Why to Watch
New Orleans makes the successful return to the AFL after a one-year layoff due to Hurricane Katrina when they travel to Utah this week. This alone should be a reason to tune into this game. But on the field between the boards their should be a lot of points put up in this match up and it will be a raucous atmosphere and there are some big time AFL talent and names that will be in the building. Danny White is looking to take the Blaze a step further and Mike Neu led the VooDoo to an 11-6 record and playoff appearance two years ago.
Key to the Games
1. VooDoo secondary must Contain Burley! Burley had a tremendous season last year only to be over shadowed by Damien Harrell?s record setting year. When Germaine was in the line up the key to slowing down the Blaze offense was containing Burley. The VooDoo must get a body on Burley and they cannot allow him to run free in the secondary. They can try to get this done through press man coverage or jamming him in motion with a corner or safety with two-deep coverage over the top
2. Quick Pressure on Andy Kelly! The Blaze struggled up front in 2006 with only 8.0 sacks, the worst in the AFL. Danny White had to make moves to improve his pass rush in the off season and they need the moves pay off right away. Kelly is back in a system that he is comfortable with and he wants to get rid of the football quickly and in rhythm. If Utah can get a solid push up the middle by their NG and MLB they can force him to hold onto the football, giving an to advantage Utah.
3. Utah must protect Germaine
! Germaine put up big numbers while he was in the lineup for the Blaze a year ago despite consistently being under pressure. The Blaze gave up the most sacks (28) in the AFL. Danny White is hoping the addition of former Vegas head coach Ron James can help his new core of offensive lineman which features free agent Hans Olsen. New Orleans will certainly be looking to get pressure on Germaine to help their secondary deal with Siaha Burley.
Key Match Ups
N.O. DB Chris Brown vs. Utah WR Siaha Burley
Brown will not go at this alone, expect veteran Kelvin Hunter to get a shot at the difficult task of slowing down Burley. Brown had a great rookie season with Georgia. He showed off his aggressiveness and playmaking ability by finishing 2nd in the AFL in tackles and had four interceptions. He will need those skills against Burley who is not only difficult to handle because of his quickness and excellent route running but he also makes things happen after he catches the football.
N.O. FB Dan Curran vs. LB Frank Carter
Curran along with Henry Bryant will be responsible for Carter (preseason AFLWA All- Arena selection) who will be looking to get inside pressure on Kelly and disrupt his timing. It will be important for Curran to track and meet Carter rather than get caught waiting on his heels. Kelly needs to be able to step and deliver the football especially on the three-step drops. This battle will not only be about the run game as Curran, who led the AFL in rushing yards and TDs in 2004, can be a factor.
N.O. DL Henry Taylor vs. Utah OL Rob Gatrell or Myniya Smith
Taylor (8.5 sacks in 2006) is the reigning sack king in the AFL and he brings tons of experience and leadership. Taylor will be looking to take advantage of a Blaze offensive line that was rebuilt after a porous 2006. Smith is huge at 6?5? and 364 lbs., but is a rookie who will need to adjust to the indoor game and Gatrell is with his third team in three years. So will these two new starting edge offensive linemen be able to handle Taylor?
New Orleans makes the successful return to the AFL after a one-year layoff due to Hurricane Katrina when they travel to Utah this week. This alone should be a reason to tune into this game. But on the field between the boards their should be a lot of points put up in this match up and it will be a raucous atmosphere and there are some big time AFL talent and names that will be in the building. Danny White is looking to take the Blaze a step further and Mike Neu led the VooDoo to an 11-6 record and playoff appearance two years ago.
Key to the Games
1. VooDoo secondary must Contain Burley! Burley had a tremendous season last year only to be over shadowed by Damien Harrell?s record setting year. When Germaine was in the line up the key to slowing down the Blaze offense was containing Burley. The VooDoo must get a body on Burley and they cannot allow him to run free in the secondary. They can try to get this done through press man coverage or jamming him in motion with a corner or safety with two-deep coverage over the top
2. Quick Pressure on Andy Kelly! The Blaze struggled up front in 2006 with only 8.0 sacks, the worst in the AFL. Danny White had to make moves to improve his pass rush in the off season and they need the moves pay off right away. Kelly is back in a system that he is comfortable with and he wants to get rid of the football quickly and in rhythm. If Utah can get a solid push up the middle by their NG and MLB they can force him to hold onto the football, giving an to advantage Utah.
3. Utah must protect Germaine
! Germaine put up big numbers while he was in the lineup for the Blaze a year ago despite consistently being under pressure. The Blaze gave up the most sacks (28) in the AFL. Danny White is hoping the addition of former Vegas head coach Ron James can help his new core of offensive lineman which features free agent Hans Olsen. New Orleans will certainly be looking to get pressure on Germaine to help their secondary deal with Siaha Burley.
Key Match Ups
N.O. DB Chris Brown vs. Utah WR Siaha Burley
Brown will not go at this alone, expect veteran Kelvin Hunter to get a shot at the difficult task of slowing down Burley. Brown had a great rookie season with Georgia. He showed off his aggressiveness and playmaking ability by finishing 2nd in the AFL in tackles and had four interceptions. He will need those skills against Burley who is not only difficult to handle because of his quickness and excellent route running but he also makes things happen after he catches the football.
N.O. FB Dan Curran vs. LB Frank Carter
Curran along with Henry Bryant will be responsible for Carter (preseason AFLWA All- Arena selection) who will be looking to get inside pressure on Kelly and disrupt his timing. It will be important for Curran to track and meet Carter rather than get caught waiting on his heels. Kelly needs to be able to step and deliver the football especially on the three-step drops. This battle will not only be about the run game as Curran, who led the AFL in rushing yards and TDs in 2004, can be a factor.
N.O. DL Henry Taylor vs. Utah OL Rob Gatrell or Myniya Smith
Taylor (8.5 sacks in 2006) is the reigning sack king in the AFL and he brings tons of experience and leadership. Taylor will be looking to take advantage of a Blaze offensive line that was rebuilt after a porous 2006. Smith is huge at 6?5? and 364 lbs., but is a rookie who will need to adjust to the indoor game and Gatrell is with his third team in three years. So will these two new starting edge offensive linemen be able to handle Taylor?
