[Ben E Lou]

2010 ROSTER SHAPING

BEGINNING CAP SITUATION
SALARY CAP: $128.6M
ROOM UNDER CAP: $58.77M
MAX FOR NEW PLAYER: $52.29M

INJURY UPDATES FROM LAST SEASON
QB Donny Schwartz drops a whopping 31 points, down to 44/51 after his surgery. He looks like he could still be decent, but no longer a star. No other significant point losses due to injuries.



FRANCHISE PLAYER

None.



KEY RESTRICTED PLAYERS
Those who are underlined are re-signed...

C Carlos McCormick--He continues to improve, but he wants a *big* contract--almost $10M per year. Considering he is, by far, the best available free agent with 6 years or less experience, I give him the big bucks, but I cut the deal down to 3 years, instead of the five he wanted. This is my first experience with haggling with the new AI, and I *really* like it. The overall value of the contract is $9.2M per year, significantly less than he wanted, but he ends up getting more money in year 1 than he asked for, but with a smaller bonus. A real win-win contract, I think.

C Perry Hernandez--Was a very solid backup to McCormick, has pretty good ratings (32/57), and is willing to take $2M per year for 2 years. I sign him.





FREE AGENCY
POSITIONS I'D LIKE TO FILL/UPGRADE: QB, RB, RG, RT, SLB, WLB,



SIGNINGS

WLB Kyle Kirk--4.5--2yrs/$2.4M--Very good at run defense. Could help out.

RB Kyle Mason--3.6--1yr/$1.0M--5th-year man could help tote the rock for us this year. He doesn't look like anything special, though.

SLB Kendrik O'Neal--5.4--2yrs/$2.4M--Was 2nd-team all pro last year. Excellent at run stopping and diagnosing plays, decent elsewhere.

Filled some holes here, and got a couple of really good players in Mayes and Colon.

QB Hardy Tamm--3.8--2yrs/$2.0M--Not fully developed yet, but most of his potential ratings are in the 50's and 60's. Will likely be a backup this year because of...

QB Donny Schwartz--5.0--2yrs/$8.4M--Despite the severe decline, he was the best 6th-year-and-under QB available in free agency, so I sign him on the open market.


AMATEUR DRAFT

PICKS
I have the 9th pick in rounds 1-7

NEEDS
Of the above positions, the only one that I felt I addressed long-term was SLB, so QB, RB, RG, RT and WLB would all be important to find help in.

POS	NAME	CUR	FUT	VOL	SOL	40	BP	AGI	COMMENTS	Cur2	Fut2
1(9)	SILB Josh Pierre	39	79	68	28	4.72	37	7.24	Looks like a difference-maker on defense. I'll move an MLB to WLB.	38	78
2(9)	QB Kirk Wolfe	10	46	63	41	4.49	14	7.73	Very strong, fast, and smart, but bars aren't impressive now.	10	46
3(9)	LT Cornelius Stallings	13	51	1	44	5.27	34	8.07	Planning to move him to right tackle.	13	46
4(9)	LG Nick Weber	23	39	89	20	4.98	32	7.85	Intriguing combine performance. Will get moved to RG.	24	39
5(9)	RB Randy Giles	23	31	9	25	4.63	17	7.47	I'm desperate for a true feature back.	22	31
6(9)	RT Eddie Fragomeni	20	41	3	43	5.40	33	7.73	Pretty well-developed for a tackle…	20	40
7(9)	FS Anthony Matthews	17	32	84	26	4.51	24	7.14	Workout warrior, or hidden gem? May get moved to CB.	17	35

Pretty solid draft, it would appear.

DRAFT GRADE: B+

LATE FREE AGENCY
No significant signings.



TRAINING CAMP

INCREASES OF NOTE

7(9) pick FS Anthony Matthews jumps up to 20/40 after camp, an increase of 8 potential points from draft time.



DECREASES OF NOTE

3(9) pick Cornelius Stallings is down to 15/39 (12 point drop).