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Killer Whales 2023 Sitrep
2022 Recap:
The 2022 Whales were 13-3 and 2nd seed in the NC, their best ever regular season finish. But they were upset at home by the Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs. While the team was strong defensively over the course of the season, finishing #1 in rushing defense and points allowed, their pass defense faded down the stretch, and the offensive production dropped off from 2021 in many categories (especially rushing).
Key Losses:
No huge losses, but we cut ties with several long-time Whales like WR Gino Shannon and G Lamont Fairweather, which will hurt team cohesion.
Key Gains:
The only big acquisition is MLB Gary El-Mashtoub. He's on the downside of his career, but should still have the skills to shore up the middle of our defense.
Offense Player Focus:
Second year Center Jeffrey Tramontana (47/64) takes over from the venerable Hugh Strong. His development so far has been a bit disappointing, and we're not sure he's ready to assume this key position.
Defense Player Focus:
Second year RDE Issac Tyler (52/52), is creeping upwards and we are hoping he will be a strong compliment to the the other Tyler on the left-side.
Draft:
The chickens came home to roost for the Whales - who had no first or second round picks due to questionable moves in prior seasons. The GM has vowed to never trade tops picks in the future, mostly because he considers drafting to be the most fun part of the game!
3rd round CB Charlie Shenk (27/47) may be a bit of a creeper (+3 future in TC) but he's never going to be a significant starter unless his endurance increases (right now it's 0/5!).
5th round RB Lester Snell (37/45) is nothing special, but should be a competent backup.
6th round FS ken Sinclair (30/44) made the final roster mainly on the strength of his special teams play (86/87 ST).
4th and 7th round picks were busts.
Coaching:The brain drain continues at Vancouver, which lost their excellent OC Kooiker to Cleveland. Replacing him is the very average James Coburn, who was pushed aside by the moving Wolfpack/Catfish
Of greater concern is that long-time head coach Sammy Harvey is getting old, and his skills are starting to diminish. This may be his last hurrah.
Prognosis:
Vancouver is at a bit of a crossroads, where management is trying to balance keeping team cohesion with not letting the team get too old, as the rest of the NC west is much younger - boding ill for the future. Of course this will come to a head when QB McNeil retires (or really fades), and so far there's been no big effort to groom a replacement. The offense still has solid performers but lacks big playmakers, while the defense boasts a nice front line and OLB Clemons and FS Copeland. While SLC and CAR continue to improve (OAK seems to be struggling - although they are getting some good players in the draft) Vancouver does appear capable of winning the NC West for the 4th year in a row...McNeil needs to stay healthy and play well for this to happen.
2022 Recap:
The 2022 Whales were 13-3 and 2nd seed in the NC, their best ever regular season finish. But they were upset at home by the Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs. While the team was strong defensively over the course of the season, finishing #1 in rushing defense and points allowed, their pass defense faded down the stretch, and the offensive production dropped off from 2021 in many categories (especially rushing).
Key Losses:
No huge losses, but we cut ties with several long-time Whales like WR Gino Shannon and G Lamont Fairweather, which will hurt team cohesion.
Key Gains:
The only big acquisition is MLB Gary El-Mashtoub. He's on the downside of his career, but should still have the skills to shore up the middle of our defense.
Offense Player Focus:
Second year Center Jeffrey Tramontana (47/64) takes over from the venerable Hugh Strong. His development so far has been a bit disappointing, and we're not sure he's ready to assume this key position.
Defense Player Focus:
Second year RDE Issac Tyler (52/52), is creeping upwards and we are hoping he will be a strong compliment to the the other Tyler on the left-side.
Draft:
The chickens came home to roost for the Whales - who had no first or second round picks due to questionable moves in prior seasons. The GM has vowed to never trade tops picks in the future, mostly because he considers drafting to be the most fun part of the game!
3rd round CB Charlie Shenk (27/47) may be a bit of a creeper (+3 future in TC) but he's never going to be a significant starter unless his endurance increases (right now it's 0/5!).
5th round RB Lester Snell (37/45) is nothing special, but should be a competent backup.
6th round FS ken Sinclair (30/44) made the final roster mainly on the strength of his special teams play (86/87 ST).
4th and 7th round picks were busts.
Coaching:The brain drain continues at Vancouver, which lost their excellent OC Kooiker to Cleveland. Replacing him is the very average James Coburn, who was pushed aside by the moving Wolfpack/Catfish
Of greater concern is that long-time head coach Sammy Harvey is getting old, and his skills are starting to diminish. This may be his last hurrah.
Prognosis:
Vancouver is at a bit of a crossroads, where management is trying to balance keeping team cohesion with not letting the team get too old, as the rest of the NC west is much younger - boding ill for the future. Of course this will come to a head when QB McNeil retires (or really fades), and so far there's been no big effort to groom a replacement. The offense still has solid performers but lacks big playmakers, while the defense boasts a nice front line and OLB Clemons and FS Copeland. While SLC and CAR continue to improve (OAK seems to be struggling - although they are getting some good players in the draft) Vancouver does appear capable of winning the NC West for the 4th year in a row...McNeil needs to stay healthy and play well for this to happen.
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