{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats labeled as appropriate.}
Every year, Cape Town looks like they have enough talent on both sides of the ball to compete, and then they fall short.
Key Additions: Brian Cushing from DUB; Antonio Gates from AAA; Patrick Willis from SFO.
Key Departures: Teddy Bridgewater {5}; Joey Browner {5, to SFO}; Karlos Dansby {6, to AAA}; E.J. Junior {6, to BEI}; Jared Veldheer {4, to BOS}.
Rookies To Watch: Matt Blair, Karl Kassulke, Lawrence Timmons.
QB
Fran Tarkenton {9} has grabbed the starting QB role at Cape Town for the foreseeable future. He’ll be backed up by newcomers Tarvaris Jackson and Christian Ponder.
RB / WR / TE
Adrian Peterson {14} stepped into the elite category in Year II, and a repeat performance is expected in Year III. Ben Tate {1} returns as a capable backup.
The receiving corps looks deep, with Randy Moss {10}, Cris Carter {5}, and Larry Fitzgerald {10} all returning, and the Makana will welcome promising TE Antonio Gates {1} from Addis Ababa.
OL
The offensive line remains largely intact, with Grady Alderman {7} and Gary Zimmerman {5} at T, Randall McDaniel {10} and Steve Hutchinson {12} at G, and John Sullivan {7} at C.
DL
The Makana will line up in a 3-4 most games, with a front line of Calais Campbell {13} and part-time Curler Jared Allen {13} flanking Alan Page {9}.
LB
The linebackers have had a near total turnover, with Cape Town now trusting the outside to Matt Blair and Brian Cushing, with Patrick Willis {1} and Lawrence Timmons on the inside. With both Blair and Timmons rookies, it is likely that holdover Chad Greenway {3} gets significant time as well.
DB
In contrast to the LBs, the secondary welcomes back 3 starters, with Aeneas Williams {6} and Patrick Peterson {3} at CB and Paul Krause {1} at S, where he’ll be joined by rookie Karl Kassulke. The problem is that all 3 returnees played worse in Year II than they did in Year I.
ST
Fuad Reveiz {1} is back to kick, and once again Chuck Latourette {6} will divide his time between backing up in the secondary, punting, and being the primary return man (Leon Washington will help on kickoffs and Patrick Peterson on punts).
