{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
With only 2 regular season losses in Year II, the Emperors look well-stocked to repeat a strong run into the playoffs. The offense was virtually unstoppable, led by WFL MVP Philip Rivers, and featuring a wealth of top end talent, from LaDainian Tomlinson in the backfield to Ron Mix on the line to John Jefferson and Kellen Winslow as receivers. If the team had a weakness, it was the defense, where injuries exposed a lack of depth: The team hopes that a variety of offseason acquisitions–most notably LBs C.J. Mosley and Ted Hendricks–address that issue. Better luck with injuries would help as well. Regardless, the Southish Division should once again be settled somewhere between Tokyo and Addis Ababa.
Key Additions: LB C.J. Mosley {4} from IST; OL Austin Howard {2} from AAA.
Key Departures: OL Stefan Wisniewski {4}, OL Gabe Jackson {4}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Philip Rivers: 5297 yards, 52 TDs.
Rushing: LaDainian Tomlinson: 1224 yards, 19 TDs.
Receiving: John Jefferson: 87 receptions, 1677 yards, 19 TDs.
Blocking: Ron Mix: 29 big holes.
Pressuring: Howie Long & Louie Kelcher: 7 sacks; H. Long: 21 hurries.
Tackling: Khalil Mack: 99 tackles; Junior Seau; 8 stuffs.
Defending: Brandon Flowers & Dick Harris: 2 interceptions; Tarell Brown: 14 deflections.
AV: P. Rivers {22}, J, Jefferson {21}, R. Mix {14}, J. Seau {13}, H. Long {13}, Lance Alworth {12}, Marcus McNeill {12}, L. Tomlinson {11}, Kellen Winslow {11}, Gary Johnson {11}, K. Mack {11}, Wes Chandler {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: John Jefferson, Ron Mix, Philip Rivers, Junior Seau.
All-Pro’s: Tim Brown, Howie Long, Khalil Mack, LaDainian Tomlinson, Kellen Winslow.
Offensive Player of the Week: John Jefferson (x2), Philip Rivers (x2).
Special Teams Player of the Week: Mat McBriar.
#QB
The MVP is back: Philip Rivers had a great Year I for Addis Ababa, and leads them into Year II with the weight of high expectations on his shoulders. Dan Fouts {1} was excellent in a few cameos, and waits in the wings should Rivers get injured. Ken Stabler was added in the offseason as the 3rd QB on the team.
#RB / WR / TE
LaDainian Tomlinson was excellent, but could actually be better: he gained over 1600 yards from scrimmage and scored a whopping 22 TDs (19 rushing), but only managed 4.2 yards/carry. That opens the door for one of the reserves–Marcel Reese {2}, Danny Woodhead {1}, or Napolean Kaufman–to step up and claim some more playing time.
This is probably the best group of WRs in the league, led by the electrifying performance in Year I of John Jefferson (19 TDs, over 19 yards/catch). Behind him, Lance Alworth and Wes Chandler combined for 100 receptions and over 2000 yards and TE Kellen Winslow added 65 catches for just under 1000 yards. Those 4 players accumulated a massive 54 points of AV for the team. Add another 500 yards from Charlie Joiner {5}–remember, he was effectively their 5th receiver–and you get a sense of the depth here.
In Year II, look for TE Antonio Gates {1} to see more time on the field in 2 TE sets, and for Tim Brown {1} to see more time at WR. Vincent Jackson, impressive in preseason, looks unlikely to see much time, barring a significant injury crisis for the Emperors.
#OL
The OL remains strong enough, with stalwart Ron Mix at one T and Marcus McNeill at the other. Doug Wilkerson {9} and Louis Vasquez will start at G, with the Emperors hoping that Jim Otto can solidify the C position. Austin Howard {2} returns after being selected by the same team that released him in the offseason drafts, and Stew Barber {2} and Joe Cocozzo will provide depth as well.
#DL
The front 4 remain strong, with Howie Long and Leslie O’Neal {7} on the ends and Big Hands Johnson and Louie Kelcher {8} in the middle. Mario Edwards, Jr. and Ernie Ladd will be the primary reserves, although Jamal Williams had a very solid preseason, and will see some time at DT.
#LB
Junior Seau anchors the defense at ILB, with Khalil Mack on one side and newcomer Ted Hendricks on the other. Offseason pickup C.J. Mosley {4} will backup Seau, moving Manti Te’o {2} further down the depth chart. OLB is a little thin, with only Gerald Irons in reserve, although Seau can slide outside if needs be.
#DB
The secondary was a bit patchwork in Year I. Year II starts with a solid plan: Carlos Rogers {1} and Charles Woodson start at CB, with Dick Harris {4} and Eric Weddle {7) at S. Woodson missed most of Year I through injury, should he struggle once again, Brandon Flowers {6} is again in line to be his deputy with Tyvon Branch {4} also available in nickle/dime situations.
#ST
Both Mat McBriar {2} (P) and Sebastian Janikowski {2} (PK) return. Brown returns to handle punt returns, but Woodhead and Kaufman will divide the KO return duties.