2008/2009 Review - Columbia Fire

[iceman99]

2008 Year in Review – Columbia/Atlanta Fire

This was supposed to be their year, the chance for the Fire to take the next step and win the Division Crown and possibly even the League Championship. What started out as a sprint toward the leagues highest honor came to a screeching halt in week 16 with a heart breaking loss to the Portland Seals. The fact that Columbia was still in the running going into their week 16 game against Portland was shear luck, the team struggled mightily against teams that they should have beaten. Columbia recorded 4 loses (5 with the eventual loss to Portland) and 1 tie against teams at or below .500. Thanks to those numbers, the Fire found themselves at home for the playoffs for the first time in league history.

Despite the disappointing season, several players used 2008 as their platform to break personal records, break league records, as well as making a name for themselves for years to come.

Records

Julian Cartagena – Set Career and team records for TD's (36), and QB Rating (97.1), also had a Career best in INTs (9)
Mercury Buckner – Set Career and team records for Rushing Yardage (1652)
Justin Whitaker – Set League, team and Career records for Receiving TD's (16)
Winston Gribble – Set Career and team record for Key Run Blocks (45)
Myron McCartney – Played first full season in 4 years and recorded 8 sacks.

Awards

Winston Gribble – Named to the Veterans Voice All Veterans Team
Justin Whitaker, Winston Gribble, Myron McCartney, Oliver McKenzie – Named to the NFC Pro Bowl
League Awards where still pending at the time this article was released. We will update if needed.

The team wanted to take the time to recognize the achievements of these players and to thank the entire team for their efforts in 2008.

[iceman99]

WINDS OF CHANGE – WHAT WILL 2009 BRING?

Is 2009 the rebuild year that we have feared for sometime now? Currently the team is pushing the cap for next season, and with several holes to fill there is a chance the team may move some veterans to help rebuild the team before they move to Atlanta. The team will more then likely cut DE Trent Hayden in the off-season to try and recoup the money it invested in him after his break out season. Cutting Hayden would give the Fire nearly 3 Million dollars to play with, which will be key since Justin Whitaker will more then likely void his contract and become an URFA in 2009. Look for the team to Franchise Whitaker for sure. The big question is will other moves be made?

There have been several rumors that players like QB Julian Cartagena, WR Justin Whitaker, G Ethan Lerner, G Darren Gordon, T Winston Gribble, ILB John Hines, and SS Herman McNamara could all be moved in the off-season to open spots for younger players should they not retire. JC, Whitaker and Gribble are coming off of career seasons, and the other players all started for Columbia majority of the season. It will be interesting to see where the team goes in 2009. But if it is rebuilding time, players like QB Deron Markel, RB Mercury Buckner, FB Jon Fredrickson, WR David Norris, G Omar Fadler, DT Wes Goad, OLB Derrick Goodwin, and FS Peter Boyer could make the transition short and sweet.

[sovstar]

Mmmm send me someone. I need to christen these circus seals.

[iceman99]

2009 OFF SEASON NEWS

Projected 2009 Starting Lineup

QB - Deron Markel
RB - Mercury Buckner
FB - Jon Fredrickson
TE - Kevin Key
WR - Mercury Halbert
WR - David Norris
C - Christian Cole
G - Omar Fadler
G - *OPEN*
T - Jason Dube
T - *OPEN*

P - Piotrowski
K - Fox

DE - Bakke
DE - *OPEN*
DT - Goad
DT - Ackerman
MLB - Maynard
SLB - Goodwin
WLB - Linthicum
CB - McKenzie
CB - Hamilton
SS - *OPEN*
FS - Boyer

[iceman99]

WHITAKER TAGGED? COULD BE MOVED....

Today the Columbia Fire announced that they have placed the teams franchise tag on WR Justin Whitaker after he voided his contract after the season. Rumors are still swirling around the league that the Fire could move the single season and league leader in receiving TDs as part of their rebuilding effort. With Players like Mercury Halbert and David Norris looking to get more playing time, it would not be a surprise to see Whitaker moved.

[Warhammer]

Another former Grizzly QB that appears poised to start in the league. That is what, 3 now? Mueller, Nelson, Hickman (obviously still with the Griz), and now Markel, am I missing any others?

[sovstar]

Have any of those quarterbacks ever played in the playoffs?

[MrBigglesworth]

Have any of those quarterbacks ever played in the playoffs?

[ifl]Jerome Mueller[/ifl], currently on the trading block

[Cringer]

Mmmm send me someone. I need to christen these circus seals.

This is way off the thread topic, but your post made me realize something. With all the owner changes that team had early on, and over the seasons, I am surprised the Portland Seals still go by their original team nickname. Not sure why that team never ended up with a Tulsa like revolving door of names, but it never did.

Thats all.

[iceman99]

FIRE GO 4-0 IN PRESEASON...

While it is not alot to brag about, the Fire ended their final offseason in Columbia with a stellar 4-0 finish. Columbia averaged 22 points per game, and had big contributions from new additions Rob Richardson, Tyrus Boyles, and Al Armanda. The offseason provided alot of great information to both the coaches and front office staff, as many question marks were answered, one of those being backup RB where 4th year back Derrick Prescott averaged over 100 yards per game behind the teams backup O-Line. The Fire start the season against division rival Little Rock in a game that should (as it always is) be a great one.

[iceman99]

FIRE SHIFT TO 4-3 D, ILB HINES MOVED TO SLB

Taking advantage of the players on its roster the Fire announced that the team will be running the 4-3 defense in 2009. Columbia has used the 3-4 for much of its existance and the coaches felt now was the best time to move back to the more tradition 4-3 scheme. Many on the staff feel that this will give the Fire a better chance of matching up against the stronger run oriented teams in the league as well as maximize their overall talent levels.

With the move to the 4-3 and the teams inability to trade him during the offseason. The Fire announced that ILB John Hines has moved to SLB to help provide depth at all LB positions. The move places Hines behind starter Derrick Goodwin but look for Hines to see plenty of playing time at multiple positions this season.

[iceman99]

REBUILT FIRE WIN SEASON OPENER
Beat Little Rock 26-20 in OT

After a busy offseason that many fans an owners questioned, the Fire took a big step forward beating division rival Little Rock on the road in week 1. While it is not a sign the team is heading for the Imperial Bowl, it was a good way for a young team to start the season. Lead by Rob Richardson (brought over in the JC trade) and David Norris (Seeing more playing time with the trade of Justin Whitaker) the Fire were able to stage a late ralley in the 4th, but it took a 55 yard OT pitch and catch between Richardson and Norris to secure a season opening victory for the Fire.

Week 2 appears to be a great one as former Fire QB Julian Cartagena returns with his new team to the stadium that once shouted his name. There should be plenty of JC Fire uniforms in the stands as many fans still find it hard to believe that the legend is gone.

[iceman99]

FIRE 2-0 AFTER WIN OVER JC/WEST VIRGINIA
Fire beat WV 31-10

This week was marked on many of the players schedule after it was reported that the legend JC was shipped to West Virginia shortly after he was traded to California. All the players loved JC when he was a teammate, and many have great respect for him even as an opponent. Many in the press felt that JC was going to tourch the rebuilt Fire team, but it was not meant to be as the Fire beat the Beasts 31-10. The Fire dominated the Air with 300+ passing yards and 2 WRs breaking the 120+ yard mark.

Next is the Oakland Devils, a team that many feel could compete for the Division crown this season. It will be a special day as Deron Markel will get his first start of the season.