[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Have Mixed Feelings On Draft
With training camp ended, the Merchantmen management want to let their fans know what the take is on the 2007 rookie class. The Merchantmen eventually traded up and in to get ten selections in the entire draft. We'll run down the names and give an updated on their expected roles for the team in 2007.

WR Jerry Beyer - second round (#35 overall)
Beyer was acquired to be the new deep threat connection for quarterback Louie Flannery. His training camp wasn't impressive at all, but the management still thinks Beyer can be a very good #3 wide receiver. With his punt returning skills, he'll be a nice backup to Matt Offord on special teams. With Monti and Ewald often absent in the past, Beyer will see enough opportunity to start games. With a good pre-season, Beyer might even threaten long time starter Gregory Monti.

DT Shaun Shiroma - second round (#48 overall)
'My' Shiroma didn't impress much in camp and saw Rasmussen reach the same potentials as him. Still, with his experience, Shiroma is one-leg into a starting role over Andy Welizcka and Andrew Rasmussen, next to Charles Gomez. Shiroma will get enough playing time for the enitre season to improve his skills.

RB Tyrell Mahoney - fifth round (#130 overall)
Mahoney looks like a decent running back, but will have to make a splashing pre-season showing to end up on the active roster. With Randy Harris, Jonathan Smith, Cedric Rubio and Kyle Montoya, we have four better runners and only Mahoney's receiving skills give him the edge over Montoya. As of now, Mahoney is out in te open anywhere from #3 runner to being released on 53-men cut day.

FB Harold Preston - fifth round (#131 overall)
Poston is ranked as a steal of the draft by the Merchantmen. Poston looks like a very good receiver type fullback someday and will be the much needed backup for Jamel Rosenberry we lacked in 2006. Poston can run and has the potential to be a run blocker as well someday. He's definately going to be on the active roster for the 2007 season.

OT Norman Holliday - fifth round (#132 overall)
Holliday is still very 'green' and needs time to develop, but if he does, he's good a great future in Maassluis. Holliday will get plenty of playing time in pre-season, but after that he'll be having a hard time to see action behing Ivan Jacques, Harold Hurtado, Cornelius Rice and possible Darrin Olive. That said, Holliday is a lock to make the 53-man regular season roster.

CB Gene Sampson - fifth round (#133 overall)
Sampson didn't impress us in training camp, but the scouting staff still thinks Sampson has great potential. Especially as a run defender, Sampson can be a good starter in the IHOF some day. The management has faith in Sampson, but in 2007 he won't see much action, besides in the pre-season.

K Alvin Ladner - fifth round (#134 overall)
Ladner looks like a good pick and after training camp he looks like a good kicker in potential. Sadly for him, we have Cary Coles as a placekicker and Ladner doesn't look like he'll be the better guy there. And with kickoff specialist Al Bettis also signed, Ladner will only make the 53-men regular season roster if Coles or Bettis gets injured.

DE Aaron Sherrill - sixth round (#164 overall)
Sherrill will be on a good group for the 2007 season. With Wally 'World' Wilcox and Albert Bernardo we have aged veteren ends, while 2006 draft pick Omar Gougeon has great potential. Sherrill will see a lot of pre-season action and after that will be one of the four guys in the rotation.

DT Andrew Rasmussen - sixth round (#165 overall)
Rasmussen had a great training camp. He still lacks the experience to be a full time starter, but his potential looks amazing. Behind Charles Gomez, Rasmussen will be battling with second round pick Shaun Shiroma and 2006 draft pick Andy Weliczka. And in the rotation system, after playing a lot in pre-season, Rasmussen will see a lot of playing time anyway.

LB Terrence Norris - seventh round (#203 overall)
Norris was drafted as a project pick and, as could have been expected, after training camp he's looking like a clear cut post training camp casualty. The team already received a trade offer for Norris and he will either be traded or released before the first pre-season game.