Steel re-sign QB Darron Thomas

[DiamondThief]

April 25, 2016 -- The Portland Steel today have signed quarterback Darron Thomas, according to sources.

Thomas is the first starting QB in Portland history. He was originally the second signing announced by the Portland Thunder in October 2013.  He started the first two games in Thunder history before giving way to Danny Southwick and, eventually, Kyle Rowley. Southwick, who has started the first three games of this season for the Steel, is has been waived to make room for Thomas' signing. Kasey Peters will continue to serve as the backup QB for the team.

“We are excited to add Darron to our team,” Steel head coach Ron James said in a statement. “Darron possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position. He has played at a high level in college and is intent on becoming a consistent quarterback.”

Thomas completed 76 of 159 passes for 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 2014, Portland's inaugural season. He also rushed for 85 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both numbers led the team that season. During Portland's first-round playoff game against the Arizona Rattlers, he had a pick six while filling in at linebacker due to injuries on the Thunder's defense.

He holds the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in Portland history on a one-yard run in the first quarter of the team's March 17, 2014 game against the San Jose Sabercats.

He began the 2015 season as the backup to Rowley, but got his change to start in week 8, leading Portland to a 63-47 win over the Los Angeles KISS at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and 6 touchdowns, and ran for a first quarter touchdown. For the effort, he was voted the Arena Football League's Most Valuable Player for the week. He also was named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week.

Thomas' Portland career suffered a setback the following week at Orlando against the Predators, as he suffered a leg injury in the second quarter after being pushed into a wall.

Thomas completed 38 of 58 passes for 374 yards, 11 touchdowns and just a single interception. He also registered a rushing touchdown.

The former Oregon Duck was set to join the new MLFB, a spring football outdoor football league. Fellow former Oregon quarterback Chris Miller was also behind the formation of the league, but it never came to fruition.

Thomas is a 6'3", 215-pound native of Houston, Texas. While at Oregon, he led the Ducks to the BCS National Championship game in 2011, and a Rose Bowl title the following year. He entered the 2012 NFL draft, but was not selected.

Southwick completed 74 of 125 passes for 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions this season for the Steel. After playing for Portland in 2014, he served stints for the Spokane Shock and Los Angeles KISS last season.

- ANM


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[Nevadanut]

This is probably good news for the Steel. I like Southwick, but he just missed too many passes. I hope Thomas can be more accurate. I am surprised that we did not keep Southwick and release Peters. Peters didn't impress me at all at the time he played in the first game.

[David]

Thomas returning to the Steel is definitely an upgrade at QB. But I agree with Nevadanut , I don't understand why they'd dump Southwick and keep Peters. You'd figure in a league that teams are desperate for good quality QBs, they'd want to keep the experienced backup over the unproven guy. 

That said, who knows how effective Thomas is going to be. The offensive line is still a mess and the WR group isn't quite as good as they were last year. Maybe they're hoping his mobility will help the offense, kind of like a Russell Wilson. 

This also tells me that they're not expecting Shane Austin to come back. I'm honestly baffled as to why there hasn't been much word on him. Saskatchewan's training camp ended a few weeks ago, and he's not listed on their roster. 

[Kasey]

i'm pretty much in agreement. Southwick is a much more capable backup than Peters. i realize the opener was against the Rattlers, but Peters looked horrible. i look at it more as a repeat of the first season when the Thunder tried to make Thomas the face of the franchise in order to fill the stands. i don't know how this translates into Austin's status, since we've heard so little. i hope Thomas is up to this.