The Birmingham Iron have dropped their last two games, but there is still plenty of reason for the Iron faithful to be optimistic about the second half of the season. Iron running back Trent Richardson has scored 8 rushing touchdowns this season, but outside of that, the Iron’s run game has yet to find its groove, particularly between the 20s. The Iron is likely to start Keith Price at quarterback, and the best way to take the pressure off a new starter is to have a strong run game.
The Iron’s offensive line has been banged up all season, and that can’t be overlooked when discussing how the run game has performed. Still, if the Iron hopes to get back in the win column, they’ll need to generate more plays in the run game and sustain drives.
All signs point to the Iron starting Keith Price at quarterback when they face the Fleet on Sunday. If you don’t remember, Price came off the bench to replace Luis Perez against the Apollos last week. He provided a spark for the Iron’s offense, throwing the team’s first touchdown of the season and leading two scoring drives.
That'll do. #ForgeOn⚒--#ORLvsBHM pic.twitter.com/K7Ee1ZMb38
— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron)
March 9, 2019 There will surely be some nerves for Price on Sunday if he does get the start. Price has only started one other football game since his days at the University of Washington, and that start came in the CFL. It’ll be up to the Iron’s coaches and his teammates to rally around Price to help him get comfortable on Sunday. Price has a strong arm, and he can also make plays with his feet.
Through the first four weeks of the season, opposing teams struggled to move the ball and score on the Iron’s defense. The Iron forced a high amount of turnovers, and when teams got into scoring position, the Iron’s defense stiffened and forced opponents to settle for field goals. Things changed a bit against the Orlando Apollos. It's tough to know how that game would have played out without the Iron’s offense throwing a pick-6, but either way, the Apollos offense found ways to attack and exploit the Iron’s defense at times.
The Fleet counter with one of the league's best defenses to stop the Iron’s offense. Damontre Moore has been the leader of San Diego's defense. Moore missed week 4 and was greatly missed, but since then, he has had the best pressure this season. He's third among edge rushers with 27 pressures in four games!
Damontre Moore has been elite for the @AAFFleet this season - he's third among edge rushers with 27 pressures in four games! pic.twitter.com/YDG4jnvFk4
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF)
March 14, 2019 AJ Tarpley is scheduled to return after missing the last two games. The Fleet will look to Kameron Kelly, who was the Alliance’s defensive player of the week last week.
Kameron Kelly had himself a night to remember vs. Salt Lake! Here’s a look back at his 3 INTs!pic.twitter.com/WwCyxabv1R
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF)
March 13, 2019 The youngest player on the Fleet roster at 21, Frank Ginda was thrust into a starting role in Week 4 at Memphis because of an injury to AJ Tarpley. Ginda responded by making 15 tackles against the Express. Last week, Ginda forced the fumble that Jordan Martin scooped up and returned 41 yards for a critical touchdown in the Fleet’s 27-25 victory over Salt Lake.
“There was no surprise about Frank and what he can do,” head coach Mike Martz said. "He’s been around and he played so well in the preseason games [with Miami>. I watched him play in those games. He’s got that resolve and confidence where I would never worry about him. I would never think he would play anything other than really good. AJ belongs in the NFL, and I believe Frank does, too.
