After Detroit's exit from the playoffs, and with the impressive sophomores and third-year players on the team, Fantobens worked on his defensive game during the off-season.

"Theres a real good group of high skilled guys here. I want to be able to help any way I can." He said. "Maybe if I can work on my defensive awareness, play some pk, get some stress away from the other guys, that's what I will do."

The season 44 Falcons are going into the season with a high caliber team. One that should be a contender for the championship. Also, a team that will be losing a couple or more players after this season.

"That's the nature of the J. I will probably be around for a couple more seasons. Some guys won't. This will be the last hoorah for some of the guys. Just hoping we can make it special."

"I'm personally dedicating this season to a lost brother. Someone we all miss dearly in the locker room. Mitch.... Mitch Palikma. We miss you brother. You were an inspiration.....

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you 
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you 
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the twenty second row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you 
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did