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Team Preview: Amsterdam Hammers
December 27, 2010
Amsterdam may be best known for some conspicuous substances, but the Hammers may change the shape of that thinking if they can strike quickly. The Hammers are going to be lead by head coach Chris Beatty, who is known for producing and utilizing some explosive players like Percy Harvin and Noel Devine. He will probably love C.J. Spiller then, who is one of the most explosive backs int he draft. Beatty is a players coach who is a good motivator and can simply see talent and develop it.
But the strength of the Hammers lies in the overall balance of the team. There are no real weaknesses to the team. Teams may be able to run the ball against them, but defensive coordinator Keith Butler will make sure his defense is as tough as the Steel Curtain defense he played on. The secondary certainly has some great talent. But they gamble a little too much and can be burnt badly against teams with good offensive lines and quarterbacks.
The defense's strength will be its toughness. B.J. Raji is a wall and Phillip Merling and Jared Odrick each can occupy multiple blockers. That means the best player on the defense, Brian Orakpo, is free to rush into the backfield and hit the quarterback or knock down the running back. Orakpo could get 10 sacks in this defense and really scare quarterbacks and force teams to use extra blockers. Sergio Kindle can come from the other side too. Rolando McClain will be free to rack up tackles behind the massive line and eat up ball carriers.
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow should be excited about the offense. He has an excellent quarterback to build around in Josh Freeman and one of the most talented receivers in Michael Crabtree. As mentioned earlier, C.J. Spiller will be a threat at all times, but there are concerns about the workload he can handle. And Laurence Maroney isn't exactly the ideal workhorse to rely on. Speedy receiver Golden Tate is a deep threat Freeman can hit every once every so often, while tight end Zach Miller is a perfect underneath guy to pass to. The offensive line will be tough to get through, lead by first round pick Michael Oher. The line is a mean bunch with maulers Max Unger, Andre Smith, and Anthony Davis. The Hammers may not be considered a power, brute force team, but they have the dynamic players on both sides of the ball to create some excitement and energy.
This team could start slow trying to find what works for them on both sides of the ball. But once this team gains some momentum, watch out. They could catch fire and make some other smoke in Amsterdam.
Read more:http://www.thewfl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wfln&action=display&thread=258#ixzz19MB35jKK
Amsterdam may be best known for some conspicuous substances, but the Hammers may change the shape of that thinking if they can strike quickly. The Hammers are going to be lead by head coach Chris Beatty, who is known for producing and utilizing some explosive players like Percy Harvin and Noel Devine. He will probably love C.J. Spiller then, who is one of the most explosive backs int he draft. Beatty is a players coach who is a good motivator and can simply see talent and develop it.
But the strength of the Hammers lies in the overall balance of the team. There are no real weaknesses to the team. Teams may be able to run the ball against them, but defensive coordinator Keith Butler will make sure his defense is as tough as the Steel Curtain defense he played on. The secondary certainly has some great talent. But they gamble a little too much and can be burnt badly against teams with good offensive lines and quarterbacks.
The defense's strength will be its toughness. B.J. Raji is a wall and Phillip Merling and Jared Odrick each can occupy multiple blockers. That means the best player on the defense, Brian Orakpo, is free to rush into the backfield and hit the quarterback or knock down the running back. Orakpo could get 10 sacks in this defense and really scare quarterbacks and force teams to use extra blockers. Sergio Kindle can come from the other side too. Rolando McClain will be free to rack up tackles behind the massive line and eat up ball carriers.
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow should be excited about the offense. He has an excellent quarterback to build around in Josh Freeman and one of the most talented receivers in Michael Crabtree. As mentioned earlier, C.J. Spiller will be a threat at all times, but there are concerns about the workload he can handle. And Laurence Maroney isn't exactly the ideal workhorse to rely on. Speedy receiver Golden Tate is a deep threat Freeman can hit every once every so often, while tight end Zach Miller is a perfect underneath guy to pass to. The offensive line will be tough to get through, lead by first round pick Michael Oher. The line is a mean bunch with maulers Max Unger, Andre Smith, and Anthony Davis. The Hammers may not be considered a power, brute force team, but they have the dynamic players on both sides of the ball to create some excitement and energy.
This team could start slow trying to find what works for them on both sides of the ball. But once this team gains some momentum, watch out. They could catch fire and make some other smoke in Amsterdam.
Read more:http://www.thewfl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wfln&action=display&thread=258#ixzz19MB35jKK
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Blog: Passing Lane
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Minotaurs Have Stable of Backs to Feed
December 27, 2010
The Virgin Islands Minotaurs have surprisingly drafted five running backs in just 27 rounds. Owner Colin Durina describes the team's collection as "deadly" and feels they can do anything when combined together. Rashard Mendenhall will be the feature back getting most of the carries, Darren McFadden will provide the speed, Reggie Bush is the receiver, Toby Gerhart is the power back, and Peyton Hillis is all of them combined.
So why did they draft all of them?
I don't know.
But for all the holes the Minotaurs might have in other areas, they won't lack depth at the running back position and can always rely on someone being able to move the ball. But these guys won't just take turns toting the rock. Nope. Durina says that there will usually be two backs on the field at the same time - sometimes even three.
This is a really good idea. Running back is a fragile position and having unlimited options like the Minotaurs is smart. Just as long as Peyton Hillis doesn't spend ten minutes flexing after scoring. Or as long as Bush and McFadden don't get into trouble off the field. And if Gerhart can burn his degree from Stanford. Then, and only then, will this strange strategy work.
Read more:http://www.thewfl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wfln&action=display&thread=192#ixzz19LwCk4Aj
The Virgin Islands Minotaurs have surprisingly drafted five running backs in just 27 rounds. Owner Colin Durina describes the team's collection as "deadly" and feels they can do anything when combined together. Rashard Mendenhall will be the feature back getting most of the carries, Darren McFadden will provide the speed, Reggie Bush is the receiver, Toby Gerhart is the power back, and Peyton Hillis is all of them combined.
So why did they draft all of them?
I don't know.
But for all the holes the Minotaurs might have in other areas, they won't lack depth at the running back position and can always rely on someone being able to move the ball. But these guys won't just take turns toting the rock. Nope. Durina says that there will usually be two backs on the field at the same time - sometimes even three.
This is a really good idea. Running back is a fragile position and having unlimited options like the Minotaurs is smart. Just as long as Peyton Hillis doesn't spend ten minutes flexing after scoring. Or as long as Bush and McFadden don't get into trouble off the field. And if Gerhart can burn his degree from Stanford. Then, and only then, will this strange strategy work.
Read more:http://www.thewfl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wfln&action=display&thread=192#ixzz19LwCk4Aj
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