Post by MGB01 on Nov 7, 2006 13:46:14 GMT -5
It was a semi-slow start to free agency, but eventually the bigger name players either changed addresses or returned to their team with a more generous contract. A team-by-team look at how free agency has impacted them:
Birmingham Bolts--They'll need to figure out how to get along without Vernon Carey (signed with Washington). Losing Tony Hollings should be easier to take with Cedric Cobbs waiting to take his place. Troy Brown was re-signed.
Carolina Colonels--Trading for Ricky Ray late in the 2006 season was the equivalent of their big free agent move, so don't expect to see too much between now and the draft on Tobacco Road. There still may be a couple of minor moves though.
Chicago Enforcers--The Enforcers, like the Colonels, took care of their pre-draft moves by acquiring Saladin McCullough, Demoine Adams, and a first-round pick for Ricky Ray. Omari Hand, Jimmy McClain, Troy Saunders, and Bobby Jackson will all be part of the Enforcers' offseason exodus but they have younger players that can adequately step in for them at their positions. They also brought in Matt Mauck, a former starter in Orlando, to replace Jamie Martin as their backup to Omar Jacobs, who dazzled in his brief run at the end of the '06 season.
Dallas Lonestars--The rechristened Lonestars became the second team to undertake such a task in the offseason--Jacksonville from Predators to Bulls last offseason. So far the Lonestars have acquired Seneca Wallace, much-maligned or not he did play in the 2006 X-Bowl and performed pretty well. With doubts about Kurt Warner's long-term effectiveness (and the former Vipers' 1-4 slide in '06 that cost them a playoff spot) the Lonestars now have a sound insurance policy, as opposed to the fatal finale in Birmingham where glorified third-stringer Dustin Long was forced into action and did about as well as you'd expect from a scout-team QB. Starting tackles Dave Volk and Kareem Marshall are/will be gone, and guard Todd Williams will soon join the list, but a pair of former Texas Longhorns--Jonathan Scott and Will Allen--will move in as starters on the offensive line in 2007.
Detroit Mustangs--Brought Matt Kegel in--who was destined for a new locale to get a shot as a starter after a brilliant job replacing Jason Gesser for two games--seemingly as they say goodbye to erratic duo Ryan Clement and Joe Hamilton. The Mustangs also locked up all-XFL guard Marico Portis and are well-stocked with WRs like Justin Gage (back after briefly testing the FA market), B.J. Johnson and Jason Avant
Jacksonville Bulls--Re-signed their big fish (Jamaal Green, Joseph Jefferson, Travis Carroll) before free agency began. T.J. Williams did a nice job at TE with Patrick Hughes out, now he'll become the starter with Hughes having moved to New York.
Kansas City Monarchs--Added Dave Volk and Tank Reese. Volk will play either right tackle or left guard after starting the last four seasons in Dallas as the Vipers' left tackle. Reese, a fairly recent developer in Orlando, had a career-high eight sacks in 2005 but will be counted on to help against the run, as will former NFL DT Mario Fatafehi.
Las Vegas Outlaws--The two-time defending champs made sure they weren't burned by a free agent exodus by keeping both Rien Long and Nate Burleson. Now they add Tony Hollings, third in the XFL in rushing in 2006--including a 224-yard outing against the Rage on June 3, from the Bolts. The Outlaws' weak link has been their run game--or lack of it, although they seemed to discover one in the X-Bowl win over the Rage--with Hodges Mitchell clearly in decline (he retired in November). This means that Jerome Harrison--who looked great at times as rookie, including the X-Bowl where he had a key 16-yard run that set up an Outlaw TD--will stay as the #2 back. They may look to the draft for a backup QB to replace Matt Kegel, who garnered a second-round pick for his exploits in '06, or develop Derek Anderson into one.
Los Angeles Xtreme--Even with the LB position already deep, the Xtreme weren't about to let Detroit native Larry Foote get away to play for the home team--as he hinted at on occasion during 2006. They did lose SS DeShaun Hill, but signed veteran Bobby Jackson and will likely target a safety with their first round selection.
Memphis Maniax--Abdual Howard's defection to Pittsburgh has been the only major loss so far, but second-year man Ko Simpson should be more than able to step in. If OLB Anthony Sessions returns, it almost certainly won't be as a starter, as D.D. Acholonu has become the new starting weak-side LB. Patrick Sapp returns at MLB.
New York Hitmen--The legion of Hitmen fans that repeatedly kicked Michael Bishop around (despite his record of success) for his occasional lack of focus won't have him to kick around anymore after he migrated down south to Orlando. So in steps Joe Hamilton, who finished the 2005 season strong after a slow start. They did manage a few other moves: namely signing TE Patrick Hughes away from Jacksonville and re-signing OT Jamaal Jackson. They also lost Terrence Holt to Orlando but took DeShaun Hill away from Los Angeles to replace him. With this move the Hitmen will switch the smallish Markese Fitzgerald to free safety. Clifton Smith re-signed, meaning the Hitmen will be able to keep their front seven intact.
Orlando Rage--Michael Bishop has a new address, down in O-town. Bishop led the Hitmen to the X-Bowl in 2005, and now joins the team that went to the big game in 2006. Defensively, Tank Reese is a huge loss but the Rage regroup with the signing of Nate Dwyer, who has blossomed into a key starter on defense for the Reign over the last two years. Dwyer, Mike Collins, and Santonio Thomas will be the rotation at DT in 2007. Terrence Holt joins the team, moving in at free safety. QBs Seneca Wallace and Matt Mauck were jettisoned, and WR Reggie Brown, who had lost his starting spot to Vincent Jackson, was traded to San Francisco.
Pittsburgh Ironmen--The Ironmen nabbed Abdual Howard from the Maniax and were reportedly interested in signing ex-Glory lineman Char-ron Dorsey, but talks stalled on that end and the Ironmen will likely look O-line with the third overall pick.
Howard will switch to free safety after SS James Sanders enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006. The Ironmen also rewarded Quincy Carter, who led the Ironmen to a 4-2 mark down the stretch (in which the team went from averaging 293 yards per game to 374) with a new three-year deal.
San Francisco Demons--The Demons traded for Reggie Brown after losing David Givens. Then they signed Rob Murphy, who will likely play at left tackle to fill that need. This means the Demons won't be sweating bullets over not having the first round pick they sent to the Rage for Brown.
Seattle Reign--Not only did the Reign fail in their attempts to bring Seattle native Nate Burleson back home but they also lost Nate Dwyer to Orlando. Either Brian Save or Jonathan Simon will replace Dwyer in the starting lineup in '07.
Washington Glory--The Glory were the only team in the league to make a coaching change, as they will welcome in West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez after the college football season ends. They also made a couple big FA moves. First by signing David Givens. somewhat underutilized in San Francisco, he should get more balls thrown his way in D.C., that is if Adrian McPherson rapidly improves in his second year as the starter. This should help McPherson though, more than the addition of Mike Bush was supposed to last year. Bush will now compete with Mark Bradley and Kevin Youngblood for the #2 spot, with a very strong chance that either Bradley or Youngblood will be moved (Youngblood is a free agent after the 2007 season).
Also, the Glory added star OT Vernon Carey, rapidly developing into one of the top offensive tackles in the league. He anchored a Bolts line in 2006 that gave up just 26 sacks, fourth-best in the league. Plus Carey should be able to help Rodriguez decide on a starting running back, as Renaldo Works led the Glory with just 399 yards--although Works and Marion Barber combined to average over 5.6 yards per carry.
Birmingham Bolts--They'll need to figure out how to get along without Vernon Carey (signed with Washington). Losing Tony Hollings should be easier to take with Cedric Cobbs waiting to take his place. Troy Brown was re-signed.
Carolina Colonels--Trading for Ricky Ray late in the 2006 season was the equivalent of their big free agent move, so don't expect to see too much between now and the draft on Tobacco Road. There still may be a couple of minor moves though.
Chicago Enforcers--The Enforcers, like the Colonels, took care of their pre-draft moves by acquiring Saladin McCullough, Demoine Adams, and a first-round pick for Ricky Ray. Omari Hand, Jimmy McClain, Troy Saunders, and Bobby Jackson will all be part of the Enforcers' offseason exodus but they have younger players that can adequately step in for them at their positions. They also brought in Matt Mauck, a former starter in Orlando, to replace Jamie Martin as their backup to Omar Jacobs, who dazzled in his brief run at the end of the '06 season.
Dallas Lonestars--The rechristened Lonestars became the second team to undertake such a task in the offseason--Jacksonville from Predators to Bulls last offseason. So far the Lonestars have acquired Seneca Wallace, much-maligned or not he did play in the 2006 X-Bowl and performed pretty well. With doubts about Kurt Warner's long-term effectiveness (and the former Vipers' 1-4 slide in '06 that cost them a playoff spot) the Lonestars now have a sound insurance policy, as opposed to the fatal finale in Birmingham where glorified third-stringer Dustin Long was forced into action and did about as well as you'd expect from a scout-team QB. Starting tackles Dave Volk and Kareem Marshall are/will be gone, and guard Todd Williams will soon join the list, but a pair of former Texas Longhorns--Jonathan Scott and Will Allen--will move in as starters on the offensive line in 2007.
Detroit Mustangs--Brought Matt Kegel in--who was destined for a new locale to get a shot as a starter after a brilliant job replacing Jason Gesser for two games--seemingly as they say goodbye to erratic duo Ryan Clement and Joe Hamilton. The Mustangs also locked up all-XFL guard Marico Portis and are well-stocked with WRs like Justin Gage (back after briefly testing the FA market), B.J. Johnson and Jason Avant
Jacksonville Bulls--Re-signed their big fish (Jamaal Green, Joseph Jefferson, Travis Carroll) before free agency began. T.J. Williams did a nice job at TE with Patrick Hughes out, now he'll become the starter with Hughes having moved to New York.
Kansas City Monarchs--Added Dave Volk and Tank Reese. Volk will play either right tackle or left guard after starting the last four seasons in Dallas as the Vipers' left tackle. Reese, a fairly recent developer in Orlando, had a career-high eight sacks in 2005 but will be counted on to help against the run, as will former NFL DT Mario Fatafehi.
Las Vegas Outlaws--The two-time defending champs made sure they weren't burned by a free agent exodus by keeping both Rien Long and Nate Burleson. Now they add Tony Hollings, third in the XFL in rushing in 2006--including a 224-yard outing against the Rage on June 3, from the Bolts. The Outlaws' weak link has been their run game--or lack of it, although they seemed to discover one in the X-Bowl win over the Rage--with Hodges Mitchell clearly in decline (he retired in November). This means that Jerome Harrison--who looked great at times as rookie, including the X-Bowl where he had a key 16-yard run that set up an Outlaw TD--will stay as the #2 back. They may look to the draft for a backup QB to replace Matt Kegel, who garnered a second-round pick for his exploits in '06, or develop Derek Anderson into one.
Los Angeles Xtreme--Even with the LB position already deep, the Xtreme weren't about to let Detroit native Larry Foote get away to play for the home team--as he hinted at on occasion during 2006. They did lose SS DeShaun Hill, but signed veteran Bobby Jackson and will likely target a safety with their first round selection.
Memphis Maniax--Abdual Howard's defection to Pittsburgh has been the only major loss so far, but second-year man Ko Simpson should be more than able to step in. If OLB Anthony Sessions returns, it almost certainly won't be as a starter, as D.D. Acholonu has become the new starting weak-side LB. Patrick Sapp returns at MLB.
New York Hitmen--The legion of Hitmen fans that repeatedly kicked Michael Bishop around (despite his record of success) for his occasional lack of focus won't have him to kick around anymore after he migrated down south to Orlando. So in steps Joe Hamilton, who finished the 2005 season strong after a slow start. They did manage a few other moves: namely signing TE Patrick Hughes away from Jacksonville and re-signing OT Jamaal Jackson. They also lost Terrence Holt to Orlando but took DeShaun Hill away from Los Angeles to replace him. With this move the Hitmen will switch the smallish Markese Fitzgerald to free safety. Clifton Smith re-signed, meaning the Hitmen will be able to keep their front seven intact.
Orlando Rage--Michael Bishop has a new address, down in O-town. Bishop led the Hitmen to the X-Bowl in 2005, and now joins the team that went to the big game in 2006. Defensively, Tank Reese is a huge loss but the Rage regroup with the signing of Nate Dwyer, who has blossomed into a key starter on defense for the Reign over the last two years. Dwyer, Mike Collins, and Santonio Thomas will be the rotation at DT in 2007. Terrence Holt joins the team, moving in at free safety. QBs Seneca Wallace and Matt Mauck were jettisoned, and WR Reggie Brown, who had lost his starting spot to Vincent Jackson, was traded to San Francisco.
Pittsburgh Ironmen--The Ironmen nabbed Abdual Howard from the Maniax and were reportedly interested in signing ex-Glory lineman Char-ron Dorsey, but talks stalled on that end and the Ironmen will likely look O-line with the third overall pick.
Howard will switch to free safety after SS James Sanders enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006. The Ironmen also rewarded Quincy Carter, who led the Ironmen to a 4-2 mark down the stretch (in which the team went from averaging 293 yards per game to 374) with a new three-year deal.
San Francisco Demons--The Demons traded for Reggie Brown after losing David Givens. Then they signed Rob Murphy, who will likely play at left tackle to fill that need. This means the Demons won't be sweating bullets over not having the first round pick they sent to the Rage for Brown.
Seattle Reign--Not only did the Reign fail in their attempts to bring Seattle native Nate Burleson back home but they also lost Nate Dwyer to Orlando. Either Brian Save or Jonathan Simon will replace Dwyer in the starting lineup in '07.
Washington Glory--The Glory were the only team in the league to make a coaching change, as they will welcome in West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez after the college football season ends. They also made a couple big FA moves. First by signing David Givens. somewhat underutilized in San Francisco, he should get more balls thrown his way in D.C., that is if Adrian McPherson rapidly improves in his second year as the starter. This should help McPherson though, more than the addition of Mike Bush was supposed to last year. Bush will now compete with Mark Bradley and Kevin Youngblood for the #2 spot, with a very strong chance that either Bradley or Youngblood will be moved (Youngblood is a free agent after the 2007 season).
Also, the Glory added star OT Vernon Carey, rapidly developing into one of the top offensive tackles in the league. He anchored a Bolts line in 2006 that gave up just 26 sacks, fourth-best in the league. Plus Carey should be able to help Rodriguez decide on a starting running back, as Renaldo Works led the Glory with just 399 yards--although Works and Marion Barber combined to average over 5.6 yards per carry.