Arena Football League Free Agent Update
by Scott Lange
This Free Agency article is presented to you by your #1 source for Fantasy Arena Football information, arenafootballonline.com. The season starts on March 1st, so we have some catching up to do. Let's start off with some of the latest movers and shakers during this busy AFL off-season.
Let's first start off in Dallas, where the Desperados made a big splash via free agency, landing the explosive OS Marcus Nash. Nash comes over with four seasons of Arena Football experience under his belt, spending the previous three seasons with the Las Vegas Gladiators after a rookie season with the Detroit Fury. Nash posted 123 receptions for 1317 yards with 28 TDs to lead the Gladiators in 2006. Along with QB Clint Dolezel, WR/DB Will Pettis and WR/LB Dialleo Burks, Nash should produce even better numbers this year and should be considered a Top 5 pick in fantasy drafts. To make room for Nash, former Desperado OS Terrill Shaw jumped ship over to the Tampa Bay Storm.
Last year's rookie sensation, OS Aaron Boone, has signed with the Utah Blaze. Boone had 66 receptions for 748 yards and 19 touchdowns in his rookie season with the Kansas City Brigade. The Blaze will most likely use Boone as a WR/LB, where he would form a lethal combination with all-world OS Siaha Burley. Keep an eye on the QB battle between Jason Gesser and Joe Germaine. Either one of these QB's would make an excellent choice once they win the starting nod.
Say it ain't so Shane-O-Mack? Former Tampa Bay Storm QB "Sugar" Shane Stafford comes across state to join the Orlando Predator Jungle. Stafford leaves the Storm as the all-time leader in career completions (1,357), attempts (2,143), yards (15,667) and passing touchdowns (289). The rivalry between the Storm and Preds has just gotten even more personal. Stafford is as consistent as they come. He will produce Top 5 QB numbers again in 2007.
Stafford was not the only Arena QB to change surroundings. Through a series of moves, former Georgia QB Matt Nagy was dealt to Columbus, and former Columbus QB John Kaleo was sent back to his former team in Tampa Bay. San Jose QB Mark Grieb tested free agency but decided to stay in the bay.
With all the player movement, it's not unlikely that we'll see up to 10 of the 19 teams start a new quarterback in 2007. Columbus, Georgia, Orlando, Tampa Bay and New Orleans will all have new faces under center, while quarterback questions still need to be answered in Grand Rapids, Kansas City and Las Vegas.
|
