The great experiment,
the AFL’s first try at free agency, is just over the horizon. The
Cobras are in a fairly unique position among the league’s teams, in that
most of their stars are not free agents; OS Marlon Estes, OS/WR/DB Dexter
Dawson, WR/LB Cornelius White, FB/LB Marrio Grier, and OL/DL Brad Keeney
all have less than the requisite four years of experience, meaning that
the Cobras won’t face competition for their services.
At least not
from other AFL teams. That, of course, is the other factor this offseason...
who will jump to the NFL or the XFL? Such uncertainty makes it difficult
to speculate on what players will even be available in free agency, much
less who the Cobras might target.
But what the
heck? Let’s speculate!
The Cobras
front office must first determine the status of the team’s own six free
agents. Two may be designated franchise players, and will presumably
get longer and more lucrative contracts. The Cobras will most likely
use the designation on QB Fred McNair and OL/DL Jerry Sharp. They’ll
also want to try to keep WR/DB David McLeod and FB/LB Bo Kelly. DS
Adrian Lunsford and backup QB Carlos Garay are worth keeping around if
they are not asking for too much.
Then the Cobras
must decide who to protect in the expansion draft. Considering that
the Cobras played like an expansion team this past season, they can probably
find people with more talent than whatever few players they lose from the
fringes of their roster.
Assuming the
Cobras are able to keep McNair and protect their key younger players in
the expansion draft, the biggest areas of need are at defensive specialist,
receiver/defensive back, kicker and backup quarterback. But since
the Cobras’ talent level, as indicated by their 3-11 record, was not among
the top in the league last year, nearly any addition through free agency
has a legitimate shot at starting.
The Cobras
seem to be in a good position when it comes to attracting free agents.
The Triangle consistently ranks high on lists of ‘The Best Places to Live’
– though CZ Forum contributors have mentioned player concerns with the
cost of living in the area. Carolina also can point out its strong
crowd support, which could help lure players away from poorly supported
teams like Houston, New Jersey and Florida. And the area’s job market
is good, which means players have a good chance at finding offseason work
should they chose to permanently relocate.
The following,
then, is a list of players (by position) who I think the Cobras should
take a look at.
Defensive Specialist:
The Cobras’ secondary did
not get its act together until the very end of the season. Reggie
Carthon and Adrian Lunsford helped to turn things around eventually, but
the team could really use at least one All-Arena-type at the position to
captain the defense and tighten up coverage. Unfortunately, many
of the league’s top defensive specialists are not eligible for free agency.
The Cream of the Crop
Wayne Wade, Milwaukee (6-0,
200) – Six-year veteran had five interceptions last season
Cecil Doggette, Arizona (5-9,
180) – Four interceptions in 2000, All-Arena in 1999, played under Coach
Kay
Cedric Walker, Arizona (6-1,
205) – A fairly consistent contributor who also has the Kay connection
Derrick Stingley, Albany (6-1,
195) – Consistently excellent, though he fell off a little in 2000
Also Worth a Look
Carlos Brooks, Buffalo (6-1,
200) – Went from Los Angeles to Buffalo mid-season and had four interceptions
for the Destroyers; played for Coach Kay in Arizona in previous seasons
Darius Hadley, Grand Rapids
(6-1, 205) – Didn’t play much in 1998 or 1999, but had six interceptions
for Florida in 1997 and attempted a comeback last season in Grand Rapids
Tommy Jones, San Jose (6-0,
180) – Decent player who played some offense last year; had 11 interceptions
back in 1998
Mark Ricks, Oklahoma (5-10,
175) – Has never had fewer than four interceptions per season, and ran
two back for scores last year
Local Option
Chris Barber, New Jersey (6-1,
190) – Older (seven-year vet), but played at N.C. A&T; a journeyman
who has had a few good seasons
Receiver/Defensive Back:
This position was hit hard
last season as injuries required constant shifting of players away to offensive
specialist. Either Marlon Estes or Dexter Dawson – or both, if Kevin
Lee stays at OS – could return to two-way play, but the Cobras could really
use a solid, defensively-experienced receiver in the mix.
The Cream of the Crop
Barry Wagner, San Jose (6-3,
215) – The AFL’s Michael Jordan just moved out West last year, and probably
isn’t going anywhere
Carlos James, Iowa (6-0, 180)
– Six interceptions and 15 touchdowns this past season, and has been first
or second team All-Arena the past four years
Brett Cooper, Orlando (6-1,
190) – Grabbed two interceptions (and returned them both for scores) despite
playing in the same defensive backfield as McEntyre and Mason; 14 touchdown
catches on offense
Randy Gatewood, Arizona (6-0,
185) – With 22 touchdown catches and just two passes broken up, may be
more offensive-oriented than the Cobras need; All-Arena performer four
out of past five seasons
Also Worth a Look
Alvin Ashley, Milwaukee (5-11,
150) – Injured most of 2000, but a proven AFL star; his defensive performance
fell off a little from 1998 to 1999
Pierre Hixon, New England (5-10,
190) – Solid but unspectacular; played DS for New Jersey in 1998 and 1999,
so knows defense
Jerry Reese, San Jose (5-11,
190) – Broke out on offense in 2000 with 22 touchdown catches, but not
exceptional on defense
Antoine Worthman, Tampa Bay
(6-0, 190) – Nothing special on offense, but last season had two
interceptions, 21 pass break-ups, a sack and six fumble recoveries; may
be just what the Cobras are looking for
Kicker:
I think its safe to say
Remy Hamilton’s days were numbered long before he drove the nail in his
own coffin by driving his final field goal attempt of the season wide.
Hamilton did not equal the promise of his rookie year, not during this
season and not during the previous one in Grand Rapids, and the Cobras
have better options to turn to.
Steve Videtech, Milwaukee (6-2,
210) – N.C. State alum had a big family following when the Mustangs visited
last season
Bjorn Nittmo, Arizona (6-1,
180) – Has played with four different teams in his four AFL seasons; played
collegiately at Appalachian St.
Quarterback:
Unless the Cobras are unable
to re-sign Fred McNair, their need in this area is purely of the backup
variety. There are better options available than current backup Carlos
Garay, though the Cobras should also bring in a rookie or two from the
af2 – it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.
Scott Semptimphelter, Los Angeles
(6-2, 215) – Has staring experience, but won’t get the nod in L.A. unless
Todd Marinovich jumps to the XFL
Pat O’Hara, Orlando (6-4, 212)
– Another former starter playing behind a guaranteed starter, this time
ArenaBowl MVP Connell Maynor
Scott Wood, San Jose (6-3, 215)
– Also a former starter, backed up Mark Grieb this season
Rickey Foggie, New Jersey (6-2,
205) – Decent as a starter in New Jersey from 1997-99, now backs up Tommy
Maddox
Fullback/Linebacker:
With Marrio Grier and Bobbie
Cotten back from injuries and joining Alan Campos and, if he re-signs,
Bo Kelly, the Cobras seem set at this position. I’d only look at
these local products, and then just to stir up fan interest. When
you’re leading the league in rushing, as the Cobras were before Grier was
injured, I wouldn’t change things around too much.
Andre Bowden, Tampa Bay (6-1,
249) – Went to Fayetteville St. (in fact, his family was sitting near me
during the last game of the season), but has played with the Storm his
entire career
Les Barley, Grand Rapids (6-2,
240) – Nine-year vet attracted some interest from the Cobras when he was
a free agent last offseason; played at Winston-Salem St.
Receiver/Linebacker:
Most of the available players
here are big-names who are going to demand big bucks, and I would be satisfied
with All-Ironman Cornelius White if I was the Cobras. Depth is something
of a concern, with only Kevin Lee – who barely played all season – and
Greg Harris behind White. Unfortunately, most of the names available
are not back-up types, though some second-tier guys are available:
Bernard Edwards, Florida (6-6,
200) – Long-time Bobcat grabbed two picks in 2000 before succumbing to
injury
Jai Hill, Arizona (6-3, 210)
– A journeyman who staged a comeback in 2000 with 39 catches and eight
touchdowns, his highest toatls since 1996
Bruce LaSane, Los Angeles (6-4,
255) – Eight-year veteran who caught six touchdown passes for New Jersey
and Los Angeles last year; unspectacular on defense
Melvin Phillips, Oklahoma (6-5,
215) – Had a break-out season on offense with 30 catches and 12 touchdown
receptions, but defensive play isn’t great
Linemen:
While the Cobras would have
to be pretty satisfied with their line play in 2000, there are a ton of
linemen available, so they’ll probably sign at least one.
Cream of the Crop
Sam Hernandez, San Jose (6-3,
250) – Had 9.5 sacks, forced two fumbles as San Jose tore through the regular
season; named Lineman of the Year
Joe Jacobs, Albany (6-4, 295)
– Three-time All-Arena designee has stated his desire to play in Los Angeles
or San Jose
Victor Hall, Los Angeles (6-4,
265) – Five sacks, and also 10 receptions and three touchdowns
James Baron, Nashville (6-4,
265) – Lineman of the Year in 1998, Defensive Player of the Year in 1999,
an All-Arena performer since 1997; four sacks and two touchdown catches
in 2000
Anthony Hutch, Iowa (6-4, 295)
– Notched 4.5 sacks and two passes break-ups; not a receiver
Robert Stewart, New Jersey (6-0,
290) – 1999 Lineman of the Year and six-time All-Arena player dropped off
a bit last season
Also Worth a Look
Ernest Allen, Orlando (6-3,
280) – Journeyman had three sacks last season; All-Arena in 1998
Mark Valvo (6-5, 320) and Kyle
Moore-Brown (6-2, 298), Albany and Carlos Fowler (6-3, 265) and Robert
Gaddy (6-4, 300), Nashville – All blocked for big-time ground attacks in
2000
Local Option
Michael Harrison, Houston (6-5,
285) – N.C. State alum had one sack and one touchdown catch in 2000
Offensive Specialist:
One benefit of the constant
injuries at this position last season is that the Cobras discovered they
have two viable options at OS: Marlon Estes and Dexter Dawson. Only
four offensive specialists are available in free agency; the Cobras might
look at one local option.
James Bowden, Tampa Bay (6-0,
188) – Former N.C. A&T player had his best season in the AFL last year,
with 70 receptions and nine touchdowns
Brian’s Free Agency Shopping
List
QB Fred McNair (re-sign)
QB Pat O’Hara (Orlando)
FB/LB Bo Kelly (re-sign)
WR/DB Dave McLeod (re-sign)
WR/DB Antoine Worthman (Tampa
Bay)
WR/LB Jai Hill (Arizona)
OL/DL Jerry Sharp (re-sign)
OL/DL James Baron (Nashville)
DS Cecil Doggette (Arizona)
K Steve Videtech (Milwaukee) |
