up with a few more stops vs. the SaberCats, who have converted 91.8% of their scoring chances inside the 10?

 

 

Key Match Ups

Grand Rapids WR Kenny Higgins vs. San Jose DB Clevan Thomas 

Thomas continued his furious finish to the regular season with another interception last week in the win over Colorado. The key to this match up is for Thomas to not allow Higgins much space to run free before or after the catch. Thomas has been one of the best at challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage in press coverage and he will battle for the football as he is second all-time in interceptions.  Higgins has shown his explosive ability in the playoffs and he must rise to the physical challenge he will not only face from Thomas but from Omar Smith and Marquis Floyd as well.

 

 

Grand Rapids DB Ahmad Hawkins vs. San Jose WR Cleannord Saintil

Saintil replaced the departed Ben Nelson in the SaberCats offense during the off-season and he responded big time in the regular season, leading the ‘Cats in receiving yards (1,503) and touchdowns (35).  He brought speed and another big play wide out to this offense and with James Roe banged up he may be asked to do even more in this game.  Hawkins has had a strong year for the Rampage and his experience and leadership in the middle of the secondary has paid dividends for the Rampage. Now the entire secondary has played well, which should free up Hawkins to look to make the type of big plays that allowed him to tie an AFL record for picks (13) last season.

 

Edge: San Jose
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