Welcome to the new, (mostly) weekly report for the pride of Charlotte, The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies.

After a season of unknowns, it seems the team is starting to settle in to it's new identity. As the Warthogs, football was down and dirty, with (maybe too) many ugly wins. As the Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies, the team has redirected it's energy into becoming a high paced, quick strike team, with a defense that can hang with most anybody.

Of course there can be lapses in those theories, but team ownership is happy with both the coaching and player changes, and feel it's time to step up. Owner Bill Steinbach is quoted as saying, "Another division championship just isn't good enough any more".

While the previous two seasons saw the team go 12-4 in each regular season, there's not many other parallels.

Starting with the controversial move up to draft QB Chuck Farr, (who changed his name shortly after being drafted first overall), a team name change that had some questioning the sanity of the team owner, 12 coaching changes (some being replaced before they even coached a practice, and a stadium expansion, (not to mention the decommissioning of a certain reporter's access to the team).

Team ownership flirted with the idea of another name change this offseason, or a return to the Warthog brand, but ultimately decided, "What's more impressive than a cute looking rubber duck that can breath fire?".

Farr took the passing game from a three headed monster at QB throwing 31 TD's and 25 INT's, (with #1 QB Patrick spinner amassing a 79.90 QB rating), to a team total of 44 TD's, and 17 INT's, (Farr threw 38 TD's, with 14 INT's, with a 105.55 QB rating).

A bright side to the team's 2019 record was the team's recovering from a questionable 5-5 start, at one point putting the team into the unfamiliar position of 3rd in the division. Most attribute the slow first 2/3 season to the plunging of Farr into the starter's position, along with a number of of rookies placed above veterans. Everything came together though, and the FBRD's won the final six games of the season, barely edging out vastly improved Atlanta.

The brightest part of the season, of course, was the season sweep of rival Memphis. It seems the dogs were overconfident looking at the cute little yellow creatures, until the flames burned 'em.

For the 2020 season, the coaching team continues to improve, another 5 coaches have joined the team, who better fit into head coach David Sprague's philosophy. The team has decided to go to only two QB's, also holding the other sophomore QB, 2019 fourth rd pick Joe Hamilton, who had a respectable 86.89 QB rating last season, and showed good improvement in the off season. Other positions have been upgraded in both speed and youth.

Finally, the team would like to thank last year's Championship game participant Boston Biscuits for an entertaining 4th preseason game. Let's be honest, neither team really cared about the W, but it was a fun game to watch, and evaluate the young guys.

Best of luck to all, and to all a good season... Except Memphis, Atlanta, and Tampa... :D

Duck Tales! Woo hoo!

Chuck Farr went 20 of 37, throwing 3TD, and 1 INT, for a QB rating of 106.7. Backup QB, Joe Hamilton, started at RB, and got a rushing TD... Ho Hum...

But *** happened in Memphis?

Charlotte fans don't seem as interested in what happened in Seattle, as what happened on the Blue Suede Turf in Memphis. The Falcons, who were previously praised by this reporter, got "dogged", 72-10.

Luckily the FBRD's have a few weeks before they have to face to dogs. It seems they may not be the same team the incendiary waterfowl met last year. The scouts certainly seem to have their work cut out for them.

Next week, the team heads to Houston. This could easily be a trap game, as the Texans have a new owner. Let's hope the guys can get up for it.

Three INT's and four lost fumbles usually doesn't bode well, especially for a road team. This game, however, was far from usual.

In what seemed like a game of questionable play calling vs poor execution, questionable play calling lost out. Even though the Ducks kept giving the ball away, the Texans, for some reason, kept running on 3rd and long. Sure it may work occasionally, but this was like the movie, "Groundhog Day".

Anyway... After this display, the FBRD's seem a lot further from where we all thought they were headed into the season. The team will need to focus more, and cut the mistakes, if they hope to make it to the next level as promised by owner Bill Steinbach.

When asked about his preseason prediction, Bill said, "It's a long season, and we have a number of guys still learning the system. As we normally see in this league, play will improve greatly as the season goes on. We just need to make sure we keep up, or exceed the pace."

Next up, Tampa bay. Although 0-2 so far... those two losses were against perennial playoff teams, so the ducks better bring the fire next week.

Yes. If you take a look at the stats, Tampa Bay QB is right up there at the top.

After a (mostly) impressive 35-7 win over Atlanta, the Duckies seem to be coming together at the 1/4 mark of the season.

The "softer" part of the schedule is in the past though, with five of the next seven games against 3-1 teams, including perpetual favorites LA Xtreme, NY Giants, and the SF Demons, not to mention the Flea Taxis one state to the west. Rounding out those teams are the more recently surging Chicago Bears, who are making their bid to be considered one of the league's elite.

Since throwing three INT's in an otherwise impressive game in Houston, Chuck Farr has not been perfect, but much improved. Up to this point in the season, the sophomore QB has retained his average of 10+ yards per attempt, with 15 TD, and 6 INT's, (including half of that tally noted above), and a 104.18 QB rating.

As of the last issue, this reporter was warning of the tougher schedule to come.

As prophesied, the ducks went on to lose two straight away games to perennial playoff teams.

A 30-6 score against the underdog Arizona Cardinals must surely be seen as a relief by the team. But maybe... not so.

The game was much closer than the score would indicate, with the Cardinals being in the game until "panic mode" set in midway through the fourth quarter. Truth be told, in many ways, Arizona was the dominate team for much of the game.

With perennial powerhouse SF Demons set to host the Ducks this week, (yes, the schedulers were not kind to the pyro plumage bearers), head coach David Sprague is calling for his team to re-focus, and get back to playing at the high level everybody knows they are capable of.

While three losses is hardly cause for alarm, losing three games against potential playoff opponents bodes poorly for this team's expectations. Losing a third straight road game will most likely mean any playoff games will also have to be played wearing the white jerseys, should they make it at all.

Right now a 2 loss team would be out of the playoffs, the NFC is no joke.

I love it. Even though all the changes and increased competitiveness might end my Super Bowl streak, I love how tough our teams are competing. Makes for a good league and our high number of owners and lack of empty teams are a testament to our quality. Thanks to all of you for making this league great!

Well...

That was embarrassing.

A Charlotte Fire Breathing Rubber Ducky team, which touted itself as ready to take the next step in the playoffs this year, was slapped down like Ray Rice's girlfriend tonight.

To add insult to injury... much of the damage was done by former Charlotte QB Patrick Spinner. For those unaware, Spinner was very vocal about his displeasure when the (then) Charlotte Warthogs traded him to SF, after the controversial move to draft QB Chuck Farr.

Owner Bill Steinbach was seen leaving the stadium early. When questioned by reporters, his anger was on display, saying... "Not even in my earliest years of football, have I ever had a team get so embarrassed on the field. Things need to change, NOW!". A quick scan of records show this loss as the worst ever, in Steinbach's history.

To have it happen at the hands of a former Charlotte fan favorite, only adds to the angst.

After starting the season 7-0, the flaming fowl are now on the outside of the playoffs, looking in. The good news is, however, that with five games to go, the Ducks only face two teams with winning records, the resurging Indianapolis Colts, (in Indy), and the Flea Taxis of Arkansas East at home. Hopefully, week 16 will have roasted Hot Dogs on the menu...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUX6meSPphQ