PREVIEW 
Cobras (0-0) at Albany Firebirds (0-0) 
Time: 7:00 p.m. 
Location: Pepsi Arena, Albany 
TV: none  
Radio: none 
Internet: WROW 509, Albany 
                    (RealAudio) 
 
 
   The Cobras certainly didn’t give themselves an easy task when scheduling their first exhibition game; the defending AFL champs, one of the league’s oldest teams, provide a stark contrast to Carolina’s brand new club. 
   However, the Cobras also have several things going for them that could result in, though not a win, a respectable showing.  For starters, the Firebirds will be without star quarterback Mike Pawlawski, the highest rated passer in the league last season, who is holding out for free agency after leading the lawsuit against the league that nearly canceled the season.  Even if Pawlawski does sign before Thursday, as some sources have reported he will, it's unlikely that he'll start, if he plays at all.  That leaves last year's backup, Jeff Loots, as the starter.  Also, Albany lost a number of players in the expansion draft, several of them to Carolina. 
   That is another factor working in the Cobras’ favor.  OL/DL Johnnie Hicks and WR/DB Cornelius White should be able to give Carolina some familiarity with Albany’s style.  They’ll also be familiar with Albany’s home field, the Pepsi Arena. 
   The Cobras should take advantage of this game.  It will give them a chance to test their skills against some of the league’s best.  Also, since it will not be broadcast in the Triangle, the Cobras won’t have to fear alienating many fans if they lay an egg. 

Cobras on Offense: 
  
   The scrimmage proved that the Cobras have multiple receiving threats, including White, OS Marvin Marshall and WR/DB Marlon Estes.  Hopefully, the coaching staff will unleash Jim Arellanes and see what the top-ranked passer in NFL Europe last season can do. 
   A weakness for Albany last season was run defense, and the Cobras could try to exploit that with FB/LB Alan Campos.  Both squads tended to stall when they went into running mode during the scrimmage, but preseason is the time to work out such kinks. 
   The offensive line will need to do a better job protecting the quarterback than it did during the scrimmage – Albany has a legitimate sack threat in Joe Jacobs. 
   The game is liable to get interesting when Mike Thomas enters the game at quarterback, probably in the second half.  Other than displaying his scrambling ability, he did little to inspire confidence in Cobras’ coaches during the scrimmage and needs to prove he belongs in the AFL and not back in minor league baseball. 

Cobras on Defense: 

   The linemen on the White team during the scrimmage – Hicks, Marrio Grier, Jeremy Beutler, Jeff Miller, Emerson Martin – proved adept at sacking Mike Thomas.  Is this a testament to their skill, or the lack thereof in the Red linemen and Thomas?  The game should provide some answers. 
   The key for the defense could be bottling up Albany’s star receivers Eddie Brown and Greg Hopkins, and exploiting the fact that they are less accustomed to working with Loots.  Both are very skilled players, and stopping them won’t be easy 
   Because the offense will likely need some time to get into a grove the defense must come up with stops and force the Firebirds to kick field goals.  Opponents forced Albany to kick only 13 field goals last year; however, the Firebirds made only three of these attempts.  Also, the defense needs to help out with big plays – interceptions and fumble recoveries. 
   Finally, the Cobras can’t get too confident if they keep it close going into halftime.  Examining the statistics from last year, Albany tended pulled away in the second half last season. 

Prediction: 
Albany 56 – Carolina 45 

Register your prediction in the CobraZone Forum!  Look on the General Discussion board under the thread Albany Predictions.