The Massachusetts Pirates are one of three teams in the National Arena League (NAL) to start their first ever game in team history. Teams such as the Carolina Cobras look to host the Jacksonville Sharks for the Cobras first game in team history, and the Massachusetts Pirates look to host the Maine Mammoths, who are both kicking off their first game in team history.
Massachusetts Pirates set to kick off inaugural season
Massachusetts Pirates Roster
| 2018 Massachusetts Pirates Roster | |
| QB | Sean Brackett* |
| WR | Bones Bagaunte* |
| WR | Ja-Mes Logan* |
| WR | London Crawford* |
| WR | Mardy Gilyard* |
| WR | Orlandus Harris Sr.* |
| WR | Terrance McCray |
| WR | Lamount Bryant* |
| WR | Shamar Graves* |
| FB | Tahjon Dennis |
| OL | Cornelius Lewis* |
| OL | Dashawn Johnson* |
| OL | Thomas Clairborne* |
| DL | Darryl Render |
| DL | John Griggs* |
| DL | Kaelin Burnett* |
| DL | Willie Mays |
| DL | Roosevelt Roberts |
| LB | Nick Haag* |
| LB | Pasqale Vaccio |
| LB | Shawn Loiseau |
| DB | Demetruce McNeal* |
| DB | Eddie Norrils |
| DB | John Hardy-Tuliau* |
| DB | Kiante Northington |
| DB | Lamar Edmonds |
| DB | Marquis Drayton |
| DB | Michael McGee |
| DB | Robert Brown Jr. |
| DB | Troy Sanders* |
| K | Ali Mourtada |
* – Player has arena experience
Starting things off, the roster has 31 players on it. 17 of which have played arena football previously, which is 55% of the roster. The majority of the players with arena experience have played with the Spokane Empire of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
What to expect from the Mammoths
Players such as Quarterback Sean Brackett, Wide Receivers London Crawford and Mardy Gilyard, and Offensive Lineman Cornelius Lewis have played with the Jacksonville Sharks. The chemistry is all good there.
Brackett will be the rising star in the NAL this season. He could possibly be the best in the league after the departure of Quarterbacks Tommy Grady and Warren Smith Jr. to the Arena Football League (AFL).
With almost every single receiver on the roster with arena experience, Brackett should be able to throw for 2,500 yards and around 40 touchdowns.
Crawford and Gilyard have the advantage because those three have played on the same team before, causing a lot of destruction to the defense. Combined, those two will have 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.
For the Offensive Lineman, Lewis is an all-time veteran blocker in the sport of arena football. Not too many people will be getting past him for the quarterback.
All of the Offensive Lineman have played arena football, which makes them even better. Giving the quarterback plenty of time to throw is a huge key in having a successful offense.
Only a couple of the defensive linemen have arena experience, which means that there is room for improvement.
The linebackers look to get things started with Nick Haag leading the squad. With his experience, he should be able to teach the other linebackers the rules of the game. He will also be able to tell the other players what to do and what not to do in certain situations and even in the rules.
The defensive backs aren’t too powerful for the Pirates. Out of nine defensive backs, only three have played arena football before, which isn’t too good.
Overall, the offense looks solid and they will be able to score on almost every single drive. Their defense, however, looks a little weak and could use some improvement.
