UTAH WOLVERINES SHOULD BE BACK WITH A VENGENCE IN 2007; BUT WILL THERE BE ENOUGH OFFENSE TO TAKE THEM THROUGH JUNE?

Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier

SALT LAKE CITY – I think there is a very good reason that Utah Wolverine GM, Ed Cerise, favors “free player movement” in the RMFL.

Because the Wolverines would get them.

The Utah Wolverines have been known for a couple of things in their 3 seasons of play: 1) great defense… and 2) great organization.

They also play on a great field turf field at Juan Diego High School. Who wouldn’t want to play for the Wolverines, if they could… and guys don’t generally seem to want to NOT play for them. Heck, if I lived in Salt Lake, I would!

Of course a lot of this adds up to a decisive advantage when it comes to the off-season recruitment of uncommitted players game and the Wolverines always take full advantage, especially in 2007.

Unfortunately, what has not shaken loose from the nearby Wasatch Mountain range and down into Wolverine camp is that quarterback that can dominate, lead long drives and make tough throws under pressure. They have yet to find their Troy Dougherty, Dave Stireman, Ryan Harris, Donavan Ard or even Jordan Kjar. Because had they landed a quarterback that is a true quarterback, like these guys mentioned, this would be a completely different preview.

Certainly, the Wolverines have tried the proto-typical quarterback in Cale Sheppard (2004), and the athlete quarterbacks (TJ Stokes, Joey Collins), but they have yet to find the consistent answer at the games most visible and important position. For this reason, the Wolverines continue to be known for a great defense, but not enough to advance them in the playoffs.

This is a team that is still feeling the sting of missing the playoffs for the first time last season and has really worked, probably harder than anyone, on getting the team ready this off-season for a legitimate championship run.

Even though the season is 9 games long, I couldn’t stress enough the importance that week #1 will be for this team. They will host the Idaho Falls Mustangs and if they can upset the higher ranked visitors, a team that I think they match up pretty well against. The Mustangs have had some trouble pressuring quarterbacks and that could allow Fountaine to get in a confident rhythm early and might just set up the rest of the season offensively. On the other hand, if they cannot handle the Mustangs pass rush, their offense will struggle mightily and they will not be looking too good heading into the remainder of the season.

The Wolverines list the largest roster in the RMFL, currently more than the 70 player limit. But they don’t need that many players to win an RMFL championship in 2007.

They just need 11 players… at a time… and 1 quarterback to step forward. That would be the difference.

KEY ADDITIONS:

Marvel Smith – Running Back

Joe Mapson – Wide Receiver

Esi Lautaimi – Linebacker

Jason Potter – Free Safety

KEY LOSSES:

Jeremy Smith – Strong Safety

Josh Smith – Defensive Back

OFFENSE:

I suppose that it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that a team that was founded by defensive players has had trouble putting together a consistent offense over the years. In the three yeas of existence, the Utah Wolverines offenses have been ranked 8^th, 16^th and last season, 7^th (of 10). Its not that they haven’t been able to score, obviously they have, its just that they have never put together and offense that would, as they say, “lead them to the promised land”. They have always had a good defense and the defense has kept them in a lot of games and even won some games. What the Wolverines have found out over the years, since splicing away from the Utah Blitz, is that it is much easier to find a “practice” quarterback, than a “game” quarterback. What I mean by that is that getting a good athlete to play quarterback in practice and look like a champion is EASY. Finding a quarterback who can perform when all of the pressure is on, every play is for keeps, and if the defense can, they will hit you… is a far more difficult bill to fill. In the three seasons of play, the Wolverines have had three different primary starting quarterbacks, Cale Sheppard (2004), Joey Collins (2005) and TJ Stokes (2006). Well, not to let a good trend go to waste, they plan on starting Dean Fountaine in 2007. Fountaine, an original Wolverine proved to be an explosive athlete, particularly in 2004. He has also had a few snaps himself in RMFL games and has looked pretty good doing it. A quarterback that is just as likely to take off and run as he is to pass, might just be what the doctor ordered to add some pizzaz to what has become annually as a stagnant Wolverine offensive machine. Fountaine has been playing mostly defense these past couple of seasons. A familiar set of names will likely start behind Fountaine, Tevita Makalo and Tigger Edwards at fullback. Last season, Makalo lead the team with 457 yards rushing on 107 attempts and 5 touchdowns. Edwards, being used primarily for blocking, rushed 20 times for 105 yards. The team also picked up veteran all-star caliber running back, Marvel Smith from the folded Salt Lake Nemesis to add another option out of the backfield. Ryan Seely will be back at tight end after a solid 20 reception, 255 yards and 2 touchdown campaign in ‘06. Back at the wide receiver position will be the teams leaders from this past season, Kyle Ashby (36 receptions, 515 yards, 4 touchdowns) and James Neslen (30 receptions, 405 yards, 4 touchdowns). This is actually a pretty good pair of receivers who haven’t gotten the notice of some of the other receivers around the league because of the Wolverines usual commitment to the run… and their lack of a quality passing game to take advantage of them. The Wolverines are also quite happy with off-season addition, Joe Mapson , at wide receiver. Mapson played for Concordia University and they describe him as “like Damon Greenberry with better hands” (ouch… okay, Damon, remember this comes from the Wolverines… not me! Direct your e-mails accordingly) Once again, the offense line will be solid. Ranked 4^th in the AAA in 2006, they too, have undergone some serious rebuilding, however, there is no reason to expect a particular drop off. Back will be John White (6’0, 260), and Aaron Sawyer (5’11, 220). This year, those two will be teaming up with Ben Arciengia (6’2, 260), Nolan Osbourne (6’4, 270), and Scott Barber (6’2, 280). Although not exactly the biggest of offensive lines, they are not exactly small either. Even at 220, Sawyer has become a staple for the Wolverines and seems to make up for his lack of girth with some pretty quick feet. The Wolverines also added place-kicker, Golden Whetman. Whetman, an old Wasatch Wildcat, is a great kicker with a leg capable of producing from more than 50 yards out and gives the Wolverine scoring machine some options they may have lacked in the past. Overall, unless the new re-built offensive line is absolutely dominating, I don’t see enough changes to warrant any drastic improvement in the Wolverine offense. I think that Fountaine is a quarterback that can make some plays, but then again, the guy they used last season (TJ Stokes) played pretty well himself and they still finished 7^th. It makes me start to think it might just be the schemes… or the play-calling… or something. Regardless, whatever holds them back as an offense doesn’t seem to be solved. I’d expect another lack-luster season from the Wolverine offense. Projected Offensive Ranking: 7^th .

DEFENSE:

Now we get to the part of the preview that all Wolverines love to read. Time to talk a little DEFENSE… Contrary to the offense, the Wolverine is a well respected and (almost) always near the top of the league unit. After finishing 2^nd in defense in 2004 en route to a playoff semi-final trip, they dropped to 12^th in 2005; likely caused by their 16^th ranked offense constantly putting them in tough spots… although they still qualified for the playoffs as a number #7 seed. Then, in 2006, they had the 4^th ranked defense (6^th vs. rush, 5^th vs. pass). The were good for 20 sacks and they played their hearts out game in and game out. I think I’ve seen enough improvement, or not enough from the Speed, to go ahead and flip flop the two in rankings to start the season. The Wolverines will be returning a great cast of defensive linemen, starting with, but not stopping with, Andrew Butler (6’4, 240). The defensive end, Butler, finished second in the RMFL with 7-1/2 sacks for the Wolverines and paced a solid defensive front. He will be re-joined by Thomas Benjamin (6’4, 340) and George Liti (6’4, 315) at defensive tackles, and book-ended with Paul Liti at the other d-end spot. The Wolverines list Same Steele, Samiu Kutu, Junior Fausu and We Beltran as their primary back ups. Once again, the Wolverine base 4-2-5, the “2” will be two of the best. All-stars Matt Shoda (5’11, 230; 52-1/2 tackles, 4-1/2 sacks, 2 interceptions in 2006) and Roger Shulze (6’3, 245; 28-1/2 tackles, ½ sack, 1 interception in 2006) will be holding down the key linebacker spots. Shoda had a great season last year finishing second in the league in tackles on his way to not only a overall AAA RMFL Defensive MVP crown, but his second straight “Strongest Man in the RMFL” award. Shulze, who played tight end as much as he did linebacker last season, is set to go full time defense… all the time in 2007. The Wolverines picked up a new defensive back that will likely slide right into the vacated spot by longtime Wolvereine defensive leader, Jeremy Smith (retired). Ex-Rhino, Tony Wolfgramm will join Jason Potter, another great off-season acquisition, a former University of Utah star, at the strong safety positions. The corners will be John Soter (3-1/2 tackles, 1 interception in ’06) and Dustin McCammon (7-1/2 tackles, 1 interception in ’06). Playing center field will likely be Bryson Hayward (10-1/2 tackles, 1 interception in ’06). Another missing element from the successful 2006 unit is cornerback, Josh Smith, who accounted for 33 tackles in ’06. It looks like Soter is the one promoted and it remains to be seen how good he will be full time, but Wolfgramm and Potter should be pretty solid and with Shulze and Shoda in the middle, all passing on this team should be to the … outside. Running could be particularly tough with those linebackers backing up those massive defensive tackles in the middle. This is most of the same unit of last year, not all of the same unit. I really don’t have a lot of hard data to move them up a notch from where they finished last season… except gut instinct. If the offense can just chew up more clock and take some pressure off of this defense, they may just surprise everyone and land themselves at #1 or #2 at the end of the season . Projected Defensive Ranking: 3^rd .

INTANGIBLES AND COACHING:

I think just about everyone knows, or at least believes, or at least has heard, that this is a very organized, class organization from top to bottom. Not only has Ed Cerise and his co-management team done a great job at putting the Wolverines together, but they play on a great field and they put on a good show for their fans. Further, when players come out, they generally feel as if they are going to get a fair shake. Reports from Wolverine camp are that they have never had so many players out for the team. All good signs that the Wolverines are back on their way up after missing the playoffs for the first time last season. Head coach, Anthony Jeffries, offensive coordinator, Eric Drage and Defensive coordinator, Jimmie Pryor will have this team ready to compete beginning with the first game. I really think that this has been one of the most under-achieving teams of the past three years. I think they have had more offensive talent than the stats show and even a better defense than the stats show, they have just been unable to put it all together. This will definitely be their best year to start and I think they are definitely capable of hosting a first round playoff game in ’07. I’m not really sure what’s going on in the quarterback position for this team, though. Fountaine is a good option, but they still have TJ Stokes on the team, who did do a pretty good job last season; even passing for a very good 79.44 efficiency rating. They don’t, however, even list him as a back-up to Fountaine. Fountaine’s back up is listed as Hans Hatchett… and ALL of these guys are more receivers than quarterbacks. So, even with a great recruitment and a kick-A defense, the team still seems to lack that veteran field general that will make them a legitimate championship contender.

OVERALL RANKING: 6^th