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In what was a highly anticipated matchup between the 7 time defending AC West division champs, Portland, and the up and comer, Fresno with newly acquired 3 time pro bowler receiver Bernard Strong, the Seals went into enemy territory and walked away the victors once again.
With Brady King leading the way with his 71 yard kickoff return and clutch receiving, to former runningback Bryan Rafter getting himself behind the defense time and again, 2 of them touchdowns, Portland slowed down the high flying aerial act of Schwartz to Strong just enough to bring home the win.
Portland has seen a large turnover since Oakland GM Jave came out of retirement to take over the Seals, but so far, not much has changed in the city of roses. Winning is still the name of the game, and Portland does it well.
With the offensive line not getting any younger, Jave set about aggressively trading and drafting for youth without damaging the core of the team. Adding a stud left tackle in Arnold Henderson to protect Bauer's blind side allowed him to move 2nd year player Hugh Lee from left to right tackle. But that was only the beginning. In a shocking move, Salt Lake owner Vito traded 2 time pro bowler Brian Emerson and wasting no time, Jave jumped all over it before the league even knew he was on the block going big giving up a 1st AND 2nd to shore up his offensive line.
"Getting a player of this caliber is rare when you constantly draft at the bottom of every round year in and year out. I had to make the move. Emerson is special and will be here until he retires. Portland couldn't be happier to have him".
But even bigger changes have been on the defensive side of the ball adding defensive end Gabe Hitchcock, defensive tackle Gus Elliott and Leo Grieg, linebackers Michael Dunn, Craig Pearson, Kenneth Kremers and Rufus Richardson through a mix of trades and drafting. He has also strengthened the defensive backfield by adding Leslie Flemister, Tom Knight and Ken Farmer.
Jave: "Portland is a proud franchise with a history of winning, but we can't ignore the fact when I arrived the team was getting older. Nearly half the roster was 1-2 years from retirement. I was faced with a tough decision, do I go for broke to win it all, or put the team on a path of continued success by bringing in a youth movement and retain the core players. It was a no brainer for me. It would do this team a disservice by putting them in the hole for the next 10 years by trying to win today. And so far, I'm happy with my decision. The team is winning, the fans couldn't be happier and were making money".
This week Little Rock travels to Portland for the Seals home opener and I'm guessing 90 thousand fans will be rocking the stadium waiting to see the Seals first game of the 2024 season.
With Brady King leading the way with his 71 yard kickoff return and clutch receiving, to former runningback Bryan Rafter getting himself behind the defense time and again, 2 of them touchdowns, Portland slowed down the high flying aerial act of Schwartz to Strong just enough to bring home the win.
Portland has seen a large turnover since Oakland GM Jave came out of retirement to take over the Seals, but so far, not much has changed in the city of roses. Winning is still the name of the game, and Portland does it well.
With the offensive line not getting any younger, Jave set about aggressively trading and drafting for youth without damaging the core of the team. Adding a stud left tackle in Arnold Henderson to protect Bauer's blind side allowed him to move 2nd year player Hugh Lee from left to right tackle. But that was only the beginning. In a shocking move, Salt Lake owner Vito traded 2 time pro bowler Brian Emerson and wasting no time, Jave jumped all over it before the league even knew he was on the block going big giving up a 1st AND 2nd to shore up his offensive line.
"Getting a player of this caliber is rare when you constantly draft at the bottom of every round year in and year out. I had to make the move. Emerson is special and will be here until he retires. Portland couldn't be happier to have him".
But even bigger changes have been on the defensive side of the ball adding defensive end Gabe Hitchcock, defensive tackle Gus Elliott and Leo Grieg, linebackers Michael Dunn, Craig Pearson, Kenneth Kremers and Rufus Richardson through a mix of trades and drafting. He has also strengthened the defensive backfield by adding Leslie Flemister, Tom Knight and Ken Farmer.
Jave: "Portland is a proud franchise with a history of winning, but we can't ignore the fact when I arrived the team was getting older. Nearly half the roster was 1-2 years from retirement. I was faced with a tough decision, do I go for broke to win it all, or put the team on a path of continued success by bringing in a youth movement and retain the core players. It was a no brainer for me. It would do this team a disservice by putting them in the hole for the next 10 years by trying to win today. And so far, I'm happy with my decision. The team is winning, the fans couldn't be happier and were making money".
This week Little Rock travels to Portland for the Seals home opener and I'm guessing 90 thousand fans will be rocking the stadium waiting to see the Seals first game of the 2024 season.