Merchantmen Player Of The Year Poll 2007

[MIJB#19]

And here's the newest Merchantmen Player of the Year Poll!

I'll give a short description of the nine selected candidates as the tenth slot is reserved for a write in candidate. To read the whole Merchantmen story, got to IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen dynasty.

QB Louie Flannery - #14 - age 25
It was only his second season, but the 'franchise quarterback' broke through in the 2008 season with a 14-4 record. Flannery set new franchise records in passing yards (3,768) and touchdowns (25). Flannery didn't miss a single down on offense for the entire season and also became the fulltime holder on kicking plays. After struggling with interceptions, Flannery got over it in the second half of the season and, according to team scouts, has already matured into a playoff calibre quarterback in his second year in the IHOF.

RB Randy Harris - #28 - age 27
With another typical season in the shadows, Randy Harris set new franchise records in rushing yards (1,306) and rushing touchdowns (8). Add that he was the team leader in receiving touchdowns (5) and you see the IHOF's #5 player in total touchdowns scored the past season. Silently Harris has been contributing to the offense with crucial catches and chains moving runs. But playing on a pass oriented team, Harris can slip under the radar and post top 10 stats without being noticed.

RB Rodger Mowery - #39 - age 35
Rodger Mowery already had a nice resume, but in 2008 with a new team he added another fine chapter to his own book. The former RayCo Raiders 1,000-yard back was willing to play a backup role to accomplish his first playoff appearence in the IHOF. But were his rushing was limited to just 363 yards, Mowery turned out to be the IHOF's best punt returner of the season with 13.5 yards per attempt and 1 touchdown.

DE Aaron Sherrill - #94 - age 23
Being a rookie, Aaron Sherrill was unlikely to be a starter or even the #3 defensive end with the competition on the team. But the Merchantmen management had faith in Sherrill and the kid paid back with 6.5 sacks and 20 more broken up passing plays in 15 starts. Sherrill was the IHOF's solo rookie leader in sacks and even broke into the top 30 of the entire league. Not bad for a player taken in the sixth round of the amateur draft!

DT Charles Gomez - #78 - age 28
Despite seeing his tackles total split from 99 to 49, Gomez turned out to be the one player that has to be fit. Gomez missed four games due to injury and two of them were lost. Despite missing four games, Gomez 8.0 sacks and IHOF's second best in quarterback hurries (33) and gained All IHOF Second Team honors.

LB Carl Meier - #52 - age 28
Not a fulltime starter, but Meier was the story of the off-season as he had a huge personal workout and turned into camp as a reborn player. In the end, Meier was a key member on the defense as practically every linebacker got injured duringthe season. Eventually Meier started in 11 games and made 60 tackles, 1 interception and 7 defended passes. Compare it to his 5 tackles in 2006 and you see how important he is now.

MLB Cody Cluff - #50 - age 26
Slowed down by injuries, Cody Cluff came short to break through the century mark in tackles (97 tackles). That said, more than ever before the defense relied on Cluff as a playmaker. Cluff set career highs in interceptions (2) and defended passes (6). But what jumped out this season was that Cluff developed into being the top rated linebacker in the IHOF in run stopping ability.

CB Tai Wayne - #47 - age 24
Tai Wayne returned after missing the 2006 season with a huge season. Wayne was a key member on the pass defense with 16 defended passes and only 34 catches allowed in 14 games. Wayne even ended his streak of interception-less games with 2 picks against the Minnesota Miners. After a slow start, it looks like Wayne has grown into being the much needed shutdown corner in only his third season.

SS Lincoln Gilmore - #41 - age 27
Once called the comeback kid, today the last man standing on the Merchantmen defense. If an opposing player looks like breaking through for a big play, Gilmore will haunt him down and limit the loss of territory. With 1 interception and 8 defended passes, Gilmore's pass defense stats look not so good, but he makes up with his 67 tackles and 28 assists. The Merchantmen were the number one defense in least points allowed for a reason: Gilmore will not allow a touchdown.

write in candidate
If the above candidates are not your Player of the Year, choose "write-in candidate" and state who your player of the year was.

[MIJB#19]

Looking to the list, 9 candidates is pretty slim after this huge 13-3 season. It means the great stories of other players go without further notice, like:
CB Winford Endicott, from training camp casualty to indespensible starter
CB Myron Stevens, the former undrafted rookie who grew into a starter
DE Albert Bernardo, a top10 sack machine, despite being in a backup role
WR Jerry Beyer, who turned out to be the wanted deep threat receiver
LT Ivan Jacques, the so expensive guy who allowed only 1 sack all season
LG Butch White, who kept improving and is a key run blocker
C Brant Heinrich, the new franchise single-season key run blocks record holder
WR Gregory Monti, who set career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns
and
WR Bryce Ewald, who set a new franchise record in receiving yards

[VPI97]

It may be a cop-out to go with the quarterback, but I have to go with Flannery. When you look at the defense, the contributions that Gomez put forth overshadow the othe rguys...but I can't pick him as POTY because of the time he missed. On the offense, Harris had his best season, but I have to think a lot of that came because Flannery's improvement made defenses have to respect the pass more.

[MIJB#19]

My own vote went to Gomez, as I had a feeling he proved to be a MVP type of guy, but Flannery and the rookie story of Aaron Sherrill was a close #2 and #3. The irony of the story is that Randy Harris collected the most points in the performance based player of the year list, which can be found in the dynasty thread.

[fantastic flying froggies]

I voted for Gomez last season and he had another good year.

However, my vote has to go to Flannery this time around, as I really believe he was a major reason for the success you had this season.

[Dutch]

I agree with Flannery. He should be a good QB for years to come. And this season had a lot to do with his maturing.

[Alf]

Flan the man !

[albionmoonlight]

I went with Harris. 1,300 yards is nothing to sneeze at, and Flan has been getting love anyway.

[MIJB#19]

Looks like Flannery is the run away winner.