Portland Portal

[Guest]

Portland, Oregon, home of the Phantoms and also home to new Phantoms GM, rush_27.

rush_27 has a huge job on his hands, as he has been tasked with turning round one of the most under achieving franchises in the OSFL.

A brief history

The Phantoms currently have the fourth worst record in OSFL history and have made the playoffs just once in the last 19 seasons. Their best spell came between 2016-2018 where they had two bowl appearances, ultimately falling to Columbus Catfish on both occasions. The last 32 seasons have yielded a measly four division titles.

2038 Draft Class

Conner Diaz - T - 1.14 - 36/70

Conner is a behemoth of a Tackle who has the potential to lead this offensive line for a very long time. He is an immediate upgrade and may even get better than his rating suggests. Listed 6th on the Green Page.

George Sullivan - OLB - 2.19 - 27/49

George is a little raw but will get starts in a position of real need for the Phantoms. An intelligent player who can read the QB and a quality special teams player as well.

Marty Smaron - MLB - 3.18 - 14/37

Eyebrows were raised at this pick as Marty is a very raw player but filled a position of need. We hope his rating will pick up after Training Camp and he can make a contribution this season.

Colby McWilliams - WR - 4.17 - 22/33

Another reach for the inexperienced GM but fills another need. Colby appears to be spectacular at some parts of the game but appalling in others. His high volatility could come in to play later on

Gavin Sellers - TE - 5.16 - 18/43

Gavin is a good pick at this late stage. He still has some developing to do but can contribute in a backup role.

Broderick Walz - QB - 6.15 - 10/32

Broderick is seen as a bit of a project. Hopefully he won't just be a clipboard holder while he is here. A potential 2nd string QB further down the line.

Diego Cunningham - DT - 7.14 - 18/36

Diego was a decent pick up in the last round. We needed a back up at this position and Diego fits the bill. Not likely to start too many games but has some developing to do

The Solecismic Draft Review has us graded at a B so quite pleased for my first draft and filled a lot of needs

[Guest]

2038 Draft Class

Conner Diaz - T - 1.14 - 36/70 40/68

Conner is a behemoth of a Tackle who has the potential to lead this offensive line for a very long time. He is an immediate upgrade and may even get better than his rating suggests. Listed 6th on the Green Page.
A move to LT for Conner has brought on a little drop in rating but it's not too bad. This pick still looks good, even though he has dropped behind fellow Tackles Talbert and Durham who were taken at 1.17 and 1.18 respectively.

George Sullivan - OLB - 2.19 - 27/49 18/36

George is a little raw but will get starts in a position of real need for the Phantoms. An intelligent player who can read the QB and a quality special teams player as well.
A disappointing drop in rating for the 2nd round pick. Sullivan has been moved to inside linebacker after coaches believed his rating may increase

Marty Smaron - MLB - 3.18 - 14/37 12/22

Eyebrows were raised at this pick as Marty is a very raw player but filled a position of need. We hope his rating will pick up after Training Camp and he can make a contribution this season.
Another disappointment in the linebacker corps. Marty survived the initial cut down to a 53 man roster but will need to do a lot to stick around for the long term.

Colby McWilliams - WR - 4.17 - 22/33 24/35

Another reach for the inexperienced GM but fills another need. Colby appears to be spectacular at some parts of the game but appalling in others. His high volatility could come in to play later on.
A little bump in ratings for the raw receiver. He will mostly be used in special teams and third down situations.

Gavin Sellers - TE - 5.16 - 18/43 21/39

Gavin is a good pick at this late stage. He still has some developing to do but can contribute in a backup role.
Gavin had a little drop but is still good enough for a 2nd string role at tight end this season.

Broderick Walz - QB - 6.15 - 10/32 11/23

Broderick is seen as a bit of a project. Hopefully he won't just be a clipboard holder while he is here. A potential 2nd string QB further down the line.
Survived initial cuts and will be no more than 3rd string QB this season. Hopefully can improve to a backup role.

Diego Cunningham - DT - 7.14 - 18/36 19/36

Diego was a decent pick up in the last round. We needed a back up at this position and Diego fits the bill. Not likely to start too many games but has some developing to do.
A move to Nose Tackle to fit the 3-4 scheme hasn't affected his ratings at all. Diego will be 2nd string this season.

Some good, some bad but overall I am still pleased. Some GM's have definitely been worse off than the Phantoms with regards to drops in ratings. Sullivan is probably the biggest bust but Diaz ratings still hold up.

[Guest]

rush, you might want to re-evaluate how you are evaluating LBs. Neither Sullivan nor Smaron looked like guys I would ever pick.* Right off the bat their Position Drill scores leave something to be desired (Sullivan especially being taken in the 2nd round you'd want to have a PD score of at least 27).


*Note: My primary interest in LBs is to pass defense. Most people aren't quite as heavily into pass defense on LBs as I am.

[Guest]

Sure, I get that. Thanks.

My main concern when I picked up the roster was it lacked any decent Linebackers at all. They were both reaches and I knew that when I drafted them. I am by no means any good at drafting anyway. I have read bits and bobs but still learning. Hopefully future drafts will be more successful

[Guest]

Marty Smaron's time with the Phantoms is over.

The team announced yesterday that they've released the rookie after he failed to impress in Training Camp and pre-season. Smaron was a third round pick out of Baylor this off season. A veteran GM recently commented that he believed Smaron to be a late round pick at best.

Rookie GM rush_27 will be disappointed as he has effectively thrown away a third round pick in his first ever draft and can only learn from this going forward.

rush_27 was unavailable for comment

[Guest]

ANCHORAGE, Ak. -- The boot of Jackson Gardner takes 5 from 5 and leads the Anchorage Gladiators to victory over the Portland Phantoms.

There wasn't many positives to take from the Phantoms and it was an ugly debut for new GM rush_27.

Four turnovers on offense including a pick six really sums up a poor showing from the Portland offense that will need to improve going into week 2 when they travel to Gainesville.

The defense will need to improve also, especially in stopping the run as the Gladiators offensive line bullied the Phantoms front 7 for most of the game.

The Good: This game is over and we move on
The Bad: Four turnovers. Need to do better in protecting the ball
The Ugly: Jarrod Gaddy. 10 from 27 with a pick six and a fumble. C'mon Man!

Portland Phantoms 14
Anchorage Gladiators 29

[Guest]

GAINESVILLE, Fl. -- Phantoms offense self implodes in closing moments to gift victory to Gaels.

Another week of disappointment for the Portland Phantoms but they only have themselves to blame.

QB Jarrod Gaddy had another terrible week where he threw three interceptions including a pick six for the second consecutive week but that doesn't paint the whole picture.

Believe it or not, the Phantoms were still in this game with 10 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter with the scores tied. Portland had Gainesville camped on the own 14 with 7 minutes remaining but 6 plays and 4 minutes later, the Gaels were in the endzone.

With just under three minutes remaining and one score behind, Gaddy threw a pick six and effectively ended any hopes of Portland grabbing a first win of the season.

The Good: The return of Leroy Henry, the Phantoms most valuable player.
The Bad: Bottling it in the last ten minutes of the game
The Ugly: Gaddy's three interceptions and a QB rating of 35.2

Portland Phantoms 10
Gainesville Gaels 27

[Guest]

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. -- Phantoms drop to 0-3 as Phils take hard fought win in closing stages.

Another week, another loss but the Portland Phantoms showed some heart.

The first quarter looked strangely familiar for the Phantoms as they gave up an early touchdown and fumbled on only their second drive to gift possession back to the Phils. The offense coughed another on up on the next drive only for rookie LT Conner Diaz to recover it and keep possession.

In the second quarter, a well worked drive downfield resulted in the Phantoms levelling things up only for the home side to score a touchdown on their next possession.

The Phils gained seven more on their first drive of the third quarter but in the fourth, the Phantoms would show some heart for the first time this season.

Bart Shue's second touchdown of the game brought the scores closer before Jarrod Gaddy's interception. Phantoms defense stepped up and the Phils decided to punt.

Gaddy scrambled over the line to bring the scores level with just over four minutes left but it wasn't to be.

The Phils grabbed the go ahead field goal with two minutes remaining but QB Gaddy threw his 6th interception of the season and any hopes of the Phantoms grabbing their first W of the season.

The Good: This team has heart.
The Bad: Gaddy's performance was ok until the 4th quarter. Needs to improve.
The Ugly: The receivers aren't helping Gaddy. 5 dropped passes.

Portland Phantoms 21
Punxsutawney Phils 24

[Sharkn20]

How Worsham is working for you buddy?

[Guest]

Not too bad to be honest. Dropped to number 3 receiver but because of injuries is leading with yards gained. Had a few drops though...

[Sharkn20]

Not too bad to be honest. Dropped to number 3 receiver but because of injuries is leading with yards gained. Had a few drops though...

Glad to know!

[Guest]

PORTLAND, Or. -- Phantoms lose a close one and drop to 0-4. Warhawks breathe a sigh of relief.

The Portland Phantoms this week lost another close game and with a bit of luck, this team could be 2-2. As it stands, they are 0-4 with another two away trips coming up.

The city of Portland were watching home football for the first time this season and saw the Phantoms and Warhawks exchange punts on their first drives of the game before a Lawrence Selmon field goal broke the deadlock. Waco responded with a 11 play drive downfield for a touchdown before a 8 play drive from Portland resulted in QB Gaddy finding TE Hartman in the end zone. Waco would kick a field goal to level it up at the break.

The first two drives of the second half both ended in missed field goals from both sides before the Warhawks pushed themselves back in front again with a touchdown. Selmon missed a long field goal attempt at the end of the third quarter before the Warhawks' Leo Jackson showed how it is done with a successful kick to extend his teams lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

QB Gaddy, having his best game of the season so far, drove the Phantoms down to the Waco redzone, only for Selmon to miss his kick from 31 yards after a bad snap. Selmon would finish 1 from 4 on the day.

A late touchdown from RB Bart Shue took the game to within 3 points but the onside kick was recovered by the Warhawks to wrap up the game.

The Good: Jarrod Gaddy had by far his best game of the season so far
The Bad: 3 more dropped passes from our receivers
The Ugly: 3 missed field goals including a 31 yard sitter

Waco Warhawks 20
Portland Phantoms 17

GM rush_27 has already started planning for next year with a shot at the post season already looking very unlikely.

[Guest]

Did you fire your kicker?

[Guest]

Did you fire your kicker?

No I didn't but a couple more performances like that and I will have to look elsewhere!

He followed it up this week by going 3 from 3 though.....

[Guest]

MEMPHIS, Tn. -- Phantoms stop the rot and record first win of the season behind the arm of backup QB Jon Lee.

The Portland Phantoms finally chalked up a victory against the Memphis Showboats this week but the win came at a cost as QB Gaddy was knocked out of the game early on.

The game started with both teams forced to punt on their respective opening drives before the Showboats edged ahead with a field goal. The Phantoms defense held firm against the Showboats offense and restricted them to just three points after facing 4 plays inside their own 6 yard line.

QB Jarrod Gaddy was hurt on the next Phantoms drive but 3rd year QB Jon Lee, appearing in his first ever game in the OSFL, drove the Phantoms downfield for the go ahead touchdown.

Memphis would then gift the ball back to Portland on the next play when CB Dean Burgower intercepted Memphis QB Wally Watson and returned it deep into Showboats territory. The Phantoms increased their lead with a field goal.

A couple of punts were exchanged before Memphis missed a field goal and Portland succeeded with one of their own as the clock ticked down for the end of the half.

The second half started with a fired up Showboats team giving up penalties but forcing QB Lee into an interception. Unfortunately for Memphis, they couldn't capitalise. The Phantoms Kicker Lawrence Selmon would add to the lead with his third successful field goal of the day.

Memphis QB Watson would throw his second interception of the day, this time picked off by S Matthew Hairston. The ensuing drive would end with QB Lee finding rookie WR Colby McWilliams for the score.

Phantoms' CB Scott Oukac would pick off Showboats' backup QB Deshonee Harden in garbage time to seal the win

I think it's fair to say that this Portland side caught Memphis on a bad day. QB Watson had by far his worst game of the season so far but the defeat for the Showboats was backed up by indiscipline on both sides of the ball as they gave up ten penalties for 75 yards.

Nevertheless, this is a confidence boosting win for the Phantoms as they travel to the winless Kalispel Stags in a divisional game in week 6.

The Good: A win, finally
The Bad: QB Gaddy could be missing for the next few weeks with injury
The Ugly: Being picky, the run game could improve

Portland Phantoms 23
Memphis Showboats 3