Is Coyote Success Darkside, or Run ‘n’ Shoot?

(PALM SPRINGS) —  With the Coyotes at 5-1, riding a two-game win streak and poised for another title run, the question abounds: Is the ‘Darkside Defense’ or the Run ‘n’ Shoot offense most responsible for the team’s success in 2013?

Radio personality Julie Buehler will investigate the question Tuesday at 12:15 PST on the “Paw Patrol” segment of “Buehler’s Day Off,” when she opens the debate desk with star defensive end Jordan “The Iceman” Cornell and super slotback Josh “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Asuncion.

It’s a tough argument. In six games, the Coyotes have scored 250 points, and held opponents to 87. Last year — in a complete season — the Coyotes scored 251 and held opponents to 90. In one three-game span this year, the Coyotes held opponents to a total of just 16 points. Meanwhile, the offense is tops in the nation, and catapulted quarterback  Nate Lewis to a shot with the Arena Football League’s San Jose Sabercats.

New starting quarterback Mondo Delgado Jr. wasted no time in his debut last week, throwing for 201 yards and four touchdowns, and rushing  for 116 yards. The Coyotes set another team record with 257 yards rushing, and Delgado’s performance was the first 200-100 game by any SoCal quarterback in history.

“We’re an opportunistic defense that flies to the football, creates havoc and turnovers, and gets the offense the ball back,” smiles the 6-3, 265-pound Cornell, whose 16 tackles for losses, four sacks and one fumble recovery are among team bests.  “If we don’t get them the ball, they don’t score.”

Asuncion, whose 23 catches for 401 yards and five touchdowns in six games leads all Coyote slots, disagrees. “We are capable of scoring so fast that we are never out of any game,” says the All-American slotback.  “Our defense benefits from knowing we’re always going to score points.”

The show can be heard live around the world at www.team1010.com at 12:15 p.m. PST.