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Gauchos go into the franchises 4th season (1972) with tons of questions and uncertainty. Last season things looked unbelievably bright coming off a championship run and having arguably the best QB flying high. Fast forward 1 season the team is licking its wounds following a divisional round home loss to CALGARY POWER in the playoffs and the QB productivity falling off a cliff late in the season and the decline has only continued. Early signs are leaning towards a new signal caller 4th year veteran and life time backup Nathan Frank has been taking 1st team reps in all practices as of late. The back field is still struggling to replace the productivity of Osborne who was traded in a shocking move last off season. Cornett and Mitchell have been splitting reps so far, but neither seem to have play making ability needed to lead the team.

The draft had ups and downs . 1st rounder WR Morgan fell flat and had the worst training camp of anybody in the teams history. It does appear he will get snaps as a return man and add depth if needed for the season. Second rounder FS Sanders looks to be the real deal and should be slated as a fixture in the secondary for the foreseeable future. The 4th round was strong as the K of the future was grabbed and DT Carrera looks solid also. RG Andrews was picked up in 6th round will make the team as added depth in the trenches. The 7th round provided a couple of linemen that busted and has already been informed they will be waived. P Bradshaw was selected in the 7th as well, seems to be in a battle to make the team. To his advantage he has a strong chance to make team because of his kick holding ability.

In summery the team is in a season of uncertainty. Trying to continue the winning tradition that has been started will be no easy task as the roster ages and other teams players develop.
The changing of the guard at QB and also having a rookie K and P will only add to the questions. If a 4th straight division title is on the horizon then the season as a whole would have to be considered a huge success.

sources say QB Robert Williams is livid about being benched and is demanding a trade

1972 PRESEASON REPORT

The Gauchos started the play on the field with a solid outing with a 15-6 win over the Strongbows. Rookie kicker Daniels was prefect 5 out of 5 including a 50 yarder answering the only question as to if his leg was powerful enough to play at this level. The offence looked good regardless who was under center showing either player will be able to lead this team when needed. In the backfield the numbers didn't jump off the page but reserve Bushee stood out and appears to have been the final straw for veteran RB Hastings as he was informed he would not make the cut this preseason after the game. What might have played a factor in that decision was the play from Rookie WR Morgan who the team had publicly criticized for his work ethic and sloppy route running showed signs of what made him a high 1st round draft pick and might have played himself into the rotation this season. The defense had some issues stopping the run and the secondary had to many break downs but all in all holding the opponent to 6 points off a couple field goals something must have been working. Rookie Dodson lead the team with tackles and played himself onto the roster.

It seems a late move acquiring CB David Cuellar and then the announced release of DE Fretitas, FB Bean, and RB Hastings the final 53 man roster has been set and now all that is left is setting the depth chart and watching this team get better as the season moves along.

Grumblings in Gauchos camp about conservative play calling and lack of production on the field the second half of 2073 season has many questioning if the coaching staff will be retained at the conclusion of the season. GM Shavar did say no thoughts has been given to the off season while the division is still well within reach and a hard playoff push would calm many nerves. The fantastic start gave us plenty of breathing room early but now has been a saving grace while the team struggles have gotten past what anyone expected.

It is the end of an era, Shavar announced Rodney Bradshaw Head Coach
of the Gauchos since its inception with the lifetime record of 85 - 52 - 2, Including 6 division crowns and 1 League Championship in 8 seasons. The success is unmatched and will be hard if not impossible to repeat, but the time for change is upon us as we move forward as an organization.

News of the Ultimate Legends list for the class of 2080 not including RDE Claude Griifin or RB Danny Cornett was disappointing but not shocking. GM Shavar expressed frustration at the lack of respect the players have gotten in recent years. "It seems when team success is limited the contributions from great players gets overlooked."

RDE Claude Griffin

Drafted in the 29th round of the inaugural season. He played 11 of his 12 seasons with the Gauchoes finishing with a respectable 75 sacks and is the league all-time leader in QB hurries with 146. Finishing his career on a high note by playing in 14 games and registering 16 sacks missing his season best by one. The upper leg injury suffered late in the season put his dreams of playing another year out of the question. His absence will be missed in defensive trenches moving forward.


RB Danny Cornett

Drafted in 1st round of the 2071 season, with the team coming off its first and only championship expectations was high and for the most part he delivered. Finishing his Carrer with the most rushing yards and 3rd most receiving yard in team history. His 9,748 yards (8th all-time) and 39 rushing TDs is impressive when considering he was the featured back only 3 or 4 seasons the remainder of the time, he split the duties amongst various players.


Both will join the Gauchos ring of honor alongside Ultimate Legend QB Robert Williams. The ceremony will be at half time of first home game of the 2082 season.

86ers 17 @ Gauchos 24

The week 15 win clinched the South American division title for the Gauchos. It has been a 5-year drought after winning 6 of the first 7. If the Tornadoes can pull off a major upset in week 16 against the Stampede, it will make back-to-back years all 4 teams in the division make the playoffs. Historically speaking that can't have been done many times before.

Not how it was planned

The Gauchos season came to a sudden end with a horrible outing in the wildcard round. QB CJ Calloway lead the league in Completion % (80.1) and Yards per attempt (6.53) along with a QBR of 96.18 in the regular season, so the 18 for 38 passing (47.4%) and rating of 55.92 was hard to overcome when the team was only able to rush for 8 yards in the game. Yep 8 yards after the season avg per game of over 150. Spirits are down and coaches are stunned with the performance. Credit has to be given to the Calgary Power for the outright domination, now the off season starts and it's hard to say what direction the team will go, full rebuild? or do they fill the few holes and make another run with the core players that is already in place. I guess only time will tell.

2086 SEASON

With 3 games in the books for new head coach Justin Rose the reality of a full rebuild looms large. All signs pointed to a positive season with second year QB Mcnabb Jr. but the lack of D-line and aging secondary the defense look to be ranked at or near the bottom. The Offense has potential with a strong front 5 and solid backfield/receiving corp. still kind of surprised to be ranked dead last in yards from scrimmage. "Its still early but don't be shocked if young players start taking over key roles" was the only comment made during the morning briefing that anyone paid attention too.