GroupThink 3 - Kitty Hawk, 2021

[Buzzbee]

One other thought. Last year QS picked up a number of undrafted rookies to fill the roster. How many are we going to be able to pick up given our cap limitations? I know QS did some analysis pre-FA, but what about now? I'd hate to draft some late round sleepers only to have to cut them because we didn't get the required # of DE's, or some such scenario.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
Along the OL, I don't see a lot to like here. C Korey aliabadi looks to have big potential in run blocking, and would be an affinity guy as well. He might make sense - especially if he might make a move to guard. At 293 lbs, I think he could do it, but he'd probably lose something in the switch - so if we take him, we probably need to be prepared for him to be slotted as a center (which makes any OL less palatable).

I noticed this guy as well. Could be a good Goalline or short-yardage type guy. Not much in the way of pass blocking, but a minor monster for the run.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
I noticed this guy as well. Could be a good Goalline or short-yardage type guy. Not much in the way of pass blocking, but a minor monster for the run.

ah, but we cant situation slot OL.

[albionmoonlight]

The discussion here looks good. I am always looking for LB and secondary depth, so that is my preference. I vote for picking the linebacker. I am, however, happy with however you want to finish the draft.

Also to clarify--we get Shon for this year. We probably will not have him next year.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by Fritz
ah, but we cant situation slot OL.

[sour grapes]
Oh well. I like C - Muarice Cajigal better anyway.
[/sour grapes]

[QuikSand]

Here's the shortened versionof the current roster, by request. (Players who are almost certainly not coming back have been omitted for your convenience... the "CNTRCT" column tells you how long each player is signed for, just in case that's something you're looking for.

Front Office Football: The Fourth Edition
Kitty Hawk Flyers Roster, Scout Overview
   
  Player                #   Pos  Exp  Current Estimate  Future Estimate Cntrct OnTeam 
Sparks, Heath           18  QB   7    42                42                1 yr.  2020 
Hutchins, Chuck         17  QB   8    37                41                1 yr.  2020 
Tittle, Bennie          13  QB   2    13                40                2 yrs. 2020 
Finley, Daniel          20  RB   4    58                58                3 yrs. 2018 
Strong, Rob             24  RB   2    32                39                2 yrs. 2020 
Atkins, Brett           25  RB   2    28                32                ---    2020 
Rubble, Earnest         39  FB   2    58                63                3 yrs. 2020 
Kowalski, Rondell       36  FB   12   24                25                1 yr.  2020 
Wylie, Larry            86  TE   1    46                72                5 yrs. 2021 
Diana, Julio            80  TE   13   34                35                1 yr.  2019 
Wayne, Bernard          82  TE   4    25                42                1 yr.  2020 
Song, Peter             84  FL   3    44                53                4 yrs. 2019 
Carr, Kenneth           81  FL   9    40                41                2 yrs. 2020 
Sanderson, Robert       83  FL   2    29                45                3 yrs. 2020 
Matthews, Julio         88  FL   4    22                37                1 yr.  2020 
Andrews, Willie         65  LT   12   62                62                3 yrs. 2018 
Johns, Timothy          61  LT   7    38                50                1 yr.  2020 
Hausermann, Dave        72  LG   6    34                41                1 yr.  2020 
Winters, R.J.           54  C    14   76                77                2 yrs. 2012 
Cicci, Carlton          60  C    2    34                48                ---    2020 
Perry, Lewis            57  C    3    23                33                1 yr.  2019 
Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   3    34                44                1 yr.  2019 
Wallace, Irv            71  RG   3    18                51                2 yrs. 2021 
Kinsey, Lincoln         4   P    3    38                38                ---    2020 
Beattie, Mickey         1   K    2    43                46                ---    2020 
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  11   57                63                2 yrs. 2018 
Peters, Ellis           70  LDT  8    35                35                2 yrs. 2020 
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  3    37                41                3 yrs. 2019 
Beecroft, Phillip       91  RDE  5    28                38                2 yrs. 2021 
Mills, J.J.             50  SLB  9    41                41                1 yr.  2020 
Daniels, Russell        96  MLB  7    66                66                3 yrs. 2020 
Shon, Desmond           52  MLB  9    44                46                1 yr.  2020 
Plank, Oscar            56  MLB  6    30                42                2 yrs. 2021 
Middleton, Buddy        98  WILB 1    41                65                4 yrs. 2021 
Chilton, Riddick        51  WLB  3    23                34                3 yrs. 2021 
Henderson, Joseph       42  LCB  6    50                52                2 yrs. 2020 
Duran, Luther           28  LCB  2    23                41                3 yrs. 2020 
Devitt, Cornell         32  LCB  3    20                49                3 yrs. 2021 
Bordano, Edgar          29  RCB  4    58                68                2 yrs. 2018 
Perry, Shane            35  RCB  6    34                42                2 yrs. 2021 
Hawkins, Ricky          33  SS   11   50                50                2 yrs. 2020 
Reynolds, Louie         30  FS   12   46                46                2 yrs. 2018 
McNair, Orlando         45  FS   2    34                62                2 yrs. 2020 
Players Under Contract: 39

And I'm sorry for my misstatement about LB Shon-- I meant to type "out of contract after this year" and left out the word "after," which certainly made it very misleading. We're just peachy at LB for this season, but next year we are fairly likely to lose two starters.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Oh well. I like C - Muarice Cajigal better anyway.

I somehow missed him first time around, but I like him, too. At 300 lbs, he might even make a smooth transition to another OL slot. (Boy, we could use him at tackle)

[Buzzbee]

In looking at our "likely" roster, it seems evident to me that we need some bodies on the D-Line. Did we lose a lot here? I know we had good DE who was injured (can't remember his name) that looks like is gone, but what about DT? We've got 4 on the D-Line?!? Sucks that it was a weak draft in this area. Any run stopping DT's or pass rushing fiends at DE that might slip a round or two...or three?

We were great at stopping the run last year. HOW?

[QuikSand]

Yes, we will need to sign a kicker and punter this season. During the draft might make sense, if we can get a guy well above replacement value.

K Neil Arellano seems to be the best of his lot, with excellent kicking power and hang time, and adequate kicking accuracy. He's a former Orangeman, also - a plus.

I see several punters here who look pretty interchangeable. Maybe a late round pick, but certainly not anything before they start to go off the board.

[QuikSand]

Buzzbee - you're absolutely right, DL is a spot where we really could have used an immediate contributor from the draft.

There's really not much at all on the DL in this draft - only at the very top. DT Desmond Foley might turn out to be a passable reserve in time, as might DE Henry Fletcher. But I don't think those guys are our best options at the moment.

We signed DE Philip Beecroft as an insurance policy to play DE. But based on this draft, I don't see any way we can let him go.

My best guess is that a later draft pick at LB who can switch to DE will be our best play for a roster-filler for this year.

[albionmoonlight]

We did great at stopping the run because our D coordinator is an absolute STUD.

[Buzzbee]

Ok, to avoid the paralysis by analysis, I vote for LB Boyd, C Cajigal, or FS Wahl.

One concern that I noticed with Cajigal from my previous post. Very High leadership at 85. If we ever get rid of Johns, we might be forced to start Cajigal.

I'm thinking Boyd might be the best pick since we are obviously going to need some help on the D-Line.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by albionmoonlight
We did great at stopping the run because our D coordinator is an absolute STUD.

Well, yeah, but other than that....

[QuikSand]

88. Kitty Hawk - Boyd, Howie, ILB, Minnesota

89. Texarkana - Bullock, Myron, CB, South Carolina
90. Ocean City - Hoke, Zach, C, Northwestern
91. Bermuda - Cajigal, Maurice, C, Rice
92. Fort Knox - Kotter, Dusty, G, Purdue
93. Key West - Greer, Bennie, OLB, Boise State
94. Louisville - Aliabadi, Korey, C, Virginia Tech
95. Ypsilanti - Prescott, Phil, CB, Penn State
96. Napa Valley - Conrad, A.J., T, North Carolina
97. Mazatlan - Wynn, David, G, North Texas
98. Manhattan - Berry, Rickey, FB, Notre Dame
99. Thunder Bay - Cuevas, Kelly, TE, Illinois
100. Ocean City - McEachern, Brady, WR, Oklahoma
101. Fort Wayne - Dodge, Rod, G, Utah
102. Sacramento - Stuart, Chad, G, Eastern Michigan
103. Athens - Reid, Ed, FB, Florida
104. Norfolk - Wahl, Marc, S, Cal. - Sacramento
105. Nashua - Holliday, Dominic, CB, Troy State
106. Tijuana - Newman, Roman, FB, UCLA
107. Texarkana - Foley, Walt, S, Cincinnati
108. Wheeling - Wiggins, Rod, DT, Boise State
109. Death Valley - Carpenter, Harvey, WR, Buffalo
110. Pensacola - Glenn, Harvey, WR, Air Force
111. Providence - Fisher, Donnell, WR, Northwestern
112. Lake Erie - McCormick, Mack, WR, North Texas
113. Champaign - Davidson, Percy, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette
114. Hawk Mountain - Price, Tommie, TE, Tulsa
115. Sault Ste. Marie - Wallace, Britt, S, Ohio State
116. Memphis - Clark, Bubba, TE, Arkansas
117. Little Rock - Mudgett, Shannon, CB, Miami, Ohio
118. Tulsa - Russ, Rickey, FB, Virginia
119. Cheyenne - Bullock, Zack, G, Cincinnati

Stepping in with a semi-execituve deicision, and we will take LB Boyd here. Yes, he was my choice - I'll live with the consequences. His ability to help out at DE int he near term is tough to overlook, especially with the rags out there at that position.

I was hoping that C Cajigal would slide to us in round four - but no dice there, he went very shortly after our third pick.

So, we are on the clock again. (I'm assuming that the list of selected players' names will suffice, rather than posting files again) Any thoughts?

[QuikSand]

By the way, all indication are that both LBs Middleton and Boyd will comfortably slide into OLD positions. Do we have any thoughts where we want these guys slotted going into their first training camp? I'm assuming that we'll use both in outside spots (giving them flexibility to play at DE if needed) but if albionmoonlight has input on who might be better for weak/strong, that woudl be helpful.

But we can pencil one or both in to play an outside spot for this year and beyond, as needed.

[QuikSand]

Here's a thought, for what it's worth. RB R.J. Harden, at 215 lbs, might be a decent candidate to slide over to play wideout. Were we to move him there, he ould have an affinity with TE Julio Diana, our positional leader. Harden has some pretty respectable receiving skills already - he might turn out to be a better receiver than what we could get in the 5th or 6th round by drafting directly from that position. Just a minor consideration... I think he's among the best RBs out there, too, incidentally, but the switch to WR would give him a positional affinity.

[QuikSand]

Hmmm... with LB Percy Rapp still on the board (and possibly the "best player available") is it possible that LB is just another position (like RB) where quality guys just fall too far in the draft?

I'm not suggesting we take him (he's way too small to move positions, I think) - but it's getting me to think that LB is one of those psots where you can regularly get usable guys in later rounds (along with RB, FB and C in particular).

[Buzzbee]

It is odd that seemingly quality LB's are dropping to the later rounds. I wonder if that is a product of our scouts limitations (seeing LB's as better than they really are), possibly a lack of need among a lot of other teams (current roster depth), or perhaps a deep draft at LB. My guess is that it is a combination of the first two. I don't remember a lot of LB's falling to later rounds last year.

In regard to our next pick, dare we start the run on K's?

4th round may be where they start to go, especially since they are more of a value now. Although I am ok with picking up RB Harden. Any decent offensive linemen or backup safeties?

[QuikSand]

I see much more talent at CB than at safety. CB Jamal Dreyer is 200 lbs, possibly big enough to switch seamlessly - and could be a decent reserve safety (great ballhawk, might become decent zone defender).

We do need another tackle for this roster - an while I don't think he's really special, T Frank Grolsko would be a good affinity guy and is more ready-to-play than most of the other "projects" in this draft. Might not be urgent (he's only the 9th-rated T left on the overall board) but he might be a good fit for us. Plus, I have had a little luck with guys like him who have good "off ratings" (he's great with "blocking strength" but fairly limited with his other ratings).

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
It is odd that seemingly quality LB's are dropping to the later rounds. I wonder if that is a product of our scouts limitations (seeing LB's as better than they really are), possibly a lack of need among a lot of other teams (current roster depth), or perhaps a deep draft at LB. My guess is that it is a combination of the first two. I don't remember a lot of LB's falling to later rounds last year.

Excellent point - our scout might be the root cause here, at least in part.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
Here's a thought, for what it's worth. RB R.J. Harden, at 215 lbs, might be a decent candidate to slide over to play wideout. Were we to move him there, he ould have an affinity with TE Julio Diana, our positional leader. Harden has some pretty respectable receiving skills already - he might turn out to be a better receiver than what we could get in the 5th or 6th round by drafting directly from that position. Just a minor consideration... I think he's among the best RBs out there, too, incidentally, but the switch to WR would give him a positional affinity.

Not opposed to switching him to WR. One observation though, in looking at our receiving corp, TE Diana is the receiving leader only by a little if I remember correctly. A jump in leadership by someone like K-Carr could undermine the "switch" strategy if the primary motivation is to gain affinity.

Closer scrutiny on Diana as positional leader may be warranted.

[albionmoonlight]

In our defense last year, the WLB tended to rush the passer most of the time, while the SLB bearly rushed at all (mainly because Mills (starting SLB) could not rush the passer at all). In order to compensate for the SLB's inability to rush, I had our stud MLB Daniels rushing ~20% of the time.

Ideally, as we are looking to convert our MLBs to OLBs, I would like you to convert the one with the best pass rushing skill to SLB. If he can get on the field as a starting SLB, then we might be able to rush him more and not rush Daniels as much (I think that Daniels will operate better as a tackling machine up the middle. He has never been a big pass rusher in his career--including the year that he won DPOY). Shon, from the WLB spot, will still be the primary rusher.

Also--I do not have the file in front of me, but perhaps this is the year we may want to switch to a 3-4? I know that our DL depth problem has more to do with DE, which will not be helped directly by a switch to a 3-4, but would it make sense to use one of our DTs as a DE and play a 3-4? If that is a possibility, we should consider it before we convert all of our MLBs.

FWIW, after last year's performance stopping the run, I am not as high on switching to a 3-4 as I was at the beginning of GT3. Personally, I would like to stay with what we had last year (plus a good nickel back) and see if we can build on our success. However, I wanted to throw the idea out to see if it could solve some of our depth problems.

[Buzzbee]

In regard to CB/S, if there is a CB who looks like they might convert to S, then that may be the way to go, since it doesn't sound like there is much left at S.

Likewise on the OL, are there any C's that might convert to G or T?

The "convert" strategy may be our best bet to fill in the required "numbers".

Also, any thought to a K or P this early? Once one goes, there tends to be a small run, which might deplete, if there isn't any depth. I hope we can hold out 'til next round, but fear the decent ones may have been tapped by our next pick.

[Buzzbee]

Also, thanks for the input Albion, I was beginning to think this was becoming the QuikBee show. I look forward to Fritz getting power. It's a lot more fun with more people's input.

[Buzzbee]

Now that I'm at home, I have reviewed the talent, or lack thereof, and suggest either going with Harden at RB or a K or P. There really aren't any standout players other than at LB, and I'd really hate to pick 3 successive LB's.

Upon further inspection, there are a couple of C's that might warrant a little bit of attention, since we do need some O-Linemen. However, I would lean toward RB or K/P.

C - Terry Marsh - Aquarius - Affinity with OL leader Johns. Some red and fair amount of potential for Pass and Run blocking. Only problem, now that I look at it is Very High Leadership (96) which would at some point put him in line to be a position leader. Never Mind.

C- Tyrus Heiden - Capricorn (neutral) Better blocking strength than Marsh, but less upside potential as well. Leadership (78) could make him a little less attractive. Fan Favorite

c - Carlton Duffy - Capricorn (neutral) Very similar to Marsh, just a little less blocking potential. Low leadership (30)

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Also, thanks for the input Albion, I was beginning to think this was becoming the QuikBee show. I look forward to Fritz getting power. It's a lot more fun with more people's input.

I would not be shocked if I was without power through the weekend.
---

I would like to see us take the best T available rather than a good RB right now. We are short at OL depth, and even a poor player will get a few contract years to improve if we draft him.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Fritz
I would not be shocked if I was without power through the weekend.

I don't know the term for this... it's almost like a "Tom Swift" statement, isn't it?

[Buzzbee]

I'm not opposed to taking a T. The way RB's have gone, it's possible that we can pick up a decent RB in a later round.

Opinions: Based on what is left on the board, do you guys think it will be better to take a true T, or perhaps convert a C?

[albionmoonlight]

FOF4 seems pretty good at allowing common-sense conversions. Is C to T common sense? I would be inclined to pick a big center and try to switch him to tackle, but perhaps we should make sure that the game lets you do that without too much of a penalty.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by QuikSand
I don't know the term for this... it's almost like a "Tom Swift" statement, isn't it?

boooooooooo


-------------

As far as converting players go, there are often DT/DE types that conver to OT. I don't know how well the skills translate though.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Fritz
I would like to see us take the best T available rather than a good RB right now. We are short at OL depth, and even a poor player will get a few contract years to improve if we draft him.

From where I sit, the best T available is the guy Grolsko I mentioned above... and he is 9th on the list of available tackles. So, I think we can get him in another round or two and still accomplish the spirit of what Fritz is requesting here.

I'm thinking that the press is on to get a kicker who can help us, and the best guy left is far better than anyone else out there... so I pull the trigger and select Neil Arellano with our 4th round pick.

120. Kitty Hawk - Arellano, Neil, K, Syracuse

121. Texarkana - Wellman, Ron, DT, Washington
122. Puget Sound - Beasley, Glenn, T, Air Force
123. Bermuda - Whalen, Kurt, G, Maryland
124. Fort Knox - Cassidy, Bo, CB, Purdue
125. Key West - Lewis, J.C., WR, Northern Illinois
126. Louisville - Dreyer, Jamal, CB, Kentucky
127. Ypsilanti - Consing, Earl, DT, Canisius
128. Napa Valley - Marsh, Terry, C, Ohio
129. Mazatlan - Foley, Desmond, DT, Kentucky
130. Manhattan - Gushue, Lance, OLB, Florida
131. Thunder Bay - Tyler, Brant, WR, Lafayette
132. Ocean City - Emmons, Vinny, CB, Northwestern
133. Fort Wayne - Rheams, Roger, WR, North Carolina
134. Sacramento - Giles, Bryant, OLB, Louisville
135. Athens - Martin, Frankie, DE, Ohio State
136. Norfolk - Fletcher, Henry, DE, San Diego State
137. Nashua - Oglethorpe, Gino, CB, Bowling Green
138. Tijuana - Heiden, Tyrus, C, Penn State
139. Niagara Falls - Walling, James, C, Florida
140. Wheeling - Ackerman, Jamie, T, Ohio State
141. Death Valley - O'Donnell, Ricardo, WR, Central Michigan
142. Pensacola - Baxter, Josh, OLB, Tennessee
143. Providence - Mitchell, Deon, OLB, Georgia Tech
144. Lake Erie - Bjorke, Bert, G, Toledo
145. Champaign - Leger, Gino, S, Louisiana-Lafayette
146. Hawk Mountain - Guthrie, Henry, DE, Georgia Tech
147. Sault Ste. Marie - Shuran, Leon, DT, Bucknell
148. Memphis - Roberts, A.J., T, Syracuse
149. Little Rock - Clark, Curtis, CB, Texas Tech
150. Tulsa - Stevens, Keith, S, New Mexico State
151. Cheyenne - Horton, Shaun, G, Bowling Green

152. Kitty Hawk - Grolsko, Frank, T, Wisconsin

153. Texarkana - Demps, Jamie, DT, Stanford
154. Puget Sound - Devito, Benjamin, T, Ohio
155. Bermuda - Henson, Xavier, G, Michigan
156. Fort Knox - Franks, Renaldo, CB, Washington
157. Key West - Behan, Leon, FB, Brigham Young
158. Louisville - Pomeranz, Bert, CB, Indiana
159. Ypsilanti - Collier, Willie, QB, UCLA
160. Napa Valley - Perez, Kent, WR, Marshall
161. Mazatlan - Jarvis, Allen, DT, Kent
162. Manhattan - Mueller, Ron, OLB, Rice
163. Thunder Bay - Logue, Tito, S, Ball State
164. Ocean City - Wayne, John, OLB, Utah State
165. Fort Wayne - Brigance, Kendrick, CB, Boston College
166. Sacramento - Humphrey, Tracy, CB, Oregon State
167. Athens - Lowe, Vernon, DE, Baylor
168. Norfolk - Wayne, Ralph, DE, Army
169. Nashua - Broomfield, Warren, DT, Miami, Florida
170. Tijuana - Lighthiser, Christian, DT, Colorado State
171. Niagara Falls - McKenzie, Jimmy, T, Troy State
172. Wheeling - Pitts, Dexter, DE, Florida State
173. Death Valley - Allen, Bryan, TE, Connecticut
174. Pensacola - Tipton, Reggie, OLB, Wake Forest
175. Providence - Rickles, Hardy, OLB, Pittsburgh
176. Lake Erie - Anderson, Howard, DT, Miami, Ohio
177. Champaign - Clausen, Jesse, OLB, Notre Dame
178. Hawk Mountain - Dillon, Alan, DE, Texas
179. Sault Ste. Marie - Schneider, Bryan, DT, Bowling Green
180. Memphis - Hoag, Mark, T, Syracuse
181. Little Rock - McKenzie, Sam, S, West Virginia
182. Tulsa - Dodge, Toby, S, Southern California
183. Cheyenne - Rayburn, Joel, S, Idaho

184. Kitty Hawk - Harden, R.J., RB, Bowling Green

185. Texarkana - Duffy, Carlton, C, Miami, Ohio
186. Puget Sound - Turk, Tyrell, K, West Chester
187. Bermuda - Harrison, Amos, T, Army
188. Fort Knox - Hirsch, Dominic, TE, Central Florida
189. Key West - Clark, Wade, WR, Army
190. Louisville - Ford, Mack, DE, Tulane
191. Ypsilanti - Strickland, Grant, ILB, Virginia
192. Napa Valley - Regalado, Lance, WR, Akron
193. Mazatlan - Japp, Casey, P, Ark. - Pine Bluff
194. Manhattan - Skipper, Donald, CB, Washington State
195. Thunder Bay - Mason, Jack, DE, Tennessee
196. Ocean City - Rayburn, Christian, DE, Maryland
197. Fort Wayne - Gerhardt, O.J., OLB, UCLA
198. Sacramento - Rockett, Dave, CB, Utah
199. Athens - Catalano, Randall, WR, Navy
200. Norfolk - Perry, Carl, C, Southern California
201. Nashua - McCarty, Sean, C, Rice
202. Tijuana - Holloway, K.C., P, Washington
203. Niagara Falls - Stockton, Alan, CB, Florida
204. Sacramento - Rodgers, Norbert, DT, Duquesne
205. Death Valley - Cornelius, Quentin, DE, Kansas State
206. Pensacola - Floyd, Leland, DT, Iowa State
207. Providence - Roberts, Rex, DE, Missouri
208. Lake Erie - Branch, Phillip, DT, Richmond
209. Champaign - Spencer, Adam, OLB, Tulane
210. Hawk Mountain - Ardrey, Mo, DT, San Jose State
211. Sault Ste. Marie - Bailey, Steven, DE, Brigham Young
212. Memphis - Robinson, Joey, DE, West Virginia
213. Little Rock - Juckett, Louis, S, South Carolina
214. Tulsa - Lynn, Alvin, CB, Stanford
215. Cheyenne - Richardson, Leslie, S, Southern California
216. Kitty Hawk - Rapp, Percy, ILB, Pennsylvania
217. Texarkana - Goodwin, Greg, T, Texas
218. Puget Sound - Kley, Doug, TE, Brigham Young
219. Bermuda - Hernandez, Stanley, DT, Louisville
220. Fort Knox - Sims, Frank, DE, Washington
221. Key West - Thornton, Ty, DE, Tulsa
222. Louisville - Clancy, Phil, DT, Pittsburgh
223. Ypsilanti - Goodwin, Corwin, OLB, Tulsa
224. Napa Valley - Norton, Bennie, DE, Minnesota

Based on our discussion here, I felt pretty comfortable going ahead with the later round picks. The best tackle Grolsko was still there in round five, so we grab him there. In round six, RB Harden was still around, so that looked like a value pick. And in round seven, the "best player available" in round four was still on the board - so that seemed fairly straightforward, too.

We end up with a LB-heavy draft, but it's a spot where we might get some dividends quickly, as we needed bodies along the defensive front.

Amateur Draft Report:

Rnd 1 - Larry Wylie, TE, Miami, Florida
Rnd 2 - Buddy Middleton, ILB, Tulsa
Rnd 3 - Howie Boyd, ILB, Minnesota
Rnd 4 - Neil Arellano, K, Syracuse
Rnd 5 - Frank Grolsko, T, Wisconsin
Rnd 6 - R.J. Harden, RB, Bowling Green
Rnd 7 - Percy Rapp, ILB, Pennsylvania

I also grab a few more roster-filler players from the undrafted rookie free agent pool - recall that we will need a number of these guys to stick around just to fill up our roster for the season:

DT Scott Sutter
P Van Saldana
LB Otis Mitchell
C Leroy Russell
RB Dennis Rivers *
DT Mario Preston
LB Damon Drake
P Clay Nomellini
S Richard Bradley
QB Alan Crane *

italics – player fills required roster spot
* - player has identified affinity with position leader


Okay – with that, I’ll distribute an updated set of files, and we can discuss any further moves we want to make before we go into training camp. I may well have missed some promising pick-ups (there are tons of usable RBs left in the undrafted pool) so please do give a look for useful fill-ins—recall, it was at this point that we picked up LB Sammie Gilespie for last season, who turned out to be a fairly valuable contributor.

[Buzzbee]

From what I've seen there are two aspects of converting. The first is how well the SKILLS translate. This corresponds to the green bars. The second is how well the EXPERIENCE translates. This corresponds to the red bars. When you convert, FOF will tell you about what percentage of the SKILLS will be lost. It mentions that experience will be lost, but doesn't give you an idea.

This of course doesn't tell us squat about how well a draftee will convert, but I just thought I'd share some of my thimblefull of knowledge.

[QuikSand]

File update #1 of 2

[QuikSand]

File update #2 of 2

[QuikSand]

I went ahead and re-signed C Carlton Cicci, to bring our roster up to 55 players. We are about $1.6m over our self-imposed cap, so we will have to make some reductions—apparently either three rookies or a rookie and a slightly more costly veteran. But in either case, we will be at least close to a full roster, and still within our means. (The estimated costs for our rookie players was a bit overstated, as usual)

Front Office Football: The Fourth Edition
Kitty Hawk Flyers Roster, Scout Overview
   
  Player                #   Pos  Exp  Current Estimate  Future Estimate Cntrct OnTeam 
Sparks, Heath           18  QB   7    41                41                1 yr.  2020 
Hutchins, Chuck         17  QB   8    36                40                1 yr.  2020 
Tittle, Bennie          13  QB   2    13                40                2 yrs. 2020 
Crane, Alan             15  QB   1    12                40                1 yr.  2021 
Finley, Daniel          20  RB   4    65                65                3 yrs. 2018 
Harden, R.J.            47  RB   1    43                51                2 yrs. 2021 
Withers, Luke           41  RB   2    35                44                ---    2020 
Strong, Rob             24  RB   2    32                39                2 yrs. 2020 
Atkins, Brett           25  RB   2    28                32                ---    2020 
Rivers, Dennis          31  RB   1    28                45                2 yrs. 2021 
Rubble, Earnest         39  FB   2    58                63                3 yrs. 2020 
Kowalski, Rondell       36  FB   12   21                21                1 yr.  2020 
Wylie, Larry            86  TE   1    46                72                5 yrs. 2021 
Diana, Julio            80  TE   13   27                29                1 yr.  2019 
Wayne, Bernard          82  TE   4    25                41                1 yr.  2020 
Quick, Bert             8   TE   2    19                34                ---    2020 
Song, Peter             84  FL   3    44                53                4 yrs. 2019 
Carr, Kenneth           81  FL   9    37                38                2 yrs. 2020 
Sanderson, Robert       83  FL   2    29                45                3 yrs. 2020 
Matthews, Julio         88  FL   4    22                36                1 yr.  2020 
Rheams, Corwin          85  SE   8    34                34                ---    2020 
Andrews, Willie         65  LT   12   62                62                3 yrs. 2018 
Johns, Timothy          61  LT   7    38                50                1 yr.  2020 
Reese, Bernie           66  LT   2    24                34                ---    2020 
Hausermann, Dave        72  LG   6    34                41                1 yr.  2020 
Winters, R.J.           54  C    14   76                76                2 yrs. 2012 
Cicci, Carlton          60  C    2    34                48                1 yr.  2020 
Perry, Lewis            57  C    3    24                33                1 yr.  2019 
Russell, Leroy          59  C    1    17                46                1 yr.  2021 
Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   3    34                44                1 yr.  2019 
Otis, Les               67  RG   4    26                37                ---    2020 
Wallace, Irv            71  RG   3    18                50                2 yrs. 2021 
Grolsko, Frank          64  RT   1    25                39                3 yrs. 2021 
Nomellini, Cary         12  P    1    51                53                1 yr.  2021 
Saldana, Van            14  P    1    40                61                1 yr.  2021 
Kinsey, Lincoln         4   P    3    36                36                ---    2020 
Beattie, Mickey         1   K    2    43                46                ---    2020 
Arellano, Neil          19  K    1    41                56                3 yrs. 2021 
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  11   57                63                2 yrs. 2018 
Peters, Ellis           70  LDT  8    34                34                2 yrs. 2020 
Preston, Mario          95  LDT  1    11                33                1 yr.  2021 
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  3    37                41                3 yrs. 2019 
Sutter, Scott           74  RDT  1    20                29                1 yr.  2021 
Armstrong, Stan         75  RDT  2    14                26                ---    2020 
Beecroft, Phillip       91  RDE  5    27                37                2 yrs. 2021 
Emerson, Geoff          76  RDE  3    26                33                ---    2019 
Mills, J.J.             50  SLB  9    42                42                1 yr.  2020 
Wynn, Leslie            99  SLB  2    20                31                ---    2020 
Drake, Damon            53  SLB  1    12                49                1 yr.  2021 
Mitchell, Otis          55  SILB 1    24                57                1 yr.  2021 
Daniels, Russell        96  MLB  7    65                65                3 yrs. 2020 
Shon, Desmond           52  MLB  9    43                46                1 yr.  2020 
Boyd, Howie             94  MLB  1    32                60                4 yrs. 2021 
Plank, Oscar            56  MLB  6    30                42                2 yrs. 2021 
Rapp, Percy             97  MLB  1    25                54                3 yrs. 2021 
Wilson, Roy             93  MLB  2    16                31                ---    2020 
Middleton, Buddy        98  WILB 1    41                65                4 yrs. 2021 
Gillespie, Sammy        90  WLB  2    26                38                ---    2020 
Chilton, Riddick        51  WLB  3    23                35                3 yrs. 2021 
Henderson, Joseph       42  LCB  6    50                51                2 yrs. 2020 
Duran, Luther           28  LCB  2    23                41                3 yrs. 2020 
Devitt, Cornell         32  LCB  3    20                49                3 yrs. 2021 
Dole, Orlando           46  LCB  2    15                22                ---    2020 
Bordano, Edgar          29  RCB  4    58                68                2 yrs. 2018 
Perry, Shane            35  RCB  6    33                42                2 yrs. 2021 
Drake, Spencer          38  RCB  5    20                31                ---    2020 
Hawkins, Ricky          33  SS   11   46                46                2 yrs. 2020 
Bradley, Richard        40  SS   1    18                27                1 yr.  2021 
Reynolds, Louie         30  FS   12   43                43                2 yrs. 2018 
McNair, Orlando         45  FS   2    34                62                2 yrs. 2020 
   
Players Under Contract: 55
On Active Roster: 55
   
Salary Cap: $174,300,000
Cap Room: $15,890,000
Maximum for New Player: $16,470,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $18,610,000
   
Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $6,030,000
Cap Room Required Next Year: $133,030,000

[QuikSand]

Hmmmm... looks lik we're stil short at DE. I'll check to see if any of these scrap heap LBs ar beefy enough to switch over. (This is going to be trouble all year, I fear)

Too bad - no Lbs are heavy enough to switch to DL, so I have signed DE J.B. Floyd, a very modest talent who does have an affinity, at least. The DL is going to be very shaky this season, I fear.

[Buzzbee]

Very interesting. In the last 4 rounds we got the players we wanted, that fit in our system. It almost feels like we could have drafted them in any order and still acquired them. Oh well, I'll take it.

Note: In a brief review, only 2 K and 2 P were taken in the entire draft.

[Buzzbee]

With the signing of Cicci, you can cut Perry Lewis and save about $920,000.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
With the signing of Cicci, you can cut Perry Lewis and save about $920,000.

Should be prominent on or list of consderations - I'd recommend we give each some PT in preseason, and treat this like an audition... but in my mind, it's Cicci's job to lose. (We are talking about a backup job, anyway)

[QuikSand]

Assuming no gigantic surprises during training camp, I think I will recommend that LB Buddy Middleton (whose future is almost certainly at OLB) become our starter at DE for this season. He seems to have better overall DE skills than anyone we have who is truly slotted in that position per se. Middleton will not formally move to the DE slot, but if we move him to OLB, he will be able to slide in as a DE in the depth chart, effecting the same thing for all intents and purposes. We will have enough actual LBs to provide plenty of legitimate depth at those positions, for certain.

As someone mentioned before, the alternative seems to be to switch to the 3-4 this year. If we did so, I think we'd have to decide whether it made more sense to still use Middleton as our starter at DE, or whether we wanted to slide DT Ellis Peters over to play DE, and use Middleton as an OLB. Either one would probably work okay.

[QuikSand]

One more comment at DE: Geoff Emerson is still hanging around, asking for about $970,000 to play this year. He was a full-time starter for us two seasons ago (before we rolled him back last season) and has an affinity with Cedric Martin to boot. If we can afford him, it might make sense to ink him to a new deal, rather than go with a basically useless rookie. Emerson is no star, but he has a shade more going for him than the faceless URFA guy I picked up to fill the roster hole.

[Buzzbee]

I'm not opposed. I believe that Middleton SHOULD retain the bulk of his GREEN ratings and shouldn't lose too terribly much of his RED, since there is some commonality between ILB and OLB. I think this will, as QS said, give us much greater flexiblity with Middleton since he will be able to play inside, outside, or DE.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
One more comment at DE: Geoff Emerson is still hanging around, asking for about $970,000 to play this year. He was a full-time starter for us two seasons ago (before we rolled him back last season) and has an affinity with Cedric Martin to boot. If we can afford him, it might make sense to ink him to a new deal, rather than go with a basically useless rookie. Emerson is no star, but he has a shade more going for him than the faceless URFA guy I picked up to fill the roster hole.

Do you think he'll be around after training camp? Might we pick up Emerson, or some other DE that didn't make the cut, a little cheaper after camp?

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Do you think he'll be around after training camp? Might we pick up Emerson, or some other DE that didn't make the cut, a little cheaper after camp?

I think his request is at least close to minimum salary. As a 3rd year player, I don't think his demands can drop much below the $970,000 he seeks... rookie are making $580,000 and I think a 2nd year player makes a minimum of $750,000... if Emerson is asking for more than the minimum, it'sjust by a shade.

Plus, we'd gain some cohesion beenfit by having him remain listead as continuously on the roster for the whole time, rather than released and then re-signed after training camp. A fairly minor issue, but that's probably where we are in making these decisions.

[QuikSand]

A possibe candidate for a cut might be LB Riddick Chilton - a guy we signed as an "insurance policy" at LB, but now projects to be in the mess with all these potentially promising rookies. If the rookie grop come through camp okay, we'd probably use Chilton sparingly - and at $1,580,000 in salary, he'd help clear out some space.

[Fritz]

We could cut TE Bernard Wayne and pick a rookie TE like Terry Jenkins or Dale McFerrin. That would get us half a mil.

I like G Marco Trask and Tommie Sadowski as well as T Ed Chanoine and Malcolm Dancy for training camp. If we end up with one of them it may allow us to release a more costly OL.

[albionmoonlight]

I'll look at the file tonight and chime on some potential D cuts.

I agree with keeping the team continuity. I think it fits with the chemistry theme of this team.

[QuikSand]

Let's recall - we really don't need to make a whole lot of cuts to this roster. We're at 56 players, and if we end up releasing one veteran (like whoever loses the derby to be bthe backup center) then we probably get under our cap just by cutting two of the current rookies. So, we probably don't need to be scouring the roster looking for an abundance of cuts - just FYI (in case I have led us astray with my prevous comments).

[Fritz]

We are very short handed on the O line, wit hthe exception centers. Can management find a way to get the guys I listed above under contract for camp?

[Fritz]

dola - and/or bring G otis and T reese back?