[MIJB#19]

The 19 of 2102 - start of the 2106 off-season
After a bunch of trades, made during the 2102 draft and several in the off-seasons prior, the Maassluis Merchantmen finished that draft with 19 picks. A long list of young men hoping to win a job in the international house of football. Joining the Merchantmen is, usually, one of the best chances to stick around in the league, at least on the same team. But with 18 others from the same class, will those odds still be the same? On the other end of things, the Merchantmen swept through their roster throughout that same pre-season and were in dire need of fresh meat. Hence, incoming the 19 of 2102. Let's see whether tracking down where these kids end up over time will be an interesting side story in the long history of the IHOF?

The list of 19 could arguably be considered to be slightly longer (like 33 names long) after including undrafted rookies. Which is fair, because they're still from the same draft class. So, let's list them by pick and after that in order of signing. In this first installment, we mentioned whether these guys made the 2102 regular season roster or not and mentioned any possible position switches. In this second installment, we'll go over where they are now going into the 2106 off-season and how likely they are to make the regular season roster this time around.

1.24 ILB Tony Burks - switched to SLB in 2103
Burks continues to be a 50/50 linebacker. He's a 55 run defender, 65 zone defender and has 75 play diagnosis, but lacks endurance (25). So, he can play, but isn't 1st round worthy and needs to be outside some formations to make up for his lack of stamina. The LB3 role is his still.

2.6 TE Garrett Alcala
Alcala has landed, coming off a season where he lead the league in receiving touchdowns and received All IHOF Second Team honors. He's scouted at 60/60, being a 85 run blocker, with 65 endurance. He has clearly exceeded the prior "receiving skills are somewhat lacking" assessment. He goes into the off-season as a 75 getting downfield, 60 big-play receiver and 90 third-down receiver, with 40 route running. He exceeded the start of 2104 expectations, proving he can be a 90-catch guy.

2.13 CB Logan Wallace
Wallace has developed into a 55/55 cornerback. He's an elite 95 man-to-man defender, with 90 bump-and-run, 40 interceptions and 50 endurance. His zone defense (35), run defense (0) and play diagnosis (30) make him one of those defenders that needs to be slotted in the right places to be effective. He's a reliable starting cornerback.

2.24 K Oscar Harrington
He's the elite of kicking, scouted at 90/90 overall. His kicking accuracy (95) and kicking power (100) speak for themselves. His kickoff skills have improved enough to think he can win games for the Merchantmen. Although bitter fans might point to his miss last season against the Gothenburg Giants...

2.28 CB Zachary Centers - switched to SS
Centers has retired, making him the only one of the 2102 draft's top two rounds. He played in 5 games as a rookie and was cut mid-pre-season in 2103. He never got a job elsewhere in the league.

3.5 CB Wesley Cabrera
This 40/40 cornerback is still on the team, despite being on the bubble several times. His 30 man-to-man and 25 bump-and-run defense are too little to play as a true CB1 or CB2. His zone defense (55) and interceptions (70) are okay enough to have taken the nickel back role. He's also a decent special teamer (60) and the alternate kickoff returner (60).

3.18 RB Rondell Robertson
This 35/35 running back is mostly known for his 65 punt returning. His running skills are mostly geared towards his 55 breakaway speed and 55 hole recognition, making him a serviceable RB3. His route running (50) and third down receiving (55) support that as well. Last season was only used as a punt returner, which could be his faith in 2106 as well, if he can hold off second-year pro CB Dennis Finlay.

4.3 OT Harold Gruenwalder - switched to LT
Has become a 45/45 left tackle. With 65 pass blocking and 75 blocking strength he is our fine blind side protector, but his 15 run blocking and 30 endurance mean that he's not a complete lineman. Was recently re-signed to stick around for the 2106 and 2017 seasons, with the plan to remain as the starting left tackle.

4.7 G Brett Stickney
He has topped at being scouted at 65/65. With his 65 run blocking, 75 pass blocking, 50 blocking strength and 70 endurance, he's the most talented Merchantmen offensive lineman. But there are still doubt about him being too short, maybe...

4.23 S Daryl Heath - released in pre-season
Currently Heath plays for the Capital City Blues. Our scouts see him as a 40/40 safety with mostly run defense and play diagnosis. The Blues see him as a starter.

5.2 C Lincoln Stonge
Having peaked at 55/55, he dropped back to 45/45 last off-season. His 55 run blocking is too low to be a dependable starting center, but with his cohesion boost, it's unlikely the Merchantmen will find better on the free market or in this draft class. After 2 seasons as a backup, was brought back as a starting guard last season.

5.6 LT Salvador Horton
Horton is out of football. He was released after 8 games of inactivity in the 2102 season and retired in the 2103 off-season.

5.13 DT Mitch Potchynok
Turned into a 40/40 defensive tackle. Spent all of last season inactive. His 70 pass rush technique, 65 play diagnosis and 60 special teams make him a suitable passing downs option. He has no endurance (0) and his 35 run defense also make for that decision.

5.23 G Floyd Graham
Is a 45/45 backup for the Rochester Razorbacks. He was released in the 2103 off-season and Rochester signed him week 1 to make him a starter. He missed the 2105 season after he picked up a very serious groin injury late in the 2104 season.

5.24 OLB Marco Nichols
Is a 30/35 backup with the Iowa Cobbers. Nichols was cut in pre-season 2103 after a full season of inactivity in Maassluis, then was signed and cut for week 1 by the Toronto Lake Monsters and during the 2103 post-season signed a contract in San Antonio, which had been extended in 2104. In 2105 he was picked up by Iowa as a free agent and got his first playing time in the IHOF.

6.5 S Eduardo Cowdrick - switched to CB
Fully developed, Cowdrick has become a 40/40 cornerback. His 55 man-to-man and 50 zone defense are fine, His 70 interceptions make him a reasonable play on passing downs. His 100 endurance could make him a potential all downs player, but his 5 run defense and 40 play diagnosis are lacking for that. He's getting some playing time on defense, mostly in a dime back kind of role, and on the special teams unit.

6.31 TE Raul Milliken - released in pre-season
Milliken has retired after being released after 8 games of inactivity in 2102 by and with the Merchantmen.

7.7 WR Rick Emerson
Is a 30/30 wide receiver, mostly on roster for his 80 special teams ability. With 50 route running and 35 third-down receiving, he's a viable WR5 option.

7.31 CB Steven Van Pelt
He was released by Maassluis after 8 weeks of inactivity in the 2102 season. He kept hoping for a second chance, but it never came and he retired in the 2105 off-season.

undrafted QB Wendell DeMeester - released in pre-season
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted TE Antoine Springer
Failed to make the 2103 team, is out of football.

undrafted TE Tanner Sweeney - released after training camp
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted QB Jay Bates
Failed to make the 2103 team, is out of football.

undrafted RB Rod Eafon - released in pre-season
Failed to make 2102 team, but is still in the league, without having played a single game. In 2102 released in pre-season by Maassluis, signed by Fort Wayne Fury that opost-season. In 2103 signed and released by Rochester Razorbacks in pre-season, then signed by Augusta Greenjackets in post-season. In 2104 played in 15 games for Augusta, but was released on roster cut day 2105. He retired this off-season.

undrafted TE Darnell McKie
Arrived and then had a bit of a drop back in the 2105 off-season. He's now now scouted as a 35/40 tight end. Lacks blocking skills (15/20 run blocking), but besides being a 70 special teamer has proven to be a reliable key downs receiver with his 90 third-down receiving, 65/70 route running and 40 big-play ability. Currently unhappy after a downgrade in playing time last season.

undrafted WR Gage Greer
Kept waiting in the wings to one day become a WR5/special teamer, but in 3 seasons on roster his activity was limited to just 1 game in 2102. In 2105 was released in the off-season and he retired subsequently this off-season.

undrafted C Stan Cloude - released in pre-season
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted OT Carson McCormick - switched to LT
Has grown into a 40/40 left tackle. Has played right tackle at times, but his 75 pass blocking is much better than his 40 run blocking. Lacks blocking strength (0) and endurance (30). Lost his starting role in 2105 and is currently demanding a trade. He's signed for the 2106 season, so unless he starts a hold out, he'll most likely be the backup tackle for the upcoming season.

undrafted ILB Mo Fausel
At 40/40 not really impressive, but as a 90 special teamer is clearly an important member of that part of the team. A 65 punishing hitter, but overall lacks other defensive skills to be considered to play on defense.

undrafted CB Kendall Boone - released in pre-season
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted RB Van Goodwin
As a 40/40 running back has enough to be a RB2. Except that last season he got demoted to a RB3 role. Has 70 breakaway speed, 55 third-down running, but only 40 hole recognition, 0 route running and 30 endurance. Is a 70 special teamer, so still got his share of action on the special teams unit. Is locked up through the 2108 season at a very reasonable salary.

undrafted WR Calvin Hancock
Peaked at 35/35, but last off-season degraded to a 20/20. As a result, after 3 seasons on special teams, was released in the 2105 off-season. He's a free agent going into the 2106 off-season.

undrafted C Gustavo Hartman
Hartman has retired after being released after 8 games of inactivity in 2102 by and with the Merchantmen.


So, out of the long list of 19 drafted and 14 undrafted players, the Merchantmen still have 16 of this class still on team and 4 others are still around in other places or the free agents pool.

For the 2106 season, it's likely that TE Alcala, G Stickney, LT Gruenwalder and CB Wallace will be undisputed starters, while K Harrington could reasonably be lumped into that group. C Stonge will likely start as well. DT Potchynok and LB Burks will likely see playing time on specific downs. RB Robertson, RB Goodwin, TE McKie, WR Emerson, LB Fausel, CB Cabrera and CB Cowdrick will likely stick on the special teams unit. LT McCormick is a suitable backup. But, as always, training camp and pre-season can throw things into a wrinkle.