Titans D-Coordinator Madland finally has the pieces in place

HIAWATHA - Mitch Madland freely admits it.

“I couldn't coach the way I wanted to last season,” said the Cedar Rapids Titans' defensive coordinator before practice Tuesday night.

The architect of a Cedar Rapids defense that pitched an almost unheard of second-half shutout in last week's 32-13 season-opening Indoor Football League win over Lehigh Valley was the coordinator last season when the team was based in La Crosse, Wis.

“I had a guy playing defensive back who had no business being out on the field,” Madland said. “We had to play a lot of zone defense and cover for him in the secondary. It wasn't the way I wanted to play defense.”

With the move to Cedar Rapids, the level of talent on the defense has been upgraded.

It showed in the second half of last week's win. Cedar Rapids was able to get a pass rush on both Lehigh Valley quarterbacks and the secondary was able cover downfield, contesting almost every pass.

“I give all the credit to Coach Madland,” said Titans Coach Keith Moore-Brown. “He made great adjustments at halftime and the players executed.”

Madland, in his fourth season of coaching the indoor game, also serves as an assistant coach at Winona State University. He downplayed his contribution to the Titans' strong play in the second half.

“We only ran two different defenses in the second half,” he said. “We made a little adjustment and were able to slow them down.”

Adjustments will again be needed as the Titans head out on their first road trip of the season, playing Saturday night at Green Bay. Madland is concerned about the short week after playing last Saturday and having to travel by bus to Green Bay for Saturday night's game.

“We'll have to squeeze an extra practice in there before we leave,” he said.

In that time, Madland said the emphasis will switch from stopping the pass to stopping the Green Bay running attack. The Blizzard have one of the top backs in the league in La'Ron Council. He had a big game in Green Bay's 55-32 win last week over Reading, evening the Blizzard's record at 1-1.

“I'd say we saw 70-30 pass last week and I would think we will see 50-50 or even 60-40 run this week at Green Bay,” Madland said. “Council is a heck of a running back and we will have to make a few changes.”

The biggest change will be having two linebackers - Wes McDermott and Brian McIntire - on the field at the same time.

“I like this group,” he said. “We have a lot of flexibility which will allow us to do a variety of things.”

What: Cedar Rapids Titans (1-0) at Green Bay Blizzard (1-1)

When, where: Saturday night, 7:30 p.m., Brown County Arena, Green Bay, Wis.

TV: None

Radio: WMT-FM (95.7)

Titan tidbits: The Titans have placed former Iowa State wide receiver Nick Campbell on the short-term injured reserve list and have signed former University of Pittsburgh receiver Greg Cross ... Following tonight's game, the Titans have a bye next week before returning home for a March 23 game with Chicago at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

A look at Green Bay: This is the home opener for the Blizzard, a 55-32 winner last week over Reading. Green Bay's B.J. Hill was named the Indoor Football League's special teams player of the week after returning a missed field goal and a kickoff for a touchdown. He also had two interceptions and three tackles on defense. Green Bay finished 11-3 last season, winning a division title. Robert Fuller is in his first season as Blizzard coach.

On the Web:

www.cedarrapidstitans.com;

www.goifl.com