Ben E Lou
04-30-2008, 07:20 PM
This month, a scenario was presented to Jim Gindin, founder of Solecismic Software and sole developer of Front Office Football 2007. He took the time to respond in detail on how he would turn a bad team into a good one.
You start a new career in the preseason and your team is in disarray: no obvious good young guys to build around, overpaid aging players, not a good mix of talents, chemistry conflicts, bad coaching staff--I mean the works. You play out the season, go 5-11. When free agency rolls around, there are a number of decent-looking veterans available in free agency at nearly every position, and some very solid players in the draft, but you're basically starting from scratch, but you want to win as many games as you can this season.
1. What are three positions or position groups that you focus on improving first, and why?
It all starts with a quarterback. The game is designed in a way that requires a quarterback who can both move the ball and not turn it over. Just as is necessary in the NFL, you need either a game manager or a talent. Or both. You rarely can find a good quarterback in free agency or through trade, so it's a position I'm constantly examining in the draft, and I consider selecting new quarterbacks even if the position seems set.
The same is true, but to a lesser extent, with cornerbacks. Being able to limit the pass depends more heavily on your personnel than anything else, so a pair of excellent cover cornerbacks is the cornerstone of a successful defense. I'd spend more in free agency for a good corner than just about anything else. And third, I like to have defensive ends who can put pressure on the opponent's quarterback while limiting the run. Versatile, highly rated defensive ends are always worth a high pick. I like to have depth at this position as well.
2. Would you focus more on chemistry, or would you acquire the best talent available, ignoring chemistry?
I would never ignore chemistry. Without giving away any detailed algorithms within the game, chemistry can give you an important boost. At the same time, if you have a weakness, you need to address it and worry about the chemistry later. You can always make adjustments down the road to solve a chemistry problem, and you don't want to limit yourself by adhering to a strict chemistry policy. This is one area that you can quickly change if you're careful. There's often a veteran leader/mentor type available in free agency.
3. Assuming roughly equal future talent, are there any positions that you'd prefer to fill through free agency rather than the draft (again, thinking winning the most games now)?
I use free agency to find chemistry matches and mentors. Fullback and tight end are good positions to fill in free agency. You can also find depth on the offensive line. I tend to prefer the draft for defensive players, as defensive skills are more at a premium when it comes to direct translation to a successful defense. But if there's a great defensive talent in free agency, I have no problem overpaying for him.
4. Any other tips for how to go about this?
There are no real absolutes to quick team-building. Bill Belichick, for the longest time, insisted on finding veteran linebackers through free agency. And he saw great success with this approach. This year, he spent almost his entire draft on linebackers and the secondary. He said it was time to infuse some fast young talent into the defense. The best general managers/coaches are the ones who can anticipate their team's weaknesses two or three years down the road so they aren't desperate for a quick fix.
You start a new career in the preseason and your team is in disarray: no obvious good young guys to build around, overpaid aging players, not a good mix of talents, chemistry conflicts, bad coaching staff--I mean the works. You play out the season, go 5-11. When free agency rolls around, there are a number of decent-looking veterans available in free agency at nearly every position, and some very solid players in the draft, but you're basically starting from scratch, but you want to win as many games as you can this season.
1. What are three positions or position groups that you focus on improving first, and why?
It all starts with a quarterback. The game is designed in a way that requires a quarterback who can both move the ball and not turn it over. Just as is necessary in the NFL, you need either a game manager or a talent. Or both. You rarely can find a good quarterback in free agency or through trade, so it's a position I'm constantly examining in the draft, and I consider selecting new quarterbacks even if the position seems set.
The same is true, but to a lesser extent, with cornerbacks. Being able to limit the pass depends more heavily on your personnel than anything else, so a pair of excellent cover cornerbacks is the cornerstone of a successful defense. I'd spend more in free agency for a good corner than just about anything else. And third, I like to have defensive ends who can put pressure on the opponent's quarterback while limiting the run. Versatile, highly rated defensive ends are always worth a high pick. I like to have depth at this position as well.
2. Would you focus more on chemistry, or would you acquire the best talent available, ignoring chemistry?
I would never ignore chemistry. Without giving away any detailed algorithms within the game, chemistry can give you an important boost. At the same time, if you have a weakness, you need to address it and worry about the chemistry later. You can always make adjustments down the road to solve a chemistry problem, and you don't want to limit yourself by adhering to a strict chemistry policy. This is one area that you can quickly change if you're careful. There's often a veteran leader/mentor type available in free agency.
3. Assuming roughly equal future talent, are there any positions that you'd prefer to fill through free agency rather than the draft (again, thinking winning the most games now)?
I use free agency to find chemistry matches and mentors. Fullback and tight end are good positions to fill in free agency. You can also find depth on the offensive line. I tend to prefer the draft for defensive players, as defensive skills are more at a premium when it comes to direct translation to a successful defense. But if there's a great defensive talent in free agency, I have no problem overpaying for him.
4. Any other tips for how to go about this?
There are no real absolutes to quick team-building. Bill Belichick, for the longest time, insisted on finding veteran linebackers through free agency. And he saw great success with this approach. This year, he spent almost his entire draft on linebackers and the secondary. He said it was time to infuse some fast young talent into the defense. The best general managers/coaches are the ones who can anticipate their team's weaknesses two or three years down the road so they aren't desperate for a quick fix.