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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:04:07 GMT -5
I know, I know...we're a little late on this one.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:11:42 GMT -5
PORTLAND PIONEERS
OFFENSE - There's something a little different in Portland this year..."hope." The moribund Pioneers franchise has some hope. It's led by the offseason acquisitions of RBs Jessie Shepherd and rookie Derek Countryman. QB John Berger returns for his seventh season, and he's fine - good runner, good passer. Portland moved on from Keanon Lowe and Michale LeFlores, but Berger has some weapons in the pass game, including OS Elijah Neighbors and WRs Clyde Cardaman and Domingo Domenech. This isn't the high-flying pass teams that Portland had in their heyday, but this...isn't a team that should be throwing a bunch. Portland does what they do, but this is a roster set up to do something different.
DEFENSE - Depth is going to be Portland's defensive concern, but the starters are OK. Shepherd brings some oomph to the LB spot, while the defensive line is pretty good at the starters. The DB corps is not as strong, but Shepherd can move over there if they go with a two back set or something of that sort.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Brent Matthews is on the downside of his career, but he's a fine kicker. Neighbors will be called upon to return a few kicks all the way.
SCHEDULE - It's all different for everyone. Portland gets some help with a Week 2 trip to Dublin. Overall, not a terrible schedule, and if there's some hope leading late, Portland closes with three at home (Indianapolis, Dublin, and Delmarva - who does rest guys Week 16 if their seed is set). Weeks 4-9 may be the key, as that six game stretch only has one home game, and it's Seattle.
OUTLOOK - 14/24 make the playoffs. Never say never. But this team has a brighter outlook than it's had in a long while.
WHAT WOULD I DO? The line worries me with this thought process, but...you've got two good backs that have been around (Phillips & Shepherd), and the #1 overall pick in Countryman, and a running QB. Time to go with the old Washington Commandos (now Columbus Hunters) gameplan and put two backs in there and just run the ball down teams' throat.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:18:09 GMT -5
RICHMOND REVOLUTION
OFFENSE - It's a team that seems to constantly fight with itself. Richmond fought playing Allinson as the primary QB for about half the season, and then let it rip and started scoring 50+ every week. Sure, the defense gave up 60+, but we're looking at positives here. Allinson is the QB here, he's proven it. Michael D. Brake returns behind Allinson as an older but good go-to back. Allinson has WR Larry Dimick, who is an up and coming star. Also OS Khadarious Conner, another strong young receiver. This Richmond team will put up points. Adding RB (or WR) Miquan Dowling doesn't hurt, either. Also the best line Richmond has had; this team is the best the Revolution have ever been...
DEFENSE - ...but that defense is still going to be a sieve against better offenses. Richmond's line is its best ever, but two injuries and no names start running for 100 on them every week. The DS combo is going to be a work in progress, and Richmond can NOT afford an injury to Michael Guiel or Larry Dimick; these two will already be avoided by most offenses, but if you remove one, the other one can start playing on his phone on the field. As such, it's going to be up to the Revolution offense to carry the day.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Tony Maloloyon is an adequate kicker, and Conner has proven a pretty solid kick returner in his young OIFL career.
SCHEDULE - Week 1 against Ruidoso may be a key game to the prospects of the team. Richmond does get Dublin in Week 14, but that comes off a five game stretch that is @eug @phi LA @hou @dmv...which is not a five game stretch Richmond looks to enjoy. It's not the hardest schedule in the OIFL, but it's not a fun one.
OUTLOOK - Richmond was 3-13 last year, and most experts are going to see that as around their ceiling again. Richmond has always been hyperactive on the free agent market, and they will need to continue that aggressiveness to work on some of the holes the team still does. If Allinson starts cooking, they can make the playoffs.
WHAT WOULD I DO? There's really not much choice right now. Let Allinson cook and just bombs away. More Corpus Christi than Houston in style; Richmond CAN run the ball with Brake (and backup Harry Black). I mean, Houston can, too, they just don't. Keep on the FA market, maybe even look at some of the defensive backs out there now that are better than guys on the Richmond roster.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:24:27 GMT -5
INDIANAPOLIS RACERS
OFFENSE - Well, we've got the owner back more active, which is the biggest plus here. Indy's not got the hope they had last year, though. Evon Cross probably leads the way at QB, and he's mostly untested. He's still got Lawrence Tiernan behind him, and Tiernan is probably the star and key of this offense. Cross does have some weapons, including Ralph Deitrich, Patrick McKee, and Sam Toccoa. Deitrich has looked mostly at OS, but we can see him go two-way and play as the primary linebacker. Indy's line is their strength, as there is ample depth (even if the starters aren't quite elite top to bottom).
DEFENSE - Better than they've been, but outside the line, the wheels fall off if anyone gets hurt. Deitrich may come in to play two-way and at LB, as that would allow Tiernan (their #2 pure cover guy) to be more of a cover guy instead of a LB/slot defender. For the first time in awhile, the Indy defense does have some options, though that depth is going to be the death of it all. As per recent years, Indianapolis will have to be carried by their offense.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Joe Sourati has been with the Racers for awhile as he enters Year 5. The kick returner is not clear, though backup OS Ronconaghuey Moss may take that job.
SCHEDULE - The Racers have a reasonably favorable schedule. They get two of the expansion teams (Green Bay and Dallas), they get Richmond twice in division, and then it gets a little scary. A five game stretch of @la TEX EUG @bal CHI is going to be a problem for them.
OUTLOOK - With having Greywacz and Silverstein last year, Indy had some hope. Then Greywacz got hurt and the wheels fell off. Again. 4-12 was last year's mark, and this team right now doesn't look like it will hit that. But they're too young to do a blow up and complete reset, so it may just have to sit and see how things go.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I would move a couple of those linemen for similar skill position guys. 11 linemen is probably a bit heavy, maybe get that back to 9 and see if you can parlay that into RB/WR types that are developable into stars. May also consider signing a stronger FA quarterback.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:31:46 GMT -5
DALLAS DRAGONS
OFFENSE - An unusually strong expansion team, Dallas comes in with a team that could make some noise. J'Mar Rickerson gets his shot as an OIFL starter, though the team will watch youngster JacQuan Fitzgibbons to see if he may take that job. Isidoro de Orta gets the lead back job for the Dragons, and he's played quite a bit (though this is his first lead back role). Rickerson will have some weapons to use, including WR Cornell Sarvas and OS Darren Silverstein. As it's an expansion team, depth is a concern for the Dragons. A lot of young guys to work with, though the bottom end of that roster will probably shuffle quite a bit. Dallas will put up some points, but probably isn't looking at a top-10 offense this year.
DEFENSE - de Orta is a good blitzing linebacker that can cover a little - the line has no depth, but the starters are pretty solid. Dallas has a decent defensive backfield as well, but again the depth. Usual expansion team headaches. It's not going to be a top 10 defense, but the Dragons D isn't going to be giving up 55 a game, either.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Robert Andrews is close to a HOF kicker, which is a nice get for a team that may need points. Silverstein is also a HOF-level talent, though he's lost a couple steps. Bud Hagler could take the kick return job.
SCHEDULE - Dallas opens up with a winnable game against the newly named Hunters. They also get Green Bay and Indianapolis at home. It also helps that their #1 seed team in the divisional shakeup (New York) is engineering a massive rebuild. This schedule could have been a ton worse.
OUTLOOK - Dallas used their spot as an expansion team to add some expensive talent (such as Cornell Sarvas), and that will help them build this year. The playoffs are unlikely, but 14/24 make it so it's not out of the question.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I imagine some of these rookies (Steve Reinita, Travis Sappington) - those guys won't develop, and won't be here. Even if it's a cheaper veteran, probably best to make a few moves there. 7 linemen likely isn't enough, either, so likely cutting guys like Reinita/Sappington/Falloon for free agent linemen is the play there.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:38:03 GMT -5
GREEN BAY AXEMEN
OFFENSE - It's a Matt Patten team, you know what he's about. Oh look at that, rookie quarterback and a bludgeon back in Michael Pouliout. Yes, the Axemen will give QB Keshaun Wolf opportunities to shine, but make no mistake, this is going to be a classic Patten team. It helps backup RBs And're Albano and Bernie Burke are also pretty strong. Not that Wolf has nothing to throw to; new acquisition RiQuan Peck is strong, as are guys like Malcolm Grant and Kway Richardson. Green Bay, again, is going to give the rookie QB opportunities to shine. The line is pretty OK, if not the most deep, but this team will have a reasonably successful offense.
DEFENSE - Sure, it's an expansion team, but it's almost like their owner's done this before. Green Bay is not going to have a stunning defense, depth is questionable in the front four (Burke and Albano are better offensive players). But, the defensive backfield is pretty solid AND is pretty deep for an expansion team. With the power offense and this, Green Bay may have some of the lower total scoring games in the OIFL this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS - K John Ferguson probably gets the job here, as the Axemen want to develop the young guys...but they need points. The kick return job is unclear, as it could be OS Tommy Rogers, or it could be one of the backups.
SCHEDULE - Green Bay opens in Indianapolis, and gets Dallas in Week 3, so it's a fairly...and the two home games Weeks 2 and 4 are Los Angeles and Texas. Ending with LA and EUG would be valuable if Green Bay were looking to win the division...which is probably a bridge too far.
OUTLOOK - I mean, it's kind of crazy for an expansion team, but Green Bay fans probably should be expecting a playoff berth. That may be a bridge too far, but the expectation is probably there.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Not a lot. I mean, maybe tweak a couple spots, but Green Bay has a solid mix of old and young to work with here. And it's not particularly expensive.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:44:31 GMT -5
DUBLIN CELTIC TIGERS (OIFL VAGABONDS?)
OFFENSE - This roster isn't going to get anyone excited about taking this team over, is it? The QB spot is up in the air, as maybe the young running QB Harrison Garner takes the gig, or maybe it's new acquisition Willy Robertson, or maybe longtime Seattle backup Erick Redd gets it. Not sure it matters; old man Keanon Lowe is probably going to start behind the QB, and the receivers will be some combo of Rolly Tucker, Michale LeFlores, and Asaad Moore. The line is pretty OK for an expansion team, and depth isn't too bad there. Anywhere else, this team is in deep trouble if someone gets hurt.
DEFENSE - No depth, though the starters aren't bad. The offense will have to control the clock because this defense isn't going to control much. It may be the OIFL's slowest team, too.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Rookie K Jameson Irick likely gets a lot of work to practice. The kick returner is not clear, but it could be David Scuteri or Gary Minnich.
SCHEDULE - I hate to be too cynical, but does it matter? First five weeks give Dublin games with Washington, Houston, and Seattle. There's a three game home stand late, but it's Delmarva, Seattle, and Texas. This team probably should be happy if they get a win.
OUTLOOK - No.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Every free agent that comes available needs watched. Dublin will be watching. There's not a lot there to be excited about, but if we get an owner, it'll be a high pick next year.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 21:53:26 GMT -5
MEXICO CITY AZTECS
OFFENSE - An offseason of change, as Mexico City comes into the season with either QB Don Kelly or rookie QB Brian Conery. Jywaun Elken or Amaro Zilanawala will be the starting back for the Aztecs, and both are solid (Zilanawala would almost need to be an OS, but he's played that before). The QB will have some weapons to throw to, including Lewis Browning, Hyacinthe Lord (though if Zilanawala plays OS, he can't), Dan Murphy, and Kyle English. The line is solid, and there is some depth there. Depth outside the line is a little worrisome, but Mexico City's offense should be better than last year.
DEFENSE - Depth is a little bigger worry defensively, but the line is still pretty good. Mexico City has to use a DS at linebacker, as neither back (Elken or Zilanawala) are elite linebackers (but Elken is a good defensive back). The WRDB depth is very suspect; one or two injuries there and this defense is in deep trouble. Again, probably better than last year's, but it's not a guarantee. New acquisition DS Henson Meier certainly helps.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Landes Horton isn't the strongest kicker, but he's very very accurate. Piedmont Moss has been a solid if unspectacular kick returner for Mexico City for years now.
SCHEDULE - This part may hurt. They get Richmond and rebuilding New York early, but they also get Delmarva twice, Seattle, and Chicago in the first six weeks. If they can survive that far, getting a three-game homestand with Dublin, Columbus, and Vancouver Island may keep them alive. It's not a terrible schedule, but there are some tough ones in there. At least the Houston game is at home.
OUTLOOK - I don't know. Mexico City was ecstatic when Conery fell to them in the draft, so that's good. He's the key to the future; while Don Kelly is a very strong passer, it seems that the Aztecs will go with the rook here. There's more of a long-term plan than Mexico City has had, so while the record may not be better, the outlook is.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I'm not seeing a lot that has to be done immediately. I would start Conery (and just see if Kelly has any trade value; Stan Kirby is an adequate backup QB). Beyond that, let's see what happens this year.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:07:28 GMT -5
LONDON MONARCHS
OFFENSE - Kidd Gunn is a no doubter easy first ballot hall of fame QB. It hasn't mattered the last couple years as London has disappointed. Gunn has trade acquisition RB Jean Denham behind him, and he has some more weapons that are developing. WRs Roger Friedman, Knoxwell Chamberlain, Andrew Crocchio, and Ike Chavayda all give Gunn some weapons that for the most part he's very used to. The line has some depth questions, but this will be a lot closer to the older school high scoring London teams than we've seen of late.
DEFENSE - And a better defense. The front is questionable, but London finally has a good linebacker in Denham. Evedarious McCarty will be good backup, but he's not a linebacker. The defensive backfield has very strong depth, something London hasn't had recently. While maybe it's not a top five defense, it's good enough to give London some success if the offense improves as expected.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Werner Brielmeyer returns for his sixth OIFL campaign, and is a pretty good kicker. London's kick returner is unclear at this time; there's a number of guys that can get that job.
SCHEDULE - Denham gets a revenge game in Florida to open the season, right before London opens their home schedule with the Texas Terrors. London adds road games in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, and Texas...this is a very tough schedule so London will be seasoned if they can get a playoff berth.
OUTLOOK - And they should. Kidd Gunn is a hall of fame QB; that should in of itself be enough. The defense isn't going to require Gunn to throw 85 touchdowns, but certainly the Monarchs would be thrilled if he could. I'm not sure a home playoff game is feasible, but London should absolutely expect a playoff berth.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Well I wouldn't have traded RiQuan Peck this week; he would have been WR1 on this roster and it would have been even stronger. But Denham being there may give London the elite back they haven't had in quite a few years. Not much I would do right now, except making sure to not trade my stars away.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:14:43 GMT -5
RUIDOSO KIDS
OFFENSE - Kawan Ishwer has to throw a pass to Thomas Kampner this year, right? Kampner returns as a much much better QB (and DB), and this Ruidoso offense looks to start humming with the unorthodox set. Arnaud Howard has taken the RB role all to himself, Kampner getting ample carries as well. The receiving corps has improved with camp work as well, as the aforementioned Ishwer will pair with Keondre Collier, Scott Howden, Je'Quan Moscot, and Kevin Thornton to give Ruidoso a much better offense than they had last year. This team is not perfect, but this offense is going to worry teams more this year.
DEFENSE - Also improved here. Howard is an elite linebacker, and the defensive line has a couple studs (including Wesley Pike). The defensive backfield is perhaps not top tier, but depth is pretty good. Ruidoso certainly has a case overall for "most improved team."
SPECIAL TEAMS - Ian Truefoot returns at kicker, and he's been fine. Howden has had a fair bit of success returning kicks as well.
SCHEDULE - Opening in Richmond could be a very big contrast in styles. Ruidoso has a tough three game road stretch in PHI/GB/LA, but overall the schedule is not awful. The champs come to New Mexico in Week 10, and that Week 16 home game against Los Angeles could be all kinds of important.
OUTLOOK - A heck of a lot better than last year. Last year was the trial run of this new two-way QB system, and it went OK. This year, the team expects to be back in the playoff mix, and maybe good enough to make a playoff run. That may be a bridge too far, but this team is not looking to be 5-11 again.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I think it's fair to let this team see how the season starts and goes. There's a lot of youth there, including guys like Kampner who play huge roles. And there's veterans. Ruidoso will be fun to watch again.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:20:32 GMT -5
FLORIDA TUSKERS
OFFENSE - Gene Dugger returns for his third season with the Tuskers, and he's improved every year. What changes is behind him as RB Don Sochowitz takes over for the departed Jean Denham. Dugger's weapons are improving, and he's got Del Kautz, George Peck, Porter Gowens, Sochowitz, Krydell Anthony, Owen Zetterrower, and Gil Robles to throw to. There may not be any superstar receivers, but it's an improved receiving corps. The line's depth has improved a fair bit as well. Florida plays more depth than most teams, and finally they have a roster that can do it effectively.
DEFENSE - The D-Line depth isn't quite as strong as the O-Line, though it's not terrible. They will miss the strong linebacker in Denham, though. The defensive backfield is improved, but still is susceptible to depth issues. Florida, for the first time in this run, will be a more offensive than defensive team.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Stanley Farson returns for his 15th OIFL season, and he still can bring it (though younger guy Norbert Schopf could take the job). Martin Frank returns as Florida's kick returner, and he plans to take a couple back for six.
SCHEDULE - Getting New York twice isn't quite as daunting as it was when the schedule came out. Getting Fort McMurray twice is probably more daunting. And getting Dublin instead of Dallas twice would have been nice. All in all Florida's just glad they don't have a division with Delmarva, Washington, and Baltimore anymore. This schedule ranks high, but really isn't bad.
OUTLOOK - Florida just missed the playoffs last year, and they expect to get a playoff spot this year. They may have to fight for it, but the outlook is improving.
WHAT WOULD I DO? The team has a lot of good young talent, and this is the Florida gameplan. Keep with it; maybe some of the stars should sub out a bit less (such as OS Frank or DS McTell), but the system has worked fine.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:29:08 GMT -5
VANCOUVER ISLAND BLITZ
OFFENSE - He's gonna get old someday, but 2023 isn't that day. Royce Buchanan is Mr. Vancouver Island, Mr. Workhorse, and he's the guy. QB James Bordain is no slouch, and he's got some guys to throw to including Paul Goodwin, Walter Coy, and John McHugh...but where Rolls Royce goes, the Blitz go. Sometimes. Given Buchanan's success, the team hasn't regularly followed. The line still has some holes, and depth overall isn't elite, but this Blitz offense should be better than the past couple years.
DEFENSE - Eric Lyall was a FA signing that felt way overpriced at the time, but now he's an elite DS. And they need those. Buchanan is a strong linebacker (and his backup Rolland Coxwell is no slouch himself). The line depth is iffy, but Vancouver Island's defense is pretty OK outside of that. It's still an offensive team more than defensive, but the Blitz shouldn't be having to win 68-63 Matt Sauk shootouts.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Patrick Dignan returns as the Blitz kicker. McHugh or OS Milton Duvall will return kicks.
SCHEDULE - If the Blitz can get to a season ending three game homestand of FLA/CHI/DUB, this could be a team poised for a run. Getting there could be the fun, as they have road games in Chicago, Fort McMurray, Delmarva, London, Washington, and Baltimore. And home games with Seattle, Delmarva, and Los Angeles before that Chicago game. This is an improved Blitz team, but it's going to need to be.
OUTLOOK - They were a 6-10 playoff team last year; 6-10 may make it, but this team should be shooting for higher than 6-10.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Buchanan's the star, he's the super back, Bordain can run, McHugh can run and block...even with a decent set of receivers, I'm thinking long and hard about leaning very heavily into the run run run with anyone setup. Would it lead them to a title? Perhaps not, but it could lead them to a few extra wins...
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:39:01 GMT -5
COLUMBUS HUNTERS
OFFENSE - Bron Cortright was a breath of fresh air after Columbus did their blowup last season. He returns at QB and looks to take the next step for the newly named Hunters. Alfred Stone came over from Indianapolis and had an exceptional offseason, and comes in as the Columbus RB. Alan Rendfrey moves back to receiver, and that's better for the team as well. Cortright also gets David Dunavin, Sammy Bolt, and Julian Felder to throw to. Felder may have to play two-way for LB, but that's to be determined. This isn't the offense that started the 2022 season, but Columbus will put points up.
DEFENSE - The line depth is a worry, but the D-Line is a bit better than the O-Line. Julian Felder may have to play LB unless they put Rendfrey there. LB is a weak spot for Columbus. The defensive backfield is pretty stout, and depth is mostly OK there.
SPECIAL TEAMS - The drop kicker extraordinare has called it a day, but K Billy Babcock is an elite "regular" kicker. The kick return spot is open, though Felder may take that one as well.
SCHEDULE - Certainly they got no help when the other "bottom" team in their division is London. The schedule has some rough spots, including a four game homestand of HOU/NY/LON/SEA. Week 16's home game against Texas could be a respite if the Terrors have clinched a seed, but there's no guarantees there. Overall, the final eight weeks may be the toughest in the OIFL: @fm HOU NY LON SEA @rui @phi TEX.
OUTLOOK - Payroll is $22M now. The "blow it up" part of the rebuild is over. Time to build it up. Cortright has proven to be the QB of the future, and now Stone is an elite RBDB. The team should now start moving back in the right direction.
WHAT WOULD I DO? Seven DS is just way too many; it's time to move some of those and try to get more two-way skill spots. Having two RBDB and only five WRDB/LB is not a particularly safe spot to be in. The DS probably can't be traded, but there are some (admittedly older) FA that wouldn't cost much money.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 22, 2023 22:39:05 GMT -5
BALTIMORE BREAKERS
OFFENSE - A team seen as being on a bit of a downward trajectory, Baltimore's offense returns just about everyone to try and stave that off. Tommy Gunn enters his 12th OIFL season on pace to possibly become a top-10 all-time passer. Andre Beland has become the Breakers' workhorse back and key to the entire offense. Gunn has his usual group of weapons, including OS Vincent Gerard III and receivers Don Dodrill, Paul Rollman, and young guys like Wardwick Olson. Baltimore always puts up points, and while the pace of late hasn't quite been what it was 5 or so years ago, Baltimore will continue that trend.
DEFENSE - Depth is the concern in Baltimore, but there have been improvements. The line has depth issues both ways. Beland has no equal on the roster defensively, or anything close - as an excellent linebacker, Baltimore's had seasons wrecked when Beland got hurt. The defensive backfield has ample depth, and has guys who can move in and out of the DS spots. Part of Baltimore's defensive "trouble" has been that your defense gets a lot of work when your QB throws 100 touchdown passes. Baltimore may not have a top-5 defense, but it's able.
SPECIAL TEAMS - David Wolstenholm may be the OIFL's best kicker, and Baltimore will be pleased to have that. VG3 may be the league's best kick returner, and that always makes everyone's life easier.
SCHEDULE - It's a relatively favorable schedule, though those two games with Houston may be fun to see who scores 75 first. This division overall may be the wildest scoring one in the OIFL, with Houston, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Richmond. Baltimore has no crazy stretches of 3-4-5 games with top teams in a row, but they do get the aforementioned Houston games, a home battle with Los Angeles, and trips to Eugene, Chicago, and Seattle.
OUTLOOK - It's felt like "something" was missing with the Breakers for a couple years. While major steps weren't necessarily taken to fix whatever that was (as it was somewhat unidentified), the Breakers feel like a more complete team. With Tommy Gunn, you figure they've got a shot no matter what.
WHAT WOULD I DO? That line depth is a worry. Only with 7 linemen on the roster in the first place, there are FA linemen that would be helpful (and Baltimore has 2 open roster spots). But it's mostly tweaks at this point.
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Post by commissioner on Jul 23, 2023 7:55:33 GMT -5
SEATTLE CYBERCATS
OFFENSE - Much like Baltimore before, Seattle feels like a team that's underachieved a bit of late. They hope to break out of that little funk this year. Demarion Poole returns for his eighth season, and might just be a top-2 or -3 all-around quarterback in the OIFL. He's an elite thrower, and has weapons such as DeQuan Crowell, Jim Tusing, and third-year WRDB Tiwon Lougheed to throw to. He's an elite runner, but also has Leon Taylor and A.W. Henderson to give the ball to. And don't forget the Cybercat tight end game; Duane Prewitt, Jose Cardoso, and Lowell Keesee can all effectively go out for passes. Seattle also seems to have effectively dealt with some of the depth issues; while there's some age there, one ill-timed injury isn't going to wreck Seattle's offense.
DEFENSE - It might, though, wreck Seattle's defense. Seattle has always been an offensive team, and this isn't going to change. Seattle probably brings back Leon Taylor as the every down back, as he's their best pure blitzing linebacker. The defensive backfield has some significant depth issues, but the starters are adequate. The line could use a little more depth, but Seattle's going to be trying to outgun teams offensively, as per usual. Seattle doesn't have a top-5 defense, but it's also not going to be bottom-5.
SPECIAL TEAMS - Jim Long enters his 15th season as still a top-5 kicker, and he looks to move up the leaderboards (#8 kicking scorer all-time). Seattle is still working on replacing all-world kick returner and OS Quaeavion Greene, but they have a few candidates to return kicks.
SCHEDULE - Ending with the traditional Florida nightmare (BAL @dmv WAS) is certainly an aesthetic choice; Seattle will enter the playoffs very well tested. Beyond this, it's not a bad schedule. They do also get Philadelphia and Chicago at home, and have trips to Los Angeles and Washington - and we had to make sure Seattle and Vancouver Island still got to play each-other, but it's a reasonably favorable schedule.
OUTLOOK - The offense will likely have to carry the day, but they have an offense that can do that. Seattle has a strong team that its fans should expect to make a playoff run.
WHAT WOULD I DO? I'd love to see more WRDB type depth, but the roster is probably in "make tweaks" instead of "make wholesale changes" territory.
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