Post by Banana Cat on Nov 29, 2011 19:34:57 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/game-17-preview-cleveland-crush-orlando-fantasy/
GAME 17 PREVIEW | CLEVELAND CRUSH AT ORLANDO FANTASY
By: Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)
Photo Courtesy: Joe Petro/LFL PHOTOS
A historical night is guaranteed on Friday night as the hungry Cleveland Crush (0-2) return to Florida in search of their first-ever franchise win as they engage the Orlando Fantasy (1-0), who hopes to not only build upon their franchise’s impressive opening outing in Baltimore to not only extend their first-ever winning streak but prevail in their first home contest.
CLEVELAND CRUSH
If Cleveland’s fifth-ranked offense is to ‘crush’ the vaunted Orlando defense, it will most likely be determined by the continued development QB Abbie Sullivan and RB Marija ‘The Enforcer” Condric, as displayed at times in the season-opening 20-19 setback versus Baltimore and in a 31-29 last-second defeat at Tampa and through the first-half in a difficult test most recently against Philadelphia. Beyond those two, Cleveland possesses one of the most talented rookie classes in the league, with scoring-machine WR Theresa Petruziello, who currently leads the league in reception, and WR Shannon Anderson very capable of creating separation between themselves and defenders as well as good hands and the ability to make big plays with regularity.
On the other side of the ball, Crush Head Coach Dontez Howard employs an aggressive scheme designed to keep opposing offenses guessing, though its effectiveness this season has not directly resulted in a so far elusive first win. Howard will rely on the continued development of his front three, namely LaTeefa Moore, Aisha Brown and Ashia Meredith as well as the aforementioned opportunism of Sullivan, who set the interception return record (53 yards) in an electric play against Baltimore during the team’s home opener.
ORLANDO FANTASY
Orlando may have lost every single game in their first regular season campaign, but with several big free agent signings coupled with the development of three cornerstone players as well as a convincing first-ever franchise win 36-12 over Baltimore, Fantasy Head Coach Doug Miller and his team are now eyeing an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
Offensively, the Fantasy are led by quarterback, All-Fantasy starter and free agent signee Anonka Dixon from Miami, a mobile quarterback in the mold of NFL star Michael Vick, who presents significant challenges to the defense because of her quickness and simultaneous ability to stretch the field with her arm. A recipient of many Dixon passes promises to be All-Fantasy wide receivers Jennifer Kraus, whose length, agility and possession skills makes her one of the top players at her position and Taylor Thompson, who pound-for-pound is one of the most dynamic players in the game. And last, but certainly not least, is running back Etta Paul, who is widely considered one of the best running backs in the game.
Fans may see Jeannette McCoy at quarterback, who is perhaps the best option for the Orlando offense moving forward due to her well-balanced passing ability , though Dixon is expected to garner a majority of snaps.
On defense, the Fantasy are anchored by the blue-collar play of All-Fantasy defensive-end J.J. Thacker, who reminds many LFL experts of NFL Pro Bowler Jared Allen because of her reckless pass rushing intensity and McCoy, whose imposing length and athleticism provides the perfect complement to what the Orlando coaches and fans hope turns opposing offenses into ineffective, one-dimensional attackers.
STADIUM: Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL –Natural Grass—Outdoor )
KICKOFF: 9:00 p.m. ET
Key Match-ups:
- Etta Paul and Anonka Dixon versus Cleveland’s front three.
- Cleveland QB Abbie Sullivan and WR Theresa Petruziello’s success in medium/deep passing game.
- Crush RB Marija Condric’s effectiveness against Orlando’s front-three.
FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB ANONKA DIXON (ORL) | RB ETTA PAUL (ORL) | WR THERESA PETRUZIELLO CLE | RB MARIJA ‘THE ENFORCER CONDRIC (CLE)
By: Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)
Photo Courtesy: Joe Petro/LFL PHOTOS
A historical night is guaranteed on Friday night as the hungry Cleveland Crush (0-2) return to Florida in search of their first-ever franchise win as they engage the Orlando Fantasy (1-0), who hopes to not only build upon their franchise’s impressive opening outing in Baltimore to not only extend their first-ever winning streak but prevail in their first home contest.
CLEVELAND CRUSH
If Cleveland’s fifth-ranked offense is to ‘crush’ the vaunted Orlando defense, it will most likely be determined by the continued development QB Abbie Sullivan and RB Marija ‘The Enforcer” Condric, as displayed at times in the season-opening 20-19 setback versus Baltimore and in a 31-29 last-second defeat at Tampa and through the first-half in a difficult test most recently against Philadelphia. Beyond those two, Cleveland possesses one of the most talented rookie classes in the league, with scoring-machine WR Theresa Petruziello, who currently leads the league in reception, and WR Shannon Anderson very capable of creating separation between themselves and defenders as well as good hands and the ability to make big plays with regularity.
On the other side of the ball, Crush Head Coach Dontez Howard employs an aggressive scheme designed to keep opposing offenses guessing, though its effectiveness this season has not directly resulted in a so far elusive first win. Howard will rely on the continued development of his front three, namely LaTeefa Moore, Aisha Brown and Ashia Meredith as well as the aforementioned opportunism of Sullivan, who set the interception return record (53 yards) in an electric play against Baltimore during the team’s home opener.
ORLANDO FANTASY
Orlando may have lost every single game in their first regular season campaign, but with several big free agent signings coupled with the development of three cornerstone players as well as a convincing first-ever franchise win 36-12 over Baltimore, Fantasy Head Coach Doug Miller and his team are now eyeing an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
Offensively, the Fantasy are led by quarterback, All-Fantasy starter and free agent signee Anonka Dixon from Miami, a mobile quarterback in the mold of NFL star Michael Vick, who presents significant challenges to the defense because of her quickness and simultaneous ability to stretch the field with her arm. A recipient of many Dixon passes promises to be All-Fantasy wide receivers Jennifer Kraus, whose length, agility and possession skills makes her one of the top players at her position and Taylor Thompson, who pound-for-pound is one of the most dynamic players in the game. And last, but certainly not least, is running back Etta Paul, who is widely considered one of the best running backs in the game.
Fans may see Jeannette McCoy at quarterback, who is perhaps the best option for the Orlando offense moving forward due to her well-balanced passing ability , though Dixon is expected to garner a majority of snaps.
On defense, the Fantasy are anchored by the blue-collar play of All-Fantasy defensive-end J.J. Thacker, who reminds many LFL experts of NFL Pro Bowler Jared Allen because of her reckless pass rushing intensity and McCoy, whose imposing length and athleticism provides the perfect complement to what the Orlando coaches and fans hope turns opposing offenses into ineffective, one-dimensional attackers.
STADIUM: Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL –Natural Grass—Outdoor )
KICKOFF: 9:00 p.m. ET
Key Match-ups:
- Etta Paul and Anonka Dixon versus Cleveland’s front three.
- Cleveland QB Abbie Sullivan and WR Theresa Petruziello’s success in medium/deep passing game.
- Crush RB Marija Condric’s effectiveness against Orlando’s front-three.
FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB ANONKA DIXON (ORL) | RB ETTA PAUL (ORL) | WR THERESA PETRUZIELLO CLE | RB MARIJA ‘THE ENFORCER CONDRIC (CLE)