Circling the Wagons Once Again:Another Buffalo Bills Dynasty

[Mike3207]

2008 Roster: I'll go by position, overall/potential, cap, cap total, signing bonus, and years left in that order.

QB1-Josh Johnson-79/93-460K-1.5 million-0-3
QB2-Andre Woodson-76/88-430K-1.4 million-0-3
QB3-Chuck Jones-70/83-290K-290K-0-1
HB1-Marshawn Lynch-87/92-3.0 million-20.0 million-5.0 Million-5
HB2-Jamaal Charles-73/83-290K-290K-0-1
HB3-Aveion Cason-78/78-900K-900K-0-1
FB1-Reagan Mauia-81/86-390K-1.6 million-0-3
FB2-Carl Stewart-76/84-360K-760K-0-2
WR1-Earl Bennett-75/90-510K-1.7 million-0-3
WR2-Early Doucet-76/91-560K-1.9 million-0-3
WR3-Kevin Robinson-67/86-280K-920K-0-3
WR4-Jaymar Johnson-65/83-290K-290K-0-1
WR5-Roscoe Parrish-68/80-510K-510K-0-1
TE1-Quinn Syniewski-71/76-330K-930K-0-1
TE2-Mark Moffitt-68/81-380K-800K-0-2
TE3-Mike Petersen-58/84-200K-670K-03
LT1-Jason Peters-85/90-2.9 million-12.0 million-800K-3
LT2-Matt Murphy-78/80-520K-520K-0-1
LG1-Mike Sellers-75/83-900K-900K-0-1
LG2-David Hale-54/87--280K-920K-0-3
C1-Samson Satele-85/93-450K-2.0 million-0-3
C2-Steve Justice-71/85-290K-290K-0-1
RG1-Brad Butler-78/83-330K-960K-60K-2
RG2-Duke Preston-68/79-540K-1.8 million-400K-1
RT1-Jordan Gross-92/92-6.3 million-37.0 million-6.0 million-5
RT2-Richard Hoe-74/80-290K-290K-0-1
LE1-Calais Campbell-84/89-550K-2.5 million-500K-4
LE2-Chris Kelsay-78/78-900K-900K-0-1
RE1-Aaron Schobel-86/86-5.6 million-49.0 million-21.0 million-6
RE2-Tony Bake-66/81-250K-820K-0-3
DT1-Marcus Stroud-90/90-4.0 million-31.5 million-12.0 million-6
DT2-Amobi Okoye-87/91-1.5 million-12.0 million-0-5
DT3-Athya Rubin-80/84-240K-800K-0-3
DT4-John McCargo-71/81-1.2 million-6.0 million-3.5 million-3
LOLB1-Terrell Suggs-88/88-7.3 million-24.0 million-3.5 million-3
LOLB2-Keith Ellison-73/80-350K-990K-60K-1
MLB1-Patrick Willis-92/95-1.3 million-10.0 million-0-5
MLB2-Beau Bell-79/83-360K-1.2 million-0-3
MLB3-John Digorgio-75/78-400K-800K-20K-20K-1
ROLB1-Keith Rivers-90/95-2.4 million-14.1 million-2.5 million-5
ROLB2-Tommy Polley-75/75-900K-900K-0-1
CB1-Terrence McGee-83/85-1.0 million-1.0 million-0-1
CB2-Zack Bowman-79/86-430K-1.4 million-0-3
CB3-Jack Ikegwuonu-260K-850K-0-3
CB4-Ashton Youbouty--500K-1.5 million-600K-2
FS1-Kelin Johnson-79/83-290K-780K-0-3
FS2-Ko Simpson-73/83-420K-1.6 million-400K-2
SS1-Craig Steltz-84/88--520K-1.7 million-0-3
SS2-Donte Whitner-82/88-5.5 million--36.0 million-12.0 million-4
SS3-Rory Richardson-75/81-900K-900K-0-1
K1-Rob Bironas-90/93-2.4 million-5.0 million-500K-2
K2-Alexis Serna-83/92-200K-670K-0-3
P1-Brian Moorman-88/88-1.6 million-10.5 million-600K-5

[Mike3207]

I've gone ahead and simmed the first 8 games with interesting results. I lost the first 2 games(the first in OT) to fail the Fast Start Goal, but have since won 6 straight games. 6 of the 8 games had a 1 TD differential, so they weren't blowouts. My 6-2 Bills are 1 game behind the 7-1 Patriots, and we play them next.

Game 1-Seahawks 24, Bills 21 (OT)

Passing-Johnson-15-36-152-2 TD-2 INT, Rush-Lynch-65, Rec-Bennett-63, Block-Peters 2 pancakes, Defense-Rivers 14 tackles, INT

Game 2-Jaguars 35, Bills 0

Pass-Johnson-7-24-114-0-0, Rush-Johnson-25, Lynch-17, Block-Peters 1 pancake, Defense- Willis 11 tackles, Suggs 2 sacks. Failed Fast Start goal, Jamaal Charles-Bruised Hip(out 2-3 weeks)

Game 3-Bills 32, Raiders 29

Pass-Johnson-18-40-246-3-5, Rush-Lynch 14-72, Rec-Robinson-64(1 TD), Doucet-59, Defense-Willis-16 tackles, sack, Bowman 2 INT.

Game 4-Bills 14, Rams 10

Pass-Johnson-10-25-132-0-4, Rush-Lynch-16-72-2, Block-Peters 2 pancakes, Defense-Rivers-12 tackles, Steltz-INT, Mark Moffitt-Torn Quadricep(miss 3-4 months).

Game 5-Bills 27, Cardinals 23

Pass-Johnson-11-20-163-2-1, Rushing-Lynch-16-72-2, Block-Gross-2 pancakes, Peters-2, McGee, Whitner, Willis INTs. Marcus Stroud got injured again with a High Ankle Sprain(will miss 5-8 weeks).

Game 6-Bills 13, Chargers 7

Pass-Johnson-12-25-184-1-1, Rushing-Lynch-16-96, Receiving-Doucet-6-90-1, Lynch-3-66, Blocking-Gross-3 pancakes, Defense-Rivers-10 tackles, INT.

Game 7-Bills 24, Dolphins 0

Passing-Johnson-16-23-2-3, Rushing-Lynch-19-89-1, Rec-Lynch-4-78, Robinson-4-80, Blocking-Butler, Peters, Gross 3 pancakes, Defense-Schobel-2 sacks, McGee, Campbell INTs.

Game 8-Bills 24, Jets 21

Passing-Johnson-19-37-245-3-2, Rush-Lynch-8-43, Rec-Bennet-5-61, Defense-Rivers, Willis 10 + tackles, McGee INT.

The Patriots are playing pretty well this year, so I don't expect to win the division this year(even if I win the 1st showdown with them). I may sneak in with a wild card this year though.

[Mike3207]

Went ahead and finished simming the rest of the games. I finished 9-7 to give the Bills a winning season, just behind the 9-7 Steelers, Chargers and Titans who made the playoffs. It'll give me something to build on for next year. I suspect the Patriots rested all their starters the last game, because I ended up beating them by 5 TDs. Not the way I wanted to win, but I'll take it.

Game 9-Patriots 45, Bills 10

Pass-Johnson-12-29-167-1-2, Rush-Lynch-13-51, Rec-Johnson-5-73-1, Block-Peters 1 pancake, Defense-Rivers-10 tackles.

Game 10-Bills 24, Browns 17

Pass-Johnson-16-34-241-2-1, Rush-Lynch-21-84-1, Rec-Bennet-5-72, Lynch-4-86-2, Block-Satele 4, Gross and Sellers 3, Butler and Peters 2, Defense-Whitner-9 tackles, sack. I met the Browns Monday Night goal.

Game 11-Chiefs 10, Bills 3

Pass-Johnson-6-21-68, Rush-Lynch-12-65, Johnson-7-30, Block-Peters 3 pancakes, Defense-Whitner and McGee INTs, Marcus Stroud-Hernia(out 3-4 weeks).

Game 12-49ers 23, Bills 14

Pass-Johnson-17-32-254-2-1, Rush-Lynch-13-45,Johnson 18, Rec-Doucet-60, Defense-Schobel 3 sacks, Bake 2 sacks, Rivers and Steltz INTs.

Game 13-Dolphins 30, Bills 16

Pass-Johnson-18-41-251-2-6, Rec-Doucet 81, Robinson 111(2 TDs), Block-Gross 3 pancakes,Defense-Willis-11 tackles and INT; Rivers 6 tackles, sack, and INT.

Game 14-Bills 26, Jets 23

Pass-Johnson-11-32-236-2-0, Rush-Lynch-20-92, Rec-Doucet 102(1 TD), Bennet 52(1 TD), Block-Satele, Butler, Peters 3 pancakes, Defense-Rivers-8 tackles and INT, Campbell sack.

Game 15-Broncos 24, Bills 17

Pass-Johnson-19-35-231-1-3, Rec-Doucet 53, Bennett 59, Block-Gross 3, Peters 2, Defense-Bowman, Schobel INTs.

Game 16- Bills 41, Patriots 7

Johnson-21-36-339-5-0, Rec-Robinson 82, Doucet 93(2 TDs), Bennet 57 (2 TDs), Lynch 72 (1 TD), Block-Peters 3 pancakes, Defense-Whitner 2 INTs, K. Johnson INT.

Playoff Teams:

1. Colts-15-1
2. Buccaneers 15-1
3. Patriots-14-2
4. Giants 13-3
5. Seahawks-12-4
6. Vikings 12-4
7. Saints-11-5
8. Eagles-11-5
9. Packers-missed playoffs
10. Texans-10-6
11. Steelers-9-7
12. Chargers-9-7
13. Titans-9-7
14. The 9-7 Bills, Broncos, and Chiefs all missed the playoffs.

Awards:

MVP-Eli Manning
OPOY-Reggie Bush
DPOY-Michael Boley
OROY-James Hardy
DROY-Keith Rivers
QBOY-Eli Manning
RBOY-Reggie Bush
WROY-Reggie Wayne
OLOY-Marcus McNeill
DLOY-Jared Allen
LBOY-Michael Boley
DBOY-R. W. McQuarters
KOY-Alexis Serna
COY-Tony Dungy

One thing about the awards that cracked me up was Alexis Serna. He made 1 FG and 1 XP the whole year, and yet he wins Kicker of the Year.

Pro Bowl:

HB Marshawn Lynch
OLB-Keith Rivers
MLB-Patrick Willis
SS-Donte Whitner
Kick Returner-Roscoe Parrish

I'll post the final regular season stats next.

[Mike3207]

2008 Regular Season Stats

Before I post the final regular season stats, I'll just mention my thoughts on a couple of things. My offensive line gave up 86 sacks last year, an average of 5 a game! Needless to say, I fired my offensive line coach and OC. Passing stats seemed to be down most of the year, but I was encouraged by Johnson's last game at NE.

Passing:

Johnson-228-500-3271-28 TDs-31 INTs-60.1 QB rating-45% efficiency-sacked 86 times

Rushing:

Marshawn Lynch-232 carries for 1,011 yds-8 TDs-4 fumbles-35 broken tackles
Josh Johnson-60 carries for 206 rushing yards

Receiving:

Doucet-47-769 yds-6 TDs-6 drops-111 YAC
Bennett-44-571 yds-4 TDs-6 drops-80 YAC
Robinson-40-491 yds-5 TD-2 drops-119 YAC
Lynch-36 catches-640 receiving yards-8 TDs-2 drops-102 YAC
Ja. Johnson-32-443-2 TDs-0 drops-89 YAC

Blocking:

Peters-24 pancakes, 26 sacks given up
Gross-22 pancakes, 20 SGU
Sellers-12 pancakes, 15 SGU
Satele-12 pancakes, 10 SGU
Butler-12 pancakes, 11 SGU

Defensive:

Rivers-123 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 INT, 19 Big Hits
Willis-119 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 INT, 20 Big Hits
Whitner-76 tackles, TFL, 5 INT, 11 Big Hits
McGee-67 tackles, 4 INT, 8 Big Hits
Bowman-58 tackles, 3 INT
Steltz-57 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT
Okoye-34 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks
Campbell-26 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, INT
Suggs-21 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks

Kicking:

Bironas-16-24, 54 long, 32-32 XP

Punting:

Brian Moorman-84-3736-44.4 avg.-13 inside 20-13 touchbacks-55 longest

Kick Returns:

Bennett-39-1035
Parrish-35-956

Punt Returns:

Parrish-50-398

Wild Card games:

Steelers 23, Titans 20
Eagles 38, Seahawks 20
Chargers 34, Texans 20
Vikings 39, Saints 38

I got a approval bump for having my approval over 80 at the end of the season. It's actually 98, which will really help when I go to hire coaches.

[Mike3207]

Coaching hiring period was pretty interesting. For the first time I can remember, Gary Hammermill was not hired as a HC. I think they were only 2 openings, and the Ravens promoted Rex Ryan to HC. Everyone passed on Hammermill as a OC, and there were about 20 teams that wanted him as a DC. I ended up getting him, athough I had to give him control of defensive playcalling.

Staff Retirements:

Panthers- GM Marvin Hurley, 49ers-OLC George Warhop, Broncos-DLC Jacob Burney, Ravens-Trainer Steve Parker, Falcons-DC Brian Van Gorder, Rams-DLC Brian Baker.

Staff Promotions:

Ravens promote Rex Ryan to HC, Jets promote Jimmy Raye to OC.

Playoffs:

Divisional:

Colts 38, Chargers 17
Eagles 30, Bucs 27
Patriots 30, Steelers 7
Giants 38, Vikings 22

Conference:

Patriots 28, Colts 21
Giants 31, Eagles 21

Super Bowl:

Unfortunately, I must have been too concerned with hiring coaches and forgot to record the winner of the Super Bowl. I think it was the Giants, though.

Coaching Changes:

I fired everyone but the WRC and SPC.My new hires are below:

OC-69-Jim Caldwell
DC-66-Gary Hammermill
QBC-99-Tom Clements
RBC-61-Tom Rathman
OLC-35-Tim Cobble
LBC-40-Mike Katkavage
DBC-Dan White
DLC-Pepper Johnson

Signings:

LE Chris Kelsay, TE Quinn Sypniewski, LG Mo Sellers, CB Terrence McGee

Franchise Tags: Ravens MLB Ray Lewis, Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha

RFAs-ROLB Keith Ellison got a Tender 1.

Season Goals-Acquire 85 + TE, 85+LG

FA Period is next

[Mike3207]

FA period:

My former TE Robert Royal had a breakthrough.

I signed TE Tony Gonzalez to a 2 year, 16.0 million deal, 2.5 million signing bonus, meeting the season goal.

No trades this time around.

10 IW's:

Spoiler

IW 1-Ole Miss WR-88 potential
IW 2-LG Rondell Owens-90 potential
IW 3-RG Tyler Fordham-94 potential
IW 4- HB Kenton Kasom-89 potential
IW-5-FS Sanrick Raines-91 potential
IW-6-FB West Virginia-84 potential
IW 7-SS Casey McGrath-87 potential
IW 8-CB Corey Bulluck-86 potential[

Player Retirements:

C Tom Nalen, K Jason Elam, FS John Lynch, LE Bobby Hamilton, WR Joey Galloway, QB Jeff Garcia, HB Edgerrin James, QB Kurt Warner, FB Lorenzo Neal, K John Carney,, ROLB Donnie Edwards, LE Michael Strahan, DT Grady Jackson, LG Edwin Mulitalo, K John Kasay, MLB Junior Seau, K Matt Stover, RE Phillip Daniels, QB Todd Collins, QB Jamie Martin, SS Ray Bellamy, LT Walter Jones, P Matt Burk, HB Ahman Green, TE Mark Bruener, C Kevin Mawae, P Craig Hentrich, MLB Shelton Quarles, QB Trent Green.

Players released:

Both HB Darren McFadden and FS Laron Landry were released during the FA period, so both will be eligible to be signed to 1 year deals during training camp.

New Season Goals-Acquire 85+ LG, Find Sleeper in Draft.

The 2009 Draft will be next.

[hockeyplaya2724]

9-7 is very acceptable, especially for the Bills.

Good luck in the draft, free agency, and next season

EDIT: 800th post!

[Mike3207]

2009 Draft

1-1-Raiders-QB Mike Zazzali. The Raiders get their franchise QB.
1-2-49ers-QB Morgan Barnes
1-3 Falcons-CB Demario Waddell. Let's hop the Falcons keep this pick.
1-4-Bears-Adrian Joseph Jr.-Franchise RB, if the Bears let him start.
1-5- Ravens-QB Chris Essex-3 QBs taken in the top 5.Surprised he went this early.
1-6-Bucs-DT Lorenzo Spragan
1-7-Jets-WR Blake Walton
1-8-Packers-RE Vernon Caldwell
1-9-Arizona- CB Corey Bulluck
1-10-Lions-TE Kwame Frampton
1-11-Rams-CB-Central State Ohio
1-12-Browns-WR-Purdue
1-13-Cowboys-LT Marquan Taylor
1-14-Dolphins-LT Glenn Shafer-The Dolphins get a Pro Bowl LT.
1-15-Bengals-SS jerome Bartell
1-16-Jaguars-Jaguars get the next Ray Lewis.
1-17-Wanted Fordham, but too high here. I traded down to get the Saints 22nd, 4(118), and 2010 3rd. I forget who they picked, will check later.
1-18-Chiefs-TE Joshua Brandt-Tony Gonzalez is gone, so they needed a TE.
1-19-Broncos-HB Vonnie Mendenhall
1-20-Redskins-HB Jacob Flynn
1-21-Tennessee-WR Kendrell Kennison
1-22-Bills-RG Tyler Fordam. I needed a RG, and he's a good one.
1-23-Texans-LOLB Chase Beck
1-24-Seahawks-RE Antonio Perez
1-25-Chargers-WR-Domonique Berlin
1-26-Vikings-LE-Rutgers
1-27-Steelers-FS Riley Mears
1-28-Bucs-WR V. McBee
1-29-Eagle-WR Elmore Carter
1-30-Colts-ROLB Brian Dockery
1-31-Giants-DT Tim White
1-32-Browns-LE Jay Nedney

Rest of my Draft:

2-37-Traded to Seahawks for 2 (56) and 3 (89)
2-49-LG Rondell Owens-get a LG, but he starts with low Learning.
2-56-Forgot FS Laron Landry would be available, drafted FS Sanrick Raines. I'll have him backup and trade for a pick after 1 year.
3-81-SS Casey McGrath-Portland State
3-89-WR-Ole Miss. Not Pro Bowl quality, but pretty good.
4-113-FB West Virginia
4-118-LG Nebraska-A backup to Owens.
5-133-LOLB Northern Colorado. A comp to Suggs, so I'll explore trading Suggs.
5-144-CB Deanthony Nails-I'll need another CB.
7-194-HB-Yale
7-197-QB-Cornell-Drew Brees comp
7-224-MLB-VMI-a backup for Willis

Undrafted:

LE-UNLV.

HB Darren McFadden and FS Laron Landry were available at the start of training camp. McFadden is 91/97 and Landry is 91/94. I signed them both to 3 million deals each.

All in all, a good draft. I filled my holes at Guard, and helped my depth elsewhere. I'll look to shed some payroll in training camp.