First of all, let’s give credit where it is due. The Arizona Rattlers took advantage of a large number of Portland miscues to right their foundering ship with a 65-55 win last Sunday afternoon. Rattler hall of fame QB Nick Davila did what he does and making few mistakes despite another fierce showing by the aggressive Thunder defense. However, once again the new Portland team left nothing in the tank continuing their now trademark hit ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out style and since the two team will meet in a first round playoff game in only two weeks … why not?
Hey, this is football; it’s a big boy’s game. The Portland Thunder, here in their inaugural season, has shown time and time again that they prefer the aggressive and highly physical side of the tactical coin. Not to say this style hasn’t resulted in its share of yellow flags. In fact the new squad’s penchant for pugilism has set an AFL record for most penalties in a single campaign. The Thunder finished the Arizona tilt with a season total of 201 penalties for 1,306 yards.
… And it ain’t over yet folks. Unless I miss my guess there will be no shortage of laundry being thrown around in the desert on August 3rd either. It is an obvious detriment to the new team to keep committing these infractions but don’t be fooled, there is a game afoot amongst the chaos as well. Coach Matt Sauk has, all along, championed a style of defensive play that, especially in the red zone, showed a fascinating amount of disdain for trifles like pass interference penalties. And Sauk’s thoughts? Let them try again with less room to work. OK, got it. This is the AFL and apparently there are no free lunches here either.
Western Oregon University alum and AFL week 17 MVP Bryce Peila, Arena Bowl champion Antron Dillon and emotional leader Donte Paige-Moss, were joined again Sunday by KC Obi, Eric Crocker and a host of others who, though losing to the Rattlers for the third time this year, must have made an impression on the 2013 champions from minute one.
Following what seems to be a pre-game motivational routine, Paige-Moss moved toward mid field during the shared warm up period and had some apparently unappreciated thoughts for an Arizona player or two. Paige-Moss, who seems thoroughly unafraid of firing up his opponent, has had pre kickoff “discussions” with the Rattlers, San Jose Sabercats and Iowa Barnstormers to name a few and as such no one can claim the mercurial defensive line man picks on the little guy. In fact, it seems to be the bigger dogs that draw his disdain most often.
It does not stop with talk however. Just a game before the match up with Arizona, and in a must have win, the Portland defense had a field day with the LA KISS. Thunder defenders battered hall of fame bound Aaron Garcia to the point that he seemed he was rather eager for the game to end.
The final two KISS possessions, though the Portland lead was manageable, were as anemic and ineffective as I have seen in the AFL yet. The word, Thunder fans, is intimidated. Five plus passes were batted down by Varmah Sonie and the pass coverage crew and thanks to Jake Macdonough and the defensive line two balls didn’t even make it past the line of scrimmage. Time and again in the last two minutes worn receivers found themselves getting up off the Moda Center turf. Finally, almost mercifully, D-end KC Obi came around the right side to deliver a coup-de-grace to Garcia who coughed up the ball for a game clinching Portland TD.
It would seem at first glance that Saturday’s home finale with the Spokane Shock sets up for the same kind of bruising play we have come to expect from our new squad … and let’s hope so. However, let’s also look at an offensive stat or two that bode well for the playoff bound Thunder.
Last Sunday in Arizona, a few things stood out. First, Portland held a significant edge in time of possession over the champs, keeping the rock for ten plus minutes longer than the champs.
Second, veteran QB Kyle Rowley out threw Nick Davila by 65 yards and only an unfortunate miscommunication with a young receiver cost the Thunder a chance at a huge upset.
Third, the Thunder posted high numbers with a group of three receivers coming in at 152, 104 and 76 yards respectively. This kind of diverse production is tough to cover and is a factor the Shock and even more importantly the Rattlers to consider.
It is also very bad news for opponents that the Darron Thomas-led wildcat package, under construction most of the season, now seems complete. With the addition of its passing component being field tested in dramatic and successful fashion versus Arizona. Thomas accounted for two Thunder touchdowns and a pair of two point conversions in 55 seconds using speed and agility to avoid heavy pressure and throw on the run to Douglas McNeil III both times. It was indeed vintage Thomas, and caused the ESPN broadcast team to comment on the young QB’s athleticism and arm strength as well as his highly improved grasp of life on an AFL field.
Offensive improvement aside, this team has made its bones on a recognizable brand of defense and though it has been torched at times it has come back swinging time and again. It seems heedless of the score, wreckless in its desire to punish opponents and with the same message every single time, “Hulk smash.”
After the first Arizona win in Portland, (a whippin’ to be sure) I had occasion to ask Rod Winsor about the new team’s defense, his response was that though the Thunder hit hard, “We just do what we do”…
… Then he limped gingerly to the bus.
Often I cannot help but think of one of the best rock and roll bands of all time, Guns and Roses, when I watch the Thunder defense. It was wondered aloud by more than one record exec whether Axl, Slash and crew could keep up their break neck lifestyle without self-destructing in spectacular fashion. (… and as we were to find out the answer was no.) Here in the Rose City in past three games, Thunder opponents have placed 8 players on IR, including KISS QB Aaron Garcia who was pounded mercilessly by the Portland D-line.
I will say based upon a season’s observation, it would not surprise me to see a player reassigned for intentionally injuring an opponent, it just wouldn’t be tolerated. However, hard hitting football players seem to be a Sauk trademark and it seems at times that the defense operates on that very frenetic edge that gave GNR its taut, ferocious and visceral appeal.
Win or die, succeed or crash and burn, all or nothing. This, for the uninitiated, is the only way to play the game of football and it seems to have become a blue and grey theme. If so Terry Emmert’s new venture is almost sure to enjoy a long and entertaining life.
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