Coming into the season, the Austin Copperheads, two seasons removed from a thrilling loss to Orange County in the AFC Conference Championship game, hoped to prove last season's last place finish an aberration. In the now hyper-competitive AFC, even the most minor detail is magnified to the fullest extent and old teams get old fast. Navigating a transitional phase is difficult, unless you're Orange County, and the Copperheads took the proverbial bull by the horns.
Since that playoff loss to Orange County, Austin has seen their RB1, WR1, FS, SS retire. Their WR2 as transitioned to TE1, replacing their elder and regressed traditional TE. They also entered this season with their long standing CB1(and return ace) and QB1 deep in regression. Both players likely have one more season they can effectively squeeze out(especially if the regression matches the war room strategy this time, haha).
Austin has drafted well, traded well, and been active in free agency, effectively replacing all their holes with high-earning players and setting themselves up for a big run in the future. But, the gap in ages on offense showed as Watts did good for a rookie, but the lack of help in the backfield really put a burden on her early in the season. And the chain reaction was felt as Cole was asked to pull a miracle season that his body wasn't capable of anymore. Despite the troubles, Austin's defense did all they could to keep the team in the hunt as long as they could, ranking near the top of the team defensive categories. Even though star CB Lavelle Jr. has been a cornerstone of the teams for eons, his departure might spell a new era for the Copperheads defense where they are set up to run various defensive looks with all the young talent throughout the unit, including one of the best defensive lines and a scary CB duo.
To reach the playoffs consistently again, Austin simply needs to keep rebuilding their offense and make the foundation as solid as possible for the Jackie Daytona Jr. era. Austin needs a true backfield partner for Watts so she doesnt get fatigued every game and can keep the offense flowing along with some beef on the line --- both offensive-linemen and tight ends. With how young the Copperheads defense is, there really is nowhere to add any help, aside from getting some extra active bodies in the linebacker core. Be on the lookout for the Copperheads to perennially fight for a divisional title within the next two-three seasons.
Since that playoff loss to Orange County, Austin has seen their RB1, WR1, FS, SS retire. Their WR2 as transitioned to TE1, replacing their elder and regressed traditional TE. They also entered this season with their long standing CB1(and return ace) and QB1 deep in regression. Both players likely have one more season they can effectively squeeze out(especially if the regression matches the war room strategy this time, haha).
Austin has drafted well, traded well, and been active in free agency, effectively replacing all their holes with high-earning players and setting themselves up for a big run in the future. But, the gap in ages on offense showed as Watts did good for a rookie, but the lack of help in the backfield really put a burden on her early in the season. And the chain reaction was felt as Cole was asked to pull a miracle season that his body wasn't capable of anymore. Despite the troubles, Austin's defense did all they could to keep the team in the hunt as long as they could, ranking near the top of the team defensive categories. Even though star CB Lavelle Jr. has been a cornerstone of the teams for eons, his departure might spell a new era for the Copperheads defense where they are set up to run various defensive looks with all the young talent throughout the unit, including one of the best defensive lines and a scary CB duo.
To reach the playoffs consistently again, Austin simply needs to keep rebuilding their offense and make the foundation as solid as possible for the Jackie Daytona Jr. era. Austin needs a true backfield partner for Watts so she doesnt get fatigued every game and can keep the offense flowing along with some beef on the line --- both offensive-linemen and tight ends. With how young the Copperheads defense is, there really is nowhere to add any help, aside from getting some extra active bodies in the linebacker core. Be on the lookout for the Copperheads to perennially fight for a divisional title within the next two-three seasons.