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by Jimmy Somelove
The Stallions open 2025 with new optimism after a brutal purging of the roster. The inconsistent Don Downing finally got his walking papers after a disastrous 2024 campaign and the front office did so without a clear-cut starter on the roster.
Quarterbacks
QB Gabe 'Pistol' Patterson is 0-10 as a starter and we didn't see anything in team OTAs and minicamp to indicate that he'll be more than a game-manager here.
The rookie class features some interesting prospects in Damon Merchant (Kansas) and Dennis Richardson (Penn State) but they need a lot of grooming. This is Patterson’s job to lose right now.
Position Rating: D
Runningbacks
8th year veteran Stan Garrison gets to start for the first time in his career. The platoon of mediocre powerbacks behind him features a lone bright spot in rookie ‘Kissimmee’ Middleton. Don’t see much to be optimistic about outside these two players.
Position Rating: C
Wide Receivers
QB Gabe Patterson inherits the same group of wide receivers and tight-ends Don Downing failed with but fans have always argued that Downing’s inability to hit the deep ball hamstrung this unit.
Veteran Brad Harris still has legitimate speed (4.37) and Terrace Wiggins is a great possession pass-catcher. TE Jeffrey Faine rounds out the group.
Position Rating: C
Offensive Lineman
Rookie OG Lance Wells and OT Lenon Ross looked like old pros in minicamp – both should start on opening day. LT Shaun Cunningham is an elite pass-protector and has pushed the massive Mancuso inside to LG. This unit has a chance to be very good with elite level pass protection on the edges and bruising run blocking from the guards.
Position Rating: A
Defensive Line
You don’t know them now and you won’t know any of them come season’s end either
Position Rating: F
Linebackers
WLB Eric Benson retired after thriving in a defense hand-crafted to his talents; WLBs Gillespie and Linkletter will step into the role this season and I don’t expect the same results. At the SAM position, Kyle Beisel looks to turn in a solid season while the middle will continue to be manned by the tackle-eating Antony Brooks
Position Rating: C
Secondary
Stallions look to improve on their #1 pass defense by getting more physical on the outside. CB OJ Gage will start opposite the underrated Bryant Buchannan. Both excel at physical play and can play the outside run much better than the previous tandem. Rookie Harry Roldan may be the starting RCB by season’s end. The safeties will be led by FS Inskeep again but look for AJ Giles to win the SS position.
Position Rating: B
Special Teams
The specialists are a year older but they look competent still.
Position Rating: B
Overall:
Predicting a last place finish is not something I want to do here but with all the teams in the NFC west getting better and us blowing up the QB position, I don’t see us doing much. The hope this season is that a QB emerges from the pack and we return to being a decent offense
Prediction: 6-10
The Stallions open 2025 with new optimism after a brutal purging of the roster. The inconsistent Don Downing finally got his walking papers after a disastrous 2024 campaign and the front office did so without a clear-cut starter on the roster.
Quarterbacks
QB Gabe 'Pistol' Patterson is 0-10 as a starter and we didn't see anything in team OTAs and minicamp to indicate that he'll be more than a game-manager here.
The rookie class features some interesting prospects in Damon Merchant (Kansas) and Dennis Richardson (Penn State) but they need a lot of grooming. This is Patterson’s job to lose right now.
Position Rating: D
Runningbacks
8th year veteran Stan Garrison gets to start for the first time in his career. The platoon of mediocre powerbacks behind him features a lone bright spot in rookie ‘Kissimmee’ Middleton. Don’t see much to be optimistic about outside these two players.
Position Rating: C
Wide Receivers
QB Gabe Patterson inherits the same group of wide receivers and tight-ends Don Downing failed with but fans have always argued that Downing’s inability to hit the deep ball hamstrung this unit.
Veteran Brad Harris still has legitimate speed (4.37) and Terrace Wiggins is a great possession pass-catcher. TE Jeffrey Faine rounds out the group.
Position Rating: C
Offensive Lineman
Rookie OG Lance Wells and OT Lenon Ross looked like old pros in minicamp – both should start on opening day. LT Shaun Cunningham is an elite pass-protector and has pushed the massive Mancuso inside to LG. This unit has a chance to be very good with elite level pass protection on the edges and bruising run blocking from the guards.
Position Rating: A
Defensive Line
You don’t know them now and you won’t know any of them come season’s end either
Position Rating: F
Linebackers
WLB Eric Benson retired after thriving in a defense hand-crafted to his talents; WLBs Gillespie and Linkletter will step into the role this season and I don’t expect the same results. At the SAM position, Kyle Beisel looks to turn in a solid season while the middle will continue to be manned by the tackle-eating Antony Brooks
Position Rating: C
Secondary
Stallions look to improve on their #1 pass defense by getting more physical on the outside. CB OJ Gage will start opposite the underrated Bryant Buchannan. Both excel at physical play and can play the outside run much better than the previous tandem. Rookie Harry Roldan may be the starting RCB by season’s end. The safeties will be led by FS Inskeep again but look for AJ Giles to win the SS position.
Position Rating: B
Special Teams
The specialists are a year older but they look competent still.
Position Rating: B
Overall:
Predicting a last place finish is not something I want to do here but with all the teams in the NFC west getting better and us blowing up the QB position, I don’t see us doing much. The hope this season is that a QB emerges from the pack and we return to being a decent offense
Prediction: 6-10
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