*ATL Offense Struggles,Bright Spots Defensively

[flyeaglesfly29]

ready to be graded 1002 words

Atlantic Blackbirds Run Down - Game 1

In the first game for the Prospect Bowl series, the Atlantic Blackbirds took on the Central Grizzlies and took an unfortunate loss 24-10. While the offense struggled against the Grizzlie defense, there were some bright spots on the defensive side of the ball. Let's take a look at the team as a whole broken down by position.

Offense

QB
The Blackbirds went with the 2 QB system in an attempt to allow both TJ Hendrix @TJH and Apollo Lange @RohnJobert the opportunity to show case their skills. Unfortunately, this system may have hurt their rhythm more than it helped. Apollo lead the team in passing yards with 121 on 10 of 19 completions, while Hendrix managed a .6% higher completion percentage going 9 of 17 for 58 yards. Neither player contributed much on the ground but as a whole the offense was lackluster under their tutelage. Which player will separate themselves in the upcoming games and improve their draft stock?

RB
Unable to get much of anything going in the passing game, the running game also struggled. Max Vaz@Skyandbray carried the ball 17 times for 75 yards and did score the Blackbirds only TD, but the Texas Tech speed back had his own struggles ever breaking away from the Grizzlies' defense.

In a weird turn of events, the Arizona State prospect Trey Moffat@Inbob27 (known more for his power running game) actually had the longest reception of the night and led both running backs with 51 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Maybe Moffat has more up his sleeve than just the ability to plow into the line. The Blackbirds should utilize his receiving ability moving forward and this should open more of the running game for Moffat and Vaz, while taking some pressure off of the two quarterbacks.

Receivers
There's not too much to talk about here, but let's give it a shot. Carlomagno Rey @Crey23 the absolute physical freak certainly showed up to play, but with his athletic pedigree (the guy looks like Deebo), I think that teams will be looking for more than just 6 receptions for 67 yards. While Rey is considered to be a red zone threat, he did haul in one of the longest passes of the night by a receiver at 18 yards. I see big things coming from this guy if the Blackbirds can just maintain their passing game. At 6'5, Rey is always an option to just use his frame to snag one out of the air in the back corner of the end zone.

Tight End
I'll keep this one short and sweet, we may have a PPR monster on our hands with Michael Rood @DCross. He may not get to far after the catch, but his hands are reliable and he brought in 6 catches for 37 yards. The Jason Witten comparisons for this guy seem to hold true when looking at his game film so far and given his Hall of Fame career, I think any DSFL team could use that type of reliable production. Also, for you DSFL fantasy players out there, this guy might be worth a snag!

Defense

Defensive Line
The only lineman worth talking about here is Poster Nutbag @Thee_Autumn_Wind. The interior force from BC, might not have seemed like he had a great game, but as someone who respects the guys in the trenches, Poster held it down. He led the linemen with 4 tackles, but he also created pressure up the middle and took on quite a few double teams so that the LB's were able to move around and make plays. Being a linebacker myself, we appreciate you big man!

Linebackers
As a whole, it certainly comes down to a battle between the linebackers and the secondary for unit of the game against the Grizzlies. Lightouts Lewis led the team with 8 tackles while his running mate Marquees Acho @Huskies311 contributed 5 tackles of his own. The unit also got some big time help from Rock Hardshaft @Rouchicus and Johnny Slothface @slothfacekilla who combined for 7 tackles, 1 sack (Rock) and 1 pass deflection (Johnny). I personally believe that this LB group could be the strongest out of all prospect teams, especially if they continue to play together in unison like they did tonight against the Grizzlies.

Secondary
Talk about a group of guys who showed out! Ridley @plantane, Knight @ven_knight, Green @Duilio05, and Sinclair @MaxGnarland might just be the next Legion Of Boom. These guys absolutely dominated the attention with their performances. Ridley may have led the group with 7 tackles, 1 INT, and 2 Pass Deflections but don't let those numbers ruin your impression of the rest of the secondary. Lucas Knight had a strong showing with his own 6 tackles, 1 INT and 3 Pass Deflections. Knight and Ridley were the only cornerback duo in Prospect League to both have an interception and both look to be lockdown defenders who will also come up and make a tackle, keep an eye out for them in your upcoming DSFL Draft.

And don't let me forget Walt Green and Quentin Sinclair! These two combined for 9 tackles and 1 INT themselves and gave the Blackbirds the league lead in interceptions and pass deflections at 3 and 7 respectfully! If they can keep this up then we just might be calling them Area 51 because of the No Fly Zone.

Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: If the Blackbirds want to succeed, then they are going to need more from the offensive side of the ball. While it was just their first showing, the offense will have to be more productive in the upcoming games so that they can lend a hand to a defense that seems loaded with talent. Football is certainly a team sport, but when you leave the defense on the field as much as they were in this game against the Grizzlies, you are bound to hurt the team overall.

The Atlantic Blackbirds look to regroup and get to 1-1 in their next game against the 1-0 Midwest Wolfpack.

[slothfacekilla]

Great article! Johnny has to give you all more support out there. I have a good feeling about our game tomorrow though....

[Duilio05]

Great write up. I couldn't have said it better. Our defensive unit is top notch. Most INTs, most Passes Deflected, and second most Tackles. Let's keep up the strong play. Maybe instead of Legion of Boom, we call ourselves The Black Hole since we're Blackbirds, maybe. I do like the Area 51 moniker for @MaxGnarland and me.

[Duilio05]

Great article! Johnny has to give you all more support out there. I have a good feeling about our game tomorrow though....

Don't worry about it big guy. It's hard to make plays when they consistently pass or run away from you. They just scared

[ven_knight]

Talk about a group of guys who showed out! Ridley plantane, Knight ven_knight, Green Duilio05, and Sinclair MaxGnarland might just be the next Legion Of Boom

Nice article, @flyeaglesfly29. We really have something special at defense. Hope that next game, our offensive struggles come to an end. We should go all the way to the championship game!

[PDXBaller]

Great write up. I couldn't have said it better. Our defensive unit is top notch. Most INTs, most Passes Deflected, and second most Tackles. Let's keep up the strong play. Maybe instead of Legion of Boom, we call ourselves The Black Hole since we're Blackbirds, maybe. I do like the Area 51 moniker for @MaxGnarland and me.

Haha that's amazing! I love the Area 51 nickname! Legion of Caw perhaps?

[DCross]

Great game by the defense - hopefully us offensive guys can pick it up next week!

[dizzyDC]

Nice overview of the game! Good stuff man!