This is not to say that he wasn't doing a fairly good job. In fact, the game started beautifully, with him marching the team down to score, then "Gingabread" LeFlore made a perfect interception from Cleveland's John Dutton and we went right back to score. On those two drives, the worst thing that happened was that Randall couldn't seem to keep both shoes on. However, things went downhill fairly quickly after that.
Although Randall threw for over 300 yards on the night, he also threw two picks. He should actually be fairly pleased with this, because there were 4-5 other ones that should have been picks. He had great moves in the pocket and was able to get out of a lot of trouble there throughout the game. He also wasn't afraid to air it out. Unfortunately, he was so focused on his own receivers, he seemed utterly blind to the 2-3 defenders that were around them.
He also suffered the same issues that every other new QB has had with the Power: Not knowing the routes, not realizing that Joystick is 5'8" and generally just not being worked into the offense yet. The one advantage that all of our new QBs have is actually not knowing their receivers. They don't have a favorite yet, so they spread it around and keep the defense guessing.
So, now to the main issue: Too much confidence during a game, not enough between them.
I realize that both Stull and Hines were injured when they were relieved, but they're still a symptom of the disease. The disease is the simple fact that we lost Rowley, and he was who the Power hung their whole season on. This is an exaggerated version of what happened last year when we lost Bernard Morris early in the season. I don't know if it's that Coach panics, if it's because he never gains confidence in his backups, or if he always wants to try the next best thing in order to hopefully find the spark that sets the powder keg off.
Hines did well enough in the opening game, but when the time came to sign a backup, the Power regained Bill Stull. Because he played a few games for us last season and might have been better on paper, he became the starter in Hines' place. Rather than stick with the guy who already won a game against ugly odds, they went with "experience." I don't agree, but I can see the logic.
When we got shellacked against Philly, Stull played the whole game. Again, I can see the logic, because he'd just gotten in the lineup after being on the team for a few days and he needed to get into the swing. However, the next week in Milwaukee, he was still struggling and played way too long, especially since he was hurt enough to go on IR. I would have pulled him before things got that bad and put back in Hines. Not replace him in the lineup, just give him a break. Instead, they kept him in until he was beyond use.
The change from Hines to Cassidy two games later was more organic - Hines got hurt, Cassidy came in and he began to find his footing. However, the "spark" still didn't seem to be there, so once again, Coach puts in yet another QB this week who doesn't know his way around, he struggled, we lost.
We need to pick a QB and stick with him. At this point, it might be too late. We've dug ourselves into a deep hole that we're only going to get out of with help (thank you for losing this week, Mustangs.) So, Cassidy, Randall - pick one and let him go to town and grow into a QB. Even with year-to-year contracts, we might get someone we can line up behind for next season. However, next week Bill Stull will be eligible to return from IR if he's feeling up to it and I will bet dollars to donuts that Siegfried will put him right back in because he's their starter and he's back.
If that doesn't work out, we'll have Hines back two weeks after that. Once again, anyone know what Anthony Morelli's up to these days?
I haven't said much about the actual game itself, and I apologize. Are defense played very well, but just couldn't quite put up enough stops. The usual suspects were there and in action (although, Joystick had a bit of trouble holding onto the ball) and the ingredients were there. Sure, we had little answer for Robert Redd on returns, and we just could not for the life of us stop Domini Goodman (come on, Gingabread- LeFlore? Goodman? The Dodgeball references are writing themselves!) but the fact is, we had no center. No heart. For the second season in a row, we have no anchor in the position of QB, and that tells more of the story than anyone else on the field. We haven't had anyone that's truly awful at the position, but have just never been able to give anyone the time to develop.
Until that happens, we just cannot excel.
Elsewhere in the league
- Due more to poor clock management and going for a touchdown instead of a field goal than individual performance at QB, Chicago lost to the Talons by one point. It was a great back and forth game that Chicago should not have lost, but I predicted they would.
- Unsurprisingly, Spokane beat Jacksonville by a comfortable, but not overwhelming amount.
- Philly continued their bloodthirsty march through the AFL this week, and the Preds fall once more.
- Utah at Milwaukee was a close game, but as mentioned, the Blaze can't afford to drop any. They won a by a hair at 61-58.
- I called this one as well, except that I thought it would be close. It was not. Not at all. Sabercats storm some barns of their own, 76-33
- Coming into Sunday, AZ saw that Utah and San Jose weren't going to give an inch in the division, so they absolutely schooled Georgia, 60-27. Unrelenting offense and a safety-inducing defense made it so Georgia never had a chance - but despite the score, Georgia played some very impressive defense. They got thwumped, but they still made the Rats work for it.
- I didn't want to hold the column just for the a Monday night game that even I'm unlikely to watch. Unless the Command actually manages to pull an upset and win for the first time this season, I went 100% on my picks this week. Suck it, Keller - maybe we need to put money on this league.
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