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Date Posted: 12:31:41 04/08/04 Thu
Author: TC
Author Host/IP: 12.129.98.129
Subject: Springfield Season Preview

The 2004 season in Springfield was the most successful to date--the 2nd division title in 3 seasons, first playoff victory and first appearance in the Conference Championship. However, a brand new FIFL season is starting and all of those things are past accomplishments. This season, Springfield would obviously like to add to their past success but as always that is easier said than done in the league's toughest division.

Black Hills is of course, the perennial powerhouse in the division and Fargo emerged last season as a fierce and formidable contender. Wichita had an 'off year' and is sure to return to form, while Lincoln continues to progress and is capable of beating any team on any given Thursday.

With several reports in the offseason that the team would relocate and play in a different division, DT Anthony Martin replied "I'm glad that we're staying in the Great Plains Division. We've developed some intense rivalries with the other teams in our division and those games always make us better. Besides if we would have changed, the talk this year when we win the FIFL Bowl would have concentrated on the change being the reason for our championship. Me, I like the idea of us having to scrap, fight and battle for the championship and emerge victorious from the Great Plains Division."

In an effort to improve the team in the offseason, management had to make some tough personnel decisions. Veteran players--WRs Heath Garland and Scott Coyne, TE Willie Cohen, HB Eric McGhee, DBs Joe Stuber and Percy Scott, OL Garrett Hoffman and DE Josh Fordyce--were released. These players were cut in order to make the team younger and start preparing these players to fill holes that will be caused by retirement in the near future. Management is very excited about the players drafted, where they concentrated on the defensive side of the ball--DE Ricky Franklin, DT Silas DeMary, LB Terrell Spears and CB Jimmy Moore. Rookie TE Elton Rhoades will strive to replace the departed star TE Willie Cohen.

The coaching staff has also made some roster adjustments for the new season. HB Brian Edmonds will start at halfback for the Slayers. A move they attempted last year but didn't work out and HB Simmons was the starter again by Week 3. Some players are upset at the decision to try this 'experiment' again and express that Simmons gives the team the best chance to win.

Others point to Edmonds' playoff performance against Portland of the type of speed and explosiveness he can bring to the offense. Simmons himself has been very diplomatic in his responses and reactions, mostly stating that as long as the team wins he's happy with playing his designated role with the team--whether that is backing up Edmonds or starting.

There were also rumors in training camp that the Offensive Coordinator would give QB James Brown an opportunity to start, but that rumor was quickly quelled by the Head Coach stating, "Wilkie is our starter GI-FREAKIN-GANTIC period." This has apparently caused a bit of a rift between the head coach and the offensive coordinator...perhaps something to keep an eye on this season.

The Slayers will look to continue their defensive successes of last season and strive for vast improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Despite leading the league in sacks (68), in a 3-way tie for the league lead in interceptions (8), and ranking 6th against the run and 5th against the pass Springfield allowed the most first downs in the league last year. Defensive roster adjustments have been made in an effort to remedy the problem.

Offensive rankings of 10th in both passing and rushing and 13th overall in First Downs last season are the 'project' for this season. Again, roster adjustments along with some gameplan tweaks have been made with hopes of improving these rankings.

In a fitting start, Springfield travels to archnemesis Black Hills to kickoff the 2005 FIFL season. Can Edmonds prove that he deserves to be the starter? If he can produce against the Machine, then he will definitely silence many critics. Expect the usual turf war when these 2 teams clash Thursday!

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