[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: We have a new wide receiver!
He's also a kickoff returner, yay!

Another veteran has joined the Merchantmen this off-season. Wide receiver Malachi Pierson joined us after we agreed terms to a two-year deal. A key factor for wanting to sign him is his kickoff return ability. Long ago he was a touchdown machine for the Outer Banks Ospreys, over here he'll be an option as our WR3 or WR4, depending on where Branden Sandlin (yes, he's still on the team) stands after pre-season.

We missed out on a bunch of undrafted rookies, but two of them did join us. Safety Artie Hall will get a shot to prove us he's good enough to join our secondary. Odds are slim, but never say never for a zone defender. Bruce Nekolny is an interesting defensive end. Very green, but if he develops, he could be the kind of pass rusher we like to have in our rotation. At the very least, the kid has a good motor.

We're going into training camp with 58 players signed.

Hold on, 58, does that mean Clay Gaynor is going to report for camp? Why yes, he is indeed, after signing an improved and extended contract. To make the cap room available, we gave wide receiver George Stuckey a contract cap out. We're going into training camp with $5.6M cap space. Of course, things will be completely different once we're in the middle of pre-season. Which is still far away.

For now, we're going to take it as it is. We have a surplus at all the non-special teamer positions. We haven't even tried to sign a second long snapper, Travis Hamilton should be the best in the game, according to our new offensive coordinator.