[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: early 2120, signs of progress or dumb luck?

The 2120 regular season has kicked off. We're 6 weeks in and, naturally, already had our bye week. The main changes on the team are clearly the switch from released QB Bart Tanner to trade acquisition QB Renaldo Wilson. On a smaller scale, the O-Line saw the addition of short-term RT Roy Wilkerson. On the defense, together with veteran DT Rodney Gagliardi, a bunch of rookies were added, most notably CB Andre McAncich, DT Floyd Dillon and DE Roger Graf.

Week 1 vs Bordeaux
After a 4-0 pre-season, the Vineyards felt ready to make a leap upwards after a long stretch of seasons outside the playoffs. But so do we feel improved this season and we showed that we were more right on that. We dominated the game for three quarters, as Bordeaux scored their only touchdown on a 75-yard pass play and settled for a pair of field goals. In return, we started the game with touchdowns on our first two possessions, but also saw K Jeffery DeGroot's miss his first field goal attempt in 21 games, we lead by just 4 points at half time. In the third quarter our domination was evident and we cruised to a 3 score lead. Bordeaux did come within a touchdown on their last possession, but on our last possession, we solidly played out the clock. QB Renaldo Wilson threw for 287 yards with 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. TE Francisco Andersen caught 2 touchdown passes, RB Jackson Powell ran for a touchdown. WR Ramon Randle had 11 receptions for 150 yards and 1 touchdown.
Score: 31-23 win

Week 2 at Outer Banks
For the first time since getting traded by the Outer Banks Ospreys in 2119, QB Renaldo Wilson returned to the stadium of his original IHOF team. Wilson was the Osrpeys starter for 9 seasons from week 1 of the season when they picked him #1 overall in the draft. From time to time we struggled, but in return our own defense kept the Ospreys offense from scoring touchdowns, settling for 3 field goals. A punt return touchdown was required for them to stay in pace with us. Trailing 17-16, the Ospreys saw their quarterback throw the ball in the hans of our S Kim Fox and we chose to pound it in, with a bit too much time on the clock. QB Renaldo Wilson threw for 247 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. WR Rodolfo Lane and WR Rufus Montgomery were on the receiving end of those touchdowns, while RB Renaldo Billodeaux ran for a touchdown.
Result: 24-16 win

Week 3 vs Orlando
In a clash between two 2-0 teams, we kept our nerves in control a bit better. Orlando needed a 53-yard field goal to get on the scoreboard and got their first touchdown on a short field situation. In return, we failed to dominate field position and struggled to get near the red zone, let alone, into the end zone. A pair of missed long field goals by the Talons gave us the ball back on back to back possessions near midfield and and scored 10 points on those drives to go ahead. While penalties kept piling on for Orlando, we scored a late game field goal to make it too much to overcome 2 touchdowns in barely a minute to go. QB Renaldo Wilson threw for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. TE Arnie Huffman and WR Rodolfo Lane were the touchdown scoring receivers.
Result: 23-10 win

Week 4
We enjoyed our bye week, coming out of it as one of two perfect record teams, sitting behind the 4-0 Toronto Lake Monsters, our opponents in week 7.

Week 5 at North Plainfield
After our strong defensive performances, today was quite the letdown as our defense failed to get in the way. The Plague scored touchdowns on their first two drives and added field goals after long drives in their next two drives. In return, we scored 2 touchdowns as well, turned the ball over on downs and saw K Jeffery DeGroot miss another field goal, ending the first half with neither team punting. In the second half the defenses showed up, but in particular the Plague's did. When the Plague offense scored a touchdown after a 15-play drive to go up by 12 points, we were forced to take risks. We turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth and goal situation and despite that we got the ball back with still 2 minutes on the clock, QB Renaldo Wilson's first interception in orange-white-and-blue ended our hopes. Wilson threw for 277 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. TE Arnie Huffman and WR Rufus Montgomery scored the touchdowns, while TE Francisco Andersen had a 109-yard performance.
Result: 17-29 loss

Week 6 vs Rochester
Facing, on paper, so far the weakest opponent (1-4 Rochester) and at our own Oranje Haven even, surely we would bounce back and advance to a 4-1 record, right? But not in the cutthroat IHOF. 11 minutes into the game, we were already trailing 14-0 and were actually lucky to not be down by 3 scores as their quarterback tossed an interception in our red zone after our QB Renaldo Wilson had done that 2 plays earlier as well. We gave up another touchdown and a field goal before half time, but in return we had one touchdown-scoring drive and shortly before their first half ending field goal, we saw WR Rodolfo Lane pull his punt return magic with a signature 92-yarder. Despite giving up a 60-yard touchdown pass, we fought back and barley into the fourth quarter level it up at last at 31-31 each. The Razorbacks responded with a go ahead touchdown after a solid 13-play over 6-minute drive. WR Maurice Sweeney restored our hopes with a signature 40-yard kickoff return right into their half of the field, but just as we felt like we were ready to tie the score, Wilson got picked off for a second time and this time it was returned for 76-yards and a game sealing touchdown.
Result: 31-45 loss


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

No less than 8 teams in the AOC are sitting at 4-2 or 3-2. Far behind the 6-0 Toronto Lake Monsters. And it happens to be that they will be our next opponent, in our home. As this will be our fourth home game already, we really can't afford to lose this one, if we want to stay in pace for the playoffs spots. But they're honestly the best team in football at the moment. Yeah, quite the challenge. But we're up for it. If the Renaldo Wilson of weeks 1 through 3 shows up, we have a reasonable shot at the upset victory.