The year after a team wins a championship, there tends to be a hangover as it is of course extremely difficult to outperform a championship season. In the offseason this year there was quite a bit of talk about the potential fall of the Outlaws from their pedestal on high as league champions. Arizona lost quite a few players to the expansion draft and regular draft that were key pieces to their championship run. Although they were able to retain stud offensive lineman Timmy Pest, players like the high profile dynamic defensive end Blaster Blade were lost to other teams. On paper it seemed as though the well rounded Outlaws team and especially their dominating defense were due for a regression in season 2. However, so far, we see that this defense has done anything but regressed and looks ready to carry this team to the playoffs and potentially another Ultimus Championship.
Last night, the Outlaws faced off against the newly minted expansion team, the Philadelphia Liberty, on a cool night in the desert. It was expected to be a blowout, seeing as how the Liberty are extremely young, with only one veteran player on the starting roster, former Arizona WR Lincoln Jefferson. Now converted to safety, Jefferson put on a show in his old home with an interception return for a touchdown and was a big reason why the Liberty were able to keep the game within one score. But, it was clear that the young Liberty offense with the volatile Jameis Christ at the helm had no answer for the onslaught faced by the Outlaws defensive front. Lead by star defensive end Jayce Tuck, who’s dominance had been called into question after a somewhat quiet week one performance, the Arizona defense was in the Liberty backfield the entire game. Tuck, who roared back to life in this game, recorded an incredible 4 sacks on his own and the defense as a whole finished with a total of 10 sacks. They made the inexperienced Liberty offensive line look like tissue paper out there and the pressure they caused led to a lot of disruption for Christ who only managed a 56.6 passer rating on the day. The defensive backfield has been impressive this season as well, led by reigning defensive player of the year Isaiah Rashad and his partner Ryan Flock. Flock has made plays all over the field in the first two weeks of the season, recording an interception in each. Rising Liberty star Fox North was able to break loose for some big plays against the Outlaws and managed over 100 yards for the second straight week and a TD in this one. But, other than North, no Philadelphia receiver had more than 15 yards.
Although it was expected that the Outlaws defense would be effective against a weaker Philadelphia unit, we saw that the Outlaws had similar defensive success against a much stronger Orange County offensive unit that many believe boasts the best offensive line in the league. In that game, the Outlaws were able to apply a ton of pressure as well. As mentioned before, Tuck was held in check during that game, but the team as a whole still managed six sacks, including three from ascending rookie talent Luke Luechly. The Otters were held without a touchdown that game and although they were able to find some success on the ground, the fast Arizona defense kept them from breaking away for any big gains.
While the Outlaws defense seems to be just as sharp as ever, the offense is not exactly up to par. Now led by somewhat inexperienced QB King Bronko, the Outlaws have lost their two leading wide receivers from last season, the aforementioned Jefferson now of the Philadelphia Liberty and fan favorite Stormblessed who now plays for the Las Vegas Legion. These two receivers were thought of as some of the best in the league and aside from the defense were a big part of why teams couldn’t keep up with the Outlaws last season. Now, the team is relying on veteran Mayran Jackson as well as rookies Dustin Evans and C.A. Chess to pick up the slack from the major holes left in the offense. So far, they seem to have taken to their new roles quite well, but it will be a while before this offense can even come close to what it was last season. Reg Mackworthy is still a force in the backfield, but he certainly can’t do it alone. The ultimate success of this team will ride on how well this offense can come together in time for the playoffs this year. If Bronko can be all that the team expects he will, then we may see a dynamic offense to pair with this brutal defense yet again. But, as we saw against the Liberty, offensive production was hard enough to come by against a young defense and will be even harder when the Outlaws face some of the other powerhouse teams in the league.
It's still early in the season and the Outlaws have been blessed so far to have one of their toughest games of the season at home in week 1 and then getting to play a still inexperienced Liberty team at home in week 2. Their game in week 3 starts a two game road stretch, but their first opponent is the Las Vegas Legion who were absolutely obliterated at home by the Colorado Yeti here in week 2. It may not be until week 7 when the Outlaws face the Otters on the road before we see this team really put to the test this season. We will see if by then this defense still looks as impervious as ever, and whether or not the offense has been able to come together and start firing on all cylinders. But, for now, this well-run franchise looks poised to be just as successful as last season despite the many doubts that crept up around them in the offseason.
((1005 words, ready for grading))
Graded
Last night, the Outlaws faced off against the newly minted expansion team, the Philadelphia Liberty, on a cool night in the desert. It was expected to be a blowout, seeing as how the Liberty are extremely young, with only one veteran player on the starting roster, former Arizona WR Lincoln Jefferson. Now converted to safety, Jefferson put on a show in his old home with an interception return for a touchdown and was a big reason why the Liberty were able to keep the game within one score. But, it was clear that the young Liberty offense with the volatile Jameis Christ at the helm had no answer for the onslaught faced by the Outlaws defensive front. Lead by star defensive end Jayce Tuck, who’s dominance had been called into question after a somewhat quiet week one performance, the Arizona defense was in the Liberty backfield the entire game. Tuck, who roared back to life in this game, recorded an incredible 4 sacks on his own and the defense as a whole finished with a total of 10 sacks. They made the inexperienced Liberty offensive line look like tissue paper out there and the pressure they caused led to a lot of disruption for Christ who only managed a 56.6 passer rating on the day. The defensive backfield has been impressive this season as well, led by reigning defensive player of the year Isaiah Rashad and his partner Ryan Flock. Flock has made plays all over the field in the first two weeks of the season, recording an interception in each. Rising Liberty star Fox North was able to break loose for some big plays against the Outlaws and managed over 100 yards for the second straight week and a TD in this one. But, other than North, no Philadelphia receiver had more than 15 yards.
Although it was expected that the Outlaws defense would be effective against a weaker Philadelphia unit, we saw that the Outlaws had similar defensive success against a much stronger Orange County offensive unit that many believe boasts the best offensive line in the league. In that game, the Outlaws were able to apply a ton of pressure as well. As mentioned before, Tuck was held in check during that game, but the team as a whole still managed six sacks, including three from ascending rookie talent Luke Luechly. The Otters were held without a touchdown that game and although they were able to find some success on the ground, the fast Arizona defense kept them from breaking away for any big gains.
While the Outlaws defense seems to be just as sharp as ever, the offense is not exactly up to par. Now led by somewhat inexperienced QB King Bronko, the Outlaws have lost their two leading wide receivers from last season, the aforementioned Jefferson now of the Philadelphia Liberty and fan favorite Stormblessed who now plays for the Las Vegas Legion. These two receivers were thought of as some of the best in the league and aside from the defense were a big part of why teams couldn’t keep up with the Outlaws last season. Now, the team is relying on veteran Mayran Jackson as well as rookies Dustin Evans and C.A. Chess to pick up the slack from the major holes left in the offense. So far, they seem to have taken to their new roles quite well, but it will be a while before this offense can even come close to what it was last season. Reg Mackworthy is still a force in the backfield, but he certainly can’t do it alone. The ultimate success of this team will ride on how well this offense can come together in time for the playoffs this year. If Bronko can be all that the team expects he will, then we may see a dynamic offense to pair with this brutal defense yet again. But, as we saw against the Liberty, offensive production was hard enough to come by against a young defense and will be even harder when the Outlaws face some of the other powerhouse teams in the league.
It's still early in the season and the Outlaws have been blessed so far to have one of their toughest games of the season at home in week 1 and then getting to play a still inexperienced Liberty team at home in week 2. Their game in week 3 starts a two game road stretch, but their first opponent is the Las Vegas Legion who were absolutely obliterated at home by the Colorado Yeti here in week 2. It may not be until week 7 when the Outlaws face the Otters on the road before we see this team really put to the test this season. We will see if by then this defense still looks as impervious as ever, and whether or not the offense has been able to come together and start firing on all cylinders. But, for now, this well-run franchise looks poised to be just as successful as last season despite the many doubts that crept up around them in the offseason.
((1005 words, ready for grading))
Graded
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[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION](S2) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S3) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S4) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S5) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S6) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S7) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S8) 14 Games Played
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION] 27839
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[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]Most Likely to Break the Team Bench When Sitting Down
[OPTION]Pumpkin Chuckin' Rally 2017 Semifinalist
[OPTION]Most Likely to Get Traded in S8 (T-1st)
[OPTION]Ultimus Champion S7, S8