09-09-2020, 11:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-10-2020, 08:04 AM by Billybolo53.)
Mony Kronbon's Expansion Spectacular
The expansion is here! The first thing I will do is take a look at the Teams and their Branding up to this point. Then we will look at the protections list for each team and then I will give a wack at mocking the expansion draft.
New York Silverbacks
I love having a team in New York. The Big Apple was long overdue for an ISFL team. This was a perfect location for expansion.
The branding brings the big city swagger you would hope for from a team playing in the city that never sleeps. I love the name. There’s nothing more ferocious than a gorilla. The New York connection with King Kong is great. You can have a lot of fun with that. I like that the logo subtly hints at skyscrapers in the background.
The first two players to join the Silverbacks are legendary Colorado Defensive Tackle, Bubba Thumper, and highly touted S25 rookie cornerback Dukburg QuakStak.
The Berlin Fire Salamanders
The Fire Salamander put the I in ISFL as the first international team to join the league. I know this was a huge win for the large European following in the ISFL.
Logo TBD
The Fire Salamanders are having a contest for their logo which is fun. There are so many good graphics people that I am sure there will be good submissions. I am looking forward to what they decide on.
Baltimore Wide Receivers Nick Kaepercolin and Asher Quinn are the first two-player who will join the Fire Salamanders. Two very strong receivers who will be peaking in the next two seasons.
Next will take a look at each team's protection list.
Arizona Outlaws
QB Jay Cue
TE Health Evans
DT Pete “Plop” Miller
LB Galf Wilf
LB Stanislaw Koniecpolski
CB Desmond Scarlett
CB Zamir Kehla
S DB Jadakiss
Notable Exposed Players: RB Joseph Petrongolo; WR Saba Donut; WR Thomas Passmann; OL Bruce Buckley; DE Sandro Ryeu; DT Claude Miller II
The Outlaws opted to use 7 of their protections slots on defense. They protect a strong young core that will peak at the same time. On Offense, only Cue and Evans are protected. Cue has been one of the best QBs in the past few seasons and Evans is arguably the best pure TE in the game. The Outlaws have a lot of depth on offense that they will rely on as both their top WR are unprotected. Taro Taimon and Gunner Thorbjornsson are both Wide Receivers that are auto protected from expansion. Arizona is in a position to compete now while bridging the gap to Bluechip QB prospect Charlemange Cortez and a new young core.
Austin Copperheads
WR Eddie Jeeta
WR Videl-San
DE Carolinabbq Isbest
DE Troen Egghands
DE Slinky Claxton
DT Tyler Mountain
LB Griffin Porter
CB Colt Mendoza
Notable Exposed Players: QB Easton Cole; RB Kichwa Jones; WR Net Gaines; CB Dermot Lavelle Jr.
The Copperheads are headed for a transition period. They will be losing 6 players to retirement, including RBMako Mendonca, WR Rod Tidwell, and S Awkward Sexjoke. Austin has opted to move on from Easton Cole. There are reports that recently acquired DT Tyler Mountain is going to transition over to QB. While Mountain adjusts to the Quarterback position, the Outlaws will look to build around Wide receivers Eddie Jeeta and Videl-San. On Defense, they will be able to retain most of their core players.
Honolulu Hahalua
QB Luke Skywalker
RB Keʻokeʻo Kāne-Maikaʻi
RB Nicholas Ayers
WR Jed Podolak
LB Heinrich Kackpoo
CB Jim Waters
CB Ray-Ray Jackson
S Shawn Dawkins
Notable Exposed Players: WR William Alexander; LB Jack Banks; K/P Venus Powers; DE Logan Noble Jr (FA)
The Hahalua use 4 of their protection slots on offense. They have their skill positions secured for the long term. All of their defensive protections are S22 or S23 regression. Expansion won’t set them back too much as they look to open their window through Skywalker peak.
New Orleans Second Line
QB Ben Slothlisberger
RB Marcella Tōriki
TE Austin McCormick
DT Magnus Rikiya
CB Andrew Witten
CB David Rector
S Mason Blaylock
S LiterallyJust A. Hexagon
Notable Exposed Players: RB Forrest Gump; WR Ed Barker; WR Sean Snyder; WR Brock Bodenhamer; LB Quenton Bode; DT Hank Steel; LB Ugarth the Dissector; OL Givussafare Rubbe
As you can see by the list above, NOLA is has a lot of talent dangling out there. A common theme you’ll notice with the protections list is leaving WRs unprotected. The Fire Salamanders are set at wide receiver so teams know that less wide receivers will be taken in the expansion draft. NOLA has the best pool of exposed players.
Orange County Otters
RB Tatsu Nakamura
WR Future Trunks
LB Deshun Jones
CB Korrin Abernathy
S Tyrone Biggums
S Prince Vegeta
S Bob Bob
QB Suleiman Ramza
Notable Exposed Players: WR Garfield Despacito Jr.; TE Jeffrey Phillips; DE Steco Ocewilder; DT Rapid Eagle; DT Carl Wheezer; LB Inspectah Deck; CB Lord Beerus; K/P Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname
The biggest surprise here is that TE Jeffrey Phillips is left exposed. Phillips was once one of the top earners in the S22 class, he has slowed down a bit in the last few seasons, but has developed into one of the best offensive weapons in the league. Rapid Eagle is another appetizing player for expansion teams. He is an S21 DT that should be able to hold down the position at a high level for multiple seasons. CB Lord Beerus is the best defensive player available and at a premier position. OCO can plan on losing two of those three going into the expansion draft.
San Jose Sabercats
QB Monterey “Monty” Jack
RB Jamar Lackson
WR Deondre Thomas-Fox
WR Tychondrius Hood
DT Otis Allen
LB Lawerence Bass
S Phillip Stein
K/P Matthew McDairmid
Notable Exposed Players: RB Rando Cardrissian; TE Leon McDavid; DE Water Chestnut III (Chestnut) ; LB Tyron Brackenridge; LB George Fisher; CB HeHateMe PickSix; CB Matt Krause; CB Tyler Oles Jr. (FA); S Brendan Lanier
The Sabercats leave a lot of S22 and S21 defensive talent exposed. George Fisher is likely to go early in the expansion draft. The core of Jack, Lackson, and Hood will be hoping the defense can catch ip in time to take advantage of their coming peak seasons. The surprise retirement of Chestnut allowed SJS to use a protection slot on someone else.
Sarasota Sailfish
QB Dexter Banks
RB Raphtalia Chan
WR Micheal Witheblock
TE James Angler
DT Cuco Clemente
LB Haha Mango-Panda
LB Fawn Dillmiballs
S Jamie Nkiah
Notable Exposed Players: RB Running Back; WR Rayne Gordon; TE Clark Boyd; DE Son Goku; DE Mike Karpassi; DT Big Edd; CB Xavien Adams; S Beat; S Eric Richards; K/P Jacob Small
The Sailfish decide to make the most of their window and protect regressing QB, Dexter Banks II. They protect his favorite targets in WR Witheblock and TE Angler. As well as the core of their S22 defensive talent, Mango-Panda, Clemente and Dillmiballs. Lots of intriguing talent left exposed, luckily for Sarasota they can only lose two.
Baltimore Hawks
QB Chika Fujiwara
WR Doug Howlett
RB Darrel Williams
TE James Lewandowski
LB Derred de Ville
LB Dex Kennedy
CB Eldrick Avery
CB Ben Stackinpaper
S CJ Riley
Notable Exposed Players: OL Byron Dolls; DT Nuniq Annastesia; S Walt Green; K/P Datsum PhastBawls
Lost to Berlin: WR Asher Quinn; WR Nick Kaepercolin*
Baltimore starts off Expansion in a rough way. They lose their two starting receivers just as they were beginning to hit their primes. Fujiwara will still have Williams on offense, but this sets them back quite a bit. To add insult to injury, they still can lose one more player in the expansion draft.
*Nick Kaepercolin was on an expiring contract so he does not earn Baltimore an additional protection in the Expansion Draft.
Chicago Butchers
QB George o’Donnell
RB Baby Yoda
WR Luca Scabbla
OL Benson Bayley Jr.
DT John “Tripod” Smirh
DT Daymond Brooks
CB Osiris Firestorm-Fjord
CB Tyron Shields
S Hamish MacAndrew
Notable Exposed Players: RB Julio Tirtawidjaja; WR Sean O’Leary; WR Bender B. Rodriguez; WR Griff Oberwald; TE Tree Gelbman; TE Von Hayes; DE Mario VonPebbles; CB Mike Hockhertz; LB Hingle McCringleberry
Chicago went out a traded for an extra protection slot from Colorado and boy do they need them. Veteran wide receivers O’Leary and Rodriguez are at the top of their games. There is also an amazing amount of young talent left exposed. Chicago has done a fantastic job rebuilding which will end up helping these expansion teams quite a bit.
Colorado Yeti
RB Richard Gilbert
WR William Lim
OL Mo”Mamba” Magic
DE Immanuel Blackstone
LB Adélie de Pengu
CB Louisiana Purchase
CB Rotticus Scott
S Greedy Sly
Notable Exposed Players: QB Wolfie McDummy; RB Ashley Ownes; RB Thubba Bumper; WR Leeroy Jenkins; WR Jackson Kingston; TE Earl Sauce; OL Dick Thruster; LB Warren Stephens; S Pete Parker;
The Yeti are another team with tons of depth. All the players I listed have a chance to be taken. I am very interested in who ends up leaving Colorado.
Yellowknife Wraiths
QB Colby Jack
RB Acura Skyline
WR Kai Sakura
DE James Cho
DT Patrik Money
LB Douglas Quaid
CB Melvin Leonard
S Johnny Hellzapoppin
Notable Exposed Players: RB Mathias Hanyadi; Susan Cash Jr; TE Zee Rechs; DE Nero Alexander; LB Maurice Virtanen; S Magnus Valdyr; S L’Carpetron Dookmarriot; K/P Dougie Smalls
Two Superstar S18 players, Mathias Hanyadi and Nero Alexander, are left exposed by the Wraiths. The Wraiths were able to protect one of every position group. The depth that they have will handle expansion well. Lots of different combinations of players that they could lose.
Philadelphia Liberty
QB Brock Phoenix
WR Randy Vuxta
WR Flash Panda
OL Simon Tremblay
CB Brandon Booker
S Matt “Son of Havoc” Cross
S Wesley Eriksen
S Eugene Smoothie
Notable Exposed Players: RB Sam Torenson; RB Fuzzy Dotson; TE Avon Blocksdale Jr.; TE Donatello Arrabiata; DE Tycker Om; LB Spike Suzuki; S Richard D’Attoria V; K/P Karmichael Hunt
Philly comes out of expansion pretty clean. There are no players that they will lose that will be especially hard for them. The young secondary is kept intact. Fuzzy Dotson and Spike Suzuki the favorites to be picked out of this group
Expansion Draft
For this draft, each team will have a different philosophy. This is in no way indicative of what each team will actually do but made this into a little more fun of an exercise.
The Silverbacks will play for making the best possible team they can. Bubba is at this peak so they will attempt to make the most of his last few prime years before going into a longer rebuild in S26/27.
The Fire Salamanders will most likely draft a rookie QB this offseason with the plan to compete between S28 and S31. They will look for players that will peak in their window.
Round One:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #1
S22 CB Matt Krause San Jose Sabercats 605 TPE
Corners are a tough position to develop. The Fire Salamanders get a near max earning CB that fits their window with the first overall pick.
Additional Protection: LB George Fisher
New York Silverbacks #2
S18 LB Maurice Virtanen Yellowknife Wraiths 1199 TPE
The Silverbacks lock down the best defender available as they look to mimic the Bubba Thumper/Mo Berry Combination with Virtanen.
Additional Protection: WR Susan Cash Jr
Round Two
New York Silverbacks #3
S18 RB Mathias Hanyadi Yellowknife Wraiths 1192 TPE
Not wanting to lose out on the best offensive player, the Silverbacks close out Yellowknife’s selections.
YELLOWKNIFE CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #4
S23 DE Son Goku Sarasota Sailfish 570 TPE
Goku is a great player and one that will hurt to lose for the Sailfish. Berlin gets a plug and play defensive lineman that should lead their defense.
Additional Protection: TE Clark Boyd
Round Three:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #5
S22 DE Sandro Ryeu Arizona Outlaws 663 TPE
Berlin gets another plug and play DL and really secures their DE spots for years to come
Additional Protection: DT Claude Miller II
New York Silverbacks #6
S19 WR Sean O’Leary Chicago Butchers 1136 TPE
Additional Protection: DE Mario VonPebbles
Round Four:
New York Silverbacks #7
S19 WR Rayne Gordon Sarasota Sailfish 1069 TPE
I think this something that we will see in the expansion draft. Once a team has a player taken, I’d expect their second player to come off the board quickly if the other team is interested in them. Similarly to the last their pick, they are able to make sure they get the top TPE players before Sarasota and Chicago closeout.
SARASOTA CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #8
S22 WR Thomas Passmann Arizona Outlaws 678 TPE
I am not sure Quinn hangs around Berlin for too long. Passmann fits their window a bit better and will set up the QB of the future with two great receivers.
ARIZONA CLOSED OUT
Round Five:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #9
S22 LB Jack Banks Honolulu Hahalua 560 TPE
Banks is one of the better linebackers available. Berlin picks Banks over Stephens and Brackenridge to stay true to their target window.
Additional Protection: WR William Alexander
New York Silverbacks #10
S18 S Pete Parker Colorado Yeti 874 TPE
Parker is the best safety on the board and the first piece to the Silverbacks secondary.
COLORADO CLOSED
Round Six:
New York Silverbacks #11
S19 CB Lord Beerus Orange County Otters 1011 TPE
The Silverbacks secondary starts coming together as they are about to get an over 1000 TPE corner that still has a season before regression hits
Additional Protection: TE Jeffrey Phillips
Berlin Fire Salamanders #12
S23 LB Hingle McCreingleberry Chicago Butchers 459 TPE
The former second-round pick will go to Berlin an form a formidable, young, duo paired with Jack Banks
CHICAGO CLOSED
Round Seven
Berlin Fire Salamanders #13
S23 DT Carl Wheezer Orange County Otters 440 TPE
Wheezer complete a line that should grow together and has a chance to be dominant in a few seasons
ORANGE COUNTY CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #14
S16 QB Easton Cole Austin Copperheads 1059 TPE
It was important for the Silverbacks to come out of this draft with either McDummy or Cole. They don’t risk waiting any longer to snag their QB
Additional Protection: RB Kichwa Jones
Round Eight
New York Silverbacks #15
S16 CB Dermot Lavelle Jr. Austin Copperheads 1079 TPE
I was really close to protecting Lavelle over Jones, but Austin is heading to a transitional phase so I decided to protect a younger player over one deep in regression.
AUSTIN CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #16
S22 DT Hank Steel New Orleans Second line 535 TPE
The Fire Salamanders will have 4 defensive linemen that are close to or above 500 TPE.
Additional Protection: WR Ed Barker
Round Nine
Berlin Fire Salamanders #17
S22 S Brendan Lanier San Jose Sabercats 450 TPE
Berlin gets another secondary player from SJS. Lanier fits the Fire Salamander window perfectly.
SJS CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #18
S18 OL Givussafare Rubbe New Orleans Second Line 1255 TPE
Rubbe is a monster OL. New York is happy to get him this late in the draft
NOLA CLOSED
Round Ten:
New York Silverbacks #19
S19 TE Avon Blocksdale Jr. Philadelphia Liberty 724 TPE
Additional Protection: LB Spike Suzuki
Blocksdale is a solid if not unspectacular option at TE
Berlin Fire Salamanders: #20
S18 RB Fuzzy Dotson Philadelphia Liberty 864 TPE
The Fire Salamanders take the best player available at a position of need
PHI CLOSED
Round Eleven:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #21
S23 K/P Datsum PhastBawls Baltimore Hawks 421 TPE
One of the better young kickers in the game
BAL CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #22
S20 K/P Venus Powers Honolulu Hahalua 1035 TPE
The Silverbacks get arguably best kickers in the game
DRAFT COMPLETE
Here is how each team made out
Fire Salamanders
WR-S18 Asher Quinn 954 TPE
WR-S22 Nick Kaepercolin 736 TPE
WR- S22 Thomas Passmann 678 TPE
DE- S23 Son Goku 570 TPE
DE- S22 Mario Von Pebbles 646 TPE
DT- S23 Carl Wheezer 440 TPE
DT- S22 Hank Steel 535 TPE
LB- S22 Jack Banks 594 TPE
LB- S23 Hingle McCringleberry 459 TPE
CB- S22 Matt Krause 605 TPE
S- S22 Brendan Lanier 450 TPE
K/P- S23 Datsum PhastBawls 421 TPE
Silverbacks
QB- S16 Easton Cole 1059 TPE
RB- S18 Mathias Hanyadi 1192 TPE
OL- Givussafare Rubbe 1255 TPE
WR- S19 Sean O’Leary 1136 TPE
WR - S19 Rayne Gordon 1069 TPE
TE- S19 Avon Blocksdale Jr. 724 TPE
DT- S18 Bubba Thumper 1257 TPE
LB- S18 LB Maurice Virtanen 1199 TPE
LB- S20 LB Warren Stephens 725 TPE
CB- S20 Lord Beerus 1011 TPE
CB- S16 Dermot Lavelle Jr. 1079 TPE
CB- S25 Dukburg QuakStak 236 TPE
S- S18 Peter Parker 874 TPE
K/P- S20 Venus Powers 1035 TPE
I am looking forward to the extra excitement that expansion will bring to this offseason.
The expansion is here! The first thing I will do is take a look at the Teams and their Branding up to this point. Then we will look at the protections list for each team and then I will give a wack at mocking the expansion draft.
New York Silverbacks
I love having a team in New York. The Big Apple was long overdue for an ISFL team. This was a perfect location for expansion.
The branding brings the big city swagger you would hope for from a team playing in the city that never sleeps. I love the name. There’s nothing more ferocious than a gorilla. The New York connection with King Kong is great. You can have a lot of fun with that. I like that the logo subtly hints at skyscrapers in the background.
The first two players to join the Silverbacks are legendary Colorado Defensive Tackle, Bubba Thumper, and highly touted S25 rookie cornerback Dukburg QuakStak.
The Berlin Fire Salamanders
The Fire Salamander put the I in ISFL as the first international team to join the league. I know this was a huge win for the large European following in the ISFL.
Logo TBD
The Fire Salamanders are having a contest for their logo which is fun. There are so many good graphics people that I am sure there will be good submissions. I am looking forward to what they decide on.
Baltimore Wide Receivers Nick Kaepercolin and Asher Quinn are the first two-player who will join the Fire Salamanders. Two very strong receivers who will be peaking in the next two seasons.
Next will take a look at each team's protection list.
Arizona Outlaws
QB Jay Cue
TE Health Evans
DT Pete “Plop” Miller
LB Galf Wilf
LB Stanislaw Koniecpolski
CB Desmond Scarlett
CB Zamir Kehla
S DB Jadakiss
Notable Exposed Players: RB Joseph Petrongolo; WR Saba Donut; WR Thomas Passmann; OL Bruce Buckley; DE Sandro Ryeu; DT Claude Miller II
The Outlaws opted to use 7 of their protections slots on defense. They protect a strong young core that will peak at the same time. On Offense, only Cue and Evans are protected. Cue has been one of the best QBs in the past few seasons and Evans is arguably the best pure TE in the game. The Outlaws have a lot of depth on offense that they will rely on as both their top WR are unprotected. Taro Taimon and Gunner Thorbjornsson are both Wide Receivers that are auto protected from expansion. Arizona is in a position to compete now while bridging the gap to Bluechip QB prospect Charlemange Cortez and a new young core.
Austin Copperheads
WR Eddie Jeeta
WR Videl-San
DE Carolinabbq Isbest
DE Troen Egghands
DE Slinky Claxton
DT Tyler Mountain
LB Griffin Porter
CB Colt Mendoza
Notable Exposed Players: QB Easton Cole; RB Kichwa Jones; WR Net Gaines; CB Dermot Lavelle Jr.
The Copperheads are headed for a transition period. They will be losing 6 players to retirement, including RBMako Mendonca, WR Rod Tidwell, and S Awkward Sexjoke. Austin has opted to move on from Easton Cole. There are reports that recently acquired DT Tyler Mountain is going to transition over to QB. While Mountain adjusts to the Quarterback position, the Outlaws will look to build around Wide receivers Eddie Jeeta and Videl-San. On Defense, they will be able to retain most of their core players.
Honolulu Hahalua
QB Luke Skywalker
RB Keʻokeʻo Kāne-Maikaʻi
RB Nicholas Ayers
WR Jed Podolak
LB Heinrich Kackpoo
CB Jim Waters
CB Ray-Ray Jackson
S Shawn Dawkins
Notable Exposed Players: WR William Alexander; LB Jack Banks; K/P Venus Powers; DE Logan Noble Jr (FA)
The Hahalua use 4 of their protection slots on offense. They have their skill positions secured for the long term. All of their defensive protections are S22 or S23 regression. Expansion won’t set them back too much as they look to open their window through Skywalker peak.
New Orleans Second Line
QB Ben Slothlisberger
RB Marcella Tōriki
TE Austin McCormick
DT Magnus Rikiya
CB Andrew Witten
CB David Rector
S Mason Blaylock
S LiterallyJust A. Hexagon
Notable Exposed Players: RB Forrest Gump; WR Ed Barker; WR Sean Snyder; WR Brock Bodenhamer; LB Quenton Bode; DT Hank Steel; LB Ugarth the Dissector; OL Givussafare Rubbe
As you can see by the list above, NOLA is has a lot of talent dangling out there. A common theme you’ll notice with the protections list is leaving WRs unprotected. The Fire Salamanders are set at wide receiver so teams know that less wide receivers will be taken in the expansion draft. NOLA has the best pool of exposed players.
Orange County Otters
RB Tatsu Nakamura
WR Future Trunks
LB Deshun Jones
CB Korrin Abernathy
S Tyrone Biggums
S Prince Vegeta
S Bob Bob
QB Suleiman Ramza
Notable Exposed Players: WR Garfield Despacito Jr.; TE Jeffrey Phillips; DE Steco Ocewilder; DT Rapid Eagle; DT Carl Wheezer; LB Inspectah Deck; CB Lord Beerus; K/P Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname
The biggest surprise here is that TE Jeffrey Phillips is left exposed. Phillips was once one of the top earners in the S22 class, he has slowed down a bit in the last few seasons, but has developed into one of the best offensive weapons in the league. Rapid Eagle is another appetizing player for expansion teams. He is an S21 DT that should be able to hold down the position at a high level for multiple seasons. CB Lord Beerus is the best defensive player available and at a premier position. OCO can plan on losing two of those three going into the expansion draft.
San Jose Sabercats
QB Monterey “Monty” Jack
RB Jamar Lackson
WR Deondre Thomas-Fox
WR Tychondrius Hood
DT Otis Allen
LB Lawerence Bass
S Phillip Stein
K/P Matthew McDairmid
Notable Exposed Players: RB Rando Cardrissian; TE Leon McDavid; DE Water Chestnut III (Chestnut) ; LB Tyron Brackenridge; LB George Fisher; CB HeHateMe PickSix; CB Matt Krause; CB Tyler Oles Jr. (FA); S Brendan Lanier
The Sabercats leave a lot of S22 and S21 defensive talent exposed. George Fisher is likely to go early in the expansion draft. The core of Jack, Lackson, and Hood will be hoping the defense can catch ip in time to take advantage of their coming peak seasons. The surprise retirement of Chestnut allowed SJS to use a protection slot on someone else.
Sarasota Sailfish
QB Dexter Banks
RB Raphtalia Chan
WR Micheal Witheblock
TE James Angler
DT Cuco Clemente
LB Haha Mango-Panda
LB Fawn Dillmiballs
S Jamie Nkiah
Notable Exposed Players: RB Running Back; WR Rayne Gordon; TE Clark Boyd; DE Son Goku; DE Mike Karpassi; DT Big Edd; CB Xavien Adams; S Beat; S Eric Richards; K/P Jacob Small
The Sailfish decide to make the most of their window and protect regressing QB, Dexter Banks II. They protect his favorite targets in WR Witheblock and TE Angler. As well as the core of their S22 defensive talent, Mango-Panda, Clemente and Dillmiballs. Lots of intriguing talent left exposed, luckily for Sarasota they can only lose two.
Baltimore Hawks
QB Chika Fujiwara
WR Doug Howlett
RB Darrel Williams
TE James Lewandowski
LB Derred de Ville
LB Dex Kennedy
CB Eldrick Avery
CB Ben Stackinpaper
S CJ Riley
Notable Exposed Players: OL Byron Dolls; DT Nuniq Annastesia; S Walt Green; K/P Datsum PhastBawls
Lost to Berlin: WR Asher Quinn; WR Nick Kaepercolin*
Baltimore starts off Expansion in a rough way. They lose their two starting receivers just as they were beginning to hit their primes. Fujiwara will still have Williams on offense, but this sets them back quite a bit. To add insult to injury, they still can lose one more player in the expansion draft.
*Nick Kaepercolin was on an expiring contract so he does not earn Baltimore an additional protection in the Expansion Draft.
Chicago Butchers
QB George o’Donnell
RB Baby Yoda
WR Luca Scabbla
OL Benson Bayley Jr.
DT John “Tripod” Smirh
DT Daymond Brooks
CB Osiris Firestorm-Fjord
CB Tyron Shields
S Hamish MacAndrew
Notable Exposed Players: RB Julio Tirtawidjaja; WR Sean O’Leary; WR Bender B. Rodriguez; WR Griff Oberwald; TE Tree Gelbman; TE Von Hayes; DE Mario VonPebbles; CB Mike Hockhertz; LB Hingle McCringleberry
Chicago went out a traded for an extra protection slot from Colorado and boy do they need them. Veteran wide receivers O’Leary and Rodriguez are at the top of their games. There is also an amazing amount of young talent left exposed. Chicago has done a fantastic job rebuilding which will end up helping these expansion teams quite a bit.
Colorado Yeti
RB Richard Gilbert
WR William Lim
OL Mo”Mamba” Magic
DE Immanuel Blackstone
LB Adélie de Pengu
CB Louisiana Purchase
CB Rotticus Scott
S Greedy Sly
Notable Exposed Players: QB Wolfie McDummy; RB Ashley Ownes; RB Thubba Bumper; WR Leeroy Jenkins; WR Jackson Kingston; TE Earl Sauce; OL Dick Thruster; LB Warren Stephens; S Pete Parker;
The Yeti are another team with tons of depth. All the players I listed have a chance to be taken. I am very interested in who ends up leaving Colorado.
Yellowknife Wraiths
QB Colby Jack
RB Acura Skyline
WR Kai Sakura
DE James Cho
DT Patrik Money
LB Douglas Quaid
CB Melvin Leonard
S Johnny Hellzapoppin
Notable Exposed Players: RB Mathias Hanyadi; Susan Cash Jr; TE Zee Rechs; DE Nero Alexander; LB Maurice Virtanen; S Magnus Valdyr; S L’Carpetron Dookmarriot; K/P Dougie Smalls
Two Superstar S18 players, Mathias Hanyadi and Nero Alexander, are left exposed by the Wraiths. The Wraiths were able to protect one of every position group. The depth that they have will handle expansion well. Lots of different combinations of players that they could lose.
Philadelphia Liberty
QB Brock Phoenix
WR Randy Vuxta
WR Flash Panda
OL Simon Tremblay
CB Brandon Booker
S Matt “Son of Havoc” Cross
S Wesley Eriksen
S Eugene Smoothie
Notable Exposed Players: RB Sam Torenson; RB Fuzzy Dotson; TE Avon Blocksdale Jr.; TE Donatello Arrabiata; DE Tycker Om; LB Spike Suzuki; S Richard D’Attoria V; K/P Karmichael Hunt
Philly comes out of expansion pretty clean. There are no players that they will lose that will be especially hard for them. The young secondary is kept intact. Fuzzy Dotson and Spike Suzuki the favorites to be picked out of this group
Expansion Draft
For this draft, each team will have a different philosophy. This is in no way indicative of what each team will actually do but made this into a little more fun of an exercise.
The Silverbacks will play for making the best possible team they can. Bubba is at this peak so they will attempt to make the most of his last few prime years before going into a longer rebuild in S26/27.
The Fire Salamanders will most likely draft a rookie QB this offseason with the plan to compete between S28 and S31. They will look for players that will peak in their window.
Round One:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #1
S22 CB Matt Krause San Jose Sabercats 605 TPE
Corners are a tough position to develop. The Fire Salamanders get a near max earning CB that fits their window with the first overall pick.
Additional Protection: LB George Fisher
New York Silverbacks #2
S18 LB Maurice Virtanen Yellowknife Wraiths 1199 TPE
The Silverbacks lock down the best defender available as they look to mimic the Bubba Thumper/Mo Berry Combination with Virtanen.
Additional Protection: WR Susan Cash Jr
Round Two
New York Silverbacks #3
S18 RB Mathias Hanyadi Yellowknife Wraiths 1192 TPE
Not wanting to lose out on the best offensive player, the Silverbacks close out Yellowknife’s selections.
YELLOWKNIFE CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #4
S23 DE Son Goku Sarasota Sailfish 570 TPE
Goku is a great player and one that will hurt to lose for the Sailfish. Berlin gets a plug and play defensive lineman that should lead their defense.
Additional Protection: TE Clark Boyd
Round Three:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #5
S22 DE Sandro Ryeu Arizona Outlaws 663 TPE
Berlin gets another plug and play DL and really secures their DE spots for years to come
Additional Protection: DT Claude Miller II
New York Silverbacks #6
S19 WR Sean O’Leary Chicago Butchers 1136 TPE
Additional Protection: DE Mario VonPebbles
Round Four:
New York Silverbacks #7
S19 WR Rayne Gordon Sarasota Sailfish 1069 TPE
I think this something that we will see in the expansion draft. Once a team has a player taken, I’d expect their second player to come off the board quickly if the other team is interested in them. Similarly to the last their pick, they are able to make sure they get the top TPE players before Sarasota and Chicago closeout.
SARASOTA CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #8
S22 WR Thomas Passmann Arizona Outlaws 678 TPE
I am not sure Quinn hangs around Berlin for too long. Passmann fits their window a bit better and will set up the QB of the future with two great receivers.
ARIZONA CLOSED OUT
Round Five:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #9
S22 LB Jack Banks Honolulu Hahalua 560 TPE
Banks is one of the better linebackers available. Berlin picks Banks over Stephens and Brackenridge to stay true to their target window.
Additional Protection: WR William Alexander
New York Silverbacks #10
S18 S Pete Parker Colorado Yeti 874 TPE
Parker is the best safety on the board and the first piece to the Silverbacks secondary.
COLORADO CLOSED
Round Six:
New York Silverbacks #11
S19 CB Lord Beerus Orange County Otters 1011 TPE
The Silverbacks secondary starts coming together as they are about to get an over 1000 TPE corner that still has a season before regression hits
Additional Protection: TE Jeffrey Phillips
Berlin Fire Salamanders #12
S23 LB Hingle McCreingleberry Chicago Butchers 459 TPE
The former second-round pick will go to Berlin an form a formidable, young, duo paired with Jack Banks
CHICAGO CLOSED
Round Seven
Berlin Fire Salamanders #13
S23 DT Carl Wheezer Orange County Otters 440 TPE
Wheezer complete a line that should grow together and has a chance to be dominant in a few seasons
ORANGE COUNTY CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #14
S16 QB Easton Cole Austin Copperheads 1059 TPE
It was important for the Silverbacks to come out of this draft with either McDummy or Cole. They don’t risk waiting any longer to snag their QB
Additional Protection: RB Kichwa Jones
Round Eight
New York Silverbacks #15
S16 CB Dermot Lavelle Jr. Austin Copperheads 1079 TPE
I was really close to protecting Lavelle over Jones, but Austin is heading to a transitional phase so I decided to protect a younger player over one deep in regression.
AUSTIN CLOSED
Berlin Fire Salamanders #16
S22 DT Hank Steel New Orleans Second line 535 TPE
The Fire Salamanders will have 4 defensive linemen that are close to or above 500 TPE.
Additional Protection: WR Ed Barker
Round Nine
Berlin Fire Salamanders #17
S22 S Brendan Lanier San Jose Sabercats 450 TPE
Berlin gets another secondary player from SJS. Lanier fits the Fire Salamander window perfectly.
SJS CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #18
S18 OL Givussafare Rubbe New Orleans Second Line 1255 TPE
Rubbe is a monster OL. New York is happy to get him this late in the draft
NOLA CLOSED
Round Ten:
New York Silverbacks #19
S19 TE Avon Blocksdale Jr. Philadelphia Liberty 724 TPE
Additional Protection: LB Spike Suzuki
Blocksdale is a solid if not unspectacular option at TE
Berlin Fire Salamanders: #20
S18 RB Fuzzy Dotson Philadelphia Liberty 864 TPE
The Fire Salamanders take the best player available at a position of need
PHI CLOSED
Round Eleven:
Berlin Fire Salamanders #21
S23 K/P Datsum PhastBawls Baltimore Hawks 421 TPE
One of the better young kickers in the game
BAL CLOSED
New York Silverbacks #22
S20 K/P Venus Powers Honolulu Hahalua 1035 TPE
The Silverbacks get arguably best kickers in the game
DRAFT COMPLETE
Here is how each team made out
Fire Salamanders
WR-S18 Asher Quinn 954 TPE
WR-S22 Nick Kaepercolin 736 TPE
WR- S22 Thomas Passmann 678 TPE
DE- S23 Son Goku 570 TPE
DE- S22 Mario Von Pebbles 646 TPE
DT- S23 Carl Wheezer 440 TPE
DT- S22 Hank Steel 535 TPE
LB- S22 Jack Banks 594 TPE
LB- S23 Hingle McCringleberry 459 TPE
CB- S22 Matt Krause 605 TPE
S- S22 Brendan Lanier 450 TPE
K/P- S23 Datsum PhastBawls 421 TPE
Silverbacks
QB- S16 Easton Cole 1059 TPE
RB- S18 Mathias Hanyadi 1192 TPE
OL- Givussafare Rubbe 1255 TPE
WR- S19 Sean O’Leary 1136 TPE
WR - S19 Rayne Gordon 1069 TPE
TE- S19 Avon Blocksdale Jr. 724 TPE
DT- S18 Bubba Thumper 1257 TPE
LB- S18 LB Maurice Virtanen 1199 TPE
LB- S20 LB Warren Stephens 725 TPE
CB- S20 Lord Beerus 1011 TPE
CB- S16 Dermot Lavelle Jr. 1079 TPE
CB- S25 Dukburg QuakStak 236 TPE
S- S18 Peter Parker 874 TPE
K/P- S20 Venus Powers 1035 TPE
I am looking forward to the extra excitement that expansion will bring to this offseason.