In 2035, it looked like the Atlantic City Phantoms were ready to make a serious move in the CFL. Despite missing the playoffs, the Phantoms were 10-6. In 2036, they took a huge step back with a 6-10 record. As the team looks ahead to 2037, there has been a flurry of trade activity and the roster is as solid as it has been in more than 10 seasons. There are still a few missing pieces but the expectations for 2038 are playoffs or bust.
Here is a quick look at the roster (starters in bold):
Offense – The Phantoms have been running a hybrid 2 TE offense for a couple seasons now. For 2038, they are fully committed to the offense and finally have the parts to (hopefully) really make it work.
Quarterbacks
- Rico Firth – 9th year – 41/41
- Howie Boyd – 4th year – 41/43
- Amos Bradford – 2nd year – 24/57
Last season, Firth lost his starting job in preseason to Todd Nelson. Nelson started five games and had a 2/7 TD/INT ratio and a 47.7 QB rating. After Nelson was benched, Firth started the final 11 games and his numbers were better (7 TD’s and 14 Interceptions and a 68.3 QB rating)) but still not good. Just days before training camp, Atlantic City signed Boyd, who was out of the league in 2036. Boyd has a very similar skillset to Firth and will be his main competition for the starting spot. Both quarterbacks know 15 formations, are very good at short to medium passes with excellent accuracy and timing. With Firth in the last year of his contract, and asking for huge dollars to resign, and Boyd a better backup than starter the future is Bradford. After spending the summer in CFL Europe, Bradford has grown but still has a long way to go. His skillset makes him a good choice for the offense and he should get a lot of preseason playing time.
Running Backs
- J.R. Brustkern – 5th year – 70/70
- Mark Picchietti – 2nd year – 40/40
- Justin Hoover – 2nd year – 29/34
The offensive rookie of the year in 2033 and coming off of his 4th straight 1,100+ rushing yard season, Brustkern is the motor that makes the offense succeed. With a new 5 year contract in hand, he can now concentrate on moving to the elite status that many have predicted for him. Picchiett was acquired in a pre-draft trade to be the primary backup. He is a young prospect who, like QB Bradford, spent the summer in Europe. Hoover is likely the 3rd down back due to excellent receiving skills, which should take some pressure off of Brustkern.
Fullbacks
- Hunter Dail – 8th year – 60/60
- Toby Griffith – 6th year – 38/38
- Alan Sanders – 3rd year – 41/41
In a 2 TE offense with an average wide receiver group, you need a strong running game to keep some pressure off the short passing game (3rd and long are not ideal situations). Atlantic City has put together one of the best set of fullbacks in the CFL. Dail was all-league in 2035 and his 2036 numbers were nearly identical. 74 run blocking, mentor and backfield leader are just examples of how important he is. The addition of Griffith (and his 79 run blocking) gives the Phantoms the #2 and #3 rated run blocking fullbacks in the league. Sanders is a solid all-around fullback who should see considerable time in 3rd down passing situations.
Wide Receivers
- Donald Kruger – 2nd year – 47/55
- Edgar Terrell – 2nd year – 36/42
- Vinny Madera – 7th year – 32/32
- Pete Western – 6th year – 33/33
- Walt Lacey – Rookie – 15/28
The receivers group is probably the weakest on the roster, hence the 2 TE offense. Kruger, a 2ndround pick last year, did not disappoint in his rookie season with 63 catches. Behind Kruger, the receivers all have a wart or two. Terrell is young and still developing but is likely only a 3rd receiver talent. Madera is a veteran mentor but is angry about his role. Western was signed prior to the draft to fill depth but doesn’t offer much going forward. Lacey is an undrafted F/A who may turn out to be a good special teams coverage guy more than a receiver. This position will likely see the most changes throughout the season.
Tight Ends
- Carlos Polhemus – 4th year – 81/81
- Myron Learned – 6th year – 63/63
- Rufus Walsh – 11th year – 47/47
- Brock Bauer – 3rd year – 25/33
- Cory Eubanks – 3rd year – 33/33
A 2 TE offense needs strong tight ends and Atlantic City feel they have two of the best. The plan was to get one of the top rookies in the draft but when that didn’t work out they traded for the highest rated tight end in the CFL. Polhemus’ ratings are close to being off the chart and there are huge expectations at ACI. Paired with Polhemus will be Learned, who has caught more than 50 passes a season four times. This duo is ready to light up the CFL. Oh, and just in case there are any injuries the Phantoms brought in veteran Walsh who has been 1st or 2nd team all-league 4 times in his career. Bauer and Eubanks are young TE’s who may have a tough time holding their spots after pre-season.
Centers
- C - Roosevelt Shepard – 9th year – 75/75
- C - Clyde Gonzalez – 2nd year – 23/48
Shepard is one of the best centers in the league that you may have never heard of. Despite putting up huge blocking statistics, playing in the poor Phantoms offenses keeps him from getting league-wide recognition. Gonzalez is the understudy that no one wants to see forced into action.
Guards
- LG - K.C. Norton – 6th year – 58/58
- RG - Curtis Babinchak – 8th year – 62/62
- RG - Sedrick Janjic – Rookie – 29/66
- LG - David Hudson – 4th year – 37/48
- LG – Randall Alston – 7th year – 42/42
Norton had his best year in 2036 with 23 krb and 71 kro. Babinchak is a very good all-around guard who can really punish defenders in the running game. Even though he is a rookie who needs time to develop, Janjic is already one of the strongest players in the CFL. Hudson continues to develop and is a good short term option but is limited due to endurance issues. Alston is a career backup who is good cover in case of injury.
Tackles
- RT - Carlos Urbanchek – 3rd year – 67/78
- LT - Gabe Burdick – 10th year – 39/39
- RT - Ernest Keith – 3rd year – 21/41
Urbanchek started all 16 games at right tackle in 2036 and looks like he is ready to become one of the best in the league after an excellent training camp. Burdick, unlike Urbanchek, had a brutal training camp and has dropped considerably in skill. If there is one weak spot on the line it is left tackle. Keith was drafted the same year as Urbanchek but the similarities end there. Time will tell if he makes it on the opening day roster.
Defense is next...
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