FOR PHOENIX TO ‘RISE FROM THE ASHES’, MUST FIND A WAY TO STOP THE RUN AND PASS BLOCK IN 2007

Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier

MISSOULA – Ever since Missoula emerged as an RMFL franchise for the season of 2005, there has been a lot of excitement out of the state’s second largest city. Both within, and without the Missoula Football Franchise.

This off-season, however, with the change of management and change of name, it looked as if the Missoula Phoenix might be headed in the wrong direction.

But like the legendary bird to which they are named, expect the “Phoenix” to rise from the ashes and, once again, contend for an RMFL title.

There was not only a change of management, however, there was also a big influx of new… and younger players. “With over 30 new guys on the roster, we are the youngest we have ever been.” says 3^rd year Head Coach Matt Softich. “Couple that with solid returning veterans and a new, energized coaching staff and the sky is the limit in ’07.’

A cursory review of the 2006 season, however, would reveal that perhaps, that although they won the regular season division title, this football team was in real need of some change. The team struggled in 2007 to do two key things… 1.) Stop the run (they were ranked 11^th) and 2) Protect the quarterback (lead the league in sacks allowed). So change is what they needed… and, for good or for not, change is what they got.

One needs to look no further than their semi-final playoff ouster against the visiting Vipers at home (in Anaconda). They lost that contest 28-6 by giving up an amazing 325 rushing yards to the Vipers… and, oh by the way… also gave up 5 quarterback sacks.

For a pre-season review, I have no way to really tell if any of their array of 30 or so new additions will end up being upgrades, downgrades or status quo, but to play it conservatively, I’d have to postulate that it will be difficult for them to be even as good as they were last year.

They made some pretty good pick ups in getting a potential future hall of fame receiver in Helena’s Dave Garza, and Glacier’s multi-purpose, athletic talent, Sheldon McCool. Garza will be re-teaming up with Jurasek who had some pretty good days together in Helena and will help upgrade the passing game… but that wasn’t exactly a big team weakness last season.

The offense has every look of being better in 2007 than they were in 2006, but they will need better blocking to advance.

If only the “new look” Phoenix defense can bring it every week, this great franchise… and their fans… may just ‘go all the way’ in 2007.

KEY ADDITIONS:

Dave Garza – Wide Receiver

Sheldon McCool – Fullback

Stephan Schreibeis - Safety

KEY LOSSES:

Rafeal Roberts – Place-kicker

Brian Smith – Offensive Line

OFFENSE:

The Offense enters ’07 with a new look, brought to the team by new Offensive Coordinator Mike Swann. It will be a fun offense for the fans to watch. Joining Swann in perfecting the Phoenix attack are Running Backs Coach Caleb McCallum, Offensive Line Coach Clint Struble, and offensive assistants Dean Shandy, Trevor O’Neil and Greg Evison. The new look offensive line, which desperately needs to improve on a league-worst 27 sacks in 2006, boasts a couple of returning veterans in Jordan Stone (6’2, 245), David Dana (6’1, 250) and Bryce Nielsen (6’1, 325). Making up for the loss of guard Trevor O’Neil, now helping coach, are newcomers David Horner (6’4, 235), Josh Sanders (6’0, 250) and Jason Howard (6’0, 300). Deceptively strong Chris Boehm (6’0, 215) fills the big shoes at center with the retirement of All-Star Brian Smith. The Phoenix boast one of the best all-purpose backs in the league in California native Gavin Johnson. Not only is Johnson a threat running the ball, but defenses must contend with him catching the ball, which he did to the tune of over 350 yards and 6 TD’s in ’06. Although Johnson’s rushing total (497 yards) was only good for 7^th, he was the leading running back pass receiver in either the AAA or AA in 2006. Joining Johnson in the backfield is former Glacier Knight, Sheldon McCool, another all-around back. “Sheldon reminds me a bit of Tom Matte, the old Colt runner who could fill in anywhere in the backfield. He works hard, has a greet attitude, and is a good fit with Gavin.” stated head coach, Matt Softich. Stepping up to the plate and pushing for more playing time are veterans Xavier Laggett and Mike Allard, both of whom have made great strides during pre-season and will be hard to keep off the field. In ’07, it is a deep and versatile corps of receiver taking the field. This is evident when you consider veteran speedsters like Brian Pederson, Tyler Boaz and Nick Lumpkin return are joined by even faster newcomers Clint Colwell, Shane Byers and Luke Bahnmaier. When you couple that with the addition of wily veteran and former Grizzly Dave Garza, you have a potent combination. “Dave is an amazing player and an even better person.” states Coach Softich. “What he brings to the team on and off the field is immeasurable. Our whole team has been influenced positively by his work ethic and demeanor.” Boaz and Garza are expected to see the lions share of playing time, however, in the Phoenix’s multi-sets and strategies, the younger speedsters should also see some time on the field in the Phoenix offense.The Phoenix Tight Ends are ably manned by rock hard former Grizzly Ja’Ton Simpson, and the soft-fingered Jeff Evison. The triggerman at the helm of the Phoenix offense will once again be record setting Shane Jurasek, an eight-year veteran of the RMFL. Jurasek, who played in the RMFL for the Great Falls Rangers (1999-2000), Helena Titans (2002-2005) and Missoula (2006 – Present), will once again benefit by a system that will be designed around what he can do with a football. Jurasek has proven a dangerous runner in the past and set several AA passing records last season. Jurasek currently holds the AAA record for the most career pass attempts by an RMFL quarterback, there is no quarterback in the league with his experience. The Missoula offense is a pretty known quantity… except for some of the changes to the offensive line. Once again, not the biggest line, but active and talented. The Phoenix coaching staff believes in this line and, if it performs will lead the Raptors back near the top of the AA offenses. So far, however, the Missoula offense has fared no better than “Middle of the pack”, partly due to the tough Montana defenses of the past two years, partly due to what many have described as “unimaginative play-calling” and partly due to some less than stellar offensive line play. Regardless, they’ll be solid again… but they will need to step up to get the Phoenix to the promised land. Mark Spencer comes on to the Raptors to do the place-kicking for the retired all-star, Rapheal Roberts. There is no doubt, Spencer will be a key in several games this season. Projected Offensive Rank: 4^th

DEFENSE:

Taking the reigns on defense as coordinator is former Griz lineman Ciche Pitcher. Joining Pitcher on defense in ’07 is former player Scott Wik, now heading up the Inside Linebackers and Jason Munson, adding the duties of Outside Linebacker coach to his job description as Special Teams coordinator. Newcomer John Watkins is in charge of the Secondary. Rounding out the defensive staff is savvy veteran D-Line coach Bill Funke, who also serves as Assistant Head Coach, and defensive assistant Scott Rule. The Phoenix D-line is anchored by James Jacobson (6,0, 252). Joining him up front in the middle is veteran run stopper Jeff Hecht (6’2, 285). Former offensive lineman Habib Kambou (6’3, 235) and tough as nails Brian Peters (6’3, 260) man the d-end positions. Veterans Greg Graham (6’1, 257) and James DeCoteau (6’4, 240) bring size and speed to the mix. The Phoenix linebackers surely don’t lack for size, toughness or athleticism. Nor do they lack enthusiasm. Plugging up the middle are rookies Stevo Alaniz, Josh Cassan, Leron Johnson and Jorge Watson, with Cassan expected to start out of the gates. Veteran Kurtis Learned moves from the D line and brings his intensity to the fray. Returning players Zack Renner and Jessie Shultz lead the way at the outside for new guys Nate Johnson, Bud Maynard, Kevin Bereta and Dan Scott. Renner and Bereta are expected to start to begin the season, but expect plenty of substituting around the deep Phoenix front 7. Coach Watkins has instilled pride and teamwork into a group that almost solely relied on their athletic ability in the past. Returning for ‘07 are veteran corners Brian Hughes and Mike Hardenburgh. Scott Brown, Marshall Knapp and converted receiver Fred Russo lead the veteran charge pushing for more playing time and working well with newcomers Adrian Ayers and Robert Curran. The Safeties are led by two-time, All-Star Tony Sanderson, an athletic and cagey veteran. Stephen Schreibeis joins Sanderson at the safety position and gives the Phoenix even more size and speed in the middle. Finishing up the secondary are veterans Jeff Maynard and Tayler Crouch, both of whom can also play the corner position in a pinch. Lightning quick rookies Francis Jordan and RJ McCollum are eager to get their chances also. The secondary was a pretty good group in 2006, finishing 2^nd in the AA division with 16 interceptions and a second overall ranking against the pass. Similar to the offense, overall, the Phoenix defense is once again deep, but smallish. Not only that, as you can tell, there have been significant defensive turnover for Missoula in the off-season. Last season, the Missoula defense ranked 8^th (of 12 teams), which isn’t all that great, but they had the most trouble with Bitterroot’s Justin Nixon, giving up 468 yards in just two games… more than most running backs got all season. As mentioned, they ranked 2^nd in the AA against the pass, however, were conversely ranked 11^th against the rush… in a Northern division of teams that almost exclusively run. If the defense can knuckle down against the rush a lot better in 2007, the pieces are there to be back in the playoffs… hosting a Utah team. Projected Defensive Rank: 8^th

COACHING AND INTANGIBLES:

There is no way to not take into account several things when ranking the Missoula Phoenix. First, this is a team of depth. For the third straight season of their existence, Missoula is getting a ton of players out and have plenty of options to chose from as they evaluate their line-up from week to week. The second, is the Missoula home field advantage. No one gets fans out and the community support that the Phoenix get. They can have a crowd to raise them up higher than their opponents every week… that they are home. They have an experienced, veteran quarterback and a vast array of coaching help. I’m not convinced that all that will be enough to overcome what may be a lack of overall “Superstar” level talent, or gargantuan size, but there is no way to measure the size or the talent within the hearts of these players. They must be able to stop the run… and they must be able to protect their quarterbacks. If these coaches and these players can accomplish those two… simple objectives, the rest of what they want to accomplish in 2007 will fall into place. I’m just not ready to “project” that this pre-season.

OVERALL PROJECTION: 5^th