Empty Cupboard Browns - FOF 2001

QuikSand · 11-02-2000, 03:06 PM

Empty Cupboard Browns - First FOF 2001 Career Thread

My long-standing position on sports sim games is that I much prefer to play in a wholly fictionalized environment. In FOF2, I could get fairly close by playing with the expansion draft Browns, and playing without any real NFL players on my team. This became known as the "empty cupboard challenge," possibly the first of the multitude of challenge concepts that have been floated around the FOF community.

Well, it's back. In FOF 2001, there is no easy way to do this, but I strongly prefer to play without the burden of NFL players and the baggage that comes with them. So, I will choose not to do so.

My intent with this career is to play pretty much "all out," but under my rule of never having real NFL players. The best way I could see of doing this was to take my Browns (out of tradition, if nothing else) and cut all the NFL players from the roster-leaving me completely empty. (This followed a fantasy re-draft, incidentally) I then built a team full of unclaimed rookies, all signed for one-year deals to play for 2000. I simmed through this season simply to set up my real career, which will begin with the 2001 season. (Incidentally, the team went a dreadful 0-16, and I have the #1 pick overall - rather like the expansion Browns after all)

With that setup, I'll play the career and keep track of game issues as well as other things that seem noteworthy-and hopefully I'll have a great challenge in building this team from nothing.

Incidentally, I have evolved at least one "house rule" that I'm following in this career-- I am NOT signing undrefted rookies to seven year deals, just single-year deals. If I find players in the FA market (second year players) who will listen to a sevemn year offer, I will put one in, but not with rookies. For now, this has seemed like a fair compromise-- especially since the second year player demans tend to be more than minimum salary, often by a factor of 2x or 3x.

[This message has been edited by QuikSand (edited 11-05-2000).]

QuikSand · 11-02-2000, 03:07 PM

2001 preseason

Following our horrid 2000 season (which will not be detailed here), we are empty and ready to build. I'd like to use my #1 pick to grab a true franchise player, but I'll also shop it around a little. This first FA period is off limits for me, so I start with the draft itself.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Marcus VandenBelt, DE, Oregon
Rnd 2 - Jack Hankton, T, Colorado
Rnd 3 - Rondell Upshaw, WR, Baylor
Rnd 4 - Hunter Pettus, QB, Washington State
Rnd 5 - Tom Money, RB, Air Force
Rnd 6 - A.J. Whitfield, DT, Mississippi State
Rnd 7 - Winston Shaw, FB, McNeese State

I decide to keep it simple, and to not make trades or anything complicated-just stick with making my picks. The DE is fabulous- nearly perfect across the board. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of picks available through each round-at least in the eyes of my marginal scout.

In the free agent market, I start to fill the team, but soon run out of player slots (since I'm still technically carrying all of last year's roster). So, I have to fill in after camp is over.

I receive a trade offer of a 2nd round pick plus an NFL player (TE Mark Breuner) for my QB Hunter Pettus. I decide to pass on this offer, even though it's probably worth doing.

I fill in my entire roster with undrafted free agents, all to one year deals. I eschew the old familiar 7yr minsal deals for two reasons-one, they are admittedly unrealistic, and two the new game makes it absolutely torturous to enter in salary offers. So, I'll likely have a lot of rotation, as these guys get playing time and demand real money.

Among the undrafted - there seems to be a lot of talent at certain positions, like FB. Don't know if this is my lousy scout's fault, or a game change. Either way, I have three pretty good FBs now, with almost no investment.

With the salcap hit I swallowed from all my player cuts last year, I only have a little over $3m in cap room. No matter- I'm not going after big free agents anyway.

I head into the season with a 47-man roster that looks like this:

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Hunter Pettus 4 12 1 2003
QB Conrad Barnard 2 7 1 2001
QB Vinny Harris 2 7 1 2001
RB Tom Money 9 11 1 2003
RB Jessie Strickland 6 9 1 2001
RB Ernest Kerr 5 8 1 2001
FB Earnest Finley 7 9 1 2001
FB Doug Nutter 4 9 1 2001
FB Winston Shaw 5 8 1 2002
TE Daniel Johnson 5 11 1 2001
TE Dustin Ruark 5 10 1 2001
WR Rondell Upshaw 9 12 1 2003
WR Jesse Gillespie 7 10 1 2001
WR Curtis Hamilton 5 9 1 2001
WR Pat Burke 6 6 1 2001
WR Jerome Reeves 3 6 1 2001
WR Bennie Austin 3 4 1 2001
C Cory Hampton 5 11 1 2001
C Seth Kaplan 3 7 1 2001
C James Lane 3 7 1 2001
G Norman Carter 5 10 1 2001
G Omar Camp 3 8 1 2001
G Rusty Randall 2 6 1 2001
T Jack Hankton 8 15 1 2004
T Rob Camilleri 3 6 1 2001
T Josh Clancy 1 4 1 2001
P Antonio Richmond 9 10 1 2001
K Norm Becker 6 10 1 2001
DE Marcus VandenBelt 10 16 1 2005
DE Jimmie Franklin 3 9 1 2001
DE Ralph Kerr 3 8 1 2001
DT Marc Vines 4 11 1 2001
DT A.J. Whitfield 5 8 1 2002
DT Seth Fisher 2 5 1 2001
LB Matt Lynn 5 11 1 2001
LB Brett Erdrich 3 10 1 2001
LB Richard Anderson 4 10 1 2001
LB Reggie Claussen 3 9 1 2001
LB Jared Woods 3 9 1 2001
LB Bubba Curtis 3 8 1 2001
CB Kyle McKenzie 3 10 1 2001
CB Jim Greene 3 8 1 2001
CB Donnie Jackson 5 7 1 2001
CB Greg Hoffman 3 7 1 2001
S Ethan Watkins 4 10 1 2001
S Kirk Brown 3 7 1 2001
S Carlton Foley 4 5 1 2001

I'm more than a bit surprised to see my first pick DE rated at only 16 potential. I check out his ratings, and I am floored! He was a completely maxed-out guy when my scout said to draft him, but his potential ratings have now slipped to 78/71/75-not bad, but well off where he looked to be at draft time.

Am I furious that my guy isn't as good as I thought? Nope. Elated. This likely means a couple things: (1) that the new game has more unpredictability in the draft, and (2) that players actually make changes, for better or worse, during training camps. This might actually mean that it would make sense to invite a few free agents to your team before camp, and see if they develop a bit-the kind of thing that was missing from the last game. Excellent.

I have no expectations for this year, except that we'll show up and play.

QuikSand · 11-02-2000, 03:07 PM

2001 season

I get a massive tubthumping through the exhibition season, and I'm prepared for more where that came from. I'm starting to wonder if leaving the "GM firing" option on was wise.

The regular season… well, it's just about as bad as I had feared. 0-16, again. 108 PF, 579 PA. Abysmal.

I'm not going to detail all the stats here: QB Hunter Pettus had a 48 rating, my top RB rushed or under 500 yards, and the only thing my defense did was rack up tackles. My prize DE VandenBelt got hurt for half the year, but did manage to register 5.5 sacks in about a half season of play.

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 2.8/5.2/3.7
Passing: 4.8/8.6/6.6

Ugh.

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 09:49 AM

2001 season

I get a massive tubthumping through the exhibition season, and I'm prepared for more where that came from. I'm starting to wonder if leaving the "GM firing" option on was wise.

The regular season… well, it's just about as bad as I had feared. 0-16, again. 108 PF, 579 PA. Abysmal.

I'm not going to detail all the stats here: QB Hunter Pettus had a 48 rating, my top RB rushed or under 500 yards, and the only thing my defense did was rack up tackles. My prize DE VandenBelt got hurt for half the year, but did manage to register 5.5 sacks in about a half season of play.

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 2.8/5.2/3.7
Passing: 4.8/8.6/6.6

Ugh.

2002 preseason

A lousy LB of mine, Reggie Claussen, was forced into heavy duty due to injury-his 107 tackles was sufficient to earn him DROY last season. He now becomes a free agent-tough call, re-sign based on performance, or release based on ratings?

And it's at this point when I realize that I've made a terrible mistake. I only have 7 players signed to deals as this season starts-and this is an expansion season (2002). So, I find myself forced to expose 5 out of my 7 players to the expansion draft-I end up protecting my best DE and OT, and leaving everyone else (including my starting QB) exposed. Poor planning on my part. Fortunately, the only player they took was my 3rd round pick at WR, Rondell Upshaw. He was a nice player, but probably pretty replaceable.

I look through the second year free agents, and there are quite a few-and they all seem to have one thing in common. They want a ton of money. Even the guys on my roster-they are all seeking big money, a million or two or three. It looks like this roster is going to have to be built one step at a time-not in big chunks like I had hoped. At least now I am free of the salcap hit from the 2000 cuts-so I have money to spend if need be.

I grab a few free agents-some I have to pay nearly $1m, but most will sign for long term deals. I also revisit some of my own players, and bring may of them back for another tour. I decide to reward my top LB from last year with a 3 year deal worth $1.2m per year-even though he really isn't any good, or at least he doesn't appear to be by his current ratings. All my other LB are asking for that kind of money as well-and I pass.

At the end of free agency, I have 21 players signed, costing me a total of $16m. I have tons of cap room, and now I'm ready to start building this team in earnest.

Looking at the draft, I've decided that I'll play this as though I knew nothing about FOF2. The top guy is an incredible-looking LB, and he really stands out. I decide to take him with my #1 pick, and set aside the fact that in FOF2 spending an early pick on LB was silly, as there would always be very good LBs falling through the draft. This guy will help anchor my team for years to come, hopefully.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Marlon Sweeney, LB, Arkansas
Rnd 2 - Zach Garcia, WR, Florida
Rnd 3 - Ernie Pike, DT, Arizona
Rnd 4 - Korey Gaylor, S, Notre Dame
Rnd 5 - Jimmie Flynn, S, Oregon
Rnd 6 - Levon Shabowski, DT, Oregon State
Rnd 7 - Xavier Jordan, G, North Carolina State

I tried very hard to pick players in every round who were likely to be the biggest help to my building team. I was very pleased to see that my top choices were not dominated by CBs and LBs as in the previous version of the game. I am hopeful that the safety tandem that I got in the middle rounds will suffice for a while-both guys were fairly solid, with key ratings projected into the 30-50 range. I'm anxiously looking forward to training camp, where I guess I'll learn more about my new acquisitions.

After camp, I get some more trade offers. I'm again offered a 2nd round pick for my QB Pettus-this time with a nice 2nd year TE thrown in. I am very tempted. After a modest amount of agony, I decide to take the deal-and I send Pettus to Philadelphia for the draft pick. TE Howie Brock is also quite solid-he may be a main target for my new starting QB Freddie Cash, a 5th round pick who was released after the draft, but signed a three-year deal with us.

After we scour the post-camp waiver wire for about 15 fill-in players, we end up with a full complement of 53-slightly better than the offering last season, but still a ways away from being competitive.

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Freddie Cash 4 10 1 2004
QB Broderick Cooper 2 9 1 2002
QB Les Vance 2 9 1 2002
RB Tom Money 8 10 2 2003
RB Monty Babb 8 10 1 2002
RB Shaun Patterson 5 6 1 2002
FB Earnest Finley 9 11 2 2004
FB Winston Shaw 7 9 2 2002
FB Doug Nutter 6 8 2 2004
TE Howie Brock 10 12 2 2002
TE Tom Murphy 5 10 1 2002
TE Edwin Pogue 4 9 1 2002
WR Patrick Muirbrook 3 12 1 2002
WR Dusty Dunn 4 10 1 2002
WR Donnell Covington 4 10 1 2002
WR Tommie Chuang 5 8 1 2002
WR Zach Garcia 8 8 1 2005
C Cory Hampton 6 9 2 2003
C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 2 2008
C James Lane 4 6 2 2004
G Xavier Jordan 4 7 1 2003
G Norman Carter 5 7 2 2003
G Fernando Jarvis 5 6 2 2008
G Rusty Randall 4 5 2 2003
T Jack Hankton 12 15 2 2004
T Cornelius Weinmeister 5 7 2 2008
T Alex Giedt 3 6 1 2002
T Stan Giles 2 6 1 2002
P Antonio Richmond 10 10 2 2003
K Norm Becker 7 10 2 2003
DE Marcus VandenBelt 12 14 2 2005
DE Phil Breedlove 2 8 1 2002
DE Ty Holliday 1 7 1 2002
DT Ernie Pike 8 14 1 2005
DT Levon Shabowski 3 10 1 2004
DT A.J. Whitfield 6 9 2 2002
DT Edwin McCaslin 5 9 2 2008
LB Marlon Sweeney 11 18 1 2007
LB Bernard Snyder 2 12 1 2002
LB Irv Seymore 3 10 1 2002
LB J.R. Foster 4 9 1 2002
LB Cedric Newhart 3 9 1 2002
LB Chris Peel 2 9 1 2002
LB Reggie Claussen 4 7 2 2004
LB Benjamin Callis 3 6 2 2002
CB Jim Greene 4 9 2 2002
CB Cedric Randle 4 7 2 2002
CB Walter Harrison 3 6 1 2002
CB Bennie Richards 3 5 1 2002
S Jimmie Flynn 2 10 1 2004
S Ethan Watkins 4 6 2 2003
S Carlton Foley 4 6 2 2003
S Korey Gaylor 1 4 1 2004

I'm a bit disappointed that the scout rating of WR Garcia is so low-his red/green bars look pretty solid, but the 8/8 rating doesn't inspire me. However, my scout does really like my #1 (LB) and #3 (DT) pick, suggesting that my front seven on defense may be the first area where we actually start to look decent.

This year-the goal is pretty obvious: win a damned game. I have no grand illusions, I just want to get somewhere toward respectability, and the first step is to go out and beat someone. Anyone.

Subby · 11-03-2000, 10:22 AM

A "condition" unique to FOF2K1:

Leafitis (leef-eye-tus): n. The feeling of dread one gets right before they check to see if their number one pick is a post training camp bust or not.

[This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-03-2000).]

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 10:33 AM

2002 season

Browns win! Browns win! Browns win!

Okay, so it was week 16. But my group of misfits finally got in the W column. Our stud LB was lost for most of the season with an injury, and my starting RB was hurt early in the game, but we managed to grind out a solid 31-16 victory over the playoff-bound Steelers. Our mighty Browns advance to 1-15 on the season. Woo hoo! QB Freddie Cash and TE Howie brock hooked up for two TDs-meaning that my trading away my old QB probably got us this win.

Anyway, I'll go ahead and lay out the numbers on another lousy season:

Stat leaders:
QB Freddie Cash: 2,516 yds, 50.4%, 5.42 ypa, 13/30, 49.1 - not our long-term answer, it seems
RB Tom Money: 182-642, 3 TD - slowed by some injuries
WR Zach Garcia: 47-691, 4 TD - only a 41.5 CPct and 12 drops, not too good there
PR Walter Harrison: 30-368, 1 TD (12.2 avg)
S Ethan Watkins: 84 tackles, 2 int, 1 TD
DE Marcus VandenBelt: 50 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 blocks, 10 hurries
DT Ernie Pike: 55 tackles, 9 sacks,2 blocks, 4 hurries
S Jimmie Flynn:63 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.1/4.6/3.6
Passing: 5.3/8.4/6.8

Well, what did you expect from a 1-15 team?

My safety Jimmie Flynn was named DROY on his solid performance tackling guys who thundered through my defensive front. He's the only mention I get in the post-season puffery.

Philadelphia, a 9-7 wild card team, gets on a big time roll behind Gus Frerotte (!?!?) and they ride it all the way to the league championship. Their backup QB, Hunter Pettus (acquired in trade from me), filled in ably for Frerotte in the NFC title game, tossing the game-clinching TD pass.

We hold an extra 2nd round pick (albeit the last pick in the round) next year, and we'll be hoping that we can start filling in the pieces-we have serious needs at QB, CB, and assorted other places. I hope I don't start getting the grumbling messages from the ownership.

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 10:35 AM

Subby - you're right, and I like it. I had a *total* bust with my 4th round safety, whose ratings dropped to single digits. However, my other guys all seemed to work out.

It's a great improvement over the "sure thing" system in FOF2.

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 12:58 PM

2003 preseason

Still no messages from the ownership. I'm glad that I'm receiving a little slack here…

I bring in a new scout, an old guy who might give another look at some of our players. My former scout was weak with LB and DB, so I'm hoping that my stud LB from last year's draft doesn't turn out, on closer inspection, to be a bum. Fortunately, while he has moderated his enthusiasms a bit, he still projects LB Marlon Sweeney to hit the 80s and 90s in every category-he should be very, very good.

The FA market really doesn't hold a lot for me this year. I pick up a couple of OL, and later grab a safety, but overall - low marks. There seem to be a bit fewer "high quality" players who get dropped-I'm finding lots of mundane, and rather few good ones-and they almost all want to be paid.

In the draft, I once again have the top pick. I see a great-looking T, a pair of stud RBs, and a lot of solid players-but no great QB. I decide to try to trade down a slot or two, to see what I can extract. I quickly find that the CPU teams aren't biting-I can't even get a 4th rounder to drop from #1 to #4. So, I'll do my best-I decide to take the great-looking offensive tackle.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Rusty Lyon, T, Augustana
Rnd 2 - Jimmie Brinkman, WR, Salisbury State
Rnd 2 - Randal Ogden, LB, Syracuse
Rnd 3 - Louie Drake, CB, Cal. - Northridge
Rnd 4 - Mitchell Titus, G, Arizona State
Rnd 5 - Roger Seals, RB, Assumption
Rnd 6 - Jessie Snyder, QB, Penn State
Rnd 7 - Rich Henson, WR, Ohio

As the draft progresses, I am genuinely enthused about each of my draft picks. I'm getting quality guys everywhere, and I'm genuinely excited to see the RB who I was looking at in rounds 2/3 fall all the way to my pick in round 5. My top-of round-two pick LB Ogden is a rare specimen-my scout says he has already come close to reaching his pretty solid potentials-he's got about the best current ratings I've seen in a rookie (44/55,70/92,69/93,61/83,84). I hope he looks this good after we run him through camp.

Training camp is now one of the more suspenseful parts of this game. My top pick suffers a dropoff, with his key potential ratings of 95-99 dropping to the 70s, but he still should be a very good LT. Everyone else seems to hold firm-my 7th rounder WR looks like he may have been a real find, with potentials around 50.

I do a few fill-ins with the roster. I then check my trade offer in-box: I have 3 offers. I get an offer from NO for my rookie CB drafted in round 3-a 2nd rounder next year plus their OT they took at #9 this season (who has busted significantly). Though I'm not too keen on the OT in the deal, he is signed for 6 years and I would be bonus free on him. I decide to take the deal-it kills me at CB, but I don't think we're going to win a lot of games right away regardless. I also get offers for my starting FB (6th rounder - pass) and my DE VandenBelt (1st rounder plus a player - pass).

I look around at the young CBs in the league-and I'm pleased to see that several of them were drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. There are certainly not a lot of great ones out there-the guy I just traded away was ranked 5th overall by my scout (of everyone 3rd year or younger), so I think I understand what I'm up against now.

I trade away a (newly) surplus OT to get an additional 7th round pick from the 49ers. I can't remember ever being interested in acquiring 7th round picks in FOF. Good stuff.

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Jessie Snyder 6 15 1 2004
QB Freddie Cash 7 10 2 2004
QB Wendell McConnell 3 7 1 2003
RB Roger Seals 8 12 1 2004
RB Tom Money 8 9 3 2003
RB Tyrone Nance 6 9 1 2003
FB Earnest Finley 10 10 3 2004
FB Doug Nutter 6 8 3 2004
TE Howie Brock 10 13 3 2003
TE Lenny Terry 3 10 1 2003
WR Zach Garcia 12 12 2 2005
WR Jimmie Brinkman 6 12 1 2006
WR Rich Henson 5 11 1 2004
WR Xavier Evans 7 10 1 2003
WR Oliver Riordan 7 8 1 2003
WR R.J. Freund 4 6 1 2003
C Joe Upshaw 7 9 2 2009
C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 3 2008
C Cory Hampton 7 7 3 2003
G Mitchell Titus 8 14 1 2005
G Fernando Jarvis 8 10 3 2008
G Xavier Jordan 5 7 2 2003
G Norman Carter 6 7 3 2003
T Rusty Lyon 9 15 1 2007
T Jack Hankton 13 14 3 2004
T Troy Grimley 5 11 1 2008
T Lonnie Elliott 4 7 2 2009
P Antonio Richmond 9 9 3 2003
K Norm Becker 9 9 3 2003
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 3 2005
DE Phil Breedlove 7 9 2 2005
DE Dustin Meier 4 7 1 2003
DT Ernie Pike 11 15 2 2005
DT Levon Shabowski 7 10 2 2004
DT Edwin McCaslin 7 8 3 2008
LB Marlon Sweeney 9 17 2 2007
LB Randal Ogden 13 15 1 2006
LB Bryan Tallent 2 10 1 2003
LB Ryan Foreman 3 8 2 2009
LB Tracy Browning 3 7 1 2003
LB Reggie Claussen 4 7 3 2004
CB Brad Kitchen 5 9 1 2003
CB Phillip Scrafford 4 8 1 2003
CB Sedrick Maestas 4 8 2 2003
CB Bennie Richards 3 6 2 2003
S Jimmie Flynn 5 8 2 2004
S Ethan Watkins 4 8 3 2003
S Bryce Ratcliff 5 8 2 2009
S Carlton Foley 3 5 3 2003

The "15" in future potential for QB Snyder must be a reflection of my scouts;' overall poor ability at that position-his red/green bars don't suggest he'll be anything more than a decent backup. However, Cash does advance to beat him out in camp-a good thing to see in general. My two LBs aren't looking as dominating as they looked at one point, but I think they will both be solid players.

This year, we'll try to make more progress-I think we should be thinking about 3 or 4 wins as a reasonable target, but I honestly don't know what to even suggest. I just hope nobody gets hurt.

For what it's worth, here are some more supporting background items on this team:

Cohesion ratings are 71-74-68-62, which places us second last everywhere except OL, where we are fourth from last.

On the franchise value screen, my roster rating is 7, which is better only than the 2 for Dallas. My franchise value is sixth from the bottom.

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 01:52 PM

2003 season

It's alive! It's alive! My Browns have arisen from their tomb, and have joined the living.

We start out well, managing to "stay in" all of our first four games and go 2-2 in the process. We then manage to float right around .500 for most of the season, and we end up 7-9 on the year. A great improvement-we're definitely closing ground on the pack. Hell, at 7-9 we ARE the pack. The stats may tell how things got turned around…

Stat leaders:

QB Freddie Cash: 3,538 yds, 58.8%, 6.65 ypa, 18/21, 73.6 - still not "the answer" but great step up
RB Tom Money: 199-683, 7 TD (3.4 ypc) - also not the long term solution, but did okay as we improved
WR Zach Garcia: 102-1,359yds, 4 TD (60.3 CPct, 5 dr) - a breakout year in a still-developing offense - wow!
C Cory Hampton: 26/63 KRBs (41.2%), 5 SA - great year from my least heralded starter
LB Randal Ogden: 82 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int
DL VandenBelt, Pike, and Breedlove: 10.5 sacks each
S Bryce Ratcliff, Jimmie Flynn: 4 ints each

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.1/3.7/3.6
Passing: 6.6/7.2/6.5

We made progress in every area - our passing game came alive, and our offense held the ball enough longer that our defense didn't collapse. Our 7-9 season saw us post a points ratio of 278/342-not too bad.

Another year of development and the promise of some serious spending down the road give us some hope for the future-heaven knows, Cleveland needs it.

As I had suspected, my only rep on the awards team is again at DROY-LB Randal Ogden was just as promised-ready to go, right off the shelf.

Marmel · 11-03-2000, 02:07 PM

Q-

Great career thread! Can't wait for the next update. I am becoming a Browns fan from just reading this.

You have really made great progress in this 3rd (or 4th if you count 2000) year. I hope you can build on that success!

Good luck.

QuikSand · 11-03-2000, 03:49 PM

2004 preseason

My team enters the 2004 season with 28 players signed-a much better core than in previous seasons. The salary cap remains a distant issue-it will play no role this season.

In free agency, I pursue two LBs and a CB immediately-seeing more quality in this year's crop than ever before. I get 7 year deals, but only at prices that I find to be much higher than in FOF2-each guy gets between $1.5 and $2m a year-around 3 times the minimum salary deal that they would have taken in FOF2 (plus they demand at least some bonus money here). It's not airtight, but it's better. In week 9, they're all on board with me. Later, I grab a decent safety and TE, both to long term similar deals, around $1m/yr each. I finally pick up an additional CB and a DT in the final phases.

Among my own roster's restricted FAs, I find few who are affordable. I re-sign my starting TE for more than he's worth, but I refuse to shell out $3m+ for any of the receivers who I picked up off the dump heap last year and who filled the #3-6 slots on my depth chart last year-there will always be more just like them.

This year, I have the 15th pick in the draft, which will pose much more drama than my previous annual installments of "who goes #1?" I'm hoping for help at CB and QB in this draft, but will take impact players almost anywhere, of course. Looking the draft over, I see no star QB, and actually very few top-tier prospects at all. However, when my pick comes around, almost none of the players atop my list have been taken-I have my choice of a great-looking CB, a great safety, and an almost perfect center.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Randall Chapman, CB, Wyoming
Rnd 2 - Cornell Emmons, S, Vanderbilt
Rnd 2 - Larry Compton, S, West Virginia
Rnd 3 - Spencer Tait, CB, San Diego State
Rnd 4 - Bobby Ackerman, WR, Notre Dame
Rnd 5 - Daryl Jeffries, FB, Tuskegee
Rnd 6 - Bo Russell, WR, Washington State
Rnd 7 - Antoine Marlow, TE, Missouri
Rnd 7 - Heath Shields, DT, Oregon State

I end up building what might be my secondary of the future (but certainly the secondary of the present) in the first three rounds-I got the 2nd and 3rd best safeties in the draft with my two second rounders. Even the 3rd round CB is far better than anyone I currently have on the roster, hands down.

I pick up a few fill-ins, and get to the eagerly-anticipated training camp. And I got the big boom. CB Randall Chapman, my #1 pick, is going to be a contributor-but his skills will apparently strictly be as a return man. His apparent 80+ defensive abilities have dropped to the 20-50 range. He'll still play (and with that much bonus money how couldn't he?) but he won't be the anchor I was hoping for. Everyone else looks to be about on target.

San Francisco offers a second rounder for my backup QB Jessie Snyder, and I'm all over that-Snyder was in the last year of his rookie contract, and I wasn't about to re-sign him for $5m plus. He's gone. KC offers me a 6th rounder for an old FB, and I take that, too.

Following training camp, I pick up a couple of 4th year vets who were camp casualties-a S and a LB. The LB in particular will be valuable-he'll step right in along with my two young guns to give me three solid starters there. My defense, with the rookie additions, is really taking shape now.

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Freddie Cash 8 10 3 2004
QB Winston Crutcher 4 10 1 2005
QB Roderick Connell 3 6 1 2004
RB Roger Seals 10 12 2 2004
RB Kelly Bloom 4 9 1 2004
RB Lorenzo Marion 6 8 1 2004
FB Daryl Jeffries 6 10 1 2005
FB Doug Nutter 6 7 4 2004
TE Howie Brock 11 13 4 2006
TE Antoine Marlow 6 13 1 2005
TE Emmitt Stewart 7 8 2 2010
WR Jimmie Brinkman 9 12 2 2006
WR Zach Garcia 11 11 3 2005
WR Bobby Ackerman 7 10 1 2006
WR Rich Henson 7 9 2 2004
WR Bo Russell 6 7 1 2005
C Quinn Burr 9 11 4 2004
C Joe Upshaw 7 10 3 2009
C Trevor Hodgins 6 8 4 2008
G Mitchell Titus 12 14 2 2005
G Fernando Jarvis 9 10 4 2008
G Xavier Jordan 5 8 3 2006
T Rusty Lyon 13 15 2 2007
T Jack Hankton 13 14 4 2004
T Troy Grimley 9 12 2 2008
T Lonnie Elliott 5 7 3 2009
P Ronnie Castillo 15 16 2 2010
K Norm Becker 8 9 4 2004
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 4 2005
DE Alvin Hartman 2 12 1 2004
DE Leslie Cockrell 5 11 1 2004
DE Phil Breedlove 7 7 3 2005
DT Ernie Pike 14 14 3 2005
DT Heath Shields 3 12 1 2005
DT Levon Shabowski 9 10 3 2004
DT Butch Rossburg 4 8 2 2010
DT Edwin McCaslin 8 8 4 2008
LB Marlon Sweeney 11 17 3 2007
LB Randal Ogden 11 15 2 2006
LB Marshall Rosalez 11 13 4 2004
LB Cole Soward 4 10 2 2010
LB Derek Lake 6 9 2 2010
LB Ryan Foreman 4 8 3 2009
LB Reggie Claussen 5 6 4 2004
CB Spencer Tait 8 12 1 2007
CB Tyrone McKinney 7 11 2 2010
CB Randall Chapman 4 11 1 2008
CB Clyde Sims 5 9 2 2005
S Cornell Emmons 12 13 1 2007
S Larry Compton 9 13 1 2007
S Marty O'Dwyer 7 11 4 2004
S Jimmie Flynn 6 7 3 2004

My new scout sees that he handed me a bust in CB Chapman-his return skills are the only thing keeping him from being a 5 on the rating scale.

This year I hand the running game over to RB Seals, and hope that he can improve things a bit. We're hoping for another solid season-maybe to become a legit .500 club, with minimal or even point differential. If we can sneak up to 9-7, all the better.

CubsFan915 · 11-03-2000, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand:
I decide to try to trade down a slot or two, to see what I can extract. I quickly find that the CPU teams aren't biting-I can't even get a 4th rounder to drop from #1 to #4.

Awesome! I always thought it was WAY too easy to get decent picks when you trade down...

------------------
GO HOKIES!! BEAT MIAMI!!!

QuikSand · 11-04-2000, 06:33 PM

2004 season

We fail to move forward this year--- in fact, we slide back to a 4-12 record. We had a slew of injuries, but I’m not sure that’s exactly where the blame belongs. Regardless, it wasn’t the season we had hoped for.

Stat leaders:

QB Freddie Cash: 1,632 yds, 55.2%, 5.33 ypa, 5/10, 62.1 – injued throughout season, took about 2/3 snaps
RB Roger Seals: 236-941, 3 TD (3.9) – okay, but dipped along with overall offensive slowdown
WR Jimmie Brinkman: 69-796, 3 TD (54.7%, 6 DP) – best year yet for young wideout
WR Zach Garcia: 68-701, 3 TD (50.3%, 15 DP) – developed case of dropsies – watch closely
LB Randal Ogden: 110 tackles, 3 sacks, 17.6% TPct
DL Breedlove, Pike, VandenBelt: 5.5, 5.5, 5.0 sacks respectively – very disappointing, certainly
S Larry Compton: 62 tackles, 7 ints

Obverall stats (off/def/avg)
Rushing: 3.5/3.2/3.6
Passing: 5.2/6.3/6.6

Obviously the pass rush didn’t get there as effectively as last season—hampered by nagging injuries to several guys. S Compton may extend my streak of DROY winners with his strong effort. But the clear issue with this team was our inability to throw the ball. Cash had elbow problems keep him probable most of the season, and when he didn’t play, we put in an untested rookie who was very poor. Overall, I’m not that discouraged—there were a number of strong suits.

G Mitchell Titus gets second team honors, based on his 36 KRBs. My safety loses out on DROY balloting to Pittsburgh’s rookie LB who has 113 tackles.

QuikSand · 11-04-2000, 08:44 PM

2005 preseason

Again, we are intact- no retirements to worry about. I have 35 players signed, and $45m in rook under the $101m cap—I should close up some of that space this year, trying to re-sign my own players heading for free agency.

I decide to sit tight with my coach and scout, and we move into the free agency period. I make T Jack Hankton my first franchise player, as he’s a 5th year guy who would be eligible for UFA this season—and he must be retained. QB Freddie cash is a 4th year RFA this year, but keeping him will be very expensive, and I figure unlikely—I’m not at all convinced that he is the future of the franchise. Perhaps my #1 overall pick will be, if there is a top-grade QB available.

In free agency, I finally get a chance to go after the real players—5th year and up. The available pool isn’t particularly deep, but it contains one of my top needs—a great CB. I put in an offer of $24.5m over 4yrs, as this is probably my second biggest need area. I have a lot of cap room for now, and hope to put this position to bed for a while.

In week 1, I have bids in to retain my FB (for minsal) and to grab the star CB for over $6m. I have to up my bid to the CB to $31m to keep ahead of the pack. He takes the deal after week two, and I have my first big time free agent acquisition—CB Carl Barnes should be a shut-down corner I can match up against my opponent’s top WR.

I put in an offer for a journeyman QB with decent ratings but no upside—he gets $1.6m per year for 3 years. I feel like my team may be ready for a “franchise” QB (hopefully in this draft), but Earl Prior should make either stopgap starter or a solid backup. He’s done fairly well in limited duty elsewhere.

I get T Hankton re-signed, and then work on my young FAs. After some absolutely tedious negotiations, I finally re-sign RB Seals, for 3yrs, $17.65m. I’m not sure it was worth it, but having him on hand means I don’t need to concern myself with that position, and it also gave me the experience of a complete “negotiation” over a contract extension. The FOF 2001 interface is much more specific (then in FOF2) about the player’s wishes, telling me alternately that he specifically wanted more bonus, more late money, etc.

I then get to QB Freddie Cash, who is seeking a deal worth about $8-9m a year—despite his 36/61 TD/Int ratio. I decide that I simply cannot make that commitment to him—he simply is not that good. I’ll commit to a young QB in this draft, even if it isn’t the savior that I hope to see in the draft. If, after the draft, I’m still empty at QB and have the funds, I may revisit talks with Cash.

I renegotiate to extend the contracts of DE Marcus VandenBelt (costly) and FB Daryl Jefferies.

Surprisingly, I receive a trade offer—a 6th round pick—for QB Earl Prior, my newly signed insurance policy. Too tough to pass up – I accept it. Just a 6th rounder, but I could use a cheap hand for a couple years.

In the draft, I do not get the stud QB that I really wanted. I trade down with the Colts—getting their second pick for the drop down from #1 to #17 (a far cry from the price I could have extracted in FOF2). The draft is very top-heavy with cornerbacks (for the first time I have noticed), and that isn’t really a need area any longer for us—I’m hoping several go before I come up.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Adam Collett, DE, Iowa
Rnd 2 - Morris Lynch, QB, Eastern Michigan
Rnd 2 - Bert Gordon, WR, Pittsburgh
Rnd 2 - Vinny Bratcher, C, Clemson
Rnd 3 - Brock Jernigan, G, Virginia Tech
Rnd 4 - Kenneth Cox, RB, Virginia Tech
Rnd 5 - Deon Beyer, LB, Winston Salem
Rnd 6 - Mitchell Clements, WR, Richmond
Rnd 6 - Cedric Hutchins, K, Weber State
Rnd 6 - Rickey Kendall, LB, Duke
Rnd 7 - Deon Sheldon, WR, Air Force

My deepest draft yet. I get a very solid-looking DE in the middle of the first round, and I hope that an outstanding C will fall to me in round two—he doesn’t but I end up with the second-best C available later on. I take a QB at the top of round two—I’m having trouble judging young QBs in the new game version, but he looks like he’ll be passable and very mobile, which should make him useful. I think he has better skills than Freddie Cash, or at least he projects to.

The Jets surprise me with a trade offer—their first rounder next year for CB Carl Barnes, my prize free agent. Had I known something like this might be available, I might have made a backup plan. As it is, I’m fairly convinced that Barnes is an essential piece of our puzzle, and so I decide to decline the tempting (though probably unrealistic) offer.

Training camp reveals no busts among my rookies- actually no surprises that I see right away.

After training camp, I get more trade offers. The price offered for CB Barnes has dropped to a second rounder, but I’d only be interested if there were a quality CB in the FA pool (who could fill in for a year at least)—and there is not. What I do find in the FA pool, however, is QB Freddie Cash. I resume talks, and we eventually settle on a 3-yr deal—I lose the cohesion by the move, but his ticket is a great deal less than he had been seeking—I get him for 3yrs, $5.5m total.

I also pick up another pair of quality contributors from the post-camp casualty pile. I get solid RB Randal Huffman and excellent G Jerome Scott for three years each, at under $3m per year. The addition of G Scott allows me to accept a trade offer (2nd rounder again) for G Mitchell Titus, who was likely to leave after this year anyway. The two guards are very comparable in apparent ratings.

I also pick up another one-year fill-in at LB, Morris Jeans. He ought to step in and start as my #3 man, right in the slot ably filled by last year’s rent-a-backer Marshall Rosalez—now making big bucks with the Colts. I suspect that Jeans will end up in a similar circumstance—he’ll build up nice stats with us this year, then cash in via free agency next season.

To get down to 53 players, I send G Fernando Jarvis to Cinti for a 5th round pick. As my roster gets closer to full, I’ll likely find less and less use for these later picks, but for now at least, I find them very helpful—getting a decent young player (with hope to improve after a training camp or two) for a minimum salary.

On my trade screen, the game lists my team’s top needs as: starting QB, starting S, and starting OG. I feel like I may have addressed two of those needs in this year’s draft, and I’m hoping that my two young safeties grow into their roles (they still have a lot of unrealized potential in their supposed ratings).

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Morris Lynch 4 11 1 2007
QB Freddie Cash 9 10 4 2007
QB Winston Crutcher 7 9 2 2005
RB Randall Huffman 12 12 4 2007
RB Roger Seals 10 12 3 2007
RB Kenneth Cox 7 8 1 2006
FB Daryl Jeffries 8 10 2 2007
FB Doug Nutter 6 7 5 2006
TE Howie Brock 11 13 5 2006
TE Antoine Marlow 8 11 2 2005
TE Emmitt Stewart 7 7 3 2010
WR Zach Garcia 12 12 4 2005
WR Bert Gordon 7 11 1 2007
WR Jimmie Brinkman 9 10 3 2006
WR Mitchell Clements 5 10 1 2007
WR Bobby Ackerman 7 9 2 2006
WR Bo Russell 6 7 2 2005
WR Deon Sheldon 5 7 1 2006
C Vinny Bratcher 6 12 1 2008
C Joe Upshaw 7 9 4 2009
C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 5 2008
G Jerome Scott 15 15 4 2007
G Brock Jernigan 6 15 1 2007
G Xavier Jordan 5 7 4 2006
T Rusty Lyon 14 15 3 2007
T Jack Hankton 13 14 5 2007
T Troy Grimley 9 12 3 2008
T Lonnie Elliott 4 6 4 2009
P Ronnie Castillo 16 16 3 2010
K Cedric Hutchins 6 14 1 2007
DE Adam Collett 10 15 1 2008
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 5 2006
DE Phil Breedlove 7 10 4 2005
DT Ernie Pike 13 14 4 2005
DT Heath Shields 8 11 2 2005
DT Edwin McCaslin 6 9 5 2008
DT Butch Rossburg 5 8 3 2010
LB Marlon Sweeney 16 17 4 2007
LB Randal Ogden 13 15 3 2006
LB Rickey Kendall 5 12 1 2007
LB Cole Soward 6 11 3 2010
LB Morris Jeans 10 10 4 2005
LB Derek Lake 6 8 3 2010
LB Ryan Foreman 5 7 4 2009
LB Deon Beyer 5 7 1 2007
CB Carl Barnes 16 17 5 2008
CB Spencer Tait 8 12 2 2007
CB Tyrone McKinney 9 10 3 2010
CB Randall Chapman 6 9 2 2008
CB Clyde Sims 4 7 3 2005
S Cornell Emmons 10 14 2 2007
S Larry Compton 9 13 2 2007
S Jimmie Flynn 7 9 4 2007

Here is the roster with the “contract” view – seeing how I’m spending my money:

Roster for the Cleveland Browns

Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost
Cash, Freddie 13 QB 2005 2007 4 ----- $1,850,000
Lynch, Morris 12 QB 2005 2007 R ----- $1,300,000
Crutcher, Winston 9 QB 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000
Seals, Roger 21 RB 2003 2007 3 ----- $5,100,000
Huffman, Randall 44 RB 2005 2007 4 ----- $2,300,000
Cox, Kenneth 34 RB 2005 2006 R ----- $360,000
Nutter, Doug 28 FB 2001 2006 5 ----- $750,000
Jeffries, Daryl 41 FB 2004 2007 2 ----- $470,000
Brock, Howie 81 TE 2002 2006 5 ----- $2,700,000
Stewart, Emmitt + 84 TE 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,100,000
Marlow, Antoine 82 TE 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000
Garcia, Zach 83 WR 2002 2005 4 ----- $1,320,000
Gordon, Bert 87 WR 2005 2007 R ----- $1,290,000
Brinkman, Jimmie 88 WR 2003 2006 3 ----- $1,230,000
Ackerman, Bobby 85 WR 2004 2006 2 ----- $470,000
Russell, Bo 86 WR 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000
Sheldon, Deon 17 WR 2005 2006 R ----- $360,000
Clements, Mitchell 80 WR 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000
Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 R ----- $1,140,000
Hodgins, Trevor 59 C 2002 2008 5 ----- $750,000
Upshaw, Joe 56 C 2003 2009 4 ----- $750,000
Scott, Jerome 74 G 2005 2007 4 ----- $1,000,000
Jordan, Xavier 62 G 2002 2006 4 ----- $990,000
Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2007 R ----- $780,000
Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2007 3 ----- $5,300,000
Hankton, Jack 64 T 2001 2007 5 ----- $3,600,000
Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 3 ----- $1,210,000
Elliott, Lonnie 70 T 2003 2009 4 ----- $1,100,000
Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 3 ----- $600,000
Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000
VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2006 5 ----- $7,330,000
Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 R ----- $2,870,000
Breedlove, Phil 73 DE 2002 2005 4 ----- $1,960,000
McCaslin, Edwin 99 DT 2002 2008 5 ----- $1,700,000
Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,290,000
Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2005 4 ----- $980,000
Shields, Heath 92 DT 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000
Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2007 4 ----- $5,750,000
Soward, Cole 54 LB 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,800,000
Lake, Derek 51 LB 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,700,000
Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2006 3 ----- $1,380,000
Jeans, Morris 58 LB 2005 2005 4 ----- $1,250,000
Foreman, Ryan 55 LB 2003 2009 4 ----- $1,100,000
Beyer, Deon 52 LB 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000
Kendall, Rickey 57 LB 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000
Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2008 5 ----- $7,000,000
Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 2 ----- $2,960,000
McKinney, Tyrone 43 CB 2004 2010 3 ----- $2,800,000
Sims, Clyde 24 CB 2004 2005 3 ----- $1,740,000
Tait, Spencer 40 CB 2004 2007 2 ----- $800,000
Emmons, Cornell 39 S 2004 2007 2 ----- $1,260,000
Compton, Larry 37 S 2004 2007 2 ----- $1,140,000
Flynn, Jimmie 22 S 2002 2007 4 ----- $1,050,000

Salary Cap: $100.5 million
Room Under Cap: $10,960,000

At this point, RB Roger Seals is among my highest paid players, but I’m not at all certain that he will be my main ball carrier—Randal Huffman is very close in apparent ability. Cash will get anothey year at QB, and I’ll watch the development of Morris, who may turn out to be a bit better. Of course, I continue my vigil for a superstar QB in the draft—if they exist in the game.

This year, we’ll hope for a rebound back into the middle tier of teams, back around .500 or so. I think we have the talent to do it—but staying healthy and overcoming our cohesion gap will be essential. Our goal is 8 wins.

QuikSand · 11-05-2000, 10:29 AM

2005 season

The plus. That’s where we land this season. After a 3-5 start, the Browns manage to put together four straight wins to get to 7-5, and we look the part of a playoff team. After losing two of three, we still have a shot with a win in our last game. We get the win to go 9-7, but come up short in two separate three-way ties—Pittsburgh takes the division title with a 9-7 record, and New England also gets a wild card with the same record. Regardless, our team has advanced to “playoff contender” status, for the first time.

Stat leaders:

QB Freddie Cash: 3,370 yds, 55.2%, 5.98 ypa, 23/25, 68.1 – too many picks, but he didn’t kill us
RB Roger Seals: 186-851, 8 TD (4.5 ypc) – solid numbers, though he cooled off after a great start
RB Randall Huffman: 131-507, 1 TD (3.8 ypc) – a solid backup to my running game, for once
WR Bobby Ackerman: 69-891, 6 TD (55.6% CPct, 4 Drp) – emerged as most reliable guy from 3rd spot
WR Zach Garcia: 71-834, 5 TD (50.0% CPct, 18 Drp) – clearly has a major hands issue, despite ratings
LB Marlon Sweeney: 125 tackles, 4 sacks (17.8% TPct) – finally reaches his potential as an anchor LB
DE Ernie Pike: 9.5 sacks – leads a less disappointing total, with several guys with 5-6 sacks
S Cornell Emmons: 63 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD – one of five team interception TD returns on the year

Overall stats (off.def.avg):
Rushing: 3.7/3.5/3.7
Passing: 5.9/6.4/6.5

Once again, it is our passing game which is the weak link on the team. I feel like I have a team built, and it’s now ready for a star QB to be “dropped in” to the mix—if that QB would just show up. Regardless, I think we’ll bid farewell to WR Garcia—a guy who I probably would be inclined to keep under the old game. However, with his awful “drop” totals speaking volumes, his new contract will be from elsewhere.

LB Marlon Sweeney’s 125 tackles get him noticed—he makes second team all-league, despite not having any gaudy sacks or interception numbers. I think I can expect him to post some seriously strong numbers for season to come, as well.

QuikSand · 11-05-2000, 10:59 AM

2006 preseason

I am again spared any player turnover. I begin with some much more realistic-sounding numbers, and some very real cap concerns. I have 44 players signed, and $19.8m in room under a cap of $108.1m.

I have several players who are in contract transition. WR Zach Garcia has great ratings, but his apparent predilection for “drops” has soured him in my eyes, and he won’t be back for the big money he seeks. My biggest problem is that I have most of my current defensive line without contracts—I have two signed players at each position. DT Ernie Pike has been wonderful for us as an up-the-middle pass rusher, but I now must weigh paying him big money despite his run-stopping liabilities. I decide to place the franchise tag on him, to at least boost my chances of holding on to him.

My coach and scout are up—and I opt to replace each. I find a very young scout who looks very level across the board—and I lock him up for five years. My new coach is VG with both LBs and DBs—which has been our development holdup lately. Hopefully his offsetting skills will help our guys build up a bit better. His game day skills are pretty strong as well, excepting a “fair” in discipline.

The balance sheet is a problem. We went into the red for the first time last season. An escalation of costs (as I finally start spending near the salary cap) has put us into a tough spot. I boost ticket prices to add some revenues, and hope that keeps us in a better spot for this year—I do not want to lose control of this team that I have built over pissant finances.

The Giants offer me a first round pick (#13) for guard Jerome Scott. Scott is a rather high quality guard, he’s signed for two more years, and he’s pretty cheap. I decide to pass on the offer. But it’s tempting.

In the FA market, getting a top WR is really my first need. It looks promising, but expensive—my own guy Garcia is the second of about four solid wideouts available. I put in a $7m.yr bid on WR Jose Rodriguez, who has put up very nice numbers for the Cardinals over his five years in the league. If I get him, I’ll need some cap magic to get everything underneath.

After five weeks, Rodriguez signs with me, despite the fact that he had a shorter deal from Arizona which offered more per season. My deal had no bonus money, either. Regardless, he ought to be a major weapon. Shortly afterward, Zach Garcia signed a $6.5m deal—I’m confident I got the better end of that exchange.

I get DT Ernie Pike back into the fold for $4.6m per year. This leaves me just about $7m in cap room, which I’ll use to sign rookies, and hopefully grab a fill-in or two after training camp. I run through my ending contracts, and make a few extensions, but really cannot find much money to be saved (without pushing problems back into the future).

Following the FA period, I get a trade offer—the #2 overall pick for the newly re-signed Ernie Pike. It’s a no-brainer, but I decide that the trade simply isn’t realistic, and I decline to take advantage. Shame.

I very soon regret my act of conscience, as this draft finally features the superstar QB that I have coveted. Rodney Harden is an absolutely stupendous prospect for FOF 2001—potential ratings near 100 in most categories, with only a few down as low as 75-80. He is almost certain to be the top pick—he’s #1 on the overall board, and my scout agrees (for once). I sit at #20, but I could have had the #2 overall pick just moments ago. Alas.

I decide to see if Tampa Bay might be willing to deal the top pick. I assemble a package—but right atop their needs list is starting QB, so I’m in a pinch anyway. I can’t seem to come up with a package that gets us there—balancing against the “salary warnings” is just too tough.

QB Harden does, indeed, go first—followed by four more QBs before my pick at #20 – rats!

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Trevor Conway, DT, Valparaiso
Rnd 2 - Martin Pelletier, LB, Maryland
Rnd 2 - Ron Porter, S, N. Mexico Highlands
Rnd 3 - Joel Wakeford, TE, Michigan
Rnd 4 - Nick Aberdeen, G, Florida
Rnd 5 - Ian Stephens, QB, Duke
Rnd 5 - Brian Theriault, WR, Notre Dame
Rnd 6 - Herman McCormick, RB, Temple
Rnd 7 - Bobby Moore, S, Georgia

I end up taking a DT in the same mold as Ernie Pike—heavy talent in pass rushing. If I get another juicy offer for Pike, I may be placed well to deal him. The draft didn’t hold a lot of exciting contributors—rather, I got a lot of role-players who may fill in for a while, but don’t project much further.

I have to do some “pruning” to make salary room to sign rookies, and get everyone under the cap with about $3.8m to spare. In the event that a few decent FAs show up after camp, I’m poised to afford one or maybe two of them.

After camp, I review my rookies—no big surprises. My late-round safety is a bust, and I’ll cut him (he would have been my 5th anyway). However, no real movement among my top several players.

I get a few trade offers, but none which really intrigue me (a 5th rounder for my second year C, drafted in round 2 and coming along nicely?).

I end up throwing some money at QB Darnell Gilmore after camp, and get him to sign on for a three-year tour of duty. Candidly, he may be every bit as good as the guys I have, and he will at least make things interesting.

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Ian Stephens 3 12 1 2008
QB Darnell Gilmore 11 11 4 2008
QB Freddie Cash 10 10 5 2007
QB Morris Lynch 6 8 2 2007
RB Randall Huffman 11 12 5 2007
RB Roger Seals 11 11 4 2007
RB Herman McCormick 7 7 1 2007
RB Kenneth Cox 7 7 2 2006
FB Daryl Jeffries 9 9 3 2007
FB Doug Nutter 7 7 6 2006
TE Joel Wakeford 6 15 1 2008
TE Howie Brock 11 11 6 2006
WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 6 2010
WR Jimmie Brinkman 10 10 4 2006
WR Bert Gordon 10 10 2 2007
WR Bobby Ackerman 8 8 3 2006
WR Mitchell Clements 7 7 2 2007
WR Brian Theriault 6 6 1 2007
C Joe Upshaw 7 11 5 2009
C Vinny Bratcher 11 11 2 2008
C Trevor Hodgins 5 6 6 2008
G Jerome Scott 15 16 5 2007
G Brock Jernigan 13 13 2 2007
G Nick Aberdeen 3 12 1 2007
G Bryce Winters 8 12 2 2012
T Rusty Lyon 14 14 4 2007
T Troy Grimley 10 14 4 2008
T Jack Hankton 13 13 6 2007
P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 4 2010
K Cedric Hutchins 12 15 2 2007
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 6 2008
DE Adam Collett 9 12 2 2008
DT Trevor Conway 5 14 1 2010
DT Ernie Pike 13 13 5 2009
DT Edwin McCaslin 7 10 6 2008
DT Butch Rossburg 7 10 4 2010
LB Marlon Sweeney 17 17 5 2007
LB Randal Ogden 15 15 4 2006
LB Martin Pelletier 4 12 1 2008
LB Deon Beyer 6 11 2 2007
LB Rickey Kendall 7 8 2 2007
LB Derek Lake 7 7 4 2010
LB Cole Soward 7 7 4 2010
CB Carl Barnes 16 16 6 2008
CB Spencer Tait 10 10 3 2007
CB Tyrone McKinney 7 7 4 2010
CB Randall Chapman 6 6 3 2008
S Ron Porter 8 14 1 2009
S Cornell Emmons 13 13 3 2007
S Larry Compton 11 12 3 2007
S Jimmie Flynn 7 7 5 2007
S Bobby Moore 2 6 1 2008

My scout isn’t helping me sort out my QB situation—he thinks that my rookie has the best future of the bunch. For now, I’ll go with Cash, but each of the others is an option—as is a future trade, if needed.

I don’t think this team is a lot different than last year’s, but we’ll hope that we’ve come together a bit more—and that the addition of a more solid top WR will help.

Cohesion stands at 67-70-67-65. Our “roster” rating on the franchise value screen has moved to 100—with the next best rated team being New Orleans at 66. It seems that as the NFL players fade away, the FOF-created players are better overall—and that I have a deeper and wiser investment in those players.

I’ll hope for a playoff run this year—perhaps 9 or 10 wins.

QuikSand · 11-05-2000, 05:07 PM

2006 season

During preseason, I decide to give RB Huffman the job against starting defenses, and he plays well enough to earn my trust. I am not thrilled with QB Cash’s performance, but I want to hold on to some continuity if possible, so I keep him in as the starter- for now.

My scout only indicates any concern about is at DT—but I just drafted there, so my “problem” ought to be solved as my fledgling rookie develops.

Early on, I fall to 1-2 losing at home to Pittsburgh. QB Cash was pretty poor, and Gilmore came off the bench to lead us nearly to a miracle comeback. I decide to give Gilmore the ball—I think he gives us the best chance to win this year. Gilmore gets us to 3-5 at the midpoint, and I’m still not happy. However, he has put up better numbers than Cash has, and I decide to stick with him.

As the season goes on, I commit more and more to RB Huffman, ahead of the highly paid Seals, who now sits in a backup role. Gilmore is not putting up big numbers, and our team is pretty flat, generally. We move to a 4-7 record, when Gilmore gets an injury. I decide to try out my younger QB Morris Lynch, who should be a great scrambler, but might be dubious as a passer.

We end up 6-10, and searching for answers. Some may lie in the stat results…

Stat leaders:

QB Freddie Cash had a rating of 83.1, best of the three (Gilmore 74.2, Lynch 62.1), total yards=3,320
RB Randal Huffman: 180-1,068, 10 TD (5.9 ypc) – my first 1,000-yard performance
RB Roger Seals: 131-521, 3 TD (3.9 ypc) – solid as backup, but clearly overpaid
WR Jose Rodriguez: 50-682, 4 TD (60.9%, 4 drops) – led team, passes were distributed widely
LB Marlon Sweeney: 103 tackles, 1 int – my anchor in the middle, got 15% of tackles
DE Marcus VandenBelt: 25 tackles, 8 sacks, 5 blocks, 8 hurries – still my most reliable pass rusher
S Cornell Emmons: 55 tackles, 1 sack, 8 int, 49.5 PDQ – very strong season from my best safety
CB Carl Barnes: 31 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 int, 49.5 PDQ – strong year from my FA pickup

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/4.3/3.6
Passing: 6.0/6.3/6.7

Our running game made a big and obvious step forward, but our passing game still lacks consistency—starting at the top. My biggest concern was our sudden inability to stop the run—and I have two DTs who are basically pass-rush specialists, so if they are contributing to the problem, it’s not likely to get better soon.

My guard Jerome Scott gets first team honors, for his 40.3% KRB% and only 1 sack allowed. My punter is also first team, with a 44.2 avg.

Detroit becomes the first team to win a second bowl game—again behind the running of Edgerrin James, who earns his second SB MVP Honors.

QuikSand · 11-06-2000, 11:48 AM

2007 preseason

I start off this year with 44 players signed to contracts, and only $6m in cap room. This will be another tight year, for sure. I have a few key contributors whose contracts expired, and I don't see any easy way to stay intact-I'll probably do more cutting of decent veterans this year than any before.

Of my free agents, LB Randal Ogden and WR Jimmie Brinkman will be the toughest to lose. I decide that Ogden is the guy I'd really like to try to keep, so I intend to use the franchise tag on him. One reservation-his run-defense ability is his only weakness (56), and that was my team's most alarming trouble last year-but he's a very high quality LB, and I decide I need to hold on to him anyway.

I get a couple of trade offers. One is the #12 pick in the draft plus a fairly nice young RB-for QB Darnell Gilmore. Gilmore may be the best of my current QBs, but he didn't really get it done for us last season-and we're crowded there anyway. I decide to take this offer. Another deal, for my G Jerome Scott, would send me the top pick in round two-I decline. Trading Gilmore bumps my cap room up to $7.75m, which ought to help-especially since I have two first round pick to sign.

I decide to trade away RB Roger Seals, whose $6m+ contract was far too heavy for a backup. I get a third rounder from Cincinnati for him, and this frees up more needed cap room.

In order to get some cap room to at least talk to free agents, I renegotiate contracts-LB Marlon Sweeney signs on for three more years, which is good. I do a little more fiddling-my biggest struggle is with WR Rodriguez, who currently has a bonus-free contract (cut-friendly). He'll take a restruictuired deal which is cheaper this year, but only with a hefty bonus, making him unreleaseable. I decide not to do it.

I also make my first trade for a player-sending away 6-year starter T Jack Hankton to Kansas City for a solid receiver, Mitch Huber. Huber has another year left on his contract after this season-and I'm concerned about massive turnover there next season, so he'll help out. I then have the salary cap to go after another WR from the FA pool-Tyrone Hayes has been solid for Green Bay for six years, and now he'll join our corps as a top contributor. With the additions of Huber and Hayes, I feel like we have plenty of talent at WR, and my top three guys (Rodriguez plus those two) will be back next year.

I head into the draft with $15m in cap room-better than where I started, though my franchise LB is still unsigned. I have several need areas-but once again will be hoping for a top QB to come in and lead this team to the next level-I'm pretty certain it's that simple. I hold picks #4 and #12m plus an extra third rounder-we'll be looking for a new TE, FB, OT, and CB in this draft, as well as whatever stars the first round yields.

The draft contains two QBs who, while not quite as remarkable as last year's top guy, both look very good. I figure that I'm in good shape to get one of them at #4-and if one goes ahead of me, I may try to move up to grab the other guy. There are also two fabulous-looking safeties here-a position where I'm likely to lose my best players after this year.

Of course, the top QB goes with the #1 pick, leaving me to swing a deal to move to #2 to remove all doubt. Jesse Morse is the "prize" in question-he has very strong ratings in each pas category, and his main weakness is in 3rd down passing. My scout suggests his potentials are 66 in accuracy, and 84 in power-a huge leap forward over what I currently have. He is, incidentally, only rated a 6.4 in the aggregate future ratings, and is listed as the #3 QB in the draft. However, I'm pretty certain that I cannot afford to pass him up-I'll hang y scout if I get the guy and he busts.

I tinker with the trade offer, but I simply am unable to assemble enough to get Seattle to bite. (Every offer ends up pushing them over the salary cap or else isn't enough value for them) My main hope is that they drafted a QB with the #3 pick last year, and though he's an ABSOLUTE bust, I hope that they'll look elsewhere.

Seattle does look elsewhere-they decide to go with a flawless-looking DT, who was going to be my backup plan. This gives me a chance to deal with the Giants, who do not even have QB on their needs list. However, I once again find that the trade up in round one is nearly impossible, and I resign myself to a small prayer and hope for the best.

The Giants take an offensive tackle-a pretty darned good-looking one-and they answer my prayers.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Jesse Morse, QB, Kansas
Rnd 1 - Billy Joe Franklin, S, Iowa State
Rnd 3 - Frankie McMurtry, WR, Washington
Rnd 3 - Byron Talley, C, Central Michigan
Rnd 4 - Lonnie Fiore, LB, North Carolina
Rnd 5 - Grady Buckner, TE, North Carolina
Rnd 6 - Mack Curtis, T, Nevada
Rnd 7 - Casey Peterson, DE, Marshall

Morse is the big gamble, with a big upside. S Franklin was the second-best of two great safeties available. Others were need positions-I traded out of round two (getting Seattle's #2 next year) sensing a lack of high quality depth here. I did get capable fill-ins, but not much more.

After getting everyone signed (including LB Randal Ogden for $3.6m) I am right up against the cap, and have too many players. I decide to start pruning-and my first move is trading QB Cash to Seattle for their #3 pick in the draft next year. I then get a 4th round pick for WR Bert Gordon, who would be relegated to 4th or 5th on the depth chart this season anyway. I then trade Seattle's 3rd plus veteran safety Larry Compton to Atlanta to get a pretty good-looking young guard, who should be around for a while.

I start the al-important training camp, and hope for the best…

QB Morse comes through with flying colors! Here are his ratings, according to my scout:

Screen 28/87, Short 26/75, Medium 29/88, Long 32/100, Deep 32/92
Third down passing 50
Pass accuracy 22/66
Throwing power 26/84
Scramble Freq 54, Carrying 71

I realize that he isn't the flawless specimen that most of us have come to demand from FOF 2001, but he is by far the best QB I've gotten my hands, on and he's getting a trial by fire with a team that looks to me like it's ready to step forward with a new signal caller.

All my other rookies look good, too-another season without an obvious bust.

When a decent rookie QB Louie Henry is available in the post-camp market, I grab him for the three years that he sought. A nice pickup, I think. I then decide to push my luck at QB, and I peddle away QB Morris Lynch-my third year player who will be decent, but by next year will be unafforable. I end up bundling Lynch into a package to acquire a nice young FB from the Saints-they're tough, but I finally get the guy I want in Nicky Banks.

I sign WR Jumbo Jefferies from the free agent pool, and feel like I'll be giving my new arm a solid selection of targets from which to choose. I use up the rest of my cap room in extending T Rusty Lyon's deal for three more years-his price tag goes up this year, but then drops off, making him much more affordable for next season and beyond.

Here is the roster, in contract rerms:

Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost
Stephens, Ian 3 QB 2006 2008 2 ----- $530,000
Morse, Jesse 9 QB 2007 2011 R ----- $5,180,000
Henry, Louie 13 QB 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000
Huffman, Randall 44 RB 2005 2007 6 ----- $3,300,000
McCormick, Herman + 29 RB 2006 2007 2 ----- $530,000
Link, Moe 42 RB 2007 2008 2 ----- $530,000
Banks, Nicky 21 FB 2007 2010 2 ----- $740,000
Delgado, Brant 43 FB 2007 2007 1 ----- $400,000
Wakeford, Joel + 83 TE 2006 2008 2 ----- $960,000
Buckner, Grady 17 TE 2007 2008 R ----- $400,000
Rodriguez, Jose 89 WR 2006 2010 7 ----- $7,000,000
Hayes, Tyrone 86 WR 2007 2010 7 ----- $4,000,000
Huber, Mitch 84 WR 2007 2008 5 ----- $1,930,000
Jeffries, Jumbo 88 WR 2007 2009 4 ----- $2,800,000
Clements, Mitchell 80 WR 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000
Theriault, Brian 15 WR 2006 2007 2 ----- $530,000
McMurtry, Frankie 82 WR 2007 2010 R ----- $720,000
Hodgins, Trevor + 59 C 2002 2008 7 ----- $840,000
Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 3 ----- $1,460,000
Talley, Byron 56 C 2007 2010 R ----- $880,000
Scott, Jerome 74 G 2005 2007 6 ----- $1,450,000
Winters, Bryce + 60 G 2006 2012 3 ----- $1,100,000
Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2007 3 ----- $1,060,000
Aberdeen, Nick 66 G 2006 2009 2 ----- $1,200,000
Willis, Danny 62 G 2007 2011 R ----- $520,000
Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2010 5 ----- $8,410,000
Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 5 ----- $1,990,000
Curtis, Mack 72 T 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000
Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 5 ----- $840,000
Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000
VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2008 7 ----- $5,000,000
Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 3 ----- $3,510,000
Peterson, Casey 95 DE 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000
McCaslin, Edwin 99 DT 2002 2008 7 ----- $1,700,000
Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2009 6 ----- $4,600,000
Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 5 ----- $1,290,000
Conway, Trevor 97 DT 2006 2010 2 ----- $3,190,000
Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2009 6 ----- $6,300,000
Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2009 5 ----- $3,600,000
Beyer, Deon + 52 LB 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000
Kendall, Rickey 57 LB 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000
Pelletier, Martin 50 LB 2006 2008 2 ----- $1,450,000
Fiore, Lonnie 55 LB 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000
Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2008 7 ----- $8,000,000
Lyons, Lionel 47 CB 2007 2007 5 ----- $1,420,000
Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 4 ----- $3,890,000
Tait, Spencer 40 CB 2004 2007 4 ----- $1,100,000
Flynn, Jimmie 22 S 2002 2007 6 ----- $1,150,000
Emmons, Cornell 39 S 2004 2007 4 ----- $1,690,000
Porter, Ron 26 S 2006 2009 2 ----- $1,510,000
Franklin, Billy Joe 35 S 2007 2011 R ----- $3,190,000

Salary Cap: $112.3 million
Room Under Cap: $890,000

And, here is the roster in the more traditional "scout overview" format:

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Jesse Morse 6 17 1 2011
QB Ian Stephens 4 12 2 2008
QB Louie Henry 1 9 1 2009
RB Randall Huffman 11 13 6 2007
RB Moe Link 8 9 2 2008
RB Herman McCormick 8 8 2 2007
FB Nicky Banks 12 12 2 2010
FB Brant Delgado 3 7 1 2007
TE Joel Wakeford 8 14 2 2008
TE Grady Buckner 2 11 1 2008
WR Jose Rodriguez 13 15 7 2010
WR Frankie McMurtry 4 13 1 2010
WR Tyrone Hayes 12 13 7 2010
WR Mitch Huber 13 13 5 2008
WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 4 2009
WR Mitchell Clements 7 7 3 2007
WR Brian Theriault 6 6 2 2007
C Byron Talley 4 14 1 2010
C Vinny Bratcher 12 12 3 2008
C Trevor Hodgins 5 7 7 2008
G Jerome Scott 14 16 6 2007
G Brock Jernigan 15 15 3 2007
G Danny Willis 4 12 1 2011
G Bryce Winters 7 11 3 2012
G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 2 2009
T Rusty Lyon 14 14 5 2010
T Troy Grimley 10 14 5 2008
T Mack Curtis 3 9 1 2009
P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 5 2010
K Cedric Hutchins 13 15 3 2007
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 7 2008
DE Casey Peterson 3 13 1 2009
DE Adam Collett 11 11 3 2008
DT Ernie Pike 13 13 6 2009
DT Trevor Conway 7 13 2 2010
DT Edwin McCaslin 8 10 7 2008
DT Butch Rossburg 7 9 5 2010
LB Marlon Sweeney 15 15 6 2009
LB Randal Ogden 15 15 5 2009
LB Martin Pelletier 6 12 2 2008
LB Deon Beyer 7 12 3 2007
LB Rickey Kendall 7 11 3 2007
LB Lonnie Fiore 7 9 1 2009
CB Carl Barnes 16 16 7 2008
CB Lionel Lyons 9 11 5 2007
CB Spencer Tait 11 11 4 2007
CB Randall Chapman 6 6 4 2008
S Billy Joe Franklin 8 19 1 2011
S Ron Porter 9 14 2 2009
S Cornell Emmons 11 11 4 2007
S Jimmie Flynn 7 7 6 2007

I like seeing a number of ratings in the high teens-my two top rookies both look like future studs.

This year, we'll drop Morse right into the thick of things, and let him earn his wings. I feel like we have an offensive line that is very good, a receiver corps that is the best I've assembled, and our running game just hit high gear last season. We should be in good shape to support the young QB, even if he has the usual growing pains.

I'll hope for maybe 6-7 wins, but more importantly is the experience for Morse, and that he benefits from his year under center.

QuikSand · 11-06-2000, 01:22 PM

2007 season

Morse gets through the preseason okay, and was 2/2 on TDs/Ints, which I though was okay against the first team defenses. He gets clearance as our starter for the year.

We start out 3-0 with a few pretty good games, then drop two of three-both losses to Cinti. At the halfway mark, Jesse Morse has thrown 16 touchdowns-which rivals the best full-season total by anyone on this team before. His excellent start is overshadowed only by the incredible start by second-year phenom Rodney Harden for Tampa Bay-his QB rating is a stellar 104.4.

We suffer some injuries, and need to pick up a FA linebacker. A quality guy is available, but getting him requires a couple releases-I make the cuts, and bring on LB Charlie Graham for the second half of the season and perhaps our first shot at the playoffs.

In week 10, we face Tampa Bay-in what I hope will be a showdown of two future QB legends. The Bucs are 8-1 behind Harden, and we are 6-3 with our rookie. It's a battle of field goals through the first half, and we lead 9-3 into the third quarter-a goal line stand just before halftime played a large role. They get within 3 in the early fourth, but we drive to extend to 12-9, with 5 minutes to play. We get the ball back, and eat up the rest of the clock, punctuating with our fifth FG-final score Cleveland 15, Tampa Bay 6. Two young QB stars add up to zero touchdowns, but a good game nonetheless.

In week 12, we beat the 7-3 Steelers to take the division lead. However, we lose to the Anaheim Shillers and tie Buffalo in the next two games, to drop back by a half game. Week 15 is the rematch, and the division is all but on the line. The Steelers get their revenge at home with a 30-8 pounding, and we are now down to 8-5-1, still in line for a playoff berth, but no longer looking like an elite team. Nine men on the injury report-the fruits of my coach's biggest weakness. Fortunately, our last two games are against Baltimore and Jacksonville, and we outclass both of them to finish at 10-5-1.

We get the top WC spot, and get a home game against the 9-7 Chargers in the opening playoff round. The Steelers and Buccaneers have the top seeds, with 12-4 and 13-3 records, respectively. TB's Rodney Harden throws for 38 TDs in his second season-a very strong showing, to say the least. Pitt's Trent Green is third with 30 TDs-suggesting that there may be a trend in the making here.

Stat leaders:

QB Jesse Morse: 4,165 yards, 56.2%, 7.37 ypa, 28/25, 77.8 - clearly a huge step forward
RB Randall Huffman: 236-887, 5 TD (3.7 ypa) - step backwards from last year, didn't have backup to "push" him
WR Jose Rodriguez: 75-1,021, 8 TD (52.4%, 8 drops) - solid numbers, leading improved corps totals
TE Joel Wakeford: 42-493, 1 TD (63.6%, 5 drops) - best receiving year yet from any TE, and he's cheaper
LB Marlon Sweeney: 91 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 blocks, 3 hurries - solid effort for top MLB contributor
DE Marcus VandenBelt: 36 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 blocks, 6 hurries - leads the pass rushing attack once again
S Billy Joe Franklin: 72 tackles, 8 int, 1 TD, 47.2% PDQ - ought to be shoo-in for DROY with great season

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.8/3.8/3.7
Passing: 7.3/6.2/6.7

Again it's our run defense that is statistically the weakest element of our game. I am probably one quality OLB short of having an across-the-board solid front seven, and a number of injuries up front didn't help things.

We are fairly healthy at the skill positions, and we have depth where needed to cover for our other wounded. We'll take on San Diego at home, and hope to keep our rally going-with our sights set on Pittsburgh.

QuikSand · 11-06-2000, 03:52 PM

2007 postseason

The Chargers look like a solid team overall-they were +35 in points, suggesting that 9-7 was about right for them. We look like the better team here, and I expect a win at home, despite our lack of playoff seasoning.

The first quarter is just feeling out, with each team notching a FG. Early in the second quarter, I notice that my backup RB is in the game-presumably my starter has been injured. This does not bode well. We score a TD in the middle of the second quarter, and then recover a goal-line fumble by the Chargers (at our 1) to keep a 10-3 lead at the half.

Early third quarter, Morse finds Hayes for a 40-yard TD, and it looks like we may be ready to open up. However, Jeff Garcia takes advantage of our defense, who got a little complacent, and strikes for a 12-yard TD of his own-it's 17-10. RB Huffman is back in the game, which is good news-and he rips off a 20-yards carry, which is also good news.

At the start of the fourth quarter, it's still 17-10, and we have the ball. Facing third-and-12 from the Chargers 21, Morse finds Hayes behind his cover man, and they strike again for a TD! On the firs play of the ensuing possession, Garcia is sacked by my "other" DE Adam Collett, who scoops up the loose ball and rumbles in for a score. The 31-10 margin now looks solid, and we should be on our way. We tack on 10 more points en route to a 41-10 final score in a game that really wasn't decided until the last 11 minutes.

Our RB tandem did just fine: Herman McCormick had 10-101 and 2 TDs, while Huffman put up 155yards of his own. Hayes gets the game ball with 127 yards and 2 TDs.

Now, we head to Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are led by Trent Green, and look very sharp. We split during the regular season, but we have to play on their field now. I'd set the line at Steelers by five or six here-we have a shot, though, coming off our solid opening win.

Our defense opens up string, forcing 3-and-outs for the Steelers' first two possessions. We get a FG by ball control attrition, and it's 3-0 after the first quarter-the Steelers have 23 yards of total offense. They get a turnover early in the second, but we hold from our one yard line, forcing a tying 18-yard FG. Pittsburgh gets a quick TD in the middle second quarter, and we threaten to tie it up, but Morse is picked off in eth Pittsburgh red zone. This seems to be a turning point, as the Steelers march for another TD pass, and then score again following a punt. In a second quarter blaze, they run off three TDs to take a 24-3 lead at the half.

in the second half, the defense prevail. No more TDs are scored, but Pittsburgh manages a few more FGs, and extends out their lead to a final tally of 33-6. The Steelers once again showed us that they are a very tough customer at home-making our objectives for next season even clearer. Next year, we want them at OUR house.

It's Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh in the Superbowl, as it should be. Rodney Harden throws 2 TDs to lead the Bucs to the title, winning 34-7. Poor Pittsburgh LB Donnie Woodcock did everything he could-getting 21 tackles in the game-but it wasn't enough. Woodcock gets the first SB MVP for playing on a losing team that I've seen-especially on a team that lost by 27 points!

QB Rodney Harden just misses on the superfecta, but he still takes the "tri" - NFL MVP, Offensive POY, and First team QB. My only honoree is, as expected, S Billy Joe Franklin - who gets DROY and also a nod as second team safety.

QuikSand · 11-07-2000, 12:21 PM

2008 preseason

We again manage to avoid any retirements-still not a surprise. I have 36 players signed to deals-a deep dropoff from last year, meaning that my FA crop will be numerous. I have a little over $21m in cap room-which will be enough to sign perhaps one or two expensive FAs, an then my rookies. I think this will be a tough financial year.

My principal free agents are RB Huffman, G Scott, S Flynn, CB Tait, and S Emmons. With two up-and-coming safeties, I feel like I can lose the two exiting guys without major pain. Huffman has been solid at RB, but that is another position where I feel confident about acquiring a replacement. G Scott is excellent, and even though I have depth there, I'd like to retain him if possible. CB Tait has been good, but I doubt I'll be able to pony up the big bucks that he'll no doubt demand.

I also have a disturbing number of younger "restricted" free agents, who I suspect will be to expensive to re-sign. I'm hoping that my key offensive players will keep us moving forward, because this season, we're going to lose a ton of talent. I place the franchise tag on G Jerome Scott, and hope that I'll be able to keep him around.

I restructure CB Carl Barnes's deal, giving him a 4-year extension and saving a little money this year in the process. I also accept WR Carl Rodriguez's proposal to restructure-which opens up some more cap room, though it does not extend his deal beyond the three years he has left. I'm up to a little over $23m in cap room.

I make a trade with Minnesota, sending them DT Edwin McCaslin and QB Ian Stephens to move from #26 to #11 in round one. This also bumps my cap room to $25.6m.

In the FA market, DT Tyrone Conway is a great run-stopper, and might be just what my front seven needs. I put in a $6-6-7-7- offer for him, without any bonus money. Past that, I'm sitting tight, unable/unwilling to really wade into the free agent market too seriously.

RB Randall Huffman is going to get his big money deal-he immediately attracts several offers in the 7-8m range. I have the best offer in on DT Conway, but he may not take it-others are shorter deals. My departing CBs are likely to get $8-10m each in free agency-I simply cannot match that for my #2 cover man. CB will be a draft priority, and an area for likely post-camp pickups.

In week 3, DT Conway signs with Philly, for a little more than my bid (which was leading until then). It's okay-but I do believe that a run-stopper up the middle is a priority. In week 4, I land a long term deal with second year safety Ted Levine, who I get for under $2m per year and should be a solid #3 or 4 guy.

In week 6, RB Randal Huffman signs with Chicago for $7.5m per year-well out of my price range, I fear. Three more of my players are mulling offers that I cannot match. I feel a little awkward watching my players leave as I sit on $24m in cap room, but I'm convinced that I cannot put up contracts for marginal contributors-especially when I feel they can be fairly replaced by rookies. I have to spend my money wisely, and I feel that these "good" players are not the best way to do that.

I do re-sign G Jerome Scott to a four-year deal worth $5.5/5.5/6/6m. This gives me a surplus at G, but I feel like I can probably peddle one of the reserves.

That ends my FA period-I come away without any new faces, but still have sizable cap room. I think I'll need it this year in an attempt to re-sign some more of my own players (rather than letting them all walk after their initial contracts). This remains to be seen-I also may end up pissing $ away on post-camp free agents, of there are any attractive ones available in the right places.

I get an interesting trade offer-- 3rd round pick (plus a throw-in player) for G Jerome Scott (whose deal had no bonus money). I could use the cap savings to re-sign G Brock Jernigan (who I have been resigned to losing), and I'd come out ahead in the draft-where I have plenty of holes to fill. I decide to alter my plans, and take this deal. Jernigan signs for four years, and Scott finds a new home in Atlanta. T Charles Wiggins is my new acquisition-he'll be a fine 3rd tackle, but his contract blows up next year from $800k to $5m or so-nice time bomb, Falcs.

In the draft, I see a number of good-looking RBs who would make nice obvious additions to our club at #11-don't know if any will fall that far, though. There are three guys who would make great first picks for me-I'll watch them closely. I also see a couple of DEs, CBs, and a LB who would all be solid picks. I think I was wise to move up in this draft. I also have extra picks in round three, so I may come away well-stocked.

Indy moves in to take a DE with the first pick, but then the three RBs I covet go in succession. By my pick, the entire group of players that looked good to me have been grabbed. I see a RB who is already at his peak-which is pretty good, but not (in my eyes) worthy of this pick. I go with the player who looks like the biggest "impact" player available, regardless of position.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Bruce Barreto, TE, Arizona State
Rnd 2 - Leo Donaldson, CB, Rutgers
Rnd 3 - Rico Heath, WR, San Diego State
Rnd 3 - Wes Dennis, LB, Minnesota
Rnd 4 - Arnie Berube, DT, Stanford
Rnd 5 - Mel Church, RB, Tulane
Rnd 6 - Brian Galando, QB, Nebraska - Omaha
Rnd 7 - Brady Dunham, RB, Connecticut

I took TE Barreto-a fabulous-looking tight end who should do it all-- hoping that a few of the several very good CBs would drop to my second round pick. However, CB was hit hard in the mid-to-late first round, and I ended up with one of the poorer among the good group as my last option there in round two. LB Wes Dennis in round three might be right for this team-solid across, but exceptional as a run-stopper. I grab two RBs late in the draft-but hope that I don't have to go through the season with only what I currently have on hand.

Following camp, I make the obligatory check on my rookies: everyone looks about the same as they came in. I get an absolutely eye-popper of a trade offer: Buffalo offers me a deal for the rookie RB I took in round 7. Brady Dunham, by way of background, is a specialist-he has modest ratings in most areas, except he has a 94 potential in short yardage and a 96 potential in catch frequency. This guy, who I though looked okay for round seven-now has Buffalo's eye. They offer their #1 pick next year for him. I can't help but feel like it's a trap-maybe Dunham is really goo any my scout just doesn't see it. However, I simply cannot pass up the first rounder, and I take the deal.

I have some money to spend, and I look through the free agent market. I find Corwin Orta, a hands-down great QB, available in the free agent market. He was cut by Cincinnati after posting a career rating of 87.2 through 67 starts. Well, it is Cincinnati, after all. He comes on for a three-year deal, weighted into next year so he'll make nearly $4m then-but he's cheap for this year. LB Buddy Cochrane may be an even bigger impact signee. He is a nearly flawless LB, with B- endurance, but otherwise nearly immaculate ratings.

I do, however, leave myself short by depending upon this market for usable players. This season, there are simply no quality running backs available after camp, and we end up with no help there. I also wanted to get a temporary fill-in at CB, but nothing of any value is available.

I make a trade with Carolina, acquiring their 4th round pick for QB Louie Henry (made superfluous by the signing of Orta) and TE Wakeford (now backup to rookie Barretto). my draft next year should be stacked, with two extra picks now including a first rounder.

I have $4m in cap room remaining, and decide to try to lock up a player or two if possible. I extend with DE Marcus VandenBelt for four years (through 2010)--ensuring that he can stick around is a priority for me, and it only costs about $700k this year. Looking at my position with DE, I decide that I need to lock up another player, and I pursue free agent DE Tyrone Flowers. He is awfully solid, and he takes a three-year deal. I most likely will be unable to re-sign Collett, so Flowers is more than capable of being my insurance policy-in fact, he is even better than Collett, and will likely start this year.

Here is the contract view of the roster:

Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost
Morse, Jesse 9 QB 2007 2011 2 ----- $5,660,000
Orta, Corwin 8 QB 2008 2010 6 ----- $1,750,000
Galando, Brian 6 QB 2008 2009 R ----- $410,000
Pena, Paul 40 RB 2008 2008 4 ----- $1,700,000
Link, Moe + 42 RB 2007 2008 3 ----- $690,000
Church, Mel 36 RB 2008 2010 R ----- $410,000
Banks, Nicky 21 FB 2007 2010 3 ----- $960,000
Rasmussen, Ed 39 FB 2008 2008 4 ----- $870,000
Barreto, Bruce 85 TE 2008 2011 R ----- $3,320,000
Buckner, Grady 17 TE 2007 2008 2 ----- $540,000
Palmer, Spencer 87 TE 2008 2008 1 ----- $410,000
Rodriguez, Jose 89 WR 2006 2010 8 ----- $5,310,000
Jeffries, Jumbo + 88 WR 2007 2009 5 ----- $4,100,000
Hayes, Tyrone 86 WR 2007 2010 8 ----- $4,000,000
Huber, Mitch 84 WR 2007 2008 6 ----- $2,400,000
Heath, Rico 81 WR 2008 2010 R ----- $900,000
McMurtry, Frankie 82 WR 2007 2010 2 ----- $860,000
Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 4 ----- $1,680,000
Talley, Byron 56 C 2007 2010 2 ----- $1,020,000
Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2011 4 ----- $3,140,000
Aberdeen, Nick 66 G 2006 2009 3 ----- $1,300,000
Winters, Bryce + 60 G 2006 2012 4 ----- $1,100,000
Willis, Danny 62 G 2007 2011 2 ----- $800,000
Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2010 6 ----- $5,740,000
Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 6 ----- $2,490,000
Wiggins, Charles 77 T 2008 2011 7 ----- $870,000
Curtis, Mack 72 T 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000
Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 6 ----- $870,000
Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2010 4 ----- $1,150,000
VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2011 8 ----- $5,700,000
Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 4 ----- $3,950,000
Flowers, Tyrone 99 DE 2008 2010 7 ----- $2,500,000
Peterson, Casey + 95 DE 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000
Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2009 7 ----- $4,600,000
Conway, Trevor 97 DT 2006 2010 3 ----- $3,610,000
Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 6 ----- $1,290,000
Berube, Arnie 92 DT 2008 2009 R ----- $410,000
Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2009 7 ----- $4,700,000
Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2009 6 ----- $3,600,000
Cochrane, Buddy 57 LB 2008 2010 5 ----- $1,950,000
Pelletier, Martin 50 LB 2006 2008 3 ----- $1,600,000
Dennis, Wes 54 LB 2008 2011 R ----- $900,000
Fiore, Lonnie 55 LB 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000
Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2011 8 ----- $7,500,000
Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 5 ----- $4,540,000
Donaldson, Leo 33 CB 2008 2011 R ----- $1,440,000
Richard, Trevor 41 CB 2008 2014 2 ----- $550,000
Franklin, Billy Joe 35 S 2007 2011 2 ----- $3,590,000
Porter, Ron 26 S 2006 2009 3 ----- $1,730,000
Levine, Ted 32 S 2008 2014 2 ----- $1,320,000

Salary Cap: $116.5 million
Room Under Cap: $1,250,000

And here is the scout overview:

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Jesse Morse 8 16 2 2011
QB Corwin Orta 16 16 6 2010
QB Brian Galando 2 11 1 2009
RB Mel Church 5 11 1 2010
RB Paul Pena 7 10 4 2008
RB Moe Link 8 9 3 2008
FB Nicky Banks 12 12 3 2010
FB Ed Rasmussen 9 9 4 2008
TE Bruce Barreto 7 17 1 2011
TE Spencer Palmer 4 11 1 2008
TE Grady Buckner 5 7 2 2008
WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 8 2010
WR Tyrone Hayes 13 13 8 2010
WR Rico Heath 4 12 1 2010
WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 5 2009
WR Frankie McMurtry 8 11 2 2010
WR Mitch Huber 11 11 6 2008
C Byron Talley 7 13 2 2010
C Vinny Bratcher 12 12 4 2008
G Brock Jernigan 15 15 4 2011
G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 3 2009
G Bryce Winters 7 10 4 2012
G Danny Willis 6 10 2 2011
T Rusty Lyon 14 14 6 2010
T Troy Grimley 10 13 6 2008
T Charles Wiggins 12 12 7 2011
T Mack Curtis 5 9 2 2009
P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 6 2010
K Cedric Hutchins 13 14 4 2010
DE Tyrone Flowers 14 15 7 2010
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 8 2011
DE Casey Peterson 5 13 2 2009
DE Adam Collett 12 12 4 2008
DT Arnie Berube 3 14 1 2009
DT Ernie Pike 13 13 7 2009
DT Trevor Conway 8 13 3 2010
DT Butch Rossburg 6 9 6 2010
LB Buddy Cochrane 19 19 5 2010
LB Randal Ogden 15 15 6 2009
LB Wes Dennis 4 14 1 2011
LB Marlon Sweeney 14 14 7 2009
LB Martin Pelletier 8 13 3 2008
LB Lonnie Fiore 7 12 2 2009
CB Carl Barnes 16 16 8 2011
CB Leo Donaldson 4 12 1 2011
CB Trevor Richard 4 8 2 2014
CB Randall Chapman 6 6 5 2008
S Billy Joe Franklin 13 19 2 2011
S Ron Porter 11 15 3 2009
S Ted Levine 5 10 2 2014

Needless to say, my scout will say to start Orta at QB. However, I'll stick with Morse and watch him develop into a star (with any luck). Orta gives me a fabulous insurance policy in case of injury, which I otherwise could not stand at all. My RB situation is troubling-I'll cycle through the starting halfbacks and look for a diamond in the rough. I also think I'll have my FB used as a primary ball carrier pretty often, as he's the most talented of the group it would appear.

My biggest weakness will probably be at CB (although RB could be trouble too). I'll hope that Leo Donaldson proves to be better than advertised, and that he can step in while still green.

I think this is a playoff team yet again, and we'll hope for a solid showing from our offense in particular. We would like to be in the hunt for the division title, and would like to get another home playoff game. Our goal for the season is 10 wins and playoffs at home.

QuikSand · 11-07-2000, 12:48 PM

I think it's time to declare another house rule. In FOF 2001 the players available during the post-training camp period just seem to be a good deal better and more plentiful than in FOF2. I think that from this point on, I will no longer sign any such player to a contract over one year.

Probably more realistic, and certainly will increase difficulty.

QuikSand · 11-07-2000, 01:39 PM

2008 season

Through preseason, my running game is pretty solid, with everyone contributing their share. I settle on Link as my "starter," with his playing time set at 2, and my "use FB" rating at 90. I expect that I might end up with a Chiefs RBBC situation.

In my very first game - we take a pyrrhic victory. Both QBs Morse and Orta are hurt, Morse without making a single throw. Orta can play for now, but Morse will have to sit out for a month or so. RB Link gets 14 yards on 12 carries-hmm, just about like the Chiefs. I decide to rotate the RBs, and put in the rookie Church for this next game.

In game 2, my multi-headed RB monster gets 172 yards on 34 carries-that's very nice. Church gets a 46-yard carry on his first try, then ends the game with 2-for-45. This is looking more and more Chiefs-like every step.

In week 3, we roll Baltimore 45-22, and I again study the box score closely. Rushing: 39-174, very nice again. Orta was very solid at QB, and our offense racked up an early 21-point lead to win this one quickly. Moe Link now gets hi re-promotion back to starter, but everyone will continue to play. FB Banks only has 11 carries, despite my game plan to give him the ball-I'll set that to 100. (Okay, 99)

In week 4, we beat 3-0 Jacksonville to sit alone atop the division at 4-0. CB Randall Chapman is done for the year, and my so-so rookie is now starting. I decide to sign a free agent CB to fill in either as #2 or #3 there. I get 4th year CB Andrew Zook for minsal, and I can just fit him in. He steps in to start opposite Barnes, and I can let my injured rookie rest.

Game 7, we finally drop one, losing to St. Louis on the road-giving up a 25-0 fourth quarter to lose 35-28. Orta is injured, and I rush Morse back into the starter role, though he is not yet 100%. In the Rams game, both Morse (3 TDs) and Church (100+ yards) played very well, but our defense collapsed.

Pittsburgh has imploded this year, but they still manage to sweep us in weeks 9 and 11, and we follow up with a loss to Jacksonville to drop to 7-4, a game behind the Jags. At this point, both Morse and Galando (3rd stringer) are playing hurt, and it's time for Orta again.

Down the stretch, Orta plays very well, but our offense calms down a bit. We get to 10-5, and face Baltimore in our final game. We're tied with Jax for the division lead, but we'll win it with a victory over Baltimore-who are 8-7 and still alive for a wild card. Pittsburgh, after a 3-6 start, is also 8-7 and barely alive.

We lose to Baltimore, Jacksonville beats Pittsburgh, and we end up a 10-6 wild card team. Our team is absolutely devastated by injury-it's gotta be time for a coach who is better in this regard.

We get to visit Miami in the playoff opener-led by my old QB Freddie Cash, and stalwart RB Fred Taylor. Should be interesting.

Stat leaders:

QB circus:
Corwin Orta: 2,080 yards, 55.6%, 8.15 ypa, 15/9, 87.3
Brian Galando: 1,168 yards, 51.4%, 5.61 ypa, 7/9, 61.5
Jesse Morse: 1,061 yards, 56.7%, 6.54 ypa, 8/10, 67.3

RB circus:
Moe Link: 121-510, 8 TD (4.2 ypc)
Mel Church: 70-298, 0 TD (4.2 ypc)
Paul Pena: 87-254, 1 TD (2.9 ypc)
Nicky Banks: 64-174, 0 TD (2.7ypc)

WR Tyrone Hayes: 74-1,130, 10 TD (51.7%, 15 drops)
WR Jose Rodriguez: 67-978, 6 TD (48.2%, 12 drops)

OL allowed only 30 sacks

LB Marlon Sweeney: 75 tackles, 2 sacks
DE Marcus VandenBelt: 39 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 blocks, 10 hurries
S Billy Joe Franklin: 93 tackles, 1 sack, 7 int, 40.9 PDQ
S Ron Porter: 82 tackles, 9 int, 1 TD, 44.0 PDQ

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 3.4/3.3/3.8
Passing: 6.8/6.6/6.3

This team was really not very statistically dominating-largely (I suspect) due to the lack of a dominant running game. However, we battled through injuries and put together a playoff-worth campaign… now we just need to see how far we can go with this ragtag group.

QuikSand · 11-07-2000, 01:56 PM

2008 postseason

Against Miami, the first half is quite a story. We score on one big drive, then Miami roars back with a long pass interference call, followed by a TD pass. They intercept Morse 3 times in the first half, including one for a TD by my old safety Cornell Emmons, but we manage to hold them to those points-it's only 14-7 Miami at halftime, and we're lucky to be that close. However, by the simple stats-we have a lot more yardage, and we've been able to move the ball. If we can hold on to it, we may have a shot here.

Through the third quarter, the defenses are in charge. We finally get a shot, after converting a 4th-and-3 from the Miami 35, we get in for a FG to get it to 14-10. We again stuff the Dolphins offense, and get it back to start the fourth quarter.

With 12 minutes left, we again go for it on fourth and short, this time from the Miami 43. They stop Pena as he tries to run it up the middle, and we turn it over near midfield. A big play, possible the game breaker-though it's too early and close for anything to be resolved.

Miami pins us back with a punt, then gets great position after we punt. They drive for a TD, but we immediately strike when WR Frankie McMurtry returns the KO for a TD-it's now 21-18, after the 2-point conversion by Moe Link. We try an ill-advised onside kick, but Miami gets it-at our 40. They drive in for another TD, and it's 28-18 with 4:02 remaining. Looks bleak, and the Dolphins cash this one out, 28-18 as e are unable to get past their 40 yard line-the recurring story line.

Carolina and Baltimore are upset winners in the conference finals, and Carolina takes the superbowl victory.
DE Marcus VandenBelt and S Billy Joe Franklin are both named to the league second team all-pro squad.

Next year, I believe that my coach's contract is up-I'll be looking for someone who can keep our squad on the field, rather than practically in the morgue.

QuikSand · 11-08-2000, 03:37 PM

2009 preseason

We still have yet to face a single player retirement, which I find surprising. Regardless, I have 39 players signed, but only a paltry $9.9m in cap room available-and I have two first round picks this year! I shudder to consider the fiscal consequences…

I bring on a new coach-he's basically "average" - with a GOOD rating in about 2/3 of the spots. He should be fine, and his EXCELLENT with QBs ought to help the one I'm grooming.

In the expansion draft, I lose G Bryce Winters, DT Butch Rossburg, and T Mack Curtis. Our new expansion teams are (after a little work) the Cheyenne Cougars and the Bakersfield Dozens. (awful, I know)

I get trade offers for WR Jose Rodriguez (a 2nd rounder) and for G Brock Jernigan (the #9 pick in this draft). The offer for Jernigan is awfully tempting, but I just signed him and I think I need to retain some continuity-besides, without Jernigan, I'd just need to draft a guard anyway.

I have several players who are trying free agency. WR Mitch Huber is asking for big bucks, and he's just a complementary player. T Troy Grimley is leaving, as expected-he served me pretty well after coming over in trade. He was an apparent draft bust, but he rebounded pretty well (even though he still has a lot of apparent unmet potential as a 7th year guy). CB Randall Chapman is gone-he was my biggest draft bust to date. Fill-in RB Paul Pena will depart-no great loss there-as will my leading rusher Moe Link. One-year FB fill-in Rasmussen will be too expensive, so he'll go. C Vinny Bratcher would be nice to keep, but I have a young guy who is just as good-and C is a pretty easy position to fill, it seems. I doubt I'll shell out the big bucks- especially considering my cap issues already. DE Adam Collett will head off, looking for more money than I have to spend.

Of my younger players, LB Martin Pelletier is my most intriguing. He's on his way to becoming very, very good-but I just don't know how to try to afford keeping him around. All in all, it looks like a pretty painful 20 weeks ahead, watching my guys get signed away as I don't even have the cap room to sign my rookies.

I try to free up some more room- I re-up with T Rusty Lyon, saving about a million this year. WR Tyrone Hayes also extends for a year, which frees up a little room this year as well. This is pretty slow going, though. After my work, I end up with $15m in cap room-which should be at least close to enough to allow me to make some modest FA bids.

The FA market includes Aaron Valentino, a total genius running back who has a series of all-pro credentials as long as his forearm. In his six years in the league, he's topped 1,600 yards twice and has averaged about 1,400 per season on 4.5 yards per carry. I drool over what he could do for my team… but then wake up and realize that the $8-10m he'll command is simply not do-able for us.

It turns out that I have $7min room between my cap room and the expected cost of my draft. While this means that bidding for Valentino is out, it does suggest that I might be able to go after some other more moderately-priced players. I look through my team for need areas, and I come up with: RB (serious need), T (to replace Wiggins), and CB (while Donaldson develops). I have other places where I could stand to improve, but right now these are probably the main targets.

In strolling through the RB free agents, I come across a familiar name-Brady Dunham. He was my 7th round pick last season, and Buffalo traded my their top pick this year to get him. He got 10 carries for the Bills last year, for an impressive 73 yards, but was released and is available in the FA pool. Regrettably, he wants $3-4m to sign, or else the novelty factor alone would drive me to pick him up.

I really cannot find anyone at the key positions who I feel can improve this team in an affordable way. So, I shift my focus, and decide to think about how I could afford to go after RB Valentino. I could trade DT Ernie Pike, and save $4m in payroll, which would allow me to put in an offer that starts at around $11m. I seriously consider this.

I decide to do it-Washington give me a late second round pick for DT Pike, and this clears up some cap room for me to make a run at Valentino. Pike was very solid as he started out with us, but he has dropped back a bit since-plus, I have a good young DT in Arnie Berube from last year' draft who is certainly ready to contribute either as a #2 or #3 guy in the middle.

I put in an offer for Valentino-5 years, $54 million. It escalates from $9m this year upward. I think it's worth a shot-he looks to be a difference maker, and the costs to me of trying for him aren't too bad.

After week one, I think my offer may actually be higher than it needs to be. I drop down to 5 years, $47m - with only an $8m hit for this year (which would be helpful). The Giants are his old team, and their offer is under $8m a season. He's getting an offer of $32.8 for 4 years, and of $24.3 for 3 years-neither of which matches mine in dollars per season. I'm hopeful, but not certain. After week two, he's still thinking…

In week three, I notice my cap room number moves, but it's just the reserve C that I signed. RB Valentino is still pending. I go step by step through week nine, and still no decision. In week 10, he finally decides… and RB Aaron Valentino becomes the newest Cleveland Brown. He'll rake in the big bucks, and he may tie our hands a bit, but we're getting the real deal here.

I the draft, I can now focus on impact players from practically any position, rather than feeling compelled to search for a RB with my top selection. Of course, if I find a top-grade back, that would be fine-I'll take what the luck of the draw gives me. I've added DT to my list of positions to improve in this draft-and a top-grade run stopper there would be an ideal selection in this draft. In what looks like a pretty poor draft, I find a very good-looking DT who would fill the bill nicely. There is also an immaculate OT, but I watch him go with the #1 pick, and set aside those little dreams.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Malcolm Reynolds, DT, Wisconsin
Rnd 1 - Jim Stanton, S, Virginia Tech
Rnd 2 - Will Barrale, TE, Oregon
Rnd 2 - Ian Williford, T, Cornell
Rnd 3 - Rob Cutting, LB, Michigan
Rnd 4 - Dean Beyer, RB, UNLV
Rnd 4 - Terry Gaines, G, Louisville
Rnd 5 - Korey Linquist, WR, Wyoming
Rnd 6 - Daniel Howe, FB, Arkansas
Rnd 7 - Brenden Marlin, DT, Eastern Illinois

I get the outstanding run defender Malcolm Reylonds with pick #10, and am surprised that most of the players who I was thinking about there were still around at #28. I end up taking S Stanton there, despite the fact that I'm already very strong at that position-but he's just to good to pass up. (Plus he'll allow me to let my current starter go after this year) I feel very good about this draft-I filled a lot of much-needed holes simply by taking the apparent best player, which just worked out to fit my needs pretty often.

I have to make more cap room to sign all my roookies, and I do so by trading away T Wiggins. I wasn't too fond of him anyway, and I get a 3rd rounder for him, which is fine. His $4m gone, I have room to get everyone taken care of. With $170,000 to spare. Whew.

The trouble with this is that we remain a CB and a T short of a legal roster. $170,000 simply is not going to be enough cash to sign two more players-I'll need close to $1m more, even if it's just to sign two rookies. I finally decide that S Ron Porter is the guy who ought to go-so I trade him away to move from round three to round two in next year's draft. Porter had a brilliant season last year with 9 picks, but he'll be a free agent after this season and with the rookie ready to move in, that position had the most flexibility. I may regret this.

I get through camp… and everyone looks fine. I have seemingly escaped the wrath once more.

I have a very intriguing trade offer-The Jets are after QB Corwin Orta. They are offering a decent 2nd year wideout (with five contract years left) plus their first round pick next year for the top-tier QB. I decide that I can't part with Orta-particularly since there are o good QBs in the FA market who could really step in and get it done. We needed it last year, and we may again this year.

Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Jesse Morse 10 16 3 2011
QB Corwin Orta 16 16 7 2010
QB Brian Galando 3 10 2 2009
RB Aaron Valentino 16 16 7 2013
RB Dean Beyer 7 10 1 2010
RB Mel Church 7 10 2 2010
FB Nicky Banks 12 13 4 2010
FB Daniel Howe 3 9 1 2010
TE Bruce Barreto 15 17 2 2011
TE Will Barrale 9 9 1 2012
WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 9 2010
WR Tyrone Hayes 13 13 9 2011
WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 6 2009
WR Frankie McMurtry 8 11 3 2010
WR Rico Heath 7 11 2 2010
WR Korey Linquist 4 8 1 2011
C Byron Talley 9 13 3 2010
C Corwin Beyer 7 8 2 2015
G Terry Gaines 4 13 1 2011
G Brock Jernigan 12 12 5 2011
G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 4 2009
G Danny Willis 7 10 3 2011
T Rusty Lyon 14 14 7 2011
T Ian Williford 5 11 1 2011
T Preston Wiggins 10 11 8 2009
P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 7 2010
K Cedric Hutchins 13 14 5 2010
DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 9 2011
DE Tyrone Flowers 12 13 8 2010
DE Casey Peterson 7 11 3 2009
DT Malcolm Reynolds 5 17 1 2014
DT Trevor Conway 8 11 4 2010
DT Arnie Berube 5 11 2 2009
DT Brenden Marlin 2 8 1 2011
LB Buddy Cochrane 19 19 6 2010
LB Randal Ogden 15 15 7 2009
LB Marlon Sweeney 14 14 8 2009
LB Wes Dennis 5 12 2 2011
LB Rob Cutting 5 11 1 2012
LB Lonnie Fiore 9 9 3 2009
CB Carl Barnes 16 16 9 2011
CB Leo Donaldson 8 12 2 2011
CB Trevor Richard 5 9 3 2014
CB Robbie Grant 2 8 1 2009
S Billy Joe Franklin 17 19 3 2011
S Jim Stanton 7 16 1 2012
S Ted Levine 7 9 3 2014

I still am weak at CB, with Donaldson coming along pretty slowly. My secondary will probably be a bit suspect this season - but I do expect some big plays from them. Offensively, I figure that Valentino will make a massive difference, and that the running game ought to take off despite some shifting on the offensive line. I think our offense could be very, very good, and our defense passable if not better.

We're shooting for a bye week in the playoffs.

QuikSand · 11-09-2000, 09:02 AM

2009 season

After an opening win, we get upset by Cincinnati 33-16. Morse threw two picks (one returned for a TD) and the Bengals' QB (a free agent pickup for them) was brilliant against my secondary. I still think we're on track for a good season. though.

In week 5, we beat previously unbeaten Jacksonville 31-6, to pull even with them at 4-1. Aaron Valentino has 497 yards and 4 TDs through our first five games, with three scores (2 receiving) against the Jags in our first truly big game of the season.

After a loss to Philadelhia (at home), we then take three in a row to go to 10-2, before losing to Baltimore on the road. At that point, we're 10-3, with a two game lead on the Ravens for the division. Looking solid. Jacksonville never recovered from the hurting we put on them-they have fallen all the way to 6-7 on the year, after a 4-0 start. Incidentally, TB QB Phenom Rodney Harden had a serious injury, and they stink without him-they are 2-11 on the season.

I hold out Valentino from my last two games-he's slowed by injury, and I should be okay anyway. We win both comfortably, and end up 13-3 on the season-the AFC top seed, and the best record in football. Our Points ration is a solid 478-250-we rank #1 in PF, and tied for 5th in PA.

Stat leaders:

QB Jesse Morse: 4,428 yards, 59.9%, 8.24 ypa, 30/16, 92.6 - welcome to super stardom, Jesse
RB Aaron Valentino: 256-1,375, 15 TD (5.3 ypc) 29 rec-299, 3 TD - did it all, everything we could have asked
WR Jose Rodriguez: 68-1,088 yards, 6 TD (65.3%, 5 drops) - quite a year for my top wideout, 65% is great
WR Tyrone Hayes: 61-1,039 yards, 9 TD (57.0%, 9 drops) - my first double-thousand receiver pair
TE Bruce Barreto: 45-577, 5 TD (55.5%, 8 drops) - my everything TE steps that position up big time
LB Buddy Cochrane: 93 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int
DE Tyrone Flowers: 28 tackles, 14 sacks, 4 blocks, 5 hurries - top rusher alongside Marcus (who had 8.5 sacks)
S Billy Joe Franklin: 62 tackles, 1 sack, 9 int, 61.0 PDQ - unbelievable stats for all-world player

Overall stats (off/def/avg):
Rushing: 4.4/3.3/3.8
Passing: 8.1/6.7/6.5

The firs line says a lot to me-we run the ball, we stop the run, we win a lot of games. The fact that our passing game took a great leap forward was no coincidence either-it all just came together at the right time.

We have the week off to get healthy (yay!) and prepare for our first round playoff game. The toughest rivals out there look to be San Diego, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. We'll see what path we have to take-on paper, we look like the best team pretty easily.

QB Jesse Morse is listed as doubtful with a hip pointer, but our gam is two weeks away. Fortunately, Orta is ready if we need him. I have three cornerbacks injured, including CB Carl Barnes (also doubtful with a hip pointer-is something going on here?), so I expect that we'll have to outscore whoever we play-- I'm not sure we'll have the personnel to stop anyone from passing.

QuikSand · 11-09-2000, 09:54 AM

2009 playoffs

Our opener is against Anaheim, who looks like a decent enough team- not too explosive on offense, fortuntately.. I decide to give QB Morse the start, though he is listed as questionable with a sore hip.

Early in the game, Valentino comes out with a leg injury. I now have my two most effective weapons indisposed. Morse stays in, but he's not looking great. Fortunately, my backup RBs have played well, and I expect that they can do okay here as well. It's 10-3 as we approach halftime-we have the one TD and the lead.

The defense plays much better than we expected, and we hold the 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter. With 10:33 left, Anaheim finally gets their drive going, and they punch it in for a tying TD. It's 10-10, and we're in serious jeopardy of losing to a team we seriously outclass.

RB Beyer keys a drive to the ANA 34, but Morse throws an interception, and we fizzle out. We stuff them, and take the punt at our own 42-good field position. My FB Howe made a huge carry for 9 yards on 3rd and 7, to keep the drive alive at the ANA 46. The next two plays are by TE Barrale and WR McMurtry-it's like understudy night at the theatre-all the backups are getting the job done! We have first and 10 from the ANA 25. FB Howe gets another 12-yard carry down to the 13. Backup RB Church takes it to the three. And Church takes it in from the three-a fabulous TD drive to go ahead with only 2:17 remaining!

They get a first down on a penalty, and get to the 45. On third down from midfield, a reserve LB Wes Dennis gets in for a critical sack, forcing fourth down and 10. My 3rd safety Wes Levine successfully defended the 4th down pass, and we take over on downs. Incredible!

We cannot go anywhere, but punt with only 24 seconds left. ANA gets a 28-yard play on their first snap, getting to their own 48 for one final try. The QB makes a bad throw, after being hurried by a reserve DT Brenden Marlin. The game is over, and we capture a heart-stopping victory. The entire Browns bench gets the game ball-it seemed like every single clutch play was pulled off by a benchwarmer. Huge effort, guys!

We host the New York Jets in the next game. The Jets were 11-5 and seem to be a mostly defensive team. Their offensive line seems to be their main key when they have the ball, but they are missing their second best tackle. I again like our chances-especially when I see that RB Valentino is okay to play. QB Jesse Morse is again listed as questionable, but I decide to suit him up-I think the continuity is worth it. Orta can fill in if Morse gets hurt.

Early on, it doesn't look too good. We fizzle immediately, then the Jets march for a long FG. It's 3-0 after six minutes, and I don't like the looks of things. However, on our next drive, Valentino gets rolling, and we get up for our own FG attempt-we tie it up at 3-3.

At the end of the first quarter, the Jets miss a FG, and we take over. However Morse throws another interception, and the Jets managed to get a chip shot this time. Our defense holds, but it's 6-3 bad guys.

Later in the second quarter, Aaron Valentino breaks a run up the middle for 53 yards, and suddenly we're threatening from their 13. Morse finds Tyrone Hayes for the TD, and we advance to a 10-6 lead. Our defense holds next time, and then after another Morse pickoff, we hold again. At the half, it's 10-6 after some courageous play by our defense. It seems I sold them short-they have been downright brutal in this game.

In the late third quarter, the Jets penetrate again inside our 10. Our defense holds again, and the Jets come away with only three-it's 10-9 now. On the next drive, Morse hits Jefferies for a 31-yard strike to get us near FG range. The third quarter ends with our Browns in scoring territory, at the Jets 28. A dump off do second-string TE Barreto turns into a big play as he lumbers down to the 7 yard line. Morse then hits Rodriguez for the TD, and we move ahead by 17-9.

We hold the Jets on their next possession, and we get the ball with about 10 minutes left. Killing clock is the key now. Two incomplete passes and a false start are not the way to do it, but Morse saves us with a great 28-yard toss to Rodriguez, and we get a new set of downs. After two runs, Morse is picked off again, and the Jets' Kerouac "beats" his way down to our 37 yard line.

From the 28, the jets take a stab at the end zone, and my injured CB starter Barnes gets the critical interception. We have the ball with 6 minutes left, at our four. We now are able to get a couple of first downs, and run the clock down to 2 minutes and move all the way to the Jets 23-things look very good now, barring a total collapse. With just under 2 minutes left, Valentino takes the handoff and runs it all the way in-we extend our lead with an insurance TD, and are up 24-9. That's the way it ends.

Valentino manages 123 yards and the game-clinching score, and earns the game ball.

We head to the Superbowl, and will face the Minnesota Vikings. They were 12-4, 358/268 on the season, and look to be one of the more balanced teams around. Their QB threw only 16 TDs this season, but apparently didn't play all year. I expect a tough game-but again, I like our chances.

I give Morse the call again-gotta dance with the one that brung ya, or so they say.

Their first drive-looking good. Minnesota can't go anywhere, and they are three and out. Morse hits a couple of passes, Valentino hits one for 17, and then Morse scrambles for a 23-yard TD run - we're quickly up 7-0. Maybe this offense can show a little bit more of what it's got in this game.

The Vikes go three and out again, and we smell blood. We put up a FG this time, at it's 10-0. Less then 10 minutes of game time elapsed, and we're looking strong already.

The Vikes get a couple first downs at last, but still punt to our 15. As the first quarter ends, we're on th move again, down to their 23 yard line. The first play of the second quarter, Valentino runs it in from 23 yards out and we are ahead by 17-0. Browns fans are barking like crazy, it's getting ridiculous in here.

Things calm down as Minnesota shows some life on offense, and they finally score on a 17-yard TD pass with 4:53 left in the first half. The 17-7 score holds until the break. Our rapid early momentum has died down, and now we're simply sitting on a nice lead at the half, but we have work to do yet.

On the second half opening drive, we make our statement-we are not done yet. Valentino is key with a couple nice runs, and caps it off with a 9-yard scoring play. 24-7 Browns. The Vikes go three and out, we stick it right back at them, and Morse finds Hayes for a 4-yard TS pass… the rout may be on at 31-7.

The Vikes get a TD in the early fourth, and get it to 31-15, but we are able to successfully play keep-away from that point on. They don't muster another major scoring threat, and we win it 31-15.

Aaron Valentino, the big free agent gamble, lets his numbers do the talking. 32 carries, 216 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He caught three passes for another 30 yards. And he goes home with an MVP trophy, and superbowl rings for all his teammates. I think this team did the right thing in signing the star running back.

Morse didn't have to do much here-he was 14 of 24 for 169 yards, but most importantly no interceptions. We did not turn the ball over at all in the superbowl, and that makes a huge difference, of course.

We see more than our usual share of red letters in the season-ending awards board this time around. RB Aaron Valentino (who I had feared would suffer from my late-season health-related benching) managed to garner the NFL MVP award, despite not finishing in the top two RB slots for the all-pro team. S Jim Stanton was named DROY for his solid season (66 tackles, 3ints). And QB Jesse Morse was named second team quarterback-his first career honors- hopefully, the first of many. I'm surprised that my safety Billy Joe Franklin doesn't make the list, but his tackle numbers may not have been high enough (which I'd prefer, to be honest-I prefer to have opposing running backs tackled at the line rather than in the secondary).

We're ecstatic about our great victory, and we'll see what sort of team we can hold together for another run.

ShagVT · 11-09-2000, 11:42 AM

Right on! Well done, Quik. As always, a very entertaining read. Congrats!

11-03-2000, 10:22 AM	#5
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	A "condition" unique to FOF2K1: Leafitis (leef-eye-tus): n. The feeling of dread one gets right before they check to see if their number one pick is a post training camp bust or not. [This message has been edited by Subby (edited 11-03-2000).] __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com

11-02-2000, 03:07 PM	#2
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2001 preseason Following our horrid 2000 season (which will not be detailed here), we are empty and ready to build. I'd like to use my #1 pick to grab a true franchise player, but I'll also shop it around a little. This first FA period is off limits for me, so I start with the draft itself. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Marcus VandenBelt, DE, Oregon Rnd 2 - Jack Hankton, T, Colorado Rnd 3 - Rondell Upshaw, WR, Baylor Rnd 4 - Hunter Pettus, QB, Washington State Rnd 5 - Tom Money, RB, Air Force Rnd 6 - A.J. Whitfield, DT, Mississippi State Rnd 7 - Winston Shaw, FB, McNeese State I decide to keep it simple, and to not make trades or anything complicated-just stick with making my picks. The DE is fabulous- nearly perfect across the board. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of picks available through each round-at least in the eyes of my marginal scout. In the free agent market, I start to fill the team, but soon run out of player slots (since I'm still technically carrying all of last year's roster). So, I have to fill in after camp is over. I receive a trade offer of a 2nd round pick plus an NFL player (TE Mark Breuner) for my QB Hunter Pettus. I decide to pass on this offer, even though it's probably worth doing. I fill in my entire roster with undrafted free agents, all to one year deals. I eschew the old familiar 7yr minsal deals for two reasons-one, they are admittedly unrealistic, and two the new game makes it absolutely torturous to enter in salary offers. So, I'll likely have a lot of rotation, as these guys get playing time and demand real money. Among the undrafted - there seems to be a lot of talent at certain positions, like FB. Don't know if this is my lousy scout's fault, or a game change. Either way, I have three pretty good FBs now, with almost no investment. With the salcap hit I swallowed from all my player cuts last year, I only have a little over $3m in cap room. No matter- I'm not going after big free agents anyway. I head into the season with a 47-man roster that looks like this: Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Hunter Pettus 4 12 1 2003 QB Conrad Barnard 2 7 1 2001 QB Vinny Harris 2 7 1 2001 RB Tom Money 9 11 1 2003 RB Jessie Strickland 6 9 1 2001 RB Ernest Kerr 5 8 1 2001 FB Earnest Finley 7 9 1 2001 FB Doug Nutter 4 9 1 2001 FB Winston Shaw 5 8 1 2002 TE Daniel Johnson 5 11 1 2001 TE Dustin Ruark 5 10 1 2001 WR Rondell Upshaw 9 12 1 2003 WR Jesse Gillespie 7 10 1 2001 WR Curtis Hamilton 5 9 1 2001 WR Pat Burke 6 6 1 2001 WR Jerome Reeves 3 6 1 2001 WR Bennie Austin 3 4 1 2001 C Cory Hampton 5 11 1 2001 C Seth Kaplan 3 7 1 2001 C James Lane 3 7 1 2001 G Norman Carter 5 10 1 2001 G Omar Camp 3 8 1 2001 G Rusty Randall 2 6 1 2001 T Jack Hankton 8 15 1 2004 T Rob Camilleri 3 6 1 2001 T Josh Clancy 1 4 1 2001 P Antonio Richmond 9 10 1 2001 K Norm Becker 6 10 1 2001 DE Marcus VandenBelt 10 16 1 2005 DE Jimmie Franklin 3 9 1 2001 DE Ralph Kerr 3 8 1 2001 DT Marc Vines 4 11 1 2001 DT A.J. Whitfield 5 8 1 2002 DT Seth Fisher 2 5 1 2001 LB Matt Lynn 5 11 1 2001 LB Brett Erdrich 3 10 1 2001 LB Richard Anderson 4 10 1 2001 LB Reggie Claussen 3 9 1 2001 LB Jared Woods 3 9 1 2001 LB Bubba Curtis 3 8 1 2001 CB Kyle McKenzie 3 10 1 2001 CB Jim Greene 3 8 1 2001 CB Donnie Jackson 5 7 1 2001 CB Greg Hoffman 3 7 1 2001 S Ethan Watkins 4 10 1 2001 S Kirk Brown 3 7 1 2001 S Carlton Foley 4 5 1 2001 I'm more than a bit surprised to see my first pick DE rated at only 16 potential. I check out his ratings, and I am floored! He was a completely maxed-out guy when my scout said to draft him, but his potential ratings have now slipped to 78/71/75-not bad, but well off where he looked to be at draft time. Am I furious that my guy isn't as good as I thought? Nope. Elated. This likely means a couple things: (1) that the new game has more unpredictability in the draft, and (2) that players actually make changes, for better or worse, during training camps. This might actually mean that it would make sense to invite a few free agents to your team before camp, and see if they develop a bit-the kind of thing that was missing from the last game. Excellent. I have no expectations for this year, except that we'll show up and play.

11-03-2000, 09:49 AM	#4
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2001 season I get a massive tubthumping through the exhibition season, and I'm prepared for more where that came from. I'm starting to wonder if leaving the "GM firing" option on was wise. The regular season… well, it's just about as bad as I had feared. 0-16, again. 108 PF, 579 PA. Abysmal. I'm not going to detail all the stats here: QB Hunter Pettus had a 48 rating, my top RB rushed or under 500 yards, and the only thing my defense did was rack up tackles. My prize DE VandenBelt got hurt for half the year, but did manage to register 5.5 sacks in about a half season of play. Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 2.8/5.2/3.7 Passing: 4.8/8.6/6.6 Ugh. 2002 preseason A lousy LB of mine, Reggie Claussen, was forced into heavy duty due to injury-his 107 tackles was sufficient to earn him DROY last season. He now becomes a free agent-tough call, re-sign based on performance, or release based on ratings? And it's at this point when I realize that I've made a terrible mistake. I only have 7 players signed to deals as this season starts-and this is an expansion season (2002). So, I find myself forced to expose 5 out of my 7 players to the expansion draft-I end up protecting my best DE and OT, and leaving everyone else (including my starting QB) exposed. Poor planning on my part. Fortunately, the only player they took was my 3rd round pick at WR, Rondell Upshaw. He was a nice player, but probably pretty replaceable. I look through the second year free agents, and there are quite a few-and they all seem to have one thing in common. They want a ton of money. Even the guys on my roster-they are all seeking big money, a million or two or three. It looks like this roster is going to have to be built one step at a time-not in big chunks like I had hoped. At least now I am free of the salcap hit from the 2000 cuts-so I have money to spend if need be. I grab a few free agents-some I have to pay nearly $1m, but most will sign for long term deals. I also revisit some of my own players, and bring may of them back for another tour. I decide to reward my top LB from last year with a 3 year deal worth $1.2m per year-even though he really isn't any good, or at least he doesn't appear to be by his current ratings. All my other LB are asking for that kind of money as well-and I pass. At the end of free agency, I have 21 players signed, costing me a total of $16m. I have tons of cap room, and now I'm ready to start building this team in earnest. Looking at the draft, I've decided that I'll play this as though I knew nothing about FOF2. The top guy is an incredible-looking LB, and he really stands out. I decide to take him with my #1 pick, and set aside the fact that in FOF2 spending an early pick on LB was silly, as there would always be very good LBs falling through the draft. This guy will help anchor my team for years to come, hopefully. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Marlon Sweeney, LB, Arkansas Rnd 2 - Zach Garcia, WR, Florida Rnd 3 - Ernie Pike, DT, Arizona Rnd 4 - Korey Gaylor, S, Notre Dame Rnd 5 - Jimmie Flynn, S, Oregon Rnd 6 - Levon Shabowski, DT, Oregon State Rnd 7 - Xavier Jordan, G, North Carolina State I tried very hard to pick players in every round who were likely to be the biggest help to my building team. I was very pleased to see that my top choices were not dominated by CBs and LBs as in the previous version of the game. I am hopeful that the safety tandem that I got in the middle rounds will suffice for a while-both guys were fairly solid, with key ratings projected into the 30-50 range. I'm anxiously looking forward to training camp, where I guess I'll learn more about my new acquisitions. After camp, I get some more trade offers. I'm again offered a 2nd round pick for my QB Pettus-this time with a nice 2nd year TE thrown in. I am very tempted. After a modest amount of agony, I decide to take the deal-and I send Pettus to Philadelphia for the draft pick. TE Howie Brock is also quite solid-he may be a main target for my new starting QB Freddie Cash, a 5th round pick who was released after the draft, but signed a three-year deal with us. After we scour the post-camp waiver wire for about 15 fill-in players, we end up with a full complement of 53-slightly better than the offering last season, but still a ways away from being competitive. Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Freddie Cash 4 10 1 2004 QB Broderick Cooper 2 9 1 2002 QB Les Vance 2 9 1 2002 RB Tom Money 8 10 2 2003 RB Monty Babb 8 10 1 2002 RB Shaun Patterson 5 6 1 2002 FB Earnest Finley 9 11 2 2004 FB Winston Shaw 7 9 2 2002 FB Doug Nutter 6 8 2 2004 TE Howie Brock 10 12 2 2002 TE Tom Murphy 5 10 1 2002 TE Edwin Pogue 4 9 1 2002 WR Patrick Muirbrook 3 12 1 2002 WR Dusty Dunn 4 10 1 2002 WR Donnell Covington 4 10 1 2002 WR Tommie Chuang 5 8 1 2002 WR Zach Garcia 8 8 1 2005 C Cory Hampton 6 9 2 2003 C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 2 2008 C James Lane 4 6 2 2004 G Xavier Jordan 4 7 1 2003 G Norman Carter 5 7 2 2003 G Fernando Jarvis 5 6 2 2008 G Rusty Randall 4 5 2 2003 T Jack Hankton 12 15 2 2004 T Cornelius Weinmeister 5 7 2 2008 T Alex Giedt 3 6 1 2002 T Stan Giles 2 6 1 2002 P Antonio Richmond 10 10 2 2003 K Norm Becker 7 10 2 2003 DE Marcus VandenBelt 12 14 2 2005 DE Phil Breedlove 2 8 1 2002 DE Ty Holliday 1 7 1 2002 DT Ernie Pike 8 14 1 2005 DT Levon Shabowski 3 10 1 2004 DT A.J. Whitfield 6 9 2 2002 DT Edwin McCaslin 5 9 2 2008 LB Marlon Sweeney 11 18 1 2007 LB Bernard Snyder 2 12 1 2002 LB Irv Seymore 3 10 1 2002 LB J.R. Foster 4 9 1 2002 LB Cedric Newhart 3 9 1 2002 LB Chris Peel 2 9 1 2002 LB Reggie Claussen 4 7 2 2004 LB Benjamin Callis 3 6 2 2002 CB Jim Greene 4 9 2 2002 CB Cedric Randle 4 7 2 2002 CB Walter Harrison 3 6 1 2002 CB Bennie Richards 3 5 1 2002 S Jimmie Flynn 2 10 1 2004 S Ethan Watkins 4 6 2 2003 S Carlton Foley 4 6 2 2003 S Korey Gaylor 1 4 1 2004 I'm a bit disappointed that the scout rating of WR Garcia is so low-his red/green bars look pretty solid, but the 8/8 rating doesn't inspire me. However, my scout does really like my #1 (LB) and #3 (DT) pick, suggesting that my front seven on defense may be the first area where we actually start to look decent. This year-the goal is pretty obvious: win a damned game. I have no grand illusions, I just want to get somewhere toward respectability, and the first step is to go out and beat someone. Anyone.

11-03-2000, 10:33 AM	#6
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2002 season Browns win! Browns win! Browns win! Okay, so it was week 16. But my group of misfits finally got in the W column. Our stud LB was lost for most of the season with an injury, and my starting RB was hurt early in the game, but we managed to grind out a solid 31-16 victory over the playoff-bound Steelers. Our mighty Browns advance to 1-15 on the season. Woo hoo! QB Freddie Cash and TE Howie brock hooked up for two TDs-meaning that my trading away my old QB probably got us this win. Anyway, I'll go ahead and lay out the numbers on another lousy season: Stat leaders: QB Freddie Cash: 2,516 yds, 50.4%, 5.42 ypa, 13/30, 49.1 - not our long-term answer, it seems RB Tom Money: 182-642, 3 TD - slowed by some injuries WR Zach Garcia: 47-691, 4 TD - only a 41.5 CPct and 12 drops, not too good there PR Walter Harrison: 30-368, 1 TD (12.2 avg) S Ethan Watkins: 84 tackles, 2 int, 1 TD DE Marcus VandenBelt: 50 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 blocks, 10 hurries DT Ernie Pike: 55 tackles, 9 sacks,2 blocks, 4 hurries S Jimmie Flynn:63 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 3.1/4.6/3.6 Passing: 5.3/8.4/6.8 Well, what did you expect from a 1-15 team? My safety Jimmie Flynn was named DROY on his solid performance tackling guys who thundered through my defensive front. He's the only mention I get in the post-season puffery. Philadelphia, a 9-7 wild card team, gets on a big time roll behind Gus Frerotte (!?!?) and they ride it all the way to the league championship. Their backup QB, Hunter Pettus (acquired in trade from me), filled in ably for Frerotte in the NFC title game, tossing the game-clinching TD pass. We hold an extra 2nd round pick (albeit the last pick in the round) next year, and we'll be hoping that we can start filling in the pieces-we have serious needs at QB, CB, and assorted other places. I hope I don't start getting the grumbling messages from the ownership.

11-03-2000, 10:35 AM	#7
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Subby - you're right, and I like it. I had a total bust with my 4th round safety, whose ratings dropped to single digits. However, my other guys all seemed to work out. It's a great improvement over the "sure thing" system in FOF2.

11-03-2000, 12:58 PM	#8
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2003 preseason Still no messages from the ownership. I'm glad that I'm receiving a little slack here… I bring in a new scout, an old guy who might give another look at some of our players. My former scout was weak with LB and DB, so I'm hoping that my stud LB from last year's draft doesn't turn out, on closer inspection, to be a bum. Fortunately, while he has moderated his enthusiasms a bit, he still projects LB Marlon Sweeney to hit the 80s and 90s in every category-he should be very, very good. The FA market really doesn't hold a lot for me this year. I pick up a couple of OL, and later grab a safety, but overall - low marks. There seem to be a bit fewer "high quality" players who get dropped-I'm finding lots of mundane, and rather few good ones-and they almost all want to be paid. In the draft, I once again have the top pick. I see a great-looking T, a pair of stud RBs, and a lot of solid players-but no great QB. I decide to try to trade down a slot or two, to see what I can extract. I quickly find that the CPU teams aren't biting-I can't even get a 4th rounder to drop from #1 to #4. So, I'll do my best-I decide to take the great-looking offensive tackle. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Rusty Lyon, T, Augustana Rnd 2 - Jimmie Brinkman, WR, Salisbury State Rnd 2 - Randal Ogden, LB, Syracuse Rnd 3 - Louie Drake, CB, Cal. - Northridge Rnd 4 - Mitchell Titus, G, Arizona State Rnd 5 - Roger Seals, RB, Assumption Rnd 6 - Jessie Snyder, QB, Penn State Rnd 7 - Rich Henson, WR, Ohio As the draft progresses, I am genuinely enthused about each of my draft picks. I'm getting quality guys everywhere, and I'm genuinely excited to see the RB who I was looking at in rounds 2/3 fall all the way to my pick in round 5. My top-of round-two pick LB Ogden is a rare specimen-my scout says he has already come close to reaching his pretty solid potentials-he's got about the best current ratings I've seen in a rookie (44/55,70/92,69/93,61/83,84). I hope he looks this good after we run him through camp. Training camp is now one of the more suspenseful parts of this game. My top pick suffers a dropoff, with his key potential ratings of 95-99 dropping to the 70s, but he still should be a very good LT. Everyone else seems to hold firm-my 7th rounder WR looks like he may have been a real find, with potentials around 50. I do a few fill-ins with the roster. I then check my trade offer in-box: I have 3 offers. I get an offer from NO for my rookie CB drafted in round 3-a 2nd rounder next year plus their OT they took at #9 this season (who has busted significantly). Though I'm not too keen on the OT in the deal, he is signed for 6 years and I would be bonus free on him. I decide to take the deal-it kills me at CB, but I don't think we're going to win a lot of games right away regardless. I also get offers for my starting FB (6th rounder - pass) and my DE VandenBelt (1st rounder plus a player - pass). I look around at the young CBs in the league-and I'm pleased to see that several of them were drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. There are certainly not a lot of great ones out there-the guy I just traded away was ranked 5th overall by my scout (of everyone 3rd year or younger), so I think I understand what I'm up against now. I trade away a (newly) surplus OT to get an additional 7th round pick from the 49ers. I can't remember ever being interested in acquiring 7th round picks in FOF. Good stuff. Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Jessie Snyder 6 15 1 2004 QB Freddie Cash 7 10 2 2004 QB Wendell McConnell 3 7 1 2003 RB Roger Seals 8 12 1 2004 RB Tom Money 8 9 3 2003 RB Tyrone Nance 6 9 1 2003 FB Earnest Finley 10 10 3 2004 FB Doug Nutter 6 8 3 2004 TE Howie Brock 10 13 3 2003 TE Lenny Terry 3 10 1 2003 WR Zach Garcia 12 12 2 2005 WR Jimmie Brinkman 6 12 1 2006 WR Rich Henson 5 11 1 2004 WR Xavier Evans 7 10 1 2003 WR Oliver Riordan 7 8 1 2003 WR R.J. Freund 4 6 1 2003 C Joe Upshaw 7 9 2 2009 C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 3 2008 C Cory Hampton 7 7 3 2003 G Mitchell Titus 8 14 1 2005 G Fernando Jarvis 8 10 3 2008 G Xavier Jordan 5 7 2 2003 G Norman Carter 6 7 3 2003 T Rusty Lyon 9 15 1 2007 T Jack Hankton 13 14 3 2004 T Troy Grimley 5 11 1 2008 T Lonnie Elliott 4 7 2 2009 P Antonio Richmond 9 9 3 2003 K Norm Becker 9 9 3 2003 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 3 2005 DE Phil Breedlove 7 9 2 2005 DE Dustin Meier 4 7 1 2003 DT Ernie Pike 11 15 2 2005 DT Levon Shabowski 7 10 2 2004 DT Edwin McCaslin 7 8 3 2008 LB Marlon Sweeney 9 17 2 2007 LB Randal Ogden 13 15 1 2006 LB Bryan Tallent 2 10 1 2003 LB Ryan Foreman 3 8 2 2009 LB Tracy Browning 3 7 1 2003 LB Reggie Claussen 4 7 3 2004 CB Brad Kitchen 5 9 1 2003 CB Phillip Scrafford 4 8 1 2003 CB Sedrick Maestas 4 8 2 2003 CB Bennie Richards 3 6 2 2003 S Jimmie Flynn 5 8 2 2004 S Ethan Watkins 4 8 3 2003 S Bryce Ratcliff 5 8 2 2009 S Carlton Foley 3 5 3 2003 The "15" in future potential for QB Snyder must be a reflection of my scouts;' overall poor ability at that position-his red/green bars don't suggest he'll be anything more than a decent backup. However, Cash does advance to beat him out in camp-a good thing to see in general. My two LBs aren't looking as dominating as they looked at one point, but I think they will both be solid players. This year, we'll try to make more progress-I think we should be thinking about 3 or 4 wins as a reasonable target, but I honestly don't know what to even suggest. I just hope nobody gets hurt. For what it's worth, here are some more supporting background items on this team: Cohesion ratings are 71-74-68-62, which places us second last everywhere except OL, where we are fourth from last. On the franchise value screen, my roster rating is 7, which is better only than the 2 for Dallas. My franchise value is sixth from the bottom.

11-03-2000, 01:52 PM	#9
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2003 season It's alive! It's alive! My Browns have arisen from their tomb, and have joined the living. We start out well, managing to "stay in" all of our first four games and go 2-2 in the process. We then manage to float right around .500 for most of the season, and we end up 7-9 on the year. A great improvement-we're definitely closing ground on the pack. Hell, at 7-9 we ARE the pack. The stats may tell how things got turned around… Stat leaders: QB Freddie Cash: 3,538 yds, 58.8%, 6.65 ypa, 18/21, 73.6 - still not "the answer" but great step up RB Tom Money: 199-683, 7 TD (3.4 ypc) - also not the long term solution, but did okay as we improved WR Zach Garcia: 102-1,359yds, 4 TD (60.3 CPct, 5 dr) - a breakout year in a still-developing offense - wow! C Cory Hampton: 26/63 KRBs (41.2%), 5 SA - great year from my least heralded starter LB Randal Ogden: 82 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int DL VandenBelt, Pike, and Breedlove: 10.5 sacks each S Bryce Ratcliff, Jimmie Flynn: 4 ints each Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 3.1/3.7/3.6 Passing: 6.6/7.2/6.5 We made progress in every area - our passing game came alive, and our offense held the ball enough longer that our defense didn't collapse. Our 7-9 season saw us post a points ratio of 278/342-not too bad. Another year of development and the promise of some serious spending down the road give us some hope for the future-heaven knows, Cleveland needs it. As I had suspected, my only rep on the awards team is again at DROY-LB Randal Ogden was just as promised-ready to go, right off the shelf.

11-03-2000, 02:07 PM	#10
Marmel Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manchester, CT	Q- Great career thread! Can't wait for the next update. I am becoming a Browns fan from just reading this. You have really made great progress in this 3rd (or 4th if you count 2000) year. I hope you can build on that success! Good luck. __________________ 81-78 Cincinnati basketball writer P. Daugherty, "Connor Barwin playing several minutes against Syracuse is like kids with slingshots taking down Caesar's legions."

11-03-2000, 03:49 PM	#11
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2004 preseason My team enters the 2004 season with 28 players signed-a much better core than in previous seasons. The salary cap remains a distant issue-it will play no role this season. In free agency, I pursue two LBs and a CB immediately-seeing more quality in this year's crop than ever before. I get 7 year deals, but only at prices that I find to be much higher than in FOF2-each guy gets between $1.5 and $2m a year-around 3 times the minimum salary deal that they would have taken in FOF2 (plus they demand at least some bonus money here). It's not airtight, but it's better. In week 9, they're all on board with me. Later, I grab a decent safety and TE, both to long term similar deals, around $1m/yr each. I finally pick up an additional CB and a DT in the final phases. Among my own roster's restricted FAs, I find few who are affordable. I re-sign my starting TE for more than he's worth, but I refuse to shell out $3m+ for any of the receivers who I picked up off the dump heap last year and who filled the #3-6 slots on my depth chart last year-there will always be more just like them. This year, I have the 15th pick in the draft, which will pose much more drama than my previous annual installments of "who goes #1?" I'm hoping for help at CB and QB in this draft, but will take impact players almost anywhere, of course. Looking the draft over, I see no star QB, and actually very few top-tier prospects at all. However, when my pick comes around, almost none of the players atop my list have been taken-I have my choice of a great-looking CB, a great safety, and an almost perfect center. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Randall Chapman, CB, Wyoming Rnd 2 - Cornell Emmons, S, Vanderbilt Rnd 2 - Larry Compton, S, West Virginia Rnd 3 - Spencer Tait, CB, San Diego State Rnd 4 - Bobby Ackerman, WR, Notre Dame Rnd 5 - Daryl Jeffries, FB, Tuskegee Rnd 6 - Bo Russell, WR, Washington State Rnd 7 - Antoine Marlow, TE, Missouri Rnd 7 - Heath Shields, DT, Oregon State I end up building what might be my secondary of the future (but certainly the secondary of the present) in the first three rounds-I got the 2nd and 3rd best safeties in the draft with my two second rounders. Even the 3rd round CB is far better than anyone I currently have on the roster, hands down. I pick up a few fill-ins, and get to the eagerly-anticipated training camp. And I got the big boom. CB Randall Chapman, my #1 pick, is going to be a contributor-but his skills will apparently strictly be as a return man. His apparent 80+ defensive abilities have dropped to the 20-50 range. He'll still play (and with that much bonus money how couldn't he?) but he won't be the anchor I was hoping for. Everyone else looks to be about on target. San Francisco offers a second rounder for my backup QB Jessie Snyder, and I'm all over that-Snyder was in the last year of his rookie contract, and I wasn't about to re-sign him for $5m plus. He's gone. KC offers me a 6th rounder for an old FB, and I take that, too. Following training camp, I pick up a couple of 4th year vets who were camp casualties-a S and a LB. The LB in particular will be valuable-he'll step right in along with my two young guns to give me three solid starters there. My defense, with the rookie additions, is really taking shape now. Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Freddie Cash 8 10 3 2004 QB Winston Crutcher 4 10 1 2005 QB Roderick Connell 3 6 1 2004 RB Roger Seals 10 12 2 2004 RB Kelly Bloom 4 9 1 2004 RB Lorenzo Marion 6 8 1 2004 FB Daryl Jeffries 6 10 1 2005 FB Doug Nutter 6 7 4 2004 TE Howie Brock 11 13 4 2006 TE Antoine Marlow 6 13 1 2005 TE Emmitt Stewart 7 8 2 2010 WR Jimmie Brinkman 9 12 2 2006 WR Zach Garcia 11 11 3 2005 WR Bobby Ackerman 7 10 1 2006 WR Rich Henson 7 9 2 2004 WR Bo Russell 6 7 1 2005 C Quinn Burr 9 11 4 2004 C Joe Upshaw 7 10 3 2009 C Trevor Hodgins 6 8 4 2008 G Mitchell Titus 12 14 2 2005 G Fernando Jarvis 9 10 4 2008 G Xavier Jordan 5 8 3 2006 T Rusty Lyon 13 15 2 2007 T Jack Hankton 13 14 4 2004 T Troy Grimley 9 12 2 2008 T Lonnie Elliott 5 7 3 2009 P Ronnie Castillo 15 16 2 2010 K Norm Becker 8 9 4 2004 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 4 2005 DE Alvin Hartman 2 12 1 2004 DE Leslie Cockrell 5 11 1 2004 DE Phil Breedlove 7 7 3 2005 DT Ernie Pike 14 14 3 2005 DT Heath Shields 3 12 1 2005 DT Levon Shabowski 9 10 3 2004 DT Butch Rossburg 4 8 2 2010 DT Edwin McCaslin 8 8 4 2008 LB Marlon Sweeney 11 17 3 2007 LB Randal Ogden 11 15 2 2006 LB Marshall Rosalez 11 13 4 2004 LB Cole Soward 4 10 2 2010 LB Derek Lake 6 9 2 2010 LB Ryan Foreman 4 8 3 2009 LB Reggie Claussen 5 6 4 2004 CB Spencer Tait 8 12 1 2007 CB Tyrone McKinney 7 11 2 2010 CB Randall Chapman 4 11 1 2008 CB Clyde Sims 5 9 2 2005 S Cornell Emmons 12 13 1 2007 S Larry Compton 9 13 1 2007 S Marty O'Dwyer 7 11 4 2004 S Jimmie Flynn 6 7 3 2004 My new scout sees that he handed me a bust in CB Chapman-his return skills are the only thing keeping him from being a 5 on the rating scale. This year I hand the running game over to RB Seals, and hope that he can improve things a bit. We're hoping for another solid season-maybe to become a legit .500 club, with minimal or even point differential. If we can sneak up to 9-7, all the better.

11-04-2000, 06:33 PM	#13
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2004 season We fail to move forward this year--- in fact, we slide back to a 4-12 record. We had a slew of injuries, but I’m not sure that’s exactly where the blame belongs. Regardless, it wasn’t the season we had hoped for. Stat leaders: QB Freddie Cash: 1,632 yds, 55.2%, 5.33 ypa, 5/10, 62.1 – injued throughout season, took about 2/3 snaps RB Roger Seals: 236-941, 3 TD (3.9) – okay, but dipped along with overall offensive slowdown WR Jimmie Brinkman: 69-796, 3 TD (54.7%, 6 DP) – best year yet for young wideout WR Zach Garcia: 68-701, 3 TD (50.3%, 15 DP) – developed case of dropsies – watch closely LB Randal Ogden: 110 tackles, 3 sacks, 17.6% TPct DL Breedlove, Pike, VandenBelt: 5.5, 5.5, 5.0 sacks respectively – very disappointing, certainly S Larry Compton: 62 tackles, 7 ints Obverall stats (off/def/avg) Rushing: 3.5/3.2/3.6 Passing: 5.2/6.3/6.6 Obviously the pass rush didn’t get there as effectively as last season—hampered by nagging injuries to several guys. S Compton may extend my streak of DROY winners with his strong effort. But the clear issue with this team was our inability to throw the ball. Cash had elbow problems keep him probable most of the season, and when he didn’t play, we put in an untested rookie who was very poor. Overall, I’m not that discouraged—there were a number of strong suits. G Mitchell Titus gets second team honors, based on his 36 KRBs. My safety loses out on DROY balloting to Pittsburgh’s rookie LB who has 113 tackles.

11-04-2000, 08:44 PM	#14
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2005 preseason Again, we are intact- no retirements to worry about. I have 35 players signed, and $45m in rook under the $101m cap—I should close up some of that space this year, trying to re-sign my own players heading for free agency. I decide to sit tight with my coach and scout, and we move into the free agency period. I make T Jack Hankton my first franchise player, as he’s a 5th year guy who would be eligible for UFA this season—and he must be retained. QB Freddie cash is a 4th year RFA this year, but keeping him will be very expensive, and I figure unlikely—I’m not at all convinced that he is the future of the franchise. Perhaps my #1 overall pick will be, if there is a top-grade QB available. In free agency, I finally get a chance to go after the real players—5th year and up. The available pool isn’t particularly deep, but it contains one of my top needs—a great CB. I put in an offer of $24.5m over 4yrs, as this is probably my second biggest need area. I have a lot of cap room for now, and hope to put this position to bed for a while. In week 1, I have bids in to retain my FB (for minsal) and to grab the star CB for over $6m. I have to up my bid to the CB to $31m to keep ahead of the pack. He takes the deal after week two, and I have my first big time free agent acquisition—CB Carl Barnes should be a shut-down corner I can match up against my opponent’s top WR. I put in an offer for a journeyman QB with decent ratings but no upside—he gets $1.6m per year for 3 years. I feel like my team may be ready for a “franchise” QB (hopefully in this draft), but Earl Prior should make either stopgap starter or a solid backup. He’s done fairly well in limited duty elsewhere. I get T Hankton re-signed, and then work on my young FAs. After some absolutely tedious negotiations, I finally re-sign RB Seals, for 3yrs, $17.65m. I’m not sure it was worth it, but having him on hand means I don’t need to concern myself with that position, and it also gave me the experience of a complete “negotiation” over a contract extension. The FOF 2001 interface is much more specific (then in FOF2) about the player’s wishes, telling me alternately that he specifically wanted more bonus, more late money, etc. I then get to QB Freddie Cash, who is seeking a deal worth about $8-9m a year—despite his 36/61 TD/Int ratio. I decide that I simply cannot make that commitment to him—he simply is not that good. I’ll commit to a young QB in this draft, even if it isn’t the savior that I hope to see in the draft. If, after the draft, I’m still empty at QB and have the funds, I may revisit talks with Cash. I renegotiate to extend the contracts of DE Marcus VandenBelt (costly) and FB Daryl Jefferies. Surprisingly, I receive a trade offer—a 6th round pick—for QB Earl Prior, my newly signed insurance policy. Too tough to pass up – I accept it. Just a 6th rounder, but I could use a cheap hand for a couple years. In the draft, I do not get the stud QB that I really wanted. I trade down with the Colts—getting their second pick for the drop down from #1 to #17 (a far cry from the price I could have extracted in FOF2). The draft is very top-heavy with cornerbacks (for the first time I have noticed), and that isn’t really a need area any longer for us—I’m hoping several go before I come up. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Adam Collett, DE, Iowa Rnd 2 - Morris Lynch, QB, Eastern Michigan Rnd 2 - Bert Gordon, WR, Pittsburgh Rnd 2 - Vinny Bratcher, C, Clemson Rnd 3 - Brock Jernigan, G, Virginia Tech Rnd 4 - Kenneth Cox, RB, Virginia Tech Rnd 5 - Deon Beyer, LB, Winston Salem Rnd 6 - Mitchell Clements, WR, Richmond Rnd 6 - Cedric Hutchins, K, Weber State Rnd 6 - Rickey Kendall, LB, Duke Rnd 7 - Deon Sheldon, WR, Air Force My deepest draft yet. I get a very solid-looking DE in the middle of the first round, and I hope that an outstanding C will fall to me in round two—he doesn’t but I end up with the second-best C available later on. I take a QB at the top of round two—I’m having trouble judging young QBs in the new game version, but he looks like he’ll be passable and very mobile, which should make him useful. I think he has better skills than Freddie Cash, or at least he projects to. The Jets surprise me with a trade offer—their first rounder next year for CB Carl Barnes, my prize free agent. Had I known something like this might be available, I might have made a backup plan. As it is, I’m fairly convinced that Barnes is an essential piece of our puzzle, and so I decide to decline the tempting (though probably unrealistic) offer. Training camp reveals no busts among my rookies- actually no surprises that I see right away. After training camp, I get more trade offers. The price offered for CB Barnes has dropped to a second rounder, but I’d only be interested if there were a quality CB in the FA pool (who could fill in for a year at least)—and there is not. What I do find in the FA pool, however, is QB Freddie Cash. I resume talks, and we eventually settle on a 3-yr deal—I lose the cohesion by the move, but his ticket is a great deal less than he had been seeking—I get him for 3yrs, $5.5m total. I also pick up another pair of quality contributors from the post-camp casualty pile. I get solid RB Randal Huffman and excellent G Jerome Scott for three years each, at under $3m per year. The addition of G Scott allows me to accept a trade offer (2nd rounder again) for G Mitchell Titus, who was likely to leave after this year anyway. The two guards are very comparable in apparent ratings. I also pick up another one-year fill-in at LB, Morris Jeans. He ought to step in and start as my #3 man, right in the slot ably filled by last year’s rent-a-backer Marshall Rosalez—now making big bucks with the Colts. I suspect that Jeans will end up in a similar circumstance—he’ll build up nice stats with us this year, then cash in via free agency next season. To get down to 53 players, I send G Fernando Jarvis to Cinti for a 5th round pick. As my roster gets closer to full, I’ll likely find less and less use for these later picks, but for now at least, I find them very helpful—getting a decent young player (with hope to improve after a training camp or two) for a minimum salary. On my trade screen, the game lists my team’s top needs as: starting QB, starting S, and starting OG. I feel like I may have addressed two of those needs in this year’s draft, and I’m hoping that my two young safeties grow into their roles (they still have a lot of unrealized potential in their supposed ratings). Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Morris Lynch 4 11 1 2007 QB Freddie Cash 9 10 4 2007 QB Winston Crutcher 7 9 2 2005 RB Randall Huffman 12 12 4 2007 RB Roger Seals 10 12 3 2007 RB Kenneth Cox 7 8 1 2006 FB Daryl Jeffries 8 10 2 2007 FB Doug Nutter 6 7 5 2006 TE Howie Brock 11 13 5 2006 TE Antoine Marlow 8 11 2 2005 TE Emmitt Stewart 7 7 3 2010 WR Zach Garcia 12 12 4 2005 WR Bert Gordon 7 11 1 2007 WR Jimmie Brinkman 9 10 3 2006 WR Mitchell Clements 5 10 1 2007 WR Bobby Ackerman 7 9 2 2006 WR Bo Russell 6 7 2 2005 WR Deon Sheldon 5 7 1 2006 C Vinny Bratcher 6 12 1 2008 C Joe Upshaw 7 9 4 2009 C Trevor Hodgins 6 9 5 2008 G Jerome Scott 15 15 4 2007 G Brock Jernigan 6 15 1 2007 G Xavier Jordan 5 7 4 2006 T Rusty Lyon 14 15 3 2007 T Jack Hankton 13 14 5 2007 T Troy Grimley 9 12 3 2008 T Lonnie Elliott 4 6 4 2009 P Ronnie Castillo 16 16 3 2010 K Cedric Hutchins 6 14 1 2007 DE Adam Collett 10 15 1 2008 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 5 2006 DE Phil Breedlove 7 10 4 2005 DT Ernie Pike 13 14 4 2005 DT Heath Shields 8 11 2 2005 DT Edwin McCaslin 6 9 5 2008 DT Butch Rossburg 5 8 3 2010 LB Marlon Sweeney 16 17 4 2007 LB Randal Ogden 13 15 3 2006 LB Rickey Kendall 5 12 1 2007 LB Cole Soward 6 11 3 2010 LB Morris Jeans 10 10 4 2005 LB Derek Lake 6 8 3 2010 LB Ryan Foreman 5 7 4 2009 LB Deon Beyer 5 7 1 2007 CB Carl Barnes 16 17 5 2008 CB Spencer Tait 8 12 2 2007 CB Tyrone McKinney 9 10 3 2010 CB Randall Chapman 6 9 2 2008 CB Clyde Sims 4 7 3 2005 S Cornell Emmons 10 14 2 2007 S Larry Compton 9 13 2 2007 S Jimmie Flynn 7 9 4 2007 Here is the roster with the “contract” view – seeing how I’m spending my money: Roster for the Cleveland Browns Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost Cash, Freddie 13 QB 2005 2007 4 ----- $1,850,000 Lynch, Morris 12 QB 2005 2007 R ----- $1,300,000 Crutcher, Winston 9 QB 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000 Seals, Roger 21 RB 2003 2007 3 ----- $5,100,000 Huffman, Randall 44 RB 2005 2007 4 ----- $2,300,000 Cox, Kenneth 34 RB 2005 2006 R ----- $360,000 Nutter, Doug 28 FB 2001 2006 5 ----- $750,000 Jeffries, Daryl 41 FB 2004 2007 2 ----- $470,000 Brock, Howie 81 TE 2002 2006 5 ----- $2,700,000 Stewart, Emmitt + 84 TE 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,100,000 Marlow, Antoine 82 TE 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000 Garcia, Zach 83 WR 2002 2005 4 ----- $1,320,000 Gordon, Bert 87 WR 2005 2007 R ----- $1,290,000 Brinkman, Jimmie 88 WR 2003 2006 3 ----- $1,230,000 Ackerman, Bobby 85 WR 2004 2006 2 ----- $470,000 Russell, Bo 86 WR 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000 Sheldon, Deon 17 WR 2005 2006 R ----- $360,000 Clements, Mitchell 80 WR 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000 Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 R ----- $1,140,000 Hodgins, Trevor 59 C 2002 2008 5 ----- $750,000 Upshaw, Joe 56 C 2003 2009 4 ----- $750,000 Scott, Jerome 74 G 2005 2007 4 ----- $1,000,000 Jordan, Xavier 62 G 2002 2006 4 ----- $990,000 Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2007 R ----- $780,000 Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2007 3 ----- $5,300,000 Hankton, Jack 64 T 2001 2007 5 ----- $3,600,000 Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 3 ----- $1,210,000 Elliott, Lonnie 70 T 2003 2009 4 ----- $1,100,000 Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 3 ----- $600,000 Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000 VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2006 5 ----- $7,330,000 Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 R ----- $2,870,000 Breedlove, Phil 73 DE 2002 2005 4 ----- $1,960,000 McCaslin, Edwin 99 DT 2002 2008 5 ----- $1,700,000 Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,290,000 Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2005 4 ----- $980,000 Shields, Heath 92 DT 2004 2005 2 ----- $470,000 Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2007 4 ----- $5,750,000 Soward, Cole 54 LB 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,800,000 Lake, Derek 51 LB 2004 2010 3 ----- $1,700,000 Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2006 3 ----- $1,380,000 Jeans, Morris 58 LB 2005 2005 4 ----- $1,250,000 Foreman, Ryan 55 LB 2003 2009 4 ----- $1,100,000 Beyer, Deon 52 LB 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000 Kendall, Rickey 57 LB 2005 2007 R ----- $360,000 Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2008 5 ----- $7,000,000 Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 2 ----- $2,960,000 McKinney, Tyrone 43 CB 2004 2010 3 ----- $2,800,000 Sims, Clyde 24 CB 2004 2005 3 ----- $1,740,000 Tait, Spencer 40 CB 2004 2007 2 ----- $800,000 Emmons, Cornell 39 S 2004 2007 2 ----- $1,260,000 Compton, Larry 37 S 2004 2007 2 ----- $1,140,000 Flynn, Jimmie 22 S 2002 2007 4 ----- $1,050,000 Salary Cap: $100.5 million Room Under Cap: $10,960,000 At this point, RB Roger Seals is among my highest paid players, but I’m not at all certain that he will be my main ball carrier—Randal Huffman is very close in apparent ability. Cash will get anothey year at QB, and I’ll watch the development of Morris, who may turn out to be a bit better. Of course, I continue my vigil for a superstar QB in the draft—if they exist in the game. This year, we’ll hope for a rebound back into the middle tier of teams, back around .500 or so. I think we have the talent to do it—but staying healthy and overcoming our cohesion gap will be essential. Our goal is 8 wins.

11-05-2000, 10:29 AM	#15
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2005 season The plus. That’s where we land this season. After a 3-5 start, the Browns manage to put together four straight wins to get to 7-5, and we look the part of a playoff team. After losing two of three, we still have a shot with a win in our last game. We get the win to go 9-7, but come up short in two separate three-way ties—Pittsburgh takes the division title with a 9-7 record, and New England also gets a wild card with the same record. Regardless, our team has advanced to “playoff contender” status, for the first time. Stat leaders: QB Freddie Cash: 3,370 yds, 55.2%, 5.98 ypa, 23/25, 68.1 – too many picks, but he didn’t kill us RB Roger Seals: 186-851, 8 TD (4.5 ypc) – solid numbers, though he cooled off after a great start RB Randall Huffman: 131-507, 1 TD (3.8 ypc) – a solid backup to my running game, for once WR Bobby Ackerman: 69-891, 6 TD (55.6% CPct, 4 Drp) – emerged as most reliable guy from 3rd spot WR Zach Garcia: 71-834, 5 TD (50.0% CPct, 18 Drp) – clearly has a major hands issue, despite ratings LB Marlon Sweeney: 125 tackles, 4 sacks (17.8% TPct) – finally reaches his potential as an anchor LB DE Ernie Pike: 9.5 sacks – leads a less disappointing total, with several guys with 5-6 sacks S Cornell Emmons: 63 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD – one of five team interception TD returns on the year Overall stats (off.def.avg): Rushing: 3.7/3.5/3.7 Passing: 5.9/6.4/6.5 Once again, it is our passing game which is the weak link on the team. I feel like I have a team built, and it’s now ready for a star QB to be “dropped in” to the mix—if that QB would just show up. Regardless, I think we’ll bid farewell to WR Garcia—a guy who I probably would be inclined to keep under the old game. However, with his awful “drop” totals speaking volumes, his new contract will be from elsewhere. LB Marlon Sweeney’s 125 tackles get him noticed—he makes second team all-league, despite not having any gaudy sacks or interception numbers. I think I can expect him to post some seriously strong numbers for season to come, as well.

11-05-2000, 10:59 AM	#16
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2006 preseason I am again spared any player turnover. I begin with some much more realistic-sounding numbers, and some very real cap concerns. I have 44 players signed, and $19.8m in room under a cap of $108.1m. I have several players who are in contract transition. WR Zach Garcia has great ratings, but his apparent predilection for “drops” has soured him in my eyes, and he won’t be back for the big money he seeks. My biggest problem is that I have most of my current defensive line without contracts—I have two signed players at each position. DT Ernie Pike has been wonderful for us as an up-the-middle pass rusher, but I now must weigh paying him big money despite his run-stopping liabilities. I decide to place the franchise tag on him, to at least boost my chances of holding on to him. My coach and scout are up—and I opt to replace each. I find a very young scout who looks very level across the board—and I lock him up for five years. My new coach is VG with both LBs and DBs—which has been our development holdup lately. Hopefully his offsetting skills will help our guys build up a bit better. His game day skills are pretty strong as well, excepting a “fair” in discipline. The balance sheet is a problem. We went into the red for the first time last season. An escalation of costs (as I finally start spending near the salary cap) has put us into a tough spot. I boost ticket prices to add some revenues, and hope that keeps us in a better spot for this year—I do not want to lose control of this team that I have built over pissant finances. The Giants offer me a first round pick (#13) for guard Jerome Scott. Scott is a rather high quality guard, he’s signed for two more years, and he’s pretty cheap. I decide to pass on the offer. But it’s tempting. In the FA market, getting a top WR is really my first need. It looks promising, but expensive—my own guy Garcia is the second of about four solid wideouts available. I put in a $7m.yr bid on WR Jose Rodriguez, who has put up very nice numbers for the Cardinals over his five years in the league. If I get him, I’ll need some cap magic to get everything underneath. After five weeks, Rodriguez signs with me, despite the fact that he had a shorter deal from Arizona which offered more per season. My deal had no bonus money, either. Regardless, he ought to be a major weapon. Shortly afterward, Zach Garcia signed a $6.5m deal—I’m confident I got the better end of that exchange. I get DT Ernie Pike back into the fold for $4.6m per year. This leaves me just about $7m in cap room, which I’ll use to sign rookies, and hopefully grab a fill-in or two after training camp. I run through my ending contracts, and make a few extensions, but really cannot find much money to be saved (without pushing problems back into the future). Following the FA period, I get a trade offer—the #2 overall pick for the newly re-signed Ernie Pike. It’s a no-brainer, but I decide that the trade simply isn’t realistic, and I decline to take advantage. Shame. I very soon regret my act of conscience, as this draft finally features the superstar QB that I have coveted. Rodney Harden is an absolutely stupendous prospect for FOF 2001—potential ratings near 100 in most categories, with only a few down as low as 75-80. He is almost certain to be the top pick—he’s #1 on the overall board, and my scout agrees (for once). I sit at #20, but I could have had the #2 overall pick just moments ago. Alas. I decide to see if Tampa Bay might be willing to deal the top pick. I assemble a package—but right atop their needs list is starting QB, so I’m in a pinch anyway. I can’t seem to come up with a package that gets us there—balancing against the “salary warnings” is just too tough. QB Harden does, indeed, go first—followed by four more QBs before my pick at #20 – rats! Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Trevor Conway, DT, Valparaiso Rnd 2 - Martin Pelletier, LB, Maryland Rnd 2 - Ron Porter, S, N. Mexico Highlands Rnd 3 - Joel Wakeford, TE, Michigan Rnd 4 - Nick Aberdeen, G, Florida Rnd 5 - Ian Stephens, QB, Duke Rnd 5 - Brian Theriault, WR, Notre Dame Rnd 6 - Herman McCormick, RB, Temple Rnd 7 - Bobby Moore, S, Georgia I end up taking a DT in the same mold as Ernie Pike—heavy talent in pass rushing. If I get another juicy offer for Pike, I may be placed well to deal him. The draft didn’t hold a lot of exciting contributors—rather, I got a lot of role-players who may fill in for a while, but don’t project much further. I have to do some “pruning” to make salary room to sign rookies, and get everyone under the cap with about $3.8m to spare. In the event that a few decent FAs show up after camp, I’m poised to afford one or maybe two of them. After camp, I review my rookies—no big surprises. My late-round safety is a bust, and I’ll cut him (he would have been my 5th anyway). However, no real movement among my top several players. I get a few trade offers, but none which really intrigue me (a 5th rounder for my second year C, drafted in round 2 and coming along nicely?). I end up throwing some money at QB Darnell Gilmore after camp, and get him to sign on for a three-year tour of duty. Candidly, he may be every bit as good as the guys I have, and he will at least make things interesting. Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Ian Stephens 3 12 1 2008 QB Darnell Gilmore 11 11 4 2008 QB Freddie Cash 10 10 5 2007 QB Morris Lynch 6 8 2 2007 RB Randall Huffman 11 12 5 2007 RB Roger Seals 11 11 4 2007 RB Herman McCormick 7 7 1 2007 RB Kenneth Cox 7 7 2 2006 FB Daryl Jeffries 9 9 3 2007 FB Doug Nutter 7 7 6 2006 TE Joel Wakeford 6 15 1 2008 TE Howie Brock 11 11 6 2006 WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 6 2010 WR Jimmie Brinkman 10 10 4 2006 WR Bert Gordon 10 10 2 2007 WR Bobby Ackerman 8 8 3 2006 WR Mitchell Clements 7 7 2 2007 WR Brian Theriault 6 6 1 2007 C Joe Upshaw 7 11 5 2009 C Vinny Bratcher 11 11 2 2008 C Trevor Hodgins 5 6 6 2008 G Jerome Scott 15 16 5 2007 G Brock Jernigan 13 13 2 2007 G Nick Aberdeen 3 12 1 2007 G Bryce Winters 8 12 2 2012 T Rusty Lyon 14 14 4 2007 T Troy Grimley 10 14 4 2008 T Jack Hankton 13 13 6 2007 P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 4 2010 K Cedric Hutchins 12 15 2 2007 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 6 2008 DE Adam Collett 9 12 2 2008 DT Trevor Conway 5 14 1 2010 DT Ernie Pike 13 13 5 2009 DT Edwin McCaslin 7 10 6 2008 DT Butch Rossburg 7 10 4 2010 LB Marlon Sweeney 17 17 5 2007 LB Randal Ogden 15 15 4 2006 LB Martin Pelletier 4 12 1 2008 LB Deon Beyer 6 11 2 2007 LB Rickey Kendall 7 8 2 2007 LB Derek Lake 7 7 4 2010 LB Cole Soward 7 7 4 2010 CB Carl Barnes 16 16 6 2008 CB Spencer Tait 10 10 3 2007 CB Tyrone McKinney 7 7 4 2010 CB Randall Chapman 6 6 3 2008 S Ron Porter 8 14 1 2009 S Cornell Emmons 13 13 3 2007 S Larry Compton 11 12 3 2007 S Jimmie Flynn 7 7 5 2007 S Bobby Moore 2 6 1 2008 My scout isn’t helping me sort out my QB situation—he thinks that my rookie has the best future of the bunch. For now, I’ll go with Cash, but each of the others is an option—as is a future trade, if needed. I don’t think this team is a lot different than last year’s, but we’ll hope that we’ve come together a bit more—and that the addition of a more solid top WR will help. Cohesion stands at 67-70-67-65. Our “roster” rating on the franchise value screen has moved to 100—with the next best rated team being New Orleans at 66. It seems that as the NFL players fade away, the FOF-created players are better overall—and that I have a deeper and wiser investment in those players. I’ll hope for a playoff run this year—perhaps 9 or 10 wins.

11-05-2000, 05:07 PM	#17
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2006 season During preseason, I decide to give RB Huffman the job against starting defenses, and he plays well enough to earn my trust. I am not thrilled with QB Cash’s performance, but I want to hold on to some continuity if possible, so I keep him in as the starter- for now. My scout only indicates any concern about is at DT—but I just drafted there, so my “problem” ought to be solved as my fledgling rookie develops. Early on, I fall to 1-2 losing at home to Pittsburgh. QB Cash was pretty poor, and Gilmore came off the bench to lead us nearly to a miracle comeback. I decide to give Gilmore the ball—I think he gives us the best chance to win this year. Gilmore gets us to 3-5 at the midpoint, and I’m still not happy. However, he has put up better numbers than Cash has, and I decide to stick with him. As the season goes on, I commit more and more to RB Huffman, ahead of the highly paid Seals, who now sits in a backup role. Gilmore is not putting up big numbers, and our team is pretty flat, generally. We move to a 4-7 record, when Gilmore gets an injury. I decide to try out my younger QB Morris Lynch, who should be a great scrambler, but might be dubious as a passer. We end up 6-10, and searching for answers. Some may lie in the stat results… Stat leaders: QB Freddie Cash had a rating of 83.1, best of the three (Gilmore 74.2, Lynch 62.1), total yards=3,320 RB Randal Huffman: 180-1,068, 10 TD (5.9 ypc) – my first 1,000-yard performance RB Roger Seals: 131-521, 3 TD (3.9 ypc) – solid as backup, but clearly overpaid WR Jose Rodriguez: 50-682, 4 TD (60.9%, 4 drops) – led team, passes were distributed widely LB Marlon Sweeney: 103 tackles, 1 int – my anchor in the middle, got 15% of tackles DE Marcus VandenBelt: 25 tackles, 8 sacks, 5 blocks, 8 hurries – still my most reliable pass rusher S Cornell Emmons: 55 tackles, 1 sack, 8 int, 49.5 PDQ – very strong season from my best safety CB Carl Barnes: 31 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 int, 49.5 PDQ – strong year from my FA pickup Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 4.4/4.3/3.6 Passing: 6.0/6.3/6.7 Our running game made a big and obvious step forward, but our passing game still lacks consistency—starting at the top. My biggest concern was our sudden inability to stop the run—and I have two DTs who are basically pass-rush specialists, so if they are contributing to the problem, it’s not likely to get better soon. My guard Jerome Scott gets first team honors, for his 40.3% KRB% and only 1 sack allowed. My punter is also first team, with a 44.2 avg. Detroit becomes the first team to win a second bowl game—again behind the running of Edgerrin James, who earns his second SB MVP Honors.

11-06-2000, 11:48 AM	#18
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2007 preseason I start off this year with 44 players signed to contracts, and only $6m in cap room. This will be another tight year, for sure. I have a few key contributors whose contracts expired, and I don't see any easy way to stay intact-I'll probably do more cutting of decent veterans this year than any before. Of my free agents, LB Randal Ogden and WR Jimmie Brinkman will be the toughest to lose. I decide that Ogden is the guy I'd really like to try to keep, so I intend to use the franchise tag on him. One reservation-his run-defense ability is his only weakness (56), and that was my team's most alarming trouble last year-but he's a very high quality LB, and I decide I need to hold on to him anyway. I get a couple of trade offers. One is the #12 pick in the draft plus a fairly nice young RB-for QB Darnell Gilmore. Gilmore may be the best of my current QBs, but he didn't really get it done for us last season-and we're crowded there anyway. I decide to take this offer. Another deal, for my G Jerome Scott, would send me the top pick in round two-I decline. Trading Gilmore bumps my cap room up to $7.75m, which ought to help-especially since I have two first round pick to sign. I decide to trade away RB Roger Seals, whose $6m+ contract was far too heavy for a backup. I get a third rounder from Cincinnati for him, and this frees up more needed cap room. In order to get some cap room to at least talk to free agents, I renegotiate contracts-LB Marlon Sweeney signs on for three more years, which is good. I do a little more fiddling-my biggest struggle is with WR Rodriguez, who currently has a bonus-free contract (cut-friendly). He'll take a restruictuired deal which is cheaper this year, but only with a hefty bonus, making him unreleaseable. I decide not to do it. I also make my first trade for a player-sending away 6-year starter T Jack Hankton to Kansas City for a solid receiver, Mitch Huber. Huber has another year left on his contract after this season-and I'm concerned about massive turnover there next season, so he'll help out. I then have the salary cap to go after another WR from the FA pool-Tyrone Hayes has been solid for Green Bay for six years, and now he'll join our corps as a top contributor. With the additions of Huber and Hayes, I feel like we have plenty of talent at WR, and my top three guys (Rodriguez plus those two) will be back next year. I head into the draft with $15m in cap room-better than where I started, though my franchise LB is still unsigned. I have several need areas-but once again will be hoping for a top QB to come in and lead this team to the next level-I'm pretty certain it's that simple. I hold picks #4 and #12m plus an extra third rounder-we'll be looking for a new TE, FB, OT, and CB in this draft, as well as whatever stars the first round yields. The draft contains two QBs who, while not quite as remarkable as last year's top guy, both look very good. I figure that I'm in good shape to get one of them at #4-and if one goes ahead of me, I may try to move up to grab the other guy. There are also two fabulous-looking safeties here-a position where I'm likely to lose my best players after this year. Of course, the top QB goes with the #1 pick, leaving me to swing a deal to move to #2 to remove all doubt. Jesse Morse is the "prize" in question-he has very strong ratings in each pas category, and his main weakness is in 3rd down passing. My scout suggests his potentials are 66 in accuracy, and 84 in power-a huge leap forward over what I currently have. He is, incidentally, only rated a 6.4 in the aggregate future ratings, and is listed as the #3 QB in the draft. However, I'm pretty certain that I cannot afford to pass him up-I'll hang y scout if I get the guy and he busts. I tinker with the trade offer, but I simply am unable to assemble enough to get Seattle to bite. (Every offer ends up pushing them over the salary cap or else isn't enough value for them) My main hope is that they drafted a QB with the #3 pick last year, and though he's an ABSOLUTE bust, I hope that they'll look elsewhere. Seattle does look elsewhere-they decide to go with a flawless-looking DT, who was going to be my backup plan. This gives me a chance to deal with the Giants, who do not even have QB on their needs list. However, I once again find that the trade up in round one is nearly impossible, and I resign myself to a small prayer and hope for the best. The Giants take an offensive tackle-a pretty darned good-looking one-and they answer my prayers. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Jesse Morse, QB, Kansas Rnd 1 - Billy Joe Franklin, S, Iowa State Rnd 3 - Frankie McMurtry, WR, Washington Rnd 3 - Byron Talley, C, Central Michigan Rnd 4 - Lonnie Fiore, LB, North Carolina Rnd 5 - Grady Buckner, TE, North Carolina Rnd 6 - Mack Curtis, T, Nevada Rnd 7 - Casey Peterson, DE, Marshall Morse is the big gamble, with a big upside. S Franklin was the second-best of two great safeties available. Others were need positions-I traded out of round two (getting Seattle's #2 next year) sensing a lack of high quality depth here. I did get capable fill-ins, but not much more. After getting everyone signed (including LB Randal Ogden for $3.6m) I am right up against the cap, and have too many players. I decide to start pruning-and my first move is trading QB Cash to Seattle for their #3 pick in the draft next year. I then get a 4th round pick for WR Bert Gordon, who would be relegated to 4th or 5th on the depth chart this season anyway. I then trade Seattle's 3rd plus veteran safety Larry Compton to Atlanta to get a pretty good-looking young guard, who should be around for a while. I start the al-important training camp, and hope for the best… QB Morse comes through with flying colors! Here are his ratings, according to my scout: Screen 28/87, Short 26/75, Medium 29/88, Long 32/100, Deep 32/92 Third down passing 50 Pass accuracy 22/66 Throwing power 26/84 Scramble Freq 54, Carrying 71 I realize that he isn't the flawless specimen that most of us have come to demand from FOF 2001, but he is by far the best QB I've gotten my hands, on and he's getting a trial by fire with a team that looks to me like it's ready to step forward with a new signal caller. All my other rookies look good, too-another season without an obvious bust. When a decent rookie QB Louie Henry is available in the post-camp market, I grab him for the three years that he sought. A nice pickup, I think. I then decide to push my luck at QB, and I peddle away QB Morris Lynch-my third year player who will be decent, but by next year will be unafforable. I end up bundling Lynch into a package to acquire a nice young FB from the Saints-they're tough, but I finally get the guy I want in Nicky Banks. I sign WR Jumbo Jefferies from the free agent pool, and feel like I'll be giving my new arm a solid selection of targets from which to choose. I use up the rest of my cap room in extending T Rusty Lyon's deal for three more years-his price tag goes up this year, but then drops off, making him much more affordable for next season and beyond. Here is the roster, in contract rerms: Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost Stephens, Ian 3 QB 2006 2008 2 ----- $530,000 Morse, Jesse 9 QB 2007 2011 R ----- $5,180,000 Henry, Louie 13 QB 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000 Huffman, Randall 44 RB 2005 2007 6 ----- $3,300,000 McCormick, Herman + 29 RB 2006 2007 2 ----- $530,000 Link, Moe 42 RB 2007 2008 2 ----- $530,000 Banks, Nicky 21 FB 2007 2010 2 ----- $740,000 Delgado, Brant 43 FB 2007 2007 1 ----- $400,000 Wakeford, Joel + 83 TE 2006 2008 2 ----- $960,000 Buckner, Grady 17 TE 2007 2008 R ----- $400,000 Rodriguez, Jose 89 WR 2006 2010 7 ----- $7,000,000 Hayes, Tyrone 86 WR 2007 2010 7 ----- $4,000,000 Huber, Mitch 84 WR 2007 2008 5 ----- $1,930,000 Jeffries, Jumbo 88 WR 2007 2009 4 ----- $2,800,000 Clements, Mitchell 80 WR 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000 Theriault, Brian 15 WR 2006 2007 2 ----- $530,000 McMurtry, Frankie 82 WR 2007 2010 R ----- $720,000 Hodgins, Trevor + 59 C 2002 2008 7 ----- $840,000 Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 3 ----- $1,460,000 Talley, Byron 56 C 2007 2010 R ----- $880,000 Scott, Jerome 74 G 2005 2007 6 ----- $1,450,000 Winters, Bryce + 60 G 2006 2012 3 ----- $1,100,000 Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2007 3 ----- $1,060,000 Aberdeen, Nick 66 G 2006 2009 2 ----- $1,200,000 Willis, Danny 62 G 2007 2011 R ----- $520,000 Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2010 5 ----- $8,410,000 Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 5 ----- $1,990,000 Curtis, Mack 72 T 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000 Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 5 ----- $840,000 Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000 VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2008 7 ----- $5,000,000 Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 3 ----- $3,510,000 Peterson, Casey 95 DE 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000 McCaslin, Edwin 99 DT 2002 2008 7 ----- $1,700,000 Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2009 6 ----- $4,600,000 Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 5 ----- $1,290,000 Conway, Trevor 97 DT 2006 2010 2 ----- $3,190,000 Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2009 6 ----- $6,300,000 Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2009 5 ----- $3,600,000 Beyer, Deon + 52 LB 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000 Kendall, Rickey 57 LB 2005 2007 3 ----- $680,000 Pelletier, Martin 50 LB 2006 2008 2 ----- $1,450,000 Fiore, Lonnie 55 LB 2007 2009 R ----- $400,000 Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2008 7 ----- $8,000,000 Lyons, Lionel 47 CB 2007 2007 5 ----- $1,420,000 Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 4 ----- $3,890,000 Tait, Spencer 40 CB 2004 2007 4 ----- $1,100,000 Flynn, Jimmie 22 S 2002 2007 6 ----- $1,150,000 Emmons, Cornell 39 S 2004 2007 4 ----- $1,690,000 Porter, Ron 26 S 2006 2009 2 ----- $1,510,000 Franklin, Billy Joe 35 S 2007 2011 R ----- $3,190,000 Salary Cap: $112.3 million Room Under Cap: $890,000 And, here is the roster in the more traditional "scout overview" format: Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Jesse Morse 6 17 1 2011 QB Ian Stephens 4 12 2 2008 QB Louie Henry 1 9 1 2009 RB Randall Huffman 11 13 6 2007 RB Moe Link 8 9 2 2008 RB Herman McCormick 8 8 2 2007 FB Nicky Banks 12 12 2 2010 FB Brant Delgado 3 7 1 2007 TE Joel Wakeford 8 14 2 2008 TE Grady Buckner 2 11 1 2008 WR Jose Rodriguez 13 15 7 2010 WR Frankie McMurtry 4 13 1 2010 WR Tyrone Hayes 12 13 7 2010 WR Mitch Huber 13 13 5 2008 WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 4 2009 WR Mitchell Clements 7 7 3 2007 WR Brian Theriault 6 6 2 2007 C Byron Talley 4 14 1 2010 C Vinny Bratcher 12 12 3 2008 C Trevor Hodgins 5 7 7 2008 G Jerome Scott 14 16 6 2007 G Brock Jernigan 15 15 3 2007 G Danny Willis 4 12 1 2011 G Bryce Winters 7 11 3 2012 G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 2 2009 T Rusty Lyon 14 14 5 2010 T Troy Grimley 10 14 5 2008 T Mack Curtis 3 9 1 2009 P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 5 2010 K Cedric Hutchins 13 15 3 2007 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 7 2008 DE Casey Peterson 3 13 1 2009 DE Adam Collett 11 11 3 2008 DT Ernie Pike 13 13 6 2009 DT Trevor Conway 7 13 2 2010 DT Edwin McCaslin 8 10 7 2008 DT Butch Rossburg 7 9 5 2010 LB Marlon Sweeney 15 15 6 2009 LB Randal Ogden 15 15 5 2009 LB Martin Pelletier 6 12 2 2008 LB Deon Beyer 7 12 3 2007 LB Rickey Kendall 7 11 3 2007 LB Lonnie Fiore 7 9 1 2009 CB Carl Barnes 16 16 7 2008 CB Lionel Lyons 9 11 5 2007 CB Spencer Tait 11 11 4 2007 CB Randall Chapman 6 6 4 2008 S Billy Joe Franklin 8 19 1 2011 S Ron Porter 9 14 2 2009 S Cornell Emmons 11 11 4 2007 S Jimmie Flynn 7 7 6 2007 I like seeing a number of ratings in the high teens-my two top rookies both look like future studs. This year, we'll drop Morse right into the thick of things, and let him earn his wings. I feel like we have an offensive line that is very good, a receiver corps that is the best I've assembled, and our running game just hit high gear last season. We should be in good shape to support the young QB, even if he has the usual growing pains. I'll hope for maybe 6-7 wins, but more importantly is the experience for Morse, and that he benefits from his year under center.

11-06-2000, 01:22 PM	#19
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2007 season Morse gets through the preseason okay, and was 2/2 on TDs/Ints, which I though was okay against the first team defenses. He gets clearance as our starter for the year. We start out 3-0 with a few pretty good games, then drop two of three-both losses to Cinti. At the halfway mark, Jesse Morse has thrown 16 touchdowns-which rivals the best full-season total by anyone on this team before. His excellent start is overshadowed only by the incredible start by second-year phenom Rodney Harden for Tampa Bay-his QB rating is a stellar 104.4. We suffer some injuries, and need to pick up a FA linebacker. A quality guy is available, but getting him requires a couple releases-I make the cuts, and bring on LB Charlie Graham for the second half of the season and perhaps our first shot at the playoffs. In week 10, we face Tampa Bay-in what I hope will be a showdown of two future QB legends. The Bucs are 8-1 behind Harden, and we are 6-3 with our rookie. It's a battle of field goals through the first half, and we lead 9-3 into the third quarter-a goal line stand just before halftime played a large role. They get within 3 in the early fourth, but we drive to extend to 12-9, with 5 minutes to play. We get the ball back, and eat up the rest of the clock, punctuating with our fifth FG-final score Cleveland 15, Tampa Bay 6. Two young QB stars add up to zero touchdowns, but a good game nonetheless. In week 12, we beat the 7-3 Steelers to take the division lead. However, we lose to the Anaheim Shillers and tie Buffalo in the next two games, to drop back by a half game. Week 15 is the rematch, and the division is all but on the line. The Steelers get their revenge at home with a 30-8 pounding, and we are now down to 8-5-1, still in line for a playoff berth, but no longer looking like an elite team. Nine men on the injury report-the fruits of my coach's biggest weakness. Fortunately, our last two games are against Baltimore and Jacksonville, and we outclass both of them to finish at 10-5-1. We get the top WC spot, and get a home game against the 9-7 Chargers in the opening playoff round. The Steelers and Buccaneers have the top seeds, with 12-4 and 13-3 records, respectively. TB's Rodney Harden throws for 38 TDs in his second season-a very strong showing, to say the least. Pitt's Trent Green is third with 30 TDs-suggesting that there may be a trend in the making here. Stat leaders: QB Jesse Morse: 4,165 yards, 56.2%, 7.37 ypa, 28/25, 77.8 - clearly a huge step forward RB Randall Huffman: 236-887, 5 TD (3.7 ypa) - step backwards from last year, didn't have backup to "push" him WR Jose Rodriguez: 75-1,021, 8 TD (52.4%, 8 drops) - solid numbers, leading improved corps totals TE Joel Wakeford: 42-493, 1 TD (63.6%, 5 drops) - best receiving year yet from any TE, and he's cheaper LB Marlon Sweeney: 91 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 blocks, 3 hurries - solid effort for top MLB contributor DE Marcus VandenBelt: 36 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 blocks, 6 hurries - leads the pass rushing attack once again S Billy Joe Franklin: 72 tackles, 8 int, 1 TD, 47.2% PDQ - ought to be shoo-in for DROY with great season Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 3.8/3.8/3.7 Passing: 7.3/6.2/6.7 Again it's our run defense that is statistically the weakest element of our game. I am probably one quality OLB short of having an across-the-board solid front seven, and a number of injuries up front didn't help things. We are fairly healthy at the skill positions, and we have depth where needed to cover for our other wounded. We'll take on San Diego at home, and hope to keep our rally going-with our sights set on Pittsburgh.

11-06-2000, 03:52 PM	#20
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2007 postseason The Chargers look like a solid team overall-they were +35 in points, suggesting that 9-7 was about right for them. We look like the better team here, and I expect a win at home, despite our lack of playoff seasoning. The first quarter is just feeling out, with each team notching a FG. Early in the second quarter, I notice that my backup RB is in the game-presumably my starter has been injured. This does not bode well. We score a TD in the middle of the second quarter, and then recover a goal-line fumble by the Chargers (at our 1) to keep a 10-3 lead at the half. Early third quarter, Morse finds Hayes for a 40-yard TD, and it looks like we may be ready to open up. However, Jeff Garcia takes advantage of our defense, who got a little complacent, and strikes for a 12-yard TD of his own-it's 17-10. RB Huffman is back in the game, which is good news-and he rips off a 20-yards carry, which is also good news. At the start of the fourth quarter, it's still 17-10, and we have the ball. Facing third-and-12 from the Chargers 21, Morse finds Hayes behind his cover man, and they strike again for a TD! On the firs play of the ensuing possession, Garcia is sacked by my "other" DE Adam Collett, who scoops up the loose ball and rumbles in for a score. The 31-10 margin now looks solid, and we should be on our way. We tack on 10 more points en route to a 41-10 final score in a game that really wasn't decided until the last 11 minutes. Our RB tandem did just fine: Herman McCormick had 10-101 and 2 TDs, while Huffman put up 155yards of his own. Hayes gets the game ball with 127 yards and 2 TDs. Now, we head to Pittsburgh. The Steelers are led by Trent Green, and look very sharp. We split during the regular season, but we have to play on their field now. I'd set the line at Steelers by five or six here-we have a shot, though, coming off our solid opening win. Our defense opens up string, forcing 3-and-outs for the Steelers' first two possessions. We get a FG by ball control attrition, and it's 3-0 after the first quarter-the Steelers have 23 yards of total offense. They get a turnover early in the second, but we hold from our one yard line, forcing a tying 18-yard FG. Pittsburgh gets a quick TD in the middle second quarter, and we threaten to tie it up, but Morse is picked off in eth Pittsburgh red zone. This seems to be a turning point, as the Steelers march for another TD pass, and then score again following a punt. In a second quarter blaze, they run off three TDs to take a 24-3 lead at the half. in the second half, the defense prevail. No more TDs are scored, but Pittsburgh manages a few more FGs, and extends out their lead to a final tally of 33-6. The Steelers once again showed us that they are a very tough customer at home-making our objectives for next season even clearer. Next year, we want them at OUR house. It's Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh in the Superbowl, as it should be. Rodney Harden throws 2 TDs to lead the Bucs to the title, winning 34-7. Poor Pittsburgh LB Donnie Woodcock did everything he could-getting 21 tackles in the game-but it wasn't enough. Woodcock gets the first SB MVP for playing on a losing team that I've seen-especially on a team that lost by 27 points! QB Rodney Harden just misses on the superfecta, but he still takes the "tri" - NFL MVP, Offensive POY, and First team QB. My only honoree is, as expected, S Billy Joe Franklin - who gets DROY and also a nod as second team safety.

11-07-2000, 12:21 PM	#21
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2008 preseason We again manage to avoid any retirements-still not a surprise. I have 36 players signed to deals-a deep dropoff from last year, meaning that my FA crop will be numerous. I have a little over $21m in cap room-which will be enough to sign perhaps one or two expensive FAs, an then my rookies. I think this will be a tough financial year. My principal free agents are RB Huffman, G Scott, S Flynn, CB Tait, and S Emmons. With two up-and-coming safeties, I feel like I can lose the two exiting guys without major pain. Huffman has been solid at RB, but that is another position where I feel confident about acquiring a replacement. G Scott is excellent, and even though I have depth there, I'd like to retain him if possible. CB Tait has been good, but I doubt I'll be able to pony up the big bucks that he'll no doubt demand. I also have a disturbing number of younger "restricted" free agents, who I suspect will be to expensive to re-sign. I'm hoping that my key offensive players will keep us moving forward, because this season, we're going to lose a ton of talent. I place the franchise tag on G Jerome Scott, and hope that I'll be able to keep him around. I restructure CB Carl Barnes's deal, giving him a 4-year extension and saving a little money this year in the process. I also accept WR Carl Rodriguez's proposal to restructure-which opens up some more cap room, though it does not extend his deal beyond the three years he has left. I'm up to a little over $23m in cap room. I make a trade with Minnesota, sending them DT Edwin McCaslin and QB Ian Stephens to move from #26 to #11 in round one. This also bumps my cap room to $25.6m. In the FA market, DT Tyrone Conway is a great run-stopper, and might be just what my front seven needs. I put in a $6-6-7-7- offer for him, without any bonus money. Past that, I'm sitting tight, unable/unwilling to really wade into the free agent market too seriously. RB Randall Huffman is going to get his big money deal-he immediately attracts several offers in the 7-8m range. I have the best offer in on DT Conway, but he may not take it-others are shorter deals. My departing CBs are likely to get $8-10m each in free agency-I simply cannot match that for my #2 cover man. CB will be a draft priority, and an area for likely post-camp pickups. In week 3, DT Conway signs with Philly, for a little more than my bid (which was leading until then). It's okay-but I do believe that a run-stopper up the middle is a priority. In week 4, I land a long term deal with second year safety Ted Levine, who I get for under $2m per year and should be a solid #3 or 4 guy. In week 6, RB Randal Huffman signs with Chicago for $7.5m per year-well out of my price range, I fear. Three more of my players are mulling offers that I cannot match. I feel a little awkward watching my players leave as I sit on $24m in cap room, but I'm convinced that I cannot put up contracts for marginal contributors-especially when I feel they can be fairly replaced by rookies. I have to spend my money wisely, and I feel that these "good" players are not the best way to do that. I do re-sign G Jerome Scott to a four-year deal worth $5.5/5.5/6/6m. This gives me a surplus at G, but I feel like I can probably peddle one of the reserves. That ends my FA period-I come away without any new faces, but still have sizable cap room. I think I'll need it this year in an attempt to re-sign some more of my own players (rather than letting them all walk after their initial contracts). This remains to be seen-I also may end up pissing $ away on post-camp free agents, of there are any attractive ones available in the right places. I get an interesting trade offer-- 3rd round pick (plus a throw-in player) for G Jerome Scott (whose deal had no bonus money). I could use the cap savings to re-sign G Brock Jernigan (who I have been resigned to losing), and I'd come out ahead in the draft-where I have plenty of holes to fill. I decide to alter my plans, and take this deal. Jernigan signs for four years, and Scott finds a new home in Atlanta. T Charles Wiggins is my new acquisition-he'll be a fine 3rd tackle, but his contract blows up next year from $800k to $5m or so-nice time bomb, Falcs. In the draft, I see a number of good-looking RBs who would make nice obvious additions to our club at #11-don't know if any will fall that far, though. There are three guys who would make great first picks for me-I'll watch them closely. I also see a couple of DEs, CBs, and a LB who would all be solid picks. I think I was wise to move up in this draft. I also have extra picks in round three, so I may come away well-stocked. Indy moves in to take a DE with the first pick, but then the three RBs I covet go in succession. By my pick, the entire group of players that looked good to me have been grabbed. I see a RB who is already at his peak-which is pretty good, but not (in my eyes) worthy of this pick. I go with the player who looks like the biggest "impact" player available, regardless of position. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Bruce Barreto, TE, Arizona State Rnd 2 - Leo Donaldson, CB, Rutgers Rnd 3 - Rico Heath, WR, San Diego State Rnd 3 - Wes Dennis, LB, Minnesota Rnd 4 - Arnie Berube, DT, Stanford Rnd 5 - Mel Church, RB, Tulane Rnd 6 - Brian Galando, QB, Nebraska - Omaha Rnd 7 - Brady Dunham, RB, Connecticut I took TE Barreto-a fabulous-looking tight end who should do it all-- hoping that a few of the several very good CBs would drop to my second round pick. However, CB was hit hard in the mid-to-late first round, and I ended up with one of the poorer among the good group as my last option there in round two. LB Wes Dennis in round three might be right for this team-solid across, but exceptional as a run-stopper. I grab two RBs late in the draft-but hope that I don't have to go through the season with only what I currently have on hand. Following camp, I make the obligatory check on my rookies: everyone looks about the same as they came in. I get an absolutely eye-popper of a trade offer: Buffalo offers me a deal for the rookie RB I took in round 7. Brady Dunham, by way of background, is a specialist-he has modest ratings in most areas, except he has a 94 potential in short yardage and a 96 potential in catch frequency. This guy, who I though looked okay for round seven-now has Buffalo's eye. They offer their #1 pick next year for him. I can't help but feel like it's a trap-maybe Dunham is really goo any my scout just doesn't see it. However, I simply cannot pass up the first rounder, and I take the deal. I have some money to spend, and I look through the free agent market. I find Corwin Orta, a hands-down great QB, available in the free agent market. He was cut by Cincinnati after posting a career rating of 87.2 through 67 starts. Well, it is Cincinnati, after all. He comes on for a three-year deal, weighted into next year so he'll make nearly $4m then-but he's cheap for this year. LB Buddy Cochrane may be an even bigger impact signee. He is a nearly flawless LB, with B- endurance, but otherwise nearly immaculate ratings. I do, however, leave myself short by depending upon this market for usable players. This season, there are simply no quality running backs available after camp, and we end up with no help there. I also wanted to get a temporary fill-in at CB, but nothing of any value is available. I make a trade with Carolina, acquiring their 4th round pick for QB Louie Henry (made superfluous by the signing of Orta) and TE Wakeford (now backup to rookie Barretto). my draft next year should be stacked, with two extra picks now including a first rounder. I have $4m in cap room remaining, and decide to try to lock up a player or two if possible. I extend with DE Marcus VandenBelt for four years (through 2010)--ensuring that he can stick around is a priority for me, and it only costs about $700k this year. Looking at my position with DE, I decide that I need to lock up another player, and I pursue free agent DE Tyrone Flowers. He is awfully solid, and he takes a three-year deal. I most likely will be unable to re-sign Collett, so Flowers is more than capable of being my insurance policy-in fact, he is even better than Collett, and will likely start this year. Here is the contract view of the roster: Name # Pos OnTm Ctrc Exp Stat Cap Cost Morse, Jesse 9 QB 2007 2011 2 ----- $5,660,000 Orta, Corwin 8 QB 2008 2010 6 ----- $1,750,000 Galando, Brian 6 QB 2008 2009 R ----- $410,000 Pena, Paul 40 RB 2008 2008 4 ----- $1,700,000 Link, Moe + 42 RB 2007 2008 3 ----- $690,000 Church, Mel 36 RB 2008 2010 R ----- $410,000 Banks, Nicky 21 FB 2007 2010 3 ----- $960,000 Rasmussen, Ed 39 FB 2008 2008 4 ----- $870,000 Barreto, Bruce 85 TE 2008 2011 R ----- $3,320,000 Buckner, Grady 17 TE 2007 2008 2 ----- $540,000 Palmer, Spencer 87 TE 2008 2008 1 ----- $410,000 Rodriguez, Jose 89 WR 2006 2010 8 ----- $5,310,000 Jeffries, Jumbo + 88 WR 2007 2009 5 ----- $4,100,000 Hayes, Tyrone 86 WR 2007 2010 8 ----- $4,000,000 Huber, Mitch 84 WR 2007 2008 6 ----- $2,400,000 Heath, Rico 81 WR 2008 2010 R ----- $900,000 McMurtry, Frankie 82 WR 2007 2010 2 ----- $860,000 Bratcher, Vinny 53 C 2005 2008 4 ----- $1,680,000 Talley, Byron 56 C 2007 2010 2 ----- $1,020,000 Jernigan, Brock 69 G 2005 2011 4 ----- $3,140,000 Aberdeen, Nick 66 G 2006 2009 3 ----- $1,300,000 Winters, Bryce + 60 G 2006 2012 4 ----- $1,100,000 Willis, Danny 62 G 2007 2011 2 ----- $800,000 Lyon, Rusty 79 T 2003 2010 6 ----- $5,740,000 Grimley, Troy + 65 T 2003 2008 6 ----- $2,490,000 Wiggins, Charles 77 T 2008 2011 7 ----- $870,000 Curtis, Mack 72 T 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000 Castillo, Ronnie 10 P 2004 2010 6 ----- $870,000 Hutchins, Cedric 14 K 2005 2010 4 ----- $1,150,000 VandenBelt, Marcus 91 DE 2001 2011 8 ----- $5,700,000 Collett, Adam 96 DE 2005 2008 4 ----- $3,950,000 Flowers, Tyrone 99 DE 2008 2010 7 ----- $2,500,000 Peterson, Casey + 95 DE 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000 Pike, Ernie 93 DT 2002 2009 7 ----- $4,600,000 Conway, Trevor 97 DT 2006 2010 3 ----- $3,610,000 Rossburg, Butch 94 DT 2004 2010 6 ----- $1,290,000 Berube, Arnie 92 DT 2008 2009 R ----- $410,000 Sweeney, Marlon 90 LB 2002 2009 7 ----- $4,700,000 Ogden, Randal 98 LB 2003 2009 6 ----- $3,600,000 Cochrane, Buddy 57 LB 2008 2010 5 ----- $1,950,000 Pelletier, Martin 50 LB 2006 2008 3 ----- $1,600,000 Dennis, Wes 54 LB 2008 2011 R ----- $900,000 Fiore, Lonnie 55 LB 2007 2009 2 ----- $540,000 Barnes, Carl 20 CB 2005 2011 8 ----- $7,500,000 Chapman, Randall 38 CB 2004 2008 5 ----- $4,540,000 Donaldson, Leo 33 CB 2008 2011 R ----- $1,440,000 Richard, Trevor 41 CB 2008 2014 2 ----- $550,000 Franklin, Billy Joe 35 S 2007 2011 2 ----- $3,590,000 Porter, Ron 26 S 2006 2009 3 ----- $1,730,000 Levine, Ted 32 S 2008 2014 2 ----- $1,320,000 Salary Cap: $116.5 million Room Under Cap: $1,250,000 And here is the scout overview: Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Jesse Morse 8 16 2 2011 QB Corwin Orta 16 16 6 2010 QB Brian Galando 2 11 1 2009 RB Mel Church 5 11 1 2010 RB Paul Pena 7 10 4 2008 RB Moe Link 8 9 3 2008 FB Nicky Banks 12 12 3 2010 FB Ed Rasmussen 9 9 4 2008 TE Bruce Barreto 7 17 1 2011 TE Spencer Palmer 4 11 1 2008 TE Grady Buckner 5 7 2 2008 WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 8 2010 WR Tyrone Hayes 13 13 8 2010 WR Rico Heath 4 12 1 2010 WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 5 2009 WR Frankie McMurtry 8 11 2 2010 WR Mitch Huber 11 11 6 2008 C Byron Talley 7 13 2 2010 C Vinny Bratcher 12 12 4 2008 G Brock Jernigan 15 15 4 2011 G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 3 2009 G Bryce Winters 7 10 4 2012 G Danny Willis 6 10 2 2011 T Rusty Lyon 14 14 6 2010 T Troy Grimley 10 13 6 2008 T Charles Wiggins 12 12 7 2011 T Mack Curtis 5 9 2 2009 P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 6 2010 K Cedric Hutchins 13 14 4 2010 DE Tyrone Flowers 14 15 7 2010 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 8 2011 DE Casey Peterson 5 13 2 2009 DE Adam Collett 12 12 4 2008 DT Arnie Berube 3 14 1 2009 DT Ernie Pike 13 13 7 2009 DT Trevor Conway 8 13 3 2010 DT Butch Rossburg 6 9 6 2010 LB Buddy Cochrane 19 19 5 2010 LB Randal Ogden 15 15 6 2009 LB Wes Dennis 4 14 1 2011 LB Marlon Sweeney 14 14 7 2009 LB Martin Pelletier 8 13 3 2008 LB Lonnie Fiore 7 12 2 2009 CB Carl Barnes 16 16 8 2011 CB Leo Donaldson 4 12 1 2011 CB Trevor Richard 4 8 2 2014 CB Randall Chapman 6 6 5 2008 S Billy Joe Franklin 13 19 2 2011 S Ron Porter 11 15 3 2009 S Ted Levine 5 10 2 2014 Needless to say, my scout will say to start Orta at QB. However, I'll stick with Morse and watch him develop into a star (with any luck). Orta gives me a fabulous insurance policy in case of injury, which I otherwise could not stand at all. My RB situation is troubling-I'll cycle through the starting halfbacks and look for a diamond in the rough. I also think I'll have my FB used as a primary ball carrier pretty often, as he's the most talented of the group it would appear. My biggest weakness will probably be at CB (although RB could be trouble too). I'll hope that Leo Donaldson proves to be better than advertised, and that he can step in while still green. I think this is a playoff team yet again, and we'll hope for a solid showing from our offense in particular. We would like to be in the hunt for the division title, and would like to get another home playoff game. Our goal for the season is 10 wins and playoffs at home.

11-07-2000, 12:48 PM	#22
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	I think it's time to declare another house rule. In FOF 2001 the players available during the post-training camp period just seem to be a good deal better and more plentiful than in FOF2. I think that from this point on, I will no longer sign any such player to a contract over one year. Probably more realistic, and certainly will increase difficulty.

11-07-2000, 01:39 PM	#23
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2008 season Through preseason, my running game is pretty solid, with everyone contributing their share. I settle on Link as my "starter," with his playing time set at 2, and my "use FB" rating at 90. I expect that I might end up with a Chiefs RBBC situation. In my very first game - we take a pyrrhic victory. Both QBs Morse and Orta are hurt, Morse without making a single throw. Orta can play for now, but Morse will have to sit out for a month or so. RB Link gets 14 yards on 12 carries-hmm, just about like the Chiefs. I decide to rotate the RBs, and put in the rookie Church for this next game. In game 2, my multi-headed RB monster gets 172 yards on 34 carries-that's very nice. Church gets a 46-yard carry on his first try, then ends the game with 2-for-45. This is looking more and more Chiefs-like every step. In week 3, we roll Baltimore 45-22, and I again study the box score closely. Rushing: 39-174, very nice again. Orta was very solid at QB, and our offense racked up an early 21-point lead to win this one quickly. Moe Link now gets hi re-promotion back to starter, but everyone will continue to play. FB Banks only has 11 carries, despite my game plan to give him the ball-I'll set that to 100. (Okay, 99) In week 4, we beat 3-0 Jacksonville to sit alone atop the division at 4-0. CB Randall Chapman is done for the year, and my so-so rookie is now starting. I decide to sign a free agent CB to fill in either as #2 or #3 there. I get 4th year CB Andrew Zook for minsal, and I can just fit him in. He steps in to start opposite Barnes, and I can let my injured rookie rest. Game 7, we finally drop one, losing to St. Louis on the road-giving up a 25-0 fourth quarter to lose 35-28. Orta is injured, and I rush Morse back into the starter role, though he is not yet 100%. In the Rams game, both Morse (3 TDs) and Church (100+ yards) played very well, but our defense collapsed. Pittsburgh has imploded this year, but they still manage to sweep us in weeks 9 and 11, and we follow up with a loss to Jacksonville to drop to 7-4, a game behind the Jags. At this point, both Morse and Galando (3rd stringer) are playing hurt, and it's time for Orta again. Down the stretch, Orta plays very well, but our offense calms down a bit. We get to 10-5, and face Baltimore in our final game. We're tied with Jax for the division lead, but we'll win it with a victory over Baltimore-who are 8-7 and still alive for a wild card. Pittsburgh, after a 3-6 start, is also 8-7 and barely alive. We lose to Baltimore, Jacksonville beats Pittsburgh, and we end up a 10-6 wild card team. Our team is absolutely devastated by injury-it's gotta be time for a coach who is better in this regard. We get to visit Miami in the playoff opener-led by my old QB Freddie Cash, and stalwart RB Fred Taylor. Should be interesting. Stat leaders: QB circus: Corwin Orta: 2,080 yards, 55.6%, 8.15 ypa, 15/9, 87.3 Brian Galando: 1,168 yards, 51.4%, 5.61 ypa, 7/9, 61.5 Jesse Morse: 1,061 yards, 56.7%, 6.54 ypa, 8/10, 67.3 RB circus: Moe Link: 121-510, 8 TD (4.2 ypc) Mel Church: 70-298, 0 TD (4.2 ypc) Paul Pena: 87-254, 1 TD (2.9 ypc) Nicky Banks: 64-174, 0 TD (2.7ypc) WR Tyrone Hayes: 74-1,130, 10 TD (51.7%, 15 drops) WR Jose Rodriguez: 67-978, 6 TD (48.2%, 12 drops) OL allowed only 30 sacks LB Marlon Sweeney: 75 tackles, 2 sacks DE Marcus VandenBelt: 39 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 blocks, 10 hurries S Billy Joe Franklin: 93 tackles, 1 sack, 7 int, 40.9 PDQ S Ron Porter: 82 tackles, 9 int, 1 TD, 44.0 PDQ Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 3.4/3.3/3.8 Passing: 6.8/6.6/6.3 This team was really not very statistically dominating-largely (I suspect) due to the lack of a dominant running game. However, we battled through injuries and put together a playoff-worth campaign… now we just need to see how far we can go with this ragtag group.

11-07-2000, 01:56 PM	#24
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2008 postseason Against Miami, the first half is quite a story. We score on one big drive, then Miami roars back with a long pass interference call, followed by a TD pass. They intercept Morse 3 times in the first half, including one for a TD by my old safety Cornell Emmons, but we manage to hold them to those points-it's only 14-7 Miami at halftime, and we're lucky to be that close. However, by the simple stats-we have a lot more yardage, and we've been able to move the ball. If we can hold on to it, we may have a shot here. Through the third quarter, the defenses are in charge. We finally get a shot, after converting a 4th-and-3 from the Miami 35, we get in for a FG to get it to 14-10. We again stuff the Dolphins offense, and get it back to start the fourth quarter. With 12 minutes left, we again go for it on fourth and short, this time from the Miami 43. They stop Pena as he tries to run it up the middle, and we turn it over near midfield. A big play, possible the game breaker-though it's too early and close for anything to be resolved. Miami pins us back with a punt, then gets great position after we punt. They drive for a TD, but we immediately strike when WR Frankie McMurtry returns the KO for a TD-it's now 21-18, after the 2-point conversion by Moe Link. We try an ill-advised onside kick, but Miami gets it-at our 40. They drive in for another TD, and it's 28-18 with 4:02 remaining. Looks bleak, and the Dolphins cash this one out, 28-18 as e are unable to get past their 40 yard line-the recurring story line. Carolina and Baltimore are upset winners in the conference finals, and Carolina takes the superbowl victory. DE Marcus VandenBelt and S Billy Joe Franklin are both named to the league second team all-pro squad. Next year, I believe that my coach's contract is up-I'll be looking for someone who can keep our squad on the field, rather than practically in the morgue.

11-08-2000, 03:37 PM	#25
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2009 preseason We still have yet to face a single player retirement, which I find surprising. Regardless, I have 39 players signed, but only a paltry $9.9m in cap room available-and I have two first round picks this year! I shudder to consider the fiscal consequences… I bring on a new coach-he's basically "average" - with a GOOD rating in about 2/3 of the spots. He should be fine, and his EXCELLENT with QBs ought to help the one I'm grooming. In the expansion draft, I lose G Bryce Winters, DT Butch Rossburg, and T Mack Curtis. Our new expansion teams are (after a little work) the Cheyenne Cougars and the Bakersfield Dozens. (awful, I know) I get trade offers for WR Jose Rodriguez (a 2nd rounder) and for G Brock Jernigan (the #9 pick in this draft). The offer for Jernigan is awfully tempting, but I just signed him and I think I need to retain some continuity-besides, without Jernigan, I'd just need to draft a guard anyway. I have several players who are trying free agency. WR Mitch Huber is asking for big bucks, and he's just a complementary player. T Troy Grimley is leaving, as expected-he served me pretty well after coming over in trade. He was an apparent draft bust, but he rebounded pretty well (even though he still has a lot of apparent unmet potential as a 7th year guy). CB Randall Chapman is gone-he was my biggest draft bust to date. Fill-in RB Paul Pena will depart-no great loss there-as will my leading rusher Moe Link. One-year FB fill-in Rasmussen will be too expensive, so he'll go. C Vinny Bratcher would be nice to keep, but I have a young guy who is just as good-and C is a pretty easy position to fill, it seems. I doubt I'll shell out the big bucks- especially considering my cap issues already. DE Adam Collett will head off, looking for more money than I have to spend. Of my younger players, LB Martin Pelletier is my most intriguing. He's on his way to becoming very, very good-but I just don't know how to try to afford keeping him around. All in all, it looks like a pretty painful 20 weeks ahead, watching my guys get signed away as I don't even have the cap room to sign my rookies. I try to free up some more room- I re-up with T Rusty Lyon, saving about a million this year. WR Tyrone Hayes also extends for a year, which frees up a little room this year as well. This is pretty slow going, though. After my work, I end up with $15m in cap room-which should be at least close to enough to allow me to make some modest FA bids. The FA market includes Aaron Valentino, a total genius running back who has a series of all-pro credentials as long as his forearm. In his six years in the league, he's topped 1,600 yards twice and has averaged about 1,400 per season on 4.5 yards per carry. I drool over what he could do for my team… but then wake up and realize that the $8-10m he'll command is simply not do-able for us. It turns out that I have $7min room between my cap room and the expected cost of my draft. While this means that bidding for Valentino is out, it does suggest that I might be able to go after some other more moderately-priced players. I look through my team for need areas, and I come up with: RB (serious need), T (to replace Wiggins), and CB (while Donaldson develops). I have other places where I could stand to improve, but right now these are probably the main targets. In strolling through the RB free agents, I come across a familiar name-Brady Dunham. He was my 7th round pick last season, and Buffalo traded my their top pick this year to get him. He got 10 carries for the Bills last year, for an impressive 73 yards, but was released and is available in the FA pool. Regrettably, he wants $3-4m to sign, or else the novelty factor alone would drive me to pick him up. I really cannot find anyone at the key positions who I feel can improve this team in an affordable way. So, I shift my focus, and decide to think about how I could afford to go after RB Valentino. I could trade DT Ernie Pike, and save $4m in payroll, which would allow me to put in an offer that starts at around $11m. I seriously consider this. I decide to do it-Washington give me a late second round pick for DT Pike, and this clears up some cap room for me to make a run at Valentino. Pike was very solid as he started out with us, but he has dropped back a bit since-plus, I have a good young DT in Arnie Berube from last year' draft who is certainly ready to contribute either as a #2 or #3 guy in the middle. I put in an offer for Valentino-5 years, $54 million. It escalates from $9m this year upward. I think it's worth a shot-he looks to be a difference maker, and the costs to me of trying for him aren't too bad. After week one, I think my offer may actually be higher than it needs to be. I drop down to 5 years, $47m - with only an $8m hit for this year (which would be helpful). The Giants are his old team, and their offer is under $8m a season. He's getting an offer of $32.8 for 4 years, and of $24.3 for 3 years-neither of which matches mine in dollars per season. I'm hopeful, but not certain. After week two, he's still thinking… In week three, I notice my cap room number moves, but it's just the reserve C that I signed. RB Valentino is still pending. I go step by step through week nine, and still no decision. In week 10, he finally decides… and RB Aaron Valentino becomes the newest Cleveland Brown. He'll rake in the big bucks, and he may tie our hands a bit, but we're getting the real deal here. I the draft, I can now focus on impact players from practically any position, rather than feeling compelled to search for a RB with my top selection. Of course, if I find a top-grade back, that would be fine-I'll take what the luck of the draw gives me. I've added DT to my list of positions to improve in this draft-and a top-grade run stopper there would be an ideal selection in this draft. In what looks like a pretty poor draft, I find a very good-looking DT who would fill the bill nicely. There is also an immaculate OT, but I watch him go with the #1 pick, and set aside those little dreams. Amateur Draft Report: Rnd 1 - Malcolm Reynolds, DT, Wisconsin Rnd 1 - Jim Stanton, S, Virginia Tech Rnd 2 - Will Barrale, TE, Oregon Rnd 2 - Ian Williford, T, Cornell Rnd 3 - Rob Cutting, LB, Michigan Rnd 4 - Dean Beyer, RB, UNLV Rnd 4 - Terry Gaines, G, Louisville Rnd 5 - Korey Linquist, WR, Wyoming Rnd 6 - Daniel Howe, FB, Arkansas Rnd 7 - Brenden Marlin, DT, Eastern Illinois I get the outstanding run defender Malcolm Reylonds with pick #10, and am surprised that most of the players who I was thinking about there were still around at #28. I end up taking S Stanton there, despite the fact that I'm already very strong at that position-but he's just to good to pass up. (Plus he'll allow me to let my current starter go after this year) I feel very good about this draft-I filled a lot of much-needed holes simply by taking the apparent best player, which just worked out to fit my needs pretty often. I have to make more cap room to sign all my roookies, and I do so by trading away T Wiggins. I wasn't too fond of him anyway, and I get a 3rd rounder for him, which is fine. His $4m gone, I have room to get everyone taken care of. With $170,000 to spare. Whew. The trouble with this is that we remain a CB and a T short of a legal roster. $170,000 simply is not going to be enough cash to sign two more players-I'll need close to $1m more, even if it's just to sign two rookies. I finally decide that S Ron Porter is the guy who ought to go-so I trade him away to move from round three to round two in next year's draft. Porter had a brilliant season last year with 9 picks, but he'll be a free agent after this season and with the rookie ready to move in, that position had the most flexibility. I may regret this. I get through camp… and everyone looks fine. I have seemingly escaped the wrath once more. I have a very intriguing trade offer-The Jets are after QB Corwin Orta. They are offering a decent 2nd year wideout (with five contract years left) plus their first round pick next year for the top-tier QB. I decide that I can't part with Orta-particularly since there are o good QBs in the FA market who could really step in and get it done. We needed it last year, and we may again this year. Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd QB Jesse Morse 10 16 3 2011 QB Corwin Orta 16 16 7 2010 QB Brian Galando 3 10 2 2009 RB Aaron Valentino 16 16 7 2013 RB Dean Beyer 7 10 1 2010 RB Mel Church 7 10 2 2010 FB Nicky Banks 12 13 4 2010 FB Daniel Howe 3 9 1 2010 TE Bruce Barreto 15 17 2 2011 TE Will Barrale 9 9 1 2012 WR Jose Rodriguez 14 15 9 2010 WR Tyrone Hayes 13 13 9 2011 WR Jumbo Jeffries 11 11 6 2009 WR Frankie McMurtry 8 11 3 2010 WR Rico Heath 7 11 2 2010 WR Korey Linquist 4 8 1 2011 C Byron Talley 9 13 3 2010 C Corwin Beyer 7 8 2 2015 G Terry Gaines 4 13 1 2011 G Brock Jernigan 12 12 5 2011 G Nick Aberdeen 7 11 4 2009 G Danny Willis 7 10 3 2011 T Rusty Lyon 14 14 7 2011 T Ian Williford 5 11 1 2011 T Preston Wiggins 10 11 8 2009 P Ronnie Castillo 15 15 7 2010 K Cedric Hutchins 13 14 5 2010 DE Marcus VandenBelt 14 14 9 2011 DE Tyrone Flowers 12 13 8 2010 DE Casey Peterson 7 11 3 2009 DT Malcolm Reynolds 5 17 1 2014 DT Trevor Conway 8 11 4 2010 DT Arnie Berube 5 11 2 2009 DT Brenden Marlin 2 8 1 2011 LB Buddy Cochrane 19 19 6 2010 LB Randal Ogden 15 15 7 2009 LB Marlon Sweeney 14 14 8 2009 LB Wes Dennis 5 12 2 2011 LB Rob Cutting 5 11 1 2012 LB Lonnie Fiore 9 9 3 2009 CB Carl Barnes 16 16 9 2011 CB Leo Donaldson 8 12 2 2011 CB Trevor Richard 5 9 3 2014 CB Robbie Grant 2 8 1 2009 S Billy Joe Franklin 17 19 3 2011 S Jim Stanton 7 16 1 2012 S Ted Levine 7 9 3 2014 I still am weak at CB, with Donaldson coming along pretty slowly. My secondary will probably be a bit suspect this season - but I do expect some big plays from them. Offensively, I figure that Valentino will make a massive difference, and that the running game ought to take off despite some shifting on the offensive line. I think our offense could be very, very good, and our defense passable if not better. We're shooting for a bye week in the playoffs.

11-09-2000, 09:02 AM	#26
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2009 season After an opening win, we get upset by Cincinnati 33-16. Morse threw two picks (one returned for a TD) and the Bengals' QB (a free agent pickup for them) was brilliant against my secondary. I still think we're on track for a good season. though. In week 5, we beat previously unbeaten Jacksonville 31-6, to pull even with them at 4-1. Aaron Valentino has 497 yards and 4 TDs through our first five games, with three scores (2 receiving) against the Jags in our first truly big game of the season. After a loss to Philadelhia (at home), we then take three in a row to go to 10-2, before losing to Baltimore on the road. At that point, we're 10-3, with a two game lead on the Ravens for the division. Looking solid. Jacksonville never recovered from the hurting we put on them-they have fallen all the way to 6-7 on the year, after a 4-0 start. Incidentally, TB QB Phenom Rodney Harden had a serious injury, and they stink without him-they are 2-11 on the season. I hold out Valentino from my last two games-he's slowed by injury, and I should be okay anyway. We win both comfortably, and end up 13-3 on the season-the AFC top seed, and the best record in football. Our Points ration is a solid 478-250-we rank #1 in PF, and tied for 5th in PA. Stat leaders: QB Jesse Morse: 4,428 yards, 59.9%, 8.24 ypa, 30/16, 92.6 - welcome to super stardom, Jesse RB Aaron Valentino: 256-1,375, 15 TD (5.3 ypc) 29 rec-299, 3 TD - did it all, everything we could have asked WR Jose Rodriguez: 68-1,088 yards, 6 TD (65.3%, 5 drops) - quite a year for my top wideout, 65% is great WR Tyrone Hayes: 61-1,039 yards, 9 TD (57.0%, 9 drops) - my first double-thousand receiver pair TE Bruce Barreto: 45-577, 5 TD (55.5%, 8 drops) - my everything TE steps that position up big time LB Buddy Cochrane: 93 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int DE Tyrone Flowers: 28 tackles, 14 sacks, 4 blocks, 5 hurries - top rusher alongside Marcus (who had 8.5 sacks) S Billy Joe Franklin: 62 tackles, 1 sack, 9 int, 61.0 PDQ - unbelievable stats for all-world player Overall stats (off/def/avg): Rushing: 4.4/3.3/3.8 Passing: 8.1/6.7/6.5 The firs line says a lot to me-we run the ball, we stop the run, we win a lot of games. The fact that our passing game took a great leap forward was no coincidence either-it all just came together at the right time. We have the week off to get healthy (yay!) and prepare for our first round playoff game. The toughest rivals out there look to be San Diego, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. We'll see what path we have to take-on paper, we look like the best team pretty easily. QB Jesse Morse is listed as doubtful with a hip pointer, but our gam is two weeks away. Fortunately, Orta is ready if we need him. I have three cornerbacks injured, including CB Carl Barnes (also doubtful with a hip pointer-is something going on here?), so I expect that we'll have to outscore whoever we play-- I'm not sure we'll have the personnel to stop anyone from passing.

11-09-2000, 09:54 AM	#27
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	2009 playoffs Our opener is against Anaheim, who looks like a decent enough team- not too explosive on offense, fortuntately.. I decide to give QB Morse the start, though he is listed as questionable with a sore hip. Early in the game, Valentino comes out with a leg injury. I now have my two most effective weapons indisposed. Morse stays in, but he's not looking great. Fortunately, my backup RBs have played well, and I expect that they can do okay here as well. It's 10-3 as we approach halftime-we have the one TD and the lead. The defense plays much better than we expected, and we hold the 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter. With 10:33 left, Anaheim finally gets their drive going, and they punch it in for a tying TD. It's 10-10, and we're in serious jeopardy of losing to a team we seriously outclass. RB Beyer keys a drive to the ANA 34, but Morse throws an interception, and we fizzle out. We stuff them, and take the punt at our own 42-good field position. My FB Howe made a huge carry for 9 yards on 3rd and 7, to keep the drive alive at the ANA 46. The next two plays are by TE Barrale and WR McMurtry-it's like understudy night at the theatre-all the backups are getting the job done! We have first and 10 from the ANA 25. FB Howe gets another 12-yard carry down to the 13. Backup RB Church takes it to the three. And Church takes it in from the three-a fabulous TD drive to go ahead with only 2:17 remaining! They get a first down on a penalty, and get to the 45. On third down from midfield, a reserve LB Wes Dennis gets in for a critical sack, forcing fourth down and 10. My 3rd safety Wes Levine successfully defended the 4th down pass, and we take over on downs. Incredible! We cannot go anywhere, but punt with only 24 seconds left. ANA gets a 28-yard play on their first snap, getting to their own 48 for one final try. The QB makes a bad throw, after being hurried by a reserve DT Brenden Marlin. The game is over, and we capture a heart-stopping victory. The entire Browns bench gets the game ball-it seemed like every single clutch play was pulled off by a benchwarmer. Huge effort, guys! We host the New York Jets in the next game. The Jets were 11-5 and seem to be a mostly defensive team. Their offensive line seems to be their main key when they have the ball, but they are missing their second best tackle. I again like our chances-especially when I see that RB Valentino is okay to play. QB Jesse Morse is again listed as questionable, but I decide to suit him up-I think the continuity is worth it. Orta can fill in if Morse gets hurt. Early on, it doesn't look too good. We fizzle immediately, then the Jets march for a long FG. It's 3-0 after six minutes, and I don't like the looks of things. However, on our next drive, Valentino gets rolling, and we get up for our own FG attempt-we tie it up at 3-3. At the end of the first quarter, the Jets miss a FG, and we take over. However Morse throws another interception, and the Jets managed to get a chip shot this time. Our defense holds, but it's 6-3 bad guys. Later in the second quarter, Aaron Valentino breaks a run up the middle for 53 yards, and suddenly we're threatening from their 13. Morse finds Tyrone Hayes for the TD, and we advance to a 10-6 lead. Our defense holds next time, and then after another Morse pickoff, we hold again. At the half, it's 10-6 after some courageous play by our defense. It seems I sold them short-they have been downright brutal in this game. In the late third quarter, the Jets penetrate again inside our 10. Our defense holds again, and the Jets come away with only three-it's 10-9 now. On the next drive, Morse hits Jefferies for a 31-yard strike to get us near FG range. The third quarter ends with our Browns in scoring territory, at the Jets 28. A dump off do second-string TE Barreto turns into a big play as he lumbers down to the 7 yard line. Morse then hits Rodriguez for the TD, and we move ahead by 17-9. We hold the Jets on their next possession, and we get the ball with about 10 minutes left. Killing clock is the key now. Two incomplete passes and a false start are not the way to do it, but Morse saves us with a great 28-yard toss to Rodriguez, and we get a new set of downs. After two runs, Morse is picked off again, and the Jets' Kerouac "beats" his way down to our 37 yard line. From the 28, the jets take a stab at the end zone, and my injured CB starter Barnes gets the critical interception. We have the ball with 6 minutes left, at our four. We now are able to get a couple of first downs, and run the clock down to 2 minutes and move all the way to the Jets 23-things look very good now, barring a total collapse. With just under 2 minutes left, Valentino takes the handoff and runs it all the way in-we extend our lead with an insurance TD, and are up 24-9. That's the way it ends. Valentino manages 123 yards and the game-clinching score, and earns the game ball. We head to the Superbowl, and will face the Minnesota Vikings. They were 12-4, 358/268 on the season, and look to be one of the more balanced teams around. Their QB threw only 16 TDs this season, but apparently didn't play all year. I expect a tough game-but again, I like our chances. I give Morse the call again-gotta dance with the one that brung ya, or so they say. Their first drive-looking good. Minnesota can't go anywhere, and they are three and out. Morse hits a couple of passes, Valentino hits one for 17, and then Morse scrambles for a 23-yard TD run - we're quickly up 7-0. Maybe this offense can show a little bit more of what it's got in this game. The Vikes go three and out again, and we smell blood. We put up a FG this time, at it's 10-0. Less then 10 minutes of game time elapsed, and we're looking strong already. The Vikes get a couple first downs at last, but still punt to our 15. As the first quarter ends, we're on th move again, down to their 23 yard line. The first play of the second quarter, Valentino runs it in from 23 yards out and we are ahead by 17-0. Browns fans are barking like crazy, it's getting ridiculous in here. Things calm down as Minnesota shows some life on offense, and they finally score on a 17-yard TD pass with 4:53 left in the first half. The 17-7 score holds until the break. Our rapid early momentum has died down, and now we're simply sitting on a nice lead at the half, but we have work to do yet. On the second half opening drive, we make our statement-we are not done yet. Valentino is key with a couple nice runs, and caps it off with a 9-yard scoring play. 24-7 Browns. The Vikes go three and out, we stick it right back at them, and Morse finds Hayes for a 4-yard TS pass… the rout may be on at 31-7. The Vikes get a TD in the early fourth, and get it to 31-15, but we are able to successfully play keep-away from that point on. They don't muster another major scoring threat, and we win it 31-15. Aaron Valentino, the big free agent gamble, lets his numbers do the talking. 32 carries, 216 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He caught three passes for another 30 yards. And he goes home with an MVP trophy, and superbowl rings for all his teammates. I think this team did the right thing in signing the star running back. Morse didn't have to do much here-he was 14 of 24 for 169 yards, but most importantly no interceptions. We did not turn the ball over at all in the superbowl, and that makes a huge difference, of course. We see more than our usual share of red letters in the season-ending awards board this time around. RB Aaron Valentino (who I had feared would suffer from my late-season health-related benching) managed to garner the NFL MVP award, despite not finishing in the top two RB slots for the all-pro team. S Jim Stanton was named DROY for his solid season (66 tackles, 3ints). And QB Jesse Morse was named second team quarterback-his first career honors- hopefully, the first of many. I'm surprised that my safety Billy Joe Franklin doesn't make the list, but his tackle numbers may not have been high enough (which I'd prefer, to be honest-I prefer to have opposing running backs tackled at the line rather than in the secondary). We're ecstatic about our great victory, and we'll see what sort of team we can hold together for another run.

11-09-2000, 11:42 AM	#28
ShagVT H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC	Right on! Well done, Quik. As always, a very entertaining read. Congrats!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)