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A new season is just around the corner. Many new faces have joined the club and one original left the fold. The team welcomes DEs Jeremy Ellison and Johnnie
Basile, SS Walter Fitzgerald, FS Horace Cardenas and LB Hardy Thomas. The last original Tulsa player left after last season. LT Tony Esqueda, taken in the 1st round of the 2003 league allocation draft, retired after 13 seasons in the Tulsa organization. It was a sad day for Tulsa to see the cornerstone of the offensive line leave. Mr. Esqueda is now working as the color commentator on the official TigerHawk broadcasts.
Now on to this seasons version of YOUR Tulsa TigerHawks.
Opening Day Starting lineup:
Quarterback Matt Sanford -- Sanford is ready to top last seasons breakout season. Last season Sanford passed for 4372 yards. He threw for 43 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. The yards and touchdowns were single season franchise records. His 124.0 quarterback rating set a league single season record.
Runningback Ken "DH" Singleton -- Singleton came back down to earth last season after his record breaking 2012 season. As Tulsa went more towards the pass, Singleton picked up yards and touchdowns where he could. Singleton still had a very productive season with 1354 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tight End Randy Brennan -- Brennan continues to be a solid contributor to the offense. He had 29 catches for 416 yards and 2 touch downs. More importantly, he didn't allow a sack.
Flanker Ken Albriktsen -- Albriksten was expected to have breakout season. And he did. Although not as much of a breakout as the experts expected. Still, Albriksten had 84 catches for 1321 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will play a key role in this seasons offense.
Split End Chris Andrews -- Last seasons Offensive Rookie of the Year took the league by storm. Andrews had 101 catches for 1571 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 18 touchdowns set the IFL single season record for receiving touchdowns. Expect Andrews to continue to dominate and flirt with 2000 yards receiving.
Third Receiver D.J. Ragsdale -- Last seasons "other" rookie wide receiver was a solid contributor with 21 catches for 360 yards.
Left Tackle Carlton Wilkins -- Wilkins steps into the huge shoes left by Esqueda. Wilkins is outstanding in pass protection. In his 4 year career he as only allowed 4 sacks in 562 pass plays.
Left Guard Aaron Taxin -- Taxin has been a rock for Tulsa since joining the team in 2010 as a 2nd round pick. Last season he was 28 for 58 on key run blocks and only allowed 2 sacks.
Center Ernest Poston -- Now the old man of the line, Poston put up solid numbers last season. He was 24 for 51 on key run blocks and allowed 5 sacks.
Right Guard Bryce Anderson -- Anderson joined the team last season. He produced solid numbers and the team expects this to continue. If not, look for Poston to slide into this slot and Bryant Terrell to take over at center.
Right Tackle Brock Heath -- The cornerstone of the offensive line. Heath has been nothing short of spectacular since joint Tulsa in 2011. Last season Heath had his worst season run blocking but his best pass blocking. He was 33 for 107 on key run blocks but only allowed 3 sacks.
Left Defensive End Johnnie Basile -- Basile joins the club from St. Louis. Last season he racked up 7.5 sacks and 12 hurries. Tulsa expects greater production out of him this season.
Left Defensive Tackle D.J. Barrios -- After being taken in the 3rd round of the 2011 draft, Barrios has taken over the interior line of the TigerHawks. Last season he had 51 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 hurries. He is a force on the line.
Right Defensive Tackle Nate Dayoc -- Dayoc took the starting job in training camp last season and hasn't let go. He had 39 tackles last season. He fills gaps and takes space so others can operate.
Right Defensive End Jeremy Ellison -- Acquired in a trade from Los Angels, Ellison agreed to move to Right End. Last seaosn he had 9 sacks and 12 hurries. As with Basile, the TigerHawks are hoping this production continues.
Strong Side Linebacker Rex Torres -- Torres spent last season on the weak side. He moves back to his natural strong side this season. Torres has proven to be a play maker with 81 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.
Middle Linebacker Kurt Becnel -- Becnel had a very good season last season. He had 73 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 7 passes defensed. He was brought in for his pass defense and needs to improve this season.
Weak Side Linebacker Hardy Thomas -- Signed as a FREE AGENT. Thomas steps into the weak side starting slot. The organization expects big things from him in pass protection.
Left Cornerback Oliver McKenzie -- McKenzie has been the leader of the defensive backfield since coming over in a trade 2 seasons ago. Last season he had 6 interceptions and 9 defensed passes. He was a 1st team All League Cornerback last season.
Right Cornerback Edgar Fyie -- Named Defensive Rookie of the Year by league executives, Fyie had 5 interceptions and 6 defensed passes. His season was cut short by a knee injury.
Strong Safety Walter Fitzgerald -- Acquired in a trade from Georgia, Fitzgerald improves an already solid defensive backfield. Last seaosn he had 100 tackles and 36 assists. In a pass happy division, he had 3 interceptions and 13 passes defensed. The TigerHawks are expecting a huge season from this superstar.
Free Safety Earnest Porter -- Porter has yet to make it a full season in his short IFL career. He flashes great potential, but has yet to realize it. In 11 games last season he had 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.
Kicker Carlos McClurken -- Named 1st team League Kicker in his rookie season, McClurken provided great stability to the kicking game. He was 31/38 in field goal kicking, including 4/6 from 50+ yards. He was a perfect 57/57 on extra point tries.
Punter Lester Clements -- Clements has a big foot for the punting unit. His average was 47.2 yards while his net average was 39.3 yards. He had 26 kicks inside the 20.
Kick Returner Ken Albriktsen -- Last season Albriktsen averaged 29.7 yards per return and had 1 kick return for a touchdown.
Punt Returner Harold Jeffries -- Jeffries averaged 13.2 yards per return last season.
Other Key Players:
Fullback Richard Southward -- Southwards role diminished last season as Tulsa went to more multiple wide receiver sets. He had no carries and only 6 receptions for 23 yards. He 11 for 31 on key run blocks and 2 pancakes.
Wide Receiver Martin Witt -- Witt had 5 catches for 128 yards and 1 touchdown.
Free Safety Horace Cardenas -- Signed as a FREE AGENT from Portland, Cardenas will be an important back up to oft-injured Earnest Porter and serve as the Nickelback. Last seaosn he had 1 interception and 3 passes defensed.
These are the main players for the 2014 season. After last seasons exit from the playoffs in the Conference Final against eventual champion Lawrence, expectations from this group are high.
Basile, SS Walter Fitzgerald, FS Horace Cardenas and LB Hardy Thomas. The last original Tulsa player left after last season. LT Tony Esqueda, taken in the 1st round of the 2003 league allocation draft, retired after 13 seasons in the Tulsa organization. It was a sad day for Tulsa to see the cornerstone of the offensive line leave. Mr. Esqueda is now working as the color commentator on the official TigerHawk broadcasts.
Now on to this seasons version of YOUR Tulsa TigerHawks.
Opening Day Starting lineup:
Quarterback Matt Sanford -- Sanford is ready to top last seasons breakout season. Last season Sanford passed for 4372 yards. He threw for 43 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. The yards and touchdowns were single season franchise records. His 124.0 quarterback rating set a league single season record.
Runningback Ken "DH" Singleton -- Singleton came back down to earth last season after his record breaking 2012 season. As Tulsa went more towards the pass, Singleton picked up yards and touchdowns where he could. Singleton still had a very productive season with 1354 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tight End Randy Brennan -- Brennan continues to be a solid contributor to the offense. He had 29 catches for 416 yards and 2 touch downs. More importantly, he didn't allow a sack.
Flanker Ken Albriktsen -- Albriksten was expected to have breakout season. And he did. Although not as much of a breakout as the experts expected. Still, Albriksten had 84 catches for 1321 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will play a key role in this seasons offense.
Split End Chris Andrews -- Last seasons Offensive Rookie of the Year took the league by storm. Andrews had 101 catches for 1571 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 18 touchdowns set the IFL single season record for receiving touchdowns. Expect Andrews to continue to dominate and flirt with 2000 yards receiving.
Third Receiver D.J. Ragsdale -- Last seasons "other" rookie wide receiver was a solid contributor with 21 catches for 360 yards.
Left Tackle Carlton Wilkins -- Wilkins steps into the huge shoes left by Esqueda. Wilkins is outstanding in pass protection. In his 4 year career he as only allowed 4 sacks in 562 pass plays.
Left Guard Aaron Taxin -- Taxin has been a rock for Tulsa since joining the team in 2010 as a 2nd round pick. Last season he was 28 for 58 on key run blocks and only allowed 2 sacks.
Center Ernest Poston -- Now the old man of the line, Poston put up solid numbers last season. He was 24 for 51 on key run blocks and allowed 5 sacks.
Right Guard Bryce Anderson -- Anderson joined the team last season. He produced solid numbers and the team expects this to continue. If not, look for Poston to slide into this slot and Bryant Terrell to take over at center.
Right Tackle Brock Heath -- The cornerstone of the offensive line. Heath has been nothing short of spectacular since joint Tulsa in 2011. Last season Heath had his worst season run blocking but his best pass blocking. He was 33 for 107 on key run blocks but only allowed 3 sacks.
Left Defensive End Johnnie Basile -- Basile joins the club from St. Louis. Last season he racked up 7.5 sacks and 12 hurries. Tulsa expects greater production out of him this season.
Left Defensive Tackle D.J. Barrios -- After being taken in the 3rd round of the 2011 draft, Barrios has taken over the interior line of the TigerHawks. Last season he had 51 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 hurries. He is a force on the line.
Right Defensive Tackle Nate Dayoc -- Dayoc took the starting job in training camp last season and hasn't let go. He had 39 tackles last season. He fills gaps and takes space so others can operate.
Right Defensive End Jeremy Ellison -- Acquired in a trade from Los Angels, Ellison agreed to move to Right End. Last seaosn he had 9 sacks and 12 hurries. As with Basile, the TigerHawks are hoping this production continues.
Strong Side Linebacker Rex Torres -- Torres spent last season on the weak side. He moves back to his natural strong side this season. Torres has proven to be a play maker with 81 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.
Middle Linebacker Kurt Becnel -- Becnel had a very good season last season. He had 73 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 7 passes defensed. He was brought in for his pass defense and needs to improve this season.
Weak Side Linebacker Hardy Thomas -- Signed as a FREE AGENT. Thomas steps into the weak side starting slot. The organization expects big things from him in pass protection.
Left Cornerback Oliver McKenzie -- McKenzie has been the leader of the defensive backfield since coming over in a trade 2 seasons ago. Last season he had 6 interceptions and 9 defensed passes. He was a 1st team All League Cornerback last season.
Right Cornerback Edgar Fyie -- Named Defensive Rookie of the Year by league executives, Fyie had 5 interceptions and 6 defensed passes. His season was cut short by a knee injury.
Strong Safety Walter Fitzgerald -- Acquired in a trade from Georgia, Fitzgerald improves an already solid defensive backfield. Last seaosn he had 100 tackles and 36 assists. In a pass happy division, he had 3 interceptions and 13 passes defensed. The TigerHawks are expecting a huge season from this superstar.
Free Safety Earnest Porter -- Porter has yet to make it a full season in his short IFL career. He flashes great potential, but has yet to realize it. In 11 games last season he had 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.
Kicker Carlos McClurken -- Named 1st team League Kicker in his rookie season, McClurken provided great stability to the kicking game. He was 31/38 in field goal kicking, including 4/6 from 50+ yards. He was a perfect 57/57 on extra point tries.
Punter Lester Clements -- Clements has a big foot for the punting unit. His average was 47.2 yards while his net average was 39.3 yards. He had 26 kicks inside the 20.
Kick Returner Ken Albriktsen -- Last season Albriktsen averaged 29.7 yards per return and had 1 kick return for a touchdown.
Punt Returner Harold Jeffries -- Jeffries averaged 13.2 yards per return last season.
Other Key Players:
Fullback Richard Southward -- Southwards role diminished last season as Tulsa went to more multiple wide receiver sets. He had no carries and only 6 receptions for 23 yards. He 11 for 31 on key run blocks and 2 pancakes.
Wide Receiver Martin Witt -- Witt had 5 catches for 128 yards and 1 touchdown.
Free Safety Horace Cardenas -- Signed as a FREE AGENT from Portland, Cardenas will be an important back up to oft-injured Earnest Porter and serve as the Nickelback. Last seaosn he had 1 interception and 3 passes defensed.
These are the main players for the 2014 season. After last seasons exit from the playoffs in the Conference Final against eventual champion Lawrence, expectations from this group are high.
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