Offense Must Improve For Portland to Earn First Victory

(Photo Credit: portlandtribune.com)

The 0-3 start for the Portland Steel would be more palatable if all three of their losses looked like their second game of the season, a 53-50 battle against the Orlando Predators. However, they much more closely resemble their 80-28 demolishing at the hands of the Arizona Rattlers for the season opener, and their 70-32 drubbing last week against the Philadelphia Soul.

So what needs to be done to put Portland on the path towards success and a first 2016 victory? The Arena League, even more so than the NFL, relies on the talent of its starting quarterbacks. Danny Southwick has not been what the Steel had been hoping for so far. Amongst the six qualified starters in the league, Southwick ranks last in completion percentage and touchdowns, and second-to-last in yards per game. It does not help that Portland has allowed more sacks (10) than the rest of the league. Whether that’s a result of an offensive line that needs work, or a quarterback that’s indecisive with the ball, something needs to change if they expect their offense to improve.

George Washington once said, “Offensive operations…is the surest, if not the only, means of defense.” In other words, the best defense isa good offense. With an offense that refuses to move the ball or put points on the board, Portland has accumulated a weird stat line: They give up the most points in the league (67.7), while allowing the fewest yards (227.3), and having the most time of possession (35:17). Here’s how you read into that: When Portland goes on scoring drives, they take a while. When they give up the ball, it’s close to their own end zone.

Their opponents don’t have to travel far (fewer yards), so it takes a shorter amount of time (time of possession). And Portland tends to give up the ball frequently. In three games, the Steel have lost 3 fumbles (2 of them returned for touchdowns) and have thrown 5 interceptions. That’s an automatic shift in field possession right there. Adding to that, the Steel have managed to force just two turnovers of their own, creating an average turnover margin of -2 per game. Giving up the ball frequently and refusing to ever take it back is a tough hill to climb.

The name of the game is offense. How efficiently can you put the ball in the end zone every game? Portland has a long road ahead of them if they expect to earn their first win soon, let alone make a broader impact in the league.