Final record: 6-6
After week two, the Hammerheads made a trade with the Southside Vengeance, acquiring speedy, tall OLB Twan Nichols for the Hammerheads' 1st round pick in the upcoming draft. Head coach/GM Joshua Biddle admitted he was very high on Nichols and had him high on his draft board two seasons ago, but he was taken by the Vengeance in the first round. Biddle didn't hesitate and jumped at the opportunity to grab him upon hearing he had fallen in the new Vengeance coach's doghouse. The Hammerheads are 2-1 since Nichols' arrival and he has accumulated 9 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 passes defensed in his three games as a Hammerhead.
Biddle also informed the fan base that these moves are probably not the last Hammerheads' fans will see this season.
Things got ugly early for Charleston as Ocean City started with the ball and turned it into a quick seven points when QB Donovan McNabb hooked up with TE Richard "Gigantor" Jefferson on a 23-yard touchdown reception - one in which an apparent blown coverage by a safety left him wide-open, making it 7-0 just about two minutes into the game. The Hammerheads' defense forced a punt and then the Hammerheads' offense did it again - McNabb to Jefferson did it again as well for seven points - this time, a 51-yard beauty in which Jefferson caught the ball in stride and took it to the house uncovered for the second time in the game, score now 14-0 Ocean City with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter. The Royals' offense failed to make any noise on their next possession either as Hammerheads' DT Darren Howard sacked Royals' QB Earl Shephard, forcing a punt that pinned the Hammerheads at their own 10-yard line. The Hammerheads strung together another long drive and put it into the endzone by means of a McNabb pass to rookie WR Hakim Dockett - a 4-yard touchdown - now 21-0 Ocean City with 5:32 remaining in the first half. The Royals added a 23-yard Jeff Reed field goal on their next drive and got the ball back soon after S Bryan Scott intercepted a McNabb pass that gave the Royals great field position at the Hammerheads' 28 yard-line. The Royals capitalized on this mistake and TE Jermane Wiggins caught a Shephard pass in the endzone to cut the Hammerheads' lead to 21-10 with 1:39 remaining in the first half. The Hammerheads got downfield quickly again and trying to add seven in the closing seconds of the first half, McNabb threw a foolish interception that cost the team an almost automatic three points - going into the half with a 21-10 halftime lead.
The second half began with a Royals' punt, then a Hammerheads' punt, and then another Royals punt, finally giving the Hammerheads the ball at their own 32 yard-line. The Hammerheads moved the ball to the Royals' 32 yard-line, and then the momentum that was favoring the Royals at this point in the game was blasted - Hammerheads' rookie HB Mike Hartley made his first career big play, finding a gap and running 32 yards for the touchdown to make the score 28-10 with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter. The Royals responded nicely to this adversity, however, and HB LaDanian Tomlinson found the endzone after a superb drive orchestrated by a nice balance between the run and pass, making the score 28-16 after a failed two point conversion attempt. The Hammerheads' defense held steady for the remainder of the game - including a late game interception by CB Lito Sheppard - and secured the Hammerheads third victory of the season and a sweep of the Charleston Royals.
Player of the game was TE Richard "Gigantor" Jefferson who finished the game with 4 receptions for 128 yards with 2 TD's and 12 YAC. Rookie WR Hakim Dockett added 36 yards on 5 catches with a TD and 18 YAC. QB McNabb had a good day minus two interceptions but finished with nice numbers anyway - 14-19 for 250 yards with 3 TD's, 2 INT's, and a 115.6 rating. The other notable performances were CB Lito Sheppard (4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT, 3 passes defensed) and the entire Hammerheads' offensive line who didn't allow a sack on McNabb.
In week one, the Hammerheads just fell short of beating the Jaen Dirtys 34-31. A disappointing opening performance from Donovan McNabb (17-33 for 304 yards, 1 TD pass, 1 INT, 80.8 rating) and a lack of balance between the pass and run (33 pass attempts/14 carries) helped to curb an opening day win for Ocean City. However, on the positive side, rookie WR Hakim Dockett (6 receptions, 102 yards, 9 YAC) made a great first impression for Hammerheads' fans as the #3 overall pick in this past draft and 11th overall selection just a season ago TE Richard Jefferson (4 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD rec, 49 YAC) continued to make his bid for being the PFL's top tight end. The defense struggled but DE's Dave Hutton (2 sacks) and rookie Matt Oldham (1 sack) provided a decent pass rush, which the Hammerheads looked to bolster in the offseason.
Week two against the Hammerheads' division rival Charleston Royals went much smoother as QB Donovan McNabb (11-18 for 200 yards, 2 TD passes, 0 INT, 136.3 rating) was phenomenal with help from both rookie WR Hakim Dockett (6 receptions, 139 yards, 1 TD, 60 YAC) and HB Rudi Johnson (15 carries, 113 rushing yards [7.5 yards per carry], 1 rushing touchdown). The Hammerheads' offensive line protected McNabb all day, allowing zero sacks, and DE Dave Hutton humiliated Royals OT George Foster by recording 4 sacks. Final score 34-14 Ocean City.
Week three was a disaster against the New York Thunderbears, as the T-bears came to town and absolutely destroyed the Hammerheads in every way imaginable - winning the game 45-10. QB Donovan McNabb (6-19 for 81 yards, 0 TD passes, 4 INT's, 6.6 rating) was benched at halftime and both of the Hammerheads' backups - QB Earl Alford (10-18 for 126 yards, 1 TD pass, 3 INT's, 56.4 rating) and rookie QB Levi Nichols (1-7 for 20 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 39.6 rating) - saw playing time.
The Hammerheads won in week four against the Okaloosa Indians, but the team did not look to have improved significantly as they played flat. WR Hakim Dockett (8 receptions, 136 yards, 38 YAC) helped keep the Hammerheads' offense from entering cardiac arrest with a mediocre effort from QB Donovan McNabb (12-26 for 186 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 70.4 rating). The defense was supported by solid efforts from FS Sean Jones (3 tackles, 1 INT, 53 return yards, 3 passes defensed), CB Lito Sheppard (3 tackles, 4 passes defensed), CB Shawn Springs (2 tackles, 1 INT, 21 return yards, 3 passes defensed), and MLB Boomer Grigsby (8 tackles, 1 sack). Springs was put in as a starter at halftime and the Hammerheads' defense was sparked - shutting out the Indians' offense in the second half and helping lead the Hammerheads back from a 10-7 halftime defecit. The Indians had one last chance to win the game as time expired but the hail mary fell to the ground incomplete. Final score 16-10 Ocean City.
Biddle drafted OT Devin Patterson in the second round (39th overall) to eventually be Backus' heir apparent at RT. Currently, he is penciled in as starting LG in place of OG Eric Steinbach, who also had a disappointing season.
"He was a good locker room guy and he was intense, so that will surely be missed" Hammerheads' head coach/GM Joshua Biddle said, "he wasn't a starter here and only saw limited playing time so he was never quite happy with that. Now he'll have the chance to start and be a factor".
The Hammerheads were ready to move on and made it apparent upon drafting WR Hakim Dockett with the 3rd overall selection in the 2017 (Season 2) PFL Draft. This gives the Hammerheads 3 starting-caliber receivers along with situational WR Dante Hall, who is a speedster similar to Smith.
The second deal cleared the Hammerheads crowded backfield by shipping HB LaMont Jordan to the New York Thunderbears for the Thunderbears' 2nd round draft pick in the 2019 (Season 3) PFL Draft. The move all but locks up the 3rd down runningback and backup runningback position to 3rd round (60th overall) selection HB Mike Hartley.
1(3) WR Hakim Dockett Illinois
2(27) DE Matt Oldham Wisconsin
2(39) OL Devin Patterson Ohio State
3(50) LB JonMike Spoto SMU
3(60) HB Mike Hartley S.C. State
4(73) LB Jonathan Cummings Jackson State
4(84) CB Deuce Woods Howard
5(108) S Darnay Taylor Tuskegee
6(132) QB Levi Nichols UCF
7(156) CB Andre London Iowa
The Hammerheads had two second round draft picks and they used them to strengthen the trenches. The 27th overall selection was used on DE Matt Oldham. Oldham is a solid all-around defensive end who can stop the run and rush the passer. He has above average speed and above average strength for his position and Biddle felt he was a great value pick who can help bolster the Hammerheads' defensive line rotation. The 39th overall selection was used on OT Devin Patterson - a lineman primarily known for his pass blocking. Although tackle is his primary position, Biddle feels Patterson is versatile enough to play anywhere on the offensive line. LG and RT were the main weak spots for Ocean City, so it wouldn't be shocking to see Patterson lock up one of those two spots as starter - or at least, rotate.
The Hammerheads owned two third rounders - 50th and 60th overall. The 50th overall selection was used on LB JonMike Spoto out of SMU. Spoto is a speedy LB who will compete to strip LB Takeo Spikes of his OLB position. Spoto brings new life, new energy, and more raw speed to the position - and should have an impact in some form for the Hammerheads' defense. The 60th overall selection was a surprise to Hammerheads' fans as they took HB Mike Hartley - much-younger brother of former PFL star and rushing champion HB Jim Hartley. Hartley is expected to compete for the backup runningback position behind HB Rudi Johnson - battling incumbant backup HB LaMont Jordan.
Two fourth round picks yielded more defensive reinforcements - LB Jonathan Cummings and CB Deuce Woods. Cummings is another speedy LB who has height for coverage purposes - he has promise to be an above average linebacker and pass rusher - and he will compete with LB Spikes and fellow rookie LB Spoto for the ROLB spot. Woods is a fast CB who has height and could figure into the Hammerheads' defensive plans as dimeback and will surely have work on special teams.
With the fifth round pick, Ocean City selected 6'4" S Darnay Taylor - a speed demon safety with the ability to cover a great amount of the field. He is slated to be the Hammerheads' 5th defensive back in quarter schemes. The Hammerheads believe Taylor was a steal both in terms of value and talent.
In the 6th round, Ocean City selected QB Levi Nichols out of UCF. Nichols will be the #3 QB behind sophmore QB Earl Alford. Nichols is an above average prospect; however, it will be difficult for him to find playing time behind two superior talents.
The 7th round selection for Ocean City was CB Andre London - a speedy prospect who lacks height. London looks to be the new Hammerheads' special teams standout and provides depth at the position.
The Hammerheads gave the reins to rookie QB Earl Alford, one of the team's second round draft choices, to be the team's starter. Week one versus division rival Maui was well played by Alford and the Hammerheads and the game seemed to be won by Ocean City when HB Rudi Johnson fumbled deep in Maui territory and it was recovered by rookie S Kelvin Nash and returned for a touchdown to give Maui the week one victory. It marked the second straight time opening day letdown by Ocean City in which they lost a game they "should have won". The Hammerheads also lost in week 2 in what would be their worst loss of the season - which included a horrid 3 interception performance for QB Earl Alford, leaving the Hammerheads in last place. The Hammerheads went on to win two consecutive games (versus the Warriors and the Indians)- one in which Alford played extremely well (VS Indians) - but with a 2-2 record and the inconsistent play at QB, the Hammerheads made a trade and acquired QB Donovan McNabb from the Cordoba Samauris. This move would end up being one of the best moves the Hammerheads could have made as McNabb brought consistency. McNabb's career as a Hammerhead started off with a splash in which he led the way versus division rival Charleston in a 34-9 rout - a rout so embarassing to the Royals that their head coach resigned after the game in a rage. After a bye week in week 6, the Hammerheads lost 28-21 in week 7 versus the tough Kansas City Skyhawks, one in which head coach Josh Biddle blames a poor move at halftime (removing McNabb for Alford) as what cost them the game. McNabb threw one interception with no touchdowns but the score was still close - once Alford came into the game in relief, the game went downhill and Alford finished with 4 interceptions, all but serving the Skyhawks a win on a silver platter. The Hammerheads went on a four game winning streak at that point, defeating the Mentor Storm, Dordrecht Sheepheads, New Jersey Centurions, and eventual PFL Champion Boston Blizzard. The Blizzard game was, perhaps, the most momentum turning as the Hammerheads won with a few seconds remaining as McNabb connected with WR Steve Smith on an incredible bomb for a 28-27 victory. The Hammerheads blew a huge halftime lead versus the Rickards Redskins in week 12, resulting in a loss, but the team fought back with 3 straight wins - including one against PFL Bowl runner-up Greensboro (Horsemen). The Jaen Dirtys and Sylvania Rams also fell victim to the Hammerheads on their winning streak. Unfortunately, in week 16, the Hammerheads shot at a division championship came to a halt as the Destroyers defeated Ocean City 34-24. The Hammerheads finished up the season finale with a victory over the Texas Slammers; however, the team missed the playoffs to the dismay of fans and PFL experts around the globe. The Hammerheads were in a three way tie but failed to get in due to the second tiebreaker of division record.
Josh Biddle summed up the season with the following quote: "This was an exciting year in Ocean City football and even though we barely missed the playoffs, it was a building block and a learning experience and it only makes our team stronger going into next year. We will regroup and we will contend next season, I won't have it any other way".
Positives on the Hammerheads 2017 campaign
--- QB Donovan McNabb finished with a 84.23 QB Rating (143-299 for 2655 yards, 21 TD's, 13 INT's) and added consitency to the QB position after QB Earl Alford disappointed. McNabb finished 9-3 as the Hammerheads' starter and led the Hammerheads with mobility, a strong arm, and leadership.
--- HB Rudi Johnson finished with only 1 fumble (though a crucial one) and out of all PFL rushers with 100+ carries, Johnson finished second in yards per carry average (5.37). Though Johnson doesn't have the breakaway speed that some of the other top PFL rushers have, he has had the knack for making big plays despite this disadvantage.
--- FB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala earned his second consecutive pro bowl selection at FB - tying for 12th in the league in rushing touchdowns (11) while recording 49 pancakes with 0 sacks allowed. Fuamatu-Ma'afala has been phenomenal as an undrafted free agent and is arguably the PFL's top fullback, displaying rare speed and power for a man his size which gives him superb advantages as a goalline runner and a major impact in clearing running routes for Johnson and Jordan.
--- First round draft pick (11th overall) TE Richard Jefferson finished the season ranked 16th in the PFL in receiving yards (962), 9th in reception average among receivers with double digit receptions (23.46), tied for 19th in receiving touchdowns (7), and 19th in YAC (254). The speedy and gigantic 6'7" target provided a playmaking threat in the middle of the field for Ocean City in the new era. The Hammerheads got little to no production at TE in 2016 and this alone could have added 2 or 3 wins from last season's record - possibly more. He also allowed only 1 sack while recording 26 pancakes.
--- OT Levi Jones finished 9th in the league with 137 pancakes and only 4 sacks allowed from his LT position. He did an excellent job protecting QB Donovan McNabb's blindside - he only allowed 2 sacks on McNabb.
--- C Chris Spencer allowed only 1 sack while recording 69 pancakes.
--- Rookie 1st round pick (6th overall) DE Dave Hutton finished tied for 8th in the PFL in sacks with 15. Concerns about Hutton's strength (which led to his draft status falling) seemed to be squelched after this season and early indications are he is going to work very hard in the weight room this offseason as well.
--- DE Will Smith and DT's Ryan Sims and Ian Scott played solid defense on the defensive line. Smith boosted his sack totals from 2016 from 5 to 7 and his tackles for loss from 6 to 8. DT Ryan Sims added 4 more tackles for loss, one more sack, 3 passes defensed and an interception. Scott's tackles for loss declined; however, he added 2 forced fumbles and an interception from his 2016 campaign.
--- MLB Boomer Grigsby had a career year, leading the Hammerheads in tackles and tying for 17th in the PFL in tackles (80), leading the Hammerheads and tying for 9th in the PFL in tackles for loss (13), recording 4 sacks, tying for 3rd in the PFL in forced fumbles (3), tying for 7th in the PFL in fumble recoveries (2), tying for 20th in the PFL in defensive touchdowns (1), recording 1 interception, and recording 13 passes defensed. The young MLB came out of nowhere to become a force in the middle for the Hammerheads' defense, overthrowing MLB Lofa Tatupu last season and never looking back.
--- CB Lito Sheppard rebounded from a poor 2016 to become one of the top PFL cornerbacks. Sheppard recorded 9 interceptions (tied 4th in the PFL), 26 passes defensed, and 2 defensive touchdowns.
--- FS Sean Jones transitioned well from SS to FS - having an even better year than his surprising 2016 season. Jones finished the season with 73 tackles, tied for 14th in the PFL with 6 interceptions, 21 passes defensed, and tied for 1st in the PFL with 4 forced fumbles.
--- Rookie SS Jason Jackson became one of the PFL's best strong safeties in his rookie season. Jackson, a third round draft pick for the Hammerheads, finished with 60 tackles, tied for 14th in the PFL with 6 interceptions, 1 defensive touchdown, and 24 passes defensed.
--- K Paul Ernster and P Andy Groom both made the pro bowl and made the Hammerheads' special teams unit the best in the PFL from a kicking and punting standpoint. Ernster missed one field goal all season in 26 attempts and didn't miss an extra point all season. Groom led the PFL in average per punt (57.49) and punts inside the 20 (36).
Negatives on the Hammerheads' 2016 Campaign
--- OT Jordan Gross allowed 14 sacks - the 6th highest total in the league.
--- OG Eric Steinbach allowed 8 sacks after allowing 0 in 2016.
--- WR Steve Smith dropped 10 passes and only scored one touchdown on the season; however, his sole touchdown was the game winner versus eventual PFL Bowl Champion Boston.
--- QB Earl Alford, drafted to be a starter for Ocean City, disappointed early which forced a trade.
--- OLB Takeo Spikes' numbers declined enormously - showing a decrease in his impact in the Hammerheads' defensive scheme.
--- Rookie CB's Shaun Kiniry and Bo Nakfoor both disappointed as the team's nickle and dimebacks. Kiniry - the team's nickleback - actually had a worse season than Nakfoor, a cornerback with just average linear speed. Kiniry was burned numerous times in the slot and made almost no impact plays as the team's nickleback; however, he was great on special teams.