IHOF: Maassluis Merchantmen

[MIJB#19]

Individual Statistics After Three Weeks
Offensive Passing
QB Just. McDavid _ 52% _ 160 yd/gs _ 5.2 yd/at _ 10.0 yd/cm _ 0.5 td _ 1.5 int
QB Leonard Lyon _ 43% _ 150 yd/gs _ 4.1 yd/at _ 9.4 yd/cm _ 0.0 td _ 2.0 int
RB Randy Harris _ 7 cat _ 60 yd _ 11 yac _ 0 td _ 1 drop
FB Vincent Lopez _ 4 cat _ 28 yd _ 8 yac _ 0 td _ 0 drops
TE Jerry Aubrey _ 9 cat _ 59 yd _ 16 yac _ 0 td _ 3 drops
WR Greg. Monti _ 6 cat _ 75 yd _ 2 yac _ 0 td _ 0 drops
WR Bryce Ewald _ 9 cat _ 107 yd _ 6 yac _ 1 td _ 1 drop
WR Lon. O'Reilley _ 8 cat _ 115 yd _ 2 yac _ 0 td _ 0 drops
LT Har. Hurtado _ 0 sacks _ 0.0%
LG Bruce White _ 1 sacks _ 0.9%
C Brant Heinrich _ 1 sacks _ 0.9%
RT Rus. Malave _ 2 sacks _ 1.9%
RT Wil. Grimaldo _ 0 sacks _ 0.0%

Offensive Rushing
QB Just. McDavid _ 52 yards _ 4.0 yd/car _ 0 td
QB Leonard Lyon _ 3 yards _ 3.0 yd/car _ 0 td
RB Randy Harris _ 209 yards _ 3.2 yd/car _ 2 td
RB Jonathan Smith _ 78 yards _ 4.3 yd/car _ 0 td
FB Vincent Lopez _ 12 yards _ 4.0 yd/car _ 1 td
FB Mark Burger _ 6 yards _ 1.2 yd/car _ 1 td
FB Vincent Lopez _ 3 krb _ 23%
TE Jerry Aubrey _ 1 krb _ 50%
LT Har. Hurtado _ 5 krb _ 25%
LG Butch White _ 4 krb _ 27%
C Brant Heinrich _ 6 krb _ 50%
RT Rus. Malave _ 4 krb _ 36%
RT Wil. Grimaldo _ 4 krb _ 25%

Defensive Passing
DE Harold Wells _ 2.5 sk _ 1 block _ 4 hurries _ 8%
DT Charles Gomez _ 2.5 sk _ 0 block _ 9 hurries _ 12%
DT John Bryant _ 0 sk _ 1 block _ 2 hurries _ 4%
DE Deon Chapa _ 0.5 sk _ 2 block _ 1 hurries _ 7%
DE Al. Bernardo _ 1.5 sk _ 0 block _ 0 hurries _ 3%

Defensive Rushing
SLB Ellsw. Thelen _ 2 pd _ 1 int _ 6 catches _ 21%
MLB Cody Cluff _ 3 pd _ 1 int _ 4 catches _ 22%
WLB Sam Sasa _ 0 pd _ 0 int _ 2 catches _ 18%
CB Den. Preciado _ 0 pd _ 0 int _ 4 catches _ 19%
SS Wiley McGhee _ 1 pd _ 0 int _ 5 catches _ 19%
FS Richard Muller _ 3 pd _ 0 int _ 7 catches _ 20%
CB Tai Wayne _ 2 pd _ 0 int _ 7 catches _ 19%
CB Des. Craig _ 2 pd _ 0 int _ 3 catches _ 21%

Special Teams
WR Lon. O'Reilley _ 82 yards _ 7.4 yd/pr
WR Lon. O'Reilley _ 111 yards _ 22.2 yd/kr
WR Devin Henson _ 137 yards _ 22.8 yd/kr
K Cary Coles _ 5 fg _ 100% _ 5 pat _ 100% _ 54 long
P Roscoe Corrales _ 808 yards _ 38.4 yd/p _ 38% in20


Team Statistics After Three Weeks
Passing Offense
Yard/Game _ 157 yd _ 24th
Yard/Attm. _ 4.8 yd _ 29th
Yards/Com _ 8.8 yd _ 25th
Sacks Alw. _ 9.7 yd _ 4th

Rushing Offense
Yard/Game _ 120 yd _ 15th
Yard/Carry _ 3.5 yd _ 26th

Passing Defense
Yard/Game _ 164 yd _ 9th
Yard/Attm. _ 5.5 yd _ 9th
Yards/Com _ 12.2 yd _ 27th
Sacks Md. _ 16.3 yd _ 14th

Rushing Defense
Yard/Game _ 100 yd _ 9th
Yard/Carry _ 3.5 yd _ 8th

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: All IHOF Tight End Aubrey Benched
The Merchantmen have pulled the trigger, All IHOF tight end Jerry Aubrey is about to be benched in favor of young promising Jim Reiser. The signs were there earlier on, when Reiser bloomed for the Merchantmen in preseason. Aubrey's failure in the road game at Fort Worth Fury was the last straw.
In 26 passing plays, Aubrey was targeted by Justin McDavid 7 times, yet Aubrey caught only 1 ball and dropped 2 passes. It's early in the season, but Aubrey's job seems lost. For the season, he did make 9 receptions, yet only managed to gain 59 yards and no scores, while dropping 3 of 12 good passes and being tagetted 26 times. The tough part is that Aubrey used to be starting quarterback Justin McDavid's favorite target. With Leonard Lyon making decission, Aubrey grabbed 2 passes for just 4 yards.
Young gun Jim Reiser was inked in as the starter by football experts, yet the Merchantmen staff showed loyalty to their only All IHOF first team selection. Reiser looks to have the tools to be a worthy replacement, plus has the popularity with the fans to attract some extra attention. Besides Reiser's catching skills being equal to Aubrey's, Reiser is the better blocker of the two.
That's fine and all, but the main issue remains unresolved. Top Merchantmen receiver Gregory Monti showed some exellence in the preseason, yet is not thrown the ball by McDavid. Leonard Lyon does connect with Monti, yet ignores Aubrey. Only if the starting quarterback can find the chemistry to connect with both players, the Merchantmen passing game will be better.
When Randy Harris leads the team in receiving yards, it must be a sign that even Bryce Ewald isn't the solution. The Merchantmen think they have capable receivers, yet the playcallers can't find them. Maybe they should take the time to allow Lyon to improve this season.
In stead of making their best player on offense a casualty of bad performance, the team should be grateful that the defense made this a 2-1 team. Quarterback or no quarterback, passing game or no passing game, this team will take a playoff spot. If only because they have an open weekend and the other AOC winning teams are facing eachother...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Starting Quarterback Named After Week 4 Games
The Maassluis Merchantmen management want to let the fans know that the recent results have put Justin McDavid back in the mix for another quarterback controversy. General manager M.IJ.B. explains the situation.

"At the season start, we announced Leonard Lyon as starting quarterback. At that moment, we made clear that only injuries could make him lose his job, and sadly, that could be the case. Justin McDavid's outstanding preseason performance has been noticed and we know the team is 2-0 with him starting. For now, Lyon remains as the number one, depending on whether his groin injury is completly healed. To sum it up, we will not name a starter for the Tucker Tigers game, until we know how healthy Lyon is for that game."

Additionally, the Merchantmen management want to deny the rumors spread by Gossip News on the starting tight end job. As of yet, Jerry Aubrey remains as the number one tight end until further notice.

[wade moore]

Gomez has really been an asset to the secondary this year... He is a large part of your #9 y/att average on defense.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Gomez has really been an asset to the secondary this year... He is a large part of your #9 y/att average on defense.

Sorry, WM, I am not following, what do you mean by that?
Gomez is my DT superstar, what are you trying to say?
Honestly, I want to know what you mean, I am a bit puzzled.

What caught my eye just now:
Our defense is 9th in passing yards and rushing yards.

[wade moore]

My reasoning is this:

He has 9 hurries and 2.5 sacks. So that means 11.5 pass plays that he directly caused bad results on, and you gotta figure the presense of him there changes the way the pass plays are run.

It goes to the idea that some sacks are caused by good coverage, but also that int's/bad passes are sometimes caused by good pass rush.

Make sense?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

My reasoning is this:

He has 9 hurries and 2.5 sacks. So that means 11.5 pass plays that he directly caused bad results on, and you gotta figure the presense of him there changes the way the pass plays are run.

It goes to the idea that some sacks are caused by good coverage, but also that int's/bad passes are sometimes caused by good pass rush.

Make sense?

Yes, it does, thanks.
I agree, Gomez (and Wells) are a big part of this defense doing so well as of yet. Though, the big test are still to come, when QBs like Joe Johnson (Bordeaux), Jamie Canter (Chesapeake), Wayne Christopherson (Orlando) and 'Aces' Glenn (Conyers) are up as opponents.
Aces Glenn, however, we held him to 96 yards and his total offense to 163 yards and 17 points (2 fumble return TDs!) last season. Yes, we lost that game, Fumblin Justin made 4 fumbles...

I'm almost starting to believe in the latest stories at NFL.com about teams investing in a pass rush as being the second most important thing after a good quarterback, it works in FOF as well...

And, it's not like my team hasn't invested in that already, 13% of the cap for 1 DE and 1 DT is a lot of money.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Defense Amazes League
It is early in the season, but after three weeks of IHOF action, one team has already surpassed their 2004 total of victories. The Maassluis Merchantmen have won two games straight on the road at last year's Mid-Atlantic Division winners, Frederick Red Menace, and the strong Deep South Division's last ranked team, Fort Worth Fury. What has changed about the Merchantmen, why did they improve?

First factor to be concidered is the aging proces. The Merchantmen had one of the youngest rosters, yet the young talented players got the chance to play and learn from their mistakes. Some players improved over the year, but espcially quarterback Justin McDavid looked better then ever, until he got benched.

Is it the addition of veteran players? The Merchantmen replaced both safeties, added a strongside linebacker and a backup defensive end to add some experience to the defense. On offense, players like Jerry Aubrey, Harold Hurtado and Vincent Lopez already provided experience. Yet, the addition of Wilson Grimaldo could be a major factor. Grimaldo is an upgrade over Russell Malave on the right and made it possible to move Malave to right guard as long as Alvin Causey is out.

Then there was the draft, where the Merchantmen added four players in the first round and two skill position backups in the later rounds. Cornerback Tai Wayne hardly allows catches as of yet and Brant Heinrich plays pretty well at the heart of the offensive line. Butch White is learning fast and only Leonard Lyon, the new quarterback is still a mystery.

Charm of the team is the defense. Again, it's early, but when a team ranks nineth in passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed, you can't underestimate them. Even better, they rank in the top nine in yards per carry and yards per pass attempt. Maybe the opposition was too weak? Not really, Gothenburg, Frederick and Fort Worth combine for a 4-2 record outside the Merchantmen games. So what made this defense so great thusfar?

Suspect number one is Charles Gomez. In three games, Gomez had 2.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hurries. Add 5 tackles per game and you have a top of the league defensive tackle. League wide only one defensive lineman made more tackles. Gomez was an SI All Pro AOC Selection after the 2004 season. No wonder after making 68 tackles, 24 assists, 5 sacks, 5 blocked passes and 8 quarterback hurries.

Together with Harold Wells, Gomez forms an amazing left side of the Merchantmen defensive line. Upgraded with Ellsworth Thelen at strong linebacker and Albert Bernardo as a backup end, there is some oustanding pass rush haunting opposing offensive lines and their quarterbacks. Maybe this threat is the #1 reason of the third ranked passing completion percentage at just 44.4 percent.

The only thing still missingon the defense is the force of turnovers. With just two interceptions in three games, there is still some improvement for this defense. Once fumbles and interceptions start counting, this defense could become a big factor in the near future. And if the offense starts maturing, who knows, the Merchantmen could be championship contenders in 2006.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Our good trading partners from Orlando (the Alvin Causey trade) and the team we shut down at home last year, Conyers, yet undeservedly lost to, have made our day, beating our divisional rivals Bordeaux and Gothenburg with 37-13 and 38-13 respectively.
Too bad North Plainfield beat Telluride and Rochester bear Fort Worth, keeping us from a playoff spot at less then 1/4th of the season. Though, Rochester winning is always good news in Merchantmen management eyes, unless it's against us, so they are forgiven in our eyes.

For what it is worth, our defense ranks tied for fourth in yards per game allowed.
Due to the open week, we rank very high in most of the team stats. Second in both passing and rushing yards allowed, first in sacks allowed. Obviously, that does not take into account that we played 75% the games 7/8th of the league did.

European Division Standings
3-1 Bordeaux
2-1 Maassluis
2-2 Gothenburg
0-3 Paris

Upcoming Games
Bordeaux at Gothenburg - Is that good news? One of them has to lose and if we win, we either move past Bordeaux or make a gap with Gothenburg for second place. Bordeaux is missing their star running back Rashad Burse, so the odds go Gothenburg's way.
Paris - Play their first home game against Georgia. The two combine for a 0-7 record, thus one of them will stop losing on Monday.
Maassluis - We play Tucker, at home. The Tucker defense is haunted with injuries, yet their offense is at full strenght. We'll see if we can stop the top 5 rushing game like we did in weeks 2 and 3.

Projected Standings After Week 5
3-2 Gothenburg (beating Bordeaux doesn't look impossible)
3-2 Bordeaux
2-2 Maassluis
1-3 Paris

[MIJB#19]

Tucker At Maassluis Preview
Maassluis versus Tucker, a game between teams currently in the wild card catch up race. The season is young, but losing a lot early will break up later on in the race for playoff tickets. Tucker were a last eight team in the 2004 season after a 9-7 regular season. The Tigers hope to do better then last year and to do that, the Merchantmen are just a small hurdle compared to their divisional fiels.

Man of the game won't be a player, but the Tigers new defensive coordinator Jerome Hodges. Hodges left the Merchantmen this offseason to move from the offensive to the defensive side of the ball. The Merchantmen management felt let down by Hodges.

Looking to the teams, things jumping out are the Tigers rushing game and the Merchantmen total defense. Tucker are run oriented and face a fast improving defense. The Tigers' roting backs should be warned about the improve run defense in Maassluis.

The Tigers' quarterback situation is even more troublesome then the Merchantmen's. Even not knowing who'll be making the calls for the home team next Monday. Gary Handy is expected to do the Tigers limited passing. Handy is comaprable with Justin McDavid, except that Handy is handy and doesn't fumble.

For Maassluis, the quarterback situation is still a secret. The management announced that McDavid would step in as long as Lyon is not fully recovered. Lyon isn't recovered, but with the Merchantmen winning with McDavid, the management is reconcidering the leading role for the coming weeks.

Where Tucker's offense is run oriented, their defense is not so strong against the rush. Randy Harris hopes to surpass the 100 yard mark for the first time ever against an injury plagued defensive front seven. That is if the defensive mastermind middle linebacker Lloyd Dye doesn't have a big night.

Crucial in this AOC interdivisional game will be whether the Merchantmen can stop the Tigers' rushing. In 20 regular season games, only twice the Tigers were held below 100 yards, with Conyers Condors jumping out with 66 yards. This season, Conyers were Tucker's toughest opponent again at 112 yards.

Maassluis' rushing defense is strong this season, they held two of three opponents below 100 yards. They did that three times in the 2004 season, including a 25 yards lowest against Columbus. Gothenburg's good old Jerry McGee, however, had 3 of his top 10 rushing outings against Maassluis. James Cull had his worst game ever against Maassluis.

Sadly for Maassluis, the guy that build the Merchantmen offense will be coordinating their opposition this time. Hodges should know the weaknesses, espacially of their quarterback McDavid. Lucky for Maassluis, they replaced three linemen with guys Hodges doesn't know yet.

We almost forgot to mention someone, the person that coached the Tigers to the playoffs. Spencer Opitz was replaced by Tucker and now coordinated the Merchantmen offense. Maybe this insider spy can return the favor and tell all about the Tigers' rushing game.

A game of a run oriented offense against a winning defense, dominated by staff members having left one team for the other. This is undoubtfully one of the most interesting games of week five of the 2005 IHOF season. Note the forecasted Dutch rain, expect a flooded field in the centre of Europe's biggest harbour. Let's see if these Tigers can swim...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Start McDavid Against Tucker Tigers
For the week five home game against the Tucker Tigers, the Maassluis Merchantmen want to announce that Justin McDavid will be the starting quarterback. This will be the third start for McDavid this season after wins on the road at Frederick Red Menace and Fort Worth Fury.

With Leonard Lyon not fully recovered from a groin injury, the management has no desire to rush Lyon back into play and see him go down with an agrevated injury. Lyon is expected to be fully recovered for the week 6 game against Georgia Gridlock. The 0-4 Gridlock look like the perfect match to return for the rookie quarterback.

Second, Justin McDavid has led the Merchantmen to two consecutive road game victories. Those were the first two in team history, yet McDavid was starter in the previous seven lost road games. McDavid's passing statistics haven't been overwhelming enough to make him the starter again.

If McDavid managed to lead the Merchantmen to a home game victory over the Tucker Tigers, and only if McDavid's passing stats are concidered a good showing, only then the management are reconcidering the number one spot on the depth chart.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen Fooling Around, Again
The Maassluis Merchantmen management are starting to look like the Dutch national soccer team's coaching staff. Decissions are pushed back to be taken later and if they are taken, they are reconcidered after every little setback. Maybe it's part of being Dutch, but the Merchantmen players are getting worried.

Good thing, the Merchantmen defense has stepped up in two consecutive road games or else this would have been a complete disaster. But the issue remains, the Merchantmen have far from settled their quarterback controversy. One season, Justin McDavid is given the confidence for 13 consecutive lost games. The next they draft a quarterback in the first round. One day Justin McDavid blooms in the preseason, the next day Leonard Lyon is named started. The next week McDavid is starting because of a groin injury sidelining Lyon.

Fair enough, the Merchantmen had to draft a quarterback to make sure they can be taken serious. The call on Lyon starting from game one was unexpected, but made somewhat sense if the Merchantmen see him as their quarterback of the future. When Lyon went down, going back to McDavid was the only solution, but did make it another issue with McDavid having gone 2-0 as a starter.

But now, the stupidity is back, the Merchantmen announced to resolve the situation. People expected to see Lyon back, despite McDavid's fumble free performance on the road. Lyon's is almost recovered and could play with little chance on getting re-injured. Now, they push it back another game day.

Leonard Lyon will be having the game of the season against Tucker sitting on the bench. The weather forecasters expect a rainy day, making the ball slippery and fumble prone. With your rival being called Fumblin' Justin, there is no question he'll be starting next week. If not taking over mid-game.

[MIJB#19]

Rain Big Influence On Maassluis-Tucker Game?
The Weather Girls' famous song has been the hottest hit in the Dutch harbour today, "It's raining, men, haleluja!" is what the Merchantmen fans are dancing on. With the Tucker Tigers focussing on rushing, the slippery grass in Maassluis asks for the pass-or-fumble game. Lucky for Tucker, the Merchantmen are starting Fumblin' Justin. With the game about to kickoff, people expect an ugly game and the latest over/under bets are at a game total of a lowly 20 points.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis Versus Tucker Recap
Seldom, an extra point kick after touchdown looked more like a formality like it did today. Cary Coles had a game tying 10-10 on his foot with less then two minutes remaining. Coles will remember this game like his worst nightmares, though one that came true.

The Merchantmen and Tigers defenses made the game a close one for the first 20 minutes of playing time. Not that both offenses didn't march forward, yet turnovers kept them from scoring. Justin McDavid was the first to toss an interception, but that had little consequences. Yet, just when Gary Handy was getting hot, he tossed his own interception near the Merchantmen's red zone.

In the Merchantmen's contra attack, McDavid seemed to get his men going, only to toss his second interception of the game. Lucky for Maassluis, Tucker's xxx Barnes fumbled on the next play and the score remained 0-0 two minutes into the second quarter.

Randy Harris ran wild, with 17-yard and 12-yard rushed, the Merchantmen moved forward, yet McDavid couldn't connect with his favorite target. Jerry Aubrey didn't catch and the Dutch team settled for a 27-yard field goal. That is, if it is converted, yet Cary Coles woke up from perfect kicking land and failed.

Moving into the last three minutes of the first half, Tucker got the ball back and a set of 9- and 10-yard passes by Handy moved Tucker in a 35-yard field goal position with two seconds left. xxx Waters survived on the rainy field and score for a 3-0 half time score.

The third quarter was another all defense show, with neither offense scoring, though the highlight of the quarter was a 36-yard pass from Hardy to Forrest Truett, who totalled 123 yards receiving for the day. Eventually, Handy got the first touchdown of the game in, connecting to Alvaro Mortenson.

Randy Harris got angry and ran wild for he home team. McDavid got his old fourth quarter coming from behind feeling back and kept the chains moving. Sadly, at third-and-two at the Tucker two-yard line, Jonathan Smith was stuffed. Cary Coles made up for his earlier mistake and converted the 21-yard field goal.

With both offenses consuming some time, yet failing, Tucker had the ball back with just over two minutes left. Just as Gary Handy looked to start the two-minute warning, he got sacked on third down. Even worse, Handy fumbled and Merchantmen defensive end Junior McKeehan recovered at the Tucker two-yard line.

Randy Harris showed why he was the offensive Merchantmen player of the game, converting this short yardage opportunity. Looking at a 9-10 score, Cary Coles could completly make up for his only miss of the season. But Coles choked, nerves broke in and he misses the extra point kick.

The Tigers got the ball back, looked reborn, converted a first down and ran the clock out, winning 10-9 on the road. Both Tucker running backs were held to below 30 yards, yet their fullback enmassed 52 yards in stead. In stead, Gary Handy set a Tigers passing yards record with 219 yards, while Forrest Truett set a receiving record with his 123 yards.

With the victory, Tucker move up to 3-2 and into the second wild card spot after five weeks of play. The Merchantmen drop to 2-2 and have wasted a shot at moving into first place in the European Division. Maybe this team isn't ready for the pressure that comes with the playoff race. Even upcoming games against 1-4 Georgia and 0-4 Paris on the road could be lost by this offense.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
We lost a tight one, a game that deserved no winner. We stopped Tucker's run, but allowed passing yards they never had before. They stopped our pass but allowed rushing yards we are not familiar with.

Cary Coles made a case for why I anticipated to draft a kicker in the fourth round. Justin McDavid showed why I love to have him in the fourth quarter, but rather have someone else in quarters one, two and three. No question about it, Leonard Lyon should be the #1 again, though I am not 100% sure yet.

Week 5 European Division In Action
Gothenburg beat Bordeaux as expected at the absence of rushing star Rashad Burse. Jerry McGee led the Giants to a 20-3 trashing.

Paris looked worse then ever and were trashed by the 0-4 Georgia Gridlock in Mario Hudson's first home game. Joseph Schoen ran for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 35-13 humiliating game.

Maassluis were unlucky in a game that didn't deserve a winner, losing 10-9 on a missed 27-yard field goal and a missed extra point after touchdown.

European Division Standings
3-2 Gothenburg
3-2 Bordeaux
2-2 Maassluis
0-4 Paris

Upcoming Games
Gothenburg - Get Tucker Tigers as visiting team. If the Giants are for real, this rush oriented game will be just another test.

Bordeaux - After losing two in a row, the open weekend is welcome. Especially to hand Rashad Burns an additional week to heal.

Paris - Play their second home game against Orlando. If "Joe the Shoe" can run for 160 yards, what can the league's number one rusher Israel Mars do?

Maassluis - We play Georgia, on the road. The Gridlock are 1-4, yet have a decent running game and a good pass defense.

Projected Standings After Week 5
4-2 Gothenburg
3-2 Bordeaux
3-2 Maassluis
0-5 Paris

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen GM Top Merchantmen Award

I have decided to make my own team MVP player award this season. Every game we win I will hand out 15 points (5, 4, 3, 2 and 1) to the five best players. In losing games, the top three best will get points (3, 2 and 1). In case of a tied game, I will hand out 10 points (4, 3, 2 and 1) to the top four players.

Week three stars
3 DT Charles Gomez - 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2 RB Randy Harris - 84 yards rushing, 4.0 yard per carry, 1 touchdown
1 OT Wilson Grimaldo - 2 on 2 for key run blocks, 0 sacks allowed in 31 plays
0 LB Cody Cluff - 7 tackles, 2 assists, 1 fumble forced and recovered
0 P Roscoe Corrales - 374 yards punting, 46.7 per punt, 4 In20's, 50% in20

Overall standings
8 DT Charles Gomez
7 RB Randy Harris
5 LB Cody Cluff
4 K Cary Coles
4 WR/RS Lonnie O'Reilley
4 LB Ellsworth Thelen
4 DE Harold Wells
3 DE Albert Bernardo
1 OT Wilson Grimaldo
1 OT Russell Malave
1 CB Tai Wayne

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis At Georgia Preview
The matchup of the 2005 IHOF draft's first selection overall is here. Maassluis ended the 2004 season at a league low 1-15 record and was rewarded with the first pick in the 2005 draft. In a surprise move, the Merchantmen traded the #1 pick to Astoria Heroes to get two first round selections and linebacker Ellsworth Thelen in return. Shortly after that, the Heroes traded the pick away to the Georgia Gridlock.

The Gridlock selected wide receiver Tyrus Shaye #1 overall. Shaye should improve a shaky passing game, yet thusfar the Gridlock won just one of five games. Against the Merchantmen, Shaye might face a fellow rookie. Cornerback Tai Wayne was selected twelveth overall to improve the Merchantmen's pass defense.

Other then that, this game is one of rookie quarterbacks. Georgia handed Tim Wilkes, a guy with a Dutch name, the starting role. So far, Wilkes completed just below 50 percent of his passes, yet trows for 750 yards in 4 starts with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.

In Maassluis, Leonard Lyon is expected to return to the starting lineup after a groin injury. That means that Justin McDavid returns to the bench after three games in which the Dutch team won twice and should have gone 3-0. McDavid once again showed he can't get passes completed for more then one quarter per game.

Tim Wilkes should fear the pass rush. The Merchantmen defense is racking up pass rush stats like the top defenses and face a young and unexperienced offensive line that allowed over 5 sacks per game. In return, Lyon has a stronger line playing an also stronger front seven that misses their star defensive end Alonzo Millet. With the pass rush threat, it might not be wise to start Lyon.

This game could turnout into a rushing battle, with on one side Joseph Schoen and on the other Randy Harris. Schoen ran for 160 yards against Paris after four games of less then 40 yards. Harris is still waiting for his first 100-yard game on a pass oriented offense. With the Gridlocks run defense at 188 yards per game allowed, this could be that first triple digit game.

It might sound strange, but the Merchantmen are heavily favored to win. Sadly, the fans in Maassluis are not getting used to it yet and only saw their team lose this season. It won't change, because Georgia is hosting. Good sign for the Gridlock? Not really, the Gridlock lost their only home game to Tucker. The Merchantmen are amazingly unbeaten on the road thusfar this season. If the football experts are right, the Merchantmen could move to 3-2 and continue to be an early surprise of the season.

[wade moore]

Good Preview.

Sorry I have not participated as much, but it has been hard enough to do my Dynasty and the predictions in IHOF.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Good Preview.

Sorry I have not participated as much, but it has been hard enough to do my Dynasty and the predictions in IHOF.

No problemo.
I will keep on writing anyway, like I did before you adopted Justin McDavid as your IHOF hero.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: The Sage Continues, Lyon or McDavid?
It's game day in the International House Of Football. The doormat of the 2004 season, the Maassluis Merchantmen have been better then bad and won two road games to sit at .500 percent after four games. For the game at Georgia Gridlock, the old issue has been taken out of the paper shredder and pasted together: Lyon or McDavid?

First of all, is this issue even worth being mentioned? The Merchantmen have a shaky offense and neither Lyon nor McDavid played well enough to deserve a starting role in this regular season. McDavid has a good preseason to look back on, plus he set several rookie records in passing last season. Records that Lyon hopes to break, yet he has to start the remainder of the season and pass for two touchdowns per game to do better then rookie McDavid.

The fans want McDavid. First, because McDavid is cute and his heroic fourth quarter play is charming. Second, because McDavid has turned out to be a winner. A bit like Thad Pilkington in the 2004 season. But Thad was benched recently and McDavid knows he's next.

Leonard Lyon is the better passer of the two. Let McDavid and Lyon toss 100 passes and Lyon is more accurate and throws the ball further away. Add offensive and defensive lines to the training and you'll recognize McDavid's tactical supremacy towards Lyon. Lyon gets sacked where McDavid scrambles or makes the needed steps left or right to keep the play alive.

I hear you think "McDavid fumbles the ball and the next play the opposing offense scores." That was the rookie McDavid. Have you seen him play this season? Three games, 116 ball touches, no fumbles. That's right, Fumblin' Justin has learned from his biggest mistake and holds the ball in his hands.

Lyon or McDavid, some owners in the IHOF laugh about it, they have two playcallers with more skills. Some owners are jealous on the fact that Maassluis drafted Leonard Lyon and still dare to bench him. Plus, McDavid could be a worthy backup for about five to ten other franchises.

Back to today's game, we heard that Lyon will be starting. Recently, the Merchantmen management have sent out a press release concidering the situation and made clear that McDavid could only keep starting if he had put up decent passing stats against Tucker. The Merchantmen lost and McDavid had his second worst passing performance ever.

McDavid is broken, he led his team to two victories. He figured that he got his job back, but then the management told him he was not even close to his old job. Maybe they asked for it, but McDavid did what he does best against Tucker. No show for three quarters, then putting his heroic face on and almost lead his team past the opponent. Almost.

Today, Leonard Lyon hopes to wipe away his bad showing in week one against Gothenburg. Lyon completed 43 percent of his passes for just 4 yards per attemts and below 10 yards per completion. No touchdowns versus two interceptions doesn't look much better. Compared to McDavid's 49 percent, 4.9 yards per attempt, 10 yards per completion and 1:5 touchdown-interception ratio, Lyon isn't much of a downgrade.

The Merchantmen hope that Lyon starts noticing Jerry Aubrey. Until now, tight end Aubrey was the Merchantmen's premier receiver, yet in Lyon's first start he targeted Aubrey just five times and connected just two passes for 4 yards with the All IHOF selection. People have been calling for Jim Reiser to step in, yet Aubrey bounced back last week with 6 receptions for 60 yards.

Perhaps Lyon's favorite target, Gregory Monti can keep the chains moving. Monti suffers from a bruised ribcage, but should be available today. Or else all lies in the feet of Randy Harris. Harris never ran for 100 yards and tonight should be his first time ever. That is, if Lyon does his job and the Merchantmen don't fall behind. Then, it's not unlikly that McDavid will step in and correct it all to finally make the issue resolved: Lyon starts, McDavid plays the fourth quarter. Would that be something?

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Lyon Makes mistake To Get Job Back?
The latest rumor on the Lyon-McDavid sage is one to be a very serious issue. Remember the missed extra point and missed field goal from Cary Coles? The latest story is that Leonard Lyon explicitly made mistakes as Coles' holder to make sure the Merchantmen would lose and Lyon would get his starting job back. Of course, the Merchantmen managament will deny it, but the game tape is very clear. Lyon let the ball slip last second like a David Beckham penalty on both occasions, no wonder Cary Coles missed. We expect actions towards Lyon shortly. You read it first in Gossip News; If Lyon is benched after the Georgia game, it means the management has analyzed the tapes on the missed kicks. Unless they start analyzing why Justin McDavid all of a sudden stopped fumbling...

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Will Not Suspend Leonard Lyon
The Maassluis Merchantmen once again want to distinguish from articles written by the Gossip News. We game film has not been further analyzed, but we don't expect to see purposly made mistakes by Leonard Lyon in his role as holder. Especially not to make the team lose and supposedly make Justin McDavid look bad.

Additionally, we want to make clear that Leonard Lyon returns to the starting lineup today in the game at the Georgia Gridlock. We do not give further details on the decission, other then the outcome of it. We wish the team good luck at Georgia Gridlock and hope to return to a winning record.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis At Georgia Recap
The Georgia Gridlock had an 0-4 start, the Merchantmen were 2-1 not so long ago. That was then. Today, the Gridlock went into their home game to get back-to-back vcitories over European foes, while the Merchantmen tried to avoid an 0-2 record against Georgian teams.

The first quarter was dominated by the defenses with eventually the Gridlock taking a 3-0 lead. It was the last play of the quarter that made the eyes blink, free agent rookie wide receiver Lonnie O'Reilley made a 31-yard reception count.

Going early into the second quarter, Randy Harris turned a pass from Leonard Lyon into a 22-yard touchdown pass. Cary Coles recuperated and hit the extra point for 7-3 up. On the next Georgia drive, Richard Muller intercepted Tim Wilkes' pass and returned it for 36 yards to go into the Gridlock's red zone. Lyon connected with All IHOF tight end Jerry Aubrey a few plays later for a 14-3 lead.

A few drives later, Leonard Lyon returned the favor with an interception thrown around the Georgia 30-yard line. Lyon could not suspect that Tim Wilkes would reach his receivers Marty Quinn for 21 yards and Efren Vanpelt for a 50-yard touchdown.

Going into the last minute of the half, Georgia had moved the ball all the way from their 38-yard line to the Maassluis' first yard line with a first down. Johnnie Moreau fumbled on the next play and cost the Gridlock some points. The Merchantmen escaped a safety three times and punted with 32 seconds left.

Joseph Schoen returned the punt, but fumbles as well giving Maassluis possession at the Georgia 44-yard line. With less then 30 seconds left, Lyon found O'Reilley for 11 yards and Randy Harris ran for five to help Cary Coles in position and the wanted ease thanks to time outs. Coles scored the 45-yard field goal to put the Merchantmen 17-10 up at half time.

In the third quarter, Maassluis hardly moved forward and gave Tim Wilkes their shot a a 78-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Mapp. But, on their own next drive, the Merchantmen showed what possession football is. A 3-yard run here a third down conversion by inches there and the clock got almost eight minutes ahead. Lyon made this his breakout game and found Bryce Ewald for a short touchdown pass.

In the following 15 minutes of football, neither offense kept things going and Maassluis got the ball back, still seven points up. Leonard Lyon looked like he thouht it was in the bags and from his own 20, he found the wrong hands in linebacker John Culpepper at the Maassluis 34-yard line.

What followed was some outstanding passing from Tim Wilkes, converted a couple of third downs to set up the 6-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Mapp. Maassluis got the ball back, but with the score tied and three minutes left.

On the next drive, the game could have gone both ends. On third and one, Mark Burger was thrown the ball. Burger advanced the one yard, yet fumbled and fellow fullback Vincent Lopez saved his butt. A 15-yard pass from Lyon to Ewald then moved the Merchantmen closer to field goal position in the two-minute drill.

Randy Harris won some yards left and right and Cary Coles was given the role of make the day again. Coles missed the 49 yard field goal kick as the Merchantmen had no timeouts to give him time to aim well. The Gridlock got the ball back, but the overtime was a fact: 24-24 end of regulation.

Maassluis won the toss, but failed. Roscoe Corrales got the ball to punt, yet heavily failed and kicked the ball just 27 yards forward to the Georgia 49-yard line. Tyrus Shaye made his play with a 22-yard reception and three incomplete passes later, Edward Wilkes got the chance to become the hero. 47 yards was the goal away and he scored.

Georgia take their second win and move far away from being winless. Maassluis drop their second close game against a Georgian team and sit at 2-3 amazingly just one loss away from first place in the European Division. Tim and Edward Wilkes, the guys with Dutch blood drew Dutch blood. And on the Merchantmen's white jersey's, blood stains are hard to miss...

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Another close game that we lost.
Looking at some points makes me think we should have won, but stats like 346 yards passing allowed makes us deserved losers.


Week 6 European Division In Action
Gothenburg had a tight game against Tucker, yet lost 20-23 after Tucker showed an excellent drive in the last four minutes of the game to end the game with a last second field goal.

Bordeaux enjoyed a week off, giving Rashad Burse some great time to heal.

Paris lost 14-17, yetthe score looks closer then it was. Israel Mars ran for 130 yards and Paris' 7-17 to 14-17 score came with 23 seconds left.

Maassluis lost a thirlling game in overtime against Georgia: 24-27.

European Division Standings
3-2 Bordeaux
3-3 Gothenburg
2-3 Maassluis
0-5 Paris

Upcoming Games
Bordeaux - The 5-0 Condors are coming to Europe for two consecutive road games overseas. First stop is Bordeaux. Expect a tight game with Rashad Burse back for the Vineyards to come short in the rain to hand the Condors their first loss.

Gothenburg - Visiting the 4-2 Orlando Knights means that Gothenburg have yet enough tough opponent. But with Christopherson almost 100% fit and Israel Mars putting up alien stats, the good looking Giants could drop to 3-4.

Paris versus Maassluis - Paris leads this series 2-0 with two very close games in the 2004 season. General expectations are that this will be the game of two first round quarterbacks with the better one (Hudson) not overcoming the opposing defensive skills.


Projected Standings After Week 7
3-3 Bordeaux
3-3 Maassluis
3-4 Gothenburg
0-6 Paris

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen GM Top Merchantmen Award

I have decided to make my own team MVP player award this season. Every game we win I will hand out 15 points (5, 4, 3, 2 and 1) to the five best players. In losing games, the top three best will get points (3, 2 and 1). In case of a tied game, I will hand out 10 points (4, 3, 2 and 1) to the top four players.

Week three stars
3 FS Richard Muller - 6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 2 catches allowed
2 QB Leonard Lyon - 21 of 33 passes completed, 227 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 5 yards rushing, 1 sack
1 DE Harold Wells - 1 sack, 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 fumble recovered, 1 pass blocked
0 TE Jerry Aubrey - 4 receptions for 39 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 key run block
0 FB Vincent Lopez - 2 key run blocks (67%), 2 fumbles recovered from teammates, 8 yards rushing, 3 yards receiving

Overall standings
8 DT Charles Gomez
7 RB Randy Harris
5 LB Cody Cluff
5 DE Harold Wells
4 K Cary Coles
4 WR/RS Lonnie O'Reilley
4 LB Ellsworth Thelen
3 DE Albert Bernardo
3 FS Richard Muller
2 QB Leonard Lyon
1 OT Wilson Grimaldo
1 OT Russell Malave
1 CB Tai Wayne

[MIJB#19]

Lonnie O'Reilley: Undrafted Rookie Is Leading Receiver
The Maassluis Merchantmen management have made their mark as being trade-a-holics. One of the more amazing parts in their tradings was the removal of three quality wide receivers. Amos Collins, Frederic Vargas and Raul Marshall moved on and make themselves elsewhere usefull.

In return, the Merchantmen acquired two rookie receivers this offseason. Devin Henson was drafted in the third round as the 96th overall draft selection. Henson's ability to be a return specialist and his potential to become the number wide receiver did their work there.

The other rookie was an undrafted free agent. A graduate from Temple named Lonnie O'Reilley was already concidering to go for another career when all of a sudden his agent Wesley Walker called. Walker already inked a deal for Devin Henson and told O'Reilley he'd get a traning camp and preseason shot at outdoing veteran receiver Arnulfo Arnett to become the number five receiver and backup return specialist.

O'Reilley returned the call with pleasure. Playing for the Merchantmen is better then not playing football. O'Reilley amazingly survived camp, though it was reported that it was more of a salary cap move. O'Reilley was told he'd be the leading punt returner with Randall Smith traded to Paris.

Then, things went fast. Raul Marshall got traded and O'Reilley moved up to backup flanker and backup kickoff returner. Without much expectations, becuase he had just 2 receptions for 21 yards in four preseason games. Plus, his returning stats didn't look very impressive either.

First game of the season, an opener at home against the Gothenburg Giants. Lonnie O'Reilley is a lot on the field and is targeted four times by fellow rookie Leonard Lyon. O'Reilley grabs all four balls and racks up 51 yards on the day. In returning duties he has a 9-yard punt return and a 25-yard kickoff return. O'Reilley is in da house!

In the following two games, both won by the team, O'Reilley adds 4 receptions for 64 yards, 10 punt returns for 73 yards and 4 kick returns for 86 yards. Then, after the open week, the management have a dissapointing message.

"Lonnie, despite your stats, we want to give Devin Henson more playing time". O'Reilley was shocked, he had made his mark as the number three receiver and led the team in receiving yards. Henson got the nod and O'Reilley was limited in action to just one punt return, which was an 11-yard gain.

As Henson failed against Tucker, he didn't make a catch, O'Reilley was pushed up in the depth charts again and saw his favorite quarterback return as well. Lonnie was back and had 5 receptions for 72 yards against Georgia. He also added a 10-yard punt return and 59 yards on 3 kickoff returns.

After five games played, Lonnie O'Reilley has emerged into an amazing player. With 13 catches for 187 yards, O'Reilley leads the team in receiving yards. More impressive is that fact that O'Reilley has yet to drop a pass and saw just two balls trown to him go incomplete. Plus, he was there in the longest pass completion of the team this season.

Get this: O'Reilley is a very small guy at 5 foot 10 and 185 pounds. According to the team scouts, O'Reilley has little experience and hardly any potential to improve. The scouting staff gave him a zero out 1 to 100 in avoiding drops. This underrated and undersized guy is the leading receiver on a team with hots shots as Jerry Aubrey and Bryce Ewald. As soon as he starts catching touchdown passes, he'll become a valuable addition to your fantasy team.

[wade moore]

2 QB Leonard Lyon - 21 of 33 passes completed, 227 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 5 yards rushing, 1 sack

I do not have the game on this work machine..

How much was he hurried? I am interested in watching how well he does based on the pressure put on him.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I do not have the game on this work machine..

How much was he hurried? I am interested in watching how well he does based on the pressure put on him.

The raw box scores are on the IHOF site.

But, to help you out:

Passing		Attempt	Comp	BdThrw	Dropd	Defnsd	Blockd	Hurried	Intrcpt
15 Lyon		33	21	2	2	3	2	1	2

According to this, I'd say he's ready to face Mario Hudson.

Hudson against Georgia:

Passing		Attempt	Comp	BdThrw	Dropd	Defnsd	Blockd	Hurried	Intrcpt
1 Hudson	26	12	0	2	3	1	6	2

[MIJB#19]

Injury Report
For next Monday's divisional game against and in Paris, the injury report is as follows:
* DE Deon Chapa is fully recovered and will be back in the depth charts, yet Bernardo's play could put him in a backup role
* LT Harold Hurtado has a serious injury and is not avaiable. We'll likely move Grimaldo to LT and Russell to his old position at RT. McDaniel returns at RG.
* LG Alvin Causey is slowly recovering. He's rated as questionable, but we don't take injury risks, unless players have not been out or doubtful with the injury. We won't rush him in due to Hurtado's injury.
* C Brant Heinrich is injured, bu can play. Yet taking a risk to play his seems unwise and Tom Schwartz is likely to return to the lineup. Heinrich will serve as backup.
* LB Mike Kershner is injured again. That means that our two promising LB stars, Kershner and Cluff, are both probable. Both will start, but be watched very closely.
* DT John Bryant is recovered from the flu, yet will keep rotation with Andrew King as normal.
* WR Gregory Monti is still not 100% fit. We are concidering to start rookie O'Reilley against Paris' revamped secondary.
* QB Justin McDavid seems cured from fumblitis and is expected to be available as backup behind Leonard Lyon.


Okay, that last one was a joke, but I have to get some steam off me.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis At Paris Preview
It's there, a game that people have been anticipating for to see. The reason is multi-headed, so let's run them all down.

Reason number one: Wilson Grimaldo. Grimaldo, an offensive tackle, is rated as one of the best in the league. Paris wanted to deal him away and the friendship between the Maassluis and Paris owners led to a trade between the divisional rivals. Paris got draft picks and a new safety, Maassluis an elite player to play opposite all IHOF second team left tackl Harold Hurtado.

Reason number two: Rookie quarterbacks. In the 2005 amateur draft, Paris Musketeers selected Mario Hudson fourth overall to become their new franchise quarterback. With selection 31, Maassluis selected Leonard Lyon to be the Merchantmen's playcaller. This game marks the first head-to-head in the IHOF between the two in a possible years long series between them.

Reason number three: The first pick overall. They don't like it in Paris, but they are currently in the race for the #1 pick in the 2006 draft. That is, if they hadn't traded their first round pick to North Plainfield. The Merchantmen have made the same move, yet traded the pick after they were already assigned the top selection.

Reason number four: History. In the previous two meetings, the Musketeers won, but both times with a slim margin. In Paris, the Musketeers escaped with a 10-7 victory as Justin McDavid couldn't get his team over the 50-yard line in the fourth quarter.

Knowing the reasons why this game deserves attention, what's going to happen? Paris has by far the better players, yet Maassluis seem like the better team. So far, the Musketeers lost big in four of their five losses. Maassluis' only big loss was Leonard Lyon's debut in the regular season.

Hudson has recovered from an injury and is 100% ready to return in the lineup. So is Maassluis' Lyon, who missed three game due to an injury. Both are fit and ready, plus want to get their first career victory passed in. Chesapeake backup Ron Lyle is already 1-1 in two stars.

Hudson is facing a fearsome defensive line. Lucky for him, he's got a nice line in front of him, or is there? Hudson was sacked 11 times in just four games so far. Hudson's inability to read defenses could hunt him in that matter, yet he does seem to sense the rush and dares to scramble.

Paris' pass rush made a hit when Joe Teeters got traded to Syracuse, yet they still have their mean machines. With 13 sacks in five games, they have just one sack less then the feared Merchantmen pass rush.

Besides that, Paris' defense is very shaky. Teeters was a big deal and a revamped secondary with four new guys needs time to get familiar with the game plan. So far, their pass defense is not good and their run defense the worst in the league.

Good for them, Randy Harris never ran for 100 yards and the Merchantmen passing game has been just so-so this season. Jerry Aubrey is quickly aging and the hot prospects Bryce Ewald and Gregory Monti are outdone by a rookie free agent so far.

The Paris offense comes with a bad rushing game, but their passing offense looks far above average, despite have a rookie making the decissions. That is, if he's playing, because Eugene "Westcoast" Westcott looks sharp and in-shape to do the passing.

Hudson or Westcott, he'll be facing a pass defense that stops you all day, expect two or three big plays. Turn those plays into scores and you beat Maassluis. Their run defense improved a lot this season, so running doesn't look like a smart option. This season, they held four of the five good rushing teams they faced below the league average of yards per game.

The Merchantmen are Vegas favorites to win by six. The rosters with players point towards Paris. The team stats towards Maassluis. The history favors Paris. The outcome will be one that will be discussed about by their owners for a few more days. Counting on that, you can.

[MIJB#19]

Irregular Interviewing With: Wilson Grimaldo
It's gameday in the International House Of Football. An interesting matchup today is the game between the Paris Musketeers and the Maassluis Merchantmen. The Merchantmen were 1-15 last season, Paris is 0-5 so far this season. But maybe the most interesting part in this matchup is a player who left Paris in a trade to go to Maassluis.

Wilson Grimaldo is the name. Usually he plays right tackle, but today he will be playing left tackle at the absence of All IHOF second teamer Harold Hurtado. Grimaldo will be playing against the team that drafted him in the first round of the League Draft in 2004, for the first time ever.

A few days before today's game, we had a meeting with Grimaldo before the trip to Paris to ask him about the interesting trade. We also asked him about his insight on the quarterback situation in both cities, his idea on the Merchantmen offseason activity and his role as mentor to Russell Malave and Jeff Fontenot.

Q (Questioner) - Wilson, in a few days you'll be playing your previous IHOF team, what are your first thoughts on the game?
WG (Wilson Grimaldo) - Tough question. First, I feel some sort of anger because the team traded me. But I also know why they did and looking now, Maassluis might be the better place to be to reach the playoffs.

Q - Playoffs? You're optimistic?
WG - Perhaps. The Musketeers are rebuilding, they traded Fabian Parker and Joe Teeters away and got little in return.

Q - The team traded up to get Mario Hudson.
WG - Hudson seems like a great passer, but I watched some tapes. He's not reading the opposing defenses well. He has the arm to win games, but is far from being a guy who can lead a team.

Q - And the Merchantmen's rookie Leonard Lyon is?
WG - As of yet, not really. But, I think Lyon has the team surround him to do well. With the offensive line they're building here, Lyon's weakness of not coping well with the pass rush can be masked. The inability to read what the defense does can't be masked. And that's Hudson problem.

Q - You mention the offensive line, the Merchantmen acquired four new linemen this offseason, Hurtado was traded in last season. What's your vision on that?
WG - Well, obviously they know what they're doing. Justin McDavid is a guy who can save himself. The Merchantmen obviously anticipated to get Lyon and a few pass protectors around him. With Alvin Causey and me in.

Q - And, are you liking it?
WG - Well, in Paris we had a great group of linemen. Here in Maassluis, it's more about Hurtado at the left, Causey and me as the veterans to teach the younger guys how to play. With young guys like Butch White, Brant Heinrich and Russell Malave we have six men for five spots. It'll be one heck of a way to keep motivated.

Q - Still, four new linemen, you can forget about cohesion.
WG - Sure, but they guys who were starting here last year, just Harold was ready to play and Russell is the only other guy with enough potential to become a quality starter. It was either a cohesive weak line or four new guys with talent. I guess the quarterback change made the last strategy the only way to go.

Q - What's your take on the other new players? You've seen Maassluis play before, you should be able to do that.
WG - Well, I knew some of the defensive playrs they had, but the new guys are all new to me too. McGhee and Muller are defensive backs. Thelen played for Astoria and Bernardo for Springfield. They're an upgrade to the defense, as far as I can tell, but they were 1-15, that shows something.

Q - The Merchantmen are 2-3 and both victories were credited to the defense. Do you feel resonsible for the three losses and weak play fro the offense?
WG - Well, I should. The same backfield and receivers were a better passing offense last season. Now the management adds better linemen, yet productions slims. But, I think we had our revenche at Georgia last week. We're getting there. And Paris has a revamped secondary with all new players, we should be able to get more then 14 points out of our offense.

Q - Last question. Wilson, a prediction for Monday's game?
WG - A Merchantmen victory. We're 2-1 on the road, we'll show you why.

Q - Thanks for your time, and good luck Monday.
WG - Thank you.

[Darkiller]

very cool preview for our game...
Now, I'm angered at Grimaldo's comments on our rookie QB.

"He's far from being a guy who can lead a team".

Today will be the day Mario Hudson and the Paris Musketeers get their first win together !
I guarantee the win

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Darkiller

very cool preview for our game...
Now, I'm angered at Grimaldo's comments on our rookie QB.

"He's far from being a guy who can lead a team".

Today will be the day Mario Hudson and the Paris Musketeers get their first win together !
I guarantee the win

uh-oh... Darkiller's getting bold!

[MIJB#19]

DK, that deserves only one reply:

LOL @ Darkiller

[MIJB#19]

I think I forgot that the Monday games were rescheduled to Tuesday... :o

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis At Paris Recap
The game promissed for an exciting matchup, with the visiting Merchantmen favoring to beat the Musketeers. After 60 minutes of football, it became clear that one rookie quarterback is still not ready for the big game. The Musketeers totally trashed the orange-white-and-blue: 31-3.

The game started with an amazing set of drives. The Musketeers had first possession, but were forced to punt and then followed a terrible showing for the two rookie quaterbacks. Maassluis' Leonard Lyon tossed two interceptions, each followed by an interception from Paris' Mario Hudson.

For Maassluis the tone was set, the team never prduced something good and had just one drive that got further then 24 yards. A 78-yard drive at the end of the first half that ended in a 36-yard field goal. The only score for the Merchantmen in the game to close the gap to 3-14.

Earlier in the second quarter, Mario Hudson had passed to Henry Gayle for a touchdown. Edward Boatwright had returned an interception for 67 yards and another score to put the home team 14-0 up.

In the third quarter, Leonard Lyon threw his fourth interception of the game shortly after Kevin Wiggins ran wild. Wiggins had a 43-yard run for a score to put Paris 21-3 up and making it a pass-all-downs game for Maassluis. The interception eventually set up a 45-yard field goal bu James Hunt to give the Paris' team a three touchdowns lead at 24-3.

In the last quarter, Mario Hudson surprised the strong Maassluis pass rush. That pass rush looked terrible all day, making just one sack and forcing just one bad throw. Hudson ran for 12 yards on a third-and-ten situation to improve the lead to the final score of 31-3.

For the day, Leonard Lyon was sacked and intercepted four times each, yet still managed to complete 22 of 39 passes for 208 yards. The offensive line totally collapsed at the absence of left tackle Harold Hurtado and the beching of Brant Heinrich. It ment only one player started at his usual spot.

For Maassluis, the days of possible victories are over after going 0-3 in the close games against Tucker and Georgia, plus an all time biggest loss at Paris. It is nothing compared to the next matchups. Conyers (5-1), Bordeaux (4-2) and Orlando (5-2) are far ahead.

The call for Justin McDavid is there, yet he's not the guy who can help his team out now. Leonard Lyon went 0-3 as a starter, McDavid 2-1 including the unneeded loss against Tucker. The results are in favor of McDavid, the passing stats of Lyon are better.

Lyon has 50 yards passing per game more and has 3 scores compared to McDavid's 1. On the other hand, Lyon had 3 interceptions more. The only other thing helping Lyon is that he completes 54% of his passes, 5% more then McDavid does.

But, to be honest, neither Lyon nor McDavid is capable of winning games. The defense has been the big key there and their luck has ran out. They stopped four of the better rushing teams, yet were humiliated by the 27th best rushing game.

And while the defense is weaker with a banged up Cody Cluff, the offensive line without Harold Hurtado looks like a big pile of jelly. This game showed one thing the people in Paris knew before this game: Wilson Grimaldo doesn't have what it takes to play left tackle.

[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
If one things is clear now, it's that we have no pass protection without Harold Hurtado. Even though he's scouted as just a good protector, he didn't earn All IHOF second team honors for nothing...
The QB issue is back and even though McDavid was far from decent, at least we managed to win twice and lose the third game undeservedly. If only Lyon hadn't posted consecutive 200-yard games and tied the franchise single game passing touchdowns record in his second game (McDavid set it in his 15th start), I'd have it figured out by now.

Week 7 European Division In Action
Bordeaux managed the league wide touted upset of the week, destroying the Conyers 100% score with an amazing last second 56-yard field goal.

Gothenburg got totally destroyed, Wayne Christopherson and Israel Mars produced very little, but still managed to lead Orlando to a 34-0 victory.

Paris got their first win of the year against Maassluis with a 31-3 victory.


European Division Standings
4-2 Bordeaux
3-4 Gothenburg
2-4 Maassluis
1-5 Paris

Upcoming Games
Bordeaux - Going to Georgia means they have a shot at taking victory number five. Rashad Burse is completly recovered and ready for another 100-yard game.

Gothenburg - Have their week off. Or is that their second consecutive week off?

Maassluis - Have a hard mission, as they face 5-1 Conyers. Last season, the Merchantmen shut the Condors completly down, yet lost 17-16 on two long fumble recoveries for a touchdown, arguably the most undeserved loss in IHOF history.

Paris - In the winning mood, Paris are playing Tucker on the road. Tucker are heavily favored, but Paris is not without a chance there.


Projected Standings After Week 8
5-2 Bordeaux
3-4 Gothenburg
2-5 Maassluis
1-6 Paris

[wade moore]

Question:

Have you thought to do roster print outs throughout the season to see how these guys are improving in their current potential? I would be very interested to see as it could have an affect on the decision..

It still seems like Lyon is worthless without a line. Whereas McDavid can atleast avoid the Int's and get some rushing yards when the line collapses, even if he gets less yards and TDs.

[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen GM Top Merchantmen Award

I have decided to make my own team MVP player award this season. Every game we win I will hand out 15 points (5, 4, 3, 2 and 1) to the five best players. In losing games, the top three best will get points (3, 2 and 1). In case of a tied game, I will hand out 10 points (4, 3, 2 and 1) to the top four players.

Week seven stars
3 CB Dennis Preciado - 2 passes defended, 4 tackles, 4 assists, 2 catches allowed
2 DE Harold Wells - 1 sack, 4 tackles, 1 assist
1 RB Randy Harris - 43 yards rushing, 2 receptions for 10 yards
0 FS Richard Muller - 0 catches allowed, 4 tackles, 1 assist
0 LT Harold Hurtado - with his absence, it became clear the OL plays terrible without their leader

Overall standings
8 DT Charles Gomez
8 RB Randy Harris
7 DE Harold Wells
5 LB Cody Cluff
4 K Cary Coles
4 WR/RS Lonnie O'Reilley
4 LB Ellsworth Thelen
3 DE Albert Bernardo
3 FS Richard Muller
3 CB Dennis Preciado
2 QB Leonard Lyon
1 OT Wilson Grimaldo
1 OT Russell Malave
1 CB Tai Wayne

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Question:

Have you thought to do roster print outs throughout the season to see how these guys are improving in their current potential? I would be very interested to see as it could have an affect on the decision..

It still seems like Lyon is worthless without a line. Whereas McDavid can atleast avoid the Int's and get some rushing yards when the line collapses, even if he gets less yards and TDs.

I've been looking at the progress on a weekly base.
With dozens of files on my laptop, I can easily go back to season start and compare., Which i will do later this afternoon.

So far, DT Gomez and DE Wells are the biggest improving players, RT Malave and QB McDavid were two others I mentioned who improved. For the DE and RT, it kinda makes sense with mentors DE Bernardo and OT Grimaldo.

I'll let you know about it later.

[wade moore]

I was specifically wondering about McDavid and Lyon...

Do you have a mentor at QB? If not, you need to get one and get these guys built up ...

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I was specifically wondering about McDavid and Lyon...

Do you have a mentor at QB? If not, you need to get one and get these guys built up ...

Actually, I've been thinking about it, but it seems I am not the only owner trying to get mentors hired. In the week of the commish being on vacation, I decided to get a WR and LB mentor, started trade talks and then found out QuikSand had the same idea and hired the two players a few days before I could work my plan out.

Anyway, the progress so far since the start of the season (before the week 1 games) for all players having changed (only experience is listed):
+2 QB Lyon
+2 QB McDavid
+1 RB Harris
+1 FB Burger
+3 TE Reiser
+3 WR Monti
+2 WR Ewald
+1 WR Henson
+2 C Heinrich
+3 LG White
+1 RG McDaniel
+3 RT Malave
+3 K Coles
+4 DE Wells
+1 DE McKeehan
+4 DT Gomez
+3 DT Bryant
+4 LB Cluff
+2 LB Thelen
+3 CB Wayne
+1 SS Gilmore
+2 FS Muller

Things to note: FS Muller was 42/42 at season start, right now he moved up to 44/44. I am not sure, but his intelligence (97) and volatility (86) could be a facotr here. He's the only one with improved potential.
The jumps up for DE Wells, DT Gomez and LB Cluff are the ones that get my attention.
This list also makes me more and more think I should bench Jerry Aubrey in favor of Jim Reiser.

Another list, is one with all the players that were on my initial roster after the league start draft (with experience and potential changes):
+10/0 QB McDavid
+7/0 RB Harris
+3/+3 RB Smith
+5/-1 FB Burger
-4/-5 FB Lopez
-3/-3 TE Aubrey
+13/-2 TE Reiser
+12/-2 WR Ewald
-9/-27 WR Monti
+11/-4 C Schwartz
+3/+2 LG Burdett
+5/-3 RG McDaniel
+1/-1 RT Fontenot
+14/+1 RT Malave
+15/+3 K Coles
+10/-3 DE Chapa
+17/+1 DE Wells
+10/+2 DT Bryant
+17/-1 DT Gomez
+3/-1 DT Jacke
+17/+1 LB Cluff
+3/-3 LB Sellers
+6/-1 LB Kershner
+5/-3 LB Silvan
+5/0 CB Alston
+4/-1 CB Schwartz
+8/-1 FS Francis
+10/-3 SS Gilmore
Note that WR Monti suffered a serious injury in the 2004 season.

[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: McDavid Taking Over To Avenge Condors
One Day he tosses for 3 touchdowns, the other he has 4 interceptions. Leonard Lyon is more inconsistent then Justin McDavid has ever been. With a home game against the Conyers Condors on the schedule, the Merchantmen are once again weighing their playcallers. Let's see what will be crucial in the decission to go back to Fumblin' Justin.

Revenge. In 2004, the Merchantmen lost a home game against the Condors with 16-17. The game was marked by one particular stat, the Merchantmen fumbled six times, losing possession three times. The Conyers defense returned two of those fumbles for a touchdown. Mind you, the returns were 62 and 73 yards long. That day, the Condors offense were held to 89 netto yards passing, 2.9 yard per pass attempt and 74 yard rushing. Compare it: the offense had 163 yards, the defense returned three fumbles for 142 yards.

Harold Hurtado. Sources say that Hurtado could play. Other sources say that the league's strongest man Alvin Causey could play. We believe that Wilson Grimaldo played so poorly that it's more likely that the cautious Merchantmen staff starts Jeff Fontenot on the left. Doesn't that scream for another four sacks game? Who you gonna start? Mister "can't sack me" or mister "I think I just got hit by a 275 pounds bug". Did you know that Harold Hurtado had a great day against the Condors last season? Did you know that the latest comeback guys on the OL, Schwartz and McDaniel, both allowed a sack against the Condors in 2004?

Jerry Aubrey. One day you're awarded the best tight end in the league, the next people talk about retirement. Yes, it's not unlikely that Jim Reiser will take over against Conyers. Unless Aubrey can copy his 2004 game against the Condors, when he caught 6 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown and he added a key run block. He helped McDavid to complete 18 of 25 passes for 187 yards and a score without a touchdown.

Passing Yards? Leonard Lyon had two consecutive 200 yards games. Against Georgia his star blinked in the sky and he looked like the new guy. At Paris, he moved the team forward, or did he? 208 yards forward looks good, but what if you lead only one drive of more then 24 yards?

The fans. Well, it's clear who they want. McDavid is a fan favorite, Lyon just the guy who keeps losing like the old Fumblin' Justin. But McDavid learned his lesson, won't fumble ever again, or at least he didn't in the three games he went 2-1 this season. That includes a game the Merchantmen gave away. The fingers point to a guy then only seeing action as holder, Leonard Lyon.

And then something interesting to note, four long drives in the Merchantmen season. Note that the Merchantmen defense have not allowed any drive to last six minutes or longer. Note who was the quarterback in three of these four drives. Place your bets now, who will play Everett "Aces" Glenn?

One of the biggest drives of the season so far in the IHOF performed by Maassluis at Georgia:
Score: Georgia 17, Maassluis 17.
GEO 6 Wilkes kicked off 59 yards from the GEO30.
MAA 85 O'Reilley returned the ball 19 yards to the MAA30. Tackled by GEO 53 Clegg.
1-10-MAA30 (10:56) MAA 48 Lopez ran inside the left tackle for 1 yard.
2-09-MAA31 (10:34) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 81 Aubrey for 4 yards.
3-05-MAA35 (09:48) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 85 O'Reilley for 5 yards.
1-10-MAA40 (09:22) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 81 Aubrey for 14 yards (OOB).
1-10-GEO46 (08:34) Penalty: MAA - False Start.
1-15-MAA49 (08:26) MAA 28 Harris ran around left end for 3 yards.
2-12-GEO48 (08:05) MAA 29 Burger ran inside the right guard for 3 yards.
3-09-GEO45 (07:42) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 85 O'Reilley for 9 yards.
1-10-GEO36 (07:01) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 83 Henson for 18 yards.
1-10-GEO18 (06:25) MAA 28 Harris ran around left end for 3 yards.
2-07-GEO15 (05:47) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 80 Monti for 5 yards.
3-02-GEO10 (05:02) MAA 48 Lopez ran around the left tackle for 2 yards.
1-08-GEO08 (04:38) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the right guard for 3 yards.
2-05-GEO05 (04:12) MAA 28 Harris ran around left end for 2 yards.
3-03-GEO03 (03:28) MAA 15 Lyon pass completed to 87 Ewald for 3 yards and a touchdown!
Extra point by MAA 18 Coles was good.
Score: Maassluis 24, Georgia 17.

Justin McDavid and co. in a big drive in Merchantmen history at home against Tucker:
Score: Tucker 10, Maassluis 0.
TUC 10 Waters kicked off 73 yards from the TUC30.
MAA 83 Henson returned the ball 21 yards to the MAA18. Tackled by TUC 39 Davis.
1-10-MAA18 (12:21) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left guard for 17 yards.
1-10-MAA35 (11:53) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left tackle for 5 yards.
2-05-MAA40 (11:06) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left tackle for 1 yard.
3-04-MAA41 (10:41) MAA 40 Smith ran around left end for 11 yards.
1-10-TUC48 (10:04) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 48 Lopez for 12 yards (OOB).
1-10-TUC36 (09:16) MAA 3 McDavid ran a draw for 8 yards.
2-02-TUC28 (08:41) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 81 Aubrey for 6 yards.
1-10-TUC22 (07:59) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 86 Reiser for 2 yards. Penalty: TUC - Defensive Holding.
1-10-TUC17 (07:51) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left tackle for 5 yards.
2-05-TUC12 (07:11) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 48 Lopez for 6 yards.
1-06-TUC06 (06:43) MAA 3 McDavid pass fell incomplete, intended for 83 Henson.
2-06-TUC06 (06:38) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left guard for 4 yards.
3-02-TUC02 (06:21) MAA 40 Smith ran around the left tackle for -2 yards.
4-04-TUC04 (05:59) MAA 18 Coles attempted a 21 yard field goal and succeeded.
Score: Maassluis 3, Tucker 10.

Two marvelous scoring drives from Maassluis at Frederick, amazingly both were the first drive for the Merchantmen in that half:
4-10-FRE25 (13:55) FRE 15 Funches punted 47 yards from the FRE25. MAA 85 O'Reilley returned the ball -1 yards to the MAA27. Tackled by FRE 38 Wickman.
1-10-MAA27 (13:47) MAA 28 Harris ran around the left tackle for 2 yards.
2-08-MAA29 (13:13) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 48 Lopez for 11 yards.
1-10-MAA40 (12:36) MAA 3 McDavid sacked by FRE 92 Kerrigan and FRE 71 Volk for a loss of 5 yards.
2-15-MAA35 (12:11) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 29 Burger for 3 yards.
3-12-MAA38 (11:24) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 80 Monti for 14 yards.
1-10-FRE48 (10:51) MAA 40 Smith ran around left end for 2 yards (OOB).
2-08-FRE46 (10:19) MAA 28 Harris ran around the left tackle for 12 yards (OOB).
1-10-FRE34 (09:45) MAA 40 Smith ran inside the left tackle for 3 yards.
2-07-FRE31 (09:04) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left guard for 6 yards.
3-01-FRE25 (08:28) MAA 40 Smith ran outside the right tackle for 3 yards.
1-10-FRE22 (07:49) MAA 3 McDavid pass was blocked at the line, intended for 81 Aubrey.
2-10-FRE22 (07:42) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 87 Ewald for 22 yards and a touchdown!
Extra point by MAA 18 Coles was good.
Score: Maassluis 7, Frederick 0.

Beginning of Third Quarter.
Score: Frederick 7, Maassluis 17.
FRE 3 Poston kicked off 74 yards from the FRE30.
MAA 83 Henson returned the ball 27 yards to the MAA23. Ball was fumbled and recovered by MAA 84 Martins for 1 yard to the MAA24.
1-10-MAA24 (14:42) MAA 40 Smith ran inside the left tackle for 2 yards.
2-08-MAA26 (14:04) MAA 28 Harris ran outside the right tackle for 2 yards.
3-06-MAA28 (13:40) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 85 O'Reilley for 10 yards.
1-10-MAA38 (12:55) MAA 28 Harris ran around left end for 4 yards.
2-06-MAA42 (12:27) MAA 40 Smith ran inside the right guard for 3 yards.
3-03-MAA45 (12:03) MAA 28 Harris ran a draw inside the right guard for 13 yards.
1-10-FRE42 (11:26) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left tackle for 1 yard.
2-09-FRE41 (11:02) MAA 28 Harris ran around the left tackle for 11 yards (OOB).
1-10-FRE30 (10:39) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 28 Harris for 4 yards.
2-06-FRE26 (09:54) MAA 28 Harris ran inside the left guard for 2 yards.
3-04-FRE24 (09:07) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 81 Aubrey for 7 yards.
1-10-FRE17 (08:25) MAA 3 McDavid pass completed to 80 Monti for 2 yards. Penalty: FRE - Illegal Contact.
1-10-FRE12 (08:20) MAA 48 Lopez ran inside the right tackle for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Extra point by MAA 18 Coles was good.
Score: Maassluis 24, Frederick 7.

[MIJB#19]

Maassluis Versus Conyers Preview
The 5-1 Condors versus the all time worst IHOF team, the Merchantmen. This game looks like a misfit when you compare the rosters, but fans remember how these team played last season. These team faces eachother in Oranje Haven only in week 9 of the 2004 season.

A season ago, the Merchantmen were 1-7 and faced a 5-3 Conyers team. The Condors were heavy favorites, but in the end, their victory was one of the most undeserved in league history. The Condors won 17-16, but had their worst night on offense all season.

The Merchantmen had their best game to date that day. For the day, they allowed only 170 yards 74 on the ground and 96 through the air. That day, pieces fell together and it looked like that the Condors were doomed to only a first half last second field goal.

What made the Condors win were the Merchantmen offense's turnovers. It was the game were Justin McDavid got his famous nickname. "Fumblin' Justin" fumbled the ball four times, losing possession twice. One of those fumbles and a Randy Harris fumble turned into defensive touchdowns.

Especially Justin McDavid feels disgusted to think back to that game. In contrast, he showed his best passing performance that day. McDavid completed 18 of 25 passes (72%) for 187 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. After the 3-31 trashing in Paris, people are looking to McDavid.

Tomorrow, the second year quarterback is expected to start and get his opportunity to show why the Merchantmen are 2-1 with him at the helmet this season. But even more, he has a shot at his own revenge on a very unlucky game that handed him his well known reputation.

It won't be an easy game, with Harold Hurtado injured, the offensive line is playing poorly. That's not good when you're facing the best defensive line in the league. Nathan Botts is the Condors franchise player, Dillon Sumpter and Barton Garcia were 2004 All IHOF first teamers. They combined for 36 sacks.

Behind that line, the Condors field a good quartet of linebackers and a group of decent defensive backs. Safeties Brian Fernando and Carter Martinez combine for 8 interceptions in just six games. Linebacker Terrance Snavely is amonsgt the elite tacklers in the league.

The Condors offense is led by Everett Glenn. Glenn's worst showing ever was in Oranje Haven, so he has something to make up, just as McDavid does. With targets like Taylor Kitchen, Frederick Cabe and Brant Hickok, Glenn has the tools to shine and tear apart the Merchantmen pass defense.

The good Merchantmen run stopping had a tough game against Paris, yet against the Condors they could be back. Cecil Maxwell misses his premier blocker Ronnie Kavanagh, but Scott Davis is a decent replacement. The only little weakness is the Condors' offensive line's.

The Merchantmen are up for a tough challenge. On one hand, they face a much stronger opponent. On the other hand, they shutdown the same opponent a year ago. If the team hadn't been losing fumbles for touchdowns twice, the Merchantmen offense had not lost their confidence that day. Tomorrow, it's time to get back on track for being the surprise of the season.

[wade moore]

So... long term issue..

End of the season... let's say McDavid is somewhere around .500 and Lyon is at like say .000-.250 .. what do you do? Do you attempt to trade one? Do you attempt to keep them both and continue the QB shuffle? I'm sure you're thinking about this already, but it definately poses an interesting question... two young QBs that have long-term starter potential... what do you do?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

So... long term issue..

End of the season... let's say McDavid is somewhere around .500 and Lyon is at like say .000-.250 .. what do you do? Do you attempt to trade one? Do you attempt to keep them both and continue the QB shuffle? I'm sure you're thinking about this already, but it definately poses an interesting question... two young QBs that have long-term starter potential... what do you do?

For one, this is a place where my league rivals can read what's going on.
On the other hand, at 3-19 all time, this is a story about the losingest team in the league, who cares?

This issue has me tossing. I know that starting Lyon is the long term solution, give him playing time to increase his experience. The only reason to bench him was because of his injury and me really not wanting him to lose skills like what happened to WR Gregory Monti and LG Alvin Causey.
But, right now, I fear that Lyon will get severly injured behind a balck and blue OL, missing Hurtado and Heinrich and now LT-less...

Wanting to win 4 games with McDavid this season makes no sense. Until the Paris beating, I actually felt that my team could have a shot at upsetting the division, but now I am back to earth and hope we can be 5-11 at year end.

The real problem is that I like McDavid more then Lyon. I felt that his rookie records were no fluke at all. And now, with his starts giving better results then Lyon's starts, eve nwith their passing stats, I fear I will be going with McDavid after all and could see myself trading Lyon to get a new QB project in the 2006 or 2007 draft.

Let's hope that my traded first round pick won't turn into the #1 (or a top 5 pick) making the trade with San Antonio to get all three of LG White, QB Lyon and C Heinrich look stupid. I felt that my team would be strong enough to win 6 games and make the trade worth it.

[MIJB#19]

Dola, if my scouts over the two seasons are right, then McDavid is not much of a long term solution, but Lyon could be a 20th best QB at some point.

Still, McDavid has at least good potentials in all categories except the yardage groups and 3rd down passing. That last thing never looked like a big deal. To find a QB who is good in all those areas is hard to get. Plus, McDavid is signed very long term and would be a very cheap starting QB (if ot the cheapest in the league, his peak is in 2009 at 3.2M). His fumbling can be masked with a good OL, which is required anyway to be good.

Lyon is the worst QB in reading defenses amongst starting QBs in the league and will never improve. His "sense rush" is weak as well. I really doubt what those skills do and how he should ever win games with such bad quality in these areas. What seperates Lyon from McDavid are solely the passing yardage areas. McDavid is just a medium passer, Lyon can do it all.

At times like these, I feel happy that I am in a position that I can worry about something so unimportant as this in my life. Especially as I still have partily the feeling that I have no clue what I am doing in FOF2k4.

[wade moore]

Here's what I think from an "analysts" point of view.

Lyon could really excel in this league. But, it would have to be with a team that has a very sturdy line. A shaky line and this QB do not mix. He could be a superstud behind a solid line. Kind of a Drew Bledsoe type?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Here's what I think from an "analysts" point of view.

Lyon could really excel in this league. But, it would have to be with a team that has a very sturdy line. A shaky line and this QB do not mix. He could be a superstud behind a solid line. Kind of a Drew Bledsoe type?

I think that the OL can be good someday.
We have RT Grimaldo, we have LT Hurtado and two promising young guys in LG White and C Heinrich. LG Causey is still a top 20 guard, if we are able to resign him. And RT Malave is gaining experience pretty fast as starting RG and with Grimaldo mentoring him. Plus, we have elite blockers in TE Reiser and FB Burger as well.
The tough part will be that to keep these guys all around, I fear that I will have to sacrifice other players, most notably one (or both?) DL stars Wells and Gomez by the 2007 offseason, surehands RB Harris and the depth at FB/TE, but I doubt that FB Lopez and TE Aubrey will not be retired by then.

[wade moore]

On the QB situation... If McDavid plays well, he could really provide value on the trade market to a team with a weak offensive line if you are confidant this line will hold up..