larrymcg421
03-08-2008, 07:51 PM
The Grand Junction Silverbacks were once the laughingstock of the WOOF. During a miserable 2-14 campaign in 2008, GM Larry McGillicuddy was often visibly frustrated at RB Thurman Robertson's inability to carry the ball more than 10 times a game and his team's failure to stop even the worst passing offense. Fans were calling for his head, especially after the perplexing decision to renew the contract of Head Coach Rodney Warren.
2009 didn't look like it would be much different. After a busy offseason where McGillicuddy made tons of trades and free agent signings, the Silverbacks still found themselves stuck at 3-5 in midseason. However, a much needed bye week seemed to spring some life into the squad. The Silverbacks rolled off 6 consecutive wins, including an impressive 34-21 victory at Palouse Hills. They finished 10-6, just one win shy of the playoffs and the much-maligned McGillicuddy was named GM of the Year.
Of the 22 starters from that stunning turnaround, only retiring DE Larry Walters won't be back next season. Among key returnees are the great LB trio of Mitchell/McNiven/Curie, veterans C Luther Everett and DE Winfred McDaniel, 3rd year CB Deion Randle, WR Pete Baze, and QB Eric Schulz. Schulz threw 23 picks last season, but 17 of them were bunched up into 5 games, and he did have 8 games with a 93.5 QB rating or higher.
McGillicuddy's main goal this offseason was to give Schulz more help, hoping it will result in improved consistency for the 6th year signal caller. This was immediately addressed in the draft when the Silverbacks took WR Steve Rice with the #25 overall pick. Four picks later, he took RT Hunter Davison, who will immediately compete with last year's starter Russel Arnswaldt. The already impressive line also gets a major boost with the addition of veteran G Isaac Armstrong, who was acquired for two 2nd round picks. As for the running game, Donovan Devine lost his starting job at the end of the season and was sent packing. Turning to free agency, the Silverbacks signed RB Nicky Dahnke to compete with Thurman Robertson, who had two 100 yard games after taking over the starting job. Dahnke has over 2400 yards in the last 2 seasons with more than 4.4 yards per carry.
The defense was also shored up a bit with the acquisitions of CB Harvey Anderson and DE Tommie Humphries. McGillicuddy won a serious free agent bidding war for the services of Anderson, who led the league with 9 picks last year and will immediately take over at the #2 CB spot. The Silverbacks traded down from 1.19 to 1.29 and sent a 3rd rounder to get Humphries, a solid DE who is already getting along nicely with new teammate Winfred McDaniel.
Grand Junction missed the playoffs last season on a tiebreaker, and are determined not to let that happen again. By bringing back 21 of the 22 starters from last season and potentially improving themselves in several key areas, they're ready to show the league that last season's 7-1 finish was no fluke.
2009 didn't look like it would be much different. After a busy offseason where McGillicuddy made tons of trades and free agent signings, the Silverbacks still found themselves stuck at 3-5 in midseason. However, a much needed bye week seemed to spring some life into the squad. The Silverbacks rolled off 6 consecutive wins, including an impressive 34-21 victory at Palouse Hills. They finished 10-6, just one win shy of the playoffs and the much-maligned McGillicuddy was named GM of the Year.
Of the 22 starters from that stunning turnaround, only retiring DE Larry Walters won't be back next season. Among key returnees are the great LB trio of Mitchell/McNiven/Curie, veterans C Luther Everett and DE Winfred McDaniel, 3rd year CB Deion Randle, WR Pete Baze, and QB Eric Schulz. Schulz threw 23 picks last season, but 17 of them were bunched up into 5 games, and he did have 8 games with a 93.5 QB rating or higher.
McGillicuddy's main goal this offseason was to give Schulz more help, hoping it will result in improved consistency for the 6th year signal caller. This was immediately addressed in the draft when the Silverbacks took WR Steve Rice with the #25 overall pick. Four picks later, he took RT Hunter Davison, who will immediately compete with last year's starter Russel Arnswaldt. The already impressive line also gets a major boost with the addition of veteran G Isaac Armstrong, who was acquired for two 2nd round picks. As for the running game, Donovan Devine lost his starting job at the end of the season and was sent packing. Turning to free agency, the Silverbacks signed RB Nicky Dahnke to compete with Thurman Robertson, who had two 100 yard games after taking over the starting job. Dahnke has over 2400 yards in the last 2 seasons with more than 4.4 yards per carry.
The defense was also shored up a bit with the acquisitions of CB Harvey Anderson and DE Tommie Humphries. McGillicuddy won a serious free agent bidding war for the services of Anderson, who led the league with 9 picks last year and will immediately take over at the #2 CB spot. The Silverbacks traded down from 1.19 to 1.29 and sent a 3rd rounder to get Humphries, a solid DE who is already getting along nicely with new teammate Winfred McDaniel.
Grand Junction missed the playoffs last season on a tiebreaker, and are determined not to let that happen again. By bringing back 21 of the 22 starters from last season and potentially improving themselves in several key areas, they're ready to show the league that last season's 7-1 finish was no fluke.