03-29-2019, 05:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-29-2019, 05:11 AM by PSanchez55.)
Led by the steady presence of veteran RB Beauregard Smallwood-Chess and TE Roman Stakowski, the Portland Pythons offense has rallied around rookie signal caller Franklin Armstrong to become one of the better units in the DSFL. Though many expected Armstrong to lean heavily on the run game, the young QB is leading the offense on the strength of his passing. He has already thrown for almost 900 yards in 4 games (2nd in the league), with a league leading 65% completion percentage. He has made good use of his TE Stakowski, getting the ball to his safety net 6 times a game on average for 7.6 yards a pop. However, it's the electrifying veteran wideout Bonaberi Jones that has made the most impact. The Armstrong to Jones connection has resulted in 18 completions for a league leading 348 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Although the passing game is what will always make the headlines, Portland possesses a league best rushing attack. Yards, Yards-per-carry, touchdowns- you name a category, Portland is probably leading in it. The aforementioned Chess, and NA RKANSAW have split carries evenly; with Chess rushing for 350 yards, and NA rushing for 271. Tyler Janes and Kermit Stronglegs. (Armstrong and Stronglegs, name a better duo) have done well with the carries they have received adding about 180 yards combined. The balanced Portland attack has impressed mightily these first 4 weeks.
Why has Portland's offense been so successful early on this season? I interviewed Portland head coach Boa Stricter to find out. When asked if he expected Armstrong to be this good, he said, " We really liked Armstrong. We knew he would put in the work to become great. Did I expect him to be this good, this fast? To be honest, no, not really. But then again, Caleb McCoy's rookie year came under similar circumstances and he was outstanding that year." I followed up by asking him about second round pick Kermit Stronglegs, and if he was living up to expectations. "We have a crowded group of running backs here. He's been seeing time all over the field. I expect his numbers to improve as he continues to get better, and we are able to find the best spot for him on the field." Finally, I got to the most important question. I asked him if there was anything he could point to that would explain their success. "Just come watch a practice."
Two days later, I was in Portland to watch the 3-1 Pythons practice. The sky was cloudy and dull, like it often is in that part of the country. The coaches were not treating their players like they were 3-1 and tied for the division league. They worked them hard. However, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I saw nothing to explain their hot start.
Finally, the offense and defense lined up to scrimmage. Suddenly, it was as if the defense forgot the offense was on the same team. On the first play, BSC ran took a handoff from Armstrong around right guard. Linebackers Lee and Stokeley converged on him, slamming him to the ground for no gain. I am almost certain the pair hissed in his face as he was getting up. The next play, AJ Lattimer exploded off the ball, driving Armstrong to the ground before he could make a read. The defense was hyped especially for a scrimmage. 3rd down, it was obvious that the defense wasn't going to allow a first down. Bonaberi Jones seemed to be open across the middle for a first down gain, but D'Attoria came out of nowhere hitting him as the ball arrived. The ball popped into the air and into the waiting arms of Emandov Emoji. Pick 6.
More of the same for the entirety of the scrimmage. The defense refused to give the offense anything. Armstrong threw pick after pick, and the ground game was going nowhere. Everytime the defense made a play... (So basically every play) They let the offense know about it. The offense was frustrated and they pushed themselves even harder. After watching this it was obvious that the unsolvable Python defense pushed the offense. After a week of going up against that juggernaut, scoring on Tijuana or Kansas City would seem easy.
Although the passing game is what will always make the headlines, Portland possesses a league best rushing attack. Yards, Yards-per-carry, touchdowns- you name a category, Portland is probably leading in it. The aforementioned Chess, and NA RKANSAW have split carries evenly; with Chess rushing for 350 yards, and NA rushing for 271. Tyler Janes and Kermit Stronglegs. (Armstrong and Stronglegs, name a better duo) have done well with the carries they have received adding about 180 yards combined. The balanced Portland attack has impressed mightily these first 4 weeks.
Why has Portland's offense been so successful early on this season? I interviewed Portland head coach Boa Stricter to find out. When asked if he expected Armstrong to be this good, he said, " We really liked Armstrong. We knew he would put in the work to become great. Did I expect him to be this good, this fast? To be honest, no, not really. But then again, Caleb McCoy's rookie year came under similar circumstances and he was outstanding that year." I followed up by asking him about second round pick Kermit Stronglegs, and if he was living up to expectations. "We have a crowded group of running backs here. He's been seeing time all over the field. I expect his numbers to improve as he continues to get better, and we are able to find the best spot for him on the field." Finally, I got to the most important question. I asked him if there was anything he could point to that would explain their success. "Just come watch a practice."
Two days later, I was in Portland to watch the 3-1 Pythons practice. The sky was cloudy and dull, like it often is in that part of the country. The coaches were not treating their players like they were 3-1 and tied for the division league. They worked them hard. However, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I saw nothing to explain their hot start.
Finally, the offense and defense lined up to scrimmage. Suddenly, it was as if the defense forgot the offense was on the same team. On the first play, BSC ran took a handoff from Armstrong around right guard. Linebackers Lee and Stokeley converged on him, slamming him to the ground for no gain. I am almost certain the pair hissed in his face as he was getting up. The next play, AJ Lattimer exploded off the ball, driving Armstrong to the ground before he could make a read. The defense was hyped especially for a scrimmage. 3rd down, it was obvious that the defense wasn't going to allow a first down. Bonaberi Jones seemed to be open across the middle for a first down gain, but D'Attoria came out of nowhere hitting him as the ball arrived. The ball popped into the air and into the waiting arms of Emandov Emoji. Pick 6.
More of the same for the entirety of the scrimmage. The defense refused to give the offense anything. Armstrong threw pick after pick, and the ground game was going nowhere. Everytime the defense made a play... (So basically every play) They let the offense know about it. The offense was frustrated and they pushed themselves even harder. After watching this it was obvious that the unsolvable Python defense pushed the offense. After a week of going up against that juggernaut, scoring on Tijuana or Kansas City would seem easy.