[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: roster moves at mid-season
Oh, and we lost, again.

It was a busy week in the human resource department of the Merchantmen. No less than 5 players were released after 8 games, as a result of the signing of 5 veterans to inject some experience to the team, hoping those new guys can mentor our starting rookies. Joining the team are cornerback Eric McCool, tackle Junior Karr, long snapper Francisco Griffith, guard Joey Arnold and tight end Clarence Gore. Indeed, a return of our 2091 fifth round pick. Gore left us in the 2101 off-season as I didn't offer him a new contract and eventually he spent the whole season with the Colorado Cutthroats, in a reserve role, but still active in all 16 regular season games.

The bad news of the week went to 5 players that had been on the team this season. Most prominently is the release of Harris Custer, our long snapper. We were happy about his performance, but signing the older and less talented Griffith will boost the experience of our O-Line. We also released 5th round rookie Salvador Horton. He was our backup offensive tackle, but had been inactive in the first 8 games. Also inactive had been 7th round cornerback Steven Van Pelt. Despite his promise as a zone defender, we decided to make room for a mentor. Center Gustavo Hartman and tight end Antoine Springer had been on the team as undrafted rookies. Hartman had been active in the first 8 games, but was the only player in all 8 games to remain on the side line all game long. Springer had been inactive throughout the first half of the season.

It didn't have a great effect on the team performance though. We lost 19-3 in Bordeaux, witnessing the second shutout of Calvin Maxwell in his career. The Lost Cause Ken Torphy was held under 30 yards for the fourth time this season.

European Division:
1. Paris 6-3
2. Bordeaux 5-4
3. Gothenburg 5-4
4. Maassluis 2-7

Yikes.

So, next up, a visit to the Gothenburg Giants, on paper the toughest game of the entire season, including a potential IHOF Bowl, if we somehow make a miracle happen (hey, we're mathematically still alive and kicking, sitting at 3 wins behind the virtual sixth seed with 7 weeks still to go). Realistically though, we have to take this game by game, one at a time. iIseriously fear for something like a 40-0 loss in Gothenburg as they're stuck in a 3-game losing streak and have to bounce back sooner or later. But so do we, as our losing streak (6 now) has to snap at some point. We went back to the drawing board for a brand new offensive game plan, which could either support the fear of getting completely humiliated, or catch the Giants by surprise. We'll have to wait and see which one it will be.