Anchorage 2023: A New Chapter Begins

[kingfc22]

13 years, 143-73 record, 1 OSFL MVP, 2 Rings, & 2 Stevens Cup MVP's. This is what Jay Nori brought to Anchorage the past 13 years and now the franchise must move on. A serious ankle injury ended Nori's season last year and GM David Gonzalez decided it was time to move on. "Our trainers and coaching staff were not satisfied during Jay's private offseason workouts that he was make to his All-Pro form. It was the smart move to get value while we could".

Nori was traded to division rival, the Kalispel Stags, for a 2nd and 6th round pick. QB Desmond Kaplan was signed as a FA as a temporary stop gap to replace Nori while the scouts and coaches attended the annual combine.

[kingfc22]

1.2 - RB Paul Becker (46/72 --> 49/72) - 5'10", 203 lbs. With Covington going number we had to decide between Becker, Sam Fisher (LA) and Steven Beleford (PH). Becker was the fastest player in the draft and combine that with his solid receiving ability out of the backfield we plan to see him lead the league in all purpose yards for years to come.

2.1 - OLB J.T. Sims (42/66 -->47/65) - 6'4", 249 lbs. Tucker and Caldwell have held down the outside linebacker spots in Anchorage for the past 8 and 7 years respectively, but that will likely change with the addition of Sims. J.T. will likely see time at all three LB spots in our 4-3 scheme and will likely start before seasons end.

2.19 - CB Gino Fewell (28/33 -->35/42) - 6'1", 192 lbs. With the pick we received for Nori, we added depth to our crop of DB's with the hope of Fewell developing into a starter in a year or two.

3.3 - WR Phil Homer (20/36 -->23/37) - 5'11", 186 lbs. We see Homer as a home run threat, no pun intended. Most likely a 4th or 5th WR on the squad.

3.14 - DT Doug Poliska (32/64 -->37/63) - 6'3", 309 lbs. We traded our 2nd next year for 3.14 and 3.19, plus a 5th next year. Poliska was our number one target after Homer in the 3rd round and we felt he was better than what would be around in the 2nd round next year. Doug is a true run-stopping DT who also can get after the QB. Doug may challenge for a starting spot following TC.

3.19 - QB Moe Spencer (17/48 -->22/49) - 5'10", 206 lbs. Moe was our coaching staffs number one choice at QB in this draft behind Covington. Again, we felt that he would not be around when our 4th round pick came around so the deal described above filled a dual purpose. Will he step into the big shoes left by Nori? Only time will tell...

4.2 - G Chris Whittington (21/49 -->25/46) - 6'4", 313 lbs. Chris will likely see time as a backup this season and we hope he develops into a solid run blocker for Becker.

5.1 - OLB Lenny Pierce (15/19 -->18/21) - 6'0", 233 lbs. We think Lenny will surprise people during camp, but he will need to perform well to make the final cut down to 53.

6.3 - WR J.C. Dole (11/17 -->13/19) - 6'1", 208 lbs. J.C. is just as fast as Homer and he also has a bigger build. Hopefully he translate those physical gifts onto the football field.

6.19 - S Charles Lofton (24/51 -->28/48) - 6'0", 209 lbs. A potential steal late in the draft. Lofton will look to make the team as either a FS or SS.

7.2 - TE Jon Lavorin (21/41 -->23/37) - 6'1", 243 lbs. Subby Franklin is entrenched as the starting TE, but we need a number two guy. We hope Jon is that guy.

UFA's: K George Caleca (21/56 -->20/49), QB Rusty Devine (14/58 -->17/50)

[Guest]

Interesting to see how Pierce turns out. Nice combines but those bars were ugly.

[Aston]

Pierce could really surprise. The other one I'm interested in seeing is that 6/9 DT that Matt got, also good combines.

This looks like a really good draft. Homer was one of my top choices for a second WR, I think...and Fewell, he is good.

[kingfc22]

Easily one of our best drafts in years and it could not come at a better time.

[Guest]

I am really not pleased with this draft. At.all.