Post by Washington Insiders on Jul 1, 2020 21:51:26 GMT -5
DC completed the 2020 Pre-Season with a 1-1 record following Sunday's home loss to the Fort Worth United, and now it's time to hit the film room and make one final decision; which player doesn't make it to the 2020 Regular Season roster. Going into the game, DC carried 31 players on the roster, one over the league limit for the regular season, meaning one unfortunate player will be losing his job between now and Sunday. While DC took a loss in Week 2, coaches were optimistic with the first half performance against many of Fort Worth's starters.
DC had several young players on the roster who were vying for a few spots, and by and large they performed well. DC had two bubble carry-overs from last year on the roster: WRDBs Ad Wittemann and Gary Chitwood. Both were late round picks in 2019 who were on and off the roster at various points, but DC brought them back when injuries opened a couple spots during the playoffs. Chitwood and Wittemann were given every chance to show they deserved to stick around this time, receiving the most time of any Conspiracy WRs across both games. Chitwood responded by leading the team in receptions in yards (6 for 72), while showing improvement as a pass rusher. Wittemann also showed well, especially in the 2nd game with 3 receptions for 39 yards and an impressive 16 yard TD catch. Both also showedgood hands and potential as returners, taking turns fielding kicks in both games. Don't expect them to hold the job though if they stick around; Tyler is still in a whole other league in that area from them.
The most recent addition was also a receiver; OS Aladar Czerna. Drafted as a WRDB, but converted to OS to take a chance with DC after the first week of the pre-season. In a bold move, following the signing DC traded backup OS Chris Cooper to Philadelphia for a 3rd round pick. That faith looks well placed given his debut performance of 3 receptions for 32 yards, including a 15 yard touchdown against the Fort Worth starting defensive backfield. It's not clear how much they expect the rookie to contribute in the regular season, but I would expect DC will reach into their 6-deep WRDB pool if they ever need to give starter Vernon Tyler a rest whileCzerna trains up as a potential successor in 2022 when Tyler's contract is set to expire.
DC also has a few youngsters on the line; 2019 top pick George Villedary, rookie E5 Isidore Lyons and free agent pickup and 2019 pick Gus Kuppers. Villedary's spot on the line is secure, even if he's currently 8th off the bench on DC's line. While he didn't show on the stat sheet this pre-season DC has faith in the player he can be, and noted his continued gains rushing the passer in practice. Lyons- a convert from RBLB- also failed to make the stat sheet, however coaches are said to love his athletic potential and with the 5-year contract DC can take their time to build up his game. He also did show improvement during the Pre-Season, particularly rushing the passer. Kuppers splashed against the United causing and recovering a fumble and has an option on his contract for up to 3 years.
One who got a lot of time to show what he can do is QB DeQuan Gozzola, who started and played every snap in the pre-season, as well as some good time in the COVID-19 Tournament. DC was hoping to see him make some gains with the playing time but he didn't seem to develop as much as they hoped he would. On and off the roster last year, he is currently on a one year non-guaranteed deal, but if DC commits to him long term they will need to sign him to an extension. The question is if they think he is the long term answer at the position. Rumor has it they were scouting another QB for the role. A potential wild-card in the equation is QB Adam Kruse- long time starter and holder of nearly every DC passing record. His skills dropped off with age and injury catching up and he lost his starting job to Yoichi Hiruma. With several veteran QBs on the market and a 700K+ price tag if he stays on the roster, its possible DC banks on him being available if Hiruma gets a long-term injury and save some money by keeping Gozzola as the lone backup, or they bring in another potential QB3 to compete with him. Doing this could require 2 cuts rather than 1.
Several youngsters safe from the chopping block also showed nicely in the pre-season. K Stephen Smyka, currently the OIFL's career most-accurate kicker, experimented with drop-kick extra points this pre-season, going 5/11. We haven't heard if he intends to do this regularly moving forward, but it's good to know DC has the option if they're ever down by 2. RBLB Jack Stones continued to show improving speed, and seems poised to dominate like Palso did in his best days this year after a 4-score performance this last game. Eliot Quickmon has been looking dominant, especially on defense. Both young backup DSs- Ray Crouse and JacQuavion Lawrence- made splash plays this Pre-Season. Lawrence looks primed to show he shouldn't have lost the starting job he won last year and Crouse looks like his long-term partner in crime.
DC had several young players on the roster who were vying for a few spots, and by and large they performed well. DC had two bubble carry-overs from last year on the roster: WRDBs Ad Wittemann and Gary Chitwood. Both were late round picks in 2019 who were on and off the roster at various points, but DC brought them back when injuries opened a couple spots during the playoffs. Chitwood and Wittemann were given every chance to show they deserved to stick around this time, receiving the most time of any Conspiracy WRs across both games. Chitwood responded by leading the team in receptions in yards (6 for 72), while showing improvement as a pass rusher. Wittemann also showed well, especially in the 2nd game with 3 receptions for 39 yards and an impressive 16 yard TD catch. Both also showedgood hands and potential as returners, taking turns fielding kicks in both games. Don't expect them to hold the job though if they stick around; Tyler is still in a whole other league in that area from them.
The most recent addition was also a receiver; OS Aladar Czerna. Drafted as a WRDB, but converted to OS to take a chance with DC after the first week of the pre-season. In a bold move, following the signing DC traded backup OS Chris Cooper to Philadelphia for a 3rd round pick. That faith looks well placed given his debut performance of 3 receptions for 32 yards, including a 15 yard touchdown against the Fort Worth starting defensive backfield. It's not clear how much they expect the rookie to contribute in the regular season, but I would expect DC will reach into their 6-deep WRDB pool if they ever need to give starter Vernon Tyler a rest whileCzerna trains up as a potential successor in 2022 when Tyler's contract is set to expire.
DC also has a few youngsters on the line; 2019 top pick George Villedary, rookie E5 Isidore Lyons and free agent pickup and 2019 pick Gus Kuppers. Villedary's spot on the line is secure, even if he's currently 8th off the bench on DC's line. While he didn't show on the stat sheet this pre-season DC has faith in the player he can be, and noted his continued gains rushing the passer in practice. Lyons- a convert from RBLB- also failed to make the stat sheet, however coaches are said to love his athletic potential and with the 5-year contract DC can take their time to build up his game. He also did show improvement during the Pre-Season, particularly rushing the passer. Kuppers splashed against the United causing and recovering a fumble and has an option on his contract for up to 3 years.
One who got a lot of time to show what he can do is QB DeQuan Gozzola, who started and played every snap in the pre-season, as well as some good time in the COVID-19 Tournament. DC was hoping to see him make some gains with the playing time but he didn't seem to develop as much as they hoped he would. On and off the roster last year, he is currently on a one year non-guaranteed deal, but if DC commits to him long term they will need to sign him to an extension. The question is if they think he is the long term answer at the position. Rumor has it they were scouting another QB for the role. A potential wild-card in the equation is QB Adam Kruse- long time starter and holder of nearly every DC passing record. His skills dropped off with age and injury catching up and he lost his starting job to Yoichi Hiruma. With several veteran QBs on the market and a 700K+ price tag if he stays on the roster, its possible DC banks on him being available if Hiruma gets a long-term injury and save some money by keeping Gozzola as the lone backup, or they bring in another potential QB3 to compete with him. Doing this could require 2 cuts rather than 1.
Several youngsters safe from the chopping block also showed nicely in the pre-season. K Stephen Smyka, currently the OIFL's career most-accurate kicker, experimented with drop-kick extra points this pre-season, going 5/11. We haven't heard if he intends to do this regularly moving forward, but it's good to know DC has the option if they're ever down by 2. RBLB Jack Stones continued to show improving speed, and seems poised to dominate like Palso did in his best days this year after a 4-score performance this last game. Eliot Quickmon has been looking dominant, especially on defense. Both young backup DSs- Ray Crouse and JacQuavion Lawrence- made splash plays this Pre-Season. Lawrence looks primed to show he shouldn't have lost the starting job he won last year and Crouse looks like his long-term partner in crime.