{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Injuries decimated Cape Town in Year I, most specifically to Adrian Peterson in week 2 and then Larry Fitzgerald and Teddy Bridgewater halfway through the year, then Calais Campbell towards the end. And that’s ignoring the rotating door at PK. Bridgewater’s injury opened the door for Fran Tarkenton, who promptly tripped over the doorframe, going a remarkable 0-7 as the starter. Bridgewater did less in terms of pure QB stats, but he won more games then he lost. Peterson’s replacement, Andre Ellington, did well but he’s no AP. The defense was decent, but also needs to improve. Health + improve defense = playoff contention in Cape Town.
Key Additions: OL Branden Albert {5} from SYD; DL Michael Johnson {3} from BEI.
Key Departures: DL Brian Robison {4}, RB Rhett Ellison {2}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Fran Tarkenton: 2161 yards, 13 TDs.
Rushing: Andre Ellington: 757 yards, 5 TDs.
Receiving: Randy Moss: 99 receptions, 1293 yards, 8 TDs.
Blocking: Randall McDaniel: 27 big holes.
Pressuring: 4 players: 3 sacks; Jared Allen: 16 hurries.
Tackling: Dale Meinert: 75 tackles, 12 stuffs.
Defending: Aeneas Williams & Paul Krause: 4 interceptions; A. Williams: 11 deflections.
AV: R. McDaniel {11}, Chad Greenway {11}, J. Allen {11}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: none.
All-Pro’s: Chad Greenway, Paul Krause.
Defensive Player of the Week: Sharrif Floyd.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Chandler Catanzaro.
#QB
Teddy Bridgewater {5} spent most of Year I (when he was healthy) on the borderline of being benched. But, he made few enough mistakes, and won often enough, not only to preserve his job, but to enter Year II as the starter. That said, Fran Tarkenton {6} is clearly the better talent: but he made far too many mistakes, was the primary QB during the horrid 0-7 streak in the middle of the season, and only managed a QBR of 76.2. (Bridgewater finished at 86.9.) Paul Christman takes over the clipboard.
#RB / WR / TE
Makana fans loved Andre Ellington {4}, who stepped in when Adrian Peterson {3} went down injured. And it was well enough deserved: a couple 100 yard games, a 4.7 yards per carry average and a few passes out of the backfield. But Peterson, in 3 full games, gained 141, 185, and 227 yards, averaging over 6 yards per carry. AP returns as the starter with Ellington and the surprising Ben Tate {1} as his primary backups. John David Crow showed enough in preseason to overcome his very poor showing in Year I and make the roster as a reserve.
Larry Fitzgerald {6} was on pace to lead the league in receptions when he got injured. Once he went down, the burden fell on Randy Moss {6}, who was quite good, but clearly missed having another threat with him. Greg Jennings {2} and Cris Carter {1} return in supporting roles, as do Michael Floyd {1} and Cordarrell Patterson {1}. If someone from that group steps up, this is a very talented corps of WRs.
Kyle Rudolph returns as the starting TE.
#OL
The OL returns intact: Ts Grady Alderman {9} and Jared Veldheer {8}, Gs Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson {5}, and C John Sullivan {7}. Ted Larsen {2} and newcomer Branden Albert {5} provide some depth.
#DL
It is difficult to say if Calais Campbell {7} or Sharrif Floyd {7} had a better year at DT for Cape Town, but Campbell struggled to stay healthy, so that probably gives the nod to Floyd. Both return (although Campbell has moved outside), joined by Jared Allen and Alan Page {9} to form a fearsome front 4. Offseason pickups Michael Johnson {3} and Ray McDonald {2} will provide depth.
#LB
Chad Greenway and E.J. Junior flank Dale Meinert {5} at LB, with Alex Okafor and Karlos Dansby {2} both expected to make significant contributions.
#DB
The Makana secondary could be quite strong if they stay healthy, with Aeneas Williams {8} and Patrick Peterson {5} holding down the corners and Paul Krause {8} and Tyrann Mathieu at S. Jimmy Hill and Joey Browner {3} will be the primary backups.
#ST
Injury forced Cape Town to cycle through Chandler Catanzaro {1}, Jim Bakken, and Fuad Reveiz {1} at PK. Reveiz did enough to retain the job, and Chuck Latourette takes over at P. LaTourette will also contribute on KO returns (!), along with Patterson, while Peterson will help out on punts.