Atlantic City is coming off a 6-10 season and are looking to get back to .500 in 2041. The off-season saw quite a few roster additions that should make an impact from day one. With their 2042 1st round pick traded away, a losing season would be disastrous.
Each season, I do a preview of the team. This year, I thought I would also compare the 2040 opening day roster with the 2041 group. Each position is also given a rating: green (good), yellow (average) or red (poor).
Offense: The two-tight end offense is back. The key will be if the passing game improves despite still not having a true #1 WR.
Quarterbacks - Red
2040
- Roy Ellard – 6th year – 45/45
- Amos Bradford – 5th year – 34/34
- Brant Flannery – R – 13/41
2041
- Tyrus Wheeler – 8th year –48/48
- Howie Boyd – 8th year – 36/36
- Brant Flannery – 2nd year – 17/38
Ellard started all 16 games in 2040 and finished with 2,088 yards passing and a 9/14 TD/INT ratio. A 51% completion rate was a concern and look to the search for a replacement. Wheeler started 11 games for St. Louis last year and his numbers were very similar to Ellard, including only 50% on completions. So why the change? The coach’s point to two reasons: Wheeler is a career 60+% passer who should bounce back and his short passing style fits the team’s offensive philosophy. ACI had hoped to keep both players on the roster to battle for the starting spot but decided to cut Ellard late as he was upset about the competition and the cap room was needed elsewhere. Boyd was a post training camp signing as ACI was desperate for a backup QB. Luckily they were able to talk Boyd into signing a cap friendly one year deal to be that backup. Flannery is a project who needs to start showing some improvement or he is gone when his contract expires.
Running Backs - Green
2040
- J.R. Brustkern – 8th year – 55/55
- Jeffrey Emack – R – 51/57
- Earnest Beyer – 4th year – 29/29
2041
- Jeffrey Emack – 2nd year – 59/59
- J.R. Brustkern – 9th year – 49/49
- D.J. Logan – 4th year – 41/41
Brustkern and Emack return and will share the workload once again, this time with Emack as the primary back. Emack finished his rookie season with 1,370 yards rushing with 10 TD’s. Brustkern fell just short of 1,000 yards (976) for the first time in his career. There is no reason to believe that both running backs shouldn’t be at or above the 1,000 yard mark again. Emack has taken a nice step forward in his ratings and big things are expected. Brustkern is in the final year of his contract, took a bit of a hit in ratings and likely won’t be resigned so this is his farewell tour in Atlantic City. Logan provides a solid option in case of injury.
Fullbacks - Green
2040
- Hunter Dail – 11th year – 46/46
- Toby Griffith – 9th year – 35/35
- Zion Price – R – 29/53
2041
- Daryl McClinton – 6th year – 50/50
- Hunter Dail – 12th year – 40/40
- Zion Price – 2nd year – 33/50
The Fullback position, which is very important in the ACI version of the two-TE offense, has improved from last year with the addition of McClinton in free agency. McClinton is a big time blocker who will take over the starting spot. Adding him to the still talented Dail and up and coming Price gives the Phantoms one of the best groups in the league.
Wide Receivers - Red
2040
- FL – Malcolm Schlecht – 10th year – 39/39
- FL – Jerald Francis – 5th year – 39/39
- FL - Donald Kruger – 3rd year – 35/35
- SE - Al Phillips – 3rd year – 31/34
- SE - Edgar Terrell – 3rd year – 32/32
2041
- Steven Andrews – 7th year – 42/42
- Herb Carruthers – 6th year – 39/39
- Malcolm Schlecht – 11th year – 37/37
- Jerald Francis – 6th year – 38/38
- Malik Burnside – 3rd year – 36/36
- Edgar Terrell – 6th year – 30/30
Atlantic City has tried to upgrade the wide receiver group just about every way you can, including draft, trades and free agency. So far that has proved unsuccessful, as the last time a Phantoms WR gained 1,000 plus yards was 2027. Let me say that again: 2027! In 2040, Schlecht was the top WR brought in via free agency and he gained 348 yards on 44 catches. For 2041, Schlecht is the #3 receiver as Andrews and Carruthers are veterans brought in to bolster the offense. Andrews is a red flag but at this point, Atlantic City will take a chance with him. He caught 35 passes for Tennessee last year but exceeded 1,000 yards in 2038 and 2039. Carruthers caught 32 passes for 354 yards for Oregon and brings huge big play receiving numbers to the Phantoms. The final new addition to the Atlantic City receiving group is Burnside, who comes over via trade from Omaha. Burnside is a young player with excellent return skills who will get a chance to player receiver this year. Francis should battle Schlecht for playing time while Terrell provides some depth.
Tight Ends - Green
2040
- Carlos Polhemus – 7th year – 76/76
- Myron Learned – 9th year – 50/50
- Casey Ford – 7th year – 47/47
2041
- Carlos Polhemus – 8th year – 75/75
- Myron Learned – 10th year – 46/46
- Casey Ford – 8th year – 42/42
All three tight ends return for 2041 and should be one of the strongest units for Atlantic City. Polhemus led the team with 62 catches for 760 yards, which was his lowest numbers since 2036. With an excellent overall skillset, Polhemus should bounce back if the Phantoms open the passing game up more than they did in 2040. Learned is a veteran who has been an excellent complement to Polhemus and is a vital piece of the running game with his strong blocking. Ford is a capable backup who can step in as needed.
Centers - Yellow
2040
- C - Roosevelt Shepard – 12th year – 64/64
- C – Buddy Segal – 5th year – 34/43
2041
- Roosevelt Shepard – 13th year – 60/60
- Buddy Segal – 6th year – 41/41
Shepard is entering his 13th year but is still a very capable player despite nagging injuries the last few years. He enters 2041 disgruntled so it will be interesting to see if his play suffers. Segal has the ability to start a couple games as needed but is not someone you want playing 10+ games a year.
Guards - Green
2040
- RG – Sedrick Janjic – 4th year – 81/81
- LG – Shovel Barton – 7th year – 54/54
- LG – K.C. Norton – 9th year – 50/50
2041
- RG – Sedrick Janjic – 5th year – 77/77
- LG – Shovel Barton – 8th year – 51/51
- LG – K.C. Norton – 10th year – 49/49
There are only 3 guards on the roster but they are all strong, veteran players. Sanjic, a former 2nd round draft pick, has become one of the best offensive lineman in the CFL. In 2040, he was the league’s strongest man and was the key to the strong rushing performances by Emack and Brustkern. Barton is one of the best run blockers around but struggles in pass blocking. Norton took a ratings hit but is still a strong backup for both guard spots.
Tackles - Yellow
2040
- RT - Carlos Urbanchek – 6th year – 72/72
- LT – Dwayne Clements – 2nd year – 29/36
- RT – Joe Kaplan – 8th year – 48/48
- RT – Donny Bratzke – 5th year – 40/40
2041
- RT Carlos Urbanchek – 7th year – 67/67
- LT – Bart Zepeda – 5th year – 41/41
- RT – Joe Kaplan – 9th year – 43/43
- LT - Dwayne Clements – 3rd year – 33/37
Urbanchek has been consistent performer for the Phantoms and 2041 should be no exception. Teaming with Janjic on the rights side of the line, there is no wonder this is the preferred side to run the ball. Left tackle, on the other hand, has been a struggle for a few years now. You are only as strong as your weakest point on the offensive line and this has clearly been the weakness. Zepeda, signed in free agency, will get his chance to fill this hole. A tremendous run blocker who struggles in the passing game, he fits right into the Phantoms line. Kaplan is yet another run blocking specialist who will backup both tackle spots after starting 15 games at left tackle in 2040. Clements has been a 1st round bust who now finds himself playing out his contract from the bench.
Coming soon - The Atlantic City Defense and Special Teams...
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