The First Down - Gainesville 2037

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Offseason, First Start

Lot of things going in this off season as the Gaels are getting prepare for the next season. We are not looking to go over .500 in 2037 but we are looking to make progress.

Going toward the draft, it is rumored to have linebacker Wilkins visiting the headquarters of the Gaels and to be the second overall pick of this year's draft. He would make good addition to the linebacker core of the team.

Meanwhile, the team had a few losses to retirement: last year starting RT Rich Ansell, backup RT J. J. Covington. We will have to renew part of our OLine.

In free agency, we are quite tight on money and we will have to mainly focus on draft. Recently we kept linebacker Jeatt after a nice first season. We also kept DE Amos signed late last season and we will await to see what he can bring us. Finally we signed veteran Center May for a three year contract after having spent last two years as a backup in PXT, he is expected to be this year's starter.

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A LB going 2nd overall? Your divisionmates thank you. ;)

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Draft Day 2037

On the clock first the first tenure in Gainesville, we were holding the second overall pick. Here are the picks from Gainesville:

1.2 CB - Cornell Begian, LSU

With Robertson out in the first pick, Begian was our next obvious choice to tighten the defense. Not quite as developed as Robertson, we have plenty of time to let him progress in our rebuild. Maybe not the most complete corner, we see in him a playmaker who will make the difference in our team.

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2.2 RB - Parker Johnston, LSU

With the second rounder, Gainesville picked Parker Johnston, a running back from LSU. GM Rokiu probably had a good day at LSU proday as his first two picks are from this team. We take into account that this pick will come to fill a hole in a position that Gainesville had a lot of players, but really not much talent. This skill player probably means doom where a few players are expected to be cut from this pick. We hope that his physicals that are below par will be overcome by his ball skils.

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3.2 MLB - Erik Schubert, Villanova

Third Round, the Gaels went Linebacker with this Villanova product. In college this player was a mean run stopper in the colonial conference. His big down side was a poor zone coverage. We are not quite sure how he will translate in the big show. Also we are not quite sure how Gainesville will use him. Will he convert to OLB, will he back up Brooks or will he play along side him, forcing the Gaels back to a 3-4 defence.

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4.2 OLB - Jerry Martinez, Colorado

With it's its 4th round pick, Gainesville went linebacker again, this time with a Colorado OLB. Jerry Martinez just joined the gael and will probably compete for a starter spot. He is a jack of all trade with a big pro in run stopping. His read ability and coverage being his downside, he will have to really work to be a all around asset and avoid being utility player in the long term.

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5.2 T - Ricky Hudson - Oregon State

In the fifth round, Gainesville picked Ricky Hudson. He is considered a project at the tackle position. At best he will probably be a sporadic starter. But he will need to put a lot of weight to be able to compete at this position. Hopefully he will at least be a good all around second choice tackle.

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6.2 FS - Kaden Guerrero, Arizona State

We've seen the Gaels going to Arizona State to fill a safety need with the 6th pick. This player is kind of a gamble, he lacks skill in the run stopping but might be an interesting choice at playing the ball in coverage. He was also seen laying lot of nasty hits in college.

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7.2 DE - Casey Killens, Hampton

With their last pick, Gainesville added beef to the defensive line with Killens, first of class, he is an intelligent player on the field who knows how to read situation. Talented run stopper, sure tackler instead of power hitter, he need to improve his pass rush.

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3037 Gainesville Gaels Roster

The cuts have been made, Gainesville roster is known for the next season. There are still some blur lines that might become concrete during the season. We come out from a tough 0-4 preseason. As it might be a bit depressing to see, there are a lot of good things to see as the fact that our projected starter held their own during the preseason where most have been 2nd half collapses. Also, we learned that we need to reduce turnover and we would have been in the games.

Quarterbacks

Donald West (14) 39/39

The 36 years old signed a 1 year contract with the team for the next season. He will battle the two other candidates for the starting spot. He is currently the most skilled player at his position in Gainesville. Mentor to the team, he will bring in much needed experience to the attack even if he is not your ideal starter.

Bart Cassidy (3) 35/43

Recently cut from Boston, the 24 years old just signed a one year deal in Gainesville where he could have his chance of having his first few starts. He had an interesting preseason and could be in the middle of the QB battle to be number one or two.

Donny Robinson (11) 34/34

The veteran QB is in Gainesville on a one year contract. He is the only QB on the squad with a winning record. He will surely be kick holder, other than that he might become starter if the stars are aligned.


Running Backs

Dominic Gerhardt (4) 38/38

Last year starter on his last year of contract. He had so far a terrible spell in Gainesville averaging just under 3y/c in his career. This will be his last chance to show he can be a factor in Gainesville or will just disappear under the many backs who just joined the team.

Brendan Richard (4) 29/29

Just joined the team from Kalispel on a one year contract, he is expected to prove himself on a limited role. He is expected to be mainly a punt returner with a few added snaps in power running situations.

Parker Johnstone (R) 29/29

The latest second round pick of the Gaels made the team with mixed feelings. He didnt show up at camp with the same skill level he was expected from the draft, which was a minus for him. Still, he is arguably the best running back in preseasons games, a plus for him. We feel he might be the starter to begin the season unless Gerhardt can step his game a step.

Brant Hodges (R) 25/40

He came in at camp as an undrafted rookie and managed to make the 53. We will continue to watch him closely develop to see if he is going to stick around longer. He might get to see a few games here and there and be expected to play as a one cut back.

Marshall Blackwell (3) FB 32-42

The Gaels fullback will play his roll, mainly blocking for Johnstone and company. Not being quite the receiving back, he might gets a few carries this season.


Tight Ends

Perry Hunter (7) 55/55

Our top notch TE, he is a great pass blocker but needs to show he can bring it up on run block. He showed by the past that he can be relied on catching the ball on clutch situations. He is on the last year of his contract, we will need to check how this situation evolves, he might not see the end of the year in Gainesville.

Mack Walters (10) 28/28

The veteran TE is not the most spectacular at his position, still he is the kind who can easily help close the line and hold his block on both the passing and running game.

Giovanni Manningham (R) 22/35

This undrafted rookie managed to make the team during preseason and will have the opportunity to prove what he is worth in the season to come. At his first season with the team, it is probably the make or break situation from him where he could go forgotten or develop as a passing game TE.


Wide Receivers

Samuel Joyner (2) 76/76

This player is the heart and soul of this offence. He is the core of the team at a position where it lacks depth. He comes into his second season at the Offensive rookie of the year. He needs not much presentation where he is in the top 5 at his position on the league.

Calvin Russel (3) 35/40

This player is a nice all around player who will have the opportunity to prove himself. He lacks the hands of a great Wide Receiver or the speed on the long range play. Other than that he could be useful in short yardage passing game.

Freddie Marriott (9) 30/30

This player isnt the greatest at the position but we plan to play him here and there on injuries. We hope that his small size will be overcomed by his ability to locate the ball and his sure hands.

K. C. Richards (12) 36/36

He is one of the leaders at his position, mentor to the youngest players at his position, he is a key element both in the locker room and on the field. Forced to the bench of North Liberty last season, he will see plenty of ball this year.

Reggie Ives (6) 34/34

A player who can hold his own on the field, he is expected to play mostly on the returning game where he is a good all around special team player.

Keegan Chastain (4) 33/33

This player is mainly depth at the squad in both the receiving game and the returning one. We don't expect much surprises from him and probably wont provide any.

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Bart Cassidy (3) 35/43

Recently cut from Boston, the 24 years old just signed a one year deal in Gainesville where he could have his chance of having his first few starts. He had an interesting preseason and could be in the middle of the QB battle to be number one or two.

I'd start him and call it a day. West is clearly not the future as he's about to retire and isn't all that good anyway.

But by all means start whoever you want and we'll chew them up and spit em out.