FIRE - LATEST NEWS AND DRAFT COVERAGE

[iceman99]

The Fire found themselves in familiar territory in 2030, after a some what successful 2029 season to which the Fire made the post season, with another sub par year. The loss of Mario Gurley in the off-season due to the Fire not getting his franchise tag designation to the league office in time, the team struggled to find consistency in the passing game. Despite using 4 QBs during the season last year, the Fire as still holding out hope that KC Grant (who they acquired from Vermont) can return from injury and lead the team into the 2031 season. Grant did play well in the 8 starts he had for Columbia, but a minor knee injury forced him to injured reserve as a precaution since the team was pretty much out of the playoff race at that time.

Unfortunately Grant will be returning to a revamped backfield in 2031 thanks to a pre-draft trade that sent RB Carl Hanks to Los Angeles. This move was mostly to due a contract dispute between upper management and Hanks. And considering the Fire spent the 22nd overall pick on RB Max Manubay last season, the team felt that Hanks was expendable. Manubay did not see significant time last season, but the small sample size did give the Fire confidence that he could carry the load.

Going into the off-season the Fire have maintained that their players were their top priority. This was evident by the resigning of 9 players who were on the team last year. The team just recently added 2 players via free agency to address concerns at back up RB and ILB. The Fire have also stuck to their guns on building a team thru the draft. Columbia continues to be one of the youngest teams in the league, and with the multiple moves so far for more draft picks, this trend will likely continue. Prior to the trade of Hanks. The Fire owned the 10th and 15th selection in this years draft. The Hanks trade added the 16th overall pick as well as a future #1. The Fire then turned the 10th overall pick in the 2nd round for 2 late 2nd's (31 and 32) and a future 3rd. So the Fire were able to add a projected 5 players for the price of 2. This is how the Fire like to do business. They are very loyal to their players but they are also not afraid to trade area's of strength if it will make the team better. It will be interesting to see what all is done with the picks as well as what they do in the rest of free agency. The team still has a few solid needs, just not sure they will be addressed this off-season via the draft and/or free agency. The team may need to make a few trades if they want to get stronger in those key areas.

[iceman99]

DRAFT COVERAGE - 2031

With the 10th selection in the 2031 draft the COLUMBIA FIRE select TY NORD - T - FORDHAM



DRAFT NOTES: TY NORD will slide into the right tackle position for the Fire and fill a big need for this young talented offensive line. This line has helped the offense rush for 2000+ yards each of the last 3 years. The addition of Nord should help keep those numbers the same, as well as improve on the pass protection.

With the 15th selection in the 2031 draft the COLUMBIA FIRE select REUBEN BOUIE - WR - LOUISVILLE



DRAFT NOTES: While WR was a need, the team did have 2 serviceable starters that have played well over the last 2 seasons, so when the team secured the 16th overall selection they chose a player that they felt could help the team both offensively and in special team. Bouie brings with him solid hands and route running ability and could be a key contributor to the teams offense in 2031

With the 16th selection in the 2031 draft the COLUMBIA FIRE select OMAR NEWMAN - CB - OREGON



DRAFT NOTES: Newman was a luxury pick here for the Fire. With CB one of the Fire's strong points, the team went best available player here as there were not many other areas of need that fit at this level of the draft. Newman will likely replace one starter this season, giving the team more depth and strengthening the teams nickel and dime packages.

With the 31st selection in the 2nd round the COLUMBIA FIRE select WARREN WOODARD - CB - OREGON STATE



DRAFT NOTES: Again CB is not a need position for this team. But Woodard was a player the team targeted at 2.10 before trading down. Woodard offers the team some flexibility this off-season as rumors abound of shifts in the backfield going into training camp. With only 1 real slot available at CB? Does that mean someone will be traded? Will someone move to S? or both? We will soon see. But Woodards addition does address special teams and gives the team 2 legitimate return men on kick offs.

With the 32nd pick in the 2nd round the COLUMBIA FIRE select BOB MALTMAN - ILB - ARIZONA



DRAFT NOTES: Maltman addresses one of the biggest needs with the Fire.. ILB!!!.. The team has struggled to find a true ILB to fill the void in the middle. Since the team does run a 3-4 D. ILB is an important player on the defensive side and Maltman will slide in immediately. Maltman was also another target at 2.10 but the trade of that pick allowed the team to move down, get the guy they wanted, and add 2 picks to the draft pool.

With the 14th selection in the 5th round the COLUMBIA FIRE select JUSTICS POWELL - WR - NORTHWESTERN



DRAFT NOTES: Powell helps address depth at the WR position for the Fire. While WR was not a major need. The Fire did have some questionable depth behind its front line WRs. Powell should help address concerns in that area.

[iceman99]

FREE AGENCY COVERAGE -

KEY ADDITIONS - RB NORMAN FOREMAN, ILB CORY ORR. WR JOHNNY LIU
KEY LOSSES - RB BUDDY GORDON (FA to WVA), CARL HANKS (TR to LAS),

RB Norman Foreman - Foreman adds some veteran leadership to the RB core and also provides a solid backup option for Manubay now that Hanks has been traded away.
ILB Cory Orr - Addresses the teams need for depth/possible starter at the ILB position.
WR Johnny Liu - Liu steps in where JC McGee left off after last season. The team is hoping that his experience and mentor ability will help the relatively young WR corp.
RB Bradley Williamson - With Freeman coming in as the veteran backup. Williamson comes is as a low cost backfield option in case they need to reach into their depth.

[markc]

Nice write up. I always like matching the real-life college players to the draft picks.

[FrozenFlame]

Nice write up and great draft..Bouie and Nord were great picks.