Cup O' Joe - Post-Week 6 Rumblings & Grumblings

Author: Joe Simpson

Here are some news and notes from around the league:

In Cleveland, where new owner Matt McLean takes over, many are wondering what their future holds. At 3-2, they are currently seventh in the Heritage Conference (New Orleans and Tampa are tied at 4-2 in the Gulf). But they've been outscored, have undefeated Cincinnati still on the schedule twice, along with Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Louisville. All of their wins have come against losing teams, and they've gotten thumped by the only decidedly winning team (Los Angeles, 41-0). With the trading deadline closed, what decisions do they have to make? Well, for one, if they'll go with a youth movement. That starts at the ILB spot, where Karl Mowatt is highly regarded as a big prospect. They also have to decide whether they want to put their advance scouts to the college game, rather than the rest of the schedule. They really have some decisions to make.

The same can be said in Philadelphia, where the Shamrocks have two first-round draft picks, and a 2-4 record. They also own Chicago's first-rounder, which may end up being a high pick. It's obvious where they'll go with these first two picks -- defense. But the real question is...WHERE on defense do they start? They have a good secondary, led by two stud safeties. And they have one of the top prospects in the league in ILB JJ Green, who is getting better by the week. But they do have two older cornerbacks; Charles Scuillo is a 10-year vet whose skills are beginning to diminish, and Matt Adams, while still doing well, is heading towards the twilight of his career. However, they do have problems on the defensive line, where nobody really stands out as a star player. Two players look like they could be wearing Shamrock green next year: USC DE James Goodman, and Southern Miss stud Kelly Sunde. It also seems like OT Kris Peppers is being scouted heavily by the Shamrocks, as a scout has trailed him through every Indiana game. The Shamrocks have a great offense, but the line is anchored by tackles with 22 years of experience. They won't last forever.

One major question heading into the Tritons' game against the Shamrocks is whether or not Monte Meier will suit up. He's listed as questionable for the game, but has been quoted as saying he "would play if my leg was falling off". So, stay tuned. If it's NOT him, will it be Rob Morris? He's listed as questionable as well, but his is more serious (nerve injury to his throwing elbow). Chances are, third-stringer Marco Brandt will start the game, with Meier as the backup. One little fact about the preseason AFL favorites: the combined experience of their quarterbacks, in terms of years' experience: Zero.

Pittsburgh plays only one team with a winning record before they go to Los Angeles in Week 10 (Michigan is 3-2). It's very possible that this team will be 9-0; it's also entirely possible that this team will be 5-1 heading into that game at Michigan. Their game at Atlanta is considered a trap game, mainly because Atlanta is on a three-game losing streak, but still has an offense worthy enough of doing major damange. They were shockingly shutout by Tampa last game, but scored no less than 20 points in any of their other four games. I think Pittsburgh may get caught looking ahead, and as a result, we could be down to one unbeaten after this week. That is, of course, if Cincy gets past Cleveland.

Finally, Indianapolis shocked the world when they defeated the Marshalls handedly. But the hole in the Marshalls' offense is what's most shocking. Indianapolis forced Sammy Baw to beat them, stacking as many as nine people in the box against the league's top running back, Sammy Hoambrecker. The Marshalls refused to spread the offense out, and figured that their offensive line would eventually overpower Indianapolis. That didn't happen, and now the Marshalls have a tell on their offense. Expect defenses to force the rookie Baw to beat them. If the "other" Sammy doesn't step up, either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati may be the new favorite in the HFC.