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.