HISTORIC KICKOFF OF LINGERIE FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN CANADA: Tampa Breeze's Saige 'Saig'n Cajun' Steinmetz and crew will look to rebound from Philly game. #LFL, AGAINST TORONTO TRIUMPH, at Roch Colliseum, 8 PM tonight September 17, 2011
WEEK FOUR PREVIEW: TAMPA BREEZE AT TORONTO TRIUMPH
The historic dual Canadian debuts of LFL regular season football and the expansion Triumph take center stage as the 2010-11 Eastern Conference runner-ups, Tampa Breeze, ascend north of the border to challenge Toronto in an inter-conference test.
TAMPA BREEZE
If Tampa is going to make a return appearance to the playoffs, it will be because of veteran leadership and experience, something that Breeze Head Coach Yo Murphy will rely on heavily after an embarrassing opening night showing in Philadelphia, losing to the Passion 48-0. Tampa was missing four key players from their lineup due to the one-game suspensions of starting quarterback K.K. Matheny, starting running back Tiffani Powers, starting wide receiver and safety Bryn Renda and veteran lineman Tracey Willmer.
The Breeze offense is led by All-Fantasy running back Saige Steinmetz, who possesses big-play ability and the big-play wide receiving threat of Renda, whom defenses must account for or suffer the consequences. Tampa career leading rusher Tiffani Powers will not play due to a concussion sustained during practice. As mentioned earlier, Powers was suspended for last week’s match-up against the Passion and the team is optimistic that she will return in time for the home opener versus Cleveland on October 21.
Tampa’s defense is headlined by 2009-10 Defensive Player of the Year and 2011 All-Fantasy Game Co-MVP Liz Gorman and her secondary partner, Renda, who combine to create one of, if not the most talented secondary in the entire league. On the defensive line, Steinmetz is joined by high-ceiling prospect Courtney Wilder, who will play a key role in limiting the effectiveness of Toronto’s running game.
TORONTO TRIUMPH
Toronto enters the action with one mantra, according to Triumph Head Coach Don Marchione: ‘We will do the common things uncommonly well’. Marchione employs a wide-open, free-wheeling offensive system, that uses the pass to set up the run, much like the 2010-11 Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Passion. This tempo-driven playbook is designed to force the opposing defense to read-and-react in a shorter time-frame and, when executed to perfection, spreads the field and opens up running lanes to develop a strong ground game, ideally forcing the defense to focus on stopping one aspect and merely trying to contain the other. The Triumph’s success on this side of the ball will rely on the strong arms of talented quarterbacks Donna Paul and Jennifer Mancini, explosive running back Tanja Rmatlock and speed of wide receiver Isha Fields.
The Triumph defense is expected to display a physical presence that centers on stopping the run by implementing multiple looks, with a blend of zone and man-to-man schemes. The hard-hitting duo of Elizabeth Cristane and Phylicia Daniels lead Toronto into battle and are complemented by the tough-nosed play of Katrina Trabulsey and Nicole Paul-McEvoy.
Stadium: Ricoh Coliseum (Toronto, ON–Artificial Turf, Indoors)
Broadcast: 8:00 p.m. ET Kickoff
Players to Watch:
TAMPA: LIZ GORMAN (S/WR)
BRYN RENDA (WR/S),
TORONTO: JENNIFER MANCINI (QB)
DONNA PAUL (QB)
ELIZABETH CRISTANE (CB)
Key Match-ups:
- Effectiveness of Powers and Steinmetz vs. Toronto’s ‘run-stopping’ philosophy.
- Breeze wide receivers Renda and Rolfe versus Toronto’s ‘4’: Cristane, Daniels, Trabulsey, McEvoy
-Toronto Coach Marchione’s aggressiveness vs. Tampa Coach Yo Murphy’s LFL experience.
Injuries:
TAMPA: TIFFANI POWERS -RB (CONCUSSION-OUT)
TORONTO: NONE
2010 Results: No previous meeting
BETTING LINE: TAMPA -7.5, OVER
UNDER 43
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: TRIUMPH READY TO ROCK TORONTO
All the blood, sweat, and bruises through a relentless training camp and exhausting practices have brought the Toronto Triumph to this point…opening night. Saturday at 8pm in Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum history will be made as the Lingerie Football League laces up for the first ever regular season game north of the border.
These Gridiron Goddesses face a formidable opponent in the veteran Tampa Breeze who are trying to avoid falling to 0-2 on this young season.
The Triumph will look to strike quick as their greatest weapon could also be their biggest detriment – inexperience. Tampa cannot scout this new franchise because they have never actually played a down of football in the LFL. That means Toronto can use surprise and unpredictability to put the Breeze back on their heels. The negative is that the Triumph have only hit one another in scrimmages with really no idea how anyone will react when that first opposing crushing tackle is delivered.
“Tampa was missing a few key players in their loss last week. I’m sure they think they can bounce back and pull off a win because they are playing the Canadian expansion team,” explains Toronto quarterback Donna Paul. She continued, “unfortunately for them, if we stick to our game plan and work together to execute our plays we will give them their second loss in as many weeks!”
Speaking of quarterbacks, there is still not a confirmed starting QB for Saturday. Both Donna Paul and Jennifer Mancini bring unique skill sets, therefore fans will not know until kickoff who will get the nod. Head coach Don Marchione hinted that we will see plenty of each in the club’s debut, “our offence will revolve around the talents of Donna and Jennifer.” Mancini also reminds viewers not to forget about the Triumph’s speedy and aggressive running back combination of #14 Tanja Reid-Madlock and #12 Christina Tsandelis.
Toronto’s defence has been trumpeted as fast, nasty, and unforgiving that has put in countless hours learning to read the variety of offensive looks that Tampa is sure to throw their way. “Alexandra ‘Animal’ Grant and Phylicia Daniels are punishing players that hit like Mac trucks. The D will be ready,” said Mancini.
Nerves under the bright lights and cheering crowd the team admits will initially be overwhelming. The question posed to three members of the Triumph was whether these ladies will be able to control those emotions and rise to the occasion:
Head Coach Don Marchione- “First game jitters will be a factor, but hopefully we will take all that energy and use it in a positive manner. The first hit will settle all nervousness”.
QB #10 Jennifer Mancini- “We’ve done all of the preparation required to play this game, the focus will fall into place naturally. The coaches and leaders of this team will be a big part in helping everyone keep focused and remain calm in between plays.
QB #16 Donna Paul- “Nerves are such an exciting part of athletics! We have all played competitive sports and will draw from that experience, but personally, I love getting the game day jitters. That feeling lets me know that I’m alive and ready to attack!”
The athletes of Canada’s inaugural Lingerie Football League franchise are hungry for a victory and to prove to the world that ladies from the great white north can play football. “Stepping onto the field in our Triumph uniform for the first time, representing not only Toronto, but Canada as well is a big accomplishment not only for the LFL, but for ourselves,” remarked Mancini. “We’re not afraid coming in as a new team. For many of us, having this opportunity is a dream come true, especially with all of our friends, family, and fans supporting us on the sidelines.”
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