[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen have four men for two spots
It's not confirmed, but our correspondents in the world harbor report a much anticipated positional battle between first round pick Butch White and former super guard Alvin Causey. Both players moved to the Merchantmen in a big trade, with Causey brought in for three draft picks in the middle rounds, while White was drafted with a pick acquired for the #15 overall in the upcoming draft. Also in the mix are tackle Russell Malave and new guard Timothy Lacy, both have their eyes on the right guard job.

Last season, Russell Malave played at right guard at the absence of a worthy alternative, until he got injured and Alvin Causey returned from a long recovery at the same time. This offseason, the Merchantmen already acquired Timothy Lacy, a true right guard, who should make Malave the first backup on the tackle positions. That leaves White and Causey fighting it out for the left guard position and both have a point to claim it.

Causey was brought in as a top player at his position. Although recovering from a serious shoulder injury, Causey returned to a respectable level and looked to have been worth the risky trade. The Merchantmen tried to give him a long term contract, yet his demands were far away from what the team wanted to pay for him. With no long term contract signed, Causey is heading for free agency, yet the Merchantmen already announced to use the franchise player tag on him. He's openly shopped around already.

Butch White was drafted in the first round and the Merchantmen gave up a potential number one pick for him. The league called shame on the San Antonio Volunteers to take advantage of the weak Merchantmen, yet the team won more games then expected and White is now rated as having being worth a mid first round pick. White played all 16 games in 2005, yet didn't impress the management. Still, he didn't play like a weak link on a chain which can break any second, he's been not good, but not very bad either.

Russell Malave was a revelating in the eyes of he management. Granted, Malave was the most efficient run blocker of the team, but allowed a little bit too much sacks and his starting job is in serious danger. Now that Causey is back and the team picked up Timothy Lacy, Malave finds himself on the trading block. Sadly for him, it's reported that not a single team showed interest for the young breakout player.

Timothy Lacy is the big mystery to the fans, yet he's having the name of being a very promising run blocker. If there's one thing a right guard should do in Maassluis, it's run blocking and Lacy looks like a better version of Russell Malave. His luck is his experience at the righ guard position. Lacy is familiar with playing on the right side and is already inked in as a starter there, independant on the battle for the left side or trades of either Malave or Causey.

Will it be the White and Lacy combo as the young promising guards option. Will it be Causey and Lacy as the most talented option. Will White and Malave as the 2005 starters keep their jobs. Or will White and Causey step up as the projected starters since the 2005 draft and stay there like in the last two games for 2005? Make your bets now, two of these guys will be starting week one, one of them is expected to be out of Maassluis before training camp starts.