Post by meanmachine on May 24, 2023 9:36:07 GMT -5
5/24/2023
It's been a tumultuous offseason for the New York Mean Machine. Since their six point loss to eventual 2022 Cup Champion Delmarva Legacy in the Eastern Conference Finals, played at home in Madison Square Garden, Mean Machine brass have been on a rampage tearing down the roster that went to three straight Eastern Conference Finals and the 2021 OIFL Cup game since their "re-tool" in 2019. There have been ten trades made, sixteen free agent signings, three cuts, eleven draftees (third most since taking over the North Star Lumberjack franchise in 2012), and now a coaching change.
Fear not Mean Machine faithful, the legendary Marlo Dadey isn't going anywhere. Also returning will be OC and Mean Machine legend Pauly Dozer and franchise favorite ST Coach Deion Flanders. As of midnight this morning, the Mean Machine have relinquished DC Butch Blast from his contract and brought in 2006 OIFL Cup Champion Anthony LaPetri as their new Defensive Coordinator. While this won't be LaPetri's first time coaching in the OIFL (most recently with the Lincoln Lightning the past few years as Head Coach) it will be his first time as a Defensive Coordinator. In his OIFL Career he won a pair of QB Player of the Week awards in the early days of the league with the Townsville Cowboys as their starter. By 2006 he would be considered a top backup QB, finding himself clipboarding behind an All-Timer and 1st ballot HOFer in 'Action' Dan Jackson with the Lightning. That time holding the clipboard and collaborating with Dan Jackson on strategy, and teaming with the likes of other Hall of Famers Morris Wallace & Gary Boddy would pave the way for him to lead to his coaching career he has today. Mean Machine Head Coach handpicked LaPetri for the role, and is said to be "...shocked we were able to bring him aboard as a Coordinator. I doubt we'll be able to keep him longterm. (But) I'm ecstatic to have him in our trenches and look forward to learning and working with him."
Of the 39 players currently on the Mean Machine roster only nine played for the 2022 team. QB Nick Stokes controversially returns after what seemed to be a heated back and forth contract negotiation--he's back on a one year deal for $1.25M and was signed prior to the decision for the team to begin the rebuild. Weeks later the team made a huge trade with the Mexico City Aztecs to acquire the fourth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft which would see them draft the first rookie QB taken this year, an obvious heir-apparent. Also returning are RBLB Jack Jones, who should be highlighted on every Fantasy Football board in America--he'll have a real shot at the Mean Machine Total Yards (Recv+Rush) Franchise Record held by Pauly Dozer (2008) of 1,553, along with plenty of others. DS Nevil Haze returns with a clear path to starting as well, while longtime backup K Fritz Zbinden will finally get his chance to prove he's a starter in the league--Karl Von Stieger's 27/46 Field Goal franchise records may be in jeopardy here as well for the first time in 17 years.
OLDL Terry O'Brien who signed back in March 2021 as a Free Agent should finally find a rotation spot with this new OLDL group. He returns for his third season in New York, and fifth overall year in the league, penciled in as OLDL #5--he hadn't been higher than OLDL #8 in his previous two seasons. Four other backups remain--RBLB Miles Schweiger who's name has been all over trade rumors did not find a new home, but is too good for the Mean Machine to release. Franchise favorite OLDL Daniel Beard returns for his 16th OIFL season and is believed to see a ton of work with the Special Teams group while keeping his Captainship. Finally, QB Van Nostran and RBDB Mike Sumner still remain--though both are on contracts without guarantees and near the league minimum--either could find themselves as camp casualties in the weeks leading up to Week 1 of 2023.
Key Players Departed:
QB Don Kelly (Mexico City Aztecs)
WRDB Miquel Simpson (Texas Terrors)
WRDB Clinton Hewitt (Philadelphia Founders)
WRDB Rasheide Benefield (Philadelphia Founders)
WRDB John Barba (Texas Terrors)
WRLB Tiago Lucena (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Elliott Eades (Washington Insiders)
OLDL Matt Metzger (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Eliot Quickmon (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Harry Tomlinson (Texas Terrors)
OS Vernon Tyler (Texas Terrors)
DS Carey Faes (Washington Insiders)
DS Craig Pierce (Philadelphia Founders)
DS Suenya Maivia (Free Agent)
K Jacob Zie (Houston Marshals)
Key Acquisitions
QB Barry Bartel (drafted E1-4, acquired from Mexico City Aztecs)
RBDB Dashaun Whincup (drafted E1-11, acquired from Available Team 2)
WRLB Rowell Danforth (Houston Marshals)
WRDB RiQuan Peck (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Jim Kettelle (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Frank Hartman (Houston Marshals)
OLDL John Mueller (Philadelphia Founders)
OLDL George Villedary (Washington Insiders)
OS Dale Andrews (Texas Terrors)
DS Conrad Mead (Washington Insiders)
DS Tommy Points (Free Agent)
With the overhaul, both Elliott Eades' #91 and Jacob Zie's #00 have been withdrawn from availability to roster members--hinting that both players will have their jersey numbers retired whenever they hang up their cleats. Rightfully so, as both men were apart of the four OIFL Cup appearances and two Championship banners hanging in Madison Square Garden. Eades leaves New York as the All-Time leader franchise leader in Defensive Plays (277), Sacks (174), Safeties (9), Forced Fumbles (72), Fumble Returns (18) and Kick Blocks (3). He holds the Franchise Single Season record for each of those categories as well, while holding the Top 7 spots in Single Seasons for Defensive Plays, Sacks and Forced Fumbles. He ends his Mean Machine tenure with 2 Cup Rings, 4 Conference Titles and at least 3 DPOY Awards (he's a contender for 2022 as well). Jacob Zie similarly owns the Franchise All-Time records for attempts and makes for XP and FG by hundreds of kicks over second place, most impressively he leaves as the leader in franchise history for Total Points. This duo leaving are ranked #1 (Zie) and #2 in a stat the Mean Machine track known as "Games Played with Stat Recorded" which tracks any stat that would be eligible when reviewing an OIFL Game's boxscore. Missing Eades and Jacob Zie goes beyond the loss of talent--these were the anchors of this franchise.
What we know about the Mean Machine ownership group is that they are here to win. The goal ever since they won the OIFL Cup in 2018 has always been to be the first franchise to win the ever-elusive third championship. While this team will not compete for that third Cup in 2023 there are recognizable pieces to build with here. The development of E1-4 Barry Bartel and 2021 1st rounder Rowell Danforth, 2023 gameplay from Peck/Hartman/Kettelle/Jack Jones, and the opportunity being given to the rest of this young roster will determine how this team moves forward and who will actually be here in 2024 and beyond. It'd be a safe bet to assume this team will have plans to be right back in the Conference Finals and Cup contention in 2024. They have four first round picks and an additional five picks after that in 2024 to work with, as well as one of the youngest and lowest salaried teams in the league. We won't have the excitement of playoff football in New York this winter, but we will have fun watching what the future could hold with this roster. Eades gave New Yorkers one more gift on his way out as the owners voted in the return of the OIFL Gravy Bowl tournament to decide the #1 overall pick in the 2024 Entry Draft--the Mean Machine reacquired their 2024 E1 in the trade for Eades (previously traded to Washington the year prior for Eliot Quickmon, Carey Faes and Rasheide Benefield). Stay tuned, New York. As you know, the Mean Machine are never satisfied with a roster hole. I expect continuous roster movement at all levels leading up to the 2024 trade deadline.
It's been a tumultuous offseason for the New York Mean Machine. Since their six point loss to eventual 2022 Cup Champion Delmarva Legacy in the Eastern Conference Finals, played at home in Madison Square Garden, Mean Machine brass have been on a rampage tearing down the roster that went to three straight Eastern Conference Finals and the 2021 OIFL Cup game since their "re-tool" in 2019. There have been ten trades made, sixteen free agent signings, three cuts, eleven draftees (third most since taking over the North Star Lumberjack franchise in 2012), and now a coaching change.
Fear not Mean Machine faithful, the legendary Marlo Dadey isn't going anywhere. Also returning will be OC and Mean Machine legend Pauly Dozer and franchise favorite ST Coach Deion Flanders. As of midnight this morning, the Mean Machine have relinquished DC Butch Blast from his contract and brought in 2006 OIFL Cup Champion Anthony LaPetri as their new Defensive Coordinator. While this won't be LaPetri's first time coaching in the OIFL (most recently with the Lincoln Lightning the past few years as Head Coach) it will be his first time as a Defensive Coordinator. In his OIFL Career he won a pair of QB Player of the Week awards in the early days of the league with the Townsville Cowboys as their starter. By 2006 he would be considered a top backup QB, finding himself clipboarding behind an All-Timer and 1st ballot HOFer in 'Action' Dan Jackson with the Lightning. That time holding the clipboard and collaborating with Dan Jackson on strategy, and teaming with the likes of other Hall of Famers Morris Wallace & Gary Boddy would pave the way for him to lead to his coaching career he has today. Mean Machine Head Coach handpicked LaPetri for the role, and is said to be "...shocked we were able to bring him aboard as a Coordinator. I doubt we'll be able to keep him longterm. (But) I'm ecstatic to have him in our trenches and look forward to learning and working with him."
Of the 39 players currently on the Mean Machine roster only nine played for the 2022 team. QB Nick Stokes controversially returns after what seemed to be a heated back and forth contract negotiation--he's back on a one year deal for $1.25M and was signed prior to the decision for the team to begin the rebuild. Weeks later the team made a huge trade with the Mexico City Aztecs to acquire the fourth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft which would see them draft the first rookie QB taken this year, an obvious heir-apparent. Also returning are RBLB Jack Jones, who should be highlighted on every Fantasy Football board in America--he'll have a real shot at the Mean Machine Total Yards (Recv+Rush) Franchise Record held by Pauly Dozer (2008) of 1,553, along with plenty of others. DS Nevil Haze returns with a clear path to starting as well, while longtime backup K Fritz Zbinden will finally get his chance to prove he's a starter in the league--Karl Von Stieger's 27/46 Field Goal franchise records may be in jeopardy here as well for the first time in 17 years.
OLDL Terry O'Brien who signed back in March 2021 as a Free Agent should finally find a rotation spot with this new OLDL group. He returns for his third season in New York, and fifth overall year in the league, penciled in as OLDL #5--he hadn't been higher than OLDL #8 in his previous two seasons. Four other backups remain--RBLB Miles Schweiger who's name has been all over trade rumors did not find a new home, but is too good for the Mean Machine to release. Franchise favorite OLDL Daniel Beard returns for his 16th OIFL season and is believed to see a ton of work with the Special Teams group while keeping his Captainship. Finally, QB Van Nostran and RBDB Mike Sumner still remain--though both are on contracts without guarantees and near the league minimum--either could find themselves as camp casualties in the weeks leading up to Week 1 of 2023.
Key Players Departed:
QB Don Kelly (Mexico City Aztecs)
WRDB Miquel Simpson (Texas Terrors)
WRDB Clinton Hewitt (Philadelphia Founders)
WRDB Rasheide Benefield (Philadelphia Founders)
WRDB John Barba (Texas Terrors)
WRLB Tiago Lucena (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Elliott Eades (Washington Insiders)
OLDL Matt Metzger (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Eliot Quickmon (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Harry Tomlinson (Texas Terrors)
OS Vernon Tyler (Texas Terrors)
DS Carey Faes (Washington Insiders)
DS Craig Pierce (Philadelphia Founders)
DS Suenya Maivia (Free Agent)
K Jacob Zie (Houston Marshals)
Key Acquisitions
QB Barry Bartel (drafted E1-4, acquired from Mexico City Aztecs)
RBDB Dashaun Whincup (drafted E1-11, acquired from Available Team 2)
WRLB Rowell Danforth (Houston Marshals)
WRDB RiQuan Peck (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Jim Kettelle (Houston Marshals)
OLDL Frank Hartman (Houston Marshals)
OLDL John Mueller (Philadelphia Founders)
OLDL George Villedary (Washington Insiders)
OS Dale Andrews (Texas Terrors)
DS Conrad Mead (Washington Insiders)
DS Tommy Points (Free Agent)
With the overhaul, both Elliott Eades' #91 and Jacob Zie's #00 have been withdrawn from availability to roster members--hinting that both players will have their jersey numbers retired whenever they hang up their cleats. Rightfully so, as both men were apart of the four OIFL Cup appearances and two Championship banners hanging in Madison Square Garden. Eades leaves New York as the All-Time leader franchise leader in Defensive Plays (277), Sacks (174), Safeties (9), Forced Fumbles (72), Fumble Returns (18) and Kick Blocks (3). He holds the Franchise Single Season record for each of those categories as well, while holding the Top 7 spots in Single Seasons for Defensive Plays, Sacks and Forced Fumbles. He ends his Mean Machine tenure with 2 Cup Rings, 4 Conference Titles and at least 3 DPOY Awards (he's a contender for 2022 as well). Jacob Zie similarly owns the Franchise All-Time records for attempts and makes for XP and FG by hundreds of kicks over second place, most impressively he leaves as the leader in franchise history for Total Points. This duo leaving are ranked #1 (Zie) and #2 in a stat the Mean Machine track known as "Games Played with Stat Recorded" which tracks any stat that would be eligible when reviewing an OIFL Game's boxscore. Missing Eades and Jacob Zie goes beyond the loss of talent--these were the anchors of this franchise.
What we know about the Mean Machine ownership group is that they are here to win. The goal ever since they won the OIFL Cup in 2018 has always been to be the first franchise to win the ever-elusive third championship. While this team will not compete for that third Cup in 2023 there are recognizable pieces to build with here. The development of E1-4 Barry Bartel and 2021 1st rounder Rowell Danforth, 2023 gameplay from Peck/Hartman/Kettelle/Jack Jones, and the opportunity being given to the rest of this young roster will determine how this team moves forward and who will actually be here in 2024 and beyond. It'd be a safe bet to assume this team will have plans to be right back in the Conference Finals and Cup contention in 2024. They have four first round picks and an additional five picks after that in 2024 to work with, as well as one of the youngest and lowest salaried teams in the league. We won't have the excitement of playoff football in New York this winter, but we will have fun watching what the future could hold with this roster. Eades gave New Yorkers one more gift on his way out as the owners voted in the return of the OIFL Gravy Bowl tournament to decide the #1 overall pick in the 2024 Entry Draft--the Mean Machine reacquired their 2024 E1 in the trade for Eades (previously traded to Washington the year prior for Eliot Quickmon, Carey Faes and Rasheide Benefield). Stay tuned, New York. As you know, the Mean Machine are never satisfied with a roster hole. I expect continuous roster movement at all levels leading up to the 2024 trade deadline.