[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen expect Fumblin Justin retirement
With Justin McDavid expected out for all of the 2006 season, the Maassluis Merchantmen are clear on the issue. The management and PR department have already created a statement in case McDavid hangs up his jersey and calls it a game after just two season as IHOF quarterback. Good preperation or not, it seems the Merchantmen are expecting it to happen.

Gossip News tried to interview the president of the Fumblin Justin Fan Club, but sadly he was too busy and impossible to contact as of now. We suspect he's setting up festivities as he's also expecting the sort of forced retirement from the popular quarterback.

Gossip on who the one year or longterm replacement will be is yet a mystery. Sources claim that Victor Whyte is an option. Whyte was recently cut by the San Luis Obispo Burn, yet got amazingly picked up by the Bordeaux Vineyards for the playoffs. The Vineyards lost Joe Johnson for the rest of the season and got a go ahead from the league office to acquire Whyte. Still, Whyte will be a free agent and could be an option.

Other rumours spread are the name of Jaime Canter from Chespeake Chitterlings. The Midwest division champions have Ron Lyle sitting ready to take over and Canter's days look counted as soon as he's declining in talent. Getting a first round draft pick for him now from a team outside of the NAC could be interesting.

Other names mentioned are Shane Brewer, who the Merchantmen wanted to sing last year, only to see him end up as Julius Irvine's backup for the Astoria Heroes. Wayne Christopherson from Orlando was also mentioned, as the former "First Knight" is losing his job to rookie Scottie Hanson. With the good relations between the Dutch Bowl teams, it could be serious.

Amazingly, the name of Gene Simmons has not been linked with the Merchantmen. Perhaps they are giving up on him, although they are advertising both Alvin Causey and Russell Malave, which keeps the right guard spot up for grabs for a new guy. As other teams are advertising right guards, the Merchantmen could be jumping in to get one.

The latest rumors on Jerry Aubrey's retirement seem false. Aubrey is still happy with his role in Maassluis, yet league pundits expect the guy to move along. Aubrey seems to be a good option as a starter for one fourth of the teams in the IHOF. Fact is that Leonard Lyon is not hot on Aubrey and has discovered Jim Reiser as a better alternative. And Lyon is the star of the offense now, Aubrey's days are counted.

Last but not least, the Merchantmen management have declared that the team will be looking to get involved in the 2006 IHOF draft. Of course, they lack the draft picks to do so and have no cap room to afford first round selections. Second is the question whether the Merchantmen are seeking upgrades at all, yet as a 7-9 team, they should. The Merchantmen management is known as believers in cohesion, so don't expect much turnover in starters. When they do change, Gossip News will be first to tell you.