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Salt Lake City Stallions Season Preview
Jimmy Somelove – Stallions.com Senior Editor
Strength: Offense
The three headed monster of Nigel Booker, James Tart and Grady Gomez are as good as it gets. They can trade scores with anyone in the league and may have to. Edmund Mertz emerged as a solid #2 receiver to compliment Gomez. Voodoo cast off Donnie Tyler provides more than adequate depth hauling in 32 catches for 499 yards (15.5) and the front office in high on the offensive line
Weakness: Defense
This was evident in last season’s playoff game against the Fire. Granted, they won the game but only because the Fires defense is equally as bad and couldn’t stop the Stallions’ offense. The weakest position is the defensive line where the starters are not exactly household names, Harold Bryant, Stevie Bakke, and Jason Minton. DE’s Steve Berard and Lowell “Big Cat” Napolitano and 1st Round picks James Herzog and Neil Glaser should help this unit.
Playoffs: Yes
As long as the three-headed monster is alive and well in Salt Lake, the playoffs are always attainable
Off Season Review and Grade
The Salt Lake City Stallions were one game away from reaching the Imperial Bowl, so it's not a surprise that this off-season saw them address key areas rather than a complete overhaul of the team. They went one-sided in the draft, drafting seven defenders. They also netted some edge rushers and depth for their defensive front and offensive line in free agency. James Tart received a $65 million dollar extension ending the possibility of the Stallions moving him in a trade.
Offensive Line
In free agency, the Stallions added a beast of a blocking guard and emotional leader in Orlando’s Drew Waters. James Clayton from Iowa City will provide interior depth. Fan favorite and my prediction for breakout player of the year, Joseph Theobald returns at LT where he hasn’t missed a game in two season’s. Oft-injured but equally talented Jared Swink will protect Booker’s blindside again this season. This unit has only surrended 39 sacks in two seasons.
Grade: A
Quarterbacks
Nigel Booker established himself as a big-time passer and a clutch gamer in a break-out campaign that saw him saw capture the passing TD record and Owner’s Offensive Player of the Year award. As long as he’s healthy the Stallions don’t need to worry. The backups however are horrible and the Stallions did not address this in the off-season.
Carlton Quinn, 3-1 in regular season play, stunk up the joint in relief of Booker in the NC Championship Game. Free agent Miquel Destefano is big and fast and looks like Booker when he’s not playing.
Grade: C
Receivers
Grady Gomez and Edmund Mertz are an explosive tandem and can get deep on even the best corners. Donnie Tyler and Man Perales are stop gaps that provide ‘ok’ depth. Last year’s receiver’s leader and mentor Plant was allowed to leave and this may hurt the potential of sophomore Joseph Clinton who could a starter at split end or flanker in this system. The Kevin Key experiment appears to be paying off as the converted FB looks to be the unchallenged starter at TE this year.
Grade: B
Running Backs
James Tart is no longer the best running back in the league but he’s pretty damn good at it. 2004 saw him blossom as a receiver and it made him a more complete back. He’s not as elusive as he was before the hamstring injury in late 2003 but he’s smarter with his touches as evidenced by his 4.56 yard per carry and 11 combined touchdowns. 1186 yards rushing and 503 yards receiving in 14 games brings a smash mouth element to the offense that few other teams have.
Last year’s first rounder Norman Wiseman has not been the player the front office hoped for but he’s been solid as a change of pace bruiser contributing 411 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns last season.
While the team is high on 221 lb bruiser Jerome Wilbur, he does not keep defenders up at night wondering about how to defend him. He did well in his lone start last season (22 carries 107 yards) and the front office thinks he can be good if they have to start him. Former backup Kent Burkhart may not last past training camp but no depth was added to this unit.
Grade: C
Defensive Line
NT Harold Bryant has been a long time coming and the front office looks to have tired of the wait when they traded next year’s 1st round pick to move up in the draft and select Washington’s Neil Glaser at NT. Expect Glaser to beat Bryant out for the starting role by mid-season if not earlier.
If earlier, opening day will see a brand new defensive line installed with former all-pro veteran Stephen Berard at LDE and Lowell “Big Cat” Napolitano (and instant fan-favorite) at the ends. Jason Minton, Jeramy Farrari, and Stevie Bakke provide excellent depth as they were last year’s starters. Draftee’s Kris Halpren and Ian Schulz will battle holdover Jerry Limbeck and free agent Cole Williams for backup roles. Either way, this line is much improved from last season.
Grade: B
Linebackers
What do you do when you have the best line backing corps in the league? You improve it! That’s just what the Stallions did when they drafted Florida’s James Herzog with their first pick in the draft. Herzog joins all-pro’s Amos Hassler Morgan Hare, and the best pass rushing linebacker in the game (all-pro status withstanding) Gerald Weidner. He should instantly bring a physical presence playing between Hassler and the smallish but spectacular Hare. Darren Powe, Steve Gaona, and Morgan Hare are excellent depth. This unit should once again place a starter or two in the Pro Bowl.
Grade: A
Secondary:
Rusty Hodges gets the INTs and the big playcheck but Quarterbacks know that Alton McNamee is the star of this unit. McNamee doesn’t come away with many picks (3 in two seasons) but he swats away a lot of balls. He defended 18 passes last season and moved up into the top 10 at the corner back position.
The safeties aren’t that good but the coaching staff really likes 4th round pick Duane Shanahan who can play either position. Lanny Cain is a fierce hitter but does not play the ball well in the air. He’s great in run defense but the Stallions need a guy that can shut down the post routes and take away the deep bowl, Shanahan played off the bench in Maryland but shows all the skills to contribute quickly. 11-year pro David Azevedo has seen better days and you have to wonder if he’s simply collecting a pay-check at this point in his career as he sure plays like it.
Grade: B
Special Teams:
Kicker Gus Raymond misses too many for us to feel comfortable about him as the starter but Punter Morris Boutin is among the best in the league.
With his $65 millions contract in tow, Tart won't be fielding punts this year and the team will look to Edmund Mertz to take over those duties. I think they should look elsewhere and sign a specialist prior to the season.
Grade: C
Overall Grade:
This team really put themselves in good shape with free agency but an all-defensive draft could come back to haunt them if Columbia’s addition of firepower proves to be just what they needed to go all the way. Landing the top rated linebacker and defensive tackle in the draft was a brilliant move for the future. However, failing to get depth at QB and RB could prove to be a huge mistake.
Off-season grade: C
Coaches Profile
T.J. Palmateer was named head coach of the club in 2004. This season marks his third as an IFL head coach. He directed the Stallions to a 9-7 record last year but was masterful in the playoffs, guiding the club to the NC Championship game in his first year. Palmateer directed Cleveland to an Imperial Bowl berth the year before. His staff features offensive coordinator Steve Barber (formerly of the Columbia Fire) and defensive coordinator B.J. Burke.
Jimmy Somelove – Stallions.com Senior Editor
Strength: Offense
The three headed monster of Nigel Booker, James Tart and Grady Gomez are as good as it gets. They can trade scores with anyone in the league and may have to. Edmund Mertz emerged as a solid #2 receiver to compliment Gomez. Voodoo cast off Donnie Tyler provides more than adequate depth hauling in 32 catches for 499 yards (15.5) and the front office in high on the offensive line
Weakness: Defense
This was evident in last season’s playoff game against the Fire. Granted, they won the game but only because the Fires defense is equally as bad and couldn’t stop the Stallions’ offense. The weakest position is the defensive line where the starters are not exactly household names, Harold Bryant, Stevie Bakke, and Jason Minton. DE’s Steve Berard and Lowell “Big Cat” Napolitano and 1st Round picks James Herzog and Neil Glaser should help this unit.
Playoffs: Yes
As long as the three-headed monster is alive and well in Salt Lake, the playoffs are always attainable
Off Season Review and Grade
The Salt Lake City Stallions were one game away from reaching the Imperial Bowl, so it's not a surprise that this off-season saw them address key areas rather than a complete overhaul of the team. They went one-sided in the draft, drafting seven defenders. They also netted some edge rushers and depth for their defensive front and offensive line in free agency. James Tart received a $65 million dollar extension ending the possibility of the Stallions moving him in a trade.
Offensive Line
In free agency, the Stallions added a beast of a blocking guard and emotional leader in Orlando’s Drew Waters. James Clayton from Iowa City will provide interior depth. Fan favorite and my prediction for breakout player of the year, Joseph Theobald returns at LT where he hasn’t missed a game in two season’s. Oft-injured but equally talented Jared Swink will protect Booker’s blindside again this season. This unit has only surrended 39 sacks in two seasons.
Grade: A
Quarterbacks
Nigel Booker established himself as a big-time passer and a clutch gamer in a break-out campaign that saw him saw capture the passing TD record and Owner’s Offensive Player of the Year award. As long as he’s healthy the Stallions don’t need to worry. The backups however are horrible and the Stallions did not address this in the off-season.
Carlton Quinn, 3-1 in regular season play, stunk up the joint in relief of Booker in the NC Championship Game. Free agent Miquel Destefano is big and fast and looks like Booker when he’s not playing.
Grade: C
Receivers
Grady Gomez and Edmund Mertz are an explosive tandem and can get deep on even the best corners. Donnie Tyler and Man Perales are stop gaps that provide ‘ok’ depth. Last year’s receiver’s leader and mentor Plant was allowed to leave and this may hurt the potential of sophomore Joseph Clinton who could a starter at split end or flanker in this system. The Kevin Key experiment appears to be paying off as the converted FB looks to be the unchallenged starter at TE this year.
Grade: B
Running Backs
James Tart is no longer the best running back in the league but he’s pretty damn good at it. 2004 saw him blossom as a receiver and it made him a more complete back. He’s not as elusive as he was before the hamstring injury in late 2003 but he’s smarter with his touches as evidenced by his 4.56 yard per carry and 11 combined touchdowns. 1186 yards rushing and 503 yards receiving in 14 games brings a smash mouth element to the offense that few other teams have.
Last year’s first rounder Norman Wiseman has not been the player the front office hoped for but he’s been solid as a change of pace bruiser contributing 411 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns last season.
While the team is high on 221 lb bruiser Jerome Wilbur, he does not keep defenders up at night wondering about how to defend him. He did well in his lone start last season (22 carries 107 yards) and the front office thinks he can be good if they have to start him. Former backup Kent Burkhart may not last past training camp but no depth was added to this unit.
Grade: C
Defensive Line
NT Harold Bryant has been a long time coming and the front office looks to have tired of the wait when they traded next year’s 1st round pick to move up in the draft and select Washington’s Neil Glaser at NT. Expect Glaser to beat Bryant out for the starting role by mid-season if not earlier.
If earlier, opening day will see a brand new defensive line installed with former all-pro veteran Stephen Berard at LDE and Lowell “Big Cat” Napolitano (and instant fan-favorite) at the ends. Jason Minton, Jeramy Farrari, and Stevie Bakke provide excellent depth as they were last year’s starters. Draftee’s Kris Halpren and Ian Schulz will battle holdover Jerry Limbeck and free agent Cole Williams for backup roles. Either way, this line is much improved from last season.
Grade: B
Linebackers
What do you do when you have the best line backing corps in the league? You improve it! That’s just what the Stallions did when they drafted Florida’s James Herzog with their first pick in the draft. Herzog joins all-pro’s Amos Hassler Morgan Hare, and the best pass rushing linebacker in the game (all-pro status withstanding) Gerald Weidner. He should instantly bring a physical presence playing between Hassler and the smallish but spectacular Hare. Darren Powe, Steve Gaona, and Morgan Hare are excellent depth. This unit should once again place a starter or two in the Pro Bowl.
Grade: A
Secondary:
Rusty Hodges gets the INTs and the big playcheck but Quarterbacks know that Alton McNamee is the star of this unit. McNamee doesn’t come away with many picks (3 in two seasons) but he swats away a lot of balls. He defended 18 passes last season and moved up into the top 10 at the corner back position.
The safeties aren’t that good but the coaching staff really likes 4th round pick Duane Shanahan who can play either position. Lanny Cain is a fierce hitter but does not play the ball well in the air. He’s great in run defense but the Stallions need a guy that can shut down the post routes and take away the deep bowl, Shanahan played off the bench in Maryland but shows all the skills to contribute quickly. 11-year pro David Azevedo has seen better days and you have to wonder if he’s simply collecting a pay-check at this point in his career as he sure plays like it.
Grade: B
Special Teams:
Kicker Gus Raymond misses too many for us to feel comfortable about him as the starter but Punter Morris Boutin is among the best in the league.
With his $65 millions contract in tow, Tart won't be fielding punts this year and the team will look to Edmund Mertz to take over those duties. I think they should look elsewhere and sign a specialist prior to the season.
Grade: C
Overall Grade:
This team really put themselves in good shape with free agency but an all-defensive draft could come back to haunt them if Columbia’s addition of firepower proves to be just what they needed to go all the way. Landing the top rated linebacker and defensive tackle in the draft was a brilliant move for the future. However, failing to get depth at QB and RB could prove to be a huge mistake.
Off-season grade: C
Coaches Profile
T.J. Palmateer was named head coach of the club in 2004. This season marks his third as an IFL head coach. He directed the Stallions to a 9-7 record last year but was masterful in the playoffs, guiding the club to the NC Championship game in his first year. Palmateer directed Cleveland to an Imperial Bowl berth the year before. His staff features offensive coordinator Steve Barber (formerly of the Columbia Fire) and defensive coordinator B.J. Burke.
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