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Widespread rioting followed the playoff loss to Oakland in 2019
2019 was by most metrics an excellent season for the Killer Whales. A 10-6 season and wildcard berth marked both the best record since the inaugural year of 2003 and only the 2nd playoff appearance ever for the team.
One might think that the Whales would have tried to maintain continuity to build on this success - however the GM has instead made several major changes which has left the Whales fans very uneasy heading into 2020.
Key Losses:
QB Winston Scott. The franchise thanks him for his strong performance in 2019 and wishes him well, however with his drop into the 40s ratings the team decided they had to move on.
DT Les Glenn: Rising from a 7th round draft choice to a defensive team captain, the team is really going to miss his veteran leadership this year.
Key Gains:
QB Bryan McNeil: The 8 year vet comes over from Reno and is considered by some to be "damaged goods", having underperformed for the Wolfpack. However, OC Joel Kooiker is confident that he can turn around McNeil's game. Kooiker is considered partly responsible for Scott's resurgence last season so there is some optimism here.
Offense Player Focus:
RB Brinsfield was one of the league's surprises last season, Gaining almost 1800 combined yds out of the backfield, while mostly controlling his fumbling problems. However, he took a 8 point volatility hit in the off-season, so there is a big concern about a drop-off in production. For this reason Shawn Bradford was traded for and Fred Pierce was taken in the 4th round.
Defense Player Focus:
SS Justin Warren may be the new ironman of the IFL. The 11-season vet is showing no signs of slowing down. He will need to continue his all-pro play as MLB Nitschke's skills continue to slowly diminish.
Draft:
The Whales draft concentrated on defensive players as the group as a whole is getting old. However, while 1st round DE Tyler may develop into a solid end rusher, there do not appear to be any superstars in the class. If you have a chance take a look at RB Fred Pierce, a 4th round pick. He can't run inside or outside but has quickly become a fan favorite for his pluck and effort. He may find a niche as the 3rd down back.
Prognosis:
If McNeil plays up to his potential, Vancouver could be a better team this year and still end up with a worse record. This is due to a difficult schedule with the likes of Newark, Lawrence, and West Virginia among others. There likely will not be a wildcard coming out of the NC West this season. So, with Reno and SLC rebuilding, Vancouver MUST figure out a way to beat Oakland if they want another chance at the post-season.
The Killer Whales are hoping there will be more scenes like this at the end of the season
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