Memphis Blues: The early years

[SunDancer]

I created a fictional league, dubbed the United States Football League (USFL). I will be using Chief Rum’s posting format. I am starting the game with a fictional player database, using the preference draft.

The league looks like this:

The AL (Eastern Conference)

North:
Boston Shamrocks
Pittsburgh Predators
Buffalo Wings
New York Red Raiders

South:
Miami Stingrays
Tampa Bay Barracudas
Orlando Rockets
Atlanta Fangs

East:
Philadelphia Panthers
Baltimore Breakers
Washington (DC) Generals
Carolina (Charlotte) Dragons

West:
Detroit Mustangs
Indianapolis Racers
Columbus Explorers
Cleveland Bulldogs

The NL (Western Conference)

North:
Portland Pioneers
Seattle Orcas
Minnesota Stags
Idaho (Boise) Stallions

South:
Dallas Roughriders
San Antonio Roughnecks
Houston Space Cadets
New Orleans Hurricanes

East:
Colorado Scramblers
St. Louis Stampeders
Chicago Cavaliers
Memphis Blues

West:
Arizona Ambush
San Diego Dolphins
San Francisco Gold Miners
Los Angeles Knights


I will be the GM of the Memphis Blues. I took a preference draft using the fictional players, focusing on the offensive line, special teams, loyalty and fan favoritism.

Our coaching staff looks like this:

Head Coach-Kenyon Sullivan, 52 Years Old 3 Years/$1.74 million per year

Overall: He is a good coach. He is average in 6 ratings, but all the rest are good or higher. His salary puts him in the middle of the USFL in coaches. He’ll be given keys for the three years of his contract.

Offense/Special Teams: He is “very good” at close to all offensive and special teams positions, and is a “good” quarterbacks coach. He’s just average with the running backs. He is a very good play caller.

Defense: An average position coach up front, but “good” in the back seven. His defensive play calling is just average.

Intangibles: An excellent man management person, he knows how to get his players motivated. A good developer of young talent and solid disciplinarian. Injuries could be a concern, where he is rated just average.


Offensive Coordinator-Russell Gerhardt, 50 Years Old, 3 Years/$1.21 million per year

Overall: A very good position developer, but that’s pretty much it. One of the higher paid coordinators, don’t expect him to get another contract after the current one.

Offense: A good quarterback developer, and is really good at developing the receives and the offensive linemen. Is an average running backs coach, and lacks the play calling talent that is needed. Just average.

Intangibles: Lacks here. Good with the young prospects and discipline, but is bad with motivating his troops and helping players stay healthy.

Defensive Coordinator-Lincoln Acevedo, 61 Years Old, 2 Years/$700,000 per year

Overall: A 61-year-old man who will be nothing more then a stopgap at the coordinator spot for two years. “Average” says it all. Sadly, I think he is a better offensive mind then defense, but he does not have what it takes to be an offensive coordinator as well.

Defense: Average across the board at the defensive positions.

Intangibles: Is terrible with the young talent that needs development. Average in his man-management, but is good with the playbook. His strength lies in the health of players, with an excellent rating.

Lead Scout-Daryl Parr, 70 Years Old, 4 Years/$280,000

Comments: A 70-year-old scout with a 4 year contract…not what I want. His age must be effecting his eyes and judgment. His only “excellent” is in the offensive line. Good with judging quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs. The rest of the skills are average or lower. I’m not too keen with his average rating with young talent, as I plan on building our foundation and pipeline through the draft. His salary places him in the top ten of scout salaries, not worth it.

[SunDancer]

Memphis Blues Financial Background/Location:

We have no team within 250 miles. Our city is just over one million residents (1.08 million), growing at a rate of 1.1% a year. Our poverty level is high, at 21.78% with the average income at $27,900. Entertainment competition is low (37th percentile), the trend-setting city rates medium (57th percentile).

Liberty Bowl
Renovated in 1997, the 80,100-seat outdoor, natural grass stadium is among the league’s best (7th in the league with a rating of 75).

It is in excellent condition for stadium, turf and parking conditions. 15,000 club seats and 280 luxury boxes met today’s standards. We are 11th in the league with an average of $364 for a family of four to come see the Blues play, including parking and concessions. Boston tops the league at $472, with Arizona at the bottom with $161.

Franchise Value
$510 million (Tied for 5th in the USFL)

Stadium-75 (7th in USFL)
Roster-65 (Three way tie for 10th)
Fan Support-92 (Three way tie for 12th)
Economy-33(Three way tie for 24th)

Season Tickets
The Blues sold about 97% of its 80,100-seat capacity in season tickets alone, selling 77,500 packages.

The Green Page/The league’s fastest and strongest players
We have just one player in any of the three lists. Chicago wide receiver Arlen Frieswyk (22 years old, 4.26) and San Francisco cornerback Nick Cossaboom (23 years old, 4.27) are the speed demons of the league. Blues’ guard Donte’ Hamaoka (31 years old, 44) is tied for sixth with his score, with many other players who also have 44. Detroit guard Sean McKillop (33 years old) and Los Angeles defensive tackle Bobby Krosney (24 years old) lead the league with a score of 46.

[SunDancer]

Any followers?

Let's hear the noise from the fans!

[SunDancer]

Roster Overview

The numbers following the position are the Roster strength (starters/reserves) heading into camp.

QB (23/3)
The key position in football is likely our most concerning. 38-year-old Aaron Richardson (37/37) is the best quarterback in a very poor crop. The 15-year veteran can play well in the medium passing game and in third down situations, but lacks a deep arm and has trouble holding on to the football.

Richardson’s third down passing skills (72), ability to read the defenses (61) and decent skill to sense the rush (49) allows us to build some trust in our third down situations and ability to make key plays.

Behind him, three players with one years of experience are all battling for the two remaining spots. Sadly, none of them will likely be around beyond this year. The best of the three is Dana Rose (8/32). Expect us to look at the free agent market before the regular season to add an experienced veteran who can give us a more capable backup, and challenge Richardson for the job.

RB (20/44)
Willie Gobble (45/48) will get the starting job. Gobble is a very good outside runner who is capable of being dangerous in the open field. Has some power inside and is capable of recognizing his holes. His inability to hang on to the football, non-existence of being able to run it on third down and inability to be a contributing factor in the passing game keeps us concern of what he is really able to do. A fan favorite with Blues’ fans.

Mike Woolfolk and Marc James are speedy, elusive backs who offer depth and special teams’ ability, but nothing more. Woolfolk will get the call as third down back, with the best combination of receiving skills and his speed. Rookie Vincent Fleck will unlikely make the regular season roster.

FB (95/16)
John Burkhart (73/73) is one the best in the league. A strong blocker, more so as the “plow” for the running game, who can be a threat out of the backfield and third down running game. The ten-year vet is one of the best all-around fullbacks in the league.

Rookie Leonard Sullivan is big at 6-3, 248 pounds, but has no potential. Will get some competition for the backup and second fullback slot. Not a long-term solution.

TE (100/55)
One of the better positions of the football roster, Jon Sarnow (83/83) is one of the better players in the league at tight end. His 6-4, 248-pound frame makes him a big player, and his strength makes him a dominating blocker in the running game, and a solid one when the Blues air it out. A great route runner who will not fear going across the middle, he is a weapon for Richardson and holds the ball to his body like glue.

6-5, 250-pound veteran Chris Brunsvold doesn’t really standout at any particular skill, but has enough talent in many different skills to be the backup. J.T. Heisser has a valuable skill with great long snapping on special teams. That alone will earn him a spot as the third tight end.

WR (48/27)
37-year-old Richie Fischer and 32-year-old Nathan Burgower are the starting receivers. Fischer (51/51), a fan favorite, is a big-play player who doesn’t really excel at anything, but is just a reliable player who gets the job done. Burgower (54/54) is the best receiver on the team. A bit small at 5-10, 190 pounds, he is a big-time playmaker who shines in third down passing situations. Lacks speed and has trouble in bringing in and keeping the football in his possession. Also is more popular player then Fischer.

Depth is a concern. Chris Hopkinson, Sam Davey, Robert Weaver and Kevin Mikell will all battle for the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots. None of them are capable of starting, and might not be good enough for the third receiver slot. We’ll shop for a receiver before entering camp.

C (100/100)
One of the top centers in the game is 31-year-old Reche Hotchkiss (81/84). A strong all-around blocker who doesn’t dominate in the run or block, but can dominate because he can play every down strong. A well-liked player by the fans, he is locked up for four years.

Chris Arnett is an excellent long-snapper and has very good strength, but is a poor pass blocker and just a solid run blocker. He’ll handle backup duties. Rookie Kelvin Ruzzin will have to have a speculator pre-season to even be considered to make the team.

G (100/100)
The strength of the Memphis team continues with the guards, all up front. One of the strongest players in the league, Donte’ Hamaoka (71/86), will team with youngster Marc Antigua (26/69) as the projected starters. Hamaoka, is a big player at 6-4, 310 pounds. With 7 years of experience and the love of fans, he still has potential to develop his already solid all-around blocking. Antigua might be more potential then production. Lacks strength and endurance, he might not be the best starting option to enter the regular season. If his potential develops, he will be a solid player.

6-4, 305-pound Corey Laney, who is strong, and 6-5, 330-pound Jason Malloy are the backups. We’ll look for a fifth guard to bring into camp.

OT (67/84)
Daryl Fabrizio (57/57) is the best tackle, and will start on the left side. The 33-year-old is a reliable who is alittle better at run blocker then as a pass protector. Is alittle soft in his strength. The right side starting job will come down to Ronald Bethel (38/38) or Dwight Cox (45/53). Bethel is not as talented, or as massive, but he is better suited for the right side. Has solid strength, but does not have the skills to be an every-down player. Cox is huge at 6-7, 335 pounds, and lacks the strength required for a player that size. It will be a open battle in camp for the right side. Eric Alton, will be given competition for the last tackle spot.

P (71)/ K (0)
At 41 years old, David Woodyshek (74/75) is one the better punters in the league. Has a leg that can rocket the football down the field, and can get decent hang time. Is good at holding the kicks as well. However, the one weakeness in his game is being able to direct the punts. The kicking game is in the hands of 5-8 rookie Jose Maxey (12/43), who will be given competition. Has little potential, this area is a major concern.

DE (25/0)
A mess at a critical position. Huge at 6-6, 273-pounds is Jason Mayes (42/42) and Mark Hinton (46/46) will start at the end positions. Mayes, an average player who is excellent at diagnosing the plays. A foreigner, he lacks the durance to be an everyday player. Hinton is also a good play diagnoser, who lacks the pass rushing and run stuffing skills to be a starter. 6-7 giant Rusty Hopper, Dustin Farr and Anthony Busofsky offer the little depth, and will look for another player to give competition and hopefully some better depth.

DT (8/46)
Kabeer Hockenhull (33/40) and Jerome McKnight (25/40) will start out of a messy defensive tackle crop. Kockenhull is small at 6-1, who’s only real contribution is his solid strength in the pass rushing game. McKnight, a smart rookie, is a stronger clone of Kockenhull. Dan Mullenaux can lay a hit on a player every once in a while, but his skills are limited. Anxious Andy Corona (cool name) will be given competition, and might be let go if we find a better player.

ILB (22/0)
Anthony Mays (43/44) will start. A solid pass rusher with expectional strength, he is pretty one-dimensional. Doesn’t have what it takes to play the run or play in coverage, but he is someone who can be counted on to play every down. Rookie backup Irv Ellard will not develop into anything more then a marginal backup, but his special teams play will keep him on the roster.

OLB (0/10)
It is just ugly here. Rookie Jamie Schultz (17/48) has potential, but has no current talent that makes him a starter. Freddie Hanson (27/31) will start on the weak side, is a hard hitter, but that’s it. Phillip Boudreau, Damien Ogle and Bryant Merksey are marginal backups who offer us nothing. Expect us to look hard at brining in some help.

CB (81/26)
5-11, 185 pound 7-year veteran Clint Shah is one of the top cornerbacks in the league. Shah (82/82) is a punishing hitter who can play man-to-man, zone and bump-and-run. He is a shutdown player in the bump-and-run scheme and can make plays. He also looks to be a special teams demon. The other side will have Keenan Mariani (57/64) starting. He is a playmaker, who has a knack for the ball. His strength as a bump-and-run cover guy will fit perfectly with Shah. Mariani is not a hitter, but his talents with Shah will force opposing offenses to come at them. Depth falls off after those two, with Larry Delgado and Hank Cholewczynski battling it out for the nickel corner position. Drew Ouellette and Harry Durrand will fight it out for the fifth and final corner roster spot.

S (94/86)
The strongest and deepest position on the defensive side of the ball. 35-year-old Lorenzo Messersmith (76/76) is a stellar free safety. One of the best cover safeties in the league, he is brilliant in reading the offense and is a big-time playmaker who hits hard and picks off passes. At strong safety is Desmond Pritchard (71/71) who is a punishing hitter and is dynamic in the bump-and-run coverage scheme. He is smart and makes plays in the run defense. Jim Reisnger (43/44) is a player has a knock for the ball and is a decent cover player. He’ll get consideration for the nickel job as well. Leslie Delgado will see competition if we find someone to acquire for that final roster position at safety.

[SunDancer]

Tell me what you guys think so far.

[SunDancer]

After studying the roster, we make make some moves. We sign QB Jermaine McSweeny (12/24) to a one-year deal that pays him $530,000 in base salary. The six-year veteran will enter camp as the backup, and is a slight improvement over the three holders that are expected to battle for the third and final quarterback position. His only strengths, which are only average, is with the medium passing game and holding kicks. We decided to cut rookie quarterback Sam Carpenter (6/16) to create a spot for McSweeny.

Next, we sign fullback Brian Larson (42/43) to a one-year/$530,000 contract. At 6-4, 262 pounds, Larson is a strong run blocker who is a smart runner who can follow the holes and run his routes. A strong third down receiver. Leonard Sullivan (14/31) is released. We let go of receiver Sam Davey (16/29 ), and sign Antonio Seeley (20/28) to a one-year deal worth $300,000. Seeley is maxed out as a big-play receiver, and is heading into camp battling for the third receiver spot.

Released is kicker Jose Maxey (12/43) to clear the way for Leander Taute (30/30). Taute is an improvement over Maxey in all skills. He signed a one-year/$660,000 contract. After these four switches, we enter camp and the pre-season with $3.94 million left under the $75 million salary cap.

Pre-Season Schedule

Week One-Bye
Week Two-@ San Antonio Roughnecks
Week Three-Carolina Dragons
Week Four-Boston Shamrocks
Week Five-@ Tampa Bay Barracudas