Although the Launch have won 38 games in the four seasons they've been a franchise and haven’t missed the playoffs in any of them, there’s a feeling of unfinished business around New York.
The Launch unexpectedly rose to one of the possible challengers for the BBB16 crown last year following its scintillating 13-3 year in Season 3 and then floated back to earth with a five-game losing streak and a 38-0 opening round loss to Columbus to close out with a mega-clunk. Head coach Trendon Lynch, never at a loss for intensity, is determined to get his team back into the discussion.
While New York showed signs of growing pains in Season 4, it remains a program on the rise and has everything in place to become one of GLB's biggest players. With each passing year, the talent level increases and the regional exposure and attention continues to come. This season, the Launch have as many intriguing matchups as any BBB team, testament to their growth as a league darling. The extra attention works wonders for recruiting and ticket sales, but the days of sneaking up on opponents are long gone.
For a change, the New York offense enters a season with fewer question marks than the defense, and now it has to be more consistent. Oft-criticized QB Christian Alexander is back as the offensive leader, while the skill positions welcome back the top three running backs and top six pass-catchers. After averaging nearly 30 points a game, the Launch have the ingredients to be even more prolific.
New York must prove it can handle lofty expectations because it shows no signs of going away. The now-elderly franchise with the vast upside is looking to add another brick in its foundation by playing in another playoff game, preferably well into November. Lynch won’t settle for anything less.
What to watch for on offense: Tank Xerion (1,414 yds/5.8 ypc) has led the Launch in rushing the last two years. However, this is the first season he will have help for a full 16-game tilt. Backups Milan Jackson (780/5.1) and MeSo Smooth (476/5.2) will offer much-needed help on the ground. FB Greg Meaney was signed after spending his entire career with Eastern Europe Pro League's Amsterdam Hallucinations. He brings the poise and experience needed to assist Xerion and Co continue to punish opponents on the ground. The passing game welcomes back a talented receiving corps that includes Fontaine Bojangles, Dave Lint, Grandfather Catch who - along with Alexi Hojtalainen, Shawn Daughtery and Dash Lightning - went wild down the stretch last season as the Launch were forced to turn to the skies. Their QB, Alexander, however, needs to help himself by improving his reads and cutting back on a bloated interception total.
What to watch for on defense: Although the departures of DE Blowby Yagain (free agent), corner Nitro Jenkins (retired) and MLB Danny Correll (retired) have the defense in transition, the unit has enough returning talent to land on its feet. Of course, it helps that powerhouse DE Killer Kilpatrick will be back to torment quarterbacks coming off the edge. Regardless of the names on the jersey, the Launch will be fast, well-coached, and prone to creating turnovers, something that eluded them last season. Losing the cover skills of Jenkins and tackling ability of Correll, however, will stifle the defense’s ability to turn the safeties loose on blitzes.
The team will be far better if… the defense maintains a high level of performance. While the offense continues making progress, it’s the D that drives the Launch’s success. When the team allowed 30 or more points a season ago, it went 0-3, proof that the franchise wasn’t constructed to compete in shootouts. New York needs players, such as LB Josh Richter, SS Trendon Lecavalier, and DT Motor Boat, to evolve into bona fide BBB stars that can attract some attention away from the ever-evolving Kilpatrick.
Best offensive player: HB Tank Xerion. After bursting on the scene in Season 2 with a ludicrous display of ability, Xerion has become the uncontested face of the Launch. A modern-day Eric Dickerson, he’s an emotional leader that can play both inside and outside the tackles. Xerion’s is complemented well by the battering ram in Jackson, but it is he who helps Milan more than the other way around.
Best defensive player: CB Brick Schmithouse. Schmithouse opened eyes in his first full season in Season 2. The following season, he made them bulge. One of the most dominating corners in the country, he led a dominating trio of corners as the Launch shut down passing game after passing game. Last season saw a sharp decline in his production. He’s such a disruptive force, everyone on the defense benefits from his presence and after some team re-evaluation, expect Brick to go back to terrorizing offenses.
Key players to a successful season: SS Trendon Lecavalier and DT Motor Boat. There’s no simple way to replace losses like Jenkins and Correll, a pair of terrors who helped New York form one of the best defenses in BBB before last season. That's where Lecavalier comes in. A two-time Pro Bowler in Canadian AAA, he was brought in to solidify the middle of the field. While he had a good Season 4, it wasn't as spectacular as it should have been. New York gave up yards and yards and yards a year ago and he wasn't as active as he should have been. Likewise, Boat needs to work with the seven behind him and dominate the interior line, drawing enough double-teams to free up a thin linebacking corps and Kilpatrick.
The season will be a success if ... New York plays more than one playoff game. Although it doesn’t necessarily have to be a title game, the Launch are good enough to finish in the top four of BBB, and contend for a spot in the title. After starting so fast as a franchise, New York faded, needing a miracle to even reach the playoffs last season. This year’s objective is to avoid the peaks and valleys, while remaining in the league title hunt late in November.
Key game: October 4th v. Naperville. New York has reached a point in its evolution (and re-evolution) where it can legitimately dream about a playoff run and a BBB16 title. To get there, however, the Launch will have to go through league favorite Naperville. They split with Naperville in Season 2 and 3 before receiving a woodshed beating at The cave last year. Intimidation can not be a factor or it will happen again.
The Launch unexpectedly rose to one of the possible challengers for the BBB16 crown last year following its scintillating 13-3 year in Season 3 and then floated back to earth with a five-game losing streak and a 38-0 opening round loss to Columbus to close out with a mega-clunk. Head coach Trendon Lynch, never at a loss for intensity, is determined to get his team back into the discussion.
While New York showed signs of growing pains in Season 4, it remains a program on the rise and has everything in place to become one of GLB's biggest players. With each passing year, the talent level increases and the regional exposure and attention continues to come. This season, the Launch have as many intriguing matchups as any BBB team, testament to their growth as a league darling. The extra attention works wonders for recruiting and ticket sales, but the days of sneaking up on opponents are long gone.
For a change, the New York offense enters a season with fewer question marks than the defense, and now it has to be more consistent. Oft-criticized QB Christian Alexander is back as the offensive leader, while the skill positions welcome back the top three running backs and top six pass-catchers. After averaging nearly 30 points a game, the Launch have the ingredients to be even more prolific.
New York must prove it can handle lofty expectations because it shows no signs of going away. The now-elderly franchise with the vast upside is looking to add another brick in its foundation by playing in another playoff game, preferably well into November. Lynch won’t settle for anything less.
What to watch for on offense: Tank Xerion (1,414 yds/5.8 ypc) has led the Launch in rushing the last two years. However, this is the first season he will have help for a full 16-game tilt. Backups Milan Jackson (780/5.1) and MeSo Smooth (476/5.2) will offer much-needed help on the ground. FB Greg Meaney was signed after spending his entire career with Eastern Europe Pro League's Amsterdam Hallucinations. He brings the poise and experience needed to assist Xerion and Co continue to punish opponents on the ground. The passing game welcomes back a talented receiving corps that includes Fontaine Bojangles, Dave Lint, Grandfather Catch who - along with Alexi Hojtalainen, Shawn Daughtery and Dash Lightning - went wild down the stretch last season as the Launch were forced to turn to the skies. Their QB, Alexander, however, needs to help himself by improving his reads and cutting back on a bloated interception total.
What to watch for on defense: Although the departures of DE Blowby Yagain (free agent), corner Nitro Jenkins (retired) and MLB Danny Correll (retired) have the defense in transition, the unit has enough returning talent to land on its feet. Of course, it helps that powerhouse DE Killer Kilpatrick will be back to torment quarterbacks coming off the edge. Regardless of the names on the jersey, the Launch will be fast, well-coached, and prone to creating turnovers, something that eluded them last season. Losing the cover skills of Jenkins and tackling ability of Correll, however, will stifle the defense’s ability to turn the safeties loose on blitzes.
The team will be far better if… the defense maintains a high level of performance. While the offense continues making progress, it’s the D that drives the Launch’s success. When the team allowed 30 or more points a season ago, it went 0-3, proof that the franchise wasn’t constructed to compete in shootouts. New York needs players, such as LB Josh Richter, SS Trendon Lecavalier, and DT Motor Boat, to evolve into bona fide BBB stars that can attract some attention away from the ever-evolving Kilpatrick.
Best offensive player: HB Tank Xerion. After bursting on the scene in Season 2 with a ludicrous display of ability, Xerion has become the uncontested face of the Launch. A modern-day Eric Dickerson, he’s an emotional leader that can play both inside and outside the tackles. Xerion’s is complemented well by the battering ram in Jackson, but it is he who helps Milan more than the other way around.
Best defensive player: CB Brick Schmithouse. Schmithouse opened eyes in his first full season in Season 2. The following season, he made them bulge. One of the most dominating corners in the country, he led a dominating trio of corners as the Launch shut down passing game after passing game. Last season saw a sharp decline in his production. He’s such a disruptive force, everyone on the defense benefits from his presence and after some team re-evaluation, expect Brick to go back to terrorizing offenses.
Key players to a successful season: SS Trendon Lecavalier and DT Motor Boat. There’s no simple way to replace losses like Jenkins and Correll, a pair of terrors who helped New York form one of the best defenses in BBB before last season. That's where Lecavalier comes in. A two-time Pro Bowler in Canadian AAA, he was brought in to solidify the middle of the field. While he had a good Season 4, it wasn't as spectacular as it should have been. New York gave up yards and yards and yards a year ago and he wasn't as active as he should have been. Likewise, Boat needs to work with the seven behind him and dominate the interior line, drawing enough double-teams to free up a thin linebacking corps and Kilpatrick.
The season will be a success if ... New York plays more than one playoff game. Although it doesn’t necessarily have to be a title game, the Launch are good enough to finish in the top four of BBB, and contend for a spot in the title. After starting so fast as a franchise, New York faded, needing a miracle to even reach the playoffs last season. This year’s objective is to avoid the peaks and valleys, while remaining in the league title hunt late in November.
Key game: October 4th v. Naperville. New York has reached a point in its evolution (and re-evolution) where it can legitimately dream about a playoff run and a BBB16 title. To get there, however, the Launch will have to go through league favorite Naperville. They split with Naperville in Season 2 and 3 before receiving a woodshed beating at The cave last year. Intimidation can not be a factor or it will happen again.
Last edited Sep 21, 2008 22:22:05
