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by Spark Wonup
Lawrence Sun Times
Our Beloved come storming out of the Bye Week at a surprising 8-1.
Injuries have been mounting all season but thus far have been ineffective at slowing down a young Phantoms squad that's maturing before our eyes.
Huge wins against Tulsa and Newark leave our Phans with much to be excited about, though the lone loss against Penn makes 8-1 good enough for 2nd place in the National Conference.
Owner/GM Jester Blaze dissects what's transpired so far in 2021...
Offense: Alan Crespo is really working out at Coordinator!! Surprisingly, and very fortunately, we're in the top 10 in every offensive catagory but turnovers. Obviously we'd like to stop turning the ball over but credit has to be given to the defense as well on those plays and with the number of possessions/plays our offense sees those #'s are naturally going to be up a little.
"Propane" Humphries has benefitted nicely from Crespo's tutelage and has been an MVP candidate when healthy, though the same quadriceps muscle has caused him to miss time twice already this season. We'll need him at 100% to have a real shot at the Big Dance.
Little Kelly Whitfield (5'9") has emerged as the team's top WR over an aging Arnold Greene, who seems to just be going through the motions for a paycheck at this stage of his career. Last year's #1 pick Corwin Hawthorne has been decent but not the stand out receiver we expected. Hopefully he's just not as fast a developer as Whitfield. All in all Roderick Amos has enough targets to keep things moving though the lack of a true WR threat is evident.
Been doing it without: Deron Tjandranegara RT, Louie "Propane" Humphries RB, Conrad Gietke RB (IR)
Defense: Losing our best coverage defender, strong safety Dwayne "The Prototype" Hernandez, for 9 weeks early in the season hurt us but our young guys have stepped up nicely, including a rookie, SS Alvin Soriano, in his place.
Well known is the meltdown of 1st Round CB Henry Humphries this off-season, ending his career before it ever started and prolonging our time without a true #1 CB. Our other 1st Rounder, DE Joe Peterson, is performing nicely in games despite somehow looking lost in practice thus far (no ratings increase in 2021). If he can hit his prime while Willie Bo is still in his then opposing QBs will feel clostrophobic in a pocket constantly closing from both sides.
Our young LB corp is holding it's own which is huge. We had no idea what to expect out of that unit and - after a trade with Orlando - now have a new toy: blitzing sensation Bryant Adams, to play with in the 2nd half of the season. Adams hasn't yet been the QB nightmare he was touted as out of college but hopefully DC Rob Shelton can turn his potential into production during the LBs time here in Lawrence.
Been doing it without: Dwayne "The Prototype" Hernandez SS, Neal Kemp OLB
Special Teams Kicking: As usual we're starting a rookie K here in Lawrence and are riding the highs and lows of such a move. I dream of a do-it-all kicker and the ability to ignore the position for a decade. For now we're grateful for every bit of improvement we get from the rook until the end of the season. There are very real fears that this could be the Achilles heal of this team.
Special Teams Tackling: We're looking for improvement here and hope newly acquired LB Bryant Adams (94 ST) has given us what we seek. We're not league-worst but we'd like to be league's best or close to it.
Punt Returns: Our long-time PR Conrad Gietke was lost for the season. In his place is rookie PR Walter Lang, who hasn't lost any games on us - which is all that I ask of a back-up PR.
Kick Returns: We're doing very well here despite having no top-notch returner on the team. Must be the blocking.
Lawrence Sun Times
Our Beloved come storming out of the Bye Week at a surprising 8-1.
Injuries have been mounting all season but thus far have been ineffective at slowing down a young Phantoms squad that's maturing before our eyes.
Huge wins against Tulsa and Newark leave our Phans with much to be excited about, though the lone loss against Penn makes 8-1 good enough for 2nd place in the National Conference.
Owner/GM Jester Blaze dissects what's transpired so far in 2021...
Offense: Alan Crespo is really working out at Coordinator!! Surprisingly, and very fortunately, we're in the top 10 in every offensive catagory but turnovers. Obviously we'd like to stop turning the ball over but credit has to be given to the defense as well on those plays and with the number of possessions/plays our offense sees those #'s are naturally going to be up a little.
"Propane" Humphries has benefitted nicely from Crespo's tutelage and has been an MVP candidate when healthy, though the same quadriceps muscle has caused him to miss time twice already this season. We'll need him at 100% to have a real shot at the Big Dance.
Little Kelly Whitfield (5'9") has emerged as the team's top WR over an aging Arnold Greene, who seems to just be going through the motions for a paycheck at this stage of his career. Last year's #1 pick Corwin Hawthorne has been decent but not the stand out receiver we expected. Hopefully he's just not as fast a developer as Whitfield. All in all Roderick Amos has enough targets to keep things moving though the lack of a true WR threat is evident.
Been doing it without: Deron Tjandranegara RT, Louie "Propane" Humphries RB, Conrad Gietke RB (IR)
Defense: Losing our best coverage defender, strong safety Dwayne "The Prototype" Hernandez, for 9 weeks early in the season hurt us but our young guys have stepped up nicely, including a rookie, SS Alvin Soriano, in his place.
Well known is the meltdown of 1st Round CB Henry Humphries this off-season, ending his career before it ever started and prolonging our time without a true #1 CB. Our other 1st Rounder, DE Joe Peterson, is performing nicely in games despite somehow looking lost in practice thus far (no ratings increase in 2021). If he can hit his prime while Willie Bo is still in his then opposing QBs will feel clostrophobic in a pocket constantly closing from both sides.
Our young LB corp is holding it's own which is huge. We had no idea what to expect out of that unit and - after a trade with Orlando - now have a new toy: blitzing sensation Bryant Adams, to play with in the 2nd half of the season. Adams hasn't yet been the QB nightmare he was touted as out of college but hopefully DC Rob Shelton can turn his potential into production during the LBs time here in Lawrence.
Been doing it without: Dwayne "The Prototype" Hernandez SS, Neal Kemp OLB
Special Teams Kicking: As usual we're starting a rookie K here in Lawrence and are riding the highs and lows of such a move. I dream of a do-it-all kicker and the ability to ignore the position for a decade. For now we're grateful for every bit of improvement we get from the rook until the end of the season. There are very real fears that this could be the Achilles heal of this team.
Special Teams Tackling: We're looking for improvement here and hope newly acquired LB Bryant Adams (94 ST) has given us what we seek. We're not league-worst but we'd like to be league's best or close to it.
Punt Returns: Our long-time PR Conrad Gietke was lost for the season. In his place is rookie PR Walter Lang, who hasn't lost any games on us - which is all that I ask of a back-up PR.
Kick Returns: We're doing very well here despite having no top-notch returner on the team. Must be the blocking.
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