NFL North - A Toronto Thunderbirds Franchise

[Ejfalcon9]

*following* I love the idea of a NFL team in Toronto!


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[Flutie_Flakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ejfalcon9

*following* I love the idea of a NFL team in Toronto!

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it. The Bills are my favorite team IRL and I'm happy they are going to stay in Buffalo, but would have been happier with a real-life move to the north

[Flutie_Flakes]

Press Conference

TORONTO, ON
On Stage - Toronto Thunderbirds CEO/Team President Kris Jardine

Quote:

Jardine - "We are very happy to be here today in Toronto to announce that we have filled the position of Head Coach and General Manager. We interviewed many candidates for the positions and took our time with the process to make sure that who we hired would embrace the challenge ahead of them, in making this team a perennial winner. So without further adieu we would like to re-introduce the people of Toronto to our new General Manager, Doug Flutie"

Flutie, who made a name for himself with the Buffalo Bills, also played for the Patriots, Bears, and Chargers in the NFL, as well as the Argonauts, Stampeders and Lions in the CFL. Flutie was also the first non-Canadian to be inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

While he has no managerial experience, he was noted in an ESPN report as being a desirable GM hire because of his 'personality and knowledge of the football landscape'

Quote:

Jardine - "I would also like to introduce our new Head Coach, Gus Bradley"

Bradley was fired a few weeks ago after his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, finished 3-13. Regarded as a good players coach, Bradley will get a chance to prove himself as coach of a team with a bit more talent that his former organization.

Bradley signed a 3 year contract that will pay him $4.2 million per season

[Flutie_Flakes]

Thunderbirds Use Franchise Tag on Dareus
Situation Still Unresolved

TORONTO, ON - Doug Flutie's first move as General Manager of the Toronto Thunderbirds was to utilize the franchise tag designation on star Defensive Tackle Marcell Dareus.

Dareus, the 97 overall player, will make $9.08 million in 2015 with 50% of that ($4.54 million) guaranteed. Dareus told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he was under the impression that the tag was not going to be used, allowing him to test free agency. Dareus also told Schefter that he feels betrayed by the team.

[Flutie_Flakes]

T-Birds Unable To Resign Spikes, Hughes
Both Become Free Agents

TORONTO, ON - With not much cash on hand, limiting their ability to give signing bonuses, the Thunderbirds were unable to re-sign 2 key pieces of their defense, as both MLB Brandon Spikes (85ovr) and RE Jerry Hughes (91ovr) will become free agents.

It is reported by TSN.ca that Spikes turned down a 5-year deal worth $35 million, $5 million of which would have been guaranteed. TSN.ca also reported that the T-Birds didn't make a huge effort to re-sign Hughes as they are comfortable with starting 84ovr Manny Lawson at Defensive End in 2015.

Thunderbirds Players Granted Free Agency
DE Jerry Hughes
MLB Brandon Spikes
TE Lee Smith
FS Da'Norris Searcy
LE Jarius Wynn
DT Corbin Bryant
WR Chris Hogan
P Colton Schmidt
C Garrison Sanborn

[Flutie_Flakes]

Three Shown The Door
Toronto Cuts Players Ahead of Free Agency

TORONTO, ON - NFL Free Agency kicks off in 4 days, and in anticipation of that, the Thunderbirds cut 3 players today to free up some salary cap room.

Backup QB Kyle Orton (73ovr), RB Fred Jackson (81ovr), and WR Mike Williams (79ovr) were all cap casualities on this day. Jackson would the one surprising cut out of the group, but with Bryce Brown (79ovr) and Kendall Hunter (77ovr) under contract, the 34-year old Jackson became expendable.

Below is the cap savings from each player for 2015:
Kyle Orton - $5.5mi
Fred Jackson - $2.62mil
Mike Williams - $6.6mil

[Flutie_Flakes]

2014 NFL Re-Signing Period

[Flutie_Flakes]

2014 NFL Free Agency

It's safe to say that heading into the free agency period, the Thunderbirds were in need of players. With plenty of holes on the roster, and not much bonus room to woo bigger free agents, GM Doug Flutie's strategy was simple, go after guys he liked

Quote:

GM Doug Flutie - "Gus and I have a vision for this team, we wanted to go out and get guys that fit into that vision. Guys that are going to be able to play in our system and contribute to us winning games. I think we made out pretty good."