QCS wrote:

Wallflower wrote:

QCS wrote:

Hopefully Providence has the core to get it done in the near future. The 50s is around when most leagues began shifting away from smaller markets (Rochester and Syracuse in the NBA), so will the NAAF begin this process or is it more likely that smaller markets like Providence stick around? 

It is possible for a team or two to move out of the smaller markets, but it won't be so much planned as the NAAF would love to maintain the markets they have, especially in competing with the Atlantic Coast Football League. The reality is Providence is the 5th largest market and they have the largest Stadium currently which opened in 1946. They do a good job filling it and the fans are super passionate, which will likely keep the team in the city for a long time. 

I think in general I have enjoyed going to more obscure markets. Kitchener and Worcester are prime examples, even the Hawks going to Long Island rather than downtown NYC. So I will likely want to keep a few of those around, but only time will tell if teams can maintain their success within their respective markets.

I'm glad to hear it. I like seeing smaller markets get a chance, but it seems like Worcester specifically would be in danger because of Boston right nearby. Are you planning on keeping the league in the Northeast region or will this become a national thing? (Forgive me if this is a little too aggressive or you don't want to answer, I'm just curious to see where the league is heading.)

It will definitely be interesting to watch in later years what happens to the league and expansion

Gotcha. I'm not trying to be that guy like "when the's next expansion" constantly, just wondering if there was a plan in place for the league or if you were taking it year by year, both of which are fine, but the stories can lead them to different places. I've really enjoyed following the story and I just wanted to gain a small insight into how the league was being run. Your style is much more in-depth than most, something I really appreciate. 

1954 Free Agency

​Fischer and Stafford Swap Teams
Long Island Hawks, Providence Gold Stars
RB Gene Fischer has had his ups and downs with the Gold Stars over the past 5 seasons. Being injured on and off and making many costly mistakes, he was never a fan favourite. Despite his strong capabilities, it was never a good match in Providence. There were talks last offseason that the Gold Stars would move on from the Running Back, but they gave him one last shot. In the end, Virgil Gross decided the Gold Stars wanted to go in a different direction especially with their developing offensive core. Fischer would wait to hear offers, but not many teams were interested in his services. There were rumblings the Royals wanted to add him as a backup but ended up bringing Ellis Love back for that role. Long Island became the top spot for the RB to land. They have not had a very stable run game in any of the 5 seasons, Ellis Love was the closest to that. The addition of Fischer should help add just a bit of stability behind QB Lee Rogers. Johnnie Stafford decided to leave the Hawks based on how he was treated over the past year. After being taken in the second round in 1952, Stafford was the starting back for the 1952 season. However, the Hawks would trade up and draft Piere LeStrange in the first round the following season. LeStrange would start the season as the Hawks didn’t have faith in Stafford. In the end, Stafford would get the job back but he was done with that. He will be the starter in Providence and maybe a little less weight on his shoulders could help him be a better back.   

Former NYFL Players Make Their Way Into The NAAF
With several teams being shut down, many players were left without jobs in the new ACFL. The best and youngest players were gathered up by the ACFL and some teams in the Great Lakes, but there were a handful of players that made the transition to the NAAF. Many were former Long Island Raiders, and they were happy to join the Long Island Hawks. DB Amyre Rouleau was the most notable. The DB played all his professional time with the Raiders and was very against the ACFL after they were shut down so he held out until the Hawks came to Long Island. He was joined by former teammates, DB Rickey Matthews, OL Samuel Weston, and DL Rielly Cooper. Former Philadelphia DL Jessie Sellers also joined the Hawks as the team already looks to have a great improvement over the past few seasons. There were plenty of others like WR Daniel Hubbard and DL James Beck heading to the Tigers, DB Karl Shannon and OL Darek Palmer going to Providence, and DB Kenneth Barnett and LB Willie Baxter landed in Ottawa. The new talent will bring some new excitement to the league. 

[size=125]1954 Schedule
 - Two games a week will be on CBS and one will be shown on CBC. Ottawa and Long Island have the most nationally televised games.

1954 Season Preview and Power Rankings[/size]

1 - Buffalo Blue Wings
1953 Record: 6-4
1953 Result: Missed Playoffs
Despite losing their star QB Angelo Medina midway through the season, the Blue Wings were able to finish at 6-4. With the new crossover rule that would have been good enough for the playoffs. They were a completely capable team last season, and they only got better this offseason. The big addition was DL Sean Bowen. The Blue Wings now have the Superstar DL paired up with their own All-Star DL Jonathan Brown to make a scary front 4. They have plenty of youth in the defense and on the offensive line that will hopefully take another step forward, and they will have the return of QB Angelo Medina to lead the way. Medina’s health is very important and he will likely be a little more conservative this season to not risk further injury.

Player to Watch: QB Angelo Medina
Biggest Acquisition: DL Sean Bowen
Rookie to Watch: LB Lloyd Mathis

2 - Ottawa Royals
1953 Record: 7-3
1953 Result: Lost In Semi-Finals
The Royals once again look like a team ready to run over the league. Their offense is by far the best in the league. They managed to maintain WR’s Allen Atkins, Willard Brooks, and Eugene Burns for QB Jean Matieau to pass to. They also still have youngsters in RB Alexei Volkov, TE Jervonte Howell, and 1st round pick WR Chester Bennett. The defense also sees some solid improvement with DL Olaf Viktorsson entering his second year, and the addition of DB Kenneth Barnett and LB Willie Baxter from the ACFL. Expect the Royals to be much tougher to bring down this season.

Player to Watch: RB Alexei Volkov
Biggest Acquisition: WR Chester Bennett
Rookie to Watch: DB Mingan Oliver

3 - Providence Gold Stars
1953 Record: 9-1
1953 Result: Lost in McCallister Cup
Despite being the most dominant team last season, the Gold Stars don’t seem as big of a threat this season, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Woodard is only getting older and he will have to prove the MVP season was not just a one-off. RB Johnnie Stafford will hopefully help change things up a bit behind the line, but they still have some issues with the offensive line. The defense is as good as ever and they will have to rely on the defense in order to have the same success as last season. If things don’t start great, don’t be surprised to see QB Connor O’Rourke get an opportunity this season. The Gold Stars will hope that Lee Wolfe and the defense can lead them to the top like Montreal’s defense was able to do for them.

Player to Watch: QB Bruce Woodard
Biggest Acquisition: RB Johnnie Stafford
Rookie to Watch: QB Connor O’Rourke

4 - Montreal Rouge
1953 Record: 8-2
1953 Result: Won McCallister Cup
The Rouge surprised a lot of people with their run back to the top of the league last season. They still come into this season with a fairly strong team, but they lost a few players to retirement this season, specifically on the OL. The newly built O-Line will likely have some ups and downs early on. The defense may run into some issues as well, as they have many older players like DB Jean-Luc Paget and LB Quinton Brewer. LB Rusty McVee will be looked at as the new face of the defense, and we will see how he fits the role as he enters his second season. Montreal may take some steps back this season as they get older, which may make this season one of their last shots at a title before a more long-term rebuild.

Player to Watch: LB Rusty McVee
Biggest Acquisition: TE Eli Grant
Rookie to Watch: TE Eli Grant

5 - Ontario Tigers
1953 Record: 2-8
1953 Result: Missed Playoffs
Disappointment is the only word to describe the 1953 season for the Tigers. After the hype over the addition of LB Roland Hensley, the team could not deliver. New Head Coach Lewis Gallegos should give the team a new angle this season and could help get the Tigers moving in the right direction. Overall, they didn’t make any major moves this season, they added to the depth especially on the O-line, they hope they can make things happen this season and make the playoffs for the first time. With the crossover, they could sneak in if they have a strong season.

Player to Watch: QB Duane Logan
Biggest Acquisition: OL Bernard Gide
Rookie to Watch: WR David Burrows

6 - Boston Independents
1953 Record: 4-6
1953 Result: Lost in Semi-Final
The Independents had their big step back last season falling to a 4-6 record. There is a lot of belief that the team will have a similar season this year as well with QB Larry Larson getting older and the team overall having more holes on defense. The receiving core is still quite strong and they have RB Joel Bonner, but they will need to truly rebound to take another shot at another McCallister Cup.

Player to Watch: WR Ellis Lindholm
Biggest Acquisition: QB Brian Meadows
Rookie to Watch: LB Silas O’Brien

7 - Long Island Hawks
1953 Record: 2-8
1953 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Hawks look very intriguing entering their first season on Long Island. They added several players from the old Long Island Raiders and the ACFL. Plus, they managed to add some solid pieces in DL Vernon Spears and LB Elijah Goldwater from the draft and Sean Bowen trade. RB Gene Fischer will be a legit RB that should be able to give Lee Rogers some help. While they are still a long way from being a true playoff contender, with a new head coach and city, they could make waves this season.

Player to Watch: QB Lee Rogers
Biggest Acquisition: RB Gene Fischer
Rookie to Watch: DL Vernon Spears

8 - Worcester Athletics
1953 Record: 2-8
1953 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Athletics fall to the bottom of the rankings based on the fact that they didn’t make any substantial additions outside of the draft. DB Alexander Bradley is a generational talent, but he won’t turn the team around alone. LB Scotty Williams and S Shawn Jensen are still great, but the reality is the lack of depth may come to bite them. However, the Athletics still have improved and should be a more competitive team this season. Their new head coach, Emil Riddle, is very experienced so hopefully, he will bring the Athletics up a notch. WR Clyde McIntosh and WR Christian Venegas should stand out this season especially with QB Riley Kiernan entering his third season.

Player to Watch: LB Scotty Williams
Biggest Acquisition: DB Alexander Bradley
Rookie to Watch: DB Alexander Bradley

Anyone have any predictions for this season? Who's going to the Cup? Who takes it home?

Last edited by Wallflower (6/16/2020 9:22 pm)

I could see this season be the year Ottawa final gets to the big game. The offense is perhaps the best in the NAAF & a improved defense. Also just a side note/question are O’Rourke and Burrows considered rookies because they didn’t play in any games last year? I just was confused because if I remember correctly they were drafted last year. Anyway I’m excited for the upcoming season and hopefully another great year for my Goldstars!