[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: 2119... Not what we expected, at all

Okay, let's break the bad news right away. 2119 has been a very disappointing season. It's not quite over, but saving face is no longer possible, the first half of the 2119 season will go down as the worst half-season in franchise history.

Week 1 at Gothenburg
We played along for a while. Well, more like 5 minutes. Our quick 7-0 lead quickly vanished as QB Bart Tanner threw interceptions on the next two drives and even a pair of interceptions in return could not avoid a big loss.
Result: 14-35 loss

Week 2 vs Kansas
Helped by a forced fumbled, we scored touchdowns on our first two possessions, but the 13-0 lead turned into a deficit before halftime. Despite getting outplayed in yardage, the defense forced field goal attempts a couple of times and late field goal made it almost feel like a 1-score loss.
Result: 19-27 loss

Week 3 at Atlanta
Sometimes a game feels over at half time and it turns out to actually isn't. At the big break we were 27-7 down, but somehow we kept playing and playing and as we settled for short field goals a little bit too often, the home playing Vipers kept holding onto the slowly crumbling lead, but even K Jeffery DeGroot's 53-yard field goal in the dying seconds of the game was far too little too late to really have a chance at victory.
Result: 26-33 loss

Week 4 bye
A much wanted bye for a change as injuries were running havoc more than we have been used to over recent seasonss. Yes, plural of plural. I can't remember the last time we lost 2 starters per game for 5 or so games straight. I bet the last time it happened was in the first 20 or so seasons of IHOF.

Week 5 vs Tucker
We played along in the first half with one of the top two teams this season, going into the break trailing 17-13. But while our own offense got stopped every now or then, our defense was completely overran (overpassed?) as we let the Tucker quarterback throw for 495 yards on us. QB Bart Tanner in return threw for 369 yards without interception.
Result: 20-41 loss

Week 6 at Augusta
WR Maurice Sweeney returned the opening kickoff all the way and on our second possession we managed to take a 14-7 lead. It was short lived, the rest of the game our offense fell flat, while the defense let the Greenjackets have their way with us as well. We got outgained 456 versus 228 total yards, enough said.
Result: 17-39 loss

Week 7 vs Paris
In our first game of the season against a team that didn't make the playoffs in 2118, we had our chances. But a punt return touchdown was the dagger that we didn't expect, even our special teams unit go outplayed. Aside from that freak play, Paris had a field position advantage, which is something we're really not used to, in particular in a game where QB Bart Tanner throws for nearly 300 yards without interception.
Result: 13-31 loss

Week 8 vs Snapfinger
Another game that we wish we never witness. We got outgained 449-250 in total yards and lost the turnover battle 2-0, making it quite the miracle we still had a 5-yard advantage in average drive start. Still, it was a couple of missed field goals that kept the Jazz from completely humiliating.
Result: 17-30 loss

Week 9 at Bordeaux
And then we played a game that we really should have won. We intercepted the Bordeaux quarterback 3 times, while going turnover free on our own end. But our inability to get into the end zone, combined with giving up a punt return touchdown, kept us from getting a real shot at earing a "W".
Result: 16-24 loss

With that, we started the season 0-8. I thought it was unprecedented, but we also were this dreadful in 2098. And with the next 5 games all against teams with a winning record (all started their season 5-2 or better), this season felt done, completely hopeless.

Week 10 at Orlando
With the season basically over, all of a sudden the team started to playing well, in particular the offense. Although both teams settled for field goals more often than they wanted to, it turned into quite the barnburner. When we took a 27-23 lead late in the 4th quarter, it turned into a bend but don't break game. Sadly we did break, allowed a 25-yard pass for touchdown and needed a miracle to reach overtime. We got there after WR Maurice Sweeney returned the kickoff for 55 yards, K Jeffery DeGroot converted a 54-yard field goal and rookie S Kim Fox picked off a pass at the end of regulation. The defense then forced three and out, while we responded with QB Bart Tanner throwing to rookie TE Francisco Anderson for 25 yards to reach midfield and a crucial 18-yard catch by WR Rodolfo Lane on third and long set up the game winning field goal.
Result: 33-30 win in overtime

Week 11 vs Gothenburg
With the losing streak snapped, the Merchantmen looked completely refreshed and all of a sudden we looked like the team I expected us to be. And then some. The visiting Giants had no idea what came to them (and us) as we were clicking on all ends of the ball, turning this into a sensational blowout victory. We outgained Gothenburg 453 to 193 in total yards, including holding their quarterback to just 96 yards passing. We completed the humiliation by throwing our kick holder on the field in our last possession and knee dropping to victory.
Result: 33-6 win

Week 12 at Chicago
And then thinking we were back to the capable teams, the team fell flat again. Our running game was lacking, our defense missing in action (giving up 451 total yards and allowing 11 third down conversions). For the third time this season a final seconds field goal put us within one score, but not really with a shot at tying it up.
Result: 17-25 loss

European Division
1. Gothenburg 7-4
2. Bordeaux 4-7
3. Paris 3-7-1
4. Maassluis 2-9

Yeah, mathematically we're still alive for the division title, but it will require something we can't even start to think of. The last wild card spot is held by 6-5 Orlando and will at minimum go to a 6-9-1 team. Second place is feasible, but can we really even think about it now?

The one game at a time approach is warranted. Our goal for now is to redeem ourselves a bit more and get as far away from having gifted a top draft pick to the Chesapeake Chitterlings. We'll be without our 1st round rookie RT Perry Georgopulos, he got severely hurt in Chicago and needs reconstructive knee surgery. CB Zachary Blair broken an arm in Chicago and will miss the rest of the season. LB Ezekiel O'Neal already went to injured reserve with a torn quadriceps muscle. A bunch of others are back from injuries, including 1st round rookie LB Sam Hastings, he returned from injured reserve after an injury in week 3.

So, yeah, can't wait for the 2120 season to get here. But we have 5 more games to show we're capable of good football and I hope we'll do just that.