2009 Fire - A Year of Transition

[iceman99]

Whitaker voids contract, Tagged, Traded in multiplayer deal to Mules.

Rumors swirled as the Columbia Fire spent the 2008 playoffs at home for the first time in IFL History. Many tough decisions loomed for the GM and his staff as the 2009 offseason rapidly approached. Many in the front office were excited to see that no players filed for retirement by the 2009 deadline, but even with that good news it was offset by Stud WR Justin Whitaker voiding his contract making him an unrestricted free agent. After several attempts to reach a contract agreement with his agent, Whitaker was tagged as the teams Franchise player for 2009. Unfortunately for the Fire, Cap restraints limited them from filling needs on both sides of the ball.

Due to these limitations, the Fire packaged Whitaker, DE Myron McCartney and Stud CB Oliver McKenzie to Murfreesboro in exchange for 8 draft pick (Including picks 1-8 and 1-29). The decision to move Whitaker was due to the development of Mercury Halbert and David Norris, and Whitakers age. McCartney, a major surprise this season, was moved while his value was high after coming off a career year, but his inability to stay healthy concerned many in the coaching staff. The biggest surprise of the trade was CB Oliver McKenzie who reportly advised his agent to seek a trade if the Fire were going to rebuild, but many feel that the ultimate cost to resign him caused concerns for Fire staff who are looking toward Atlanta in 2010.

[iceman99]

McNamara sent to Rival Cows for Future Draft Picks

Day 1 of Free Agency went by with out a major signing by the Fire, the team did manage to resign backup SLB and special teamer Bennie Stephenson to a 2 year deal. While no big name was added, one was shipped out as the team sent SS Herman McNamara to the Tulsa Cows for 2 2010 picks. The movement of McNamara opens the door for last years #1 pick Peter Boyer to return to SS where he played in College.

[iceman99]

JC MOVED TO CALIFORNIA....

With much regret out of the Fire front office, it was announced today that the Legend Julian Cartagena has been traded to the California Heroes in a move to give the aging vet the chance to finish his career as a starter in the league. With the Fire beginning its youth movement this season, JC found himself listed as the back up Deron Markel. Out of respect the team decided to move him when an offer came in that helped the team address its backup QB situation. "Its always hard to lose a player like JC, someone who has done so much for an organization. He will deeply missed, and we wish him the best in California." Stated GM Iceman at a teams press confrence to announce the additon Rob Richardson, who was sent to the Fire along with a future 3rd round pick.

[iceman99]

OFF SEASON MOVES:

Players resigned - Bennie Stevenson

Free Agent Additions:

QB Harry Reeves - Reeves was brought in via Free Agency to replace JC as the teams QB leader for the young arms currently on the Fire Roster. Deron Markel bloomed under JC and the hope is that the guidance of Reeves will continue to help him and Rob Richardson continue their development.

WR Dave Billings - In need of a Flanker to offset the loss of Justin Whitaker, the Fire signed Billings away from Hartford. Billings will fill the backup role behind Mercury Halbert and will fill in as the teams 3rd WR.

CB Micheal Bond - The former Fire CB returns to help bring his veteran leadership to a secondary that is rebuilding after the loss of Oliver McKenzie.

CB Anthony Hill - Joins the team to compete for job in the rebuilding secondary and on special teams. The team is in search for some new return men now that WR Mercury Halbert is the teams #1 WR

CB David Hill - Another savy Vet brought in to help bolster the rebuilding secondary. There are rumors that Hill could move to Safety to help address needs in that area.

SS Dale Moon - Brought in to compete for the SS position on the team

TE Jorge Donnalley - Brought in to compete for the 3rd TE spot

Players added via Trade:

QB Rob Richardson - Looking for a chance with a new team, Richardson was aquired in the trade that sent JC to California. Richardson will fill the role as Deron Markel's backup this season. Richardson does provide some security should Markel struggle this season.

WLB Daniel Lincoln - Aquired from Dakota. Lincoln looks to fill the role as utilty backup for this young Fire team. He replaced Everett Diaz who was not retained this offseason.

DE Howie Lucas - With the young talent that was brought in during the draft the team felt that there was a major need for some senior leadership at both DE and DT. With a DT mentor on the team, the Fire work out a deal to bring Lucas in to help show young Tyrus Boyles the ropes in his first season.

Players added via Draft:

1.6 - Al Armanda - DT - Texas A&M - With the Fire moving to a tradition 4-3 defense the decision was made early that the team would need to fill the RDT position next to Wes Goad. Using picks 1-21 and 1-29, the Fire struck a deal to move up into the 1-6 position in hopes of addressing a D-Line need. Armanda brings great size and ability to the Fire front four and should mix up well with Goad for years to come.

Projection - Starting DT in new 4-3 Scheme

1.8 - Tyrus Boyles - DE - Syracuse - DE was a major need coming into this draft even before the team moved oft-injured Myron McCartney to Murfreesboro. Boyles was a sack artist in college and the team hopes that this will transition over into the IFL.

Projection - Starting DE

2.21 - Deon Coleman - G - Navy - Many people felt that this was a stretch pick for the rebuilding Fire. But with to aging Gs on the roster the team felt that guard was a need position. With a solid vet like Ethan Lerner on the roster, the team feels Coleman could excel.

Projection - Backup G

4.21 - Cedric McKenzie - SS - Cincinnati - Looking to provide depth, the Fire add the top SS in the draft still on the board in the 4th. McKenzie fits the style of D the Fire like to run and their are hopes that he will stick this season.

Projection - Backup SS, Special Teams

5.8 - Ken Swift - CB - Penn State - The small versital CB from the Big Ten gets selected here mostly for his ability to play the run, and potential. The team is hoping that Swift can help off set some return duties as well as compete for the teams Dime back.

Projection - Punt Return Specialist

5.21 - Richie Yonkers - QB - Virginia Tech - Looking to add more depth at the QB position, the Fire snag a big prospect with their last pick in the 5th round. Yonkers has a huge upside that the team feels could be fruitful in the offseason.

Projection - 3rd string QB/Special Teams

6.8 - Tony Onnen - FB - Toledo - Filling a need, the team selects Onnen to back up start Jon Fredrickson. Onnen does have a big upside and could be a solid contributer this season

Projection - Backup FB

7.8 - Levon Gable - C - Miami - With Christian Cole anchoring the line for the next few years, Columbia felt they could take a reach pick on a Center here to see if he will develop. Gable is a solid pass blocking C which works great for a passing team.

Projection - Backup C

7.21 - Mel Carr - MLB - Tennessee - Looking to add depth to the MLB position the team drafted Carr to maybe fill the void of John Maynard when he retires. While a 7th rounder is not likely to do that, Carr could be an interesting addition under the watchful eye of Maynard.

Projection - 3rd ILB

Players Lost:

Julian Cartagena Traded to Califonia
Justin Whitaker Traded to Murfreesboro
Oliver McKenzie Traded to Murfreesboro
Myron McCartney Traded to Murfreesboro
Herman McNamara Traded to Tulsa
Trent Hayden Released
Richard Johnson UFA signed with Louisiana
Richard Mahler UFA signed with Houston
Walter Bratcher Released
Leonard Hagan Released
Mckinley Aycock Released
Burt Gurley UFA
Everett Diaz UFA
Morris Weinburg RFA Released
Ulysses Williams Traded to Hardford

[iceman99]

DRAFT PICKS SIGNED, READY FOR CAMP

Reports out of the Fire's camp is that both first round selections have signed multi-year deals last night with Al Armanda signing a 5 year/21 million dollar deal, while Tyrus Boyles inking a 5 year/18 million dollar deal to insure that both players will report to training camp on time with the rest of the Fire's draft class. The quick signings of this years draftee's will give the Fire ample time to evaluate the teams talent, and the chance to determine the teams 2009 depth charts, it will give the young players plenty of time to gain knowledge from the teams veterans and learn the teams playbooks.

The Fire announced that young starters Derrick Goodwin (3yr) and Wes Goad (5yr) both signed new deals with the team, keeping both up and coming players on the teams rosters for years to come. The Fire also resigned K Ty Fox, DE Howie Lucas, CB Thomas Saunders, S Otis Tuman, DT Frank Parker and inked a deal with undrafted FA FB Chester Mitchell to compete for the teams backup FB position.