FA moves that made the Schedule better
SFL Communications
June 19, 2023
The Season 21 Schedule was released before free agency got underway. Now that most of the money has been dished out and the flurry of transactions have subsided, let's take a look at some of the best matchups of old faces in new places.
Week 4: Charleston at Queen City
Welcome back, John Lakeman. That didn't take long - the former Queen City quarterback decided late in the game he wanted to try some place new. Well, before he even plays a game in his new South Carolinan home, he'll be going back to Buffalo in the third game of Charleston's historic three-game road trip to start the season. How ironic.
Week 2: Louisiana at Canton
The game was already slated for national television on Next Level Sports, but the matchup got juicier when defenders Gary Clem and Gary Birney left Canton for the Louisiana Revolution. These guys showed up at the 2022 Convention in Las Vegas with gold Canton Classics jackets on - now they need green ones? It's Louisiana's first road game of the season and a quick homecoming for the Garys.
Week 12: Denver at Arizona
Center Jean Benazzi is one of the league's strongest members as one of the best offensive lineman in the league in addition to his JaxData analytical contributions. This off-season, he joined his data partner in West-rival Arizona and will welcome his old team and teammates to his new home in a key division battle late in the season.
Week 11: D.C. at Jacksonville
A Monday Night Spectacular game and D.C.'s first trip to Jacksonville since the famed 'Hurricane Game' back in Season 7 - the only game to ever be played on the 'heavy rain' setting of APF as a literal hurricane blew through the city - Jay Balmer left D.C. this off-season and will face off against old Dragon teammates in his new home. The Kings have a new domed stadium now, so no hurricane will effect this matchup.
Week 3: Indianapolis at Houston
How about your former General Manager leaving your squad to join another, only to have to go back there in Week 3? That's Butch Mennor's story, who signed with the Ramblers as a free agent this off-season. Houston enjoyed success while he was there - 7-5 and 6-6 the last two seasons - but the love didn't last.