[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: All IHOF Tight End Aubrey Benched
The Merchantmen have pulled the trigger, All IHOF tight end Jerry Aubrey is about to be benched in favor of young promising Jim Reiser. The signs were there earlier on, when Reiser bloomed for the Merchantmen in preseason. Aubrey's failure in the road game at Fort Worth Fury was the last straw.
In 26 passing plays, Aubrey was targeted by Justin McDavid 7 times, yet Aubrey caught only 1 ball and dropped 2 passes. It's early in the season, but Aubrey's job seems lost. For the season, he did make 9 receptions, yet only managed to gain 59 yards and no scores, while dropping 3 of 12 good passes and being tagetted 26 times. The tough part is that Aubrey used to be starting quarterback Justin McDavid's favorite target. With Leonard Lyon making decission, Aubrey grabbed 2 passes for just 4 yards.
Young gun Jim Reiser was inked in as the starter by football experts, yet the Merchantmen staff showed loyalty to their only All IHOF first team selection. Reiser looks to have the tools to be a worthy replacement, plus has the popularity with the fans to attract some extra attention. Besides Reiser's catching skills being equal to Aubrey's, Reiser is the better blocker of the two.
That's fine and all, but the main issue remains unresolved. Top Merchantmen receiver Gregory Monti showed some exellence in the preseason, yet is not thrown the ball by McDavid. Leonard Lyon does connect with Monti, yet ignores Aubrey. Only if the starting quarterback can find the chemistry to connect with both players, the Merchantmen passing game will be better.
When Randy Harris leads the team in receiving yards, it must be a sign that even Bryce Ewald isn't the solution. The Merchantmen think they have capable receivers, yet the playcallers can't find them. Maybe they should take the time to allow Lyon to improve this season.
In stead of making their best player on offense a casualty of bad performance, the team should be grateful that the defense made this a 2-1 team. Quarterback or no quarterback, passing game or no passing game, this team will take a playoff spot. If only because they have an open weekend and the other AOC winning teams are facing eachother...