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Gossip News: Merchantmen Close To Trading Justin McDavid!
Merchantmen fans arise, a team icon is about to be traded: your very own Fumblin' Justin. Gossip News' reliable sources report that the Merchantmen organization is in deep negotiations to trade Justin McDavid back to the USA. And not to the worst of all teams, we believe the 'Evil Empire' of the North Plainfield Plague are about to strike a deal. Two other teams are said to be in the mix, obviously including the Williamsburg Colonials. One of our reporters claims it's a diversion tactic to keep the fans looking elsewhere while other team members since the start as 2004 All IHOF second teamer Harold Hurtado and IHOF top ten all time scorer Cary Coles are about to be released going into the new season. And the departure of two other long term members, Ellsworth Thelen and Albert Bernardo, is also about to happen. Justin McDavid, the face of the franchise. The management never denied the rumors of trade talks going on, but negotiations always stranded on the demands of the Merchantmen. McDavid has been acting as a quarterback coach the past season and said he wasn't happy about it. McDavid got lazy and showed up out of shape for training camp. The team told him he's no longer in the mix for even the third string role. How cruel to the former starter. The North Plainfield Plague are the front runners to acquire McDavid this off-season as the demands got more reasonable. The Merchantmen are said to be demanding a first refusal to trade McDavid back in, but we believe that a traded Justin will never return in a Merchantmen uniform. The Plague are said to be looking for a quarterback able to mentor Wally Shelton, a Rutgers alumni. The Plague's ownership is pretty high on Shelton, especially ever since the team has been unable to get a long term contract worked out with the IHOF's best player, David Conti. Conti will become a free agent next off season and likely receive the franchise tag to either work out a deal or be traded. The Plague's owner/general manager Cthomer5000 was spotted in Oranje Haven, which should be a sign. The Merchantmen have been the Plague's punchbag in the league and it seems unlikely owners from US based franchises will make a little trip to Europe to chit chat about football. Some sources report that Merchantmen owner/general manager M.IJ.B. was spotted coming home from negotiations at 4 am two days ago. But there's more. As the former president of the Fumblin' Justin fan club, Williamsburg Colonials owner Wademoore showed up as well. Our reporters saw him leave home with two big suitcases today. We think he's headed for Maassluis to bring his beloved quarterback to his franchise. He still regrets that he had to turn down the presidency of the fan club as the league office was unwilling to see the same person as the owner of a team and the fan club president of a player on a team in the same football league. A third team also seems in the mix as the Merchantmen owner openly suggested that the Telluride Outlaws should contact him for the possibilty to acquire either McDavid or Thad Pilkington. As the ownership and the roles in the front office still look hazy with the Outlaws having two men running the show in 2009, trade talks could take a while. But the rumors are there, they can't be denied. And today we also found out that Thad Pilkington was almost traded to the Fairbanks Northstars about a week ago. With Justin McDavid hot in the news, the Merchantmen management can quietly plan the releases of two long-time members. Left tackle Harold Hurtado, All IHOF selection in the innaugural 2004 season, has been demoted to being the nineth best offensive lineman on roster and could be released after pre-season. Nobody likes it around Maassluis, Hurtado is a well respected member of the team, but failed contract negotiations already were making Hurtado a potential free agent for the 2011 off-season. Another prominent player on the bubble is kicker Cary Coles. The Merchantmen drafted Myron George to replace him and also hired ex-Lake Monsters kicker Dwayne Calfee. Calfee is expected to mentor George through pre-season and get him ready for the regular season. Coles ranks tenth all-time in scoring in the IHOF and has been a reliable kicker, topping the 80 percent mark in each of the past five seasons. But George is young and was said to have the stronger leg and to have more potential. Lucky for Coles, George looked terrible in training camp, not even able to beat kickoff expert Al Bettis. Like Coles, linebacker Ellsworth Thelen seems to be lucky to see a rookie rival for a roster spot struggle. Thelen has been critised to not being able to fit in the pass defense schemes the Merchantmen play. Thelen saw the team sign free agent Albert Boggess, who had a great training camp, and also saw Terrance White get picked up in the draft. Lucky for 'Elly', White is holding out for a three-year contract and now the Merchantmen might go the Sean Smalley route (leaving the rookie unsigned until late in the season). That won't save defensive end Albert Bernardo. 'Big Al' saw youngsters like Omar Gougeon, Wally Mattingly and Aaron Sherrill come and take over his role on the active roster. Bernardo is still on the list of 60 pre-season names, but the team has already told him they're trading him after pre-season if injuries don't haunt the team as they go into the new season. Bernardo has been complaigning about playing time in the past and the love between him and the management seems to be over. What will happen remains to be seen as the IHOF league office called for a ten-day stoppage. The league office will be closed and team owners are urged to take their time, take care of their families and get their needed rest in preperation for the 2010 season. But we all know the Merchantmen management will never sleep and always be on the look out for trade possibilities. Five big names are likely to be gone soon and Gossip News will make sure it won't fly under the radar. Especially if it concerns franchise icon Fumblin' Justin McDavid. Keep reading... |
Editor's Note: Holliday's Break
The IHOF is on hold for 10 days and the dynasty won't be updated much, if at all during the hollidays. I might come up with some flashbacks to past season's highlights and lowlights, but I won't promise anything. For now, I'll keep you all hanging on the edge of your seat with the cliffhangers of the upcoming 2010 season:
You'll get your answers in 2006. Happy Hollidays, all! |
Charles Gomez in 2009 All MIJB Selection
While the season is about to kick off, Maassluis Merchantmen owner/general manager M.IJ.B. presents his traditional list of 53 stand out players of the past season. On the list of 53 names, Charles Gomez is the only representation of the Merchantmen. Gomez made the list after a season in which he made 82 tackles, 28 assists, 7.5 sacks, blocked 3 passes, made 24 quarterback hurries and recovered 1 of 6 forced fumbles. It marks Gomez' fifth selection all time, making him the first player to accomplish that. The whole list of 53 names, if appliciable with years of previous selections: QB1 David Conti (North Plainfield) - 2nd time (2006) QB2 Nate Sutter (Georgia) QB3 Jackie Percy (Frederick) RB1 Ray Lyle (Ann Arbor) RB2 Ronnie Kemp (Vicksburg) - 3rd time (2007, 2008) RB3 Gerald Harris (Anaheim V) - 2nd time (2004) FB1 Nick Nightingale (Rochester) FB2 Cole Dean (Georgia) - 3rd time (2006, 2007) TE1 Mo Lollis (Boulder) TE2 Josh Whitehurst (Bordeaux) TE3 Welsey Lewis (San Antonio) WR1 Toby Williams (Williamsburg) WR2 Alfredo Bass (Minnesota) - 3rd time (2005, 2006) WR3 Adrian Groff (Miami) WR4 Forrest Cape (Brooklyn) - 2nd time (2008) KR Fernando Weaver (Georgia) - 2nd time (2008 as WR) PR Harris Jefferson (Fort Worth) C1 Marvin Goforth (Telluride) C2 Charles Caufield (Paris) G1 Eric Church (Vicksburg) - 3rd time (2007, 2008) G2 Genaro Reynolds (Ann Arbor) G3 Luke Hayes (San Luis Obispo) - 2nd time (2006) G4 Al Joseph (Springfield) T1 Randall Dunkin (Vicksburg) - 3rd time (2004, 2006) T2 Maxwell Vice (Asheville) T3 Alvin Murray (Boulder) T4 Marcus Morgan (Boston) P Charles Cutright (San Luis Obispo) - 2nd time (2005) K Mickey Worlow (Orlando) DE1 Jack Miller (North Plainfield) DE2 Cris Richardson (Conyers) - 4th time (2004, 2007, 2008) DE3 Bennett Ruano (Telluride) - 3rd time (2005, 2006) DE4 Daniel Moore (RayCo) - 2nd time (2008) DT1 Charles Gomez (Maassluis) - 5th time (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) DT2 Robert Duong (Fairbanks) DT3 Ivan Sparks (Orlando) - 2nd time (2007) DT4 Myles Halliburton (Columbus) - 3rd time (2004, 2005) ILB1 Frank Judson (Asheville) ILB2 Tyrone Breunig (San Antonio) ILB3 Javier Duarte (Syracuse) ILB4 Steven Marshall (Gothenburg) OLB1 Daniel Hope (Minnesota) - 3rd time (2005, 2007) OLB2 Andreas Liddell (Orlando) - 2nd time (2006) OLB3 Harvey Rose (Chesapeake) OLB4 Frederick Garmon (Rochester) CB1 Jimmie Strawn (North Plainfield) - 3rd time (2005, 2008) CB2 John Q. Ballhwaker (Ann Arbor) CB3 Ben Greer (Fairbanks) - 2nd time (2008) CB4 Jack Romero (Syracuse) - 2nd time (2007) S1 Milo Epperson (Outer Banks) - 4th time (2004, 2005, 2006) S2 Jason Winkle (San Luis Obispo) - 2nd time (2005) S3 Kerry Horner (Vicksburg) S4 Loren Goodman (Tucker) |
Merchantmen Sign Rookies Malicki and White
In preperation for the pre-season, the Maassluis Merchantmen today announced the signing of rookies Quentin Malicki and Terrance White. Both players missed training camp in an attempt to hold out for a three-year contract, in stead of the offered four-year deals, but both signed a four-year deal afterall today. Malicki will battle with Henry Poston for the backup fullback role in pre-season, White is expected to fight with Ellsworth Thelen for the sixth active linebacker role. |
General Manager Notes: Here Comes Pre-season!
Almost there. It's coming closer, the 2010 regular season. Tomorrow pre-season will kick off and we're in preperation for the first pre-season game, which is in the second pre-season week. Right now the tough decissions to get down to 60 men have to be made. Mulling over our options, we have to release nine players, I'm hopeful to get something in return for trading a couple of backup players who can have a starting role elsewhere. Contact has been made with several teams and three players who are potential starters elsewhere are involved in talks. Who are going to be released? Well, six of nine players are no-brainers, as they say. Running back Ernie Johnstone, punt returner Junior Lee, guard Jorge Hutton, defensive end Daryl Webster and the linebackers Omar Carpenter and Blaine Toppe will not make the 60-men roster. That leaves three more releases, being most likely a kicker (or two!) an offensive lineman and a running back (fullback?). You'll find out soon enough. |
Merchantmen Trade Ellsworth Thelen, Release Eight Others
Ellsworth Thelen is leaving the Maassluis Merchantmen. After five seasons on the Dutch IHOF franchise, Thelen's stint looked over. Thelen will be traded to the North Plainfield Plague for a future third and fifth round pick. The trade helped the Merchantmen to get down to the 60-men pre-season roster limit. Eight others were released, with guard Bruce "The Mad Man" Pritchett as the most notable. Bye bye 'Elly'. Once a starter, but recently demoted to being the seventh linebacker on team. Thelen was originally acquired from the Astoria Heroes. In the infamous trade that made the Merchantmen trade out of the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. In the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Thelen started every game and made 95 and 109 tackles respectively. In the following three seasons, Thelen lost the battle to Carl Meier, Bernie Surry and Mike Kershner for a starting role. Thelen started only 19 games. In the succesful 2007 season, Thelen saw the least action. Overall, Thelen played 92 IHOF games, making 417 tackles, 127 assists, 14.0 sacks, 3 interceptions and 24 defended passes. The main problem the last three seasons was a shift of the defensive game plan. Bordeaux Vineyards defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks always said: "He's a complete player, but sadly for him, the Merchantmen chose to run a pass defense scheme that doesn't suite Elly." Rumor has it that Hicks advised the Vineyards to trade for Thelen this off-season, but in the end lack of cap room made Thelen move to the Plague. Aside from Thelen, eight other players were said good bye to. Most notable was Bruce Pritchett. Nicknamed the "Mad Man", referring to the Dutch to English translation of his home town, Pritchett became a persona-non-grata. Pritchett had suffered a career threatening knee injury and was let go by the Boston Rhinos. The Merchantmen signed the injured Pritchett to a two-year deal, expecting him to recover in 2009 and play again in 2010. But after Pritchett came with higher salary demands, the Merchantmen signed free agent Wesley Howard. Pritchett stayed around for training camp, but his time to leave had come afterall. The seven others released players included no big names. Running backs Ernie Johnstone and Shane Neufeld never made a regular season roster before. The same is true about defensive end Daryl Webster. Guard Jorge Hutton has only two games on his resume for the Vicksburg Vipers, both against the San Antonio Volunteers in 2009. Linebacker Omar Carpenter has been there before, he was released after the 2009 Merchantmen training camp as well. Linebacker Blaine Toppe played for the Plague the last two seasons. Wide receiver Junior Lee lost the battle for the two punt returner roles. |
Merchantmen Lose Exhibition Game To Boulder: 3-7
The action is back, the success isn't. In a low scoring pre-season game, the Maassluis Merchantmen couldn't please their 71 thousand fans. The Boulder Blizzard came and went home victorious. With a 3-7 loss, the game didn't look good from the offensive perspective. Quarterback Josh Webb made a case for being the future #2 quarterback. Fullbacks Henry Poston and 'Q' Malicki faught a serious position battle. And the best news: nobody got injured. It was second and seven. The last two minutes of the first half had just began and the Merchantmen were trailing 7-0. It was the moment Josh Webb stepped up and showed some glimpses of being capable to run a two-minute offense. With a 24 yard pass to Jerry Beyer and an 11-yard run on the next play, Webb set up the 41-yar field goal, scored by rookie Myron George to shorten the Blizzard's lead. And that was the end of the first half. At the end of the fourth quarter Webb tried to do it again. With two minutes and twenty seconds left, he needed to march his team 91 yards forward to win the game. With just barely fourth and third down converting passes, Webb's favorite target Jerry Beyer and Gregory Monti kept the chains moving. A Hail Mary pass from the 50-yard line then ended the game as Blizzard cornerback ... Ingram ended the game. The Blizzard won, Webb couldn't make his team win. Webb didn't pull the comeback, but at least he looked decent enough, playing all game. Take out the logical Hail Mary, that resulted in interception, and you have good looking numbers. Webb played a short passing game, but it seemed to work. Completing 26 of 39 passes for 175 yards, his performance was far from bad, it was pretty good. Add in 27 yards on the ground and the only thing missing was a score. In the backfield, a position battle heated up. The Merchantmen announced pretty much that fullbacks Quentin Malicki and Henry Poston are fighting for one roster spot. Both got a lot of touches and looks to show what they're made of. Malicki won the running battle, with 33 yards versus 25 yards on 9 carries each. In the receiving stats, won, with 5 catches for 24 yards versus 3 for 10 yards. Poston also converted a run block, while Malicki was the one not fumbling. Head Coach Leroy Van Der Woude said: "Both guys tried to do their best, but right now neither has the edge." Fighting a battle of his own was rookie kicker Myron George. The fans saw George struggle with the punting duties (George was given all the kicking and punties roles), but admiring his stride and scoring of a 41-yard field goal. George has been given the tough task to unseat all time Merchantmen top scorer Cary Coles. Head Coach Van Der Woude said: "George knows what we're expecting and it ain't little. There are 53 roster spots and he'll have to show the management he's worthy one of those spots. Beating Coles ain't the main issue, if George shows to be potentially ready in 2011, the management will save a spot for him." The third of three rookies, linebacker Terrance White, looked good in his first minutes as a Merchantmen player. In 15 plays, White made 5 tackles and forced a fumble. The scouting department in Maassluis called White a green player, but one with the potentials to become a starter down the road. With Carl Meier around to mentor White, the team management and coaching staff thinks it could come real if the team would be forced to let one of the starters go at some point. Carl Meier said: "White played well, but he's still got a long road ahead." |
General Manager Notes: Nine Down, Seven To Go
Bye Bye Elly. After five seasons of .500 and above ball, Ellsworth Thelen has been traded. It was a tough decission and he didn't need to go, but even since implenting the zone defense scheme, 'Elly' became a potential nth stringer. He had no experience or potential at all in zone defense. It was tough, though, given he had a 100-tackle season with us and was still an excellent run stopper, very good pass rusher and has the intagibles to be an above average starter. Write this down: Thelen is already a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. With the North Plainfield Plague, he'll be used the way he should be. Another tough decission was the eighth release. Really, the first seven (Johnstone, Neufeld, Lee, Hutton, Webster, Carpenter and Toppe) were no-brainers, they had no shot at making the 53-men roster, barring injury disaster at their positions. Bruce Pritchett was the victim and I kinda feel bad about it. Bruce, 'The Mad Man', had been working hard to recovered from knee injury that sidelined him for part of the 2008 season, when he still played for the Boston Rhinos, and the entire 2009 season with us. It wasn't nice to release him now, but his salary demands were too high and I found a comparable backup player in Wesley Howard. I even think Howard will make the 53-men roster in stead of tackle Norman Holliday or Harold Hurtado. What!? 'Good Old Harry' Hurtado is on the chopping block? It's an option, yes. Right now we have 60 players signed, including four kickers. That means we'll most likely let two kickers go. And with just ten offensive linemen, it doesn't make sense to let any of them go, but there are no guarantees in this world. Seven players will have to go and I'm doing the head count already, what do we have and where are we likely to let some one go?
Barring injuries leading to Injured Reserve, seven players have to leave the Merchantmen after pre-season. As you can see there are 17 candidates for it. And some case look easier than others. The fullback situation is pretty clear: It's Malicki or Poston. No way both make it, but no way neither makes it either. This pre-season, both will be given a lot of playing time and have to fight it out. Malicki should be the better blocker down te road, which has my preference right now. Neither is a great runner, while Poston's receiving skills is kind of a negative in my opinion. The kicker situation is pretty clear too. Caffey won't make it, he's just here to mentor George. That leaves George versus Coles. Coles is our all-time scoring leader and has become one of the IHOF most reliable field goal kickers. Only his lack of a strong leg makes him on the block. George looked good in the rookie combine and we hoped to see him threaten Coles. So far he's far from there and that strong leg doesn't seem to be there at all. I might try to keep George as a backup, he's better than Al Bettis in extra points and field goals, but he won't take the roster spot of the IHOF's best kickoff kicker. The defensive line situation is pretty clear too. I hope to give end Albert Bernardo a new home, which should be possible for a guy of his calibre and with his mentoring skills. That said, only one team has been a bit interested. I don't want to release him, but if we have to, we have to. Others on the block are either Rasmussen or Shiroma. The long time rivalry is heating up after we signed Frank Bernard. One of them might have to go in the 54 to 53 process. And then there's 2007 starter Aaron Sherrill, who came back after a year on IR and is showing his starter potential again. I'd hate to release him, but he's the #10 right now. In the secondary, it's going to come down to whether or not we suffer injuries. Ten players seems to be too much. All ten are potential starters for us, but we know they won't. The arrival of Tommie Canon makes past starter Winford Endicott and the so far non-impressing Xavier Clyburn the nineth and tenth player. Endi' played well in 2009, but due to his age is the most likely casualty. We used to have a team sitting ready to take him in a trade to make him a starter there. It would be cool for him, give us something in return, but could comeback to hurt us as the other team is on our schedule and a foe for the playoff tickets. At the offensive line, two players, could be released. 2004 All IHOF second teamer Harold Hurtado has been a great team player, but his contract ends after the season and I don't feel good about giving him a new two-year deal, that would cost us more than he's being paid now. Not to mention that he might retire after the season, because his role is waning, he's our #8 lineman right now, #9 even if Howard impresses. #10 is still Norman Holliday, who at least can pass block at bit better after three seasons as a backup. I'll most likely want us go into the season with 10 linemen. Injuries always hurt us there and some of our guys have an injury prone reputation (center Cozart, guards White and Lacy, tackle Jacques). In the quarterback area, things are pretty much depending on pre-season. Josh Webb has three more games to prove himself. If Webb does well, he'll be our number three for another season, with the promise of becoming our number two down the road, when Thad Pilkington retires or is traded because Webb is ready. Justin McDavid has been a hot trade target by teams in search for a quarterback mentor. I honestly feel that McDavid belongs in Oranje Haven, so if he's traded abroad, I'll demand that McDavid should return to Maassluis at some point, when his job as mentor is over with his new team. Right now, I project us going into 2010 with 4 quarterbacks, but Webb or McDavid might be out of here soon. Really, Webb was close to being traded right after training camp... Last but not least, we have two highly drafted wide receivers battling for a single roster spot. Jerry Beyer and Jesse Vielma were second round picks in the 2007 and 2009 drafts. Vielma has the edge right now, but as I traded our 2011 first round pick for a no-name guy in Jewell Simpson, and us still having long time starters Bryce Ewald and Gregory Monti, neither Vielma or Beyer stands a good chance to even be our #4 receiver. Afterall, Devin Henson has locked himself into the #4 role with his past performance and his reputation as the IHOF's best kickoff returner. That's all for now, we've got some interesting exhibition games at the 2005 champions Ann Arbor and the 2004 and 2008 champions Fairbanks NorthStars coming up. We'll visit the triple A's and then return home to host the Alaskan team. Our pre-season will end with a road game at the RayCo Raiders. A nice rendez-vous with running back Jonathan Smith, who ran for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns there last season. Stats our three running backs can only dream of... |
Merchantmen Beat Anachronism In Second Test Game
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back into winning football. With a 15-10 score, the Merchantmen transalted their keeping hostage of the Ann Arbor Anachronism offense into points. Myron George scored three field goals on route to player of the game honors. Thad Pilkington finally looked good in a Merchantmen pre-season game after struggles in the previous two off-seasons. It's only pre-season, but the Merchantmen defense is looking very good so far. "Things are going well," claimed head coach Leroy Van Der Woude, "it's only pre-season and the backups versus backups, but things look marvelous on defense." Depth can't be the Merchantmen's foes in 2010, their backups are doing a fine job controlling the ball and stopping opponents. After all IHOF teams played two games, the Merchantmen rank third in points allowed, first in yards allowed and third in time of possession. And they faced two 2009 division champions. Kicker Myron George earned the kudos and 'mvp' honors in the win. Going three on three in field goals, George did the kicking job well. Given punting duties too, George had 41.1 yards per punt and one of six punt inside the twenty. George said: "I think I played well today. They told me I have to do well to make the regular season roster and I do my best to make it." In the stands, Cary Coles seemed to have mixed feelings about George's progress. The two know it will be unlikely they will both make the final roster. A player not worrying about the final roster is quarterback Thad Pilkington. The veteran playcaller is sketched into the number two role, but so far failed to play well in limited action for the Merchantmen. Even pre-season was never frieldy to Thad. Until this game. Thad didn't throw for a score, but in a new offensive game plan, he completed 17 of 22 passes for 129 yards from late in the second quarter. All points came on the board with Thad on the field. After two pre-season games, the Merchantmen defense are looking like the world beaters they were three seasons ago and want to be again in 2010. Despite the likes of Charles Gomez, Cody Cluff, Lincoln Gilmore and all those other stars missing in action. Gomez watched the backups of his unit and couldn't help but praise them all: "I see good things here. "Wally 'World II' (Mattingly) plays well, The Pearl (Aaron Sherrill) is back and newb "Bogus" (Albert Boggess) fits well in the shoes of 'Elly' (Ellsworth Thelen)." Upcoming is another home game, as the Fairbanks NorthStars are coming to Oranje Haven. The fans should expect to see Joey Allen or any of the three ex-Merchantmen Fredric Vargas, Robert Duong or Raul Marshall active. But Scot Dick could be played for them. Dick returned after a season of being suspended. Dick is trying to resurrect his career as a defensive tackle. Coming back to Maassluis in the next pre-season game and the with four games against the Europeans in the regular season, it could be his ultimate revenge. Let's hope the Merchantmen offensive line will keep him from doing that! |
Merchantmen Win Game, Lose Monti and Boggess
The Maassluis Merchantmen clinched having their best pre-season ever. With a last second field goal, the Merchantmen beat the Fairbanks North Stars 9-7. Another defense masterpiece makes the fans of the orange-white-and-blue optimistic for the upcoming season. Injuries to wide receiver Gregory Monti and linebacker Albert Boggess, brought the bad news of the day. Both players with expected important roles will miss a big portion of the regular season. Defense wins championships. It's just a saying in the football universe, but the Merchantmen are starting to hope it's true. As the defense allowed 246 total yards, they now rank first overall in points allowed (8.0 per game) and yards allowed (227 per game). "We continue to play well and everybody is confident," said cornerback Myron Stevens, "but we all realize the real games have yet to come." Part of the defensive success has been linebacker Albert Boggess. Hired to backup Bernie Surry and 'Mickey' Kershner, Boggess was expected to have a big role. But it will have to wait until the mid-season as Boggess picked up a high ankle sprain and is ruled out to play for a month or three. Linebacker Carl Meier said: "He won us all over in just 2 and a bit games. Albert is a winner and when he'll play, we won't even see the difference between Surry, 'Mickey' or him." Boggess is excpeted to return in November. On offense, a long time member of the team got seriously hurt. Gregory Monti tore a lateral knee ligament and won't be back to game day health until mid-December. And then, it remains to be seen how well he'll recover from this nasty injury. With second year player Jesse Vielma also hurt with a broken arm, pre-season starter Jerry Beyer all of a sudden is promoted back to the #3 role for the regular season. Vielma should be back mid-September, but Monti could be placed on injured reserve. While injuries hit hard in Maassluis, a couple of roster spot battles have ended now. Fullback Henry Poston got hurt and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, in favor of Quentin Malicki. Poston fumbled three times, while Malicki had the better rushing stats. Malicki said: "The staff told me I have to get through the next game healthy and I'll be the #2 fullback. A bummer for Henry to get hurt, but I can't help it. They urged me to work on my pass blocking, though. I'll have to work on that." Another rookie is also still hoping on a roster spot. Myron George once again took the player of the game honors, accounting for all nine points for the team. George said: "It was a good game again. Seven on seven, baby! One game to go, but if I can stay healthy and kick well against the Raiders, I think I'm in for 2010." Despite George's kicking game, the Merchantmen management placed George on the trading block. George said: "Yes, I know about it, but it's no additional pressure to me. 'Big Al' (Albert Bernardo) told me to see it as a vote of confidence." Moment of the game was probably the overwhelming applause near the end of the second quarter. Justin McDavid replaced Josh Webb from that point on, marking his first activity in Oranje Haven since the 2009 pre-season. McDavid completed 15 of 21 passes for 145 yards and didn't fumble. McDavid said: "It's always great to play at home. This fanbase is so supportive. I know my time as a starter is over here, but I can't hide the desire to start in this stadium in every home game." |
Press Release: Merchantmen Place Gregory Monti On Injured Reserve
The Maassluis Merchantmen management is moved and disappointed having to announce that wide receiver Gregory Monti will be placed on injured reserve. Monti twisted his knee on a rushing play mid way the fourth quarter of the exhibition game against the Fairbanks NorthStars. As Monti was trying to make a block up field, he slipped and his knee collapses. First diagnosis is a torn lateral knee ligament and a recovery period until December. With the lengthy recovery, the Merchantmen will most likely place Monti on injured reserve on the 53-men roster cut day. Despite doesn't seem to warrant the injured reserve status, but the management sees only few reasons to have second thoughts about it. General Manager M.IJ.B. said: "Only if all of our remaining receivers get hurt, we might stick Monti around as a late season revival guy, but it's unlikely." During the 2006 season, the Merchantmen did the same with hot prospect cornerback Tai Wayne. Wayne recovered well from a high sprain injury. With the injury to 2009 starter Jesse Vielma, Jerry Beyer is going to make the final roster after all as the #3 behind Bryce Ewald and off-season acquisition Jewell Simpson. This injury marks the second career threatening injury for Monti. Late in the 2004 season, Monti picked up a severe neck injury that has caused him to never fully reach his potential as a young wide receiver, that made the Merchantmen keep him in stead of today's good to very good receivers like Amos Collins, Raul Marshall and Fredric Vargas. Monti has played in 82 games, with 67 starts for 219 catches, 3,235 yards and 16 touchdowns in Maassluis. His best season came in 2007, when he had 44 catches for 696 yards and 5 touchdowns as his team were Atlantic Ocean Conference runners-up. With his resume, the decision comes as a surprise to some. Monti was written down as the number three receiver on the depth chart and has been a regular starter throughout his career in Maassluis. In the past seasons, Monti has seen multiple new receivers join the team to take over his role as the premier flanker opposite Bryce Ewald, and fail. Lonnie O'Reilly, Jerry Beyer, David Henkel, Jules Benedict, Ruben Deck and Jesse Vielma are all on the list. Monti always came back strong. The team hopes he can do that again in 2011. |
Merchantmen Lose Last Pre-Season Game
With a 28-10 score, the pre-season ended with a loss for the Maassluis Merchantmen. With 279 yards allowed, the defense once again showed up, but a couple of bad timed turnovers and failed fourth down plays ran up the score. Justin Webb completed 17 of 21 passes for 150 yards to most likely save his roster spot. As the team went through the game injury free, the pre-season ends with the waiting for roster cut day. The management revealed a short list of players who could be released, traded or placed on injured reserve. The shortlist: Quarterback Justin McDavid, quarterback Josh Webb, fullback Quentin Malicki, fullback Henry Poston (injured), wide receiver Gregory Monti (injured), Jesse Vielma (injured), tackle Norman Holliday, tackle Harold Hurtado, kicker Myron George, kicker Dwayne Calfee, defensive end Albert Bernardo, defensive end Aaron Sherrill, defensive tackle Shaun Shiroma, defensive tackle Andy Welizcka, linebacker Albert Boggess (injured), cornerback Xavier Clyburn, cornerback Winford Endicott and cornerback Myron Stevens. |
Merchantmen Release Hurtado and Bernardo, Trade Clyburn
Roster cut day, the most hated day by football's general managers. The Maassluis Merchantmen management called the 2010 decissions the harest in team history, dispite them saying that every season. Of this season's seven casualties two were placed on injured reserve (wide receiver Gregory Monti and fullback Henry Poston), one was trade (Xavier Clyburn) and four were released (tackle Harold Hurtado, defensive end Albert Bernardo, and kickers Myron George and Dwayne Calfee). In contrast, eight new players made the regular season roster. Who are leaving Maassluis, why, and what did they do here? Harold Hurtado played six seasons with the Merchantmen. After having been a starter for most of the first five season, 'Good Old Harry' wasn't expected to be an active roster member for the 2010 season. General Manager M.IJ.B. said: "Hurtado has been a crucial element in our rebuilding process. He's been a leader on offense and showed the skills to regroup his men and make them fight." Left tackle Hurtado joined the Merchantmen in a 2004 pre-season trade and played 82 games, starting 62 of those. Hurtado is the franchise leader with 115 key run blocks. Hurtado once made the All IHOF selections as a second teamer in 2004. Albert Bernardo played five seasons in Maassluis. Nicknamed 'Big Al', Bernardo was a key member on the defensive line for many seasons. Bernardo mentored today's youngsters and also added many sacks from the bench. Bernardo made 8.5 sacks in 2007, contributing to the best defense in sacks and points allowed that season on route to a lost conference final. Defensive end Bernardo was the Merchantmen's first free agency period acquisition and played 70 games with 36 starts for the Merchantmen. Bernardo's statitics for Maassluis add up to 95 tackles, 44 assists, 25.5 sacks, 17 blocked passes, 52 hurries, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recovery touchdowns. Xavier Clyburn leaves Maassluis after just two seasons, to play for the Georgia Gridlock. Acquired through a trade from the San Luis Obispo Burn, Clyburn was expected to become a starter following a season as the nickelback. Clyburn never impressed much, except for the road game at the Orlando Knights in 2008. Clyburn made 2 interceptions, returning 1 for a score as he contributed to the biggest margin of point victory in league history and tying the single team team interceptions record. Cornerback Clyburn played 27 games for the Merchantmen, with 9 starts. Clyburn made 4 interceptions (all in 2008), defended 12 passes, made 68 tackles and 8 assists. Myron George leaves the Merchantmen without playing a single game for them. Kicker George played a very good pre-season as he converted all eight of his field goal attempts and a single extra point. In the end it wasn't impressive enough to unseat the Merchantmen's all-time leader scorer Cary Coles. General Manager M.IJ.B. said: "George had good promise when we drafted him, but following training camp and pre-season, we were not convinced he'd ever be able to replace Coles." George was drafted in the fourth round of the recent amateur draft. Dwayne Calfee's release came as no surprise. Calfee was mainly signed to mentor rookie Myron George through pre-season. Following a good campaign by George, the rookie didn't make the final roster afterall and Calfee has been forced to join him into free agency. The past six seasons, kicker Calfee always found a new team as he has shown to be a pretty reliable kicker. Maybe the Rochester Lake Monsters will pick him up for the third straigt season. Gregory Monti and Henry Poston were placed on injured reserve. Poston was forced as the team would otherwide released him in favor of keeping his pre-season position battle rival Quentin Malicki. Monti wasn't expected to return before week 15 and the team is taking its chances with five other receivers. Monti should return to the regular roster in 2011, providing the knee injury doesn't turn out to be career threatening. Poston was IR-ed with a bruised ribcage. Eight new players made the final roster. Wide receiver Jewell Simpson, center Ned Cozart, defensive tackle Frank Bernard and cornerback Tommie Canon should all be starters on opening day. Guard Wesley Howard is the eight lineman. Fullback Quentin Malicki is the new backup to Jamel Rosenberry. Linebacker Terrance White is a project for the future, but will be active for the first half of the season as the other new linebacker, Albert Boggess, will be inactive due to a high ankle sprain. Boggess should become the primary backup to the outside linebackers. |
Big Al Joins Vicksburg Vipers
'Big Al' has a new home. Albert Bernardo will be joining the Vicksburg Vipers in time for the first regular season game of the season. After bing released by the Maassluis Merchantmen, Bernardo moved back to his hometown Scottsdale, 5500 miles away from his temporary home in the Netherlands. The Merchantmen management complimented the Vipers management for the signing. The Vipers were linked with a Bernardo trade, but in the end they get the veteran as a free agent. Dennis Cressio Joins San Luis Obispo Cressio hires Cressio. The rumors had been there, but following roster cut day, it became reality. Dennis Cressio was released by the San Antonio Volunteers after pre-season. Five teams went into the market and made one-year contract offers. But four teams didn't stand a chance as San Luis Obispo Burn general manager Vince Cressio talked Dennis into a Cressio reunion. The Burn's offer was much bigger than the other teams', but in the end the familiarity with each other seems to have finished the deal. Southeast Division Presents Top Drafted Quarterbacks And then they all had top three pick quarterbacks. After the Tucker Tigers selected Shaun 'Donut' Duncan first overall, it completed an interesting quartet of starting quarterback in the AOC Southeast division. Duncan joins Ted Wolf (Orlando Knights, second pick in 2009), Chris Donaldson (Conyers Condors, second pick in 2007) and Nate Sutter (third pick in 2007). The quarter of youngsters will be chasing the 2006 drafted rookies Seth Dwight (Williamsburg Colonials) and Louie Flannery (Maassluis Merchantmen) as the winningest quarterbacks selected in an amateur draft. Dwight leads that list with 39 wins, closely followed by Flannery (38 wins) and Michael Prescott (Orlando Knights, 28 wins). Donaldson ans Sutter have 27 wins each. Wolf and Duncan haven't played a game in te IHOF yet. |
Merchantmen Start 2010 Season In Paris
Are you ready? The International House of Football is kicking off its seventh season. The Maassluis Merchantmen are starting with a game on the road. Their foes are the Paris Musketeers. Last season, Paris won 4-2 in field goals. The seasons before that, the Merchantmen recorded their only two wins in the French capitol. All time, the Merchantmen are 2-4 in season openers, Paris is 0-6 in season openers. You start to wonder whether this game should even be played in week one. The Musketeers are basically still the same team as in 2009. They have six new players, of which four are rookies one is injured (projected starting cornerback Edward Peterson) and one is Terence Jones, a guard who excells in pass blocking, but does nothing to support the running game. It's the same old again: Quarterback E.G. 'The Great' Lumpkin, running back Joe Boulware, the only player to record 100 yars against the Merchantmen more than once, and wide receiver Tyrus Shaye on offense. The Merchantmen offense is said to be improved with a new starters at center (Ned Cozart) and wide receiver (Jewell Simpson). On defense, defensive tackle Frank Bernard and cornerback Tommie Canon will make their first appearance in orange-white-and-blue, as they sat out pre-season. They hope to be perfect additions to what the dutch fans think is one of the IHOF's best defenses. Let's see what the Merchantmen are made of in 2010! |
Merchantmen Recovers Paris Fumbles To Victory
The Maassluis Merchantmen are off to a hot start. Wit a 26-21 victory at the Paris Musketeers, Maassluis is the home of optimism. The defense came up big, forcing four turnovers on a day the Paris offense racked up 364 yards on offense. The Merchantmen offense scored touchdowns for a change, but eventually had their main role in setting up Cary Coles' field goals. The all-time leading scorer for Maassluis scored 18 points in a player of the game performance. But the mental winner was running back Randy Harris, who ran for 104 yards. "A welcome surprise," Randy Harris said, "we hoped to win here, but we always have trouble in their house." With 104 yards on the ground and a marvelous 6.9 yards per carry, Harris had an unexpected good performance. Joseph Schoen has become the starter, after taking over that role midway the 2009 season, but in Paris the two backs shared duties, having 15 carries each. Schoen fell short with only 37 yards on the ground. But then, Schoen gets the touches on obvious running downs and does short yardage duties. Despite the good game from Harris, it wasn't all because of him that the Merchantmen won. Quarterback Louie Flannery wasn't the center piece of happy faces either. Flan' completed only 17 of 35 passes for just 185 yards. His 2 touchdowns probably outweighed the 3 interception just barely. Flannery complained about the instructions: "They want me to play a short passing game, but that way we can't score. Gimme some room to throw deep." Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude explicitely praised the newcomers, saying: "Tommie Canon made a bang of a debut. One interception, two defended passes and zero catches. Excellent. Ned Cozart was a bit up-and-down. He was crucial in our running game, but also looked vulnerable on passing downs. Frank Bernard and Jewell Simpson were less of a force, but both of them have big players playing next to them. Charles Gomez and Jim Reiser make a lot of plays and rob their opportunites." Gomez was happy about the win, but once again looked mad when the offense was struggling. Gomez said: "Yeah, I looked mad. But it's only natural. Today all sides of the ball made bad plays. If not for the special teams unit, we might have lost this game. That 95-yard touchdown pass was unacceptable." Special teams, a key unit for the Merchantmen, Gomez said, and it was. Cary Coles was perfect on field goals, while punter Sean Smalley nailed two balls near the Paris endzone, including a ball at the Paris one-yard line withthree minutes left and the Musketeers needing a touchdown to win the game. Linebacker Cody Cluff said: "That punt. It was brilliant. It eventually ment that they had to go all the way. We could sit back and make sure they wouldn't gain too much territory as the clock ran out." Paris stranded at the Maassluis 26-yard line. On the downside was a hamstring injury to two Merchantmen defensive ends. Erwin Baranowski only strained the leg muscle and is expected to play a backup role next week, but Omar Gougeon pulled the muscle and will be out for two or three months. Roster cuts survivors Aaron Sherrill and Shaun Shiroma are expected to take on their roles in the pass rush rotation with second year pro Wally Mattingly. Charles Gomez said: "Sherrill and Shiroma were great pass rusher in the 2007 run. They're more mature and twice as good today, we'll be okay." Next up are the San Luis Obispo Burn, who kicked off with a 16-48 beating at the Fairbanks NorhtStars. With a road game in Maassluis coming up, the Burn will be flying a lot. Back and forth from California to Alaska and then the long travel to Europe, to face off with the Merchantmen. Charles Gomez has good memories about the only other game against the Burn so far. Gomez returned a fumble for eight yards and a touchdown in overtime to give the Merchantmen a 36-30 win in week 2 of the 2006 season. Sweet memories. |
General Manager Notes: 2010 has kicked off
One down, eighteen to go? We're 1-0 and we managed that only twice before. Guess what, both times we won the European division. All other seasons we finished the year at 8-8 or below. The jinx is probably on now, but it's a good premise. While Duane Davis shined in a Minnesota Miners victory over the highly touted Ann Arbor Anachronism, the Gothenburg Giants didn't stand a chance against the Bordeaux Vineyards. The Joe Johnson brigade marched to an impressive 37-10 to become the first division leaders of this season. In the thirteen other games there were no real upsets. European Standings: 1-0 Bordeaux 1-0 Maassluis 0-1 Paris 0-1 Gothenburg Player of the year race? The nominees of this week are: * Rumblin' Randy Harris, with 104 yards, 6.9 yards per carry and 2 tackles (what the?) * Cary Coles, with 4 on 4 in field goals and 2 on 2 in extra points * Sean Smalley, for his punt that landed on the Paris 1-yard line * Tommie Canon, with 1 interception and 2 defended passes versus 0 catches allowed * Charles Gomez, the man of 2 tackles, 2 assists, 3 hurries and 1 recovered fumble * Erwin Baranowski, who recorded 2 blocked passes and 2 hurries * Mike 'Mickey' Kershner, for his 7 tackles, 2 assists and 1 recovered fumble * Cody Cluff, with 4 tackles, 4 assists and 1 forced fumble And the points go to: 1 for Cody Cluff, 2 for Charles Gomez, 3 for Randy Harris, 4 for Cary Coles and 5 for Tommie Canon for his excellent pass defense game Now starts, kind of, the easy part of the schedule. Face it, the next five weeks, we have four home games and an open weekend. Sure, the list of teams doesn't include pushovers (San Luis Obispo (8-7-1 in 2009), Rochester (10-6), San Antonio (AOC champs) and Vicksburg (8-8)), but to make the playoffs, you need to win more than you lose. And winning goes a little bit easier at home. We're gonna need to be 3-1 going into that Vicksburg game behind the bye week to stand a chance this season, I think. For now, we'll relax on the plane back home, beating Paris on the road is an excellent start to the season. Our next game is at home, possibly in a rainy atmosphere. We're 13-9 in rainy games at home. I don't know what that's worth, but it ought to say something, right? Right!? Afterall, we're 24-24 all-time at home. Oh, one last thing: Louie Flannery is catching up with Seth Dwight again. Dwight lost and has a 39-26 career record, Flannery is 39-27 now. |
Merchantmen Beat Burn Towards European Lead
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back at the top. Following a 37-20 victory over the San Luis Obispo Burn, the Merchantmen are the new leaders in the AOC European Division. Jewell Simpson shined in his first game wearing orange in Oranje Haven. A strong defensive performance kept the Burn scoreless in the second half. And the Merchantmen took another injury blow as 'Mickey' Kersher is out for the season. The San Luis Obispo Burn turned out to be a tough opponent to beat. As the visiting team picked off Louie Flannery's first pass attempt of the game, The Burn ran to a quick 10-0 lead, silencing the 72,200 heads counting crowd. With a brilliant 102-yard kickoff return, the IHOF's all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns, Devin Henson brought the Merchantmen back in the game and the game was quickly becoming a wild one. Boosted by a 34-yard reception for a score by Jewell Simpson late in the second quarter, the Merchantmen tied the score at 17-17 thinking it would be the half time score. Burn rookie kicker Richard Joon scored a 47-yarder in the dying seconds to give his team a 20-17 lead. The tone was set for a shootout as the teams went into the locker rooms. Head Coach Leroy Van Der Woude apparently inspired his team to the max as the Merchantmen decided to not let this game become a close one. In the second half, the Merchantmen defense took control of the field. With interceptions by Lincoln Gilmore and Tai Wayne, supported by fumble recoveries from Aaron Sherrill and Shaun Shiroma, turnovers were all over the place. The offense scored two touchdowns, passes from Flannery to Jim Reiser and Bryce Ewald, while Cary Coles also added two field goals in between. The Merchantmen defense held ground and allowed only 39 yards on 28 plays by the Burn. The defense showed up strong, but the Merchantmen offense is looking strong as well this season. Louie Flannery struggled with interceptions, throwing five of those, but he's responding with as many touchdowns to even it out. Jewell Simpson is his new favorite target, as Simpson set a new Merchantmen record with 16 targeted passes in the first home game for his new team. With 121 yards and a score on 7 receptions, Simpson had his second career 100-yard game. Ironically his first one came also in Oranje Haven in a road game for the Springfield Isotopes. The Merchantmen are back at it. Following the disappointing 2009 season, the Merchantmen are back in the division lead for the first time since the week 17 clinched division title in 2008. With losses by all three division rivals, things look good in Maassluis, but the season is long. The running game is still far from efficient, while the passing game ranks at just above 50 in completion percentage. If not for the strong defensive and special teams performances, the Seafares of Holland would likely sit at 0-2. Another issue are injuries, as they are becoming a problem at the linebackers position. Mike Kershner picked up a severe knee injury and experts fear for his career. With Albert Boggess ruled out until November, the team is looking at Carl Meier to step up, although the team is opting another route. Head Coach Van Der Woude said: "We're looking into our options to play a 4-2-5 defense. That would mean using a nickelback in stead of a weak side linebacker. With Tommie Canon, we have a guy who can play that position. Or maybe we can shuffle a bit with our safeties." Next up is another exciting home game for Futility Bowl VII. The fans will give a warm welcome to the biggest rival from across the Atlantic Ocean, the Rochester Lake Monsters. The all-time series is tied at 3-3, with the Lake Monsters being 3-2 in Oranje Haven. Last season Louie Flannery threw for six touchdows to tie the all-time single game record set by living legend Joey Allen. The 44-17 final score gave some justice in the end to avenge the 2008 playoff loss. The Lake Monsters missed the playoffs last season by one game and they blamed it on the Futility Bowl VI loss. Get ready for another great game in a classic rivalry. |
General Manager Notes: Prepare For Futility Bowl VII
Two and oh! Only once before we've started the season with two wins. Yeah, the die-hard fans remember that, it was in the 2007 season. You know, that one season where we kept winning after the 3-2 start (except for the guaranteed Georgia Gridlock loss) until the worst 15 minutes of IHOF football. 2-0... Still eight or nine wins away from the playoffs, but we're at least on track for something good. We got a little bit of help too this week. The Bordeaux Vineyards managed to choke a 24-6 lead going into the fourth quarter, as they lost on a last second 40-yard touchdown pass from living legend Joey Allen to Sherman Brewer. Allen's teammate Chuck Zeringue gave the Fairbanks NorthStars the 27-24 victory with a 20-yard field goal. Don't count Bordeaux out yet, the NorthStars are very strong this season. Joey Allen got a new target this off-season in Fredric Vargas. Yes, our ex-Merchantmen guy, who became a IHOF Bowl winner with the Plague. The Paris Musketeers were also involved in a fourth quarter barnburner. Going into that last 15 minutes, they were trailing 6-0 at the Boulder Blizzard. A 46-yard scoring reception from rookie Jamaal Owens set them up for a lead, but in the end the Musketeers lost 19-13. Don't fail to mention that the Blizzard defense picked off three of E.G. 'Edmundo the Great' Lumpkin's passes. The Gothenburg Giants managed to get some offense going this week, yet managed to lose their second home game in a row. This time the Anaheim Visigoths came out victorious with a 27-24 score on a late field goal by Edward Wilkes. It marks the first time the Anaheim based franchise sits at .500 or better under the new management. A win at the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums will result in the second time in franchise history they will have a winning record. The first time came after a 2-1 start in the 2005 season, until the then Matterhorns lost three in a row and played .500 ball win-one-lose-one the rest of the season. Other important scores? The Ann Arbor Anachronism missed their veteran quarterback Donald Woods and saw his apprentice Zach Downing lead the team to a 40-14 deficit. The victorious side was the Georgia Gridlock team, boosted by a five-touchdown performance from quarterback Nate Sutter. Meanwhilst, the Minnesota Miners take the sole lead in the NAC Mid-West as they follow up last week's beating of the Anachronism with a 20-19 win over the Orlando Knights. At 2-0 it marks the second season in which the Miners have a winning record. They were went from 2-1 through 5-2 and 6-4 to an 8-8 franchise best record in 2008. Also worth mentioning was a traditional sweep by the AOC Northeast Division. The North Plainfield Plague, Boston Rhinos, Syracuse Mohawks and Rochester Lake Monsters all won in a division versus division clash versus the NAC Atlantic Coast Division. Following that sweep, all four of them rank in the top ten in scoring so far. Last but not least was an impressive showing by the San Antonio Volunteers, who beat thre Seth Dwight-lead Williamsburg Colonials 40-17. In the last minutes, Leonard Lyon was given three pass attempts, two of those were intercepted, including one being returned for a touchdown. Way to go Leo! European Standings: 2-0 Maassluis 1-1 Bordeaux 0-2 Paris 0-2 Gothenburg A nice win in the books and it calls for the tradition list of heroes of the day. Today's candidates for player of the year points were: * Louie Flannery, who completed 22 of 41 passes for 232 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions * Jewell Simpson, who made 7 catches resulting in 121 yards gained and 1 score * Devin Henson, who returned a kickoff for 102 yards and a score * Sean Smalley, who nailed 4 of 8 punts in20, including 1 on the SLO 1-yard line * Cary Coles, who was 3 for 3 in field goals and 4 for 4 in points after touchdown * Charles Gomez, who made 5 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble * Tommie Canon, who defended 2 passes, allowed 0 catches and forced 1 fumble * Tai Wayne, who had 1 interception and 2 defended passes * Lincoln Gilmore, who shined with 1 interception and 4 defended passes * Mickey Kershner, who made a team high 7 tackles before he got hurt And the winners for this week are with 1 point for Tai Wayne, 2 points for Tommie Canon, 3 points for Jewell Simpson, 4 points for Lincoln Gilmore and 5 points for Charles Gomez. In the overall standings, the lead with 7 points is for Canon and Gomez, being followed by Gilmore and Cary Coles with 4 points, Simpson and Randy Harris with 3 points, and Wayne and Cody Cluff with 1 point. Coming up, Futility Bowl VII. This game doesn't need much introduction to the real fans. In my mind this game is even more of a rivalry as are te divisional games. Face it, we're 15-4 recently in Europe wit most games being big wins or hopeless losses. The games versus Rochester all have been instant classics. Listed below are the recaps and links to the boxscores at the IHOF website. Futility Bowl I - recap - boxscore Futility Bowl II - recap - boxscore Futility Bowl III - short recap - boxscore Futility Bowl IV - recap - boxscore Futility Bowl V - recap - boxscore Futility Bowl VI - recap - boxscore |
Merchantmen Sign Two Linebackers To Replace Kershner
The Maassluis Merchantmen today announced the hiring of Nicholas Seymour and Randal Davison. The two weakside linebackers are signed to try out for one roster spot. The Merchantmen are going to place Mike Kershner on injured reserve following his severe knee injury. Davison is a former Fort Worth Fury backer as he's been a teammate of injured Merchantmen backup Albert Boggess the past three seasons. Seymour played 86 games in 6 season in the IHOF. Seymour played for Astoria (2004), Minnesota (2005), Bordeaux (2006-2008) and Asheville (2009). Both are decent zone defenders, but especially Seymour is a run defense specialist. For the next game, the final decission will be made on whom will make the roster. |
(Delayed) 2010 Merchantmen Players Introduction
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back with an improved roster. Yes, that's what the management thinks, but the off-season movements should speak for themselves. Of all the new players, four are going to be starters, while the leaving players were all backups in 2009. Due to the timing, the newly acquired Nicholas Seymour is also listed. Who are the 53 men on roster?
FS = first season in Maassluis GP = regular season games played * GS = regular season games started * * = for new players the entire IHOF career is listed |
Merchantmen Lose Futility Bowl VII
The Maassluis Merchantmen have taken their first loss of the season. In a classic game against the Rochester Lake Monsters, the home playing Dutch team lost 23-17. A more efficient Lake Monsters offense and a lost turnover battle shifted the game from a 14-3 Merchantmen lead to a two-field goal loss. Myron George scored 11 points for the Lake Monsters to give him sweet revenge. It was bound to happen, a loss would come at some point. But Rochester has become a bitter rival and some say these two teams prefer winning this game over making the playoffs. Jackie Williamson completed 15 of 22 passes for 200 yards to lead his men to victory. Louie Flannery failed to return the favor. Granted, he completed 20 of 30 passes for 232 yards and 2 scores, but he also threw three more interceptions. Although the last one came on a last minute hail mary attempt, the first two came at crucial moments and gave the Lake Monsters a free pass to scores. If the defense hadn't held the visitors to field goals three times, the game wouldn't have been close. Rookie kicker Myron George was one of the main heroes of the day. George had been drafted my the Merchantmen in the fourth round, but after a perfect pre-season he was released in favor of other position players and Cary Coles. Coles missed a 56-yarder in this game, while George was perfect on three field goals and two extra points. Injuries piled up again too. Center Brant Heinrich left the game early and is ruled out until mid-November. The timing is especially bad as newly acquired Ned Cozart isn't expected to return until week six. In relief, guard Wesley Howard also got hurt, meaning only six linemen are fit for the next game. Upcoming is the third home game of the season. Coming to Maassluis are the San Antonio Volunteers. In the previous meetings, the Volunteers won three games, two of them in Oranje Haven. The last meeting last season, the Merchantmen won 27-26 in a close game. Louie Flannery ran for a 25-yard score that game, which is unique as Flan' is considered a textbook example pocket passer. |
General Manager Notes: At Least We're Still In Charge
Kudos Kodos. What an aweful ending... I think we shoulds count our wins and be happy to sit 2-1 a top the European division and 2-0 in common games, as non of our division rivals will play Rochester. Louie Flannery once again made a show about his skills and paid back with interceptions. I'll discard the third pick, I'd say it's a 50-50 shot to score the touchdown or be picked off in a Hail Mary pass attempt. Losing to Rochester isn't the biggest worry, but as they have turned from friends into freindly foes, winning this game can save the season, or destroy the other team's. It doesn't help either that some kid named Myron George scored 11 of the Lake Monsters' 23 points. "Myron George? Never heard of that name. He's a rookie? drafted by the Merchantmen? Really? Why'd he get released? To have the team keep a fullback on inactive? Well done, management." No, we released him to keep Justin McDavid, but the score isn't less bitter. As we lost, the other European teams got a shot to take back some terrain, but they hardly did. With a seemingly close score of 21-16, the Paris Musketeers beat the Tucker Tigers to claim their first win of the season. The truth is, the Musketeers mishandled the Tigers' rookie quarterback and first overall pick Shaun Duncan into a 21-6 half time lead. They Tigers were never back into the game. At all. The same can be said about the Gothenburg Giants, who after a 34-6 beating at home to the North Plainfield Plague are preparing for an ugly season. The Bordeaux Vineyards seem to be the top dogs to win the division this season, but they lost a nice nailbiter for the second week in a row. Against the Orlando Knights, the Vineyards showed a decent fourth quarter comeback, yet failed the two-point coversion to tie the score and failed to use the remaining three minutes well. In other news around the league, the defending IHOF champions, the Frederick Red Menace suffered their first loss of the season. The Outer Banks Ospreys won a defensive game with a 14-9. The 2009 NAC runners up, the Ann Arbor Anachronism, continue to struggle and are 0-3 now. The triple A's lost 34-17 on the road at the Boulder Blizzard. The Colorado based team struggles through injuries, but is one of six unbeaten teams. Accompanying them are their division rivals Fairbanks NorthStars, the top two from 2009, the Boston Rhinos and North Plainfield Plague, the Chesapeake Chitterlings and the San Antonio Volunteers. Exactly, our upcoming opponents. The Volunteers are not unbeatable, but right now they're allowing less than 13 points per game and had impressive wins over the Forth Worth Fury (35-12 on the road) the Williamsburg Colonials (40-17) and the Conyers Condors (17-9). In these games they once again showed they can win both the shootouts as the defensive slugfests. The good news is that... Well, there isnt good news. The Volunteers just are a rock solid team, who look like a selection of average players, but we all know they're a easily a top three team in the AOC. They've been since 2004 and still are. I think we're lucky to have two wins against them already. European Standings: 2-1 Maassluis 1-2 Bordeaux (1-0 division) 1-2 Paris (0-1 division) 0-3 Gothenburg Merchantmen Player of the Year: Despite our first loss, we were not completely hopeless and actually had a couple of players doing well. Who were the candidates for player of the race points this week? * Jewell Simpson had only 2 catches, but they surely counted with 61 yards and a score * Louie Flannery completed 20 of 30 passes for 232 yards and 2 scores (yes, and 3 int's) * Randy Harris ran for 47 yards (4.7 per carry) and had 4 catches for 24 yards * Sean Smalley planted 3 of 5 punts inside the 20, averaging 42 yards per punt * Timothy Lacy made 3 key run blocks and recovered a fumble on offense * Cody Cluff forced a fumble on top of recording 9 tackles and 3 assists * Lincoln Gilmore recovered a fumble, defended a pass, made 5 tackles and 1 assists * Charles Gomez made 7 tackles, 1 assist, 1/2 a sack and had 2 quarterback hurries The points for the race go to Timoty Lacy, who gets 1 point, Cody Cluff, who gets 2 points and Charles Gomez, who will get the lost-game maximum of 3 points. Overall, Gomez increased the lead (10 points), being trailed by Tommie Canon (7 points), Cary Coles (4 points), Lincol Gilmore (4 points), Cody Cluff (3 points), Randy Harris (3 points), Jewell Simpson (3 points), Timothy Lacy (1 point) and Tai Wayne (1 point). |
Merchantmen Lose A Nailbiter To San Antonio Volunteers
Welcome back to .500 land. The Maassluis Merchantmen lost to the San Antonio Volunteers 15-10 to sit at 2-2. Despite the loss, the Merchantmen hold the lead in the European division, although just barely now. While the defense stood ground for most of the game, the offense struggled. Some fans in the stadium starting booing Louie Flannery and yelling for Justin McDavid to return. Despite the loss, positive thought remain in Oranje Haven. "So close and yet so far away." Merchantmen head coach Leroy Van Der Woude was not amused after the game. "The offense is struggling so much, it's slowly becoming dis-heartening. Kudos go to the defense, amazing how they defended our endzone and made us win the touchdown battle 1-0. I'm starting to think this offense is afraid of falling behind." Like it or not, but the offense was plain aweful. Their average to go on third down was 11.7 yards. The only thing that looked decent was the red zone offense. With 10 points out of two visists, they almost tied the red zone score from the Volunteers. The Merchantmen defense held ground very well, allowing four field goals from five visits. That's 12 points on a potential for 35. It's all about defense right now. Louie Flannery was the center of negative chants more than before. Flannery threw three interceptions in the game, making some part of the fans scream for Thad Pilkington or the return of Justin McDavid. General Manager M.IJ.B. expressed that there is no need for that: "Louie is our franchise quarterback. Everybody knows that, Thad (Pilkington), (Josh) Webb, Justin (McDavid) and Louie. A bunch of interceptions won't scare us. This is still the same guy that brought a team to the IHOF semi finals in his sophomere year." But those 11 interceptions in four games don't lie. The Merchantmen go into their bye week and more than before they will use it to lick their wounds. Five players are listed as 'out' for week five. Center Ned Cozart and guard Timothy Lacy might return in the next game, but it remains to be seen whether either player will start. Linebacker Albert Boggess, center Brant Heinrich and defensive end Omar Gougeon won't return until after the mid-season point. Defensive end Erwin Baranowski is still suffering from a hamstring injury and will be used as a backup. Wide receiver Gregory Monti and linebacker Mike Kershner are on injured reserve and will only show up in black-tie for games this season. |
General Manager Notes: A Frickin' Nightmare
I had a dream... You know that feeling? You wake up and think: did that just happen or was it all a dream? I had that the other day. In my sleep, I went through our game against the San Antonio Volunteers. I saw good things, a strong defense, a reliable Louie Flannery and 28-10 victory in an impressive fashion. Then, my eyes opened and I realized it was a dream. We had a strong defense, I saw a stressed Flannery and we lost 15-10 to the Volunteers. I hoped I was dreaming again, but I wasn't. Sigh... Well, things got worse. The Paris Musketeers won 20-17 against the Fort Worth Fury on a 32-yard field goal with 24 seconds left. The Gothenburg Giants nothced win number one for the season with a fourth quarter comeback win at the Telluride Outlaws. Final score 24-14, the Giants can still win, even if it was against a win-less opponent. Imagine how bad it would have been if the Bordeaux Vineyards wouldn't be on their bye week. European Standings: 2-2 Maassluis 2-2 Paris 1-2 Bordeaux 1-3 Gothenburg Here we go, again, a four-horse-race with all teams just one win apart. Things can be so different. The Miami Sharks, for example, lead their division with a 3-1 record over the 2-2 Outer Banks Ospreys. The rest of that division is 0-4. A similar situation is going on in the Deep South. Telluride and Fort Worth sit at 0-4, the Vicksburg Vipers are 2-1 and the San Antonio Volunteers are 4-0. Merchantmen Player of the game race Players of the game, did we have some? Well, Cody Cluff, who had 7 tackles, 2 assists and an interception. Broderick Schultz, who defended 3 passes and made 4 tackles. And the third points-worthy player was Andrew Rasmussen, who added 1 sack, 1 blocked pass and 1 hurried pass to his total of 4 tackles. In the overall standings, Cluff moves up a bit. Players and points: Charles Gomez (10 points), Tommie Canon (7), Cody Cluff (6), Cary Coles (4), Lincoln Gilmore (4), Randy Harris (3), Jewell Simpson (3), Broderick Schultz (2), Timothy Lacy (1), Andre Rasmussen (1) and Tai Wayne (1). Blech. I need a drink. No wait, I don't drink. Blech. |
General Manager Notes: Still In Charge!
Who's number one? We are! The Paris Musketeers had a chance to move to the top of the division, but saw no answer to the San Antonio Volunteers. Unlike us, the Musketeers got whooped and even pulled quarterback Edmundo the Lumpkin when trailing 38-6. The Musketeers got back up to 38-20, but couldn't get rid of the feeling of being flushed through the toilet. Voila! The Bordeaux Vineyards got their shot at taking the divison lead now. In a pass heavy game between two teams with big name running backs, the Vineyards bounced back from 13-0 behind and thought they were winning 14-13. They held big name Ronnie Kemp to 2.6 yards per carry and knocked out the Vipers quarterback. But no such luck, they lost for the third game in a row after a last minute collaps. A 39-yard field goal with ten seconds left gave the Vipers the victory. Encreable! On the other end of that kind of story were the Gothenburg Giants. With a last second 18-yard field goal and a 41-yarder in overtime, Damien Deming showed his money's worth. The Giants won 30-27 and are currently the hottest team in Europe, despite and 0-3 start. But that also means the fourth team in Europe is still in sole possession of the division lead: the Maassluis Merchantmen! Standings: 2-2 Maassluis 2-3 Paris 2-3 Gothenburg 1-3 Bordeaux I have no idea why Paris is second over Gothenburg right now, but I'll take it for granted as the mathemagicians in the world tell us they are. Our next opponent will be the Vicksburg Vipers. The Vipers are 3-1 and allow only 15.5 points per game. I'm expecting a defensive slugfest and y'all know we've got a quarterback pretty fulnerable in such games... Good for us, Vicksburg's superstud running back Ronnie Kemp is on a slump right now, while starting quarterback Gabe Macaluso is out (thank you Bordeaux). I'm tossing my mind to abandon our normal game plan and have the defense anticipate on a potential run-heavy offense. Afterall, Kemp here has the single-game rushing record versus the Merchantmen at 182 yards. Should I mention that Charles Gomez was inactive that day? I doubt it would have made a big difference though. It'll be an interesting game in Oranje Haven, I can tell you that! |
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Whoa whoa whoa! You can win the next Futility Bowl and we'll take the playoff spot with a big thank you sir! ;) |
Lake Monsters Fight For Futility Bowl Tradition
As the Maassluis Merchantmen are leading the European division at 2-2, the Rochester Lake Monster know they're doing something wrong at 3-1. To keep the Futility Bowl rivalry alive, they need to win the Northeast division. So far the Lake Monsters had been failing, with a disappointing 3-1 record and in third place after four games. In week five, they played at the Syracuse Mohawks to keep their dreams alive. A guy names Amos Collins scored two touchdowns as the Lake Monsters did a huge redecoration of the 'hawks stadium. With 511 total yards on offense, the so-called good defense from the Mohawks was humiliated. With a 35-21 score, the Lake Monsters even looked disappointed as they weren't allowed to run up the score by the head coach. But as the North Plainfield Plague and Boston Rhinos posted wins over the Southeast's top two teams (Orlando Knights and Conyers Condors respectively), the 4-1 Lake Monsters still sit in third place and at the second wild card ticket spot. The Vicksburg Vipers are just 1/2 a game away at 3-1. A Merchantmen win next week could sweeten their playoff hopes, but no such luck. Rochester Lake Monsters General Manager Kodos was quoted saying: "[Maassluis] can win the next Futility Bowl and we'll take the playoff spot with a big thank you sir!" Maassluis Merchantmen General Manager M.IJ.B. explains the words: "Right now we're rooting for Futility Bowl VIII to take place in the 2010 season. In the current standings, it would mean both teams will reach the AOC Championship game. Kodos is so generous to already tell us they'll give that game away and let us secure our first IHOF Bowl berth in our own Oranje Haven." |
Gossip News: Merchantmen Replacing Flannery?
The Maassluis Merchantmen are 2-2 and a top the European Division. But they could have been 4-0 and three losses less away from the competition. Quarterback Louie Flannery has been living up to his infamous image and threw 11 interceptions in 4 games. But Gossip News has the latetst news from Oranje Haven: Flannery is going to be replaced. What? Right now? Yes, it looks like it. In the past two weeks of training and preperation for the game against the Vicksburg Vipers, the Merchantmen were caught training new passing schemes as Gossip News correspondent I. K. Zegmaarwat reports. Josh Webb and Thad Pilkington were getting a lot of snaps today. Yesterday Justin McDavid was seen working out with the first string offense. Flannery was just talking and talking with head coach Leroy Van Der Woude. The signs are there, the marriage with Flannery could be over. It wouldn't be the first time though. Fans still remember how Leonard Lyon was shoved aside and shipped off to the Springfield Isotopes. When Lyon's new team visited Maassluis in 2008, he had a career game and destroyed the dutch playoff hopes, if not for the miracle escape a week later. Last season, Lyon gave his new team, the Williamsburg Colonials great hints on how to beat the sailors and the Colonials really destroyed the Merchantmen's playoff hopes. With the Vicksburg Vipers as the next opponent, it seems the Merchantmen are looking for different ways to play football. With a Thad or Webb, the Merchantmen can try to play more ball control, run oriented football. It's best to keep a Ronnie Kemp off the field and keep the score close so the Vipers will keep running. Charles Gomez is eager for his first meeting with Kemp and has looked ready for him. The entire defense has soemthing to set righ after Kemp's 182 yards outingin 2007, despite the Cinderellar story season the Merchantmen had. The Merchantmen defense has been high on turnovers with a league best 2.5 per game, but the overall turnover margin is still negative. Take out Flannery's 11 interceptions and the team is +2.5 per game. Justin McDavid is know for his fumbles, thus either Webb or Thad is likely to get the nod. Only time will tell, but Gossip News never lets you down, does it? |
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Yes. That is definitely what we meant. Don't make us hand you another nasty playoff setback. We'll do it! |
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But really, I think it would make for an awesome AOC Championship game. I'd love to see my team get back there at some point. Rochester as our opponents would be really fun and would help the rest of the league respect the two teams even more. |
We have earned no respect. We have done nothing of consequence. We're almost as futile as Syracuse!
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That's why we're only almost as futile as Syracuse. ;)
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Merchantmen Beat Vipers, Lose Flannery
The ship is sailing again. Following a bye week, the Maassluis Merchantmen recorded their third win of the season over the Vicksburg Vipers. The game was in the pocket after the third quarter. The final score of 21-13 was representative of the on-field strenghts. Quarterback Louie Flannery left the game with a calf injury, but Thad Pilkington did very well in relief. Happy faces all over in Maassluis. The Merchantmen anticipated for a strong running game From Ronnie Kemp and addapted well to it. After forcing the Vipers to three and out, the offense got going and quickly marched to the 7-0 lead. The Vipers never got back into the game again. With two field goals in the first half, they thought they were back in it, but two more touchdown passes by Thad Pilkington secure the victory. Thad Pilkington. In his third season in Maassluis he finally looked like a game saver when coming on the field. Thad completed 9 of 14 passes for 83 yards, not the best numbers imaginable, but they counted with two touchdowns. Head Coach Leroy Van Der Woude was happy: "It's good to see Thad do well. Some people were afraid we'd be done if Flannery would ever go down, but Thad proved he can still play ball." Defensive tackle Charles Gomez was probably the happiest Merchantmen player. "We got him!" Gomez screamed on the first play of the game. Ronnie Kemp looked ready to burst through the Merchantmen defense, however, Gomez and Cody Cluff stopped Kemp for a three-yard gain. Gomez missed the previous meeting between the Vipers and Merchantmen, when Kemp ran for 182 yards. In the re-match, Kemp was held to 60 yards, only once running for a first down. The Merchantmen defense focussed on stopping the run and decided to play cautious on pass defense. It worked out well as, despite just one play broken by the pass rush, the secondary and linebackers deflected 11 passes and intercepted another. Especially cornerback Tai Wayne was praised as he defended four passes and didn't allow a single catch. The injury to Louie Flannery tempered the enjoyment of the win a bit, but first medical examinations say that Flannery should be sidelined for just three games. Diagnosis: strained calf muscle and not fully recovered until begin November. Flannery said: "I have faith the team can survive without me. They did it before, you know. Thad is an experience quarterback who make this offense work." The Merchantmen are 1-1 all time without Flannery and 8-24 before he joined the team. |
General Manager Notes: Woohoo, Three And Two.
Run Ronnie run, but not against us! News of the day: One - Joseph Schoen out ran Ronnie Kemp. Two - We won without a pass rush. Three - Thad replaced Flan' and will be asked to do so a bit more. Four - The Bordeaux Vineyards lost 20-17 on a last second field goal. Five - The Paris Musketeers defended their home 23-17 to the Gothenburg Giants. Six - We still lead the division! A good game, very good when looking from the defensive point of view. Stopping Kemp was one thing, not turning the ball over was another. We managed both and went on to beat the Vicksburg Vipers. An important victory as they are not just a good team, they are potential rivals for the wild cards. At least right now we still hold the top spot in the division and next week we can expand the lead while Paris and Gothenburg are on their byes. Standings: 3-2 Maassluis 3-3 Paris 2-4 Gothenburg 1-4 Bordeaux While the Vineyards are losing week after week by a field goal, they're still looking like a dangerous opponent in our division. A road game for them at the San Antonio Volunteers could set them back, but we've seen the Vols in our house and we should know that Bordeaux could be able to upset them. It means we have to continue with what we're doing so far: play good defense and hope we can win. Our next opponent is the Fort Worth Fury, who played last minute field goal games the past three weeks against our European rivals. Outside of the European division, the AOC conference isn't looking so strong as it usually does. The AOC Northeast has all teams at .500 or better, but of all the other divisions only the Volunteers have more than 3 wins. Face it: right now we are arguably the fifth best team in the division at 3-2. In the NAC all eyes are on the Mid-Atlantic, where the Chesapeake Chitterlings (5-0), IHOF champions Frederick Red Menace (5-1) and WIlliamsburg Colonials (4-2) are setting up for their second season in a row of sweeping the wild cards. Player of the year race. Oh yeah, we played so well, I almost forgot about my own player of the race rankings. The nominees today: * Thad Pilkington, who completed 9 of 14 passes for 83 yards and 2 scores. * Louie Flannery, who completed 16 of 19 passes for 149 yards and 1 score. * Joseph Schoen, who ran for 70 yards and added 25 yards and a score on 2 receptions. * Jamel Rosenberry, who had 8 catches for 72 yards and 1 score. * Bryce Ewald, who made 7 catches for 51 yards and 1 score. * Tai Wayne, who defended 4 passes, allowed 0 catches and made 3 assists. * Cody Cluff, who made 11 tackles, 4 assists, 1 interception and 1 defended pass. * Tommie Canon, who defended 2 passes, allowed 2 catches, made 5 tackles and 1 assist. * Charles Gomez, who defended 1 pass, had 1 pass hurried, made 4 tackles and 1 assist. The points this week are going to Thad Pilkington (1 point) for his excellent relief duties, to Louie Flannery (2) for his excellent play in just half a game, Joseph Schoen (3) for out-running Ronnie Kemp, Cody Cluff (4) for tackling and tackling and tackling, and Tai Wayne (5) for his role in shutting down the passing game. Players and points: Cody Cluff (10), Charles Gomez (10 points), Tommie Canon (7), Tai Wayne (6), Cary Coles (4), Lincoln Gilmore (4), Randy Harris (3), Joseph Schoen (3), Jewell Simpson (3), Louie Flannery (2), Broderick Schultz (2), Timothy Lacy (1), Thad Pilkington (1) and Andrew Rasmussen (1). |
Go Thad!
His career passer rating is 73.5. His career record is 24-28. And he hasn't started a game in almost three years. The North Plainfield Plague never started him. The Asheville Axemen traded him away. But today it's his day. The Maassluis Merchantmen management confirmed that Thad Pilkington will see his first start in orange, white and blue. "It's a bummer for Louie, but it feels good to be back," Thad said, "I'm nervous like a girl scout going out to sell chocolate chip cookies for te first time." But it's unnecessary, Thad played last week in relief of Flannery. A 119.9 quarterback rating later, Thad had guided the Merchantmen to two touchdown drives in the 21-13 win. Both scores came from his arm. There's nothing to worry about. Justin McDavid and Josh Webb were both a bit disappointed by the decission, but decided to support Thad. Recently, Josh Webb had been touted as the future number two, but despite decent pre-season play, the second-year pro will be sitting the game out. McDavid started the only two previous games where Louie Flannery was unable to start. Back then, Thad was already playing 'ball in Maassluis, but McDavid was the popular choice and guided the Merchantmen to a win over the Asheville Axemen, Thad's former team. "That hurt, but I'm all over it." Thad gets a chance to show he's still a startable quarterback. "I heard the team got a lot of attention for trades this off-season. It flattered me, but it flattered me even more to hear the management sees me as the unquestionable number two behind Flannery. Sure, I can win games like Flan', but the guy already surpassed me in wins, by far." But that doesn't mean Thad won't try to stir up the controversy. Flannery had been throwing 11 interceptions in the first four games. The management, coaching staff and the fans were clearly not happy. And with Flan' hurt, Thad is quietly hoping he can stir up the discussion with last week's play and good play the upcoming games. And to be honest, what team doesn't want two quarterbacks who can guide teams to victory? |
Merchantmen Fall Back To .500
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back to .500. Following a 21-14 loss at the Fort Worth Fury, the Merchantmen are facing a 3-3 record. Incredibly it's still good enough to sit a top the Eruopean Division on head to head record over the Paris Musketeers. The Merchantmen played without quarterback Louie Flannery and eventually blamed the loss on the turnover battle. But that doesn't do justice to the Fury, who just played some fine football. "Thad played well." said Merchantmen head coach Leroy Van Der Woude. Thad Pilkington completed 20 of 34 passes for 178 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Fine numbers, but that pretty much ignores the fact that most of his yardage came on the last drive of the game which cut the Fury's lead in half. Thad struggled early in the game and guided his offense to two good drives in the second half of the game. On the other end, the defense failed to stop the Fury. The defense didn't play bad, but wasn't the game winning unit the fans are used to see. Cody Cluff, Charles Gomez and Lincoln Gilmore played like the usual solid backbone, but the rest of the unit failed to provide the required support. Still, with 3.9 yards per carry, 6.1 yards per pass attempt, a completion percentage of .502, 11 turnovers, a .392 third down conversion percentage and 4.3 points per red zone visit, the Merchantmen defense ranks in the league's top ten in a lot of categories. "With 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing, you don't win more than half your games," Justin McDavid said. "We've got a good team, the management invested in the offense by acquiring players like Jewell Simpson, Ned Cozart, Joseph Schoen, do I need to say more? This could be the season to go all the way, but we can't allow to lose games like we've done so far this season." Upcoming is the second game of the season against the Paris Musketeers. It's needless to say that the Merchantmen will miss Louie Flannery once again and saw three off-season additions get injured. Cornerback Tommie Canon, defensive tackle Frank Bernard and linebacker Nicholas Seymour all joined the list of injured players. A win would secure tie-breakers over the Musketeers, who currently seem to be the leading contender for the Merchantmen for the division title. A premature division title final or will both teams fall back in November and December? |
General Manager Notes: Still On Top, But Just Barely
Paris, we're wating for ya! Ugh, another loss, but this time it wasn't as close as the scores makes you think it was. In a game where we could have slain a bigger gap with the Paris Musketeers, we choked. With the Paris Muskteers and Gothenburg Giants on their byes, neither got a chance to gain terrain and lucky for us, the Bordeaux Vineyards have lost another game. Although this time it wasn't a nailbiter, they were with their backs against the wall following 21 unanswered points by the San Antonio Volunteers early in the second quarter. Standings: 3-3 Maassluis (1-0 head-to-head) 3-3 Paris (0-1 head-to-head) 2-4 Gothenburg 1-5 Bordeaux Next up is a round of games where the division can see one team walk away a bit. The Gothenburg Giants are facing the San Antonio Volunteers in their own Palace of Ice and Frost. So far, the Vols are playing winning football and have gone unbeaten in their first seven games. The Bordeaux Vineyards are hosting the winless Telluride Outlaws and should be expected to win for the second time this season. And in the meanwhile, the Maassluis Merchantmen and Paris Musketeers will fight for the division lead in Oranje Haven. The rest of the Atlantic Ocean Conference shows two competitive divisions and one division where the cards already look shuffled. In the Northeast all teams have a winning record, with the 6-0 North Plainfield Plague have two losses less than the rest. In the Southeast all teams have a 3-4 record. All but one, because the Georgia Gridlock are 4-3. And in the Deep South, the San Antonio Volunteers have ran away already, at 7-0 being far away from the 4-2 Vicksburg Vipers. The North American Conference has all faces looking away from the Mid-West division. The Minnesota Miners are two wins clear from the Ann Arbor Anachronism and have three losses less than the rest. Of course, the Miners are only 3-3 and have only the eight best record in the conference (just like us). Especially the Mid-Atlantic is turning into a three-horst race between the Frederick Red Menace (6-1), Chesapeake Chitterlings (5-1) and Williamsburg Colonials (5-2). The Miami Sharks lead the Atlantic Coast Division, while the Fairbanks NorthStars are running away with the West Division in a traditional 7-0 fashion. Player of the year race. Three players tried to escape the missery and I'll credit them accordingly. Bernie Surry, Charles Gomez and Jamel Rosenberry sucked a little bit less than the rest of the team. Overall standings: Charles Gomez (12 points), Cody Cluff (10), Tommie Canon (7), Tai Wayne (6), Cary Coles (4), Lincoln Gilmore (4), Randy Harris (3), Joseph Schoen (3), Jewell Simpson (3), Bernie Surry (3), Louie Flannery (2), Broderick Schultz (2), Timothy Lacy (1), Thad Pilkington (1), Andrew Rasmussen (1) and Jamel Rosenberry (1). |
General Manager Notes: Planning Against Paris...
What shall we do with the drunken sailor early in the morning? It's that time of year again: we're 3-3 and the game plan is up for discussion. This season we used three different game plans and there's a case more any to use. Against the Paris Musketeers, you'd think we should play like we did at their house, but I'm afraid Thad Pilkington can't handle it. And I'm also interested to see what one of our special game plans can do against pass happy Paris. What are our game plans? The standard game plan is our normal game plan. On offense we're balanced and try to surprise teams with some trick plays here and there. To use Flannery's strenght, he's allowed to make deep throws from time to time. On defense we play a basic zone-two defense with the main idea having the front seven stop the run and rush the passer, while we rely on the secondary in the pass defense. We play a lot of nickel and dime formations. With this game plan we beat Paris this season, beat San Luis Obispo and lost barnburners against Rochester and San Antonio. 2-2, but not a shabby success so far. The Run Defense Geared Game Plan was designed for the game against the run-oriented Vicksburg Vipers to stop former IHOF MVP Ronnie Kemp. We have the personel on defense to gamble a bit and it worked out. We saw Flannery go out injured, but see Thad Pilkington do well in Flan's absence. Last week Thad was in full control with a special short passing game plan which is better for Thad and #3 Josh Webb. But we lost with it. So now I'm puzzled with these three options. Thad struggled a bit with his personal game plan and I'm tempted to abandon it for the all-important game against the Parisians. I think the standard game plan should work, or at least on defense. We played great ball with it, but I'm not fully convinced Thad can run it, we never saw him handle that offense. Well, sort of he did, in the game against Vicksburg, but the defense played a different game there. We can play that against the Musketeers since Joe Boulware is traditionally good against us. Five 100-yard games make him the second guy to have multiple centuries against us. Long time retired Jerry McGee did it twice for the Gothenburg Giants. With the players we have, I know I can shift a bit on the defensive line to add run stopper Andy Weliczka to the starters and bench a pass rusher guy like Aaron Sherrill. I still have the possibility to shuffle with the secodary to make sure the Musketeers won't take advantage of our weakside linebacker or nickelback. I'm actually tempted to rush Albert Boggess into action, who's listed as probable, following his high ankel sprain. But I know we need him down the road and can't risk a more serious injury with Mike Kershner already on injured reserve. I'm torn and about to send the players onto the field with a different strategy from what I had us set up to do... Don't you just love second guessing? |
just tremendously...thrilled, relieved, happy, whatever (lol) to have AT LAST defeated the Merchantmen in their backyards and taken the lead in the Euro division.
:-))) |
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Editor's Note
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Unless I get into a writing rush in the next 24 hours, I'll delay updates until February 27th, when I'm back from a 10-day vacation in Austria. Coming up by then: * Recap of the Paris Musketeers home game * A historical game at the Telluride Outlaws * Back-to-back crucial games against Bordeaux and Gothenburg * And more! |
General Manager Notes: I'm back!
Okay, the skiing vacation was nice and all, but I have a dynasty report to update. Thanks to George W Bush for filling in, the team kept rolling in my absence. I'll be quick in looking back to the things going on the past weeks. Last update the Merchantmen were still leading the division and going into a crucial game with the Paris Musketeers to extend the lead to basically two wins. Week 8 - lost 16-14 to Paris Despite missing Louie Flannery due to injury, the game was in our hands and we bascially had the division in our hands too. Then, with Paris needing a touchdown to win the game, they went for it. A 74-yard touchdown pass later, the Musketeers took the lead and won the most crucial game of the season so far. Paris 4-3, Maassluis 3-4, Bordeaux 2-5, Gothenburg 2-5. Week 9 - lost 20-0 at Telluride Outlaws Just aweful. For the first time ever we were shutout and it happened on the road to a winless team! The biggest story of the game was Josh Webb. Or Louie Flannery maybe. Flannery had completed 21 of 25 passes going into the second half. We were trailing 7-0, but it was a matter of time to explode and take the win. No such luck, I had decided to instruct the head coach to pull Flannery midway the game, to have him not aggrevate his injury and me expeting kid Josh Webb able to play the Thad Pilkington game plan (Thad got hurt against Paris and sat out the game). No such luck, Webb was disastrous and the game turned out that way too. Paris 5-3, Bordeaux 3-5, Maassluis 3-5, Gothenburg 2-6 Week 10 - lost 21-3 against Bordeaux The game of the gamble. Bordeaux' Billy 'Bam Bam' Jamerson had run for 150+ yards in the previous two games. I had two options: gamble on stopping the run and hoping our secondary with give Joe Johnson and receivers a tough game as usual. Or go with our normal defensive game plan. I expected Bordeaux to pass and went for that. The Bordeaux GM admitted that he planned on passing, but his head coach didn't hear him and decided to let Jamerson run. And he did. 160 yards later, it was Bam Bam's first 100-er against us, the first by anyone against us all season. Flannery added enough interceptions to lose the game, including one on second and goal when we were trailing 7-0. Score there and we probably win the game. Oh well... Paris 6-3, Bordeaux 4-5, Maassluis 3-6, Gothenburg 2-7 Week 11 - 31-10 win at Gothenburg Louie Flannery set something right. With a four-toudown performance he led the offense to 365 total yards. Joseph Schoen (60 yards) and Randy Harris (76 yards) turned out to be a perfect running back tandem, with Schoen adding two of the touchdowns with catches. The defense gave rookie Ben Randolph a tough day at quarterback, keeping him to 12 of 32 passes completed, with 3 interceptions. A Bordeaux victory of 20-17 against Paris also helped to keep the division title in touch. Paris 6-4, Bordeaux 5-5, Maassluis 4-6, Gothenburg 2-8 Week 12 - 14-10 loss at Anaheim How to choke a 10-0 lead. No, the defense wasn't the fault, they did a tremendous job holding the highly touted Anaheim Visigoths offense to 259 yards. The Visigoths field the leading rusher in Gerald Harris (we held him to 54 yards, 2.4 per carry) and breakout player of the year in quarterback Shawn 'Jahr' Jahr. With a 398 yards outing on offense, you think we win this game. Wrong. Another Flannery interception in the end zone kept the score close, Randy Harris lost two fumbles in Anaheim territory and we allowed a 74-yard punt return to give the Visigoths a four-point lead, us thus needing a touchdown and needing to go for it in Visigoths' territory. And of course the French all won. Paris 7-4, Bordeaux 6-5, Maassluis 4-7, Gothenburg 2-9 Week 13 - 20-15 loss at Georgia If you think the week 145 loss was bad, this one might even beat it. As Louie Flannery passed for 294 yards, the offense racked up 426 yards. And as the defense kept the Georgia Gridlock to 290 yards, there's no way you lose this game. Well, we found a way. If it wasn't for a Tai Wayne fumble return touchdown, we wouldn't even have been within a score. We had a 15-14 lead going into the closing minutes, but for once the defense broke down and allowed a touchdown. Flannery had to go for it and as usual failed at that. Add a fumble on the Georgia 8-yard line and you can see where we lost the game. Despite the rest of Europe also losing, the division title is now out of the question. Standings 7-5 Paris 6-6 Bordeaux 4-8 Maassluis 2-10 Gothenburg What now? Well, it's easy, the wild card in the Atlantic Ocean Conference will go to teams with a winning record, that's already a fact. What remains is the division title and we know it will require a miracle. Why? Well, because we need a four-game winning streak. We also need Paris to win one game at most, which would immediately gives us the tie-breakers over them. Bordeaux is the bigger threat, as they are also allowed to win one game at most. Unless the Vineyards win their two games outside of Europe. In that case, strenght of victory will determine the tie-breakers. In that scenario, our win over Vicksburg (7-5) versus Bordeaux' win over Telluride (2-10) will be decission makers, not to mention that we still have to beat Fairbanks (9-3), while Bordeaux has to beat Anaheim (6-6). All in all, we need a miracle once again. If Bordeaux and Paris both win next week, the season isn't over, but it'll be very close. Week 14 schedule Maassluis at Fairbanks (9-3) - Sure, the are on a slump following a 7-0 start, but we're not in a position to think we're better as we've gone 1-6 recently, with the only win coming against a 2-10 team. The NorthStars are traditionally strong and just say their quarterback come of a offensive player of the week performance. Paris versus Anaheim (6-6) - The Visigoths are coming off a 35-14 loss following a four-game winning streak, the longest in franchise history. The 'goths are not a team to underestimate and the Paris Musketeers traditionally are losers in final month of the season. Bordeaux versus Boulder (8-4) - The Blizzard have been fighting against injuries, but a recent winning streak has kept them in the division title race with Fairbanks. The winning streak includes a 13-10 win over the IHOF champions last week, so it's clear they arew no cupcakes. Gothenburg at San Luis Obispo (3-9) - Okay, forget this game, neither team is in the playoff race anymore after last season being the best ever for both franchises. The 2011 off-season goggles have been put on already. Bottom line, we're gonna need a miracle like in the 2008 season to finish as disivion winners. We'll hope for it, but given how we've given games away, the strongest Merchantmen team ever (we're arguably the best defense this season), is very likely to have the single worst season win-loss-wise... |
Gregory Monti and How Knee Injuries Destroy Careers
Gregory Monti, wide receiver for the Maassluis Merchantmen for the past six and a half years. But not this football season. Monti has been on injured reserve since the end of pre-season and chances are slim he'll ever play a game for the Merchantmen again. A torn MCL in his knee in late 2004 limited his ability. The Merchantmen showed faith in Monti, kept the man around, but a torn knee ligament might have destroyed his career forever. How one of the most talented wide receivers in the world can see his career destroyed. February 2004. A new american football league was announced. 22-year old Gregory Monti liked the plans and signed up for the allocation draft. Monti was back then regard as one of the hottest wide receivers in potential. Eventually the Maassluis Merchantmen selected Monti in the eight round, 234th overall. Monti was part of a great group of receivers. Frederic Vargas, Raul Marshall, Bryce Ewald and Amos Collins were his partners. After training camp, the Merchantmen tagged Monti as their leading receiver. Bryce Ewald was tagged as the #2, while Amos Collins was traded to the Rochester Lake Monsters. Monti statrted in 13 games, making 31 catches for 491 yards and 3 touchdowns. In a game against the Syracuse Mohawks, the alarm bells started ringing. Early in the game, Monti got hurt on a play were he wasn't even involved in the action. Diagnosis: MCL damage to his knee. Experts feared the worst. Training camp for the 2005. Monti reported for duty and early signs were clear. Monti had lost some agility and speed, but still had the hands of a world class receiver. Once again Monti was tagged starter and future IHOF Bowl ringers Fredric Vargas and Raul Marshall were traded. Monti played in all 16 games of the 2005 season and set new personal highs in receptions (40) and yards (503). In the following season, Monti had trouble with his knees more often than not. Six times Monti got hurt in the 2005-2009 period, but never too serious. Still, out of precaution, Monti was benched or even inactivated, meaning Monti never started 16 games in a single season. Replacements were hired over time, but David Henkel, Jerry Beyer and Jesse Vielma all failed to write Monti off. In the 2010 off-season, the Merchantmen went overboard. In a surprise move, the Merchantmen traded their 2011 draft pick to acquire the Springfield Isotopes' Jewell Simpson. Monti feared the worst after having played only 9 games in the 2009 season. Monti worked his butt off. His pre-season production wasn't bad, but he worked hard as a receiver and blocker. And then, faith once again didn't like Monti. On a running play, Monti once again injured his knee. Diagnosis: Torn lateral knee ligament. The Merchantmen placed Monti on injured reserve, fearing the worst and not wanting Monti to rush his rehabilitation. It's December 2010 now and the scars of Monti's second big injury are showing. He's not back to 100% yet, but it's already clear that Monti's speed and agility once again took a serious drop. He's still got great hands, but his knee is wasted and his career might be over. 2011 is looming. Monti has a leader role on the team, admired by his former buddy on the starting lineup in Bryce Ewald, but it'll probably won't be enough. The Merchantmen have shown loyalty to their past starts and potential stars. But things are changing fast. Justin McDavid is still around, but Harold Hurtado and Albert Bernardo were kicked off the team without mercy. Monti's career as football player looks done. Only a miracle will continue his career. If he doesn't already decide to retire. |
Merchantmen Player of the Year Race
Without going into detail about the points scores for the past games, the new player of the year race standings are: 1. Cody Cluff (18 points), 2. Charles Gomez (14) and Tommie Canon (14), 4. Louie Flannery (10), 5. Lincoln Gilmore (7), 6. Ivan Jacques (6), Joseph Schoen (6) and Tai Wayne (6), 9. Randy Harris (5), 10. Cary Coles (4), 11. Jewell Simpson (3) and Bernie Surry (3), 13. Jamel Rosenberry (2), Broderick Schultz (2) and Butch White (2) 16. Timothy Lacy (1), Thad Pilkington (1), Andrew Rasmussen (1) and Aaron Sherrill (1). |
Merchantmen Playoff Hopes Come To An End
The long wait for the 2011 season starts today. Following the 28-25 loss at the Fairbanks NorthStars, the Merchantmen playoff hopes are over. At 4-9, the Merchantmen are out of touch with the 8-5 Paris Musketeers. The upcoming two games, the team will likely miss Louie Flannery as he strained a triceps muscle in a catch up attepmt that came short. Flannery passed for 351 yards and 3 touchdowns, but still got the critics from the management over him for his third consecutive game with two interceptions. "It's hard to blame Louie," head coach Leroy Van Der Woude said, "but that interception return touchdown at the end of the second quarter was a bad play. i should have called for the knee drop and hope for the best." With 33 seconds left in the first half, trailing 21-7, the Merchantmen decided to take a last shot at scoring. On third and seven, Flannery tried a short pass with 14 seconds left. 8 seconds later, the NorthStars had extended their lead to 21 points with an interceptions return by Rodney Woods. In the second half, the Merchantmen defense held ground and didn't allow a single point. Helped by a missed long field goal following an interception in Merchantmen territory, nevertheless, but they held ground and gave Flannery the time to set his interception early in the game right. Flannery went all out and completed 72 percent of his passes for a big performance and an almost succeeded fourth quarter comeback. A late touchdown and onside kickoff came short to give the Merchantmen a serious shot at scoring though. Stat of the game were probably the two 100-yard receivers for the Merchantmen. Since the start of the season it had been Jewell Simpson, the new deep threat receiver, and Jamal Rosenberry, fifth in the IHOF in receptions, to be the main targets for Flannery. Against the NorthStars two other players stepped up and gave the team its first 100-yard duo. Bryce Ewald (106 yards) and Jim Reiser (105 yards) made it happen. With Flannery hurt, the upcoming two home games against the Gothenburg Giants and Boulder Blizzard could see the Merchantmen look to Thad Pilkington again. So far Pilkington got two and a half game this season in charge, but didn't guide the Merchantmen to a lot of success. However, it seems unlikely the management will give Josh Webb another shot after the shutout debacle at the Telluride Outlaws, or Justin McDavid, who hasn't been showing flashes of his former self all season long. |
General Manager Notes: What Will 2011 Bring?
See ya all back next season. No wait, not just yet, we've got three games to go! The loss to the Fairbanks NorthStars was heart breaking, in my tainted eyes and I'm torn between praising Louie Flannery's 351 yards and 3 touchdowns, or blaming his 2 interceptions, including one returned for the game winning touchdown. The defense was horrible in the first half, but in the second half they did a tremendous job. Maybe I'm biased, but I still think this is the best team we ever fielded, despite already having clinched the worst season since the 1-15 campaign six years ago. European Standings 8-5 Paris 6-7 Bordeaux 4-9 Maassluis 2-11 Gothenburg Around the continent, the Paris Musketeers' fans are getting ready for a party. Upcoming is a home game against the Bordeaux Vineyards, where a win, or even a tie, will clinch their first winning season and the division title. It would make for a unique moment in the history of te International House of Football, as the European Division would be the first to have all four teams win the division at least onces. Even more interesting, all four would be at least once in the past five seasons. Only the Merchantmen jump out in that time span with two wins. Of course, Bordeaux still ranks the all-time table with three division titles and could be back in the race with a victory at their archrivals. In Oranje Haven, the fans should get ready for a meaningless game. The Gothenburg Ginats are coming to Maassluis and a couple of key players for us are having some injury problems. Most notable is Louie Flannery, with a sore triceps muscle, but others include Jewell Simpson (broken nose), Winford Endicott (thumb), Lincoln Gilmore (knee), Myron Stevens (knee) and Louis Bell (hamstring). And of course 'Mickey' Kershner is still out with knee damage. Our list is apparently nothing compared to Gothenburg's injury list, who have four players in injured reserve following knee surgery, including defensive starters Hubert Cox, Lloyd Pedersen and Eloy Broughton. Defensive stars like cornerback Harley Gowan, defensive tackle Chris Nagel and linebackers Steven Marshall and Andrew McDaniel are unlikely to play either. If Thad Pilkington can't beat that defense, I'll write him off as our number two quarterback. No kidding! In the USA, things are interesting as well. The San Antonio Volunteers (remember our nightmare 15-10 loss to them?) are a tie to their divisional nemisis Vicksburg Vipers away from clinching the division. But at 11-2, they have more to play for, like home field advantage throughout the playoffs in their defense of the Atlantic Ocean Conference title. Their competition for that consists of two teams, the North Plainfield Plague (no shock) and the Rochester Lake Monsters! Yes, the Futility Bowl VII winners are 11-2 and in fact leading the IHOF's strongest division. The winner of the Southeast Division will probably end up as fourth seed for the playoffs, with the Georgia Gridlock, Orlando Knights ans Conyers Condors all having a serious shot at it. Over at the North American Conference, the Fairbanks NorthStars are a win over the Boulder Blizzard away from regaining their division title. Their 2009 campaign was a disaster, missing the division title for the first time ever, and following their 2008 championship, but they are on pace to reclaim their dominance. Looking around, our showing against the NorthStars was pretty good compared to their other games, but a loss is a loss. The NorthStars are back at it and aiming for becoming the first IHOF team with three league titles. The reiging IHOF champions the Frederick Red Menace have their traditional battle with the Chesapeake Chitterlings for the division title. At 10-3 each, their week 17 clash could be the most important game of the season, being most likely the difference between a bye or playing on the road in the wild card round. Also, the Outer Banks Ospreys go into Miami to clinch the division if they beat the Sharks, while the Ann Arbor Anachronism clinch their division with a win and a Minnesota Miners loss. Oh crap, I almost forgot about the player of the year race. In this down season, it's not so motivating to figure out who played well despite our losses. I decided that Jim Reiser (7 catches, 105 yards, 1 touchdown), Cornelius Rice (5 key run blocks) and Louie Flannery deserved the kudos. Standings: 1. Cody Cluff with 18 points, 2. Charles Gomez and Tommie Canon 14, 4. Louie Flannery 11, 5. Lincoln Gilmore 7, 6. Ivan Jacques, Joseph Schoen and Tai Wayne 6, 9. Randy Harris 5, 10. Cary Coles 4, 11. Jim Reiser, Jewell Simpson and Bernie Surry 3, 14. Cornelius Rice, Jamel Rosenberry, Broderick Schultz and Butch White 2, 18. Timothy Lacy, Thad Pilkington, Andrew Rasmussen and Aaron Sherrill 1. Okay, see you back in 2011. But not until the 2010 season is officially over. Three games left and I desperately want to make sure the Sprignfield Isotopes, who have our first round pick following the Jewell Simpson trade, will end up with a pick not in the top ten. I think I owe that to the rest of the league... |
Merchantmen Lose Again Without Flannery
Heads up for Louie Flannery. In his third game inactive, the Maassluis Merchantmen lost for the third time without him. After a defensive game, the Gothenburg Giants left Oranje Haven victorious. With a 9-3 score, it marked their second win on Dutch soil, the previous one coming in week 1 of the 2005 season. Running back Joseph Schoen, left tackle Ivan Jacques and linebacker Albert Boggess left the gake with knee injuries. "Everybody is already thinking about 2011," said head coach Leroy Van Der Woude said "it's sad, as we got two games left to defend our pride. A home game against a playoff bound team and a road game at a division rivals. Under normal circumstances, these would be great games to brush up the pride and make a 6-10 finish, rather than a 4-12 finish in a complete disaster season." Quarterback Thad Pilkington was given the key to the Merchantmen offense with everybody available to him, but he couldn't get the engine running. Thad had completed only 7 passes (of 16), his second lowest figure in his career as a starter, for 91 yards. With two completed passes for an average of 18.5, Jewell Simpson was the only receiver who played at least up to his normal standards, while Randy Harris got 4.7 yards per carry out of the 11 ball touches he was given. Linebacker Bernie Surry was the defensive 'star' with an interception to keep the Merchantmen hopes alive. With 2 defended passes, 5 tackles and 4 assists, Surry escaped the team's off day. Surry said: "We got to righten the ship now, or face a very long off-season of worrying about missed opportunities. We need to show we're a good football team and make the best out of the last two games." It marked Surry's first interception of the season, while in the first two seasons of his football career he combined for 7 picks. Upcoming is the last home game of the season, against the Boulder Blizzard. At 9-5, the Blizzard are no cupcakes and still alive for a wild card in the North American Conference. The Blizzard struggled through the first half of the season with dozens of injuries, but currently players are one by one returning to the active roster. If things go well, they can go into the playoff with everybody back, aside from the five players placed on injured reserve. With Louie Flannery and several other dinged up starters expected to sit out the game, the Merchantmen fans shouldn't expect an easy victory. |
General Manager Notes: When Is 2011 Going To Start?
Meh... Another loss, and now we're facing a very likely 4-12 finish to the season. I mean, this was supposed to be our best team ever, yet we are closer to the 1-15 campaign than the 7-9 season that made people open their eyes and realize the Merchantmen could be a factor one day. Kudos to the Giants, they'll probably cherrish this win with so many starters out and holding us to a lowsy 3 points. Elsewhere, the Bordeaux Vineyards saw 'Bam Bam' Jamerson run for 152 yards in an all-important 17-7 victory at the Paris Musketeers. The division title race is far from over. European Standings 8-6 Paris 7-7 Bordeaux 4-10 Maassluis 3-11 Gothenburg Paris needs to win out the rest of the way or hope that we will upset Bordeaux in the last weekend. Now, tell me, in this disaster season, would you put a dime on us upsetting the Vineyards and help Paris into their first division title? I wouldn't, and you shouldn't. Things to do next is determining what we'll do in 2011. Retirements are looming all around. Defensive end Erwin Baranowski, cornerback Tommie Canon, linebacker Nicholas Seymour, quarterback Thad Pilkington, center Ned Cozart and cornerback Winford Endicott are my suspects based on their age. From the injury crippled group, I wouldn't be shocked if wide receiver Gregory Monti would chose retirement. And I'm holding my breath for linebacker 'Mickey' Kershner, who's still four months away from being fully recovered. Three contracts are ending after this season, meaning renegotiations will have to start soon. Well, Nicholas Seymour won't be part of it. We signed him during the season to a one-year deal. Center Ned Cozart does qualify, as he's currently playing under the franchise tag rules. Renegotiations will likely see us give him a salary increase of one million dollars and also making him more expensive than the franchise tag in 2011. Guess what? Cozart will be our franchise player in 2011. Unless Ivan Jaqcues turns out to be a problem. Our left tackle and best pass protector in the league at that position is also due free agency. In the coming weeks we'll be working the phones with his agent to make sure he'll be on the Merchantmen for a longer time. The franchise figure is $4.4M dollars for a tackle, but I don't want to upset this key player. He's asking for a five-year deal worth over $38 million dollars. I can't say he's not worth it, but it's probably out of the realm of what we can offer him. I'm going to offer him a slightly lower bucks four-year contract first and hope he'll be pleased with it. Concerning player of the year points, I think the top three were clearly defensive players, even though Randy Harris really played well. The top three of the week are Bernie Surry (1 int, 2 defended passes, 5 tackles, 4 assists), Omar Gougeon (1 fumble forced and recovered, 1 defended pass, 1 tackle, 2 assists) and Andrew Rasmussen (1 sack, 1 blocked pass, 4 tackles, 1 assist) Standings: 1. Cody Cluff with 18 points, 2. Charles Gomez and Tommie Canon 14, 4. Louie Flannery 11, 5. Lincoln Gilmore 7, 6. Bernie Surry, Ivan Jacques, Joseph Schoen and Tai Wayne 6, 10. Randy Harris 5, 11. Cary Coles 4, 12. Jim Reiser and Jewell Simpson 3, 14. Omar Gougeon, Andrew Rasmussen, Cornelius Rice, Jamel Rosenberry, Broderick Schultz and Butch White 2, 20. Timothy Lacy, Thad Pilkington and Aaron Sherrill 1. Please, make this season stop soon... |
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