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OFFENSIVE SKILL PLAYERS
Key Additions - RB Mercury Troyer (2.10) WR Marco Erickson (5.12) QB Terrance Porcher (SLC)
Key Losses - RB Shawn Galloway (ANC)
Highly regarded QB Winston Scott returns for his 9th year in an Outlaw uniform. Some would argue that Scott is coming off his best year ever, but with several IFL QB's putting up astronomical numbers questions remain. Is Winston Scott as good as his 78/78 rating? UFA Terrance Porcher was brought in to compete with Jorge Best to be the backup QB. The word around camp is that Tracy Norris has stepped his game up. The workhorse back looks poised to have another big season. Rookie Mercury Troyer could pass for Norris' twin, although bigger and less skilled as a receiver. Outlaw insiders say the staff is very disappointed in FA FB Carl Dotson who reported to his new team out of shape. Veteran Duane Rau plays hard but is too old to rely on every week. Hopefully the dynamic duo can combine to make 1 competent FB. I doubt it. One of the new ownerships first moves was to move former first rounder TE Irv Molnar into the starting lineup. Molnar responded with career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Continued improvement is expected in 2013. Flanker Gino Markel returns to the Outlaws after posting his first 1,000 yard season. Split end Kim Newman had a very small dropoff in production last season. The staff insists they aren't concerned. Rookie Marco Erickson will be the third WR; He's not ready for such a large role. I missed cut down day. We only have 4 WR's on the roster for week 1. I'd like 6-8.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Key Additions - LG Mel Keenan (VER) RG Wally Johnson (2.7)
Key Losses - LG Earnest Bruce (HOU)
4 starters return to Wichita for 2014. LT George Crump was shopped in the offseason. Wichita likes Crump's ability but he allows too many sacks. Winston Scott can take some of the blame here. Crump is an outstanding run blocker. Newly acquired Mel Keenan will start at LG, the position vacated by Earnest Bruce. Keenan is a better run blocker than pass blocker, he's never been an opening day starter. C Howie Emmons is coming off his best season. With Bruce gone an All-IFL type season is a definite possibility. Last years 3rd rounder Terrance O'Neal was forced into the starting lineup quicker than the staff would have liked. He performed surprisingly well. RT Eric Vitale is now our best lineman and OL leader. No worries here. IFL insiders are calling rookie RG Wally Johnson a draft day steal. Johnson is raw but has a huge upside. He'll play plenty as the 6th OL.
DEFENSIVE FRONT
Key Additions - LB Kris Clemons (4.2)
Key Losses - DE Deion Kinney (VER)
My first acquisition in the IFL DE Antoine Nece is already, on paper anyway, the leagues best DE. Nece can do it all. He hasn't produced much yet, played a lot of DT as a rookie, but it is only a matter of time with this guy. DE Bernard Hastings had a rough camp. Hastings is still a dangerous pass rusher. Durable veteran DT Byron Ruth returns for his 10th season in the green and orange. Ruth should continue to be his old reliable self. Strongman Julio Durham will line up next to Nece, and should make the right side of the Outlaws DL very formidable. Durham isn't developing nearly as quickly as I would like. Depth is a major concern on the DL. MLB Wes Martin and SLB Marco Langley will repeat last years experiment of playing each others natural positions. Both can stuff the run, although Langley is slightly bigger and better. Martin may be the leagues best coverage 'backer. Makes some linear sense to line him up across from the opponents TE. Anyone have thoughts/experience with this? Run stuffer Levon Tucker will be the third starter. Tucker won't play much unless an injury to Martin or Langley forces him to assume a larger role. Vince Ackerman is the most game ready of the LB's on the bench. Rookie Kris Clemons is raw but may have the most upside among our reserve LB's.
SECONDARY
Key Additions - CB Aaron Kufahl (1.6) S Marty Clemons (3.14) CB Brad Johnstone (5.13)
Key Losses - Hahaha!!!
The scouting bureau and the Wichita staff were both very high on rookie CB Aaron Kufahl pre-draft. Kufahl doesn't seem to be as good as many predicted. He is still a good player, our best DB right now and a projected long term starter. Korey McGough will start at the other corner. McGough is decent nothing more. Rookie Brad Johnstone was a mid 5th round steal +12/+8. Johnstone may become a starter before this season is over. Jessie Lang was a small CB and is now an even smaller S. Despite his stature Lang was always willing to stick his nose in the running game, he just didn't cover well enough to be an effective CB. He seems to have responded well to the switch. Starting FS Marty Clemons has a long way to go and there are serious questions as to whether he makes it. Probably not. Clemons does have a S skill set which is a huge improvement. Three rookies will play a ton, and we're still paper thin. Not good.
Key Additions - RB Mercury Troyer (2.10) WR Marco Erickson (5.12) QB Terrance Porcher (SLC)
Key Losses - RB Shawn Galloway (ANC)
Highly regarded QB Winston Scott returns for his 9th year in an Outlaw uniform. Some would argue that Scott is coming off his best year ever, but with several IFL QB's putting up astronomical numbers questions remain. Is Winston Scott as good as his 78/78 rating? UFA Terrance Porcher was brought in to compete with Jorge Best to be the backup QB. The word around camp is that Tracy Norris has stepped his game up. The workhorse back looks poised to have another big season. Rookie Mercury Troyer could pass for Norris' twin, although bigger and less skilled as a receiver. Outlaw insiders say the staff is very disappointed in FA FB Carl Dotson who reported to his new team out of shape. Veteran Duane Rau plays hard but is too old to rely on every week. Hopefully the dynamic duo can combine to make 1 competent FB. I doubt it. One of the new ownerships first moves was to move former first rounder TE Irv Molnar into the starting lineup. Molnar responded with career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Continued improvement is expected in 2013. Flanker Gino Markel returns to the Outlaws after posting his first 1,000 yard season. Split end Kim Newman had a very small dropoff in production last season. The staff insists they aren't concerned. Rookie Marco Erickson will be the third WR; He's not ready for such a large role. I missed cut down day. We only have 4 WR's on the roster for week 1. I'd like 6-8.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Key Additions - LG Mel Keenan (VER) RG Wally Johnson (2.7)
Key Losses - LG Earnest Bruce (HOU)
4 starters return to Wichita for 2014. LT George Crump was shopped in the offseason. Wichita likes Crump's ability but he allows too many sacks. Winston Scott can take some of the blame here. Crump is an outstanding run blocker. Newly acquired Mel Keenan will start at LG, the position vacated by Earnest Bruce. Keenan is a better run blocker than pass blocker, he's never been an opening day starter. C Howie Emmons is coming off his best season. With Bruce gone an All-IFL type season is a definite possibility. Last years 3rd rounder Terrance O'Neal was forced into the starting lineup quicker than the staff would have liked. He performed surprisingly well. RT Eric Vitale is now our best lineman and OL leader. No worries here. IFL insiders are calling rookie RG Wally Johnson a draft day steal. Johnson is raw but has a huge upside. He'll play plenty as the 6th OL.
DEFENSIVE FRONT
Key Additions - LB Kris Clemons (4.2)
Key Losses - DE Deion Kinney (VER)
My first acquisition in the IFL DE Antoine Nece is already, on paper anyway, the leagues best DE. Nece can do it all. He hasn't produced much yet, played a lot of DT as a rookie, but it is only a matter of time with this guy. DE Bernard Hastings had a rough camp. Hastings is still a dangerous pass rusher. Durable veteran DT Byron Ruth returns for his 10th season in the green and orange. Ruth should continue to be his old reliable self. Strongman Julio Durham will line up next to Nece, and should make the right side of the Outlaws DL very formidable. Durham isn't developing nearly as quickly as I would like. Depth is a major concern on the DL. MLB Wes Martin and SLB Marco Langley will repeat last years experiment of playing each others natural positions. Both can stuff the run, although Langley is slightly bigger and better. Martin may be the leagues best coverage 'backer. Makes some linear sense to line him up across from the opponents TE. Anyone have thoughts/experience with this? Run stuffer Levon Tucker will be the third starter. Tucker won't play much unless an injury to Martin or Langley forces him to assume a larger role. Vince Ackerman is the most game ready of the LB's on the bench. Rookie Kris Clemons is raw but may have the most upside among our reserve LB's.
SECONDARY
Key Additions - CB Aaron Kufahl (1.6) S Marty Clemons (3.14) CB Brad Johnstone (5.13)
Key Losses - Hahaha!!!
The scouting bureau and the Wichita staff were both very high on rookie CB Aaron Kufahl pre-draft. Kufahl doesn't seem to be as good as many predicted. He is still a good player, our best DB right now and a projected long term starter. Korey McGough will start at the other corner. McGough is decent nothing more. Rookie Brad Johnstone was a mid 5th round steal +12/+8. Johnstone may become a starter before this season is over. Jessie Lang was a small CB and is now an even smaller S. Despite his stature Lang was always willing to stick his nose in the running game, he just didn't cover well enough to be an effective CB. He seems to have responded well to the switch. Starting FS Marty Clemons has a long way to go and there are serious questions as to whether he makes it. Probably not. Clemons does have a S skill set which is a huge improvement. Three rookies will play a ton, and we're still paper thin. Not good.
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