Super indepth look at the first half season of the Richmond Grays..sort of.

[Axxon]

Today I managed to play a whopping two games before I quickly and quietly passed into sleep bringing me to the half way point in my inaugural season. When I woke up and was getting ready for work, I printed off as many of the statistical reports that I could and brought them with me. Tonight, as I enviously read the dynasty reports and dream of my Grays, I will try and add a human factor to these numbers and share the results of my season with you. Don't worry, I won't be making posts this indepth very often http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif Also, if the stats don't show it, I most likely don't know it; by heart any way. For example, my late round draft choices I don't know the round numbers they were chosen in by heart so a lot of non hard facts I can't really give you exactly.

Preseason 2017:

Expansion Draft:

After drinking the ceremonial Expansion Draft, I sat down and proceeded to select the players who would be providing the nucleus of our first team. For this franchise I wanted to select players who would be around for a while as contributors. My logic was that my very first job was to get the player contracts in order so they wouldn't all come due at once. Signing the guys who had at least two years gives me a year to evaluate them and decide if they're worth it. If they are, they stay, if not, they still may stay as they'll provide consistancy while I try and replace the slew of one year guys I'll have to deal with. As I plan to run a fiscally sound franchise this shouldn't be a problem.

Now, let's get this out of the way, yes, I run a tight fiscal ship. Some may call me cheap. I can't help it. I grew up in Tampa during the reign of Huge Culvernose, I mean, Hugh Culverhouse and his series of henchman GM's who cherished and covetted every stray dollar. I am not that bad, but a dollar saved could be a franchise signee tomorrow ( and keep my owner happy ) so I will try not to be loose with the cash unnecessarily.

I will deal with the rosters in a bit but I managed to get 17 guys with more than one year experience that made the cut and 6 more for one year deals. Of these six, there is only one who I really want to keep but I'll say more about him later. Counting draft choices and FA's then I have 26 players who I don't need to worry about and 27 that I do. I apparantly cut one of my draftees but I can't remember who or why http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/frown.gif

FA Signings.

In the first 10 rounds I went with--

QB Randal Nelson signed a 5yr 80mil deal. He came cheaper than Snyder and was almost as good. Sincxe he wasn't being pursued at all, I made him a Gray.

In the last 10 I went with--

QB Jerry Corbett - 2nd year qb for a 5yr deal. I told you I was a cheap sob http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif Actually, I didn't really know what I'd need at this point and I felt that inking a quality backup for Nelson's entire career for a decent salary ( can't say exactly but under 3 mil a year )would be a good thing. He grades out as a 6/12 by my scout and if it holds true, I'll be glad with the money spent. This is a controversial pick but I am comfortable with it.

T Zack Newsome - 3yr deal Best lineman available and an important signee for me. I want to build a strong line and haven't really been picking up horses. Still, I haven't done bad with what I have.

C Travis Rayburn ( I think ) - 3 yr deal. 8 yr vet. Solid player. Another good signing on the line but not a stud for the line of the future.

Amateur Draft:

Round 1: DE Chester Winslett - Looks like a monster on the line. If he can play like he looks he'll be in the hall. Yes, he's that darned good http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

Later rounds:

RB Roger Hoying
WR Lenny Whiting
C Lamont Lester
G Derrick Horn
K Sherman Bradley
?? Some guy who I apparantly cut.

Camp was kind to us and we enter the season almost 30 mil under the cap and this roster:

FAFS = Free Agent 1st stages
FASS = Free Agent 2nd stages
URFA = Undrafted Rookie FA
UFA = Undrafted FA 1-3 yrs
EXP = Expansion Draft
R = Rookie

QB Randal Nelson 13/16 5yr 2021 FAFS
QB Donovan Fletcher 7/10 1 2017 URFA
QB Jerry Corbett 6/12 2 2021 FASS

RB Roger Hoying 7/12 1 2019 R
RB Jimmy Duncan 7/8 8 2019 EXP
RB Emmitt Bruce 5/10 1 2017 URFA

FB Levon Richardson 8/8 4 2018 EXP
FB Adrian Moore 7/7 12 2017 EXP

TE Jeremy Spielman 9/9 12 2017 EXP
TE Hugh Joyner 6/10 1 2017 URFA
TE Bill Ford 6/10 1 2017 URFA

WR Rusty Floyd 7/8 13 2018 EXP
WR Xavier Barrett 7/8 8 2017 EXP
WR Lenny Whiting 7/9 1 2018 R
WR Warren Walton 7/11 1 2017 URFA
WR Tim Kippen 6/7 2 2018 EXP
WR Omar Andruzzi 6/8 1 2017 URFA

C Travis Rayburn 10/12 8 2019 FASS
C Lamont Lester 10/10 1 2019 R
C Robert Davis 6/7 15 2018 EXP

G Stanley Facret 7/8 6 2018 EXP
G Derrick Horn 7/14 1 2020 R
G Victor Greer 6/6 11 2020 EXP
G Jeith Lefebvre 3/7 1 2017 URFA

T Zack Newsome 9/12 5 2019 FASS
T Juan Mason 8/8 13 2017 EXP
T Tommie Cash 7/9 8 2018 EXP
T Kenny Cedeno 6/8 2 2017 UFA

P Zach Reid 10/10 13 2018 EXP
K Sherman Bradley 9/10 1 2019 R

DE Chester Winslett 12/18 1 2022 R
DE Kim Cassidy 5/6 12 2018 EXP
DE Toby Westfall 4/6 2 2019 EXP

DT Mark McClendon 5/7 4 2017 EXP
DT Bryan Mathis 3/7 1 2017 URFA
DT Hardy Strong 3/8 1 2017 URFA

LB Kerry O'Neal 10/10 7 2018 EXP
LB Nolan Krock 8/9 5 2018 EXP
LB Kahlil Vanderclute 5/10 2 2018 EXP
LB Rick Clemons 5/8 1 2017 URFA
LB Colin Small 4/11 1 2017 URFA
LB Bryant Michi 3/10 1 2017 URFA

CB Dominic Corbett 7/9 6 2020 EXP
CB Kyle Cassidy 5/6 12 2017 EXP
CB Percy Kacyvenski 5/7 1 2017 URFA
CB Darrell Lane 4/9 1 2017 URFA
CB Marty Kochansky 3/7 1 2017 URFA

S Tommy Perry 9/10 9 2018 EXP
S Corey Ligeski 8/8 8 2018 EXP
S Austin Reid 5/9 1 2017 URFA
S Earnest Ivey 5/9 1 2017 URFA
S Michael Heitner 4/7 1 2017 URFA

And that is us.

Preseason:

Went 0-4. No major injuries. Bunches of smaller ones. Ready for the season.

First Half of Season:

Minnesota W 20-14
New England W 37-7
Philadelphia W 24-14
@ NYG L 8-23
Washington L 6-28
Carolina W 21-0
NYG W 21-19
@ Miami L 8-23

5-3 record but played 6 home games already. We're competetive but the hard games are yet to come. We are in third place in our division, half a game in back of Wash And Ari at 5-2.

Now, some first half statistics to think about.





[This message has been edited by Axxon (edited 01-22-2001).]

[Axxon]

My message was too long. It choked the server. I had to chop it up a bit. Here's part 2:

Now for some statistical ramblings.

One of the first concerns I had was my O-Line as I really didn't pick up anybody great and my scout gives my current across the line as 9/7/10/7/8. Not exactly great numbers but lets look at what they've done with it.

Our running game is 16th in the league in total yardage which isn't too bad and we are averaging 4.1 ypc which is above league average 3.8. We're getting these numbers by committee so it's not like we have a stud RB who makes the line look good.

RB Duncan 2gs leads the team w64-309 4.8 1 td
RB Hoying 6gs is 74-302 4.0 2td
RB Bruce is 17-126 7.4 2td
QB Nelson is 26-111 4.2 1td
Both FB's are next and they suck as runners.
Here's an interesting stat. These are the longest runs for each back. 53/41/74 so they are getting breakaways apparantly. Factor these out and our rbs are 152-569 3.7 which is just a hair under the league avg so not really too bad.

Our passing game isn't as good by a long shot though. How much of that is the line's fault? They've only allowed 14 sacks which is 5th best in the league. Then again, Nelson has run a lot so are they protecting him well or does he take off early?? Can't tell, but they look to be doing the job for the most part here too. I say this based on the fact that Nelson has really only averaged 3.25 carries a game and has gotten a good average from his runs so they aren't too often and they are productive. In all, I'll give this overacheiving line good half time scores.

Individually, we have the following:

C Lester 8-22 36.33KRB 1 sack allowed - he's played well enough to win the starting job from FASS Rayburn which is why I really didn't want to do FA the first year. I'm paying decent cash to a guy who is being outperformed by a rookie. NOt his fault, granted but the backup QB ( who hasn't played at all *sigh* because my scout liked an URFA better ) was a more effective buy http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

T Mason is 10-28 35.7krb 1 ska. He is the one player that expires this year that I really want back but here's the thing. 1. He is a 13 yr veteran and 2. He is unhappy. He was unhappy when he got here and he's unhappy now. When I check his contract it seems he is willing to extend for another year at a slight raise, but a lot of that in bonus money. What I'm afraid of is that he's gonna take my money then retire and I'll be hosed. ( Did I ever tell you I'm a cheap SOB?? ) I have a while to think aobut this but I may just wait until the offseason and if need be franchise him as no one else is worth the tag and I'm sure I'd never use it on him again. Still, that will be more expensive but I'll know at least that he'll play the year.

G Stanley "the fans" Favret - 8-24 33.3 1 ska

T Newsome ( starter but only played 4 gamnes due to injury ) - 5-21 23.8 1 ska

G Horn - 5-21 23.8 3ska hey, he's a rookie http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

This is my starting line up now. Here's two orthy worthies.

C Rayburn 6-27 22.2 ( sad ) 1ska

T Cash 4-16 25.0 0ska in place of Newsome. Not a bad job by the money man.

Both our FB's do run blocking well with each of them going 2-3 66.6 but Moore has given up 2sacks and Richardson 1.

Our TE's have been non existant in the running game going an aggregare 0-6 http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/frown.gif At least, that's the same number of sacks they've given up http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif

Our last Offensive category is passing and this isn't pretty.

QB Nelson 98-188 1206 6.41 52.1% 5/4 72.2QBR
QB Fletcher 28-48 261 5.43 58.3 1/4 45.5

Looking at it, I think it's time to override my scout and let Corbett be the primary back up. Nelson hasn't been bad exactly but the passing game has no zip and an overall 6/8 ratio is discouraging.

Only 7 teams average less than our anemic 183.3 ypg. Our receivers stats are as follows.

WR Barrett 24-354 14.7 1td 42.8c% 83yac 3drp
WR Walton 25-291 11.6 1td 58.1 85 1
WR Whiting 22-219 9.9 1td 47.8 92 4
WR Floyd 14-181 12.9 1td 53.8 54 3
FB Moore 10-129 12.9 1td 71.4 47 0
WR Ford 5-62 12.4 0td 62.5 19 1
TE Spielman 7-58 8.2 0td 53.8 36 1
RB Hoying 4-52 13.0 1td 57.1 19 0
OTHER 15-121 8.1 0td ???? 109 0

Now, I know that I have below average receivers but I expected better. Here's the thing.

I had read about the now famous Morgado offenses back when he was talking about the run it down their throat O. I tried it and it was ok, but after the first year I went to a 60 across with 50's and 40's to fill in. I made 2nd and short between 20-35 and have been running this O successfully since. Now, I haven't kept up with the main thread but it seems that 65 is the in vogue run number and that's pretty close to what I use. Thing is, I always get numbers like this. I've been using mostly bad QB's but I've had Bad QBs/Great WR's, bad QBS/Great RB receivers, Bad QB'b/ bad recievers, and every other conceivable permutation bar good qb and get around the same results. Now, I get a good qb and it's the same http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif I'm beginning to wonder just how much personel really matters in this game ( I needs merely remember my last open cupboard though to stop that train of thought http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/smile.gif ) Anyway, these are my numbers and next year I hope to upgrade the receivers and see just how frustrated I get when I repost these same numbers yet again http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/ubb/wink.gif

3rd Downs and green zone O's.

We've visited the green zone 12 times ( 4th worse in the league ) and have come away with 6td 4fg's for a 4.5 average which is just under the 4.7 league average. Obviously our offense stops way to soon and that is not so good for the future. Our opponents are 20 visits w/ 11td 4 fg and a 4.4pts average. We perform a tad better when we get their but they get there more often. That sums that up.

Our 3rd down numbers are as follows:
37-113 .327 under the league average .341. We are in 22nd in this category. Not good, but not horrible either. Our opponents do somewhat better at .344.