Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

[Mike3207]

Chargers hire a new HC

After just winning his 5th straight Super Bowl in Chicago, Coach Mike Smith has agreed to try and turn around the San Diego Chargers. "It'll be a long rebuilding job" said Smith. "The previous administration handed out a number of bad contracts, some of them with incentives, and it'll be a while before I can improve the player personnel"

Coach Smith generally tried to improve the team through the draft, but he'll have his work cut out for him this year with only 4 draft picks. "I've got the 7th overall, we'll see what we can do with that". There's also not a lot in free agency. " I was a fairly active in helping put together trades early in my career in Chicago, I'll see what can be accomplished in that respect. The Chargers will have over 27 million in cap space next year, so he'll have some help in that respect.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Notable changes:

Signed WR Terrell Owens 88/91-1 yr, 2.0 million-WR corps weak
Signed C Nick Hardwick 92/92-1 yr, 3.0 million
Signed LOLB Shaun Philips-1 yr, 1.0 million
Signed TE Benjamin Watson 89/90-1 yr, 2.0 million
Signed TR Jade Middleton-1 yr, 1.0 million

All are probably stopgap measures until I can get better in the draft.

Position philosophies:All Balanced

Evaluation: Build thru NFL Draft, favor upside

Playcall-Blitz Normal, Man Coverage, Defensive Control-HC, 3-4 Scheme,Offense Control HC, Spread Scheme

Staff:

HC-Mike Smith-97
OC-Clarence Sheldon-40-undecided
DC-Ted Cottrell-76-Poor performance, undecided
QBC-Eric Bienemy-15-fire
RBC-George Brunetti-29-fire
WRC-Perry Caldwell-78-Everything goes to 5, possibly future OC
OLC-John Henry-99-Good OLC are hard to find. I'll keep unless I get better.
LBC Bruce Spagnola-61-undecided
DLC-Brian Baker-71-undecided
DBC-Rodney Harrison-51-undecided
GM Jay Smits-99-Keep forever. Trade and Contract Negotiation goes to 5, Potential Eval and Rookie Scouting all go to at least 4 except DBs. As far as special skills, I have School Insider and Accomodation. Accomodation will be useful when I look to hire coaches next year.
Trainer-Marcus Jackson-65-Not bad, but I'll keep options open.

Franchise Tag-FB Brandon Baskin 83/83
RFA tender-CB Irv Griffin got a Level 2
Season Goals-Get 85+RG, Get 85+ FS

Player retirements-MLB Bernard Perkins-Cardinals, TE Desmond-Clark-Chiefs, C Olin Kreutz-Cardinals, LG Eric Steinbach-Browns, K Rian Lindell-Bills, P Hunter-Smith-Jaguars, TE Tony Gonzalez-Redskins, CB Terence Newman-Cowboys, RE Dwight Freeny-Rams, RE Darren Howard-Dolphins, K David Akers-Texans, SS Lawyer Milloy-NFL, Keith Brooking-Jaguars, Plaxico Burress-Giants, CB Sam Madison-Vikings, C Shaun O'Hara-NFL, LE Julius Peppers-Panthers, QB Tom Brady-Patriots, DT Cornelius Griffin-Bills, RT Jon Jansen-Falcons, LE Patrick Kerney-Seahawks.

I start out with 8 draft picks, not 4 like I originally thought:

1-7
2-39
4-103
5-134
5-135
6-167
7-199

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Position Breakdown:

QB-Donovan McNabb 86/86-Not good enough for 8 million, will be traded

HB- Ladainian Tomlinson-93/94-Very good, but he's 34. Will be a future need.

FB-Brandon Baskin-83/83- Will extend unless i find a better FB.

WR-38 year old Terrell Owens is the bright spot, and I signed him. Will look to cut WR Sidney Barry 73/75

TE-Benjamin Watson-89/90-Look to extend

LT Marcus Mcdaniel-95/96-HOF quality, but will look to reduce 12 million cap hit.

LG-Kris Dielman-90/90-Keep starter unless I get 95+ LG

C Nick hardwick-92/92-Look to extend, but he's 31. Might look to draft a replacement

RG Carl Preston-78/78-Big need to Address

RT- Jade Middleton-85/89-Will be starter unless I get a Pro Bowl RT

LE-Bennie Nalen-82/83-Look for upgrade, possibly RFA Storm Glazer

RE Luis Castillo-I can get better for 7 milllion on cap

DT Verdell Hutton-87/88-Might extend, and need more DTs

LOLB-Shaun Phillips-86/86-Superstar personality, may look for better

MLB-Ryan Webster-85/87-VMI linebacker, would like better

ROLB-Abdul Ross-89/90-Will resign unless I get a 95+ ROLB

CB-Warren Webster 85/91-possibly extend. Big problem is 75/78 CB who was drafted 2nd overall last year by the Chargers! He's 8.2 million on the cap with a 16 million SB, and will be cut or traded in training camp when I can take the salary cap hit.

FS Daniel Manning-80/81-Big need to address

SS-Nedu Nduke-Not bad, but will look for better. I generally use 2 SSs.

K-Nate Kaeding-will let go, look to sign K Deek Zimmerman in FA

P-Chris Kluwe-81/82-Will look to address in FA

FA is next, I look to do some trading. DT Destin Albright hasn't retired yet, maybe it will happen in FA.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Right after the start of free agency, the Bears looked to deal FB Phil Kelly. I guess the new management there didn't want to carry two FBs on the roster. I ended up giving up a 2015 6th for Phil Kelly.

I signed LE Storm Glazer 89/95 to a 5yr, 44.0 mil contract, with a 8 million SB(no incentives). It goes7.5-8.1-8.7-9.5-10.1. I don't mind paying that sort of money to a potential difference maker. I wont pay it to a borderline Pro Bowler like Castillo, and I'll shortly be looking to trade him.

The Bengals signed DT Destin Albright to a 5 year deal, but he retired shortly after. There were some more free agent retirements, but I'll list thim in the next post.

I paid more money than I wanted to for FS Markieff Rich. His demands were pretty modest to start out with(about 2.5 million), but I got caught up in a bidding war and overpaid. I signed him to 5 years, 44.0 million, with a 8 million signing bonus. It goes 7.5-8.1-8.7-9.5-10.2.

I traded MLB Rashanti Collier for the Giants 2014 3rd round pick. He was only a backup, so I got good value.

I've now got 10 million in cap space and 11 million in penalties for next year. I'll look to shed some of the big contracts like Mcnabb and Castillo during the draft.

I'm doing the IWs next, and will post that along with the remaining player retirements.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

I'll just list the potentials for the 10 IW I did. Decided not to do a complete breakdown of each draft anymore, want there to be a bit more guess work when I draft:

Spoiler

1. QB Augustus Gordon-90/96
2. LT Shawn Blalock-Texas-90/93
3. CB Jimmy Hendrickson-Nebraska-88/92
4. LG Daniel Tracy-UCLA-90/93
5.WR Akeem Dickey-Buffalo-88/93
6. LE Sleepy dockett-Pr View A&M-89/90
7.P Torrin Martin-Cent St Ohio-89/95
8.RG Jamoris Robertson-88/91
9. K Kris Littman-Alabama A&M-88/92
10. DT Jack Wright-Jacks. St.-87/90

I then traded K Nate Kaeding to the Raiders for 2014 3rd and 2014 7th, I don't get the Raiders fascination with kickers.

1-1-Originally tried to trade down from 1-7 and couldn't , so I reloaded and traded up to get this pick. I knew the Panthers would pick Augustus Gordon, so I traded my 1-7, a 2015 1st, and LE Bennie Nalen for this pick. I then picked QB Augustus Gordon. I figure it'll be a stiff price, but I need a new franchise QB.

1-2- Packers-HB Darby Miles

1-3-Eagles-HB Marcus Jackson

1-4-Rams-LE Senario Moser

1-5-Dolphins-CB Jack Simms

1-6-Lions-LOLB Jemarcus Jackson

1-13-I wanted to unload McNabb's salary(I'll need it to sign Gordon), so I traded McNabb and TE Kevin Boss for this pick. I then picked LT Shawn Blalock-Texas. I have McNeill, but I can move one of them to RT.

2-37-Drafted CB Jimmy Hendrickson-Nebraska

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Day 2 of the Draft:

3-82-Traded 3-87 and 7-199 for this pick, drafted WR Akeem Dickey-Buffalo

3-85-Traded 3-88 and 2015 7th, drafted LG Daniel Tracy-UCLA

4-103-Traded to Seahawks for 2015 4th, 6th, and 7th

5-134-Drafted P Torrin Martin-Cent St Ohio

5-150-Drafted LE Sleepy Dockett-Pr View A & M

6-173-Cardinals gave up this pick for WR Sidney Barry, I drafted SS Tra Hines-Mid Tenn State

7-218-Drafted DT Jack Wright-Jacksonville State

Undrafted:

TE Zack Jennings-SMU
MLB Elliot Joseph-VMI
HB DeJuan Newsome-Rhode Island
CB P. J. Branch-Columbia
SS Toby Daniels-UW Stevens Pt.

I really had to pay through the nose to sign my top pick-QB Augustus Gordon signed for 6 years, 64.1 Million contract with a 32 million SB.

I signed LT Shawn Blalock to a 5 year, 19.3 million contract, with a 3.5 million SB.

I forgot to see how the contracts escalate-I'll edit this post later.

My GM had enough points to get Draft Intuition , so i went ahead and bought it.

Player Retirements:

DT Cornelius Griffin-Bills, LG Mike Wahle-Seahawks, LE Patrick Kerney-Seahawks, LT Marvel Smith-Steelers, QB Charlie Batch-Patriots, ROLB Keith Bulluck-Patriots, ROLB James Harris-Steelers, LT Roman Oben-Redskins, CB Antonio Winfield-Vikings, DT Destin Albright-Bengals, WR Javon Walker-Buccaneers.

I've got to be very careful now with any further cap penalties, because I have 20 million in penalties for each of the next 2 years. I'll probably stonewall on any further resigning, unless it leads to a cap reduction.

[milkman41]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

That #1 pick is really gonna hurt your salary cap haha

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

That #1 pick is really gonna hurt your salary cap haha

It was a calculated risk. I knew I was going to take a big cap hit, but I really needed a franchise QB. At least I avoided any incentives.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

I went ahead and made 1 trade before the season-my 2016 5th and 6th to the Jets for K Derek Zimmerman. I super-simmed all the preseason games.

Game 1-Chargers 31, Rams 14

HC-Improved break Tackle
OC-Performance 2
RBC-Speed Training

Game 2-49ers 35, Chargers 17

I made some signing and trades to replensish my draft picks after this game.

I signed 91 Overall WR Torry Edwards and traded him to the Ravens for their 2015 1st and 2016 7th.

I signed 86 Overall CB Ellis Hobbs and traded him to the Panthers for their 2016 6th.

I signed 85 Overall DT Braxton Duckett and traded him to the Cardinals for their 2016 5th.

STC-Int Dev K 4.
QBC-Performance 3

Game 3-Giants 28, Chargers 16

DC-Off Season Seminar

I signed DT Terrel Hitchcock. The Bears sure are getting rid of a lot of their talented players. They did get Cody back for 1 year 7 million though.

Game 4-Chiefs 24, Chargers 16

DLC-Game Film Analysis
OC-Off Season Seminar

Preseason Promise-Finish below .500

Season Goals:

Crush Raiders-I certainly hope so
Win 3/4 games-Id like to
Re-sign C Nick Hardwick-hes rather old, probably not
Re-sign LOLB Shaun Phillips-He's a Superstar, we'll see.
Re-sign WR Terrell Owens-at 38, probably not
Re-sign TE Benjamin Watson-I'd like to
Re-sign DT Verdell Hutton-Not this year
Re-sign DT Terrel Hitchcock-Not this year
Win OROY
Bring DC Ted Cottrell back-most of my coaching staff will be replaced
Finish top 10 in Offense-Id like to
Have 90 + Approval-Id like to

I'll post a preliminary roster next and then the player comps for the next draft. The roster will only be for the starters, and won't include contracts at this time. I'll sim the first year in San Diego.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

QB-Augutus Gordon-82/96
HB-Ladainian Tomlinson-93/94
FB Phil Kelly-86/88
WR1-Alan London-84/96
WR2-Akeem Dickey-78/93
WR3-Terrel Owens-87/91
TE-Benjamin Watson-89/90
LT Marcus McNeill-95/96
LG-Kris Dielman-90/90
C-Nick Hardwick-92/92
RG-Daniel tracy-90/93
RT-Shawn Blalock-90/93
LE-Storm Glazer-90/95
RE-Sleepy Dockett-82/90
DT-Terrel Hitchcock-85/90
DT-Jack Wright-82/90
LOLB-Shaun Phillips-86/87
MLB-Ryan Webster-85/87
ROLB-Abdul Ross--89/90
CB1-Jimmy hendrickson-85/92
CB2-Warren Weston-85/91
FS-Markieff Rich-89/94
SS1-Tra Hines-84/90
SS2-Toby Dawson-82/87
K-Derek Zimmerman-82/94
P-Torrin Martin-83/95

[Kahuma]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

I personally don't really support the whole, 'Signing FA to trade for picks.' Kinda bug-abusing in my opinon.

[milkman41]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

I personally don't really support the whole, 'Signing FA to trade for picks.' Kinda bug-abusing in my opinon.

I agree, I only do it if I sign the FA, think he's gonna be useful, but he ends up not being useful so maybe I trade him.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

I really don't think signing three FA will end up unbalancing the game, but both your points are well taken. It's a real easy way to end up with 1000 draft picks you can't use. I'll be very careful in the future.

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Player Comparisons for the 2015 Jones Draft:

Spoiler

QB-Landry Vaugn-Penn State-Tom Brady
QB-Jonathan Cook-California-Jamarcus Russell
HB-Oscar Jamison-Georgia Tech-Edgerrin James
HB Reyshawn Highsmith-Ohio State-Adrian Peterson
HB-Daryl Martin-Bowling Green-Steven Jackson
FB Kyle Nunn-Justin Griffith-Nebraska
WR-Evan Flowers-Louisville-Terrell Owens
TE-Omar Burns-Rice-Chris Cooley
TE-John Fisher-UW Lacrosse-Kellen Winslow
LT Craig Crockett-Pittsburgh-Walter Jones
LG-Raymond Hubbard-Davidson-Alan Faneca
C-Andre Mason-Southern Miss-Nick Mangold
C-Joey Norton-Lambuth-Matt Birk
RT-Robert Drew-USF-Willie Anderson
RT-Charlie Dugan-Sam Fraser-Willie Anderson
RT-Gerald Dockett-Wayne State-Willie Anderson
LE-Jason Williiams-Georgia-Julius Peppers
LE-Tom Culberson-Boise State-Aaron Kampman
LE-Deron Johnstone-Pittsburgh-Kyle Vanden Bosch
LE-Jordan Clinton-Nicholls St.-Shaun Ellis
RE-Xavier franklin-Virginia-Mario Williams
RE-Alan Lott-California-Richard Seymour
RE-Colton Rooney-Indiana(Penn.)-Richard Seymour
DT-Junior Chavez-Texas-Marcus Stroud
DT-Donta Grady-Purdue-Warren Sapp
DT-Jiovanny Stevens-Norfolk State-Tommy Harris
LOLB-Jamoris Jackson-Texas A&M-Terrel Suggs
MLB-Derek Brown-E Carolina-Brian Urlacher
ROLB-Ed Bridges-Maryland-Jason Taylor
ROLB-Leonard Lake-Southern Utah-Derrick brooks
CB-Niko Buchanan-Michigan-Patrick Surtain
FS-Travis Conley-Tulane-Madieu Williams
SS-Noel McCracken-West Virginia-Darren Sharper
SS-Leron Wilson-East Michigan-Rodney Harrison
SS Jerrel Battle-kentucky-Darrin Sharper
K-Seth Francis-Dartmouth-Adam Vinatieri
K-Jevon Beal-Walla Walla-Adam Vinatieri

[Mike3207]

Re: Resurrecting the Lighning Bolts: Coach Smith in San Diego

Sorry for being off awhile, but a nasty computer virus really damaged our computer. I'll look to update this tomorrow.