Post by Banana Cat on Aug 16, 2010 21:52:27 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/the-mystery-of-the-bliss-chicagos-silence-speaks-loud/
THE MYSTERY OF THE BLISS: CHICAGO’S SILENCE SPEAKS LOUD
LA is talking, San Diego is definitely talking, and even Seattle is getting in on the excitement, hype, and trash-talk blistering through the LFL airwaves. Yet, all is quiet on the Western front in Chicago. They had off-season issues, a turnstyle offseason in regards to players, and a brand new coach; which would leave one to believe that they would have plenty to talk about. Yet, there is a certain poise they are holding themselves to this offseason. A mystery is blowing through the Windy City, and perhaps it is for the best. Sometimes mystique is your biggest asset, sometimes a surprise exceeds imagination.
Other times though, it disappoints.
Saran Dunmore is out, that has already been discussed, along with the speculation concerning the fate of Chicago. But what has intrigued me the most about them is the fact they have still remained silent. The Bliss, in my eyes, appear to be in trouble. They totaled 607 yards rushing last year with the Pryor/Dunmore tandem, 150 more than any other team in the league. They made it to the championship without a solid quarterback, nor a solid defense, and they appeared to be heading into the offseason with nothing but momentum. But then Dunmore left, the coaches and players were involved in an off-field incident, and Tasha Pryor had conditioning issues. The drive to Vegas appeared to be a difficult one with the wheels falling off, but Chicago is determined to get there anyways, no matter what means they have to use to get there.
Pryor enters the season with a new attitude, “I set aside the ‘weighty’ issues from last season” Pryor told LFL360, “I have worked/trained as hard as any professional athlete this offseason.” She has shed some pounds this year, and it appears as though she is physically able, aware, and willing to carry the load at running back next year. But the fact remains that she was part of a tandem, and she cannot be expected to be the sole asset of the Bliss offense. She plays too hard, too fast, and too rough to stay healthy throughout the season in a running-heavy offense. Enter: new quarterback Stacy Jarrett.
From all accounts about the new QB in Chi-town, she is smart, and she can throw. She was exactly what new coach Matt Sinclair was looking for this offseason; a strong arm and a strong mind to lead this new offense. She is young and needs time to develop, which is ok, because Pryor is capable of carrying the load for at least a game or two. But after that, Jarrett better be ready. Chicago was 6th in passing last year, and if that rings true this year, expect Vegas to be a pipedream for the Bliss. But if Jarrett can bring them to third or higher, that means Chicago has found a new way to score, and a new way to win.
Chicago’s defense was middle-of-the pack last year. I expect that to change, for the worse. The ‘triangle of doom’ has broken up, Brooke Finneke is gone, but some key players in Danielle Moinet and Deborah Poles do return, and bring leadership and experience. Moinet and Poles haven’t said much this offseason, but their game will have to do a lot of talking for the Bliss to have any say in the Western Conference.
But the biggest issue is they had trouble stopping the pass last year, which is devastating in the Western Conference, as quarterbacks like Linda Brenner, and newcomer in LA, Ashley Salerno have the talent and the arm strength to expose them. They ranked 9th in passing defense last year, and dead last is easily attainable in the Western Conference style of play. All it takes is one game to expose a flaw and let the rest of the league know how to beat them. Their schedule, with their first game being against high-flying Dallas, appears to be their worst enemy. But it could also be their biggest friend. Dallas’ gears could still be waiting to click that early in the offseason, Chicago could have a good opening outing, and the Bliss could send a message that you cannot beat them through the air this time. But I doubt it.
For all the negatives that plagued Chicago this offseason, they seem to retaliate with a positive step each and every time. The Bliss brought in a coach who knows the game, and knows how to be a leader. They responded to losing their running back by bringing in a new quarterback and switching their offensive style of play. And perhaps most importantly, they are not showing signs of giving into the pessimism surrounding their team. They haven’t talked their way out of the situation, they accepted it, and they responded with their actions. Whether their silence means they are too busy improving, or too busy trying to pick up the pieces from last season is still up in the air. But one thing remains clear, the season is looming, and it is put-up or shutup time now.
LA is talking, San Diego is definitely talking, and even Seattle is getting in on the excitement, hype, and trash-talk blistering through the LFL airwaves. Yet, all is quiet on the Western front in Chicago. They had off-season issues, a turnstyle offseason in regards to players, and a brand new coach; which would leave one to believe that they would have plenty to talk about. Yet, there is a certain poise they are holding themselves to this offseason. A mystery is blowing through the Windy City, and perhaps it is for the best. Sometimes mystique is your biggest asset, sometimes a surprise exceeds imagination.
Other times though, it disappoints.
Saran Dunmore is out, that has already been discussed, along with the speculation concerning the fate of Chicago. But what has intrigued me the most about them is the fact they have still remained silent. The Bliss, in my eyes, appear to be in trouble. They totaled 607 yards rushing last year with the Pryor/Dunmore tandem, 150 more than any other team in the league. They made it to the championship without a solid quarterback, nor a solid defense, and they appeared to be heading into the offseason with nothing but momentum. But then Dunmore left, the coaches and players were involved in an off-field incident, and Tasha Pryor had conditioning issues. The drive to Vegas appeared to be a difficult one with the wheels falling off, but Chicago is determined to get there anyways, no matter what means they have to use to get there.
Pryor enters the season with a new attitude, “I set aside the ‘weighty’ issues from last season” Pryor told LFL360, “I have worked/trained as hard as any professional athlete this offseason.” She has shed some pounds this year, and it appears as though she is physically able, aware, and willing to carry the load at running back next year. But the fact remains that she was part of a tandem, and she cannot be expected to be the sole asset of the Bliss offense. She plays too hard, too fast, and too rough to stay healthy throughout the season in a running-heavy offense. Enter: new quarterback Stacy Jarrett.
From all accounts about the new QB in Chi-town, she is smart, and she can throw. She was exactly what new coach Matt Sinclair was looking for this offseason; a strong arm and a strong mind to lead this new offense. She is young and needs time to develop, which is ok, because Pryor is capable of carrying the load for at least a game or two. But after that, Jarrett better be ready. Chicago was 6th in passing last year, and if that rings true this year, expect Vegas to be a pipedream for the Bliss. But if Jarrett can bring them to third or higher, that means Chicago has found a new way to score, and a new way to win.
Chicago’s defense was middle-of-the pack last year. I expect that to change, for the worse. The ‘triangle of doom’ has broken up, Brooke Finneke is gone, but some key players in Danielle Moinet and Deborah Poles do return, and bring leadership and experience. Moinet and Poles haven’t said much this offseason, but their game will have to do a lot of talking for the Bliss to have any say in the Western Conference.
But the biggest issue is they had trouble stopping the pass last year, which is devastating in the Western Conference, as quarterbacks like Linda Brenner, and newcomer in LA, Ashley Salerno have the talent and the arm strength to expose them. They ranked 9th in passing defense last year, and dead last is easily attainable in the Western Conference style of play. All it takes is one game to expose a flaw and let the rest of the league know how to beat them. Their schedule, with their first game being against high-flying Dallas, appears to be their worst enemy. But it could also be their biggest friend. Dallas’ gears could still be waiting to click that early in the offseason, Chicago could have a good opening outing, and the Bliss could send a message that you cannot beat them through the air this time. But I doubt it.
For all the negatives that plagued Chicago this offseason, they seem to retaliate with a positive step each and every time. The Bliss brought in a coach who knows the game, and knows how to be a leader. They responded to losing their running back by bringing in a new quarterback and switching their offensive style of play. And perhaps most importantly, they are not showing signs of giving into the pessimism surrounding their team. They haven’t talked their way out of the situation, they accepted it, and they responded with their actions. Whether their silence means they are too busy improving, or too busy trying to pick up the pieces from last season is still up in the air. But one thing remains clear, the season is looming, and it is put-up or shutup time now.