The Cleveland Gladiators have added quarterback Danny Southwick and wide receiver Troy Pascley. The move evens out Cleveland’s roster out after trading Brandon Thompkins and Shane Boyd to the Baltimore Brigade on Monday.
Southwick, 35, will be entering his seventh AFL season and second run with the Glads after playing in one game for them during the 2013 regular season. Southwick has thrown for over 6,000 yards and 113 touchdowns so far in his AFL career.
In 2008, he saw some time with the Oakland Raiders. Last season, Southwick started the first three games of the season for the Portland Steel, throwing for a total of 751 yards and 13 touchdowns during the whole season.
Pascley, 28, will be entering his rookie AFL season. A native of Alliance, Pascley played his college ball at University of Louisville as a wide receiver. Pascley appeared in 19 games for the Cardinals. Pascley scored four touchdowns and earned 297 yards on completions.
Arvell Nelson has once again found a rhythm at the quarterback position, making Boyd expendable. Nelson is leading the AFL in rushing with 155 yards, Nelson’s 8.2 yards per carry also ranks tops in the league among anyone with at least 10 attempts.
Collin Taylor should expect to see a big jump in playing time with the departure of Thompkins. Taylor has caught four passes or less in three of his last four games and is yet to catch for over 100 yards in any game this season.
After scoring at least one touchdown in every game during the 2016 regular season, Taylor has already seen two games without a score in just his first six games despite averaging over 70 yards per game.
The Gladiators have also been assigned Defensive Back Damond Smith who has appeared in two games so far this season, ironically both when facing Cleveland as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm. Smith has not seen action since week three.
Cleveland has also placed offensive lineman Joe Madsen and defensive back Terry Johnson on reassignment.
A reasonable person would have a hard time referring to a 3-13 season as a successful one for the Portland Steel. A deductive person, however, would conclude that the 2016 AFL season could have gone much more poorly for the Oregon-based franchise.
After suffering an 80-28 annihilation at the hands of the Arizona Rattlers in their home- and season-opener, Portland proceeded to play their next seven games on the road. No other team underwent such a travel schedule. The Cleveland Gladiators finished their season with six straight games as the visiting side, and tacked on two more in the playoffs, but they had the opportunity to get some experience and momentum under their belt first. Six of their first seven games (and eight of their first ten) were at home, providing stability and more time to focus on improving as a team without worrying about a travel schedule. Portland had no such luck.
In fact, they were supposed to have a home game against the L.A. KISS in early May, but the Portland Trailblazers of the NBA were in the middle of a playoff run and took priority in a conflicting day with the AFL schedule, so that game was played in Los Angeles (well, Anaheim) instead. Feeling unified and comfortable on the field is a difficult task when you are shipped away every week.
Consider also the inauspicious beginnings Portland had to 2016 before the season even began. Following the 2015 season, a new coaching staff was in place, lead by head coach Andy Olson. That entire staff was unceremoniously dismissed before coaching a single down due to the league taking control of the team away from owner Terry Emmert. Subsequently enlisting a completely new staff, with head coach Ron James at the top, and a new name and image (goodbye Thunder, hello Steel), the organization was full of excitement as 2016 was getting ready to unfold. Things took a sour turn in no time at all, beginning with difficulties under center.
The quarterback roulette began with Danny Southwick, who went on to be rostered by two other teams before the season ended. Kasey Peters filled in unspectacularly from time-to-time. Local legend Darron Thomas made his Portland return, and underwhelmed rather expectedly. Highly heralded Shane Austin completed the cycle ably, including a three-game stretch of 17 touchdown passes to one interception.
Unfortunately, his other eight games wrought merely 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. (For the sake of mild comparison, Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady attempted a league-high total of 589 passes and threw just 7 interceptions, one every 84 attempts. Austin averaged one pick every 22 attempts. Among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, only Tampa Bay’s Adam Kennedy was worse, at 18 attempts per interception.)
The entirety of Portland’s season is easily summed up by looking at a handful of key team statistics (keeping in mind there are eight teams in the league):
– seventh in scoring offense (41.9/game)
– seventh in yards gained (252/game)
– seventh in scoring defense (58.2/game)
– eighth in passing offense, passing efficiency, and defensive passing efficiency
-sixth in third-down conversions (43%)
– eighth in opponents’ third-down conversions (57%)
– eighth in turnover margin (-22, -1.38/game)
– seventh in Red Zone offense (73%)
– eighth in Red Zone defense (87%)
In short, a recipe for disaster in the Arena Football League looks something like this: Score occasionally while relinquishing points often. Struggle to move the ball through the air, though making it easy for the other team to do so. Give the ball away regularly without ever getting it back, and allow the other team to score whenever they get close.
In case there is doubt as to whether the afore-mentioned statistics had an effect on fan support, Portland finished dead last in average home attendance, drawing 5,056 attendees per game. Los Angeles was the next-most sparsely viewed, at 7,056. In fact, the three games the Steel played at Arizona this season, including a playoff game, totaled more attendants (over 39,000) than all seven Steel home games (under 36,000).
All things considered, winning three games seems to be a monumental accomplishment for Portland. While wrestling the distinction of “Last Team to Win A Game” away from Tampa Bay, Portland managed to finish the season one win ahead of the Storm. In such a precarious position looking toward 2017, Portland would do well to remember to relish all of their victories (moral, metaphorical or otherwise) wherever possible.
“The Arena Football League, as part of the continued effort to solidify its membership foundation, has taken over operation of the Portland Thunder, the league announced today.”
February 3
Portland Tribune
Emmert Fires Back at Arena Football League
“Terry Emmert, who owned and ran the Arena Football League’s Portland Thunder the past two seasons, has fired back at the league, which took over team operations last month. Emmert said in a statement that the AFL’s move to seize control of the Thunder caught him ‘off guard… We held the genuine belief we were negotiating (with the league) in good faith’ on issues involved the team and AFL, Emmert said.”
February 24
Portland Steel Twitter
The New Hotness #Steel Strong
March 11
Portland Steel Press Release
Steel Acquires Former Duck Lyerla
“The Portland Steel have completed a trade with the Arizona Rattlers, acquiring former Oregon Duck standout WR Colt Lyerla in exchange for OL Jordan Mudge, the Arena Football League offices announced late Thursday evening. ‘Colt is a tremendous talent,’ Steel head coach Ron James stated. ‘We’re eager to see how his skills translate to the arena game.'”
April 2
Arizona Rattlers Press Release
Rattlers Begin Regular Season With Big Win Over Steel, 80-28
“The five-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers (1-0) began the regular season with a victory over the Portland Steel (0-1) Friday night at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon by a score of 80-28 in front of 6,782 fans.”
April 10
Portland Tribune
Steel Almost Knock Off Orlando
“The Portland Steel had the ball last with a chance for a huge road upset, but the Orlando Predators held on for a 53-50 win Saturday before 10,732 fans at Amway Center.”
April 13
Portland Steel Press Release
Steel Place WR Colt Lyerla on Inactive Reserve
“The Portland Steel have placed wide receiver Colt Lyerla on inactive reserve, head coach and general manager Ron James announced today. The former University of Oregon tight end suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against the Orlando Predators last week.”
April 17
Philly Sports Live
Soul Drop the Hammer on Portland Steel
“…The Philadelphia Soul would defeat Portland 70-32 for their first home win of the season to go 2-1 on the season while Portland falls to 0-3 on the season.”
April 27
Inside the Arena
Steel Sign QB Darron Thomas, Release Danny Southwick
“After three games this season, Southwick found himself among the league’s worst in completion percentage, touchdown percentage, and turnovers… ‘We are excited to add Darron to our team,’ said Steel head coach Ron James. ‘Darron possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position. He has played at a high level in college and is intent on becoming a consistent quarterback.”
May 1
Arizona Rattlers Press Release
Rattlers Break the Steel, 68-21
“The five time world champion Arizona Rattlers (5-0) stayed undefeated with a win over conference foe Portland Steel (0-4) at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona in front of 11,510 fans.”
May 4
Portland Steel Twitter
#MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsDay #SteelStrong
May 11
Portland Tribune
Steel Go Back to Drawing Board After “Very Disappointing” Loss at L.A.
“The Steel might need to find two or three of them as they prepare to go back on the road – again. Portland is 0-5, and the offense and defense both need work, for sure, after Monday night’s 66-27 Arena Football League setback at the Los Angeles KISS.”
May 15
Portland Tribune
Shane Austin Excited to Be Back at QB for AFL Portland Steel
“Shane Austin has gone full circle. In his case, full circle took him from Cleveland to Portland to Saskatchewan (via Orlando and Atlanta) to Albuquerque and back to Cleveland, from where he will return to Portland on Tuesday.”
May 16
Cleveland Gladiators Press Release
Gladiators Hold On to Defeat Steel in Overtime, 55-48
“In front of 6,733 fans at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cleveland Gladiators saw a 20-point lead vanish late in the fourth quarter, only to recover in overtime and hold off the Portland Steel for a 55-48 victory.”
May 21
Jacksonville Sharks Press Release
Sharks Smoke Steel on Saturday, 65-34
“The Jacksonville Sharks used a combination of efficient offense and defensive stops to build a two-score halftime lead on Saturday night and never looked back, as Jacksonville defeated the Portland Steel by a 65-34 count in front of 10,208 on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.”
May 25
The Oregonian YouTube Channel
One-on-one with Darron Thomas: Part 1
“Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas talks about his future plans to become a high school football coach.”
May 28
Portland Steel Press Release
Portland Steel Take a Tough Loss Against the L.A. KISS, 54-42
“The Portland Steel lost a tough game against the LA KISS, 54-42, in front of 7,150 at Honda Center on Saturday night. The loss extends the Portland losing streak to eight games to start the season.”
June 2
Portland Steel Twitter
One. More. Day. #PDX Are you ready? #HomeGame #SteelStrong #BeatTampa
June 4
Inside the Arena
Steel Stomp Storm For First Win
“In a performance worthy of a division leader instead of a winless bottom-dweller, the Portland Steel (1-8) earned their first victory of the season in spectacular fashion over the Tampa Bay Storm, 68-35.”
June 7
Portland Steel Twitter
The AFL announced Steel DB Sergio Gilliam is Defensive Player of the Week
June 12
Fox Sports Arizona
Rattlers Beat Portland for 3rd time
“The Arizona Rattlers completed a three-game sweep of their series with the Portland Steel by defeating the Steel 76-49 on Saturday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena… The Rattlers improved to 8-3, while Portland falls to 1-9.”
Meadow Lemon hired as Team President of the Portland Steel #SteelStrong
“The Arena Football League (AFL) announced today that it has hired Meadow Lemon as President of the Portland Steel. Mr. Lemon brings to the team experience in sales, marketing, and football operations.”
June 19
Portland Steel Press Release
Steel Fall Short at Home, Lose to the Gladiators 58-49
“The Portland Steel lost a close game to the Cleveland Gladiators, 58-49, in front of 4,516 fans at Moda Center on Saturday night. The Steel pulled to within six points in the fourth quarter, but a late field goal thwarts a comeback.”
June 19
Portland Steel Twitter
“ICYMI: Shane Austin threw for his 250th AFL touchdown in last night’s game against the Cleveland Gladiators.”
June 26
Portland Steel Twitter
“Nick Truesdell has been out since Week 1 (ankle). He returns tomorrow when the Steel take on the Philadelphia Soul.”
June 28
Inside the Arena
Dominant Second Half Lifts Soul Over Steel, 59-38
“The Philadelphia Soul scored 31 consecutive points in the third and fourth quarters to put away the Portland Steel, 59-38, in Monday night’s only game of AFL action. This loss did nothing regarding playoff positioning for Portland (1-11), who continues to toil in the National Conference basement. With the victory, Philadelphia (10-3) moved one game behind the American Conference-leading Orlando Predators (11-2) with just three games remaining for both teams.“
June 30
Portland Steel Twitter
“#TouchdownThursday Rashaad Carter has hauled in 6 TD passes in the last 2 gms. #SteelStrong #CarterFor6″
Inside the Arena 