Change in Chicago-The Coaching Career of Michael Smith

[Mike3207]

Ok, did some trial runs and will be starting a new dynasty.

Coach Michael Smith
Personality-Commander
Philosophies-All Balanced but may try QB at Mobile later.

House Rules:

I'll start Performance at 2 and will only increase Performance after getting all regular skills of that level. There's 34 on each level and they gradually become more expensive, so it should take a while to get to Performance 5.

GM Special Skills-No GM special skills above Major School Insider. I don't mind comparisons or 10 Individual workouts, but the advanced special skills tilt things too much in your direction.



Sliders:

Ebongreen's basic set, but defensive awareness to 35 and Run Block to 70 or 75(will check later).

Offensive Playbook- Spread Special (custom). Michigan Spread, but also Singleback, Strong, and a few other formations.

Defensive Playbook- Johnson Special (custom) Jim Johnson Blitz base, also 46, 3-3-5, nickel and dime formations.

Regular Skills-Performance 2, QB Int 2, OL Int 2, QB Lrn Dev 2, OL Lrn Dev 2, Lrn Dev LB 2.

Special Skills-Offseason Seminar, Regular Season Seminar, Playbook Training, Charm, Strength Training, Speed Training, and Game Film Analysis.

I'll be playing all games to start out, but may supersim them later.A few words from the Coach:

Notes from Coach Smith- I've really got a lot of work to do. I'll be taking on a lot of cap penalties this next year, and you can expect me to be busy exploring trades. We've got some veterans who will be wanting salary increases next year, but I'll most likely put a moratorium on major re-signings for next year. I'll explore trades in the offseason period, but am unlikely to do much in FA. With all this established, let's get started.

[Mike3207]

Roster and Staff Overview

Roster Overview:

QB-Orton best at 70/75, Grossman will be cut-definite need

HB-Peterson best at 72/73, Benson will be cut-definite need.

FB-J. McKie-73/73-need

WR-D. Hester-75/87 decent, may get a lot in trade-need

TE-Olsen 78/88 good, D. Clark 77/77 trade bait. I will look for depth.

LT-moved Tait to RT, ST. Clair 73/73 current starter-need

LG-R. Brown 86/86 entering FA and will not re-sign for health reasons-need.

C- O. Kreutz-92/92-He's good, but getting old. Will trade and hope I don't end up with Sweetney path-it lacks quality centers.

RG-R. Garza 77/77- will look for better.

RT-J. Tait-85/85-Ok for now.

LE-A. Ogunleye-81/81-will move to RE next year.

RE-M. Anderson-73/79-will trade to Speed philosophy team-need.

DT-T. Harris-89/90-Good, but worried about helath-will explore a trade-also need depth.

LOLB-H. Hillenmeyer-81/82-Ok for now.

MLB-Brian Urlacher- 93/93- Made the Pro Bowl till 34 last time-staying.

ROLB-Lance Briggs-90/91-Will franchise and trade later-personality a issue.

CB-N. Vasher-89/90, C. Tillman-86/86. Tillman is overpaid, but will keep both on roster if I can because of contracts-unlikely to re-sign either.

FS-M. Brown-82/82-will trade because of contract-overpaid.

SS-A. Archuleta-67/67-will be cut. Manning 75/79 temporary starter, but likely to be traded-definite need.

K-R. Gould-91/94-will likely play out contract.

P-B. Maynard-87/87-will trade and sign FA punter.

Staff Overview:

They're all pretty terrible and will be replaced. I'll briefly discuss the ones who might be back.

WRC Darryl Drake-39-average WRC-Performance t0 3, regular skills 3 or 4, development 3 or 4. I'll look for upgrade, but he might be back.

STC Dave Toub-79-outstanding STC-Regualr skills go to 5, development skills go to 5, and a good personalty-The one coach who will definitely survive the coming purge.

GM Jim Andrews-49- A good GM but Titan personality problematic. Weak at scouting offense, strong with defense, Negotiation goes to 4. I'll look for better, but will keep if I can't get better.

[Mike3207]

18 Day Countdown and FA Period

Franchise:

Bears-ROLB Lance Briggs(approval -2), Bengals-RE Justin Smith, Patriots-WR Randy Moss, Titans-DT Albert Haynesworth, Seahawks-CB Marcus Trufant, Cowboys-LT Flozell Adams.

Season Goals-Acquire 85+ LT, QB, HB.

Cuts-QB Rex Grossman, HB Cedric Benson, SS Adam Archuleta.

FA Period:

CB Asante Samuel-91-26-5 years, 43.0 million-Saints.
CB Nnamadi Asomugha-91-26- 5 years, 41.0 million-Bengals
HB Marion Barber-2nd round-5 years, 38.0 million-Giants
FS Eugene Wilson-90-27- 5 years, 23.0 million-49ers
LG Alan Fneca-93-29-5 years, 43.0 million-Broncos
RT Jordan Gross-92-27-5 years, 36.0 million-Texans
ROLB Terrell Suggs-88-24-3 years, 23.0 million-Patriots
FS Ken Hamlin- 86-26- 4 years, 16.0 million-Bills
HB Shaun Alexander-85-30-4 years, 23.0 million-Broncos
LE Antwan Odom-85-25-4 years, 28.0 million-Bucs
CB Randall Gay-85-25-4 years, 20.0 million-Chiefs
LG Stacy Andrews-87-26-5 years, 26.0 million-Panthers
RG Ben Noll-86-23-4 years, 18.0 million-Broncos
RG-Jake Scott-86-26-4 years, 22.0 million-Broncos
LG Ruben Brown-86-35-1 year, 4.2 million-Saints
RT David Stewart-85-25-4 years, 19.0 million-Dolphins

Trades:

Traded TE Desmond Clark, HB Garrett Wolfe, and 2009 6th to the 49ers for LT Joe Staley-85/93-met goal.

Traded P Brad Maynard to Patriots for 4-127.

Traded FS Mike Brown to Falcons for 2-48 and 7-217.

Traded CB Trumaine McBride to Patriots for 6-191 and 2009 6th.

Traded WR Devin Hester to Vikings for 2009 2nd and 2009 6th.

Traded FS Daniel Manning to Steelers for 4-120.

I also signed P Mitch Berger-86/86-35 years-1 year, 1.1 million.

Draft Goals:

Dont Draft a Bust
Draft a Sleeper

FA Notes-I guess the Broncos will move one to LG, they've really signed a offensive line.


The Draft is next.

[Mike3207]

2008 Draft-1st Round

I was really temped to trade up at 12 to get Keith Rivers, but instead I traded down to 25 to get Phillips there. I also got a 3-86 and 4-118 pick from the Seahawks.

NFL Draft - Round 1 Recap
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1-1	Miami Dolphins	Jake Long	LT	6'7	315
1-2	St. Louis Rams	Chris Long	RE	6'3	275
1-3	Atlanta Falcons	Matt Ryan	QB	6'5	218
1-4	Oakland Raiders	Sedrick Ellis	DT	6'1	295
1-5	Kansas City Chiefs	Ryan Clady	LT	6'6	319
1-6	Tampa Bay Bucs	Glenn Dorsey	DT	6'1	310
1-7	New England Patriots	Darren McFadden	HB	6'0	210
1-8	Baltimore Ravens	Derrick Harvey	LE	6'4	276
1-9	Cincinnati Bengals	Leodis McKelvin	CB	5'10	185
1-10	New Orleans Saints	Vernon Gholston	ROLB	6'3	266
1-11	Buffalo Bills	Jerod Mayo	LOLB	6'2	233
1-12	Denver Broncos	Keith Rivers	ROLB	6'3	230
1-13	Carolina Panthers	Gosder Cherilus	RT	6'6	312
1-14	Seattle Seahawks	Dustin Keller	TE
1-15	Detroit Lions	Domonique Cromartie	CB	6'1	181
1-16	Arizona Cardinals	Aqib Talib	CB	6'2	180
1-17	Dallas Cowboys	Chris Johnson	HB	5'10	198
1-18	Houston Texans	Rashard Mendenhall	HB	5'11	225
1-19	Philadlphia Eagles	Brandon Albert	LG	6'7	317
1-20	Tampa Bay Bucs	Felix Jones	HB	6'1	222
1-21	Washington Redskins	Jeff Otah	RT	6'5	315
1-22	Dallas Cowboys	Kentwin Balmer	DT	6'5	288
1-23	Pittsburgh Steelers	Mike Jenkins	CB	6'0	200
1-24	Tennessee Titans	Antoine Cason	CB	6'0	182
1-25	Chicago Bears	Kenny Phillips	SS	6'2	202
1-26	Arizona Cardinals	Lawrence Jackson	LE	6'4	271
1-27	San Diego Chargers	Joe Flacco	QB	6'7	222
1-28	Atlanta Falcons	Tracy Porter	CB	6'0	187
1-29	Philadelphia Eagles	John Carlson	TE	6'6	250
1-30	Green Bay Packers	Chris Williams	LT	6'6	315
1-31	Buffalo Bills	Brandon Flowers	CB	5'10	190
1-32	Miami Dolphins	Jonathan Stewart	HB	5'9	170

[Mike3207]

2008 Draft-Rest of Draft

Let's just say I traded down a bit. The 3-65 pick was a bit interesting. I traded up for the pick giving up Mark Anderson and a 7th, then I changed my mind and traded it down to the Lions for their 3-87 and 4-108.

NFL Draft - Rest of Draft
Pick	Player	College	Pos	Ht	Wt
2-44	Calais Campbell	Miami	RE	6'7	290
2-61	Ray Rice	Rutgers	HB	5'9	200
3-70	Earl Bennett	Vanderbilt	WR
3-86	Dre Moore	Maryland	DT
3-87	Craig Steltz	LSU	SS	6'1	210
3-90	Mario Manningham	Michigan	WR	6'0	181
4-100	Josh Johnson	San Diego	QB	6'3	213
4-107	David Hale	Weber State	LG	6'2	326
4-108	Ray Schuening	Oregon State	RG	6'4	317
4-118	Keenan Burton	Kentucky	WR	6'2	195
4-120	Athya Rubin	Iowa State	DT	6'3	322
4-127	David Vobora	Iowa	ROLB	6'4	234
5-160	Steve Justice	Wake Forest	C	6'3	283
6-174	Kevin Robinson	Utah State	WR	6'4	210
6-191	Carl Stewart	Auburn	FB	6'2	224
7-197	Kelin Johnson	Georgia	SS	5'11	212
7-207	Jamar Adams		SS

Trades after:

Traded C Olin Kreutz to Packers for 2009 2nd.

Traded DT Tommy Harris to Bengals for 2009 2nd and 2009 6th.

Undrafted:

HB- X. Amon
TE- M. Moffitt
CB- J. Ikegwuonu
K.- A. Serna
TE- M. Peterson

Notes from Coach Smith:

"It was really a hard decision to trade both Harris and Kreutz. Kreutz is getting older however, and I'm worried about Tommy's durability issues. In any case, however- I hope both will have long careers with their respective teams."

I suffered -2 approval from Urlacher and -11 from Briggs after I made the trades. Not to worry, I plan on trading Briggs as well.

[Mike3207]

2008 Training Camp

Trades:

Traded ROLB Lance Briggs to the Falcons for 2009 1st.


Rookie Signings:

SS Kenny Phillips-5 years, 9.1 million, 2 million signing bonus-no incentives.

HB Ray Rice-4 years, 2.50 million, no SB.

RE Calais Campbell-4 years, 4.1 million, 500K SB.

Season Goals:

Trade for MLB Derek Smith
Increase Brian Urlacher's PK to 39%
Increase Nathan Vasher's PK to 37%
Increase Kenny Phillips PK to 25%
Add 10 New Plays
Play Kenny Phillips 50 downs
Play Joe Staley 50 downs
Play Dre Moore 50 downs

[Mike3207]

Preseason 2008

I think Performance 2 was a good decision, all the games but the Chiefs one were competitive. My GM earned his pay bring bringing in 3 players with potentials 85 or more-LT, DT, and WR. It's a good thing too, because I'm on the Sweetney path this time around.

Preseason Game 1- Bears 37, Chiefs 10

Rice 116 rush yars, Johnson 98 rush yards.
Campbell 5 sacks, Vobora 2 sacks
Bradley 102 yd KR TD

CU-GM- Contr Neg 4

Preseason Game 2-Bears 29, Seahawks 28

Johnson 400 pass yards, Bennett 92 rec yds, Rice 91
Campbell 3 sacks, Phillips 1

Preseason Game 3- Bears 38, 49ers 35

Rice 146 rush yds, Bennett 124 rec. yds
Vobora 2 sacks, Vasher 2 INTs

CU-OC-Perf 2, DC-Perf 2, RBC-Perf 2
LBC-Phys Dev LB 2, DLC-Playcall 2

Preseason Game 4-Bears 24, Browns 17

Johnson 270 pass yards, Rice 73 rush yards
Campbell 3 sacks, Moore 2
Urlacher and Tillman INTs

CU-QBC-Perf 2


Preseason Promise-Win at Least 3 Games(no need to overpromise)


Draft Path-Sweetney


New Season Goals:

Win first 3/4 games-Fast Start
Beat Packers in Week 11
Beat Packers in Week 16
Re-sign P Mitch Berger
Win Defensive Rookie of the Year
Hire a new GM
Hire a College Coach
Have approval of 80 or more at end of season

[Mike3207]

2008 Bears Roster and Cap Information

Overalls and potential is included next to name. I took on a fair amount of penalties the 1st year.

NFL Salary Cap-116 Million
Team Cap-55.51 Million
Cap Room-39.41 Million
This Years Penalties-21.08 Million
Incentives-0
Next Years Penalties-4.85 Million

2008 Chicago Bears Roster
#	OFFENSE	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE
11	Josh Johnson- 69/92	QB	22	6'3	213	San Diego
18	Kyle Orton- 70/75	QB	23	6'3	226	Purdue
15	Thomas McGee- 69/80	QB	23	6'4	234	Auburn
36	Ray Rice- 79/87	HB	22	5'9	200	Rutgers
26	Kenneth Darby- 71/82	HB	24	5'10	211	Alabama
42	Xavier Amon- 65/88	HB	22	5'8	211	NW Missouri St.
41	Carl Stewart- 76/84	FB	22	6'2	224	Auburn
48	Walt Rose- 75/85	FB	23	6'3	252	Central MI
85	Earl Bennett- 75/90	WR	22	6'1	202	Vanderbilt
86	Mario Manningham- 75/90	WR	22	6'0	181	Michigan
80	Kevin Robinson- 67/86	WR	21	6'4	210	Utah State
84	Mitch Kennard- 64/85	WR	25	6'2	192	Duke
19	Keenan Burton-69/81	WR	22	6'2	195	Kentucky
82	Greg Olsen- 78/88	TE	23	6'6	258	Miami
88	Mark Moffitt- 66/81	TE	21	6'3	200	UCF
89	Mike Peterson- 55/84	TE	22	6'6	257	NW Missouri State
74	Joe Staley- 85/93	LT	24	6'6	296	Central MI
77	Ryne Young- 73/88	LT	22	6'6	315	Colgate
64	David Hale- 72/87	LG	22	6'2	326	Weber State
70	Ralph Mcdonald- 78/82	LG	22	6'2	317	W. Michigan
56	Steve Justice- 76/83	C	22	6'3	283	Wake Forest
66	A. J. Price- 72/81	C	22	6'4	304	E. Tenn. State
75	Roy Schuening- 70/86	RG	22	6'4	317	Oregon State
79	Stacey Lucas- 74/80	RG	23	6'2	310	W. Washington
61	John Tait- 84/84	RT	32	6'6	323	BYU
61	Terrance Pennington- 75/76	RT	23	6'7	314	New Mexico
#	DEFENSE	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE
60	Calais Campbell- 84/89	LE	21	6'7	290	Miami
60	Reuben Johnson- 75/80	LE	23	6'4	256	N. Arizona
67	Adewale Ogunleye- 80/80	RE	31	6'4	255	Indiana
62	Dontrelle Taylor- 70/81	RE	24	6'4	257	Sanford
65	Dre Moore- 84/91	DT	22	6'4	312	Maryland
72	Athya Rubin- 80/84	DT	22	6'3	322	Iowa State
99	Richard Cason-72/85	DT	20	6'0	290	Alabama
92	Hunter Hillenmeyer- 81/82	LOLB	25	6'4	238	Vanderbilt
95	Brian Kehl- 75/79	LOLB	22	6'2	231	BYU
54	Brian Urlacher- 93/93	MLB	30	6'4	254	New Mexico
55	Derek Crist- 75/80	MLB	22	6'2	240	Bowling Green
50	David Vobora- 68/83	ROLB	22	6'4	234	Idaho
57	Alan Bowen- 72/75	ROLB	22	6'4	220	Iowa State
31	Nathan Vasher- 89/90	CB	24	5'10	177	Texas
33	Charles Tillman- 86/86	CB	27	6'1	196	UL Lafayette
24	Ricky Manning- 82/84	CB	25	5'8	185	UCLA
22	Jack Ikegwuonu- 75/80	CB	22	6'2	204	Wisconsin
34	Eli Fuller- 71/78	CB	22	5'11	192	P' View A & M
20	Craig Steltz- 83/88	FS	22	6'1	210	LSU
25	Jamar Adams-77/81	FS	22	6'2	212	Michigan
23	Kenny Phillips-86/92	SS	21	6'2	202	Miami
46	Kelin Johnson- 79/84	SS	22	5'11	212	Georgia
#	SPECIAL TEAMS	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE
9	Robbie Gould-91/94	K	24	6'1	181	Penn State
13	Alexis Serna-83/92	K	22	5'8	170	Oregon State
17	Mitch Berger- 86/87	P	36	6'4	228	Colorado