Columbia Fire... 2034 and Beyond

[iceman99]

Its hard to believe that is has been 11 years since I started in the IFL. When I joined I was the owner of the "original" Columbia Fire. I took the team over from one of the legends of this game and was handed a pretty solid team. We would manage to make the playoffs a few years after taking over. Only to lose before the big game.

The "original" Columbia Fire turned into the Georgia Generals and I eventually left the league to focus on life. I came back a time or two only to leave again. Mostly because of the changing of the game and honestly the loss of interest. But this league always seemed to draw me back in. Having friends like Vito and Luis did help keep the "FIRES" burning so to say. And eventually I returned and started building the NEW Columbia Fire organization.

We have always been a team that has built thru the draft. 10 of our 15 1st round picks last year (we have 9 of 14 this year and that is tied for most in the league) were players we drafted. Going into this season, 28 of our 46 players currently on our roster are players we have drafted as well. But with success in drafting players, their contract tend to push you over the cap. Lucky for us. We were able to make a few moves last year to strengthen our team for its championship run.

Now that we have finally brought a championship to the town that started it all (11 years of playing this game), and its time to put it behind us and move forward.

This years defense took a big hit when Fire Legend DE Bennie Milnes announced his retirement along with 6 year Fire vet (12 year total) LB Vince Champion. But the team was able to tag one of the leagues top WR Ruben Bouie and lock him up long term.

We then went to work to address needs for the upcoming season. When word got out that the "original" Columbia Fire (aka Georgia Generals) were looking to make a few moves. The team jumped into action and secured the services of FS Heath Deshaies to strengthen the secondary, and RB Chad Creel a 2nd year back who nearly rushed for 1000 yards in his rookie season.

The addition of Deshaies made room for Olin to be sent out to Orlando. Columbia feels that the youth and overall well rounded safety will better complement the stout secondary currently roaming the back end of the defense in 2035.

The addition of Creel gives the team a sure handed RB who, behind this Fire offensive line, could do some serious damage to opposing defenses. Creel will be a great complement to Manubay in the 2035 season and will give the offense a strong two back approach.

Needless to say the team will be saying good bye to a few players in free agency who won a ring with the organization last year.

After a contract dispute, Peyton Blue will not be returning to the Fire this season. Instead the team intends to go with last years 6th round selection, Burt Marsh, who was 3-1 as a starter last season.

5 year starting FB Caleb Matthews will also be leaving the team as his contract expectations are outside of the budget for the defending champs.

Also leaving the team... RB Jason Degrange, LB Oliver Curtis, and CB Kenyon Norris

With the minor shake up in departing players, and only the signing of one Free Agent, LB Reggie Zupancic, the team has focused mostly on extending and resigning their own players. And with only 8 late round selections in the draft. Many of the starting positions are already filled and the team is strictly looking for depth and roll players at this time.

It will be interesting to see what they do in the draft... and the rest of free agency...

In closing... Thanks to all the GMs who have been a part of this league for so long. You guys make it fun. Thanks to Vito for all the back and forth, it makes the game that much more entertaining and I know I have learned a lot from it

[iceman99]

After wrapping up the recap...

Columbia shipped former 2nd rounder Emmitt Coles and WR Daryl Dvorak to Vermont for QB Kevin Timberlane and DE Michael Battle.

Timberlane is nothing more then a low cost clip board holder in Columbia, but the keep piece of the trade was getting the rights to DE Battle. Battle adds depth to a depleted DE position in Columbia with the retirement of Milnes. He should team up nicely with recently drafted Victor Abdullah from Boston College.

With the 18th selection in the 3rd Round... 83rd overall... The Columbia Fire Select -

Victor Abdullah - DE - Boston College



Abdullah has some big shoes to fill in Columbia with FIRE LEGEND Bennie Milnes retiring. The team is in major need of DE help and will be hoping that a DE by committee rotation will work and help the team this season.

[iceman99]

With the 32nd pick in the 4th Round, The Columbia Fire Select

Jose Czonka - FB - Morgan State



Czonka is a hard charging, blocking first FB that the Fire love to acquire. This is the first time in a few years that Columbia has addressed FB in the draft. But due to a weak market and a larger than expected contract offer to lasr years starting FB Caleb Matthews the team will be looking for a new FB this season.

[iceman99]

With the 13th pick in the 5th round, The Columbia Fire Select

Brayden Begay - S - Portland State



Begay was a luxury pick for the Fire. Considering the team is rather deep in the secondary the Fire were looking to add depth. Begay does offer flexibility at the S position as a pure cover FS. Questions about his hands led to the fall in the draft and thus his being selected in the 5th round.

[iceman99]

With the 32nd pick in the 5th round, the Columbia Fire Select

Grady Ratini - C - Arizona



Ratini was another luxury pick for Columbia. With the C position pretty much locked down and rumor that G Beekman could also move inside to center. The selection of Ratini was a surprise. But Ratini is a run blocking first Center which fits well in the Fire's offense game plan.

[iceman99]

With the 31st pick in the 6th round, the Columbia Fire Select

Les Norton - LB - Michigan



Norton was selected by Columbia to address the WLB position. Norton figures to match up well as a pass rush specialist at the OLB position due to his lack of run stuffing ability in the middle.

[iceman99]

With the 32nd pick in the 6th round, the Columbia Fire Select

Rick Antel - LB - Elon College



Columbia appears to be looking for players to move. Antel lacks the speed for the outside but could address the need for a run stuffing MLB. Look for Antel to learn from ILBs Torgerson and Hasch.

[iceman99]

With the final selection of the 2035 IFL draft, the Columbia Fire Select

Levi Colon - G - Baylor - Mr Irrelevant



Colon was initially a target for the Fire in the 5th round, but he was not a need. With 4 guards on the roster and the addition of C Ratini the Fire went in other directions. But considering he was still there at 7.32 the team had to make the move on him and are excited they were able to land the young G.