The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

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Year 1 15/16 - Wildcard

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New England Patriots vs Carolina Panthers - Superbowl 50
Feb 7, 2016	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
New England Patriots (10-6)	0	3	7	10	20
Carolina Panthers (11-5)	7	3	7	10	27

New England Patriots PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Tom Brady 29/41 303 1 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD LeGarrette Blount 12 52 4.3 1 Dion Lewis 6 10 1.6 0 Tom Brady 1 3 3 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Rob Gronkowski 8 65 8.1 1 Julius Edelman 2 60 30 0 Brandon LaFell 5 59 11.8 0 Danny Amendola 6 45 7.5 0 Aaron Dobson 4 38 9.5 0 Dion Lewis 3 27 9 0 Scott Chandler 1 9 9 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Dante Hightower 9 2 0 0 Patrick Chung 7 0 0 0 Rob Ninkovich 5 0 0 0 Jerod Mayo 5 1 0 0 Jonathan Freeny 4 0 0 0 Justin Coleman 4 0 0 0 Malcom Brown 3 0 0 0 Chandler Jones 2 0 0 0 Jabaal Sheard 2 0 0 0 Alan Branch 2 0 0 0 Dominique Easley 2 0 0 0 Devin McCourty 1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Stephen Gostkowski 2/2 2/2 8 40 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Ryan Allen 1 34 34 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Danny Amendola 0 0 0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Danny Amendola 1 13 13 0

Carolina Panthers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Cam Newton 19/25 230 3 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Jonathan Stewart 7 62 8.8 0 Cam Newton 6 17 2.8 0 Mike Tolbert 6 14 2.3 0 Fozzy Whittaker 4 10 2.5 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Greg Olsen 4 83 20.8 0 Kelvin Benjamin 7 59 8.4 1 Ted Ginn 5 52 10.4 1 Devin Funchess 1 25 25 1 Mike Tolbert 2 11 5.5 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Luke Kuechly 17 0 0 0 Roman Harper 12 0 0 0 Thomas Davis 7 0 0 0 AJ Klein 6 0 0 0 Jared Allen 5 0 0 0 Josh Norman 3 0 1 0 Thomas Davis 3 0 0 0 Kurt Coleman 3 0 0 0 Bene' Benwikere 2 0 0 0 Tre Boston 2 0 0 0 Charles Tillman 1 0 0 0 Charles Johnson 1 1 0 0 Kawann Short 1 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Graham Gano 2/2 3/3 9 40 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Brad Nortman 1 48 48 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Fozzy Whittaker 3 50 16.6 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Ted Ginn 0 0 0 0

Post Season Review

Wildcard
NFC
New Orleans Saints 14 @ 31 Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers 41 @ 24 Dallas Cowboys
AFC
Miami Dolphins 9 @ 14 San Diego Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals 21 @ 17 Tennessee Titans

Divisional
NFC
Green Bay Packers 27 @ 28 Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks 19 @ 31 Carolina Panthers
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals 6 @ 34 Baltimore Ravens
San Diego Chargers 14 @ 38 New England Patriots

Conference
NFC
Carolina Panthers 14 @ 13 Minnesota Vikings
AFC
New England Patriots 28 @ 17 Baltimore Ravens

Superbowl
New England Patriots 20 vs 27 Carolina Panthers

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NFL Draft Year 1 15/16 - Round 1 Recap
Pick	Team	Player	Pos
1	Chicago Bears	Jose Lunsford	CB
2	New York Jets	Jack Riley	QB
3	Oakland Raiders	Eldrin Garner	MLB
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Patrick Hunter	OLB
5	St Louis Rams	Ty Thomas	OLB
6	Washington Redskins	Gordon Gooden	OLB
7	Detroit Lions	Oscar Mason	WR
8	Denver Broncos	Antwan Burton	WR
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Andrew Gutierrez	DT
10	Houston Texans	Jared Lucas	TE
11	Indianapolis Colts	Connor Blalock	S
12	Atlanta Falcons	Scott Turner	T
13	Philadelphia Eagles	Latevin Preston	WR
14	New York Giants	Javien Travis	OLB
15	Pittsburgh Steelers	Dorian Austin	CB
16	San Francisco 49ers	Luis Young	T
17	Cleveland Browns	Mack Moss	T
18	Arizona Cardinals	Brenton Griffin	CB
19	Buffalo Bills	David Boone	DE
20	Kanses City Chiefs	Rashawn Nelson	DT
21	Tennessee Titans	Parker Taylor	OLB
22	Miami Dolphins	Quinterrius Scott	WR
23	New Orleans Saints	Derron Scott	S
24	Dallas Cowboys	Ali Starks	T
25	Cincinnati Bengals	Gilbert Mills	WR
26	San Diego Chargers	Chrishon Kelly	OLB
27	Seattle Seahawks	Jermichal Jordan	DT
28	Green Bay Packers	Nico McClendon	TE
29	Minnesota Vikings	Mike Buchanan	WR
30	Baltimore Ravens	Malcolm Narcisse	WR
31	New England Patriots	Stuart Patterson	CB
32	Carolina Panthers	Taylor Patrick	OLB

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Glad to see the Panthers win their first Superbowl. They are one of the few NFC teams I like to watch.


Surprised only one QB went in the first round. He does have the perfect quarterback name though. It don't get no better than JACK RILEY

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It was a really strange draft class with it being loaded at RT and at LB, specifically OLB. 2 QBs went early in round 2, just so you're aware. I'm hoping that isn't a sign of things to come.

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Year 1 15/16 - Preseason


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!



Craig Costello, Editor in Chief

Greeting fellow Football enthusiasts! What an off-season we have had. Lots of exciting player movement, well known names in new places, some players deciding to stay where they are. It would be remiss of us at Pro Football Almanac if we didn't give you a run down of all the key moves for each team and how we expect every team to shape up in 2016/17!

NFC North


Chicago Bears - Last Season 2-14

The best pieces of business for the Bears involved keeping their stars in town despite a dismal 2 win season. Alshon Jeffrey and Matt Forte (despite his off field issues) both signed on the dotted line to stay in Chicago. #1 draft pick Jose Lunsford will have a lot to live up to at corner. With numerous holes still existing in this Bears roster, especially at Guard and across the front 7 on defence, Lunsford will need to show why the Bears passed on everybody else with that #1 pick. Defensive end Ray McDonald should help after moving over from the 49ers, but if the rest of the front 7 can't pressure, Lunsford and the Bears DBs are going to have to cover for a long time. I would expect another sub-par season, but they are at least moving in the right direction in a tough division.

Notable Resignings - WR Alson Jeffrey, RB Matt Forte
Notable Additions - DE Ray McDonald
Notable Losses - DT Jeremiah Ratliff (retired - injury)
Draft Pick - CB Jose Lunsford


Detroit Lions - Last Season 6-10

Is this the season that Detroit really puts it together? Key free agent signings and important returning players suggest that the Lions might be players in the NFC North despite the quality of Green Bay and Minnesota. QB Matt Stafford is on the decline in his career but should still have more than enough weapons around in him in Calvin Johnson and reigning rushing champ Ameer Abdullah to get things done. A concern continues to be the offensive line, especially centre, yet this wasn't addressed in the draft. On defence the Lions also look formidable and they let an aging Haloti Ngata walk to save cap room. With a great LB tandem in Levy and Whitehead, both players resigned in the off-season rather than testing free agency. Up front, Spencer and Ansah can get to the QB off the edge, and their corners are above average should pressure create errant throws. I like this Lions team to surprise people this season.

Notable Resignings - OLB DeAndre Levy, MLB Tahir Whitehead
Notable Additions - DE Mike Devito, DE Anthony Spencer, CB Leon Hall
Notable Losses - DE Haloti Ngata (age)
Draft Pick - WR Oscar Mason


Green Bay Packers - Last Season 12-4

The Packers will be looking to go a few steps further in the playoffs and ride an already potent offence. New Head Coach Chuck Pagano has the luxury of top QB and WR from a year ago in Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson, plus wide outs Randall Cobb and DeVonte Adams. This is easily the strongest receving corps in the NFL. A strong o-line anchored by elite centre Corey Linsley allows Rodgers the freedom to let plays develop downfield. If there are question marks for this team its on the other side of the ball. Despite the dominance of Clay Matthews, the rest of the linebacker group is below average. Similarly at cornerback, beyond Sam Shields the depth is poor. Casey Hayward's need to move away from the game to address his legal issues could haunt this Packers team.

Notable Resignings - FB John Kuhn
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - CB Casey Hayward (legal)
Draft Pick - TE Nico McClendon
New Coach - Chuck Pagano


Minnesota Vikings - Last Season 12-4

The Vikings will look to follow up a surprise NFC title game visit with another strong season. Adrian Peterson continues to anchor an offence with a strong o-line and an improving Teddy Bridgewater. Wide receive is a question mark, but free agent acquisition Coby Fleener will be an asset. Like the Packers, the Vikings have stars on defence, such as Hunter Smith at safety and Everson Griffin at DE, but clear holes also remain. Robert Blanton was released by the club after legal troubles in the off-season, but there is no obvious replacement on the roster at strong safety. Cornerback is an issue beyond Rhodes, and middle linebacker is a problem. The club also decided to move on from former #4 overall pick LT Matt Khalil. He can be considered a bust at this point.

Notable Resignings - FS Hunter Smith
Notable Additions - TE Coby Fleener
Notable Losses - SS Robert Blanton (legal)
Draft Pick - WR Mike Buchanan

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NFC South


Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Last Season 6-10

The Buccs are going to continue to struggle in a tough NFC South. They are however improving behind 2nd year QB Jameis Winston. Wide Receiver Mike Evans is also a bright spot but the offence is still hamstrung by a weak offensive line. The same cannot be said of the defensive front however, which is amongst the best in the league. Gerald McCoy is joined by DE Casey Heyward from Pittsburgh and 1st round pick DT Answer Gutierrez. Their star is undoubtedly Lavonte David, who did leave in free agency only to have a change of heart and return to Tampa. Their secondary is going to have a rough season, a tough proposition considering the strength of their divisional opponents

Notable Resignings - OLB Lavonte David
Notable Additions - DE Casey Heyward
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - LT Andrew Gutierrez


Atlanta Falcons - Last Season 8-8

This Falcons team will most likely live or die on the production of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. 1st round pick Scott Turner slots in to start at right tackle and will need to play at a high level out of the gate with starting centre Chris Myers leaving town in the off season. Lance Briggs has resigned on defence and is joined by marquee free agent Bobby Wagner from Seattle. Trufant is still an elite corner, but the Falcons could use an improved defensive line in the near future.

Notable Resignings - LB Lance Briggs
Notable Additions - WR Mohammed Sanu, MLB Bobby Wagner
Notable Losses - C Chris Myers (team)
Draft Pick - RT Scott Turner


New Orleans Saints - Last Season 10-6

The Saints could well be an under the radar team this season, a 10-6 record last season and a first round exit, this team may do better. Drew Brees continues to be the heartbeat of the offence and can count on contributions from the solid duo of Cooks and Mark Ingram. Defensive end Cameron Jordan will need to be a nuisance, and new signing Jonathan Joseph at corner will also need to hit the ground running. The key to the season will be how far an above average offence can carry an underwhelming defence. That will be a task for new head coach Bryan Gurley.

Notable Resignings - LB David Hawthorn
Notable Additions - CB Jonathan Joseph
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - SS Derron Scott
New Coach - Bryan Gurley


Carolina Panthers - Last Season 11-5

Defending Superbowl champions Carolina didn't make many waves this off season, instead focusing on keeping their core together. Newton and Benjamin are quickly developing into stars, and an offensive line that was once derided as poor is quietly becoming very strong, especially on the interior. MLB Luke Kuechly is perhaps the best at his position in the NFL, Josh Norman is returning and the Panthers took an already impressive linebacking group and added a 1st round pick to it. This team remains primed to win now.

Notable Resignings - FB Mike Tolbert, CB Josh Norman
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - OLB Taylor Patrick

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NFC East


Washington Redskins - Last Season 5-11

The Skins continue to be a team in flux. Robert Griffin III is now done, his hit and run case was dismissed but it was enough for the organisation to cut ties with him. More importantly, Ryan Kerrigan publicly voiced his displeasure at the regime in Washington and elected for free agency. Kirk Cousins did resign at quarterback, but may well get beaten out in camp by Washington's 2nd round pick (#38 pick overall), Mike Stark. Whoever starts at QB will have the luxury of All-Pro quality left tackle Trent Williams, but the rest of that line isn't good enough. Tight End Jordan Reed is also the only real weapon on offence, both receiver and running back are below standard. Kerrigan's departure has also left this defence without a leader, DT Terrance Knighton may be the best player they have on that side of the ball. #6 overall pick Gorden Gooden will need to replace Kerrigan, and fast.

Notable Resignings - DT Terrance Knighton, QB Kirk Cousins
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - QB Robert Griffin III (legal), OLB Ryan Kerrigan (team)
Draft Pick - OLB Gorden Gooden


Philadelphia Eagles - Last Season 8-8

As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. In this case, that applies to Robert Griffin III. The Eagles signed him during free agency after his nightmare in Washington. It is no sure thing that RG3 starts though, the Eagles also handed Sam Bradford a hefty contract. Perhaps that was more insurance for RG3, we shall no doubt see once the season progresses. The Eagles were quiet during free agency, electing instead to resign Cox, Kendricks, Alonso and Sam Bradford. Those resigns provide Philly with a tough looking defence, but they could stand to add a corner or two sooner rather than later. DeMarco Murray continues to be a work horse in the backfield for the Eagles.

Notable Resignings - DE Fletcher Cox, MLB Mychal Kendricks, MLB Kiko Alonso, QB Sam Bradford
Notable Additions - QB Robert Griffin III
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - WR Latevin Preston


New York Giants - Last Season 8-8

With Coach Coughlin retiring from the NFL, the Giants quickly moved to replace him with Marvin Lewis after his departure from the Bengals. The first order of business for Lewis should be to upgrade an aging and overmatched offensive live, a clear weakness on this Giants roster. This issue may be negated by a solid looking Eli Manning being able to throw any type of pass for a completion to the top 5 wide out Odell Beckham Jnr. Despite struggles at tackle and guard, the Giants selected a defender in the middle of round 1, the talented Javien Travis will need to justify that selection. There was also mixed news at defensive end, with star player Vin Curry resigning, whilst Jason Pierre Paul's run ins with the law were too much to provide him with a new contract, he ended up in free agency.

Notable Resignings - DE Vin Curry, CB Prince Amukamara, WR Reuben Randle
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - DE Jason Pierre Paul (legal)
Draft Pick - OLB Javien Travis
New Coach - Marvin Lewis


Dallas Cowboys - Last Season 10-6

The Cowboys did what they needed to do during the off season to keep a strong roster together. Dez Bryant pledged his future to the club, as did defensive end Greg Hardy. It wasn't all good news as Rolando McClain left the organisation after failing to settle in the Dallas area. Tony Romo continues to enjoy explosive weapons on offence, with Des Bryant to throw to and potentially one of the best offensive lines in the league in front of him, right guard Zach Martin could be the best at the position right now. Hardy's return lifts the Cowboys defence to a high level along with stalwart linebacker Sean Lee. The only question mark is at the safety position, an area for improvement.

Notable Resignings - WR Dez Bryant, DE Greg Hardy
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - MLB Rolando McClain (family)
Draft Pick - RT Ali Starks