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Memphis, TN.: Our seemingly rudderless Showboats have been sold once again.
Despite strong local support and a decent roster, our 'Boats have yet to maintain stable ownership during their first two seasons. Once again, new ownership promises to build a consistent winner. They have gone about identifying and locking up "core" players and have implemented a new direction for the club. "Hopefully this off-season we can get the cap under control and make up for the mistakes of past ownership groups. We know the Memphis faithful have been patient and we ask for their patience once again."

Already, a few long-term contracts have been signed to not only lock up and retain talent, but to provide cap flexibility in the coming years. On the flip side, Showboats GM has issued a few pink slips as well. "As we have been eliminated from playoff contention and with the blessing of ownership, we are moving on from players we do not feel fit our approach. We are also identifying coaches we feel can help our players grow as well."

Do the Showboats finally have a captain? Already, ownership has reached out to season tickets holders by calling them using pre-recorded messages from former players like Hall of Famer Reggie White and former NWA wresting champion Lex Luger in hopes of retaining the existing fan base during yet another front-office overhaul.

Memphis, TN.: Midway through the first full season of ownership, the 'Boats are still holding auditions for the ships captain. Four QB's have suited up in Memphis, with no one distancing themselves from the pack. "We're making due with what we have on our roster and while the lack of talent on the line is apparent, we really need one of these guys to take the reigns." The club's GM has stated they'll continue to scour the waiver wire, but that the future QB may not be found this season. While not officially eliminated from the playoffs, is there enough talent out there to fill the gaps and make a run? Time will tell.

1977 Round-Up
Memphis, TN.: Despite a 3-2 start and 2-1 finish, the Showboats finished third with a disappointing 5-11 record. A horrendous 8-game losing streak only highlighted the club's shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball, giving up an astounding 511 points, 5th worst in the league.

The revolving door at the QB position did nothing to slow down Gerard Hall, who hauled in over 1,500 yards and 11 TD's and Gregory Shea, who amassed 1,330 yards on the ground and contributed a league-record 6 KR touchdowns.

While the Showboats secondary spent the season being lit-up by opposing offenses, Nate Branch (15) and John Briggs (10), found plenty of opportunities to sack enemy throwers.

Showboats owner and GM promised a new day and a competitive club when he took over in the middle of last season after the club changed hands four times since it's inaugural season. This scribe suggests the owner find someone to kick the ball between the uprights and someone, anyone, to cover a receiver or two next season.

I just looked at your team. Only one of your seven LBs are rated higher than 60 by my weights and only one of your eight DBs. If you can address those two positions during the offseason, you could have a contender soon.

My weights show it just as bad:
1 LB above 65 and 3 DBs above 60. And those 3 are safeties. We should be able to address one of those two areas in the first round with the MLB and two SS sure targets in Round 1. Fiding a competent set of CBs is an entirely different animal.

1978 Hope hangs on young secondary
Memphis, TN.: Any hopes of breaking through this season will fall squarely on the shoulders of the Showboats three rookie defensive starters. With reigning division champ Oklahoma and an expected bounce-back year by first-week foe San Antonio, the 'Boats young secondary will be needed to perform right out of the gate.

Veteran QB Antonio Wilson was brought over and handed the starting QB job, hopefully giving the offense the balance it has so sorely lacked since the franchise was purchased nearly two seasons ago. Questions will persist if Wilson, who hasn't contributed any meaningful production in three seasons, fails to get the passing game on course.

Looking ahead, the offense should be more effective with Wilson under center, but that side of the ball was never the problem in Memphis. The fate of the '78 Showboats will depend on if the defense can at least slow down opposing offenses passing games to allow Shea and company a chance to win some games.

Playoff Bound
Memphis, TN.: The Showboats have come a long way since their inaugural season which saw ownership change hands an astounding four times that first season. Now, for the first time in franchise history, Memphis has secured a spot in the playoffs.

Showboats Surprise In '78
Memphis, TN.: Thanks in large part to a defense that rose 16 spots to crack the top 10 and a veteran quarterback at the helm, the Showboats soared to new heights in '78 with their first American Southwest Division crown.

Led by All-Pro RB Gregory Shea, Memphis' #2 ranked running attack set the tone on offense and the leagues #1 run defense forced opponents to the air, where the young secondary was up to the challenge as Memphis reached 12 wins and arguably the biggest win in franchise history, dethroning two-time defending World Bowl champ Detroit in the Showboats first-ever playoff win.

Lofty expectations in Huggins second season
Memphis, TN.: After delivering the city its first division title and first playoff appearance, can Coach Huggins work his magic again? Questions abound for this season's Showboats as management punted on last season's draft and made little movement in free-agency.

Will QB Antonio Wilson, who brought stability to the offensive huddle be able to hold off Father Time one more season? If not, the 'Boats brought in former Southern Cal starter James Perry in a draft day trade and envisions Perry as the QB of the future.

Whoever the QB is, he'll still have Gregory Shea to pitch the ball to and Gerard Hall hauling in passes behind a very good line.

Defensively, the question for opposing offenses will be how to stop the line of McMeans, Biggs, and Branch? The secondary has another year of experience under it's belt and the club brought in safety Forbes to solidify the back end.

Can the Showboats repeat as division champs or will the lack of additions bring the club back to the pack?

Perry shines in debut

Memphis, TN.: Not often will a coach put his season on the line and bench a veteran QB who's already thrown for 3,300 yds and nearly 30 touchdowns, but that's exactly what has happened with James Perry taking over for Antonio Wilson. Perry, who was acquired via trade with Southern California on draft day, threw for 462 yards and 5 TDs as Memphis was able to hang on to beat Oakland. Perry, seen as the QB of the future, was able to sit behind the veteran Wilson while he was brought up to speed on the Memphis playbook.