Post by Banana Cat on Jan 24, 2012 4:09:22 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/2012-western-preview-temptation-sin/
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
1.23.2012
By Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)
The battle lines are drawn and an explosive match-up awaits fans as the Las Vegas Sin and Los Angeles Temptation clash for the second time in two months, this time for the right to represent the Western Conference in Lingerie Bowl IX.
LOS ANGELES TEMPTATION
The defending two-time champion Los Angeles Temptation enter their third-consecutive conference finals appearance with designs on avenging a narrow November loss in Las Vegas to the expansion Sin, their first setback in two years.
Since November, the Temptation have played well, outlasting an aggressive Seattle Mist team, 27-24, and using a late first-half flurry in establishing second-half dominance to roll past the Chicago Bliss 42-26 to clinch the playoff spot.
Led by long-time veteran head coach David Bizub and defensive coordinator Tui Suiaunoa, Los Angeles’ success on offense relies on the golden arm of second-year starter and Lingerie Bowl VIII MVP Ashley Salerno and the dual rushing and receiving threats of RB Melissa Margulies and WR Amber Reed.
The Temptation defense is led by an emerging play-maker in CB Ogom Chijindu, DE Amber Reed, DE Tessa Barrera and LB Monique Gaxiola. Known as ‘Tui’s Terrible Defense’ for their swarming, aggressive nature, this year’s version has struggled to find consistency in stopping opponents’ passing games. In their last contest versus the then-lowest ranked passing attack in the league, L.A. allowed the Bliss more than double their season average. Despite that statistical fact, the Temptation rush defense has shined in their latest wins, limiting Seattle All-Fantasy running back Kam Warner and 2011-12 Rookie of the Year candidate ChrisDell ‘Ferrari’ Harris well under their season averages .
LAS VEGAS SIN
In spite of a turbulent training camp that featured major roster turnover and significant coaching changes, the expansion Las Vegas Sin have since enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the Western Conference standings. Sin Head Coach Dion Lee’s team, ranked No. 12 in the LFL Power Rankings heading into their season opener, are now ranked No. 3 and, if his unapologetic prediction comes true, will be ranked No. 1 at the end of the postseason.
The fourth-ranked Sin offense is led by one of the LFL’s most exciting talents, rookie QB Nikki Johnson. Johnson, who leads the league in touchdowns, quarterback efficiency and passing yards has been vital to the team’s success and her lack-of-turnovers have proven key in their four wins.
Outside of quarterback, perhaps Las Vegas’ most important offensive player is TE Sunshine Misa-Uli, who is a key piece to their red zone offense. Also, running back Tracee Thomas is a physical runner with great acceleration while wide receiver Cassandra Strickland possesses size and skill and has emerged as one of Johnson’s favorite targets.
On defense, DE Sunshine Misa-Uli, DE Danika Brace, LB Carrie Walters and CB Tamica Estrella lead the LFL’s 5th-ranked defense. Last weekend, the Sin dominated a dynamic Green Bay offense and now have only allowed 28 total points (9.3 average) in the first half of their last three games.
2011 REGULAR SEASON MATCH-UP
Nov. 11: ‘Mere hours into his tenure, Las Vegas Head Coach Dion Lee stared into his crystal ball and boldly predicted that his rookie-laden Sin team would make the playoffs and go undefeated en route to winning the Lingerie Bowl. Until recently, few bought into this vision. However, after a thrilling 28-20 upset win over the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Temptation, the expansion franchise not only finds themselves playoff-bound, making history in the process, but also half of the way to fulfilling their head coach’s once-maligned prophecy.’
COMMON OPPONENTS
Los Angeles and Las Vegas have shared two common opponents this season (Seattle, Chicago) and have emerged from both of their games undefeated. Los Angeles recently defeated the Seattle Mist, 27-24 and, last week, used an aeriel assault to take down the Chicago Bliss 42-26. Las Vegas started their season with a 32-20 win at Chicago and built a 28-8 lead in Seattle, ultimately hanging on after a second-half surge to outlast the Mist 28-24.
GAME INFORMATION
VENUE: CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA (ONTARIO, CA–INDOORS, ARTIFICIAL SURFACE)
BROADCAST: SUNDAY, 1.29.2012, 4:00 p.m. ET | 1:00 p.m. PT, MTV2 (LIVE)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TEMPTATION | QB – ASHLEY SALERNO, RB – MELISSA MARGULIES, WR/DE- AMBER REED, CB – OGOM CHIJINDU, LB – MONIQUE GAXIOLA
SIN | QB- NIKKI JOHNSON, RB – TRACEE THOMAS, WR/CB – CASSANDRA STRICKLAND, TE/DE – SUNSHINE MISA-ULI, CB – TAMICA ESTRELLA
L.A. TEAM OFFENSE: LFL Rank:No.6
VEGAS TEAM OFFENSE: LFL Rank: No. 2
L.A. TEAM DEFENSE: LFL Rank: No. 5
VEGAS TEAM DEFENSE: LFL Rank:No. 6
PREVIOUS MEETING: LAS DEF. LA 28-20 (2011), Orleans Arena. – Las Vegas, NV
1.23.2012
By Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)
The battle lines are drawn and an explosive match-up awaits fans as the Las Vegas Sin and Los Angeles Temptation clash for the second time in two months, this time for the right to represent the Western Conference in Lingerie Bowl IX.
LOS ANGELES TEMPTATION
The defending two-time champion Los Angeles Temptation enter their third-consecutive conference finals appearance with designs on avenging a narrow November loss in Las Vegas to the expansion Sin, their first setback in two years.
Since November, the Temptation have played well, outlasting an aggressive Seattle Mist team, 27-24, and using a late first-half flurry in establishing second-half dominance to roll past the Chicago Bliss 42-26 to clinch the playoff spot.
Led by long-time veteran head coach David Bizub and defensive coordinator Tui Suiaunoa, Los Angeles’ success on offense relies on the golden arm of second-year starter and Lingerie Bowl VIII MVP Ashley Salerno and the dual rushing and receiving threats of RB Melissa Margulies and WR Amber Reed.
The Temptation defense is led by an emerging play-maker in CB Ogom Chijindu, DE Amber Reed, DE Tessa Barrera and LB Monique Gaxiola. Known as ‘Tui’s Terrible Defense’ for their swarming, aggressive nature, this year’s version has struggled to find consistency in stopping opponents’ passing games. In their last contest versus the then-lowest ranked passing attack in the league, L.A. allowed the Bliss more than double their season average. Despite that statistical fact, the Temptation rush defense has shined in their latest wins, limiting Seattle All-Fantasy running back Kam Warner and 2011-12 Rookie of the Year candidate ChrisDell ‘Ferrari’ Harris well under their season averages .
LAS VEGAS SIN
In spite of a turbulent training camp that featured major roster turnover and significant coaching changes, the expansion Las Vegas Sin have since enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the Western Conference standings. Sin Head Coach Dion Lee’s team, ranked No. 12 in the LFL Power Rankings heading into their season opener, are now ranked No. 3 and, if his unapologetic prediction comes true, will be ranked No. 1 at the end of the postseason.
The fourth-ranked Sin offense is led by one of the LFL’s most exciting talents, rookie QB Nikki Johnson. Johnson, who leads the league in touchdowns, quarterback efficiency and passing yards has been vital to the team’s success and her lack-of-turnovers have proven key in their four wins.
Outside of quarterback, perhaps Las Vegas’ most important offensive player is TE Sunshine Misa-Uli, who is a key piece to their red zone offense. Also, running back Tracee Thomas is a physical runner with great acceleration while wide receiver Cassandra Strickland possesses size and skill and has emerged as one of Johnson’s favorite targets.
On defense, DE Sunshine Misa-Uli, DE Danika Brace, LB Carrie Walters and CB Tamica Estrella lead the LFL’s 5th-ranked defense. Last weekend, the Sin dominated a dynamic Green Bay offense and now have only allowed 28 total points (9.3 average) in the first half of their last three games.
2011 REGULAR SEASON MATCH-UP
Nov. 11: ‘Mere hours into his tenure, Las Vegas Head Coach Dion Lee stared into his crystal ball and boldly predicted that his rookie-laden Sin team would make the playoffs and go undefeated en route to winning the Lingerie Bowl. Until recently, few bought into this vision. However, after a thrilling 28-20 upset win over the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Temptation, the expansion franchise not only finds themselves playoff-bound, making history in the process, but also half of the way to fulfilling their head coach’s once-maligned prophecy.’
COMMON OPPONENTS
Los Angeles and Las Vegas have shared two common opponents this season (Seattle, Chicago) and have emerged from both of their games undefeated. Los Angeles recently defeated the Seattle Mist, 27-24 and, last week, used an aeriel assault to take down the Chicago Bliss 42-26. Las Vegas started their season with a 32-20 win at Chicago and built a 28-8 lead in Seattle, ultimately hanging on after a second-half surge to outlast the Mist 28-24.
GAME INFORMATION
VENUE: CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA (ONTARIO, CA–INDOORS, ARTIFICIAL SURFACE)
BROADCAST: SUNDAY, 1.29.2012, 4:00 p.m. ET | 1:00 p.m. PT, MTV2 (LIVE)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TEMPTATION | QB – ASHLEY SALERNO, RB – MELISSA MARGULIES, WR/DE- AMBER REED, CB – OGOM CHIJINDU, LB – MONIQUE GAXIOLA
SIN | QB- NIKKI JOHNSON, RB – TRACEE THOMAS, WR/CB – CASSANDRA STRICKLAND, TE/DE – SUNSHINE MISA-ULI, CB – TAMICA ESTRELLA
L.A. TEAM OFFENSE: LFL Rank:No.6
VEGAS TEAM OFFENSE: LFL Rank: No. 2
L.A. TEAM DEFENSE: LFL Rank: No. 5
VEGAS TEAM DEFENSE: LFL Rank:No. 6
PREVIOUS MEETING: LAS DEF. LA 28-20 (2011), Orleans Arena. – Las Vegas, NV