FREE AGENCY'S BIGGEST STORYLINES
- Cameron Irvine
- Oct 26, 2014
- 3 min read
SAN ANTONIO - Not that long ago, Kevin Walker won a championship with Orlando. Owner Kyle Walsh decided he didn't want to extend Walker at a major price tag of $4.2 million per season, but his decision could cost him in a bigger way. With three other teams looking for a quarterback (Honolulu, Oklahoma City, San Francisco), expect the money to start flying in Walker's direction. This storyline and more headline free agency, which begins Monday with the first proposal period from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. CT.
Here are some other major storylines heading into the biggest stage of the SFL off-season.
What will become of Euhyuk, Henderson?
San Francisco proved this last season that pressure at the line of scrimmage can make a difference in this league. So where will arguably the best two defensive lineman in league history end up this off-season? Six teams do not have a star defensive lineman under contract. The most likely destinations for at least one of these players would be Honolulu, but Minneapolis and Baltimore could also make a play to get involved in the defensive line business.
Two storied linebackers available
Jeb Gatlin and Gage Wilson are veterans of the SFL and find themselves in free agency for the first time. Minneapolis has expressed wanting to get Gatlin back with his brother, but New York could also get into the mix - Jeb formerly player for owner Erik Barkley. Keep an eye on Cleveland possibly bringing in a mentor for Cameron Brantley who was signed to a new deal this off-season.
Needing help at corner
The cornerback market is weak this off-season, with Koma Keleka listed as the highest-rated player (1.2 market value). Problem is, Cleveland and Orlando don't have a single cornerback on their roster. Honolulu stabbed a corner with their rookie pick in the draft, so now these three teams will have to plug holes. This problem could make safety Eddie Gauge that much more valuable to team's around the league, possibly changing positions to fill need. You get the sense all Baltimore wants to do is bring back their nucleus that would have won a title if it wasn't for San Francisco getting in their way, so this situation could make Baltimore have to work that much harder to bring Gauge back.
Taking a chance on Jun?
The only star kicker in the league, Franklin Reese, hasn't missed a field goal or an extra point in two seasons. With Jun Kazunari sitting in free agency, will any team take a chance on a kicker this off-season? Cleveland, New York and Oklahoma City are the most likely to take that chance.
Quarterback Carousel
Kevin Walker isn't the only star who could find a new team this off-season. Question is, where will Thomas Ranklins, Ohno Matsumoto and Jasper Hart land? One will likely not get a contract this off-season - they've all had less-than-stellar SFL careers. Cleveland doesn't want Ranklins back, Matsumoto could return to Honolulu and Hart is not wanted in OKC. Refeather back in San Francisco with a compitent running back is very intriguing.
The end of Crazy Train?
David Badha will either be re-signed by Minneapolis or go without a team heading into next season. He's a lethal player, could he become a receiver? We expect he'll be the Mauler running back, but with offensive genius Thomas Paterniti at the helm, you never know.
Payday for Aiba
Yuya Aiba is clearly the top receiver in free agency this off-season. Honolulu, Minneapolis, New York, Oklahoma City and San Francisco are looking for weapons. Who is willing to shell out the big bucks for Yiba, who's had three straight 900-yard receiving seasons. Some big receivers who have never been looked at to carry the load (Donald Miller and Cesar Cannon) could also become high-valued targets.
Follow alone with the free agency period on the SFL website by clicking the "Winter 15" tab on the sites main menu. The league will have daily news updates about the developing storylines across the league.
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