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This was a team loaded with talent, but hindered by gameplan and a couple of injuries.
Because of a first-round bust in QB Hardy Campana, the team put its faith in J.T. 'Ike' Eisenbart. Eisenbart is certainly a capable QB, but he is also a turnover machine. 30 this year, to put a point on it. While he did set many team passing records, it was ultimately this commitment to the passing game that doomed this year's franchise.
A.J. McGee started slow, hindered by a pre-season injury, but certainly ended up in typical McGee fashion - 1700 yards, 12 TDs in basically 14 games. No issues here. Even though his contract has run out, and he will undoubtedly command top-dollar, the man will be paid and stay a Bomber.
Webb-Wooden-Rogers brought it well this year - combined 1900 yards and 15 TDs. The potential for a powerful passing game is certainly there, and all three will be returning starters next year as well.
The offensive line could use some youth, but the starting five started all 16 games together. Cohesion should be through the roof next year, provided they all keep their spots.
Defensively, the team was right on par again. #6 in yards allowed, #9 in points. There was a tangible difference when leader Brandon Sponable went down for half the season with an injury, though. With Sponable - 15.8 ppg allowed, 6-2 record. Without - 21.5 ppg allowed, 3-5 record.
Not much to cry about or fix on the defensive side. Bullock & Grabulis are dominating, Sponable and Enochs are patrolling the middle, and Graham-Stone may be the best CB tandem in the league. Still plenty of power left in this unit for the next 3-4 years.
The theme here is, this was a disappointing year, but we are set up well for the next 3-5 still. At a glance, even with a decent draft/FA, we will be returning 8-9 starters on offense, and about the same on defense. If we can land a solid QB in the draft or FA - or worst case, keep Eisenbart manageable - we should be challenging for the foreseeable future.
Our goal is to remove the Portland monkey from our back. They've eliminated us from, or kept us out of, the playoffs for three years straight now. We are in a tough division, and a tougher conference, where no one is going to sneak into the playoffs, or luck their way into the Bowl.
Because of a first-round bust in QB Hardy Campana, the team put its faith in J.T. 'Ike' Eisenbart. Eisenbart is certainly a capable QB, but he is also a turnover machine. 30 this year, to put a point on it. While he did set many team passing records, it was ultimately this commitment to the passing game that doomed this year's franchise.
A.J. McGee started slow, hindered by a pre-season injury, but certainly ended up in typical McGee fashion - 1700 yards, 12 TDs in basically 14 games. No issues here. Even though his contract has run out, and he will undoubtedly command top-dollar, the man will be paid and stay a Bomber.
Webb-Wooden-Rogers brought it well this year - combined 1900 yards and 15 TDs. The potential for a powerful passing game is certainly there, and all three will be returning starters next year as well.
The offensive line could use some youth, but the starting five started all 16 games together. Cohesion should be through the roof next year, provided they all keep their spots.
Defensively, the team was right on par again. #6 in yards allowed, #9 in points. There was a tangible difference when leader Brandon Sponable went down for half the season with an injury, though. With Sponable - 15.8 ppg allowed, 6-2 record. Without - 21.5 ppg allowed, 3-5 record.
Not much to cry about or fix on the defensive side. Bullock & Grabulis are dominating, Sponable and Enochs are patrolling the middle, and Graham-Stone may be the best CB tandem in the league. Still plenty of power left in this unit for the next 3-4 years.
The theme here is, this was a disappointing year, but we are set up well for the next 3-5 still. At a glance, even with a decent draft/FA, we will be returning 8-9 starters on offense, and about the same on defense. If we can land a solid QB in the draft or FA - or worst case, keep Eisenbart manageable - we should be challenging for the foreseeable future.
Our goal is to remove the Portland monkey from our back. They've eliminated us from, or kept us out of, the playoffs for three years straight now. We are in a tough division, and a tougher conference, where no one is going to sneak into the playoffs, or luck their way into the Bowl.
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