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BIRMINGHAM THUNDERBOLTS: Defense is the question
STADIUM: Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.
COACH: Gerry DiNardo.
COORDINATORS: Dave Arslanian (offense) and Curley Hallman and Don Wnek (co-defense).
TERRITORIAL ASSIGNMENTS: Alabama, Auburn, UAB.
KEY PLAYERS: RB James Bostic (former third-round pick of Rams); CB Chris Shelling (ex-Bengal became Canadian Football League all-star for Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2000); QB Casey Weldon (former FSU star was runner-up for Heisman in `91, played four seasons with Bucs); WR Stepfret Williams (former third-round pick of Cowboys); LB James Willis (seven-year NFL vet).
X-FACTOR: The Bolts have a wealth of offensive talent. But the key will be how the defense holds up. Two former Auburn defensive linemen, Quinton Reese (sixth-round pick of Lions last season) and Jimmy Brumbaugh (in the 49ers' camp last season), will be important players. DiNardo was out of football after being fired by LSU after the `99 season.