IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen

[MIJB#19]

Press release: Merchantmen deny "Life with Louie" real life soap
The Maassluis Merchantmen management want to strongly deny the rumors of the recent selected quarterback Louie Flannery being involved with television program plans surrounding him. The team wants to make clear that Flannery will go to Maassluis to lead the Merchantmen offense and win games.

As Flannery was selected, Big Brother inventor John de Mol contacted the Merchantmen to ask for a real life soap around Louie Flannery. The Merchantmen management immediately said no to any real life soap programs surrounding the team. De Mol clearly wants to spread his media imperium across the Atlantic Ocean to conquer the USA with the IHOF influence.

General manager M.IJ.B. is clear on the issue: "We as a management team think that 'Life with Louie' could be an interesting television show for the big market, but personally I'm not interested in putting the team upside down with a media circus. Otherwise we wouldn't have traded a guy like Mark Burger and had acquired quarterbacks to replace Justin McDavid, which is what Flannery is here for."

Additionally, the Merchantmen want to strongly deny the rumors that the team is still looking for ways to improve the team. M.IJ.B. "We're pretty much set. Perhaps the much desired mentor quarterback could be interesting, but with Mel Atkins likely to make the roster as expert holder, we don't have a third quarterback spot open. It should be clear that Flannery and Shane Bower are the guys battling it out for the most important job on this team."

[wade moore]

You're right... the big picture does not look so bleak..

Don't worry, you have not lost a fan!

[MIJB#19]

IHOF 2006 draft, first round review

1 - Ast - QB Seth Dwight
Dwight was the clear #1 pick, Astoria traded to get him. Good pick for Astoria. If Dwight develops up to his potential and fits into the Heroes game plan, Dwight could become a dominant passer.

2 - Tuc - DT Henry Rogers
Rogers was kind of a reach, as most expected to see him go around #5. Tucker traded up to get him and, with DT Cole Alexander on the board, they must really, really like him. Still kind of a reach.

3 - Spr - RB Raymond Flowers
Called by same as a surprise move. I think that, with the recent addition of QB Leonard Lyon, Springfield got the best guy they could get and have the succesor of league legend, and up for retirement, Huey Gervais in the stables.

4 - Vic - S Kerry Horner
Horner was picked were he should have gone. The Vipers did give a lot to get him, but that's how the open market works. Horner looks like an elite safety and is a great addition for Vicksburg.

5 - Maa - QB Louie Flannery
Reach or not? The Merchantmen certainyl gave a lot up to get him. People think this will be just another disappointment and the Merchantmen will trade him. If Flannery succeeds, it's been a great pick.

6 - Ash - WR Rickey Mitchell
The Axemen needed a new wide receiver, Mitchell was the best of the class and well deservingly a #6 pick. Good value pick for Asheville and an immediate starter.

7 - Geo - DT Cole Alexander
Kind of a steal to get him at #7, but he was a typical between #5 and #10 guy. Wit Georgia weak at DT, this pick makes a lot of sense. Interesting part is that they traded down to get him this low.

8 - Min - CB Norman Robbins
Steal of the draft, or at least a candidate. Robbins has top10 talent and in a league where cornerback is the second highest valued positions, he's a major steal. The Minnesota Miners got a lot of compliments for the pick.

9 - Con - CB Buddy Upshaw
The second best cornerback goes higher then anticipated due to the cornerback position being hyped. Not a big reach, but Upshaw is no top10 talent.

10 - Ray - QB Neal Aguillard
People valued Shawn Jahr over Aguillard. RayCo Raiders just had to take a quarterback, with Brian Hartsock up for retirement. Maybe a big reach, but the need for a playcaller and quarterbacks going too high in the IHOF makes this a "couldn't get him lower" pick.

11 - Fre - WR Albert Hancock
With wideout a relative weak position and a lack of a worth #3 receiver, the Red Menace. Jackie Percy should be happy with this guy going where he should. Plus, Hancock can return kickoffs.

12 - Roc - CB Deion Ingram
The biggest reach so far. The Lake Monsters wanted him badly and take the last very good cornerback of this draft higher then where he should go. A minor reach initiated by the vlaue of cornerbacks in the league.

13 - Mia - S Lorenzo Barker
With safety not the biggest need for the Sharks, this looks like a surpirse pick. But then you see that Miami's weakness is their secondary and all of a sudden it makes sense.

14 - Che - OLB Harvey Rose
The Chitterlings do it again, they make one trade and grab the guy they want. A minor steal for a should-have-been top10 talent.

15 - SAO - RB Michael Fau
Bud Pitts is 34 and in his last year of contract, Fau brings enough talent to replace him now or in 2007. And a guy going close to where he should be picked.

16 - Ash - FB Ron Shields
If Shields had not been a fullback, he'd have gone in the top 10. In a league were the fullback is very strong, Asheville grab their own 3-headed monster.

17 - FtW - QB Shawn Jahr
It doesn't happen a lot that quarterbacks go where they should. Jahr went were we belonged and Fort Worth again hope to have gotten their franchise passer.

18 - Bos - DE Andy Nestor
With defensive end a weakness in Boston, they could use a pass rusher. Nestor is that, although picking him above Kramer is questionable.

19 - Par - DE Grady Kramer
One of the biggest steals this draft. Kramer was obvious top 10 talent and Paris needed a defensive end anyway after cutting their star Nygaard.

20 - Got - S Quentin Frantz
Just another guy going where he should and a team addressing a minor need where they could use at least a big improvement of their backup slots.

21 - SAO - DE Russell McCubbrey
Another defensive lineman in a draft for the Volunteers after 4 of those in 2005? A good value pick, McCubbrey was top 15 talent and is a big upgrade.

22 - Orl - ILB Lorenzo Grier
Orlando grabs the best guy left in pure talent. Not a big need pick, so maybe a bit of a questionmark pick.

23 - Vic - RB Ronnie Kemp
After using two picks on a running back in 2005, the Vipers didn't get a starter. Now they hope Kemp turns out to be a worthy starter. Maybe a little reach, but not much concidering the position.

24 - Bou - G Lorenzo Karle
A reach to get a guard here, although a first round talent guy. Little deja vu, didn't the Blizzard 'waste' two picks on guards last year as well?

25 - Col - ILB Van Gaylor
Columbus goes with the best guy left and hopes to get a guy who can play in the 3-4 defense next to the team's best player Cory Whaley. Good pick.

26 - Geo - WR Danny Hayes
Minor reach and after the selection of Tyrus Shaye maybe a bit of a surprise. But then, Georgia has just Shaye and double teaming him has been very succesful. Hayes gives him some more space.

27 - Con - CB Fernando McCleary
The biggest reach of the draft so far. McClearly not a first round talent and probably even a reach for a second rounder. Is Conyers that desperate for corners? (Answer: Yes they are desperate for corners.)

28 - Bos - QB Richard Bell
Somewhat of a surprise, although as a quarterback he was a likely late first rounder. Boston gets a guy who puts Fabian Parker in a show-how-we-do-it or else watch-how-we-do-it situation.

29 - Ana - CB Glenn Swift
The cornerback draft this is. Anaheim also reaches for a late second round cornerback and hopes to see this guy not blow his knee like 2005 third rounder "Ken-knee" Bullock did.

30 - Bos - CB Glen Inmon
Another cornerback, what's up with that? At least Boston grabs a guy just about 10 spots off from his value. A decent pick, concidering the cornerback situation in Boston being far from good.

31 - Ana - DE Darryl Snider
Anaheim strikes again, this time with a guy at his value. Concidering the endurance of the other ends, the Matterhorns (got to love that name) need four good pass rushers.

32 - Bkn - QB Peter Fulton
Just when you think you won't see an upset pick anymore after Rogers at #2, Aguillard at #10 and all those cornerback picks, Brooklyn makes their own reach with the fourth rated remaining passer.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen almost done shopping, acquire young prospects
With the draft rolling, the Merchantmen are filling the 70 roster spots they are allowed to have going into training camp. With Fumblin' Justin McDavid out for the year, the season, the team can only sign 69 to the active roster. After recent signing, the team is up to 67 active players, meaning with the three incoming drafted rookies, the team will have to cut a player after the draft. An introduction to the new signings in alphabetical order.

Karl Mercer - strong linebacker
With 8 starts in the last eight weeks of the 2004, Mercer has gained some experience in his stint with the Fort Worth Fury. The allround decent linebacker made 28 tackles that year. In Maassluis, he hopes to become the primairy backup to 2005 Merchantmen tackles leader Ellsworth Thelen.

Norman Mueller - strong safety
Selected in the 2005 draft at #210 overall, Mueller spent the 2005 season on the Orlando Knights roster and saw action in one game. Mueller has his strenghts in run stopping, zone defense and play diagnosis. The 25-year old will have a hard time to win a roster spot for the regular season.

Charles Reuter - fullback
As an undrafted rookie last season, Reuter didn't play a game in the IHOF. Reuter is said to have good potential in route-running and has some potential in blocking. Reuter will have a hard time making the 53-men roster, depending on whether Vincent Lopez will be traded or not.

James Paddock - right guard
As a 2005 undrafted rookie, Paddock has no experience in the IHOF yet. Paddock has good stamina and has some potential as pass protector. With the competition at the guard position pretty high, it's unclear whether Paddock will make the 53-men roster.

Erik Springer - defensive end
With no experience yet, undrafted second-year player Springer is just happy to have a contract. With the Merchantmen's need for ends, Springer actually has a shot at making the 53-men roster, especially as run stopping specialist with good stamina and play diagnosis.

Richard Stutz - defensive end
In one and a half season with the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, Stutz played 16 games, in which he recorded 4 tackles. During the 2005 season, he moved to Orlando Knights, where he played 2 more games in which he made 2 tackles. With his pass rush potential, Stutz has a good shot at making the 53-men roster on a defensive ends lacking team.

Vincent Tavares - running back
Discovered in the scouting for the 2005 draft, Tavares was a wanna-have for the Merchantmen in the 2005 offseason already. Tavares was never offered a contract, but this offseason he gets his chance to unseat Kenny Colwell or Kyle Montoya as the #4 running back. Tavares' hole recognition and especially his elusiveness make him an interesting addition.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen lose free agents to other teams
As expected, three players have left the Merchantmen roster in the past weeks. Defensive tackle Andrew King and cornerbacks Carl O'Hara and Angel Tong are all moving to the NAC as free agents. The loss of all three was expected as these players required relative high minimum salaries as aged veteran players. The Merchantmen management postponed any contract offers to possibly sign them later on, but now they have a brighter future elsewhere.

Andrew King was hired by the Springfield Isotopes. The team built around running back Huey Gervais and the new home of former Merchantmen passer Leonard Lyon see an important role for King on the front seven. King is said to be a great leader and has all the tools to become a mentor type of guy. In two years, King played 17 games in Maassluis, but never started and recorded just 10 tackles and 1 sack. He did have a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He still has to show the team he's worth the roster spot, but his run defense and pass technique potential should be enough to convince the Sprinfield front office.

Carl O'Hara was a mid-season addition in 2005 for the Merchantmen. O'Hara played 5 games for the Merchantmen, in which he had one big moment of fame. In the 24-9 victory over the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, O'Hara returned an interception for 53 yards and a touchdown to extend the lead to two scores. Before his stint with the Merchantmen, O'Hara play 3 games for the Astoria Heroes in the 2004 season. The Outer Banks Ospreys recently offered him a two-year contract to battle for the dime back role.

Angel Tong played just one game in Maassluis. In the 2005 season, the Merchantmen offered him a contract to play a game as nickel back. In that game, Tong made 6 tackles and a sack. Tong was released by the Vicksburg Vipers earlier in that season after having played just 1 game, in which he did make an interception. In 2004, Tong saw action in all 16 games for Vicksburg and recorded 37 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. The Heroes see Tong as an important mentor to the younger cornerbacks on the team and hope he plays the nickel or dime back role very well.

Right now, there's still one player listed on the Merchantmen roster with no contract. Quarterback Aubrey Brunelle was hired as an injury replacement for Justin McDavid, but never played a down for the team. With the addition of three new playcallers and the team's continued search for a mentor quarterback, Brunelle's minimum salary figure is too high to offer him a new deal. The team hopes for him he finds a new team shortly, but the signs are not bright as teams stock up with young unproven quarterbacks as #3 options.

Also note that the team has put the following players on the trade block: Fullback Vincent Lopez, safety Wiley McGhee, cornerback Sammie Hernandez, C.J. Schwartz and Gus Alston, linebackers Sam Sasa, Roosevelt Whalen, Matt Sellers and Britt Silvan, guard Devin McDaniel, offensive tackle Jeff Fontenot and wide receiver Mario Halas.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
A disappointing message reached thei office today, we lost out on a bidding war with our trade partner for an interesting player we wanted to acquire. It seems the confusion created earlier on in negotiations worked against us and our best offer never matched the other offer. We tried to acquire a mentor quarterback, to help Louie Flannery to mature, but now we'll have to do without such a player. Maybe I'll try to find a mentor elsewhere, but it's very unlikely to happen, teams are pretty fond on their mentors.

Other news? Well, not really, we're currently awaiting the conclusion of the draft. We still have two picks left and hope to get a couple of useful players with the two fifth round selections. Oh, besides that, we initiated trade talks with a team we think could use tow of our backup players, who could be released by use due to their skills not fitting with the new pass defense system we're going to run.

Last, but not least, we managed to renegotiate contracts of several players, helping us to getunder the salary cap this season. Yes, only this season, in 2007 we're already expected to be about 15 million over the cap. I think I'm going to try to keep the 53-men roster we'll have this season together until after the 2008 season and see whether we'll have to rebuild by then. Some players will be gone by then anyway. Tackles Wilson Grimaldo and Harold Hurtado, fullback Vincent Lopez, satefy Wiley McGhee, cornerback Dennis Preciado, quarterback Shane Bower, linebacker Josh Weisberg and punter Roscoe Corrales are in their 30's and could be retired by then. Right now, most players are signed until 2007 or longer, except 16 players who will be restricted free agents in the next offseason.

That said, Louie Flannery really has to turn out to be the real thing, or else we'll be stuck in the below .500 land for the next couple of years. We gave up first round picks in the next two drafts. We do have six second rounders, two third, two fourth, three fifth, three sixth and a seventh rounders, but there's no way we're going to use all those picks. Clearly, we can't tell who we're hoping to get with our fifth round picks, especially since we got our quarterback and added the desired depth at all positions for training camp already. In a few days, it will become clear who we acquired with those picks. We'll let you know by then what the training camp plans are.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
With the addtion of WILB Carl Meier, I've been thinking more about the option to switch to a 3-4 defense. Meier could be an upgrade over DT John Bryant, although it would hurt the cohesion in the group. Meier is probably expecting a starting job anyway and as a leader, we have to keep him happy. On the other hand, it would basically be only for passing plays, the run defense has been improved a lot with very good run stopper Ellsowrth Thelen added to the excellent Mike Kershner and unbelievable Cody Cluff. We also have to think of the depth at the positions. If Cluff or Meier goes down, we'd have to switch to 4-3 anyway.

Talking of Cody Cluff, we offered him a six-year contract, which makes sure he will be here through the 2011 season. With Mike Kershner, Scot Dick and also Albert Bernardo signed through 2010, the backbone of the front seven is signed for a long time. Although, Dick and Bernardo have big salaries in those later years, so their stay is not secured.

Additionally, Justin McDavid recently signed a new four year countract to help us get the cap space to sign Louie Flannery. This might sound ironic, but it also means McDavid is guaranteed to get three million dollars the coming four years, independant of the real salary figures.

Let me show how long everybody is signed, only listed potential starters. Player who might get a new contract before or during the season, depending on cap space, are marked with a *:
2008 QB Bower
2009 QB McDavid
2009 RB Harris
2008 RB Smith
2008 FB Rosenberry
2007 FB Lopez
2007* TE Reiser
2009 WR Ewald
2009 WR Henkel
2007* WR Monti
2008 WR/KR Henson
2006* WR/PR O'Reilley
2009 C Heinrich
2010 LG White
2008 RG Lacy
2008 LT Hurtado
2009 RT Grimaldo
2009 RT Malave
2008 P Corrales
2010 K Coles
2010 DE Bernardo
2010 DE Dick
2009 DT Gomez
2009 DT Bryant
2009 ILB Meier
2011 MLB Cluff
2008* SLB Thelen
2010 WLB Kershner
2007 WLB Weisberg
2009 CB Stoffers
2009 CB Wayne
2008 CB Preciado
2008 CB Stidham
2008 SS McGhee
2008 SS Gilmore
2008 FS Muller
2007 FS Cole

I'm tossing with the idea to give the listed cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety John Cole a lot of playing time so they can reach their potential. Yet, it wouldn't make much sense with better guys like Preciado, Stoffers, Muller, McGhee and Gilmore already accustomed to a starting role, while Cole (0 starts) and Stidham (3 starts) have yet to prove they are startable.

I'm also still toying with the offensive line starting five names. Russell Malave has proven to be an important run blocker, but also is a weak link in the pass protection. Guards Butch White and Timothy Lacy are pretty similair in that and so is left tackle Harold Hurtado. If pass protection turns out to be crucial, we might have to give a better look at unproven right guard Eric Dietrich and either Edgard Dunkin or Hunter Meyers at left tackle or moved inside to left guard.

With incoming quarterback Louie Flannery being an interception prone pocket passer, despite his framework 6'4" 232 lbs, we might have to focus a bit more on pass protection afterall. McDavid and Bower can work with a run oriented offense, but Flannery can't. On the other hand, Lyon is also an interception prone pocket passer and he seemed to work with this team later in the season.

All in all, there are some training camp and preseason battles to fight out. Only the receivers groups looks secure, yet the role of Lonnie O'Reilley was so amazingly good last season, I'd wish I could find a role for him. With a big-play guy like David Henkel and a developing Devin Henson, O'Reilley is probably our number five guy. That is, if he makes the roster. It's either him or receivers leader Mario Halas who's going to need a good preseason to survive. Lonnie's luck is his punt and kickoff returning specialty.

One group I still hope to improve the defensive ends depth. Springer and McKeehan could be a good run stopper and pass rusher speicalties duo, Stutz and Dick are all downs guys with too little stamina to play that role. It will all rely on pass rusher Albert Bernardo if we don't get a young better guy. Maybe the draft can help?

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen trade S McGhee, draft DE Gougeon
The Merchantmen were battling their salary cap. In an attempt to get under the cap they traded all league second team defensive end Harold Wells, by some seen as the second best player at his position in the IHOF. Today, the Merchantmen traded safety Wiley McGhee to the Georgia Gridlock for fourth round pick in 2007 and 2006. The 2006 pick was shortly after used to select Omar Gougeon.

McGhee played one season for the Merchantmen after being signed as a free agent in the offseason. McGhee replaced young gun Lincoln Gilmore, but later in the season Gilmore regained his role during an injury absence for McGhee. Gilmore is said to be the anchorman of the new secondary, together with 2005 first round pick, cornerback Tai Wayne.

Omar Gougeon graduated at Lane college and grew up in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Gougeon is 23 years old and had a so-so combine. The 6'7" and 281 pounds right end ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds, which is good for linemen, but recorded only 22 bench press receptions. He made up with decent agility speed and a good Solecismic Test score.

The Merchantmen scouting staff really liked Gougeon and ranked him fifth in pass rush technique amongst rookies. General manager M.IJ.B.: "I hope this guy will show what he can and turnout to be a great addition. At this stage of the draft, the top ends Grady Kramer and Andy Nestor who we scouted for the #12 pick are not there, so you have to grab a guy who's very good in one thing, instead of being good in everything."

Gougeon has been drafted to fill the need for a new pass rusher with stamina after the trading of Wells. Gougeon is rated by the Merchantmen scouting staff as a very good to excellent pass rusher with good to very good stamina and fair to good run stopping ability. The team hopes Gougeon will emerge as the new right end on the defensive line. Aditionally, the team hopes to see Gougeon learn a lot from Albert Bernardo, who moves back to his natural position on the left side. How this affects new guy Scot Dick's role is yet to be seen. Gougeon and Dick will probably fight it out for the job and the best guy wins it.

The Merchantmen still have two selection in the fifth round of the draft and are now expected to fill the void at safety with their next pick. General manager M.IJ.B. has something to say about that: "McGhee was not going to start and with his age and skill we knew he could be a starter elsewhere and if we traded him now, we could still get some value for him. Who we are going to draft to replace him? I don't know and usually we would look to our excellent lead scout, Gabe Avila. If there's one thing our scout doesn't know, however, it's how to rate a defensive back."

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen draft S Lamar Singelton, C Edward Taylor
As the draft continued today, the Maassluis Merchantmen filled needs for backups at strong safety and center. Safety Lamar Singleton from Mississippi State and center Ernie Taylor from Alabama were selected at #158 and #159 overall in the 2006 draft. Additionally, the team acquired the #184 overall in a trade with the Tucker Tigers for the Merchantmen's 2007 sixth round pick.

Lamar Singleton is the desired replacement for recently traded Wiley McGhee. At 5'7" and 193 pounds, people might think Singleton is undersized, but the managament relies on the scouting staff. Singelton had a decent combine, but was mainly drafted for his talent in zone defense, nose for interceptions, very good endurance and play diagnosis skills. Singleton will be battling with recently acquired second year player Norman Mueller for the backup strong safety job. The starting job is far away as Lincoln Gilmore regained his role late in the 2005 season, outperforming the very good rated McGhee.

Ernie Taylor is also a relative undersized player. At 5'11" and 275 pounds, people might think Taylor can't play center, yet the Merchantmen scouting staff thinks he's worth the gamble of a late fifth round pick. Taylor was called a good run blocker and pass blocker, while he's also got the endurance to play all game long. Taylor's first goal is unseating Tom Schwartz as the backup center. It will be a tough challenge as Schwartz started 21 games in 2 seasons with the Merchantmen. The starting job looks far away with 2005 first round pick Brant Heinrich recently signed to a contract through the 2009 season.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen trade FB Lopez, draft FB Nelson, have another pick
The Merchantmen today traded away Vincent Lopez and drafted a replacement player as well, while also acquiring another draft pick to improve the roster. The Merchantmen received the #184 from Tucker Tigers for their own sixth rounder in 2007. Vincent Lopez was later trade for the #193 overall pick to the Boulder Blizzard. Additionally, the Merchantmen receive Boulder's 2008 fifth rounder for their own sixth rounder that year.

With the trading of Vincent Lopez the Merchantmen created a need for a backup fullback. In hopes to land Juan Shields, the team had already acquired the #184 overall, as talks for a trade were on going. Boulder and Maassluis couldn't come to an agreement earlier on, but today the two teams finally sealed a deal and at last complete a trade. At the start of the draft, the Merchantmen and Blizzard has a what-if agreement in case Louie Flannery was not acquired and three other players were gone before the #12 pick overall.

When Shields was drafted by the Boston Rhinos at #172 overall, the Merchantmen quickly looked at their backup plan and felt delighted to get Doug Nelson. General manager M.IJ.B. was a little bit disappointed: "Yes. After acquiring the #184 overall pick, it was in an attepmt to get a replacement for Lopez and Shields was my target. I tried to trade up in the draft by offering a future seventh round pick, but it failed. That said, Doug Nelson has his own pro's and con's. Nelson will be a better player on passing downs, while the difference on rushing downs with Shields is very slim."

With the #193 pick, the team has written down a list of six names of guys to get. General manager M.IJ.B.: "Yes, six names, as there are only five picks ahead of us now. We'll definately draft a player with the potential to become a crucial backup or even a starter. Whether that will work out, depends on the player himself. Whoever it will be, we partially see this deal as a thank-you to Boulder for making the conditional trade for the #12 pick overall."

With the trades, the Merchantmen are heading into the late free agency with 66 players signed, including injured reserve "Fumblin'" Justin McDavid, excluding the traded Vincent Lopez and Wiley McGhee. The draft class presents six names with quarterback Louie Flannery, fullback Doug Nelson, center Ernie Taylor, defensive end Omar Gougeon, safety Lamar Singleton and the still unknown seventh round selection. This means that the team will have to cut or trade two players before going into training camp.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
Well, the draft is basically over for us. I've tried to accomplish a trade for a high seventh rounder with about five teams, but everybody has "this guy [they] want" and it's useless. That means we're probably not getting a particular player I wanted to get in the draft, but we have our shot at him in the late free agency. I don't think other teams will want to get him.

We do have a new player in nosetackle Andy Weliczka. The Arkansas graduate from Hawaii, is an interested run stopper. Weliczka made his mark at the combine with his agility, but was a bit overlooked due to his size. he's just 6'0" and 256 pounds big. People probably don't like that framework for a defensive tackle.

With this selection, we are making our list with two names of guys who will have to make rook for the rookies. Early thoughts I have are guard Devin McDaniel and linebacker Roosevelt Whalen. Not the happiest news to tell them, but they should be ready to expect the worst before training camp. Only if they're lucky, we'll trade two other players. We were in talks with one team for two guys, but cap woes and desire to await the conclusion of the draft put the talks back in the fridge.

One good thing I have to notice is our cap room. I'm expecting to see about 3.5 million dollars of cap room to have a little bit of room to battle in the late free agency, but mainly to sign Louie Flannery to the best contract we can offer him. I have my eye on a few rookies who could go undrafted and if they will, perhaps one of them will turn out to be the 2006 story like Lonnie O'Reilley's last season. More later...

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

General manager notes
We do have a new player in nosetackle Andy Weliczka. The Arkansas graduate from Hawaii, is an interested run stopper. Weliczka made his mark at the combine with his agility, but was a bit overlooked due to his size. he's just 6'0" and 256 pounds big. People probably don't like that framework for a defensive tackle.

Rochester thought about drafting Weliczka as a run-stopper, but the Merchantment scooped him up before we could. Let's see how he does!

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Rochester thought about drafting Weliczka as a run-stopper, but the Merchantment scooped him up before we could. Let's see how he does!

He still has to make it through the 70 to 60 men pre pre-season cuts.

But seriously, I was actually aiming for another player, but then I realized that guy will be there after the draft and that he could even not survive the roster cuts, while Weliczka is the 5th DT and has a good shot at making the roster as run specialist, sharing time with starting pass rusher John Bryant. Or maybe on the outside?

I can't wait to see what the rookies will actually look like. I expect them all to see their potential numbers drop to the leftside of the blue bars, as I rated rookies with 0 to 5 stars based on that and I'm happy to have grabbed one 4-star guy (Flannery) and five 2-star guys with picks from 5.30 and lower. Based on my stars system, the steal of the draft has got to be linebacker Carl McKenzie, who was picked by Bordeaux at #194 overall and had starter potential ratings.

[MIJB#19]

Early draft review
With four picks left in the draft, it's fair to say the draft is over, or at least for the four European teams. The remaining selections are in hands of Georgia, Fairbanks (twice) and Ann Arbor, in that order. The European division in total welcomes no less then 33 new players, that more then 8 per team. Let's see what the European teams have done in the draft.

Bordeaux Vineyards (8 picks)
#39 LT Reuben England - A minor steal in the draft. England ranked 20th on the Merchantmen draft board and could be a serious contender for the LT starting spot in 2007, if not this season.

#92 WR Corwin Fenton - With the need for a new #2 or at least a #3 receiver, Fenton might be that guy.

#124 DE Les Centers - With just two ends signed and one becoming a free agent after the draft, Centers is a need pick. Crucial could be Centers' lack of pass rush technique and limited run defense ability.

#126 P Scott Guillen - Bordeaux's punter Lloyd Armitage is just average and with Guillen in, the team hopes to have either a better punter, or at least a guy who can force Armitage to show he's worth the roster spot.

#156 CB Clifton Ellard - The Vineyards could use an upgrade at cornerback. Ellard could be a useful man to man marker or bump and run marker, while he's also got some experience with punts returning.

#194 MLB Carl McKenzie - Easily the steal of the draft if McKenzie lives up to expectations. McKenzie has outstanding run defense potential, bump and run potential and great endurance as well. Sadly for him, he'll probably be a backup.

#209 S Norbert McLaurin - Bordeaux didn't really need a new safety, but McLaurin has good potential in most areas, including all pass defense schemes and interceptions.

#218 OT Jorge Drake - Another possible steal. Drake ranked 87th on the Merchantmen draft board and should bring a lot of potential as a pass protector.

#220 OLB Isaac Clayton - Clayton is mainly a pass defender with endurance. If he can work around his weakness on rushing plays, he could be an interesting backup.


Gothenburg Giants (12 picks)
#20 S Quentin Frantz - The Giants needed a free safety, desperately. Frantz is a very good prospect, he can do it all and also comes with punt return specialty. Expect him to be a week 1 starter.

#36 WR Ted Hertz - Going into the draft with 2 receivers signed, this was clearly a need pick. Hertz is an amazing prospect, who also can be used as a premier kickoff returner.

#84 QB Irving Torres - With just one quarterback signed, the Giants need a new backup guy. Torres' strength is avoiding interceptions while his weakness is his inability to sense the pass rush. He could be a fine backup.

#107 DT Gary Frederick - Gothenburg was lacking defensive tackles and Frederick fills the void. Frederick is mainly a pass rusher and should be an interesting side kick or backup to star Chris Nagel.

#116 MLB Bo Ellis - Did they need a new inside linebacker? Well yes, George Runion will miss the season start with ACL knee surgery and the depth was a bit weak. Ellis is an amazing prospect as a run stopper and could be a serious threat if Runion can't return to his old level of play.

#119 DE Bubba Bush - In a division with talented quarterbacks, it's nice to have a good pass rush. Bushwill be battling with several others for the starting job, but his run stopping and pass rushing could make him a starter.

#148 OLB Lenny McCune - The Giants needed a body on the outside and McCune brings his run defense talent to fill the need.

#150 WR Gabe Fuller - Fuller is a fine athlete and know how to return punts. His reputation of dropping passes and fumbling could haunt him, but the Giants need their bodies and hope Fuller's other skills make up for his mistakes.

#162 S Morris Leadbetter - An excellent role player, Leadbetter stops the run, makes interceptions and can run after the man he has to mark all day. The Giants grab another steal in tis draft.

#180 OT Vernon Shea - Although playing at right tackle, Shea has the name of being an elite pass protector. That is, if he doesn't bust.

#212 QB Ernest Randle - Another need pick with only one passer signed. Randle is just another typical "great in one thing, very bad in the rest" guy. Will make the 53-men roster anyway.

#214 CB Brett Dawson - Zone defender wit endurance, nothing more, nothing less. Dawson also supports the run well, both won't make a difference with his man marking or bump-and-run defense.


Paris Musketeers (8 picks)
#19 DE Grady Kramer - Top 10 talent, goes all the way down to #19. Paris just had to grab him, also knowing how big the need for a pass rusher is there.

#34 P Keith Horne - People called this pick a stupid pick, but if Horne lives up to expectations, the Musketeers defense could be very grateful.

#55 WR Ben Loiseau - A good value pick, Loiseau is a very good receiver all around. Paris has a gab at that position after the trade of Michael Spann and Loiseau could become an instant starter.

#80 LT Ryan Beebe - The management still calls this pick questionable, but Beebe has the pass protection potential to be a worthy starting left tackle.

#91 TE Shannon Sheldon - With just two tight ends on roster and one of them being nothing more then a roster filler, Sheldon creates some depth at a position where the premier backup sees the field pretty often.

#94 S Kevin Andersen - An excellent pickup this low in the draft. The guy can support the run defense, itercept the passes and be a force with his zone defense skills. Paris already had three very good safeties, but this pick makes that group even stronger.

#113 S Junior Perry - Another safety, that's odd. With Andersen and Perry this will add up to five safeties. But Perry as also a do it all, except that intercepting passes isn't his specialty.

#132 C Rondell Fulcher - With two centers singed, of which one is basically just a long snapper, Fulcher brings in all round talent. Plus, Fulcher can be a long snapper as well.


Maassluis Merchantmen (6 picks)
#5 QB Louie Flannery - Have you ever seen a team in need of a quarterback? The Merchantmen traded one of their two controversy guys, while the other was already out for the season. Flannery is, hopefully, the guy of the future. His nose for interceptions is a bit worrying, but if he lives up to expectations, one intercpetion per game won't matter at all.

#123 DE Omar Gougeon - Harold Wells, traded. Deon Chapa, traded. One day you have the best defensive end duo in the league, a week later both guys are gone. Gougeon fills a big void, but it remains questionable to use a late fourth round pick on a guy who only has pass rush technique.

#158 SS Lamar Singleton - A zone defender with a nose for interceptions and very good endurance. Singleton gets a shot at battling Lincoln Gilmore for the starting job, although it's not very likely to happen.

#159 C Ernie Taylor - Obviously drafted to backup Brant Heinrich and make Tom Schwartz expendable after 21 starts in two seasons. Taylor isn't the strongest of all linemen, but if he turns out to be a serious guy, he might be able to threaten Heinrich's position.

#184 FB Doug Nelson - Clearly not a starter, but with Vincent Lopez traded, the Merchantmen needed to get a replacement backup and fast. Like Lopez, Nelson is a run blocker, but Nelson's pre is his skill to pass block as well. With receiving skills and some rushing abilit, Nelson could be a good pick afterall.

#193 NT Andy Weliczka - A questionable pick, unless Weliczka turns out to be a great run stopper afterall. For a seventh round pick, he's a longshot to become a starter, but with John Bryant being a pass rush guy, this could be All IHOF second teamer Charles Gomez' new sidekick.

[wade moore]

I'm anxious to see how this revamped roster does in the regular season... With McDavid out for the year, the bandwagon may have to jump on another Merchantmen player.

[Alf]

Nice analysis as always Matthijs. Seems you liked my draft. I hope I like it as much as you do.

PS : I would have likely picked QB Torres at 3.28 if 3ric hadn't picked him... I think he could start in the league someday.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I'm anxious to see how this revamped roster does in the regular season... With McDavid out for the year, the bandwagon may have to jump on another Merchantmen player.

Not so much revamped, I think, except the QB situation, some lost talent at the DE position and a bit of a new pass defense scheme. The starters over the years. There were two players were or are battling for the job, both are mentioned with a "/" to seperate the names.

Quarterback
2004 Fumblin' Justin McDavid
2005 Fumblin' Justin McDavid / Leonard Lyon
2006 Louie Flannery / Shane Bower
tendency: minor improvement due to acquisition of talent
2007: hopefully Flannery has matured a lot and McDavid returns to normal level

Running back
2004 Randy Harris
2005 Randy Harris
2006 Randy Harris
tendency: improvement due to maturity
2007: desire to get a backup improvement

Fullback
2004 Vincent Lopez
2005 Vincent Lopez / Mark Burger
2006 Jamel Rosenberry
tendency: on par due or minor loss due to departure of Burger
2007: having a very good and completely matured Rosenberry

Tight end
2004 Jerry Aubrey
2005 Jerry Aubrey / Jim Reiser
2006 Jim Reiser
tendency: minor improvement if Reiser reaches his potential
2007: Reiser will be better then the All IHOF Aubrey

Wide receivers
2004 Bryce Ewald & Gregory Monti / Raul Marshall
2005 Bryce Ewald & Gregory Monti
2006 Bryce Ewald & Gregory Monti
tendency: on par, maturity was hurt by major injury blows
2007: Minor need to replace Monti

Center
2004 Tom Schwartz
2005 Brant Heinrich
2006 Brant Heinrich / Ernie Taylor
tendency: big improvement
2007: Depending on how Heinrich and/or Taylor mature

Guards
2004 David Burdett & Devin McDaniel
2005 Butch White & RT Russell Malave / Alvin Causey
2006 Butch White & Timothy Lacy / RT Russell Malave
tendency: big improvement
2007: Depending on maturity level of White and Lacy

Tackles
2004 Harold Hurtado & Russell Malave
2005 Harold Hurtado & Wilson Grimaldo
2006 Harold Hurtado & Wilson Grimaldo
tendency: improvement
2007: We might need a younger replacement for Hurtado

Defensive ends
2004 Harold Wells & Deon Chapa
2005 Harold Wells & Deon Chapa / Albert Bernardo
2006 Albert Bernardo & Scot Dick / Omar Gougeon
tendency: down fall with loss of Wells
2007: Possible search for a new, young pass rusher

Defensive tackles
2004 Charles Gomez & John Bryant
2005 Charles Gomez & John Bryant
2006 Charles Gomez & John Bryant / Andy Welizcka / ILB Carl Meier
tendency: improvement due to maturity
2007: potential upgrade over Bryant

Linebackers
2004 Britt Silvan & Cody Cluff & Mike Kershner
2005 Ellsworth Thelen & Cody Cluff & Mike Kershner
2006 Ellsworth Thelen & Cody Cluff & Mike Kershner
tendency: improvement due to maturity
2007: With mentors tutoring, these guys should form an excellent run stopping trio

Cornerbacks
2004 Dennis Preciado & C.J. Schwartz
2005 Dennis Preciado & Tai Wayne
2006 Dennis Preciado / Gus Stoffers & Tai Wayne
tendency: big improvement
2007: need for a new corner of talent level like Wayne

Safeties
2004 Lincoln Gilmore & Randall Smith
2005 Lincoln Gilmore / Wiley McGhee & Richard Muller
2006 Lincoln Gilmore & Richard Muller / John Cole
tendency: little improvement due to maturity of Gilmore
2007: desire to improve the spot of Muller and possibly Gilmore's if he doesn't mature enough

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Alf

Nice analysis as always Matthijs. Seems you liked my draft. I hope I like it as much as you do.

PS : I would have likely picked QB Torres at 3.28 if 3ric hadn't picked him... I think he could start in the league someday.

In a day or two, we'll know more about how good your draft really was. And how good others' drafts were, obviously.

On an unrelated note, what I especially like is how much mentors my team has now:

DE Bernardo for the DL group
WLB Weisberg for the LB group
CB Preciado (new!) for the secondary
RT Grimaldo for the OL group
WR group doesn't need a mentor, I think
RB group could use a mentor
QB group really needs a mentor for Flannery and to a lesser degree for the others, but getting one failed twice. We lost the bidding wars (despite having better offers!) to San Luis Obispo for Fairbanks' Burchell and to Brooklyn for Ann Arbor's Griffin. I have given up hopes to land a new mentor.

[wade moore]

I think that I'm particularly interested in the turnover on defense and in your overall depth. That shows the starters, but I believe your depth changed quite a bit, making you less vulnerable to injuries.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I think that I'm particularly interested in the turnover on defense and in your overall depth. That shows the starters, but I believe your depth changed quite a bit, making you less vulnerable to injuries.

Well, let's see who the (new) backups are:

QB Bower/Flannery (on par? cohesion is worse than with McDavid)
RB Smith (same)
FB Nelson (worse to far worse than Lopez)
TE Ohare/Martins (far worse than Aubrey)
WR Henkel & Henson (minor improvement)
C Taylor/Heinrich (improvement)
LG/RG Dietrich/Malave/Lacy/White (improvement if not counting Causey)
RT Malave (same)
LT Myers/Dunkin (minor improvement, had no LT)
DE Gougeon/Dick (downgrade from Chapa)
DT Weliczka/Bryant (improvement over King)
SLB Mercer/Weisberg/Meier (improvement)
ILB Meier (big improvement)
WLB Weisberg (big improvement)
CB Stoffers/Preciado & Stidham (improvement)
SS Singleton (downgrade, unless he breaks out)
FS Cole (downgrade, unless he matures)

You could be right there, WM. Afterall, most of my trades were to create an improvement in the backups department, not to get better starters, except those involved to get that #5 pick. Additionally, I decided to get at least a fair backup LT with good pass blocking potential in case Hurtado goes down. The big talented mentor Grimaldo seems to suck at LT and should mentor these young guys to make one of them a worthy backup.

All said and done, there are three things I am looking forward to the most:
On #3 How will the defensive line performance change without anchorman Harold Wells?
Can Dick, Gougeon and the linebackers make up for the loss of our sack machine? How can I get sacking LB Thelen to work with the team and how will I be able to cycle with low endurance ends and run stopping/pass rushing specialists?

On #2 How will Flannery fit with the system?
He looks like Lyon, although a lot better in most areas, so the question is rather, can he show he's a true starting QB and Bower really is just a safety net Louie is hurt? Is having Reiser as an emergency receiver and/or FB Rosenberry crucial there? Will I be able to get a mentor QB to guide Flannery?

On #1 How will I make my pass defense work better with the plans I have for a different style?
I tried to get together zone defense defensive backs as Wayne, Cole and Gilmore are all very good to excellent there. That's been a big part in the deal to trade McGhee and draft Singleton. How will it work with linebackers who lack zone defense skills, like Thelen who has a below 5 rating in that area? Will it force me to switch Thelen to WLB and Kershner to SLB?

Three big Qs where I hope to get a bit of an answer in the preseason games against the backups from the 2004 champs Fairbanks and the 2005 champs Ann Arbor.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
Well, the six rookies arrived today. Louie Flannery looked as good as he was spoken for, however our scouting staff warned us that his potential isn't as good as he was rated for. That said, he should still be the early favorite for the starting job in 2006 and has my confidence to become our starter for 6 years. Six, as I offered him a six-year deal today.

Andy Weliczka is the big surprise of the class. The seventh round pick looks even better than scouted for the draft and it looks like he has a case to become our guy on running downs next to Charles Gomez. Or we could play him as an end and have new guys Gougeon and Dick fight it out for the passing downs role.

Talking of Gougeon, he looks as good as anticipated and should make the 60 preseason roster. The same is true for safety Lamar Singelton, who also looked as good as scouted before. Center Ernie Taylor and fullback Doug Nelson were downgraded a bit, but I presume it has to do with the effect of seeing them closer. It's mainly their potential looking a bit less optimistic, but both should become the backups at their positions.

Other news? Well, we might be trying to bring in a few free agents, most notably rookies, but to do so we need to cut players. As we offered all six rookies contracts, we are required to cut two players anyway, so today I told some players their days as a Merchantmen are over. How many are cut will be revealed as soon as we know which rookies signed their contract offers and whether we win bidding wars on free agents.

Something else to note then? Oh yes, the draft class was better watched by league scouts and of all the players, two jump out as the biggest busts so far. Fullback Ron Shields, the top guy at his position has been downgraded from very good to good. More interestingly is the downgrade to defensive end Grady Kramer. Kramer was drafted by Paris and was our third option as a first round pick. Go figure...

And then some news from former Merchantmen player Deon Chapa. It seems he worked out a lot in the off-season and he's now ranked as the third best defensive end in the league, in potential. Just on spot behind the other end we traded away, Harold Wells. As you can imagine, I'm very much unhappy to hear that, especially as I suspect I could have found the cap room to keep both guys around, all we had to then is not trading away Lyon and not drafting Flannery. Oh well, "c'est la vie" would my biggest rivals say...

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: rookie Flannery demands release of Halas
It's not confirmed yet, but we hear that the Maassluis Merchantment are about to cut wide receiver Mario Halas. The reason behind it is two headed. Halas seems to be the least talented of the Merchantmen receivers without returning skills and is unlikely to make the active roster. But recently Halas was also spotted as a troublemaker, as newly acquired #3 receiver David Henkel and Halas seem to be far from good buddies. And now #5 pick overall, quarterback Louie Flannery, has joined Henkel's side.

Flannery arrived in Maassluis and had a quick meeting with all the other players as the Merchantmen management are heading into late free agency and revealed their plans for the training camp. It is reported that nine players were told their time to go is here, even before training camp. Additionally, Flannery and Halas turned out to be far from best friends. The name of Halas has been the promiment name in the "who's cut lists". Players were not allowed to notify the team who've been cut until later today.

Gossip News was able to recover a snippet of paper from the paper trash stack. It seems the Merchantmen said goodbye to: running back Tavares, guard Paddock, tackles Myers and Fontenot, defensive end Springer, linebackers Silvan and Whalen, and cornerbacks Schwartz and Hernandez. Most promiment are Britt Silvan and C.J. Schwartz, who were starters for the Merchantmen in the 2004 season. Nine cuts and six rookies means there are still seven spots open on the 70-men training camp roster. Who the new additions will be is the next thing we will reveal to you, however, we haven't acquired info on that matter yet. So keep reading Gossip News and you'll find out!

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen sign eight, release nine, Flannery still unsigned
A training camp is getting near, the Maassluis Merchantmen management is happy to announce the addition of eight new players. Five of them are rookies drafted recently. Fullback Doug Nelson, center Ernie Taylor, defensive tackle Any Weliczka and safety Lamar Singleton signed three-year deals. Defensive end Omar Gougeon signed a four-year contract.

In additional, the Merchantmen signed three undrafted rookie free agents. Cornerback Myron Stevens was on the list of guys to pick all draft long since the fifth round, but the management suspected he would go undrafted. Stevens is said to be a zone defense and interceptions specialist. Also signed was wide receiver Andre Horning. Horning is a kickoff return specialist who could be an interesting #4 receiver and will battle it out with Devin Henson for that role. Third addition is kicker Al Bettis, who will be the insurance policy for now in case something goes wrong with kicker Cary Coles.

Amongst the nine players cut, Britt Silvan is the most notable. The strong linebacker played 20 games for the Merchantmen, with 15 starts in 2004. Silvan made 79 tackles in that season. C.J. Schwartz is the other notable casualty. cornerback Schwartz started 15 of 16 games in the 2004 season. He made 2 interceptions, 1 sack and 31 tackles all year. Schwartz spent the 2005 season on injured reserve in hopes to win a roster spot again in this season.

Also cut were a few other 2005 roster players. Long time backup tackle Jeff Fontenot played in 5 games in 2 years. Linebacker Roosevelt Whalen was a 2005 undrafted rookie who played 2 games in Maassluis. Cornerback Sammie Hernandez had 5 starts in 12 games in 2005. Left tackle Hunter Myers never played a down for the Merchantmen and hoped to earn the backup left tackle job this training camp and pre-season. THe three other cuts are recent signings running back Vincent Tavares, guard James Paddock and defensive end Erik Springer.

More bad news was Louie Flannery's refusal to sign a six-year contract. The team hoped to have him willing to sign an interesting contract worth 23.33 million dollars. The team hopes to sign Flannery a different deal to have him ready in time for training camp.

Additionally, the team is still negotiating with other teams to improve a few backup spots. Who and for which team is what we can't tell right now, but it's always good to let the fans know the phones are still not burried.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
Yes! Myron Stevens in the house! Yes, he's an undrafted rookie, but if we're really going to work with zone defense as the primairy system, this guy could become pretty crucial, if he's developing to his potential. The guy can be an interception monster and a very useful zone defender. I'm pretty confident that we have found our fifth cornerback and guys like Gus Alston and Desmond Craig will be gone after training camp or pre-season.

What about that Horning guy? Well, he's a kickoff returner, although he's a fumbler too, so he'll probably be our #3 or #4 option there. What he can do a bit better is getting open. That is, if he lives up to potential. He'll be battling drops too, but we've seen how Lonnie O'Reilley worked around it, it won't be a big deal.

Kicker Bettis is here because he looks like an interesting kickoff kicker. Cary Coles will make the roster as our points kicker, but Bettis' potential to avoid long kickoff returns can be interesting to give him an opportunity to make our roster. I suspect that we took the profit from punter Roscoe Corrales' hang time on our punt return defense.

What's next? We still need a better backup left tackle. Hunter Myers wasn't the solution and Edgar Dunkin's looking fine, but his poor endurance will not make him a starter any day. We were looking for a certain guy in free agency, but his leadership skills kicked in and could have caused a big issue around here.

How do the drafted rookies look?
Louie Flannery is sitting ready to win the battle with Shane Bower. To do so, he does need to show some skill in preseason. Pretty important will be how he will work out with our team. It looks like he's more of a short passes guy than a medium passes guy, which is what our system relies on. And when your receivers who get open the most are your tight end, fullback and running back, you won't see long passes anyway. Or Flannery must be really starting to like David Henkel and toss the big-play guy the deep balls. That said, Mel Atkins has showed up worked out and looks very much willing to be more than a holder.

Ernie Taylor looks hopeless. The guy has potential, undoubtly, but he's so far from getting there, it will be a longshot to beat out Tom Schwartz and his 21 starts. He's not going to be better then Brent Heinrich in any area. And somehow I'm glad, because a guy drafted 159th overall beating a guy drafted 32nd overall is not good.

Omar Gougeon is far from there, but if we give him the time to grow, he'll be an interesting pass rush specialist. Maybe we can let him switch on plays with our other rookie, Andy Weliczka. Both have endurance, but what's interesting is how Weliczka looks like a very interesting running downs guy. All in all, the big casualty will probably be Junior McKeehan. Junior hasn't developed enough and is not good enough on rushing plays, unlike Richard Stutz.

Lamar Singleton hopes to make a case for the starting role. He probably understands he's the replacement of Wiley McGhee, but he should know that Lincoln Gilmore is a survivor. Big problem is how Singleton won't be very supportive on rushing plays. So when then running back breaks through our front seven, Singleton won't be the guy to rely on to avoid a bigger play. Gilmore should be the big guy to do that. Pretty crucial could be how good Norman Mueller will work out as punt returner. Afterall, there will probably only be room for 4 safeties on the roster and Gilmore, Richard Muller and John Cole look safe.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen finally cut McDaniel
The rumors were hanging in the air and the management already explained his days as a Merchantmen could be over soon, but today it became reality. We hear that guard Devin McDaniel is cut after two years of service. McDaniel played in 16 games, starting 6 in the 2004 season. Last season he made the starting line up in 3 games due to injuries and saw action in 2 more games. His 2005 stats are not bad at all as McDaniel allowed no sacks in 139 passing plays and made 3 key run blocks on 8 opportunites in 82 rushins plays.

With this roster spot freed up, the Merchantmen have room for six new players, including unsiged rookie and quarterback Louie Flannery. The team has entered the biggind wars on undrafted rookies guard Mario Oelschlager, a run blocking prospect, and left tackle Peter Lincoln, a pass protection specialist. Third unsiged rookie they're trying to acquire is tight end Marco Rabe.

Still, with those three figured out, the team is apparently eyeing two more guys to add up to the 70-men limit to bring a maximum of boddies into training camp. We suspect the team is looking for a running back and a quarterback, but we have no idea who. Maybe the team will bring in Justin McDavid's backup and body in his college time, Wendell Mason.

For the running back spot, the name of Roy Kesler was brought up once again, as Kesler was cut last season after training camp, but was said to have the potential to make the Merchantmen roster someday. Also spotted was the agent of Mercury Watkins. Watkins is a punt return specialist and is typical third down back. Watkins has experience with North Plainfield and Orlando, but mainly saw action as punt returner there. Gossip News will let you know what's going on as always.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen bring in four new players
The Merchantmen management is happy to present four new players to the team. The team signed undrafted rookies at quarterback, inside linebacker and safety. The fourth player is a veteran right tackle with a relative big history in the IHOF. A little introduction to the new players to the ornage-white-and-blue.

Jason McKnight is a rookie quarterback from Tennessee Tech. McKnight was amazed to be given a shot at being on an IHOF roster during training camp. The management thinks McKnight is going to breakout soon and the scouting staff had nothing but praise about McKnight. Still, it will be a long shot for McKnight to make the 60-men preseason roster, let alone the 53-men regular season roster.

Bernard Buffington is a rookie free safety from Syracuse. Buffington is a hard hitter and a great supporter of the run defense. The scouting staff recently saw progress in Buffington's talent and the team hopes to see Buffington to make more improvement. Right now, there's little reason to expect him to make the 53-men roster for the regular season, but stranger thinks happen in this league.

Kenneth Field is an undrafted rookie from Rice. Field is another potential breakout player, according to the scouting staff. Field played weak inside linebacker in college and he could be an interesting third stringer at inside linebacker, especailly if the team wants to change to a 3-4 defense. Breakout or not, making the 53-men roster will be tough to accomplish.

Jeramy Thompson is an aged veteran right tackle. The team hopes to switch him to right guard to mentor the young starters Butch White and Timothy Lacy. The past two seasons, Thompson was part of the AOC championship team. In 2004 he was a member of the Stillwater Dynamite and starter in the lost IHOF Bowl I. Last season he played for the Conyers Condors, but saw no action in IHOF Bowl II.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen sign Flannery in time for training camp
Negotiations were tought, but the Merchantmen finally signed their quarterback of the future to a long term contract. Louie Flannery signed a five-year deal at the start of training camp to give the Merchantmen a 70-men roster going into camp. Both the Merchantmen management, Flannery's agent Harvey Blades and Flannery himself are happy to have the issue resolved.

[MIJB#19]

Post training camp report
Training camp is over and the team is headed for the 2006 season. A little positional preview.

Quarterback
QB Louie Flannery - Flannery had a great camp and gained a lot of experience to be the #1.
QB Fumblin' Justin McDavid - Well, what can I say more then that he's out all year?
QB Shane Bower - He's as good as Flannery, but less potential makes him #2.
QB Mel Atkins - Believe it or not, Mel is not out of the race, this ain't a simple holder.
QB Jason McKnight - McKnight is breaking out, but his potential is insufficient to stay.

Running back
RB Randy Harris - This guy doesn't need introduction, he's our all downs back.
RB Jonathan Smith - Still getting better and a worthy backup running back.
RB Kennedy Colwell - Similiar to Montoya, a better receiver, one might be cut.
RB Kyle Montoya - Similiar to Colwell, much better in finding holes, one might be cut.

Fullback
FB Jamel Rosenberry - Mark Burger? Rosenberry is the new guy and he's just as good.
FB Doug Nelson - I think this is what they call a bust. Nelson should fear for his job.
FB Charles Reuter - He didn't get much better and the preseason is no guarantee.

Tight end
TE Jim Reiser - Reiser is fully developed, it's time to make him our top receiver.
TE Charlie Martins - Maybe not good enough to be the #2 guy, but he is our long snapper.
TE Jack Ohare - Had to improve a lot to make the 53-men, right now he's 50-50.

Wide receiver
SE Bryce Ewald - If only he got open more often, he'd be an amazing target for our passer.
FL Gregory Monti - Still struggling to get open, great to have for the short passing game.
FL David Henkel - Has trouble to get open, his big play ability will make him a great #3.
SE Devin Henson - It's good to have such a talented kick returner, as a wideout he sucks.
FL Lonnie O'Reilley - I like this guy's stats, but only his returning skills can save him.
SE Matt Offord - Won't ever get open, but is a breakout guy who returns punts well.
SE Mario Halas - I liked his potential as a #4 receiver, until his personalty ruined it.
SE Andre Horning - Another kickoff returner and a guy who should be able to get open.

Center
C Brant Heinrich - Clearly he won't be a top 10 or even top 20 guy, but he can play.
C Ernie Taylor - Of course he was too good to be true for the pick, he ain't a total bust.
C Tom Schwartz - Was close to being cut, now his cohesion value could save him.

Guard
LG Butch White - One year of starting and this guy is a top run blocker.
RG Timothy Lacy - Like White is a year away from the elite, yet his low stamina scares me.
RG Eric Dietrich - Far from start-worthy, but he has good potential and will make it.
RG Jeramy Thompson - Seems to not be a mentor to guards, his two AOC titles are for real.

Tackle
LT Harold Hurtado - If only he was a little bit better of a pass protector...
RT Wilson Grimaldo - Still the best player we have and he's got a year on the team now.
RT Russell Malave - A backup now, but he's our #1 backup on three offensive line spots.
LT Edgar Dunkin - If only he had endurance, he'd be a true contender for the LT job.

Punter
P Roscoe Corrales - Just a so-so punter, with the best hang time in the whole wide world.
P Lester Murrell - Has so much talent in directional punting, what Corrales clearly lacks.

Kicker
K Cary Coles - Helped us out at times and is pretty reliable on short kicks, mostly.
K Al Bettis - Won't hit the 50+ yarders, but his kickoff skills are so much better.

Defensive End
LE Albert Bernardo - Will get the tough job to play in Harold Wells' spot, sacking he can.
RE Scot Dick - I think he needs a workout trainer, or has to play in a rotation system.
RE Omar Gougeon - Hardly has any experience, but I'll gladly give him a starting job.
RE Richard Stutz - He has potential, but I doubt he'll ever reach it, not here that is...
LE Junior McKeehan - Kept around a long time to develop, still limited as a run stopper.

Defensive Tackle
LT Charles Gomez - Needs no introduction, Gomez is our defensive anchorman up front.
RT John Bryant - Underestimated by talent, yet put down good stats on this defense.
NT Andy Weliczka - Weliczka is breaking out as a very promising run stopper.
LT Stanley Jacke - Has been a guy with decent potential coming in and going out too.
NT Bryan Fyie - Has the potential, but I'm not sure yet whether we'll keep five tackles.

Inside Linebacker
MLB Cody Cluff - He's 2 years away from being the league's best run stopping middle back.
WILB Carl Meier - The leader of the front seven can do it all a bit and do it all day.
MLB Matt Sellers - He's so talented and a cool name, but only makes it if we've got room.
WILB Kenneth Field - He's a breakout, but can't stop the run of do the zone defense, bye.

Outside Linebacker
WLB Mike Kershner - I have so good hopes for this guy, I even hired a mentor for him.
SLB Ellsworth Thelen - I need to find a way to make him our premier pass rusher.
WLB Josh Weisberg - Will be great to have playing when not having to pass defense.
SLB Karl Mercer - Has some interesting all around potential to be a worthy backup.
WLB Sam Sasa - Postponing excecution is what it is, postponing is over, good luck, Sam.

Cornerback
LCB Tai Wayne - Oh yeah, the league screems for a shutdown corner, we've got our guy here!
LCB Gus Stoffers - Has room to grow and is signed long term, will be a good bud to Tai.
LCB Dennis Preciado - Father Time is calling for Preciado, he won't be starting anymore.
RCB Johnnie Stidham - We lost him once, it won't happen twice, he's got starter potential.
RCB Myron Stevens - Well, he can't do much, except that what he's got to do, that is.
LCB Desmond Craig - With his nose for interceptions, I really want to keep this dime back.
LCB Gus Alston - Will be great for cohesion, but time to seperate ways is here now.

Safety
SS Lincoln Gilmore - I won't give up on him ever again, this is our big guy in the back.
FS Richard Muller - He's still learning, but is really exploiting his endurance to excel.
FS John Cole - Not the best run stopper, but his potential in other areas is pretty good.
SS Lamar Singleton - Can't support the run, but other then that he's got potential.
FS Bernard Buffington - This guy broke out and will be hot trade ware as bump and runner.
SS Norman Mueller - Has some experience, but even his punt returning can't save him.

[MIJB#19]

Seasonal Preview
As the 2006 season is about to start, it's time to look at how all the teams have been doing so far in the pre-season leading up to training camp. Per team, I've compared the quarterback situation, the offense and defense with 2005 season's end and valued the changes with either a '+' to indicate improvement, a '-' to indicate this getting worse, or a '=' to indicate things basically staying put. After that, I indicated what the team's best addition and biggest loss are, while I also tried to identify a player to watch for the 2006 season other then the usual suspects. Take it with a little grain of salt and enjoy the read. Teams are listed in alphabetical order and by divisional order. The listed goals are what I suspect will be the main target for 2006.


Atlantic Ocean Conference


Northeast Division

team name: Boston Rhinos
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Ending the season with a winning record.
quarterbacks: = / Fabian Parker is ageing, but the team drafted the talented Richard Bell to take over.
the offense: + / Most players have room to improve, especially some skill position players.
the defense: - / The loss of CB Desmond Walker and DE James Lederman will be tough to handle.
best addition: DE Andy Nestor, young pass rusher who can help forgetting James Lederman.
biggest loss: CB Daniel Walker, was an important player in the secondary.
guy to watch: QB Richard Bell, perhaps this guy will be the next rookie to make Fabian Parker tradable.

team name: North Plainfield
2005 record: 11-5
goal for 2006: Winning the AOC conference.
quarterbacks: + / David Conti keeps getting better and the team acquired Roy Keith to back him up.
the offense: + / The loss of TE Drumm is resolved by adding two former Orlando star receivers.
the defense: + / The Plague traded the #2 overall pick to get the best defensive end in the IHOF.
best addition: DE Cris Richardson, if he stays healthy, which is questionable, he can be a big force.
biggest loss: TE Brendon Drumm, was David Conti's favourite target and he will be missed.
guy to watch: WR Albert Moses, this guy should become David Conti's new favourite target.

team name: Rochester Lake Monster
2005 record: 9-7
goal for 2006: Reaching the playoffs.
quarterbacks: + / Jackie Williamson will gain experience and the team signed backup Albert Messner.
the offense: + / The Lake Monsters acquired RB Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins to carry this run heavy offense.
the defense: + / DE Deon Chapa and MLB Benny Hughes will make this defense better than it was.
best addition: RB Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins, too expensive for Paris, will be crucial in this offense.
biggest loss: RB Joe Boulware, loss is a big word, he was already a backup and needed to get Wiggins.
guy to watch: CB Deion Ingram, Just the first name is already too good to be true for this interceptor.

team name: Syracuse Mohawks
2005 record: 9-7
goal for 2006: Reaching the playoffs.
quarterbacks: = / Brent Peterman is still here and still not producing what people expect from him.
the offense: + / Veterans C Elton Roberts and G Randy Salgado give Peterman finally some protection.
the defense: = / LB Ron Larson left, but S Edward Merida comes in, LB Joe Teeters & co are here again.
best addition: SS Edward Merida, if he's recovering well from injury, the 'hawks have a new starter.
biggest loss: SLB Ron Larson, apparently he was expendable with others sitting ready to take over.
guy to watch: QB Brent Peterman, with the addition of some pass protection, it's time to show up.


Deep South Division

team name: Fort Worth Fury
2005 record: 8-8
goal for 2006: Having a winning record at some point during the season.
quarterbacks: + / New veteran Lionel Helfrich and rookie Shawn 'Jahr' Jahr will be big improvements.
the offense: + / RB William Wood needed a blocker, now he's got FB Mark Burger in front of him.
the defense: + / No new big signings, but a young group maturing will get better during the season.
best addition: FB Mark Burger, 'Chunder' will get the ball a lot and Burger will make holes for him.
biggest loss: FB Darius McFarlin, the old man asked too much and was not good enough to stay around.
guy to watch: WR Mouse Tail Perry, everybody wants to know whether 2005 was a fairy tail or reality.

team name: San Antonio Volunteers
2005 record: 9-7
goal for 2006: Winning the division.
quarterbacks: = / John McMasters is still here, while rookie Dennis Cressio is just an upgrade at #3.
the offense: = / The group is kept together, but the skill players are getting 'last trick'-old.
the defense: + / The secondary and linebackers group is the same, the defensive line got new bodies.
best addition: RB Michael Fau, the all downs back sitting ready to make Bud Pitts a benchwarmer.
biggest loss: K Dwayne Calfee, maybe not the best, but a game winner going to the rival Outlaws? Ouch!
guy to watch: DE Russell McCubbrey, this rookie could be the biggest sack machine San Antonio ever saw.

team name: Telluride Outlaws
2005 record: 11-5
goal for 2006: Winning the AOC conference.
quarterbacks: = / Norm Rizzo isn't getting younger, but time doesn't seem to get any grip on him.
the offense: = / Rizzo's supporting cast is mainly the same, yet the team upgraded a few positions.
the defense: - / The team acquired two great defensive ends, but they can't replace ILB Timoty Scott.
best addition: DE Arthur Kennedy, happy to go from a 1-15-team star to just a starter on a win-now team.
biggest loss: ILB Timothy Scott, who's gonna sit ready in the rare holes the tackles allow now?
guy to watch: C Lester Bridges, the Outlaws' first ever draft pick, will he ever become a starter?

team name: Vicksburg Vipers
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Having a winning record at season's end.
quarterbacks: = / Caleb Dinger remains the Vipers' #1, but he's got to drop the interceptions total.
the offense: - / A lot of good rushers, but Edward Stelly will be missed, even though they won without.
the defense: + / CB Daniel Walker and rookie S Kerry Horner make the secondary a lot better.
best addition: CB Daniel Walker, one of the few much-wanted shutdown cornerbacks in the IHOF.
biggest loss: RB Edward Stelly, lost all confidence after missing the great 5-0 season end.
guy to watch: K Fernando Ramsey, saved Bordeaux in many close games, hopes to pull his trick again.


Southeast Division

team name: Conyers Condors
2005 record: 12-4
goal for 2006: Winning the league title.
quarterbacks: = / Everett 'Aces' Glenn goes into his last year of contract to retain the AOC title.
the offense: - / Did you see that? They lost both their top running backs to the top European teams.
the defense: - / Replacing CB Omar Stewart and DE Dillon Sumpter with rookies still means a downgrade.
best addition: CB Buddy Upshaw, in a league desiring shutdown corners, Conyers hopes this is their man.
biggest loss: DE Dillon Sumpter, him being injured, the team fears he will never be the old Sumpter.
guy to watch: DE Bryce Anderson, apparently a breakout player, destined to make Sumpter forgotten.

team name: Georgia Gridlock
2005 record: 4-12
goal for 2006: Having a better record than 4-12.
quarterbacks: - / Cory Peters left the team, yet Tim Wilkes receives all confidence to remain as #1.
the offense: + / The offense will only get better during the season as the men get used to each other.
the defense: = / Everybody stayed around, including the cornerbacks who can't stop a receiver.
best addition: DT Cole Alexander, a guy with limited talent, is expected to excel in stopping the run.
biggest loss: G Arthur Brown, not much of a loss as one of the backups, but as a Tiger he'll be back.
guy to watch: QB Tim Wilkes, the team gave him the go ahead, with more better receivers he's the man.

team name: Orlando Knights
2005 record: 9-7
goal for 2006: Winning a playoff game.
quarterbacks: - / Wally Christopherson was traded away, giving rookie Michael Prescott the go ahead.
the offense: - / It's impossible to list all the players who left, but it's very clear they're worse.
the defense: = / As big the turnover on offense is, at least the defense was improved a bit.
best addition: SS Edmund Hetrick, a relative young and experienced player, a great addition to this team.
biggest loss: WR Albert Moses, clearly not the best in stats, but did draw all the attention.
guy to watch: QB Scottie Hanson, the team drafted Michael Prescott, but Hanson played well in 2005.

team name: Tucker Tigers
2005 record: 10-6
goal for 2006: Winning the division.
quarterbacks: + / Gary Handy will get better, unless the team goes forward with rookie Pat Jamison.
the offense: = / Sure, G Alfred Delacruz left, but they can probably miss one link of the chain.
the defense: = / A lot of turnover with the talent level staying basically the same.
best addition: MLB Jeffrey Cogan, one of the most desired players, he'll be great to have, for a year.
biggest loss: MLB Lloyd Dye, in talent the best guy leaving town, but the team clearly didn't like him.
guy to watch: DT Henry Rogers, if a team trades up to #2 to grab a guy, it just screams for attention.


European Division

team name: Bordeaux Vineyards
2005 record: 11-5
goal for 2006: Winning the AOC conference.
quarterbacks: + / Joe Johnson is still the #1, but the team did improve with Victor Whyte as understudy.
the offense: + / One thing was always bad in Bordeaux, the offensive line, and that group got better.
the defense: + / And then they traded in DE Harold Wells from their divisional rival to get stronger.
best addition: DE Harold Wells, one day you're Joe Johnson's biggest nightmare, the next you're his bud.
biggest loss: MLB Arthur Hollar, limited in talent, the Vineyards' best guy leaving town was Hollar.
guy to watch: G Michael France, with a guy named France playing in France, the fans will love him.

team name: Gothenburg Giants
2005 record: 9-7
goal for 2006: Reaching the playoffs.
quarterbacks: + / Duane Davis has a lot to learn, rookies Ernest Randle and Irving Torres battle for #2.
the offense: - / They could have signed as much players as wanted, but RB Jerry McGee is irreplaceable.
the defense: = / A few new faces make this group a bit better, but not enough to expect miracles.
best addition: RB Cecil Maxwell, the team needed a rusher and Maxwell is here, but he's no McGee.
biggest loss: RB Jerry McGee, the big man on the offense retired a year later than expected.
guy to watch: QB Duane Davis, people expect a lot from him and now he's lost his top two targets.

team name: Maassluis Merchantmen
2005 record: 7-9
goal for 2006: Having a winning record.
quarterbacks: + / Leonard Lyon and Justin McDavid out, both Louie Flannery and Shane Bower are upgrades.
the offense: = / Some guys still have room to improve, but most important is the upgrade of depth.
the defense: - / When a team trades it's best player to a divisional rival, there's something wrong.
best addition: QB Louie Flannery, with the 2005 starters traded our injured, it's Flannery's opportunity.
biggest loss: DE Harold Wells, the big sack machine and defensive anchorman, he'll be missed for sure.
guy to watch: RB Randy Harris, with McGee retired, Harris wants to prove he's Europe's best back.

team name: Paris Musketeers
2005 record: 2-14
goal for 2006: Beating the Bordeaux Vineyards.
quarterbacks: + / Mario Hudson is hoping to become a better passer, while the depth stays put.
the offense: - / WR Michael Spann left, RB Kevin Wiggins left, do I need to say more?
the defense: = / DE Harold Nygaard was cut, but the maturing of other guys might make them even better.
best addition: RB Joe Boulware, rookie of the year he was, now he's given a new opportunity to prove it.
biggest loss: WR Michael Spann, when you average 50 receptions a year, you don't deserve big bucks.
guy to watch: P Keith Horne, a punter as the guy to watch, he's got to be something special.


North American Conference


Midwest Division

team name: Ann Arbor Anachronism
2005 record: 13-3
goal for 2006: Defeding the league title.
quarterbacks: = / The team traded their backup, but league MVP Donald Woods won't go anywhere else.
the offense: = / Only one starter left, TE Wilbur Kesler, this offense will continue to be strong.
the defense: = / The defensive personnel is basically the same, except the departure of DE Danny George.
best addition: DE Ricardo Lyle, with little cap room, a second round pick can be a great addition.
biggest loss: DE Danny George, for a guy of his talent level, he sure made a lot of sacks.
guy to watch: WR William Duenas, has a championship on each hand, now wants to add one to his left foot.

team name: Columbus Architects
2005 record: 10-6
goal for 2006: Winning the division.
quarterbacks: + / Faith is with Robby Gonzalez, yet rookie Nicky Ellard is an interesting addition.
the offense: = / With an upgrade here and loss of a starter there, the offense will be similar.
the defense: = / Not much changed with two new safeties and MLB Dalton Fang replacing ILB Tyrone Rojas.
best addition: MLB Dalton Fang, one third of the league wanted him, Columbus grabbed him.
biggest loss: WILB Tyrone Rojas, was a great guy to have, but with Fang in his departure makes sense.
guy to watch: QB Robby Gonzalez, with aged stars and young prospects, Gonzalez is wrongfully ignored.

team name: Minnesota Miners
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Winning a divisional game.
quarterbacks: = / Is George Edson an upgrade over Jason Gott? Only time will tell, but it looks better.
the offense: + / Is that Alfredo Bass going to catch passes from George Edson? Now we're talking!
the defense: = / As much as you'd look, no way this defense can get even better than it already was.
best addition: WR Alfredo Bass, one of the best receivers in the IHOF or product of a good quarterback?
biggest loss: CB Ahmad McCaffrey, the team franchises him, but rather dealt him and his limited talent.
guy to watch: WR Jimmie Erickson, after an injury plagued year, now he's got a big name to play with.

team name: RayCo Raiders
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Reaching the playoffs.
quarterbacks: + / Brian Hartsock is back from injury and will mentor his rookie backup Neal Aguillard.
the offense: + / Unlike QB Brian Hartsock, most of these guys are young and still getting better.
the defense: = / Personnel hardly changed, but these guys are all already at their peak.
best addition: QB Neal Aguillard, with Hartsock retiring soon, Aguillard provides an insurance policy.
biggest loss: RT Steve Jefferson, one of few guys leaving, won't be missed much at all.
guy to watch: RB Rich Gillespie, with Rodger Mowery ageing, he could be the surprise rookie of the year.


Atlantic Coast Division

team name: Asheville Axemen
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Winning the division.
quarterbacks: = / The same cast, the same results? Thad Pilkington remains as the offensive leader.
the offense: - / Sure, WR Rickey Mitchell is hot, yet it's impossible to replace LT Vince Taylor, ever.
the defense: + / Well, they didn't add big names, but those new faces do increase the talent level.
best addition: WR Rickey Mitchell, Thad needs better targets, now he's got a hot prospect to throw to.
biggest loss: LT Vince Taylor, tortured by injury, there was no chance he'd ever start again.
guy to watch: FB Ron Shields, drafted with great expectations, now tagged as instant bust.

team name: Miami Sharks
2005 record: 7-9
goal for 2006: Winning the division.
quarterbacks: = / Woodrow Taylor is still here, the management hopes to see the 2004 Taylor back.
the offense: = / Sure, they got replacement for WR Arlen Macneil, but the rookies need time to grow.
the defense: - / As much as they tried to keep all their men together, they're not getting younger.
best addition: SS Lorenzo Barker, together with Duane Kolb, he'll form a promising safety duo.
biggest loss: WR Arlen Macneil, plagued by injury, this guy of age decided to quit he game entirely.
guy to watch: TE Scottie Handwerker, maybe it's his name, but he does have a shot at becoming a starter.

team name: Outer Banks Ospreys
2005 record: 10-6
goal for 2006: Defending the division title.
quarterbacks: + / E.G. 'The Great' Lumpkin will get his first complete year, but his backup left.
the offense: = / Not much change in personnel, but the team did increase depth at some positions.
the defense: = / The Ospreys have little stars on defense, yet their backups are of comparable skill.
best addition: MLB Arthur Hollar, the team had little new signings, Hollar is the most talented new guy.
biggest loss: RB Mike Marcano, a decent runner, but apparently not the guy the Ospreys wanted to run.
guy to watch: QB E.G. 'The Great' Lumpkin, finally an opening weekend starter, is he for real?

team name: Springfield Isotopes
2005 record: 4-12
goal for 2006: Winning 6 games or more.
quarterbacks: + / The team acquired Leonard Lyon in a trade and got rid of bust Mel Atkins.
the offense: = / RB Huey Gervais' successor is in, but the great run blocking FB James Locke retired.
the defense: - / DT Thomas Polston and CB Marcellus Repp left the team and have not been replaced well.
best addition: RB Raymond Flowers, with the big star Gervais ready to retire, you want a guy to step in.
biggest loss: FB James Locke, perhaps the biggest reason for Gervais' succes, can he do without him?
guy to watch: QB Leonard Lyon, the Merchantmen gave up on him, here Gervais' new handoff guy.


Mid-Atlantic Division

team name: Astoria Heroes
2005 record: 8-8
goal for 2006: Giving Seth Dwight the time to get experienced.
quarterbacks: + / Julius Irvine was traded for Seth Dwight, while Wayne Christhoperson provides depth.
the offense: + / To make QB Seth Dwight accustomed, the Heroes acquired TE Brendon Drumm to help out.
the defense: = / DE Cris Richardson left, but he did miss 5 games, at other spots they did improve.
best addition: QB Seth Dwight, to call him the best is early, but he's written 'the chosen one' all over.
biggest loss: DE Cris Richardson, sometimes you trade a player out for what you gave up to get him.
guy to watch: DT Grant Major, when Seth Dwight is off the field, you want to focus on another top pick.

team name: Brooklyn Fightin' Bums
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Having a winning record.
quarterbacks: = / Another year of experimenting with Bradley Keil, Joe Manzo and rookie Peter Fulton?
the offense: + / Whoever the passer will be, new guys LT Daniel Brown and WR Jesse Jack will help him.
the defense: + / More maturing and the addition of DE Harold Nygaard will make the Bums better.
best addition: LT Daniel Brown, one philosophy is a top offense needs a great left tackle, here's one.
biggest loss: CB Robert Grosso, dropping a starting cornerback is not good, unless the guy is neither.
guy to watch: RB Monty Avent, the franchise running back of the team, and still no 1,000-yard back.

team name: Chesapeake Chitterlings
2005 record: 13-3
goal for 2006: Winning the NAC conference.
quarterbacks: = / Jaime Canter comes back for another year, while Ron Lyle is only getting better.
the offense: - / G Adam Greer is short term help and the holdout of WR David Marquis can be lethal.
the defense: = / Rookie WLB Harvey Rose is a fine addition, but the team did get worse at safety.
best addition: LG Adam Greer, not a guy for the future, but Chesapeake is in win-now mode.
biggest loss: SS Edward Merida, a great player, but severely injured and too expensive to keep around.
guy to watch: LT Peter Lincoln, undrafted rookie, kept teams increasing their bids, the new anchorman?

team name: Frederick Red Menace
2005 record: 6-10
goal for 2006: Returning to the playoffs.
quarterbacks: + / Jackie Percy will get better this year, while Brian Lueck is an upgrade at backup.
the offense: + / They didn't add a many new faces, but WR Albert Hancock and the maturing are helpful.
the defense: = / Some guys are getting old and got a bit worse, other have yet to reach their peak.
best addition: WR Albert Hancock, with Percy needing a better target, Hancock looks like a perfect fit.
biggest loss: ILB Alton Steele, he was replaceable, but the fact that injury forced retirement is sad.
guy to watch: CB Harold Worsham, if he stays healthy, this guy is one of the best shutdown cornerbacks.


East Division

team name: Anaheim Matterhorns
2005 record: 7-9
goal for 2006: Having a winning record.
quarterbacks: - / Richard Mahon retired, Cory Peters and rookie Marvin Patterson are even worse.
the offense: - / FB Cole Coleman retired as did the best quarterback, that doesn't imply improvement.
the defense: + / Rookies DE Darryl Snider, DT Eugene Hartman and CB Glenn Swift add to the potential.
best addition: FB Damion Sigler, it's tough to step in Coleman's shoes, yet he's given a shot at it.
biggest loss: FB Cole Coleman, playing a worthless position, he showed it can be a very valuable one.
guy to watch: RB Kurt Basso, with the quarterback position unsettled, guess who's needed to step up?

team name: Boulder Blizzard
2005 record: 1-15
goal for 2006: Winning more games than in 2004 and 2005 combined.
quarterbacks: + / Roy Keith had lost all confidence, but they got stats guy Julius Irvine in return.
the offense: + / The list of additions is too big to mention, the Blizzard will make a 360 degree turn.
the defense: + / The loss of DE Arthur Kennedy has been cleared with three new ends and more newbies.
best addition: QB Julius Irvine, Astoria's Hero, and yet not their greatest hero, He is the Blizzard's.
biggest loss: DE Arthur Kennedy, a big guy with a big role, still didn't quite fit in at his position.
guy to watch: WR Michael Spann, wants big bucks, with Fabian Parker and Mario Hudson he was average.

team name: Fairbanks Northstars
2005 record: 15-1
goal for 2006: Winning the league title.
quarterbacks: - / Sure, Joey Allen is still here, but dumping Jerry Burchell for a rookie will hurt.
the offense: = / Most of the starters have stayed, they filled the departure of two starting linemen.
the defense: = / A couple of guys left and most got older, good thing CB Omar Stewart joins the squad.
best addition: CB Omar Stewart, with him, the Northstars hope to have a guy to stop Donald Woods.
biggest loss: MLB Benny Hughes, with cap woes haunting the team, Hughes was the first big name casualty.
guy to watch: DT Brett 'Irrelevant' Boyer, 2005 was injury plagued, 2006 will be injuries causing.

team name: San Luis Obispo Burn
2005 record: 5-11
goal for 2006: Winning more then five games.
quarterbacks: + / Curtis Corbett has the team's confidence, as new guy Jerry Burchell will mentor him.
the offense: = / RB Edward Stelly is an upgrade, but most other skill position players are ageing.
the defense: - / Byebye MLB Dalton Fang and S Edmund Hetrick, you too will be greatly missed.
best addition: RB Edward Stelly, for a team winning little games, he's a great addition.
biggest loss: MLB Dalton Fang, for a team winning little games, he's the last guy you want to leave.
guy to watch: DE Peter Hutton, called a bust, at this point in his career he deserves a second chance.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen keep trading
Just a day before the first pre-season games are played, in which the Merchantmen won't be active, the Dutch IHOF team struck two deals to improve the team a bit. Middle linebacker was traded to the Fairbanks Northstars. Tight end Charles Burley and defensive end Ian 'Deranged' Degrange are coming in from the North Plainfield Plague. In these trades the team dealt away the 2009 seventh round pick to the Plague and received Fairbanks' sixth rounder in 2007.

Matt Sellers was going to be a roster limitations casualty after the addition of Carl Meier as the new backup linebacker. In two years with the Merchantmen, Sellers played 30 games, starting one, as the backup to 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year Cody Cluff. Sellers totalled 12 tackles and 3 defended passes in less then 100 defensive plays. The Merchantmen staff wish him goodluck with the Fairbanks Northstars.

Charles Burley is a long time Plague player, yet played only one game in his career there. In a 23-9 victory over the hated Syracuse Mohawks, Burley caught 2 passes for 19 yards. Burley is a fine receiver, yet lacks any talent to be a useful blocker. The Merchantmen management except Burley to be the #2 tight end on passing plays.

Ian 'Deranged' Degrange was North Plainfield's seventh round pick in 2005 and was a big surprise back then. He never played a down as he spent 2005 on injured reserve. His pass rush potential is what makes him a promising addition. Whether he'll be a starter or an inactive player is not clear yet.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
I'm at it again, I've started a bunch of trade negotiations and struck two quick deals the other day to get TE Charles Burley and DE Ian 'Deranged' Degrange, while we provided MLB Matt Sellers with a new home. To make room for the two new guys and other potential acquisitions, I've made up my mind on who will be cut today, as we have to be at 60-men in 2 1/2 hours after I write this, watch and observe in awe with some names.

QB Jason McKnight - The breakout rookie saw Mel Atkins get better and didn't make it.
RB Kennedy Colwell - Lost the battle with Kyle Montoya and now we need a new #4 RB.
FB Charles Reuter - It was either him or total bust Nelson, who isn't safe either.
WR Mario Halas - The trouble maker can't work with our hail mary combo Flannery-Henkel.
WR Andre Horning - kick returning ain't enough to save him.
C Tom Schwartz - Tough choice between him and Taylor, but I hope Taylor will be good.
DE Junior McKeehan - Tough decission, it was him or rookie Gougeon, Omar has the potential.
DE Richard Stutz - Recent addition, expendable with the Deranged trade.
NT Bryan Fyie - Never had a big role here, won't happen in 2006 either.
ILB Kenneth Field - His breakout was too limited to deserve an extended stay.
CB Gus Alston - A tough choice, but we have acquired too many better guys.
S Norman Mueller - With WR Matt Offord in, we didn't need another punt returner.
WR Lonnie O'Reilley - This was the toughest of all the released I had to make. Lonnie was a promising return specialist and played very well for a #3 receiver.

Only a last minute trade offer can safe any of these guys from becoming a free agent.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen trade cornerstone Preciado
It's not made official, but we hear the Maassluis Merchantmen are about to trade cornerback Dennis Preciado to the Conyers Condors. Preciado was traded in from the Fairbanks Northstars for young promising defensive tackle Robert Duong at the start of the 2004 season, but now he's going away for two fifth rounders with, ironically, a Fairbanks sixth rounder shipped to Conyers as well.

Preciado is the big leader on the secondary and was tagged as the mentor four young conrerbacks Tai Wayne, Johnnie Stidham and Gus Stoffers. Plus, Preciado was the clear leader of the defensive backfield. Who the new leader will be is yet to be seen, but the experts think young promising free safety John Cole will be the new leader of the team.

In two seasons wit the Merchantmen, Preciado made 4 interceptions in 28 games and had a defended passes versus caught passes ratio of worse than 1:3. Preciado also made 102 tackles, made 1 sack and forced 4 fumbles. With a new pass defense scheme about to be revealed to the team, the Merchantmen management clearly felt that Preciado doesn't fit in with the new system. When the Dutch guys will deal another starter for lower round picks, Gossip News will be first to tell you.

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
Well, it's clear to me, we'll be having a couple of minor problems going into the new season. The preseason is to test things and we'll be testing a lot this preseason with new defensive schemes and such. The offense will be revamped a bit too. What are the main issues right now? Wel...

1. We have a young QB who's main targets will be a TE, FB and RB. Sure, we have talented WRs but none have enough route running skills to ever get open. It's been our offense for two years, I know, but Flannery just fits a system with more diversity a bit more.

2. Our pass protection won't be as good as desired with our rookie passer, who's prone for fumbles and interceptions. It's good to have Jamel Rosenberry in the box (excellent pass protector), but other then him we only have RT Grimaldo as a pass blocker.

3. Our secondary is not good. Sure, trading McGhee and Preciado won't help, but even with them on the team this group failed to stop the opposing offenses. Maybe the passing yardage totals were moved up by our run defense, but that's why we need to learn to stop the pass a bit better too.

4. After the few trades, we got rid of four pretty old players this offseason (FB Lopez, TE Aubrey, CB Preciado, SS McGhee), which should help us too, I hope. The downside is our roster is valued as 31st. We have to win guys with the strenghs of our individual players and with a good game plan. It'll be really tough to match our 2006 record, that's for sure.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen trade for RB Rubio and SS William
As the first preseason game at the Fairbanks Northstars is coming up, the Merchantmen have acquired two new players in two quick trades with divisional rivals Bordeaux Vineyards. Running back Cedric Rubio and strong safety Emile William will join the team for the second preseason game and will be inactive.

Cedric Rubio was the Vineyards' starter in the 2004 campaign. Rubio started 12 games and gained 843 yards on the ground, while scoring four total touchdowns. In week five against the Merchantmen, he ran for 122 yards, marking his only century performance so far. Last season, he lost his job to Rashad Burse, while the Vineyards also acquired Conyers Condors' number two Maximo Chastain, who holds the playoffs single-game record with 162 yards rushing against Bordeaux.

Emile William has moved around a lot in his career so far. He began his IHOF career with the Tucker Tigers, where he started 3 games in 2004. In 2005, he moved to divisional rivals Orlando Knights, who started him 2 games. The Merchantmen tried to trade William in during this off-season, yet the Knights were unable to resign him and he became a free agent. With this trade, William comes to Maassluis afterall.

To get the two players, the Merchantmen traded away three draft picks. The team gave up third and fourth round picks in 2008 and a sixth rounder in 2009. In return, the team receives a fifth rounder in 2007 from Bordeaux. Ironically, the fourth round pick is Bordeaux' own draft pick returning home.

With these players, the Merchantmen hope to have addressed two pressing needs. William provided a little bit more depth at safety, which was needed after trading away Wiley McGhee and as the team was trying to trade another safety. Rubio will be an upgrade for the #3 or even #2 spot at running back, while also giving Randy Harris a little bit more opportunity to rest between the downs as he's not known for his endurance. Jonathan Smith probably loses his #2 role, but he also remains as the #2 player on short yardage situations.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Will this trading madness ever stop ???

[Alf]

The deals were very much appreciated in Bordeaux where neither RB Rubio nor SS William would have seen the field on a regular basis. Both were slotted as #4 on the depcharts.

We hope they do well in Maassluis (but not too much when playing Bordeaux)

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by fantastic flying froggies

Will this trading madness ever stop ???

Oh yes, when I feel happy with my team. I'm not sure how many more trades there will be, but right now I have one deal worked out and confirmed, am still working on another deal and hope to make a third and last trade before the regular season starts. That said, I also hope to be able to rather trade then release the 7 casualites of the 60-men to 53-men limit.

To me, the trading spree makes sense. I have little cap room to work with to be able to afford big FA signings. I'm happy with most of the starters and also want to get something in return when I get rid of a player. Getting a bit for "worthless" players gives a bit more room to increase my offers in bigger trade negotiations.

I do regret releasing WR Lonnie O'Reilley. Sure, he was no elite receiver or return specialist, but he showed good stats for a poor receiver and is one of few players in the league with at least a little bit of returning skills at both punts and kickoffs. Seeing how I still have a roster spot for him as of now, it's maybe the worst move after giving up on Leonard Lyon. The Harold Wells move is mainly bad for trading him to a divisional rival, rather then to a NAC team.

Our latest addition? Defensive end Britt Bycroft. Not a pass rusher, but he does stop the run and could be a cool time sharer with pass rushers rookie Omar Gougeon and Ian 'Deranged' Degrange.

I am really looking forward to our first test-game against Fairbanks. The new offensive and defensive game plans are in and I hope to see some effect of the new schemes and tendencies. Even if they're playing the second, third or even fourth string Northstars.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen lose at Fairbanks, FS Muller out for season
The 2006 season got a little bit closer as the Maassluis Merchantmen played their first preseason game. In a road game at the Fairbanks Northstars, the Merchantmen were never on the same level and the 11-21 loss was well deserved. Rookie quarterback Louie Flannery struggled in the three drives he led the team. Free safety Richard Muller suffered a very serious injury and is out for the entire 2006 season.

The Fairbanks Northstars kept the Merchantmen from scoring early on. After a 14-0 half time lead, the 2004 IHOF champions extended the lead to 21-0 and let the visiting team play pass-heavy catch up. A field goal from Cary Coles, a 48-yard touchdown pass from Mel Atkins to Bryce Ewald and a two-point conversion pass to Randy Harris narrowed the margin.

Louie Flannery struggled in his first game. Flan' completed only 3 of 7 passes for 20 yards. His first pass attempt was intercepted, meaning he got of a cold start. In the three drives with Flannery at quarterback, the Merchantmen struggled and produced only one first down. It doesn't bode well for Flannery's odds to be the opening day starter for the regular season.

Flannery's rivals played a bit better. Shane Bower saw a lot of playing time as he completed 11 of 23 passes for 143 yards, yet also recorded an interception and got sacked 4 times.Third stringer Mel Atkins tried to show he's not a bust and did pretty well. Atkins completed 7 of 15 passes for 76 yards and a score. Still, the real heores were the receivers as Bryce Ewald had 6 receptions for 98 yards, while Gregory Monti caught 5 balls for 84 yards. The rushing game was totally abandoned and was not worth mentioning.

Overall, the team played not so bad, yet it should be noticed that Fairbanks didn't start a big number of usual starters. Overall, the defense played pretty well, despite allowing two touchdowns. The team allowed 135 yards rushing (3.5 per carry), which is a bit too much, but makes sense when the opponent is leading most of the time. The pass defense looked good with 144 yards and yardage averages of 4.8 per attempt and just 7.6 per completion.

The loss was bad news, but there was more worrying news after the game. Starting free safety Richard Muller got injured late in the second quarter on a rushing play where he tackled the ball carrier. In the pile of players, Muller suffered a very serious concussion. Diagnosis after the game was repetititve concussion syndrome, which will sideline Muller for the entire 2006 season and probably most of the 2007 season. That is if he isn't forced into retirement. Muller will be put on injured reserve soon.

Next up is a home game against the 2005 IHOF champions. The Ann Arbor Anachronism will be visiting Maassluis, yet will likely be without most of their star players. The fans should not expect to see IHOF MVP Donald Woods to come into play. Still, the Merchantmen will be playing with the likely opening weekend line-up. Except Wilson Grimaldo as the right tackle suffered an injury and will be inactivated out of precaution.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen beat IHOF champs, are struck by flu
In the second pre-season game, the Maassluis Merchantmen provided a reason to put a smile on the fans' faces. The league champions Ann Arbor Anachronism were beaten 24-21 as Louie Flannery played well and the defense played pretty good during the first half. On the bad side, the quick traveling back and forth to cold Alaska caused for a big flu epidemic in the locker room.

The Anachronism were here before and knew it wouldn't be easy. In 2004 the team walked away with a small victory and in this pre-season game, they knew that the backups would match the Merchantmen starters. As the home team dominated most of the first half, the game was pretty much over going into the long break with a 24-7 lead.

The most important test, the pass defense, failed in the first half. Although shutting down the triple A's on three of four drives. In their second drive, the Anachronism offense completed four consecutive passes for 10 or more yards and finished it off with a 30-yard touchdown pass. For the entire half, the team allowed 102 yards in 9 of 18 completed passes and 20 yards rushing on 4 carries.

For the entire game, things looked pretty ugly on defense too. It ain't a good sign to allow so much against mostly backup players. 284 yards passing and 47 yards rushing on 13 carries (3.6 average) are far from good numbers. The loss of Harold Wells might be very tough to cope with afterall.

The good news cam from Louie Flannery. The rookie quarterback had a fine debut in Oranje Haven. Flan' completed 11 of 16 passes (69%) for 173 yards (10.8 per pass, 15.7 per completion) and 1 touchdown. Flan' didn't commit a turnover and clearly made a statement about being the #1 passer. Shane Bower releived Flannery well, though, as he completed 10 of 18 for 84 yards and his own touchdown pass. In between the rushing game supported very well with 135 yards total to add to the 257 yards passing.

There was also a bit of other bad news. Of the 58 players on the active or inactive roster, 17 have caught the flu. The team management points to the long journey to Alaska to play the Fairbanks Northstars and to the unpredicatble weather in the Netherlands during pre-season. Sxi players caught it a bit worse than others, including Tai Wayne, who has been inactivated. All others are supposed to play their normal roles at San Luis Obispo Burn. The climate in California should be not too harsh on the team.

[MIJB#19]

Pre-season stats after two games
Our quarterbacks are racking up good passing yardage numbers.
Bower ranks 19th in yards, Flannery 23rd and Atkins 60th.

Flan' 14 of 23 (61%) for 193 yd (8.4; 13.8), 1 td, 1 int
Bower 21 of 41 (51%) for 227 yd (5.5; 10.8), 1 td, 1 int
Atkins 7 of 15 (47%) for 76 yd (5.1; 10.9), 1 td, 0 int

Probably it's mostly accounted for by our receivers. Gregory Monti (10 for 199 yd), Bryce Ewald (9 for 132 yd and 2 td) and tight end Jim Reiser (8 for 76 yd) are excelling so far.

Other than the good passing game, the pass defense is really terrible so far. Only Tai Wayne is keeping things good so far as he allowed not a single catch in 54 passing plays and defended 3 passes. Especially our new starting free safety John Cole is not doing things so well. He allowed 10 catches already in 58 plays and made up with 1 interception. It's really looking like strong safety Emile William will be starting next to Lincoln Gilmore.

[flere-imsaho]

Terrible news about Muller.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Terrible news about Muller.

Yeah...
I kind feel lucky having recently acquired Emile William and still having John Cole, both seem to be decent replacements.

I somehow get the feeling my new pass defense is working and Muller would have been a bit of a misfit on the system, so maybe it's a bit of lucky bad luck. On the other hand, Muller had good stats in 2005, even though the pass defense really s*cked.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen lose in shocker at San Luis Obispo
The pre-season is continuing and the Merchantmen returned home from California as unlucky losers. The San Luis Obispo Burn played an interesting game and won 14-12 thanks to their good looking rushing game. Louie Flannery struggled again, although putting down over 200 yards. John Cole recorded his second interception of the pre-season.

The Merchantmen rested a lot of their star players, and it clearly showed. Especially hte run defense clearly missed anchormen Charles Gomez, Albert Bernardo and Elssworth Thelen. On the day, the team allowed 213 yards on the ground, allowing a disappointing 4.9 yards per rush. However, substract the big 64-yard run from Daniel Mohan and it leaves just 149 yards and a 3.5 average.

Better news was the pass defense shown. Only missing shutdown cornerback Tai Wayne, the Merchantmen defense allowed just 47 yards passing in 21 attempts, marking an amazing 2.2 yards per attempts. The pass rush looked as old as newbies Britt Bycroft, Ian Degrange and Andy Weliczka broke up 6 of 22 passing plays. Add the 6 passes defended versus 6 receptions margin and the young secondary showed the new system might work afterall.

Quarterback Louie Flannery played the entire game as the Merchantmen playcaller. Flan' completed 23 of 46 passes for 275 yards, but got intercepted twice. Despite that, Flannery got the opportunity to play the two-minute offense in the fourth quarter. Starting at the own 19, down 14-6, and jus 95 seconds left, Flannery kept throwingthe ball like a veteran quarterback and with a big 47-yard pass to Gregory Monti early on, Flan' succeeded with a 22-yard touchdown pass to David Henkel in the dying seconds. The two-point conversion failed, but Flan' showed he can do it.

Last pre-season opponent are the RayCo Raiders in Oranje Haven. This matchup is interesting with the head-to-head between rookie quarterbacks Louie Flannery and Neal Aguillard. Flannery was the #5 overall pick, while Aguillard was picked #10 overall. Both have been overshadowed by #1 overall pick Seth Dwight in media attention, yet Dwight isn't outdoing the two in pre-season stats. Other stars playing for the Merchantmen will be receivers Bryce Ewald and Gregory Monti, cornerback Tai Wayne, linebacker Mike Kershner and new fullback Jamel Rosenberry.

[MIJB#19]

Player ratings info invisible for non-IHOF players
As I'm writing this dynasty, I keep thinking that some of my moves are tough to defend without giving some insight on the player ratings of the players. Most notable, I'm trying a new pass defense scheme based on zone defense standouts. Here's my secondary with the skills in the poor-to-excellent ranges.

LCB Tai Wayne - 2nd yr - 23 yo
overall - good / very good
run d - fair / good
m2md - good / very good
zone - very good / excellent
b&r d - fair
diagn - fair / good
hitter - excellent
interc - fair
endur - excellent
* very loyal personality

LCB Gus Stoffers - 3rd yr - 23 yo
overall - fair / good
run d - fair / very good
m2md - fair / good
zone - fair / good
b&r d - poor / fair
diagn - fair / good
hitter - poor
interc - fair
endur - good
* not a real fit for the system, but good enough to play him

LCB Desmond Craig - 2nd yr - 24 yo
overall - fair
run d - fair
m2md - poor
zone - fair
b&r d - fair
diagn - poor
hitter - fair
interc - good / very good
endur - good
* poor / fair kickoff returner

RCB Johnnie Stidham - 3rd yr - 25 yr old
overall - poor / good
run d - poor
m2md - fair / very good
zone - fair / very good
b&r d - good
diagn - poor / fair
hitter - poor
interc - very good
endur - poor / fair
* cut by the staff when I was idle at the 53-men cut in 2004

RCB Myron Stevens - rookie - 23 yo
overall - poor / fair
run d - poor
m2md - poor
zone - good / very good
b&r d - poor
diagn - poor
hitter - fair
interc - fair / very good
endur - fair
* very intelligent, very volatile

SS Lincoln Gilmore - 3rd yr - 25 yo
overall - good
run d - good / very good
m2md - fair / good
zone - good / very good
b&r d - fair / good
diagn - fair
hitter - fair
interc - good
endur - fair / good
* very loyal, winner type, we were 3-2 with him starting in 2005

SS Emile William - 5th yr - 27 yo
overall - fair / good
run d - fair / good
m2md - fair / good
zone - good / very good
b&r d - good
diagn - poor / fair
hitter - fair
interc - fair
endur - very good
* very intelligent

SS Lamar Singleton - rookie - 22 yo
overall - poor / fair
run d - poor
m2md - poor
zone - fair / very good
b&r d - fair
diagn - poor / good
hitter - poor
interc - fair / good
endur - fair / good
* has a strong conflict with John Cole

FS Richard Muller - 7th yr - 29 yo
overall - good
run d - good
m2md - fair
zone - good
b&r d - fair
diagn - good
hitter - good
interc - good
endur - excellent
* is on injured reserve with repetitive concussion syndrome

FS John Cole - 4th yr - 25 yo
overall - fair / good
run d - poor / fair
m2md - poor
zone - fair / very good
b&r d - good
diagn - poor / good
hitter - good
interc - fair / good
endur - fair / good
* very loyal, intelligent and a strong leader

FS Bernard Buffington - rookie - 23 yo
overall - poor / fair
run d - fair / very good
m2md - poor / fair
zone - poor / fair
b&r d - fair / good
diagn - poor
hitter - very good
interc - poor
endur - fair
* very intelligent break-out player, only reason he's on team

As you can see, most of our young guys are very limited in talent and have very good zone defense potential, some intercepting skills, some endurance and nothing else. Of our linebackers, sadly only Mike Kershner is a zone defese talent. The pressence of Wayne, Gilmore and Cole were the initial reason to step to more zone defense, while Stidham, Stevens, Singleton and William are all acquired exclusively for their zone defense talent and some additional talent in the other useful areas for a pass defender.

[MIJB#19]

A little reposting of a reply I made over at the IHOF Forum
A fellow owner started a discussion/question on how the (re)building teams are going along with their x-year plans. Since the Maassluis Merchantmen have come from the worst roster, I think my team classifies very well and so I made the below given response.

Rebuilding/Building process, I have less than 20 initial players left, that's pretty much rebuilding to me.

I had a three/four year plan after messing with the preference settings.

The main goals were:
Dump great WRs - check
Dump overpaid DEs - check
Get franchise QB - check?
Get an OL - check?
Get a secondary - ???

Basically, dump all the above fair players and get players in return who do please me.

Dumping WRs was easy, I had 5 startable WRs and really wanted only 1. I have 2 left, both scarred by injuries in the first season.

Dumping overpaid DEs looked not needed, a bit, but to get a better QB I needed the cap room for a better draft pick and overpaid a bit to get there at #5 and select QB Louie Flannery (who I'll give more time to grow than Leo Lyon.)

Get franchise QB. I was willing to settle with McDavid. Then we went 1-15. I grabbed QB Leo Lyon as he was a bit of a steal at #31 overall for a QB. He looked well and McDavid got hurt, but in a sense of not understanding to well how scouting margin of error works I traded him away. This season I have Louie Flannery and I really think I need to revamp the offense to get him to work well.

Get an OL has been tough, but doable, I think. I traded in LT Hurtado immediately for a promising WR. Hurtado was All IHOF 2nd team, but it was mostly a product of suckiness at the 4 other spots. RT Malave looked like a promising player, the other 9 initial OL players all sucked and have been released by now (none were tradable!).
I got RT Grimaldo in a bit of a surprise move as Paris needed to dump him, I reached in the draft for mediocre LG White, C Heinrich, traded mid round picks for the LG Causey gamble (it worked out OK, but I traded him again nonetheless) and this season I added a bit more depth to the whole line. Only failure was to sign an aged mentor RT, move him to RG and to see him lose the mentorship value, which was what I signed him for.

Get a secondary.
I had a bit of a set back when CB Stidham was cut by the AI, but now I've got him back (with 2 seasons delay), I acquired him in a trade this offseason, yet he needs at least 2 full seasons to develop.
Phase one was to keep SS Gilmore and FS Smith around. I cam back on that after coincidentally landing too much safeties in FA 2005.
Phase two was trading for CB Preciado, but age already grabbed him and he's out.
Phase three was signing a FA safety. In my desire to land one, I offered several contracts and landed 2 of 3 the guys I gave a contract offer (oops!). These guys won't play in 2006 btw, one is IR-ed (Muller) the other is traded to Georgia (McGhee).
Phase four was drafting CB Tai Wayne, who looked awesome in preseason against poor receivers.
Phase five was this season getting a bit more value. SS Emile William was acquired in the offseason, as was CB Stoffers and I also drafted/signed two rookies who look like very promising zone defenders.
Now I really hope that a zone defense based pass defense can work, otherwise 2/3rd of my defensive backs become releasable after this season.
When the season starts, I will have just 1 preference draft defensive back left on the team.

All in all, when my team went from 1-15 to 7-9, it was pretty amazing, very unexpected. Looking to the games my team won and those my team lost, I'm still not sure whether we were an unlucky 9-7 team or a lucky 5-11 team. Things went a bit faster than planned, but it also initiated cap woes.

Ironically, my intial plan was to use the draft exclusively to acquire 2 or 3 starters in the first round eachseason, but that's been the biggest change I made for the 2006 season as I want to play with the same starting crew as in 2005 (except the changes at QB, FB, RG, LDE, RCB and FS.)

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen win last preseason game, Flannery leads league
As the Merchantmen are shaping up for the first game of the year, the team had to play one last pre-season game. In an overwhelming shutdown game, the Merchantmen won 21-14, but where a bigger score would hae made more sense. On the day, Louie Flannery earned MVP honors and passed his way up to a league leading position in pre-season passing yardage.

In a well-filled Oranje Haven, the Maassluis Merchantmen ended the pre-season in a happy mood. The RayCo Raiders were dominated with almost a two to one yardage ratio. A negative turnover margin kept the Raiders in the game, but couldn't avoid the relative big 14-21 loss.For the game, the Raiders were held to 60 yards rushing and only 145 yards passing.

Louie Flannery gathered the MVP honors in the victory. Flannery completed 25 of 38 passes (66%) for 277 yards (7.3 per attempt, 11.1 per completion) and one touchdown. Flannery did throw an interception, but kept spreading around the ball to turn around the score. Knowing that Randy Harris, Jim Reiser and David Henkel were inactive, Flannery showed he can connect with everyone.

With the 277 yards performance, Flannery added up to 745 yards passing, which makes him pre-season league leader. Other then the 3-4 touchdown-interception ratio, Flan' also had impressive averages. With a completion percentage of 58%, 7 yards per attempt and 12 yards per completion. The passer rating of 73.2 looks a bit low, but is mainly product of the low touchdown figure.

In the receiving department, the team also saw a couple of players making their marks. Gregory Monti ranked second in yardage (361 yards) and third in yards per reception (18.1). Bryce Ewald was one of three players to score 3 touchdowns, making him tied for fourth, although playing in 1 game less. Fullback Jamel Rosenberry scored 2 touchdowns.

Last but not least, on the defensive side of the ball, few players made their mark. Charles Gomez was back in normal form. He hurried quarterbacks into bad throws 4 times and added 1 sack to break up 5 of 57 passing plays in just 2 games. Tai Wayne played 3 games in which he allowed just 1 reception and defended 4 passes. Rookie Myron Stevens allowed 6 catches, while defending 5 passes in 4 games. Defensive end Britt Bycroft borke up 4 passing plays and added an interception as well. John Cole made 2 interceptions, but also allowed a disappointing high 13 catches.

With Flannery's and the receivers production, the team ranked well in other areas too. Given below are some other interesting top five and low five lists of pre-season performances by the team and individuals.

Passing yards - top 5
1060 Maassluis
1047 Anaheim
1042 Ann Arbor
1037 Chesapeake
1005 Orlando

Rushing Yards - low 5
323 Maassluis
322 Orlando
311 Fort Worth
298 Chesapeake
285 Georgia

Yards per carry - low 5
3.4 Rochester
3.3 Orlando
3.2 Fairbanks
3.1 Fort Worth
3.0 Maassluis

Red zone offense - low 5
3.4 Fort Worth
3.3 Frederick
3.0 Maassluis
3.0 San Luis Obispo
2.1 Miami

Fewest yards allowed - top 6
913 Astoria
929 Minnesota
939 Chespeake
973 Rochester
1012 North Plainfield
1035 Maassluis

Turnovers forced - low 5
2 Georgia
3 Asheville
3 Astoria
4 Ann Arbor
4 Maassluis
4 Tucker

Sacks made - low 5
5 Paris
6 Gothenburg
6 Maassluis
6 Fort Worth
6 Asheville
6 Rochester

Punt return average - top 5
18.2 Syracuse
11.1 Minnesota
9.7 RayCo
8.6 Maassluis
8.2 Frederick

Fewest yards penalized - top 5
80 Fairbanks
93 Miami
106 Maassluis
125 Gothenburg
138 Vicksburg

Completion percentage allowed - top 5
48.1 Maassluis
49.3 Syracuse
52.1 Bordeaux
52.2 Gothenburg
52.5 North Plainfield

[MIJB#19]

General manager notes
The pre-season is done and we've got to trim the roster to 46 active and a maximum of 7 inactive players. With 60 players under contract, including injured reserves Fumblin' Justin McDavid and Richard Muller, we need to say goodbye to 5 players to reach the 53 limit. I haven't decided yet, but here are the candidates.

RB Kyle Montoya
Montoya was inactive during his rookie 2005 season, yet made some interesting marks in pre-season. Montaya ran 22 times for 74 yards marking a fine average of 3.4. It's mainly fine as we're running more often on obvious running plays and because Montoya didn't have one big play to rack up the average. As a receiver, he caught 2 balls for a gain of 2 yards. Odds to stay: high, as inactive fourth stringer.

FB Doug Nelson
We drafted Nelson in the sixth round to be the new backup, yet so far it looks like he doesn't have the skills or potential to play at professional level. Nelson was on the team in pre-season in 2 games. He played on 29 offensive plays, but never made his mark. Odd to stay: 50-50, all depending on whether I want to keep a true fullback as backup.

TE Jack Ohare
I signed Ohare late in the 2005 season as a free agent. Ohare has some experience built up at Frederick in 2004, where he played 8 games and started 2. He caught 5 balls for 50 yards there, but didn't put his mark with his run blocking specialty. In the pre-season we gave Ohare 1 game and being targetted just once, Ohare didn't blow it as he made a 13-yard reception on third and eleven. Odds to stay: 50-50, he showed he could be the a worthy #3 tight end, but keeping 4 on roster would be too much and Jim Reiser, Charlie Martins (long snapper) and Charles Burley will make it.

RG Jeramy Thompson
Maybe he's a lucky charm and was the mysterious reason why first Stillwater and then Conyers won the AOC conference. We signed him to be our mentor for the young guards and clearly he was only a mentor to tackles. Thompson saw no pre-season action as our other linemen all need the playing time to get more experienced. Odds to stay: high, it's unlikely we can get better and he could become a mentor next season.

P Lester Murrell
Drafted by the Orlando Knights in 2005, he was unlucky to not make the 53-men roster. Now in 2006, he's got a second change, this time at the other side of the big pond. In pre-season he got as much opportunities as Merchantmen hero Roscoe Corrales and lost the battle on In20's. Odds to stay: very low, we don't need another punter, unless Corrales gets injured.

K Al Bettis
A rookie kicker who can't score a field goal, what on earth is he signed for? Bettis broke out and had a nice training camp. He wasn't signed to make points, but exclusively do the kickoff routine. Based on talent, Bettis looks like he made it in that role in preseason. In four games, there were no big kickoff returns against the Merchantmen. Odds to stay: very high, Bettis is a better kickoff guy, yet the only question is whether we can give him an active roster spot.

DE Ian 'Deranged' Degrange
Never played a down in his year with the North Plainfield Plague, I think he can be a useful pass rusher. So far, I'm wondering whether he can manage to be at least the third best. In 2 games, Degrange hurried the opposing quarterback twice in a total of 54 passing plays. Odds to stay: High, I really like to have 5 ends on roster all season, Degrange is #5 right now.

DT Stanley Jacke
Well, maybe a long shot, he's got good potential, but right now he's injured on his knee. The injury isn't big, but it could make it an easy choice to retain him for the 2007 season. He spent the 2005 season on the inactive list and hasn't been a key player in 2004 either. This pre-season, Jacke played 1 game and broke up 1 passing play. Odds to stay: high, if we don't put him on injured reserve, he'll probably make it as our #4 defensive tackle.

SLB Karl Mercer
The third year guy was a starter in 8 games for Fort Worth in 2004. Where he was in 2005 I don't know, but this pre-season he recorded a sack 10 tackles and 5 assists in just 2 games. Odds to stay: Very high, I really want to keep 6 linebackers and Mercer has the talent to be an emergency backup in this group.

CB Desmond Craig
Acquired as a free agent rookie in 2005, Craig showed up and eventually started in 4 games. His record shows 1 interception and 3 defended passes versus 27 catches, with 42 tackles and 17 assists. Crucial for him is his kickoff return skill, which could help him to stay around as a backup return specialist. This pre-season, in 2 games Craig showed he's a decent return specialist, yet his defensive skills won't be enough to stay around, except his nose for interceptions. Odds to stay: 50-50, I'm still torn on the issue whether to keep him. Craig is not worth an inactive roster spot, unless I want to gamble on using non-specialists as backup return specialists.

FS Bernard Buffington
The highly touted break-out safety. We were talking to trade him for a wide receiver, but it failed and now he might be given the "golden hand shake". Buffington got one pre-season game to prove himself and amazingly played well. Buff' made 5 tackles and defended a paas while not allowing a catch. Odds to stay: low, even though he could be a big steal as free agent pickup. Buff' is no zone defender and fits better on a bump-and-run oriented team.

Inserted after forgetting him:
WLB Sam Sasa
The fact I forgot to mention him should be very clear on how close he is to getting released. He's been an intereseting prospect the past two season, but the dream is over here. His skills should make him very useful elsewhere, but we've signed Josh Weisberg and Carl Meier as our linebackers depth. Odds to stay: about zero, Sasa has talent to play in the IHOF, but not enough to even make me think about keeping him on our best group, the linebackers group.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen release four, put Jacke on injured reserve
The Maassluis Merchantmen management today announced the moves required to go to the limited 53-men roster. The team had to bring bad news to five players and all five moves were tough to make. The management want to acknowledge the fans that the following five players will not play for the Merchantmen in 2006: safety Bernard Buffington, defensive tackle Stanley Jacke, punter Lester Murrell, tight end Jack Ohare and linebacker Sam Sasa.

Buffington is a rookie free agent and had an impressive camp. Sadly for him, he wasn't good enough in zone defense, while he could be an interesting reserve player for other system.

Jacke was put on injured reserve with a knee injury. Clearly the injury was not bad enough to put him on the list, but this move makes sure he won't go unemployed and he could return for the 2007 season.

Murrell looked promissing, yet couldn't beat Roscoe Corrales to win the punter job. Unlike with the kicking duties, there was no way to retain both players. The management thinks Murrell has a very good chance to become the premier punter elsewhere.

Ohare was a run block specialist and in pre-season showed he can catch a ball too. That said, going with four tight ends on roster made little sense. Maybe we'll regret the move, Ohare was the second best run blocker of the group, but we had to make adecission.

Sasa has been unlucky being on this team. Probably for about two-third of all other teams he'd been still on the roster, but the Merchantmen acquired Josh Weisberg and Carl Meier in the off-season as backup linebackers. We even tried to land Sasa a job in Fairbanks or Chesapeake, but neither move worked out and now we suspect some team will pick him up before or during the season.

[MIJB#19]

Week 1 Preview

Editor's Note
The weekly previews and reviews are back and will probably form my only post during the regular season, with a little funny article here and Gossip News there.

General manager notes
Oh goody, we're just 30 hours away from kickoff for the 2006 season!
The first round of games will be one of 16 divisional games, which stirs up the old rivalries immediately.
Ours is a home game against Bordeaux. I don't have to hear we never beat them, I know we're 0-4 all-time against them. That said, Bordeaux will finish above us anyway, so it will be more of a big test to see the new system works and whether Louie Flannery is a winner. At least he looked impressive in pre-season.

European Division previews
Bordeaux at Maassluis
Joe Johnson is recovered in time, Rashad Burse stopped his holdout and Toby Williams stayed around with the franchise tag. The Vineyards are back stronger than ever and could be a serious candidate for the AOC title.
Maassluis dumped two of their best players in trades to Bordeaux. For the third year in franchise history, the team has a rookie quarterback as their starter, this time he's named Louie Flannery. That said, the Merchantmen acquired Cedric Rubio from Bordeaux, who dumped him like thrash, while the team didn't get worse other than at defensive end.
Key player today? Harold Wells, the former Merchantmen sack machine makes his regular season debut for the Vineyards. In the past, the Vineyards were Wells' favorite target as 4.5 of his 22 sacks came in 4 games against Bordeaux. That's one fifth of his production in one eight of the games.

Paris at Gothenburg
Mario Hudson goes into his second year, yet the Musketeers traded away their running back Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins and wide receiver Michael Spann. What remains is a younger team with lots of good starters, but no stars.
The Giants lost their team leader in Jerry McGee. The veteran running back retired and will be honored in the first regular season game of 2006. Duane Davis is on his own now, without McGee and also without his favorite target Alfredo Bass.

Team to watch this week: Boulder Blizzard
A new part in the weekly reports. I'll be following the progress of four building projects around the league.
The Blizzard revamped their roster significantly in trades and went 4-0 in the pre-season. The Blizzard were the second team in league history to go 1-15 last season and hope to copy the Merchantmen's season of progress with a close to 8-8 record. First test, on the road at San Luis Obispo Burn. The Burn have been underachivers the past two years and got better on offense. Their defense lost their anchorman middle linebacker Dalton Fang, so it's clear we'll see two revamped teams. The Burn are 3-1 head-to-head and will not give this game away.

MIJB's power rankings
A new feature, I hope to keep alive during the season. I'll try to come up with a power rankings table based on results and gut feeling, not on calculated things.

32 - Paris (2005: 2-14) - The rebuilding is still going and 2006 won't be better than 2005.
31 - Georgia (2005: 4-12) - The usual suspects to be almost the worst team, almost...
30 - San Luis Obispo (2005: 5-11) - No Fang left to hurt the opposing running backs, that will hurt.
29 - Anaheim (2005: 7-9) - Just when you think things can't get much worse in Anaheim, McMahon retires.
28 - Orlando (2005: 9-7) - The Knight we knew won't be here again, the rebuilding has officially begun.
27 - Springfield (2005: 4-12) - Leonard Lyon and Raymond Flowers will make the 'topes a lot better.
26 - Asheville (2005: 6-10) - Thad now has a target for the fourth quarterback comebacks.
25 - Boston (2005: 6-10) - Fabian Parker is not the solution as a franchise quarterback.
24 - Miami (2005: 7-9) - Still relying on Woodrow Taylor, still a good reason why they won't win much.
23 - Boulder (2005: 1-15) - The 2006 version of the Merchantmen: from 1-15 to 7-9.
22 - Gothenburg (2005: 9-7) - Without Jerry McGee and Alfredo Bass, it's a new offense.
21 - Maassluis (2005: 7-9) - Harold Wells is gone, yet the team believes in Louie Flannery. Suckers...
20 - Minnesota (2005: 6-10) - The Miners finally have an offense! And still they'll be divisional last.
19 - Brooklyn (2005: 6-10) - The Bums keep maturing and increased in talent, yet are in a tough division.
18 - Frederick (2005: 6-10) - It will be tough to not fall from divisional #1 in 2004 to #4 in 2006.
17 - Vicksburg (2005: 6-10) - We'll see more of the late 2005 Vipers and less of the early 2005 Vipers.
16 - RayCo (2005: 6-10) - Brian Hartsock is going to pull his last trick, will it be the playoffs?
15 - Conyers (2005: 12-4) - This isn't the team that won the AOC last season, over/under is 8 wins.
14 - Syracuse (2005: 9-7) - As long as Brent Peterman keeps wasting his talent, no playoffs in Mo-town.
13 - San Antonio (2005: 9-7) - The Volunteers got better, but are no longer Texas' #1.
12 - Astoria (2005: 8-8) - "My franchise for a quarterback!", the Heroes have their guy and will be here.
11 - Outer Banks (2005: 10-6) - The Ospreys come back stronger to defend the division title.
10 - Columbus (2005: 10-6) - Robby Gonzalez wants to show he's Woods-good. Well, is he?
09 - Fort Worth (2005: 8-8) - The Fury made big moves and will be a team to watch out for.
08 - Telluride (2005: 11-5) - Things hardly changed, as the question is still: Is Rizzo too old, now?
07 - Chesapeake (2005: 13-3) - Jaime Canter looks over his shoulder and knows 2006 has to be his year.
06 - Tucker (2005: 10-6) - The Tigers are still going strong and go 3-on-3 in reaching the playoffs.
05 - Rochester (2005: 9-7) - Run heavy offense + Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins = more wins.
04 - Bordeaux (2005: 11-5) - Most improved, but is Harold Wells enough to win the AOC?
03 - North Plainfield (2005: 11-5) - The Plague are here again, better than ever.
02 - Fairbanks (2005: 15-1) - The Northstars lost same talent, but Joey Allen is still here.
01 - Ann Arbor (2005: 13-3) - The champs stay put and will be a force again.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen make last minute trade
As the season is about to start, the Maassluis Merchantmen have sealed a deal to acquire Columbus Architects guard Lane Stedman. The veteran offensive lineman has been acquired to mentor the young starters Timothy Lacy and Butch White. Who the team will release to make room for Stedman is not clear, but our correspondents suspect that Jeramy Thompson will be released on the game day. Thompson was not expected to be on the active roster and so won't Stedman be.

In this deal, the Merchantmen are said to give up two fourth round picks in 2007 and an seventh rounder in 2008. In return, they get two fifth round picks, making their total add up to five fifth rounders in the 2007 draft now on a total of ten draft picks. The 2008 draft situation is even stranger. The Merchantmen have three second rounders and four fifth rounders in 2008. Nothing else. In 2009 they still have their own top five rounders.

The Merchantmen are said to still be looking for a mentor quarterback to teach Louie Flannery the tricks of the game. Whether that will workout is a big questionmark. We have reason to believe they missed out on two mentors in trade negotiations, while they couldn't overwhelm two other teams to trade their mentor playcallers. They news is that this is their last possible trade this season.

Other team managers and owners have started to question the honesty in the Merchantmen's trading sprees. Gossip News has never been a fan of the trading, yet our special hired Merchantmen trades analyser couldn't see a pattern of trading for fun. Of the about 40 to 50 trades the management pulled out in three seasons so far, it seems it's hard to question most of the deals. In a slim free agents market and low talent draft classes, a team that started out as the worst of the league has to find a way to improve the team. All trades were either indentified as:
* a trade to get a starter
* a trade to get a better backup player
* a trade to get rid of an unwanted player
* a trade to move up in the draft
* a trade to move down in the draft
* a combination of some of the above

Gossip News thinks our analyzer wasn't very objective on the matter, however, and the magazine would really be interested in proof from readers why they think one of the many trades was just for fun and had nothing to do with management decissions. Gossip News can be reached by simply filling out the reply form with "Merchantmen trade for fun" in the title and a discription of the trade as the message. The writer of the best tip will be given the opportunity to become a special reporter for Gossip News.