Birmingham Stallions head coach A.J. McCarron, looking downward at his postgame presser, summed up his team’s performance versus St. Louis by saying, “Listen, we’re 1-2. It is what it is. We’re in the hole, five of our last seven are at home. We’ve just got to worry about things we can control, and that’s watching the film and moving on to Orlando.”
STALLIONS REELING ON THE HEELS OF LOSING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME IN HEARTBREAKING FASHION
The Stallions allowed St. Louis to overcome a 10 point fourth quarter deficit to lose on Sunday, one week after being punched in the gut with a game losing field goal as time expired.
McCarron didn’t mention that his team, having opened their season with three games on the road, are faced with the daunting challenge of emerging from a place that no Birmingham team has ever been faced with during the modern iteration of spring professional football. They have no one to blame but themselves.
CORRAL STRUGGLES CONTINUE WITH CONSISTENCY
No single player can shoulder the blame for a loss, but Matt Corral’s 5/5 touchdown/interception ratio has played a huge role in Birmingham’s struggles. His pick six on Sunday is a primary example.
The Stallions penalty woes continue to be a thorn in their sides. As a team they average 6.7 per game for a 54.3 yard average. There’s no good time for a team to be penalized, but Birmingham has a knack to commit them in drive killing fashion offensively or when they allow opposing offenses to stay on the field with drive extending infractions on the defensive side of the football.
SOCIAL MEDIA DIVIDED ON McCARRON
Social media in the Birmingham market has been a divisive, hot topic issue ever since McCarron was named head coach back in December, and with each loss the heated debate increases with venomous vitriol among some.
ORLANDO UNBEATEN BUT BEATABLE
Birmingham’s Saturday opponent, the Orlando Storm, comes into Protective Stadium undefeated at 3-0. Even though their three victories have come against Louisville and Columbus, both a combined 0-6, they have taken care of business and dispatched both (Orlando defeated Louisville in back to back games).
FOR THE STALLIONS, SATURDAY IS A MUST WIN GAME
Birmingham must find a way to piece things together on Saturday. Playing a ten game schedule, a loss would be a devastating blow. McCarron has to know it, so too, do the players. Playing at home should help. In a year where Birmingham will be under the microscope relative to attendance, there are certain important eyes that no doubt will be canvassing the stadium landscape.