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The Washington Bombers are going for it all at least one more time. There was a big decision to be made this off-season with the aging roster - go for it, or blow it up? Austin Austin had no contract, McGee/Metzenbaum were all but washed up, and the three long-term defensive stalwarts - Bullock, Sponable, and Graham - all took huge dives.
But on the other hand, there has been a very steady influx of talent as well. Tito Webb is still in his prime, J.T. Bromell, Donovan Mark, Edgar Stone, Calvin Mikesa...
So it was decided to hang on to cohesion and run up the hill again.
QB - Austin Austin got his contract, albeit a one-year deal. He's played solidly, with some nice flashes, but hasn't exactly taken the town. His two playoff losses are both marred by double-INT performances. But there is certainly not a better option on the roster, and there wasn't enough compelling talent in the pool to wreck the cohesion.
Backfield - The king is dead, long live the king. A.J. McGee will only see a handful of snaps this year, effectively ending his career as a runner. He will stay on as the primary punt returner and coach to rookie Gino Hanks and 2nd year back Reggie Fox. Hanks has been slow to start, but Fox had a blistering preseason. The 1-2 punch will hopefully bring us back to the days of McGee in his prime. It will be shaky to start though, as presumed starter Benjamin Tuiososopo starts the season on the bench with an injury.
Receivers - Webb is one of the most dangerous WRs in the league still. The rest of the WRs are a big step behind, but they are all BPR-types. Double-A throws a pretty decent long ball, and learned another 3-WR set in the off-season, so expect some air shows. Or at least the attempts.
OL - Apart from Donovan Mark, this is a pretty shaky bunch, talent-wise. But the cohesion is the best in the league, so hopefully that is enough to keep the productivity up. This is definitely the last year for this bunch as they are.
Front-7 - With Sponable falling off the table, the Bombers are moving back to a 4-3. There's still a pretty strong core in there, with Mikeska-Grabulis-Bromell, but it remains to be seen if the pass-rush is there. During the 3-4 years, the pass-rush percentage was top 10. The big question will be if we can still get a similar push in this whole new setup.
DBs - Nate Graham slides over to safety, where he can still be of use. 2nd year CB Rickey Gaither has shown to be worth his 1st round selection last year, and pairs nicely with Edgar Stone. There is good depth at CB, but zero at S. This is a useful group at full strength, but could drop off in a big way real quick with an injury.
Another part of the decision was the fact that the rest of the division seems to already be in rebuild mode. Castillo, Nori - gone. There is some good young talent coming up, to be sure, but I think I'm still enough ahead to eke out another ride at the top. That is certainly the plan.
But on the other hand, there has been a very steady influx of talent as well. Tito Webb is still in his prime, J.T. Bromell, Donovan Mark, Edgar Stone, Calvin Mikesa...
So it was decided to hang on to cohesion and run up the hill again.
QB - Austin Austin got his contract, albeit a one-year deal. He's played solidly, with some nice flashes, but hasn't exactly taken the town. His two playoff losses are both marred by double-INT performances. But there is certainly not a better option on the roster, and there wasn't enough compelling talent in the pool to wreck the cohesion.
Backfield - The king is dead, long live the king. A.J. McGee will only see a handful of snaps this year, effectively ending his career as a runner. He will stay on as the primary punt returner and coach to rookie Gino Hanks and 2nd year back Reggie Fox. Hanks has been slow to start, but Fox had a blistering preseason. The 1-2 punch will hopefully bring us back to the days of McGee in his prime. It will be shaky to start though, as presumed starter Benjamin Tuiososopo starts the season on the bench with an injury.
Receivers - Webb is one of the most dangerous WRs in the league still. The rest of the WRs are a big step behind, but they are all BPR-types. Double-A throws a pretty decent long ball, and learned another 3-WR set in the off-season, so expect some air shows. Or at least the attempts.
OL - Apart from Donovan Mark, this is a pretty shaky bunch, talent-wise. But the cohesion is the best in the league, so hopefully that is enough to keep the productivity up. This is definitely the last year for this bunch as they are.
Front-7 - With Sponable falling off the table, the Bombers are moving back to a 4-3. There's still a pretty strong core in there, with Mikeska-Grabulis-Bromell, but it remains to be seen if the pass-rush is there. During the 3-4 years, the pass-rush percentage was top 10. The big question will be if we can still get a similar push in this whole new setup.
DBs - Nate Graham slides over to safety, where he can still be of use. 2nd year CB Rickey Gaither has shown to be worth his 1st round selection last year, and pairs nicely with Edgar Stone. There is good depth at CB, but zero at S. This is a useful group at full strength, but could drop off in a big way real quick with an injury.
Another part of the decision was the fact that the rest of the division seems to already be in rebuild mode. Castillo, Nori - gone. There is some good young talent coming up, to be sure, but I think I'm still enough ahead to eke out another ride at the top. That is certainly the plan.