[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: God speed, Lee Hancock
He had a good two seasons, but he's off to the realms of the once good football players.

One day after having a superb pre-season game with 2 interceptions with a game clinching 45-yard pick six, Lee Hancock showed up for work and looked light and day differently from the very good starting cornerback he used to be. Hancock has become the worst player on roster. No way around it, he'll be out of Maassluis tomorrow. My apologies to the Hancock family.

That's how life can be in the IHOF. One day you are one half of an elite cornerback duo, the next, you're destined to be a former first round pick no longer getting a contract anywhere in the league.

Lee Hancock was our first round pick two drafts ago. It took little time for him to burst into a full time starting role. His pass defense numbers in that rookie season where pretty phenomenal: 10 passes defended, 1 interception, 19 catches allowed. His second season was somewhat pedestrian looking, but he was part of a reborn rejuvenated secondary. Now, we know he's no longer n IHOF worthy sevenths stringer even. There's no point hanging on to him as a special teamer and fourth choice dime back...

He's one of seven roster cuts after our first two pre-season games. A lot of players looked out of shape in that second game and some got the axe just like Hancock. Before I mentioned them all, let's recap which five players failed to even make the pre-season roster: five undrafted rookie free agents: CB Alfredo Bennett, S Brenden Hoekstra, WR Rickey Pineo, S Kennedy Reid, TE Brett Smith.

The other six guys joining Hancock into the free agents pool: kick holder Bubba Hiam (not better than Muchnick), guard Vernon Sam (three times the charm?), safety Renaldo Upshaw (that was our 2087 second round pick? Yes, he never did anything worth mentioning), defensive tackle Corwin Nowlin (wasn't that our high third round pick in the recent draft? Yes, that's he bad he plummeted), kickoff returner Mason Wilson (too many decent other options) and kickoff returner Roman Gomes (too many decent other options).

That Hancock kid though... A real bummer. I've never in the history of this team see a player show up for training so out of shape. That's a huge blow for the entire team.

With Hancock, several other players look like they lost some of their ability over night. Rookie Corwin Nowlin is far behind Hancock, yet still feels like he's in the top10 of worst pre-season looks compared to before training camp in franchise history. Kirk Hitchcock took a hit, but is still an elite player. Our kick holder Karsten Muchnick looks even less of a quarterback now (yay?). Previously tagged potential starting center Jared Labbe now looks like a career backup.

Our results have been horrible, we gained 342 yards. Combined in two games. We scored a grand total of 6 field goals and 3 touchdowns, all interception returns. We managed a 29-6 victory over the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums and lost 16-9 at the Texas Sharks. Our defense gave up 427 yards, combined. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a new era of football has apparently kicked in. Just like that, the air in the atmosphere on the planet has made throwing no longer a sure thing. Nor does running the ball. Reggie Thongchanh' gained 33 yards on 30 carries spread over 2 games. Say what now!?

So... Back to the drawing board? I guess so...
*sigh*