[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: Hadinger, Hitchcock and Ritt retire...
But Theo returns. How about that!

Nathan Hadinger, left tackle
back in 2083, Hadinger was our second round pick in the draft. After sitting out the rookie season, the 6'5" 319 pounds pass blocker became our anchorman left tackle in 2084. In 10 seasons as a starter, he played (and started) in 153 regular season games, made 156 key run blocks (three times 20+) and allowed 37 sacks in 5,389 pass plays, a very good number for a left tackle. He played in 8 playoffs games, including the lost 2091 AOC Championship games, but sadly missed the 2085 AOC Championship game with injury. A lingering what if forever remains...

Kirk Hitchcock, cornerback
Our #11 overall pick in the 2081 draft looks like he's a lock to become a Hall of Fame member. As a rookie, we already threw him out there as a starter and he maintained a starting role for his entire 13-season career. In 204 regular season games, he became the all-time Merchantmen leader with 46 interceptions and tied for first in most returned for a touchdown. He played in 13 playoffs games, most notable the 2085 and 2091 AOC Championship games.

A.J. Ritt, defensive tackle
A slow starter, this 6th round pick from the 2084 draft didn't play in the first half of his rookie season and sat out the entire 2085 season. But from 2086 and on wards, the pass rush specialist was thrown into the rotation. His overall activity fluctuated, but he didn't miss a game until his final season. Ritt was mostly a change of pace tackle, jumping in on mostly passing downs. His activity ended after 136 regular season and 8 playoffs games.


The result of these retirements is that we're going into the off-season with 43 players signed and an overwhelming cap space of $51 million.

A grand majority of that will have to be reserved for Brandon Brady, if we play to retain him, because his initial demands are the largest in the league by a wide margin: $204 million over 5 years. Next highest? $146 million over 5 for a left tackle. Highest per season? A quarterback asking for a one-year $44 million contract. Indeed, Brady's lunatic of a player agent wants quarterback money for his client.

The retirement of Hadinger creates a new issue for the off-season, we'll need to find a new left tackle. No easy task, really. Our livid 5th round pick from last season, Byron Irvin probably thinks he's the guy to throw in the starting line up. Yeah, I think not letting you take on Howard Humphrey's role for injury replacement should be a sign we're not so confident. But Irvin could be an okay backup left tackle. Some day. Maybe.

The departure of Hitchcock was expected. The snowballing of signing boni had been a cap problem for us, he wasn't releasable, but at the same time a so-so option in his last two seasons. Don't get me wrong, the only cornerback we ever had that can claim he's on par or better was Peter Tucker, one the class of '64 guys. Good times...

Ritt's departure was no surprise either and we already have his replacement on roster in Caleb Domis. Ritt mentored him last season.

Last, but not least, although I feared for him, Theodore Bondy apparently has no intentions to quit the game just yet. The quest for 20K triggered him? It will become tricky to keep on throwing him the ball all game long though, Ed Schulz is ready to take over. And we still need to find a guy to thrown them the four letter word ball. 537 yards receiving, it's no piece of cake, but this is Theo. He'll manage.

And so will we. We drop hard, then regroup and come back stronger than ever. Merchantmen, let's make this 91st season if the IHOF one of our best!