During the 2022 ELF season, the offense of the Rhein Fire produced the third-highest total yards in the league, with 4,467 yards. However, the Fire went 7-5 and missed the ELF playoffs. However, the Fire is attracting the best offensive talent in the league to surround Clark with the weapons needed to take the next step and be a championship contender.
Last season the Fire had over 3,100 passing yards and only produced about 1,400 yards in the running game. Their lack of offensive balance made it difficult for the Fire to consistently produced against the best defenses in the ELF. In this off-season, the Fire has signed the league’s leading rusher in 2022, Glen Toonga, and German Football League standout Sergej Kundus. In addition, the Fire recently signed German Football League All-Star Yasir Raji on the offensive line and re-signed center Marius Moore to a loaded offensive line unit.
While building up the running game has been a priority for the Fire, they have also signed offensive weapons to set quarterback Jadrian Clark up for success. The Rhein Fire re-signed wide receiver Nathaniel Robitaille, who had 62 catches for 1,183 yards and touchdowns during the 2022 season. They have also added Harland Kwofie and former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Anthony Mahoungou. The French receiver Mahoungou is the top European wide receiver.
Let’s look at what the teams of the ELF have done this week as they prepare for the 2023 season.
Rhein Fire
The Rhein Fire signed former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Anthony Mahoungou this week. Additionally, they signed 6’4″, 185-pound wide receiver Noah Gehring. On the offensive line, the Fire re-signed center Marius Moore and solidified one of the best offensive line units in the ELF. Offensive lineman Jan-Hendrik Koch was also signed; Koch comes to the Fire after playing for the Cologne Centurions in 2022. The Fire also signed kicker Sebastian Van Santen.
Vienna Vikings
The Vienna Vikings are re-loading their defense to repeat as ELF champions. The Vikings have re-signed cornerback Florian Jobst, linebacker Enzo Mensah, inside linebacker Moriz Elmauthaler, linebacker Sebastian Ernst, and linebacker Leon Huber. The Vienna defense was the second-best defensive unit in the league, and the Vikings are working to maintain that level of excellence.
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons have signed 21-year-old defensive end Alejandro Fernandez. In 2022, the 6’2″, 235-pound Fernandez produced 15.5 sacks and forced seven fumbles. Also, on defense, the Dragons named Alexander Durazo as their linebacker coach and special teams coordinator. On offense, the Dragons signed offensive lineman David Culebras Sanfrutos, which helped the Oled Black Demons will the 2022 Spanish Cup.
Stuttgart Surge
The Stuttgart Surge continues the process of re-building its roster. On defense, the Surge signed defensive back Martin Korber and linebacker Thomas Frach. Offensively, Stuttgart signed wide receiver Paul Bohringer.
Prague Lions
The Prague Lions have signed wide receiver Marek Suchy and offensive lineman Josef Fuksa. Suchy is the All-Time CAAF receiving leader who produced 3,647 yards and 51 touchdowns. Fuksa comes to the Lions after playing for the Tirol Raiders during the 2022 season.
Leipzig Kings
The Leipzig Kings have signed fullback/tight end Al Mustafa Khalid Almaki. Almaki played for the Stuttgart Surge in 2021. The Kings have also signed defensive lineman Felix Delgado.
Fehervar Enthroners
The Fehervar Enthroners signed quarterback Mate Hegedus this week. They also named Andre Whyte as their linebackers coach. Whyte has been a part of two National Championship seasons in the Czech Republic.
Cologne Centurions
The Cologne Centurions have added several defensive backs this week. The Centurions signed Efekan Akgun, Marvin Djopa, Paul Steffen, and Dany Lamy. During the 2022 season, the Centurions had the 11th-ranked defense, and improving that defense has been a priority for Cologne.
Odds and Ends
The Tirol Raiders have signed 28-year-old offensive lineman Toby Lettman. In 2022, Lettman played for the Frisco Fighters of the Indoor Football League and helped the Vienna Vikings win the 2022 ELF championship. In addition, the Berlin Thunder signed a pair of offensive linemen, Daniel Binternagel and Malik Admad.
Follow me on Twitter: @AaronSauter7
Buddy
February 23, 2023 at 1:17 am
Alejandro Fernandez has been signed by Rhein Fire 3 months or so ago.