GroupThink - 1991 offseason

[QuikSand]

GT 1991 Off-Season

Last season’s ratings, for those who care:

Overall Evaluation – 40
Performance – 60
Roster – 74
Profit – 48
Franchise Value - 16

We start off the new year with some good news – we don’t have any retirements. So, we can start off this year with a full complement of players from the team that posted such a nice playoff run in our initial campaign.

We have no arguments with our current front office staff, so Coach “Full Contact” Jarvis and Scout Tony Shields will stay put.

We boosted revenues last year by 67% with a much-needed ticket price increase. However, the fact that this team was suddenly actually spending money was a bit of a downside, as our expenses rose by 74%. The bottom line – our club lost nearly $88m last season, nearly twice the losses of the year before. I thin help is on the way, though – we laid out a lot of cash in signing bonuses last year ($95 million) and that won’t be happening at that level ever again. There’s room for some hope, at least.

We raise ticket prices by 10%, I honestly don’t remember if our rules stretch into this area, but this is in keeping with the “reasonable” approach. We’re still well within the area market, for what that’s worth.


The following is our list of players and cap status:

Player                #   Pos  OnTm   EndCnt Exp  Cap Cost        Save if Rlse  
Oksenberg, Brent        49  RB   1987   1995   5    $9,860,000      $7,000,000        
Armstrong, Alonzo       44  RCB  1987   1994   5    $9,530,000      $7,340,000        
Bell, Lonnie            57  MLB  1990   1994   8    $7,600,000      $6,000,000        
Bridgeman, Donnie       48  SS   1982   1993   10   $7,500,000      $6,000,000        
Davison, C.J.           71  RDE  1988   1993   4    $6,290,000      $3,260,000        
Wooldridge, Hardy       63  LT   1989   1994   3    $4,750,000      $1,840,000        
Wetherbee, Walter       33  FS   1990   1993   7    $3,900,000      $3,000,000        
McAlister, Kenny        85  SE   1990   1995   2    $3,420,000      $1,800,000        
LaRiche, Preston        32  LCB  1990   1991   6    $3,220,000      $2,740,000        
Varner, Alan            24  RCB  1990   1991   7    $3,030,000      $2,550,000        
Dennis, Alfred          27  LCB  1990   1991   6    $2,850,000      $2,370,000        
Pritchett, Roger        2   QB   1990   1992   13   $2,800,000      $2,000,000        
Houston, Monty          8   QB   1990   1992   8    $2,800,000      $2,000,000        
Coleman, Reuben         16  QB   1990   1992   7    $2,800,000      $2,000,000        
Wooden, Donald          76  RDE  1990   1992   14   $2,660,000      $2,000,000        
Von Hagel, Russell      58  MLB  1990   1991   8    $2,490,000      $2,010,000        
Howe, Christian         90  RDT  1990   1992   10   $2,400,000      $1,800,000        
Mahoney, Mark           99  RDT  1990   1992   10   $2,400,000      $1,800,000        
John, Gerald            95  SLB  1990   1992   7    $2,400,000      $1,800,000        
Horn, Rufus             59  WLB  1990   1991   8    $2,310,000      $1,830,000        
Grier, Ray              54  WLB  1990   1991   10   $2,250,000      $1,500,000        
Rose, Everett           87  SE   1990   1991   15   $1,930,000      $1,450,000        
Johnston, Blaine        69  RT   1989   1992   14   $1,930,000      $1,450,000        
Blow, Gabe              77  LDE  1990   1992   2    $1,910,000      $1,200,000        
Strikwerda, R.J.        62  LDT  1990   1992   12   $1,900,000      $1,450,000        
Flynn, Quentin          42  SS   1990   1992   7    $1,780,000      $1,340,000        
Crawford, Duane         35  RB   1990   1993   2    $1,760,000      $1,040,000        
Penick, Andre           72  LG   1990   1992   8    $1,750,000      $1,270,000        
Carlson, Joey           39  FS   1990   1992   8    $1,750,000      $1,270,000        
Gaines, Calvin          74  LG   1990   1991   10   $1,740,000      $1,260,000        
Martinez, Alan          51  WLB  1990   1994   2    $1,580,000      $860,000          
Pedersen, Tracy         70  LT   1990   1992   6    $1,400,000      $1,400,000        
Rhodes, Danny           15  QB   1989   1992   3    $1,380,000      $730,000          
Meekin, Shaun           75  RG   1990   1991   7    $1,300,000      $1,300,000        
McGough, Claude         52  C    1989   1992   3    $1,280,000      $730,000          
Hill, Wayne             19  FL   1990   1993   2    $1,230,000      $660,000          
Wallis, Clifton         18  SE   1990   1991   6    $1,130,000      $1,130,000        
Cates, Clarence         50  C    1990   1991   7    $1,100,000      $1,100,000        
DeWalt, Ed              89  FL   1990   1991   4    $880,000        $880,000          
McAfee, C.J.            67  LG   1988   1991   4    $880,000        $880,000          
Wolfe, Kent             79  LDT  1990   1992   2    $870,000        $680,000          
Baker, Keith            36  RB   1990   1992   2    $700,000        $660,000          
Terry, Isaac            65  C    1990   1991   2    $660,000        $660,000          
Clancy, Renaldo         45  FB   1987   UFA    5    $0              $0                
Graham, Dusty           84  TE   1990   ----   4    $0              $0                
Stone, Nathan           38  FB   1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Hutchins, Billy         47  TE   1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Lane, Norm              11  TE   1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Goad, Bubba             66  RT   1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Metz, Damon             9   P    1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Bridges, Terrell        7   K    1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Armendariz, Spencer     73  LDE  1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
Shores, Lorenzo         61  LDE  1990   ----   2    $0              $0                
  
Players Under Contract: 43
On Active Roster: 43
  
Salary Cap: $136,700,000
Cap Room: $16,790,000
Maximum for New Player: $10,490,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $1,810,000
  
Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $100,250,000

Overall, we have fairly little cap room, but only 10 vacancies on the roster – that’s not so bad, really. Our roster is already legal everywhere except FB, TE, P, and K for the coming year – and filling those spots are never a serious challenge. Our rookie draft (recall, we’re down in the queue this year, picking at #22 this season) is projected to cost us $6.3 million – meaning that we have something like $10 million to play with – maybe $8-9m after we fill in with nominal players at those empty spots. Fair enough.


That gets us up to date… I’ll post the game files, and we can start talking strategy. This year’s draft class is viewable, as are the fleet of players in free agency. Now, we’ve got stuff to talk about.

[QuikSand]

Here is update file #1

[QuikSand]

And here is update file #2

[QuikSand]

Sorry about the formatting above... I used the "code" tags. When I use the old familiar tags, I have been getting an extra space in between each line.

Anyone know the easiest way to post text in an evenly-spaced font like Copurier without adding extra junk and space?

[wade moore]

I've been using code with the [ symbols and everything I've postd has formatted fine..

I'll peruse in detail over the file in the morning..

[QuikSand]

Thanks, wade - much better. I can live with the extra lines above and below...

[Doug5984]

I think it would be in our best interest to release (or possibly trading him for maybe a 4th round pick) QB Houston (I think that is the right one, the guy who didn't take a single snap all season)...Also, I noticed all but 1 of our free agents are restricted...We could sign our K, P, and atleast 1 TE....that way we could go into the draft to pick the best available player.

Also, we have 4 CBs costing more than 2.85 million, maybe we could trade ro cut one of those....

[wade moore]

CURRENT OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Contracts Expired:

Clancy, Renaldo         45  FB   1987   UFA    5    $0              $0

Clancy was our starter this year and was serviceable. He caught 25 passes for 3 TDs and was great in his catch percentage (thrown at 36 times). He only carried the ball once, as we had guys more suited to have the ball. He was 8/18 on KRBs with 2 SkA. At 1 mil a year, I can't see spending the money here.

Graham, Dusty           84  TE   1990   ----   4    $0              $0

Graham caught 17 balls for 2 TDs and a 9.8 avg. He did not allow any sacks and was 2/6 on KRBs. He was not the starter this year, seeing only two starts. He is only asking for $880,000, so depending on the market he may be worth keeping around for another year.

Stone, Nathan           38  FB   1990   ----   2    $0              $0       

In just four starts Nathan caught 16 of 23 passes with a 9.2 avg and 3 TDs. However, he was only 2/10 on KRBs and allowed a SkA. He is young and has room to grow in blocking. He is also the backfield leader, so I would be a little concerned about breaking up the chemistry. He's willing to sign without a bonus and 2.2 mil over the next three years, I would be inclined to keep him

Hutchins, Billy         47  TE   1990   ----   2    $0              $0       

24 of 33 caught in his rookie year, 10.0 avg and no TDs. He was 6 of 13 on KRBs and did not allow a sack. He has some room to grow, but wants a 1 year, 1 mil contract. I think we can probably find better for that price or close to it.

Lane, Norm              11  TE   1990   ----   2    $0              $0

Who?! Filler player only asking for $590,000 , should look at him along with URFAs and other fillers.

Goad, Bubba             66  RT   1990   ----   2    $0              $0                

Same situation as Lane.

Metz, Damon             9   P    1990   ----   2    $0              $0                

Metz had a respectable 42.1 avg with 32 punts in20. He is only asking for a 1 year, $590k contract. I don't see why we don't sign him. If we draft a guy, etc. then we can always cut him with no loss

Bridges, Terrell        7   K    1990   ----   2    $0              $0                

A liability all year, I hope we don't have to go into next season with this guy.

Misc Comments on signed guys:

Houston, Monty          8   QB   1990   1992   8    $2,800,000      $2,000,000        

I agree with Doug. Seeing what we can get for this guy in trade may be worth it. We know that both Coleman and Pritchett can run the offense, and we have Rhodes who looks like he still could be something. The concern here, of course, is if we carry 3 QBs and one gets hurt we have to sign one. Perhaps we should consider looking at this position in the draft again, and carry two young guys? However, on the plus side, even with him we have barely over 10mil wrapped up at QB and it seems that we could win with any of them, where many other teams have that much in one guy.

Baker, Keith            36  RB   1990   1992   2    $700,000        $660,000          

What a steal... I see that next year he is going to be asking for big bucks. As is Crawford, but he has a year longer on his contract. Here is the big question for me. Do we go with a few good cheaper backs, or consider to ride The Ox? I'm inclined to ride the Ox. If that is the case, I think we should strongly consider trading him next year, before he just dissapears from the team.

Rose, Everett           87  SE   1990   1991   15   $1,930,000      $1,450,000        

I think we should consider trading and/or cutting Rose. He is costing us 2 mil to sit on the bench and do nothing. He started two games and caught 18 passes, but I think we could get someone younger and more promising, and possibly able to do returns. Again, he'll be gone after this year anyways as he's asking almost 3 mil for his next contract.

General Notes:
I was very happy with the Offense this year. In reality, if we returned the same team, I couldn't complain. We were among the best scoring teams in the league with a brutal running game. If we could get a marquee QB, it would be nice, but it's not going to happen with our draft pick. I'd love to see beefing up at RT and some youth at the guard and RT position. Beyond that, a return man would be nice along with a K that could be a little more reliable.

[wade moore]

DRAFT CONSIDERATIONS:

It's unfortunate that we're picking so low, but that's the price of success! Here are my top choices for the offense (in no particular order) , but I'm assuming several of them will not be available come our pick:

RT Martin Neill - I know a lot of it is tied up in Green, and it looks like an old school bust, but wow if he met those potentials

TE Marshall Wert - Because he is a TE he could fall quite a bit. I hate to see a high pick go to a TE, but this guy could be a Shannon Sharpe/Tony Gonazalez level TE for our team. He's a great blocker and receiver.

RB Arnold Evans - I know we have a backup at RB, but if we want to keep an influx of youth this guy would fit right in with the rest of the crew.

QB Ethan O'Donnell - Not worth a high pick, but might be worth a flyer in the later rounds.

FL Dennis Wiggins - This guys is fast, has the potential to catch very well, and *GASP* he looks pretty studly in Punt Returns AND Kick Returns


TE Lamont Dresow - A good later round pick to fill those hole on our team.

Ok, i'm getting deep into the draft, no point in speculating too much. This draft looks the opposite of last years, in that Defense is much deeper than offense. Which is good for us, because I feel we have more needs on that side of the ball.

[wade moore]

FA CONSIDERATIONS:

FB:

Cole Addy - Solid run blocking numbers which would be nice to have, unfortunately he's not much of a receiver

Not much to offer here.. we may want to keep our guys? Atleast Stone.

TE:

Fernando Fisk - A threat as a blocker and a reciever. He only caught 2 passes last year, but he only started 1 game. he caught 35 the year before in 9 starts. Could pretty well with this offense, but he's almost 2mil price tag could be a bit much.

Edward Brennan - Only asking for 1 mil, He is a bette blocker than any of the guys we have. He is also a decent receiver.

WR:

Corey Jacobs - If we're willing to spend almost $2 mil for a returner, this is our guy. But he wont see PT at WR.

Jake Donovan - Asking for $730k this guy would be a nice filler/backup guy. He caught 22 balls in limited action two years ago and none in no action last year.

OL:

I don't think we're going to improve the OL through FA without dropping a huge wad of cash, which I do not believe we're prepared to do after this teams performance last year.

K:

Looking at the top kickers available in the league, I guess our guy isn't so bad afterall..

[wade moore]

Just a note -- they're cracking down on web surfing during work hours, so you won't hear from me during the day much for awhile.. don't worry, i'll still be very active, just not during work hours..

[Bee]

On the O-line a good young RT is probably the biggest need. Other than that I think we are probably set for next year.

[Bee]

Overall, we have fairly little cap room, but only 10 vacancies on the roster – that’s not so bad, really. Our roster is already legal everywhere except FB, TE, P, and K for the coming year – and filling those spots are never a serious challenge. Our rookie draft (recall, we’re down in the queue this year, picking at #22 this season) is projected to cost us $6.3 million – meaning that we have something like $10 million to play with – maybe $8-9m after we fill in with nominal players at those empty spots. Fair enough.

Just a reminder that we need to take 60 players into training camp. Something everyone should keep in mind when asking for free agent signings.

Also, I didn't check but I assume none of the guys who are out of contract were "fan favorites" or "Idolized"?

[primelord]

For obvious reasons I would really like to see us sign RDE Terry Diaz. He would be a tremendous help to our DLine. The problem of course is he wants 64.7 mil over 5 years.

However maybe to help pay for him we could cut RDE Donald Wooden. That would save us 2 million and we would have 660,000 of dead cap this year and next year. We would also have to move Davison to LDE which would decrease his experience ratings some.

[QuikSand]

Here are a few thoughts, after working through the roster a bit.

We have trade offers on the table for G Shawn Meekin, and QB Ruben Coleman, each including a mid-2nd round pick. We’re already heavy at QB – it might serve us well to consider this deal, even though Coleman proved his mettle for us with a few good games last year. As for Meekin – we’re amidst talks about how well treat our pro-bowlers, so that might determine what we do here, Playing “all out,” I’d take the deal in a second. (I confess I have not yet checked either offer for the "fairness test")

I think we might do well to either cut or trade a CB. Guys #2,3, and 4 on our roster there are all making over $2m – and none are really special. Alfred Dennis seemed to post the best stats, and is a zone specialist to some degree – but maybe either LaRiche or Varner should go – especially if that helps us upgrade elsewhere. I’d like to bring in a CB with a decent pick this year – maybe second round – and get someone in there who can be better than any of those three in time.

Free agent S Stanley Newton really jumps out at me. He’s got a good skill set, and would almost certainly be our solid #3 at safety. He’s also among the best punt returners available, though he has had the dropsies a bit. Add to this his demands – less than $2m per year… he’d be a great investment, I think, and he’d cost us almost nothing (after we cut someone else, like Carlson (saves us $1.27 this year).

A new deal for G Gaines this year would up his salary by around $1.7m, but would also lock him up for two more years.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Bee
Just a reminder that we need to take 60 players into training camp. Something everyone should keep in mind when asking for free agent signings.

When you sign an undrafted rookie at the one-year minimum, does it affect your room under the salary cap? (I honestly don't remember - I know Jim adjusted this, but I haven't paid close attention)

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Bee
Also, I didn't check but I assume none of the guys who are out of contract were "fan favorites" or "Idolized"?

Not a one. Nearly all are in the class of "fans need scorecard."

[QuikSand]

The trade offer for QB Coleman has passed the traditional "fairness test," but the offer for Meekin has not, just FYI.

I renew my thought that we ought to consider the deal for Coleman.

[primelord]

Another intriguing guy who would be a cheaper option than DE Terry Diaz in RDE Bert Ogden. He is coming off a 13 sack/27 hurry year.

If we were going to get rid of a CB I think LaRichie is the guy that should go.

[primelord]

I agree we should pull the trigger on the Coleman trade. In addition to the extra pick we can use the extra cash in free agency.

[Bee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
When you sign an undrafted rookie at the one-year minimum, does it affect your room under the salary cap? (I honestly don't remember - I know Jim adjusted this, but I haven't paid close attention)

I thought it did, but I haven't really paid close attention to it either.

[Bee]

Originally posted by primelord
I agree we should pull the trigger on the Coleman trade. In addition to the extra pick we can use the extra cash in free agency.

ditto

[Doug5984]

ditto on trading Coleman.

[primelord]

Here are the DC's thoughts on what our focus should be for the defense in the offseason.

Position Priority List
1. DE
2. DT
3. CB
4. OLB

I thought Gabe Blow ended up having a solid rookie season, but I don't think he is the long term answer for us. However he would provide some nice depth for us if we were able to land another stud DE. Davison had a kind of up and down season, but ended up with some very solid numbers and now with more experience and some more talent on the line to take the focus off himhe could be very productive for us.

If we somehow have the money I would love to land a DT too, but I have a feeling we just don't have the budget to sign a big time DT. I think it's highly likely we could find another Wolfe type DT in the mid to later rounds of the draft.

I agree with Quik's thoughts that we should try to land a CB with one of our early round picks. I like Dennis and Varner, but I would like them more coming off of the bench.

OLB Martinez looks like a bust. I am not sure if it was the injuries he had last year or if he is just an outright bust, but he doesn't look like he is going to be much help to us. I think we would be ok with Rufus Horn starting for us, but if we could upgrade here I would like to.

[primelord]

Free Agent Wish List

DE
1. RDE Terry Diaz, 64.7 Mil 5 years
2. RDE Bert Ogden, 22.7 Mil 3 years
3. LDE Steve Witt, 31.2 Mil 3 years
4. RDE Doug Rome, 6.9 Mil 2 years
5. LDE Hunter Brady, 42.7 Mil 4 years

Diaz is easily the best of the bunch, but it's going to cost a lot to get him. I think Ogden is capable of putting up similar numbers to Diaz and is a little better priced. Witt is talented, but much older than Diaz and almost as expensive. Rome is strictly a pass rush specialist, but a pretty good one and is the cheapest of the group. Hunter Brady looks like he could be good, but hasn't really had a chance to start anywhere and isn't quite the pass rusher the other 4 guys are.

[DolaBump]

We're actually rather strapped in terms of the cap -- figuring an average of $350,00 for the 17 players we need to fill out our training camp roster (that's assuming most of them are undrafted rookies), that's $6 mil, plus $6 mil for the draft, leaving us only $4.5 mil to upgrade, not a whole lot, though we did make the conference championship this year.

That said, I vote to cut Lariche. I generally like to maintain a sense of continuity as much as possible, but I'd rather get a young guy in the draft and get by next year with Dennis and Varner, who both played as well or better than LaRiche. That frees up $2.5 mil, giving us a bit more breathing room.

Since my main focus is the pass defense, I wanted to point out that Gerald John, our SLB was pretty much abused in pass coverage. Obviously as the SLB, he's covering the TE a lot, but he gave up the most catches on the team and only made 8 more tackles than WLB Horn who played over 200 fewer plays. John has room to grow, so I'm not calling for his head, but its something to keep an eye on.


As for FA, I like Newton, he'd be a nice addition and only cost $500,000 more than Carlson -- my only question is in the Roster requirements -- do we have to carry 2 FS's?

Looking ahead to the draft, there's some nice depth on the D-Line, we should be able to get a solid player even late in the first round.

[primelord]

I think John will be allright. He took an experience hit when we moved him from WLB to SLB. That may account for the coverage problems. I think we should give him another year.

Looking at players we can cut I would again suggest we release DE Wooden. It would save us 2 million on a guy who didn;t even play a snap for us last season.

[primelord]

Dola,

Dolabump if we weer to sign Newton we could shift Flynn over to the FS position. His skills seem to be more suited to a FS anyway.

[QuikSand]

Okay... just an incremental update (to avoid re-stating issues that are already matters of consensus):

In the official game file, I have:

-Accepted the trade offer for QB Reuben Coleman
-Released the OL who came along in that deal
-Released CB LaRiche and DE Wooden
-Signed P Damon Metz to a new one-year contract

With those moves, here is our adjusted financial picture:

41 players signed
8 draft picks expected to cost $7,650,000
$22,940,000 remaining under the salary cap

[QuikSand]

I also think DE Doug Rome is an intriguing possibility. He's strictly a pass rusher, but he does have 18 sacks in his last 24 games... that's not too shabby. He's asking for a little over $3m per year.

Even if we land a hotshot rookie, this is a guy we could use as our main backup, or even start in passing situations.

[Bee]

You'll get a lot of letters protesting the release of Wooden...he was idolized.

[QuikSand]

In the FA market, I like TE Mark Loftis as a viable receiver and decent all-around player. He shoudl get a fair number of balls thrown his way, and though he will drop a few should be pretty solid all-around. About $2m a year and we get him, I suspect.

TE Fernando Fisk is slightly cheaper, and all-around better, but probably will not be the receiving threat that Loftis could be.

I agree with wade on WR Corey Jacobs - maybe a bit pricey for a return man, and that's really all he would be. However, we'd almost certainly cut a WR if we got him, and that could be Clifton Wallis - an easy drop of $1.1m in salary, making the $1.8 or so for Jacobs not so tough to swallow.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Bee
You'll get a lot of letters protesting the release of Wooden...he was idolized.

I totally missed it. I'll leave that as an issue for the participants... shoud I go and reload the game from the forum servers, to disallow this cut?

[QuikSand]

At the moment, I have placed an offer of 5yrs, $71m to DE Terry Diaz. This includes a $15m signing bonus - so we had better be sure that this is the guy we want to commit to for the long haul. His deal would cost is $9m this year, but $18m in each of the final seasons. No option year, at the moment.

Any thoughts?

[primelord]

I fine with making a push for DE Rome. Even if we don't find a stud DE early in the draft I think we can probably find a one dimentional run oriented DE somewhere and we can rotate that person and Rome depending on the situation.

Another guy we might want to look at is WLB Donnell Wilkerson. He is asking for 17 mil over 3 years which may be more than we can do, but we could then cut either Rufus Horn or Ray Grier to try and make up some of that cost. He would be a major upgrae over Horn at the WLB position.

[Bee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
I totally missed it. I'll leave that as an issue for the participants... shoud I go and reload the game from the forum servers, to disallow this cut?

I'd say no, just keep moving ahead. We never came to a conclusion on releasing fan favorites or idolized players.

My suggestion for a house rule would be (starting now) to not release or trade "idolized" players (maybe ok for fan favorites?).

What do you think?

[Doug5984]

Originally posted by QuikSand
At the moment, I have placed an offer of 5yrs, $71m to DE Terry Diaz. This includes a $15m signing bonus - so we had better be sure that this is the guy we want to commit to for the long haul. His deal would cost is $9m this year, but $18m in each of the final seasons. No option year, at the moment.

Any thoughts?

I think that is just too much money to tie up in one player....can someone post some of his ratings, and stats... That is just so much money, since we did so good this season I would rather sign a few vets who can contribute and help us get to the superbowl...71 million over 5 years, seems like too much to wrap up in one player....but it is up to primelord & quicksand if this guy will be worth the money.

[primelord]

Quik,

I think Diaz looks amazing and DLine is critical in our system. However I think we may get more bang for our buck going with what I talked about in my previous post. For around that same 9 mil per year we could get both Rome and Wilkerson and upgrade in two areas instead of just one.

[Bee]

As far as RT goes, I'd like to get some opinions about Marshall Cunningham in the draft as a potential second or third round draft pick.

[QuikSand]

Okay... as of now, the tentative list of FA offers reads:

TE Loftis 3yrs, $6.8m
WR Jacobs 2yrs, $3.6m
WR Donovan 2yrs, $1.61m
DE Rome 3yrs, $10.0m
S Newton 3yrs, $6.0m

I'm just trying to move this along... these are consistent with the input I have received so far.

I've pulled the offer to the top DE stud - which frees us up to go after this series of decent players. By my calculus, we should still be okay to pursue the LB that primelord is pitching, if that's where our focus is.

My guess is that we'll target DE, CB, and FB and TE in this draft... of course always open to the BPA.

[Doug5984]

Quicksand, everytime i try to download the file i get a "file is corrupt" message when i try to unzipp it....could you try re-uploading it? or could you maybe try emailing the files to me ( [email protected] )?

[primelord]

Doug,

I don't think it is a problem with the files. It sounds more like a problem with the way your browser is interpreting the files. Try right clicking on the file name and then selecting save target as and see if that helps.

[primelord]

I wouldn't mind looking at DT's in this draft also.

[Doug5984]

"Doug,

I don't think it is a problem with the files. It sounds more like a problem with the way your browser is interpreting the files. Try right clicking on the file name and then selecting save target as and see if that helps."

hmm...that didn't work either, and i tried downloading other zip files and i get the same message for all of them....i will mess around with it and see if i can get it to work.

[primelord]

Since it seems pretty likely we won't make any progress on the weekend do we think we will get through free agency today? If it is too fast for everyone I am fine with that, but I would like to be ready to head into the draft on Monday if everyone is cool with that.

[Doug5984]

Quicksand, thanks for sending me the files...that doesn't seem to be working either, it seems like this is a problem with this computer....I should get my computer back by the end of next week, so until then i can only offer a little imput.

[primelord]

Doug,

You could always try installing another archiving program like Power Archiver and see if that resolves the problem.

[QuikSand]

Free Agency

With the bids noted previously, along with a 3yr, $17m offer to LB Donnell Wilkerson, we head into the free agent market. We’re mostly looking to make finishing touches on this team – a team that marched into the playoffs last season, even after a shaky 2-6 start to the season.

Within five weeks of the FA process, we have all six of our pursued players signed. To partly make room for the new addition at LB, we release Rufus Horn, which cuts our salary by over a million.

That leaves us here, heading into the draft:

46 players signed
8 draft picks, expected to cost $7.65m
Cap room remaining is $9.85m


Since trading up in the draft is a very costly exercise, I’ve decided to cut off that possibility, and let the draft run right up to our first pick. I hope that will help to focus our conversations – recall, this year we hold picks at 1(22), 2(16), and 2(22) – so three of the next 33 selections.

Here’s the draft thus far:

[code]
1. Thunder Bay - Connell, Brenden, DT, California, Pa.
2. Providence - Neill, Martin, T, Ohio State
3. Death Valley - Grier, Archie, T, SE Missouri St.
4. Niagara Falls - Devine, Skip, RB, Arkansas
5. Key West - Summers, Sean, DE, Hampton
6. Kitty Hawk - Humphries, Nick, DT, UCLA
7. Hawk Mountain - Wilson, Casey, T, Arkansas State
8. Norfolk - Seder, Brenden, S, Purdue
9. Ocean City - Fruth, Emmitt, DE, South Carolina
10. Pensacola - Foster, Howie, T, Stanford
11. Fort Wayne - Clark, Byron, OLB, UCLA
12. Athens - Blades, Barry, DE, SW Texas St.
13. Cheyenne - Evans, Arnold, RB, New Hampshire
14. Ypsilanti - Goodwin, Steve, QB, Ohio
15. Wheeling - Irwin, Toby, DE, Florida State
16. Louisville - Wheeler, Rex, DE, Lehigh
17. Tulsa - Sockanathan, Dennis, DT, Nevada
18. Napa Valley - Falvey, Trent, T, Stanford
19. Bermuda - Dillon, Lionel, T, Ohio
20. Mazatlan - Kemp, Kendrick, DT, Purdue
21. Memphis - Brock, Darrell, T, West Virginia
[code]

We are on the clock… and our GT staff (whoever that is at this point) can start thinking about what we’d like to do here. I’ll post file updates momentarily.

[QuikSand]

First file update attached

[QuikSand]

Second file update attached.

Hmm.. that was quite a run on defensive linemen, eh?