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A little late but ...
Atlantic City Phantoms Preview
• - all stats from the 2032 season
STRENGTH
DL- Starters: DE Mike Hipp (65/65), DT Darren Richardson (63/63), Neil Farr (57/57), Nick Frassrand (47/47) / Johnnie Kelly (46/46)
Hipp looks to bounce back from a poor sophomore season (his sack numbers dropped from nine in 2031 to five in 2032) but he is young and talented so there is no reason to have any doubts about his production. The right defensive end spot will likely be a rotation between two 8 year vets in Frassrand and Kelly. Kelly is the defensive line leader for the Phantoms who started 8 games in 2032 and recorded two sacks. Frassrand was signed in the offseason after starting 16 games for Boise and recording 3 sacks. One of the two needs to step up and apply more pressure and keep opponents from overloading on Hipp. Waiting in the wings for a chance are 2032 3rd round pick Kennedy Phipps (38/49) and rookie Dan Brown (25/38). The center of the defensive line is anchored by Richardson who enters his 6th season. His production dropped a bit last year but not enough to keep ACI from signing him to a new 5 year, $61.03 million dollar contract. Also in his 6th year, Farr was a big free agent signing in 2032 who was solid yet unspectacular in the middle of the line. Rookie Roderick Woods (30/50) is currently the only other defensive tackle on the roster so he should see plenty of playing time.
WEAKNESS
WR – Starters: FL Melvin Parrish (39/39), SE Harvey Webster (38/38)
Last season, the quarterback position was the biggest weakness on the roster but wide receiver was a close second. This year, the receivers have moved up a spot to #1 (unfortunately that is not a good thing). The Phantoms had a chance to draft a potential #1 receiver in the draft but chose instead to select a #1 running back. ACI brought in two new starters in the offseason with the additions of Parrish (40 rec.) and Webster (30 rec.). Both have good hands and getting downfield but are not the total package and would be no better than a #3 receiver on most teams in the CFL. Emmitt Diaz (6th year – 36/36) was a starter last season but now is the #3 receiver (65 rec). Third round pick Mack Leskanic (rookie – 14/22) has been a huge disappointment and is lucky to be on the roster. Bryant Corbett (4th year – 32/32) is another ACI draft pick who is lucky to still have a job after catching 20 passes last season. Late signing Dana Hollenbaugh (6th year – 35/35) caught 75 passes for Durham in 2032 and could be a sleeper. There have been numerous rumors that the Phantoms will be using a lot of two tight end sets as well as employing tight ends in wide receiver spots this year.
OTHER UNITS
QB – Starter: Rico Firth (5th year - 42/42)
After a flirtation with free agency, Firth resigned with ACI and is entrenched as the starter. On many teams, Firth would be a solid backup but in the ACI system he is a good fit. The key is to not turnover the ball and manage the offense. He isn’t expected to carry the offence. Claude Ripple (3rd year – 37/40) has won the backup job over Todd Nelson (4th year – 39/43). Both are very similar to Firth and fit the mold of a Phantom quarterback skill set wise. While it would be nice to have a stud quarterback, ACI is working with what they have.
RB – Starter: J.R. Brustkern (rookie – 73/73)
ACI had a chance to get a quarterback or wide receiver high in the draft this year but chose to draft a running back in the first round for the second straight season. Unlike last year, this one seems to be a hit. Brustkern has all the ratings you would want in a #1 back and should be a huge addition to the offense. Prior to the draft, the Phantoms signed Winfred Wells (5th year – 58/58) to provide some competition. Wells (215 carries for 932 yards) should provide a nice 1-2 punch with Brustkern. Harvey Engelke (2nd year – 34/34) was last year’s #1 pick and is a bust to this point.
FB – Starter: Nolan O’Neal (7th year - 41/41)
Mario Genovese was not resigned which left the starting spot for O’Neal. While Genovese was a running fullback, O’Neal is a prototype fullback with 96 run blocking. With the increased emphasis on the running game, O’Neal should have a huge role. Marshall Everett (3rd year – 34/34) is a decent blocker but is mainly roster filler at this time.
TE: Starter: Myron Learned (2nd year - 64/64), Alex McDaniel (3rd year – 48/58)
It was a tough call between tight end and defensive line for the most talented group on the team. Learned (51 receptions) was the first of two #1 picks in 2032 and is quickly becoming one of the better tight ends in the league. His role should be increased in 2033. McDaniel (42 receptions) is listed as a starter because ACI will be using a lot of two tight end sets. In fact, rumor has it that ACI will look to get their 3rd and 4th tight ends on the field in wide receiver spots. This means that Harold Rasmussen (8th year – 41/41) and Graham Phillip (4th year – 47/47) will getting plenty of balls thrown their way.
OL: Starters: LT Gabe Burdick (52/52), LG Jimmie Matthews (49/49), C Roosevelt Shepard (78/78), RG Curtis Babinchak (65/65), RT Wesley Sample (48/48)
ACI has a solid line with Shephard as the anchor. Matthews officially moves from center to left guard (which is his natural position). Babinchak was named the ACI franchise player and will be expected to show he is worth the money spent. K.C. Norton (2nd year – 47/68) is a future starter and may rotate with Matthews quite a bit. Ricky Cundiff (rookie – 16/53) is a project. Ike Powell (6th year – 44/44) is the new backup center. Sample and Burdick are the only tackles on the roster and the hope is they stay healthy.
LB: Starters: SLB Edwin Stoner (85/85), MLB Zack Koethe (43/43), WLB Norm Berrian (42/42)
Stoner. Enough said. ACI had to release OLB J.C. Morrison for cap reasons and Berrian was signed as a cheaper, and less talented, replacement. Koethe is back as the starting linebacker but needs to make more of an impact. Backing up Koethe will be Roy Gregg (8th year – 27/27), who is strictly a run defender. Second round pick Sammie Gilmore (rookie – 16/39) is another draftee who may be a bust. A strained calf muscle in the preseason has not helped his development. Al Marshall (6th year – 36/36) was a late signing but should provide nice depth.
CB: Starters: LCB Leo Pasquarella (50/52), RCB Dennis Porter (67/67)
Porter returns as the #1 cornerback and is still a force in the defensive backfield. Pasquarella continues to make progress after moving from safety to cornerback last year. While the starters are the same as 2032, the backups have changed quite a bit. Seth Montoto (5th year – 41/41) was signed to be the nickel back. The draft produced the #4 and #5 cornerbacks in Joes O’Donnell (rookie – 28/50) and Calvin Van der Haak (27/40). O’Donnell and Haak will make their impact this year on special teams in the return game.
S: Starters: FS Dwight Ross (51/51), SS Wendell Myrick (60/60)
Ross and Myrick are back to make up a very good set of safeties. Norm Ford (4th year – 42/42) is a new addition and will be the primary backup for both safety spots. Wayne Fleming (2nd year – 29/40) will be a good backup in the future but for now is a special teams player.
ST: Starters: K Dixon Finch (11th year - 75/75), P Howard Doyle (50/50)
Finch only missed one field goal in 2032 (25/26) and was probably the biggest offensive weapon. Doyle was named the 1st team all-CFL punter last year. He tested free agency, didn’t get any takers and resigned with ACI.
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