Wild, WILD Outlaws. KSW's Expansion Franchise.

[kswgrad2012]

Outlaws Bring In Veterans

GM Caldwell: "Mughelli, Grove bring in leadership"



New Outlaws FB, Ovie Mughelli

March 9, 2012
NFL.com


The Outlaws continued adding to their roster today, reaching agreements with FB Ovie Mughelli and C Jake Grove. Mughelli spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons while Grove was in Miami. Both were added for their veteran presence in the locker room.

Quote:

GM David Caldwell: "Both Jake and Ovie provide great leadership in the locker room and on our football team. Both will likely see extensive playing time, but their purpose on this team is much more. With the youth we're bringing in they will prove to be vital assets to the team."

Both players are active in the community as well as on the gridiron. Mughelli runs a youth development oganization in Atlanta that provides mentorship to inner-city kids. Jake Grove is also known to help out with the homeless, often found dedicating his time at local foodbanks in both Miami and Oakland, CA. Both were signed to 1-year deals.


The Outlaws also agreed with 15 more today:

QB
Stephen McGee (67)
Sean Canfield (65)

HB
Johnny White (67)
Aaron Brown (63)

WR
Jason Hill (74)
Deon Butler (70)
Blair White (67)

TE
Jake Ballard (77)

T
Carey Johnson (59)

OLB
Zack Follett (71)
Ricky Elmore (65)

MLB
Keaton Kristick (61)
Micah Johnson (58)

CB
Syd'Quan Thompson (68)

SS
David Caldwell (74)

[kswgrad2012]

Donning New Stripes

Peyton Manning signs with Broncos

March 23, 2012
NFL.com


Longtime Indianapolis Colt Peyton Manning has a new home today. The quarterback signed a 4-yr, $90M deal with the Denver Broncos, weeks after being released by the team that drafted him in 1998. The 4-time MVP owns many Colts & NFL passing records, and led the Colts to two Super Bowls (winning Super Bowl XLI in 2007). The QB did not play a down, however, for the Colts in 2011, after having numerous surgeries on his neck. The Colts struggled mightily without him, finishing with a 2-14 record and ownership of the #1 pick in this year's draft. A new beginning is in store for both him and the Broncos, as the signing likely signals the end of Tim Tebow as the Broncos starting QB. While Tebow led the Broncos to a 7-4 record, AFC West title and surprise Wildcard playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, many do not consider the Florida great a long-time answer at quarterback. Expect Tebow to be traded in the coming days. As for Peyton, he comes to a young but talented team, and the Broncos front office hopes having him around will make the team instant Super Bowl contenders.

[kswgrad2012]

In San Antonio, the Outlaws have agreed with 20 more players, thus having almost completed their roster:

QB
Seneca Wallace (72)

FB
Jacob Hester (72)**

WR
Mike Sims-Walker (75)*

T
J'Marcus Webb (68)***

G
Ryan McGee (69)
Tim Barnes (60)***

DE
Jonathan Fanene (73)
Kentwan Balmer (68)

DT
Tyson Alualu (82)*
Olen Watkins (74)
Terrell McClain (71)

OLB
Danny Batten (63)
Cody Brown (63)
Brandon Lang (58)

CB
Morgan Trent (68)

FS
Jordan Pugh (68)

SS
Chris Crocker (78)
Reggie Smith (76)

P
Matt Dodge (62)
Ryan Donahue (58)


* = former Jaguars player

** = Jacob Hester will likely be converted to HB.

*** = J'Marcus Webb was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears. As part of the trade the Outlaws sent former Jaguars LT Eugene Monroe (86) to Chicago, in exchange for Webb & a 2nd round pick in 2013.

*** = Tim Barnes was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. As part of the trade the Outlaws sent former Jaguars LG Eben Britton (86) to L.A., in exchange for Barnes & a 2nd round pick in 2014.

[kswgrad2012]

Fast forwarding to the 2012 NFL Draft...

[kswgrad2012]

Colts Select Andrew Luck #1 Overall

Robert Griffin III goes 2nd to Redskins



New Colts QB, Andrew Luck

April 27, 2012
ESPN.com


It was known coming into this year's NFL Draft that the Indianapolis Colts would use the #1 overall pick on Peyton Manning's successor. Last night the team made it known who that player would be. The Colts selected Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the first pick yesterday, in a move that shocked no one. It was widely believed that both Luck and Baylor QB Robert Griffin III were worthy of the #1 pick, but many NFL brass favored Luck's experience in a pro-style offense. Luck will head to a situation in Indy, where he will be expected to be the man from Day One. On a team devoid of much offensive talent right now. Tonight the Colts used their 2nd-round pick to select Luck's teammate at Stanford, TE Coby Fleener, but the team still needs a lot of pieces to be a playoff contender.

With Luck off the board, the Washington Redskins used the 2nd overall pick to select the other high-flying quarterback. Taking Baylor's Robert Griffin III (or "RG3" as he is famously called), the Redskins hope they have found their first competent QB since the days of Joe Theismann. The Redskins are also a team in rebuild mode right now, though they added a few pieces in Free Agency to help the rookie QB. Agreeing to deals with WRs Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, Washington hopes Griffin will have enough pieces to help the team contend in 2012.

New Redskins QB, Robert Griffin III

Here's how the rest of the 1st Round shaped out:

5. San Antonio Outlaws: (see next post)



14. Los Angeles Rams: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

[kswgrad2012]

With the 5th pick, the Outlaws select...



New Outlaws WR, Justin Blackmon

April 28, 2012
NFL.com


The San Antonio Outlaws completed their first-ever NFL Draft today, having three picks on Day Three of the draft. Let's now look back at their first-ever draft as a whole.


On Thursday the Outlaws selected Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon with their first-ever pick, at #5. Blackmon was widely considered one of the best talents in the draft, but his off-the-field issues put NFL executives on alert. San Antonio decided to take a risk on the player, hoping his ball skills will pay off in the long run. On a team that's pretty average at receiver, Blackmon will likely come into Training Camp with the edge to start. But the coaches will want him to prove himself as much as everyone else will have to.

New Outlaws DE, Andre Branch

In the second round San Antonio selected DE Andre Branch from Clemson. Branch's pass-rushing abilities made him a steal in Round 2, and he'll likely go into camp with an edge as well. The most experienced player on the D-line right now for the Outlaws is former Cincinnati Bengal Jonathan Fanene. Fanene has had a steady NFL career to this point, and will be looked upon to provide leadership to Branch & the other D-linemen. Branch could likely start alongside Fanene, with Jacksonville Jaguar retainee Tyson Alualu in the middle.


Here is the Outlaws' draft as a whole. The team had 6 picks overall, left from when the franchise was in Jacksonville. Blackmon was the only selection made on offense, while four other players were selected on defense. The surprise pick of the draft was probably the selection of Cal punter Bryan Anger in the 3rd round.

The Outlaws announce today that they have also agreed to undrafted free agent deals with the following players:

FB Shane Bannon (Yale)
TE Cameron Graham (Louisville)
G Steve Schilling (Michigan)
G Corey Williams (NC State)
FS Devonne Tigner (Augustana)
K Brett Hartmann (Central Michigan)

[RoundingThird]

Wow, I had forgotten how good that 2012 draft class was.

[kswgrad2012]

2012 NFL Schedules Released

May 18, 2012
NFL.com


The 2012 NFL master schedule was released today, which included all regular season matchups, preseason games and primetime games. The season opens in Green Bay, with the Packers playing host to the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, September 6. The NFL's Sunday Night schedule begins on the 9th, with the Dallas Cowboys heading to New York to play the Jets. The NFL's newest team, the San Antonio Outlaws, begin their inaugural campaign at home versus their division rival Tennessee Titans. They have 3 primetime games this season, including two at home. The Los Angeles Rams play their first game in the City of Angels in nearly 20 years, against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. The following week they travel to NYC to face the Giants in their first road game. The Rams have 2 primetime games in their first season back in L.A.


The 2012 Primetime schedule is listed below.

Thursday, Sept. 6: New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers

Sunday, Sept. 9: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets

Monday, Sept. 10: New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

Monday, Sept. 10: Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

Sunday, Sept. 16: Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons

Monday, Sept. 17: Los Angeles Rams @ New York Giants

Sunday, Sept. 23: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts

Monday, Sept. 24: Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

Sunday, Sept. 30: New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens

Monday, Oct. 1: Indianapolis Colts @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Oct. 7: Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

Monday, Oct. 8: Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Sunday, Oct. 14: Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

Monday, Oct. 15: Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Sunday, Oct. 21: Indianapolis Colts @ New Orleans Saints

Monday, Oct. 22: Baltimore Ravens @ San Antonio Outlaws

Sunday, Oct. 28: Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Monday, Oct. 29: San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, Nov. 4: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Monday, Nov. 5: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles

Thursday, Nov. 8: Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers

Sunday, Nov. 11: New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Monday, Nov. 12: Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

Thursday, Nov. 15: New York Jets @ Denver Broncos

Sunday, Nov. 18: Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

Monday, Nov. 19: Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots

Thursday, Nov. 22: San Francisco 49ers @ Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, Nov. 25: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Monday, Nov. 26: New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints

Thursday, Nov. 29: Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, Dec. 2: Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots

Monday, Dec. 3: San Diego Chargers @ San Antonio Outlaws

Thursday, Dec. 6: Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, Dec. 9: New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Monday, Dec. 10: Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

Thursday, Dec. 13: San Antonio Outlaws @ Atlanta Falcons

Saturday, Dec. 15: Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Dec. 16: Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers

Monday, Dec. 17: Pittsburgh Steelers @ San Francisco 49ers

Thursday, Dec. 20: Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Sunday, Dec. 23: Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Monday, Dec. 24: Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints