Atlantic City is coming off a 6-10 season and are looking to get back to .500 in 2041. The off-season saw quite a few roster additions that should make an impact from day one. With their 2042 1st round pick traded away, a losing season would be disastrous.

Each season, I do a preview of the team. This year, I thought I would also compare the 2040 opening day roster with the 2041 group. Each position is also given a rating: green (good), yellow (average) or red (poor).

Offense: The two-tight end offense is back. The key will be if the passing game improves despite still not having a true #1 WR.

Quarterbacks - Red

2040
- Roy Ellard – 6th year – 45/45
- Amos Bradford – 5th year – 34/34
- Brant Flannery – R – 13/41

2041
- Tyrus Wheeler – 8th year –48/48
- Howie Boyd – 8th year – 36/36
- Brant Flannery – 2nd year – 17/38

Ellard started all 16 games in 2040 and finished with 2,088 yards passing and a 9/14 TD/INT ratio. A 51% completion rate was a concern and look to the search for a replacement. Wheeler started 11 games for St. Louis last year and his numbers were very similar to Ellard, including only 50% on completions. So why the change? The coach’s point to two reasons: Wheeler is a career 60+% passer who should bounce back and his short passing style fits the team’s offensive philosophy. ACI had hoped to keep both players on the roster to battle for the starting spot but decided to cut Ellard late as he was upset about the competition and the cap room was needed elsewhere. Boyd was a post training camp signing as ACI was desperate for a backup QB. Luckily they were able to talk Boyd into signing a cap friendly one year deal to be that backup. Flannery is a project who needs to start showing some improvement or he is gone when his contract expires.


Running Backs - Green

2040
- J.R. Brustkern – 8th year – 55/55
- Jeffrey Emack – R – 51/57
- Earnest Beyer – 4th year – 29/29

2041
- Jeffrey Emack – 2nd year – 59/59
- J.R. Brustkern – 9th year – 49/49
- D.J. Logan – 4th year – 41/41

Brustkern and Emack return and will share the workload once again, this time with Emack as the primary back. Emack finished his rookie season with 1,370 yards rushing with 10 TD’s. Brustkern fell just short of 1,000 yards (976) for the first time in his career. There is no reason to believe that both running backs shouldn’t be at or above the 1,000 yard mark again. Emack has taken a nice step forward in his ratings and big things are expected. Brustkern is in the final year of his contract, took a bit of a hit in ratings and likely won’t be resigned so this is his farewell tour in Atlantic City. Logan provides a solid option in case of injury.


Fullbacks - Green

2040
- Hunter Dail – 11th year – 46/46
- Toby Griffith – 9th year – 35/35
- Zion Price – R – 29/53

2041
- Daryl McClinton – 6th year – 50/50
- Hunter Dail – 12th year – 40/40
- Zion Price – 2nd year – 33/50

The Fullback position, which is very important in the ACI version of the two-TE offense, has improved from last year with the addition of McClinton in free agency. McClinton is a big time blocker who will take over the starting spot. Adding him to the still talented Dail and up and coming Price gives the Phantoms one of the best groups in the league.


Wide Receivers - Red

2040
- FL – Malcolm Schlecht – 10th year – 39/39
- FL – Jerald Francis – 5th year – 39/39
- FL - Donald Kruger – 3rd year – 35/35
- SE - Al Phillips – 3rd year – 31/34
- SE - Edgar Terrell – 3rd year – 32/32

2041
- Steven Andrews – 7th year – 42/42
- Herb Carruthers – 6th year – 39/39
- Malcolm Schlecht – 11th year – 37/37
- Jerald Francis – 6th year – 38/38
- Malik Burnside – 3rd year – 36/36
- Edgar Terrell – 6th year – 30/30

Atlantic City has tried to upgrade the wide receiver group just about every way you can, including draft, trades and free agency. So far that has proved unsuccessful, as the last time a Phantoms WR gained 1,000 plus yards was 2027. Let me say that again: 2027! In 2040, Schlecht was the top WR brought in via free agency and he gained 348 yards on 44 catches. For 2041, Schlecht is the #3 receiver as Andrews and Carruthers are veterans brought in to bolster the offense. Andrews is a red flag but at this point, Atlantic City will take a chance with him. He caught 35 passes for Tennessee last year but exceeded 1,000 yards in 2038 and 2039. Carruthers caught 32 passes for 354 yards for Oregon and brings huge big play receiving numbers to the Phantoms. The final new addition to the Atlantic City receiving group is Burnside, who comes over via trade from Omaha. Burnside is a young player with excellent return skills who will get a chance to player receiver this year. Francis should battle Schlecht for playing time while Terrell provides some depth.


Tight Ends - Green

2040
- Carlos Polhemus – 7th year – 76/76
- Myron Learned – 9th year – 50/50
- Casey Ford – 7th year – 47/47

2041
- Carlos Polhemus – 8th year – 75/75
- Myron Learned – 10th year – 46/46
- Casey Ford – 8th year – 42/42

All three tight ends return for 2041 and should be one of the strongest units for Atlantic City. Polhemus led the team with 62 catches for 760 yards, which was his lowest numbers since 2036. With an excellent overall skillset, Polhemus should bounce back if the Phantoms open the passing game up more than they did in 2040. Learned is a veteran who has been an excellent complement to Polhemus and is a vital piece of the running game with his strong blocking. Ford is a capable backup who can step in as needed.


Centers - Yellow

2040
- C - Roosevelt Shepard – 12th year – 64/64
- C – Buddy Segal – 5th year – 34/43

2041
- Roosevelt Shepard – 13th year – 60/60
- Buddy Segal – 6th year – 41/41

Shepard is entering his 13th year but is still a very capable player despite nagging injuries the last few years. He enters 2041 disgruntled so it will be interesting to see if his play suffers. Segal has the ability to start a couple games as needed but is not someone you want playing 10+ games a year.


Guards - Green

2040
- RG – Sedrick Janjic – 4th year – 81/81
- LG – Shovel Barton – 7th year – 54/54
- LG – K.C. Norton – 9th year – 50/50

2041
- RG – Sedrick Janjic – 5th year – 77/77
- LG – Shovel Barton – 8th year – 51/51
- LG – K.C. Norton – 10th year – 49/49

There are only 3 guards on the roster but they are all strong, veteran players. Sanjic, a former 2nd round draft pick, has become one of the best offensive lineman in the CFL. In 2040, he was the league’s strongest man and was the key to the strong rushing performances by Emack and Brustkern. Barton is one of the best run blockers around but struggles in pass blocking. Norton took a ratings hit but is still a strong backup for both guard spots.


Tackles - Yellow

2040
- RT - Carlos Urbanchek – 6th year – 72/72
- LT – Dwayne Clements – 2nd year – 29/36
- RT – Joe Kaplan – 8th year – 48/48
- RT – Donny Bratzke – 5th year – 40/40

2041
- RT Carlos Urbanchek – 7th year – 67/67
- LT – Bart Zepeda – 5th year – 41/41
- RT – Joe Kaplan – 9th year – 43/43
- LT - Dwayne Clements – 3rd year – 33/37

Urbanchek has been consistent performer for the Phantoms and 2041 should be no exception. Teaming with Janjic on the rights side of the line, there is no wonder this is the preferred side to run the ball. Left tackle, on the other hand, has been a struggle for a few years now. You are only as strong as your weakest point on the offensive line and this has clearly been the weakness. Zepeda, signed in free agency, will get his chance to fill this hole. A tremendous run blocker who struggles in the passing game, he fits right into the Phantoms line. Kaplan is yet another run blocking specialist who will backup both tackle spots after starting 15 games at left tackle in 2040. Clements has been a 1st round bust who now finds himself playing out his contract from the bench.



Coming soon - The Atlantic City Defense and Special Teams...

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Awesome write up...

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omaha arrowheads

JJ Smitty's Record
Atlantic Division Champions - 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2028, 2035, 2037, 2039, 2044, 2046, 2047
Eastern Conference Champions - 2008, 2039, 2047
CFL Champions - 2008, 2039, 2047

I hated to lose Andrews but I had cap issues last year and he slipped through the cracks. Good luck with him. He's solid.

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Deep South Division Champions
2030, 2033, 2036, 2037, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2057
Eastern Conference Champions
2048, 2049
CFL Champions
2048, 2049
Home of Bart Godfrey - All-Time Rushing King
Proud captains of the Shreveport Kittens haters club

Defense: There were intense discussions in Atlantic City on whether they should keep the 3-4 defense or move to a 4-3. It seemed that the team was leaning towards a 4-3 with the high profile acquisition of two defensive tackles but it appears that deficiencies at defensive end have forced their hand and the 3-4 remains the scheme.


Defensive Ends - Red

2040
- LDE - Mike Hipp – 10th year – 54/54
- RDE – Curtis Borders – 5th year – 48/48
- LDE – Nathan Romanos – 7th year – 39/39
- RDE – Ryan Walsh – 8th year – 26/26

2041
- LDE – Tony Muston – 9th year – 34/34
- RDE – Eric Beauvoir – 6th year – 35/35
- LDE – Nathan Romanos – 8th year – 31/31
- RDE – Matthew Button – 9th year – 27/27

The retirement of Hipp in the offseason was a big loss. While he didn’t have a stellar sack career, Hipp was an excellent run defender / pass rusher who held down the left defensive end spot for 10 years. Borders went loco and decided to hold out for $13+ million a year, which was way too much for ACI with the current cap situation. In addition, that is a ton of money for a strictly run defending end. The Phantoms jumped into free agency and brought in 3 veterans who seemed to be adequate players. Unfortunately, all took big hits after training camp. Now ACI is left with a group of ends who combined for 13.5 sacks in 2040, BEFORE they took ratings hits. Things are so bad that the Phantoms have considered moving their 1st round pick this year from DT to DE. More on that below.

• Update – Prior to their 3rd preseason game, Atlantic City acquired DE Winston Harper from Tennessee for LB Dominic Castillo. Both players were franchised by their respective teams and were not willing to sign long term deals. Harper drastically upgrades the defensive end position while the loss of Castillo has the opposite effect to the linebacker group. The new grade for defensive ends is yellow.

- LDE – Winston Harper – 5th year – 70/70


Defensive Tackles - Green

2040
- Norbert Umphenour – 8th year – 35/35
- Joseph Weikel – 5th year – 39/39
- Ellis Weyand – 2nd year – 16/39

2041
- Brendan Maloney – 4th year – 80/80
- Joseph Weikel – 6th year – 36/36
- Jumbo Bertrand – 2nd year – 33/45
- Ted Scancella – Rookie – 31/49
- Connor Newsome – 3rd year – 33/33
- Ellis Weyand – 3rd year – 23/37
- Norbert Umphenour – 9th year – 32/32

We already discussed the ACI plan to move to a 4-3 defense year. To that end, the Phantoms were very aggressive at bringing in defensive tackles this offseason. Enter Scancella (1st round pick) and Maloney (who cost the Phantoms a 2042 1st round pick and 2040 2nd round pick). Then add Bertrand and Newsome via free agency and you have a large number of tackles. Aside from Maloney and the potential of Scancella and Bertrand, there is not a lot of talent (and not enough for a 4-3). In a 3-4, Maloney can step in as the dominate force on the defensive line. Weikel offers a veteran presence who is a good run defender in goal line situations. Umphenour started all 16 games at NT and had 18 tackles, 0 sacks and 3 hurries in 2040. That is not exactly great production from the center of the defense and may cost him his job, as will an offseason spent eating at Sizzler caused a big ratings drop. Weyand (with huge potential in run defense) and Newsome (a better run defender) may be fighting each other for the last spot, if ACI keeps 4 defensive tackles. So where does that leave the potential guys: Bertrand and Scancella? Rumor has it one of them will be moving to defensive end.


Linebackers - Yellow

2040
- SILB - Dominic Castillo – 6th year – 85/85
- SLB - Corey Fisher – 7th year – 77/77
- WILB – Ellis Oland – 4th year – 31/31
- WLB – Edwin Stoner – 11th year – 59/59
- SLB – Earnest Malicki – 7th year – 41/41
- SLB – Omar Feeley – 5th year - 35/35
- WLB – Blaine Harper – 5th year – 39/39

2041
- SLB – Corey Fisher – 8th year – 78/78
- SILB – Dominic Castillo – 7th year – 87/87
- WILB – Elliis Oland – 5th year – 31/31
- WLB – Ariel “Porsche” Carrere – Rookie – 22/53
- SLB – Billy Joe Butler – 4th year – 42/42
- SLB – Ernest Malicki – 8th year- 32/32
- SILB – Blaine Harper – 6th year – 37/37
- SLB – Danny Howren – 8th year – 30/30

Castillo and Fisher are two of the better linebackers in the CFL. Billy Butler was acquired in the offseason to provide some depth. Beyond that, the linebackers are just not very good. Oland is a pretty good run stopper who is a big contributor on special teams but will be a starter for ACI. Carrere is a rookie 6th round pick who has a bright future as a pass rusher. Lack of quality makes him a starter. Malicki and Harper are average backups who really shouldn’t be on the roster. Howren is the defensive front leader but could be the first to go at cut down time as he is not very good at all.

• Update – As mentioned, Castillo is now gone. This moves Harper to the starter at SILB but Butler may play there even though it is a bit out of position for him. The Phantoms will be looking for linebacker scraps after league cut down day. Fisher is the only reason this group clings to a yellow rating.


Safeties - Yellow

2040
- SS – Chris Parrish – 5th year – 42/42
- FS – Zach Dallesandro – 6th year – 44/44
- FS – Kerry Hanson – 8th year – 38/38
- SS – Leroy Talley – 5th year – 39/39
- FS – Neil Riffel – 6th year – 37/37

2041
- SS - Oliver Baker – 7th year – 34/34
- FS - Zach Dallesandro – 7th year – 40/40
- SS – Harvey Glover – 4th year – 33/33
- SS – Greyson Josiah – 2nd year – 21/35
- FS - Quentin Painter – Rookie – 14/22

With Parrish not re-signed, ACI was in the market for a new strong safety and were unable to find a quality, all around starter. Instead, they signed Baker and Glover to fill the role. Baker is a good run defender but suffered a strained MCL in the first preseason game and won’t be back until at least week 6. Glover is a better run defender than Baker but can get lost in pass coverage. Dallesandro returns as the starting free safety, where he started 10 games in 2040. He is solid yet unspectacular. The backups are young and awful. Josiah was signed as a possible spot strong safety in the future who can be a good run defender with ball skills but not much else. Painter was this year’s 7th round pick who was converted to safety but has taken a big hit in ratings. He is a leading contender to be cut after the preseason.


Cornerbacks - Yellow

2040
- RCB - Ralph Myers – 5th year – 58/58
- LCB- Brent DiStefano – 10th year – 49/49
- LCB – Leo Pasquarella – 9th year – 45/45
- RCB – Allen Gilmore – 5th year – 41/41
- LCB – Lukas McAleese – R – 17/26

2041
- RCB – Ralph Myers – 6th year – 59/59
- LCB – Sammy King – 6th year – 44/44
- LCB – Leo Pasquarella – 10th year – 35/35
- RCB – Donte Upshaw – R – 14/29

Myers seems to get better and better each year. A first round pick in 2036, he has been the starter the past two seasons and has become a very solid starter. With the retirement of DiStefano, ACI needed a replacement at the other starting corner spot and free agency saw the signing of King. King is a very good man and zone defender who started for Honolulu the past 4 seasons. Pasquarella is a veteran backup who took a bit of a hit in ratings this year but can be a decent dime back as needed. Upshaw was a late signing for pre-season depth but is not likely to make the opening day roster.

• Update – In the same week as the Harper – Castillo trade, ACI also sent a 3rd round pick to Fargo for veteran CB Seth Hutchins. Hutchins becomes the starter at LCB, the secondary leader and a huge upgrade for the Phantoms. The signing also allows King to move into the Nickel spot, strengthening the entire group. The rating remains yellow but is very close to green.

- LCB – Seth Hutchins – 7th year – 52/52


Punter - Yellow

2040
- Jose Wynn – R – 50/55

2041
- Jose Wynn – 2nd year – 55/55

Wynn was resigned in the off-season after averaging 45.3 yards per punt in 2040.


Kicker - Yellow

2040
- Fred Brien - 4th year – 50/50

2041
- Fred Brien – 5th year – 51/51

Brien was 15/20 in field goals with a long of 50 but was only 6/11 from 40+. Hopefully, he will get more attempts in 2041 and will be able to increase his accuracy from mid-range.


Returners - Green

2040
- PR – Donald Kruger – 5th year – 63 rating
- KR – Jeffrey Emack – Rookie – 79 rating

2041
- PR – Malik Burnside – 3rd year – 75 rating
- KR – Jefffrey Emack – 2nd year – 83 rating

Burnside was brought in primarily to return punts as this has been a weakness of the team for a few seasons now. Mack average almost 25 yards per kickoff return in 2040 and is a threat any time he touches the ball.

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What's with all of the DEs being former Durham Bulldogs? I really wanted to keep Burton - he has been an overachiever all of his career. There can't be too many undrafted guys that made 1st team DE over the years.

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I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

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