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The fans always want to know something, so once again I am back to answer. With the season coming to an end and the playoffs about to kick off, I want to give those not heading into the second season something to think about and hope for in the offseason. These questions focus on some of those teams, the unlucky losers, the chokers, and the just plain crappy.
Q. What way do the Spirit go at the QB spot for next season?
A. Well, I am not in the Spirit front office so I have no idea. They clearly have to options. Try to find a star through free agency, trade, or the draft, or they stick with the guys they have and try to build up the offense around them. Star quarterbacks are not easy to find, so I would lean towards building up the rest of the offense. Jerry Patterson, a five year vet, and rookie Teddy Lara are their best options. I think Lara is your best bet for the future and has some nice attributes that could make him successful with the right guys around him. He has done fairly well this season in my opinion, with what he has around him. First on the wish list is offensive linemen. Rookie center Shaun Middleton is already a great start, and upgrading one or two more spots along the rest of the line would help Lara (the starter in my world) in two ways. It helps gives them more of a running game to depend on, and it gives Lara time to throw. I would want a LT and a G if I could pick whatever I wanted. What Dakota is able to actually get may be different of course. The top two receivers are workable, but an upgrade of the 3rd WR is a must. One more thing on my wish list to help Lara is a top notch TE. If Dakota goes with Lara at QB, or some other non-star, then I would grab him a TE from somewhere, even in the first round if I have to.
Q. Are the rumors of Tulsa getting rid of Devon Taylor true?
A. This doesn’t come from a TigerHawk fan, this comes from fans of several other teams like the previously talked about Dakota Spirit and others. Taylor may be heading into his 12th season next year, but many teams will want his services if they are available. He has been a steady QB over the years, even if his organization has not been. Matt Sanford was a first round pick in the 2010 draft for Tulsa though, and has split time with Taylor this year. Not moving him into the starting role full time next year would be a waste of a 1st round pick. So count on Taylor not starting for Tulsa. He could be a backup there, but I think that the benefit of freeing up $5 million next season will be too tempting and he will be moved to the highest bidder. Dakota could use him if they want to try for him, though I think the happiest fans to see him come to town would be in Reno. Cleveland could also be in the hunt, as well as division foe Montreal I hear.
Q. The Bulldogs are great of offense this season, can they get back into the division race next year?
A. Newark fans are pulling their hair out this season, I’ve seen it in person. The chicks in their stadium are not real good looking anymore because of it. The Bulldogs, without Alan Crespo remember, are having one of their best offensive seasons ever. The switch to Dwight Burger at quarterback has been a success, while the offensive line keeps opening holes for running backs Frankie Buzzanca and Emmanuel Contois. Burger has already passed the team record for passing yards, and is one touchdown pass away from tying the team record for a season in that category. With the combo at RB, and Burger chipping in, they are over 2,000 yards rushing this season. The offensive success has not transferred over into victories though, as they sit at 4-11 heading into week 17. The problem has been on the defensive side. Now that the offense has become a force, the defense has let them down. They are 27th in the league in points given up per game, with 5 games in which they have given up over 30 points. It’s hard for any offense to overcome that week in and week out. Going into next season I expect the defense to get major attention. Something fans are holding their breath about though is the o-line. Will key guys retire? Even if they do, I think the offense under the guidance of Burger will continue to succeed.
Q. Does all the talk finally turn into action for the California ownership next season?
A. The front office for the Heroes has never been one to sit back and let their team’s actions speak for them. I won’t come down on California for that though, they have confidence in their players and in themselves and I like that. I think their players may like it too, and are starting to respond. I can’t say the Heroes will be a playoff team next year though. I see Anchorage and Portland in that division with them and I don’t see them going anywhere for a while. California could mix things up though. Over the last 9 games the Heroes are 6-3, with an impressive win over the Lynx and a close loss to Portland. California has started to gel, and it is showing. As of late they have dominated teams that earlier in the year they would have been happy to sneak by with a win. With a bunch of veterans on this team, the Heroes know they need to strike soon and I am feeling like next year is their finest yet.
Q. What position do you think Salt Lake City goes for in the first round this coming draft?
A. The Stallions are a team that has fallen far over the last few years. After week 17 is done with they could be looking at the first overall selection in the draft, or at the least the number 3 pick. So the Stallions could have their pick of several potentially great impact rookies. Where they go with that pick though is hard to tell without knowing for sure who is in the draft. Also, reading into the mind of their owner is a hard one, I never would have thought Booker would have been traded to Houston a few years back. Chaplin is up there in age and if a star QB is available I could see that move being made. Although if the James Tart retirement rumors end up becoming reality, they could have a huge decision between QB and RB. Outside of those two positions I would have to say wide receiver is next in line, and even at the #1 overall spot. We have seen a WR go first overall before in this league, and the Stallions need a pass catcher no matter who is at QB. A stud offensive tackle would also work. You may see my theme here, the Stallions used to be known for their offense and I think that will be their top priority no matter what.
That is it for now, and for the first time I am going to throw out the possibility for my readers to submit questions if they want to. Go ahead and send me a PM if you want good ‘ole Pinky’s opinion on something happening around the league, whether it’s on a player or a team or just about anything. Ok, I need to run now, I got a “three bagger” lined up for tonight. You guessed it, I am between Iowa City and Wichita.
Adios Amigos,
Pinky Del Nacho
Q. What way do the Spirit go at the QB spot for next season?
A. Well, I am not in the Spirit front office so I have no idea. They clearly have to options. Try to find a star through free agency, trade, or the draft, or they stick with the guys they have and try to build up the offense around them. Star quarterbacks are not easy to find, so I would lean towards building up the rest of the offense. Jerry Patterson, a five year vet, and rookie Teddy Lara are their best options. I think Lara is your best bet for the future and has some nice attributes that could make him successful with the right guys around him. He has done fairly well this season in my opinion, with what he has around him. First on the wish list is offensive linemen. Rookie center Shaun Middleton is already a great start, and upgrading one or two more spots along the rest of the line would help Lara (the starter in my world) in two ways. It helps gives them more of a running game to depend on, and it gives Lara time to throw. I would want a LT and a G if I could pick whatever I wanted. What Dakota is able to actually get may be different of course. The top two receivers are workable, but an upgrade of the 3rd WR is a must. One more thing on my wish list to help Lara is a top notch TE. If Dakota goes with Lara at QB, or some other non-star, then I would grab him a TE from somewhere, even in the first round if I have to.
Q. Are the rumors of Tulsa getting rid of Devon Taylor true?
A. This doesn’t come from a TigerHawk fan, this comes from fans of several other teams like the previously talked about Dakota Spirit and others. Taylor may be heading into his 12th season next year, but many teams will want his services if they are available. He has been a steady QB over the years, even if his organization has not been. Matt Sanford was a first round pick in the 2010 draft for Tulsa though, and has split time with Taylor this year. Not moving him into the starting role full time next year would be a waste of a 1st round pick. So count on Taylor not starting for Tulsa. He could be a backup there, but I think that the benefit of freeing up $5 million next season will be too tempting and he will be moved to the highest bidder. Dakota could use him if they want to try for him, though I think the happiest fans to see him come to town would be in Reno. Cleveland could also be in the hunt, as well as division foe Montreal I hear.
Q. The Bulldogs are great of offense this season, can they get back into the division race next year?
A. Newark fans are pulling their hair out this season, I’ve seen it in person. The chicks in their stadium are not real good looking anymore because of it. The Bulldogs, without Alan Crespo remember, are having one of their best offensive seasons ever. The switch to Dwight Burger at quarterback has been a success, while the offensive line keeps opening holes for running backs Frankie Buzzanca and Emmanuel Contois. Burger has already passed the team record for passing yards, and is one touchdown pass away from tying the team record for a season in that category. With the combo at RB, and Burger chipping in, they are over 2,000 yards rushing this season. The offensive success has not transferred over into victories though, as they sit at 4-11 heading into week 17. The problem has been on the defensive side. Now that the offense has become a force, the defense has let them down. They are 27th in the league in points given up per game, with 5 games in which they have given up over 30 points. It’s hard for any offense to overcome that week in and week out. Going into next season I expect the defense to get major attention. Something fans are holding their breath about though is the o-line. Will key guys retire? Even if they do, I think the offense under the guidance of Burger will continue to succeed.
Q. Does all the talk finally turn into action for the California ownership next season?
A. The front office for the Heroes has never been one to sit back and let their team’s actions speak for them. I won’t come down on California for that though, they have confidence in their players and in themselves and I like that. I think their players may like it too, and are starting to respond. I can’t say the Heroes will be a playoff team next year though. I see Anchorage and Portland in that division with them and I don’t see them going anywhere for a while. California could mix things up though. Over the last 9 games the Heroes are 6-3, with an impressive win over the Lynx and a close loss to Portland. California has started to gel, and it is showing. As of late they have dominated teams that earlier in the year they would have been happy to sneak by with a win. With a bunch of veterans on this team, the Heroes know they need to strike soon and I am feeling like next year is their finest yet.
Q. What position do you think Salt Lake City goes for in the first round this coming draft?
A. The Stallions are a team that has fallen far over the last few years. After week 17 is done with they could be looking at the first overall selection in the draft, or at the least the number 3 pick. So the Stallions could have their pick of several potentially great impact rookies. Where they go with that pick though is hard to tell without knowing for sure who is in the draft. Also, reading into the mind of their owner is a hard one, I never would have thought Booker would have been traded to Houston a few years back. Chaplin is up there in age and if a star QB is available I could see that move being made. Although if the James Tart retirement rumors end up becoming reality, they could have a huge decision between QB and RB. Outside of those two positions I would have to say wide receiver is next in line, and even at the #1 overall spot. We have seen a WR go first overall before in this league, and the Stallions need a pass catcher no matter who is at QB. A stud offensive tackle would also work. You may see my theme here, the Stallions used to be known for their offense and I think that will be their top priority no matter what.
That is it for now, and for the first time I am going to throw out the possibility for my readers to submit questions if they want to. Go ahead and send me a PM if you want good ‘ole Pinky’s opinion on something happening around the league, whether it’s on a player or a team or just about anything. Ok, I need to run now, I got a “three bagger” lined up for tonight. You guessed it, I am between Iowa City and Wichita.
Adios Amigos,
Pinky Del Nacho
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