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Fargo, ND (AP) – It’s befuddling to me how a franchise can get mired down in mediocrity, wherein it thinks that it is better than it is. This team however, is not better. In fact, it’s more mediocre than ever. Let me break it down for you.
Quarterback: It’s no secret that Rocco Hooten has been vulnerable to injury over the past two seasons. His early season success succumbed to injury, from which I don’t believe he ever fully recovered. Rocco, doesn’t have the same zip on the ball, and Spirit fans are one hit away from going back to watching, yes you guessed it, Gus McGwire. Now Gus, in his defense, won three games in a row for the Spirit last year when Rocco went down. But Gus is not the future of this franchise. Last year’s draft pick Jerry Patterson doesn’t appear to be the answer either. With a weak draft class, the Spirit passed on everyone, attempting to pick up a stop gap starter like Edward Latham, who re-signed with Cleveland. Time is ticking away on this passing game. Grade: C-
Runningback: Carmack and Andrews continue to be a two-headed monster for the Spirit. Both have come to accept their roles. Andrews, a first round bust, is was finally starting to show some promise at the end of last season, as Carmack started to struggle. Still, they compliment each other well. Carmack has great hands out of the backfield and still has the speed to get outside. Andrews meanwhile is the north/south power runner that we expect him to be, especially in short yardage situations. Fullback Casar Bosworth also can handle the rock well in short yardage situations and is an excellent blocker. Grade: B
Wide Recievers: Jonathan Corso is now gone to Newark and the new corps will have to gel under tight end Jeanlouis. McCellion has been everything the Spirit hoped for and more and will be looked to continue to stretch the field. Camp on the other side continues to be a consistent receiver and has been invaluable to this team of average players. Rookie Craig Rodgers has been somewhat of a disappointment in that during training camp seemed to anger some of the veteran players. Team scouts are disappointed with his showing at camp, hoping for more speed from this receiver. Tight end Deangelo Alverez continues to the go to guy in this offense. Good hands and an excellent blocker. Grade B-
Offensive Line: Disappointment is all that can be said for the loss of Lowell Stubblefield due to an inability to work out a very makeable contract. So the Spirit turned to a rotation of veterans and rookies that may lead to inconsistencies. Frankie Esparanza who started only 3 games for Cleveland last year will probably start at RG, next to Powerhouse Calvillo at RT. Moseley finally starts at Center with Scott Harris gone. Herman Maloney has been brought in to spell Moseley and provide long-snapping duties. The Spirit hope that this will semi-correct all the blocked punts from last year. McKinney and Gray continue to work the LG position, while last year’s rookie Buddy Page takes over at LT for this year. Grade: C
Kickers and Punters: Morris is one of the best kickoff players in the league. But at times he struggles with field goal accuracy. Freeman has not been as consistent for the Spirit as they have hoped, but special teams continues to be a strength for the Spirit. Grade: B+
Defensive Line: Defensive Tackle Ramey continues to lead a good line, which may lose a bit without Verdugo plugging up the run up the middle. Bowser though has excellent pass rushing skills, and offensive lines will be hard pressed to allow their quarterback time to pass. McBroom returns with his 10 sacks and Araujo with 7 of his own. Grade: B+
Linebackers: Charles McCourt doesn’t have to look over his shoulder just yet with the hold out of 2nd round draft pick Chester Lavigne. McCourt though aging grows smarter with every year and is as feisty as ever. Basil Neace however is starting to show signs of wear. Nagging Arthritis has forced the signing of Tim Beatty to relieve him from time to time. Tommy Smith is the solution for now at WLB, but the Spirit are hoping that rookie Terrance Condon will develop. Grade: B-
Secondary: This secondary continues to revolve around safeties Joseph Shaffer and Eric Brito. The Spirit were lucky to get Brito back after waiting until the last minute to re-sign him. In fear that Reno was luring him away with more money, Dakota signed Douglas Lamont who will now play nickleback. The Spirit will probably tend towards a hybrid of the 46 defense with the tandem of Cantrell and Lamont. There is a serious loss at RCB when Sims was traded to Newark. Tommy Johnson was drafted, but at this point doesn’t look like he will develop into the player that Sims was. He remains unsigned, and the Spirit will have to rely on Gene Lesher until Johnson’s hold out has ended. Davis continues to hold the line on the left side, but their play can only be described as average. Grade: B
Quarterback: It’s no secret that Rocco Hooten has been vulnerable to injury over the past two seasons. His early season success succumbed to injury, from which I don’t believe he ever fully recovered. Rocco, doesn’t have the same zip on the ball, and Spirit fans are one hit away from going back to watching, yes you guessed it, Gus McGwire. Now Gus, in his defense, won three games in a row for the Spirit last year when Rocco went down. But Gus is not the future of this franchise. Last year’s draft pick Jerry Patterson doesn’t appear to be the answer either. With a weak draft class, the Spirit passed on everyone, attempting to pick up a stop gap starter like Edward Latham, who re-signed with Cleveland. Time is ticking away on this passing game. Grade: C-
Runningback: Carmack and Andrews continue to be a two-headed monster for the Spirit. Both have come to accept their roles. Andrews, a first round bust, is was finally starting to show some promise at the end of last season, as Carmack started to struggle. Still, they compliment each other well. Carmack has great hands out of the backfield and still has the speed to get outside. Andrews meanwhile is the north/south power runner that we expect him to be, especially in short yardage situations. Fullback Casar Bosworth also can handle the rock well in short yardage situations and is an excellent blocker. Grade: B
Wide Recievers: Jonathan Corso is now gone to Newark and the new corps will have to gel under tight end Jeanlouis. McCellion has been everything the Spirit hoped for and more and will be looked to continue to stretch the field. Camp on the other side continues to be a consistent receiver and has been invaluable to this team of average players. Rookie Craig Rodgers has been somewhat of a disappointment in that during training camp seemed to anger some of the veteran players. Team scouts are disappointed with his showing at camp, hoping for more speed from this receiver. Tight end Deangelo Alverez continues to the go to guy in this offense. Good hands and an excellent blocker. Grade B-
Offensive Line: Disappointment is all that can be said for the loss of Lowell Stubblefield due to an inability to work out a very makeable contract. So the Spirit turned to a rotation of veterans and rookies that may lead to inconsistencies. Frankie Esparanza who started only 3 games for Cleveland last year will probably start at RG, next to Powerhouse Calvillo at RT. Moseley finally starts at Center with Scott Harris gone. Herman Maloney has been brought in to spell Moseley and provide long-snapping duties. The Spirit hope that this will semi-correct all the blocked punts from last year. McKinney and Gray continue to work the LG position, while last year’s rookie Buddy Page takes over at LT for this year. Grade: C
Kickers and Punters: Morris is one of the best kickoff players in the league. But at times he struggles with field goal accuracy. Freeman has not been as consistent for the Spirit as they have hoped, but special teams continues to be a strength for the Spirit. Grade: B+
Defensive Line: Defensive Tackle Ramey continues to lead a good line, which may lose a bit without Verdugo plugging up the run up the middle. Bowser though has excellent pass rushing skills, and offensive lines will be hard pressed to allow their quarterback time to pass. McBroom returns with his 10 sacks and Araujo with 7 of his own. Grade: B+
Linebackers: Charles McCourt doesn’t have to look over his shoulder just yet with the hold out of 2nd round draft pick Chester Lavigne. McCourt though aging grows smarter with every year and is as feisty as ever. Basil Neace however is starting to show signs of wear. Nagging Arthritis has forced the signing of Tim Beatty to relieve him from time to time. Tommy Smith is the solution for now at WLB, but the Spirit are hoping that rookie Terrance Condon will develop. Grade: B-
Secondary: This secondary continues to revolve around safeties Joseph Shaffer and Eric Brito. The Spirit were lucky to get Brito back after waiting until the last minute to re-sign him. In fear that Reno was luring him away with more money, Dakota signed Douglas Lamont who will now play nickleback. The Spirit will probably tend towards a hybrid of the 46 defense with the tandem of Cantrell and Lamont. There is a serious loss at RCB when Sims was traded to Newark. Tommy Johnson was drafted, but at this point doesn’t look like he will develop into the player that Sims was. He remains unsigned, and the Spirit will have to rely on Gene Lesher until Johnson’s hold out has ended. Davis continues to hold the line on the left side, but their play can only be described as average. Grade: B
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