December 3rd, 2009 Posted by Matt Field
The last time LFL fans in Tampa saw their team was back in the dog days of training camp back in August. After months of preparation and more film study than Martin Scorsese, the Breeze are truly ready for their season opener. “no one on the team has been able to sleep all week”, exclaimed Tampa head coach and former St Louis Ram, Yo Murphy.
Either Coach Murphy is having difficulty sleeping because or the excitement of opening the season or because their opponent is one of the most feared teams in the league, the number two ranked Chicago Bliss. Chicago moved up to the number two ranking in the most recent power rankings despite not having played a snap since September 4th, that’s how high the expectations are of the Bliss. There seems to be a definite buzz in the Windy City about a championship season.
Chicago will come into Tampa with the most complete team outside of Dallas. Bliss head coach Keith Hac has an old-school philosophy of smash-mouth football and an intimidating power defense. Offensively, Chicago features their own version of ‘thunder and lightning’ with Tasha ‘the Tank’ Pryor and perhaps one of the most under-rated running backs in the league with Saran Dunmore. While the offense lacks a franchise quarterback, Elle Cartabiano manages the game well and avoids the big turnover. Besides a pair of great backs, Cartabiano has weapons on the outside led by Deborah Poles and Bre Junea. Expect Chicago to utilize their short screen-passing game due to Cartabiano’s lack of arm-strength to the stretch the field.
Defensively, Chicago could rival the ‘85 Chicago Bears team with the league’s best interior featuring the ‘Triangle of Doom’ which includes linebacker Brooke Finneke, defensive tackle Summer LaViolette and defensive end Nikki Lee. The only weak point of this team is the secondary which will tested by Tampa’s all-fantasy quarterback, Jenn Myers. Tampa could target DB Danielle Moinet who was exposed in the season opener by Miami’s Tina Caccavale who had over 100 yards receiving, although Moinet did finish off the Caliente with a late interception.
If Tampa is to stay in this game, they will need to score early and often. This team is certainlt set up for scoring via the vertical deep ball which Coach Murphy has installed, a similar attack to the St Louis Rams’ ‘Greatest Show On Turf’ which Murphy was a part of. The Breeze have been the mystery team of the LFL not having played a game all season. However, there is incredible buzz around the team that features the Peyton Manning of the LFL in Myers who will have several targets, one of which will be the quick-footed running back, Tiffany Powers. This game will come down th how Tampa’s front three on defense controls the line of scrimmage and Chicago’s run game.
Look for an exciting playoff atmosphere showdown under the Friday Night Lights in Tampa in one of the LFL’s biggest and loudest arenas.
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