{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats labeled as appropriate.}
Rome has struggled to make an impact on the league, and once again go into a season with more questions than answers, most notably–still–at QB.
Key Additions: Josh Gordon from RIO, Malcolm Jenkins from SYD.
Key Departures: Mike Adams {5, to CTO}; Dwayne Allen {7, to NYG}; Jason Belser {7, to BEI}; A.J. Green {7, to LOM}, Andrew Luck {5 , to AMS}; Peyton Manning {5, to BEI}.
Rookies To Watch: Boomer Esiason, Jerry Logan, Quenton Nelson.
QB
Having given up on both Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, the Empire turn to rookie Boomer Esiason at QB, with Matt Ryan {2} coming in from Berlin as the primary backup. Blake Bortles rounds out the trio.
RB / WR / TE
Edgerrin James {15} had a solid Year II, and he’ll return with Donald Brown the first RB off the bench. While they’ve struggled to reach the “next level,” Marvin Harrison {8} and Reggie Wayne {8} are back at WR, with Josh Gordon {3} beating out Carl Pickens in preseason for the #3 slot. Clark Harris {1} and Will Johnson split the blocking and TE duties.
OL
Rookie G Quenton Nelson joins a fairly established group, joining Ts Anthony Munoz {10} and Andrew Whitworth {5}, along with G Max Montoya {2} and C Ray Donaldson {7}.
DL
Preseason saw Rome shift to a 3-4 with Dwight Freeney {15} and Cory Redding on the ends and Domata Peko {8} in the middle. There’s some talent here, with Carlos Dunlap {13} and Geno Atkins {5} both pushing for playing time as well.
LB
D’Qwell Jackson {9} and Jim LeClair anchor the middle, with Vontaze Burfict {10} and Don Shinnick on the edge. It was Jackson’s shift to ILB that drove the overall change in the defense, and there are questions as to whether it will work out over the long haul.
DB
Ken Riley {8} and Bobby Boyd are the CBs, with 2 new Ss in rookie Jerry Logan and WFL veteran Malcolm Jenkins {4}. ST contributors Larry Anderson {8} and Bert Rechichar {2} will add depth here again as well.
ST
Mike Nugent {1} and Pat McAfee {1} are back to handle the K and P duties. Pickens will take over on punts, with Anderson behind him and handling the bulk of the KO returns.
