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Keep your head up. Good Luck until we meet in Week 16.

When last reported, the Duck's owner was promising changes would be made.

That certainly seems true. Chuck Farr, and the entire offense seemed ineffective against a team they were favored against.

Surprisingly, however, the front office was rather upbeat, despite the loss.

In post game interviews, Coach Sprague said, "Bill (Steinbach) ordered the team to make certain changes to the game plan. We warned him it would hurt the offense in the short term to make such drastic changes, but we know who signs the checks."

Steinbach, in a rare move, appeared on the post game interview stage. He stated, emphatically, that he takes the blame for the changes that led to this loss, but believes the future of the team will be brighter once the team gets used to the changes.

We shall see.

(Maybe another name change is in the works... Something to do with "rising from the ashes", perhaps?)

The transformation of the Charlotte system seems to be showing some positive signs.

It wasn't a blowout by any means, but the Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies got a win against a quality opponent, for the first time since beating the Bears in week 6, seven weeks ago.

Chuck Farr seemed to be channeling a certain former NFL QB, with a homophone surname, countering three INT's with four TD passes. The final being a one play drive consisting of a 64 yard strike to Henry Caffey, with 2:38 to go, for the win.

Despite the win, the Pyro's find themselves outside the playoffs looking in, with three challenging weeks ahead of them. As tempting as it would be to look ahead to the game against the North Mississippi Mongrels, the team must not look past the very good teams of Atlanta and London.

At least the final three games will be played at the Asbestos Bathtub. Hopefully the fans will show up, despite the team's play of late, and give the team a boost.

Too Little, Too Late, it seems...

Despite starting the season with seven straight wins, and a three game win streak where the Ducks scored 34 pts each game, while only allowing just over an average of 17 pts, Charlotte is out of the playoffs for the first time in league history.

Going into week 16 against rival Memphis, the ducks find that 11 (or even possibly 12) wins will leave them on the outside looking in. After the seven game streak to start the season, the team fell apart, causing owner Bill Steinbach to demand Coach Sprague implement numerous changes. While play has gradually improved since that point, it just wasn't enough to save the season. Memphis has taken the NFC South mantle as a result.

Somewhat surprisingly, Steinbach was complementary towards the new division champ, saying, "The Dogs have always been right there with us, with only the random bounce of the ball between us most times we play. We are wishing them good look in the playoffs, and hoping they represent the division well. Of course, we'd still like to pull out one more W before the season ends."

Coach Sprague, when asked the direction he will go this week, in a game that means very little (for the first time in team history), said, "2021 starts today. We will be using this week to get some of the younger players, as well as players who have recently changed positions, more familiar with our new playing style. This doesn't mean we won't be playing to win, as it's always desirable to singe some dog hair, but there's much more value in preparing the guys for next year."

A special note to visiting Memphis fans, rabies shots will be available at all entrances, just after the turnstiles.