Utah Blaze 2007 Season Preview

Josh Fisher
Monday February 26, 2007

Then they added defensive back Clarence Lawson from Arizona.  Hunkie Cooper took over as defensive coordinator and made it his mission to ensure that fans forget the troubles of 2006.

White said this team is as talented as any team he has ever coached.  Believing this is the case because the talent pool across the board is as high as it has ever been.  He put this team together to win a championship and everyone in the front office through the last man on the bench believes they have what it takes.

Quarterback: Joe Germaine is a rising star in the Arena Football League.  When he broke his finger last season he was the top rated passer in the entire league.  Although he only has a handful of starts Germaine is the catalyst of the high powered Blaze offense.  It was apparent how important he is to this team last season when they lost the first four games he was out.

Back-up Jason Gesser made four starts in 2006, but was 0-4 in those starts.  He did play well enough to garner a two year contract from the team.  During camp be beat out Travis Cole for the number two spot.

Grade: B+:  Germaine is a star but Gesser struggled in 2006.  Gesser worked hard in the off-season to improve and time will tell if it paid off.

Wide Receivers: Siaha Burley is one of the most exciting players in the AFL.  In 2006 he led all players with 1,934 receiving yards, and was second to Damian Harrell with 44 touchdowns.  Burley’s numbers could drop a little in 2007 due to the acquisition of Aaron Boone.  Last season Boone recorded 66 catches, 748 yards, and 19 touchdowns in just seven games.  The Burley and Boone combination is one of the top in all of the AFL.

Also back in 2007 are veterans Tom Pace and Justin Skaggs.  Pace and Skaggs each made starts during 2006 and provide the Blaze with some extra help at linebacker.  Ryan Dennard also returns to the receiving core and can fill in at defensive back.  The talent at receiver allowed the Blaze to make last season’s number two receiver, Orshawante Bryant, primarily a defensive back.

Grade: A.  The Blaze may be deeper at receiver than any other team in the league.  These guys had no problems moving the ball 2006 so 2007 should be even better.

Fullbacks:  Carter may be the most important player the Blaze signed this off-season.  His experience upgrades the running game and improves blitz pick-up.  He is also a leader on the field.  Kevin Clemens returns in 2007 and should back-up Carter at fullback.

Grade: B+.  Carter is a proven fullback in the AFL and brings an attitude to the team that was missing in 2006.  Clemens gives them solid back-up. 

Offensive Line: The line play in 2006 was definitely a little disappointing for the Blaze.  Although Hans Olsen made the All-Arena team, the rest of the line was shady at best.  This was a big key for the team during the off-season.  It looks like Gatrell, Olsen, and rookie Myniya Smith should start on the O-line.  Gatrell followed James to Utah from Las Vegas.  Smith brings his 6-foot 5-inch, 364 pound frame to Utah from Southern University.

Grade: C+.  Olsen anchors a line that has a lot to prove.  Smith looked good during camp and won the job but has no AFL experience.

Defensive Line:  Another aspect of the game that let down the Blaze in 2006.  The rule changes help the Blaze at this position as Konopka can focus on just playing defense.  Garret Smith will line-up on the other side of the D-line.  Smith struggled last season having to play both ways, but could develop into a premier pass rusher this season.  Another free agent acquisition Janek will start at nose tackle.  Janek and Konopka can also play O-line if needed.

Grade: B-.  Konopka is one of the top outside rushers in the game.  Janek is solid up the middle.  The emergence of Smith makes this squad one of the best in the league.

Linebackers:  Carter and Skaggs will most likely start and the two linebacker positions in 2007.  Carter is one of the top blitzing linebackers in the AFL.  Skaggs is using his size and athletic ability to quickly become one of the league’s rising Jack linebackers.

Clemens and Kautai Olevao could also see time at the Mack linebacker spot.  Both played that spot in 2006 for the Blaze.  Pace and Dennard will also find time at the Jack linebacker again in 2007.

Grade: B.  Carter is already a top rushing linebacker and Skaggs in a rising star.  There is a lot of experience at these two positions that the Blaze should benefit from.

Defensive Backs:  The Blaze defensive backs struggled mightily in 2006.  Because of this neither of the starters from last season’s playoff game is back.  In their place is a combined 15 years of AFL experience.  Lawson rejoins Coach White to anchor the defensive backfield.  Lawson recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions last season while playing in Arizona.  Terrence Joseph signed with Utah during training camp and quickly took a starting spot.  Lawson and Joseph will be joined in the defensive backfield by Bryant.  In 2006 Bryant recorded 58 tackles as a two-way player for the Blaze.

Grade: B-.  Lawson and Joseph give the Blaze a presence defensively.  With Bryant mostly playing defense in 2007 he should become one of the league’s top defenders.

Kicker:  All-time scoring leader Steve Videtich returns for another year in Utah.  This will be Videtich’s 12th AFL season.  He gives the Blaze a sense of security at the kicker position.  He may also be the best on-side kick artist in the league, giving the team another weapon.

Grade: A-.  Videtich is a solid kicker with loads of AFL experience.  His only downfall may be the fact that in 11 seasons his teams are 1-6 in the playoffs.

Coaching:  White is the second all-time with 148 career victories.  The addition of James and another year with Cooper and Linsey Hassell just solidifies the staff.  James has previos head coaching experience and Cooper should one day become a head coach in this league.

Grade: A+.  White has a track record of building a franchise into a champion and it appears he is headed that way again.