SUMMARY OF TFL 2014 DRAFT - 1ST ROUND

The 1st round is over and below is the summary.  I thought it would be interesting to show where the 1st round selections were selected in the NFL Draft in 2013.  Notice only one player who was selected in the 2013 NFL Draft in the first 10 picks was selected in the 1st round.  Does this mean the 2013 NFL Draft was a weak draft or do we have a number of players that have not yet reach their potential.

Team Player Name # Pick in 2013 NFL Draft 1 Dundalk Owls Eric Reid 18 2 Bay Ospreys Desmond Trufant 22 3 Minnesota Lightning Star Lotulelei 14 4 Phoenix Rooks Travis Frederick 31 5 Flagstaff Savages Eddie Lacy 61 6 Trenton Generals Larry Warford 65 7 Southern Gray Damon Harrison Not Drafted 8 Saint Paul Saints Sheldon Richardson 13 9 Southern Gray Kyle Long 20 10 Miami Mongoose Ezekial Ansah 5 11 Arizona Air Raid Akiem Hicks 89 (2012 Draft) 12 Woodbridge Barons Tyrann Mathieu 69 13 Oakville Hoosiers Sio Moore 66 14 Flagstaff Savages Kenny Vaccaro 15 15 Flagstaff Savages Gio Bernard 37 16 Southern Gray Andre Ellington 187 17 Minnesota Lightning Cordarrelle Patterson 29 18 Saint Paul Saints Montee Ball 58 19 Dundalk Owls Alec Ogletree 30 20 Minnesota Lightning Keenan Allen 76

Oakville selects Sio Moore

OAKVILLE SELECTS SIO MOORE

Oakville selects Sio Moore with the 13th pick in the TFL Draft

Woodbridge selects Honey Badger

WOODBRIDGE SELECTS TYRANN MATHIEU

Woodbridge takes Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu with the 12th pick in the TFL Draft

Arizona selects Akiem Hicks

ARIZONA SELECTS AKIEM HICKS

Arizona selects Akiem Hicks with the 11th pick in the TFL Draft

2014 Arizona Air Raid

Owner: Scott Wilken

Head Coach : Johnny Footballhero (of Nada Surf fame)

Offensive Coordinator: Uncle Rico (of Napoleon Dynamite fame)

Defensive Coordinator: Terry Tate (Office Linebacker)

Home: Midtown Phoenix, Arizona

Favorite Pro Team: Chicago Bears

The Arizona Air Raid start their 6^th season in the Tradition Football looking to get back to championship form.  The 2012 Tradition Bowl Champions went into 2013 thinking they had a chance to defend their title, but finished a very disappointing 8-8 and missed the playoffs by one game. Head Coach Johnny Footballhero hopes to overcome a number of key NFL injuries to get his team back on track in 2014, with an eye on a big improvement in 2015.

                          

Strength

As has become custom the past few years, the strength of this team is on defense, particularly the pass rush. Jared Allen (5/12/*1) and Olivier Vernon (4/12/*1) bring the heat from Defensive End, while OLB Tamba Hali (6/12/*3) can get to the quarterback on blitzes. ACL injuries derailed the 2013 seasons for DT Geno Atkins (5/6) and OLB Von Miller (6/7), but they still bring pressure when needed. The Air Raid boast the best secondary in team history with CB Patrick Peterson, CB Vontae Davis, and S TJ Ward all receiving 6s, while Nickel CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie got a 5.

There are still a number of stars on offense, including WRs Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, TE Jason Witten, and HB Matt Forte, but...

Weakness

...the mediocre Air Raid offensive line isn't doing anyone any favors this year. Four 4s and a 5 are all the Air Raid big uglies could muster. If that were the only problem, things might not be as bad, but new starting QB Colin Kaepernick and his 58.4% completion percentage isn't going to scare anybody. And former starter Matt Schaub isn't much help, either. The stellar receiving corps is going to get lonely this season, with not much need for opposing teams to cover them.

2014 Draft Needs

Some serious swings and misses on offensive linemen in past drafts (Danny Watkins in the 4th round, Rodger Saffold instead of Trent Williams in the 2nd round, cutting Mackenzy Bernadeau after just one year) left this team in need of O-line youth. But GM/Owner Scott Wilken swears this time (THIS TIME!) he's going to take the best player available regardless of position, so anyone and everyone are on the Air Raid's board this year.

Projection

It will be interesting to see if a strong running game and outstanding defense can overcome bad quarterbacking and a mediocre offensive line. Lovie Smith has been brought in as a consultant this year, as he took a team with that same description to the Super Bowl. So there's hope. But with another brutal schedule, another 8-8 season is probably realistic this year, with an outside shot at the playoffs. The team is hoping 2015 will be better, with four of the first 40 picks in 2015, fully healed ACLs, and a resurgent Colin Kaepernick.

MIami selects Ziggy Ansah

MIAMI SELECTS EZEKIAL ANSAH

Miami selects Ezekial Ansah with the 10th pick in the TFL Draft

Southern selects 7th, 9th and 16th

SOUTHERN TAKES DAMON HARRISON, KYLE LONG and ANDRE ELLINGTON

Southern selects Damon "snacks" Harrison with the 7th pick in the TFL Draft

Southern selects Kyle Long with the 9th pick in the TFL Draft

Southern selects Andre Ellington with the 16th pick in the TFL Draft

Saint Paul Saints select Sheldon Richardson

SAINT PAUL SELECTS SHELDON RICHARDSON 

Saint Paul selects Sheldon Richardson as the 8th pick of the TFL Draft

Trenton selects Larry Warford

TRENTON SELECTS LARRY WARFORD

Trenton selects Larry Warford with the 6th pick in the TFL Draft

2014 Trenton Generals

Owner: Tommy Lavin

Head Coach: ‘Southeast Jerome’, ‘Dolla Bill’, ‘Sherriff Gonna Getcha’, aka Clinton Portis

Offensive Coordinator: ‘The Diesel’ aka John Riggins

Defensive Coordinator: ‘The Secretary of Defense’ aka Dexter Manley

Home: Edison, NJ

Favorite Pro Team: Washington Redskins

2014 marks the 3^rd year of the Trenton Generals, after formerly being known as Michiana something or other, and it also marks the 3^rd year of the rebuilding plan for this organization. We have no aspirations to make the Tradition Bowl this year, as another year of rebuilding is needed. 2015 is the target year for this team to start to put its stamp on the league.  

                    

Strength

The strongest area of this team is the defense, led by big-talking and big-playmaking cornerback Richard Sherman (6). He is joined in the defensive backfield by a pair of 5’s, Jimmy and Sean Smith. Another Smith, Aldon, the reigning league Defensive MVP, leads the linebacking core (5/11) and he is joined by fellow outside backer Akeem Ayers (5/3). The defensive line, the deepest unit on the team, features a pair of mammoth DT’s in Michael Brockers (5/7) and Marcell Dareus (5/8) that are surrounded by pass-rushing specialist DE Chandler Jones (4/12*1) and run-stopping DE Cameron Heyward (5/5). Further depth is provided by Adrian Clayborn and Corey Luiget. New Defensive Coordinator Dexter Manley will be counted on to work with these kids to help groom them into All-Pro’s.

The offense has a few bright spots with bookend OT’s Trent Williams (6/7) and Nate Solder (5/7) along with speedy WR’s DeSean Jackson and Dexter McCluster, who is more of a threat returning punts. 

Weakness

Defensively Trenton is trying to produce quality safeties, as Aaron Williams (4) and Marcus Gilchrist (4) are slowly starting to emerge after both were drafted as CB’s. LaRon Landry and Major Wright took major steps in the wrong direction last year, and may never get back to past form. MLB is another weaker area with AJ Hawk (4/9) and Jon Beason (4/0) are spot-gaps at best at this point in their respective careers.

The middle three spots on the offensive line are yet to be filled to a point that we feel comfortable going forward, as the organization continues to try to field a strong line. The team still has high hopes for Rodney Hudson at C, but he is yet to prove us right.

RB and WR are areas the team thought they had a handle on, only to be proven otherwise.

Trenton will struggle at the QB position with heralded savior RG3 coming off injury and Jay Cutler being Jay Cutler.

2014 Draft Needs

Trenton is in a position to be drafting the best available player in every round. For the 1^st time in 3 drafts the team has not acquired or traded away any picks, leaving them with only the selections they have earned. With this team being built almost entirely through the draft we look to add the final pieces to a championship caliber squad. Several scouts have been sent out to watch RB Eddie Lacy in training camp, along with offensive coordinator John Riggins, as the team views him as the only viable RB in the draft. Last year saw the team add starters Robert Griffin III, Chandler Jones, Michael Brockers, Cecil Shorts, and Coby Fleener, but overall the draft class was somewhat disappointing, as many of the players the team took a chance on did not perform, most notably CB Morris Claiborne. 

Projection

2014 is all about growing as a team and strengthening the core of this team. Hopefully Aldon Smith, Jimmy Smith, and Marcell Dareus can steer clear of the law, AJ Hawk can stop trying to tackle fans at golf outings, Claiborne can actually cover somebody besides Dez Bryant in practice, and RG3 can learn to either slide or get out of bounds. A year from now we expect to see many scenes like pictured below at our soon-to-be finished new stadium, Antietam, opening in 2015.

Flagstaff selects Eddie Lacy, Kenny Vaccaro & Giovanni Bernard - in the Draft

FLAGSTAFF SELECTS EDDIE LACY 

Flagstaff selects RB Eddie Lacy with the 5th pick in the 2014 TFL Draft

Flagstaff selects Kenny Vaccaro with the 14th pick in the TFL Draft

Flagstaff selects Giovanni Bernard with the 15th pick in the TFL Draft

Phoenix selects 4th pick in the Draft

PHOENIX SELECTS TRAVIS FREDERICK

Phoenix drafts Travis Frederick with the 4th pick in the 2014 TFL Draft

Owner: Eric Morgan (2002 to present)

Head Coach: Eric Morgan (interim)*

Offensive Coordinator: Footballtron-2000

Defensive Coordinator: Footballtron-2000

Residence: Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Arizona

Favorite Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite Korean Pop Music Group:  소녀시대 (a.k.a. So Nyeo Shi Dae, SNSD, Girls’ Generation)

* The Coach from the Toyota commercials has interviewed and been offered the position, but has not accepted as of yet.

The franchise begins its 13^th season in the Tradition Football League, 12-and-1/2 under the current owner who took over at the mid-point of the inaugural TFL season in 2002.  The team was moved to Central Florida and renamed the Florida Rooks.  The team flourished with Daunte Culpepper at QB, even playing in the TFL Championship (in 2005?).  But with Culpepper’s career-killing injury the next year, the team began a long, slow, inexorable decline into the basement of the league.  Joey Harrington, Matt Moore, Matt Cassel, Colt McCoy, Blaine Gabbert,  names that will forever haunt the franchise desperately searching for a franchise QB.  In 2010, the team relocated to Phoenix, AZ.  Due to a last minute legal challenge from a Florida citizens group who wished to keep the Rooks franchise name in hopes of attracting a new team, the Phoenix team played the 2010 season as the Phoenix Mammoth Hunters (helmet above right).  After a settlement in 2011, the team reacquired the Rooks name to become the Phoenix Rooks.  In the 2013 draft, with the 3^rd overall pick, the Rooks selected QB Andrew Luck, and it seems as if the long franchise QB nightmare has come to an end.  There is renewed hope in the desert city.

Strength

Defense, QB, and WR.  The team has ranked in the upper ¼ of the of League in terms of defense for the past few seasons.  The linebacking corps might be the best in the TFL, which is somewhat expected as each is a 1^st round draft pick.

Position	Player	Rush	Def	Draft
MLB	Patrick Willis	5	6	1st round 2008
OLB	Brian Orakpo	12(*5)	6	1st round 2010
OLB	Justin Houston	12(*3)	6	1st round 2012

QB Andrew Luck (1^st round 2013), WR Dez Bryant (1^st round 2011), and WR Michael Floyd (4^th round 2013) comprise a nucleus around which the offense will be built upon.

* The Rooks’ 2009 1^st round pick was traded to acquire QB Matt Cassel. Wait, it gets even better. And the Rooks threw in 6-rated CB Al Harris!

Weakness

Play calling.  The last two seasons at least, Rook play calling has consistently ranked at, or near, the bottom of the League in terms of percentage guessed right against the opponent’s offense and percentage opponent guesses right against the Rooks offense.

2014 Draft Needs

Offense, a starting defensive end, replacing 30+ year old players...  The team’s draft philosophy - We’re not close to championship caliber football, so take quality guys that will contribute for years to come rather than the quick fix at a position.  This philosophy was exemplified by playing the entire 2013 season with a 0-rated starting LLB due to Brian Orakpo being un-carded and no suitable player available in the draft.

Projection

The team does not currently possess the players to challenge the top teams for a TFL title, nor is it expected that the 2014 alone will rectify the imbalance.  The team is building for the future – the near future.

Minnesota selects Star Lotulelei 3rd Pick

 MINNESOTA SELECTS STAR LOTULELEI and CORDARRELLE PATTERSON

TFL Champions take Star Lotulelei with the 3rd pick and Cordarrelle Patterson with the 17th pick of the 2014 Draft

Owner: Paul Peterson

Head Coach : Bud Grant

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Favorite Pro Team: Minnesota Vikings

Favorite College Team: Florida State Seminoles & Minnesota Gophers (I'm a homer)

The Minnesota Lightning are entering their 5^th season in the Tradition Football League. In our first season, 2010, we started 0-6 & finished at 6-10. The following three seasons were much more successful in the W-L column – 13-3, 14-2 & 12-4. The playoffs were another story, losing in the 1^st round in 2011 & then in the Tradition Bowl in 2012. In 2013 everything fell into place in our championship run culminating with a victory in a great game against St. Louis in the Tradition Bowl. Trying to defend that championship will be very challenging in this league as their a number of teams with loaded rosters. We have some star power on both offense & defense.

Strengths

The Lightning Offense with LeSean McCoy, the top rated RB, & Adrian Peterson, the third rated RB, running behind a talented O-line we should generate a lot of production in the run game. That success will open things up for Matt Ryan & Nick Foles to make big plays in the passing game to our talented receiving corps of Jordy Nelson, Vincent Jackson, Victor Cruz & Martellus Bennett. Being able to score frequently should put a lot of pressure on opposing offense's trying to keep up.  Our defense is very solid, featuring three 6's on the D-line all of whom get after the passer - Hardy – 6-12(4), Casey – 6-12(1) & Wake 6-10. Bobby Wagner anchors the linebackers & the veteran Troy Polamalu gives us a 6 at Safety.

Weaknesses

Aging starters, Minnesota has a number of starters approaching their mid-30's. This something we intend to address through the draft.

2014 Draft Needs

The Lightning need to get younger players ready at a number of positions. We'll continue to take the best player available approach during the draft while filling in whatever holes we need to.

Bay Ospreys select Desmond Trufant

2ND PICK IN THE DRAFT - BAY OSPREYS

New owner Mike Roses selects Desmond Trufant

2014 TFL DRAFT BEGINS

DUNDALK SELECTS ERIC REID 

Dundalk Owls select Eric Reid as the 1st pick of the 2014 TFL Draft

Owner: Anthony Fridas

Head Coach : Tom Landry

Home: Dundalk, Maryland

Favorite Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite College Team: Maryland Terrapins

The Dundalk Owls start their 3^rd season in the Tradition Football League with lots of work to do.  We are still a few years away from competing.  We have the 1^st overall pick in the 2014 draft and many picks thereafter to do that with.  We got better but don’t know how much better then our 2-14 season from a year ago.

Strength

Our strength is our youth and infusion of youth.  We will continue to build on this in 2014 and 2015 with the most picks of any TFL team in both those years.  We love our new acquisition at RB Knowshon Moreno and C Samson Satele.

Weakness

Our strength is also our weakness.  We will have many growing pains but will continue to have fun doing them.

2014 Draft Needs

We really have no particular needs not saying we don’t have holes, just too many to fill.  We will continue to draft the best available player on the board at that time.

Projection

Pretty much the same as last year.  No expectations but we will compete to the best of our ability and continue to beef up with draft picks and youth.