White once again making all the right moves
AFL Hall of Famer Danny White is making as the right moves as Utah head coach and GM.
Utah Blaze
After only one year in operation the Utah Blaze was awarded the 2006 Commissioner's Award, given to the AFL's organization of the year and also the Best Support Staff Award. After an inaugural 7-9 season that resulted in a playoff appearance, there is a lot of optimism within the Blaze and the community.
Coaches/Front Office
Arena League Hall of Fame head coach Danny White has the job of building this franchise and he oversees personnel as well as general manager. White's background in college and the NFL as a player is well documented, but his brilliance as an offensive playcaller in the AFL is legendary. He also added ex-Las Vegas head coach Ron James to his staff in the offseason to rebuild both lines and they should form a formidable coaching/personnel duo.
Key Players
QB Joe Germaine is a guy who White can build around. Coming off a season in which he passed for 2,330 yards, 41 TDs, just five interceptions and a 123.7 QB rating, he must stay healthy. He can make every throw and is really learning how to make the transformation from the NFL to the AFL. WR Siaha Burley is a scoring machine, posting 44 TDs and 1,934 in 2006. He is also a great kickoff return specialist. He catches everything in sight (136 receptions a year ago), his rapport with Germaine will only get better and Danny White knows what he can do from his days as an Arizona Rattler. WR/LB Aaron Boone is a free agent pickup from Kansas City and is expected to take some pressure (and rolled coverage) away from Burley. He posted 66 catches for 748 yards and 19 TDs in only nine games in 2006 and his outstanding size makes him an excellent red zone threat. His scoring should go up dramatically in 2007. FB/LB Frank Carter is a former All AFL two-way player and the ultimate hard-nosed guy who has bounced around the league. He played for James at Las Vegas and will add toughness to this roster. WR Orshwante Bryant recorded 1,039 yards and 11 TDs in 2006 and also tallied 58 tackles on defense. He played for White in Arizona and knows this offense. OL Hans Olsen is a young guy from BYU who knows how to pass protect, a huge plus for this offense. He has excellent size and feet and should be the anchor on an improved Blaze offensive line.
Other Key Players
Linemen Bruce Blue, Chris Janek and Steve Konopka are talented free agents and James will have to get them up to speed in a hurry while trying to develop some type of cohesiveness. DB Kevin Moffett is young and talented and still learning. But expect more from him this season. DB Brandon Everage is only a rookie, but the coaches really like his upside.
Player To Watch
DB Clarence Lawson played for White at Arizona and has eight years of experience in the AFL. He recorded 55.5 tackles and had three TDs for the Rattlers in 2006. He is expected to solidify a talented, but young secondary.
Outlook
After their success in 2006, expectations are for the Blaze to be even better in 2007. White continues to turn over his roster, trying to find the right guys who know his system and it's not surprising that he has a lot of players with Arizona Rattler ties. Germaine must remain healthy (and upright) and both lines must improve, along with a young secondary, to ensure improvement in 2007. This offense will move the ball and score points, but how quickly this roster gels and develops chemistry will determine how far the Blaze go.
Scouts, Inc., watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
