IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen - Page 18

MIJB#19 · 04-23-2005, 10:54 AM

Merchantmen Draft Running Back Scott Bagley
The Maassluis Merchantmen today selected running back Scot Bagley. As an early indication, Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. said: "We had two guy on our list to get. The punter went too high, but Scot Bagley was our main target. We're very happy to get him." At the moment, the draft has stalled a bit at the mid to end of the second round. And the Maassluis Merchantmen are trying to get back into the draft with one more selection. To be continued...

MIJB#19 · 04-23-2005, 12:43 PM

Merchantmen Trade To Get Punter Sean Smalley
The Maassluis Merchantmen pulled one of their usual tricks in the 2008 draft. The 'masters of trading' sent their 2010 second round pick to the Ann Arbor Anachronism for the #63 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The Dutch team picked punter Seam Smalley and have filled a void. General manager M.IJ.B.: "We still have faith in Roscoe Corrales, but he's not getting younger and Smalley is already devepoled enough to battle for the starting role." To be continued...

MIJB#19 · 04-24-2005, 08:03 AM

Merchantmen Present Four New Players
While the IHOF Draft is still going, the Maassluis Merchantmen think it's time to present four new faces to the team. The Maassluis Merchantmen agreed on a one-year contract with two free agents. Defensive tackle Eric Griffin leaves the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums to strengthen the pre-season battle on the defensive line. Offensive tackle Harrison Bolden will compete for a roster spot in the offensive line. Additionally, the Merchantmen picked running back Scott Bagley and punter Sean Smalley in the draft.

Eric Griffin will turn 27 during training camp. The defensive tackle has played four seasons with the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, but never became a regular starter. In 46 games, Griffin had 7 starts. In those games, Griffin made 22 tackles, 11 assists, had 10 quarterback hurries, defended 1 pass, had 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Griffin agreed to a one-year deal and will battle for a roster spot, with a minor chance on winning the starting role opposite Charles Gomez.

Harrison Bolden will turn 30 during training camp. Bolden is an all-round decent player, with his specialty being the pass protection on the right outside of the line. Bolden starter his IHOF career with the Ann Arbor Anachronism. In three seasons, Bolden played 36 games, with 18 starts. In 2005 he was a member of the IHOF Bowl winners. In 2007 Bolden won another ring as a member of the North Plainfield Plague after being a third stringer for most of the season.

Scott Bagley was the fourth best rated running back in the draft class. Bagley is 22 years old and had his football education at Temple. Bagley is said to be developed enough to come on to the team as the premier backup running back. Bagley has the intelligence to see the holes in the defense, but can also makes third down conversions. Bagley is a decent receiver in potential and as cherry on the pie is a sure-handed kickoff returner. Worst case scenario, Bagley at least makes the final roster as the backup kickoff returner.

Sean Smalley is a 23-year old punter. Smalley learned the tricks of football at Pittsburgh. Smalley was the third highest rated punter and is said to be almost fully developed. Smalley is expected to be the new punter on the team, providing he gets through pre-season healthy. Smalley is an intelligent player and should be an excellent succesor for fan favorite Roscoe Corrales. What this means for Corrales role is yet to be seen, but the early signals say the lost 2007 AOC Championship game was Corrales' last game.

In addition, the Merchantmen have three outstanding free agent bids and will add five more players to fill out the roster to the 70-men training camp limit. The plan is to go in camp with another quarterback, fullback, tight end, wide receiver, center, guard, defensive end and linebacker. The management wants to let the fans know that the 53-men final roster is already pretty much identified, however they want to see whether players turn into camp out of shape or break out.

cthomer5000 · 04-24-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Scott Bagley was the fourth best rated running back in the draft class. Bagley is 22 years old and had his football education at Temple. Bagley is said to be developed enough to come on to the team as the premier backup running back. Bagley has the intelligence to see the holes in the defense, but can also makes third down conversions. Bagley is a decent receiver in potential and as cherry on the pie is a sure-handed kickoff returner. Worst case scenario, Bagley at least makes the final roster as the backup kickoff returner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Sean Smalley is a 23-year old punter. Smalley learned the tricks of football at Pittsburgh. Smalley was the third highest rated punter and is said to be almost fully developed. Smalley is expected to be the new punter on the team, providing he gets through pre-season healthy. Smalley is an intelligent player and should be an excellent succesor for fan favorite Roscoe Corrales. What this means for Corrales role is yet to be seen, but the early signals say the lost 2007 AOC Championship game was Corrales' last game.

A fake punt goes wrong against Temple.

MIJB#19 · 04-24-2005, 10:19 AM

Thanks, cthomer5000.

MIJB#19 · 04-25-2005, 08:25 AM

Merchantmen Trade To Pick Linebacker Surry
Looking for more depth at linebacker, the Maassluis Merchantmen traded a 2009 fourth round pick for the 150th overall selection in the 2008 draft. The Miami Sharks had been on the clock for quite a while after technical difficulties and as the draft was ready to take off again, the Merchantmen saw their offer to trade accepted. With the draft pick the Merchantmen selected linebacker Bernie Surry. Surry is pretty developed and is said to be a run stopping expert. Surry could be a great gunner someday and also has some experience with zone defense, which is a pre in Maassluis.

MIJB#19 · 04-25-2005, 10:47 AM

Merchantmen Trade Again, Pick Defensive End Henderson
With the 168th pick of the 2008 IHOF draft, the Maassluis Merchantmen selected defensive end Brenden Henderson out of Western Kentucky. The Merchantmen traded a 2010 fifth round pick to the North Plainfield Plague to get the selection and player. General manager M.IJ.B.: "We need to bring at least five ends into pre-season, to get at least four healthy ends into the regular season. Henderson will even have a shot at a starting role."

MIJB#19 · 04-25-2005, 12:46 PM

Merchantmen Present Four More New Players
Adding up the roster to the training camp limit of 70 names, the Maassluis Merchantmen today signed fullback Luke Smelser and guard Alphonse Gale. This announcement came shortly after the team had traded into the 2008 draft twice to selected two young prospects. Linebacker Bernie Surry and Brenden Henderson were given a phone call to report for camp with the Merchantmen in the summer of 2008.

Alphonse Gale as a familiar face with the Merchantmen organization. Gale was a starter for the San Luis Obispo Burn (2004) and the Orlando Knights (2005) before he became a job hunter. Gale played 4 games with the Chesapeake Chitterlings in 2006 and joined the Maassluis Merchantmen in the 2007 pre-season, but didn't survive the 53-men roster cuts. Determined to succeed with the Merchantmen, the 32-year old guard Gale signed a two-year contract.

Luke Smelser hopped around in the IHOF the past seasons. The 34-year old fullback played games for the Asheville Axemen (2004), Minnesota Miners (2005) and Bordeaux Vineyards (2006) in his stints in the league. Smelser is known as a run blocking specialist and an intelligent guy who likes to mentor younger football players. Smelser signed a one-year contract and hopes to battle for a roster spot in training camp and eventually pre-season.

Bernie Surry is a project outside linebacker. Surry will turn 24 during pre-season and had his education at Syracuse. The Merchantmen scouting staff thinks Surry can battle for a backup role in Maassluis from the start. Surry is said to be a decent run stopper and he should bring enough zone defense experience to battle with Mitch Hoofkin, Daniel Ruelas and Josh Weisberg for the fifth active roster spot.

Brenden Henderson was a surprise pick for the Merchantmen. The tenth highest rated defensive end turned 23 this May. Coming from Western Kentucky, Henderson isn't a familair face for most football fans. The Merchantmen scouting staff believe that Henderson could be the next gem at the position drafted. Henderson is said to be just as developed as the current starters and with enough potential as a pass rusher to battle for the roster spots. Expectations are that Henderson will at least survive through pre-season with his new team.

In the upcoming days, the Maassluis Merchantmen hope to announce the names of four more new players. The team is still talking with tight end Rich McMahon, wide receiver Alfredo Rhodes, defensive end Charles Layfield and linebacker Ronald Felipe. General manager M.IJ.B. restated: "We have no guarantee either player will sign, but we'll definately add up to 70 players for training camp. Surely, our potential 53-men roster is already identified, as is our 60-men pre-season list, but you always want room for break-out players."

MIJB#19 · 04-26-2005, 06:27 AM

What Do The Merchantmen Have With Defensive Ends?
When Wally 'World' Wilcox retired this off-season, a big name stepped away from the International House Of Football. Wilcox had just played a full season as a backup with the Maassluis Merchantmen and had no problems with it. Looking back, how could such a high profile player live with riding the bench? Let's look at what's going on in Maassluis.

The Merchantmen defensive line starts with Charles Gomez. Back in the day of the league draft, the Merchantmen made Gomez their first selection and to date he's been the top paid player. Gomez is a three-time All IHOF selection and holds IHOF record amongst defensive tackles in single-season tackles (99 in 2006), career tackles (286) and career sacks (32.0). Gomez is the big guy in the middle and makes it easier for the ends to make plays.

With Harold Wells, Deon Chapa and Cecil Doney, the Merchantmen's initial group of ends was one of future stars. All left the team over two years ago, but today, especially Wells and Chapa are concidered to be amongst the elite ends in the game. So why did he Merchantmen say goodbye to these studs who can do it all on the line?

General manager M.IJ.B. explains: "It's a salary cap issue. Defensive ends are amongst the highly paid players. We don't want to invest 25% of our cap room in the defensive line, so we scout for cheaper ends." And it shows, of the four defensive ends on roster, these guys account for just over one million dollars per player. Even if rookie Brenden Henderson and free agent Charles Layfield are signed, the team would invest just 6% of their cap on the position.

With so little money invested, you'd think production would be low, but that isn't true at all. The Merchantmen defense led the IHOF in sacks during the 2007 season. With Gomez making the pressure, the ends could easily turn around the tackles and make sacks. And for the new season, the addition of Erwin Baranowski and Brenden Henderson could improve the production, while Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon are only getting better.

But now comes the crucial element, how were these guys acquired? Albert Bernardo, the long-time member of the Merchantmen was a free agent signing. Baranowski was recently acquired in trade for a mid to low round pick, while Gougeon, Sherrill and Hederson were draft picks, taken in the low fourth to high sixth round. Sherrill even out performed eight higher selected rookies, to lead all rookies with 6.5 sacks.

Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude has another explanation for the succes: "Young players need the time to develope. Guys like Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon have enough potential to play the position very well. We give them playing time and let them rest enough, giving the eager backups also time to shine. Where other teams waste the talented of highly picked guys, in Maassluis these guys get all the confidence they need"

For the 2008 season, the Merchantmen have a reputation to defend. Coming of a season as the best defense in terms of allowing points and allowing offensive touchdowns. The eyes will be more on the youngesters than before, its time to prove they're for real. By adding two or three new ends who can compete, the Merchantmen think they got it covered and are ready to go. But only time will tell whether 2007 was a fluke and whether the ends can produce when Charles Gomez isn't around.

MIJB#19 · 04-26-2005, 08:33 AM

General Manager Notes
Okay, it's not very important news, but here's a little update on my trading addiction. In the 2008 off-season, I've made 10 trades so far:
* CB Mitchem to Brooklyn
* FS Schultz from Anahiem
* CB Craig for CB Clyburn and CB Kennedy to San Luis Obispo
* QB Bower to Williamsburg
* DE Baranowski from Outer Banks
* RB Carlisle from North Plainfield
* RB Montoya from Bordeaux
* pick 2.31 from Ann Arbor
* pick 5.22 from Miami
* pick 6.8 from North Plainfield

With these trades, the Merchantmen total of trades adds up to 81 trades, including swaps with 30 different owners. Including the ownership changes, there have been 35 different owners active in the IHOF. That means I haven't made a trade with five past or present owners. Who they are? They are:
* Subby, ex-owner of the former Leesburg Generals
* 3ric, owner of the Gothenburg Giants
* McKerney, owner of the Minnesota Miners
* Senator, owner of the San Antonio Volunteers
* Cuervo72, owner of the Frederick Red Menace

Of course, trading is not what the IHOF is about, but it's really a cool stat to know I've traded with so many different owners and personalities. And trading is, of course, a key element in what the Merchantmen are about. For reference, let's recap some of the greatest moves in franchise history:

2004 off-season
LT Harold Hurtado comes over from the Rochester Lake Monsters. Hurtado would play an excellent season and be rewarded with All IHOF second team honors, despite the 1-15 campaign. Hurtado is still on roster, but after a backup role in 2007 unhappy with his role. Barring injuries, Hurtado will be a backup again in 2008.

2005 off-season
OT Wilson Grimaldo comes over from the Paris Musketeers. Grimaldo was a big factor on the offensive line, helping the team to adjust from losers to a .500 ball team. In 2006 he allowed only 1 sack all season. In the 2007 off-season, Grimaldo was traded to the Vicksburg Vipers, where he's still playing in the 2008 season.

2006 off-season
On draft day the Merchantmen trade up from #12 to #5 overall. The selection turns into QB Louie Flannery. His rookie campaign went with ups and downs, going 8-8. But in the 2007 season, Flannery didn't miss a down on offense and marched his team to the second best overall record and into the final four.

2007 off-season
LT Ivan Jacques was acquired from the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums. Jacques was brought in to boost the offensive line on the left side after Wilson Grimaldo was traded for Cornelius Rice with the Vicksburg Vipers. Jacques played a good job, allowing only 1 sack all season in 2007. In 2008, Jacques hopes to grow into the best pass protecting left tackle in the IHOF.

2008 off-season
With little needs, the Merchantmen try to avoid trading, but in the end they do make some moves. The biggest move could be the acquisition of CB Xavier Clyburn and CB Sammie Kennedy from the San Luis Obispo Burn. But how big the impact of the move will be has yet to be seen.

MIJB#19 · 04-26-2005, 04:35 PM

Merchantmen Sign Free Agent Receiver Alfredo Rhodes
The Maassluis Merchantmen today signed Alfredo Rhodes as their newest addition to the team. Rhodes is an aged wide receiver and played for the Miami Sharks in the past three seasons. Including a year with the Leesburg Generals, Rhodes played 34 games and started 3 of those. Rhodes' biggest trick was his punt returning, as shown by his career totals of 413 yards in 48 attempts, accounting for an 8.6 average. Rhodes spent 2007 on injured reserve and will battle in Maassluis for the punt returning role after mentoring the youngsters in training camp.

Alf · 04-27-2005, 06:59 AM

What did you get with the 1st round pick I sent you (along with Dick) to get Wells ?

MIJB#19 · 04-27-2005, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alf

What did you get with the 1st round pick I sent you (along with Dick) to get Wells ?

It was eventually used to trade up to get the #12 pick, which was again traded to get the #5 pick and with that Flannery.

MIJB#19 · 04-27-2005, 09:40 AM

General Manager Notes
Alright fans, here's a little peak into our draft day strategy in the IHOF 2008 amateur draft. Well, a review sort of strategy that is.

Okay, lets look at where we were at the start of the off-season, we were holding four 5th round picks, of which three were already promissed to be traded to the Anaheim Visigoths for safety Broderick Schultz. That left us with one 5th round pick. One pick and basically two big needs: a new backup running back and a young punter who can replace our Roscoe Corrales some day. One important change to previous drafts, we'd go more for experience than before, although potential would still be important, but much higher than we already had on roster.

The draft class was announced and I saw only one running back I liked: Scott Bagley. Why? Bagley was the only rookie with relative high hole recognition, high speed to the outside, not too high willigness to catch passes, sure handedness and endurance. An extra was his kickoff returning ability, but that wasn't what we were after at first. Additionally, this class had one all-world type of kid in Tony Amey. Knowing this league a bit better, I figured he would go early second, later third round. Second best punter was Albert Barreras, who could go as high as the mid to top second round. I didn't even look at other options.

In a trade with the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, I traded us up to the 3.19 pick by trading away cornerback Carlos Mitchem. But wanting a mid-2nd rounder, we were far from done. In a big trade with San Luis Obispo Burn, I managed to talk them into letting me move up to 3.4 as part of the big deal that cost us a future 1st and 2nd for cornerbacks Xavier Clyburn and Sammie Kennedy. And after getting that pick, I got the Williamsburg Colonials willing to trade the 2.19 for the 3.4 and quarterback Shane Bower.

Okay, we were at 2.19 and I realized that trading up would cost too much. We had to settle for sitting in this position and hope to see Amey or Bagley fall. The draft started and we didn't see Amey get selected in the first about 15 picks. Time zone issues kicked in and yours truely took a little nap.

As I returned to the land of the awake, I found out that the top two punters were selected in the first 40 picks. Sitting at #51, we had to hope Bagley would be there, however the top three running backs were also off the board already. With iron nerves, I decided to wait and see. After a lunch break, it turned out that Bagley had landed with us!

Well, so far so good, but a further look at the draft class told me there was another punter worth picking up. As the 2nd round was coming to an end, I tried to acquire a mid to high 3rd round pick. Talks with Ann Arbor Anachronism for the 3.16 were almost done, until I realized they were up in three picks at 2.31. They wanted a future 2nd round pick and in the end I figured it was worth sacrificing our 2010 2nd round pick to get a younger punter now. Two other picks went by and Sean Smalley, the best punter left, became ours.

The draft looked succesful and I didn't seen any need to trade anymore. But, as the draft kept going on, I kept my eyes open for hidden gems, players that my scout gave good grades that would be good enough to make the final 53-men roster, even if they turn out to be a little bit less talented than we wanted. The idea was to go for guys with a bit of experience as these players would have a hard time becoming a starter and thus getting more experienced during the season.

The draft continued and as we stopped at the 5.22 pick, I found linebacker Bernie Surry, defensive Brenden Henderson and safety Wade Elliot as potential pickups. Seeing our depth at safety, Elliot would only be a consolation prize, but Henderson and especially Surry could make the final roster. I promoted my desire to trade, offered a 4th round pick in 2009 and started with waiting.

The North Plainfield Plague were interested and offer the 5.27. We talked and decided it would be a done deal. However, I was also talking with the Georgia Gridlock at 5.24 and had contacted the Miami Sharks, who were on the clock at 5.22. As the Sharks' manager returned, we made the deal (the 4th for the 5.22) and Surry was ours.

Having the line open with the Plague, we talked and I let known I had still one player I wanted. Brenden Henderson could fall, but all of a sudden he was the best end left in the class. We agreed to trade a 2010 5th rounder for the 6.10 pick under if-he's-there conditions. Henderson fell, wasn't picked by the Paris Musketeers at 6.9 and Henderson was ours as well.

After we picked Henderson, for the first time this draft I felt like the draft was done, the feeling was the same as the one after we completed the first round foursome in 2005, after the pick of Flannery in 2006 and after getting Andrew Rasmussen and Aaron Sherrill in the 6th round of the 2007 draft.

As of today, I've got no idea yet whether any of the four rookies will be a good or bad pick, but the scouting reports of the four rookies are promissing:
* Scott Bagley is scouted as 30/48
* Sean Smalley is scouted as 55/62
* Bernie Surry is scouted as 24/50
* Brenden Henderson is scouted as 22/42

Looking at our roster, Bagley would indeed be our second best RB and would be our second best KR guy. Smalley will challenge Roscoe Corrales (55/55) for the role, Henderson will be challenging 2007 starters Aaron Sherrill (20/38) and Omar Gougeon (23/39), while Surry will battle with Mitch Hoofkin (30/44) for a roster spot.

Looking at our previous class, the 2007 class looks like we had a lot of misspicks. Jerry Beyer, Shaun Shiroma and Aaron Sherrill were rookie leaders, while traded kicker Alvin Ladner set a new single-season points record for rookies. But the other side are the released Terror Norris and potential green-forever players Norman Holliday, Henry Poston and Andrew Rasmussen. The future plan is to avoid having green players who will never play. As of now, Poston, Holliday and Rasmussen project as inactive roster members. It's sad, but that's how things go...

MIJB#19 · 04-28-2005, 07:08 AM

Merchantmen Sign Defensive End Charles Layfield
With training camp coming up soon, the Maassluis Merchantmen signed another free agent to add up the roster total to 64 players, excluding four incoming drafted rookies. Defensive end Charles Layfield signed a one-year contract, in hopes to survive roster cuts going into pre-season. The 27-year old Layfield's IHOF career started with the North Plainfield Plague in 2004. As a rookie, Layfield played in 2 regular season games. In the next two seasons, Layfield played a total of 9 games for the Chesapeake Chitterlings.

Defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks: "Layfield will be able to boost or pass rush, if he's going to reach his potential. Right now he's a long shot at making the final roster, but if he's learning fast, things can go differently. Layfield is still a very green player, but if he's going to learn fast here, he'll have a shot at becoming a regular contributor in the rotation." Let's wait and see whether Layfield can do that.

MIJB#19 · 04-29-2005, 04:06 AM

General Manager Notes
Here's some first news surrounding our rookies. Our scouting staff had the time to take a closer look to our rookies and the news is somewhat disappointing.

RB Scott Bagley is said to have less potentail than expected. Bagley should still be a contender for the #2 and #3 roles, but it's possible he'll only make the active roster as our #2 kickoff returner. How his running abilty wil turn out is yet to be seen, though. [From 30/48 to 29/43]

P Sean Smalley turns out to be a little bit less than initially scouted, but only a little bit. Smalley should still battle it out with Roscoe Corrales for the punting duties. [From 55/62 to 54/61]

LB Bernie Surry is said to have a little bit less potential. Lucky for Surry, we expected a little downfall and his odds to make the final 53-men roster might have even gone up. That is, if his run stopping and zone defense turn out to be good enough. [From 24/50 to 24/48]

DE Breden Henderson could be another typical Merchantmen defensive linemen late round steal. Henderson is said to have more potential than expected and now he might be a serious contender for a starting role. He might even force us to release or trade Charles Layfield or one of our 2007 starters (Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon) before pre-season. [From 22/42 to 22/45]

More to come in a few days when the players report for more intens scouting on how the off-season effected their ability. [I mean the in-game boom/bust algorithm]

MIJB#19 · 04-29-2005, 11:31 AM

Merchantmen Ready For Training Camp
With two free agent signings today, the Maassluis Merchantmen are ready for training camp. The addition of quarterback Irv Wooden and center Heath Ferebee adds up to 66 players under contract. Add the four drafted rookies and the Merchantmen are ready. But nothing is secure in Maassluis until camp officially starts, there's still a round of free agency bidding coming up for left over free agents, former restricted free agents and undrafted rookies.

Center Heath Ferebee is a 35-year old veteran. Ferebee has been a starter for the past four seasons in the IHOF. In 2004, Ferebee started 12 games for the Astoria Heroes. In 2005 he moved to the Telluride Outlaws, where he started all 16 games. The past two season he missed only the last game of the 2007 season for the Bordeaux Vineyards. In 60 games, Ferebee recorded 100 key run blocks, has a run blocking percentage of 34.4 and a sacks allowed percentage of 1.1. Ferebee will challenge Brant Heinrich and Christian Reichel for the two roster spots at center.

Quarterback Irv Wooden is a surprise addition to the roster. The 24-year old has yet to start a game in the IHOF. Wooden was released by the Rochester Lake Monsters after joining them in 2006 as an undrafted free agent. Wooden has been a holder for the Lake Monsters and might be a backup option there in Maassluis. The management thinks that Wooden has a shot at making the final roster only with injuries and if the team can find a new home for Mel Atkins.

Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. calls the newbies both welcome additions: "Ferebee will challenge Heinrich. 'Heiny' allows too many sacks and Ferebee is known for his pass protection. With their run blocking ability being similair, it's not a done deal yet." About the new quarterback, M.IJ.B. said: "Wooden has the tools to be a good number three quarterback. In our quarterback happy organization, we hope he can make some progress and grow into being a worthy backup."

In the upcoming weekend, the Merchantmen will start negotiations with the four rookies. Next Saturday, all IHOF teams will get the green light on talking with their drafted players. The Merchantmen expect to sign all four rookies immediately and don't think there will be interesting free agents coming onto the market. But knowing how things go, the team might be looking for options afterall in the upcoming weeks towards training camp and pre-season. Nobody's job is safe in the football world.

MIJB#19 · 04-30-2005, 05:59 AM

Fans Choose Louie Flannery As Player Of The Year
The Maassluis Merchantmen are happy to announce the conclusion of an internet poll amongst Merchantmen fans to name their 2007 Player of the Year. With 70 percent of the votes, quarterback Louie Flannery was a run away winner in the voting. Flannery's leadership was highly praised after a 13-3 campaign, including the Europeran Division title and a second place overall in the Atlantic Ocean Conference. Charles Gomez and Randy Harris came in second and third place.

In a first reaction, Louie Flannery just thanks all the fans: "Thank you. We talked about it in the locker room a bit, but me being just a second year pro, I didn't expect this. Guys like Randy [Harris], [Charles] Gomez and Tai [Wayne] had the better story or long-term Merchantmen membership in their favor. I guess the fans go with the QB if a team wins and I'm grateful for the support. I just hope I can live up to expectations for next season."

"Flan' is the man!" Randy Harris said, "Louie makes this offense work, he's learned the system well and makes things work." The prolific running back has been starting every game for the Merchantmen since the IHOF started and should know. "We've had some fine quarterbacks on the team, but Flannery is a class on his own. I guess the fans see how much effort he gives with his ability to never give up."

Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude agreed with the choice: "The fans chose well. We've got a great team spirit amongst the players, but how Flannery picked up the leadership role is amazing. A second year quarterback who can lead a team to 14 wins in 18 games deserves recognition."

Defensive tackle Charles Gomez, who won the voting in 2006 and 2005 wasn't disappointed with the second place. Gomez said: "Football is all about team effort. The defense gains possession, special teams makes the field position better and the offense finishes it off. Flannery is the best quarterback I've worked with. The way how he came back after the struggles in his rookie year was awesome. I hope we can keep this flow going for several more seasons to come. With Flan', we can repeat and even go for more in 2008."

General manager and owner M.IJ.B. looks back to the day Flannery was drafted: "In our own tradition, we made a trade and got the guy we wanted. After we picked Flannery, I felt we found the right guy for the team. To be honest, my own vote went to Gomez, but I can feel good about Flannery being the fans' choice. Quarterbacks are the spot light players in this game and Flannery has proven he can be a top ten guy in this league."

It was only his second season, but the 'franchise quarterback' broke through in the 2008 season with a 14-4 record. Flannery set new franchise records in passing yards (3,768) and touchdowns (25). Flannery didn't miss a single down on offense for the entire season and also became the fulltime holder on kicking plays. After struggling with interceptions, Flannery got over it in the second half of the season and, according to team scouts, has already matured into a playoff calibre quarterback in his second year in the IHOF.

MIJB#19 · 05-02-2005, 07:33 PM

General Manager Notes
The players report for camp, the early signals of booming and busting are here.

Let's start with the bad news as a couple of players have lost some of their skills:
* -21 points, Guard Alphonse Gale, I'm concidering to release him right away
* -18 points, Center Christian Reichel, he's still a great long snapper, but no backup option
* -15 points, Defensive end Albert Bernardo, the aging mentor will be mentoring even more
* -14 points, Fullback Luke Smelser, age is catching up and he's no backup type anymore
* -11 points, Running back Randy Harris, still our starter, but this is not funny to know
* -11 points, Safety Richard Muller, he was headed out already, but now might go earlier
* -10 points, Wide receiver David Henkel, no way he's still here, but for how long?
* -10 points, Wide receiver Alfredo Rhodes, he's a mentor, otherwise he'd be out
* -8 points, Center Heath Ferebee, well, he's lising it, but he can still play
* -7 points, Defensive end Charles Layfield, he's headed out for sure now
* -6 points, Linebacker Josh Weisberg, somebody will have to mentor the 'backers!

And which guys made progress?
* +26 points, Linebacker Bernie Surry, the rookie looks like a potential starter now!
* +15 points, Safety Lincoln Gilmore, Our strong safety got even stronger
* +8 points, Defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen, projected as a backup, still is but for how long?

Other things to note:
The rookies are all looking good. We're offering contracts this week and I hope they sign immediately. We offered our second round picks a 4-year deal and the lower round picks a 3-year deal. Three of our rookies are official 'boomers', while our fourth rookie is a 'bust' of some sort, yet he's still good enough in the skills we drafted him for. Or so it seems.

In the quarterback area, Mel Atkins is headed out, but the battle for the #3 role is heating up. Justin McDavid has serious competition from Irv Wooden. Wooden has more potential, the better formations knowledge and the potential in key areas to play in the system.

On the offensive line, I'm concidering to dump the second-year green kid Norman Holliday in favor of two-ringer Harrison Bolden. The line is going to see no new starters, but in te backup roles things will change. The backup center will be replaced and Bolden could be the other difference.

On the defensive line, Layfield and rookie Henderson are not setting the world on fire on first looks. It's looking like we'll go with the three starters from 2007, with the addition of Baranowski on the outside. On the inside, Rasmussen looks so good, it migh be worthwile to give him a starting role over Shiroma.

In the linebackers group, the five usual suspects see Bernie Surry move into the group. With Meier, Cluff, Kershner, Thelen and Surry, this could be the best linebackers group in the entire league. The emergency backers from 2007 could be out soon.

And in our secondary, the progress from Lincoln Gilmore means he's won the strong safety battle over William. Schultz will play free safety, with William as oft playing backup. On te corners, Endicott and Wayne stay as Clyburn seems to not be as good as hoped he could be. Clyburn can still be a good nickelback and Kennedy can dimeback, but it's not all too great.

Last but not least, it's looking more and more like Sean Smalley will be the better punter. The fans won't like it, but Roscoe Corrales' days in Maassluis could be over soon...

Alf · 05-03-2005, 03:06 AM

ouch, not funny on Harris ....

MIJB#19 · 05-03-2005, 10:40 AM

Gossip News: Merchantmen Seeking Developmental Team
The latest rumors around the International House Of Football are not peanuts, the Maassluis Merchantmen have spread the word they're seeking another IHOF team to let a couple of youngsters get playing time elsewhere. What started the idea is still a bit of a mystery, but apparently they think they've outgrown a lot of other teams and are acting like their 4th stringers should be starters elsewhere.

First things first, what happened? The Merchantmen spread the word on a special 'loan' of player for the durartion of the pre-season. The Merchantmen sold it as a way to keep teams' best players inactive and make the 53-men roster cut day easier to get through. The written word was a list of six players which should be traded away for a sixth round pick and reacquired on the mandatory roster cut day for a fifth rounder.

The idea is said to have come forward through the re-acquisition of running back Kyle Montoya. In the 2007 pre-season, Montoya did well for the Merchantmen, yet was a fifth wheel on the wagon, sort of, and traded to the Bordeaux Vineyards. But in this off-season, the Merchantmen reacquired Montoya from the Vineyards in another trade. Crucial being that Montoya had some playing time with the French team he'd never had gotten with the Dutch team.

The latest news is that the Merchantmen dropped the offer, yet the damage is already done. Once the league doormat, now a rising team, they seem to have forgotten where they cam from. Of all people, the Merchantmen management should know what it's like to be a cellar dweller and yet they're seeking former fellow-dwellars to dump their own players for a while.

In a reaction, a couple of fellow owners suggested it is not such a good idea to use other teams as minor league teams. And the six listed players were not happy either. Center Christian Reichel was quoted: "Traded away for the pre-season? This isn't a soccer league!" Offensive tackle Norman Holliday said: "One day you're a future starter, the next they want to dump you in a place where they've never played winning football."

The Merchantmen management was unavailable for comment, as usual, but the defense they played didn't make much sense. The words "creativity" and "helping other teams" were complete non-sense. The advertised 'loans' were uncalled for and without respect to other teams. You'd almost want them to go through a season of struggle to get back to earth after a season as pretenders at the highest level. Haven't they learned anything from the spanking they got in the Atlantic Ocean Conference championship game?

MIJB#19 · 05-03-2005, 02:03 PM

Merchantmen Sign Three Rookies
With the signatures under the contracts three rookies were presented by the Maassluis Merchantmen today. Scott Bagley, Bernie Surry and Brenden Henderson turned up for the press conference and smilies in their new jerseys. Bagley will be wearing the 44 jerseys, which has never seen the field for the Merchantmen before during a regular season game. Henderson was given 96, the old number from long time starting defensive tackle John Bryant. Surry looked happy in his new orange 56 jersey.

Scott Bagley was the first rookie player to sign the deal and became Merchantmen player #185. The Temple graduate was presented as "a guy who can run with the ball" and "a special teams standout". Bagley is expected to play a lot in pre-season and be the premier kickoff returner for the team in the regular season.

Brenden Henderson was presented second. Henderson will be expected to be active for the pre-season, but the odds on him making the roster are slim. Merchantmen lead scout Gabe Avila said: "Henderson has good potential, but his pass rush technique is terrible right now. It'll be tough to make the roster with so little experience." Henderson hopes to prove the scouting staff wrong and survive the roster cuts.

Bernie Surry was the highly anticipated new star of the team. Scouts around the IHOF noticed that Surry was better than advertised. Some even claim Surry has the best zone defense potential of all outside linebacker in the league. Recent scouting reports read: "Surry is the missing piece to the puzzle, he's got the potential of the perfect linebacker for the Merchantmen defense." For 2008, Surry is expected to be the new gunner and a premier backup.

Puner Sean Smalley turned down the initial contract offered. Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. was disappointed: "Smalley got the same offer that Scott Bagley signed and Bagley was drafted 12 spots higher." Player agent Stanley Johnson advised Smalley to wait with signing. Johnson said: "The Merchantmen think Smalley is the real deal, signing a four-year deal will limit his chances to sign a better deal later on."

The press conference was closed with the presentation of the entire training camp roster list of 70 names, including unsigned punter Smalley. Onwer M.IJ.B. explained: "It's pretty easy, we're done with figuring out which 53 men will defend the European division title. We'll stick seven others around in case people get hurt."

The comments from M.IJ.B. mean the ten casualties to go from 70 to 60 players after training are also known. "Correct," M.IJ.B. said, "the list of names has already been spread around in the league, nine players are available for trade and one running back will join them."

The list of unwanted players contains of: quarterback Mel Atkins, wide receiver David Henkel, center/long snapper Christian Reichel, guard Alphonse Gale, defensive end Charles Layfield, defensive tackle Eric Griffin, linebacker Mitch Hoofkin, cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller. The names of Stidham and Muller as former starters jump out.

MIJB#19 · 05-04-2005, 06:49 AM

General Manager Notes
Well, we're heading towards training camp and we're almost done figuring out which 53 players will be defending the European Division title. As I said before, I hope to go into the season with pretty much the same 53 players who made us Atlantic Ocean Conferece runners' up. Let's take a look at our 2007 53-men roster and the potential changes in 2008:

2007	2008
QB Louie Flannery	QB Louie Flannery
QB Shane Bower	QB Thad Pikington
QB Mel Atkins	QB Mel Atkins/QB Irv Wooden/RB Kyle Montoya
QB Justin McDavid	QB Justin McDavid
RB Randy Harris	RB Randy Harris
RB/PR Rodger Mowery	RB/KR Scott Bagley
RB Tyrell Mahoney	RB Tyrell Mahoney/RB Desmond Carlisle/RB Kyle Montoya
FB Jamel Rosenberry	FB Jamel Rosenberry
FB Henry Poston	FB Henry Poston
TE Jim Reiser	TE Jim Reiser
TE Arnold Ramirez	TE Arnold Ramirez
TE/LS Charlie Martins	TE/LS Charlie Martins
WR Gregory Monti	WR Gregory Monti
WR Bryce Ewald	WR Bryce Ewald
WR/PR Jerry Beyer	WR/PR Jerry Beyer
WR Jules Benedict	WR Jules Benedict
WR/KR Devin Henson	WR/KR Devin Henson
C Brant Heinrich	C Brant Heinrich
C Tom Schwartz	C Heath Ferebee
G Butch White	G Butch White
G Timothy Lacy	G Timothy Lacy
G Brian Hammond	G Brian Hammond
LT Ivan Jacques	LT Ivan Jacques
LT Harold Hurtado	LT Harold Hurtado
RT Cornelius Rice	RT Cornelius Rice
RT Norman Holliday	RT Norman Holliday/RT Harrison Bolden
P Roscoe Corrales	P Roscoe Corrales/P Sean Smalley
PK Cary Coles	PK Cary Coles
KOK Al Bettis	KOK Al Bettis
DE Omar Gougeon	DE Omar Gougeon
DE Aaron Sherrill	DE Aaron Sherrill
DE Albert Bernardo	DE Albert Bernardo
DE Wally Wilcox	DE Erwin Baranowski
DT Charles Gomez	DT Charles Gomez
DT Andy Weliczka	DT Andy Weliczka
DT Shaun Shiroma	DT Shaun Shiroma
DT Andrew Rasmussen	DT Andrew Rasmussen
MLB Cody Cluff	MLB Cody Cluff
LB Carl Meier	LB Carl Meier
OLB Ellsworth Thelen	OLB Ellsworth Thelen
OLB Mike Kershner	OLB Mike Kershner
OLB John Weisberg	OLB John Weisberg
OLB Mitch Hoofkin	OLB Bernie Surry
LB Daniel Ruelas	FS Broderick Schultz
CB Tai Wayne	CB Tai Wayne
CB Winford Endicott	CB Winford Endicott
CB Myron Stevens	CB Myron Stevens
CB Johnnie Stidham	CB Xavier Clyburn
CB/KR Desmond Craig	CB/PR Sammie Kennedy
SS Lincoln Gilmore	SS Lincoln Gilmore
S Emile William	S Emile William
FS John Cole	FS John Cole
S Lamar Singleton	S Lamar Singleton

A quick look shows we're going with 5 to 9 changes in our personnel for 2008. Who are coming in and who are going out?

QB Mel Atkins could be a decent #4 quarterback, but right now we're only keeping him around for pre-season if QB Irv Wooden has a worse training camp. After pre-season we'll decided whether we go with 4 quarterbacks or with 4 running backs. It will probably depend on injuries.

RB Rodger Mowery retired so we needed a new backup runner. RB Scott Bagley has the potential and current skills to be a decent #3 running back, but with the lack of better, we'll have to do with him for 2008. Unless a freaky trade comes along...

RB Tyrell Mahoney was a nice project, but I'm not too sold with him. RB Kyle Montoya and RB Desmond Carlisle will battle it out with Mahoney in pre-season on who will go into 2008 as our #3 running back. Right now Kyle Montoya has the edge over the other two. If we go with 4 running backs, two of the three will make the final roster.

C Tom Schwartz wasn't planned to make the 2007 roster, but in the end we didn't have a decent enough backup center. Chris Reichel was hurt for an unknown time. Heath Ferebee is an experienced veteran player and has four years as an IHOF starter on his resume.

RT Norman Holliday looks like a potential future starter, but needs to get more experienced to be even backup material. With a good camp and full time starting in pre-season, we hope Holliday will mature. If he doesn't, we'll condider to dump him in favor of two-time IHOF champion Harrison Bolden.

P Roscoe Corrales has been a good punter and did his share of field position setting. For 2008 and on, we drafted Sean Smalley to take over from Corrales. Training camp and pre-season will have to point out who the winner will be. Might might even cocider keeping both around in stead of a fourth quarterback, fourth running back or fifth safety.

DE Wally Wilcox was pretty old and retired after hardly playing a down in 2007. Still, he gave us enough depth at defensive end to play a rotation system. Erwin Baranowski is the new guy in town and he should be our new #3 end. The idea is to do even more rotating in 2008 and Baranowski will be a crucial element.

OLB Mitch Hoofkin hardly played and would have been a good enough sixth linebacker. Until Bernie Surry was drafted and broke out into a potential superstar linebacker. Surry lacks endurance, but we've got depth at the linebacker position and we got a mentor to tutor him.

LB Daniel Ruelas was acquired to get through injury woes and he might survive roster cuts again due to injuries. Ruelas will play in pre-season, but is unlikely to stick around. Free safety Broderick Schultz looks like the perfect fit for our defense, despite his lack of endurance. We've got depth and I believe in Schultz.

S Lamar Singleton is curretly inked in as our 53rd player, but if injuries call for it, we won't hesistate to let him go in favor of having enough healthy players at other positions. Singleton still has the potential to contribute on our secondary, but time to breakout has come.

Looking around, 'worst case' we're going into 2008 with 10 new faces active. Of course, injuries to players in pre-season could change the face of our 2008 team a bit more, but it's unlikely to be significant enough to be noticed. I can't wait for the season to start. The first three games will be the ultimate test, Going 2-1 against Gothenburg and at North Plainfield and Outer Banks are the best way to show we're for real.

Kodos · 05-04-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

First, I'm not sure wheter I will be updating regularly, but I'll try to do an update after the stages.

I guess you're doing okay with the updating.

MIJB#19 · 05-04-2005, 12:50 PM

Irregular Interviewing: Mike 'Mickey' Kershner
The 2008 IHOF season is coming up and all around the league people are looking forward to the new season. Training camp has yet to start, but mini-camp have already shuffled the cards a bit. For the Maassluis Merchantmen the arrival of rookie linebacker Bernie Surry has caused a lot of media attention. Surry is said to be the perfect guy to play in the system.

Casualty of the situation will be fan favorite Mike Kershner. 'Mickey' has a lot to proove in training camp and maybe pre-season that he's for real. Overtime, the Merchantmen management brought in Bernie Hicks as defensive coordinator, Carl Meier as backup and Josh Weisberg as mentor to get 'Mickey' focussed to develop. And now the newest boost to step up and become an elite outside linebacker has arrived. The last chance to become the star he wants to be is here. Can 'Mickey' handle the pressure?

Questioner (Q): Hello Mike, how's life back in the Netherlands?
Mike Kershner (MK): It's raining now and than, as usual, but we've had a couple of hot days as well. We'll get through it, I think.

Q: Let's throw out the question everybody has out there: What do you think of the hype Bernie Surry is bringing?
MK: We've trained together and Surry is looking good. It looks like he's going to push the rest to step up or ride the bench.

Q: Are you afraid of losing your starting role?
MK: The management keeps saying we all should be afraid. And face it, with the group of 'backers we got, it's five or six guys for three spots in the starting lineup. It'll be a fun camp.

Q: Last season, people called you the weakest link on the pass defense. They defend their words with the 10 catches you allowed in the AOC Championship game. What's your take on that?
MK: I think as a team we played one of our worst games ever. The Plague offense was determined to repeat and we played as rookies. It was never a fair game.

Q: But people pointed the finger in your direction. Bernie Surry and Carl Meier are said to be the better pass defenders.
MK: So? I'm a winner, a survivor, I'll comeback. With all the injuries last season, I have no doubt we'll be handling with it. The fans want me on the field. I'm here to show them why.

Q: But what about the pass defense?
MK: I'm pretty sure we'll be working on it in training camp. I know the zone defense is part of the system, I've got to learn it to play they say. Well, I've got news for you, I'm going to set everything right by sniping the running backs down!

Q: And the pass defense?
MK: Well, I hear Bernie Surry can play it, let's see if he can handle it. I'm expecting they'll let us share time anyway, I'm an explosive guy, can give it only for about 30 to 40 minutes, Surry has the same style of play.

Q: Okay, something different now. Where's the nickname 'Mickey' coming from?
MK: Heh, that's a long story. I'm a Disney fan and I love that black mouse. Mickey Mouse is my idol and I always try to wear something with his picture on it. Whether it's a sock, a baseball cap, a sweat bandage or my boxers.

Q: And with your name being Mike, the link is easy.
MK: Huh? ... Mike, Mickey. ... Wow, good find!

Q: Right.
MK: I love it! That makes the image even cooler! Go Mickey!

Q: The fans have been screaming for you, you were recently polled to be the even more popular than Charles Gomez, Louie Flannery and Justin McDavid.
MK: Yeah, I know. Ain't it cool to be more popualr than the quarterbacks? I think the fans around here justknow who to support. It's not all about offense in football.

Q: What are your plans for 2008?
MK: Well, first I want to survive pre-season injury free. 2007 wasn't fun. I was unable to play in the early games and had to watch the losses to San Antonio and Vicksburg from the sidelines.

Q: That was rough I guess?
MK: For sure. I mean, the team just had no clue how to stop that Ronnie Kemp guy. I tell you, he'd never had ran for over 100 yards with me around, I'd take the guy out before half time.

Q: Then you returned and eventually started 9 games, including the two playoff games.
MK: It was all cool to experience. We trashed Gothenburg, trashed Bordeaux, a fun season after all.

Q: Another question, how's your relationship with Josh Weisberg?
MK: Josh and I are football players, we both play outside linebacker. He's a guy with experience and can teach a lot.

Q: How has his pressence on the team changed things for you?
MK: Well, at first I was afraid he'd start, but later on he turned out to be a cool guy who knows a lot about football. But not as much as Mister Hicks.

Q: Mister Hicks? You mean defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks?
MK: Yeah, mister Hicks. You can tell he's played linebacker at a high level. He knows all about it. I feel I can learn a lot more from him this season.

Q: Coming back to Bernie Surry, will he contribute from it?
MK: Bernie is a young guy, but he's got potential, everybody can see it. With mister Hicks and 'Wizz' [Josh Weisberg] around, everybody can learn to play outside 'backer.

Q: Mike, besides Weisberg, which football players around the league are your heroes?
MK: Myles Sam. That guy is freakin' awesome! I watched him closely when we played at the Chitterlings back in 2006. He's always focussed on the running back, he'll never let him escape when he comes to his side.

Q: When the Merchantmen were taking with Sam, what did you think about it?
MK: Well, I was only thinking how cool it would be to play opposite him on the defensive front. Imagine the best pass rush, with Cody Cluff, Myles Sam and me. I guees 'Elly' [Ellsworth Thelen] wouldn't like to read this, but damn did that sounds awesome.

Q: You think Thelen isn't good enough?
MK: Thelen is a great player, like me a run stopper. But he's not all world stud like Myles Sam. 'Elly' is just behind that kind of level. Thelen is an A, Sam is A+.

Q: The manegement has kept the defense together for 2008, can the top defense in points allowed get any better?
MK: Sure we can. Look at the new guys, we only got better! Erwin [Baranowski], [Broderick] Schultz, [Xavier] Clyburn, Sammie [Kennedy], they're all awesome additions. We've talked about Surry. And the younger guys are also maturing.

Q: You're saying you guys are better?
MK: We can only hope so, but on first look we're better. Look at who are leaving and who are coming back for them. Johnnie Stidham was mister interception two years ago and now, boom, he's supposed to be gone after trainging camp. Same with Desmond Craig, Richard Muller. And in the past with guys like Gus Stoffers, Percy Francis, John Bryant, Scot Dick. The management is doing a good job to keep this defense getting better.

Q: And the offense?
MK: Well, we got Louie Flannery. People all around the league talk big about him and it's hard to argue he's no future star. Randy Harris has slowed down a bit, but with the other guys around him, the offense will be the same.

Q: And then there's special teams. You used to be the gunner, is that your role again in 2008?
MK: That's yet to be seen. It seems we've got a lot of competition for it this year. Cody Cluff is a stud, he's still the #1 guy. We've got Surry now, Lincoln Gilmore, Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Greg' Monti, 'Jelly Belly' [Jerry Beyer]...

Q: Enough guys who can play it?
MK: Exactly.

Q: Okay, we're running out of time. Last question: how do you explain the huge fan base? The Merchantmen have the biggest attendance figures in the IHOF?
MK: Well, I hear ticket prices have been the same for three seasons and we're winning games now. We'll gone from the doormat of the league to the surprize of the league. People love that.

Q: Even in the Netherlands?
MK: Especially in the Netherlands! It's a small country, they're the ultimate underdogs. It's all about being part of the Merchantmen. We worked hard to get here, from worst team to second best of the AOC.

Q: Point taken. Thanks for you time, Mike. Good luck in 2008.
MK: Thanks.

Q: Let's hope you can go through 2008 injury-free!
MK: That's very kind of you. I hope it too!

MIJB#19 · 05-04-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

I guess you're doing okay with the updating.

LOL. I've outdone my own expectations so far.

MIJB#19 · 05-04-2005, 04:54 PM

Merchantmen Opt To Let Smalley Holdout
Things can get stranger with the week for punter Sean Smalley. One week they trade to get you in the second round of the draft, the next week you're talked into not signing a four-year deal, and then you're facing to sit out the season unsigned. After additional talks, the Maassluis Merchantmen are opting to keep Smalley unsigned until popular long-term punter Roscoe Corrales gets hurt.

General manager and owner M.IJ.B. explains the situation: "We have 61 players we want to bring into pre-season. We don't really need two punters, Smalley just made it a tricky situation for himself. We like the kid, but we won't hesistate to let him wait until we think we need him. Maybe it's a strategy to keep in mind for future holdouts as well. We could have saved us some painful decissions in the past."

Smalley himself was shocked and had a hard time explaining his feelings: "One day they want me, the next they tell me to wait for Roscoe [Corrales] to get hurt. It's confusing." Smalley's agent Stanley Johnson was furious: "They can't do this to players! They're keeping Smalley out of important team building and development stages. But in the end, they are wasting their draft pick, I want the best deal for Sean and we'll play it hard."

To pressure player agent Johnson, the Merchantmen management were rumored to have threatend other players associtated with his agency. Johnson: "There are early indication the team is going to cut ties with some of the players I represent, but I'm professional enough to keep things seperated. I expect the same thing from the Merchantmen management, but the rumors are there."

Stanley Johnson represents 139 players associated with the IHOF and eight of them are on the Maassluis Merchantmen roster. Besides punter Sean Smalley, Johnson's agency represents tight end Arnold Ramirez, wide receiver David Henkel, defensive ends Charles Layfield, Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon, and linebackers Mitch Hoofkin and Josh Weisberg.

Roscoe Corrales, the Merchantmen punter for the past four seasons was also confused. Corrales said: "The future is looking different. Maybe I should have seen this coming, but now the tide is turing, maybe I can have another season in Oranje Haven now. If that's what the player and his agent want..."

Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude pleads for a stress-free environment: "We're about to head into training camp, we can't use this type of sideline stuff. We need to focus everything and need to train on the automatics. Especially if we want to know whether Smalley can replace Corrales."

The Maassluis Merchantmen are allowed to bring 60 players into pre-season. If Smalley remains unsigned, he won't count towards the active 46 players or the 14 inactive players. It would give the team the possibility to sign Smalley after putting a player on injured reserve. This way the team can spare one player from getting released after training camp and basically sign Smalley whenever they need him or have room for him.

MIJB#19 · 05-05-2005, 12:04 PM

Merchantmen Sign Call, Release Gale And Layfield
Just days before training camp, the Maassluis Merchantmen made three roster moves to complete the traning camp roster to 69 players. Guard Alphonse Gale was released to make room for former All IHOF guard Jasper Call. Additionally, the team released Charles Layfield and made another contract offer to punter Sean Smalley in hopes he'll sign in-time to be able to participate in training camp.

Alphonse Gale never played a game for the Merchantmen, but has some history with the team after spending the 2007 pre-season with the team. Gale was then released days before going into the regular season. For 2008, Gale was expected to battle for a roster spot again, but he turned in for mini-camps out of shape and the team management felt he would be unable to make the team.

Charles Layfield has spent only part of this off-season on the Merchantmen roster. Layfield was expected to be the fifth defensive end going into pre-season, but he became expendable after he showed up out of shape. Additionally, the Merchantmen drafted another defensive end in Brenden Henderson to compete for the pre-season roster spot.

Jasper Call is the new face in town. Call will be battling with Brian Hammond for the backup job behind Butch White and Timothy Lacy. In 2004, Call earned All IHOF second team honors in his first of four years of service with the Springfield Isotopes. Last season he fell into a backup role and became expendable this off-season. Call's lack of interest to protect his quarterback might break him up, but his run blocking makes up for the loss. Aged 36, Call is expected to be a one or two year backup at best.

MIJB#19 · 05-06-2005, 04:06 PM

Merchantmen Staff Happy About Training Camp
The Maassluis Merchantmen are ready for 2008, or so do the coordinators on each end of the ball believe. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude tempers the positive sentiments, but can't hide his optimism. Punter Sean Smalley is still holding out and seems to go unsigned for a long time. And the team is still searching for a new backup running back as Scott Bagley couldn't impress the manament.

The offensive side of the ball looked good. Randy Harris looked a bit slower than the past season, but other players looked better than ever. Fullback Jamel Rosenberry made blocks, Timothy Lacy was dominant on the right side of the line and Mel Atkins made a push for making the 53-men roster once again. Offensive coordinator Antonio Francis was praised but also tempered the sentiments: "The running backs are not making progress as we want, I hope it's not going to break us up." The most kudos went to Henry Poston, who's making a statement as being a capable backup fullback.

On the defensive side, coordinator Bernie Hicks looked happier than ever. "I'm impressed by the defensive tackles, while Mike Kershner and Bernie Surry are pumping eachother up for the regular season." In the secondary, Broderick Schultz and Lincoln Gilmore looked amazing as a safety duo, making people wonder why Schultz was ever concidered a bust. Second-year player Sammie Kennedy also looked good and made a case for being on the depth chart as at least a dime back.

Headcaoch Leroy Van Der Woude was happy, but also pointed out that anything can happen: "Everybody around the IHOF has seen other teams fall. The Conyers Condors went from conference champs to 4-12, the Orlando Knights from a lock for the playoffs to cellar dwellars. We lost some depth at running back, but have gotten better in depth at the offensive line, in the secondary and we have Thad Pilkington as the perfect backup quarterback."

Missing for camp was punter Sean Smalley. The second round pick and 63rd overall selection in the 2008 draft once again didn't sign the contract offer the Merchantmen management showed him. General manager M.IJ.B. said: "Smalley missed some important steps in the team proces. With this attitude, he's not going to be part of the team soon." As announced earlier, the team will leaves Smalley unsigned until veteran Roscoe Corrales gets hurt or until they have room on the team due to injuries at other positions.

The other second round pick, Scott Bagley did sign his rookie contract, but hasn't set the world on fire yet. Bagley looked good in special teams drills, but his running game is a bit predicatble. General manager M.IJ.B. said: "Scott has the elusiveness to make big plays, but his speed and power are lacking. But more importantly, he's seemingly lacking enough skill to find the holes in the defense yet, he's got to work on that to win us over."

With Bagley not completely fullfilling expectations, the Merchantmen have sent out an advertisement as looking for a backup running back. The team knows that the likes of Tyrell Mahoney, Kyle Montoya, Desmond Carlisle and Scott Bagley would qualify as good reserves all around the league, but they want more. In 2007, Rodger Mowery showed that having a former 1,000-yard back as the #2 guy can do wonders. Additionally, the team has plans to let Jamel Rosenberry take over the backup duties if no better alternative is found.

With the traning camp over, the Merchantmen also announced a list of eight names of players who should be looking out for a job elsewhere. Quarterback Irv Woodson, wide receiver David Henkel, center Christian Reichel, defensive end Brenden Henderson, defensive tackle Eric Griffin, linebacker Mitch Hoofkin, cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller are listed as up for trade. Quarterback Mel Atkins and linebacker Daniel Ruelas were informed that they should be aware that the team will try to pick up two free agents to take their roster spots.

MIJB#19 · 05-07-2005, 11:49 AM

Merchantmen Sign 1000-Yd Runner Curran And Tackle King
Two days before the IHOF pre-season kicks of, the Maassluis Merchantmen presented two new faces to the team. Running back Arthur Curran and left ackle Alfonso King join the team on a one-year minimum salary contract. These moves boost the team to 70 players under contract, excluding hold-out punter Sean Smalley. The management is pleased with these signings and wanted to point out to other players on roster their jobs are not safe until the 53-men cut day is over.

Arthur Curran brings experience to the backfield. The 31-year old runner started his IHOF career with the Fairbanks NorthStars and earned a championship ring with them. During the 2005 season he was traded to the Syracuse Mohawks. In both 2005 and 2006 he ran for over 1,000 yards, while totalling 17 touchdowns. In 2007 Curran dropped on the depth chart and became a free agent this off-season. Curran will battle with three younger running backs for one or two roster spots for the 2008 season.

Alfonso King kicked his career off with the San Luis Obispo Burn. The 33-year old left tackle played there for three seasons. King started 14 games during the 2005 season, but hasn't started in a regular season IHOF game since. In 2007, King was hired by the Fredrick Red Menace and started in the playoff game against the Chesapeake Chitterlings. King is unlikely to survive the 53-men roster cut day, but if he will, he'll be asked to mentor young Norman Holliday.

The addition of both players stirred up the discussion on which ten players will be released going into the first pre-season game. The names of linebacker Daniel Ruelas and quarterback Mel Atkins were mentioned already, but now the other backup running backs and offensive tackles have to fear for their jobs. Especially tackle Harrison Bolden looks up for release, despite having a stellar training camp. The Merchantmen management expects to announce the release of ten players a day before the first pre-season game at the Williamsburg Colonials.

MIJB#19 · 05-09-2005, 03:02 PM

General Manager Notes
Hello everybody, let me give you a little update on what's going on lately.

First of all, we signed two new players and with that I created a tougher decission day to go down fro 70 to 60 players. Against my usual habits, I've decided to release the 10 players before game day and not on game day. The downside is that these guys could be picked up for game day, but I think shortening the trade options period with a day helps to give me a shot at trading the players. I've offered to trade all ten casualties for just one draft pick, even if it's just a 2011 seventh round pick. How's that on losing value?

Well, looking at the team, some of he guys are total scrubs. I mean, QB Irv Woodson, C Chris Reichel, LB Daniel Ruelas, DE Brenden Henderson and LB Mitch Hoofkin are not going to make the starting lineup elsewhere. On the other hand, Henderson has the best overall potential of all our defensive ends while Ruelas and Hoofkin were our emergency linebackers last season. And the other five guys up for release are guys I'd really liked to keep.

CB Johnnie Stidham has a reputation in Maassluis. Stid' became Mister Interception in 2006 when he made 7 picks for us. Stid' is the Merchantmen all time leader and will likely be that still until after the upcoming season. He's been a great guy and could still work out on the system, but we've added some elite zone defenders and Stid' just isn't that.

FS Richard Muller once was a game winner for us. In 2005 he helped a lot in the revival from 1-15 to a 7-9 team. Too bad repetetitive concussion syndrome destryed his career here, but that's how things go. He could help out on other teams as a backup, but so far nobody wants him...

WR David Henkel has scored 6 touchdowns as the # 3 receiver for Vicksburg in 2005 and sadly never worked out with us. Mister big-play was about to be cut last season, but injury and league rules forced him onto the injured reserve list. Too bad, he deserved better than that.

RT Harrison Bolden hasn't even played for us, but after a great training camp he was almost a potential starter. Yeah, almost. We signed him on a one-year deal and didn't expect Norman Holliday to have a good camp or to be able to acquire a mentor for Holliday for pre-season. I would have loved to have our team hand him his tird championship ring in four years, but that won't happen now, will it?

DT Eric Griffin is a guy who I tried to get before drafting Shaun Shiroma and Andrew Rasmussen. Go figure, now he's here and I prefer the two second-year guys over him. If only Brooklyn had traded the bum to me in the 2007 off-season, Shiroma had never been a Merchantmen and Griffin would have been a starter wit us today. Oh well, I guess he was at the wrong place in the wrong time. I even forgot he was on our roster right now...

Okay, so, we're heading into the pre-season with 60 players signed and one hold-out, then what? Well, we've got 6 running backs and one or two will leave the team. We also signed a couple of short-term mentors earlier on, who will be kicked off the team as well in the process. And we don't know who will get injured yet. So nothing is 100% sure.

In pre-season, our youngsters will be starting and get mentored as well. So, some of our potential starters will in fact be starting. Jerry Beyer, Scott Bagley, Aaron Sherrill, Omar Gougeon, Andy Weliczka, Andrew Rasmussen, Bernie Surry, Mike Kershner and Myron Stevens are all going to start in the road game at the Williamsburg Colonials.

We did inactivate 14 players by the way. The names of Randy Harris, Jamel Rosenberry, Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Timothy Lacy, Ivan Jacques, Cornelius Rice, Cary Coles, Erwin Baranowski, Charles Gomez, Ellsworth Thelen, Tai Wayne, Lincoln Gilmore and Broderick Schultz will be missing on the active roster.

That's it for now, more to come when the releases are made final.

MIJB#19 · 05-10-2005, 09:21 AM

Irregular Interviewing: Randy Harris
Quick, name the ten best running backs in IHOF history. The average fan will come up with Billy 'Bam Bam' Jamerson, Gerald Harris, Huey Gervais, Ronnie Kemp and Raymond Flowers as the top five. Behind them, the likes of Jerry McGee, Bud Pitts, Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins and Joe Boulware could show up. And we're simply going past the likes of Dan Mobley, William 'Chunder' Wood, Israel Mars, Shannon Fitzhume, Phillip Hough, Garrett Freitas, James Cull and Mark Halley. There's plenty of qualifying runners in the IHOF.

The Maassluis Merchantmen fans have their own hero. Running from behind the hyped quarterbacks Justin McDavid and Louie Flannery, the Merchantmen have their own star. A guy who ran for at least 1,000 yards in each of the first four IHOF seasons. A guy who still holds the single-game rushing touchdowns record since week three of the 2004 season. A guy who ranks seventh all-time in touchdowns scored and in rushing yards. A guy who ranks first in receiving touchdowns amongst running backs. A guy names Randy Harris.

Questioner (Q): Hello Randy, thanks for joining us.
Randy Harris (RH): My pleasure. They told me the fans want to hear my stories, so I'm here to tell something about me.

Q: What do you think the fans want to know? What kind of ice crea you like?
RH: I'm a banana split fan. I found a good local restaurant in Maassluis where they make a tasty banana split. But I can't give away the name of it or all the fans will join me. [Laughs]

Q: Okay Randy, you like banana splits, but what's your take on splitting time?
RH: I see where you're going.

Q: You're not getting younger. Rumors are you lost some of your speed and stamina. The Merchantmen even drafted a running back!
RH: They did so in three of the four drafts. Running back has always been a need area, or so it seems. It worked out all well last season with Rodger Mowery. I think the team wanted to have a similar kind of player to replace him.

Q: Is Scott Bagley the new Rodger Mowery?
RH: Hard to say, he's yet to play a down for the team. With the pre-season, he'll get some time to show what he's worth. He's developed a bit and I think he'll be able to be a good backup type of player.

Q: What do you think of Arthur Curran? Is he capable of learning you and the youngsters some stuff?
RH: Curran is the guy who showed the league that any running back can be a 1,000 yarder as long as he's with the right system. If anybody can teach other backs how to run, he can.

Q: Who do you see make the final roster at running back?
RH: That's an aweful question. How can I say something like: "I think Kyle (Montoya) is a great guy, but doesn't lack the speed?" It's going to be an all open race between the four guys. As far as I know, only Scott (Bagley) and I are already written in for the 53-men roster.

Q: How do you like the chances for the upcoming season for the team? Will the Merchantmen stay where they are as a final four candidate, or was 2007 really a fluke?
RH: A fluke? I'm not sure about that. The team has worked hard on things like cohesion and chemistry. The game plan has been working last season and the management has managed to stick the team together. I'll miss Rodger Mowery, but he's probably the only guy to leave on offense.

Q: And Shane Bower was replaced with Thad Pilkington.
RH: True. Shane was unlucky in his timing to get here. From the moment the team traded for him, he was tagged the ultimate Justin McDavid clone. Try to live up to being a clone of the most popular player. It's impossible for a new guy.

Q: How's Thad getting accustomed to life in the Netherlands?
RH: I think you should ask him personally, really. So far, I think Thad and Louie (Flannery) are making it a close battle for the starting job. Everbody knows Louie will be our quarterback next season, but Thad brings quarterback game time experience we never had before on the team.

Q: What's the secret of the Merchantmen?
RH: The trading spree.

Q: Are you serious?
RH: What's the trait of the Merchantmen?

Q: Trading?
RH: Exactly! The management has brought in the right players for the system over the years and change the system accordingly. We look like world beaters, but we're still the same football players. Together as a team, with everybody doing their trick, we can beat everybody.

Q: Except the North Plainfield Plague.
RH: Yes, except the Plague... In week three, we'll go into their house again and try to avenge the previous beatings they gave us.

Q: Even Charles Gomez and the top defense in the league couldn't keep the Plague from winning that game.
RH: Yeah. Well, that's one of those things. We've got a great team, but if things go bad, things will get ugly and we can lose really big. We've gotten used to taking an early lead and defending it. That's what we do best.

Q: And that's where the great ground game comes in.
RH: Yes. It's no coincidence the ground game production went up with the number of victories going up. Don't get me wrong, we're not winning due to our ground game alone, it works in both directions.

Q: The more you win, the more you run, and the more you win?
RH: Exactly. With the offensive line and Jamel (Rosenberry) blocking for me, it's a lot easier than in the early days. Not to let the 2004 line down, they all worked hard, but simply didn't have the talent guys like Ivan Jacques, Timothy Lacy and the rest bring.

Q: And that's it? There's no other secret about the Merchantmen?
RH: Well, I could say that the drugs policy is less tight around here, but hat would be a typical American point of view joke. Living around here for four years, you find out things are different. There are no hookers on every street corner either. There are only drugs dealers on every corner. [Harris winks with his eye.]

Q: Okay, something a bit different now. We've talked about team success. You are a popular player, but yet you seem to go under the radar and silently be an elite running back.
RH: Perhaps. I think the other running backs and run-oriented teams will have the respect for me. It's true that I'm not being scouted as a top 10, top 20 running back, but it's up to me to prove everybody wrong. I work hard for the team and it seems to work, given the stats.

Q: Will you ever lead the league in something?
RH: I hear I'm leading the league in receiving touchdowns amongst running backs and I got that big game against the Giants back in 2004. People know me, I think. Everytime somebody opens the record book, my name is there. It's nice, but not important today.

Q: What is important today?
RH: Winning the league title. We were two wins away from it last season, 2/3rd of the league has never been that close. It's ought to be worth something.

Q: But with you slowing down a bit, is that still possible?
RH: I'll do my best, work hard as always and try to make plays. Or else the other guys will have to step up. We don't have world beating running backs, but all the guys around are good enough to be a number three guy somewhere.

Q: Okay, it sounds like you're confident for the next season.
RH: I am, we're still the same team, except a bit better on defense. The defense will help out and make things easier for the offense. I hope we can take advantage again and score three touchdowns per game.

Q: With one on your account.
RH: It doesn't matter, we're a team, you know? Stats are nice, like I said earlier, but the ultimate goal is still 18 or 19 games. We can only hope to go 19-0 for the season.

Q: Any final word for the fans?
RH: I hope we can win more than just 5 games at home this season. It was the only downer of last season, to win only 5 games and a playoff game at home.

Q: Okay, thanks for you time Randy and good luck next season.
RH: No problem.

MIJB#19 · 05-10-2005, 01:20 PM

Merchantmen Waive Ten Players
It was a tough speech, but inevitable. Today, the Maassluis Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. called the staff and players for the inevitable release of 10 players to reach the pre-season limit of 60 players under contract. The eventual names didn't come as a surprise as the names were mentioned already immediately after training camp. The remaining players and the rest of the staff left for the first pre-season game at the Williamsburg Colonials.

A tear glanced in his eye when Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. did his thank you speech towards the end of reading the list of ten released players. Quarterback Irv Wooden, wide receiver David Henkel, center Christian Reichel, tackle Harrison Bolden, defensive end Brenden Henderson, defensive tackle Eric Griffin and linebackers Daniel Ruelas and Mitch Hoofkin were mentioned, but not with the same pain as the last two players. Cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller have gone through ups and downs with the team before.

Owner M.IJ.B. wished the players luck in their search for a new job: "We tried to find you all a new home. The league is not thrilled about trading at this stage of the season, but I've got good hopes that some of you will be employed again soon enough." Of the ten casualties, all are expected to find a new team during pre-season, except for quarterback Irv Wooden, wide receiver David Henkel and maybe the defensive linemen Eric Griffin and Brenden Henderson.

To show the contrast, the remaining 60 players left for the USA to play the first pre-season game, while the released players joined the same flight. In the USA, the Merchantmen will play the Williamsburg Colonials. The home team will show their new uniforms in their first game after the name change. In Williamsburg, the former substitute general manager for the Maassluis Merchantmen, Wademoore is in charge of the hiring and firing of people.

The team may have gone to the USA with 60 players, but 14 of them won't be active during the game. Most of those 14 are the top players of the team, who are given time to rest and to avoid injury. Surprizingly quarterback Louie Flannery was activated, but it's yet to be seen how much action he will see. Flannery said: "I'm probably going to guard the Gatorade tank together with Cody Cluff."

Back in the Netherlands, punter Sean Smalley is waiting for a phone call. Hesistant to sign a four-year contract, Smalley will have a hard time to be signed this season. The ask and demand difference is big and the Merchantmen management has already decided that Smalley isn't as important as he seem to think he is. "Sean should think about the situation. We'd like to have him on the team the coming four seasons, but he rather wants a shorter deal, he's going to have to wait until fan favorite Roscoe Corrales gets hurt."

Most interesting in the pre-season will be the positional battles. In Maassluis, the battle will mainly be focussed on the running backs. Tyrell Mahoney, Desmond Carlisle, Kyle Montoya and Arthur Curran will fight to survive roster cuts, while Scott Bagley joins the group in the battle for the premier backup role. Besides that battle, there will be an eye on the offensive linemen, where one or two players will be released after pre-season. And last but not least is the third quarterback role, battled between Justin McDavid and Mel Atkins.

MIJB#19 · 05-12-2005, 06:43 AM

Merchantmen Fumble To Loss Against Colonials
The first Maassluis Merchantmen pre-season game of the 2008 IHOF season is in the books. The Merchantmen lost 10-13 at the Williamsburg Colonials in a close game. Crucial in the game was the Merchantmen's return of fumblitis. A 94-yard fumble return for a touchdown accounted for the Colonials only touchdown. Justin McDavid once again showed his pre-season reputation with a good stats line. The worst news was the injury to Mike Kershener.

The 2008 season start is coming soon and the Merchantmen looked back on track. Without some of the best players, the second string offensive players showed the normal trend. In a good first drive of the game, it was quarterback Justin McDavid who guided the team to a 7-0 lead. A 7-yard pass to Scott Bagley made McDavid look like his usual pre-season form. It also marked the only score of the first quarter of the game.

In the second quarter, the Colonials offense got a bit going. Ex-Merchantmen quarterback Shane Bower let his revenge sentiments boil up and he made good decissions. Bower completed 4 of 5 passes for 52 yards to set up a 30-yard field goal from xxx Burch. It also marked the 7-3 halftime score as neither team came close to scoring after that. Burch missed a 51-yard kick for the home team, while Al Bettis missed a 59-yard kick with 5 seconds left to play.

In the second half, an old problem returned in the Merchantmen offense. In the 2004 season, fumbles haunted the team more than once and it showed up in this pre-season game. Scott Bagley fumbled mid-way the third quarter and possession was lost. Lucky for Bagley, the Colonials immediately fumbled the ball back. But as the Merchantmen marched toward the endzone in the next plays, Kyle Montoya fumbled on an attempt to score and xxx Payton returned the ball for 94 yards and a 10-7 Colonials lead.

After several defensive highlights, the Merchantmen offense got back on track. Now quarterback by Mel Atkins, the Merchantmen moved up from their own 25-yard line towards the 13-yard line. Atkins completed 5 of 7 passes for 45 yards and saw Al Bettis kick in the 10-10 score on a 30-yarder. And as the Merchantmen defense forced a three-and-out next, Atkins was given a shot at winning the game afterall.

After Kyle Montoya broke through for a nice 12-yard run, Mel Atkins decided to gamble a bit. Atkins tried to connect with Montoya, but the ball was intercepted by xxx May and possession was lost. The Colonials took advantage a bit and marched forward. They were stopped halfway their route, but xxx Burch's 50-yard fied goal gave the home team a 13-10 lead with just 19 seconds left to play. Atkins failed to complete a hail mary to Devin Henson and the game was over.

Justin McDavid spoke of a good game with an undeserved final score: "Things clicked and had we done a better job avoiding turnovers, this would have been a small victory." McDavid completed 13 of 21 passes for 137 yards and was arguably the best Merchantmen player in stats. McDavid did get sacked once and fumbled once as well. McDavid: "Fumblitis... I'll never get that image away. The thing to do was showing I can pass the ball and be worth a roster spot when the season starts."

Besides the loss, the injuries to two players were the bad news of the game. Safety John Cole hurt his elbow and is expected to play a backup role in the next pre-season game at home against the Asheville Axemen. More troublesome could be the knee injury linebacker Mike Kershner picked up. The team expects to inactivate Kersher for the remainder of the pre-season to have him fit for game one against the Gothenburg Giants.

Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. wanted to only see the good things: "(receiver) Devin Henson looked good and may have proven he can be our #4 receiver. (running back) Kyle Montoya did well, aside from the fumble. (running back) Scott Bagley played 'Harrish'. And (punter) Roscoe Corrales showed we made a good decission to keep him around until he gets hurt."

Most interesting moment of the Maassluis-Williamsburg meeting was not during but after the game. Justin McDavid had to sign his autograph on an orange #3 jersey. That alone is no news, unless the wearer of the replica is the owner of the other team. Colonials owner Wademoore looked happier with the ink on his shirt than the outcome of the game. But rumors on a trade of McDavid to Williamsburg were denied by both owners. McDavid just smiled and knows his popularity could make him a Merchantmen player until the end of his career. If only he could stop fumbling...

MIJB#19 · 05-12-2005, 10:55 AM

Breaking News: Merchantmen Acquire Running Back Schoen
In an unexpected move, the Maassluis Merchantmen today announced the acquisition of running back Joseph Schoen from the Georgia Gridlock. The Merchantmen say goodbye to running back Tyrell Mahoney (drafted in 2007) and wide receiver Jules Benedict (acquired through trade in 2007). The Merchantmen also gave up three future draft picks for two picks from Georgia. Schoen ran for 1,031 and 1,045 yards the past two seasons and is expected to play as a time-sharer with Randy Harris in Maassluis. The Merchantmen will come with more news later today...

MIJB#19 · 05-12-2005, 01:20 PM

Merchantmen Present Schoen And Bush
The regualr season roster looked ready, but all of a sudden the management decided differently. With a trade and a free agent signing, the Maassluis Merchantmen changed their roster at two spots. Running back Joseph Schoen replaces running back Tyrell Mahoney, while wide receiver Jules Benedict was replaced by defensive end Bubba Bush. Bush was hired as a free agent, while the other three players were involved with a trade between the Merchantmen and the Georgia Gridlock.

Joseph Schoen is the new kid on the block to threaten the role of fan favorite Randy Harris. Schoen is only 25 years old, but has already two 1,000-yard seasons with the Georgia Gridlock on his resume. In 64 games for the Gridlock, Schoen ran for 3,631 yards and 16 touchdowns. Schoen never excelled as a receiver, as is show by the 43 receptions for 210 yards in his career. Schoen also has a reputation as a return specialist, especially in punt returning. Additional note: Schoen's nickname 'The Shoe' refers to 'schoen' being dutch for 'shoe'.

Bubba Bush is a 26-year old defensive end. Bush was drafted by the Gothenburg Giants in the 2006 draft, 4 picks before Omar Gougeon was taken by the Merchantmen. Bush signed a one-year deal, but will be restricted in the next off-season, providing he's still around by then. Bush never played a big role for the Giants. In two seasons, Bush started only once and recorded no sacks in 12 games. Bush will be active for the entire pre-season and might luck into a roster spot if injuries hit hard.

Jules Benedict was a well appreciated wide receiver with the Merchantmen. During the 13-3 campaign, Benedict played in all games and started once. The sole start came ironically against the team he played for during the previous three seasons, the RayCo Raiders. Benedict recorded 26 receptions for 338 yards in 2007. Benedict's highlight in Maassluis was a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the 40-13 victory over the Gothenburg Giants in week 15.

Tyrell Mahoney was drafted as a hot prospect but time was very short for him to prove he's a worthy backup player. Mahoney was picked in the fifth round of the 2007 draft and was eventually active in 14 regular season games. Mahoney ran 4 times for 15 yards as the number three running back behind 1,000-yard backs Randy Harris and Rodger Mowery on the epth chart. Mahoney was known for his hard working attitude and the pretty good progress he made over time. But the addition of Schoen made him expendable and being traded to Georgia improves his chances to make some noise in the IHOF.

MIJB#19 · 05-16-2005, 05:30 PM

Merchantmen Back In Winning Mood
The Maassluis Merchantmen are back in the land of the winning teams. With a 27-22 victory, the Merchantmen beat the Asehville Axemen in an exhibition game. Justin McDavid excelled in his own pre-season fashion with a great passing game and handing over the curse of fumblitis. The defense allowed a lot of yards, but shined with key plays in the red zone. Defensive linemen Albert Bernardo and Andrew Rasmussen got hurt and might miss the season start.

It was only pre-season, but for the Merchantmen fans it was a game like always. 72,400 people attended the game and saw the home team win in an exciting game of football. With Al Bettis' 28-yard field goal in the last second of the first half and Scott Bagley's rushing touchdown in the last minute, the game came down to the last moments of the hour of play. The Axemen took the lead at three occasions, but didn't take care of turnover as they should have.

Justin McDavid took the game MVP honors. McDavid may be a popular face in Oranje Haven, but he did show up with 13 of 18 passes completed for 123 yards and a touchdown. McDavid didn't commit a turnover, for a change, but his three skill players with returning specialities did. Scott Bagley (twice), Jerry Beyer and Devin Henson have picked up the fumblitis and the fans are already in awe to think of another fumbles loaded season. Bagley already fumbled four times in two pre-season games now.

As the offense tried to fumble the game away, the defense didn't mind to let the Axemen come. Interceptions from Myron Stevens and Xavier Clyburn saved the day, but more crucial was how the defense forced 18-yard and 20-yard field goals in stead of a touchdown. Fullback Jackson Sloane accounted for two touchdown receptions in the third quarter and looked happy to contribute for a change. But eventually Ellsworth Thelen (10 tackles) and his defense made key plays at the right moments.

Sadly for the team, two more defensive players got hurt. Linebacker Mike Kershner will be joined on the inactive list by defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen, while Albert Bernardo will play. Rasmussen suffered a torn calf muscle and is expected to not return after the bye in week four. Bernardo was diagnoses with a broken nose, but should be able to play and ready to go in the season opener against the Gothenburg Giants.

Last but not least, following the injuries to Rasmussen and Bernardo, the Merchantmen hired defensive tackle Andre Cofield as a potential addition to the team. Cofield is still a rookie and was drafted last in the sixth round of the past draft by the North Plainfield Plague. Cofield is still very green, but has the potential to become a very good pass rusher with some good run defense skills.

The management is still determining what will be done to go down to 46 active and 14 inactive players for the road game at the Frederick Red Menace. The team is opting to either release Andre Cofield or defensive end Bubba Bush, but it seems Bush is fitting on the team system and with 4 tackles and 1 sack he made a case for a longer stay. Cofield might be moved to defensive end, but that doesn't resolve the issue. Worst case, the team will release another player that was already unlikely to make the final 53-men roster.

MIJB#19 · 05-17-2005, 02:38 PM

Merchantmen Drop To 1-2 In Pre-Season
Coming back to Maassluis, the Merchantmen won't have a winning record in the 2008 pre-season. With a 23-20 victory, the Frederick Red Menace defended their home soil well. Justin McDavid once again made good decissions at quarterback, but more fumbles make the coaching staff worried. The defense looked hopeless and has a lot to improve in the regular season. Injuries hit again as rookie Scott Bagley joins the list of inactive players for the last pre-season game.

Lenny Roberts wants more playing time and with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns the running back has a case. Running through the decent Merchantmen defense, Roberts was the key element in a 23-20 victory. In the end the score was even closer than the game was as the Red Menace wasted a 20-0 lead and allowed 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Justin McDavid once again enjoyed wearing the orange-white-and-blue outfit. McDavid quarterbacked his men well as he completed 18 of 28 passes for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns versus 1 interception. McDavid connected with Charlie Martins, Jerry Beyer and Alfredo Rhodes for the scores McDavid even worked his butt off for others as he recovered a fumble of a teammate.

But as McDavid recovered a fumble, it was one of three own recoveries. Like in the previous two pre-season games, the Merchantmen as a team combined for four fumbles and the stories of the curse of Fumblin' Justin boiled up again. Gregory Monti and Desmond Carlisle joined the list of players with a fumble. Kyle Montoya and Jerry Beyer added their second fumble of the pre-season.

But as the offense fumbled, the defense looked even more hopeless. While allowing 440 total yards concerns are rising about how great the system can be in Maassluis. It may have been pre-season, but the Merchantmen started a lot of potential starters, including some true starters. Allowing 237 yards for the entire game, the pressure is on Charles Gomez, Cody Cluff and Lincoln Gilmore even more during the regular season.

Rookie Scott Bagley will likely miss the regular season start. The kickoff return specialised running back picked up a nasty back injury and is listed as out for the next pre-season game. Bagley joins defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen on the list of players tagged as 'out'. Albert Bernardo and Mike Kershner are expected to return in time for regular season action.

Who will play in the last pre-season game is still a mystery. The team management has spoken with the coaching staff about the option to let the starters handle the home game against the Miami Sharks. But seeing the trend in recent games, the Merchantmen are likely to stick with the current depth chart and let the backups and youngsters handle the pre-season.

MIJB#19 · 05-17-2005, 04:10 PM

General Manager Notes
Here we go, we're a week closer to the regular season!

Okay, our backups and youngsters are 1-2 this pre-season and it's tough to say we're doing great so far. Looking at the fumbling alone, that's probably the worst thing of it all: four fumbles in every single game. What the pre-season is mostly about is testing out some of our new players. Who are the new faces and what have they done so far?

QB Thad Pilkington
Thad is Thad. And Thad stands for fourth quarter comeback victories. Well, I wanted to test him and made him second stringer versus Frederick. Guess what? Our headcoach decided to give Justin McDavid a full game to play and Thad has yet to make a snap for our team.

RB Joseph Schoen
'The Shoe' is finally a Merchantmen player. Well, he's yet to be as we deactivated him so far. I'm interested to see him in action and with other injuries, the Shoe is going to be active at home against Miami.

RB Desmond Carlisle
Mr. Irrelevant of the 2006 draft has seen some action and it's easy to say he didn't impress so far. With 45 yards rushing on 18 carries, Carlisle hasn't been a running threat so far. And with one fumble in those carries, he didn't set himself up to make the final 53-men roster at all.

RB Kyle Montoya
The comeback kid. Kyle is back and determined to make the 53-men roster for the third time in four seasons. Montoya ran for 90 yards on 16 carries already. Sadly for him, the 2 fumbles are not making a case for him to be worth sticking around.

RB Scott Bagley
Mister kickoff return is trying to show he can contribute as a rookie. And with 2 total touchdowns, Bagley has been doing well so far. 117 yards rushing with a 4.3 yard per carry average ain't bad at all. His kickoff return skills didn't show up, but what did show up is a case of fumblitis. Bagley lost the ball four times in 33 ball carries. That can't be good...

C Heath Ferebee
We didn't really need a new backup center, but so far the pass protection expert is proving why he was a full time start so far in the IHOF. With 4 key run blocks and 1 sack allowed, Ferebee shows decent numbers and is a welcome addition to the pack of offensive linemen.

G Jasper Call
How often can you get a former All IHOF guard on the free agent market so easily? Well, Call has a pass protection problem, he can't do it. So far we saw nothing of that. Call didn't allow a sack and did show his run blocking with 6 run blocks.

DE Erwin Baranowski
Welcome to the team Erwin. We wanted Baranowski to be our new #3 defensive end and he's going to be that. Well, he should be as it seems we picked up competition recently. And Bara' has not been given the opportunity to show his trait yet.

DE Bubba Bush
Bubba wants Bara's job. And he's making a case for it so far. The free agent signing is well developed and with 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries in 2 games he's doing a decent pass rush job. Bush even recorded a defended pass and 6 tackles already.

LB Bernie Surry
Hello breakout rookie! Well, Surry will know it and the spotlights will be on him. In three games so far, Surry made 14 tackles and 8 assists. But more importantly, Surry couldn't help on the pass defense or pass rush so far. And with the play Ellsworth Thelen and Carl Meier are showing, Surry may be riding the bench at the season start.

CB Xavier Clyburn
3 games, 2 interceptions. Say "Hi!" to our new interception specialist people! Clyburn has yet to make a defended pass, but that's okay if he can make interceptions. It looks like Clyburn will be more than just a nickelback for us.

CB Sammie Kennedy
Here's a downer. Kennedy should develop into a zone defense specialist, but so far he's not producing the goods. Kennedy allowed 4 catches and didn't defend or intercept a pass yet. As a punt returner, Kennedy will have a shot to show his trick next game, but he's unlikely to become our #2 guy in that. And as a dimeback, we got Myron Stevens on the team, who had 1 interception and 4 defended passes already this pre-season.

FS Broderick Schultz
Oh boy, here's our new sidekick to Lincoln Gilmore. So far Schultz hasn't done anything special, while Emile William defended 3 passes. It looks like Schultz will be a backup against the Gothenburg Giants in week one.

Others
RB Arthur Curran, FB Luke Smelser, WR Alfredo Rhodes, LT Alfonso King were hired to be mentoring the youngsters. They've done their share and will likely be released on the 53-men roster cut day. Curran or Rhodes may survive, but Smelser and King are very unlikely to make it.

I think you're all up to date on what's going on so far in Maassluis. Injuries are no big concern so far either. DT Andrew Rasmussen will miss the season start, but he's got a backup role, as will RB Scott Bagley most likely, who was going to be a backup as well. Let's hope we get through the last pre-season game injury-free to defend our European title. Fingers crossed!

MIJB#19 · 05-19-2005, 06:27 PM

Merchantmen Lose Last Pre-Season Game
Despite a good running game and effective passing game in the first half, the Maassluis Merchantmen have ended the pre-season with a loss. The Miami Sharks went into Oranje Haven knowing they won there last year and went back home as 17-10 winners this time. Justin McDavid once again blossomed on a fumbling offense. Carl Meier lead the defense to allow a respectable 261 total yards. The best news were no new injuries to the team, but most eyes were on the players who are likely 53-men roster cut day casualties.

The Sharks did it in 2007 and they did it again in 2008. With a victory in Oranje Haven, they give the Dutch football team's players reason to think about what's going on. With three lost close games, the backups haven't proven to be ready for the season. At least the fans know they can expect better things to happen when the likes of Louie Flannery, Charles Gomez, Randy Harris, Bryce Ewald and Tai Wayne return to action. Nobody will talk about how the Merchantmen came a completed pass short of tying the score.

Justin McDavid ended the pre-season is style, with his fourth consecutive good performance. While completing 14 of 21 passes for 95 yards and running for 33 more yards, McDavid once again showed he can be efficient in the Merchantmen offense. Compared to the newly acquired number two quarterback Thad Pilkington (5 for 15, 80 yards), McDavid even pushed for being re-promoted to the premier backup role. But as a negative, the players around him once again produced fumbles, adding 3 more for a pre-season total of 15.

Linebacker Carl Meier got the kudos all over after the game. With 10 tackles, Meier was the key player on a defense that once again managed to stop the pass. Allowing 11 completed passes on 21 attempts for 108 yards, the pass defense looks ready, even with Tai Wayne and Lincoln Gilmore still inactive. Rookie linebacker Bernie Surry doesn't look ready to help the pass protection, but as long as Mike Kershner, Ellsworth Thelen and Meier don't excel at it, Surry will get a look as the new strong side linebacker.

The good news was that injuries to Bernie Surry and cornerback Winford Endicott were so minor that they will be 100% fit for the official season opener against the Gothenburg Giants this weekend. Running back Scott Bagley (back) and defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen (calf muscle) will surly miss the first game, while defensive end Albert Bernardo will take extra precaution with a broken nose.

Last but not least were the roster spot battles to make the final 53-men roster cut down. Running back Desmonds Carlisle scored a touchdown, but ran for only 20 yards on 10 carries as the feature back. Arthur Curran (46 yards) and Kyle Montoya (45 yards) seem to battle for the fourth running back spot behind Randy Harris, Joseph Schoen and Scott Bagley. Curran fumbled today, but Montoya's two fumbles in earlier games may cost him in the end.

MIJB#19 · 05-19-2005, 06:57 PM

Merchantmen Announce Their Roster Cuts To 53 Men
Even though the official papers haven't been processed by the IHOF's league office yet, the Maassluis Merchantmen have announced their seven released to meet the 53-men roster cut day limitations. Mel Atkins is the only long time Merchantmen player who didn't survive the roster cuts. Joining Atkins into free agency are off-season acquisitions Bubba Bush, Desmond Carlisle, Arthur Curran, Alfonso King, Alfredo Rhodes and Luke Smelser.

Quarterback Mel Atkins joined the Merchantmen in the 2006 off-season. As the management had lost all confidence in the former first round pick quarterback Leonard Lyon, Atkins was acquired in a trade of Lyon from the Springfield Isotopes. But as Atkins was written down as the new starter over the long-term injured Justin McDavid, the Merchantmen added Shane Bower in a trade and drafted Louie Flannery fifth overall. Atkins was only active as a holder in 2006, while in 2007 Atkins was only active as emergency quarterback for the duration of the entire season.

Of the six other casualties, only one was actually concidered as an improvement forover the 2007 roster. Running back Desmond Carlisle was traded in hopes to see him survive roster cuts, but the 2007 IHOF draft's mr. Irrelevant couldn't impress in pre-season. The acquisition of Kyle Montoya (trade), Scott Bagley (draft) and Joseph Schoen (trade) made Carlisle's chances even slimmer. Kyle Montoya may even have survived the cuts due to Bagley's back injury, but the management is unwilling to confirm or deny it.

Defensive end Bubba Bush played well in the pre-season and was scouted as the best end on the team, but the success of the 2007 starters and newcomer Erwin Baranowski's reputation made Bush the fifth wheel on the wagon. Running back Arthur Curran showed glimpses of why he was a 1,000-yard back twice, but couldn't compete with the others. Left tackle Alfonso King, wide receiver Alfredo Rhodes and fullback Luke Smelser were hired for their experience and reputation as mentor.

Maassluis Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. wanted to make sure that the cuts don't mean the team is done this off-season: "We're heading into the season with only four wide receivers and three quarterbacks. It's a tricky situation and injuries there could call for short-term free agent solutions. We got our list of casualites ready, but we might try to make a move here or there earlier than seems logic."

MIJB#19 · 05-19-2005, 07:25 PM

General Manager Notes
And then there were 53 left.

The logic behind the releases was easy for me, but for those needing some explaination here goes! FB Luke Smelser, RB Arthur Curran, WR Alfredo Rhodes and LT Alfonso King were noit good enough as backups, but have mentorship skills and helped to develope our youngsters. Curran also battled with RB Desmond Carlisle for the fourth and last running back spot, but both didn't make it as Kyle Montoya is signed long-term, Montoya produced better and our top backs don't need any mentoring anymore.

QB Mel Atkins had been on the bubble before and I'm willing to risk playing with three quarterbacks. DE Bubba Bush is better than Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon, but the two stole my heart last season and I just don't dare to bench them, yet.

So, how does the list of 53 players look now compared to our European championship roster (excluding players on injured reserve)?

2007	2008
QB Louie Flannery	QB Louie Flannery
QB Shane Bower	QB Thad Pikington
QB Justin McDavid	QB Justin McDavid
QB Mel Atkins	RB/KR Scott Bagley
RB Randy Harris	RB Randy Harris
RB/PR Rodger Mowery	RB/PR/KR Joseph Schoen
RB Tyrell Mahoney	RB Kyle Montoya
FB Jamel Rosenberry	FB Jamel Rosenberry
FB Henry Poston	FB Henry Poston
TE Jim Reiser	TE Jim Reiser
TE Arnold Ramirez	TE Arnold Ramirez
TE/LS Charlie Martins	TE/LS Charlie Martins
WR Bryce Ewald	WR Bryce Ewald
WR Gregory Monti	WR Gregory Monti
WR/PR Jerry Beyer	WR/PR Jerry Beyer
WR/KR Devin Henson	WR/KR Devin Henson
WR Jules Benedict	G Jasper Call
C Brant Heinrich	C Brant Heinrich
C Tom Schwartz	C Heath Ferebee
G Butch White	G Butch White
G Timothy Lacy	G Timothy Lacy
G Brian Hammond	G Brian Hammond
LT Ivan Jacques	LT Ivan Jacques
LT Harold Hurtado	LT Harold Hurtado
RT Cornelius Rice	RT Cornelius Rice
RT Norman Holliday	RT Norman Holliday
P Roscoe Corrales	P Roscoe Corrales & P Sean Smalley
PK Cary Coles	PK Cary Coles
KOK Al Bettis	KOK Al Bettis
DE Omar Gougeon	DE Omar Gougeon
DE Aaron Sherrill	DE Aaron Sherrill
DE Albert Bernardo	DE Albert Bernardo
DE Wally Wilcox	DE Erwin Baranowski
DT Charles Gomez	DT Charles Gomez
DT Andy Weliczka	DT Andy Weliczka
DT Shaun Shiroma	DT Shaun Shiroma
DT Andrew Rasmussen	DT Andrew Rasmussen
MLB Cody Cluff	MLB Cody Cluff
MLB Carl Meier	MLB Carl Meier
OLB Ellsworth Thelen	OLB Ellsworth Thelen
OLB Mike Kershner	OLB Mike Kershner
OLB John Weisberg	OLB John Weisberg
OLB Mitch Hoofkin	OLB Bernie Surry
MLB Daniel Ruelas	FS Broderick Schultz
CB Tai Wayne	CB Tai Wayne
CB Winford Endicott	CB Winford Endicott
CB Myron Stevens	CB Myron Stevens
CB Johnnie Stidham	CB Xavier Clyburn
CB/KR Desmond Craig	CB/PR Sammie Kennedy
SS Lincoln Gilmore	SS Lincoln Gilmore
S Emile William	S Emile William
FS John Cole	FS John Cole
S Lamar Singleton	S Lamar Singleton

And voila, we have 11 new players excluding 1 unsigned rookie going into the 2008 season! Who are they again and what will be their roles?

Scott Bagley - #2 KR, potential #1 KR, #3 RB, potential #2 RB
Erwin Baranowski - #3 DE in a rotation system
Jasper Call - one-year #4 G, 53rd guy
Xavier Clyburn - nickelback, potential starting CB
Heath Ferebee - backup C
Sammie Kennedy - potential starting CB, potential backup PR
Kyle Montoya - #4 RB, potential #3 RB
Thad Pilkington - #2 QB
Joseph Schoen - #2 RB, potential #1 RB, #1 PR, emergency KR
Broderick Schultz - #2 FS, potential #1 FS in rotation
Sean Smalley - potential #1 P in case of injury
Bernie Surry - #1 SLB in rotation

How about a final look at our schedule then? We start with a tough top three games and finished with three relative easy games. The hopes are to be 2-1 into the open weekend and 7-3 going into the last 6 games (of which 5 are at home) to finish the season 12-4. Anything below 10-6 and missing the playoffs would be disappointing now.

wk01 vs Gothenburg Giants (2007: 9-7, #2 Europe)
wk02 at Outer Banks Ospreys (2007: 9-7, conference champs)
wk03 at North Plainfield Plague (2007: 14-2, league champs)
wk04 open
wk05 vs Tucker Tigers (2007: 8-8, 1-0 all time vs Maassluis)
wk06 at Georgia Gridlock (2007: 8-8, 2-0 all time vs Maassluis)
wk07 at Paris Musketeers (2007: 5-11, #4 Europe)
wk08 vs Conyers Condors (2007: 9-7, Fumblin' Justin re-match)
wk09 at Bordeaux Vineyards (2007: 6-10, #3 Europe)
wk10 at Orlando Knights (2007 4-12, Dutch Bowl III)
wk11 at Gothenburg Giants (2007: 9-7, #2 Europe)
wk12 vs Asheville Axemen (2007: 7-9, Thad Pilkington game)
wk13 vs San Antonio Volunteers (2007: 12-4, AOC semi finalists)
wk14 at Miami Sharks (2007: 10-6, division champs)
wk15 vs Bordeaux Vineyards (2007: 6-10, #3 Europe)
wk16 vs Springfield Isotopes (2007: 4-12, Leonard Lyon game)
wk17 vs Paris Musketeers (2007: 5-11, #4 Europe)

MIJB#19 · 05-20-2005, 07:24 PM

IHOF Journalists Put Pressure On Merchantmen
The 2008 IHOF season is about to kick of as the 53-men roster cut day has passed by. The rosters are set and the predictions are flowing around. The Merchantmen owner and part time journalist M.IJ.B. sees a close race with the Gothenburg Giants and the Bordeaux Vineyards. But a poll amongst fulltime IHOF writers shows that half of them expect the Merchantmen to repeat. The pressure is on, the expectations are set higher than ever before.

10-6 and going to the playoffs, that's where the goal is set for 2008 by the ownership. Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. is serious about the demands: "We're coming of a bit of an overperforming season, but we improved our depth and should be able to compete for the post-season tickets." Off the record, the owner was hinting to higher goals, being taking home IHOF Bowl V, but he's not willing to pressure the players and staff that hard. "10-6 and a playoffs berth will be good, a division title and reaching the elite eight would be great."

Looking around the roster, depth may indeed have been increased. At quarterback, Thad Pilkington is a quarterback with experience as a starter and is a clear upgrade. Running from behind the quarterback could be newby Joseph Schoen, who will feature as the new chance of pace back and punt returner. However to acquire Schoen, the Merchantmen gave up depth at wide receiver, trading away Jules Benedict. But with experience veterans added on the offensive line, that loss could be only minor. Benedict was only projected as #4 receiver.

On defense the team added rookie Bernie Surry as the new project to become an anchorman as outside linebacker. When you see the other linebackers, you know Surry will be a better fit in the team philosophy of defense. At defensive end, Erwin Baranowski is an excellent addition for the rotation. And in the secondary three new faces improve the depth significantly. Defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks claimed: "If we lose all of our secondary starters, we're still better off than we were at the start of 2007."

The big question mark is still how good the team can be without the top players, despite the newly acquired depth. Charles Gomez has emerged as the face of the defense and has the reputation of being irreplacable. Linebacker Carl Meier said: "When Gomez is out, we still have a lot of talent, but the way Gomez plays, it's almost like we're having 12 men on the field." The fact that the team went 2-2 with Charles Gomez inactive only defends the hype.

And as Gomez is on defense, on offense Louie Flannery stands out as irreplacable. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude said: "Thad (Pilkington) and Justin (McDavid) have proven several times they can play in this league and win games, but Louie is the kind of guy that brings your offense into the next level." There's still some concern with Flannery's habbit to throw interceptions, but he's said to work on it and having an experienced guy like Thad mentoring him, Flannery is expected to keep his average at one per game or lower.

As depth improved, the team also got older. Were the Merchantmen the youngest team of the league in 2004, in 2008 the average age hits 27 and a half years. Especially on the offensive line, with three backups way into their thirtees, the overall age has moved up. Additionally, the Merchantmen hoped to bring cohesion, but that's where the team is in fact lacking a bit. With a relative low number of new players, the cohesion may have taken a little hit with the several moves, especially in the secondary.

Age, cohesion or expectations, the team will mostly lean on the succes formula of the 2007 season. With the same game plan, the Merchantmen hope to win at least 10 games. With Charles Gomez, Cody Cluff and Lincoln Gilmore as the backbone on defense, things looks excellent there. If the balanced offense can keep the chains moving again, the Masters of Trading could fullfill expectations and be a threat to stop the North Planfield Plague's supremacy.

With three of their toughest games to kickoff the season, the true test comes very early. Gothenburg, Outer Banks and North Plainfield are waiting and they all want to end the hype of the best pass rush and points avoiding defense. It'll be clear soon enough whether the Merchantmen are overrated or just living up to expectations.

MIJB#19 · 05-22-2005, 05:53 PM

The European Title Defense Begins Against The Giants
Get your women and children in safety, the 2008 IHOF season is about to kickoff. The Maassluis Merchantmen get lucky playing at home, however in the Gothenburg Giants they don't have the easiest opponent of the season coming in. Last season this matchup ended the excitement for the European title, this season it's only starting with this game. Maassluis versus Gothenburg, what can we expect?

The Merchantmen have seen two players retire and traded a backup wide receiver. In return they acquired a new quarterback, running back, guard, defensive end, linebacker, two cornerbacks and a safety. What do you mean with a winning team can't be improved, didn't they just do that?

Maybe, but of all the newbies only two are expected to start. The offense is still all of the same, the success last season gave the coaching staff little reason to change things anyway. Louie Flannery makes the calles, Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Gregory Monti and Jerry Beyer make the cacthes, while Randy Harris uses Jamel Rosenberry as his human shield. On the line, Ivan Jacques will be Flannery's body guard, while Butch White, Brant Heinrich, Timothy Lacy and Cornelius Rice pull and push the opposing defensive linemen.

On defense, Charles Gomez hopes to anchor his team for more games, yet hopes the team won't rely on him too much. Shuan Shiroma and Andy Welickza have grown, but don't look ready to be both on the field. Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon had good sack numbers, but also know they're sharing time with Erwin Baranowski and Albert Bernardo. The defensive line is prettu much the same, more mature and ready to prove why they were the league's leading pass rush.

Behind the line, Cody Cluff will sit ready to stuff the running backs. Sidekicked by Ellsworth Thelen, Mike Kershner, Carl Meier and Bernie Surry, things look good. IN the secondary, Lincoln Gilmore tackles any runner that broke through the front seven. And supported by Tai Wayne, Winford Endicott, Emile William, Myron Stevens and newbies Broderick Schultz and Xavier Clyburn the Merchantmen field the best zone defenders in the IHOF.

Playing the Gothenburg Giants, both the offense end defense will have to step up. The Giants were injury plagued in 2007 and have something to set right after their third straight winning record season towards second place. Duane Davis has matured into a top quarterback the past seasons and doesn't make many mistakes. Stopping the run can help, however Nicolas Dutra has the Merchantmen's number as he showed with his 93 yards rushing ah home against them.

On defense it's still all Chris Nagel's show. The defensive tackle leads a potent pass rush, which is supported by the fearsome threesome of Andrew McDaniel, Steven Marshall and Hubert Cox. The linebacking trio is going into their fifth season together and they know of each other what they are up to on every play. Add Harley Gowan's interceptions and man marking skills and there's a very strong defense coming at you.

Going by recent results, the Merchantmen are the favorites, but objective scouting resources say the Giants have the better players all over the place. Going by historic results, the Merchantmen lead 3-1 in Oranje Haven and are on a 2-game winning streak. The last time the Merchantmen simply trashed the Giants 40-13 and the confidence may be on the home team. But after the beating the went through in their last official game of the 2007 season, anything could happen.

wade moore · 05-23-2005, 05:53 AM

I do not envy you going up against the Giants defense in week 1 while they're healthy...

MIJB#19 · 05-23-2005, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade moore

I do not envy you going up against the Giants defense in week 1 while they're healthy...

No kidding, the Giants are a team I fear to lose against everytime I play them. Even knowing they're the team my team has beaten the most of all IHOF teams. I can only hope my D does a little bit of a better job than their D and that my special teams experts save the day.

MIJB#19 · 05-23-2005, 04:34 PM

Merchantmen Start 2008 By Beating Gothenburg
The defense of the European crown has started and the first punch has been given. The Maassluis Merchantmen beat the Gothenburg Giants to start the 2008 season with victory. Louie Flannery looked good as always and guided the team to four scoring drives. The defense struggled a bit, but made key plays to keep the Giants from scoring on several occasions. The bad news was an injury to right tackle Cornelius Rice and likely season end.

The Merchantmen looked good at home and started the game in style. While the defense stopped the Giants on their first possession for a classic tree-and-out, the Merchantmen responded with a great drive. Runs from Randy Harris, Jamel Rosenberry and Joseph Schoen (twice!) set all up to get into scoring position. Louie Flannery found fullback Rosenberry in the endzone and the 7-0 lead was there. The rest of the first quarter neither side managed to get into scoring position.

In the second quarter the Merchantmen started the field position game. The Giants were pushed back slowly, while Maassluis moved up slowly. As time ran out, the Merchantmen saw Randy Harris burst out for 9 and 7-yard runs to set the team up for a field goal. After using the last time out, Cary Coles aimed and scored the 52-yarder to give the orange-white-and-blue a 10-0 lead.

After sloppy start in the second half, the Gothenburg Giants offense got their engine running. Anchored by a 24-yard run from Nicholas Dutra and Duane Davis spreading the ball around, the Giants got into scoring position. A holding penalty pushed them out of the red zone, but Damien Deming turned up as a reliable kicker and converted a 45-yard field goal. Gothenburg was back in the game and hoping to get the ball back quickly to tie the score.

But the Merchantmen offense decided not to. Louie Flannery connected with five different players to move upfield. The Merchantmen settled for a 19-yard field goal, but the game looked secured. The Giants then wasted their chances on an unsportsman conduct penalty and Maassluis had the ball back. A lethal pass interference penalty at the Gothenburg 15-yard line put Maassluis in scoring position. Louie Flannery found Joseph Schoen in the endzone and a 20-3 lead was there with 14 minutes to go.

Duane Davis decided the game wasn't over and had one of his usual impulses. With 18 and 35-yard passes to xxx Nemeth and xxx Walker, the Giants got back moved forward. Damien Deming scored a 31-yard field goal and after the defense stopped the Merchantmen, the Giants were back in the game. Davis connected on 36 and 22-yard passes with Walker, eventually followed with a 1-yard pass to xxx Watkins for the touchdown. But as Damien Deming missed the extra point, the Giants were still trailing by eight.

With five minutes left, the Merchantmen tried to waste the time, but failed and the Giants got the ball back with just over two minutes left. Duane Davis immediately connected on a 30-yard pass with xxx Nemeth and the Merchantmen defense looked really to give up another touchdown. Except for Middle linebacker Cody Cluff. Davis threw deep and Cluff intercepted the ball midway the Merchantmen territory.

With an eight-point lead, Louie Flannery decided to give the fans a fun last two minutes. With a 32-yard pass to Gregory Monti and a 19-yard Devin Henson, the Merchantmen marched up. On third and seven at the Gothenburg 9-yard line, Flannery found Bryce Ewald in the end zone. An illegal use of the hands penalty nulliefied the score, but with the 26-yard field goal from Cary Coles, the lead was extended to 11 points. The Giants tried to move forward, but with eight seconds left the game was over. Maassluis 23, Gothenburg 12.

Louie Flannery got the people cheering in the stands and received the Player of the Game honors. Completing 24 of 37 passes for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns, Flannery was once again the big man of the offense. Flannery said: "A good game, the Giants were strong, but we showed we can beat good teams. I hope people will see we're for real now. How many more games do we need to win to be taken serious?"

Cody Cluff was regarded as the hero on defense, but Cluff denied that his interception was the crucial play. Cluff: "I read the play and saw it coming. The important thing is we won. Everybody works hard and we'll try to keep the opponents from scoring. The pass rush did their job, the secondary made plays and the linebackers supported on both ends. I think we're in for another cool season."

Unlucky player of the game was offensive tackle Cornelius Rice. In his second season withthe Merchantmen, Rice is regared as the starting right tackle. Rice is an important player to protect te pass and support the running game. Half way through the first quarter, Rice got hurt and was carried off the field. Early diagnosis is a high ankle sprain and being fully recovered as early as the AOC conference championship game. Taking his place is Harold Hurtado, providing the team is unable to find a replacement player outside of their own team.

MIJB#19 · 05-23-2005, 05:05 PM

General Manager Notes
And we're back!

A 1-0 start, it couldn't have gone better. Okay, we lost Cornelius Rice for the season, but Harold Hurtado is experienced enough to take his place. I have to be honest, I was worried whether we are for real or not, but beating Gothenburg to me means we are for real and were deserved European champions. The Giants will challenge us again, but having this early one-game lead will help.

Okay, we beat the Giants, but the team we kicked off the throne are back in the mix. The Bordeaux Vineyards went into Paris and came home as 28-10 winners. Joe Johnson looked great as always, passing for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns. Former MVP winner Billy 'Bam Bam' Jamerson had 94 total yards and looked like he could be the new star running back in Bordeaux. The Paris Musketeers were unlucky and saw their third starting offensive lineman go out for the season.

European standings:
1-0 Bordeaux
1-0 Maassluis
0-1 Gothenburg
0-1 Paris

Schedule:
Maassluis visits the 1-0 Outer Banks Ospreys, the 2007 NAC champions
Bordeaux visits the 0-1 Miami Sharks, who want to defend their division title
Gothenburg hosts the 1-0 Asheville Axemen
Paris visits the 0-1 Springfield Isotopes, Leonard Lyon's team

Player of the year:
The tradition is back, and with the victory there will be 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points to be awarded. Louie Flannery takes the 5 with his 266 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. The 2 goes to Lincoln Gilmore, who made 4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 defended pass and allowed 0 catches. The 3 is reserved for Cody Cluff's 4 tackles and 1 interception. Devin Henson received the 2 for his 68 yards receiving and 26 kickoff return yards. With 2 tackles, 1 assist, 1 blocked pass and 2 hurries,Omar Gougeon gets the 21

Standings:
5 points - Louie Flannery
4 points - Lincoln Gilmore
3 points - Cody Cluff
2 points - Devin Henson
1 point - Omar Gougeon

Next up, the Outer Banks Ospreys. The defended NAC champions have kicked off with a victory on the road and should not be underestimated. The scouting department thinks we should be favorites, but also not underestimate their defensive line. With Joe 'Mad Cow' Holstein and Charles Carreno they can run havoc on any offensive line. Good thing ofr us, the Ospreys will miss their best cornerback. Kendall 'Thibby' Thibodeaux, a guy I once tried to bring to our team, is diagnoses 'out' with a strainded foot ligament. And to reach the desired 2-1 record going into the bye week, we need to win this game with North Plainfield awaiting for week 3. I hope we can be 2-0 soon!

MIJB#19 · 05-25-2005, 05:48 AM

2008 Merchantmen Rookie Watch
With the arrival of a new season, the Merchantmen also drafted four rookies in the league draft. Defensive end Brenden Henderson didn't survive the post training camp roster cuts, but three others did. What are the up to so far?

Running back Scott Bagley had a decent pre-season, but mainly put the spotlights on himself with the four fumbles he had. Bagley got hurt in the third pre-season game and has been inactive. The pain in his back is almost completely gone now and Bagley is expected to be back to full training for the road game at the North Plainfield Plague.

Punter Sean Smalley is still sitting unsigned at the Merchantmen roster. His future in Maassluis is still unpredictable and could be shorter than planned. The team still has good faith in Smalley, but his salary demands made his position troubled. For now, the team keeps playing with veteran Roscoe Corrales and waits with signing Smalley to a contract.

Linebacker Bernie Surry was a surprise in training camp. Surry turned out to be a steal for a fifth round pick and hopes to remain a starter for the rest of the season. In his first game, Surry was active in 34 plays and played well. Surry made 2 tackles and an assist. But te main reason he was picked is his pass defense and Surry paid back with 1 defended pass.

MIJB#19 · 05-26-2005, 03:46 AM

Merchantmen At Ospreys Preview
Quick, give the two teams who surprized the IHOF most in the 2007 season? If you were thinking Outer Banks Ospreys and Maassluis Merchantmen, you're probably not alone. The Ospreys went from 6-7 to North American Conference champions and IHOF Bowl IV runners-up. The Merchantmen went 13-3 and were stopped in the Atlantic Ocean Conference championship game. And with both teams 1-0 after beating their closest rivals for the division title, they are in for an interesting matchup.

The Ospreys have been a strange team so far. Their defense makes or breaks games, while the offense seems to only be there because the team has to field an offense. Jerry Burchell is by all means no elite quarterback in talent, but he gets te job done and that's important too. Running back Sterling Ahern is good, but not great, and had his best season in 2004 with the Boulder Bulldogs. More impressive is the offensive line, anchored by right tackle Justin Washington and newby left tackle Warner Johnson. Add Ned Cozart as center and there are three of the very best linemen in the league playing on the same line.

The defense is another story. In the secondary, the team has more the kind of role players, but last season they did their trick and helped out. Milo Epperson is an All IHOF caliber player and leads this group well. Ex-Merchantmen Percy Francis is his well performing sidekick, however Francis is still nursing an elbow injury. But with stud cornerback Kendall 'Thibby' Thibodeaux out for this game, the two safeties will have to step it up.

In front of the secondary, the Ospreys field a stronger front seven. Arthur Hollar and David Hildebrandt are tackle machines as they combined for 203 tackles last season. That's not including assists and sacks. But they're not the main crew, it's the defensive line that stands out. Last week Joe 'Mad Cow' Holstein, Harris Solwold, Charles Carreno and Joe Wolfe pressured the Miami Sharks quarterback into a loss. With 15 broken plays in 48 passing plays, the Ospreys pass rush is fearsome and should not be underestimated.

The Merchantmen are playing without right tackle Cornelius Rice, which doesn't help to avoid the pass rush. Quarterback Louie Flannery is in for a tough game as the only pass rush expert starting in front of him is left tackle Ivan Jacques. Brant Heinrich is a center who can do it all a bit, but 'Bruce' White, 'Tiny Tim' Lacy and 'Good old Harry' Hurtado are run block specialists. Maybe Jamel Rosenberry can help out?

But Rosenberry has a busy day schedule already. The fullback will have to make extra holes for Randy Harris and Joseph Schoen to run through. And given the passing tendencies, Rosenberry will have to join Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Gregory Monti and Jerry Beyer more often than not as a fifth receiver. Providing he is on the field.

On defense, the Merchantmen are mostly known for Charles Gomez and Cody Cluff. the defensive tackle and mid linebacker anchor a strong pass rush and passable run defense. Behind their units, Tai Wayne and Lincoln Gilmore anchor a secondary, which specializes in the zone defense. Gilmore might be sidelined with a strained rotator cuff, but the coahcing staff is confident te role players on defense will do their job well.

Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. has good hopes: "We're 15-2 with the current game plan, I don't see why anything could go wrong. We play on the road? We went 8-0 away from home in the regular season in 2007. The only thing we have to fear is their pass rush, but Thad Pilkington played them before and has instructed Flannery well. All in all, I think we'll see two teams who wanted to show that 2007 was not just a cinderella story, but an early sign that these teams can be true championship contenders in the coming seasons."

04-23-2005, 10:54 AM	#851
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Draft Running Back Scott Bagley The Maassluis Merchantmen today selected running back Scot Bagley. As an early indication, Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. said: "We had two guy on our list to get. The punter went too high, but Scot Bagley was our main target. We're very happy to get him." At the moment, the draft has stalled a bit at the mid to end of the second round. And the Maassluis Merchantmen are trying to get back into the draft with one more selection. To be continued... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 04-23-2005 at 12:41 PM.

04-23-2005, 12:43 PM	#852
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Trade To Get Punter Sean Smalley The Maassluis Merchantmen pulled one of their usual tricks in the 2008 draft. The 'masters of trading' sent their 2010 second round pick to the Ann Arbor Anachronism for the #63 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The Dutch team picked punter Seam Smalley and have filled a void. General manager M.IJ.B.: "We still have faith in Roscoe Corrales, but he's not getting younger and Smalley is already devepoled enough to battle for the starting role." To be continued... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-24-2005, 08:03 AM	#853
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Present Four New Players While the IHOF Draft is still going, the Maassluis Merchantmen think it's time to present four new faces to the team. The Maassluis Merchantmen agreed on a one-year contract with two free agents. Defensive tackle Eric Griffin leaves the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums to strengthen the pre-season battle on the defensive line. Offensive tackle Harrison Bolden will compete for a roster spot in the offensive line. Additionally, the Merchantmen picked running back Scott Bagley and punter Sean Smalley in the draft. Eric Griffin will turn 27 during training camp. The defensive tackle has played four seasons with the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, but never became a regular starter. In 46 games, Griffin had 7 starts. In those games, Griffin made 22 tackles, 11 assists, had 10 quarterback hurries, defended 1 pass, had 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Griffin agreed to a one-year deal and will battle for a roster spot, with a minor chance on winning the starting role opposite Charles Gomez. Harrison Bolden will turn 30 during training camp. Bolden is an all-round decent player, with his specialty being the pass protection on the right outside of the line. Bolden starter his IHOF career with the Ann Arbor Anachronism. In three seasons, Bolden played 36 games, with 18 starts. In 2005 he was a member of the IHOF Bowl winners. In 2007 Bolden won another ring as a member of the North Plainfield Plague after being a third stringer for most of the season. Scott Bagley was the fourth best rated running back in the draft class. Bagley is 22 years old and had his football education at Temple. Bagley is said to be developed enough to come on to the team as the premier backup running back. Bagley has the intelligence to see the holes in the defense, but can also makes third down conversions. Bagley is a decent receiver in potential and as cherry on the pie is a sure-handed kickoff returner. Worst case scenario, Bagley at least makes the final roster as the backup kickoff returner. Sean Smalley is a 23-year old punter. Smalley learned the tricks of football at Pittsburgh. Smalley was the third highest rated punter and is said to be almost fully developed. Smalley is expected to be the new punter on the team, providing he gets through pre-season healthy. Smalley is an intelligent player and should be an excellent succesor for fan favorite Roscoe Corrales. What this means for Corrales role is yet to be seen, but the early signals say the lost 2007 AOC Championship game was Corrales' last game. In addition, the Merchantmen have three outstanding free agent bids and will add five more players to fill out the roster to the 70-men training camp limit. The plan is to go in camp with another quarterback, fullback, tight end, wide receiver, center, guard, defensive end and linebacker. The management wants to let the fans know that the 53-men final roster is already pretty much identified, however they want to see whether players turn into camp out of shape or break out. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-24-2005, 10:19 AM	#855
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Thanks, cthomer5000. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-25-2005, 08:25 AM	#856
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Trade To Pick Linebacker Surry Looking for more depth at linebacker, the Maassluis Merchantmen traded a 2009 fourth round pick for the 150th overall selection in the 2008 draft. The Miami Sharks had been on the clock for quite a while after technical difficulties and as the draft was ready to take off again, the Merchantmen saw their offer to trade accepted. With the draft pick the Merchantmen selected linebacker Bernie Surry. Surry is pretty developed and is said to be a run stopping expert. Surry could be a great gunner someday and also has some experience with zone defense, which is a pre in Maassluis. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-25-2005, 10:47 AM	#857
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Trade Again, Pick Defensive End Henderson With the 168th pick of the 2008 IHOF draft, the Maassluis Merchantmen selected defensive end Brenden Henderson out of Western Kentucky. The Merchantmen traded a 2010 fifth round pick to the North Plainfield Plague to get the selection and player. General manager M.IJ.B.: "We need to bring at least five ends into pre-season, to get at least four healthy ends into the regular season. Henderson will even have a shot at a starting role." __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-25-2005, 12:46 PM	#858
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Present Four More New Players Adding up the roster to the training camp limit of 70 names, the Maassluis Merchantmen today signed fullback Luke Smelser and guard Alphonse Gale. This announcement came shortly after the team had traded into the 2008 draft twice to selected two young prospects. Linebacker Bernie Surry and Brenden Henderson were given a phone call to report for camp with the Merchantmen in the summer of 2008. Alphonse Gale as a familiar face with the Merchantmen organization. Gale was a starter for the San Luis Obispo Burn (2004) and the Orlando Knights (2005) before he became a job hunter. Gale played 4 games with the Chesapeake Chitterlings in 2006 and joined the Maassluis Merchantmen in the 2007 pre-season, but didn't survive the 53-men roster cuts. Determined to succeed with the Merchantmen, the 32-year old guard Gale signed a two-year contract. Luke Smelser hopped around in the IHOF the past seasons. The 34-year old fullback played games for the Asheville Axemen (2004), Minnesota Miners (2005) and Bordeaux Vineyards (2006) in his stints in the league. Smelser is known as a run blocking specialist and an intelligent guy who likes to mentor younger football players. Smelser signed a one-year contract and hopes to battle for a roster spot in training camp and eventually pre-season. Bernie Surry is a project outside linebacker. Surry will turn 24 during pre-season and had his education at Syracuse. The Merchantmen scouting staff thinks Surry can battle for a backup role in Maassluis from the start. Surry is said to be a decent run stopper and he should bring enough zone defense experience to battle with Mitch Hoofkin, Daniel Ruelas and Josh Weisberg for the fifth active roster spot. Brenden Henderson was a surprise pick for the Merchantmen. The tenth highest rated defensive end turned 23 this May. Coming from Western Kentucky, Henderson isn't a familair face for most football fans. The Merchantmen scouting staff believe that Henderson could be the next gem at the position drafted. Henderson is said to be just as developed as the current starters and with enough potential as a pass rusher to battle for the roster spots. Expectations are that Henderson will at least survive through pre-season with his new team. In the upcoming days, the Maassluis Merchantmen hope to announce the names of four more new players. The team is still talking with tight end Rich McMahon, wide receiver Alfredo Rhodes, defensive end Charles Layfield and linebacker Ronald Felipe. General manager M.IJ.B. restated: "We have no guarantee either player will sign, but we'll definately add up to 70 players for training camp. Surely, our potential 53-men roster is already identified, as is our 60-men pre-season list, but you always want room for break-out players." __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-26-2005, 06:27 AM	#859
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	What Do The Merchantmen Have With Defensive Ends? When Wally 'World' Wilcox retired this off-season, a big name stepped away from the International House Of Football. Wilcox had just played a full season as a backup with the Maassluis Merchantmen and had no problems with it. Looking back, how could such a high profile player live with riding the bench? Let's look at what's going on in Maassluis. The Merchantmen defensive line starts with Charles Gomez. Back in the day of the league draft, the Merchantmen made Gomez their first selection and to date he's been the top paid player. Gomez is a three-time All IHOF selection and holds IHOF record amongst defensive tackles in single-season tackles (99 in 2006), career tackles (286) and career sacks (32.0). Gomez is the big guy in the middle and makes it easier for the ends to make plays. With Harold Wells, Deon Chapa and Cecil Doney, the Merchantmen's initial group of ends was one of future stars. All left the team over two years ago, but today, especially Wells and Chapa are concidered to be amongst the elite ends in the game. So why did he Merchantmen say goodbye to these studs who can do it all on the line? General manager M.IJ.B. explains: "It's a salary cap issue. Defensive ends are amongst the highly paid players. We don't want to invest 25% of our cap room in the defensive line, so we scout for cheaper ends." And it shows, of the four defensive ends on roster, these guys account for just over one million dollars per player. Even if rookie Brenden Henderson and free agent Charles Layfield are signed, the team would invest just 6% of their cap on the position. With so little money invested, you'd think production would be low, but that isn't true at all. The Merchantmen defense led the IHOF in sacks during the 2007 season. With Gomez making the pressure, the ends could easily turn around the tackles and make sacks. And for the new season, the addition of Erwin Baranowski and Brenden Henderson could improve the production, while Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon are only getting better. But now comes the crucial element, how were these guys acquired? Albert Bernardo, the long-time member of the Merchantmen was a free agent signing. Baranowski was recently acquired in trade for a mid to low round pick, while Gougeon, Sherrill and Hederson were draft picks, taken in the low fourth to high sixth round. Sherrill even out performed eight higher selected rookies, to lead all rookies with 6.5 sacks. Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude has another explanation for the succes: "Young players need the time to develope. Guys like Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon have enough potential to play the position very well. We give them playing time and let them rest enough, giving the eager backups also time to shine. Where other teams waste the talented of highly picked guys, in Maassluis these guys get all the confidence they need" For the 2008 season, the Merchantmen have a reputation to defend. Coming of a season as the best defense in terms of allowing points and allowing offensive touchdowns. The eyes will be more on the youngesters than before, its time to prove they're for real. By adding two or three new ends who can compete, the Merchantmen think they got it covered and are ready to go. But only time will tell whether 2007 was a fluke and whether the ends can produce when Charles Gomez isn't around. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-26-2005, 08:33 AM	#860
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes Okay, it's not very important news, but here's a little update on my trading addiction. In the 2008 off-season, I've made 10 trades so far: * CB Mitchem to Brooklyn * FS Schultz from Anahiem * CB Craig for CB Clyburn and CB Kennedy to San Luis Obispo * QB Bower to Williamsburg * DE Baranowski from Outer Banks * RB Carlisle from North Plainfield * RB Montoya from Bordeaux * pick 2.31 from Ann Arbor * pick 5.22 from Miami * pick 6.8 from North Plainfield With these trades, the Merchantmen total of trades adds up to 81 trades, including swaps with 30 different owners. Including the ownership changes, there have been 35 different owners active in the IHOF. That means I haven't made a trade with five past or present owners. Who they are? They are: * Subby, ex-owner of the former Leesburg Generals * 3ric, owner of the Gothenburg Giants * McKerney, owner of the Minnesota Miners * Senator, owner of the San Antonio Volunteers * Cuervo72, owner of the Frederick Red Menace Of course, trading is not what the IHOF is about, but it's really a cool stat to know I've traded with so many different owners and personalities. And trading is, of course, a key element in what the Merchantmen are about. For reference, let's recap some of the greatest moves in franchise history: 2004 off-season LT Harold Hurtado comes over from the Rochester Lake Monsters. Hurtado would play an excellent season and be rewarded with All IHOF second team honors, despite the 1-15 campaign. Hurtado is still on roster, but after a backup role in 2007 unhappy with his role. Barring injuries, Hurtado will be a backup again in 2008. 2005 off-season OT Wilson Grimaldo comes over from the Paris Musketeers. Grimaldo was a big factor on the offensive line, helping the team to adjust from losers to a .500 ball team. In 2006 he allowed only 1 sack all season. In the 2007 off-season, Grimaldo was traded to the Vicksburg Vipers, where he's still playing in the 2008 season. 2006 off-season On draft day the Merchantmen trade up from #12 to #5 overall. The selection turns into QB Louie Flannery. His rookie campaign went with ups and downs, going 8-8. But in the 2007 season, Flannery didn't miss a down on offense and marched his team to the second best overall record and into the final four. 2007 off-season LT Ivan Jacques was acquired from the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums. Jacques was brought in to boost the offensive line on the left side after Wilson Grimaldo was traded for Cornelius Rice with the Vicksburg Vipers. Jacques played a good job, allowing only 1 sack all season in 2007. In 2008, Jacques hopes to grow into the best pass protecting left tackle in the IHOF. 2008 off-season With little needs, the Merchantmen try to avoid trading, but in the end they do make some moves. The biggest move could be the acquisition of CB Xavier Clyburn and CB Sammie Kennedy from the San Luis Obispo Burn. But how big the impact of the move will be has yet to be seen. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-26-2005, 04:35 PM	#861
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Sign Free Agent Receiver Alfredo Rhodes The Maassluis Merchantmen today signed Alfredo Rhodes as their newest addition to the team. Rhodes is an aged wide receiver and played for the Miami Sharks in the past three seasons. Including a year with the Leesburg Generals, Rhodes played 34 games and started 3 of those. Rhodes' biggest trick was his punt returning, as shown by his career totals of 413 yards in 48 attempts, accounting for an 8.6 average. Rhodes spent 2007 on injured reserve and will battle in Maassluis for the punt returning role after mentoring the youngsters in training camp. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-27-2005, 06:59 AM	#862
Alf Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rennes, France	What did you get with the 1st round pick I sent you (along with Dick) to get Wells ? __________________ FOFL - GML - IHOF - FranceStats

04-27-2005, 09:40 AM	#864
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes Alright fans, here's a little peak into our draft day strategy in the IHOF 2008 amateur draft. Well, a review sort of strategy that is. Okay, lets look at where we were at the start of the off-season, we were holding four 5th round picks, of which three were already promissed to be traded to the Anaheim Visigoths for safety Broderick Schultz. That left us with one 5th round pick. One pick and basically two big needs: a new backup running back and a young punter who can replace our Roscoe Corrales some day. One important change to previous drafts, we'd go more for experience than before, although potential would still be important, but much higher than we already had on roster. The draft class was announced and I saw only one running back I liked: Scott Bagley. Why? Bagley was the only rookie with relative high hole recognition, high speed to the outside, not too high willigness to catch passes, sure handedness and endurance. An extra was his kickoff returning ability, but that wasn't what we were after at first. Additionally, this class had one all-world type of kid in Tony Amey. Knowing this league a bit better, I figured he would go early second, later third round. Second best punter was Albert Barreras, who could go as high as the mid to top second round. I didn't even look at other options. In a trade with the Brooklyn Fightin' Bums, I traded us up to the 3.19 pick by trading away cornerback Carlos Mitchem. But wanting a mid-2nd rounder, we were far from done. In a big trade with San Luis Obispo Burn, I managed to talk them into letting me move up to 3.4 as part of the big deal that cost us a future 1st and 2nd for cornerbacks Xavier Clyburn and Sammie Kennedy. And after getting that pick, I got the Williamsburg Colonials willing to trade the 2.19 for the 3.4 and quarterback Shane Bower. Okay, we were at 2.19 and I realized that trading up would cost too much. We had to settle for sitting in this position and hope to see Amey or Bagley fall. The draft started and we didn't see Amey get selected in the first about 15 picks. Time zone issues kicked in and yours truely took a little nap. As I returned to the land of the awake, I found out that the top two punters were selected in the first 40 picks. Sitting at #51, we had to hope Bagley would be there, however the top three running backs were also off the board already. With iron nerves, I decided to wait and see. After a lunch break, it turned out that Bagley had landed with us! Well, so far so good, but a further look at the draft class told me there was another punter worth picking up. As the 2nd round was coming to an end, I tried to acquire a mid to high 3rd round pick. Talks with Ann Arbor Anachronism for the 3.16 were almost done, until I realized they were up in three picks at 2.31. They wanted a future 2nd round pick and in the end I figured it was worth sacrificing our 2010 2nd round pick to get a younger punter now. Two other picks went by and Sean Smalley, the best punter left, became ours. The draft looked succesful and I didn't seen any need to trade anymore. But, as the draft kept going on, I kept my eyes open for hidden gems, players that my scout gave good grades that would be good enough to make the final 53-men roster, even if they turn out to be a little bit less talented than we wanted. The idea was to go for guys with a bit of experience as these players would have a hard time becoming a starter and thus getting more experienced during the season. The draft continued and as we stopped at the 5.22 pick, I found linebacker Bernie Surry, defensive Brenden Henderson and safety Wade Elliot as potential pickups. Seeing our depth at safety, Elliot would only be a consolation prize, but Henderson and especially Surry could make the final roster. I promoted my desire to trade, offered a 4th round pick in 2009 and started with waiting. The North Plainfield Plague were interested and offer the 5.27. We talked and decided it would be a done deal. However, I was also talking with the Georgia Gridlock at 5.24 and had contacted the Miami Sharks, who were on the clock at 5.22. As the Sharks' manager returned, we made the deal (the 4th for the 5.22) and Surry was ours. Having the line open with the Plague, we talked and I let known I had still one player I wanted. Brenden Henderson could fall, but all of a sudden he was the best end left in the class. We agreed to trade a 2010 5th rounder for the 6.10 pick under if-he's-there conditions. Henderson fell, wasn't picked by the Paris Musketeers at 6.9 and Henderson was ours as well. After we picked Henderson, for the first time this draft I felt like the draft was done, the feeling was the same as the one after we completed the first round foursome in 2005, after the pick of Flannery in 2006 and after getting Andrew Rasmussen and Aaron Sherrill in the 6th round of the 2007 draft. As of today, I've got no idea yet whether any of the four rookies will be a good or bad pick, but the scouting reports of the four rookies are promissing: * Scott Bagley is scouted as 30/48 * Sean Smalley is scouted as 55/62 * Bernie Surry is scouted as 24/50 * Brenden Henderson is scouted as 22/42 Looking at our roster, Bagley would indeed be our second best RB and would be our second best KR guy. Smalley will challenge Roscoe Corrales (55/55) for the role, Henderson will be challenging 2007 starters Aaron Sherrill (20/38) and Omar Gougeon (23/39), while Surry will battle with Mitch Hoofkin (30/44) for a roster spot. Looking at our previous class, the 2007 class looks like we had a lot of misspicks. Jerry Beyer, Shaun Shiroma and Aaron Sherrill were rookie leaders, while traded kicker Alvin Ladner set a new single-season points record for rookies. But the other side are the released Terror Norris and potential green-forever players Norman Holliday, Henry Poston and Andrew Rasmussen. The future plan is to avoid having green players who will never play. As of now, Poston, Holliday and Rasmussen project as inactive roster members. It's sad, but that's how things go... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 04-28-2005 at 06:23 AM.

04-28-2005, 07:08 AM	#865
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Sign Defensive End Charles Layfield With training camp coming up soon, the Maassluis Merchantmen signed another free agent to add up the roster total to 64 players, excluding four incoming drafted rookies. Defensive end Charles Layfield signed a one-year contract, in hopes to survive roster cuts going into pre-season. The 27-year old Layfield's IHOF career started with the North Plainfield Plague in 2004. As a rookie, Layfield played in 2 regular season games. In the next two seasons, Layfield played a total of 9 games for the Chesapeake Chitterlings. Defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks: "Layfield will be able to boost or pass rush, if he's going to reach his potential. Right now he's a long shot at making the final roster, but if he's learning fast, things can go differently. Layfield is still a very green player, but if he's going to learn fast here, he'll have a shot at becoming a regular contributor in the rotation." Let's wait and see whether Layfield can do that. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-29-2005, 04:06 AM	#866
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes Here's some first news surrounding our rookies. Our scouting staff had the time to take a closer look to our rookies and the news is somewhat disappointing. RB Scott Bagley is said to have less potentail than expected. Bagley should still be a contender for the #2 and #3 roles, but it's possible he'll only make the active roster as our #2 kickoff returner. How his running abilty wil turn out is yet to be seen, though. [From 30/48 to 29/43] P Sean Smalley turns out to be a little bit less than initially scouted, but only a little bit. Smalley should still battle it out with Roscoe Corrales for the punting duties. [From 55/62 to 54/61] LB Bernie Surry is said to have a little bit less potential. Lucky for Surry, we expected a little downfall and his odds to make the final 53-men roster might have even gone up. That is, if his run stopping and zone defense turn out to be good enough. [From 24/50 to 24/48] DE Breden Henderson could be another typical Merchantmen defensive linemen late round steal. Henderson is said to have more potential than expected and now he might be a serious contender for a starting role. He might even force us to release or trade Charles Layfield or one of our 2007 starters (Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon) before pre-season. [From 22/42 to 22/45] More to come in a few days when the players report for more intens scouting on how the off-season effected their ability. [I mean the in-game boom/bust algorithm] __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 04-29-2005 at 04:09 AM.

04-29-2005, 11:31 AM	#867
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Ready For Training Camp With two free agent signings today, the Maassluis Merchantmen are ready for training camp. The addition of quarterback Irv Wooden and center Heath Ferebee adds up to 66 players under contract. Add the four drafted rookies and the Merchantmen are ready. But nothing is secure in Maassluis until camp officially starts, there's still a round of free agency bidding coming up for left over free agents, former restricted free agents and undrafted rookies. Center Heath Ferebee is a 35-year old veteran. Ferebee has been a starter for the past four seasons in the IHOF. In 2004, Ferebee started 12 games for the Astoria Heroes. In 2005 he moved to the Telluride Outlaws, where he started all 16 games. The past two season he missed only the last game of the 2007 season for the Bordeaux Vineyards. In 60 games, Ferebee recorded 100 key run blocks, has a run blocking percentage of 34.4 and a sacks allowed percentage of 1.1. Ferebee will challenge Brant Heinrich and Christian Reichel for the two roster spots at center. Quarterback Irv Wooden is a surprise addition to the roster. The 24-year old has yet to start a game in the IHOF. Wooden was released by the Rochester Lake Monsters after joining them in 2006 as an undrafted free agent. Wooden has been a holder for the Lake Monsters and might be a backup option there in Maassluis. The management thinks that Wooden has a shot at making the final roster only with injuries and if the team can find a new home for Mel Atkins. Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. calls the newbies both welcome additions: "Ferebee will challenge Heinrich. 'Heiny' allows too many sacks and Ferebee is known for his pass protection. With their run blocking ability being similair, it's not a done deal yet." About the new quarterback, M.IJ.B. said: "Wooden has the tools to be a good number three quarterback. In our quarterback happy organization, we hope he can make some progress and grow into being a worthy backup." In the upcoming weekend, the Merchantmen will start negotiations with the four rookies. Next Saturday, all IHOF teams will get the green light on talking with their drafted players. The Merchantmen expect to sign all four rookies immediately and don't think there will be interesting free agents coming onto the market. But knowing how things go, the team might be looking for options afterall in the upcoming weeks towards training camp and pre-season. Nobody's job is safe in the football world. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

04-30-2005, 05:59 AM	#868
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Fans Choose Louie Flannery As Player Of The Year The Maassluis Merchantmen are happy to announce the conclusion of an internet poll amongst Merchantmen fans to name their 2007 Player of the Year. With 70 percent of the votes, quarterback Louie Flannery was a run away winner in the voting. Flannery's leadership was highly praised after a 13-3 campaign, including the Europeran Division title and a second place overall in the Atlantic Ocean Conference. Charles Gomez and Randy Harris came in second and third place. In a first reaction, Louie Flannery just thanks all the fans: "Thank you. We talked about it in the locker room a bit, but me being just a second year pro, I didn't expect this. Guys like Randy [Harris], [Charles] Gomez and Tai [Wayne] had the better story or long-term Merchantmen membership in their favor. I guess the fans go with the QB if a team wins and I'm grateful for the support. I just hope I can live up to expectations for next season." "Flan' is the man!" Randy Harris said, "Louie makes this offense work, he's learned the system well and makes things work." The prolific running back has been starting every game for the Merchantmen since the IHOF started and should know. "We've had some fine quarterbacks on the team, but Flannery is a class on his own. I guess the fans see how much effort he gives with his ability to never give up." Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude agreed with the choice: "The fans chose well. We've got a great team spirit amongst the players, but how Flannery picked up the leadership role is amazing. A second year quarterback who can lead a team to 14 wins in 18 games deserves recognition." Defensive tackle Charles Gomez, who won the voting in 2006 and 2005 wasn't disappointed with the second place. Gomez said: "Football is all about team effort. The defense gains possession, special teams makes the field position better and the offense finishes it off. Flannery is the best quarterback I've worked with. The way how he came back after the struggles in his rookie year was awesome. I hope we can keep this flow going for several more seasons to come. With Flan', we can repeat and even go for more in 2008." General manager and owner M.IJ.B. looks back to the day Flannery was drafted: "In our own tradition, we made a trade and got the guy we wanted. After we picked Flannery, I felt we found the right guy for the team. To be honest, my own vote went to Gomez, but I can feel good about Flannery being the fans' choice. Quarterbacks are the spot light players in this game and Flannery has proven he can be a top ten guy in this league." It was only his second season, but the 'franchise quarterback' broke through in the 2008 season with a 14-4 record. Flannery set new franchise records in passing yards (3,768) and touchdowns (25). Flannery didn't miss a single down on offense for the entire season and also became the fulltime holder on kicking plays. After struggling with interceptions, Flannery got over it in the second half of the season and, according to team scouts, has already matured into a playoff calibre quarterback in his second year in the IHOF. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 04-30-2005 at 06:03 AM.

05-02-2005, 07:33 PM	#869
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes The players report for camp, the early signals of booming and busting are here. Let's start with the bad news as a couple of players have lost some of their skills: * -21 points, Guard Alphonse Gale, I'm concidering to release him right away * -18 points, Center Christian Reichel, he's still a great long snapper, but no backup option * -15 points, Defensive end Albert Bernardo, the aging mentor will be mentoring even more * -14 points, Fullback Luke Smelser, age is catching up and he's no backup type anymore * -11 points, Running back Randy Harris, still our starter, but this is not funny to know * -11 points, Safety Richard Muller, he was headed out already, but now might go earlier * -10 points, Wide receiver David Henkel, no way he's still here, but for how long? * -10 points, Wide receiver Alfredo Rhodes, he's a mentor, otherwise he'd be out * -8 points, Center Heath Ferebee, well, he's lising it, but he can still play * -7 points, Defensive end Charles Layfield, he's headed out for sure now * -6 points, Linebacker Josh Weisberg, somebody will have to mentor the 'backers! And which guys made progress? * +26 points, Linebacker Bernie Surry, the rookie looks like a potential starter now! * +15 points, Safety Lincoln Gilmore, Our strong safety got even stronger * +8 points, Defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen, projected as a backup, still is but for how long? Other things to note: The rookies are all looking good. We're offering contracts this week and I hope they sign immediately. We offered our second round picks a 4-year deal and the lower round picks a 3-year deal. Three of our rookies are official 'boomers', while our fourth rookie is a 'bust' of some sort, yet he's still good enough in the skills we drafted him for. Or so it seems. In the quarterback area, Mel Atkins is headed out, but the battle for the #3 role is heating up. Justin McDavid has serious competition from Irv Wooden. Wooden has more potential, the better formations knowledge and the potential in key areas to play in the system. On the offensive line, I'm concidering to dump the second-year green kid Norman Holliday in favor of two-ringer Harrison Bolden. The line is going to see no new starters, but in te backup roles things will change. The backup center will be replaced and Bolden could be the other difference. On the defensive line, Layfield and rookie Henderson are not setting the world on fire on first looks. It's looking like we'll go with the three starters from 2007, with the addition of Baranowski on the outside. On the inside, Rasmussen looks so good, it migh be worthwile to give him a starting role over Shiroma. In the linebackers group, the five usual suspects see Bernie Surry move into the group. With Meier, Cluff, Kershner, Thelen and Surry, this could be the best linebackers group in the entire league. The emergency backers from 2007 could be out soon. And in our secondary, the progress from Lincoln Gilmore means he's won the strong safety battle over William. Schultz will play free safety, with William as oft playing backup. On te corners, Endicott and Wayne stay as Clyburn seems to not be as good as hoped he could be. Clyburn can still be a good nickelback and Kennedy can dimeback, but it's not all too great. Last but not least, it's looking more and more like Sean Smalley will be the better punter. The fans won't like it, but Roscoe Corrales' days in Maassluis could be over soon... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-03-2005, 03:06 AM	#870
Alf Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rennes, France	ouch, not funny on Harris .... __________________ FOFL - GML - IHOF - FranceStats

05-03-2005, 10:40 AM	#871
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Gossip News: Merchantmen Seeking Developmental Team The latest rumors around the International House Of Football are not peanuts, the Maassluis Merchantmen have spread the word they're seeking another IHOF team to let a couple of youngsters get playing time elsewhere. What started the idea is still a bit of a mystery, but apparently they think they've outgrown a lot of other teams and are acting like their 4th stringers should be starters elsewhere. First things first, what happened? The Merchantmen spread the word on a special 'loan' of player for the durartion of the pre-season. The Merchantmen sold it as a way to keep teams' best players inactive and make the 53-men roster cut day easier to get through. The written word was a list of six players which should be traded away for a sixth round pick and reacquired on the mandatory roster cut day for a fifth rounder. The idea is said to have come forward through the re-acquisition of running back Kyle Montoya. In the 2007 pre-season, Montoya did well for the Merchantmen, yet was a fifth wheel on the wagon, sort of, and traded to the Bordeaux Vineyards. But in this off-season, the Merchantmen reacquired Montoya from the Vineyards in another trade. Crucial being that Montoya had some playing time with the French team he'd never had gotten with the Dutch team. The latest news is that the Merchantmen dropped the offer, yet the damage is already done. Once the league doormat, now a rising team, they seem to have forgotten where they cam from. Of all people, the Merchantmen management should know what it's like to be a cellar dweller and yet they're seeking former fellow-dwellars to dump their own players for a while. In a reaction, a couple of fellow owners suggested it is not such a good idea to use other teams as minor league teams. And the six listed players were not happy either. Center Christian Reichel was quoted: "Traded away for the pre-season? This isn't a soccer league!" Offensive tackle Norman Holliday said: "One day you're a future starter, the next they want to dump you in a place where they've never played winning football." The Merchantmen management was unavailable for comment, as usual, but the defense they played didn't make much sense. The words "creativity" and "helping other teams" were complete non-sense. The advertised 'loans' were uncalled for and without respect to other teams. You'd almost want them to go through a season of struggle to get back to earth after a season as pretenders at the highest level. Haven't they learned anything from the spanking they got in the Atlantic Ocean Conference championship game? __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-03-2005, 02:03 PM	#872
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Sign Three Rookies With the signatures under the contracts three rookies were presented by the Maassluis Merchantmen today. Scott Bagley, Bernie Surry and Brenden Henderson turned up for the press conference and smilies in their new jerseys. Bagley will be wearing the 44 jerseys, which has never seen the field for the Merchantmen before during a regular season game. Henderson was given 96, the old number from long time starting defensive tackle John Bryant. Surry looked happy in his new orange 56 jersey. Scott Bagley was the first rookie player to sign the deal and became Merchantmen player #185. The Temple graduate was presented as "a guy who can run with the ball" and "a special teams standout". Bagley is expected to play a lot in pre-season and be the premier kickoff returner for the team in the regular season. Brenden Henderson was presented second. Henderson will be expected to be active for the pre-season, but the odds on him making the roster are slim. Merchantmen lead scout Gabe Avila said: "Henderson has good potential, but his pass rush technique is terrible right now. It'll be tough to make the roster with so little experience." Henderson hopes to prove the scouting staff wrong and survive the roster cuts. Bernie Surry was the highly anticipated new star of the team. Scouts around the IHOF noticed that Surry was better than advertised. Some even claim Surry has the best zone defense potential of all outside linebacker in the league. Recent scouting reports read: "Surry is the missing piece to the puzzle, he's got the potential of the perfect linebacker for the Merchantmen defense." For 2008, Surry is expected to be the new gunner and a premier backup. Puner Sean Smalley turned down the initial contract offered. Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. was disappointed: "Smalley got the same offer that Scott Bagley signed and Bagley was drafted 12 spots higher." Player agent Stanley Johnson advised Smalley to wait with signing. Johnson said: "The Merchantmen think Smalley is the real deal, signing a four-year deal will limit his chances to sign a better deal later on." The press conference was closed with the presentation of the entire training camp roster list of 70 names, including unsigned punter Smalley. Onwer M.IJ.B. explained: "It's pretty easy, we're done with figuring out which 53 men will defend the European division title. We'll stick seven others around in case people get hurt." The comments from M.IJ.B. mean the ten casualties to go from 70 to 60 players after training are also known. "Correct," M.IJ.B. said, "the list of names has already been spread around in the league, nine players are available for trade and one running back will join them." The list of unwanted players contains of: quarterback Mel Atkins, wide receiver David Henkel, center/long snapper Christian Reichel, guard Alphonse Gale, defensive end Charles Layfield, defensive tackle Eric Griffin, linebacker Mitch Hoofkin, cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller. The names of Stidham and Muller as former starters jump out. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-04-2005, 12:50 PM	#875
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Irregular Interviewing: Mike 'Mickey' Kershner The 2008 IHOF season is coming up and all around the league people are looking forward to the new season. Training camp has yet to start, but mini-camp have already shuffled the cards a bit. For the Maassluis Merchantmen the arrival of rookie linebacker Bernie Surry has caused a lot of media attention. Surry is said to be the perfect guy to play in the system. Casualty of the situation will be fan favorite Mike Kershner. 'Mickey' has a lot to proove in training camp and maybe pre-season that he's for real. Overtime, the Merchantmen management brought in Bernie Hicks as defensive coordinator, Carl Meier as backup and Josh Weisberg as mentor to get 'Mickey' focussed to develop. And now the newest boost to step up and become an elite outside linebacker has arrived. The last chance to become the star he wants to be is here. Can 'Mickey' handle the pressure? Questioner (Q): Hello Mike, how's life back in the Netherlands? Mike Kershner (MK): It's raining now and than, as usual, but we've had a couple of hot days as well. We'll get through it, I think. Q: Let's throw out the question everybody has out there: What do you think of the hype Bernie Surry is bringing? MK: We've trained together and Surry is looking good. It looks like he's going to push the rest to step up or ride the bench. Q: Are you afraid of losing your starting role? MK: The management keeps saying we all should be afraid. And face it, with the group of 'backers we got, it's five or six guys for three spots in the starting lineup. It'll be a fun camp. Q: Last season, people called you the weakest link on the pass defense. They defend their words with the 10 catches you allowed in the AOC Championship game. What's your take on that? MK: I think as a team we played one of our worst games ever. The Plague offense was determined to repeat and we played as rookies. It was never a fair game. Q: But people pointed the finger in your direction. Bernie Surry and Carl Meier are said to be the better pass defenders. MK: So? I'm a winner, a survivor, I'll comeback. With all the injuries last season, I have no doubt we'll be handling with it. The fans want me on the field. I'm here to show them why. Q: But what about the pass defense? MK: I'm pretty sure we'll be working on it in training camp. I know the zone defense is part of the system, I've got to learn it to play they say. Well, I've got news for you, I'm going to set everything right by sniping the running backs down! Q: And the pass defense? MK: Well, I hear Bernie Surry can play it, let's see if he can handle it. I'm expecting they'll let us share time anyway, I'm an explosive guy, can give it only for about 30 to 40 minutes, Surry has the same style of play. Q: Okay, something different now. Where's the nickname 'Mickey' coming from? MK: Heh, that's a long story. I'm a Disney fan and I love that black mouse. Mickey Mouse is my idol and I always try to wear something with his picture on it. Whether it's a sock, a baseball cap, a sweat bandage or my boxers. Q: And with your name being Mike, the link is easy. MK: Huh? ... Mike, Mickey. ... Wow, good find! Q: Right. MK: I love it! That makes the image even cooler! Go Mickey! Q: The fans have been screaming for you, you were recently polled to be the even more popular than Charles Gomez, Louie Flannery and Justin McDavid. MK: Yeah, I know. Ain't it cool to be more popualr than the quarterbacks? I think the fans around here justknow who to support. It's not all about offense in football. Q: What are your plans for 2008? MK: Well, first I want to survive pre-season injury free. 2007 wasn't fun. I was unable to play in the early games and had to watch the losses to San Antonio and Vicksburg from the sidelines. Q: That was rough I guess? MK: For sure. I mean, the team just had no clue how to stop that Ronnie Kemp guy. I tell you, he'd never had ran for over 100 yards with me around, I'd take the guy out before half time. Q: Then you returned and eventually started 9 games, including the two playoff games. MK: It was all cool to experience. We trashed Gothenburg, trashed Bordeaux, a fun season after all. Q: Another question, how's your relationship with Josh Weisberg? MK: Josh and I are football players, we both play outside linebacker. He's a guy with experience and can teach a lot. Q: How has his pressence on the team changed things for you? MK: Well, at first I was afraid he'd start, but later on he turned out to be a cool guy who knows a lot about football. But not as much as Mister Hicks. Q: Mister Hicks? You mean defensive coordinator Bernie Hicks? MK: Yeah, mister Hicks. You can tell he's played linebacker at a high level. He knows all about it. I feel I can learn a lot more from him this season. Q: Coming back to Bernie Surry, will he contribute from it? MK: Bernie is a young guy, but he's got potential, everybody can see it. With mister Hicks and 'Wizz' [Josh Weisberg] around, everybody can learn to play outside 'backer. Q: Mike, besides Weisberg, which football players around the league are your heroes? MK: Myles Sam. That guy is freakin' awesome! I watched him closely when we played at the Chitterlings back in 2006. He's always focussed on the running back, he'll never let him escape when he comes to his side. Q: When the Merchantmen were taking with Sam, what did you think about it? MK: Well, I was only thinking how cool it would be to play opposite him on the defensive front. Imagine the best pass rush, with Cody Cluff, Myles Sam and me. I guees 'Elly' [Ellsworth Thelen] wouldn't like to read this, but damn did that sounds awesome. Q: You think Thelen isn't good enough? MK: Thelen is a great player, like me a run stopper. But he's not all world stud like Myles Sam. 'Elly' is just behind that kind of level. Thelen is an A, Sam is A+. Q: The manegement has kept the defense together for 2008, can the top defense in points allowed get any better? MK: Sure we can. Look at the new guys, we only got better! Erwin [Baranowski], [Broderick] Schultz, [Xavier] Clyburn, Sammie [Kennedy], they're all awesome additions. We've talked about Surry. And the younger guys are also maturing. Q: You're saying you guys are better? MK: We can only hope so, but on first look we're better. Look at who are leaving and who are coming back for them. Johnnie Stidham was mister interception two years ago and now, boom, he's supposed to be gone after trainging camp. Same with Desmond Craig, Richard Muller. And in the past with guys like Gus Stoffers, Percy Francis, John Bryant, Scot Dick. The management is doing a good job to keep this defense getting better. Q: And the offense? MK: Well, we got Louie Flannery. People all around the league talk big about him and it's hard to argue he's no future star. Randy Harris has slowed down a bit, but with the other guys around him, the offense will be the same. Q: And then there's special teams. You used to be the gunner, is that your role again in 2008? MK: That's yet to be seen. It seems we've got a lot of competition for it this year. Cody Cluff is a stud, he's still the #1 guy. We've got Surry now, Lincoln Gilmore, Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Greg' Monti, 'Jelly Belly' [Jerry Beyer]... Q: Enough guys who can play it? MK: Exactly. Q: Okay, we're running out of time. Last question: how do you explain the huge fan base? The Merchantmen have the biggest attendance figures in the IHOF? MK: Well, I hear ticket prices have been the same for three seasons and we're winning games now. We'll gone from the doormat of the league to the surprize of the league. People love that. Q: Even in the Netherlands? MK: Especially in the Netherlands! It's a small country, they're the ultimate underdogs. It's all about being part of the Merchantmen. We worked hard to get here, from worst team to second best of the AOC. Q: Point taken. Thanks for you time, Mike. Good luck in 2008. MK: Thanks. Q: Let's hope you can go through 2008 injury-free! MK: That's very kind of you. I hope it too! __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-04-2005, 04:54 PM	#877
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Opt To Let Smalley Holdout Things can get stranger with the week for punter Sean Smalley. One week they trade to get you in the second round of the draft, the next week you're talked into not signing a four-year deal, and then you're facing to sit out the season unsigned. After additional talks, the Maassluis Merchantmen are opting to keep Smalley unsigned until popular long-term punter Roscoe Corrales gets hurt. General manager and owner M.IJ.B. explains the situation: "We have 61 players we want to bring into pre-season. We don't really need two punters, Smalley just made it a tricky situation for himself. We like the kid, but we won't hesistate to let him wait until we think we need him. Maybe it's a strategy to keep in mind for future holdouts as well. We could have saved us some painful decissions in the past." Smalley himself was shocked and had a hard time explaining his feelings: "One day they want me, the next they tell me to wait for Roscoe [Corrales] to get hurt. It's confusing." Smalley's agent Stanley Johnson was furious: "They can't do this to players! They're keeping Smalley out of important team building and development stages. But in the end, they are wasting their draft pick, I want the best deal for Sean and we'll play it hard." To pressure player agent Johnson, the Merchantmen management were rumored to have threatend other players associtated with his agency. Johnson: "There are early indication the team is going to cut ties with some of the players I represent, but I'm professional enough to keep things seperated. I expect the same thing from the Merchantmen management, but the rumors are there." Stanley Johnson represents 139 players associated with the IHOF and eight of them are on the Maassluis Merchantmen roster. Besides punter Sean Smalley, Johnson's agency represents tight end Arnold Ramirez, wide receiver David Henkel, defensive ends Charles Layfield, Aaron Sherrill and Omar Gougeon, and linebackers Mitch Hoofkin and Josh Weisberg. Roscoe Corrales, the Merchantmen punter for the past four seasons was also confused. Corrales said: "The future is looking different. Maybe I should have seen this coming, but now the tide is turing, maybe I can have another season in Oranje Haven now. If that's what the player and his agent want..." Head coach Leroy Van Der Woude pleads for a stress-free environment: "We're about to head into training camp, we can't use this type of sideline stuff. We need to focus everything and need to train on the automatics. Especially if we want to know whether Smalley can replace Corrales." The Maassluis Merchantmen are allowed to bring 60 players into pre-season. If Smalley remains unsigned, he won't count towards the active 46 players or the 14 inactive players. It would give the team the possibility to sign Smalley after putting a player on injured reserve. This way the team can spare one player from getting released after training camp and basically sign Smalley whenever they need him or have room for him. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 05-04-2005 at 04:55 PM.

05-05-2005, 12:04 PM	#878
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Sign Call, Release Gale And Layfield Just days before training camp, the Maassluis Merchantmen made three roster moves to complete the traning camp roster to 69 players. Guard Alphonse Gale was released to make room for former All IHOF guard Jasper Call. Additionally, the team released Charles Layfield and made another contract offer to punter Sean Smalley in hopes he'll sign in-time to be able to participate in training camp. Alphonse Gale never played a game for the Merchantmen, but has some history with the team after spending the 2007 pre-season with the team. Gale was then released days before going into the regular season. For 2008, Gale was expected to battle for a roster spot again, but he turned in for mini-camps out of shape and the team management felt he would be unable to make the team. Charles Layfield has spent only part of this off-season on the Merchantmen roster. Layfield was expected to be the fifth defensive end going into pre-season, but he became expendable after he showed up out of shape. Additionally, the Merchantmen drafted another defensive end in Brenden Henderson to compete for the pre-season roster spot. Jasper Call is the new face in town. Call will be battling with Brian Hammond for the backup job behind Butch White and Timothy Lacy. In 2004, Call earned All IHOF second team honors in his first of four years of service with the Springfield Isotopes. Last season he fell into a backup role and became expendable this off-season. Call's lack of interest to protect his quarterback might break him up, but his run blocking makes up for the loss. Aged 36, Call is expected to be a one or two year backup at best. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-06-2005, 04:06 PM	#879
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Staff Happy About Training Camp The Maassluis Merchantmen are ready for 2008, or so do the coordinators on each end of the ball believe. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude tempers the positive sentiments, but can't hide his optimism. Punter Sean Smalley is still holding out and seems to go unsigned for a long time. And the team is still searching for a new backup running back as Scott Bagley couldn't impress the manament. The offensive side of the ball looked good. Randy Harris looked a bit slower than the past season, but other players looked better than ever. Fullback Jamel Rosenberry made blocks, Timothy Lacy was dominant on the right side of the line and Mel Atkins made a push for making the 53-men roster once again. Offensive coordinator Antonio Francis was praised but also tempered the sentiments: "The running backs are not making progress as we want, I hope it's not going to break us up." The most kudos went to Henry Poston, who's making a statement as being a capable backup fullback. On the defensive side, coordinator Bernie Hicks looked happier than ever. "I'm impressed by the defensive tackles, while Mike Kershner and Bernie Surry are pumping eachother up for the regular season." In the secondary, Broderick Schultz and Lincoln Gilmore looked amazing as a safety duo, making people wonder why Schultz was ever concidered a bust. Second-year player Sammie Kennedy also looked good and made a case for being on the depth chart as at least a dime back. Headcaoch Leroy Van Der Woude was happy, but also pointed out that anything can happen: "Everybody around the IHOF has seen other teams fall. The Conyers Condors went from conference champs to 4-12, the Orlando Knights from a lock for the playoffs to cellar dwellars. We lost some depth at running back, but have gotten better in depth at the offensive line, in the secondary and we have Thad Pilkington as the perfect backup quarterback." Missing for camp was punter Sean Smalley. The second round pick and 63rd overall selection in the 2008 draft once again didn't sign the contract offer the Merchantmen management showed him. General manager M.IJ.B. said: "Smalley missed some important steps in the team proces. With this attitude, he's not going to be part of the team soon." As announced earlier, the team will leaves Smalley unsigned until veteran Roscoe Corrales gets hurt or until they have room on the team due to injuries at other positions. The other second round pick, Scott Bagley did sign his rookie contract, but hasn't set the world on fire yet. Bagley looked good in special teams drills, but his running game is a bit predicatble. General manager M.IJ.B. said: "Scott has the elusiveness to make big plays, but his speed and power are lacking. But more importantly, he's seemingly lacking enough skill to find the holes in the defense yet, he's got to work on that to win us over." With Bagley not completely fullfilling expectations, the Merchantmen have sent out an advertisement as looking for a backup running back. The team knows that the likes of Tyrell Mahoney, Kyle Montoya, Desmond Carlisle and Scott Bagley would qualify as good reserves all around the league, but they want more. In 2007, Rodger Mowery showed that having a former 1,000-yard back as the #2 guy can do wonders. Additionally, the team has plans to let Jamel Rosenberry take over the backup duties if no better alternative is found. With the traning camp over, the Merchantmen also announced a list of eight names of players who should be looking out for a job elsewhere. Quarterback Irv Woodson, wide receiver David Henkel, center Christian Reichel, defensive end Brenden Henderson, defensive tackle Eric Griffin, linebacker Mitch Hoofkin, cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller are listed as up for trade. Quarterback Mel Atkins and linebacker Daniel Ruelas were informed that they should be aware that the team will try to pick up two free agents to take their roster spots. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-07-2005, 11:49 AM	#880
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Sign 1000-Yd Runner Curran And Tackle King Two days before the IHOF pre-season kicks of, the Maassluis Merchantmen presented two new faces to the team. Running back Arthur Curran and left ackle Alfonso King join the team on a one-year minimum salary contract. These moves boost the team to 70 players under contract, excluding hold-out punter Sean Smalley. The management is pleased with these signings and wanted to point out to other players on roster their jobs are not safe until the 53-men cut day is over. Arthur Curran brings experience to the backfield. The 31-year old runner started his IHOF career with the Fairbanks NorthStars and earned a championship ring with them. During the 2005 season he was traded to the Syracuse Mohawks. In both 2005 and 2006 he ran for over 1,000 yards, while totalling 17 touchdowns. In 2007 Curran dropped on the depth chart and became a free agent this off-season. Curran will battle with three younger running backs for one or two roster spots for the 2008 season. Alfonso King kicked his career off with the San Luis Obispo Burn. The 33-year old left tackle played there for three seasons. King started 14 games during the 2005 season, but hasn't started in a regular season IHOF game since. In 2007, King was hired by the Fredrick Red Menace and started in the playoff game against the Chesapeake Chitterlings. King is unlikely to survive the 53-men roster cut day, but if he will, he'll be asked to mentor young Norman Holliday. The addition of both players stirred up the discussion on which ten players will be released going into the first pre-season game. The names of linebacker Daniel Ruelas and quarterback Mel Atkins were mentioned already, but now the other backup running backs and offensive tackles have to fear for their jobs. Especially tackle Harrison Bolden looks up for release, despite having a stellar training camp. The Merchantmen management expects to announce the release of ten players a day before the first pre-season game at the Williamsburg Colonials. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-09-2005, 03:02 PM	#881
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes Hello everybody, let me give you a little update on what's going on lately. First of all, we signed two new players and with that I created a tougher decission day to go down fro 70 to 60 players. Against my usual habits, I've decided to release the 10 players before game day and not on game day. The downside is that these guys could be picked up for game day, but I think shortening the trade options period with a day helps to give me a shot at trading the players. I've offered to trade all ten casualties for just one draft pick, even if it's just a 2011 seventh round pick. How's that on losing value? Well, looking at the team, some of he guys are total scrubs. I mean, QB Irv Woodson, C Chris Reichel, LB Daniel Ruelas, DE Brenden Henderson and LB Mitch Hoofkin are not going to make the starting lineup elsewhere. On the other hand, Henderson has the best overall potential of all our defensive ends while Ruelas and Hoofkin were our emergency linebackers last season. And the other five guys up for release are guys I'd really liked to keep. CB Johnnie Stidham has a reputation in Maassluis. Stid' became Mister Interception in 2006 when he made 7 picks for us. Stid' is the Merchantmen all time leader and will likely be that still until after the upcoming season. He's been a great guy and could still work out on the system, but we've added some elite zone defenders and Stid' just isn't that. FS Richard Muller once was a game winner for us. In 2005 he helped a lot in the revival from 1-15 to a 7-9 team. Too bad repetetitive concussion syndrome destryed his career here, but that's how things go. He could help out on other teams as a backup, but so far nobody wants him... WR David Henkel has scored 6 touchdowns as the # 3 receiver for Vicksburg in 2005 and sadly never worked out with us. Mister big-play was about to be cut last season, but injury and league rules forced him onto the injured reserve list. Too bad, he deserved better than that. RT Harrison Bolden hasn't even played for us, but after a great training camp he was almost a potential starter. Yeah, almost. We signed him on a one-year deal and didn't expect Norman Holliday to have a good camp or to be able to acquire a mentor for Holliday for pre-season. I would have loved to have our team hand him his tird championship ring in four years, but that won't happen now, will it? DT Eric Griffin is a guy who I tried to get before drafting Shaun Shiroma and Andrew Rasmussen. Go figure, now he's here and I prefer the two second-year guys over him. If only Brooklyn had traded the bum to me in the 2007 off-season, Shiroma had never been a Merchantmen and Griffin would have been a starter wit us today. Oh well, I guess he was at the wrong place in the wrong time. I even forgot he was on our roster right now... Okay, so, we're heading into the pre-season with 60 players signed and one hold-out, then what? Well, we've got 6 running backs and one or two will leave the team. We also signed a couple of short-term mentors earlier on, who will be kicked off the team as well in the process. And we don't know who will get injured yet. So nothing is 100% sure. In pre-season, our youngsters will be starting and get mentored as well. So, some of our potential starters will in fact be starting. Jerry Beyer, Scott Bagley, Aaron Sherrill, Omar Gougeon, Andy Weliczka, Andrew Rasmussen, Bernie Surry, Mike Kershner and Myron Stevens are all going to start in the road game at the Williamsburg Colonials. We did inactivate 14 players by the way. The names of Randy Harris, Jamel Rosenberry, Jim Reiser, Bryce Ewald, Timothy Lacy, Ivan Jacques, Cornelius Rice, Cary Coles, Erwin Baranowski, Charles Gomez, Ellsworth Thelen, Tai Wayne, Lincoln Gilmore and Broderick Schultz will be missing on the active roster. That's it for now, more to come when the releases are made final. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-10-2005, 09:21 AM	#882
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Irregular Interviewing: Randy Harris Quick, name the ten best running backs in IHOF history. The average fan will come up with Billy 'Bam Bam' Jamerson, Gerald Harris, Huey Gervais, Ronnie Kemp and Raymond Flowers as the top five. Behind them, the likes of Jerry McGee, Bud Pitts, Kevin 'Chief' Wiggins and Joe Boulware could show up. And we're simply going past the likes of Dan Mobley, William 'Chunder' Wood, Israel Mars, Shannon Fitzhume, Phillip Hough, Garrett Freitas, James Cull and Mark Halley. There's plenty of qualifying runners in the IHOF. The Maassluis Merchantmen fans have their own hero. Running from behind the hyped quarterbacks Justin McDavid and Louie Flannery, the Merchantmen have their own star. A guy who ran for at least 1,000 yards in each of the first four IHOF seasons. A guy who still holds the single-game rushing touchdowns record since week three of the 2004 season. A guy who ranks seventh all-time in touchdowns scored and in rushing yards. A guy who ranks first in receiving touchdowns amongst running backs. A guy names Randy Harris. Questioner (Q): Hello Randy, thanks for joining us. Randy Harris (RH): My pleasure. They told me the fans want to hear my stories, so I'm here to tell something about me. Q: What do you think the fans want to know? What kind of ice crea you like? RH: I'm a banana split fan. I found a good local restaurant in Maassluis where they make a tasty banana split. But I can't give away the name of it or all the fans will join me. [Laughs] Q: Okay Randy, you like banana splits, but what's your take on splitting time? RH: I see where you're going. Q: You're not getting younger. Rumors are you lost some of your speed and stamina. The Merchantmen even drafted a running back! RH: They did so in three of the four drafts. Running back has always been a need area, or so it seems. It worked out all well last season with Rodger Mowery. I think the team wanted to have a similar kind of player to replace him. Q: Is Scott Bagley the new Rodger Mowery? RH: Hard to say, he's yet to play a down for the team. With the pre-season, he'll get some time to show what he's worth. He's developed a bit and I think he'll be able to be a good backup type of player. Q: What do you think of Arthur Curran? Is he capable of learning you and the youngsters some stuff? RH: Curran is the guy who showed the league that any running back can be a 1,000 yarder as long as he's with the right system. If anybody can teach other backs how to run, he can. Q: Who do you see make the final roster at running back? RH: That's an aweful question. How can I say something like: "I think Kyle (Montoya) is a great guy, but doesn't lack the speed?" It's going to be an all open race between the four guys. As far as I know, only Scott (Bagley) and I are already written in for the 53-men roster. Q: How do you like the chances for the upcoming season for the team? Will the Merchantmen stay where they are as a final four candidate, or was 2007 really a fluke? RH: A fluke? I'm not sure about that. The team has worked hard on things like cohesion and chemistry. The game plan has been working last season and the management has managed to stick the team together. I'll miss Rodger Mowery, but he's probably the only guy to leave on offense. Q: And Shane Bower was replaced with Thad Pilkington. RH: True. Shane was unlucky in his timing to get here. From the moment the team traded for him, he was tagged the ultimate Justin McDavid clone. Try to live up to being a clone of the most popular player. It's impossible for a new guy. Q: How's Thad getting accustomed to life in the Netherlands? RH: I think you should ask him personally, really. So far, I think Thad and Louie (Flannery) are making it a close battle for the starting job. Everbody knows Louie will be our quarterback next season, but Thad brings quarterback game time experience we never had before on the team. Q: What's the secret of the Merchantmen? RH: The trading spree. Q: Are you serious? RH: What's the trait of the Merchantmen? Q: Trading? RH: Exactly! The management has brought in the right players for the system over the years and change the system accordingly. We look like world beaters, but we're still the same football players. Together as a team, with everybody doing their trick, we can beat everybody. Q: Except the North Plainfield Plague. RH: Yes, except the Plague... In week three, we'll go into their house again and try to avenge the previous beatings they gave us. Q: Even Charles Gomez and the top defense in the league couldn't keep the Plague from winning that game. RH: Yeah. Well, that's one of those things. We've got a great team, but if things go bad, things will get ugly and we can lose really big. We've gotten used to taking an early lead and defending it. That's what we do best. Q: And that's where the great ground game comes in. RH: Yes. It's no coincidence the ground game production went up with the number of victories going up. Don't get me wrong, we're not winning due to our ground game alone, it works in both directions. Q: The more you win, the more you run, and the more you win? RH: Exactly. With the offensive line and Jamel (Rosenberry) blocking for me, it's a lot easier than in the early days. Not to let the 2004 line down, they all worked hard, but simply didn't have the talent guys like Ivan Jacques, Timothy Lacy and the rest bring. Q: And that's it? There's no other secret about the Merchantmen? RH: Well, I could say that the drugs policy is less tight around here, but hat would be a typical American point of view joke. Living around here for four years, you find out things are different. There are no hookers on every street corner either. There are only drugs dealers on every corner. [Harris winks with his eye.] Q: Okay, something a bit different now. We've talked about team success. You are a popular player, but yet you seem to go under the radar and silently be an elite running back. RH: Perhaps. I think the other running backs and run-oriented teams will have the respect for me. It's true that I'm not being scouted as a top 10, top 20 running back, but it's up to me to prove everybody wrong. I work hard for the team and it seems to work, given the stats. Q: Will you ever lead the league in something? RH: I hear I'm leading the league in receiving touchdowns amongst running backs and I got that big game against the Giants back in 2004. People know me, I think. Everytime somebody opens the record book, my name is there. It's nice, but not important today. Q: What is important today? RH: Winning the league title. We were two wins away from it last season, 2/3rd of the league has never been that close. It's ought to be worth something. Q: But with you slowing down a bit, is that still possible? RH: I'll do my best, work hard as always and try to make plays. Or else the other guys will have to step up. We don't have world beating running backs, but all the guys around are good enough to be a number three guy somewhere. Q: Okay, it sounds like you're confident for the next season. RH: I am, we're still the same team, except a bit better on defense. The defense will help out and make things easier for the offense. I hope we can take advantage again and score three touchdowns per game. Q: With one on your account. RH: It doesn't matter, we're a team, you know? Stats are nice, like I said earlier, but the ultimate goal is still 18 or 19 games. We can only hope to go 19-0 for the season. Q: Any final word for the fans? RH: I hope we can win more than just 5 games at home this season. It was the only downer of last season, to win only 5 games and a playoff game at home. Q: Okay, thanks for you time Randy and good luck next season. RH: No problem. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-10-2005, 01:20 PM	#883
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Waive Ten Players It was a tough speech, but inevitable. Today, the Maassluis Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. called the staff and players for the inevitable release of 10 players to reach the pre-season limit of 60 players under contract. The eventual names didn't come as a surprise as the names were mentioned already immediately after training camp. The remaining players and the rest of the staff left for the first pre-season game at the Williamsburg Colonials. A tear glanced in his eye when Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. did his thank you speech towards the end of reading the list of ten released players. Quarterback Irv Wooden, wide receiver David Henkel, center Christian Reichel, tackle Harrison Bolden, defensive end Brenden Henderson, defensive tackle Eric Griffin and linebackers Daniel Ruelas and Mitch Hoofkin were mentioned, but not with the same pain as the last two players. Cornerback Johnnie Stidham and safety Richard Muller have gone through ups and downs with the team before. Owner M.IJ.B. wished the players luck in their search for a new job: "We tried to find you all a new home. The league is not thrilled about trading at this stage of the season, but I've got good hopes that some of you will be employed again soon enough." Of the ten casualties, all are expected to find a new team during pre-season, except for quarterback Irv Wooden, wide receiver David Henkel and maybe the defensive linemen Eric Griffin and Brenden Henderson. To show the contrast, the remaining 60 players left for the USA to play the first pre-season game, while the released players joined the same flight. In the USA, the Merchantmen will play the Williamsburg Colonials. The home team will show their new uniforms in their first game after the name change. In Williamsburg, the former substitute general manager for the Maassluis Merchantmen, Wademoore is in charge of the hiring and firing of people. The team may have gone to the USA with 60 players, but 14 of them won't be active during the game. Most of those 14 are the top players of the team, who are given time to rest and to avoid injury. Surprizingly quarterback Louie Flannery was activated, but it's yet to be seen how much action he will see. Flannery said: "I'm probably going to guard the Gatorade tank together with Cody Cluff." Back in the Netherlands, punter Sean Smalley is waiting for a phone call. Hesistant to sign a four-year contract, Smalley will have a hard time to be signed this season. The ask and demand difference is big and the Merchantmen management has already decided that Smalley isn't as important as he seem to think he is. "Sean should think about the situation. We'd like to have him on the team the coming four seasons, but he rather wants a shorter deal, he's going to have to wait until fan favorite Roscoe Corrales gets hurt." Most interesting in the pre-season will be the positional battles. In Maassluis, the battle will mainly be focussed on the running backs. Tyrell Mahoney, Desmond Carlisle, Kyle Montoya and Arthur Curran will fight to survive roster cuts, while Scott Bagley joins the group in the battle for the premier backup role. Besides that battle, there will be an eye on the offensive linemen, where one or two players will be released after pre-season. And last but not least is the third quarterback role, battled between Justin McDavid and Mel Atkins. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-12-2005, 06:43 AM	#884
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Fumble To Loss Against Colonials The first Maassluis Merchantmen pre-season game of the 2008 IHOF season is in the books. The Merchantmen lost 10-13 at the Williamsburg Colonials in a close game. Crucial in the game was the Merchantmen's return of fumblitis. A 94-yard fumble return for a touchdown accounted for the Colonials only touchdown. Justin McDavid once again showed his pre-season reputation with a good stats line. The worst news was the injury to Mike Kershener. The 2008 season start is coming soon and the Merchantmen looked back on track. Without some of the best players, the second string offensive players showed the normal trend. In a good first drive of the game, it was quarterback Justin McDavid who guided the team to a 7-0 lead. A 7-yard pass to Scott Bagley made McDavid look like his usual pre-season form. It also marked the only score of the first quarter of the game. In the second quarter, the Colonials offense got a bit going. Ex-Merchantmen quarterback Shane Bower let his revenge sentiments boil up and he made good decissions. Bower completed 4 of 5 passes for 52 yards to set up a 30-yard field goal from xxx Burch. It also marked the 7-3 halftime score as neither team came close to scoring after that. Burch missed a 51-yard kick for the home team, while Al Bettis missed a 59-yard kick with 5 seconds left to play. In the second half, an old problem returned in the Merchantmen offense. In the 2004 season, fumbles haunted the team more than once and it showed up in this pre-season game. Scott Bagley fumbled mid-way the third quarter and possession was lost. Lucky for Bagley, the Colonials immediately fumbled the ball back. But as the Merchantmen marched toward the endzone in the next plays, Kyle Montoya fumbled on an attempt to score and xxx Payton returned the ball for 94 yards and a 10-7 Colonials lead. After several defensive highlights, the Merchantmen offense got back on track. Now quarterback by Mel Atkins, the Merchantmen moved up from their own 25-yard line towards the 13-yard line. Atkins completed 5 of 7 passes for 45 yards and saw Al Bettis kick in the 10-10 score on a 30-yarder. And as the Merchantmen defense forced a three-and-out next, Atkins was given a shot at winning the game afterall. After Kyle Montoya broke through for a nice 12-yard run, Mel Atkins decided to gamble a bit. Atkins tried to connect with Montoya, but the ball was intercepted by xxx May and possession was lost. The Colonials took advantage a bit and marched forward. They were stopped halfway their route, but xxx Burch's 50-yard fied goal gave the home team a 13-10 lead with just 19 seconds left to play. Atkins failed to complete a hail mary to Devin Henson and the game was over. Justin McDavid spoke of a good game with an undeserved final score: "Things clicked and had we done a better job avoiding turnovers, this would have been a small victory." McDavid completed 13 of 21 passes for 137 yards and was arguably the best Merchantmen player in stats. McDavid did get sacked once and fumbled once as well. McDavid: "Fumblitis... I'll never get that image away. The thing to do was showing I can pass the ball and be worth a roster spot when the season starts." Besides the loss, the injuries to two players were the bad news of the game. Safety John Cole hurt his elbow and is expected to play a backup role in the next pre-season game at home against the Asheville Axemen. More troublesome could be the knee injury linebacker Mike Kershner picked up. The team expects to inactivate Kersher for the remainder of the pre-season to have him fit for game one against the Gothenburg Giants. Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. wanted to only see the good things: "(receiver) Devin Henson looked good and may have proven he can be our #4 receiver. (running back) Kyle Montoya did well, aside from the fumble. (running back) Scott Bagley played 'Harrish'. And (punter) Roscoe Corrales showed we made a good decission to keep him around until he gets hurt." Most interesting moment of the Maassluis-Williamsburg meeting was not during but after the game. Justin McDavid had to sign his autograph on an orange #3 jersey. That alone is no news, unless the wearer of the replica is the owner of the other team. Colonials owner Wademoore looked happier with the ink on his shirt than the outcome of the game. But rumors on a trade of McDavid to Williamsburg were denied by both owners. McDavid just smiled and knows his popularity could make him a Merchantmen player until the end of his career. If only he could stop fumbling... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-12-2005, 10:55 AM	#885
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Breaking News: Merchantmen Acquire Running Back Schoen In an unexpected move, the Maassluis Merchantmen today announced the acquisition of running back Joseph Schoen from the Georgia Gridlock. The Merchantmen say goodbye to running back Tyrell Mahoney (drafted in 2007) and wide receiver Jules Benedict (acquired through trade in 2007). The Merchantmen also gave up three future draft picks for two picks from Georgia. Schoen ran for 1,031 and 1,045 yards the past two seasons and is expected to play as a time-sharer with Randy Harris in Maassluis. The Merchantmen will come with more news later today... __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-12-2005, 01:20 PM	#886
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Present Schoen And Bush The regualr season roster looked ready, but all of a sudden the management decided differently. With a trade and a free agent signing, the Maassluis Merchantmen changed their roster at two spots. Running back Joseph Schoen replaces running back Tyrell Mahoney, while wide receiver Jules Benedict was replaced by defensive end Bubba Bush. Bush was hired as a free agent, while the other three players were involved with a trade between the Merchantmen and the Georgia Gridlock. Joseph Schoen is the new kid on the block to threaten the role of fan favorite Randy Harris. Schoen is only 25 years old, but has already two 1,000-yard seasons with the Georgia Gridlock on his resume. In 64 games for the Gridlock, Schoen ran for 3,631 yards and 16 touchdowns. Schoen never excelled as a receiver, as is show by the 43 receptions for 210 yards in his career. Schoen also has a reputation as a return specialist, especially in punt returning. Additional note: Schoen's nickname 'The Shoe' refers to 'schoen' being dutch for 'shoe'. Bubba Bush is a 26-year old defensive end. Bush was drafted by the Gothenburg Giants in the 2006 draft, 4 picks before Omar Gougeon was taken by the Merchantmen. Bush signed a one-year deal, but will be restricted in the next off-season, providing he's still around by then. Bush never played a big role for the Giants. In two seasons, Bush started only once and recorded no sacks in 12 games. Bush will be active for the entire pre-season and might luck into a roster spot if injuries hit hard. Jules Benedict was a well appreciated wide receiver with the Merchantmen. During the 13-3 campaign, Benedict played in all games and started once. The sole start came ironically against the team he played for during the previous three seasons, the RayCo Raiders. Benedict recorded 26 receptions for 338 yards in 2007. Benedict's highlight in Maassluis was a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the 40-13 victory over the Gothenburg Giants in week 15. Tyrell Mahoney was drafted as a hot prospect but time was very short for him to prove he's a worthy backup player. Mahoney was picked in the fifth round of the 2007 draft and was eventually active in 14 regular season games. Mahoney ran 4 times for 15 yards as the number three running back behind 1,000-yard backs Randy Harris and Rodger Mowery on the epth chart. Mahoney was known for his hard working attitude and the pretty good progress he made over time. But the addition of Schoen made him expendable and being traded to Georgia improves his chances to make some noise in the IHOF. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-16-2005, 05:30 PM	#887
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Back In Winning Mood The Maassluis Merchantmen are back in the land of the winning teams. With a 27-22 victory, the Merchantmen beat the Asehville Axemen in an exhibition game. Justin McDavid excelled in his own pre-season fashion with a great passing game and handing over the curse of fumblitis. The defense allowed a lot of yards, but shined with key plays in the red zone. Defensive linemen Albert Bernardo and Andrew Rasmussen got hurt and might miss the season start. It was only pre-season, but for the Merchantmen fans it was a game like always. 72,400 people attended the game and saw the home team win in an exciting game of football. With Al Bettis' 28-yard field goal in the last second of the first half and Scott Bagley's rushing touchdown in the last minute, the game came down to the last moments of the hour of play. The Axemen took the lead at three occasions, but didn't take care of turnover as they should have. Justin McDavid took the game MVP honors. McDavid may be a popular face in Oranje Haven, but he did show up with 13 of 18 passes completed for 123 yards and a touchdown. McDavid didn't commit a turnover, for a change, but his three skill players with returning specialities did. Scott Bagley (twice), Jerry Beyer and Devin Henson have picked up the fumblitis and the fans are already in awe to think of another fumbles loaded season. Bagley already fumbled four times in two pre-season games now. As the offense tried to fumble the game away, the defense didn't mind to let the Axemen come. Interceptions from Myron Stevens and Xavier Clyburn saved the day, but more crucial was how the defense forced 18-yard and 20-yard field goals in stead of a touchdown. Fullback Jackson Sloane accounted for two touchdown receptions in the third quarter and looked happy to contribute for a change. But eventually Ellsworth Thelen (10 tackles) and his defense made key plays at the right moments. Sadly for the team, two more defensive players got hurt. Linebacker Mike Kershner will be joined on the inactive list by defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen, while Albert Bernardo will play. Rasmussen suffered a torn calf muscle and is expected to not return after the bye in week four. Bernardo was diagnoses with a broken nose, but should be able to play and ready to go in the season opener against the Gothenburg Giants. Last but not least, following the injuries to Rasmussen and Bernardo, the Merchantmen hired defensive tackle Andre Cofield as a potential addition to the team. Cofield is still a rookie and was drafted last in the sixth round of the past draft by the North Plainfield Plague. Cofield is still very green, but has the potential to become a very good pass rusher with some good run defense skills. The management is still determining what will be done to go down to 46 active and 14 inactive players for the road game at the Frederick Red Menace. The team is opting to either release Andre Cofield or defensive end Bubba Bush, but it seems Bush is fitting on the team system and with 4 tackles and 1 sack he made a case for a longer stay. Cofield might be moved to defensive end, but that doesn't resolve the issue. Worst case, the team will release another player that was already unlikely to make the final 53-men roster. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-17-2005, 02:38 PM	#888
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Drop To 1-2 In Pre-Season Coming back to Maassluis, the Merchantmen won't have a winning record in the 2008 pre-season. With a 23-20 victory, the Frederick Red Menace defended their home soil well. Justin McDavid once again made good decissions at quarterback, but more fumbles make the coaching staff worried. The defense looked hopeless and has a lot to improve in the regular season. Injuries hit again as rookie Scott Bagley joins the list of inactive players for the last pre-season game. Lenny Roberts wants more playing time and with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns the running back has a case. Running through the decent Merchantmen defense, Roberts was the key element in a 23-20 victory. In the end the score was even closer than the game was as the Red Menace wasted a 20-0 lead and allowed 13 points in the fourth quarter. Justin McDavid once again enjoyed wearing the orange-white-and-blue outfit. McDavid quarterbacked his men well as he completed 18 of 28 passes for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns versus 1 interception. McDavid connected with Charlie Martins, Jerry Beyer and Alfredo Rhodes for the scores McDavid even worked his butt off for others as he recovered a fumble of a teammate. But as McDavid recovered a fumble, it was one of three own recoveries. Like in the previous two pre-season games, the Merchantmen as a team combined for four fumbles and the stories of the curse of Fumblin' Justin boiled up again. Gregory Monti and Desmond Carlisle joined the list of players with a fumble. Kyle Montoya and Jerry Beyer added their second fumble of the pre-season. But as the offense fumbled, the defense looked even more hopeless. While allowing 440 total yards concerns are rising about how great the system can be in Maassluis. It may have been pre-season, but the Merchantmen started a lot of potential starters, including some true starters. Allowing 237 yards for the entire game, the pressure is on Charles Gomez, Cody Cluff and Lincoln Gilmore even more during the regular season. Rookie Scott Bagley will likely miss the regular season start. The kickoff return specialised running back picked up a nasty back injury and is listed as out for the next pre-season game. Bagley joins defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen on the list of players tagged as 'out'. Albert Bernardo and Mike Kershner are expected to return in time for regular season action. Who will play in the last pre-season game is still a mystery. The team management has spoken with the coaching staff about the option to let the starters handle the home game against the Miami Sharks. But seeing the trend in recent games, the Merchantmen are likely to stick with the current depth chart and let the backups and youngsters handle the pre-season. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-17-2005, 04:10 PM	#889
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	General Manager Notes Here we go, we're a week closer to the regular season! Okay, our backups and youngsters are 1-2 this pre-season and it's tough to say we're doing great so far. Looking at the fumbling alone, that's probably the worst thing of it all: four fumbles in every single game. What the pre-season is mostly about is testing out some of our new players. Who are the new faces and what have they done so far? QB Thad Pilkington Thad is Thad. And Thad stands for fourth quarter comeback victories. Well, I wanted to test him and made him second stringer versus Frederick. Guess what? Our headcoach decided to give Justin McDavid a full game to play and Thad has yet to make a snap for our team. RB Joseph Schoen 'The Shoe' is finally a Merchantmen player. Well, he's yet to be as we deactivated him so far. I'm interested to see him in action and with other injuries, the Shoe is going to be active at home against Miami. RB Desmond Carlisle Mr. Irrelevant of the 2006 draft has seen some action and it's easy to say he didn't impress so far. With 45 yards rushing on 18 carries, Carlisle hasn't been a running threat so far. And with one fumble in those carries, he didn't set himself up to make the final 53-men roster at all. RB Kyle Montoya The comeback kid. Kyle is back and determined to make the 53-men roster for the third time in four seasons. Montoya ran for 90 yards on 16 carries already. Sadly for him, the 2 fumbles are not making a case for him to be worth sticking around. RB Scott Bagley Mister kickoff return is trying to show he can contribute as a rookie. And with 2 total touchdowns, Bagley has been doing well so far. 117 yards rushing with a 4.3 yard per carry average ain't bad at all. His kickoff return skills didn't show up, but what did show up is a case of fumblitis. Bagley lost the ball four times in 33 ball carries. That can't be good... C Heath Ferebee We didn't really need a new backup center, but so far the pass protection expert is proving why he was a full time start so far in the IHOF. With 4 key run blocks and 1 sack allowed, Ferebee shows decent numbers and is a welcome addition to the pack of offensive linemen. G Jasper Call How often can you get a former All IHOF guard on the free agent market so easily? Well, Call has a pass protection problem, he can't do it. So far we saw nothing of that. Call didn't allow a sack and did show his run blocking with 6 run blocks. DE Erwin Baranowski Welcome to the team Erwin. We wanted Baranowski to be our new #3 defensive end and he's going to be that. Well, he should be as it seems we picked up competition recently. And Bara' has not been given the opportunity to show his trait yet. DE Bubba Bush Bubba wants Bara's job. And he's making a case for it so far. The free agent signing is well developed and with 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries in 2 games he's doing a decent pass rush job. Bush even recorded a defended pass and 6 tackles already. LB Bernie Surry Hello breakout rookie! Well, Surry will know it and the spotlights will be on him. In three games so far, Surry made 14 tackles and 8 assists. But more importantly, Surry couldn't help on the pass defense or pass rush so far. And with the play Ellsworth Thelen and Carl Meier are showing, Surry may be riding the bench at the season start. CB Xavier Clyburn 3 games, 2 interceptions. Say "Hi!" to our new interception specialist people! Clyburn has yet to make a defended pass, but that's okay if he can make interceptions. It looks like Clyburn will be more than just a nickelback for us. CB Sammie Kennedy Here's a downer. Kennedy should develop into a zone defense specialist, but so far he's not producing the goods. Kennedy allowed 4 catches and didn't defend or intercept a pass yet. As a punt returner, Kennedy will have a shot to show his trick next game, but he's unlikely to become our #2 guy in that. And as a dimeback, we got Myron Stevens on the team, who had 1 interception and 4 defended passes already this pre-season. FS Broderick Schultz Oh boy, here's our new sidekick to Lincoln Gilmore. So far Schultz hasn't done anything special, while Emile William defended 3 passes. It looks like Schultz will be a backup against the Gothenburg Giants in week one. Others RB Arthur Curran, FB Luke Smelser, WR Alfredo Rhodes, LT Alfonso King were hired to be mentoring the youngsters. They've done their share and will likely be released on the 53-men roster cut day. Curran or Rhodes may survive, but Smelser and King are very unlikely to make it. I think you're all up to date on what's going on so far in Maassluis. Injuries are no big concern so far either. DT Andrew Rasmussen will miss the season start, but he's got a backup role, as will RB Scott Bagley most likely, who was going to be a backup as well. Let's hope we get through the last pre-season game injury-free to defend our European title. Fingers crossed! __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-19-2005, 06:27 PM	#890
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Lose Last Pre-Season Game Despite a good running game and effective passing game in the first half, the Maassluis Merchantmen have ended the pre-season with a loss. The Miami Sharks went into Oranje Haven knowing they won there last year and went back home as 17-10 winners this time. Justin McDavid once again blossomed on a fumbling offense. Carl Meier lead the defense to allow a respectable 261 total yards. The best news were no new injuries to the team, but most eyes were on the players who are likely 53-men roster cut day casualties. The Sharks did it in 2007 and they did it again in 2008. With a victory in Oranje Haven, they give the Dutch football team's players reason to think about what's going on. With three lost close games, the backups haven't proven to be ready for the season. At least the fans know they can expect better things to happen when the likes of Louie Flannery, Charles Gomez, Randy Harris, Bryce Ewald and Tai Wayne return to action. Nobody will talk about how the Merchantmen came a completed pass short of tying the score. Justin McDavid ended the pre-season is style, with his fourth consecutive good performance. While completing 14 of 21 passes for 95 yards and running for 33 more yards, McDavid once again showed he can be efficient in the Merchantmen offense. Compared to the newly acquired number two quarterback Thad Pilkington (5 for 15, 80 yards), McDavid even pushed for being re-promoted to the premier backup role. But as a negative, the players around him once again produced fumbles, adding 3 more for a pre-season total of 15. Linebacker Carl Meier got the kudos all over after the game. With 10 tackles, Meier was the key player on a defense that once again managed to stop the pass. Allowing 11 completed passes on 21 attempts for 108 yards, the pass defense looks ready, even with Tai Wayne and Lincoln Gilmore still inactive. Rookie linebacker Bernie Surry doesn't look ready to help the pass protection, but as long as Mike Kershner, Ellsworth Thelen and Meier don't excel at it, Surry will get a look as the new strong side linebacker. The good news was that injuries to Bernie Surry and cornerback Winford Endicott were so minor that they will be 100% fit for the official season opener against the Gothenburg Giants this weekend. Running back Scott Bagley (back) and defensive tackle Andrew Rasmussen (calf muscle) will surly miss the first game, while defensive end Albert Bernardo will take extra precaution with a broken nose. Last but not least were the roster spot battles to make the final 53-men roster cut down. Running back Desmonds Carlisle scored a touchdown, but ran for only 20 yards on 10 carries as the feature back. Arthur Curran (46 yards) and Kyle Montoya (45 yards) seem to battle for the fourth running back spot behind Randy Harris, Joseph Schoen and Scott Bagley. Curran fumbled today, but Montoya's two fumbles in earlier games may cost him in the end. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail