Post by MGB01 on Dec 12, 2007 20:30:57 GMT -5
FIVE BEST
1. Brett Williams, Orlando: Same as Jacksonville replacing retiring all-XFL center Kevin Long with Michael Keathley in 2005, the Rage
replace the outgoing Scott Kempenich (who retired due to knee injuries) with all-XFL left tackle Williams, whose only dropoff in five
years with the Hitmen came when he was injured in 2004 and 2006. Plus if the Rage have to turn back to Michael Bishop in the event that Drew Stanton isn't fully rehabbed from a knee injury that ended his 2007 season, Bishop has his ex-teammate protecting him.
2. Chris Cooley, Washington: Cooley, who had 71 catches with Dallas in 2005, should thrive in Ron Powlus' offensive system in D.C. which will heavily rely on tight ends (Brian Natkin, who had 51 catches, may demand a trade) as the Glory try to make life even easier for young QB Adrian McPherson, who threw 20 INTs in 2007 but most of those came away from RFK Stadium and none in the final four games.
3. Demorrio Williams, Los Angeles: The Xtreme made the decision to cut ties with longtime starter Woodrow Dantzler and go with veteran Tim Rattay, so it's prudent that the Xtreme should build the best defense possible as a backup plan. Not only did the X-Men sign defensive lineman Igor Olshansky, who will help them against the run, but they also add Williams, fast becoming one of the league's top linebackers, in a move that will solidify already a strong group of linebackers with Larry Foote and MLB Lawrence Flugence.
4. Devard Darling, Kansas City: Darling ended up second in the league with 76 catches and both he and Derek Hagan shined in Seattle's high-octane passing offense in 2007. KC's leading receiver? The since-released Thyron Anderson, who had just 55 and averaged only 10.7 per catch. While the Monarchs might be transitioning from Anthony Calvillo to Matt Nagy at QB, the goal here is take the load off of their running game, in which LenDale White had a league-leading 244 carries in 2007.
5. Max Starks, Kansas City: Starks was part of the league's best offensive line in D.C. this past season, and might be again in 2008 as the Monarchs pair him with Damion Cook at the tackles, guards Dave Volk and Evan Mathis and FA-signee Alex Stepanovich on the interior. A line that gave up 25 sacks and paved the way for a league-leading rushing attack possibly improving may be very well what the Monarchs need to get over the hump--in this case, Dallas--in 2008.
FIVE WORST
1. Marc Colombo, Washington: Granted, it was a short-term deal for way less than he signed for this past March with the Monarchs, but is this a case of the Glory panicking after losing Max Starks, especially by signing the man he replaced? The Glory could easily have replaced Starks at right tackle with either Brad Butler or newly-signed Stacy Andrews and not experienced much of a dropoff (we are talking about the right side here as opposed to the left).
2. Joey Thomas, Chicago: Had the Glory not panicked and signed Colombo, the first signing of free agency would have made #1. Not that signing Thomas is a bad move, but paying him Clevan Thomas (who eventually re-signed with Orlando) money is. For approximately the same amount of money, the Outlaws rebounded by signing Jason David.
3. Jarrell Weaver, Chicago: With all the problems the Enforcers have had in coverage the last couple years, the last person you'd look for them to sign would be somebody whose coverage skills have been called into question himself, especially in 2007. With Jessie Daniels moving over to free safety, the Enforcers may have been better served to go after Guss Scott or Siddeeq Shabazz.
4. Ken Oxendine, Orlando: Oxendine was once upon a time one of the best fullbacks in the league with Los Angeles (where he also alternated carries with Saladin McCullough and then Rashaan Shehee) and Dallas, but that was four years ago. The Rage also frequently used Najeh Davenport at FB, meaning he was on the field at the same time as XFL Rookie of the Year Marshawn Lynch often, on the way to a rushing attack that was second-best in the league, dramatically better than the woeful 2006 standing. They probably could have kept Lousaka Polite for the same money.
5. Ed Hartwell, Washington: Hartwell gave it a good effort with the Bolts in '07, but it was clear by the end of the season he was toast. Having said that why will he be making approximately the same amount of money in 2008 as Paris Lenon, whom the Glory have been shopping for two years? Assuming the Glory aren't able to trade Lenon, this gives them three 30somethings (or close to it, Hartwell will be 30 two days after the Glory open the 2008 season at Dallas) at LB, and two of them where they have over $1.3 million tied up in for 2008.
1. Brett Williams, Orlando: Same as Jacksonville replacing retiring all-XFL center Kevin Long with Michael Keathley in 2005, the Rage
replace the outgoing Scott Kempenich (who retired due to knee injuries) with all-XFL left tackle Williams, whose only dropoff in five
years with the Hitmen came when he was injured in 2004 and 2006. Plus if the Rage have to turn back to Michael Bishop in the event that Drew Stanton isn't fully rehabbed from a knee injury that ended his 2007 season, Bishop has his ex-teammate protecting him.
2. Chris Cooley, Washington: Cooley, who had 71 catches with Dallas in 2005, should thrive in Ron Powlus' offensive system in D.C. which will heavily rely on tight ends (Brian Natkin, who had 51 catches, may demand a trade) as the Glory try to make life even easier for young QB Adrian McPherson, who threw 20 INTs in 2007 but most of those came away from RFK Stadium and none in the final four games.
3. Demorrio Williams, Los Angeles: The Xtreme made the decision to cut ties with longtime starter Woodrow Dantzler and go with veteran Tim Rattay, so it's prudent that the Xtreme should build the best defense possible as a backup plan. Not only did the X-Men sign defensive lineman Igor Olshansky, who will help them against the run, but they also add Williams, fast becoming one of the league's top linebackers, in a move that will solidify already a strong group of linebackers with Larry Foote and MLB Lawrence Flugence.
4. Devard Darling, Kansas City: Darling ended up second in the league with 76 catches and both he and Derek Hagan shined in Seattle's high-octane passing offense in 2007. KC's leading receiver? The since-released Thyron Anderson, who had just 55 and averaged only 10.7 per catch. While the Monarchs might be transitioning from Anthony Calvillo to Matt Nagy at QB, the goal here is take the load off of their running game, in which LenDale White had a league-leading 244 carries in 2007.
5. Max Starks, Kansas City: Starks was part of the league's best offensive line in D.C. this past season, and might be again in 2008 as the Monarchs pair him with Damion Cook at the tackles, guards Dave Volk and Evan Mathis and FA-signee Alex Stepanovich on the interior. A line that gave up 25 sacks and paved the way for a league-leading rushing attack possibly improving may be very well what the Monarchs need to get over the hump--in this case, Dallas--in 2008.
FIVE WORST
1. Marc Colombo, Washington: Granted, it was a short-term deal for way less than he signed for this past March with the Monarchs, but is this a case of the Glory panicking after losing Max Starks, especially by signing the man he replaced? The Glory could easily have replaced Starks at right tackle with either Brad Butler or newly-signed Stacy Andrews and not experienced much of a dropoff (we are talking about the right side here as opposed to the left).
2. Joey Thomas, Chicago: Had the Glory not panicked and signed Colombo, the first signing of free agency would have made #1. Not that signing Thomas is a bad move, but paying him Clevan Thomas (who eventually re-signed with Orlando) money is. For approximately the same amount of money, the Outlaws rebounded by signing Jason David.
3. Jarrell Weaver, Chicago: With all the problems the Enforcers have had in coverage the last couple years, the last person you'd look for them to sign would be somebody whose coverage skills have been called into question himself, especially in 2007. With Jessie Daniels moving over to free safety, the Enforcers may have been better served to go after Guss Scott or Siddeeq Shabazz.
4. Ken Oxendine, Orlando: Oxendine was once upon a time one of the best fullbacks in the league with Los Angeles (where he also alternated carries with Saladin McCullough and then Rashaan Shehee) and Dallas, but that was four years ago. The Rage also frequently used Najeh Davenport at FB, meaning he was on the field at the same time as XFL Rookie of the Year Marshawn Lynch often, on the way to a rushing attack that was second-best in the league, dramatically better than the woeful 2006 standing. They probably could have kept Lousaka Polite for the same money.
5. Ed Hartwell, Washington: Hartwell gave it a good effort with the Bolts in '07, but it was clear by the end of the season he was toast. Having said that why will he be making approximately the same amount of money in 2008 as Paris Lenon, whom the Glory have been shopping for two years? Assuming the Glory aren't able to trade Lenon, this gives them three 30somethings (or close to it, Hartwell will be 30 two days after the Glory open the 2008 season at Dallas) at LB, and two of them where they have over $1.3 million tied up in for 2008.