11-24-2003, 05:13 AM | #101 |
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Rushing Leaders
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-24-2003 at 05:14 AM. |
11-24-2003, 05:36 AM | #102 |
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-24-2003, 05:55 AM | #103 |
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-24-2003 at 06:22 AM. |
11-24-2003, 06:21 AM | #104 |
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11-24-2003, 06:34 AM | #105 |
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11-24-2003, 06:45 AM | #106 |
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-24-2003 at 06:47 AM. |
11-24-2003, 07:07 AM | #107 |
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11-25-2003, 02:42 AM | #108 |
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Wildcard Round Matchups
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Comments: The rankings don't really support that these two are superior teams, although they certainly aren't slouches. The Ravens were fairly consistent, beating up on bad teams and generally losing to good teams. This can likely be attributed to their strengths of rushing and run defense, which limits big turnarounds and blowouts. The problem for the Ravens is that the Raiders have the second best run defense in the NFL. They are atrocious against the pass, but Boller isn't good enough to take advantage of it, at least not without making a mistake against a team that was also third in turnover margin. On the other side of it, the Raiders match up well with the Ravens on defense. The Raiders are much better throwing the ball than passing, and they have a much stronger overall offense. Considering they also have home field, this one should go to the Raiders. Code:
Comments: This is a fun matchup. The best defense in the league is going against the second-best offense in the league. Can there be anything better for a playoff showdown? The Steelers didn't play as well as they could down the stretch, and blew their shot at bye for this round. The Dolphins, meanwhile, came back from a sub-.500 record to win the wildcard. A great defense, a fine running attack and all that momentum certainly makes the Dolphins a tough matchup. But the Steelers are no slouches. They have the highest-rated quarterback in football. They are the ones with the back with the second most yardage in football, not the Fins (Williams didn't even break 1000, in fact, although he split a lot of time with Charlie Rogers). They also have one of the best receivers in Burress, and a playmaker-heavy defense that is no slouch itself at fifth best. The Dolphins have a matchup advantage in the running game, as the rund efense was one area the Steelers need a lot of work, but their passing game is one of the worst out there. Can a one-dimensional offense score enough to overcome the star power the Steelers throw out there, even if they are matched up against a top-notch defense like Miami's? I don't think so. The Steelers should take this one. Code:
Comments: As if two meetings in the regular season weren't enough, they get to face off with each other in the playoffs, too. Dallas comes in as the division winner, but this might not be the matchup that works well for them. The two teams split the season series, but the Giants blew out the Cowboys, while the Cowboys were lucky to get their win late in the season. The main problem is that the Cowboys really have no offense. Carter is scattershot in the mold of young passers, and Hambrick is an average starter who has to carry the weight of being the primary offense on this team. No, this team won because of a terrific defense, and you have to wonder if that alone will be enough when the Giants are not only bringing the fourth best offense and the second best receiver in Amani Toomer, but they are also 11th in the league in defense, featuring dominating sack leader Michael Strahan. I don't think it will be--the Giants should get their revenge for not winning the division. Code:
Comments: In the end, it doesn't matter who the Vikings play or how they match up with them. The only thing that matters is, which Culpepper will show up? If the one who works efficiently and leads an inspried, mistake-free passing attack shows up, the Vikings can pull off one of the bigger playoff upsets in recent memory. If the five-interception Culpepper shows up, the Seahawks are going to slap the Vikings so hard their unborn grandchildren will feel the impact. The Seahawks hae a steady, versatile offense led by the continually surprising Dilfer and a defense with a lot of difference makers. The Vikings have their players, too, but the only real advantage they have is the simple greatness of Culpepper and Moss, the by far the best receiver in the league. My guess is that things will lie somewhere in the middle, the Vikings will put up a good fight, but fall in the end to a Hawks team that is just too strong. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-25-2003 at 06:39 AM. |
11-25-2003, 07:41 AM | #109 |
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Wildcard Round
Baltimore at Oakland The first quarter went exactly as the Ravens' planned it. Their bend, don't break defense held up and kept the Raiders to a field goal, and on the other isde of the ball, Jamal Lewis broke a few tackles on the way to a 25-yard scoring run and a 7-3 lead. But then in the second quarter, basically the Raiders opened up the proverbial can o' whoop ass on 'em. Rich Gannon led the Raiders on two dives that ended with short one-yard tosses for tocuhdowns, to Charlie Garner and Zack Crockett out of the backfield. Then with three minutes left int he half, Garner ran a third touchdown in from eight yards out. The Ravens trudged into the lockerrom down 24-7. They wouldn't quit easy, though. Kyle Boller hooked up with Todd Heap for a four-yard touchdown pass, and then the Ravns began the fourth quarter with a field goal to move within a touchdown of the Raiders, 24-17. They couldn't make any more headway after that, though. With seven minutes left, Gannon hooked up with his best receiver Jerry Porter for a scoring pass, Gannon's third of the game. A late field goal just added mustard to the win. Final score, 34-17, Raiders. As you might expect with two defenses ranked in the 20s, there was a fair bit of offense, with both teams collecting over 400 yards in total offense in the game. They each had one turnover only, so it was probably a pretty exciting game to watch,w ithout the ugliness. Gannon (25-39, 326 yd, 3 td, 0 int) was terrific, spreading his touchdowns around to three diffferent receivers. Porter (7 rec, 143 yd, 1 td) was the main target. Garner (94 yd, 1 td, 8 rec, 56 rec yd, 1 rec td) was a huge factor for the Raiders. Boller (25-46, 294 yd, 1 td,1 int) didn't lose this one for the Ravens and is only going to get better, but this was too much for a rookie quarterback to handle. Lewis (75 yd, 1 td) was functionnaly good, but they needed him to be fantastic today. Miami at Pittsburgh As if the Steelers themselves weren't a big enough test, the Dolphins were greeted coming off their team bus in Pittsburgh by 24 degree weather and an icy white field. Yup, it was a snow game, an ice bowl, whatever you want to call it. Judging by the first half, this one is all about defense. Jeff Reed kicked a field goal in the first quarter to give the Steelers an early 3-0 lead, but that was all the scoring in the first quarter. Big booming kicker Olindo Mare evened up with a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, but he was soon one-upped again when Reed got another field goal to move the score to 6-3. That's how it was at halftime, with the fans shivering in the icy stands. The Fins came out with renewed passion in the third. Mare kicked a field goal in the third quarter and then a go ahead kick with just nine minutes to go to take a 9-6 lead. The Steelers hadn't been able to do anything al day, so this was looking to be an insurmountable task. But that is forgetting that Tommy Maddox was the best quarterback in football this year. With four minutes left, Maddox threw the ball into Freddie Milons just right, and then watched as the athletic reserve receiver busted a 94-yard touchdown. An extra point later, and the Steelers had a 13-9 lead. They got the ball quick and tabbed on another field goal, to move up 16-9 with just over two minutes left. It was gut check time for the Dolphins. They hadn't scored a touchdown yet this game. In one swoop, Patrick Surtain took care of that. On the kickoff following Reed's third field goal, Surtain took the kick back 80 yards for an amazing final-minutes, game-tying score! This one headed to overtime. As you might expect considering regulation, this one was a bitter, brutal struggle on an icy battlefield. Both teams fought to get close enough to end it, and both failed repeatedly. Finally, the Steelers got close. Fins' punter Mark Royals got a bad punt off and Pittsburgh got to start from their own 39 yard line. It took two key passes, one a 20-yarder to Plaxico Burress, the other a 15-yarder to Jay Riemersma, and the Steelers had to overcome three penalties as well, but they finally got in range of a field goal with what would have been 21 seconds left ina regular overtime. Reed kicked a 36-yarder through for his fourth field goal of the game, and the Steelers barely escaped with their hides. 19-16 (OT), Steelers. The Dolphins didn't have nearly the offense the Steelers had, and it showed in the numbers. Yardage-wise, Pittsburgh dominated the game, 434-224. They weren't helped, though, by two Maddox interceptions, especially since the Dolphins made no such miscues whatsoever. Jerome Bettis (57 yd) had a rough game against a very good defense, so this one had to hinge on Maddox's performance. He gets a passing grade (27-45, 334 yd, 1 td, 2 int, 43 rush yd), but just barely. He came through when they needed it. Von Oelhoffen terrorized Jay Fielder (24-50, 171 yd, 0 td, 0 int) and his protection, guard Todd Perry, for 4 sacks. Ricky Williams (25 yd) did even worse than Bettis, and the Steelers' run defense isn't bnearly as good. NY Giants at Dallas This one looke close early on. Both defenses locked down tight, and the game went scoreless for almost the entire first half. Finally, with just under four minutes to go until halftime, Kerry Collins connected with Amani Toomer on a 31-yard touchdown pass, to give the Giants a 7-0 lead. The Cowboys would cut the lead to four with a field goal in the dwindling seconds of the half. The Giants picked up where they left off in the thrid quarter. Jeremy Shockey didn't have a great year this year for the Giants,b ut he came through in the third quarter. Collins hit him with a 12-yard strike just a couple minutes into the second half. Collins brought out the big gun next, hurling a 52-yard bomb to Ike Hilliard for another score with seven minutes left in the third quarter. All of a sudden a tight defensive game turned into a 20-3 New York advantage. The Cowboys kept trying to get back into this one, but the Giants weren't having none of it. Collins got his fourth touchdown of the day when he finished off Dallas with a six-yard pass to Toomer. The Giants win this in a blowout. 27-3, Giants. The yards difference matched the score, with the Giants outgaining Dallas 415-258. Collins (25-32, 318 yd, 4 td, 1 int)--not traditionally a big game quarterback--came through big time to lead the Giants to an impressive victory. Toomer (11 rec, 154 yd, 2 td) was his usual incrddible self, but this time he got help from Hilliard (6 rec, 101 yd, 1 td). Tiki Barber hurt himself and didn't play much, but the Giants didn't miss him much behind the running of backup back Ron Dayne (78 yd). Hamkbrick (82 yd) and Carter (29 yd) did some damage in the running game, but it was in a conservative and inconsistent passing game that the Cowboys lost this one. Carter (13-25, 132 yd, 0 td, 0 int) showed that he still has quite a ways to go, although the fact he didn't throw any picks is encouraging. Seattle at Minnesota Daunte Culpepper quickly showed the kind of talent that opponents find so scary, leading the Vikings to a quick score in the first quarter that ended with him running in a 10-yard bootleg. The Vikings' defense then toughened up and kept the Seahwaks out of the zone for a while. Fortunately for Seattle, kicker Josh Brown came to play, as he kicked a 49-yarder and then an amazing 56-yard field goal in the first quarter to whittle away at the Vikings lead. The Vikings defense finally gave out in the second quarter, yielding two quick scoring strikes from Trent Dilfer. With the help of a run for conversion, the Seahawks were up 21-10 at halftime. The Seahawks put the clamps down on the Vikings and held them scoreless in the third quarter. Brown's third field goal of the game pushed the Seahawks to 24-10 as the fourth quarter neared. Time was running out for the Vikings. The Seahawks kept it up and showed why they were a last-second loss to San Francisco away from home field advantage in the playoffs. They finished off the Vikings with two more fourth quarter scores. Final, 37-10, Seahawks. Interceptions wre a key to this game, although Culpepper (16-27, 175 yd, 0 td, 2 int, 34 rush yd, 1 rush td) wasn't nearly as bad as he has shown himself to be at times. Probably the worst part of the offense for the Vikings was their anemic running attack. The Seahawks stifled the running game, limiting Onterrio Smith to just one total yard on 11 carries. The Vikings got 41 total rushing yards, and most of that was courtesy of Culpepper running from a collapsing pocket. Dilfer (18-23, 211 yd, 2 td , 0 int) was typcially steady and amazing at the same time. Shaun Alexander (117 yd, 1 td, 4 rec, 38 rec yd) was the Hawks' best weapon. The great Randy Moss (6 rec, 51 yd, 0 td) was entirely too ordinary today. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-25-2003, 09:11 PM | #110 |
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Division Round Matchups
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Comments: This is the way you have to like it. Strength against strength. One-on-one. The Titans rushing (2nd best) versus the Raiders' run defense (also 2nd best). The Raiders' passing offense (7th best) against the Titans' pass defense (10th best). These are the matchups that will determine who wins this game. The Titans don't look like much of a running team if you consider just Chris Brown, but that would be misleading. Brown combines with Eddie George and Steve McNair, as a running quarterback, for a three-headed 600-yard-plus-each monster. This is an offense that can pile up the runs. And while they don't do so well getting the passing yardage, McNair is an efficient quarterback with the ball on his arm, just like the Raiders' counterpart Rich Gannon. And McNair has a fine #1 receiver to throw to in Derrick mason and one of the more surehanded tight ends in the league in Frank Wycheck. Considering the Raiders aren't very good defending the pass, this could be a key to the game. On the other side, the plays to watch will be in the trenches. The Raiders have one of the best lines in football, but the rreason the Titans were so good against the pass wasn't because of superior corner play so much as a brutal pass rush with Kearse, Carter and DT Albert Haynesworth (9.5) finishing among league leaders. If Gannon gets it off, though (and you know he will), he can be dangerous. The Titans' run defense isn't all that hot, but Charlie Garner is better receiving than he is running the ball. I think this one will be very close, and so I will go with the home field and give it to Tennessee. Code:
Comments: I am sure Buffalo is a good team. They proved it on the field, right? But looking at the numbers right next to each other, I find it hard to believe the Bills are the ones who had the first round bye. They don't rank in the top ten in any single major team category. Their best ranking is 11th best in pass defense. They have just one star player, based on this year's performances, and that is Eric Moulds. Against them come the Steelers, who rank in the top ten in both offense and defense, have the league's top rushing attack, two of the best in the backfield in Jerome Bettis and Tommy Maddox, an elite reciever in Plaxico Burress, and a defense filled with playmakers. I just don't see this one coming out pretty for the Buffaloes. Unless they weave some of the magic they must have had in the regular season, the bills are going to lose this one. Code:
Comments: The Rams come in as the top team in the NFC--and the NFL, by record at least--, but I am still not sure this is going to be an easy game for them. The Giants look very tough when you look at the numbers and who they have on the team. And the Rams look very vulnerable with that horrible passing defense. It does not bode well to go into a game against a quarterback with 4500 passing yards and 30 td passes when you have a pass defense ranked lower than all but two teams in the NFL. The Giants counter with a tough defense and hungry sack artist Miichael Starhan, which you would think would have to give the Rams more trouble than their defensie will the Giants. Of course, nothing is easy when you have a combination like Kurt Warner-to-Torry Holt and home field advantage. Still, I think the Giants sneak into St. Louis and pull out the upset victory in a close one. Code:
Comments: This is one is about a reversal of roles. The Seahawks are the ones renowned for offense, with maybe the best three-receiver lineup, a gamebreaker at running back in Shaun Alexander, and the steady Trent Dilfer with the controls in hand. The Buccs are the ones with the terrific defense, with Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp on the line, Derrick Brooks at linebacker, and John Lynch and Ronde Barber in the secondary. But how's this for a shock? The Buccs have a better offense than the Seahawks, and the Hawks have a better defense than the Buccs. Go figure. This should be a great matchup, since both teams can make it happen on both sides of the ball. I have to give this one to Tampa Bay, though. Seattle may have the best overall unit in their defense, but Tampa Bay is still very good ont hat side of the ball, and the Hawks don't put up the yardage quite as well as they do the points. I have a feeling the Buccs' defense will come to play and shut them down pretty good, giving Tampa Bay a ticket to the conference championship game. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-25-2003, 10:02 PM | #111 |
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Nicely laid out Chief!
Todd |
11-25-2003, 11:13 PM | #112 |
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Division Round
Oakland at Tennessee I got the sense this would be a close one, and the two teams didn't seem to want to disappoint me. The Raiders got the first score, on an 8-yard pass to Jerry Porter. The Titans were quick to respond, though. Steve McNair showed off his foot skills by running in the Titans' equalizing score in the first quarter. Just a couple minutes later, Rich Gannon made an ill-advised throw, and Keith Bulluck returned an interception 57 yards for the 14-7 Titan lead. Gannon got the Raiders back, though, with a four-yard scoring pass to Tim Brown in the second quarter. The seesaw continues. Gary Anderson got a field goal for the Titans before halftime, but the resulting 17-14 score stood in place for quite a while. In the very first seconds of the fourth quarter, Sebastian janikowski tied the game up again (third time already) with a matching field goal. The Titans drove back down the field and punched across a one-yard run up the gut by Robert Holcombe to take a 24-17 lead with nine minutes left. The Raiders then drove down again and got another comeback score when gannon hit Doug Jolley for a 14-yard touchdown pass. It's beginning to look like the last team to end up witht he ball will take this one. Well, that's what it did look like. As it turns out, neither team would score again in regulation, and we had another overtime game on our hands. As with Pittsburgh-Miami, this one was rather silent for much of the overtime, as neither team managed to get close enough to get a score. Finally, the Raiders put together a tough drive and got down into the red zone. At 6:08, Charlie Garner danced his way through 3 yards for the clinching score, and the Raiders are going on to the AFC Championship Game. 30-24 (OT), Raiders. The Raiders had a distinct advantage in yardage, 464-349, but they were hurt by two turnovers, including the Gannon pick which was returned for a touchdown. They were fortunate to pull it out. Aside from the pic, Gannon (24-33, 338 yd, 3 td) played very well, leading his team when they needed it. Garner (125 yd, 1 td, 4 rec, 76 rec yd) was again a big factor for the Raiders, including scoring the winning run. Brown (7 rec, 111 yd, 1 td) played a bit like his old self for once, which was nice to see. The three-headed rushing monster was dangerous, as expected. Chris Brown (81 yd) led the way, but they also got good runs from Eddie George (29 yd) and McNair (29 yd, 1 td). In the passing game, McNair (25-35, 195 yd, 0 td, 0 int) was fairly accurate, but he didn't produce the big plays the Titans needed in this one. Pittsburgh at Buffalo It was 43 degrees and rainy in Buffalo for this one, so, oddly enough, the Steelers should feel they were playing in some warm weather after last week's Snow Bowl overtime thriller with the Dolphins. Will they have enough energy to take the Bills at their place, though? The early indications said yes. The Steelers defense locked down on the Bills and shut them out in the first half. Meanwhile, the Steelers got a score in each of the first two quarters. Tommy Maddox hit Hines Ward for a 4-yard scoring pass in the last minutes of the first quarter, and then Jerome Bettis got into the end zone int he second quarter off of a Maddox screen pass. With the way the Steelers' defense was playing, 14-0 was a pretty good lead for the Steelers. The Bills got a little bit back when they shut out the Steelers in the third quaretr and got their first score, a 22-yard Rian Lindell field goal, but they were still down 14-3 going into the final quarter. The Steelers soon got that field goal back with one of their own early in the fourth quarter. They continued to toughen up on the Bills after that. The Bills did get a touchdown finally, but it was a last minute score when the game was already pretty much decided. 17-10, Steelers. The Steelers spent a lot of time in the Bills' backfield, with 6 sacks, although the Bills ended up winning the yardage battle, 363-307. Yardage doesn't help much if you don't push it across the goal line, though. Maddox (17-20, 180 yd, 2 td, 0 int) continues to play like a player of the year. Bettis (90 yd, 4 rec, 23 rec yd, 1 rec td) was a threat in both phases of the offense. And Hines Ward (7 rec, 99 yd, 1 td) stood out over Plaxico Burress for once. Kimo Von Oelhoffen had another 2.5 sacks, bringing his two-game playoff total to 6.5 sacks so far. Eric Moulds (7 rec, 136 yd) was indeed the star for the Bills, but he couldn't overcome lackluster days by Drew Bledsoe (17-34, 283 yd, 1 td,1 int) and Travis Henry (49 yd). NY Giants at St. Louis Playoffs tend to tense up teams, and that's what seemed to be the result early on in this one, as neither offense started off too well. The Giants failed to reach the end zone in the first three quarters of the gamne, but they built up a 9-7 lead on three Matt Bryant field goals, one in each quarter. The high-octane Rams' offense was anything but, with their lone score coming on an 8-yard scoring pass to reserve receiver Mike Furrey. The Rams seemed to turn it around a little in the fourth, getting a field goal with eleven minutes left tot ake a 10-9 lead, and then stopping the Giants on their next possession. But everything changed with one throw. Omar Stoutmire stepped in front of a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 41 yards for a score and the lead. Despite the fact the conversion failed, the Giants were holding onto a 15-10 lead in a tough defensive game. They almost made it stand up, too, as the Rams struggled to geta nything going. Finally, with just 1:12 left, the Rams ended a last ditch drive with a 12-yard scoring pass to, again, surprise hero Furrey. They also got the conversion, and moved up to 18-15. The nail in the proverbial coffin came just a few seconds later, when Amani Toomer fumbled away the ball and any chane of a Giant comeback on the ensuing kickoff return. The Rams kicked a field goal to get to the final score. Final, 21-15, Rams. The Rams had to overcome two interceptions by Warner, but otherwise, their star passer did just fine (21-32, 266 yd, 2 td). Furrey (4 rec, 49 yd, 2 td) was an unlikely hero in this one, although Isaac Bruce (4 rec, 91 yd) was the Rams leading receiver. The only problem for Kerry Collins (23-40, 244 yd, 0 td, 0 int) was that he couldn't force his way into the end zone. Aside from his ill-timed fumble, Toomer (9 rec, 109 yd) also had a good day. Seattle at Tampa Bay The defenses stood out over the offenses early on, as Seattle had just 1 6-3 lead a few minutes into the second quarter. The Buccs finally broke out of their reut late in the second, though, as Brad Johnson hooked up with both Keenan McCardell and Todd Yoder for touchdown passes in the final minutes of the first half. The Buccs had a 17-9 lead at halftime. Another field goal in the thrid quarter moved the Saehawks to within five, 17-12, going into the fourth quarter. The Buccs wouldn't take the Seahawks inching up on them, though. With nine minutes left, Brad Johnson threw his third touchdown pass of the day with a short toss to Karl Williams when the Buccs were just one yard out. That proved to be a critical score as the Seahwks took the ball back next drive and drove it down for their own score, with Trent Dilfer hitting tight end Itulu Mili. The Seahawks were still short, 24-19, but they still had some time left. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it work. The Buccs added another field goal to finish them off. 27-19, Buccs. Seattle once again proved that yardage only matters so much, as they outgained the Buccs, 353-277. What really hurt them was 16 penalties for 93 yards. The Buccs only had 6 penalties for 45 yards. Johnson (18-31, 209 yd, 3 td, 1 int) proved to be the better of the two efficient passers in this game, at least for today. Dilfer (22-39, 246 yd, 1 td, 1 int) wasn't bad, but he wasn't good enough in this one. McCardell (6 rec, 82 yd, 1 td) was the best receiver for Tampa Bay, while Seattle watsed a good performance from Koren Robinson (7 rec, 116 yd). CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-25-2003, 11:14 PM | #113 | |
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Quote:
Thanks, Mizzourah. I like to present a lot of information, but I have to admit I am glad I am near then end of this season, so I can go back to improving my team. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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11-26-2003, 03:47 AM | #114 |
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Conference Championship Matchups
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Comments: Oakland's run to the AFC Championship has been keyed on being tough against the run. That worked against Baltimore and Tennessee because those teams aren't good enough passing the ball to take advantage of the Raiders' poor pass defense. That changes this week. No, the Steelers are actually better runners than passers, but they are simply a superior passing team to what the Raiders have faced so far. On top of that, Tommy Maddox is playing very well right now. It won't be so easy for the Raiders, who face somewhat of a similar situation their opponents faced in earlier rounds. They aren't a good running team, so they can't take advantage of the Steelers' one defensive weakness. They will need to pass on the fifth-best pass defense and contain Kimo Von Oelhoffen, he of the 6.5 sacks the past two playoff games, to win this game. And I just don't think they can do that. Code:
Comments: This has the makings of a high-scoring game. The Rams have the second best passing attack in the league, and the Buccs are merely medicore against the pass. The Buccs aren't as good a passing team as the Rams, but they are top ten in that category, and they are going up against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Scoring shouldn't be an issue. I think with the passing games trading off scores, the running game becomes critical. And that's where the Rams may have a flaw. They have one of the worst running attacks in the league, but would have to try running against one of the best run defenses. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers--a more accomplished running team--won't have nearly the test in the Rams' run defense, which is passable, but by no means spectacular. I think home field advantage willkeep it close, but the Buccs will pull this one out in the long run. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-26-2003, 04:53 AM | #115 |
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Conference Championships
AFC Championship: Oakland at Pittsburgh Two weeks ago, this field was covered with snow. The Raiders lucked out, though, and merely have to deal with the cold (37 degrees). The first quarter started slow, as the teams traded field goals for a 3-3 tie. The Steelers got their first lead just after the beginning of the second quarter when Tommy Maddox completed a four-yard scoring pass to Hines Ward. The Raiders didn't take long to respond, though, scoring a game-tying touchdown just four minutes later, on a nice 33-yard strike from Rich Gannon to Jerry Porter. They then took the lead with an end of second quarter field goal. The Raiders kept the Steelers quiet for most of the second quarter and more than half of the third before the Steelers finally got back into action. Maddox completed a 16-yard touchdown to tight end Jay Riemersma at the six minute mark of the third quarter to take back the lead, 17-13, for the Steelers. They locked down on the Raiders and kept them out of the zone after that. It was never out of the question until Maddox hit Freddie Milons for a 5-yard scoring pass int he last two minutes of the game. By then, the Steelers had added a field goal, but were still within a touchdown. This one put it out of reach. The Steelers are the AFC champions! Final, 27-13, Steelers. The Steelers had the advantage in yards gained, 356-299, although it was relatively slight in comparison to the score. Both teams turned the ball over just once. In the end, this one came down to playmakers. For teh Steelers, that player was still none other than Maddox (22-33, 250 yd, 3 td, 1 int). He has continued his regular season success better than perhaps anyone else in the league right now. Jerome Bettis (88 yd) and the Steelers had three different receivers with at least four catches and 53 yards receiving. Gannon (22-44, 231 yd, 1 td, 0 int) had his moments, but it wasn't enough in the end. Garner (104 all-purpose yd) had another solid playoff game. NFC Championship: Tampa Bay at St. Louis The trend has been for slow starts in the early going of playoff games this year. Not this time. The Rams came out on fire. Inside of the first five minutes of the game, Kurt Warner connected with tight end Cameron Cleeland on a seven-yard touchdown pass, and then the Rams got a field goal as well to take a 10-0 lead. The Buccs grabbed a followup field goal in the next few minutes, but that ended up being the high point for Tampa Bay in the first half. The Rams just exploded in the second quarter. Marshall Faulk ran in a 3-yard jaunt for a score, then the Rams got another field goal, and then they finished off their first half scoring with a 54-yard bomb from Warner to Torry Holt. In the blink of an eye, the score was a shocking 27-3. It pretty much went from there. There was very little the Rams could do wrong in this one, even running a kick back on the kickoff following Tampa Bay's last touchdown (kind of an insult to injury thing). Boy, I had this one pegged wrong. 44-18, Rams. The yardage totals carried a similar story, with the Rams outgaining Tampa Bay, 453-330, and also forcing two turnovers while giving up none themselves. Like Maddox for Pittsburgh, Warner (26-37, 343 yd, 2 td, 0 int) has played very well in the playoffs so far. He got good performances from both Holt (6 rec, 145, 1 td) and Isaac Bruce (7 rec, 90 yd)--who also was the one who got the kickoff return touchdown. Faulk finished with 53 rushing yards and his backup Lamar Gordon with 31 yd. For a team that lost pretty badly, the Buccs had a couple of strong plays this week. Brad Johnson (20-33, 292 yd, 2 td, 1 int) was effective, and Keenan McCardell (9 rec, 160 yd) had a great day catching the ball. The Rams will be meeting the Steelers in the 2004 Super Bowl. CR
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11-26-2003, 05:29 AM | #116 |
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Super Bowl XXXVIII
Code:
Comments: Should I bother handicapping this one? I see some of the same issues for the Rams I saw in the last game, and not only did they won, they totally blew out the Buccs. The Steelers also pose the Rams some problems. While they are a better rushing than passing team, the Steelers have shown a strong ability to do either in these playoffs, and Tommy Maddox is having fantastic postseason. Their standout weakness is against the run, and that's the same area the Rams are weak at. I have mentioned the Rams' atrocious pass defense enough in these playoffs, but I have yet to see it materialize in any way that matters. So I won't bother pointing out this is another advantage for the Steelers. Instead, I will rest on playmakers. The Steelers have more on offense, and they have more on defense. So I am giving this one to the Steelers. Now watch the Rams blow them out, too. Super Bowl XXXVIII: Pittsburgh vs St. Louis Typical of the contrary nature of these playoffs, neither team scored in the first quarter and seemed ready to settle down intoa d efensive game. Well, the Steelers did anyway. Somewhere aropund the beginning of the second quarter, the Rams stopped having the same success on defense. The Steelers absolutely exploded on the Rams, much like the Rams did against the Buccs last week. Maddox threw two touchdowns to get it going, a 12-yard pass to Plaxico Burress and a 10-yard strike to Freddie Milons, who was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass in three of the Steelers' four playoff games. Isaac Bruce then fumbled the ball on the return following the second touchdown, and the Steelers immediately converted that, with a thrtee-yard run by Jerome Bettis. Finally, the Steelers capped everything off with a quarter-closing field goal. The fans watched in shocked silence as the Steelers rolled off the field with a 24-0 lead. The rest of the game was only marginally better for the Rams. The Steelers win this one going away, 34-6. Yup, that's right another Super Bowl blowout... Fittingly, considering his postseason performance, Maddox was named the Super Bowl MVP. He went 22-for31, for 195 yards, and 3 td with no picks. Of course, Maddox had nothing to do with the seven turnovers the Pittsburgh defense forced, including 5 interceptions, all courtesy of Kurt Warner (12-29, 157 yd, 1 td, 5 int). After having a strong postseason most of the way, Warner came back to earth at the worst time, and was even eventually replaced by Marc Bulger (didn't do any better, but at least he didn't throw any interceptions). Holt's game (6 rec, 104 yd) went to waste in this one. CB DeWayne Washington was the story in this one, and maybe wass more deserving of that MVP award. The Steeler defensive back had 3 interceptions in this one. The Steelers also got strong play from Bettis (123 yd, 1 td) and Burress (7 rec, 82 yd, 1 td). Congratulations to the 2003 NFL Champion Pittsburgh Steelers!!!. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-26-2003 at 05:30 AM. |
11-26-2003, 06:59 AM | #117 |
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Steelers?!?
Todd |
11-26-2003, 09:24 AM | #118 |
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I have been asking how to get immersed into the entire Universe of players (instead of just my team), and you have shown me an excellent way to do it with my own Dynasty Report.
One question though: How did you generate the "Playoff Team Matchup" screen? I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but I don't see it as any menu option. Thanks... |
11-26-2003, 03:15 PM | #119 |
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Fun te read!
-Anxiety
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11-26-2003, 03:36 PM | #120 |
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Mizzourah: Sorry 'bout that. Out of my hands. Hey, at least the Rams made it to the Super Bowl. And I'll bet the real life Steelers would be pretty good, too, if Bettis was running like he could a few years ago, and Maddox was playing like Rich Gannon (last year's version).
tyketime: Yup, one of my goals when I do a dynasty report like this is that it will really put me in touch with the game universe. The players will mean more htan diddly-squat because I'll know who they are and how they did. As for the playoff matchup screen, I am afraid that is something of my creation, not the game's. You can get at it by hitting the "quote" button below one of my posts with a playoff matchup screen with it, and then simply selecting and copying all the text from one "code" to the next "/code", and pasting it into a text program (I was using Wordpad). Once you save that, you can use it as a template, just filling in the necessaryinformation at the proper points. One thing, though--I have it set up so that the second part of it (the second team) lines up together. So any information you put in the first column must match up length-wise with what's there now, or the second column info will be a space too close or a space too far. I just fixed the differences by adding or subtracting a space in between the columns where necessary. There are no tabs in the format. Anyway, I hope you understand all that (I think if you play with it a bit, you will grow to understand it even if you don't right away). And feel free to use it, I don't mind that. BTW, most of the information that you type in is readily available, but they don't have total offense or total defense screens. I used a quickie Excel spreadsheet for that. Anxiety: Thanks. I am glad that it is. I would hate that it wasn't, because then that's a lot of work I did for nothing. I am really looking forward to writing up the offseason, and also to getting back to my team. I should have more up late, late tonight, but I work up until then and it's going to be a busy night tonight. So you guys won't probably see any of it until Thanksgiving morning (unless you're nighthawks like me ). Talk to you all soon. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-26-2003, 08:31 PM | #121 |
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Looking foward to seeing what you plan to do with the Cardinals!
Todd |
11-27-2003, 03:34 AM | #122 |
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I have a long way to go with the Cards, so just about everything I do this offseason will probably improve the team (it almost has to).
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-27-2003, 03:44 AM | #123 |
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2003 Season Awards
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I didn't find too much I disagreed with. I was, of course, overjoyed to see Ronald McKinnon get a nod. He was a real MVP for us this year. He was the only Cardinal awarded, but that doesn't surprise me (nor should it). I was a little surprised Edgerrin James got Player of the Year over Tommy Maddox, but you can't take anything away from James, who had a terrific season in which he easily led the league in rushing. And this is pre-patch, so rushing wasn't as easy in this season run through as it likely will be in the future. The world champion Pittsburgh Steelers have the most members on the All-Pro first and second teams, with four. Several teams have three. In the AFC, Jacksonville, New England, Cincinnati and Cleveland were shut out, while in the NFC Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington were turned away awardless. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-27-2003 at 03:57 AM. |
11-27-2003, 06:06 AM | #124 |
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Arizona Contract Renegotiations
Before I push the button, I have a few contracts to make decisions on. Here are the players whose contracts are about to run out with us that were with Arizona from the beginning of training camp. Code:
Here are the players I signed during training camp to compete for spots and fill holes. At this point of the game, I discovered I couldn't renegotiate these players into longer contracts, much to my chagrin. I later (much later, pretty much too late to chenge my plans) discovered that I had resitricted rights to these players through the beginning of the 2004 training camp. Had I been aware of this, I might not have made some of the decisions I did in free agency. Of course, had I looked at the players more closely, I would have seen this. Oh well...more on that later. Just accept at this point (just prior to the end of the 2003 season) that it is my belief I will have to go head-to-head with the rest of the NFL for the services of the following players: Code:
As you can see, while there are very few key players, a good portion of my roster was on the verge of free agency. Fortunately, I was looking at a lot of cap room (some $20-25 M for 2004), so I had room to maneuver. The tricky part was deciding who I needed to keep. Here's what I did, one-by-one. RB Damien Anderson (25/31): I was pretty certain Emmitt Smith was about to retire. I had already accepted I would be looking for a running back this offseason. But I didn't want to have to look for two. Marcel Shipp was under contract for 2004, but second-year man Anderson was not. I decided that, even though Anderson isn't someone I want around for long, I should keep him around for insurance purposes. Heck, he's almost as good as Shipp, and he's not looking for a lot to return next year. Signed to $460K/1 yr extension with a $30K bonus TE Steve Bush (50/51): Bush hardly played for me this year, but I know he's a very good player. I figure at some point I will be dumping the higher profile Freddie Jones, who seems likely to ask for inflated contracts with his higher reception totals. Bush is the future at tight end and could even conceivably beat out Jones in 2004. So I signed him to a lucrative, long-term contract.Signed to $5.71M/3 yr extension with a $1.29M bonus WR Bryan Gilmore (19/26): I came out of this season feeling I was pretty set with my young receivers in Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson and Jason McAddley. All these other receivers I have are just worthless extras. Gilmore is probably the best overall of these, but he didn't do enough to deserve a return to the team, even at the low price he was asking for (about $400K/1 yr). DUMPED! WR Kevin Kaspar (17/31): My feelings on this one are much the same as they were with Gilmore. But Kaspar was more fun to cut. For one thing, the guy is a leader and was getting the position leader nod despite spending the entire season on the inactive list. Also, he had a conflict with McAddley, and the bastard had the gall to ask for a three-year contract in which he would have been paiud almost a million bucks in 2005. Not likely! DUMPED! WR Nate Poole (18/28): I still remember how impressed I was with Poole in the preseason and how I wanted to see if I could get him on the team without sacrificing anywhere else. I couldn't do it, though, so he ended up staying inactive all year. And he's not good enough to resign. DUMPED! C Jason Starkey (13/25): Had I known what I knew after the season, Starkey might have seen more time. His carbon copy, Chris Dishman, had a very solid season at guard, despite having next to no pass blocking technique abilities. Starkey was much the same, but he was a better run blocker and he had a lot more ptential in the long run as a blocker. Nonetheless, in the preseason I saw that '0' in pass blocking and went in search of a more versatile backup center. That search produced undrafted rookie Jared Swift, who doubles as a long snapper. Now Swift was a free-agent-to-be as well, so you would think I would seek to keep at least one backup signed. But I just decided I felt I could get better on the market, or in the long run, just re-sign Swift. So I let Starkey go. DUMPED! G Chris Dishman (12/12): Despite a season where he ranked among league leaders in run block percentage and was surprisingly effective pass blocking, I knew Dishman could not be a long term answer at this position. But I knew I would need a backup, and Dishman's salary request was not exorbitant. It made sense to me to keep this insurance in the fold, in case I struck out in free agency, or whichever free agent i did grab went down with an injury. Signed to $860K/1 yr extension with a 80K bonus T Kendrick Rodgers (19/35): Does it say more about Rodgers or about my line that he actually ended up starting at LT for most of the year? As you might expect from an undrafted rookie out of Alabama A&M, Rodgers was very inconsistent and had to learn on the job. Still, he showed enough to be worth it to keep around, especially when I saw he was looking for not much more than his minimum salary to return. I don't want him starting in 2004, but he could be a nice project and a solid backup. Signed to $360K/1 yr extension with a $20K bonus T L.J. Shelton (23/23): Like Dishman, Shelton was a run-block heavy/pass-block light lineman who started almost by default. He was rated as our second-best run blocker (behind Kendall, the god of all Arizona linemen), but had just a shade better pass blocking abilities than Dishman. I installed him on the right side, and like Dishman, Shelton was solid in the run (at least for this team), and better than expected against the pass. In fact, he was almost as good as Kendall, and even on the right side, tackles get faced with some pretty good rushers. So while he wasn't good enough to start long term, he seemed like a good bet to keep around. At least that's what I thought until I saw he was looking for a salary at over a million per year over the next two years. That's a little too rich for my blood, especially with three tackles already in the fold (we also had developing tackle Reggie Wells on injured reserve). DUMPED! P Scott Player (37/37): I didn't have any big issues with Player. He had a decent, but not spectacular season. His salary requests weren't too exorbitant, but I just felt I could get better in free agency. So I let him go. DUMPED! DT Derrick Ransom (31/39): Ransom was a key player for me on the line. Wendell Bryant is the future at one spot, and Russell Davis was locked in at the other, but Bryant has been a bit inconsistent and slow to develop. Having a guy like Ransom around was useful. Ransom was actually a better run defender than Bryant, and almost as good a pass rusher. He also performed well when he was called upon this season. So I was prepared to offer him an extension. Then I saw what he wanted. A five-year renegotiated deal for almost $10 M, with a $1.5 M bonus. Ouch! Sorry, Derrick, but no F-way. DUMPED! DT Marcus Bell (12/27): I passed on Bell at first, or put him in my "maybe" pile while I dealt with Ransom. The third-year player Bell was definitely the least talented of all my linemen and still had a ways to go to get to full maturity. A former fourth round pick, he was a loser from the real Cards' crappy drafts, it would seem. Still, he wasn't asking for a lot, he could develop into a Derrick Ransom down the line, and when Ransom's demands were too high, it became a cinch to just resign Bell. Sign to $680K/1 yr extension with a $100K bonus LB Raynoch Thompson (46/50): Fourth-year man Thompson, a former second round pick, was easily our second best linebacker this year. He really played the strong side about as well as you could expect it. He held up strong against the run and was much better than I thought he would be in pass defense. Plus, he's still young. I have enough holes on my team. I didn't need to have another one on the strong side of my defense. So I was prepared to give him what he wanted, so long as it wasn't superstar money. It was a rich contract, but I can handle it. Signed to $10.03M/4 yrs extension with a $1.75M bonus LB LeVar Woods (15/24): I actually don't like Woods a lot. I tried to hide him in my depth chart, despite the fact I needed him because of an overall lack of linebacker depth, especially on the weakside. But I didn't see that issue changing much next year--I would still need a guy who can fill in at the linebacker positions, and who also was a natural weakside backer. It helped that the guy didn't ask for much. Signed to $650K/1 yr extension with a $80K bonus CB David Barrett (35/35): I had decided early in the season (as you might expect) that cornerback was a critical need, especially at the spot across from Starks. That was, of course, Barrett's home this year. Barrett did some things well this year. He's strong in run support and he plays with all the talent he has. I fel the was a good guy to have around. But he's just not starter material. He's not that good. I wanted to keep him around as a backup and as insurance, like I did with Dishman, but Barrett was seeking over $5 M for a three-year extension, and I just couldn't see spending that on a reserve corner with limited talent. DUMPED! CB Renaldo Hill (13/21): Cornerback was a lot like receiver, where I would have an awful lot of bodies (especially if you throw in reserve safety Marques Anderson), but next to no talent beyond mediocre. Hill was an example of this. He played well in spurts, but he languished on the inactive list for much of the year, and hwen he wasn't on the list, he was backing up at safety instead of corner half the time. Considering he doesn't exactly look like a star in the making either, I saw no reason to keep his mediocrity around. DUMPED! S Adrian Wilson (50/67): When I saw this list of potential free agents, Wilson really stood out. Like Thompson, I felt there wasn't enough I could pay to keep him around. He simply had to be kept. At this point, I saw Anderson as a free-agent-to-be I would have to fight to bring back, and the other back up safety Larry Hannah was in a similar spot. On top of that, WIlson was one of my best all-around defenders already and had the talent to develop into one of the top five strong safeties in the league (judging by his potential and the general level of strong safeties in the league). So it wasn't a question of if I would sign him, so much as "how much do you want, Adrian?" Fortunately, his request was quite reasonable. Signed to $7.04M/3 yrs with a $1.81M bonus Quick Recap Signed... RB Damien Anderson TE Steve Bush* G Chris Dishman T Kendrick Rodgers DT Marcus Bell OLB Raynoch Thompson* OLB LeVar Woods SS Adrian Wilson* *--signed to multi-year contract Dumped... WR Bryan Gilmore WR Kevin Kaspar WR Nate Poole C Jason Starkey T L.J. Shelton # P Scott Player # DT Derrick Ransom CB David Barrett # CB Renaldo Hill #-- starter in 2003 My cap number hovered around $49.5M for 2003, with a $75 M cap. After these deals, next year was looking at about $57 M, with the new cap number yet to be announced (I am using standard inflation, as the game sets it initally). CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-27-2003, 07:43 AM | #125 |
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Go Cards!
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11-27-2003, 11:44 PM | #126 |
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Where should they go?
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-28-2003, 02:10 AM | #127 |
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Hopefully up the standings
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11-28-2003, 03:23 AM | #128 |
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The Beginning of the Offseason 2004
Weel, quite frankly I didn't know how to title this part of it, since so many little things happen, but I don't know that anything really deserves its own post. So here we go, bit-by-bit. I have pushed the button on the 2003 season, and we have moved on to the beginning of the 2004 offseason. TV Contract The league signed a new 5-year TV contract, which will raise the salary cap $4.1 M per year over the life of the contract. That means we're looking at a $79.1 M salary cap this season, and I have a good $22 M or so in free cap room. I suppose I will have to be careful not to fall into the "spend-too-much" habits of some of our other posters here at FOFC, one notable standout being SkyDog. The minimum salary was raised $10K to $240K overall. Not Unrestricted After All Not that it matters, since I didn't take this into account at the time at all, but I discovered that WR Bryan Gilmore, WR Kevin Kaspar, WR Nate Poole and CB Renaldo Hill, as former undrafted free agents, are restricted free agents, not unrestricted. So I still have options on them--not that I am going to exercise them. GM Performance I am, of course, subject to immediate review every season, and it's only fair I post my ratings, even if I had little to do with the composition of my roster. Here they are: Code:
All in all, I didn't think I made out too bad for running a squad that went 2-14. Balance Sheet Here's a look at my balancer sheet. Code:
I can't do much about TV Contract, so Ticket Revenue is the biggest source of revenue I can control, by far, and my guess is that it also leads to increased suite, concessions, and parking revenue. I had the lowest ticket prices of any team in the league, so it seems I will have to raise prices a little bit, especially since I plan to carry a higher player salary this year (indeed, I am already several million higher before free agency or the draft). I was really surprised at the price of scouting. I hope it's worth it. But more on that in a second. It's nice to see such a cheap stadium payment. $200K? Man, the taxpayers in Phoenix got jipped! Can't wait to check out the new stadium (circa 2006, in case you forgot). Obviously, opverall, I can't be too happy about losing $8 M and I haave a feeling the Bidwells aren't too happy either, but I think I may have to lose some money for a year or two before I can show signs of improvement. Attendance Report It said we were by far the lowest supported team in their market area, and the 2003 attendance figures seem to back that up. We were dead last in the NFL in attendance for our eight home games, at an average of 51,600 fans (70.4% capacity). The next lowest was Oakland at 55,900 (and they were at almost 90% capacity...). The highest in the NFL was (of course) the New York Giants, at 79,400--a whopping 99.6% capacity. Franchise Value The value of the Cardinals' franchise as a whole went up significantly, although this is essentially guaranteed thanks to inflation. Still, it was significant enough of a jump that we leapfrogged Cincinnati in value to move up to the 28th-highest valued franchise at $369.4 M. The highest-rated franchise was, no big surprise, the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, at $590.1 M. 2003 Coach of the Year The coach of the year for 2003 was Ed Blanchard of the Pittsburgh Steelers. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-28-2003 at 03:26 AM. |
11-28-2003, 04:33 AM | #129 |
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Retirements
As expected, the NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith called it quits. He may not have had a great season in his one year with us, but I am proud to have had him on the team and to have been a part of his final 1000-yard season. At the same time, I am quite happy to move on. Aging vets aren't what this team needs right now. Here are the retirements: Code:
As you can see a number of decent to good profile players retired this season, although I am not sure how many will have a real impact on their teams. For instance, the Giants lose two running backs but they aren't going to have to worry about replacing five total carries between the two. Of course, it looks like Oakland got tagged (as you would expect). It lost its #1 QB, #2 TE, #1 LB, #1 S and #2 DE. Ouch. And that doesn't even include Jerry Rice--he's staying on for another year apparently. The list above, as noted, also includes three all-league players, including both second team safeties. Legend of the Game It was with some disappointment that I noted that Tim Brown won the Legend of the Game. I, of course, thought a player like Emmitt Smith deserved it. Of course, according to the award description, it is supposed to go to the guy who exemplifies dedication and to one team. I suppose Emmitt's one year with Arizona spoiled that for him. Nothing wrong with Brown winning, though. He was a great competitor in this league. Other Retirements Emmitt Smith wasn't the only person of Cardinal employ to hit the retirement road. Our highly-rated (but venerable) scout Vincent Caldwell also called it quits, so we will have to replace him. In addition to our scout, a head coach and an offensive coordinator for other teams retired. But it seems to be very hard to pin down where they coached without going back into past save files (which I don't think is important enough to do). We hired Grant Scott as our new scout. Scott is just 31, but he required a $350K annual salary, the equal of Caldwell's. The scary thing is that Caldwell was the highest paid scout in the league, and Scott wasn't my first choice. I actually missed out on another guy who got over $500K (and he was pretty good, too). Scott is almost completely Averages and Goods, with a lone Fair in Defensive Linemen. Basically, he's about as mediocre as you can get. CR
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11-29-2003, 03:33 AM | #130 |
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Staff Changes
I changed my mind. Let's face it. These guys are important, even if we couldn't substitute real names for them. Hopefully, with time, I will get to know each one, where they have been and where they are going, etc. Staff Retirements Here are the staff retirements again: Vincent Caldwell, Lead Scout (ARI) Juan Callaghan, Head Coach (DET) Jason Pierce, Offensive Coordinator (KCY) Staff Contracts Out These are the staff members whom have reached the end of their contracts. Of course, we get no indication of whether a team wants a guy back ro not, and I don't know that any team has the option of extnding a staff member's contract. So I guess the only thing that can be read into this is that these guys reached the end of their contracts before they were fired. Code:
I haven't looked at how these guys are rated. That would justtake too long. I figure it works best if I go with the outward results, such as above. From the looks of things, the two standouts there at head coach are the two playoff coaches. Becker oversaw the Giants playing their way into a wildcard spot and then coached them into the division round. Kramer led an impressive return from mediocrity for the Dolphins, in time for them also to get a wildcard spot. At the end of theyear, the Dolphins were playing about as good as anyone, although they fell short in the playoffs. Among coordinators, the guy that stands out is Omar Anthony, the coordinator of the Colts' top-ranked offense. Also notable is defensive coordinator Ken Kling from Seattle, Denver offensive coordinator Brenden Eriksen, and defensive coordinator Perry Grigsby from Tampa Bay. And, of course, this doesn't count the coaches and coordinators who will doubtless be lured away from current employment to other positions of loftier status and compensation. Where They Went Code:
I was surprised at all the re-hires. I guess I would call those renegotiations at the last second. Among head coaches, we had two rookie head coaches hired in New England and Detroit. New England's old head coach Ted Rojas became the new defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay. The old Detroit coach, Juan Callaghan, retired, as was already stated. There were no other coordinator-to-head-coach or vice versa switches. Perry Grigsby moved over from DC in Tampa Bay to Seattle, which performed better last year. Tennessee's Antoine Dodge showed his versatility by going from offensive coordinator with the Titans to defensive coordinator with the Jaguars. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-29-2003 at 03:36 AM. |
11-29-2003, 04:07 AM | #131 |
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Franchise Designations
Five teams chose to exercise their franchise designations on potential free-agents-to-be. I will let you guys discuss amongst yourselves the wisdom of using such designations on these players. Following thew teams and players with (current/future) in parentheses after the players' names. Detroit: RB Shawn Bryson (41/43) San Diego: P Darren Bennett (60/60) Seattle: CB Shawn Springs (46/46) St. Louis: DE Grant Wistrom (64/64) Tampa Bay: DE Ron Warner (32/49) Man, the franchise designation logic really needs some work (of course it may have received it in the patch--I did the whole offseason pre-patch when I first got the game and started this dynasty). Bryson is exhibit A. Bryson is not anywhere near being a Top 20 back, and that's before the new backs in the draft get tossed in the pool either. He had 514 yd and 4 td. That did the lead the way for the Lions, and both James Stewart and Olandis Gary are gone, but give me a break. $4 M-plus for this guy? Sure, Bennett is the #11 P overall, but do I have to explain the idiocy of this move? Thank GoD for the Chargers punters are cheap. Springs wouldn't outwardly seem so bad, but his former starting partner Willie Williams is actually better (51/51) and star rookie corner Marcus Trufant passed them both (63/80) with ease. You just don't franchise your third best corner. Wistrom is the first one I think goes okay. He's not a world-beater either, but he's coming off of a good year and he was ranked 20th among DEs in Current Value. Sure, a Top Five salary is still a huge screwed up move, but at least he's in sight of being a reasonable franchisee. That's better than you can see for anyone else in this group. This last one really has me befuddled. Ron Warner? Well, he did start, but he's not even the best RDE on the team (that honor gos to Simeon Rice). Warner plays out of position at LDE apparently. This guy is going to get Top Five DE money? Good Lord... Arizona did not choose to use its franchise designation on any potential free agent players (since for the most part, they all suck). CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
11-30-2003, 10:01 AM | #132 |
The boy who cried Trout
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: TX
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The Franchise Logic does not improve with the patch.
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12-01-2003, 05:37 AM | #133 | |
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Quote:
That sucks. I'm surprised that isn't stronger. You can tell Jim has put a lot into the AI for this game, as it is fairly strong in most aspects. I find it odd that it fails so consistently here, in what I consider to be a much more basic and relatively uncomplicated AI decision. More to come. I will be presenting the free agents by team, the available cap room and team needs, and some comments on what each team will likely be looking for, division-by-division. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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12-01-2003, 06:08 AM | #134 |
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AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS OFF: 20 RUSH: 6 PASS: 25 DEF: 20 RUND: 10 PASD: 23 Cap Room: $43,010,000 1st Need: Start DE 2nd Need: Start WR 3rd Need: Start DT Code:
Comments: The Ravens have the third most cap room going into the first stage of free agency, but it sure likes they will need it. The offensive backfield is fine with the developing Boller and Lewis at RB, but they had to cut pretty much their entire receivers corp. They also won't be helped by the loss of solid tackle Brown, and Flynn, one of the best centers in the game. All of this pales in comparison to the defense, though, which was the worse half of the Ravens this year. Despite cutting some eight players on defense who started significant time last year, the Ravens' top need is still the DE position, which wasn't touched at all. For all the line problems, though, it has to be a huge concern in the secondary that they cut McAllister, one of the best corners in the league. Thank goodness they still have Ray Lewis and Boulware. The Ravens are going to need to be active in this one. CINCINNATI BENGALS OFF: 15 RUSH: 13 PASS: 12 DEF: 23 RUND: 20 PASD: 20 Cap Room: $39,720,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Start DE 3rd Need: Resrv DE Code:
Comments: The standout loss here seems to be Dillon and two key members of the line. The offense was the better part of this team, and while a decent passing attack remains untouched, the rushing game is going to need help. The big hole ona poor defense seems to be at DE, where the computer deemed the Bengals thin enough to have a starting and reserve end as two of its top three needs. The team had to cut pass-rush-happy Clemons and will need to replace him on an already thin line. The game doesn't say it, but I have to think cutting three-fourths of your starting defensive backfield can't be a good thing. Of course, these guys weren't too good, so maybe this isn't such a bad thing. CLEVELAND BROWNS OFF: 31 RUSH: 32 PASS: 27 DEF: 32 RUND: 32 PASD: 27 Cap Room: $41,130,000 1st Need: Start QB 2nd Need: Start ILB 3rd Need: Start CB Code:
Comments: Like the Ravens and Bengals, the Browns have a lot of cap room to play with. Unlike those other two teams, though, the Browns were utterly atrocious this year. They finished dead last in defense and second-to-last in offense. It's no surprise that their cut list is just huge. It's hard to pin it all down to any one areas--they just need help everywhere, and this figures to be as good a way to do it as any. Just cut your losses and try again. The scary thing is that I am not sure there is a single person they cut that could become a star for anyone else. PITTSBURGH STEELERS OFF: 2 RUSH: 1 PASS: 13 DEF: 8 RUND: 24 PASD: 5 Cap Room: $24,820,000 1st Need: Start DE 2nd Need: Start QB 3rd Need: Start T Code:
Comments: For the most part, the world champion Steelers did a good job of keeping the roster together. The problem is that there a handful of gaping holes they will need to fill, and they don't have a lot of cap room to do it. The biggest hole is very obvious, as they had to cut Maddox. They need to fill that hole pronto, preferably with Maddox, who likely doesn't have the outward talent to land a big contract, but has just the skills that are perfect for Pittsburgh. The rest of the offense seems fine except for the need to grab a good tackle. On defense, the big issue is at DE, where Smith will need to be replaced. They could use an overall upgrade of talent in the front seven, though, considering run defense was really their lone weakness last year. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-01-2003, 06:50 AM | #135 |
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AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS OFF: 22 RUSH: 16 PASS: 19 DEF: 18 RUND: 13 PASD: 22 Cap Room: $28,030,000 1st Need: Start G 2nd Need: Start T 3rd Need: Start DE Code:
Comments: Considering they are a third-year franchise, the Texans have relatively light patching to do. Of course, they also have little cap room to do it with. Still, this time didn't have any glaring holes this year, mostly just units they needed to do better or improve a little here and there. Although depth in the offense took a huge hit, all the main playmakers return. The big trouble on offense is on the line. The guys they lose weren't all that good, but they were what they had and now they have to be replaced. A step forward on the line could be huge for this team. The defensive line also has some holes that need to be filled, and this will likely be the next need area. A bad pass defense could use some better players in the secondary. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OFF: 1 RUSH: 8 PASS: 1 DEF: 31 RUND: 31 PASD: 29 Cap Room: $26,850,000 1st Need: Start CB 2nd Need: Resrv DT 3rd Need: Start OLB Code:
Comments: Do I even need to state it? There's an obvious need here, even if it isn't listed under the team needs. This team needs to bring back Peyton Manning, the identity of the team and one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It won't be easy, though, because Manning is probably the top dog of this entire free agent class, and the Colts don't have a lot of cap room to play with. Taking back Manning or some other competent passer is almost secondary to the need to just flat out improve a horrible defense. You have to figure the Colts are going to be looking for all they can get on that side of the ball, since it was the defense's fault this team missed out on the playoffs this year. They also cut a starting outside linebacker and both corners, so those guys will have to be replaced. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS OFF: 5 RUSH: 18 PASS: 4 DEF: 27 RUND: 30 PASD: 19 Cap Room: $44,930,000 1st End: Start T 2nd End: Start C 3rd End: Resrv DT Code:
Comments: The Jags have the second most cap room in the league, so they are ina good position to improve themselves. Of course, they also have some key holes to fill from free agent losses as well. The most troubled spot seems to be the line, where the Jags lost no less than three effective and solid starters. They will need to be replaced. Other than that, the offense seems fine, except perhaps getting a solid #2 receiver. The defense is plagued by talent deficiencies int he front four and cut free agents in the back seven. The front four might be key, because the Jags were awful against the run last year. Several playmakers were lost in the back seven, so they will need to be replaced. TENNESSEE TITANS OFF: 12 RUSH: 2 PASS: 20 DEF: 17 RUND: 27 PASD: 10 Cap Room: $8,160,000 1st Need: Start ILB 2nd Need: Start OLB 3rd Need: Start C Code:
Comments: Anyone getting in a bidding war with the Titans will be happy, because the Titans have the tightest cap situation in the league. Fortunately, outside of one player, the Titans are relatively untouched by free agency. Few of the players they lose are irreplaceable. On offense, George's departure just means more carries for Chris Brown, and good-run, poor-pass guard Ackerman is the only starter lost on offense. The big loss, though, is on defense, where the Titans lose the domianting Kearse. Bringing him back or replacing him with quality will be the key to the Titans' offseason. In general, they really need to upgrade their run defense, which they can do mostly by getting some better linebackers. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-01-2003, 07:14 AM | #136 |
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AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS OFF: 18 RUSH: 14 PASS: 17 DEF: 13 RUND: 16 PASD: 11 Cap Room: $30,000,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Start DE 3rd Need: Resrv T Code:
Comments: The needs of this team don't stand out, because they were a division-winning squad, but there are some real issues here. Buffalo was a surprise winner, because they failed to rank in the top ten in any major team category. They also didn't rank below 18th in any category either. In other words, this team was as medicore as they come. And they can either rise to the top or they can fall like a rock. They lose some solid skill players in Henry, Shaw and both their tight ends. They also lose a big playmakert at DE in McKenzie. They don't have much cap room to use, though, so it could be hard. They will also have some holes in the secondary if they don't take care of things. MIAMI DOLPHINS OFF: 21 RUSH: 4 PASS: 29 DEF: 1 RUND: 6 PASD: 1 Cap Room: $9,580,000 1st Need: Start T 2nd Need: Resrv G 3rd Need: Resrv DT Code:
Comments: Ouch, the Dolphins have some serious line issues, but they may not even be able to address them. Only the Titans have a more compact cap space right now than Miami. But the Dolphins lost four-fifths of their starting line, including star guard Jamie Nails. They also lost skill position depth, including the surprising Rogers, who played well as a second option behind Ricky Williams. Fortunately, the top defense int he NFL should be fine. Only two starters, both on the line, are lost, and neither of the losses were the Fins' best defensive linemen, Taylor and Bowens. So Miami will be concentrating on its offense. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS OFF: 29 RUSH: 28 PASS: 30 DEF: 29 RUND: 17 PASD: 31 Cap Room: $27,330,000 1st Need: Start T 2nd Need: Start RB 3rd Need: Start FB Code:
Comments: If the Pats improve, it liekly will be tough to make it happen through free agency. The team that finished ranked 29th in both offense and defense is also looking at a relatively small cap hole, so they won't be able to do much upgrading. And to get there, they had to do a lot of damage to what talent they did have. The offense was especially hit hard, as the top two backs, the top two tight ends, the best receiver and two starting linemen are all vamoose. A horrible defense won't get any better either with the entire three-man front gone. Piling on the troubles--the three linemen were probably the Pats' best overall defenders. It could be a long year in New England. NEW YORK JETS OFF: 26 RUSH: 21 PASS: 28 DEF: 6 RUND: 15 PASD: 6 Cap Room: $27,880,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Start G 3rd Need: Resrv RB Code:
Comments: The Jets were terrible last year and didn't get their one win untillate in the year. Still, you have to wonder that they didn't win more, with the sixth-best defense in the league. That just shows you how bad the offense was. Still, you have to think the Jets don't have as far to go as it would seem. McGlockton, Lewis and Mickens were key players on last year's defense, but none of them (except maybe for Lewis) are irreplaceable. The loss of slow stalwarts like Martin and Chrebet might actually be a blessing in disguise, as the offense seeks to become quicker and more dynamic. No, there is optimism here, although it's questionable on whether the Jets will really do much in free agency. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-01-2003, 08:49 AM | #137 |
Coordinator
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nobody like the AFC, lets get to the only conference that matters
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Underachievement The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawnmower. Despair It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black. Demotivation Sometimes the best solution to morale problems is just to fire all of the unhappy people. http://www.despair.com/viewall.html |
12-02-2003, 01:16 AM | #138 | |
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Quote:
Small steps, Blade. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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12-02-2003, 02:23 AM | #139 |
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AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS OFF: 7 RUSH: 19 PASS: 6 DEF: 26 RUND: 26 PASD: 26 Cap Room: $25,280,000 1st Need: Resrv DT 2nd Need: Start CB 3rd Need: Start S Code:
Comments: Denver's offense was one of the better ones in the NFL, and they lose very little on that side of the ball. Still, the reason Denver didn't make the playoffs is because of a bad defense, and losing two of the top linebackers in the game isn't going to make anything better. The Broncos not only will need to replace Wilson and Gold, among others, but they will also need to seek overall improvement above and beyond replacing their best defensive players. Considering they are also at the lower end of the cap room list, this is not a particularly good situation for the Broncos. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OFF: 8 RUSH: 9 PASS: 11 DEF: 30 RUND: 25 PASD: 32 Cap Room: $36,150,000 1st Need: Start ILB 2nd Need: Start WR 3rd Need: Start CB Code:
Comments: Two patterns are immediately obvious when you look at the Chiefs' situation. One, they continue the all-offense, no-defense pattern of several AFC teams, including their fellow AFC West Broncos. The second pattern is that whiel they have a good amount of cap room, they match it with some fairly significant losses, on both sides of the ball. The key components of the offense--Green, Holmes, Gonzalez, most of the line--remain untouched. But virtually the entire wide receiver corps (including both starters and their backups) was let go. Also lost on offense was Dunn, the 9th best TE playing backup to the #1 TE (Gonzalez), and Tait, one of the best linemen on the team. The losses on defense are nearly as significant. All four secondary starters and the nickel back got the heave-ho, along with starting middlebacker Maslowski and pass rush specialist Hicks. OAKLAND RAIDERS OFF: 11 RUSH: 23 PASS: 7 DEF: 21 RUND: 2 PASD: 28 Cap Room: $30,580,000 1st Need: Start DE 2nd Need: Start QB 3rd Need: Start OLB Code:
Comments: If you hate the Raiders (and it seems many FOFCers do), you're going to love what's happening here. The Raiders are going to find it awfully hard to repeat as champions of this division if they have to overcome the losses they have here. The problem is two-fold. On top of having one of the most significant groups of free agents hitting the road, the Raiders were also struck hard by retirement, losing five players, all of whom were key to their success. On offense, the Raiders lose Gannon (the #1 QB) and starting wideout Brown to reirement, and legend in the making Rice to free agency. Then they lose Sims and Stinchomb, two of the league's best linemen, to free agency. On defense, the second-best run defense loses its rocks in the middle as vet tackles Parrella and Stubblefield leave for free agency. They are joined among line departures by the retirement of Armstrong on one end. At linebacker, the Raiders lose both starting outside linebackers, Barton to free agency on one side, and the much beloved Romanowski to retirement on the other. And then they really get hit in the defensive backfield, where they lose one of the best corners in the game in Woodson to free agency, and the #3 S in Rod Woodson to retirement. Toss on losing two other starting safeties, including starter Dorsett, and you have a total of 12 starters--8 on defense--who will either be leaving the team for good or will require some free agent funds to return. And the Raiders aren't blessed with much cap room. I would be stunned if they didn't go from first to last in one year. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS OFF: 19 RUSH: 20 PASS: 17 DEF: 19 RUND: 9 PASD: 24 Cap Room: $35,560,000 1st Need: Start TE 2nd Need: Start ILB 3rd Need: Resrv DE Code:
Comments: Although they do still have some holes to fill, the Chargers have a strong opportunity to significantly improve themselves. They have a good amount of cap room and relatively few holes to fill, as they return almost all of their key skill players and the best players on their defense. The problem is that they weren't very good to begin with, so they will need to add significantly to improve. The one area they do get hit is also an immediate area of concern, as they lose four of their five line starters. While the game doesn't deem a line spot to be worthy enough to mention as a need, they will need to put some serious money into the area to rebuild the unit, especially in replacing Raymer, who was one of the league's best centers last year. They also lose a top twenty tight end in Alexander. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-02-2003, 03:14 AM | #140 |
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NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS OFF: 32 RUSH: 15 PASS: 31 DEF: 22 RUND: 18 PASD: 20 Cap Room: $37,500,000 1st Need: Start QB 2nd Need: Start DT 3rd Need: Start T Code:
Comments: The Bears have a luxury in that they have some of the most cap room available in the league, but their defense--the better half of their team--is almost completely untocuhed. Now, mind you, their defense is still ranked just the 22nd best in the league, but that's a heck of a lot better than their league-worst offense. Speaking of that offense, the bEars suffer a lot of losses here, including all of their line starters except for their center, two of their top three receivers, their fullback and starting quarterback Kordell Stewart. The question, of course, is can this offense play any worse? This team just might end up being better going with all new faces at this spots, even if the talent is comparable. The offsensive losses are significant, but the Bears have some room to make something happen here. DETROIT LIONS OFF: 23 RUSH: 30 PASS: 18 DEF: 16 RUND: 11 PASD: 18 Cap Room: $42,850,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Start G 3rd Need: Resrv G Code:
Comments: Only three teams have as much cap room to play with as the Lions do. Considering how close they came to the playoffs in a bad division, that's a huge opportunity. That cap room comes with a lot of losses, though, maybe more than anyone else in the league. Not all of it is significant--for instance, Harrington and Rogers remain as anchors for the team's offense, and they franchised Shawn Bryson to keep him around. But the loss in sheer manpower is bound to have its effect. And there are some key players lost, too, starting with Big Daddy Wilkinson, who had his best year yet last season. Three other defensive starters will also need to be replaced. The offense loses three line starters (including top lineman retiree Ray Brown), both backup running backs and pretty much all of the team's receivers besides Rogers, so a lot of work remains there as well. And, of course, this team wasn't really all as good as a close playoff run would suggest, so they not only need to replace these players, but also improve. GREEN BAY PACKERS OFF: 13 RUSH: 31 PASS: 5 DEF: 14 RUND: 22 PASD: 9 Cap Room: $22,620,000 1st Need: Start OLB 2nd Need: Resrv G 3rd Need: Resrv OLB Code:
Comments: The Packers had an awful year, record-wise, but if you look at their rankings on both offense and defense--in which they placed in the top half of the league in both--they are clearly not as bad as they would seem. Toss in that Brett Favre didn't retire, and the Pack may not be looking as bad as it would at first seem. Still, they have one of the lowest cap numbers in the league, and their defense was hit hard by departures, if not in actual star power. Big Gilbert Brown will be tough to replace, and while top defenders like Johnson, KGB, McKenzie and Sharper remain, they can't go it alone. On offense, the Packers look like they will once again have to reconstruct their receivers-corp, a unit that feels like it's been in flux since the Super Bowl years of the mid-90s. MINNESOTA VIKINGS OFF: 16 RUSH: 27 PASS: 8 DEF: 10 RUND: 8 PASD: 14 Cap Room: $42,500,000 1st Need: Start S 2nd Need: Start G 3rd Need: Start DE Code:
Comments: The Vikings may have gotten lucky to even get into the playoffs last year, but they are still in the best position to return of all the teams in this division. Like the Packers, the Vikings' star players were virtually untouched, with the biggest loss probably safety Chavous. Moss, Culpepper, Smith and Hovan remain on the team. Like the Lions, the Vikings have a lot of cap room--fifth overall, actually, just behind those same Lions. That combination of good cap room with little in actual quality star power needed to be replaced may allow the Vikings to take definitive control of the division, assuming they spend their money well. There are significant manpower losses in some key areas that the Vikings will need to address. Chavous was important to the defense, and Hovan is the only returning line starter. On offense, three of the five line starters, and a key reserve, are all gone, along with number-two wideout Bates and key backups tight end Kleinsasser, running back Bennett, and quarterback Frerotte. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-02-2003, 04:23 AM | #141 |
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NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS OFF: 10 RUSH: 7 PASS: 15 DEF: 25 RUND: 21 PASD: 25 Cap Room: $38,580,000 1st Need: Start CB 2nd Need: Start G 3rd Need: Start OLB Code:
Comments: The Falcons are much like the real life Falcons would have been this year had Vick not gotten hurt. Good on offense, bad on defense. That could also be a description of the outlook of both units this offseason. Except for the loss of Claridge on the line, the Falcons don't lose any key offensive players. Vick, Price, Duckett and the other four line starters all remain under contract for the 10th-best offense int he league. The losses on defense are brutal, though, with seven starters, a key secondary reserve and a pass rush specialist taking a hike. Brooking was about the only key player who is currently line to return to the Falcons. Atlanta does have some nice cap room to use, but they may need it all to fill these holes. Their defense couldn't afford losses like this in the first place. CAROLINA PANTHERS OFF: 28 RUSH: 29 PASS: 21 DEF: 24 RUND: 28 PASD: 17 Cap Room: $38,150,000 1st Need: Start QB 2nd Need: Start CB 3rd Need: Start OLB Code:
Comments: The team that should be one of the division's best might be the complete opposite now. The offense was as bad as prognosticators feared for the real life Panthers, while the defense was nowhere near as solid as it was thought to be. The result was one of the worst teams in the league on both sides of the ball. The Panthers have a lot of room to operate under the cap, but they may need it all to make an impact here. That lauded defense is largely untocuhed, with only a hole or two to fill, but if it plays like last year, and not like it was expected to, it may not be a good thing to bring these guys back. On offense, the Panthers lose two of their quarterbacks, which is a good thing--it will force them to get an actual quarterback to run their team. They will also have to replace three of their top four receivers, including tight end Mangum, and their two best linemen. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS OFF: 27 RUSH: 25 PASS: 24 DEF: 7 RUND: 23 PASD: 4 Cap Room: $48,010,000 1st Need: Start DE 2nd Need: Resrv T 3rd Need: Resrv DT Code:
Comments: The Saints might be in a more attractive position to improve than any other team in the NFL. For one thing, they have the most cap room in the league, with room to spare. They also don't lose any players that would be considered irreplaceable, although they do suffer some heavy line losses. This is a team that has some similarities to the Panthers' situation, but as a mirror image. They were an offensive team with little defense, or at least expected to be, but at the end of the year, their defense stepped up and was one of the better units in the league, while Brooks-McAllister-Horn and company fell flat and were horrible. If they can use this cap space to replace their line losses and shore up some defensive holes, and their offensive skill players start playing to their talent, the Saints could be in for a huge step forward. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OFF: 9 RUSH: 12 PASS: 9 DEF: 9 RUND: 5 PASD: 15 Cap Room: $18,450,000 1st Need: Start ILB 2nd Need: Resrv WR 3rd Need: Resrv G Code:
Comments: Tampa Bay may have been the best team in the NFC last year, with all respect to the Rams and Seahawks, and their unit rankings back that up, with the both the ninth-ranked offense and defense in the NFL. The worst part of their game--the 15th-ranked pass defense--still ranks in the top half of the league. And in sheer player numbers, the Buccs lose very little. They look likely to be as strong this upcoming season, so long as they can cover up what few holes they will need to replace. And it won't be a cinch with less cap room than all but two teams. The big hole is obvious. Warren Sapp has taken his high-profile game to free agency, and he is one of the best defenders in the league. Otherwise, the Buccs' defense is largely untouched. On offense, the losses are more significant. Both Jones and Pittman need to be replaced at running back, and top receiver Johnson--regardless of his importance to the team in real life--remains a big loss in this universe. Toss on replacing their two starting guards, including top-twenty guard Coleman, and the Buccs are going to have to rely on some key bargains to fill those holes adequately. CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-02-2003, 05:08 AM | #142 |
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Location: Where Hip Hop lives
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NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS OFF: 30 RUSH: 10 PASS: 32 DEF: 2 RUND: 3 PASD: 3 Cap Room: $36,530,000 1st Need: Start QB 2nd Need: Start T 3rd Need: Start RB Code:
Comments: In sheer numbers, the Cowboys didn't lsoe much. And they have a good amount of money to throw around to replace what they lost. But it's never easy to replace both your starting quarterback and running back in one offseason. Toss on heavy losses at defensive end--another high cost position--and you will likely see big sums of Dallas cap money tied into a few free agents this year. If they satisfactorily fill in those spots, the rest of the holes on this team will seem minor. They do need to replace their second corner and a defensive tackle on defense, and a couple key linemen on offense, but getting the big boys covered is the top priority. NEW YORK GIANTS OFF: 4 RUSH: 22 PASS: 3 DEF: 11 RUND: 7 PASD: 16 Cap Room: $21,580,000 1st Need: Start C 2nd Need: Resrv RB 3rd Need: Resrv DT Code:
Comments: The Giants don't have a lot of cap room in comparison to others, but the nice thing for them is that they likely don't need it. They lose just three starters overall, the biggest of which is the loss of Hilliard. The Giants were playing very well at the end of the year, and were statistically one of the better teams in the league. They should be in a position to move even further forward in the NFC. Their needs are so insignificant that the game only lists one starter as a need, with two reserve spots filling the other two "needs". PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OFF: 17 RUSH: 3 PASS: 22 DEF: 15 RUND: 14 PASD: 13 Cap Room: $41,080,000 1st Need: Start WR 2nd Need: Start RB 3rd Need: Resrv ILB Code:
Comments: Two years ago, the Eagles' defense was amazing. Now, it looks like it could be falling apart, at least if the Eagles on't take proper steps to replace the key players they are losing. Hugh Douglas left for Jacksonville last offseason, and Shawn Barber for Kansas City. MLB Jeremiah Trotter went the division rival Skins. Douglas is one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and all Barber did was win the defensive player of the year award this past season. Now, both starting corners (and both of them stars) are walking, and they are being joined by another good top-twenty linebacker in Emmons. Star safety Brian Dawkisn is all that's left of the top defenders on that old defense, it seems. The Eagles do have a lot of cap room to try and bring these guys back, though, so there is still hope. It's just going to take a little hand-wringing ont he part of Philly fans before they can put it together again. As if they needed it, the Eagles will also need to replace most of their receivers corp, their starting tight end and running back, and a starting lineman. WASHINGTON REDSKINS OFF: 24 RUSH: 17 PASS: 26 DEF: 3 RUND: 29 PASD: 2 Cap Room: $31,080,000 1st Need: Start DT 2nd Need: Start DE 3rd Need: Start RB Code:
Comments: The Skins are an offense-poor team with a good defense. But they are going to have to work to keep that defense together before they can afford to take a stab at improving the offense. It starts with two huge losses in the secondary in top twenty players Bailey and Terrell, and a third secondary starter in Lott. Then the entire starting defensive line, including the part-timers who split time at one end spot, will also need to be replaced. All that will need to be addressed before they can even begin to turn around the 24th-ranked offense in the league. Fortunately, they only lose two offensive starters, and neither starter is particularly key. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-02-2003, 05:44 AM | #143 |
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Where Hip Hop lives
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NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS OFF: 25 RUSH: 24 PASS: 23 DEF: 12 RUND: 19 PASD: 7 Cap Room: $24,220,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Start T 3rd Need: Start DE Code:
Comments: The bad news is that I don't have nearly as much to spend as most teams, as I rank near the bottom of cap room. But of course part of the reason I have so little cap room is because I didn't just arbitrarily cut a bunch of players (the only team that didn't). Maybe I should have. I don't know. I guess we'll see. For now, I am happy that the roster I have in place can be a good base on whcih to build. It helps that I already have a solid and developing defense in place. Once I get a second corner in place, and maybe make some small improvements here or there, it could be a top ten defense. The problems are on the offensive side of the ball, where my quarterbacks suck, and my running back is retired. Also, I seriosuly think I have the worst line in football, outside of Kendall. So it's clear where my priorities will lie in this free agency. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS OFF: 3 RUSH: 5 PASS: 10 DEF: 5 RUND: 1 PASD: 12 Cap Room: $20,080,000 1st Need: Start RB 2nd Need: Resrv G 3rd Need: Start G Code:
Comments: The Niners don't have a lot of cap room to lose, but it seems likely their top priority should be just to bring back as much of last year's team as they can. The Niners had top-conference-team level stats, with the third best offense and the fifth-ranked defnese. It seems amazing to consider they didn't even make it into the playoffs, albeit just barely. If they get some breaks next year, they could make a leap from being out of the playoffs to one of the best teams in the NFL. It would be handy if they used some of what little cap room they have to bring back Engelberger and Webster, who both played key roles on the defense. They also need some help on the line, and a new partner across from Terrell Owens. Let's face it, though--these concerns are trivial compared to what other teams have to face this offseason, and few of those teams have as much talent as this one in the first place. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS OFF: 14 RUSH: 11 PASS: 16 DEF: 4 RUND: 4 PASD: 8 Cap Room: $30,580,000 1st Need: Start G 2nd Need: Start DE 3rd Need: Resrv G Code:
Comments: Seattle had an amazing season last year, appearing at times to be dominating. They ended up with the wildcard, but they were just a game and a tiebreaker or two away from home field advantage and a first round bye. The test this offseason will be keeping it together without an immense amount of cap space, because the Hawks are losing some big players. There are two standouts, although the Seahwaks' free agent list is littered with quality players. Those two are tackle Jones on offense and ILB Godfrey on defense. Jones is one of the best linemen in the league, and is absolutely key for the Hawks' offensive line, which also loses its two starting guards. Godfrey has the honor of being the top-ranked inside linebacker in the league, ahead of even big names like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher. He will command a lot of cash this offseason. He is the only linebacker lost, but the Seahawks have a ton of losses in front and behind him to take care of. Both defensive ends, including sack star King, are free agents now, and the impending free agency of Williams led to the odd decision to franchise Shawn Springs (they should have used it on Williams if anyone, although in fact neither should be worthy of that honor). Starting safety Evans is another key starter who is now looking for a job, maybe elksewhere. On offense, most of the Hawks' free agent problems are confined to the line, but what isn't there seems concentrated among their receivers, where two of the top three wideouts and their starting tight end are now on the market. I don't know if the Seahawks have the cap room to bring even half of these guys back ST. LOUIS RAMS OFF: 6 RUSH: 26 PASS: 2 DEF: 28 RUND: 12 PASD: 30 Cap Room: $19,940,000 1st Need: Start OLB 2nd Need: Resrv OLB 3rd Need: Start CB Code:
Comments: The good news--most of the defense is coming back and was largely untouched by free agency. The bad news--the defense sucked. The Rams are liking at a very tight cap situation, and that's before they give franchise money to Grant Wistrom at DE. With four starters on the line taking a walk, including massive star tackle Pace, and guard Timmerman--both not only top-twenty, but top-ten linemen--the Rams' star offense could be hit right where it hurts in the trenches. They seem unlikely to be able to even approach bringing back as quality a line, and even of they did, they leaves very little for a very poor defense, especially in pass defense. It looks like the Rams will have to outscore their opponents again to win next year. Will they be able to do that without the massive line in front of them? CR
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-03-2003, 11:29 PM | #144 |
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The following posts are a composite look at the free agent class by position, just to show what's available.
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-03-2003, 11:41 PM | #145 |
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Offensive Backfield
Quarterback Code:
Code:
Running Back Code:
Code:
Fullback Code:
Code:
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-03-2003, 11:55 PM | #146 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Connecticut
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Just want to let you know Chief that I think you do an awesome job with the depth on your dynasties.
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GM of the Milwaukee Muscle Men of the ZFL. The 1st team in ZFL history to have a perfect losing season. I am on a quest to show that the Dolphins can win the Super Bowl. Or should I say Front Office Bowl, with FOF2K7. The revival of an old favorite, FOFC Wrestling Dynasty |
12-04-2003, 12:04 AM | #147 |
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Offensive Wings
Tight End Code:
Code:
Wide Receiver Code:
Code:
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-04-2003, 12:05 AM | #148 | |
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Quote:
Thanks, DolphinFan. I like to think that even if you don't give a crap about my Cards, I provide enough detail for you to follow your team of choice with relative ease. And if anyone wants to know more about any such team, all they have to do is ask. CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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12-04-2003, 01:00 AM | #149 |
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Offensive Line
Center Code:
Code:
Guard Code:
Code:
Tackle Code:
Code:
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
12-04-2003, 01:35 AM | #150 |
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Specialists
Punter Code:
Code:
Kicker Code:
Code:
CR
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. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
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