[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen Bringing Back Jerry Aubrey?
Well, we've all seen it, the Maassluis Merchantmen have started off better than ever before this season, but they saw Jim Reiser end the game with a triceps injury. Expectations are that Reiser won't be fully recovered for about a month and rumors are the management doesn't want to take any chances. Reiser recorded a franchise record number of receptions in 2006 and leads the team again thsi season after one game. Arnold Ramirez and Charlie Martins were called too green and the team doesn't want risking an aggrvtead injury. We know the Merchantmen, they trade and their target is a familiar name: Jerry Aubrey.

The Merchantmen management denied all our assumptions and pointed to the two fullbacks Jamel Rosenberry and Henry Poston, but we should know better. Jerry Aubrey was popular in Maassluis, was their first All IHOF selection in 2004, but got traded to the Futility Bowl rivals of the Rochester Lake Monsters. More recently, sentiments got a bit different as the two teams had their eyes on the same wide receiver and the Lake Monsters won the battle. Another issue was how the Lake Monsters dumped two time All IHOF guard Gene Simmons like trash, while the Merchantmen reserved a 53-men roster spot for Fumblin' Justin McDavid.

Getting Jerry Aubrey to return will be tough as a possible trade will take place after the week two games and week three has an interesting matchup, Futility Bowl IV, in Rochester. Rumors are the Merchantmen already offered a fifth round pick in 2007, but salary cap issues seem to hold a trade of so far. The Lake Monsters reportedly want a good player in return and the masters of trading refuse that offer.

But then, it could be a trick to distract everyone and they might be getting their (temporary) replacement elsewhere. Guys mentioned so far were Anaheim's Mark Whittemore (5 receptions) and Columbus' Brian Peres (6 receptions). The second best option is reportedly Paris' Brian Spradlin, who had 5 catches for 38 yards and a score against Maassluis in week one. But as good as these guys play, the Merchantmen already showed a weak spot for alumni by bringing back 2004 staring center Tom Schwartz on the morning of the first regular season game against Paris. You read it here first, in Gossip News, the Merchantmen are trying to get Jerry Aubrey back.