Getting defensive

CEDAR RAPIDS - After a playing career that included a stint in the National Football League plus more than a decade of coaching, Joey Smith is receiving his introduction to indoor football.

When former Drake assistant Kahlil Carter accepted the Cedar Rapids Titans defensive coordinator position in January, Smith agreed to join the staff as defensive backs coach. A month later, Carter accepted a position to coach defensive backs for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. In his absence, Smith added defensive coordinator to his duties.

'It was a big adjustment, but it was still smooth,” said Smith, who leads the Titans defense against the Sioux Falls Storm Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center. 'Coach Stoute and Coach Custer welcomed me in and kind of showed me the ropes dealing with eight-man football. It's a lot different than outdoor football, but it's been a smooth transition.”

After 14 years as an assistant with Division II East Stroudsburg University, Smith ventured into the professional ranks last season as defensive coordinator with the undefeated Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League. Seven of his Brooklyn players have been signed by NFL teams, and his mark on the Titans defense has been swift.

'We're getting better every day,” Smith said. 'That's what we strive to do. Keep getting better.”

His defense impressed in a 51-20 season-opening win over the Iowa Barnstormers. The veteran defensive line tandem of Jermiah Price and Xzavie Jackson were dominant as Price equaled a franchise record with four sacks; Jackson added three and blocked two field goals.

'Everybody's coming along,” said Price, the IFL defensive player of the week. 'We play hard. Our defense plays extremely hard.”

The defense will be tested when four-time defending IFL champion Sioux Falls comes calling Saturday. The Storm averaged 55.6 points per game during last year's 15-1 championship season and posted 66 in last week's season opener. Sioux Falls drubbed Cedar Rapids, 73-36, in the United Conference championship game last season.

'We're going to go out and have a good time playing the game,” Smith said. 'We're going to wreak havoc, bring the pain. That's what we do.”

Cedar Rapids (1-0) has won 11 straight home games, including two over Sioux Falls. The Titans ended Sioux Falls' unbeaten season in last year's regular season finale.

Kickoff Saturday is at 7:05 p.m.

'It's going to take everybody to be on the same page and to do their job,” Price said. 'I can't always make the play, you can't always make the play. That's the main key for us on defense. Do your job.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com