Post by MGB01 on Mar 11, 2009 19:40:22 GMT -5
BIRMINGHAM BOLTS
Head coach/OC: Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator: Brian Stewart
QB: Casey Clausen, Brian Brohm, David Greene, Lester Ricard
Brohm, the 6-3 QB from Louisville, will essentially be a rookie in 2009 all over again. Clausen, after playing the best ball of his career, will head to the bench after the Bolts couldn't get what they wanted in a trade. Might be a good idea to hang onto him, the veteran backup market isn't all that appealing. The Bolts did pick up Greene as "insurance for insurance".
RB: Steve Slaton, Chris Brown, Jamaal Branch
Slaton showed he could handle the load by himself for a three-game stretch early in the season when Cobbs was hurt.
And now he'll get the chance to be the feature back with Cobbs in MEM. Ex-Monarch Brown, who formed a pretty good tandem with LenDale White, steps in here.
WR: Sinorice Moss, Roscoe Parrish, Mario Urrutia, Chris Davis, D.J. Hall, Darnell Jenkins
Moss was in and out in the first half of the season but turned it on in the second half, including a season-best nine-catch, 136-yard, two TD game against Dallas in week seven. Parrish also kicked it up a notch. Davis dropped off the map after a pleasantly surprising rookie season while Urrutia, acquired in a draft-day swap with MEM for Brandon Myles, wasn't utilized to full capability but still was plenty useful and should figure for a bigger 2009. Hall was making waves as an undrafted FA before suffering a season-ending knee injury in week five.
TE: Ben Utecht, Matt Herian, Cole Bennett
Utecht, coming off a 32-catch season in DET, will help offset the loss of production of Jerramy Stevens, who signed w SEA. Herian gives the Bolts a lot of versatility, lining up as a TE or H-back. Bennett only appeared in four games and seems to be a bust considering his status as a former third-round pick.
OL: LT Travelle Wharton, LG Justin Blalock, C Ben Wilkerson, RG Cosey Coleman, RT Marcus Johnson, C Matt Spanos, T Tyler Polumbus, G Brian Johnson, G-T Wesley Britt
After suffering a rough transition year, the O-line appeared to be back to where it was before Vernon Carey left for Washington two years ago. Wharton and Blalock formed a strong left side of the line that could be dominant for years. Wilkerson held the line very well taking over as the starting center. Joining Coleman on the right side will be Johnson, who replaces Calvin Armstrong.
DL: NT Sione Pouha, DE Spencer Johnson, DT Ed Johnson, DT Tim Anderson, DT Jeremy Clark, DE Wallace Gilberry, DE Larry Birdine
To say the offseason changed the Bolts' defensive plans would be akin to saying the Detroit Lions had a bad year last year--a tad understating. First Anttaj Hawthorne, their big run-clogging DT who was a huge (no pun intended) reason for their top-ranked status against the run, went to division rival KC, then DC Ted Cottrell took a coaching job in the upstart UFL. So Brian Stewart replaces him and plans to go back to a true 3-4 instead of the hybrid Cottrell was forced to run in 2008. Pouha, a 325-lb run stuffer who has the makeup to be true nose tackle, comes in after spending his first four seasons in the league as reserve in CHI. Johnson (Spencer) will try his luck at DE, while the Bolts will likely look to the draft to fill the other side.
LB: OLB LaMarr Woodley, ILB Rod Davis, ILB Philip Wheeler, OLB Elvis Dumervil, OLB Robert Geathers, OLB Roderick Green, OLB Curtis Johnson, OLB KaMichael Hall, ILB Tony Taylor
The switch to a more base 3-4 will leave some players out of the mix entirely. Dumervil's move to OLB is bad news for either Green or Geathers, the latter signed a big contract last year but was hardly impressive. Johnson had a nice debut last year and the Bolts are already looking at him as Dumervil's repacement should they lose him after the '09 season. Hall might be the odd man out.
DB: LCB Ahmad Hawkins, RCB Fred Bennett, SS Pig Prather, FS Quentin Demps, CB Jack Ikegwuonu, CB Wilrey Fontenot, S Guss Scott, CB Calvin Bannister, CB Charlie Peprah, S Brandon Mitchell
The bane of the club in 2007 was one of the team's strengths in '08. They replaced both their starting safeties, which relegated former starter Scott to a reserve role that he was none too happy about. But in the second half of the year the group tightened, most reflective in a game where they held ORL superstar Jeremaine Copeland to a quiet four catches for 53 yards. The Bolts drafted two rookie corners, one of which (Ikegwuonu) missed the entire season after tearing an ACL in pre-draft workouts. The other (Fontenot) had a brilliant rookie campaign and has the nickel spot all but locked up. Ikegwuonu might have to move to safety when he returns.
ST: K Connor Hughes, P Durant Brooks, LS Matt Spanos, KR Darnell Jenkins, PR Roscoe Parrish
Hughes was jokingly referred to as the next Adam Vinatieri after he was selected in 2006. In 2008, he actually resembled that, missing just one field goal. Some criticized the selection of Brooks in the sixth round but he did not disappoint, booming an 80-yarder among his exploits. Parrish had a 92-yard TD last year on a punt return.
CAROLINA COLONELS
Head coach/OC: Mike Martz
Defensive coordinator: Mike Haluchak
QB: Ricky Ray, Kevin O'Connell
Ray showed so much promise when he came to the Colonels late in the 2006 season, but has got to be labeled a disappointment considering what the team hasn't done with him as their pivot. Once again Ray had some fantastic games, including a 467-yard performance in a week eight upset of Orlando, but also had some weak outings and again made questionable throws in key situations. O'Connell has been deemed "the future", but the Colonels would prefer that the future isn't now.
RB: Jason Brookins, Matt Forte, Micah Andrews
Brookins was the best all-purpose back in the league in '07 with 1680 yards rushing and receiving but, due to injuries, was nearly nonexistent in '08. That opened up the door for Forte, who was among the best rookie backs in the league along with Steve Slaton (Birmingham) and Kevin Smith (Detroit). Andrews spent the '08 season on IR after suffering an ACL tear in the Colonels' preseason finale.
WR: Terrence Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, Koren Robinson, Jason Anderson, DaVon Fowlkes, David Ball
Cotchery tested the market briefly before returning to CAR. He and Edwards were the only WR pair in the league to catch 60 passes, although Edwards had a bit of a struggle with Martz' system, as he had a career-low 9.9 average per catch, but he also was used on several running plays and averaged 8.6 on 11 carries, scoring one touchdown. Former NFL first-round pick Koren Robinson replaces Jason Geathers in the slot.
TE: Clark Harris, T.J. Williams
Harris had another strong year, with 30 catches and five touchdowns. But his role may be decreasing in the Martz offense. Williams' best year came as a rookie three years ago, when he caught 17 passes for 163 yards and 2 TDs in JAC, but has only 13 (2 for TDs) since.
OL: LT Sean Locklear, LG Manuel Ramirez, C Pat Ross, RG Kevin Boothe, RT Daryn Colledge, G-T Jarvis Borum, OT Chris Colmer, G-T Brandon Frye
The offensive line, which was a mess just three years ago, is now one of the better units in the league as led by Locklear, who was a first-time all-XFL selection. They gave up just 16 sacks. Ross comes back with a new contract, that guarantees their interior of Ross, Ramirez, and Boothe returns intact. Colledge can play four positions on the line but his position for right now is at RT. The Colonels' top reserve, Borum, can also play just about anywhere on the OL.
DL: LE Claude Wroten, NT Grady Jackson, RE Dusty Dvoracek, DE DeMario Pressley, DE Terrance Martin, DE George Gause, DT Paul Soliai, DT Jason Shirley
The 3-4 experiment by new defensive coordinator Mike Haluchak is a work in progress. It showed some potential in 2008, but work needs to be done as the Colonels still don't have the personnel. Jackson held up over the season but will be 36 in January, while Soliai is a project that as of yet hasn't yielded much in the way of results. Pressley and Dvoracek were their most impressive linemen, with both playing very well against the run and rushing the passer, while the rest of the line is shrouded in disappointment. Gause, a former first-round pick, has dropped off the radar so much that even hardcore fans would be surprised to learn he's still on the team, while Wroten may have cashed his final check (literally) after he was suspended for failing a drug test.
LB: LOLB Lee Jackson, LILB Jon Abbate, RILB Richard Seigler, ROLB Manny Lawson, OLB Zak DeOssie
Lawson, the team's best pass rusher, proved even better off the edge with six sacks while Jackson was their best run defender. Abbate finished just one tackle short of the 100-tackle mark. Seigler, a former DROY with LV, will replace former starter Ryan Fowler.
DB: LCB Brian Williams, RCB Terrence Wheatley, SS Siddeeq Shabazz, FS Andre Maddox, CB Shaun Byrdsong, S Zach Catanese, CB A.J. Davis,
Williams finally played like the Colonels expected him to, of course he was also finally fully healthy for the first time since they signed him after the 2005 season. Byrdsong played well, but the Colonels drafted Wheatley with the idea of him being the starting #2 CB, that will come in 2009. The upgrade with Shabazz from predecessor Jarrell Weaver was noticeable, Maddox' return will be one less area the Colonels' have to worry about.
ST: P Mike Dragosavich, LS Danny Young, KR Jason Anderson, PR Terrence Edwards
Dragosavich, who wasn't that highly touted coming out of college actually had a better year than fellow rookie punter Durant Brooks (Birmingham). Dragosavich pinned 18 punts inside the 20 and had a solid 42.9 gross average, although his net also suffered because of terrible punt coverage and nine touchbacks. Edwards had the team's first special teams return for a touchdown since Cotchery and Zack Abron both returned kickoffs for touchdowns in 2005.
CHICAGO ENFORCERS
Head coach: Mark Criner
Offensive coordinator: Clint Dolezel
Defensive coordinator: Tim Lewis
QB: Byron Leftwich, Trent Edwards, Omar Jacobs, Caleb Hanie
It took Leftwich a few games to get comfortable with the offense but once he did the Enforcers actually looked to a cohesive unit, facing playoff teams in each of their last three games (PIT, JAC, LV) and coming a FG short of beating the X-Bowl champion Bulls. In that game Leftwich threw for 314 yards and two TDs as the Enforcers led 31-10 before blowing the lead. What the future holds for deposed ex-starters Edwards and Jacobs may be the waiver wire. Hanie played in some games but completed only five of twelve attempts and needs seasoning.
RB: Michael Turner, Saladin McCullough, Brian Leonard, FB Matt Bernstein
Turner wasn't happy early on about a perceived lack of work early on, and ended up finishing well short of the 200 carries that the coaches planned to give him. Turner gave the coaches plenty of reason to listen to him: In CHI's four wins, Turner rushed for nearly 5.5 yards per carry (averaging about 17 carries per game) and had three TDs. Leonard will probably displace McCullough as Turner's backup although McCullough rushed for 18 more yards and had four TDs to Leonard's none. Bernstein showed well as a runner, rushing for four TDs.
WR: Devin Thomas, Kelley Washington, Luke Leverson, Anthony Alridge, Maurice Stovall, Jordan Kent, Roy Hall
If not for another yearly episode of QB-go-round in CHI, Thomas may have very well been going for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Instead, in a sad indictment of the Enforcers' passing offense, Thomas' 38 grabs led the team--to put it in perspective, Leverson led the team with 71 catches three years ago, a number that has dropped each year (David Boston led in 2006 (56) and 2007 (42)). Leverson was once again the glue in the WR corps. Washington returns despite a terrible contract year because of his big-play ability. That's also because the young receivers the Enforcers were counting on to emerge didn't. Alridge was used mostly as a return man and Stovall caught just four passes. Hall, initially cut at the end of the preseason, was re-signed when Kent was injured but only appeared in two games.
TE: Kellen Davis, Ben Troupe
Davis gave a good accounting of himself too although some would have preferred the Enforcers drafted the other TE Davis in the draft. Davis was prone to dropped passes in college but caught everything he got a hand on. The Enforcers gave Troupe perhaps one chance too many and he did not reward them, with only two receptions.
OL: LT Tarlos Thomas, LG Melvin Paige, C Ryan Kalil, RG Tim Duckworth, RT Khalif Barnes, T Barry Richardson, C-G Drew Radovich, G-T Eric Young
Amidst whispers that Thomas is possibly on the downside of his career, the veteran from Florida State simply went out and had another all-XFL season. Barnes is a free agent after the 2009 season, which is why the Enforcers drafted a pair of tackles. Paige didn't have his usual great year, but it was still good enough. Kalil could be joining Thomas on all-XFL teams. Duckworth and Young will fight it out to replace Elton Brown.
DL: LE Mark Anderson, DT Ian Scott, DT Rodrique Wright, RE Calais Campbell, DE Demoine Adams, DT Ahtyba Rubin, DE Marquies Gunn
Anderson was the only pass rusher in the league to hit double-digits, as he registered a sack in the season finale to hit the mark. Anderson also had a league-record 27 QB hurries, he and Campbell combined for 42. It took Campbell a while to get going, but he did get a pair of sacks and used his long arms to bat down four passes. Wright, a former first-round pick, could be in danger of losing his job to Rubin, who showed lots of explosiveness as a rookie.
LB: SLB Thomas Howard, MLB Patrick Willis, WLB Rocky McIntosh, OLB Everick Rawls, OLB Andre Sommersell
The Enforcers' LB unit is up there with anyone in the league, and Willis, who was amazing as a rookie, was even better in 2008, leading the league with 113 tackles. McIntosh, in his first year as starter, played very well. Howard had another strong year, including a 54-yard INT return for six against DET in week eight. The Enforcers will likely keep both Rawls, who came over in the Justin Tuck trade, and Sommersell, a decent speed rusher, around for depth.
DB: LCB Joey Thomas, RCB Cedric Griffin, SS Jessie Daniels, FS Jarrell Weaver, CB Charles Godfrey, S Josh Barrett, CB Sergio Gilliam, S David Roach
Thomas had a decent season, landing three INTs, but considering that other FA CBs had comparable or better seasons, it doesn't look so great. Griffin could be their #1 corner eventually. Godfrey got a lot of PT in the season finale and made the most of it, with his first career INT. Weaver was a questionable signing as CAR had let him walk because he was a liabilty but he played very well and finished tied with Thomas for the team lead with three INTs. Daniels didn't have an INT after leading the team with four picks in 2007, but he continues to make strides in coverage. The buzz is that Godfrey could be in line to make the switch to FS.
ST: K Mike Nugent, P Brooks Barnard, LS Drew Radovich, KR/PR Anthony Alridge
Nugent had another solid year, and landed a new contract despite a bad game against JAC in week 11 which he missed two big FGs. Barnard had three punts blocked and a low average of 31.4 . Alridge did a solid job returning punts but the Enforcers had better options returning kickoffs, such as Stovall, who averaged 25 yards per return.
DALLAS LONESTARS
Head coach: Gene Chizik
Offensive coordinator: Major Applewhite
Defensive coordinator: Mike Roach
QB: Jared Zabransky, Paul Smith
The Zabransky era began in full in week nine, and the move paid off as he went 3-1 as a starter and ended up posting a 116.9 passer rating. Also Zabransky did not throw an INT while throwing 12 TDs and will assume the controls in 2009. A gamble, yes, especially considering the recent history of young QBs who impressed with a handful of starts and then got a reality check the next season. But Zabransky showed plenty of poise, including a nice performance against XFL South champion KC in which he threw the game-winner with less than a minute left. DAL traded QB Seneca Wallace for two draft picks, so Smith, who appeared in two games as a rookie, is looking at heading into '09 as the backup.
RB: Selvin Young, Travis Stephens, Troy Fleming, Dantrell Savage
The Lonestars took a gamble cutting Curtis Alexander loose after the big '07 run, and word spread that Young, who had just six carries in '07, would replace him as the starting back in '08, and similarly to Zabransky, it paid off as Young rushed for 844 yards and his 5.1 average was third in the league. That leaves the question of what to do with Stephens, who only got more than 10 carries twice on the season and finished with a 3.8 average. Odds are Stephens will be on the move again and the Lonestars will be in the market for another RB. Savage earned a spot because of his ability to pick up the blitz and ability as a change-of-pace back. He was hardly used in the regular season but got five carries and ran for 30 yards in the season finale at DET.
WR: Rashaun Woods, Santonio Holmes, Ben Obomanu, Brad Smith, D'Juan Woods
Woods and Holmes became the team's first all-XFL WR teammates and were their most productive duo since Darnay Scott and Rocket Ismail in 2003. Brad Smith had three TD grabs, and Obomanu and the younger Woods will also be in the mix.
TE: Joe Newton, Gary Barnidge, Gabe Hall
The Lonestars took a huge hit with the loss of Chris Cooley, and struggled to find a successor over the season. Barnidge had a decent start, with seven catches for 80 yards and a TD in his first two games, but largely wasn't heard from again until a four-catch finale against DET. Newton played in all 12 games and had a two TD-finale. Hall appeared in just two games, one of which as a FB (week three against KC) which might be his next destination.
OL: LT Jordan Black, LG Todd Williams, C Ben Nowland, RG Will Allen, RT Jonathan Scott, OT Tony Hills, OG Kasey Studdard, OT Travis Leffew, OG T.J. Downing, C A.J. Ricker
Black, who drew all-XFL honors, anchored a line that was playing relatively well until all hell broke loose at midseason, when Wallace was sacked 11 times in a three-game stretch. Then, after Zabransky was installed as the starter, things took a turn for the better, as the line allowed just two sacks in his four starts (including zero against KC). The rest of the O-line could be in for an overhaul: Ben Nowland began his career in DAL in 2003 and returns to replace Aaron Graham, who retired in the offseason. Williams, along with Black, is the veteran leader of the OL, while Allen was acceptable at guard (not giving up a sack) but DAL has options behind him. The Lonestars didn't get as much of a look at Hills as they would have liked because he got hurt in the preseason and only appeared in three games. Hills could be a better fit at guard on the pro level and Studdard, another former Texas Longhorn, started one game and represented himself very well.
DL: LE Cory Redding, LT Darnell Dockett, RT Marcus Thomas, RE Jay Richardson, DE Tommy Blake, DT Tank Reese, DE C.J. Ah You, DT Derek Lokey
Simply put, the Lonestars' biggest problem was Redding and Dockett, their defensive "dream team", combining for just eight sacks, and Dockett rallied just to finish with five. Richardson, who played well starting for Benard Thomas towards the end of the season, replaces him on the right side. Marcus Thomas was a bit of a disappointment in his second year, finishing with just one sack after a seven-sack rookie campaign. Reese was a smart signing.
LB: SLB Corey Moore, MLB Lance Mitchell, WLB John Saldi, MLB Jeremiah Trotter, OLB A.J. Nicholson, LB Cameron Vaughn
The loss of Demorrio Williams may have been the most devastating to any one area of the team. Much worse, the Lonestars gave up a lot to get Trotter from division rival KC, and he missed the entire season with a knee injury. But the Lonestars are woefully thin here. They did bring both Mitchell and Saldi back however, so their season-ending LB unit of them and reliable veteran Moore returns.
Nicholson was a huge disappointment as he was expected to replace Williams at WLB and ended up losing the job to Saldi. Vaughn is great on special teams.
DB: LCB Corey Webster, RCB Lawrence Richardson, SS DaJuan Morgan, FS Junior Rosegreen, CB Marcus Walker, CB Earthwind Moreland, S Marcus Griffin, CB Will Pettis
Due to the lack of pass rush up front, this group was really hit hard, and it didn't help when Andre Dyson was initially hurt in the preseason. Dyson struggled to stay healthy and ended up on IR, so the Lonestars traded for Webster, who had three picks in nine games with the team The real surpise in the secondary was Walker, who finished tied with Richardson for the team lead with four INTs. Rosegreen, who finally got a chance to play in 2007 and made the most of his opportunity, also had a good year in 2008. Morgan had a strong rookie year with 80 tackles and two INTs.
ST: K Josh Huston, P John Torp, LS A.J. Ricker, KR Will Pettis, PR Brad Smith
Husted, who made 23 of 25 FGs for ORL last year and missed as many FGs in his career as Josh Brown did last year alone, replaces him. Torp, who made history by becoming the first punter in league history to lead in both gross and net punting average in each of his first two seasons, fell short of a third straight, but still earned a new deal. Pettis led the league once again with a 31.4 average and two TDs.
DETROIT MUSTANGS
Head coach: Mike Jones
Offensive coordinator: Andy Kelly
Defensive coordinator: Jaime Hill
QB: Adrian McPherson, Matt Kegel, Justin Rascati
Kegel has been both injured and ineffective since DET traded a second round pick (which ended up being DT Kareem Brown) to LV in October 2006 for him. McPherson was signed at midseason and briefly provided some spark.
RB: Kevin Smith, Dwayne Wright, FB Cecil Sapp, FB Jesse Allen
Smith answered questions about his durability (among other things) with 938 yards and six TDs. Wright was pushed to the back somewhat, but still rushed for 267 yards and three scores. Sapp was underutilzed, which was one of the things that Jones pointed out in his first press conference.
WR: Vincent Jackson, Justin Gage, Travis Wilson, Dorien Bryant, Matt Trannon
Jackson, who was slipping in ORL, comes to DET to reunite with Jones, his head coach in 2005 and 2006. Jones and Gage give Kegel (or McPherson) a pair of 6-5 targets. Wilson was productive as the #2 WR in 2008, but will not only be bumped from the starting lineup but might not have a place because the Mustangs like Dorien Bryant, the more ideal slot receiver. Trannon, a former basketball player, is a developmental project who had three catches in '08.
TE: Kevin Boss, Jonny Harline
Boss caught just 13 passes, but made tremendous strides in blocking and blitz pickup skills. The third-year TE is ready to emerge after two years as Ben Utecht's backup, so Utecht was dealt to BIR for a third-round pick. Harline has only eight catches (and a TD) in his first two seasons between DET and CHI but will have an expanded role as the backup.
OL: LT Artis Hicks, LG Marico Portis, C Marvin Philip, RG Will Montgomery, RT Adam Stenavich, OG Adam Kraus, OG Matt Lentz, G-T Chester Adams, C Kyle Cook
Travelle Wharton was a huge loss for sure, but Hicks was a pretty good replacement. Hicks isn't quite what he was in MEM a few years ago, but he still gets the job done. The same can be said for Portis. Both anchored an OL that gave up just 20 sacks. Motngomery and Stenavich both played very well on the right side and were rewarded with new deals. Philip is a FA after the '09 season, but the Mustangs are already talking about locking him up.
DL: LE Jamaal Anderson, LT Trevor Laws, RT Gabe Watson, RE Matt Roth, DT Norris McCleary, DE Landon Cohen, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Derek Landri, DE Rondell Biggs
It's become a running gag with the Mustangs, in each year of the franchise they've selected a defensive lineman in the first round--one of which, DT Darrion Scott, is no longer with the team. But none had more than four sacks (Laws, who tied for the team lead), and, understatedly, more is expected. Anderson, the #1 overall pick in 2007, had just two and has to be considered a huge bust, although he did lead the team with 81 tackles and was tough against the run. Watson missed the entire season after a bizarre off-field injury in the preseason where he fractured his kneecap.
LB: SLB Stephen Tulloch, MLB Ahmad Brooks, WLB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Spencer Havner, MLB Mark Zalewski, MLB Kaleb Thornhill
DET will miss multi-dimensional LB Michael Boley, their best all-around defensive player who finished tied for the team lead in sacks (four) and pass breakups (five), and forced three fumbles. Boley left for MEM. Versatile Tulloch, who took over at MLB at midseason for the now-retired Shawn Banks after he broke his hand, moves back over to SLB to replace him. Brooks went from marginal talent to starring in Rex Ryan's D last year in PIT, and new DC Hill hopes it carries over. Woodyard made some big plays as a rookie, and can only get better.
DB: LCB Bryant McFadden, RCB Jonathan Wade, SS Ernest Shazor, FS Michael Grant, CB Simeon Castille, CB Greg Brooks, S Brandon Everage, S Marcus Paschal, S Jarvis Herring
The Mustangs were able to at least bring back McFadden, who is becoming a solid shutdown corner. Had he left, the Mustangs probably would have eschewed the market and promoted either Castille or Grant into the starting lineup, though the dropoff would have been noticeable. Grant replaced Everage as the starting FS by the end of the season.
ST: K Brent Smith, P Donnie Jones, HLD Justin Rascati, LS Kyle Cook, KR/PR Travis Wilson,
Smith had another under-the-radar quality year, making 19-of-21 FGs. Jones was outstanding, with a 46.8 gross average and a 37.5 net. He also was pressed into double-duty and made all four FGs. Wilson may be bumped from the starting lineup, but is tremendous as a return man. He was second in the league with 30.3 per KR and had a TD. He'll get double-duty now that Jeremy Bloom, a champion skier who also competed in the 2006 Olympics, has decided to return to the slopes.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Head coach: Russ Grimm
Offensive coordinator: Tony Kimbrough
Defensive coordinator: Jackie Sherrill
QB: Tyler Palko, Chris Leak
Palko got on a roll after a shaky start to the 2008 season, then got on a serious roll in the postseason, leading the Bulls to their first X-Bowl championship. He also was rewarded with a brand new contract. Leak was the starter for a few games in 2007 before Palko took over and makes more plays with feet than he does with his arm.
RB: Mike Hart, Joseph Addai, Courtney Lewis, Kevan Barlow, FB Jerome Felton
The Bulls dangled Addai as he was struggling through another subpar year on the ground and some nagging injuries. But a strong playoff run, in which both Addai and Hart established themselves as a strong 1-2 punch, made them reconsider in the offseason. Lewis led the team in rushing in 2007 but was a complete non-factor last season. Felton replaces Thomas Tapeh as the FB, he could also get some short-yardage work.
WR: Chad Jackson, Limas Sweed, Eric Moulds, Chris Hannon, Josh Morgan, Pierre Garcon, Corey Bradford
The Bulls' turnaround seemed to coincide with the return/debut of Sweed, who injured his back in the preseason and missed the first four games of the regular season. Even with that, Sweed finished second on the team with 44 receptions but was possibly the X factor of the entire postseason, and had the ROY award included postseason performance, Sweed likely would have beat out Chad Henne for the award. Jackson, who tied with Rashaun Woods of DAL for the league lead with 77 receptions, has become the successor to Jeremaine Copeland JAC was looking for when they drafted him three years ago with their first pick. Hannon had a strong year--18 rec, 220 yds, 3 TD--considering he was JAC's fifth WR, will
move up and compete for the slot. Morgan will also get a chance after spending most of his rookie year returning kicks.
TE: Greg Olsen, Tim Euhus
Olsen, who caught four TD passes, is a potential star with his field-stretching ability. He also became more sure-handed, dropping just two passes after dropping six his rookie year. Euhus has had an injury-plagued career and caught just one pass last year for MEM.
OL: LT Michael Roos, LG Max Jean-Gilles, C John Sullivan, RG Chris Myers, RT Ray Willis, OT Shannon Boatman, OG Dan Stevenson, OT Chase Johnson, C Dan Mozes
Roos has the athleticism and poise to become the best LT in the entire league with many feeling that the only reason that tackles like Brett Williams and Tarlos Thomas are regarded higher is based on rep. Versatile Willis will slide over to RT with Myers, who got an extension before last season, going over to RG, with Sullivan taking over at C.
DL: LE Jamaal Green, DT Robaire Smith, DT Tank Tyler, RE Stanley McClover, DE Brian Johnston, DE Elton Patterson
The Bulls switched back to a 4-3 alignment in the offseason simply because Smith is the only lineman they have that can work in a 3-4 alignment, and with Tyler's, ahem, tank-like struggles he was needed back at the nose, which he isn't really cut out for. McClover, who looked so promising in 2006 when he was drafted, replaces FA Chauncey Davis. Although backing up Green for now, Johnston is one to watch.
LB: WLB Dan Connor, MLB Travis Carroll, SLB Gerris Wilkinson, ILB H.B. Blades, OLB Juwan Simpson
With the conversion to a 4-3, that means the Bulls will juggle DROY Connor and veteran Carroll, going with the latter at MLB for now because he's never played the weakside while Connor, who was such a force in the playoffs in addition to his strong rookie year, has the ability to play WLB. Wilkinson, who finished tied for the team lead with four sacks, won't be depended on as much for pass rush. Simpson, who was in camp with BIR in 2007 and played in the CFL in 2008, has a chance to make a mark as a third-down LB.
DB: LCB Tony Okanlawon, CB Kenny Scott, SS Adrian Singleton, FS Joseph Jefferson, S Chris Harrell, CB Trae Williams, CB Curtis DeLoatch, S Marcus Maxey
After striking out in trying to land deals with Jamaal Brimmer (who went to MEM) and Sam Brandon (re-signed with LV), the Bulls will shift longtime corner Jefferson to FS, although Harrell, who's been a steady contributor in his three-year career, could compete for the job. Scott has been a solid contributor and will also get a crack at the starting lineup. Okanlawon had the INT that saved the day, picking off a Derek Anderson pass in the endzone in the final minute to preserve the Bulls' X-Bowl win. The Bulls won't get '08 seventh-round pick Caleb Campbell back until he finishes his Army commitment, which will likely be 2011.
ST: K Mason Crosby, P Dustin Colquitt, LS Dan Mozes, KR Courtney Lewis, PR Corey Bradford
Crosby has a strong leg, maybe the strongest in the league but it only translated into a pedestrian 24-of-31 FG. Colquitt has a strong leg and is a better directional punter than Tyler Fredrickson. Lewis would like to get back into the RB mix again, but for now is grounded at KR, where he averaged nearly 25 yards per return. Bradford is penciled in at PR at the moment, but could be replaced by Pierre Garcon after JAC's PR units averaged a paltry 7.6 per return.
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS
Head coach: Donnie Henderson
Offensive coordinator: Mike Heimerdinger
Defensive coordinator: Rod Marinelli
QB: Anthony Calvillo, Colt Brennan
Calvillo's clock is ticking--he turned 36 in the offseason, but he's also coming a tremendous MVP season in which he completed 64.5% of his passes and also went on to lead the league in yards (3774) and TDs (31). The heir apparent is former Hawaii slinger Brennan after Matt Nagy left for SF as a free agent.
RB: LenDale White, Cory Boyd, Justin Forsett, FB Garrett Mills
White pounded the rock to another 1000-yard season--this time catching Maurice Jones-Drew for the league title, and had 12 total TDs (eight rush, four rec). Boyd will replace Chris Brown as the #2 back after a four-TD rookie season. White and Brown combined for well over 1600 yards rushing just two seasons ago and Heimerdinger doesn't see any reason White and Boyd can't do the same. Forsett got a handful of carries last year but his primary duties will be as a returner.
WR: Devard Darling, Mike Williams, Devin Hester, Darren Chiaverini, DaVone Bess, Ryan Moore,
Williams had somewhat of a revival with a team-leading 54 catches and, as usual, was the team's big-play WR with 17.1 yards per catch, but after a breakout season in SEA in '07, Darling left much to be desired in his first year in KC, catching just 48. Hester accounted for himself well, but will stay in the slot as he isn't polished enough to be anything more. Bess will be the one to watch, he missed his rookie campaign after tearing his ACL in the preseason but has big-play skills. Chiaverini, whom KC brought back after Bess' injury, had three TDs receiving as did Moore.
TE: Teyo Johnson, Martellus Bennett
Johnson had a breakout year with 44 catches and seven TDs to tie Williams for the team lead, capping it off with his first trip to the All-XFL Game. Bennett had a bit of a struggle learning the playbook but came on strong at the end of the year.
OL: LT Damion Cook, LG Jason Brown, C Alex Stepanovich, RG Evan Mathis, RT Max Starks, G-T Dave Volk, OG Mark Setterstrom, C Doug Datish, OT Nate Garner
The Monarchs sent four-fifths of their OL to JAC and the one left out, Mathis, could easily have been picked. In this case, the numbers don't lie as KC led the league for much of the year before finishing fourth in sacks allowed (14--just two off the league lead). They also paved the way for a running game that finished in the top six for the third straight season. The Monarchs are in talks with Cook, a FA after this season, on a new contract that would have all five starters locked up through at least 2011.
DL: LE Justin Tuck, DT Atiyyah Ellison, DT Anttaj Hawthorne, RE Cameron Wake, DE Baraka Atkins, DE Jarvis Moss, DT Walter Thomas
The Monarchs finished fourth in sacks but less than half came from their DL. Also, none had more than four sacks, So, as expected, the Monarchs made changes and turfed Adalius Thomas (along with DTs Aubrayo Franklin and Tank Reese) and bringing in Wake, a sack machine from the CFL whom the Monarchs envision as a Robert Mathis-type rush end. Franklin was a poor fit for the 4-3 so the Monarchs, who weren't nearly as devastating against the run as they were in 2007--when they held opponents to just 55.9 yards per game and only allowed three rushing TDs, took a big step back towards that by stealing Hawthorne away from division rival BIR. Hawthorne was the top run stuffer on a Bolts team that led the league, giving up just 90.4 yards per game.
LB: SLB Kevin Burnett, MLB Tavares Gooden, WLB Adam Seward, OLB Ali Highsmith, MLB Buster Davis, OLB Antwan Barnes
With the DL struggling, the LBs had to step up and did just that. Burnett found his way to JAC, Gooden wrested the starting job at MLB, and the Monarchs got a comeback season from former NFL first-rounder Takeo Spikes. Seward comes over from LV and will move to the weak side to replace him as Spikes was deemed an ill-fit for Marinelli's Tampa-2. Barnes had the starting job yet not only lost out to Spikes, but also lost PT to Highsmith. Davis struggled as the starter but excelled as a backup, registering three sacks.
DB: LCB Nathan Vasher, RCB Richard Marshall, SS Darnell Bing, FS Erik Coleman, S Daniel Bullocks, CB Orlando Scandrick, S Marvin White, CB Zackary Bowman
With the release of Adalius Thomas, Vasher (along with Calvillo and Williams) is one of the last Monarchs remaining from the expansion club. The new defensive scheme is already well-suited for the Monarchs since both corners already are great at press coverage. Coleman led the team with 12 pass break-ups. Bing and Bullocks have alternated at SS the last three seasons with the other being injured. Bing had a career year with three picks. Scandrick replaces Reggie Durden as the nickel.
ST: K John Carney, P Brian Morton, LS Doug Datish, KR Justin Forsett, PR Devin Hester
The Monarchs became the first team in league history to make all their FG attempts, although three missed XPs stood between them and true perfection. Carney had one of those, denying him "the perfect season" as he made all 16 FGA, and Morton was pressed into double-duty and made his lone FGA but missed two XPs. Retired Morten Andersen was the kicker for the season finale and the playoff game. Datish is almost automatic on snaps. Forsett did an admirable job considering he had no experience at KR. Hester ran back three punts for scores, giving him five for his career.
LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS
Head coach: Jim Criner
Offensive coordinator: Norm Chow
Defensive coordinator: Larry Kehres
QB: Derek Anderson, Jason Gesser, Matt Moore
Anderson wasn't great during the regular season, in fact both Anderson and Gesser were terrible.in the first half of the season as the Outlaws looked to be headed towards a second straight disappointing year following back-to-back X-Bowl titles. Then Anderson came alive during a late three-game win streak, throwing eight TD passes and just one INT in that span, helping the Outlaws win the West despite a season-ending loss to CHI where he was picked off twice. He was so-so in the playoffs, including the game-sealing INT late in the X-Bowl, but was enough of an item of interest in the offseason for LV to retain. Gesser has a place with the team for his role as the pivot during the Outlaws' back-to-back X-Bowl wins, but could cede his backup spot to Moore.
RB: Tony Hollings, Jerome Harrison, Amir Pinnix, FB Peyton Hillis
The Outlaws once again considered a slight upgrade in this area but their overall yards per carry (3.8) wasn't terrible or anything. Hollings gave them over 1000 yards both rushing and receiving and a combined six TDs. Harrison made the most of his limited carries, gaining a career-high 5.1 yards per carry. Hillis, looked by the Outlaws as their next Chrys Chukwuma, had just 142 yards rushing but big things are on deck in 2009 says OC Chow.
WR: Nate Burleson, Jason Hill, Jeff Webb, Marcus Monk, Michael Bumpus
Two years ago the Outlaws shelled out big bucks to keep Burleson around and while he's performed well, the Outlaws feel that Hill is on the verge of replacing Burleson as the #1 receiver after a spectacular X-Bowl performance in which he caught seven passes for 146 yards and two scores. Hill also finished tied for the team lead during the regular season with four TD grabs and averaged a team-best 17 yards per catch. Webb is probably better than a third WR, but with Burleson and Hill isn't moving up anytime soon. Monk has the tools to be more than a specialist, and could be when he starts using them.
TE: Tim Day, Matt Murphy, Cody Boyd
After years of Murphy being the guy, Day took over in '08 and had 26 catches, four for TDs. Murphy caught only nine balls and is on downside. Boyd doesn't have a catch in either of his first two seasons, but the Outlaws like him for his blocking ability.
OL: LT Eric Winston, LG Jermese Jones, C Nick Mihlhauser, RG Kevin Barry, RT Chris Denman, OG Stephen Berg, C-G Cory Niblock,
The OL has made huge strides since Winston, the Outlaws' first-round pick in '06, became the starter. Winston has become a cornerstone on the OL and he and Jones form one of the best left sides in the league. The right side of the line wasn't quite as adept in pass protection as the left side, as Barry (four) and Denman (five) yielded nine sacks between them. Mihlhauser steps up to the plate with the loss of Ben Nowland to DAL.
DL: LE Devan Long, LT Kareem Brown, RT Dre Moore, RE Tommy Kelly, DE Erik Flowers, DT Teraz McCray
For the second time in as many years the Outlaws lost their best defensive player when all-XFL DT Rien Long suffered what is thought to be career-ending injuries in an offseason auto accident, though Long is still rumored to be trying a comeback. In the meantime, younger brother Devan is the top man on the "Dealers of Doom" DL, with the versatile Kelly now finding a home at rush end.
Moore, last year's first rounder, played well, and the Outlaws will get some mileage out of Brown, their second-round pick in '07. Flowers will be a situational rusher.
LB: SLB Trev Faulk, MLB Mario Haggan, WLB Erin Henderson, OLB Dave Holloway, OLB Jeremy Geathers
As mentioned, the Outlaws have gone through personnel losses before and come out unscathed. This time, it will really be put to the test as the Outlaws' two top tacklers, Ryan Claridge and Adam Seward, are both gone. But the Outlaws draft as well as anybody so that means Erin Henderson, younger brother of E.J., will move into Claridge's spot. Faulk, who played MLB in SF before switching to SLB upon joining the Outlaws, could move back.
DB: LCB Brandon Browner, RCB Jason David, SS Tom Zbikowski, FS Sam Brandon, CB Harrison Smith, S Curtis Keyes, CB John Bowie
Jamaal Brimmer joined Claridge and Seward on the express out of Sin City but the Outlaws drafted Zbikowski, a boxer on the side, to be his replacement. In a reserve role, Zbikowski was third in tackles and is the team's top returning tackler. Brandon put together another solid season. Browner's five picks were the most on the team since Joey Thomas pulled down nine in 2005. Browner is also poised for a big contract in the offseason. David struggled a bit in new scheme after coming over from SEA but still had four INTs..
ST: K Kris Stockton, P Mat McBriar, LS Cory Niblock, KR Jeff Webb, PR Michael Bumpus
Stockton, the last original Outlaw player left, continues a solid streak of consistency but McBriar had the strong comeback year after less-than-stellar '07. McBriar finished tied for third in punting average and was second with 22 inside the 20. The Outlaws were the only team in the league to have two players return punts for TDs as both Burleson and Bumpus did so. Webb's game-winning 90-yard KR/TD at LA ended up a season-changer for both teams, as the Xtreme ended up slumping their way out of the playoffs.
Head coach/OC: Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator: Brian Stewart
QB: Casey Clausen, Brian Brohm, David Greene, Lester Ricard
Brohm, the 6-3 QB from Louisville, will essentially be a rookie in 2009 all over again. Clausen, after playing the best ball of his career, will head to the bench after the Bolts couldn't get what they wanted in a trade. Might be a good idea to hang onto him, the veteran backup market isn't all that appealing. The Bolts did pick up Greene as "insurance for insurance".
RB: Steve Slaton, Chris Brown, Jamaal Branch
Slaton showed he could handle the load by himself for a three-game stretch early in the season when Cobbs was hurt.
And now he'll get the chance to be the feature back with Cobbs in MEM. Ex-Monarch Brown, who formed a pretty good tandem with LenDale White, steps in here.
WR: Sinorice Moss, Roscoe Parrish, Mario Urrutia, Chris Davis, D.J. Hall, Darnell Jenkins
Moss was in and out in the first half of the season but turned it on in the second half, including a season-best nine-catch, 136-yard, two TD game against Dallas in week seven. Parrish also kicked it up a notch. Davis dropped off the map after a pleasantly surprising rookie season while Urrutia, acquired in a draft-day swap with MEM for Brandon Myles, wasn't utilized to full capability but still was plenty useful and should figure for a bigger 2009. Hall was making waves as an undrafted FA before suffering a season-ending knee injury in week five.
TE: Ben Utecht, Matt Herian, Cole Bennett
Utecht, coming off a 32-catch season in DET, will help offset the loss of production of Jerramy Stevens, who signed w SEA. Herian gives the Bolts a lot of versatility, lining up as a TE or H-back. Bennett only appeared in four games and seems to be a bust considering his status as a former third-round pick.
OL: LT Travelle Wharton, LG Justin Blalock, C Ben Wilkerson, RG Cosey Coleman, RT Marcus Johnson, C Matt Spanos, T Tyler Polumbus, G Brian Johnson, G-T Wesley Britt
After suffering a rough transition year, the O-line appeared to be back to where it was before Vernon Carey left for Washington two years ago. Wharton and Blalock formed a strong left side of the line that could be dominant for years. Wilkerson held the line very well taking over as the starting center. Joining Coleman on the right side will be Johnson, who replaces Calvin Armstrong.
DL: NT Sione Pouha, DE Spencer Johnson, DT Ed Johnson, DT Tim Anderson, DT Jeremy Clark, DE Wallace Gilberry, DE Larry Birdine
To say the offseason changed the Bolts' defensive plans would be akin to saying the Detroit Lions had a bad year last year--a tad understating. First Anttaj Hawthorne, their big run-clogging DT who was a huge (no pun intended) reason for their top-ranked status against the run, went to division rival KC, then DC Ted Cottrell took a coaching job in the upstart UFL. So Brian Stewart replaces him and plans to go back to a true 3-4 instead of the hybrid Cottrell was forced to run in 2008. Pouha, a 325-lb run stuffer who has the makeup to be true nose tackle, comes in after spending his first four seasons in the league as reserve in CHI. Johnson (Spencer) will try his luck at DE, while the Bolts will likely look to the draft to fill the other side.
LB: OLB LaMarr Woodley, ILB Rod Davis, ILB Philip Wheeler, OLB Elvis Dumervil, OLB Robert Geathers, OLB Roderick Green, OLB Curtis Johnson, OLB KaMichael Hall, ILB Tony Taylor
The switch to a more base 3-4 will leave some players out of the mix entirely. Dumervil's move to OLB is bad news for either Green or Geathers, the latter signed a big contract last year but was hardly impressive. Johnson had a nice debut last year and the Bolts are already looking at him as Dumervil's repacement should they lose him after the '09 season. Hall might be the odd man out.
DB: LCB Ahmad Hawkins, RCB Fred Bennett, SS Pig Prather, FS Quentin Demps, CB Jack Ikegwuonu, CB Wilrey Fontenot, S Guss Scott, CB Calvin Bannister, CB Charlie Peprah, S Brandon Mitchell
The bane of the club in 2007 was one of the team's strengths in '08. They replaced both their starting safeties, which relegated former starter Scott to a reserve role that he was none too happy about. But in the second half of the year the group tightened, most reflective in a game where they held ORL superstar Jeremaine Copeland to a quiet four catches for 53 yards. The Bolts drafted two rookie corners, one of which (Ikegwuonu) missed the entire season after tearing an ACL in pre-draft workouts. The other (Fontenot) had a brilliant rookie campaign and has the nickel spot all but locked up. Ikegwuonu might have to move to safety when he returns.
ST: K Connor Hughes, P Durant Brooks, LS Matt Spanos, KR Darnell Jenkins, PR Roscoe Parrish
Hughes was jokingly referred to as the next Adam Vinatieri after he was selected in 2006. In 2008, he actually resembled that, missing just one field goal. Some criticized the selection of Brooks in the sixth round but he did not disappoint, booming an 80-yarder among his exploits. Parrish had a 92-yard TD last year on a punt return.
CAROLINA COLONELS
Head coach/OC: Mike Martz
Defensive coordinator: Mike Haluchak
QB: Ricky Ray, Kevin O'Connell
Ray showed so much promise when he came to the Colonels late in the 2006 season, but has got to be labeled a disappointment considering what the team hasn't done with him as their pivot. Once again Ray had some fantastic games, including a 467-yard performance in a week eight upset of Orlando, but also had some weak outings and again made questionable throws in key situations. O'Connell has been deemed "the future", but the Colonels would prefer that the future isn't now.
RB: Jason Brookins, Matt Forte, Micah Andrews
Brookins was the best all-purpose back in the league in '07 with 1680 yards rushing and receiving but, due to injuries, was nearly nonexistent in '08. That opened up the door for Forte, who was among the best rookie backs in the league along with Steve Slaton (Birmingham) and Kevin Smith (Detroit). Andrews spent the '08 season on IR after suffering an ACL tear in the Colonels' preseason finale.
WR: Terrence Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, Koren Robinson, Jason Anderson, DaVon Fowlkes, David Ball
Cotchery tested the market briefly before returning to CAR. He and Edwards were the only WR pair in the league to catch 60 passes, although Edwards had a bit of a struggle with Martz' system, as he had a career-low 9.9 average per catch, but he also was used on several running plays and averaged 8.6 on 11 carries, scoring one touchdown. Former NFL first-round pick Koren Robinson replaces Jason Geathers in the slot.
TE: Clark Harris, T.J. Williams
Harris had another strong year, with 30 catches and five touchdowns. But his role may be decreasing in the Martz offense. Williams' best year came as a rookie three years ago, when he caught 17 passes for 163 yards and 2 TDs in JAC, but has only 13 (2 for TDs) since.
OL: LT Sean Locklear, LG Manuel Ramirez, C Pat Ross, RG Kevin Boothe, RT Daryn Colledge, G-T Jarvis Borum, OT Chris Colmer, G-T Brandon Frye
The offensive line, which was a mess just three years ago, is now one of the better units in the league as led by Locklear, who was a first-time all-XFL selection. They gave up just 16 sacks. Ross comes back with a new contract, that guarantees their interior of Ross, Ramirez, and Boothe returns intact. Colledge can play four positions on the line but his position for right now is at RT. The Colonels' top reserve, Borum, can also play just about anywhere on the OL.
DL: LE Claude Wroten, NT Grady Jackson, RE Dusty Dvoracek, DE DeMario Pressley, DE Terrance Martin, DE George Gause, DT Paul Soliai, DT Jason Shirley
The 3-4 experiment by new defensive coordinator Mike Haluchak is a work in progress. It showed some potential in 2008, but work needs to be done as the Colonels still don't have the personnel. Jackson held up over the season but will be 36 in January, while Soliai is a project that as of yet hasn't yielded much in the way of results. Pressley and Dvoracek were their most impressive linemen, with both playing very well against the run and rushing the passer, while the rest of the line is shrouded in disappointment. Gause, a former first-round pick, has dropped off the radar so much that even hardcore fans would be surprised to learn he's still on the team, while Wroten may have cashed his final check (literally) after he was suspended for failing a drug test.
LB: LOLB Lee Jackson, LILB Jon Abbate, RILB Richard Seigler, ROLB Manny Lawson, OLB Zak DeOssie
Lawson, the team's best pass rusher, proved even better off the edge with six sacks while Jackson was their best run defender. Abbate finished just one tackle short of the 100-tackle mark. Seigler, a former DROY with LV, will replace former starter Ryan Fowler.
DB: LCB Brian Williams, RCB Terrence Wheatley, SS Siddeeq Shabazz, FS Andre Maddox, CB Shaun Byrdsong, S Zach Catanese, CB A.J. Davis,
Williams finally played like the Colonels expected him to, of course he was also finally fully healthy for the first time since they signed him after the 2005 season. Byrdsong played well, but the Colonels drafted Wheatley with the idea of him being the starting #2 CB, that will come in 2009. The upgrade with Shabazz from predecessor Jarrell Weaver was noticeable, Maddox' return will be one less area the Colonels' have to worry about.
ST: P Mike Dragosavich, LS Danny Young, KR Jason Anderson, PR Terrence Edwards
Dragosavich, who wasn't that highly touted coming out of college actually had a better year than fellow rookie punter Durant Brooks (Birmingham). Dragosavich pinned 18 punts inside the 20 and had a solid 42.9 gross average, although his net also suffered because of terrible punt coverage and nine touchbacks. Edwards had the team's first special teams return for a touchdown since Cotchery and Zack Abron both returned kickoffs for touchdowns in 2005.
CHICAGO ENFORCERS
Head coach: Mark Criner
Offensive coordinator: Clint Dolezel
Defensive coordinator: Tim Lewis
QB: Byron Leftwich, Trent Edwards, Omar Jacobs, Caleb Hanie
It took Leftwich a few games to get comfortable with the offense but once he did the Enforcers actually looked to a cohesive unit, facing playoff teams in each of their last three games (PIT, JAC, LV) and coming a FG short of beating the X-Bowl champion Bulls. In that game Leftwich threw for 314 yards and two TDs as the Enforcers led 31-10 before blowing the lead. What the future holds for deposed ex-starters Edwards and Jacobs may be the waiver wire. Hanie played in some games but completed only five of twelve attempts and needs seasoning.
RB: Michael Turner, Saladin McCullough, Brian Leonard, FB Matt Bernstein
Turner wasn't happy early on about a perceived lack of work early on, and ended up finishing well short of the 200 carries that the coaches planned to give him. Turner gave the coaches plenty of reason to listen to him: In CHI's four wins, Turner rushed for nearly 5.5 yards per carry (averaging about 17 carries per game) and had three TDs. Leonard will probably displace McCullough as Turner's backup although McCullough rushed for 18 more yards and had four TDs to Leonard's none. Bernstein showed well as a runner, rushing for four TDs.
WR: Devin Thomas, Kelley Washington, Luke Leverson, Anthony Alridge, Maurice Stovall, Jordan Kent, Roy Hall
If not for another yearly episode of QB-go-round in CHI, Thomas may have very well been going for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Instead, in a sad indictment of the Enforcers' passing offense, Thomas' 38 grabs led the team--to put it in perspective, Leverson led the team with 71 catches three years ago, a number that has dropped each year (David Boston led in 2006 (56) and 2007 (42)). Leverson was once again the glue in the WR corps. Washington returns despite a terrible contract year because of his big-play ability. That's also because the young receivers the Enforcers were counting on to emerge didn't. Alridge was used mostly as a return man and Stovall caught just four passes. Hall, initially cut at the end of the preseason, was re-signed when Kent was injured but only appeared in two games.
TE: Kellen Davis, Ben Troupe
Davis gave a good accounting of himself too although some would have preferred the Enforcers drafted the other TE Davis in the draft. Davis was prone to dropped passes in college but caught everything he got a hand on. The Enforcers gave Troupe perhaps one chance too many and he did not reward them, with only two receptions.
OL: LT Tarlos Thomas, LG Melvin Paige, C Ryan Kalil, RG Tim Duckworth, RT Khalif Barnes, T Barry Richardson, C-G Drew Radovich, G-T Eric Young
Amidst whispers that Thomas is possibly on the downside of his career, the veteran from Florida State simply went out and had another all-XFL season. Barnes is a free agent after the 2009 season, which is why the Enforcers drafted a pair of tackles. Paige didn't have his usual great year, but it was still good enough. Kalil could be joining Thomas on all-XFL teams. Duckworth and Young will fight it out to replace Elton Brown.
DL: LE Mark Anderson, DT Ian Scott, DT Rodrique Wright, RE Calais Campbell, DE Demoine Adams, DT Ahtyba Rubin, DE Marquies Gunn
Anderson was the only pass rusher in the league to hit double-digits, as he registered a sack in the season finale to hit the mark. Anderson also had a league-record 27 QB hurries, he and Campbell combined for 42. It took Campbell a while to get going, but he did get a pair of sacks and used his long arms to bat down four passes. Wright, a former first-round pick, could be in danger of losing his job to Rubin, who showed lots of explosiveness as a rookie.
LB: SLB Thomas Howard, MLB Patrick Willis, WLB Rocky McIntosh, OLB Everick Rawls, OLB Andre Sommersell
The Enforcers' LB unit is up there with anyone in the league, and Willis, who was amazing as a rookie, was even better in 2008, leading the league with 113 tackles. McIntosh, in his first year as starter, played very well. Howard had another strong year, including a 54-yard INT return for six against DET in week eight. The Enforcers will likely keep both Rawls, who came over in the Justin Tuck trade, and Sommersell, a decent speed rusher, around for depth.
DB: LCB Joey Thomas, RCB Cedric Griffin, SS Jessie Daniels, FS Jarrell Weaver, CB Charles Godfrey, S Josh Barrett, CB Sergio Gilliam, S David Roach
Thomas had a decent season, landing three INTs, but considering that other FA CBs had comparable or better seasons, it doesn't look so great. Griffin could be their #1 corner eventually. Godfrey got a lot of PT in the season finale and made the most of it, with his first career INT. Weaver was a questionable signing as CAR had let him walk because he was a liabilty but he played very well and finished tied with Thomas for the team lead with three INTs. Daniels didn't have an INT after leading the team with four picks in 2007, but he continues to make strides in coverage. The buzz is that Godfrey could be in line to make the switch to FS.
ST: K Mike Nugent, P Brooks Barnard, LS Drew Radovich, KR/PR Anthony Alridge
Nugent had another solid year, and landed a new contract despite a bad game against JAC in week 11 which he missed two big FGs. Barnard had three punts blocked and a low average of 31.4 . Alridge did a solid job returning punts but the Enforcers had better options returning kickoffs, such as Stovall, who averaged 25 yards per return.
DALLAS LONESTARS
Head coach: Gene Chizik
Offensive coordinator: Major Applewhite
Defensive coordinator: Mike Roach
QB: Jared Zabransky, Paul Smith
The Zabransky era began in full in week nine, and the move paid off as he went 3-1 as a starter and ended up posting a 116.9 passer rating. Also Zabransky did not throw an INT while throwing 12 TDs and will assume the controls in 2009. A gamble, yes, especially considering the recent history of young QBs who impressed with a handful of starts and then got a reality check the next season. But Zabransky showed plenty of poise, including a nice performance against XFL South champion KC in which he threw the game-winner with less than a minute left. DAL traded QB Seneca Wallace for two draft picks, so Smith, who appeared in two games as a rookie, is looking at heading into '09 as the backup.
RB: Selvin Young, Travis Stephens, Troy Fleming, Dantrell Savage
The Lonestars took a gamble cutting Curtis Alexander loose after the big '07 run, and word spread that Young, who had just six carries in '07, would replace him as the starting back in '08, and similarly to Zabransky, it paid off as Young rushed for 844 yards and his 5.1 average was third in the league. That leaves the question of what to do with Stephens, who only got more than 10 carries twice on the season and finished with a 3.8 average. Odds are Stephens will be on the move again and the Lonestars will be in the market for another RB. Savage earned a spot because of his ability to pick up the blitz and ability as a change-of-pace back. He was hardly used in the regular season but got five carries and ran for 30 yards in the season finale at DET.
WR: Rashaun Woods, Santonio Holmes, Ben Obomanu, Brad Smith, D'Juan Woods
Woods and Holmes became the team's first all-XFL WR teammates and were their most productive duo since Darnay Scott and Rocket Ismail in 2003. Brad Smith had three TD grabs, and Obomanu and the younger Woods will also be in the mix.
TE: Joe Newton, Gary Barnidge, Gabe Hall
The Lonestars took a huge hit with the loss of Chris Cooley, and struggled to find a successor over the season. Barnidge had a decent start, with seven catches for 80 yards and a TD in his first two games, but largely wasn't heard from again until a four-catch finale against DET. Newton played in all 12 games and had a two TD-finale. Hall appeared in just two games, one of which as a FB (week three against KC) which might be his next destination.
OL: LT Jordan Black, LG Todd Williams, C Ben Nowland, RG Will Allen, RT Jonathan Scott, OT Tony Hills, OG Kasey Studdard, OT Travis Leffew, OG T.J. Downing, C A.J. Ricker
Black, who drew all-XFL honors, anchored a line that was playing relatively well until all hell broke loose at midseason, when Wallace was sacked 11 times in a three-game stretch. Then, after Zabransky was installed as the starter, things took a turn for the better, as the line allowed just two sacks in his four starts (including zero against KC). The rest of the O-line could be in for an overhaul: Ben Nowland began his career in DAL in 2003 and returns to replace Aaron Graham, who retired in the offseason. Williams, along with Black, is the veteran leader of the OL, while Allen was acceptable at guard (not giving up a sack) but DAL has options behind him. The Lonestars didn't get as much of a look at Hills as they would have liked because he got hurt in the preseason and only appeared in three games. Hills could be a better fit at guard on the pro level and Studdard, another former Texas Longhorn, started one game and represented himself very well.
DL: LE Cory Redding, LT Darnell Dockett, RT Marcus Thomas, RE Jay Richardson, DE Tommy Blake, DT Tank Reese, DE C.J. Ah You, DT Derek Lokey
Simply put, the Lonestars' biggest problem was Redding and Dockett, their defensive "dream team", combining for just eight sacks, and Dockett rallied just to finish with five. Richardson, who played well starting for Benard Thomas towards the end of the season, replaces him on the right side. Marcus Thomas was a bit of a disappointment in his second year, finishing with just one sack after a seven-sack rookie campaign. Reese was a smart signing.
LB: SLB Corey Moore, MLB Lance Mitchell, WLB John Saldi, MLB Jeremiah Trotter, OLB A.J. Nicholson, LB Cameron Vaughn
The loss of Demorrio Williams may have been the most devastating to any one area of the team. Much worse, the Lonestars gave up a lot to get Trotter from division rival KC, and he missed the entire season with a knee injury. But the Lonestars are woefully thin here. They did bring both Mitchell and Saldi back however, so their season-ending LB unit of them and reliable veteran Moore returns.
Nicholson was a huge disappointment as he was expected to replace Williams at WLB and ended up losing the job to Saldi. Vaughn is great on special teams.
DB: LCB Corey Webster, RCB Lawrence Richardson, SS DaJuan Morgan, FS Junior Rosegreen, CB Marcus Walker, CB Earthwind Moreland, S Marcus Griffin, CB Will Pettis
Due to the lack of pass rush up front, this group was really hit hard, and it didn't help when Andre Dyson was initially hurt in the preseason. Dyson struggled to stay healthy and ended up on IR, so the Lonestars traded for Webster, who had three picks in nine games with the team The real surpise in the secondary was Walker, who finished tied with Richardson for the team lead with four INTs. Rosegreen, who finally got a chance to play in 2007 and made the most of his opportunity, also had a good year in 2008. Morgan had a strong rookie year with 80 tackles and two INTs.
ST: K Josh Huston, P John Torp, LS A.J. Ricker, KR Will Pettis, PR Brad Smith
Husted, who made 23 of 25 FGs for ORL last year and missed as many FGs in his career as Josh Brown did last year alone, replaces him. Torp, who made history by becoming the first punter in league history to lead in both gross and net punting average in each of his first two seasons, fell short of a third straight, but still earned a new deal. Pettis led the league once again with a 31.4 average and two TDs.
DETROIT MUSTANGS
Head coach: Mike Jones
Offensive coordinator: Andy Kelly
Defensive coordinator: Jaime Hill
QB: Adrian McPherson, Matt Kegel, Justin Rascati
Kegel has been both injured and ineffective since DET traded a second round pick (which ended up being DT Kareem Brown) to LV in October 2006 for him. McPherson was signed at midseason and briefly provided some spark.
RB: Kevin Smith, Dwayne Wright, FB Cecil Sapp, FB Jesse Allen
Smith answered questions about his durability (among other things) with 938 yards and six TDs. Wright was pushed to the back somewhat, but still rushed for 267 yards and three scores. Sapp was underutilzed, which was one of the things that Jones pointed out in his first press conference.
WR: Vincent Jackson, Justin Gage, Travis Wilson, Dorien Bryant, Matt Trannon
Jackson, who was slipping in ORL, comes to DET to reunite with Jones, his head coach in 2005 and 2006. Jones and Gage give Kegel (or McPherson) a pair of 6-5 targets. Wilson was productive as the #2 WR in 2008, but will not only be bumped from the starting lineup but might not have a place because the Mustangs like Dorien Bryant, the more ideal slot receiver. Trannon, a former basketball player, is a developmental project who had three catches in '08.
TE: Kevin Boss, Jonny Harline
Boss caught just 13 passes, but made tremendous strides in blocking and blitz pickup skills. The third-year TE is ready to emerge after two years as Ben Utecht's backup, so Utecht was dealt to BIR for a third-round pick. Harline has only eight catches (and a TD) in his first two seasons between DET and CHI but will have an expanded role as the backup.
OL: LT Artis Hicks, LG Marico Portis, C Marvin Philip, RG Will Montgomery, RT Adam Stenavich, OG Adam Kraus, OG Matt Lentz, G-T Chester Adams, C Kyle Cook
Travelle Wharton was a huge loss for sure, but Hicks was a pretty good replacement. Hicks isn't quite what he was in MEM a few years ago, but he still gets the job done. The same can be said for Portis. Both anchored an OL that gave up just 20 sacks. Motngomery and Stenavich both played very well on the right side and were rewarded with new deals. Philip is a FA after the '09 season, but the Mustangs are already talking about locking him up.
DL: LE Jamaal Anderson, LT Trevor Laws, RT Gabe Watson, RE Matt Roth, DT Norris McCleary, DE Landon Cohen, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Derek Landri, DE Rondell Biggs
It's become a running gag with the Mustangs, in each year of the franchise they've selected a defensive lineman in the first round--one of which, DT Darrion Scott, is no longer with the team. But none had more than four sacks (Laws, who tied for the team lead), and, understatedly, more is expected. Anderson, the #1 overall pick in 2007, had just two and has to be considered a huge bust, although he did lead the team with 81 tackles and was tough against the run. Watson missed the entire season after a bizarre off-field injury in the preseason where he fractured his kneecap.
LB: SLB Stephen Tulloch, MLB Ahmad Brooks, WLB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Spencer Havner, MLB Mark Zalewski, MLB Kaleb Thornhill
DET will miss multi-dimensional LB Michael Boley, their best all-around defensive player who finished tied for the team lead in sacks (four) and pass breakups (five), and forced three fumbles. Boley left for MEM. Versatile Tulloch, who took over at MLB at midseason for the now-retired Shawn Banks after he broke his hand, moves back over to SLB to replace him. Brooks went from marginal talent to starring in Rex Ryan's D last year in PIT, and new DC Hill hopes it carries over. Woodyard made some big plays as a rookie, and can only get better.
DB: LCB Bryant McFadden, RCB Jonathan Wade, SS Ernest Shazor, FS Michael Grant, CB Simeon Castille, CB Greg Brooks, S Brandon Everage, S Marcus Paschal, S Jarvis Herring
The Mustangs were able to at least bring back McFadden, who is becoming a solid shutdown corner. Had he left, the Mustangs probably would have eschewed the market and promoted either Castille or Grant into the starting lineup, though the dropoff would have been noticeable. Grant replaced Everage as the starting FS by the end of the season.
ST: K Brent Smith, P Donnie Jones, HLD Justin Rascati, LS Kyle Cook, KR/PR Travis Wilson,
Smith had another under-the-radar quality year, making 19-of-21 FGs. Jones was outstanding, with a 46.8 gross average and a 37.5 net. He also was pressed into double-duty and made all four FGs. Wilson may be bumped from the starting lineup, but is tremendous as a return man. He was second in the league with 30.3 per KR and had a TD. He'll get double-duty now that Jeremy Bloom, a champion skier who also competed in the 2006 Olympics, has decided to return to the slopes.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Head coach: Russ Grimm
Offensive coordinator: Tony Kimbrough
Defensive coordinator: Jackie Sherrill
QB: Tyler Palko, Chris Leak
Palko got on a roll after a shaky start to the 2008 season, then got on a serious roll in the postseason, leading the Bulls to their first X-Bowl championship. He also was rewarded with a brand new contract. Leak was the starter for a few games in 2007 before Palko took over and makes more plays with feet than he does with his arm.
RB: Mike Hart, Joseph Addai, Courtney Lewis, Kevan Barlow, FB Jerome Felton
The Bulls dangled Addai as he was struggling through another subpar year on the ground and some nagging injuries. But a strong playoff run, in which both Addai and Hart established themselves as a strong 1-2 punch, made them reconsider in the offseason. Lewis led the team in rushing in 2007 but was a complete non-factor last season. Felton replaces Thomas Tapeh as the FB, he could also get some short-yardage work.
WR: Chad Jackson, Limas Sweed, Eric Moulds, Chris Hannon, Josh Morgan, Pierre Garcon, Corey Bradford
The Bulls' turnaround seemed to coincide with the return/debut of Sweed, who injured his back in the preseason and missed the first four games of the regular season. Even with that, Sweed finished second on the team with 44 receptions but was possibly the X factor of the entire postseason, and had the ROY award included postseason performance, Sweed likely would have beat out Chad Henne for the award. Jackson, who tied with Rashaun Woods of DAL for the league lead with 77 receptions, has become the successor to Jeremaine Copeland JAC was looking for when they drafted him three years ago with their first pick. Hannon had a strong year--18 rec, 220 yds, 3 TD--considering he was JAC's fifth WR, will
move up and compete for the slot. Morgan will also get a chance after spending most of his rookie year returning kicks.
TE: Greg Olsen, Tim Euhus
Olsen, who caught four TD passes, is a potential star with his field-stretching ability. He also became more sure-handed, dropping just two passes after dropping six his rookie year. Euhus has had an injury-plagued career and caught just one pass last year for MEM.
OL: LT Michael Roos, LG Max Jean-Gilles, C John Sullivan, RG Chris Myers, RT Ray Willis, OT Shannon Boatman, OG Dan Stevenson, OT Chase Johnson, C Dan Mozes
Roos has the athleticism and poise to become the best LT in the entire league with many feeling that the only reason that tackles like Brett Williams and Tarlos Thomas are regarded higher is based on rep. Versatile Willis will slide over to RT with Myers, who got an extension before last season, going over to RG, with Sullivan taking over at C.
DL: LE Jamaal Green, DT Robaire Smith, DT Tank Tyler, RE Stanley McClover, DE Brian Johnston, DE Elton Patterson
The Bulls switched back to a 4-3 alignment in the offseason simply because Smith is the only lineman they have that can work in a 3-4 alignment, and with Tyler's, ahem, tank-like struggles he was needed back at the nose, which he isn't really cut out for. McClover, who looked so promising in 2006 when he was drafted, replaces FA Chauncey Davis. Although backing up Green for now, Johnston is one to watch.
LB: WLB Dan Connor, MLB Travis Carroll, SLB Gerris Wilkinson, ILB H.B. Blades, OLB Juwan Simpson
With the conversion to a 4-3, that means the Bulls will juggle DROY Connor and veteran Carroll, going with the latter at MLB for now because he's never played the weakside while Connor, who was such a force in the playoffs in addition to his strong rookie year, has the ability to play WLB. Wilkinson, who finished tied for the team lead with four sacks, won't be depended on as much for pass rush. Simpson, who was in camp with BIR in 2007 and played in the CFL in 2008, has a chance to make a mark as a third-down LB.
DB: LCB Tony Okanlawon, CB Kenny Scott, SS Adrian Singleton, FS Joseph Jefferson, S Chris Harrell, CB Trae Williams, CB Curtis DeLoatch, S Marcus Maxey
After striking out in trying to land deals with Jamaal Brimmer (who went to MEM) and Sam Brandon (re-signed with LV), the Bulls will shift longtime corner Jefferson to FS, although Harrell, who's been a steady contributor in his three-year career, could compete for the job. Scott has been a solid contributor and will also get a crack at the starting lineup. Okanlawon had the INT that saved the day, picking off a Derek Anderson pass in the endzone in the final minute to preserve the Bulls' X-Bowl win. The Bulls won't get '08 seventh-round pick Caleb Campbell back until he finishes his Army commitment, which will likely be 2011.
ST: K Mason Crosby, P Dustin Colquitt, LS Dan Mozes, KR Courtney Lewis, PR Corey Bradford
Crosby has a strong leg, maybe the strongest in the league but it only translated into a pedestrian 24-of-31 FG. Colquitt has a strong leg and is a better directional punter than Tyler Fredrickson. Lewis would like to get back into the RB mix again, but for now is grounded at KR, where he averaged nearly 25 yards per return. Bradford is penciled in at PR at the moment, but could be replaced by Pierre Garcon after JAC's PR units averaged a paltry 7.6 per return.
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS
Head coach: Donnie Henderson
Offensive coordinator: Mike Heimerdinger
Defensive coordinator: Rod Marinelli
QB: Anthony Calvillo, Colt Brennan
Calvillo's clock is ticking--he turned 36 in the offseason, but he's also coming a tremendous MVP season in which he completed 64.5% of his passes and also went on to lead the league in yards (3774) and TDs (31). The heir apparent is former Hawaii slinger Brennan after Matt Nagy left for SF as a free agent.
RB: LenDale White, Cory Boyd, Justin Forsett, FB Garrett Mills
White pounded the rock to another 1000-yard season--this time catching Maurice Jones-Drew for the league title, and had 12 total TDs (eight rush, four rec). Boyd will replace Chris Brown as the #2 back after a four-TD rookie season. White and Brown combined for well over 1600 yards rushing just two seasons ago and Heimerdinger doesn't see any reason White and Boyd can't do the same. Forsett got a handful of carries last year but his primary duties will be as a returner.
WR: Devard Darling, Mike Williams, Devin Hester, Darren Chiaverini, DaVone Bess, Ryan Moore,
Williams had somewhat of a revival with a team-leading 54 catches and, as usual, was the team's big-play WR with 17.1 yards per catch, but after a breakout season in SEA in '07, Darling left much to be desired in his first year in KC, catching just 48. Hester accounted for himself well, but will stay in the slot as he isn't polished enough to be anything more. Bess will be the one to watch, he missed his rookie campaign after tearing his ACL in the preseason but has big-play skills. Chiaverini, whom KC brought back after Bess' injury, had three TDs receiving as did Moore.
TE: Teyo Johnson, Martellus Bennett
Johnson had a breakout year with 44 catches and seven TDs to tie Williams for the team lead, capping it off with his first trip to the All-XFL Game. Bennett had a bit of a struggle learning the playbook but came on strong at the end of the year.
OL: LT Damion Cook, LG Jason Brown, C Alex Stepanovich, RG Evan Mathis, RT Max Starks, G-T Dave Volk, OG Mark Setterstrom, C Doug Datish, OT Nate Garner
The Monarchs sent four-fifths of their OL to JAC and the one left out, Mathis, could easily have been picked. In this case, the numbers don't lie as KC led the league for much of the year before finishing fourth in sacks allowed (14--just two off the league lead). They also paved the way for a running game that finished in the top six for the third straight season. The Monarchs are in talks with Cook, a FA after this season, on a new contract that would have all five starters locked up through at least 2011.
DL: LE Justin Tuck, DT Atiyyah Ellison, DT Anttaj Hawthorne, RE Cameron Wake, DE Baraka Atkins, DE Jarvis Moss, DT Walter Thomas
The Monarchs finished fourth in sacks but less than half came from their DL. Also, none had more than four sacks, So, as expected, the Monarchs made changes and turfed Adalius Thomas (along with DTs Aubrayo Franklin and Tank Reese) and bringing in Wake, a sack machine from the CFL whom the Monarchs envision as a Robert Mathis-type rush end. Franklin was a poor fit for the 4-3 so the Monarchs, who weren't nearly as devastating against the run as they were in 2007--when they held opponents to just 55.9 yards per game and only allowed three rushing TDs, took a big step back towards that by stealing Hawthorne away from division rival BIR. Hawthorne was the top run stuffer on a Bolts team that led the league, giving up just 90.4 yards per game.
LB: SLB Kevin Burnett, MLB Tavares Gooden, WLB Adam Seward, OLB Ali Highsmith, MLB Buster Davis, OLB Antwan Barnes
With the DL struggling, the LBs had to step up and did just that. Burnett found his way to JAC, Gooden wrested the starting job at MLB, and the Monarchs got a comeback season from former NFL first-rounder Takeo Spikes. Seward comes over from LV and will move to the weak side to replace him as Spikes was deemed an ill-fit for Marinelli's Tampa-2. Barnes had the starting job yet not only lost out to Spikes, but also lost PT to Highsmith. Davis struggled as the starter but excelled as a backup, registering three sacks.
DB: LCB Nathan Vasher, RCB Richard Marshall, SS Darnell Bing, FS Erik Coleman, S Daniel Bullocks, CB Orlando Scandrick, S Marvin White, CB Zackary Bowman
With the release of Adalius Thomas, Vasher (along with Calvillo and Williams) is one of the last Monarchs remaining from the expansion club. The new defensive scheme is already well-suited for the Monarchs since both corners already are great at press coverage. Coleman led the team with 12 pass break-ups. Bing and Bullocks have alternated at SS the last three seasons with the other being injured. Bing had a career year with three picks. Scandrick replaces Reggie Durden as the nickel.
ST: K John Carney, P Brian Morton, LS Doug Datish, KR Justin Forsett, PR Devin Hester
The Monarchs became the first team in league history to make all their FG attempts, although three missed XPs stood between them and true perfection. Carney had one of those, denying him "the perfect season" as he made all 16 FGA, and Morton was pressed into double-duty and made his lone FGA but missed two XPs. Retired Morten Andersen was the kicker for the season finale and the playoff game. Datish is almost automatic on snaps. Forsett did an admirable job considering he had no experience at KR. Hester ran back three punts for scores, giving him five for his career.
LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS
Head coach: Jim Criner
Offensive coordinator: Norm Chow
Defensive coordinator: Larry Kehres
QB: Derek Anderson, Jason Gesser, Matt Moore
Anderson wasn't great during the regular season, in fact both Anderson and Gesser were terrible.in the first half of the season as the Outlaws looked to be headed towards a second straight disappointing year following back-to-back X-Bowl titles. Then Anderson came alive during a late three-game win streak, throwing eight TD passes and just one INT in that span, helping the Outlaws win the West despite a season-ending loss to CHI where he was picked off twice. He was so-so in the playoffs, including the game-sealing INT late in the X-Bowl, but was enough of an item of interest in the offseason for LV to retain. Gesser has a place with the team for his role as the pivot during the Outlaws' back-to-back X-Bowl wins, but could cede his backup spot to Moore.
RB: Tony Hollings, Jerome Harrison, Amir Pinnix, FB Peyton Hillis
The Outlaws once again considered a slight upgrade in this area but their overall yards per carry (3.8) wasn't terrible or anything. Hollings gave them over 1000 yards both rushing and receiving and a combined six TDs. Harrison made the most of his limited carries, gaining a career-high 5.1 yards per carry. Hillis, looked by the Outlaws as their next Chrys Chukwuma, had just 142 yards rushing but big things are on deck in 2009 says OC Chow.
WR: Nate Burleson, Jason Hill, Jeff Webb, Marcus Monk, Michael Bumpus
Two years ago the Outlaws shelled out big bucks to keep Burleson around and while he's performed well, the Outlaws feel that Hill is on the verge of replacing Burleson as the #1 receiver after a spectacular X-Bowl performance in which he caught seven passes for 146 yards and two scores. Hill also finished tied for the team lead during the regular season with four TD grabs and averaged a team-best 17 yards per catch. Webb is probably better than a third WR, but with Burleson and Hill isn't moving up anytime soon. Monk has the tools to be more than a specialist, and could be when he starts using them.
TE: Tim Day, Matt Murphy, Cody Boyd
After years of Murphy being the guy, Day took over in '08 and had 26 catches, four for TDs. Murphy caught only nine balls and is on downside. Boyd doesn't have a catch in either of his first two seasons, but the Outlaws like him for his blocking ability.
OL: LT Eric Winston, LG Jermese Jones, C Nick Mihlhauser, RG Kevin Barry, RT Chris Denman, OG Stephen Berg, C-G Cory Niblock,
The OL has made huge strides since Winston, the Outlaws' first-round pick in '06, became the starter. Winston has become a cornerstone on the OL and he and Jones form one of the best left sides in the league. The right side of the line wasn't quite as adept in pass protection as the left side, as Barry (four) and Denman (five) yielded nine sacks between them. Mihlhauser steps up to the plate with the loss of Ben Nowland to DAL.
DL: LE Devan Long, LT Kareem Brown, RT Dre Moore, RE Tommy Kelly, DE Erik Flowers, DT Teraz McCray
For the second time in as many years the Outlaws lost their best defensive player when all-XFL DT Rien Long suffered what is thought to be career-ending injuries in an offseason auto accident, though Long is still rumored to be trying a comeback. In the meantime, younger brother Devan is the top man on the "Dealers of Doom" DL, with the versatile Kelly now finding a home at rush end.
Moore, last year's first rounder, played well, and the Outlaws will get some mileage out of Brown, their second-round pick in '07. Flowers will be a situational rusher.
LB: SLB Trev Faulk, MLB Mario Haggan, WLB Erin Henderson, OLB Dave Holloway, OLB Jeremy Geathers
As mentioned, the Outlaws have gone through personnel losses before and come out unscathed. This time, it will really be put to the test as the Outlaws' two top tacklers, Ryan Claridge and Adam Seward, are both gone. But the Outlaws draft as well as anybody so that means Erin Henderson, younger brother of E.J., will move into Claridge's spot. Faulk, who played MLB in SF before switching to SLB upon joining the Outlaws, could move back.
DB: LCB Brandon Browner, RCB Jason David, SS Tom Zbikowski, FS Sam Brandon, CB Harrison Smith, S Curtis Keyes, CB John Bowie
Jamaal Brimmer joined Claridge and Seward on the express out of Sin City but the Outlaws drafted Zbikowski, a boxer on the side, to be his replacement. In a reserve role, Zbikowski was third in tackles and is the team's top returning tackler. Brandon put together another solid season. Browner's five picks were the most on the team since Joey Thomas pulled down nine in 2005. Browner is also poised for a big contract in the offseason. David struggled a bit in new scheme after coming over from SEA but still had four INTs..
ST: K Kris Stockton, P Mat McBriar, LS Cory Niblock, KR Jeff Webb, PR Michael Bumpus
Stockton, the last original Outlaw player left, continues a solid streak of consistency but McBriar had the strong comeback year after less-than-stellar '07. McBriar finished tied for third in punting average and was second with 22 inside the 20. The Outlaws were the only team in the league to have two players return punts for TDs as both Burleson and Bumpus did so. Webb's game-winning 90-yard KR/TD at LA ended up a season-changer for both teams, as the Xtreme ended up slumping their way out of the playoffs.