Changing the NFL Landscape: An Atlanta Bandits Dynasty

[BailsoHard]

Smith Suffers Season Ending Injury During Tough Opener

The first points in franchise history were not scored by the likes of Sims-Walker, Edwards, or Berrian. It was the halfback Kory Sheets who took a 24yd screen pass from Troy Smith and turned it into a touchdown.

Unfortunately that was the highlight of Smith's day, as he tore his pectoral and will be out for the season.

It did not start so bad, the Bandits went up 7-0 in the 2nd quarter in what seemed to be a competitive game, then the Bears struck back with 21 in a row to end the half, including a hail mary to Roy Williams as time expired.

"That pass to end the second quarter really killed our energy," said Kawika Mitchell, who finished the game with 3 Tackles for Loss, Mitchell will also miss a week of playing time due to injury.

Starting halfback Noel Devine also was injured and missed most of the second half, he will not miss anymore playing time.

It wouldn't be until the last minute of the 4th quarter that the Bandits would strike again, this time on a Rhys Lloyd field goal from 48 yards out.

"It was a tough first game and you can really feel for guys like Troy," said Jonah Vaughn, "replacing him will be difficult."

Currently backup Trent Edwards is slated to start next week, but knowing Vaughn that could change very quickly.

-ESPN

Atlanta Bandits at Chicago Bears
Sep 11, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Atlanta Bandits (0-1)	-	7	-	3	-	10
Chicago Bears (1-0)	-	21	-	10	-	31

Scoring Summary
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		ATL	CHI
10:23	(ATL) K. Sheets 24yd pass from T.Smith (R.Lloyd kick)	7	0
3:14	(CHI) M. Forte 15yd run (R.Gould kick)	7	7
1:01	(CHI) E. Bennet 31yd pass from J. Cutler (R. Gould kick)	7	14
0:00	(CHI) R. Williams 45yd pass from J. Cutler (R. Gould kick)	7	21
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		ATL	CHI
8:27	(CHI) R. Gould 46yd FG	7	24
8:15	(CHI) Z. Bowman returned INT 36yds (R. Gould kick)	7	31
0:50	(ATL) R. Lloyd 48yd FG	10	31

Atlanta Bandits

Chicago Bears

Game Leaders

Passing
CHI: Jay Cutler 18-24 320yds 2TD,INT
ATL: Troy Smith 15-36 170yds TD,INT

Rushing
CHI: Matt Forte 24 att 136yds TD
ATL: Laurence Maroney 7 att 45yds

Recieving
CHI: Kellen Davis 4 rec 109yds
ATL: Bernard Berrian 4 rec 62yds

Tackling
CHI: Nick Roach 7 tkls
ATL: Michael Johnson/Kareem Moore 9 tkls

Sacks
CHI: Chris Melton 2.0 sacks
ATL: Eric Moore 2.0 sacks

Atlanta Bandits Injury Report
Pos	Player	Injury Note
ROLB	Kawika Mitchell	Broken Jaw - 1 week
DT	Ronald Fields	Broken Forearm - 2 weeks
QB	Troy Smith	Torn Pectoral Muscle - Season (IR)

[dubvcrazy]

Looks good man! Following!

Not a bad first loss. Good luck!

[BailsoHard]

Bandits Sign Former Buckeye Terrelle Pryor, QB Competition Heats Up

With the loss of Troy Smith, Jonah Vaughn has turned to another OSU alumn to relieve their situation at quarterback. Rookie Terrelle Pryor reported for practice today and looked solid in his reps.

"He certainly is the fastest QB we have" said Vaughn, "he fits the identity of the team but his accuracy frightens me a bit."

Next up was Trent Edwards, the only QB on the team to start an NFL game. Edwards demonstrated his accuracy but ultimately had issues reading the zone.

"While not as versatile as Terrelle, he certainly has a better arm at this point" commented Vaughn.

Perhaps a dark horse will take charge in this QB race, Nate Davis demonstrated his freakish ability to close practice, and although his accuracy wasn't great his power is what impressed coach the most.

"With play like that he can also be considered a contender to start against Philidelphia," said Vaughn. "He is very athletic."

When asked who the leader of the quarterback race was, Vaughn stated that "no one has really stood out to me yet."

[oilersfanatic]

I tried to do this with a team in Anchorage, but didn't went well lol.
Good luck, hopefully yours will go different.

[BailsoHard]

Edwards, Pryor Will Both See Snaps Against Philadelphia

Owner, Head Coach, and GM Jonah Vaughn has reached his decision, Trent Edwards has earned the start against Philadelphia.

"He was clicking on all cylinders with his recievers today, and I have confidence in his abilities" said Vaughn, "however Pryor has earned his place in the game as well."

"Although I didn't earn the spot, coach will put me in for some designed run plays" said Pryor. "I'm happy to have a spot on this team."

Pryor wasn't the only one excited, Trent Edwards will be starting his first game in nearly a calendar year, he was benched September 20th in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick by the Bills.

"It's great to have another chance" said Edwards "I will surely make the most of it."

The team made final preparations for their home opener as well, they are looking to improve on their 31-10 loss at Chicago.

"It was a painful game but we have learned a lot from it" said linebacker Lofa Tatupu "I'm excited to play in the newly constructed Bandits field in front of the home crowd."

-ESPN

[BailsoHard]

Edwards Benched at the Half, Pryor Leads Bandits to First Franchise Victory

It was not the game everyone expected.

Despite the fantastic rushing performance from Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and tailback Lesean McCoy, the "Dream Team" only managed 3 points against a stout Bandits defense. Vick threw 3 interceptions in Atlanta's upset win.

"We made some adjustments after Vick ran all over us the first half" said Bandits linebacker Lofa Tatupu. "Coach realized we would have to spy a defensive tackle in order to slow him down."

The Bandits offense also failed to click, Trent Edwards made the start and proceeded to throw 3 interceptions in one half before being benched for Terrelle Pryor, who unexpectedly led his team to victory despite completing only 3 passes.

"It was one of the ugliest wins I've ever seen" said Pryor "Props to the defense for keeping us in that game."

Perhaps it was the loss of Braylon Edwards in the second quarter that weakened the Bandit passing attack, the wide receiver left the game and it was revealed after he had a herniated disk and would miss 9 weeks.

Noel Devine contributed on the ground, boasting 15 carries for 85 yards. Pryor also did his part, gaining 40 yards on his 4 carries.

Eagles kicker Alex Henery missed 2 pivotal field goals in the game, he was not available for postgame comment.

No one is more excited that Jonah Vaughn, who broke out the champagne and celebrated the victory like they had won the Super Bowl, "This is a great moment for our guys and we just want to celebrate before preparing for next week" said a teary-eyed Vaughn.

-ESPN

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Bandits
Sep 18, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Philadelphia Eagles (0-2)	3	-	-	-	3
Atlanta Bandits (1-1)	-	-	-	7	7

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		PHI	ATL
3:04	(PHI) A. Henery 18 yd FG	3	0
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		PHI	ATL
7:39	(ATL) M. Sims Walker 24 yd pass from T. Pryor (R. Lloyd kick)	3	7

Philadelphia Eagles

Atlanta Bandits

Game Leaders

Passing
PHI: Michael Vick 12-28 155yds 3INT
ATL: Trent Edwards 8-19 75yds 3INT

Rushing
PHI: Michael Vick 14att 107yds
ATL: Noel Devine 15att 85yds

Recieving
PHI: Jason Avant 5 rec 55yds
ATL: Mike Sims-Walker 2 rec 34yds TD

Tackling
PHI: Jamar Chaney 7 tkls
ATL: Lofa Tatupu 9 tkls

Sacks
PHI: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 3.0 sacks
ATL: Eric Moore 2.0 sacks

Other Notables
PHI: Lesean McCoy 14att 90yds
ATL: Terrelle Pryor 3-9 43yds TD INT 4att 40yds

Atlanta Bandits Injury Report
Pos	Player	Injury Note
WR	Braylon Edwards	Herniated Disk - 9 weeks
QB	Troy Smith	Torn Pectoral Muscle - Season (IR)

[BailsoHard]

Bandits Make Changes at WR After Losing Edwards

Jonah Vaughn likes to think of himself as a tinkerer.

"Every week I'm making adjustments so that I send the best possible team out on the field." said Vaughn, who is dealing with the loss of #1 wide reciever Braylon Edwards.

The Bandits have signed former Washington State Cougar Jason Hill as a temporary replacement.

"I'm ecstatic to be on this new team" said Hill, "I'm looking forward to getting back on the field after all this time."

Vaughn also made some changes in the depth chart, switching rookie wide receiver Mardy Gilyard and former Stanford Cardinal Robert You, Gilyard will play in the #4 spot.

"I'm hoping a young guy like Mardy can start up this receiving core, he has a lot of potential." said Vaughn.

-ESPN

[BailsoHard]

Terrelle Pryor to Start in Bandit's First Division Game

Jonah Vaughn has found his guy...again.

"3rd time is the charm I suppose." chuckled Vaughn, referencing the team's losses of quarterback Troy Smith to injury and the benching of Trent Edwards.

Pryor led the Bandits to their only score in Sunday's game vs. Philadelphia, he completed the drive with a 24 yard pass to Mike Sims-Walker.

"I'm very excited to have this role" said Pryor, who also contributed 40 yards on the ground.

"His passing game isn't the strongest, but I feel his speed allows him to fit in with the team better" said Vaughn, "I'll be anxious to see what he can do this week at Tampa Bay."

-ESPN