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Welcome to a new IFL weekly feature....."IFL Unlocked".
Prior to each game day (time permitting), I'll be taking a close look at one featured game or story which particularly interests me.
This week it's a game preview, next week it might be a player profile or a GM interview.
I want to spread the love so the feature will look to cover as many different teams as possible throughout the season.
If anyone wants to put forward ideas, push their team forward, give some feedback or just help out, throw me a PM.
We'll see where it goes.
This week it's a game preview, next week it might be a player profile or a GM interview.
I want to spread the love so the feature will look to cover as many different teams as possible throughout the season.
If anyone wants to put forward ideas, push their team forward, give some feedback or just help out, throw me a PM.
We'll see where it goes.
First up in Week 1:
Cleveland Clawz at Montreal Firebirds
Cleveland Clawz:
The big news out of Cleveland this offseason was the change of ownership.
In a shock departure GM Mike left which opened the door for new owner Brando.
Mike had run the Clawz since around about the 2016 season and during that time he enjoyed a lot of success.
His regular season record was 66 – 30, the Clawz made the playoffs every season except one and under his guidance Cleveland were crowned IFL Champions in 2018.
Big shoes to fill and Brando will need to produce if he is to fulfill the expectations of the notoriously vocal and demanding Cleveland fans.
Coaching:
With a change in ownership often comes a change in personnel.
Long time Head Coach Sprouse was poached by Lawrence and as a result Cleveland re-tooled their coaching staff during the 2022 off season.
New Head Coach Bernie Krause is an IFL rookie, as is Offensive Co-ordinator Coy Hulsey.
The only coach with previous IFL experience is former Mules Defensive Co-ordinator Leslie Steiner.
All three coaches would appear to have potential, all three are younger men and clearly the new Clawz regime is gearing up for the longer term.
New blood on the roster itself has been limited.
With no draft picks in the first three rounds, Cleveland had to rely on later round rookies and middle of the road FA’s in a bid to boost their playing staff.
After years of success, it quite possible that the Clawz may take a dip before they can bring in some new top drawer talent.
Offense:
However, that being said, the Clawz do have some old faces who could keep this franchise in winning ways.
QB Corey Perkins has matured well and is one of the better QB’s in the league. He was the 2nd best rated passer in the IFL last year.
He has some nice young receiving targets in Vaughn and Weiser who both hit near as dammit 1000yds last time out, whilst TE Bressany is a stud (4th best receiving yardage amongst TE’s last season).
The running game does not look half as dangerous.
Since Hunter Battle was traded to Anchorage in 2020 (for 3rd and 4th rd picks and a future 2nd), Cleveland have relied on journeymen backs who have just about ground out 1000yd seasons.
Dexter Orazi and Sherman Elliott were both one season wonders who are now out of the league.
Consequently, Cleveland will look to rookie Ryan West and vet Roman Peckham who was on IR through the second half of 2021.
West was a 4th rd pick and looks like a solid player albeit without natural pace.
Peckham has speed and talent but questions remain over his health and ability to take a pounding all season long.
Throw in some talent sprinkled across the O-line (Sweeney, Lane, Johnstone) and clearly the Clawz offense has the ability to move the ball and score.
Only a foolish GM would dismiss the Cleveland offense in 2022.
Defense:
The picture on defense isn’t so bright where there are a lot of middle of the road players but not much else.
Guys like DE Cortez, CB Edens and LB Farmer are solid rather than spectacular.
There is a lack of any real jaw dropping talent on the defensive side of the ball and this may prove Cleveland’s undoing this season.
Punter Ralph Swift is top of his profession but the kicking duties have fallen to rookie Colin Backer who looks a stopgap measure at best.
As an uncertain 2022 approaches, Brando has taken the decision to give his roster a chance.
Rather than trade away some of the bigger names for draft ammo, Brando is wisely assessing things before making any rash moves.
However, if the team is standing at 2-5 prior to the trade deadline I predict some talent may be shown to door as the front office look to the future. Watch this space.
Montreal Firebirds:
Montreal had a tough season in 2021.
With some eye catching talent on the roster, the Firebirds missed the playoffs by a whisker.
A patchy 9-7 record included some close defeats and a Vincent Graham 5yd TD run 41 seconds before the end of the final game against Wichita meant a very good Montreal team would not grace the playoffs.
GM ChrisRex would be the first to admit that 2021 was painful for the Firebirds and Montreal will be looking to rebound strongly in 2022.
Coaching:
Like Cleveland, Montreal have a new coaching staff.
Head Coach Pomeranz has enjoyed success in Norfolk, whilst ex Reno Defensive Co-ordinator Aschenbrenner has a lot to prove for his new team. Rookie Offensive Co-ordinator Ricardo Bender looks like a rising talent.
Offense:
QB Bruce 'Wile E' Cote is one of the top passers in the league in a very QB talented division.
He has been hindered by a lack of any real receiving threat. Jermain Deboer and Mark Ayala are good rather than great and other than stud TE Archie Lake, the Firebirds receiving corps will not scare opponents.
Since legendary RB Ozzy Osborne retired in 2020, the Montreal ground attack has suffered.
Korey Burrows led the line in 2021 but is more of a backup than feature back.
With that in mind, Montreal drafted Notre Dame star Skip Banta at 1.7 and he will need to hit the ground running.
He looked good through the pre-season and he is an undoubted talent.
The Firebirds offense needs balance and Banta will be a crucial cog in the offensive machine.
The O-line has some nice players despite the trade of elite center Clay Keith.
Teddy Jackson, Allen Kenyon and Kyle Ford can all play and Banta will be sweet talking this group through most of 2022.
Defense:
Defensively, Montreal are in better shape than Cleveland.
They have a couple of young stars in CB Belott, rookie safety ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn and run stuffing LB Tommie Moore.
They are led by Ray Lewis like LB Clay Bradbury who just keeps on playing.
Not a defense that induces fear but one to be respected certainly.
Kicker Allen Bailie is a premier kicker and will win close games for the Firebirds.
Punter Louis King will be solid again.
Game day:
Neither team has any real injury worries this early in the season.
The Montreal D should give the Clawz offensive talent a game but there are questions over Cleveland’s ability to stop Montreal when the Firebirds have the ball.
A new GM is always difficult to weigh up but Vegas favors the Firebirds who have the more balanced roster and home field advantage.
Prediction:
Clawz 17 Firebirds 31
Clawz 17 Firebirds 31
Montreal to get off to an important winning start in what should be another close AC North.
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