Spokane Empire expect experienced defense to make difference in Indoor Football League

The Indoor Football League is known for high-scoring games and gaudy offensive numbers.

But the Spokane Empire’s defense might make the biggest difference in 2017.

The Empire return their entire starting secondary and linebacker corp from last season.

“We get to build now, instead of just starting from the beginning,” Spokane linebacker Nick Haag said. “Now we have something built, we are going to add on to it.”

Robert Brown, an All-IFL first-team selection at cornerback and team leader in tackles (104) and interceptions (seven) last season, highlights the secondary, which also returns Lorenzo White Jr., Tyree Robinson and Adrian James.

Spokane also bring in proven IFL talent in Norris Wrenn from Billings, who led the Wolves with 12 pass breakups; Stephen Godbolt from Tri-Cities; and John Hardy-Tulaiu, who started 44 of 51 games at Hawaii and most recently played with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League and the L.A. Kiss of the Arena Football League in 2014-15.

Empire head coach Adam Shackleford expects excitement and competition from this group as training camp progresses.

“The secondary is going to be the most fun to watch as we head through camp,” Shackleford said, “but I think it’s also going to be our toughest decision in letting two of those guys go.”

Spokane carried six defensive backs on its roster at the end of last year, but Shackleford expects to keep five heading into the Empire’s season opener against Green Bay at the Arena on Feb. 23.

The continuity and depth at defensive back is a luxury in training camp, Haag said.

“Having the whole secondary coming back is huge,” Haag said. “That’s predominantly the most important part of a defense in Arena (Football).”

At linebacker, Haag, an All-IFL second-team selection, and Pasquale Vacchio return for second seasons. Andrew Jackson, a Western Kentucky product who was drafted in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2014, also is in camp with the Empire as a linebacker.

The only level of the defense that is thin on returners is the defensive line. Toby Jackson, a quick, 6-foot-4 end who recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks in eight games, was re-signed by the Empire this offseason. Brett Bowers (6-3, 265 pounds) also returns from last season.

The defensive line group, while inexperienced, is not short on talent, Shackleford said.

In particular, J.D. Griggs (6-5, 270) was brought in from Colorado. Shackleford expects him to play opposite of Jackson at defensive end.

“He’s going to do a lot of really good things for us,” Shackleford said.

Five other defensive lineman will join Griggs, Jackson and Bowers in camp, none of which boasts previous IFL experience.

But it’s easy for those newcomers to assimilate with a posse of veterans on the Empire’s defense.

“Our veterans aren’t worried so much about their jobs that they won’t help a rookie catch up to what’s going on,” Shackleford said. “That’s a sign of a mature team.”

Time will tell whether the Empire are as mature as Shackleford says they are.

Spokane was highly successful in its first year in the IFL, but mistakes doomed them in late-season losses, particularly to Sioux Falls in the United Bowl Championship.

Becoming mentally tough on defense is the next step, Haag said.

“We made a lot of mistakes last year,” Haag said. “In Arena, you can’t mess up the assignment. It’s so tight. Everything is so quick and fast that if someone is one wrong gap or someone is covering someone they shouldn’t be, it’s a busted play … and most likely it’s going to score.”