Post by 50yardfan on Jul 5, 2010 15:33:44 GMT -5
A championship team in Baltimore's backyard and many don't know.
www.examiner.com/x-40729-DC-Sports-Examiner~y2010m7d5-A-championship-team-in-Baltimores-backyard-and-many-dont-know
They provided the first shutout ever in Indoor/Arena football history (59-0), posted the most points ever in a single game (91), completed the first undefeated season in AIFA (American Indoor Football Association) history (14-0), and are preparing to host the first championship game in Baltimore since the Baltimore Stallions (CFL) hosted the Southern Division Championship before heading to the Grey Cup in 1995 and the Baltimore Colts in the 1970 season against the Oakland Raiders. And still, majority of the general public around the Baltimore metropolitan area doesn’t know that there’s another championship caliber football team that plays up the street from Camden Yards, the Baltimore Mariners.
“We didn’t change anything and played as if we haven’t won anything and stayed focused,” said Mariners’ general manager Greg Justice when asked how the team prepared physically and mentally after they clinched the Eastern Conference three weeks prior to the end of the regular season.
After going to the playoffs and finished with the previous franchise’s best record of 9-5 last season, it left a bitter sweet taste in their mouths and coming into this year knowing what type of players the organization has, it was time to set sail for a ring doing it the Mariner way. “After what we did with this group of guy last year, we knew our chances were great for this season,” said Justice after knowing the team’s postseason position. “The team stayed the course of the Mariners’ way of disciple with no individualism and no ego, only on intros. Our goal was to stay undefeated at home and handle our business on the road. We stuck with that, but there’s still business to take care of. They know what their mission is.”
Mariners’ head coach Chris Simpson has been coaching indoor football in Baltimore for four years – one season for the Baltimore Blackbirds. The last two seasons under the Mariners’ organization, Simpson has led the team to two winning seasons, including a perfect regular season and everyone from top to bottom of the franchise could not have been happier for any other person. “I feel so great for coach Simpson who has been here since the Blackbird years where he didn’t have a support group, now he’s a champion and no one can take that from him and the team,” said Justice.
Money plays a major role among local sports franchises and local media. Some of the local sports media, mainly radio, in the Baltimore area provides some coverage. But in this case for the great accomplishments the Mariners achieved this season, but the television media should provide something about the Mariners. Everyone from Baltimore don’t read the sports section from the Baltimore Sun and many people don’t listen to sports talk radio, but at some point, everyone watch the news where the locals can find out about the Mariners. Many people can’t afford NFL tickets, but the price for admission at a Mariners’ game is great for a family. According to management, ESPN was interested in providing the team with coverage. For the sake of the city (the money that the Mariners’ organization could bring to the town), the Baltimore sports media, mainly television, should recognize the Mariners and inform the football loving area.
For the support that the Mariners do receive, the organization and players recognize the great fan support that they have and represent the city’s name with pride. “I love this town and playing in front of this crowd in Baltimore is unbelievable and we want to win it all for Baltimore,” said Mariners’ linebacker Fearon Wright.
The Mariners will host the Eastern Champonship game Saturday at 7:00 pm at the 1st Mariners Arena in Baltimore.
www.examiner.com/x-40729-DC-Sports-Examiner~y2010m7d5-A-championship-team-in-Baltimores-backyard-and-many-dont-know
They provided the first shutout ever in Indoor/Arena football history (59-0), posted the most points ever in a single game (91), completed the first undefeated season in AIFA (American Indoor Football Association) history (14-0), and are preparing to host the first championship game in Baltimore since the Baltimore Stallions (CFL) hosted the Southern Division Championship before heading to the Grey Cup in 1995 and the Baltimore Colts in the 1970 season against the Oakland Raiders. And still, majority of the general public around the Baltimore metropolitan area doesn’t know that there’s another championship caliber football team that plays up the street from Camden Yards, the Baltimore Mariners.
“We didn’t change anything and played as if we haven’t won anything and stayed focused,” said Mariners’ general manager Greg Justice when asked how the team prepared physically and mentally after they clinched the Eastern Conference three weeks prior to the end of the regular season.
After going to the playoffs and finished with the previous franchise’s best record of 9-5 last season, it left a bitter sweet taste in their mouths and coming into this year knowing what type of players the organization has, it was time to set sail for a ring doing it the Mariner way. “After what we did with this group of guy last year, we knew our chances were great for this season,” said Justice after knowing the team’s postseason position. “The team stayed the course of the Mariners’ way of disciple with no individualism and no ego, only on intros. Our goal was to stay undefeated at home and handle our business on the road. We stuck with that, but there’s still business to take care of. They know what their mission is.”
Mariners’ head coach Chris Simpson has been coaching indoor football in Baltimore for four years – one season for the Baltimore Blackbirds. The last two seasons under the Mariners’ organization, Simpson has led the team to two winning seasons, including a perfect regular season and everyone from top to bottom of the franchise could not have been happier for any other person. “I feel so great for coach Simpson who has been here since the Blackbird years where he didn’t have a support group, now he’s a champion and no one can take that from him and the team,” said Justice.
Money plays a major role among local sports franchises and local media. Some of the local sports media, mainly radio, in the Baltimore area provides some coverage. But in this case for the great accomplishments the Mariners achieved this season, but the television media should provide something about the Mariners. Everyone from Baltimore don’t read the sports section from the Baltimore Sun and many people don’t listen to sports talk radio, but at some point, everyone watch the news where the locals can find out about the Mariners. Many people can’t afford NFL tickets, but the price for admission at a Mariners’ game is great for a family. According to management, ESPN was interested in providing the team with coverage. For the sake of the city (the money that the Mariners’ organization could bring to the town), the Baltimore sports media, mainly television, should recognize the Mariners and inform the football loving area.
For the support that the Mariners do receive, the organization and players recognize the great fan support that they have and represent the city’s name with pride. “I love this town and playing in front of this crowd in Baltimore is unbelievable and we want to win it all for Baltimore,” said Mariners’ linebacker Fearon Wright.
The Mariners will host the Eastern Champonship game Saturday at 7:00 pm at the 1st Mariners Arena in Baltimore.