The Ocean City Hammerheads fell at home to one of the league's newest up-and-coming teams - the Kings Park Cretins 31-21 Monday night. WR Calvin Carrier's three touchdown performance wasn't enough to erase an early defecit caused by a QB Neil Morris start (3 INT's). QB Rashard Daniels replaced him late in the second quarter and threw two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions. The loss marked the third straight for the Hammerheads (5-8) after reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season just three games ago. The team has been a far cry from what teams coached by head coach Joshua Biddle usually do and the frustration of the coaching staff is finally boiling over. After refusing to talk to the media after last week's meltdown versus the Enforcers, head coach Josh Biddle and some other staff members had plenty of words for the team and the media after this game.
In the postgame press conference, Biddle reverted back to last week's disaster by saying, "It's complete and utter [expletive]. If you have an eight-[expletive]-teen lead going into the second half against a PFL powerhouse, you don't [expletive] blow the [expletive] game. The defense wasn't great in either of these last few games, but it's hard to blame them when you turn the ball how many [expletive] times in the game? How often is our defense forced to bail our so-called offense out? Come crunch time, this team is [expletive] handicapped. With this offense, it's a shame we don't get a golf handicap, everyone knows we [expletive] need it."
Team President Keith T. Bleeker said "Rashard is a douche - he's the center of our downfall. 'Big Daddy' [Wilkinson] ought to knock the stuffing out of that piece of [expletive]".
The offense has struggled mightily this season, with QB Rashard Daniels - a key to last season's playoff run - looking like he was a one year wonder. Daniels finished his 2014 campaign (counting playoffs) 210-425 (49.4%) for 3848 yards with 27 TD passes, 16 INT's, and 86.5 QB rating, and 3 rushing touchdowns. This season, his numbers have become a joke as he is 158-317 (49.8%) for 2236 yards with 17 TD passes, 24 interceptions and a QB rating of 59.3. HB Bert Hamilton has been decent when he gets carries - he got very few versus the Cretins.
The Hammerheads fans are hoping for a late season surge, but three of the final five games will be major hurdles for Ocean City - the Storm, the Vengeance, and the Xplosion.
HAMMERHEADS WIN FIRST OF THREE; DROP FOLLOWING TWO GAMES
Team wins important division game versus Tenerife but loses to Sharkbait, St.Louis
The Ocean City Hammerheads began their first of three games following the midseason point by hosting the Tenerife Bombers - a surprising powerhouse in the AFC West. The Hammerheads fell victim to the Bombers earlier in the season, but this time, the story would unfold much differently. The Hammerheads' defense picked off Bombers' QB Drew Bledsoe three times - with CB Onterrio Lops intercepting the ball twice - as the team put up just enough points (10) to come away with a very hard fought 10-7 victory.
Following this game, the Hammerheads were very ready for their week 11 showdown versus their division rival the Sharkbait Pingus. The Hammerheads clobbered the Pingus earlier in the year and made QB Brett Favre look like a complete novice as the field general. This wouldn't be the case this time as Favre and company came out thrashing and put a beat down on the Hammerheads with a 24-10 win. The Hammerheads' QB situation reared its ugly head as neither QB Rashard Daniels nor backup QB Neil Morris could get anything going. The QB's combined for 13-35 passing for 191 yards with 1 touchdown pass and 3 interceptions.
All was not lost as the Hammerheads went into their week 12 game versus the powerhouse St. Louis Enforcers with a 5-6 record and what looked like the 5th seed in the AFC playoff picture. The game started off fine for the Hammerheads as SS Eugene Barber picked up a HB Jolley Johnson fumble and took it to the house for a quick 7-0 lead. Things even got better for the Hammerheads as they were able to build a 24-6 halftime lead. However, although head coach Josh Biddle didn't consider the game over by a long stretch, he watched the exact event unfold that he dreaded - the team blowing their lead thanks to a staggering offense - which lead to a shocking 30-24 loss to the Enforcers. The Hammerheads failed to even put a field goal on the board in the second half. Coach Biddle announced prior to the game that the coaching staff has installed a new offensive and defensive gameplan, but the gameplan failed to work against one of the league's best teams.
OCEAN CITY HAMMERHEADS MIDSEASON REVIEW, EVALUATION, AND GRADING THE TEAM
The Ocean City Hammerheads came out of the gate expecting to put their best foot forward after two productive drafts that included 16 total selections - four first round picks, two second round picks, three third round picks, two fourth round picks and a fifth round pick. However, very few in the league expected the reality of the situation which included the Hammerheads being 1-3 after four games at the basement of the AFC West.
Here is a rundown of Hammerheads' games and what went right/wrong in each of them:
> Week 1 Paladins @ Hammerheads LOSS 20-27 (0-1)
Horrid start for the Hammerheads as QB Rashard Daniels goes 12-31 with 2 TD's, 3 INT's
and a 45.1 rating. The running game was even worse for the Hammerheads as the team managed only 39 total rushing yards on 18 carries (2.17 per carry). Paladins' runningback Kevin Jones had a party against the Hammerheads' defense, rushing for 167 yards on 26 carries (6.4 per carry). Only positive of the game was "Double A" - the new nicknames for apparent interception machines FS Anthony Holcombe and MLB Anthony Pierce - each recording their first interceptions of the season.
> Week 2 Blizzard @ Hammerheads LOSS 27-37 (0-2)
A game between two division rivals turned ugly in a hurry for the Hammerheads, regardless of the fact that assistant coach Bob coached in place of snipah, who had taken a short leave of absence but has since returned. The Hammerheads were trailing 34-0 at halftime but managed a comeback that just fell short for a 37-27 loss. QB Rashard Daniels was 33-55 for 411 yards, 4 TD's, 3 INT's and a 84.7 rating. The Hammerheads running game failed early and had to abandoned - totalling only 4 yards on 8 carrries (0.5 yards per carry). The Hammerheads' pass rush really came through in the second half, making the comeback almost possible � they recorded 8 total sacks with 2015 2nd round draft pick DT Vince Wilfolk recording 3 in his breakout game. DE Demarcus Ware recorded 2, LB's Ken Norton Jr. and Kole Ayi each had 1 with DE Kevin Fagan recording 1 as well. The negatives were the entire Blizzard offense with QB Kramar posting a perfect QB Rating on 8-10 passing for 145 yards, 3 TD's and 0 INT's. HB Jim Brown was great as well, rushing for 92 yards on 17 carries (5.4 ypc) with a touchdown run.
> Week 3 Hammerheads @ Sailors WIN 24-7 (1-2)
Great game for the Hammerheads. QB Daniels 8-14 for 138 yards, 2 TD's, 0 INT's, 130.4 rating. HB Bert Hamilton had 93 yards on 16 carries (5.8 ypc). DE John Kinney received the spotlight in his Hammerheads' debut, finishing with the team lead in tackles with 7, also adding 2 tackles for losses and 3 sacks. The defense totaled 9 sacks, with MLB Anthony Pierce and Kinney recording 3 each and SS Ryan MIddleton, DT Vince Wilfolk, and DE Demarcus Ware recording one each. The Hammerheads' defense kept the Sailors' running game at bay - in fact their quarterback was the leading rusher (he had 4 carries for 22 yards). The runners out of the backfield combined for only 25 yards on 13 carries (1.9 per carry).
> Week 4 Hammerheads @ Bombers LOSS 31-24 (1-3)
Overall a poor game for the Hammerheads. The Hammerheads benched HB Bert Hamilton in favor of newly signed HB Jim Luhr, and the move didn't improve the running game at all. Luhr had 8 carries for 17 yards (2.1 ypc) and HB Larry Brown rushed for more yards than Luhr on only 3 carries (20 total yards, 6.6 ypc). QB Daniels had 3 TD passes, but they were overshadowed by his 4 INT's. Bombers' HB Mario Short had a field day, rushing for 179 on 25 carries (7.1 ypc) with a touchdown run.
> Week 5 Hammerheads @ Pingus WIN 31-3 (2-3)
The Hammerheads' dominated every aspect of this game. The running game was strong as HB Bert Hamilton responded well to his benching, rushing for 85 yards on 15 carries (5.6 ypc) with one rushing touchdown and a long run of 45 yards. HB Larry Brown, who had 15 carries as well, outshined his teammate rushing for 117 yards on 15 carries (7.7 ypc) with 2 rushing touchdowns and a long run of 73. Both were spectacular and were key in the offense being able to move the ball and score without the risks of throwing. The defense was arguably even better, making QB Brett Favre look absolutely horrible. Favre finished 12-47 for 211 yards, 0 TD's and 6 INT's - good for a passer rating of 6.2. Interceptions were recorded by MLB Anthony Pierce (2), FS Anthony Holcombe (1), CB Champ Bailey (1), CB Onterrio Lops (1), and CB Nijrell Eason (1)
> Week 6 Hammerheads @ Thunderbears LOSS 28-12 (2-4)
The offense did absolutely nothing in this game. After QB Rashard Daniels played awful in the first half by throwing 2 INT's, the Hammerheads made a dramatic move and benched last year's star. QB Neil Morris made his PFL debut and ended up throwing 2 INT's as well. The only postive of the game was the Hammerheads' defense picking off New York QB Gilliam 5 times (FS Holcombe [2], MLB Pierce [1], SS Barber [1], CB Lops [1]).
>Week 7 Hammerheads @ Paladins WIN 30-3 (3-4)
The Hammerheads' defense again forced another QB into embarassment, this time the victim being Paladins' QB Carter. Carter finished with a 26% competion percentage with 3 INT's and an 8.3 QB rating. The Hammerheads' defense also recorded 9 sacks (DE Ware [4], LB Ayi [2], DE Kinney [2], and DT Hunt [1]) and held HB Kevin Jones to only 40 yards on 14 carries with a fumble after the great game he posted in week one. The Hammerheads running game moved the ball as needed though, with HB Hamilton rushing for 78 yards on 22 carries (3.5 ypc) and HB Larry Brown running for 65 yards on 19 carries (3.4 ypc).
> Week 8 Hammerheads @ Blizzard LOSS 31-24 (3-5)
Despite a superb game on the ground by HB Bert Hamilton (145 yards on 17 carries (8.5 ypc) with 2 TD runs, the team couldn't take a victory versus Ayra and his Boston Blizzard, sweeping the Hammerheads again. QB Rashard Daniels threw two interceptions and left the game briefly due to injury while the Hammerheads were in the redzone. QB Neil Morris filled in and hooked up with WR Calvin Carrier for a touchdown reception - Morris' first career touchdown pass.
> Week 9 Hammerheads @ Black Knights WIN 29-14 (4-5)
Hammerheads' head coach Josh Biddle worked hard to implement a new philosophy to his offense and it worked to an extent. Biddle worked on clock control and minimized offensive mistakes through increased use of the running game and it worked like a charm with the defense carrying the team to success. DE John Kinney led the pass rush with 2 sacks and the team picked off Black Knights' QB Matt Leinart 8 times. "Double A" had 4 interceptions (FS Holcombe [2] & MLB Pierce [2]), Eugene Barber had 2, DT Vince Wilfolk had 1 and CB Onterrio Lops had 1 - which he returned for a touchdown.
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD
OFFENSE: C
Running game solid when given enough carries; Daniels has been a disappointment.
DEFENSE: C+
Has given up its share of points, but has really improved since the start and is more like a B in the last four games.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-
Kicker Robby Stevenson (A) and P Raymond King (B+) are among the best at their respective positions. CB/KR/PR Mario Jones (A-) has solidified a notoriously weak area for the Hammerheads after losing his starting CB spot.
INDIVIDUAL REPORT CARDS
> Quarterback
- Rashard Daniels: C- After a strong year in 2014, Daniels has been mistake prone and has caused more losses than wins. Has shown some flashes from his brilliant 2014 campaign. Stats: 114-223 (51.1%) 1566 yards, 13 TD passes, 18 INT's, 59.74 QB rating
- Neil Morris: D+ Hasn't shown enough to replace Daniels and has made mistakes like Daniels. Adequate backup, however. Stats: 8-31 (25.8%), 152 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's, 31.38 QB rating
> Runningback
- Bert Hamilton: B Has looked good since his one-game benching. Big guy who is similar to a "poor man's Jolley Johnson". Stats: 116 carries, 511 yards, 4.4 ypc, 3 TD's, 0 fumbles
- Larry Brown: C+ Nice changeup from Hamilton's hard-nosed running style, but has butterfingers at times and can fumble. (Season Stats: 84 carries, 326 yards, 3.9 ypc, 4 TD runs, 3 fumbles
> Fullback
- Pat Chaffey: B- Good blocker, but poor at everything else. Competition appears to be developing between him and newcomer FB Andre Swanson. Stats: 34 pancakes, 1 sack allowed; 9 carries, 26 yards, 2.9 ypc, 0 TD, 2 fumbles; 3 catches, 32 yards, 10.7 avg, 9 YAC.
- Andre Swanson: B Superb offensive fullback - both carrying and receiving. Excellent goalline rusher. Blocking has been adequate as well. Could supplant Chaffey as the team's starter. Stats: 2 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed; 9 carries, 23 yards, 2.6 ypc, 2 TD runs, umbles; 0 receptions, 1 drop
- Wide Receiver
- Jim Smith: A Always Mr. Reliable and has been for the last four seasons. Stats: 26 receptions, 422 yards, 16.2 avg, 4 TD receptions, 2 drops, 231 YAC
- Homer Jones: B- Decent as an outside receiver, great as a slot receiver. Stats: 20 receptions, 267 yards, 13.4 avg, 3 TD receptions, 0 drops, 50 YAC
- Calvin Carrier: The team's other deep threat besides Smith. Solid #3. Stats: 22 receptions, 282 yards, 12.8 avg, 4 TD receptions, 3 drops, 67 YAC
- Tight End
- Bradley Clinton: A One of the absolute best all-around tight ends in the PFL. Stats: 35
receptions, 583 yards, 16.7 avg, 2 TD receptions, 3 drops, 64 YAC; 24 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed; 2 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Charles Young: B- Solid number two tight end who can catch the occasional pass. Superb blocker. Stats: 4 receptions, 32 yards, 8.0 avg, 1 TD reception, 0 drops, 5 YAC; 4 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
- Left Tackle
- Zach "Big Daddy" Wilkinson: A Arguably the best left tackle in the PFL. Has the best pancake/sacks allowed ratio of any PFL lineman. Stats: 78 pancakes, 1 sack allowed
- Left Guard
- Alan Faneca: B+ Has finally found the groove that made him one of the PFL's best guards in 2013. Stats: 49 pancakes, 3 sacks allowed
- Center
- Yusef Scott: A- Has been superb in the middle. Stats: 44 pancakes, 1 sack allowed
- Right Guard
- Dontae Newton: A Hasn't allowed a sack all year. Stats: 42 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
- Right Tackle
- Lincoln "Stinkin" Kennedy: B- Decent on the right side. Stats: 54 pancakes, 8 sacks allowed
DEFENSE
- Defensive End
- Demarcus Ware: A Has lived up to his first round draft status from a few years back. Stats: 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 fumble return yards
- John Kinney: B+ Joined the team in week 3 and has been the missing piece of the pass rush opposite Ware. Stats: 20 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 9 sacks
- Defensive Tackle
- Vince Wilfolk: A Rookie second round draft pick is exceeding expectations and should be a presence in the middle for years to come. Stats: 26 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 1 INT return yard, 1 pass deflection
- Victor Hunt: B Big man in the middle who is a superb run stuffer. Stats: 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 fumble return yard
- Outside Linebacker
- Ken Norton Jr.: B Excellent coverage linebacker with great range. Stats: 26 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 passes defensed
- Kole Ayi: B+ Great all-around linebacker who excels in coverage. Stats: 27 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 10 INT ret yards, 5 passes defensed
- Middle Linebacker
- Anthony Pierce: A Pierce & T-Bears' Thomas best coverage linebackers in the league hands-down. Great against the run as well - a true playmaker. Stats: 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 7 INT's, 76 INT return yards, 1 TD, 12 passes defensed
- Cornerback
- Champ Bailey: B Hasn't been as spectacular as the #1 overall pick should be, but he's been an important cog in the Hammerheads' defense. Stats: 22 tackles, 4 INT's, 66 return yards, 1 TD, 12 passes defensed
- Onterrio Lops: B Has played well after winning the #2 spot. Stats: 25 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 3 INT's, 84 INT return yards, 1 TD, 10 passes defensed
- Nijrell Eason: B Won the nickleback spot after CB Mario Jones flopped. Stats: 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 2 passes defensed
- Mario Jones: C- Has been an utter disappointment as a defensive player; however, he has been great as a returner.
- Billy Burrough: D His tenure with Ocean City may be close to the end
- Free Safety
- Anthony Holcombe: A Has been great after returning to his natural position in the middle of 2014. Along with fellow safety Eugene Barber, he has been the biggest surprise this year for the Hammerheads. Stats: 39 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7 INT's, 82 return yards, 9 passes defensed
- Strong Safety
- Eugene Barber: A- Speedster has been a huge surprise and has been a bigger playmaker than expected. Stats: 30 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 fumble return yard, 4 INT's, INT 50 return yards, 8 passes defensed