THE TWO TOWERS NETWORK
Boromir the 88th
Weekend Report
Another week is coming to a close and TTN brings to its readers the latest news and rumors on the free agency front.
RUMOR CENTRAL - Teams are really beginning to take shape, as the clubs are anxious to get on the practice fields and begin workouts.
Anfauglith: As AKM reported, Anfauglith appears to be focusing all their cap room on the defense and trusting to Ungoliant to keep a clean goal. The arachnid and Balrog-loaded defense is more than capable of doing this, but Thuringwethil may be lonely up in the attack. It appears both Morgoth and Sauron have maxed out on the money they want to spend on Anfauglith (therefor we can at least report in all likelyhood, Sauron will not be playing for Anfauglith). That leaves Hador House and Old Beor House the task of finding players to support Thuringwethil.
Barad-dur: Surprisingly, even though Umbar is actually invested in Mordor, the famous pirates have been signed by Sauron to play for Barad-dur. What promises were given to Castamir, Angamaite, and Sangahyando to play for this Mordor team? We can not say, but it wasn't more money, as Sauron got the pirate trio for rather cheap prices. Also, taking a page from Captain Faramir's book, Mumakil will be GK for Barad-dur this year, and only for 1 million. TTN should add, that the price of these contracts don't necessarily indicate the quality of the player. Mumakil was a pretty solid GK for Ithilien in '10, but as a beast, it really has no need for hard currency. A trend you will see with most animals that teams sign.
Mordor: Team Mordor has gone on a Nazgul spending spree this past week, picking up 5, and also trying to make a push for all Nazgul uniting under Mordor. Although Sauron has stated he will not overspend just to have all the Nazgul on one team. So, certainly the Witch-King, Khamul, and the other unsigned Nazgul may be drawn away to other teams for more money, as Sauron does not want to get into a price war to keep his Nazgul together. And the other Mordor investors agree. Sauron did add though, he could always make room if any of his Nazgul wished to return to play for Mordor, but simply wasn't going to put up big bucks for them. Since it has become apparent that the Witch-king and Khamul, are testing the open market, and are so far commanding some pretty hefty prices for their services, they will likely not be on either Mordor team this year.
Gondor: Gondor has been slower to act than other teams, but I think that is more due to the red tape of being a publicly owned club. However, the side they have been putting together appears to be quite strong on the offense. Prolific Gondorian goal-scorer Eldacar was signed to play FW, and he will be assisted by Romendacil and Falastur in the MF. The front is definitely looking stout, but there are concerns at the back. Imrahil is certainly a strong player, but he's slotted to play defender, and many are doubting his capabilities, since he's usually up as an attacking MF. There are talks of bringing one of the sons of Elendil (which one is not yet certain) to Gondor. Our bets would be placed on Anarion, since his ties to Gondor were always stronger than Isildur's, who's shown preferences to Eriador in the past.
Minas Tirith: Minas Tirith is making some rather peculiar moves, signing all of their players at 8 milion so far. It seems as if the
Guild of Stewards are refusing to go higher (and even lower) to sign players. In fact, this is probably the reason other solid Gondorians (Falastur, Hyarmendacil, and Eldacar) decided to sign with Gondor, because they were willing to go higher. Minas Tirith has shown no willingness to go more than 8 million. However, they are still fielding a strong team, as this past week notable signings include Earnil II, Cirion, and the Faithful Steward, Mardil were brought in. We reported last week that Boromir II was seen in Minas Tirith, well now this past week Boromir I was spotted. So, will there not only be a family-reunion but a union of Boromirs in Minas Tirith? But for Boromir II, I would think the
Guild of Stewards would have to budge on their 8 million cap, unless if playing for Gondor again, means a willingness to take less, to the son of Denethor.
Shire-Bree United: The splash of signing Aragorn did have some benefits, but how successful that strategy is, only the tournament will tell. Bombadil and The BW have now signed, and that should certainly improve on SB-United's forturnes from their dismal Hobbit reunion last year. However, this combination of FWs and attacking MFs was seen in '10 with Breeland and it was also a miserable flop. That may have been due to an anemic defense though, and bad goal-tending. Manning the posts this season will be Halbarad, as Butterbur was booted down to play defense. Still the questions of how will they fix the defense remains? It's being rumored one of the teams trying to wrestle some Nazgul out of Mordor is SB-United. That combination of a killer attack, and frightening Nazgul defense could definitely pay off, if the rumors are true.
Tol-in-Gaurhoth: as per usual TIG has been slow in finding players. Although so far 3 werewolves have been added, the usual TIG captains Nogwolf and Phantomwolf, to play FW and MF, respectively. They will be joined by Gwathwolf, for his excellent phantasy performance last year, and that wolf will be on the defense. The biggest news out of TIG, however, is the new rules restricting TIG to only having 4 werewolves on the roster. The last werewolf slot will be the GK, and the rest of the roster will be filled by wights voted in by the Barrow-downs shareholders, and possibly even, cross your fingers TIG fans, Sauron himself!
The Downer: The Downer's roster has been filled, as Hookbill seemed to at least want to have a completed roster early. We'll have to see if they get right to practicing, and not the hooliganising behavior they were known for last year. The Downer appears to be changing formation to a 4-4-2, as top goal-scorer SPM has dropped down to play FW with Alien. Hookbill will man the MF and disappointed from King Bus' goal-tending last year, Bubble Buddha will have those honors this year.
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS - These are the up-to-date confirmed signings since free agency opened up last week. Obviously some teams have either been more active, or just more successful signing on players than others. Next to the player is also the salary (dollar amount in millions)
Anfauglith: Thuringwethil (12), Balrog #4 (13), Balrog #3 (13), Borlach (3), Balrog #2 (13), Ungoliant (18)
Barad-dur: The Mouth (9), Gothmog II (6), Castamir (7), Beruthiel (6), Angamaite (3), Sangahyando (3), Fellbeast #2 (2), Mumakil (1)
Mordor: Gorbag (3), Shagrat (4), Nazgul #1, #2, #3, #4, an #5 (7), Silent Watcher (1)
Gondor: Eldacar (10), Romendacil (8), Falastur (9), Eldarion (5), Imrahil (5), Hyarmendacil (10)
Minas Tirith: Ecthelion II (8), Denethor II (8), Faramir (8), Mardil (8), Tarandor (8), Cirion (8), Earnil II (8)
Shire-Bree United: Strider (11), Bombadil (5), Barrow-wight (10), Bandobras (4), Ferny (2), Butterbur (2), Halbarad (5)
Tol-in-Gaurhoth: Nogwolf (10), Phantomwolf (10), Gwathwolf (10)
The Downer: Hookbill (5), Alien (1), SPM (6), Lalwende MP (3), John Fillis (2), P Hampton (4), BW Himself (6), Burnt Bert (2), Evil Mayo (1), Morsul (4) Bubble Buddha (3),
Stay tuned for later in the week on our exclusive Tol-in-Gaurhoth report. TTN was able to roam the streets, finding local TIG supporters and players, and asking pointed questions about the upcoming year.
(Editors note: I've gotten most of the replies back, thank you all for the...interesting responses - and there's a very nice variety, which also makes me happy. I'll give the rest a few more days yet, to respond, if they want.
Look to Wednesday for the TIG report)