Tweet
When the OSFL was formed in (Game Year) 2006, the inaugural draft went a long way in shaping the direction of our 32 franchises. However, it wasn’t until the first Amateur Draft, 2007 that the OSFL Owners got to start putting their stamp on their individual teams.
With 6 full-seasons in the books, many of the players who were in that very first Rookie Class have gone on to do great things in the league. Others have fizzled quickly or simply never lived up to expectations.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
With nothing but a high-level eye at stats, I thought we could take a few minutes and spark some conversations by bringing back the All-2007 Rookie Class Team.
<o:p></o:p>
***<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
OFFENSE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
QB: Myron “<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on">Campbell</st1:City> Soup Kid” Allen (Drafted 1.1 by <st1:place w:st="on">North Liberty</st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
While Desmond Kaplan (1.9) actually has slightly superior stats to Allen, we’re giving the nod to Allen for his 46-50 record.
<o:p></o:p>
RB: <st1:City w:st="on">Sherman</st1:City> Ellison (Drafted 1.12 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
This was a really solid RB class and you could easily make a case Randy Richardson (1.3) and Tim Hartman (1.7). <o:p></o:p>
FB: Jamal Elliot (Drafted 2.26 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
Easy choice here with Elliott really turning out as the only high level player at the FB position from the draft. His 217 career receptions have help his boost his 5.98 ypt.
<o:p></o:p>
WR: Dwayne "1/4 Pound" Holzberger (Drafted 1.5 by <st1:City w:st="on">St. Paul</st1:City>) and Rob Freysinger (Drafted 1.26 by <st1:place w:st="on">Pearl Harbor</st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
2007 was quietly a decent draft class for WR’s in a Receiver hungry league. Both Holzberger and Freysinger have averaged over 7.4 ypt in pulling in their 416 and 333 receptions respectively.
<o:p></o:p>
TE: Buddy Offord (Drafted 2.9 by Kalispel)
<o:p></o:p>
We expect some push back from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:City></st1:place> fans that will tell you that Carlos Nissly (1.22) has actually done more with less talent around him. We give the nod to Offord for his impressive numbers as both a pass-catcher and blocker.
<o:p></o:p>
Offensive Tackle: Mitchell Thornton (Drafted 5.16 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:City></st1:place>)
Offensive Guard: Cornell "Monster" Henson (Drafted 3.22 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
Center: <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arnold</st1:place></st1:City> Samuels (Drafted 1.30 by Columus)
<o:p></o:p>
Offensive Line may have been the glaring weakness in the 2007 draft class. No real every stud has really emerged from the class, but it was rich with solid OSFL talent.
<o:p></o:p>
SPECIAL TEAMS<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
K: Amos Loniewski (Drafted 5.13 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
What else can you say about a guy who has never missed an XP in a 6 year career?
<o:p></o:p>
P: Keith Holmes (Drafted 7.22 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
2007 had a punter going in the late 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Round! But it was this late 7<SUP>th</SUP> Rounder who gets the nod for his knack for pinning opponents deep.
<o:p></o:p>
DEFENSE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Defensive End: Clyde Oliva (Drafted 1.11 by <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Motor</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType>) and Wesley Giles (Drafted 1.19 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Morgantown</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
With nearly identical career stats (Oliva = 255 tkl, 88 assists, 41.5 sacks, 104 hurries. VS Giles = 198 tkl, 82 assists, 45.5 sacks, 106 hurries.) it was impossible to choose one over the other.
<o:p></o:p>
Defensive Tackle: <st1:City w:st="on">Blaine</st1:City> Crawford (Drafted 1.4 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
Crawford is a stud that does everything you could ever ask for from a DT. He stops the run and gets to the QB.
<o:p></o:p>
Linebacker: Tyrus McWilliams (Drafted 1.14 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year was the cream of a very impressive LB crop in that year’s draft. Tracy Givens (1.16) and Deion McElroy (2.16) both bear mentioning, but don’t come close to measuring up to McWilliams.
<o:p></o:p>
Strong Safety: <st1:City w:st="on">Chester</st1:City> Anthony (Drafted 1.24 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
Free Safety: Dwayne Kemp (Drafted 4.1 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Denver</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
We were going to choose just one Safety to cover both positions, but their games forced our hands. Anthony is a tackling machine where Kemp is more of a ball-hawk. Both have had solid careers and continue to contribute.
<o:p></o:p>
Cornerback: Marcus Schroeder (Drafted 1.8 by <st1:City w:st="on">Memphis</st1:City>) and Donnell Burke (Drafted 1.6 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Denver</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
These two All-Pros have combined for 564 tackles, 42 INTS and 178 passes defended. They have given their organizations a ton of value for the Top 10 picks spent.
<o:p></o:p>
***
<o:p></o:p>
What does all of this mean???? I don’t know. That’s for you to decide!!
<o:p></o:p>
Discuss.
With 6 full-seasons in the books, many of the players who were in that very first Rookie Class have gone on to do great things in the league. Others have fizzled quickly or simply never lived up to expectations.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
With nothing but a high-level eye at stats, I thought we could take a few minutes and spark some conversations by bringing back the All-2007 Rookie Class Team.
<o:p></o:p>
***<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
OFFENSE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
QB: Myron “<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on">Campbell</st1:City> Soup Kid” Allen (Drafted 1.1 by <st1:place w:st="on">North Liberty</st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
While Desmond Kaplan (1.9) actually has slightly superior stats to Allen, we’re giving the nod to Allen for his 46-50 record.
<o:p></o:p>
RB: <st1:City w:st="on">Sherman</st1:City> Ellison (Drafted 1.12 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
This was a really solid RB class and you could easily make a case Randy Richardson (1.3) and Tim Hartman (1.7). <o:p></o:p>
FB: Jamal Elliot (Drafted 2.26 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
Easy choice here with Elliott really turning out as the only high level player at the FB position from the draft. His 217 career receptions have help his boost his 5.98 ypt.
<o:p></o:p>
WR: Dwayne "1/4 Pound" Holzberger (Drafted 1.5 by <st1:City w:st="on">St. Paul</st1:City>) and Rob Freysinger (Drafted 1.26 by <st1:place w:st="on">Pearl Harbor</st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
2007 was quietly a decent draft class for WR’s in a Receiver hungry league. Both Holzberger and Freysinger have averaged over 7.4 ypt in pulling in their 416 and 333 receptions respectively.
<o:p></o:p>
TE: Buddy Offord (Drafted 2.9 by Kalispel)
<o:p></o:p>
We expect some push back from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:City></st1:place> fans that will tell you that Carlos Nissly (1.22) has actually done more with less talent around him. We give the nod to Offord for his impressive numbers as both a pass-catcher and blocker.
<o:p></o:p>
Offensive Tackle: Mitchell Thornton (Drafted 5.16 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:City></st1:place>)
Offensive Guard: Cornell "Monster" Henson (Drafted 3.22 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
Center: <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arnold</st1:place></st1:City> Samuels (Drafted 1.30 by Columus)
<o:p></o:p>
Offensive Line may have been the glaring weakness in the 2007 draft class. No real every stud has really emerged from the class, but it was rich with solid OSFL talent.
<o:p></o:p>
SPECIAL TEAMS<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
K: Amos Loniewski (Drafted 5.13 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
What else can you say about a guy who has never missed an XP in a 6 year career?
<o:p></o:p>
P: Keith Holmes (Drafted 7.22 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
2007 had a punter going in the late 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Round! But it was this late 7<SUP>th</SUP> Rounder who gets the nod for his knack for pinning opponents deep.
<o:p></o:p>
DEFENSE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Defensive End: Clyde Oliva (Drafted 1.11 by <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Motor</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType>) and Wesley Giles (Drafted 1.19 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Morgantown</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
With nearly identical career stats (Oliva = 255 tkl, 88 assists, 41.5 sacks, 104 hurries. VS Giles = 198 tkl, 82 assists, 45.5 sacks, 106 hurries.) it was impossible to choose one over the other.
<o:p></o:p>
Defensive Tackle: <st1:City w:st="on">Blaine</st1:City> Crawford (Drafted 1.4 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
Crawford is a stud that does everything you could ever ask for from a DT. He stops the run and gets to the QB.
<o:p></o:p>
Linebacker: Tyrus McWilliams (Drafted 1.14 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year was the cream of a very impressive LB crop in that year’s draft. Tracy Givens (1.16) and Deion McElroy (2.16) both bear mentioning, but don’t come close to measuring up to McWilliams.
<o:p></o:p>
Strong Safety: <st1:City w:st="on">Chester</st1:City> Anthony (Drafted 1.24 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>)
Free Safety: Dwayne Kemp (Drafted 4.1 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Denver</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
We were going to choose just one Safety to cover both positions, but their games forced our hands. Anthony is a tackling machine where Kemp is more of a ball-hawk. Both have had solid careers and continue to contribute.
<o:p></o:p>
Cornerback: Marcus Schroeder (Drafted 1.8 by <st1:City w:st="on">Memphis</st1:City>) and Donnell Burke (Drafted 1.6 by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Denver</st1:City></st1:place>)
<o:p></o:p>
These two All-Pros have combined for 564 tackles, 42 INTS and 178 passes defended. They have given their organizations a ton of value for the Top 10 picks spent.
<o:p></o:p>
***
<o:p></o:p>
What does all of this mean???? I don’t know. That’s for you to decide!!
<o:p></o:p>
Discuss.
Comment