Knoxville Fire



The Knoxville Fire are a professional football team that plays in the Battle Football Conference South of the ASFL. The team was one of the founding members of the ASFL as the Omaha Fire. In 2004, they moved to the city of Knoxville, Tennessee. They play their home games at Neyland Stadium (capacity 107,000)

History
The Fire were founded in 2004 in the inaugural ASFL season. Midwestern Sports and Entertainment, LLC was the highest bidder for the eighth ASFL franchise and was consequently awarded it. The team began play as the Omaha Fire. In its first season, the team went 16-4 and earned a spot in the playoffs. Despite the good start, the next three seasons were abysmal, with a 15-65 combined season record. After the third losing season, coach John Hargreave was not resigned by the organization. Faced with dropping fan interest, MSE was removed from their ownership in 2005. In the 2005 franchise rounds, a group of investors headed by Scottie Mayfield, owner of Mayfield Dairy, was awarded the team. Immediately after, Mayfield announced plans for the franchise to relocate to Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Fire moved into Knoxville's Neyland Stadium in 2006. Despite the move, the Fire struggled again under new head coach Thad Taylor. To begin 2007, Taylor began a clearout of Knoxville's roster, releasing older players and those that did not fit in with his offensive scheme. With the third pick in the 2007 ASFL Draft, the Fire selected wide receiver DaMichael Brady. Brady led the team in receptions in 2007 and 2008. Under his guidance and veteran quarterback John Cubert, the Fire reached the ASFL Bowl in 2008. However, the Fire lost a thrilling overtime game to North Florida, 27-24. In the next five seasons, the Fire posted solid seasons but could not make it past the semi finals of the ASFL tournament. Now, in 2014, the Fire look to return to the ASFL Bowl and take home the first trophy of their existence.

Later in 2014, the Fire, along with seven other teams, left the ASFL to form the new IFL.

Roster
QB- Tyler Whitchurch

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 224 Exp: 3

A pocket passer, Whitchurch is a solid quarterback, but many think that Knoxville can do better.

QB- Connor Hansen

Ht: 6'1" Wt: 202 Exp: R

This rookie, drafted in the third round of the 2014 ASFL Draft out of Wisconsin, offers a new dimension to the Fire's offense. What he lacks in size he makes up for in mobility, and he has a powerful arm.

QB- Jarvis Edwards

Ht: 5'11" Wt: 200 Exp: 6

This QB is mostly a running threat; don't expect him to be anything special.


 * ON TRADE BLOCK**

RB- Quan Mitchell

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 215 Exp: 7

The speedy Mitchell has only ever played for the Fire. He has great agility and surprising strength. If he gets loose to the outside, don't expect to catch him.

RB- Darius Stevenson

Ht: 6'1 Wt: 229 Exp: 5

Stevenson is a balanced halfback and is solid enough to start if Mitchell goes down. He is most at home when used as the upback in a full house formation.

RB- Jamal Ingraham

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 240 Exp: 2

A power back. Only on the roster for depth.


 * ON TRADE BLOCK**

FB- Ken Giovannini

Ht: 6'2" Wt: 254 Exp: 8

The veteran fullback is more comfortable blocking than catching passes.


 * ON TRADE BLOCK**

WR- DaMichael Brady

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 230 Exp: 7

The star of the team, Brady is considered by many to be the ASFL's best receiver. He has the perfect combination of speed, size, and hands and is expected to score more than 30 touchdowns this year.

WR- Harold McAllister

Ht: 6'2" Wt: 223 Exp: R

The rookie was drafted out of Clemson to be the solution to a series of disappointing #2 receivers, including Austin Pettis, now with the Rams of the NFL. McAllister has roughly the same play style as Brady but is a bit better with jump balls.

WR- Cortez Lewis

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 197 Exp: 1

Last year's first round pick had a solid season last year. Now the speedster Lewis looks to solidify his position as Knoxville's slot receiver.

WR- Mike Frederick

Ht: 6'4" Wt: 241 Exp: 4

He started as the #2 last year but was relegated to the bench after poor performances. He will still get the chance to show Coach Taylor his skills in 4WR sets.


 * ON TRADE BLOCK**

WR- Sean Flanagan

Ht: 6'2" Wt: 232 Exp: 3

After an impressive display in preseason, the possession receiver made the roster.


 * ON TRADE BLOCK**

TE- Tanner Boehme

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 257 Exp: 6

Picked up from free agency, the versatile Boehme is the perfect fit to Knoxville's West Coast offense. He will slot in to start immediately.

TE- Ryan Carter

Ht: 6'5" Wt: 266 Exp: 3

Knoxville's blocking TE is one of many players returning from last year.

TE- Chris Campbell

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 242 Exp: 5

The third TE is a hybrid: a little blocking, a little catching.

OT- Austin Palumbo

Ht: 6'7" Wt: 338 Exp: 9

He left the NFL's Buffalo Bills after a contract dispute at the end of last season for the ASFL. Palumbo is the strongest of Knoxville's offensive linemen.

OT- Nate Van Steen

Ht: 6'4" Wt: 302 Exp: 6

The starting right tackle. What he lacks in strength he makes up for in pass blocking.

OT- Billy Charles

Ht: 6'5" Wt: 340 Exp: 2

Backup left tackle.

OT- Chester McConnell

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 302 Exp: 3

Backup right tackle.

OG- Kasey Studdard

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 308 Exp: 6

After some disappointing years in the NFL, lineman Studdard joins the Fire's rebuilding inside lineman core.

OG- Ed Fitzgerald

Ht: 6'4" Wt: 302 Exp: R

The rookie out of Wisconsin was Knoxville's first selection in the draft. He joins former Houston Texan Studdard on the inside line.

OG- DeMarcus McCallum

Ht: 6'3" Wt: 299 Exp: 2

Backup right guard.

OG- Cody Keller

Ht: 6'2" Wt: 300 Exp: 8

Backup left guard.

C- Uzeta Igwechukwu

Ht: 6'2" Wt: 314 Exp: 3

A returning starter, Igwechukwu was the best of Knoxville's linemen last year.

C- John Kirby

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 305 Exp: 10

Kirby is a bit slight but can pass block effectively.

C- Ina Au'otu

Ht: 6'1" Wt: 321 Exp: 4

Third center.

DE- Jamal Compton

DE- George Baker

DE- Bryan Mellor

DE- Dwayne Ashley

DT- Owen Johnson

DT- Vincent Sanders

DT- Dequan Menzie

DT- Harrison Williams

DT- Dedrick Inge

DT- Joe Bodiford

OLB- Brandon Lennon

OLB- DeAza Jennings

OLB- Kendall Brock

OLB- Kevin McNeil

MLB- Toby Joseph

Ht: 6'0" Wt: 255 Exp: 6

A weak spot at MLB. The best out of a mediocre position corps.

MLB- Dylan Clark

MLB- Afa Osumata

CB- Tyrell Brown

CB- Jonathan Marshall

CB- Fred White

CB- Brandon Harris

CB- Mister Overton

CB- Akeem Sanders

S- Carlos Rivera

S- Jabari Armstrong

S- Brandon Crawford

S- Andrew Pentz

K- Carter James

P- Sam Bucks

Staff
Head Coach- Thad Taylor

Offensive Coordinator- Graham McBee

Defensive Coordinator- Taiwan Daniels

Head Trainer- Brett Johnson

Chief Scout- Steve Ogilvy