Power Hit Rock Bottom, Hand Kansas City First Win Of The Season.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Power.  Turnovers once again were the story in a 43-37 loss to the Kansas City Command Saturday night.  It was the first win for the Command this year.

I've never seen a team this poor at holding onto the ball.  Already entering the game with the worst turnover margin in the league, the Power gave the ball away three more times. Fumbles by Oderick Turner and Bryan Randall killed early momentum for the Power, and Derek Cassidy threw an interception later in the game which sealed the Power's fate.

P.J. Berry stood out for the Power in all three phases of the game.  He had 10 catches for 94 yards and 2 TD's, plus an interception and another solid showing in the return game.  Oderick Turner had 8 catches for 94 yards plus the fumble, and Mike "Joystick" Washington had 6 catches for 74 yards and 2 TD's.

Starting quarterback Bryan Randall, fresh off a franchise record performance against the San Antonio Talons, went 9 for 13 for 86 yards and 2 TD's.  He was benched after a critical lost fumble and replaced by Cassidy.  Cassidy was floating passes all game long, some being dropped by Command defenders.  He easily could have thrown four interceptions in this game.  

Coach Siegfried had no answers after the game, and seeing how this season has played out, he may not have to answer questions much longer.  This is a team that started out the 2011 season 6-2 and sat in first place in the Eastern division before sputtering to a 9-9 finish down the stretch due to, what else, turnovers.  That trend has continued through every game of the 2012 season.  Siegfried even seemed resigned to this possible fate by apologizing to ownership in the postgame press conference for not being able to deliver a winner.

Siegfried brought up the point that some members of the team, who he refused to name, seemed content to just be here.  He hinted there would be more roster moves after the bye week, but it's probably too little too late.  Siegfried seems like a nice enough guy, but this team appears to have quit on him.  

It's probably no coincidence that both teams involved in the opening night strike fiasco have a combined record of 3-16.  Where would they be right now if Kyle Rowley was still in a power uniform.  Just last night, Rowley was leading the Spokane Shock to a big win over the Philadelphia Soul.    He's the kind of experienced quarterback that could have given the Power a few more wins this year.  Sadly we'll never know.

Where does Pittsburgh go from here?  Sitting at 2-8 with a loss to the worst team in the league, plus the only two wins of the season coming against the equally woeful Orlando Predators, what positives can we focus on.   Fans are turning on the team quickly on the Power's Facebook page.  It's an ugly situation all around.

Maybe it's time to make a move at the head coaching position and see if that lights a spark under the team.  What could it hurt?  Again this doesn't seem to be a fluke seeing how the team had the same issues last year.

A likely interim replacement would be defensive coordinator Derek Stingley, who was the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo last year and is one of the best AFL players in the history of the game.   Stingley was more involved in this game due to Siegfried suffering from food poisoning.   Spend the rest of the season figuring out who wants to be here and who doesn't and try to build for the future as best as you can.

It's not like things can get any worse....

Kansas City Command @ Pittsburgh Power Preview

Let's roll through the facts for a moment.  The Pittsburgh Power (2-7) have placed themselves in an almost impossible situation because of their inability to hang onto the football.  Pittsburgh is dead last in the AFL in turnover margin at -15 and continually find ways to lose games.  

Last week saw quarterback Bryan Randall fumble twice, running back Tyre Young once, and three missed PAT attempts from kicker Seth Burkholder, who was given his walking papers after the game.  It all adds up in the standings and the Power have no margin for error if they still dream about making the AFL playoffs.  It would take a miraculous comeback, but this is the team that rallied from 31 down against Orlando earlier this year to win a game.

The journey towards that miracle starts this Saturday as the winless Kansas City Command invade the Consol Energy Center to take on the Power.  

Kansas City has the lowest scoring offense in the league (36.1 PPG) and will start AFL rookie Matt Gutierrez at quarterback.  He has struggled mightily this year, completing only 56.1% of his passes.   Pittsburgh might not respect his arm, but they do have to worry about him running the ball.  If the Power's defensive line can contain Gutierrez, the Power D should be in great shape.

The Command have had major injury issues but they do have a strong playmaker in Armand Robinson at the wide receiver position.  In just two games this year, Robinson has amassed 21 receptions for 239 yards and 5 TD's.  

Pittsburgh spent most of the year searching for an answer at the quarterback position, and may have found one in Randall.  Randall leads the league in completion percentage (69%), and has throw for over 300 yards in back to back games.  Last week he set a Power franchise record for yards with 387.  If Randall can curtail his fumbling issues, he could be an elite quarterback in the AFL.

His favorite target last week was P.J. "Superman" Berry who caught a franchise record 19 receptions for 188 yards and 2 TD's.  He finished one shy of the league reception record for a game set by Dwayne Dixon in 1987.

Another popular target for Randall is Oderick Turner.  In just two games this year for Pittsburgh, Turner has hauled in 19 catches for 215 yards and 4 TD's and looks like a potential force for the Power offense.

Keys to the game:

• How well does Matt Gutierrez match up against an aggressive Power secondary.  Chris LeFlore is third in the AFL in the interception category with six and has to be licking his chops for a few picks against the Command.
• Can Sione Ohuafi step in for injured Power center Beau Elliott who suffered a season-ending injury against San Antonio.  Ohuafi might be rusty after not playing for almost a year.  This could especially be problematic on quarterback/center exchanges.  
• Can Pittsburgh finally find a solid kicker who won't leave points on the field?  After an 0 for 3 performance from Seth Burkholder, the Power have brought in Geoff Boyer to try and stabilize the position.  Boyer was 19/24 on FG's and 49/54 on PAT's for the Albany Panthers of the SIFL this year.  

Playoff chase aside, this is a game that Pittsburgh cannot afford to lose.  Fans are getting frustrated in the Steel City and a loss to a winless Command team would be devastating.   I just don't think it'll happen though.  Pittsburgh is too talented to blow this one.

Power fumbling away season, lose 68-52 to San Antonio.

Those searching for reasons why the Pittsburgh Power (2-7) are struggling this year need look no further than their turnover margin.

Pittsburgh came into this game against the San Antonio Talons (6-3) tied with the Talons with a -12 turnover margin.  After losing the battle in that category tonight, Pittsburgh is all but dead in the playoff hunt.  They would likely need to win all of their remaining games and still need help to secure a wild card spot.

This time around, it was two fumbles lost by quarterback Bryan Randall, as well as a third lost fumble by Tyre Young.  San Antonio also had three fumbles in the game, but lost none of them.

Fumbles weren't the only story of this game.  Power kicker Seth Burkholder went 0-for-3 on his extra point attempts before the team chose to go for two points after all of their remaining touchdowns.  Two onsides attempts failed to go ten yards, and were returned by the Talons for touchdowns.

The Power offensive line struggled mightily to contain the Talons ferocious pass rush, yielding 7 sacks against Randall.

If you take away all of these negatives, we can finally look at some of the positives in the game.

Randall set a Power franchise record with 387 yards passing, and he threw for 7 touchdowns and zero interceptions.  Aside from his fumbles, he outplayed AFL legend Aaron Garcia, who threw for 268 yards and 6 TD's.

Also setting a Power record with 19 receptions, P.J. Berry finished the day with 188 yards and 2 TD's, plus 148 return yards.  He was one catch away from tying the AFL record of 20 catches.  Oderick Turner continued his strong play from last week with 10 catches for 96 yards and 2 TD's.  Mike "Joystick" Washington had 5 catches for 82 yards and 3 TD's.

Pittsburgh will look to end this losing streak next week at home against the winless Kansas City Command.  

Pittsburgh Power @ San Antonio Talons Preview

The Pittsburgh Power (2-6) have dug themselves a deep hole in their quest for an AFL championship and a winning streak is imperative if they still hold out hopes of achieving that dream.

Their first attempt at a reversal of fortune takes them to San Antonio tonight as they take on the San Antonio Talons (5-3)

Pittsburgh is still searching for answers after a 55-52 loss to the Georgia Force last week, a game in which kicker Raymond "Trey" Kramer missed three extra points, and had a fourth blocked.  Kramer was reassigned this week and the Power have their 4th kicker of the year, Seth Burkholder.  Burkholder played for the Canton Cougars last year of the UIFL.

In addition to inconsistency at kicker, Pittsburgh has struggled at the quarterback position, although Bryan Randall will be making his third straight start for the Power and may be proving himself as the long term answer for the team.

On the other side of the ball, the San Antonio Talons boast one of the greatest AFL players of all time under center in starting quarterback Aaron Garcia.  Garcia had perhaps the finest statistical season of his career, completing 71.5% of his passes last year for 4933 yards, 116 TD's and 17 Interceptions.  He also lead the Jacksonville Sharks to their first title, while also earning the first ring of his distinguished 18 year career as well as the title of Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year.

Garcia's numbers are down this year, but he still ranks amongst the best in the game.  He's completed 65.5% of his passes  for 2268 yards (6th), 52 TD's, (3rd) and 11 interceptions.  The return of WR Jomo Wilson a few games ago has boosted his numbers greatly.

Wilson has played in just three games this year, but he's caught 28 receptions, 397 yards, and 9 TD's to have a huge impact on all three contests.   Wilson and Garcia played together last year in Jacksonville and have great chemistry with each other.

Former Power wideout Jason Willis currently leads the team with 47 receptions, 516 yards and 11 TD's, but he's a boom-or-bust type of player.  He'll either have a huge game or be invisible.  The Talons will be without top receiving option Robert Quiroga, who is on injured reserve.

Pittsburgh saw the return of Oderick Turner to the lineup last week against Georgia.  The former Pitt product had 7 catches for 107 yards and 2 TD's.  He showed great athleticism and strength and could be a strong player for Pittsburgh down the stretch.

Randy Hymes has also been strong for Pittsburgh this year.  His 8 catches for 119 yards and 2 TD's lead the Power in receiving last week.  His biggest problem this year has been deflecting some passes directly to opposing defenders for interceptions.  If his hands are solid in this game, it'll be a huge boost for Pittsburgh.

Although the Talons rank dead last in rushing offense, they have a strong runner in Tank Cook who had 99 carries for 294 yards and 30 TD's last year with the San Jose SaberCats.  He feasted on the Power defense in their matchup against Pittsburgh last year, and we could see his first major breakout of the year against a power defense that ranks last against the run in the AFL.

Defensively, the Power secondary has been playing well.  Newcomer Davion Mitchell brought a lot of intensity to the defense last week.  He lead the team in tackles and had a pass blocked.  Chris LeFlore remains amongst the best in the AFL with 6 interceptions, although his streak of games with a pick was snapped last week.  Ricky Gary will be active for his first game of action this week.

Pittsburgh has to get their special teams untracked.  They had zero answers for C.J. Johnson last week in kickoff coverage, and they aren't doing P.J. Berry in their blocking schemes.  This was a major area of interest for coach Chris Siegfried.

Both teams are tied for 16th in the AFL with a minus-12 turnover margin, so they'll both make their share of mistakes.   Looking at the matchups, I like the Power's edge in the receiving corps, I give San Antonio a major edge at quarterback, plus they have the homefield advantage.

The team that turns it over the least will win this game.  Sadly, I don't think that will be the team wearing black and gold.

Georgia Force @ Pittsburgh Power Preview

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?   Don't worry we won't find out the answer to that question this week when the Georgia Force (3-4) travels to Pittsburgh to take on the Power (2-5) in an American Conference matchup.

Georgia has hardly been unstoppable on offense lately, scoring 51 points COMBINED in their last two games. Not surprisingly they lost both games.  The Power do more closely resemble an immovable object, at least in AFL terms, as they rank 1st in total yardage defense.  They also come into this matchup ranked second in the league in red zone defense.

Georgia's starting quarterback R.J. Archer missed last weeks game due to injury, and his status is still up in the air for this matchup.  If Archer cannot go the start will go to Kevin Eakin, who was was only able to throw for 223 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in last week's 60-27 loss to the Arizona Rattlers.

Also sitting this game out will be Force rookie wide receiver Brandon McRae.  The Force will have to rely heavily on their top receiver Larry Shipp, Jr.  He ranks amongst the league leaders with 65 receptions (5th), 790 yards (5th), and 15 TD's (9th).  The 3rd year player is also used for trick plays from occasion so the Power need to keep an eye on him

Georgia also brings a member of the 2010 and 2011 All-Ironman team with them in the form of kick returner/wide receiver C.J. Johnson.  While his 37 catches for 332 yards and 5 TD's might not jump out at you in this league, his 34 returns for 706 yards and a score do.  Pittsburgh needs to tighten up the kickoff coverage with him on the field.

Defensively for the Force, they boast the league's top man in the interception department.  Tracy Belton already has eight interceptions before the halfway mark of the 2012 season and is leading the Force with 44 tackles and 6 passes blocked.   Fellow defensive back Marrio Norman has four interceptions so far this year and both form a strong pass defense tandem.

Pittsburgh will once again roll with quarterback Bryan Randall at the helm.  Randall started off last week very strong but had a few critical interceptions.  His play could improve but there's a lot of potential from the former IFL MVP.  He'll look to build upon his chemistry with reigning AFL Playmaker of the Week Mike "The Joystick" Washington.  Washington caught 13 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Cleveland last week.

Power defensive back Chris LeFlore has registered an interception in three straight games now and has already broken Josh Lay's record for most interceptions in a season by a Power defensive back.  He'll look to extend that record against Georgia.

A wild card in this game could be newly signed Power kicker Raymond "Trey" Kramer.  Kramer is playing his first season of American football.  I'm not just talking professionally, this year is his first attempt at the game period.  The Marion Blue Racers of the UIFL gave the diamond in the rough a chance and he rewarded them by kicking a league record 55 yard field goal and was named the Special teams player of the week 3 times.  Through 6 games with the Blue Racers he converted 26 of 32 extra points and 6 of 13 field goals.

Overall this game is going to feature two offenses that have struggled mightily overall this year.  Pittsburgh is still searching for the long term answer at quarterback and hopes that Randall is the man.  Without McRae in the Georgia offense, I think the Power have a few more weapons on their side which should be an advantage.  Pittsburgh also has the homefield advantage in this one which cannot be discounted.

Defensively, the Force are better at causing turnovers, which could favor them slightly.  If Pittsburgh can limit the self-inflicted wounds they should win easily.  I don't think they will avoid the turnover battle completely so this one should remain interesting.