NEWS AND UPDATES - From your NAAF lead reporter Jeff Montgomery
Retirements
* = Championships Won
Malachi Knowles OL - BOS (1949-1950)**, WOR (1951-1952)
The Worcester native is finally calling it a career after a quite successful run. He played for Boston over their run of championships, and even before the team joined the NAAF. After winning the back to back NAAF titles, Knowles decided to head home to the expansion Athletics where he would become their top OL. Knowles would earn his lone All-Star nod in the 1951 season and would be the first from the Athletics to be honoured. Knowles will turn to coaching following retirement and may find his way into the NAAF at some point.
Jon Lewis DL - BOS (1949-1952)**
Lewis was a strong DL for the Independents over the past few seasons. Lewis would be a big factor in Boston’s two McCallister Cups in ‘49 and ‘50, where he would earn a few player of the week nods and back to back All-Star nods. While Lewis was never a superstar, he was a great player in his time.
Timothy Wiley DL - OTT (1949-1951), TOR (1952)
Wiley was never a huge name in the league, especially playing on a weaker Royals defense. However, Wiley was the bright spot for the defense and would have an All-Star season in 1949. Wiley would leave Ottawa in ‘52 and join the Tigers where he would play his final season.
Peter McDuffin HC - BOS (1949-1952)**
One of the legends. That’s how McDuffin will be remembered. Leading Boston to years and years of success, McDuffin has been one of the greatest football minds of all time still leading Boston to a 7-3 season even with a slightly older roster. In the NAAF, he was able to claim two more McCallister Cups and two Coach of the Year awards. With a NAAF record of 27-8-1 in the regular season and 6-2 in the playoffs, McDuffin will have one of the toughest winning percentages to beat. In surprise news, Buffalo DB Oscar Patterson has decided to return for another season with the Blue Wings following the team’s first win. Patterson still feels like he can play even if his role is reduced.
Other Retirements
QB Adrian Little - PRO (1949-1950), WOR (1951-1952)
DB Léonard Lebrun - MTL (1949-1952)*
TE Baudouin Renaud - MTL (1949-1950), OTT (1951), BUF (1952)*
Staff Changes
Boston Independents
With Peter McDuffin retiring, Boston turned to Defensive Coordinator Dean Reed for the job. Reed helped keep Boston as a top-two defense last year and should maintain that with the new coordinator Anthony Hatfield.
Providence Gold Stars
The Gold Stars made drastic changes again. The team fired GM Jack McKinnon and brought on Virgil Gross, who is a more aggressive manager. They also let go of Offensive Coordinator Daniel Howe after just one season and brought on a younger Kent Winters to replace him.
Hartford Hawks
The Hawks also replaced their Defensive Coordinator Antonio Franco, with the more gruff Jimmy Sargent. Sargent should be a bold leader for the defense and could help the team pick up more wins moving forward.
1953 Draft Preview
Team Needs (Draft Order)
HAR - QB, RB, OL, WR
WOR - DB, OL, WR, LB
ON - OL, WR
MTL - LB, DB, QB, DL
PRO - DL, OL, RB, WR
OTT - DB, LB, DL, K
BOS - LB, QB, WR, DB
BUF - DB, LB, TE, OL
Projected 1st Round Talents
WR David Burrows - Johnny Singleton
QB Lee Rogers - Johnny Singleton
OL Cliff Stautzenberger - George Stefanakis
QB Connor O’Rourke - Lawrence Gainsborough
WR Ellis Lindholm - Lawrence Gainsborough (Change to Ellis because of Elias Lindholm in the NHL)
OL Jean Mathieu-Baptiste - Lawrence Gainsborough
OL Ulysses Fairgrove - Lawrence Gainsborough
RB Pierre LeStrange - Dewey Thomas
LB Rusty McVee - Roger Roy
TE Johann Treager - Barry Williams
Projected 2nd Round Talents
LB Brent Harper - Johnny Singleton
RB Connor Riley - Johnny Singleton
DL Vinny Brown - Johnny Singleton
OL Kevin Holcombs - Johnny Singleton
RB Corey King - Lawrence Gainsborough
LB Liam O’Brien - Lawrence Gainsborough
DB Mingan Oliver - Lawrence Gainsborough
DL Olaf Viktorsson - Lawrence Gainsborough
WR Thomas Oezescki - Lawrence Gainsborough
DL Tyrone Affalo - Lawrence Gainsborough
WR Truman Harry - Dewey Thomas
DL Benjamin Hart - Barry Williams
RB Marcus Devonshire - Barry Williams
QB Rigobert St-Hilaire - Barry Williams
*I tried to make it balanced so everyone had at least someone in the first round and second as well. There was still an element of randomness combined with the stories that you guys gave. I will try to include your notes when I write up the draft. I have simulated the draft, so one thing is only 4 of your players missed and will hopefully be signed (which I will make note of in free agency if that is the case, or they will be mixed in again with next year's draft class). Also, there will be some randomly generated prospects to fill some of the positions which I didn't get quite enough in, however, only one got picked. I will hopefully have the draft up (at least the first round) tomorrow.
Thanks again for the submissions again and Captain Mort for the idea in the first place, it really makes it that much more interesting.
Hartford is on the clock.
Who's going first?
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