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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:00:54 GMT -5
WASHINGTON INSIDERS
OFFENSE - Guess I didn't expect Washington to be this early. But they did have a struggle of a season last year with injuries and such. Yoichi Hiruma returns for his 13th OIFL season, and he's got some weapons. 6th year RB Jack Stones returns to lead the run game, while Hiruma has some solid receiving weapons in Stanley Isaacs, Ken Wortman, Sam Engelberg, and Kevin Sherman. Washington's line goes 8 deep on offense, and should help keep Hiruma upright. Washington has always scored points, and they look to continue that.
DEFENSE - Depth is iffy here, especially in the defensive backfield. The line is good here, too, and Stones is a strong blitzing linebacker, though he's not going to scare anyone in pass coverage. Depth will be tested if the two-way WRs start to get banged up. Depth was their killer last year, and so long as guys stay healthy, it won't be this year. Aaaand three guys are already on the injured list.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Stephen Smyka is an elite kicker when he gets healthy. John Matich is the eighth leading kicker scorer in OIFL history, but he's not the kicker anymore that got to that number. Isaacs will return kicks for the Insiders.
SCHEDULE - Getting Houston out of conference with this pass covering LB corps isn't ideal. Getting Texas as the other west team...no one's going to be the OIFL webmaster if this is the thanks they get. Washington should be a playoff team no matter what happens, but they have a brutal schedule, clearly. At least it ends with Baltimore and Delmarva...oh wait. Washington will be battle-tested when the playoffs get here.
OUTLOOK - Washington has a desperate hope to stay healthy, and if they do, they're going to win a lot of games. Are they an OIFLCup Contender RIGHT NOW? If the cards fall right, they might be.
WHAT WOULD I DO? The payroll's getting a little high, but Washington can add some salary if the right thing comes along. And they have pieces to be able to deal to get that, while keeping the young guys coming that they're developing. Washington's got a good team, it's sometimes difficult to get from "very good" to "elite."
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:10:27 GMT -5
CHICAGO BLUES
OFFENSE - Two years ago, Chicago won the OIFLCup Game. Last year...not as much. This team is still good enough to be right in the mix of things, and should expect it. Jim Holcombe returns at QB, and his receiving corps is just fine, including WRs Brandon Graham, Bernhard Schraeder, Dwight Timothy, Siddiqu Merriman-Thomas, Freddy Dukes, JeQual Kelly. The RB group is not as strong as other teams, though second year RB Clyde Smith may have taken the job. Chicago's offense has traditionally been methodical, but this exact roster may be better served trying a quick strike offensive explosion-type style. The run game is good, but with the defensive limitations, they may be forced to try different sets.
DEFENSE - the RBs either can't play LB, or can't cover. Top teams with versatile offenses are going to give them fits there. If they can survive what's still a top defensive line. Labeck is aging, but that's still a scary defensive front three for the Blues. The DB corps is strong as always, though depth on the two-way side is a little thin if guys start getting hurt. But, Chicago's not going to be involved in many 73-72 games this year, let's say.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Dan Nickels returns for his 12th year in the league. Timothy is a top kick returner.
SCHEDULE - Opening and closing with Ohio is a nice way to give Chicago a key to the division. Chicago gets New York early (Week 3 at home). Chicago's non-conference games include Portland and Vancouver Island, so they get a bit of a break there as well. As a contender, probably can't ask for a better schedule.
OUTLOOK - Some guys here are starting to get older for the Blues. But they're still a top team, and will be right in the mix of things. Chicago had a bit of bad luck last year, which cost them a repeat bid.
WHAT WOULD I DO? It's a really strong roster, there's not much I can do. I guess if a top RBLB comes available, let's go for it...but Chicago may have to give up a lot to get that, so it's a tough ask right now.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:31:25 GMT -5
LOS ANGELES MATADORS
OFFENSE - This Matadors team...it should have gotten "too old to compete" about three times since winning OIFLCup XV. And yet, here we are. Jason Stackhouse returns for his 12th OIFL season, and his offense should be very strong. Ross Franklin will be the main ball carrier, and Stackhouse has receivers such as Donald Avery Hall, Gerald Poff, Vernon Burkhead, Kevin Thornton, and Sam McGinley to throw to. Depth in the skill spots is a little worrisome if guys get hurt, but if they stay healthy, Los Angeles will score plenty.
DEFENSE - Depth here is a little more worrisome, as Cindric Coyne is just about at the end of his line, and the DS backup group isn't ready for primetime. The two-way WR backups are good enough to fill in at DS, but that depth issue magnifies. The Matador line is strong and deep, and that'll help everyone else. Franklin at LB is also a good add.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jamie Cabrera is in his 16th, and last, season as kicker. He's still going to be fine, he's still #3 all-time in points scored kicking, but he's definitely on the downswing. OK, 15th season, his first was with the OIF2 Venice team before they moved over to the OIFL. Burkhead is a strong kick returner.
SCHEDULE - It's a favorable schedule, though 5 of the first 6 are on the road. Those 5, though, are VAN/SEA/LIN/MEM/EUG, so it's not the worst fate ever suffered. Of course, of the last 3 road games in the last 10 weeks, one is Texas. And the home games include Ruidoso, Baltimore, and Houston. Los Angeles may have a very favorable schedule with this roster to make a run.
OUTLOOK - I keep saying "it's this team's last shot," and I'm not going to do that anymore because Nestor has proven me wrong numerous times. But, there are guys where the days are growing short in this league. Including hall of famers like Cindric Coyne and Raphael Urquijo.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not sure there's any obvious move here. This team can compete with the top teams in the West, and a number of these guys were on the bench when Los Angeles won OIFLCup XV. I'm not sure LA is currently a top-3 team in the league, but they are going to be in the mix all year long.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:38:07 GMT -5
OHIO COMMANDERS
OFFENSE - What we have here is a calculated risk to see what money can buy. I'm not sure it's quite enough, unfortunately. Chris Berkstead returns for his 10th season with the franchise, and he has a good group of players to work with. William Lee may be the league's best two-way RB, while Berkstead has weapons to throw to, including long-time Commanders Norm Whittington and Cornell Sarvas, and new acquisition Alan Rendfrey. The shock cut of the year was OS Verner Bloom, but he was a cheap cut. Younger guys like Bob Hauver will be called on to step up offensively as well. Ohio has a deep line, but the top end may not quite be top-5.
DEFENSE - The defensive backfield is the league's deepest. The front is also deep, but top O-Lines can have success here. Lee at LB is a huge help, though if he needs a breather, the options are somewhat limited. Ohio's got plenty of options, though, and you can figure they're going to find ways to use them.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Reid Warrick is the OIFL's only dropkicking specialist, and he's entering his 16th season (not all as a drop kicker). The KR spot had been manned by Bloom for a few years, so I'm not sure who's returning kicks now.
SCHEDULE - They open and close with Chicago, so there's your division probably. Ohio gets a little help with Vancouver Island and Fort McMurray out of conference, but they do have to play the other eight East teams still. Ohio's three-game road trip has Vermont and Florida, so that does help. It's not a bad schedule at all.
OUTLOOK - This is the most expensive team in OIFL history, and while I get why the risks were taken to add guys to add talent, the most expensive team in league history may not be a top-3 roster right now. Having a lot of guys with a lot of experience in the system should be helpful, and the schedule will give them a boost as well. Ohio just won't be in the financial position to add anything if it comes needed.
WHAT WOULD I DO? You're stuck with some of these contracts. But, I'd probably look and see if I could move any of them for something. Was also surprised at the Bloom cut, but it saved $2M ($800K salary, $1.2M tax). Addiitonal savings could be found with guys like Schelleneger if you had to. And this roster and bank account could have to. Ohio will look a lot different in 2023.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:43:24 GMT -5
SEATTLE CYBERCATS
OFFENSE - Quaeavion Greene was such a key to this offense that I really don't know what they're going to look like. Demarion Poole returns for his seventh season, and he's a great dual-threat QB. Seattle's offense will still hum, it just won't look the same without the "two QB" set with Q. Leon Taylor is a strong running back, and Poole still has good receiving weapons including Jim Tusing, DeQuan Crowell, Tiwon Lougheed, Curt Bruce, and Deondre Revalee. And Seattle's still going to use the tight end more than anyone else, with Duane Prewitt, Jr. and Jose Cardoso right there. Seattle's offense may look different, but it's still going to be good.
DEFENSE - Depth is a major concern in the defensive backfield, as it always has been. Seattle wins by outscoring teams. The defensive line is OK, depth is getting better, but it's not a top-5 defense. But with that offense, it may not have to be.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jim Long is close to the end, but he's still an elite kicker in his 14th season. Crowell probably returns kicks, but after 15 years of Quaeavion, I really don't know!
SCHEDULE - Seattle has Los Angeles in Weeks 2 and 14, so the division is quite possibly decided there (though Eugene has something to say). Getting New York, Texas, and Los Angeles in a 4-week stretch later in the season will be what makes or breaks the Cybercat year. Overall, it's tied for easiest in the league (based on last year's records), so even with New York, it's not bad.
OUTLOOK - Seattle has a strong team, and expects to be in the mix for the OIFLCup Game. They may be in the top of that second tier, but they are going to be in that mix.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I'd love some more DB depth, whether at DS or WRDB. If a couple guys get hurt, Seattle's going to need to score 65 a night to have a chance, and even with that offense, you don't want to be in that spot. Seattle did solve its problem of too much loyalty paying guys way too much for way too long, a couple years ago, and we've seen that help them tremendously. Seattle CAN add salary if it makes sense.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:47:44 GMT -5
BALTIMORE BREAKERS
OFFENSE - Baltimore had to make some cost-cutting moves before last year, and everyone thought that was going to send them multiple steps backwards. It didn't, as evidenced by how late this preview is. Tommy Gunn returns for his 11th season, and he's got unsung hero Andre Beland behind him. Gunn will have good weapons to use, including Vincent Gerard III, Don Dodrill, Paul Rollman, and second-year star-in-the-making Wardwick Olson. Gunn is not mobile, and only having 7 linemen on the roster worries me if guys get hurt, but the starters are fine.
DEFENSE - Baltimore's defense, minus line depth concerns, is pretty strong. Olson is a top-5 WRDB in the making, and other guys are going to be able to step up. Baltimore has roster spots open, so depth is further a concern, but this is possibly one of the deeper Breakers teams we've had.
SPECIAL TEAMS - David Wolstenholm returns to kick as the league's highest paid kicker, but he's pretty good. Gerard is one of the better kick returners out there.
SCHEDULE - I mean, that division is rough, but Baltimore gets London and Vermont at home to start. Getting Houston and Los Angeles out of conference isn't helpful, but Baltimore will be battle-tested when the playoffs arrive.
OUTLOOK - Some guys are getting close to getting old, but are not themselves old. So Baltimore's still in a good spot here. The Breakers are a contender, if even they need a couple breaks to go their way.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Gotta watch the FA wire and add a couple more linemen to fill out the roster. If two linemen go down, you don't even have a full two-deep now, and Tommy Gunn isn't going to outrun me (unless I tear my calf again). Otherwise, it's a decent roster, though a couple of the young guys here (Rick Jones, Tamar Elery) could go and not be missed.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 21:54:10 GMT -5
DELMARVA LEGACY
OFFENSE - Maybe not as unique as starting a QBDB, Delmarva has one of the more unique offenses in the league. And the fastest. James Marple gets a strong two back set with him in August Orrison and Leonard McKenzie, while he's got the fastest WR combo in the league in Seymour Heller and German o'Campo. This strategy has one big risk, though - if any one of these guys gets hurt, the offense has major holes. Depth is a concern. Marple, who isn't real fast, has a strong and fairly deep line in front of him, which helps immensely. Delmarva will score points as needed, though - teams will always have trouble stopping this speed.
DEFENSE - Depth is a concern here as well, though it's the league's fastest defense by a good bit. The line isn't as strong as its offensive counterpart, which lends them to some worry against power teams, but Delmarva's defense will be fine.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Sam Andrews returns for his 10th OIFL season, while o'Campo probably will return kicks (since Heller plays two ways).
SCHEDULE - It's a strong schedule because it's a strong division. Delmarva opens with Washington and Philadelphia, but follows that with FLA/IND/VT, which helps a little. Then Baltimore and New York. Week 16 is a trip to Washington, so that could be vitally important in the playoff picture. Delmarva's last six in fact is TEX/RUI/BAL/CHI/OH/WAS. No one in Round 1 (or 2, if they get the top seed) will scare Delmarva after that run.
OUTLOOK - The defense can be strategized against, but they know that. Can that speed, with the line keeping Marple healthy? There is risk for Marple, though...a Clothier is on the roster and can be brought in if he falters. Delmarva's a contender, no doubt about that.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I mean, what players are available that fit the identity of this team. Delmarva is built with a specific purpose, and those kinds of purposes are built in camp, not off the FA pile.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 22:00:11 GMT -5
HOUSTON MARSHALS
OFFENSE - It's a one trick pony, but daggone it's a good trick. And if need be, it's not like they CAN'T run. Matthew Lavergne enters his 10th season and is looking to light the scoreboard on fire. Chris Murdock is allegedly his running back, but he's going to make this a 4-WR base. Robert Dangola, Carlos Tolosa, Richard Hollenback, Carlos Cruise, Alquan Wund, RiQuan Peck, Jack Boyce...Artaun Burris as the second RB - Houston has ample receiving depth and can score on anyone. The line is one of the best in the league as well, and has ample depth. Houston's going to score a lot of points all year long.
DEFENSE - It's actually a pretty good defense. It's a little disjointed because Burris is a DB, while Tolosa can be a LB, and Cruise IS a LB, but Houston has its plan. Going with four two-way skill spots and only two two-way lineman allows DL Greg Helm to be a beast on the one side he can play. And he is a beast. Houston's defense is actually pretty strong, but when the offense is playing pinball they could have some issues in the statistics.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Robert Andrews wasn't here a couple weeks ago, but they wanted an elite kicker. While Andrews is near the end, he's still elite right now. Burris returned kicks last year, and looks to probably continue in that role.
SCHEDULE - The OIFL Kickoff Classic - they go right to Austin to start (and Week 16 is the return trip). You want to win in the OIFL, you gotta beat the champs. Otherwise, it's a decent schedule. Delmarva in Week 11 will be an interesting contrast in styles, as Delmarva has the starting DB group to give this pass game major fits.
OUTLOOK - They're still pretty young. That's scary. Houston is building a team that will be good for a long time, and that can win for a long time. But, gotta get a Cup here.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Nah, this thing's being built well. I maybe wouldn't be as stubborn offensively with that RB duo, but Houston's absolutely an OIFLCup Contender as-is, any day of the week.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 22:04:57 GMT -5
NEW YORK MEAN MACHINE
OFFENSE - Nick Stokes is not in an enviable position. He slips up, and Don Kelly comes in. Stokes is in his 9th year, and just can't catch a break to be "the guy" long-term. But he's gotten this team a long ways a lot of times. Jack Jones is a good back behind Stokes, and the receiving corps of Clinton Hewitt, Miquel Simpson, Vernon Tyler, Rasheide Benefield, John Barba, and Tiago Lucena is pretty good. New York plays a risky game with the age they'll willingly carry, but they've had a really strong run these past few years.
DEFENSE - This may not be quite as strong a Mean Machine defense as we're accustomed to. The starters are elite. Some of the backups, too. But depth is a little iffy at some spots. If a couple of the right guys get hurt, New York's in some trouble defensively, but overall they're still not giving up 50 a night.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jacob Zie may be the best kicker in the OIFL. Tyler is an elite kick returner, and should continue down that path.
SCHEDULE - This schedule is somewhat favorable, but is also a little backloaded. A Chicago/Philadelphia back-to-back early is rough, and then they get the three Maryland-adjacent teams back-to-back in the middle (Delmarva and Washington on the road). Week 16 at Philadelphia could be more important than New York wants it to be, but the Mean Machine don't back away from a challenge.
OUTLOOK - Last year may have been the shot to win the Cup for a little bit. This team feels like a small step back, but it's not like New York is at risk of going 4-12 or something. This team is still a contender.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not sure what can be done. There's still a ton of talent, and New York is still going to be right in there every single week, just like they're always supposed to be.
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Post by commissioner on Jun 19, 2022 22:10:58 GMT -5
TEXAS TERRORS
OFFENSE - The champs are here! Larry Campos returns for his fifth OIFL season, though there's some small rumblings that 6th year QB Ken Phillips might be waiting in case something goes wrong. Campos has the OIFLCup win now, but he's not been consistently elite. Martin Hanson will be the primary ball carrier behind Campos, and the receiving corps led by Tywon Williams is strong. Texas also brought back their #3 all-time receiver in Eric Yates to close out his career...maybe in a Jermaine Copeland-in-Evansville role, which is a very useful role indeed.
DEFENSE - I think this team is going to miss Markelle Cox a lot. Which, Buster knew they would. Herbie Greene probably starts at DS to be the linebacker, but he's not as versatile as Cox was there. The defensive backfield is strong, but not the league's deepest, and they are somewhat susceptible to injury. The defensive line is just fine, though, and teams will struggle to run sometimes since Greene's going to be coming on most downs. Texas is coming off an OIFLCup win, so it's not like they don't know how to adapt.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Williams is consistently a top five kick returner. Johnny Arzola will be the regular kicker.
SCHEDULE - Weeks 1 and 16 with Houston make for the division quite possibly. Texas gets Delmarva and Washington out of the East, so that's pretty tough. Texas is always ready for the playoffs, and while replacing Fort Worth with Memphis twice is quite helpful, Texas doesn't overlook anyone.
OUTLOOK - It's not a rebuild, it's not remotely close to a rebuild. But it is a slight retooling that we saw. And another one coming with guys like Bill Christoff and Shaun Bollings getting old. But, Texas is developing young guys, and literally last lost 5 games in a season in 2015. They're probably not going to be risking .500 any time soon here.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I'd love another linebacker somewhere. I don't know where, but Greene is limited enough to give Texas some fits. But come on, this franchise is 25-12 in the playoffs, and has been to five OIFLCup Games. I think they know what's up.
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