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Oakland Press, Oakland, Ca
The Assassins finally saw all their hard work turn into success in 06'. After 3 straight seasons at 6-10, Oakland exploded last year, running all the way to the IFL Bowl, only to lose by ONE point, with 28 seconds remaining. Unphased, the Assassins return the entire team this year, with some critical additions that they hope will be the key to success in 07'.
This week, we will take a close look at the Oakland offense. Lets not waste time.
Quarterback-Gene Hamilton
Hamilton returns for his 4th season after his wildly successfull run to the IFL Championship in 06'. Posting career numbers of 11,007 yards passing, 69 touchdowns and 55 interceptations, Gene had his best season yet last year gaining 4227 yds, 28 tds, vs only 12 picks. He returns this year, considered by most, to be the best quarterback in the league.
Loyalty rating-48
Years with team-4
Runningback-Gaston Lomeli
The key to the success of Oakland last year was the emergence of a true running game. After the failed "super-trade" with Little Rock to acquire Wesley Connell, the Assassins decided to return to dependable RB Gaston Lomeli, who came through in a huge way with 1596 yards rushing, including 238 recieving, for a total of 1834 yards of offense. Add to that the 20 total touchdowns, you can see, the decision to return to the basics, really payed off for Oakland. We expect Lomeli to be a big part of the offense again this year.
Loyalty rating-94
Years with team-5
Fullback-Matthew Myer
After experimenting with using Myer in more of a running role in 05', it was decided to keep him as a fulltime blocker for Lomeli and guard for Hamilton in 06', and they sure are glad they did it. Myer excelled at that position and paved the way for Lomeli to dominate last year. Matthew is a rock, dependable and consistent at what he does, and we expect nothing less from him this year.
Loyalty rating-100
Years with team-5
Tight End-Richard Ventura
Richard excelled at the TE position in 06' having his best year yet. Assisting Myer with the blocking and running unchecked in the defensive backfield for key catches, Ventura was one of the leaders at his position last year. He returns this year with a bit of help from 2nd round pick Patrick Blair, who looks to assist Ventura with double TE sets and the QB blocking.
Loyalty rating-16
Years with team-5
The pride of the Assassins, the reciever corps
Terrorizing defenses last year, this dangerous duo ran amok for 2550 yards recieving, and 15 touchdowns in the regular season of 06'. Bice was extremelly lethal seeming to be everywhere at once, catching key pass after key pass. This team was unstoppable and Oakland rewarded Bice this year, making him the highest paid reciever in the league with a 6 year, 70.59 million dollar contract. Add in Martinez's current earnings of 10.9 million dollars, and you have some serious cash heading their way. One thing no one can argue........these guys have earned it.
Loyalty rating-Martinez- 80- Years with team-5
Loyalty rating-Bice 96- Years with team-3
Offensive Line
Center-Wayne Rogers
Despite recieving no credit or awards for his outstanding play, Rogers continues to dominate at his position, being one of the handfull of players to start every game of his career, now standing at 64 regular season games, 4 postseason. He continues to anchor the offensive line, paving the way for Lomeli, and keeping Hamilton on his feet. We do not expect this to change in 07' and will make sure he retires in the silver and black.
Loyalty rating-61
Years with team-5
Left Guard-Chad Jerome
A HUGE piece of the puzzle was filled last year with the addition of Jerome. With Jerome on the left, Rogers in the middle and Ingraham on the right, defenses had no where to attack last year, leaving Lomeli his choice of running lanes to pick and choose from. Hamilton was left smiling as well, having all day to choose his recievers, or tuck and run. With Chad signed through the 2009 season, look for big things from Chad for years to come.
Loyalty rating-58
Years with team-2
Right Guard-Johnny Ingraham
Yet another member of the Ironman Club, Johnny has started every game of his career, now standing at 64 regular season, 4 postseason games. One of the original members of this team, Ingraham has been a ROCK on the offensive line, providing protection and leadership for the offense. Asking nothing in return, Johnny plugs away, year in and year out, just doing his job. In our opinion, the IFL committee on yearly awards needs to add an award for outstanding play on the offensive line for players just like Ingraham and Rogers.
Loyalty rating-43
Years with team-5
Left Tackle- Gus Falkenberg
While considered by many to be, just OK, we here in Oakland know better. Since Gus was acquired in 04' via the draft, he has played OUTSTANDING. Consistently playing above his natural skills, he has allowed a mere 18 sacks in his 3 seasons of play, at the most important position on the offensive line, while amasing an average block % of 35. Rarly dinged up, he suits up week in and week out providing consistent play, year after year after year.
Loyalty rating-63
Years with team-4
Right Tackle-Don Barnes
While another player one would think you could look over, think again. Barnes has been anything but average in his job at RT. Since he allowed a career high 9 sacks in his rookie season, Don has allowed a mere 9 in the following 3 years, allowing a meger 3 sacks a year since. The team went away from his side last year running the ball with the addition of Jerome,but prior to that, was averaging a block % of 40.3. Don't underestimate him or he will have the last laugh!
Loyalty rating-81
Years with team-5
So there ya have it. The Oakland offense who will lead this team in 07' and hopefully, success in the biggest game of all this year..........the IFL Bowl. Next week, look for the Assassin D to be previewed!
The Assassins finally saw all their hard work turn into success in 06'. After 3 straight seasons at 6-10, Oakland exploded last year, running all the way to the IFL Bowl, only to lose by ONE point, with 28 seconds remaining. Unphased, the Assassins return the entire team this year, with some critical additions that they hope will be the key to success in 07'.
This week, we will take a close look at the Oakland offense. Lets not waste time.
Quarterback-Gene Hamilton
Hamilton returns for his 4th season after his wildly successfull run to the IFL Championship in 06'. Posting career numbers of 11,007 yards passing, 69 touchdowns and 55 interceptations, Gene had his best season yet last year gaining 4227 yds, 28 tds, vs only 12 picks. He returns this year, considered by most, to be the best quarterback in the league.
Loyalty rating-48
Years with team-4
Runningback-Gaston Lomeli
The key to the success of Oakland last year was the emergence of a true running game. After the failed "super-trade" with Little Rock to acquire Wesley Connell, the Assassins decided to return to dependable RB Gaston Lomeli, who came through in a huge way with 1596 yards rushing, including 238 recieving, for a total of 1834 yards of offense. Add to that the 20 total touchdowns, you can see, the decision to return to the basics, really payed off for Oakland. We expect Lomeli to be a big part of the offense again this year.
Loyalty rating-94
Years with team-5
Fullback-Matthew Myer
After experimenting with using Myer in more of a running role in 05', it was decided to keep him as a fulltime blocker for Lomeli and guard for Hamilton in 06', and they sure are glad they did it. Myer excelled at that position and paved the way for Lomeli to dominate last year. Matthew is a rock, dependable and consistent at what he does, and we expect nothing less from him this year.
Loyalty rating-100
Years with team-5
Tight End-Richard Ventura
Richard excelled at the TE position in 06' having his best year yet. Assisting Myer with the blocking and running unchecked in the defensive backfield for key catches, Ventura was one of the leaders at his position last year. He returns this year with a bit of help from 2nd round pick Patrick Blair, who looks to assist Ventura with double TE sets and the QB blocking.
Loyalty rating-16
Years with team-5
The pride of the Assassins, the reciever corps
Terrorizing defenses last year, this dangerous duo ran amok for 2550 yards recieving, and 15 touchdowns in the regular season of 06'. Bice was extremelly lethal seeming to be everywhere at once, catching key pass after key pass. This team was unstoppable and Oakland rewarded Bice this year, making him the highest paid reciever in the league with a 6 year, 70.59 million dollar contract. Add in Martinez's current earnings of 10.9 million dollars, and you have some serious cash heading their way. One thing no one can argue........these guys have earned it.
Loyalty rating-Martinez- 80- Years with team-5
Loyalty rating-Bice 96- Years with team-3
Offensive Line
Center-Wayne Rogers
Despite recieving no credit or awards for his outstanding play, Rogers continues to dominate at his position, being one of the handfull of players to start every game of his career, now standing at 64 regular season games, 4 postseason. He continues to anchor the offensive line, paving the way for Lomeli, and keeping Hamilton on his feet. We do not expect this to change in 07' and will make sure he retires in the silver and black.
Loyalty rating-61
Years with team-5
Left Guard-Chad Jerome
A HUGE piece of the puzzle was filled last year with the addition of Jerome. With Jerome on the left, Rogers in the middle and Ingraham on the right, defenses had no where to attack last year, leaving Lomeli his choice of running lanes to pick and choose from. Hamilton was left smiling as well, having all day to choose his recievers, or tuck and run. With Chad signed through the 2009 season, look for big things from Chad for years to come.
Loyalty rating-58
Years with team-2
Right Guard-Johnny Ingraham
Yet another member of the Ironman Club, Johnny has started every game of his career, now standing at 64 regular season, 4 postseason games. One of the original members of this team, Ingraham has been a ROCK on the offensive line, providing protection and leadership for the offense. Asking nothing in return, Johnny plugs away, year in and year out, just doing his job. In our opinion, the IFL committee on yearly awards needs to add an award for outstanding play on the offensive line for players just like Ingraham and Rogers.
Loyalty rating-43
Years with team-5
Left Tackle- Gus Falkenberg
While considered by many to be, just OK, we here in Oakland know better. Since Gus was acquired in 04' via the draft, he has played OUTSTANDING. Consistently playing above his natural skills, he has allowed a mere 18 sacks in his 3 seasons of play, at the most important position on the offensive line, while amasing an average block % of 35. Rarly dinged up, he suits up week in and week out providing consistent play, year after year after year.
Loyalty rating-63
Years with team-4
Right Tackle-Don Barnes
While another player one would think you could look over, think again. Barnes has been anything but average in his job at RT. Since he allowed a career high 9 sacks in his rookie season, Don has allowed a mere 9 in the following 3 years, allowing a meger 3 sacks a year since. The team went away from his side last year running the ball with the addition of Jerome,but prior to that, was averaging a block % of 40.3. Don't underestimate him or he will have the last laugh!
Loyalty rating-81
Years with team-5
So there ya have it. The Oakland offense who will lead this team in 07' and hopefully, success in the biggest game of all this year..........the IFL Bowl. Next week, look for the Assassin D to be previewed!
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