By: Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)
Photo: Joe Petro, Don Montague/LFL PHOTOS
The LFL’s most powerful armies are set to clash on the latest, greatest battlefield in the second chapter of this high-stakes epic as the back-to-back champion Los Angeles Temptation attempt to defend their honor against the two-time Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Passion in Lingerie Bowl IX.
After prevailing in hard-fought battles over weaker foes throughout the past five months, it is these two teams who have earned the right to re-engage each other in an all-or-nothing, do-or-die death-match. Because this isn’t just about football. It’s a battle for survival with a thin line separating supreme glory and immortality from disappointment and ultimate surrender.
LOS ANGELES TEMPATION
The two-time defending Lingerie Bowl Champions enter the action on the heels of avenging a regular season loss to the Las Vegas Sin and capturing their record-setting third consecutive Western Conference Championship. Multi-time champion head coach David Bizub, who returned to the sidelines mid-way through the franchise’s third season, has not lost a regular season or postseason game since October 2009 and is looking to extend his record to 6-0 in the postseason.
The Temptation offense is led by quarterback and Lingerie Bowl VIII MVP Ashley Salerno, who possesses the dangerous combination of powerful arm, superior pocket awareness and the ability to escape the pocket and gain positive yardage.
While the sixth-ranked unit has struggled at times during the season in striking a healthy balance between pass and run, the emergence of dynamic tandem of Amber Reed and Melissa Margulies, who can effectively contribute to both areas either at running back or receiver, has proved absolutely vital to improving the prospects of a three-peat. And fans should not forget about tight-end Audrey Latsko, who reeled in two key touchdowns in last week’s championship game.
On defense, Los Angeles heavily relies on the success of their front line, including stand-out defensive-end Tessa Barrera and linebacker Monique Gaxiola to suffocate opposing running games. The Temptation have limited their last three opponents, including two All-Fantasy running backs, well below their season averages.
The much-maligned L.A. secondary has struggled all season to combat opponents’ aerial assaults, ranking second-to-last in total yards allowed-per-game. However, in spite of the challenges, a silver lining has emerged in the play of cornerback Ogom Chijindu, who ranks third in the league in tackles.
The Philadelphia Passion return to the big stage after throttling the Tampa Breeze, 44-32, for the franchise’s second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. Head Coach Chandler Brown returns to the big show after an unprecedented run, which includes an impressive 10-0 record against Eastern Conference opponents over the last two seasons.
No conversation about the Passion would be complete without first addressing the impact of their multifaceted star, running back Marirose Roach, who has shattered records through her multidimensional skill-set and has proven to be one of the top defenders in the league at safety, leading the entire LFL in interceptions.
However, with a high-level league source indicating that Roach may have sustained a concussion against Tampa in the Eastern Conference Championship, an aura of ominous uncertainty is clouding her status for the Lingerie Bowl and, if the Passion end up losing the high-octane fuel that contributes over 50-percent of their total offense, Philadelphia will have to look to others to step up to fill the gap.
Quarterback Christy Bell’s breakout performance in the Eastern Conference Title Game bodes well for the top-ranked unit, as the 2011 All-Fantasy MVP is rapidly developing synergy with her wide receiving corps, including Stephanie Orji and Whitney Paronish. With star receiver Tyrah Lusby on the shelf with an season-ending injury sustained in the Passion’s regular season finale, it will be up to others, including tight-end Lauren LaBella to make the most of big play opportunities when they present themselves.
If Roach is unable to play, the Passion will likely turn to running back and impact rookie Jenny Butler, who is among the league leaders in yards-per-carry (7.4) and touchdowns (5).
The veteran-laden Philadelphia defense is violent-hitting and opportunistic unit that thrives on superior tackling ability and creating as much chaos as possible for opposing signal-callers. Led into battle by aggressive defensive-ends Shanae’ Thomas and Angela Perfetto as well as All-Fantasy cornerback Jaleesa McCrary, their defense has the potential to win games by controlling the field position battle by forcing immediate 4-and-outs, which is especially critical in the LFL Game. And if that’s not enough, Jenna Robertson is second in the league in sacks and Butler is second in the league in total tackles.
GAME INFORMATION
VENUE: ORLEANS ARENA — LAS VEGAS, NV (INDOORS- ARTIFICIAL SURFACE)
BROADCAST: SUNDAY, FEB. 5, 4:00 p.m. ET, 1:00 p.m. PT (MTV2)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
LOS ANGELES: QB | SALERNO, RB | MARGULIES, WR | REED, CB | CHIJINDU
PHILADELPHIA: QB | BELL, RB/S | ROACH, RB/S | BUTLER, DE | THOMAS
INJURY REPORT:
LOS ANGELES: NONE REPORTED
PHILADELPHIA: LUSBY (SEASON), ROACH (QUESTIONABLE)
J.ROOD’s MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL BETTING LINE (as of 1/31/12): PHILADELPHIA -4.5, OVER | UNDER 62.5 POINTS
Tags: 2012, Jim Wallin, lingerie bowl ix, Los Angeles Temptation, Philadelphia Passion
