The Phantoms have been very active in the trade market as well as making a few additions via free agency. With the draft moving slowly, it is a good time to see what the team has done so far:

Trades

Atlantic City gets CB Leo Pasquarella and a 2038 3rd round pick while Arizona receives 2037 2-11



- Pasquarella (49/49), originally a 2nd round pick by ACI in 2032, returns after a year in the desert. ACI was concerned about their CB depth with Dennis Porter a free agent and entering his 12th year and last year’s #1 pick Ralph Myers looking like a career nickel back.


Atlantic City gets RB Mark Picchietti while Atlanta receives a 2038 5th round pick



- Picchietti, currently participating in CFL Europe, will compete with Byron Hoover to be the primary backup for JR Brustkern. In addition to very good running skill potential, Pichietti will be a good special teams performer where ACI struggled in 2036.


Atlantic City gets FB Toby Griffith, and in return Durham gets 2037 pick 7-11



- The addition of Griffith gives Atlanta City the #2 and #3 rated run blocking fullbacks in the league. The happiest Phantom player is running back JR Brustkern.


Free Agency Acquisitions

K Dixon Finch – 15th Year – 62/62



- Finch turned down an offer from Boston to finish his career in Atlantic City. After a subpar 2035 season while making 65% of his FG attempts, Finch rebounded with an 85% accuracy rate.


CB Dennis Porter – 12th year – 55/55



- Porter was also given a chance to sign elsewhere but decided to remain with the Phantoms. Training camp will be very important for Porter as the worry is that he may suffer a decline, which is another reason why the Pasquarella trade was so important.


TE Rufus Walsh – 11th year – 53/53



- Atlantic City has been looking for a tight end to team up with Myron Learned for a couple seasons now. If Walsh can avoid any serious ratings declines, he could be a nice stop gap until a younger option can be found. In 2035, Walsh was 1st team all-league so the skillset is there.


S Levon Bullock – 7th year – 45/45



- When the decision was made to not resign Safety’s Dwight Ross or Ronald Rolf, there was a huge hole in the secondary. Bullock is a good run defender who will get the first shot to become the new starter at strong safety.


DE Edgar Hayes – 4th year – 44/44



- The Phantoms front office feels that the Hayes signing may be the best of the off-season. A bit of a bust as a 1st round pick by Oregon in 2034, Hayes is tied for the third highest run defense rating for defensive ends in the CFL. He should slot immediately into the RDE slot on the line.


WR Maurice McKinney – 8th year – 33/33
Pete Western – 6th year – 33/33

- With only four wide receivers on the roster, Atlantic City decided to take a couple flyers at this point in free agency. McKinney is a veteran with a good big play receiving rating. Western is a bit younger that can get downfield with some big play ability while also adding some special teams abilities. Neither one is guaranteed a spot on the final roster.


Gino Wayne – 8th year – 26/29

- Another experiment, Wayne was signed as a possible conversion to a WLB. He has very good pass rush technique and pass rush strength numbers and had 7 sacks in 2035.


Winfred Henry – 6th year – 30/30

- Henry resigned with ACI and will be given a shot at the WLB spot as well.


CB Calvin Van der Haak – 5th year – 36/36

- The Phantoms had high hopes for Van der Haak when they drafted him in 2034 but he seems to have leveled off at 36/36. However, his skillset fits what the defense is looking for in a cornerback so Van der Haak is back as a 4th / 5th corner.

_________________