NEMESIS WILL BE TOUGH; BUT CAN OFFENSE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT FOR A SOLID DEFENSE FOR A 2006 PLAYOFF APPEARANCE?

 

Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier

 

SALT LAKE CITY – The Salt Lake Nemesis utilized three quarterbacks in 2005: Nate Cone, Steve Waelty and Mark Henderson.

 

Neither of them had a statistically good season; the worst of which, Nate Cone, who had a quarterback efficiency rating of an abysmal 44.5, tossing 5 touchdowns against 9 interceptions (no matter he renamed himself, “they hate me”… he’s referring to his teammates!), will be the teams starting quarterback in 2006. The other two… will not be back with the team.

 

Blessed with a serviceable o-line (ranked 15th in 2005), solid running backs and skills at the receiver position, a big time quarterback may be all the Nemesis offense would need to get “over the hump” and into playoff position in 2006. Could Cone… or possibly one of the back-ups, Jonathan Wilson or Gordan Spaulding be “that Man”??

 

The Nemesis defense, which ranked an amazing third (of 21 teams) last season will be back… in all of their glory and should continue to be solid.  If this team can get offensive production throughout the season, they will be in the playoff hunt in mid-June and could make it… if they get solid quarterback play.

 

Cone’s an athlete, however, and as an athlete, has the ability to make some plays that a more prototypical quarterback may not make. In his first season as the starter at the gate, it might be a different story … in the efficiency department.

 

Cone, however, is going to have to improve behind an offensive line that was ranked 15th last season, primarily do to some serious pass-blocking problems as Nemesis offensive line gave up 2.57 sacks for every 15 times they attempted to pass,  29 sacks in 8 games.

 

If my friend, Marvel Smith, who owns the Nemesis is trying to sandbag  a bit to keep the bulls-eye off his team in ’06 (as he has in previous years), well, then he has succeeded like never before this time.

 

Trying to fix offensive line problems at the same time you are trying to get consistency from the quarterback are recipes for offensive failure… usually.  The tight-knit Nemesis, however, have a way of pulling together and coming up with quality players and teams year after year; they will continue to be a tough match.

 

The defense will be there and will be tough, however, if the offense slides at all, especially against some tough competition, even they might be doing some soul-searching by the end of the year.  The Nemesis schedule does give them 5 home games and that might be just enough of an edge to find their way into the 2006 RMFL AAA playoffs.

 

KEY ADDITIONS:

 

Mike Welch – Quarterback

Jeff Long – Running back/Defensive Back

Stephane Roy – Wide Receiver

Val Tiatia – Defensive Line

Sim Tiatia – Linebacker

Mike Samaniego – Defensive Back

Ryan Lang – Running Back

Adam Terry – Tight End

 

OFFENSE: 

 

With the folding of the Wasatch Wildcats and the Utah Blitz, much of the talent on those teams was “spread to the wind”.  At least one star Wildcat player landed on every Utah team except the Rockets… Unfortunately for the Nemesis, they didn’t pick up any “star” offensive players from the Wildcats, but did pick up a couple of solid “prospects” from the Blitz, although in positions they were already fairly loaded on.  Regardless of who they added and what the value may be, it WILL fall upon this offensive unit to produce, if this Nemesis team is to have a winning record and qualify for the RMFL playoffs.  With Cone installed as the teams starting signal caller from day one, the team will at least be a leg up on last year when they had to adjust between three.  Regardless of that, however, he will assume the role under some very difficult circumstances, circumstances not made any easier with the Nemesis drawing the Ogden Rhino-Raiders right out of the gate.  I certainly have not helped matters any by pre-ranking the Rhinos lower than #1.  So that is the grave that is dug, now can Cone and this offense climb out of it?  In the backfield will be an absolute array of talent.  Marvel Smith returns as the teams long time tailback after playing  in his 35th  (or something like that) season.  Long-time backfield mate, Dave McCoy will return and they will add newcomers Ryan Lang and Jeff Long, also from Vegas.  Lang was injured most of 2005 for the Blitz, however, in 2004, he lead the team and finished 7th in the RMFL with 516 yards rushing and a 6.1 yard per carry average.  Running back, however, was not a team weakness for the Nemesis.  2005 all star, Adam Terry comes over from the Blitz at tight end.  Terry, however, caught only 3 passes for 34 yards all season last year and may be more of a blocking threat than play-making threat. He will even have to battle the job away from returning incumbent, Aaron Southworth and fellow Blitz teammate, Wayne Thompson.  Jarome Anderson, Jeremy Mecham and Apollo Neal return at wide receiver from last year’s Nemesis and will compete with Stephane Roy and Rich Garden (former Wildcats) and Andy Johnson.  Of the incumbents, Anderson lead the team in touchdown receptions with 4 on only 177 reception yards and Mecham, was third on the team with 214 receiving yards (Marvel Smith was second and Cody Jamison… no longer with the team… was first).  Mecham, 31, is in his 11th semi-pro football season and likely his last as he can trace his experience way back to the old Wasatch Football League in 1996 (league before the UFL) and is hoping to go out with a bang. It is hard to say if the receiving corps suffered from inadequate quarterbacking or if the quarterbacking suffered from inadequate receivers or if they all suffered from poor line play. No matter, someone will have to step up in the competitive AAA division.  Returning on the offensive line will be Matt Doane (6’2, 260), Marcus Doane (6’3, 280), Scott Jackson (6’3, 260), Matt Moore (6’4, 310) and Jason Behunin (6’6, 370). Missing from last season are Dave Lundberg and Jason Valasquez, however, the team has added Nolan Osbourne (6’3, 300), Alvino Delacruz (5’9, 320) and Brandon Tiatia (who may play more d-line).  I think if the offense line steps up, protects their quarterback and maintains blocks long enough to spring Smith and company, this team gets into the playoffs.  If the offensive line drops any lower than  6th or 7th in the team rankings, I think you will see the Nemesis on the outside looking in in late June .  Projected Offensive Ranking: 8th

 

DEFENSE:

 

If I were to ask the common RMFL observer to name a Nemesis defensive player, they may list off one or two: Dan Cruser… Nate Cone… um, umm Harold Regan, wait, no, isn’t he the head coach now?!?!  That is correct. But will, this, can this 2005 RMFL’s Defensive MVP in the ENTIRE LEAGUE simply stop playing defense and just coach the Salt Lake Nemesis?  I just don’t see how he will.  He is not, however, listed anywhere on the teams depth chart, except as a potential kick returner; which means he hasn’t sold his pads!  The top-ranked Nemesis defense should need little introduction, but lets do it anyway. They also did pick up some solid ex-Wildcat talent, so the defense will be solid again.  The only returning starter on the defensive line, however, will likely be Milton Gale (if Regan doesn’t play defensive end). Gale was a team leader with 24.5 tackles and two sacks.  The Nemesis list Kody Merritt (6’3, 305), John Gale, Brandon Stauch (6’0, 225) and Carlo Jaro (5’10, 225) as “returning from last season, but my money will be on three additions from the Wildcats to be joining Gale along the defensive line.  Tui Tiatia (5’9, 235), Brandon Tiatia (6’3, 275) and Sim Tiatia. It would be especially fun to see 3 Tiatia’s along the defensive front, as that way, when the Nemesis face the Bears it could be billed as the “Tiatia’s versus the Feafia’s; an RMFL Polynesian Family Feud!”  The linebacker corps will be anchored once again bylong-time Nemesis all-star, Dan Cruser (38-1/2 tackles, 3-1/2 sacks in ’05), Rocky Jann (36-1/2 tackles, 3 sacks) Jeremiah Jensen (16-1/2 tackles, 1-1/2 sacks) and Roc (9-1/2 tackles, ½ sack).. that’s right, “Roc”. Just one name, kind of like “Cher”.  Anyway the Nemesis linebackers will again be a team strength.  In reserve, the Nemesis will also have James Cruser, Spencer Burgoyne, Chris Rosalas, and another ex-Blitz, Chris Wheeler.  The Nemesis secondary will be a familiar group.  Returning starters are Quinton Case (5 interceptions in ’05), John Filmore (27-1/2 tackles, 2 ints and a TD in ’05), Courtney Overstreet, Matt Fortson.  At safety, Travis Scherzinger returns. Newcomers include Lamar Markson, Jason Reese, Orlando Martinez and former wildcat player Mike Samaniego.  Who is conspicuously not listed, however, is….(drum roll, please)… head coach and the league reigning defensive Most Valuable Player… HAROLD REGIN…  If Regin really does “leave his pads in the car”, what he is leaving out there in his souped up Lamborghini is 33 tackles, including 1 sack and 9 interceptions.. SIX, that’s right S I X of them returned for touchdowns! Regin scored about as many touchdowns on returns as their entire offensive backfield did combined.  Regin may be past his prime. He is certainly the fastest 30-something player in the league, but if he is not supporting the defense as a player… mathematically, you (I guess I mean I) would have to project a fall off, certainly in the defensive scoring.  I’m going to go ahead and say Regin plays… a lot.  In Pocatello, big boy Shawn O’Hearn tried to do the same thing.. about the same age … and he eventually broke down and played and coached and never regretted it.  Regardless, with Cruser and company, this defense will be one of the better ones in the league. UPDATE…(4/12) Harold Regin has been added to a new version of the Nemesis depth chart… Hmmm….Feeling better about the ranking…  Projected Defensive Rank: 3rd

 

COACHING AND INTANGIBLES:

 

I suppose if you have a team and you are going to have to accept certain question marks with one unit or the other, most GM’s will take the good defense and take their chances, right?  How often has it been said that “defense wins championships”?  Well, let me hearken back to another sports saying that I’ve heard out on the golf course by the “better” golfers… “drive for show, putt for dough”.  It is always the better golfers who want to tell you that driving is not that important in golf if you have a great short game… Well, my response to these guys is, “hey, when it takes you 5 strokes just to get to the par 4 green, it doesn’t make ANY difference how good your “Short game” is!!!!!  I know… get to the point, Jared… right??  The point is the only people who can say that “defense wins championships” are those who aren’t saddled with a highly non-productive offense.  You just HAVE to be able to move the ball and score.  You just can’t put your defense out on the field too much and in too deep a hole.  Nor can your defense constantly leave your offense in a tough spot.  The Nemesis offense has some real bright spots… they’ve got a great backfield.  IF their offensive line can improve from 2005 and Mike Welch IS a quarterback and their receivers take advantage of it… enough; the Nemesis will be a playoff team and will cause some problems for the “big two” of the Southern division.

 

OVERALL RANKING: TIE 6th