Getting Them Marching Again - A New Orleans Connected Franchise (M16)

[glassjaw05]

Week 4

Bears - Kevin White (WR): Dislocated Hip - 6 weeks
Bengals - Kevin Zeitler (RG): Dislocated Hip - 2 weeks
Bills - Ryan Wendell (RG): Broken Tailbone - 7 weeks
Bills - LeSean McCoy (HB): Shoulder Tear - 2 weeks
Browns - John Greco (RG): Knee Cartilage Tear - 3 weeks
Browns - Andrew Nunley(r) (QB): Broken Ankle - 20 weeks
Browns - Johnny Manziel (QB): Broken Thumb - 3 weeks
Buccaneers - Ted Ginn Jr. (WR): Foot Fracture - 5 weeks
Buccaneers - Mike Evans (WR): Quad Tear - 4 weeks
Cardinals - John Brown (WR): Broken Hand - 4 weeks
Chargers - James Jones (WR): Achilles Tear - 3 weeks
Chargers - Hunter Bryan(r) (LG): Dislocated Hip - 3 weeks
Chargers - Chris Ivory (HB): Broken Tibia - 26 weeks
Chiefs - Travis Kelce (TE): Foot Stress Fracture - 9 weeks
Colts - Alfonzo Dennard (CB): Broken Ribs - 5 weeks
Cowboys - Sean Weatherspoon (MLB): Broken Thumb - 1 week
Dolphins - Ndamukong Suh (LE): Foot Stress Fracture - 7 weeks
Dolphins - Craig Robertson (MLB): Dislocated Hip - 2 weeks
Dolphins - Antuan Stone(r) (HB): Shoulder Tear - 3 weeks
Eagles - Austin Ryan(r) (QB): Upper Arm Fracture - 3 weeks
Eagles - Mychal Kendricks (QB): Pulled Groin - 2 weeks
Falcons - Riley Cooper (WR): Broken Hand - 3 weeks
49ers - Joe Staley (LT): Partial ACL Tear - 3 weeks
49ers - Rolando McClain (MLB): Dislocated Elbow - 3 weeks
Giants - Robert Ayers Jr. (LE): Dislocated Hip - 5 weeks
Jaguars - Dante Fowler Jr. (RE) Forearm Fracture - 1 week
Jaguars - Derek Wolfe (LE) Dislocated Ankle - 3 weeks
Jaguars - Blake Bortles (QB) Pectoral Tear - 31 weeks
Jets - Sheldon Richardson (RE): Upper Arm Fracture - 4 weeks
Jets - Darrelle Revis (CB): Dislocated Ankle - 1 week
Lions - Matthew Stafford (QB) Broken Collarbone - 4 weeks
Packers - Morgan Burnett (FS): Broken Femur - 3 weeks
Packers - Eddie Lacy (HB): Pulled Groin - 2 weeks
Patriots - Antonio Gates (TE): Upper Arm Fracture - 3 weeks
Patriots - David Fales (QB): Abdominal Tear - 1 week
Raiders - Aldon Smith (ROLB): Broken Thumb - 1 week
Raiders - David Amerson (CB): Dislocated Elbow - 1 week
Rams - Michael Brockers (DT): Quad Tear - 1 week
Washington - Chris Culliver (CB): Upper Arm Fracture - 2 weeks
Washington - Bashud Breeland (CB): Shoulder Tear - 1 week
Saints - C.J. Spiller (HB): Dislocated Elbow - 1 week
Steelers - Le'Veon Bell (HB): Upper Arm Fracture - 5 weeks
Texans - Samson Satele (C): Shoulder Tear - 1 week
Vikings - Adrian Peterson (HB): Achilles Tear - 9 weeks
Vikings - Phil Loadholt (RT): Broken Collarbone - 4 weeks
Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater (QB): Broken Collarbone - 3 weeks
Vikings - Stefon Diggs (WR): Shoulder Tear - 2 weeks
Vikings - J.R. Sweezy (RG): Upper Arm Fracture - 3 weeks


*Only listing starters injuries & italics indicate new injury

[glassjaw05]

Week 4 Awards

Lewis(r): 25/37, 342yds, 4TD
Sharpton: 12tkl, 1 Sack, 1INT
Luck: 21/31, 312yds, 3TD
Hightower: 11tkl, 3 Sacks, 1INT

[glassjaw05]

Week 4
RK (LW)	Team	Record	Next Game
1 (1)	Green Bay Packers	4-0	@ Chicago (0-4)
2 (3)	Pittsburgh Steelers	4-0	vs Indianapolis (2-2)
3 (4)	San Diego Chargers	4-0	@ Kansas City (2-2)
4 (5)	New Orleans Saints	3-0	vs Philadelphia (2-2)
5 (2)	Cincinnati Bengals	3-1	BYE
6 (6)	Arizona Cardinals	3-1	@ New England (3-1)
7 (8)	New England Patriots	3-1	vs Arizona (3-1)
8 (7)	Seattle Seahawks	2-1	@ Tampa Bay (1-3)
9 (10)	Jacksonville Jaguars	3-1	@ Tennessee (2-2)
10 (12)	Baltimore Ravens	3-1	@ Cleveland (2-2)
11 (14)	Carolina Panthers	2-2	BYE
12 (15)	Oakland Raiders	2-2	vs Denver (1-3)
13 (19)	Buffalo Bills	2-2	vs St. Louis (1-2)
14 (24)	Philadelphia Eagles	2-2	@ New Orleans (3-0)
15 (9)	Kansas City Chiefs	2-2	vs San Diego (4-0)
16 (11)	Indianapolis Colts	2-2	@ Pittsburgh (4-0)
17 (13)	Dallas Cowboys	2-2	@ Washington (0-4)
18 (26)	Tennessee Titans	2-2	vs Jacksonville (3-1)
19 (27)	Cleveland Browns	2-2	vs Baltimore (3-1)
20 (29)	Detroit Lions	2-2	vs NY Giants (1-3)
21 (18)	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-3	vs Seattle (2-1)
22 (17)	San Francisco 49ers	1-3	BYE
23 (16)	Atlanta Falcons	1-3	BYE
24 (22)	New York Jets	1-2	vs Miami (1-3)
25 (20)	Minnesota Vikings	1-3	@ Houston (1-3)
26 (23)	New York Giants	1-3	@ Detroit (2-2)
27 (21)	Miami Dolphins	1-3	@ NY Jets (1-3)
28 (28)	Houston Texans	1-3	vs Minnesota (1-3)
29 (30)	St. Louis Rams	1-2	@ Buffalo (2-2)
30 (25)	Denver Broncos	1-3	@ Oakland (2-2)
31 (31)	Washington Redskins	0-4	vs Dallas (2-2)
32 (32)	Chicago Bears	0-4	vs Green Bay (4-0)

Instant Debate

• Biggest riser of the week goes to the Philly Eagles moving up 10 spots after a strong divisional win.
• Other notable jumps up; Browns (+8), Lions (+9).
• Biggest slump of the week goes to the Falcons moving down 7 spots after another poor showing, this time against the Raiders.
• Blowout alert of the week goes to the winless #32 Bears who travel to face the #1 Packers this week.
• Bengals only drop 3 spots after a tough fought loss against their rivals; the Steelers.
• Game to watch this week is the Arizona Cardinals (#6) playing at New England (#7).
• #9 could be the highest the Jags get this year after losing their ascending QB; Blake Bortles to a severe pectoral tear for the rest of the season.

[glassjaw05]

Mid-Week Personnel Meeting

Present:
Rickey Jackson (GM/Owner)
Harper Blake (GMs PA)


"I don't want to interrupt anything Rickey, but I've had some news on something that might interest you."-HB

"Let's hope it looks better than that Bradford trade we considered in the preseason."-RJ

"During the personnel discussions last week, before we resigned Drew and Kenny, you mentioned that you were worried about some of the big cap hits we're going to take in the next few years. The big ones being Jahri Evans, Keenan Lewis and Jarius Byrd. Now I know Byrd's a better cover defender than either Vaccaro or Barron, but I got a hint from a few teams that they'd consider giving a 2nd round pick for him if we were considering it."-HB

"He's one of our better guys on defense, so we need to be sure about this if we pull the trigger and I'll need to run it by Jim, 'cause he's got the boys on a roll right now and something like this could mess with everything. Whose offering?"-RJ

"Well from what I'm hearing, nearly anyone would give a 3rd, but the Titans, Browns, Dolphins, Lions, Falcons and Colts would hand over a 2nd."-BH

"Count the Colts out, unless we're taking them for a ride, I don't wanna deal with Irsay or Harbaugh. Falcons out too, no way would we give him do a division rival, and maybe even rule out the Lions as they're in the NFC too. Leaves the Titans, Browns and Dolphins. All three could be a top 10 pick, in either 2017 or '18, which makes it worth considering. I better call Jim in."-RJ

Jim Glidewell (HC) enters and is caught up on the idea.

"This is a big move Rickey. Working on the finer stuff, we would move Barron into the Safety role permanently, giving more time to Zeke and Bacari which is ok. In terms of how they compare; Barron's just as gifted athletically and definitely a better tackler. They're comparable in man-to-man, but Byrd shines in that free-ranging, zone coverage role at the back. His instinct are solid and he's a huge deterrent to QB's that won't to lob it deep when he's back there. He's also a defensive leader on a squad that's one of the top in shutting down the run and forcing turnovers, which hasn't been a strength here in years. It's going to cause a lot of ripples with the guys in the locker room."-JG

"If we're going to do it, then it needs to happen now or we take what we can get in the offseason, maybe lucky to get a future 3rd by that time? If we wait longer now, then it'll just have a bigger impact on the guys left behind. What's your call Coach?"-RJ

"An extra second would be nice to have in our pockets come draft time, but we don't have a secondary that can afford to lose a leader and top player. Right now we haven't really faced a top-flight QB, except for Ryan and who knows whats going on with the Falcons right now. I think we could get exposed without him."-JG

"Fair enough, pull the plug on it Harper. Time to get ready for Philly."-RJ

[glassjaw05]

Matchup Preview *|* October 9, 2016
	@
Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)		New Orleans Saints (3-0)
Offensive Stats Comparison 1568 Total Offensive Yards 1577 997 Passing Yards 979 571 Rushing Yards 598 28.3 Points Per Game 36.7 4 Passing TD 7 10 Rushing TD 6 73 First Downs 70 70% Red Zone Percentage 85% Defensive Stats Comparison 1706 Total Yards Allowed 891 1262 Passing Yards Allowed 740 444 Rushing Yards Allowed 151 20 Sacks 6 4 Interceptions 6 31.5 Points Per Game 15.6 66% Red Zone Percentage 83% Injury Report Mychal Kendricks (MLB) Pulled Groin (2 weeks) C.J. Spiller (HB) Dislocated Elbow (1 week) Austin Ryan(r) (QB) Upper Arm Fracture (3 weeks) Game Notes #1 in the NFC South Faces off against #1 in the NFC East. Kirk Cousins second game back from injury. Darren Sproles returns to New Orleans for the first time since he was released three seasons ago. Both teams have displayed a desire to run the ball this year and with Cousins return, the ability to throw it as well. Eagles lead the league with 10 rushing touchdowns and the Saints still have the stingiest run defense. Eagles have allowed the most passing yards in the league through four games this year and the 6th most points allowed, but they do have the 2nd most sacks (20) and forced fumbles (8). Looks to be an entertaining game in New Orleans.

[glassjaw05]

Final Team Meeting - Week 5 vs Philadelphia Eagles

Offensive Room

"The Eagles D has been straight up murdering QBs this year and its coming from a variety of directions, so pay attention. On the line they have Vinny Curry, Bennie Logan and Fletcher Cox coming 24/7. Keep an eye on Cox in particular cause he has a wicked first step. Now while Barwin has lost a step, Brandon Graham has gotten better in this scheme, so they're set on the second level too. Kiko Alonso will mainly be a cover linebacker, who plays the run aggressively, so try to use it against him. Their secondary is suspect and the weakest link in this D, Maxwell is still their #1 CB which is all I need to say there, so let's exploit it. Careful throwing deep because Jenkins has flourished in Philly in the FS spot and has made a living out of prowling back there, but if you see any other safety besides him out there, then attack them. Main idea is to try and tire their pass-rushers out with the run, but have some quick 3-step routes dialed up as well to keep them on the back foot. We let them into our back field too easily and this game becomes a nightmare, so lets go to work in the trenches Gentlemen." - Jim Glidewell

Defensive Room

"The media's making a big thing about the Cousins return taking advatage of our D, but I don't see it. He's a solid QB, but his receivers are still a season or two from really breaking out, doesn't help that they don't have any veteran help in the locker room to help them figure out the details. So let's keep pushing what got us 3 wins so far; stacking the box against the run and daring them to beat the blitz through the air. Their running game is no joke either, could be one of the better groups we've played against with Mathews, Murray and Sproles interchanging the whole game. Their O-line is pretty solid all the way across too. So we need the big guys up front to engage their blockers and try to hold the point of attack and allow our second level guys free to work their magic. Last thing; this read-option and misdirection that Kelly loves so much will only work against us if we don't hold the edge or over-pursue, so stay disciplined in your reads and we'll be fine." - Jim Glidewell

[glassjaw05]

Key Games & Predictions - Week 5

Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers need to keep an eye on the Colts as they come to town for two reasons. 1 - They had a very physical and taxing game last week against the Bengals and could be struggling to recover from that, 2 -Luck has only been able to get a win through airing it out this year and thats Pittsburgh's achilles heel so far this year. While the rookie held his own against AJ Green last week, consistency is never that prominent in an athletes first few years in the pros, time to see if he can back it up against TY and the Colts

Arizona Cardinals @ New England Patriots: This is the game of the week. Both teams come in at 3-1 with explosive offenses and opportunistic defenses. Pats have the edge on D, but the Cards have the better offense. Nobody is sold on the rookie QB yet, but there are beginning to be murmurs that he could be the next guy, which is fair enough if he continues to hold his own as the starter. The Hoodie is still mum on whether Fales will get his job back when he returns in a week, but how Todd Jordan plays in this game will definitely be a factor in the decision. Palmer had a stumble last week, throwing 1INT to 0TDs, and a trip to Foxborough is no one's idea of a confidence booster.

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs: Battle in the AFC West where the Chargers lead 4-0, to both the Chiefs and the Raiders at 2-2. If they want to begin climbing back into contention then the Chiefs need a win at home this weekend. Phillip Rivers on the other hand, is try to show everyone that while the 'Golden Oldies' are gone, he remains, and he's pretty good too. If the Chargers can get the win then they are pretty much a lock for the playoffs, with a neither the Raiders really proving they're there yet and the Broncos fallen off a cliff without Peyton.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans: The Jags remain one game ahead of both the Colts and the Titans in the AFC South, but with Bortles out for the rest of the season, that seems like a lead that they will soon lose. Mariota can get a jump start on the Colts if he can get a win here. The real question comes down to; will Gus Bradley go ahead with only Matt Scott and a rookie QB, or will he call someone in? RGIII to the rescue? It has to happen eventually right?

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns: If Flacco wants to stay with the Steelers and the Bengals as potential playoff material then they need to make sure they get the wins that they should. This is a classic trap game though, with Manziel out, they play an unknown rookie at QB and a very scrappy defense at home. If the Ravens get caught looking ahead, then this could be the game they look back at that turned their season on its' head.