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The stage has been set for one of the league’s premier young receivers to re-sign. A press conference has been slated for 2 pm and speculation has been that it is indeed to announce that Fire tight end Larry Spraggins will be part of the team beyond the end of the 2003 season. Exact terms of the deal have not been reported, but sources inside the team and league believe Spraggins will be locked up through the 2006 season while making approximately three millions dollars a season. A signing bonus between two and three million dollars is expected to be part of the deal as well.
In other team news, it appears that for the time being no contract will be discussed between management and second-year cornerback Dallas Brockway. Because Brockway is a two-year guy the Fire will retain exclusive negotiating rights with the player up until training camp. “We’re really in no hurry. League rules have made it easier to re-sign these younger guys by giving their team’s exclusive signing rights and we intend to fully take advantage of that,” General Manager sovstar commented. It is very likely the Fire will choose to slap the franchise tag on the player as a safeguard should signing an extension become harder than both sides imagine. Should such an event occur the Fire could also field offers from other teams that may be interested in acquiring the corner’s services.
On the other side of the spectrum there are a number players that are not expected to remain with the team. Management made it known throughout the season that they were not pleased with the play of punter Michael Curry. “In a game where field position is so critical it’s critical that we not ignore that aspect of the game when evaluating things this offseason. We’re going to let Michael become a free agent and hopefully things will work out for him,” shared sovstar. Disgruntled backup guard Fernando Wirth will not be returning as well along with outside linebacker Tommy Smith. Smith played in all sixteen games, starting fourteen of them, and making 56 tackles with 19 assists. It is believed that the Fire may be willing to bring Smith back aboard should his asking price lower some.
Perhaps the largest news concerning a player’s release would be that it is very much expected that starting left defensive end Richard Weathers will be among those cut today. Weathers, who was drafted in the 13th round of the IFL dispersal draft, did not meet team expectations and shouldn’t be surprised by this move. Along with 26 solo tackles Weathers was also credited with two sacks. He was set to make nearly two million dollars in 2004 and around two and a half million in 2005.
DON'T PRINT THAT
• Uh-oh. Think everyone on the Fire's starting offense is happy with being ranked number one? Better think again. No runningback that started all sixteen regular season games rushed the ball less than starting runningback Shaun Schutz. Combine that with the good play of his backup, Arnold Thompson, and one shouldn't be too shocked to possibly hear the unhappy Shutz's name in offseason trade talks.
OVERHEARD
• "You've got to like what they're doing. There are plenty of people out there that don't like our team's modern style of play, but you've got to enjoy what the Pirates are accomplishing. They're a well-balanced and well-coached team." - GM sovstar after Sunday's loss to the Orlando Pirates
In other team news, it appears that for the time being no contract will be discussed between management and second-year cornerback Dallas Brockway. Because Brockway is a two-year guy the Fire will retain exclusive negotiating rights with the player up until training camp. “We’re really in no hurry. League rules have made it easier to re-sign these younger guys by giving their team’s exclusive signing rights and we intend to fully take advantage of that,” General Manager sovstar commented. It is very likely the Fire will choose to slap the franchise tag on the player as a safeguard should signing an extension become harder than both sides imagine. Should such an event occur the Fire could also field offers from other teams that may be interested in acquiring the corner’s services.
On the other side of the spectrum there are a number players that are not expected to remain with the team. Management made it known throughout the season that they were not pleased with the play of punter Michael Curry. “In a game where field position is so critical it’s critical that we not ignore that aspect of the game when evaluating things this offseason. We’re going to let Michael become a free agent and hopefully things will work out for him,” shared sovstar. Disgruntled backup guard Fernando Wirth will not be returning as well along with outside linebacker Tommy Smith. Smith played in all sixteen games, starting fourteen of them, and making 56 tackles with 19 assists. It is believed that the Fire may be willing to bring Smith back aboard should his asking price lower some.
Perhaps the largest news concerning a player’s release would be that it is very much expected that starting left defensive end Richard Weathers will be among those cut today. Weathers, who was drafted in the 13th round of the IFL dispersal draft, did not meet team expectations and shouldn’t be surprised by this move. Along with 26 solo tackles Weathers was also credited with two sacks. He was set to make nearly two million dollars in 2004 and around two and a half million in 2005.
DON'T PRINT THAT
• Uh-oh. Think everyone on the Fire's starting offense is happy with being ranked number one? Better think again. No runningback that started all sixteen regular season games rushed the ball less than starting runningback Shaun Schutz. Combine that with the good play of his backup, Arnold Thompson, and one shouldn't be too shocked to possibly hear the unhappy Shutz's name in offseason trade talks.
OVERHEARD
• "You've got to like what they're doing. There are plenty of people out there that don't like our team's modern style of play, but you've got to enjoy what the Pirates are accomplishing. They're a well-balanced and well-coached team." - GM sovstar after Sunday's loss to the Orlando Pirates
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