2039 End of Season Report

The Thrashers fell to the Monarchs 6-3 in the divisional round of the 2039 playoffs. It was a defensive battle the entire game, but the Thrashers lacked the manpower to push for a third consecutive AFC championship.

What's next?

Looming changes lay on the horizon. QB Calvin Hahn mulls retirement, but even if he decides to play, it will not be for the Thrashers. WR Muhammad Boudreaux will visit free agency, along with OL Jasper McGillicuddy, CB Alonzo Harris, and CB Nat Romanov. That's 5 starters (or former starters) who will not be playing next season with the Thrashers.

The team extended FB Daniel Orozco, LT Wilburn Love, and DT Thor Odinson to help shore up the roster, and they should have a load of cap space to acquire some talent in the offseason. They only have 5 picks in next season's draft (2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th), so free agency will have to pull talent in.

As for the future QB battle, right now, QB Thomas Carlisle spent the majority of the season holding the clipboard for Calvin Hahn, while Damien Thorn didn't even suit up. Carlisle has developed on the sidelines (accuracy +9, field of vision +9, look off def +4) and Thorn continues to regress in those same areas. It's very likely that Carlisle has the starting job locked in for next season and Thorn becomes the permanent back-up. Both QBs are contracted through the next three seasons.

Rumors have been floating to move Scott Lang to help in CB coverage for next season. He's got a great knack for coverage on the line of scrimmage. That would be solid trio of corners along with Peter Venkman and Peter Parker. However, that leaves FS wide open.

Team Needs

WR
CB / FS
OL

Tune in next time with offseason coverage in 2040!

...and a festival 2040 season to you all...



Arkansas unveils its flag for the 2040 season to replace the anniversary flag from last season. The organization tempered the enthusiasm for this emblem, maintaining the dedicated color scheme. However, the royal blue has more prominence as the background field. The Sunset Harvest Orange and April Golden Showers Thrasher flies away into uncharted territory from the six stars symbolizing league championships.

2040 Off-Season News

Retirements

FS Captain Steven Rodgers from the MCU draft of 2031. He spent a few seasons as MLB but transitioned into the full safety with great success. Cap is the first retiree from one of the best overall drafts in recent memory. He participated in three Super Bowls and won one in 2037.

WR Gary Crume spent the last four seasons with the Thrashers and was instrumental as a blocking WR. He helped win a Super Bowl in 2037.

2040 Early Free Agency
The team made a splash in free agency, doling out some max contracts to two defensive stars, as well as picking up a few nice pieces for reasonable contracts.

Wilbur Taylor, CB (from ARZ) - Taylor spent 4 years with Arizona and now joins Arkansas when they needed it the most. With the departures of Alonzo Harris and Nat Romanov, the need was severe. Now, the corner joins Peter Venkman to be one of the best 1-2 shutdown pairs in the league.

Barry Flores, SS (from RCR) - Flores, also awarded a max contract, is a prototypical strong safety that thumps on running downs and and can hang in pass coverage as well. With this addition, Dr. Steven Strange will shift to FS while Scott Lang will shift to the equivalent of the NBA's Sixth Man and spell the entire secondary, ensuring he'll get plenty of reps.

Ronnie Dupuis, T (from TAZ) - Big Ron's size and strength will help on passing downs, exclusively. He could be a natural replacement for LT Wilburn Love as well.

Albert Barker, T (from SEA) - Barker is the yin to Dupuis' yang. Another big man in the trenches but Barker will open up lanes for the Thrashers' Running Backs.

Thanh Biehl, DT (from IRV) - Biehl was effectively a two-year starter with IRV before being cut, and at 24 should be a long-time piece for the Thrashers. He brings solid strength and decent burst off the line, but he's a real run stuffer alongside Herman Reyes. Brian Johnson won't be extended after this season, so Biehl is an upgrade.

Raul Chicharron, TE (from DET) - Raul really didn't factor in Detroit, and he'll most play in reserve for the Thrashers this season. The organization sees a natural fit to help assume some blocking duties and line up occasional as a pass catcher.


Trade Alert
In an effort to get out of pretend bankruptcy, the Del Fuego Phoenix trades this year's 4th round pick for the Arkansas Thrasher's 4th round pick in 2041. This move gives Arkansas six total picks in this year's draft.

The Broncos approached the Thrashers to load up on late round picks this season and seeing minimal holes on the roster, the Thrashers traded this year's 5th, 6th, and 7th picks for a Broncos 6th (from KMN) and 2041's 6th round. This gives the team four total picks for 2040 and also keeps them below the cap.

The Shadow Dancers looked to move on from late round picks this season for future late rounds. The Thrashers obliged them by trading KMN's 2041 6th round pick for the 4th pick of the 6th round in this year's draft.

2040 Draft Coverage

After trading away this year's first round pick to acquire MLB Albert Snider, the Thrashers weren't playing with a full deck (so-to-speak), so after trades and acquisitions, the team has 4 total picks in this year's draft.

(2:60) Takezo Slater, WR/KR/PR, Texas Tech. 6'0" 186 lbs.
Slater comes with a healthy amount of risk with his off-field issues, so he could be a big ol' stinker; However, he's got solid foundations for a second round receiver and punt returner, and if he has a great camp, he could be a long-term fixture for the team. In the meantime, he'll definitely have a place on the roster even if it's as WR4 or PR1. This was a high need for the team.

(4:121) Kris Kurosawa, G/LS, Kansas State. 6'2" 259 lbs.
Kurosawa lined up as a blocking Tight End and Long Snapper for four years with the Wildcats. KK will look to put on weight to add some depth to the interior line. If he can adapt, his blocking potential is solid, and he already comes with dependable strength and quickness off the line. Wilbur Long has been the LS for the Thrashers but is advancing in his age; KK projects as an immediate upgrade in this respect.

(4:124) Ryu Jenkins, WR, East Kentucky. 6'1" 192 lbs.
Ryu Jenkins is not an all-world talent, but he's unafraid to throw a block for the runners, and that alone could guarantee a roster spot. In addition, he's got speed, route running, and will fight for targets. However, this leads to his major glaring flaw: he's got a case of the dropsies. Fortunately, Jenkins doesn't have to be Stacker Pentecost.

(6:164) Lazarus Watanabe, CB/SS, University of Miami-Florida. 5'11 217 lbs.
Watanabe played strong safety but projects more like a reserved cornerback for the team. His roster position is not guaranteed, but depth is needed at the position as there are only three true corners on the team (they are pretty good though). Watanabe plays well on the line of scrimmage and has serviceable speed and acceleration but he often gets lost in man coverage and lacks that killer instinct.

(6:168) Yojimbo Frost, LB, Kent State. 6'1" 289 lbs.
The knuckleheads at Kent State had frost playing on the defensive line for three years, but the Thrashers watched tape of him dropping into coverage and skills really popped. His burst will hinder him and his speed will improved as he drops weight, but his tackling and man-coverage potential are what secured him in this year's draft. Make no mistake, he's a project pick and a flyer, but he could push playing time from Bucky Barnes if he has a strong camp.

That's it for draft coverage in 2040! Check back after Training Camp to see who advanced on the team, and who could be looking for work elsewhere!

2040 Late Free Agency

In a last minute move, the Thrashers brought back in CB Nat Romanov on a one year deal worth about $1.46m. Romanov already lost a step in her 9th year and didn't get much traction in free agency. She was thrilled to return back to the team in a support role. She's already made the computer's All-Thrasher Team

2040 Training Camp

"Coach Caskey has to be pulling his hair out over this group of rookies. It's a trainwreck."
--Reporter Newsman

Three years removed from a championship. Two years since the last Super Bowl appearance, and last season still yielded a playoff berth and first round bye. Coach Terry Caskey is not on the proverbial hot seat, but this camp did not produce "good vibes" as the kids say. Let's take a look at the rookies and how others developed from camp.

Booms
Nada...let's move on

Meh...

Yojimbo Frost (+2) had the best camp of the rookies but he's got a long ways to go. It looks like he could very well challenge Bucky Barnes for a backup role but his game isn't that much better to differentiate himself.

Ryu Jenkins (+1) out performed his rookie counterpart Takezo Slater by leaps and bounds in every metric but catching the **** ball. Jenkins is the better route-runner and blocker, and although both rookies will make the team (most likely), neither is poised to take over anytime soon.

Busts

Lazarus Watanabe (-6) was cut to clear cap space. After a miserable camp where newly re-signed Nat Romanov showed she still has plenty left in the tank, Watanabe would not have made the roster and it was an easy financial move for the team.

Kris Kurosawa (-6) had amazing potential when drafted in the 4th round--a converted TE with above strength and acceleration and a high ceiling for pass and run blocking. However, his blocking skills were exposed in the professional level and appears the pressure got to him. Each day has been successively worse. He could be a bonadfide starter at Long Snapper if they didn't take a key roster position from someone else. There's a chance he'll make the team because of the dead cap he'll create, but another player comes available on the waiver wire that benefits the team, KK might go away away.

Takezo Slater (-10) utterly disappointed the organization. Not only was he showed up by fellow Rookie Ryu Jenkins, Slater started fights in the locker room, on the practice field, and with the media. He refused to be the team's return man because he is obsessed with his social media presence as "the next big thing." He is a beacon for negative attention. Slater will be buried on the bench because of his dead cap carryover but it seems, his destiny is to be on the waivers as soon as it's feasible for the team.

Notable Progress

Not all is entirely bleak for the team. QB Thomas Carlisle continued to grow (+3) and was named the official starter although it was rather noticeable how often he takes hits in camp. He is a pure pocket passer with zero mobility. However, when he has time to throw, he's accurate and controlled.

FB Norman Bates (+3) took another step forward as well and looks to be the surefire FB1 by next season with Daniel Orozco showing his age.

2040 Preseason Report

The Arkansas Thrashers don't quite seem to have it together as of yet. QB Thomas Carlisle is poised to start Week 1 but didn't do much to make his case, save for being less terrible than fellow sophomore Damien Thorn (who was cut to trim down to the 53-man roster). Veteran QB, Phillip Lovins was brought on to mentor the young quarterback and the team feels better about the QB room in general now.

The running game looks comfortable with the three-headed monster of Henri Boudreaux, Iggy Infernus, and Donnie Kerabatsos. It appears that Boudreaux sill carries the distinction of being a true 3-down back, while Infernus uses his speed and acceleration to catch the edges in open space, and Kerabatsos is still the proven return man.

Wide Receivers got a bit of an injection through the draft and although Rookie Takezo Slater caused more trouble than the team normally takes on, he still compiled the second most receiving yards on the team during the preseason (second to only fellow rookie, Ryu Jenkins, who led the team with 172 yards). Stacker Pentecost still owns the WR locker room and should be the bell cow so-to-speak for Carlisle, but it's nice to know the rookies can be of some use.

Defensively, it was a little ho-hum considering the massive contracts paid to Wilbur Taylor and Barry Flores. The offense is, however, unlikely to do the defense any favors--costly turnovers in enemy territory lead to most of the points scored on the vaunted defense. However, the defense is still expected to produce. There's no reason that the d-line can put up 50+ sacks and 25 Ints as they've done the past two years.

This pundit foresees many close battles this season and perhaps an 8-8 record on the horizon. Maybe Thomas Carlisle never makes that leap to pro QB, and maybe the Thrashers get a high pick in the draft for the first time in several years.

2040 Quarterly Report

"I was wrong about the Thrashers. Dead wrong. That's on me." -- Reporter Newsman, ESPN's First Take

After a lot of deliberation from the sports media about the future of the Thrashers, the first four games have given us a glimpse into the potential this team. Anchored by a world class defense--only allowing a total of 20 points and averaging 3 sacks and 3 interceptions per game--the offense has been just as effective under the helm of sophomore QB Thomas Carlisle and the tutelage of Coach McCaskey. The team is currently undefeated with a win differential +110 (1st in the league).

Offensive Highlights

Thomas Carlisle ranks first in passing yards (1,055) and passing TDs (7), and he's fourth in passing completions (69.9%) Although he's also thrown 5 Ints, his QB rating is a comfortable 92.12 (ranked 4th, as well).

Much of Carlisle's success has resulted from the relationship formed with WR Stacker Pentecost, who leads the league with 518 receiving yards (nearly half of Carlisle's numbers) and 5 TDs with an average gain of 19.9 yards per completion. The big receiver has over 200 more receiving yards than any other receiver in the league, and at this pace could secure 2000 receiving yards, a feat never accomplished by a Thrashers player. Pentecost has led the league two of the past three years in yardage totals, and it looks like a return to form after not eclipsing 1000 yards in 2039.

RB Henri Boudreaux once again is the lead back of a three-headed monster. He's accumulated 293 yards rushing and 125 yards receiving with one TD. However, Iggy Infernus leads the team with rushing TDs (3). Donnie Kerabatsos has had limited touches but makes the most with a 5.9 yard per carry clip (20 for 118 yards). The team ranks in the top ten for all RB metrics (rushes, YPC, TDs,).

K T'Challa King was once praised as the best feature of this offense last season, and he continues to as one of the most electric Kickers in the league. This seasons he's a perfect 18/18 on FG attempts and 10/10 on the PAT. He's also 4/4 on Kicks beyond 50 yards. Bringing his three year average of kicks over 50 yards to an incredible 90% (18/20 attempts).

Defensive Highlights

Up front the defensive line has seen some early injuries, but DEs Ronald Surface (5 sacks; 10 hurries) and Walter Klaus (4 sacks; 5 hurries) have continued to be a fearsome duo of pass rushers. The team is tied for 6th in the league in sacks (12 total).

The linebackers and secondary have swarmed to the ball, hauling in 13 interceptions (1st in the league). Leading the pack yet again is Peter Parker (3 Ints), who is technically 4th on depth chart, but he's a hawk for the ball. He allows too many completed passes but often that's due to his aggressive play for said ball. The team also has 37 knockdowns, as well.

Up Next

The next four games will be surefire challenges, including two divisional away matchups with The Real Kayfabe and Independence Pirates. Sandwiched between them, the Thrashers will host the Wilmington Argonauts and the San Francisco Demons.

Stay tuned, Thrashernation!

2040 Mid-Season Report

Current Record: 9-1

"It would have hyped Thrasher fans to come in after Week 8 and report that the Thrashers were undefeated, but life gets in the way, even for lowly beat reporters. However, after the Tigers soundly thrashed the Thrashers 35-5 in Week 9, the reality of football life finally set in: The 2040 Thrashers still have Super Bowl aspirations, but they are simply human after all."
-Reporter Newsman

Generally speaking, the Thrashers have been dominant on both sides of the ball, even with the curb-stomping from the Tigers in Week 9. They bounced back immediately to whoop the Thundercocks 58-0 in Week 10. Let's take a look back at the strides the team has made through 10 weeks of the 2040 season.

Offensive Highlights

QB Thomas Carlisle looks like a long-term franchise QB in Coach Caskey's West Coast system. He's cracked the elite status of top 5 QB while being an untested 5th round pick dropped by the Phoenix because of his lack of speed.

RB Henri Boudreaux could be looking at another 1000+ yard rushing season, 1500+ yards scrimmage while snagging 10+ TDs. The other backs have been just as effective in their roles while managing niggling injuries.

WR Stacker Pentecost is still the best WR in Football Moguls despite going 8 for 45 in the past two games. He'll likely pick back up again and secure another 1000+ receiving season. In addition, he's also scored 8 TDs

K T'Challa King is now 35/35 on FGs (8/8 from 50+ yards) and has only missed one PAT all season. He's about as automatic as it comes, bringing his 3-year average to 93.5% completion of all FGs (and an insane 92.7% beyond 50 yards).

Defensive Highlights
This is the time of the year where we herald Ronald Surface as a potential Moguls sack leader and then he gets injured...because once again, he is and he did get hurt in Week 10. Through those 10 games, he amassed 18 sacks, 16 hurries, 1 interception, and sack-fumble for TD. It doesn't get much more dynamic as an athlete. However, he'll be rehabbing a significant leg injury for approximately 5 weeks, leaving only 1-2 regular season games to add to his season totals. Overall, the team ranks 1st in the league with 4.5 sacks per game.

There is no standout LB so far, but everyone is a contributor, and it's about as solid a core group as one could hope for. They're the leading tacklers don't allow a lot of passes to come through, and have hauled in 7 Interceptions as a unit. The same goes with the Secondary, in reality. No standout but everyone is efficient, contributes, and suffocates opposing offenses (mostly).

Bold Predictions:
-Carlisle throws for 25 TD and 15 INTs.
-Boudreaux has over 1700 scrimmage yards (career best)
-Pentecost once again leads all the receivers in yards and TDs
-The D-line gets over 60 sacks (even with Surface injured)
-The LBs and Secondary haul in 30 total Interceptions, but not one player has over 6 individually.

Up Next...

The Thrashers have mixed bag of teams over the next six, the highlight being the showdown with long-time NFC rivals, LA Xtreme. Only half the opponents have a record above .500 so the Thrashers are sure to make the playoffs once again.

End of Season Report

The Thrashers came up short once again of AFC Championship glory when they lost 27-20 to division rival, Brooklyn Tigers. Owner Timothy Thompson was noticeably disappointed but ultimately backed the team's leadership and play.

Bold Statements Review

-Carlisle throws for 25 TD and 15 INTs.
Carlisle wrapped a nice full first season but didn't meet his Bold Goal. He managed to throw for 23 TDs and 14 INTs, so he got close. To wit, he led the league in passing TDs, so not too shabby.

-Boudreaux has over 1700 scrimmage yards (career best)
Bold Goal met. Henri Boudreaux finished with over 1700 scrimmage yards and 10 total TDs making his year 28 season his best yet. He'll never reach the accolades of Clarence Sorensen but Boudreaux has been the total package this year.

-Pentecost once again leads all the receivers in yards and TDs
Bold Goal met. Pentecost led the league again in receiving yards (1144 receiving yards) and tied for the most receiving TDs (9). Plus, he got a rushing TD for good measure.

-The D-line gets over 60 sacks (even with Surface injured)
Bold Goal met. Even with Surface injured for 6 weeks, the team strung together a franchise best 70 sacks in a single season and led the league as well.

-The LBs and Secondary haul in 30 total Interceptions, but not one player has over 6 individually.
Bold Goal met. The team finished with 35 Interceptions and, INDEED, not one player had 6 individually. WILD.

What's next?

The future looks bright for the Arkansas Thrashers. QB Thomas Carlisle is just getting started. The Running Back corps is still intact for another season. The WRs and TEs need to grow and will address needs offseason and through the draft.

The defensive line will remain mostly intact. The LBs will most likely lose Henry Tyler which will be a big loss, but the secondary will still return all of its starters.

Stayed tuned for 2041 Offseason News.

2041 Offseason Report

There were no changes among coaching staff which bodes well for the team as far as consistency.

LT / LS Wilburn Love retired after spending 6 seasons with the team. He helped anchor the team on the blindside in the 2037 season and was the primary Long Snapper since he joined the team.

2041 Early Free Agency

Hiram Clark, OL (Free Agent) Clark was brought in at the tail end of 2040 when QB Phillip Lovins was let go. Clark is a banger on the line--a running down specialist, who has the strength to push a pile. However, that's not to say his position is guaranteed either. The team expects to bring in some additional help, especially with the departure of longtime C Matt Hooper.

Devin Ruhl, OL (from RMB) Ruhl was used as a Center in his previous tenure and never really panned out. The Thrashers eyed him in the draft as a rookie as a Tackle and now has the chance to become the starting left tackle, replacing the aforementioned retired Wilburn Love. Ruhl has great strength and acceleration and pass blocking. He'll take some time to get acclimated but he could be starting soon enough.

John Hansen, QB (Free Agency) Hansen hasn't been on a team in two years but with the ascension of Thomas Carlisle, the team doesn't need a second starter. If something should happen to Carlisle, another veteran presence might be brought in to take reps against Hansen, but for now, there's just no need.

Anthony Jenkins, LB (from BCB) With the loss of Henry Tyler, Jenkins has LARGE shoes to fill and he's currently, not even slated to start. That job might belong to longtime LB Ken Webb. However, Jenkins can help in a pinch.

Natasha Romanov, CB (re-signed) Romanov re-signed once again with the team on a friendly deal. She lacks the speed she used to but is still a veteran presence with solid coverage skills.

Extensions

RB Iggy Infernus 3 years
CB Peter Venkman 5 years
CB Peter Parker 5 years
SS Scott Lang 5 years
FS Dr. Steven Strange 5 years
P Carol Danvers 6 years