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Post by jgary48 on Jul 22, 2017 11:23:49 GMT -8
The uncertainty facing some of the franchises in the Indoor Football League has left questions about the player status of some star players in 2018. In Salt Lake there are three stars that could be affected.
Verlon Reed, a do everything type of quarterback would probably have his pick of franchises if he chose to return to the indoor game. Possible expansion of the AFL might create an opportunity for him to show his skills to a nationwide audience that could bring the NFL calling.
James Calhoun, a crafty defensive back who literally took over the Screaming Eagles game with Cedar Rapids, might catch some NFL eyes too. He might need one more year in the indoor game to polish his skills. That could come, perhaps, in Champions Indoor Football.
Devin Mahina, who had previously had a stint with the Washington Redskins, was the hero one of the Screaming Eagles' wins over Colorado and could beready for an NFL return. Maybe that could be back in Washington under head coach Jay Gruden and company, where he could develop into a top flight receiver or tight end, which he played in college at BYU.
In addition to the players, there is head coach Matthew Sauk. The Michigan native has ties to Utah. However, like Reed, he may have have offers to leave for the comforts of St. Louis and a Dick Vermeil lead organization, which has been rumored to be an expansion team in the AFL. The two would be awesome together and might give the coach his first championship. Sauk and Vermeil are similar in mindset and a marriage of the two could be awesome.
It should be noted, however, that in an exclusive interview with SCtoC's Bannock during the season, Sauk mentioned that he and his wife are opening a pair of businesses in Salt Lake this summer. Sauk may be to the point to where he is prepared to move on to life after football.
Next week: Thoughts on travel costs for teams and how can they be kept down.
- John
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Post by DiamondThief on Jul 23, 2017 13:52:49 GMT -8
The uncertainty facing some of the franchises in the Indoor Football League has left questions about the player status of some star players in 2018. In Salt Lake there are three stars that could be affected.
Verlon Reed, a do everything type of quarterback would probably have his pick of franchises if he chose to return to the indoor game. Possible expansion of the AFL might create an opportunity for him to show his skills to a nationwide audience that could bring the NFL calling.
James Calhoun, a crafty defensive back who literally took over the Screaming Eagles game with Cedar Rapids, might catch some NFL eyes too. He might need one more year in the indoor game to polish his skills. That could come, perhaps, in Champions Indoor Football.
Devin Mahina, who had previously had a stint with the Washington Redskins, was the hero one of the Screaming Eagles' wins over Colorado and could beready for an NFL return. Maybe that could be back in Washington under head coach Jay Gruden and company, where he could develop into a top flight receiver or tight end, which he played in college at BYU.
In addition to the players, there is head coach Matthew Sauk. The Michigan native has ties to Utah. However, like Reed, he may have have offers to leave for the comforts of St. Louis and a Dick Vermeil lead organization, which has been rumored to be an expansion team in the AFL. The two would be awesome together and might give the coach his first championship. Sauk and Vermeil are similar in mindset and a marriage of the two could be awesome.
It should be noted, however, that in an exclusive interview with SCtoC's Bannock during the season, Sauk mentioned that he and his wife are opening a pair of businesses in Salt Lake this summer. Sauk may be to the point to where he is prepared to move on to life without football.
Next week: Thoughts on travel costs for teams and how can they be kept down.
- John
To comment on this and other topics on this forum, please login or register.
Players from the Screaming Eagles, Empire and maybe the Crush will be free agents in the IFL could go to any team in the indoor leagues. you're right in the fact that Reed could have his choice of any team in the league. He has been that good. Whether it is expansion or a team moving to the IFL from another league, Reed would seem to be at the top of the list when it comes to quarterbacks. Mahina was solid and could get a training camp invite with a team in the NFL, but I have a feeling the Canadian Football league could be a better next step. The same is true for Calhoun. He has a lot of highlight film, which should get him noticed by someone. He is not a traditional cover defender, but he is a ball hawk. I think free safety might be his natural position. If the Screaming Eagles do not come back, which has been confirmed by Furudi, then Sauk will not be back. He also told Bannock that if he was going to coach next season, it would only be in Utah. He has three young children and said he wanted to concentrate on the gym and coffee shop that they are opening. Both this month, if I remember his comment correctly. Also, over on ArenaFan, they have been talking about St. Louis for a while, but nothing has been officially announced. I have come to the conclusion that until something is official in this sport, then it is merely a rumor that is unsubstantiated. We also need to look at the CFL as a landing spot for some of those guys, as well as others. We know that Empire RB Trevor Kennedy had a tryout with the B.C. Lions. Other players could get tryouts in Canada as well. The CFL is more than a solid league which is a terrific avenue for pro football players. It also actually pays pretty well. |
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Post by afrats on Jul 24, 2017 10:37:42 GMT -8
You are correct in saying that the CFL is a better landing spot than the NFL for these players. The number that have gone to the NFL is pretty low, but the number of players that have gone to the CFL is pretty high. While Reed was a solid QB in the IFL, his skills would not translate to the NFL game and I don't think scouts take a look at them simply because the number of defenders on the field does not give them a good read as to how they are able to pick up and read defenses.
I would love to see a lot of these players land on other teams, but with the number of teams getting smaller that might be more difficult.
And on the rumor front...I have heard some that I am not willing to share on the Colorado Crush.
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Post by spiderfan on Jul 24, 2017 11:43:38 GMT -8
And on the rumor front...I have heard some that I am not willing to share on the Colorado Crush.  I do hope that Mahina, Calhoun, and Reed all get jobs. I would keep watch on them going to the NAL. |
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Post by DiamondThief on Jul 24, 2017 17:18:38 GMT -8
You are correct in saying that the CFL is a better landing spot than the NFL for these players. The number that have gone to the NFL is pretty low, but the number of players that have gone to the CFL is pretty high. While Reed was a solid QB in the IFL, his skills would not translate to the NFL game and I don't think scouts take a look at them simply because the number of defenders on the field does not give them a good read as to how they are able to pick up and read defenses. I would love to see a lot of these players land on other teams, but with the number of teams getting smaller that might be more difficult. And on the rumor front...I have heard some that I am not willing to share on the Colorado Crush. I have a feeling I may know what this is about. I will leave it at that! |
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