[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen keep trading
Just a day before the first pre-season games are played, in which the Merchantmen won't be active, the Dutch IHOF team struck two deals to improve the team a bit. Middle linebacker was traded to the Fairbanks Northstars. Tight end Charles Burley and defensive end Ian 'Deranged' Degrange are coming in from the North Plainfield Plague. In these trades the team dealt away the 2009 seventh round pick to the Plague and received Fairbanks' sixth rounder in 2007.

Matt Sellers was going to be a roster limitations casualty after the addition of Carl Meier as the new backup linebacker. In two years with the Merchantmen, Sellers played 30 games, starting one, as the backup to 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year Cody Cluff. Sellers totalled 12 tackles and 3 defended passes in less then 100 defensive plays. The Merchantmen staff wish him goodluck with the Fairbanks Northstars.

Charles Burley is a long time Plague player, yet played only one game in his career there. In a 23-9 victory over the hated Syracuse Mohawks, Burley caught 2 passes for 19 yards. Burley is a fine receiver, yet lacks any talent to be a useful blocker. The Merchantmen management except Burley to be the #2 tight end on passing plays.

Ian 'Deranged' Degrange was North Plainfield's seventh round pick in 2005 and was a big surprise back then. He never played a down as he spent 2005 on injured reserve. His pass rush potential is what makes him a promising addition. Whether he'll be a starter or an inactive player is not clear yet.