COLUMBIA FIRE 2032 and BEYOND

[iceman99]

When Columbia ended the 2030 season, there were high hopes for 2031. The team had recently added young gun KC Grant to the team, and despite an injury that left him on the bench to end the 2030 year. The team had big hopes for Grant in 2031. Add to the fact that the team had stud RB Cory Hanks in the backfield along with up and coming RB Max Manubay running behind a dominate o-line, the future looked bright for Columbia.

But in a shocking move that upset loyal fans everywhere. The Fire front office felt that it was time to move on from Cory Hart, despite the fact that he had rushed for nearly 4000 yards in the last 2 seasons. The move appeared to have more to do with financial then it did with not wanting the player around. But with 2nd year RB Manubay ready to start, the move was a shocker but many felt that the team could recover. But even with faith in Manubay, the team had a lot to fix in a short amount of time.

After free agency concluded, the Fire front office asked for their fans to trust in the process as the team was heading into the draft with multiple first round selections and a plan. Columbia has always been one of those teams that tends to build thru the draft. But over the last few seasons we have seen them go outside their comfort zone to add players in free agency and via trades. This year the Fire rewarded their fans by securing one of the top draft classes in 2031. By adding WR Ruben Bouie, CB Omar Newman, CB Warren Woodard, and T Ty Nord, the Fire addressed multiple needs and at least for the time being restored the fans faith in the organization. Many felt that the Fire had a solid shot at competing in 2031.

The season started with a BANG for Columbia, after an average pre-season that saw glimmers of hope for the regular season, the Fire rattled off 3 straight wins to start 3-0, by week 8 the Fire were sitting at 6-2 with the division leader West Virginia in their sights. The team was flying high. But then the next 4 weeks sent the Fire back to reality as the team went 0-3, week 11 bye week did not help them any, and they found themselves on the outside looking in when it came to the playoffs. At this point all looked bleak for the Fire. They had five games left, 1 against their division leader, 1 against the only undefeated team in the IFL, and 4 of those 5 games were away. For Columbia to even see the playoffs, they were going to have to win out, and get a lot of help. After the final whistle blew on the 2031 regular season, and the dust settled, the Fire found themselves in the playoffs, not as a wildcard entry but as a division champion. Columbia managed to beat the undefeated Orlando Pirates, they went to West Virginia and beat the then division leading Beast, and won 2 of their remaining 3 road games to clinch. Their 5-1 division record was the difference as West Virginia lost their season finally to Norfolk to secure the Fire’s place at the top of the division.

The 2031 playoffs did not disappoint fans as the Fire welcomed the Cleveland Claws to town. A rematch from earlier in the season that the Fire lost, but this game proved different as the Fire secured the first playoff victory since 2013. And even though they lost to eventual IFL champ Iowa City in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Fire kept their heads held high as 2032 and the future was looking bright..

2031 Player of the Year – T Jaiden Stargell
2031 Rookie of the Year – WR Ruben Bouie
2031 Offensive Player of the Year – QB KC Grant
2031 Defensive Player of the Year – CB Omar Newman
2031 Special Teams Player of the Year – K Eugene Boling
2031 Fan Favorite – RB Max Manubay

2032 and beyond…

All the hope and momentum going into to 2032 faded shortly after the start of the teams OTA’s. It was here that the Fire organization received devastating news. Franchise QB KC Grant retired after 6 seasons in the IFL. Grant was coming off a great season; one many thought was a sign of things to come. Many in the organization have felt betrayed by Grant, considering he had just recently completed a QB camp with the RBs and WRs in preparation for the 2032 season. This last minute decision has left the front office reeling and many question if the general manager can recover from this move quickly in hopes of it not impacting ticket sales. There are rumors that the team could gut the team and start the rebuild process now, and considering the number of scouts who have been seen visiting the GM’s office. It makes you wonder if they are trying to determine the depth of this year’s draft class to see if this is the right time to implement a major roster overhaul.

Only time will tell if the Fire can overcome an event such as this. The front office did release a statement saying “the loss of KC Grant is a major blow to our organization, but it is not something that we cannot address this offseason. We wish KC the best of luck, and we will begin our focus on finding a new signal caller for our team, one that will help us build on a great 2031 season.”

It will be a very interesting offseason in Columbia… We will be waiting to see what they do…

[FootballAUS]

Great write-up! Keen to see your rolling draft review again this season.

[markc]

Nice read. Doesn't look like there is much QB talent for you in this draft, but maybe there's a couple hidden gems.

[Slimmikey]

Good stuff

[iceman99]

COLUMBIA FINDS A NEW QB - FOR NOW...

After attempts to land Wesley May fell through, the Fire went out and traded for a cheaper alternative. Gabe "Pistol" Patterson was brought into the organization via a trade with Salt Lake City. Pistol has been a very successful QB in the IFL and even though there is a good chance that he is in the final few years of his career, he allows the Fire to focus on other issues this season.

While the jury is out on the move itself. The Fire are only out his current salary ($12 Million) and a late round selection for their troubles. There were already rumors of the Fire drafting a QB, but with this years draft class light on the QB front, there are chances that the team could make another move should someone of value become available.

WES CARLSON ON THE BLOCK...

In another shocker, similar to the Cory Hanks trade last season, the Fire has let the league know that STUD CB Wes Carlson is available. While rumors abound that the move will likely never happen considering the fact that the Fire can use the Franchise Tag on him next season with minimal impact to their cap, the fact that he is available does make you wonder what is going on in the Fire's front office. Columbia has 2 of the top CBs in the league, could it be that the team is worried about spending the kind of money that it will cost to lock him up long term?

Needless to say the addition of Carlson to the trade block is rumored to cost the acquiring team at least 2 1st, and there is expected to be more. Unless a major player is offered.

[VitoStallion]

I hope your offense goes bananas next year man! GL

[iceman99]

COLUMBIA STAYING ACTIVE...

The busy offseason for the Fire continues, but in a more traditional way. While the Fire have been very active in the trade market so far. The bigger news is that the Fire are focusing on signing their players long term instead of spending large amounts of money in F/A. This has resulted in new deals for QB Blue, G Denman, and DT Head. The team is also in talks with DE Mitchell, K Boling, CB Carlson and WR Steuart. The team is determined to keep the nucleus together for as long as possible.

In other news, the Fire addressed needs at ILB in a trade with Las Vegas. The move sends top backup tackle McClary to Las Vegas along with select 1.26 and 7.26 in return for 3 picks and Linebackers Knickerbocker and Boiman. Knickerbocker should slide into the WILB role for Columbia while Boiman will serve as a solid option at all LB positions in 2032. There is a chance that Boiman could move to the inside and start for the team as well.

This is the 3rd trade Columbia has completed so far this season. In those 3 trades the Fire have addressed needs at QB, ILB, BU DE, BU LB and added 3 picks. Columbia now owns 1.15, 2 2nds, 3 3rds and 2 6th round selections. We expect more trades before the offseason is over.

[Beast]

Love what you are doing with the trades and really fun to see how you plan on using Knickerbocker and Boiman!

[iceman99]

MORE DEFENSE IN COLUMBIA

The Fire have pulled off another trade this offseason bringing in DE Frankie Blackwell from Cleveland. The move cost the team 2 picks, one being a 3rd rounder. 1st thru 3rd round picks are normally a hot commodity in Columbia considering that they love to build thru the draft. But it appears that the youth of Blackwell, and concerns about Bennie Milnes age along with the pending FA of DE Luther Mitchell, the team obviously thought this was a needed move.

[iceman99]

COLUMBIA 2032 DRAFT

With the 15th Selection in the First round. Columbia Fire Select Shawn Pearson - WR - Fairfield University



The Fire go into every draft with who they feel the 5 best players are in the draft. Those 5 players are placed at the top of the board, and then everything else tends to fall into place behind those 5. No matter where the team drafts, if a player in their top 5 is still on the board they will select that player regardless of need. Pearson fell into that category this season, while WR was not a need for the Fire, adding this type of talent opposite of Bouie each week was something the team could not pass on. Pearson is slotted to take over the starting role opposite of Bouie and it will all the team to focus on utilizing the remaining players to best fit the teams needs and their abilities.

[iceman99]

With the 7th selection in the Second round the Columbia Fire Select Emmitt Coles - QB - Mississippi



With the loss of KC Grant this offseason due to a surprising retirement, the Fire have been in QB hunt mode ever since. While the were able to get established veteran Gabe Patterson to fill the void for the time being, the Fire felt they needed to find a developmental QB for the future. Coles has great size and abilities, along with a solid college resume. But the question remains, as it does with almost all QBs that join the league, is can he play in the IFL. Columbia is obviously hoping he does considering where he was drafted.

[iceman99]

With the 11th pick in the second round the Columbia Fire Select - Nolan Hansen - DT - Nebraska



Despite some success at the defensive line position last year, the line as a whole is getting older. And considering that two players are on their final contract year with the team its not a surprise that Columbia took one of the top defensive tackles in the draft. The Fire do not expect much from their DT's other then the ability to plug holes and get a pass rush every now and then. Hansen has great run defense, Play Diagnosis, and is a work horse. That and his size should make him a key addition to the front 3 of the Fire's D-Line.

[iceman99]

Columbia on a trading frenzy....

After trading their way out of the 3rd round and picking up 3 extra selections in this years draft, the Fire traded back up to 4.2 to get their guy.

With the 2nd pick in the fourth round, the Columbia Fire Select Nicholas Boyer - G - Texas Tech



Boyer was not a need pick here for Columbia, but the team does have some players long in the tooth at the guard position so a bit of youth is not a bad thing here. Boyer was targeted by the team in the 3rd round. But Boyer was thought to be a starting caliber G/C option and the team was focused on getting reserve players, so they moved down to add selections. But with Boyer still on the board at 4.2 the team pulled the trigger to bring him into the fold. The move was less risky should Boyer not mesh in the IFL but many scouts with the team feel he will be a solid contributor to the organization.

[iceman99]

With the 12th pick in the 4th round the Columbia Fire Select Darren Carpenter - T - Iowa State



Columbia has prided itself on finding top talent at the Offensive Line position, and one of the big concerns for the Fire is depth this year along the line. Carpenter is a big frame with amazing reach and smarts. While he did not take part in the league combine, individual workouts showed that he could be a key piece in Columbia. He will be looking to back up last years #1 pick Ty Nord on the right side.

[iceman99]

With the 14th pick in the fourth round the Columbia Fire select Nate Borders - S - Washington



Borders joins a pretty solid secondary in Columbia. Despite the 4th round selection, the Fire actually targeted Borders in the early 3rd round. So getting him in the 4th is a major steal for the team. Borders will likely be pushing for time at both the CB and S position. Considering the need for depth at CB behind starters Carson and Newman. The team should be able to utilize him well this season. Not to mention he appears to be a solid punt return specialist as well.