Post by Kasey on May 22, 2014 21:27:45 GMT -8
the Arena Football League recently published on their site reports on each of the 14 teams, summarized in division format. here is what they had to say about the Thunder after nine games:
May 21, 2014 - AFNation Report
Portland Thunder (2-7)
The first year for an expansion franchise is never easy. The Portland Thunder have found that out in 2014. On the positive side, the team is undefeated in the state of Florida. On the negative side, they are winless everywhere else and will not play any more games in the Sunshine State this season. However, the Thunder have shown plenty of promise this year with a roster full of young, inexperienced players, and if the Cleveland Gladiators have taught us anything this season, a youth movement can definitely pay off if given the time to develop.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas was expected to be the face of the franchise, but his game has not translated to the AFL quite as quickly as head coach Matthew Sauk would have liked. Instead, the Thunder have relied on journeyman Danny Southwick to lead the charge. In five games, Southwick has completed 103-of-165 passes for 1,255 yards and 22 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He has played well at times, but not well enough to lock down the job, as Thomas continues to fight for playing time. Kyle Rowley, who was injured in his second start with the team in April, will also contend for the job if and when he returns from IR. The one area where no one can question the talent level is on the perimeter, where Eric Rogers and Douglas McNeil III have shown flashes of brilliance in limited time. Rogers has seemingly become a regular on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays for his spectacular catches. The team will also receive a boost in the second half of the year with the return of Jeffrey Solomon, who led Portland in receiving earlier this season before being traded to the Orlando Predators.
Defensively, Portland is talented, but undisciplined. The Thunder lead the League by a significant margin with 103 penalties on the year. By contrast, the AFL’s other first-year team, the LA KISS, have committed just 55 penalties this season. Portland will have to clean up their act in order to contend moving forward. However, the Thunder defensive unit is littered with young talent. Jack linebacker Bryce Peila strung together seven consecutive games with a takeaway to start the season, while defensive end Donte Paige-Moss leads all AFL rookies with seven sacks. In the secondary, the first pick of the Expansion Draft, Eric Crocker, is playing like he was expected to, leading the team with 33 tackles and five interceptions. Even at 2-7, the season is far from lost, as Portland is still very much in the hunt for the fourth playoff spot in the National Conference. If they can shore up the penalty problem and develop the team’s football talent into Arena Football talent, they could be a franchise to make some noise in the second half of the year.
Midseason MVP: DB Eric Crocker (33 tackles, five interceptions, seven pass breakups)
Breakout Star: WR Eric Rogers (31 catches, 377 yards, 12 touchdowns)
Unsung Hero: JLB Bryce Peila (33 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries)
Memorable Performance: WR Eric Rogers – 5/3/14 at Tampa Bay: seven catches, 110 yards, five touchdowns
Record Watch: DE Donte Paige-Moss is on pace to break the AFL’s single-season rookie sack record of 13, set by Craig Walls in 1987. Paige-Moss has seven sacks through nine games.
Portland Thunder (2-7)
The first year for an expansion franchise is never easy. The Portland Thunder have found that out in 2014. On the positive side, the team is undefeated in the state of Florida. On the negative side, they are winless everywhere else and will not play any more games in the Sunshine State this season. However, the Thunder have shown plenty of promise this year with a roster full of young, inexperienced players, and if the Cleveland Gladiators have taught us anything this season, a youth movement can definitely pay off if given the time to develop.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas was expected to be the face of the franchise, but his game has not translated to the AFL quite as quickly as head coach Matthew Sauk would have liked. Instead, the Thunder have relied on journeyman Danny Southwick to lead the charge. In five games, Southwick has completed 103-of-165 passes for 1,255 yards and 22 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He has played well at times, but not well enough to lock down the job, as Thomas continues to fight for playing time. Kyle Rowley, who was injured in his second start with the team in April, will also contend for the job if and when he returns from IR. The one area where no one can question the talent level is on the perimeter, where Eric Rogers and Douglas McNeil III have shown flashes of brilliance in limited time. Rogers has seemingly become a regular on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays for his spectacular catches. The team will also receive a boost in the second half of the year with the return of Jeffrey Solomon, who led Portland in receiving earlier this season before being traded to the Orlando Predators.
Defensively, Portland is talented, but undisciplined. The Thunder lead the League by a significant margin with 103 penalties on the year. By contrast, the AFL’s other first-year team, the LA KISS, have committed just 55 penalties this season. Portland will have to clean up their act in order to contend moving forward. However, the Thunder defensive unit is littered with young talent. Jack linebacker Bryce Peila strung together seven consecutive games with a takeaway to start the season, while defensive end Donte Paige-Moss leads all AFL rookies with seven sacks. In the secondary, the first pick of the Expansion Draft, Eric Crocker, is playing like he was expected to, leading the team with 33 tackles and five interceptions. Even at 2-7, the season is far from lost, as Portland is still very much in the hunt for the fourth playoff spot in the National Conference. If they can shore up the penalty problem and develop the team’s football talent into Arena Football talent, they could be a franchise to make some noise in the second half of the year.
Midseason MVP: DB Eric Crocker (33 tackles, five interceptions, seven pass breakups)
Breakout Star: WR Eric Rogers (31 catches, 377 yards, 12 touchdowns)
Unsung Hero: JLB Bryce Peila (33 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries)
Memorable Performance: WR Eric Rogers – 5/3/14 at Tampa Bay: seven catches, 110 yards, five touchdowns
Record Watch: DE Donte Paige-Moss is on pace to break the AFL’s single-season rookie sack record of 13, set by Craig Walls in 1987. Paige-Moss has seven sacks through nine games.