Guard McAllister traded to the Chicago Fire

Author: by Jim Bruning, St Louis Post – Dispatch
Date: July 8, 1990

Unexpectedly, the Pioneers traded first round draft choice Offensive Guard Mike McAllister and veteran Defensive Tackle Drew Strayhorn to the Chicago Fire for a second round draft choice plus Veteran Receiver Erik Jenkins and Cornerback Cedrick Taylor. Additionally, Chicago will send next year's fourth and fifth round draft picks.

Taylor is a 6 foot one inch, 198 pound, 22 year old cornerbackout of Appalachian State. He was drafted this year in the 4th round by the Fire. Kamik commented "Cedrick is a leader who excels in the clutch. He is expected to immediately help on special teams.

Initially, fans were outraged that the Pioneers would discard their top draft choice before he played his first game but after Pioneer General Manager Ted Kamik offered an explanation, fans quickly turned from outrage to excitement.

Kamik proclaimed, "we now have a cornerback that will see lots of playing time and draft picks to find the right players that will fill a few of the many holes. This is definitely a step in the right direction, we hated to lose a tremendous young talent like McAllister but after the mini-camps and first few days of practice, it became evident, he was not a right fit for our system. We wish him all the luck in the world."
Kamik, who has a history of successfully turning around downtrodden franchises, was recently hired to run the Pioneers. He inherited a team inundated with old, overpaid, underperforming players. According to Kamik, few players currently on the roster fit the system they intend to run or are the type of players needed to win championships.

Kamik said he hopes to replace older players with youth and potential. He warns that this may not translate into immediate success but offers an opportunity to build a lasting championship ball club. With only one Restricted Free Agent and ten Unrestricted Free Agents presently under contract, it is likely we will see a major overall before next season.

With several other deals pending, that change may be sooner rather than later.