Its early October and the hype over the newly formed North Delta Panthers of Top Flite Flag Football is already in full swing.
The season still looms 6 months away, but expectations are already running high in the spirits of the team. The fate sits securely on the shoulders of first year pivot Christian Rodriguez. You live and die with the QB, and from looks of drive and performance from summer practice games, it looks like the 6'0 185lbs kid from Sands Secondary is already gearing up for a trip to Disney Land. The weapons that Rodriguez possess could certainly help his case for the Lombardi Trophey. The recieving core led by lanky but dependable Josh Robertson appears to be strong. With the addition of un-signed draftee Matt Gross, the already deep group that includes Hardeep Gill, Ranvir Khosla, Andrew Robertson and TE Carlos Rodriguez is built to win now and a championship later.
Josh is fired up after leaving the game for a year, but talent never dies. He's quick, runs every route and has the hands to boot. Hardeep "Terrorble" Gill looks to breakout this year after a respectable summer campain. Though not the best route runner nor the fastest player, he posesses intangables that every coach desires. Ranvir Khosla is a veteran speedy wideout also out of Sands. He possess all the tools to become a number 1 receiver but his contribution to defence and the area inbetween his ears are the only things holding him back. Andrew Robertson is a tall receiver who plays the best when healthy. After leading the 09 summer campain in drops, he was hit hard this year by the injury bug. If he can toughen up and regain some sand paper in his game, the skies the limit for the 6'1 target. Matt Gross is another tall reciever that makes catches of the "circus" variety. Hes a member of the Longhorns and seems to be developing perfectly fine. Keep an eye out for him come April. The lone tight end is Carlos Rodriguez. A strained calf will see him out of action for the remainder of camp. He does posses sure hands and inept route running and the knock on him is his mental capabilities when he doesnt get targets and conditioning.
In the back-field, Sajid Desai stands alone. A rookie back with hamster like feet does what all RB's do; wheels. Possibly the hardest player to catch in open field, Sajid "Moe" Deasi has the potential to be an elusive back for this young franchise. The one knock on him is his ability to catch the ball out of the back-field. Moe led the league in drops this season and will try to work hard on getting his hands up and not into a basket.
The real concern for this team however, is their front 3. There are a lot of question marks and uncertainities that surround the teams offensive and defensive lines. With the likes of veteran Matt Ferrero and Jacob Wideman slotted in to play, mysteries surround the team in who will fill the other voids. This issue needs to get solved quick or else Rookie QB Rodriguez will have no time in the pocket. The same can be said about D-Line. There are zero answers when it comes to the question of who will pressure the opposing quarterback. Stay tuned all fall for any developments.
The pride and soul of this team might be the ball hawking group that is the Panthers defence. The already mentioned Ranvir Khosla is the captain of the defence and tied for the summer season lead in INTs. The secondary is strong with the likes of the Robertson twins, Ethan "Island" Martin (Pylon) and Rob Munro. When the summer campaign closed it was evident that this group struggled in man coverage. This is a concern but the team promises to sort out this issue come April. In the middle the Line Backing Core is anchored by rookie LB Ron Cordova. The 5'9 175lbs backer had a strong summer campaign as he was converted from corner early in July. Not the fastest runner or best flag puller, he does posses a nact to always be near the play. He plays the postion well but inexperience and height will be his biggest knocks come April. Hardeep Gill is a plain old hawk. He wants the ball in his hands and will sometimes get beat bad when he risks for a pick 6. Discipline and an understanding of the game will help his play. The biggest question mark on the defence is not only the D-Line but who will play opposite of Khosla. Sources out of camp say Travis Topham or Matt Gross might have to drop back and play the strong safety postion.
The Panthers are a young and high energy team that are looking to make some noise in the B division of the Top Flight Flag Football League. They possess the drive, the determination, the charisma and talent to be successful but is a championship in the conversation?
I guess well have to wait and see.
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