Syracuse Northern "I'd Rather Be Fiction" (shiba)

[DDT]

Shiba is a FOF2007 fictional league (rosters and cities) that held its preference draft on 1/22/07. I am the GM of the Syracuse Northern and and an original owner. We are now midway through the 2011 season. I'll try to find some old posts of mine, and use my memory if I have to to cover the first 5 seasons.




The League -
Cap Increase 28 to 40
Injuries 150
No restrictions on contracts or position switches
2 games per week

The Teams and Current Owners -
AC NORTH
Columbus Coroners (freddylamar)
Grand Rapids Roosters (theDLar)
Kentucky Spelunkers (Cringer)
Toledo Freedom (jsavage024)
AC SOUTH
Birmingham Hammers (ukpatfan)
Knoxville Nighthawks (macroguru)
Memphis Blues (Nygren)
Raleigh-Durham Devils (BalloonKnots)
AC EAST
Albany Argonauts (zbuckley)
Hartford Hedgehogs (BoneGavel)
Providence Pioneers (Nouvelle_Vague)
SYRACUSE NORTHERN (DDT)
AC WEST
Fresno Fury (Synovia)
Honolulu Hawaiians (bmerryman)
Portland Tigers (willylumplump)
Sacramento Swarm (Stillseekhim)
NC NORTH
Oklahoma City Weasels (OKCityGM)
Omaha Warriors (Omaha Williams)
Tulsa Tomahawks (aef027)
Wichita Sun (Ram)
NC SOUTH
Austin Chargers (admin/headtrauma)
El Paso Pride (JMO)
Little Rock Outlaws (Green Caeser)
San Antonio Firebirds (JohnRckr)
NC EAST
Charleston Rapiers (OldSchool)
Greeneville Silver Aces (GenoAndo)
Norfolk Flame (MrDNA)
Richmond Rebels (path12)
NC WEST
Albuquerque Mavericks (Royce04)
Las Vegas Silverbacks (MartinD)
Salt Lake City Saints (cwadley)
Tucson Bobcats (TGrandy)

[DDT]

I wrote this about midway through our first season in attempt to get to know my team better ...

QB ... We didn't put much emphasis here in the pref. draft hoping the games AI would select a solid player in the 1st 10 rds. That strategy failed in a universe w/ poor QB's. We began our inaugural season with 4 rookies all rated currently poor and only 1 w/ a good (barely) future.

Stephen Richardson QB drafted in 14 Rd. Through 9 games Richardson has taken nearly every snap (comp. 58.1% for 1451 yds. 5 TD 6 int. and a 72.5 rating.
Bryant Humes QB 38th Rd. Humes has been active every game as a holder and 3rd QB. He may have slightly outplayed Richardson in preseason but Richardsons' potential won the starting job.
Heath Martinez QB 47th Rd. Released
Colin McGahee QB FA Released
Kenny Port QB FA AQU aquired via trade (7th Rd. pick in '07 ...HUGE MISTAKE) Benjamin Coggin FA TUL Released aquired FA Veterans Port and Coggin were each brought in to possibly start but more likely come off the bench when a younger player struggled. My staff doesn't seem to like either as they have a combined 21 pass attempts in spite of Richardsons' short leash.

Outlook... Richardson has been impressive all things considered, and appears to have a future. He will be sent to the summer league. Humes will likely start a couple games before the season ends and looks like a guy I'd like to keep around as 3rd QB as long as he remains affordable ... decent bars, very loyal, outstanding holder and a strong affinity w/ OL leader. Doesn't seem likely we'll bring in another young QB in the draft but we will again be looking to add a quality vet via FA or trade.

RB/FB ... We de-valued this position in the pref. draft primarily reasoning that we didn't want to spend a relatively early pick on a FB while more valuable players remained available, and my staff would select a RB fairly early anyway. This time that strategy worked as our initial roster featured one of the leagues premeire young RBs.

Dave Woodson RB 5th Rd. Woodson has been a workhorse and seems to be more effective each week. He has greatly struggled on 3rd down and in the red zone but we believe that has more to do w/ the inability of our young QB to spread defenses out. Through 9 games Woodson has 193 rushes for 747 yds. 3.87 ypc and 1 TD and has caught 33 passes for 187 yds and 1 TD.
Terrance Haskin RB 34th Rd. Rookie Haskin has been ok as a backup 42 att. 148 yds. 3.52 ypc and 1 TD. Haskin seems to be best suited as a pass catching back. Although he needs a lot of development . A preseason injury limited his PT in exhibition games so the jury is still out regarding his future.
Randal Jacobs RB 49th Rd. Released
Dennis Mason RB 50th Rd. Released
Hardy Roberts RB 40th Rd. NFK Released aquired via FA. Roberts has been very impressive originally signed as a 3rd RB and special teamer. Roberts has 19 rushes for 95 yds 5.00 ypc. Also statistically our best 3rd down / red zone back Roberts has taken Haskins' job as Woodsons' primary backup and barring a catostrophic injury will be back in 2007.
Gerald Bauer RB FA Released. We brought Bauer in thinking he had the size and skills to be a receiver. A considerable ratings drop, once he joined the roster, caused his quick release. Never made position switch.

Jon McWilliams FB 22nd Rd. McWilliams is better suited to run the ball than block. Prior to Roberts aquisition he was our 3rd RB. He will likely play out his contract as a backup and special teamer but will not be around 2008.
Norbert Cochrane FB 53rd Rd. A pure FB Cochrane has more KRB 3/1 and KRO 12/10 than McWilliams despite less PT. Cochrane stays out of the way of the the passing game and has very little rushing ability. He'll start the remainder of games and resign as a RFA.

Outlook ... We seem ok here although moving McWilliams and bringing in a more developed run blocking FB isn't out of the question.

WR/TE ... Very similar thoughts to RB/FB heading into pref. draft we wanted to add depth to OL and Defense and would consider it a succesful draft if we aquired 1 good WR and another solid WR and TE. The league appears to be loaded here and we drafted very well. It is difficult to make an accurate assesment here due to a QB forced to play to soon and an inability to use 3 and 4 wideout sets. But here goes...

Geoff Perez WR 9th Rd. Perez has been inconsistent catching 14 passes for 208 yds. in our 1st 3 games but has since dissappeared. he has shown an ability to move the chains and again 3rd down / red zone performance is a concern.
Lorenzo Forbes WR 13th Rd. Similar numbers to Perez although a knee injury caused a 2 game stretch of 0 receptions. He has played SE this year although his natural position is FL. Our best receiver we are trying to renogiate his contract but he hasn't shown enough to get the 23mil/6yr. contract he wants and could become an UFA after the season.
Archie Lee WR 31st Rd. Lee needs a training camp but could succeed Forbes at SE in 2007. He should already be a solid PR but isn't. Injury prone?
Morris Stone WR 40th Rd. Splits time w/ Lee as 3rd WR. Currently a little more developed than Lee but having less potential.
Corwin Knight WR 45th Rd. inactive all season not much future.
Oscar MacIver WR FA no future.
Neil Copeland WR undrafted We signed Copeland for his return ability but 4 fumbles in 3 games earned him a trip to the inactive roster. Not sure if this is fumble-itis or a seasonal rust issue. We still like Copelands' ability as a PR/KR and if he accepts a 1 yr minsal deal will get another oppurtunity 2007.

Darryl Stevenson TE 10th Rd. A pass catching TE Stevenson has been very good. Leads all receivers w/18 of 22 receptions resulting in 1st downs and a 15.00 avg Rarely finds himself in position to make a KRB and hasn't succeeded yet.
Frankie Silvan TE 26th Rd. More of a blocking TE Silvan has exceeded our expectations as a backup. Still has room to develop and a good long snapper if he remains affordable he could be in Syracuse for a while.
Kirk Burdick TE 41st Rd. Released signed w/ EP no meaningful stats. Considering our heavy use of multiple TE formations releasing Burdick may have been a small mistake.

Outlook ... What we do at WR is largely dependant on where Forbes plays next year. Will look to add another TE late in draft.

OL ... We tried to bring in some players here through the pref. draft. Although again the way I value OT vs. OG/C caused a cautious approach. After 9 games we think we have a good OL but maintaining our level of play could be difficult.

Isaac Hansford C 15th Rd. Hansford is a solid C in his prime. 11/34 KRB, 32.4 BPct and 2 SKA in 425 plays. Renogiated 3yr/4.35mil contract.
Mike Neimeyer C 37th Rd. His strengths seem to be his attitude and LS but he hasn't played much. Neimeyer will be back next year but we'll probably bring in a undrafted rookie to compete for his job

Irv Martinez G 3rd Rd. Irv's stats don't reflect his ability. He played out of position at LT and was ok but not what we hoped for. He's back at RG and his performance has been very good. Probably our best offensive player.
Brock Alcalca G 19th Rd. Alcalca has been disappointing 13/50 KRB 26.0 BPct. he's allowed 6 sacks and knee problems are all reasons for concern. An RFA after the season his chances of returning are close to 50/50.
Nolan Nixon G 35th Rd. If Alcala doesn't return Nixon almost certainly will. Has put up solid numbers despite more often than not playing out of position. UFA after the season his demands seem a little high.
Brock East G FA Released
Everett Blades G FA Released signed w/ MEM We brought Blades in hoping he would resolve some chemistry issues he didn't and was cut. Hasn't done much in Memphis.
Clyde Houston G 5th Rd. AUS aquired via trade (3rd Rd. pick in '07) Houston was originally brought in after several failures to sign a LT(see Martinez) has been very good 21/59 KRB 35.6 BPct 5 Pnck and 2 SkA in nearly 450 plays. Clyde's skills have begun to diminish.

J.J. Weber T 20th Rd. Good run blocker avg pass blocker Weber was moved from LT to RT in preseason. Is starting at LT since Martinez returned to G but future is at RT. 6/15 KRB 40.0 BPct 2SkA in 315 plays. Has been excellent in last 4 or 5 games.
Sean Cunningham T 21st Rd. His marginal play is compounded by ridiculous salary demands and recurring foot problems. Doubt he'll be in Syracuse in 2007.
Bo Peachey T 36th Rd. Would like to see Peachey get more PT in latter half of season. Solid pass blocker could have expanded role in 2007.
Lamont Korber T 51st Rd. Released.
Rusty Bennetts T FA Has been very good in limited PT. OT Mentor but a clubhouse cancer. Zero chance of returning. Should play somewhere in '07.

Outlook ... Looking to sign a vet LT in FA and would like to find another OT early in draft. Aging at G. Would like to bring back Nixon haven't given up on Alcala yet. Could use a late pick on a C/G but will more likely bring in undrafted FA's.

P/K ... Didn't put any thought into this going into preference draft. We left the preference slider unlocked, adjusted other positions and would live w/ whatever happened. Probably more emphasis here than most.

Kennedy Cebulla P 25th Rd. All World. Leads league in avg. 50.5, net avg. 43.3 and nearly 50% of his punts have landed inside opponents 20. His value is increased in the snowiest city in the SFL. Resigned to a 3yr/3.93mil deal.
Kendrick Sembower K 23rd Rd. Having a good year. 20/25 FG all his misses have been 50+. Opponents are avg. 27.0 yds. per KR but we believe its a coverage problem.

Outlook ... No plans to make any changes here.

DE/DT ... Tried to bring in a solid DL via preference draft. Seem to have some talented players but we believe youth is causing mediocre play.

J.B. Kalter DE 1st Rd. #1 player on the green page. Hasn't done much yet 2.6 PRPct 3.7 TkPct 0 sacks. Expected alot more even though a rookie. Missed 2 gms. w/ injury. played his best game last week. HUGE contract. Could use summer league but Richardson needs developing more.
Leroy Stedman DE 11th Rd. Stedman is currently considered a bust though only in his 3rd year. The lowest PRPct 0.7 among our 5 DL who get PT, 15 total tackles in 9 starts. Signed thru 2008 but may not be around that long.
Frankie Kefauver DE 48th Rd Released.
Monty Whiting DE 32nd Rd. GRN Released aquired via FA. Outstanding pickup. 7.1 PRPct 7.1 TkPct and plenty of room to get better. Although a rookie and RFA may get multi-year deal.

Brenden Ribich DT 8th Rd. Another talented young DLineman. In a rotation at NT so stats paint an inaccurate picture.
Gene DiStefano DT 12th Rd. Splits time w/ Ribich at NT. 340lb PR specialist. Will be asked to lose weight.
Norbert Barton DT 30th Rd. Another young guy we would like to see play more. Could be a good run-stuffing DT.
Leland Brand DT 33rd Rd. Originally a 300lb DE was asked to move inside and seems to have flourished. Needs PT.
Duane McRae DT 42nd Rd. Released.

Outlook ... Very inexperienced group of players. We have alot of cap room invested here now so a quick fix isn't a likely option. Everyone will be asked back in '07 but we won't keep 4 DT's on the active roster again. Probably will look for a cheap pass rusher to play opposite Kalter

ILB/OLB ... We commited this franchise to a 3/4 defense way back in the helmet design days. Hoped to bring in a good LB corp and did better than we could have reasonably expected.

Bernie Burke ILB 2nd Rd. A monster on paper his numbers have been less than stellar. Burkes' performance can probably be attributed more to,an ineffective offense an inconsistent DL and playing alongside two other talented LB's in their prime, than his ability.
Warren Crayton ILB 27th Rd. Crayton is having a nice rookie season vs. the run. Seems to get picked on by opposing QB's. Receives about 60% of PT opposite Burke.
Jake Finley ILB 39th Rd. Receives remainder of snaps at other ILB. Less ability against the run but better in coverage than Crayton.
Robert Klone ILB FA. Inactive all season, no future.

Darrin Troyer OLB 4th Rd. Troyer is having the best and most consistent year among are defenders. 5.5 PrPct. 14.0 TkPct. 78.3 PDPct.
Timothy Preston OLB 6th Rd. not quite as tlented as Troyer and not having as good a season either. Preston has dissappeared in 3 of last 4 games.
Herman Fox OLB 28th Rd. Fox seems underdeveloped for a 3rd yr. player. Has had some very good and some very bad games. Will get oppurtunity to start soon as we won't be able to pay Troyer and Preston much longer.
Cedric Joseph OLB 44th Rd Released.
Ricardo Farley OLB FA. Has barely played. Won't be around long.
Richard Armstrong OLB FA Released.

Outlook ... All our key guys will be back here in 2007 though we'll begin to shop Troyer or Preston in early FA. Both have deals w/ large bonuses so we'll keep them both if we can't get better moving one. Our LB's are good and should get better over the next couple seasons. May use a late draft pick on an OLB.

CB/S ... Dissapointed with our roster following preference draft. Didn't put as much emphasis as OL/DL/LB but hoped to add a few good players. This unit has played poorly even when factoring a lack of a pass rush into equation.

C.J. Rudis CB 7th Rd. Rudis is our best DB. Looked like a shut-down corner after pref. draft and had an excellent pre-season. Marginal play most of regular season. Has had a couple nice performances recently.
Edwin Marsh CB 17th Rd. Marsh has spent time as our 2nd CB and nickle-back. He has been awful 1/21 pass defn. and a 69.7 PDPct.
Keith Ellison CB 24th Rd. Ellison has also started some and been a 5th DB. His play has been less awful than Marsh. 3/17 pass defn. and a 74.9 PDPct.
Dexter Mickleson CB 32nd Rd. Statistically better than Marsh and Ellison. A dime-back all season his play is more likely a result of favorable matchups than talent. Beggars can't be choosers so Mickelson will get more PT the rest of season.
Archie Perry CB 43rd Rd. The Northern staff had high hopes for Perry. Being unable to view his pre-draft attributes clouds the picture but looked like an ideal canidate for a big ratings jump. Played very well in exhibition games. Earned a spot on 46 man roster as PR/KR and spot DB. 2/2 pass defn., 95.1 PDPct. and our best return man. Very serious knee injury in wk. 10(40wks). Should be healthy again sometime in early 2007. We will retain his rights.
Xavier Devine CB FA Released.

Ron Conwell S 16th Rd. Conwell has been an ok FS. 3/10 pass defn. 2 int. 8.8 TkPct. and 84.0 PDPct are decent numbers. Not sure we want a FS who is at his best playing BnR. Could hang around as a nickle or dimeback.
John Coletta S 18th Rd. Another FS who excels in bump and run. Coletta is a less developed version of Conwell.
Earl Pearson S 29th Rd. Pearson looks like a guy we would like to keep around. Needs development, starts out of neccessity. Good potential vs. the run and solid in all 3 coverage schemes. Switched from FS to SS.
Benjamin Wilson S 46th Rd Released.

Outlook ... Rudis has job. Perry and Pearson should stick around on potential alone. Beyond that we would like to make major changes to this group. Most of the teams in SFL seem to be in a good cap situation so its difficult to say what kind of players will be available. Multiple FA's and multiple picks are a strong possibility.

We finish 2006 at 5-11, solid defense, and a horrible offense. We were lucky to win 5.

G Clyde Houston is named to the first team - 38/104 KRB 13 Pnck 4 SkA 373 PPly.
OLB Darrin Troyer is also makes the first team - 98 Tckl 9 Sacks 1 Int
Woodson rushes for 1,275yds, Burke makes 114 Tckls and Rudis finishes with a 85.1 PDPct.

We have the 5th pick in the 2007 draft.