Snakebitten: A Real-Time MP FOF thread

[QuikSand]

Okay, late free agency... can be a biggish stage for me, as this is when I get to see rookie chemistry, and I tend to roll the dice on a few promising after-draft finds... plus the young RFAs who didn't get picked up for whatever reasons...



<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>SLB Jorge Copeland (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97252)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,380,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.7M, $2.7M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RDT Joey Espinosa (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97129)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,000,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Gary Grant (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96704)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,380,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.7M, $2.7M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>TE Marcus Hartman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95130)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>1 year, $7,300,000 (Bonus: $4.2M. Salary: $3.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>36</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>36</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Donnie Joyner (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94157)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3 years, $18,000,000 (Bonus: $30K. Salary: $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LCB Matt Kindred (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95659)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $24,900,000 (Bonus: $12.9M. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>37</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>49</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Irving O'Neill (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95852)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3 years, $10,560,000 (Bonus: $60K. Salary: $3.5M, $3.5M, $3.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>34</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>48</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Anything to be excited about here? Probably not.

I like young CB Kindred a lot as a future CB2, he will need starts to click in, but will be a strong chem asset once he does, so that's good, plus he's good enough at ST/KR to handle kickoff return duties, if called upon.

RB Joyner is another "option" at a position where we feel like we're at a crossroads. 94 HR is good, but he has little else to back it up. Tossing him out there as RB2 is not completely unthinkable this season. Same argument for RB O'Neil, who could be a 3rd down back.

DL Espinosa is a two-bar guy, but the two bars are RunD and PRTech, two good ones. The latter projects into the 80s so... maybe this guy actually has a future here? 53 personality is meh, though.


Nothing exciting about cutdowns, either. Some "visioning" work to do at OL and WR... I think the cuts to 53 will be more worthy of chatter here.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Late free agency, and I put in offers hoping to sculpt the short term picture at RB for us. Here we go...


<table style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Darrell Tafoya (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=89265)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Bryce Eagleton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96117)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RT Bart Burns (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92791)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Cory Hitchcock (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93243)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>NT Aiden Sweeney (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97143)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Changed position from RDT to DT</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Bucky Hrynewych (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94975)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $3,060,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Tevin Butler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96681)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $8,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Drew Franz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=88399)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 1yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Ruben Reed (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96702)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $8,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Paul Buchanan (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96708)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $4,960,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FL Chandler Schwartz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96811)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $4,960,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Taylor Franz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97310)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $8,000,000.</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

The cuts should not be a shock - we'll tally up TE Tafoya as a miss. And this year's TE slots as a mystery.

At RB, Ruben Reed looks like a lovely spot player - some decent skills but no endurance. Does that work in FOF... we think it does not. I was also interested in rookie RB Butler, though now that he's here I see... not much to like.

So... not sure where the RB position goes this season and beyond. Rookie crop looks like a mixed bag.

[QuikSand]

Okay, tracking for the 2121 season:

(WR Bridges 75 PR, 14 ST)
Punt returns: 16.8 (1st)
PR Allowed: 6.8 (9th)

(CB Burroughs 95 KR, 100 ST)
Kick returns: 36.2 (1st)
KR allowed: 24.4 (17th) a touch better, but still...

DC

(WR Robbins 73 PR, 2 ST)
Punt returns: 16.0 (4th)
PR Allowed: 6.5 (5th)

(WR Smith 89 KR, 47 ST)
Kick returns: 29.0 (5th)
KR allowed: 23.2 (10th)

So...we remain top drawer in special teams. BAL CB/KR Burroughs recovered his ratings drop from the year before and then some, he's now a great asset.

I let this slip for 2022... here it is

BALT

(WR Bridges 75 PR, 14 ST)
Punt returns: 17.6 (2nd)
PR Allowed: 7.8 (10th)

(CB Burroughs 95 KR, 100 ST)
Kick returns: 29.8 (5th)
KR allowed: 20.2 (1at) whoa!

DC

(WR Robbins 73 PR, 2 ST)
Punt returns: 16.3 (5th)
PR Allowed: 6.5 (3rd)

(WR Smith 89 KR, 47 ST)
Kick returns: 29.8 (5th)
KR allowed: 23.3 (10th)


Both teams very solid. Hard to see the effects of having excellent K and P here (in BAL but not DC), even over several years.

[QuikSand]

Camp news - nothing much here. Cutdown from 70 to 60 will probably mean sorting out our RB situation, that's a spot for several cuts.

* I've got $10m in bonus tied up in Zamora, and he posted north of 5ypc last season as RB1, so we'll just slot him in again. RB one, no chemistry effects to worry about, just here to tote the rock.

* If Liverwusrt stays, he's the chem leader as a 4-5, he'll click with two of the three QBs (not QB2 Justin), and he'd activate affinities with youngsters O'Neill and Grant, plus the two fullbacks. We'd likely keep the better of the two RBs after preseason (O'Neill?) and carry 5 players in the position group.

* If we cut Liverwurst, and move TE Polley to inactive FM gimp, he's a strong leader from the 2-3 group. The twist? Conflict with Zamora. Ouch, missed that. Also, 3rd year guy Andersen neutral with him, as is FB Ricker. Weak plan.

* Well, what else do we have? If we cut Liverwurst, our group leader is Andersen (3rd, 60/25) - that can't be all. I don't see any good, easy, options. I guess we're sticking with Liverwurst for another year.

* damn

Cuts to 60 are not interesting. Fin.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Cutdowns from 70 to 60. Lots of chaff at RB. I won't bore you.

[QuikSand]

Fun twist from the DC roster: 2nd round rookie RB Gillespie has 62 Hole Rec by the league scout, but my my scout he's 20/25. My OC is 60 in scouting, my HC 70. Awesome.

[Chas in Cinti]

Fun twist from the DC roster: 2nd round rookie RB Gillespie has 62 Hole Rec by the league scout, but my my scout he's 20/25. My OC is 60 in scouting, my HC 70. Awesome.

I admit I've not played much FOF in years as I don't really like the interface (preferred the REALLY old one). But, how does something like this happen and how will it impact the game? Will your OC/HC not use the RB due to this?

[QuikSand]

I admit I've not played much FOF in years as I don't really like the interface (preferred the REALLY old one). But, how does something like this happen and how will it impact the game? Will your OC/HC not use the RB due to this?

Well, usage isn't the black box it once was - in FOF8 we get to literally script the plays and formations and personnel for each situation, so if my gameplan calls for him to get the ball in a situation, he'll get it (injury/fatigue substitutions the only exception). So, that's not the real issue - here my worry is more that I might have bought a bill of goods, and spent a fairly early pick on a guy who is no better than the after-draft darts we toss every year. Him being at least pretty good in Hole Rec was a centerpiece of my "okay, just this once I will actually use a real draft pick on a running back," and it looks like I'm just getting my reward more quickly than usual (cf. Liverwurst in Baltimore).

[QuikSand]

In Baltimore, a big boom reveal for our 1st round lineman... we did indeed draft "a good guard" after all. Emmons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96952) looks like the real deal now, happy with that pick for sure - he could even play LT in a pinch (though I don't want to move him there for obvious reasons, it's a death knell in FOF to move to LT from another OL position).

As for the balance of the rookie class... well, mixed bag, but some good news:

-The TE Gilbertson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96753) we took at 1.24 looks pretty good, but more like a "nice grab in round three" as opposed to "savvy use of an early pick.) He will get the coveted swing TE role right away, in search of a pot of copper in the form of, say, 6.5 ypt. Meh.

-The WR McCormick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96853) we grabbed in round 4 just off combines had a camp boom and now looks...useful. Not like a star, but like a guy who could settle in as a WR4, take some targets out of a reserve FL role, and maybe give us 300 yards on 40 targets some day.

S Spangler from round 7 will have trouble getting starts, but looks like a rotation-filler guy long term for us or somebody. LB Gaynord from the 6th is a ST capable guy who also won't get starts here and likely gets cut as a result.

The gem is indeed, DL Espinosa (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97129) (as I had mused before) our after-draft grab. League scout moved him from 29/38 to 35/49 in preseason, and we now line him up as a legit pass-rushing option with (by our scout, as well as the league scout) a maxed-out potential at PRTech. At 294 lb, not certain whether his future is at DT or DE, but I reckon he could be in that "ear pinner" conversation one day. I am unreasonably happy about this guy.

So... pretty good crop all told. BenBot (http://gml.fof-belco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6382&p=60021&viewfull=1#post60021) ranked us 23rd overall, I see more here than that would suggest.

Cutdown to 60...

[QuikSand]

Oh, wow, DT Denby (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94680) got SMASHED by the volatility stick of death. If that was a given, then I'm super glad he turned down some extension offers earlier this offseason. Ouch. Goes from being a semi-centerpiece to... hmm, maybe a cut?

[QuikSand]

Baltimore file is in. TE Ogden was spared the axe, but only by moving back to FB where he's an affinity and... I dunno, maybe has some value? Didn't get his fat extension, though.

Well, we're in new hands at QB with Lyle, who took a ratings drop - no shock since he's just been clipboarding for 3 seasons now. We'll hope that tzach is right and "he will be good." I do not really know what to do to gameplan for a "timing is my main skill" guy, so we will be running basically the same offense as we have been. Rookie will play the swing TE role, and we'll split up rushing duties across three guys - and otherwise a steady diet of 11 and 18 - all you can eat baby.

I will predict a solid 9-7 season and a few flickers of what could have been.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

So, cutdown stage here too.

The RB situation, detailed a bit above, took a foreseeable bad turn - rookie RB Max Gillespie, 2nd round draft pick is closer to the bum they see, than the sleeper we saw. I bit the bullet and cut him, leaving three undrafted guys (one soph, two rooks) to split up the RB load this season. We don't win by running anyhow, we have been a top tier team without a serious rushing game anyway, so this doesn't seem like a major problem - just a missed opportunity.

We will give undrafted rookie TE Hartman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96786) every chance to win a long term role - mostly by lack of good options there. Just poor planning on my part - had I been willing all along to settle for a non-affinity guy, I surely could have found a 45/45 veteran who would be better than this longshot.

Past that... nothing special. Most of the team is back from the #1 seed group of last year. Young WR group is coming together - on paper, Carrubba has a case to make to steal some targets away from Malone. The OL group has a chem weakness (not a liability) and that's worrisome to me, but probably not a huge deal right away. The D should be okay - I'll hope to detail the state of our secondary soon, as I find it interesting all the little pieces that have fallen together for us there.

I think we're an honest 10-win team overall - if our division remains weak, we might squeak out a couple more and be in the bye week picture, which is basically my goal. Median projection would be more like 11-5 and the 3 seed.

[QuikSand]

[QuikSand]

oh right, that paste doesn't work, forgot

[QuikSand]

Baltimore goes 13-3, earning ... 5 seed, dammit


GML: Baltimore Ravens 2123 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)


So, have to be pleased with 13 wins, didn't expect that
CLE remains a power team, so we're up the track a bit in WC


So, looking things over - HOW DID THIS TEAM WIN 13 GAMES?
QB Lyle was meh, 6.8 ypt, 31/16, 89 rating... fine i guess
Rushing game was lousy, under 4 ypc from RBs
#11 and #18 both around 6.5 ypt - why the f bother with talent?


Defense... pass rush 11th in PR%, decent but not great
DE Turnbull posts up 15.5 sacks, okay then, that's good
We held opponents to 5.8 ypa passing, that's good overall
A +13 turnover margin has to have been a major factor in the record


I think this is indeed a 10 win team that got lucky to no avail... we'd have been the 5 seed with 10-6 just the same. Ugh.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


10-6 Gets Division Title But Only 4 Seed


GML: Washington Football Team 2123 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)


About as expected - we're not a power team, after all.


Overall, QB Clancy prolific but not efficient - 4800 yds but...
...only 6.9 ypt, 35/24, and 82 rating - not good enough
RB Herb Clements major workhorse! 231-1,324 11TD on 5.73 ypc!
(I failed to adjust starters, all RBs are still potential affinities)
WR Malone still great - 1,444 yds on 7.93 ypt... Carrubba 837 9.0
TE Hartman dreadful in T role: 3.94 ypt, dammit (TE Sell 6.72 ypt)
Hard to complain a ton about being #2 offense 402/gm and #1 scoring 30.3



(note: I think i must have clicked to submit my file before it was done, some stuff I know I did must have been after I sent the file, drat)


Defense was solid - overall allowed 5.64 ypa passing, thats really good
PR% was 23.4, 3rd, with tons of hurries and decent number of sacks
LB Duda was brilliant overall, and signed his extension to stick around


-10 in turnovers is probably the explanation for the dropoff to 10 wins




Solid team. Some disappointment. Really need to figure out this swing TE thing.

[QuikSand]

In the postseason, both my teams manage to win in the wild card round, then lose in the divisional on the road. Sounds about right.

http://gml.fof-belco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6386&p=60048&viewfull=1#post60048

[QuikSand]

Ravens lose my favorite DB in Cody Lentzner, to retirement. The run of uber-affinity and top-talent secondary is over, with basically nothing much to show for it.

In DC, superb affinity leader LB Cannida retired, and we will have to weigh our options, but we kept DT Pascal to step back into the leadership role (98/75)... will I be content with a 75 personality leader there? Stay tuned.

[QuikSand]

Okay, into the 2124 offseason. Feeling a tiny bit refreshed with FOF, for whatever reason.

Baltimore Reset:


Front Office Football Eight
Baltimore Ravens Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Lyle, Austin 109 QB 5 42 46 2 yrs.
Justin, Evan 114 QB 7 32 32 1 yr.
Alonzo, Jamal 117 QB 6 19 23 1 yr.
Zamora, Caiden 220 RB 7 57 57 1 yr.
Joyner, Donnie 223 RB 5 46 46 2 yrs.
Andersen, Darnell 235 RB 4 39 39 1 yr.
Schweigert, Bernie 222 RB 10 32 32 ---
Hillhouse, Kristopher 349 FB 6 66 66 1 yr.
Ogden, Leon 348 FB 8 45 45 ---
Ricker, Branden 344 FB 6 43 43 2 yrs.
Gilbertson, Johnnie 440 TE 2 49 53 3 yrs.
Hartman, Marcus 484 TE 4 37 37 ---
Wesson, Reuben 487 TE 5 21 21 ---
VanCaeyzeele, Parker 511 FL 6 66 66 3 yrs.
Surry, Henry 581 FL 5 40 40 2 yrs.
McCormick, Phil 583 FL 2 30 42 3 yrs.
Schlafly, B.J. 588 FL 6 26 26 1 yr.
Bridges, Buddy 585 FL 7 25 25 ---
Behne, Warren 518 SE 6 81 81 3 yrs.
Collins, William 580 SE 6 42 42 2 yrs.
Hanley, Rodolfo 586 SE 4 24 41 1 yr.
Cook, Shaun 663 C 6 56 56 2 yrs.
Emmons, Blaine 762 LG 2 60 82 3 yrs.
Carpenter, Roosevelt 779 LG 3 44 54 2 yrs.
O'Donnell, Miguel 861 LT 9 75 75 ---
Douglas, Kim 873 LT 7 20 20 ---
Paullin, Terry 866 LT 13 2 2 1 yr.
Sheldon, O.J. 871 RT 6 44 44 2 yrs.
Moore, Reggie 902 P 5 83 83 2 yrs.
Thomas, Mario 1003K 10 83 83 2 yrs.
Turnbull, Kevin 1191LDE 6 59 59 2 yrs.
Espinosa, Joey 1193LDE 2 45 50 1 yr.
Baump, Jackson 1198RDE 4 66 66 4 yrs.
Helming, Juan 1190RDE 9 59 59 ---
Middleton, Tucker 1297NT 9 37 37 2 yrs.
Douglas, Kim 1294NT 7 37 37 ---
Crawford, Parker 1292NT 5 32 32 2 yrs.
Rhodes, Carlos 1357SILB 6 57 57 1 yr.
Schenk, Rich 1356WILB 8 52 52 2 yrs.
Dawson, Dave 1352WILB 8 44 44 1 yr.
Sorota, Tyrus 1415SLB 9 62 62 2 yrs.
Gardner, Anthony 1453WLB 8 55 55 2 yrs.
Thomas, Burt 1447WLB 7 44 44 ---
Maas, Josue 1528LCB 12 51 51 ---
Kindred, Matt 1532LCB 4 42 42 2 yrs.
Bernardino, Shaun 1507RCB 10 68 68 2 yrs.
Calmus, Collin 1539RCB 11 38 38 ---
Burroughs, Darrell 1537RCB 6 27 27 ---
Patterson, Mitchell 1536RCB 8 25 25 1 yr.
Padilla, Dustin 1625FS 9 33 33 ---
Spangler, Doug 1627FS 2 29 37 3 yrs.
Leclair, Freddie 669 LS 8 20 20 ---

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 37
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 37

Salary Cap: $719,500,000
Cap Room: $208,540,000
Maximum for New Player: $173,380,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $25,110,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $392,850,000

So, that's the snapshot, with more clarity than my narrative could add.

$200m in cap space sounds like a ton... is it? Not quite 30% of the total. Among our own free agents, the guys we let walk, I am not really super pressed to being anyone back - TE Hartman will likely get his $7m RFA deal, but the balance will likely be offers, nor priorities. So, that's not a "spoken for" slice of the pie. In-game it says our top contract offer is $173m, so we have to spend on a draft, but we're still in decent cap shape. QB Lyle thinks he's a $50 man now, so that is looming for either this year (holdout) or next, assuming we're sold that he's our guy.

Will do some mental gridding-out today, may or may not detail it here.

[QuikSand]

Okay, first free agent stage is in the books. Here's our shiny new object...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>CB Ernest Boyd (70/70) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94866)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Oakland</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>4yrs, $244.0M (Bonus: $188.0M. Salary: $14.0M, $14.0M, $14.0M, $14.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

I didn't really push a lot of money around overall, but this guy was a top target. Out with the old, in with the new. Not a perfect specimen, but I've been able to assemble supporting cast level DB talent fairly easily, so having a guy like this for a while to just lock down the CB1/CB2 job has value to me. This year (while Bernardino remains a top cover option) he might actually start at safety, pending other happenings, but his future ought to be at corner.

So, that's good.

Have offers in to around 10 other guys, in the lead on most, as usual. Nothign shocking here.

I am making a play to move up in the first round of the draft targeting one player I did not expect to see slide this far... I'll be pleasantly surprised if it works out, but stay tuned.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Funny twist, I put in a fat free agent offer - 3y, $123m - to a running back with modest stats but good-looking ratings, thinking we might be able to get something out of him. Instead, he signs with Ben's Falcons (who, as we have noted, are competing in the same affinity triads as us):


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Ben E Lou</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>ATL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Spencer Strauss (74/74) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94195)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Minnesota</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3yrs, $123.0M (Bonus: $90.0M. Salary: $11.0M, $11.0M, $11.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

I'm not positive, but I think our offers might have been absolutely identical... $11m in salary and $30m/yr in bonus. Alas.

Our only actual news is re-signing fringe DE Timothy Jacobs, just a continuity move for us, really. Former 2nd round pick we had hoped would be an impact player, instead he's just ... a player.

We're in the lead on 9 more guys, trailing on none, situation normal.

[QuikSand]

PHI sends 1.12

BAL sends 1.28, 2.28, 3.28, 5.28, 6.28, 7.28

Well, this does two things:

-it DEFINITELY cuts down on the time and energy I spend on this draft for the Ravens, presumably fiddling around with picks that will sandcastle into useless debris... so that's good

-it HOPEFULLY delivers a player who can be impactful right away for us, at least in an Art-of-War sense... details TBA after pick is effected

[QuikSand]

Okay, here's the prized possession...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes RB Christopher Webster (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=97506) with the 1.12 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Breakaway Speed</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Power Inside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>55<->85</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Hole Recognition</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>30<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Elusiveness</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Speed to Outside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>65<->94</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blitz Pickup</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>49<->79</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>16<->46</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>63<->92</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>70</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>202</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.4</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.8</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.32</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>28</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>20</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.23</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>123</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>29</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>65</center></td></tr></tbody></table>




to paraphrase the yuletide carolers... "do you see what I see?"

[QuikSand]

So, I'm not thrilled at my good-fit options at pick 24, and end up dealing down to pick 31 (with tzach, who has figured out my typical draft ennui) -- and pick up a good veteran OL in the process.

G Josh Gaines (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91054)

It costs my next year's BAL 3rd, but that's a pick I'd rather not keep anyway, so... I think I'm good with this. I suspect Meyer will start for us at LT this year and maybe for a while. He may be chem-neutral for a spell, but eventually should settle in as a fit, depending on how I build up the OL. Just felt like it filled a need.

[tzach]

It's G Gaines that is going to BAL!

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Well, we make our pick at 1.25, after trying to trade away the entire draft class...this league is just not into fiddling around much, I fear.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes OLB Paul Ruddick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98077) with the 1.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>63<->91</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Technique</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>55<->83</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>1<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>40<->68</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>12<->40</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->62</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>59<->86</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>57<->85</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>73</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>245</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.6</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.57</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>37</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>109</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>28</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>57</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Basically a scout pick, he came back VU from his interview, and the rest of my first round possibles all came back overrated or worse. So, I will hope he can grind up into a productive starter at LB.

In free agency, we land a couple veterans - a big money (non chemistry) LB with near-max PR Technique, thinking he could be an anchor caliber pass rusher for us (as it feels like Singleton is waning). Also an 8th year pass-rushing DE and a non-chemistry TE on pricey but bonus-free "team option" deals.

LT Jimmie Arnold turned down our offer and went to the Giants, which is fine, he's not really in our plans anyhow.

[QuikSand]

Baltimore grabs a 5th year RB who has been very effective, via free agency:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RB Jeffrey Allegretti (57/57) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94159)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>signed as a free agent</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3yrs, $111.0M (Bonus: $90.0M. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

So, gee, how might one reconcile taking a RB with our early trade-up draft pick, and then splurging on a RB in free agency? Well, cap space, I suppose. But... hmmmmmmm...


Incidentally, Allegretti is a 4-5 group guy, and won't click with Liverwurst if he returns and reclaims the chem leadership. So, that points us in the direction of re-orienting that group, after a pretty long, if not that noteworthy, run for our former 1st rounder.

Bernie Schweigert, aka Liverwurst (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=90015)

[QuikSand]

And by the way... just in case you never "got" the nickname, and were merely afraid to ask...

Braunschweiger Liver Sausage (Braunschweiger Leberwurst) (https://www.meatsandsausages.com/sausage-recipes/braunschweiger)

We'll let our friends over at meats-and-sausages-dot-com fill in the blanks on how Bernie Schweigert became "Liverwurst" in the minds and hearts of the Pikesville (http://jewishmuseummd.org/2012/10/becoming-pikesville/) faithful.


hey, if you're actually reading this crap, i'm apparently not gonna deliver anything other than the blue moon championship, so you might as well get something from it, amirite

[Chas in Cinti]

The illogical attachments to middling Running Backs has gotten me more than once... :)

[QuikSand]

Well, I reckon we are turning another page here. The free agent will be RB1 for now, naturally, and I will earnestly hope to get him another 1,000 yard season.

That presumably leaves Zamora out in the cold. We'll never know which of his two BAL seasons was the anomaly -- the 814/5.12 season or the 484/4.14 season. I'll try to get some trade value for him - probably won't get any nibbles.

So, the rookie Webster... let's just say we are not yet ready to assign him a backfield role quite yet. His fascinating set of skills will be a camp adventure, perhaps we will see him in a hybrid role somehow. But not likely getting 200 carries between the tackles - that should be Allegretti.

[QuikSand]

Baltimore picks at 1.31, and we take a DB who we project as a nickel cover man - he looks maxed-out to us in both zone and bump, but probably isn't strong enough in run D to play a lot of safety. Not in love with the pick, but he has the most checked boxes I could find. (Sorry cannot post the thread item, it seems I bonked the auto poster when I made my pick, I got an error screen and the auto-post failed)

That should end our draft, save for one late 4th rounder, where I'll hope to grab... oh, something or another.

[QuikSand]

This is not a thrill ride.

Nothing too exciting for today.

BAL signed a DT on a no-bonus deal, and brought in CB Les Wiggins (a former 1st rounder of ours) as a rotation-level DB with leadership potential down the road. Yawn.

DC signed a big bruiser S with an eye toward getting a year or two out of him at LB, but that doesn't look too promising, so this likely amounts to nothing at all.

I'll post the DC draftees after the 3rd round guy registers, soon.

[QuikSand]

Baltimore's chemistry setup did improve, though... we signed away a FB from PHI, and he will become out 2-3 group leader. Clicks with Allegretti, Hillhouse, and even RB Joyner. So, we may well be set at that position chem-wise, and also talent-wise, with 5th year guy Joyner looking the part of a good-enough RB2 to me.

[QuikSand]

Ravens Roster Review

...with our draft all but done, here are my thoughts on what this year's roster is looking like:


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Lyle, Austin 109 QB 5 42 46 2 yrs.
Justin, Evan 114 QB 7 32 32 1 yr.
Alonzo, Jamal 117 QB 6 19 23 1 yr.


Lyle is the guy, I guess. We'll try to stave off paying him like a starter for another year but that will come. Justin is the double strong affinity backup, in a no-injury league that's a safe roster spot. Austin was our Plan B for RB chemistry, now he's merely an afterthought... or perhaps trade bait?


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Zamora, Caiden 220 RB 7 57 57 1 yr.
Allegretti, Jeffrey 233 RB 5 54 54 3 yrs.
Joyner, Donnie 223 RB 5 46 46 2 yrs.
Andersen, Darnell 235 RB 4 39 39 1 yr.
Schweigert, Bernie 222 RB 10 32 32 ---
Hillhouse, Kristopher 349 FB 6 66 66 1 yr.
Ogden, Leon 348 FB 8 45 45 ---
Ricker, Branden 344 FB 6 43 43 2 yrs.
Bryant, Nate 346 FB 5 13 14 2 yrs.


Crowded, but resolvable pretty easily. Let's start with FB Bryant as the bench-bound chem gimp, from the 2-3 chem group. That leaves FBs Ogden and Ricker as chem-neutral, not a great place to be unless you're a highly productive star for us. Also, Andersen looks like a nifty 3rd down back, but without an affinity, not likely to last.

So - this year I'm penciling in Allegretti as RB1, Hillhouse as the FB, and then we'll see. Zamora as a conflict... hard to see him sticking. Joyner didn't get starts last year but could this season and click in as RB2 for a while, he's an 88HR guy with some breakaway speed but no endurance. We'll see whether the group ends up being more than 4 total players, but for now that's the quartet we have in mind.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Gilbertson, Johnnie 440 TE 2 49 53 3 yrs.
Hartman, Marcus 484 TE 4 37 37 3 yrs.
Wesson, Reuben 487 TE 5 21 21 ---


Gilbertson looks like an okay starter, and Hartman is a versatile young guy who also plays special teams. They should remain in place long term. In a more nearly perfect world, I'd draft/sign someone to slot ahead of them both...sort of like trading for an ace pitcher and everyone else just drops a slot. Here... who knows. More likely, we'll just continue to starve our star receivers of 160 targets to instead get <1,100 yards from them out of this lot.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct VanCaeyzeele, Parker 511 FL 6 66 66 3 yrs.
Surry, Henry 581 FL 5 40 40 2 yrs.
McCormick, Phil 583 FL 2 30 42 3 yrs.
Schlafly, B.J. 588 FL 6 26 26 1 yr.
Bridges, Buddy 585 FL 7 25 25 ---
Behne, Warren 518 SE 6 81 81 3 yrs.
Collins, William 580 SE 6 42 42 2 yrs.
Hanley, Rodolfo 586 SE 4 24 41 1 yr.


#11 PVC and #18 Behne are the build-around guys on this roster, but I am not doing a great job maximizing them. Behne has endurance problems, and PVC is a good but not great all around guy. With a better gameplan, I'd shift them more targets away from our TE/FB group... odds of me committing the time to that, slim.

Nobody else here is particularly important... what is important is the incoming rookie. Nobody said anythign here, but to me he's a no brainer position switch to WR, and hopefully does so pretty seamlessly. I think he may be a butterfingers guy, but past that he should have very good WR skills, plus endurance and special teams. I don't know how to max out a trio of three quality WRs, so maybe the play (in a no injury league) would be to sell off one of these guys, perhaps?


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Cook, Shaun 663 C 6 56 56 2 yrs.
Emmons, Blaine 762 LG 2 60 82 3 yrs.
Carpenter, Roosevelt 779 LG 3 44 54 2 yrs.
Douglas, Kim 873 LT 7 20 20 ---
Paullin, Terry 866 LT 13 2 2 1 yr.
Sheldon, O.J. 871 RT 6 44 44 2 yrs.


Our trade target isn't showing up in game yet, but mentally add a high quality LG(/LT?) into this list. We're still on the fence on how exactly to steer the chemistry, but we'll need to exclude Carpenter from that consideration, as he is chemistry poison eventually. We're trying to grab a young so-so guy, but would prefer to have something fall out of the sky for us - like a second round draft pick next year, or maybe one of those RFA walkaways from another team who fits.

I don't hate where we are talent-wise, but we're kinda one quality guy short, I think. C Cook and RT Sheldon are... meh.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Moore, Reggie 902 P 5 83 83 2 yrs.
Thomas, Mario 1003K 10 83 83 2 yrs.


Spending money here for no apparent gain.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Turnbull, Kevin 1191LDE 6 59 59 2 yrs.
Espinosa, Joey 1193LDE 2 45 50 1 yr.
Baump, Jackson 1198RDE 4 66 66 4 yrs.
Norton, Michael 1290RDT 5 53 53 2 yrs.
Middleton, Tucker 1297NT 9 37 37 2 yrs.
Douglas, Kim 1294NT 7 37 37 ---
Crawford, Parker 1292NT 5 32 32 2 yrs.


Okay, group is thin but it's okay. I'm trying to listen to what I'm hearing on these YouTube vids, and also take stock of what I'm doing. Bottom line seems to be - it is not hard to find decent one-skill guys to play the DL. DE Turnbull was a 3rd rounder, now he's an all-star pass rusher with 15.5 sacks last year. Espinosa was an after-draft find, now he fits into a useful rotation at DE/DT for us. DT Crawford was a 7th round pick who is now perfectly start-able in our base D. I paid to get and to re-sign Baump, but maybe that's unwise. Like the OL, I feel we are one quality guy away from being comfy here.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Rhodes, Carlos 1357SILB 6 57 57 1 yr.
Schenk, Rich 1356WILB 8 52 52 2 yrs.
Dawson, Dave 1352WILB 8 44 44 1 yr.
Etten, Lincoln 1358MLB 4 43 43 1 yr.
Sorota, Tyrus 1415SLB 9 62 62 2 yrs.
Gardner, Anthony 1453WLB 8 55 55 2 yrs.
Thomas, Burt 1447WLB 7 44 44 ---


Kinda the same story here? Sorota and Rhodes were both big money free agents, and are fine but not thrilling. Gardner was a castoff we signed young and developed here, now he's very good. Will just continue to grind out decent chaff through the usual channels to keep this group happy.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Boyd, Ernest 1526LCB 5 64 64 4 yrs.
Maas, Josue 1528LCB 12 51 51 ---
Kindred, Matt 1532LCB 4 42 42 2 yrs.
Bernardino, Shaun 1507RCB 10 68 68 2 yrs.
Wiggins, Les 1542RCB 8 44 44 3 yrs.
Calmus, Collin 1539RCB 11 38 38 ---
Burroughs, Darrell 1537RCB 6 27 27 ---
Patterson, Mitchell 1536RCB 8 25 25 1 yr.
Padilla, Dustin 1625FS 9 33 33 ---
Spangler, Doug 1627FS 2 29 37 3 yrs.


Okay, the heyday is over. To no major avail. We didn't have the great offense that makes a pass D shine. So where are we? Bernardino has one or two years left as a CB1/2 and superb chem leader. Once he leaves, we'll have a conundrum - both Padilla and Wiggins are excellent potential group leaders from the 4-5 group, but our newly drafted rookie (NB or FS) is also a 4-5 guy. I have resolved to deal with this later, but it looms as a worry.

Talent-wise, if this year's rookie works out, we are... hmm... maybe a couple of players short of where we'd want to be after the fossils fade away.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Leclair, Freddie 669 LS 8 20 20 ---


We're getting competition to re-sign Freddie, the only 20-rated LS in free agency. So it goes.


I don't hate where we are. We could be a B on offense and a B- on defense, and that might be worth... 10 wins. Sigh. Yawn.

[QuikSand]

Ok, draft is in the can, early free agency is wrapped, where are we now?

For the Ravens, the big news is the pre-reveal of our top rookie, RB Webster. He looks, to my scout, like a very highly developed guy (good), 100 Breakaway Speed (great), 39/46 Hole Rec (as expected), 61/87 Route Running (meh), and 61/85 Getting Downfield (meh). Mixed bag. End and ST both in the 70s, so he's a full time player -- but what do we do with him?

At 206 lbs, he's a 95% convert to FL, and that is Plan A. Quick look there (before the in-game adjustment) makes him look like a solid project WR, but not a build-around star -- he'll need to grow into his high RR rating, but has other stuff (GD and courage) to help, but surprisingly low BPR (33). Hmmm. He still looks like a quality first round pick, but not sure he'll be the guy who pushes me to shove #18 out the door anytime soon.

[Chas in Cinti]

Quik...

BPR? I'm not picking up that acronym... also, how tall is Webster that makes the change so high a %?

-Chas

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Well, I never got around to documenting our draft picks... this will have to do:

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>24</center></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>KickStand</center></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9">2(25) LCB Josiah Junker (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98153) 28/48
1(25) SLB Paul Ruddick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98077) 33/56
3(25) TE Weston Wells (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97611) 35/48
7(25) LDT Samuel Gillespie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97971) 22/44
4(25) SE Javier Duncan (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97644) 16/43
6(25) LCB Tom Scott (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98179) 19/45
</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9">2(25) LCB Josiah Junker (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98153) 28/48
1(25) SLB Paul Ruddick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98077) 33/56
3(25) TE Weston Wells (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=97611) 35/48
7(25) LDT Samuel Gillespie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=97971) 22/44
4(25) SE Javier Duncan (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=97644) 16/43
6(25) LCB Tom Scott (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98179) 19/45
</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>61.8</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

What I see, from the sneak peek isn't all that terrible, though:

TE Weston Wells is going to be really useful, like he jumps right into a major workload...

LB Ruddick had better bump up, or else he's a pretty middling player for a first rounder... useful but not special. Looks like a run-stopper guy, the sort I poked fun at on the latest VideoChat (https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=96912)

CB Junker was my 1A for round one, and he looks the part - mainly a bump guy but a few big bars and potentially more to come - useful, at worst

CB Tom Scott actually has the PR skills I hoped for, so he'll be an intriguing guy to contemplating getting in for "starts" - if that zone really develops to 90 or so, he could actually be a serious asset

[QuikSand]

Quik...

BPR? I'm not picking up that acronym... also, how tall is Webster that makes the change so high a %?

-Chas

Big Play Receiving... typically a RB's rating in breakaway speed tracks to that bar as a WR. Webster is 5'10" 202 - and I think it's primarily (exclusively?) the weight that matters for his position switch - needs to be down close to 200 for it to work fairly seamlessly.

I didn't execute it in this stage, but I can't imagine what I'm waiting for...

[QuikSand]

So yeah, today is a game stage. Got it.

Ravens in cap clearing mode - wiped out a few guys to make cap space, RB Zamora the most notable, I think.

We signed some after-draft guys, but nothing exciting to write up. My CB/KR got poached by Ben's Falcons, so I'm looking for a KR option - a rookie RB will get a look, but it's likely WR who will keep that gig. 3rd year TE Alexander Huffman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95960) signs a 1yr deal with us, and likely plays as TE3 - he's got that curious skill set known as "only does a few things, but the right few things." In a league with injuries, I'd love him as a depth play - here, dunno what I do with him, short or long term.

Sneak peek on the rookies doesn't make anyone look a ton more noteworthy... I guess RB Cedrick Erickson will merit a legit shot at the RB3 job, and with 64/79 KR, he could be a factor there after all.

We head into camp 65 strong, and feeling like things are pointed a pretty good direction. Losing DL Denby last year hurt, broke up what felt like a streak of minor wins with drafts/signings. Perhaps things are pointing up after all. We'll have to see this rookie RB/WR hybrid after the dust has settled on this year to have a clearer sense, I reckon.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Meh.

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>K Grady Brody (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97893)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $4,990,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.3M, $2.7M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>P Dennis Burton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97860)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>1 year, $4,500,000 (Bonus: $0K. Salary: $4.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>TE Brody Freeman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94289)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $7,920,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>28</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>28</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>SLB Francisco Jasper (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98119)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,000,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RCB Clifton Rice (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94025)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>1 year, $5,500,000 (Bonus: $0K. Salary: $5.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>35</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>35</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>NT Cesar Singleton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97979)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,000,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Renaldo Wheeler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97489)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>1 year, $5,500,000 (Bonus: $0K. Salary: $5.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

RB Wheeler was a guy I had in my draft queue but couldn't pull the trigger on. After the draft, I still liked him enough to offer up some dough, non-guaranteed of course. Hole Rec over 65 out of the chute - we might have something here.


LB Jasper also looks interesting, another guy I flat out missed during the draft but now looks attractive afterward. With some time, perhaps I could go and reverse engineer this a bit, see why I missed on this guy?


Some intriguing bits and pieces from this draft, looking forward to putting them together as we get to 60 then 53.

[QuikSand]

Camp done, not a big stage, since we've already sneak-peeked our rookies.

Anyway, RB-cum-WR Webster (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97506) now looks like a pretty solid professional pass catcher, but I am definitely disappointed that his Big Play Receiving is not what I would have hoped.

My scout sees him projecting at 57, the league scout at 55, that's a good sign (cf. VideoChat). Curiously, though, the league scout sees him with... a complete void at ratings like BPR, Courage, and Adjust to Ball -- while mine sees him at 31, 65/79, and 17/42 respectively. That seems like a glitch to me, perhaps it will be resolved after the preseason adjustments? The flip side is that the league scout sees him as better than my scout does in RR and GD, two ratings I really do care about. Not sure what to take away from that, I hope it resolves in our favor, though.

It's cutdown to 60 today. Not a huge set of decisions here, usually. Typically guys I signed as flyers and Plan-Bs are the main chaff we locate at this stage, plus position-switchers who don't have the weight or carryover ratings to make the team at the new position.

LG Gaines is so weak in personality (4) that he doesn't even register an affinity - I kinda knew this was a possibility, but it's still visually disappointing. I'm shallow like that sometimes.

Moves made, file in, nothing alarming here.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Funny little twist here, we signed a FB who looks like a rotation-caliber guy, and in doing so apparently failed to do our due diligence - he'd been slapped with a suspension for off-field conduct. That makes us... well, I guess that makes us the DC franchise (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/11/nfl-redskins-reuben-foster-domestic-violence), right? Sigh.

Anyway, we'll sort out what that means for the team longer term, but for now... he makes the cut to 60, at least, as he might have value for us next season.

DE Singleton is likely, but not certain, to make this team. A sentimental favorite holdover, but he's fading and we may be in denial.

[QuikSand]

Gonna shortchange you a bit today, sorry. Files are in.

Projections:

BAL- Solid 11-5 campaign, not as many sweet dice rolls as last year
WAS- Slip a bit to 10-6, but remain in the playoffs and a factor

[QuikSand]

[QuikSand]

Ravens go 8-7-1 and miss postseason... dammit.

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2124 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)

What went wrong?

QB had 21 picks, rating dropped from high 80s to low 80s, yuck
RB Allegretti got the lion's share of work as expected, >5yoc is fine
WR tandem was fine, #11 gets 7.8ypt, #18 gets 8.56 (limited work)
The TE role... ugh...Gilbertson only 5.5ypt, sinkhole (Huffman 6.8 though)
RB Allegretti, for whatever reason, was AWFUL receiving - 320y on 84 targets

Baump and Turnbull split up 25 sacks, and we were 3rd in PR%, solid
PD% though, really bad... 53.7 - everyone could throw on us, big worry

And with out -8 turnover margin, we end up barely above .500... yuck

Feels like we are just frittering away the prime years of these receivers, that sucks. Should we try out an all-pass offense or something to break up the monotony?

[QuikSand]

Oh, my bad, 8-7-1 good enough for the 6 seed and a trip to the Chargers. How bout that.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

United Win Division at 11-5, Host Wild Card Round Game

GML: Washington Football Team 2124 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)

QB Clancy had his best season with us: 5,261, 46/20, 7.67ypa, 97.4 rat
RB Clements and Wheeler returned to earth with about 4 ypc each, meh
WR Malone again tore it up: 1,769/14 on 194 targets
WR cast okay: Carrubba 937/10 on 7.32, Everhart 563/2 on 7.71
TE Dawkins okay in main role: 734/6 on 6.99 (Wells 491/3 on 6.22)
Offense basically did its job - 3rd in points per game, 4th in ypa

DT Pascal and LB Welch lead the pass rush w 11 sacks each, team=28.3% (1st)
S Chiba with huge year, 85 PD% 7 int and 89 tackles from the SS slot, boss
LB Duda and Shedd each posted 10+ PDs from LB slots, useful
Overall OD% was 63.8 - good for 6th in the league, not bad

Honestly, stats say a better team than 11-5, we had a good strong season

[QuikSand]

Oh, and for you ear-pinner fans...

http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93935

6.5 sacks on 10 total tackles is a BOSS ratio

[QuikSand]

If I were granted a window of spare time and restricted to only FOF use, I might really dig into the current tzack StL gameplan... he's already seemingly mastered the super-pass-heavy attack, and with this team has seemingly built up an unstoppable running game...


<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRB</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRBO</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRB%</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PNK</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>SKA</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>SK%</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>RPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>C Michael Barringer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91025)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>45</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>105</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>42.9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>483</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Brenden Parson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96937)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>39</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>92</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>42.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>483</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>RG Gabe Meyer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95313)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>32</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>79</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>40.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>508</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>20</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LT Freezer Talley (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91146)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>32</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>77</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>41.6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>508</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>12</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LT Dakota Lichtenberg (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96970)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>22</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>53</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>41.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>500</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="0D244D"><tbody><tr><td><center>BLOCKING</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Getting 40% key run blocks is quite good for a lineman. And every guy on that team is posting that level. They're all good, I get that, but there's witchcraft involved here and it theoretically can't be as hard to uncork as the high-end passing game...right?

[QuikSand]

BTW, a key run block works like this in FOF:

-each designed run play has one blocker selected as the key blocker
-that selected blocker will be credited with one key run block opporutnity in-game
-the play gets run, presumably with that guy having extra influence in blocking dice rolls
-if the play is deemed a success, the key blocker is awarded a successful key run block

The determination of "success" seems to be based on some formula from Football Outsiders... I cannot recall it directly, but it's close to this:

On 1st down, get 5 yards
On 2nd down, get half (or maybe 40% of?) the distance for a 1st down
On 3rd/4th down, get the 1st down

[QuikSand]

...and by the way, if you want to attack me for the backwards logic in the KRB stat, please peruse an old thread somewhere on this message board where we worked through this and, I think, pretty definitively unlocked this. A KRB does not (as you would intuitively assume) indicate a successful intermediate step where a certain blocker did a good job, and enabled a better outcome. It is 100% correlated with the play itself satisfying a numeric outcome, period.

I think it's still a useful metric, but learning this has sometimes been a pull-the-curtain-back moment for some FOFers.

[QuikSand]

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="581E1C"><tbody><tr><td><center>BLOCKING</center></td></tr></tbody></table><center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>KRB</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>KRBO</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>KRB%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>PNK</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SKA</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SK%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>PPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>C Anthony Fitzgerald (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92678)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>25</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>85</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>29.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>308</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>764</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LT Shane Lyons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93653)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>57</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>22.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>19</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>308</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>764</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Morris Mauriello (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92734)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>14</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>46</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>30.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>11</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>308</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>764</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>5</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LG Neil Randle (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92727)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>43</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>37.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>308</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>764</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RT Dashawn Dawson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=90324)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>41</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>19.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>308</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>764</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center>

For reference, here (WAS above due to sloppy pasting, and BAL below) are the comparable stats for the OL blockers on my GML teams, where I clearly don't have the key to the gameplanning kingdom in any way:


<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRB</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRBO</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRB%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PNK</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SKA</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SK%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RT O.J. Sheldon (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93629)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>22</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>62</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>35.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>329</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>707</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>C Shaun Cook (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93520)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>14</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>52</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>26.9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>329</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>707</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>7</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Josh Gaines (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91054)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>17</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>50</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>34.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>329</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>707</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LG Roosevelt Carpenter (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96139)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>43</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>30.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>314</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>694</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Blaine Emmons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96952)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>14</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>36</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>38.9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>329</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>707</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>12</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="290464"><tbody><tr><td><center>BLOCKING</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

...and damn that feels like a lot of penalties against the Ravens OL. What gives? We pushed the group into the high intelligence triad specifically to cut down on this. Wonder if that's a fluke, or a serious problem?


Int ratings for the 5 starters:

LT Gaines 99
LG Emmons 76 (12 penalties, playing guard!)

C Cook 90

RG Carpenter 94
RT Sheldon 91


Harumph

[QuikSand]

prior year (with T O'Donnell who was a numbskull):


<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRB</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRBO</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>KRB%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PNK</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SKA</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SK%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>C Shaun Cook (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93520)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>65</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>23.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>362</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>626</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>11</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RT O.J. Sheldon (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93629)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>22</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>60</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>36.7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>13</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>362</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>626</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LG Blaine Emmons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96952)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>48</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>27.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>358</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>623</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Roosevelt Carpenter (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96139)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>41</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>19.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1.1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>358</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>623</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LT Miguel O'Donnell (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91112)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>10</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>40</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>25.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>362</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>626</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>19</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="290464"><tbody><tr><td><center>BLOCKING</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

[tzach]

If I were granted a window of spare time and restricted to only FOF use, I might really dig into the current tzack StL gameplan... he's already seemingly mastered the super-pass-heavy attack, and with this team has seemingly built up an unstoppable running game...


<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRB</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRBO</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>KRB%</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PNK</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>SKA</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>SK%</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>RPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#D0C8A4"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>C Michael Barringer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91025)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>45</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>105</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>42.9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>483</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Brenden Parson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96937)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>39</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>92</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>42.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>483</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>RG Gabe Meyer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95313)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>32</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>79</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>40.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>508</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>20</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LT Freezer Talley (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91146)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>32</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>77</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>41.6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>508</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>12</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>LT Dakota Lichtenberg (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96970)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>22</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>53</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>41.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>500</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>607</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="0D244D"><tbody><tr><td><center>BLOCKING</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Getting 40% key run blocks is quite good for a lineman. And every guy on that team is posting that level. They're all good, I get that, but there's witchcraft involved here and it theoretically can't be as hard to uncork as the high-end passing game...right?


still no aunt jemima award, that's a failure

[QuikSand]

he mocks us littles

[QuikSand]

Anyway, in the postseason...

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="2" bgcolor="#0D244D"><tbody><tr><td><center>GML POSTSEASON RECAP</center></td></tr></tbody></table><center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="3"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>GAME RESULTS</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124220223.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>19-14 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124220223.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Diego Chargers (Jops) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=23)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet23.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124220223.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124221328.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet13.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremessiah) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=13)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>13-38 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124221328.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Tennessee Titans (AVAILABLE) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=28)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet28.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124221328.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124222505.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>21-16 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124222505.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Chicago Bears (rgvicedo) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=5)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet5.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124222505.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124222701.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet27.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ChrustifusMax) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=27)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>38-41 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124222701.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124222701.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124230129.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>17-18 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124230129.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124230129.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124230216.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>7-33 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124230216.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124230216.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124232526.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>30-0 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124232526.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>St. Louis Rams (tzach) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=26)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet26.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124232526.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124232830.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet28.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Tennessee Titans (AVAILABLE) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=28)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>24-27 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124232830.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Cleveland Browns (Scrooge) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=30)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet30.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124232830.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124243016.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet30.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Cleveland Browns (Scrooge) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=30)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>6-27 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124243016.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124243016.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124242529.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>31-3 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124242529.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124242529.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr></tbody></table>

<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="5"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>The GM Challenge Bowl Result</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Front Office Bowl</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124251625.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>18-41 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2124251625.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2124251625.html)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

</center></center>

[QuikSand]

Well, no cigar for us, but not a terrible season all told.

[Chas in Cinti]

Nice season, Quik...

[QuikSand]

Yeah, I'm okay with it. But have the nagging sense that with these two star WRs in Baltimore, and a good-enough QB to go with them, a legit gameplanner probably would have an elite team going. And I don't. So that's kinda humbling.

In Washington, I'm fine where we are - we are a borderline elite team, and are benefiting (I think) from my willingness to add key non-affinity players there (I have two at LB right now). That's a solid team, maybe one click away from being in the top tier conversation every season now. The #2 seed behind tzach two years running... yeah, I'm okay with that as my station.

[QuikSand]

Ravens Reset - 2125 Offseason

We lost CB Maas to retirement, no shock, but did not yet lose our DB leader in CB Bernardino - an 11th year guy now, on a $35m expiring contract. It will happen soon enough. But right now, we are very strong there chem-wise... though performance-wise we left a lot on the field last season for some reason(s).


Front Office Football Eight
Baltimore Ravens Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Lyle, Austin 109 QB 6 45 45 1 yr.
Justin, Evan 114 QB 8 24 24 ---
Gilliland, Marco 105 QB 2 9 27 1 yr.
Allegretti, Jeffrey 233 RB 6 55 55 2 yrs.
Joyner, Donnie 223 RB 6 46 46 1 yr.
Hillhouse, Kristopher 349 FB 7 65 65 3 yrs.
Bryant, Nate 346 FB 6 14 14 1 yr.
Gilbertson, Johnnie 440 TE 3 53 53 2 yrs.
Hartman, Marcus 484 TE 5 37 37 2 yrs.
Huffman, Alexander 481 TE 4 32 38 ---
VanCaeyzeele, Parker 511 FL 7 67 67 2 yrs.
Webster, Christopher 512 FL 2 41 58 3 yrs.
McCormick, Phil 583 FL 3 32 45 2 yrs.
Schlafly, B.J. 588 FL 7 26 26 ---
Olman, J.J. 516 FL 3 24 41 1 yr.
Bridges, Buddy 585 FL 8 23 23 1 yr.
Behne, Warren 518 SE 7 81 81 2 yrs.
Collins, William 580 SE 7 42 42 1 yr.
Dupont, Ivan 582 SE 2 28 37 3 yrs.
Hanley, Rodolfo 586 SE 5 22 33 ---
Cook, Shaun 663 C 7 55 55 1 yr.
Gaines, Josh 775 LG 10 79 79 2 yrs.
Emmons, Blaine 762 LG 3 78 87 2 yrs.
Carpenter, Roosevelt 779 LG 4 57 57 1 yr.
Paullin, Terry 866 LT 14 1 1 ---
Sheldon, O.J. 871 RT 7 45 45 1 yr.
Hillenmeyer, Daniel 872 RT 2 18 36 ---
Moore, Reggie 902 P 6 83 83 1 yr.
Thomas, Mario 1003K 11 83 83 1 yr.
Turnbull, Kevin 1191LDE 7 60 60 1 yr.
Espinosa, Joey 1193LDE 3 47 47 ---
Baump, Jackson 1198RDE 5 66 66 3 yrs.
Douglas, Kim 1294NT 8 37 37 ---
Middleton, Tucker 1297NT 10 33 33 1 yr.
Crawford, Parker 1292NT 6 32 32 1 yr.
Rhodes, Carlos 1357SILB 7 57 57 ---
Crawford, Tyler 1354WILB 8 49 49 2 yrs.
Dawson, Dave 1352WILB 9 44 44 ---
Schenk, Rich 1356WILB 9 43 43 1 yr.
Sorota, Tyrus 1415SLB 10 58 58 1 yr.
Gardner, Anthony 1453WLB 9 52 52 1 yr.
Thomas, Burt 1447WLB 8 40 40 2 yrs.
Boyd, Ernest 1526LCB 6 63 63 3 yrs.
Kindred, Matt 1532LCB 5 43 43 1 yr.
Bernardino, Shaun 1507RCB 11 63 63 1 yr.
Logan, Bennett 1534RCB 7 47 47 2 yrs.
Wiggins, Les 1542RCB 9 45 45 2 yrs.
Stone, Ken 1645FS 3 50 51 1 yr.
O'Neal, Dylan 1630FS 2 34 44 3 yrs.
Spangler, Doug 1627FS 3 32 39 2 yrs.
Padilla, Dustin 1625FS 10 27 27 1 yr.
Moore, Luke 669 LS 3 16 16 ---

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 41
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 41

Salary Cap: $724,500,000
Cap Room: $128,220,000
Maximum for New Player: $104,640,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $810,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $383,620,000


So, we have work to do... cap space with which to do it...and a bit of urgency as our receivers are in their absolute prime with no hardware to show for it, other than PVC being among the league leaders in the non-absurd-offense division.

[QuikSand]

LB Rhodes gave us two good years at $32m per... now wants a raise in free agency, I doubt we do that. I am pretty content with passable cheap LB I can get anywhere, including the FA bargain bin.

DE Espinosa is a RFA, wants $8-9m, and likely will get it. I like him, and 8 sacks in limited duty is good bang for the buck.

TE Huffman wants a RFA deal for $7m/yr, will be a tough call.

WR/KR Hanley wants $10m, unlikely. 26.8 yards per kickoff? A hobo can do that for us.

...no major commitments from our current crop of free agents.

For our expiring guys... P Moore $5m if we want to extend him...K Thomas $10...DE Turnbull maybe 15...C Cook $8...LB Gardner $15...

And then there's QB Lyle. 45/45 non-star, but apparently the best fit we will get at that critical position. So... we pay up on his roughly $70m/yr request? I guess so. I'd probably have to pay that much next year in open free agency, I suppose, with the risk that he might just walk.

I go ahead and put in a first big offer to Lyle, gotta do it, I reckon. But that will eat up a nice chunk of this year's theoretical "play with" money.

[QuikSand]

Ravens LB planning, thinking through typing:

If we decide not to re-sign either of our free agents, and sign nobody at all, the lineup looks like this with letter grades for my satisfaction:

Base
ILB Schenk B, Crawford B
OLB Sorota A-, Gardner A-

3WR
ILB Crawford C
OLB Sorota A-, Thomas B

So...we're not in bad shape with only 5 guys, but ideally would benefit from a coverage-inclined guy to patrol the deep middle in passing situations. Rhodes was my guy for this last year, but his zone is under 50, so still not ideal and he's very pricey. Is this possibly a target spot for, say, a 2nd round draft pick? Perhaps. A free agent? Perhaps.

Not a gaping need... but it's a passing league, and we aspire to be a team holding the lead a lot. So, we'll keep it in mind

[QuikSand]

Made one trade inquiry for a veteran LB who would have filled our need nicely...was politely declined.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Okay, let's head down I-95 a ways, shall we?


Front Office Football Eight
D.C. United Roster, Standard View

Player # Pos Start HT WT Exp Birthdate Draft College
Matlosz, Winston 102 QB 6-1 202 2 08/31/2099 5 (25) Southern Method
Clancy, Rondell 109 QB 6-0 213 11 09/22/2091 1 (4) Mississippi Sta
Rister, Bobby 225 RB 5-11 214 10 08/05/2092 --- Tennessee
Reed, Ruben 226 RB 6-2 237 3 12/05/2100 --- Kansas State
Clements, Herb 231 RB 5-10 204 4 09/13/2098 --- Iowa
Wheeler, Renaldo 232 RB 6-0 218 2 11/24/2099 --- Michigan
Rastok, Caiden 329 FB 6-2 252 5 07/27/2097 --- Tennessee
Hackney, Brandon 344 FB 5-10 245 8 11/29/2096 --- Boston College
Dawkins, Neil 441 TE 6-5 250 7 10/17/2097 --- Louisiana - Mon
Wells, Weston 448 TE 6-4 254 2 09/14/2100 3 (25) Northern Illino
Corbett, Luis 487 TE 6-4 257 9 08/12/2095 --- Arizona
Clancy, Bruce 515 FL 6-0 188 6 09/22/2096 --- Miles
Roach, Barry 522 FL 5-9 196 7 11/27/2097 3 (22) Duke
Everhart, William 580 FL 6-2 192 6 09/18/2096 1 (32) Alabama - Birmi
Malone, Damon 582 FL 6-0 193 10 09/23/2091 1 (13) Nebraska
Carrubba, David 504 SE 5-7 187 5 09/09/2096 1 (4) Virginia
Duncan, Javier 510 SE 5-11 186 2 09/07/2103 4 (25) Colorado
Robbins, Lester 589 SE 5-11 187 8 11/29/2095 4 (18) Virginia Milita
Fitzgerald, Anthony 660 C 6-3 292 8 01/14/2095 1 (15) Notre Dame
Holsey, Branden 661 C 6-3 282 5 01/08/2098 7 (20) Syracuse
Randle, Neil 770 LG 6-4 317 8 01/07/2096 5 (14) Brigham Young
Mauriello, Morris 776 RG 6-3 314 8 10/13/2095 3 (19) West Liberty St
Lyons, Shane 873 LT 6-6 317 7 10/19/2096 1 (22) Buffalo
Rodier, Donovan 874 LT 6-5 315 3 01/19/2101 1 (28) Wake Forest
Dawson, Dashawn 877 RT 6-7 325 11 12/28/2091 1 (26) Texas
Burton, Dennis 914 P 6-5 224 2 07/10/2101 --- Florida
Wijaya, Joel 1003K 6-4 210 6 06/01/2097 5 (32) Georgia Tech
Jacobs, Timothy 1192LDE 5-10 292 6 06/04/2097 2 (32) Ashland
Ogden, Thurman 1193LDE 6-4 292 6 11/20/2098 2 (26) Nebraska
Wolfe, Riddick 1196LDE 6-3 315 8 10/30/2096 3 (15) Arizona
Gillespie, Samuel 1197LDE 6-4 308 2 11/06/2102 7 (25) Auburn
Pascal, Roderick 1290NT 6-3 316 11 03/29/2093 2 (20) Indiana
Sweeney, Aiden 1291NT 6-0 317 3 11/19/2100 3 (28) Rice
Ruddick, Paul 1340SILB 6-1 245 2 06/19/2101 1 (25) Texas
O'Neill, Ronald 1354SILB 6-2 265 8 11/16/2094 7 (15) Wake Forest
Jones, Jumbo 1357SILB 6-0 232 8 06/20/2095 2 (20) Mississippi
Antonick, A.J. 1355WILB 6-0 238 10 11/06/2092 3 (11) Mississippi
Duda, Terrance 1451SLB 5-10 238 9 07/22/2094 1 (21) Florida State
Welch, Max 1453SLB 6-1 243 6 03/20/2098 1 (20) Stanford
Sinclair, Alan 1449WLB 6-0 241 7 06/07/2096 7 (22) Southern Method
Shedd, Landon 1452WLB 6-0 238 11 11/13/2092 2 (8) East Carolina
Jasper, Francisco 1456WLB 6-3 264 2 11/07/2099 --- Minnesota
Peterson, Cesar 1523LCB 5-11 192 5 09/03/2096 --- Southern Califo
Junker, Josiah 1527LCB 5-9 182 2 08/02/2102 2 (25) Ohio State
Franz, Taylor 1520RCB 5-9 178 3 08/04/2100 --- Indiana
Rice, Clifton 1538RCB 5-10 197 7 07/28/2094 --- Texas Christian
Jeffrey, Colton 1547RCB 5-8 184 7 09/04/2095 4 (11) Florida
Reese, Miles 1642SS 6-0 209 7 09/05/2096 3 (12) North Carolina
Chiba, Tyler 1643SS 5-7 188 6 07/27/2097 --- Assumption
Scott, Tom 1630FS 5-10 183 2 09/20/2102 6 (25) Oklahoma
Sampson, Carter 1633FS 6-0 210 6 08/30/2096 --- Illinois
Trippi, Caiden 665 LS 6-3 243 4 09/20/2098 --- Illinois

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 36
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 36

Salary Cap: $724,500,000
Cap Room: $208,740,000
Maximum for New Player: $182,830,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $1,330,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $348,190,000

36 players signed, a bit more cap space than up in crabtown, let's see what we have cooking here in the capital city.

RB/FB is going to take some untangling... RB Clements has the one breakout year but bars look awful, to be honest... RB Reed looks the part (59 Brk, 77/90 HoleRec) but endurance void they say is poison... RB Wheeler got a look last year, posting just 4.06 ypc but he's got the three key ratings all pretty good (41/74/78), a +7 move in last year's preseason and overall suggests a non-fumbler. I reckon we keep two of these fellas.

At FB, I have been semi-happy with Hackney and his 72 Run Blocking and 94 special teams. If we let the new guy Rastok take the chem leadership (and that's the plan here) then he'll settle right in. Will take some money to bring Hackney back, though - we'll see if AVAILABLE nabs him away, I don't think I'll lose to a human owner.


As for contract stuff... some of that cap space will indeed be occupied by guys we really want to re-sign (or RFAs we likely re-up with before they get freed up).

We probably have cap room for one or two meaningful signings... have to look through the field and see if there's someone who comes in and looks to make an impact right away. Replacing our high dollar, non-affinity TE would be nice, but we're willing to plod him back out there to grind out his 7 ypt - compared to recent seasons, that's wayyyyyy in the black.

[QuikSand]

oops just realized i posted the wrong DC roster grab but who cares

[QuikSand]

So, FA stages 1:2-3 pass and nothing happens in the Baltimore timeline. Seriously. We didn't sign anyone, didn't lose out on anyone, nothing.

We're in the lead on 8 free agents, that's fine - maybe a click fewer then normal. (By the way, I'm still a "fewer" guy, the AP can go eat a bag of dicks)

Draft is moving along, time for me to go dig into our choices with our late-ish 1st rounder... a trade out is always in play, I just haven't really looked much.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

As for the other team...also no major movement. We signed a no-risk DB, I'll detail him later if he looks like he will stick. I hope he doesn't - it would mean other things haven't worked out the way I want them to.

Leaders on 11 pending free agents, and in the mix on two more. That's a standard offseason kickoff for my teams. We'll see. No huge offers in the mix, for what it's worth.

[QuikSand]

So my draft conundrum is this - I have a player available who looks pretty good, at a need position, and in the right triad for my team chemistry. So, no brainer, right?

Well... I'm amidst some possible shifting of chemistry. And that might render the player a neutral, rather than an affinity - at least short term. And if the free agency play (to be sorted out soon) goes my way, then my "need" at the position becomes far less acute, short term. So... is he still the best fit?

Maybe so. No trade down/out offers, and I don't really love anyone else. I have my standard "best affinity impact position player available" as my Plan B here- he's a WR who projects to me as a WR3, at best. So... what to do?

[Chas in Cinti]

I would not go with the WR... you have the 2, then the Webster investment last year... take the gamble.

Just my 2 cents,
Chas

[QuikSand]

Yup. Done.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes T T.J. Caver (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98706) with the 1.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>49<->77</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blocking Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>10<->37</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>50<->78</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>79</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>328</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.1</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.7</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.08</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>46</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.34</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>104</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>-</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>46</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


that look is basically the same as mine - max protect LT with meh run blocking


he's a 3-4 chem guy, and we might be switching our lead to a 3-4 guy, but I think this makes sense to stick with him...

[QuikSand]

..speaking of my "I guess I could take him" receiver... oh, he just gets grabbed by...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet1.png

Atlanta (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=1): Ben E Lou takes WR Marlon Stevenson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98515) with the 1.26 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->69</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->62</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>48<->75</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>12<->39</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->68</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams
</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>30<->58</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#cf1534"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>71</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>187</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.6</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.8</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.40</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>24</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>11</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.08</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>105</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>47</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>48</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


oh.

[QuikSand]

And from the DC BUREAU...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes OLB Manuel Brew (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98938) with the 1.29 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>68<->95</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Technique</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>64<->91</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>70<->97</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>27<->53</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>59<->85</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>37<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>29<->56</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>55<->81</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>74</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>248</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.88</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>40</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>25</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.22</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>118</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>37</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>61</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


If we can overlook the lack of pass rushing (and i most definitely can) he looks pretty complete. I am persuaded (in part, i think, buoyed by Ben's comments in a recent VideoChat) that having a dedicated coverage-strong LB to play MLB in pass situations is important, and I'm hopeful this will be that guy. Don't love taking LB in round one two straight years, but the silver lining argument is basically that I do want to be drafting late enough in round one that all the "key position" guys are basically exhausted and BPA types come more reasonably into play. So, there's that, I guess.



Anyhow, for now a boring linebacker. Maybe one day he'll be a 12 pass defenses guy, but for now, just a piece in the background puzzle of tryna build up a good overall roster. (It's not far from my mind that I am paying big money to two veteran non-affinity LBs here, so drafting teo good fit guys who can maybe turn into Thing 1 and Thing 2 would be a way out of that)

[Chas in Cinti]

I like the look of that LB... is his ST good enough that he'll be helping there as well, or is DC a ST crazy strength as well?

[QuikSand]

He should play special teams in DC, yes. I think our threshold there is roughly 60, and I'm hopeful he'll be higher than that. I think Endurance is his most important rating, just as a limit on how much we can play him, I'm hoping it's 42 rather than 24.

[BishopMVP]

BTW, a key run block works like this in FOF:

-each designed run play has one blocker selected as the key blocker
-that selected blocker will be credited with one key run block opporutnity in-game
-the play gets run, presumably with that guy having extra influence in blocking dice rolls
-if the play is deemed a success, the key blocker is awarded a successful key run block

The determination of "success" seems to be based on some formula from Football Outsiders... I cannot recall it directly, but it's close to this:

On 1st down, get 5 yards
On 2nd down, get half (or maybe 40% of?) the distance for a 1st down
On 3rd/4th down, get the 1st down
The FO success formula is 40% of available yardage on 1st down, 60% on 2nd & the 100% on 3rd.

[QuikSand]

Many thanks, I suspected my details were off. Appreciate the fill-in.

[QuikSand]

...FWIW, I seem to recall testing this way back when, and I have a vague recollection that Jim's FOF success metric for a 1st down run was pinned to a number of yards, rather than a percentage of the distance to go. Like, it needed to get 4 yards (40% of 10) even if it was 1st and 20 due to a penalty or something. Can't swear to that, but there's a grain of salt.

[QuikSand]

Ravens update still boring AF. We pursued but lost out on a lineman.

We have a chem problem among our D7 - we are built around an 11-12 leader, the rest of the group is split fairly evenly between 7-8 and 8-9 guys, so no easy transition within. And now our 11-12 leader has been eclipsed so it looks like I will have to cut a decent starter (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94628) to keep the chem intact. No free agent out there solves my problem.

I probably need to put a "lean" into my D7 players now, anticipating that before too long I'll need to go with a 7-8 or 8-9 leader. Just no good 11-12 guys on the horizon.

[QuikSand]

Ravens draft update, round two:

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes ILB Wayne Lang (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98878) with the 2.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>56<->83</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Technique</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>36<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Strength
</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>36<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense
</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>22<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>49<->77</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>42<->70</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->62</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance
</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>64<->92</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams
</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>59<->87</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>74</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>247</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.85</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.34</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>113</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>36</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>35</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Scouts liked him as VU, so I moved in, reaching a bit. Looks like a jack of all trades, and about as dumb as a bag of hammers. Count me in.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


So, we re-signed our TE chem leader, nothing shocking but glad it wasn't difficult. He's unhappy but not angry, in FOF that makes all the difference.


And that's it. That's the udpate.


Oh, a draft pick in late round two... for some reason I am optimistic about this draft (for both teams) - knowing somewhere in the back of my mind that rarely ends well.


Anyway...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes OLB Andrew Kinney (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98955) with the 2.29 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->58</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Technique</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>5<->32</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>58<->84</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>25<->52</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>47<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>58<->84</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>24<->51</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>61<->87</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->99</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>73</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>252</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.1</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.46</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>37</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>17</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.28</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>115</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>24</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>46</center></td></tr></tbody></table>



Our roster is awfully thin on actual dedicated pass rushers. DT Pascal played some DE last year and racked up 11 sacks, LB Welch played DE nearly full time and was great, and LB Sinclair is one of those one-trick-pony types, I'm not sure I want to trot him out there in more than the most obvious pass situations. (And Sinclair has a chem problem looming, he might be a force-cut due to his upside down #weakleader chemistry profile) Thus, we invest here in a guy who... well, might turn out to be a young Sinclair, hopefully a little more useful than that. And he's from Syracuse, so a homer pick.

[QuikSand]

Ravens sign a rotation-worthy RB, he'll fit into the mix for this year, I think - has a good bar profile.

Our pursuit of game-changer OL free agents now seems to be behind us, without bearing fruit. With our first round OT in the fold, we should be okay short term - and I have a few more depth guys in the draft queue, though I don't think I can help myself with upcoming round four pick from taking a weird player at a non-need position...

[QuikSand]

So, why draft this guy? We don't really need a WR. He has apparently rotten ratings. And the void at Route Running, the uber-rating for WR now in my book, appears to be a void.

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes WR Tracy Tatum (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98543) with the 4.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>42<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->69</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>21<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>19<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>15<->43</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>200</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.45</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>25</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>128</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>68</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
Well, I see a guy who blew out the combines. Kept coming up atop my searches and lists. Have been watching him since round two. No clue what good he might be. Have a fantasy that he's just a scrappy, hard-working, tough-as-nails football player who will do whatever it takes to be our WR4 forever. (i.e. a white guy that the commentator likes)

We'll see.

[tzach]

So, why draft this guy? We don't really need a WR. He has apparently rotten ratings. And the void at Route Running, the uber-rating for WR now in my book, appears to be a void.

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes WR Tracy Tatum (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98543) with the 4.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>42<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->69</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>21<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>19<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>15<->43</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>200</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.45</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>25</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>128</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>68</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
Well, I see a guy who blew out the combines. Kept coming up atop my searches and lists. Have been watching him since round two. No clue what good he might be. Have a fantasy that he's just a scrappy, hard-working, tough-as-nails football player who will do whatever it takes to be our WR4 forever. (i.e. a white guy that the commentator likes)

We'll see.


intriguing guy. if that 0 is not a 0 he's got a chance to climb to 50. i'll probably interview him for future reference

[QuikSand]

I am 100% down to waste a 4th round pick on a guy who registers as "intriguing" by big hitters. Even if he completely fails, it's interesting, and that is supposed to be a goal here.

[tzach]

fwiw he was on my list right after the RB Ben took at 4.27. with both gone i had to get a....punter


at the very least the wr looks good as KR/PR/ST, 128 is not bad for BrJ

[QuikSand]

he's gritty

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

we signed a RB, in the mix

life intervenes, not sure when i'll get a real update

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

We missed out on S Chiba, let AVAILABLE outbid us, a classic no-no. Thought I had loaded up enough bonus to beat him, alas.

Still have work to do here and there.


My day got in the way of FOF today... so I let the drafting continue from my lists, no clue who we got for either team. I'll post stuff if anyone seems worthwhile. Meh.

[QuikSand]

Another loaded day here. Tired and tipsy.

BAL - nothing exciting

WAS - had to go fat 1yr deal to re-sign FB Hackney but did; re-up S Reese and some moves to help DB group; signed WR/PR Snyder (89 PR)

meh

[QuikSand]

Okay, early free agency in the books, and drafted players are peekable...

Baltimore crowned as the 32nd best draft, that's really great. Conceptually, I felt okay keeping my picks, we'll see if that turned out to be the usual mistake...

<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>32</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(25) RT T.J. Caver (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98706) 31/62
2(25) MLB Wayne Lang (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98878) 24/50
5(25) RT Ricky Garcia (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98693) 19/43
7(25) RDE Giovanni Truong (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98775) 17/41
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(25) RT T.J. Caver (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98706) 31/62
2(25) MLB Wayne Lang (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98878) 24/50
5(25) RT Ricky Garcia (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98693) 19/43
7(25) RDE Giovanni Truong (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98775) 17/41
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>50.9</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

...so, that's the BenBot assessment. Worthy of consideration.


For us, here's what I see on sneak peek:


6th round combine skipper QB Archie Bridges looks, to me, like a true find. Interesting bar profile. He doesn't even rate above, and that's worrisome, but he could be a viable run-around starter if what I see were legit. Must be an absolute pick machine.


WR Tatum looks okay, the RR is a true void so that's a ceiling, but he does look like a guy who might stick around and get some targets for a long time, if his personality merits it. He'd need to bump that RR off zero to be better than a WR4, though, and in a zero-injury league, little value there - even if he pops +10 from these ratings.


T TJ Caver looks as advertised, not an all-around stud, but an elite pass protector. I'm okay with that if he holds. Not maxed-out, though, but 44/98 should develop well enough. I'm okay with what I see now, even for a late first round pick.


T Garcia is pocket lint, correctly excluded from the "list of players" used for the analysis. 5th round pick dissolved.


DE Truong is an end-of-roster candidate, I actually prefer my DL to be 10/90 or 90/10 than 50/50, he projects to something like that last slot. Meh.


LB Wayne Lang looks like what I expected - solid but unspectacular at nearly everything, a void in play diagnosis. My scout said VU, and if that translates to a bump in preseason, this guy likely becomes an inside LB for us forever. Satisfied, even though he was a mild reach.




Nothing startling here... the most interesting angle is that the BenBot didn't even register my QB as a functioning human, while my scouts see him as pretty legit. Learning opportunity, I'll be prepared for bad news.

[QuikSand]

Hrm, in clearing the chemistry path for our D7 group, I'd need to cut both DT Crawford and LB Thomas to get our chem anchor guy (DT Middleton) to reclaim the group lead. That sucks, I knew about part one, not part two.


...


drat

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Okay, a few free agent moves in the late stages - re-signed LB O'Neill and DE Wolfe, grabbed an OL chem factor (details TBA), and another would-be backup QB.


As for the rookie draft, BenBot is slightly kinder than with BAL, but really only mildly so...


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>24</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(29) SLB Manuel Brew (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98938) 38/59
2(29) SLB Andrew Kinney (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98955) 26/50
3(29) RDT Julio Ackerman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98845) 27/51
5(29) RDT Erik Amari (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98824) 19/55
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(29) SLB Manuel Brew (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98938) 38/59
2(29) SLB Andrew Kinney (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98955) 26/50
3(29) RDT Julio Ackerman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98845) 27/51
5(29) RDT Erik Amari (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98824) 19/55
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>58.6</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


What I see with my scout's peeking is:


LB Brew looks as expected - should be a solid ILB from the get-go, with strong coverage skills and hopefully enough endurance to really be a 3-down guy, but at the least he's a solid asset


LB Kinney was grabbed as a pass rusher, I suspect he will be fine there, but might end up as a tweener slotted at OLB and playing there some, too. 37/82 PRTech is good but not great. End & ST strong. Real asset.


DT Ackerman is a single-skill guy, but looks like what I need there - adequate run-stopping NT. PH and PRStr say maybe he'll creep, that would of course be welcome. Okay with this as a 3rd rounder.


OT Poston looks like a T3 type of guy, in a normal league with injuries that's a fairly important position, here not so much. Unlikely to really break into a lineup for us. Meh.


DL Amari is a two-bar guy, right at the top: RD 13/62, PRTech 22/90. Hoping he develops like Espinosa (gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97129) from my Ravens, he has a very similar initial bar profile. Jury's out, need to see preseaon movement I think.


G Gunther looks like a longshot to make the team


S Cassell has a little bit to like, but getting starts seems hard, bubble at best




Not awful, but like BAL, no barn-burners.

[tzach]

WR Tatum looks okay, the RR is a true void so that's a ceiling, but he does look like a guy who might stick around and get some targets for a long time, if his personality merits it. He'd need to bump that RR off zero to be better than a WR4, though, and in a zero-injury league, little value there - even if he pops +10 from these ratings.


yep, he also looks like RR=0 to me. i think he'll pop, but he's certainly a package player that needs dedicated plays

[QuikSand]

Chem dilemma in DC, with our DB group. Leader retired, no good options out there to replace him in his same sign, so I'm more or less resigned to switching to either a 7-8 or 8-9 leader. Both candidates are on the roster, but one needs a weight change and position switch, but I won't know until pre-camp (Monday's stage) whether it has a shot to work. If it does, he should be a really good 7-8 group leader for a long time. If not, then... he gets cut and we likely stick with S Reese (8-9 group, 82 Ldr, 91 Pers), who is not Grade A but is a solid B and talented enough to not be a roster drag.


With that said... approaching DB free agents is tough, as I think it's close to 50/50 whether we'll want 7-8 guys or 8-9 guys. Ugh.

[QuikSand]

yep, he also looks like RR=0 to me. i think he'll pop, but he's certainly a package player that needs dedicated plays

i have plenty of weak sauce teams out there, past and present, where a "package player that needs dedicated plays" is a viable thing (for lack of real opportunity cost) but this team, right now... bad fit for him

[QuikSand]

Chem dilemma in DC, with our DB group. Leader retired, no good options out there to replace him in his same sign, so I'm more or less resigned to switching to either a 7-8 or 8-9 leader. Both candidates are on the roster, but one needs a weight change and position switch, but I won't know until pre-camp (Monday's stage) whether it has a shot to work.

Fun twist... I opened up FOF this morning with a sense "I don't recall clicking to make that one guy on my DC team lose weight... oh dammit I fucked it up AGAIN..." - only to now realize that the league didn't do camp today, just the late free agency stage. I need to make him lose weight in today's stage. Hope writing this makes me remember...

[QuikSand]

Ravens late free agency, some moves as always:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Roosevelt Carpenter (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96139)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LT T.J. Caver (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98706)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Changed position from RT to T</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>NT Kim Douglas (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92953)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 3yrs, $14,130,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RDE Broderick Bruce (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97934)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City: 2yrs, $8,020,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LS Brad McNeil (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98561)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LS Marquis Bush (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98562)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $3,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>MLB Alonzo DiGiacomo (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98906)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,460,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LDT Elias Dritlein (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91299)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City: 2yrs, $9,970,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Bo Wilhite (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96642)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $6,670,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LS Evan Downs (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98575)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,030,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Micah Coulter (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98623)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 1yrs, $3,400,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LCB Quentin Atkins (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98992)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,030,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SE Rodolfo Hanley (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95165)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Alexander Huffman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95960)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SILB John Duran (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96370)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $10,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LS Jordan Henson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98453)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LT Mitch Boldin (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98683)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,030,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LDE Jermaine Covey (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98808)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,460,000.</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Cutting G Carpenter was necessary evil - that poisonous mix of high leadership and low personality, not resolvable for him. Not sure what was the best thing to do, just cut him right away, or play him for three years and then do so. Alas, he gone, and our OL chem is now a glittering prize. (T Douglas as leader, 3x Exceptional, everyone clicking save the rookie Boldin as a potential)

Quick perusal through the remainder... we needed a long snapper, we signed four, natch... LB DiGiacomo has a promising bar profile... same for CB Atkins... QB Wilhite is yet another possible QB2 on a team with no need for one (much less four)...WR Hanley is back for $6m after I said it wouldn't happen...I exposed TE Huffman but got him back also for way less than his RFA request...LB Duran is the most immediate impact guy here, solid LB w standout ST skills and great chem

Cutdown starts with three long snappers, heh.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Basically the same routine down here...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Ruben Reed (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96702)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Ted Norris (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98445)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,030,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>P Miles Kimsey (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98722)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $8,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LCB Garrett Figures (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99037)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $4,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Morris Mauriello (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92734)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WLB Desmond Villasenor (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96442)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 3yrs, $18,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Rondell Boyer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97289)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $6,670,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SLB Tito Bray (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98098)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Carolina: 2yrs, $5,920,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>P Antonio Roberts (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98733)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $13,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Taylor Franz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97310)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Renaldo Wheeler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97489)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 1yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Demetrius Joseph (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98187)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City: 1yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Corbin Coates (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98381)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $6,000,000.</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

So, I made a major mistake and left CB Franz to try free agency - fortunately we got him back with $9m/yr but that was more than the RFA deal required, dumbass oversight here... we also let RB Wheeler walk, and he got grabbed up by Atlanta (bad sign)... we'll have open tryouts for RB2 job now, but Wheeler should be that guy if I had just remembered to post up his requested RFA deal...nothing else exciting here I don't think

Big news - can 7th year LB Luke Arndt lose weight, in hopes of a conversion ft safety and a long future as our DB chemistry anchor? Drum roll... yes! Well, yes so far. He has gotten his instructions to trim down, we'll see if he makes it from 238 to whatever the convert-to-S threshold is. If so, he'll be a 94/99 guy from the 7-8 group that we can comfortably build around for a while. If not, he's a cut. Pretty simple, actually.

We're right at the 70-man limit (careful planning) so have some real pruning to do here for preseason.

[QuikSand]

Ravens cutdown to 60 not very interesting, I don't think.

5QB should drop to at most 3... we just signed out starter for 5 more years, so we mainly just want chem, right? Gilliland clicked in w 87, Justin w 93. Rookie Bridges not yet with 84 and still-intriguing bars, and veteran Wilhite with 95 and no starts. A mess.

FB Hillhouse is locked in, FB Bryant is locked in as the chem gimp. So, of our 4 RBs, what 2-3 make the final roster? Allegretti is getting paid to do it all, and likely will again. RB2, then? Special teamer" Grooming to start after Allegretti? 4th year guy Slaten looks like the best fit - strong chem, has his starts, and good enough bars to play here and there.

Coupla long snappers, yeah... not interesting. Cuts to 53 may be.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

As I open the game, the big question is on the position switch LB-to-S to anchor our DB chemistry. Did our ultra-vegan cayenne-cleanse program work its magic enough to pull it all together...?

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Okay, then. He's set as our 7-8 group leader for the foreseeable future. Great.

We have, no joke, 14 guys on our roster in the secondary. I want to carry... idano... maybe 9? Where do we go with this?

Front Office Football Eight
D.C. United Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Junker, Josiah 1527LCB 2 45 55 3 yrs.
Peterson, Cesar 1523LCB 5 41 41 1 yr.
Figures, Garrett 1529LCB 1 28 41 1 yr.
Franz, Taylor 1520RCB 3 52 52 4 yrs.
Nodin, Cris 1535RCB 5 42 42 3 yrs.
Jeffrey, Colton 1547RCB 7 38 38 2 yrs.
Boyer, Rondell 1546RCB 3 34 37 2 yrs.
Reese, Miles 1642SS 7 50 50 2 yrs.
Rodgers, Jared 1624FS 9 47 47 2 yrs.
Sampson, Carter 1633FS 6 42 42 1 yr.
Scott, Tom 1630FS 2 36 48 3 yrs.
Arndt, Luke 1638FS 7 34 34 2 yrs.
##Brittain, A.J. 1645FS 3 25 40 2 yrs.
Cassell, Austin 1636FS 1 16 35 4 yrs.
Trippi, Caiden 665 LS 4 21 21 2 yrs.

Well, step by step, who's in now?

FS Arndt is the chem anchor, he has to stay. Ratings will drop, he's likely inactive forever now.

Who is too capable to cut? CB Junker (7-8 no chem), CB Franz (7-8 no chem), CB Jeffrey (8-9 48P), SS Reese (8-9 91 P), S Scott (8-9 31P). So, that's 6 guys who have to make it.

What is the case for each guy after that?

CB Peterson: ST, End, 51P, can play anywhere, bump 62
CB Figures: rookie could pop, ST 70/82
CB Nodin: Bump 86, Int 73, 96P, signed 3y, usable as CB2
CB Boyer: no voids, 92P, but needs starts
S Rodgers: Bump 67, Zone 37, no voids, End, 82P
S Sampson: 4y cohesion, Zone 77, Bump 70, 07P tho
S Brittain: cheap, has starts, 94P
S Cassell: Zone 24/74, PH 51, could pop?

Okay, I will keep the two rookies around, but UDFA Figures has the better shot of making the 53. Boyer and Sampson (!) get cut. Brittain stays for now, he could be Mr. 53 or Mr. 54, depending on my options for end-of-bench chem guys...I like cheap, strong, and re-signable for that job in this league.

[QuikSand]

...then I realize that DC was only at 60 players, no need to cut anyone for preseason. All for naught, but that's my thinking.

[QuikSand]

Busy day here. Nothing super-exciting to report.

LB Gardner's holdout costs him his job. Enjoy minsal, pal. We'll carry only 5 LB into this season - zero injuries but still dicey.

Starting rookies at both tackle positions. Just not pleased with the sack-a-game from our run-first RT, the guy I decided to commit to years ago. He'll sit and chem.

The pair of titanic receivers are in season 7. Doesn't feel right. We're likely a playoff team, I think, but the likelihood of them retiring ringless is looming really large now. Just not putting the shoulder into this that it takes, perhaps. Or the collective cumulative effect of the draft-solvers and gameplan-solvers lapping me... that could be it, also.

Prediction: Ravens go 11-5, #5 seed

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

So, cutdown day for the United/WFT...whatevs. RB2 was one to watch...undrafted rookie Coates bumped mightily in camp and he'll get his hundred touches or so. I had him in my to-be-drafted queue but didn't like his bar profile - I still don't but a +10 preseason move is enough to give him a look this year.

WR Damon Malone - looks like Father Time finally caught up in coverage. 40/40 now. There's, like, no way we could still feature him... right? Right? (Okay, I split things up pretty fairly, but Malone still in the featured slot role in 11 formation, which will bring him a lot of looks)

Okay, some veteran cuts here, too.

Hard to say how much having a really productive WR1 has been underneath it all here. He's a 40/40 now and should get 110-130 targets instead of his steady diet of 180-200. We have capable players to fill in, and the roster overall looks... pretty good.

Prediction: 11-5, #3 seed

[QuikSand]

BTW, the league scout is very fond of one of my Ravens' undrafted rookie pickups:

http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98992

Interesting...

[QuikSand]

...we'll label him a territorial draft pick. He's from right down the road of here.

[QuikSand]

Ravens Reclaim Division, #1 Seed With 12-4 Season

I wanted to predict this would happen... glad it did.

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2125 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)

Quick reacts:

QB Lyle...wow... would have guessed 42/18 was beyond him, yay
Passing attack of 7.54 ypa is league best - gotta be happy with that
Targets got really consolidated (more than expected) but ok...
#11 PVC posted career best 1544/11 on 174 targets, yes pls
TE Gilbertson target hog for 6.54 ypt... mmm ok i guess
Running game pretty meh, no shock given the OL we started
We don't win with the running game, though... Slaten 2.49 ypc lol

Defensively, PR% was 4th overall, so we got what we wanted there
Baump and Espinosa led the way, Turnbull 35 pressures but 6 sacks
PD% was, again, just not good enough - 52.1% for 24th, yucko
We held opponents to mere 5.52 ypa, I'm having trouble squaring that
So, overall pass rush and keep-it-short played out okay for Pass D
Hardly any interceptions - that's the missing piece there, okay then

Anyway, a legit elite pass-first, okay-at-the-rest team, as it should be

Very pleased, overall.

[QuikSand]

DC Team Wins Division at 11-5, Hosts Dallas in Playoff Opener

Exactly as projected... good enough to take the division again, not good enough to really figure into the top tier, as we would have preferred.

GML: Washington Football Team 2125 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)

So, my quick takeaways:

QB Clancy remains a high end, but not top tier, performer - no shock
His 6.84 ypa is okay, 34/19 is fine, overall rating 86.6 is fine
WR Malone still our top guy, and 8.55 ypt says that was okay, at least
Carrubba and Roach behind him were both lesser performers
We barely even tried to run the ball, 20-79 average per game, meh
Offense, overall, basically replacement level, or a click better, that's it

On D, pressure was top-ten, teamwide 22.4 PR% okay not great
LB Welch (slotted at DE) and DT Pascal led the way with 12, 10 sacks
Nobody else behind them really added much, Sinclair 7 sacks on 14 tackles
Overall good against the run, mediocre against the pass (not thrilled)
One day we'll outgrow non-chem LBs Duda and Welch, but not soon
Rotation at DB seemed okay, Junker Reese Franz came out w/top grades

Overall, this is a "pretty good" team - probably has been all along, but papered over by having a really good QB/WR1 battery overpowered in its effect. Run this season 100 times, and we'd get a few byes, a few miss-the-playoffs, but a lot of 9-11 win seasons, I think. "Pretty good"

First time in a while I'm comfortable saying the Baltimore team is the better of the two. More coherence there right now, having two stud receivers can do that, even if you don't max them out.

[QuikSand]

Fun tidbit from DC...


<table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4" border="1"><tbody><tr><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td>FL Jalen Snyder (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96051) (WAS) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</td><td><center>2,058.8</center></td><td>52-1195-3TD pr. 0-0-0TD kr, 0 spec tm tkl.</td></tr><tr><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet4.png</center></td><td>P Joshua Michels (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96227) (CAR) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=4)</td><td><center>1,407.2</center></td><td>123 pnt, 6156 yds, 50.0 avg, 61in20.</td></tr><tr><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet26.png</center></td><td>FL Victor Winters (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97635) (STL) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=26)</td><td><center>1,395.0</center></td><td>43-628-3TD pr. 0-0-0TD kr, 0 spec tm tkl.</td></tr><tr><td><center>4</center></td><td><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet13.png</center></td><td>RB Daryl Chandler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93300) (KCY) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=13)</td><td><center>1,391.3</center></td><td>36-435-3TD pr. 0-0-0TD kr, 27 spec tm tkl.</td></tr><tr><td><center>5</center></td><td><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet10.png</center></td><td>RB Sammy Torres (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98330) (GBY) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=10)</td><td><center>1,357.5</center></td><td>44-822-2TD pr. 0-0-0TD kr, 0 spec tm tkl.</td></tr></tbody></table><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4" border="1"><tbody><tr><td colspan="9" bgcolor="#0D244D">SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[tzach]

QB Lyle...wow... would have guessed 42/18 was beyond him, yay
Passing attack of 7.54 ypa is league best - gotta be happy with that
Targets got really consolidated (more than expected) but ok...



i probably should have kept him

[QuikSand]

i probably should have kept him

prolly

[QuikSand]

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="2" bgcolor="#0D244D"><tbody><tr><td><center>GML POSTSEASON RECAP</center></td></tr></tbody></table><center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="3"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>GAME RESULTS</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220125.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>14-23 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220125.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125220125.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220331.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet3.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Buffalo Bills (hexagon) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=3)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>0-26 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220331.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Houston Texans (MattC) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=31)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet31.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125220331.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220729.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet7.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Dallas Cowboys (FlexD) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=7)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>21-30 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125220729.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125220729.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125221216.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet12.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Jacksonville Jaguars (finkellll) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=12)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>16-13 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125221216.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125221216.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125233123.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet31.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Houston Texans (MattC) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=31)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>29-21 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125233123.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Diego Chargers (Jops) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=23)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet23.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125233123.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125231202.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet12.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Jacksonville Jaguars (finkellll) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=12)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>7-29 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125231202.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125231202.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125232510.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>28-13 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125232510.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Green Bay Packers (sawblade300) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=10)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet10.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125232510.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125232917.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>17-10 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125232917.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>New Orleans Saints (AVAILABLE) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=17)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet17.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125232917.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125243102.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet31.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Houston Texans (MattC) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=31)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>7-16 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125243102.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125243102.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125242529.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>12-9 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125242529.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125242529.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr></tbody></table>

<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="5"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>The GM Challenge Bowl Result</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Front Office Bowl</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125250225.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>17-23 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2125250225.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2125250225.html)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


</center></center>

[QuikSand]

Really hard to complain about my two teams earning draft picks 30 and 31.


That said... earning the first-ever QuikSand/KickStand bowl game would have been awfully sweet.


Very good season, falling just short of great in back to back weeks.

[QuikSand]

LOL my backup QB Archie Bridges (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98267) is as dumb as a bag of hammers but he is my guy

[Chas in Cinti]

Nice season!

[QuikSand]

Yeah, we'll put it down as a "what could have been"

[QuikSand]

Ravens 2126 Offseason

Okay, so we won't sneak up on anyone now. We're legit, we hope.

Retirement losses unsurprising: CB Bernardino (CB2 and group leader) will be felt, but we had a plan for this in place... and RT Sheldon we had soured on (and semi-replaced) anyhow, we'll be okay without all those sacks allowed.

Roster reset:


Front Office Football Eight
Baltimore Ravens Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Lyle, Austin 109 QB 7 45 45 4 yrs.
Justin, Evan 114 QB 9 24 24 1 yr.
Bridges, Archie 106 QB 2 17 29 3 yrs.
Gilliland, Marco 105 QB 3 12 27 ---
Allegretti, Jeffrey 233 RB 7 55 55 1 yr.
Joyner, Donnie 223 RB 7 46 46 ---
Slaten, Zach 229 RB 5 43 43 1 yr.
Hillhouse, Kristopher 349 FB 8 58 58 2 yrs.
Bryant, Nate 346 FB 7 14 14 1 yr.
Gilbertson, Johnnie 440 TE 4 46 46 1 yr.
Hartman, Marcus 484 TE 6 37 37 1 yr.
Huffman, Alexander 481 TE 5 37 37 2 yrs.
VanCaeyzeele, Parker 511 FL 8 66 66 1 yr.
Webster, Christopher 512 FL 3 52 55 2 yrs.
McCormick, Phil 583 FL 4 32 36 1 yr.
Olman, J.J. 516 FL 4 27 38 ---
Tatum, Tracy 517 FL 2 25 40 3 yrs.
Behne, Warren 518 SE 8 82 82 1 yr.
Collins, William 580 SE 8 34 34 ---
Dupont, Ivan 582 SE 3 32 38 2 yrs.
Hanley, Rodolfo 586 SE 6 24 27 ---
Cook, Shaun 663 C 8 54 54 ---
Emmons, Blaine 762 LG 4 85 85 1 yr.
Gaines, Josh 775 LG 11 75 75 1 yr.
Reeg, Logan 765 RG 6 17 17 ---
Caver, T.J. 861 LT 2 45 57 3 yrs.
Douglas, Kim 864 LT 9 7 7 1 yr.
Garcia, Ricky 860 RT 2 32 43 3 yrs.
Moore, Reggie 902 P 7 84 84 4 yrs.
Thomas, Mario 1003K 12 85 85 ---
Turnbull, Kevin 1191LDE 8 50 50 2 yrs.
Espinosa, Joey 1193LDE 4 47 47 1 yr.
Baump, Jackson 1198RDE 6 66 66 2 yrs.
Bruce, Broderick 1194RDE 3 39 41 1 yr.
Wilson, Derek 1292NT 9 47 47 1 yr.
Truong, Giovanni 1290NT 2 28 40 3 yrs.
Middleton, Tucker 1297NT 11 22 22 2 yrs.
Crawford, Tyler 1354WILB 9 48 48 1 yr.
Schenk, Rich 1356WILB 10 44 44 ---
Sorota, Tyrus 1415SLB 11 52 52 ---
Duran, John 1459WLB 5 39 39 1 yr.
Lang, Wayne 1458WLB 2 38 49 3 yrs.
Boyd, Ernest 1526LCB 7 62 62 2 yrs.
Kindred, Matt 1532LCB 6 43 43 2 yrs.
Atkins, Quentin 1537LCB 2 43 48 1 yr.
Logan, Bennett 1534RCB 8 47 47 1 yr.
Wiggins, Les 1542RCB 10 36 36 1 yr.
Stone, Ken 1645SS 4 48 48 ---
O'Neal, Dylan 1630FS 3 42 42 2 yrs.
Spangler, Doug 1627FS 4 38 38 1 yr.
Henson, Jordan 469 LS 2 20 20 1 yr.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 40
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 40

Salary Cap: $729,500,000
Cap Room: $168,410,000
Maximum for New Player: $142,690,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $1,160,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $289,350,000

So... quick summary is: not much cap space to play with (receivers need renegs this year), not a ton of urgent "needs," as things ought to be for a team that is already where we want to be, mostly.

Will do the usual routine here, but I doubt I'll have a lot to document, really.

[QuikSand]

...it does strike me that this last season was the first time I have ever carried 4x QBs for chemistry. Is it possible that had something material to do with Lyle's performance spike? Seems unlikely, but... not completely far-fetched.

[QuikSand]

Front Office Football Eight
Team Statistics - Kick Returns

Team PR Avg KR Avg OppPR Avg OppKR Avg
D.C. Uni52 23.0 34 29.0 40 8.6 56 23.8
Minnesot28 21.0 37 26.0 28 7.5 46 25.7
Green Ba44 18.7 23 28.8 42 8.5 23 21.8
Houston 50 17.0 32 29.5 43 7.7 21 20.2
New Engl48 16.0 29 24.9 37 8.4 38 19.6
Dallas C33 15.1 35 30.5 31 13.0 41 21.9
St. Loui43 14.6 42 27.0 33 10.9 43 28.3
Baltimor44 14.5 33 30.0 35 5.6 30 21.7
Atlanta 35 14.0 30 24.5 33 10.0 47 22.6
Kansas C36 12.1 39 24.0 40 16.6 55 27.1
Arizona 33 11.3 40 24.4 36 13.5 34 21.9
Denver B55 11.1 44 27.6 45 10.6 28 21.4
Pittsbur45 10.9 38 25.3 52 9.6 32 28.2
Indianap38 10.7 37 20.4 33 12.0 37 24.6
Miami Do61 10.5 41 24.8 64 6.9 18 24.1
Chicago 40 10.4 46 29.1 43 14.4 48 26.6
New Orle47 9.0 35 22.4 57 11.0 20 22.4
Clevelan39 8.8 30 22.4 42 12.5 40 25.3
San Fran49 8.7 39 29.2 39 10.0 36 25.2
Anaheim 34 8.6 42 19.4 49 11.3 40 24.3
Seattle 35 8.5 31 25.8 54 12.3 38 27.6
Cincinna54 8.5 32 24.8 35 10.0 35 26.3
New York45 8.4 43 21.0 48 12.6 31 27.3
Oakland 45 8.4 34 20.2 48 12.1 30 24.5
New York47 8.4 36 19.1 51 11.5 43 22.7
Tampa Ba50 7.4 33 26.7 45 10.2 32 24.2
Buffalo 64 6.7 39 22.2 56 8.1 29 21.8
Detroit 44 6.6 37 22.0 44 10.3 22 27.4
Jacksonv37 6.4 42 19.9 46 14.1 62 26.0
Philadel35 5.0 43 26.3 44 16.1 52 27.8
San Dieg36 4.5 46 22.0 42 11.5 38 22.4
Carolina51 3.9 28 21.6 62 9.6 25 27.1
$$League1397 10.8 1170 24.6 1397 10.8 1170 24.6

PR - Punts Returned, Avg - Yards per Punt Return, KR - Kickoffs Returned,
Avg - Yards per Kick Return, OppPR - Punts Returned by Opponents,
Avg - Yards per Punt Return, KR - Kickoffs Returned by Opponents,
Avg - Yards per Kick Return.

Trying this to save time, vs my usual curated analysis.

Baltimore was very good across the range.
Washington/DC was great in punt returns, and above average elsewhere.

[QuikSand]

...this is going to be a rather tight budget year, that much is clear already. not sure whether that means I need to "get a lot from our rookie class" or "get the F out of the rookie class" but we're gonna be pinched. WR Behne is asking for a Brinks truck, oddly enough, after the years our two wideouts had, respectively, that's amusing. (Might reflect on my usage choices, as well)

Anyway, that $140m in cap space is mostly spoken for, I'll just say that much right now. K Thomas picked the wrong year to be sitting out there as a $20m free agent, I fear. LB Sorota... doubly so, for his $30m request.

Okay, LB is going to be tricky. Crawford (9th, 48/48) is good enough and has endurance to take a full time load. He won't extend cheaply, but we have him for this year - he's fine. Duran (5th, 39/39) a lesser player but mainly the same, a decent OLB starter. Lang (2nd, 38/49) is ready for a larger role and could play anywhere. These three are the only guys we have signed, and the other two from last year's roster both want to get paid more than I expect to be able to handle. Could get rather tricky, will be on the lookout for a cheap guy via FA or trade.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

G Morris Mauriello is out only retirement, not a shock but I had been hoping he'd stay, as he'd be part of a good (chem) turn coming at OL maybe next season. Alas, not a major loss.

Roster reset:

Front Office Football Eight
D.C. United Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Clancy, Rondell 109 QB 12 60 60 1 yr.
Matlosz, Winston 102 QB 3 18 37 2 yrs.
McInerney, Albert 234 RB 6 52 52 1 yr.
Coates, Corbin 237 RB 2 41 45 ---
Reed, Ruben 226 RB 4 34 35 ---
Hackney, Brandon 344 FB 9 33 33 ---
Rastok, Caiden 339 FB 6 26 31 1 yr.
Wells, Weston 448 TE 3 47 47 2 yrs.
Dawkins, Neil 441 TE 8 43 43 2 yrs.
Corbett, Luis 487 TE 10 19 19 1 yr.
Roach, Barry 522 FL 8 51 51 ---
Everhart, William 580 FL 7 45 45 ---
Snyder, Jalen 519 FL 5 44 44 1 yr.
Malone, Damon 582 FL 11 43 43 ---
Carrubba, David 504 SE 6 60 60 3 yrs.
Robbins, Lester 589 SE 9 19 19 2 yrs.
Fitzgerald, Anthony 660 C 9 75 75 3 yrs.
Holsey, Branden 661 C 6 40 40 ---
Randle, Neil 770 LG 9 51 51 1 yr.
Lyons, Shane 873 LT 8 73 73 1 yr.
Rodier, Donovan 874 LT 4 59 63 1 yr.
Walsh, Leo 867 LT 6 19 19 1 yr.
Poston, Marlon 878 RT 2 31 40 3 yrs.
Kimsey, Miles 908 P 2 48 50 ---
Wijaya, Joel 1003K 7 47 47 1 yr.
Ogden, Thurman 1193LDE 7 46 46 ---
Gillespie, Samuel 1197LDE 3 42 49 2 yrs.
Pascal, Roderick 1290NT 12 55 55 ---
Sweeney, Aiden 1291NT 4 52 52 1 yr.
Ackerman, Julio 1294NT 2 29 46 3 yrs.
Trammell, J.C. 1358SILB 8 53 53 2 yrs.
Ruddick, Paul 1340SILB 3 49 49 2 yrs.
O'Neill, Ronald 1354SILB 9 40 40 2 yrs.
Duda, Terrance 1451SLB 10 74 74 1 yr.
Welch, Max 1453SLB 7 67 67 2 yrs.
Brew, Manuel 1459SLB 2 50 56 3 yrs.
Kinney, Andrew 1495SLB 2 29 45 3 yrs.
Jasper, Francisco 1456WLB 3 50 50 ---
Sinclair, Alan 1449WLB 8 35 35 1 yr.
Junker, Josiah 1527LCB 3 56 56 2 yrs.
Peterson, Cesar 1523LCB 6 41 41 ---
Figures, Garrett 1529LCB 2 31 42 ---
Franz, Taylor 1520RCB 4 52 52 3 yrs.
Nodin, Cris 1535RCB 6 42 42 2 yrs.
Jeffrey, Colton 1547RCB 8 37 37 1 yr.
Boyer, Rondell 1546RCB 4 37 37 1 yr.
Reese, Miles 1642SS 8 47 47 1 yr.
Scott, Tom 1630FS 3 54 54 2 yrs.
Rodgers, Jared 1624FS 10 40 40 1 yr.
Arndt, Luke 1638FS 8 27 27 1 yr.
Brittain, A.J. 1645FS 4 25 40 1 yr.
Trippi, Caiden 665 LS 5 21 21 1 yr.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 39
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 39

Salary Cap: $729,500,000
Cap Room: $246,680,000
Maximum for New Player: $220,750,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $5,110,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $202,650,000

Yes, at some point I might catch up to the real world, and go with WFT. In no hurry to do so, locally.

Anyway - bottom line is more cap space, fewer pressing obligations (I think, on first glance), and I think this team could be looking to make a move here or there.

[QuikSand]

...man every bubble guy on this DC roster wants $9m, killin me

[QuikSand]

Ravens manage to reneg two stars (WR Behne, G Emmons) and that's going to have to suffice for an update on what is usually a busy stage. We're just going to be cap-strapped this offseason, trying to hold things together.

Posting a "picks for sale" thread presently.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

We spent some real money - extending QB Clancy, and signing something old and something new:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RDT Malachi Carlisle (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96342)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>5 years, $245,000,000 (Bonus: $205.0M. Salary: $8.0M, $8.0M, $8.0M, $8.0M, $8.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#ffff00"><center>78</center></td><td bgcolor="#ffff00"><center>78</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>FL Damon Malone (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=90978)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $28,000,000 (Bonus: $16.0M. Salary: $6.0M, $6.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>40</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>40</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Looks like the best rejected offer for DT Carlisle was $63m/yr, so we'll have to guess hit this one about right by way of more bonus money. Hard to say when the numbers work out that way - the other offer might have been ansurdly backloaded, etc. Anyway, we got out guy, big run stopper for the middle for the next five seasons.

[QuikSand]

Back to back draft picks, I won't belabor the heartbreak in DC on a near miss of a great fit...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes DT Bubba Sherman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99682) with the 1.30 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Technique</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>44<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Rush Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>16<->42</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>7<->34</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>32<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>33<->60</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>48<->75</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>36<->63</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>51<->78</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>75</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>317</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.4</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.03</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>29</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>36</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.70</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>98</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>-</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>61</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


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Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes S Ian Gallagher (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99922) with the 1.31 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>11<->38</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>56<->83</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>60<->87</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>48<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->61</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Interceptions</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->72</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>43<->70</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->72</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>75</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>221</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.45</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>20</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.19</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>53</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>44</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

Free agency: DE Loadout and WR PVC both re-sign, no surprise but glad to have it done and in hand. Baump was a capout, to give us some breathing room for this year, PVC was a legit extension.

We signed an end-of-roster affinity OT, that's all this stage for the Ravens.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Glad to see we re-signed WR Roach. My bad in shorting him playing time in the penultimate year of his last contract - meaning he was pissed last year and unwilling to extend directly. He's clearly worth more to us (cohesion, chem) than a random team, but we were at risk of losing him even while our longtime WR1 is fading before our eyes a la Larry Fitzgerald. Anyhow, Roach got offered $17m/yr and $10m/yr elsewhere, but took our offer of 2/38. Feeling pretty good about hitting the market correctly there.

A new signing, who may prove to be important in time: DT Jessie Hopper (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96293). He has skills to play some at DT/DE but his main role will be to secure our D7 chem leadership in the 3-4 group, for continuity. Ear-pinner LB Sinclair is currently in the way of him taking the lead, we'll see how to best resolve that in time. But I can comfortably draft 5-6 and 10-11 guys there knowing that architecture will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

[QuikSand]

Draft update, late 2nd:


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Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes TE Blake Calloway (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99302) with the 2.30 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>51<->80</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>36<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blocking Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>30<->58</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>33<->61</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->80</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>51<->79</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>47<->76</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>65<->94</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>244</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.8</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.68</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>31</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>17</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.77</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>105</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>43</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>44</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


My scouts graded him VU, it's a need position, so we reached a bit I guess. He was #300-something on the big board, though that's weighted by position and TE is a low weight... so, who knows. My quest to get legit production from the TE1/TE2 roles continues.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes T Levon Linquist (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99537) with the 2.31 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>18<->46</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>60<->88</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blocking Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>38<->67</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->80</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>77</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>318</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.4</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.31</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>39</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>29</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.41</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>103</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>-</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>43</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
Not in love here, but he's one of those best good fit available picks - needed more contributors along the OL, he could get the start at RT right away if he shows up looking good. Combines and bars both look fine (that 5.31 is over the old threshold, I don't know if that matters these days) and his chem fit should be strong.

[QuikSand]

[QuikSand]

Shit, a whole write up on our round 3 and 4 picks turned into dust

[QuikSand]

Anyway, quick roundup of free agency movement:

Stages 8-9 are an unusually disappointing stage for the Ravens, we got outbid on multiple targets (I'm still feeling a bit cap strapped, so had less ammo than usual)... RB Joyner was my mental RB2, but he and another target guy at LB opted for AI Seattle...three more defensive role-players picked other offers...so it goes. We did re-sign WR Collins, a centerpiece for our chemistry system, and C Cook, for whom we did have competition. So, continuity there, that's good.

I think I have decided to not re-sign TE Gilbertson. He'll start again this year, probably churn out his usual 7-ish ypt, and be in the all-pro conversation. But I'm not sure he's a $30m must-have. Letting him walk will give me enough breathing room to perhaps field a credible LB corps this season, since the rookie class has offered me virtually nothing there.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Free agency update here is boring - we tried to bring in a RB but missed, we managed to bring in a veteran S but I doubt he makes the team, and we did re-up for one bonus-free year with a favorite of mine, CB Cesar Peterson - a low-skills but versatile DB who fits our system well and plays special teams. I'll find some snaps for him here and there, despite being fairly deep at DB now.

We have spent down much of our cap space, but there are paper players in there - the new DB, our non-affinity TE making $24m - meaning I have more space than meets the eye, really. I'm regretting missing out on the stud C in free agency a few stages ago - landing him, even at $55m, would have made me happier with this roster, I'm convinced.

Anyway, no crisis here. Things basically on target.

[QuikSand]

...oh, I guess it's noteworthy that my longtime DT leader Pascal took another offer. I honestly wasn't sure whether I decided not to offer him, or just assumed he'd go unwanted. Either way, I have a chemistry plan for the D7 group, and recently signed a serious full-time DT, so Pascal wasn't a priority. He would have given us some cohesion up front, to be sure, but I think we will be okay without him and his $26m price tag.

Green Bay gives him a 2yr deal (12th year guy with fading ratings) and he gives them... well, a little bit of affinity fluff (four guys total connect with him). Maybe that was part of the thinking there?

[QuikSand]

So, after waiting out early free agency, feeling cap strapped, I decide to make what moves I can upon depleted demands for a couple targets:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>TE Archie O'Donnell (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97592)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $6,720,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $3.1M, $3.6M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>24</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>32</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>SLB Tyrus Sorota (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91368)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>1 year, $14,600,000 (Bonus: $9.3M. Salary: $5.3M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>58</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>58</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>K Mario Thomas (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=90359)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $24,560,000 (Bonus: $14.0M. Salary: $5.3M, $5.3M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#d00000"><center>82</center></td><td bgcolor="#d00000"><center>82</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Glad to have LB Sorota back for one more year, we just needed a legit presence at LB and he was the clear choice for talent, cohesion, chemistry all wrapped together. If I have to do a few capouts or whatever to make the cap work this year, so be it.


Basically same goes for the kicker Marlo "That Girl" Thomas. Best guy out there, and my theoretical special teams push experiment now continues.


The twist? I basically made these moves by deciding I would not extend TE Gilbertson. He responds with a holdout, natch. That will take some noodling, because I most definitely do not have an easy path to meeting his demands.

[QuikSand]

By the way, here's the BenBot assessment of the BAL draft... ranked mid-pack, better than usual for us:


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(31) SS Ian Gallagher (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99922) 33/51
2(31) RT Levon Linquist (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99537) 32/53
3(31) LG Robaire Newsom (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99465) 28/51
7(31) RB Bob Marischen (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99217) 30/42
5(31) FL Shaun Weigle (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99373) 27/42
4(31) LCB Donny Kasnia (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99890) 30/35
6(31) SLB Chester Christie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99802) 17/44
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(31) SS Ian Gallagher (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99922) 33/51
2(31) RT Levon Linquist (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99537) 32/53
3(31) LG Robaire Newsom (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99465) 28/51
7(31) RB Bob Marischen (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99217) 30/42
5(31) FL Shaun Weigle (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99373) 27/42
4(31) LCB Donny Kasnia (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99890) 30/35
6(31) SLB Chester Christie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99802) 17/44
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>63.9</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

On sneak peek, I basically agree with the rankings above - Gallagher looks like he will be a solid DB, probably a CB1/2 for us. The two OL both look like standard good-enough contributors, not stars, but both inclined to help in the passing game. DB Kasnia, I hope, will be a preseason boom and work his way into our plans.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Signed a solid veteran guard, good addition for us. Latitude to let T Lyons walk - we've been using him at LG anyway, after his one season at LT allowing 19 sacks.

LB/Edge Max Welch is holding out, I will try to pay him for only two years, but he could be a cut (in this weird one-shot system, holdouts are very tough to manage). I'm deep enough along the D7, I wanted to get past Welch and Duda before long anyhow... so I'm not into the 4yr deal he's demanding.

Our rookie draft is rated 30th... yeah, I know, I know.


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>30</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(30) NT Bubba Sherman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99682) 47/59
2(30) TE Blake Calloway (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99302) 23/46
3(30) SE Arturo Schultz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99331) 23/40
6(30) K Mike Lyons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99596) 47/59
4(30) SLB Terrell Houston (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99780) 17/42
5(30) RCB Jared Garrett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99878) 22/43
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(30) NT Bubba Sherman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99682) 47/59
2(30) TE Blake Calloway (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99302) 23/46
3(30) SE Arturo Schultz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99331) 23/40
6(30) K Mike Lyons (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99596) 47/59
4(30) SLB Terrell Houston (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99780) 17/42
5(30) RCB Jared Garrett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=99878) 22/43
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>55.8</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

My sneak peek suggests DL Sherman will be pretty good, perhaps more inside than outside... TE Calloway will at least compete for a receiving rotation slot... Edge LB Houston is not what we had hoped for... and the rest are a mixed bag but nothing special.

[QuikSand]

yeah i know who cares

[QuikSand]

Well, the Ravens are trying to trade for an all-pro caliber LB. There are some warning signs that this might be on thin ice, but if not we should have a formal announcement that he's aboard, and our Sam troubles are suddenly behind us. Stay tuned...

[QuikSand]

The BAL stud LB trade doesn't look like it will happen, I can't quite sort out what went wrong, but I think our trade partner might not have sorted out all the nuts and bolts of the salary cap. So it goes.

[QuikSand]

Baltimore transactions in late free agency:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WILB Rich Schenk (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=92224)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LT Lorenzo Arnold (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96971)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 2yrs, $7,690,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Marco Gilliland (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97456)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Dixon Gant (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99187)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 2yrs, $5,540,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LG Jermaine Joseph (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99454)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RDT Walt Gordon (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99714)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,060,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LDT Larry Cossaboom (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99717)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RDT Jim Douthett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99725)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Matthew Sprague (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99872)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,060,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LDT Brandon Turner (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96359)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Dallas: 5yrs, $48,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB J.R. Ricci (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99117)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,060,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>NT Brady Prescott (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97915)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Green Bay: 1yrs, $4,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FB Lionel Arndt (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99243)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,520,000.</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Schenk re-signs for continuity and run-stopping at LB, good.

But the big move here is landing DT Turner. 5th year guy, high endurance, skills-wise fits in as a long term asset in the base package and rotating elsewhere -- but for us, he's a chemistry build-around guy. 97 Leadership, 95 Personality. We'll defer to him as our leader for the next 6-8 years, hopefully. He's in the 8-9 group, but it turns out that the main load of our D7 happen to be in the 7-8 group...so this is as close to harmless as imaginable. Big move for us.

Who's trapped in the 8-9 nowhere land? DE Espinosa, LB Sorota, and LB Lang. I like all three, but no major problems here. Sorota surely in his last season anyway. Espinosa may or may not make it past this year - he's basically just a pass rusher, and we have been able to just "find" guys who fit that role easily enough. Lang projects as a good-enough starter at WLB, but not a centrally important guy, despite our lack of depth there. We'll survive, with or without him.

After releasing former D7 leader Middleton, we might have the cap space to extend TE Gilbertson. I don't think he is truly "worth it" but the crunch year is this year, not next year, and if we could squeeze him in this season then paying him too much next season won't hurt as much. It's back in play, I'll say that much for right now.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WLB Alan Sinclair (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93935)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>has begun a contract holdout</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SLB Max Welch (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94760)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>has begun a contract holdout</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WLB Alan Sinclair (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93935)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>released</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SLB Max Welch (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94760)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 2yrs, $36,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Broderick Sutton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99237)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 1</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,060,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Jonathan Cunningham (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91745)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 3yrs, $16,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SILB Tre Hjerppe (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95579)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Cleveland: 3yrs, $15,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WLB Brett Maloney (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96449)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Arizona: 2yrs, $22,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Chris Stachelski (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97446)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $6,720,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Diego Compton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97768)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>turned down a contract offer: 2yrs, $6,720,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>WLB Francisco Jasper (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98119)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>P Jim Fisher (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98731)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $6,280,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>LCB Garrett Figures (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99037)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Lee Lester (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99281)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $5,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>MLB Richie Cassidy (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99760)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 2</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $8,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Ruben Reed (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96702)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>P Miles Kimsey (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98722)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>Late FA Stage 3</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

The LB Sinclair holdout is a snap - he's in the way of group chemistry and picks that exact moment to hold out. See ya, thanks for the pass rushing, good luck on ya! (Narrator voice: he will not find work)

LB Welch is tougher - I put in an extension, he turned it down. I have counted on him as a build-around pass rusher. He wants nearly $50m a year - I don't know what to do, really.

Well...LB Tre Hjerppe (huh?) is aboard to potentially fill that role. Now I see the method to my Friday madness, three days later. Not an affnity, but a guy who could pin 'em back and rush the passer. For $5m a year. Okay, then, that gives me the flexibility to play hardball with Welch after all.

LB Jasper was a nice after-draft find two years ago, this year he's on a 1yr deal to "prove it" again. He might not be in our long term plans, with a chem problem looming (he would take the lead at some point, and that doesn't work from where we stand now). So, short term plans right here... LB Trammell and Maloney are the alternatives for the role we had in mind for Jasper.

Ok, that's it for "excitement" in this stage. The Pass rushing crew is the biggest unsettled segment of the roster, I reckon.

[QuikSand]

Ravens after camp only have 63 players on the roster... so the real push on TE Gilbertson, still holding out, isn't until next stage. I have a backup plan for all those TE targets - it's a cloud of FB Hillhouse, three-bar guy Huffman, and special teams ace Hartman. My guess is they would do okay, but not great, with the 150+ targets they'd end up with.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

We're at a full 70 players, so work to do here.

I'm trying to click in a third QB for chemistry, that dream will live on after 60, we'll see about 53.

At RB, I will give McInerney another year, and Coates with him. Last year they were basically the whole show. I've got four hangers on looking for that RB3 role and maybe a clearer shot next year after we decline to re-sign McInerney. What matters in a running back? Indeed, Dr Freud, what do women want?

At TE, in keeping with my track record, it's a near tossup for TE2 between our 2nd round rookie and some guy we grabbed off the trash heap after the draft. UDFA Lee Lester is a local guy from U of Md, plays special teams, and is better for chemistry. The rookie with the $4m plus signing bonus might be a trivially better receiver. Right now, faith in them is high enough we discard our non-affinity stopgap.

WR group looks okay - Malone is fading, and likely takes another punishing ratings hit in preseason. Carubba and Roach are okay at WR1/WR2, but we won't have that build-around target any longer. That will sting a bit. Rookie Schultz will make the team but never be a serious factor, I think.

...

LB Max Welch reported to camp - good news for us. So, we likely get him for his two remaining years, that's ideal. That will push Hjerppe out of a job. Circle of life and all that.

Lots of tidying up. Cutdown to 53 will be tricky here, a few tough calls at LB, DB especially.

[QuikSand]

Well, TE Gilbertson comes back after training camp and reports. So, we potentially do have him in the mix - I guess I'm glad I didn't cut him in the purge to 60, which was in play.

The quick perusal of the rookie class, including UDFAs, yields only three easy cuts. Not a bad crop, but that means I need to find cuts elsewhere to get to 53. Some work ahead. Busy day, not sure when I'll get to that.

out for now

[QuikSand]

Ravens cutdown... ok, TE Gilbertson will get most of his usual workload. Fine.

CB Kasnia gets cut - ratings are going to be fine (he was +5 in preseason) but a Pers 2 means no chem, and for a marginal skills guy, no dice here.

Yeah, file sent. I'm tired AF.

[QuikSand]

Ravens should win 11-12 games again, I'd hope.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Well, the duel between my two rookie TEs is still not settled - they both bomb in preseason and look dreadful. Great.

Meh. File is in. Still tired.

Should go 10-6 this year, I'm worried about the lack of good receiving targets. Might be on legit decline here.

[QuikSand]

[QuikSand]

Regular season in the books...

...so, if I told you that my two teams would total only 18 wins this season, you'd probably say - okay, disappointing, but it happens. Maybe they both fell onto modestly hard times a bit and went 9-7 or something? Like...that's within the range of reasonable outcomes.

Or, it could have been this...

[QuikSand]

RAVENS STARE INTO ABYSS, WITH 4-12 WASHOUT SEASON


Summary page here: GML: Baltimore Ravens 2126 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2&year=2126)



So, I'm taking a quick look to see what happened... I did my file after a long day, wasn't in the best shape to prep it, and felt like I likely messed up special teams... but how bad could it have been?


The last round of releases look right, so it wasn't the AI stepping in and cutting all mu affinity gimps, that was my first thought. Nope, I cut down to 53 and got everyone in line, it seems.


So, did I leave in a preseason QB as the starter? I have had that happen in my weaker moments, for a week one surprise. Nope, Lyle the whole way, and he was... at least okay, with an 87.8 rating - not all star stuff but fine.


We were +4 on turnovers. Defense was unimpressive but not atrocious. Run game was weak but that's common for us.



WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?

[QuikSand]

WASHINGTON POWERS TO 14-2 RECORD, ANOTHER #1 SEED


Team summary: GML: Washington Football Team 2125 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29&year=2125)


So, in other news, perhaps I am not completely washed as a GM
I thought this was my lesser team, they proved me wrong


QB Clancy was efficient and productive - 93 rating, we'll take it
WR trio all under 1,000 but Carrubba and Malone still efficient
TE Wells was solid in his TE role, rookie Calloway far less so, ugh
Running game fine, both Coates and mcInerny above 4ypc
DL really stepped up with stud DT Carlisle, 12 sacks/28 hurries
Team PR% was 3rd overall, ypa allowed mid-pack - meh
S Scott developing nicely - 13 PDs in overall good season at SS/FS
LBs Brew, Duda both playing well in coverage - by design


So... maybe not the unstoppable gameplanning juggernaut, but this team played really well, we pass the ball effectively and do everything else fairly well, and that's a recipe for winning games. We earned home field, but have tzach's Rams sitting across from us in the playoff bracket... so we'll see.


Nice season, pleasant surprise.

[Chas in Cinti]

Wow... first 14 win season in a while... first 4 win season ever?

[QuikSand]

Yeah, the last time we really went wayyyy upside down was a mess-up, used a horrid QB, and earned the top seed, and landed Leo to play QB for 14 years. It wasn't a deliberate tank, but ended up working out that way.

Here we will end up with something like pick 3 or 4, I think... so maybe we land a major impact player and get something out of this. I know I lament those "7th seed" seasons that happen every so often by saying - hey, if we're going to crap out, at least roll snake eyes so we can get a big draft pick. Well, here it is.


As for 14 wins - yeah, it's been a minute. Would have to look in-game, but prob 15-20 seasons, I'd say.

[QuikSand]

Well, given that guys like tzach and Ben and (this season) Pyser are tossing up huge regular seasons like donuts, it's kinda emberrassing to see how few and far between they are for this grinder, your author:

Thinking in terms of meaningful quarterback eras, for these Ravens in reverse chronological order...

Lyle got us 12 wins last season, that was his pinnacle (hopefully won't stay that way)
Levine had two double digit seasons, peaked at 11 wins in 2120
"Teddy Tightends" Farrell managed an 11.5 win season including a tie
"Jimmy Mc" McDaniel actually had a 12-win season in there, whoa
Shane Gelenaw actually ran ths show for 15 years, but maxed out at 13-3 x2
Someone named Howard posted 2x 12 win seasons in a short stint at QB
IN 2080 WE WENT 14-2 BEHIND QB G. BUSH EL PRESIDENTE
Then digging further, Irving Mathews captained 16-0 and 14-2 seasons
And the great Leo Griffin managed 11 straight 10+ wins, maxing at 14

So... yeah, it's been a minute.

[QuikSand]

...side note, it's been long enough I guess we can talk about it now... that great run behind uber QB Leo was marked by, no joke, 11 straight seasons where we won 10-14 games and then every single year went out in the divisional round. Didn't even make the conference championship game, bye weeks and home field advantage be damned. Wow. Snakebitten, indeed.

[QuikSand]

Oooh, Pyser, sorry, wrote that before seeing your 16-0 team suffer the same fate. So sorry. Too soon.

[QuikSand]

Washington manages an opening win, but we lose again to SF, at home in the conference championship game. They go on to lose to Cleveland.


Another "pretty good season" without any hardware to show for it. Alas.

[Chas in Cinti]

Looking forward to the draft... ought to be able to get 2 pretty damned good players in Baltimore...

[QuikSand]

Yeah... funny thing is, what a massive near-miss with that trade for the LB. My partner just didn't have his ducks in a row, so to speak, and the deal fell apart... but I was offering my 1st and 3rd this coming year to get a build-around young-ish LB. And, of course, mentally valuing that 1st rounder as if it were, say, pick 1.26.

Not 1.4, which is what we have. Yes, we're going to lose the coin flipping every time. We're in the 2-3-4-5 tier and start at slot 4 and rotate from there, naturally. But hey, we pick 2nd in the third round so we can get fired up over that.

[QuikSand]

A GML owner, looking to add to this draft, has made offers to both the BAL and WAS/DC teams... so I expect that one of those teams will sort out details on a trade-out move. So, I'll likely need to sort out which roster is more "complete" and befitting a two-pick draft. That should be simple, right? The 14-2 team needs little, and the 4-12 team needs a ton... but... maybe not that simple?

[QuikSand]

So, my Ravens... I might be into talks about dealing next year's 1st round draft pick. Mentally, what is the fair "valuation" of that pick, for my own purposes?

Coming off a 12-4 bye week year, I would nave answered this as roughly 1.26 this time last season, as mentioned above - i.e. we expect to be in the playoffs, but we're no cinch to be in the #29-32 conversation.

Now, layer on a weird 4-12 season. So, what for next year? If I really believe we're a very solid team that just suffered a hiccup, this is the ideal time to deal a future 1st, right? That's the "Moneyball" play, I'd think... someone out there who sees 4-12 and thinks they're buying a lottery ticket and will pay close to appropriately for that... I ought to sell high. Right?

Anyway... if I think that pick is worth 1.22, and someone else thinks it's worth 1.08, then it's time to deal.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Let's have a stroll through the DC/WAS roster, shall we?

Front Office Football Eight
D.C. United Roster, Scout Overview


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Clancy, Rondell 109 QB 13 60 60 2 yrs.
Matlosz, Winston 102 QB 4 23 37 1 yr.
Stachelski, Chris 105 QB 4 20 34 1 yr.


So, easy assessment here - Clancy is the big deal, the others are for chemistry and little else. If Clancy were to retire after this year, Matlosz would be maybe Plan C, but well after I exhausted the usual channels of signing an undeveloped 23/59 6th round draft pick from one of MalcPow's drafts, trading with the nefarious tzach for his latest wunderkind, or drafting a sack of shit of my own.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
McInerney, Albert 234 RB 7 52 52 ---
Coates, Corbin 237 RB 3 44 46 2 yrs.
Hackney, Brandon 344 FB 10 32 32 2 yrs.
Rastok, Caiden 339 FB 7 19 19 2 yrs.


So, we're building around the fullbacks, actually - Rastok is happy collecting a paycheck and anchoring chemistry. Hackney can run block, play special teams, and for many years (cohesion) he has tucked everyone in after lights out (chemistry). Getting more than than from the FB position would be gravy.

At RB Coates seems fine, but not thrilling. McInerny got paid, but didn't deliver anything noteworthy - he had 1800 total yards last season but on a ton of volume, just 4.3 ypc. So... maybe Mc is back, more likely we splash around in the draft for a new RB1/RB2. Target area.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Wells, Weston 448 TE 4 48 48 1 yr.
Lester, Lee 488 TE 2 36 40 1 yr.
Calloway, Blake 481 TE 2 26 34 3 yrs.
Corbett, Luis 487 TE 11 18 18 2 yrs.


Sigh. So, Wells is fine overall, and his production is... fine. But he's well under 7 ypt in his three seasons, including last season - so what would we be buying with a semi-fat extension? Really just cohesion. I felt like I had something in the two rookies - turns out we really did not. Local boy Lester at least will play special teams, Calloway looks like a washout with a 4 personality... sort of like "fat, drunk, and stupid." For the sixth straight offseason, more or less, target area.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Roach, Barry 522 FL 9 48 48 1 yr.
Everhart, William 580 FL 8 45 45 2 yrs.
Malone, Damon 582 FL 12 41 41 1 yr.
Renfro, Anthony 513 FL 3 25 32 ---
Carrubba, David 504 SE 7 62 62 2 yrs.
Schultz, Arturo 583 SE 2 24 35 3 yrs.


Well, you should never stop looking to improve at WR, it's just too important. Inexplicably, Malone is back for more, I will assume his 41 dissolves to 32 or so, and he will be a mere carcass by week one, thinking Larry Fitzgerald, sadly. So, Carrubba needs to step into the real WR1 role, he's plenty good to be effective there, I worry more about Roach - he too is shy of the 7 ypt mark and that's not going to cut it at WR1/2/3. Major target area - definitely open to trading for talent here, drafting early, moving up to draft, or even signing a non-affinity player good enough to play at least the WR2 role. (Note: The best affinity fit guy out there, PR Jalen Snyder was pissed about playing time, so we cut him at the end of last season... in the real world, we'd be a complete cross-off, but I expect he will at least listen to an offer from us. He's just a return/ST guy, though, a near-void in RR means he can't play the position worth a damn.)


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Fitzgerald, Anthony 660 C 10 73 73 2 yrs.
Holsey, Branden 661 C 7 35 35 1 yr.
Randle, Neil 770 LG 10 41 41 ---
Hatcher, Neal 762 RG 6 60 60 2 yrs.
Lyons, Shane 873 LT 9 68 68 ---
Rodier, Donovan 874 LT 5 61 61 4 yrs.
Walsh, Leo 867 LT 7 20 20 1 yr.
Poston, Marlon 878 RT 3 39 41 2 yrs.


So, T Lyons is a huge run blocker, effective at LG, and looking for a fat deal. Makes sense to re-up with him if we can, except the OL chemistry looks marvelous without him, after such a long wait. I think it still would if we signed him, but because the FOF developer decides shit like this is best served in a fuckign enigma burrito, we don't get to know such things. So... there's a potential hidden cost to an already expensive deal to bring him back.

Regardless, the group is a strength - C Fitz was my maiden draft pick here, now a 10th year guy, and still knocking 'em down okay. G Hatcher was a great FA pickup last year, T Rodier is a great run blocker for RT - we have plenty to build around.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Kimsey, Miles 908 P 3 52 52 2 yrs.
Lyons, Mike 1003K 2 57 57 3 yrs.


Fine, great, sure. Not looking/expecting to invest in studs here.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Sherman, Bubba 1190LDE 2 63 66 3 yrs.
Gillespie, Samuel 1197LDE 4 50 50 1 yr.
Hopper, Jessie 1193RDE 6 48 48 2 yrs.
Carlisle, Malachi 1292NT 6 77 77 4 yrs.
Sweeney, Aiden 1291NT 5 51 51 1 yr.


So, really happy with DT Carlisle, superficially - big year for this group last season. Sherman, last year's 1st, looks like my prototype LDE - mix of run stopper and pass rusher, he'll be good for a long time I think, the type we pay to keep around. Hopper (leader), Sweeney (run stopper), and Gillespie (ok at everything) round out a decent bunch, in need of a playmaker.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Brew, Manuel 1350SILB 3 58 58 2 yrs.
Trammell, J.C. 1358SILB 9 47 47 1 yr.
Ruddick, Paul 1340WILB 4 49 49 1 yr.
Cassidy, Richie 1352WILB 2 32 38 1 yr.
Duda, Terrance 1451SLB 11 75 75 ---
Welch, Max 1453SLB 8 67 67 1 yr.
Kinney, Andrew 1457SLB 3 42 48 2 yrs.
Houston, Terrell 1449SLB 2 17 34 3 yrs.
Maloney, Brett 1455WLB 6 59 59 1 yr.
Jasper, Francisco 1456WLB 4 50 50 ---


Well, OLB Welch is that playmaker - listed as an OLB, more of an "Edge" and bringing the heat with all 243 pounds - to the tune of 38.5 sacks and roughly 10 PR% in his three seasons with us. Money.

Yeah, money might be the issue - held out last year then returned, could do so again. Non-affinity guy. I want to replace him. But sooo productive.

I should let Duda walk, but he too has been awfully productive. But the stable is full here, without getting into details. We keep finding "guys" without really wanting to... Brew was worth his 1st round pick, Ruddick definitely not, but we have them both and a bunch more.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Junker, Josiah 1527LCB 4 56 56 1 yr.
Peterson, Cesar 1523LCB 7 40 40 ---
Figures, Garrett 1529LCB 3 38 38 ---
Franz, Taylor 1520RCB 5 53 53 2 yrs.
Jeffrey, Colton 1547RCB 9 32 32 1 yr.
Reese, Miles 1642SS 9 45 45 ---
Garrett, Jared 1633SS 2 32 41 3 yrs.
Scott, Tom 1630FS 4 55 55 1 yr.
Brittain, A.J. 1645FS 5 29 40 ---
Arndt, Luke 1638FS 9 17 17 1 yr.


Okay, I just enjoy building a secondary. At this point, the group is pretty solid on paper. Arndt is the chem leader, Junker and Franz the only two who don't click with him. Junker is a bump specialist, and good enough to stay, Franz a generalist who may not make it back. Jeffrey a KR who can play CB2 and do some ballhawking... Reese a solid all-around safety... Scott an emerging star...Garrett exceeded expectations in his first year and clicked in his affinity... Peterson should return again for cohesion, special teams, and if needed, some CB3/4 duty here and there.

If CB looked promising in the late first round, it could be a spot to invest. But I'm not really itchy about it. Would be fine going back out there with the same group.


Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct Trippi, Caiden 665 LS 6 21 21 1 yr.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 43
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 43

Salary Cap: $734,500,000
Cap Room: $273,410,000
Maximum for New Player: $247,330,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $3,310,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $305,870,000

We have got cap space to use. I will need to spend some, but not a ton, to extend key players in walk years. We ought to be able to push some money around if there are target guys here or there - or just to re-up with a guy like Duda if we want to.

Not a rebuild, a reload. Feeling pretty good here. Parachute in an impact pass rusher and an above-replacement TE, affinity or not, and I think this team should be raring to go.

[QuikSand]

Draft first look: No shock, it will not be a great year to hold a very early pick.

There's a top-tier QB (named Sanderson, heh), who will go ahead of our pick at 1.4, but not a guy we'd want to deal up to target. I see two WRs who could easily take the other two spots ahead of us. That leaves... the rest.

I see a TE who misses an affinity by one day, a handful of big-bar guys at non-impact positions, and a couple affinity guys we'd generally be thinking about a move to the middle of the first to target. But no eye-popping wave of left tackles, shutdown corners, uber pass rushers, and the like who would make a comfy home here in Crabtown. Of course not.

I think dealing down is more likely that making a deal here for an additional early pick, I'll say that much.

[Pyser]

Oooh, Pyser, sorry, wrote that before seeing your 16-0 team suffer the same fate. So sorry. Too soon.

hehe. what a silly game this is.


crazy to see balt flame out this season, but as you've hinted at - often a useful thing. why go 7-9 when you can pick near the top of the draft. i inexplicably ended up with 1.2 about 8 seasons back and it launched our latest run, so, you never know.

[QuikSand]

Drat... the guy I was basically sold on for pick 1.4 goes ahead of us. Best laid plans, and all that - I helpfully "nudged" my pal MalcPow who held pick 1.1, poked fun about the QB, and he logged in and selected the shut-down (affinity match) CB who seemed like a sure thing for my pick. Alas.

[QuikSand]

So, Washington makes the deal to move up in this year's draft, and send out most of our picks...

JAX sends
2.6
2128 JAX 4th
2129 JAX 4th

WAS sends
2.30, 3.30, 4.30, 5.30, 6.30, 7.30
2128 WAS 5th
2129 WAS 5th


So, we will only have 1.30 and 2.06 this season. Suits us fine, I think, this roster doesn't have a lot of room for bubblers.

[QuikSand]

There's an AI team (glitch?) sitting on the clock at 1.3... I'm at 1.4, so I have a fairly clear picture of what we have to do with this pick. I have posted it for a trade-down... to no avail.

I expect pick 1.3 will be the top receiver available. I make the next best receiver as the fairly obviously next best guy.

If this league had free flowing trading, I'd think that guy could be a "I draft him, he does well enough in training camp, and then I get at least two 1sts for him" sort of player - max value. However...if I cannot even deal the pick when he's all but on the clock... ugh.

Add to that that if I were to just "take my guy" I would generate something of a Clelin Ferrell moment... with pick 4 YOU DID WHAT?

So, here we are. I'm stuck on what to do. Non-affinity BPA wideout seems like the obvious play here. I would so much rather get reasonable value to deal down to, say, pick 8-12 and take my reach guy there.

[QuikSand]

Okay, basically settled, I'll just take the best receiver available. List is two deep, both look like build-around talents. 11 and 18 are in their 9th season, Webster is fine but only asking for 4x minsal in his reneg, that tells you what you'd need to know there. Webster will soon need to be the follower, this rookie will be the leader, even without chemistry effects. Just can't win without passing game components.

My best chem fit guy will just have to wait for another time.

[QuikSand]

So... my "reach" guy for pick 1.4... the guy I was so embarrassed that I was going to take there that I basically decided I had to either trade down (to get him later) or just take a receiver with pick 4...

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet28.png

Tennessee (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=28): AVAILABLE takes S Landon Wilcox (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100778) with the 1.3 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>64<->92</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>55<->84</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>63<->92</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>67<->96</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Interceptions</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->98</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->98</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#638FCC"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>71</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>195</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.6</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.53</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>32</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>21</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.11</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>48</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>31</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
...he went with pick 1.03 to the BenBot AI. Okay, then. I guess I just got flummoxed by him being rated #59 in-game... but perhaps some of that was him being absurdly listed as a safety, and graded as too light for that position. He'll play so-so for the AI team, and hopefully one day will make his way to Baltimore to play corner.

[QuikSand]

Anyway...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes WR Juan Pearson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100249) with the 1.4 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>65<->93</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>70<->98</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>51<->79</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>26<->54</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>194</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.7</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>43</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.85</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>106</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>66</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>36</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


So, I guess this worked out?


I mean... MalcPow presumably looked at these receivers and decided "nah." Then so did Ben's AI. Both of them took the affinity DBs I had decided to settle for, instead of this guy. (I'm skipping the QB who also got picked, that doesn't seem like a stretch)


That's my only real reservation here, to be honest.


If he works out, I think we can forecast a teamwide (well, offense-wide) chemistry shift down the road, which could be fun. This guy is a 3-4, and my OL recently shifted to that triad around a 10-11 leader. Easy enough to see us getting everyone in line there, in time. It's known to be a medium-skill but high-intelligence group... hmm, I could live with that.

[QuikSand]

Baltimore with a couple impactful signings in free agency:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>G Sherman Kaminski (80/80) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96933)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Detroit</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>4yrs, $182.0M (Bonus: $160.0M. Salary: $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>



<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>DT Cole Rambo (57/57) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97134)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from New England</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>4yrs, $90.0M (Bonus: $68.0M. Salary: $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Maybe overpaid for the OL -- I paid $45.5, he turned down 3/120 from Houston (that guy, again). Anyway, we land a road-grater 100-RB guy who probably moves in to play C for us. C Cook is a 65 there, he's been adequate, but Kaminski looks like the truth.

I don't know why, but I get enamored with these other-bars DL. This guy Rambo (heh) has top two bars around 70, that's fine, but then he's really strong down below - Play D, Pun Hit, End, and Special Teams. Worth $22m a year? Nobody else even put in a bid. Alas.

Okay...foundational moves there. Along with the draft pick, of course. Happy with the direction thus far.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Good news on the free agent front for us - not only did we re-sign T Lyons, but he will step into line and become a follower, rather than leader, of our now immaculate OL chemistry scheme. Great turn of events!

We also grab a cheap, young-ish RB to compete for touches...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RB Grayson Okeafor (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97493)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $7,830,000 (Bonus: $200K. Salary: $3.6M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>38</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>47</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

We still have cap space here, and while we let LB Duda get signed by the AVAILABLE Jets, we still have plans to spend at least some of this money.

[QuikSand]

Big free agent news in Baltimore...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>ILB Brody Goodwin (71/71) (Yr. 5) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97207)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Miami</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>4yrs, $244.0M (Bonus: $220.0M. Salary: $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

This is the guy we tried to trade for last season... turns out we get him for, well, a ton of cap space, but no draft picks, and one year later. Can live with that.

We now shift to penny-pinching mode. More news to come, real life intervenes...

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

A couple of draft picks in the books, and our rookie draft here is wrapped up... good move for us, including to spare my sanity during a busy work week.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes RB Xavier Bush (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100085) with the 1.30 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Breakaway Speed</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Power Inside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>33<->62</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>30<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Hole Recognition</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->98</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Elusiveness</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Speed to Outside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>46<->75</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blitz Pickup</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>32<->60</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>46<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>32<->60</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>64<->93</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>57<->86</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>71</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>216</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.4</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.48</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>16</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>122</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>30</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>46</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


I don't spend early picks at RB often - but felt like this made some sense, at least. We fed our top two RBs over 300 carries last season for around 4.4 ypc... basically replacement value. With the line we have, I feel like we could be doing better. Yeah, a better gameplanner would help, but I'm too tired for that. So, we'll try out a young guy with bars that look good in the "right places" and see if that helps. And, this isn't a top-five pick, just a bottom-of-round-one pick, we're not hanging the franchise on him.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes T Brayden Finneran (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100391) with the 2.6 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>42<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Pass Blocking</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>37<->66</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blocking Strength</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>58<->86</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>74</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>303</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.5</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.13</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>40</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>42</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.57</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>113</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>-</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>46</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
The focus on the running game, and the OL, continues. Hopefully, this guy develops into a long term asset, perhaps at RT or RG? If the top two bars just stay toward the high end of that range, or maybe inch up a bit, we'll be in good shape - smart guy, good fit, head down, play ball.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


Free agency eventful here, also...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WR Mario Dunwoody (63/63) (Yr. 7) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95182)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Atlanta</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3yrs, $153.0M (Bonus: $135.0M. Salary: $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WR Bradley Rubini (61/61) (Yr. 9) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93473)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Detroit</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2yrs, $56.0M (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $28.0M, $28.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>C Elliot Joyner (59/59) (Yr. 4) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97720)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>signed as a free agent</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3yrs, $45.0M (Bonus: $24.0M. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
...

Well, we wanted one WR, got both. Essentially a "team option" contract on Rubini, we'll sort that out. Dunwoody looks like a pretty good flanker, low BPR, we can work with that. Super high endurance... you'll note my continued and growing interest in that bar, if you pay attention here and to the roster itself. PRO: he comes off a nice 800-yard season with Ben's Falcons on 8 ypt, good... CON: Ben let him walk, and didn't even offer him in this stage (could be money, could be that 8ypt is rotten in his glittering offense and this guy is a bum)


We'll see - but that is a key part of our "we will spend money" thinking about this offseason. Wanted a WR, this was the best we could target. Incidentally, he's a 7-8 chem guy, so neutral with our current 7-8 leader, but that will at least get me kicking tires...

[sabotai]

I was really hoping Xavier Bush would fall to me in the 2nd round. I guess that means either I did a good job scouting or you did a bad job. ;)

[QuikSand]

Well, I like pissing people off in this particular way, so that's good.

[QuikSand]

Ravens getting a little cap sensitive... one more deal in the books.

We send our early 3rd round pick to St Louis, the ever-reliable tzach, to land another DE who had fallen out of favor there: Marcus Shanle (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97157)

For a couple seasons at around $8m, I hope he can deliver some quality pass rushing (likely from the outside) and help keep us in decent cap shape. Much more ready-to-go than a rookie. I'm running this team like we're in go-for-it mode, rather than coming off a dreadful lottery-pick year. So be it.

[QuikSand]

We now have four picks remaining (4,4,6,7) in this draft, and only 42 players currently signed. A guy like Jackson Baump might be among the "Lives in the Balance" here, as his base salary is near $40m, he wants a huge extension, and he comes off a pretty pedestrian 7 sack (8.1 PR%) effort last season in our down year.

I'm also getting competition for TE Gilbertson (after the first few stages of no interest) and I'll need to make a call whether he's worth keeping around. No obvious other alternatives that I see out there, so it's him or options similar to those I was contemplating during last year's holdout. I still have this sneaky feeling that our TE3 Huffman might do just fine with 80-100 targets.

[QuikSand]

...but all that said, this stage brought us two important guys for on-field talent and chemistry:

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>SILB Tyler Crawford (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93033)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $20,400,000 (Bonus: $3.9M. Salary: $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>45</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>45</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>FS Thurman Owens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94901)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3 years, $43,500,000 (Bonus: $27.0M. Salary: $5.5M, $5.5M, $5.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
LB Crawford can play inside, I think, and should be great for chem (100 Personality). This is his fifth year with us, so he's good for cohesion, too.


S Owens is the new DB group leader, and brings needed continuity. I gain some consumer surplus here, as I was initially willing to pay him a LOT more, and was able to back it off stage by stage. He's also good enough to step in and play at least as a rotation SS.

[QuikSand]

So, why draft this guy? We don't really need a WR. He has apparently rotten ratings. And the void at Route Running, the uber-rating for WR now in my book, appears to be a void.

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes WR Tracy Tatum (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=98543) with the 4.25 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>42<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->69</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>21<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>19<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>15<->43</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>23<->51</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>200</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.45</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>25</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>128</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>68</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
Well, I see a guy who blew out the combines. Kept coming up atop my searches and lists. Have been watching him since round two. No clue what good he might be. Have a fantasy that he's just a scrappy, hard-working, tough-as-nails football player who will do whatever it takes to be our WR4 forever. (i.e. a white guy that the commentator likes)

We'll see.

intriguing guy. if that 0 is not a 0 he's got a chance to climb to 50. i'll probably interview him for future reference

Well, a couple years later, what do we have from this "intriguing" guy?

Tracy Tatum (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98543)

So, basically as advertised... good-looking player who can return kicks, gets along great with everyone, but has one problem. He can't play wideout. Straight-up void at RR, so I guess he's just garbage. But for us, he's great for chemistry, he might become our kick returner this year, and might not exactly be garbage after all.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Big move in free agency for us, too...

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>FS A.J. Brittain (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97382)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,120,000 (Bonus: $60K. Salary: $4.0M, $4.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>30</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>44</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>FS Efrain DeLizzio (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97367)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3 years, $21,000,000 (Bonus: $30K. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>52</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>52</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>SS Miles Reese (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94029)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $20,000,000 (Bonus: $4.5M. Salary: $5.0M, $5.0M, $5.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>41</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>41</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>TE Jackson Sinclair (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94254)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>3 years, $108,000,000 (Bonus: $87.0M. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>56</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>56</center></td></tr></tbody></table>
The TE is the big news. He was the 2nd-rated guy out there, but the one I liked far better, and for a couple of years at least, I think we should, at long last, have a PLUS player there. Really hope so.


The DB moves add some stability and chemistry, we ought to be fine there.

[QuikSand]

A side note, if I may...

From time to time, I have issued various missives (here at FOFC) that dance around my central philosophy in the game - basically asset maximization. The most recent case is this thread, from a little while back...

Why Is This Guy On My Team? (https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=93785)

So, as I was wandering through free agents, I ran across a guy I wanted to highlight here, for those intrepid souls who occasionally read this. Let's look at one guy, from one team, in this one league - a no-injury league with no serious cap pressure. (I'm picking Dallas... not meant as a slight on the current GM, the team has changed hands here and there, and... awww F it, they're hated rivals, yes we will pick on them)

Here's the guy: CB Gus Collins (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97291)

So, we have all seen this story before, right? I can see the scout ratings... he comes in after the draft looking like he's got a lot of potential... scout sees 21/46, maybe a ballhawk in waiting. After the first offseason, we have reset our expectations... that 46 is gone, replaced by a 34.

(Incidentally, my scout is better than the league scout, and doesn't even grade him as highly)

We now know who this guy is. He is a bum.

So... from the Why is this guy on my team? thinking, what we need to do with this guy is prune him. In this league, especially, where depth is not needed for injuries... what is the value of him? Nothing at all.

Instead, Dallas keeps him on the roster, inactive but taking a roster spot, for four straight years, 64 games, doing absolutely nothing. (Technically, it looks like he was active one season, and got 71 snaps on special teams making zero tackles and affecting the box score in no way whatsoever) And now they, predictably, let him walk, because he is a bum and they know this.

This is a leak.

In a fast-moving, zero-injury league... one of the reasons Dallas can't catch up to the top teams is because they aren't doing all they can. Cut this bum. Replace him with someone else... try out another young player whose ratings are at least progressing in the right direction. Sign a guy who would contribute toward team chemistry in some way. Sign a guy who would actually add value on special teams. Get something from this roster spot. You have to.

I do not have this game mastered in the Way of the Python. I have not playtested the exact effects of the 7-pattern against 3-deep coverage. Some of those GMs will basically center their bell curves around a higher midpoint than mine.

But if I'm paying attention to my team, you can bet that I am thinking this way about every single slot on my roster. And if you're not... then you have a leak in your game.

[QuikSand]

Ravens with a puzzling set of free agent moves...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SLB Peter McKenzie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99805)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 7</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed to a new contract: 2yrs, $5,930,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FB Nate Bryant (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94229)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 8</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RG Logan Reeg (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95291)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 8</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Reggie Williamson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=94281)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 9</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 1yrs, $6,500,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Brody Madison (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95049)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 9</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from Indianapolis: 2yrs, $13,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FL Phil McCormick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96853)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 9</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>QB Bradley Lynch (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97455)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 9</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as a free agent: 2yrs, $7,650,000.</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Coupled with a pair of draft picks...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes CB Deion Coble (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100687) with the 4.5 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>4<->33</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>68<->97</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->60</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->63</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>57<->86</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Interceptions</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>62<->91</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>5<->34</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>72</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>199</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.1</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.50</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>19</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.20</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>123</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>44</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>58</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes RB Kenny Earnest (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100082) with the 4.27 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Breakaway Speed</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>7<->36</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Power Inside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>4<->32</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>56<->84</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Hole Recognition</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>49<->77</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Elusiveness</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>19<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Speed to Outside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>19<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blitz Pickup</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>58<->86</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>24<->53</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>43<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>20<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>57<->85</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>48<->76</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>43<->71</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->73</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>70</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>209</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.77</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>27</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>12</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.53</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>121</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>63</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Something is definitely afoot here...

[QuikSand]

Ravens re-sign TE Gilbertson, as we wrap up early free agency...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"><tbody><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RCB Max Chandler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95676)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 10</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>SLB Joe Davidson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96371)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 10</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>signed as an unrestricted free agent from New York: 3yrs, $21,000,000.</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td><td width="15%" bgcolor=""><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Johnnie Gilbertson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96753)</center></td><td width="15%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FA Stage 10</center></td><td width="40%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>re-signed as an unrestricted free agent</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

So, that's fine. We are at 57 players and just under the cap. Ought to make it through okay, after all.

[QuikSand]

Draft class semi-reveal is maybe a shade disappointing... WR Pearson is the obvious focus, and he looks, well, very good but not great? No maxed-out ratings, but lots that might project into the 80-ish range. Good enough to be a WR1, perhaps, but not a superstar.

Nothing shocking among the res of the picks - DB Coble is bound to become a favorite of mine, as a nickel back (zone specialist) and kick returner - I just love dudes like this.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Our only move at the end of early free agency is to again sign CB Peterson on a 1yr, all salary, contract.

Quick look at the draft class of two players: VERY happy with the looks of RB Bush, he might be more than we bargained for... and T Finneran looks about as expected. The trade-up was definitely necessary to get both of these guys, and I think it turned out to be a great move for us.

[QuikSand]

might f around and redo RB/FB chemistry for the Ravens

[Chas in Cinti]

so, what's the plan with Baltimore... throwing all over the field with all these WR? :)

[QuikSand]

...maybe?

I have made a concerted effort to build my new OL around pass protection... I don't know that I am going to really redo the gameplan, but I do think the oath forward is just to be excellent/effective in the air game and not worry much about the ground game

So... maybe? I already like to throw on 1st down a good deal. That by its nature makes us a pass-heavy team. I'm fine if my QB throws it 45 times a game, and we only run it 15. That's not us trying to catch up, that's just us trying to maximize what we want to do.

[QuikSand]

Ravens Cut-to-60 Day

So, yes, I am committed to moving this RB/FB group to the 3-4/5-6/10-11 triad. The only returning guy we have is FB Hillhouse, and there are multiple directions for him to take from here. 7th year guy Brody Madison (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95049) looks okay to me as a RB1 to get most of the carries (barring a big ratings drop in preseason). So, that's the main thing. Among my rookies, I didn't get precisely what I wanted, but I do have an intriguing guy in "misfit toy" Jeff Stanton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100042), who shapes up as a potential future group leader for us. If that were to play out, we'd have both our OL and RB groups in that triad, so our next QB could just sliiiiiide in and take the reins with double affinities. I like it.

Not much else very exciting, routine pruning mostly. Still mentally treating this team like a contender, and the 4-12 season like a hiccup.

[QuikSand]

The annual indecision over what young guys are worthy of the forced-starts-to-click-in-chemistry continues. Especially on defense and the O-line, it's always a challenge in this no-injury league.

[QuikSand]

Ravens RB situation is not pretty. Journeyman Madison will get the RB1 call, but the quartet of young guys we had through preseason is seemingly going to yield zero quality guys. I'm disappointed, my strike rate of finding at least "passable" has been pretty good. So it goes.

Jeff Stanton has a nice skill set except for a void in the "Hole Recognition" rating, as close to a "play football" rating as the position has. I think we will keep him in hopes of developing good chemistry around his 70/99 personality profile. He can play special teams, also.

I'll keep veteran FB Hillhouse - he's fading and no longer a chem asset, but adds cohesion and special teams, good enough for this year.

Anyway, thinning that group down to 4 (including a crazy affinity gimp, only a 2nd year guy) brings us to 56, to fairly little other pruning left to do.

Anyway... file is in. Expectations are hard to pin down - I don't see how we throw up another clunker, so I'll do the obvious moderated expectations, and say I think we are a 9 win team this year. What else do you say after you go 12-4 and 4-12 on consecutive seasons with no real explanation?

[QuikSand]

Standard painful cutdowns in DC, nothing worthy of a deep report.

Can we return to the top spot in the conference? Perhaps. Interesting dilemma at WR whether to split up the targets Malone always got (even last year he got 118 targets... stat line of 69-945-6) or keep him out there as at least a partial workhorse. We signed Dunwoody to take most of that load, but do you just... do it? (I'm going to try to have it both ways... hoping to see Malone with maybe 60 targets this season, and Dunwoody with healthy triple digits along with Carrabba)

How about I forecast an 11-5 season, with another narrow division win?

[QuikSand]

[QuikSand]

Ah of course the "blank post" curse...

[QuikSand]

RAVENS EKE BACK INTO POSTSEASON AS 10-6 WILDCARD


GML: Baltimore Ravens 2127 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)


Okay, well I guess last season was the "blip" for the most part...
QB Lyle was again solid but not excellent - 6.69 37/16 89.4 meh
WR PVC dropped off badly, wow, only 659 yds on 127 targets
We really consolidated targets - only 5 guys on Team Summary screen
Running game that we officially ignore was just fine, 8th in ypc


D front got solid pressure, 21.6 PR% for t11th leaguewide
Shanle and Rambo led the way with 12, 12.5 sacks, DT Hitchcock too
LB Goodwin was wonderful at SLB, with 13 PDs and doing it all
Allowed 6.23 ypa to opponents passing - 10th overall, not bad




So, not a great team, but workable. I didn't deliberately overlook rookie WR Pearson, it just worked out that way I suppose. He'll get folded in next year for sure, especially if the decline from PVC is as serious as it appears.


So, that's fine. We don't look like a serious postseason threat, but we're at lest back to being relevant.

[QuikSand]

DC ... BLOWS IT AND MISSES PLAYOFFS AT 9-7


GML: Washington Football Team 2127 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)


Wow. Not like 9-7 is a total collapse, but I just didn't see it coming.
QB Clancy just was not good enough: 6.33 31/24 77.8
RB Coates carried the main load, running game was league average
WR Dunwoody got 208 targets (more than expected) for 6.7 ypt
TE Sinclair only gets 6.07 ypt from his full workload - disappointing
Wow nobody did very well this year, WTF happened (just Clancy?)


Defense got pressure, without anyone putting up big sack numbers
We only allowed 5.50 ypa - that's great, and basically why we were okay
Run D was league average, that's fine




So basically the offense fell off a cliff? Clancy stinks? What the hell?
I wonder if Clancy will show up as one of those "combine collapses" next offseason
Feels like there's something rotten in the District

[QuikSand]

Not good for the "worth my time" underlying question.

[QuikSand]

Predictable one-and-done for the Ravens, and the Broncos...(checks notes)... yes, Broncos... win it all after a 15-1 season. Wow. An excellent young QB and you can just do soooooo much.

[Chas in Cinti]

Wow... can you link the receiving stats for Baltimore? Interested to see since you've invested so heavily there...

[QuikSand]

Baltimore team stats, I think

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2127 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)


and futile attempt to embed:


<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="3"> <tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>NAME</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>G</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>GS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>TGT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>CTCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>CTCH%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>YD</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>TD</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>YPT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>YPC</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>YAC</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>YAC/CTC</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DRP</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PSPLY</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>TGT%</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>PEN</center></th></tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>SE Warren Behne (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93495)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>159</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>102</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>64.2%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1143</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>10</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>7.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>11.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>468</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>4.59</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>589</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>27.0%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FL Christopher Webster (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97506)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>111</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>64</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>57.7%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>831</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>7.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>13.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>304</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4.75</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>580</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>19.1%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>TE Johnnie Gilbertson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96753)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>126</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>74</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>58.7%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>812</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>6.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>11.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>274</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3.70</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>576</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>21.9%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>FL Parker VanCaeyzeele (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93483)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>127</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>61</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>48.0%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>659</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>5.2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>206</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>3.38</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>11</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>344</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>36.9%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>RB Brody Madison (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95049)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>47</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>34</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>72.3%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>321</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>6.8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>194</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>5.71</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>519</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>9.1%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Alexander Huffman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95960)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>62.5%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>164</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>10.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>47</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4.70</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>249</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6.4%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>FB Kristopher Hillhouse (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93340)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>19</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>78.9%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>125</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>6.6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>8.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>20</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.33</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>158</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>12.0%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>2</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>RB Jeff Stanton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100042)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>83.3%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>87</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>14.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>17.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>56</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>11.20</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>91</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6.6%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>SE Juan Pearson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100249)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>15</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>11</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>7</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>63.6%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>70</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>6.4</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>10.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>31</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>4.43</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>83</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>13.3%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>TE Lionel Arndt (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99243)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>8</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>6</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>75.0%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>20</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>2.5</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>3.3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>24</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>4.00</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>55</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>14.5%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><center>0</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>FL Phil McCormick (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96853)</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>16</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>100.0%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>3.0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0.00</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>71</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>1.4%</center></td> <td bgcolor="#e7e7e7"><center>0</center></td></tr></tbody></table></center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" border="3" bgcolor="290464"><tbody><tr><td><center>RECEIVING</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

Big news in DC... retirement list includes our former battery, both QB Clancy and WR Malone go out. Not exactly on top, but hey they got a ring together...we'll call it sorta like Ken Stabler and Fred Biletnikoff... neither one will go down on the short list of all-time greats, but all things considered it's good they actually "won one" together.


So, okay then, work to do in the capital city. I do not have anything that would pass for a Plan B at the QB position, had fully counted on another 2-4 years of Clancy's "good enough" effort. Now we'll have to actually work, I guess.

[Chas in Cinti]

Webster seems to be developing well... Pearson, IRL, would be so blown away as a "bust" there would be no coming back from it... in FOF, will the development take a hit?

[QuikSand]

I think Pearson will be fine - early signs didn't point to great, but he should remain a top-15 WR. He'll get fed next season, okay.

[QuikSand]

Oh, and I fell out of deep details... this guy got a better offer and left our team without me making a fuss over it...

TE Marcus Hartman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95130)

Guess that worked out for him, eh?

[QuikSand]

Ravens - new DC looks fine: William Harden GML Staff Page (http://gml.fof-belco.com/showstaff.php?staffid=1690)

Here's the roster situation overall:

Front Office Football Eight
Baltimore Ravens Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Lyle, Austin 109 QB 9 39 39 2 yrs.
Bridges, Archie 106 QB 4 22 30 1 yr.
Campbell, Albert 125 QB 2 8 26 1 yr.
Madison, Brody 241 RB 8 41 41 1 yr.
Stanton, Jeff 233 RB 2 29 31 1 yr.
Hillhouse, Kristopher 349 FB 10 42 42 ---
Busch, Tre 343 FB 3 11 17 2 yrs.
Gilbertson, Johnnie 440 TE 6 47 47 1 yr.
Huffman, Alexander 481 TE 7 38 38 ---
Arndt, Lionel 485 TE 3 19 31 ---
Webster, Christopher 512 FL 5 58 58 2 yrs.
VanCaeyzeele, Parker 511 FL 10 49 49 2 yrs.
McCormick, Phil 583 FL 6 36 36 1 yr.
Tatum, Tracy 517 FL 4 25 32 1 yr.
Olman, J.J. 516 FL 6 23 26 ---
Behne, Warren 518 SE 10 82 82 3 yrs.
Pearson, Juan 588 SE 2 48 70 3 yrs.
Hanley, Rodolfo 586 SE 8 19 19 2 yrs.
Collins, William 580 SE 10 13 13 1 yr.
Cook, Shaun 663 C 10 52 52 ---
Emmons, Blaine 762 LG 6 86 86 3 yrs.
Newsom, Robaire 779 LG 3 44 56 2 yrs.
Kaminski, Sherman 765 RG 6 76 76 3 yrs.
Caver, T.J. 861 LT 4 60 60 1 yr.
Linquist, Levon 868 LT 3 56 58 2 yrs.
Raymond, Carlton 878 LT 7 32 32 ---
Douglas, Kim 864 LT 11 5 5 1 yr.
Garcia, Ricky 860 RT 4 39 43 2 yrs.
Moore, Reggie 902 P 9 85 85 2 yrs.
Thomas, Mario 1003K 14 85 85 ---
Rambo, Cole 1192LDE 6 64 64 3 yrs.
Espinosa, Joey 1193LDE 6 47 47 1 yr.
Shanle, Marcus 1199RDE 6 61 61 2 yrs.
Bruce, Broderick 1194RDE 5 41 41 1 yr.
Hitchcock, Alexis 1295NT 5 72 72 3 yrs.
Turner, Brandon 1296NT 7 56 56 3 yrs.
Truong, Giovanni 1290NT 4 39 39 1 yr.
Davidson, Joe 1350SILB 7 45 45 2 yrs.
Crawford, Tyler 1354SILB 11 40 40 2 yrs.
Schenk, Rich 1356WILB 12 33 33 ---
Goodwin, Brody 1445SLB 6 78 78 3 yrs.
Sorota, Tyrus 1415SLB 13 36 36 ---
Lang, Wayne 1458WLB 4 48 48 1 yr.
Duran, John 1459WLB 7 33 33 1 yr.
Boyd, Ernest 1526LCB 9 52 52 2 yrs.
Atkins, Quentin 1537LCB 4 47 47 ---
Kindred, Matt 1532LCB 8 44 44 ---
Coble, Deion 1520LCB 2 37 38 3 yrs.
Owens, Thurman 1644SS 9 48 48 2 yrs.
Stone, Ken 1648SS 6 47 47 1 yr.
Gallagher, Ian 1631FS 3 57 57 2 yrs.
O'Neal, Dylan 1630FS 5 42 42 ---
Henson, Jordan 469 LS 4 20 20 2 yrs.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 41
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 41

Salary Cap: $739,500,000
Cap Room: $168,190,000
Maximum for New Player: $140,380,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $2,860,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $485,450,000

We have our standard complement of draft picks at slot 23... and a reasonable amount of cap space to target needs, I think.

K Mario Thomas is still really good - has the experiment played out sufficiently, or do I feel compelled to stick with him (and pay up in free agency)? To be honest, the stat advantage of a high-skill kicker seems so indirect, it's hard for me to look back and justify all the cap space spent (in this league it's basically fine, but elsewhere I think I will remain a late-round or after-draft and always-cheap believer for that position. Seriously... almost every kicker seems to connect on about 85% of field goals, whether he's 78/78 or 38/38... so why pay? Kickoffs? Meh.

Elsewhere, DB depth is probably my top watch spot, as well as adding some good fits anywhere I can, as always.

[QuikSand]

Interesting RFA dilemma guy (this is fun, to me)...

http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98992

So, nice young DB. I have played him at nickel back and CB2, here and there. He's clicked in chemistry effects, but with only a 36 personality. He has some skills I like, but not all of them - no interception skill to speak of (though 5 picks in limited play?!?) and borderline special teams for us. His performance thus far has been okay but not great - a 78 PD% is okay, but likely buoyed by those picks, which may not be repeatable.

He's asking for 4/$45m - a pretty solid deal. We could load up the bonus and make it cheaper, maybe 9-10m/yr but that's still around the 3x the veteran minimum. That makes him a player we would be investing in and... well, to me that's a dilemma. This is my last window to get him inked without competition... but would AVAILABLE be interested in this guy? Would a human owner? I don't really know.

Will mull... but he's not getting that 4/45 anytime really soon.

[QuikSand]

...as a frame of reference, here's what $10m or so a year should buy me in free agency: http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=93997

No spring chicken, but this guy is probably good for two solid seasons of solid CB play, he will get interceptions, he will be very strong for chemistry. So, that would be another use of the same amount of cap resources as the younger RFA above.

Cohesion says stick with the guy we have, and that matters too. This is not easy.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Panic button. I'm nearly there. Clancy walks, and I'm left with my dick in my hands.

Roster snapshot:


Front Office Football Eight
D.C. United Roster, Scout Overview

Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntrct
Reeves, Clyde 112 QB 5 29 34 ---
Matlosz, Winston 102 QB 5 25 37 1 yr.
Stachelski, Chris 105 QB 5 22 34 ---
Bush, Xavier 230 RB 2 58 68 3 yrs.
Coates, Corbin 237 RB 4 46 46 1 yr.
Okeafor, Grayson 225 RB 5 35 35 1 yr.
Vasilatos, Billy 236 RB 2 34 48 ---
Hackney, Brandon 344 FB 11 26 26 1 yr.
Rastok, Caiden 339 FB 8 12 12 1 yr.
Sinclair, Jackson 486 TE 9 50 50 2 yrs.
Wells, Weston 448 TE 5 48 48 ---
Lester, Lee 488 TE 3 41 41 ---
Corbett, Luis 487 TE 12 12 12 1 yr.
Dunwoody, Mario 510 FL 8 60 60 2 yrs.
Roach, Barry 522 FL 10 50 50 ---
Everhart, William 580 FL 9 45 45 2 yrs.
Levine, Kaden 517 FL 12 36 36 ---
Carrubba, David 504 SE 8 60 60 1 yr.
Schultz, Arturo 583 SE 3 26 34 2 yrs.
Peters, Dalton 589 SE 3 26 40 ---
Fitzgerald, Anthony 660 C 11 69 69 1 yr.
Joyner, Elliot 651 C 5 55 55 2 yrs.
Carpenter, Miguel 659 C 2 27 42 ---
Holsey, Branden 656 C 8 26 26 ---
Hatcher, Neal 762 RG 7 52 52 1 yr.
Alexander, Ivan 777 RG 2 20 41 ---
Rodier, Donovan 874 LT 6 65 65 3 yrs.
Lyons, Shane 873 LT 10 60 60 2 yrs.
Finneran, Brayden 875 LT 2 46 59 3 yrs.
Poston, Marlon 878 RT 4 39 39 1 yr.
Adams, Sebastian 918 P 8 60 60 ---
Kimsey, Miles 908 P 4 43 43 1 yr.
Lyons, Mike 1003K 3 56 56 2 yrs.
Sherman, Bubba 1190LDE 3 66 66 2 yrs.
Gillespie, Samuel 1197LDE 5 50 50 1 yr.
Hopper, Jessie 1193RDE 7 43 43 1 yr.
Card, Kent 1179RDE 3 33 40 ---
Carlisle, Malachi 1292NT 7 75 75 3 yrs.
Sweeney, Aiden 1291NT 6 50 50 1 yr.
Brew, Manuel 1350SILB 4 58 58 1 yr.
Trammell, J.C. 1358SILB 10 44 44 ---
Clancy, Sky Dog 1396WILB 3 43 43 ---
Ruddick, Paul 1340WILB 5 41 41 ---
Cassidy, Richie 1352WILB 3 34 34 ---
Donaldson, Freddie 1398MLB 2 20 38 ---
Welch, Max 1453SLB 9 58 58 ---
Kinney, Andrew 1457SLB 4 45 45 1 yr.
Houston, Terrell 1454SLB 3 21 34 ---
Maloney, Brett 1455WLB 7 59 59 2 yrs.
Junker, Josiah 1527LCB 5 57 57 3 yrs.
Peterson, Cesar 1523LCB 8 40 40 ---
Figures, Garrett 1529LCB 4 38 38 ---
Radomile, Weston 1524LCB 3 33 41 ---
Maeser, Joseph 1545LCB 2 26 38 ---
Franz, Taylor 1520RCB 6 53 53 1 yr.
Jeffrey, Colton 1547RCB 10 31 31 2 yrs.
Reese, Miles 1642SS 10 46 46 2 yrs.
Garrett, Jared 1633SS 3 38 43 2 yrs.
Scott, Tom 1641FS 5 55 55 3 yrs.
DeLizzio, Efrain 1635FS 6 49 49 2 yrs.
Brittain, A.J. 1634FS 6 24 29 ---
Arndt, Luke 1638FS 10 10 10 2 yrs.
Trippi, Caiden 665 LS 7 21 21 1 yr.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,
** = player is injured, %% - player is on IR.

Players Under Contract: 38
Inactive: 0
On Active Roster: 38

Salary Cap: $739,500,000
Cap Room: $199,710,000
Maximum for New Player: $170,110,000
Front Office Football Eight
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $40,210,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $350,140,000

Not even a gigantic amount of cap space, if we were to plunge in after a free agent QB. Oh boy.

Well, the good news here, I guess, is that the roster around my QB-to-be isn't awful. We have an OL I am proud of (though chemistry suffered by retirements). We have a young RB I believe can be a centerpiece, which may be called upon short term here. And we have enough talent in the receiving corps to help bring a mediocre passer to respectability.

Honestly... thinking back on Clancy and the fairly disappointing efficiency we got from him in recent years (despite his hefty rating and salary)... fuck him. We'll be fine. I don't think we have this year's starter on the roster right now, but even if we do and it's just Maintenance Maitlosz, we might still be a winning team. Let's goooooooooooo

[QuikSand]

Baltimore...truth is there isn't a whole lot I am dying to do with this cap space. I guess that begs for a team-friendly deal with somebody (and possibly we just re-up with the kicker after all) but... in stages 2-3, we do... absolutely nothing. Nothing accepted, nothing rejected, nothing. I have 10 offers out there, we're in the lead on them all (a sign that nobody else is that interested) and that's...well, basically just fine.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Two solid veteran signings this stage...nothing eye-popping, just good fits:


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>MLB Dwight Heffernan (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=96406)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>4 years, $64,000,000 (Bonus: $40.0M. Salary: $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M, $6.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>SS Adrian Rasmussen (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98255)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $27,000,000 (Bonus: $30K. Salary: $9.0M, $9.0M, $9.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>48</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>48</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

The LB likely steps into the void created by my two non-affinity guys phasing out (one by retirement, one by my unwillingness to re-sign). He's a do-it-all guy who could play anywhere. The S is a ballhawk, and that could prove helpful... I'm on deck in the rookie draft and hope to pair him up with a kindred spirit soon. (If my desired guy gets taken ahead of us, I will be gutted, he's such a perfect fit)

[QuikSand]

I mean...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes CB Sam Gramentine (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101569) with the 1.17 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>16<->47</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->83</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>33<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>26<->57</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Interceptions</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>68<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->31</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>29<->60</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->83</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>70</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>180</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.6</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.7</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.49</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>27</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.98</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>120</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>49</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>30</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


I guess I/we don't really know whether players other than the key offensive cogs "really matter" (cf. video chats)... but if they do, then this guy seems like a guy who would matter. If he ends up being a top shelf bump cover man, a ballhawk who grabs 5+ picks a year, and a plus kick returner... I'm thrilled with the pick. He looks roughly as good above as he did to my scout, so I'm very glad to see those 100 ratings keeping it 100, baby.

[QuikSand]

So, Baltimore's pick is in...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes RB Alvin Garrett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100887) with the 1.23 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Breakaway Speed</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>16<->44</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Power Inside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>18<->46</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>55<->83</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Hole Recognition</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>41<->69</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Elusiveness</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Speed to Outside</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>17<->45</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Blitz Pickup</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>67<->95</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>31<->59</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>62<->89</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>22<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>53<->81</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>48<->75</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>71</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>221</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.3</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.7</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.65</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>32</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>18</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>129</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>32</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>59</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


Now, one way to look at this is that we had a need at RB, we've committed to moving to the 3-4/5-6/10-11 group there anyhow, and this guy has an intriguing set of skills that could certainly fit there... so, we'll go with that.

I mean, it's definitely not that I just...uhhh...forgot to log into the draftatronic thingie and got auto-picked. No way, definitely the "strategy" thing, definitely.


We're excited to have him aboard.

[QuikSand]

Ravens free agency update...

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>K Mario Thomas (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=90359)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $36,000,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $18.0M, $18.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#ffff00"><center>74</center></td><td bgcolor="#ffff00"><center>74</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LCB Grayson Walkiewicz (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=95754)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $36,000,000 (Bonus: $15.0M. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>56</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>56</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

No shocks here. I basically decided to re-up with K Thomas last stage, seeing no major prospects out there for us. And I had wanted DB depth - Walkiewicz (?) gives us a bump/man type, which I tend to use in the CB1/2 role with some success. Not a young pup, but a good fit, and has grabbed 11 interceptions the last two seasons for Philly.


We're still splashing around a bit...have some money to spend, it'll do that. Next stage might be interesting.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


So, Jacksonville made a serious push to get our WR Barry Roach. An affinity guy, 10 year vet, big cohesion plus... but on the field, meh. We rate him 53 overall, but he's barely a 7 ypt sort of guy. I decide to let him go. So now they're in for $50m for his next three years, which seems odd. They are also after our TE Wells. No chemistry angle that I can see. Why?




We swing a minor trade deal (with St. Louis, natch, to whom we have become the "regular punch" I fear) to land a new OT, a guy we expect to promote to chem leader soon, and around whom our fellas will dance gleefully. Problem solved for a while, at least.

[QuikSand]

So, things have happened, I suppose.

[QuikSand]

Most interesting turn of events for the Ravens, as we wrap early free agency, is that our RB starter is holding out. He's on a team-friendly min-bonus contract, and we just signed a first round running back - so this seems like a curious move to make, wearing my little-men-inside-the-game hat for a moment.

Anyway, about that draft...


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>16</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(23) RB Alvin Garrett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100887) 54/57
2(23) WLB Jamal Shelton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101531) 29/48
6(23) LDE Steve Calvin (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101340) 26/52
3(23) WLB Al Bush (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101534) 21/51
4(23) RDT Randal White (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101404) 20/50
5(23) WLB Abel Wasczewski (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101514) 19/46
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9">1(23) RB Alvin Garrett (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100887) 54/57
2(23) WLB Jamal Shelton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101531) 29/48
6(23) LDE Steve Calvin (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101340) 26/52
3(23) WLB Al Bush (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101534) 21/51
4(23) RDT Randal White (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101404) 20/50
5(23) WLB Abel Wasczewski (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101514) 19/46
</td><td bgcolor="#E9E9E9"><center>63.2</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

SHOCKINGLY good outcome for me, driven by the RB pick which I of course orchestrated fully.


I obviously was throwing darts at the LB position, and don't mind that we lost out in free agency on a decent, but not thrilling, do-it-all-okay sort of guy. I'll take stock of the rookies, and decide what to do on our still-unsigned returning veterans.

[QuikSand]

Some minor, long-term, bad news, I will point out... rookie RB Alvin Garrett does have a toxic chemistry mix of 99 Leadership, 32 Personality, meaning he likely won't be allowed on our team after his first 4-6 years. He'll become a major player as a group leader, and unless he's really way above replacement, we'll either cut or trade him to void him becoming a milquetoast chem leader. Meh.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


Meanwhile, down I-95, a big "perfect fit" signing at the end of early free agency has me happy...


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>FL Kaden Levine (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=91764)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>1 year, $8,500,000 (Bonus: $0K. Salary: $8.5M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>37</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>37</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LCB Matthew Osborne (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=98149)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>4 years, $46,000,000 (Bonus: $18.0M. Salary: $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M, $7.0M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td><td bgcolor="#00A066"><center>50</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QB Chris Stachelski (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97446)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,140,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.1M, $4.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>21</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>35</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


CB Osborne is a zone master and a chemistry monster, I love it. Expect to see a lot of him in the nickel/dime roles, he should be very very good for us there.





I have already shared my relative pleasure with the top pick in our rookie draft... here's the typically lukewarm BenBot evaluation:


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>21</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(17) LCB Sam Gramentine (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101569) 31/60
2(19) RDT Donovan Farkas (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101421) 32/57
4(11) P Tristan Reynolds (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101277) 56/73
7(17) K Curtis Dunkin (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101297) 36/70
3(18) RB Lenny Ehlert (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100891) 30/37
4(17) C Korey Robinson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101110) 17/54
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(17) LCB Sam Gramentine (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101569) 31/60
2(19) RDT Donovan Farkas (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101421) 32/57
4(11) P Tristan Reynolds (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101277) 56/73
7(17) K Curtis Dunkin (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101297) 36/70
3(18) RB Lenny Ehlert (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=100891) 30/37
4(17) C Korey Robinson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101110) 17/54
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>60.4</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

[QuikSand]

More from DC... basically very excited about this roster, despite having no legitimate plan for the QB position, which I have heard is somewhat important.

Expect heaping helpings of RB Xavier Bush this season. Might as well run the kid into the ground, right?

[QuikSand]

Okay, lots of signings in late free agency. WAS got clipped for gong over 70 players after we got nearly everyone we targeted (that's always dicey math, but we'll survive without a 6th round pick).

Baltimore notables:
TE Jose Sims might stick as a special teams chem guy
WR Kendrick Murray as yet another everything-but-catch-asses wideout

Washington notables:
2nd year TE Drew Goodspeed - wow, very excited, minimum TE2 potential
(no rookies, so we paid a draft pick for air, awesome)

Fun twist with TE Goodspeed... three other offers in for this guy, two were basically the vanilla "offer him what he asks for" and one smarter one was "offer him the same thign he asked for but more money to beat out the AI teams." I went in a totally different direction... a huge one year offer that will retain him as a RFA next year. I have the cap space, he won't get starts for us (he already has what he needs) and presumably I can re-up next offseason for less than the $7m/yr he was being offered from the runners-up. I like it.

Not a lot of news, really...

[QuikSand]

Ravens file is in. Rookie RB should be strong. Soph WR should get his share. OL looks good. Pass rush in shape. Secondary hopefully solid. I think we're in a good position for a solid postseason position, I want 12 wins and a bye.

Washington look good in nearly every respect. I like the OL, I think the young RB is a star in the making, our defense has gelled and I love the new DB additions. QB, well, that's the exception, I'm starting Maitlosz, a guy we picked up exclusively to serve as a long term chemistry booster. Now, my scout tags him at 22/28, and we're going to ask him to pitch it around, quite a lot. Is this an 11-win team with a strong QB? Perhaps. With a mere caretaker at QB, perhaps more like 8-8. Nobody to blame but myself.

[QuikSand]

I think we're in a good position for a solid postseason position, I want 12 wins and a bye.

RAVENS GET 12 WINS AND A BYE

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2128 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)

So, what happened here? Basically right as planned...
QB Lyle was okay again, not great, but passable with 6.58 35/12 91.1
Rookie RB Garrett tops 1,000 yards rushing on 4.7 ypc, run game solid
WR Pearson steps into the WR1 job and delivers 8.4 ypt, great
other receivers waning - Behne 7.6, PVC absent, Webster 3.9 (!?!)
TE Gilbertson just sucks, and/or my gameplan does... 4.8 ypt
Just an above average offense all around, good not great

Pass rush was very solid, led by Rambo Shanle Hitchcock (new faces settled in)
Run defense weak but that's not my real concern
Teamwide pass defense % low (51.1 27th) but opponents only 5.9 ypa
Hard to figure, was our pass defense actually "good" beneath the numbers?

Anyway... we're solid, get home field in the AFC, and I guess we're a contender

[QuikSand]

Nobody to blame but myself.

WASHINGTON GM: "NOBODY TO BLAME BUT MYSELF," EYES EARLY DRAFT PICK

So, this sucked, or rather we sucked. Bigly.

GML: Washington Football Team 2128 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)

Well, we will pick in the 1.4-1.6 range, and I guess that's solace (cf. my Ravens)
OMG QB Maitlosz was dreadful, 6.57 32/34 72.8 yeah that's about it
WE WERE -33 IN TURNOVER MARGIN WTAF
RB Bush just barely topped 1,000 yards on 4.4 ypc, that's fine
Three 1K receivers, but none over 7 ypt, just woefully inefficient

Defense seemed okay but couldn't take the ball away ever
Pass rush fine, but secondary worst rated in PD% yikes
Solid against the run, awesome, everyone had huge leads all year


Awful. I did not tank, but didn't go all out to field a credible QB, I thought my cohesion/chem/so-so guy would be good enough. Very wrong there. Well, we get an early pick here, and it feels like we are duty bound to grab the BQBA and run with him, right?

[QuikSand]

In possibly related news, I must have messed something up with my depth charts on the DC/WAS team... I had carefully planned out playing time for a number of young defensive players, and it got all bollocks-ed up. So it goes, another rotten facet of a terrible, forgettable season.

[QuikSand]

Ravens go one and out in the postseason. So it goes.

[QuikSand]

Ravens lose FB Hillhouse to retirement - that's the biggest name. Also our C, who got demoted last year after we signed a new starter. No major worries there.

United/WFT lose nobody, though longtime WR Barry Roach retired from whomever he suckered into giving him a juicy contract last offseason.

So...structurally intact, basically.

[QuikSand]

...had a little moment there, it felt like I might have gotten onto a bit of a run. My Chesapeake team just managed to win it all in the IHOF (http://www.fof-ihof.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34378), and if my Ravens had held their #1 seed and gotten it done in GML, I'd be sitting on two titles at once.

I am playing half-heartedly in another league and doing poorly, and have taken a co-owner role in still another and that's off to a slow start... so no path to a "grand slam," but it would have been nice to put back-to-back titles across two leagues together, at least.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

First peek at the draft... wow, the DC faithful are going to be miserable when we have to take a BPA linebacker or safety or something at pick 1.5. Just zippo there at QB, I mean... nothing. Bad luck. Was totally ready to make a huge move to get to pick 1 or 2 for the big move-the-needle guy. Rats.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

We make a trade to deal down from 1.5 to 1.8 (pick up a 2nd next year) and still get the guy I would have taken at pick 5...


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes WR Melvin Marshall (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101912) with the 1.8 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>53<->81</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>21<->48</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->79</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>73<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->27</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>46<->73</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>69<->96</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>71</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>194</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.45</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>32</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>15</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.96</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>105</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>67</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


So...with no QB worth getting excited about, I target the other "impact position" with a wideout. Not a complete player, but I hope he can step into a WR2 role for us long term and be good. Chem fit, naturally, so I'm okay with this.

[QuikSand]

Hmmm...it appears I may have failed to upload my BAL file? Alas.


Nobody got poached, and I don't think we would have won out on any big ticket guys, so no major harm done. I stink with draftee interviews anyway.

[QuikSand]

More happening with draft than free agency... a quick set of paste-ins here:


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes WR James Bridges (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101958) with the 1.28 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Avoid Drops</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Getting Downfield</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Route Running</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>34<->62</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Catching</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>21<->49</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Big-Play Receiving</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>57<->85</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Courage</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Adjust to Ball</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>45<->74</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>67</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>193</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.7</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.9</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.48</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>19</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>14</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.95</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>103</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>51</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>20</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


This will prove to be an unwise pick, I now think, but it solidifies our move to the 3-4/5-6/10-11 affinity triad for the WR/TE group. Arguably silly move to make coming off a #1 seed season. We made a small trade to grab a suitable leader for the switch, as well.


http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet29.png

Washington (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29): KickStand takes QB Rod Swift (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101709) with the 2.4 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Screen Passes</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>38<->66</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Short Passes</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->28</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Medium Passes</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>13<->41</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Long Passes</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>58<->87</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Deep Passes</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>28<->56</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Third Down Passing</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>28<->56</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Accuracy</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>22<->50</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Timing</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>72<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Sense Rush</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>68<->96</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Read Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>27<->55</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Two Minute Offense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>33<->61</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Scramble Frequency</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>49<->77</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Holding</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>46<->75</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FFF9BD"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>76</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>228</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.2</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.8</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.66</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>28</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>12</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>7.52</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>103</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>83</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>31</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


Okay...not sure if there's anything here, but with a run-blocking OL and a pass-heavy gameplan, I went after a guy who seemingly has high "Sense Rush" skills. We'll see if he can, you know, play football and stuff.



http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet2.png

Baltimore (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2): QuikSand takes CB Steven Parker (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=102406) with the 2.28 pick.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2" bgcolor="#C8C8C8"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle">Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>44<->73</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Man-to-Man Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>39<->68</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Zone Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>52<->81</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Bump-and-Run Defense</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>71<->100</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Play Diagnosis</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>70<->99</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punishing Hitter</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>1<->30</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Interceptions</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>47<->76</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Punt Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Kick Returning</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>0<->29</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Endurance</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>35<->64</td></tr><tr><td valign="middle">Special Teams</td><td>http://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/bluepic.pnghttp://gml.fof-belco.com/greypic.png</td><td>68<->97</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>HT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>WT</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>RAW</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>ADJ</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>DASH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>SOL</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BENCH</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>AGI</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>BRJU</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>POS</center></th><th bgcolor="#FEF3BB"><center>%DEV</center></th></tr><tr><td bgcolor=""><center>69</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>185</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>5.8</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.0</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>4.49</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>15</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>6.91</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>105</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>42</center></td><td bgcolor=""><center>45</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


A more conventional pick here for the Ravens, I passed on DB at the end of round one because there were several I liked, and I got one here. I use bump a lot, he's solid there, good chem fit, should play special teams - yes. We'll just whistle past that void in the static "punishing hitter" bar for now.


= = =


I have posted a "spare parts" trade block for some of the supporting WR/TE guys who will fall out of favor with the chem switch, but I don't expect any big offers.


My plan (in BAL) is to keep Lyle around to play QB and preserve his cohesion... but now that he will be a zero-chem guy, it's at least conceivable that I stray from that path. We don't have a legit guy to look forward to, though - best we have is a no-talent all-chem run-around backup fella who has no business taking actual snaps.


{arches eyebrow} hmmmmmm

[QuikSand]

Details slowing, I know. Nothing much happening here.

Ravens are committed to a move to the new chemistry triad for the WR/TE group, that has been a focus. I did re-sign TE Gilbertson, for some reason, mostly because I don't think I have even a semi-legit TE1 option for this year without him. But it was a two year deal, and he could still be a cut next season. Baltimore is close to the cap, and probably done with meaningful activity.

Washington/DC (I need to pull the string there I guess) still has cap space, but no major plans on what to do with it. Rookie likely gets the call at QB this season, we'll "see what we have" for 16 games in this league. Likely another wasted year, but I still like a lot of the other pieces we have in place for the near future.

[QuikSand]

Definitely not used to seeing my GML drafts rated mid-pack by the BenBot...


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>17</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BAL (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(28) SE James Bridges (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101958) 30/55
3(30) TE Jose Palmer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101862) 26/55
2(28) RCB Steven Parker (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102406) 31/60
4(28) WLB Ian Emery (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102389) 29/44
3(28) FL Mitchell Stuart (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101921) 21/43
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(28) SE James Bridges (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101958) 30/55
3(30) TE Jose Palmer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101862) 26/55
2(28) RCB Steven Parker (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=102406) 31/60
4(28) WLB Ian Emery (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=102389) 29/44
3(28) FL Mitchell Stuart (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101921) 21/43
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>66.0</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

So, what does the sneak peek reveal?

WR Bridges is interesting... but may have too low a RR rating for it to matter enough to merit the early pick. Legit GD, BPR, Courage - all good - but if RR can't get to the projected 46 he'll be one of those failure-to-launch receivers. I don't really need a WR1 here, but wanted a WR2. Meh.

CB Parker can play bump, but he's not as good as I would have hoped. TE Palmer looks like an all-around decent player, a possible future TE1 for us, actually, nice find (reach pick, he was wayyyy down the big board). LB Emery has a few low ratings, but might end up being an interesting role player - bars at RunD, Zone, and ST are all respectable and I can shape that sort of clay into starts for sure.

Looks like our trade for the 2nd round QB autopicked by someone else didn't go through, to that's pending. He looks okay, but nothing special. Stay tuned.

[QuikSand]

...oh, and for the Ravens faithful... WR Bridges has a 2 personality rating, and so he doesn't even register an affinity. Dammit.

Our two late-round fullback (or possible TE conversion) picks didn't even register above, and only one has the hoped-for special teams skill to even merit a kicking of the tires. Meh.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

now, a draft rated 31 out of 32... that's more of my sweet spot...


<table width="100%" border="1"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>31</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>WAS (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(8) SE Melvin Marshall (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101912) 24/63
4(5) NT Brayden Hendrickson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102253) 30/55
4(7) RCB Bryson Farmer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102434) 25/46
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">1(8) SE Melvin Marshall (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=101912) 24/63
4(5) NT Brayden Hendrickson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=102253) 30/55
4(7) RCB Bryson Farmer (http://gml.fof-belco.com/draft/show_player.php?in_game_id=102434) 25/46
</td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>55.0</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Anything to see here?

A low-developed receiver is always going to take some "projection," but if his RR bar can actually make good on its promise (laughable 3/81 now) then we might indeed have something here. Not a perfect prototype for either pure flanker or split end, but I think he could be productive. Enough that I will check into mentoring on the roster. He'll get out there right away, at least a bit.

QB Swift was a reach...and what do we have here? Probably a runaround guy destined to be a QB2 rather than a QB1. 74 Sense Rush is good, but there's not enough to go along with it. Nice 4th round pick, weak for round two.

DT Hendrickson looks like he could last as a run-stopping DT, a role that seems easy to fill but you seemingly want a guy for it. So, there's a job for a guy like this. Fine.

CB Farmer looks like a rotation-caliber decent DB to me, can't play the run but on 3rd and long could play any CB slot, that's kinda handy.

Chem-wise: WR Marshall is a goldmine (68/98), but DT Hendrickson only has a 5 personality... so maybe that thing about "a job for him" not so much after all. On this team, that might not cut it.


I don't hate the draft. If we get the 1,000 yard receiver we needed, that would be fine.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU

Roster dilemma... DE Gillespie (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97971) thinks he's a big deal. Is he?

He seems to me like the classic case of the "hey I got nine sacks!" that happens in both NFL and FOF, but means fairly little. Ratings progression is nice, stats progression is nice, and I'm perfectly happy with the contract we gave him last year for around $10m, roughly 2.5x minsal in this league.

But he wants $18m and is holding out for a 3yr deal. Make sense? I ave the cap space now, so it's mostly about the commitment.

Bubba Sherman (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99682) on the other side just got $28m, and in the real world, that would be an issue here. But Sherman is gonna march to 10 sacks every year, I'd think... he is a far more certain commodity for us.

Thing is, I don't really have another guy to toss in there right now to really play solid DE. I have a 77-PRTech LB who weighs 259, he could get some work and likely put up some decent stats. Another younger, lighter, lesser guy for a rotation. A 5th year FA signee who's a bit more run stopper than pass rusher but would be okay in a platoon. No one guy, though.

Bottom line: I'm going to pay up and keep the band together. It's three years, it will pass. For the cohesion and the lack of clear alternatives - I think this is the right move.

[QuikSand]

Ravens Late free agency... fill 'er up!

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>SE Chance Burgess (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97655)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $8,200,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $4.1M, $4.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>29</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>29</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>SE Cary Campos (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=97654)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $8,240,000 (Bonus: $60K. Salary: $4.1M, $4.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>26</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>26</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>WLB Cedric Dailey (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102351)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,600,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.8M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LDE Kelvin Escribano (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102197)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $5,600,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.8M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>SE Tyrell Fuller (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101894)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,160,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.4M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>FB Tony Poston (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101832)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $5,160,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.4M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RDT Fernando Russ (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102291)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,160,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.4M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RB Jeff Stanton (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100042)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $6,850,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $3.2M, $3.6M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>30</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>32</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>TE Silas Wappler (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99298)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $8,090,000 (Bonus: $360K. Salary: $3.6M, $4.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>39</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>39</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Baltimore Ravens (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>QuikSand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RDT Tucker Warren (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102286)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $5,660,000 (Bonus: $80K. Salary: $2.8M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Only one guy here gets anything more than the minbonus, so that shoudl tell you most of the story. Quick peek says...


*** This TE Wappler is a great fit in the new chem scheme, and probably shapes up as a future 50-target guy, ideally. Good blocker, good special teams, 88 personality, and already has his starts. Great value pick up there.


** I can't rule out DT Tucker Warren making the final 53 - we have 6 DTs on the roster right now and I cannot imagine carrying more than 7 DL total, so it's not a "need position" but he has the pieces I tend to like from bargain bin rookies


** Similar story with ILB Cedric Dailey, if we could get him starts, he'd be a nice LB6/ST guy for years...he's got some coverage skills, I may look to see if we could sneak him in for his starts this year without tumult


* In what seems to be a pattern, I have another guy in the category "wide receiver good at various things not including catching passes" in Tyrell Fuller... on a team with lower standards for such things, having 75 ST, 40 KR, and a 52 personality affinity might be enough to make the team. Here, unlikely.


I managed to leave the roster at the absolute minimum 7 OL despite having a ton of extra guys nearly everywhere else. Seems odd. Not worried in a zero injury league, I just can't afford a random bust here.



We do have a suspension - a 99 personality guy, at that. With my new understanding of such things, I think this is a free affinity for me, and I couldn't be much happier about that. Joe Davidson, you're a goddamned hero.

[QuikSand]

..as a side note, it is really tough to shift gears between this league (with zero injuries) and a normal league where that's a factor in many ways.

As I have downgraded the level of attention I actually put into my teams (might not be super evident here, but it's definitely been the case recently) it has become harder for me to remember, over at CCFL frex, that I really need a quality versatile OL6 on that team in case a guy dies, like he just did (and I am standing there with my terrible affinity gimp as maybe the only guy available to play right tackle).

Anyway... some things are easy enough to scale to speed. Staying mentally in tune with chemistries and league-mentality is among the tougher ones.

[QuikSand]

DC BUREAU


<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#D3D3D3"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RB Freddie Faneca (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=101793)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,160,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.4M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>TE Lee Lester (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=99281)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>3 years, $12,570,000 (Bonus: $300K. Salary: $4.1M, $4.1M, $4.1M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>41</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>41</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>RDE Jonathan Stephenson (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102189)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,600,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.8M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>RB Billy Vasilatos (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=100092)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>2 years, $7,300,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $3.6M, $3.6M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#0060A0"><center>33</center></td><td bgcolor="#008040"><center>41</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center> </td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampageroster.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>KickStand</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>MLB J.C. Weaver (http://gml.fof-belco.com/playercard.php?playerid=102296)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>2 years, $5,600,000 (Bonus: $20K. Salary: $2.8M, $2.8M.)</center></td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td><td bgcolor="#800080"><center></center>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Fewer roster slots available here... and fewer comments about the batch of babies. Meh.

[QuikSand]

Cut to 60 in Baltimore... I typically carry 3-4 players at RB/FB and exit camp with... uhh...9. And 5x TE. So... my path from 63 to 60 to 53 will pretty substantially revolve around decisions there.

RB1 is Garrett, no brainer. High Endurance, he'll do it all for us. So we need complementary players for special teams and chemistry, mostly.

RB Stanton has 78 special teams and a strong chem combo of 70/99, and has his starts. Garrett is a chem bum (99/32) so we won't worry about him, but if Stanton steps in as a leader from the 5-6 group... both of my late round rookies are neutral and cut-worthy. Same with RB Vance, basically.

...

Instead, I think I will develop a chemistry gimp. I have a 6th year guy from group 10-11, no real skills, but he's a 55/90. I can press him into leadership by the back half of the season and he will be...okay for now. Meh.

[QuikSand]

ok, regular season upon us, after a busy day for me otherwise

BAL projection: 10-6, wild card

WAS projection: 8-8, no playoffs

not feeling up to really writing anything here

[QuikSand]

Well, well... as is often the case with my fantasy football teams, moderate benign neglect is just the tonic... pretty sure 26 wins across the two teams is a high water mark...

[QuikSand]

Ravens Power To 14-2, Repeat As AFC Top Seed

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2129 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)

Okay, what happened here? I expected regression, did I undersell this team?
QB Lyle posted a 97 rating, high for him... 7.48 ypa, 41/18, wow
WR Pearson emerged as a do-it-all, build-around wideout w 8.81/1692/18
RB Garrett put up studly numbers in full duty 5.26/1453/13

Pass rush clicked at 23.9%, league best there, lots of sacks
Opposing passers managed only 5.74 ypa, also league best

Jesus we were great on paper, like among my best teams in memory

[QuikSand]

Washington Rebound With 12-4 Season, Division Title

GML: Baltimore Ravens 2129 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)

Well well, was it just getting back to respectable QB play?
Minsal QB Osborne posts a perfectly luau-worthy 6.92 40/16 93.9
WR Dunwoody anchors targets with big season 8.28 1300 9
RB Xavier Bush is great 5.54 1774 11 (over 2,000 from scrimmage)

Pass rush posted 21%, ranks 7th... PD% allowed 61.9, 3rd
Yielded only 6.04 ypa passing, not bad (11th)
Lots of individual guys with a 10+ passes defensed, seems high


12 wins isn't enough for a bye week (glares at Ben, tiebreak winner)
...but we could be 13-3 Minnesota, in a wild card after tiebreaker

Anyway, not an overpowering season, but a +8 swing in team wins is nice

[Chas in Cinti]

Nice!

[QuikSand]

yeah right on time, i've been wondering whether it was time to cut back

still might be, but...

[Kodos]

Sometimes the game throws you a bone. Like when you're playing the slots and thinking "I've thrown away about enough money here" and then you win a small jackpot that convinces you to keep playing a bit longer.

[QuikSand]

...a jackpot, albeit a small one...

<table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="2" bgcolor="#0D244D"><tbody><tr><td><center>GML POSTSEASON RECAP</center></td></tr></tbody></table><center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="3"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>GAME RESULTS</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129220525.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet5.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Chicago Bears (rgvicedo) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=5)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>33-41 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129220525.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129220525.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129223016.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet30.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Cleveland Browns (Scrooge) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=30)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>10-34 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129223016.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129223016.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129221208.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet12.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Jacksonville Jaguars (finkellll) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=12)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>10-13 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129221208.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Denver Broncos (jstraub80) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=8)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet8.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129221208.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Wild Card Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129222129.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet21.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Philadelphia Eagles (Jeremiah) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=21)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>28-32 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129222129.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129222129.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129230831.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet8.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Denver Broncos (jstraub80) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=8)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>36-21 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129230831.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Houston Texans (MattC) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=31)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet31.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129230831.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129231602.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>16-10 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129231602.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Baltimore Ravens (QuikSand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=2)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet2.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129231602.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129232515.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>29-6 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129232515.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Minnesota Vikings (johnnyshaka) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=15)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet15.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129232515.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Divisional Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129232901.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet29.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Washington Football Team (KickStand) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=29)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>27-30 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129232901.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129232901.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129241608.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>30-6 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129241608.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Denver Broncos (jstraub80) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=8)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet8.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129241608.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Conference Round</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129242501.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet25.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>San Francisco 49ers (Juggernaut) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=25)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>21-35 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129242501.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/slivers/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#c8c8c8"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129242501.html)</center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="8" height="25" bgcolor="#0D244D">
</td></tr></tbody></table>

<center><table style="border-collapse: collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="5"><tbody><tr><td colspan="8" bgcolor="#A6ADBD"><center>The GM Challenge Bowl Result</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Front Office Bowl</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>BOX (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129250116.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet1.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>Atlanta Falcons (Ben E Lou) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=1)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>40-41 (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/box2129250116.html)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>New England Patriots (pyser) (http://gml.fof-belco.com/teampage.php?teamid=16)</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>http://gml.fof-belco.com/small/helmet16.png</center></td><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>LOG (http://gml.fof-belco.com/html/log2129250116.html)</center></td></tr></tbody></table>


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