[MIJB#19]

The 19 of 2102 - before training camp 2108
After a bunch of trades, made during the 2102 draft and several in the off-seasons prior, the Maassluis Merchantmen finished that draft with 19 picks. A long list of young men hoping to win a job in the International House of Football. Joining the Merchantmen is, usually, one of the best chances to stick around in the league, at least on the same team. But with 18 others from the same class, will those odds still be the same? On the other end of things, the Merchantmen swept through their roster throughout that same pre-season and were in dire need of fresh meat. Hence, incoming the 19 of 2102. Tracking down where these kids end up over time became an interesting side story in the long history of IHOF, at minimum of the Merchantmen.

The list of 19 could arguably be considered to be slightly longer (like 33 names long) after including undrafted rookies. Which is fair, because they're still from the same draft class. So, let's list them by pick and after that in order of signing. In the first installment, we mentioned whether these guys made the 2102 regular season roster or not and mentioned any possible position switches. In the second installment, we went go over where they were going into the 2106 off-season and how likely they were to make the regular season roster. And now, in this third installment, we'll see where they are a couple of days before training camp 2108.


1.24 ILB Tony Burks - switched to SLB in 2103
status: free agent to be
The Merchantmen announced the release of Burks after 6 seasons of service. Although he became a starter of sorts as the LB3 on the team, he never lived up to the first round value hype. He's a 50/50 linebacker with 55 run defense, 60 zone defense and 75 play diagnosis, but lacks endurance (25). So, he can play, but wasn't 1st round worthy. He might have the overall skills to be a worthwhile addition for another team, but aged 29, that won't be easy.

2.6 TE Garrett Alcala
status: starting tight end in Maassluis
Alcala has established himself as a premier player at his position. He's a two-time All-IHOF Second Team pick after the game plan had been geared a bit more towards using Alcala. He lead the league in receiving touchdowns in 2105 and had a 1,000-yard season in 2106 and had hnis second 100-catch season in 2107. He's scouted at 60/60, being a 85 run blocker, with 65 endurance. He has clearly exceeded the prior "receiving skills are somewhat lacking" assessment. He goes into training camp 2108 as a 75 getting downfield, 55 big-play and 90 third-down receiver, with 40 route running.

2.13 CB Logan Wallace
status: starting cornerback in Maassluis
Wallace got his pay day recently and getting locked up for a 4-year $120M contract. The Merchantmen see him as an elite shutdown cornerback. Wallace is scouted as a 50/50 cornerback. He's an elite 100 man-to-man defender, with 85 bump-and-run, 40 interceptions and 45 endurance. His zone defense (30), run defense (0) and play diagnosis (25) make him one of those defenders that needs to be slotted in the right places to be effective, which does make it risky to give him $30M/season.

2.24 K Oscar Harrington
status: kicker in Maassluis
He's the elite of kicking, scouted at 90/90 overall. His kicking accuracy (95) and kicking power (100) speak for themselves. His kickoff skills have improved enough to think he can win games for the Merchantmen. Although bitter fans might point to his missed extra point against the North Plainfield Plague last season, but the reality is that in 98 games, he had 3 missed kicks that would have flipped one game from a loss to a win, one from a tie to a win and one from a loss to sending it to overtime.

2.28 CB Zachary Centers - switched to SS
status: retired
Centers has retired, making him the only one of the 2102 draft's top two rounds. He played in 5 games as a rookie and was cut mid-pre-season in 2103. He never got a job elsewhere in the league.

3.5 CB Wesley Cabrera
status: backup on the bubble in Maassluis
This 40/40 cornerback is still on the team, despite being on the bubble several times. His 30 man-to-man and 25 bump-and-run defense are too little to play as a true CB1 or CB2. His zone defense (55) and interceptions (70) are okay enough to have taken the nickel back role. He's also a decent special teamer (60) and the alternate kickoff returner (60). He could be on the bubble again in pre-season 2108...

3.18 RB Rondell Robertson
status: retired
This running back was mostly known for his punt returning skills, despite that his breakaway speed and hole recognition made him a serviceable RB3. After the discovery of CB Dennis Finlay to be potentially the most efficient punt returner in the league (which he did turn out to be) and Robertson's own decline in ability, Robertson was released in pre-season 2106. He found no new team and retired in the 2107 off-season.

4.3 OT Harold Gruenwalder - switched to LT
status: starter in Maassluis
Recently signed a new 3-year deal with the Merchantmen, but after 6 seasons of being the undisputed left tackle, he'll have to battle it out with first round pick Earl McBirney. Either way, he'll be asked to mentor the rookie. Gruenwalder is said to be a 45/45 left tackle, with 65 pass blocking and 70 blocking strength, while his lacking 15 run blocking and 30 endurance mean that he's not a complete lineman.

4.7 G Brett Stickney
status: starter in Maassluis
He has topped at being scouted at 65/65. With his 70 run blocking, 80 pass blocking, 50 blocking strength and 70 endurance, he's obviously a talented offensive lineman. In the last two seasons he improved, as the whole line did, as Stickney posted key run block figures of 25 and 28. Last season he earned game MVP honors in a 34-24 win at the Bordeaux Vineyards after recording 6 key run blocks.

4.23 S Daryl Heath - released in pre-season
status: starter in Capital City
Currently Heath still plays for the Capital City Blues and is still signed through thew 2109 season. Our scouts see him as a 40/40 safety with mostly run defense and play diagnosis. The Blues see him as a starter.

5.2 C Lincoln Stonge
status: free agent
Stonge's stint in Maassluis is about to come to an end as he announced to have no desire to sign a new contract. Over the years, Stonge's role flipflopped from starter to backup to starter and last season back to a backup role. He peaked at 55/55, but prior to training camp 2108 he's rated at 45/45. His 60 run blocking is too low to be an anchorman starting center. Combined with his cohesion value, he would be a solid option as the 4th interior lineman for the Merchantmen, but that ship has sailed. It remains to be seen whether any other team out there would fancy a 29-year old that is quite possibly the 33rd best center in the league.

5.6 LT Salvador Horton
status: retired
Horton is out of football. He was released after 8 games of inactivity in the 2102 season and retired in the 2103 off-season.

5.13 DT Mitch Potchynok
status: backup in Maassluis
Turned into a 40/40 defensive tackle. In 2107 became a starter after many years of time share and barely active backup roles. His 65 pass rush technique, 65 play diagnosis and 60 special teams make him a suitable passing downs option. He has no endurance (0) and his lacking run defense (30) make him no better than such a role. Will have to maintain his level to make the 2108 roster in a crowded D-Line group.

5.23 G Floyd Graham
status: retired
After he was released in the 2103 off-season, the Rochester Razorbacks signed him week 1 to make him a starter for 2 straight season. He missed the 2105 season after he picked up a very serious groin injury late in the 2104 season. Despite being signed through 2108, he was released on the final roster cut day of 2106 and after no other team showed interest in him, he retired in the 2107 off-season.

5.24 OLB Marco Nichols
status: backup in Iowa
Is a 40/40 backup with the Iowa Cobbers. Nichols was cut in pre-season 2103 after a full season of inactivity in Maassluis, then was signed and cut for week 1 by the Toronto Lake Monsters and during the 2103 post-season signed a contract in San Antonio, which had been extended in 2104. In 2105 he was picked up by Iowa as a free agent and got his first playing time in the IHOF. His prime was in 2106 as their LB3, but his playing time declined in 2107. He remains to be a solid zone defender (70) and capable run defender (50).

6.5 S Eduardo Cowdrick - switched to CB
status: backup in Maassluis
Fully developed, Cowdrick has become a 40/40 cornerback. His 55 man-to-man and 50 zone defense are fine, His 70 interceptions make him a reasonable play on passing downs. His 85 endurance could make him a potential all downs player, but his 5 run defense and 40 play diagnosis are lacking for that. He's seeing playing time on defense, mostly in a dime back kind of role, after initially being mostly on the special teams unit.

6.31 TE Raul Milliken - released in pre-season
status: retired
Milliken has retired after being released after 8 games of inactivity in 2102 by and with the Merchantmen.

7.7 WR Rick Emerson
status: backup in Maassluis
Is a 30/30 wide receiver, mostly on roster for his 80 special teams ability. With 50 route running and 35 third-down receiving, he's a viable WR5 option. But due to injuries and retirements, Emerson's cohesion value has made him a solid play as a WR3 in recent seasons. He opened the 2106 season with back-to-back 97-yard performances, but hasn't won confidence from the staff in him to maintain the number of looks into his direction from that short stint as a WR2. Recently won the backup gig over former 1st round pick WR Alfredo Samuels and re-signing Emerson basically forced out former 1st round pick LB Tony Burks.

7.31 CB Steven Van Pelt
status: retired
He was released by Maassluis after 8 weeks of inactivity in the 2102 season. He kept hoping for a second chance, but it never came and he retired in the 2105 off-season.

undrafted QB Wendell DeMeester - released in pre-season
status: retired
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted TE Antoine Springer
status: retired
Failed to make the 2103 team, is out of football.

undrafted TE Tanner Sweeney - released after training camp
status: retired
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted QB Jay Bates
status: retired
Failed to make the 2103 team, is out of football.

undrafted RB Rod Eafon - released in pre-season
status: retired
Failed to make 2102 team, but is still in the league, without having played a single game. In 2102 released in pre-season by Maassluis, signed by Fort Wayne Fury that opost-season. In 2103 signed and released by Rochester Razorbacks in pre-season, then signed by Augusta Greenjackets in post-season. In 2104 played in 15 games for Augusta, but was released on roster cut day 2105. He retired in the 2106 off-season.

undrafted TE Darnell McKie
status: backup in Maassluis
Arrived and then had a bit of a drop back in the 2105 off-season. He's now now scouted as a 25/25 tight end. Lacks blocking skills (10 run blocking, 10 pass blocking), but besides being a 70 special teamer has proven to be a reliable key downs receiver with his 80 third-down receiving, and his heavily declined, but still acceptable 45 route running and 30 big-play ability. Despite still only 26, he's likely past his peak when he made clutch touchdown catches in 2104. Has been unhappy about playing time for years, but still signed a new contract in the 2107 off-season and if he fends off undrafted rookies in pre-season, he might get another new offer in pre-season. If he beats the rookies, he might even return to the TE3 slot...

undrafted WR Gage Greer
status: retired
Kept waiting in the wings to one day become a WR5/special teamer, but in 3 seasons on roster his activity was limited to just 1 game in 2102. In 2105 was released in the off-season and he retired subsequently this off-season.

undrafted C Stan Cloude - released in pre-season
status: retired
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted OT Carson McCormick - switched to LT
status: retired
Has grown into a 40/40 left tackle. Has played right tackle at times, but his 75 pass blocking is much better than his 40 run blocking. Lacks blocking strength (0) and endurance (30). Lost his starting role in 2105, but despite demanding a trade, no other team in IHOF ever showed interest in him. He played a backup role again in 2106, starting 2 games in relief due to injuries, but after he told the Merchantmen he wanted to play elsewhere, despite that no other teams were willing to even try him out, he retired this off-season.

undrafted ILB Mo Fausel
status: backup in Maassluis
At 25/25 is a declining linebacker as he peaked at 45/45. As a 90 special teamer is clearly an important member of that league leading part of the team. Aside from a 50 punishing hitter, lacks other defensive skills to be considered to play on defense.

undrafted CB Kendall Boone - released in pre-season
status: retired
Failed to make the 2102 team, is out of football.

undrafted RB Van Goodwin
status: backup in Maassluis
As a 20/20 running back, one has to wonder why he's still on the Merchantmen. The decline in skills has set in and he's currently scouted at 55 breakaway speed, 45 third-down running, but only 15 hole recognition, 0 route running and 0 endurance. Is a 70 special teamer, so still got his share of action on the special teams unit. But more incredibly, he's coming off a 767 yards, 4.57 yards per carry season, which is a testament on how cohesion can make a difference for a running back. Both were career highs after he was the RB2 in 2103 and 2104 and after he saw no action on the offense throughout the 2105 and 2106 seasons. Will make the team as a special teamer, but might lose his carries to new blood.

undrafted WR Calvin Hancock
status: retired
Peaked at 35/35, but last off-season degraded to a 20/20. As a result, after 3 seasons on special teams, was released in the 2105 off-season. He kept his hopes up throughout the 2106 season, but in the 2107 off-season gave up and retired.

undrafted C Gustavo Hartman
status: retired
Hartman has retired after being released after 8 games of inactivity in 2102 by and with the Merchantmen.


So, out of that long list of 19 drafted and 14 undrafted players, the Merchantmen will take 12 of this class into training camp 2108, while 4 others are still around in other places or the free agents pool.

For the 2108 season, it's likely that TE Alcala, G Stickney and CB Wallace will be undisputed starters. K Harrington could reasonably be lumped into that group as well. RB Goodwin might be used as the RB2 again, depending on whether he holds up well, otherwise sticks on the special teams unit. LT Gruenwalder could start if his replacement turns out to not be ready, but will otherwise stick around to mentor him. DT Potchynok could see playing time on specific downs. TE McKie, WR Emerson, LB Fausel, CB Cabrera and CB Cowdrick will likely stick on the special teams unit, with McKie being the prime suspect to be a potential pre-season roster cuts casualty.