Post by DiamondThief on Mar 16, 2014 0:19:23 GMT -8
The Arena Football League has created previews of all 14 teams. Here is the Thunder's preview (written by Chris Hopkins):
2013 Record: N/A
Last Playoff Appearance: N/A
Coach (Record): Matthew Sauk (0-0 overall; 0-0 with Portland)
Offensive Star: Andrae Thurman, WR (117 receptions, 1197 yards, 16 touchdowns with Philadelphia)
Defensive Star: Dwight McLean, DB (64 tackles, 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups with New Orleans)
Offensive Team Ranks: N/A
Defensive Team Ranks: N/A
Key Additions: QB Darron Thomas (Free Agent), WR Andrae Thurman (Philadelphia), WR Samora Goodson (New Orleans), WR Duane Brooks (Spokane), OL Max Jean-Gilles (Free Agent), DE Donte Paige-Moss (Free Agent), DE Antron Dillon (Arizona), DB Eric Crocker (San Antonio), DB Dwight McLean (New Orleans), DB Patrick Stoudamire (Spokane)
Key Departures: N/A
Marquee Matchups: San Jose (Week 1); at Los Angeles (Week 4); Spokane (Week 20)
Outlook: Professional football is returning to Portland in 2014! The newly-minted Portland Thunder will be among the youngest teams in the League, but could be one of the most talented as well. With offensive guru Matthew Sauk at the helm for the Thunder, fans should expect plenty of scoring. Each of the last three AFL MVP winners have been coached by Sauk and Portland fans are hoping former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas becomes No. 4. Thomas is a strong-armed dual-threat quarterback who was a very successful college quarterback in Eugene, while his camp competition, Nathan Enderle, was a four-year starter at Idaho and threw for over 10,000 yards during his career. Whoever coach Sauk pegs as his starting quarterback will have talent to throw to on the outside. Just before training camp started, the Thunder made a move with Philadelphia that sent versatile receiver Andrae Thurman to Portland. Last season with the Soul, four-year veteran set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. The team also recently acquired former San Jose Sabercats leading receiver Samora Goodson. Former Spokane Shock wideouts Duane Brooks and Jeffrey Soloman should also play a role in 2014. On the opposite side of the ball, the Thunder will have talent, albeit young, at every level. Starting with the secondary, Portland has three veterans they will rely on. One of those veterans is Eric Crocker, who spent all of last season in the NFL with the New York Jets. The Thunder selected Crocker with the first overall pick in December’s Expansion Draft. Portland also picked up Patrick Stoudamire from Spokane and Dwight McLean from New Orleans. Up front, the coaches will have high expectations for talented rookie defensive lineman Donte Paige-Moss, who was a force at the University of North Carolina. Former Arizona Rattlers end Antron Dillon will also be relied on to become a playmaker. With Seattle just less than three hours north of Portland, the Thunder will look to solidify the Pacific Northwest as the new hotbed of pro football.
Click on the team to view its AFL preview:
Arizona Rattlers
Cleveland Gladiators
Iowa Barnstormers
Jacksonville Sharks
Los Angeles KISS
New Orleans VooDoo
Orlando Predators
Philadelphia Soul
Pittsburgh Power
San Antonio Talons
San Jose Sabercats
Spokane Shock
Tampa Bay Storm
2013 Record: N/A
Last Playoff Appearance: N/A
Coach (Record): Matthew Sauk (0-0 overall; 0-0 with Portland)
Offensive Star: Andrae Thurman, WR (117 receptions, 1197 yards, 16 touchdowns with Philadelphia)
Defensive Star: Dwight McLean, DB (64 tackles, 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups with New Orleans)
Offensive Team Ranks: N/A
Defensive Team Ranks: N/A
Key Additions: QB Darron Thomas (Free Agent), WR Andrae Thurman (Philadelphia), WR Samora Goodson (New Orleans), WR Duane Brooks (Spokane), OL Max Jean-Gilles (Free Agent), DE Donte Paige-Moss (Free Agent), DE Antron Dillon (Arizona), DB Eric Crocker (San Antonio), DB Dwight McLean (New Orleans), DB Patrick Stoudamire (Spokane)
Key Departures: N/A
Marquee Matchups: San Jose (Week 1); at Los Angeles (Week 4); Spokane (Week 20)
Outlook: Professional football is returning to Portland in 2014! The newly-minted Portland Thunder will be among the youngest teams in the League, but could be one of the most talented as well. With offensive guru Matthew Sauk at the helm for the Thunder, fans should expect plenty of scoring. Each of the last three AFL MVP winners have been coached by Sauk and Portland fans are hoping former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas becomes No. 4. Thomas is a strong-armed dual-threat quarterback who was a very successful college quarterback in Eugene, while his camp competition, Nathan Enderle, was a four-year starter at Idaho and threw for over 10,000 yards during his career. Whoever coach Sauk pegs as his starting quarterback will have talent to throw to on the outside. Just before training camp started, the Thunder made a move with Philadelphia that sent versatile receiver Andrae Thurman to Portland. Last season with the Soul, four-year veteran set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. The team also recently acquired former San Jose Sabercats leading receiver Samora Goodson. Former Spokane Shock wideouts Duane Brooks and Jeffrey Soloman should also play a role in 2014. On the opposite side of the ball, the Thunder will have talent, albeit young, at every level. Starting with the secondary, Portland has three veterans they will rely on. One of those veterans is Eric Crocker, who spent all of last season in the NFL with the New York Jets. The Thunder selected Crocker with the first overall pick in December’s Expansion Draft. Portland also picked up Patrick Stoudamire from Spokane and Dwight McLean from New Orleans. Up front, the coaches will have high expectations for talented rookie defensive lineman Donte Paige-Moss, who was a force at the University of North Carolina. Former Arizona Rattlers end Antron Dillon will also be relied on to become a playmaker. With Seattle just less than three hours north of Portland, the Thunder will look to solidify the Pacific Northwest as the new hotbed of pro football.
Click on the team to view its AFL preview:
Arizona Rattlers
Cleveland Gladiators
Iowa Barnstormers
Jacksonville Sharks
Los Angeles KISS
New Orleans VooDoo
Orlando Predators
Philadelphia Soul
Pittsburgh Power
San Antonio Talons
San Jose Sabercats
Spokane Shock
Tampa Bay Storm