{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Sydney was a disappointment in Year I: one of the best RBs and RB tandems in the league, an all-pro WR, solid QB play, and essentially a .500 team? Some of the blame certainly falls on the defense, especially the secondary, but there also was a lack of depth behind Wilbert Montgomery and Harold Carmichael (with apologies to Larry Csonka, Darren Sproles, and Jeremy Maclin, all of whom were solid contributors on the season). It’s not clear much changes in Year II: the offseason changes feel more like rearranging the deck chairs than anything else, and unless the secondary performs far above expectations or Dan Marino puts together an MVP quality season, it could be another long season down under.
Key Additions: DL Keith Traylor {4} from TOK; DB Melvin White {3} from AMS.
Key Departures: OL Branden Albert {5}, LB Koa Misi {2}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Dan Marino: 3422 yards, 24 TDs.
Rushing: Wilbert Montgomery: 1662 yards, 11 TDs.
Receiving: Harold Carmichael: 95 receptions, 1571 yards; Jeremy Maclin, 11 TDs.
Blocking: Dwight Stephenson: 29 big holes.
Pressuring: Vinny Curry: 6 sacks; Reggie White: 8 hurries.
Tackling: Zach Taylor: 103 tackles; Jason Taylor: 15 stuffs.
Defending: Reshad Jones & Brandon Boykin: 3 interceptions; Cortland Finnegan: 9 deflections.
AV: H. Carmichael {16}, W. Montgomery {14}, R. White {12}, D. Stephenson {12}, D. Marino {11}, Evan Mathis {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: None.
All-Pro’s: Harold Carmichael, Wilbert Montgomery, Darren Sproles, Dwight Stephenson, Reggie White.
Offensive Player of the Week: Dan Marino.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Darren Sproles.
#QB
Dan Marino was rarely spectacular, but he was certainly good enough to retain his starting position. Donovan McNabb and Tommy Thompson return as backups, with Ryan Tannehill {2}–who saw the most snaps as Marino’s backup in Year I–being let go.
#RB / WR / TE
The Great White started Year I anticipating that LeSean McCoy would be their starting RB. McCoy was hurt in their first game, Wilbert Montgomery took over and never looked back. Montgomery was one of the best backs in the WFL, and returns this year as the clear starter. Larry Csonka {4} was a great alternative to Montgomery, using his bruising style to great effect and Darren Sproles {4} was highly impactful in the scatback/return man role. Both return, as does McCoy, still looking to gain a foothold in the league.
Harold Carmichael led the way at WR, but Jeremy Maclin {8} (61 catches, 927 yards, 11 TDs) was perhaps even more of a pleasant surprise. Dwight Clark {2} came on strong after joining the team midseason, and starts Year II as the 3rd receiving option with Brian Hartline {2} and Jason Avant providing support. Zach Ertz {3} beat out Brent Celek {2} during preseason for the starting TE job.
#OL
All 5 starters return for Sydney: Dwight Stephenson flanked by Evan Mathis and Larry Little {3} with Lane Johnson {9} and Bob Brown {6} at T. Todd Herremans {5} and newcomers Tra Thomas and Weston Richburg {2} provide depth.
#DL
Some positional shuffles leave Vinny Curry {6} on the bench, despite a great season in Year I: Reggie White and Jason Taylor {9} will start at DE with Randy Starks {6} and newcomer Keith Traylor {4} in the middle.Deandre Coleman will be the second reserve off the bench after Curry.
#LB
Chuck Bednarik and Connor Barwin {8} flank Zach Thomas {8} at LB, with Cameron Wake {2} and Mychal Kendricks {1} adding some depth.
#DB
Only one player in the secondary walked into preseason with their job secured: S Reshad Jones {4}. But there were no true surprises: Eric Allen {1} and Troy Vincent {1} claimed the starting CB roles and Malcolm Jenkins {3} will start next to Jones at S. Look for Louis Delmas {2} and Nate Allen {2} to lead the force off the bench, with offseason pickup Melvin White having a pretty disappointing preseason.
#ST
Cody Parkey {2} returns as a PK, and Matt Darr is the new punter for the Great White. Sproles, of course, returns as the primary return man.