Post by MGB01 on Dec 27, 2006 0:49:02 GMT -5
BIRMINGHAM
The Bolts' biggest (positive) move of the offseason so far was Steve Spurrier declining yet another offer to return to the college game. Other than that, things haven't been pretty. While it's hard to argue that a team who finished 6-6--and last place at that, after finishing with the same mark and winning the division in 2005--is being hurt badly, it's hard to argue that isn't the case. Losing both Vernon Carey (Washington) and Rob Murphy (San Francisco) does serious damage to the offensive line. It also isn't good news for Ken Dorsey, who had just a 79.3 passer rating and threw 21 interceptions in 2006. With his two top protectors gone the Bolts are looking at youngsters Calvin Armstrong and Jeb Terry in their place. Looking to improve their lot at linebacker, the Bolts made a play for Enforcers LB Jimmy McClain, but were beaten out by division rival Kansas City. The Bolts also lost their second RB in three offseasons, Tony Hollings to Las Vegas, but are at least set there with Cedric Cobbs.
CAROLINA
Norm Chow may not be going anywhere right now, but that could change in August (or perhaps sooner) if the Colonels don't take the next step and challenge for a playoff spot after two 5-7 seasons sandwiched around a dismal 2-10 campaign in 2005. The Colonels essentially made their big free-agent move last July when they traded for Ricky Ray. The Colonels have eschewed the market thus far because free agency largely doesn't mesh with their philosophy of going with younger players. While last offseason's FA prize was league runner-up in rushing Jason Brookins, the centerpiece of the 2006 team was DE Manny Lawson, with defensive linemen Claude Wroten and Dusty Dvoracek and offensive linemen Patrick Ross and Kevin Boothe all supporting him.
CHICAGO
Another year of transition, as the "youth movement" (although not really a traditional one) is in its second year as Omar Jacobs has become the Enforcers' new starting QB. The Enforcers also lucked out in that they were able to pick up former Orlando starter Matt Mauck to back him up. Michael Turner could become a hot commodity next offseason so the Enforcers have declared that he will split carries with Saladin McCullough in 2007. The team's biggest question mark may be at MLB, where Channing Crowder somewhat failed to live up to expectations in replacing Jamie Baisley, Crowder was even on the trade block briefly. Whoever is the starter in 2007 will at least be flanked by tackle-machine Kiah Johnson, who had triple-digit tackles for the second straight year, and Thomas Howard, who had an impressive rookie year with 43 tackles, three sacks, and eight tackles for loss. In the secondary, Troy Saunders will be replaced by either Justin Miller or Cedric Griffin, while former first-rounder Matt Ware finally gets his chance to start as he replaces SS Bobby Jackson--who went to the Xtreme.
DALLAS
The Vipers became the Lonestars, they're moving from Texas Stadium to the Cotton Bowl--which was to be their original home, and Seneca Wallace could be the Vipers new starting QB after the Lonestars signed him on the outset of free agency. Kurt Warner struggled badly down the stretch, and the former Vipers missed out on the playoffs, finishing at 7-5--which would have sent them to the playoffs if they were in the North but that's a different story. The offensive line will have a different look, with both of last year's tackles--Dave Volk and Kareem Marshall--gone but to be replaced by Jordan Black, who moves over from left guard, and 2006 first-rounder Jonathan Scott. The Lonestars also re-signed DT Darnell Dockett--who would have been a free agent in the 2007 offseason--to a five-year extension (as they did with Cory Redding last offseason) and are in talks with FS Erik Coleman on the same. Dockett is on the verge of being a first-team all-XFL DT if he isn't already.
DETROIT
Newcomer Matt Kegel should have a very good offensive line to work with in Motown, which features all-XFL caliber stars Marico Portis--who the Mustangs were able to keep away from Kansas City in the offseason--and Travelle Wharton. They also added Akil Smith to the mix at right tackle. The Mustangs also locked in Justin Gage, which will also give Kegel a nice receiving corps of Gage, Darnell McDonald, Travis Wilson, and TE Ben Utecht to work with. What he needs is a running game, where Cedric Houston suffered a slight motorcycle accident and looked like a man that had suffered a major one, rushing for just 243 yards. It would also be nice if the Mustangs' defense could finally come together, as Rusty Tillman wasn't able to coordinate any miracles in year one as the Mustangs' defensive coordinator, this despite having emerging stars on defense in DT Gabe Watson and OLB Michael Boley. The Mustangs have been rumored to take Michigan DE LaMarr Woodley with the first overall selection next March.
JACKSONVILLE
The Bulls kept their core free agents from going anywhere by re-signing DE Jamaal Green, ILB Travis Carroll, CB Joseph Jefferson, and WR Troy Edwards. Edwards' re-signing means that David Terrell--acquired by the Bulls last spring in a trade for Saladin McCullough--will likely be one the move again. Brian Iwuh and Gerris Wilkinson will battle to replace John Leake at weak-side linebacker this spring, with Iwuh--who made three starts as a rookie--having the upper hand. Some reports out of The 'Ville indicate that the Bulls just might be interested in drafting Heisman winner Troy Smith, with some in the organization privately frustrated that George Godsey, while improving on his accuracy and cutting down dramatically on interceptions, hasn't been able to make the play to lift the Bulls over the hump of a 7-5 playoff outsider.
KANSAS CITY
The Monarchs weren't sitting around basking in the glow of an 8-4 season where they made their first playoff appearance, after all they did get diced by Omar Jacobs and Saladin McCullough in the playoffs. With the combination of being not all that impressed with Adrian Jones at right tackle, and Jones facing the prospect of a suspension following an offseason DUI, the Monarchs signed Dave Volk from Dallas. Volk will play either right tackle or left guard with Pita Elisara moving to right tackle. The Monarchs also added DT Tank Reese and OLB Jimmy McClain to help a defense that still isn't where head coach Donnie Henderson wants it to be, "We're improving, but we've got plenty of room for improvement, you can talk about how great we look on paper but that's all it is". On that paper though, the Monarchs look to have an all-XFL caliber player at each position. In truth, if the Monarchs' draft is anywhere near as good as the '06 edition, they could have all they need to climb over the Maniax (which would include beating them) into the top spot in the XFL South.
LAS VEGAS
As the Outlaws go for the league's first three-peat, the Outlaws looked to have solved their problems on the ground by adding Tony Hollings, who had a 228-yard game for the Bolts against Orlando last year, to replace the retired Hodges Mitchell. Despite modest improvements on the offensive line (the Outlaws O-line gave up 11 less sacks in '06) there looks to be a change at right tackle, where Kurt Vollers is penciled in to replace Adam Goldberg. On defense the Outlaws lost some bit players in the secondary (Roc Alexander, J.R. Reed) but will likely replace them in the draft.
LOS ANGELES
Despite a rather unimpressive rookie year in 2006, the Xtreme are looking at big things for RB Maurice Jones-Drew in 2007. Jones-Drew started one game for an injured Sultan McCullough and carried 17 times for just 50 yards in week seven against Orlando but head coach Bob Toledo points to poor use of the second-year back from UCLA, "We used him mostly as a short-yardage back and gave (Sultan) most of the work. In 2007, we'll use Mac and Maurice more as a conventional 1-2 combo". Still, Jones-Drew had three of the Xtreme's six rushing TDs. The Xtreme's list of offseason casualties stands at two with SS DeShaun Hill bolting for a five-year deal with the Hitmen and OT Akil Smith going to the Mustangs. Smith, however, had lost his job to 2005 first-rounder Adam Terry and the Xtreme signed Enforcer veteran Bobby Jackson to replace Hill. They also kept a pair of OLBs, all-XFL starter Larry Foote and key veteran backup Carlos Timmons.
MEMPHIS
The Maniax had their return to the playoffs after a five-year hiatus spoiled by the Xtreme, but still look pretty good heading into '07. Losing SS Abdual Howard to Pittsburgh will hurt, but much like the loss of all-XFL guard Melvin Paige last year it may only be a slight sting. Besides, the Maniax are better equipped this time with uber-talented Ko Simpson ready to step in for Howard. Jack Brewer replaces Rashidi Barnes at free safety. Re-signing veteran MLB Patrick Sapp was huge as the Maniax prepare to go in with two new starters elsewhere on defense; D.D. Acholonu at WLB to replace Anthony Sessions and Colin Cole, who is a force against the run, for oft-injured Johnny Mitchell. While Tyson Walter did well as Paige's replacement at left guard in 2006, the Maniax are high on Ryan O'Callaghan to be in the lineup on Opening Day.
NEW YORK
2007 could be a case of not appreciating what you had until it's gone. With the oft-criticized yet highly productive Michael Bishop gone to Orlando the Hitmen turn to Joe Hamilton, banished to Detroit as Ryan Clement's backup after a similar fallout in Washington. Hamilton actually had a very good finish to the 2005 season, throwing for over 1000 yards and eight TDs to just three INTs over his last six games. A full-fledged problem at QB, where Tim Couch's status is uncertain after injuring his shoulder again, would have made a problematic situation at RB into a full-blown offensive disaster. Bobby Purify, who the Hitmen have taken baby steps with after knee surgery in college, will enter camp in late March as a close second to continued disappointment Rashaan Shehee if not ahead of him. Shehee rushed for a career-low 450 yards in 2006 and had 40 yards or less seven times. The defense was the league's worst against the run--allowing 5.3 yards per carry and 157 yards per game, but one could also make the case that the unit was very good, leading the league in sacks and takeaways.
ORLANDO
For a team that made it back to the X-Bowl--joining the Hitmen, Enforcers, and Outlaws as X-Bowl two-timers--the Rage weren't afraid to change things up in the offseason, allowing former first-round pick Seneca Wallace to leave and dumping Matt Mauck. Former NFL RB Najeh Davenport will join a group that was in disarray in 2006, finishing with a respectable 104.3 yards per game on the ground but averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
Reggie Brown was traded to San Francisco in the offseason, so Vincent Jackson will get the opportunity as the #2 wideout to help alleviate the combo of Tracey Wistrom and Jeremaine Copeland, who accounted for 58.3% of the team's receptions--highest in the league of any top two receivers. Defensively, the Rage lost Tank Reese but signed Nate Dwyer, who should greatly help the Rage improve against the run. Terrance Holt also joins the fold at free safety, where the Rage also kept all-XFL SS Muhammad Abdullah.
PITTSBURGH
There was reason for Ironmen fans to be excited in the second half of an otherwise dismal 2006 season with the arrival of Quincy Carter, as the offensive productivity greatly increased and more importantly, so did the win total--from 0 to 4. With Carter and young nucleus of RB DeAngelo Williams, all-XFL linemen Charles Spencer and Jake Grove, and emerging stars on defense in DE Chris Canty, ILB Abdul Hodge, CB Stanley Wilson, and SS James Sanders with Abdual Howard--who will switch to FS--thrown into the mix, there's some feeling that the Ironmen can challenge for the XFL North crown (why not? the division winner finished only 5-7). The Ironmen passed on re-signing Joey Evans, whose spot at the other end position will go to either Mike Kudla or college DT Orien Harris (a pet project of former defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, who resigned in December to become the head coach at the University of Miami).
SAN FRANCISCO
Two years ago the Demons were aglow with great expectations for 2006 after getting a glimpse of first-round pick Andrew Walter. In 2006, Walter found out the going wasn't as easy as his 2005 audition, completing just 52.6% of his passes and throwing just nine TDs to ten INTs before injuring his shoulder in week seven and missing the rest of the season. Ironically, Walter was coming off the best start of his career, going 28 of 40 for 321 yards and three TDs in a 24-22 win over Kansas City. While the confidence that Walter will bounce back is there the confidence in the run game isn't, as the ground game managed just 83.7 yards per game on 3.3 yards per carry, to which only (ironically enough) the defending champion Outlaws were worse, so the Demons went out and plucked Rob Murphy away from the Bolts to help improve on their rushing woes and a line that gave up 42 sacks. The Demons traded for Reggie Brown to help replace David Givens, who signed with Washington.
SEATTLE
The offense might be the talk of the team but a defense that finished in the top three, and second against the run, fueled the team's first winning campaign. That said, the Reign will go into 2007 without two of its main contributors, MLB Darren Hambrick--who is expected to retire, and DT Nate Dwyer--who signed with Orlando. But the Reign rebounded by signing Jonathan Babineaux, a young DT with high upside who will now play in the same city as his brother, Jordan, who plays for the Seahawks. Bobby Brooks, who helped contribute to that run defense, will get the first shot at replacing Hambrick. The Reign might be in the hunt for a running back in the draft after relasing bust Tatum Bell, and also could shop Devard Darling if Derek Hagan can emerge in year two.
WASHINGTON
The Glory made the only coaching change of the offseason when they hired West Virginia head man Rich Rodriguez as well as making big splashes in free agency in the form of OT Vernon Carey and WR David Givens. Both should greatly help young QB Adrian McPherson, who threw 16 INTs in 307 attempts before being benched with three games left. Marion Barber will take over as the starter at RB after the release of former first rounder Jarrett Payton, who was a bust even before arriving in D.C. in the middle of the 2005 season and didn't exactly help himself after. There will be changes on defense; former undrafted free agent Jim Davis won the starting job at the under-tackle next to veteran Israel Raybon, and D'Qwell Jackson will become the new starter at MLB. The Glory did re-sign OLB Paris Lenon and FS Lamont Thompson, and added veteran OLB Dwayne Rudd, who played with the Maniax in 2005, as well as RB Brandon Miree, who has played for the Outlaws and Mustangs.
The Bolts' biggest (positive) move of the offseason so far was Steve Spurrier declining yet another offer to return to the college game. Other than that, things haven't been pretty. While it's hard to argue that a team who finished 6-6--and last place at that, after finishing with the same mark and winning the division in 2005--is being hurt badly, it's hard to argue that isn't the case. Losing both Vernon Carey (Washington) and Rob Murphy (San Francisco) does serious damage to the offensive line. It also isn't good news for Ken Dorsey, who had just a 79.3 passer rating and threw 21 interceptions in 2006. With his two top protectors gone the Bolts are looking at youngsters Calvin Armstrong and Jeb Terry in their place. Looking to improve their lot at linebacker, the Bolts made a play for Enforcers LB Jimmy McClain, but were beaten out by division rival Kansas City. The Bolts also lost their second RB in three offseasons, Tony Hollings to Las Vegas, but are at least set there with Cedric Cobbs.
CAROLINA
Norm Chow may not be going anywhere right now, but that could change in August (or perhaps sooner) if the Colonels don't take the next step and challenge for a playoff spot after two 5-7 seasons sandwiched around a dismal 2-10 campaign in 2005. The Colonels essentially made their big free-agent move last July when they traded for Ricky Ray. The Colonels have eschewed the market thus far because free agency largely doesn't mesh with their philosophy of going with younger players. While last offseason's FA prize was league runner-up in rushing Jason Brookins, the centerpiece of the 2006 team was DE Manny Lawson, with defensive linemen Claude Wroten and Dusty Dvoracek and offensive linemen Patrick Ross and Kevin Boothe all supporting him.
CHICAGO
Another year of transition, as the "youth movement" (although not really a traditional one) is in its second year as Omar Jacobs has become the Enforcers' new starting QB. The Enforcers also lucked out in that they were able to pick up former Orlando starter Matt Mauck to back him up. Michael Turner could become a hot commodity next offseason so the Enforcers have declared that he will split carries with Saladin McCullough in 2007. The team's biggest question mark may be at MLB, where Channing Crowder somewhat failed to live up to expectations in replacing Jamie Baisley, Crowder was even on the trade block briefly. Whoever is the starter in 2007 will at least be flanked by tackle-machine Kiah Johnson, who had triple-digit tackles for the second straight year, and Thomas Howard, who had an impressive rookie year with 43 tackles, three sacks, and eight tackles for loss. In the secondary, Troy Saunders will be replaced by either Justin Miller or Cedric Griffin, while former first-rounder Matt Ware finally gets his chance to start as he replaces SS Bobby Jackson--who went to the Xtreme.
DALLAS
The Vipers became the Lonestars, they're moving from Texas Stadium to the Cotton Bowl--which was to be their original home, and Seneca Wallace could be the Vipers new starting QB after the Lonestars signed him on the outset of free agency. Kurt Warner struggled badly down the stretch, and the former Vipers missed out on the playoffs, finishing at 7-5--which would have sent them to the playoffs if they were in the North but that's a different story. The offensive line will have a different look, with both of last year's tackles--Dave Volk and Kareem Marshall--gone but to be replaced by Jordan Black, who moves over from left guard, and 2006 first-rounder Jonathan Scott. The Lonestars also re-signed DT Darnell Dockett--who would have been a free agent in the 2007 offseason--to a five-year extension (as they did with Cory Redding last offseason) and are in talks with FS Erik Coleman on the same. Dockett is on the verge of being a first-team all-XFL DT if he isn't already.
DETROIT
Newcomer Matt Kegel should have a very good offensive line to work with in Motown, which features all-XFL caliber stars Marico Portis--who the Mustangs were able to keep away from Kansas City in the offseason--and Travelle Wharton. They also added Akil Smith to the mix at right tackle. The Mustangs also locked in Justin Gage, which will also give Kegel a nice receiving corps of Gage, Darnell McDonald, Travis Wilson, and TE Ben Utecht to work with. What he needs is a running game, where Cedric Houston suffered a slight motorcycle accident and looked like a man that had suffered a major one, rushing for just 243 yards. It would also be nice if the Mustangs' defense could finally come together, as Rusty Tillman wasn't able to coordinate any miracles in year one as the Mustangs' defensive coordinator, this despite having emerging stars on defense in DT Gabe Watson and OLB Michael Boley. The Mustangs have been rumored to take Michigan DE LaMarr Woodley with the first overall selection next March.
JACKSONVILLE
The Bulls kept their core free agents from going anywhere by re-signing DE Jamaal Green, ILB Travis Carroll, CB Joseph Jefferson, and WR Troy Edwards. Edwards' re-signing means that David Terrell--acquired by the Bulls last spring in a trade for Saladin McCullough--will likely be one the move again. Brian Iwuh and Gerris Wilkinson will battle to replace John Leake at weak-side linebacker this spring, with Iwuh--who made three starts as a rookie--having the upper hand. Some reports out of The 'Ville indicate that the Bulls just might be interested in drafting Heisman winner Troy Smith, with some in the organization privately frustrated that George Godsey, while improving on his accuracy and cutting down dramatically on interceptions, hasn't been able to make the play to lift the Bulls over the hump of a 7-5 playoff outsider.
KANSAS CITY
The Monarchs weren't sitting around basking in the glow of an 8-4 season where they made their first playoff appearance, after all they did get diced by Omar Jacobs and Saladin McCullough in the playoffs. With the combination of being not all that impressed with Adrian Jones at right tackle, and Jones facing the prospect of a suspension following an offseason DUI, the Monarchs signed Dave Volk from Dallas. Volk will play either right tackle or left guard with Pita Elisara moving to right tackle. The Monarchs also added DT Tank Reese and OLB Jimmy McClain to help a defense that still isn't where head coach Donnie Henderson wants it to be, "We're improving, but we've got plenty of room for improvement, you can talk about how great we look on paper but that's all it is". On that paper though, the Monarchs look to have an all-XFL caliber player at each position. In truth, if the Monarchs' draft is anywhere near as good as the '06 edition, they could have all they need to climb over the Maniax (which would include beating them) into the top spot in the XFL South.
LAS VEGAS
As the Outlaws go for the league's first three-peat, the Outlaws looked to have solved their problems on the ground by adding Tony Hollings, who had a 228-yard game for the Bolts against Orlando last year, to replace the retired Hodges Mitchell. Despite modest improvements on the offensive line (the Outlaws O-line gave up 11 less sacks in '06) there looks to be a change at right tackle, where Kurt Vollers is penciled in to replace Adam Goldberg. On defense the Outlaws lost some bit players in the secondary (Roc Alexander, J.R. Reed) but will likely replace them in the draft.
LOS ANGELES
Despite a rather unimpressive rookie year in 2006, the Xtreme are looking at big things for RB Maurice Jones-Drew in 2007. Jones-Drew started one game for an injured Sultan McCullough and carried 17 times for just 50 yards in week seven against Orlando but head coach Bob Toledo points to poor use of the second-year back from UCLA, "We used him mostly as a short-yardage back and gave (Sultan) most of the work. In 2007, we'll use Mac and Maurice more as a conventional 1-2 combo". Still, Jones-Drew had three of the Xtreme's six rushing TDs. The Xtreme's list of offseason casualties stands at two with SS DeShaun Hill bolting for a five-year deal with the Hitmen and OT Akil Smith going to the Mustangs. Smith, however, had lost his job to 2005 first-rounder Adam Terry and the Xtreme signed Enforcer veteran Bobby Jackson to replace Hill. They also kept a pair of OLBs, all-XFL starter Larry Foote and key veteran backup Carlos Timmons.
MEMPHIS
The Maniax had their return to the playoffs after a five-year hiatus spoiled by the Xtreme, but still look pretty good heading into '07. Losing SS Abdual Howard to Pittsburgh will hurt, but much like the loss of all-XFL guard Melvin Paige last year it may only be a slight sting. Besides, the Maniax are better equipped this time with uber-talented Ko Simpson ready to step in for Howard. Jack Brewer replaces Rashidi Barnes at free safety. Re-signing veteran MLB Patrick Sapp was huge as the Maniax prepare to go in with two new starters elsewhere on defense; D.D. Acholonu at WLB to replace Anthony Sessions and Colin Cole, who is a force against the run, for oft-injured Johnny Mitchell. While Tyson Walter did well as Paige's replacement at left guard in 2006, the Maniax are high on Ryan O'Callaghan to be in the lineup on Opening Day.
NEW YORK
2007 could be a case of not appreciating what you had until it's gone. With the oft-criticized yet highly productive Michael Bishop gone to Orlando the Hitmen turn to Joe Hamilton, banished to Detroit as Ryan Clement's backup after a similar fallout in Washington. Hamilton actually had a very good finish to the 2005 season, throwing for over 1000 yards and eight TDs to just three INTs over his last six games. A full-fledged problem at QB, where Tim Couch's status is uncertain after injuring his shoulder again, would have made a problematic situation at RB into a full-blown offensive disaster. Bobby Purify, who the Hitmen have taken baby steps with after knee surgery in college, will enter camp in late March as a close second to continued disappointment Rashaan Shehee if not ahead of him. Shehee rushed for a career-low 450 yards in 2006 and had 40 yards or less seven times. The defense was the league's worst against the run--allowing 5.3 yards per carry and 157 yards per game, but one could also make the case that the unit was very good, leading the league in sacks and takeaways.
ORLANDO
For a team that made it back to the X-Bowl--joining the Hitmen, Enforcers, and Outlaws as X-Bowl two-timers--the Rage weren't afraid to change things up in the offseason, allowing former first-round pick Seneca Wallace to leave and dumping Matt Mauck. Former NFL RB Najeh Davenport will join a group that was in disarray in 2006, finishing with a respectable 104.3 yards per game on the ground but averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
Reggie Brown was traded to San Francisco in the offseason, so Vincent Jackson will get the opportunity as the #2 wideout to help alleviate the combo of Tracey Wistrom and Jeremaine Copeland, who accounted for 58.3% of the team's receptions--highest in the league of any top two receivers. Defensively, the Rage lost Tank Reese but signed Nate Dwyer, who should greatly help the Rage improve against the run. Terrance Holt also joins the fold at free safety, where the Rage also kept all-XFL SS Muhammad Abdullah.
PITTSBURGH
There was reason for Ironmen fans to be excited in the second half of an otherwise dismal 2006 season with the arrival of Quincy Carter, as the offensive productivity greatly increased and more importantly, so did the win total--from 0 to 4. With Carter and young nucleus of RB DeAngelo Williams, all-XFL linemen Charles Spencer and Jake Grove, and emerging stars on defense in DE Chris Canty, ILB Abdul Hodge, CB Stanley Wilson, and SS James Sanders with Abdual Howard--who will switch to FS--thrown into the mix, there's some feeling that the Ironmen can challenge for the XFL North crown (why not? the division winner finished only 5-7). The Ironmen passed on re-signing Joey Evans, whose spot at the other end position will go to either Mike Kudla or college DT Orien Harris (a pet project of former defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, who resigned in December to become the head coach at the University of Miami).
SAN FRANCISCO
Two years ago the Demons were aglow with great expectations for 2006 after getting a glimpse of first-round pick Andrew Walter. In 2006, Walter found out the going wasn't as easy as his 2005 audition, completing just 52.6% of his passes and throwing just nine TDs to ten INTs before injuring his shoulder in week seven and missing the rest of the season. Ironically, Walter was coming off the best start of his career, going 28 of 40 for 321 yards and three TDs in a 24-22 win over Kansas City. While the confidence that Walter will bounce back is there the confidence in the run game isn't, as the ground game managed just 83.7 yards per game on 3.3 yards per carry, to which only (ironically enough) the defending champion Outlaws were worse, so the Demons went out and plucked Rob Murphy away from the Bolts to help improve on their rushing woes and a line that gave up 42 sacks. The Demons traded for Reggie Brown to help replace David Givens, who signed with Washington.
SEATTLE
The offense might be the talk of the team but a defense that finished in the top three, and second against the run, fueled the team's first winning campaign. That said, the Reign will go into 2007 without two of its main contributors, MLB Darren Hambrick--who is expected to retire, and DT Nate Dwyer--who signed with Orlando. But the Reign rebounded by signing Jonathan Babineaux, a young DT with high upside who will now play in the same city as his brother, Jordan, who plays for the Seahawks. Bobby Brooks, who helped contribute to that run defense, will get the first shot at replacing Hambrick. The Reign might be in the hunt for a running back in the draft after relasing bust Tatum Bell, and also could shop Devard Darling if Derek Hagan can emerge in year two.
WASHINGTON
The Glory made the only coaching change of the offseason when they hired West Virginia head man Rich Rodriguez as well as making big splashes in free agency in the form of OT Vernon Carey and WR David Givens. Both should greatly help young QB Adrian McPherson, who threw 16 INTs in 307 attempts before being benched with three games left. Marion Barber will take over as the starter at RB after the release of former first rounder Jarrett Payton, who was a bust even before arriving in D.C. in the middle of the 2005 season and didn't exactly help himself after. There will be changes on defense; former undrafted free agent Jim Davis won the starting job at the under-tackle next to veteran Israel Raybon, and D'Qwell Jackson will become the new starter at MLB. The Glory did re-sign OLB Paris Lenon and FS Lamont Thompson, and added veteran OLB Dwayne Rudd, who played with the Maniax in 2005, as well as RB Brandon Miree, who has played for the Outlaws and Mustangs.