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Trey Wingo: Welcome to IFL Live, on the brink of a new season here on ESPN. Here's the question heading into week 1. The Dakota Spirit are getting no love this year, despite winning their division last year. That may be in part due to Devon Taylor being listed as doubtful due to an injury in the final week of preseason. So, with that in mind, who does the Spirit start at QB in week 1 against Pittsburgh.
Ron Jaworski: It’s a no-brainer, actually. The Spirit were nothing before picking up Devon Taylor in the offseason last year. This is a must win game for Dakota, if there is such a thing as a must-win in week 1. The Power and the Spirit have a great rivalry, and in a division that is likely to be very close at the end of the season, all division games count! Especially one in your home stadium. You have to start Devon Taylor. Taylor at 70-80% is better than anything else you have. He’s your man. He’s proven that he is a tough competitor, and I believe is your only chance to win this game. The Spirit are built on a passing attack that lengthens the field, Barker and Lara, just don’t have the arm to do that, and Shiavi and Mireless, aren’t good enough in the backfield to help out the other young QB’s. Coach has to start Taylor. End of story.
Merrill Hodge: Um...no...not the end of the story. It’s a long season and Devon Taylor isn’t as fit as he used to be. He was injured at the end of last season which may have cost them the win over Reno. You are going to need Taylor later, let him rest and go with Teddy Lara. Lara is well loved by the team and has been listed as one of the top ten leaders in the whole IFL. And I believe Shiavi hasn’t been a factor due to the Spirit’s pass happy offense that is based on Taylor. With a more balanced attack and an improved offensive line, I believe you can get the ball to Shiavi, 40 times and he’ll have a breakout season. Lara doesn’t make stupid mistakes. He’ll spread the ball around and has a new weapon in Rhinehart.
Mark Schlereth: You’re both crazy! You spent a top ten pick in last year’s draft on Rodney Barker, who was arguably the top player on the board and happened to fall into Dakota’s lap. You have no idea whether Taylor will be back next year and you are paying Barker a huge salary to hold a clipboard. He has had a year to learn under Taylor, and spent the summer in the European league. He has taken most of the snaps in pre-season and is ready. You have to find out if this guy can play, or whether you are going to have to dig into free-agency next year for a QB. Barker has always risen above his scouting ratings, and this year will be no exception. Let the young man play!
Trey Wingo: Well there you have it! Only Dakota knows who will start game 1. And we’ll find out in just 24 hours when the IFL season kicks off here on Sunday afternoon.
Ron Jaworski: It’s a no-brainer, actually. The Spirit were nothing before picking up Devon Taylor in the offseason last year. This is a must win game for Dakota, if there is such a thing as a must-win in week 1. The Power and the Spirit have a great rivalry, and in a division that is likely to be very close at the end of the season, all division games count! Especially one in your home stadium. You have to start Devon Taylor. Taylor at 70-80% is better than anything else you have. He’s your man. He’s proven that he is a tough competitor, and I believe is your only chance to win this game. The Spirit are built on a passing attack that lengthens the field, Barker and Lara, just don’t have the arm to do that, and Shiavi and Mireless, aren’t good enough in the backfield to help out the other young QB’s. Coach has to start Taylor. End of story.
Merrill Hodge: Um...no...not the end of the story. It’s a long season and Devon Taylor isn’t as fit as he used to be. He was injured at the end of last season which may have cost them the win over Reno. You are going to need Taylor later, let him rest and go with Teddy Lara. Lara is well loved by the team and has been listed as one of the top ten leaders in the whole IFL. And I believe Shiavi hasn’t been a factor due to the Spirit’s pass happy offense that is based on Taylor. With a more balanced attack and an improved offensive line, I believe you can get the ball to Shiavi, 40 times and he’ll have a breakout season. Lara doesn’t make stupid mistakes. He’ll spread the ball around and has a new weapon in Rhinehart.
Mark Schlereth: You’re both crazy! You spent a top ten pick in last year’s draft on Rodney Barker, who was arguably the top player on the board and happened to fall into Dakota’s lap. You have no idea whether Taylor will be back next year and you are paying Barker a huge salary to hold a clipboard. He has had a year to learn under Taylor, and spent the summer in the European league. He has taken most of the snaps in pre-season and is ready. You have to find out if this guy can play, or whether you are going to have to dig into free-agency next year for a QB. Barker has always risen above his scouting ratings, and this year will be no exception. Let the young man play!
Trey Wingo: Well there you have it! Only Dakota knows who will start game 1. And we’ll find out in just 24 hours when the IFL season kicks off here on Sunday afternoon.
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