Lakeland Thunderbolts!

[fwp]

Impressive signing. Jason Johnson joining the T-Bolts along with returning starter Jeremy Martin.

Jason Johnson was impressive as the multi-talented offensive leader of the Odessa Roughnecks last season as they almost took team to the championship game, with their only loss of the season being in the playoffs to the Tri-Cities Fever.

Jeremy Martin had a pretty solid season himself, qualifying for the league's all star game. Might have to keep an eye on Lakeland this year!

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060119/NEWS/601190375/1002/SPORTS

[AllTheRage]

That might prove to be a sticky situation when you consider that Martin's parents own the team. Both are good quarterbacks, but there is only one football. So that might stir up trouble in paradise.

Also, they lost twice, the NIFL All Stars with Martin at QB beat Odessa after Odessa led by 18 at the half. Much of that credit went to the Everett QB, however.

Some might question whether Martin would have been at the all star game had his parents not been owners. Statistically he was about 5th in the league.

[fwp]

LOL! Of course I didn't count the All-Star game as an official loss, I wish I could have made it to that game. It sounded like a great show.

There were many great candidates that didn't make the All-Star game for whatever reasons. I know that trying to get representation from all the teams may have been a factor, as well as availability, health, etc., of players.

I hate to name, names, because I'm guaranteed to forget someone, but off the top of my head we had some great, All-Star worthy performances across the league at QB by Coleman at Tri-Cities, Groefsema of the Rage, Bellisari from Dayton, Dietz from the Marshals, Strand with the Cavalry and Davenport in Daytona Beach. I remember numerous big games from all of these guys last season, but who knows why some of these guys weren't able to be there.

Some of them really stand out to me, but I'm sure there was a reason they weren't, or couldn't be there.

That being said, Martin was very important to last years T-bolts team, so I certainly can see why he would be a rep. from Lakeland.

Who wins the job this season could very well be determined by what type of offense the coaching staff chooses to run, whether it be tailored more toward ball control or wide open. I'm sure their staff is happy to have two solid candidates battling for the job going into the season.

Their fans have reason to be optimistic and excited. Although the Thunderbolts were in the playoffs last season, there was much room for improvement.

[sportznut]

Both qb's played well at the allstar game... That is going to be an interesting situation....