After missing the playoffs in 2036, the move to rebuild the roster in a new era of Moguls football begins in London.

Retirements:
WR Sam Quint - After productive career with the Thrashers, the veteran receiver retired after two quiet years in London. While never expected to be a primary focus of the offense, Quint was still a mild disappointment recording a 31-280 3 TD receiving line in his final season.

Coaching changes:
Monarchs management once again was able to keep Coach David Kirby's staff intact after last season's 11-5 campaign. While a change in coaching philosophy is still possible in the future, for now the team will stay the course.

Free agents:
Newly tapped GM Nigel Worthington IV will be in charge of bringing in new talent to turn over a roster that has solid talent at the offensive and defensive skill positions, but looks to upgrade both the offensive and defensive lines.

LT Ibrahim Moizoos - after being outbid for some major offensive line talent available in free agency, the Monarchs are able to get a mild upgrade with the veteran tackle from Atlanta. The 29 year old is a more accomplished pass blocker and will hopefully cut down on punishment absorbed by QB Matthew Avila (33 sacks in 2036)

RB Ethan Feliciano - the RB has done enough in management's eyes to finally earn more than a one year contract. While still inexpensive, Feliciano's skill as a backfield receiver make him a useful player.

CB Kareem Jackson - always on the hunt for defensive backfield help, the Monarchs sign the part time CB from the Argonauts. While limited playing time suggests his skills are slightly better than his ratings, a decline following training camp may foreshadow a limited role with London.

TE Bruce Huskins - signed strictly as a backup to replace departed TE Bernard Smith (OrangeCrush), Huskins played rarely with the Teabag Party last season and is likely to be cut if a better option becomes available.

WR Donald Lund - following the retirement of Sam Quint, the Monarchs look to add depth to their receiver room. Lund scored three touchdowns on only eight receptions for the Blizzard last season, so his production is unlikely to be repeated and his roster spot is not guaranteed.

DT John Keller - The Monarchs swipe another defensive player from their nemesis in Wilmington, grabbing the 2033 first round pick. With veteran d linemen DT Earl Sims and RDE John Cutter not getting re-signed, adding depth to the defensive line was a priority. Keller recorded 4 sacks in only 30 snaps for the Argonauts last season, so London decided to see if that production was a total fluke.

RG John Garcia - with subpar o linemen RT Marcus Barraza (Devils) and RT David Trudeau (Thrashers) departing, the Monarchs needed more o line depth and signed the 29 year old veteran from the Shadow Dancers. With skills that may translate better as a tackle or center, Garcia may play several positions on the line if he makes the final roster.

2037 draft and training camp:
GM Nigel Worthington IV adds some solid young players at key positions, while missing on some long shots.
1-20 SS Dan Crossman (+5/+2 now 46/82) With longtime starting SS Ronald Rogers allowed to sign with the Devils as a free agent, adding an immediate impact player was a priority in the first round. Crossman has elite speed for a safety, and what he lacks in tackling ability, he makes up for in excellent coverage skills. If he struggles in the preseason he may move down the depth chart to not rush his development.

2-20 CB Corris Ervin (+10/-3 now 40/67) London management was amazed the speedy if undersized defensive back was still available in the second round and snapped him up. With excellent intelligence and discipline, he may be able to play above his slightly above average coverage ratings.

3-20 LT Theo Adams (+9/+2 now 41/75) The Monarchs finally go for offensive line help with this converted center. While still needing to gain weight, Adams possesses elite pass blocking potentials and solid run blocking skills and may eventually be able to take over as a starter.

4-20 LG Louis Lincoln (+12/+5 now 49/72) Another potential upgrade on the offensive line, Lincoln does not possess amazing strength for a man his size (328 lbs), but appears to already be an accomplished run blocker while still needing time to develop his pass blocking technique.

4-32 RB Bobby Hammond (+2/-15 now 35/50) A major miss with a draft pick obtained via a trade with the Thrashers last season. With intriguing strength and acceleration to go along with below average speed, Hammond lost all potential as a pass catching back and will likely be cut at some point during the preseason.

5-20 RDE Sam Race (+8/-2 now 43/66) Looking to add some depth on the defensive line, the Monarchs take a chance on Race. With below average speed but good acceleration and run defense skills, the former Oregon State Beaver will need to stand out in the preseason to make the final roster.

6-20 SLB John Steen (+7/-8 now 32/52) A failed experiment to convert an undersized DE to linebacker, Steen's pass rush and coverage skills disappeared at training camp and he will be cut next sim.

7-20 FB Washington Cole (+7/+0 now 33/55) Another conversion experiment, Cole was drafted as a wide receiver, but his supreme strength and run blocking skills suggested he might be better suited playing in the backfield. With adequate skills catching the ball, Cole may be able to make the team as a backup FB/TE.

Late free agency/training camp
WLB Jonathan Cournoyer (+4/-11 now 40/53) Drafted by the OrangeCrush in the fifth round, London picked him up before training camp, but after losing his potentials in pass coverage the rookie will be cut.

LT Omar Day (+0/+0 now 41/71) With exceptional pass blocking skills and strength while being worthless as a run blocker, the Monarchs take a chance on the 2036 third round pick after his release by the Devils. While only being able to play part time due to his imbalanced skills, his relatively cheap contract makes the former LG expendable if necessary.

The Monarchs also completed a minor trade in training camp, sending former waiver claim CB/SS Travis Plain to the Oakland Panthers for a 2040 fourth round pick. After drafting rookie SS Dan Crossman in the first round, management saw no reasonable path for Plain to get meaningful playing time and decided to flip him for a future asset.

The Monarchs continue to look to add depth at several positions heading into the preseason, so more roster moves are likely moving forward.

I figure the Argonauts became your nemesis based on the last two seasons opening game battles. And once again, we are meeting against for opening night this season. What are the odds?

Exactly. Week 1 in 2033, 2035, 2036 and now 2037, plus postseason in 2032 and 2033 means we have a pretty good rivalry going. Hopefully I won't end up in an 0-1 hole again this season!

London fares reasonably well in the preseason of a new era in Moguls football.

- The Monarchs begin the 2037 preseason by hosting the Oakland Panthers. Rumors of a change in league play emphasizing the running game and favoring the defense mostly pan out as London rolls to a 36-0 victory. RB Alvin Dillon opens the scoring with a 4 yard TD run in the first quarter, and RDE Chris Thompson records one of the Monarchs eight sacks of Panther quarterback James Sanmiguel for a safety in the second quarter. Starting QB Matthew Avila, rumored to be entering his final season with London at age 33, tosses an 11 yard touchdown to TE George Payne for a 16-0 halftime lead. The Monarchs continue emphasizing the running game in the second half as second year RB Victor X. Ebubedike runs for a 29 yard score in the third quarter. Rookie RB Bobby Hammond, who failed to impress coaches with a poor training camp, looks much better in game action running for a 6 yard TD to cap the scoring in the fourth quarter. Overall the Monarchs run for an impressive 270 yards, and add four interceptions of Sanmiguel in the win.

- London travels to Arizona in preseason week two to face off against the Thundercocks. The Monarchs starters continue to look sharp, as RB Alvin Dillon records a pair of first half touchdowns, the first a 10 yard TD reception in the first quarter, and a 12 yard scoring scamper in the second. Overall, the Monarchs limit Arizona to only 107 yards of total offense, which was nearly matched on a 102 yard kickoff return TD by WR Gonzalo Chubb in the third quarter for the Thundercocks' only touchdown in a 20-10 London victory.

- Preseason week three features the Monarchs hosting the Irvine Anteaters, in backup quarterback Edwin Johnson's first extended audition to takeover as the Monarchs future signal caller. Johnson plays the entire game after a rocky start, as London has a punt, missed field goal, fumble and interception on their first four possessions. Irvine jumps out to a 10-0 first quarter lead with the miscues, as Irvine QB Thomas Fungundes throws a 5 yard TD pass to WR Larry Deaton for his only reception of the day. The Monarchs finally get back on track in the second quarter with a goalline TD run by RB Victor X. Ebubedike, and a 3 yard TD pass from Johnson to TE George Payne for a 14-10 halftime lead for London. The Monarchs defense steps up in the second half, with three of their five total interceptions on the day coming after the break. Johnson adds two more second half touchdowns to WR Dale Hale from 1 yard out in the third and a 15 yard score in the final period, as London holds the ball for nearly 39 minutes and pulls away for a 31-13 win.

- The final preseason contest leads the Monarchs against QB Matthew Avila's original team, the Los Angeles XTreme. Avila plays only the first quarter, but does record a 1 yard TD pass to RB Alvin Dillon for a 7-0 London lead. However, LA's perennial MVP candidate QB Ernest Williams shows why the XTreme were willing to trade away Avila before the 2032 season, with a pair of second quarter TD passes, the first a 51 yard bomb to WR Steven Calle, followed by a 5 yard strike to rookie WR Kenneth Carpenter. London's defense is able to force three LA fumbles, but third string QB Preston Jones stuggles mightily in his only preseason appearance, throwing three interceptions, as Los Angeles cruises to a 19-7 win.

Preseason cuts:
Some free agent additions fail to make the cut as London gets down to the final 53 man roster.

LT James Murrill - While starting 31 of 32 games after signing as a free agent in 2035, the extremely slow tackle was released from the final year of his contract. Originally brought in to improve pass protection, Murrill gave up six sacks in each season with London, and allowed two more this preseason, while suffering a foot injury against the XTreme that made him easy to release.

WR Donald Lund - While viewed as a longshot to make the final roster, the veteran receiver caught only one of two preseason targets and was asked to turn in his playbook.

TE Joshua Honaker - Honaker had a rough preseason competing against Bruce Huskins for the backup tight end spot. Honaker caught only eight of twenty two preseason targets and could not reasonably be kept on the roster. London's search for a reliable second tight end will continue into the regular season.

RG John Garcia - After being out of the league since 2035, the veteran Garcia was invited to camp to improve London's historically poor offensive line, but after playing limited snaps in four preseason games didn't seem to possess any skills to justify bringing him into the regular season campaign.

LT/LG Omar Day - While performing reasonably well in a high number of preseason snaps, allowing only one sack and two tackles in four appearances, Day's severe deficiencies as a run blocker made him lose a chance to backup rookies LT Theo Adams and LG Louis Lincoln, who both appear to have futures as solid blockers as they gain more playing experience.

LG Terry Glynn - After considering a cut on the defensive side of the ball, the 2031 7th round pick is the final roster victim. Glynn played in 69 regular season games, including eleven starts, but his lack of strength against a improved defensive pass rush across the league made his difficult release seem necessary for Monarchs GM Nigel Worthington IV.

Worthington made two additional roster moves to reach London's final opening game roster. Claiming RDE Jeff Little off waivers from Detroit, the pass rusher recorded a sack against Los Angeles, as well as two more before being cut by the Lions. London will see if Little is only a preseason stud, or if he can continue to contribute in a larger defensive role. London also traded speedy backup SS Carol Baskins to the Battle Creek Barbarians for a 2039 fifth round pick. With three strong safeties remaining on the roster, including first round pick Dan Crossman, management felt getting a future draft asset instead of simply cutting Baskins was the more prudent move.

The Monarchs now prepare to open the 2037 regular season by traveling to face off against the Wilmington Argonauts. This marks the third consecutive season, and fourth in the last five years, that London and Wilmington will kick off the campaign against each other. Look for an update at the quarter mark of the season.

Quarterly report:
Record: 3-1 overall record: 3-1

London takes down some traditional Moguls powerhouses while the offense gets its bearings.

- The Monarchs begin the 2037 campaign where they seemingly always do, traveling to Delaware to take on the Wilmington Argonauts for the third straight season. After losing the last two season openers to the Argonauts by a combined score of 63-14, London fans were rightly worried that another poor performance could be on tap. But as the old saying goes - that's why they play the games! The Argonauts open the scoring with a 5 yard TD pass from Eric Dunlap to second year RB/WR Manuel Kane, but a missed extra point only gives Wilmington a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. While neither team generates much of a passing attack, the Monarchs counter with a 7 yard scoring strike from QB Matthew Avila to TE George Payne, one of his eight catches on the day, to take a one point lead. The Argonauts regain the advantage 9-7 on a short field goal just before halftime, as both offenses scuffle into the second half. London is able to finally break through in the fourth quarter on a 23 yard field goal from Brandon Shah for a 10-9 lead. On the ensuing possession, Wilmington QB Dunlap is intercepted by London WLB Robert Williams at the Argonaut 34 yard line, and six plays later RB Victor X. Ebudebike's goalline plunge caps the scoring in a 16-9 Monarch victory. While both teams have success running the ball, London holds Wilmington to under 100 yards net passing, as the Monarchs exorcise some demons and open the season 1-0 for the first time since 2034.

- The Monarchs lost at the Pennsauken Del Fuego Phoenix 12-3 in week two.

- London returns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the 2037 home opener in week three, hosting The Real Kayfabe. The Monarchs offense has continued its early season struggles in the new Moguls football environment, while the defense has flourished. The week three showdown is a perfect illustration, as the teams battle to a scoreless standoff into the fourth quarter until Kayfabe K Dusty Rhodes booms a 56 yard field goal early in the final period. While many Moguls teams are having success on the ground this season, the Monarchs aren't one of them, standing 31st in the league in rushing yards per game. With those problems continuing, London has to go to the air for the lead on a 23 yard scoring pass from QB Matthew Avila to WR Jeff Davis, who finishes the day with a 4-91-1 receiving line. The Tough Blokes defense collects their third turnover on the day when DT "Big" Ben Williams falls on a fumble on the Kayfabe's final desperation drive and improve to 2-1 with a hard fought 7-3 win.

- While technically a road game in week four, the Monarchs only need to jump on a double decker bus to ride across town for their showdown at the Rookery with the London Ravens. The Monarchs slumbering offense finally begins showing some signs of life against their crosstown rivals, as RB Victor X. Ebudedike scores another short touchdown run early in the second quarter on a twelve play ninety three yard drive for a 7-0 lead. After trading field goals in the third quarter, Monarchs WR William Ortiz, a cornerstone of the London offense for the last several seasons, finally makes his first big play of the year. Ortiz breaks free for a 69 yard touchdown catch to give the Monarchs a seemingly comfortable 17-3 lead in the third quarter. However, the Ravens refuse to go quietly, capping an impressive sixteen play eighty eight yard scoring drive with a four yard TD pass from QB Barry Lopez to WR Michael Byrd to once again pull within a single score at 17-10. The Monarchs decide to immediately give the Ravens a taste of their own medicine, marching seventy five yards down the field in twelve plays on a drive lasting over five minutes before backup RB Alvin Dillon scampers four yards to the end zone just after the two minute warning for the final score in a 24-10 Monarchs win.

While the London offense tries to establish its new identity, the defense continues to stand tall. The Monarchs currently stand third in the league allowing only 106.5 yards passing per game, and while struggling to stop the run, has still forced seven turnovers in their first four games. With a pair of games against AFC South divisional foe the Denver Rocky Mountain Bronx, as well as matchups against the Cincinnati Bangles and Tasmania Devils, the Monarchs have a chance to iron out their early season kinks before the halfway point of the season.

Not much of a recap for the Phoenix game.

You picked up on that, huh?

I love me a well placed meme.

Quarterly report:
Record: 2-2 overall record: 5-3

QB Matthew Avila hits some Rocky Mountain lows.

- The Monarchs begin the next quarter of the season hosting a divisional matchup against the Denver Rocky Mountain Bronx. Defense is the theme of the day, as the Bronx end two consecutive London drives in the first quarter with interceptions of Monarch QB Matthew Avila. The first interception inside the London 20 yard line by Bronx DT Charles Beane sets up a short field goal by Gary Bogan, that gives Denver a 3-0 lead that holds up until the fourth quarter. After tying the game at 3, Avila follows up his third interception of the day by finding backup WR Dale Hale for a 51 yard TD pass to give London its first lead at 10-3. However, the Bronx answer right back, capping a ten play 75 yard drive with a 1 yard plunge by RB/WR Kyle Curley to tie the score at 10. After exchanging punts, the Monarchs get the ball back just after the two minute warning with a chance for the win. But the home crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium groan almost immediately, as Bronx WLB James Tillery picks off Avila at the London 45. That allows Denver to drive down the field and kick a 25 yard field goal as time expires for a 13-10 Bronx victory. The game marks Avila's first four interception game since 2035 week 4 vs. the Kayfabe, and despite limiting Denver to only 205 yards of total offense, fall to 3-2 on the year.

- Week six features the Monarchs on the road against the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bangles. Avila looks to amend for his poor showing against the Bronx by tossing an 8 yard TD pass to WR Sean Foster in the first quarter for a 7-0 London lead. The retooled Bangles put up a fight, as Cincinnati QB Elijah Carmichael finds veteran WR Justin Gipson just before halftime for a 3 yard TD pass to knot the score at 10-10 at the break. Cincinnati takes the opening drive of the second half fifty five yards to get their first lead at 13-10 thanks to a 38 yard field goal by K James Doster. London's slumbering offense finally begins showing signs of life, scoring on their next two third quarter possessions. Avila finds WR William Ortiz for a 29 yard score, followed by Foster's second TD catch on the day from two yards out. London's Tough Blokes defense does the rest of the work, limiting Cincinnati to 41 yards of total offense in their last six possessions, and cruise to a 24-13 victory.

- After the last two games struggling on offense, London gets on track in week 7 hosting the Tasmania Devils. The game is never competitive, as the Monarchs cap a seventeen play 99 yard touchdown drive in the first quarter with a one yard TD run by RB Victor X. Ebubedike. London strikes again in the second quarter with a 24 yard TD pass from Avila to WR Jeff Davis and a pair of field goals to take a 20-0 lead at halftime. After recovering a fumble at the Tasmania 32, the Monarchs need just three plays to score again, this time a two yard TD toss to WR Jon Horton. A sack of Devil QB Joseph Kelley by RDE Chris Thompson for a safety on the next possession puts the Monarchs ahead 29-0, on their way to a convincing 35-3 victory. London's scuffling rushing attack accounts for a season high 199 yards while holding the ball for more than forty minutes in the win.

- The final game before the midway point of the season features another showdown against the Denver Rocky Mountain Bronx. Denver puts on a better offensive performance than in their week five win with a dominant running game. RB Joshua Kenyon gives the Bronx the lead at 7-3 on a 31 yard touchdown run in the first quarter, before a back and forth game in the second. The Monarchs regain the lead at 10-7 on QB Matthew Avila's 22 yard TD pass to WR William Ortiz, before the Bronx finish off a 75 yard scoring drive with a 5 yard TD run by second year RB Harvey Zelaya. Zelaya rips off multiple long runs on the day, and finishes with 131 yards on the ground, plus two short catches. The Bronx tally 245 yards rushing in the game, and keep the Monarchs from gaining any traction. London's only sustained drive on the day ends in disaster in the fourth quarter. Desperately in need of points trailing 17-10, the Monarchs mount a seventeen play 75 yard drive lasting more than ten minutes, but come away with nothing when Avila is intercepted in the end zone by Denver FS Jim Murray with three minutes left. A final drive ends with a turnover on downs as the Bronx drop the Monarchs to 0-3 in the AFC South completing the season sweep with the 17-10 win.

Five of Avila's eight interceptions on the year have come against the Bronx, who have always played London tough going back to their former iteration as the Wisconsin Frozen Tundra SnowSharks. With a pair of games remaining against the division leading Roswell Invaders, the Monarchs still have a chance to stay in the AFC playoff hunt. However, serious injuries are beginning to test London's roster depth. Starting RG Tim Simpson (ankle - game 5), RT Steve Gabbard (neck - game 7) and LG Terry Blasingame (ankle - game 8) have all gone down with serious injuries. Gabbard lands on injured reserve with his neck injury, leading to the signing of free agent RT Paul Dement, a sixth round draft pick of the Duckies in 2036. Dement is seriously lacking in run blocking skills, but will immediately be put into the starting lineup due to the other offensive line injuries. With three of the next four games against non-division opponents, London will continue tweaking its offense in hopes of getting on a roll in the second half to the season.