Detroit's Dark Knight: The Des Moines Dragons Reborn

[revrew]

The original Des Moines Dragons dynasty is more than 10 years old now. I don't remember when I last wrote it, where it left off, or why it died. I do remember, however, that Kurt Warner was our QB and Bryce Paup our star LB … so that was a while ago.

The premise was simple: Build a team of players from only one state: Iowa. Whether by college or high school roots, all players had to be from Iowa. How good could such a team get?

With this dynasty, the Dragons are reborn. And with their rebirth, more story, more narrative, more fun! And maybe even more cowbell.

But also a new premise, a sly parallel to the greatest superhero film of all time and the Clown Prince of Crime himself.

As a side note: This dynasty is being played out and written on an old computer, and thus, I'm using the FOF v 7.2. Yes, 7.2. I just don't have the time in life to learn a new version. Deal with it; I have.

For reasons that will shortly be made clear, I am starting the 2015-16 season, but acting as if it is the 2025/26 season, and I will begin with a full draft (though I won't bore you with all the details over every pick – yawn). Chemistry on (inter-squad squabbling is a real possibility I'll just have to live with). Level playing field off. Firing off.

And thus … it begins:

[revrew]

By 2025, the "Second Great Recession" had decimated what was left of the already crumbling Detroit, leading to the municipality's third bankruptcy filing. Previous efforts to rejuvenate the downtown had been abruptly halted by the riots of 2021, and the city's population had dwindled to less than 200,000 souls living a wasteland of abandoned buildings and empty streets.

It became clear the city could no longer support many of its proud professional sporting teams. What's more, the Ford family – owners of the Detroit Lions – had suffered heavy losses and looked to unload the unprofitable NFL franchise.

The NFL, meanwhile, faced troubles of its own. Surging regional divides across the nation had boosted the popularity of college football, as fans flocked to cheer for local universities instead of regional NFL teams. Federal "free college" programs had further cemented the NCAA's growing fan base. And with a long-lagging economy, the NFL saw its share of Americans' diminished entertainment dollars being crowded out by college ball.

In short, Detroit was done. The NFL was desperate for a solution. And in their desperation, the NFL owners turned to a man they didn't fully understand …

[revrew]

Into the NFL's quandary stepped Jack Ledger, social media mogul and tech billionaire. Known as "the man who toppled Facebook," Ledger had built a technology empire far from the skyrocketing taxes of Silicon Valley in his home state of Iowa.

Certain NFL owners had reservations about the 34-year-old Ledger joining their ranks – namely his youth and his much publicized penchant for the dramatic. But when Ledger entered the NFL owner's meeting with a professional multi-media presentation, a clear business plan, a sharpened pencil, and billions of dollars to put on the table … well, money talks, especially to the cash-strapped NFL.

Ledger had money to burn, a stadium to build, and offered the NFL an immediate escape from the nearly war-torn city of Detroit. The vote was close, but the NFL owners agreed to allow Ledger sole ownership of the Lions and to move the team to Des Moines.

There were many in the group who voted no because of the more "unorthodox" requirements in Ledger's proposed deal. More about that later …

But for now, the Lions had a new owner, a new stadium under construction, a new city, and a new name.

[thehitcat]

Excited to see where this goes!

[revrew]

Excited to see where this goes!

Thanks, Cat!

[revrew]

Though "Ledger's Lions" had a certain ring to it, the new owner opted for an alternative alliteration, naming the new team The Des Moines Dragons. Handsome new uniforms debuted in deep "Dragon Green" and "Metallic Gold," with accents in "Royal Purple."

The new stadium under construction was dubbed "Joker Field" after Ledger's online site, Joker.com, which Ledger had transformed from a mere domain registry site to the most popular social media site in the world. And true to his word, Ledger had poured insane amounts of money into the construction of his stadium to have it up and ready before the NFL season opener.

So far, so good.

But what about the players? Who would become the first Dragons?

As it turns out, Ledger had certain roster demands of the NFL before he would agree to purchase the old Lions. And at first, the attention the demands brought were a public relations boon for the flailing NFL.

[revrew]

Ledger's demands were simple, but absolute. The NFL was required to agree before Ledger would sign on the dotted line, and the owners and players union eventually gave in:

A. All Detroit Lions currently under contract were immediately released into the free agency pool, even those under rookie contract. Not a single player was retained, nor were the new Dragons financially penalized for voiding these contracts.

B. The Lions already held the 11th pick in the 2025 draft, as well as the 11th pick in every round thereafter. The Dragons forfeited each of these picks, as well as any rights to trade such picks, so long as condition C was agreed upon.

The NFL owners reluctantly acquiesced to condition C, setting the stage for a stunning turn of events …

[revrew]

Condition C was the most fiercely contested condition of the Lions buy-out, but Ledger refused to budge. If the NFL refused, then Ledger would walk away from the Lions and take his billions with him.

"I know the online world better than anyone," Ledger told the owners at the fateful meeting after which he bought the Lions. "I know marketing and modern business. I've made billions in sheer publicity alone. And I'm not interested in buying into a league that's dying. But agree to this condition, and the NFL will see a jolt in the arm that will put professional football on the map like never before."

The NFL owner eventually agreed. But they might not have, had they understood what Ledger meant by "on the map like never before" …

[revrew]

Condition C:

One week after the rookie draft, a single-team expansion draft was to be held for the new Dragons, just as was done for the Houston Texans in 2002. But the rules Ledger required for the draft were significantly different:

a. Rather than exposing only 5 players to the draft (as in 2002), each NFL team was required to leave 15 veteran players eligible, if possible. Any veteran or undrafted rookie free agent in the first year of a contract would be automatically protected and ineligible for the expansion draft.

b. Each team would ALSO leave the players they chose with their 2nd through 7th round picks in the 2025 rookie draft eligible to be selected in the expansion draft. Should the Dragons select a drafted rookie, however, the team losing its player would immediately be allowed to protect all remaining drafted players. Further, the Dragons could only select two rookies from each round, thus 2 players chosen in the second round, 2 in the third, and so on.

c. After ANY player was selected, rookie or veteran, the team drafted from would be allowed to protect an additional 5 players, rookie or veteran.

Condition C set the stage for a wild expansion draft. It also produced a flurry of attention, especially on Joker.com. And when ESPN announced it would televise the expansion draft live, the NFL thought it had hit the jackpot …

[revrew]

With the 2025 NFL draft in the books, all eyes turned to Des Moines, Iowa, and the NFL 2025 expansion draft!

The birth of the Dragons was livestreamed through Joker.com and broadcast by a bevy of ESPN hosts in a full day of live network coverage and commentary. Several talking heads, former players, insiders, and experts brought their witty banter into play as predictions swirled for how Jack Ledger would give shape to the newest NFL team:

Mike Greenberg: "Before the Dragons are on the clock, Adam Shefter, what are you hearing from other teams and GMs around the league?"

Adam Shefter: "I'm hearing a lot of nervous GMs, Mike. Especially over this rule that allows the Dragons to select from rookies that were just drafted. A ton of research and investment goes into each team's draft pick, and there are two teams today who are most likely going to lose their second-round picks only a week after they picked their guys."

Todd McShay: "Obviously, no team is going to like losing out on a second-rounder, but there is a bit of a silver lining for those teams. If their second rounder is taken, they can immediately protect the rest of their draft AND five veterans off their available list. With the Dragons having access to as many as 15 veterans from each team, taking 5 guys off the table is huge."

Greenberg: "And don’t forget, if the Dragons take a veteran, rather than a rookie, from a team, that team can immediately protect 5 players as well, including their rookies. If the Dragons take a veteran, that team can protect their second rounder. Or their second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, if that's the way they want to do it."

Shefter: "To be honest, I'm hearing GMs say that's exactly what they're hoping for. I spoke to a few teams that are dangling a pricey veteran out there on the unprotected list as bait, hoping the Dragons will bite. That way the Dragons eat the salary, AND the losing team can safeguard most of their draft class in one, fell swoop."

Greenberg: "Clever strategy, Adam. And the Dragons are going to have to be clever as well, if they have eyes on more than one player from any team. It's a cat and mouse game, and the cat, if you will, is going to be let out of the cage in just a few minutes. Back after this."

[revrew]

Mike Greenberg: "Let's take a look at some of the players the Dragons may have their eyes on. Mike Mayock, you've looked over the protected and unprotected lists for each team. What do you see as the juiciest targets out there?"

Mike Mayock: "First of all, Mike, just about every second rounder from last week's draft has got to be on the table. The Dragons can only take two from the second round, so they'll have to be choosy, but I could see them snagging draft picks with the first several selections, locking up the players they missed out on last week."

Greenberg: "So it's all about the chess game."

Mayock: "Exactly."

Shefter: "And there's another factor in play here. If you watch how the off-season has shaped up so far, there are several GMs who deliberately renegotiated and signed their vets to new contracts before we got to today. That puts the veteran players in the, quote, 'first year of a new contract,' which according to the draft rules makes them automatically protected from the Dragons. So you've got guys like receiver Danny Alcott in New England. The Patriots signed him to a new, four-year contract right before the draft. That means he's technically in the first year of a new deal, so he's off the table today and staying in Foxborough."

Greenberg: "So many shenanigans behind the scenes. But this draft is about to kick off, so we're running out of time. When we come back from this break, I want your predictions. No more beating around the bush. Which veterans are going to be switching teams? Right after this."

[revrew]

Mike Greenberg: "The time for drafting is almost here, which means it's also time for final predictions. Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, I want to hear two names from you. One easy prediction, the obvious name, the slam dunk choice. And one dark horse, who you think the Dragons might mine a little deeper to get. Mike, let's start with you."

Mike Mayock: "Well, I'm going to go with a theme here, because I think there's a couple of real possibilities for the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines Dragons to take some popular Iowa athletes. The slam dunk prediction is Cornerback Ashton Dodge of the Seahawks. Dodge is a smart, veteran cornerback who is popular with the fans and a mentor in the locker room. And let's not forget, he's a hometown favorite after winning a bowl game with a walk-off pick six for Iowa State eight years ago. Yes, he's 30 years old, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Dragons take a mix of young bucks and seasoned leaders. Dodge is smart, very physical, and he'd be a great leader for a new team."

Greenberg: "Before we get to your dark horse candidate, Mike, I want to hear from McShay. Todd, who is your certain choice?"

Todd McShay: "Well if Mayock is taking Iowa athletes, I have a good idea who his dark horse is, but for me, the slam dunk pick is defensive end Clarence Badalyan out of Kansas City. Frankly, I think everyone is shocked the Chiefs left him unprotected. Sure, he's in the last year of his contract and is going to break the bank next year, but I would have expected the Chiefs to try to trade him to the Dragons, rather than leave him out there for the draft. He can play the 3-4 or move inside and wreak havoc in a 4-3 pass rush. I think the Dragons snag him and pay him the moon to keep him around for a long time."

Greenberg: "Todd, you think you know Mike's dark horse?"

McShay: "Another Iowa athlete? How about Satterfield?"

Mayock: "That's exactly right, Todd. The Houston Texans have left unprotected tight end Kelvin Satterfield, also of Iowa State. The kid is only in his third year, and they love him in Iowa. I'm surprised the Texans left him in the wind, but he has struggled to stay healthy, so it looks like they're just not willing to risk it on the former third rounder. He doesn't have the stats, no one outside of Iowa really knows who he is, but he's fast, he can catch, if he can stay healthy, he could be a star."

Greenberg: "And your final prediction, Todd?"

McShay: "I like the kind of young players you can build around, and right guard Drew Pritchett of the Eagles may be a hidden gem. He's stuck on the depth chart behind their interior line in Philly, so I think they were hoping he'd sneak past the Dragons. I don't see it happening. Pritchett is a road grader, and while he might not be a top pick for Des Moines, he could easily be the starter on opening day."

Greenberg: "The predictions are in the books, and the Dragons are on the clock! When we come back, we'll have the first pick of the 2025 NFL expansion draft!"

[revrew]

Mike Greenberg: "It's pandemonium here in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa! There are a sea of brand new, Dragon jerseys, Hawkeye and Cyclone jerseys, and it feels like the entire state of Iowa is in this arena right now, screaming and cheering their heads off! NFL Commissioner James Gordon has just announced the first ever draft selection and thus inaugural member, the first Des Moines Dragon, in history, and needless to say, the announcement was a huge hit with the fans here in Iowa. Let's go back and replay the Commissioner's announcement, and I want you to hear how this arena just erupted when the announcement was made."

Cut to video of NFL Commissioner James Gordon: "With the first selection of the 2025 NFL expansion draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Mitch Plante, safety, … {noise drowns out words} … safety, Washington Warriors."

Greenberg: "So that just happened, and needless to say, it was a popular pick here in Des Moines. Plante was drafted just a week ago with the third selection of second round of the rookie draft. But Mitch, repack your bags, you're leaving D.C. to come back to Iowa!"

Mike Mayock: "Mitch Plante, as the hometown fans likely know, was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist for the Iowa State Cyclones last year, and a First Team Big 12 safety."

Todd McShay: "And it makes sense, given Jack Ledger's flair for the public eye, that he would use the Dragons' first pick on an Iowa native. Just like you were suggesting, Mayock."

Greenberg: "I want to touch on two things about this pick. The first is the process. Washington can now protect every other rookie on their team, as well as five veterans, from being drafted by the Dragons. They have 10 minutes – or more, if the Dragons use all of their clock time – to submit the names of those protected players. Because there's a lesser-known rule in this draft that the Dragons cannot select two players from the same team back-to-back. That just gives the other teams more time to submit their lists of protected players to the commissioner and to the Dragons. The other point I want to touch on, I'm actually going to turn over to Mel Kiper. Mel, as always, is the NFL's everything draft-related expert par excellence, and Mel will be on hand with us to talk about what the rookies the Dragons draft bring to the table for their new team. Mel, I assume you can start to hear me now? The noise dying down a bit?"

Mel Kiper: "Yes, Mike, I'm here!"

Greenberg: "Mel, what can you tell us about the very first Dragon?"

[revrew]

Mel Kiper: "It's hardly a surprise the Dragons selected Mitch Plante, a safety out of Iowa State. What is a surprise, frankly, is that he was even available for the Dragons to take. Remember, all first round picks from last week's draft are ineligible for today's expansion draft, and there are many – myself included – who thought Plante would be a first-round rookie selection.

"But Plante fell through to the second round, Washington picked him up, and now the Dragons have swooped in and stolen him away. And this guy is a steal. He has a nose for the ball, with 5 interceptions his senior year and 13 over his college career. As Mike Mayock pointed out, a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. And this guy is also a HUGE hitter. I mean he crushes people over the middle. He's blazing fast, and he hits like a sledgehammer. Truly an exceptional athlete, and not only should he start for the Dragons, but he may have ProBowl selections in his future.

"The knock on Plante is that he is a little short for the safety position, only 5'10", so he may struggle with some of the taller tight ends around the league, and he doesn't shed blockers well, so he can get lost close to the line. I think that's why he fell to the second round, but in space this guy is a headhunter and a playmaker, and Dragons are off to a (dare I say it, Mike?) a blazing start."

1. SS Mitch Plante, R, 47/71

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the second selection of the 2025 NFL expansion draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … tight end, Kelvin Satterfield, Houston Texans."

Mike Greenberg: "Another eruption from the crowd here at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines! I think this is a popular pick as well."

Todd McShay: "Kudos to our broadcast partner, Mike Mayock. You actually called this one before the draft."

Mike Mayock: "Well, it looks like Jack Ledger, owner of the Dragons, is making a popular statement to the fans right away, drafting two players, back to back, from Iowa State University. And like I said before the show, Satterfield is a fast tight end who can get down the seam in a hurry or make the cut and run away from linebackers in the flat. He's only in his third year in the league, and I suspect he would have been on the Texans' protected list if it weren't for a high-ankle sprain that plagued him most of his rookie year and a broken leg that cost him his sophomore campaign. He just hasn't been able to get on the field."

Greenberg: "I want to bring something up, here. This makes two picks, back-to-back, of Iowa State Cyclones. But this is 'The Hawkeye State,' right? Can we expect the Dragons to pick some Hawkeyes?"

McShay: "They may call it the Hawkeye State, but the Iowa Hawkeyes have fallen on tough years of late. After the unexpected retirement of long-time coach Kirk Ferentz due to health concerns several years ago, the Hawkeyes have been cellar dwellers in the Big 10, while Iowa State has been the team to beat. The Cyclones have two top 10 finishes nationally in the last 5 years, and with churning out players like Plante and Hatterfield, it's easy to see why."

Greenberg: "Will the Dragons pick another Iowa State player next to score the Cyclone hat trick, or will we see another school represented today? More from the 2025 NFL expansion draft right after this."

2. TE Kelvin Satterfield, 3, 51/67

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the third selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Colby Gibson, tackle, New England Patriots."

Mike Greenberg: "Gibson … is he a veteran, or …?"

Mike Mayock: "No, he's a rookie, second round pick of the Patriots."

Greenberg: "Oh! Another rookie, another second rounder. That means the Dragons have used both of their second round rookie selections – just like you predicted, Mike, starting with players they missed out on last week but have the chance to select today – but that means the Dragons are done with second rounders. Every other team in the NFL besides Washington and New England, their second round picks are safe."

Adam Shefter: "And you gotta believe there are 29 general managers around the league who are breathing a huge sigh of relief right now."

Todd McShay: "No kidding. But can I point out something? This is funny. The Dragons' first two selections were Iowa State alumni. Colby Gibson was drafted out of … wait for it … the University of Northern Iowa."

Greenberg: "What? Another Iowa player? Are you kidding me? Dragons Owner Jack Ledger is clearly looking to make a positive PR splash by grabbing players from Iowa right off the bat. Dragons fans have to be happy about this."

McShay: "It is a curious choice, though."

Greenberg: "Let's hear more about that from Mel Kiper. Mel is standing by, ready to give us the low down on any players plucked from the rookie pool. And with Colby Gibson being taken off the board, the Dragons have used up their second-round rookie picks. Mel Kiper, what do you think of this selection?"

[revrew]

Mel Kiper: "Greeny, I have to admit, I am dumbfounded by this choice. Colby Gibson was selected with the 28th pick of the second round last week. Surely the Dragons would have benefited more from a higher selection, like linebacker Johnny Junker, who the Eagles took with the first pick of the second round, or if they wanted a tackle, why not grab Ken Whitfield from Cleveland, who was taken at 2.11?"

Mike Greenberg: "Could it be, Mel, that the Dragons are planning to pluck veterans from Philly or Cleveland, or that they have an eye on a third rounder from those teams? Taking a second rounder from a team, our viewers should understand, means that team gets to protect every other player in their draft class as well as 5 additional veterans."

Mike Mayock: "It could be that there was just no one else on the Patriots' eligible list the Dragons were interested in."

Todd McShay: "Or maybe Jack Ledger was just reaching for another Iowa player."

Kiper: "If he was, it was too much of a reach. Or at least, I think he had better options. But let me tell you about Gibson. He's a strong, powerful blocker out of Northern Iowa, where he really pushed the competition around. At 6'3" with long arms, he's got the build you want for an NFL tackle. But there are questions about how his game will translate, and that's why he slipped to the second round. He hasn't seen NFL-caliber competition, and can he develop the footwork needed to stop the elite pass rushers he's going to see at the next level? He was a good choice for the Patriots, who are set at left tackle for now and don't need to push Gibson into the lineup. But was he a good choice for the Dragons? We may find out sooner than Gibson is ready for."

3. LT Colby Gibson, R, 26/67

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the fourth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Dale Griffin, linebacker, Tennessee Titans."

Mike Greenberg: "Someone get me the biographical information on Griffin. Is this our fourth Iowa player?"

Mike Mayock: "No, Griffin is from Vanderbilt."

Greenberg: "There it is! Our first player who didn't come out an Iowa school. Looks like Jack Ledger was starting with a trifecta of Iowans to pump up the crowd – and it worked marvelously, I should say – but we're moving on to the rest of the roster. Gentlemen, what can you tell us about linebacker Dale Griffin?"

Mayock: "This was a player I had on my watch list. Tennessee drafted Griffin in the fourth round last year, and his spent his rookie season backing up middle linebacker Gary Schulz. But Griffin looked solid in preseason action and practices, and I was a little surprised Tennessee left him available, but then, when you have to leave 15, there are going to be some quality players."

Todd McShay: "And these are the kind of players that you might expect the Dragons to target. Younger up-and-comers that will get more of a look on a new team than sitting on someone else's depth chart. I know several squads left older and pricey veterans on their unprotected list, but so far the Dragons aren't biting. Clearly Ledger is thinking long-term."

4. MLB Dale Griffin, 2, 46/67

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the fifth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Mitch Wells, cornerback, Indianapolis Colts."

Mike Greenberg: "Now, THIS player was on my prediction list. I don't care about the contract disputes, I don't care about his more diminutive size, Mitch Wells can PLAY. And how the Colts could leave a 25-year-old player with a ProBowl on his resume on the unprotected list, I don't get it."

Adam Shefter: "The only way Wells makes it onto the unprotected list is the 15-player mandate. And I think the Colts realized: one, his contract demands and threatened holdout were going to be a distraction; and, two, every GM in the league knew Indy was shopping Wells, so his trade value was rock bottom. Frankly, I think Indianapolis unloaded a headache, and it's Jack Ledger's headache now."

Greenberg: "I'm guessing Ledger will happily take a pair of aspirin if he can take Wells, too. There just aren't that many lockdown corners available."

Mike Mayock: "And that's where you're touching on it. Wells is a man-to-man specialist who sticks like glue, even to receivers six inches taller than he is. And he hits ball carriers like a safety. He has speed to burn, and along with the rookie safety, Mitch Plante, he'll give the fledgling Dragon secondary a measure of legitimacy."

5. CB Mitch Wells, 6, 61/61

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the sixth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Ashton Dodge, cornerback, Seattle Seahawks."

Mike Greenberg: "And BOOM! My man, Mike Mayock, goes two for two on the predictions!"

Todd McShay: "Not only that, but adding the veteran Dodge to Wells and Plante gives the Dragons instant respectability in the secondary. What's more, all three are head hunters who strike fear into opponents. Do you remember when Seattle was known as the Legion of Boom? It looks like the Dragons are building the same model."

Greenberg: "Have you ever seen the fans at a draft so pumped? This is the third Iowa State player to find his way onto the Dragons roster, and these Iowans are eating it up."

McShay: "It's a raucous atmosphere in the Wells Fargo Center, to be sure. Six picks in the books, and four of them from Iowa schools …"

6. CB Ashton Dodge, 8, 60/60

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the seventh selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Fred McLane, guard, Denver Broncos."

Mike Mayock: "Going right back to Iowa, the Dragons take the first Hawkeye of the night!"

Mike Greenberg: "Second year player out of the University of Iowa, what can you tell us about him, Mayock?"

Mayock: "He's stout, strong, a mauler in the trenches. He's only 21, so he's still growing into his body and still raw in terms of technique, but he was good enough at Iowa for Denver to take him last year in the third."

Todd McShay: (quietly interrupting) "Um, guys … ?"

7. G, Fred McLane, 2, 34/68

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the eighth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Malachi Ellison, tackle, New York Giants."

Mike Greenberg: "Now, we're starting to see the selections many expected. The Dragons got their second-round picks early, and now they're putting the veteran pieces in place. I like this move. Ellison is a starter in this league, and the Giants were pushed into leaving someone solid on the draft-eligible list."

Mike Mayock: "The Giants drafting a tackle in the second round this year actually makes a lot of sense now. They were reading the tea leaves. Clever."

Greenberg: "What do you mean?"

Mayock: "The Giants must have calculated that if Ellison were taken in expansion, they would have a rookie in place to replace him. But if the Dragons took their 2nd round rookie, the Giants likely would have used one of their 5 veteran protections on Ellison. Either way, the Giants have a tackle – Ellison or the rookie."

Greenberg: "Well, now the Dragons have a tackle. Two of them and a guard. Just like the secondary, the O-line is shaping up."

Todd McShay: (interjecting): "No way!"

Greenberg: "What?"

McShay: "Guys … you aren't going to believe this …"

8. T Malachi Ellison, 9, 53/53

[revrew]

Mike Greenberg: "What is it, Todd?"

Todd McShay: "So the Dragons have taken 8 players thus far, and we know that 5 of them are from Iowa universities. 3 aren't - Griffin, Wells, and Ellison."

Mike Mayock: "That's what I'm seeing."

McShay: "But check this out: Dale Griffin played his HIGH SCHOOL ball … in Williamsburg."

Greenberg: "So?"

McShay: "Williamsburg, IOWA. And Wells? Grew up in Avoca, Iowa. And now Ellison? Grew up in Sloan, Iowa."

Greenberg: "Are you serious?"

McShay: "Hat tip to the people on Joker.com for making that factoid go viral, but I've double-checked it with the NFL Stats Bureau. It's true: Every player the Dragons have selected so far played either high school or college ball in Iowa."

{ stunned silence }

Mayock: "Well, it's not like they're bad players. I mean - Plante, Wells, and Dodge are a good-looking start to this secondary. And I predicted they'd take Satterfield."

Greenberg: "But you also predicted Jack Ledger would make a splash by taking Iowa players. It looks like your prediction was more spot on than you realized."

McShay: "But surely they can't be limiting their selections to exclusively Iowa players. Can they?" …

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the ninth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Myles Kinney, receiver, Chicago Bears."

Mike Greenberg: "Kinney. Out of …. ?"

Mike Mayock: "Iowa State."

Todd McShay: "Oh … my … "

Greenberg: "Will the Dragons make it ten? I mean, I can see taking the top ten from Iowa as a publicity stunt. But then, then you have to start building the rest of the team, right?"

9. WR Myles Kinney, 5, 52/52

[revrew]

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the tenth selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Craig Fredrickson, linebacker, New York Jets."

Mike Mayock: "Fredrickson was the Jets' third-round pick this year. He's a rookie …"

Mike Greenberg: "Great! We can go to Mel—"

Mayock: "Out of tiny Cornell College."

Greenberg: "OK …"

Mayock: "In Iowa."

10. MLB Craig Fredrickson, R, 28/59

[revrew]

Mike Greenberg: "Thank you, Mel Kiper, for the breakdown on the Dragons' most recent rookie pick. But now the suspense actually builds. Jack Ledger has done the most extraordinary thing: Guiding the Dragons to select 10-straight players from Iowa. When will the streak end? I speculated earlier that he would stop after 10. Guys, anyone want to make a prediction?"

Todd McShay: "On when the streak ends?"

Greenberg: "Yes! Let's get the predictions in quick, before Commissioner Gordon announces the next pick. At what pick do the Dragons take a player with NO Iowa ties at all? A player who has never played in Iowa? Todd McShay, why don't—"

Mike Mayock: "The next pick is in now."

Greenberg: "Oh!"

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the 11th selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Herb Dallesandro, safety, Buffalo Bills."

Mayock: "From … the University of Iowa."

Greenberg: "11 picks! 11 picks from Iowa! I feel like, what was the name of that character from Sesame Street?"

McShay: "The Count?"

Greenberg: "The Count! Yes. Eleven! 11 picks from Iowa … ha, ha, ha!"

11. FS Herb Dallesandro, 6, 52/52

[revrew]

.
.
.

Commissioner James Gordon: "With the 20th selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Rod Corbett, receiver, Philadelphia Eagles."

Mike Greenberg: "Wait a minute … Corbett. According to my screen, Corbett grew up in New Jersey. Played ball for Northwestern. That's in Illinois! Is this the end of the streak?"

Mike Mayock: "Corbett played for Northwestern College, not University."

Greenberg: "Don't tell me."

Mayock: "Northwestern College … in Iowa."

Greenberg: "Surely you can't draft an ENTIRE team from just one state! Can you?"

[revrew]

.
.
.

Commissioner James Gordon: "And with the 40th and final selection of the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft, the Des Moines Dragons select … Ricardo Heuring, defensive end, Jacksonville."

Greenberg: "And Ricardo Heuring is from …"

Mike Mayock: "7th round rookie out of Iowa State University."

Todd McShay: "This is ridiculous! It's a farce! Jack Ledger and the Dragons hadn't selected a Jacksonville Jaguar all day, and when they finally do, it's a seventh round rookie who likely won't even make an NFL roster. There were quality veterans on Jacksonville's unprotected list!"

Adam Shefter: "What's even worse, Todd, is that many GMs caught on to the Dragons' Iowa-only scheme early. After their first player was taken, and they had the chance to protect more players, they specifically protected their players with Iowa roots. Everyone caught on, it seems, and it put the Dragons at a real, competitive disadvantage."

Greenberg: "Shefty begs an interesting question. The Dragons have built the core of their team around Iowa-based players. If we assume they do the same with free agents and undrafted players to continue building the team … how much of a handicap is that? What does kind of 'competitive disadvantage' will they have?"

McShay: "I'm going on record right now. If they don't bust out of this Iowa-only nonsense, if they try to build an entire team from one state … I predict they don't win a single game."

Greenberg: "Ouch!"

McShay: "It's not anything against the state of Iowa, which has produced many fine players. But not an entire squad. Not an NFL-caliber player at every position. Sure, the secondary looks ready to play on Day 1. But the defensive line, the running backs ... and where are they getting a pass rush from? You heard it here first: O-and-16."

[revrew]

Jack Ledger did, indeed, fill the remainder of his roster with free agents, all with roots in the state of Iowa. He did so quietly, as if it were just par-for-the-course NFL business.

But in other cities around the nation, NFL owners were stewing. Whispers were heard of owners calling it a "joke," a "farce," and recommending sanctions on the new Des Moines Dragons franchise. Commissioner Gordon was visibly unhappy with Ledger's antics. On sports talk radio and TV, Todd McShay was not the only pundit to predict dire fortunes for the Dragons.

What all the doomsayers didn't count on, however, was the bombshell Ledger was about to drop on a hastily called NFL owners meeting to discuss the controversy …

[revrew]

"How about a magic trick?"

The NFL owners met in Dallas, home of the grand statesman of old-timer NFL owners, Jerry Jones. The emperor of all things Cowboy, however, had not aged well. And neither had his franchise. The arrest of Ezekiel Elliott in 2020 had taken much of the gleam off the silver and blue and tarnished the team with fans. Like much of the NFL, the Cowboys were being propped up more by old money than by new blood.

Though the meeting was held behind closed doors, word of the strange happenings in Dallas still leaked out.

Allegedly, Jack Ledger was actually late to the meeting. The owners were already in board room, some meeting by teleconference – one even made the statement that the expansion draft had been nothing but a "cheap publicity stunt" – when the Dragons' owner walked in … laughing. A long, pronounced, mocking laugh. Ho, ho, he, he, ah, ah, ah.

"And I thought my jokes were bad," reports say he began.

When an NFL owner immediately retorted a threat of "pulling" the Dragons' 2026 first round draft pick, Ledger ignored it.

"How about a magic trick?" Ledger said instead.

Placing a single sheet of paper on the table, clearly marking the millions of dollars the Detroit Lions had been losing every year, Ledger said: "I'm going to make this red ink disappear."

Then, every cell phone in the room rang simultaneously. It was a simple file texted to every owner. In it … records that the Des Moines Dragons sold 20,000 season tickets to Joker Field by the time the expansion draft had concluded. Sold 40,000 before the weekend was out. Records that over 87 million people had reacted to the draft on Joker.com. And finally, within the first week, the Des Moines Dragons had sold its maximum allowable 60,000 season tickets to a 65,000-seat stadium that hadn't even been built yet, leaving only 5,000 available tickets to the general public for game day.

"Ta-da! It's … it's gone," Ledger said.

"Oh, and by the way," he continued. "The publicity stunt wasn't cheap. You ought to know," and here he drew a paper from his purple suit coat documenting the NFL owners' vote agreeing to the expansion draft rules. "You bought it."

An AFC North owner reportedly stood in a show of bravado, but another owner said, "Sit. I want to hear what he has to say for himself."

"Let's wind the clocks back a decade," Ledger said. "NCAA football couldn't touch any of you. I mean, what happened? Were your balls deflated? Hm? You see, a guy like me–

"A freak," came a condescending comment from somewhere in the room.

"A guy like me … look, listen," Ledger said, losing patience. "I know why you choose to have your little, ahem, 'group-therapy' sessions in Dallas. I know why you're afraid to look at the ratings. The NCAA. See, the NCAA has shown fans your true colors, unfortunately. Detroit, it's just the beginning."

Then, referring to one of the owners on teleconference, Ledger said, "And as for the TV's plans to 'boost' your fanbase, the NCAA is everywhere."

"What do you propose?" asked an owner.

"It's simple. We, uh, kill the NCAA's monopoly on fans."

"If it's so simple, why haven't you done it already?"

"I already have."

"You're crazy," said the AFC North owner.

"No," Ledger said with a menacing glare. "No. I'm. Not. If we don't deal with this soon, little Green Bay here won't be able to get a nickel for his grandma."

"Enough from the clown!" protested an attendee.

"All right. So, listen, why don't you give me a call when you want to start taking things a little more seriously?" Ledger said. Then he threw down on the table the Joker from a Bicycle deck. "Here's my card."

And he walked out of Dallas a free man …

[revrew]

Are the Dragons 'Serious'?
Jason Todd, Des Moines Register

The joke is on you, National Football League!

Or is it?

Jack Ledger, the "Clown Prince of Social Media," has set the stodgy pro football league on its ear by building his new Des Moines Dragons franchise entirely from Iowa-grown players. Over the objections of his fellow NFL owners and NFL Commissioner James Gordon, Ledger has only bought toys for his team's brand-new roster from one store: Iowa high schools and universities. The approach contrasts sharply with a league that typically drafts and signs all-star talent from across the country.

Ledger has been uncharacteristically quiet about his unorthodox approach to building an NFL team. Requests for interviews have gone unanswered. His public appearances have been limited to other business interests.

The only clue we have to Ledger's thinking is the Dragon owner's post on Joker.com depicting a slithering green dragon emerging from the heart of Iowa on a darkened map of the U.S. and clutching a pair of footballs. Then, the dragon turns its face up in a massive, red grin, pops the footballs in its talons like a pair of whoopee cushions, and intones the cryptic line, "Why so s-s-serious?"

What did Ledger mean by it? Sports pundits have interpreted the post to mean everything from a joke being played on the NFL to Ledger intentionally trolling the very pundits trying to make sense of it all.

There's little doubt, however, that the fans are definitely buying into Ledger's particular, peculiar brand of humor.

The first Dragon has yet foot on a practice field, and Joker Field (currently under construction) has yet to boast a single blade of grass, but the team has already sold out its first three home games of the season and every season ticket package available. That's right – if you want to hop on the Dragon bandwagon, you're going to need to get in line.

"I'm lovin' it! I'm absolutely lovin' it," said Bob Kane, a University of Iowa alum from West Des Moines. "I see it all as a challenge to the rest of the nation. Ledger is basically saying, 'Our Iowa boys can take on the rest of the country all by themselves!'"

Bill Finger, a Drake grad from Beaverdale and a proud, new, Dragon season-ticket holder, couldn't agree more.

"I had stopped watching the NFL years ago, but I'm all in now," Finger told the Register. "We've got our own team, and it's OUR team, and that's something I can cheer about!"

And while the other NFL owners may be looking at Ledger askance, for a professional sports league that has seen its popularity plummet over the last decade, the enthusiasm Dragons fans have for pro football in Iowa is something the NFL should be cheering about as well.

Hm, perhaps "the Dragon experiment" isn't such a joke after all. Or at least, perhaps Ledger isn't as crazy as the pundits say he is.

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights

Throughout camp, as many pundits predicted, the Dragons secondary stole the show. Veteran CBs Ashton Dodge and Mitch Wells blanketed every receiver they faced and provided key leadership in the locker room. It's clear the entire team is looking up to these two. Rookie safety Mitch Plante turned heads several times, as well, jumping routes with surprising speed and racking up INTs in multiple practices.

Tight end Kelvin Satterfield, meanwhile, was a star for the offense as both a security blanket for the QBs and a playmaker. Most importantly, the oft-injured former Cyclone has stayed healthy throughout camp.

In the trenches, veteran guard Burt Taylor has been a beast in the run game, consistently tossing the Dragons' young defensive line about like rag dolls, opening wide lanes for presumed starting RB Drake Boyette.

Training camp question marks

The biggest question, naturally, is who will quarterback this young club? Veteran journeyman Nathaniel Witt has the upper hand right now, based on his experience and his legs. Witt was the leading rusher, as a quarterback, for the Hawkeyes nine years ago, and he's still as dangerous as ever in the open field. But Witt's ceiling as a passer could leave room for competition from rookie Bart Dubord, who is more of a field general, or even Tony LaBrosse, who was also a scrambler at Iowa and may have the better arm.

And the biggest concern is the defensive line, where the Dragons boast only one player with more than a year of experience. They're green, they're unproven, and in training camp, the Dragons O-line dominated the youngsters across the ball from them.

Predictions

The NFC North represents a diverse skill set – the ballhawking secondary in Green Bay, the dominating run game behind Adam Devine in Chicago, or the passing attack in Minnesota with star QB Kris Van Pelt. Every one of these rivals tests the Dragons in areas of weakness.

It's hard to see anyone passing up Minnesota for the division crown, and the Dragons don't have the proven muscle up front to slow down Chicago. The best bet is that Des Moines will battle with Green Bay for the #3 spot, while neither looks poised yet to grab a wild card spot.

[revrew]

Dragons take the field for the first time

Joker Field wasn't yet finished in time for the first Des Moines Dragons preseason game, so the faithful in green, gold, and purple made their way north to nearby Ames, Iowa, and Iowa State University's Jack Trice Stadium.

For the capacity crowd of 63,700, it was a glorious beginning to the new franchise.

For many of the players on hand that day who had graduated from ISU, it was a homecoming to Ames. And they played like it.

What's more, Coach Jim Wells made the surprising decision to play the team's starters for most of the game –– and the crowds ate … it … up.

The starting Dragons completely dominated the N.Y. Jets' second and third stringers. Quarterback Nathaniel Witt played the full first half, completing 10 of 12 and a pair of TD passes to former ISU standout WR Miles Kinney, who picked up like he never left Ames.

The real star of the game, however, was second-year RB Drake Boyette, a late-round pick last season who returned to Jack Trice like a man determined to win his hometown girlfriend back. Boyette racked up 113 yards and looked unstoppable with a 4.52 average per carry and a fourth quarter touchdown.

The defense also looked surprisingly stout, as the Dragons won their first ever (preseason) home game by a convincing 33-7 margin.

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons Coach Jim Wells, a former University of Iowa assistant under Kirk Ferentz and former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, is famously a man of few words. Never has that been more clear than in the formation of the Dragons, where Wells steadfastly refused to talk to the press. Not an interview, not a social media post, not a quote.

Was that just because of his reticence to talk publicly? Or was Jack Ledger coordinating it behind the scenes? If the latter, it will surely only add to Ledger's legend as a public relations god, for at the conclusion of the Dragons' first pre-season game, when Coach Wells was compelled by NFL rules to take the podium (for the first time), the press room was overflowing with cameras, mics, and reporters. The entire sports media universe had shown up, it seems, to listen in on the first public words spoken by the Dragons' captain.

The 60-year-old, gruff and wizened coach, bedecked in a Dragon-green windbreaker, stepped up to the microphone cluster. His responses to reporter questions, per trademark Wells, were clipped, but thoughtful:

"Coach Wells, were you aware prior to your hire of Jack Ledger's plan to build a team entirely of Iowa players?"

"He picks 'em, I coaches 'em. That was the deal."

"So you were aware of the plan ahead of time?"

"What's it matter? He could pick kangaroos, for all I care. He picks 'em, I coaches 'em. That was the deal."

"Are you concerned at all that building a team of players from only one of the 50 states could put the Dragons at a disadvantage?"

"No."

"Do you believe you can win this kind of team?"

"Yes."

"Coach, how do you think you can win without access to 95% of the available players?"

"We'll win with the players we have, just like every other team."

"Coach, can you explain why you kept the first-string players in through most of today's game?"

"Brand new team. The first string needs all the time together they can get."

"So it wasn't just a publicity move, to make sure the Dragons win their first game?"

"I like to win. If you don't, you're in the wrong business."

"Do you think the Jets will take it as an insult that your starters beat up on the backups?"

"They don't want to see how their young guys perform against NFL starters? I would."

"But what if they take offense at the Dragons running up the score?"

Wells gave the reporters a moment of silence, a scowl, then said, "Let 'em."

[revrew]

Remaining preseason

In their second preseason game, the Des Moines Dragons came crashing back to earth. It was a road game, and Coach Wells did bench several starters to test his team's depth. But any way you slice it, the Dragons looked atrocious. The offense totaled only 155 yards, while coughing up 6 turnovers, in a brutal 42-3 loss.

The backups sputtered again in the Dragons' third preseason game in Jacksonville, but the defense saved the day, with an unexpected pass rush and a pick six from dimeback Irv Smith to seal the 24-12 victory.

Back at home for preseason game #4, the starters came out of the gate very rusty. Young RB Drake Boyette fumbled the ball away on the very first offensive play. And while Boyette did manage to play better in limited action, a sloppy day all around led to a loss, the Dragons falling to the Bills, 17-10.

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Wrap-up
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Watching the Dragons in preseason filled this Iowan with both signs of hope … and of dread.

Let's talk hope first: In the limited action of pre-season ball, second-year running back Drake Boyette ran the ball with good vision behind an offensive line that looks capable of blowing open some holes. The passing attack showed more punch, particularly in the first preseason game, than previously anticipated. And rookie safety Mitch Plante has been flying around the field, making plays like a star in the making.

Now the dread: It's clear this team has little depth. When the Dragons starters were not on the field, the reserves looked overpowered, outrun, and lost playing at an NFL level. Some of that is their youth, and some of that … well, it won't be popular to say it, but some of it may be that Iowa may not have produced a full, 53-man roster worth of NFL-ready talent.

But ready or not, the NFL season is upon us. The Dragons open on the road in Los Angeles, facing the Chargers in Week 1.

[revrew]

Season 1, week 1: The Dragons take the field for the first time

While dragons may be typically associated with fire and brimstone, the Des Moines Dragons began their football franchise in frigid form. On an unseasonably cold and cloudy day in Los Angeles, the fledgling Iowa franchise managed just two plays before fumbling the ball away. The fumble was returned for a touchdown, and the Dragons' season started down 7-0.

But something stirred in the squad's secondary, as the opposing Chargers were stymied in the air. Los Angeles failed to find a first down in the first quarter, and the second started with an interception by Des Moines' safety Herb Dallesandro.

And even while the Dragons' offense stumbled, the veterans in their secondary donned the mantle of leadership. Captain cornerback Ashton Dodge added an interception, and Dallesandro swatted 3 passes out of the air, consistently confounding the Chargers.

Twice the heralded defenders gave the Dragons the ball in opponents' territory. And then …

And then, an echo of glory resounded. A fire, once dim and smoldering, was re-ignited in an old heart. Dragons quarterback Nathaniel Witt, who ten years ago had led the Iowa Hawkeyes to victory on the strength of his arms and indomitable legs, found within himself a fount of youth.

At a pivotal moment in the third quarter, the former Hawkeye evaded an oncoming blitzer, looked off a retreating secondary, and burst out of the pocket for a scrambling first down. Again and again, Witt eluded the rush by rushing for yards. Then, just as the defense keyed in on the athletic QB, Witt found receiver Preston Evans for the very first Dragon touchdown.

The fourth quarter turned into a battle of field position, as the two teams exchanged field goals and punts. But the Dragons were pushing the Chargers back and back in the battle. Forcing a three-and-out and then another, the Dragons had compelled the Chargers to punt from their own end zone. With only 3 minutes left on the clock, and trailing 13-17, the Dragons returned the punt into Charger territory.

Nathaniel Witt was given one more chance. One more drive to forever determine which foot the Dragon franchise would begin upon.

A completion. Another. Another. Within 4 plays, Witt had the Dragons knocking on the door, 1st and goal from the Charger 5 with barely more than a minute to play.

Inside the 2-minute warning, Witt faked the handoff to the back, than turned to look for the tight end in the flat on a play-action pass. But the Chargers had read it perfectly. The tight end was locked down. Witt looked for his secondary receiver but saw only two Charger defenders charging in on him. The wily quarterback pulled a pump fake to send the first pass rusher skyward, then tucked the ball and spun to elude the second. He ran left along the line, but the pocket had broken down, and a linebacker came free. Witt lunged forward, slipped out of the linebacker's grasp, then cut to the right. His tight end target turned to run block, and Witt took off into open green, ten yards from the end zone. Just ten yards, and the Dragons would take the first lead in Des Moines pro football history. Just 9 more yards, just 8, just 7, just 6, just 5. Sidestepping a safety who cut the angle too sharply, Witt lunged forward from the four, diving for the goal line …

[revrew]

… TOUCHDOWN!

Nathaniel Witt had helped this franchise find its footing, on the strength of his own legs! Dragons took the lead, 20-17, with barely more than a minute to play.

Three plays later, the L.A. Chargers faced a 4th down with no choice but to go for it. QB Broderick Checkovich out of the shotgun fired a rocket to the receiver on a slant … but Dragons veteran CB Mitch Wells read it perfectly! He stepped in front, snagged the pass, and sealed the victory! Dragons win! Dragons win their first ever NFL contest!

(So much for 0-16, Todd McShay!)

[revrew]

Week 2: At Minnesota
Despite riding the high of their first victory, the Dragons entered Week 2 with some serious injury concerns. Especially for a team with suspect depth, missing a pair of o-linemen from the starting lineup spelled bad news. The offense struggled mightily, surrendering a brutal 7 sacks.

It didn't help the Dragons were playing preseason NFC North favorites, the Minnesota Vikings, on their home turf.

Again, it was the Dragon defense keeping the team in the game. The secondary knocked down 5 passes and held the Vikings to only 1-of-8 on passing 3rd downs.

Ultimately, however, wasn't enough to stop the division leaders at home, Dragons fall 20-14.

[revrew]

Week 3: Denver comes to Des Moines

Welcome to Des Moines suburb Altoona, Iowa, home of Adventureland, Jethroni Pepperoni, and now … Joker Field, the gorgeous, new, outdoor stadium that serves as home and lair for the Des Moines Dragons.

The stadium is not only a technical marvel – having been built in record time and at record expense – but it's also a monument of modern beauty. Dragon green seating surrounds a field accented in purple and gold, while a handful of lucky fans are made eligible each Sunday to be upgraded into "The Dragon's Den," a cave-like box seat experience that already has fans clamoring for a chance to be included. Massive screens, a permanent dragon's maw leading out of the locker room, and fire cannons that launch massive flames into the sky make Joker Field a fun house for fans. Rumors on social media even hint that Dragons owner Jack Ledger intends to bring live jousting back to life in the NFL's offseason!

But could the team on the field match the enthusiasm over the field itself?

No. Not even close. Denver walks into town and completely spoils the Dragons' grand home opening with a 35-3 beatdown. Ouch.

[revrew]

Monday press avail with Coach Jim Wells

Coach! Coach Wells! How do you explain this weekend's big loss?

Turnovers. 5 of them.

Do you think Denver may just have more talent than the Dragons' roster?

Even out the turnover battle, then we'll see how the talent stacks up.

So you don't think the loss is indicative of the Dragons' problems with fielding an Iowa-only team?

Nope.

But do you think a better roster would turn the ball over less?

Great teams play bad games. Turnovers happen.

But do you think you have the talent it takes to win in this league?

Look: I know what you're fishing for, and you aren't going to land that here. Next question.

Coach, how do you feel the team played overall?

The score was 35-3. What do you think?

What about the defense?

We held the enemy to 288 total yards. Proud of the guys for that.

What will it take to right the ship?

Reduce turnovers. Land more big plays.

What are your thoughts looking forward to next week?

Seattle could be the best team in the league. I look forward to the upset.

[revrew]

1-2 Dragons travel to 3-0 Seahawks

What started on an exciting note, with rookie SS Mitch Plante returning an INT 98 yards to the house, unraveled in spectacularly bad fashion.

QB Nathaniel Witt may have had the worst game in NFL history. 12 completions for 69 yards. 4 sacks. 3 INTs. It may be that Witt's first game in the Dragons uniform was the last bit of spark he had left in the tank. Iowa fans are calling for the younger guys to get their shot.

Dragons lose, 31-10

[revrew]

First Quarter report

Record: 1-3
Offense rank: 31st
Points per game: 30th
Defense rank: 17th
Points allowed: 27th
Turnover margin: 28th
Division Rank: 3rd, ahead of 0-4 Green Bay

[revrew]

Rumblings grow over Dragons QB situation
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

He was a hero in Game 1. By Game 4, he's become the scapegoat.

Des Moines Dragons QB Nathaniel Witt faced the toughest defense in the league Sunday (#1 in yards against, #1 in rush defense, #1 passing defense, #1 in creating turnovers) – and he turned in one of the worst games in NFL history. Only 69 yards passing. A QB rating of 9.5.

The game represents rock bottom for an already subpar season for the quarterback. Witt has thrown for a scant 2 touchdowns over 4 games, while throwing 6 picks. His 55.9 QB rating is the second worst for any starting QB through that same period.

And with Witt at the helm, the Des Moines Dragons' offense has been anemic all year, even in the opening victory. The team ranks 31st out of 32 NFL teams in total yards gained. 30th in points scored.

Dragons owner and GM Jack Ledger is conducting an NFL experiment such as the league has never seen before, fielding a roster made exclusively from players with Iowa ties. But Witt's struggles are leading fans to ask: Is it time Ledger cut ties with Witt? Or will we watch the entire experiment fail?

[revrew]

1-3 Dragons host 3-1 Cardinals

One week after fans were screaming for QB Nathaniel Witt's head, and two weeks after Des Moines was utterly destroyed in its home opener, the Dragons give the home crowd something to cheer about.

Witt showed that he still has something in the tank, even if he needs to be carried by a run game and defense. But completing 7-of-10 on 3rd down and tossing a pair of early TD passes may have calmed some of the critics.

The real game ball in this affair, however, goes to the defense. Holding the visiting Redbirds to 1-of-12 on 3rd down and 0-3 on 4th down is how it's DONE.

The Dragons bottle up the Cards' run game, stifle the passing game, and there's joy in Mudville again, as the Dragons score their first home victory, 27-6.

[revrew]

2-3 Dragons host 4-1 Bears

The brutal stretch of league-leading opponents continued with the Bears coming to town. The good news is the sold-out crowd got an entertaining, if not particularly pretty, game to see.

This contest came down to two gladiators zipping all over the field – The Dragons' scrambling QB, Nathaniel "Crazy Legs" Witt, vs. the Bears' all-star pass rusher, Andy Walters.

4 times, Walters Brought Witt to the ground. But most of the game, it was a greyhound chasing a rabbit, as Witt ran 11 times for 55 yards, scrambled for 3 first downs on 3rd down, and generally wore out the opposing defense.

In the end, Witt extending plays and the Dragons' smothering pass defense just kept the Bears off the field, and when Des Moines Safety Herb Dallesandro ran back a pick-6 with 33 seconds left, the deal was sealed: Dragons win, 22-10.

[revrew]

3-3 Dragons host 3-2 Vikings

Welcome back to sold-out Joker Field for another upset special!

Ever since Dragons QB Nathaniel "Crazy Legs" Witt hit rock bottom in Week 4 against Seattle, it's been nowhere but up for the 10-year veteran.

Minnesota had absolutely no answer for Witt's scrambling, and in trying to stop him, the Vikes left open too many passing lanes. Witt didn't put up big numbers, but he was efficient, protected the ball, and kept Minnesota guessing all day long.

Final numbers for Witt: 115.4 passing rating, 4 runs of 10 yards or more, one passing TD, one rushing TD, and most importantly … a Dragons win, 29-14.

[revrew]

4-3 Dragons at 4-3 Chiefs

The brutal schedule continued. The Chiefs at Arrowhead are never an easy game. And this time, the Dragons faced a rough reality: Their all-heart QB was riding a bum knee. With only one game to go until their bye, Coach Jim Wells decided to let Nathaniel Witt rest through two weeks to return healthy for the latter half of the season.

That meant the first career start for the 4-year veteran QB out of the University of Iowa, Tony LaBrosse. Like Witt, LaBrosse was a threat with his legs. But unlike Witt, LaBrosse was more wet behind the ears than wily.

In the end, however, it wasn't LaBrosse who disappointed, but the Dragons' vaulted D.

Kansas City's young gun QB shredded the Dragons like hasn't been seen this season, and though LaBrosse spun it well, he just couldn't keep up. Dragons drop a tough one, 30-17.

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons Half-Way Report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Could the hometown Dragons be turning the corner? Or is their 4-4 record at the halfway point an indicator of an inconsistent, mediocre team?

Let's make the case for the former. The Dragons have beaten the NFC North leading Bears. Three Des Moines victories have come over opponents with winning records. The Dragon D, led by a veteran secondary with all-star talent, ranks 8th in the NFL. No team in the league has found an answer for QB Nathaniel Witt's scrambling ability, especially on 3rd down, and Witt will be returning from injury after this week's bye.

Couple that with a much easier schedule coming up, and you might think the Dragons can push for a wild card spot in the NFC playoff picture.

But let's make the case now for mediocrity. Witt's legs have given this team a spark, but so far, his arm has been a wet spaghetti noodle. The QB is on pace for only 2,500 yards in the air and less than 15 touchdowns on the season. The passing attack is completely anemic, and preseason stud RB Drake Boyette has yet to make a positive impact. The offense overall ranks 30th in the NFL, and the team is in on the negative side of the turnover margin.

The real blame for the offense's woes, however, needs to fall on the offensive line. The unit currently ranks last in run blocking and last in protecting the QB. Rookie Colby Gibson has been completely overmatched by NFL talent at LT, and veteran RT Malachi Ellison may be doing even worse. Granted, any offensive line that is thrown together for the first year is going to suffer from underdeveloped cohesion and communication, but the front 5 – with the possible exception of C Jimmy Alcott – looks completely lost out there.

In stacking the team up against their record, it's true the Dragons have faced a tough slate of opponents. And yes, it does get easier from here on out, including two games against the 1-7 Green Bay Packers. But if the Dragons can't do better than the 17.5 points per game they're currently averaging … it's hard to imagine anything more than mediocrity.

Report Card
Passing: F – I wanted to give them a D, but 30th in the league says it all.
Rushing: D – If it weren't for Witt's scrambling, this grade would be lower.
O-line play: F – Is there such a thing as an F-?
Pass defense: B+ – The secondary is capable and competitive.
Pass rush: D – Rookie DE Ricardo Heuring has a surprising 6.5 sacks, but no one else is getting there.
Run defense: B – Particularly up the middle, the team has been stout.
Special teams: C – Punter Rick Clark is leading the NFL in average, but the kickoff unit is woefully subpar.
Coaching/intangibles: B – Coach Wells has been a steady, assertive force, but he needs to fix that O-line.

[revrew]

During the Des Moines Dragons' inaugural season bye week, owner and GM Jack Ledger doubled down on his strategy of an Iowa-only roster, negotiating extended contracts for several of the Iowa players on the Dragons roster.

Most notable extensions were accepted by:

Team captain and secondary leader FS Herb Dallesandro, 6yr vet (56/56)
League-leading P Rick Clark, 2nd year player (67/67)
Starting MLB Dale Griffin, 2nd year player (49/61)
Team captain and defensive front leader DT Gilbert Powell (46/46)
Team captain and receivers leader FL Myles Kinney (57/57)

[revrew]

4-4 Dragons at 1-7 Green Bay

QB Nathaniel Witt returned from injury to face the cellar dweller Packers on their frozen tundra home turf. And the Packers showed why they're so pathetic, unable to even get a first down before the final drive of the first half.

Witt was nearly flawless, completing 25 of 30, no picks, no sacks, and tacking on 41 rushing yards, powering a convincing 26-10 victory at Lambeau.

[revrew]

5-4 Dragons vs. 0-9 Raiders

Who could be worse than the Packers? Well, the Raiders came to town and … ended their first 3 drives with turnovers in their own territory. On their fourth possession, they botched the punt, giving Des Moines the ball on the Raiders' 14 yard line.

Before the first quarter was over, the Dragons were up 24-0, a margin they coasted to an easy 24-3 victory.

[revrew]

6-4 Dragons host 8-2 Eagles

The turnaround of the Dragons' season, from 1-and-pathetic to 6-4 really fired up the Iowa faithful. Few knowledgeable fans expected Des Moines to really challenge for a title in Year 1, but a winning record and knocking on the door of the NFC North title had far exceeded even what the most ardent Dragon backers expected.

What's more, no one expected the Dragons could keep up the winning streak against the NFC East's crown jewel.

But the Dragons made a name for themselves in defying expectations (0-and-what again, Todd McShay? Oh, that's right, the Dragons haven't been 0-and-anything since they were 0-and-0!).

The Eagles game will long be remembered in Iowa lore. When NFL Films makes their documentary about this amazing season, "The Eagles Game" before a sold-out crowd at Joker Field will undoubtedly steal the show.

On its first possession, Philly drove 76 yards for a TD.

On his first possession, Nathaniel Witt drove the Dragons 77 yards and capped it off with a scrambling TD.

Philly answered back with a field goal. Des Moines followed up with a field goal of their own. Then the defenses of both squads clamped down, and it became a slugfest, both teams grinding it out for field position, trading turnovers, swapping sacks, scratching and clawing for the lead.

But Philly had found the upper hand, and with 1:53 left in the ballgame, Nathaniel Witt was given a 17-10 deficit and one more chance for glory.

He ran, he threw, and with 7 seconds left in the game, he found WR5 Lucas Stephens down the sideline, 35 yards for the score!

In overtime, Philly again got the upper hand, winning the coin toss and, consequently, first possession. But on the second play of the extra period, Eagles RB Adam Gribbon tangled with Dragon LB Ross Flanagan, and the ball hit the dirt. Des Moines nickelback Broderick Garcia dove on the fumble, and gave the Dragons the ball in Eagle territory.

Five plays later, Dragons kicker Gerald Small lined up for the biggest kick of his career, a 51-yarder, which just glanced inside the upright to seal the stunning upset victory, 20-17!

And just like that, the upstart Dragons took possession of first place in the NFC North.

[revrew]

7-4 Dragons host 2-9 Packers

Hosting the Pack on a beautiful fall day, a long-overdue hero emerged. RB Drake Boyette ripped off a long run on the first drive and capped it off by catching a TD pass.

Then, at the start of the 4th quarter, trailing by 10, Boyette fired up the engines. The young runner ripped of a TD run to pull the game close, then with 33 seconds left, he ran in another to put the Dragons up for good. On the day, Boyette ran for 124 yards, a 7.29 average, 2 TDs, and another in the air. Game ball to the running back in Des Moines' 24-20 victory.

[revrew]

8-4 Dragons travel to 3-8-1 Rams

Despite the string of good news, there was some bad news brewing in Week 14: The Dragons' lauded secondary was banged up bad. Star CB Ashton Dodge was out with a strained patellar tendon, and secondary leader FS Herb Dallesandro was on the bench with a sprain. Both looked doubtful to return in the regular season. But would there be a playoffs to return to?
The Rams game definitely left the question in doubt. The turnover bug returned, and the secondary was clearly suffering. Dragons lose, 9-29.

[revrew]

8-5 Dragons visit 5-8 Saints

The Dragons' hopes for postseason play were quickly fading as fast as their health. In a game where QB Nathaniel Witt was constantly running for his life, being sacked 6 times, and yet running for 96 yards, the rest of the team let him down. Dragons lose, 24-16.

[revrew]

8-6 Dragons host 6-8 49ers

The Dragons' secondary was in shreds, as CB Broderick Garcia was also lost to injury. Des Moines had to resort to signing people off the street to play. But would their playoff hopes also be torn to shreds?

WR1 Myles Kinney had been relatively quiet all season long, but not in this one. Kinney scored his first 100-yard game on 8-of-9 targets, and a special teams TD allowed the Dragons to win their final home stand, 23-17.

[revrew]

9-6 Dragons travel to 8-7 Chicago

Going into the final game of the season, Des Moines held the slimmest possible lead over the 9-6 Vikings for the NFL North lead. But with Minnesota playing lowly Green Bay, the Windy City bout was a must-win for Jack Ledger's crew.

But in a game that will forever tarnish the legacy of what he did, lifting this team on his back so many times in its inaugural season, QB Nathaniel Witt laid and absolutely rotten egg. 113 yards. 3 INTs. 3 sacks.

His final play of the day – maybe of his career – came midway through the fourth, when the Dragons got a tiny glimmer of hope following a blocked punt that set them up on the Bears' 22-yard-line. But on the first play, Witt throws a poorly timed pass that's picked off, dashing not only the Dragons' hope for a victory, but their playoff hopes as well.

Backup QB Tony LaBrosse came in afterward to try to inject some life into the team, but it was too little, too late, and the Dragons' season ends with a loss, 27-6.

[revrew]

Alas, so close, and yet to have just missed. The Des Moines Dragons close their regular season 9-7, just outside the playoff picture.

Statistical Season Recap

Team Passing: 28th
Team Rushing: 12th
Total O: 27th
Team Scoring: 26th
Team Pass D: 3rd
Team Rushing D: 10th
Total D: 3rd
Team Scoring D: 12th
Turnover margin: 21st (-2)

Individual top performances:

QB Nathaniel Witt: 2676 yards passing, 13 TDs, 19 INTs, 69.2 rating. Led the team with 766 rushing yards.
RB Drake Boyette: 690 yards, 3.69 ave, 5 TDs.
WR Myles Kinney: 68 catches on 116 targets, 724 yards, 6 TDs, 8 drops
MLB Dale Griffin: 90 tackles
RDE Ricardo Heuring: 7 sacks
LDE Myles Harmon: 23 hurries
CB Mitch Wells: 5 INTs, 83.6 PDPct
FS Herb Dallesandro: 8 passes defensed
LG Burt Taylor: 34 KRBs, 7 pancakes, 17.8 OPct
P Rick Clark: 49.2 Ave, #1 in NFL

Team profit: $118, 360,000
Attendance: 98.9%

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons: Post-Mortem
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

I'm not sure I will ever experience an NFL season like this again.

From the elation of learning the NFL was coming to Iowa, to the contentious controversy over the expansion draft, the dire predictions of gloom, the elation of the very first Dragon game (and victory!), the crushing first home loss, the unforgettable Eagles game … the biggest roller coaster ride in Altoona wasn't at Adventureland, but at Joker Field.

And now, I can't help but feel like a young child at a birthday party whose balloon has just been popped. Nine and seven. One game, one breath, one sliver shy of the most improbable of endings, a playoff run for the expansion, all-Iowa Dragons.

But let us not allow the current deflation to lead us to despair.

The friggin' Dragons won 9 friggin' games, man!

Remember when the pundits said we wouldn't win one? When they laughed at a team made exclusively of "corn-pickers" and "pig (expletive)ers"?

How 'bout dem apples, y'all! This isn't a season for discouragement! This is a season for celebration! An expansion team won NINE games. NINE! And they did it with all … Iowa … players.

Dragons owner Jack Ledger did something astonishing: He put Iowa on the map! And not just for presidential primaries and state fairs on a stick. It was a gutsy, all-on-the-line gamble, and while Ledger didn't exactly hit jackpot, he at least made every head in Vegas and beyond spin like a maple seed in a tornado!

And can you even imagine what this is going to do for recruiting to Iowa's college programs?

Nay, I say put aside the Templeton Rye of despair for another day. This is a day to break out the champagne! NFL football is alive and thriving in Iowa. Who would have ever thought we'd see this day?

[revrew]

DES MOINES DRAGONS YEAR 2:

A huge shakeup happened in Des Moines following the Dragons' first year. Coach Jim Wells and GM Jack Ledger parted ways. Speculation ran wild, but true answers to what happened were hard to come by. Wells' refusal to talk to the media except when compelled to and Ledger's policy of acting on social media like he wasn't an NFL owner and general manager left the sports media nothing but scraps to speculate upon.

The most anyone heard about the situation was leaked reports from a closed-door players' meeting Ledger held with the returning veterans. According to certain "sources," Ledger was diplomatic in wishing Wells well, but said only that the Dragons were "transitioning from an experiment to a legitimate, NFL contender" and that required "a different kind of coach."

Whether that meant Ledger canned Wells, saw some greener grass on another hill, or whether Wells had asked to be released from his contract … no one knows to this day.

But after the meeting, Coach Wells took an assistant coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals, and the Des Moines Dragons went searching for a new coach.

[revrew]

Dragons get new coaching staff

In their second season, the Dragons brought in an entirely new coaching staff, led by former Tampa Assistant Head coach and new Dragon Head Coach Kevin O'Dea. The 56-year-old former offensive lineman and O-line coach was considered a "players' coach" in Tampa, where he often worked with mentoring the young players. He was also a critical part of Tampa's draft day war room, and the consensus in the media is that he was brought in to repair some of the Dragons' abysmal O-line play.

The Dragons also scored a major coup in the offseason by luring Seattle Offensive Coordinator Tom Cable to Des Moines. Cable had become one of the most respected names in offensive gameplanning, and his presence gives O'Dea's staff instant credibility.

O'Dea brought with him Tampa's former secondary coach Andrew Hatchette to be the Dragons' defensive coordinator. Hatchette was a scheme master in Tampa, but he has never been in a coordinator role before and is considered a bit untested.

Finally, the Dragons brought in Nickolas Troutman of Penn State to be the assistant head coach. Troutman had shown an excellent eye for recruiting, for developing young players, and for churning out productive running backs in college, and the hope is that he'll be able to repeat that success in the NFL.

[revrew]

Business

The Dragons actually dropped their ticket prices, looking to keep the fan enthusiasm going. They did not use their franchise tag, and with a 9-7 record, they tied for the 18th draft pick spot.

In Free Agency, the Dragons only targeted two players, and – as expected – both boast an Iowa pedigree. Both also signed with Des Moines:

TE Darren Crozier, 48/48, a 6th year player out of Perry, Iowa, was signed away from Oakland, who didn't really use the undersized, but all-guts bowling ball who is both a powerful blocker and a tenacious receiver over the middle.

RT Percy Yanez, 15/40, a 2nd year player out of the University of Iowa, is green, but shows good technique in the run game.

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

The Dragons have to be considered one of the most intriguing teams in this years' draft. Not because of speculation over what they might do, but because of the absolute certainty over what they seem bound to do. Des Moines GM Jack Ledger steadfastly refuses to field any player who hasn't played either high school or college ball in Iowa. That severely limits his choices come draft day.

Despite what they say about "best talent available," every typical NFL team takes into account two factors on draft day: How good the player is and where the team's needs and future needs lie. But for the Dragons, a third factor has been introduced: Where the players are from.

Not only are Ledger and new Head Coach Kevin O'Dea handcuffed by the third factor, but they're also facing the reality that every other GM in the league knows who they're targeting. If the Dragons want to trade up, for example, teams will know exactly who the Dragons are after. And the teams sitting behind the Dragons in draft position know which players are safe. This puts the Des Moines team at yet another competitive disadvantage in a league where every coach and GM is scrambling for the tiniest of advantage over their rivals.

That said, let's take a look at who everyone in the NFL knows the Dragons have their eyes on - the talent from Iowa - and where said players are currently project to be drafted:

1st Round
OT Dashawn O'Connell attended South Carolina, but he went to high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He would also fill a major need position for the Dragons. But he's considered by many a top 10 talent, so if Ledger and O'Dea want O'Connell, they will likely need to trade up from the 18th spot to land him.

FS Darren Terrell out of Iowa State could fall to the bottom of the first or top of the second. If the Dragons trade down, he's a likely target, but the Dragon secondary is already the team's top position of strength.

2nd Round
No Iowa native players are projected to be picked in the 2nd, unless Terrell falls, so expect the Dragons to use their 2nd rounder as natural trade bait.

3rd Round
Both of Iowa's offensive tackles, Myron West and Bob Hansen, could be selected in the third, as well as Notre Dame grad Mitchell Riepl, who originally hails from Dubuque, Iowa. Hawkeye CB and KR Calvin Minnig might also land here. If the Dragons do trade out of the second, it might be to pick up extra picks in the third to grab more than one of these players.

Other notables:
ISU WR Bernard Russell – He's small and clocked a slow 40, but he was productive in college at a position the Dragons need help
University of Iowa Safety Brock Riley
ISU Guard Amos Shepherd
NC Guard Edgar Edge, who was O'Connell's high school teammate in Cedar Rapids
ISU DE Frankie Rhodes – More of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, and the Dragons really need help in sacking QBs
Ol' Miss TE Dustin Murphy, who originally hails from Camanche, IA

Could the Dragons be baited into overpaying in draft or trade capital in order to land exactly and only these players? Almost certainly. So how will the Dragons avoid being raked over the coals?

[revrew]

Inside the Dragon draft room

At 6 a.m. on draft day, the new Dragons' coaching and scouting staff rolled into the Omni Hotel at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans to make final preparations for the 2026 NFL draft. When they turned on the lights in the designated "war room" for the Dragons, however, they were greeted by a grinning figure in the dark, already hard at work.

Dragons' owner and GM Jack Ledger had the phone to his ear, furiously working the trade lines.

The wide grin, however, soon turned to a grimace. Over the next few hours, while the staff set up the draft board, computers, and phones, Ledger grew increasingly agitated. The staff gave the maniacal mastermind a wide berth when he reportedly threw a cell phone across the room, crushing it against the wall. They gave him an even wider berth when he calmly pulled another phone from his pocket and resumed calling … like he had meant to destroy the first phone all along.

The phone he crushed had an exclusive line set up to the Baltimore Ravens. It was no secret that Ledger's top target in the offseason was Ravens offensive guard Branden Evans, the young stud out of Iowa State who had future All-Pro written all over him. But Baltimore would not trade the fan favorite Evans, despite all Ledger's pleadings.

Ledger then began working multiple teams, looking to trade down in the first. The scouting staff was not as high on Cedar Rapids kid OT Dashawn O'Connell as other GMs, and Ledger's eyes had fallen to Cyclone safety Darren Terrell at the bottom of the first instead.

But here again Ledger was thwarted. Perhaps the other GMs knew they had Ledger over a barrel. Perhaps Ledger had burned too many bridges. Whatever the case, the draft bell was nearing, and still there was no trade in place to position the Dragons to take an Iowa player.

The staff looked nervously toward Ledger. Would he finally relent and choose a non-Iowa player at 1.18? Or would he make the reach pick and take Terrell ten picks too high by most draft estimates?

When the bell struck and the first pick was on the clock, nervous eyes looked toward Ledger. But still the Clown Prince of Social Media kept to himself, and then …

… and then he was overheard quietly giggling. A mischievous gleam came to his eyes. And he turned to the war room with a renewed, powerful confidence, saying, "So this is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object!"

[revrew]

The 2026 Draft begins

Ledger strolled up to the huge touch screen at the front of the room, which both televised the draft and marked the Dragons draft board, with player names that could be dragged and dropped into any place at a whim.

Ledger's fingers hovered over any number of names, while he mused to himself, "Now, our operation is small, but there's a lot of potential for aggressive expansion. So, which one of you fine gentlemen would like to join our team?"

When the 10th pick came in, the San Francisco 49ers unexpectedly passed on the top tackle on the board – including on the Dragons' board – Dashawn O'Connell.

Instantly, the Dragons' phone lines lit up. Multiple trade offers started to gather steam, as GMs began to wonder what price Ledger would pay to move up for O'Connell.

But the Dragons weren't as high on O'Connell as some believed. Ledger rejected multiple offers.

And still, O'Connell slipped down the draft.

At 1.16, the Houston Texans were on the clock. They had a passable interest in O'Connell, but Tampa Bay at 1.17 would definitely target the tackle. If the Dragons did want the Cedar Rapids native, it was now or never on the trade clock. Houston or bust.

While the Texans were on the clock, the call came in. Ledger had traded the 1.18 and 2.14 to move up to the 1.16, while also snagging the Texans' 3.14 and next year's 4th.

A first and a second for a higher first, a third, and a fourth. It was a reasonable deal after all.

And to no one's surprise, the Dragons selected South Carolina alum, but Cedar Rapids native, OT Dashawn O'Connell with their first ever rookie draft pick.

[BYU 14]

Just catching up on this, good stuff!

[revrew]

Just catching up on this, good stuff!

Thanks!

[revrew]

The Dragons 2026 Draft Class

1.16 – OT Dashawn O'Connell, South Carolina (Cedar Rapids, IA)
3.14 – CB/KR/PR Calvin Minnig, Iowa
3.20 – OT Bob Hansen, Iowa
4.19 – S Riley Brock, Iowa
5.18 – RG Edgar Edge, North Carolina (Cedar Rapids, IA)
6.17 – TE Renaldo Barrett, Iowa State
7.20 – DE Frankie Rhodes, Iowa State

Commentary:
Mike Mayock: "I give the Dragons credit for addressing the offensive line and special teams with their first three selections. Ledger's trade up while adding picks was a reasonable move, and I don't feel the Dragons stretched with any of their choices. My biggest concern, however, is the team has not really addressed its receiver corps, and I can't help but wonder if they would have had better trade and draft choices if Ledger wasn't committed to his Iowa-only approach."

Mel Kiper: "I have O'Connell graded as the top tackle in the draft, but it's a weak O-line class overall, so his stock wasn't as high as many predictions, and we saw that play out in the draft. He's well coached and was effective for the Gamecocks, but he lacks the elite athleticism to be a true, top 10 talent. Looking down the draft list, Minnig should help solidify the Dragons' return game, and he's mature for his age. He could find a nickel or dime spot in that capable Dragon secondary sooner, rather than later. I'm not as sold on the later picks in this draft. They appear safe enough, but you'd like to see a team take a few chances with high-upside guys in the later rounds."

Skip Bayless: "The Dragons' draft is crap, just like I told you it would be. You can't build a team through the draft by ignoring 95 percent of the available players. And here you see the results of that. Overpaying to get an overrated tackle, then settling for scraps through the rest of the draft, when what they really need is a quarterback, some receivers, a running back – heck, anybody who can make a play on offense. Iowa colleges didn't produce playmakers this year, so the Dragons couldn't draft any? Stupid! This is the kind of boneheaded strategy that is going to send Jack Ledger's little experiment down in flames."

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason schedule is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights

All eyes are typically on the rookies, but it's awfully difficult to discern how well offensive linemen will play based on camp performances. So far, first rounder Dashawn O'Connell is looking solid, and he will likely push veteran RT Malachi Ellison for playing time. And though he's not as physical as the other members of the secondary, Iowa CB Calvin Minnig is smart beyond his years and nothing short of explosive in the return game. The Dragons may have gotten a steal, snagging Minnig in the third round of the draft. Fourth round pick, S Riley Brock, showed a good nose for the football with some showy picks in camp and could push to provide some playmaking punch at dimeback.

As for the veterans, the most outstanding performance came from MLB Dale Griffin, who is flying all over the field, and I daresay, at only 24 years of age, has the look of a cornerstone leader and possible all-star player for the Dragons. The other player that impressed was 22-year-old DE Ricardo Heuring. The "Man-child," who led the Dragons in sacks last year as a 6'5", 295-pound, peach-fuzzed 21-year-old, is starting to grow into his size 14 shoes. His ability to get around the corner and get to the QB is really starting to develop. Not bad for the final pick of the expansion draft!

Training camp question marks

The biggest problem last year was offense, and it's hard to see how it's not going to be an Achilles' Heel again. The receiving corps continues to struggle against the Dragons' accomplished secondary, and while GM Jack Ledger added depth at the O-line in the offseason, he didn't bring in the kind of game-changers that one would think could ignite last year's stagnant O.

Predictions
The Vikings are still the class of the NFC North, and it's hard to see the 3rd overall pick, QB Ross Jamison, being enough to lift the Packers out of the basement, especially in his rookie year. This leaves the Bears and Dragons to duke it out for a wildcard spot, and I'm afraid that without big improvements on offense, the Dragons will miss out on the postseason again.

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Recap

The Dragons finished the preseason game schedule 2-2, winning both home games, while dropping both road contests. The two losses, however, were by a combined 4 points, so it should give fans some hope.

And while the preseason doesn't provide as accurate a predictive look at the regular season as we might like (see last year's raving reviews for Dragons' RB Drake Boyette), there were a few players who managed to stand out.

1. Shakeup at backup QB – Last season, Tony LaBrosse beat out Bart DuBord for the #2 spot. But this preseason, DuBord was absolutely on fire, while LaBrosse was equally abysmal. There's no question DuBord has passed up LaBrosse for the #2 spot, and if veteran QB Nathaniel Witt falters, some might wonder if DuBord has shown enough to be the answer.

2. Punter keeps up the power – Des Moines Punter Rick Clark led the NFL in gross punting average last year, and in the preseason averaged over 50 yards per boot. This guy just kicks the ball like he's on the moon, and gravity is no object. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Dragons' special teams can cover his monster kicks.

3. An emerging force – In the Dragon expansion draft, final pick of the day Ricardo Heuring was a physical specimen (6'5, 295 pounds at RDE), but his skills lagged far behind his physique. So far this season, he's looking far more disruptive, and his 4 sacks in the final preseason game definitely turned some heads.

4. A spark on offense? – RB2 Cooper Saucedo busted off some big runs in limited action. Look for the new Dragons' coaching staff to try to get Saucedo the opportunity to make some plays in the regular season.

5. A new ballhawk in the secondary – Fourth round pick Riley Brock showed a nose for the football at Iowa, and with two picks in the preseason, the young safety has secured a spot on the roster.

[revrew]

New coach, new Dragons?
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

It's time to retire the "Nathaniel Witt and the No-Names" nickname for the Des Moines Dragons.

It's true that last season's squad seemed to ride the shoulders, or rather the legs, of a scrambling QB who not only led the team in rushing but seemed to lead the team by heart and grit alone. And it's true that few players outside the secondary truly distinguished themselves as playmakers. The only Dragon to finish on the NFL leaderboard in any statistical category, whether rushing, receiving, tackling, sacking, or forcing turnovers, was the punter.

But all of that is so last season.

If Week 1's thrilling, exasperating, shocking, ugly, messy victory over the Green Bay Packers revealed anything, it's that the young Dragons have some emerging stars ready to make a splash in the NFL.

Chief among those young stars may be the 24-year-old MLB Dale Griffin, who showed flashes last year, but in the 19-16 win over the Packers was seemingly omnipresent, racking up 17 tackles as a big part of holding Green Bay to only 6 offensive first downs.

Even the offense showed some star power, as 22-year-old RB Drake Boyette topped 100 yards rushing, including 5 runs of 10 yards or more, and the 27-year-old "graybeard" WR Miley Kinney scorched the Pack for 13 catches and 195 yards. These young guns ain't last years' Dragons!

And how fascinating that that these young stars seemed to emerge even as Nathaniel Witt was forced to retreat. A broken foot suffered in the second quarter will sideline the old guard for most of this season. Meanwhile, though it's far too early to declare that 2nd-year QB Bart Dubord has officially taken the baton from Witt, his performance both in preseason and in relief of Witt has definitely caught the attention of the fans, media, and you have to believe the new coaching staff.

What's more, these young playmakers have come ready to put on a show. If Week 1 is indicative of what's to come, watch out world, the Dragons have some bite. Though special teams was a complete and utter disaster that nearly cost Des Moines the game (3 missed FGs, 3 fumbled punt returns), the rest of the stats are stunning: 545 yards of offense for the Dragons, to a mere 195 for the Packers; 28 first downs to 8; and a time-of-possession advantage of 43 minutes to 29.

In short, the young Dragons completely dominated week 1, and if it weren't for special teams blunders, would have dominated the scoreboard. But most noticeably, they're doing it without Nathaniel Witt. And for the first time, a handful of them are looking like All-Stars while doing it.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 2: 1-0 Jax visits 1-0 Dragons

The Dragon defense held strong again, led by young stud SS Mitch Plante, but the offense under 2nd-year QB Bart Dubord was mediocre. In the second half, Dubond withered under six sacks and threw a pair of pick sixes, crushing not only hopes of victory, but much of the enthusiasm that the young gun would be the heir apparent to the QB mantle. Dragons lose before a sold-out crowd, 27-10.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 3: 1-1 Tampa visits 1-1 Dragons

QB Bart Dubord is dying on the vine. So are hopes for this season. Without a viable quarterback … how can the Dragons hope to succeed? With a line that's given up 11 sacks in the last two games, how is even a viable QB to succeed? 93 net passing yards in a total stinker of a loss, 19-11.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 4: 1-2 Des Moines visits 2-1 Dallas

Two things are now certain for the Dragon D: 1. This defense is legitimately formidable, and 2. MLB Dale Griffin (on pace for 126 tackles) and SS Mitch Plante (PDPct of 92.7) are cornerstones.

Two things are certain for the Dragon O: 1. The O-line still sucks, and 2. QB Bart Dubord, while not useless, is not the answer.

What's really tragic, however, is the way the Dragons are in complete self-destruct. Four turnovers and 10 penalties in this one, and a cumulative -7 turnover margin on the season, has led to Des Moines being the cellar dweller, #32 in points scored, accentuated by this brutal road loss, 16-3.

[revrew]

The Dragons' Disastrous First Quarter
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

I look back now at the glowing column I wrote after the Des Moines Dragons' season-opening victory, and I can't help but wonder if I jinxed the team.

Since that opening win, the Dragons have dropped three straight, have stumbled into becoming the worst offense in the NFL, and the young QB I praised now appears to have been a one-hit wonder.

Yes, the gloom lies heavy over the Dragons like a fog wafting up from the Des Moines River into the East Village. And even while sit here at Zombie Burger and rap out these words, I fear it’s the Dragons who, without captain, my captain Nathaniel Witt, have become the walking dead.

Two, glaring, statistical realities have marred the season thus far: The Dragons are dead last in points scored per game at a paltry 10.8 per contest, and the Dragons are almost dead last in turnover margin, having lost seven more than they've gained through four games.

Yet not everything I wrote in that first column is off target. Dragons MLB Dale Griffin is playing like an All-Star, on pace for a whopping 168 tackles on the season. Safety Mitch Plante is outstanding in a secondary and a defense that is stifling opponents, ranked #2 in the league in yards allowed.

But where, oh, where will the Dragons find some offense? After the opening victory against Green Bay, the running game has completely gone to sleep, and young QB Bart Dubord has managed a mere 3 TDs … on the season.

After last year's 9-7 winning record, I think Iowa fans came to expect the Dragons would be competitive, even with the all-Iowa angle owner Jack Ledger insists upon. But to win in this league, you need playmakers, and outside of the injured rookie kick returner Calvin Minnig, the Dragons really didn't add any in the offseason.

If the Dragons are going to break the jinx, it's going to take more than we've seen from the squad so far. But with Nathaniel Witt sidelined for most of the season, perhaps the most we can hope for is Iowa high schools and universities to produce some playmakers for the high draft picks we're likely to "earn" this year.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 5: 1-3 Des Moines visits 3-1 Philly

A 42-yard rumble by unlikely hero FB Richard Robinson sparked an 80-yard opening drive for a touchdown. And while the rest of day offensively was hardly much to look at, MLB Dale Griffin and SS Mitch Plante once again led a gem of a defensive game, as the Dragons get an unexpected win, 16-10.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 6: 3-1 Giants visit 2-3 Dragons

The sold-out home crowd got to see more of an aerial show than advertised, as QB Bart Dubord and WR1 Miles Kinney lit it up early, pushing the Dragons to a 20-7 lead at half time. Dubord finished the day with 315 yards and a 102.8 QB rating, while Kinney racked up 151 yards and a score on 10 catches.

But the running game proved unable to sustain a more conservative second half, and the Giants powered back into it. Injuries to Dragons' nickel and dime backs softened up the secondary, and somehow, the Dragons fell to a heartbreaking 23-20 loss.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 7: 2-3 Bears visit 2-4 Dragons

In a game that would either spell the end of the season or could potentially breathe new life into the Dragons, the offense was truly offensive. Young QB Bart Dubord didn't even top 50 yards in passing (that's right, 8 completions for 50 yards … total).

But in th kind of support performance Nathaniel Witt could have only dreamed about last season, the rest of the Dragons put on a show. Safety Herb Dallesandro started things off right with a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. RB Drake Boyette put up 148 yards and 2 scores with a 7.8 ypc average. The defense swarmed the Bears QB, registering 7 sacks and 10 defended passes, as a resilient Dragon squad gave the sold-out crowd a victory, 27-13.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 8: 3-4 Dragons travel to 4-3 Green Bay

Stick a fork in him. Bart Dubord is done. Sacked 5 times in this one, only 5 TDs in 8 games, he's just not ready for the main stage. And with Nathaniel Witt coming back, hopefully, after the week 9 bye, Dubord should not see the field again this season.

In a game where the defense just couldn't hold, the offense gave its usual inept effort, and the Dragons drop a brutal 37-10 loss against the worst-to-first Packers.

[revrew]

Hope for the Dragons?
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

There isn't much joy in Altoona these days. At 3-5, the Des Moines Dragons aren't completely out of the playoff picture, but their chances look dim.

Could there yet be hope for this season?

Let's be honest. This team is mostly dead. Not quite dead. But mostly.

The biggest problem, of course, is the rookie class, which has failed to make any sizeable impact. Granted, GM Jack Ledger's first-round pick was an offensive lineman, and his performance has been solid, but a team that lacked playmakers last year still lacks them after an offseason that didn't bring any new spice into an already bland mix.

The Dragons' leading receiver has one touchdown. One. TE Kelvin Satterfield, who may be a sweet grape just rotting on the vine in Des Moines, has none. To go with his one from last year. The team leader in sacks, Ricardo Heuring, has a total of 4 this season. And only two players have even a single interception.

In many ways, the wheels have fallen off the bus.

But these things I hold as bright on the horizon: First, I have seen with my own eyes that MLB Dale Griffin is a stud. So is SS Mitch Plante. The secondary is collectively strong (when they aren't decimated by injuries, which seems like often). And second, after the Week 9 bye, last year's hero, QB Nathaniel Witt, is expected to return from injury.

Will it be enough? Last year, Witt led the Dragons to just short of the finish line. It was a truly legendary feat of will. This season, it may take more than that. It may take a miracle.

Statistical NFL Rankings for the Dragons at halfway point:

Rushing O: 13th
Passing O: 24th
Total O: 27th
Scoring: 30th
Turnover margin: 30th
Rushing D: 9th
Passing D: 5th
Total D: 2nd
Scoring D: 15th

[revrew]

Bye week business

Once again, this season, Dragons GM Jack Ledger used the off week to do more than rest. Instead, he completed negotiations that have been quietly going on behind the scenes to bring back key Dragon players for next season and beyond.

Specifically, Ledger renegotiated the contracts of:
OLB Ross Flanagan (38/49) – At just 22 years of age, Flanagan has nailed down a starting OLB spot on a top-level NFL defense. Flanagan is undersized, but the former Hawkeye is a sound technician and versatile athlete.

TE Bradley Coles (42/42) – The 26-year-old product of Iowa's Waukon High School, Coles is a mentor in the locker room, a special teams contributor, and a lunch pail worker.

CB Ashton Dodge (57/57) – Fan Favorite and anchor of the secondary, Ledger signed Dodge to a team-friendly contract that may make him a Dragon for life.

LG Burt Taylor (40/40) – The 27-year-old Taylor is a leader in the locker room and a dominating run blocker. His pass blocking may leave something to be desired, but Ledger has shown quite a bit of loyalty to players who are a positive influence on their teammates.

Of note, Ledger did NOT sign K Gerald Small to an extension. Small will be a free agent at the end of the year, but rumors are the Ledger is not happy with Small's accuracy, which has slipped precipitously this season, especially from long range.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 10: 5-3 Washington visits 3-5 Dragons

Joker Field was sold out to see the long-anticipated return of QB Nathaniel Witt. What they got instead was a heckuva show put on by the Dragons' secondary.

Witt was abysmal. Yuck. Nevermind that.

RB2 Cooper Saucedo showed some of the flash he hinted at in the preseason with a pair of rushing TDs, but the real story was a pick 6 by CB Mitch Wells, another pick by SS Mitch Plante, and yet another pick 6 by FS2 Amari Kantkowski. The secondary held Washington to a pathetic 88 yards in the air on the way to a defensively decisive victory, 34-9.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 11: 4-5 Dragons visit 5-4 Minnesota

The Dragon offense is still stumbling. But with a defense like this … do you even need an offense? Judging by this week's game, the answer appears to be no.

FS Herb Dallesandro, SS Mitch Plante, and FS2 Amari Kantowski all racked up picks, while P Rick Clark booted 9 punts with an average of 53 yards per in this ugly, bone-crushing defensive victory, 10-3.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 12: 6-4 Colts visit 5-5 Des Moines

The 2nd hardest schedule in the league thus far continued for the Dragons … but so did Nathaniel Witt's winning streak since returning from injury!

This time, Witt found his groove, and the Dragon offense – while still not flashy – was relentlessly efficient. The running back tandem of Drake Boyette and Cooper Saucedo each ran for more than 4.5 per clip on the way to a combined 164 yards rushing, and Witt completed 16 of 19 and a pair of TD scores.

Rookie DE Frankie Rhodes somehow managed to find the quarterback three times as the sold-out crowd witnessed a 17-9 victory.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 13: 6-5 Dragons visit 4-7 Arizona

Yes, Nathaniel Witt plays QB, which means he plays on offense. But somehow, he's inspired the Dragon defense. The overall numbers may not look good, but two key numbers stand out: Des Moines held Arizona to 0-for-12 on third down; and 3 INTs, including a pick-6 for CB Mitch Wells.

Is it just me, or do Des Moines fans everywhere hope this secondary never, ever ages?

Dragons win, 23-13.

[revrew]

The Three-Quarters Surge
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

My, how four straight victories can change the feel of a season.

The Des Moines Dragons now sit at 7-5, 2nd in NFC North behind upstart 8-4 Green Bay. The Dragons are currently holding the NFC's top wild card spot … for now.

What is it about QB Nathaniel Witt that inspires such performances from the rest of the team? Because the Dragons have been en fuego since his return, yet very little of that credit can be attributed to him.

The offense is still sputtering, ranking 26th in yards gained and 29th in NFL in scoring, with a grand total of 9 passing TDs in 12 games. Truthfully, Des Moines would be dead last in total points were it not for defensive touchdowns.

The #2 ranked defense, however, has come to bat for the team in recent weeks – stiff against the run (#5 in ypc) and devastating vs. the pass (#2 in ypa and total yardage).

Looking ahead, the next four opponents have a combined losing record, and with two NFC North tilts against the two teams behind them in the division standings, the Dragons hold their fate in their own hands.

Can Witt and the Dragon D power their way to the playoffs after such a shaky start? Time will tell if this recent run of success is a true resurgence … or just a temporary power surge.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 14: 7-5 Dragons visit 3-9 Texans

A three-headed Dragon rushing attack pulverized the Texans today, as RB Drake Boyette, RB2 Cooper Saucedo, and QB Nathaniel Witt all topped 4 yards per carry on 10-15 carries apiece, gobbling up tons of clock in chewing their way to 14 unanswered points in the second half.

The underdog Texans' fate was sealed, however, by another outstanding performance from the Dragon secondary. CB Ashton Dodge swiped a pair of picks, while FS Herb Dallesandro added a pair of passes defensed and a pick, without surrendering a single catch.

The Dragon passing attack wasn't much, but TE Kelvin Satterfield's first TD of the year, a go-ahead score in the third quarter, was enough to hold on for a 24-21 victory

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 15: 7-6 Minnesota visits 8-5 Des Moines

The Dragons' 5-game winning streak was put to the test against last year's division winner. The Vikes, led by star QB Kris Van Pelt, are especially capable on 3rd down, a fact made even more formidable by the temporary loss of Dragon SS Mitch Plante to injury.

All of that meant precisely jack to Nathaniel Witt, however, who completely took over the game with 78 yards rushing and a 106.2 QB rating day. Once again it was a TD to Witt's new favorite target, TE Kelvin Satterfield, that brought home the bacon, padding a lead that not even a furious charge from Minnesota in the fourth could overcome. Dragons get a very heartening win, 29-27.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 16: 9-5 Dragons visit 8-6 Titans

Winners of 6 in a row, the most dangerous threat to the Dragons' improbable playoff run now came in a trip to Tennessee. Boasting one of the best running backs and offensive lines in the game, Tennessee came to play, not needing to test the Dragon secondary to hold their home field.

The truly brutal blow, however, came early in the first quarter, when Nathaniel Witt went down to injury. And with the loss of "The Captain," you could feel the air quickly deflate from the Dragons' sails.

Could a playoff berth still be salvaged? It didn't feel like it after a heart-breaking 31-12 loss.

[revrew]

Season 2, Week 17: 9-6 Dragons visit 5-10 Bears

Going into the final week of their second season, the Dragons held on to the wild card spot for dear life. What they couldn't hold on to, however, was a capable starting quarterback. The Dragons were forced to enter the game with Bart Dubord back at QB and with star SS Mitch Plante watching from the sidelines with a bum knee. The Dragons were also missing two starting O-linemen, and the injuries looked insurmountable.

But the lowly Bears entered the contest with an offense even worse than the Dragons. Could they be bad enough to allow the Dragons to slip past and into the playoffs?

Alas, not even the Bears could be as bad as Dubord behind a decimated line. The Dragons barely managed 200 yards of offense, and suffered a snoozefest loss, 13-10.

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons are playoff bound!
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Last seasib, QB Nathaniel "The Captain" Witt compelled the Des Moines Dragons to a winning recird by seemingly sheer willpower alone.

This season, Captain Witt outdid even that monumental feat. Witt could only stay on the field for six complete games … but all six were wins! And now, thanks to that six-game win streak and some fortuitous bounces of the oblong pigskin, the Des Moines Dragons are playoff bound!

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons dropped their last game of the season as well, allowing the now Captain-less Dragons (for Witt is injured again) to back into the playoffs for the first time in Des Moines history.

There's just something magical about Witt and the Dragons. Few expected the team to be any good, much less a winning squad last year. Few expected the Dragons to recover from losing their starting QB early this season. But somehow, some way, the Dragons have built a team of players from Iowa alone and have managed not one, but two-for-two winning seasons.

Now, the Dragons are off to familiar ground – the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field - to take on the 11-5 Packers in the Dragons' first ever playoff game.

[revrew]

Season 2, Wildcard Round: 9-7 Des Moines travels to 11-5 Green Bay

Captain Witt was sidelined with injury. Backup QB Bart Dubord suffered a similar fate. In its first ever playoff game, the Dragons were forced to field their #3 QB Tony LaBrosse, a 5th year veteran from the University of Iowa with only 1 start to his NFL resume.

SS Mitch Plante returned from his injury, but would it be enough to stop the Packers? Green Bay boasted a stellar defense, #3 in the league overall and #4 in rushing the passer. Against the Dragons' porous O-line, it didn't look good.

As expected in a matchup between two top-10 defenses, the game was a brutally low scoring slugfest. Green Bay was clearly the better team, but the Dragons' outstanding punter kept pinning Green Bay deep, with 5 of 8 punts downed inside the 20. As the Packers pushed forward, any hope of a big play was ripped away, as the Dragons picked off not one, not two, but three passes.

Meanwhile, Des Moines kept grinding the ball forward, running surprisingly well and keeping their young QB from the deep drops the Packer pass rush feasts upon. The Dragons notched a field goal, only to see Green Bay return. Another Dragon field goal. Another from Green Bay. Another Dragon field goal. Yet another from Green Bay. And at the end of regulation, the score stood an ugly tie, 9-9.

In overtime, Des Moines got the ball first, but true to the day, suffered a 3-and-out. Green Bay got the ball next and did the same.

Then, tragedy struck.

Green Bay punted the ball to Dragon rookie Calvin Minnig. The youngster desperately tried to make the play that Des Moines was missing all day, but on the return … fumbled. Green Bay recovered. Four plays later, Green Bay ran it into the end zone, handing the dominant Dragon D and impotent O a heartbreaking 15-9 loss.

[Chas in Cinti]

I'm following along... great idea and looking forward to the continued adventures...

[revrew]

I'm following along... great idea and looking forward to the continued adventures...

Thanks!

I'm further along in the dynasty than what I've reported thus far. So I can say with both ominous and hopeful tones, that both darker and lighter days are ahead for the Dragons!

[revrew]

Season 2 Statistical Season Recap
* Previous year's rank in parentheses

Team Passing: 28th (28)
Team Rushing: 14th (12)
Total O: 25th (27)
Team Scoring: 28th (26)
Team Pass D: 5th (3)
Team Rushing D: 15th (10)
Total D: 6th (3)
Team Scoring D: 4th (12)
Turnover margin: 19th (21)

Individual top performances:
QB Bart Dubord: 1830 yards passing, 8 TDs, 8 INTs, 71.1 rating.
RB Drake Boyette: 810 yards, 3.84 ave, 4 TDs.
WR Myles Kinney: 82 catches on 137 targets, 916 yards, 7 TDs, 3 drops
MLB Dale Griffin: 111 tackles
RDE Ricardo Heuring: 6 sacks, 18 hurries
CB Ashton Dodge: 6 INTs
SS Mitch Plante: 5 INTs, 9 passes defensed, 86.6 PDPct
LG Burt Taylor: 38 KRBs, 8 pancakes, 38.4 BPct
P Rick Clark: 50.6 Ave, #1 in NFL gross ave, #1 in yards, #1 in net yards, #4 with 43 punts downed inside 20, All-League 2nd team

Team profit: $32.9 M (118.3 M)
Attendance: 99% (98.9)

[revrew]

All work an no play not enough for the Dragons
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Historically, the Bears, Broncos, and even Jaguars in recent years have all had some measure of success with a team that's all defense but lacking on offense. Yet, with the exception of the '85 Bears, those teams typically all fell short of the ultimate prize.

Even the '85 Bears, however, had Walter Payton. And those Broncos eventually did find their way to Super Bowl glory once they swapped out Tim Tebow for Peyton Manning.

So … who is our Payton? (Or Peyton?)

The Des Moines Dragons' dominating defense may be a thing of beauty, but you just can't win enough playoff games to get to the dance by only kicking field goals. The Dragons' nine total points in their first-ever playoff game is evidence that something's missing in Des Moines.

Look, I love being a Dragon fan. I love the Iowa-only angle. I think the last two seasons have been a glorious ride, showing the whole league that you can win (even make the playoffs!) by fielding an entire team of Hawkeyes, Cyclones, and other Iowa homies.

But we gotta get an offense. Nathaniel "Captain" Witt has a heart bigger than all Iowa – heck, bigger than Texas – but in two years, the Dragons have not had a single 1,000-yard rusher nor 1,000-yard receiver. Witt has yet to eclipse 3,000 yards passing. That's not merely an underemphasized offense; that's offensive.

The 2026 season was another gut-wrenching, roller coaster of a year. And even if he never plays another game for Des Moines, Captain Witt deserves to have his number retired to the ring of fame at Joker Field, because he's a walking legend.

But please, Mr. Ledger, please … would you get us an offense?

[revrew]

DES MOINES DRAGONS YEAR 3

Business:
Modest price increase. No franchise tag. No coaching changes. 23rd draft pick in the upcoming draft.

Free Agency:

The Dragons only made one free agency signing, but it was perhaps the most significant free agency signing to date: C Emmanuel Almodovar (50/50), a 26-year-old Hawkeye who has been a respectable starter for Cincinnati last 2 years. He looks to become the Dragons' starting center for years to come.

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

Des Moines enters the draft in need of playmakers – a starting-caliber quarterback, a wideout, perhaps a running back, and a pass rusher. The offensive line and defensive line could use an upgrade. A replacement at kicker should be a consideration.

This is somehow, improbably, a playoff team, largely based on the strength of its secondary and budding star MLB Dale Griffin. But to be a legitimate contender, Des Moines has to find a way to put more points on the board.

Unfortunately for GM Jack Ledger, who has inexplicably limited himself to drafting and signing players exclusively from Iowa, those needed pieces may not be available in this year's draft. The University of Northern Iowa's team has been abysmal in recent years; Iowa State is on a major downturn, and the University of Iowa is hardly an Alabama or Michigan, producing multiple NFL players each year.

That said, let's take a look at which Iowa prospects the Dragons might target:

1st Round
OT Roman Glover, Iowa State – Glover is a powerful run blocker who shows excellent technique in both the run and passing game. He doesn't have the elite measurables of a top 10 pick, but would likely fall to the bottom of the first, right were the Dragons sit at 1.23. If they want him, he will likely fall into their lap.

2nd Round
SS Manuel Pinkerton, U of Iowa – An instinctive, hard hitter, Pinkerton would be projected higher, but for a slow 40 time at the combine that leaves some to wonder if he can keep up in coverage. The Dragons don't really need a safety, but if they want him at 2.22, he'll likely be on the board.

Other notables:
Iowa just hasn't produced any other high draft picks, but in the mid to late rounds, you could see the Dragons draft:

P Dylan Jefferson, Cal – a consistent, refined punter who grew up in West Des Moines
QB Dakota Corriveau, U of Iowa – The Hawkeye signal caller has a decent arm and a decent head on his shoulders, but his consistency and completion percentages aren't eye-popping enough to consider in the higher rounds
RB Lamar Boldin, U of Iowa – A workhorse for the Hawkeyes who put up solid, between-the-tackle numbers over a 5-year college career.
WR Kaleb Lyon, U of Iowa – Corriveau's main target in college, Lyon might be effective in slot, but he doesn't have downfield speed the Dragons need or that the NFL requires
RB Logan Cyrus, ISU – A potential special teams contributor at the next level, Cyrus is a 6'1, 236-lb freight train with surprising speed.

Sleeper
LB Dustin Cable, U of Iowa - Cable who showed flashes as pass rusher and could be a special teams contributor, but he's more zealous than talented and lacks discipline. Still, as a project with upside …

[revrew]

The NFL's "Agent of Chaos"
by Adam West, Sports Illustrated

Down a disturbingly dark and purple hallway, deep in the bowels of Joker Field in Altoona, Iowa, a security guard apologized for the flickering lights overhead.

"It's all kind of creepy," he admitted, referring to the buzzing and popping of the lights that feel more like an abandoned subway tunnel than a brand new NFL stadium. "The bulbs actually work fine. So do the circuits. But Ledger keeps the electricity on some kind of interrupter. He actually likes it this way."

The guard was referring, of course, to the reclusive and mysterious owner and general manager of the NFL's Des Moines Dragons, the "Clown Prince of Social Media" himself, Jack Ledger. The owner who bought the Lions and moved them to Des Moines, only to stock the team with players exclusively from Iowa, has been a virtual recluse since the controversial move. No media interviews. No podium talks. Many of the players have never even met him.

His eccentric ways have even spawned a meme that runs on his own social media network, a tagline question, "Who IS the Joker?"

For the first time since the Dragons came to life, I was about to find out. Granted the first, exclusive, one-on-one interview with the mastermind who lives not in a press box, but in the basement. Not in the spotlight, but down a hall with flickering lights.

The security guard keyed a code into a metal door painted neon green, in sharp contrast to the purple. The door unlocked with a clang. Then the guard merely nodded me through and left me at the end of the hallway, either to go in … or not.

Upon entering, it was clear I was in no ordinary NFL GM's office. No mahogany desk. No crystal decanter of scotch on a side table. No trophies on the wall or autographed footballs.

Only a plain, metal desk in the center of a room filled with televisions and computer monitors. And sitting behind the desk, his fingers steepled before him and his unusually wide grin, sat Ledger.

"Come in," he said. "Sit."

I tried to make small talk. To break the ice. Start with pleasantries.

He would have none of it.

"You came here to ask questions," he said, cutting me off. "So ask. Question number one? What's behind door number one?"

I looked over my notebook filled with bullet points and potential questions. In the stark light of the office, lit only by the radiating light of the screens all around me, many of my planned questions suddenly seemed so quaint. Trivial. Even chummy. And with Ledger's disquieting grin almost leering back at me, the Dragon king seemed more interested in making chum out of me than being a chum.

I decided to cut to the heart of it while I still had time.

"How long do you intend to maintain your commitment to Iowa-only players?"

His answer was brief: "I'm a man of my word."

"But what's the bigger plan? Surely you can't hope to win Super Bowls that way."

"Do I really look like a guy with a plan?" he asked, skeptically. "You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just ... DO things."

It was not the answer I had expected. For the rest of my all-too-brief 20 minutes in the belly of the Dragon beast, none of the answers I got matched my expectations.

I tried pressing the issue of his larger goals: "You're Iowa-only strategy has been incredibly effective at building a fan base. The Dragons are selling out nearly every game now."

"It's not about money," he replied, cutting straight to the heart of my implied question. "It’s about sending a message."

"Which is?"

“Nobody panics when things go 'according to plan,' even if the plan is horrifying!" he said. "No, my philosophy is to introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos."

"So you're purposely antagonizing the NFL with your unorthodox ways? Won't football fans eventually feel … I don't know …"

"No, you don't know, do you?" he asked. "You think I'll be the villain, the bad guy. But I assure you, Mr. West, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve."

"So you're an innovator?" I asked.

His response still chills me as I write this. I can't honestly say I know what he meant by it.

"I'm an agent of chaos.”

Part of me wanted to believe the Clown Prince was putting on a show for my benefit. Like I had stumbled into a Halloween performance or perhaps down the rabbit hole. But Ledger seemed so … sincere. He also seemed … dare I say it?

Insane.

How else do you describe an interview so utterly surreal? What kind of billionaire works from an isolation chamber that looks more like a surveillance room in an inner city police precinct than an office? Who purposefully flickers the lights in the hallway on the way to his inner sanctum?

I wanted to understand him more. He wanted to speak in vagaries. I wanted to understand his plan. He insisted he had none. I wanted to know where the Dragons are going. He led me down paths until I got lost.

I'm sorry, dear reader, that I can't give you a more comprehensive picture of the man behind the Dragons. I'm sorry that the interview didn't answer many of your questions, for it didn't answer hardly any of mine.

I can only conclude that of among all the obscure and disjointed things Jack Ledger told me that day, before I tucked tail and power walked back up that creepy, flickering purple hallway into blessed daylight once more, he did say one thing that couldn't have been more clear and couldn't have been more true:

“They laugh at me because I'm different," Ledger said. "I laugh at them because they're all the same.”

[Young Drachma]

I'm totally borrowing this idea for a FBCB dynasty. Love the premise.

[revrew]

I'm totally borrowing this idea for a FBCB dynasty. Love the premise.

:thumbsup:

[revrew]

SEASON 3: 2027 DRAFT:

Commissioner Gordon: With the 23rd overall pick of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select offensive tackle, Roman Glover, Iowa State University.

Todd McShay: See? Why? Why! The Dragons are in desperate need of a wide receiver. They could use a quarterback who can throw and not just run. They need a pass rush. But they pass over receiver Jon Edwards out of Washington State, Grady Gibson out of Utah State – both better prospects and at a position of need. Why limit yourself to making bad decisions, just because those decisions are from Iowa?

Mel Kiper: In general, that critique may be accurate, but the value of Glover at this spot is spot on. The Dragons drafted tackle in the first round last year, and it wasn't exactly a home run. They still have needs on the Oline, and Glover could fill those needs. He's a solid technician, he seals the edge, and he moves defenders out of the way. It's not a stretch at all to take Glover at this spot. So, unless you want to argue they needed another position more, this is a good value pick.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 22nd pick of the second round of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select safety, Manuel Pinkerton, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: I give up. This is just insanity. The Dragons don't need a safety! Stupid pick.

Mel Kiper: Pinkerton is an instinctive, hard hitter with a nose for turnovers, both picking off the ball and blasting loose a fumble. But he's a bit of a tweener. His slow combine at the 40 confirmed what many scouts feared, that he could be more of a small linebacker than a true safety at the NFL level. Still, his production at Iowa may make him a better player than the combine numbers suggest.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 23rd pick of the fourth round of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Punter, Dylan Jefferson, University of California.

Todd McShay: Dragons don't need a punter either. Another stupid pick. They should just do what they did in the third and earlier fourth round, and trade away their picks for future prospects. Maybe in the future the Des Moines GM won't be a madman.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 22nd pick of the fifth round of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select quarterback, Dakota Corriveau, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: About time! The Dragons should have considered quarterback in the first round, but instead they wait until the fifth. And why did they wait? They waited because Iowa's quarterback wasn't worth more than a fifth!

Mel Kiper: Be that as it may, I had Corriveau higher on my board than many other scouts. The 220-pound quarterback has a quick release, a strong arm, and he shows good vision in making his reads. The raw skills are there to stick around in this league. What Corriveau needs, however, is to solidify his footwork and be more accurate and consistent in the short passing game. I know some projected him in the sixth or seventh, but I think this is actually an outstanding value pick at the bottom of the fifth.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 21st pick of the sixth round of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select linebacker, Dustin Cable, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: This late in the draft, you're looking at projects, guys who show upside you hope will develop. Cable was actually a feared player in the Big Ten for his relentless, passionate play. But he's also a single-focused player who committed many mental and coverage lapses. The question is, can the Dragons refine him into a spark plug?

Commissioner Gordon: With the 23rd pick of the seventh round of the 2027 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select wide receiver, Kaleb Lyon, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: The Dragons need a playmaker at receiver. Should have drafted one much earlier. I doubt the slow-footed Lyon is going to make the impact they're hoping for.

DRAFT RECAP

1.23 LT Roman Glover (24/64)
2.22 SS Manuel Pinkerton (23/48)
3.21 – TRADE to San Diego for next year's 3rd and 4th
4.2 – TRADE to Seattle for QB Will Lang (8/37), a 7th rounder in last year's draft out of tiny Morningside College in Sioux City.
4.23 – P Dylan Jefferson (28/53), went to high school in West Des Moines
5.22 – QB Dakota Corriveau (11/36)
6.21 – OLB Dustin Cable (20/36)
7.23 – WR Kaleb Lyon (16/41)

Rated C+ draft

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason schedule is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights

Of all the rookies selected in this year's draft, QB Dakota Corriveau impressed the most, especially on downfield throws. He has the arm, but he still needs to develop consistency. At this point, he's easily grabbed the #3 spot, and with Nathaniel Witt proving fragile over the last 2 years, if Corriveau impresses in preseason, he may climb to #2 and even see the field this season.

Also, last year's rookie corner, Calvin Minnig, hasn't been as impressive in the return game as advertised, but his coverage skills have really come on in his sophomore campaign. Don't be surprised if he pushes for the nickel spot.

Training camp question marks

The Dragons tried moving punter Dylan Jefferson over to kicker. It hasn't been a successful transition. Rookie safety Manuel Pinkerton has flashed potential, but he's very, very green. In a stacked secondary, he may struggle finding a roster spot.

Predictions
The Vikings are led by the best QB in the division and look to bounce back from a disappointing year last year. The Packers defense looks very strong, but their young QB is still suffering from growing pains, and the offense is underwhelming. The Bears are trying to win with a running game and no quarterback, a typically ineffective strategy in today's NFL. Best guess for the Dragons is that they finish just outside the playoffs, as age and a lack of adding new playmakers starts to catch up with them: Vikings, Packers, Dragons, Bears.

[revrew]

Pre-Season

Game 1: At NYJets – Dakota Corriveau's debut was uninspiring despite good chemistry with former teammate and fellow rookie WR Kaleb Lyon. DE Ricardo Heuring grabs 2.5 sacks in a 27-12 victory.

Game 2: vs Denver – Trade target QB Will Lang looked good, and RB Drake Boyette put up a big day, but again it was the defense, led by 2 sacks from Heuring and 3 picks from the secondary to power a 37-10 victory.

Game 3: vs Miami – DE Ricardo "Manchild" Heuring continues his hot streak with another pair of sacks (that's 6.5 in 3 weeks), and SS Mitch Plante snagged a pair of picks. CB Calvin Minnig finally showed the flash for which he was drafted, returning a kick 97 yards to the house for the winning score, 21-17. The QB situation, however, remains very cloudy, as newcomers Corriveau and Lang duke it out for the coveted #2 spot.

Game 4: at San Diego – Punter Rick Clark almost singlehandedly won this snoozefest, pinning 8 of 11 punts inside the 20 in a 9-6 victory. The Dragons have a perfect 4-0 preseason, but QB Witt has looked tired already, while the backup battle is on fire. Some big questions loom at the most important position in Des Moines!

[revrew]

Pre-Season Wrap-Up Press Conference with Coach Kevin O'Dea
With fact-checker expanded comments in parentheses

Coach O'Dea, there's been a lot of speculation at the quarterback position. Can you confirm who will be the starting QB for Day 1?

Yes. Nathaniel Witt has won a lot of games for this club (his record is 16-7, accounting for 16 of the 18 total Dragon victories thus far). He deserves the opportunity to go out there and do it again, especially as he's more seasoned than our other options.

What about the back-up position?

We had expected (trade target Will) Lang or (last year's sometimes starter Bart) Dubord to be the answer there, but you have to give credit to the rookie, Dakota Corriveau, for looking strong in the preseason. That's going to be a tough decision, and we haven't made it as a staff yet.

What can you tell us about the development of your rookie class so far?

(1st round selection, OT) Roman Glover is definitely playing up to his draft spot. I expect him to see good playing time this season, and frankly, he's going to be tough to keep out of the starting lineup. Dakota (Corriveau), as I mentioned, has been very, very impressive. He isn't looking like a 5th rounder, but rather someone who should have been taken much higher. The talent is there. He's going to need some reps, some experience, but we're thrilled with how he's performing.

Can you comment on any of the other draft selections?

This is the NFL, and making a roster is an accomplishment in and of itself, no matter where you were drafted. I can tell you Glover and Dakota are pushing for playing time. The other draft picks will be evaluated for where they can fill in on depth.

What about undrafted rookies?

We have a few that have turned heads, to be sure. (RB) Logan Cyrus (Iowa State) has shown some playmaking ability, and I expect we're going to want to see how we can use that this season. And (OLB) Camden Eiguren (Iowa) looks to be a special teams contributor, possibly more.

Last year's offense did not rank well in the league. Might we see some changes this year?

The changes you're going to see across the roster, on both sides of the ball, are going to be young players who really stepped it up this preseason. We saw them last year, but whether it's the seasoning or another year of NFL training, we really think we have some gems who are going to come out of the woodwork. You mentioned offense, and (Center) Ricky Beverly has shown so much improvement, he may even get the starting nod (over big free agent signing Emmanuel Almodovar). Receiver Preston Evans has also exceeded expectations. On defense, (OLB) Craig Fredrickson is playing off the ball much better, and when he returns from injury, I expect to see him get some playing time.

Defensive End Ricardo Heuring had 7 sacks across 4 preseason games. Is this going to be a breakout year for him?

Well, we've moved him from the right side to the left, which may be helping him. I sure hope it's a breakout season for him. We'd love to see "the Manchild" really reach his potential.

Coach, any predictions? Are the Dragons going to be back in the playoffs again this year?

I don’t make predictions. Too many variables. Injuries can hit you on one hand - on the other, maybe you have a young player stepping up so much you have to get him on the field. Too much can change over a season. But the Dragons play to win first, and we play to make our fans proud, second. We've got some of the best fans in the league, driving over from Iowa City or down from Ames or from the far corners of the state, packing out the stadium every home game. We aim to put a product on the field that makes their trip worthwhile. Thank you.

[revrew]

Pre-Season Business

Less than 48 hours later, the final cuts and preliminary depth chart were released.

Surprise cuts included 2nd round pick S Manuel Pinkerton, 4th round pick P Dylan Jefferson, and last year's backup QB Bart Dubord.

Of particular note on the depth chart was the #2 QB position, occupied by rookie QB Dakota Corriveau. The move left some buzzing, wondering whether the next era of Dragon football may have just announced his arrival.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 1: Vikings visit Dragons

An important in-division game. Perhaps an even more important turn of events.

The Dragons played well today, even outgaining the Vikings and their all-star QB Kris Van Pelt. But a shocking 8 turnovers killed Des Moines. What's more, 7 of those turnovers were courtesy of QB Nathaniel Witt.

"The Captain" fumbled away 5 possessions and tossed a pair of picks, leading Coach O'Dea to send in the rookie, QB Dakota Corriveau. In a true trial by fire, Corriveau got the ball on his own 2 yard line with only 2:05 left in the game.

What happened next was stunning. Corriveau ripped off 5-of-5 passing for 83 yards. He scrambled for 6 more on a critical 3rd down. The team marched all the way to 9-yard-line, when Corriveau found WR3 Rod Corbett on a crossing route for the TD.

It wasn't enough to win the game, and Corriveau did struggle when he got the ball back with 36 seconds left, but was it enough? Is it time for "The Captain" to pass the baton? Fans are really flocking to the rookie, and Coach O'Dea will have some tough decisions to make after this 43-28 loss.

[revrew]

Coach Kevin O'Dea meets the press with some major news

Ladies and gentlemen, I have just wrapped up a very difficult meeting with "The Captain," Nathaniel Witt. I want to say from the beginning that Witt has earned his nickname. A class act. Tireless worker. All heart. What he has done here in Des Moines is absolutely legendary, leading an expansion team in its first two years, compiling a 16-8 record as a starter and never allowing us to post a losing season. He has earned a very, very special place in the heart of all Dragon fans.

His competition for the quarterback spot, however, has been better than advertised. We have a young gun in Dakota Corriveau whose level of play demands time on the field. And while the Dragons have won our hearts under Witt, while we've been a good team, if we're going to take that next step toward winning playoff games and hoisting the Lombardi … we need to improve our offensive output. We need to shake something up. We need to stretch the field and open up the offense.

For those reasons, I have decided, as difficult as it was to do, to move Witt to a reserve role and give the rookie a chance to start at quarterback.

Coach O'Day, does this mean Witt's career is done in Des Moines?

I certainly hope not. Witt has this year and next on his contract. He's the heart of this team in many ways. And he's already been a great mentor to the younger guys. We'd hate to see him leave.

Coach O'Day, what was your reaction to the Sports Illustrated profile of Jack Ledger? Is your GM really insane?

Whoa, that's a question out of left field. Look, I know Ledger projects a … unorthodox image to the world. He's a creative personality, to be sure. But Ledger and I work together daily on evaluating talent and team direction, and I can assure you he's a tremendous asset, quick to learn, and very knowledgeable and insightful about the game of football. If Ledger is half as mad as Sports Illustrated made him out to be, well … he's a mad genius. Des Moines is lucky to have him.

Thank you, that's all the time we have for questions today.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 2: 0-1 Dragons visit 0-0-1 Pittsburgh

It's safe to say the rookie QB got no help in this one. The O-line was beaten up, star MLB Dale Griffin was out with injury, and the running backs averaged less than 2 yards per carry.

If this was the glorious debut of Corriveau, it looked more like a poor kid scrambling for his life. The Dragons will test his bounce-back ability next week after this unfair test. Des Moines loses, 15-21.

Season 3, Week 3: 0-2 Eagles come to 0-2 Des Moines

Fair or not, all eyes were on Corriveau for his home start debut. His line wasn't bad for a rookie: 21-of-32, 179 yards, 79.3 QB rating. But the youngster has yet to throw a TD since his very first, impressive drive in relief of Nathaniel Witt.

Can he get up to speed against NFL-caliber players? Dragons lose this one, 14-9.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 4: 0-3 Dragons travel to 2-1 Saints

MLB Dale Griffin came back with a vengeance, but it was hardly enough, as the Dragon offense may look even worse than it did with Witt at the helm.

Truly, the team seems to be flailing. Could they be tanking? On purpose? Des Moines never had a chance in a 27-6 loss.

[revrew]

Dragons Quarterly Review
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Going into an early bye week, the Des Moines Dragons are in a clear transition moment.

Sitting at 0-4 with a rookie quarterback who just hasn't looked as good against NFL competition as he has on the practice field, the Dragons are nonetheless sticking to their guns. Coach Kevin O'Dea has repeatedly told reporters he has no interest in revisiting his starting QB decision, and he's going to let his fifth-round draft pick take his lumps.

And QB Dakota Corriveau has definitely taken some lumps. The Dragons have allowed 18 sacks over the first four games, the third worst in that category. They only rush for 84.5 yards per game, the fifth worst in that category (Corriveau actually leads the team with 96 rushing yards). And the team overall has coughed up nine fumbles, dead last in that category.

Meanwhile, the defense the Dragons have come to rely on has faltered. The secondary is allowing a grossly uncharacteristic 7.28 yards per attempt, eighth worst in the NFL, while a total of 10 passes defensed is just pathetic at this point in the season. And don't even get me started on the pass rush. DE Ricardo Heuring had 7 sacks in the preseason, but has exactly zero in the first four games of the regular season. And now he's out with a separated shoulder for at least three games.

Simply put, without "The Captain" in at QB, the magic is gone.

But there's a bright side to this gloomy outlook. The Dragons have finished 8-8 and 9-7 in the last two years. That's not good enough to hope for playoff success, but too good to hope for significant draft capital. It's profoundly mediocre. And the doldrums of being average in the NFL may be the quickest way to stay average.

Coach O'Day has said his eyes are on building for the future. He's not content to hover around .500. But if we're going to have a better future than .500, it looks like the Dragons may have to settle for a subpar year or two – at least until Corriveau can get on his feet.

[revrew]

Bye business

Extensions were accepted by:

WR2 Preston Evans (40/46, 22yo)
WR3 Rod Corbett (39/39, 26yo)
CB3 Broderick Garcia (45/45, 23yo)
C Ricky Beverly (37/53, 25yo)
DE Julian Sisson (38/49, 24yo)

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 6: 3-1 Chicago comes to 0-4 Des Moines

Corriveau finally got some run support! And while the young QB didn't exactly light it up, he didn't have to do it all by himself either. This led to a much smarter game all around – no picks, no fumbles, only 2 sacks.

The defense also experienced a bit of a revival, as CB Mitch Wells hauled in a pair of picks. Young Corriveau gets his first career win before a sellout crowd celebrating the victory, 20-14.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 7: 2-4 Tampa comes to 1-4 Des Moines

We're starting to see shades of the familiar Dragon D – fewer than 300 total yards surrendered, 5 passes defensed, seven sacks from a variety of players.

Most importantly, while young Corriveau is still wet behind the ears, he's starting to calm down. Dakota completed 20 of 27 for 209 yards and a 96.1 QB rating, his highest-rated full game of the season. The score is not much to brag about, but it's how the Dragons are accustomed to winning, 15-10.

Season 3, Week 8: 2-4 Dragons visit 4-3 Falcons

Atlanta's superstar runningback ate the Dragons alive, while the Dragon O couldn't convert on third down. The rookie QB Dakota Corriveau is improving, but he's not yet ready to carry the team on his shoulders. Dragons drop the loss, 30-9.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 9: 6-2 Panthers visit 2-5 Dragons

The sold out home crowd got a heckuva better game than the pundits were predicting! In fact, they got a heckuva game, period.

With the Dragons trailing, 20-17, in the fourth quarter, undrafted Dragon rookie LB/DE Camden Eiguren stripped the Tampa QB of the ball, and sophomore 7th rounder DE Frankie Rhoades scooped it up and rumbled to the Tampa 13. Two plays later, RB Drake Boyette raced in from 9 yards out to give the Dragons their first lead.

Then, as Tampa tried to rally, SS Mitch Plante snagged the INT, leading to rookie QB Dakota Corriveau's second TD hookup of the day with TE Kelvin Satterfield. Another INT later, and another Corriveau drive for a FG put the Dragons up for good in a rousing, 34-20 victory.

Notably, Corriveau had his first 3 TD game. Could the rookie be turning a corner?

[revrew]

Dragons Halfway Report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

How 'bout dem Dragons? 3-1 since their bye and completely healthy, without a single injury listed on the roster.

The biggest reason for the turnaround has to be rookie QB Dakota Corriveau discovering a long-lost missing piece of the Dragon attack, TE Kelvin Satterfield. The talented, but too often forgotten tight end now leads the team with 427 receiving yards, more yards at the halfpoint of this season than in any previous whole season with the Dragons.

The defense has come alive as well, gathering up 10 picks to erase the Dragons' turnover deficit on the season.

The winning streak is also charging up the fans, who may be forgiving Corriveau for a rough start and really starting to back the youngster.

Corriveau and the young Dragons still have some growing up to do, but at least they've hatched from their eggs now, instead of laying them.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 10: 3-5 Dragons travel north to 1-7 Green Bay

The Packers' young QB has been struggling, leading Green Bay to do the opposite of Des Moines' Coach Kevin O'Dea by benching the young stallion and sticking with the old nag.

Alas, the Dragons' youngster had one of his worst games, tossing 3 picks, while watching his formerly healthy teammates fall to injury all around him. You can see the progress for Corriveau, but 3 picks doomed this effort to be a loss, 20-10.

Season 3, Week 11: 3-6 Dragons travel north to 4-5 Minnesota

Losing your two best players on defense, if not the entire team, never helps. With MLB Dale Griffin and SS Mitch Plante sitting on the bench with injury, this game was never going to be a good one.

Despite FS Herb Dallesandro's valiant 2 picks and a decent game from the young QB, Corriveau just doesn't have The Captain's ability to inspire miraculous play from outgunned teammates. Dragons drop an expected loss, 25-13.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 12: 3-6-1 Baltimore comes to 3-7 Des Moines

With MLB Dale Griffin and SS Mitch Plante still on the bench, even the lowly Ravens seemed intimidating.

Despite running on the Ravens, as expected, Corriveau looked every bit the rookie in a sad, 27-19 loss.

Will Dragon fans continue to back the rookie, when memories of The Captain not so far distant? Will they continue to buy Coach O'Day's line that the younger players need to play before the team can truly excel?

Or is Jack Ledger working behind the scenes to intentionally tank for a better draft pick?

Season 3, Week 13: 3-8 Dragons travel to 4-7 San Francisco

SS Mitch Plante returned, and Corriveau threw a pair of 4th quarter touchdowns, but it wasn't enough, as San Fran pounded away at the Dragons, who were forced to sign a rookie off the street from a tiny, private college in Iowa to play middle linebacker. Injuries are just decimating this squad, and it showed up in the box score, as Dragons gave up over 200 yards rushing in a demoralizing loss, 31-19.

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 14: 3-9 Dragons visit 9-3 Cleveland

Bloodbath expected, as the Dragons can't field a full linebacker squad or offensive line, due to injury.

But Corriveau is starting to feel the heat of leading a losing squad. The youngster is getting downright angry. On the opening drive, the rookie flashed an eye-popping stiff arm en route to a 64-yard TD scramble. Later in the game, he pressed and pressed (a bit too much), tossing 3 picks, but dauntlessly driving for 2 scores in the game's final 5 minutes. For the third time this year, the kid looked unstoppable in the final minutes of the ball game. He could be a real comeback kid in the not-too-distant future.

For now, however, not even Corriveau's balls-to-the-walls performance could make up for a defense that is decimated by injury. Dragons lose the by surprisingly close score of 38-33.


Season 3, Week 15: 3-10 Dragons visit division leading 8-5 Chicago

MLB Dale Griffin returned, which helped put the clamps on Chicago's running game. Alas, Chicago's defense also put the hurt to the Dragon offense. The Dragons drop another loss, 23-6.

Fans are starting to look beyond this dismal season to the draft. Des Moines' draft position is climbing higher and higher ... and a quick peek into the college ranks suggests this might be a very good year for that ;)

[revrew]

Season 3, Week 16: 5-9 Bengals visit 3-11 Dragons

3 dropped passes, 7 passes defensed, 8 hurries, 2 sacks, and poor QB Dakota Corriveau just couldn't get it going today. Even the fans are starting to fall away as the Dragon experiment seems to have hit its lowest point. No joy in Mudville, as Des Moines drops a hideous loss, 6-3.



Season 3, Week 17: 5-10 Packers visit 3-12 Dragons

Mercifully, the season has come down to its last game. The lack of energy in the stands at Joker Field is palpable. Enthusiasm is at an all-time low. The Dragons are dead last in the power ratings. All they have to do is lose this game to snag the #3 overall draft pick, at worst. Could they at least win by losing?

Coach O'Dea, however, had another idea. A risky one. With Corriveau dinged up with a sprained ankle, recognizing this could be the last time The Captain dons a Dragon uniform, O'Dea put Nathaniel Witt back into the lineup at QB.

The risk, it would seem, payed off - if O'Dea was hoping to silence his critics. For Nathaniel "The Captain" Witt surrendered 8 sacks, 3 turnovers, and demonstrated clearly that the magic is gone.

"Maybe O'Dea was right all along," talk radio opined after the game. "Witt looked terrible. Maybe giving the rookie the experience was the way to go."

The Dragons finished tied for the 2nd worst record in football and will draft #2 overall.

Will there be an Iowa player worth the losing season?

[revrew]

Season 3 Statistical Season Recap
*Previous season in parentheses

Team Passing: 24th (28)
Team Rushing: 29th (14)
Total O: 26th (25)
Team Scoring: 29th (28)
Team Pass D: 15th (5)
Team Rushing D: 29th (15)
Total D: 23rd (6)
Team Scoring D: 25th (4)
Turnover margin: 22nd (19)

Individual top performances:
Passing: Dakota Corriveau, 56.8%, 2943 yards, 11TDs, 14INTs, 68.6 rtg
Rushing: Drake Boyette, 552 yds, 3.47 ave, 2 TDs
Receiving: Miles Kinney, 803 yds, 3 TD, 11 drops
Oline: Rookie Roman Glover, in only allowing 4 sacks and tallying a 34.6 BPct, takes the honors
Tackles: SS Mitch Plante, 100 tackles
Sacks: DE Julian Sisson, 8.5 sacks, 24 hurries
PassD: FS Herb Dallesandro, 4 INTs, 9 Pdef, 83.6 PDPct
Punting: Rick Clark, #1 in NFL in punting yards, #1 in punting average, #1 in net average, #1 in punts downed inside the 20, and All-League 1st team

Team profit: $67.7 M (32.9 M)
Attendance: 98.1% (99)

[revrew]

Dragons Stick to Guns, Go Down in Whimper of Glory
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

You gotta give Coach Kevin O'Dea of the Des Moines Dragons this: He sticks to his convictions.

The coach who was celebrated for leading the Dragons to their first-ever playoff game in his first season is now also the proud owner of a disastrous, losing campaign in his second season. He made the decision to bench the heart and soul of the Dragons to go with a rookie, 5th round quarterback. And he rode that decision to the second worst record in the NFL. That's conviction.

And by all accounts, O'Dea plans to stick with young QB Dakota Corriveau for another year. For better or worse, the coach has hitched his wagon to this quarterback.

Does that put O'Dea on the hot seat should the Dragons not return to respectability? Is there ticking clock on O'Dea's tenure in Des Moines?

I'm going to propose that depends largely on this next draft. The Dragons have the draft capital, in the 1.2 pick and a pair of thirds, to move around and get the players O'Dea wants. And by listening to the usual college scout pundits, there may be some players from Iowa worth picking in the upcoming draft.

O'Dea has determined that the team will go young and seek to build a winner, rather than a .500 finisher. He insists that giving the kids the reins is the way to get the experience they need. The gamble he may be taking, however, is whether those youngsters will be ready to win before the stellar Dragon secondary – the strongest, but oldest unit on the team – starts to crumble.

[revrew]

START of SEASON 4

Free Agency:

Extensions of note:
RG Fred McLane (55/55)
OT3 Colby Gibson (45/45)
C2 (Oline leader) Emmanuel Almodovar (44/44)
FS Herb Dallesandro (57/57)
DE Ricardo Heuring (34/34)
EDGE Camden Eiguren (26/37)

Cuts of note:
Former D-line leader DT Gilbert Powell (22/22)

Signees:
OG Ellis Morris (53/53, 24yo, out of Woodbine, IA)

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

The dearth of the Des Moines Dragons offense is reaching critical levels, especially after a season of making a rookie quarterback suffer without a legitimate NFL attack. So once again, Des Moines enters the draft in need of weapons, particularly at wide receiver and running back.

On the defensive side of the ball, the linebacker group is a position of strength, but the team needs young depth in the secondary, and the D-line needs major upgrades, particularly at pass rusher.

The Dragons' biggest needs, assuming they're confident in their young quarterback, are wide receiver and defensive end. And lo and behold, for Des Moines GM Jack Ledger, who has limited himself to drafting and signing players exclusively from Iowa, those needed pieces are definitely in play.

Let's take a look at which Iowa prospects the Dragons might target:

1st Round
WR Louis Forbes, Iowa State – Forbes is not the fastest receiver in draft, but his 4.43 40 at the combine is ample, especially for a player with elite agility and toughness, which Forbes has. He's phenomenal at adjusting to the ball in the air and making the most of it in the open field. Though the 1.2 might be too rich for Forbes, it wouldn't be surprising to see him taken top 10.

DE Elias Reese, University of Iowa – Reese is a big, powerful, angry, pin your ears back pass rusher. He has the size to play 3-4 or 4-3 end. He's not the top rated end on the board, for he lacks discipline and can be caught out of position against the run, but he has the look and the snarl of a quarterback killer. He will likely be taken somewhere near the back of the first, so the Dragons may need to trade up (or way down) if they have their eyes on him.

Other notables:
G Cedric Grundy, U of I – Technically very sound, high motor, kid. But he's young and needing to grow into his 6'3 frame. Would have benefited from staying for his senior season. Projected mid to late round pick.
WR Xavier Bradley, U of I – He has reliable hands, is good in the open field, but his technique is sloppy. Projected late round pick.
WR Robbie Thompson, U of I – Bradley's teammate for the Hawkeyes, Thompson has straight line speed, but below average agility. Late round pick.
C Aaron Alexander, ISU – Alexander flashes elite run blocking skills, but his overall athleticism is only average. Can get overwhelmed or pushed over by top defensive tackles. Late rounder to URFA.

Sleeper
C Antonio Sallee, ISU – Alexander's backup at Iowa State, Sallee moved around the line. He's a big, bruising, mauler, played with a tough streak, but he's soft around the middle and raw at any position. Could be a project.

[revrew]

SEASON 4: 2028 DRAFT:

"Oh, jeez," said Dragons Assistant Coach Nickolas Troutman. "You about gave me a heart attack."

The lights in the draft war room flickered to life, computer screens booted up from the base blue, and the smile of a solitary figure, dressed in a purple suit, grinned from the escaping dark like the Cheshire Cat in Alice's Wonderland.

Dragon Coach Kevin O'Dea followed Troutman into the room and slapped his assistant on the shoulder.

"What's the matter?" O'Dea asked. "Are you surprised Ledger would be here so early?"

"No," Troutman said. "I just didn't expect to see him sitting in the dark."

It was not yet 5 a.m. in the J.W. Marriott, overlooking Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. But Jack Ledger was already working the phones.

"Watch pick Number 1," Ledger said to his assembling staff, as they took their first sips of coffee and tried to shake off the cobwebs of too-early interrupted sleep. "The word on the street is they want a receiver."

"Not Forbes!" O'Dea said.

"No. Oakland wants speed. They're looking at the kid from Rutgers."

"So we take Forbes Number 2?"

Ledger smiled his unsettling grin. "Let's just say … I have something else up my sleeve."

[revrew]

2028 Draft Coverage:

Oakland did indeed take "the kid from Rutgers." With the Dragons on the clock at #2, however, NFL Commissioner James Gordon had an announcement to make.

Commissioner Gordon: The Des Moines Dragons have traded the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Todd McShay: It's no secret the Dragons have their eye on wide receiver Louis Forbes out of Iowa State. And for once, I don't think that's a bad choice for them, though RB Chris Benson out of Wisconsin should be just too good to pass up. In a draft without strong quarterback prospects, I'm surprised Oakland didn't take Benson. Yet … I'm assuming Des Moines' trade with Philly is only down a few spots, to 1.7. If so, they should still be able to get their man and extra compensation. I don't see another team that has their eyes on Forbes. I think everyone assumed he was going 1.2.

Commissioner Gordon: With the seventh selection of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons pick wide receiver Louis Forbes, Iowa State University.

Mel Kiper: It looks like the Des Moines Dragons have found the sweet spot on draft day, getting a player they need, from a school they covet, at a spot that makes sense. Forbes is a playmaker, a young receiver with sneaky speed and feet that can't be tracked. He reminds me of a young Antonio Brown. He finds ways to get open and then burns you after the catch. The Dragons absolutely had to come away from this draft with a difference-maker on offense, and for once, an Iowa school had the guy the Dragons needed. What's more, the terms of the trade are rolling in, and Jack Ledger is coming up smelling like roses. We now understand that Philadelphia traded the 1.7, the 2.6, and a second next year for the 1.2.

Todd McShay: With that kind of firepower, the Dragons have what they need to come back into the first, if they want. Do you suppose that's the play?

[revrew]

...

Commissioner Gordon: The Denver Broncos have traded the 28th selection of the 2028 draft to the Des Moines Dragons.

Todd McShay: Bam! Exactly what we predicted! And you know who Des Moines is targeting with this trade …

Commissioner Gordon: With the 28th pick of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select defensive end Elias Reese, University of Iowa.[/B]

Mel Kiper: Let me tell you what you're getting with Elias Reese. You're getting a locomotive. This is a guy who fires up the engines, and then he railroads right over anyone who gets in between him and the quarterback. He has elite size and strength, surprising speed, and we don't even know how high this guy's ceiling is. Sure, he slipped down some boards, including mine, because he's still just lightning in a bottle. He doesn't have all the moves he's going to need at the next level. Like a locomotive, he doesn't change direction very fast, and running backs can get by him. But if you want someone to run over and through anything in his way, it's Elias Reese. And if he's coached well, learns well, the sky is the limit for this kid. I'm hearing the Dragons had to give up the 2.2 and 2.6 to get him, a hefty price to be sure, but if Reese can maximize his immense potential, it's all going to look worth it in the end.

…

The Dragons traded their third round picks, the 3.2 and 3.4, to Kansas City for SS Aaron Newhart (47/47), KC's leading tackler over last 3 years, with 9 picks over the same time span. He brings youth and depth to the Dragons' secondary and makes sure Des Moines doesn't miss a beat if SS Mitch Plante or FS Herb Dallesandro miss any time with injury.
…

Commissioner Gordon: With the 99th selection of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select wide receiver Xavier Bradley, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: It's good to see the Dragons focusing on the playmakers they need. Bradley's a big, 6'3, 220-pound receiver who is very good in the open field. He will need to polish his technique and route running to succeed at the next level.

…

Commissioner Gordon: With the 100th selection of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select guard Cedric Grundy, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: I see Grundy as a reach in the fourth. There were better guards available, if only the Dragons were willing to draft outside of Iowa.

…

Commissioner Gordon: With the 130th selection of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select wide receiver Robbie Thompson, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: If you've ever scored a touchdown for an Iowa school, come on down! The Dragons will take anyone, so long as you're from Iowa.

Mel Kiper: If you're criticizing the Dragons for this pick, I've got to disagree with you. I like Thompson in the 5th; in fact, I like him more than the other Hawkeye receiver the Dragons took in the 4th. Robbie Thompson has good speed, looks the ball in over his shoulder very well. He may not have been the go-to guy at Iowa, but I see him with more upside at the next level.

…

Commissioner Gordon: With the 163rd pick of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select center Aaron Alexander, Iowa State University.

Mel Kiper: Good hands, quick feet. Alexander isn't overwhelming, but he's a solid NFL prospect who should find a roster spot somewhere. Even if this kid wasn’t from Iowa, if the Dragons were drafting for best talent available, they nailed it with this pick. I listed Alexander as the 4th best center in this year's draft, and there's no way he should have lasted to the 6th round.

…

Commissioner Gordon: With the 192nd pick of the 2028 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select running back, Jimmy Perot, University of Tennessee.

Todd McShay: Perot? I have to admit, I'm really surprised he fell this far. I was expecting him to go 4th or 5th round, not 7th. But he's from Tennessee.

Mel Kiper: He went to high school in Sidney, Iowa, Todd. Way down in the southwest corner. And this is another solid, value pick for the Dragons. Perot is surprisingly shifty, makes defenders miss. The biggest drawback is that at 25 years old, he has a lot of miles on those tires.

Draft list:

1.7 WR Louis Forbes (36/66)
1.28 Elias Reese (38/54)
4.3 WR Xavier Bradley (20/34)
4.4 G Cedric Grundy (11/54)
5.2 WR Robbie Thompson (17/42)
6.3 C Aaron Alexander (18/57)
7.2 RB Jimmy Perot (18/18)

[revrew]

What We Learned at Training Camp
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Fresh from Walston-Hoover Stadium on the lovely campus of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, here's a quick breakdown of the leading stories from the Des Moines Dragons training camp:

Most of the pundits were watching second-year QB Dakota Corriveau, to see if he can make the leap to legitimate NFL starter. Reviews are mixed. He does show good arm strength and throws a pretty deep ball, but accuracy and timing are still inconsistent, and the scuttlebutt suggests he's still struggling to digest the full playbook.

The fans, however, had their eyes on top-10 draft pick, WR Louis Forbes. The newcomer has made himself very popular following some spectacular plays in camp, and watching his ability to track the ball in the air and contort to catch even a badly thrown ball might be exactly the security blanket Corriveau needs to thrive.

The other first rounder, DE Elias Reese, is making an impression, too. The sound of him hitting the sled cracks like thunder. Coaches I talked to on the sideline keep repeating the same thing, "untapped potential." Part of that's a compliment, to be sure, but then the same coach sighs, as though he's resigning himself to a massive task ahead. We'll see if that potential can be realized.

At the other end of the draft, 7th round selection Jimmy Perot has been more "slippery" than advertised, and he may well find a spot on the opening day roster. 6th rounder, center Aaron Alexander, has been raising some eyebrows, especially with his run blocking. The same, however, cannot yet be said for the fourth round pick Cedric Grundy, who is having a hard time pushing past the other offensive lineman for reps.

Overall, however, there's some excitement building. The offensive line, once a real weakness for this team, is a deep unit. The rookie receivers and budding quarterback hint at an offense we've yet to see in Dragon football. Could Coach O'Dea be building a more balanced team? 2028 will be a real test.

[revrew]

SEASON 4: Preseason contests

Week 1:
QB Dakota Corriveau likes his new toy. The sophomore sensation QB completed 13 of 17 and a pair of TDs to rookie WR Louis Forbes (who had 101 yards on the day), for a 132.2 QB Rating. 17-10 win.

Week 3:
Coach O'Dea gave all 3 Des Moines QBs a healthy chance to play today. None did great. Corriveau did the best. Rookie Louis Forbes continued to look good. The rest of the team did not. 41-26 loss.

Week 4:
It appears the defense was upset about giving up 41 points in the last game. 7 players combined for 12 sacks, and 8 passes were defensed in a game that saw QB2 Will Lang have the better day. 23-9 victory. But a half dozen injuries will mean the Dragons will not be full strength when the season starts.

Week 5:
In the battle between last year's NFL cellar dwellers, Oakland and Des Moines, Nathaniel Witt got the nod and the relatively quick hook. Corriveau, however, came in to replace him and led the team with a 116.5 QB rating and a pair of TDs for the win. No question: Witt's time in Des Moines is done. This is Corriveau's team now. The injury bug, however, only got worse in this 21-14 victory.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 1: Dragons travel to Chicago

The first quarter of this contest was ugly, as young QB Dakota Corriveau tossed a pick six and the Dragons fell behind.

It continued to look bleak until right after before the half, when, with 22 seconds left, FS Herb Dallesandro snagged the ball out the of air and answered with a pick 6 of our own.

In the second half, the Dragons found a little more rhythm, and despite a poor day from the young QB overall, Corriveau found rookie WR Louis Forbes for his first NFL regular season touchdown. It proved enough, as Dragons pick up a key, in-division win, 17-15.

Of note, fellow rookie DE Elias Reese made his presence felt as well, notching five tackles, a sack, and two QB hurries.


Season 4, Week 2: 0-1 Patriots visit 1-0 Dragons

We outgained 'em, out rushed 'em, outplayed 'em up and down the field. Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring seems grateful to have a legitimate pass-rush threat on the other side, as he racked up 3.5 sacks, 3 knockdowns, and a safety.

But in the end, four dropped passes and a pair of interceptions put us behind the 8-ball. With only seconds to play, and driving just outside field goal range, QB Dakota Corriveau tossed his third pick of the day, sealing a heartbreaking, close loss, 27-26.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 3: 1-1 Dragons visit 2-0 Washington

QB Dakota Corriveau was on fire in this one early, racking up his best game of the season, en route to a 28-6 halftime lead. By the day's end, Corriveau's line read 22-of-32 for 262 yards, 3 scores, and no picks. All three TDs were to TEs, further sign that Corriveau plays well when everyone's involved.

Something happened in the second half, however. The offense sputtered, the defense faltered, and momentum swung, big time. Despite solid pressure from Des Moines' new sack duo – Elias Reese and "ManChild" Heuring – Washington chipped away at the Dragon lead, until, with 12 seconds left, they kicked the winning field goal. For the second week in a row, Dragons lose by a mere point, 28-29.


Season 4, Week 4: 0-3 Rams come to 1-2 Des Moines

The Rams completely shut down the Dragon rushing attack, and for the first time, QB Dakota Corriveau took the team entirely on his shoulders. 33 of 51 passing, 447 yards. WR1 Miles Kinney caught 12 of 15 for 197.

In the end, however, Corriveau tried to do too much. Pressed too hard. 4 picks crushed the Dragons at home. The Iowa boys lose, 23-13.

[revrew]

Bye Week Business

OLB Ross Flanagan (39/39, 24yo) accepted a contract extension
CB Ashton Dodge (46/46, 33yo) tacked on another year to his contract, though it will likely be his last


Dragons 1st Quarter report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Can you feel the growing pains?

No, I'm not just putting a positive spin on another frustrating season. The Des Moines Dragons may sit at 1-3, and their statistical rankings do still look like a lower-tier team, but this is a young team at key positions, and most of the team's struggles thus far are clearly related to inexperience.

First and foremost, the Dragons' biggest struggle is turnovers, where Des Moines ranks #31 in the NFL. The 2nd-year QB Dakota Corriveau is pushing hard, too hard, and the chemistry just isn't there yet. Corriveau is working with a rookie starting WR, and his most reliable target in TE Kelvin Satterfield hasn't even made it onto the field yet because of injury. Consequently, completion percentage is down, and interceptions are up. This is to be expected.

But what will happen when Satterfield returns and the young QB and young WR start to find their NFL sea legs?

That's the tantalizing question that leads me to caution Dragon fans about writing off 2028 as a lost cause just yet.

What's even more tantalizing is the sudden surge in pass rush the Dragons have found in rookie DE Elias Reese. Not only is Reese leading all NFL rookies in sacks, but his presence has released "The ManChild" DE Ricardo Heuring on the other side of the line to have what is so far shaping up to be the best season of his young career.

No, the Dragons are not yet a winning ball club. But give these young pups just a little more leash. They're still cutting their teeth.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 6: 1-3 Dragons visit 3-2 Green Bay

With Minnesota underperforming again, Green Bay sits atop the division. At home, they're always tough. The Dragons returned almost everyone from injury, including TE Kelvin Satterfield. Would it provide a spark?

Not for the offense. Even coming out of the bye, the Dragons looked awful. So, however, did the Packers. It came down to a slugfest, as neither offense could muster an attack, and the Dragon defense scored both a touchdown and a safety.

Somehow, when the dust settled, and two proud defenses finished picking the offenses out of their cleats, the final score showed a Dragon victory, 12-5. What is this, baseball?

Season 4, Week 7: 2-3 Dragons travel to 3-2 San Francisco

Turnovers. Hate, hate, hate turnovers. The Dragons outplayed the 49ers, young DE Elias Reese added another pair of sacks (DROY candidate?), but Corriveau lost 2 fumbles and tossed two more picks, costing the Dragons the game. Despite finding good chemistry with WR1 Miles Kinney and TE Kelvin Satterfield catching his first TD since return from injury, Des Moines suffers another close loss, 23-17.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 8: 5-1 Seattle comes to 2-4 Des Moines

Definitely not favored in this one. Seattle's blistering pass attack and relentless pass rush are formidable.

Nonetheless, the first half of this contest looked like a pair of heavyweights duking it out. The Dragon D completely shut down Seattle's rushing attack. The Iowa boys hung in there, and the two squads went into halftime tied 13-13.

At the end of the game, however, with Seattle leading by a touchdown, things began to look desperate for the Dragons. And in that desperation, an all-too-familiar refrain – Corrriveau pushed too hard, threw 2 INTS in the last 2 minutes of the game. Des Moines drops the loss, 20-13.


Season 4, Week 9: 4-3 Bears come to 2-5 Des Moines

Dragons MLB Dale Griffin again led a monster run defense, completely stuffing Bears all-star RB Adam Divine. But once again, the offense fell flat. Once again, turnovers killed us. And once again, the aging Des Moines secondary showed its age. This one feels like a nail in the coffin (for Corriveau too?), as the Dragons lose, 20-7.

[revrew]

The halfway point of an ugly season
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

At the halfway point, QB Dakota Corriveau has already thrown more interceptions than he did in all of last year's abysmal season.

Yes, the secondary isn't as dominant as it once was. Yes, the rushing game is historically, historically inept (two touchdowns in 8 games???). Yes, there are plenty of people calling for a coaching change.

But as popular as Corriveau is with the fans, his play on the field is another thing.

Once upon a time, the fate of the Dragons followed "The Captain." Now it follows young Corriveau. If he plays well, the pieces are in place such that this team could win. But he isn't playing well. The record shows it. Until he learns to protect the football, he won't have a lead to protect.

Coach, fix this. If you can't, I can't imagine how much more patience Jack Ledger will have for you.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 10: 2-6 Dragons try to right the ship at 2-6 Arizona

Whoa! Where did this kid come from? Actually, he made some noise in preseason, but this was a breakout game for RB3 Jimmy Perot, the 7th round pick out of the University of Tennessee and Sidney, Iowa.

After Arizona scored their second touchdown at the end of the first quarter, Perot took the first play of the second quarter 80 yards to the house. At the end of the third quarter, Perot answered another Cardinal score with a 64-yard touchdown streak.

Perot proved elusive, Corriveau scaled back the over-effort to play a solid game, and the Dragons came away from the desert with a 27-21 victory.

Season 4, Week 11: Division leading 6-3 Minnesota comes to 3-6 Des Moines

Back and forth, back and forth, 6 field goals, 5 touchdowns, no team having the lead for long. At the end of the 4th quarter, Corriveau leads the team 80 yards in 1:24, capping it off with a 24-yard TD strike to rookie WR Louis Forbes to take the lead. You see? This is what this team could be!

Alas, leaving 1:00 on the clock was just a bit too long. Minnesota capped a quick drive of their own with a 46-yard field goal as time expired, taking back the lead and dropping the Dragons into a heartbreaking 27-25 loss.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 12: 3-7 Dragons visit 4-6 Bills

3 more picks tossed by Corriveau. Elias Reese has hit the rookie wall. There's not much joy in Mudville. Despite an exciting, 60-yard TD gallop by TE Kelvin Satterfield early in this contest, the Dragons let it slip away in the 4th quarter again. The calls for a new coach are mounting. Dragons lose, 20-16.

Season 4, Week 13: 5-6 Buccs visit 3-8 Dragons

Well, now. This is the Dragon defense resurgent, reminding us how good they've been and how good they can be. Thankfully, Corriveau didn't throw any picks, so Des Moines actually had a chance.

In the end, it was the Dragon D, racking up 7 sacks (3 from Manchild Huering, 2 from Elias Reese), 7 passes defensed, and 2 picks, that led to a home victory, 12-10.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 14: 4-8 Dragons fly to 4-8 Miami

Once again, the 4th quarter and Corriveau's interceptions did us in. Miami scores 10 in the final frame to hand Des Moines a disheartening loss, 20-16.

Season 4, Week 15: 4-9 Packers fight over NFC North last place in 4-9 Des Moines

Two missed field goals and two lost fumbles spoiled WR Louis Forbes' best day. The receiver caught 9 of 12 for 126 yards, but the team jockeyed for better draft position with a 17-12 loss.

[revrew]

Season 4, Week 16: 9-5 Jets fly into 4-10 Des Moines

SS Mitch Plante's 3 passes defensed and DE Ricardo Heuring's 1.5 sacks were the only even marginally good things in this 33-6 loss. Bring on the high draft pick! QB Dakota Corriveau just doesn't look like he can carry this team either.

Season 4, Week 17: 4-11 Des Moines wraps up at division winning 10-5 Minnesota
Minnesota's star QB carved the Dragons to pieces in an ugly, ugly 33-7 loss.

[revrew]

Season 4 Statistical Season Recap
*Previous season in parentheses

Team Passing: 20th (24)
Team Rushing: 30th (29)
Total O: 24th (26)
Team Scoring: 29th (29)
Team Pass D: 17th (15)
Team Rushing D: 17th (29)
Total D: 16th (23)
Team Scoring D: 19th (25)
Turnover margin: 31st (22)

Individual top performances:
Passing: Dakota Corriveau, 56.8%, 3541 yards, 15TDs, 25INTs, 65.3 rtg
Rushing: Drake Boyette, 655 yds, 3.31 ave, 2 TDs
Receiving: Miles Kinney, 1094 yds, 4 TD, 7 drops
*Oline: Newcomer LG Morris Ellis, 25 KRB, 3 SkA
Tackles: MLB Dale Griffin, 107 tackles
**Sacks: DE Ricardo Heuring, 13.5 sacks, 16 hurries
PassD: SS Mitch Plante, 4 INTs, 9 Pdef, 83.9 PDPct
Punting: Rick Clark, #1 in NFL punting average, #5 in net average

*While the running game was anemic, the Dragon Oline permitted only 27 sacks on the season, the 4th best mark in the league
** Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring was awarded 2nd team All-Pro for his best season yet

Team profit: $24.5 M (67.7 M)
Attendance: 99.3% (98.1)

[revrew]

Dragons' Elias Reese wins NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

It didn't take long after the Des Moines Dragons selected Elias Reese with the 28th selection of last year's NFL rookie draft to know they had a "beast" on their hands.

"Reese is 288 pounds of pure animal," said Dragons Defensive Coordinator Andrew Hatchette after the first week of training camp. "I honestly believe by the end of this season, opposing offensive linemen will be frightened to see him put his hand in the dirt opposite them."

Indeed, by the end of the season, Reese had racked up 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries, the most combined by any rookie taken in last year's draft.

Playing with the 295-pound defensive end Ricardo Heuring on the other end of the line from Reese gave the Dragons the most punishing pass rush in the NFL. Collapsing the pocket from the opposite side, Heuring racked up 13.5 sacks, 16 hurries, and 19 QB knockdowns, earning him 2nd team All-Pro.

The combination of both sudden stars with run-stuffing stud and linebacker Dale Griffin patrolling the middle of the field has made the Des Moines Dragons' defensive front both young and dominating.

What's more, Hatchette doesn't believe Reese has yet reached his full potential.

"It's hard to believe sometimes he's just a rookie," Hatchette told the Register. "Physically, he's already so dominant. But there are pass rush moves he hasn't even tried out yet. There's so much he has to learn from watching tape and building experience. This kid has a very, very high ceiling."

[revrew]

BEGIN SEASON 5

Free Agency recap

Extensions of note:
SS Mitch Plante (76/76, 25yo)
TE Kelvin Satterfield (67/67, 25yo)
C Ricky Beverly (49/49, 26yo)
RT Dashawn O'Connell (47/47, 25yo)
LT2 Bob Hansen (32/52, 25yo)
CB4/KR Calvin Minnig (36/36, 26yo)

New signings:
None

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

The Dragons have finally built a solid offensive line. But their run game is as ineffective as it's ever been.

The Dragons have a young and noise-making front seven, but the secondary is aging.

The Dragons have an improving receiving corps, but the young QB may be too turnover-prone to play NFL ball.

In short, Des Moines is a better team than their record, but a few Achilles heels are tripping them up. If the Dragons had the entire draft pool to choose from, we would expect them to target a quarterback in round one, and probably follow it up with a running back or cornerback depth in round 2.

But since the Dragons only draft Iowa players, let's take a look at which prospects the Dragons might target:

1st Round
S Gerald Barnes, University of Iowa – Despite a frame a bit too small for strong safety, Barnes is a powerful, heavy hitter with a nose for making plays. His outstanding speed and punt return ability are a real plus as well. Rated the top safety in this year's draft, the Dragons may have to use a top-10 pick to secure him.

OLB Bob Clinton, University of Iowa – Clinton has prototypical size, great measurables, and a never-ending motor. He stands out especially when dropping back into zone coverage and should instantly slide into any NFL team's nickel or dime packages. He's not the kind of elite pass rusher that will push for a top spot in the draft, but as the best pure linebacker available, expect him to fall in the upper half of the first round.

Other notables:
CB Ross Lee, Iowa – A very physical corner whose play merited 1st round consideration, but a less-than-stellar combine should drop him into the second round.
FB Dwight Stanton, Tulane – The Cedar Rapids native would have been a high draft pick decades ago, but fullbacks are rarely considered top priorities in today's NFL. His well-rounded skill set, however, would be a major upgrade for the Dragons.
CB Warren Sims, Iowa – Ross Lee's counterpart for the Hawkeye's bruising secondary, Sims could be a mid-round pick.

Sleeper
WR Chris Greene, Iowa – More of a track star than a polished receiver. Still, Greene could be considered late as a high-upside project.

[revrew]

SEASON 5: 2029 DRAFT:

Jack Ledger had to be the most active GM on draft day, wheeling and dealing all over the draft board. He started the day with the 1.4 and an extra second, but it seemed every time the Dragons were on the clock, Commissioner Gordon came forward to announce a trade.

Ledger first traded out of the 1.4 to drop down and pick up an extra 2nd, giving the Dragons three 2nd-round picks. Only a few selections later, Ledger pulled a blockbuster, sending S Aaron Newhart and 2nd rounders all over the place to reel in another top-15 1st round pick. Later, Ledger traded away his 3rd rounder for a pair of fourth rounders.

By the weekend's end, the Dragons were left with 8 draft picks, including the 1.9, 1.12, and 2.8.

[revrew]

2029 Draft Coverage:

Commissioner Gordon: With the 9th selection of the 2029 NFL rookie draft, The Des Moines Dragons select Gerald Barnes, safety, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: The Dragons needed a quarterback, had a quarterback available at 1.4, but then traded down to get a player at a position they already had locked up. There's a reason the Dragons are now one of the worst teams in the league. They're hamstrung by their insistence on drafting players only from Iowa.

Mel Kiper: No matter what you think of selecting the young safety out of Iowa, there's nothing not to like about Gerald Barnes' play. I had Barnes as the top safety available and one of the top 20 players in this year's draft. This kid is a playmaker. Led the Big 10 in interceptions and forced fumbles, he has a nose for the ball and brings a serious attitude to the secondary. Hits like a sledgehammer. For Des Moines to couple him down the road with Mitch Plante could give the Dragons the most feared safety pair in the NFL.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 12th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Bob Clinton, linebacker, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: Still no QB? Fine. No RB? I don't get it.

Mel Kiper: The player they did select, however, should be an instant contributor. A late entry to college after serving a stint in the military, outside linebacker Bob Clinton is a remarkably polished strong-side backer who absolutely obliterates opposing players. He hits hard, covers like a safety, and was the top rated outside linebacker in this year's class. He has the ideal size, a never-ending motor, and plays with tremendous intelligence. He's better in space than he is mixing it up with blockers, but when you watch the way he shut down receiving tight ends and played sideline-to-sideline for Iowa, you can see what makes him special.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 40th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Lee Ross, cornerback, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: Cornerback depth was a need for the Dragons, with their aging secondary, so I can't say I disagree with Ross at this spot. He's a player who looks good on tape, but a subpar combine sent him to the second round.

Mel Kiper: Ross is a physical corner, continuing a trend of selections for the Dragons who play a rough-and-tumble game. Then again, that's what the Iowa Hawkeyes have been turning out. Ross is a bump-n-run specialist who immediately throws receivers off their routes, even receivers much bigger than his 5'10" frame. His game against Michigan stands out. He covered Michigan's explosive slot player by bullying him throughout the contest. With the Hawkeyes safely in the lead, however, Ross' weakness as a zone player did lead to some breakdowns in the 4th quarter. Ross could be very, very good, but he needs to develop his mental game.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 101st selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Dwight Stanton, fullback, Tulane.

Todd McShay: I'm going to tell you what – I really like this selection. Stanton is a classic, throwback fullback, a run blocker who just gobbles up defenders. And when he slips through out in the flat, he's got soft hands and slippery speed.

Mel Kiper: Don't knock a kid who scores seven touchdowns in a single season from the fullback position. Stanton, who attended high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was more of a force for Tulane than most opposing teams expected. And even though he's a fourth-round pick, I expect to see him slide right in to the starting lineup from day one for Des Moines. He's just too good of an athlete to leave sitting on the bench.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 106th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Ashton Hambly, center, West Virginia.

Todd McShay: Yes, Hambly came out of Burlington, Iowa, but he's still a bit of a surprise at this spot. You think this is a stretch, Mel?

Mel Kiper: Not only is he a stretch, he's a stretch at a position the Dragons don't really need. But this is more about a kid who turned heads at the combines and sent coaches scrambling back to watch his tape. Hambly is extremely athletic for a man of 300 pounds, and if the coaches in Des Moines can tutor him well, who knows how good he can be?

Commissioner Gordon: With the 126th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select Terrance Chamoun, linebacker, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: Chamoun and teammate Bob Clinton were a dynamic duo of outside backers at Iowa, and both can play the pass well. But where Clinton is polished, Chamoun is very, very green.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 165th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select wide receiver Chris Greene, University of Iowa.

Mel Kiper: Greene ran in the 4.47 range at the combine, so he has speed, but his hands and his ability to track the ball do leave something to be desired. He should be considered a project player at this point.

Commissioner Gordon: With the 196th selection of the 2029 draft, the Des Moines Dragons select defensive end Tony Garcia, University of Iowa.

Todd McShay: Garcia is a big kid, a real personality in Iowa City. He was a key part of the Hawkeyes' run defense, but his ability to get to the QB is in question.

1.9 – S Gerald Barnes (44/65)
1.12 – OLB Bob Clinton (41/60)
2.8 – CB Ross Lee (28/47)
4.5 – FB Dwight Stanton (27/64)
4.10 – C Ashton Hambly (8/33)
5.4 – OLB Terrance Chamoun (10/39)
6.5 – WR Chris Greene (22/29)
7.4 – DE Tony Garcia (17/41)

Solecismic Draft Grade: B-

[revrew]

Dragons' Post-Training Camp Report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

After two, dismal, losing seasons in Des Moines, there is nonetheless a surging (and warranted?) enthusiasm stirring at Dragons' training camp. Fielding FOUR first-round draft picks taken in the last two years will do that: a major shot in the arm of both talent and optimism.

Talking to coaches and players, however, the new youth infusion is more than just hopes and dreams.

Position coaches are raving about last year's NFL defensive rookie of the year, DE Elias Reese, who has come back from the offseason in great shape and sporting new moves and techniques that weren't in the repertoire last year.

Dragons star safety Mitch Plante, meanwhile, has revealed he thinks this year's top draft pick, FS Gerald Barnes, is already "light years ahead" of where Plante was as a rookie. Assistant coaches affirm that Barnes may already be the most physically talented player on the team, and if he picks up the mental side, he has the makings of an NFL All-Pro.

Fellow rookie draftees, OLB Bob Clinton and second-rounder CB Lee Ross, are reportedly pushing their way into the lineup.

And on the offensive side of the ball, second-year WR Louis Forbes is wrapping up an even better looking camp than last year.

The biggest question of camp, however, has been how QB Dakota Corriveau would bounce back from a disastrous season in which he threw 10 more interceptions than touchdowns. So far, the answer is encouraging. Without the specter of Nathaniel Witt (who signed with Tennessee) looming over his shoulder, Corriveau entered the camp with an eye-opening amount of resolve and command. Coaches are saying his grasp of the offensive playbook is noticeably improved, and the youngster has run the huddle like last year's woes were but water off a duck's back.

Will Corriveau's confidence persist into the regular season? If it does, coupled with the infusion of young, top-shelf talent …

Dragon fans, let me just say, the whispers are growing in volume and intensity. There's a phrase buzzing about the locker room. I hate to print it, in fear I might jinx it, but the players are starting to say it out loud. Are you ready for … "Worst to first"? Because right now, the Dragons look like they believe it.

[revrew]

Season 5, PRESEASON

Game 1: QB Dakota Corriveau completed 8-of-8 for 116 yards, DE Ricardo Heuring racked up 3 sacks, and last year's 5th round pick, WR Robbie Thompson, had a breakout game in the slot, as the Dragons slipped past the Steelers in Pittsburgh, winning 23-17.

Game 2: Corriveau completed 16-of-19 for 208 yards and a TD, this time helped by WR Louis Forbes with 110 yards. Nathaniel Witt did not see the field for Tennessee, a bit of a disappointment for the hometown crowd, who nonetheless celebrated a 20-14 victory.

Game 3: Corriveau threw his first pick of the preseason, but still completed 16 of 20. WR Robbie Thompson showed up big again, with 10 of 15 for 95 yards. The offense is still too dink-and-dunk, however, and the lack of a big play showed in a 16-13 loss.

Game 4: The offense struggled mightily in this one with most of the starters on the bench, but the defense notched a pair of fumble TD returns, paving the way to a 24-23 victory.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 1: Packers come to Des Moines

The Dragon defense was absolutely dominating in this contest, racking up a stunning 7 sacks, a fumble return for a TD, and a safety. Our monster DE duo had a combined 5 sacks, 6 hurries, and 10 knockdowns all by themselves. Three rookies started in the contest on defense, and CB Lee Ross was particularly effective, refusing to surrender a completion in 45 pass attempts. OLB Bob Clinton led the team with 10 tackles and notched a half-sack and a knockdown, but he was less effective than advertised against the pass.

The offense, however, was completely pedestrian. Efficient, mistake-free, but boring vanilla. They're going to have to do better. For now, however, it's a victory, 18-16.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 2: 1-0 Dragons travel to 0-1 Oakland

The pass rush power continued this week for the Dragons, who kept a lid on the Raiders with 6 sacks and 10 hurries. The rookie defenders continued to play well.

The offense, alas, continued to struggle, especially in the air. QB Dakota Corriveau has yet to throw a TD pass this season. He did, however, run one in, and RB Drake Boyette ran in a pair, giving Des Moines the comfortable victory, 27-10.

Season 5, Week 3: 2-0 Des Moines visits 1-1 New Orleans

Oh, the heartbreak!

After a struggling first half, QB Dakota Corriveau kicked it into gear, threw his first TD pass of the season, racked up over 300 yards passing, found a good connection with WR Louis Forbes (7 catches, 141 yards, and a score), and brought back the Dragons to take the lead with only a minute left!

Then … the Saints ran the ensuing kickoff all the way back for the winning score. Ugh. Can't believe this one is a loss, 24-20.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 4: 2-1 Des Moines travels to 3-0 Dallas

The Cowboys are among the class of the NFL, and their defense is particularly stout. It showed today. QB Dakota Corriveau displayed all the fearless guts he's known for, still finding a way to throw for 300 yards … and 3 picks.

Still, you can't blame the youngster much, when his running game nets an abysmal 16 yards on 17 carries. That's just unacceptable. The Dragons got close at the end, but one of those Corriveau picks was returned for six, sealing the loss, 24-14.

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons First Quarter Report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

In just four games, it's become clear the 2-2 Des Moines Dragons are already a much-improved team over last season's 4-12 squad.

On defense, the bite has returned, led by a monster DE duo in Ricardo Heuring and Elias Reese, who are thus far the most potent quarterback-harrassing tag team in the NFL. Rookie OLB Bob Clinton has been a boost to the run-stuffing front, while adding a pair of sacks of his own. And fellow rookies in the secondary, FS Gerald Barnes and CB Lee Ross, have earned starting spots on a defense that currently ranks #2 in the NFL in yards allowed.

On offense, the young QB Dakota Corriveau may still be struggling to put TDs on the board, but he is posting career best marks in completion percentage, yards per pass and completion, 300-yard games, and QB rating.

The rebound from two years of bottom feeding is well underway, as GM Jack Ledger's recent string of draft picks seem to be hitting on all cylinders. But that's not to say the rebuild is complete. The Dragons still have an anemic ground attack. And when teams don't respect the run, Corriveau is forced to dump the ball off short or make risky throws deep. Neither of those approaches are currently working for a team that ranks 21st in points scored.

So far, so very, very good. But I catch my eyes drifting to the college game. Is there a running back in Iowa who can fill the gaping hole that remains in Ledger and Coach O'Dea's reboot of Dragons 2.0?

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 5: 2-2 Des Moines visits 1-3 Philadelphia

Aargh. Fumbles on special teams. A missed FG. The Eagles running out 4 minutes of clock at the end of the fourth. And a running game that continues to disappoint.

QB Dakota Corriveau just isn't the kind of elite QB who can take a team on his shoulders and carry them to victory when he can't even get 60 yards of rushing out of his teammates. Another close loss, 23-20.

Season 5, Week 6: 3-1 Giants come to 2-3 Des Moines

In a game that was shocking devoid of big plays by either squad, it was all about field position and chipping away at the opposition. Dragon RB Drake Boyette finally provided some ground support with 73 yards and a score, and P Rick Clark nearly won POG with brilliant booting. In the end, however, it was K Alexis Galloway, whose 5 field goals made the difference in this victory, 22-16.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 7: 3-3 Des Moines visits the 0-5 Bears

Rookie FB Dwight Stanton notched his first NFL TD, and the Dragons played efficient ball until the end of the game, when QB Dakota Corriveau started to heat up. Corriveau hit TD strikes to stud TE Kelvin Satterfield and emerging star WR Louis Forbes in the second half, on the way to a 24-9 victory.

Season 5, Week 8: 4-3 Des Moines goes to 0-7 Green Bay

"On the road again," the long-lost Dragons looked a bit tired through most of this game, so rather than an easy win, it turned into a heated battle.

The Dragons' tired legs gave up 13 points in the 4th quarter, and it looked like the game was slipping away.

But then, QB Dakota Corriveau got the ball with 1:42 left and 80 yards to go. Five plays later, with only :04 on the clock, Corriveau hit WR3 Robbie Thompson with a 7-yard TD pass, and the game was won! Corriveau had one of his finest games, throwing for 313 and a pair of scores and rushing for another 58. Dragons win, 27-26.

[revrew]

Des Moines Dragons Hit Halfway
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

The baby Dragons (if I may so label them because of their youth) are taking baby steps in the right direction.

QB Dakota Corriveau is enjoying his best season to date, though only by a bit. His current QB rating of 81.5 eclipses that of his rookie year (68.6) and his disastrous sophomore campaign. 2nd-year WR Louis Forbes is outperforming his rookie season in every statistical category. Even the sack squad, DE Elias Reese and DE Ricardo Heuring, are on pace to eclipse last year's sensational first season together.

The team as a whole feels like it's coming along, especially after a pair of wins over winless division opponents.

But I'd hold back on celebrating 5-3 just yet, or thinking about doubling it to 10-6.

This is a Dragons team that has yet to eclipse 30 points in a game. The rushing attack is still as anemic as ever. There's a big difference between baby steps and a playoff run.

But after a pair of ugly seasons, is sure does feel good to be seeing the young playmakers stretch their legs. It's almost as if a run is right around the corner.

[revrew]

Bye-week business

Extensions signed:
CB Mitch Wells (40/40, 30yo, mentor)
RB Drake Boyette (31/31, 25yo, mentor)
OLB Ross Flanagan (39/39, 25yo, mentor)
CB3 Broderick Garcia (45/45, 25yo)
FS2 Herb Dallesandro (49/49, 29yo, mentor, position leader)
LG Ellis Morris (52/52, 26yo)
RG Fred McLane (55/55, 26yo)
LE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring (36/36, 25yo pass rush specialist)
DT2 Robbie Blake (38/38, 27yo)

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 10: 3-5 Washington comes to 5-3 Des Moines

Outside of surrendering a single big play, the mighty Dragon D roared in this contest. Didn't give up a single rushing first down. Held Washington to 1 of 12 on third down. Racked up 5 sacks, four from Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring.

On the offensive side of the ball, the team did cough up 5 fumbles, but only lost 1. The running game wasn't there (what's new?), but Corriveau was efficient, keying in on our solid triplet of receivers: Myles Kinney, Louis Forbes, and TE Kelvin Satterfield. Corriveau's final line was 22 of 29 for a pair of scores, no picks, and a 119.9 rating in this solid, 23-17 victory.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 11: 6-3 Vikings battle for division lead at 6-3 Dragons

The Dragon offense struggled in this one, and as expected, Viking stud QB Kris Van Pelt put up some numbers, despite a solid defensive foe. Early, a HUGE 89-yard pick 6 by Dragons safety Mitch Plante seemed to be all that was keeping us in it.

But as the game wore on, Corriveau did something rare – he protected the ball, didn't push too hard, found RB Drake Boyette on check-downs, and kept the game close.

The longer the game was close, the more it seemed like the Dragons might be able to pull off the upset.

And when rookie FS Gerald Barnes snagged another Kris Van Pelt pass out of the air, the sold-out home crowd could smell a win!

K Alexis Galloway booted the ball through the uprights to take the lead with 4:55 left … and that was it! The Vikings couldn't put together another drive, and the Dragons leave home with a division lead-taking 23-21 victory!

(And with that victory, the Des Moines Dragons have indeed risen from "Worst to first." But can they hold that position?)

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 12: 6-4 Chiefs visit 7-3 Dragons

In a battle of division leaders, the difference was yet again the Dragon D and Corriveau avoiding the turnover.

The Dragons opened the game with three, consecutive scoring drives (what team is THIS?), including a 66-yard catch and run, as WR Louis Forbes raced around and away from defenders to the house.

After that, it was a defensive slug fest, led by ascending rookie sensation, FS Gerald Barnes. On the day, Barnes led the team with 6 tackles, defended 3 passes, and intercepted another. WR Louis Forbes finished with 6 catches on 8 targets for 113 and a score, and Corriveau played mistake-free ball, notching 19 of 23 for 265 and a score, QB rating 118.2.

This one felt really, really good. Dragons get a key victory, 19-17.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 13: 4-7 Arizona comes to 8-3 Des Moines.

The Cardinals bring with them the 1st-round QB that Jack Ledger passed up in the most recent draft (because he wasn't from Iowa). The Dragon D, however, made him look like a joke. On the day, the rookie completed less than half his passes, only threw for 92 yards, and notched a 34.3 QB rating.

Statistically, the Dragons dominated.

Alas, WR Louis Forbes went down to injury in the first quarter, and Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau started to fall apart without his security blanket. 4 picks for Corriveau in a game that looked a lot like last year.

And even though rookie first rounders, OLB Bob Clinton and FS Gerald Barnes, both picked off their fellow rookie on the opposite side of the ball, two of Corriveau's turnovers resulted in defensive scores for the Cardinals (of 92 and 98 yards, respectively). In a fluke game we shouldn't have lost, Des Moines loses, 31-17.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 14: 8-4 Dragons fly out to 5-7 San Diego.

On the road for the first time in weeks, with WR Louis Forbes limping most of the game, the old, offensive ineptitude reared its ugly head again. The defense, now confirmed a formidable force, did their job incredibly admirably.

But with one second left on the clock, after Corriveau had pushed the Dragons into field goal range, Des Moines' young kicker, Alexis Galloway, MISSED the game winner.

In overtime, the defenses ruled again, as each team had three possessions. In the end, however, San Diego's kicker proved the more accurate, and the Chargers hit the game winner. Des Moines drops another one we shouldn't have with this 16-13 loss.

Worse yet, we lost a pair of key starters, likely for the rest of the year in TE Kelvin Satterfield and rookie OLB Bob Clinton.

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 15: 8-5 Dragons limp into 7-6 Minnesota

Hoping to hang on to a slim division lead, the Dragons (who have been mostly healthy all season) suddenly find themselves injury prone at the worst time of the year, heading into the most important game of the regular season.

The perfect time to play a perfect game.

With so many pieces missing around him, defensive captain MLB Dale Griffin made this his game to shine. Griffin was an absolute animal, leading the team in tackles, slicing through the holes for 2.5 sacks, and holding the Vikings to only ONE first down on the ground.

This put the game on the Viking QB's shoulders and allowed the Dragon pass rush to pin back its ears – to the tune of SEVEN sacks. Under pressure, the Vike QB faltered, allowing Nickel CB Calvin Minnig to snag a pick, and when rookie CB Lee Ross racked up a pick-6 in the 3rd quarter, the Vikes were on the ropes.

Meanwhile, Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau played mistake-free ball and found unlikely targets RB2 Cooper Saucedo and the rookie FB Dwight Stanton for scores.

In a battle of field position, however, we can't forget the Dragons' all-league punter, Rick Clark, who pinned 4 of 7 inside the 20, including a 71-yard bomb of a kick and a 54.4 average on his punts. The Vikings just got buried in this Dragon statement win, 24-8.

And with that victory, having swept the Vikings on the season, the Dragons have guaranteed an NFC North championship and playoff appearance! WORST TO FIRST, baby!

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 16: 8-6 Broncos visit 9-5 Dragons

Another clash of division leaders, as the Broncos have leapfrogged the Chiefs.

Denver, however, had no answer for the Dragon D. The Broncos managed a mere 192 yards total, and when facing a punter kicking out his freaking mind (7 punts, 3 inside the 20, a 56.7 average, with a long of 67), Denver was up a creek without a paddle.

The Dragons didn't have much of a paddle, either, but they still walked away with a win, 9-7.

10-5? Leading the division with one game to go? Can you FEEL the excitement?

[revrew]

Season 5, Week 17: 3-12 Bears come to 10-5 Des Moines

With a potential bye on the line and a chance to run the table in the NFC North (but a slough of banged up players), Des Moines hosted the lowly Bears.

And again, it was the defense that came up big. 6 sacks and a pair of turnovers plagued the Bears, while the Dragons …

… stunk.

Yet, still – Dakota Corriveau played safe, nearly flawless football. The young QB completed 18 of 20 passes for a pedestrian, yet effective, 189 yards and a score, even enduring a broken nose in the process and still persisting. In the end, it was enough, as Des Moines wins, 13-7.

[revrew]

Worst to first!
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

There were whispers in training camp. I didn't really believe them. At the halfway point of the season, I warned my readers not to buy in too quickly. And all along … I was wrong.

Worst to first!

At this time last year, Des Moines Dragons fans were staring at a 4-12 record, the second straight losing campaign in which the beloved Iowa boys were among the worst few teams in football. We were grumbling about a young quarterback who threw more interceptions than touchdowns. We hinted that perhaps Dragon Coach O'Dea had misplaced his trust in the young gun and that the Dragons might be better served with a different coach.

Oh, how different that all looks in light of THIS season. From last place in the division, to sitting atop our rivals with an 11-5 record and a playoff game to come, the Dragons are suddenly the golden boys of Des Moines again!

And you questioned the Coach! Tsk, tsk.

You doubted the quarterback? Have patience, football fans!

To be honest, Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau still isn't lighting it up, still isn't among the true game-winners of the NFL, but the resurrection of the Dragon D means he doesn't have to be.

In fact, little known or realized is that Corriveau ranks 6th in the NFL in completion percentage, while the Dragon D ranks No. 3 in completion percentage against. In today's passing league, that means we're winning games.

And with six defensive players (DEs Reese and Heuring, LBs Griffin and Clinton, and Safeties Plante and Barnes) playing at Pro-Bowl levels, the Dragons are #2 in the NFL in rushing the passer, #2 in stopping teams on 3rd down, and #3 in points scored against. THAT's winning.

Now the Dragons have done the improbable – risen from two years in the dumps to the top of the heap in the NFC North.

Congratulations, guys! We knew you had it in you!

(OK, we doubted at times. We grumbled and whined a bit. But …) Let us fans and pundits be doubters no longer! Our Dragons are legit. They're young. They're hungry. And who knows how much better they could soon become?

[revrew]

Season 5: 2029 Wildcard Round – 10-6 Seattle travels to 11-5 Des Moines

Seattle brings a high-flying, often-flying passing attack, led by WR Butch Long, who topped 100 catches en route to a 1400-yard, 13-TD season. Their QB, Dean Ingram, is one of the league's best, and he already has a championship ring.

They also bring in a suspect defense, which struggles across the board, and may have one of the worst linebacker corps in the league.

All in all, it should be a decent matchup for the Dragons, who specialize in rushing the passer and could really use the help of a weak defensive opponent in order to put points on the board.

And that pregame preview proved to be practically prescient.

Seattle had no answer for a young QB with a big chip on his shoulder, as Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau began the game carving up the Seahawks like we hadn't seen all season. 3 of the first 4 drives went for touchdowns, both to WR Myles Kinney, who had the best day of his career, 11 of 15 for 172 and a pair.

In a blink, Seattle was down 21-7, and the Seahawks took to the air.

The Dragon pass rushers, therefore, pinned their ears back and got after it. DE Elias "Beast" Reese hurried and knocked down Seattle QB Dean Ingram over and over, and DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring blitzed him with a pair of sacks from the opposite side. All in all, 6 sacks were recorded on the day.

Seattle came roaring back late, but Corriveau led a 6-minute, 10-play, 76-yard drive in the 4th to cool the Seahawks down. And with 3 seconds left to play, the Dragons kicked a field goal to do something they hadn't done all season, send the score to 30 points. And that kick meant the Dragons did something they've never done in their history …

… WIN a playoff game! Dragons win, 30-27!

[revrew]

Season 5: 2029 Conference Semifinal – 12-5 Dragons visit 11-5 Panthers

The Panthers look a lot like Seattle, only better. Much, much better. Carolina QB Darien Peterson leads the best passing attack in the NFL and is a leader with 4,646 yards, 40 TDs, and only 7 INTs. He doesn't cough up the ball, he never gets sacked, and Carolina is the #1 scoring offense in the league.

That said, Carolina also has far and away the worst defense.

Can the Dragons hope to stop this stellar O? Or will it turn into a shootout? And can Corriveau survive the latter?

The game started with a bang, as the Panthers completed a 41-yard pass for a TD.

But then, something happened. It's like a switch flipped. Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau started slicing and dicing. Long drive after long drive. By the end of the day, he had completed 32 of 44 for 298, a passing score, a rushing score, and NO interceptions. WR Myles Kinney had caught 14 of 17 for 148. WR Louis Forbes caught the TD. At the half, the Dragons had scored on 5 straight possessions.

On the other side of the ball … all-star QB Darien Peterson was having a good game, but the Dragon scoring onslaught put the pressure on him to score. He began to press. He pressed too hard. The QB who had only tossed 7 INTs all season gave one up to Dragon SS Mitch Plante. Then he gave up another to Dragon FS Gerald Barnes.

Still Peterson pressed. And he did score – touchdowns compared to Des Moines' field goals, and he seized the lead.

Then, with 2:19 left to play, and the Dragons down by 1 and pinned on their own 14 … Corriveau took the HECK over. Who IS this kid??? 9 plays and 84 yards later, with the clock about to expire, the Dragons lined up for the kick …

… and WON their second playoff game! Dragons win, 26-24!

[Izulde]

Corriveau = Eli Manning looking ass

[revrew]

Corriveau = Eli Manning looking ass

Heh. That's probably a good comparison.

(But he's the best we've got!)

[revrew]

The suddenly hottest ticket in town
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

At the beginning of the season, no one – I mean no one – could have even guessed that Joker Field would still be busy this weekend.

Even when the improbable happened and the Des Moines Dragons completed their worst-to-first rise to atop the NFC North, nobody expected Des Moines … to HOST the NFC championship game.

But when the Dragons won not only their first, but also their second ever playoff game, and when the New Orleans Saints rose from the 5th seed to knock off the 'Niners AND the Giants … all of a sudden …

We need to buy tickets! The NFC Championship Game will be in Des Moines!

[revrew]

Season 5: 2029 Conference Championship – 13-5 Dragons host the 12-6 Saints

In the Seahawks and Panthers, the Dragons faced opponents who were among the best in the league at passing and among the worst on defense. New Orleans brings a new wrinkle: One of the league's best running backs and most balanced offensive powerhouses. Yet still, the Saints boast the #31 defense. Can the Dragons really survive another shootout? Or will the Saints grind down the Dragons and not allow Corriveau enough time to dink and dunk his way to points?

Coach O'Dea's defensive strategy from the opening was both obvious … and brilliant. Facing a RB with nearly 2000 combined yards rushing and receiving, the Dragons keyed in on the all-star with not one, but two all-stars of their own. MLB Dale Griffin and SS Mitch Plante, playing relentlessly close to the line, shadowed, blitzed, and completely stuffed the Saints running game. Yes, it opened up some passing lanes, but the Saints just couldn't keep a sustained drive going with their bread and butter bottled up.

Meanwhile, Corriveau stuck to his twin wideouts, Myles Kinney and Louis Forbes, who each had 9 catches on the day, while no other player had more than 1. It proved effective, as Kinney and Forbes ran circles around the Saint secondary.

In the end, however, it was all about that D, 'bout that D. The Dragons sacked New Orleans 5 times, held one of the league's top rushing attacks to a paltry 32 yards, and forced 3 turnovers, including a pick-6 that DE Elias Reese (of all people) took back to the house.

The Saints got a late touchdown to pull it close, but in reality, it never was that close. Dragons win, 22-17!. ON TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!

[revrew]

"The ManChild" Has Grown Up
Adam West, Sports Illustrated

He was just 20 years old, hardly more than a child when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the 7th round of the 2024 draft. But standing 6'5" and 295 pounds, Ricardo Heuring was obviously more than a boy. More than a child. He was … a MAN.

But it wasn't until the Des Moines Dragons took him with the final pick of the expansion draft that the nickname – The "ManChild" – caught on.

To this day, Heuring laughs at the moniker.

"I grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts, and I was six feet tall by my 12th birthday," Heuring recalls. "The assumption was that I would play basketball, but I just had no taste for it. I wasn't an athlete, I was a book nerd with a big appetite."

In fact, Heuring didn't play basketball in Massachusetts. Didn't play football, either. Most assumed the young wiz kid who graduated high school at age 16 would actually matriculate at Harvard University. But the overgrown Heuring had other plans.

"I loved watching things grow," Heuring recalls. "Plants, flowers, vegetables, didn't matter. I had a whole garden under sun lamps in my family's basement. Thank God the girls in my school didn't know about it – I'd have been laughed off!"

So it wasn't Harvard that captured Heuring's attention, but the Heartland. He wanted to be a farmer, a gentle giant just raising his crops and driving the tractor. So when it came time to pick a school, he chose Iowa State University.

At ISU, however, it was hard for the locals to overlook the teenager who now stood 6'5" and was chiseled without even trying. The football coach coaxed the gentle giant to come try pushing a sled around instead of a plow. And as it turns out, when you've got that much raw muscle mass, it doesn't matter how much you have or haven't played – it's an impressive sight on the gridiron.

"He didn't know a thing about football," Iowa State Coach Tom Bridges recalls about Heuring. "He was as green as the plants he was studying. But when he put a hand in the dirt and the ball was snapped, he exploded into the backfield like he had been playing all his life. He had the raw talent. It was all there. We just had to teach him the game of football."

Heuring finished his college career with an impressive harvest of sacks, but plenty of missed tackles and blown assignments as well. The tape still showed a raw powerhouse, and whether he could put it together at the pro-level was anyone's guess.

When the Des Moines Dragons took Heuring with the last pick of the expansion draft, in fact, ESPN's Todd McShay called Heuring "a seventh round rookie who likely won't even make an NFL roster."

And Heuring's first year in the Dragon green and gold revealed just how green Heuring was. Despite starting all 16 games and notching 7 sacks, he was struggling to keep up with the pro game.

"I just didn't have the moves or the experience to fight through the double teams," Heuring candidly admits. "I was stymied when I couldn't rely on overpowering my opponent."

After his third year, Heuring had only amassed 15.5 sacks, and the pundits were calling for the Dragons to desperately get some pass-rush help.

The help came in the form of a rookie, a similarly oversized young man they called "The Beast" – Elias Reese.

But rather than replace Heuring, Reese became his student. And the relationship changed them both.

"I came into the league ready to bull rush over everyone," Reese recalls. "But ManChild pulled me aside and said, 'Forget it. It doesn't work. We gotta be smarter than that.'"

With a budding superstar and eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year under his wing, Heuring applied himself to becoming a teacher. And in teaching, he learned. The ManChild was growing up.

The first year Heuring and Reese were paired, Heuring recorded 13.5 sacks and 16 hurries, by far his best season, college or pro. He earned his first ProBowl and 2nd team All-Pro for his efforts. In the dynamic pass-rushing duo's second year, Heuring did even better, with 14.5 sacks and 20 hurries.

In a few days, the Des Moines Dragons are going to play in their first Super Bowl, in large part because of the student and his teacher, the twin towers of power on the Dragon defensive line.

For Heuring, it's hard to believe he's come so far – from non-scholarship player, to dead last pick in an expansion draft, to playing for the Lombardi. And he's still just 25 years old.

"Yeah, I don't know how long the name 'ManChild' is going to stick," Heuring said. "But when you're as big and as young as I am, I suppose you can't complain.

"Maybe when I turn 30," he says. "Maybe by then, they can call me just … 'The Man.'"

[revrew]

Scouting report for the 2029 Super Bowl

The AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens feature the unquestioned best back in the league. RB Freddie Osborne has averaged 1500 yards and nearly 5ypc in each of his 5 seasons. He's had multiple 100-catch seasons and has nearly hit 1,000 yards receiving multiple times. He's the star of the AFC, a multiple-time All-Pro in the prime of his career, seeking his first championship trophy.

On defense, the Ravens aren't as weak as the Saints or the Panthers before them in the Dragons' improbable run to the NFC Championship, led by sack-monster Shaun Stobierski, who has never posted fewer than 10 sacks in any of his 9 seasons. The Ravens are susceptible to the big play, however, especially with a whole hospital ward of injured safeties on their roster.

One of the big questions is how well Dragon WR Louis Forbes will be able to play. He and WR Myles Kinney have been both security blankets and big play outlets for young QB Dakota Corriveau, helping to keep their signal caller out of the INT category. But Forbes is dinged up, and the Dragons in general are in a world of hurt.

In fact, the Dragons are missing star TE Kelvin Satterfield, their slot receiver Robbie Thompson, both of their left tackles, and both of their promising rookies on defense. This NFC Champion Dragon team is nearly identical to the squad that went 4-12 last season, save for rookie phenoms SLB Bob Clinton and FS Gerald Barnes. But both Clinton and Barnes will be on the sideline for the Super Bowl.

Net result: There's not a pundit in the country who is picking the limping Dragons to top the Ravens. The Dragons are just missing too many pieces. Las Vegas has Baltimore at the 6.5-point favorite, a hefty spread for any Super Bowl.

[revrew]

SUPERBOWL – (13-5) Baltimore Ravens v. (13-5) Des Moines Dragons

The game opened exactly as all Dragon fans feared. 12 plays, 80 yards, and Baltimore's Freddie Osborne plowed in from 2 yards out for the opening lead.

But don't count out these Dragons, not this year's Dragons – not for a second. QB Dakota Corriveau answered with a 9 play, 75-yard drive of his own, capping it off with a TD pass to the gimpy, but reliable WR Louis Forbes. The receiver would finish the day with 13 catches on 16 targets for 118 yards. The quarterback throwing him the ball would finish with 277 yards passing and a QB rating of 101.8.

In the second quarter, Freddie Osborne continued to pick away at the Dragons and pushed Baltimore into field goal range. But on the ensuing kickoff, Dragon WR Myles Kinney took the kick 94 yards back to the house! Dragons up, 13-10! Seven minutes later, Kinney caught a TD pass, and the Dragons were shocking everyone, up 20-10!

The second half, however, opened with the worst possible play, as Corriveau tossed a pick-6, allowing Baltimore right back into it.

A punt. A fumble. A punt. The teams trade turnovers, but in the 4th quarter, trailing 23-20, Baltimore mounted one more drive. Freddie Osborne continued to wear down the Dragons, both by land and by air, and the drive kept going, and going, and with only 3:19 left on the clock, Osborne punched in another TD to take the lead, 27-23.

In the end, despite fantastic games from Corriveau (save for the pick 6), Louis Forbes, Myles Kinney, Mitch Plante, and Dale Griffin, the Dragons just couldn't stop the SuperBowl MVP Freddie Osborne when it counted most.

A great game, Dragon fans. Great game. Alas, you'll have to content yourselves with NFC champs as the Dragons lose, 27-23.

[revrew]

Season 5 Statistical Season Recap
*Previous season in parentheses

Team Passing: 18th (20)
Team Rushing: 23rd (30)
Total O: 24th (24)
Team Scoring: 20th (29)
Team Pass D: 11th (17)
Team Rushing D: 11th (27)
Total D: 8th (16)
Team Scoring D: 3rd (19)
Turnover margin: 15th (31)

Individual top performances:

Passing: Dakota Corriveau, 64.2%, 3688 yards, 15TDs, 14INTs, 83.1 rtg
Rushing: Drake Boyette, 644 yds, 3.17 ave, 6 TDs
Receiving: Miles Kinney, 1005 yds, 4 TD, 5 drops
Tackles: MLB Dale Griffin, 109 tackles
Sacks: DE Ricardo Heuring, 14.5 sacks, 20 hurries; Elias Reese, 13.5 sacks, 29 hurries
PassD: SS Mitch Plante, 5 INTs, 9 Pdef, 82.3 PDPct; rookie FS Gerald Barnes, 4 INTs, 13 Pdef, 85.0 PDPct
Punting: Rick Clark, #1 in NFL punting average, #5 in net average

**SS Mitch Plante, All-Pro, 1st team; DE Elias Reese, All-Pro, 2nd team; MLB Dale Griffin, All-Pro, 2nd team

Team profit: $48.7 M (24.5 M)
Attendance: 99.5% (99.3)

[revrew]

BEGIN SEASON 6

Retirements:
CB Ashton Dodge, part of the Dragons' stellar early secondary, retired as the #3 INT man in Dragon history.

Free Agency recap

Extensions of note:
LT Roman Glover 49/49 (27yo)
WR Myles Kinney 59/59 (30yo)
DE3 Julian Sisson 40/40 (27yo)

New signings:
None

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

Not since their first season have the Des Moines Dragons garnered so much attention leading up to the NFL rookie draft. In fact, what the Dragons are going to do seems to be all anyone can talk about!

Quarterbacks are always at a premium, so it's no surprise that the draft's indisputably best QB prospect sits atop every sports guru's mock draft. But that quarterback … just happens to be Grayson Shello. Of the University of Iowa.

If there was ever a draft prospect the Dragons were drooling over, it's gotta be Grayson, right? And the Dragons' current QB is only one season away from being derided in some circles as the worst QB in the league. A natural fit, right?

But after their surprise run to the Super Bowl last season, Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau has staked his claim as the team's signal caller. He's immensely popular in Iowa. Does Dragon GM Jack Ledger really ditch the QB who took his team to the title game in favor of the hottest prospect to come out of Iowa since Nile Kinnick?

And even though few oeople question Grayson Shello is the better QB prospect, there's two big hurdles to clear. First, the Dragons possess the 31st pick in the draft. Moving up to #1 overall would be a herculean lift for Ledger. Second, that first pick just happens to be held by … the division rival Chicago Bears, who desperately need a QB of their own, with only a 6th round rookie on their own roster.

There's no way Chicago wants to give up Shello. But there's no way Ledger can let an Iowa Heisman-quality QB slip off to his rival … can he?

That said, let's take a look at who everyone in the NFL knows the Dragons have their eyes on - the talent from Iowa - and where said players are currently project to be drafted:

1st Round:
QB Grayson Shello of Iowa will go #1 overall ... to someone. Rarely has there been such a clear choice. Shello is smart, shows impeccable timing, and is comfortable throwing the ball to every route on the tree. Finished second in the Heisman voting behind Maryland running back Dwight Knechtel. Shello's a tad small for a pocket passer at 6'1", but he is a field general par excellence and holds every passing record in the Hawkeye record book.

2nd Round:
WLB Alec Green went to Ol' Miss, but graduated from a Waterloo, Iowa, high school. Green showed very well at the combine and has scouts scrambling to reexamine the tape. He's a gamble, being both a fast riser as draft day approaches and a player who could be more of a workout wonder.

Middle Rounders
RB Douglas Flagg of Iowa State is a smaller back with both elusiveness and speed. He showed good patience and vision, and while he won't overpower tacklers, may be an effective runner at the next level.
QB Julian Price sat in Grayson Shello's shadow at Iowa and has little game experience, but he has a cannon for an arm and looks the part. He's green, but he should be worth developing as a backup.
QB Scottie Coffman led Drake University in Des Moines with a sharp, West Coast timing game. He's only 5'10", but his tape shows a better QB than many taller prospects higher on many peoples' boards.
QB Frank Bondy of Iowa State is a very smart, polished passer with great pocket presence, but he lacks the arm strength to be a top prospect.

Late
RB Jermaine Bankston Iowa State
MLB Wes Price, Iowa
FS Tre Woodcock, Iowa

Sleeper:
WR Isaac Kinney of Iowa State dashed a 4.47 40 at the combine and was a reliable target for QB Frank Bondy. His tape, however, doesn't show that speed leading to many big plays.
DT Ty Wynn Iowa
CB Tyree Redd Iowa State
FB Manuel Foreman Iowa State

[revrew]

Draft Day: Dragons GM Jack Ledger holds first ever press conference

The Des Moines Dragons were already the talk of the draft, but their reclusive general manager dropped a complete bombshell of a news story on draft day by announcing a press conference. Dragon GM Jack Ledger had never previously held a press conference, in fact, had rarely been seen by the press since taking over the Dragons four years ago.

Every reporter in the room and every sports pundit watching on a monitor had theories about what the Dragons would do about the Bears holding the No. 1 overall draft pick and thus, the expected rights to Iowa superstar quarterback Grayson Shello. Some predicted Ledger would stick with the incredibly popular QB Dakota Corriveau, who had just led the Dragons to the NFC championship. Others were certain Ledger would pull off the trade of the century to jump up and grab Shello.

When Ledger stepped to the microphone with Head Coach Kevin O'Dea behind him, the collective power of flashbulbs popping nearly gave the pale Ledger an instant sun burn.

LEDGER: Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for attending. I know you've been – ah, buzzing – like bees, like busy, busy bees, about the future of the quarterback position in Des Moines.

I appreciate all the free publicity. (Laughter from the press)

But today, I'm going to make myself very, very clear. We have done our due diligence. We have reviewed Corriveau's performance. We have studied Grayson Shello. We have looked at what it would take to extend Corriveau's contract and how that compares to what it would take to trade for Shello.

So, yes, to confirm the rumors, we have contacted the Chicago Bears about making a deal. (Stirring from the press).

That's not because we lack confidence in Corriveau. He's a hero in Des Moines. But before we made a decision, we needed to know what it would cost, you see, what it would cost to keep him, and what it would cost to trade for a successor.

And in the end, the answer was remarkably easy. When we asked the Bears what it would take to pry Shello from their clutches, their response was basic-ally, "Over my dead body."

And since we don't plan to start an actual war with Chicago … (nervous laughter from the press)

It's simple. The cost compared to the benefit was just too high.

We believe Dakota Corriveau can and will lead us to a Super Bowl victory, and we're not willing to actually murder someone in Chicago for the chance that Shello can do it better.

So we will, as they say, "dance with the one who brung ya." I look forward to negotiating a contract extension with Corriveau's agent, and, since we can't actually murder Chicago, we look forward to simply beating them as often and as brutally as possible.

Thank you.

And with that, the Clown Prince of Social Media stepped away from the podium, off the dais, and allowed his head coach to answer any remaining questions.

[revrew]

Season 6, Draft day:

After all the build up, after all the drama, after all eyes were on Des Moines … the draft for the Dragons was a complete fizzle. Iowa QB Grayson Shello did, indeed, go #1 overall – to Chicago.

And with no other 1st round Iowa players on the board at 1.31, NFL Commissioner James Gordon stepped forward and announced a trade:

The Des Moines Dragons traded the 1.31 to the Jets for

CB Warren Sims (28/50, 2nd year), University of Iowa
The 4.21
And next year's 3rd

Draft pundits largely panned the trade, suggesting Des Moines could have gotten much more for the 1.31, if they weren't beholden to drafting players out of Iowa alone.

Later in the draft, the Dragons selected:

3.31 RB Douglass Flagg, Iowa State (28/47) - A smaller back with both elusiveness and speed. He showed good patience and vision, but he won't overpower tacklers. Have the Dragons finally found a playmaker at the RB position?

4.21 (from Jets) QB Julian Price, Iowa (11/54) – Grayson Shello's backup at Iowa is largely an unknown. But he has a cannon for an arm, was highly recruited, and very much looked the part at Iowa's pro-day. A big question mark.

4.31 QB Scottie Coffman, Drake (12/34) – The second QB taken by the Dragons in the same round, Coffman is a short of stature and short-pass specialist. He might be a fit in a West Coast offense.

6.31 WR Isaac Kinney, Iowa State (19/33) – He's fast enough, having clocked a 4.47 40 at the combine. But there's little on game tape to suggest he'll rise up the depth chart.

7.31 DT Ty Wynn, Iowa (7/12) – A big body, but is he talented enough to more?

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Training camp for the Des Moines Dragons has come to a close, the NFL preseason is about to begin, and it's time for a look back at what we've learned about the all-Iowa roster.

Training camp highlights
I remember some pundits complaining when the Dragons took FS Gerald Barnes in the first round last season, arguing the team had bigger needs. This training camp, only Barnes' 2nd in the NFL, may have completely silenced those critics. Barnes may well be the best safety in the league now, and coupled with SS Mitch Plante, there's no question the Dragons have the best safety tandem in the NFL. Who knows, but if Barnes had been healthy and suited up for the Super Bowl, if the outcome may have been different?

Undrafted rookie MLB Wes Price out of Iowa has become a fan favorite, and with good effort and a good head on his shoulders, he looks to make the team, at least as a special teamer.

Speaking of rookies, QB Julian Price of Iowa is outpacing Drake grad Scottie Coffman in the battle of fourth round signal-callers.

Meanwhile, another QB, Dakota Corriveau, is leaps and bounds ahead of the rookies, showing a good grasp of the playbook. This should be an important campaign for him, as he has a natural rival in Chicago who was just drafted #1 overall.

Training camp question marks
The Dragons took Iowa State RB Douglas Flagg in the third round, hoping he could bring fresh legs to a tired backfield. So far, the results haven't been particularly promising.

The bigger question mark, however, may be at CB. The whispers are long-time vet Mitch Wells is slowing, and while the newcomer via trade, Warren Sims, is looking to lock down one starting spot, there will be a battle for the second.

Projections
The Dragons got older, and this past draft did almost nothing to improve the team. Chicago, meanwhile, hauled in top picks in each round, and while every team in the NFL hopes itself improved in the off-season, Des Moines remained largely stagnant. It's not likely the Dragons will achieve back-to-back NFC North titles.

[JustinSmith94]

Just read all of this in one sitting, really enjoying it

[revrew]

Just read all of this in one sitting, really enjoying it

Thanks! That's quite the commitment to read it all in one sitting. I'm humbled by that.

On a personal note, I can't tell you how surprised I was that the Dragons made the SuperBowl ... or how disappointed I was that they lost. With these restrictive house rules, it's hard to put together an elite squad that's solid top to bottom. We're bound to have holes (like running back) in one place or another.

And making the Bowl meant there was no way to get Shello, the best Iowa prospect to come down the line in this franchise. Brutal Catch-22 there. It's not often I get a crack at that kind of elite talent.

But for better or worse (and I already know there will be some of both), we forge ahead!

[revrew]

Season 6, PRESEASON

Game 1: QB Dakota Corriveau looked good in limited action, and so did the Dragon pass rush, but the offensive backups were far from inspiring in a 16-13 loss to Cincinnati.

Game 2: QB2 Julian Price played well, but struggled with pocket presence, taking 5 sacks. K Alexis Galloway booted 5 FGs in a 22-21 victory in Houston.

Game 3: Efficient, but unspectacular play from both QBs and an 11-tackle day from MLB Dale Griffin kept the score low in a 16-6 win at home vs. Baltimore.

Game 4: The scrubs played like crap … except for RB Jimmy Perot … in a garbage game that rested almost all our starters. In a backfield of scraps and maybes, Perot's performance has moved him up the depth chart. Still, this was a 24-9 loss in Jacksonville.

[JustinSmith94]

I just recently discovered the game and am having a difficult enough time without any sort of restrictions so I can only imagine how challenging limiting yourself to Iowa would be. Here's hoping Iowa decides to start producing some more playmakers sometime soon

[revrew]

I just recently discovered the game and am having a difficult enough time without any sort of restrictions so I can only imagine how challenging limiting yourself to Iowa would be. Here's hoping Iowa decides to start producing some more playmakers sometime soon

Welcome to the FOF family! There's no way I would have tried this without having thoroughly mastered the game first. I've been playing for going on two decades now, so the basics I have down, especially on the slightly older version that I am playing with in this dynasty.

Without any sort of house rules, playing just against the AI, I've discovered I can turn around a franchise from futility to SuperBowl contender in about 2 seasons. Within 5 seasons, I can typically get a team to the point where it's in the SuperBowl roughly 50% of the time. So playing MP, or playing with house rules like this make it a brand new, fresh challenge all over again.

But I'll confess, this set of house rules is killer. (How much easier if I had chosen Texas or California!). I'm not sure whether I can or can't win a SuperBowl with these few Iowans. We shall see! :popcorn:

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 1: Minnesota comes to Des Moines

The first game of the season features the two squads most likely to vie for the NFC North crown. And it was clearly a battle of the heavyweights, a back-and-forth battle that began with the better QB, Minnesota's Kris Van Pelt, tossing a TD pass for a 7-0 lead.

But then, the Dragon D woke up, and Des Moines' QB Dakota Corriveau began to pick apart the Vikes. The dynamic pass rush duo of Elias "Beast" Reese and Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring picked up a pair of sacks each, and the Dragon safety squad – SS Mitch Plante and FS Gerald Barnes – clamped down hard on the running game.

Back and forth the game raged, but Van Pelt, unfortunately, got the ball last. Des Moines just doesn't have the running game to hold on to a lead. The Dragon rookie, Douglas Flagg, looked dismal in his debut. Van Pelt drove the Vikes into field goal range, handing the Dragons what could be a foreshadowing loss, 23-24.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 2: 0-1 Des Moines travels to 1-0 Jacksonville

Once again, the Dragons will be without star TE Kelvin "Glass Jaw" Satterfield, who just can't seem to stay healthy. The good news is that WR3 Robbie Thompson returned from injury, and the coaches have been very high on the improvement he's shown in practice.

The receiver that stole the show in this contest, however, was WR Louis Forbes, who caught 13 of 14 for 146 yards.

Alas, the Dragon D just wasn't making the plays today, while the Jaguar D got a fumble return for a score, and the Dragons have come out of the gate defending their NFC title with yet another loss, 16-27.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 3: 2-0 San Francisco comes to 0-2 Des Moines

In a pair of games this season, rookie RB Douglas Flagg has been largely ineffective, despite scoring his first NFL touchdown vs. Jacksonville. In an effort to shake up a sluggish offense, Coach Kevin O'Dea decided to give RB Jimmy Perot, more of a big-play specialist, the start.

It didn't help. Neither did the run defense, which gave up over 200 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, then lost both FS Gerald Barnes and SLB Bob Clinton (who both missed the Super Bowl to injuries as well) to broken bones.

Corriveau tossed 351 yards, including 130 to WR1 Louis Forbes and 126 to WR3 Robbie Thompson, but also tossed 4 picks. Added to 5 fumbles, and this was a shocking, blowout loss, 40-16.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 4: 0-3 Des Moines travels to 2-1 New Orleans

The Saints were the first Dragon opponent of the year to lose a game (the Dragons' first 3 opponents sat at 9-0 combined), but they weren't about to lose this one.

RB Jimmy Perot averaged negative yards rushing, QB Dakota Corriveau was sacked 5 times, and the Dragons look ready to follow up their "worst to first" season with a "first to worst," dropping another loss, 20-7.

[revrew]

First quarter report
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Oh, what a cruel irony that the Dragons were good last year. Good enough last season to miss out on drafting a franchise-changing QB, but bookending that solitary, shining season with a pair of stinkers.

The bye couldn't come at a better time, as the Dragons try to figure out what to do to right the ship.

This is a team that can't run, that is struggling to stop the pass, but mostly … just can't score. What's new?

Efficient, boring play out of the passing game and a non-existent rushing attack. Sure would be nice if an Iowa college or university would produce an NFL-caliber running back …

[revrew]

Corriveau signs huge extension
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Des Moines Dragon quarterback Dakota Corriveau has just used the bye week to sign a massive, 6-year extension to his contract that makes him among the top-5 paid QBs in the league. The deal means the extremely popular player will likely stay in Des Moines until 2034.

There was some question prior to the season as to whether Dragon GM Jack Ledger would resign Corriveau, especially as University of Iowa standout Grayson Shello sat atop the rookie draft board. Ledger, however, was unable to secure a trade that would bring Shello to Des Moines, so rather than losing out on Corriveau after this, his contract year, the crafty GM signed Corriveau to an extension.

Corriveau is a former fifth-round draft choice, meaning his rookie contract has no 5th-year option. This, his fourth season, was to be his final season under his rookie deal.

Corriveau has a career 21-32 record, has passed for far more interceptions than touchdowns, and his career QB rating is a paltry 72.7. Even though he led the Dragons to an NFC championship last year, his play hardly merits a high-ranking salary.

That said, Corriveau's contract carries only a shockingly low, $12 million guaranteed. The vast majority of the contract is in yearly salary dollars that don't count against the cap should the contract be voided. The cap-friendly number means that if Corriveau sticks with the team, he'll be paid handsomely, but should Corriveau fail to be Des Moines' best option in a future season, it will cost the squad little in cap space to cut or trade the veteran.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 6: 0-4 Des Moines travels to 2-2 Chicago

QB Dakota Corriveau, fresh off his big contract extension, was given the chance to prove it in dramatic fashion, by immediately taking on the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick that Des Moines GM Jack Ledger couldn't trade for, QB Grayson Shello.

Thus far this season, the two have been equally ineffective. Shello, buoyed by an outstanding rushing attack, has been far more conservative, throwing for fewer than half as many yards as Corriveau. But Corriveau, without a rushing attack at all, has also tossed twice as many INTs. Corriveau boasts a dismal 76.4 QB rating, while Shello is even worse, at 73.2.

In the game itself, both QBs looked equally pedestrian – each threw for about 200 yards a score and a pick. And while Corriveau showed better pocket presence and avoided the rush, the Dragons had no match for Chicago's running game, which outgained Des Moines by over 100 yards. Once again, no running game means no glory, as Des Moines drops the painful loss, 27-17.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 7: 3-3 Tampa comes to 0-5 Des Moines

It may not have been pretty, but it appears Dakota Corriveau is sick of losing. The veteran QB led the team in rushing with 52 yards on 9 scrambles and tossed the ball 52 times. His two picks were tough to take, but when Corriveau dove into the end zone late in the 4th quarter, capping off a 10-play drive for the winning touchdown, the INTs were forgotten.

Des Moines finally gets off the schneid with a 20-17 victory.

Season 6, Week 8: 1-5 Dragons visit 2-5 Falcons

QB Dakota Corriveau continued to press and press hard, and this time it was for 3 picks.

But he also managed to complete 10 of 11 to WR1 Louis Forbes and 7 of 13 for 103 and a score to SE Myles Kinney.

And with DE Elias "Beast" Reese sidelined by injury, DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring stepped it up with 2.5 sacks, including a forced and recovered fumble. The fumble led to a last gasp drive, and with time expiring, K Alexis Galloway booted through the game winner, 24-23.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 9: 7-1 Panthers visit 2-5 Dragons

FS Gerald Barnes returned from injury this week, and he did lead the team in tackles, record a forced fumble and fumble recovery, but …

Barnes was hardly the story.

How about putting up 52 points? The lowly Dragon offense put up – can you believe it? – 52 FREAKING POINTS!

The game started with a bang, as CB Calvin Minnig returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a score. In the third quarter, CB Broderick Garcia would return another 101 yards for a score.

Meanwhile, QB Dakota Corriveau merely completed 20 of 24 for a score, no picks, and ran in another from 26 yards out. A total of 4, yes 4, rushing touchdowns on the day and a pair of kickoff scores, and the Dragons gave the home town a completely unexpected, upset win, 52-23.

How does a 2-5 team whomp on a 7-1 squad like that??

In related news, the Dragons' recent success may have been spurred in part by the return of RB Drake Boyette to the lineup. Despite never averaging more than 4 yards per carry in any given season, he is averaging 5 per this season.

Alas, studly FB Dwight Stanton completely blew out his knee in this contest and will miss multiple seasons, a tough blow for the young bruiser in his second season.

[revrew]

Halfway madness in Des Moines
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Who are the Des Moines Dragons? At this point, I wish I knew.

This is a team that lost 5 straight to start the season, then won 3 in a row, including a 52-23 stomping of a 7-1 squad.

This is a team that has long-time disappointment RB Drake Boyette enjoying the best season of his career on a team that ranks 26th in rushing.

This is a team led by a pair of monster pass rushers but ranks 27th in opponents' 3rd-down percentage.

This is a team that plays conservative, offensive football with high completion percentages … and ranks dead last in the NFL in turnover margin.

This is a team that ranks 24th in yards per catch, but WR Louis Forbes is on pace for nearly 1500 yards and double-digit scores, which would be the best season by a Dragon WR in history.

Can you make sense of any of that?

Here's what I assume: Some of what we've seen so far this season is a fluke. Whether it's the good or the bad, however, is anybody's guess.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 10: 3-5 Green Bay visits 3-5 Des Moines

And just like that, the Dragons move into second in the NFC North.

RB Drake Boyette, who was almost cut after the preseason, hit 100 yards on a 6-yard-per average. QB Dakota Corriveau threw for 300, 3 scores, no picks, and a 140.8 rating, and WR Louis Forbes racked up 147 yards on just 6 catches.

The game was close, but the Dragons are suddenly roaring with yet another victory, 27-24.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 11: 4-5 Des Moines travels to 6-3 Minnesota

The streaking Dragons were put to the test against the division-leading Vikings.

The game started off strong, with Corriveau on fire again, this time for 365 yards, 171 of which went to WR1 Louis Forbes.

But with two starting O-linemen out to injury, RB Drake Boyette could not find a hole, averaging less than a yard a carry.

The lack of a running game cost the weary Dragons in the end, as Minnesota all-star QB Kris Van Pelt threw a pair of 4th quarter TD passes to seal the Dragon loss, 38-24.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 12: 4-6 Des Moines visits 7-3 Indianapolis

The tough stretch continued in the Indy dome. Once again, Boyette failed to average a yard per carry. Without the stalwarts on the offensive line, he's struggling, and the whole team is showing it.

A predictable loss, 24-16.

Season 6, Week 13: 4-7 Dragons visit 8-3 Giants

The brutal schedule continued. QB Dakota Corriveau went down to injury. The season is over. Loss, 33-10.

Season 6, Week 14: 3-9 Texans visit 4-8 Dragons

13 Dragons on the bench with injuries. Offensive line in tatters. Still, the rookie Julian Price put up 369 yards in a valiant effort, but an inevitable loss, 34-20.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 15: 5-8 Bears visit 4-9 Dragons

This game held some drama, as a pair of rookie quarterbacks from the same college squared off against one another: Heisman Trophy winner Grayson Shello and his former backup, Julian Price, both from the University of Iowa.

And at the end of the day, it was the former backup who came out on top! Price didn’t have a particularly good day, throwing for only 216 yards and a pair of picks. But the highly touted Shello was abysmal, completing only 11 passes for 56 yards, suffering 6 sacks along the way.

Veteran Dragon CB Mitch Wells added insult to injury and sealed the 17-3 victory with a pick-6 late in the 4th.

[revrew]

Season 6, Week 16: 6-8 Titans visit 5-9 Dragons

Again, the rookie threw for 300, and again the defense roared. SS Mitch Plante racked up 2 picks, and FS Gerald Barnes snagged another to seal a 13-10 victory.

Season 6, Week 17: 6-9 Des Moines travels to 6-9 Green Bay

With second place in the NFC North on the line (for what that's worth), QB Dakota Corriveau returned to the lineup. And after a brutal, 0-5 start to the season, the Dragons salvaged a 7-9 season, as Corriveau found WR Louis Forbes for just enough, and the potentially dominating Dragon D obliterated the Pack passing attack with 3 picks (2 by safety stud Gerald Barnes and the third by fellow safety stud Mitch Plante) and EIGHT sacks.

Check out this line for DE Elias "Beast" Reese: 6 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 hurries, 8 knockdowns. Dang.

Dragons win, 16-14.

And with that, the Dragons rattle off 3 straight wins to end the miserable season that began with 5 straight losses. Does this mean a turn has been made for the better? And what's with Iowa's celebrated #1 overall draft pick (by Chicago) Grayson Shello flaming out? Could the player the Dragons almost traded the farm to get really be that bad? Was Jack Ledger right to stick with Dakota Corriveau after all?

[revrew]

Season 6 Statistical Season Recap
*Previous season in parentheses

Team Passing: 9th (18)
Team Rushing: 31st (23)
Total O: 20th (24)
Team Scoring: 23rd (20)
Team Pass D: 1st (11)
Team Rushing D: 18th (11)
Total D: 1st (8)
Team Scoring D: 22nd (3)
Turnover margin: 19th (15)

*Major point to note: The Dragons were #1 in the NFL in yards allowed, but 22nd in points scored against. A LOT of defensive TDs scored on us this year.

Individual top performances:
Passing: Dakota Corriveau, 67%, 3355 yards, 17TDs, 16INTs, 85.7 rtg
Rushing: Drake Boyette, 432 yds, 3.46 ave, 3 TDs
Receiving: Lois Forbes, 106 catches, 1386 yds, 7 TD, 10 drops (all career highs)
Tackles: SS Mitch Plante, 94 tackles
Sacks: DE Ricardo Heuring, 15.5 sacks, 14 hurries; Elias Reese, 12.5 sacks, 17 hurries, 24 knockdowns
PassD: SS Mitch Plante, 6 INTs, 13 Pdef, 88.7 PDPct; FS Gerald Barnes, 4 INTs, 9 Pdef, 86.9 PDPct

**SS Mitch Plante, All-Pro, 1st team; DE Ricardo Heuring, All-Pro, 1st team

Team profit: $44.2 M (48.7 M)
Attendance: 100% (99.5)

POST SEASON:
Minnesota Vikings won the NFC title, but lost in the Super Bowl.

[revrew]

BEGIN SEASON 7

Retirements:
OG Burt Taylor retires as the franchise's all-time Pancake and KRB leader.

Free Agency recap

Released:
FS Herb Dallesandro (32/32), who never really recovered from injury
CB Mitch Wells (32/32), who has faded badly at 31 yo

Extensions of note:
DE Elias Reese 67/67 (25yo) signs a very team-friendly deal
DT Donovan Maloney 50/50 (26) signs a very team-friendly deal
TE Kelvin Satterfield 56/56 (27yo)
WR Louis Forbes 61/61 (26yo)
WR3 Robbie Thompson 46/46 (25yo)
SS Mitch Plante 76/76 (27yo)
P Rick Clark 66/66 (29yo)

New signings:
OT Myron West 51/51 (26yo) signs shockingly cheap. May well take over at RT.

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

With a good blend of veterans and rising young pieces, the Des Moines Dragons are a team built to win now. But there are a few glaring weaknesses on the roster preventing the former NFC champs from getting back to the big game. Chief among the roster holes is runningback, as the Dragons desperately need to score more points, while taking pressure off their turnover-prone quarterback. The team could use a shutdown corner to pair with its elite safety tandem and needs depth at defensive tackle and offensive guard.

Unfortunately for the Dragons, their Iowa-only policy in the draft will prevent them from addressing their top weaknesses. Iowa high schools and colleges aren't producing elite talents at positions of need for the Dragons.

Assuming Des Moines' sticks to its policy, here are players expected to be potential draft targets for GM Jack Ledger:

1st Round:
DE Bo Tremmel, Iowa – Defensive end isn't a position of need for Des Moines, but Tremmel does fit the Dragon mold perfectly. At 6'4" and 281 pounds, he's a beefy, athletic freak in the mold of current Dragon pass rushers Elias Reese and Ricardo Huering. Tremmel, however, doesn't have the elite twitch speed of a top-10 prospect, so the Dragons might be able to trade down and still land him.

1st/2nd Round:

WR/RB Carlton Agree, Oklahoma State – Agree is the one player we're most curious about. A high school running back out of Wilton, Iowa, the 6'1" Agree switched to wideout at OK State. But despite elite athleticism, Agree never became a polished route runner. Where he falls in the draft depends on how teams view this project player, and with the Dragons in desperate need of a running back, will they go after him and roll the dice on converting him back into a feature back? If so, the Dragons may need to pull off a trade, because he'll be a hot commodity at the top of the second round.

Middle/Late Rounds:

QB Lester Fox, Iowa – An athletic QB with a solid arm, but he's a 1-year starter and his field vision shows it.
DT Harris Fredrickson, Iowa – Harris has the size to fill a need position for Des Moines, but his film doesn't show him dominating the way an NFL DT should.
SLB Zachery Patmon, Iowa – A big linebacker with strength and speed, but needing polish. He should be considered an instant special teams contributor with some potential to develop.

[revrew]

2031 Draft Coverage:

On draft night in balmy Los Angeles, California, NFL Commissioner James Gordon came to the podium twice to announce the Des Moines Dragons had made trades. The first trade came with Philadelphia, as the Dragons moved down a few spots in the first round and picked up an extra fourth rounder. The second trade came at a steeper cost, as the Dragons moved up several spots in the second round and picked up a 5th at the cost of a 2nd, 3rd, and that 4th rounder Des Moines got from Philly. In the end, it left Des Moines with 7 picks.

Those picks and comments from various gurus are below:

1.18 DE Bo Tremmel, Iowa

Mel Kiper: What you're getting in Tremmel is a strong, smart kid who knows how to push a tackle back into the box. He might have been a better fit in a 3-4 than in Coach O'Dea's 4-3, but with Huering and Reese already terrorizing quarterbacks in Des Moines, Tremmel will not only ensure the Dragons have great depth at a prime position, but I wouldn't be surprised if Des Moines lines up all three monster ends on the line at once on passing downs.

2.4 WR Carlton Agree, Oklahoma State

Todd McShay: Getting Agree as a project wide receiver makes sense for Des Moines. But I keep hearing these rumors that Agree might be converted into a running back. I have one word on that front: Don't. Agree is just too long of a strider now that he's been playing receiver. The running back days are gone. I don't care how desperate you are in the backfield, Des Moines. Don't do it.

4.12 DT Harris Fredrickson, Iowa

Daniel Jeremiah: Des Moines has put themselves over a barrel by having to pick Iowa players, but here's a fortunate bounce where the player available meets need. Fredrickson is a big body, single-gap player, and should provide good depth for the Dragon's 4-3 scheme.

5.4 QB Lester Fox, Iowa

Mel Kiper: Fox has the physical tools, a good athlete with a live arm. Whether he can develop his game and become a capable starter, however, remains to be seen. But the Dragons can drop him into the #3 or #4 spot on their depth chart and give him time.

5.11 SLB Zachery Patmon, Iowa

Todd McShay: I like this pick. Patmon is an NFL-caliber athlete, and getting him in the 5th round is a good value for Des Moines.

6.17 FS Junior Brechbill, Iowa State

Mel Kiper: Let me tell you what you're getting with Brechbill – a hammer, a head hunter, a safety who emphasizes the "bump" in bump and run. He has a history of injury concerns, but this late in the draft, Des Moines gets great value and upside.

7.16 RG Bert Emerson, Iowa State

Todd McShay: This feels like a need pick here. Emerson is undersized, short arms, and even though it's the seventh round, it looks more like Des Moines is trying to fill holes on the roster than drafting for talent.

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

The Dragons are thinking bounce-back after a disappointing 7-9 follow-up to their NFC championship season. Cutting down turnovers and opponents' defensive touchdowns would go a long way to helping with that, but so would developing a ground game, which has eluded Des Moines for years.

Training camp highlights

The biggest story out of training camp is watching former Oklahoma State wide receiver Carlton Agree play running back. In shorts, he looks smooth and fast, but there's still a great deal of controversy over whether this experiment will work in pads against full, NFL competition. Meanwhile, last year's 3rd rounder, RB Douglas Flagg, got most of the reps with the 1st team and is competing for the starting spot.

Fans attending camp at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, were also buzzing about second-year, second-string QB Julian Price. The former Hawkeye throws a beautiful bomb of a deep ball, and some are wondering whether the youngster has the QB acumen to match the obvious physical talent.

Fourth year WR Robbie Thompson has always had the speed, but his hands have looked particularly impressive in camp, becoming a more and more reliable target for QB Dakota Corriveau. He's gotten better and better each year – could this be a breakout season?

Training camp question marks

It has been said that when you have two starting quarterbacks, you have no starting quarterbacks – meaning a competition for the top spot is merely and indication of mediocre talent. Right now, I fear the same could be said for the critical Dragon runningback position, where Boyette has the experience, Flagg the surge, and Agree is the shiny, new toy. None of them, however, is blowing away the competition, and considering how bad Boyette has been in his career, that's not a good sign.

The same scenario is in play at cornerback, where the grizzled veterans are gone and none of their former backups look capable of filling their mentors' shoes.

Predictions

Easy prediction: The Dragons, for the 7th year in a row, fail to find a 1,000-yard rusher. Predictable prediction: The Dragons finish within a game or two at most of .500. Gutsy prediction: FS Gerald Barnes not only makes the ProBowl, but is voted 1st team All-Pro as the best safety in the NFL.

[revrew]

Season 7: Preseason results

Game 1 vs. Buffalo: Dragon defense is dominating, notching up 7 sacks, including 2 from the rookie DE Bo Tremmel, and pitching a shutout. Rookie RB Carlton Agree breaks a few long runs, but gets stuffed at the line as well, in this 13-0 victory.

Game 2 at the Raiders: QB2 Julian Price led an ineffective offense, but the Dragon secondary roared, led by CB Calvin Minnig, who knocked down 3 passes and a pick six on the way to a 16-8 victory.

Game 3 at Miami: WR3 Robbie Thompson continued what has been an outstanding preseason with 115 yards and a score, and RB Douglas Flagg has put together a couple of decent games, but the backup defense wasn't much to look at as the Dragons drop a 27-17 loss.

Game 4 vs. Kansas City: QB2 Julian Price was dreadful in this one, and RB Jimmy Perot may have signed his exit papers in a turnover fest that ended in a 31-13 loss.

[revrew]

An interview with Dragons Head Coach Kevin O'Dea
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

The final preseason game is in the books, the last of the roster cuts have been made, and the first official depth chart of the season has been released. So I sat down with Coach Kevin O'Dea on the eve of his sixth NFL season as skipper of the Des Moines Dragons.

I asked him first about the crowded situation in the backfield. Running back Jimmy Perot was one of the team's final roster cuts, while last year draftee Douglass Flagg sits atop the depth chart, followed by rookie convert from wide receiver, Carlton Agree. I asked him what he's seen from Flagg and Agree in the preseason and how confident he is in Flagg as the starter.

"Carlton [Agree] has shown the kind of big-play ability for which we drafted him, but Flagg has demonstrated a better grasp of the offense and the vision needed to made consistent, positive runs," O'Dea said. "We're excited about where Agree is going, what he could develop into, but this preseason, we believe Flagg has earned the starting spot. We're going to move forward with Flagg getting the bulk of the carries and hoping to spell him with Carlton adding a spark."

But are either of them the answer to the Dragons' long-standing rushing woes?

"Neither have had the opportunity to prove it week in and week out," O'Dea replied. "But Flagg will get that chance, and I believe the skills are there to be an effective back."

It wasn't exactly a glowing endorsement, but it was at least a firm decision, which is more than the Dragons could boast last season.

Speaking of last season, the Dragons were streaky – dropping five games to start the season but winning the last three. I asked the coach which version of the Dragons fans could expect to see this year.

"Neither," was his reply. "Those last three games we won without scoring 20 points in any of them. That's a testament to how good our defense can be. But that's not the offense we're looking to put on the field. We have a veteran quarterback now, a receiving corps that may surprise some people … we plan to be better than the team that won those three games at the end of last season."

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 1: Chicago comes to town

One of the biggest storylines of the off-season has been the heated and public clashes between Chicago Bears Coach Sebastian Sweeney and their former No. 1 overall draft pick Grayson Shello (out of the University of Iowa). Shello, apparently, has struggled significantly with reading NFL defenses and making accurate throws, especially on third down. And the rumors out of camp are that the former Heisman finalist has not been putting in the work necessary to develop into an NFL QB. His rookie campaign, marked by a dismal 64.1 QBR, already has some wondering whether Shello was worth the hype.

Coach Sweeney, meanwhile, is a tough S.O.B. who won't tolerate a prima donna and isn't afraid to bark about it. His heated interchanges with the "golden boy" Shello were the stuff of SportsCenter.

Then came the stunning news – Coach Sweeney has actually benched Shello. Made him a healthy scratch for the first game of the season, in favor of 13-year veteran Steven Ellison. Whether Sweeney means to stick with Ellison, or is merely showing young Shello how a veteran handles the spotlight, remains to be seen.

Coming into Des Moines, however, it soon became clear that Chicago was not ready for teeth of the Dragon defense or … are we really saying this? … Des Moines' scorching passing attack, led by veteran QB Dakota Corriveau.

Combining with WR1 Louis Forbes (14 catches on 19 targets, 159 yards and a score), Corriveau racked up a 103.3 QBR on 30 of 43 passing for 384 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick. The Bears, meanwhile, passed for a net 111.

Rookie DE Bo Tremmel picked up a fumble forced by Ricardo "ManChild" Huering for a touchdown, and fellow rookie DT Harris Fredrickson notched a pair of sacks in this 27-7 victory.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 2: 1-0 Steelers visit 1-0 Dragons

RB Douglas Flagg ran pretty well, QB Dakota Corriveau continued to play solid ball (246 yds, 2 TD, 1 pick, 99.2 QBR), and our stud punter, Rick Clark (this guy belongs in the Hall), averaged 51.5 in the air, 49.8 net, keeping the Steelers pinned deep all day.

A couple of picks and a couple of sacks for the Dragon D, and Pittsburgh just couldn't sustain a drive.

This wasn't the glorious stomping like last week over the Bears, but it was still a good, blue-collar victory, 26-14.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 3: 0-2 Eagles visit 2-0 Dragons

Three straight home games is a heckuva way to start a season!

The offense in this one looked pretty pedestrian, though efficient – typical Dragon football. Corriveau completed 22 of 29 for 190 yards, a TD and a pick, while the running game (with a beat up offensive line and starting running back) struggled to do much.

But the defense. Oh, the defense! In the second quarter, backed up deep in their own territory, the Eagles were forced to punt. But DE Elias "The Beast" Reese broke through the line, stretched out all 6'4" and 288 pounds and blocked it. Rookie RB Carlton Agree scored his first NFL touchdown in the most unusual way, recovering the punt in the end zone for the score.

On the day, Reese won PoG honors with a blocked punt and a pair of sacks. And in the 4th quarter, elite FS Gerald Barnes snagged a pass in the flat and streaked 91 yards to paydirt to seal the convincing win, 30-7.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 4: 3-0 Rams descend upon 3-0 Dragons

Two undefeated opposites square off - a clash of heavyweights or pretenders? The Rams are an offensive powerhouse, led by a competent QB behind a bruising O-line. The Dragons are all about dat D, bout dat D.

But while defense may theoretically "win championships" …

… having an offensive line that opens up 8+ ypc holes for your runningback tends to overrule any defensive opposition.

The Rams ran all over the Dragons, their elusive RB notching up seven runs of 10+ yards, and the Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau could only dream of having that kind of O-line protection. Des Moines gives up 6 sacks, 2 picks, and drop a loss, 20-7.

[revrew]

Dragons First Quarter Report

One-fourth of the way through this Des Moines Dragon season, we can see several familiar themes in the 2031 team. Once again, QB Dakota Corriveau is completing a near-league-high percentage of passes (69.5), but his interception total is also on pace to be near tops in the NFL (on pace for 20). Once again, the rushing game is one of the worst, averaging less than 3 yards per carry. And once again, the defense is led by a pair of defensive ends on pace for double-digit sack seasons.

The difference between this year's team and the last so far, however, is that the Dragons aren't giving up defensive and special teams touchdowns. In fact, the Dragons are No. 2 in the NFL in stopping their opponents from scoring. Consequently, the team is 3-1, and if extrapolated out, that's on pace to take the NFC North-leading Dragons to a 12-4 record.

The first four games of the 2031 series, however, were all home games. The fate of this season now rests on how well the Dragons can perform on the road. And the road trips don't start any tougher than this next week, when the Dragons travel to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 6: 3-1 Dragons visit 2-3 Packers

On the road or not, Des Moines brought Dragon football to Green Bay. QB Dakota Corriveau completed 11 of 12 passes to WR2 Myles Kinney for 102 yards and a pair of scores. The rushing attack hovered between non-existent and pathetic. And the Dragon D, when it mattered most, roared.

SS Mitch Plante and undrafted rookie CB5 Glen Straw, forced into active duty by injury, both recorded red-zone INTs to preserve the 22-6 win and the NFC North lead.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 7: 4-1 Dragons visit 1-4 San Francisco

The Dragons got some outstanding performances out of their star players, including 143 yards receiving from WR1 Louis Forbes, a 101 QB rating from Dakota Corriveau, and SS Mitch Plante racking up a team-leading 10 tackles and a pick-6.

But two missed field goals from kicker Alexis Galloway (barely an NFL-caliber player, but what choice do we have? Iowa won't produce any kickers!!), including a last-second doink, sent the game to overtime.

The 49ers boast a pair of 2nd-year playmakers at WR and RB, both of whom went over 100 yards receiving for the game, including some key receptions in overtime. It was enough to get Frisco into FG range, and the Dragons drop a surprise loss, 23-20.

More worrisome, however, is the state of San Fran's field, as the benches on both teams were littered with injuries after the game. The Dragons are walking wounded right now, and the bye is in the rearview mirror.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 8: 4-2 Dragons host 3-3 Seattle

Don't let the record fool you: Seattle is led by all-star and future Hall of Fame QB Dean Ingram. Last season's NFL MVP has twice put up 5,000-yard seasons and is on pace for nearly 6,000 yards this season. With a pair of all-star WRs on the roster, there's a reason Seattle is a perennial playoff team.

And with DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring on the bench with injury and a depleted secondary, the Dragons entered this contest in serious trouble.

Someone, however, forgot to tell Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau about all this.

Before a sold-out crowd, Corriveau had perhaps the best game of his career, smoking 26 completions on 38 attempts for 410 yards, 3 TDs, no picks, and a 130.3 QB Rating. 9 of 12 targets found WR1 Louis Forbes, who racked up 175 yards and caught all 3 of those TDs.

And perhaps most importantly, the Dragons converted 10 of 18 third downs, while holding the Seahawks to 2 of 10. On a day when DE Heuring was on the bench and DE Reese faced constant double teams, the "other" dynamic duo of SS Mitch Plante and FS Gerald Barnes each recorded a pick, and the Dragons burned the Seahawks alive with a scorching 37-13 victory.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 9: 5-2 Dragons travel to 1-6 Chicago

Can you say, "Trap game"? After such a big victory last week and such a big game anticipated next week, a bit of a let-down might be expected against the lowly Bears. But this … this is a punch to the gut and a call for the guillotine, as Des Moines' lousy kicker has cost us another one.

The team's best rushing game to date saw both RB Douglas Flagg and RB Carlton Agree top 5 ypc, and WR2 Myles Kinney racked up 173 yards and a score in the air.

But K Alexis Galloway, formerly of Iowa State, was shank city. TWO missed field goals and a missed extra point doomed a solid day by both the offense and defense in a sucker punch of a loss, 9-10.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 10: 5-3 Dragons travel to 7-1 Arizona

A brutal matchup for the Dragons, facing young stud QB Riddick Russell and a rushing attack Des Moines can only dream of, averaging 5.25 per carry.

The day couldn't have started any worse, as Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau threw a pick-6, then got injured, and quick as a wink, the Dragons were down 21-0. Meanwhile, the Dragon rushing attack was sizzling away like usual, racking up a glorious rushing average of LESS THAN A BLEEPING YARD PER CARRY!

But Corriveau, injured or not, no running game, a broken toe, a strained neck, screw it all! He just began to grind. He stuck in there, and trailing 31-6 at the end of the third, he took the team on his back and plowed forward.

An 11-play, 52-yard drive put 3 more points on the board. Then a 10-play, 93-yard drive for a touchdown. You could feel the Dragons start to surge behind their captain QB.

The defense forced a fumble, the Dragons recovered, and another 11-play, 39-yard play put up 3 more points on the board. Suddenly, the Dragons are down only 31-19.

The defense forced a 3 and out with time ticking, and Corriveau engineered another TD drive, going 80 yards on 8 plays to pull the score within 5!

Out of timeouts, but with the momentum clearly on their side, it felt like all that was needed was an onside kick recovery, and Corriveau would be sure to pull off the game-winning score!

Alas, the onside kick was NOT recovered, and the surging comeback just … ran … out … of … time. Dragons lose, 31-26.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 11: 4-5 Vikings come to 5-4 Des Moines

The Vikings' stud QB Kris Van Pelt played big game today, tossing a triplet of TD passes and racking up the yards. With the Dragon pass rush neutralized by injury, and a virtually non-existent run game, the Dragons would need to rely on the aerial attack to keep up.

Dragon QB Dakota Corriveau revealed today just how much he's grown as a veteran player, throwing from off a broken foot and still putting up 55 attempts without a pick.

But WR2 Myles Kinney only hauled in 6 of the 14 that went his way, and the Dragon O-line surrendered 5 sacks, making it just too much of an uphill battle. Dragons drop the loss, 20-13

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 12: 5-5 Dragons visit 6-4 Baltimore

The pregame news that DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring was returning to the starting lineup seemed a good omen and a pick-me-up for the Dragon D …

… but apparently, the D thought Heuring was going to do it all, because the rest of the squad took the day off.

Baltimore's balanced attack proved too much, as the Ravens' elite receivers rolled over Des Moines' merely adequate cornerbacks, and the success of the air attack opened lanes for the rushing assault.

By the time the dust cleared, the Dragons got on the plane with their tail between their legs after an embarrassing 34-6 defeat.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 13: 5-6 Dragons try to right the ship at 9-2 Carolina

Yep, the Dragons are in the middle of a losing skid, and they must knock off a 9-2 Carolina team to get thing turned around.

The good news is that rookie DE Bo Tremmel and nickel back Broderick Garcia have returned from injury, giving the Dragons their healthiest defense yet this season. The bad news is that Carolina still has QB superstar Darien Peterson, perhaps the smartest, most efficient QB in the league, eating opposing defenses for lunch.

And once again, an elite, balanced offense proved too much for the once-great Dragon D. Darien Peterson completed 27 of 38 for 252 and 3 TDs, while the Dragons could only sack him twice and couldn't generate a turnover.

Corriveau played well again, leading to a pair of 4th-quarter TDs, but it just wasn't enough, as Des Moines sees their season start to fade after a 30-24 loss.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 14: 5-7 Dragons limp back home to host 4-8 Cleveland

Alas, the Dragons may have lost WR1 Louis Forbes for the year against Carolina, thanks to a strained hammy, so the team was definitely down in the dumps when the Browns came to town (that's a clever phrase, no? So long as you don't read an excremental pun into it.)

For QB Dakota Corriveau, not having Forbes was especially hard to take. His game suffered badly, as he reverted to his old ways of tossing picks and failing to hit the big play. It's a sad day when the highest ypc on the team belongs to your fullback (though it was fun to see FB playmaker Dwight Stanton returned from a season-ending injury suffered last year to have an impact on the game).

In the end, however, it was the ManChild who had the last word. DE Ricardo Heuring racked up 3 sacks, and Elias "Beast" Reese added 1.5 to slow down the Browns.

MLB Dale Griffin sealed the game with a sack in the end zone for a safety, and the Dragons get an ugly, but much needed win, 19-16.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 15: 6-7 Dragons host 3-10 Packers

Down to only 3 CBs and missing WR1 Forbes, the Dragons were hampered on both sides of the ball.

But that … didn't … mean … JACK to these angry Iowans.

The Dragons tore into the Pack for 425 yards and 35 points, while holding Green Bay to only 117 yards, total.

QB Dakota Corriveau was on a tear, completing 24 of 27 and 3TDs to 1 pick, compiling a 132 QB Rating. His performance was boosted by a stellar game from RB1 Douglas Flagg, who racked up 103 yards and a 6.44 ypc. WR2 Myles Kinney added 135 yards receiving and a score on a perfect 9 catches on 9 targets.

On the defensive side of the ball, DE Elias "Beast" Reese racked up 3 sacks, and CB3 Broderick Garcia sealed the game with a safety in the final minute of this bruising victory, 35-6.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 16: 7-7 Dragons visit 6-8 Bengals

Another injury, this time to star SS Mitch Plante, has left the Dragon secondary decimated and forced to sign a kid off the street to suit up. Thankfully, a small-school kid with the cool-kid name, Rusty Stone, showed decent enough zone instincts to play a reserve role at free safety.

Alas, the Rusty Stone also injured himself, and despite a solid rushing attack (152 yards at a 5+ ypc clip), the Dragons struggled on 3rd down. The Bengals secondary defended 7 of Corriveau's passes, but the Dragons secondary couldn't seem to bat anything out of the air.

In the end, however, it was a Bengal punt return that did us in, and the Dragons drop one they shouldn't have. A 17-14 loss.

[revrew]

Dragon season comes down to the wire
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

Will the Des Moines Dragons be in the playoffs, or on the outside looking in – the answer will be decided this weekend in Minneapolis.

Both the Dragons and the Minnesota Vikings sit at a pedestrian 7-8 record, but one will finish 8-8 and win the NFC North.

In some respects, the Dragons could be considered the favorite. The Iowa boys boast the #1 defense in the NFL in terms of yards against and #3 defense in points allowed.

For star power, the Dragons feature a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, a defensive end with 13.5 sacks, and a quarterback who has thrown for over 4,000 yards.

But the team is #29 in rushing yards per carry and 20th in yards per catch, seemingly unable to score the big plays that make good teams great.

Minnesota, on the flip side, is ranked #2 in yards per catch, have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers of their own, and average better than 4.5 yards per carry – a team that lives and dies on the big play.

On the defensive side, the Vikings clamp down on opposing running backs, but have given up huge chunks in the air. The team ranks #31 in passing yards allowed and #32 in 3rd-down defense.

This has been an up-and-down season for the Dragons, but it all comes down to one game. Win and they're in. Lose, and we look for better results next year.

[revrew]

Season 7, Week 17: 7-8 Dragons visit 7-8 Vikings

With the division and the playoffs on the line, the Dragons struggled – badly – in the first half of the game. But so did Minnesota. Only a big play allowed Vikings to limp into the locker room with a 10-0 lead.

In the second half, the Dragons woke up, and if you just look at stats, it would appear it was enough. Des Moines outgained Minnesota 389 yards to 241. The Dragons sacked the Vikes 6 times. The Dragons converted 7 third downs, while the Vikings could only convert one on the day.

But just as it looked like the Dragons might swing all that momentum into a win, a fourth quarter, 88-yard pick-6 put the game just out of reach. The Dragons drop a season-ending loss, 23-14.

[revrew]

Season 7 recap

In the end, it was Carolina – a team the Dragons lost to by only 6 on the road – who won the SuperBowl. It seemed a fitting example of what could have been for the Dragons in season of close calls and narrow losses, a season that saw key injuries that could have been all the difference in a division that came down to the final week of the regular season to crown a champion.

DE Elias "Beast" Reese, who played much of the season without his sack-attack buddy, Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring, won 1st team All-Pro for his 15.5 sacks, 24 hurries, and 48 tackles.

SS Mitch Plante, whose absence the last few weeks of the season was sorely felt, finished 2nd team All-Pro anyway, breaking his string of 2 consecutive 1st team selections.

The story of the season once again was the utter absence of a running game. The #1 defense in the NFL and the #7 passing attack were saddled with the #20 rushing squad, which averaged only 3.77 yards per carry and managed to score a shockingly underwhelming 4 touchdowns … total.

On the bright side, QB Dakota Corriveau managed his best season yet, topping 4,000 yards passing and relishing the first ever season in which the Dragons boasted a pair of 1,000-yard receivers. WR1 Louis Forbes, despite only playing 12 games, racked up 99 catches, 1,226 yards, and 8 touchdowns.

You get the feeling that if Corriveau, Forbes, and the Dragon D could just develop a running game … this team could hoist the Lombardi. But without a real running back, they may forever be the bridesmaid.

How'd we do on preseason predictions?

1. The Dragons fail to find a 1,000-yard rusher – CHECK, RB Douglas Flagg racked up 703 yards on 3.52 ypc.
2. The Dragons finish within a game or two at most of .500 – CHECK, 7-9.
3. FS Gerald Barnes voted 1st team All-Pro – Not yet. 3 picks and 15 passes defensed, but he also allowed a career-high 42 completions, which killed his chances. Maybe next year! This guy is too good not to get the props he deserves.

Season 7 Statistical Season Recap
*Previous season in parentheses

Team Passing: 7th (9)
Team Rushing: 20st (31)
Total O: 10th (20)
Team Scoring: 17th (23)
Team Pass D: 3rd (1)
Team Rushing D: 9th (18)
Total D: 1st (1)
Team Scoring D: 3rd (22)
Turnover margin: 22nd (19)

Individual top performances:
Passing: Dakota Corriveau, 66.7%, 4342 yards, 21TDs, 17INTs, 86.6 rtg
Rushing: Douglas Flagg, 703 yds, 3.52 ave, 2 TDs
Receiving: Lois Forbes, 99 catches, 1226 yds, 8 TD – Myles Kinney, 105 catches, 1153 yds, 6 TDs
Tackles: MLB Dale Griffin, 89 tackles
Sacks: DE Elias Reese, 15.5 sacks, 24 hurries, 20 knockdowns
PassD: SS Mitch Plante, 4 INTs, 7 Pdef, 82.2 PDPct; FS Gerald Barnes, 3 INTs, 15 Pdef, 81.6 PDPct

Team profit: $6.9 M (44.2 M)
Attendance: 99.6% (100)

[revrew]

A legend hangs up the whistle
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

The Des Moines Dragons suffered a blow today, as it was made public that the team's defensive coordinator, Andrew Hatchette, will be announcing his retirement.

Hatchette was widely considered one of the best, if not the premiere defensive coordinator in the NFL. The former defensive backs coach joined the Dragons when Head Coach Kevin O'Dea took over in the Dragons' second season and helped build the Dragons' secondary into one of the best units in the league.

Hatchette was the team's defensive coordinator for both of the Dragons' playoff appearances. In fact, his last three years in the league, he led the team to the SuperBowl in year 1, then finished #1 in the NFL in total defense in year 2, then did it again in year 3.

One of the best defensive playcallers in the NFL, Hatchette will be sorely missed.

[revrew]

Dragons Launch Coaching Staff Makeover
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

After two losing seasons following the Des Moines Dragons' only SuperBowl appearance, Head Coach Kevin O'Dea has been released.

With the loss of its head coach and previously announced retirement of Defensive Coordinator Andrew Hatchette, it appears as Dragons GM Jack Ledger is going to conduct a wholescale rebuild of the Dragon coaching staff.

Typically, these kinds of announcements are made through press conference, but Dragons GM Jack Ledger has demonstrated a now notorious level of inaccessibility to the press.

When reached for comment, the reclusive team owner and GM replied only that it is "time to shake … things … up."

The 62-year-old O'Dea came to the Dragons after a successful stint as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season in Des Moines, O'Dea captained the Dragons to a 9-7 season and their first playoff appearance. In his fourth season, the Dragons finished 11-5 and represented the NFC in the SuperBowl. But after two, consecutive 7-9 seasons and a 44-57 record over 6 years, the coach was let go.

O'Dea has a reputation for building an excellent scouting staff and mentoring young players, so it's likely he'll soon find employment elsewhere in the NFL, should he desire it.

[revrew]

Surprise! Dragons Move Fast on New Coach
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

The door was still swinging on former Des Moines Dragons Head Coach Kevin O'Dea's departure when the next head coach stepped in. In a rare press conference held less than two weeks after O'Dea left, Dragon GM Jack Ledger announced former New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels would captain the Dragons.

"Ladies and gentle-men," Ledger said, before pausing at the podium to make his announcement. "Why so serious? Let's put a smile on that face! Allow me to introduce the new head coach of the Des Moines Dragonssssss, Josh McDaniels!"

Ledger then clapped effusively and bowed out of the press conference after only those few words, turning the proceedings over to McDaniels.

Rumors had been swirling about several candidates brought in to interview, but apparently Ledger's interview with McDaniels happened under the radar. His announcement was a complete surprise.

McDaniels, formerly a head coach with the Denver Broncos, has played second fiddle in New England for nearly two decades. Despite attempts by the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets to sign him as head coach, McDaneils consistently returned to Foxborough. But the Patriots passed over McDaniels for its head coaching position vacancy last season, leading some to wonder if the quarterback "whiz kid" (who's not such a kid anymore) would be available.

No one had to wonder for long.

At the press conference, McDaniels kept the headlines coming, as he announced the remainder of his coaching staff.

Former Patriot O-Line coach Gustavo Hager was announced as the new offensive coordinator. This will be the 50-year-old's first opportunity to call the offensive plays.

McDaniels then announced former NFL cornerback and secondary coach for the Jets, Gino Sanders, would be the Dragons' new defensive coordinator. It will also be his first opportunity in that role.

Finally, O'Dea Assistant Coach Nickolas Troutman, McDaniels announced, would be retaining his role in Des Moines. Some believe Troutman's focused familiarity with Iowa athletes may have been the deciding factor in his return to the Dragons.

Former Dragon Head Coach Kevin O'Dea, meanwhile, may not have far to go to lick his wounds. He was recently interviewed for the offensive coordinator position by the rival Chicago Bears and is believed to be the leading candidate to fill the position.

[revrew]

Riddle me this: Des Moines Dragons
By Edward Nigma, Pro Football Weekly


Riddle me this, Jack Ledger: What kind of lizard feeds on its own tail but never has enough to eat?

The answer is your Des Moines Dragons.

Mr. Ledger, it's time to declare your Iowa-only approach to NFL football a failed experiment. Yes, you snuck into the SuperBowl, and yes, your fans are still gobbling up tickets, but for how much longer? Your Dragons are consuming themselves, and the food supply is drying up. The well has gone dry. The cupboard is bare, and your roster has festering wounds with no hope of balm.

I will concede that your original scheme was clever. Give clever its due, I always say. Game recognizes game. The way you stuck it to the stuffy NFL suits, brought a flailing franchise back to life, and almost – oh, so close – won it all, was a stroke of genius.

But the joke is up. When football is dominated by powerhouse states of hefty population, like California, Florida, and Texas, it was only a matter of time before the flood of elite talent from outside Iowa was going to become a tidal wave to overpower the Hawkeye state's diminutive output. No fault to the land of corn and bacon, but its few million people just can't produce a crop of footballers to compete with the 350 million other Americans.

Now we look to the draft, and what do we see? We see a couple of Iowa players who might be solid contributors, but far too few stars. And every year you draft the one or two that Iowa can raise, while your opponents get seven rounds of even better talent to restock their rosters. Riddle me this, Mr. Ledger: What do you get when each year you add 1, and your opponents add 7?

It's a war of attrition, Mr. Ledger. And you're losing.

The gig is up. The punchline on this joke has expired. You just hired a new coach. Let him have his pick of the litter, because the Iowa-only approach is getting old, and you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[revrew]

BEGIN SEASON 8

Retirements:
In addition to DC Hatchette, TE2 Darren Crozier of Perry, Iowa, retired after 11 seasons in the league. Crozier was a little-used piece of the Dragon offense.

Free Agency recap

Extensions of note:
DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring, 27yo, (33/33) signed a team-friendly, 2-year contract after his previous season was cut short by injury
DT2 Robbie Blake, 30yo, (39/39) signed a 4-year deal likely to keep him in Des Moines to retirement
LG Ellis Morris, 28yo, (43/43)
RG Fred McLane, 28yo, (41/41)
WLB Craig Fredrickson, 29yo, (42/42)
CB3 Broderick Garcia, 27yo, (34/34)

New signings:
None

[revrew]

ESPN Draft Profile: Des Moines Dragons

Team's top needs: RB, CB, OL
Secondary (depth) needs: OLB, RB, TE, DT

Looking at last season, indeed looking at the last several seasons, the Dragons' anemic run game continues to be the team's Achilles heel. And Oregon State dynamo Kent West would be the natural boost in the arm the Dragons need, while potentially falling to them at the 12th overall draft pick. West, however, may have never stepped a foot in Iowa in his life … and that means unless GM Jack Ledger has given new head coach Josh McDaniels unprecedented latitude to draft outside of Iowa … the Dragons will be looking elsewhere for help.

First-round prospects:

OT Sebastian Shaw – University of Northern Iowa: Shaw shot up the draft boards after a stellar combine that revealed him to be far more athletic than previously realized. Shaw dominated lesser competition at small school UNI, but questions remain about his ability at a higher level. At the 1.12, Des Moines may be in just the right spot to land him.

Mid-round prospects:

QB Bubba Griffin – Iowa State: Griffin is a tough, solidly built prospect with a strong arm. His tape shows too many mistakes to be among this draft's top gunslingers, but some team could fall in love with his potential.

CB Alfredo Hanson – Iowa State: A smart corner with good zone skills who projects to be a nickel or dime back, but limited athleticism may prevent him from becoming a starting corner

Later prospects:

OLB Antonio Lepsis – Iowa: A solid wrap-up tackler, but very undersized at 218 pounds
RB Bubba Clayton – Iowa State: An elusive runner in the open field and excellent receiver, but he does tend to get bottled up at the line
WR Sean Reeves ¬– Idaho State: An Iowa high school prospect with reliable hands over the middle and who runs a 4.46 40.

[revrew]

2032 Draft Coverage:

Welcome to Jacksonville, Florida, home of the 2032 NFL amateur draft! With the first overall pick, the Houston Texans selected cornerback Frank Starks, the gifted athlete out of Virginia who made America sit up and take notice at this year's Maurice's Mattress and Furniture Barn Bowl and doubled down by wowing scouts at this year's combine.

When NFL Commissioner James Gordon stepped to the podium to announce the Des Moines Dragons' 12th overall pick, UNI offensive tackle Sebastian Shaw was still on the draft board and the presumed pick for the squad with a history of only selecting Iowa players. The commissioner, however, surprised the crowd by announcing the pick had been traded to the San Diego Chargers!

In return for the 1.12 and their 4th rounder, the Dragons received the 1.20 and the 2.20, giving the Dragons an additional 2nd round pick.

When the 1.20 rolled around, it turns out the Dragons were in luck!

1.20 OT Sebastian Shaw, University of Northern Iowa

Mel Kiper: The trade gamble pays off for the Dragons, as they drop down from 1.12 to 1.20 and land their man anyway. Not yet varying from the policy of picking only Iowa players, new Head Coach Josh McDaniels took the tackle who shot up the draft board after a good combine, but it appears cooled off as scouts dug deeper into the tape. I think that's why Shaw slipped a bit and why Des Moines took the gamble he'd still be there with the 20th pick. Shaw is an untested player, having rarely faced elite competition, but what Des Moines is getting is a mountain of a man at 6'6" and 352 pounds with excellent athleticism for a tackle his size. The Dragons already have a roster full of tackles, so I'll be curious where they line him up and how soon he'll slip into the lineup.

2.11 OLB Antonio Lepsis, Iowa

Todd McShay: It's not surprising that the Dragons took Lepsis, but it was a little surprising to see him taken with the first of their two, second-round picks. You look at the tape, and it's easy to see why teams are high on this kid. He's a tackling machine who can run with tight ends. The knock on him is that he's really a safety playing out of position. At 5'10" and only 218 pounds, he doesn't attack blockers well, and it shows. He's far better in space than in the trenches.

2.20 CB Alfredo Hanson, Iowa

Todd McShay: This is the player I expected the Dragons to take earlier. Hanson was 2nd-Team All Big 10 after racking up a season of picks and passes defended. He reads quarterback eyes very well and breaks to the ball with a playmaker's instincts. The biggest question mark is whether he's fast enough to run with NFL receivers or strong enough to take them on in tight coverage. But if allowed to sit back and play zone, Hanson could be a real asset.

Trade – The Des Moines Dragons trade their 3rd round selection and 7th round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the 5.1, 7.1, and the Texans' 3rd round pick next year.

Kiper: I think it's a smart play for Des Moines. If they're not in love with Iowa State Quarterback Bubba Griffin, who's really the only 3rd rounder from Iowa I can see on the draft board, then swapping out for the worst team in the league's 3rd rounder next year makes sense. And picking up an extra 5th and a higher 7th? Why not?

5.1 – WR Sean Reeves, Idaho State

Daniel Jeremiah: The senior out of Manchester, Iowa, who played for the Vandals, has NFL top speed and toughness. His hands are rock solid, and he knows how to take a hit. His ability to separate, however, will need to be developed, as he tends to play more like a basketball player blocking out his opponents than a receiver running away from them.

5.12 – RB Bubba Clayton, Iowa State

McShay: At last, the Dragons pick a runningback. I don't fault them for taking Clayton here, where the shifty Cyclone is a decent value as a 3rd down specialist. But I do fault them for not taking a more bell-cow back earlier in this draft.

6.11 – OLB Chester Dazey, Iowa

Kiper: Dazey might just be the toughest player in this draft. Listed at 5'9", it's surprising to see him playing linebacker at all, but Iowa's twin tiny mites – Lepsis and Dazey, both drafted by the Dragons – were like buzzing bees to opposing defenses. And of the two, Dazey is the one with the surprising sting. Not as sure a tackler as Lepsis, but a fierce hitter.

7.1 – SS Dylan Flannery, Iowa

McShay: High character, locker room leader and captain of the Iowa defense. He's a smart player who will help fill a depth need for the Dragons.

ESPN Draft Grade: C+

[Chas in Cinti]

still following...

[revrew]

still following...

THANKS!

I apologize that I had to take a break because of family summer activities and some burnout on my part, but I'm back and recharged, so I'm excited to resume the dynasty! Thanks to all who are keeping tabs on the Dragons!

[revrew]

Dragons Pre-Season Preview
Dick Grayson, sports reporter, Des Moines Register

After a pair of disappointing, 7-9 seasons, the Dragons entered training camp with a new coaching staff, and the comparisons began immediately. How would things be different? Would the new staff evaluate talent – and thus, depth charts – differently?

The most immediate, recognizable difference has been how closely Coach Josh McDaniels plays his cards tight to his chest. Little information has come out of camp, while most of the attention has been focused on younger players, making it harder to see how the new staff is evaluating the veterans.

Training camp highlights

Two of the bright spots among the younger players have been the two second-round picks. CB Alfredo Hanson has looked smooth and capable in every facet of coverage, and his ball-hawking abilities have turned heads. Projected by some to be nickel or dime back, Hanson looks to be a solid contributor who may even be able to step into the starting lineup if called upon.

Meanwhile, diminutive outside linebacker Antonio Lepsis has been playing with a chip on his shoulder, particularly against the run, where he's flashed the tackling skills that made him a star in Iowa City. Now that he's in Des Moines, he looks to have locked up the backup spot behind starting SLB Bob Clinton.

The fifth-round picks, RB Bubba Clayton and WR Sean Reeves, both look like contributors as well. Clayton, in particular, has been sure handed and even explosive from the flat, as his pass-catching skills have not been oversold.

Training camp question marks

Two, big questions are on everyone's mind: First, will the new coaching staff prefer the veteran QB Dakota Corriveau, or the promising, strong arm of backup QB Julian Price?

And second, is there anyone on this roster who can lead the rushing game out of the doldrums?

Predictions

Easy prediction: Rookie RB Bubba Clayton emerges as the starting back before the preseason ends. Sensible prediction: Rookie CB Alfredo Hanson works his way onto the starting roster. Gutsy prediction: The Dragons finish within a game of the Wild Card spot, one way or the other.

[revrew]

A Match Made in … Heaven?
by Adam West, Sports Illustrated

Deep in the bowels of the Joker Field stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, a strange, almost sadistic laugh can be heard.

Jack Ledger, the eccentric, "Clown Prince" of social media and the NFL's most devil-may-care, bad-boy franchise owner, is positively giddy over the newest addition to his team. No, not another Iowa player (for Ledger refuses to sign any player to his Des Moines Dragons who didn't attend either high school or college in the state of Iowa), but a coach.

For nearly two decades, Dragons' New Head Coach Josh McDaniels has been the prime disciple, the Sith-Lord paduan, of none other than the evil Emperor himself, New England's coach supreme, Bill Belichick. Under the Hooded One's tutelage, McDaniels has won more than a handful of Super Bowl rings, while being fully immersed in the "Patriot Way" – a system of team-first, heartless, scheming dominance that some call brilliant, others accuse of breaking the rules, and still others just refer to as "The Dark Side."

Now, Darth McDaniels is striking out on his own once again, after two, earlier attempts at coaching an NFL team failed. In Denver, McDaniels enjoyed a short stint as head coach that ended after allegations of cheating. McDaniels' stay in Indianapolis was even shorter, after he backed out of the head coaching job almost immediately upon the of announcement of his hire.

For better than 10 years, McDaniels continued to soak in the Patriot system, biding his time.

But when Belichick, the most powerful coach in the NFL galaxy, at last retired … McDaniels did not ascend to take the Foxborough throne. It was that slight, some say, that drove him to a desperate alliance - that drove him to Des Moines.

In a coup that shocked the sports media, Ledger, the king of jokers, announced McDaniels as the Dragons' new coach. And then he once again, faded from the spotlight.

But like his mentor Belichick, McDaniels did not step into the light himself, preferring instead the dark. Short, clipped media appearances. Cryptic answers. Words revealing nothing. And a new hoodie, this time in Dragon green, instead of Patriot gray. While the microphones were shoved relentlessly in his face, begging to know whether McDaniels was granted Ledger's permission to finally open the Dragon roster to players from outside Iowa, the new coach was persistently tight-lipped. His eyes glistened with a deep, dark secret.

Rather than repenting of the Dragons' rebellious roster-building ways, McDaniels was about to double down on them.

"Some men," they say, "just want to watch the world burn."

And other NFL owners are definitely burning.

"They're making a mockery of the league and of our history," fumed Raiders' owner Mark Davis after the 2032 NFL rookie draft revealed the Dragons would continue their Iowa-only ways. "Daddy never would have approved this. I can't believe [NFL Commissioner James] Gordon is allowing it."

Gordon, however, may not have a choice. The financial boon Ledger's Iowa-only approach has brought to the NFL is credited with virtually saving not only the Dragon (former Detroit Lion) franchise, but the flailing NFL itself. At an NFL owners rules meeting last spring, efforts to sanction or disallow Ledger's teambuilding strategy were soundly defeated.

And thus, the Dragons are now a two-headed monster – Ledger and the Emperor's protégé.

Deep, down that creepy hallway, where Ledger makes his lair, an eerie, maniacal sound can be heard. The Joker is having the last laugh after all.

[revrew]

Final roster cuts:

QB4 Lester Fox, 2031 5th round selection
OG4 Dominique Siegrist, 2031 URFA
DE4 Julian Sisson, original expansion draft selection
SLB Zachary Patmon, 2031 5th round selection
MLB Wes Price, 2030 URFA
OLB Mackenzie Webber, original expansion draft selection
DT Otis Nutt, 2032 URFA

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 1: The Packers come to Des Moines

Answers finally came to the public when the Dragons took the field for the first time (that counts) under former QB whisperer and new head coach, Josh McDaniels. The staring QB would be Dakota Corriveau (little surprise). The starting RB would be last year's WR convert, Carlton Agree (big surprise). And rookie CB Alfredo Hanson came on as CB1 (a curious surprise, indeed).

And in Game 1 of the season, a change on offense was definitely in the air. QB Dakota Corriveau came out gunslinging, completing 27 of 35 for 343 yards. WR Robbie Thompson finally pushed his way into the starting lineup, catching 8 of 11 for 122 yards.

But the big difference was the running game in the red zone. Corriveau rushed a TD, Carlton Agree rushed for a TD, and RB2, the rookie Bubba Clayton, rushed for a PAIR of touchdowns! That's more rushing touchdowns for the Dragons in one game than several previous RBs could muster in a whole season!

Meanwhile, the twin terrors, DE Elias "Beast" Reese and DE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring, resumed causing nightmares for opposing QBs, splitting 3 sacks, 7 hurries, and 4 knockdowns evenly between them. SS Mitch Plante batted away 4 passes, while rookie SS Dylan Flannery snagged an INT after FS Gerald Barnes went down with injury.

A Green Bay pick-6 made it look closer than it was, as the Dragons come out on fire with a 33-17 win.

[Chas in Cinti]

Maybe the team needed a bit of a shakeup...

Also you had me a bit confused by this (until I reread the draft and realized it was a typo, haha):
And rookie QB Alfredo Hanson came on as CB1 (a curious surprise, indeed).

[revrew]

Maybe the team needed a bit of a shakeup...

Also you had me a bit confused by this (until I reread the draft and realized it was a typo, haha):
And rookie QB Alfredo Hanson came on as CB1 (a curious surprise, indeed).

Yikes! Good catch. I've gone back to correct the record, that he's a rookie CB, not QB.

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 2: 1-0 Dragons travel to 0-1 New England

Now it's for real: Coach McDaniels gets his shot at the team that denied him the head coaching job. Will it be a friendly return to Foxborough, or a vengeful visit?

And the answer is … vengeance! Sweet, sweet vengeance.

QB Dakota Corriveau, following a penalty on the opening kickoff, took the Dragons 85 yards, capping it off with a 30-yard TD strike to TE Kelvin Satterfield. Then he led the team to a score on the next drive, and the next, and the next, the Dragons scoring every time they touched the ball in the first half. Despite 11 penalties that slowed them down throughout the game, the Dragons scored on 7 of the day's10 possessions.

Meanwhile, the Dragon D allowed a grand total of ZERO yards rushing. Coupled with 6 sacks, the Pats were simply obliterated.

RB1 Carlton Agree averaged 5.36 yards per carry, and RB2 Bubba Clayton found the end zone again, while WR2 Robbie Thompson lit it up again with 10 catches on 10 targets for 104 yards. WR1 Louis Forbes caught 150 yards and a score, as Corriveau put up 376 yards and a 125.5 rating.

Could McDaniels be the quarterback whisperer the Dragons were missing? Whether he is or not, it sure looks like New England made the wrong coaching call, as Des Moines racks up a convincing 33-9 victory.

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 2: 2-0 Dragons host 2-0 Buccs

The first quarter of this game didn't start well, as the Dragons racked up more injuries than first downs. Down 10-0 at the end of the first, however, somehow McDaniels found a way to get the team turned around.

Dakota Corriveau started to stretch the field, diversify his targets, and for the first time in his career, he has an O-coordinator that sees every player on the field as a weapon. Highly touted FB Dwight Stanton finally became a focal point with 4 catches, including with 26-yard TD scamper. Long under-utilized TE Kelvin Satterfield caught his 2nd TD in as many weeks, and the Dragons were suddenly off to the races!

By the time the dust settled, Corriveau had completed 23 of 26 passes for 4 TDs and a 146.6 rating. DE Elias "Beast" Reese was let off the leash to terrorize the opposing QB, and when CB2 Warren Sims snagged a pick-6 at the end of regulation, it only served to cement the shellacking, as the Dragons roar to a 38-13 victory.

Alas, the injury toll was heavy in this one, as the Dragons will be short-handed next week, missing:

LDE Elias "Beast" Reese
RDE Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring
SLB Bob Clinton
WR1 Louis Forbes
Rookie CB1 Alfredo Hanson
SLB2 Antonio Lepsis
FS Gerald Barnes

In a nutshell, the Dragons' best weapon on offense and almost entire defense will be watching from the sidelines. Ouch.

[Chas in Cinti]

Wow... that's a rough game of injuries... both DE? ugh

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 3: 3-0 Dragons visit 2-1 Dallas

Dallas brought the best rushing attack in the NFL thus far to the table, while Des Moines brought a defense decimated by injury. True, the Dragons still boast stud SS Mitch Plante, MLB Dale Griffin, and a hobbled but playing anyway DE Elias "Beast" Reese, but would it be enough?

Holy cow. The answer was YES.

The depleted Dragon D held Dallas to 0.92 yards per pass play on the day, while "Beast" and last year's 1st-round pick DE Bo Tremmel led the squad to 6 sacks.

Meanwhile, Corriveau, despite a down day overall, connected with WR2 Robbie "This is my breakout season" Thompson on 10 of 13 targets and hit his newly discovered pass-catching options FB Dwight Stanton, TE Kelvin Satterfield, and rookie RB2 Bubba Clayton for 8 more completions.

The game was tight, but in the first play of the second half, Dallas QB Joshua Evans heaved a deep, deep pass down the hashmarks, thinking his slot receiver could outrun Dragon SS Mitch Plante. No such luck. Plante snagged the ball, turned around at our own 11-yard-line … and then did the impossible. Bobbing, weaving, stiff-arming, streaking … an 89-yard pick-6, right through the entire Cowboy squad.

The play was a rallying cry for the Dragon D, which held fast and never allowed another score.

Dragons win again, 17-13.

The injuries, however, are killing us. Now missing every center on our roster and huge chunks of the defense, this is a ticking time bomb …

[revrew]

We're No. 1! We're No. 1!
Jason Todd, Des Moines Register

At the beginning of the season, I don't think anyone would have predicted the Des Moines Dragons would be where they are today – ranked No. 1 in the ESPN Power Rankings!

But it's not an undeserved honor. At the end of the season's first quarter, the Dragons are one of the NFL's only three undefeated teams, having outscored their opponents 121-52 across four victorious contests. The Dragons are #1 in the NFL in pass completion percentage (77.0) AND yards per attempt (8.99). On the other side of the ball, the Dragon D is only allowing opponents to complete 50 percent of their passes for a paltry 4.8 yards per attempt, both marks good for second best among NFL defenses. The Dragon O is averaging 397 yards and 30.3 points per game, while the D is only giving up 243 yards and 13.0 points per contest. In short, Des Moines is winning on both sides of the ball.

What cause, this burst of efficiency and dominance?

Some, naturally, will point to new Head Coach Josh McDaniels. A reasonable supposition.

Others will credit the defense. All-Pro SS Mitch Plante is having his best season yet, breaking up 7 passes, while only allowing 6 completions, and his 89-yard pick-6 will be a highlight film for years to come. DE Elias "Beast" Reese is having a career year, as well, on pace for 24 sacks on the season and over 40 hurries. Injured or not, he's been unstoppable.

But truth be told, we've seen the Dragon D be dominant before.

The big difference this season has been the outstanding play of QB Dakota Corriveau. His 111.7 QB rating, if it held to season's end, would be the best mark of his career by 25 points. He's on pace for nearly 5,000 yards and 30 TDs. If he keeps it up, he should be considered for league MVP.

What happened? Is Coach McDaniels really a QB whisperer? Is the 6th year the charm (though, to be honest, he showed signs of breaking out last year)? Is it the emergence of reliable target WR Robbie Thompson or our outlet extraordinaire, FB Dwight Stanton? Maybe a little of all of the above.

But … but … can it continue?

I don't want to burst this bubble. I don't want to point to a team decimated by injuries, including at center, where the Dragons don't have a player left who can give the ball to Corriveau. I don't want to talk about the schedule getting tougher.

Instead, let us just bask in this moment. The Dragons have been mediocre for most of their seasons in Des Moines – but not today. Today, the Dragons sit alone atop the Power Ratings. Today, if just for a moment, Iowa fans are telling the truth when they raise their foam fingers and declare, "We're No. 1! We're No. 1!"

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 5: 4-0 Dragons travel to 2-2 Philadelphia

How does a team even compete this banged up? Out with injuries today included: C1, C2, WR1, WR3, DE2, DT2, SLB2, CB1, CB3, FS1, and hobbled but playing anyway DE1, SLB1, and LG1.

You compete by putting up 31 points in the first half, and then sitting back and waiting to win, THAT's what you do!

I swear, somebody put Superman juice into QB Dakota Corriveau's coffee. In the middle of what was a otherwise a pedestrian day, Corriveau took a few deep shots in the 2nd quarter – and connected on them ALL, including a 61-yard TD strike to WR5 Isaac Kinney, a 15-yard tuddy to WR4 Xavier Bradley, and with time expiring in the half, a 50-yard bomb to WR Robbie "I'm suddenly setting the NFL on fire" Thompson.

Robbie T. is now #1 in the NFL in receiving yards, with 503 after 5 games. He's caught 78% of the passes thrown his way, which is a big part of his success.

The defense didn't accomplish much by way of the big play in this one, but despite a much depleted defensive front, the Dragons stuffed the line, allowing only 25 yards rushing on 23 carries.

I don't know how, I don't know how long it will last, but this Dragon team is determined to win, no matter who takes the field (with Corriveau). Des Moines surprises the experts with a stunning, 31-3 victory.

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 6: 5-0 Dragons host 3-1 Giants

The Giants come in off their bye, refreshed and virtually injury free. The Dragons, on the other hand … have the same hospital roster as last week with two exceptions: WR1 Louis Forbes, though still fighting off tonsillitis, will join the lineup, and WR2 Robbie Thompson, will fight through a broken finger.

And once again, injuries be hanged, QB Dakota Corriveau is playing like the obvious NFL MVP! In a similar formula to last week, the Dragons score on their first 5 possessions of the ballgame and take 31 points into the locker room at halftime. Then the SS Mitch Plante-led defense finishes off the opponent in the second half.

The stats in this one were just gaudy:

Corriveau – 33 of 40, 394 yds, 4 TDs, 141.0 QB rating
WR Louis Forbes – 8 of 10, 133 yards, 1 TD
WR2 Robbie Thompson – 8 of 10, 62 yds, 2 TD
SS Mitch Plante – 7 tackles, 2 passes defensed, a sack

Dragons rack up 522 yards on the day, while holding the Giants to a paltry 39 yards rushing.

And once again, newly unleashed weapon FB Dwight Stanton catches a TD pass, to go along with 2 KRBs and a pancake block. The athletic, 4th-round pick out of Cedar Rapids appears to have finally found a niche in the Dragon offense, as he's caught more passes for more yards and more TDs already in this season than in any of his previous three whole seasons.

The final result doesn't reflect how lopsided the game actually was, as Dragons roll to victory, 38-17.

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 7: 6-0 Dragons host 3-2 Bears

After two seasons, the Bears cut Iowa Heisman winner and #1 overall draft pick QB Grayson Shello. The reality is, he was a bust and a locker room nightmare. We're talking Ryan Leaf-like in his complete flameout. He remains unsigned at this point, though if the Dragons see any long-term injuries, it wouldn't be surprising to see Des Moines snag the college superstar off the scrap heap.

Speaking of injuries, the Dragons see SEVEN players cleared from the injury list this week, including DE2 Ricardo "ManChild" Heuring and rookie CB1 Alfredo Hanson. CB2 Warren Sims, however, the veteran CB presence, broke his wrist in last week's tilt against the Giants and is expected to miss 7 weeks. The pass defense was already showing some chinks, and it's questionable whether Hanson's return will make up for Sims' departure.

In this contest, however, the Dragons played a near perfect game. Outside of some sacks allowed and some weakness in the secondary in the third quarter, the Dragons dominated this contest.

Des Moines racked up an uncharacteristic 172 yards rushing on 5.38 ypc (rookie RB2 Bubba Clayton proving to be an excellent third-down and change of pace back), and QB Dakota Corriveau completed 24 of 34 for 276 yards, 3 TDs, and zero INTs. WR2 Robbie "Sure I'm number 2?" Thompson hauled in 10 of 13 for 121 and a pair of scores. And once again, the Dragons opened the game on fire, scoring 24 points on their first 4 possessions.

Couple the flawless offensive performance with 7 sacks, generated by relentless pressure from the outside and mop-up sacks by our DTs, and the victory was never in doubt. Dragons win, 34-15.

[revrew]

Season 8, Week 8: 7-0 Dragons travel to 3-4 Green Bay

Does it say something about my nervous fears for this unbeaten team that I keep fretting about the injury report? The good news is that FS Gerald Barnes returned from injury, but defensive captain MLB Dale Griffin has now strained a hammy, keeping him out indefinitely. That could really hurt this stout run defense.

Yet it turns out our biggest opponent on this day wasn't injuries, but the weather. In a blizzard like only Green Bay can deliver, QB Dakota Corriveau and the Dragon aerial attack were grounded. And so were the Packers. In a game where players were sliding around on a white, sloppy field like teenage girls at a shaving cream slumber party, neither offense could sustain a drive. Not a single offensive touchdown was scored on the day.

The contest came down to punting, believe it or not, and the Green Bay special teams proved the better unit. Packer Punter Ronnie Foley pinned 6 of 7 punts inside the 20 yard line, and when Packer receiver Bobby Horner returned a punt to the house, it proved the day's only tuddy.

In really more a fluke game than anything else, the Dragons lose, 13-0.