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ORLANDO - With 4 downs to go and 1:44 left on the clock, Houston's season pretty much rested in the arm of newcomer Jessie Garcia facing his former club. Garcia was replacing star QB Jerry Stclair who went down a week ago to a serious knee injury that could put his career in jeapordy.
On the first play of the last set of downs, OC Shulz tried to catch Orlando off guard as Timmerman had been moving down the field with ease during the game. So, he called a quick hit up the middle, but the Pirates were well prepared for that and Garcia had nowhere to throw, so he scrambled for a yard.
On 2nd and 7, a 5 wide receiver set was called, and again Orlando was well prepared, however rookie receiver went for a fade to the corner of the end zone and dropped the catch, making it 3rd and goal from the 7. This play went nowhere as Orlando hurried Garcia into making a terrible throw that was almost picked off. On the last play of the game, Orlando remained geared for the throw, and the Renegades refused to hand the ball off to Timmerman, so Garcia scrambled for a bit looking for someone open, then finally ran 3 yards to end the drive, the game, and most likely the season for the Renegades.
While it was still a longshot to get into the postseason, fans in Houston are still relatively happy with the season. This is the second 5 win season of franchise history, and there are still 3 games to go. Normally by week 14, fans in Houston are looking ahead to next years draft class, but this year they were still slightly in the division race, especially with Lousiana faltering late in the season losing their last two games dropping them to a very catchable 7-6 had the Renegades won today.
As far as the playoff picture goes, it is very unlikely Houston has any shot at a Wild Card position, but there is still a very outside shot at sneaking in the division, mainly due to the impressive 3-1 division record this season. Next week is a key week in the division with the Renegades playing Murf, and St.L playing LOU. If LOU wins I believe that eliminates the Renegades completely as the only way to win the division would be an 8-8 record and I believe tiebreakers would go to LOU. I believe the only way the Renegades have a shot is if StL wins, then loses the next two and the Renegades win out, which would give the edge to the Renegades due to the head to head record. That is also assuming LOU loses at least one more game after next week.
With Vermont lurking on Houston's schedule however, it is unlikely any of that will play out.
Looking ahead to next season, the Renegades will most likely be doing something about Ambrose Jones who turned into a complete disappointment since returning from injury this year. With a 6.6 million cap hit, it's likely you'll see him traded, or cut if he refuses to restructure his contract.
Also on the agenda will be to find a solid replacement for StClair who doesn't expect to be back to 100% until deep into the season, and even then it's questionable whether or not he'll return to form. The Renegades will still have to figure out something to do with franchise center Richard Mahler, however it's likely he'll land the franchise tag once again if he refuses to sign a longterm contract. Finally will come the tackle situation with two guys (Legg and Overton) fighting over the RT position. Initially it was rumored Legg was a guarantee to be moved this off-season, but with his late season play, including some great run blocking which will be needed next season until StClair returns, it is quite possible the Renegades move young Overton, or they could keep them both for another season to see how things play out. Neither player has a very large cap hit, so it's very possible that is the way that situation plays out.
On the first play of the last set of downs, OC Shulz tried to catch Orlando off guard as Timmerman had been moving down the field with ease during the game. So, he called a quick hit up the middle, but the Pirates were well prepared for that and Garcia had nowhere to throw, so he scrambled for a yard.
On 2nd and 7, a 5 wide receiver set was called, and again Orlando was well prepared, however rookie receiver went for a fade to the corner of the end zone and dropped the catch, making it 3rd and goal from the 7. This play went nowhere as Orlando hurried Garcia into making a terrible throw that was almost picked off. On the last play of the game, Orlando remained geared for the throw, and the Renegades refused to hand the ball off to Timmerman, so Garcia scrambled for a bit looking for someone open, then finally ran 3 yards to end the drive, the game, and most likely the season for the Renegades.
While it was still a longshot to get into the postseason, fans in Houston are still relatively happy with the season. This is the second 5 win season of franchise history, and there are still 3 games to go. Normally by week 14, fans in Houston are looking ahead to next years draft class, but this year they were still slightly in the division race, especially with Lousiana faltering late in the season losing their last two games dropping them to a very catchable 7-6 had the Renegades won today.
As far as the playoff picture goes, it is very unlikely Houston has any shot at a Wild Card position, but there is still a very outside shot at sneaking in the division, mainly due to the impressive 3-1 division record this season. Next week is a key week in the division with the Renegades playing Murf, and St.L playing LOU. If LOU wins I believe that eliminates the Renegades completely as the only way to win the division would be an 8-8 record and I believe tiebreakers would go to LOU. I believe the only way the Renegades have a shot is if StL wins, then loses the next two and the Renegades win out, which would give the edge to the Renegades due to the head to head record. That is also assuming LOU loses at least one more game after next week.
With Vermont lurking on Houston's schedule however, it is unlikely any of that will play out.
Looking ahead to next season, the Renegades will most likely be doing something about Ambrose Jones who turned into a complete disappointment since returning from injury this year. With a 6.6 million cap hit, it's likely you'll see him traded, or cut if he refuses to restructure his contract.
Also on the agenda will be to find a solid replacement for StClair who doesn't expect to be back to 100% until deep into the season, and even then it's questionable whether or not he'll return to form. The Renegades will still have to figure out something to do with franchise center Richard Mahler, however it's likely he'll land the franchise tag once again if he refuses to sign a longterm contract. Finally will come the tackle situation with two guys (Legg and Overton) fighting over the RT position. Initially it was rumored Legg was a guarantee to be moved this off-season, but with his late season play, including some great run blocking which will be needed next season until StClair returns, it is quite possible the Renegades move young Overton, or they could keep them both for another season to see how things play out. Neither player has a very large cap hit, so it's very possible that is the way that situation plays out.
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