CONFIDENT
MATADORS MAY BE A SEASON EARLY IN AAA AS LOSSES TO KEY PLAYERS MAY KEEP THEM
OUT OF PLAYOFF HUNT
Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier
KUNA – When the Magic Valley Bulldawgs announced they would not be sending a team to Missoula to play a first round playoff game with the Raptors last season, the Idaho Matadors were more than ready, willing, and able to send a team. Following seeding priorities, however, the Kamas Valley Muddogs went in stead..
When the RMFL voted to split into an upper (AAA) division and a lower (AA) division, the Idaho Matadors insisted on becoming a AAA division team, even after a disappointing 3-5 inaugural season record in 2005. Although finishing with a losing record, the Matadors chose to look at how well they competed in even their losses, never being down by more than 12 in any of their losses, even leading the 7-1 Boise Roughriders at the half in one of the games. Ironically, the only team they were even down by more than a touchdown at the half, the team they were down by 12, was another 3-5 team, the now AA Vipers. The Vipers would have been another potential selection to fill out a 10-team AAA field, however, unlike the Matadors, the Vipers elected opt for humility and spend a season at AA proving themselves.
Could it be a lack of humility that sets up the Idaho Matadors as the “team to be beating…” in the AAA division in the first year, or is it simply a matter of wanting to play the best teams?
Regardless of the motivation, that is where the Matadors are… and that is where they are very likely to stay.
If I had to list the Matadors two biggest offensive weapons in 2005, I would have to say wide receiver Jerry Smith and running back and William Earl. If I had to list the Matadors two biggest defensive players in 2005, I would have to Yharmaan Williams, the RMFL’s interception leader and West division defensive MVP and Nevada Grassi, the team’s tackle leader. If someone were to wonder what these 4 players had in common, I’d say these are 4 players the Matadors will not have back in 2006 (Earl is listed on their roster, but not as a regular player/starter). Also, not returning will be one of their best two offensive linemen in Jess Hernandez, which could spell trouble indeed for what was the 18th (of 21) ranked unit in the RMFL in 2005.
Anything else?
Sure, last year’s Matadors played a schedule that included 5 of 8 games against what would be AA teams in 2006. This years Matadors will play a schedule that will include Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Madison… twice. They will play the Roughriders, another team in transition twice as well and get to host the Utah Heat, probably the only game, they might be favored to win (insomuch they will be home).
Whew!! So what’s the good news??
The good news is they do retain most of the rest of their defense, a defense that was pretty solid last year, finishing a respectable 10th (of 21 teams). Also, for every offensive player they have lost, they have brought back in some new talent that may just pan out, that may even make them better. Also, the 2006 Matadors roster is pregnant with depth, listing 50 players on their initial roster they will have more than enough players to chose from to find the right formula for victory.
The 2006 Matadors, lead by GM and team founder, Jesus Jara, will have to lean
on their returning veterans and hope for greatness from their added youth… and
they must do so while playing a schedule that will see Idaho’s top 4 other
teams twice. They can feel good about at
least one thing, though. The 10th week that dropped off the schedule
had them playing at the Utah Wolverines.
So with 5 of 9 games at home and never having to leave the state, they
know they will have to play with the best in Idaho to see the playoff promised
land.
It’s
a challenge they wanted… it’s a challenge they have received.
James Clumphf – Quarterback
Wesley Zedalis – Running Back
Sheridan Hodson – Wide Receiver
Steve Lyons – Wide Receiver
Alex Green – Wide Receiver
Ian McAffee – Tight End
Chris Hotvedt – Defensive Line
Preston Morton – Defensive Line
James Cox – Defensive Line
Brad Dalling – Linebacker
Brooks
Engstrom – Linebacker
Terrial Hall – Defensive Back
James Ackerman – Defensive Back
OFFENSE:
In 2005, the Idaho Matadors offense played 5 of their 8 games against the worst defenses in the league (Snake River-2 games, Magic Valley-2 games, and Idaho Falls) and still finished 17th in the league. Yes they did play the other three games against top defenses Boise (4th) and the Vipers (5th), however, they never had to play defenses 1, 2 or 3. As an offense, the Matadors generally lacked explosiveness and identity. The two players that possessed game breaking explosiveness, Jerry Smith, who was voted the West Division’s Offensive MVP and running back, William Earl….they cannot count on anymore. Of course the team believes they have adequately replaced them, but how likely is that? After the season, quarterback Tom Bennett, who finished the season by pushing his quarterback efficiency rating from a lowly 40-something to 66 with a good 4-td pass performance against a demoralized Magic Valley team in the finale, announced his retirement. Since then, Bennett, who lifetime efficiency rating is 65.9 (2002, 2003, 2005), will figure into the quarterback mix after all, as the Matadors have elected to install ex-Roughrider part-time wide receiver, James Clumphf as their starting quarterback going into the season. The team believes that Clumphf’s athleticism will help the offense, however, if he struggles, expect to see ‘old reliable Bennett back in the fold. With Earl gone, the Matadors have brought in a couple of new tailbacks to run behind fullback, Jason Coursey. In 2005, Coursey rushed 18 time for 50 yards (2.8 average) and isn’t much of a running threat. Corey Whitman and Wesley Zedalis are expected to compete for the chore of primary running threat for Idaho and will have big shoes to fill A whole new receiving corps has also been brought in. The new tight end will be Ian McAffee who the team likes both his hands AND his blocking abilities. Also, coming over from the Roughriders will be their primary wide receivers, Sheridan Hodson and Steve Lyons. Hodson and Lyons were seriously underutilized by the Roughriders and look to make a statement as Matador players. Last season for the Roughriders, Hodson caught 2 passes (for 68 yards) while Lyons caught 4 passes (for 69 yards); not a lot of balls in an 8-game season. Alex Green, a Boise State product, who just joined the team in March is expected to be the likely big game threat of the group. The team takes a big hit by losing the big and powerful Martinez, however, most of the rest of the Matadors line is in tact. This may not be necessarily good news considering the unit finished 18th in offensive line rankings in 2005 WITH Martinez. The group run-blocked well enough (more than 4 yards a carry) but gave up 31 sacks; far too many for a running team. Looking to step up will be GM Jara (6’2, 280), Mike Bills (6’3, 305), Grady White (6’3, 260) and the teams legitimate first team ALL-RMFL lineman, Brad Chase (6’3, 240). Replacing Martinez will be James Fehlhaber (6’1, 280) who will play center, shifting White out to Martinez’ right tackle spot. The Matadors will need the entire offensive line to step up, some solid play from Clumphf or Bennett or maybe even another ex-Roughrider, John Armstrong, who is also listed on the roster AND a couple of “diamonds in the rough” from their array of newly added weapons to stay competitive with the rest of the RMFL’s AAA teams. Projected Offensive Rank: 9th.
DEFENSE:
The Matadors list 12 probably starters for their defense, listing an extra linebacker for any of their base sets that require it. Of those 12 spots, 7 of them are absolutely new players to the team. Gone are Defensive MVP Yharmaan Williams and Neveda Grassi. As the offense must rely upon new blood and establish a new identity, so must the Matador defense. If there was any thought that the transition would be easy, one not need look too much further past the performances in the teams two pre-season games to understand that the defense will need to get it together or face a long season. There were certainly some bad breaks and extenuating circumstances in each of the two tune-up games, however, one cannot help believing that last season’s Matadors would have been able to battle through them, at least well enough to beat the AA Sabercats. 3 New faces will set up across the defensive line. Preston Morton (6’3, 220), a little green, but talented will team up with Chris Hotvedt (5’9, 230) at defensive end. Big James Cox (6’4, 300) will be a welcome addition at defensive tackle joining returning veteran, Shane Jackson (5’9, 205), the teams very under-sized, emotional leader whom the team calls “Throwback” because of his aggressiveness from sideline to sideline. Returning linebackers, Jerin Jones (20.5 tackle in ’05) and Justin Howell (26 tackles in ’05) will be joined by hopeful newcomers, Brad Dalling, described as a “good athlete” and Brooks Engstrom, described as “good hands, good tackler”. But which one is going to fill the shoes of Nevada Grassi or Yharmaan Williams?? The corners are both returning veterans and starters. Nick Russell was second on the Matadors in interceptions with 4 last season (behind Yharmaan Williams with 9) and is described as the “best tackler on the team”. Former Mountain Home Bengal, Charles Ballard continues to hold down the other cornerback spot. Ballard did not intercept a single pass in ’05, a shortfall he hopes to remedy early and often in ’06. Former Boise State player, Terrial Hall gives the team much to hope for and will roam center field at free safety, and newcomer, James Ackerman, will bring his sure tackling to the secondary as the strong safety. A ton of new faces and a ton of unknowns join up with a handful of solid veterans to make up what will be an interesting defense to watch. This group will have its hands full matching up for 8 games against three top-notch offenses in the Mustangs, Lionz and Predators and that behemoth offensive line of the Roughriders. The Matadors got the challenge they wanted; and this defense more than ever, will have to step up to the significant opportunity. Projected Defensive Rank 9th.
INTANGIBLES/COACHING:
I sure wouldn’t’ want to exaggerate the results or implications of the two pre-season losses by the Matadors, and believe me, I have not. Pre-season games are meaningless when it comes to actual in-season performance. I was fairly sure this team would draw a low pre-season ranking, if nothing else, simply on their 2005 record. It was really going to be a matter of whether they should be 9 or 10. Well, upon comprehending all of their losses and not knowing enough about their gains sort of settled the issue for me. This team has not really lost A LOT of players, in so much as they have lost KEY…. VERY KEY players. These are the kinds of players that made them as good as they were last season. In some respects, the Matadors will have the easiest schedule in the AAA. They get 5 home games and their only road game in their first 6 will be at Boise. They don’t even have to travel out of the area until after Memorial Day! They will certainly have a full squad to launch into the season and they will surely have to all be playing at their very best the first 6 games…to make those final 3 road games of the season meaningful… for them. They do have a challenge here, no question. But they have certainly been dealt the best possible cards to make it into a winning hand.
OVERALL RANKING: 9th
