Raiders Dynasty

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Divisional Round:

Seattle beat a Dallas squad that had been on a role winning 6 straight including a playoff game since we beat them back when they were 4-6. Seattle won 13-10.

Cleveland dominated Indy 35-20 and is looking to avenge last year's superbowl loss.

Detroit beat New Orleans 24-21.

We are a 3 point favorite facing a Buffalo team that went 12-4 in the regular season. Rookie QB Bruce Conley 46/71, has boosted this team to new heights after being drafted 13th overall.

RT Greg Robinson is still probable 2 weeks.

After Liam Dunsmore scored on a long opening drive we quickly got a pick that he turned into more points with a 2nd TD. Things quited down after that as the next 8 drives saw 7 punts and 1 FG by us. On the last of those punts by them, however, we scored on a blocked punt recovered by Keith McGill in the endzone. Quincy Enunwa did score on a 45 yard pass right before the half to cut the lead to 24-7.

They opened the 2nd half with a 23 yard score by Robert woods and then CJ Spiller closed the gap to 3 with a 3 yard TD catch. We added 3 and our defense stiffened and we won 27-21 marking 3 years with a playoff win.

Carr went 15/26 for 137 yards. Dunsmore gained just 56 yards on 22 carries but scored twice. Bobby Thornton caught 6 passes for 69 yards.

Conley went 22/33 for 290 with 3 TDs and a pick. Spiller ran 12 times for 88 yards. Enunwa caught 5 for 84 and a score.

Khalil Mack had 7 tackles. Frank Shepardson and Jimmy Staten each had a sack and DJ Hayden had a pick

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Conference round:

Seattle beat detroit 30-27 and is looking to repeat as superbowl champs.

We are facing a Cleveland team that went 14-2 tied with Detroit with the best record in the NFL this past season. They are a 6 point favorite entering this game. Their offensive line is dominant with Joe Thomas, 89, Alex Mack, 83, and rookie Asher Van Pelt, 70/86, dominating defenses.

Greg Robinson is probable 1 week.

Cleveland's defense started strong forcing 7 straight punts but they could only answer with 2 FGs. We came back and finally got 3 on the board in the mid 3rd but they turned around and got a long drive ending in a Spencer Fulton TD grab. We answered a minute later with a Jared Kocurek TD to make it 13-10. The defenses stepped back up though and when Devon Huffman ran a 6 yard score in late cleveland had it sealed 20-10.

Carr went 17/27 for 198 and a TD. Dunsmore ran 11 times for 42 yards. Kocurek caught 8 for 104 and a TD.

Johnny Football went 22/34 for 311 and a TD and ran 7 times for 60 yards. Robert Turbin gained 62 on 23 carries. Jordan Cameron caught 5 for 91 yards.

Frank Shepardson had 10 tackles and a sack and Olivier Vernon and Sio Moore added a sack

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Johnny Football and the Browns got their revenge big, winning by 3 scores, 34-16, over the seahawks to win the superbowl.

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Season Review:

Passing: Derek Carr keeps gettng better going 338/473 for 3795 yards with 35 TDs to 11 picks this year.

Rushing: Liam Dunsmore had a career year running 282 times for 1394 yards and 10 TDs. he also caught 28 of 32 pass attempts for 187 and a score. He did fumble a career high 3 times.

Bruce Gunn ran 162 times for 782 yards and 4 TDs. He also caught 11 of 16 for 113 yards. He struggled mightily with 6 fumbles.

Devin Floyd ran 22 times for 122 yards and a TD

FB Mackenzie Kemock caught 35 of 40 for 20 yards and 3 scores.

Receiving: Jared Kocurek caught 73 of 113 for 884 yards and 13 TDs. He also averaged 5.5 yards on 11 punt returns and 22.4 on 40 kick returns.

Bobby Thornton caught 64 of 97 for 843 and 6 scores.

TE Carlos Thompson caught 39 of 50 for 504 yards and 6 TDs despite only playing 12 games.

TE Sean Lyon caught 34 of 48 for 359 yards and 2 TDs as the TE position really came through for us this year.

Devin Street caught 0 of 25 for 260 and a TD in just 9 games before breaking his leg.

Paul Richardson caught 16 of 26 for 173 and a TD.

Blocking: Dallas Thomas made 40 of 118 key blocks and 6 pancakes while allowing 8 sacks.

Raul Webster made 38 of 84 key blocks with 2 pancakes and 4 sacks allowed

Graham Moore made 30 of 82 blocks with a pancake and 3 sacks allowed

Vince Binkow made 34 of 79 with 5 pancakes and 8 sacks allowed

Greg Robinson made 22 of 54 with 5 sacks allowed.

Punting: Marquette King had career lows of 44.8 yards average, 35 net, 73 punts, and 24 inside the 20.

Kicking: Lamar Ficken went 24/31 with 6/11 from 40+ and made 56 of 58 xps.

DLine: Justin Ellis was amazing as a rotational player racking up 50 tackles, 12 sacks, 3 blocks defeated, 6 hurries, 14 knockdowns, and a 4.4 rush percent with 4 forced fumbles and a recovery.

Jacob Keith racked up 49 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 blocks defeated, 22 hurries, 9 knockdowns, and a 6.2 rush percent with 3 forced fumbles and a recovery in a breakout year.

Abel Durham made 36 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 17 hurries, 2 knockdowns, and a 4.5 rush percent with 2 forced fumbles and 2 recoveries as a rookie.

Hunter Middleton made just 8 tackles but 3.5 sacks, 2 hurries, and a knockdown for a 6.3 rush percent and a forced fumble

Jimmy Staten made 24 tackles, 2 sacks, defeated 2 blocks, 3 hurries, and a 5 rush percent.

Nolan Randle made 27 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 hurries, and a 2.5 rush percent with 2 recoveries.

LBs: Perry Riley made 125 tackles, .5 sacks, 1 hurry, and 3 passes defensed.

Khalil Mack made 95 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 hurry, 1 knockdown, 6 passes defensed, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, and a TD.

Sio Moore made 67 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 block defeated, 1 hurry, 1 knockdown, 5 passes defensed, and a pick.

Zach Brown made 23 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defensed.

DBs: Frank Shepardson made 108 tackles, 1 block defeated, 4 passes defensed 2 picks, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, and a TD.

Tavon Wilson made 79 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 6 picks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, and a TD.

DJ Hayden made 60 tackles, 1 sack, 8 passes defensed, 2 picks, 4 forced fumbles, and a TD.

Brandon Dixon made 64 tackles, 9 passes defensed, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 recoveries

Keith McGill made 98 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2 picks, a forced fumble and a recovery

Dwayne Emmons made 29 tackles, 2 passes defensed, and a recovery

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We made no changes in the staff draft

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We offered WR Justin Blackmon, 51, 10 million over 3 years.

Given our situation with money to spend we offered DT Michael Brockers, 73, 34 million over 4 years looking to push us over the top.

We offered 5th year LB Marcus Smith, 53, 6 million over 3 years.

We offered former 7th overall pick corner Lester Norries, 46, 6 million over 3 years as well.

In stage 3 Blackmon opted for detroit.

In stage 4 Brockers signed but Smith opted for the Jets

In stage 6 we signed Lester

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Draft:

Sitting at 1(29) is a tough spot to be, especially when the WR I had marked who shows 78 potential went 22nd and a DE I was considering despite great DEs on my team as he projected 89 potential went right before me.

Needing to upgrade but with the 2 worthy of this spot gone I traded back with Washington to 2(10) picking up a 4th and a 5th.

At 2(10) I selected tackle Aaron Kaplan, 29/72, who will be a bookend to the great Vince Binkow.

At 2(29) we added versatility on offense with FB Ivan Pinnock, 43/76.

We then used our 3(29) pick and our 2 4th rounders to move up to 3(10) in the middle of a run on receivers and added a 6th and 7th in the process to take troubled but talented WR Bucky Creighton, 36/62.

In the 5th we then took RB Kenyon Foerstel, 47/57.

At the end of the 5th we took safety Deandre Dunlap, 21/39

We then traded both of our 6ths to Cincinatti for a future 5th.

In the 7th we took CB Nicholas Goldberg, 27/33, and QB Matt Renfro, 12/39

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Roster overview:

QB: Derek Carr, 63, is obviously the man here and is a top 5 QB in this league. Derek Thoman. 16/50, and Charles Wiegmann, 28/42, are both quality backups.

RB: We have a change worth noting here for the first time in years as rookie 5th round pick Kenyon Foerstel, 49/61, will be toting the rock. Liam Dunsmore, 46, will be his primary backup coming off of a breakout season and Bruce Gunn, 44, will be the receiving down back.

FB: 2nd round pick Ivan Pinnock, 50/73, looks like a stud while Mackenzie Kemock, 55, is also a quality player.

TE: Carlos Thompson, 74, is a great pass catching TE, currently seen as the 4th best in the league, poised to dominate from this spot. Sean Lyon, 54, may not be at that same level but he can be a great #2. Vance McDonald, 50, makes a good 3rd TE as he is a blocker who can play FB but we have depth there now too.

WR: Bobby Thornton, 65, and Jared Kocurek, 61, make a great starting duo. 3rd round pick Bucky Creighton, 42/68, looks to add an explosive 3rd man to the group. Devin Street, 44, looked great until he broke his leg last year but will miss half this season too. Paul Richardson, 40, was a disappointing FA last year.

C: Graham Moore, 69/70, is one of the better centers in the league, currently ranked 9th. Brandon Mosley, 49, is a solid backup.

LG: Raul Webster, 69, is currently considered the 6th best at either guard spot in the league. Dominigo Harvey, 22/50, is a high upside reserve.

RG: Dallas Thomas, 50, is a capable player in his 6th year while Spencer Nasbaum, 29/50, has upside.

LT: Vince Binkow, 76, is currently the 3rd best tackle in the league. 3rd year man Jeremiah Strickland, 31/48, is solid.

RT: Rookie Aaron Kaplan, 38/72, could become great. Greg Robinson, 50, could be the top backup tackle in the league.

P: Marquette King, 69, is the 10th best in the league so holding steady here.

K: Lamar Ficken, 53, is a solid enough kicker at 13th in the league.

LDE: Abel Durham, 63/78, is the 16th best end in the country with the potential to hit top 2 Vernon Olivier, 57, is an expensive but talented backup.

RDE: Jacob Keith, 61/65, is a great pass rushing DE coming off of a breakout year. Hunter Middleton, 49/55, has been a consistent contributor for years.

LDT: We signed another band-aid type FA here in Ezra Friend, 43/47. He will start. Nolan Randle, 43, and Lamar Yarbrough, 40, will back him up.

RDT: We signed our top FA so far, Michael Brockers, 70, here. He should give a great anchor to our line. Shannon Shrieber, 38/46, will be his backup

MLB: Last year's FA Perry Riley, 47, is our starter but is expected to miss the first few games. Dakota Saban, 45, will fill in for him.

SLB: Khalil Mack, 72, has been a very good backer for us. Jared Bernard, 37/39, has probably been the best LB I have drafted but that isn't saying much.

WLB: Sio Moore, 55, has been a steady contributer. Zach Brown, 43, will fill in when needed here and at SLB.

LCB: DJ Hayden, 63, has been a staple here. Keith McGill, 61, is a great nickle guy. Marcus Cooper, 42, will play sparingly.

RCB: Lester Norris, 47, is a very good man cover corner. Brandon Dixon, 44, was a solid starter for us last year.

SS: Frank Shepardson, 40, has been a solid starter since being a 6th round pick. Deandre Dunlap, 23/35, does not look to be such a steal.

FS: Tavon Wilson, 50, is still one of our most successful FA signings. Dwayne Emmons, 40, was a steal as the last pick of his draft and is now a very good dime back and backup safety.

LS: Antoine Watkins, 17, is a dependable snapper

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Now as my first draft enters their first year it is a good time to look back and see how they have done.

LT Vince Binkow, 76: After being chosen 1:6 he has proven to be a dominant LT. He was the most talented overall player in the 1st round and given that he was at a prime position this is clearly an A+ pick, especially after adding an extra 1st next year by trading down. To further show the team's commitment to him as a franchise player he was also resigned to a 4 year extension, total of 5 year contract, worth 54 million dollars. Another interesting point here about the top of that 1st round, the raiders signed, this offseason, the player drafted directly after Binkow, CB Lester Norris, 47. Grade: A+

WR Bobby Thornton, 65: After trading down at the top of the round the Raiders traded back into the end of the 1st to take a guy who looked like a potential superstar WR. While Bobby has not been that level of star he has been a very good receiver and looks to be a long term starter as evidenced by him signing a 4 year contract worth nearly 28 million dollars and he is currently looked at as the top receiver from this class. Grade: A

CB Neal Reynolds, Out of the league: This pick was a total bust. He never played a game in this league. The best part about this pick is the Raiders had traded back so got some extra picks here. Grade: F

FB Julio Pace, 46: Another pick that did Oakland no good. After trading up to take him at the end of the 3rd he was cut right away and did not play his rookie year but caught on with the Chiefs for a bit playing 3 games. Last year he was the starting FB for the Saints and this year will be for the Colts. There was talent here but none that the Raiders could use. Grade: F

K Winfred Glen, Out of league: The stretch of failed picks continued in the middle of the 4th. K Sebastian Janikowski was aging and the Raiders were looking for a potential replacement. After staying with them through the preseason Glen was cut as the old vet stayed around another year. He did kick 10 games for the Eagles making 13 of 16 FGs but is now out of the league. Grade: F

HB Liam Dunsmore, 46: Finally, after 3 failed picks, the Raiders got back on track and got this one right. Dunsmore was the top back remaining available and by most accounts the 6th best overall back in this class. He has racked up 3300 rushing yards and 23 TDs in his first 3 years though it looks like he may now lose his starting spot and does not look likely to be resigned. Grade: B

NT Kris Oberhue 32/43: Kris played a couple seasons in Oakland as mostly a rotational injury fill in tackle. Last year he was cut and went to Seattle where he is a backup NT. Not a huge hit here but there was production value gained from a pick at the top of the 5th round. Grade: D+

DE Hunter Middleton, 55: Hunter was a green page player despite being a mid 5th round pick. He is a versatile end and after starting his first year he has been a rotational guy the past few. He has yet to get a long term contract but did sign an extension that will pay him over 2 million next year. All in all great value in the late rounds. Grade: B+

SS Frank Shepardson, 40: After being taken with the 1st pick of the 6th round Frank has started 48 regular season games and 7 playoff games in 3 years. He has made over 300 tackles, 6 picks, and 3 TDs in that time in the regular season and added another pick 6 in the playoffs and has been a big time playmaker for the back end of this defense. He signed a 5 year 20 million dollar deal to stay with the team. Grade: A-

FS Dwayne Emmons, 40: Dwayne has been a backup at both safety spots and a good nickle/dime player for the past 4 years leading to a 3 year 5 million dollar deal. He is a converted corner who has shown a knack for making timely plays on the ball. Certainly not bad for the last pick of the draft. Grade: B+

Key UDFAs:

DT Lamar Yarbrough, 40: Racking up 5 sacks as a rotational tackle he has been a solid depth player for his career so far.

HB Bruce Gunn, 44: A great 3rd down back, Gunn has ran for 2400 yards and 18 TDs and added nearly 400 and 4 scores as a receiver.

Overall, this class added 4 full time starters for at least 3 years, 3 of whom will go longer than that, and another 4 good depth players. Also, one of the premium positions was filled with a top player. There were some misses in the middle but overall a very good class. Initial grade by league: B+. My Grade: A

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Week 1 were are a 16 point favorite hosting San Diego. They have been up and down over the years but as long as Philip Rivers, 62, is their QB they are dangerous.

Devin Street is still out 8 weeks from last season. MLB Perry Riley is out 7 with a broken ankle. TE Sean Lyon is questionable 4 with shin splints. FB Ivan Pinnock is probable 4 with knee tendinitis. C Graham Moore is probable 1 with a hyperextended elbow.

We came out and scored 2 quick TDs on passes by Carr, one to Carlos Thompson, one to Bobby Thornton. They added a FG but we answered with 2 more. We looked to take control from there forcing them to straight punts but we couldn't put them away. They ended up scoring late on a safety and then a TD to pull it to 20-15 but we got a late FG and held on to win 23-15.

Carr went 22/30 for 251 and 2 scores but lost a fumble. Kenyon Foerstel ran 15 times for 55 yards. Carlos Thompson caught 8 of 10 targets for 93 and a TD.

Rivers was 17/36 for 203 and a TD and a pick. Ethan Wishon was great on the ground with 131 on 18 carries and caught 4 for 39 and a TD. Shaquelle Evans caught 3 for 76 yards.

Frank Shepardson had 11 tackles. Ezra Friend had 1.5 sacks, Jacob Keith, Abel Durham, and Olivier Vernon each had 1 and Michael Brockers had .5. Dakota Saban forced a fumble that Keith McGill recovered. DJ Hayden had a pick.

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Week 2 we are an 8 point favorite traveling to face a San Francisco squad led by great LBs including Aldon Smith, 82, and a great TE in Rick Benson, 83.

Perry Riley is still out 6 weeks. Devin Street is now questionable for 7. Sean Lyon is probable for 3 and Ivan Pinnock for 2.

We started off with a quick FG which then answered right away and we stalled with 3 straight punts while Rick Benson got them the lead with a TD grab. We came back and evened it up on a Jared Kocurek TD but Marcus Latimore controlled the 3rd with a TD run and some running to set up a FG giving them a 20-10 lead. Kenyon Foerstel went to work in the 4th scoring a pair of TDs to give us the win 24-20.

Carr went 26/40 for 366 with a TD and a pick. Foerstel ran 14 times for 43 yards and 2 TDs. Kocurek caught for 126 and a TD.

Colin Kaepernick went 17/36 for 264 with 2 TDs and 2 picks and ran 8 times for 73 yards. Derrick allen ran 11 times for 32 yards. Rick Benson caught 4 passes for 85 and a TD.

Dakota Saban had 11 tackles and a pick. Jacob Keith had 1.5 sacks, Nolan Randle had 1, and Michael Brockers had .5. Sio Moore also had a pick

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Week 3 we are hosting a Buffalo team that has started off 0-2 due to an injury to QB Bruce Conley, 53/71, who is doubtful for our game.

Perry Riley is still out 5 weeks. TE Carlos Thompson is out 4 with a strained patellar tendon. Devin Street is questionable for 6. Ivan Pinnock is probable 4 and Sean Lyon is probable for 2.

The bills started off great with a FG and then a Corey fuller TD catch and a Stephon Gilmore pick 6 leading to a 17-0 lead. We came back with a FG to end the half and the FGs on 3 drives in a row while their 2nd half was all punts. With the score at 17-12 we took over at the 4 yard line after a punt and Carr led a long scoring drive ending in a Bobby Thornton TD to win 18-17 after a missed 2 point try.

Carr went 2/47 for 352 with a TD and 2 picks. Dunsmore ran 12 times for 26 yards. Thornton caught 9 for 120 and a TD.

Conley went 18/30 for 151 and a TD. Spiller ran 23 times for 53 yards. Fuller caught 9 for 97 and a TD.

Khalil Mack had 9 tackles and Abel Durham and Olivier Vernon each had a sack

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Week 4 we are facing a 3-0 Bengals squad led by LB Vonteze Burflict, 72, and DT Geno Atkins, 73.

Perry Riley is still out 4 weeks. Dakota Saban is out 3 with a strained calf. WR Bucky Creighton is out 3 with a strained achilles. FS Dwayne Emmons is out 2 with a strained calf. RB Kenyon Foerstel and FS Tavon Wilson are doubtful 2 with hyperextended elbows and TE Carlos Thompson is doubtful 3 still. Devin Street is probable 5 and Ivan pinnock for 3. Vance McDonald is probable 1 with a deep thigh bruise and K Lamar fickin is probable 1 with a bruised shoulder. TE Sean Lyon is also probable 1.

Despite a mile long injury report we came to play. We scored on the opening drive with a FG but they answered with a Knile Davis TD run. Devin Street came back with a TD grab and we added a FG before Dalton found Ace Sanders for a 26 yard score. Carr ended the first half with 2 TDs in the final 2 minutes hitting Sean Lyon from 17 and Bobby Thornton from 46 to give us a 27-13 lead.

The 2nd half saw their defense score twice, a Jonathan Cyprien 84 yard pick 6 and a Carlos Dunlap fumble recovery, and when they added a FG they were up 30-27. Street caught a TD to start the 4th and we added a FG before Dalton made it 37-37 with a 4 yard strike to Tyler Eifert. On the final drive though we went to trickery and Bobby Thornton took a reverse 13 yards for a game winning score.

Carr went 27/36 for 433 with 4 TDs and a pick and lost a fumble. Dunsmore ran 25 times for 43 yards. Jared Kocurek caught 7 for 140. Bobby Thornton added 5 for 107 and a TD and ran for a 13 yard score. Street added 5 for 94 and 2 TDs

Dalton went 29/39 for 325 and 2 TDs. Jeremy Hill ran 11 times for 44 yards. AJ Green caught all 10 targets for 117 yards.

Sio Moore had 12 tackles and Michael Brockers and Ezra Friend split a sack

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Week 5 we are hosting a 1-3 Baltimore squad whose defense looks back to a draft 4 years ago where their first 2 picks were LB Jay Fox, 72, and CB Buddy Coffey, 71.

Perry Riley is still out 3 weeks. Dakota Saban and Bucky Creighton are still out 2. Dwayne Emmons is out 1. Carlos Thompson is questionable 2 weeks. Devin street is probable 4. Ivan pinnock is probable 2. Tavon Wilson and Kenyon Foerstel are probable 1.

We finally went out and put a game away from the start with a FG and then 3 straight TD passes by Carr, 2 to Kocurek and 1 to Thornton. we ended up winning easy 41-16.

Carr went 29/40 for 382 with 4 TDs and a pick. Kocurek caught 8 for 112 and 2 TDs and Thornton added 7 for 134 and a TD. Foerstel ran 13 times for 59 yards and a score.

Parker Carter went 17/28 for 162 with a TD and 3 picks. Lorenzo Taliaferro ran 12 times for 67 yards and was the top receiver with 3 for 61 and a TD.

Khalil Mack had 7 tackles and a pick and DJ Hayden and Keith McGill each added a pick.

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Week 6 we face one of the top teams in the NFL, 4-0 Cleveland, in Ohio. Coming off of a superbowl win they are the only team with trench players who can match our across the board.

Making matters worse a pair of long term injuries to offensive starters have placed them on IR. Carlos Thompson tore his Patellar tendon and will miss 27 weeks and Kenyon Foerstel had elbow ligament surgery and will miss 29.

Bucky Creighton is still out 2 weeks. Perry Riley is questionable for 2. Devin Street is probable 3 weeks. Dallas Thomas broke a finger and is probable 2. Ivan Pinnock and Dakota Saban are probable 1.

Despite the major injuries we came out to compete. After their first drive led to a spencer Fulton TD catch Bruce Gunn broke free on a screen and scored from 36 out. We then forced a punt and scored on a Jared Kocurek TD grab and made a pick and Carr threw his 3rd TD in 3 drives, the latest being a 1 play 4 yard drive with Thornton making the score. They answered with a TD to Josh Gordon cutting the lead to 7 before the half. We scored a couple FGs before Joe Haden scored on a punt return. We pushed it to 2 scores, 30-21, with another FG. They did score on a Turbin run with 2 minutes left but we were able to run the clock out and win 30-28.

Carr went 26/39 for 376 with 3 TDs and 2 picks. Dunsmore took back over running 18 times for 96 yards. Sean Lyon caught 9 of 12 targets for 128 yards.

Johnny Manziel was 28/36for 322 with 2 TDs and 2 picks. Robert Turbin racked up 74 yards and a score on 12 carries. Spencer Fulton caught 12 passes for 158 yards and a score.

Frank Shepardson had 11 tackles. Lester Norris and Ezra Friend each had a sack.. DJ Hayden and Tavon Wilson each had a pick

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I week 7 we are hosting a 4-1 Kansas City squad. Eric Berry, 78, and Ike Jennings, 80, are an elite pair at safety.

Ezra Friend and Devin Street are both probable 2 weeks and Dallas Thomas, Perry Riley, and Bucky Creighton are probable for 1.

After a missed FG by them and a turnover on downs by us we took the final long drive of the 1st quarter 16 plays before making a FG. We then forced a punt and got another 3 and took a 6-0 lead into the half. That was where things opened up with Harrison Goeas breaking out a 24 yard run for them to score and then Bobby Thornton getting open for a 22 yard TD grab. Travis Kelce then answered back with a TD grab and we added a FG to make it 16-14. With just 48 seconds left Ezra Gutierrez found Quinton Patton for a 10 yard score looking to seal the win but seconds later Bobby Thornton broke free for a 78 yard score and after missing the 2 point try we won 22-21.

Carr went 18/30 for 311 with 2 TDs and a pick. Liam Dunsmore ran 23 times for 96 yards. Jared Kocurek caught 7 for 110 and Thornton added 3 for 107 and 2 TDs.

Ezra Gutierez went 20/31 for 257 with 2 TDs and a pick. Martin Herndon ran 17 times for 66 yards. Michael Crabtree caught 5 for 90 yards.

Sio Moore had 9 tackles and Tavon Wilson had a pick

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Week 8 we are a huge favorite facing an 0-6 Steelers squad. Landry Jones, 40, has been unable to QB this team to success.

Sean Lyon is questionable 2 weeks and Devin Street and Ezra Friend are probable for 1.

We came out and scored TDs on 4 of our first 5 possessions and added a 94 yard Abel Durham fumble return TD to make it 35-0 before the Steelers got anything going. From there we coasted to a 38-3 win.

Carr went 23/29 for 301 with 4 TDs and a pick. Bruce Gunn ran 25 times for 77 yards and caught 5 passes for 80 and a TD. Bobby Thornton caught 5 for 90 and 2 scores.

Landry Jones was 11/15 for 114 yards and Chandler Hanson was 8/16 for 138 and a pick. Don Nixon was their top rusher running 10 times for 10 yards including one run for 13 yards. Antonio Brown caught 5 passes for 90 yards.

Olivier Vernon had 6 tacckles and 4 sacks. Jacob Keith had a sack and a forced fumble which Durham recovered. Hunter Middleton also had a sack and Sio Moore had a pick

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Week 9 we are traveling to face a 4-3 San Diego team in a game that could leave us undefeated heading into our bye week. We beat them earlier but they are healthy and we have a couple players on IR.

Ivan Pinnock is questionable this week with a pulled groin Tavon Wilson is probable 3 weeks with a sprained thumb. Sean Lyon is also probable 1 more week.

Once again our defense was stout holding the chargers to 4 straight punts and ending each of their first 10 drives with either a punt or a pick. Meanwhile we scored a FG and then after a quick punt we scored on 3 straight drives. First was a Carr pass to Devin Street from 35 yards then to Sean Lyon from 10 then another FG. After holding a 20-0 halftime lead we went conservative scoring just a FG in the 2nd half and they eventually scored a late TD on an Ethan Wishon TD catch and he added 2 on the ground but we won 23-8.

Carr went 22/40 for 331 with 2 TDs. Liam Dunsmore ran 12 times for 41 yards. Jared Kocurek caught 8 passes for 141 yards.

Rivers went 20/29 for 213 with a TD and 2 picks. Ethan Wishon ran 17 times for 89 yards. Keenan Allen caught 3 passes for 67 yards.

Michael Brockers made 9 tackles and 3 sacks. Abel Durham added 3 sacks. Sio Moore had 1.5, Khalil Mack had 1, and Olivier Vernon had .5. Sio Moore and Tavon Wilson each forced fumbles and Olivier Vernon recovered one. Jacob Keith and Lester Norris each had a pick.

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After a week 10 bye we come back in week 11 to face the bottom of the division, 3-6 Denver. They looked to change this defense bringing in Patrick Willis, 76, but the 12th year man has not been able to change the losing trend.

Khalil Mack is now questionable 2 weeks with a hyperextended elbow. Tavon Wilson is probable 2 weeks.

Once again we ended the game in the first quarter scoring on a 71 yard throw to Bobby Thornton, then on a 7 yard run by Dunsmore, then on a FG while they had a pick and 3 punts in the quarter. they did score a TD in the 2nd on a Stevan Ridley catch but we added a FG to keep the lead at 20-7. They added a FG but Dunsmore ran another TD in and we scored another 3 to win 30-10.

Carr went 17/34 for 234 yards and a TD. Dunsmore ran 15 times for 83 yards and 2 TDs. Bobby Thornton caught just 4 of 12 targets but gained 157 yards and a TD.

Jason Campbell went 25/44 for 182 and a TD and a pick. Rudley ran 4 times for 29 yards. Fernando Pierce caught 9 passes for 107 yards.

DJ Hayden had 9 tackles. Michael Brockers had 1.5 sacks, Dakota Saban and Jacob Keith had 1 each, and Ezra Friend had .5. Tavon Wilson added a pick

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Week 12 we are facing a 6-4 Seattle team that has been to 2 straight superbowls. QB Russell Wilson, 76, and CB Richard Sherman, 84, are the clear leaders of this squad.

Ivan Pinnock broke his arm and will miss 5 games. SS Frank Shepardson strained his achilles and is out 2 weeks. Derek Carr is probable 2 weeks with a strained quad and Khalil Mack and Tavon Wilson are still probable for 1 week.

After they took the opening kick 94 yards for a TD Mackenzie Kemock took advantage of his first playing time scoring on a 7 yard catch. After we got a stop Carr found Sean Lyon for a 2 yard score. Another 3 punts from them and our answer was FG, Bobby Thornton TD catch, FG and we took a 27-7 lead into the half. They came out and scored on a Giovanni Pascoe run and a Jeff Cumberland TD catch to cut the lead to 27-21 but Jared Kocurek caught a TD to add to our lead. We couldnt get the 2 and they scored late on another Cumberland catch to cut it to a 1 score game but we won 33-28.

Carr went 22/41 for 308 with 4 TDs and a pick. Bruce Gunn ran 16 times for 66 yards. Bobby thornton caught 6 for 115 yards and a TD and Jared Kocurek added 6 for 104 and a score.

Russell Wilson went 26/40 for 287 with 2 TDs and a pick. Pascoe ran 7 times for 48 yards. Samuel Farmer caught 7 passes for 127 yards and Corey Coleman caught 7 for 109. Jeff Cumberland, their TE with 2 TD catches, made 3 grabs for 8 yards.

DJ Hayden made 7 tackles and a pick and split a sack with Nolan Randle.

Not only did this game move us to 11-0 but now we have beaten the past 2 superbowl winners and losers this year.

[kcarr]

Week 13 we have one of our toughest challenges remaining this year as we travel to face an 8-3 colts team. Andrew Luck, 74, is a beast behind a line with likely the best individual lineman, Trevor Donovan, 95, in the league. Rookie DE Santiago Quinn, 44/87, is a guy we targeted even though we were stacked at the spot but the Colts took him right before our pick.

Ivan Pinnock is still out 4 weeks. FS Dwayne Emmons sprained his knee and is questionable 3 weeks. Derek Carr and Frank Shepardson are probable 1 week.

Both teams started off with long drives ending in punts before the colts drove the length of the field to settle for a 21 yard FG. We answered with an 80 yard drive ending with Mackenzie Kemock, taking advantage of his playing time at FB, scoring on a 1 yard catch. The half then went back to quiet as they punted 3 more times and we punted twice and scored a FG to take a 10-3 lead into the half.

They held us there forcing punt after punt in the 3rd while they scored on an Albert Flowers TD catch. Finally in the 4th we broke the tie again with 6 minutes left on a 43 yard FG but after a couple quick punts the took over with 2:19 left and drove the field scoring on a 27 yard pass to Dwayne Allen with just 1:06 remaining. We took over again, after a solid kick return, at the 33 yard line and after an incomplete pass Carr hit Bobby Thornton on a deep ball ending the game with a 67 yard score and a 20-17 win.

Carr went 17/26 for 283 with 2 TDs. Liam Dunsmore ran 18 times for 61 yards. Bobby Thornton caught 5 of 6 targets for 146 yards and a TD.

Luck went 22/31 for 279 yards and 2 TDs. Mike James ran 14 times for 51 yards. Dwayne Allen caught all 4 of his targets for 98 yards and a TD.

Sio Moore had 8 tackles. Zach Brown and Abel Durham each had a sack and Durham also forced a fumble that Michael Brockers recovered.

[kcarr]

Week 14 we are facing an 0-12 Arizona team and facing them in Oakland. This shouldn't be a problem. They have a top notch secondary led by Patrick Peterson, 80, and 3 others who are all 60s but their offense is completely lacking skill players.

Ivan Pinnock is still out 3 weeks and now Khalil Mack is out 3 with a hyperextended elbow. Dallas Thomas sprained his knee and is questionable 3 weeks and dwayne Emmons is still questionable for 2.

Neither team could get anything going on offense. We started off with 4 straight punts but they were worse either punting or turning it over on 9 straight drives to start including a fumble that Abel Durham returned for a TD. We then got a little offense going getting a FG and a Liam Dunsmore TD catch before the half.

In the middle of the 3rd they finally put together a drive and Miles Johnson cut it to a 2 score game on a TD grab from Ezra Ramsey. We answered with Mackenzie Kemock scoring a 2 yard TD catch. In the 4th they made a QB change and Robert Griffen III hit Nick Toon for an 81 yard score to make it 24-14. They then closed the gap further with a FG but we answered with our own and held on for a 27-17 win.

Carr went 21/37 for 187 with 2 TDs and 2 picks. Liam Dunsmore ran 12 times for 55 yards. Bobby Thornton caught 5 passes for 103 yards.

Ezra Ramsey went 11/20 for just 88 yards and a score. Griffin had nearly that many yards on one throw and went 9/14 for 134 with a TD. Miles Johnson ran 16 times for 58 yards. Nick Toon's 81 yard TD catch led the team in receiving yards.

DJ Hayden had 8 tackles. Michael Brockers had 1.5 sacks and forced the fumble that Abel Durham recovered. Ezra Friend and Jacob Keith each had a sack and Hunter Middleton had .5.

This game clinched us the division guaranteeing us a place above the Chiefs and also gives us homefield advantage in the playoffs.

[kcarr]

Week 15 we face the last winning team that we have to play before the playoffs in 9-4 Kansas City on the road. They have really bounced back this year with Gutierrez behind center and should be a challenge.

Ivan Pinnock is doubtful 2 weeks. TE Caleb McCrurry, RG Dallas Thomas, and MLB Jon Walsh are all questionable 2 weeks with sprained knees. Khalil Mack is now questionable 2 weeks. Sio Moore has knee tendinitis and is probable 5 weeks. Dwayne Emmons is probable 1 week with a sprained knee.

We start off in control again as Carr hit Sean Lyon for a 39 yard score. Both teams then added FGs before KC tied it at 10 right before the half with a Crabtree TD grab.

In the 2nd half we got it started with a Liam Dunsmore TD run but then on our next drive penalties got us in trouble pushing us back far enough they got a sack and a safety to make it 17-12. We added a couple FGs to push it to a 2 score game. They did make a kick with 17 seconds left to bring it to 23-15 but they weren't able to make a miracle happen.

Carr went 25/28 for 230 with a TD. Dunsmore ran 17 times for just 47 yards and a TD. Lyon was the top receiver with 4 grabs for 54 yards and a TD.

Gutierrez went 24/37 for 217 with a TD and a pick. Martin Herndon ran 11 times for 41 yards. Michael Crabtree caught 6 for 86 and a TD.

Khalil Mack had 8 tackles. Keith McGill had a pick.

[kcarr]

week 14 we faced the St Louis Rams and former #1 overall pick Willie Binkis, 48/64.

Khalil Mack went on IR undergoing elbow surgery out 23 weeks. Ivan Pinnok, Dallas Thomas, and Kaleb McClurry are still probable 1 week and Sio Moore is probable 4.

We took control of the game early with 3 straight TD throws, one to Jared Kocurek, one to Sean Lyon, and one to Bobby Thornton. They did get 3 FGs interspersed with our next 2 scores, a Devin Street punt return and another Bobby Thornton TD catch and they did add a garbage time TD catch but we won 35-16.

Carr went 20/25 for 276 with 4 TDs. Bruce Gunn ran 17 times for 97 yards. Bobby Thornton caught 5 for 137 and 2 scores.

Willie Binkis went 15/33 for 167 and a pick while Mackenzie Charron went 3/8 for 13 and a TD. Demetrius Lynn ran 4 times for 60 yards. Ryan Sutton caught 5 passes for 45 yards.

Sio Moore made 7 tackles. Ezra Friend had 2 sacks, Michael Brockers had 1.5, Sio Moore had 1, Olivier Vernon had .5. Brandon Dixon had a pick

[kcarr]

Week 17 3-12 Denver is all that is standing between us and 16-0. We beat them once and should do it again.

Dallas Thomas is questionable 3 weeks with a knee sprain. Sio Moore is probable 3 weeks and Hunter Middleton is probable for 4.

We came out quick and scored on a Jared Kocurek TD catch but denver answered with a Stevan Ridley run. We came back and scored on a Vance McDonald TD catch but Ridley ran another in. From there denver took over with a FG, a safety, another Ridley run, and another FG to win 29-14.

Carr wentt 25/39 for 243 with 2 TDs. Liam Dunsmore ran 14 times for 44 yards. Jared Kocurek caught 9 for 132 and a TD.

Jason Campbell went 20/28 for 206 and 2 picks. Stevan Ridley ran 14 times for 72 yards and 3 TDs. Fernando Pierce caught 7 for 84 yards.

Perry Riley had 10 tackles and Frank Shepardson had a sack. Tavon Wilson and DJ Hayden each had a pick

[kcarr]

Wildcard round:

Seattle handled Chicago with no issues what so ever 42-16
New England ensured that we will not have 3 superbowls in a row with the same 2 teams beating Cleveland 27-13
Philadelphia beat Green Bay 24-21
Indianapolis beat division foe Jacksonville 40-35

[kcarr]

Divisional round:

We face the colts who we beat earlier this year. we are an 8 point favorite.

New England will travel to Cincinatti. The Bengals handled business winning 34-28

Philly faces a 14-2 detroit squad seen as the surest bet as a 10 point favorite. Detroit won easily 21-7.

Seattle is the only projected upset traveling to New Orleans. They pulled it off winning 31-16.

Sio Moore is probable 2 weeks while DJ Hayden, Brandon Dixon, Dallas Thomas, Vince Binkow, and Hunter Middleton are probable for 1.

The first 2 drives of the game took almost 14 total minutes of the clock and each led to a TD, one for us by Bobby Thornton and one for them by Dwayne Allen. We then added a FG to ours but after a couple quick punts they answered with a long drive ending in Roy Helu catching a TD. We answered right back with a TD pass to Liam Dunsmore but they came back again with a 39 yard strike td Malachi Evans pusing their halftime lead to 21-17.

We owned the 3rd with 2 long drives, one ending in a Sean Lyon TD grab and another ending in a Dunsmore TD run. They bounced back with a Helo TD run and an 85 yard score by TY Hilton. With 5 minutes left we got the ball back and Carr came up big again leading a game winning drive ending with Sean Lyon in the endzone for a 38-35 win.

Carr went 31/39 for 371 with 4 TDs. Dunsmore ran 19 times for 114 yards and a score and caught 5 passes for 63 yards and a TD. Bobby Thornton caught 8 for 99 yards and a score.

Andrew Luck went 31/39 for 402 and 4 TDs. Helu ran 7 times for 29 yards and a TD and added 1 catch for 1 yard and a TD. Hilton caught 9 for 159 and a score and Evan added 8 for 118 and a TD.

Frank Shepardson made 9 tackles and Michael Brockers and Hunter Middleton split a sack

[kcarr]

Conference round:

We are hosting Cincinnati as a 5 point favorite. This is another team we have beaten.

Seattle will travel to Detroit as a 5 point underdog looking to go to 3 straight superbowls.

Zach Brown is out up to 3 weeks with a hyperextended elbow. Hunter Middleton, Sio Moore, and DJ Hayden are probable 1 week.

After a punt filled 1st quarter the Bengals took an early lead with a 2nd quarter FG. We came back with a Bobby Thornton TD catch and after Erick Didier then caught a 25 yard score from Dalton, Carr led another drive ending in him finding Liam Dunsmore for a score. Cincy took the lead back late in the 2nd with a 74 yard Knile Davis run but we got a FG at the half to tie it at 17.

The offenses cooled a bit in the 3rd after Dalton threw a pick 6 to Tavon Wilson. At the end of the quarter, though, they caught back up with another Didier TD grab. In the 4th we scored on back to back drives, first a Dunsmore TD run and then another catch by Thornton. With 20 seconds left AJ Green cut it to 1 score, 38-31, but we held on for the win.

Carr went 23/34 for 330 with 3 TDs. Dunsmore ran 22 times for 93 yards and a TD. Thornton caught 8 passes for 72 yards and 2 scores.

Dalton went 27/49 for 313 with 3 TDs and 2 picks. Davis ran 10 times for 100 yards. Didier caught 10 passes fro 120 yards and 2 scores and Green added 8 for 115 and a TD.

Frank Shepardson had 10 tackles. Sio Moore and Michael Brockers each had a sack. Tavon Wilson and Brandon Dixon each had a pick.

[kcarr]

In the superbowl we are facing a Detroit Lions team with the best receiving corps in the game. Calvin Johnson, 75, may be a household name but 2nd year man Jaylen Hampton, 83, is turning into a star. Their defense is built up from like ours with Ndamukong Suh, 71, Nick Fairley, 78, and Ezekiel Ansah, 78, leading the way.

Devin Street will miss the superbowl with a concussion. Zach Brown is back and questionable as is Raul Webster with a sprained knee. CB Lester Norris is probable with shoulder tendinitis.

Detroit started things off with a FG which we quickly matched but then Sio Moore made a huge play picking off stafford and going 44 yards for a score. The lions came back and Eric Ebron scored on a 14 yard grab. We took the lead with a safety and then Liam Dunsmore scored on a 2 yard run. A pair of punts by them allowed us to open it up as Carr found Paul Richardson and Jared Kocurek for scores. They did get 3 to end the half but we were up 33-13 entering the break. After Sean Lyon scored in the early 3rd we were able to hold them off despite TD throws to Justin Blackmon and Calvin Johnson and we won 40-27.

Carr was named superbowl MVP going 28/32 for 327 with 3 scores and a pick. Dunsmore ran 18 times for 71 yards and a TD. Kocurek caught 7 passes for 109 and a TD.

Stafford went 26/49 for 310 and 3 TDs but threw 3 picks. Carl Devine was held to 32 yards on 8 carries. Ebron was their top pass catcher with 6 for 106 and a TD.

DJ Hayden had 8 tackles. Abel Durham had a sack. Sio Moore, Perry Riley, and Marcus Cooper each had a pick

[kcarr]

Season Review:
Passing: Carr went 372/561 for 4864 yards with 39 TDs to 12 picks. A real breakout year.

Rushing: Liam Dunsmore was again our top rusher starting the last 13 games and running 219 times for 793 yards and 3 TDs. He added 32 catches on 42 targets for 248 yards and 2 TDs and he only fumbled once.

Bruce Gunn ran just 133 times but gained 625 yards and caught 17 of 21 targets for 211 yards and 2 scores. He did fumble twice.

Rookie Kenyon Foerstel started 3 of his 5 games and ran just 43 times for 153 yards and 3 TD. He caught 8 of 9 targets for 48 yards and he did not fumble but the injury really hurt his opening campaign.

Ivan Pinnock caught 13 passes in 15 tries for 93 yards and made 6 of 17 key blocks.

Mackenzie Kemock in 4 games caught 11 of 13 passes for 57 yards and 3 TDs. He made 2 of 7 blocks.

Receiving: Bobby Thornton had a breakout year with 83 grabs in 131 targets for 1556 yards and 14 TDs. He also ran for a 13 yard score.

Jared Kocurek caught 91 of 153 targets for 1264 yards and 7 TDs. He averaged 27.2 yards on 25 kick returns.

Sean Lyon caught 57 of 85 tries for 585 yards and 5 TDs and made 4 of 10 key blocks.

Devin Street made 18 catches in 29 tries for 312 yards and 3 TDs. He returned 42 punts for 11.8 yards per and a TD.

Carlos Thompson only played 3 games but caught 13 of 17 tries for 161 yards and a TD.

Rookie Bucky Creighton caught 11 of 19 tries for 126 yards.

Blocking: Vince Binkow made 34 of 96 key blocks, weaker than his 34 of 79 last year but did make 8 pancakes and allowed 8 sacks.

Raul Webster made 28 of 90 key blocks with 3 pancakes and 7 sacks allowed.

Graham Moore was more efficient than the other two top linemen making 30 of 83 key blocks and only allowing 1 sack.

Dallas Thomas made 19 of 53 key blocks after having 118 chances last year. He made 2 pancakes and allowed 8 sacks.

Rookie Aaron Kaplan made 15 of 44 key blocks but allowed 10 sacks.

Punting: Marquette King punted 75 times for 45 yards per with a 36.6 net and 22 inside the 20.

Kicking: Lamar Ficken had a career year making 35 of 38 kicks including 11 of 14 from over 40 yards and neverr missing close. He also made all 46 xps

Defensive Line: Michael Brockers made 70 tackles, 9 sacks, 11 hurries, 23 knockdowns, and defeated 2 blocks for a 5.2 rush percentage and forced and recovered a fumble.

Backup Olivier Vernon only made 15 tackles but made 7 sacks, 5 hurries, 8 knockdowns, 2 blocks defeated and recovered a fumble posting a 13.5 rush percent.

Jacob Keith made 39 tackles but just 6.4 sacks, though added 22 hurries and 22 knockdowns along with 2 blocks defeated 2 forced fumbles and a pick posting a 6.1 rush percent.

Ezra Friend made 45 tackles and 6.5 sacks despite just 4 hurries and 1 knockdown and 3 blocks defeated for a 4.1 rush percent.

Abel Durham made 37 tackles and 6 sacks with 5 blocks defeated, 12 hurries and 5 knockdowns for a 4.6 rush percent. He made big plays though, forcing and recovering 2 fumbles, each for a TD.

Nolan Randle made 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 hurries, and 3 knockdowns for a 2.6 rush percent

Linebackers: Sio Moore had 89 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 hurries, 4 knockdowns, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pass defensed.

Khalil Mack made 69 tackles, 1 sack, 1 block defeated, 4 hurries, and 5 knockdowns. He also had a pick and 2 passes defensed.

Perry Riley made 37 tackles and a pass defensed.

Zach Brown made 28 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 passes defensed.

Dakota Saban made 27 tackles, 1 sack, 2 blocks defeated, a pick, 2 passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

Defensive Backs: Frank Shepardson made 99 tackles, 1 sack, 7 passes defensed and a forced fumble.

DJ Hayden, a corner, led the team with 102 tackles and made .5 sacks. He added 5 picks and 14 passes defensed.

Lester Norris made 58 tackles, 1 sack, 1 hurry. 1 pick, and 8 passes defensed.

Keith McGill made 58 tackles, 2 picks, 12 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.

Tavon Wilson had a career low 51 tackles, 1 hurry, 4 picks, 8 passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

Dwayne Emmons made 25 tackles, and 3 passes defensed.

Brandon Dixon made 20 tackles, a pick, 5 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.

[kcarr]

In the staff draft we retained our staff.

[kcarr]

A quick look at the grey sheet shows our potential FA losses as 4.9 grade RB Liam Dunsmore, the 6th rated back, and 4.4 graded ILB Dakota Saban, our backup MLB.

We offer 7 million over 3 years to ILB Mychal Kendricks, 49, an 8th year pro who could give us depth.

We also throw Dunsmore an offer of 4 million for 2 years seeing if his loyalty might keep him cheap. He is asking much less than the 3 million per year he had been seeking.

In stage 5 Kendricks signed.

In stage 7 Dunsmore signed.

[kcarr]

With one of the weakest drafts I have seen and all the 1st round talent gone in the top 9 picks we traded our 1.32 pick to denver for next year's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounders.

We then traded our 2nd to the jets for their future 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounders.

We finally used a pick, 3.32, on TE Melvin Connell, 33/57, who is only 6'1" 232 lbs, but has great talent for the draft we are in.

At 4.32 we try to upgrade our kicker spot with Curtis Schafer, 34/62.

We offer our 2 5th rounders and a 6th to arizona for a 4th next year.

We use the last pick of the draft on OLB Winston Ellison, 12/34, ending the draft having made only 3 picks but having taken 2 quality players and added picks for next year hoping for a better draft class.

[kcarr]

As we are evaluating our roster we traded FB Mackenzie Kemock, 54, to the steelers for a 4th round pick. He was our 3rd FB going into this year and not likely to play though he scored 3 TDs for us each of the last 3 years.

Roster:

QB: Derek Carr, 64, is again looking like a stud coming off of winning superbowl MVP but will miss the start of the season with a dislocated shoulder. Hopefully it does not hurt him long term. Derek Thomas, 22/50, got the preseason starter snaps and looks like the guy going forward over Charles Wiegmann, 34/42. On the bright side for whoever plays, they won't be asked to do much with the league's top roster around them. Malik Greer, 13/33, was signed as a UDFA to be the 3rd QB.

RB: Kenyon Foerstel, 55/61, looks to bounce back from a disappointing rookie year that ended with an injury. Liam Dunsmore, 46, will again start as the backup after his 4th year in a row as our leading rusher. Bruce Gunn, 44, hyperextended his elbow and could miss up to 3 weeks but is our top receiving back.

FB: Ivan Pinnock, 64/73, is a great blocker who adds a little as a pass catcher. Noah White, 34/57, was not resigned by denver and will be our backup.

TE: Carlos Thompson, 74, is coming off of a long injury and is now in a contract year. He is asking for a lot of money to resign after playing on his 6th round rookie contract for the last 3 years but he looks to be a dominant TE, likely the 2nd best in the league. Sean Lyon, 51, filled in amazingly well last year and will be a good TE2. 3rd round pick Melvin Connell, 40/62, looks to be proof that the raider's staff can find great TEs every year.

WR: Bobby Thornton, 65, is coming off a career year with over 1500 yards through the air and 14 touchdowns caught and another on the ground. Jared Kocurek, 62, did not hit double digit TDs like he did as a rookie but still caught for over 1200 yards. Bucky Creighton, 51/68, did not see a lot of playing time as a rookie given all the talented vets on the roster but should see more this year. Devin Street, 44, is a solid punt returner who gets some playing time on offense. Rookie Danny Babka, 22/35, won't play much.

C: Graham Moore, 71, is starting the season out 4 weeks with a pulled calf. He is in a contract year so needs to be out there proving his worth. 8th year man Brandon Mosley, 36, has dropped off lately but will fill in a couple games.

LG: Raul Webster, 68, also in a contract year, will be the starter here and has been solid throughout his rookie contract. Dominigo Harvey, 28/48, will back up both guard spots as we used extra places elsewhere.

RG: Dallas Thomas, 50, is aging entering his 7th year but he is still seen as a solid starter going forward.

LT: Vince Binkow, 76, is still a star entering his 5th season. Jeremiah Strickland, 26/36 won't play unless Vince is hurt.

RT: Aaron Kaplan, 54/65, was decent as a rookie. Greg Robinson, 50, is one of the better backup linemen in the league.

P Marquette King, 69, is a decent punter.

K: Lamar Ficken, 52, was kept around as we have a chance to win now and he has experience. Curtis Schafer, 35/56, has more upside though.