Worcester Acquires Murphy to Create Scary Secondary
Deep into the offseason, the Worcester Athletics made a major trade to acquire a top tier defensive back. DB Lester Murphy has been a career-long Independents player and had just signed a 1-year $24,000 deal with the team. However, he was open to the possibility of Boston trading him to a contender. Worcester saw this as the perfect opportunity to fix the issue with their secondary. Former 2nd overall pick, DB Alexander Bradley has been fantastic, but behind him, they have not had the backup necessary. DB Clifton Powers only has 1 interception in the past couple seasons and he is the #2 DB on the team. To fix this, they acquired Murphy from the Independents who would be a #1 DB for many teams in the league. Of course, there was a cost to have this top-notch DB. The Athletics would send former 2nd Round Pick, WR Ronald Vernon, their 1957 1st Round Pick, and the aforementioned DB Clifton Powers to Boston.
Murphy enters the Athletics roster as their #2 DB behind Bradley, but ahead of the recently acquired DB Timothy Key. S Shawn Jensen only makes the secondary scarier with his abilities at the back of the defense. The move will likely sky-rocket the Athletics into McCallister Cup contention. As for Boston, Ronald Vernon has the potential to be a solid receiver behind WR Ellis Lindholm in the future. The 1st Round Pick is huge for the rebuilding squad and DB Clifton Powers is only 27 and could provide Boston with strong depth for years to come.
Providence Makes A Major Addition on the Line
The Gold Stars have been one of the most active trading teams since GM Virgil Gross stepped into office. However, this trade is likely his biggest. With Montreal in rebuild mode, the Gold Stars took a chance at grabbing their top OL in Eugésippe Chalifoux. Not only did they get Chalifoux but they grab DL Randy Benjamin and a 3rd Round Pick (1957). The price for such a haul? Providence’s 1st Round Pick and former 7th Overall Pick DL Clyde Dale. Chalifoux, 28, will be a great piece for the younger generation of Gold Stars as he will be a big piece for several seasons. Benjamin will also be a great piece on the D-line and is at a similar level Dale was but has more experience. As for Montreal, they of course add what will likely be a later round pick, as well as a 24-year-old Clyde Dale. Dale unfortunately hasn’t quite lived up to his 7th overall hype, but maybe a change of scenery could help the young player finally reach a higher level. Montreal is certainly hoping for the latter.
Ontario Makes Minor Salary Move
As for the other trade, the Tigers and Raiders would make a smaller move that would clear some of the payroll from the Tigers to help the team manage their situation. The Tigers would send DL James Beck ($13,000) to the Raiders for LB Jim Daniels ($6,000) and OL prospect, Allen Boyd. Daniels will be the one to try and fill the hole left by LB Roland Hensley, and Boyd is a solid prospect while Beck will fit in well on the line for the Raiders heading into next season.
Royals Boost Defense and Welcome Home Duane Logan
The Royals were more active in free agency this season as they went after two of the top defensive players. LB Roland Hensley was the first signing a 3-year deal worth $19,000 a season. He will make a huge impact as the top LB on the team. They also added former Buffalo DL Matis Baril to pair up with DL Olaf Viktorsson. Baril signed a 2-year contract at $14,500 a season. They would add DB Ryan Landry as well to help behind Uzzia Hayes and Mingan Oliver. The other big news was the return of former starting QB, Duane Logan. With most other teams having a QB to start this season, Logan would be the odd one out and he had always said if this came to be, Ottawa would be his first option. He only signed a 1-year deal at $15,000, as he will likely look into opportunities with new expansion teams entering the league, but he wants to take a shot at the Cup with his hometown team playing behind his friend, Jean Matieau.
The New Brooks Brothers in Providence?
WR Willard Brooks has spent his entire NAAF career with the Royals, but this season he wanted to find a new home and Providence was the perfect place. A young QB, lots of promise and loads of touches available, were the main attraction for Willard. He will slot in behind top-tier WR Peter Brooks on the offense. Many fans are referring to the two as the "Brooks Brothers" despite the players not being related in any way. Willard makes an immediate improvement for the WR core in Providence and should also have good chemistry with WR John Osborn from the couple years they played together in Ottawa.
Veterans Finding it Harder to Land Spots in the NAAF
Despite the years of success and the skill that some of these players have, it is becoming harder for them to find jobs because of the younger talent that is coming in through the draft. While it likely means they will fill more backup roles than they would like, they are still important. QB Duane Logan is a great example, but there are also players like RB Gene Fischer, QB Bruce Woodard, and QB Andrew Glover. Fischer could only land a spot behind RB Arthur Conner in Buffalo after Long Island went with RB Timothy Weeks for this season. Andrew Glover will have his second job as being a mentor as he joins the Athletics behind QB Riley Kiernan. Bruce Woodard, however, might be the closest to a permanent starting role signing with Montreal. The Rouge won’t have Lee Rogers and will be relying on Woodard to help the younger Rigobert St-Hilaire this season. The question will be how many snaps for the veteran and the youngster.
Top Free Agent Signings
1 - QB Duane Logan - ON > OTT - 1Y, $15,000
2 - LB Roland Hensley - ON > OTT - 3Y, $19,000
3 - WR Willard Brooks - OTT > PRO - 2Y, $19,000
4 - RB Timothy Weeks - WOR > LI - 2Y, $14,000
5 - RB Lawrence Sharp - BUF > WOR - 2Y, $8,000
6 - RB Gene Fischer - LI > BUF - 1Y, $16,000
7 - QB Bruce Woodard - OTT > MTL - 1Y, $20,000
8 - DL Matis Baril - BUF > OTT - 2Y, $14,500
9 - S Carl Dawson - LI > WOR - 2Y, $12,000
10 - DB Timothy Key - OTT > WOR - 2Y, $10,000
Undrafted Free Agents from the Draft
TE Danny Harmon > LI
LB Dwyane Jonestroy > WOR
QB Lucas Sly > BUF
OL Georgio Valzinikov > LI
WR Frank Daniels > MTL
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