Chubby
12-19-2000, 01:53 PM
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 07:59 AM
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Straitjacket Ravens - A primer career challenge
I'm playing this challenge career using the new FOF primer utility. I set the primer to have my Ravens draft last in each round, and I left all the position preferences untouched.
I will follow my usual "straitjacket" rules, which are (in short):
-No trades
-No renegotiations
-No franchise tag use
-No contract abuse
-Ticket prices not highest
I also using another rule that I think is an appropriate restriction:
-When signing any player during free agency who is seeking a signing bonus, I must either: offer him the deal he originally seeks; or offer him a deal with at least 1/3 of the total money in a signing bonus.
I believe that the relative freedom to sign bonus-free contracts (and the later ability to freely cut the player) is unrealistic for players of any significant level of quality. I think this will provide a slightly more difficult test.
After some thought, I also have decide to abide by a couple more rules, fairly minor:
-No extended contracts with first or second year free agents
-No signing free agents after training camp (unless necessitated by injury)
I'm simply trying to shut down all the various elements of the game that make FOF a little unrealistic or open to abuse.
In the past, I've played by similar rules, but have started via the "empty cupboard" Browns. (I usually have played about 15-20 years, and by that time have built into a top contender) In that circumstance, it has been a fairly tedious chore to build up cohesion and expertise to acceptable levels. I'm hopeful that this career will provide a slightly more accelerated start-at least I won't start out so far behind with those aspects.
[This message has been edited by QuikSand (edited 10-05-2000).]
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 08:14 AM
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1999 distribution draft
With all the position weightings left at their original settings, my draft went as follows:
T, QB, RB, T, DE, WR, WR, DE, DT, DT, G, G, CB, TE, CB… and so on into the oblivion of awful players.
The regrettable thing is that the QB I received in round two is only passable at best. Despite the relatively high pick, that position is already on the "replace soon" list. The wide receivers are a pleasant surprise-I'm so used to seeing (in FOF) all the good WRs go super-early in a draft, I'm shocked to see two fairly high quality guys on my team from picks 6 and 7. My RB is also pretty sold-I suspect that my team may be pretty good offensively in its initial season. Here's the scout overview:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Derrick Wilson 6 9 1 2003
QB Wesley Myers 3 3 5 2001
QB Matthew Fuller 3 3 5 2001
RB Broderick Sies 11 12 1 2003
RB Allen Glover 7 8 1 2002
RB Curtis Claycomb 5 5 6 2001
RB Earnest Gordon 4 3 2 2000
FB Dave Baxter 7 7 5 2001
FB Artie Davidson 3 4 2 2001
TE Lamar Dunn 11 13 2 2001
TE Ellis Jackson 4 4 4 2000
TE Rob Cedeno 4 4 2 2001
WR Cris Greer 12 12 9 2003
WR Orlando Sims 13 12 9 2004
WR Rich Quinn 6 6 12 2001
WR Jason Horton 5 5 6 2001
WR Cris Bernstein 5 5 6 2002
C Roy Dreyfuss 4 4 6 2001
C Renaldo Pieper 2 2 4 2001
G Gerald Ray 6 5 4 2003
G Courtney Johnson 4 5 4 2001
G J.R. Moss 5 4 10 2002
G Riddick Galloway 3 3 5 2001
T Dan Craig 15 17 4 2005
T Stan Sangria 9 12 9 2004
T C.J. Jenkins 2 4 2 2000
T Ben Stargell 2 2 1 2001
P Don Green 5 4 4 2000
K Lenny Glenn 4 3 8 2001
DE K.C. Molina 8 9 10 2003
DE Lee Bonner 6 6 5 2003
DE Donnell Fortin 3 4 6 2002
DE Bryce Hutchins 2 2 1 2001
DT Phillip Hines 5 5 7 2002
DT Robert Booker 4 5 7 2003
DT Kenneth King 2 5 2 2001
DT Arnold Rivers 1 3 3 2001
LB Drew Dodge 5 9 3 2002
LB Richie Nyland 4 6 12 2001
LB Fernando Gonzalez 3 4 5 2002
LB Everett Von Wyss 4 2 7 2001
LB Gary Seaver 2 2 1 2001
LB Mitch Kelly 2 1 2 2000
LB Randall Burton 1 0 5 2001
CB Perry Joyce 6 6 8 2003
CB Malcolm Skerritt 5 6 11 2001
CB Norman May 4 6 2 2001
CB Damon Schlafly 4 4 2 2002
CB Derrick Jack 2 4 5 2001
S Sammy Blackwell 7 7 9 2001
S Dwayne Moses 6 5 12 2002
S Maurice Bastyr 3 5 2 2002
S Jon Martin 2 3 3 2001
Before the season, I tinker with the game plan a bit-I decide that we'll focus on only three offensive formations, to build real expertise. We'll stay pretty vanilla on offense-I spread the run directions around more evenly, and lowered our run percentage in some short yardage situations. No major changes on defense. Overall - no major changes. This should be principally a roster-building challenge.
In the first year, I don't know what to expect-my guess is we'll be above average on offense and lousy on defense. Perhaps an 8-8 team overall.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 08:45 AM
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1999 season
We struggle early, and are not quite as potent on offense as I had hoped. We put up a pretty forgettable season, and only build up to 6-10 with a fairly solid finish to the season.
I'm not going to detail the season, as most of these guys aren't going to be around long-suffice it to say that we were a subpar team, and I have a lot of building to do.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 09:39 AM
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2000 preseason
I have retirements at G and K, and I have five players with the primer's infamous "phantom contracts" - whom I cut. So, I end up with 46 players signed, but I am (to my surprise and horror) $1.5m OVER the cap of $61m. Without the ability to renegotiate, my only choice will be to cut players-- except that all my expensive players will have bonus money, making their release not so profitable. Should be challenging.
I decide that the best way to do this is to shed a lot of cheap blood-I cut 18 players, mostly minimum salary players at practically any position. At this point, cutting QB Wilson would save me about $3.6m this year, but would cost me $4m next year. For now, I'll carry him-but the fact that I'm considering releasing him and eating the bonus-well I can't remember ever having to think about such a thing in FOF before. It's cool.
I find little to like in the FA market- filling in with cheap players at S, TE, and QB. I'll have a lot of holes to fill with rookies.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Omar Erickson, DT, Syracuse
Rnd 2 - Ross Bueter, C, Washington State
Rnd 3 - Robert Macklin, DE, Colorado
Rnd 4 - Tyrone Banta, DE, Florida
Rnd 5 - Travis Craft, CB, Mississippi State
Rnd 6 - Mitch Linares, WR, Mississippi
Rnd 7 - Louie Homer, C, Pittsburgh
In the draft, I end up getting a lot of decent players, but no real "foundation" player. Erickson will be good at DT, but that's not exactly a position I can build around. The top QBs went with picks #1-4, leaving me lacking there. I regret picking a C in round two, when a guy in round seven is solid. Regardless, I'll have lots of gaps to fill with one-year minsal rookies.
After a "global search" for rookie fill-ins, I end up with this roster:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Derrick Wilson 7 11 2 2003
QB Gino Mutzel 8 11 4 2001
QB Kelly Shabowski 3 8 1 2000
RB Broderick Sies 11 12 2 2003
RB Norman Pierce 5 8 1 2000
RB Allen Glover 6 7 2 2002
FB Dave Baxter 6 6 6 2001
FB Willie Baker 3 5 1 2000
TE Lamar Dunn 11 11 3 2001
TE Irv Spellman 6 6 4 2000
WR Orlando Sims 13 12 10 2004
WR Cris Greer 12 12 10 2003
WR Mitch Linares 7 10 1 2002
WR Dave Kaplan 6 9 1 2000
WR Devin Skidmore 6 8 1 2000
WR Cris Bernstein 5 5 7 2002
C Ross Bueter 8 17 1 2002
C Louie Homer 4 6 1 2001
G Gerald Ray 6 7 5 2003
G Courtney Johnson 3 4 5 2001
G J.C. Tracy 1 2 1 2000
T Dan Craig 13 13 5 2005
T Stan Sangria 8 8 10 2004
T Ben Stargell 2 2 2 2001
P Ralph Wayne 9 12 1 2000
K Ray Rogers 9 11 1 2000
DE Tyrone Banta 6 13 1 2002
DE Robert Macklin 6 13 1 2002
DE K.C. Molina 7 8 11 2003
DE Lee Bonner 6 6 6 2003
DT Omar Erickson 7 15 1 2004
DT Heath Monroe 3 8 1 2000
DT Phillip Hines 5 5 8 2002
DT Robert Booker 5 5 8 2003
LB Drew Dodge 6 8 4 2002
LB Lee Spendal 3 7 1 2000
LB Amos Knox 3 6 1 2000
LB Troy Hanks 3 6 1 2000
LB Randal Wagner 3 4 1 2000
LB Nate Ingram 1 3 1 2000
CB Travis Craft 5 9 1 2002
CB J.T. Porter 5 9 1 2000
CB Perry Joyce 6 5 9 2003
CB Norman May 4 3 3 2001
CB Damon Schlafly 4 3 3 2002
S Ken Weydahl 5 8 3 2001
S Dwayne Moses 6 6 13 2002
S Sammy Blackwell 7 5 10 2001
S Jon Martin 4 5 4 2001
S Maurice Bastyr 3 3 3 2002
Tough to say whether this is a team going anywhere-without a solid QB it's tough to predict much improvement. I'd call 8 wins a success.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 09:54 AM
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2000 season
We did improve in some ways-the offense was a bit better. However, our defense was bad-the tone was set when Cinti hung 58 on us in the opener, and we never really stepped up on that side of the ball. I desperately need a deep CB-LB draft to get my group back on track. It's another 6-10 season.
Stat leaders:
QB Derrick Wilson: 68.1 rating
RB Broderick Sies: 781 yds on 4.5 ypc
No receiver over 700 yards
LB Drew Dodge: 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 8 sacks
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.7/4.1/4.0
Passing: 6.7/6.7.7.0
Not a terrible effort overall. Our defense was simply unable to make big plays-only 22 total turnovers-and though we weren't bad statistically, we gave up far too many points (ratio of 316/425).
My left tackle Dan Craig gets second team mention-he had a very solid season with 27 KRBs and only 4 SA.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 10:27 AM
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2000 season
We did improve in some ways-the offense was a bit better. However, our defense was bad-the tone was set when Cinti hung 58 on us in the opener, and we never really stepped up on that side of the ball. I desperately need a deep CB-LB draft to get my group back on track. It's another 6-10 season.
Stat leaders:
QB Derrick Wilson: 68.1 rating
RB Broderick Sies: 781 yds on 4.5 ypc
No receiver over 700 yards
LB Drew Dodge: 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 8 sacks
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.7/4.1/4.0
Passing: 6.7/6.7.7.0
Not a terrible effort overall. Our defense was simply unable to make big plays-only 22 total turnovers-and though we weren't bad statistically, we gave up far too many points (ratio of 316/425).
My left tackle Dan Craig gets second team mention-he had a very solid season with 27 KRBs and only 4 SA.
2001 preseason
I have to replace my scout, and we have one retirement- a safety I signed as a FA last year. (It was a solid position anyway, we'll be fine without him)
I have 32 players already signed to contracts, and $12.5m in cap room. In the FA market, I pursue a variety of young players, offering a solid offer to each of them (no 7 year lock-ups, though - only the duration they originally seek). I also offer a $3m a year deal to a solid WR in his 7th year, who would allow me to take that position off my "high priority" list. I lose out on the WR, but do pick up a handful of fill-in caliber players elsewhere, including the offensive line.
In the draft (picking #9 again) I hope to find a star QB-otherwise, I'll probably focus on defense, unless a top-tier WR stands out.
When my pick comes up, the safety I really wanted is there-but you simply do not pass on a nearly-perfect QB with a team like this, no matter how much you like "the other guy." I grab my franchise player in Victor Brady.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Victor Brady, QB, Hawaii
Rnd 2 - Troy McDonald, WR, Southwest Louisiana
Rnd 3 - Bill Compton, S, North Carolina State
Rnd 4 - Cris Tovar, TE, Boise State
Rnd 5 - Joel Devine, LB, Arkansas
Rnd 6 - Floyd McElroy, LB, Simpson
Rnd 7 - Ronnie Murphy, FB, Colorado
I get a very solid-looking WR in round two, but I'm dubious-my scout seemed to like an awful lot of receivers in here, he may just be a dope. I do the usual fill-ins, and get a number of pretty solid guys. After the draft, I patch together a roster with rookies and re-signed youngsters from last year's team.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 8 19 1 2006
QB Gino Mutzel 9 12 5 2001
QB Derrick Wilson 9 11 3 2003
RB Rickey Grylicki 6 11 1 2001
RB Broderick Sies 11 11 3 2003
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 2 2002
FB Ronnie Murphy 8 13 1 2002
FB Willie Baker 6 7 2 2001
FB Dave Baxter 7 5 7 2001
TE Lamar Dunn 12 15 4 2001
TE Cris Tovar 7 12 1 2002
TE Steven Douglas 5 8 1 2001
WR Orlando Sims 13 15 11 2004
WR Troy McDonald 10 10 1 2003
WR Cris Greer 11 9 11 2003
WR Jose Zgonina 6 6 2 2002
WR Devin Skidmore 6 6 2 2002
WR Mitch Linares 6 5 2 2002
C Ross Bueter 13 13 2 2002
C Norbert Blanding 3 10 1 2001
G Chris Everett 7 11 2 2001
G Gerald Ray 7 10 6 2003
G Vinny Spires 5 9 1 2001
T Dan Craig 15 18 6 2005
T Spencer Folau 12 13 2 2004
T Martin Monroe 6 8 2 2001
P Ralph Wayne 11 10 2 2002
K Ray Rogers 12 12 2 2002
DE Tyrone Banta 8 13 2 2002
DE Robert Macklin 8 13 2 2002
DE K.C. Molina 7 9 12 2003
DE Lee Bonner 5 5 7 2003
DT Omar Erickson 12 16 2 2004
DT Martin Holdman 7 8 2 2003
DT Heath Monroe 3 6 2 2002
DT Max Dole 4 5 2 2002
LB Floyd McElroy 7 14 1 2002
LB Troy Hanks 4 9 2 2001
LB Joel Devine 6 8 1 2003
LB Drew Dodge 7 8 5 2002
LB Lee Spendal 3 5 2 2002
CB Shane Heybach 6 11 1 2001
CB Travis Craft 6 9 2 2002
CB J.T. Porter 6 9 2 2002
CB Rickey Wyman 5 8 1 2001
CB Perry Joyce 6 7 10 2003
CB Norman May 4 5 4 2001
CB Lamar McBeal 5 5 2 2002
S Bill Compton 7 12 1 2003
S Sammy Blackwell 7 8 11 2001
S Dwayne Moses 5 6 14 2002
S Jon Martin 3 6 5 2001
S Maurice Bastyr 4 4 4 2002
I still look very weak on defense, particularly at CB-but I still hold out hope for a bountiful draft to yield me a quality long-term player or two there. For now, we'll hope to get the new QB initiated, and build the offense from there. Another 6 win season sounds about right.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 10:39 AM
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2001 season
I am surprised when we jump out to 4-1 in the early going, and the team actually plays like it's a better-than-average club. We manage to win half of the rest, to gain a 9-7 final record and a surprising postseason berth. My QB showed more poise than most rookies, and that certainly helped a great deal.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 2,820 yds, 54.8%, 6.21 ypa, 18/12, 75.8
RB Broderick Sies: 220-958, 5 TD (4.3 ypc)
WR Cris Greer: 68-888, 6 TD
LB Floyd McElroy: 88 tackles, 4 sacks
DE Robert Macklin: 19 sacks (!)
DT Omar Erickson: 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks
CB Ricky Wyman: 50 tackles, 4 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.0/4.0/3.9
Passing: 6.4/6.4/6.3
On paper, we were a solidly average team. Our point ratio of 286-268 suggests the same. We manage to eke out 9 wins, and we are rewarded with a trip to Oakland. We are "just happy to be here."
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Daedalus
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 02:45 PM
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Nice! At least now you have a QB for a few years.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:16 PM
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2001 postseason
I’m not going to build up any unfair drama—the Raiders kicked out butts. They opened up early and often, got momentum with a big defensive TD, and had 42 points just after halftime. The final of 42-16 was a little skewed by big plays, but they were the superior team, for sure.
DT Omar Erickson gets first team honor, and DE Robert Macklin gets second team. I would have expected the other way around, but I’m pleased nonetheless.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:17 PM
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2002 preseason
We lose DE Molina to retirement, a decent aging veteran. We have 35 signed players, and $15.8m in room under the $75m cap. Our main free agents are LB Drew Dodge (who was out best guy at first) and CB Ricky Wyman (our best corner, pending arrival of some real players). Two one-year additions at OL are at least looking, but I’m hoping to get them re-signed cheaply.
For the 2002 season, I’d say that my secondary is my top concern. I’d like to start the draft with a quality safety, and I need to get some corners or else I’ll give up 42 points in every playoff game. I won’t have a particularly early draft pick, so I’ll need luck at safety. That may be a good spot to look for a free agent, as well.
The FA period is uneventful—I sign a decent DT to a 2yr deal, but fail to land any other fill-in players. I head into the rookie period looking like Swiss cheese—still a lot of holes.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jimmy Curtis, WR, Washington
Rnd 2 - Mack Kestner, S, Temple
Rnd 3 - Calvin Floyd, CB, Lenior-Rhyne
Rnd 4 - Phillip Biekert, LB, The Citadel
Rnd 5 - Steven Herndon, CB, Ashland
Rnd 6 - Dwight Ellison, LB, SE Oklahoma St.
Rnd 7 - Marlon Stewart, CB, North Carolina State
The draft was disappointing at the top—I end up with a mediocre WR with my first pick, as there is nothing worthwhile at any other position. I get a safety to fill in for a while, but I still need an anchor player there. The draft is deep with fill-in corners and linebackers, but nothing earth-shattering. Decent.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 13 19 2 2006
QB Derrick Wilson 9 10 4 2003
QB Bert Money 3 8 1 2005
RB Broderick Sies 12 12 4 2003
RB Tyrone Fletcher 5 5 1 2002
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 3 2002
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 8 2 2002
FB Neal Zereoue 4 6 1 2002
TE Cris Tovar 11 13 2 2002
TE Steven Douglas 4 5 2 2002
WR Troy McDonald 10 11 2 2003
WR Jimmy Curtis 9 10 1 2006
WR Orlando Sims 12 10 12 2004
WR Cris Greer 9 8 12 2003
WR Jose Zgonina 7 8 3 2002
WR Mitch Linares 7 6 3 2002
WR Devin Skidmore 6 4 3 2002
C Ross Bueter 14 12 3 2002
C Norbert Blanding 7 10 2 2002
G Chris Everett 10 13 3 2004
G Vinny Spires 6 10 2 2002
G Charlie Reese 4 6 2 2002
G Gerald Ray 7 6 7 2003
T Dan Craig 15 15 7 2005
T Spencer Folau 13 13 3 2004
T Martin Monroe 5 7 3 2002
P Ralph Wayne 11 12 3 2002
K Ray Rogers 13 15 3 2002
DE Robert Macklin 10 14 3 2002
DE Tyrone Banta 8 11 3 2002
DE Lee Bonner 4 6 8 2003
DT Omar Erickson 16 16 3 2004
DT Martin Holdman 9 11 3 2003
DT Xavier Roberson 4 8 2 2003
LB Dwight Ellison 9 15 1 2003
LB Phillip Biekert 9 13 1 2004
LB Floyd McElroy 7 13 2 2002
LB Joel Devine 7 11 2 2003
LB Lester Cassidy 5 11 1 2002
LB Ernie McGregor 5 8 1 2002
LB Lee Spendal 4 4 3 2002
CB Steven Herndon 7 12 1 2004
CB Shane Heybach 7 10 2 2004
CB Marlon Stewart 6 10 1 2003
CB Calvin Floyd 7 9 1 2004
CB Travis Craft 8 9 3 2002
S Mack Kestner 7 11 1 2004
S Bill Compton 8 11 2 2003
S Jumbo Branch 4 6 1 2002
I suppose we have improved the secondary on paper a bit, but I still don’t feel very strongly about this bunch. To make my comfort level stabilize, I think I will need anchor players at CB, S, and LB: and I really don’t have any of the above right now.
I figure we’ll stay around the same place—roughly a .500 team, until we really start to come together on defense.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:17 PM
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2002 season
My prediction came true—we manage an 8-8 campaign, the true mark of an average club. We had a few massive shootouts (losing 61-47 to Cleveland, for instance) but out season stats aren’t totally out of whack.
Stat leaders:
QB Victory Brady: 3,032 yds, 51.5%, 6.85, 19/18, 70.9
RB Broderick Sies: 207-832, 8 TD
WR Orlando Sims: 47-904, 3 TD
TE Chris Tovar: 46-574, 7 TD
LB Dwight Ellison: 98 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 int
LB Philip Biekert: 85 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 int, 1 TD (80 yds)
DE Robert Macklin: 13.5 sacks
S Mack Kestner: 75 tackles, 1 sack, 6 int
S Bill Compton: 86 tackles, ½ sack, 6 int, 1 TD
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.8/4.1/4.0
Passing: 7.0/6.7/6.6
The defense was slightly below average on both sides… and our running game simply isn’t up to snuff. We’ll be looking to improve in both places.
LB Philip Biekert is named second team LB and gets defensive ROY. S Bill Compton also gets second team mention.
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QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 04:20 PM
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2003 preseason
I have no retirements, but I do have a large of players seeking free agency. I have only 20 signed players, with $44.1m in room under the $82m cap. T Dan Craig is eating up huge amounts of salary cap room—with his $12m salary. I’m thinking I’ll be better off if I release him and perhaps replace him with a quality free agent—if there are any available (the market has been awfully thin to date). Releasing Craig would save me nearly $10m, though he’d still hit me for $2.4 in cap count this year and next. Tough call.
In the expansion draft, I lose my starting RB Broderick Sies, which ought to make my first round draft pick choices pretty clear. I also lose backup QB Derrick Wilson. I release my other players who are residing on zero-dollar contracts, as I have been doing throughout this career.
In free agency, I find a few quality safeties—but two of them are very, very old. I pursue 12th year S Dusty Cassidy who is very good, but obviously only has a few seasons left. S Josh Blackwell is mostly a run-stopper, but he’s worth a solid effort as well. It would be good to lock down two quality guys there—they’d be a huge upgrade over my incumbents.
I get a veteran LB right away—Byron Rober will be a good addition, probably right in the middle. S Josh Blackwell signs in week two, and things are looking good. I get the older safety too, after some time, and we are now built up significantly in one of our weakest areas. In the late stages, I have money, and decide to offer TE Kendrick Garrity a 2yr deal, which he accepts over his other suitors’ offers. That’s another solid upgrade, though the results from my incumbent were good regardless.
As the FA period wraps up, I have no running backs signed on my roster. Theoretically, someone has to carry the ball. That will have to be a priority for the draft, and I’ll still have to fill on one or two from the scrap heap.
Predictably, this is about the crummiest RB draft I’ve seen in years, and I’m left without a genuinely good short-term option.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jimmie Winslett, S, Illinois
Rnd 2 - Mercury Engler, RB, Virginia Tech
Rnd 3 - Ralph Talley, RB, Ohio State
Rnd 4 - Mo Schwartz, K, West Virginia
Rnd 5 - Irving Kennedy, LB, Colorado State
Rnd 6 - Geoff Austin, CB, Oregon State
Rnd 7 - Howie Wayne, TE, Kansas
Of course, just as I invest in the free agent market in safeties, a perfect rookie falls to me. I take him anyway (there are no RBs worth investing the first pick in) and decide I’ll play the oldest safety at corner for a year or two. I get a pair of interesting RBs, but still will await “the answer” at that position to come along later.
I have to make some fill-ins, none of whom are particularly interesting. I do manage to sign one quality WR in Gantry Strickland, who is available after camp. He takes a one year deal, but his presence will definitely help, as I lost one of my aged veterans this season (and will lose the other soon).
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 15 18 3 2006
QB Dave Harden 6 8 4 2003
QB Bert Money 4 8 2 2005
RB Mercury Engler 9 12 1 2005
RB Ralph Talley 5 8 1 2005
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 4 2003
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 11 3 2004
TE Kendrick Gerrity 16 16 8 2004
TE Cris Tovar 12 14 3 2005
TE Howie Wayne 6 11 1 2004
WR Orlando Sims 11 12 13 2004
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 12 2 2006
WR Gantry Strickland 11 11 4 2003
WR Troy McDonald 10 8 3 2003
WR Glen Griffin 4 4 2 2004
WR Glen Daniels 4 3 1 2003
C Ross Bueter 14 13 4 2005
C Norbert Blanding 7 9 3 2003
G Chris Everett 10 9 4 2004
G Corwin Webster 5 8 2 2003
G J.C. Tracy 3 4 4 2003
T Dan Craig 16 16 8 2005
T Spencer Folau 11 9 4 2004
T Martin Monroe 5 6 4 2003
P Tito Talley 10 9 10 2003
K Mo Schwartz 12 17 1 2005
DE Robert Macklin 12 11 4 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 9 10 4 2005
DE Timothy Baker 4 5 2 2003
DT Omar Erickson 15 14 4 2004
DT Kennedy Reed 7 10 2 2005
DT Martin Holdman 9 7 4 2003
DT Xavier Roberson 7 7 3 2003
LB Dwight Ellison 10 15 2 2003
LB Byron Rober 12 13 7 2004
LB Floyd McElroy 9 13 3 2005
LB Phillip Biekert 9 13 2 2004
LB Irving Kennedy 6 12 1 2004
LB Lester Cassidy 6 11 2 2005
LB Allen Gray 5 10 1 2003
LB Joel Devine 8 10 3 2003
LB Ernie McGregor 6 9 2 2005
CB Calvin Floyd 8 13 2 2004
CB Steven Herndon 8 13 2 2004
CB Geoff Austin 7 11 1 2004
CB Shane Heybach 7 10 3 2004
S Dusty Cassidy 16 16 12 2005
S Josh Blackwell 14 16 8 2005
S Jimmie Winslett 9 15 1 2007
S Mack Kestner 9 13 2 2004
S Bill Compton 9 11 3 2003
We look improved, particularly in the secondary. This could be a year to take a step forward, I’m hoping. Perhaps we can improve on the 8-8 from last season, and make a run at another postseason berth.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 11:26 AM
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2003 season
We showed some signs of really breaking out this year—an offensive explosion through the preseason and a quick run to 3-0. However, we took heavy damages on defense, and had very little depth ho overcome the losses (notably both starting DEs). We struggled down the stretch, and only finished 8-8, again. However, I see signs of a team ready to step forward—led by its emerging star at QB.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,130 yds, 58.3%, 7.24, 24/9, 90.6
RB Mercury Engler: 227-1,146, 8 TDs (5.0 ypc)
WR Orlando Sims: 56-845, 6 TD
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 67-698, 2 TD
OL unit: ~33% KRBs, 46 sacks
LB Byron Rober: 102 tackles, 2 sacks
DEs Banta, Macklin: 12 sacks each
S Josh Blackwell: 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/4.3/4.0
Passing: 7.0/7.5/6.8
The offense actually stepped up, behind an improved QB and a surprisingly strong running game. RB Engler is an unusual back—he has pretty decent ratings, but the one bar that sticks out is the “yards per carry” bar—and hey, who doesn’t want a back with good yards per carry? He seems to be doing pretty well—better than his ratings bars indicate to me, intuitively.
We’re out of it this year, but I like our chances to keep getting better.
Division foes Cincinnati repeat as bowl winners.
Tackle Dan Craig—my overpaid slob whom I decided to keep after all—makes first team honors, and so does my rookie kicker.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 11:27 AM
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2004 preseason
WR Orlando Sims retires, which will leave me with that position pretty thin. Last season I was able to get a fill-in guy after training camp, but I’d rather not chance things this year. We have 33 signed players, and about $30m in room under the $89m cap.
I have several quality players without contracts: WR Troy McDonald (who is restricted) and LB Dwight Ellison are atop the list. I’d like to retain those two, particularly McDonald—though I realize that will be costly.
In the opening stages, I pursue my own one-year fill0-in at WR, Gantry Strickland, with a legitimate 3yr offer. I also go after quality players at LB and DT, trying to strengthen my run defense. I also pursue a pair of quality offensive tackles, which will be a need position soon.
WR Strickland immediately signs… with Chicago. I also realize immediately that I’m not even in the race for the DT I had sought—he’ll go for BIG money. So, my focus becomes rapidly more modest—the LB and the two tackles. In week 5, LB Peter Hoetger signs—he’ll step in at MLB, and our corps there is now looking pretty strong. In week 7, the 5th year tackle Nolan Browning signs, which is welcome news. At about the same time, a bidding war erupts over my DT Martin Holdman. He’s only modestly talented, but he’s getting offers in the $4m range, which I don’t think is prudent for me to match. I decide that I cannot do so, and I’ll let him leave—which creates a big gap in my defensive front.
We head into the draft perilously thin at WR, with only two guys of any measurable ability. With pick #18, I’ll hope to select there, unless something bizarre happens.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Bernard Hammers, WR, Virginia
Rnd 2 - Geoff Ward, DT, Mississippi State
Rnd 3 - Clarence Palmer, QB, Alabama St.
Rnd 4 - Quinn Hughes, CB, Washington
Rnd 5 - Don Foley, CB, Baylor
Rnd 6 - Dwayne Wolfe, CB, Arkansas State
Rnd 7 - Ross Washington, FB, Southern California
A pretty good draft—we got what we needed here. The DT in round two was a bit of a reach, but the position was a priority for us, and he’ll step in right away, I expect. The WR was one of two very solid guys to pick from—I obviously broke the tie on who had the cooler-sounding name.
I do my obligatory fill-ins after camp, including grabbing one more wideout who looks decent and will play for minimum salary for one year. I think the roster is really coming together now—as it should be.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 16 18 4 2006
QB Clarence Palmer 5 14 1 2006
QB Kerry Boniol 4 11 1 2004
RB Mercury Engler 10 11 2 2005
RB Ralph Talley 8 8 2 2005
RB Monty Tatum 4 4 1 2004
FB Ross Washington 9 11 1 2005
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 9 4 2004
TE Kendrick Gerrity 14 14 9 2004
TE Cris Tovar 11 10 4 2005
TE Howie Wayne 7 9 2 2004
WR Bernard Hammers 11 16 1 2007
WR Leo Smetana 11 10 5 2004
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 10 3 2006
WR Glen Daniels 7 9 2 2006
WR Troy McDonald 9 9 4 2006
WR Ryan Andrews 4 6 1 2004
WR Glen Griffin 4 3 3 2004
C Ross Bueter 14 12 5 2005
C Norbert Blanding 7 9 4 2005
G Chris Everett 8 9 5 2004
G Aaron Malone 5 8 2 2004
G Mercury Ferguson 5 7 4 2004
T Dan Craig 15 15 9 2005
T Spencer Folau 13 14 5 2004
T Herman Hills 10 14 2 2007
T Nolan Browning 11 14 5 2006
P Dusty Cardone 8 9 4 2004
K Mo Schwartz 18 20 2 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 10 12 5 2005
DE Robert Macklin 10 9 5 2005
DE Timothy Baker 5 7 3 2005
DT Omar Erickson 15 15 5 2004
DT Kennedy Reed 8 11 3 2005
DT Geoff Ward 5 10 1 2007
DT Xavier Roberson 7 10 4 2006
LB Byron Rober 13 18 8 2004
LB Peter Hoetger 15 17 7 2006
LB Irving Kennedy 8 13 2 2004
LB Dwight Ellison 11 13 3 2006
LB Joel Devine 11 12 4 2005
LB Phillip Biekert 9 12 3 2004
LB Lester Cassidy 8 10 3 2005
LB Floyd McElroy 8 9 4 2005
CB Quinn Hughes 9 16 1 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 8 16 1 2005
CB Don Foley 8 14 1 2006
CB Calvin Floyd 10 12 3 2004
S Jimmie Winslett 10 17 2 2007
S Dusty Cassidy 15 16 13 2005
S Josh Blackwell 15 15 9 2005
S Mack Kestner 9 12 3 2004
S Bill Compton 11 12 4 2005
Our cohesion is rated at 70-84-77-58. I think this is a playoff team, as long as we don’t lose our QB to injury, or otherwise get decapitated. I like our chances to win 9 or 10 games, and to get into the playoffs.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 06:25 PM
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2004 season
The season plays out pretty well—the defense is not yet very together, but we are able to simply outscore several opponents in shootouts. We end up 11-5, and take the second wild card spot—earning us a shot at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,598 yds, 58.2%, 7.43, 34/13, 93.8 – a breakout year!
RB Mercury Engler: 252-1,166 yds, 7 TD, 4.6 ypc - testament that ypc is the most important rating?
WR Jimmy Curtis: 59-885, 11 TD – leader among widely-injured group
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 63-672, 7 TD – one of my main targets, without any gameplan help
OT Dan Craig: 48-103 KRBs (46.6%), 8 SA - the most KRBs I think I’ve ever seen from anyone
LB Peter Hoetger: 88 tackles, 0.5 sack
DE Tyrone Banta: 14 sacks – has assumed mantle of top pass rusher with serious injury to Macklin
S Josh Blackwell: 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 int
S Dusty Cassidy: 73 tackles, 1 sack, 5 int, 3 TDs
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/4.9/3.9
Passing: 7.4/6.8/6.8
Our offenmse is clicking, but our defense still has yet to catch up. I think we ended up facing a lot of garbage time this season, but still I’d like to see those yards against come down a bit.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 06:25 PM
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2004 postseason
Kansas City went 12-4, and lost out on the tiebreaker, sending them into the wild card round. They look a bit better-rounded than us—a better defense overall.
Early on, it looks like the Chiefs have things in hand. They drive on us once, mostly through the air, and then cash in a turnover, and they lead 17-3 at the half. Their defense keeps us in check, which disrupts our whole game. Into the fourth quarter, it’s 20-6 KC, and it looks to be in hand. There is no fanfare, no single big play, just the Chiefs grinding down the clock as they drive us into the ground. Final score: KC 23, Balt 6.
In the awards, T Dan Craig takes first team, of course, for the second straight season. QB Victor Brady and S Dusty Cassidy earned second team honors.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-10-2000 06:07 PM
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2005 preseason
I lose LB Byron Rober to retirement, well before his time. Fortunately, it’s a position where I have sufficient depth to absorb the loss. Regardless, his departure along with T Dan Craig’s movement into the mysterious “$0 contract year” free up some serious money this season. I have 34 signed players, and $43m in room under the $96m cap. I feel like I can spend fairly freely—part of this will be on my own players, as I have several free agents.
I decide to make a switch at head coach, getting a guy with better “game day” ratings. My former coach has terribly defensive play calling, which I suspect contributed to our dreadful defense. The new guy’s weakness is with backs and receivers—but my player development is secondary to game play right now.
As I survey the FA market, I see that trying to spend money will not be tough. I pursue a top-grade free agent RB, a very solid LB, and try to lure my receiving TE into returning. I also have to bid on DT Omar Erickson, who was my first draft pick, and has been our DL anchor ever since. His numbers have been solid, but it’s a position where I have no backup plan—he must be re-signed.
I have to bump up my offer a bit, but in week 2, DT Erickson re-signs. Whew. In week 3, WR Smetana re-signs, and also new additions RB Bryan Shelton and LB Lewis Robertson, both star-quality players. TE Gerrity re-ups in week 5, and we’re almost set.
With lots of cap room left, I go after a far players at guard. I lose out in a massive bidding war for a proven veteran, but I lie in wait to get a good price on a second year player who wants a rich offer. In themeantime, I sign two other guards—my entire threesome of guards from last year are departing, and are not worth big contracts to replace. I offer a one-year, $5m deal to a high-quality guy who is the subject of a bidding war, and to my surprise, he takes it—I get G Frankie Ross on board for this year.
After the FA period, I have enough salary room for my rookie class, and possibly to grab a post-camp straggler or two, if desirable. (I’ve had luck with WRs there in recent years) In the draft, I’d love tofind a high-quality DE, but may have to go BPA, based on what’s there at #25.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jumbo Dunlap, WR, Southwest Louisiana
Rnd 2 - Joey Gibson, DT, Oregon State
Rnd 3 - Terrell Pike, FB, Rutgers
Rnd 4 - Greg Chaplin, LB, Southern California
Rnd 5 - Kris Bradley, QB, California
Rnd 6 - Graham Bazzell, CB, Northwestern
Rnd 7 - Johnnie Flannery, P, North Carolina
I have yet to see a more severely mis-named FOF player than the 5-8, 177lb “Jumbo” Dunlap, but the wideout is the best thing going at pick #25, regardless. This draft is full of need picks, and I don’t feel like I got any great bargains, to be honest.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 18 18 5 2006
QB Kris Bradley 7 16 1 2007
QB Clarence Palmer 8 15 2 2006
RB Bryan Shelton 16 14 5 2007
RB Mercury Engler 12 12 3 2005
RB Ralph Talley 7 9 3 2005
FB Terrell Pike 7 13 1 2007
FB Ross Washington 8 9 2 2005
TE Kendrick Gerrity 15 17 10 2007
TE Cris Tovar 11 14 5 2005
WR Bernard Hammers 14 17 2 2007
WR Jumbo Dunlap 10 14 1 2009
WR Leo Smetana 10 12 6 2007
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 11 4 2006
WR Troy McDonald 10 10 5 2006
WR Ryan Andrews 7 9 2 2005
WR Glen Daniels 7 8 3 2006
C Ross Bueter 15 15 6 2005
C Norbert Blanding 8 9 5 2005
G Frankie Ross 11 10 6 2005
G Lonnie Terrell 8 9 2 2007
G Keith Diana 4 6 2 2006
T Nolan Browning 12 16 6 2006
T Dan Craig 15 12 10 2007
T Herman Hills 9 11 3 2007
P Johnnie Flannery 5 5 1 2006
K Mo Schwartz 19 20 3 2005
DE Robert Macklin 11 12 6 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 10 9 6 2005
DE Timothy Baker 6 8 4 2005
DT Omar Erickson 16 16 6 2007
DT Joey Gibson 6 16 1 2008
DT Geoff Ward 9 13 2 2007
DT Kennedy Reed 9 11 4 2005
DT Xavier Roberson 7 9 5 2006
LB Peter Hoetger 17 18 8 2006
LB Lewis Roberson 14 18 7 2007
LB Dwight Ellison 13 13 4 2006
LB Phillip Biekert 11 13 4 2007
LB Joel Devine 11 13 5 2005
LB Irving Kennedy 8 12 3 2006
LB Lester Cassidy 9 12 4 2005
LB Floyd McElroy 10 11 5 2005
LB Greg Chaplin 6 10 1 2006
CB Quinn Hughes 11 15 2 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 11 13 2 2005
CB Don Foley 10 12 2 2006
CB Graham Bazzell 4 3 1 2006
S Jimmie Winslett 13 17 3 2007
S Dusty Cassidy 14 14 14 2005
S Josh Blackwell 14 14 10 2005
S Mack Kestner 10 11 4 2005
S Bill Compton 10 9 5 2005
With a handful of exceptions, we now have high quality players starting everywhere on the field. I think we’ll have some cohesion issues, but overall the team is looking pretty good. (Cohesion is at 67-74-77-61) I think we should be a playoff team again, and hopefully we’ll be wrestling for the top seeds in the AFC.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-11-2000 01:55 PM
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2005 season
As we rumble out to a 5-0 record, we look like an "elite" team. We finally stumble in week 9, losing to Cleveland. In week 11, we meet up again: CLE is 7-2 as they visit our 8-1 Ravens. The matchup is laced with rivalry-Baltimore stole the original Browns… but most of all, I've played so many damned careers with the Browns that I reflexively think of them as "my team." It's weird to think of them as the enemy. The Browns win the game to sweep the season series, but they lose to Pittsburgh the following week, giving me the leg up for the Division. We drop two more games as the season close, but the 12-4 mark is good enough to get us in as division champs and earns the week off.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,807 yds, 58.6%, 8.06 ypa, 25/18, 86.3
RB Bryan Shelton: 275-1,209 yds, 11 TD
WR Bernard Hammers: 57-1,084 yds, 8 TD
C Ross Beuter: 37/83 KRBs (44.5%), 5 sacks
LB Peter Hoetger: 86 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 10.5 sacks
DT Omar Erickson: 9.5 sacks
CB Quinn Hughes: 38 tackles, 0.5 sack, 8 int, 2 TD
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.3/3.9/4.0
Passing: 7.9/6.5/6.8
Finally - better than the league average across the board. We got what we wanted out of this regular season-a solid effort and a bye week. Now, we need to get things in gear for a playoff run-hoping for our first postseason victory.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-11-2000 01:55 PM
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2005 postseason
We get Cincinnati to visit-they were one of the teams who beat us late in the season, in their year-end rush to make the playoffs after a terrible start. They were champions in 2002 and 2003, so this team has a core of reliable players.
The Bengals cash in an early turnover to go up 7-0m and it's nearly halftime before we score to even it at 7-7. The game is tight, with neither team taking many risks. Early in the third, we march for a big score to go up 14-7, and I feel like we have the big mo. On our next possession, we move the ball again, and add a FG to lead by 10. After a big punt return, they get great position, but cannot get a TD, and settle for a FG, to pull within 7 with 12 minutes left. The game is definitely not in hand yet. On our next drive, we add some insurance with another FG, and have the advantage back up to two scores, with about 8 minutes left. When it looks like we have them held, they convert a 3rd and 6 with a 55 yard pass play, and set up in our red zone. They toss it in on third down, and are within 20-17, with 5:50 on the clock.
On our possession, we are pushed all the way back to our 1 yard line, and punt to our 40. With 3:45 they take over. With 1:02 left, they tee up for a 29yard FG… and it's good to tie the game. The kickoff is a squib, and we jump on it at our 49-great position. On the very first play, WR Hammers gets loose on the sideline, grabs the pass in mid-stride, and trots home the 51 yards for the go-ahead score! Cinti gets the ball, and on a final desperation play they compete a heave-ho pass, but it's only down to our 10 yard line, and we make the tackle to win it, 27-20.
The division's dominance is evident by the fact that we now play Pittsburgh in the AFC title game. We got four teams in, and nobody outside the division could beat any of us-Cinti beat Cleveland, we best Cinti, and now we play Pitt for the conference title and a bowl bid. The Steelers handed us a 38-0 lump in the season's final week-and we haven't forgotten.
In their opening series, the Steelers fumble, setting us up for a great opportunity. We cash in as Brady hits RB Shelton for the score, and we lead 7-0. The Steelers do no go quietly-they charge down the field, but settle for a chip-shot FG after we hold on a goal-line stand. Early in the second quarter they add another, and it's 7-6. Behind our backup QB, we mount one good drive in the second quarter to add a TD, and lead 14-9 despite a somewhat sputtering offense.
Our first second half drive yields a FG, and we're looking like we may be coming alive. Early in the fourth, they get good position, but miss a 42-yard FG wide left. My 17-9 lead is looking good, but not great right now.
A 36-yard pass turns a mid-field stall-out into a deep threat, giving the Steelers first and goal from my nine, down 8 point with 6:29 to go. They score the TD, but Tyrone Banta makes the key tackle on the 2-pt attempt, leaving us ahead by 17-15. On our possession, Shelton gets a huge 10-yard gain on third down to chew up more clock. On this drive, my backup QB Clarence Palmer is still in the game, and is essentially handing off. However, on second and one (my favorite down) he airs it out, and hits Jumbo Dunlap for a 38-yard TD… should be the sealer. It is, as we hold them off to win it, 24-15. We're heading to our first bowl game.
My QB Victor Brady was pulled out of the AFC title game with a bad thigh bruise, but he'll go in the Superbowl. Good news. We take on the Arizona Cardinals, who have been the NFC reps five times in the league's seven years (counting this one), with one win in 2001, so their record has been very solid-a regular season mark of 85 and 27. Wow.
Checking out their roster, I find what I expected-a very good QB. The great news is, that he is out for the superbowl with a bum elbow. However, they made it this far without him-I'm not too cocky yet.
Our first two drives yield FG attempts-mine is short and good, theirs is long and misses. We extend to 6-0 after another FG, and they are forced to punt. I like the trend here. Two second quarter drives yield TDs, and we head into the locker room completely in charge, 19-0. A red zone stuff and a turnover keep the shutout intact through the third quarter, as we tack on another for a 26-0 lead. With 3 minutes to go, they score on a long TD pass, but we're already hitting the champagne-final score: Baltimore 26, Arizona 7.
Omar Erickson-this franchise's first draft pick ever, takes the MVP trophy for his four sacks. CB Quinn Hughes is a first team honoree, while QB Victor Brady, RB Bryan Shelton, and WR Bernard Hammers all make the second team. Our increasingly prolific offense is starting to take a toll… and we have the ring to show for it.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-16-2000 02:41 PM
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2006 preseason
Our defending champs come back intact-we have no retirements or front office defections. We'll try to keep together what we can: we have 32 players signed, and $41.2m in room under the cap of $103m.
Both veteran safeties are free agents-I'll re-sign Josh Blackwell is at all possible, but I don't envision bringing back Cassidy. C Ross Beuter has been a stalwart, but his price will go up dramatically at a replaceable position-I doubt he'll be back. DEs Banta and Macklin will be very pricey-and neither one really has world-beater ability. I have three LBs looking to leave, and countless other role players and fill-ins. Should be tough.
I put in strong offers for S Blackwell, C Beuter, and DE Banta. I also put up for S Kestner, who would be my third safety but is also a backup plan in case Blackwell goes elsewhere. These four bids would cost about $12m per year, so I have room to keep spending. I don't see anything too hot in the FA market, so I stay focused on what is here-my own re-signings, and additions through the draft.
After the first week, we have nobody locked up, but haven't lost anyone either. A draw. After week two, two reserve fill-ins sign, but none of the big targets. I decide to launch an offer to a top-grade free agent FB. After week three, the BF signs, as does a solid reserve DT, but still no big catches. I toss in an offer for DE Macklin, who had been out of my range until now.
At the end of the line, C Beuter gets lured elsewhere, but the rest of my important guys come back. I am too late to get a quality FA center in the open market, so that will become a draft priority.
Ideally, my draft will go DE - C - BPA, but it's always hard to tell where the quality will lie, particularly at the end of the draft.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Wally Quinn, DE, Alabama
Rnd 2 - Gerald Roose, S, Boston College
Rnd 3 - Kyle Starks, C, Illinois
Rnd 4 - Bryan Wilcox, TE, San Jose State
Rnd 5 - Zack Preston, LB, Washington State
Rnd 6 - Otis Kirk, FB, Florida
Rnd 7 - Mitch Egbert, G, South Carolina
The draft turned out very well for me-I debated over a safety and a center in round two, ultimately decided to take the safety, and the center lasted until my round three pick. The late round picks were all quality players at need positions (not necessarily the usual late-round positions of CB and LB either)-really the way I wish the game did work.
I'm still well under the cap ($14m) heading into training camp. After camp, I have three roster spots, and I need a RB to fill out the roster. I find a tremendous QB in the FA pool, and I sign him for only $1.4m. He'll be an excellent backup for this year, giving me quality depth at that position for sure. I also re-sign my old RB Ralph Talley, who was seeking about $2.5m-he now is willing to take about $1m. I decide to leave the last slot vacant, in case something arises.
Here is the roster as it stands at the outset:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Korey Begian 19 18 7 2006
QB Victor Brady 19 18 6 2006
QB Kris Bradley 8 16 2 2007
QB Clarence Palmer 11 15 3 2006
RB Bryan Shelton 14 13 6 2007
RB Mercury Engler 10 9 4 2007
RB Ralph Talley 7 8 4 2006
FB Skip Stevenson 14 13 5 2007
FB Terrell Pike 8 11 2 2007
FB Otis Kirk 5 8 1 2008
TE Kendrick Gerrity 14 14 11 2007
TE Bryan Wilcox 9 12 1 2008
WR Jumbo Dunlap 13 17 2 2009
WR Leo Smetana 12 14 7 2007
WR Bernard Hammers 13 14 3 2007
WR Jimmy Curtis 13 12 5 2006
WR Troy McDonald 11 12 6 2006
WR Glen Daniels 7 8 4 2006
C Kyle Starks 6 13 1 2009
C Amos Caldwell 5 7 5 2007
C Herb Villanueva 6 6 2 2007
G Mitch Egbert 4 9 1 2007
G Lonnie Terrell 7 7 3 2007
G Keith Diana 5 5 3 2006
T Dan Craig 14 15 11 2007
T Nolan Browning 10 11 7 2006
T Herman Hills 8 9 4 2007
P Johnnie Flannery 8 9 2 2006
K Mo Schwartz 19 20 4 2008
DE Wally Quinn 7 13 1 2009
DE Tyrone Banta 10 11 7 2008
DE Robert Macklin 11 10 7 2007
DE Andre Hutton 4 5 2 2007
DT Omar Erickson 15 15 7 2007
DT Joey Gibson 8 12 2 2008
DT Xavier Roberson 7 10 6 2006
DT Geoff Ward 8 9 3 2007
LB Lewis Roberson 16 19 8 2007
LB Peter Hoetger 16 17 9 2006
LB Zack Preston 7 15 1 2008
LB Greg Chaplin 8 14 2 2006
LB Dwight Ellison 14 14 5 2006
LB Phillip Biekert 12 13 5 2007
LB Irving Kennedy 9 11 4 2006
CB Quinn Hughes 13 14 3 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 10 13 3 2008
CB Don Foley 11 11 3 2006
CB Graham Bazzell 4 4 2 2006
S Jimmie Winslett 15 17 4 2007
S Gerald Roose 11 15 1 2009
S Josh Blackwell 14 15 11 2008
S Mack Kestner 9 10 5 2008
Without their stud QB (Begian), I expect the Browns to have some difficulty competing for the division crown. However, it ought to remain a tough division. We'll look to defend our division, conference, and league crowns this year with improved depth and a step up in cohesion almost everywhere.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-16-2000 02:41 PM
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2006 season
Well, as defending champions, I didn't think I was "entitled" to a march through the whole league, but I expected to return as a top-tier team. However, a 2-3 start was a ruse awakening. We won 5 in a row to get to 7-3, but then the roof caved in and we ended up deluged with injuries. A final record of 8-8 puts us out of the playoffs, and in disarray.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,588 yards, 59.8%, 7.74ypa, 22/8, 92.8
RB Bryan Shelton: 296-1,142, 11 TD (3.8 ypc)
WRs Dunlap, Hammers: 700+ yards each
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 52-586, 7 TD
G Lonnie Terrell: 31/80 KRBs (38.7%), 4 sacks
LB Lewis Roberson: 92 tackles, 5 sacks
DT Omar Erickson: 9.5 sacks
CB Quinn Hughes: 5 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.9/3.4/3.9
Passing: 7.7/7.2.6.9
The only troubling thing was the pass defense-a fairly low number of sacks and a poor ypa against us-hopefully the rookie DE will develop and help out in both respects. This year was not a good one-we were not as bad as 8-8, but clearly nowhere near as good as last season. So much for turning this into a "dynasty" thread.
Victor Brady gets hollow awards for first team QB and Offensive Player of the Year, but we'd all rather have the ring, thanks very much.
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 07:59 AM
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Straitjacket Ravens - A primer career challenge
I'm playing this challenge career using the new FOF primer utility. I set the primer to have my Ravens draft last in each round, and I left all the position preferences untouched.
I will follow my usual "straitjacket" rules, which are (in short):
-No trades
-No renegotiations
-No franchise tag use
-No contract abuse
-Ticket prices not highest
I also using another rule that I think is an appropriate restriction:
-When signing any player during free agency who is seeking a signing bonus, I must either: offer him the deal he originally seeks; or offer him a deal with at least 1/3 of the total money in a signing bonus.
I believe that the relative freedom to sign bonus-free contracts (and the later ability to freely cut the player) is unrealistic for players of any significant level of quality. I think this will provide a slightly more difficult test.
After some thought, I also have decide to abide by a couple more rules, fairly minor:
-No extended contracts with first or second year free agents
-No signing free agents after training camp (unless necessitated by injury)
I'm simply trying to shut down all the various elements of the game that make FOF a little unrealistic or open to abuse.
In the past, I've played by similar rules, but have started via the "empty cupboard" Browns. (I usually have played about 15-20 years, and by that time have built into a top contender) In that circumstance, it has been a fairly tedious chore to build up cohesion and expertise to acceptable levels. I'm hopeful that this career will provide a slightly more accelerated start-at least I won't start out so far behind with those aspects.
[This message has been edited by QuikSand (edited 10-05-2000).]
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 08:14 AM
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1999 distribution draft
With all the position weightings left at their original settings, my draft went as follows:
T, QB, RB, T, DE, WR, WR, DE, DT, DT, G, G, CB, TE, CB… and so on into the oblivion of awful players.
The regrettable thing is that the QB I received in round two is only passable at best. Despite the relatively high pick, that position is already on the "replace soon" list. The wide receivers are a pleasant surprise-I'm so used to seeing (in FOF) all the good WRs go super-early in a draft, I'm shocked to see two fairly high quality guys on my team from picks 6 and 7. My RB is also pretty sold-I suspect that my team may be pretty good offensively in its initial season. Here's the scout overview:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Derrick Wilson 6 9 1 2003
QB Wesley Myers 3 3 5 2001
QB Matthew Fuller 3 3 5 2001
RB Broderick Sies 11 12 1 2003
RB Allen Glover 7 8 1 2002
RB Curtis Claycomb 5 5 6 2001
RB Earnest Gordon 4 3 2 2000
FB Dave Baxter 7 7 5 2001
FB Artie Davidson 3 4 2 2001
TE Lamar Dunn 11 13 2 2001
TE Ellis Jackson 4 4 4 2000
TE Rob Cedeno 4 4 2 2001
WR Cris Greer 12 12 9 2003
WR Orlando Sims 13 12 9 2004
WR Rich Quinn 6 6 12 2001
WR Jason Horton 5 5 6 2001
WR Cris Bernstein 5 5 6 2002
C Roy Dreyfuss 4 4 6 2001
C Renaldo Pieper 2 2 4 2001
G Gerald Ray 6 5 4 2003
G Courtney Johnson 4 5 4 2001
G J.R. Moss 5 4 10 2002
G Riddick Galloway 3 3 5 2001
T Dan Craig 15 17 4 2005
T Stan Sangria 9 12 9 2004
T C.J. Jenkins 2 4 2 2000
T Ben Stargell 2 2 1 2001
P Don Green 5 4 4 2000
K Lenny Glenn 4 3 8 2001
DE K.C. Molina 8 9 10 2003
DE Lee Bonner 6 6 5 2003
DE Donnell Fortin 3 4 6 2002
DE Bryce Hutchins 2 2 1 2001
DT Phillip Hines 5 5 7 2002
DT Robert Booker 4 5 7 2003
DT Kenneth King 2 5 2 2001
DT Arnold Rivers 1 3 3 2001
LB Drew Dodge 5 9 3 2002
LB Richie Nyland 4 6 12 2001
LB Fernando Gonzalez 3 4 5 2002
LB Everett Von Wyss 4 2 7 2001
LB Gary Seaver 2 2 1 2001
LB Mitch Kelly 2 1 2 2000
LB Randall Burton 1 0 5 2001
CB Perry Joyce 6 6 8 2003
CB Malcolm Skerritt 5 6 11 2001
CB Norman May 4 6 2 2001
CB Damon Schlafly 4 4 2 2002
CB Derrick Jack 2 4 5 2001
S Sammy Blackwell 7 7 9 2001
S Dwayne Moses 6 5 12 2002
S Maurice Bastyr 3 5 2 2002
S Jon Martin 2 3 3 2001
Before the season, I tinker with the game plan a bit-I decide that we'll focus on only three offensive formations, to build real expertise. We'll stay pretty vanilla on offense-I spread the run directions around more evenly, and lowered our run percentage in some short yardage situations. No major changes on defense. Overall - no major changes. This should be principally a roster-building challenge.
In the first year, I don't know what to expect-my guess is we'll be above average on offense and lousy on defense. Perhaps an 8-8 team overall.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 08:45 AM
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1999 season
We struggle early, and are not quite as potent on offense as I had hoped. We put up a pretty forgettable season, and only build up to 6-10 with a fairly solid finish to the season.
I'm not going to detail the season, as most of these guys aren't going to be around long-suffice it to say that we were a subpar team, and I have a lot of building to do.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 09:39 AM
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2000 preseason
I have retirements at G and K, and I have five players with the primer's infamous "phantom contracts" - whom I cut. So, I end up with 46 players signed, but I am (to my surprise and horror) $1.5m OVER the cap of $61m. Without the ability to renegotiate, my only choice will be to cut players-- except that all my expensive players will have bonus money, making their release not so profitable. Should be challenging.
I decide that the best way to do this is to shed a lot of cheap blood-I cut 18 players, mostly minimum salary players at practically any position. At this point, cutting QB Wilson would save me about $3.6m this year, but would cost me $4m next year. For now, I'll carry him-but the fact that I'm considering releasing him and eating the bonus-well I can't remember ever having to think about such a thing in FOF before. It's cool.
I find little to like in the FA market- filling in with cheap players at S, TE, and QB. I'll have a lot of holes to fill with rookies.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Omar Erickson, DT, Syracuse
Rnd 2 - Ross Bueter, C, Washington State
Rnd 3 - Robert Macklin, DE, Colorado
Rnd 4 - Tyrone Banta, DE, Florida
Rnd 5 - Travis Craft, CB, Mississippi State
Rnd 6 - Mitch Linares, WR, Mississippi
Rnd 7 - Louie Homer, C, Pittsburgh
In the draft, I end up getting a lot of decent players, but no real "foundation" player. Erickson will be good at DT, but that's not exactly a position I can build around. The top QBs went with picks #1-4, leaving me lacking there. I regret picking a C in round two, when a guy in round seven is solid. Regardless, I'll have lots of gaps to fill with one-year minsal rookies.
After a "global search" for rookie fill-ins, I end up with this roster:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Derrick Wilson 7 11 2 2003
QB Gino Mutzel 8 11 4 2001
QB Kelly Shabowski 3 8 1 2000
RB Broderick Sies 11 12 2 2003
RB Norman Pierce 5 8 1 2000
RB Allen Glover 6 7 2 2002
FB Dave Baxter 6 6 6 2001
FB Willie Baker 3 5 1 2000
TE Lamar Dunn 11 11 3 2001
TE Irv Spellman 6 6 4 2000
WR Orlando Sims 13 12 10 2004
WR Cris Greer 12 12 10 2003
WR Mitch Linares 7 10 1 2002
WR Dave Kaplan 6 9 1 2000
WR Devin Skidmore 6 8 1 2000
WR Cris Bernstein 5 5 7 2002
C Ross Bueter 8 17 1 2002
C Louie Homer 4 6 1 2001
G Gerald Ray 6 7 5 2003
G Courtney Johnson 3 4 5 2001
G J.C. Tracy 1 2 1 2000
T Dan Craig 13 13 5 2005
T Stan Sangria 8 8 10 2004
T Ben Stargell 2 2 2 2001
P Ralph Wayne 9 12 1 2000
K Ray Rogers 9 11 1 2000
DE Tyrone Banta 6 13 1 2002
DE Robert Macklin 6 13 1 2002
DE K.C. Molina 7 8 11 2003
DE Lee Bonner 6 6 6 2003
DT Omar Erickson 7 15 1 2004
DT Heath Monroe 3 8 1 2000
DT Phillip Hines 5 5 8 2002
DT Robert Booker 5 5 8 2003
LB Drew Dodge 6 8 4 2002
LB Lee Spendal 3 7 1 2000
LB Amos Knox 3 6 1 2000
LB Troy Hanks 3 6 1 2000
LB Randal Wagner 3 4 1 2000
LB Nate Ingram 1 3 1 2000
CB Travis Craft 5 9 1 2002
CB J.T. Porter 5 9 1 2000
CB Perry Joyce 6 5 9 2003
CB Norman May 4 3 3 2001
CB Damon Schlafly 4 3 3 2002
S Ken Weydahl 5 8 3 2001
S Dwayne Moses 6 6 13 2002
S Sammy Blackwell 7 5 10 2001
S Jon Martin 4 5 4 2001
S Maurice Bastyr 3 3 3 2002
Tough to say whether this is a team going anywhere-without a solid QB it's tough to predict much improvement. I'd call 8 wins a success.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 09:54 AM
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2000 season
We did improve in some ways-the offense was a bit better. However, our defense was bad-the tone was set when Cinti hung 58 on us in the opener, and we never really stepped up on that side of the ball. I desperately need a deep CB-LB draft to get my group back on track. It's another 6-10 season.
Stat leaders:
QB Derrick Wilson: 68.1 rating
RB Broderick Sies: 781 yds on 4.5 ypc
No receiver over 700 yards
LB Drew Dodge: 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 8 sacks
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.7/4.1/4.0
Passing: 6.7/6.7.7.0
Not a terrible effort overall. Our defense was simply unable to make big plays-only 22 total turnovers-and though we weren't bad statistically, we gave up far too many points (ratio of 316/425).
My left tackle Dan Craig gets second team mention-he had a very solid season with 27 KRBs and only 4 SA.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 10:27 AM
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2000 season
We did improve in some ways-the offense was a bit better. However, our defense was bad-the tone was set when Cinti hung 58 on us in the opener, and we never really stepped up on that side of the ball. I desperately need a deep CB-LB draft to get my group back on track. It's another 6-10 season.
Stat leaders:
QB Derrick Wilson: 68.1 rating
RB Broderick Sies: 781 yds on 4.5 ypc
No receiver over 700 yards
LB Drew Dodge: 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 8 sacks
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.7/4.1/4.0
Passing: 6.7/6.7.7.0
Not a terrible effort overall. Our defense was simply unable to make big plays-only 22 total turnovers-and though we weren't bad statistically, we gave up far too many points (ratio of 316/425).
My left tackle Dan Craig gets second team mention-he had a very solid season with 27 KRBs and only 4 SA.
2001 preseason
I have to replace my scout, and we have one retirement- a safety I signed as a FA last year. (It was a solid position anyway, we'll be fine without him)
I have 32 players already signed to contracts, and $12.5m in cap room. In the FA market, I pursue a variety of young players, offering a solid offer to each of them (no 7 year lock-ups, though - only the duration they originally seek). I also offer a $3m a year deal to a solid WR in his 7th year, who would allow me to take that position off my "high priority" list. I lose out on the WR, but do pick up a handful of fill-in caliber players elsewhere, including the offensive line.
In the draft (picking #9 again) I hope to find a star QB-otherwise, I'll probably focus on defense, unless a top-tier WR stands out.
When my pick comes up, the safety I really wanted is there-but you simply do not pass on a nearly-perfect QB with a team like this, no matter how much you like "the other guy." I grab my franchise player in Victor Brady.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Victor Brady, QB, Hawaii
Rnd 2 - Troy McDonald, WR, Southwest Louisiana
Rnd 3 - Bill Compton, S, North Carolina State
Rnd 4 - Cris Tovar, TE, Boise State
Rnd 5 - Joel Devine, LB, Arkansas
Rnd 6 - Floyd McElroy, LB, Simpson
Rnd 7 - Ronnie Murphy, FB, Colorado
I get a very solid-looking WR in round two, but I'm dubious-my scout seemed to like an awful lot of receivers in here, he may just be a dope. I do the usual fill-ins, and get a number of pretty solid guys. After the draft, I patch together a roster with rookies and re-signed youngsters from last year's team.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 8 19 1 2006
QB Gino Mutzel 9 12 5 2001
QB Derrick Wilson 9 11 3 2003
RB Rickey Grylicki 6 11 1 2001
RB Broderick Sies 11 11 3 2003
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 2 2002
FB Ronnie Murphy 8 13 1 2002
FB Willie Baker 6 7 2 2001
FB Dave Baxter 7 5 7 2001
TE Lamar Dunn 12 15 4 2001
TE Cris Tovar 7 12 1 2002
TE Steven Douglas 5 8 1 2001
WR Orlando Sims 13 15 11 2004
WR Troy McDonald 10 10 1 2003
WR Cris Greer 11 9 11 2003
WR Jose Zgonina 6 6 2 2002
WR Devin Skidmore 6 6 2 2002
WR Mitch Linares 6 5 2 2002
C Ross Bueter 13 13 2 2002
C Norbert Blanding 3 10 1 2001
G Chris Everett 7 11 2 2001
G Gerald Ray 7 10 6 2003
G Vinny Spires 5 9 1 2001
T Dan Craig 15 18 6 2005
T Spencer Folau 12 13 2 2004
T Martin Monroe 6 8 2 2001
P Ralph Wayne 11 10 2 2002
K Ray Rogers 12 12 2 2002
DE Tyrone Banta 8 13 2 2002
DE Robert Macklin 8 13 2 2002
DE K.C. Molina 7 9 12 2003
DE Lee Bonner 5 5 7 2003
DT Omar Erickson 12 16 2 2004
DT Martin Holdman 7 8 2 2003
DT Heath Monroe 3 6 2 2002
DT Max Dole 4 5 2 2002
LB Floyd McElroy 7 14 1 2002
LB Troy Hanks 4 9 2 2001
LB Joel Devine 6 8 1 2003
LB Drew Dodge 7 8 5 2002
LB Lee Spendal 3 5 2 2002
CB Shane Heybach 6 11 1 2001
CB Travis Craft 6 9 2 2002
CB J.T. Porter 6 9 2 2002
CB Rickey Wyman 5 8 1 2001
CB Perry Joyce 6 7 10 2003
CB Norman May 4 5 4 2001
CB Lamar McBeal 5 5 2 2002
S Bill Compton 7 12 1 2003
S Sammy Blackwell 7 8 11 2001
S Dwayne Moses 5 6 14 2002
S Jon Martin 3 6 5 2001
S Maurice Bastyr 4 4 4 2002
I still look very weak on defense, particularly at CB-but I still hold out hope for a bountiful draft to yield me a quality long-term player or two there. For now, we'll hope to get the new QB initiated, and build the offense from there. Another 6 win season sounds about right.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 10:39 AM
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2001 season
I am surprised when we jump out to 4-1 in the early going, and the team actually plays like it's a better-than-average club. We manage to win half of the rest, to gain a 9-7 final record and a surprising postseason berth. My QB showed more poise than most rookies, and that certainly helped a great deal.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 2,820 yds, 54.8%, 6.21 ypa, 18/12, 75.8
RB Broderick Sies: 220-958, 5 TD (4.3 ypc)
WR Cris Greer: 68-888, 6 TD
LB Floyd McElroy: 88 tackles, 4 sacks
DE Robert Macklin: 19 sacks (!)
DT Omar Erickson: 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks
CB Ricky Wyman: 50 tackles, 4 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.0/4.0/3.9
Passing: 6.4/6.4/6.3
On paper, we were a solidly average team. Our point ratio of 286-268 suggests the same. We manage to eke out 9 wins, and we are rewarded with a trip to Oakland. We are "just happy to be here."
IP: Logged
Daedalus
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-05-2000 02:45 PM
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Nice! At least now you have a QB for a few years.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:16 PM
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2001 postseason
I’m not going to build up any unfair drama—the Raiders kicked out butts. They opened up early and often, got momentum with a big defensive TD, and had 42 points just after halftime. The final of 42-16 was a little skewed by big plays, but they were the superior team, for sure.
DT Omar Erickson gets first team honor, and DE Robert Macklin gets second team. I would have expected the other way around, but I’m pleased nonetheless.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:17 PM
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2002 preseason
We lose DE Molina to retirement, a decent aging veteran. We have 35 signed players, and $15.8m in room under the $75m cap. Our main free agents are LB Drew Dodge (who was out best guy at first) and CB Ricky Wyman (our best corner, pending arrival of some real players). Two one-year additions at OL are at least looking, but I’m hoping to get them re-signed cheaply.
For the 2002 season, I’d say that my secondary is my top concern. I’d like to start the draft with a quality safety, and I need to get some corners or else I’ll give up 42 points in every playoff game. I won’t have a particularly early draft pick, so I’ll need luck at safety. That may be a good spot to look for a free agent, as well.
The FA period is uneventful—I sign a decent DT to a 2yr deal, but fail to land any other fill-in players. I head into the rookie period looking like Swiss cheese—still a lot of holes.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jimmy Curtis, WR, Washington
Rnd 2 - Mack Kestner, S, Temple
Rnd 3 - Calvin Floyd, CB, Lenior-Rhyne
Rnd 4 - Phillip Biekert, LB, The Citadel
Rnd 5 - Steven Herndon, CB, Ashland
Rnd 6 - Dwight Ellison, LB, SE Oklahoma St.
Rnd 7 - Marlon Stewart, CB, North Carolina State
The draft was disappointing at the top—I end up with a mediocre WR with my first pick, as there is nothing worthwhile at any other position. I get a safety to fill in for a while, but I still need an anchor player there. The draft is deep with fill-in corners and linebackers, but nothing earth-shattering. Decent.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 13 19 2 2006
QB Derrick Wilson 9 10 4 2003
QB Bert Money 3 8 1 2005
RB Broderick Sies 12 12 4 2003
RB Tyrone Fletcher 5 5 1 2002
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 3 2002
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 8 2 2002
FB Neal Zereoue 4 6 1 2002
TE Cris Tovar 11 13 2 2002
TE Steven Douglas 4 5 2 2002
WR Troy McDonald 10 11 2 2003
WR Jimmy Curtis 9 10 1 2006
WR Orlando Sims 12 10 12 2004
WR Cris Greer 9 8 12 2003
WR Jose Zgonina 7 8 3 2002
WR Mitch Linares 7 6 3 2002
WR Devin Skidmore 6 4 3 2002
C Ross Bueter 14 12 3 2002
C Norbert Blanding 7 10 2 2002
G Chris Everett 10 13 3 2004
G Vinny Spires 6 10 2 2002
G Charlie Reese 4 6 2 2002
G Gerald Ray 7 6 7 2003
T Dan Craig 15 15 7 2005
T Spencer Folau 13 13 3 2004
T Martin Monroe 5 7 3 2002
P Ralph Wayne 11 12 3 2002
K Ray Rogers 13 15 3 2002
DE Robert Macklin 10 14 3 2002
DE Tyrone Banta 8 11 3 2002
DE Lee Bonner 4 6 8 2003
DT Omar Erickson 16 16 3 2004
DT Martin Holdman 9 11 3 2003
DT Xavier Roberson 4 8 2 2003
LB Dwight Ellison 9 15 1 2003
LB Phillip Biekert 9 13 1 2004
LB Floyd McElroy 7 13 2 2002
LB Joel Devine 7 11 2 2003
LB Lester Cassidy 5 11 1 2002
LB Ernie McGregor 5 8 1 2002
LB Lee Spendal 4 4 3 2002
CB Steven Herndon 7 12 1 2004
CB Shane Heybach 7 10 2 2004
CB Marlon Stewart 6 10 1 2003
CB Calvin Floyd 7 9 1 2004
CB Travis Craft 8 9 3 2002
S Mack Kestner 7 11 1 2004
S Bill Compton 8 11 2 2003
S Jumbo Branch 4 6 1 2002
I suppose we have improved the secondary on paper a bit, but I still don’t feel very strongly about this bunch. To make my comfort level stabilize, I think I will need anchor players at CB, S, and LB: and I really don’t have any of the above right now.
I figure we’ll stay around the same place—roughly a .500 team, until we really start to come together on defense.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 01:17 PM
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2002 season
My prediction came true—we manage an 8-8 campaign, the true mark of an average club. We had a few massive shootouts (losing 61-47 to Cleveland, for instance) but out season stats aren’t totally out of whack.
Stat leaders:
QB Victory Brady: 3,032 yds, 51.5%, 6.85, 19/18, 70.9
RB Broderick Sies: 207-832, 8 TD
WR Orlando Sims: 47-904, 3 TD
TE Chris Tovar: 46-574, 7 TD
LB Dwight Ellison: 98 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 int
LB Philip Biekert: 85 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 int, 1 TD (80 yds)
DE Robert Macklin: 13.5 sacks
S Mack Kestner: 75 tackles, 1 sack, 6 int
S Bill Compton: 86 tackles, ½ sack, 6 int, 1 TD
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.8/4.1/4.0
Passing: 7.0/6.7/6.6
The defense was slightly below average on both sides… and our running game simply isn’t up to snuff. We’ll be looking to improve in both places.
LB Philip Biekert is named second team LB and gets defensive ROY. S Bill Compton also gets second team mention.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-07-2000 04:20 PM
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2003 preseason
I have no retirements, but I do have a large of players seeking free agency. I have only 20 signed players, with $44.1m in room under the $82m cap. T Dan Craig is eating up huge amounts of salary cap room—with his $12m salary. I’m thinking I’ll be better off if I release him and perhaps replace him with a quality free agent—if there are any available (the market has been awfully thin to date). Releasing Craig would save me nearly $10m, though he’d still hit me for $2.4 in cap count this year and next. Tough call.
In the expansion draft, I lose my starting RB Broderick Sies, which ought to make my first round draft pick choices pretty clear. I also lose backup QB Derrick Wilson. I release my other players who are residing on zero-dollar contracts, as I have been doing throughout this career.
In free agency, I find a few quality safeties—but two of them are very, very old. I pursue 12th year S Dusty Cassidy who is very good, but obviously only has a few seasons left. S Josh Blackwell is mostly a run-stopper, but he’s worth a solid effort as well. It would be good to lock down two quality guys there—they’d be a huge upgrade over my incumbents.
I get a veteran LB right away—Byron Rober will be a good addition, probably right in the middle. S Josh Blackwell signs in week two, and things are looking good. I get the older safety too, after some time, and we are now built up significantly in one of our weakest areas. In the late stages, I have money, and decide to offer TE Kendrick Garrity a 2yr deal, which he accepts over his other suitors’ offers. That’s another solid upgrade, though the results from my incumbent were good regardless.
As the FA period wraps up, I have no running backs signed on my roster. Theoretically, someone has to carry the ball. That will have to be a priority for the draft, and I’ll still have to fill on one or two from the scrap heap.
Predictably, this is about the crummiest RB draft I’ve seen in years, and I’m left without a genuinely good short-term option.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jimmie Winslett, S, Illinois
Rnd 2 - Mercury Engler, RB, Virginia Tech
Rnd 3 - Ralph Talley, RB, Ohio State
Rnd 4 - Mo Schwartz, K, West Virginia
Rnd 5 - Irving Kennedy, LB, Colorado State
Rnd 6 - Geoff Austin, CB, Oregon State
Rnd 7 - Howie Wayne, TE, Kansas
Of course, just as I invest in the free agent market in safeties, a perfect rookie falls to me. I take him anyway (there are no RBs worth investing the first pick in) and decide I’ll play the oldest safety at corner for a year or two. I get a pair of interesting RBs, but still will await “the answer” at that position to come along later.
I have to make some fill-ins, none of whom are particularly interesting. I do manage to sign one quality WR in Gantry Strickland, who is available after camp. He takes a one year deal, but his presence will definitely help, as I lost one of my aged veterans this season (and will lose the other soon).
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 15 18 3 2006
QB Dave Harden 6 8 4 2003
QB Bert Money 4 8 2 2005
RB Mercury Engler 9 12 1 2005
RB Ralph Talley 5 8 1 2005
RB Norman Pierce 6 5 4 2003
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 11 3 2004
TE Kendrick Gerrity 16 16 8 2004
TE Cris Tovar 12 14 3 2005
TE Howie Wayne 6 11 1 2004
WR Orlando Sims 11 12 13 2004
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 12 2 2006
WR Gantry Strickland 11 11 4 2003
WR Troy McDonald 10 8 3 2003
WR Glen Griffin 4 4 2 2004
WR Glen Daniels 4 3 1 2003
C Ross Bueter 14 13 4 2005
C Norbert Blanding 7 9 3 2003
G Chris Everett 10 9 4 2004
G Corwin Webster 5 8 2 2003
G J.C. Tracy 3 4 4 2003
T Dan Craig 16 16 8 2005
T Spencer Folau 11 9 4 2004
T Martin Monroe 5 6 4 2003
P Tito Talley 10 9 10 2003
K Mo Schwartz 12 17 1 2005
DE Robert Macklin 12 11 4 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 9 10 4 2005
DE Timothy Baker 4 5 2 2003
DT Omar Erickson 15 14 4 2004
DT Kennedy Reed 7 10 2 2005
DT Martin Holdman 9 7 4 2003
DT Xavier Roberson 7 7 3 2003
LB Dwight Ellison 10 15 2 2003
LB Byron Rober 12 13 7 2004
LB Floyd McElroy 9 13 3 2005
LB Phillip Biekert 9 13 2 2004
LB Irving Kennedy 6 12 1 2004
LB Lester Cassidy 6 11 2 2005
LB Allen Gray 5 10 1 2003
LB Joel Devine 8 10 3 2003
LB Ernie McGregor 6 9 2 2005
CB Calvin Floyd 8 13 2 2004
CB Steven Herndon 8 13 2 2004
CB Geoff Austin 7 11 1 2004
CB Shane Heybach 7 10 3 2004
S Dusty Cassidy 16 16 12 2005
S Josh Blackwell 14 16 8 2005
S Jimmie Winslett 9 15 1 2007
S Mack Kestner 9 13 2 2004
S Bill Compton 9 11 3 2003
We look improved, particularly in the secondary. This could be a year to take a step forward, I’m hoping. Perhaps we can improve on the 8-8 from last season, and make a run at another postseason berth.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 11:26 AM
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2003 season
We showed some signs of really breaking out this year—an offensive explosion through the preseason and a quick run to 3-0. However, we took heavy damages on defense, and had very little depth ho overcome the losses (notably both starting DEs). We struggled down the stretch, and only finished 8-8, again. However, I see signs of a team ready to step forward—led by its emerging star at QB.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,130 yds, 58.3%, 7.24, 24/9, 90.6
RB Mercury Engler: 227-1,146, 8 TDs (5.0 ypc)
WR Orlando Sims: 56-845, 6 TD
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 67-698, 2 TD
OL unit: ~33% KRBs, 46 sacks
LB Byron Rober: 102 tackles, 2 sacks
DEs Banta, Macklin: 12 sacks each
S Josh Blackwell: 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/4.3/4.0
Passing: 7.0/7.5/6.8
The offense actually stepped up, behind an improved QB and a surprisingly strong running game. RB Engler is an unusual back—he has pretty decent ratings, but the one bar that sticks out is the “yards per carry” bar—and hey, who doesn’t want a back with good yards per carry? He seems to be doing pretty well—better than his ratings bars indicate to me, intuitively.
We’re out of it this year, but I like our chances to keep getting better.
Division foes Cincinnati repeat as bowl winners.
Tackle Dan Craig—my overpaid slob whom I decided to keep after all—makes first team honors, and so does my rookie kicker.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 11:27 AM
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2004 preseason
WR Orlando Sims retires, which will leave me with that position pretty thin. Last season I was able to get a fill-in guy after training camp, but I’d rather not chance things this year. We have 33 signed players, and about $30m in room under the $89m cap.
I have several quality players without contracts: WR Troy McDonald (who is restricted) and LB Dwight Ellison are atop the list. I’d like to retain those two, particularly McDonald—though I realize that will be costly.
In the opening stages, I pursue my own one-year fill0-in at WR, Gantry Strickland, with a legitimate 3yr offer. I also go after quality players at LB and DT, trying to strengthen my run defense. I also pursue a pair of quality offensive tackles, which will be a need position soon.
WR Strickland immediately signs… with Chicago. I also realize immediately that I’m not even in the race for the DT I had sought—he’ll go for BIG money. So, my focus becomes rapidly more modest—the LB and the two tackles. In week 5, LB Peter Hoetger signs—he’ll step in at MLB, and our corps there is now looking pretty strong. In week 7, the 5th year tackle Nolan Browning signs, which is welcome news. At about the same time, a bidding war erupts over my DT Martin Holdman. He’s only modestly talented, but he’s getting offers in the $4m range, which I don’t think is prudent for me to match. I decide that I cannot do so, and I’ll let him leave—which creates a big gap in my defensive front.
We head into the draft perilously thin at WR, with only two guys of any measurable ability. With pick #18, I’ll hope to select there, unless something bizarre happens.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Bernard Hammers, WR, Virginia
Rnd 2 - Geoff Ward, DT, Mississippi State
Rnd 3 - Clarence Palmer, QB, Alabama St.
Rnd 4 - Quinn Hughes, CB, Washington
Rnd 5 - Don Foley, CB, Baylor
Rnd 6 - Dwayne Wolfe, CB, Arkansas State
Rnd 7 - Ross Washington, FB, Southern California
A pretty good draft—we got what we needed here. The DT in round two was a bit of a reach, but the position was a priority for us, and he’ll step in right away, I expect. The WR was one of two very solid guys to pick from—I obviously broke the tie on who had the cooler-sounding name.
I do my obligatory fill-ins after camp, including grabbing one more wideout who looks decent and will play for minimum salary for one year. I think the roster is really coming together now—as it should be.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 16 18 4 2006
QB Clarence Palmer 5 14 1 2006
QB Kerry Boniol 4 11 1 2004
RB Mercury Engler 10 11 2 2005
RB Ralph Talley 8 8 2 2005
RB Monty Tatum 4 4 1 2004
FB Ross Washington 9 11 1 2005
FB Ronnie Murphy 10 9 4 2004
TE Kendrick Gerrity 14 14 9 2004
TE Cris Tovar 11 10 4 2005
TE Howie Wayne 7 9 2 2004
WR Bernard Hammers 11 16 1 2007
WR Leo Smetana 11 10 5 2004
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 10 3 2006
WR Glen Daniels 7 9 2 2006
WR Troy McDonald 9 9 4 2006
WR Ryan Andrews 4 6 1 2004
WR Glen Griffin 4 3 3 2004
C Ross Bueter 14 12 5 2005
C Norbert Blanding 7 9 4 2005
G Chris Everett 8 9 5 2004
G Aaron Malone 5 8 2 2004
G Mercury Ferguson 5 7 4 2004
T Dan Craig 15 15 9 2005
T Spencer Folau 13 14 5 2004
T Herman Hills 10 14 2 2007
T Nolan Browning 11 14 5 2006
P Dusty Cardone 8 9 4 2004
K Mo Schwartz 18 20 2 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 10 12 5 2005
DE Robert Macklin 10 9 5 2005
DE Timothy Baker 5 7 3 2005
DT Omar Erickson 15 15 5 2004
DT Kennedy Reed 8 11 3 2005
DT Geoff Ward 5 10 1 2007
DT Xavier Roberson 7 10 4 2006
LB Byron Rober 13 18 8 2004
LB Peter Hoetger 15 17 7 2006
LB Irving Kennedy 8 13 2 2004
LB Dwight Ellison 11 13 3 2006
LB Joel Devine 11 12 4 2005
LB Phillip Biekert 9 12 3 2004
LB Lester Cassidy 8 10 3 2005
LB Floyd McElroy 8 9 4 2005
CB Quinn Hughes 9 16 1 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 8 16 1 2005
CB Don Foley 8 14 1 2006
CB Calvin Floyd 10 12 3 2004
S Jimmie Winslett 10 17 2 2007
S Dusty Cassidy 15 16 13 2005
S Josh Blackwell 15 15 9 2005
S Mack Kestner 9 12 3 2004
S Bill Compton 11 12 4 2005
Our cohesion is rated at 70-84-77-58. I think this is a playoff team, as long as we don’t lose our QB to injury, or otherwise get decapitated. I like our chances to win 9 or 10 games, and to get into the playoffs.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 06:25 PM
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2004 season
The season plays out pretty well—the defense is not yet very together, but we are able to simply outscore several opponents in shootouts. We end up 11-5, and take the second wild card spot—earning us a shot at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,598 yds, 58.2%, 7.43, 34/13, 93.8 – a breakout year!
RB Mercury Engler: 252-1,166 yds, 7 TD, 4.6 ypc - testament that ypc is the most important rating?
WR Jimmy Curtis: 59-885, 11 TD – leader among widely-injured group
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 63-672, 7 TD – one of my main targets, without any gameplan help
OT Dan Craig: 48-103 KRBs (46.6%), 8 SA - the most KRBs I think I’ve ever seen from anyone
LB Peter Hoetger: 88 tackles, 0.5 sack
DE Tyrone Banta: 14 sacks – has assumed mantle of top pass rusher with serious injury to Macklin
S Josh Blackwell: 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 int
S Dusty Cassidy: 73 tackles, 1 sack, 5 int, 3 TDs
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/4.9/3.9
Passing: 7.4/6.8/6.8
Our offenmse is clicking, but our defense still has yet to catch up. I think we ended up facing a lot of garbage time this season, but still I’d like to see those yards against come down a bit.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-08-2000 06:25 PM
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2004 postseason
Kansas City went 12-4, and lost out on the tiebreaker, sending them into the wild card round. They look a bit better-rounded than us—a better defense overall.
Early on, it looks like the Chiefs have things in hand. They drive on us once, mostly through the air, and then cash in a turnover, and they lead 17-3 at the half. Their defense keeps us in check, which disrupts our whole game. Into the fourth quarter, it’s 20-6 KC, and it looks to be in hand. There is no fanfare, no single big play, just the Chiefs grinding down the clock as they drive us into the ground. Final score: KC 23, Balt 6.
In the awards, T Dan Craig takes first team, of course, for the second straight season. QB Victor Brady and S Dusty Cassidy earned second team honors.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-10-2000 06:07 PM
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2005 preseason
I lose LB Byron Rober to retirement, well before his time. Fortunately, it’s a position where I have sufficient depth to absorb the loss. Regardless, his departure along with T Dan Craig’s movement into the mysterious “$0 contract year” free up some serious money this season. I have 34 signed players, and $43m in room under the $96m cap. I feel like I can spend fairly freely—part of this will be on my own players, as I have several free agents.
I decide to make a switch at head coach, getting a guy with better “game day” ratings. My former coach has terribly defensive play calling, which I suspect contributed to our dreadful defense. The new guy’s weakness is with backs and receivers—but my player development is secondary to game play right now.
As I survey the FA market, I see that trying to spend money will not be tough. I pursue a top-grade free agent RB, a very solid LB, and try to lure my receiving TE into returning. I also have to bid on DT Omar Erickson, who was my first draft pick, and has been our DL anchor ever since. His numbers have been solid, but it’s a position where I have no backup plan—he must be re-signed.
I have to bump up my offer a bit, but in week 2, DT Erickson re-signs. Whew. In week 3, WR Smetana re-signs, and also new additions RB Bryan Shelton and LB Lewis Robertson, both star-quality players. TE Gerrity re-ups in week 5, and we’re almost set.
With lots of cap room left, I go after a far players at guard. I lose out in a massive bidding war for a proven veteran, but I lie in wait to get a good price on a second year player who wants a rich offer. In themeantime, I sign two other guards—my entire threesome of guards from last year are departing, and are not worth big contracts to replace. I offer a one-year, $5m deal to a high-quality guy who is the subject of a bidding war, and to my surprise, he takes it—I get G Frankie Ross on board for this year.
After the FA period, I have enough salary room for my rookie class, and possibly to grab a post-camp straggler or two, if desirable. (I’ve had luck with WRs there in recent years) In the draft, I’d love tofind a high-quality DE, but may have to go BPA, based on what’s there at #25.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Jumbo Dunlap, WR, Southwest Louisiana
Rnd 2 - Joey Gibson, DT, Oregon State
Rnd 3 - Terrell Pike, FB, Rutgers
Rnd 4 - Greg Chaplin, LB, Southern California
Rnd 5 - Kris Bradley, QB, California
Rnd 6 - Graham Bazzell, CB, Northwestern
Rnd 7 - Johnnie Flannery, P, North Carolina
I have yet to see a more severely mis-named FOF player than the 5-8, 177lb “Jumbo” Dunlap, but the wideout is the best thing going at pick #25, regardless. This draft is full of need picks, and I don’t feel like I got any great bargains, to be honest.
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Victor Brady 18 18 5 2006
QB Kris Bradley 7 16 1 2007
QB Clarence Palmer 8 15 2 2006
RB Bryan Shelton 16 14 5 2007
RB Mercury Engler 12 12 3 2005
RB Ralph Talley 7 9 3 2005
FB Terrell Pike 7 13 1 2007
FB Ross Washington 8 9 2 2005
TE Kendrick Gerrity 15 17 10 2007
TE Cris Tovar 11 14 5 2005
WR Bernard Hammers 14 17 2 2007
WR Jumbo Dunlap 10 14 1 2009
WR Leo Smetana 10 12 6 2007
WR Jimmy Curtis 11 11 4 2006
WR Troy McDonald 10 10 5 2006
WR Ryan Andrews 7 9 2 2005
WR Glen Daniels 7 8 3 2006
C Ross Bueter 15 15 6 2005
C Norbert Blanding 8 9 5 2005
G Frankie Ross 11 10 6 2005
G Lonnie Terrell 8 9 2 2007
G Keith Diana 4 6 2 2006
T Nolan Browning 12 16 6 2006
T Dan Craig 15 12 10 2007
T Herman Hills 9 11 3 2007
P Johnnie Flannery 5 5 1 2006
K Mo Schwartz 19 20 3 2005
DE Robert Macklin 11 12 6 2005
DE Tyrone Banta 10 9 6 2005
DE Timothy Baker 6 8 4 2005
DT Omar Erickson 16 16 6 2007
DT Joey Gibson 6 16 1 2008
DT Geoff Ward 9 13 2 2007
DT Kennedy Reed 9 11 4 2005
DT Xavier Roberson 7 9 5 2006
LB Peter Hoetger 17 18 8 2006
LB Lewis Roberson 14 18 7 2007
LB Dwight Ellison 13 13 4 2006
LB Phillip Biekert 11 13 4 2007
LB Joel Devine 11 13 5 2005
LB Irving Kennedy 8 12 3 2006
LB Lester Cassidy 9 12 4 2005
LB Floyd McElroy 10 11 5 2005
LB Greg Chaplin 6 10 1 2006
CB Quinn Hughes 11 15 2 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 11 13 2 2005
CB Don Foley 10 12 2 2006
CB Graham Bazzell 4 3 1 2006
S Jimmie Winslett 13 17 3 2007
S Dusty Cassidy 14 14 14 2005
S Josh Blackwell 14 14 10 2005
S Mack Kestner 10 11 4 2005
S Bill Compton 10 9 5 2005
With a handful of exceptions, we now have high quality players starting everywhere on the field. I think we’ll have some cohesion issues, but overall the team is looking pretty good. (Cohesion is at 67-74-77-61) I think we should be a playoff team again, and hopefully we’ll be wrestling for the top seeds in the AFC.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-11-2000 01:55 PM
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2005 season
As we rumble out to a 5-0 record, we look like an "elite" team. We finally stumble in week 9, losing to Cleveland. In week 11, we meet up again: CLE is 7-2 as they visit our 8-1 Ravens. The matchup is laced with rivalry-Baltimore stole the original Browns… but most of all, I've played so many damned careers with the Browns that I reflexively think of them as "my team." It's weird to think of them as the enemy. The Browns win the game to sweep the season series, but they lose to Pittsburgh the following week, giving me the leg up for the Division. We drop two more games as the season close, but the 12-4 mark is good enough to get us in as division champs and earns the week off.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,807 yds, 58.6%, 8.06 ypa, 25/18, 86.3
RB Bryan Shelton: 275-1,209 yds, 11 TD
WR Bernard Hammers: 57-1,084 yds, 8 TD
C Ross Beuter: 37/83 KRBs (44.5%), 5 sacks
LB Peter Hoetger: 86 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 int
DE Tyrone Banta: 10.5 sacks
DT Omar Erickson: 9.5 sacks
CB Quinn Hughes: 38 tackles, 0.5 sack, 8 int, 2 TD
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.3/3.9/4.0
Passing: 7.9/6.5/6.8
Finally - better than the league average across the board. We got what we wanted out of this regular season-a solid effort and a bye week. Now, we need to get things in gear for a playoff run-hoping for our first postseason victory.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-11-2000 01:55 PM
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2005 postseason
We get Cincinnati to visit-they were one of the teams who beat us late in the season, in their year-end rush to make the playoffs after a terrible start. They were champions in 2002 and 2003, so this team has a core of reliable players.
The Bengals cash in an early turnover to go up 7-0m and it's nearly halftime before we score to even it at 7-7. The game is tight, with neither team taking many risks. Early in the third, we march for a big score to go up 14-7, and I feel like we have the big mo. On our next possession, we move the ball again, and add a FG to lead by 10. After a big punt return, they get great position, but cannot get a TD, and settle for a FG, to pull within 7 with 12 minutes left. The game is definitely not in hand yet. On our next drive, we add some insurance with another FG, and have the advantage back up to two scores, with about 8 minutes left. When it looks like we have them held, they convert a 3rd and 6 with a 55 yard pass play, and set up in our red zone. They toss it in on third down, and are within 20-17, with 5:50 on the clock.
On our possession, we are pushed all the way back to our 1 yard line, and punt to our 40. With 3:45 they take over. With 1:02 left, they tee up for a 29yard FG… and it's good to tie the game. The kickoff is a squib, and we jump on it at our 49-great position. On the very first play, WR Hammers gets loose on the sideline, grabs the pass in mid-stride, and trots home the 51 yards for the go-ahead score! Cinti gets the ball, and on a final desperation play they compete a heave-ho pass, but it's only down to our 10 yard line, and we make the tackle to win it, 27-20.
The division's dominance is evident by the fact that we now play Pittsburgh in the AFC title game. We got four teams in, and nobody outside the division could beat any of us-Cinti beat Cleveland, we best Cinti, and now we play Pitt for the conference title and a bowl bid. The Steelers handed us a 38-0 lump in the season's final week-and we haven't forgotten.
In their opening series, the Steelers fumble, setting us up for a great opportunity. We cash in as Brady hits RB Shelton for the score, and we lead 7-0. The Steelers do no go quietly-they charge down the field, but settle for a chip-shot FG after we hold on a goal-line stand. Early in the second quarter they add another, and it's 7-6. Behind our backup QB, we mount one good drive in the second quarter to add a TD, and lead 14-9 despite a somewhat sputtering offense.
Our first second half drive yields a FG, and we're looking like we may be coming alive. Early in the fourth, they get good position, but miss a 42-yard FG wide left. My 17-9 lead is looking good, but not great right now.
A 36-yard pass turns a mid-field stall-out into a deep threat, giving the Steelers first and goal from my nine, down 8 point with 6:29 to go. They score the TD, but Tyrone Banta makes the key tackle on the 2-pt attempt, leaving us ahead by 17-15. On our possession, Shelton gets a huge 10-yard gain on third down to chew up more clock. On this drive, my backup QB Clarence Palmer is still in the game, and is essentially handing off. However, on second and one (my favorite down) he airs it out, and hits Jumbo Dunlap for a 38-yard TD… should be the sealer. It is, as we hold them off to win it, 24-15. We're heading to our first bowl game.
My QB Victor Brady was pulled out of the AFC title game with a bad thigh bruise, but he'll go in the Superbowl. Good news. We take on the Arizona Cardinals, who have been the NFC reps five times in the league's seven years (counting this one), with one win in 2001, so their record has been very solid-a regular season mark of 85 and 27. Wow.
Checking out their roster, I find what I expected-a very good QB. The great news is, that he is out for the superbowl with a bum elbow. However, they made it this far without him-I'm not too cocky yet.
Our first two drives yield FG attempts-mine is short and good, theirs is long and misses. We extend to 6-0 after another FG, and they are forced to punt. I like the trend here. Two second quarter drives yield TDs, and we head into the locker room completely in charge, 19-0. A red zone stuff and a turnover keep the shutout intact through the third quarter, as we tack on another for a 26-0 lead. With 3 minutes to go, they score on a long TD pass, but we're already hitting the champagne-final score: Baltimore 26, Arizona 7.
Omar Erickson-this franchise's first draft pick ever, takes the MVP trophy for his four sacks. CB Quinn Hughes is a first team honoree, while QB Victor Brady, RB Bryan Shelton, and WR Bernard Hammers all make the second team. Our increasingly prolific offense is starting to take a toll… and we have the ring to show for it.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-16-2000 02:41 PM
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2006 preseason
Our defending champs come back intact-we have no retirements or front office defections. We'll try to keep together what we can: we have 32 players signed, and $41.2m in room under the cap of $103m.
Both veteran safeties are free agents-I'll re-sign Josh Blackwell is at all possible, but I don't envision bringing back Cassidy. C Ross Beuter has been a stalwart, but his price will go up dramatically at a replaceable position-I doubt he'll be back. DEs Banta and Macklin will be very pricey-and neither one really has world-beater ability. I have three LBs looking to leave, and countless other role players and fill-ins. Should be tough.
I put in strong offers for S Blackwell, C Beuter, and DE Banta. I also put up for S Kestner, who would be my third safety but is also a backup plan in case Blackwell goes elsewhere. These four bids would cost about $12m per year, so I have room to keep spending. I don't see anything too hot in the FA market, so I stay focused on what is here-my own re-signings, and additions through the draft.
After the first week, we have nobody locked up, but haven't lost anyone either. A draw. After week two, two reserve fill-ins sign, but none of the big targets. I decide to launch an offer to a top-grade free agent FB. After week three, the BF signs, as does a solid reserve DT, but still no big catches. I toss in an offer for DE Macklin, who had been out of my range until now.
At the end of the line, C Beuter gets lured elsewhere, but the rest of my important guys come back. I am too late to get a quality FA center in the open market, so that will become a draft priority.
Ideally, my draft will go DE - C - BPA, but it's always hard to tell where the quality will lie, particularly at the end of the draft.
Amateur Draft Report:
Rnd 1 - Wally Quinn, DE, Alabama
Rnd 2 - Gerald Roose, S, Boston College
Rnd 3 - Kyle Starks, C, Illinois
Rnd 4 - Bryan Wilcox, TE, San Jose State
Rnd 5 - Zack Preston, LB, Washington State
Rnd 6 - Otis Kirk, FB, Florida
Rnd 7 - Mitch Egbert, G, South Carolina
The draft turned out very well for me-I debated over a safety and a center in round two, ultimately decided to take the safety, and the center lasted until my round three pick. The late round picks were all quality players at need positions (not necessarily the usual late-round positions of CB and LB either)-really the way I wish the game did work.
I'm still well under the cap ($14m) heading into training camp. After camp, I have three roster spots, and I need a RB to fill out the roster. I find a tremendous QB in the FA pool, and I sign him for only $1.4m. He'll be an excellent backup for this year, giving me quality depth at that position for sure. I also re-sign my old RB Ralph Talley, who was seeking about $2.5m-he now is willing to take about $1m. I decide to leave the last slot vacant, in case something arises.
Here is the roster as it stands at the outset:
Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Korey Begian 19 18 7 2006
QB Victor Brady 19 18 6 2006
QB Kris Bradley 8 16 2 2007
QB Clarence Palmer 11 15 3 2006
RB Bryan Shelton 14 13 6 2007
RB Mercury Engler 10 9 4 2007
RB Ralph Talley 7 8 4 2006
FB Skip Stevenson 14 13 5 2007
FB Terrell Pike 8 11 2 2007
FB Otis Kirk 5 8 1 2008
TE Kendrick Gerrity 14 14 11 2007
TE Bryan Wilcox 9 12 1 2008
WR Jumbo Dunlap 13 17 2 2009
WR Leo Smetana 12 14 7 2007
WR Bernard Hammers 13 14 3 2007
WR Jimmy Curtis 13 12 5 2006
WR Troy McDonald 11 12 6 2006
WR Glen Daniels 7 8 4 2006
C Kyle Starks 6 13 1 2009
C Amos Caldwell 5 7 5 2007
C Herb Villanueva 6 6 2 2007
G Mitch Egbert 4 9 1 2007
G Lonnie Terrell 7 7 3 2007
G Keith Diana 5 5 3 2006
T Dan Craig 14 15 11 2007
T Nolan Browning 10 11 7 2006
T Herman Hills 8 9 4 2007
P Johnnie Flannery 8 9 2 2006
K Mo Schwartz 19 20 4 2008
DE Wally Quinn 7 13 1 2009
DE Tyrone Banta 10 11 7 2008
DE Robert Macklin 11 10 7 2007
DE Andre Hutton 4 5 2 2007
DT Omar Erickson 15 15 7 2007
DT Joey Gibson 8 12 2 2008
DT Xavier Roberson 7 10 6 2006
DT Geoff Ward 8 9 3 2007
LB Lewis Roberson 16 19 8 2007
LB Peter Hoetger 16 17 9 2006
LB Zack Preston 7 15 1 2008
LB Greg Chaplin 8 14 2 2006
LB Dwight Ellison 14 14 5 2006
LB Phillip Biekert 12 13 5 2007
LB Irving Kennedy 9 11 4 2006
CB Quinn Hughes 13 14 3 2006
CB Dwayne Wolfe 10 13 3 2008
CB Don Foley 11 11 3 2006
CB Graham Bazzell 4 4 2 2006
S Jimmie Winslett 15 17 4 2007
S Gerald Roose 11 15 1 2009
S Josh Blackwell 14 15 11 2008
S Mack Kestner 9 10 5 2008
Without their stud QB (Begian), I expect the Browns to have some difficulty competing for the division crown. However, it ought to remain a tough division. We'll look to defend our division, conference, and league crowns this year with improved depth and a step up in cohesion almost everywhere.
IP: Logged
QuikSand
Grizzled Veteran posted 10-16-2000 02:41 PM
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2006 season
Well, as defending champions, I didn't think I was "entitled" to a march through the whole league, but I expected to return as a top-tier team. However, a 2-3 start was a ruse awakening. We won 5 in a row to get to 7-3, but then the roof caved in and we ended up deluged with injuries. A final record of 8-8 puts us out of the playoffs, and in disarray.
Stat leaders:
QB Victor Brady: 3,588 yards, 59.8%, 7.74ypa, 22/8, 92.8
RB Bryan Shelton: 296-1,142, 11 TD (3.8 ypc)
WRs Dunlap, Hammers: 700+ yards each
TE Kendrick Gerrity: 52-586, 7 TD
G Lonnie Terrell: 31/80 KRBs (38.7%), 4 sacks
LB Lewis Roberson: 92 tackles, 5 sacks
DT Omar Erickson: 9.5 sacks
CB Quinn Hughes: 5 int
Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.9/3.4/3.9
Passing: 7.7/7.2.6.9
The only troubling thing was the pass defense-a fairly low number of sacks and a poor ypa against us-hopefully the rookie DE will develop and help out in both respects. This year was not a good one-we were not as bad as 8-8, but clearly nowhere near as good as last season. So much for turning this into a "dynasty" thread.
Victor Brady gets hollow awards for first team QB and Offensive Player of the Year, but we'd all rather have the ring, thanks very much.