Matadors: Do I Hear Mayflower Vans Warming Up?

[Hoosier]

4.15. FB Calvin Oliver, Southern Miss Golden Eagles
6-0, 248 lbs.
High Volatility



Good combines and the static bars appear set in stone.

[Hoosier]

I had him and Johnson pegged as WRs, but I was not gonna grab either till round 6 or 7 though

I was going to wait late, but a run on running backs late in the third forced me to act.

[Kobeck]

FWIW Mule SE Lee is a converted RB

[Hoosier]

5.7. OG Sammie Giles, Duke Blue Devils
6-2, 312 lbs.
Didn't Interview
High Volatility



Good Bench and Good Agility make him a strong candidate for a long term backup guard. Endurance is an issue, and Run Blocking isn't as strong as I like, but I need bodies on the o line.

[Hoosier]

• 2.6. LT Colon 27/40
• 2.14. RG Weaver 31/73*
• 2.28. FS Forbes 16/51
• 3.7. LG Nutile 21/43
• 3.17. TE Bouse 27/45
• 3.30. RB Conley 32/46 : FL 24/52 (21/48 after signing rookie contract)
• 4.16. FB Oliver 29/59
• 5.7. RG Giles 25/38
• 6.14. SLB Hanson 25/43
• 7.17. SCOUT PICK
• RCB Loverne 16/34

• 2.6. LT Colon Fan Favorite
• 2.14. OG Weaver Recognized
• 2.28. FS Forbes Need Scorecard
• 3.7. OG Nutile Recognized
• 3.17. TE Bouse Recognized
• 3.30. FL Conley Need Scorecard
• 4.16. FB Oliver Fan Favorite
• 5.7. OG Giles Need Scorecard
• 6.14.SLB Hanson Need Scorecard
• 7.17. RCB Loverne Well Liked

*Green Page Honoree

[Kobeck]

Conley swap, just from the numbers you put out there, looks nice

[Hoosier]

Conley swap, just from the numbers you put out there, looks nice

I was banking on the change, and it paid off. I converted a running back in the TFL a few seasons ago and he's now my leading receiver. I've done it a lot since then, and you start to recognize which running backs will convert.

He's not as fast as other wideouts, but he's got great agility.

I really need to address the wideout problem in next year's draft. If I can.

[Hoosier]

Matadors Head To Training Camp

Offensive Rookie Watch

• Left tackle Colon's initial ratings are unimpressive (27/40). I'm hoping he'll be a creeper much like Bubba Paris in the TFL, who is now a standout first team tackle in that league.
• Right guard Darryl Weaver (31/73). A Green Page honoree, he has the makings to be a superstar. Numbers will probably drop a bit in tc, but that's expected.
• Former running back now converted flanker Bobby Conley : 21/48. Will his ratings continue to improve? I'd be happy if he didn't drop.
• Tight end Jay Bouse(27/45). In a league where wideouts are highly sought after, Bouse was the best option to improve our passing game. He looks like a much better run blocker than pass blocker, and we're gambling that Stelmack was correct that his pass catching skills are better than advertised.
• Calvin Oliver(29/59), fullback. The question here is not if he drops, but by how much. I think he drops to mid forties future, but that's still a solid receiving fullback out of the backfield.

Defensive Rookie Watch

• Free safety Rickey Forbes (16/51). Very low volatility should ensure little wiggle room in ratings after tc, but he'll be pressed to start from day one. Will his endurance (47) hold out?
• Sixth round pick at weak linebacker, Donald Hanson (25/43), has all the coverage skills I need in our defense. Will he improve?

Second Year Watch:

• FB Brady Brandon (31/42) was switched to tight end and moved to a nice 23/54 rating. Will the former Cal Golden Bear continue to improve?
• Offensive guard Walt Cooper (48/53).

[JesterBlaze]

Great coverage of the Matadors!

[Hoosier]

Matadors Training Camp Results

Offensive Rookie Watch: It's a Done Deal!


Left tackle Colon entered tc (27/40), and finished with a (32/46) rating, and a Blocking Strength rating of (69). Endurance Bar looks like it'll never get above (33), and with that we hope he's the creeper we think he is, and he'll improve on Endurance.

I'm feeling a bit better about the guy, especially with a Strong Wants Winner attribute.

Pressed into Starting Role

Right guard Darryl Weaver (31/73) finished with a (36/67) and he's got outstanding Endurance at (94). When his Blocking bars catch up with the other bars, he'll be a stud for a long long time.

Starter

Tight end Bouse (27/45) didn't participate in weight training due to contract negotiations, but signed in time to move to (32/46), showing modest improvement. Avoid Drops Bar at (10) is a tuffy, but his Run Blocking (40/84) shows promise.

Starter

FB Calvin Oliver (29/59). In the previous article I said... The question here is not if he drops, but by how much. I think he drops to mid forties future, but that's still a solid receiving fullback out of the backfield.
He dropped to (26/45), spot on to what we thought he'd land. Run Blocking Bar of (37/82) is outstanding, and his Avoid Drops Bar at (45/92) puts him as a solid fullback despite the drop in rating. Strong Wants Winner attribute adds to his future potential.

Backup

Defense: Slim Pickings

Free safety Ricky Forbes (16/51) drops a smidge to (20/47), and his Play Diagnosis of ZERO is a tuffy. Pressed into a starting role, we'll see if his Underrated ranking is real or not.

Pressed Into Starting Role


Where Do We Go From Here?

Matadors still have no answer at right tackle and on defense. The linebacking corp is the worst we've ever had in Los Angeles, and the defensive ends are average at best. Defense will be our undoing.

"Bazooka" Barlow will have to beat teams with the offense this year, and that's a challenge for this offense.

Projected finish: Six wins, nine losses. We just can't seem to escape mediocrity.

[Hoosier]

Matadors Opening Day Condition: Guarded

• Portland @ Los Angeles
• Portland is favored by seven.
• L.A. swept the series last season.
• Portland leads the head 2 head series 28 games with 16 losses.

Two young offensive guards are sitting on the bench on opening day, and G.M. "Hoosier" Owens isn't happy. "They're the cornerstone blocks of a new offensive line movement, and both Cooper and Weaver will miss opening day against the Seals."

Second year left guard Walt Cooper(50/52) is out with a pulled calf muscle. Doctors have warned the coaching staff of a moderate chance of incurring more damage should he play. Cooper is expected to be full strength by game two.

Rookie right guard Darryl Weaver(38/67) isn't expected to play until week three. A sprained knee and another moderate risk to reinjury diagnosis by the team physicians make his debut as a Matador less than stellar.

Both young guards were second round picks by the Matadors.

Starting at left guard is Glen Nutile, a rookie third round pick with average strength(49) and solid endurance at (51/66), and second year right guard Herb Littlefield(24/40). Herb played in eight games last season allowing only one sack. He's very similar to Nutile with an average blocking strength and good endurance(61/69).

Three injuries to defensive starters will not keep them sidelined and all three are expected to play.