Team Preview
by: Ed Cerise
Of all the teams in AA, the Speed is the team I am most familiar with having
played against them since the UFL/RMFL merger many years ago. Boise
has also fielded a tough competitive team who usually were playoff bound. I truly believe that last season was fluke of
a season for the Speed. Knowing the organization and the players this team has
had I was beside myself at their meltdown in AAA. Moving forward to this season, my pick for
the team to beat in AA came in July last year during All Star weekend when it
was apparent the Speed would wind up in AA.
I knew this team of players would bounce back from a terrible 2007 and
show everyone they truly belong in AAA.
Boise is a large area to draw players from
and the Speed has done this every year.
They play at a great facility if not the best in AA. They have had a few key loses, but I believe
their gains have exceeded their losses.
With that being said, the Boise Speed are my number 1 Ranked team in AA,
and will be the team to beat for the Championship in 08.
Key Additions:
Tyler Collingwood WR/QB
Heath Wall LB
Britt Hall WR
Key Losses:
Joe Critchfield OL
Jeremy Prussia WR
Jared Coleman - DB
Offensive Outlook:
Taking over at Q.B. will be
former Sabercat and All Star Tyler Collingwood (5-11 215) who will have his
first opportunity to win a championship since he has been in the league. Backing up Tyler will be veteran Brian Stogsdill (6-4
215) who over his career has seen the ups and downs of winning and losing. This team has the benefit of not having one
but two Q.B.s who can lead this team to
victory. The most important part of
their success will be the offensive line that is once again lead by All Star
Todd Rietmann (6-3 350). Securing the front will be Mike Bills (6-3
350), Phil Janquart (5-9 275), Josh Bravo (6-3
290), and Mike Kierpic (6-3 300). Last season this line gave up 29 sacks, they
are going to need to cut that number below half to have a shot at the
championship. When Collingwood does have
time he will be hitting his targets of Adam Guy (6-0 200), newcomer Britt
Hall (6-1 205), and huge target Max Wilson (6-5 230) at Tight End. The Speed have lost leading receiver Jeremy
Prussia as he moved out of the area.
Hall should fit in nice to the vacated spot and should make a big impact
in his first RMFL Season. The backs are
let by Josh Black (6-0 230), and Rocky Lopez (6-0 235) who are two
bruisers. Side not: As you can tell this
is my last write up out of twelve and Im starting to think there is not a
Running back in AA that is below 230lbs.
I will say, I expect this to be best offense in AA and their team will
go as far as this group can take them.
Defensive Outlook:
Last season the Speed defense finished last among AAA teams. In years past the defense for Boise has always been one
of their strengths. Even if this team
was still in AAA I would expect this defense to improve drastically over last
season. With names like Knickhrem and Jockumsen how can
you not fear this defense? Yes, I
realize there are nine other members that make up this team and they will be
needed, each and every one of them.
Joining future Hall of Famer Jockumsen (6-1 235)at the
backers spot will be newcomer Heath Wall (6-0 220), and veteran Brooks Engstrom (6-0 205).
As with all defenses this group is the bread and butter. They are going to need the D-Line to improve
over last year to allow these backers to Do Work on opposing offenses. Leading that charge will be Glen Burks (6-2
245), Dusty Lee (6-0 255), Jeremy Lee (6-3 300), and the huge 6-6 265lb
Tom Ross. Again, this front four will
need to put pressure on offenses making it difficult for opposing teams to pass
and run. When passes do fly it will be
All Everything Dan Knickhrem (6-0 200) defending
alongside Joseph Roberts (6-0 200). At
the safeties will be Ryan Weever (6-0 220) and Sean
Thompson (6-0 200). This group will
face some tough competition this year and will see what they can do in AA and I
expect them to be one of the dominate defenses in the league.
Summary:
As mentioned prior, if the Speed
were still in AAA I would expect them to improve drastically over last
season. Would they be a playoff team? Probably not. Move
this team to AA and you have my instant favorite to win the AA
Championship. With a pretty easy road
schedule with only one game out of state to the Gladiators which will be a very
tough game but one they can win, this team could go undefeated on the road. What is going to be interesting are weeks 2
and 3 where the Speed play the #2 ranked Matadors back to back. The winner of those two games (should someone
get swept) will be in the drivers seat for the AA Championship.
OVERALL
RANKING: 1st
