Arizona goes down to their archrival, Texas gets upset by a feisty Machine squad, Baltimore stays hot at home, and the Breakers take on the challenge of the 5-1 San Diego Thunder. All that in a week that saw the divisions get closer and tighter. It was a rough week for Dallas, Seattle, and St. Louis, all of whom dropped to 1-6, and an exciting one for fans in Denver, New Orleans, and Washington who all saw their clubs claw their way above .500 and into playoff position. It was also an exciting week for football fans in Oklahoma, who got the news they were hoping for, that their new USFL club would indeed be the return of the one-and-done Oklahoma Outlaws. We will cover all this, plus take a look at 5 teams that have tough decisions in front of them as we head towards the midway point of the season. We start it all off with a look at a veteran quarterback, a Summer Bowl champion quarterback, who may well be finding himself benched for a rookie as Seattle debates whether the time is now to go back to formula and start from scratch.
Seattle To Turn to Rookie Brissett
The 2016 season has not been the year that the Seattle Dragons, or their fans, had expected. This was a club that looked so good in the final weeks of 2015, that added talent in the offseason both in the draft and in some front office moves, but it is also a team that seems to have lost its identity. The Dragons sit at 1-6 and with a defense that remains in the Top 10 in passing yards allowed, total yards allowed, and nearly Top 10 in scoring, all fingers are pointing to the offense, ranked dead last in the league at 12 points scored per week, and in particular at veteran QB Byron Leftwich.
Leftwich is in his 14th season with the Dragons, 14 years that have included 6 All-USFL honors and a league title back in 2005. But those glory days seem ancient history this year. Despite a strong season just a year ago, a year that produced 2,947 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and a 101.2 QB Rating, Leftwich’s best since 2008, the carryover into 2016 just did not happen. This season we have seen a very different quarterback in Byron Leftwich, one who has more picks than touchdowns, is averaging barely 212 yards per game, and one whose QB rating has dipped into the mid 60’s. All this to say that it may very well be that at 35, Byron Leftwich has hit a wall.
It is something that we see at all positions, noteworthy in halfbacks at 30, and very noticeable in quarterbacks, usually in their mid- to late 30’s. Leftwich’s arm just does not seem to have the same zip, range, or speed to it, and that has made the Seattle offense struggle. So, what is a coach to do? In the case of Stump Mitchell, with a good deal of reluctance, the decision is to turn a 1-6 start into a transitional season, to test out his rookie QB, NC State’s Jacoby Brissett, and to start the process of redesigning his club around youth and athleticism.
The decision to start Jacoby Brissett in Week 8 was not an easy one for Mitchell, who has worked with Byron Leftwich since taking over as the head man in 2014. It is also no guarantee that this year will start to turn Seattle’s way. Brissett was not considered a clear blue-chip candidate, despite good numbers at NC State. He now enters the fray of a USFL season where his club seems to lack major playmakers. His receiving corps, led by NFL imports Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace, is a bit long in the tooth and known for its public outbursts, not the type of group likely to tolerate the ups and downs of a rookie quarterback in silence. Brissett will likely need to lean on a run game led by Joseph Addai, who is averaging only 3.4 YPC this year, and may need to build rapport not only with his wideouts but with other receivers like TE Dennis Pitta.
At 1-6, the decision to pull Leftwich and play for the future is a tough one, one that could cost Coach Mitchell his job. Mitchell needs this season to produce not only some more wins, but some positivity, signs that a transition can work, that a rebuild at this time was the right move, otherwise it could well be another man at the helm in 2017, with Brissett, Leftwich or an as-yet undefined third option.
DENVER GOLD 26 ARIZONA WRANGLERS 7
Most weeks our Game of the Week is a nailbiter, either headed to overtime or coming down to the wire, maybe occasionally a great comeback victory, so why are we presenting a 19-point Denver victory as our spotlight of the week? Well, consider it an autopsy on an upset. Arizona has looked virtually indestructible over the season’s first six weeks, so how did the 3-3 Denver Gold find a way to not only win the game, but to handily control the Wranglers? That is the mystery we, and most of the league, is hoping to decipher as we look at this week’s film.
The first thing we should acknowledge is that Denver has an advantage over many teams. They know these Wranglers so well, having played against them in heated rivalry games twice a year since 1983. Secondly, they may well be perfectly suited to counter Arizona’s strengths. They have a defense that is at its best by limiting big plays and forcing a team to go down the field in slow, long drives. They have an offense designed for ball control and time management. And they have strong offensive and defensive lines that can win the battle of the trenches, evident by the 6 sacks of David Carr that Denver recorded this week. They also have a shutdown corner in Joe Haden, a corner who was able to limit Larry Fitzgerald to only 2 receptions and 28 yards on the day. Haden’s tight coverage on Fitzgerald meant that the safeties could focus on Antonio Bryant, and they did, allowing not a single catch by the speedy receiver.
On offense, Denver struggled to run, but stuck to it, attempting 34 rushes to only 33 passes, despite the fact that it was the passing game that produced most of their yardage. That strategy forced Arizona to play a standard 4-3 and to endure long plodding drives, shortening the game. It did not hurt that the line also did a fine job protecting Matt Leinart, which allowed Leinart to complete 72.7% of his throws 24 of 33. One more factor was key, avoid turnovers. Denver did that, winning the turnover margin 2-0. By the game’s end, they had won time of possession, turnovers, and the yardage battles, and those combined to provide a big win on the scoreboard as well.
The game began with both defenses dominating, but towards the end of the first quarter, Arizona’s first mistake, a poorly timed throw by David Carr, turned into a pick and a short field for the Gold. They capitalized, using 5 minutes and 11 plays to go 41 yards. They capped off the drive with a DeMarco Murray plungefrom the 2-yard line and the lead was theirs.
Arizona would respond with their lone scoring drive of the day, a 68-yard drive that took them 15 plays. They avoided mistakes, negative plays, and penalties on the drive, something that would be rare in later possessions, and they emerged with a Frank Gore 5-yard TD run to equal the score. It would be the last points this previously dominant offense would produce. Denver would score on their next two possessions, both field goals by Greg Zeurlein. The last one came with 50 seconds left on the clock. But, not happy to go into the half down 13-7 at home, Arizona pressed to score before the half, and that produced the biggest play of the game. David Carr forced a deep ball when the coverage clearly indicated he should check down. Instead of a long reception he got his second pick of the day, with Patrick Robinson returning the ball all the way to the Arizona 9-yard line. From there it only took Leinart 2 plays to get the ball into the endzone, Jamaal Charles rushing it in with 27 seconds left on the clock. Now, instead of going into the half down 6, they were down 13.
Denver added a field goal at the end of a 13-play opening possession to start the 3rd quarter. Now the pressure was on and Arizona kept attempting to make big chunk plays, failing to show the patience that Denver’s protective zones required. In 5 second half possessions the Wranglers would garner only 142 yards and would never reach the endzone. Kicker Elliott Parson would be called on to attempt a 48-yarder and a 52-yarder and would miss on both accounts.
When Denver pushed the lead to 26-7 at the start of the 4th quarter, Arizona was truly sunk. They needed 3 scores, all touchdowns, to get the lead, and Denver knew it. On offense the Gold milked the clock on every down. On defense they forced Arizona to dink and dunk, defending anything beyond 5-10 yards deep. Arizona would falter on third downs and a drive to get back into the game just never materialized. It was a demoralizing defeat in front of nearly 55,000 home fans in Glendale. For Denver it was a triumph, one that could energize them to make a playoff push over the next 9 weeks. And for the rest of the league, it may well have proven to be a formula they will seek to emulate in order to have more success against a very good Wrangler team.
DALLAS 13 OAKLAND 37
It was all Invaders in this one as the Roughnecks continue to struggle on both sides of the ball. Johnny Manziel returned to action but threw 3 picks against the Invader D. The Roughneck D managed to pick off Joey Harrington twice, but it was not enough as the Invader run game dominated. Donald Brown rushed for 101 on 19 carries and Knile Davis added 80 more on 15 carries as the Invaders ground and pounded Dallas into submission.
POTG: Invader corner Chris Gamble: 10 Tck, 2 Int, 1 Def TD.
TAMPA BAY 10 ORLANDO 34
Orlando dispatched the Bandits easily in this first game of a back-to-back series. Russell Wilson threw for 270 and the Orlando D was all over Dak Prescott, sacking the rookie 6 times (2 from DE Arthur Moats) and picking Prescott off twice. Moats had the play of the day, a sack, strip, recovery, and 9-yard TD rumble late in the game to put the icing on the cake for Orlando. The two go at it again in Tampa next week.
POTG: Renegade DE Arthur Moats: 3 Tck, 2 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 Def TD
MEMPHIS 24 BIRMINGHAM 18
The Showboats sweep the series with Birmingham, thanks in large part to 107 yards and 2 scores from Todd Gurley. The defense again stifled Cam Newton both in the air and on the ground as Rex Ryan’s use of Navorro Bowman as a spy proved very effective against the mobile Stallion QB. Eli Manning had a solid game, keeping Paxton Lynch on the bench once again with a 20 of 27, 226-yard day.
POTG: Showboat HB Todd Gurley: 22 Att, 107 Yds, 2 TD
WASHINGTON 20 PITTSBURGH 43
The Maulers and QB Andy Dalton vent their early season frustration on the Federals with an offensive explosion. Dalton threw for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns while HB Marcus Lattimore rushed for 83 yards and short-yardage back Steven Ridley added 2 touchdowns in the blowout win. David Garrard struggled with the Mauler pressure, throwing 4 pick in an ugly game for the veteran Federal QB.
POTG: Mauler WR Victor Cruz: 4 Rec, 146 Yds, 1 TD
SAN DIEGO 10 NEW ORLEANS 17
The Thunder knew that going into the Super Dome to face the Breakers would be a test, and it certainly was. The Breakers held San Diego to only 41 yards rushing and forced 3 turnovers in a tight game. The Breakers jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the 4th thanks to a Mike Doss pick-six, but San Diego made a game of it late, scoring the final 10 points but failing on a late onside kick as New Orleans improves to 4-3.
POTG: Breaker safety Mike Doss: 4 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD
NEW JERSEY 16 PHILADELPHIA 10
Philly’s fast start is beginning to feel like a distant memory as they drop their third in a row. The Generals survive a 3-interception day from QB Brett Hundley, thanks in large part to a defense that only allowed 2 third down conversions all game. Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards, while New Jersey HB Maurice Jones-Drew suffered an injury late in the game and could miss several weeks.
POTG: General SS Anthoine Bethea: 7 Tck, 1 FF, 1 FR
HOUSTON 49 PORTLAND 31
Houston looked dominant, building a 28-10 halftime lead and expanding it to 49-17 before the backups came in and Portland made the game look a bit closer. Colt McCoy was on fire, throwing for 373 yards and 4 touchdowns in 3 quarters. Marcus Mariota finished with 4 touchdowns as well, but Portland was never really in this one.
POTG: Houston QB Colt McCoy; 11/20, 373 Yds, 4 TD, 0 Int
ATLANTA 17 CHARLOTTE 24
The Fire held their own in this one, thanks to a big game from rookie Kenyan Drake (15 carries for 120 yards), but in the end Charlotte got the W on a Wheedon TD toss to D. J. Hackett. Wheedon finished with 251 yards passing, 2 scoring throws and no picks. The Charlotte D was strong on third down, allowing only 3 conversions in 11 tries.
POTG: Monarch FS Tre Boston: 4 Tck 1 Int, 1 Def TD
LAS VEGAS 20 JACKSONVILLE 17 OVERTIME
The Vipers and Bulls got into a war of attrition in this one, with both teams struggling to convert on 3rd down (4 of 27 combined). Jacksonville had the ball inside the Vegas 10 in the final minute but had to settle for a game tying field goal to send the game to overtime. Vegas stopped them in the extra period and then got in range for Brett Maher to give them the win with a 47-yard kick.
POTG: Las Vegas MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer: 11 Tck, 2 TFL
ST. LOUIS 27 BALTIMORE 37
In a game that was tight in the first half, Baltimore pulled away with 2 scores in the third quarter to take control. Big Ben had a big day, throwing for 3 scores and 377 yards, including 117 to Darrius Heyward-Bey, who looks to be back in 2015 form with some solid games over the past few weeks. Rob Gronkowski and Eric Weems played well for the Skyhawks, but they fall to 1-6 with another tough loss.
POTG: Blitz QB Ben Roethlisberger: 17/30, 377 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int
TEXAS 13 CHICAGO 17
A big win for the Machine as they pull off the upset in front of an engaged 37,580 at Soldier Field. Joe Flacco threw for 357 but could not get the ball in the endzone. Meanwhile Doug Martin helped Chicago build up a balanced offensive attack that produced 352 total yards. Martin also produced the game winner on a 7-yard run that included one of the best juke moves you will ever see.
POTG: Machine HB Doug Martin: 16 Att, 102 Yds, 1 TD
LOS ANGELES 17 OHIO 20
Ohio got surprising production out of the TE position with Zach Martin catching 7 balls for 99 yards against the LA defense. They also got TDs from the run game with both Isaiah Pead and Rashad Jennings scoring on 1-yard runs. LA struggled on offense, nothing new, with newly acquired wideout Demaryius Thomas catching only 1 of 7 throws targeted to him. LA made the game close with a last second TE but could not get the ball back to try to tie the game up.
POTG: Ohio TE Zach Miller: 7 Rec, 99 Yds
SEATTLE 14 MICHIGAN 34
LeVeon made waves on the field, with his 169 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs and off the field by declaring himself the favorite for League MVP in the post-game presser. He certainly earned accolades in this one, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and contributing 3 of Michigan’s 4 touchdowns on the day. His performance helped Michigan overcome 3 Kirk Cousins picks on a day that ended well but will not be one of Cousin’s season highlights.
POTG: Michigan HB LeVeon Bell: 21 Att, 143 Yds, 2 TD, 4 Rec, 22 Yds, 1 TD
Bandits & Maulers Make Moves to Improve Run Game
We are hitting the meat of the season and that means that teams are done testing the water and are now quite clear where they see strengths and needs. Last week we saw the LA Express try to address a need, trading for WR Demaryius Thomas. This week it is the run game that got attention from two teams hoping to still make a run this year.
Tampa Bay has had the worst run game of any team in the USFL after 7 weeks. Averaging only 59 yards per game is not going to satisfy anyone, and when you have a rookie QB leading the team, you need a lot more out of the run game. So, a deal was needed, and with Marshawn Lynch looking like a clear bell cow back for the Outlaws, Chris Johnson was becoming more and more expendable. Tampa Bay jumped at the chance to land the former NFL back, making a deal with the Outlaws that would bring Johnson to the Bay. Tampa sent former Dragon halfback Jahvid Best along with a 4th round pick to Texas for Johnson. Best is likely to take on a role in the Texas passing game, perhaps as a 3rd down back on 3 and 4 receiver sets. For Tampa Bay, Johnson will likely start off platooning with Rex Burkhead, but the hope, of course, is that Johnson can show some of the breakaway speed that made him a star for the Tennessee Copperheads in the NFL.
The other team that made a move this week was in Pittsburgh, where the combo of Marcus Lattimore and Steven Ridley had struggled to produce consistent wins in the run game. While Pittsburgh’s rushing average of 82 yards per game was not a bottom 10 total, it was not what Andy Dalton needed to keep pressure off the passing game. But, with a clear emphasis on running back-by-committee, Pittsburgh was not in the position to go after a clear bell cow. They need a back who could be good for 10-15 carries a week, participate in the passing game and help the Maulers provide the threat of a running play on any down. Their choice was to make a deal with Arizona to bring Ronnie Hillman to the Steel City. Hillman had seen limited action in Arizona behind both Frank Gore and Ka’Deem Carey. With rookie Peyton Barber looking good on the practice squad, Arizona was willing to let Hillman go for a relatively low price, a 56th round pick and backup safety Steve Gibbs. That was a price that Pittsburgh was willing to pay, and so, Hillman now joins the Maulers. Expect Hilman to alternate with Lattimore on most downs, with Steven Ridley in reserve for short yardage and goalline.
Two more moves, and with 2 weeks left, likely not the last moves we will see as the trade deadline approaches. Will any of these moves have a major impact? Only time and touches will tell.
Bell Wants MVP, not OPOTY
“Don’t talk to me about Offensive (player), I am the MVP. You see it, I see it.” Those were the words that LeVeon Bell used to define his view of this season’s awards and his place in the league. Not hard to say after a game in which he scored 3 touchdowns and rushed for 143 yards, his 5th 100-yard game in 7 games. It is clear that Bell believes he is the frontrunner for the MVP award, helping his Panthers to a 5-2 start and the top rating for rushing yards in the league at 142.9 per game.
Of course, David Carr may beg to differ with Bell, and others like Ben Roethlisberger or Russell Wilson may also have a say before the season is out, but for Bell, the voting should just wrap up now. Bell is fully aware that the MVP often goes to a quarterback and that the last running back to win the title was Frank Gore in a monstruous 2013 season that saw Arizona dominate and run their way to a league title. If Michigan can make such a run, Bell may well find himself with the MVP trophy in his hand, but there are still 9 weeks left to play and a lot can happen. David Carr is clearly the top contender in the mix right now, but Bell feels he needs to put his hat in the ring, and for a halfback to win the award maybe a little publicity, even self-generated publicity, may be a good thing.
Lynch Success Made Johnson Expendable
Another back making a name for himself is in Texas, where Marshawn Lynch has used the change of scenery from the Thunder to reinvent himself and assert his place as one of the league’s best. Lynch had early success in Las Vegas, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 3 seasons with the Thunder, but his last few years in Las Vegas were tough, and the back felt that he was not given the chance to release “Beast Mode” as he calls his running style. Lynch was traded to Texas mid-season last year and grew into a dual back system with Chris Johnson. But this year it is clearly Lynch in the position of lead back. His 141 carries is fourth in the league, behind only Bell, McCallister and rookie Derrick Henry. His 562 yards is second best among all backs.
Those totals essentially made Chris Johnson expendable for the Outlaws. It was clear that last year’s two back rotation would not be put into effect this season, and that Lynch was not only the clear number one, but a very good option in that position. And so, Texas this week traded away Johnson, bringing in Jahvid Best, a back whose style and strengths are very different from those of Lynch. Unlike Johnson, who would compete for carries, Best will serve as a change of pace, possibly receiving back on key downs, but not a threat to take carries away from Beast Mode.
Lynch is on pace for a 1,200-yard season, his first in nearly a decade, and he could not be happier to be with the Outlaws, despite all the strange elements of this season for the team-without-a-home. Lynch has found a home, a team that is using him the way he likes to be used, as a force on first down and a threat every time he touches the ball.
MJD to Miss 2-4 Weeks with Thigh Injury
We stick with our running back roundup with a back who is likely to miss considerable action. Maurice Jones-Drew was having a pretty good game in Philadelphia this week, that is until he caught a knee right between the quad and hamstring. What we might call a nuclear Charlie horse was, in fact, a blow that produced significant damage to the quad muscle. MJD is expected to be out at least 2 weeks, perhaps longer, due to the damage done, which was fortunate not to include any tearing, but which apparently impacted both the muscle tissue and the tendons as well. Coach Turner is concerned that bringing MJD back too soon could be far worse than what would otherwise be a short-term injury, so don’t be surprised if he takes a wait and see attitude on Jones-Drew’s recovery. Delone Carter will get the majority of snaps the next few weeks, with Tim Hightower expected to serve as the backup and rookie free agent Michael Cox to remain on the practice squad at least for now.
Maulers Hurt by Cushing Injury
The Maulers made a splash with their trade for a halfback, but the biggest impact move of the week may well be one that is more troubling than tantalizing. Pittsburgh placed LB Brian Cushing on the IR this week. There was a chance that the 8th year player could have come back at or near the end of the regular season, but Coach Fangio wanted to avoid putting too much hope into that bucket or the temptation of bringing Cushing back too quickly. The move to IR means that Cushing’s ACL injury is a season-ending one. Pittsburgh will move forward with Tahir Whitehead taking over at the strongside LB position, backed up by Blake Costanzo and Nick Kwiatkowski. It is a loss for the Maulers, who, sitting at 3-4, are hoping to get back into the race in the NE Division, and one that could make improvement on their 24th rated scoring defense tougher to achieve.
This is the kind of week you hate to see. We added 4 more players to the IR, done for the year, including a key member of the defense for both San Diego and Pittsburgh. It could have been 5, but the Arizona Wranglers are waiting to determine if Karlos Dansby’s recover time will be closer to 8 weeks, potentially allowing him to return for a playoff run, or if he will need more time. An IR decision could come in the next couple of weeks. We also see rookie CB Xavien Howard go down for up to a month for the Dragons and New Jersey’s lead back, Maurice Jones-Drew, potentially miss a week or more after a deep thigh bruise.
OUT
FS Clyde Adams TEX ACL IR
G Duke Robinson ARZ Achilles IR
DE Adewale Oguleye SD Quad IR
LB Brian Cushing PIT ACL IR
LB Karlos Dansby ARZ PCL 8-12 Weeks
G Chis Kemeomatu OAK Wrist 6-8 Weeks
LB Kevin Burnett WSH ACL 6-8 Weeks
CB Xavien Howard SEA Neck 2-4 Weeks
G Mitch Morse LA Back 2-4 Weeks
OT Marcus Cannon HOU Foot 1-2 Weeks
HB Maurice Jones-Drew NJ Thigh 1-2 Weeks
QUESTIONABLE
WR Matt Jones ATL Collarbone
WR Santonio Holmes TBY Concussion
HB Mike Hart MGN Wrist
DT John McCargo HOU Personal
Oklahoma to Get Outlaws Back
The mediation is over, the decisions are made. The 2017 season will see the Texas Outlaws become the Oklahoma Outlaws. The league-structured mediation between the Outlaws majority owner Red McCombs and the new Oklahoma ownership provided both parties with some of what they wanted, but not all that either ownership wanted. For the OKC Football Group, they get the team name, a return to the club’s origins as the Oklahoma Outlaws back in 1987, and they will be seen as a continuation of the Outlaws franchise, with all its history and team records intact.
What did San Antonio get? In addition to the promise of expansion to be timed with stadium completion, Red McCombs, who is locked in as a primary owner for the as-yet unspecified new team, obtained two valuable assets. The first is that he retains the club’s colors, ensuring all the fans of San Antonio that while the team may be different, their Kelly and royal swag will continue to be part of San Antonio football in the USFL. He also was able to obtain specific concessions related to the expansion process, including the right to acquire talent from the Outlaws. The deal would allow Texas to claim up to 8 signed players from the Oklahoma Outlaws who were with the team in 2016. That could mean someone like Joe Flacco, Marques Colston, or Marshawn Lynch could be coming back to Texas in 2019 or 2020.
This last deal may well have been a strategy provided by USFL officials, worried that fans in San Antonio and throughout Texas will turn on the Outlaws after the announcement of their relocation. By ensuring that some of the current members of the squad will be joining a new San Antonio team, the hope is that fans will continue to support the Outlaws and their stars until a new franchise can be formed.
So, where do we stand? San Antonio fans can hope to see the Kelly green and royal blue back in their city, with some familiar faces, potentially as early as 2019, though most feel that 2020 or 2021 is more realistic. Fans in Oklahoma will be getting the Outlaws in 2017. The Outlaws will retain all team records and history all the way back to that first season in Tulsa, and, as many suspect, a version of the original logo featuring the masked outlaw on a black helmet could well return as well. That would please folks old enough to have been fans back in 1987, and it also helps San Antonio retain a portion of their identity moving forward. So, now we ask, if the Oklahoma Outlaws return to their roots, can we expect Red McCombs to also wax nostalgic and bring back the identity that started it all in San Antonio. Will we see the Gunslingers once again?
Five Teams With Decisions to Make
As we approach the midway point of the season there are plenty of questions around the league and some tough decisions as well. Whether it is a specific position on the roster or the entire direction of the club, the midseason point is one where teams often might need to make some tough calls, to change direction, to go for youth over experience, to decide what kind of team they want to be. We culled from all 28 clubs the five decisions we think could be the toughest as each club heads into midseason and beyond. Here is who we believe will be losing some sleep over the next few weeks.
Houston: Do they Make the Transition to McCoy or Stick with Hasselbeck Down the Stretch?
Sitting at 5-2 atop the Southern Division, Houston may look like a team that has it all together, but the question of who should be their quarterback has arisen this year and it could be a tough one. Matt Hasselbeck went into the season as the clear number one, starting his 19th season, his 18th in Houston, it seemed unquestioned that he would be at the helm. But injuries have kept him out of 2 games and shortened others. He has done well when in, with over 1,200 yards and a 12:2 TD:INT ratio. So what is the issue?
The issue is that Colt McCoy has come in and looked like the future for the Gamblers. In 2 starts this year, McCoy has averaged over 335 yards per game, has 6 TDs an no picks. He has looked dangerous and poised at the same time. No spring chicken, this is McCoy’s 7th year as backup to Hasselbeck, and it is a contract year. If the Gamblers cannot assure him that the starting job is his, there will be serious interest in him on the free agent market and they could well see him leave.
Atlanta: Can They Trade Within the Division to Get a Quarterback?
This is more of an offseason question than something they will address right now, but with the team mired near the bottom of the offensive stats and with Kyle Orton clearly not looking like the answer, fans in Atlanta are already calling for the Fire to make a splash in the 2017 Collegiate Draft, and they want a QB. But here is the problem, some of the top QB prospects are potentially within the protected spheres of division rivals.
Looking at the potential draft class of 2017, you have Mitch Trubisky at UNC, who would have his rights go to Charlotte as a Territorial pick. Then you have DeShaun Watson at Clemson, who would be in the same situation for the Jacksonville Bulls. Both Charlotte and Jacksonville could very possibly also be in the QB market, so the cost to allow a division rival to obtain that pick and draft a QB within the division could be very high indeed. Atlanta would likely have to give up both talent and a number of picks to get either Jacksonville or Charlotte to trade their T-Draft picks within the division.
What other choices does Atlanta have? They could hope that a free agent of quality, like a Colt McCoy, would be available. Perhaps an NFL import? Or they could look elsewhere in the draft, perhaps Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, or Cal’s Davis Webb, but all three have questions that might make them far less intriguing than either of the QBs from the Carolinas would be.
Philadelphia: Should the Stars Trade for a Wide Receiver?
This question comes immediately after the injury to Stevie Johnson that takes away one of the Stars’ biggest playmakers. They now go into games with Ronald Johnson, Allen Robinson, and Marshall Newhouse as their three primary receivers out wide (Travis Kelce at TE is perhaps Matt Gutierrez’s most reliable option. If the Stars hope to compete in a very tough division, one where both Pittsburgh and Baltimore have shown signs of life and where both New Jersey and Washington look serious about a playoff season, they may need to do more to help Gutierrez.
So, what are their options midseason? There are certainly no major talents sitting in free agency to pick up cost free. So that leaves a trade as the best option. The most likely teams looking to make a deal, perhaps for draft capital, are teams sitting at 1 or 2 wins. So, who is out there? St. Louis is sitting at 1-6, but would they consider trading away Jordy Nelson or Eric Weems when the passing game is one of the few positives for the team? Dallas is also mired at 1-6, bt when we look at the Roughneck WR group, it may be the only one with less big play capacity than the Stars. No help there. Atlanta already traded away their top receiver, sending Demaryius Thomas to LA. Las Vegas has an intriguing youngster in DeVante Parker, but is he ready to jump into a major role? Ohio could be convinced to trade either Justin Blackmon or Mario Manningham, but are they the kind of playmaker that Philly needs? That leaves Seattle as the best option. NFL veterans Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders are both short-term solutions, but both have the potential to step in and help Philadelphia stretch the ball and open up the field, which is what they lack with the injury to Stevie Johnson.
St. Louis: Should the Skyhawks Start a Reboot?
It has been 4 years since the Skyhawks soared to a league title, and this year’s 1-6 squad is not looking or feeling like the same club at all, despite several holdover players. If they cannot improve over the next few weeks, the temptation will be there to blow it all up and start fresh. That may make QB Josh Freeman available, or wideout Jordy Nelson, and what about members of the club’s 23rd ranked defense? Could a move be made before Week 10 that would indicate that the Skyhawks are looking to rebuild? We think there well could be. They seem well out of range for a late playoff run, and they could well see their record dip even lower than the 4-12 season in 2014. If that happens, everyone from the GM to the water boy could be on the block.
Seattle: Is Stump Mitchell done, and with him Byron Leftwich?
We already got a short-term answer with Jacoby Brissett scheduled to start in Week 8. It seems that Stump Mitchell, in what may be a last gasp effort to save his own job, has opted to start pushing for a youth movement. But will it be enough to avoid a much larger, wholesale house cleaning in Seattle? The answer to that question may well determine if Seattle becomes a trade deadline exporter of talent. Could we see Leftwich headed to Atlanta? Wallace or Emmanuel to Philadelphia? If we see some trades ahead of the Week 10 deadline, especially player for pick trades, that would be a clear message that the Dragons are going to tear it all down and try to build something new. That would not be what Mitchell wants, but it may be what he gets, especially if starting Brissett does not bring immediate results that show he is on to something.
As we reach the midpoint of the season, the stakes continue to rise, and that means a lot of games with a lot on the line. We kick off the week with a Florida Derby as Orlando hopes to keep pace with Charlotte by knocking off the Bandits in Tampa Bay. On Saturday it is a big match between two preseason Summer Bowl contenders as Michigan heads to Baltimore to take on the surging Blitz. New Orleans is in Atlanta in a regional rivalry and Texas heads to Dallas hoping to gain ground on the Arizona Wranglers. We also have a Keystone Clash as Pittsburgh is in Philly to face the Stars on Saturday Night before the nightcap, a SW Division clash between Las Vegas and Arizona.
On Sunday a pair of teams hoping to win with defense clash as Washington (4-3) heads to Jacksonville (3-4). Other games to watch include New Jersey at Birmingham, Ohio at Chicago, and Charlotte at LA. The weekend concludes with a nice Western Conference duel as the Oakland Invaders (4-3) head to Houston to take on the Gamblers (5-2) and talk of the town QB Colt McCoy.
Friday @ 8pm ET Orlando (5-2) @ Tampa Bay (2-5) NBC
Saturday @ 12pm ET Michigan (5-2) @ Baltimore (3-4) ABC
Saturday @ 12pm ET New Orleans (4-3) @ Atlanta (2-5) FOX
Saturday @ 4pm ET San Diego (5-2) @ St. Louis (1-6) ABC
Saturday @ 4pm ET Texas (5-2) @ Dallas (1-6) FOX
Saturday @ 7pm ET Pittsburgh (3-4) @ Philadelphia (3-4) NBC
Saturday @ 9pm ET Las Vegas (3-4) @ Arizona (6-1) ESPN/EFN
Sunday @ 12pm ET Washington (4-3) @ Jacksonville (3-4) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 12pm ET Seattle (1-6) @ Memphis (5-2) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 12pm ET New Jersey (5-2) @ Birmingham (2-5) FOX
Sunday @ 4pm ET Denver (4-3) @ Portland (2-5) ABC
Sunday @ 4pm ET Ohio (3-4) @ Chicago (3-4) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Charlotte (6-1) @ Los Angeles (3-4) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 8pm ET Oakland (4-3) @ Houston (5-2) ESPN/EFN
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