FOF 2007 GroupThink (season five)

[SunDevil]

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1293008&postcount=39

So, assuming we go with the 8-9 group as our leaders… here are some affinity-positive free agents who look like they might be worth pursuing:

Birthdays 7/24 – 8/23 and 11/23 – 12/22:

QB Donald Morrill – 2nd year, probably a future mentor, pretty lousy skills
CB Maurice Sellers – 7th year, 38/38, solid in bump, decent cover man
WR Frankie Kramer – 10th year, 36/36, decent receiver, surplus mentor, ST+
SS Shannon Wolfe – 5th year, 45/55, great in zone, solid all around, PR, ST+
LG Allen Coffey – 12th year, 44/44, decent run blocker, 94 personality
DE Wade Bullock – 12th year, 43/43, void in run D, 84PRTech, 9.3 PR% in 06
DT Julio Forbes – 6th year, 31/31, run stopper (55) with little else to offer
WILB Lamont Samuels – 7th year, 37/39, decent all around
CB Percy Schiller – 11th year, 38/44, good play D and interceptions

Nobody here is a standout star player, but all (except QB Morrill) are worthy of putting on the field, at least as a stopgap, if need be, and none are likely to be very expensive.

[Tasan]

Just a little observation in my 6+ seasons I've run in FOF2k7 so far, Centers are usually a pretty good value at this point in the draft. There seems to be a good one, Duane Tremblay, available. His pass blocking may not be what you would look for in a West Coast center, but I tend to focus on run blocking with interior linemen. Also, its been my experience that the low strength he has will not improve much if any. I think his birthday falls right for an affinity, but I still do not totally get that yet.

Another guy that looks interesting from a 3-4 defense perspective is OLB Quentin Mathews. He's the fastest player on the board, and a real good looking blitzer. He's also 43% developed. I'm not sure about his birthday though, it might be a conflict.

[Tasan]

Birthdays 7/24 – 8/23 and 11/23 – 12/22:


What are the conflict ranges for these?

[SunDevil]

I am getting all my info from the 1st page of this thread. You might also want to look at FOF2k4 because I think it is the same with FOF2k7.

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1293193&postcount=45

If we go ahead and adopt the 8-9 group from above as our deliberate chemistry leaders, then here are some top rookies who would be potential affinities:

RT Jonathan Bickler
CB Bryant Nissly
QB Floyd Carlisle
QB Ricardo McConnell


…and perhaps more importantly some potential conflicts (birthdays from 5/22 to 6/21):

LT Courtney Free (the #1 ranked player overall)
RT Jumbo Rogers
RT Deion Jennings
DT Kenneth Cassidy
LG Frankie Hawkins
DE Derek Cordie
DT Tony Testa
FL Bobby Herod
RB Antonio Caniff
SE Ellis Kurtz
CB Aaron Noe
RB Leonard Martin
LT Mitch Collado
RB Rich Anthony
SLB Quentin Matthews – superfast LB, ran a 4.39

[Icy]

Players i like from the remaining draft pool:

RB Ed England: Not bad pick this late, his hole recognition is good, not bad elusiveness either. He can catch passes and can help in the special teams if needed. (cold have conflict).

QB Jeromy Kirk: Looks good at almost everything, surprising he is still available. (was born just on 6/21, could have conflict)

RB Allen Dawson: Really good Hole recognition and elusiveness.

LCB Bart Blaisse: Really good vs the run, on m2m and on zone, also in ST. 58% developed, I like this guy.

RDT Nathan Paterson: Good run stopper, what i like from DT's.

My top choices on bold.

[mrsimperless]

Icy, which of your two bolded guys seem to have the best potential for affinity?

[Warhammer]

Having a pass rush specialist on the outside in a 3-4 is great, but I prefer him to be the WLB.

[QuikSand]

We have one draft pick, and then we'll be looking at most of the remaining players as possible undrafted rookie free agents (on a team that will have a lot of holes to fill). In my view, the "pick" here is not necessarily the guy we like a bit better than the rest, but perhaps the guy among those we kinda like who seems to be least likely to stay available through 63 more draft picks after ours.

[Tasan]

I am getting all my info from the 1st page of this thread. You might also want to look at FOF2k4 because I think it is the same with FOF2k7.

Ugh, I looked past that post about a million times looking for this. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

And nevermind about Mathews, he was also listed right there at first. Oh well.

[Tasan]

What do people think of WR Stanley Tyler. His grey bars look decent in the ratings we need, and his Sol and 40 time are both decent for the position. He's only 21% developed though, but could see playing time on this team.

[TRO]

I think most of the players we've discussed are likely to get drafted.

I will put my support behind CB Blaisse as well. We interviewed him prior to the draft and he shows as very underrated as well.

[TRO]

What do people think of WR Stanley Tyler. His grey bars look decent in the ratings we need, and his Sol and 40 time are both decent for the position. He's only 21% developed though, but could see playing time on this team.

He's ok. I'm not big on low developed guys at this point in the draft. I rarely see them pan out.

[TRO]

Well, I will use my mad grafix skillz to pimp the other guys I have mentioned, since that's what the kids are doing these days...

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/QuikSand/burks.jpg

Changing my mind. I think I'm throwing my support to the QB. Blaisse isn't overwhelming either and probably won't amount to much.

[TRO]

Another to consider, would prefer to target in FA:
RB Anthony Greene - KR/PR

[Tasan]

I would also throw my vote to the QB Burks. Nice development level. Don't we want our QB to be IN the affinity group though? just a thought, otherwise I like him.

[QuikSand]

While I think there are plenty of guys I'd be fine having on the team, I agree that the no-brainer pick here is the QB. I haven't heard anyone so far make teh case for any other rookie QB for any reason, and he's the #1 guy on the overall board, meaning he has to be at some risk of being selected fairly soon. No he is not an affinity guy, but he's the best skills match out there, and after him, there's nobody else I see who looks very promising - we'll probably just go after affinity types, or take a longshot stab with a couple URFAs.

Nothing against the rest of the guys being pointed out at this point - but candidly, 10 out of 12 of them are going to end up on our team anyway, regardless of whether we draft them here. I vote for QB Burks.

[Sublime 2]

Burks for me too.

[SunDevil]

As I run through the starting files again, one thing I guess in hindsight that people might want to consider when they start a new game with clearing everyone out and starting fresh are the draft day trades. I tried trading with Oakland instead of Denver which has the six spot and I got the 1st and 2nd round draft choice we originally got from Denver, but I also asked for a 4th and 6th and got it. And instead of trading with the Jets, I instead traded with the Browns who were one spot after the Jets and got the 1st and the 3rd from the Browns like we did with the Jets, but I also was able to add on a 5th and a 7th.

Maybe this is cheap, and cheating the ai, but as we reach the later rounds and seeing that we still have targets it might be a good thing to stock those late round draft picks. Let me know what you guys think.

I do not think I broke any rules by making this post, if I did I am sorry, I guess I am trying to ask about the earlier trades and not so much trying to affect the current draft selection.

Edit:

Just wanted to add that I was still able to get the T and ILB that we selected with the two 1st round picks. And the interesting twist was that I was able to get both NT Bobo and LDE Baumann in the 4th round because of my two picks.

[SunDevil]

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1297426&postcount=108

Okay, on T Courtney Free. To catch you all up on the conversation thus far (from eralier in this thread), we decided fairly early that we wanted chemistry to be both (a) important and (b) easy to manage for this team. We agreed, admittedly under my leadership, that the best way to do this was to secure five group leaders all in the same affinity group, and to use them to build around. Making this commitmnet brings two benefits: it makes it really easy to quickly spot affinity guys (the 7-8 and 11-12 birthsign groups) and conflicts (the 5-6 group), and it makes it fairly easy for us to build mega-chemistry at the QB position, where 1/6 of the players out there will be triple affinities for us.

So, some time ago, we cast our lot in that direction. At the time, we knew that it basically meant ruling out certain players who might have been attractive draft picks, notably (as I recall) the top QB and the top offensive tackle, Courtney Free, both of whom would be chemistry conflicts.

So -- in case you missed the earlier discussion, Free is not just "a conflict with our current leader," he is complete anathema to a stated team objective. If we wanted Free so badly that we wanted to use our top pick on him... the time to make that decision was probably quite a while back. If we selected Free, I guess the thing to do would be to abandon the multi-affinity system, find another leader for our OL group, presumably cut the three OL that we have already selected to work with the system we have in place, give up on the triple-affinity potential for the QB position, and basically start over at the entire position group. it's more involved than just findong one more leader type guy out there.


So, if we really, really love Free that much, it's probably worth it to do all this. Since up until now there was a pretty clear consensus to try to avoid conflicts (I made an error or four when doing interviews, but generally tried to stay away fron conflict guys), I never interviewed Free, so we have sketchy info to go on. But we *know* that Bickler is underrated, and has nearly maed-oud essential ratings. What we know about Free is that he might end up rated anywhere from about 65 to 100 in the key areas, and that he presumably comes more ready to play.

In the combine, these two were clearly the top two standouts. The two elements I watch most closely are the dash (Bickler 1st, Free 2nd) and the agility drill (Free 1st by a good margin, Bickler 3rd), while Free has a solid edge in the weight reps as well. On combine alone, I'd say Free looks better, but it's not night and day better. Plus, we don't have the affirmation from an interview to tell where the ratings bars are going to land.


So, in short -- I guess I apologize for the chemistry conundrum that we face. Perhaps my decision not to assign anyone specific roles has backfired -- since nobody feels they are actually responsible for anything in particular, nobody feels any sense that they have to contribute, and the whole things just sits around most of the time. When it does, I have felt like I need to move it along, otherwise it will just die on the vine and slide to page two of the forum, never to be heard from again.


Just wanted to add a link to this post as it goes into depth about our chemistry and conflict challenge with this GroupThink.

[SunDevil]

I also want to add some guys to our list to look at:

Roosevelt Cushing FL . Has good potential and seems he is better than Lenny Strong.

Anthony Greene RB. Does not have break away speed, but in a West Coast offense, I think this guy could help.

Heath Clements FS. Do not know if we need any safeties but I think this guy might be good.

[Narcizo]

Just to go back to this.

In a 4-3 defense, I would aggree with you completely. But, in a 3-4 defense, I find the most effective pass push will come from your OLBs.


I think the information that the WLB will automatically be a pass rusher in the 3-4 in 2007 means that this is more so the case in the new version. We want as good a pass rusher as possible at WLB.

I agree that most of the guys mentioned might be good but will probably be available after the draft. I like Ed England for a west coast set-up and he might get picked by someone else but overall Burks seems to be the logical choice at this stage.

However I think people should look at Caldwell. His an affinity QB and his combines look good. His bars are nothing to get excited about but our scout is only fair at quarterbacks and I think we can't read too much into bars and have to look more at combines. Caldwell's agility is far better than any other quarterback's. Admittedly he looks more of a deep passer but who knows with our scout.

Of the other players I quite like the look of WR Bryant Zeutschel or the Centre Adrian Hansen.

Given his underwhelming combine score Blaisse looks like a bust. (if that's possible at this stage of the draft). His 40dash just doesn't tally with his scouted m2m.

[QuikSand]

Well, my read is that we have another close-enough-to-consensus to move along, and take QB Burks. My prediction is that most of the guys we have talked about for this pick at 6.1 will still be available after the draft, so we’ve essentially given ourselves a slight jump on the URFA discussion. So, without further ado…

161. Texarkana - Burks, Howard, QB, Central Florida
162. Detroit - Nixon, Chuck, OLB, Bentley
163. Kansas City - Patterson, Nathan, DT, East Carolina
164. Denver - Velasco, Skip, WR, Notre Dame
165. Green Bay - Gardner, Bryce, DE, Southern California
166. Tampa Bay - Zeutschel, Bryant, WR, Youngstown State
167. Oakland - Lewinsky, Jake, OLB, Vanderbilt
168. Minnesota - Tyner, Kelly, QB, Tulane
169. Dallas - Boling, Derek, OLB, Minnesota
170. New Orleans - Lanham, Donny, OLB, Penn State
171. New York - Borders, Nolan, RB, Southern California
172. Washington - Barlow, Jumbo, DE, Boston College
173. Baltimore - Hauck, Matthew, ILB, Alabama A&M
174. Carolina - Pustell, Howard, ILB, Winston Salem
175. Cincinnati - England, Ed, RB, Tenn. - Chattanooga
176. Chicago - Stern, Billy, WR, Michigan
177. New Jersey - Banks, Nathan, QB, Wake Forest
178. Jacksonville - Blaise, Bart, CB, Oregon
179. Miami - Cahill, Phil, OLB, East Carolina
180. San Francisco - Madison, Nicky, S, Duke
181. Cleveland - Melaragni, Shane, DT, Wisconsin
182. St. Louis - Greathouse, Sammy, CB, Boston College
183. Pittsburgh - Cortez, Phil, ILB, Humboldt State
184. San Diego - Tremblay, Duane, C, Washington
185. Seattle - Stiles, Dennis, CB, North Carolina
186. Philadelphia - Emerson, Marshall, DE, San Jose State
187. Indianapolis - Anthony, Rich, RB, Clemson
188. Tennessee - Darusmont, Matt, T, Florida
189. Buffalo - DeWolf, Randy, G, West Virginia
190. Atlanta - Finch, Nicky, T, Florida State
191. Arizona - Snyder, Arnold, S, Georgia
192. New England - Lovelace, Herb, DE, Valparaiso
193. Baltimore - Freeney, Harvey, OLB, SW Missouri St.
194. Kansas City - James, Levon, CB, Penn State
195. Detroit - Provance, Jorge, DT, UNLV
196. Green Bay - Buzzanca, Sammy, S, Purdue
197. Denver - Caldwell, Edward, QB, Army
198. Oakland - Kanell, Eddie, TE, Washington State
199. Minnesota - Glover, Edwin, DT, Tx. A&M - Kingsville
200. San Francisco - Burmbaugh, Jim, QB, Louisville
201. New Orleans - Tyler, Stanley, WR, Louisville
202. Philadelphia - Jaffe, Bernard, ILB, Shepherd
203. Tampa Bay - Daggett, Henry, CB, San Jose State
204. Baltimore - Watkins, Sam, OLB, Southern Mississippi
205. Carolina - Robson, Oscar, G, Purdue
206. Cincinnati - DaSilva, Randall, G, Western Carolina
207. Chicago - Howe, Trent, OLB, Jacksonville State
208. Washington - Lents, James, DE, Alabama A&M
209. Jacksonville - Hansen, Adrian, C, Harding
210. Miami - Reese, Norm, OLB, Mississippi
211. New Jersey - Strong, Lenny, WR, Oregon State
212. Cleveland - Hammers, Chris, QB, Missouri
213. Minnesota - Ford, Graham, DT, Alabama
214. Pittsburgh - Barton, Eric, CB, Temple
215. San Diego - Dawson, Allen, RB, Temple
216. Seattle - Serwanga, Ted, OLB, Virginia
217. St. Louis - Kirk, Jerome, QB, North Carolina State
218. Indianapolis - Willig, Todd, CB, Maryland
219. Philadelphia - Burton, Thomas, T, Oregon State
220. Buffalo - Hall, Chuck, QB, Iowa
221. Tennessee - Moss, Broderick, RB, Virginia Tech
222. Atlanta - McGee, Troy, RB, Northwestern
223. Arizona - Hauck, Brant, ILB, Rice
224. New England - Wiggins, Ralph, S, Louisiana-Lafayette

From the names I remember – we watched a few target guys go off the board here… but there are certainly a lot of them left, as expected. I think our advance work will pay off.



So, here is our draft-day wrapup:


Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Jonathan Bickler, T, Missouri - Rolla
Rnd 1 - Doug Booker, ILB, Temple
Rnd 2 - Brett Dux, ILB, Washington State
Rnd 4 - Artie Bobo, DT, Penn State
Rnd 5 - Nicky Spearman, CB, Buffalo
Rnd 6 - Howard Burks, QB, Central Florida


If everything breaks nicely for us, we will have picked up our left tackle for the future, two stout linebackers who will become a core to what we want to do on defense, a nice defensive tackle who will be in the mix right away, a fringe coverage contributor with some upside, and a QB whose skills fit our system pretty well. Not a bad start.

The end of the draft per se was a non-even in player ratings changes, so I suspect from here forward we don’t need to worry about tracking ratings at this point – only before and after training camp, before and after starting free agency, and perhaps at the end of each season. Still awaiting a volunteer to be in charge of this… though I have a hunch who will end up doing it.

I have also switched our veteran FB to the TE position – for now, this will at least make it easier to identify affinities and conflicts among free agents, and it seemed pretty likely we were not going to keep him at FB and upend the chemistry effort anyway. Wasn’t a clear consensus, I guess, but there wasn’t any dissenting voice on the matter heard, so this seemed like the time.


And with that – we are into the late free agency period. I am distributing a new file, since now there are formerly restricted free agents who are on the open market, and I’m guessing some of these guys will be interesting targets (as I write, I have not even looked yet). So, along with the remaining rookies, there are probably some decent third or fourth year guys out there who didn’t get new contracts, who might also be worth a look.


More to come, I’m certain…

[QuikSand]

As for the market of newly-unrestricted free agents... one word. Wow.

[QuikSand]

While there are plenty of impact players out there, I wanted to at least get a few affinity types on our radar screen:

SS Emmanuel Whiting – stud young safety, weak in MTM, but looks excellent
FB Russell Preston – just what we needed, really
WR Sammy Morrison – might be our best WR, nearly maxed in downfield, KR

If we don’t go hard after all three of these young players (unless, I suppose, we decide to adopt some kind of house rule not to) then we’re just not awake. I’m sure there are other promising options, but these three guys are complete no-brainers.

[QuikSand]

Before we get too invested, we probably want to make a rules decision. I am seeing just *tons* of talent among these new free agents, and with our cap space, we could build a very, very different team than I had been expecting by investing in a dozen or so promising youngsters right now.

Seeing plenty of teams with lots of cap space, who still let great-looking young players walk into free agency... maybe we have to more or less write this off as a bug/weakness, rather than an opportunity, and either stay out of this market altogether, or at least limit our involvement.

Honestly, I want to see our team getting built largely through the draft - picking up pieces here or there is certainly fine, but I want to develop our own players in the interest of learning. If we make a Frankenteam right now out of the spare parts that teams stupidly threw overboard, we might never get to see any of our mid or late round players take the field, as we'll have tons of 2nd anf 3rd year future studs coming aboard.

So...some things to think about here. I'll check to see if this massive RFA exodus has been reported as a game bug/flaw.

[TRO]

YY, wow.

[Barkeep49]

The immense talent seems to be huge at first and then level off. In my mature league, with about 15 seasons done, there are quite a few "good" players but most of them are flawed and the talent is about what I would expect.

[TRO]

I've been playing with OPUs, so I haven't seen this kind of talent available in a league yet myself. Hmmm.

[Barkeep49]

Also -- I think that going after players who fit the chemistry profile and skills that fit the systems that have been agreed upon is alright to do. Though others might wish for stricter house rules here.

[Narcizo]

I've always seen this shedding of talent to 2nd stage FA in the opening seasons. A lot of it is RFAs who become unrestricted in this stage without the AI moving to lock them up before. There's definitely a bug in there somewhere either RFAs shouldn't become unrestricted in this stage or the AI should move quicker to sign them before the draft. I think this should be mentioned in the bug report actually.

I haven't seen the game file as I'm currently running another game and don't want to interrupt it but I definitely think we should restrict who we sign and not go for any players from 2-4 years at this stage.

PS I'd be willing to print team info and track it. Are we solely talking about the Armadillos or all teams in the league? My only problem is lack of availability at the weekend.

[QuikSand]

We have several tasks to focus on right now:

-what restrictions should we place on signing veteran free agents at this point?

-what veterans do we want to sign, and to what kind of contracts?

-do we need a limit on how many players to take to camp?

-what rookeis do we want to sign?

-what contracts do we offer our rookie draftees?



...and, in anticipation of things to come:

-what sort of secondary coverage will we want to focus on, if any?

-what gameplans are we actually going to use to start this season?

[TRO]

PS I'd be willing to print team info and track it. Are we solely talking about the Armadillos or all teams in the league? My only problem is lack of availability at the weekend.

I think we're doing an OK job of keeping files available so I don't think the "tracking" needs to be done immediately. You could go back a file or two to grab the info.

[TRO]

We have several tasks to focus on right now:

-what restrictions should we place on signing veteran free agents at this point?
I think until whatever bug is worked through, we'll have to avoid the 2-4 guys.

-do we need a limit on how many players to take to camp?
I say 60, I don't like having any more than the AI gets.

-what sort of secondary coverage will we want to focus on, if any?
I think M2M, then Zone. I like BNR as much as the next guy but this would be a change.

[QuikSand]

It's a bit odd -- we don't really have any players I'd want to be building our secondary around, so it seems to me that for year one, maybe we just use a balanced coverage scheme, or perhaps we tilt it a bit toward zone, just because our vets seem best suited there.

LBs Dux and Booker both look like they will eventually be solid in all coverages, so I don't see that as a compelling matter either. I feel like we're wide open, so rather than picking a scheme and feelign like we need to fit pieces into it -- maybe we just stay fairly generic fvor year one, and remain flexible if a player comes along (like in next year's draft, or as a big money free agent) who seems great, and has a specialty -- and we work around him for the long haul.

*shurg*

[Barkeep49]

I could support that approach. Trying to eek out an extra win or two by getting system players in the secondary does seem premature at this stage of our efforts.

Also, you might want to update the thread title QS.

[QuikSand]

Well, we have on proposal offered -- that we just stay away from the <5 year veteran players in free agency. As tantalizing as some of these guys are, that's certainly one fair approach to deal with what seems like an AI weakness. I'd be fine with that.

Anyone feel like we ought to either (a) allow ourselves some latitude there, maybe a limited number of signings... or (b) allow ourselves to go all-out after the young free agents?


For now, I'm going to focus more on the rookie free agents.

[Narcizo]

Just a list of players mentioned in the draft who we didn't draft. Shout out if I've missed anyone.

2007
LT Courtney Free 50-83
QB Ricardo McConnell 21-50
WR Billy Joe Arderko 39-71
DE Tito Martin 32-71
DT Leland Howard 33-61
DT Casey Goguen 22-61
Cb Clifton Shepherd 33-55
DT Billy Joe Hicks 22-33
LG Shawn Wolfe 24-60
RB Austin Hagglund 40-56
SLB Sammie Lake 27-54
FS Kirk Blackwell 26-64
DE Cory Baumann 21-50
SS Kenneth Kirk 11-28
DE Conrad Deighton 13-50
FB Philip McDaniel (15-40)
WR Lenny Strong 16-56
WR Dennis Fabbizzi
RB Ed England 29-48
QB Jerome Kirk 13-51
RB Allen Dawson 28-52
CB Bart Blaisse 18-53
DT Nathan Paterson 21-46
WR Stanley Tyler 15-43
RB Anthony Greene (33-54)
QB Edward Caldwell 11-28
C Adrian Hansen 16-64
WR Bryant Zeutschel 28-38


Can't find Fabbizzi

[Barkeep49]

I would suggest that any player year 2-5 who had minimal playing time, and by minimal I mean, perhaps, approaching zero, could still be signed. This would basically allow us to take on players who aren't really developed. I haven't looked at the FA file yet to see if any players jump out, but that would be my suggestion.

[Barkeep49]

So what am I doing wrong? I downloaded the zip and extracted the files into the universe folder. However, when I try to open the game I get a message about a record book and a crash.

[Narcizo]

I think you have to download the initial file as well.

[QuikSand]

You will want to get the first (BIG) file, and then the latest file from the email inbox.

from the initial post in the thread, quoted for convenience in case anyone else is getting on board here...

[SunDevil]

To add to the list:
Roosevelt Cushing WR

[SunDevil]

Can anyone answer my draft question? Thanks
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1300430&postcount=268

[QuikSand]

I was the one who went in and did the trade fishing, and I admit that I didn't exactly push every single levelr to see what the very tip-top best offer might have been. At the time, we were really just struggling to get input and momentum, and I also confess to personally not really valuing late round draft picks very much -- so that basically explains my actions at that point. I'm sure that sith savvy trade efforts we could still be debating right now what to do with our two extra 6th and 7th round picks... in my view, there's very little loss from not doing so, especially since nearly all the players we would have been looking at are still available to us.

Down the road, if someone wants to vounteer to be "trade negotiator" and work behind the scenes to extract every drop we can get from possible draft-day dealings, I guess we could do that. I'm also comfortable just injecting a "well, Buffalo would do this deal" from time to time when we seem to be thinking about a trade-down or trade up, and keep it simple.

[SunDevil]

Thanks for the reply QuickSand. I just wanted to make sure it was not too cheap or anything. I think that this is going quite well so far and I have learned a lot. I went back last night and just replayed the free agent and draft period again while rereading this thread, and it definitely helps in learning more about this game.

You are right about most of the guys are still available after the draft, I guess I just like the way the Patriots draft which is to stockpile draft picks. I think the only one that really paid off was asking for a 4th round pick when we traded down from the 1st round. That way we could've gotten both the NT and DE that we had targeted. But again that is all hindsight.

Thanks again for running this thread.

[QuikSand]

Some rookies to target:
(Sk = good skill match, Aff = Affinity, Dev = well developed, ST=Special teamer)

I'll try to keep this list updated for use by whomever goes ahead with the contract offers...

QB Aaron Matthews - Aff, timing
QB Paul Rice – Aff, some skills
RB Anthony Greene –Sk, ST
FB Zack Foreman - Aff
FB Philip McDaniel – Aff
TE Johnnie Lang – Aff, ST
WR Roosevelt Cushing - Sk, Dev
WR Dennis Fabbrizzi – Sk, combine upside?
WR Daniel Hall – Aff, Sk
WR Tony Temes – Aff, Dev
C Cedric Trujillo – Aff
RG Max Jackson, Aff, Sk
LG Tarlos Warren – Sk
RT Kent Dellamielleure - Sk
LT Monty Chandler - Aff, Sk
P Billy Joe Ludwig
K Neil Whiting
DE Terry Abrams – Aff
DE Mo Caraballo – Aff
DT Rusty Tyler – Aff
MLB Leland Knoll - Aff
WLB Shaun Abrams – Aff, ST
CB Everett Reeves – Aff, Dev
CB Levon Hurtado – Aff
FS Heath Clements – Aff, Sk
FS Devin Willis – Sk
FS Norbert Dibble – Sk
FS Dale Dawkins – Sk, PR

[SunDevil]

dola

Just wanted to add that I think we definitely added a challenging edge to this GroupThink. With the main focus of building team leaders and chemistry affinity, it really forces to put together a real thought out team, instead of just trying to rebuild with just the best players available.

It is real challenge when you think you might of found a sleeper in the 6th or 7th round of the draft and then realize either there is a affinity conflict or the guy has no real affinity with the chosen group leaders.

As this dynasty progresses I realize more and more how hard this might be.

[QuikSand]

I'm not trying to push the chemistry stuff overall -- about the only thing that I think is probably essential is thet we remain conflict-free, which only rules out about 8% of the player universe.

I keep tossing out affinity guys for our roster-fillers, mostly because I don't think much of anythign is going to some from many of these players, but as we continue to build mostly from within, we might find that some "3C" guys help out a bit with continuity, cohesion, and chemistry -- even if they don't bring much skill on the field in the end.

[QuikSand]

If we are going to skip the <5 year free agents, and limit ourselves to 60 total players into camp, then we have 32 slots to fill.

I guess we want to go after a mentor inside linebacker - I'll make an offer in the next stage. Past that, I haven't checked to see if there are any new older FAs who look worth a contract, but I'm assuming that we're looking at something like 30 undrafted rookie free agents.

If you like a guy in particular, please offer his name up and he's almost certain to get a contract offer.

[SunDevil]

To add to the list:
Roosevelt Cushing WR -SK, Dev

[QuikSand]

By the way, I'm kinda assuming that this roster-filling stage is of some importance to people, even though most of these guys won't really stick around very long. If you are keeping up, but just don't care much about these players - that's fine, but please say so so we have a sense of when we'rte ready to cast our line.

[SunDevil]

I am ready.

[Icy]

I'm ready too.

[johnnyshaka]

Give 'er!!

[QuikSand]

Okay, we have gone ahead and signed a flotilla of rookie free agents to fill up the roster. Following the list already settled, plus a couple more guys who caught my eye along the way, pushed our roster to 58 players. With those last two slots, I went ahead and locked up two more running backs, as we only have two guys on the roster.

RB Mark Gates was a pretty solid runner last year for Jacksonville, totaling over 1,000 yards – plus, he has pretty decent receiving skills. Marlon Garland is a rookie with some special team skills and potentially some use as a utility back.

With that – here’s the roster we bring toward training camp…


Texarkana Armadillos Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Burks, Howard 1 QB 1 19 44 3 yrs
Schultz, Leslie 19 QB 6 17 31 3 yrs
Schiff, Jessie 12 QB 5 13 31 2 yrs
Mathews, Aaron 6 QB 1 11 30 2 yrs
Gates, Mark 27 RB 7 38 42 2 yrs
Aranda, Marc 41 RB 7 33 33 2 yrs
Greene, Anthony 49 RB 1 33 56 2 yrs
Garland, Marlon 30 RB 1 26 34 2 yrs
Foreman, Zack 39 FB 1 24 47 2 yrs
McDaniel, Phillip 43 FB 1 16 42 2 yrs
Diaz, Eric 87 TE 4 53 60 3 yrs
Holmes, Harvey 48 TE 7 44 63 2 yrs
Lang, Johnnie 80 TE 1 27 47 2 yrs
Williamson, Aaron 88 FL 12 43 43 2 yrs
Kramer, Frankie 83 FL 10 37 37 3 yrs
Hall, Daniel 85 FL 1 23 34 2 yrs
Cushing, Roosevelt 89 FL 1 21 53 2 yrs
Kinney, Andy 86 SE 8 39 41 3 yrs
Woodson, Grady 84 SE 9 29 29 3 yrs
Temes, Tony 82 SE 1 22 37 2 yrs
Fabbrizzi, Dennis 81 SE 1 11 38 2 yrs
El Nino, Leland 50 C 8 51 51 1 yr.
Trujillo, Cedric 58 C 1 16 30 2 yrs
Warren, Tarlos 62 LG 1 22 50 2 yrs
Aiston, Sherman 69 RG 5 33 46 2 yrs
Jackson, Max 64 RG 1 10 32 2 yrs
Bickler, Jonathan 68 LT 1 32 85 5 yrs
Chandler, Monty 74 LT 1 13 39 2 yrs
Flowers, Thurman 66 LT 1 10 35 2 yrs
DeLamielleure, Kent 65 RT 1 17 44 2 yrs
Cote, Bruce 76 RT 8 12 12 3 yrs
Ludwig, Billy Joe 17 P 1 45 52 2 yrs
Whiting, Neil 15 K 1 37 63 2 yrs
Bullock, Wade 75 LDE 12 42 42 2 yrs
Abrams, Terry 73 LDE 1 20 34 2 yrs
Caraballo, Mo 79 RDE 1 17 25 2 yrs
Burks, Corwin 94 LDT 11 44 44 3 yrs
Forbes, Julio 70 LDT 6 31 31 2 yrs
Tyler, Rusty 96 RDT 1 20 27 2 yrs
Bobo, Artie 90 NT 1 18 52 3 yrs
Samuels, Lamont 54 WILB 7 38 39 2 yrs
Dux, Brett 93 WILB 1 19 70 3 yrs
Booker, Doug 51 MLB 1 35 74 4 yrs
Polko, Kevin 91 MLB 7 33 39 2 yrs
Knoll, Leland 53 MLB 1 10 29 2 yrs
Franz, Kirk 95 SLB 10 41 41 3 yrs
Dishman, Nicky 99 SLB 1 19 40 2 yrs
Abrams, Shaun 92 SLB 1 11 28 2 yrs
Belanger, Grady 59 WLB 7 34 39 3 yrs
Gerak, Howie 26 LCB 9 41 41 3 yrs
Rogers, Phil 37 LCB 5 41 41 1 yr.
Reeves, Everett 31 LCB 1 19 30 2 yrs
Hurtado, Levon 22 LCB 1 18 37 2 yrs
Spearman, Nicky 24 LCB 1 13 18 3 yrs
Schiller, Percy 21 RCB 11 39 42 3 yrs
Dole, Tito 46 RCB 1 14 40 2 yrs
Wolfe, Shannon 42 SS 5 46 56 3 yrs
Clements, Heath 44 FS 1 15 55 2 yrs
Willis, Devin 29 FS 1 15 41 2 yrs
Dawkins, Dale 34 FS 1 12 39 2 yrs


I’m posting a new file – but we need to decide two things right now:

-any players we want to switch positions prior to training camp?
(you may feel free to, in game, inquire about the switch – but don’t go ahead with it)

-any settings changes for the training camp schedule?

[QuikSand]

Another thing to consider – SLB Rufus Pinero looks like a serious pass rusher, and probably would slide over to the WLB slot easily. He probably would be a starter for us, plus he’d be a mentor – especially useful if we wanted to move LB Doug Booker from MLB to SLB (a move I’d support). He didn’t come up before, but I did notice him when looking for possible OLB mentors (in case we switched Booker) and he really stands out – he rates 47/47 overall, but is rated 100 in pass rush technique.

Among other veterans we might want to scoop up here might be LT Kyle Wilkins, an offensive tackle mentor, and a guy who will probably be our second-most playable tackle after campo, unless we get great news from a rookie. With a top pick at OT, we probably ought to mentor him, and Wilkins is the last remaining non-conflict tackle mentor out there.


I’ll sign those two if there is interest, and we’ll either carry 62 into camp, or else I’ll dump a couple fringe guys.

[Icy]

Sign those two mentors, and about bringing 60 or 62... well if the AI can only bring 60 then we should do the same.

[QuikSand]

Quick note – sorry about QB Schiff, I had left the staff signings setting on, and the AI immediately decided that I must have just been joking by signing rookie QB Paul Rice, and quickly rectified the situation by cutting him and signing Schiff. I have remedied the mistake, and Rice is back – rated 7/28 by our scout.

[QuikSand]

Heh, all that draft-day bluster and debate about CB Spearman... and it turns out his personality is so weak that he won't even register his affinity. *sigh*

[SunDevil]

I can look at the file tonight, and take a look at the position switches and training camp schedule. Would it help to maybe go into a little more detail about the reasoning and signs of when to do a position switch? Also some templates or general ideas behind training camp schedules? This is my first FOF game, so I am at least interested in hearing more about it.

[QuikSand]

Nothing too complex about the concept of position switching -- just makes sense if a player has skills that match better for a certain role.

With our linebackers, the obvious example, I think we anticipate blitzing a lot with both outside linebackers, so we're looking for guys with PR skills there (especially PR technique). In our system, I'm thinking that Dux looks like a pure ILB (good run stopper, but poor pass rush skills), and Booker could play either, but as a pretty complete player, he might be good for the SLB slot (that's probably where I'd put him in FOF 2004, not sure if that's still best).

Making the switch before training camp helps, because players tend to gain a bit of experience in camp, and all things equal, it's best to get him that experience at the position where he'll actually be slotted.

[QuikSand]

From here, I'm fine if someone wants to run training camp. I have a card game tonight, so I will be away. If there is input before 5pm, I'll run camp... if not, someone can do it tonight, or I'll run it in the morning.

Would anyone like to work on and donate a gameplan, either side, for this team to use? Rather than hold up everything in anticipation of same... can someone help there? We had an original voluntereed offensive gameplan, but its authior hasn't been in here lately. Anyone... offense...defense... anyone?

[Icy]

If nobody has done anyting regarding the gameplan when i wake up in the morning, i'll work on it. What i'm also going to do is a logo for our team, the default sucks.

[QuikSand]

What i'm also going to do is a logo for our team, the default sucks.

Yay!

[SunDevil]

Just something I noticed and we really can not do anything about it now, but the Defensive Coordinator for our team is rated Poor in regards to Young Talent. It will be interesting to see if that affects our new young defensive draft picks.

[TRO]

I support moving Booker to SLB.

[QuikSand]

Okay, I wil plan to run training camp in the morning. I will make the various moves necessitated by the 3-4 front, and past that I'll just use my best judgment. We'll spend extra time on the passing game, obviously, but I'll leave most everything else pretty vanilla, unless anyone wants to forward a suggestion of any kind.

[Narcizo]

Random thoughts.
1. Anthony Greene went up two potential on joining the team, is that a sign that his draft scouted potential was too low and will that continue to rise now? If so he looks like a fantastic pick-up and he should be our starter. Shame about the intelligence.
2. If we're moving Booker to SLB (and the scouts think it will pay off) then I suggest playing Franz at WLB. He seems to have good pass rushing skills which we need in a 3-4.
3. I like how the affinities go off the page on the attitude page. :)
4. Harvey Holmes should still play at FB even if we "cheated" the system a bit by switching him to TE. It will be interesting to see if he picks up TE experience even if he's being played at FB.
5. I've put the team print-out in the inbox incase anyone else would like to keep it for tracking purposes.
6. It looks like the scouts were or are completely off mark with 1st overall pick Percy Lochner. They said he would be 47% developed but at the moment he's scouted as 61-72. I've seen quite a few examples of these ultra-developed players and it seems to be in line with Jim's comments that players didn't develop quickly enough in FOF2004.

[Narcizo]

I've added some players who look great on the scout report but had poor combines and player with great combines but poor scouting cards. It should be interesting to see which lose the most in training camp (it should be the low combine guys). Also added the predraft overall rating.

Mentioned & Top Picks

QB Ricardo McConnell 5.5 21-50
QB Jerome Kirk 4.9 13-51
QB Edward Caldwell* 4.6 11-28
QB Aaron McCartney 6.2 24-65
QB James Groza 5.9 30-65
RB Ed England 4.6 29-48
RB Austin Hagglund 5.1 40-56
RB Allen Dawson 4.4 28-52
FB Philip McDaniel 3.7 15-40
WR Billy Joe Arderko 6.3 39-71
WR Lenny Strong 4.1 16-56
WR Stanley Tyler 4.3 15-43
WR Bryant Zeutschel 4.4 28-38
C Adrian Hansen^ 4.5 16-64
LG Shawn Wolfe^ 5.2 24-60
LT Courtney Free 7.2 50-83
DE Tito Martin 5.4 32-71
DE Cory Baumann 4.7 21-50
DE Conrad Deighton 4.4 13-50
DT Nathan Patterson 4.4 21-46
DT Leland Howard 5.5 33-61
DT Casey Goguen 4.9 22-61
DT Billy Joe Hicks 5.1 22-33
ILB Rodney Rockwell 6.8 54-72
SLB Sammie Lake 5.2 27-54
CB Bart Blaisse 4.2 18-53
CB Clifton Shepherd 5.1 33-55
CB Percy Lochner 6.7 61-72
SS Kenneth Kirk* 5.2 11-28
FS Kirk Blackwell 5.3 26-64

High Scout/Low Combine

<qb>QB Donnell Flannery 4.0 16-50
C Troy Groce 5.1 30-67
RT Jumbo Rogers 5.8 32-69
DT Kenneth Cassidy 5.5 45-78
FS Roger Kinsella 4.8 20-65



Low Scout/High Combine

RB Pete Copeland 6.8 28-43
WR Artie Markiewicz 4.0 12-13
LG Jeffrey Hobert 3.8 9-36
DE Leland Hopper 3.7 10-20
CB Mack Pringley 5.1 24-39
FS Seth Jackson 5.6 18-28

High Scout/Combine
WR Ricardo Ashraf 4.6 26-63 </QB>

[QuikSand]

Okay – on and into training camp. I have made the minor roster adjustments discussed so far, including adding the two new position mentors at OT and OLB, and I have switched rookie LB Booker to play the strong side. I also made several intra-position switches in a few cases, nothing terribly notable – since we never really made a decision about DT Bobo, I left him at DT, rather than switching him to DE. (If the team is going to adopt the notion of using our defensive ends as run-stoppers, we probably need to make that an affirmative decision before we invest too much at that position)

So, we head into training camp. I gave us an extra hour in pass plays, mostly at the expense of run plays, but didn’t change much else.


Here ( http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/QuikSand/gt2007player_report.html) is an uploaded html file showing our players’ development in training camp. Not a ton of great news here – our list of players whose potential ratings increased in camp is as follows:

TE Johnnie Lang +5
LB Shaun Abrams +4
LB Leland Knoll +4
LB Lamont Samuels +2
CB Phil Rogers +1
CB Nicky Spearman +2

One draftee, a couple veterans, and three rookies who we picked up as a relative afterthought. For what it’s worth, I believe that the three URFA players on this list were all acquired by the highly scientific method of sorting available rookies by current ability, and looking at the affinity guys anywhere near the top of the list. Hooray for science! None of them, however, is really going to knock your socks off yet, though.

The simple scout ratings are below:


Texarkana Armadillos Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Burks, Howard 1 QB 1 18 33 3 yrs
Schultz, Leslie 19 QB 6 16 31 3 yrs
Mathews, Aaron 6 QB 1 10 30 2 yrs
Aranda, Marc 41 RB 7 33 33 2 yrs
Greene, Anthony 49 RB 1 31 50 2 yrs
Gates, Mark 27 RB 7 25 29 2 yrs
Garland, Marlon 30 RB 1 25 28 2 yrs
Foreman, Zack 39 FB 1 25 44 2 yrs
McDaniel, Phillip 43 FB 1 16 37 2 yrs
Diaz, Eric 87 TE 4 54 59 3 yrs
Holmes, Harvey 48 TE 7 47 63 2 yrs
Lang, Johnnie 80 TE 1 33 52 2 yrs
Williamson, Aaron 88 FL 12 38 38 2 yrs
Kramer, Frankie 83 FL 10 33 33 3 yrs
Temes, Tony 82 FL 1 22 33 2 yrs
Cushing, Roosevelt 89 FL 1 21 47 2 yrs
Fabbrizzi, Dennis 81 FL 1 11 33 2 yrs
Kinney, Andy 86 SE 8 35 35 3 yrs
Woodson, Grady 84 SE 9 29 29 3 yrs
Hall, Daniel 85 SE 1 24 32 2 yrs
El Nino, Leland 50 C 8 51 51 1 yr.
Trujillo, Cedric 58 C 1 18 29 2 yrs
Warren, Tarlos 62 LG 1 20 43 2 yrs
Aiston, Sherman 69 RG 5 33 45 2 yrs
Jackson, Max 64 RG 1 12 30 2 yrs
Wilkins, Kyle 67 LT 10 34 34 2 yrs
Bickler, Jonathan 68 LT 1 33 84 5 yrs
Chandler, Monty 74 LT 1 13 33 2 yrs
Flowers, Thurman 66 LT 1 10 35 2 yrs
DeLamielleure, Kent 65 RT 1 21 38 2 yrs
Cote, Bruce 76 RT 8 12 12 3 yrs
Ludwig, Billy Joe 17 P 1 38 43 2 yrs
Whiting, Neil 15 K 1 41 59 2 yrs
Bullock, Wade 75 LDE 12 38 38 2 yrs
Abrams, Terry 73 LDE 1 20 34 2 yrs
Tyler, Rusty 96 LDE 1 17 26 2 yrs
Caraballo, Mo 79 RDE 1 18 24 2 yrs
Burks, Corwin 94 NT 11 44 44 3 yrs
Forbes, Julio 70 NT 6 31 31 2 yrs
Bobo, Artie 90 NT 1 20 46 3 yrs
Polko, Kevin 91 SILB 7 29 39 2 yrs
Knoll, Leland 53 SILB 1 13 33 2 yrs
Samuels, Lamont 54 WILB 7 41 41 2 yrs
Dux, Brett 93 WILB 1 22 63 3 yrs
Franz, Kirk 95 SLB 10 40 40 3 yrs
Booker, Doug 51 SLB 1 34 67 4 yrs
Abrams, Shaun 92 SLB 1 13 32 2 yrs
Pinero, Rufus 57 WLB 6 48 48 2 yrs
Belanger, Grady 59 WLB 7 37 39 3 yrs
Rogers, Phil 37 LCB 5 42 42 1 yr.
Gerak, Howie 26 LCB 9 41 41 3 yrs
Reeves, Everett 31 LCB 1 19 30 2 yrs
Hurtado, Levon 22 LCB 1 17 35 2 yrs
Schiller, Percy 21 RCB 11 34 34 3 yrs
Dole, Tito 46 RCB 1 15 33 2 yrs
Spearman, Nicky 24 RCB 1 15 20 3 yrs
Wolfe, Shannon 42 SS 5 47 55 3 yrs
Clements, Heath 44 FS 1 16 47 2 yrs
Willis, Devin 29 FS 1 16 35 2 yrs
Dawkins, Dale 34 FS 1 14 35 2 yrs

[QuikSand]

I am a sucker for a solid TE, and Johnnie Lang may have just become my favorite player on the team.

[QuikSand]

For now, topics for discussion:

-depth chart decisions - who should start, etc

-pace decisions - do we just want to get through season one quickly, or do we want to do it in small steps?

-looking forward - do we want to change the way we are running this going forward? assign roles and responsibilities? or keep it basically a spoke pattern?

[mrsimperless]

As far as pace goes I'd recommend breaking our first season down into quarters and evaluating each quarter. I'd also be open to even less breakdowns, but I'd be oppossed to going game by game.

As far as assigning responsibilities I'm kinda meh. I definitely don't want one at this point, but I don't care if people have them as long as it doesn't bog things down and the majority still rules for the most part.

[QuikSand]

There's a matter of some philosophy that we will need to confornt for season one. I fully expect that we will be among the worst teams in the league this year -- our roster rating is 2, the league low -- so I don't think this is a year for much past building.

There are going to be some positions where we have semi-promising rookies, up against mediocre veterans. We will need to decide what to do in places like that. I don't think tons of our rookies are long-timers, but a few might have some promise. Here are position battles that I see that probably pivot on the old v. young issue (in each case, I'll list the veteran first and the youngster last):

QB Schultz or Burks
TE Diaz or Lang
WR several veterans or several rookies
RT Wilkins or DeLamielleure
DE ???? or Abrams (?)
DT Forbes/Burks or Bobo
ILB Polko/Samuels or Knoll
CB veterans or Spearman/Dole

[TRO]

I am a sucker for a solid TE, and Johnnie Lang may have just become my favorite player on the team.

Our marketing department is queuing up the TD celebration music as we speak...

[TRO]

As far as pace goes I'd recommend breaking our first season down into quarters and evaluating each quarter. I'd also be open to even less breakdowns, but I'd be oppossed to going game by game.

As far as assigning responsibilities I'm kinda meh. I definitely don't want one at this point, but I don't care if people have them as long as it doesn't bog things down and the majority still rules for the most part.

Agreed.

[TRO]

I find it interesting that we have 58 players signed to multi-year deals.

[TRO]

QB Schultz or Burks
TE Diaz or Lang
WR several veterans or several rookies
RT Wilkins or DeLamielleure
DE ???? or Abrams (?)
DT Forbes/Burks or Bobo
ILB Polko/Samuels or Knoll
CB veterans or Spearman/Dole

QB - Between the two, I'd say Burks. I think Mathews deserves a look too though. The whole affinity thing being at play. Overall, I do think Burks is the best play.

TE - Diaz here for me. I do like Lang but I think we should play vets if there is a large difference in talent. (this is a case where I can certainly buy a play the kid argument).

WR - I like the rookie Hall. If we aren't playing the vets, why did we sign so many of them?

RT - DeLami

DE - Bullock should be a starter, again the talent disparity.

DT - Bobo

ILB - Polko/Samuels

CB - Leaning towards the vets here.

Overall, I would say play young kids if we think we'll be able to use them 4 years down the road. Otherwise, if the talent gap is big, play the vets and milk a few wins. I don't want to waltz into the #1 every year.

[QuikSand]

On the matter of "how to run this" here's my candid thinking:

I'm committed and around. I can usually keep things moving if we keep running things like they have been - nobody has an assigned role, anyone can offer input, and I just decide whan it's time to go on. I'm perfectly fine doing that, as long as it's not a big problem that I end up making quite a lot of small decisions along the way myself, with pretty minor input. So far, my feel is that this is more like my career with some general input, rather than a true "wide open" multi-player exercise. I'm not complaining at all, incidentally - I am enjoying this so far.

If we wanted to break this down more, and get to whwre de depend on more people for specific things, it will very likely slow down the pace. That's okay by me, too -- I'd welcome having people be in charge of things, or having a sense that things woudl progress even if I'm away for a day or two for some reason. That is how we had run things in the past, and it has its ups and downs -- more people get to put a real personal stamp on the team, but we definitely move more slowly.


For now, I'm fine basically with my role so far, keeping things moving, and hoping that this manages to buld up some momnentum. I'd be happy if, as we go on, people want to step up and take a more rigid role - either taking a turn as the central actor (liek what I'm doing now) or else taking a specific role (OC/DC, position group coach, salary negotiator, whatever) and taking control of one specific element of the game.

[Warhammer]

Just wanted to throw out a few notes about a 3-4 defense.

First, having a good PR at either SILB or WILB is a good idea. In gameplanning in FOF2k4, if you had a good ILB PR you could get some sacks up the middle against teams with a weak interior line.

Second, I have had experience as well with awesome run defense guys on the ends that get 4-5 sacks each year. I assume that what happens is the QB gets pressure from somewhere else, he scrambles, but the high run defense end makes the play behind the line. The one player that has been the most consistent for me in this regards has an obscenely low PR Tech and PR Str.

Third, don't forget that unlike the previous version we can control which LBs are in for nickel and dime personnel. We might want Dux in for dime situations rather than Booker. Booker would be more versatile though and could rush the passer in that situation.

[QuikSand]

I find it interesting that we have 58 players signed to multi-year deals.

One thing that really helps here is that the default request for an undrafted rookie is a two-year deal. I think we signed nearly all of them to the 2yr minsal deal with a $20K bonus.

As for veterans, I don't remember who is on a 1yr deal, but I gave a deal of the requested duration to most everyone. Didn't give any of the contracts much thought, other than to minimize bonus when there was anything less than a clear consensus.

[Barkeep49]

Doing the game in quarters seems like a good way to go through the season.

I would suggest that perhaps some level of responsiblities should be given since QS seems to be shouldering an unfair burden right now. I am thankful for all of his leadership here, but think perhaps it would make sense to even things out a little so it is truly a group effort.

[QuikSand]

I would suggest that perhaps some level of responsiblities should be given since QS seems to be shouldering an unfair burden right now. I am thankful for all of his leadership here, but think perhaps it would make sense to even things out a little so it is truly a group effort.

Just to be as clear and candid as I can be -- I do not mind the burden at all. To me, I'd much rather continue at this pace and be the one doing a lot of the "work" (which isn't really work) than to have lots of lulls and lags as we wait for the designated person to do his job (which is always a result from having lots of people with a small hand in the project).

As long as nobody really minds that I'm basically stepping in and filling pretty much all the vacuums left by lack of input (like training camp settings, signing roster fillers, etc) then I'personally would vote to keep things as they are, at least for now. Perhaps after the first season, or maybe two, we'll start to have a bit of character on this team, and people will become a little mroe invested. If so, then maybe it woudl make sense to have a different person running the FA stages, the draft stages, and the actual game stages -- that would suit me fine.

[QuikSand]

Doing the game in quarters seems like a good way to go through the season.

And to me, this sounds like a perfect balance also.

[Barkeep49]

On a personal note: I have some free time this afternoon and plan on getting the other file I need so I can be a more active participant. Would it be alright if we wait until tonight (or tomorrow) to do the first sim as I would really like to weigh in on the various vetran/rookie areas.

[QuikSand]

A thought about the DE position:

-If we want to go with a run-stopper at the DE spot, then maybe our best bet is to use one of our NTs there -- a guy like Burks might do okay playing DE, at least for a season.

-Another option, if we mostly value pass rushing from the DEs, would be to play one of our veteran OLBs like Franz of Pinero at a DE slot. I really don't think any of our rookie DEs are worth a damn, so here I'm very open to a creative option. Thius also probably opens up playing time for a promising rookie LB.

[QuikSand]

On a personal note: I have some free time this afternoon and plan on getting the other file I need so I can be a more active participant. Would it be alright if we wait until tonight (or tomorrow) to do the first sim as I would really like to weigh in on the various vetran/rookie areas.

I'll let the group weigh in on this... our time of most contribution has generally been during the daytime, when we get a handful of people who can follow along. Seems to me that if we are basically just tinkering through season one, then we could make a lot of progress today. If there are important decisions to make, I'm all for waiting as long ass we need to make them -- but from here, I don't feel like there's all that much to do, unless, I guess, the team starts out 3-1 in its first 4 games, and looks like we're a lot better than we expected (doubtful).

[Bee]

A thought about the DE position:

-If we want to go with a run-stopper at the DE spot, then maybe our best bet is to use one of our NTs there -- a guy like Burks might do okay playing DE, at least for a season.

-Another option, if we mostly value pass rushing from the DEs, would be to play one of our veteran OLBs like Franz of Pinero at a DE slot. I really don't think any of our rookie DEs are worth a damn, so here I'm very open to a creative option. Thius also probably opens up playing time for a promising rookie LB.

I'd definitely play one of your OLBs at DE (at least for the first half of the season). At that point you can evaluate how it's working out and if it makes sense to make a change to a more run oriented DE. From my limited experience with this version, I suspect a run-stopping DE isn't going to work out as well as playing the OLB at DE.

[SunDevil]

As far as pace goes I'd recommend breaking our first season down into quarters and evaluating each quarter. I'd also be open to even less breakdowns, but I'd be oppossed to going game by game.

As far as assigning responsibilities I'm kinda meh. I definitely don't want one at this point, but I don't care if people have them as long as it doesn't bog things down and the majority still rules for the most part.


Agreed

[Narcizo]

I still haven't gotten used to the huge drop-off in scouted talent following a draft. There's some really horrible busts here but that's something everyone is going to have to get used to.

Lang looks like he might be the real deal with an improvement like that. TE is probably our strongest suit but I think he should see as many snaps as possible. Using West Coast maybe we should be looking to use 2 TE sets a bit more.

Greeene "only" lost 6 in potential and 2 in actual. With Gates' 13 drop it looks like he's a definite starter. Shame his getting downfield is non-existent.

Burks dropped 11 in potential, which is pretty much par for the course for a non-elite drafted quarterback. As he's the best rated quarterback we have and he's a rookie I don't think we have much choice but to start him and see how he develops.

Bickler's still top of the green page. The way he's kept his ability up post-camp suggests that not only was he the best pick available using our guidelines but he might have been the best choice even had we had the 1st overall pick.

[Narcizo]

<TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Name</TD><TD>Pos</TD><TD>Dillos2007a Current</TD><TD>Dillos2007a Future</TD><TD>Dillos2007b Current</TD><TD>Dillos2007b Future</TD><TD>Overall Current Change</TD><TD>Overall Future Change</TD></TR><TR><TD>Burks, Howard</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>18 (-1)</TD><TD>33 (-11)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>-11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mathews, Aaron</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>10 (-1)</TD><TD>30 (0)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Schultz, Leslie</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>16 (-1)</TD><TD>31 (0)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Aranda, Marc</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>33 (0)</TD><TD>33 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Garland, Marlon</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>25 (-1)</TD><TD>28 (-6)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Gates, Mark</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>25 (-13)</TD><TD>29 (-13)</TD><TD>-13</TD><TD>-13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Greene, Anthony</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>31 (-2)</TD><TD>50 (-6)</TD><TD>-2</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Foreman, Zack</TD><TD>FB</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>47</TD><TD>25 (1)</TD><TD>44 (-3)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR><TD>McDaniel, Phillip</TD><TD>FB</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>16 (0)</TD><TD>37 (-5)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Diaz, Eric</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>54 (1)</TD><TD>59 (-1)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Holmes, Harvey</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>47 (3)</TD><TD>63 (0)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lang, Johnnie</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>47</TD><TD>33 (6)</TD><TD>52 (5)</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cushing, Roosevelt</TD><TD>FL</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>21 (0)</TD><TD>47 (-6)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fabbrizzi, Dennis</TD><TD>FL</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>11 (0)</TD><TD>33 (-5)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kramer, Frankie</TD><TD>FL</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>33 (-4)</TD><TD>33 (-4)</TD><TD>-4</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Temes, Tony</TD><TD>FL</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>22 (0)</TD><TD>33 (-4)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Williamson, Aaron</TD><TD>FL</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>38 (-5)</TD><TD>38 (-5)</TD><TD>-5</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Hall, Daniel</TD><TD>SE</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>24 (1)</TD><TD>32 (-2)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kinney, Andy</TD><TD>SE</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>35 (-4)</TD><TD>35 (-6)</TD><TD>-4</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Woodson, Grady</TD><TD>SE</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>29 (0)</TD><TD>29 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Trujillo, Cedric</TD><TD>C</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>18 (2)</TD><TD>29 (-1)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Warren, Tarlos</TD><TD>LG</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>20 (-2)</TD><TD>43 (-7)</TD><TD>-2</TD><TD>-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Aiston, Sherman</TD><TD>RG</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>33 (0)</TD><TD>45 (-1)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jackson, Max</TD><TD>RG</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>12 (2)</TD><TD>30 (-2)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>-2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bickler, Jonathan</TD><TD>LT</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>33 (1)</TD><TD>84 (-1)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chandler, Monty</TD><TD>LT</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>13 (0)</TD><TD>33 (-6)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Flowers, Thurman</TD><TD>LT</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>10 (0)</TD><TD>35 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Wilkins, Kyle</TD><TD>LT</TD><TD>


</PRE></TD><TD>


</PRE></TD><TD>34</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cote, Bruce</TD><TD>RT</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>12 (0)</TD><TD>12 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>DeLamielleure, Kent</TD><TD>RT</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>21 (4)</TD><TD>38 (-6)</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Whiting, Neil</TD><TD>K</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>41 (4)</TD><TD>59 (-4)</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ludwig, Billy</TD><TD>P</TD><TD>45</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>38 (-7)</TD><TD>43 (-9)</TD><TD>-7</TD><TD>-9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Abrams, Terry</TD><TD>LDE</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>20 (0)</TD><TD>34 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bullock, Wade</TD><TD>LDE</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>38 (-4)</TD><TD>38 (-4)</TD><TD>-4</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Tyler, Rusty</TD><TD>LDE</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>17 (-3)</TD><TD>26 (-1)</TD><TD>-3</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bobo, Artie</TD><TD>NT</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>20 (2)</TD><TD>46 (-6)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Burks, Corwin</TD><TD>NT</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>44 (0)</TD><TD>44 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Forbes, Julio</TD><TD>NT</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>31 (0)</TD><TD>31 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Caraballo, Mo</TD><TD>RDE</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>18 (1)</TD><TD>24 (-1)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Abrams, Shaun</TD><TD>SLB</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>13 (2)</TD><TD>32 (4)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Booker, Doug</TD><TD>SLB</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>74</TD><TD>34 (-1)</TD><TD>67 (-7)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Franz, Kirk</TD><TD>SLB</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>40 (-1)</TD><TD>40 (-1)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Knoll, Leland</TD><TD>SILB</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>13 (3)</TD><TD>33 (4)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Polko, Kevin</TD><TD>SILB</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>29 (-4)</TD><TD>39 (0)</TD><TD>-4</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dux, Brett</TD><TD>WILB</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>22 (3)</TD><TD>63 (-7)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Samuels, Lamont</TD><TD>WILB</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>41 (3)</TD><TD>41 (2)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Belanger, Grady</TD><TD>WLB</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>37 (3)</TD><TD>39 (0)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Pinero, Rufus</TD><TD>WLB</TD><TD>


</PRE></TD><TD>


</PRE></TD><TD>48</TD><TD>48</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Gerak, Howie</TD><TD>LCB</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>41 (0)</TD><TD>41 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Hurtado, Levon</TD><TD>LCB</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>17 (-1)</TD><TD>35 (-2)</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD>-2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reeves, Everett</TD><TD>LCB</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>19 (0)</TD><TD>30 (0)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Rogers, Phil</TD><TD>LCB</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>42 (1)</TD><TD>42 (1)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dole, Tito</TD><TD>RCB</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>15 (1)</TD><TD>33 (-7)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Schiller, Percy</TD><TD>RCB</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>34 (-5)</TD><TD>34 (-8)</TD><TD>-5</TD><TD>-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Spearman, Nicky</TD><TD>RCB</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>15 (2)</TD><TD>20 (2)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Wolfe, Shannon</TD><TD>SS</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>47 (1)</TD><TD>55 (-1)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Clements, Heath</TD><TD>FS</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>16 (1)</TD><TD>47 (-8)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dawkins, Dale</TD><TD>FS</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>14 (2)</TD><TD>35 (-4)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Willis, Devin</TD><TD>FS</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>16 (1)</TD><TD>35 (-6)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

[QuikSand]

I have taken a stab at putting together a vanilla lineup and gameplan, just in case there is actual sentiment to make progress today and spare the details.

As for the lineup, here is the list of starters that I popped in, without a lot of thinking:


Texarkana Armadillos Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Burks, Howard 1 QB QB 1 18 33 3 yrs
Greene, Anthony 49 RB RB 1 31 50 2 yrs
Holmes, Harvey 48 TE FB 7 47 63 2 yrs
Diaz, Eric 87 TE TE 4 54 59 3 yrs
Williamson, Aaron 88 FL FL 12 38 38 2 yrs
Hall, Daniel 85 SE SE 1 24 32 2 yrs
Bickler, Jonathan 68 LT LT 1 33 84 5 yrs
Warren, Tarlos 62 LG LG 1 20 43 2 yrs
El Nino, Leland 50 C C 8 51 51 1 yr.
Aiston, Sherman 69 RG RG 5 33 45 2 yrs
DeLamielleure, Kent 65 RT RT 1 21 38 2 yrs
Bullock, Wade 75 LDE LDE 12 38 38 2 yrs
Bobo, Artie 90 NT NT 1 20 46 3 yrs
Franz, Kirk 95 SLB RDE 10 40 40 3 yrs
Booker, Doug 51 SLB SLB 1 34 67 4 yrs
Samuels, Lamont 54 WILB SILB 7 41 41 2 yrs
Dux, Brett 93 WILB WILB 1 22 63 3 yrs
Pinero, Rufus 57 WLB WLB 6 48 48 2 yrs
Rogers, Phil 37 LCB LCB 5 42 42 1 yr.
Schiller, Percy 21 RCB RCB 11 34 34 3 yrs
Wolfe, Shannon 42 SS SS 5 47 55 3 yrs
Clements, Heath 44 FS FS 1 16 47 2 yrs


So, I am at the mercy of the group. As far as I’m concerned, I’m a lot more interested in the offseason than the actual season (especially since I don’t expect a lot from the season itself) so I’m ready to go. If we want to have debate about playing time, gameplanning, or wait for more input – I’m fine with that, too.

[QuikSand]

By the way - I noticed for the first time that we can slot a TE in any of the backup WR roles, which I like. At the moment, I have TE Lang as our 5th WR. Cool.

[mrsimperless]

On a personal note: I have some free time this afternoon and plan on getting the other file I need so I can be a more active participant. Would it be alright if we wait until tonight (or tomorrow) to do the first sim as I would really like to weigh in on the various vetran/rookie areas.

I'm with qwik on this one. Nothing against barkeep, but our record is going to be abysmal this season regardless of what we do. Id rather us get through what we can today of season 1 and back to the "fun stuff" in the offseason sooner rather than later.

[QuikSand]

I have sent by email the gameplans that I created quickly, in case anyone wasnt to do some fine tuning. They are basically just the recommended setup, with more short passing and more blitzing form the 3-4. Nothing too original at all.

[Narcizo]

2007<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Mentioned & Top Picks<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
QB Ricardo McConnell 5.5 21-50 21-50<o:p></o:p>
QB Jerome Kirk 4.9 13-51 13-46<o:p></o:p>
QB Edward Caldwell* 4.6 11-28 12-29<o:p></o:p>
QB Aaron McCartney 6.2 24-65 23-60<o:p></o:p>
QB James Groza 5.9 30-65 29-60<o:p></o:p>
RB Ed England 4.6 29-48 25-42<o:p></o:p>
RB Austin Hagglund 5.1 40-56 39-52<o:p></o:p>
RB Allen Dawson 4.4 28-52 28-49<o:p></o:p>
WR Billy Joe Arderko 6.3 39-71 43-71<o:p></o:p>
WR Lenny Strong 4.1 16-56 16-50<o:p></o:p>
WR Stanley Tyler 4.3 15-43 17-38<o:p></o:p>
WR Bryant Zeutschel 4.4 28-38 28-35<o:p></o:p>
C Adrian Hansen^ 4.5 16-64 18-57<o:p></o:p>
LG Shawn Wolfe^ 5.2 24-60 25-54<o:p></o:p>
LT Courtney Free 7.2 50-83 50-83<o:p></o:p>
DE Tito Martin 5.4 32-71 34-64<o:p></o:p>
DE Cory Baumann 4.7 21-50 19-44<o:p></o:p>
DE Conrad Deighton 4.4 13-50 13-46<o:p></o:p>
DT Nathan Patterson 4.4 21-46 23-41<o:p></o:p>
DT Leland Howard 5.5 33-61 33-55<o:p></o:p>
DT Casey Goguen 4.9 22-61 24-57<o:p></o:p>
DT Billy Joe Hicks 5.1 22-33 25-35<o:p></o:p>
ILB Rodney Rockwell 6.8 54-72 57-75<o:p></o:p>
SLB Sammie Lake 5.2 27-54 27-48<o:p></o:p>
CB Bart Blaisse 4.2 18-53 17-44<o:p></o:p>
CB Clifton Shepherd 5.1 33-55 32-50<o:p></o:p>
CB Percy Lochner 6.7 61-72 57-66<o:p></o:p>
SS Kenneth Kirk* 5.2 11-28 13-33<o:p></o:p>
FS Kirk Blackwell 5.3 26-64 15-39<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
High Scout/Low Combine<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
QB Donnell Flannery 4.0 16-50 16-41<o:p></o:p>
C <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place>Troy</st1:place> Groce 5.1 30-67 31-59<o:p></o:p>
RT Jumbo <st1:City><st1:place>Rogers</st1:place></st1:City> 5.8 32-69 40-66<o:p></o:p>
DT Kenneth Cassidy 5.5 45-78 44-75<o:p></o:p>
FS Roger Kinsella 4.8 20-65 22-62<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Low Scout/High Combine<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
RB Pete Copeland 6.8 28-43 32-49<o:p></o:p>
WR Artie Markiewicz 4.0 12-13 14-22*<o:p></o:p>
LG Jeffrey Hobert 3.8 9-36 9-36*<o:p></o:p>
DE Leland Hopper 3.7 10-20 10-23<o:p></o:p>
CB Mack Pringley 5.1 24-39 22-36<o:p></o:p>
FS Seth Jackson 5.6 18-28 20-34<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
High Scout/Combine<o:p></o:p>
WR Ricardo Ashraf 4.6 26-63 26-60


Basically, as expected, the high combine/low scout players improved in potential (for the most part) while the high scout/low combines talent dropped off. Whether it would have been worth taking the combine guys remains to be seen in some years time. Well, apart from the fact that they're going to disappear after this year.

If we were a deep passing team I'd recommend picking up Artie Markiewicz who boomed by 9 (although his lack of team might invalidate that a bit). He had a good combine and probably is much better than rated. Probably not the classic 2004 WR boomer but I wouldn't be surprised if he could go up to around the 40 mark.

[Narcizo]

DOLA. I'm happy to shoot through the season. It will be interesting to see how gameplanning pans out but I'd say we need a better team first before we get any significant information about that.

[QuikSand]

That's great tracking, Narcizo. Thanks for keeping tabs on these guys.

I don't see a single player form the rookie class whose main attraction was his "blue bars" who held up at all. Word to the wise.

[Narcizo]

The question remains whether the combine players ever "catch up" the great scout guys. Not something that can readily be tested in a SP league where the scouting report figures seem to be used by the AI to determine if a player starts. Basically they won't ever really get a shot at proving what they can do. Which is why it will be nice to see what those players do on our team and why it would be interesting to play someone like Spearman as much as possible.

[SunDevil]

I do not think that we should rush through the season. Who cares if our record is abysmal. I was under the impression that this thread was to learn more about the game, not rush through to get to someone's fun spot. I am learning a lot in this thread, to fly through season 2 and get right back to the offseason I think takes away from the whole point.

And another point that Quik made about wanting more participation. A lot of us work. I can not load up the game while at work, so for someone like Barkeep to ask to wait til tonight so he can participate more, I do not see as a bad thing.

[QuikSand]

I do not think that we should rush through the season. Who cares if our record is abysmal. I was under the impression that this thread was to learn more about the game, not rush through to get to someone's fun spot.

On this bigger issue -- the question for me is where are we going to learn something. We can spend a lot of time twiddling with the elements of the game plan, and we can play every game very slowly, and take detailed notes on exactly what happens in every game, and to every player. If we do so, we will no doubt be investing most of our time on that sort of thing. Especially for this first season, we aren';t going to be learning all that much no mater what we do, in my view -- we simply don't have enough talent to really find out how our orffense is going to work, for example, since we barely have any starting-caliber players on the roster at all. To me, investing a lot of time in the gameoplanning elements right now doesn't make a lot of sense. And, you don't see anyone jumping up to invest a lot of their time in this either, suggesting to me that I'm on the right track generally there.

Most of us who play this game already are focused more on the "front office" elements of the game, I think -- and it's here where I think there is the most to learn. Obtaining and developing our players is, for me, the most interesting part of the game.



I am learning a lot in this thread, to fly through season 2 and get right back to the offseason I think takes away from the whole point.

Call this season two if you like... for me, this is season one. The first one was just what we had to get out of the way to get to the actual career. *shurg*

The "whole point" is simply going to be in the eye of the beholder. I understand you are new to this game, and that you are at a different point on an overall learning curve than many of us who have played its various incarnations for a long time. That's fine.

I really sense that the majority of particpants here are more interested in, and focused on, the offseason elements of the game right now. That's where we are likely to have the most to discuss and to learn -- most definitely in the early going, but probably all along.

I know there are some gamers who like to call plays, or to slow-sim their games, and to play at a very deliberate pace. There's definitely a place for that. The trade-of for doing so is that you simply don't see as much player and roster development that way, due to the pace. If your focus is on those elements of the game, then you are generally more inclined to play the season at a fairly brisk pace, in order to both move the career along, and to get back to the centerpiece of the game, the front office elements.


I think all are welcome to participate in this effort, but this is a "fork in the road" issue, in my view. My personal sense is that this career, like every other collective effort like this from the past, will be primarily about roster building and development. If you own the game, I suspect the best way to do some serious "learning" about calling plays, managing a team in-season in detail, and developing gameplans week by week, and that sort of thing will be by playing solo at your own pace. Or, it's possible that there's another group of potential participant swho might want to similarly collaborate on a team that's going to take the seaosn more slowly and deliberately -- that would be great, too.


The reason we started out with an empty roster, after simming through the first season without any input, is to facilitate the roster-building exercise that is of primary concern to me and (I firmly believe) most of the particpants here. This can't be everything to everyone. If the pace that we eventually settle on isn't your cup of tea, you're welcome to stick around and follow what you enjoy, but you have other options for exercising your own priorities, too.

Fair enough?

[QuikSand]

I'll await some more input before moving forward. If there's broad sentiment to slow down and take the preseason/season in detail, I'll certainly oblige.

[Bee]

I haven't really been active, but I think it would be much more beneficial to move through this first season briskly.

[Icy]

Here is our new logo if you guys like it:

http://www.prodeportes.com/fof2k7/logos/fictional/armadillos.bmp

[Bee]

Nice job Icy.

[QuikSand]

Love the new logo, Icy!

[QuikSand]

Any thoughts on going ahead or slowing down? I have the game ready to go, but with only a couple people on each side of things, I'm not sure we have any sort of agreement that we shoudl at least run the preseason yet. *shurg*

[cubboyroy1826]

Nice logo Icy. This is a great read so far keep up the good work. I don't have a lot of time to contribute but this is helpful to read as i am slow simming my solo universe.

[KWhit]

I think a quicker pace through this 1st season makes the most sense.

[QuikSand]

I have run the four preseason games, and I guess we are at yet another decision point. We need to make four cut-down decisions to get to our legal roster size of 53.

Box scores for the preseaosn games are avbailable in the dynasty forum:

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=54160


As for our injury list -- S Devin Willis is listed as probable for one week with a cold. That's it - nobody to bury on IR for the year.


Maybe this is a middle ground for us for today. I'm game for moving along, but if we are missing regulars due to the holiday and other reasons, then maybe we'll await the broadened input from tonight, and we'll go from there, I guess.

[QuikSand]

Guess we're done for the day.

I've sent a revised game file. I'm not entirely certain how the new file structure works, so I just zipped up everything that had been saved in my universe folder today. Please let me know if there are any errors in accessing the box scores or the like.

[Barkeep49]

Suggested cuts:
Spearman -- While his potential is greater for punt returns, Garland seems like a better bet to be on the team long term. He is utterly usless as a DB. Has no affinities

Either Tyler or Caraballo. Both are roughly similar players. I would lean towards cutting Caraballo since I think having great diagnosis without any other skills doesn't seem as useful.

Trujillo -- Center seems to be a position that I've not had too much trouble finding players and I think El Nino could easily be our answer for several years anyway.

Mark Gates -- Seems to me we'd do better having Aranda active and getting rid of Gates who as far as I can tell doesn't seem well suited to the West Coast offense, though I could be wrong there.

Reeves or Hurtado -- Really can't muster up enthusiasm for one over the other, but I don't think we need both.

Flowers -- We have a surplus of tackles and I like Chandler better for the long term.

And a receiver. I really have no preference here.

[QuikSand]

After he actually made gains in training camp, I can't see any way we cut Spearman. Seems to me the only debate with him is whether he ought to get playing time right away ahead of a superior veteran.

[kid_dynamite]

I've been enjoying the read and following along regularly. Although i havent partaken in any discussion and dont intend to about actual decisions, I'd like to see Spearman stay on just to see how it turns out.

[QuikSand]

Suggested cuts:
Either Tyler or Caraballo. Both are roughly similar players. I would lean towards cutting Caraballo since I think having great diagnosis without any other skills doesn't seem as useful.

Trujillo -- Center seems to be a position that I've not had too much trouble finding players and I think El Nino could easily be our answer for several years anyway.

Mark Gates -- Seems to me we'd do better having Aranda active and getting rid of Gates who as far as I can tell doesn't seem well suited to the West Coast offense, though I could be wrong there.

Reeves or Hurtado -- Really can't muster up enthusiasm for one over the other, but I don't think we need both.

Flowers -- We have a surplus of tackles and I like Chandler better for the long term.

And a receiver. I really have no preference here.


I agree with the balance of your suggestions, though. Maybe we both dump Reeves and Hurtado at CB, as I don't see much room for optimism about either of them.

I also don't care about the DEs, I might lean toward cutting Tyler.

And I might be inclined to cut two tackles, plus C Trujillo. That would leave us with 8 OL, and our only big roster problem woudl be if we lost El Nino.

As for the receivers - yes, we have too many. My inclination would be to cut a veteran, probably Andy Kinney (meaning we likely start rookie Daniel Hall at split end this year).

So we're mostly on the same page, I think.

[Barkeep49]

Is Spearman really so special as a punt returner that he justifies a roster position? Not just now but long term? I don't see it.

[Narcizo]

I think moving forward at speed for this season at least makes sense. Good gameplanning takes a lot of effort and has to be taken game by game, there's just no sense in doing that when we basically fighting to keep the loss as low as possible.

And definitely not cutting Spearman. If we're to learn anything about the scout report vs combine aspect of the draft we need to give players like him as much playing time as possible. I say stick him as nickle or dimeback and after we're out for the year (sorry for the pessimism ;) ) bump him up to a starter spot. Don't have time to look at the roster now but I'm in favour of cutting any vets who won't be starting, aren't mentors and don't have an affinity (if we actually have any of those). Otherwise any of the rookies who suffered the most dramatic drop off in potential.

[Barkeep49]

DOLA - I'd be more inclined to keep him if he had skills in both areas, but he doesn't.

[QuikSand]

Is Spearman really so special as a punt returner that he justifies a roster position? Not just now but long term? I don't see it.

If absolutely nothing else, Spearman will be a "learning" tool. It's becoming very clear that we the participants have very different attitudes about the value of players whose ratings are on an upward creep. I see him as a guy who will likely get better and better, and very possibly play at a level well above that suggested by his current scouting rating. I realize that if you don't share this view, you see a guy with rotten red/green bars who isn't worth the time of day.

Seems to me that one roster spot, and perhaps some degree of playing time, is a modest investment to make in seeing how this plays out. It's not like our pass defense is so good and so deep that we're killing ourselves to carry one young guy like this.


But this won't be the last time that we have this kind of debate, I suspect.

[Barkeep49]

Well if my suggestion of cutting Spearman brings out a lurker clearly I'm going to be in the minority here, though I still believe it to be the right thing to do.

I'm not too worried about cutting Trujillo as if El Nino does go down we can find someone of equal or higher caliber to Trujillo as FA.

[Barkeep49]

If absolutely nothing else, Spearman will be a "learning" tool. It's becoming very clear that we the participants have very different attitudes about the value of players whose ratings are on an upward creep. I see him as a guy who will likely get better and better, and very possibly play at a level well above that suggested by his current scouting rating. I realize that if you don't share this view, you see a guy with rotten red/green bars who isn't worth the time of day.

Seems to me that one roster spot, and perhaps some degree of playing time, is a modest investment to make in seeing how this plays out. It's not like our pass defense is so good and so deep that we're killing ourselves to carry one young guy like this.


But this won't be the last time that we have this kind of debate, I suspect.
Well as I agree that this is a learning situation that some compromises made on overall team quality in the hopes of learning something about the game seem justified.

Also how do you feel about my suggestion of releasing Gates? I think we have too many people in our backfield, especially with our using Holmes as a FB, which is the way to go I feel.

[QuikSand]

Also how do you feel about my suggestion of releasing Gates? I think we have too many people in our backfield, especially with our using Holmes as a FB, which is the way to go I feel.

Totally agreed. I didn't mention it above as I was only offering comment to refine areas where you left the door open to options. I agree that Greene looks like the starter, and even the other rookie looks like a better fit than Gates.

We could probably even cut one of the fullbacks, if we ran into a numbers game elsewhere.

[QuikSand]

Well as I agree that this is a learning situation that some compromises made on overall team quality in the hopes of learning something about the game seem justified.

Back to this... while I'm biting my tongue a bit, what exactly is the "quality" that we would be saving on this team by cuttgin Spearman? CB Hurtado? CB Reeves? FB McDaniel? I just don't see any of these guys who are essentially on the bubble for us having any chance at all to either make a meaningful contribution to this team this season, or to actually latch on to become a long-term contributor.

You have several participants (me most loudly, but several others too) saying they see potential in a guy like Spearman. I/we said it before camp, and now he's had a bump in his ratings folowing training camp, which bodes well for his future development. If there's any of these "bubble" guys who actually has a shot to really help this team either now or later, it has to be Spearman, in my view. I really don't think we're giving up much of anything in terms of quality -- he *is* the quality among all these riff-raff rookies.

[SunDevil]

From the beginning I have been against the whole Spearman experiment. But this thread I guess is not so much who is the best talent evaluator or best drafting expert, it is really just testing our theories or ideas and seeing if the game responds the same way as previous versions. Since in that way Spearman is actually a pretty good case study.

I also think that RB Greene with no break away speed is another good case study, and when we are making player cuts I think we should keep in mind what could we learn from a player if we do not cut them. I do not think that Spearman should be the only player who gets special treatment as a studying tool.

In regards to the game plan is it possible we could incoporate some of these ideas?

Offense:
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=53997

Defense: http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=54110

[QuikSand]

Proposed cut list:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
RB Gates
FB McDaniel
WR Kinney
C Trujillo
LT Flowers
CB Hurtado
CB Reeves
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
If we cut a DE, we will have exactly as many guys on the roster that we need to have active to field a legal roster. So, my last name added to this list was FB McDaniel – we’ll have 4 backs on the roster, one more than we need, and we intend to start a TE at FB anyway.

[QuikSand]

From the beginning I have been against the whole Spearman experiment. But this thread I guess is not so much who is the best talent evaluator or best drafting expert, it is really just testing our theories or ideas and seeing if the game responds the same way as previous versions. Since in that way Spearman is actually a pretty good case study.

Let me be clear. I like Spearman not because of some quirky novelty, or to try to prove some silly point. I think he is a better player, and more likely to actually help this team, than any of the other guys we're anywher near considering cutting.

[SunDevil]

I thought we were starting a FB at TE because when we signed him, he automatically took over the backfield leadership role? Or did we just cut this guy?

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1299918&postcount=243

[gkb]

I really like the new logo Icy.

I'm following along and enjoying the thread.

[QuikSand]

I thought we were starting a FB at TE because when we signed him, he automatically took over the backfield leadership role? Or did we just cut this guy?

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1299918&postcount=243


I fear we have a semantic problem at work - here's exactly what we've done.

We signed FB Harvey Holmes.
He looked good.
Regrettably, he became our backfield leader.
Our solution was to get him out of the backfield.
We switched him to officially be a TE.
He did not disrupt the chemistry setup at the WR/TE group.
He remains a pretty good player.
In FOF 2007, you can slot a tight end in a fullback role in the depth chart.
We have slotted him to be our starting FB, though his official roster position is TE.

[Barkeep49]

Quik: I liked a lot of our discussion about using a LB as a DE. That is why I was not as concerned about being up against the roster minimum by cutting an LB. I would still rather cut one of the DE than say McDaniels.`

[QuikSand]

Ok, that works for me. I agree with you, let's cut Caraballo, and we'll keep both fullbacks. (My point wasn't about actually using any of these guys, but rather just having them around to help with maintaining a legel roster-- I think all these guys are going to be gone in a couple years anyway)


We ready to do a block of games? Anything else we need to do before we can move ahead? I have a little time here to spare, so I can do a sim if there's interest.

[QuikSand]

Just for kicks:

From: Scouting Department

Starting Positions Assessment:

Extremely concerned about starting quarterback

Fairly concerned about starting running back

Very concerned about starting split end

Extremely concerned about starting offensive left guard

Fairly concerned about starting offensive right guard

Very concerned about starting offensive right tackle

Extremely concerned about starting defensive nose tackle

Very concerned about starting weak-side inside linebacker

Fairly concerned about starting strong-side outside linebacker

Fairly concerned about starting right cornerback

Extremely concerned about starting free safety

[Warhammer]

Ok, that works for me. I agree with you, let's cut Caraballo, and we'll keep both fullbacks. (My point wasn't about actually using any of these guys, but rather just having them around to help with maintaining a legel roster-- I think all these guys are going to be gone in a couple years anyway)


We ready to do a block of games? Anything else we need to do before we can move ahead? I have a little time here to spare, so I can do a sim if there's interest.

Have we discussed what sort of game plan we are going to run? My suggestion would be to game plan based upon 4 game blocks and see how the results change.

[QuikSand]

Box scores link: http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=54160

Okay, after four games, here is our Team Summary Page:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>

2007 Summary for Texarkana Armadillos<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Year 2007 <o:p></o:p>
Record 0-4 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .000 <o:p></o:p>
All-Time 0-20 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .000 <o:p></o:p>
Playoffs 0-0 <o:p></o:p>
Playoff Visits 0 <o:p></o:p>
Bowl Wins 0 <o:p></o:p>
Head Coach Timothy Downs <o:p></o:p>
Record 0-4 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .000 <o:p></o:p>
Off. Coord. M. Rhodes <o:p></o:p>
Def. Coord. B. Lucas <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Texarkana Armadillos Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 17.5 32 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 53.0 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 3.03 28 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 33.0 10 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Completions 17.5 22 <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 53.0 30 <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 93.8 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 2.84 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 5.36 32 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 131.0 32 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 23.6 31 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 5.8 31 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 6.5 20 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 63.2 24 <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 8 20 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Turnover Margin -1 18 (T) <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Opponents Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 36.5 31 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 147.3 31 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 4.03 22 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 32.0 19 <o:p></o:p>
Completions 20.5 21 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 64.1 23 <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 252.0 31 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 7.88 31 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 12.29 31 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 381.5 32 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 29.4 13 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 27.0 31 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 7.8 22 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 75.0 25 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 7 12 (T) <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Week Team Versus Oppnt <o:p></o:p>
1 14 at IND 24 <o:p></o:p>
2 0 ATL 27 <o:p></o:p>
3 3 BAL 19 <o:p></o:p>
4 6 at SDO 38 <o:p></o:p>
5 OAK <o:p></o:p>
6 at KCY <o:p></o:p>
7 DEN <o:p></o:p>
8 at TEN <o:p></o:p>
10 IND <o:p></o:p>
11 at JAX <o:p></o:p>
12 at TBY <o:p></o:p>
13 at NJY <o:p></o:p>
14 at NOS <o:p></o:p>
15 JAX <o:p></o:p>
16 CAR <o:p></o:p>
17 TEN <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 132 70 375 2.84 1 4 48.6 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 132 70 375 2.84 1 4 48.6 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 128 82 1008 7.88 5 4 88.3 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 38 96 2.53 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
30 M. Garland RB 21 85 4.05 1 2 <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 11 31 2.82 0 4 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 70 212 3.03 1 8 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 146 589 4.03 6 11 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD <o:p></o:p>
48 H. Holmes TE 23 17 43 2.53 1.87 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
88 A. Williamson WR 28 14 152 10.86 5.43 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
89 R. Cushing WR 15 9 45 5.00 3.00 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
87 E. Diaz TE 9 8 43 5.38 4.78 1 0 <o:p></o:p>
85 D. Hall WR 20 6 15 2.50 0.75 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
83 F. Kramer WR 18 5 49 9.80 2.72 0 3 <o:p></o:p>
30 M. Garland RB 6 4 8 2.00 1.33 0 0 <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 9 4 10 2.50 1.11 0 1 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct <o:p></o:p>
42 S. Wolfe S 24 10 0.0 0 0 1 78.1 <o:p></o:p>
57 R. Pinero OLB 23 4 0.0 0 0 2 74.0 <o:p></o:p>
93 B. Dux ILB 19 6 1.0 1 0 0 78.4 <o:p></o:p>
21 P. Schiller CB 15 4 0.0 0 2 4 86.0 <o:p></o:p>
54 L. Samuels ILB 15 3 0.0 1 1 0 82.2 <o:p></o:p>
26 H. Gerak CB 14 1 0.0 0 1 0 70.5 <o:p></o:p>
44 H. Clements S 14 4 0.0 0 0 0 75.5 <o:p></o:p>
51 D. Booker OLB 13 7 1.0 0 0 0 74.8 <o:p></o:p>
24 N. Spearman CB 13 3 0.0 0 0 0 70.5 <o:p></o:p>
37 P. Rogers CB 11 2 0.0 0 0 1 69.0 <o:p></o:p>
53 L. Knoll ILB 11 4 0.0 0 0 1 77.0 <o:p></o:p>
95 K. Franz OLB 10 4 1.5 3 0 0 81.5 <o:p></o:p>
90 A. Bobo DT 9 5 0.0 0 0 0 81.2 <o:p></o:p>
91 K. Polko ILB 8 5 1.0 0 0 1 84.2 <o:p></o:p>
94 C. Burks DT 7 1 0.0 0 0 0 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
70 J. Forbes DT 6 1 0.0 1 0 0 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
75 W. Bullock DE 5 2 4.5 6 0 0 82.5


From: Personnel Department<o></o>
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Injury Report:<o></o>
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Frankie Kramer, FL - Viral Infection, Questionable, full strength in about 1 week.<o></o>
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>

[QuikSand]

Sorry about this wacky formatting... posting the html stuff has me all messed up.

[SunDevil]

Well, I say whatever the current gameplans are we could use those for the first 4 games, and then if no one else minds I could do the next set of gameplans for the next 4 games, and then we could use someone else.

I wanted to test these out at some point anyway.

Offense: http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com/f...ad.php?t=53997

Defense: http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com/f...ad.php?t=54110

[QuikSand]

Quick observations:

- Ouch.

- The backup RB always looks better than the starter in FOF, it seems. Any reason to see anything mroe here?

- Those yards per attempt numbers are just dreadful -- tough to separate whether it's a horrid gameplan, or just bad players, but this looks beyond terrible.

[QuikSand]

Well, I say whatever the current gameplans are we could use those for the first 4 games, and then if no one else minds I could do the next set of gameplans for the next 4 games, and then we could use someone else.

I wanted to test these out at some point anyway.

Offense: http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com/f...ad.php?t=53997

Defense: http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com/f...ad.php?t=54110

Are these slanted in any particular way? We're fairly committed to a short-passing offense, and to a 3-4 heavy blitz defense -- I'd rather not dabble around with something that's in a whole different ballpark.

[QuikSand]

I'm getting error messages at both links, SunDevil.

[gkb]

Quick observations:

- Ouch.

- The backup RB always looks better than the starter in FOF, it seems. Any reason to see anything mroe here?

- Those yards per attempt numbers are just dreadful -- tough to separate whether it's a horrid gameplan, or just bad players, but this looks beyond terrible.

I'm trying to find some positives from those stats....turnover margin isn't too bad. Williamson has a nice yards per catch average. That's all I've got. :)

[TroyF]

Just started this thread today. My thoughts:

1) Gotta keep Spearman. I agree with QS, this isn't because of any goofy testing, this is because a flier took in the draft had a ratings bump. It's likely he's a guy who will outperform his numbers.

2) Those yards per pass attempt numbers are dreadful. I think, keeping with some sort of realism, a QB change is in order.

3) Bullock's numbers are beyond bizzare. Is he starting or subbing? If he's starting, move him into a pass rush specialist role now. If he's subbing, give him more time on the field. Of the guys 5 solo tackles, 4 are sacks. If he's starting, he's gotta be killing us on the run D. And if he's the rush specialist now, he should get a chance to be on the field more rushing on first and second down, it couldn't hurt our horrible pass D.

4) The pass defense has been horrible. Maybe tweak the secondary a bit. I'd even be for moving Spearman into a starting role for the next quarter. Either way, some adjustements there can't hurt. If there are any "vets" in the secondary, they need to be put into backup roles NOW.

[JeffW]

Ok, that works for me. I agree with you, let's cut Caraballo, and we'll keep both fullbacks. (My point wasn't about actually using any of these guys, but rather just having them around to help with maintaining a legel roster-- I think all these guys are going to be gone in a couple years anyway)

I haven't had a chance to check out the universe files yet, but my understanding is that you don't have to carry any fullbacks on your roster in 2k7.

[JeffW]

Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate
1 H. Burks QB 132 70 375 2.84 1 4 48.6

WOW, 2.84 yards/attempt! :eek:

[QuikSand]

Just started this thread today. My thoughts:

1) Gotta keep Spearman. I agree with QS, this isn't because of any goofy testing, this is because a flier took in the draft had a ratings bump. It's likely he's a guy who will outperform his numbers.

2) Those yards per pass attempt numbers are dreadful. I think, keeping with some sort of realism, a QB change is in order.

3) Bullock's numbers are beyond bizzare. Is he starting or subbing? If he's starting, move him into a pass rush specialist role now. If he's subbing, give him more time on the field. Of the guys 5 solo tackles, 4 are sacks. If he's starting, he's gotta be killing us on the run D. And if he's the rush specialist now, he should get a chance to be on the field more rushing on first and second down, it couldn't hurt our horrible pass D.

4) The pass defense has been horrible. Maybe tweak the secondary a bit. I'd even be for moving Spearman into a starting role for the next quarter. Either way, some adjustements there can't hurt. If there are any "vets" in the secondary, they need to be put into backup roles NOW.

I think this season is a complete lost cause - I don't mind tweaking, but I don't expect any real improvement.

I'd probably give CB Spearman some starts, but I'm trying not to rock the boat too badly at this point, as he seems to be "my baby."

On offense, rather than switching at QB, my thinking is to just suffer by, maybe tweak the gameplana bit (maybe reduce the screen passes, which I think are a black hole in FOF 2004, and have yet to be convinced that it's any different now) but we don't do any better in the long run byb playing a stiff veteran rather than a stiff rookie

Bullock is a full timer at DE right now, mostly for lack of options, and he's exactly what we thought we were getting. Short timer, pure pass rusher, stats are a bit extreme, but that's what he is.

The pass defense sucks, the only guy who has played fairly well is CB Schiller. Again, I'd go young myself, and I'd want to see Spearman on the field - but I don't think it matters much. We're just a bad team.

[QuikSand]

I’m convinced that there’s precious little we can do that would really turn this into a much better team right away, so I’m going to follow the voices suggesting we ought to move through this fairly quickly.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
In the gameplan:
-a lot fewer screen passes
-a little more longer passing
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
In the depth chart:
-CB Spearman is now used as the nickelback and in the dome formation, as well as backup to CB Schiller
-WR Fabbrizzi now is the backup flanker, replacing injured veteran Kramer
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
(One quick note – it looks like our gameplan was weird, in that rather than balancing out the run/short/long percentages after I manually jacked up the “short” number, it looks like our gameplan zeroed out long passes first, then backed out the rest from runs. A gameplan with zero long passes was probably **way** too predictable… and that might have caused a serious problem on offense. Just a note – I hadn’t noticed this before going back in to tweak a bit)
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
And with that… let’s see four more!
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>

2007 Summary for Texarkana Armadillos<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Year 2007 <o:p></o:p>
Record 2-6 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .250 <o:p></o:p>
All-Time 2-22 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .083 <o:p></o:p>
Playoffs 0-0 <o:p></o:p>
Playoff Visits 0 <o:p></o:p>
Bowl Wins 0 <o:p></o:p>
Head Coach Timothy Downs <o:p></o:p>
Record 2-6 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .250 <o:p></o:p>
Off. Coord. M. Rhodes <o:p></o:p>
Def. Coord. B. Lucas <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Texarkana Armadillos Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 19.9 32 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 68.5 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 3.45 23 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 34.9 6 <o:p></o:p>
Completions 21.4 9 <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 61.3 17 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 142.6 30 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 4.09 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 6.67 32 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 191.3 32 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 29.2 26 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 10.3 30 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 6.3 22 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 67.4 14 <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 18 28 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Turnover Margin -2 23 (T) <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Opponents Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 31.0 26 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 118.0 20 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 3.81 18 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 34.4 27 <o:p></o:p>
Completions 20.6 27 <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 60.0 13 <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 242.5 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 7.05 29 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 11.76 32 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 343.0 32 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 29.9 10 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 21.8 29 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 6.1 8 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 68.2 17 <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 16 5 (T) <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Week Team Versus Oppnt <o:p></o:p>
1 14 at IND 24 <o:p></o:p>
2 0 ATL 27 <o:p></o:p>
3 3 BAL 19 <o:p></o:p>
4 6 at SDO 38 <o:p></o:p>
5 13 OAK 19 <o:p></o:p>
6 20 at KCY 17 <o:p></o:p>
7 26 DEN 6 <o:p></o:p>
8 0 at TEN 24 <o:p></o:p>
10 IND <o:p></o:p>
11 at JAX <o:p></o:p>
12 at TBY <o:p></o:p>
13 at NJY <o:p></o:p>
14 at NOS <o:p></o:p>
15 JAX <o:p></o:p>
16 CAR <o:p></o:p>
17 TEN <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 277 170 1111 4.01 6 8 65.1 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 279 171 1141 4.09 6 8 65.4 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 275 165 1940 7.05 9 9 78.7 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 83 259 3.12 0 2 <o:p></o:p>
30 M. Garland RB 59 235 3.98 2 3 <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 17 54 3.18 0 9 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 159 548 3.45 2 19 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 248 944 3.81 9 18 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD <o:p></o:p>
48 H. Holmes TE 46 37 124 3.35 2.70 0 2 <o:p></o:p>
89 R. Cushing WR 39 27 239 8.85 6.13 1 1 <o:p></o:p>
88 A. Williamson WR 47 24 275 11.46 5.85 1 2 <o:p></o:p>
85 D. Hall WR 44 21 141 6.71 3.20 2 3 <o:p></o:p>
87 E. Diaz TE 23 20 112 5.60 4.87 2 0 <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 30 17 61 3.59 2.03 0 2 <o:p></o:p>
81 D. Fabbrizzi WR 17 10 99 9.90 5.82 0 2 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct <o:p></o:p>
57 R. Pinero OLB 47 7 0.0 0 0 4 75.3 <o:p></o:p>
42 S. Wolfe S 43 19 0.0 0 0 1 78.1 <o:p></o:p>
93 B. Dux ILB 33 12 1.0 1 0 3 82.2 <o:p></o:p>
44 H. Clements S 29 10 1.0 0 3 0 80.9 <o:p></o:p>
51 D. Booker OLB 27 8 3.0 2 0 1 76.8 <o:p></o:p>
95 K. Franz OLB 24 6 3.0 5 0 0 81.1 <o:p></o:p>
21 P. Schiller CB 23 8 0.0 0 3 6 84.4 <o:p></o:p>
37 P. Rogers CB 22 6 0.0 0 0 6 75.4 <o:p></o:p>
26 H. Gerak CB 21 1 0.0 0 1 0 69.5 <o:p></o:p>
54 L. Samuels ILB 21 5 1.0 1 1 0 79.2 <o:p></o:p>
24 N. Spearman CB 21 6 0.0 0 1 2 79.0 <o:p></o:p>
91 K. Polko ILB 19 10 1.0 0 0 1 77.5 <o:p></o:p>
90 A. Bobo DT 16 8 1.0 7 0 0 81.3 <o:p></o:p>
53 L. Knoll ILB 15 5 2.0 1 0 1 76.5 <o:p></o:p>
94 C. Burks DT 12 3 0.0 1 0 0 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
75 W. Bullock DE 11 4 4.5 11 0 0 80.7 <o:p></o:p>
70 J. Forbes DT 9 1 0.0 1 0 0 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
29 D. Willis S 9 5 0.0 0 0 1 76.4
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <o></o>
A 2-2 run certainly feels like paradise after that terrible Artshellian start!
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Our two starting guards are both out for a couple of weeks, but past that we are in good health. I’ll let the stats settle in before declaring anything too definitive.

[mrsimperless]

We have to keep Spearman on the squad just so I can continue to enjoy you guys arguing over him. :D

Seriously though, I am enjoying this thread a lot. I've never taken the game quite so "seriously" as a lot of you guys do and it really helps to see things from others' perspectives.

And nice logo Icy.

[QuikSand]

I'm puzzled by Pinero being the leading tackler - makes me wonder if the weak-side backer is just a much bigger part of the defense in FOF 2007 than in its predecessor. Or, maybe he's just benefitting from the youngsters and hoboes around him.

[QuikSand]

What? Am I the only one drinking beer andplaying FOF in his office while killing time until a quantum physic lecture?

[Barkeep49]

Sheesh. I just have a glass of red wine open to sip on as I do report cards and hang out here. We can't all be so erudite. This isn't really my specialty here and so I'm taking a backseat in discussion.

[QuikSand]

Well, Barkeep -- you're my guidepost. You game for anothertweak-and-sim, or do you want some time to try to digest what's going on?

Personally, I think the second 4-game block is more indicative of the team and gameplan than the first, but I don't see us winning 4 more games, regardless. I suspect we can take a couple more, but that's about it.

I'll follow your lead. I'm ready to sim another block, with any changes that you/I/we agree on... or I'm fine sitting back and letting it all digest instead.
I've got about 45 minutes, plenty of time to do whatever.

[mrsimperless]

You guys plug away. I'm gonna go look up the meaning of "erudite".

[QuikSand]

I'm already starting to think about some of the players I'd like to bring aboard in free agency next year. If we put a decent journeyman QB into this system, and add perhaps one or two offensive lienemen, and add in a serious upgrade or two along the D-line... we might have something here.

[QuikSand]

:: need to run for more beer, be back soon ::

[Barkeep49]

I've always had a hard time digesting stats posted in the thread. Could you upload a file?

My first inclination would be to plow ahead now that the season's started.

[QuikSand]

From: Personnel Department

Playing Time Status:

Kyle Wilkins, LT - Unhappy.

Marc Aranda, RB - Unhappy.

Aaron Mathews, QB - Unhappy.

Terry Abrams, LDE - Unhappy.

Players who are not content need more playing time, or they may be unwilling to sign new contracts with your team in the future.

- - - - -

That seemed pretty quick. Wilkins is playing, so he ought to be okay. RB Arnada might beed to get onto the field. Maybe we slot him as the backup for the next block? He's signed for one more year, but he is centrral to our chemistry stuff.

[QuikSand]

File coming momentarily.

[JeffW]

You guys plug away. I'm gonna go look up the meaning of "erudite".

Here, I'll use it in a sentence:

Erudites are the only people who use the word "Erudite."

:p

[QuikSand]

Oddly, it doesn't rhyme with crudite at all.

[QuikSand]

You know, QB Burks was over 60% in each of the last four games, and was 5/4 in TD/Int for that stretch, which is pretty solid. I'm thinking that we're not quite so hopeless after all. And rookie WR Cushing is turning out to be the most productive guy in the receiving corps - which I never would have guessed.

[Barkeep49]

One thought:

We've spent considerable time trying to build affinities. We now have a couple of leaders who are unhappy due to playing time. We don't want to burn too many bridges there, I would think.

I am talking less about QB than Arcanda at RB.

Though really perhaps we don't care about either in the long term and will simply have to rebuild affinities once we find a player we like?

That said I'd say let's go ahead and run another stage. I don't see anything needing change at this point really.

[QuikSand]

Next steps coming up...

[QuikSand]

After eight more games… well, wasn’t that two-game winning streak just great?
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>

2007 Summary for Texarkana Armadillos<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Year 2007 <o:p></o:p>
Record 3-13 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .187 <o:p></o:p>
All-Time 3-29 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .093 <o:p></o:p>
Playoffs 0-0 <o:p></o:p>
Playoff Visits 0 <o:p></o:p>
Bowl Wins 0 <o:p></o:p>
Head Coach Timothy Downs <o:p></o:p>
Record 3-13 <o:p></o:p>
Winning Pct. .187 <o:p></o:p>
Off. Coord. M. Rhodes <o:p></o:p>
Def. Coord. B. Lucas <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Texarkana Armadillos Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 19.6 32 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 67.3 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 3.44 29 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 35.8 4 <o:p></o:p>
Completions 20.7 11 <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 57.9 24 <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 130.2 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 3.64 32 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 6.29 32 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 175.8 32 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 22.9 31 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 9.1 32 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 6.3 25 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 68.6 15 <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 31 21 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Turnover Margin +2 13 (T) <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Opponents Team Rank <o:p></o:p>
Rushes per Game 31.5 29 <o:p></o:p>
Rushing Yards 118.1 23 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Carry 3.75 11 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Attempts 34.1 26 <o:p></o:p>
Completions 20.4 22 <o:p></o:p>
Completion Pct. 59.8 12 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Passing Yards 239.0 31 <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Attempt 7.02 29 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Yards Per Catch 11.73 32 <o:p></o:p>
Total Yardage Gained 337.9 30 <o:p></o:p>
3rd Down Conversions 32.3 16 <o:p></o:p>
Points Per Game 21.3 29 <o:p></o:p>
Pass Rush Pct. 7.7 21 (T) <o:p></o:p>
Pass Defense Pct. 69.6 17 <o:p></o:p>
Turnovers 33 5 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Week Team Versus Oppnt <o:p></o:p>
1 14 at IND 24 <o:p></o:p>
2 0 ATL 27 <o:p></o:p>
3 3 BAL 19 <o:p></o:p>
4 6 at SDO 38 <o:p></o:p>
5 13 OAK 19 <o:p></o:p>
6 20 at KCY 17 <o:p></o:p>
7 26 DEN 6 <o:p></o:p>
8 0 at TEN 24 <o:p></o:p>
10 0 IND 45 <o:p></o:p>
11 7 at JAX 23 <o:p></o:p>
12 3 at TBY 19 <o:p></o:p>
13 14 at NJY 3 <o:p></o:p>
14 10 at NOS 24 <o:p></o:p>
15 9 JAX 10 <o:p></o:p>
16 3 CAR 19 <o:p></o:p>
17 17 TEN 24 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 563 330 2053 3.65 7 16 58.4 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 572 331 2083 3.64 7 16 57.9 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 545 326 3824 7.02 23 20 79.9 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 156 491 3.15 1 3 <o:p></o:p>
30 M. Garland RB 68 285 4.19 2 4
<o:p></o:p>
Front Office Football 2007<o:p></o:p>
41 M. Aranda RB 54 172 3.19 1 5 <o:p></o:p>
1 H. Burks QB 35 129 3.69 0 12 <o:p></o:p>
**Team --- 313 1077 3.44 4 32 <o:p></o:p>
$$Opp --- 504 1889 3.75 12 32 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD <o:p></o:p>
48 H. Holmes TE 91 68 246 3.62 2.70 0 3 <o:p></o:p>
89 R. Cushing WR 85 51 390 7.65 4.59 1 6 <o:p></o:p>
88 A. Williamson WR 93 49 539 11.00 5.80 2 4 <o:p></o:p>
87 E. Diaz TE 55 39 228 5.85 4.15 2 1 <o:p></o:p>
85 D. Hall WR 95 38 264 6.95 2.78 2 6 <o:p></o:p>
81 D. Fabbrizzi WR 57 33 226 6.85 3.96 0 4 <o:p></o:p>
49 A. Greene RB 43 25 71 2.84 1.65 0 2 <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct <o:p></o:p>
57 R. Pinero OLB 84 18 0.0 0 0 5 75.3 <o:p></o:p>
42 S. Wolfe S 83 31 0.0 0 1 7 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
93 B. Dux ILB 81 32 3.5 2 1 5 82.5 <o:p></o:p>
54 L. Samuels ILB 55 19 2.0 1 2 1 79.2 <o:p></o:p>
21 P. Schiller CB 51 12 1.0 0 4 10 80.4 <o:p></o:p>
95 K. Franz OLB 50 9 4.5 9 0 1 81.0 <o:p></o:p>
44 H. Clements S 49 18 1.0 0 3 2 78.8 <o:p></o:p>
37 P. Rogers CB 45 9 0.0 0 4 6 78.2 <o:p></o:p>
24 N. Spearman CB 45 12 0.0 1 1 4 75.3 <o:p></o:p>
26 H. Gerak CB 37 3 0.0 0 3 1 74.3 <o:p></o:p>
51 D. Booker OLB 37 9 5.0 3 0 2 76.8 <o:p></o:p>
90 A. Bobo DT 34 13 2.5 8 0 0 81.6 <o:p></o:p>
91 K. Polko ILB 32 16 1.0 1 1 1 78.5 <o:p></o:p>
75 W. Bullock DE 30 11 11.0 24 0 0 81.3 <o:p></o:p>
53 L. Knoll ILB 28 11 4.0 2 0 2 75.5 <o:p></o:p>
94 C. Burks DT 25 9 3.0 3 0 0 81.8 <o:p></o:p>
29 D. Willis S 19 7 0.0 0 0 1 75.3 <o:p></o:p>

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>

[QuikSand]

I'm uploading the end of season files now... we can chew on that, figure out what we need to do, and head into next season tomorrow.

[QuikSand]

Quick ovservation - that's one hell of a weird season from DE Bullock, eh?

[QuikSand]

Oh, and you will see in game -- our top LB pick suffered a serious injury. Cross your fingers for next year - we need him to come thought okay, we can't afford any dead weight on this team, that's for certain.

[TRO]

As somebody stuck without much access during a normal workday, I could see a small group of us doing a section or two in the evenings at times.

[TRO]

Dola,

Overall I'm happy with the pacing etc of our first season. I do think this is mostly a team building experiment. But, when we actually have a team put together a few seasons from now, we might spend a bit more time in season.

[QuikSand]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">Texarkana Armadillos Player Report</td> </tr> <tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">(GT2007c-precamp - GT2007e-end)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td class="headr">Name</td><td class="headr">Pos</td><td class="headr">GT2007c-precamp Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007c-precamp Future</td><td class="headr">GT2007d-postcamp Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007d-postcamp Future</td><td class="headr">GT2007e-end Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007e-end Future</td><td class="headr">Overall Current Change</td><td class="headr">Overall Future Change</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Howard</td><td>QB</td><td>19</td><td>44</td><td>18 (-1)</td><td>33 (-11)</td><td>24 (6)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>-11</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Mathews, Aaron</td><td>QB</td><td>11</td><td>30</td><td>10 (-1)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>13 (3)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schultz, Leslie</td><td>QB</td><td>17</td><td>31</td><td>16 (-1)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aranda, Marc</td><td>RB</td><td>33</td><td>33</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Garland, Marlon</td><td>RB</td><td>26</td><td>34</td><td>25 (-1)</td><td>28 (-6)</td><td>26 (1)</td><td>28 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Gates, Mark</td><td>RB</td><td>38</td><td>42</td><td>25 (-13)</td><td>29 (-13)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-13</td><td>-13</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Greene, Anthony</td><td>RB</td><td>33</td><td>56</td><td>31 (-2)</td><td>50 (-6)</td><td>34 (3)</td><td>50 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Foreman, Zack</td><td>FB</td><td>24</td><td>47</td><td>25 (1)</td><td>44 (-3)</td><td>25 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>McDaniel, Phillip</td><td>FB</td><td>16</td><td>42</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>37 (-5)</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>37 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Diaz, Eric</td><td>TE</td><td>53</td><td>60</td><td>54 (1)</td><td>59 (-1)</td><td>63 (9)</td><td>63 (4)</td><td>10</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Holmes, Harvey</td><td>TE</td><td>44</td><td>63</td><td>47 (3)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>55 (8)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>11</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Lang, Johnnie</td><td>TE</td><td>27</td><td>47</td><td>33 (6)</td><td>52 (5)</td><td>35 (2)</td><td>52 (0)</td><td>8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cushing, Roosevelt</td><td>FL</td><td>21</td><td>53</td><td>21 (0)</td><td>47 (-6)</td><td>27 (6)</td><td>47 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Fabbrizzi, Dennis</td><td>FL</td><td>11</td><td>38</td><td>11 (0)</td><td>33 (-5)</td><td>15 (4)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Kramer, Frankie</td><td>FL</td><td>37</td><td>37</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>-4</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Temes, Tony</td><td>FL</td><td>22</td><td>37</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Williamson, Aaron</td><td>FL</td><td>43</td><td>43</td><td>38 (-5)</td><td>38 (-5)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Hall, Daniel</td><td>SE</td><td>23</td><td>34</td><td>24 (1)</td><td>32 (-2)</td><td>29 (5)</td><td>32 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Kinney, Andy</td><td>SE</td><td>39</td><td>41</td><td>35 (-4)</td><td>35 (-6)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-4</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Woodson, Grady</td><td>SE</td><td>29</td><td>29</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Trujillo, Cedric</td><td>C</td><td>16</td><td>30</td><td>18 (2)</td><td>29 (-1)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>2</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Warren, Tarlos</td><td>LG</td><td>22</td><td>50</td><td>20 (-2)</td><td>43 (-7)</td><td>21 (1)</td><td>43 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aiston, Sherman</td><td>RG</td><td>33</td><td>46</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>45 (-1)</td><td>36 (3)</td><td>45 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Jackson, Max</td><td>RG</td><td>10</td><td>32</td><td>12 (2)</td><td>30 (-2)</td><td>13 (1)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bickler, Jonathan</td><td>LT</td><td>32</td><td>85</td><td>33 (1)</td><td>84 (-1)</td><td>56 (23)</td><td>84 (0)</td><td>24</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Chandler, Monty</td><td>LT</td><td>13</td><td>39</td><td>13 (0)</td><td>33 (-6)</td><td>16 (3)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Flowers, Thurman</td><td>LT</td><td>10</td><td>35</td><td>10 (0)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wilkins, Kyle</td><td>LT</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>34 (-7)</td><td>34 (-7)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>-7</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cote, Bruce</td><td>RT</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>DeLamielleure, Kent</td><td>RT</td><td>17</td><td>44</td><td>21 (4)</td><td>38 (-6)</td><td>31 (10)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>14</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Whiting, Neil</td><td>K</td><td>37</td><td>63</td><td>41 (4)</td><td>59 (-4)</td><td>50 (9)</td><td>59 (0)</td><td>13</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Ludwig, Billy</td><td>P</td><td>45</td><td>52</td><td>38 (-7)</td><td>43 (-9)</td><td>40 (2)</td><td>43 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-9</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Terry</td><td>LDE</td><td>20</td><td>34</td><td>20 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>22 (2)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bullock, Wade</td><td>LDE</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>38 (-4)</td><td>38 (-4)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>-4</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Tyler, Rusty</td><td>LDE</td><td>17</td><td>27</td><td>17 (0)</td><td>26 (-1)</td><td>17 (0)</td><td>26 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bobo, Artie</td><td>NT</td><td>18</td><td>52</td><td>20 (2)</td><td>46 (-6)</td><td>25 (5)</td><td>46 (0)</td><td>7</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Corwin</td><td>NT</td><td>44</td><td>44</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Forbes, Julio</td><td>NT</td><td>31</td><td>31</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Caraballo, Mo</td><td>RDE</td><td>17</td><td>25</td><td>18 (1)</td><td>24 (-1)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Shaun</td><td>SLB</td><td>11</td><td>28</td><td>13 (2)</td><td>32 (4)</td><td>16 (3)</td><td>32 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Booker, Doug</td><td>SLB</td><td>34</td><td>75</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>67 (-8)</td><td>51 (17)</td><td>67 (0)</td><td>17</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Franz, Kirk</td><td>SLB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>40 (-1)</td><td>40 (-1)</td><td>40 (0)</td><td>40 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Knoll, Leland</td><td>SILB</td><td>10</td><td>29</td><td>13 (3)</td><td>33 (4)</td><td>20 (7)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>10</td><td>4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Polko, Kevin</td><td>SILB</td><td>27</td><td>39</td><td>29 (2)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>32 (3)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dux, Brett</td><td>WILB</td><td>19</td><td>70</td><td>22 (3)</td><td>63 (-7)</td><td>38 (16)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>19</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Samuels, Lamont</td><td>WILB</td><td>38</td><td>39</td><td>41 (3)</td><td>41 (2)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>4</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Belanger, Grady</td><td>WLB</td><td>34</td><td>39</td><td>37 (3)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>38 (1)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Pinero, Rufus</td><td>WLB</td><td>48</td><td>48</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Gerak, Howie</td><td>LCB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Hurtado, Levon</td><td>LCB</td><td>18</td><td>37</td><td>17 (-1)</td><td>35 (-2)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-1</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Reeves, Everett</td><td>LCB</td><td>19</td><td>30</td><td>19 (0)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Rogers, Phil</td><td>LCB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dole, Tito</td><td>RCB</td><td>14</td><td>40</td><td>15 (1)</td><td>33 (-7)</td><td>17 (2)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schiller, Percy</td><td>RCB</td><td>39</td><td>42</td><td>34 (-5)</td><td>34 (-8)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Spearman, Nicky</td><td>RCB</td><td>13</td><td>18</td><td>15 (2)</td><td>20 (2)</td><td>17 (2)</td><td>20 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wolfe, Shannon</td><td>SS</td><td>46</td><td>56</td><td>47 (1)</td><td>55 (-1)</td><td>50 (3)</td><td>50 (-5)</td><td>4</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Clements, Heath</td><td>FS</td><td>15</td><td>55</td><td>16 (1)</td><td>47 (-8)</td><td>21 (5)</td><td>47 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dawkins, Dale</td><td>FS</td><td>12</td><td>39</td><td>14 (2)</td><td>35 (-4)</td><td>14 (0)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Willis, Devin</td><td>FS</td><td>15</td><td>41</td><td>16 (1)</td><td>35 (-6)</td><td>18 (2)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-6</td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

So, we head into the new season. Pretty young team, no reason to expect turnover – other than the new retirement function in FOF 2007… and so:
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DE Wade Bullock, Texarkana – retired
SLB Kirk Franz, Texarkana – retired
WR Aaron Williamson, Texarkana - retired

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Okay, then. There go the 11 sacks and 24 hurries that made our pass rush last year at least credible. Kirk Fgranz was the OLB who started at the other DE slot for us, also, and chipped in with his own 4.5 sacks. Just in case we weren’t on top of it quite yet – DE is something of a need position for the ‘Dillos.
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We were deep at wideout, but Williamson we a pretty productive player for us, regardless.
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Anyway – looking forward. Here’s the roster situation:
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Texarkana Armadillos Roster, Scout Overview<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct <o:p></o:p>
Burks, Howard 1 QB 2 24 33 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Schultz, Leslie 19 QB 7 16 31 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Mathews, Aaron 6 QB 2 13 30 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Greene, Anthony 49 RB 2 34 50 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Aranda, Marc 41 RB 8 33 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Garland, Marlon 30 RB 2 26 28 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Foreman, Zack 39 FB 2 25 44 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
McDaniel, Phillip 43 FB 2 16 37 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Diaz, Eric 87 TE 5 63 63 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Holmes, Harvey 48 TE 8 55 63 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Lang, Johnnie 80 TE 2 35 52 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Kramer, Frankie 83 FL 11 33 33 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Cushing, Roosevelt 89 FL 2 27 47 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Temes, Tony 82 FL 2 22 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Fabbrizzi, Dennis 81 FL 2 15 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Woodson, Grady 84 SE 10 29 29 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Hall, Daniel 85 SE 2 29 32 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
El Nino, Leland 50 C 9 51 51 --- <o:p></o:p>
Warren, Tarlos 62 LG 2 21 43 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Aiston, Sherman 69 RG 6 36 45 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Jackson, Max 64 RG 2 13 30 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Bickler, Jonathan 68 LT 2 56 84 4 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Wilkins, Kyle 67 LT 11 34 34 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Chandler, Monty 74 LT 2 16 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
DeLamielleure, Kent 65 RT 2 31 38 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Cote, Bruce 76 RT 9 12 12 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Ludwig, Billy Joe 17 P 2 40 42 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Whiting, Neil 15 K 2 50 59 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Abrams, Terry 73 LDE 2 22 34 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Tyler, Rusty 96 LDE 2 17 26 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Burks, Corwin 94 NT 12 44 44 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Forbes, Julio 70 NT 7 31 31 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Bobo, Artie 90 NT 2 25 46 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Polko, Kevin 91 SILB 8 32 39 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Knoll, Leland 53 SILB 2 20 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Samuels, Lamont 54 WILB 8 42 42 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Dux, Brett 93 WILB 2 38 63 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
**Booker, Doug 51 SLB 2 51 67 3 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Abrams, Shaun 92 SLB 2 16 32 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Pinero, Rufus 57 WLB 7 48 48 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Belanger, Grady 59 WLB 8 38 39 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Rogers, Phil 37 LCB 6 42 42 --- <o:p></o:p>
Gerak, Howie 26 LCB 10 41 41 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Schiller, Percy 21 RCB 12 34 34 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Dole, Tito 46 RCB 2 17 33 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Spearman, Nicky 24 RCB 2 17 20 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Wolfe, Shannon 42 SS 6 51 51 2 yrs<o:p></o:p>
Clements, Heath 44 FS 2 21 47 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Willis, Devin 29 FS 2 18 35 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
Dawkins, Dale 34 FS 2 14 35 1 yr.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive, <o:p></o:p>
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Players Under Contract: 48<o:p></o:p>
Inactive: 0<o:p></o:p>
On Active Roster: 48<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Salary Cap: $113,400,000<o:p></o:p>
Cap Room: $71,350,000<o:p></o:p>
Maximum for New Player: $59,780,000<o:p></o:p>
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $290,000<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0<o:p></o:p>
Cap Room Required Next Year: $21,290,000

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As noted earlier, nearly everyone from last year’s team is already signed for the coming season. So, we won’t have to do a lot of scrambling for new contracts – our biggest issue will probably be paring down after we end up signing new players.
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LB Doug Booker looks to be a tough situation – he’s still listed as out for 36 weeks. He hadn’t gotten much chance to become an impact player, and now we’ll miss him for this whole season, at least, it would appear. Not a good start.
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I will send a new file, so we can look at the offseason stuff to begin with. We need to sort out our staff situation, as our scout and offensive coordinator are both out of contract. We can make that step one in the new season, and then dive into the serious business of roster-building.
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File on its way…

[QuikSand]

Stupid aside question - but if you sometimes want to post stuff in html formatting, do you have to constantly toggle on and off the formatting setting in order to avoid getting this crap when pasting text in from a word processor (which I do all the time)? Seems totally annoying.

[TRO]

Scouts:
I think the choice is between our current guy Alex Lewis who is 38 but has Fair's at QB and OL.

And the 2nd choice of 62yo Greg Gass who brings Goods to Young Talent, QBs and WRs, Very Good to DL and Excellent to Secondary. Gass certainly fits our biggest needs.

Long term, I think Lewis is a fine scout for us though and we should resign him.

[TRO]

Our OC is up this year but our DC and HC are both still under contract. I think our HC is pretty solid.

If we want to make a move at DC, Barry Ruskowski seems like an obvious choice.

On the OC front, quite a few big targets out there, Pat Roberson, Donovan Adams and Alex Compton all stand out. Charlie Hansford would be a guy we could grow with as well.

Any thoughts on house rules regarding coaches and scouts?

[QuikSand]

Any thoughts on house rules regarding coaches and scouts?

A house rule that I tend to follow with empty cupboard careers is to only hire staff who have not served with any other team. That tends to take some of the very top-level guys out of the mix, or pto put you in a tough fight for the occasional new promising face.


I'm certainly open to something beyond that, though.

[TRO]

If we follow that path, which does seem fair enough, my suggestions:

No changes at HC or DC. We do need to find a better fit at DC in the future though.

OC - I'd like to sign Charlie Hansford and see how he grows.

Scout - Still the toss up between incumbent Lewis and Gass. I think Lewis is the better long term choice but Gass is a great fit for our needs right now.

[mrsimperless]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">Texarkana Armadillos Player Report</td> </tr> <tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">(GT2007c-precamp - GT2007e-end)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td class="headr">Name</td><td class="headr">Pos</td><td class="headr">GT2007c-precamp Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007c-precamp Future</td><td class="headr">GT2007d-postcamp Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007d-postcamp Future</td><td class="headr">GT2007e-end Current</td><td class="headr">GT2007e-end Future</td><td class="headr">Overall Current Change</td><td class="headr">Overall Future Change</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Howard</td><td>QB</td><td>19</td><td>44</td><td>18 (-1)</td><td>33 (-11)</td><td>24 (6)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>-11</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Mathews, Aaron</td><td>QB</td><td>11</td><td>30</td><td>10 (-1)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>13 (3)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schultz, Leslie</td><td>QB</td><td>17</td><td>31</td><td>16 (-1)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aranda, Marc</td><td>RB</td><td>33</td><td>33</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Garland, Marlon</td><td>RB</td><td>26</td><td>34</td><td>25 (-1)</td><td>28 (-6)</td><td>26 (1)</td><td>28 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Gates, Mark</td><td>RB</td><td>38</td><td>42</td><td>25 (-13)</td><td>29 (-13)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-13</td><td>-13</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Greene, Anthony</td><td>RB</td><td>33</td><td>56</td><td>31 (-2)</td><td>50 (-6)</td><td>34 (3)</td><td>50 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Foreman, Zack</td><td>FB</td><td>24</td><td>47</td><td>25 (1)</td><td>44 (-3)</td><td>25 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>McDaniel, Phillip</td><td>FB</td><td>16</td><td>42</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>37 (-5)</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>37 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Diaz, Eric</td><td>TE</td><td>53</td><td>60</td><td>54 (1)</td><td>59 (-1)</td><td>63 (9)</td><td>63 (4)</td><td>10</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Holmes, Harvey</td><td>TE</td><td>44</td><td>63</td><td>47 (3)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>55 (8)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>11</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Lang, Johnnie</td><td>TE</td><td>27</td><td>47</td><td>33 (6)</td><td>52 (5)</td><td>35 (2)</td><td>52 (0)</td><td>8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cushing, Roosevelt</td><td>FL</td><td>21</td><td>53</td><td>21 (0)</td><td>47 (-6)</td><td>27 (6)</td><td>47 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Fabbrizzi, Dennis</td><td>FL</td><td>11</td><td>38</td><td>11 (0)</td><td>33 (-5)</td><td>15 (4)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Kramer, Frankie</td><td>FL</td><td>37</td><td>37</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>-4</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Temes, Tony</td><td>FL</td><td>22</td><td>37</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>33 (-4)</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Williamson, Aaron</td><td>FL</td><td>43</td><td>43</td><td>38 (-5)</td><td>38 (-5)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Hall, Daniel</td><td>SE</td><td>23</td><td>34</td><td>24 (1)</td><td>32 (-2)</td><td>29 (5)</td><td>32 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Kinney, Andy</td><td>SE</td><td>39</td><td>41</td><td>35 (-4)</td><td>35 (-6)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-4</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Woodson, Grady</td><td>SE</td><td>29</td><td>29</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Trujillo, Cedric</td><td>C</td><td>16</td><td>30</td><td>18 (2)</td><td>29 (-1)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>2</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Warren, Tarlos</td><td>LG</td><td>22</td><td>50</td><td>20 (-2)</td><td>43 (-7)</td><td>21 (1)</td><td>43 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aiston, Sherman</td><td>RG</td><td>33</td><td>46</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>45 (-1)</td><td>36 (3)</td><td>45 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Jackson, Max</td><td>RG</td><td>10</td><td>32</td><td>12 (2)</td><td>30 (-2)</td><td>13 (1)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bickler, Jonathan</td><td>LT</td><td>32</td><td>85</td><td>33 (1)</td><td>84 (-1)</td><td>56 (23)</td><td>84 (0)</td><td>24</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Chandler, Monty</td><td>LT</td><td>13</td><td>39</td><td>13 (0)</td><td>33 (-6)</td><td>16 (3)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Flowers, Thurman</td><td>LT</td><td>10</td><td>35</td><td>10 (0)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wilkins, Kyle</td><td>LT</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>34 (-7)</td><td>34 (-7)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>-7</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cote, Bruce</td><td>RT</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>DeLamielleure, Kent</td><td>RT</td><td>17</td><td>44</td><td>21 (4)</td><td>38 (-6)</td><td>31 (10)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>14</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Whiting, Neil</td><td>K</td><td>37</td><td>63</td><td>41 (4)</td><td>59 (-4)</td><td>50 (9)</td><td>59 (0)</td><td>13</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Ludwig, Billy</td><td>P</td><td>45</td><td>52</td><td>38 (-7)</td><td>43 (-9)</td><td>40 (2)</td><td>43 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-9</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Terry</td><td>LDE</td><td>20</td><td>34</td><td>20 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>22 (2)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bullock, Wade</td><td>LDE</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>38 (-4)</td><td>38 (-4)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>-4</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Tyler, Rusty</td><td>LDE</td><td>17</td><td>27</td><td>17 (0)</td><td>26 (-1)</td><td>17 (0)</td><td>26 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bobo, Artie</td><td>NT</td><td>18</td><td>52</td><td>20 (2)</td><td>46 (-6)</td><td>25 (5)</td><td>46 (0)</td><td>7</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Corwin</td><td>NT</td><td>44</td><td>44</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Forbes, Julio</td><td>NT</td><td>31</td><td>31</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Caraballo, Mo</td><td>RDE</td><td>17</td><td>25</td><td>18 (1)</td><td>24 (-1)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Shaun</td><td>SLB</td><td>11</td><td>28</td><td>13 (2)</td><td>32 (4)</td><td>16 (3)</td><td>32 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Booker, Doug</td><td>SLB</td><td>34</td><td>75</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>67 (-8)</td><td>51 (17)</td><td>67 (0)</td><td>17</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Franz, Kirk</td><td>SLB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>40 (-1)</td><td>40 (-1)</td><td>40 (0)</td><td>40 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Knoll, Leland</td><td>SILB</td><td>10</td><td>29</td><td>13 (3)</td><td>33 (4)</td><td>20 (7)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>10</td><td>4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Polko, Kevin</td><td>SILB</td><td>27</td><td>39</td><td>29 (2)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>32 (3)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dux, Brett</td><td>WILB</td><td>19</td><td>70</td><td>22 (3)</td><td>63 (-7)</td><td>38 (16)</td><td>63 (0)</td><td>19</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Samuels, Lamont</td><td>WILB</td><td>38</td><td>39</td><td>41 (3)</td><td>41 (2)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>4</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Belanger, Grady</td><td>WLB</td><td>34</td><td>39</td><td>37 (3)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>38 (1)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Pinero, Rufus</td><td>WLB</td><td>48</td><td>48</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>48 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Gerak, Howie</td><td>LCB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Hurtado, Levon</td><td>LCB</td><td>18</td><td>37</td><td>17 (-1)</td><td>35 (-2)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>-1</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Reeves, Everett</td><td>LCB</td><td>19</td><td>30</td><td>19 (0)</td><td>30 (0)</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Rogers, Phil</td><td>LCB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (1)</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dole, Tito</td><td>RCB</td><td>14</td><td>40</td><td>15 (1)</td><td>33 (-7)</td><td>17 (2)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-7</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schiller, Percy</td><td>RCB</td><td>39</td><td>42</td><td>34 (-5)</td><td>34 (-8)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>-5</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Spearman, Nicky</td><td>RCB</td><td>13</td><td>18</td><td>15 (2)</td><td>20 (2)</td><td>17 (2)</td><td>20 (0)</td><td>4</td><td>2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wolfe, Shannon</td><td>SS</td><td>46</td><td>56</td><td>47 (1)</td><td>55 (-1)</td><td>50 (3)</td><td>50 (-5)</td><td>4</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Clements, Heath</td><td>FS</td><td>15</td><td>55</td><td>16 (1)</td><td>47 (-8)</td><td>21 (5)</td><td>47 (0)</td><td>6</td><td>-8</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dawkins, Dale</td><td>FS</td><td>12</td><td>39</td><td>14 (2)</td><td>35 (-4)</td><td>14 (0)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>2</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Willis, Devin</td><td>FS</td><td>15</td><td>41</td><td>16 (1)</td><td>35 (-6)</td><td>18 (2)</td><td>35 (0)</td><td>3</td><td>-6</td></tr></tbody></table>

Quik, how did you compile all of this info? I'd love to do this in SP careers, but... did you do this all by hand???

[QuikSand]

Quik, how did you compile all of this info? I'd love to do this in SP careers, but... did you do this all by hand???

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=34488

In my MP careers, I tend to keep all this stuff in Excel, but I used primelord's utility here. Spiffy, eh?

[QuikSand]

From the pending free agent market:

PHI has to let go either a very good RB (Hines) or a very good WR (Randle) into free agency. If Randle becomes a free agent, he looks to me like an ideal target for us. Very good all-around player.

However, the prospects at the DE/DT group are very thin - it doesn't look to me like we're going to see any players in free agency there who can help us at all. DE T.J. Torricde is by far the best of the lot, but might get the franchie tag from the Lions. Past him, nobody really looks like a solid contributor to me. Disappointing. Right now, I hitnk our best three-man line is Burks-Bobo-Forbes, all natural NTs and all mostly run stoppers.

[QuikSand]

If we follow that path, which does seem fair enough, my suggestions:

No changes at HC or DC. We do need to find a better fit at DC in the future though.

OC - I'd like to sign Charlie Hansford and see how he grows.

Scout - Still the toss up between incumbent Lewis and Gass. I think Lewis is the better long term choice but Gass is a great fit for our needs right now.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Done, and done. We had to battle a bit for Lewis (oddly) but he’s back on another 2-year deal. I figure we’ll keep these cycling, just in case someone gets some excitement out of the searching process.

I didn’t use the franchise tag on anyone – I figure we have plenty of cap space to lock up C Leland El Nino if we have to be aggressive about it, without pissing him off with the tag.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
I have gotten us up into free agency, so now we can start looking at veteran players, and into the draft. You’ll notice that our gambit from last year paid off nicely, as we have our own pick at 1.2, plus the 1.9 pick as well. Two impact players, hopefully, will be coming our way atop this draft. We certainly are going to have holes to fill.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
New file sent. Lots to do here…

[QuikSand]

And while we’re at it, now would be a great time for someone to be working on a gameplan file. Rather than waiting until the team is sitting poised to play a game – anyone who wants to take a hack at something we’d actually call our own, it would be great to have something a little more tailored to our wishes than what we fielded last year. I think it would be good to be looking at a more focused secondary this year, and on offense, almost anything would be more effective than the quick-hackjob we used last season. This is an area wide open for improvement, and any time would be a good time for some discussion about it, or just someone to post that they are working on something.

[QuikSand]

Here's a thought that is just off the top of my head... but applicable to this team.

In FOF, my general feeling is that "underneath" passing to the backs is generally a waste of time. I know it's a foundation of a true WCO, what we're trying to do here, but overall I feel it's not productive.

Look at TE/FB Holmes from last year. He had 91 passes thrown his way, he caught 68 for 246 yards. Nominally productive, but our team got only 2.7 yards per play on those plays -- that's just awful. Even compared to guys like TE Diaz (5.85 YPA) but definitely compared to even our rookie wide receivers Hall (6.95) and Cushing (7.65). None of our backs averaged even 4 yards a target on passes thrown their way -- these are just not productive plays.


To me, there are two ways to go here, while this team's roster is still pliable. One is to work to find backs who have the skills needed to break some of these screens and dumpoffs into big plays -- I guess that's the "getting downfield" rating primarily. Second would be to fight the true WCO thinking and to get backs with poor route running, in hopes that they will just see fewer passes thrown their way.


I think underneath passing basically stinks in FOF 2004, and while I suspect it's better in '07, maybe it still is a pretty ineffective way to run the offense.

[QuikSand]

From the pending free agent market:

PHI has to let go either a very good RB (Hines) or a very good WR (Randle) into free agency. If Randle becomes a free agent, he looks to me like an ideal target for us. Very good all-around player.

Alas, they tagged WR Randle. Hines is a good and pretty young player, but RB isn't the pressing need, in my view, that WR is for us.

[QuikSand]

From the pending free agent market:

PHI has to let go either a very good RB (Hines) or a very good WR (Randle) into free agency. If Randle becomes a free agent, he looks to me like an ideal target for us. Very good all-around player.

Alas, they tagged WR Randle. Hines is a good and pretty young player, but RB isn't the pressing need, in my view, that WR is for us.

[QuikSand]

I'm thinking that among the less-than-inspirinig FA crowd, there really aren't going to be any team-changing impact additions, regrettably. So, among the guys who are there, it seems to me our main decision probably ought to be whether adding a marginal player is worth it to us in terms of the opportunities that he will take away from a younger guy. With that in mind, I think there are a few guys in this market who are worth a look, but I wouldn't envision us signing more than a handful of free agents here.

DE Albert Altuna seems like a natural pick for us - we're desolate at DE, he's got pretty good primary DE skills, he has been a solid performer so far with 17.5 sacks in two seasons, and he'd be an affinity addition for our D7. Tough to ask for much more, seems to me.

I think we can have a conversation about a guy like RB RUben Hines (pretty good RB overall) or WR SPencer Montgomery (YAC specialist receiver, good skills fit) and some others, I'm sure... but I think we're still in a position to be focusing on adding young players who can develop and help us for the longer haul.

[TRO]

While I think we could probably gain a few wins by going after a few of these FAs, I don't think it would do us any good for what we're trying to accomplish.

Altuna is the only guy that jumps out at me too.

[TRO]

Once again we can count ourselves out on the top QB, wheeeeeeee

I don't see anything else at the top of the QB class to get excited about either.

[TRO]

Notable Affinity matches:
FB JT Brandon
WR Norbert Kelly (2nd Dash, 1st Agility), only 22% developed
WR Peter Schroeder, Solid Combine, might be a good mid round target.
LG Blake Leach
RG Roger McCalla
SLB Amos Zimmerman
SLB JB Sebastian
CB Dana Stokes
SS Jason Davison
FS Rex Fitzgerald
SS Bo Jamieson

[QuikSand]

Sitting at 1.2, we have to be thinking seriously about that DT. Many have called for a stud in the middle... there he is. Great ratings, pretty strong combine in nearly every area, and pretty well developed.

[QuikSand]

Anyone can do a stage from here -- it seems to me that what we need is:

-input on overall veteran acquisution philosophy (we have two votes to go after only one player, maybe two or three, but not many by any stretch)

-input on rookies to interview

-decison on what kind of contract to offer C El Nino, assuming we want to retain him

-discussion if we're ready to establish a coverage style for our secondary

[RedKingGold]

Did you guys send anyone to the Europe league?

[QuikSand]

Drat, forgot all about it. Sorry.

When I run the next stage, I will start from the pre-FA period, and we'll send someone. So I'd welcome ideas on who would be best for that.

The only loss would be some potential flicker in who gets tagged, and we'll pledge not to sign anyone who is suddenly available who wasn't the first time.

[QuikSand]

So, who woudl be good to send to Europe? Second year player, with some potential, and who isn't getting developed very much.

I'm thinking TE Johnnie Lang is the ideal candidate.

I guess Roosevelt Cushing, or even LB Brett Dux would make sense as well, but since both expect to see real playing time this year (I think) I guess Lang (whose ratings are creeping) seems like the better bet, to me.

There's always Spearman... but I'm not looking to push my luck there.


Anyone care to offer a thought or suggestion?

[QuikSand]

For reference, here are the notes fom the help file on the various coverage styles:

The following basic defensive coverage schemes are available:

1-Deep, Loose Man - This is a basic man-to-man coverage with only the free safety in a deep zone. This is generally called when a run is expected, as it is very vulnerable to any kind of passing attack, particularly to short passes.

1-Deep, Bump and Run - This is the traditional "46" defense, and like the 1-Deep, Loose Man, gets eight men in the box, possibly nine when playing the run aggressively. It is a man-to-man coverage with only the free safety in a deep zone. Pass defenders play much closer to the receivers, trying to keep them from breaking free. This is also vulnerable to a passing attack, particularly to deep passes.

2-Deep, Loose Man - This is one of the most basic coverages. Both safeties drop into deep zones, and the other defenders play a man-to-man defense. It has no major strengths or weaknesses.

2-Deep, Bump and Run - This is the "Cover-2" defense that so many teams use today. Both safeties drop into deep zones, and the other pass defenders play much closer to the receivers, often bumping them within the legal five-yard limit. This defense has no major weaknesses, and is a little stronger against a short passing attack.

Strong-Side Man Cover - This is a combination zone/man-to-man defense with the safeties in two deep zones. On the strong side of the field, defenders are in a man-to-man coverage scheme. On the weak side, the cornerback plays in a short zone along with linebackers, if necessary. This coverage gives you a little variety and is slightly worse against teams with a good receiving tight end.

Weak-Side Man Cover - This is a combination zone/man-to-man defense with the safeties in two deep zones. On the weak side of the field, defenders are in a man-to-man coverage scheme. On the strong side, the cornerback plays in a short zone along with linebackers, if necessary. This coverage gives you a little variety and is slightly better against teams with a good receiving tight end.

3-Deep Zone - This coverage places both safeties and a cornerback (often the nickel) in deep zones. It gives you a more effective pass defense, but leaves you vulnerable to the run.

4-Deep Zone - This coverage places both safeties and two extra defensive backs in deep zones. This is a prevent defense and should never be used when expecting a run. Even short passes are more likely completed against this defense, but it is very effective against deep passes.



Any thoughts on where we might want to specialize?

[Narcizo]

Things move fast around here.

Isn't Spearman getting a lot of playing time? My understanding of sending someone to Europe is that it most benefits players not getting much of that. I definitely think Lang should go.

I can't believe that a team sucked more than us this year.

[Narcizo]

The last file (FA) has a virus according to Yahoo.

[Barkeep49]

Narcizo I got that once as well. Tried it again and it worked.

[SFL Cat]

I'll serve as the media, second guessing and ridiculing every move you make. :)

[Narcizo]

Narcizo I got that once as well. Tried it again and it worked.

Yeah! Works now. Thanks.

[Narcizo]

If we were a deep passing team I'd recommend picking up Artie Markiewicz who boomed by 9 (although his lack of team might invalidate that a bit). He had a good combine and probably is much better than rated. Probably not the classic 2004 WR boomer but I wouldn't be surprised if he could go up to around the 40 mark.

DOLA.

The guy is still hanging around on free agency and his potential has doubled (look! I used bold to highlight a point) since the draft. He looks like an ideal guy to stretch the field when needed when we have 4 receivers in. I recommend taking him now and seeing what he can do in training camp.

[Narcizo]

DOLA²

I think a question that has to be answered is just how scouts manage to stay in their jobs. 95% if the time they wildly over-estimate the ability of rookies, while 3% of the time they completely miss out on players. I don't really understand the reasoning used by Jim here. Is it actually true to life that scouts think loads of players in the lower rounds will be adequate starters only for them to discover that they're a pile of poo?


2007<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Mentioned & Top Picks<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
QB Ricardo McConnell 5.5 21-50 21-50 21-50<o:p></o:p>
QB Jerome Kirk 4.9 13-51 13-46 13-42<o:p></o:p>
QB Edward Caldwell* 4.6 11-28 12-29 -------<o:p></o:p>
QB Aaron McCartney 6.2 24-65 23-60 22-57<o:p></o:p>
QB James Groza 5.9 30-65 29-60 28-57<o:p></o:p>
RB Ed England 4.6 29-48 25-42 26-42<o:p></o:p>
RB Austin Hagglund 5.1 40-56 39-52 42-50<o:p></o:p>
RB Allen Dawson 4.4 28-52 28-49 26-47<o:p></o:p>
WR Billy Joe Arderko 6.3 39-71 43-71 65-71<o:p></o:p>
WR Lenny Strong 4.1 16-56 16-50 15-46<o:p></o:p>
WR Stanley Tyler 4.3 15-43 17-38 19-35
WR Bryant Zeutschel 4.4 28-38 28-35 31-35
C Adrian Hansen^ 4.5 16-64 18-57 18-53
LG Shawn Wolfe^ 5.2 24-60 25-54 29-50<o:p></o:p>
LT Courtney Free 7.2 50-83 50-83 64-83<o:p></o:p>
DE Tito Martin 5.4 32-71 34-64 34-59<o:p></o:p>
DE Cory Baumann 4.7 21-50 19-44 18-41<o:p></o:p>
DE Conrad Deighton 4.4 13-50 13-46 12-45<o:p></o:p>
DT Nathan Patterson 4.4 21-46 23-41 23-39<o:p></o:p>
DT Leland Howard 5.5 33-61 33-55 32-52<o:p></o:p>
DT Casey Goguen 4.9 22-61 24-57 27-56<o:p></o:p>
DT Billy Joe Hicks 5.1 22-33 25-35 28-37<o:p></o:p>
ILB Rodney Rockwell 6.8 54-72 57-75 63-76<o:p></o:p>
SLB Sammie Lake 5.2 27-54 27-48 26-45
CB Bart Blaisse 4.2 18-53 17-44 16-39
CB Clifton Shepherd 5.1 33-55 32-50 37-46<o:p></o:p>
CB Percy Lochner 6.7 61-72 57-66 61-65<o:p></o:p>
SS Kenneth Kirk* 5.2 11-28 13-33 16-35<o:p></o:p>
FS Kirk Blackwell 5.3 26-64 15-39 14-35<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
High Scout/Low Combine<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
QB Donnell Flannery 4.0 16-50 16-41 15-37<o:p></o:p>
C Troy Groce 5.1 30-67 31-59 36-53<o:p></o:p>
RT Jumbo Rogers 5.8 32-69 40-66 47-63<o:p></o:p>
DT Kenneth Cassidy 5.5 45-78 44-75 49-73<o:p></o:p>
FS Roger Kinsella 4.8 20-65 22-62 21-60<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Low Scout/High Combine<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
RB Pete Copeland 6.8 28-43 32-49 39-52<o:p></o:p>
WR Artie <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName>Mark</st1:PersonName>iewicz 4.0 12-13 14-22* 16-27<o:p></o:p>
LG Jeffrey Hobert 3.8 9-36 9-36* ------
DE Leland Hopper 3.7 10-20 10-23 ------
CB Mack Pringley 5.1 24-39 22-36 ------<o:p></o:p>
FS Seth Jackson 5.6 18-28 20-34 ------<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
High Scout/Combine<o:p></o:p>
WR Ricardo Ashraf 4.6 26-63 26-60 35-59<o:p></o:p>


As I feared the problem with tracking great combine players is the fact that the AI only sees their current and potential, cuts the player and then they retire. But in the three cases remaining the players are clearly improving quite a lot. Everywhere else players are taking drops and that's even before the end of this year's draft.

[QuikSand]

DOLA.

The guy is still hanging around on free agency and his potential has doubled (look! I used bold to highlight a point) since the draft. He looks like an ideal guy to stretch the field when needed when we have 4 receivers in. I recommend taking him now and seeing what he can do in training camp.

I saw that you bolded that point, and it carried extra weight when I read it. I support getting this guy onto the team - we'll give him a contract offer.

[QuikSand]

<o:p></o:p>
DE Tito Martin 5.4 32-71 34-64 34-59<o:p></o:p>
DE Cory Baumann 4.7 21-50 19-44 18-41

To guys we talked about a lot during the draft - and who were mostly attractive because of thee impressive blue ratings rangees that we saw at that time. Now, we're seeing each guy losing all that potential -- they will never, ever be as good as they looked likee they might be.

You just can't consistently develop well if you fall for unsupported ratings projections. Even as thin as we are at DE, we're far better off for having skipped these guys.

[QuikSand]

My apologies once again - I forgot that by going back to before we tarted free agency, we'd be re-creating a wholee new draft. Rather than disrupt all the work TRO already put into lookingi at rookies just to send a guy to Europe, I'll just stick with that file. Sorry to all, and to TE Johnnie Lang, who missed a great chance to go polish up on his Francais.

[QuikSand]

Back to the initial draft and FA market – sorry for the threatened sidestep there.
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I have put in offers to DE Albert Altuna (who wanted pretty big money) and WR Artie Markewicz (who, uh, did not). We also got in a solid two year offer for C Leland El Nino, trying to lock up the productive veteran lineman who had been on a one year deal with us.
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I also put in a cheap offer for QB Hugh Waite, a double affinity guy (weak personality limits him here) who doesn’t look like a complete throwaway – might earn the #3 QB spot for us, I guess.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
By week six, all four have signed with us, so our primary targets are in our grasp now.
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I have interviewed a solid scattering of rookies, trying my best to avoid even interviewing any personality conflicts (I caught two errors there, I think, after doing the interview). I’m certainly open to input on particular players to further target, but that doesn’t seem like a popular endeavor, at least without anyone having a specific assignment to do anything in particular. So, I just went ahead and talked for a number of guys – we have more interviews left unused, though.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
Any input on more stuff to do before we begin the draft? Anyone thinking we ought to try another trade-down gambit? Now’s a good time to make your voice known – whether you want to use the pick, who you like at 1.2, at 1.9, and beyond…

[QuikSand]

New file up, ready for discussion. I'm not sure that we're waiting for anything (as nobody has expressed any desire for any more free agents) so unless there's some input, I'll be ready to kick off the draft tomorrow. I would hope to get some input on how to use these top two picks, which could be a pretty big deal.

[QuikSand]

The start of free agency is another key pivot point in player development. Here's how the guys on oru roster currently got through...

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">Texarkana Armadillos Player Report</td> </tr> <tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td colspan="2" class="qbname">(GT2008a-start - GT2008b-startFA)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="catbck" align="center"> <td class="headr">Name</td><td class="headr">Pos</td><td class="headr">GT2008a-start Current</td><td class="headr">GT2008a-start Future</td><td class="headr">GT2008b-startFA Current</td><td class="headr">GT2008b-startFA Future</td><td class="headr">Overall Current Change</td><td class="headr">Overall Future Change</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Howard</td><td>QB</td><td>24</td><td>33</td><td>22 (-2)</td><td>27 (-6)</td><td>-2</td><td>-6</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Mathews, Aaron</td><td>QB</td><td>13</td><td>30</td><td>13 (0)</td><td>29 (-1)</td><td>0</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schultz, Leslie</td><td>QB</td><td>16</td><td>31</td><td>16 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Waite, Hugh</td><td>QB</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>14</td><td>47</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aranda, Marc</td><td>RB</td><td>33</td><td>33</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Garland, Marlon</td><td>RB</td><td>26</td><td>28</td><td>24 (-2)</td><td>25 (-3)</td><td>-2</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Greene, Anthony</td><td>RB</td><td>34</td><td>50</td><td>32 (-2)</td><td>46 (-4)</td><td>-2</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Foreman, Zack</td><td>FB</td><td>25</td><td>44</td><td>24 (-1)</td><td>42 (-2)</td><td>-1</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>McDaniel, Phillip</td><td>FB</td><td>16</td><td>37</td><td>15 (-1)</td><td>34 (-3)</td><td>-1</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Diaz, Eric</td><td>TE</td><td>63</td><td>63</td><td>62 (-1)</td><td>62 (-1)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Holmes, Harvey</td><td>TE</td><td>55</td><td>63</td><td>56 (1)</td><td>64 (1)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Lang, Johnnie</td><td>TE</td><td>35</td><td>52</td><td>34 (-1)</td><td>51 (-1)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cushing, Roosevelt</td><td>FL</td><td>27</td><td>47</td><td>26 (-1)</td><td>43 (-4)</td><td>-1</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Fabbrizzi, Dennis</td><td>FL</td><td>15</td><td>33</td><td>15 (0)</td><td>30 (-3)</td><td>0</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Kramer, Frankie</td><td>FL</td><td>33</td><td>33</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>33 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Markiewicz, Artie</td><td>FL</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>18</td><td>34</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Temes, Tony</td><td>FL</td><td>22</td><td>33</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>32 (-1)</td><td>0</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Hall, Daniel</td><td>SE</td><td>29</td><td>32</td><td>28 (-1)</td><td>31 (-1)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Woodson, Grady</td><td>SE</td><td>29</td><td>29</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>29 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Warren, Tarlos</td><td>LG</td><td>21</td><td>43</td><td>21 (0)</td><td>41 (-2)</td><td>0</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Aiston, Sherman</td><td>RG</td><td>36</td><td>45</td><td>36 (0)</td><td>45 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Jackson, Max</td><td>RG</td><td>13</td><td>30</td><td>12 (-1)</td><td>27 (-3)</td><td>-1</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bickler, Jonathan</td><td>LT</td><td>56</td><td>84</td><td>57 (1)</td><td>84 (0)</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Chandler, Monty</td><td>LT</td><td>16</td><td>33</td><td>15 (-1)</td><td>29 (-4)</td><td>-1</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wilkins, Kyle</td><td>LT</td><td>34</td><td>34</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Cote, Bruce</td><td>RT</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>12 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>DeLamielleure, Kent</td><td>RT</td><td>31</td><td>38</td><td>29 (-2)</td><td>34 (-4)</td><td>-2</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Whiting, Neil</td><td>K</td><td>50</td><td>59</td><td>47 (-3)</td><td>56 (-3)</td><td>-3</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Ludwig, Billy</td><td>P</td><td>40</td><td>42</td><td>37 (-3)</td><td>37 (-5)</td><td>-3</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Terry</td><td>LDE</td><td>22</td><td>34</td><td>22 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Tyler, Rusty</td><td>LDE</td><td>17</td><td>26</td><td>16 (-1)</td><td>26 (0)</td><td>-1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Bobo, Artie</td><td>NT</td><td>25</td><td>46</td><td>24 (-1)</td><td>43 (-3)</td><td>-1</td><td>-3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Burks, Corwin</td><td>NT</td><td>44</td><td>44</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>44 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Forbes, Julio</td><td>NT</td><td>31</td><td>31</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>31 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Altuna, Albert</td><td>RDE</td><td>
</pre></td><td>
</pre></td><td>48</td><td>48</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Abrams, Shaun</td><td>SLB</td><td>16</td><td>32</td><td>18 (2)</td><td>34 (2)</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Booker, Doug</td><td>SLB</td><td>51</td><td>67</td><td>47 (-4)</td><td>62 (-5)</td><td>-4</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Knoll, Leland</td><td>SILB</td><td>20</td><td>33</td><td>21 (1)</td><td>36 (3)</td><td>1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Polko, Kevin</td><td>SILB</td><td>32</td><td>39</td><td>32 (0)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dux, Brett</td><td>WILB</td><td>38</td><td>63</td><td>36 (-2)</td><td>59 (-4)</td><td>-2</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Samuels, Lamont</td><td>WILB</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>42 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Belanger, Grady</td><td>WLB</td><td>38</td><td>39</td><td>38 (0)</td><td>39 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Pinero, Rufus</td><td>WLB</td><td>48</td><td>48</td><td>47 (-1)</td><td>47 (-1)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Gerak, Howie</td><td>LCB</td><td>41</td><td>41</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>41 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Rogers, Phil</td><td>LCB</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>41 (-1)</td><td>41 (-1)</td><td>-1</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dole, Tito</td><td>RCB</td><td>17</td><td>33</td><td>16 (-1)</td><td>29 (-4)</td><td>-1</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Schiller, Percy</td><td>RCB</td><td>34</td><td>34</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>34 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Spearman, Nicky</td><td>RCB</td><td>17</td><td>20</td><td>18 (1)</td><td>21 (1)</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Wolfe, Shannon</td><td>SS</td><td>51</td><td>51</td><td>51 (0)</td><td>51 (0)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Clements, Heath</td><td>FS</td><td>21</td><td>47</td><td>20 (-1)</td><td>42 (-5)</td><td>-1</td><td>-5</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Dawkins, Dale</td><td>FS</td><td>14</td><td>35</td><td>13 (-1)</td><td>33 (-2)</td><td>-1</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr class="stats" align="center"> <td>Willis, Devin</td><td>FS</td><td>18</td><td>35</td><td>17 (-1)</td><td>31 (-4)</td><td>-1</td><td>-4</td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

Linebackers Shaun Abrams and Leland Knoll now look to be definite creepers, along with CB Spearman. Anyone think that we ought to put these two very green youngsters onto the field? We basically have a vacancy at SLB, at least this year, and the second ILB slot next to Dux is being held down by veteran Samuels, who can't possibly be a long term pan for us.

Right now, I'd be inclined to start them both, unless we invest in the LB position in this draft and bring aboard someone who leaps past them on the depth chart. I think we get more from starting them then we would from using guys like Samuels, Belanger, and Polko.

[QuikSand]

Chicago is willing to send us their picks at 1.5, 1.26, and 4.4 to move up and get our pick at 1.2. In case we are looking to make a similar move-down to last year, this seems like a pretty attractive offer.

To me, it's all about the DT. I'd expect him to be there at 1.2, and to be gone by 1.5.

[QuikSand]

If we wanted to deal up to 1.1, San Francisco would accept our 1st and 2nd for their 1st and 4th.

Just putting that into the mix, in case anyone is completely sold on a player.

[TRO]

I'm glad we didn't go back to send Lang to Europe. Not that I would have minded the extra rookie scouting, but I wouldn't want us to get a second crack at a top flight QB or the like.

I'll grab the file soon and will try to give some more input but my quick reaction is that I think we should try to resign our C, go after the one DE, get our interviews in and start the draft. I think the DT is probably my number one want. Maybe one of the better WR or CBs as our target at 9. Definitely need to get some feel for the 9 spot and the 2-2.

[TRO]

If we wanted to deal up to 1.1, San Francisco would accept our 1st and 2nd for their 1st and 4th.

Just putting that into the mix, in case anyone is completely sold on a player.

I think if the DT were an affinity guy, I'd say trade up. As is, I'm not sure I'd want to. Of course, I'm not sure there was anybody else I'd be happy to get at 2.

[TRO]

Chicago is willing to send us their picks at 1.5, 1.26, and 4.4 to move up and get our pick at 1.2. In case we are looking to make a similar move-down to last year, this seems like a pretty attractive offer.

To me, it's all about the DT. I'd expect him to be there at 1.2, and to be gone by 1.5.

To me, this is all the more reason not to trade up to 1.1. If the DT goes 1, I'd be ok with this deal.

Even if the DT drops to us, it might be worth considering to trade down anyway. But I think there was enough of a voice for a monster DT that we should take him if he's there.

[QuikSand]

I don't have a Plan B in mind for the pick at 1.2 either -- if the DT goes at #1, I think I'd explore options incolving trading down and perhaps into next year's draft, at least in part.

[Tasan]

I don't have the file handy here on this computer. What are the needs for the team at 1.1? The teams in this version tend to draft more to needs as long as there are decently talented people at those positions in the draft.

[QuikSand]

Good thought, Tasan...

San Francisco's listed needs are: starting safety, starting WR, starting RB

Turns out they used their 1.9 pick last year on a nose tackle.


That certainly seems to suggest to me that they'd be awfully unlikely to grab "our" DT at 1.1, if we wanted to stay put.

[Barkeep49]

I think trading down is fine if we don't get the DT, but I would be opposed to trading into next years draft. I feel like we need to be assembling some of the pieces of our team and we can't keep pushing that off forever.

[QuikSand]

I wasn't realy thinking about moving out completely... but rather something akin to last year's trade -- move down this year and pick up a 1st next year for doing so.

But I don't feel too strongly about it at all. As I said, I really don't have a Plan B.

[Barkeep49]

Have we interviewed the DT yet? For that matter have we interviewed anyone yet? Also if we do get the DT I think it might be worth our while to rebuild affinity around him.

[QuikSand]

Any thoughts about DE J.B. Dux? Prototypical strong combines, but apparently lousy ratings -- but he's ranked as the #4 best DE out there.

I haven't even interviewed him, but I'm wondering if he might make a worthy pick in round two... assuming we don't get a OMGF player who falls to us there.

Anyone see anything in him?

[Barkeep49]

Are we trying to start the law firm of Dux and Dux or something?

[Barkeep49]

All the names seem to be corrupted for me when I try and open the FA Stage 6 zip.

[QuikSand]

All the names seem to be corrupted for me when I try and open the FA Stage 6 zip.

Hmmmm.... I'm stumped.

[QuikSand]

I see several guys I'd like at pick 9... I'm thinking that might be a really interesting debate.

[Barkeep49]

Pick 9? Do you mean 8 or are you suggesting a trade with Kansas City?

[Barkeep49]

I just put in the 08startFA file and the names are all working correctly. In the other file all the names, whether draftees or current players, are completely weird. I'm thinking perhaps there is a corrupted file in the other zip? I have tried deleting and redownloading the zip, but I get the same error.

Anyhow, could I get a list of the players interviewed so I can do the same on the older zip and then make some other suggestions? I noticed we still had 15 interview slots left.

[QuikSand]

Pick 9? Do you mean 8 or are you suggesting a trade with Kansas City?

Sorry, just had it in my head it was pick 9.

Anyway - I'm seeing several guys I like for that spot, potentially:

RB Marroso
CB Hoover or Forbes
DE Foster
LT Newhart
WR Ballard

[Barkeep49]

I would shy away from Newhart because our scout is only Fair on linemen and would rather waste lower round picks. I like all of those other guys. My top two would be Marroso or Hoover followed by Ballard, but I have a feeling we could nab him at say 1.11 or 1.12 and might be worth trading down.

Also, is there a reason we aren't considering Downs if Syzamaski (sp) is taken?

[QuikSand]

I just put in the 08startFA file and the names are all working correctly. In the other file all the names, whether draftees or current players, are completely weird. I'm thinking perhaps there is a corrupted file in the other zip? I have tried deleting and redownloading the zip, but I get the same error.

Anyhow, could I get a list of the players interviewed so I can do the same on the older zip and then make some other suggestions? I noticed we still had 15 interview slots left.

I'm sending a new file, after saving the FOF game again. We'll see if that works.

[QuikSand]

I would shy away from Newhart because our scout is only Fair on linemen and would rather waste lower round picks. I like all of those other guys. My top two would be Marroso or Hoover followed by Ballard, but I have a feeling we could nab him at say 1.11 or 1.12 and might be worth trading down.

I don't mind trading down, but I generally feel that you don't get much of any value in dealing down from a spot like 1.9 to 1.11 or 1.12. If we got a second round pick, maybe it would be worth it - I'm certainly open to exploring it if we do, in fact, have several guys we like all available. I'm just not optimistic that we get much in return for dealing down, other than from the very top of the draft.

Also, is there a reason we aren't considering Downs if Syzamaski (sp) is taken?
Yes, he's a triple conflict. The 5-6 birthday group is the one we have to avoid with this team, under our current setup.

[thealmighty]

Is there a reason you are continuing this here and not in the dynasty section?

It's not that I care, it's that I was following along and at some point the thread in the dynasty section became too much (graphically, I presume?) and I can't get it to open without crashing/freezing my internet. Was wondering if that was happening to others as well (without going back and looking through all the posts here I missed)?

[Barkeep49]

That'd be a good reason :)

Also the file works now.

[TRO]

Of these players, I think I'd rank them:
Foster
Marroso
Forbes
Ballard
Hoover
Newhart

I imagine that much of our decision will be made for us by who is left.

[Barkeep49]

The results are posted in the Dynasty. The discussion is here in hopes of attracting a wider audience.

[QuikSand]

I'm sending a new file, after saving the FOF game again. We'll see if that works.

I'm getting an error from Yahoo! with this file, warnign of a virus. I tried again, and it worked... but I'm guessing that is somehwo related to the problems. In any event, try the new file if you can, please.

(I have re-scanned the whole directory for viruses using InoculateIT, and report no problems -- I'm thinking this is a Yahoo! glitch of some sort)

[TRO]

Looks like we have 15 interviews left, any thoughts on where we should put them?

[thealmighty]

Thanks. Guess the results are not in my future viewing. :(

[TRO]

FWIW, I didn't have a problem with the file posted last night, it is the one I'm working from.

[QuikSand]

Is there a reason you are continuing this here and not in the dynasty section?

I'm open to following the lead of the participants here. In my mind, the Dynastsy Thread was really for reporting results, and this thread wouuld be for all our debates, etc. Keeping things here, in the GD forum, seems the best way to keep it visible for everyone who may stroll by. We're certainly not cluttering the GD forum with only one thread.

If the group wants to move everything to the Dynasty thread, I can do that very easily, too. My fear is just that we will just lose participation that way, nothing more, really.

[QuikSand]

Thanks. Guess the results are not in my future viewing.

I don't have any idea what you mean by this -- are you being excluded somehow?

[Barkeep49]

While I agree we're going to be largely stuck with whoever is left, I don't really like Foster as we have no combine stats for him and that seems to still be a good boom/bust indicator.

I'm taking it that Murray is a potential affinity conflict as well?

[QuikSand]

We consolidated I'm taking it that Murray is a potential affinity conflict as well?

We deliberately have tried to make this easy. ALl our position leaders are from the 8-9 group (late August - mid-September, I don't have the exact dates right here) and have the exact same afifnity preferences.

For all positions, the conflicts will be the 5-6 guys, and the affinities will be the 7-8 and 11-12 guys. I have made a few mistakes and interviweed guys without checking... but in general, this is designed for us to take the mytery out of it, and to make this predictable.

RB Murray just didn't look too exciting to me - I'm fine interviewing him if there's interest, we have several left. I just don't like spending a top pick on a RB unless he looks like a monster, overall.

[TRO]

Interviews Needed:
DE Dux
DE Lopes
DT Kinchen
OLB Meynardie
LCB Butts

[TRO]

More interview suggestions:
C Yeung
RB Liao (could skip this one, I don't think he'll last until the 2nd)
CB Sumpter
FL Briggs (curious)

[TRO]

Think that's all from me.

[TRO]

RB Reynolds & RB Wages would be good to watch. Listed as a red flag. He is somebody to look at in the "anti-west-coast" philosophy though. Low route running.

[Barkeep49]

I have no real problems with anyone TRO suggests except for Briggs who doesn't seem the combine monster he would need to be to combat his bars. His agility is great and his jumping good, but is that enough for a reciever? I'd be more inclined here if he had a better avoid drops range.

[Logan]

I've been following this slowly since it got started...and now that the draft is here, and I have some time today, do you guys mind if I download the file and give some thoughts too? I know you don't have defined roles, but wasn't sure if this was a set group already.

[QuikSand]

Please, load up and contribute. Get the first big file from the first email, and then the latest fila, and you will be caught up, I think.

[Barkeep49]

I've been following this slowly since it got started...and now that the draft is here, and I have some time today, do you guys mind if I download the file and give some thoughts too? I know you don't have defined roles, but wasn't sure if this was a set group already.

New people are ALWAYS welcome.

[TRO]

I have no real problems with anyone TRO suggests except for Briggs who doesn't seem the combine monster he would need to be to combat his bars. His agility is great and his jumping good, but is that enough for a reciever? I'd be more inclined here if he had a better avoid drops range.

I agree that Briggs is a reach, just said I was curious :)

[Logan]

Thanks. But here we go with problem #1. Loaded up the files, opened up the roster screen, and the player names are all messed up:

http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~ljaffe/dillosroster.bmp

Thoughts?