Rebuilding the Raiders - "Russell Rulz"

[Winnipeg59]

Conference Finals

Patriots 22 - Colts 17
Giants 28 - Buccaneers 24

[Winnipeg59]

Raymond James Stadium,
Tampa, Florida


New York Giants 34 - New England Patriots 27

The NEW YORK GIANTS are Super Bowl Champions of 2008!

[Winnipeg59]

This Just In...

Ownership of the OAKLAND RAIDERS have asked me to STAY with the team!

I cannot tell you how excited I am at making it through year one with the team for the very first time in I don't know how many tries!

Of course, now the real work begins. I was signing people like a madman when the team was cruising along to a 7-1 record in the first half of the season and then put the year in complete reverse the second half. My salary cap will be a challenge for the coming year. And I have no idea which team will show up in 2009.

I am very sure that we can improve our coaching staff along the way, which should help with not only the on-field performance, but hopefully player development as we go.

Let's get ready for a productive off-season, starting right now...

[Winnipeg59]

Off-Season - Coaching/GM Evaluation

GM David - FIRED
OC Knapp - Fired
DC Ryan - KEEP HIM
QBC DeFillipo - Fired
RBC Rathman - KEEP
* In fact I PROMOTE Rathman to Offensive Coordinator
WRC Lofton - KEEP
OLC Cobble - KEEP
LBC Martindale - KEEP
DLine Millard - KEEP
DBC Black - KEEP
STC Schneider - Fired
Trainer Turner - KEEP

Keeping DC Ryan was one of the goals at the outset of the season as was turfing the GM David. Both accomplished, so I should see a boost in my approval rating.

So the Raiders will be looking to fill the following positions in the off-season:
GM - QBC - RBC (after promoting Rathman) - STC

And another outstanding goal was to hire a College coach, so I'll be on the lookout for one of a couple (at least) that I saw declare their intention of jumping to the NFL for 2009.

[Winnipeg59]

Off-Season - Coach/GM Bidding Process

Ooops! I wasn't quick enough out of the blocks (darn that "caught thinking" stuff) and a GM - can't even recall his name, but I believe he had a 54 rating - floated by. I thought I might be able to nab something better, but was kinda horrified when the next few had ratings in the teens! Yikes...

The Raiders are pleased to announce the signings of the following members of the 2009 coaching staff:

STC Staymates - Rating: 46 (College)
QBC Mifflin - Rating: 55
RBC Henshaw - Rating: 44

And The Raiders are also pleased to announce the hiring of a brand new General Manager for the club:

GM R.C.McGriggs - Rating: 19
* McGriggs is a HEADLINER personality, no power was given up in the process of hiring him. And that means that I have traded GM David with a 31 for McGriggs with a 19. Hmmmmm... My mistake! I'll live with it.

In fact, not a whole lot of power was given up with which I would not have already been comfortable, so I feel good about the choices (except the GM). One notable transition was to a STRONG ARM/TOOLS quarterback philosophy. I had changed it to "Pure Passer" earlier. And we'll also roll with a BALL CARRIER at fullback now instead of my original Philosophy of "Balanced".

Next up, some roster moves, some off-season trades if I can swing some and trying to get the cap in shape.

Approval: 66

[kdmajoslin]

Looks good. Hard to argue with playing McFadden over Fargas, but I've always found Fargas to be one of the best sleeper players in the game...he doesn't look that great until you actually look at his stats and play him...and then you wonder...why are they rating this guy so low. Fargas does have injury issues, but I've had several 2000 yard seasons with him.

Anyway, definitely like the tone of the dynasty and the way you are running it...keep up the good work.

[Winnipeg59]

Quote: Originally Posted by kdmajoslin

Looks good. Hard to argue with playing McFadden over Fargas, but I've always found Fargas to be one of the best sleeper players in the game...he doesn't look that great until you actually look at his stats and play him...and then you wonder...why are they rating this guy so low. Fargas does have injury issues, but I've had several 2000 yard seasons with him. Anyway, definitely like the tone of the dynasty and the way you are running it...keep up the good work.

Thanks for following. Agreed. Might use Fargas as some trade bait, but yes I like having him just in case McF goes down and would be comfortable using him.

[Winnipeg59]

Releases/Dead Weight:

The Raiders have released the following players:
I should point out that I made some dead weight decisions that countered the suggestion of the new GM. We'll see how that plays out.

QB Wright - FB O'Neal - WR McFoy - WR Carter - TE Dunn - RG Welbourn - DT Young - MLB Simmons - OLB S.Williams - OLB Thomas - RT Green - C Wade - QB Pittman - CB Routt