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Portland Phantoms 2014 Year-End Report
Liked the idea and format done by NLB, so I decided to steal it. The Portland Phantoms went 9-7, (I had predicted 8-10 wins), and fell just short of the post-season. A tie-breaker between (9-7) Anchorage was the difference for the AC North Title. For most teams, a 9-7 non-playoff season is a letdown, but it marks Portland's 4th ever winning season, first ever consecutive winning season (9-7 last year as well) and only the second winning season since 2009.
Offense:
Passing: Very impressed with the passing game this season. Eddie Castillo has quickly became one of the premier passers in all of the OSFL. I have good depth at WR, FB and TE, although adding another receiving weapon for Castillo is near the top of the priority list.
Rushing: I anticipate big changes here. I like John Chart but at this point in his career he is probably better served as a backup. Behind him is players who will likely not make next year’s roster.
Blocking: My FBs and TEs all block well and my offensive line is very solid at both tackles, right guard and center. However, left guard has been a problem for seasons. Second round pick Buddy Dahl, who played tackle in college, has been moved inside and tried to learn on the fly. He is penciled in to start next year but he still has a long way to go.
Defense:
D-Line: I have a couple young guys at Defensive End that I think will continue to get better and wouldn’t expect much change. At Defensive Tackle, I need to blow it up. Second-year player Dennis Westbrook proved he can pass rush but the rest of the guys on the roster would be better suited as backups. Teams ran all over me this season and it starts upfront.
Linebackers: Two keys to my defense are MLB Lenny Prescott and SLB Shaun Farley. Both young, both very good. Behind them I have a mix of old and young, but I will likely continue to develop 2014 third-round pick Ian Subramanian. Backup MLB J.C. Banks deserves playing time and might push for a switch to the 3-4.
Secondary: I have a trio of players in the secondary. CB Jake Kennedy, SS Thurman Joyner and FS Ray Kohberger are all young and when healthy, very solid. My second corner and nickel corner, Ray “Red” Rose and Quentin Donaldson, would be better fits as nickel/dime backs, respectively. I need a #2 corner desperately.
Special Teams:
Kickoff/Punt Returns: Need a new guy here. Donald Tatum, while decent enough at both, has a fumble problem. I’d rather have my PR fair catch and my KR let it go into endzone than fumble how he did this season.
Kicking/Punting: My punter is a Pro Bowler but my kicking position has been a revolving door. Might need to overpay in Free-Agency or spend a mid-round pick on a guy in the draft.
Overall Off-season Expectation: On the offensive side of the ball, I wouldn't expect too many changes besides at RB. Likely where I spend money in the off-season, give up or use a high draft pick on, etc. I need a game-changer at the position. I have had enough of the 3.5 ypc guys who crowd my backfield. I need someone who can break off some runs further than 25 yards. The offensive line is getting old and with Jackson entering his twilight years and Howe heading to FA, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a draft choice or two go to OL and WR. Defensively, DT and CB are two glaring holes. I could probably use two at each position.
Targets: RB, DT, CB, K
Liked the idea and format done by NLB, so I decided to steal it. The Portland Phantoms went 9-7, (I had predicted 8-10 wins), and fell just short of the post-season. A tie-breaker between (9-7) Anchorage was the difference for the AC North Title. For most teams, a 9-7 non-playoff season is a letdown, but it marks Portland's 4th ever winning season, first ever consecutive winning season (9-7 last year as well) and only the second winning season since 2009.
Offense:
Passing: Very impressed with the passing game this season. Eddie Castillo has quickly became one of the premier passers in all of the OSFL. I have good depth at WR, FB and TE, although adding another receiving weapon for Castillo is near the top of the priority list.
Rushing: I anticipate big changes here. I like John Chart but at this point in his career he is probably better served as a backup. Behind him is players who will likely not make next year’s roster.
Blocking: My FBs and TEs all block well and my offensive line is very solid at both tackles, right guard and center. However, left guard has been a problem for seasons. Second round pick Buddy Dahl, who played tackle in college, has been moved inside and tried to learn on the fly. He is penciled in to start next year but he still has a long way to go.
Defense:
D-Line: I have a couple young guys at Defensive End that I think will continue to get better and wouldn’t expect much change. At Defensive Tackle, I need to blow it up. Second-year player Dennis Westbrook proved he can pass rush but the rest of the guys on the roster would be better suited as backups. Teams ran all over me this season and it starts upfront.
Linebackers: Two keys to my defense are MLB Lenny Prescott and SLB Shaun Farley. Both young, both very good. Behind them I have a mix of old and young, but I will likely continue to develop 2014 third-round pick Ian Subramanian. Backup MLB J.C. Banks deserves playing time and might push for a switch to the 3-4.
Secondary: I have a trio of players in the secondary. CB Jake Kennedy, SS Thurman Joyner and FS Ray Kohberger are all young and when healthy, very solid. My second corner and nickel corner, Ray “Red” Rose and Quentin Donaldson, would be better fits as nickel/dime backs, respectively. I need a #2 corner desperately.
Special Teams:
Kickoff/Punt Returns: Need a new guy here. Donald Tatum, while decent enough at both, has a fumble problem. I’d rather have my PR fair catch and my KR let it go into endzone than fumble how he did this season.
Kicking/Punting: My punter is a Pro Bowler but my kicking position has been a revolving door. Might need to overpay in Free-Agency or spend a mid-round pick on a guy in the draft.
Overall Off-season Expectation: On the offensive side of the ball, I wouldn't expect too many changes besides at RB. Likely where I spend money in the off-season, give up or use a high draft pick on, etc. I need a game-changer at the position. I have had enough of the 3.5 ypc guys who crowd my backfield. I need someone who can break off some runs further than 25 yards. The offensive line is getting old and with Jackson entering his twilight years and Howe heading to FA, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a draft choice or two go to OL and WR. Defensively, DT and CB are two glaring holes. I could probably use two at each position.
Targets: RB, DT, CB, K