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COLUMBIA PRIMED FOR 2008 SEASON
Oliver Closeoff – Columbia Free Press
With just two more seasons until the new stadium in Atlanta is completed, the Fire organization is gearing themselves up for a title run, in hopes of leaving Columbia on a good note. With 20 of 24 starters returning, the team fines themselves primed for a run at arch rival Little Rock and hopefully a spot in this year's Imperial Bowl.
Quarterback – The legend returns, Julian Cartagena returns as the team’s starter for 2008. Despite an injury plagued career, JC returned in 2007 to throw 30 touchdowns and maintained an 89.5 QB rating. Even with the great career and overall numbers, JC finds himself looking over his shoulders as young buck Deron Markel, the 3rd year pro from Clemson, continues to learn the teams offense and is pushing JC for playing time. “JC is showing how great he is, he realizes that Markel is the future and has done everything in his power to mentor Markel and make him better. A true sign of a professional.” Said Coach Marty Person to reporters after the team’s most recent mini-camp.
Running Back – The area of most concern on the offensive side of the ball for the Fire is at RB. Mercury Buckner returns for his first full season as the Fire’s starter. Buckner who came over in a trade with Houston last season finished the year with 853 yards rushing and 4 TD’s in 12 games. John Feliciano takes over the duties as the backup RB with the loss of Abraham Spangler. Spangler was recently cut after off the field issues impacted his performance during mini-camp. The team is searching for a replacement but has not had much luck.
Fullback – The FB position is solidified by 11 year vet Richard Steib and 7 year pro Luther Puleo. There are feelings around the team that Steib could move into the lead backup role behind Mercury Buckner if the team is unable to address its backup positional needs.
Tight End – The only position to see a major change in the starting rotation is that TE position. In comes TE Kevin Key who was acquired in a trade that sent former starter Daniel Rich to the Salt Lake City Stallions. While Key is not the same TE as Rich, Key brings a nastiness that the Fire has wanted from their TE for some time now.
Wide Receiver – With little or no changes to the offense, JC should have no problems recognizing his targets in 2008. Lead by WR Justin Whitaker, the team’s single season receiving leader, and former #1 selection Mercury Halbert. The Fire feature one of the deadliest WR combinations in the league. Add to that the addition of David Norris, Arthur Osman, and newly signed Rodney Rayburn. You have a WR corp. that many teams will have a hard time defending, especially with a talented gunslinger like JC behind center.
Offensive Line – The team returns all 5 starters to the O Line for 2008. This is the same O Line that limited opposing defenses to just 22 sacks in the 2007 season. Lead by Center Richard Mahler, Guards Ethan Lerner/Darren Gordon, and Tackles Jason Dube/Winston Gribble, the O Line is rock solid and ready for 2008. The team does have great depth as well at all positions with Center Christian Cole and rookie surprise Guard Omar Fadler ready in the wings should help be needed.
Special Teams – The punter position is one of only four positions that will have an unfamiliar face filling the roster spot. Out is long time Fire punter Abel Medina and enter former Bulldog Punter Doug Piotrowski. Ty Fox returns as the team Kicker after posting solid numbers in 2007. Mercury Halbert maintains his position as the teams return man while there are rumors that the teams #1 selection FS Peter Boyer could fill in as well.
Defensive Line – A position that was hit hard with the fact that former starter Neil Glaser spent much of the off-season addressing personal issues and thus has lost a step or two. With the concerns over Glaser the team acquired NT Frank Parker from with West Virginia Beast, Parker steps in as the teams starting DT and allows Glaser time to try and recover from his off-season issues. The end position is solidified by Myron McCartney and Ulysses Williams. The team is very excited about 4th round selection Everett Davis who will slide in behind McCartney at RDE and allow the team to move Ian Ackerman to DT.
Linebacker – The strength of the Fire D. Lead by two time Defensive Player of the Year John Maynard, they boast a very solid corp. of linebackers. The middle is plugged by the savvy veterans John Maynard and John Hines, while the outside is manned by the Young Guns like Derrick Goodwin and Lawrence Linthicum who continue to grow and produce.
Cornerback – The secondary is lead by former Defensive Rookie of the Year Oliver McKenzie, and is probably the deepest position of the defensive side of the ball. McKenzie and Thomas Saunders fill the role as starters, with Steve Hamilton and Harold Higdon as the Nickel and Dime backs. The team is also excited about the fact that McKinley Aycock should return to the team’s roster by midseason.
Safety - With the teams first pick in the 2008 draft the team addressed a glaring need at the Safety position by drafting Peter Boyer out of Oklahoma. While Safety was not the biggest need on the team at the time, Boyer was the best available player on the board at a need position. The team is looking forward to teaming Boyer opposite of hard hitting SS Herman McNamara. Boyer also has the ability to fill in at both return positions and CB if needed.
While there are still rumors that there may be some more new faces added to the Fire line up. The team is excited that it was able to keep much of its staff and players in place to make a run in 2008. The future is now, and the Fire are burning with the chance to show the league that they can take the next step.
Oliver Closeoff – Columbia Free Press
With just two more seasons until the new stadium in Atlanta is completed, the Fire organization is gearing themselves up for a title run, in hopes of leaving Columbia on a good note. With 20 of 24 starters returning, the team fines themselves primed for a run at arch rival Little Rock and hopefully a spot in this year's Imperial Bowl.
Quarterback – The legend returns, Julian Cartagena returns as the team’s starter for 2008. Despite an injury plagued career, JC returned in 2007 to throw 30 touchdowns and maintained an 89.5 QB rating. Even with the great career and overall numbers, JC finds himself looking over his shoulders as young buck Deron Markel, the 3rd year pro from Clemson, continues to learn the teams offense and is pushing JC for playing time. “JC is showing how great he is, he realizes that Markel is the future and has done everything in his power to mentor Markel and make him better. A true sign of a professional.” Said Coach Marty Person to reporters after the team’s most recent mini-camp.
Running Back – The area of most concern on the offensive side of the ball for the Fire is at RB. Mercury Buckner returns for his first full season as the Fire’s starter. Buckner who came over in a trade with Houston last season finished the year with 853 yards rushing and 4 TD’s in 12 games. John Feliciano takes over the duties as the backup RB with the loss of Abraham Spangler. Spangler was recently cut after off the field issues impacted his performance during mini-camp. The team is searching for a replacement but has not had much luck.
Fullback – The FB position is solidified by 11 year vet Richard Steib and 7 year pro Luther Puleo. There are feelings around the team that Steib could move into the lead backup role behind Mercury Buckner if the team is unable to address its backup positional needs.
Tight End – The only position to see a major change in the starting rotation is that TE position. In comes TE Kevin Key who was acquired in a trade that sent former starter Daniel Rich to the Salt Lake City Stallions. While Key is not the same TE as Rich, Key brings a nastiness that the Fire has wanted from their TE for some time now.
Wide Receiver – With little or no changes to the offense, JC should have no problems recognizing his targets in 2008. Lead by WR Justin Whitaker, the team’s single season receiving leader, and former #1 selection Mercury Halbert. The Fire feature one of the deadliest WR combinations in the league. Add to that the addition of David Norris, Arthur Osman, and newly signed Rodney Rayburn. You have a WR corp. that many teams will have a hard time defending, especially with a talented gunslinger like JC behind center.
Offensive Line – The team returns all 5 starters to the O Line for 2008. This is the same O Line that limited opposing defenses to just 22 sacks in the 2007 season. Lead by Center Richard Mahler, Guards Ethan Lerner/Darren Gordon, and Tackles Jason Dube/Winston Gribble, the O Line is rock solid and ready for 2008. The team does have great depth as well at all positions with Center Christian Cole and rookie surprise Guard Omar Fadler ready in the wings should help be needed.
Special Teams – The punter position is one of only four positions that will have an unfamiliar face filling the roster spot. Out is long time Fire punter Abel Medina and enter former Bulldog Punter Doug Piotrowski. Ty Fox returns as the team Kicker after posting solid numbers in 2007. Mercury Halbert maintains his position as the teams return man while there are rumors that the teams #1 selection FS Peter Boyer could fill in as well.
Defensive Line – A position that was hit hard with the fact that former starter Neil Glaser spent much of the off-season addressing personal issues and thus has lost a step or two. With the concerns over Glaser the team acquired NT Frank Parker from with West Virginia Beast, Parker steps in as the teams starting DT and allows Glaser time to try and recover from his off-season issues. The end position is solidified by Myron McCartney and Ulysses Williams. The team is very excited about 4th round selection Everett Davis who will slide in behind McCartney at RDE and allow the team to move Ian Ackerman to DT.
Linebacker – The strength of the Fire D. Lead by two time Defensive Player of the Year John Maynard, they boast a very solid corp. of linebackers. The middle is plugged by the savvy veterans John Maynard and John Hines, while the outside is manned by the Young Guns like Derrick Goodwin and Lawrence Linthicum who continue to grow and produce.
Cornerback – The secondary is lead by former Defensive Rookie of the Year Oliver McKenzie, and is probably the deepest position of the defensive side of the ball. McKenzie and Thomas Saunders fill the role as starters, with Steve Hamilton and Harold Higdon as the Nickel and Dime backs. The team is also excited about the fact that McKinley Aycock should return to the team’s roster by midseason.
Safety - With the teams first pick in the 2008 draft the team addressed a glaring need at the Safety position by drafting Peter Boyer out of Oklahoma. While Safety was not the biggest need on the team at the time, Boyer was the best available player on the board at a need position. The team is looking forward to teaming Boyer opposite of hard hitting SS Herman McNamara. Boyer also has the ability to fill in at both return positions and CB if needed.
While there are still rumors that there may be some more new faces added to the Fire line up. The team is excited that it was able to keep much of its staff and players in place to make a run in 2008. The future is now, and the Fire are burning with the chance to show the league that they can take the next step.
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