IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Clinch Bye Week, Beat Bordeaux
With a show of defense supremacy, the Maassluis Merchantmen ended the regular season in style. With a 19-3 victory at the Bordeaux Vineyards, the Merchantmen secured a bye week in the playoffs. By allowoing only 3 points, the Merchantmen also moved up to the top defense in the league. And with no new injuries, there could still be something special in the air during the playoffs.

The Merchantmen had their minds on a bye week and with a defensive masterpiece, the extra week of non-actions looked like a piece of cake. It required a playcalling blunder by the Bordeaux offense to take the 7-0 lead, but after that it was all a walkover. With four field goals by Cary Coles, of which three in the second quarter, the victory was never in jeopardy.

Charm of the game was the Merchantmen run defense. With Cody Cluff back from injury to play behind Charles Gomez, the Vineyards' running backs were hopeless. Rookie Zach Sakurai led them all with 21 yards on 11 carries, while ex-Merchantmen Kyle Montoya racked up 13 yards in 6 carries. The Vineyards were forced to pass and rookie Earnest Barlow seemed uncomfortable with it.

What's next in the big hat of tricks for the Merchantmen is still a mysterty. The tickets sales have started as the first ever playoff game is in Oranje Haven, but the opponent isn't known yet. If the San Antonio Volunteers beat the Syracuse Mohawks, the Volunteers return to Maassluis, But if the Volunteers lose, it's the winner of the other wild card round game. The Vicksburg Vipers are playing at the Conyers Condors for the fourth Atlantic Ocean Conferece ticket in the elite eight round.

But the Merchantmen don't care much who it will be, the joy of playing a playoff game at home is the biggest achievement in team history that nobody can take away from them. Even the most prolific players, the team's stars and oldest veterans are looking forward to this new step in their careers. With no former champs on the team, it's all new and it will be a new experience in their lives. Let's hope they're ready for it.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
And then we were 13-3. We swept our division (only team in the IHOF to do so this season), were unbeaten on the road and of our three losses two were explainable. At home against San Antonio and Vicksburg we were missing Charles Gomez and experimented with a different game plan. But in the other games, we kept the same winning tactics and it's unlikely we'll change it. Going 13-1, what more proof do I need to not do that?

But then, I'm stunned by more figures, really, 13-3 is amazing, but seeing how we won the last four games, it's even more impressive. 115 points scored, 25 allowed. This streak has been so good, we marched into first place as the defense that allows the least points, anchored by the league best pass defense in touchdown figures. Just to compare, only last season we finished as the worst defense the IHOF ever saw. Sure, the RayCo Raiders broke our record by 15 yards per game, but last season I thought the 376 yards per game would stand for a while.

The last regular season round of games saw another set of interesting scores. There were the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums beating their archrivals Astoria Heroes 26-3 on the road to clinch a franchise best 7-9 record. The North Plainfield Plague lost 6-27 at the Boston Rhinos, but still recorded the best single-season win-loss record at 14-2 in the AOC. The Boston Rhinos ended up 10-6 and missing the playoffs, while three other teams made it at 9-7.

Also failing to get into the playoffs are the Rochester Lake Monsters. After two winning campaigns, this time they miss the post-season at 8-8. They are in good company, however, as the 2005 IHOF Champions, the Ann Arbor Anachronism miss the playoffs at 8-8. It's especially sour as the triple A's are currently the hottest team with six consecutive wins. And then, the Orlando Knights were 4-12, despite having reaches the post-season in all three previous seasons.And the Gothenburg Giants miss the playoffs at 9-7, the 27-3 win at the Paris Musketeers couldn't avoid that from happening.

European Division Standings:
13-3 Maassluis
9-7 Gothenburg
6-10 Bordeaux
5-11 Paris
- Maassluis clinched #2 seed in the AOC

Playoffs Schedule:
Atlantic Ocean Conference
North Plainfield Plague (#1) bye
Maassluis Merchantmen (#2) bye
San Antonio Volunteers (#3) vs. Syracuse Mohawks (#6)
Conyers Condors (#4) vs. Vicksburg Vipers (#5)

North American Conference
Fairbanks NorthStars (#1) bye
Frederick Red Menace (#2) bye
Columbus Architects (#) vs. Outer Banks Ospreys (#6)
Miami Sharks (#4) vs. Chesapeake Chitterlings (#5)

Offense points for: _9th (22.7 pt/game)
Offense pass yards: 12th (236 yd/game)
Offense yd per att: 13th (7.1 yd/att)
Offense yards sack: 10th (10 yd/game)
Offense rush yards: 12th (121 yd/game)
Offense yd per car: _6th (4.2 yd/car)
Defense points agg: _1st (14.5 pt/game)
Defense pass yards: 10th (211 yd/game)
Defense yd per att: _4th (6.3 yd/att)
Defense yards sack: _1st (18 yd/game)
Defense rush yards: 13th (116 yd/game)
Defense yd per car: 24th (4.2 yd/car)
Team Turnover Marg: 21st (-4 margin)


Our rookies?
RB Tyrell Mahoney played in 14 games, but had only 4 carries for 15 yards.
FB Henry Poston played in 12 games, but was limted to only 1 ball touch.
WR Jerry Beyer started 7 of 16 games, leads all rookies with 519 yd and 3 scores.
OT Norman Holliday played in 4 games, but was limited to 42 downs on offense.
DE Aaron Sherrill has 15 starts with 29 tackles and 6.5 sacks (#1 amongst rookies).
DT Shaun Shiroma has 4 starts in 14 games with 20 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
DT Andrew Rasmussen has 3 starts in 10 games with 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Merchantmen Player of the Year race
Well, another win, another quintet of points collectors. Randy Harris had 127 yards rushing and 1 touchdown. Jerry Beyer had 4 receptions for 69 yards. Aaron Sherrill made 4 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2 qb hurries and 1 blocked pass. Myron Stevens had 1 defended pass, 1 forced fumble, 3 tackles and 2 assists. Butch White made 3 key run blocks and didn't allow a sack.

Standings
33 points - Randy Harris
28 points - Louie Flannery, Charles Gomez
19 points - Tai Wayne
17 points - Cody Cluff
11 points - Bryce Ewald
8 points - Carl Meier
6 points - Cary Coles, Winford Endicott, Jim Reiser, Emile William
5 points - Lincoln Gilmore, Omar Gougeon
4 points - Albert Bernardo, Jerry Beyer, Aaron Sherrill
3 points - Brant Heinrich, Ivan Jacques, Timothy Lacy, Rodger Mowery, Jamel Rosenberry, Butch White
1 point - Brian Hammond, Cornelius Rice, Myron Stevens, Ellsworth Thelen, Andy Weliczka

And the last but not least message is a relative sad one. The Anaheim Matterhorns have been sold. 'Bigwood1488' is taking over command from 'Chief Rum'. Whether there will be a new team name is yet to be seen. Which isn't the case with the Astoria Heroes, as that team will officially be renamed the Williamsburg Colonials at the start of the 2008 season.

[Buzzbee]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

General Manager Notes
And then we were 13-3. We swept our division (only team in the IHOF to do so this season)

Not true. The Vipers beat Bordeaux, Paris, Maassluis, and Gothenburg this season. The European division is the reason I made the playoffs this year. Well, and the NAC Atlantic (Asheville, Outer Banks, Miami).

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Buzzbee

Not true. The Vipers beat Bordeaux, Paris, Maassluis, and Gothenburg this season. The European division is the reason I made the playoffs this year. Well, and the NAC Atlantic (Asheville, Outer Banks, Miami).

We're still the only team with 6-0 under the divisional games column, which was what I was referring to.

[MIJB#19]

Volunteers Return To Maassluis
The waiting is over, the Maassluis Merchantmen know their opponents. The San Antonio Volunteers were the number one suspects. With a 34-21 win over the Syracuse Mohawks, the Volunteers lived up to expectations. Interestin tidbit: the Volunteers played in Maassluis already this season and gave the Merchantmen their first loss of the season. And looking at overall records, San Antonio at Maassluis could be the game to watch.

The waiting game was easy, but the Merchantmen management had some preferences. General manager M.IJ.B. explains: "It was San Antonio, Conyers or Vicksburg. Of these three, we played two of them and lost at home. Vicksburg had a cakewalk, while we were competitive against San Antonio. The third team, Conyers is a team of the future and the team I feared the most."

Given the preference, the Volunteers were the 'dream' opponents. With a marvelous show on offense, quarterback John McMasters bolstered his MVP candidacy, leading to 417 total yards. And given that the opponents featered one of the league's top defenses, the show was even more impressive. With 213 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, McMasters took the player of the game honors over the young running back Michael Fau, who ran for 130 yards and 1 touchdown.

That means that McMasters and his Volunteers return to Maassluis. They were there before this season, when the Texan football team won 24-17 in an exciting game. It marked the Merchantmen's first loss of the season, but things have drastically changed. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude said: "San Antonio is a team to fear, but we played them and know we can beat them. We experimented in that first matchup and we're happy to have Charles Gomez playing in the rematch."

After their show against Syracuse, the Volunteers have won 13 games this season. With that, they tie the Merchantmen, although the Dutch team have lost three games rather than four. It combined for a 26-7 record, making it the game to watch. Just to illustrate that: in the three other games, the road team is coming in with 10 wins and 7 losses. In Vegas, the experts expect it to be a close game, with the home team only favored by two points.

Merchantmen quarterback Louie Flannery calls it the highlight of his career so far and he's not alone. Even players with more kudos and honors on their resumes haven't played a playoff game before. Left tackle Harold Hurtado said: "We've played them before and know what to expect. Their secondary is solid, but we have the tools to win." Defensive end Albert Bernardo "We need to pressure McMasters to win this game. I have no doubt we can manage it this time."

Key element in the could be the age of the player group. While the Volunteers are still the same bunch of aged veterans, on the Merchantmen roster a couple of youngesters greatly improved their level of play. Linebacker Cody Cluff, cornerback Tai Wayne and quarterback Louie Flannery are the biggest examples and really moved into quality starters at their positions. But whether they've improved enough to play in the Atlantic Ocean Conference Championship game, that remains to be seen.

[MIJB#19]

News Around The IHOF
The wild card round games have been played, we're down to eight contenders for the 2007 championship crown. In the Atlantic Ocean Conference, the home teams had a seemingly easy game. In the North American Conference, the wild card teams upset with wins on the road. And in the meantime, the four team with byes regrouped in preperation for an important game in their own house.

Playoffs Scores:
San Antonio Volunteers 34, Syracuse Mohawks 21
Conyers Condors 28, Vicksburg Vipers 9
Columbus Architects 6, Outer Banks Ospreys 15
Miami Sharks 10, Chesapeake Chitterlings 35

Looking at the matchups, the AOC matchups jump out a bit. There are 13-4 San Antonio and 13-3 Maassluis playing each other, meaning it will require 14 wins for the winner to survive. In the other matchup, the last two AOC champions, North Planfield and Conyers, play head-to-head for a ticket in the conference final. In the NAC, the division rivals Chesapeake and Frederick play again and the road team have won both games this season. In the other game, some sort of mismatch is going on with Fairbanks being nine-point favorites over Outer Banks.

Playoffs Schedule:
Atlantic Ocean Conference
North Plainfield Plague (#1) vs. Conyers Condors (#4)
Maassluis Merchantmen (#2) vs. San Antonio Volunteers (#3)

North American Conference
Fairbanks NorthStars (#1) vs. Outer Banks Ospreys (#6)
Frederick Red Menace (#2) vs. Chesapeake Chitterlings (#5)

[MIJB#19]

Charles Gomez Only Merchantmen All-IHOF Selection
As the 2007 IHOF regular season has ended, the selections of the best players have been published. In the All IHOF selections of first and second team, only one Maassluis Merchantmen player made the list. Defensive tackle Charles Gomez was once again rewarded for huis contributations, this time with an All IHOF Second Team spot after First Team duties in 2006 and Second Team duties in 2005. Amazingly, Gomez was the only player awarded of the top two AOC teams, the North Plainfield Plague and Maassluis Merchantmen.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen Back To Business With Big Trade
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back at it, or so Gossip News' infiltraded spies report. The Maassluis Merchantmen have started trade talks with two teams and already struck a deal with one. Both talks are about defensive backs, despite that the Merchantmen defense ended the regular season as top rated in point per game allowed. And crazy enough, they're talking while the team is still aiming for the IHOF championship.

The last issue is a clear one, the Merchantmen are the obvious underdogs to go all the way. The Merchantmen may have ended up 13-3, but their schedule was one of the easiest possible and the team went 1-2 against playoff teams. Most importantly, they Merchantmen lost against their upcoming playoff opponents, in their own house. It's time to start looking to the future and how to improve a defense that could still use some help in keeping the production down.

Of the two players they are trying to get, one is said to be injured. The Merchantmen management seems to have only showed interest and wanted the other team to note they want the player. Perhaps the player returns without being able to reach his old level of play. It makes sense to wait for that player and see what he can do for 'Mass Loss'. We hear the RayCo Raiders are the other team at the negotiations table, but why would the Merchantmen want a player from the worst defense in league history in terms of yards per game allowed?

But the finalized deal, who is the player, what team is he from? Our early reports point out to the Anaheim Matterhorns. We hear the Merchantmen management want to introduce the new owner in style, with a trade with the Merchantmen. But then, the Matterhorns have a weak defense, allowing the most points of all teams. But apparently, a trade has been agreed on and one of the Matterhorns' players is moving to Maassluis and will see little from the ownership change, other than him moving out.

But now, given the position of the players and their current team, is either of the two the so much hyped player the Merchantmen want so badly? Maassluis Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. said there's one player he desperately wants to add to his football team. Speculations continue, but we all know that the biggest need positions in Maassluis are not in te secondary. A backup quarterback, backup running back and a new center are needed, while the verdict isn't out yet on rookie wide receiver Jerry Beyer as the much wanted deep threat target. Keep reading Gossip News, we'll continue to spy and publish the name as soon as we figured it out.

[MIJB#19]

All MIJB: Rodger Mowery And Charles Gomez Selected
As the regular season of the 2007 IHOF season has been finalized recently, the Maassluis Merchantmen owner/general manager M.IJ.B. once again found the time to select the 53 best players of the past football season. As always the selection of names has at least one player of each IHOF franchise and has a reasonable breakdown by position. For the Maassluis Merchantmen, two players have been selected in Rodger Mowery, as punt returner, and Charles Gomez, as number two defensive tackle. The full selection, with in brackets the team and years of earlier selections:

QB1 Jaime Canter (Chesapeake - 2005)
QB2 John McMasters (San Antonio)
QB3 Joey Allen (Fairbanks - 2005, 2004)
RB1 Ronnie Kemp (Vicksburg)
RB2 Huey Gervais (Syracuse - 2005, 2004)
RB3 Raymond Flowers (Springfield - 2006)
PR1 Rodger Mowery (Maassluis)
FB1 Cole Dean (Georgia - 2006)
FB2 Will Wasserman (Boston)
TE1 Brent Hickok (Conyers - 2006, 2005)
TE2 Arthur Blakey (Orlando)
TE3 Brendon Drumm (Astoria - 2006)
WR1 Edward Duval (Fairbanks)
WR2 Seymour Barber (Telluride - 2006, 2005, 2004)
WR3 Albert Moses (North Plainfield)
WR4 Forrest Truett (Tucker)
KR1 Stanley Johnson (RayCo)
C1 Matthew Walker (Columbus - 2005)
C2 Jarrett Waugh (Vicksburg)
G1 Eric Crouch (Vicksburg)
G2 Roland Forrest (Asheville)
G3 Alfred Delacruz (Boulder)
G4 Rick Steffen (San Luis Obispo)
OT1 Isaias Lewis (North Plainfield)
OT2 Alphonso Gant (Gothenburg)
OT3 Daniel Brown (Brooklyn)
OT4 Justin Washington (Outer Banks)
P1 Michael Helgeson (Rochester)
K1 John Burch (Astoria)
DE1 Gary Shields (Columbus - 2006)
DE2 Cris Richarson (Conyers)
DE3 Ronnie Oxley (Frederick)
DE4 Curtis Dinsmore (Ann Arbor - 2005)
DT1 Ivan Sparks (Anaheim)
DT2 Charles Gomez (Maassluis - 2006, 2005)
DT3 Ronald Bell (Miami - 2006)
DT4 Chris Nagel (Gothenburg)
ILB1 Ben 'Furby' Tompkins (North Plainfield)
ILB2 Leland Moorehead (Miami)
ILB3 Johnnie Braithwaite (Brooklyn - 2006, 2005)
ILB4 Scott Hansel (Fort Worth - 2005)
OLB1 Andrew McDaniel (Gothenburg - 2006)
OLB2 Jeffrey Flores (Georgia)
OLB3 Daniel Hope (Minnesota - 2005)
OLB4 Paul Dunkle (Paris - 2005)
CB1 Jack Romero (Syracuse)
CB2 Tommie Cannon (Fairbanks)
CB3 Robert Grosso (Asheville)
CB4 Merle Chumley (Brooklyn - 2004)
S1 Andrew Remmington (Georgia)
S2 Adan Chambers (Astoria)
S3 Joshua Finlay (Asheville)
S4 Cecil McIver (Bordeaux)

[Senator]

Good Luck tomorrow. You have had a great year. I hope it will be a good game.

[cthomer5000]

Thanks for the selections on the all-pro team. I thought those 3 guys had oustanding years myself.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Fumblin' Justin Starting For Merchantmen?
It's unlikely the Maassluis Merchantmen will sit Louie Flannery in favor of Justin McDavid in their first playoff game, but the rumors are there. On the day of the big game, our insider sources claim that quarterback Shane Bower has left the training complex after hearing he will be watching the game against the San Antonio Volunteers from the stands. Maassluis and area are slowly hearing about the news and fans are buying tickets to see their fan favorite, Fumblin' Justin in action. But is that likely to happen?

Louie Flannery has been having a great season so far. In 16 games, he marched his men to 13 wins and broke all the single-season franchise records. The only concern that still stands is his interceptions figure, but Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. has claimed he can live with it. But for the biggest game in franchise history, the first playoff game ever, in maybe a sold-out Oranje Haven, can they get away with benching Flannery?

Justin McDavid looked sharp yesterday, even though the best pass rush in the league has been running against him in practise. Charles Gomez was claimed to be saying: "Justin is better than ever, he's not having trouble from the knee anymore." Harold Hurtado mentioned how optimistic McDavid was. Hurtado called it a "tribute to the fans" if McDavid would be playing.

The problems with Shane Bower have quietly gone bigger. Bower is officially reported to be happy witrh his role, but Bower is the only premier backup quarterback in the IHOF without a single pass attempt. And being replaced on the most important game of the season, it's not making sense. But he's got to keep focussed, if the Merchantmen win, they might call Bower again to be Flannery's understudy.

The biggest reasons of the faith in Fumblin' Justin are making sense to re-activate him. The Merchantmen have been training hard to recover their own fumbles in the past two seasons and it worked out okay. In fact, the Merchantmen won a couple of games on recovered fumbles, their own fumbles. And more importantly, the offense has been redesigned to fit better with Louie Flannery, but McDavid looked okay with the system in pre-season.

All in all, it won't matter much, expectations are that te Merchantmen will try to run in stead of pass against the San Antonio Volunteers. In week four this plan failed, but in their first playoff game, with Charles Gomez playing again, even a starting Fumblin' Justin can't keep the team from running all day long. But then, McDavid loves to run himself and we all know what will happen next: he'll get tackled and fumble. Fan favorite or not, with Fumblin' Justin playing, the Merchantmen are doomed...

[MIJB#19]

Story Continues As Merchantmen Beat San Antonio
The Maassluis Merchantmen continue their Cinderella story after an amazing 27-24 victory at home over the San Antonio Volunteers. Louie Flannery shined as never before, while Shaun Shiroma earned Defensive Player of the Week honors with a couple of crucial plays. The victory means the Merchantmen will go back to the USA next week to play the North Plainfield Plague and to extend their winning streak in road games to nine.

The Volunteers won the last time, but Charles Gomez missed the party. This time Gomez was there and the Volunteers quarterback John McMasters noticed it. He was so impressed that he missed Gomez' companion Shaun Shiroma and never really got the passing game going. With 1 touchdown versus 2 interceptions and being sacked 5 times, McMasters struggled for the entire game.

While McMasters struggled, Merchantmen passer Louie Flannery shined more than ever before and was leading his men like an aged veteran passer. With 298 yards passing and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, Flan' excelled and looked mature enough to do more big things. His reputation as a guy who throws an interception too much per game didn't show up and his mentality inspirded the enitre offense.

But in the end, the defense set up the posibility to win after the pass rush started working. Albert Bernardo and Shaun Shiroma sacked John McMasters early in the game at his own 2-yard line. Bernardo batted the ball loose, while rookie Shiroma picked up the ball and downed it two yards upfield. The Merchantmen went 7-3 up and never looked back. In the rest of the game, Shiroma added two solo sacks to earn well-deserved Defensive Player of the Week honors.

In the fourth quarter, punt returner Rodger Mowery almost made his team choke. At the Merchantmen half, Mowery fumbled on a return and helped the Volunteers into first and goal at the 5-yard line. The Volunteers scored, but those were their only 7 points for the entire fourth quarter, to narrow down the margin from 27-17 to 27-24. In the rest of the fourth quarter, the Merchantmen let the clock tick, wasting nine of thirteen remaining minutes, while the defense stood it's own and allowed only 5 yards gained in 7 plays.

Next up is a road game at the North Plainfield Plague. The #1 seeded IHOF team and defending champs beat the Conyers Condors 37-20 at home. The Merchantmen continue to be underdogs and will be in for a championship game in style: to win the conference, they have to knock out the champs in the final. Whether they'll manage it or not, it'll be another big game in franchise history.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Final Four baby!

Okay, who would have thought that, the Merchantmen in the final four? Well, I didn't, nobody did in the IHOF, I tell you that. But the next hurdle to a championship is the highest a team can take, the North Plainfield Plague are clearly the best team of the IHOF and the only thing we can do is play our game and hope for the best. At least we've got no injuries, compared to North Plainfield playing with a quarterback who's thumb is sore.

Playoffs Results:
North Plainfield Plague (AOC#1) 37, Conyers Condors (AOC#4) 20
Maassluis Merchantmen (AOC#2) 27, San Antonio Volunteers (AOC#3) 24
Outer Banks Ospreys (NAC#6) 20, Fairbanks NorthStars (NAC#1) 3
Chesapeake Chitterlings (NAC#5) 14, Frederick Red Menace (NAC#2) 3

Schedule:
Atlantic Ocean Conference Championship: North Plainfield vs. Maassluis
North American Conference Championship: Chesapeake vs. Outer Banks

For those not knowing it, North Plainfield beat Cheasapeake in the last IHOF Bowl game and both teams are on pace to repeat. Another interesting fact, Maassluis and Outer Banks represent the only two division that haven't been represented in the first three IHOF Bowls. In Las Vegas, the bookies are working 24/7 to calculate the number of best on Maassluis-Outer Banks matchups.

MIJB's Merchantmen Player of the Year
Well, I figured it could have been over after our first playoff game, but the story continues and Randy Harris has not clinched the award yet. Which five players deserve the most credits in our first ever playoff victory?

* Randy Harris ran for 77 yards and had a 6-yard reception for a touchdown
* Mike Kershner made 2 tackles, 1 interception and 1 defended passes while allowing 0 catches
* Lincoln Gilmore made 8 tackles, 3 assists and 1 interceptions while allowing 2 catches
* Shaun Shiroma made 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles, but mostly recovered a fumble for a touchdown
* Louie Flannery completed 22 of 34 passes for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns without interception

Standigs
34 points - Randy Harris
33 points - Louie Flannery
28 points - Charles Gomez
19 points - Tai Wayne
17 points - Cody Cluff
11 points - Bryce Ewald
8 points - Lincoln Gilmore, Carl Meier
6 points - Cary Coles, Winford Endicott, Jim Reiser, Emile William
5 points - Omar Gougeon, Shaun Shiroma
4 points - Albert Bernardo, Jerry Beyer, Aaron Sherrill
3 points - Brant Heinrich, Ivan Jacques, Timothy Lacy, Rodger Mowery, Jamel Rosenberry, Butch White
2 points - Mike Kershner
1 point - Brian Hammond, Cornelius Rice, Myron Stevens, Ellsworth Thelen, Andy Weliczka

To be honest, I think Gomez deserves this title the most, but I can't argue with the numbers and Flannery and Harris have both show to be top10 players at their position.

[MIJB#19]

Harold Hurtado Wants To Leave Merchantmen
Despite the surprise season, one Maassluis Merchantmen player is unhappy with the achievements. The prolific left tackle Harold Hurtado lost his starting job this season after the Merchantmen acquired Ivan Jacques and Cornelius Rice in trades. Hurtado has a leadership role on the offense, but right now he's not happy. Hurtado has been active in only 10 games this season, including 6 starts. Now, Hurtado wants to start in the upcoming Atlantic Ocean Conference Championship game, otherwise he's reconcidering his role in Maassluis.

Hurtado is accounting for a big salary figure and is concidered a key player, despite his role as a backup. "Harold is important, no doubt about that," owner M.IJ.B. said, "We pay him a lot for his role, but he can't demand to start." The Merchantmen are looking to the upcoming 2008 season and know that Hurtado could be once again a crucial member to the team. But if this argument continues, the teams fears to be unable to extend Hurtado's contract and to create some cap room. In the worst case, Hurtado would be released and the team would face a dead cap space hit of roughly two million dollars in 2008 and one million dollars in 2009.

Hurtado was acquired from the Rochester Lake Monsters in the 2004 pre-season in a trade for wide receiver Amos Collins. Hurtado was an All IHOF Second Team selection after the 2004 campaign in which the Merchantmen went 1-15. In the following two seasons, the Merchantmen went 7-9 and 8-8 as Hurtado formed a great tackle duo with Wilson Grimaldo. But the past season, Hurtado is mainly a backup as he gets older and has been a weak link in the pass protection when playing.

'Good old Harry', as the Merchantmen players tend to call him, has been a popular player on the team. Center Tom Schwartz returned this off-season to Maassluis and called te ability to work with Hurtado again one of the reasons to put his name under a two-year contract. But on the Merchantmen offensive line, the competition is high and others have complained about playing time this season. Schwartz and guard Brian Hammond have been complaining as well.

All things aside, the Merchantmen want to keep Hurtado happy at all cost. "Harold is a notirious player, a big name and a great guy." Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude is positive about finding a solution: "We might be able to find a role for Harold that fits his current state of skills. After all, age os working on him, but he's still a great leader and is one of the most loyal people I've ever met. Harold will do anything to help the Merchantmen." To be continued...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Analyse 2008 Roster
With the 2007 season almost done, the Maassluis Merchantmen management wants to let the fans know what the plans with the team are for 2008. The management understands that it's a bit early, given that the team is playing in the Atlantic Ocean Conference Final tomorrow, but the plans are made and only published afterall. We'll run down the roster by position group and tell what we expect to do in the 2008 off-season at the position. Per group, the players are mentioned, with their start of 2008 season age and last year of contract in brackets.

Quarterbacks
QB Justin McDavid (27, 2009)
QB Shane Bower (34, 2009)
QB Mel Atkins (26, 2009)
QB Louie Flannery (26, 2010)
We have to find about 10M of cap room at the start of the new season and at this position I expect to make some room. Bower and Atkins are together accounting for 2.5M of cap room and one of them will be leaving the Netherlands next spring. Given his age, Bower is the obvious suspect, but Atkins might be easier to trade. McDavid is too popular to trade and he's going to sit as #3 quarterback behind Flannery. That means we're potentially hiring a new #2 quarterback, providing we find cap room for him, which I doubt we can do. If we can't work something out, we might hire a cheap fourth passer, or ask Atkins or Bower to take a huge salary cut.

Backfield
RB Randy Harris (28, 2012)
RB Rodger Mowery (35, 2008)
RB Tyrell Mahoney (24, 2009)
FB Jamel Rosenberry (27, 2010)
FB Henry Poston (25, 2009)
This is a group we want to keep togheter, but it might be tough to do. Harris is the clearcut starter, but the #2 spot is up in the air. We're not too sold on Mahoney, but Mowery is likely to retire. If Mowery stays, we're in excellent shape, but if he's out, we're going to go on the market to find a new #2 running back and we're also going to need a new punt returner. We're also not too sold on Poston, but if he has a good camp we might want to reconsider and give him more playing time as Rosenberry's understudy. Note that I will try to ask Harris, Mowery and Rosenberry to give up about 1.5M of salary so we get into a healthy cap situation. A little hint, it's very likely we'll draft a running back with returning skills, geared to punt returning, but also able to be a backup kickoff returner.

Tight Ends
TE Jim Reiser (27, 2010)
TE Arnold Ramirez (27, 2009)
TE Charlie Martins (26, 2008)
Reiser is a star and Ramirez has proven to be a worthy backup. Martins has been helping out as longsnapper and looks like a nice #3 tight end as well. We'll try to extend Martins' contract, unless we can find a better longsnapping tight end, which is very unlikely. I'll probably ask Reiser to sacrifice a bit of his salary figure.

Wide Receivers
FL David Henkel (31, 2009)
FL Gregory Monti (27, 2010)
FL Jerry Beyer (25, 2010)
SE Jules Benedict (30, 2009)
SE Bryce Ewald (27, 2010)
SE Devin Henson (26, 2009)
Well, as you can see we've got the whole group signed pretty long-term. Especially our top three guys won't be going away soon, while the others are signed long enough to find a potential replacement in time. That said, Henkel is unlikely to be on our roster in 2008. Henson is a worthy #4 receiver, so if one of the top four goes out long term, Henkel is still unneeded. It will save us a bit of money, but so little that we're likely not going to notice the difference. Note that we might try to ask Monti or Ewald to push some salary back to the future.

Offensive Line
C Christian Reichel (27, 2008)
C Tom Schwartz (27, 2007)
C Brant Heinrich (26, 2010)
G Butch White (26, 2011)
G Timothy Lacy (25, 2010)
G Brian Hammond (30, 2009)
LT Ivan Jacques (28, 2010)
LT Harold Hurtado (34, 2009)
RT Cornelius Rice (26, 2008)
RT Norman Holliday (23, 2009)
A big group and almost every player is signed longer than one year. Reichel is going to be our backup center, most likely, meaning Schwartz will walk away as a free agent. Reichel is also a good long snapper, but we've got faith in our TE Martins there. Still, at center we're not so happy with Heinrich, he's got to make some improvement as a pass protector to be worth his salary. We're likely to ask him to sacrifice some money. At guard, White and Lacy are great starters, while Hammond or our backup tackle can be a good stand-in. At tackle, Jacques is locked up, but Rice is not, while Hurtado is costing a lot. We might have to let Hurtado walk and acquire a new backup LT. Otherwise he's got to give up a lot of money and he might still lose the backup role to young Holliday.

Defensive Line
DE Albert Bernardo (30, 2010)
DE Wally Wilcox (37, 2007)
DE Aaron Sherrill (24, 2009)
DE Omar Gougeon (25, 2009)
DT Charles Gomez (28, 2009)
DT Andrew Rasmussen (24, 2009)
DT Shaun Shiroma (24, 2010)
DT Andy Weliczka (25, 2010)
We expect Wilcox to retire and have no money invested in him. He's been a backup and will likely get no playing time anyway. Sherrill and Gougeon are the future, meaning Bernardo is going to have to give up a bit of his 3.4M cap figure in 2008 to stay around. All the tackles are going to stay, although Gomez is a problem-child. Gomez is accounting for 9.8M and we can't afford that. We're going to offer him a new long-term contract, but including a paycut of about 3M in 2008, making our most valuable player affordable.

Linebackers
ILB Daniel Ruelas (31, 2008)
ILB Carl Meier (29, 2009)
ILB Cody Cluff (27, 2011)
OLB Ellsworth Thelen (29, 2010)
OLB Mitch Hoofkin (25, 2008)
OLB Josh Weisberg (35, 2008)
OLB Mike Kershner (26, 2010)
Without a doubt, this is a fine group and we'll keep te entire group together, providing Weisberg isn't going to retire. Ruelas and Hoofkin have contracts ending after 2008, but we'll try to lock Hoofkin up longer than that. Note that if we can acquired a linebacker who's a real stud and can help out in our zone defense, we have to go for it, even if it means either Thelen, Kershner or Meier becomes expendable. We'll also try to create about 1M of cap room with renegotiations in this group.

Secondary
CB Carlos Mitchem (28, 2009)
CB Tai Wayne (24, 2010)
CB Desmond Craig (25, 2009)
CB Winford Endicott (30, 2007)
CB Johnnie Stidham (27, 2010)
CB Myron Stevens (24, 2008)
SS Emile William (29, 2009)
SS Lincoln Gilmore (27, 2010)
SS Lamar Singleton (23, 2009)
FS John Cole (27, 2010)
FS Richard Muller (29, 2009)
Ah, our charming group of youngesters, all signed at low cost and mostly long-term. We've got two big problems here in Endicott and Stevens. Behind Wayne, they are the #2 and #3 cornerbacks. Endicott will likely be franchise tagged, but if he wants too much money, we'll let him walk. With Stevens, we can risk letting him become a restricted free agent in 2009. But I'd rather get him to extend his contract now. Also note that we're likely to let either Craig or Stidham walk, potentially even both. Mitchem is a mentor and thus important to keep, but not necessary as the youngsters have all reached their potential by now. At safety, we're going to say goodbye to Muller or Cole. We're even leaning to letting both go, or maybe Singleton instead. For you interest, we already struck a deal to acquire one player for this group and expect to acquire another next off-season.

Special Teams
P Roscoe Corrales (33, 2009)
K Cary Coles (26, 2010)
K Al Bettis (25, 2008)
Okay, here we're in good shape, but still have a couple of things to do. Corrales is getting older and we are potentially going to hire a punter to challenge him. Coles will stay as our placekicker. Just as with CB Stevens, Bettis has been a wonderful undrafted rookie pickup and we might try to restricted free agent trick with him as well. But if we got the cap room, Bettis will get a new contract as our kickoff specialist. But then, if a better and cheaper option at placekicker or kickoff kicker or a two-way guy shows up, we're not unwilling to hire the guy. In other special teams areas, we're okay at longsnapper, have a great holder in QB Flannery and have WR Henson as kickoff returner. Only at punt returner, we're having a problem if Mowery retires and WR Beyer doesn't develop into a worthy replacement. Also, we might need a new backup kickoff returner. Expect us to draft a return specialist.

Overall we're in good shape to retain the services of the entire roster. Granted, we need to solve a cap room problem of exaclty 10M dollars, but we'll manage it, I think. Compared to our end of 2006 situation, we already improved 1.3M and at the start of 2007 we were about 20M over the cap. We've done it before and we'll do it again, our salary cap management magic will be back. With about 15M more to spend than in 2007 and another 15M more for 2009, it's not going to be impossible. The succesful 2007 Merchantmen roster will be kept together for 2008 and 2009, you can count on that!

Oh, and for those wondering, we've got only four draft picks in 2008, all fifth rounders and three of those are already 'traded'. We've got a big collection of second to fifth rounders for 2009, but we expect to trade many of those for a better 2008 pick, higher 2009 picks and 2010 picks. For 2010, we still have our own picks for rounds one to five.

[Alf]

I am wearing my Oranje T-Shirt today. Go Maassluis !

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Alf

I am wearing my Oranje T-Shirt today. Go Maassluis !

I kept thinking I forgot to do something this morning, but now I remember.
Sadly my blue sweater with orange sleeves is on the 'up for washing' pile of clothes.

Oh well, I guess my Tiesto CD will have to cover it for me...

[MIJB#19]

Plague End Merchantmen Fairy Tale In Brutal Way
With a phenomenal first quarter, the North Plainfield Plague ended the fairy tale of the Maassluis Merchantmen. The defending IHOF champions trashed the visiting challengers 43-10 to mark their opponent's biggest loss in franchise history. Quarterback David Conti passed for four touchdowns in the first quarter to finish the game at a quarter of the playing time. The Plague take their second consecutive Atlantic Ocean Conference title, while the Merchantmen sail home in disbelief.

It boded well for an exciting matchup, the top two teams after the regular season playing head to head. But in the first quarter, the North Planfield Plague were two classes better. Where the Plague passing game was amazing, Merchantmen quarterback Louie Flannery threw an interception. And where the Plague defense stopped the visitors on every single down, the best defense in terms of points was hopeless all the time. Four touchdowns and a safety later, the Plague were leading 30-0 and the first quarter wasn't even over yet.

David Conti didn't even finish the game, as his sore thumb warrented for a reason to bring in backup quarterback Bradley Keil. With Keil at the helmet, the Plague defended the lead and expanded it by three points. Louie Flannery found Randy Harris for the only Merchantmen touchdown mid-way the third quarter, but at that point the game was pretty much over. The Merchantmen rediscovered how much bigger the Plague are and even the 14-40 loss during the 2006 season was less of a humiliation. The Plague now lead the series 3-0 all time, making them the biggest plague to the Merchantmen, while the Merchantmen have become the Plague's easiest foe to beat.

After the game, Louie Flannery broke into tears, but the young playcaller should see he and his team have a bright future. Flannery is only in his second season and has done bigger things than any other quarterback selected in any amateur draft. "Flamery" has slowely moved up into the top eight active quarterbacks in winning percentage with 22 victories and 12 losses. Running back Rodger Mowery, who missed the playoffs twice with the RayCo Raiders after a winning season, called Flannery a great leader and the reason why the offense is winning games.

On the defensive side, Charles Gomez tried to explain the loss, but he had no defense to why the pass rush struggled all game long. "I guess we just didn't have our day. Albert [Bernardo], Aaron [Sherrill], Shaun [Shiroma], Andy [Weliczka], we all had an off-day." Gomez was the only one who reached his normal level of play, recording half a sack and eight tackles.

Next up, the Plague go for their second consecutive IHOF Bowl victory, as they play the Outer Banks Ospreys next. The 'Dirty Birds' have been a hot and cold team all season, sneaked into the playoffs as sixth seeds and depending on an Astoria Heroes loss in week 17. The Ospreys knocked out Columbus, the 2004 IHOF champions Fairbanks and 2006 NAC champions Chespeake to get into the final. The Plague are heavily favored, but Ospreys are one of those teams who can win when you least expect it.

For the Merchantmen, 2008 looks like another cool season. The off-season starts with a big salary cap problem of exactly ten million dollars, but the team is expecting to resolve the issue. The departure of long time starter Harold Hurtado has come a step closer after Hurtado said starting in the AOC title game was not enough to make him happy again. The Merchantmen plan to stick together about 50 of the current 53 players and hope to add a couple of promising players at other positions. And perhaps 2007 was only the start of a series of AOC championship games between the two teams. The Merchantmen would love to see it happen, but only time will tell whether 2007 was a fluke...

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Game over.

Wow. 43-10, that's the last thing I expected to happen. Well, maybe not, when the best roster play the 29th best, it's bound to happen. Oh well, the regular season has been a great ride, the European division title was a great accomplishment and the playoff victory at home was the cherry on the pie. That huge loss is not going to spoil such a great season is it? We're going to regroup and try again in 2008 with the least roster turnover the IHOF has ever seen in one off-season. About 45 of the 57 players on roster will still be here next season. And the game plan has worked in 14 of 16 games we used it, that's got to be worth something.

Oh, for those wondering what happened elsewhere, the NAC championship game may have been decided by the kicker we drafted the past off-season, Alvin Ladner missed an extra point.

Playoffs Results:
Atlantic Ocean Conference Championship: North Plainfield 43, Maassluis 10
North American Conference Championship: Chesapeake 18, Outer Banks 20

Schedule:
IHOF Bowl IV: North Plainfield vs. Outer Banks

That's right, North Plainfield is there for the second time, while the European division is the only one with no Conference championship winner to date.

MIJB's Merchantmen Player of the Year
Despite the humiliation, it's not impossible to credit three players for their play. It was actually pretty easy to find three guys who did at least a decent job. Butch White made 4 key run blocks and was not to blame for the three sacks the line allowed. Cody Cluff recorded 9 tackles, 4 assists and 1 interception to keep the loss from going into a 60-something loss. Charles Gomez made 8 tackle, 1 assist, 0.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.

Final Standings
34 points - Randy Harris
33 points - Louie Flannery
29 points - Charles Gomez
19 points - Cody Cluff, Tai Wayne
11 points - Bryce Ewald
8 points - Lincoln Gilmore, Carl Meier
6 points - Cary Coles, Winford Endicott, Jim Reiser, Butch White, Emile William
5 points - Omar Gougeon, Shaun Shiroma
4 points - Albert Bernardo, Jerry Beyer, Aaron Sherrill
3 points - Brant Heinrich, Ivan Jacques, Timothy Lacy, Rodger Mowery, Jamel Rosenberry
2 points - Mike Kershner
1 point - Brian Hammond, Cornelius Rice, Myron Stevens, Ellsworth Thelen, Andy Weliczka

Best Rookie Race: 1. Shaun Shiroma, 2. Aaron Sherrill, 3. Jerry Beyer
Best Newcomer Race: 1. Winford Endicott, 2. Shaun Shiroma, 3. Aaron Sherrill
Best Defensive Player: 1. Charles Gomez, 2. Tai Wayne, 3. Cody Cluff
Best Offensive Player: 1. Randy Harris, 2. Louie Flannery, 3. Bryce Ewald
Best Overall Player: 1. Randy Harris, 2. Louie Flannery, 3. Charles Gomez

[cthomer5000]

I just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent season overall.

Yesterday just wasn't your day, i don't know if anything else could have gone wrong in that first quarter. I think it was 30-0 before Louie even completed a pass for you guys.

[MIJB#19]

Irregular Interview With Bernie Hicks
As the average Merchantmen fan te name of Bernie Hicks probably doesn't immediately ring a bell. Well, after the 2007 season, it's a name to remember for the ages, Hicks is the Merchantmen's defensive coordinator. The 66-year old used to be offensive coordinator with the Tucker Tigers, but this past season he was hired by the Merchantmen to coordinate the defense. And not without success, the Merchantmen finished the season number one in most sacks and in least points allowed. Today, we're talking with Hicks about the accomplishments and his role.

Q (Questioner): Hello mister Hicks, thanks for joining us, congratulations on the succesful season.
BH (Bennie Hicks): Thank you for the compliments, but after the last game the winning mood we've had for most of the season has been replaced with a feeling like the world ended today.

Q: 30 points in the first quarter, that's going to be tough.
BH: As a matter of fact, I think I was close to having a heart attack. A man of my age just isn't able to witness such a humiliation. On the other hand, the North Plainfield Plague are the defending champions and showed us how far off we are from being the best team in the league. This team is going to repeat, for our sake it's best if the Plague repeat with a serious beating of the Ospreys.

Q: Mister Hicks, you've worked as an offensive coordinator from 2004 through 2006 with the Tucker Tigers, how was the demotion to defensive coordinator?
BH: I wouldn't call it a demotion, it's just a different role. The Merchantmen management told me they thought I'd still be able to do a great job in the IHOF and they told me they had faith in my knowledge of football. Looking back, I guess it was a missed opportunity to not do this end of the ball earlier.

Q: The Merchantmen defense really had a breakthrough season. When you got here, we were talking about the worst defense in IHOF history in terms of yardage.
BH: Correct. During training camp it became apparent that we had to make an adjustment to the defense. The owner had some great advice from a guy named Warhammer through the internet and told me we were going to work with a zone defense.

Q: The owner?
BH: Correct. Mister Van Der Woude [Merchantmen head coach] talked it over and decided that would be best fror the team. Looking back, it may have been the best thing to do. Winford Endicott was added to the team shortly after camp and explained the younger players how it was done. Guys like Wayne, Gilmore, Emile William, Johnny Cole and Myron Stevens picked it up very well. Do remember that Wayne missed the entire 2006 season so the secondary missed their best man, it wasn't helpful.

Q: But there was more, the pass rush has lived up to a higher level than ever before. That alone is surprising as the Merchantmen traded away three of the best defensive linemen in the league the past seasons.
BH: The youngesters picked it up very well. Don't underestimate Charles Gomez, he's a monster. Gomez alone keeps two men busy, creating the holes for others to get to the quarterback. Ellsworth Thelen does a good job of pressure as a linebacker, while Weliczka and Shiroma picked up their role as time sharers very well. Big Al [Bernardo] has been amazing and really inspired the younger ends Omar [Gougeon] and Sherrill to play so well. Plus, the rule changes in the IHOF to prohibit 24/7 pass rushing from linebackers helped a bit too.

Q: We've talked about the pass rush and pass defense, which each lived up, but where's the role of the linebackers? There were rumors about you being hired primairily to develop the linebackers.
BH: It's true in a way. It's true that linebackers are my favorite group of players. I think most of the guys around here picked it up well. Thelen has brought more pass rush pressure than ever before, Carl Meier has been the best thinkable backup and Cody Cluff, well, the kid has become the best run stopper in the entire league. Imagine facing Charles Gomez and Cody Cluff, there's no fun in there for any running back.

Q: How about Mike Kershner? Mike is popular with the fans, but the management has critized his lack of progress over the years.
BH: Mickey is a problem child, sort of. You can't argue with his potential, he's got lost of it, but he's just, well, not devoted enough to get there. Josh Weisberg and I talked about it a lot. The team hoped that Weisberg would be able to inspire Mickey, but so far he failed a bit. Don't get me wrong, Mickey still has the potential, but it seems he doesn't have what it takes to be an every downs kid. Just an example, he's been exposed as our weakest link in the pass defense and he doesn' pick it up to mark his guy. All he wants is go after the running back, but that's not his role. He's a linebacker, he's got to focus. I guess it's up to Mickey to prove me wrong, but as it looks like now, Mickey is backing up Carl Meier in 2008.

Q: So Mickey has been disappointing, which player surprised the most in a positive way?
BH: Myron Stevens. Let me put this straight, the ownership has said that Myron is the prototypical Merchantmen player and it's all true. Myron has learned the zone defense system in and out. Don't ask him to make a tackle, but he's an amazing kid to have on your secondary in the right system. With two interceptions, a crucial fumble recovery touchdown and a sack, Myron has made a couple of big plays. He's still got to improve his frequency of defended passes to be a full time starter, but I think he can do it.

Q: Not bad for an undrafted rookie free agent pickup.
BH: Well, perhaps, but I hear the management had their eye on Myron during the 2006 draft from the minute they had selected Louie Flannery. I understand that there's been a prestige battle between Myron and safety Lamar Singleton, I guess Myron.

Q: Talking of turnarounds, after you left the Tucker Tigers, the team has changed from a run oriented team to a pass heavy scheme. What's your take on it?
BH: To be honest, I've been shocked. The ownership has always said that the Tigers are a running team and they even worked hard to acquire running back Monty Avent. Of course, Monty has yet to prove he's of IHOF starting calibre, despite his talent. And in the end, the Tigers finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffs. At least Forrest Truett finally broke out...

Q: Do you have hard feelings towards the Tigers?
BH: Personally? Not really, my contract ended and I wasn't going to be there for another year. The Merchantmen offered a 66-year old a contract, which calls for a lot of respect from both sides. But I have to say, here in Maassluis, the Tigers are one of those teams they want to see lose. That one-point victory 'we' pulled off in 2005 has a sore spot in the hearts of any Merchantmen fan. Cary Coles [Kicker who missed a short field goal and an extra point in the 9-10 loss] is still having nightmares about that game. Over two years later!

Q: So what was your take on the trade between the Merchantmen and Tigers for the #10 overall pick, which quikcly after that was already traded to the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums to later on select Vinnie Simmons, their new quarterback of the future?
BH: It did nothing to me. That was pure business. I hear the Tigers wanted one of our best defensive players, the management denied it without talking to me. At that point the management didn't trust me enough yet, I was coming from the Tigers. In the end, I guess they made a good trade. Ivan Jacques has been a key player on the pass protection. If the kid is willing to work on resovling the problems with his weak knees, I think the Merchantmen made the right decission. Jacques has proven to be an elite left tackle when healthy.

Q: What about the next off-season, what are your plans?
BH: Well, it's tough. Mrs. Hicks wants to go back to the States, she missed the weather in Georgia. We're going to talk with the management after the IHOF Bowl, as we already planned to do. The management says they were happy about my role, but they also understand I'm not getting younger. If this has just been a one-year job, then so be it. I've lived for about a year overseas and have been part of perhaps the biggest Cincerella story in league history to date. That is if the Ospreys don't win it all in the IHOF Bowl, because that would clearly be a bigger story.

Q: 13-3, European Champions and Atlantic Ocean Conferece runners' up. You've been part of a great season.
BH: For sure. I remember the day when we talked about the Merchantmen as the laughing stock of the IHOF. Today, I'm about to leave that organization.

Q: You've been part of one of the biggest turnarounds in IHOF history and now you're stepping down?
BH: Correct. Well, if all goes as the Mrs. Hicks wants to. Maybe the management can talk her into staying for another season, but it's unlikely.

Q: If you're stepping down, you're leaving behind a potent defense with up to five starters who are only at the start of their careers. And in your one year you brought this defense from worst to first!
BH: Thank you for the kind words. It's been a team effort and the players picked it up all very well. It's to early to say goodbye, but 2007 has been the best experience of my football career. And with all the youngsters, this defense hasn't reached their peak yet. We're going to see bigger things in the future from this defense. I'm sure that whomever takes over from me, he'll have something good to work with.

Q: Mister Hicks. Thank you for your time.
BH: It's been my pleasure.

Q: Good luck talking your wife out of wanting back to the USA.
BH: You clearly never met Mrs. Hicks, but I'll do my best. Can you make sure she doesn't read this?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent season overall.

Yesterday just wasn't your day, i don't know if anything else could have gone wrong in that first quarter. I think it was 30-0 before Louie even completed a pass for you guys.

That's right:
1 pass intercepted
1 pass blocked
3 passes defended
1 sack for -3 yards and a safety
The other offensive plays were 2-yard a 0-yard runs from Randy Harris...

[MIJB#19]

Back after success in the past: 2007 The Merchantmen Player of the Year Poll!

It was tougher than ever before to name the nine finalists, but as always there's the write-in option. Don't let your ability to vote fly by!

[MIJB#19]

Where Have They Gone: The Traded Merchantmen
The Maassluis Merchantmen, the name alone says enough, the slogan "Masters Of Trading" has been proudly made reality. After three trade-loaded off-seasons, the Merchantmen have moved up from the IHOF's laughingstock at 1-15 to Atlantic Ocean Conference runners' up at 13-3. In the big number of trades, about 30 players left Maassluis after long and short stints. Where have they gone and what do their owners think? Selected are a few players, but at least one of every team the Merchantmen traded a player to.

Fullback Vincent Lopez
(Merchantmen player in 2004-2005, traded during draft to Boulder Blizzard)
In the 2006 season, Lopez was a one-year fit to make holes for running back Heath Barber in the best season the Blizzard had. With a 10-6 record and reaching the elite eight, Lopez had his role in the success. Blizzard owner Blackadar: "Good Trade. I got out of him exactly what I wanted. [Lopez was] a decent starting fullback that helped lead us to the playoffs." Today, Lopez is a retired football player and has the honor of having been part of the two biggest turnarounds in the IHOF's short history.

Kicker Alvin Ladner
(Drafted in 2007 by Merchantmen, traded after pre-season to Chesapeake Chitterlings)
Ladner stepped into the shoes of an infamous undrafted rookie kicker. Ike Settles missed three field goals in IHOF Bowl III and has been 'credited' for the eventual loss. Ladner was 'lucky' enough to basically copied that with a missed extra point in a last second 18-20 loss. Before that game, Chitterlings onwer QuikSand said: "[Ladner] got off to a good start, [but] faded down the stretch. I feel I got my money's worth in the deal." Ladner converted 23 of 33 field goals and 46 of 48 extra points, setting a rookie record for points scored at 115. But after the North American Conferece Championship game debacle, Ladner's future in Annapolis is in jeopardy.

Quarterback Dominic Lynch
(Traded in by the Merchantmen in 2006, traded to the Conyers Condors in the 2007 off-season)
Lynch was a mentor to Louie Flannery during his one season in Maassluis, but after the return of 'Fumblin' Justin McDavid was the fifth wheel on the quarterback wagon. Lynch has mentored number two pick Chris Donaldson at Conyers and the kid played some awesome football. Conyers owner KWhit praised Lynch: "[Lynch's] mentorship has been outstanding in bringing Chris Donaldson along so quickly." Lynch's future could be in Conyers as he's proven to be a worthy third quarterback.

Wide receiver Raul Marshall
(Merchantmen player in 2004, traded in 2005 off-season to the Fairbanks NorthStars)
Marshall was the #4 receiver in a crowded Merchantmen receivers corps, but in Alaska got the opportunity to play for the first IHOF champions. Fairbanks owner Albionmoonlight said: "[Marshall] promoted to number three receiver [in 2007]. He hasbeen able to step it up with an injury to our tight end." With an ever improving receptions and yardage total, Marshall's future in Alaska looks bright. That depends on whether the team can re-sign him to a new contract in 2008.

Defensive tackle John Bryant
(Merchantmen player from 2004 through 2006, traded in the 2007 off-season to the Georgia Gridlock)
Bryant has always been contributing well as the sidekick of the Merchantmen star Charles Gomez. The Merchantmen decided to go younger and draft a new sidekick. Bryant had a decent season and paid back big time in the Gridlock's game at Maassluis. With 1.5 sacks and 4 tackles, Bryant haunted Louie Flannery and was a key player in a surprising 28-27 victory. Gridlock owner Celeval is happy: "[Bryant] performed solidly. [He was] an improvement on the fourth lineman in previous years." Bryant is still a decent lineman and should be a starter for about five more years in the league.

Wide Receiver Fredric Vargas
(Merchantmen player in 2004, traded to the North Plainfield Plague in 2005 off-season)
Plague owner Cthomer5000 explained Vargas' role best with: "Although we might have overpaid, [Vargas]'s become a major target for David Conti and is one of the reasons we have one championship trophy and are gunning for a second." Vargas' 2007 campaign was one of his first 1,000-yard season and a huge 19 yards per catch average. Vargas is still a relative cheap receiver and has proven the Merchantmen wrong in trading him premature. Imagine a Flannery to Vargas combo and all of a sudden the Merchantmen are in IHOF Bowl IV. But then, that's maybe a bit too far fetched...

Safety Percy Francis
(Merchantmen player in 2004 and 2005, traded in the 2006 off-season to the Outer Banks Ospreys)
At the moment of writing, Francis is sitting on injured reserve and will sadly sit out the Ospreys' first IHOF Bowl asppearance. That said, Francis has gone from backup on a 1-15 team to starter on North American Conferece Champions. With 5 interceptions, 5 defended passes and only 13 catches allowed, Francis is the perfect partner for star safety Milo Epperson. Ospreys owner WSUCouger calls Francis: "A pleasant surprise. [Francis] has been consistently good in coverage." Francis' future in the IHOF looks very good.

Defensive end Scot Dick
(Acquired in trade by Merchantmen before 2006 season from the Bordeaux Vineyards, traded in 2007 off-season to the Paris Musketeers)
Dick has been a consistent starting sacks machine in the European division. In his third stop, Dick has not done so well. Musketeers owner Darkiller thinks: "[Dick] underachieved. He didn't produce as I expected a lot more. [Dick is] not a sure thing to remain in Paris [in 2008]." Dick finished the season with only 2.5 sacks, but his totals of 6 blocked passes, 15 quarterback hurries and 32 tackles are respectable. Butr then, Dick is a defensive end and has a multi-millionair salary. And being 30 years old, Dick might be on his way back.

Tight end Jerry Aubrey
(Merchantmen player in 2004 and 2005, traded to the Rochester Lake Monsters in the 2006 off-season)
The Merchantmen fans may remember Aubrey from his surprising All IHOF First Team selection after the 2004 season. Despite a 1-15 campaign, the Merchantmen provided a true star in Aubrey. But the management decided to go with the younger Jim Reiser and Aubrey was too much respected to be a backup in Maassluis. The Rochester Lake Monsters were Aubrey's new home, where he's been a decent number two tight end. Lake Monsters owner Kodos was not very particular in Aubrey's overall showing, but saying "When starting TE Oliver Dugger went down this season, Aubrey stepped into the starting role", Aubrey has got to be doing something right.

Quarterback Leonard Lyon
(Drafted by the Merchantmen in 2005, traded in the 2006 off-season to the Springfield Isotopes)
'The Lion' roars no more, in only his third season in the IHOF, Lyon looks like a career backup. With a winning percentage of only .200, Lyon has lost the starting role battle to rookie Louie Boles in the 2007 season. Isotopes owner Samdari said: "Lyon remains an enigma. Decent [skills], poor performance." Lyon has been prone to interceptions and that's not good on a run-oriented team that wants to control the ball. He might get another shot at being a starter, but history is repeating with Lyon. After being demoted after just one start as a rookie in Maassluis, Lyon has little chances to be a starting quarterback in Springfield.

Offensive tackle Wilson Grimaldo
(Traded in by the Merchantmen in the 2005 off-season from the Paris Musketeers, traded in the 2007 off-season to the Vicksburg Vipers)
When Grimaldo was traded, the Merchantmen management were called morons, especially when they later on acquired a new offensive tackle in a trade. Grimaldo was an excellent pass protection in Maassluis, but his replacement Ivan Jacques played just as well. Sadly for Vicksburg, Grimaldo suffered an injury early on in the season and was done for the season. Vipers owners Buzzbee worries: "Considering his [age], and that Rochester lineman Gene Simmons had the same injury, hopes [that Wilson comes back again next year with a full recovery] are somewhat slim." Simmons was the best guard in the IHOF until his injury and is now expected to retire pre-mature after being a free agent for all of the 2007 season. Grimaldo's career might be over soon.

The owners of the Anaheim Matterhorns, Bordeaux Vineyards, Fort Worth Fury and RayCo Raiders were unavailable for comment. Telluride Outlaws owner Buccanneer did comment, but his words on Russell Malave's performance were clear: "[Malave] probably sucked." Looking back, given the success of the Merchantmen it may have been successful to trade. But reading the feedback from other owners, it seems not only the Merchantmen took advantage of the trades. But then, some stories have been disappointing as trades don't always workout as planned. If anything, it just shows the narrow the margin between winning and losing also applies to trades, it can't always be win-win...

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: Progress Of Players
Okay, since we're at the season end for our team, maybe it's interesting to show how much progress our youngsters have made. Here's the start of regular season to end of regular season progress (or regression!) our players made. In brackets are the rounded current overall and future levels.

+00/+00 (~25/40) QB Mel Atkins
+00/+00 (~30/45) QB Shane Bower
+17/+00 (~65/65) QB Louie Flannery
+00/+00 (~20/30) QB 'Fumblin' Justin McDavid
+00/+00 (~55/60) RB Randy Harris
+02/+00 (~30/40) RB Tyrell Mahoney
+00/+00 (~35/35) RB Rodger Mowery
+00/+00 (~25/45) FB Henry Poston
+06/+00 (~65/70) FB Jamel Rosenberry
+00/+00 (~25/30) TE Charlie Martins
+03/+00 (~40/45) TE Arnold Ramirez
+00/+00 (~80/80) TE Jim Reiser
+03/+00 (~25/45) WR Jerry Beyer
-01/+00 (~25/30) WR David Henkel
+00/+00 (~45/50) WR Gregory Monti
+00/+00 (~45/50) WR Jules Benedict
+02/+02 (~60/60) WR Bryce Ewald
+00/+00 (~25/30) WR Devin Henson
+04/+00 (~55/60) C Brant Heinrich
-01/-01 (~35/50) C Christian Reichel
+00/+00 (~25/35) C Tom Schwartz
+04/+02 (~55/55) G Butch White
+00/+00 (~35/40) G Brian Hammond
+07/+00 (~55/55) G Timothy Lacy
+00/+00 (~45/45) LT 'Good old Harry' Harold Hurtado
+00/+00 (~70/70) LT Ivan Jacques
+00/+00 (~15/50) RT Norman Holliday
+07/+03 (~50/50) RT Cornelius Rice
+00/+00 (~55/55) P Roscoe Corrales
+00/+00 (~25/40) K Al Bettis
+03/+00 (~50/55) K Cary Coles
+00/+00 (~45/45) DE 'Big Al' Albert Bernardo
+03/+00 (~20/40) DE Aaron Sherrill
+00/+00 (~45/50) DE Wally 'World' Wilcox
+02/+00 (~20/40) DE Omar Gougeon
+00/+00 (~85/85) DT Charles Gomez
+02/+00 (~20/45) DT Andrew Rasmussen
+02/+00 (~35/45) DT Andy Weliczka
+03/+00 (~25/45) DT Shaun Shiroma
+09/+04 (~75/75) MLB Cody Cluff
-02/+00 (~35/40) ILB Daniel Ruelas
+00/+00 (~65/70) ILB Carl Meier
+00/+00 (~30/45) OLB Mitch Hoofkin
+00/+00 (~50/50) OLB Ellsworth Thelen
+05/+00 (~55/65) OLB Mike 'Mickey' Kershner
+00/+00 (~40/40) OLB Josh Weisberg
+00/+00 (~25/35) CB Desmond Craig
-01/+00 (~35/45) CB Carlos Mitchem
+13/+00 (~65/65) CB Tai Wayne
+00/+00 (~35/35) CB Winford Endicott
+03/+00 (~20/20) CB Myron Stevens
+01/+00 (~30/40) CB Johnnie Stidham
+01/+00 (~35/40) FS John Cole
+00/+00 (~40/45) FS Richard Muller
+08/+00 (~55/55) SS Lincoln Gilmore
+00/+00 (~15/30) SS Lamar Singleton
+07/+00 (~45/50) SS Emile William

[MIJB#19]

North Plainfield Plague Are Repeat IHOF Champs
With a 27-14 victory in IHOF Bowl IV, the North Plainfield Plague defended their IHOF title in style. Guided by David Conti, the Plague steamrolled over the Outer Banks Ospreys and let the score look closer than the game actually was. The Ospreys saw an amazing playoffs run as #6 seeds from the North American Conference end. Coming up next is the 2008 off-season, in which the Maassluis Merchantmen will strive to kick the Plague of their throne in an Atlantic Ocean Conference rematch. But with the Plague sticking their stars together and owning the right to two top 10 draft picks, the league is sceptic about the chances of having another team winning IHOF Bowl V.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen To Honor Retiring Players
As the 2007 season is officially over, football players had to file the official IHOF papers for retirement. In the Maassluis Merchantmen camp, two players filled the papers and will no longer be seen on the IHOF fields. Running back Rodger Mowery and defensive end Wally Wilcox say good bye to Maassluis after just one season. In the first regular season game the fans will be given their shot at saying goodbye to both and to two ex-Merchantmen players. Jerry Aubrey decided to leave the Rochester Lake Monsters behind, while Matt Offord had no job in the 2007 season and decided to pursue a career in business. Both Aubrey and Offord have been invited to attend the season opener against the Gothenburg Giants.

Rodger Mowery played only 18 games for the Merchantmen, but he did leave behind a great image. As the backup to Randy Harris, the former RayCo Raiders 1,000-yards back had been the much wanted change of pace guy. And with his abilty to return punts, Mowery had another role on the team. Mowery ended the season as the IHOF leader in punt return average and touchdowns. His 2007 performance helped him into the #1 spot for career leaders in punt returning.

Wally Wilcox never was a full time starter in Maassluis, but the team management still appreciates his efforts. As an aged veteran, Wilcox has been a mentor type to young ends Omar Gougeon and Aaron Sherrill. Wilcox finished the 2007 season as the primairy backup in the playoffs, but never got further than 1.0 sacks.

Jerry Aubrey was the Merchantmen's starting tight end in the 2004 season and the first couple of games in 2005. After an All IHOF First Team campaign, Aubrey lost the starting role to today's best tight end in the game, Jim Reiser. Aubrey was traded to the Rochester Lake Monsters and played two seasons there as a part-time starter or primairy backup. At the moment of retirement, Aubrey holds the Merchantmen's receiving touchdowns records per season (with 6 in 2004) and per game (tied with two others with 2).

Matt Offord never got into a starting role in Maassluis, but during the 2006 season he was the starting punt returner and ran for a score in a game won in overtime. Going into the 2007 season, Offord was released after training camp to make room for wide receiver Jerry Beyer. The Merchantmen management hoped to talk Offord into returing to Maassluis in 2008 as the new punt returner, but Offord decided to go for another career, although not knowing what it would be yet. Rumors are that Offord is going to follow his heart in journalism.

Around the league retirments hit pretty hard at some teams and hardly did any damage to other teams. The biggest name was clearly running back Huey Gervais, who was the leading IHOF rusher with the Springfield Isotopes in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, Gervais was part of the Bordeaux Vineyards and for the first time was part of a palyoff team. In the 2007 season, Gervais set a new single season total touchdowns record with the Syracuse Mohawks, but couldn't help his team into their first playoff game victory. Gervais leaves the league as the career leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Other former Merchantmen players who left the game (with years on roster): guard David Burdett (2004-2005), defensive end Junior McKeehan (2004-2005), running back Kenny Colwell (2005), fullback Doug Nelson (2006), left tackle Kerry McLaurin (2006), fullback Greg Berk (2006), safety Earnest Atkins (2006) and wide receiver Donovan Bradley (2006).

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trade For Safety Broderick Schultz
The Merchantmen are back at it and have announced their first trade of the 2008 season, agreeing terms with the Anaheim Visigoths. In a trade that sends five draft picks in the rang of fourth and fifth rounders in the 2008 and 2009 draft, the Merchantmen acquired safety Borderick Schultz and a third round pick in 2010. Bad tongues speak of a way to welcome the Visigoths owner to the IHOF, but the this article tells the exclusive story surrounding the trade.

Homework for the trade started in the Merchantmen's open weekend of the 2007 season. The defense had adjusted to a zone defense and the scores of games were promissing. The Merchantmen management decided to find ways to acquire zone defense specialist from around the league. In the research, free safety Broderick Schultz jumped out, being a zone defense specialist and being an easy trade target as a backup player with the Anaheim Matterhorns.

As the season progress, the eyes were on Schultz to know whether he'd get injured. Midway the preperation for week 17, the Merchantmen management contacted the Anaheim Matterhorns ownership. But just 12 hours later, the Matterhorns owner 'Chief Rum' announced the sell of the team to 'Bigwood1488'. Not knowing the plans of the new management, the Merchantmen management decided to wait with giving away the name, but did decide to break the ice by welcoming the new owner to the club and asking to get back in touch once 'Bigwood1488' would be into making off-season plans.

Just before the Merchantmen's first playoff game ever, the phone rang in the Merchantmen owners' suite. Onwer M.IJ.B. said: "It was a nice gesture to welcome the new ownership and let them know they're part of the gang, but it wasn't as planned, we really wanted Schultz." So said, so done, the management sent out an offer of five draft picks for Schultz and a 2010 third round pick and the trade was almost done. "Well, not entirely, 'Bigwood' played it well and edged out some better exchange money to get three 2008 picks on stead of just two."

Schultz, who's been tagged a bust after being selected high in the second round of the 2005 draft, looks ready for a new chapter in his life. The biggest story of it all is that Schultz is projected to go from a backup on the team that allowed the most, to being a starter on the team that allowed the least points. But as the trade has not been officially approved by the IHOF league office, the player has not been allowed to comment on the issue. Schultz said: "I've been told things will be figured out shortly after free agency starts. I'll wait and see what they've got for me in Maassluis and whether they can make some cap room."

The acquisition of Schultz is the much anticipated big move the Merchantmen wanted to make. Defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks even said: "Schultz may be the next step to improve this defense." But Schultz' role isn't clear yet as he'll be battling it out with five other guys. Lincoln Gilmore has been a long time starter and looks safe. But sitting behind Gilmore in the depth chart are Richard Muller (2005 starter), John Cole (2006 starter), Emile William (2007 starter) and Lamar Singleton (2006 draft pick). The management is hinting towards a rotation system, just like with the front seven.

Whaterver will happen, Schultz looks like he's going to get a new start elsewhere in te IHOF. The ownership in Maassluis looks happy and they kicked of their annual tradition of trading. The management tries to temper expectations from the fans, stating 10 trades would be a lot, but with the 'Masters of Trading' you never know when they strike a deal. Some people may remember the deals that brought them rookie defensive linemen Aaron Sherrill and Shaun Shiroma. The heart is filled with desire to trade, it's the nature of the Dutchman, even the success in 2007 can't temper the lust to trade. Expect more trades to be announced soon.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

the Plague steamrolled over the Outer Banks Ospreys and let the score look closer than the game actually was.

We got methodically worn down by a superior team, couldn't move the ball much on offense, but steamrolled? Take away a successful fake punt and an untimely INT, and...and...

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

We got methodically worn down by a superior team, couldn't move the ball much on offense, but steamrolled? Take away a successful fake punt and an untimely INT, and...and...

I guess the Merchantmen reporters (me!?) are a bit biased. Looking back, I agree "steamrolled" is a bit over the top, but I did feel that the game was over the second the Plague took a 10-7 lead.

Oh, and your posting reminds me to write a paragraph about some well-known quarterback in the Maassluis area. But not because he played for the orange-white-and-blue...

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: 2008 Off-season Plans
There he is again. The 43-10 beating at the Plague was so big, I couldn't even feel that we even deserved going to IHOF Bowl IV. Going out the next day may have helped to get me over the loss and some self-mockery did wonders. It's time for the 2008 off-season and to let you all know what the plans are.

First, we've published a list of players who are up for trade. Who and why, I'll tell you later on as I once again run down our plans position by position. The most important thing is to get our current team together. After all, when you're reaching the final four after a 13-3 regular season, there's got be something going right.

Quarterbacks
Face it, Louie Flannery is the obvious starter and despite his ongoing flirting with interceptions, he's our 'franchise quarterback'. Behind him, I'm not too sold on any guy to be a reliable backup. The plan still is to acquire a better backup quarterback. Our attempt to bring ex-Musketeers player Mario Hudson to Maassluis failed, but we're still looking and might go after a quarterback in free agency. Shane Bower and/or Mel Atkins are up for trade, while fan favorite Justin McDavid is safe of his job as at least #3 guy.

Backfield
The retirment of Rodger Mowery is a big problem, but it was expected. The idea is to draft a running back and sign another free agent to let them and Tyrell Mahoney battle it out for the change of pace role behind Randy Harris. Fullback Jamel Rosenberry will be concidered as a #3 guy too, although it would require us to get an upgrade over Henry Poston in the backup role. Unless Poston makes a big improvent in the off-season as a blocker, but that's very unlikely.

Receivers
At tight end we're set and I really doubt we need a new player. Jim Reiser is the perfect starter, Arnold Ramirez has been a great backup and Charlie Martins the ideal long snapper and third option. At wide receiver, the starting role battle is going to heat up soon enough. Jerry Beyer wants to be a starter, I think, but Gregory Monti and Bryce Ewald won't give up their roles for nothing. Jules Benedict is a great #4 guy amd Devin Henson as a kickoff return specialist helps out as #5 option. Beyer might be our new punt returner, but that job could go to a new backup running back. David Henkel will leave Maassluis this off-season for sure.

Offensive line
Okay, here we've got some troubles. Three guys are for sure going to be starters again. Ivan Jacques, Butch White and Timothy Lacy are experts in what they do and make an excellent trio. Brant Heinrich has not won my over as the starting center, despite three years as a starter, but I'm not sure we can afford a new starter. Cornelius Rice is out of contract after 2008, so we have to concider that. And Harold Hurtado is unhappy, so I fear we're going to let him walk soon. In the backup roles, Christian Reichel, Brian Hammond and Norman Holliday will stick around, although Holliday will have to make some progress to be promoted to the active roster. If Holliday fails to improve and Hurtado goes, we're going to need a new backup left tackle.

Defensive Line
Charles Gomez, Albert Bernardo, Omar Gougeon, Aaron Sherrill, Shaun Shiroma, Andy Welicza and Andrew Rasmussen. That's seven guys signed long-term and these seven will be doing it again in 2008. The only concern is our lack of a fourth defensive end, but I think we'll pick someone up sooner or later to fill the role.

Linebackers
Just as with the defensive line, I'm very happy and everybody will stay. Ellsworth Thelen, Mike Kershner, Cody Cluff and Carl Meier will populate the three starting roles, Josh Weisberg will remain as the emergency starter. Mitch Hoofkin and Daniel Ruelas will stick around as backups for injury-loaded weeks.

Secondary
Despite the succes, we're going to revamp the secondary once again. The plan is to stick around most of these guys, but for Desmond Craig, Johnnie Stidham and Carlos Mitchem 2007 might have been their last season here. Mitchem is likely to go and so is either Craig or Stidham. Clearly, it only happens if we can get a replacement who can reach the level of play Tai Wayne, Myron Stevens and soon-to-be franchised Winford Endicott have. At safety, we've already struck a deal to bring in Broderick Schultz to give us more startable players. With Lincoln Gilmore, Emile William and John Cole we've got three startable players already. Richard Muller is going to be the odd guy and will leave after missing two seasons with repetetive concussion syndrome, while Lamar Singleton is going to need to make progress in training camp to survive.

Special Teams
Cary Coles and Roscoe Corrales made clear they can still do it, so we should be fine at placekicker and punter. Clearly, if we can get a real star at either position, I think we should go for it, but both are good enough to win games. Al Bettis has been our kicoff guy, but it seems he's not making much progress. I'm concidering to acquire a new kickoff specialist. At holder, we're okay with Louie Flannery. We do need to appoint a new backup holder in case we trade Mel Atkins. At long snapper we're in great shape with Charlie Martins and Christian Reichel. At kickoff returner, Devin Henson is a great number one, but we might need a new or better number two. Desmond Craig is okay, but he's potentially leaving town. At punt returner we lost our starter and we're going to go onto the market to get either a new one, or we'll promote Jerry Beyer into the role. He's got potential, but he' not ready yet.

All in all, we're advertising seven players. Shane Bower or Mel Atkins will leave Maassluis for sure, another guy will leave if we can get a better backup quarterback. Wide receiver David Henkel will leave us after a season as #3 guy and a season on injured reserve. Harold Hurtado is a potential casualty of his own attitude, but it really depends on whether he's willing to sign a new contract. Safety Richard Muller has to go as the least talented guy in zone defense. Cornberbacks Johnnie Sitdham and Desmond Craig are interception specialists, but they don't do a very good job in defending their man, meaning one of them will have to go. If we don't trade Carlos Mitchem, the other guy is going out as well.

That said, the 2008 off-season has so little to do, I might get a feeling I'm doing something wrong. Trading has been the fun thing in the off-season, but not needing to do it, it's unlikely we'll reach the figure of, say, 20 trade. The past three off-seasons we combined for 71 trades. Add 2 trades in the 2004 off-season and I'd say that reaching 80 trades all-time should be the over/under in Vegas. But only time will tell whether I can keep hold of myself and not fall back into old habbits, I'm a trade-a-holic afterall...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Tag Winford Endicott
The Maassluis Merchantmen management is proud to present Winford Endicott as their new franchise player. The 30-year old cornerback is the second player in team history to receive the tag after guard Alvin Causey in the 2005 off-season. With this move, the Merchantmen retain all their starters from the 2007 roster. The management and Endicott will now start negotiating on a long-term contract to fit Endicott better in the salary cap enviroment.

Winford Endicott hasn't been a Merchantmen player for a long time, but in his first season in Maassluis he formed a great duo with Tai Wayne. Endicott started in 11 games in which he made 1 interception, defended 14 passes and had 54 total tackles. He was picked up after training camp as the Merchantmen hoped that Endicott would be a perfect fit to the new defensive game plan.

Turning 31 in pre-season, Endicott may be one of the veterans on the Merchantmen roster, but in 2007 he had a leadership role. The coaching staff hope to see his chemistry with Wayne do more good in the upcoming season. But to make sure Endicott stays, the management does want Endicott to sign a long-term contract at a longer salary figure. The one-year 4.74 million dollars makes him the third highest paid Merchantmen player.

If the Merchantmen and Endicott can agree to terms, it will mark the first time in Endicott's career he won't change teams. Before playing in the 2007 season with the Maassluis Merchantmen, Endicott played with the North Plainfield Plague (2004), Georgia Gridlock (2005) and Outer Banks Ospreys (2006). In 50 games, Endicott had 29 starts in which he totalled 2 interceptions and 20 defended passes.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen Tried To Can Defensive Cordinator
The annual staff hiring period in the International House Of Football just ended and an interesting rumor was spread around. It turned out that Oliver Petersen, who signed with the Frederick Red Menace to be their new defensive coordinator, turned down an offer from the Maassluis Merchantmen. The situation is pretty interesting as the Merchantmen made a big case to talking into current coordinator Bernie Hicks into not retiring.

Let's go back to the 2007 off-season. The Maassluis Merchantmen had just ended an 8-8 campaing with the worst defensive performance in terms of yards allowed. The ownership called for changes and defensive coordinator Kim Johannsen was given the can in favor of former Tucker Tigers offensive coordinator Bernie Hicks. Under the reigns of Hicks, the Merchantmen grew into the defense with the best pass rush and the league's leader in least points allowed.

Going into the 2008 off-season, Bernie Hicks told the management he was not ready to leave the Netherlands, but Mrs. Hicks wanted back to Georgia. After lenghty talks, Hicks decided to stay, but behind the scenes the management was recruiting a younger guy. The 47-year old Oliver Petersen was selected to replace the 67-year old Hicks. If anything, it didn't show for a lot of respect towards the winningest active defensive coordinator in the IHOF.

The past weeks, the Merchantmen went into a bidding war with the Frederick Red Menace for Petersen's services. With the offer from the Red Menace being better, Petersen had no doubt and decided to go for the team with a vacancy. The Merchantmen were denied and now had to go back to the guy they talked out of retirement.

Now, we hear that Hicks has heared the rumors too and it seems the relationship between owner M.IJ.B. and Hicks are disturbed. Of course, the team denies all of it, but where smoke is, there's fire, there's got to be more going wrong. Gossip News will keep you up to date with what's going on in Maassluis. Especially now they're talking about a silent off-season. We'll make sure it won't happen.

[MIJB#19]

Breaking News: Merchantmen Acquire Thad
The Maassluis Merchantmen and the Asheville Axemen today announced the trade of quarterback Thad Pilkington from Asheville to Maassluis. Details of the deal and the reasoning behind bringing a new quarterback to a team with four passers signed to multiple years will come later in an official press release. The Merchantmen still need to make some cap room to make the addition of Pilkington possible, so the deal isn't official yet. To be continued?

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trade Cornerback Mitchem To Brooklyn
Today the Maassluis Merchantmen announced the trade of cornerback Carlos Mitchem to the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums. Mitchem never played a down with the Merchantmen after starting 20 games in three seasons with the Lesburg Generals/Miami Sharks. Mitchem was placed on injured reserve after getting injured in pre-season and losing out the battle for the backup role. Mitchem mentored young starters Tai Wayne and Myron Stevens very well. In the deal, the Merchantmen trade up in the 2010 draft from fifth to fourth round pick and from #147 overall to #82 overall in the 2008 draft.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
And we're off!

Yeah, I know, 10 trades would be a lot and all of a sudden we strike twice in a short span of time. Well, it's simple, we needed a new, better backup quarterback and Thad Pilkington has the name of being a good quarterback. In contrast to Flannery, he's interceptions free AND has the name of being a fourth quarter expert. Just the guy you want as your backup, no?

The Carlos Mitchem deal was different, we put him on the block and out of nowhere Brooklyn made a good offer. It was a done deal in no time. Mitchem contributed in his own way with the team and we're going to be thankful for his mentoring for a long time. Hopefully he can help the Bums out, they're a likeable team and all.

The off-season plan is going well. The 14M of being over the cap has been pretty much cleared with some renegotiations. With a second run of talks, we hope to make the cap room needed to welcome Thad Pikington to his new home and increase the fan base of the Merchantmen. I mean, the idea alone: Thad in orange-white-and-blue, wow.

In the remainder of the process, Broderick Schultz should be presented to the fans together with Pilkington. Additionally, we moved up to #82 overall in the draft and have looked at the options for our needs a bit. We've found a guy we'd like to get and if he falls to #82 overall, we might be getting a steal. Freaky enough, this guy might be the only rookie on the Merchantmen roster. Unless I get the usual thrill and need to trade and pick another kid.

Keeping the staff together has been huge, although we did try to acquire a different type of defensive coordinator. We battled it out and lost the bidding war on a younger guy. Oh well, it's not like we're in bad shape, Bernie Hicks has a career winning percentage about .750. He's the best of all the active defensive coordinators.

What's still up in the air? Well, we're not done this off-season. Right now we're waiting for the arrival of Schultz and Pilkington, wait to hear how they see their futures here and hope they can be useful to improve the team. The plan is to stick the same group of players together through the 2010 and it looks like we'll be able to manage it past the 2009 already. In 2010, we might have to pick some rookies up, but to worry about it is for some other time.

What's up my sleeves, I still hope to trade up in the 2008 draft a bit and also hope to be able to give some of our backups a new home. Shane Bower, Mel Atkins, David Henkel, Richard Muller, Johnnie Stidham and Desmond Craig have proven to be pro's and good enough to sit on the lists of 46 active players. I mention Stidham and Craig because we're in on-going negotitions to acquire a new cornerback. With Mitchem gone, we have five corners left, which should be our regular season figure as well.

Aside from the mentioned players, the future of a couple of other players is still a mystery. Safety Lamar Singleton has hardly made progress in his time as a backup and all we can hope for is seeing John Cole willing enough to mentor him. Linebackers Daniel Ruelas and Mitch Hoofkin could be post-pre-season casualties in the numbers game. Tackle Norman Holliday needs a good camp to stick around. And the same is true for fullback Henry Poston.

Last but not least, we're still looking for a backup running back and a punt returner after Rodger Mowery retired. We may try to trade for them, especially after seeing how thin the draft class and free agency market are at both positions. Unlike with the defensive end position, at which we'll need a new backup to take Wally 'World' WIlcox' role. But of all needs, getting a backup running back is the one and only big need. We've got only two running backs signed and Tyrell Mahoney is not ready. We'll see what happens.

[MIJB#19]

Press Release: Merchantmen Present Thad And Schultz
The Maassluis Merchantmen management is very happy to announce the arrival of Thad Pilkington and Broderick Schultz to Maassluis. The acquisition of both players are crucial to boost the depth at quarterback and in the secondary.The Merchantmen hope that these two players will help to defend the European Division title and return to the Atlantic Ocean Conference championship game in the 2008 season.

Thad Pilkington comes over from the Asheville Axemen. In 4 seasons he played 51 games there, having 50 starts to throw for 7,887 yards, 42 touchdowns and only 27 interceptions. After starting the 2004 season with the North Planfield Plague, Thad was traded early in the season to the Axemen. With Thad starting at quarterback, the Axemen won the NAC Atlantic Coast division. In 2007, Thad lost the starting job and was moved out the past off-season.

Broderick Schultz comes over from the Anaheim Visigoths. In 3 seasons he played 32 games for the Anaheim Matterhorns, having 24 starts to make 5 interceptions, 7 defended passes and 58 tackles. Schultz was drafted 39th overall in the 2005 draft by the Matterhorns. In 2007, after two seasons as a regular starter, Schultz was demoted into a backup role and played only 10 downs on defense.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trade For Two Running Backs
In two quick moves, the Maassluis Merchantmen today acquired two running backs to address the need to find a new backup running back. Dez Carlisle comes in from the North Plainfield Plague, while Kyle Montoya makes an amazing return fro the Bordeaux Vineyards. The Merchantmen give up fourth round picks in 2009 and 2010, but receive a fifth round pick in 2010 from each team.

The moves come as the Merchantmen had only two running backs left on their roster. Randy Harris is the obvious starter, but the confidence in Tyrell Mahoney isn't big enough that he'll be able to be a worthy backup. Carlisle has been called a Rodger Mowery clone, but has yet see real IHOF action. Montoya had a decent pre-season in Maassluis in the 2007 off-season, but never played in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. With Bordeaux, Montoya had 39 carries total in the last six games.

Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. explains: "The picks we lose are marginal losses as we get equally valued picks in return. The two backs would likely not make the 53-men rosters on the respective teams and here they might make it. But don't think we'll stop looking for a new running back. Mahoney and the two will most likely battle it out for two roster spots."

With 58 players signed, the Merchantmen roster looks set for training camp. Both Carlisle and Montoya will arrive with a contract past the 2008 season, meaning they will likely be around in 2009 as well. Adding up draft picks, the Merchantmen roster should be set for the 2008 regular season at just the start of the off-season. Six players are still advertised to go, but even then the team looks ready for defending the European division title.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Flannery Report To Camp Out Of Shape
Riots in Maassluis, Louie Flannery isn't taking his job serious. Gossip News insiders report that the Merchantmen's franchise quarterback returned to the Netherlands out of shape. All of a sudden, the trade for Thad Pilkington makes more sense. Flannery has got to get in shape or he's riding the bench. The Merchantmen are serious about repeating as European champions and can't have this to happen.

It's not the first time the management in Maassluis has been let down by Flannery. Clearly he improved his play the past season, but Flan' at times goes berzerk. The quarterback still throws bombs, but with the lack of precission, resulting in an interception. And turnovers are exactly the thing they don't love in Maassluis, hence the downgrading of Justin McDavid over his fumblitis.

With Thad Pilkington, the Merchantmen acquired a quarterback who throws very little interceptions and doesn't fumble too often. The plan is clearly to point out to Flan' his job isn't safe afterall. Thad himself just wanted to get a shot at starting again as his reign at the Axemen was clearly over. And if he's not starting, Pilkington has a reputation of being an elite fourth quarter passer. So if Flannery has to be pulled at some point, they got the best guy to take over.

But the trouble isn't all over yet, the Merchantmen are heading into training camp with five quarterbacks signed. Besides Pilkington, Flannery and McDavid, Shane Bower and Mel Atkins hope to make the 53-men regular season roster. Both Bower and Atkins are advertised as being up for trade, but so far the Merchantmen seem to have no luck. The team could be going into camp with all five players signed.

Other rumors from the trading front are that the Merchantmen were turned down by a team to get a new cornerback. But now we here the Merchantmen are in the market for another cornerback elsewhere as they still try to boost their secondary. We don't know for sure, but matching the Merchantmen with cornerback Xavier Clyburn (on the trade block) is a little bit too easy.

In other rumors, we hear the Merchantmen have given up their attepmts to acquire a former 1,000-yard back to be Randy Harris' understudy. We here the team contacted the Georgia Gridlock for Joseph Schoen, but without a first round pick in this or the next draft, it's hopeless. Other targets mentioned were Kurt Basso and Gerald Harris, but both players were traded recently.

Coming back on the quarterback issue, there are rumors about the trouble surrounding Flannery being related to him turning down a six-year contract offer late in the 2007 season. Flan' has been reported to be disappointed bynot having received a new offer yet. We hear the Merchantmen still want to extend the deal of their franchise quarterback before he breaks out to being a top five passer and becomes worth more than ten million dollars a year. But then, with his interceptions, that will never happen...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trade In Two New Cornerbacks
In a big trade, the Maassluis Merchantmen acquired cornerbacks Xavier Clyburn and Sammie Kennedy from the San Luis Obispo. The Merchantmen also trade up from the #82 overall pick to the #68 overall pick. Cornerback Desmond Craig is making a move in the other direction and he's accompanied by the Merchantmen's 2010 first round pick. And we're still not giving all the details here as more picks were swapped. A big trade, but the Merchantmen think this move completes a strong secondary for a couple of years.

"We gave up alot, but these players were worth it," Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. says, "we have big plans and need the best players for the system." The Merchantmen have had some success in the past season with a zone defense system and are replacing the weaker links of the secondary. Desmond Craig, Johnnie Stidham and Richard Muller are well-known Merchantmen players, but they were told to pack their bags this off-season. M.IJ.B.: "We like the players, but this is business, they're just not the best guys for the job."

Clyburn has been a regular starter around the IHOF so far. In 2004 through 2006 he started 34 games for the Columbus Architects. He signed as a free agent with the San Luis Obispo Burn in 2007, where he eventually started in 7 games. With 10 interceptions in 59 career games, Clyburn showed he's got a nose for picks and that's exactly something the current Merchantmen cornerbacks fail to do.

Kennedy was a first round pick for San Luis Obispo last season, but never won the heart of his owner. Kennedy was active in only 175 defensive plays, but still managed to record a hurried pass and a defended pass. With some punt returning skills, he can help out on special teams as well. Kennedy is likely to be a dimeback in Maassluis, but could be playing a lot as the team is planning to rotate a lot in the secondary.

After these moves, the Merchantmen once again dare to say they're done trading, even as every IHOF fan knows that can't be true. But with 58 players signed and a one draft pick, there's only room for one more player for the pre-season roster. Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. said: "We've got some cap room left and hope to give a couple of guys a new home. We've got nothing important to do. All I'd like to say is that we hope to make one good free agency move and draft one heck of a player to complete the 2008 and 2009 roster."

[Kodos]

A season cannot pass without a Rochester - Maassluis trade. Think of the tradition!

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

A season cannot pass without a Rochester - Maassluis trade. Think of the tradition!

Richard Muller would love to boost the Lake Monsters secondary.

[Kodos]

You never know...

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

You never know...

Muller wouldn't know it either.
When he went out with repetetitve concussion syndrome, the Merchantmen had never had a .500 or better season, while the Lake Monsters were the quickest rising team in the IHOF. How things can change in a matter of two seasons (and two injuries to an all-world guard and starting quarterback .)

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Locker Room Troubles In Maassluis!
Get your eyes focussed on Maassluis, IHOF fans, the Merchantmen are having some serious locker room troubles! After the arrival of Xavier Clyburn, last year's starter Winford Endicott and Clyburn have gotten into a fight. Both understand that Tai Wayne will be starting on and only one of the two can play at he other side. The fight has gotten so big, other secondary players are already taking sides in the whole situation. And the players haven't even started training yet!

The whole story started with the franchising of Winford Endicott. The walk-on addition became an important starter on one of the league's best defenses and expected to be a starter again in the 2008 season. But the Merchantmen management has not been happy about the turnover production from the defense, the team needed to add interceptions to their stats list, now the paas rush had to cover it all.

The trade talks were there, but the Merchantmen failed to talk an undisclosed team into trading the cornerback to Maassluis. The addition of safety Borderick Schultz brought a decent interceptions guy, it looked safe. But when the San Luis Obispo Burn started advertising Xavier Clyburn, Endicott saw it coming, the rumors about Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. likeing Clyburn so much were there. Something about Clyburn having both the X-Factor and Y-Factor.

Then, the Merchantmen announced the deal, a week or two after Endicott agreed to sign a cheap three-year contract in stead of playing the season with the franchise player salary. Now, his starting role looks done and Clyburn could be the new starter. And behind the two, Myron Stevens, the former undrafted rookie, he's going to lose even more playing time. And the 2007 first round pick Kennedy, who arrived with Clyburn, he's not even sitting on the depth chart right now.

But the trouble is bigger than that, other secondary players are already taking sides on the issue. Safety John Cole, who lost his starting role last season and was expecting to be the secondary leader. Now Cole could become a third stringer and he sides with Clyburn on the issue. Cole has been rumored to be saying he's want out of Maassluis as long as Endicott is playing there. On the other end are last year's starters Tai Wayne and Myron Stevens, who both adore Endicott's leadership and winner mentality. It's going to be a fun training camp in Maasluis for sure.

Additionally, Gossip News picked up rumors about the Merchantmen going to pick the top punter left in the draft at the fourth pick of the third round. The team clearly needs a backup running back, but after trading for two backs, that seems unrealistic. The team is done with Roscoe Corrales and thinks either Toney Amey or Albert Barreras can take over from the popular veteran.

Other rumors in Maassluis are the team trying to acquire a new veteran defensive end to inspire the youngsters Omar Gougeon and Aaron Sherrill. After failing to sign free agents Vito Riggs and Terry Feeley, a trade is likely in the air. But the team may go in a different route as we hear they might try to hire an outside linebacker to play in the rotation. But the Merchantmen already have Ellsworth Thelen around, who can play that role. Keep reading Gossip News, we'll let you know what's going on!

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Acquired Defensive End Baranowski
In a fast move, the Maassluis Merchantmen today acquired defensive end Erwin Baranowski from the Outer Banks Ospreys for a 2009 fourth round pick. Baranowski joins an already strong group of defensive linemen, a mix of veterans and hot prospects. Baranowski will be filling the shoes of the retired Wally 'World' Wilcox as fourth end of a rotation system.

"A great addition, a guy we always wanted to have." Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. said, "Baranowski is a sack machine and the type of defensive end we like." Baranowski isn't physically strong, but with his technique, he's made 29.0 sacks in 56 games, ranking him tied for twenty-first all-time in the IHOF. Last season was a bit of a down year, with only 2.0 sacks, but Baranowski has seasons of 14.0 and 9.5 sacks on his resume.

Baranowski wasn't available for comment, but after a season of riding the bench, he wasn't happy in Outer Banks. Baranowski was part of the team that won the North American Conference and was the IHOF Bowl IV runners' up. Ironically, Baranowski was acquired in a trade from the North Plainfield Plague in the pre-season, the team that beat them in the IHOF Bowl.

With Baranowski, the Merchantmen think they have improved the pass rush even more after leading the IHOF as a team with 44 sacks. Players like Charles Gomez (8.0 sacks), Albert Bernardo (8.5 sacks), Aaron Sherrill (6.5 sacks), Omar Gougeon (4.5 sacks in 10 games) and Shaun Shiroma (2.5 sacks in 2 playoff games) already bring the pass rush pressure, but Baranowski could make it even bigger.

The addition of Baranowski also makes rumors of the Merchantmen trying to sign outside linebacker Myles Sam vanish. Defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks explains: "Sure, Sam is a great player and who wouldn't want him? The thing is, we've got enough good linebackers and we don't like moving Ellsworth Thelen to the defensive line afterall." General manager M.IJ.B. said: "So far, the Merchantmen haven't made a bid for Sam, so I've got no idea where the rumors come from. We've still got the same seven linebackers from the best defense in the league!"

The addition of Baranowski does mean that te Merchantmen migh once again have acquired a player who will retire after a short contract. And going by history, that's one thing they didn't like to happen. Starts like Jerry Aubrey, Wiley McGhee, Vincent Lopez and Wilson Grimaldo were traded away to retire elsewhere, but now the tide has turned. M.IJ.B. said: "Baranowski is a good friend of Thad Pilkington. We want him to feel at home here. If he retires here, so be it. We've become the kind of team that's one or two impact players away from a championship run. So, we act like it."

One last thing to notice, with the addition of Baranowski it's becoming even more of a quiz who the Merchantmen are going to select in the draft. Around Oranje Haven, people expected to see another defensive end being selected, but now these rumors look false. What remains are the options of a punter, although a bit of a reach at #68 overall, a return specialist and a blocking fullback. The team looks set for the season and that one rookie will have to be an impact pick.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trade Bower To Move Up In Draft
The International House of Football is preparing for the 2008 draft and the Maassluis Merchantmen just moved up in that draft. After today's trade, the Merchantmen should be holding the #49 overall pick after sending the #68 overall pick and quarterback Shane Bower to the Williamsburg Colonials. The trade is even more interesting as the current Colonials owner was a substitute owner of the Astoria Heroes when the Heroes traded Bower to the Merchantmen back in the 2006 off-season. After two seasons of riding the bench, the Merchantmen had no role for Bower after acquiring Thad Pilkington this off-season.

[MIJB#19]

Math Error Keeps Myles Sam Out Of Maassluis
Free agency can be a fun period, especially for the top rated players. Amazing offers come in and all they need to do is weigh in which one is the best. So it happened that linebacker Myles Sam, a two-time All-IHOF selection was getting a lot of interest. One of the team in the race were the Maassluis Merchantmen, but Sam eventually couldn't even concider their offer as a math error made the league office overrule the offer for cap violation. What went wrong?

Let's start with the offer, the Merchantmen decided that Myles Sam may be a star player, but also a relative old one. Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B.: "We decided to offer him a one-year deal with a minimum veteran salary and a big bonus." So said, so done, the Merchantmen rang Sam's agent and offer a salary of 840 thousand dollars with a signing bonus of four million dollars. M.IJ.B.: "The bonus was the thing, we offered guaranteed money and free agency in 2009."

The offer was cool, but somewhere a math error occured. The Merchantmen figured to have 4.9 million dollars of cap room, yet league cap management officials thought differently. The Merchantmen had acquired defensive end Erwin Baranowski on the day and apparently the one draft pick they have was factored in wrongfully. The team was denied to be allowed to offer a 4.88 million dollar contract. The team wanted to redo thier mistake, but it was impossible, Myles Sam re-signed with the Chesapeake Chitterlings already.

After hearing the news, other linebackers in Maassluis spoke of shame, openly questioning why they were about to be replaced. Linebacker Carl Meier said: "We got the job done last season, we were the top defense in the IHOF, what more can you ask?" But to avoid a suspension, all linebackers praised Myles Sam as an elite player at the position and a guy who would have been welcome to the team. Meier: "Sam is a stud and would have been able to be an impact addition towards an IHOF Bowl berth. Eventually we'd have had no problem with it."

What happens now with the remaining four million of cap room is yet to be seen. The Merchantmen decided to trade quarterback Shane Bower and to move up significantly in the draft as well. Sitting at the #51 overall pick, te Merchantmen are in a good position to make an impact pick, or so they say. General manager M.IJ.B.: "if the posibility arises, we try to move up more spots, but it's not unlikely we stay put. We reached the spot we wanted to sit in. But then, with that rookie signed, we'd still have about 4 to 4.5 million left to spent on a single free agent. Me might go for the impact signing."

With the rumor mill going, the Merchantmen management was willing to tell that the names of Mel Atkins, David Henkel, Johnnie Stidham and Richard Muller remain on the trading block. M.IJ.B.: "All four of them are good players and could be great backups or even starters elsewhere. Sadly for them, they just don't fit in our system anymore." Calculation the roster spots, after trading these four, the Merchantmen would sit at 55 players signed, five shy of the pre-season maximum, fifteen shy of the trainging camp limit. M.IJ.B. "But we'll eventually will reach those limits, no question about that." Just hope they don't make another math error or have the league office cap managament department make one.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Eight trades and counting. Where are the holy words of a silnet off-season now?

Okay, I may have been too optimistic, but so far there's still very little turnover. Shane Bower, Carlos Mitchem and Desmond Craig have been traded away, coming in are Thad Pilkington, Desmond Carlisle, Kyle Montoya, Erwin Baranowski, Xavier Clyburn, Sammie Kennedy and Broderick Schultz. We hoped to sign an impact free agent, but failed and now have one draft pick left to use, the #51 overall.

The draft will start in roughly 18 hours and our draft plan has been ready for a couple of days now. There's a list of guys we could pick and we pick the best guy available from our list. What position we'll go? That's too important to tell, that information can't be shared. But looking at our roster, it should be obvious what needs we can fill in the second round, let's go by position.

Quarterback? We'll, take a look around, we've got four guys left. Louie Flannery, Thad Pilkington and Mel Atkins are good enough for #1, #2 and #3, while Justin McDavid is a great number four. Whatever rookie is left for us will be very green and will never get enough time to develop in Maassluis.

Running back? Okay, here's a serious possibility. After trading in Carlisle and Montoya, we've got four backs, so we're cool by the numbers. But I'm not too sold on either Carlisle, Montoya or Tyrell Mahoney being a capable #2 back. But then, fullback Jamel Rosenberry is, so we've got an option ready.

Fullback? Hey, talking of Rosenberry, we're fine here, right? Wrong. Henry Poston is still very green and has yet to prove he can make hols for our running backs. We might pick a run blocking fullback to replace Poston.

Tight end? Okay, here's a position we won't address or wiil we? Jim Reiser is a stud, but he wants the money of one as well. There are three amazingly talented tight ends in this draft, but will one fall here? If it happens, I won't say we won't pick the guy.

Wide receiver? Here's a complete no, I guess. Sure, we tried to sign all-world David Marquis, but that was an impact signing, this wouldn't be one. We've got four capable receivers, the unwanted David Henkel and kickoff returner Devin Henson. You do the math.

Center? Hmmm. Hmmm. Tricky one. Brant Heinrich was a first rounder, but also one that hasn't lived up to his ratings. He set a franchise record in key run blocks last season, however, and Christian Reichel is a long snapper and decent backup.

Guard? We've got three guys signed and could use some depth. But the offensive tackles can step in as well, especially good old Hurtado. I've seen a guy who could fit here, but he would be a backup behind Butch White and 'Tiny Tim' Lacy.

Offensive tackle? With Ivan Jacques and Cornelius Rice we're set and have Harold Hurtado to backup up. We could use a developed backup left tackle, but won't get one in the draft. And if we want a project player, we've got our very own Norman Holliday.

Defensive end? A simple no is appropriate. Of the entire class, one end jumps out and he will go before this pick. Besides, we've got so much guys fighting for a starting job, we don't need another that badly.

Defensive tackle? I don't think so. Although, I've seen a hot prospect who could fall here, but last season we picked Shaun Shiroma and Andrew Rasmussen, while Andy Weliczka is developing as well. Did I mention that Charles Gomez is not going to another team this season?

Linebackers? Nah. We've got four starter calibre guys and three decent backups. We're set and don't like any of the linebacker prospects. Well, expect one, but the kid is a bit green and will still be there in the third round.

Cornerbacks? Negative. We've acquired two new guys and should not revamp more than that. We've got five guys who fit our system and still have Johnnie Stidham to 'dump'.

Safeties? Heck, it's even worse than cornerback here. Four starters, a former starter and a hot prospect. A big no.

Special teamers? Well, we could use a younger punter, so that's an option, but at #51 overall? Only if that stud Tony Amey is still there, who's supposed to be an all-world punter already. We could also pick a return specialist as we'd really like to have a better punt returner than the options we have now. And we still lack a decent second kickoff return guy after we traded Desmond Craig.

So, what will it be? I think our list makes sense and has one player of each potential position group inside. It's easy to say running back is our focus, but right now we might not have a huge hole to fill. I've got my eye on one guy particularly to get. Okay, maybe two. If we can het both, I'd be more than happy...