DIVISION C
Owner: Perry Rodgers and Michael Thornton
Brief Summary: The Titans have been one of the worst franchises in the league’s history. Since 1990, they have had only six playoff appearances. And it is well-known that the fanbase has been almost non-existent at times, creating rumors that the franchise may be up for sale or even potentially a relocation.
NFL Comparison: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Five Seasons
2010: 5-7, missed playoffs
2011: 4-8, missed playoffs
2012: 1-11, missed playoffs
2013: 5-7, missed playoffs
2014: 9-7, made playoffs, lost in Divisional round
Top Three Players
LB Robert Odell | 6’1” 235 lbs. | 29 years old 7 years pro | Indiana
Round 1 Pick 1 in 2008
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 70 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Odell is the former number one overall pick back in 2008 and has not necessarily played up to those expectations. In seven years, he has no All-Pro awards and has been an average middle linebacker at best.
NFL Comparison: Kiko Alonso
DE Glennon Alston | 6’3” 266 lbs. | 31 years old 10 years pro | Boston College
Round 1 Pick 23 in 2005 by New Orleans Totems
1x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 35 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 9 sacks
Alston is a speed pass-rush specialist who has found consistent results during his career. He was traded to the Titans in 2013.
NFL Comparison: Trey Flowers
QB Mitchell McFadden | 6’2” 214 lbs. | 34 years old 10 years pro | Penn State
Round 1 Pick 24 in 2005 by Denver Mountaineers
2008 Playoff MVP
2014 Stats: 14 starts, 43 receptions, 483 yards, 11.2 average, 4 touchdowns
McFadden was drafted to be the Mountaineers successor to MLF GOAT David Booth. His crowning achievement is taking over the Mountaineers during the playoffs and leading them to their championship win, starting in the conference championship and league championship and throwing 12 touchdowns to one interception. When Booth finally retired, McFadden struggled with injuries and competition with other quarterbacks. He left Denver and signed with the Titans in 2014 but had his season cut short by a concussion. When he is healthy and playing, he is a consistent player and game manager. In the playoffs, he has 26 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He will compete for the starting job with journeyman 7th round pick Jeremy Willis in 2015,
NFL Comparison: Alex Smith, Nick Foles
Staff
GM Dustin Sledge: 34 years of front office experience. Last three years with the Titans. Sledge has been in several front offices in numerous roles.
HC Mike Rojas: Rojas has been the Titans coach since 2013 and is the former Wasps head coach that led them to a championship in 2009.
OC Reginald Mclain: Joined the staff with Rojas in 2013.
DC Roy Kozlowski: Joined the staff in 2014.
Owner: Riley Montez-Rivers
Brief Summary:The Aquatics have not had a lot of sustained success during their time in the MLF. They have not made the playoffs since 2009 and have not won a playoff game since 2001. The players on the current roster are all in poor moods and the morale is extremely low.
NFL Comparison: Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Five Seasons
2010: 5-7, missed playoffs
2011: 5-7, missed playoffs
2012: 3-9, missed playoffs
2013: 4-8, missed playoffs
2014: 2-14, missed playoffs
Top Three Players
T Ernest Bright | 6’6” 328 lbs. | 28 years old 6 years pro | Northwestern
Round 1 Pick 2 in 2009
2014 Stats: 15 starts, 2 sacks allowed
Bright is a young, strong offensive tackle and offensive captain for the Aquatics. He is also one of the team leaders who have voiced their frustrations with ownership and the lack of team direction.
NFL Comparison: Greg Robinson
S/LB Stanley Ransom | 6’2” 226 lbs. | 28 years old 8 years pro | Colorado State
Round 1 Pick 1 in 2007
2x All-Pro, 2007 DROY
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 89 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 99 targets/68 catches allowed, 2 sacks, 9 passes defended
Ransom came out of Colorado State as one of the most versatile defensive athletes. He has played snaps at mike linebacker, edge rusher, and strong safety since he entered the league and is one of the hardest players to gameplan for
NFL Comparison: Isaiah Simmons
QB Barton Mason | 6’1” 194 lbs. | 21 years old 1-year pro | Houston
Round 1 Pick 6 in 2014
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 3,380 yards, 46.5% completion, 16 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 2 fumbles lost
Barton Mason is not one of the best players, but his controversy is worth conversation. Mason was a spoiled party animal at the University of Houston, but his on-the-field play had him ranked among some of the best college quarterbacks. There were major character concerns for Mason, and an already ticked-off roster voiced their concerns on social media about the team being projected to take him. When those fears came to light, another rift grew between the players and the front office. Mason has not gelled with his teammates, with reports of missed meetings, elitist behaviors, and numerous fights surfacing all year. When the coaching staff was rumored to have been told to start him, a 16-game stretch of poor play followed. So, all eyes will be on Mason this offseason, to either see whether he makes a major shift or to see what drama will ensue.
NFL Comparison: Johnny Manziel, Ryan Leaf
Staff
GM Archie Beane: 12 years of front office experience. Beane has been in the Aquatics organization his whole career and has often been criticized as a puppet for the overly involved owner.
HC Terry Montague: Montague is a well-respected head coach in the MLF coming out of retirement this season. He used to be the Wasps head coach back when they won the championship and has a 77-47 record as a head coach. The team gave him a lucrative $10 million per year deal to come out of retirement and coach this underwhelming squad in 2015.
OC Kerry Blackwell: Blackwell was Montague’s tight ends coach and assistant head coach in Salt Lake City.
DC Norman Sherman: Former Clemson DC, hired this offseason by Montague.
Owner: William Smith
Brief Summary: The Grizzlies are one of the basement franchises in the league. They recently were purchased by a new owner, tech guru William Smith. With the new direction, there is hope around the organization of positive change. They have seven playoff berths since 1990, but two of those have been in the last five years.
NFL Comparison: Cleveland Browns
Last Five Seasons
2010: 5-7, missed playoffs
2011: 6-6, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
2012: 8-4, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
2013: 3-9, missed playoffs
2014: 9-7, missed playoffs
Top Three Players
HB Victor Delarose | 5’11” 217 lbs. | 32 years old 10 years pro | Florida
Round 4 Pick 4 in 2005 by Kansas City Cobras
2014 Stats: 16 games played, 618 yards, 5.3 average, 7 touchdowns
Delarose is a confident and trustworthy veteran tailback who is looking for a new chance to be a starting tailback after being replaced in Kansas City. He will join a room of tailbacks with two second-year players in Tyrell Hathaway and Jeff Robinson. Delarose is still one of the fastest tailbacks in the MLF.
NFL Comparison: Fred Jackson
G Peter Layman | 6’3” 328 lbs. | 26 years old 2 years pro | Indiana
Round 1 Pick 15 in 2013
2014 Stats: 15 starts, 0 sacks allowed
Layman is a great athlete at the guard position. He is a young leader in the locker room and has quickly become a fan favorite.
NFL Comparison: Connor McGovern
T Ja’Huan Lowe | 6’7” 342 lbs. | 30 years old 6 years pro | Kent State
Round 1 Pick 3 in 2014
2014 Stats: 13 starts, 2 sacks allowed
Lowe is an absolute beast of a lineman and is a film geek inside the team headquarters. He loves everything about football and helps make the Grizzlies’ offensive line one of the best in the league.
NFL Comparison: Tyron Smith
Staff
GM Ricky Tyler: 18 years of front office experience. Most of those years with the Grizzlies and Cobras.
HC William Berg: Berg is the youngest head coach in the MLF at 38 years old. Known as a passing game guru, Berg turned USC into a passing powerhouse as their offensive coordinator for the past few years. The Grizzlies took a big chance taking the college offensive coordinator and making him the leader of their franchise.
OC Jack Avalos: Avalos was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the Grizzlies last season.
DC Harold Joy: Former Titans DC.
Owner: Alani Kelekolio
Brief Summary: The Storm is the final expansion team for the MLF. They already have a dedicated though smaller fanbase and have their fervor matched by their energetic owner, former player Alani Kelekolio.
NFL Comparison: 2003 Houston Texans
Top Three Players
WR Frederick Ferrara | 6’5” 203 lbs. | 24 years old 1-year pro | Utah State
Round 2 Pick 12 in 2014
2014 Stats: 12 starts, 74 receptions, 1,002 yards, 13.5 average, 7 touchdowns, 13 drops
Ferrara is a jump ball specialist and a tremendous athlete. But his poor attitude and laziness have not endeared him to his teammates or coaches. He had a great first season, but if he does not commit to his craft and continues to grow a flash is all he will be.
NFL Comparison: Kelvin Benjamin
G Arnold Patrick | 6’2” 319 lbs. | 26 years old 2 years pro | Indiana
Round 2 Pick 14 in 2005
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 4 sacks allowed
NFL Comparison: Trai Turner
CB Charles Bobo | 6’2” 210 lbs. | 28 years old 8 years pro | Virginia Tech
Round 5 Pick 6 in 2007 by Charlotte Hurricanes
1x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts,104 tackles, 157 targets/102 catches allowed, 1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 25 passes defended, 1 defensive touchdown
Bobo surpassed all expectations when he came into the league as a fifth-round pick. From being a special teams ace to starting at corner on the outside and in the slot, Charles Bobo has been an absolute playmaker. He was selected by Honolulu in the expansion draft and played very well for them as their number one cornerback.
NFL Comparison: Mike Hilton, Jonathan Joseph
Staff
GM Elton Navos: 13 years of front office experience. Former Titans GM, a very charismatic leader.
HC James Winkler: Former Raiders assistant head coach, the franchise hopes his skill for offensive gameplans and attention to detail will help them develop a young roster.
OC Daniel Smith: Joined staff with Winkler in 2014.
DC Mason Gray: Joined staff with Winkler in 2014.
Owner: Marcus Sarabi
Brief Summary: The Hurricanes are in a bit of a downturn, with their last playoff appearance coming in 2010. They won a league title in 1997 and were very competitive through the late 90s and early 2000s.
NFL Comparison: Carolina Panthers
Last Five Seasons
2010: 7-5, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
2011: 3-9, missed playoffs
2012: 5-7, missed playoffs
2013: 4-8, missed playoffs
2014: 8-8, missed playoffs
Top Three Players
C Mark LaFleur | 6’3” 319 lbs. | 25 years old 4 years pro | Kent State
Round 1 Pick 15 in 2011
2x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 2 sacks allowed
LaFleur is considered to be the best center in the MLF and one of the top linemen out there. He has had a very strong showing in his short career and is a beloved member of the locker room.
NFL Comparison: Rodney Hudson
S Nicolas Allred | 6’1” 184 lbs. | 26 years old 3 years pro | Central Michigan
Round 1 Pick 3 in 2012
2014 Stats: 11 starts, 45 tackles, 111 targets/61 catches allowed,1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 10 passes defended
Allred is a versatile playmaker. Originally known for his ability to play in the box, he has become more dynamic playing in coverage as he developed.
NFL Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu
QB Rolland Bridges | 6’3” 230 lbs. | 30 years old 6 years pro | San Jose State
Round 1 Pick 9 in 2009 by Phoenix Kings
1x All-Pro, 2009 OROY
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 4.426 yards, 67% completion, 46 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
Bridges is coming off his best career season with the Phoenix Kings, but they were unwilling to break the bank for the MVP-runner up this past offseason. Charlotte will be paying to former rookie of the year for a one-year prove-it season to see if he can replicate those stunning results last year. Underwhelming seasons in between 2014 and 2009 left doubt for the Kings in the signal-caller, so it will be interesting to see if he can have some consistency in Charlotte.
NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco, Nick Foles
Staff
GM Brandon Willoughby: 18 years of front office experience. Preaches loyalty and likes to re-sign players.
HC Henry Wilbanks: Former Totems head coach, won the MLF championship with them in 2010. He has been coaching the Hurricanes since 2012 but with little success. He is on the last year of his deal, a make-or-break season for the former champion coach.
OC Rodney Pugh: Pugh was the Rangers OC before joining Wilbanks in Charlotte.
DC Jon Barlow: Joined staff with Wilbanks in 2012.