Lansing Ledger - Offseason Edition

[morellomre]

Dominic Guthrie being tackled after picking up a few of his 1900 yards from scrimmage last season

Summary / State of team

Lansing went 9-7 on its way to the NC North divisional crown and advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs before being sent home by Tulsa. The team was led on offense by reigning MVP QB Gene Hamilton (29 TD’s, 4771 Yards, 97.1 QBRate) and his favorite target WR Sherman Jarvis who led the league in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1735). Sherman has led the league in receiving yards each of the past 4 years and receptions the past 2 years, as well as 3 of the last 4. A breakout player was RB Dominic Guthrie who tied for the league lead in TD’s (21) and compiled 1900 yards from scrimmage. Offseason acquisition WR Mercury Halbert was a disappointment missing half the season due to injury. The defense was led by another strong years from DE Alvin Wolfe (13.5 Sacks), LB Isaac Edwards (91 tackles, 5 Ints), and the ageless S Richard Sibley (81 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 Ints).

Coming into the season the Lansing front office believed that their window for contending for a championship was closing as the core of the group was beginning to pass their prime. The results on the field, while still good, confirmed their thoughts. Down years from several aging cornerstones, including DT Lynn Phifer, CB Patrick Davey, ILB Dexter Lemke, G Isaac Wahl, and even Gene Hamilton’s year was below that of the past few seasons. The offseason accelerated this decline as Davey, Halbert, and starting TE Roger Webster retired. With their departures and core players Hamilton, Lemke, Phifer, Wahl, Edwards, and starting C Vincent Craig getting into double digits of season played (not to mention Sherman Jarvis entering his 9th season) it is clear the core of the team will be overhauled sooner then later.

[morellomre]

Offseason / Coaching

With an aging, declining roster it was pretty clear to the front office new blood was needed. Little did they realize this would apply to the sideline as well. As the coach hiring period began the front office and head coach Jake Lentz were thought to be close on a 5 year deal. When the agent for Coach Lentz requested that the two sides “sleep” on the deal no one expected the next day’s paper would have the headline “RAID! Divisional Rival Penn Snags Lentz From Ogres”. The front office scrambled quickly, but did not panic. With the core of the team to be overhauled and rebuilt soon they decided to hire a young coach who could grow with the team. Lansing quickly hired young Eric Osborne only 2 years removed from his playing days with Madison. At the press conference there was contentious questioning by the media whether Osborne’s hiring signaled a white flag. Would there be a fire sale and rebuilding of the team? The usually quiet GM Morellomre interjected:

“We have in my opinion the best Quarterback in the history of the league one year removed from an MVP season. We have an all-pro receiver and a dangerous running back. We have a big time pass rusher to punish the opposition’s QB. Are we a perfect team? No. Do we have holes? Yes. But let me make this clear people: We are not rebuilding, We are reloading.”

[morellomre]

Free Agency

After years of stiff negotiations with free agents resulting in few new acquisitions and lots of unused cap space, the front office came up with a new strategy this offseason to fill holes – throw lots of guaranteed money at every target. Quickly losing out on WR Gino Markel on the first day Lansing sought to sure up an aging and depleted defense. With a secondary that already featured a merry-go-round of journeymen in the #2, nickel, and dime slots, the retirement of Patrick Davey put the talent level close to zero. In a pass heavy league where quality CB’s are few and far between, any decent CB who hits the open market will be like royalty..and Willie Cash was about to be made a king by the Ogres front office. The cornerback signed from Portland at an astounding $20 million over 2 years, with $10 million guaranteed. While a capable starter, Cash is not great, yet is being paid like a star. This caused quite a ruffle with fans, the media, as well as fellow GM’s. LB Doug Chandler was also signed from Hartford for $15.6 mil over 3 years. It is believed that Chandler will take over the majority of the snaps at ILB as incumbent Dexter Lemke is transitioned into run stopping situations. Dusty Chelle was also brought in to compete for #2 CB and provide more CB depth.

[morellomre]

Lansing First Round Pick Jeffrey Tapscott

Draft

The Lansing Ledger had exclusive access to the war room on draft day. Here are GM Morellomre’s thoughts on each of Lansing’s picks.

1(21) Jeffrey Tapscott [Texas] – “Our first 1st round pick since 2010. He was the best player on our board at the time, which is great cause every team needs quality corners. Teaming him up with Willie (Cash) and Dusty (Chelle) gives us depth we haven’t had in quite along time. He will compete from day 1 to start opposite Willie.”

2(20) RJ Henry [Hampton] – “The draft was so deep along the D-Line we knew we could get tremendous value here and we did. RJ was projected to go late 1st but slipped due to so many outstanding DLinemen and some small school concerns. While he won’t start, expect to see him get significant playing time spelling his new mentor, Lynn Phifer.”

3(19) Jessie Cavil [Texas Tech} – “Again, we had our pick of DLinemen here. We went with Cavil ahead of some of the other guys who slipped. His football IQ really impressed us here, and we think he can develop into a good guy against the run AND pass. It’s no secret we love a strong Defensive Line in Lansing and he just adds to the depth.”

5(20) Casey Kunz [Oklahoma] – “We think we got a steal here. This offseason we tried to upgrade our LB core with better coverage guys as evidenced by Doug Chandler’s addition. Kunz was someone we thought who could play in pass situations in a coverage role as well as contribute on special teams. However, in OTA he has shown a great all around game and looks to be a future starter.”

He concluded: "Overall I love this draft. These guys provide depth for the present while building for the future. Non of these guys will be all pro's but I think they will develop into solid starters - a new core for our defense."

[JesterBlaze]

Nice!

Somehow I missed the first two posts.

[morellomre]

Training Camp


Lansing Training Camp

As Lansing’s camp wrapped up the Lansing Ledger Sports Staff has the following thoughts and observations:

-Lots of competition on defense as the young and old went at it:

Stock Rising:
DE Peter Raymond
CB Jeff Tapscott
S Pat Wiggins

Stock Falling:
DE Neil Peterson
ILB Dexter Lemke
CB Ronald Terry (cut)

-The offense, with no major personnel or game plan changes, was consistent yet unspectacular. The coaching staff got on them about "going through the motions".

-New coach Eric Osborne gave the special teams much more reps than the previous regime.

Next Issue: Preseason & Season Preview

[Stephen Colbert]

I like the activity, Lansing!

Knock, Knock!! I'm at your PM door!!