*Introducing... The Inaugural New York Silverbacks

[Trautner]

The expansion and rookie drafts have been completed, and both the Berlin Fire Salamanders and New York Silverbacks are ready to get their season preparations underway. As we enter the preseason, let's take a look a look at the very first edition of the New York Silverbacks, position by position:

OFFENSE
Quarterback - Sam Howitzer   - 471 TPE (S24) @Trautner
The Silverbacks' signal caller for their first season, and likely for the foreseeable future, is Sam Howitzer. The reigning MVP of the DSFL hails from the Portland Pythons, who struggled last season to a 6-7 regular season record but nevertheless made the playoffs where they lost unceremoniously in the first round. Howitzer threw for 21 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, taking care of the ball extremely well while being quite efficient with red zone opportunities. With New York lacking too many superstar playmakers on offense, they'll need Howitzer to maintain his careful approach to keeping the ball in the offense's hands in order to keep the team competitive. Expect Howitzer to have an unremarkable campaign as he get his feet wet in the pros.

Running Back - Ashley Owens   - 687 TPE (S17) @run_CMC
Ashley Owens, the former #1 overall pick in the Season 17 ISFL Draft by the Austin Copperheads, has found his way to New York this season via trade. Owens has been a staple in Colorado for many seasons, having joined them in free agency after two seasons with Austin. There are few running backs in the league with as much mileage and veteran savviness as Owens can boast, through both the ground and air. Look for Howitzer to try to form an instant connection with the back in the flats and on screen passes, as the offense seeks to take some of the burden off of Howitzer's developing arm. While Owens is aging, he still has plenty in the tank and will hope to put up another productive season in a starring role.

Fullback - Buster Bawlls - 196 TPE (S25) @ryd029aird13
A late round pickup from the Silverbacks in the most recent draft, Buster Bawlls was a teammate of Howitzer's on the Portland Pythons. The burly fullback put up an astounding 40 reps at the Season 25 ISFL Scouting Combine, along with a 20 on the Wonderlic exam. Bawlls' combination of strength and intelligence will help him create holes for Owens to exploit, and undoubtedly buy Howitzer some valuable extra seconds in the pocket as he looks to continue to build chemistry with Howitzer at the next level.

Wide Receiver - Jackson Kingston - 583 TPE (S23) @Daybe
Kingston is nothing short of a speed machine, and was selected from the Colorado Yeti in the expansion draft. While mostly playing second fiddle behind William Lim on the enviably efficient Yeti offense, Kingston will undoubtedly have a huge opportunity to shine now, and certainly for the considerable future as the main playmaker in the Silverbacks' offense. Kingston had 58 catches for 831 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, and will look to improve upon those numbers with a bigger target share in New York.

Wide Receiver - Sean Snyder - 562 TPE (S22) @DatSmolBoi
Lining up alongside Kingston will be Sean Snyder, another former Python who played one season with Howitzer in Season 23 in the DSFL. Snyder was acquired via trade, as the Silverbacks traded offensive lineman Dorfus Jimbo Jr., who they selected in the expansion draft, back to the New Orleans Second Line in exchange for Snyder. In his rookie season last season with the Second Line, Snyder had 41 receptions for 646 yards and 5 touchdowns. Now in New York, Snyder could have a better opportunity to receive more targets, as he split targets with Ed Barker and Austin McCormick while also contending with the Second Line's ground focused attack in New Orleans. Look for Snyder to continue to improve while having a good opportunity to earn more share of the offense.

Wide Receiver - Harley Fank - 244 TPE (S25) @Beebob
Another draft pick from the most recent draft, Fank played for the Norfolk Seawolves last season in the DSFL where he had 42 receptions for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns. A 4th round pick, Fank will provide valuable depth and rotation with the two wide receivers in front of him for this season, with the opportunity to form a dangerous trio in the near future. New York certainly boasts an extremely young receiving core, and each receiver will be hungry to earn their share.

Tight End - Leon McDavid - 925 TPE (S21) @MN_Moosey
The tight end of the reigning champion Sabercats has found his way to New York through the expansion draft, and boy does he bring some valuable protection to Howitzer. McDavid recorded 60 pancakes as a tight end, 15 more than any other tight end in the league, while also allowing zero sacks. McDavid also chipped into the receiving game, recording 62 catches for 416 yards, but was held out of the end zone for the entire season, serving as a safety valve for rookie quarterback Monterrey Jack. His blocking ability as a tight end is certainly valuable, and the Silverbacks will hope McDavid can round out his game by becoming more of an offensive threat, if only a red zone threat.

Offensive Tackle - Douglas Quail   - 405 TPE (S21) @DynamicDoug
The man with a very interesting contract, Douglas Quail was selected in expansion from the Orange County Otters. Quail has developed at a steady, if unspectacular pace with the Otters, doing well to keep legendary quarterback Franklin Armstrong on his feet in his farewell season. Quail had 77 pancakes, allowing zero sacks, and he'll be bringing his talents over to New York, bringing his clean technique and outstanding pass blocking to protect New York's rookie quarterback.

DEFENSE
Defensive Tackle - Bubba Thumper - 957 TPE (S17)@woelkers
The absolute leader of this New York Silverbacks team is veteran defensive lineman Bubba Thumper. The lifetime Yeti star has moved to New York to start anew, having accomplished a great deal with the Yeti. With 13 sacks last season, good for tied second in the ISFL, Thumper is among the elite pass rushers of the game and doesn't seem to be slowing down quite yet. Look for Thumper to remain near the top of his game next season.

Defensive End - Jayson Kearse - 649 TPE (S19) @JaytheGreat
Kearse has had an interesting career, having been selected in the Season 22 expansion draft as well. I'm not sure how many others have been selected in multiple expansion drafts, but Kearse likely joins a very select few. Kearse recorded 17 TFLs and 8 sacks, while also recording a safety, wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines. Kearse will form an extremely potent duo with the immense Bubba Thumper, and opposing run games may have their work cut out.

Defensive End - Steco Ocewilder - 594 TPE (S18) @soppychico
Steco Ocewilder is another current Silverback with significant ties back to the Colorado Yeti, which is no surprise given the New York general managers' longtime history with the Yeti. Ocewilder most recently suited up for the Otters last season, recording 6 TFLs and 8 sacks, as he played on a pretty dominant pass rushing unit for the Otters. Alongside Kearse and Thumper, Ocewilder could have similar success this upcoming season, even as he begins to age more significantly.

Linebacker - Jack Banks - 610 TPE (S22) @TheRocheLimit
The number one overall pick of the expansion draft, Jack Banks comes to New York from Honolulu, and is very much a rising star in the league. Banks broke triple digits with 103 tackles last season, also getting 2 sacks and 3 interceptions in a pretty balanced output. Banks also showed discipline in coverage, getting 13 pass deflections. As Banks continues to progress, watch out for his production to increase and for him to become a real leader on this Silverbacks defensive unit.

Linebacker - Hank Winchester - 248 TPE (S25) @timeconsumer
The first true rookie on the defense is Hank Winchester, the speedy linebacker drafted out of Myrtle Beach, and the first first round pick in New York history. Winchester has strong family ties to the ISFL, and New York is certainly hoping that young Hank can live up to the Hall of Fame level talent that Angus Winchester brought to the league. Winchester had 111 tackles as a rookie in the DSFL with Myrtle Beach, providing instant production. Winchester is expected to immediately slot into middle linebacker for New York and fill that position for the foreseeable future, bringing valuable stability and speed to their linebacking core.

Cornerback - Jordan Andrews - 422 TPE (S17) @RaiderNation
Perhaps surprisingly, the first free agent acquisition that we see on New York finally shows up in the secondary as veteran Jordan Andrews brings his talents to New York. Andrews recorded an extremely impressive 11 sacks from the secondary, along with an interception, and New York will be hoping Andrews can continue to bring his aggressive play even as his legs begin to wear down. Veteran experience never goes away, however, and New York will feel fortunate to have such an experienced player join the rest of their cornerback group.

Cornerback - Tomage McGullager - 380 TPE (S23) @Philliesphan96
We return back to expansion picks, as McGullager arrived to New York through expansion from the Austin Copperheads. The young cornerback had a solid rookie season, recording 66 tackles and 3 sacks for the Copperheads. Now in New York for his sophomore campaign, the Silverbacks will be watching his development very closely and hope he can learn a thing or two from Andrews. McGullager will be thrown into the fire a bit this season, but experience certainly can only serve as valuable for the future.

Cornerback - Dukburg QuakStak - 255 TPE (S25) @Bwestfield
Our third cornerback in New York is rookie cornerback Dukburg QuakStak, selected in the second round out of Norfolk. QuakStak had 2 interceptions and a forced fumble for Norfolk, proving to be somewhat of a playmaker on defense with a nose for the ball. The Silverbacks will gladly welcome his ballhawking and view his development with great interest, as he could be a rising star in this team and the league as a whole.

Safety - Thor Kirkby - 587 TPE (S20) @Acsolap
The 5th player here on the Silverbacks team with ties to the Yeti, Kirkby was traded alongside Owens in a pre-draft trade to New York from the Colorado Yeti. Kirkby had a truly outstanding season with the Yeti last year, with 12 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, one defensive touchdown, and an incredible 3 safeties. Kirkby is the reigning Safety of the Year in the ISFL following this incredible season. This dynamic playmaking is valuable to any team, and New York will gladly welcome Kirkby to their defense as a player who can influence the game massively with his big plays and takeaways.

Safety - Mac Griddle - 345 TPE (S23) @mcgriddleluver
We return to the expansion draft here with Mac Griddle slotting in at safety for the Silverbacks, having been selected from the defending champion Sabercats. Griddle was in the DSFL, however, playing for the Coyotes and recording 48 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions. As an incoming rookie, Griddle will look to keep hunting for the ball at the next level and star alongside Kirkby.

Safety - Bob Roberts - 201 TPE (S25) @zaynzk
Our final true rookie with the Silverbacks is Bob Roberts, the Silverbacks' third round pick in the Season 25 ISFL Draft. Roberts had a solid rookie season in the DSFL, with 45 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception on the season. In this talented safety group, Roberts will hope to continue his development as he rounds into a more complete safety, as he joins the Silverbacks' first and second round picks bringing a great amount of youth and speed to the team instantly.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker/Punter - Dougie Smalls - 707 TPE (S21) @iseedoug
We finally round out the inaugural Silverbacks team in special teams with accomplished kicker Dougie Smalls, selected in expansion from the Yellowknife Wraiths. Smalls is a former Kicker of the Year with the Wraiths in Season 22, and brings very solid consistency in special teams, which is always valuable should an offense prove less capable in the red zone. Smalls in fact went a perfect 20 for 20 in field goals last season, and the Silverbacks will hope he can bring his great standard of efficiency to the Big Apple.

[Faded]

grey monke unite

[iseedoug]

Hell yeah. Go Silverbacks!

[Arkz]

Trautner / Sam Howitzer the GOAT

[zaynzk]

LETS GOOOOO

[moonlight]

Good luck this season folks!