DIVISION B
Owner: Davis Mockings II
Brief Summary:: The Swashbucklers are known for being consistent contenders and their rowdy fanbase. They have had sustained success, but the last five years have been underwhelming. Birmingham needs to take the next step and find playoff success, and they are hoping offensive genius, and quarterback guru Kenneth Johnston can lead them there.
NFL Comparison: Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders
Last Five Seasons
2010: 2-10, missed playoffs
2011: 5-7, missed playoffs
2012: 8-4, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
2013: 4-8, missed playoffs
2014: 9-7, missed playoffs
Top Three Players
DE Pete Escalante | 6'3 280 lbs. | 33 years old 12 years pro | Oregon
Round 1 Pick 4 in 2003
2x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 57 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Escalante is a top-end speed rusher, known for his stubborn personality and the respect his hard work has earned him in the locker room. Last season he racked up a career-high 18 sacks, showing that despite entering his mid-30s, he is still in his prime.
NFL Comparison: Cameron Jordan
RB Tyson Wiggins | 6'0" 190 lbs. | 29 years old 5 years pro | Baylor
Round 3 Pick 2 in 2010
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 1,338 total yards, 5.1 yards per carry, 7 total touchdowns
Tyson Wiggins entered as a mid-round pick and struggled to find playing time until 2012, when he became Birmingham’s primary tailback. 2014 was his first season rushing for over 1,000 yards, with some receiving yards to boot. He is a speedster and a great receiver out of the backfield, but do not expect him to break many tackles.
NFL Comparison: Austin Ekeler, Shane Vereen
QB Mark Collado | 6'3" 252 lbs. | 26 years old 6 years pro | Texas
Round 1 Pick 1 in 2009 by Minneapolis Titans
2014 Stats: 12 starts, 3,251 yards, 65.5% completion, 17 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 93.2 rating
Collado is considered a bust by a few analysts. The former number one overall pick in 2009 flamed out in Minneapolis after six uninteresting seasons. He has suffered from several injuries and, to this day, has not started a full season under center. Coming out of Texas, scouts loved his size and his gunslinger mentality, but rumors of his laziness and poor work ethic have proven to be true. His last season with the Titans was his best and a bit of a surprise to the league. The Titans chose not to re-sign him, and he signed a one-year deal with Birmingham this past offseason. With two inexperienced quarterbacks in Michael Faust and Clyde Rendon on the roster, Collado is the surefire starter for the 2015 Swashbucklers.
NFL Comparison: Blake Bortles, Sam Bradford
Staff
GM Clinton Crane: 31 years of experience, most in college coaching, 70 years old. Crane has let the team know that he is in his last seasons and is actively grooming replacements.
HC Kenneth Johnston: Johnston made his name in the league has a top-end quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator for the Madison Wolves. He then got hired on in Dallas as offensive coordinator, where he led one the most high-scoring and hire-powered offenses the league has ever seen through the late 2000s. He turned that success into his first head coaching job in Birmingham back in 2011. So far, it has not been all that the Swashbucklers have hoped for. He is not on the hot seat, per se, but results better come sooner than later.
OC Curt Coleman: Former Madison offensive coordinator was an offensive quality control coach back when Johnston was there. Came over in 2010 with Johnston.
DC Earl Lund: Well-tenured defensive position coach at 70 years old, second-ever coordinator job.
Owner: Robert Givings
Brief Summary: One of the new expansion teams played their first seasons in 2014. They finished 3-13 but have high hopes of building on their current squad. Owner Robert Givings was a minority owner in the Warriors and has brought some good perspective to the new franchise.
NFL Comparison: 2003 Houston Texans
Top Three Players
SS Jeffery Adams | 6'2" 223 lbs. | 27 years old 6 years pro | Louisville
Round 1 Pick 12 in 2009 by Toronto Raiders
1x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 15 starts, 69 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions
Adams is a big-hitting, playmaking box safety that adds intensity to a defense. He has been characterized as pragmatic and reserved in a quiet storm. That changed a bit in the past year, as he voiced some frustrations with the Raiders leaving him unprotected in the expansion draft. He has not shown any excitement about playing in Cleveland thus far.
NFL Comparison: Budda Baker
G Donnie Wiese | 6'3" 329 lbs. | 25 years old 4 years pro | Boston College
Round 2 Pick 9 in 2011 by Las Vegas Grizzlies
2014 Stats: 13 starts, 31 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
Wiese is one of the most versatile linemen in the league. He played at right tackle in college, moved to left tackle in his first year in Vegas, converted to guard shortly after, and took snaps at center this past season for the Red Devils. He is intelligent and strong as hell, and like most players selected in the expansion draft, he is trying to make the best out of the situation. But it is no secret. He rather is somewhere else.
NFL Comparison: Kelechi Osemele, Marcus Cannon
QB Gary Nunez | 6'1" 200 lbs | 24 years old 1-year pro | Virginia Tech
Round 1 Pick 2 2014
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 3,710 yards, 64.7% completion, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 86.3 rating
Gary Nunez has the honor of being the first-ever draft pick in Cleveland Red Devils history. Out of Virginia Tech, he was graded out as a blue-chip prospect after losing three starts in three seasons. Despite being a little undersized, according to some scouts, Nunez played and succeeded in a pro system that boosted his draft stock. With his teammates, he is described as a fun-loving, charismatic guy. His arm talent is average, and he needs to become more consistent with his accuracy, but his brains will carry him far, and his potential is high.
NFL Comparison: Andy Dalton, Baker Mayfield
Staff
GM Taylor Nutter: 14 years of experience, was the former director of player personnel for the Denver Mountaineers.
HC Roosevelt Miller: Miller had been retired for the past couple of years, with his most recent job as the Wisconsin defensive coordinator. He coordinated some defenses in the pros and has some head coaching experience but is renowned for his ability to fire up his players.
OC Roger Martinez: Former Baltimore Raptors offensive line coach.
DC Johnnie Dolan: Former Los Angeles Stars linebackers coach.
Owner: Paul and Lewis Wagster
Brief Summary:: The Denver Mountaineers are the definition of perennial contenders. They won three consecutive championships from 2003-05 and then went back-to-back in 2007-08. Their team, led by legendary head coach Morris Lindsay and the player many consider to be the GOAT quarterback, David Booth, was unstoppable. Then Booth retired, and Lindsay was somewhat pushed into retirement in an awkward offseason. Since then, they have been searching for a way to get back to the top of the mountain.
NFL Comparison: New England Patriots
Last Five Seasons
2010: 5-7, missed playoffs
2011: 7-5, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
2012: 3-9, missed playoffs
2013: 6-6, made playoffs, lost in Conference round
2014: 9-7, made playoffs, lost in Conference round
Top Three Players
QB Dennis Baines | 6'5" 239 lbs. | 32 years old 9 years pro | Michigan
Round 3 Pick 8 in 2006 by Lincoln Thunderhawks
2014 Stats: 11 starts, 3,381 yards, 59.8% completion, 31 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 132.8 rating
Dennis Baines is a solid veteran quarterback who did not find a lot of success or playing time until he exploded on the scene in his second season in Toronto back in 2010 when he three for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. After three promising seasons with the Raiders, Baines landed in Denver. Following a couple of failed attempts at finding heirs to David Booth, the Mountaineers were relieved to have Baines’ stable hand. He is a prototypical game-manager, a solid arm with good accuracy and good decision-making. In 2014, he had a career season throwing 31 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. Denver picked up their team option on him this offseason and is currently in talks for a long-term extension.
NFL Comparison: Kirk Cousins
HB De'Ron Wilder | 5'10 208 lbs. | 31 years old 9 years pro | UCLA
Round 1 Pick 14 in 2006 by Charlotte Hurricanes
2014 Stats: 14 starts, 976 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns
De’Ron Wilder is a tough, reliable veteran tailback. While he does not have any great accolades or awards, he has over 8000 rushing yards to his name, and career average yards per carry over 4.5. Denver acquired Wilder in a massive trade that sent would-be David Booth heir Roger Peterson, their upcoming 2nd and 6th round picks for Wilder, and three future round picks from Charlotte in 2012. Wilder’s speed is not what it used to be back when he was drafted but make no mistake about how talented he is in the backfield.
NFL Comparison: Melvin Gordon, Isaiah Crowell
WR Edward Pfeiffer | 6'1" 177 lbs. | 32 years old 9 years pro | UCLA
Round 1 Pick 20 in 2006 by New Jersey Mights
3x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 9 starts, 33 receptions, 968 yards, 29.8 yards per catch, 9 touchdowns
Pfieffer has made a name for himself in the MLF for being a jump-ball specialist. He is not blazing fast, he won’t run immaculate routes, but as almost as sure as the sun rises, he will make a great catch on a deep ball. He signed in Denver back in 2012 and signed an extension this offseason.
Staff
GM Brian Mills: Mills served as the director of pro scouting for five years with Denver before being promoted to general manager. He has been a strong proponent of building through trades and free agencies versus using the draft.
HC Mark Aldrich: Denver parted ways with their head coach at the end of the regular season and then maneuvered the controversial stealing of Las Vegas Grizzlies head coach Mark Aldrich. Aldrich’s contract had lapsed, and during the days of working on a new one, which he reportedly verbally agreed to, he rescinded his acceptance and signed on with Denver. He led Las Vegas to a couple of playoff appearances and will now lead Denver heading into 2015.
OC Fred Jensen: 72-year-old coach Jensen was Denver’s offensive coordinator from 1992-2011 before he retired preceding the 2012 season. His impact on the offense was immediately missed, and GM Brian Mills and head coach Mark Aldrich reached out and pulled him out of retirement to coach the offense again in 2014.
DC Angelo McCauley: Former New York Defensive Coordinator McCauley is a great defensive backs coach that came over in 2013.
Owner: Mark Dangerfield
Brief Summary: The Totems were unremarkable their first ten years in the league. In 2004, they made the playoffs seven straight years, including four championship appearances and one championship victory. They have grown into a top-class franchise and have won two more championships in the last five seasons.
NFL Comparison: Kansas City Chiefs
Last Five Seasons
2010: 9-3, made playoffs, League Champions
2011: 6-6, missed playoffs
2012: 10-2, made playoffs, League Champions
2013: 9-3, made playoffs, lost in Conference round
2014: 9-7, made playoffs, lost in Wildcard round
Top Three Players
QB James Travis | 6'3" 249 lbs. | 34 years old 13 years pro | Alabama
Round 1 Pick 1 in 2002 by Lincoln Thunderhawks
7x All-Pro, 2x Playoff MVP, 2002 Offensive Rookie of the Year
2014 Stats: 13 starts, 4,178 yards, 68.9% completion, 38 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 103.1 rating
Many analysts would argue that James Travis, the best quarterback in the league and the best one since David Booth retired. His story is interesting; the former number one overall pick in 2002 played pretty well in Lincoln's three seasons. Then in the 2005 draft, they selected current quarterback Terry Benoit with the sixth overall pick. After losing the starting job to Benoit in the preseason, the Thunderhawks cut Travis in week three of the season after refusing to be traded. The Totems picked him up off waivers an hour later, and the rest is history. Along with two rings, Travis is third all-time in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns.
NFL Comparison: Drew Brees
DE Sheldon Fine| 6'1" 280 lbs. | 34 years old 14 years pro | Notre Dame
Round 1 Pick 7 in 2001 by Orlando Sharks
3x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 39 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles/1 fumble recovery, 9 sacks
Sheldon Fine was an above-average pass rusher through the first nine seasons of his career. When he signed with the Totems in 2010, he had a career-season with 12 sacks. And he has since been named an All-Pro twice. He is a charismatic, eccentric presence around the team, and though he is a little past his prime, he is that defensive leader the team loves to have.
NFL Comparison: Justin Houston
SS Martin Roberge | 6'0" 195 lbs. | 29 years old 9 years pro | Arizona State
Round 1 Pick 23 in 2006 by Oregon Predators
4x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 86 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 passes defended
Roberge has added a ton of versatility to his game since he signed in New Orleans in 2011. He has evolved from a coverage-only guy to a player who can make big plays in the box, witnessed with his seven sacks on the season. He has a charming personality but has been known to push the limits with some people. Notably, he has some ongoing conflicts with coach Herring.
NFL Comparison: Jamal Adams, Kam Chancellor
Staff
GM Daniel Polanco: With five years of front office experience, many people argue former quality control coach and scout Daniel Polanco is underqualified for this role.
HC David Herring: Herring has been the Totem head coach since 2014 and has cemented himself as one of the top coaches in MLF history with a 91-45 record with two championships.
OC Arthur Allison: Allison served as the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2004-2011 before being promoted to offensive coordinator. He is credited with the quick development and success of James Travis.
DC Benjamin Daly: Daly served as the Atlanta Talons head coach from 2010-2011 before joining the Totems as their defensive coordinator in 2012.
Owner: Mason Finch
Brief Summary: The Orlando Sharks are on the brink of a championship, coming off their loss to the Kansas City Gamblers this past championship. They have been competitive through the league’s existence except for some down years in the early 2000s.
NFL Comparison: San Francisco 49ers
Last Five Seasons
2010: 7-5, made playoffs, lost in Divisional round
2011: 9-3, made playoffs, lost in Divisional round
2012: 6-6, missed playoffs
2013: 10-2, lost in Divisional round
2014: 10-6, lost in Championship
Top Three Players
HB Adonis Sowell II | 6'4" 253 lbs. | 29 years old 8 years pro | Alabama
Round 1 Pick 12 in 2007
4x All-Pro
2014 Stats: 16 starts, 1,380 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns
There are very few that can compare to the athletic anomaly that is Adonis Sowell. Towering over players at 6’4” and out-weighing the competition at over 250 pounds, then add in the fact he ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at his combine, this guy is the real deal. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in seven out of eight pro seasons, a foregone conclusion when he plays a whole season. Sowell has been a staple of the Orlando community, and they have loved him back. He is extremely active in his charity with the surrounding communities and has become a fantastic leader in the area.
NFL Comparison: Derrick Henry
DE Michael Simmons | 6'7" 319 lbs. | 26 years old 6 years pro | Texas
Round 1 Pick 8 in 2009 by Charlotte Hurricanes
2014 Stats: 15 starts, 51 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 15 sacks
Simmons possesses an incredible combination of strength and speed of the edge. Has been able to the lineup as an outside pass rusher and a 3-technique on the interior. Every season he has been in the league has resulted in 10+ sacks, though he has been underrated. An interesting note on Simmons, he has gained some notoriety for being in a long-term relationship with reality television star Pam Wallachia.
SS John Berry | 6'3" 229 lbs. | 25 years old 4 years pro | Coastal Carolina
Round 1 Pick 18 in 2011
2014 Stats: 12 starts, 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 4 sacks
Berry is another solid box-based safety. He has great speed for the safety position and is a top-tier tackler but lacks his ability to play in coverage. In the last couple of seasons, he has shown off his bitter side, and it has translated into a poor relationship with head coach James Green.
Staff
GM Phillip Benson: 34 years of experience; Benson used to work in the league office as a member of the competition and trade committees.
HC James Green: Coach Green has been the Sharks head coach since 2009 and has developed a great reputation for helping player reach their potential. He is also known as one of the top offensive minds in the league.
OC Alan Conti: Conti has been the Sharks offensive coordinator since 2007 following stints with Salt Lake City and Oregon.
DC Morris Gantt: Gantt has held the role of defensive coordinator with the Sharks since 2004 and has since been retained by Coach Green.
like ur in trouble when a top three player is compared to trent richardson