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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 21:12:24 GMT -5
SEATTLE CYBERCATS
OFFENSE - One question for Cybercats fans. Is this the year? That's it, nothing else matters. Is this the year? Seattle has been one of the OIFL's most prolific offenses for a decade now, and that'll continue here. Demarion Poole has established himself potentially as a top-5 QB in the league, and he can run too! Leon Taylor returns for his 10th season behind Poole, and the receiving corps is strong. Kevondisha Couto and Jim Tusing go two ways, while the OS this year will be Jordan Floyd. 14th year all-timer Quaeavion Greene will be the backup. Seattle's offense has the one quirk where both outside linemen are also adept pass catchers, and they WILL use that quirk. Since Poole can evade pressure quickly, it's a strong weapon. Depth isn't the best at some spots, especially RB (though in a pinch, Greene can play OS/RB, and so can Floyd), but Seattle's going to score points in bunches.
DEFENSE - This may be the best defense the Cybercats have had. Ordinarily, you worry about Taylor's backup at RB being a clear defensive back (and not a particularly good one)...but Duane Prewitt can play LB if he has to. A DS spot can be moved for Marc Grondin to go, but that does eliminate strong DS/DBs like Eric Olczyk and Stefan Richmond. There are risks, but there are substitution opportunities. Depth is a little iffy in places, so we can say fairly safely that the Cybercats are an offensive team. That's not new.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jim Long returns to kick for the Cybercats, and he's as good as any in the OIFL. Greene will return kicks, as he's one of the best to ever do it. Even if he's lost a step, and he has, they still want him back there.
SCHEDULE - That Week 16 game in Los Angeles may be huge. And the schedule is quite favorable, even with a Week 3 trip to Austin. The East games are Philadelphia and London; Cybercats fans should be pleased with the schedule maker here (conversely, Los Angeles got Ohio and New York).
OUTLOOK - This better be the year. Well, actually, it doesn't have to be. A couple backups will probably age out, and you're risking losing Couto as well - but you have his replacement in Lougheed...though he's a LB as well. The window isn't closing, but this is the best shot Seattle's had yet. They will just have to keep scoring against top teams.
WHAT WOULD I DO? A.W. Henderson and Ernest Latapie can not...can NOT...be your bridge if Leon Taylor goes down. That happens, you're saying "eff it" and go four receivers with Poole as a single wing QB...OR you're putting Prewitt in the backfield. Not like the FA pool is too strong there, but I'd rather have someone like Teddy Rush in case Taylor goes down. But these are nitpicks, Seattle has a very good roster here.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 21:27:24 GMT -5
BALTIMORE BREAKERS
OFFENSE - One of the elite offenses in OIFL history, Baltimore's still here and will still be scoring points. But, maybe not at the pace we've seen in years past? Tommy Gunn is back, he of the 101 touchdown pass season. This offense isn't doing that, because Andre Beland is one of the quiet strong stories in the league; Beland's ground game keeps everyone honest. Gunn has weapons, though, don't worry. Of course, Vincent Gerard III, but also Don Dodrill, Asaad Moore, Paul Rollman, and maybe even rookie WRDB Wardwick Olson this year. Baltimore's line isn't the deepest in the league, but it's plenty good enough, though it needs to be. Gunn is a statue.
DEFENSE - Baltimore's trouble has always been defense, but their D has improved. The depth is about the same, perhaps even a little deeper defensively in the backfield. Backup linebacker is an issue (though DS Chris Hebeler can play LB if Beland gets hurt), but they're in a good spot in general. We're not going to see the constant 60-57 type games that Breakers fans know and love, but we're also not going to see old Venice Waveriders 31-27 games, either. Though maybe a few with the tough games in that division. All in all, Baltimore is pretty well positioned for injury, except maybe on the line.
SPECIAL TEAMS - David Wolstenholm is an elite kicker. VG3 is perhaps the best kick returner in the league.
SCHEDULE - I mean, you've got two with Washington and Delmarva, so it can't be EASY. There's no long string of ugly games, but Baltimore does end with Chicago and Baltimore, so they may want to get things clinched up early just to avoid too much risk. That said, it's RIC FLA VT before those last two. The two west games are Mexico City and Fort Worth, so two playoff teams and one that got to the West final.
OUTLOOK - All the signs are there that Baltimore's going to be right in the thick of things again, but it doesn't quite "feel" it. Just not sure, feels like there just an "it" factor missing, but I can't place my hands on it. Maybe it's the first round playoff exit last year, I guess I'm not sure. This team should expect a deep playoff run, period.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not sure what you can do. You have younger guys at all spots where you have age coming through, and you have development stuff. Baltimore's built something that won't be "bad" for awhile, BARRING financial pressure. Without a deep playoff run, they could have some dollars issues by year's end here. But, that problem mitigates a bit with aging guys like Alex Song or Asaad Moore ($5.6M/year combined) off the books at year's end. And the kicker will not be requiring $1.5M a year either in a new contract. There's issues, but it's probably not quite as dire as it seems.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 21:39:32 GMT -5
RUIDOSO KIDS
OFFENSE - Speaking of a team where the "this is a contender, but does it feel like it?" Benjaymond Cannon has been pretty good at QB, but he hasn't played at a superstar level. Burt Nowak has been their RB, but Arnaud Howard is probably taking that job this year. No word yet. It looks like Bobby Schauber will start at WRDB this year, and he'll join Jetta Shanklin for a strong receiving tandem with OS Scott Howden. Depth at WRDB is OK, but not necessarily as strong as others. The line is eight deep, but top defensive lines can get to the statuesque Cannon. This team will score points, though. Having Shanklin/Schauber/Howden makes a quarterback's life easier...
DEFENSE - The DL is probably a hair stronger than the OL, in general, with the same depth. Nowak and Howard are both very good linemen, though they aren't the best at coverage. The two-way DBs are pretty deep, but Mario Hernaiz is ne of the DBs...and he's probably a better linebacker. You need a safety in general indoors, but maybe not always. But, depth is pretty good. It's an offensive team, but the defense can hang.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Ian Truefoot is entering his 10th OIFL season at kicker, and he's been solid for the Kids. Howden or maybe backup OS Elwood Cohen (14th season!) will return kicks.
SCHEDULE - The road game to open in Fort McMurray is a sneaky tough one to start things. Technically by last year's records, this is the #24 schedule in the league, which is...favorable. The toughest long string of games is probably late in the year with a SEA MXC LA VAN run. The East games are Richmond and Chicago, so there's a fair mix there.
OUTLOOK - It's a good team, and they have a good schedule to work with. Ruidoso's going to win a lot of games, and they can make a playoff run.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I do suppose it's time to get rid of Korey Bucher...I guess he can play special teams, but this is a top-five-worst-contract player. Roster spot probably can better be used for something with a little development potential. I would probably bring in more useful guys at a few positions versus guys like Ogsbury, Boenker, or Gerlack as well. There are some in FA. Otherwise, the team's not particularly old; there's spots, sure, but it's a team right in the middle of a contention run.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 21:51:51 GMT -5
WASHINGTON INSIDERS
OFFENSE - New name, new look? Sure, but only visually. This is the same Washington team that got into the second round last year, and perhaps it's improved a hair. Yoichi Hiruma enters his 12th season as the established QB in this old DC system. Jack Stones is trying to live in Corey Palso's shadow well, and has done just that at RB. Hiruma has other weapons as well; Rasheide Benefield and Kevin Sherman are good two way receivers, and OS Vernon Tyler is as good as any in the league. Depth is pretty strong, as per usual for Adam Beyer's boys, as everyone has an adequate backup (except maybe Hiruma; they're hoping they don't need to use JacQuan Fitzgibbons too much). Washington's line also goes seven deep, which should be fine for them.
DEFENSE - The DB corps is pretty good, not quite as deep as the offense, but pretty good. DS is fine, they go four deep there, including Craig Pierce. Top passing teams will find things to exploit here, but they will not be having too many 65-60 games, I don't think. The DS isn't quite as deep, but the six deep it goes are perhaps better overall than their offensive line. LB is the biggest concern at backup, but rookie Derrell McIntyre may be the best of their backups. Fellow rookie Jack Kelly may get a few snaps at OLDL if a couple injuries occur, but they're going to hope for not that just yet.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Stephen Smyka returns for his fifth season, and he's steadily improved. Tyler's an elite kick returner and will continue in that role.
SCHEDULE - They open with three at home, PHI IND BAL...followed by a trip to Delmarva, so half the ugly division games are over in the first quarter. Washington also ends with NY EUG LON CHI DMV BAL, so it's definitely got some tough stretches. Ending with Delmarva and Baltimore AFTER the non-division game with Chicago isn't particularly nice, either.
OUTLOOK - Washington's a contender, but you're going to see a lot of contenders here. The OIFL is as strong as it's ever been in that regard. Washington is going to give their fans a lot to cheer for, and this team can absolutely get to the OIFLCup Game. They may not be favored to get there, but that's the goal.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not sure I see anything glaring that "has to be done." There's youth being developed, while the older veterans are there and can still play at a very high level. Fitzgibbons probably has to step up fairly quickly as Hiruma's getting long in the tooth, but there's no guarantee they don't go a different route when the time comes (such as when Adam Kruse was done, and they went to Hiruma).
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:00:57 GMT -5
DELMARVA LEGACY
OFFENSE - There are a number of teams in the OIFL that use two back sets with some regularity. None of them are as dedicated, or as good at it, as the Legacy. QB James Marple returns, and now has August Orrison and Leonard McKenzie behind him. Orrison in his second year has established as an elite offensive RB. Seymour Heller is the fastest player in the OIFL, and OS German o'Campo isn't exactly slow, either. Delmarva may be a two back offense, but it's going to score a lot. Louis Clarke and Roger Schneider return to the offense as backup RBs, while Ron Evers returns as Heller's backup. The Delmarva offensive line isn't the deepest in the OIFL, but the starters are very strong. It's built for a specific system, and that system is working pretty well.
DEFENSE - The defensive line is perhaps as deep as the offensive one, but it's a little differently set up - Gordan Duffield is their best OL, but not their best DL - while Drew Early and Wayne Pratch probably take that role. Heller has improved quite a bit at the corner, and his speed will allow for a little more risk taking. The DS combo of Bruce Rodgers and Simon McGee is as good as any in the league, though depth there is a concern. Well placed injuries will cause Delmarva significant headaches.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Sam Andrews is one of the top kickers in the league, while Heller (and even o'Campo) provide a pretty potent return game.
SCHEDULE - Gotta play 'em twice, but opening in Baltimore probably wasn't the most ideal game for them. Delmarva has no long streak of rough games, so in that way it's not a bad schedule. The worst is probably the first quarter, which is BAL FM NY WAS. At least Fort Mac is at home, I suppose.
OUTLOOK - There's risk to injury in places, but this team is loaded for a big playoff run. Some teams will be able to exploit and create issues for the Legacy, but they also have unique abilities to do things other teams aren't expecting. Kinda like Shreveport in the old OIF2, only with good players (sorry Clarence Jackson). Legacy fans are expecting a deep playoff run, and they should.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not sure what you can do. Yob Fenton when he's healthy next week adds more WRDB depth, which is needed. I would guess one of the three kickers is probably who goes when he's back...don't need three of them. I suppose they're going to have to finally replace Bill Lang someday, but they are fine at QB1 QB2 for a good long while.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:11:18 GMT -5
HOUSTON MARSHALS
OFFENSE - The surprise of 2020 was this Marshals team, which used some unorthodox lineup strategy to build the #1 seed in the West. Then they got popped 71-69 at home by Fort Worth in the playoffs in their first such game. Oops. QB Matthew Lavergne led the OIFL with 96 touchdown passes in 2020, and he's back for more (sorry Nestor). Houston has Chris Murdock at RB, and he's as good as any, but they're just as likely to line him four wide. Lavergne has an elite receiving corps, including Robert Dangola, Carlos Tolosa, Richard Hollenback, and backups like Alquan Wund, RiQuan Peck, and Jack Boyce. Rookie RB Artaun Burris had the camp of a lifetime, and maybe Houston moves things around there. Houston's line is strong, and they keep very fresh as they use their OS slot on a lineman. They go 8 deep offensively. Houston is a clear threat to have a top offense again.
DEFENSE - The unorthodox lineup usage (and yes, Fort McMurray does it too) allows superstar DL Greg Helm to be superstar DL Greg Helm. The defensive line is as deep as any in the league as a result. Murdock is an elite LB, and the defensive backfield is pretty strong. It's their least deep area, but they can withstand a couple injuries there as well. Murdock may be the worst injury, as while Burris had a megastar-level camp, he's not a linebacker (he can play LB, but he's not a LB). The defense has trouble because this offense just scores at will. And that they play in a division with four teams that just score at will.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Robert Andrews is a pretty good kicker to have when you're loaded offensively. Burris may well be the kick returner for the Marshals; they don't have an obvious call for who will return kicks this year.
SCHEDULE - Look at the division. It's a rough schedule. They open with SEA TEX RUI FW MXC, which will get you battle tested in a hurry. They do end quieter with VT EUG FW LIN MXC, but the McKethan Game is always a wild card. But, they're expecting to win every night out.
OUTLOOK - Houston got upset last year. They are upset about it. This team is loaded and ready to make up for that indignity. Marshals fans expect an OIFLCup, and this team is good enough to be in that mix.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not much you can do. There's very little risk of aging on the roster, too. And where there is risk, the contingency plan is there for the future. It's a well constructed roster, which everyone in the league though would happen once Will McKethan just stuck with it consistently. Maybe they're wishing he hadn't...
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:19:38 GMT -5
FORT WORTH UNITED
OFFENSE - The surprise of last year's OIFL, Fort Worth was three Tywon Williams kick sixes from getting to the OIFLCup Game. What was the difference? Two things...one, a lot of the players on the roster meshed; the acquisitions like Eric Yates were key...and oh yeah, QB David Greywacz. Not to crap on Gary Blackwell, who was very good (he's 11th all time in pass yards)...but David Greywacz threw 92 touchdowns and then 19 more in the playoffs. He was the glue that put it all together. Billy Parsons returns behind Greywacz, and the receiving corps is about as good as any, including Yates, Andrew Warren, Alan Rendfrey, Darren Silverstein, Mr. Fort Worth Jamie Waldron, and Tiago Lucena and Renzo Polato. United's line isn't top-5 in the league, but it's finally good enough to keep the QB from running for his life constantly. And there's ample depth, if not elite. Fort Worth has always played quick, and has always scored points in bunches. That will continue, maybe even at a faster pace than last year with another year of work together.
DEFENSE - Not as strong here, but it wasn't last year, either. I mean, they did give up 80 in the West final. Depth is not as strong defensively, but it's still fine. THe DL is still fine, the LB group isn't bad. Rendfrey returning will be huge for that depth. Because of the wild offense and the defense not being quite as good, Fort Worth will be in pinball games regularly.
SPECIAL TEAMS - John Matich has been with United since Day one, and he's still a strong kicker. His end is coming fairly soon, but he's still strong today. Silverstein is a strong kick returner.
SCHEDULE - That division by default makes it a strong schedule, but there's no string of ugly games stacked on top of each other. Week 16 in Texas could be way too meaningful for both teams' comfort. Fort Worth didn't get a lot of help with their East games, as a Vermont game was paired with a Baltimore one.
OUTLOOK - First one to 60 most weeks, but United got to the West final doing that. They can do it again, though they're not sneaking up on anyone. This may be the last year before a slight rebuild, as a lot of the key pieces (Greywacz, Parsons, Yates, Silverstein, Webb, Ellis, QUicksilver, Kaufusi even) are on the wrong side of aging. But this is a hell of a lot better than the 4-12/5-11 stuff United fans were used to.
WHAT WOULD I DO? You let this ride. If there are clear upgrades in FA, go for it, find them. There probably aren't. Maybe a DS that's better than Matt Pica or something, but this team is a contender. That defense could just be the Achilles heel.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:28:35 GMT -5
NEW YORK MEAN MACHINE
OFFENSE - Did you really think Jeff would stay down long? Sure, that was a rebuild two years ago, it lasted like six weeks. Goodness. Nick Stokes, the QB no one ever wanted to use, is back and has the job until they decide to give it Van Nostran... Jack Jones is a strong back. Stokes has a good receiving corps as well, including Clinton Hewitt, Miquel Simpson, and Tommy Rogers. Elliott Eades and Daniel Beard lead a line that's as good as any in the league. Depth is maybe not quite to the level of New York's storied tradition, but it's plenty fine with guys like WRDB Sam Engelberg and old guy RB Davion Strachan. New York's going to score points on just about anyone...and if they don't...
DEFENSE - They won't be giving up a lot to a lot of teams. New York may be a stronger defense. Eades is possibly the best two-way OLDL since Boddy. The defensive line is about six deep. Jones is probably the weak link at LB, but he's good enough with that line. The DB corps is deep and is strong. There won't be a whole lot of shootouts by the Mean Machine, I'd guess. Injuries, of course, could change that.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jacob Zie may be the OIFL's best kicker. Rogers will capably return kicks, though they may give some work to Stanley Isaacs there.
SCHEDULE - Well, it opens in the Kickoff Classic in Chicago, which is a rough start. There's also a trip to Texas in there. Otherwise, it's not an awful schedule. The West games are probably the roughest part, as they also get Los Angeles. The toughest games seem to come in pairs, as TEX comes with WAS and LA comes with BAL. But, it's a manageable schedule.
OUTLOOK - I don't think it's the best team Jeff's ever put together. But, it's a clear OIFLCup contender, and Mean Machine fans (understandably) expect them to be an OIFLCup contender annually. They are. Part of that is the team's ability to identify their opponent's weakness and ability to capitalize on same. Sometimes they guess wrong, but that's not common. See week 1 vs Chicago...
WHAT WOULD I DO? Nah, this team is fine. New York is a perennial contender, and they will continue as such. Not much you can do, but you can bet they're going to watch the waiver wire and the trade wires. New York, if nothing else, is never blindly satisfied with where they stand.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:38:48 GMT -5
TEXAS TERRORS
OFFENSE - When the playoffs hit last year, virtually no one in Austin thought they'd be disappointed they lost the OIFLCup Game. But yet, Texas did got there. Larry Campos returns for his fourth season with the Terrors, though if he struggles, Ken Phillips is there. Martin Hanson has established himself as a strong RB for the Terrors. Campos has weapons to use, including superstar OS Tywon Williams, as well as WRs such as Malcom Orion, Shaun Bollings, Joe Farda, and Juwon Mack. Texas' line is as deep as any in the league, going 8 deep. Depth has been a Texas calling card for years now, and this one's no different. Gone are the "Markelle Cox runs 28 times and Texas wins 37-30" days. Here are the "322 yards and a 68-58 win" days. Both are wins, though, so Texas is fine.
DEFENSE - This defense is pretty good. It's probably not the league's best, but it's in that running. Of course in that division, you may not see it. Markelle Cox returns for his 14th season at LB (we're to the point now where a lot of folks forget Cox is the #8 all-time running back in league history), and he seems to get better at LB. The DB group is pretty strong, with ample depth as well. The defensive line is also deep, though the OL is probably overall the stronger group. Either way, this defense will see the field a lot because that offense is scoring a lot.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Johnny Arzola returns at kicker for the Terrors, while Williams is a top-5 kick returner. Arzola may be the weak link of the team, which is a pretty strong weak link.
SCHEDULE - Based on last year's records, it's the toughest in the league. Texas opens in Vancouver Island, so that's not so bad. There's a hideous HOU LA NY CHI run in the second half with three of those (NY) on the road. Texas will be battle tested, though the 22-12 all-time playoff record already indicates a playoff readiness.
OUTLOOK - Texas is a perennial contender until they go 5-11 some year, which is not near. Terrors fans expect a second OIFLCup. Or, I guess, at least a fifth OIFLCup Game berth. Nothing else will remotely do.
WHAT WOULD I DO? What can you do? I guess you'd love a little better QB, but Campos has developed nicely and has tons of years left (like 15 if he does the Cox aging plan). Texas is getting long in the tooth some places, but there's ample depth behind it that it's not a long-term concern. At this point, you just kinda worry about "now" and see what happens down the line.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 10, 2021 22:47:02 GMT -5
CHICAGO BLUES
OFFENSE - Our defending champs enter 2021 with an edict: DO IT AGAIN. Jim Holcombe enters his fifth season for the Blues as one of the OIFL's top quarterbacks. Sean Maxey will line up behind him after the trade away of Randall Ledbetter. Holcombe has some weapons to use, including OS Dwight Timothy, Brandon Graham, Bernhard Schraeder, and Freddy Dukes. Chicago's line is perennially amongst the league's best, though depth may well be a bit of a concern this year. Chicago is known as a defensive team, but this group can put up points.
DEFENSE - Maxey is a one-dimensional LB, but that one dimension is still strong. It's all about the line. Labeck and Lemont are the top 1-2 DL punch in the OIFL, and the depth is strong. The backfield is pretty deep as well, as Chicago can bring out numerous defensive backs. A couple well-placed injuries could cause some problems, but absent that, the defense will be one of the league's best.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Chicago upgraded at kicker, bringing in Dan Nickels to get them into the top half of the league there, finally. Timothy is a strong kick returner.
SCHEDULE - It started with New York. It ends in Ohio, which ends a rough five game stretch of DMV TEX WAS BAL OH. Chicago's other west game is next week in Ruidoso, so there's some tough stuff. Getting the doubleheaders with Indianapolis and Richmond mitigates some difficulty, though.
OUTLOOK - Looking at the roster, it kinda feels like this may be the last shot for this team to win it. There's a lot of age a lot of places with the Blues (the whole division is old, with #1, #3, #4, and #17 age), and that can go rotten quickly. I'm also not sure if they won't regret trading Ledbetter away, even though a guy like OLDL Robert Mansaur is a strong get in return.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Nah, they just won the OIFLCup, they know how to do it. You have to ride with it. Next year, could be a tougher offseason.
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