General Manager Notes: Undrafted rookie free agents arrived!
Yup, we increased the class of 2090 from 9 to 14.
As I mentioned already, we offered contracts to 7 rookie free agents. Two of them signed a bonus heavy contract elsewhere in the league, being punter Jake Tyworth (went to the Frederick Red Menace) and offensive tackle Jorge Duke (went to Snapfinger Jazz). Who did we sign?
RG Marvin Silvan
From South Carolina, we had to outbid two other teams to win him over. Longshot to make the team, but you never know what happens in the off-season to returning veterans.
Code:
rn bl XX++++____ 15/55
ps bl XX++++____ 15/60
bl st XX________ 15
endur XXXXX++___ 55/75
MLB Brant Rayburn
Comes from Vanderbilt (indeed, a third rookie from this university). Primarily a hard hitting special teamer, but could be okay in pass defense support. We outbid three other teams for his services. He's actually got a decent chance to make our pre-season roster and who knows after that?
Code:
run d XX________ 15/25
pr tc XXX+++____ 35/55
pr st XXX_______ 30
mtm d XXX+______ 25/35
zon d XX++______ 20/40
bnr d XXXXX_____ 45/50
ply d X+________ 10/15
p hit XXXXXXX___ 65
endur XXXX______ 35/40
sp tm XXXXXXX___ 70/75
WLB Ruben Caminiti
Comes from Michigan State. This kid could be a great fit on a 3-4 defense. We run a 4-3 defense and upon arrival realize this kid will be a misfit here. He's undersized to move to defensive end. Hence, he should have been signed by a 3-4 team, but eerily we were the only team showing any interest.
Code:
run d XXXX+++___ 40/70
pr tc XXXXXX++__ 55/85
pr st XX________ 20
mtm d X+________ 5/20
zon d __________ 0
bnr d X+________ 10/20
ply d __________ 0
p hit XX________ 25
endur __________ 0
sp tm __________ 0
CB Chuck Murray
Comes from Florida State and will be moved to strong safety, as was our plan. Lack of endurance and special teams skills could limit his chances to make our final 53-men roster, but in theory he could make the team as a running downs strong safety. N other team showed interest in him.
Code:
run d XXX+______ 25/40
mtm d X+_______ 10/20
zon d XXX+++____ 35/60
bnr d +_________ 5
ply d XX++______ 20/40
p hit XXXXX_____ 50
inter XXXXXXX___ 70/75
pnt r __________ 0
kck r __________ 0
endur X_________ 10
sp tm X_________ 15
FS Jon Brotzman
Comes from Oklahoma, has the potential to be a fine free safety and brings the welcome special teams skills with him. Surprisingly we signed him uncontested.
Code:
run d __________ 0
mtm d XX+++_____ 25/45
zon d XXXX++++__ 40/80
bnr d __________ 0
ply d XXX++++___ 30/70
p hit XXX_______ 30
inter XXXXX+____ 45/65
pnt r __________ 0
kck r __________ 0
endur XXX+______ 30/35
sp tm XXXXXXXX++ 80/95
So, yeah. Honestly, I really like this group. Botzman and Murray could be keepers here. With 7 safeties signed, some will be released even between training camp and pre-season games, but right now, had I use the axe today, both would make the 60 men pre-season roster. Can't be unhappy about Rayburn either. And Caminiti really deserves to play in this league. And Silvan has a legitimate shot at being our eight lineman.
Oh, by the way, we signed the Gothenburg Giants' long snapper Bryce Karney in pre-draft free agency. The 10th year veteran will get a position battle with our 5th year pro Thomas Biegen. And they get to do this alongside the inevitable kicker battle!
Two men enter, one man leaves.
Twice.
All this means we've got 68 players on roster. And we've got plenty of positions or position groups where it's clear we'll make some cuts sooner or later (well, duh!). What have we got?
4 quarterbacks (it makes sense to stick with 3)
4 running backs (I'm opting to trim this to 3)
1 fullback (bar disaster, Brosseau will be the 1)
5 tight ends (we'll end up at 4)
8 wide receivers (including some return specialists, but this has to come down to 5 or 6)
3 centers (this will be at most 2)
4 guards (this will be at most 3)
3 offensive tackles (this will likely remain 3)
1 punter (got to have 1)
2 kickers (position battle down to 1)
4 defensive ends (I like all 4)
6 defensive tackles (that's seriously too much, we'll do with 5 or even 4)
9 linebackers (this may end up being 5, at most 6)
5 cornerbacks (depending on what happens elsewhere, this will be 4 or 5)
7 safeties (yeah, that's too much, this will come down to 4 or 5)
2 long snappers (by opening day this will be 1)
That will get us down to 52 by mu count, so there's some room to keep one more player. Speaking of that, don't be shocked if a couple of free agents joins our training camp at the eleventh hour...
A side line story, what happened to Ricky Owens? He signed with the Moontown Bombers, taking the only only offer that he received. I know the game has changed, but this kid would have been a lot of fun to see play in any of the deep throwing eras. Yeah, let's not second guess this decision to not make an offer to him.
Wait, there's one more thing: what was the effect on WR Trey Samuels position change? The staff re-evaluated him already and this is what they make of him now. They tempered expectations a little bit, but overall his player profile looks nearly unchanged.
WR Trey Samuels
Code:
av dr X+++++____ 10/55
gt dw XXXX++____ 40/60
rt rn X++++++___ 10/65
3d ct XXXXX+____ 45/60
bg pl XXXXXX____ 55
coura XXXXX+___ 40/55
ad bl +++_______ 0/25
pnt r XXXX++____ 35/65
kck r __________ 0/5
endur __________ 0
sp tm XX+_______ 15/35
Finally, training camp is upcoming. We're going form a Spread offense to a Smashmouth offense, which might cause an overhaul in the playbook. Well, there will be some changes, but ironically, we were well prepared for this change, it appears. Our formation choices last season are more than ready to have this new philosophy work... on paper.
I can't wait to see what the progress of all the youngsters will be!