The Monarchs go with age and experience in an attempt to fulfill their championship dreams.
Retirements:
CB George Lenz - London's leaky defensive backfield gets a shakeup, as Lenz retires at just age 30. Lenz played primarily at free safety during his three years with London, after playing his first five seasons with the Battle Creek Barbarians. Lenz recorded 44 tackles and an interception in his final season, leading management to look for more defensive help in free agency and the draft.
Coaching changes:
The executioner's blade finally falls for former defensive coordinator Jason Smith, who had served in the position since 2034. While the Monarchs are coming off back-to-back 13-3 seasons their defense has underperformed, especially against the opponent's aerial attacks. While some of those struggles can be attributed to below-average defenders, management felt that a new direction might change the team's fortunes - hopefully for the better.
When looking for defensive help, where better to turn than to the most feared defense in the Moguls League, the world champion Brooklyn Tigers? London snags Brooklyn defensive line coach Jerome Wesson to be their new defensive play caller. Wesson excels in pass rush and run stopping technique, as well as coaching DBs to reach their peak ability. Management is putting their faith in Wesson to bring a match of young and old defenders together to lock down opponents and keep London's in the hunt for another deep playoff run.
Free agency:
GM Nigel Worthington IV was surprisingly successful luring free agents to the team this offseason, which in turn impacted his strategy entering the 2042 draft.
DT John Thomas - looking to bolster the defensive line, Thomas joins the Monarchs after playing his first twelve seasons for Cincinnati. Thomas had one of his best seasons in 2041, recording 23 tackles, 5 sacks and a fumble recovery. While obviously nearing retirement Thomas will most likely play sparingly, but could provide a bit of a spark.
CB Ronald Nguyen - the older brother of this season's #1 overall draft pick CB Charles Nguyen of the Upside Down Sicilians, Ronald is hoping to continue building his own legacy that began as an Arizona Thundercock. Nguyen had a career-high 3 interceptions for Arizona in 2041, including a pick six in a loss to the Bangles, to go along with 70 tackles and one sack. The 26 year old is expected to play a role across the London secondary to improve their poor pass defense for the next several seasons.
RB Derrick Henry - another veteran closing in on the end of his career, Henry was signed to add more quality depth to London's strong rushing attack. Henry rushed for 650 yards and a touchdown for the Shadow Dancers last season, adding 23 catches for 200 yards and a score. With postseason injuries to starting RBs Von Popa and Tony Vinson derailing London's playoff run last year, one more quality running back provides insurance.
FS Kirk Hardy - a man without a position, the former first round pick of the Kayfabe joins the Blue and Gold. Originally drafted as a DE before switching to safety, management will see if he is able to lose enough weight to fill a backup role as a pass defender, or perhaps even make another positional switch to linebacker.
DT Cameron Couch - Couch signs another cheap two year contract to come back for his eleventh season with the Monarchs. While several injuries limited him to just eleven games last year, Couch has shown enough for management to keep his faith in him for now.
CB Larry Buckman - another stab at improving London's secondary lands the 31 year old Buckman from the Terror. Buckman recorded 78 tackles, an interception, and most importantly 24 passes defended for Terre Haute last season. Secondary coach Willie Benson will be charged with finding the best spot for Buckman as either a cornerback or safety for the two years of his contract.
SLB Milton Whitener - another short timer, the 31 year old appeared in all sixteen games for the Devils in 2041, recording 44 tackles and an interception. While having no chance to displace any of the Monarchs starting linebackers, the hope is he will provide quality depth whenever his number gets called.
RT Paul Rolfes - what's old is new again. Drafted by the Monarchs in 2033, Rolfes spent the last six seasons with the Teabag Party/Tigers, starting four games for Brooklyn in 2041. Specializing in pass blocking, the slow Rolfes will try to catch on with his original team as an inexpensive backup across the offensive line.
TE George Payne - another Monarch nearing the end of his career, Payne remains a steady if unimpressive cornerstone of London's offense. Payne notched 47 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown last season, adding a touchdown against the Argonauts in the wild card round. With no better options available via free agency, management was comfortable with retaining the veteran tight end.
WR Clinton Houser - a somewhat dangerous receiver when he makes the catch, Houser was invited to join London after spending the last four years with the Devils. Houser recorded 37 catches for 463 yards and 2 touchdowns for Tazmania last season, but will have to battle several young pass catchers to ensure his spot on the final roster.
MLB Clayton Hewitt - London outbid several teams to land Hewitt, who played the last three years for the Argonauts. While never starting for Wilmington, the 30 year old has shown talent as a pass defender, and will add more depth to strengthen the Monarchs defensive side.
C Jacob Brown - London dips into the Argonaut well once again, snagging the veteran offensive lineman. Brown appeared in nine games and started Wilmington's wild card loss to the Monarchs in 2041, and will provide another short-term option to anchor the middle of London's offensive line.
2042 draft:
With the myriad of veteran free agent signings, plans for a busy draft changed drastically. Entering the draft with nine selections, London had just two open roster spots available. Instead of keeping the picks and being saddled with dead cap from cutting expensive rookie bonuses or just signed free agents, management looked to shop the excess picks.
1-29 FS Mario Bradley - after contemplating trading the pick for a future first rounder, the Monarchs roll the dice on the speedy defensive back from Florida State. While playing as a cornerback in college, Bradley appears better suited as a safety, and if his low coverage potentials pop at training camp he will be a key component of London's expected defensive improvement.
2-2 WR Toderick Malone - trading picks 2-29, 3-18 and 3-29 to the Cincinnati Bangles, the Monarchs jump up to select the hybrid WR/RB. While not as fast as some of the receivers favored by other teams, management is expecting Malone to gain some speed as he reaches his excellent potential as a sure-handed receiver.
London continues passing along draft picks in another trade, this time sending picks 4-29, 5-23 and 5-29 to the Wisconsin Blizzard for the rights to the Brooklyn Tigers 2043 third round pick. Without a first round selection in next year's draft, management felt bypassing this season's subpar class for the future was the better option.
6-29 WLB Wilbur Kayline - after waiting four full rounds between selections, the Monarchs are once again on the clock. After being rumored to be the Thrashers choice at pick 5-1, London has the same radical idea as Arkansas to convert the undersized defensive tackle. Without amazing speed or strength, Kayline does possess excellent pass rushing talent and surprisingly pass coverage potentials for a defensive lineman. While it will take some time for Kayline to lose weight, if the project pays off he could become a valuable defender.
7-29 WR/FB Trevor Carthy - another player who'll need to hit the cafeteria to become useful. Drafted as a wide receiver, Carthy's strength and run blocking skills seem to translate better to the backfield. If results are unimpressive in training camp Carthy will most likely be cut immediately to free up roster space.
Speaking of roster space, the Monarchs still needed to cut two players to reach the sixty player limit. The unfortunate victims are WR Steven Calle and DT Nigel Hoyte. Calle did not appear in a regular season game after signing with London last season, while Hoyte has not impressed in limited playing time after being a 4th round pick in 2040. With an overstuffed roster at most positions already, management will have many more difficult decisions to make to craft the 2042 roster.
After allowing some amateur American teams named the Vikings and Saints to stage a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recently, London now prepares for high quality football to finally return to the capital city. With the goal of claiming the AFC South division title for the third straight season and marching through the extremely tough playoff gauntlet, London fans know that time is growing short to claim a Super Bowl title with a now aging roster. Check back for an update after training camp.
