The Seals' Source

[spunkywhitebread]

INJURY UPDATE

There's a few new faces on the Seals' injury list this week. Starting corner, Preston Flynn, went down with a broken clavicle, but should be ready to go by next season. Starting linebacker, Cletus Bodnar, was set to get off the injury list this week, but instead is right back on it with a pulled groin. Starting tightend, Alan Bryant, is making his first appearance on the injury list as he was diagnosed with a hyperextended elbow. There was some good news for Gary Montiel as he was upgraded from doubtful to probable and his recovery time was shortened to two weeks. Starting left tackle, Levon Abrams, was upgraded to probable as well. DT Wes Goad, LB Mark Segura, and RB Brady Parrish were all cleared by the Seals' medical staff.

LT Joseph Reynolds is out for 57 weeks with repetitive concussion syndrome.

RT Don Webb is out for 35 weeks with reconstructive knee surgery.

SS William Dietrich is out for 32 weeks with MCL knee surgery.

C Archie Hooten is out for 9 weeks with a severe hamstring pull.

LCB Preston Flynn is out for 5 weeks with a broken clavicle.

WR Blake Ameche is out for 4 weeks with a separated shoulder.

MLB Cletus Bodnar is doubtful for 4 weeks with a pulled groin.

QB Jay Caro is probable for 4 weeks with knee tendinitis.

TE Alan Bryant is out for 3 weeks with a hyperextended elbow.

LCB Gary Montiel is probable for 2 weeks with a strained foot ligament.

LT Levon Abrams is probable for 1 weeks with a strained foot ligament.



WEEK 17 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (13-3)

With the AFC West crown locked up, a number of Lynx starters found themselves on the safe confines of the Anchorage bench as the Lynx dropped a close one to the Matadors, 22-17. The Lynx get a bye for the first week of the playoffs which should have them rested and ready for the second week.

Albuquerque (11-5)

The Matadors get a win over Anchorage's B squad in the final week of the regular season, 22-17. Week one of the playoffs has Albuquerque visiting Iowa City to take on the 12-4 Snipe Hunters in what looks to be an outstanding first round pairing. On offense the Snipe Hunters thrive on their running game led by RB Aubrey Beamer's 1,482 yards. On defense, the Snipe Hunters are known for their stifling pass defense as shown by their 162.1 passing yards per game average.

Fresno Chaos (7-9)

The third place caps and t-shirts were printed up this week and the Fresno Chaos wore them with pride after dropping the Seals, 30-27. QB Rob Richardson's three touchdown passes were just enough to get the come from behind road victory. Up next for the Chaos is more third place celebration as well as a potential name change for the franchise.

Portland Seals (7-9)

The “Battle for Third Place” didn't go as well as the Portland Seals' had hoped, but the good news is that nobody from the offensive line was injured. The streak is broken baby! As for the Seals, it's time to put the pads away and watch some playoff football from the couch.

[sovstar]

I question why the Lynx would bench some of their starters. They gave up the #1 seed to the Vipers. :?

[spunkywhitebread]

I wondered that myself, but then I realized my team isn't even in the playoffs so what the hell do I know.

I question why the Lynx would bench some of their starters. They gave up the #1 seed to the Vipers. :?

[spunkywhitebread]

A LOOK BACK AT 2007

It was an interesting season for the Portland Seals. The Seals improved on their 2006 record of 5-11 by two games as they finished 7-9, but that was still well short of competing in the AFC West or for a playoff spot. The offense was certainly improved in 2007 while the defense took a big step backwards. Now it's time to take a quick look back at our 2007 Portland Seals and see where it all went wrong.

OFF-SEASON

The Seals' off-season was not as productive as the front office had hoped, but it wasn't awful by any means either. Free agent signings such as K Marquis Wolters and CB Gary Montiel became quality starters for the Seals. Other signings like WR Edmund Mertz and DE Richard Weathers didn't fare as well. The biggest impact made in the off-season was during the IFL draft where they added IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, WR Dominic Field, and his partner in crime, WR Blake Ameche. The two rookie receivers would provide a spark for the offense and would account for over 2000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE SEASON

The first four games of the season could be described as a struggle. The Seals found themselves 1-3 with their only win coming over the Voodoo of Louisiana. By the third game you could sense that QB Jay Caro was starting to click with his rookie receivers and that perhaps the Seals' offense could turn things around. The defense was another story as they were having their share of problems and then some as they couldn't keep teams from charging up and down the field at will.

THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE SEASON

The next four games were an improvement as the Seals knocked off the Murfreesboro Mules and the St. Louis Cardinals to put their record for the four week span at 2-2. Close hard fought losses to Houston and Albuquerque didn't damper the team's spirit as they felt they were finally able to compete with the IFL's best on a consistent basis. Dominic Field and Blake Ameche began to emerge as Caro's two favorite targets surpassing former favorite, TE Alan Bryant.

THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE SEASON

Wins over Fresno, Lansing, and Wichita had the Seals' feeling confident and perhaps even a little cocky. The defense was still leaking touchdowns and chunks of yardage, but the offense was playing well enough to win shootouts. A tough six point loss to Anchorage spoiled the perfect record for the month, but 3-1 was a far cry better than the 1-3 in the first four games. Things were looking up in Portland.

THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE SEASON

Crash! That's the sound of the Seals falling face first in their final four games as they dropped three of their last four games with their sole win coming against the Pittsburgh Power. Once again it was the horrendous Seals' defense that allowed all three winning opponents to score 30 or more points. The Seals would finish their season at 7-9 and in the final spot in the AFC West just behind the Fresno Chaos.

SUMMARY

The 2007 season of course must be graded as a failure as the franchise once gain finished at the bottom of the division. You could certainly see improvement from the 2006 season, but there are still a number of outstanding issues that must be addressed by the Seals this coming off-season. The emergence of rookie receivers Dominic Field and Blake Ameche were the bright spots of the Seals in 2007. But the question remains what must the Seals do this coming off-season to fix one of the worst defenses in the league?

[Cringer]

Field and Ameche were just great draft picks to help Caro. No rookie WR's have played like that, so it really stands out.

Nice recap.

[spunkywhitebread]

WR DOMINIC FIELD HONORED AS 2007 IFL OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Dominic Field and the Portland Seals received some good news following the 2007 season when Field was voted the IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Florida State product put together quite the rookie season for the Seals with 69 catches for 1289 yards and 5 touchdowns. Dominic will have to elevate his game in 2008 if he wants to make a similar impact in his second season.

DRAGONS' DE ABRAM BLAKE TRADED TO PORTLAND

The Seals acquired nine year veteran, LDE Abram Blake, from Boston for their 2008 fourth and fifth round picks. Once a starter on the Dragons' defensive line, Blake found himself relegated to the bench in 2007 with the addition of the very talented Fritz Gaddis. Blake's best year in the IFL came in 2004 when he combined 55 tackles with 7.5 sacks and 20 hurries. His last season starting for the Dragons resulted in 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks which may have led to the acquisition of Gaddis. The Seals hope a change of scenery can help Blake return to his productive self.

2008 STAGE ONE FREE AGENCY

The AFC West jumped quickly into the 2008 free agency mix as the California Heroes (formerly Fresno Chaos), Anchorage Lynx, and our beloved Portland Seals all came away from first stage with signings. The Heroes made the biggest splash landing highly sought after safety, Alton Fillmore, and veteran offensive tackle, Scott Daniels. Like the Heroes, the Lynx wasted no time in going after their priority target of WR Max Brown who has guaranteed himself at least 200-400 yards this season by simply playing the Seals' secondary.

As for the Seals, they added some depth to their linebacker corps on the first day with the additions of WLB Erick Burress and WLB Brian Minard. Burress comes to the Seals from Columbia where he started in 10 games last season for the fire and amassed 27 tackles. Minard played sparingly for Madison last season and prior to that was a regular for Oakland. Neither player is expected to crack the starting lineup, but should provide warm bodies off the bench. Not quite the start to free agency that Seals fans were hoping.

2008 STAGE TWO FREE AGENCY

Stage two wasn't nearly as productive for the AFC West as stage one, but that didn't stop the Seals from adding more warm bodies to their roster. The Seals resigned a familiar face in RDE Andy Maas who played well for the Seals in 2007 with 10 starts, 30 tackles, and 2.5 sacks. Portland also signed their third linebacker in free agency, SLB Mark Dutra. Dutra had 6 starts last season for the newly named California Heroes franchise where he collected 55 tackles and 1 sack.

[spunkywhitebread]

2008 STAGE THREE FREE AGENCY

Stage three was another quiet stage for the AFC West as California and Portland added three players to the tally. California added depth to their defensive line with the addition of former Salt Lake City Stallion DE Lowell Napolitano. The Seals added two new potential starters for their offensive line when they inked C Abel Boyd and G Gary Reiner. Reiner is no stranger to the AFC West as he manned the offensive line for the Albuquerque Matadors for four seasons before finding his way to Portland. Boyd comes to the Seals after five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals where he started a handful of games, but primarily came off the bench.

[spunkywhitebread]

2008 STAGE FOUR FREE AGENCY

The AFC West added a couple of wide receivers in stage four although one receiver is more of a relocation than an add. Former Seal wide receiver, Edmund Mertz, stays in the AFC West as he lands with the California Heroes. To replace Mertz, the Seals added veteran wide receiver, Gary Silverman. Silverman spent last season with Houston and will be used in Portland to mentor their young receiving corps that includes Dominic Field and Blake Ameche. Portland also signed a deal with free safety, Danny Lodge. Lodge has played sparingly the last two seasons for the Cleveland and Orlando franchises. The Seals hope Lodge’s veteran presence can help turn around their woeful secondary.

2008 STAGE FIVE FREE AGENCY

Once again California and Portland had the only signings of note as both teams resigned their own free agents. California resigned backup QB Patrick Williams for two more seasons while the Seals brought back G Jack Wallace to add stability to their ever injured offensive line.

[spunkywhitebread]

PORTLAND GETS DEFENSIVE IN THE FIRST THREE ROUNDS OF THE 2008 IFL AMATEUR DRAFT

It's no secret that the Portland Seals' defense struggled during the 2007 season. The pass defense was ranked 31st in the IFL giving up nearly 260 yards per game in the air. The recent acquisition of veteran defensive end Abram Blake from the Boston Dragons was just the first step in improving the pass rush. Next the Seals would choose RDT Fernando Moss from UCLA with the twelfth pick in the first round. The Seals front office liked the fact that Moss could play both the DT and DE positions which gives the Seals coaching staff some flexibility. In the second round the Seals selected LCB Joe Martin from the University of Southern California. The Seals are hoping to plug Martin immediately into their secondary where he would supplant former starting corner, Leonard Phillips. The Seals also added a new face to the secondary when they selected SS Peter Sanderson from the University of Florida in the third round. Like Martin, Sanderson will be given an opportunity to join the starting lineup though he may have to battle Raymond Klotz and recently acquired Danny Lodge for the honor.

[spunkywhitebread]

CLARE AND PORTLAND PART WAYS

Long time Seals' receiver, Nathanael Clare, knew his days in Portland were numbered last season when the franchise selected three wide receivers in the 2007 IFL draft; Dominic Field, Blake Ameche, and Dexter McKeown. A team with as many holes as the Seals doesn't just upgrade the receiving corps because they are bored. Clare though kept his head up and helped groom the young receivers into one of the more productive combinations in franchise history. He provided the Seals' franchise the smooth transition they were hoping for as Field and Ameche quickly earned roles as two of Caro's favorite targets while Clare delivered his usual solid performance only this time off the bench. With the recent additions of veteran receivers Gary Silverman and John Nowell for depth, the ever-loyal Clare was finally released from his contract with Portland and is hoping to catch on with another IFL franchise that could still use a productive player off the bench. His 412 yards receiving last season with Portland with limited playing time should garner him some attention. Clare leaves the Seals franchise with 2,932 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. His best season came with Portland in 2003 where he had 884 yards receiving to go along with his 5 touchdowns.

[spunkywhitebread]

INJURY UPDATE

LT Joseph Reynolds is out for 23 weeks with repetitive concussion syndrome.

RT Don Webb is out for 7 weeks with reconstructive knee surgery.

FB Richard Steib is questionable for 2 weeks with a sprained knee.

FB Terrence Greeley is probable for 4 weeks with shoulder tendinitis.

MLB Cletus Bodnar is probable for 1 week with a sprained knee.

RT Jason King is probable for 1 week with a pulled groin.

WEEK 05 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (4-0)

The defending AFC West champs have started off the 2008 season where they ended the 2007 season which is atop the AFC West. QB Leslie Steiner has led the Lynx to some impressive victories over Portland, Texas, Iowa City, and Hartford. In week six the Lynx take on the 4-1 Vipers from Norfolk in what should be the premier match-up in the AFC.

Albuquerque (3-2)

Albuquerque has limped to a 3-2 start with wins over California, West Virginia, and Portland combined with losses to Columbia and Houston. And we do mean limped as the big news out of Albuquerque has been the injuries to three starters; RB Kelly Wheat, RDT Robert Senter, and C Luke Ford. Senter and Wheat should be back in action within the next few weeks while Ford will be out for an extended period of time. Week six has the Matadors hosting the 1-4 Boston Dragons.

California Heroes (1-3)

The Heroes have struggled to match their high expectations coming into the season as they lost close games to Albuquerque, Tulsa, and Montreal in the first three weeks of the 2008 season. Week five though proved to be the magic number as the Heroes knocked off the visiting Dragons from Boston. In week six the Heroes travel to Hartford to challenge the 3-2 Grizzlies.

Portland Seals (0-5)

The 2008 season has been a series of struggles for the Seals from Portland. Anchorage and Little Rock did some severe damage to the Seals' psyche as they roughed the Seals up in blowouts. Louisiana, Norfolk, and Albuquerque traveled to Portland and left victorious in tight contests, but the closer results didn't do anything to help the winless Seals' confidence. Week six is a much needed bye week as which will hopefully allow Portland players time to mend both physically and mentally.

[spunkywhitebread]

THE SEALS MAKE DEALS

Prior to the start of the 2008 season, the Portland Seals traded rarely used RB Derrick Prescott to the Columbia Fire in exchange for the Fire's 2011 fourth round pick. The Seals' front office seems to have given up hope that the former 2nd round pick would ever become the potential starter they had believed when he was chosen in the 2006 draft.

Two of the Seals' 2006 draft picks (Goad in the first round and Fredrickson in the third) were traded recently to the Fire franchise in Columbia. The Seals received veteran FB Richard Steib plus Columbia's 2010 second and fourth round picks as well as the Fire's 2011 second round pick. The talented Goad was traded due to the Seals' change in defensive philosophy as well as the depth at defensive tackle with players like DT Gary Davis and rookie DT Fernando Moss.

Portland sent backup guard Gary Brewer to Vancouver in exchange for St. Louis' 2009 fourth round pick. Brewer had yet to log minutes for the Seals in 2008 which made the decision to move him an easy one.

WEEK 06 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (5-0)

QB Leslie Steiner was his usual dangerous self in week six as he threw for 6 touchdowns to lead Anchorage to an impressive 47-21 win over the Norfolk Vipers. That leaves the Lynx as the lone undefeated team in the entire IFL. Can the Lynx remain untouchable in week seven when the 1-4 Heroes from California visit?

Albuquerque (3-3)

The Matadors fall in week six to the Boston Dragons by a score of 10-9 after a disappointing effort from QB David Humphrey; 15 completions on 43 attempts with 2 interceptions. There is good news on the way as RB Kelly Wheat could be back in the starting lineup this weekend when the Matadors visit the 4-2 Vipers of Norfolk.

California Heroes (1-4)

The Heroes couldn't stop Hartford's RB Stanley Jamison as the Grizzlies were victorious in week six by a score of 20-14. Week seven has the Heroes taking a trip to Anchorage to face the 5-0 Lynx.

Portland Seals (0-5)

The bye week did wonders for the physical health of the Seals, but the question remains how is their their mental health after an 0-5 start? The Seals will find out in a hurry as they hit the road to West Virginia to challenge the 1-4 Beasts.

[spunkywhitebread]

INJURY UPDATE

A few new additions to the injury update this week as Blake Ameche, Brian Minard, and Gary Silverman are added to the list. Ameche is the biggest casualty as Jay Caro will miss one of his favorite targets (413 receiving yards this season).

LT Joseph Reynolds is out for 21 weeks with repetitive concussion syndrome.

WLB Brian Minard is out for 8 weeks with a broken ankle.

SE Blake Ameche is out for 4 weeks with a broken wrist.

WLB Mark Segura is doubtful for 2 weeks with a hyperextended elbow.

RT Don Webb is questionable for 5 weeks with reconstructive knee surgery.

FB Terrence Greeley is probable for 2 weeks with shoulder tendinitis.

FL Gary Silverman is probable for 1 week with knee bursitis.

WEEK 07 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (6-0)

The Lynx continue their winning ways as they beat the visiting California Heroes 31-17. Kenneth Jones' 92 yard kickoff return in the third quarter seemed to be the nail in the coffin. The Lynx travel to Boston to take on the 2-4 Dragons in week eight.

Albuquerque (4-3)

The Matadors defense harassed Norfolk's QB Harold Lozier and his Viper teammates all afternoon as Albuquerque left Norfolk with a 23-13 victory. Week eight is the Matadors much needed bye week as they hope a number of their players recover from various ailments.

California Heroes (1-5)

The Heroes fall for a second week in a row as they lose to the IFL's lone undefeated team, Anchorage. California gets some relief though in week eight as they take on another struggling franchise in the 1-5 Beasts from West Virginia.

Portland Seals (1-5)

After five losses, the Seals finally end the slide and earn their first victory with a 40-3 win `over the West Virginia Beasts. SE Blake Ameche led the offense with 7 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. The 4-2 Grizzlies from Hartford come to town in week eight in what should be a difficult challenge for the Seals.

[spunkywhitebread]

INJURY UPDATE

Two more starters were added to the injury list this week as FL Dominic Field and RG TJ Doser are both out for 3-4 weeks due to injury.

LT Joseph Reynolds is out for 20 weeks with repetitive concussion syndrome.

WLB Brian Minard is out for 7 weeks with a broken ankle.

SE Blake Ameche is out for 4 weeks with a broken wrist.

FL Dominic Field is out for 3 weeks with tonsilitis.

RG TJ Doser is doubtful for 4 weeks with a pulled groin.

RT Don Webb is questionable for 4 weeks with reconstructive knee surgery.

WLB Mark Segura is probable for 1 week with a hyperextended elbow.

FB Terrence Greeley is probable for 1 week with shoulder tendinitis.

WEEK 08 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (7-0)

A lackluster effort from QB Leslie Steiner in Boston this past Sunday kept the Lynx in a tight contest with the 2-5 Dragons, but RB Chad Richardson kept the offense going with his 125 yards rushing and one touchdown. The Lynx head back out on the road in week nine for a potential squash match against the 1-6 Beasts of West Virginia.

Albuquerque (4-3)

The Matadors' bye week has come and gone, but the Matadors now get on the bus to visit the 4-3 Grizzlies of Hartford.

California Heroes (2-5)

The overconfident Heroes escaped with a win against the West Virginia Beasts by a score of 20-13. A 93 yard reception by Ron Webster in the fourth quarter was enough to give the Heroes the lead and send the Beasts packing with a loss. Week nine has the Heroes traveling to Portland to take on the 2-5 Seals.

Portland Seals (2-5)

It's officially a winning streak as the Seals gained their second win in two weeks when they knocked off the 4-3 Hartford Grizzlies by the score of 28-14. QB Jay Caro and FL Dominic Field played a game of catch as the two worked together for 144 yards and two touchdowns. The Seals and Heroes hook up in week nine for the AFC West's own battle of the basement.

[spunkywhitebread]

INJURY UPDATE

The injury list adds a couple of linebackers (WLB Andre Munoz and SLB Mark Dutra) to itself while another LB (WLB Mark Segura) gets a clean bill of health from the Seals' medical staff.


LT Joseph Reynolds is out for 19 weeks with repetitive concussion syndrome.

WLB Brian Minard is out for 6 weeks with a broken ankle.

WLB Andre Munoz is out for 3 weeks with a hyperextended elbow.

SE Blake Ameche is doubtful for 3 weeks with a broken wrist.

FL Dominic Field is out for 2 weeks with tonsilitis.

RG TJ Doser is questionable for 3 weeks with a pulled groin.

RT Don Webb is probable for 3 weeks with reconstructive knee surgery.

SLB Mark Dutra is probable for 2 weeks with

FB Terrence Greeley is probable for 1 week with shoulder tendinitis.

WEEK 09 AFC WEST DIVISION OVERVIEW

Anchorage (8-0)

Another week another 100+ yard rushing game for Lynx back, Chad Richardson. Richardson's 166 rushing yards and two scores was enough offense to dismantle the West Virginia Beasts, 30-3. Next week the Lynx host the 5-3 Matadors of Albuquerque in a battle between the top two AFC West squads.

Albuquerque (5-3)

The Matadors' defense turned it up a notch in the fourth quarter and knocked off the Hartford Grizzlies 28-24 in a tight contest. Up next for the Matadors is a trip to Anchorage to take on the unbeaten Lynx.

Portland Seals (3-5)

Round one of the Battle of the AFC West Basement goes to the home team as Jay Caro and the Portland Seals top the California Heroes, 35-10. Caro grabbed player of the game honors as he threw for 404 yards to go along with his four touchdown passes . Week ten has the Seals visiting Boston to battle the 2-6 Dragons.

California Heroes (2-6)

It's been a rough season thus far for the Heroes and a road trip in week ten to Norfolk to take on a 5-3 Vipers squad won't make it any easier.