By: Kevin Scholla (LFL360.com)

We know the big names from last season who are back.  Caccavale, Turley, Gorman, Gray, Lusby, to name a few.  We know about the highly rated rookies that fans are licking their chops to see in action.  Bell, Paul, Moor, King, and several others.  But, we also know that winning championships isn’t always about the headliners.  You need a roster of committed athletes to finish on top.  Role players who do what is asked of them each and every time.  In Philadelphia, they may have hit the jackpot.

Colleen Burns comes to the City of Brotherly Love with a lot to offer.  The Mountain Lakes, New Jersey native is a graduate of Drexel University, and now this Dragon looks to breathe a little fire at the rest of the Eastern Conference.  The multi-talented Burns will fill multiple needs for Chandler Brown’s club.  She is listed as the number two quarterback right now on the Passion depth chart and she’s expected to get lots of time on defense, perhaps even as an opening night starter.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that I’m not the starting quarterback,” Burns told LFL360.  “The stronger girl (Christy Bell) won the job and I’m excited to see what she can do.  I will be ready if they need me.  Right now though, I’m here to support Christy.”  Don’t feel bad for Burns.  It’s not like she’s going to be standing around holding a clipboard.  She’s shown flashes of brilliance on the defensive line during training camp.  Philadelphia will likely use her there early and often this season.  That’s just fine with Burns.

“I am really excited about playing defense,” said Burns.  “It’s where all the action is.  There’s a lot of running in this league and it’ll be my job to stop it.  It’s so much fun.”  If Burns hits in September the way she has this summer, it won’t be any fun for the opposition.

So what’s a Jersey girl doing in a game historically played by men?  “I’ve always been a football fan,” Burns said.  “Then I got involved in co-ed touch leagues, flag leagues, and rough touch leagues.  I’m hooked.”

Burns even runs a fantasy football league that’s a bit different than most.  “No guys allowed,” Burns said.  “It’s all women who enjoy football and are becoming more and more knowledgeable about the sport every day.”

Any team would want a player like Burns.  The talent is there, the potential is high, and the willingness to do whatever the team needs is worn on her sleeve, or lack there of in LFL circles.  The problem for the rest of the league is…Burns is not alone.  The impact rookies on the Passion are plentiful.  Philadelphia could very well have the best crop of newcomers in the LFL.  Many will start.  Others will play very important reserve roles.  Quite a luxury for Brown.

Along with Burns, Jaleesa McCrary, Heather Roy, and Danielle Gassler headline a potent rookie crop.  McCrary will be a big factor at skill positions, Roy has looked downright scary chasing ball carriers, and Gassler could be the best rookie in the league when all is said and done.

Soon we will see if the pieces fall into place for Philly and if these valuable rookies can gel with a formidable group of veterans.  “Comradery is important in football,” Burns said.  So is blasting your opponent with relentless passion.  It appears Philadelphia believes they have both of these bases covered.