Monday, October 3, 2011

Pittsburgh Power need to amp up their signings.

The Pittsburgh Power have made a few signings from last year's roster, including standout receiver Mike "Joystick" Washington, and Ironman player Lonnell DeWalt.  If you look at the offseason our cross-state division rivals have had though, it's not nearly enough.

The Philadelphia Soul have brought in two quarterbacks with a strong background in playing the indoor game.

Dan Raudabaugh (4741 yards, 90 TD's, 17 Int's in 2011) finished in the top five in many categories for the AFL in passing.  He led Dallas to the playoffs, and Power fans surely remember his huge performance in the Power's 76-75 shootout win in Dallas. 

The Soul have also signed Adam DiMichele, the reigning SIFL MVP.  DiMichele finished his season for the Erie Explosion with 3247 yards, 91 TD's and only 7 interceptions, all of this through only 12 games.  His biggest game was against the Trenton Steel when he set an SIFL record with 12 passing touchdowns and 400 yards passing in a single game.

I was personally holding out hope that DiMichele, who played ball locally at Sto-Rox, would sign with the Power.  I would still love to see DiMichele's favorite target last season, Kevin Concepcion, don the black and gold in 2012.

Either Raudabaugh or DiMichele would have been a huge upgrade over the only quarterback currently listed on the Power's roster, former Pitt quarterback Bill Stull.

The Soul have also brought back Wide Receiver Donovan Morgan (137 receptions, 1957 yards, and 37 TD's) and have signed the AFL's top fullback in Derrick Ross (167 rushes, 622 yards, 39 TD's). 

Rumors are swirling that WR Tiger Jones (170 receptions, 2225 yards, 39 TD's) could also follow former head coach Clint Dolezel to Philly. 

The Power secondary really struggled last year after Carlos Campbell and Royce Adams left the lineup, and it doesn't bode well if they have to face a team this talented twice with the division on the line.  This isn't even taking into consideration the defending division champion Cleveland Gladiators.  They have also been kind of quiet on the transaction front.

Philly is going to be out for blood after falling on their faces last year as a preseason favorite to win it all. 

One of the biggest names I've heard floating around the Power so far is quarterback Darryl Clark, who attended open tryouts this past weekend.  While I think he'd be a solid signing, I'm not sure he's strong enough to lead an AFL team to a championship.  Philly has two guys that fit that mold.

I'm still waiting to see the Power go above and beyond signing players from last year's 9-9 squad.   It wasn't good enough last year, and it doesn't look like it'll be enough this year.

I know it's early in the process, but I think Power fans need to start seeing some big names sign on to give us some hope for a successful season in the Steel City.

You don't want to lose before the season starts.

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