IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen At Miners Recap
Fumbles cost you games, especially inside your own 30 yards. Jaime Brinkman scored 46 and 48-yard fieldgoals to complete a 20-7 lead at half time for the Miners. With the Merchantmen scoring only 1 touchdown per game, the Miners held the lead, winning 33-13 at home. On the day, Jason Gott was the Miners biggest reason to win, passing for 2 scores and 229 yards while completing 23 of 33 passes.

Statistical Performance By Merchantmen
QB Justin McDavid completed 13 of 26 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 22 yards.
RB Randy Harris ran 14 times for 50 yards and had 1 reception for 7 yards.
CB Dennis Preciado had 5 tackles and 3 assists.
DE Deon Chapa had 3 tackles, 1 assists, 1 sack and 2 hurries.
The offense ran for 69 yards (3.4 avg.) and passed for 132 yards (5.0 avg.) and lost 3 of 4 fumbles.
The defense allowed 118 yards rushing (3.6 avg.) and 229 yards passing (6.9 avg.) and forced no fumbles or interceptions.

Injury Report
The Merchantmen management wants to urge the fans not to demand to big of a game at Boston Rhinos. The road game marks the last game of the first half of the season and the Merchantmen hope to have a healthy team for the last seven games of the year.
RB Seth Kinney's injury is still a mystery, keeping him as third stringer over his hamstring injury.
RB Jonathan Smith is ready to play, but will be forced to rest his arm for another week or two.
C Tom Schwartz will start, despite a bruised stenrum.
G Albert Young's shoulder injury keeps him sidelined until after the open weekend.
DE Cecil Doney is ready to play, but won't be activated before the open weekend in week 9.
DT Stanley Jacke bruised his heel, probably making Geoff Lake active again against Boston.
LB Sam Sasa strained a foot ligament and is out for the Boston game.
CB Gus Alston sprained his neck, making this a dangerous injury and him likely deactivavted for week 8.
FS Percy Francis remains unavailable with a strained deltoid muscle.
Returning to action is FB Vincent Lopez, while LT Willie Dudley is also 100% again.

European Division Standings
After a Brodeaux loss and Gothenburg upsetting Paris, the standings stayed put over head to head tie breakers. The current playofss cut in the Atlantic Ocean Conference sits at 2 losses, but with all two wild cards situated in one division, all teams with 3 losses or less have all in their own hands.
3-3 Paris Musketeers
3-4 Bordeaux Vineyards
1-6 Maassluis Merchantmen
1-6 Gothenburg Giants
Amazing record of the season sits at Fort Worth's last place in their division with a 2-4 record, despite their 2-0 divisional record.

Seasonal Stats For The Merchantmen
QB Justin McDavid completes 51% of his passes for 179 yards, 1 touchdown and more then 1 interception per game, having a 5.8 yards per attepmt average and a passer rating of 64.0.
RB Randy Harris ran for 478 yards, 3 touchdowns and a 4.7 yard-per-carry averages, ranking him 8th, 5th and 3rd league wide.
TE Jerry Aubrey has 30 receptions for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns, ranking him 3rd, 4th and 3rd amongst tight ends.
WR Bryce Ewald has 30 receptions for 474 yards and 2 touchdowns, ranking him 14th, 6th and 15th league wide.
G David Burdett has 8 key run blocks on 32 opportunities and allows 2 sacks in 209 plays, giving him a percentage of 23.1 and ranking him 6th amongst guards and 15th league wide.
LT Harold Hurtado ranks 9th with 19.5 percent amongst tackles with 8 key run blocks on 26 opportunities and 1 sack in 200 plays.

Boston Rhinos Preview
The Rhinos are 4-2 and in the middle of a divisional title race with North Plainfield Plague and Rocheters Lake Monsters, teams that already beat the Merchantmen. The Rhinos are a top team in defending against the run, with a slightly below average pass defense. Their offense are below average on passing and little above average on rushing. All in all, the Rhinos should be a team to fear, especially on the road, allowing just 13 points in their 2 home games so far. The main story of the Rhinos is the career threatening injury of Jose Carrington, their star defensive end, taken 14th overall in the league draft. With their top defensive back Royster Randall injured against Maassluis, the Rhinos defense should be a little worse. The Rhinos are coming of a lost game at North Plainfield and should be expected to be motivated to get back in the divisional lead.

[Kodos]

I check in a couple times a week as well.

Beat the Rhinos!

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I check in a couple times a week as well.

Ditto.

[MIJB#19]

I see!
Well, I'll keep on updating anyway.

[MIJB#19]

Updating is delayed due to non-access to the game. When my laptop is up and running again, reporting will be continued.

[Alf]

I am reading also !

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News - Merchantmen Missmanagement
After two weeks of absence of the general manager, it became clear why the GM was out of the office. With a defunct laptop, the GM found it hard to do his job, yet the coaching staff did a fine job keeping the team running. After close losses in the past two games, the management still announced drastic changed. That is, if the GM's laptop is back to buisness in the near future. The GM gave a "No comment" to rumors of him spending his time on other things. With the adapter of his laptop in his hand, he swore "Chasing the local chearleaders" was not going through his mind. Stories about the Conyers Condors chearleaders taking a later flight then the football players back to Georgia were denied by the league. Anonymus sources confirm stories of GM MIJB being sighted in local bars after midnight on the day before the game, for both the road game at Boston and the home game against the Condors.

[MIJB#19]

Week 8 Recap - Maassluis At Boston
With the score tied at 17-17, Edward Boatwright earned MVP honours, returning an interception of a Justin McDavid pass for a score. The Boston Rhinos deserved the victory over offesensive stats, yet failed to turn yards into points on numerous occasions. With 146 yards rushing and 8.4 yards per pass attempt, you'd expect a team to thrash the opponent, but the Rhinos were kept away from the end zone pretty well by the Merchantmen defense. It marks the next in a long list of Merchantmen losses mainly based on a turnover, commited by an offensive player, turning into a defensive score for the opposition. At 1-7, the Merchantmen can forget about their playoff hopes, despite the weak division they play in. Only a streak of 8 victories can help them back in the race. As of now, the Merchantmen are in a serious battle with the San Luis Obispo Burn for drafting first overall in the next amateur draft.

Week 9 Recap - Conyers At Maassluis
With dubious dicissions on fourth downs and two fumbles by Merchantmen players returned for scores, the superb play by Maassluis defense was overshadowed. The Conyers Condors walked away victorious 17-16 on arguably the most undeserving loss of the year. Justin McDavid fumbled four times, while Randy Harris added another two, making the decent offensive performance look worthless. The Merchantmen defense allowed just 74 yards rushing and 96 yards passing including 2 interceptions to average 3.0 yards per play. The Conyers offense never even reached the Merchantmen red zone, as they only scored on a 41-yard field goal and two opponent fumbles returned from their own half for scores. The Merchantmen stand at 1-8 going into their open weekend, licking their scratch with the lack of wounds, as only Seth Kinney's mysterious hamstring injury can worry the staff injurywise. Following the game, the Merchantmen have moved up in the gambling games for drafting #1 overall in the amateur draft, despite San Luis Obispo Burn's 0-8 record.

Standings - European Division
After 9 weeks of play, with the Merchantmen going into their open weekend, the European Division is expected to provide only one team into the playoffs this season, despite the close battles in other Atlantic Ocean Conference divisions. French rivals Bordeaux and Paris are battling each other for the division title, while the Giants and Merchantmen have half a season left to show the league they are happy with a top 5 draft pick this early in the season.
4-4 Bordeaux Vineyards
4-4 Paris Musketeers
1-7 Gothenburg Giants
1-8 Maassluis Anglers
The coming round of games, playing European teams play at home. Bordeaux host the leaguewide "Yankeed" Syracuse Mohawks, Paris play the lowly ranked Minnesota Miners and Gothenburg will see the Orlando Knights come to town, making GM Dutch return to Europe earlier then expected.

Schedule - Merchantmen Last Seven Games
The Merchantmen won't be flying to the States for the next six rounds of games. They are scheduled with an open weekend, four home games and a road game at European rivals Gothenburg Giants. With only the honour to play for, the Merchantmen management announced they hope to see the team finish the year with at least 4 victories at home. That means they expect the team to go at least 3-2 over the next 5 games. The last two games of the year, the Merchantmen are expected to take a spoilers role to the playoff bound teams: San Antonio as 5-3 division leaders and RayCo as 6-2 wild card race leaders.
Week 11 vs. Paris Musketeers
Week 12 vs. Ann Arbor Anachorism
Week 13 at Gothenburg Giants
Week 14 vs. Bordeaux Vineyards
Week 15 vs. Syracuse Mohawks
Week 16 at San Antonio Volunteers
Week 17 at RayCo Raiders

[MIJB#19]

Press Release - Denial of GM's private life affecting results
Following the gossip news spreading the words worldwide on the Merchantmen GM having found a better way to spend his time, the Maassluis Merchantmen want to distinguish themselves from the news reported at Front Office Football Central that the Merchantmen GM is spending his time in bars, drinking with women in the age group of 18 to 20, in stead of setting up a game plan for games the following day. In his own words, the general manager wants to make the situation clear.
GM M. IJ. B.: "What happened is that the adapter of my laptop died the day before the Rhinos game. Then, in stead of going to Boston, I spent all day in The Hague following advisory classes at The Hague University. The day after the game I've been out of the office to buy a new adapter without success. The day of the game against the Conyers Condors I spent at home being ill. Today, I went to the local hardware store to make sure I can do my work again before the game against the Paris Musketeers, to start our streak of good luck games. If people feel I failed at doing my job well, I appolagize. Still, the staff and players, especially on the defense and the two players acquired in the offseason, Harold Hurtado and Dennis Preciado, have shown we are competitive over those games. I wish I could promise victories, but football is a game of inches, rather then miles."

[MIJB#19]

Simple Statistical Analysis - Fumbles
Stop wondering why the Merchantmen are losing games, the problem has been found, a solution is still far from discovered. The Merchantmen quarterback and running back "lead" the league in fumbles made.
Fumble Leaders
8 McDavid,Justin QB Maassluis Merchantmen
7 Harris,Randy RB Maassluis Merchantmen
6 Keith,Roy QB Boulder Bulldogs
6 Wood,William RB Fort Worth
5 seven others ** several team

[MIJB#19]

Week 11 Preview: Paris At Maassluis
The Musketeers are coming to the city, people are getting ready for this must one to stay in the divisional title race. The team is healthy, with only backup running back Seth Kinney inactivated over his misterious hamstring injury. Justin McDavid and Randy Harris promised not to fumble too much against Paris, but promises are no guarentee. Statisticians at the Merchantmen office figured out the Maassluis defense ranks amongst the top 3 in yards per attempt allowed league wide, being a top 8 team in both yards per rush, yards per pass attempt and yards per completion allowed. The Paris offense has seen those skills at their own place, winning with a marginal 3-point victory. Big news is the return of Cecil Doney, the backup defensive end has finally healed from an hamstring injury sidelining him for half of the season. With Dennis Preciado and Harold Hurtado anchoring their sides of the ball, things look good again.

Gossip News - Merchantmen GM Back In Office
The general manager of the Maassluis Merchantmen is back in the office, our anonymus sources report us. Some sources report that an engineer was flown in from a small island from the coast of the Netherlands to fix the laptop of the GM, but we suspect his hangover is done and he's been denied by the local cheerleaders. Still, with or without their GM, the Merchantmen are a 1-8 team heading towards a 3-13 seasonal record to clinch a top 3 pick in the first amateur draft of the IHOF. Odds of Maassluis taking a quarterback who can avoid fumbles seems to be their number one need.

[Kodos]

Hey, if you get rid of the fumblers, you may not get such nice draft picks in the future.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Hey, if you get rid of the fumblers, you may not get such nice draft picks in the future.

[Alf]

Hoping you kick Darkiller's ass next game

[Kodos]

Crush the Mouseketeers!

[MIJB#19]

Only me forgetting to send an export file, or my laptop's adapter falling asleep again, can avoid my team from being competitive against Paris.
I hope I set the fumble avoidness bars into the right direction this time...:o

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis Versus Paris Recap
After the earlier loss in Paris by three points, the Merchantmen were hopeful to avenge their loss and improve to a 2-8 record. The game started with good passes from McDavid to Harris and Aubrey setting up a 41-yard field goal, which Cary Coles misses.
Paris bounched back, but had a hard time reaching the red zone, settling for a 39-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.
The first quarter ended with both teams failing to gain many yards and being forced to punt.
Into the second quarter, the Merchantmen found themselves on their own half, failing to gain yards and punted to see their opponent return the punt for 70 yards and a tuchdown, giving Paris a 10-0 lead.
With Smith, Harris, Lopez and Burger running for short gains, the Merchantmen moved up, ending in Justin McDavid passing to Jerry Aubrey for a 26-yard touchdown, staying in the game.
The Maassluis defense stepped up and held the Musketeers offense off, forcing a punt. The Merchantmen couldn't win yards and eventually Paris got the ball back just in time to kick in a 23-yard field goal to end the half, leading 13-7.
In the second half, Paris went of to a great start, anchored by Wiggins, who scored on a 12-yard run for a touchdown, giving the visitors a 13-point lead.
But the Maassluis offense answered well, gaining a lot of yards on every play, ending in the inevitable touchdown: Justin McDavid to star receiver Bryce Ewald for 4 yards.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Musketeers moved up field again, settling for a 34-yard field goal and expanding the lead to 9 points at 23-14.
The Merchantmen found themselves unable to get of their own half and punting with roughly 10 minutes left.
Paris showed some quality time consuming, giving the Merchantmen the ball back with just 5:13 left on the clock.
Justin McDavid knew what to do and started to take risky decissions a risk and seemed to lead his team well after a 15-yard completion and a 6-yard run. But on 2nd and 4, McDavid failed to hit his receiver and got intercepted. Bryce Ewald left the field injured.
The Merchantmen defense stepped up, giving the offense the 2-minute call and time outs to win the game.
McDavid, with his new target Frederic Vargas stepping in, passed and passed and had some miracle completions.
It included a 47-yard pass to Vargas and a 12-yard pass at the Paris 26 on 4th and 10 to Gregory Monti.
Then, with just 13 seconds left, McDavid saw the game end, seeing his pass intercepted in the end zone to end the game at 14-23.
The Musketeers take their much wanted victory to stay in the playoff race, while the Merchantmen move up in the draft selection order as rivals Georgia Gridlock and Gothenburg Giants had surprising victories.

Merchantmen Statistics
QB Justin McDavid passed for 247 yards, completing 18 of 32 passes for 2 touchdowns, but also 2 interceptions.
WR Frederic Vargas had 6 receptions for 113 yards.
LT Harold Hurtado made 5 key run blocks.
DT Charles Gomez had 3 quarterback hurries and 5 tackles.
CB Dennis Preciado made 7 tackles and 1 assist.
RB Randy Harris remains amonsgt the elite rushers in the league with 70 yards per game and 4.4 yards per attempt.
TE Jerry Aubrey averages 42 yards on 4 receptions per game and has 4 touchdowns.
WR Bryce Ewald averages 61 yards on 4 receptions per game and has 3 touchdowns.
QB McDavid and RB Harris are still amongst the 5 players with the most fumbles in the league.
The Merchantmen defense still ranks in the top 10 in yards per rush and yards per pass attempt, while leading the league in yards per completion at only 9.0.
As a team, the Merchantmen offense had 25 turnovers, to be returned by only 11 take aways to rank with a -14 margin last in the league by a margin of 6.
The long defended good red zone defense statistics have worn off and turned into an average 4.5 per visit to go along the offense's 4.7 per visit.
Randy Harris still holds the single game eushing touchdowns record with 3, set in the Merchantmen's only victory.
Dennis Preciado keeps defending his single game passes defended record at 7, set in the Merchantmen's only victory.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis Versus Ann Arbor Preview
"No nonsense, the odds look the other way, but if we stay away from turnover battle field, we have our chances". Harold Hurtado, the big man on offense against Paris with 5 key run blocks tries to keep his men hopeful to win games. Justin McDavid's job is at stake as his fumblitis has cost he Merchantmen serious chances to win games. At -14 at the turnover tables, 6 worse then the second worst, it's clear where the Merchantmen are losing their games. Hurtado: "Guys like Cody [Cluff], Dennis [Preciado] and the defensive linemen can get things done, keep the opposition out of the end zone." Fans are especially awaiting Randy Harris' fourth touchdown run, after scoring only three times before this season, racking them all up against Gothenburg and taking the IHOF single season record for now. Harris: "If Frederic [Vargas] can get his speed in place, we might not miss Bryce [Ewald] as much as anticipated." Bryce Ewald is the only player on the Merchantmen roster unavailable for the game against the heavily favored Anachronism. The fans are aware of Ann Arbor's thrashing of the Fairbanks North Stars, until last week the heavily favored team to take the league title, but Ann Arbor finds themselves returning into the mix. If the Merchantmen can pull off the sensation, people will talk about it the rest of the year, independant of remaining victories in coming weeks. It's time to get rid of the image of top favorites to draft # overall in 2005...

[Dr. K]

Ann Arbor Anachronism (8-2) at Maassluis Merchantmen (1-9)

Who to watch
Ann Arbor	QB Donald Woods - 229.2 Yards per Game, 18 TD, 6 Int, 91.8 QB Rating RB Garrett Freitas - 66.5 Yards per Game, 5 TD Def. Secondary - RCB Ballhawker, FS Harness, SS Winkle all have 4 Ints
Maassluis	RB Randy Harris - 70.1 Yards per Game, 3 TD MLB Cody Cluff - 64 Tackles, 23 Assists QB Justin McDavid - 188.8 Yards per Game, 11 TD, 11 Int, 68.9 QB Rating
Why to Watch
Will the Anachronism have the same intensity as they displayed in last week's surprise shellacking of Fairbanks? Ann Arbor needs to watch out for the let-down factor as they travel across the Atlantic to meet the Merchantmen.
Key Stats
Ann Arbor - 17 Team Interceptions (2nd in IHOF); Massluis - 7 Team Interceptions (27th)
Key Injuries	Ann Arbor - RCB John Q. Ballhawker, Questionable Ann Arbor - Hilton Feaster, Probable Ann Arbor - RB Garrett Freitas, Probable Maassluis - SE Bryce Ewald, Out
Vegas Says	Ann Arbor by 12
Dr. K Says	Ann Arbor is too much for Maassluis to handle... 31-13, Anachronism

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News
After last weeks two interception performance, Justin McDavid should fear losing his starting job in 2005. The Merchantmen are heading for a top 5 selection in the upcoming draft and reliable sources say the Merchantmen are anticipating on picking a quarterback with their top selection. McDavid did not want to comment on the story, but he seems determined to show how good he can be. Thusfar, McDavid has led his team to some heroic drives, giving the Merchantmen five competitive games they lost by seven or less points. McDavid's fumblitis seems to be the main concern, but Randy Harris, the overrated running back in Maassluis has taught him the "skill". All in all, the defense is maturing, stepping up week after week, but McDavid seems to let them down. Question is, how can another rookie quarterback with an improved defense win less games next year then McDavid did so far? We call those chances very slim. McDavid is 1-8 as a starter, don't be amazed if Calvin Snider is making the calls in the all important game at Gothenburg...

[MIJB#19]

Dr. K should start to learn how to spell Maassluis.

[Darkiller]

LOL

[Darkiller]

[quote=MIJB#19]Gossip News
The Merchantmen are heading for a top 5 selection in the upcoming draft and reliable sources say the Merchantmen are anticipating on picking a quarterback with their top selection. QUOTE]

dola.

Hmm..I certainly hope the upcoming drafted will be loaded at the Quarterback position. I expect A LOT of teams to be looking for their next heir apparent.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Darkiller

dola.

Hmm..I certainly hope the upcoming drafted will be loaded at the Quarterback position. I expect A LOT of teams to be looking for their next heir apparent.

Not me. I have biggest needs at OL & LB...

[Kodos]

I think I've always spelled it correctly, but how do you pronounce Maassluis?

Here's my best guess:

"Moss-Loose."

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I think I've always spelled it correctly, but how do you pronounce Maassluis?

Here's my best guess:

"Moss-Loose."

Ding-ding-ding:
Kodos = Dr K. ?
But really, Dr. K misspelled it only once. Where I kept misspelling Anachronism until this week...

Don't even try, the "ui" part in "sluis", it is unpronouncable for non-Dutch.
The "aa" in "Maas" rather sounds like the "i" in "fire", yet you have to swallow the "e" sound (like in "me"...
The "ui" is best represented as an "oy" combo, yet it's still very far from what it really soinds like.

"Moss-Loose"? Try "Mass Loss"...

Boy, oh, boy, that Ann Arbor game review out to de good and bad in one...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Management looks forward praising losing team
After yet another lost home game with seven or less points, the Merchantmen management wants to praise the team for their great performance against the playoff bound Ann Arbor Anachronism. "The players had all week to learn to pronounce that team's name, yet within a few hours everybody was able to say Anachronism." said Merchantmen quarterback Justin McDavid, who threw 2 interceptions in the 16-20 loss and ran for almost as much yards (68yd) as he passed for (71yd). McDavid: "Maybe the unpronouncable name of our own team helped to get us in shape to say Anachronism, where teams with nicknames like Burn, Tigers or Knights should have a hard team learning that." The Merchantmen dropped to 1-10 and with Gothenburg and Georgia on two-game winning streaks, the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums and the Boulder Bulldogs remain as the only teams within one victory. The road game at Gothenburg is the last straw to avoid finishing last in the European Division in this first year of IHOF football for the Merchantmen. Randy Harris looks back to the only game where he ran for scores this year, at home against Gotheburg, the Merchantmen's "pieces of puzzle falling together"-game. The team is ready for a copy of that game, but the Giants have become winners after 60 minutes, where Maassluis remain as competitive for 60 minutes...

Injury Report
Tight end Jerry Aubrey and defensive tackle Charles Gomez are still black and blue after the game against the Anachronism. Aubrey suffered a neck injury, possibly forcing Jim Reiser into the starting lineup next week. Aubrey is a key element on the passing game, leading the team with 47 receptions and 4 touchdowns. Aubrey: "If Jimmy [Jim Reiser] get's the go ahead, I'll be supportive to him. Jim has all it takes to be a top tight end in the league someday, maybe starting on the road in this do-or-die game will help him become a better player." Charlez Gomez' sore knee give the Merchantmen less concern, yet Gomez might be pulled from the line in favor of Andrew King. With 41 tackles, 14 assists, 3.5 sacks, 3 blocked passes and 6 quarterback hurries, Gomez is a key element on the defensive line to stop opposing running backs from breaking through the line. Andrew King: "Well, playing in stead of Gomez won't make our line better, but I hope to do as good as he does and stop that McGee guy." Both Aubrey and Gomez are game day decisions, unlike Bryce Ewald. Ewald is still recovering from a torn calf muscle and won't return to the active roster this week. "If things don't go better really soon, I might miss the last home game..." said Ewald on a press conference. Ewald was racking up yardage to finish in the top 10 in the league in yards, but know will be unlikely to be concidered an All Conference selection. Runnign back Seth Kinney is also unlikely to play, as his mysterious hamstring injury worries the management to play him and see him go out long term.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Ding-ding-ding:
Kodos = Dr K. ?

Nope. I can 100% confirm that I am NOT Dr. K.

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

"Moss-Loose"? Try "Mass Loss"...

Well, now there's a strangely appropriate pronunciation!

[Dr. K]

Maassluis Merchantmen (1-10) at Gothenburg Giants (3-8)

Who to watch
Maassluis	RB Randy Harris - 70.3 Yards per Game, 3 TD, 4.3 YPC MLB Cody Cluff - 69 Tackles, 25 Assists LDE Harold Wells - 5.5 Sacks, 7 QB Hurries, 42 Tackles, 12 Assists
Gothenburg	RB Jerry McGee - 69.2 Rush YPG, 1 TD, 56 Catches, 31.8 Rec YPG, 1 TD LDE Chris Nagel - 10.5 Sacks, 10 QB Hurries, 38 Tackles, 14 Assists SS Chris Peterson - 66 Tackles, 25 Assists, 1.0 Sacks
Why to Watch
In the European Division's "other" head to head matchup, the Maassluis Merchantment travel to Gothenburg with hopes of doubling their win total for the season. The Giants' all around back Jerry McGee will try to ensure the visitors stay at one win as he hopes to follow up last week's 170 yard performance against Bordeaux with another triple digit day running the ball. Merchantmen defenders Cody Cluff and Harold Wells will need to help Maassluis shut down McGee if they want to keep this game close...
Key Stats
Neither team has had much success in reaching the end zone this season...Maassluis averages 14.5 PPG; Gothenburg 12.6 PPG
Key Injuries	Maassluis - SE Bryce Ewald, Out Maassluis - TE Jerry Aubrey, Probable Maassluis - LDT Charles Gomez, Probable Gothenburg - SILB Steven Marshall, Out Gothenburg - LCB Harley Gowan, Out Gothenburg - SS Rod Frizzell, Doubtful Gothenburg - LG Lionel Casillas, Doubtful Gothenburg - C Rocky Schramm, Probable
Vegas Says	Gothenburg by 3
Dr.K Says	The Merchantmen's only victory came against Gothenburg in their first meeting...The Giants will get their revenge. 20-9, Gothenburg

[MIJB#19]

Sorry readers,
Lack of internet access at home and being busy all Monday filming a movie made it impossible for me to do any updates before today and a busy schedule makes it har for me to write a few piece of text before Thursday.

[MIJB#19]

I fear I have to forfeit yet another preview... Sorry...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen At Giants Review
With Gothenburg at 3-8 and Maassluis at 1-10, this game could be a decider about the last place in the European Division.
In the first game, the Merchantmen were victorious 31-27 in a well deserved fourth quarter comeback game.
In Gothenburg, the Merchantmen won the toss and elected to receive.
The Merchantmen were off to a great start, with a key 40-yard pass from Justin McDavid to Gregory Monti setting up a 1-yard touchdown McDavid pass to Vincent Lopez. Followed by a short drive from the home team.
On their second possession, the Giants defense stepped up an held the visitors to 3 yards gained, followed by a marveouls 57-yard punt return setting up the tying touchdown.
Then, Randy Harris showed his mark, fumbling on the first down of the next drive at the Maassluis 29, setting up a 41-yard Gothenburg field goal for the Giants 10-7 lead.
Harris recovered with a 20-yard rush, while McDavid found backup tight end Jim Reiser twice to set up a 40-yard field goal, which Cary Coles sadly missed.
The Giants seemed to get back in the game, but as always, the Maassluis defense are tough to beat at their own half forcing a punt.
As McDavid was getting in the game and Harris racked up his yardagae totals, all of a sudden Billmaier intercepted McDavid at the Maassluis 26 and returned into to set up a McGee touchdown run: 17-7.
With the demotivating drive just played, McDavid came back on the field missing the drive and got sacked on third down. The Giants took the profit of a bad punt and marched into the endzone, with McGee scoring.
McDavid then was handed two minutes to get the Merchantmen back in the game in the first half, yet was haunted by Billmaier, first being tackled on a scramble and then intercepted at his own 33 to see the Giants go 31-7 up.
With a minute left, McDavid was unable to move his men forward, despite an amazing Gothenburg timeout with 30 seconds left.
In the second half, Gothenburg could easily sit back and enjoy the 31-7 lead, yet had 30 minutes of play left to defend their turf.
In their first drive, the Merchantmen defense forced a three and out, giving McDavid the chances to shine.
McDavid hit Jerry Aubrey for 12 yards, Gregory Monti for 36 yards and ran for yards in between drooped passes, eventually settling for Coles scoring a 32-yard field goal.
31-10 up, the Giants ran wild, led by McGee, but were forced to kick and settle for a 28-yard field goal.
Down by 24, the odds for the Merchantmen were shrinking, especially with less then 20 minutes left. McDavid tossed complete passes all over the place moving his men forward.
Then speedy Frederic Vargas was hit for a 44-yard touchdown pass, giving the Merchantmen some chances with little more then a quarter left.
McGee inspired his Giants once again, seeing the Merchantmen defense stop the home team for a 48-yard field goal.
McDavid hit Monti for 21 yards, being down by 20 and having 10 minutes left to keep the chains moving fast.
In a 3rd and 15 situation, McDavid managed a 14-yard completion to Arnett, followed by Mark Bulger converting the 4th and 1 for a first down.
With Burger converting a 3rd and 1 shortly after, the Merchantmen saw their hopes grow, but at 4th and 4 on the Giants 21, Coles missed another field goal.
The Giants fans started celebrating with 6 minutes left, seeing their offense stooped and all of a sudden a punt blocked to see the Merchantmen at the Giants 34 with 154 second left.
McDavid handed off twice to Johnathan Smith and finished off a 2nd and 1 at the Giants 1 himself.
With a minute left, the Merchantmen went for the onside kick, lost control and saw their two time outs insufficient to stop the clock.
Cornerback Dominic Billmaier easily took the MVP honors, with 2 interceptions, 1 for a score, a sack and 4 tackles.
Once again, turnovers cost the Merchantmen the game, but the Giants running game seemed unstoppable to be held to no scores.
Even holding the opposing pass offense to just 93 yards doesn't count when their running game advances 178 yards.
Justin McDavid did improve his single game performace by 51 yards to 294 yards in one game, but with 2 more interceptions, what does one buy with it?
What's left is a battle to avoid ending up last league wide for the Merchantmen. With Fort Worth and Brooklyn winning, the Merchantmen have lost two more rivals in the race for the #1 draft pick...

Merchantmen Management Messages
After the unneeded loss in Gothenburg, the Maassluis Merchantmen management announces possible chances in the depth chart next week. General Manager M.IJ.B. was clear on the offense: "face it, Justin [McDavid] and Randy [Harris] show top 10 of the league performances but they combine for a shocking 17 fumbles and McDavid adds 16 interceptions to the mix." Bright lights are there on the offense as Frederic Vargas has replaced Bryce Ewald very well and Harold Hurtado keeps showing up as an elite offensive lineman. M.IJ.B. said "Harold does what he has to do, he's a first round selection, he's doing what he's paid for. And he does it very well the last couple of games." Hurtado made 17 key blocks in the last 4 games. The defense is fast dropping on the yardage rankings, but the general manager sees no concern there: "As long as the defense can stop the opponent on long drives, we can win games. Crucial are those drives where the opposing team starts in our teritory due to turnovers." The -19 turnover margin remains as the biggest concern for the team, but the management is confident to solve the problem next season, M.IJ.B.: "Our staff is convinced of Harris' ability to get rid of fumblitis. Justin McDavid is a whole different story. Face it, he's basically a one year solution, us hoping to get a top talent quarterback in the upcoming draft." With the more then likely top 5 or possibly even higher draft pick, te Merchantmen should be in the position to get a quarterback. M.IJ.B.: "It's too early to conclude the draft is all there is, the draft pick could be interesting for other teams to trade for a quality quarterback, we hope."

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Cure For Fumblitits?
Last week, anonymous sources reported to us the Merchantmen medical team have discovered a cure for fumblitits, which the team has been suffering from over the past months, seeing Justin McDavid and Randy Harris as league number one and two in fumbles mid-season. The past games, the team mysteriously avoided fumbles, especially in the game against the highly ranked Ann Arbor Anachronism. But testing seems to have backfired already as Seth Kinney has been inactived for weeks with a mysterious hamstring injury sideling him. Our sources asure us the injury is caused by the use of the mysterious cure. Also, our sources claim the cure also features some forbidden substances, making the use of the fumblitits cure a risk during drugs testing. When the first Merchantmen players is caught is yet to be seen, but the lack of serious injuries for most of the season in Maassluis can't be coincidence...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Management Denies Cure For Fumblitis Rumors
The medical staff of the Maassluis Merchantmen have not found a cure for fumblitits, despite the rumors told at an irreliable source as Front Office Football Central. Randy Harris and Justin McDavid have not been treated with the mysterious medicine. The management is hoping the last home game of the season against the Syracuse Mohawks hands the team the second home victory after losing the previous six with seven or less points. The Merchantmen managament assures the fans there are no forbidden substances to be used by players and there have not been tests of a cure on backup running back Seth Kinney for a few months. The medical staff denies that the mysterious hamstring injury Kinney suffers from has been initiated by the non-existing medicin. The management point to the discipline of the players making them aware of the risks of injuries and helping them avoid injuries as much as possible. The management also wants to point out that Bryce Ewald has been suffering a very serious injury, making his incredible receving perfromance shorted by at least 4 games, while Cecil Doney has been out of action for two months earlier on.

[MIJB#19]

For the fans:

I'm working on a review of the season, yet have no date for when it will be finished.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis Merchantmen 2004 Review
With our team sitting dead last in the European Division of the AOC, with a much telling 1-15 record, the season didn’t quite go as hoped, yet the outcome is relatively as expected. The league draft made clear our goal would be to give the young promising rising stars their needed playing time, which some picked up and others didn't.

Results
The season started out not so bad, a couple of close losses followed by a victory in the first home game of the season gave us hopes of winning more games then anticipated. The amazing performance at the season start of the Rochester Lake Monsters, a team in basically the same situation us ours, gave us more hope to be competitive all year and steal a miracle victory here and there.
What followed was a streak of thirteen straight losses, most of them being of the same scenario. In a lot of games we took an early 7-0 lead, only to see a couple of lost fumbles force us down by around 3 to 10 points and battle against time to tie the score. In the end we came short on even tying the score game after game, giving us the sad looking 1-15 record, yet several games inspired us to keep hoping on better times. Especially the 4-point loss against championship favorites Ann Arbor Anachronism, the 3-point loss in week one with reserve players against AOC top seeds North Plainfield Plague, holding playoff reaching Columbus Architects and 9-7 Conyers Condors to under 200 total yards on offense, marked meager highlights of the season.

Individual Performances
Rookie Justin McDavid quarterbacked like a possessed man, had a hard time not giving the ball away, ending in a league leading 13 fumbles and third worst with 22 interceptions. On the other end were his 19 touchdown passes, ranking him seventh in the league. His total of 2904 yards passing in 15 games ranked him twelfth league wide. In a league with several talented rookies starting at quarterback, McDavid ranked first amongst them in yards and touchdowns passed for, outperforming highly rated David Conti.
Randy Harris had a weird season, never rushing for 100 yards in a single game and rushing for scores in only one game, the victory over Gothenburg Giants, in which e set an untied record of 3 rushing touchdowns in a single game. Harris hardly made the 1000-yards mark at 1027, with a decent 4.0 yards per carry average. Harris’ surehandness was spotted with as he helped the opponents more then his own team, fumbling in every two games.
Star fullback Vincent Lopez had an injury plagued season, eventually leading him to start only 9 games. His stats aren’t as astonishing and it seems backup Mark Burger is already ready to take over the fullback duties next season.
Tigth end Jerry Aubrey outperformed highly rated wide receivers Bryce Ewald, Frederic Vargas and Gregory Monti, as he earned All IHOF First Team honors with 67 receptions (fourteenth league wide), 760 yards and 6 touchdowns (tied for eleventh league wide). Aubrey also set his blocking mark with 9 key run blocks on 19 opportunities and hit the 100-yard mark in the last game of the season. Jim Reiser will have a hard time starting next season.
Bryce Ewald was on the march for a top ten receiving yards season, until he got severely injured and missed a game or four. Eventually he ended up with 47 receptions for 683 yards and 3 touchdowns, hitting 100-yards in the Gothenburg victory.
Frederic Vargas and Gregory Monti showed up when Ewald was injured, both marking decent years with over 30 receptions, around 500 yards receiving and 5 and 3 touchdowns respectively. Both hit the 100-yard mark in one game all season.
Harold Hurtado was the main man on the offensive line, making a league wide tied for seventeenth number of key run blocks. Hurtado had a run blocking percentage of 36.4, allowed 5 sacks in 520 passing plays and ended up as an All IHOF Second Team selection. Other linemen had so-so years, with none being worth mentioning.
Harold Wells marked an extraordinary season, as the defensive end totaled 65 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 4 blocked passes and 14 hurries. With those stats, he ranked third league wide amongst defensive ends in tackles.
Charles Gomez sidekicked Wells well, as the tackle made 68 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 blocked passes and had 8 quarterback hurries. Other starting defensive linemen like John Bryant (60 tackles) and Deon Chapa (5 sacks) produced a little less.
Linebacker Cody Cluff came a few short for 100 tackles as he totaled 99 for the season, but did earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Cornerback Dennis Preciado was the obvious cornerstone of the passing defense, making 63 tackles, 2 interceptions and defending 11 passes. Note that 7 of those defended passes cam in the Gothenburg victory, marking a single game record and making the total look a little low.

[MIJB#19]

2005 Season Preview

Schedule
When the 2005 schedule was revealed, the Merchantmen management was amazed to see a weird looking schedule. The season stars with a home game against Gothenburg, the 2004 game that gave us our only victory of the season. Following are a lot of road games, with eventually a season end of five games at home of the last six, with the last three all played in Oranje Haven. The inter-conference games are against owners who bring a little more rivalry to town, as do the match-ups against Orlando, with Dutch as manager, and Rochester. And the Conyers Condors are also familiar faces, they beat Maassluis 17-16 last season on two fumbles recovered for touchdowns.

Free Agency
With 46 players signed, the future looks save, yet only fourteen players have contracts not ending after the 2005 season. The management will have a lot of work to do in the off season to negotiate with players worth extensions. That includes the likes of All IHOF Tight End Jerry Aubrey, talented defensive ends Harold Wells and Deon Chapa, Defensive Rookie of the Year Cody Cluff, cornerstone Dennis Preciado, fullback Vincent Lopez, quarterback Justin McDavid, linebacker Mike Kershner and safety Randall Smith. Also, the contracts of seven offensive linemen will end after the season.

Draft
The Merchantmen management has sent out the message throughout the league of which players are available for trade, they all are (potential) starters. The list includes Justin McDavid, Jerry Aubrey, Vincent Lopez and backup defensive end Cecil Doney, who has a three years of contract left. Second, the management made clear that the #1 selection is available to help us trade down, while the other selections at #33, #65, #97, #129, #161 and #193 are available to help us trade up.

Staff
Sadly, the contract of all four staff members have ended, yet we hope to retain the services of the head coach and coordinators, though we’d rather sing them at other roles then last season, making their profiles fit their jobs best. Head coach Arnold Blackburn would be better off at offensive coordinator. That would make us Jerome Hodges move to defensive coordinator and Floyd Seba become the new head coach. That is, if all three are willing to stay in Maassluis. Plus, with the addition of a staff member salary cap, we are unable to keep only two out of three. Lead scout Brad McGarity’s contract also ends, yet we don’t feel the need to retain his services, likely ending his stint in Maassluis after just one season.

Battle Plan for 2005
The quarterback situation is the most troublesome. Justin McDavid showed glimpses of skill. McDavid set rookie record in passing yards and passing touchdowns, yet his fumble numbers and his limited skills and potential make the fan favorite a more then likely casualty of renewal. The first pick in the draft could be used on a quarterback, yet if the right trade offer comes around, we might take a quarterback in later rounds, all depending on the availability of prospects in the draft.
The offense has to do better then last season’s 290 yards per game. The consistency of the rushing game is a good sign, yet the unpredictability of the passing game is a big negative. And with yet another rookie quarterbacking in 2005, the signs are not so good.
For the rushing game, we hope to see Randy Harris grow into a top 10 running back. With the help of either Mark Burger or Vincent Lopez at fullback, All IHOF Second Team left tackle Harold Hurtado leading the offensive line and the wanted upgrades at the other positions on the line. Last season, not a single opponent held the Merchantmen to less then 60 yards of rushing, where the team had just 25 attempts per game.
The passing game should remain as strong as last season. Bryce Ewald and Frederic Vargas could make a nice combo, with Jerry Aubrey or Jim Reiser at tight end and capable backs to help out when needed. An upgrade at the offensive line could help out to make the pass rush of opponents avoid the big number of fumbles. Last season, only the Ann Arbor Anachronism managed to stop the Aubrey and the youngster.
The 2004 defense ranked fourteenth with 308 yards per game, making us the best defense in the division. With the prospects there to improve, the Merchantmen aim for a top 10 defense in 2005.
The pass defense was good last season, yet the yards pet attempt should go down by a yard or two next season. The expected improvement of the prospects on the defensive front and our safeties should help there. An upgrade at the cornerback position seems a requirement none the less. The team held four of sixteen opponents to 120 yards or less, a performance only tied or outdone by North Plainfield Plague’s 5 games of 120 yards or less.
For the rushing defense, the front seven seems already capable of stopping that, yet last season the game plan might have been a little problem there. The management has good hopes that the starters in 2004 can do better in 2005. The game against Columbus Architects last season gave good hopes as our defense held top running back Gerald Harris to 20 yards on 19 attempts, marking Harris’ season low, while he had eight 100-yard games, including 226 yards against Bordeaux.

Conclusion
Key of the off season is to retain services of at least two of three coaches/coordinators, extend contract of several starters, improve the offensive line, but ultimately acquiring a starting quarterback is the only goal for the 2005 off season. During the season, we hope to see the defense improve to a team capable of less or around 100 yards rushing in eight or more games and see the pass defense drop a yard on yards per attempt allowed. On offense, cohesion is a key thing, while the (new) starting quarterback should get emerged into the lineup, while the youngsters around Aubrey can grow into a league wide top 12 offense. Our top 3 of goals are:
1. Get a better quarterback
2. Keep at least two coaches/coordinators
3. Teach the defense to stop the run as well as the pass

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News
Anonymus sources report that the popularity of Justin McDavid and his record setting season for passing yards and passing touchdowns amongst rookies, as well as the heroic fourth quarter almost comebacks, could keep McDavid seated as the starting quarterback for the 2005 season. It seems the Merchantmen plan to bench a possible drafted quarterback until the team is out of contention for the playoffs. Looking to last season, that could mean the rookie would be starting the last 6 games, including 5 in Maassluis.

Roster News
Defensive tackle Andrew King, leader of the defensive front seven, is out of contract with the Maassluis Merchantmen. Chances are slim that King is resigned for the 2005 season. King saw action in only 10 games, in which he made only 8 tackles, no sacks and was active in only 158 plays on defense. Andrew King's highlight of the season was a 73-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the road game against San Antonio in week 16 of the 2004 season, which then put the team back to trailing 8 points to the final score of a 14-22 loss on the road. Expectations are that eone of the backup linebackers Les Norton and Matt Sellers or defensive end Cecil Doney will become the new leader during the offseason.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Hire Dutchman As Head Coach
The Maassluis Merchantmen are pleased to announce the acquisition of Leroy van der Woude as the new head coach. Van der Woude replaces Arnold Blackburn, who's contract expired. Van der Woude signed a 2-year contract at $1.5 million a year. Van der Woude provides the Merchantmen a Dutchman as the new head coach, making this a unique partnership. General Manager M.IJ.B. praises Van der Woude's playcalling skills, which should be his main job in the 2005 season.

Merchantmen Trade Speedy Vargas
The Maassluis Merchantmen want to annouce the trade of wide receiver Frederic Vargas. Vargas, last season timed as second fatstest player in the league, with the same time as the fastest player, was a backup behind rookie Bryce Ewald in 2004. Chances were Vargas would remain in a backup role, yet was schedule to make $6.3 million in the next season. This saves the Merchantmen $4.4 million this season. Vargas will move to the North Plainfield Plague in a trade that gives North Plainfield draft picks in the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th round in exchange for North Plainfield's picks at #14, #50, #125, #221 and #222. Vargas moves to a division where the Rochester Lake Monsters are also playing, which team features Amos Collins as wide receiver, who was also drafted by the Merchantmen in the 2004 IHOF League Draft.

[MIJB#19]

All M.IJ.B. Selection 2004
After seeing the annual awards handed out, the Maassluis Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. has announced his selection of 53 players that performed the best in the 2004 season. The selection includes the best players per team, and adds the 21 best remaining players to the total, depending on position. This year, the selection includes two players from the Maassluis Merchantmen, tight end Jerry Aubrey and offensive left tackle Harold Hurtado, who were awarded All IHOF First Team and All IHOF Second Team respectively.

The All MIJB selection 2004 includes:
QB1 - Donald Woods - Ann Arbor
QB2 - Joey Allen - Fairbanks
QB3 - Wayne Christopherson - Orlando
RB1 - Huey Gervais - Springfield
RB2 - Gerald Harris - Columbus
RB3 - Israel Mars - Orlando
PR1 - Rodger Mowery - RayCo
FB1 - Cole Coleman - Anaheim
FB2 - Thomas Boden - Bordeaux
TE1 - Jerry Aubrey - Maassluis
TE2 - Manuel Erickson - Boston
TE3 - Leroy Kirksey - Fairbanks
WR1 - David Marquis - Chesapeake
WR2 - Reggie Norris - Orlando
WR3 - Antonia Daggett - Fairbanks
WR4 - Seymour Barber - Stillwater
C1 - Michael Perez - Asheville
C2 - Brian Robichaud - Orlando
G1 - Rex Synder - Astoria
G2 - Adam Greer - Paris
G3 - Gene Simmons - Rochester
G4 - Charles Trout - San Antonio
T1 - Dan Koehler - Frederick
T2 - Harold Hurtado - Maassluis
T3 - Randall Dunkin - Vicksburg
T4 - Donnell Parker - Anaheim
P1 - Michael Helgeson - Boulder
K1 - Carrol Walz - Gothenburg
DE1 - Cris Richardson - Georgia
DE2 - Dillon Sumpter - Conyers
DE3 - Joe 'Mad Cow' Holstein - Outer Banks
DE4 - Erwin Baranowski - Asheville
DT1 - Walt Spangler - Minnesota
DT2 - Barton Garcia - Conyers
DT3 - Myles Halliburton - Columbus
DT4 - Greg Lehr - San Luis Obispo
ILB1 - Joe Teeters - Paris
ILB2 - Jeffry Boggs - Fairbanks
ILB3 - Leland Moorehead - Leesburg
ILB4 - Barney Pascoe - Frederick
OLB1 - Barney Sykes - Columbus
OLB2 - Danny McDuffie - Asheville
OLB3 - Ron Larson - Syracuse
OLB4 - James Stoker - Tucker
CB1 - Phillip Shumway - San Antonio
CB2 - Clarence Whyte - RayCo
CB3 - James King - Fort Worth
CB4 - Merle Chumley - Brooklyn
S1 - Milo Epperson - Outer Banks
S2 - Benton Harness - Ann Arbor
S3 - Jordon Murdoch - North Plainfield
S4 - Jeffrey Hamlet - Asheville
KR1 - Shaun Steven - North Plainfield

[MIJB#19]

Number One Pick Traded
After days of negotiating, the Maassluis Merchantmen management is proud to announce the acquisition of linebacker Ellsworth Thelen and four draft selections in the 2005 IHOF draft in the first two rounds from Astoria Heroes in a trade that cost us our selections in the first and second round at #1 and #33 respectively. This gives the merchantmen a young potential starter to strenghten the talented front seven on defense, while we also get the opportunity to add four in stead of two players in the top two rounds of the draft. After an earlier trade with North Plainfield plague, our team now ten draft selections in total being: #12, #14, #31, #44, #50, #63, #125, #129, #221 and #222.

General Manager Notes
To me it seems we gave up a little in the trade, yet getting a decent guy to strenghten our front seven now and to also get three draft selections in stead of one, we feel happy. The worst thing that can happen is that teh draft class eventually turns out to have a franchise quarterback type of player sitting ready, which would have been the only option for us to pick at #1 overall. And without knowing one would be available, we felt we shouldn't take the risk and let another team have the favor of selecting the latest super star player. Perhaps we can get a second tier quarterback with the #12 or #14 pick and we hope to improve the offensive line as well in the coming period.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Resign Lead Scout
The Merchantmen management is happy to announce to have agreed on a new three year contract with lead scout Brad McGarity. McGarity's contract had expired after the 2004 season, but now keeps the 61-year old in Maassluis until te 2007 IHOF season. Despite signing McGarity today and Leroy van der Woude as the new head coach, the Merchantmen are still negotiating with people to fill the vacancies at offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Hire New Coordinators
The Merchantmen hired Rochester Lake Monsters' defensive coordinator Kim Johanssen as the new defensive coordinator. Johanssen has a good reputation along all position groups, is young at 36 years old and signed a 3-year contract at 350 thousand dollars a year. Also, the Merchantmen hired Spencer Opitz as the new offensive coordinator. Opitz, who has no experience at the IHOF, signed a 1-year cotract for 1.3 million dollars. Opitz has an excellent reputation in developing offensive linemen, a position we have needs in and we might try to upgrade in the draft. Which is where Opitz's other strenght comes in places, his ability to get the best out of young players. Earlier today, we said good bye to Arnold Blackburn and Jerome Hodges, who were head coach and offensive coordinator respectively in the 2004 season. Blackburn was hired by Bordeaux Vineyards as their new offensive coordinator, while Hodges moves back to the States, to become the Tucker Tigers' defensive coordinator. The Merchantmen management offered these men the same jobs in Maassluis, though being sort of a demotion, but at a better paid contract. Sadly both decided to go for more money elsewhere, but the Merchantmen management will step over this and give all faith to the new head coach, Leroy van der Woude, and coordinators Opitz and Johannsen.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News
Our anonymus sources report that the merchantmen have declared war on the Bordeaux Vineyards for signing away Arnold Balckburn as offensive coordinator. Also, the Tucker Tigers players should watch their food when playing at Maassluis in week 5 of the regular season. The Tigers signed away Jerome Hodges as defensive coordinator, while the Merchantmen management seemed to have big plans with Hodges and the young defense.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Acquire OT Wilson Grimaldo for FS Randall Smith
The Maassluis Merchantmen management are happy to announce the conclusion of trade talks with the Paris Musketeers. The Merchantmen have acquired 32-year odl offensive right tackle Wilson Grimaldo, who is signed through the 2009 season. In return, the Musketeers get starting free safety Randall Smith, who led the Merchantmen in interceptions and also was the main punt returner in Maassluis. Additional, the Musketeers get the earlier acquired second round draft picks at #50 and #63 overall, Maassluis' 5th round pick at #129 overall and Maassluis' 7th round selection in the 2006 draft, while Maassluis get Paris' 7th round pick in the 2005 draft at #206 overall. This trade provides the Merchantmen with a major upgrade in the pass protection and run blocking, while the Musketeers open up needed cap space and improve their secondary. The Merchantmen opened up the cap space to acquire Grimaldo by trading away WR Frederic Vargas earlier this offseason. Grimaldo is the second offensive tackle taken in the first round of the initial league draft that Maassluis have acquired in a trade, Harold Hurtado joined the Merchantmen before the 2004 season in a trade with Rochester Lake Monsters. The Merchantmen now have 46 players signed after trading away WR Vargas and acquiring SLB Ellsworth Thelen before this trade, while they also hold 8 draft selections at #12, #14, #31, #44, #125, #206, #221 and #222 overall.

[Nyarlahotep]

Glad to see this came back strong after a brief hiatus.

[MIJB#19]

Wow, "we" have readers.


Roster Overview
Below is our current roster with the number of years players have left on their contract and their cap value in 1000s, noting that the cap is set at 78.6M (78600K).

Player	Yrs	Cap (in K)	Overview
QB McDavid, Justin	1	910	McDavid set rookie record in 2004 in passing yards and touchdowns. McDavid is popular with the fans, yet we don't see him as a franchise quarterback. We hope to resign McDavid for a lot of years in a role as second stringer.
QB Shepard, Antoine	fa		Shepherd is unrestricted, meaning we'll wait until late in free agency on a decission to resign him. In Maassluis, Shepherd is unlikely to ever be more then emergency quarterback.
QB Snider, Calvin	1	310	Snider will be our emergency quarterback in the 2005 season. He has to improve to be resigned in the 2006 offseason.
RB Harris, Randy	5	3070	Harris looks like a top10 running back league wide. In 2004 he managed to score only 3 touchdowns, all coing in just one game. It did earn him an untied single game record after one season in the IHOF.
RB Kinney, Seth	fa		Kinney won't be resigned until the end of free agency, and only if we haven't found better options.
RB Page, Kyle	fa		Page is a guy we would like to keep. Yet, won't be resigned until the end of free agency, and only if we haven't found better options.
RB Smith, Jonathan	2	1440	Smith is a quality backup rusher. He has two years left in his contract to show he's really the worthy second man in a system that should see more rushing in 2005.
FB Burger, Mark	2	1950	Burger is the most popular player on the roster. He's still a backup, yet after training camp he might steal Lopez' job. We hope to extend his contract very soon.
FB Lopez, Vincent	1	800	Lopez is a top10 fullback. We hope to get two more years out of him, providing he signs a contract extension.
TE Aubrey, Jerry	1	1440	All IHOFer Aubrey has a year or two left before being replaced. Aubrey was and is a key element in the passing game.
TE Reiser, Jim	2	770	Reiser is our future star receiver. We hope to sign him to a long contract next offseason.
TE Winfield, Ethan	1	310	Winfield is unlikely to get a new contract soon. He has the 2005 season to prove his skill.
WR Arnett, Arnulfo	fa		Arnett could be our kick return if we resign him. Arnett is aiming to be our new receivers leader, yet we fear he can't do much in that role.
WR Ewald, Bryce	2	1150	Ewald is our star receiver. We hope to lenghten his stay here. Ewald is our choice for rookie of the year.
WR Marshall, Raul	2	1150	Marshall seems to lack the skills to be a starter.
WR Monti, Gregory	1	1280	Monti is a decent receiver. We hope to extend his stay.
C Carranza, Julio	1	310	Carranza lacks the skills to start, we fear. We wait with giving him a better contract.
C Schwartz, Tom	1	310	Schwartz is a backup player at best. We are not certian about his future here for now
G Burdett, David	1	550	Burdett showed some skill in 2004, yet he doesn't seem to be a top60 guard in the league.
G McDaniel, Devin	1	370	McDaniel has 2005 to show he deserves to stay.
G Nellums, Darrin	1	310	Nellums has to do really well in training camp and the regular season to get an extension.
G Young, Albert	1	310	Young has been a troubled player. We doubt he will ever be starter material.
T Dudley, Willie	1	370	Dudley is a dud. Seriously, he won't get much better then a backup.
T Fontenot, Jeff	1	370	Fontenot should look to Grimaldo this year. If he learns enough, he could earn himself a contract extension.
T Grimaldo, Wilson	5	6000	Grimaldo will be our anchorman on the offensive line. We hope he plays like the potential All IHOFer he is.
T Hurtado, Harold	3	3820	All IHOF Second Teamer Hurtado is still the leader on the line.
T Malave, Russell	1	370	Malave should look to Grimaldo and learn a lot this training camp. We hope he turns into a quailty backup soon.
P Corrales, Roscoe	1	690	Corrales is a decent punter. We are still uncertain about extending his contract.
K Coles, Cary	1	310	Coles gets a year to prove his skill. If he does well, he'll be resigned in 2005.
DE Chapa, Deon	1	5370	Chapa had an injury plagued season. We hope he perfoms well in a rotation system. We wish to extend his contract soon.
DE Doney, Cecil	3	3730	Doney was shopped, but not sold. Now we're sold on him and Doney will have a key role in our pass rush rotation.
DE Lake, Geoff	fa		Lake's days are over in Maassluis. Sadly for him he's a restricted free agent, making it impossible for him to move teams before the draft.
DE McKeehan, Junior	fa		McKeehan fits our rotation system. We hope to resign him for a few seasons.
DE Wells, Harold	1	6890	Wells is who we build on for the future. He'll get a longer contract this offseason.
DT Bryant, John	2	4060	Bryant is questionable as a starter, yet as a backup he's a fine player.
DT Gomez, Charles	5	9600	Gomez makes a lot of money, so we hope to renegotiate his contract. Gomez' skills are clear and he will be our main man on the line.
DT Jacke, Stanley	1	370	Jacke is a decent backup, yet we are holding off to give him a better contract.
DT King, Andrew	fa		King was the front seven leader in 2004, yet had little game action. We might let him walk in free agency.
ILB Cluff, Cody	1	790	Defensive Rookie of the Year Cluff will get a long contract this offseason. We hope Cluff will use the great line in front of him to get those opponent running backs a little more in 2006.
ILB Sellers, Matt	1	370	Sellers has a year to earn a new deal. His potential looks good, yet chances on becoming a starter are slim.
OLB Ellsworth, Thelen	1	660	Ellsworth is new to the mix and we hope he turns out to be a quality strong side linebacker. We offer him a better contract this offseason.
OLB Kershner, Mike	1	760	Kershner will get a better deal really soon. The converted midlinebacker should team up with Cluff to form a monster duo behind the defensive line.
OLB Norton, Les	1	370	Norton is a trouble maker. We might get rid of him soon.
OLB Sasa, Sam	1	810	Sasa will drop back on the depth chart. We are not determined about his future yet.
OLB Silvan, Britt	1	370	Silvan made some impact last season, yet we are not comvinced about his skills.
CB Alston, Gus	1	370	Alston should fear for his job. We hope to upgrade the secondary, making him expendable.
CB Kinney, Zach	1	310	Kinney is in a improve or get cut situation. The training camp will be his time to flame.
CB Preciado, Dennis	1	1650	Preciado will be offered a contract extension. If he signs, we hope he can be a starter for a couple of seasons.
CB Schwartz, C.J.	2	310	Schwartz has to show his potential in the offseason to be a roster member in the regular season.
CB Turner, Earl	2	1000	Turner is signed to an expensive contract. We are yet undetermined about his future.
S Francis, Percy	1	710	Francis will be the starting free safety after the departure of Randall Smith. We hope to see Francis show he's worth the extension we offer him.
S Gilmore, Lincoln	2	370	Gilmore is young, yet will get the 2005 season to earn a better contract.
S Stevens, Graham	1	310	Stevens is our only backup safety, which means he'll be around for a longer time.

[MIJB#19]

Some Special Dynasty Reporter Talk
I start to think this dynasty report isn't representing the fun I hade in trade negotiations that worked and those that didn't work out. Negotiating has been the best experience as of yet in the IHOF to me.

The trade for the #1 pick, where the Astoria Heroes GM crowned himself winner of the trade, but with the draft class revealed the #1 pick seems lesser valuable, the fun of the smash talk has faded. In the end, picking at #12 AND #14, plus getting a top OT worth a #1 pick, my team has improved more then I could imagine at the season end, despite knowing I'd have the #1 pick. Knowing the owners on the other end of the table I shaked hands with after finalizing trade talks where happy too, this game is really fun.
But finding out I have traded away 2 of the top10 WR in the league in the past offseasons, knowing I could have kept them and still traded other WRs, I feel I can still improve my negotiating skills. For example, I traded a potential top10 DT for an above average CB with the eventual 2004 champions...

Second, I have a lot of thoughts that don't go into the thread because they are my plans and giving them away wouldn't seem smart. Even if I post them delayed, since my team seems to be in a shape of being a contender in 2006 or 2007, meaning it would take at least a month or 4 before I could reveal my current strategy.

For example, I couldn't have posted that I wanted to get rid of the #1 before the draft class was revealed BEFORE finalising the deal with Astoria, yet that would probably have cost me if their GM had seen this thread...

The dynasty report will continue, the Merchantmen are in the building process and the draft could provide some of the needed upgrades at QB, C, G, DT, LB, CB, S and the returning duties.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News
With the draft class revealed, the Maassluis Merchantmen are said to go on with Justin McDavid as their starting quarterback. Draft class evaluation pundits have said the upcoming draft class lacks quarterbacks who can feel the Merchantmen's main need. Fear of losing fans has been an issue too. The Merchantmen have been shopping around with future super fullback Mark Burger, who is the fans' number one player. With McDavid closely as popular, the Merchantmen need to keep one of them on the field. With Vince Lopez still around, Burger is unlikely to be the star on offense. Maybe the Merchantmen will be aggressive and trade up from #14 or #12 to be sure to draft quarterback Mark Hudson.

Dutch Blood In Draft Class
The Merchantmen have tracked down five players in this years draft class who are said to have Dutch blood running through their veigns. Cornerback Bert Kamstra attended Minnesota and has a burea rating of 2.0. Kamstra ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and is expected to go undrafted. Kamstra currently lives in Cassopolis in Michigan. Center Max Warren is graded as the third best center in the draft. Warren attended Tulane and has a bureau rating of 6.2. Warren will likely be drafted in the second or third round. Top rated kicker Edward Wilkes attended Alabama. Wilkes scored high on the Solecismic test and hopes to be a starting kicker in 2005 in the IHOF. Quarterback Tim Wilkes played for Miami in his college period. He hopes to get drafted, and has good odds to go in one of the lower rounds. Wilkes has a bureau rating of 3.0. Safety Terry Kuiper graduates from Canisius college. Kuiper has a bureau rating of 3.8 and scored 30 points in the Solecismic Test. Kuiper will likely be drafted in the fourth round. Whether the Merchantmen will bring one of these guys back to their roots is questionable. The Merchantmen lack the draft picks to select one of the Wilkes or safety Kuiper, while Kamstra seems not ready to play at IHOF football level. Center Max Warren could be an option with the draft selection in the second round at #44 overall, especially with their need to upgrade the heart of the offensive line.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Extend And Renegotiate
The Merchantment management is happy to announce that we have agreed on contract renewal with twentyfour players. Most important were contract extensions to defensive end Harold Wells, quarterback Justin McDavid, defensive rookie of the year Cody Cluff, All IHOF tight end Jerry Aubrey and renegotiated contracts with offensive tackle Wilson Grimaldo, defensive tackle Charles Gomez. wide receiver Arnulfo Arnett and defensive tackle Andrew King were free agents and also signed a new contract.
The complete list of player signing new contracts, longer cotracts or renegotiated contracts is:
quarterback Justin McDavid, running back Jonathan Smith, fullbacks Mark Burger and Vincetn Lopez, tight ends Jerry Aubrey and Jim Reiser, wide receivers Arnulfo Arnett, Bryce Ewald, Raul Marshall, Gregory Monti, offensive tackle Wilson Grimaldo, punter Roscoe Corrales, defensive ends Deon Chapa, Junior McKeehan and Harold Wells, defensive tackles John Bryant, Charles Gomez and Andrew King, linebackers Cody Cluff, Mike Kershner, Sam Sasa and Ellsworth Thelen, cornerback Dennis Preciado and safety Percy Francis.