Game Preview: Baltimore Charm at Jacksonville Breeze

The Jacksonville Breeze looked dominant in their 2013 debut that took place nearly two months ago as they breezed past the expansion Atlanta Steam with a score of 48-0. This Saturday, Jacksonville will host another team that is making their season debut, the Baltimore Charm. The new-look Charm are led by a new coaching staff made up of former NFL players. Washington Redskins great Gary Clark inherits the team this year as they look to turn around the Baltimore franchise and make a run at a first-ever winning record. They’ll have a rude welcome to the season however as the Charm begin with a game on the road against potentially the best team in the league.

KK Matheny showed that her arm and decision making is right on par with the best quarterbacks in the league. She went 6 for 9, throwing for 50 yards and 1 touchdown in her game against Atlanta and spread the ball around to four different receivers. Still, her go-to target Bryn Renda, who had just 3 catches for 24 yards in game one, needs to prove she can stretch the field and become a deep-ball threat. Matheny also has other options on offense as Adrian Purnell and Lauran Zieglar are proving to be sure-handed receivers.

Breeze head coach Yo Murphy has proven to be a fantastic play caller and one of the great offensive minds of the LFL. The Breeze offense features a committee of running backs that each have their own use out of the backfield. Shelltrice Turner, the number one running back for Jacksonville, is fast and runs downhill, always falling forward as she gets tackled. Lauran Ziegler keeps defenses guessing as she’s very effective on the end-around play. Saige Steinmetz, a great 4th down power back who can blow through the front line, is nearly guaranteed for two-point conversions. Finally, should Angie “The Giant” Williams make an appearance this Saturday, the Charm had better beware. Williams de-cleated Atlanta’s Alfye Gore as was seen by many in week one’s WOW Clip.

The most fearsome aspect of the Breeze is their defense. Between the playmaking ability of Adrian Purnell (2 defensive touchdowns in game one) and the hard hits coming from free safety Lauran Ziegler (9.5 tackles in game one) this Breeze defense is the scariest in the LFL. They will surely tee off again this Saturday against a rookie filled Charm offense.

The Baltimore Charm are a huge question mark. They finished 2-2 last season, narrowly missing the playoffs, but now without former LFL MVP Kyle DeHaven on their roster the Charm will have a difficult time reigniting the fire and intensity she brought on both sides of the ball. Having not played an LFL snap together, this new Charm coaching staff needs to keep things simple offensively, while the supporting cast has to step up and alleviate some of the pressure resting on the shoulders of quarterback Angela Rypien. Despite being one of the faces of the league, Rypien has proven very little on the field as a passer. She needs to limit her mistakes this weekend and not turn the ball over because as we saw in week one, Jacksonville (+2 in turnover differential) will make you pay for bad decisions.

The order for the Charm is simply too big this weekend. Look for Jacksonville to light up the scoreboard with KK Matheny’s arm, Shelltrice Turner’s legs, and a few big plays on both sides of the football from Purnell. Baltimore will struggle to move the ball offensively, and ultimately fall victim to the bright lights in their 2013 debut.

Kickoff: Saturday, May 25th, 8PM EDT

Arena: Veterans Memorial Arena (Field Turf)

Injuries: None

Key Variable: Angela Rypien’s Debut VS Scary Jacksonville Defense

Point Spread: JAX -21.5 O/U 51.5

Prediction: JAX 38 – BAL 12