GroupThink 3 - Sizing up the Kitty Hawk Flyers

[QuikSand]

Since there hasn't been much discussion about what we ought to do within our career, I'll try to jumpstart things with an executive decision - we will assume control over the Kitty Hawk Flyers, beginning with the 2020 season.

If you haven't yet gotten the game files, here is a link to the thread containing them:

GT3 Game Files

Let's use this thread to post our first cut of ideas... some people have been assigned position groups to analyze in detail, but anyone is welcome to chip in as they like.

Our first decision will be: whom on the current team do we want to keep? Doing so will require that we offer them a new contract, so think in terms of demands, rather than current contract cost. Plus, do consider chemistry issues - as that will be a big part of this effort.

[QuikSand]

Here's a little look at the Kitty Hawk Flyers' recent history:

KH has a record of .465 over the 19 seasons of the league - putting them into the bottom fifth of the league. 7 playoff appearances in 19 years isn't too bad, and they made one appearance in the title game (way back in 2003) only to lose 15-14 to Fort Knox.

Last season KH posted a 6-10 record, making four straight losing seasons. The 6-10 mark earns the #8 spot in the draft queue - but alas, we've already traded away our top draft pick this year, and instead have an extra late second rounder.

The team is losing money hand over fist. Attendance is routinely in the lowest fifth of the league, and last year the operating deficit was some $93 million. So we will have work to do off the field as well as on it.

Our 40 year old scout Roosevelt Doyle has a record of 42-53-3 with 2 playoff appearances. We have a coaching vacancy at the moment, so one of our first decisions as a front office will be to set the tone for the style of coach we seek. Financial considerations will be important here, as well.

[QuikSand]

Hmmm.. after a bit of looking at the geogaphical rivals, we have very limited ability to boost ticket prices. That is, unless we have a second rival (past Norfolk) who is closer to KH than Ocean City, Maryland. I haven't give this much thought... where is Athens, GA?

[QuikSand]

This seems like a good place to post this background data:

The four affinity groups are:
Aries, Gemini, Scorpio
Sagittarius, Leo, Virgo
Pisces, Taurus, Cancer
Aquarius, Libra, Capricorn

And the six pairs of opposed signs are:
Aries - Aquarius
Taurus - Libra
Gemini - Virgo
Scorpio - Pisces
Capricorn - Leo
Cancer - Sagittarius

[Bee]

Kitty Hawk Flyers Defensive Line

Scout Overview:
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  10   50                64                3 yrs. 2018 
Bush, Bruce             91  LDE  2    19                42                3 yrs. 2019 
Hurtado, Kyle           72  LDE  2    14                37                1 yr.  2019 
Shields, Walt           95  LDT  2    23                37                ---    2019 
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  2    35                43                4 yrs. 2019 
Davison, Frank          94  RDT  3    24                38                1 yr.  2018 
Ramsey, Todd            71  RDT  4    14                19                1 yr.  2017 
Emerson, Geoff          76  RDE  2    25                36                ---    2019 

Chemistry:
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  Content         Taurus      Defensive Front Leader  
Bush, Bruce             91  LDE  Content         Scorpio       
Hurtado, Kyle           72  LDE  Content         Gemini        
Shields, Walt           95  LDT  Content         Aries         
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  Content         Leo           
Davison, Frank          94  RDT  Content         Sagittarius   
Ramsey, Todd            71  RDT  Content         Pisces      Strong Affinity      
Emerson, Geoff          76  RDE  Content         Pisces      Affinity       


Contract Info:
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  2018   2022   10   $14,290,000     $11,100,000       
Bush, Bruce             91  LDE  2019   2022   2    $1,500,000      $830,000    
Hurtado, Kyle           72  LDE  2019   2020   2    $990,000        $860,000          
Shields, Walt           95  LDT  2019   ----   2    $0              $0                
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  2019   2023   2    $2,480,000      $1,440,000        
Davison, Frank          94  RDT  2018   2020   3    $1,120,000      $1,070,000        
Ramsey, Todd            71  RDT  2017   2020   4    $3,150,000      $2,290,000   
Emerson, Geoff          76  RDE  2019   ----   2    $0              $0              

Cedric Martin:

Was a 1st team all-pro in 2017 when he started 15 games and had 14.5 sacks. Martin joined Kitty Hawk after his all-pro season and has been fighting injuries all his career. Martin is the defensive front leader, idolized by the fans (94) with a strong personality(79) and very high leadership(84) skills. Despite only being with us for 2 seasons, Martin is very loyal (93) to the team. Over the last two seasons Martin has only been able to play 11 games for us, but in those 11 games he has come up with 8.5 sacks. Martin can also play the run well and will help in that aspect of the game as well. He's a solid all-around DE. When
healthy he's by far the best Defensive lineman we have and he appears to be healthy going into this season. While his salary is very high, I'm hoping his loyalty to the team and his recent injury problems will lead him to accept a new contract that will benefit both the team and himself.

Bruce Bush:
Bruce was a 3rd round pick last year that ended up starting 12 games for us because of Martin's injury. He was able to come up with 4 sacks for the year. While not popular with the fans (18), he is a very intelligent player (94) with some leadership skills (66). He could care less who he plays for (loyalty=12) or if the team wins (6). Because of his starting last season and his carefree attitude towards the team, he may want a big increase in salary. While a worthy backup that I'd like to keep around, he's not worth starting money at this point in his career.

Kyle Hurtado:
Kyle was a 5th round pick last year that started 1 game and played in 13 games. He was able to come up with 5.5 sacks. A relative unknown to the fans (17), Kyle is also an intelligent player (85). Not the leader (36) that Bush seems to be in the locker room, he seems content with his place on the team. Hurtado was actually more productive last year than Bush despite not appearing to have the same amount of skill. Because of his production, he might be worth holding onto for a season if Bush wants a starter's contract.

Walt Shields:
Walt Shields was brought in last season as an Unrestricted Rookie Free Agent (URFA). He's a strong pass rusher, but needs to work on his technique. He started all 16 games last year and ended up with 2.5 sacks and 24 tackles/13 assists. Not a team leader (23) nor popular with the fans (18), Walt could be a good backup if he's willing to resign with the team for a reasonable salary. He might be wanting bigger money considering he started 16 games last year, in which case he really isn't worth keeping.

Jack Littlejohn:
Jack Littlejohn was the 2nd round pick last year and is our best DT. He started all 16 games along side Walt Shields and ended up with 1.0 sack and 35 tackles/14 assists. He's got good leadership skills (77) and would possibly take over for Martin as the Defensive Front Leader if Martin were to depart. The fans don't seem to know much about Littlejohn (pop=13) and that may be a good thing. Littlejohn has absolutely no loyalty to the team (0) and really wants to play for a winning team (95). I'd like to keep Littlejohn on board, but considering all the factors (16 starts, 0 loyalty, 95 winning team), that may prove expensive to do.

Frank Davison:
A 6th round pick in 2018 out of West Virginia, Frank came in and started for us his rookie season. Sadly, Frank wasn't productive with only 1/2 a sack and 24 tackles/8 assists. Last year he backed up Shields and Littlejohn and got into 14 games for very short periods. Frank only played in 81 plays from scrimmage all year. He had O sacks, 0 tackles and 3 assists. Frank may be worth keeping as a backup, especially if Shields and Littlejohn want too much money to stay with the team.

Todd Ramsey:
Ramsey was a 2nd round pick in 2017 and just has never lived up to those expectations. He hasn't seen any action since his rookie season. While Ramsey gets along very well with Cedric Martin, I just don't see any reason to keep him on the team. While there will be a salary cap hit with his release, I think the money we save will be better spent somewhere else.

Geoff Emerson:
The URFA from West Virginia, Emerson started all 16 games last season from the Right End position. He was able to get 4 sacks and 32 tackles / 9 assists in his rookie campaign. Geoff got along well with Cedric Martin and teaming them up on the ends may help both players. He's not a team leader (15) and is a quite guy (personality = 7) who follows the lead of Martin. For a first year player, Emerson has developed some loyalty to the team (56), which may allow us to sign him to a reasonable deal during free agency although his desire to play for a winning team (94) may work against us. I'd like to keep Emerson as a potential starter or at least as a backup.

[QuikSand]

So, perhaps we make a serious effort to retain Cedric Martin, secure him as our position leader and best lineman. We see what Bush wants, but expect to see him go. Then, we'll field offers to Hurtado, Littlejohn, and Emerson in an effort to start off with a little depth. Assuming we get three guys for around 10% of the salary cap, I think that sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[Swaggs]

I will get a scouting report of the O-line sometime tonight or tomorrow night.

[Bee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
So, perhaps we make a serious effort to retain Cedric Martin, secure him as our position leader and best lineman. We see what Bush wants, but expect to see him go. Then, we'll field offers to Hurtado, Littlejohn, and Emerson in an effort to start off with a little depth. Assuming we get three guys for around 10% of the salary cap, I think that sounds pretty reasonable to me.

That sounds like a plan to me. It is kind of hard to make recommendations without moving forward a little and being able to see what the salary requests are going to be though.

I'm kind of curious to see how Emerson would play alongside Martin since they have a affinity working. Last season Emerson outperformed his ratings, but that happens sometimes without an affinity. If he can do it again this season, I'd be more apt to attribute it to team chemistry.

I'd also like to see us bring in a solid DT to shore up the run D in the middle (depending on the Def. Coordinator's plans and other needs of course).

[TredWel]

Keeping an eye towards finances, here's a list of four possible candidates for our head coaching vacancy.

Dixon Rivers - A very young (36) rookie head coach, he's the cheapest passable option there is. Not much for developing positions (except for RB, LB, and the secondary), but has good coaching skills. Good at Young Talent, Offensive Playcalling, and Avoiding Injury, and Very Good at Defensive Playcalling. A good coach of Veterans, he'd be a steal at $3,440,000.

Russell Andersen - Reaching coaching middle age at the age of 56, Russell is a well-rounded rookie coach. Average in most respects, but very good at developing Recieveres and Kickers, and Good at developing the secondary. His coaching sklls are also well rounded, and he's is rated good at Motivation, Discipline, and Avoid Injury. He's not much more than Rivers, only $3,850,000, and would be a good coach no matter the philosophy.

Juan Stone - Possibly the best development coach out there in our price range. He's at least Good in all categories of player development, save the secondary. He's also just Average with young talent. His coaching skills, however, leave much to be desired. He's 58, has no experience, and is asking $4,570,000.

Billy Dayton - Probably as high as we can afford to go. He's 59, and has two seasons under his belt as coach of the Ocean City Thrashers, garnering a 16-16 record over those two seasons with no playoff appearances. He's at least average in every respect. His standout qualities at development include Very Good at Running Back and Good at Secondary, alongside a Good Young Talent rating. He also has Good Motivational skills and Offensive Playcalling skills, and is Very Good at injury avoidance. He's only asking $4,810,000, but I could see us having competition at that level if we decide to bid on him.

[QuikSand]

Based on that (I haven't really looked yet) my inclination would be to go young and cheap, and approach Dixon Rivers first. Good playcalling skills and at least "good" in avoiding injuries sounds fine to me.

[Bee]

I would think cheap would be the primary concern considering the financial house rules. We still want the best coach we can get for the money, but we definitely want to spend the least amount we have to I would think.

[Fritz]

Our players are professionals, they will develop themselves in their off time. We need a guy who knows how to use a playbook!

[Fritz]

Athens (45ish miles east of atlanta) is a little further from OBX than Philly.

[albionmoonlight]

Our team has linebackers, though you would not know it to look at the roster (or, I imagine, if you had watched them play over the last few seasons).

There are no affinities or conflicts with the defensive front leader.

DENNIS BAXTER, SLB--Taurus
BYRON BRITO, SLB--Sagittarius
*GINO DERN, MLB--Virgo
*LELAND GEORGE, MLB--Aquarius
**VINNY RUITER, MLB--Taurus
ROGER FRANCIS, WLB--Aries

*=UFA
**=RFA
_____________________________________

DENNIS BAXTER--A fourth round draft choice from Northwestern entering his third year in the league and the final year of his contract. In that time, he has 1 start, 30 tackles, and one sack. Our scout rates his current-future potential as 19-36. Not much more to say about him.

BYRON BRITO--A third round draft choice from USC also entering his third year in the league and the final year of his contract. In that time he has 6 starts, 31 tackles, and one sack. Our scout says 22-39. He is the best of our linebackers. By default, I would be interested in offering him a contract and seeing if he gives us a reasonable offer.

GINO DERN--This 6th round WSU cougar is a UFA who has spent his 8 year career with the Flyers. In that time, he has been a stalwart in the middle, starting 105 games and racking up over 550 tackles. Our scout rates him as a 36-36. Has very limited upside, but has big heart. I'd like to keep him around, at least while we are rebuilding.

LELAND GEORGE--This former first round pick from Miss. St. has managed to start ZERO games for Kitty Hawk in his six year career, giving us great return on our investment. Our scout say 25-31. I say, time for us to part ways.

VINNY RUIETER--We picked him up off the street last year from Wisconsin. He made two tackles for us, for which we are grateful. Our scout says 17-33. I say, we can get another and better street FA and do not need to resign him.

ROGER FRANCIS--A fifth year player from the mountains of West Carolina. Has started 49 games for us and seems to have a problem staying healthy for a 16 game season. Our scout says 35-35. I think that he will ask for too much to stay on the team, but if he asks for a decent contract, then maybe. We can go toward the future without him if need be.

[Swaggs]

  Player                #   Pos  Exp  Current Estimate  Future Estimate Cntrct OnTeam 

Andrews, Willie         65  LT   11   64                64                4 yrs. 2018 

Grandon, Don            67  LT   5    36                50                1 yr.  2016 

Lash, Randy             62  LG   17   76                76                1 yr.  2018 

Foley, Les              60  LG   9    37                37                3 yrs. 2012 

Winters, R.J.           54  C    13   79                79                ---    2012 

Perry, Lewis            57  C    2    23                47                1 yr.  2019 

McCord, Alonzo          73  RG   6    51                51                3 yrs. 2015 

Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   2    25                42                1 yr.  2019 

Zorich, Mark            74  RT   5    33                33                2 yrs. 2016 

Coffey, Darren          63  RT   2    15                36                ---    2019 





___________________________________________



  Player                #   Pos  Playing Time    Sign        Chemistry  



Andrews, Willie         65  LT   Content         Capricorn   Affinity             

Grandon, Don            67  LT   Disgruntled     Taurus      Conflict             

Lash, Randy             62  LG   Content         Leo           

Foley, Les              60  LG   Unhappy         Virgo         

Winters, R.J.           54  C    Content         Libra       Offensive Line Lead  

Perry, Lewis            57  C    Content         Virgo         

McCord, Alonzo          73  RG   Content         Gemini        

Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   Content         Pisces        

Zorich, Mark            74  RT   Content         Virgo         

Coffey, Darren          63  RT   Content         Aries         



___________________________________________



  Player                #   Pos  OnTm   EndCnt Exp  Cap Cost        Save if Rlse  



Andrews, Willie         65  LT   2018   2023   11   $10,460,000     $7,160,000        

Grandon, Don            67  LT   2016   2020   5    $4,750,000      $3,710,000        

Lash, Randy             62  LG   2018   2020   17   $10,300,000     $6,600,000        

Foley, Les              60  LG   2012   2022   9    $8,220,000      $6,460,000        

Winters, R.J.           54  C    2012   UFA    13   $0              $0                

Perry, Lewis            57  C    2019   2020   2    $1,060,000      $830,000          

McCord, Alonzo          73  RG   2015   2022   6    $6,880,000      $3,350,000        

Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   2019   2020   2    $860,000        $860,000          

Zorich, Mark            74  RT   2016   2021   5    $1,280,000      $1,280,000        

Coffey, Darren          63  RT   2019   ----   2    $0              $0                



___________________________________________



  Player                #   Pos  HT   WT   Exp  Birthdate   College  



Andrews, Willie         65  LT   6-4  280  11   01/02/1988  Illinois              

Grandon, Don            67  LT   6-0  303  5    05/08/1993  Iowa                  

Lash, Randy             62  LG   6-8  323  17   08/20/1982  Georgia Tech          

Foley, Les              60  LG   6-2  295  9    09/20/1990  Colorado              

Winters, R.J.           54  C    6-2  282  13   10/21/1985  Stanford              

Perry, Lewis            57  C    6-1  268  2    09/02/1995  Temple                

McCord, Alonzo          73  RG   6-2  296  6    06/03/1992  UNLV                  

Peterson, Rufus         68  RG   6-1  298  2    02/19/1995  Texas Tech            

Zorich, Mark            74  RT   6-5  300  5    09/17/1993  Georgia               

Coffey, Darren          63  RT   6-5  306  2    04/12/1996  Texas A&M             

 

[Swaggs]

Centers
R.J. Winters: Winters is our offensive line leader at this point of his career and has not missed a game since he joined the Flyers 8 seasons ago. He has two big things working against him right now, in that he is an attractive unrestricted free agent and he will turn 35 years old this season. Our scouts still think he can perform at a high level, and I am inclined to agree. I think he can still play at a solid level for 2-3 more seasons. I strongly recommend that we attempt to resign him, based on the fact that he is very talented, a team leader, the fans love him, and we do not have anyone (in-house) that can step in and contribute at the center position.

Perry Lewis: We drafted Lewis, in the fourth round, out of Temple three seasons ago. He has developed into a nice reserve player for us, particularly as a run blocker. However, he is a big liability against the pass and I do not ever see him developing into more than a backup Center and/or Guard. He is a nice utility lineman for us. In my opinion, he is coming to a make or break point in his career as a Flyer. He is solid enough talent-wise, but this is his last season under contract (he will become a RFA) and he may become too expensive for the role he fills. Still, he will be a useful member of our team in 2020.

[Swaggs]

Guards:

Randy Lash: The 38-year old (yes, 38-years old) left guard is still among the biggest (6-8/323 lbs) and most talented players in the league, particularly at run blocking. He is a four-time all league performer, but has had problems staying healthy--he has not played in all 16 games in a season since 2012. He will easily be the starter at LG for us in 2020. He will become a free agent following this season, however, so we may want to audition some new blood at guard during the preseason. That way, he will be protected and rested, and we can have an idea of who his replacement candidates might be should he retire or leave via free agency following this season. He is idolized by fans, so expect to see plenty of #62 jerseys in the stands.

Les Foley: Once among the most promising young linemen in the NFL, Foley has fallen upon hard times following (presumably) and injury two seasons ago. He is still a strong run blocker, but is a complete liability versus any type of quality pass rusher. Foley loves Kitty Hawk and his been with us since we selcted him in the first round 8 seasons ago, however, he carries a huge salary cap figure and no longer has the talent to start. To top it off, he has become increasingly unhappy at his inability to break back into the starting lineup. His cap figure is $8.22M. I strongly recommend releasing him, creating $6,46M in cap space for us this season. I would much rather see that money going toward C R.J. Winters than for a backup guard.

Alonzo McCord: McCord has been with us since being selected in the first round in 2015. He is a solid, but unspectacular starter. He is very strong versus the pass rush, but sub-par vs the run. We should not run over him often, only to keep defenses honest. He might be better suited at LG, but he is pencilled in at RG for now. Depending on our offensive schemes, we may want to swap he and Lash to get strong protection on our QBs blindside while running more to our right. Barring injury, he should be a member of the Flyers for several years into the future.

Rufus Peterson: Peterson was a nice suprise for us as a 7th rounder last season. He is not talented enough to be a quality starter, but he has enough balance versus the pass and run to be an adequate fill in, if need be. His price is very affordable ($860K) and he should be a strong contributor on special teams and as a backup.

[Swaggs]

Tackles:

Willie Andrews: Andrews is an interesting player. He has very good, almost excellent, talent, but seems almost indifferent as to the success of the team. Almost as if he is going through the motions. We signed him to an enormous deal two years ago, and it may become an albatross in future years (it increases from roughly $10.5M to roughly $16.5M over the next four years), due to his somewhat advanced age of 32. Hopefully he can remain a solid contributor over the course of the contract. Andrews is a very good overall player, very consistent and pretty durable. He should start for us at LT and do a nice job. He is very close friends with center R.J. Winters, so not signing Winters could adversely affect his play.

Dan Grandon: Grandon is a guy that we will need to keep a very close eye on this preseason. He is a very enigmatic player. Obviously he is talented, as we took him in the first round in 2016. However, he is not a very good pass blocker, but he is such a strong run blocker, it is hard to keep him off the field. That said, he has never been able to win a starting job in his four seasons here. His talent, potential, contract, and the fact that the alternatives are not great, indicate that he should be our starter at RT (provided we plan to run off tackle often). However, he and R.J. Winters absolutely hate one another. At last season's camp, they had to be pulled off of one another after he criticized Winters in the newspapers. However, part of the problem is that Gandon is a very strong leader himself and may be resentful that he has not been able to establish himself and gain his teammates' respect in the way that Winters has. If we are going for peace and harmony and plan to resign Winters, we may consider releasing Grandon and calling his career with the Flyers a bust.

Mark Zorich: Zorich came to us as an undrafted free agent four seasons ago and has started in all four season. He is a decent pass blocker, but does not deserve to start because he simply cannot block NFL lineman on running plays. I would be inclined to keep him around as a backup, so as to keep our cohesion intact, but if he is a starter for us, we are in trouble.

Darren Coffey: Coffey was an undrafted free agent signee last season that made our practice squad and stuck around all season. He is a serviceable fourth tackle, but could just as easily be a camp casualty if we bring in some competition. He is unsigned but I would like to bring him to camp if possible. I am fairly confident he would sign a minimum salary contract.

[Swaggs]

OL Coach Comments/Questions:

• What type of roster space will we dedicate to offensive lineman? The minimum requirements are 2 centers, 3 guards, 3 tackles. My dream scenario would be two centers, four active guards, four active tackles, and one "developmental" inactive lineman.
• I strongly recommend releasing OG Lester Foley. We can utilize his cap space much more efficiently.
• I strongly recommend that we resign C R.J. Winters. He is our team leader and a strong performer. Losing him will create a big hole to fill and really throw off our line's cohesion.
• OG Randy Lash has been a great player for a long time, but I do not think we should pursue an extension with him. He is still talented, but the combination of his age and his potential salary does not make him a good fit for us.
• Provided we are able to resign Winters, I would like to see us pursue young, inexpensive, but high potential (re: green bars) backups at guard and tackle. Guys that we can try to develop.
• If we have the salary cap room available, I think a strong right tackle would be a very important target for free agency or the early rounds of the draft.
• We may also look for a guard and center prospect in the latter rounds of the draft.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Swaggs
OL Coach Comments/Questions:
[list][*]What type of roster space will we dedicate to offensive lineman? The minimum requirements are 2 centers, 3 guards, 3 tackles. My dream scenario would be two centers, four active guards, four active tackles, and one "developmental" inactive lineman.

What I always seem to do is keep 10 total linemen with 1 reserve active and one inactive. Of course this is felxible as talent and needs dictate.

Originally posted by Swaggs [*]I strongly recommend that we resign C R.J. Winters. He is our team leader and a strong performer. Losing him will create a big hole to fill and really throw off our line's cohesion.

I concur, however my feeling is that C Perry is good enough to start if winters does not work out.

Originally posted by Swaggs [*]OG Randy Lash has been a great player for a long time, but I do not think we should pursue an extension with him. He is still talented, but the combination of his age and his potential salary does not make him a good fit for us.

Be a shame to lose him, but if he has to go....

I myself would rather cut RB Farrell and use part of the 8M on a powerhouse like Lash.

--
[putting on crazyman of the FOFC hat]

A team with this much talent would be hard to assemble on my (low talent generating) home PC. Backups like perry and coffee would be startable in a season or two.

[Fritz]

A starting line - up of the people we have currently under contract


QB: Jon Clayton - Better Accuracy than Ater.

RB: Wes Farrell with Finley coming off the bench and in situations.

FB: (RB) Daniel Finley . Well, we don't have a FB on the roster, but i would probably do this anyway to get him on the field.

TE: Wade Parten, but I would slot Julio Diana as the TE in some (run) formations.

FL: Peter Song. A good young WR. Since are only 2, this was a no brainer.

SE: Robbie Stanford. Since there are only 2 WR, this was a no brainer. I like him anyway as a possesion type.

LT: Willy Andrews.

LG: Randy Lash

C: Lewis Perry

RG: Alonzo McCord

RT: Don Grandon (LT)

----

Actually, I like this group. Our QB situation is not good compared to Louisville and Lake Erie.

[Bee]

Are we still going with the rule that we have to renegotiate a player's contract if we keep them on the roster?

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Bee
Are we still going with the rule that we have to renegotiate a player's contract if we keep them on the roster?

Yes, we will keep that rule, I think. (I haven't heard any contrary views on that)

[albionmoonlight]

I think that we need to pick up at least one solid OLB in FA or the draft. We don't have anyone of real note at that position.

[QuikSand]

I have moved forward with hiring Dixon Rivers as our coach, and decided to stand pat with out current lead scout.

In your game, you may move ahead to the FA period - for purposes of seeing how much our current players are going to demand in a new contract. That might be helpful in seeing where we're going with our roster.

[QuikSand]

Hoping this might help, rather than have everyone simming ahead... let me know if anyone needs to know about other players I omitted...

Contract demands for current “key” players:
(showing total cap cost in each year of demand)

QB Clayton – 3.6,3.7,3.7
QB Ater – 3.6, 3.6, 4.3, 5.2
QB Gray – 1.1

RB Farrell – 13.1, 10.3
RB Finley – 8.5, 9.6, 10.9, 12.1

FB Rice – 1.6, 1.6
FB Ackerman – 1.3, 1.3

TE Diana – 2.9, 2.3
TE Parten – 3.1, 3.2, 3.2
TE Wester – 2.3, 2.7

WR Song – 8.3, 9.4, 10.8, 12.2, 13.6
WR Ramsey – 5.6, 6.6, 7.8
WR Stanford – 5.8, 6.9, 8.4, 9.8

T Andrews – 13.8, 15.5, 17.6, 19.7
T Grandon – 3.2, 2.5, 3.0
G Lash – 13.0, 9.5
C Perry – 960, 910
C Winters – 9.4, 9.7, 10.0
G McCord – 7.6, 6.5, 7.4, 6.6, 7.6
G Peterson – 730, 910
T Zorich – 2.3, 2.8, 3.4, 3.9, 4.5, 5.1

DE Martin – 8.1, 8.9, 9.9
DE Bush – 3.7, 4.3, 5.1
DE Hurtado – 3.1, 3.7, 4.5
DT Littlehjohn – 3.7, 4.3, 4.9, 5.6
DT Davidson – 2.3, 2.7, 3.3
DE Emerson – 3.6

LB Brito – 2.8, 2.7
LB Dern – 3.3
LB George – 2.4, 2.8, 3.4
LB Ruiter – 730
LB Francis – 4.0, 4.7, 5.1, 6.0, 6.9

CB Fuller – 9.3, 9.6, 9.9
CB Sims – 9.5, 11.1, 13.1, 15.1, 17.2
CB Bordano – 5.7, 6.6, 6.6
CB Cranga – 930, 1.1
CB Foster – 10.0, 10.3
S Blades – 9.9, 11.5, 13.6
S Rodenhauser – 910, 1.1
S Fyie – 8.7, 10.0, 11.7, 11.5, 13.2
S Reynolds – 3.4, 2.3

[Fritz]

Looking at our QB situation relative to the division, we are going to be in a little bit of a talent hole unless we make a move in FA.

The best QBs in FA are older, but there are some short term solutions out there.

A few guys that I like who are not great, but are yonger (and cheaper):

Charlie LeGrand-
6 years of service, still developing. We can make him am 85 passer rating QB, which is enough to win.

Darren Fenno-
6 years of service with 4 as the Starting QB for NV. He looks accurate, but I think he may be fragile.

AJ Frueler-
5 Years of Service, started 16 games last year for SAC with a 86.2 passer rating. Still developing and is a good long term prospect. Interception prone, but I like him the best of the FAs. Not sure if his chemestry will mix. This would be who I lobby for.

Zach O'Neill-
5 years of service, starting 16 games for TB. Poor passer rating. No better than what we have.

ADDED:

Ellis Comeaux-
6 years of service, started a few games here and there. Very bright (16 formations) and can pull off a safe short game.

[Fritz]

Of all the guys on our roster, I see us being able to afford letting go of RB Farrell the easiest. He has a high salary, only 1 year on his current contract, is older, and we have a replacement available.

I suggest to the team that we let him go elsewhere.

[Bee]

Contract Info:
Martin, Cedric          78  LDE  2018   2022   10   $14,290,000     $11,100,000       
Bush, Bruce             91  LDE  2019   2022   2    $1,500,000      $830,000    
Hurtado, Kyle           72  LDE  2019   2020   2    $990,000        $860,000          
Shields, Walt           95  LDT  2019   ----   2    $0              $0                
Littlejohn, Jack        77  RDT  2019   2023   2    $2,480,000      $1,440,000        
Davison, Frank          94  RDT  2018   2020   3    $1,120,000      $1,070,000        
Ramsey, Todd            71  RDT  2017   2020   4    $3,150,000      $2,290,000   
Emerson, Geoff          76  RDE  2019   ----   2    $0              $0              

DE Martin – 8.1, 8.9, 9.9
DE Bush – 3.7, 4.3, 5.1
DE Hurtado – 3.1, 3.7, 4.5
DT Littlehjohn – 3.7, 4.3, 4.9, 5.6
DT Davidson – 2.3, 2.7, 3.3
DE Emerson – 3.6


So Martin is willing to take a major pay cut, which is good news.

It looks like we will be able to retain all the players mentioned before without any significant increases in salary. I thought we might be able to retain Hurtado for cheap, but his request is a little too much IMO.

[Fritz]

List of O squad guys under contract I think we should NOT bring back:

QB Steve Ater
RB Farrell
RB Alfred Rogero
G Les Foley
RT Mark Zorich

[Fritz]

TEs

Julio Diana - Blocking End, $4,690,000, 2 yrs.
We could let him go or keep him. A little overpriced unless we start him, which we could. (Recievers Leader)

Wade Patten - Receiving End, $10,010,000, 3 yrs.
We could let him go or keep him. Overpriced unless we start him, which we could and I would in Diana is let go.

Kim Wester - Receiving End, $5,030,000, 2 yrs.
We could let him go or keep him. A little overpriced unless we start him, which we could. Better blocker than Patten.

Any of these guys could start, and all of them could get the axe. I would suggest keeping 2, Diana and Wester. The third TE would probably be a low cost scrub.

[albionmoonlight]

I'd Keep LB Brito for the sake of keeping around one of the old guys. I think that we can let the rest of the LBs go and either use the money elsewhere or pick up one good guy and some minsal guys.

[Fritz]

The problem with WR Song

wants $40,490,000, 5 yrs. If we move him he will count 2 mil vs this years cap and 11 mil vs next years.

(if I understand the resign to keep system we are using).

[QuikSand]

Okay, off the top of my head, the game requires that we have active:

3 QB
3 RB
3 FB/TE
4 WR
8 OL
1 P
1 K
6 DL
6 LB
4 CB
3 S
= 42 players

(please correct me if I’m wrong)

That leaves a total of 11 more slots on the final team.


I’m hearing so far that we want 2-3 extra OL, maybe a third TE… I’m afraid we’ll run out of slots before long. I think it would be wise if our coordinators gave us some sense of their general tendencies at each position group (how many guys would you be likely to keep on the tam at each position).

In addition, since we are without a special teams coordinator, I will press that we will want at least one guy with measurable PR and KR skill on the team. So, we may have to factor those guys in at the WR or DB slots, too.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by QuikSand


2 FB
2 TE
= 43 players

I think it would be wise if our coordinators gave us some sense of their general tendencies at each position group (how many guys would you be likely to keep on the tam at each position).

This is what I like:
4 QB (1 res)
4 RB (1 res)
2 FB
2 TE
1 FB/TE (could be res)
4 WR (somethimes 5)
3 T
3 G
2 C
1 T, 1G (could be Res, could slip a C in there)

I keep the 4th QB on the roster because it always seems like one is down.

In addition, since we are without a special teams coordinator, I will press that we will want at least one guy with measurable PR and KR skill on the team. So, we may have to factor those guys in at the WR or DB slots, too.

I never let a starter WR/RB play KR/PR, unless I have an all scrub team. The #3 and lower WR can, as can the #2 RB and lower. Very often I find one rookie free agent RB with PR and one with KR. These are often the #2 & #3 RB. Getting one with both but poor RB skills is fine if we slot him #3. The #4 WR can be mostly a STer.

[albionmoonlight]

I actually prefer a 3-4 to a 4-3, so I would like, at some point to bring in more LBs. However, I also want to play the hand that we are given, so I think that a 4-3 makes sense for at least next season.

I am also a fan of O-Line depth, so I would like some cushion there.

I would also like 4 DEs.

Once (if) we begin running the 3-4, I would like 7-8 LBs, but 6 is fine if we are running the 4-3.

I've never been a fan of the third TE. If it comes down to a choice between TE and an extra WR, I would go with the extra WR--especially if he can return kicks and punts.

I can live with 4 Cornerbacks, but I would like 4 safeties.

I know that these are pretty general statements, but, as (assumed) coordinator, I am more interested in playing with what we have then in building the team.

More concrete--here is my perfect 53:

3 QB
3 RB
4 FB/TE
7 WR
10 OL
1 P
1 K
7 DL
8 LB
5 CB
4 S

[QuikSand]

Is it 2 TE and 2 FB? I cannot remember, honestly. I tend to carry 2 of each, and don't recall if that's surplus.

[albionmoonlight]

Good point about the #4 QB, Fritz. I think that we should have one, too.

[Fritz]

7 WR?

They will never play. Better to keep an extra TE on the roster so you don't have to go into midseason FA to find a sub.

[QuikSand]

So, maybe we're looking something like this:

3 QB + 1
3 RB + 1
4 FB/TE + 1
4 WR + 1
8 OL +2
1 P
1 K
6 DL +2
6 LB +1
4 CB
3 S +1
= 43 + 10 players

[QuikSand]

I thought that we could use this selection as a tool for preliminary roster decisions...

Contract demands for current “key” players:
(showing total cap cost in each year of demand)

      QB Clayton – 3.6,3.7,3.7
CUT   QB Ater – 3.6, 3.6, 4.3, 5.2
      QB Gray – 1.1

CUT   RB Farrell – 13.1, 10.3
SIGN  RB Finley – 8.5, 9.6, 10.9, 12.1

      FB Rice – 1.6, 1.6
      FB Ackerman – 1.3, 1.3

SIGN  TE Diana – 2.9, 2.3
      TE Parten – 3.1, 3.2, 3.2
      TE Wester – 2.3, 2.7

SIGN  WR Song – 8.3, 9.4, 10.8, 12.2, 13.6
CUT   WR Ramsey – 5.6, 6.6, 7.8
      WR Stanford – 5.8, 6.9, 8.4, 9.8

       T Andrews – 13.8, 15.5, 17.6, 19.7
       T Grandon – 3.2, 2.5, 3.0
       G Lash – 13.0, 9.5
       C Perry – 960, 910
SIGN   C Winters – 9.4, 9.7, 10.0
       G McCord – 7.6, 6.5, 7.4, 6.6, 7.6
       G Peterson – 730, 910
       T Zorich – 2.3, 2.8, 3.4, 3.9, 4.5, 5.1

SIGN  DE Martin – 8.1, 8.9, 9.9
CUT   DE Bush – 3.7, 4.3, 5.1
CUT   DE Hurtado – 3.1, 3.7, 4.5
SIGN  DT Littlehjohn – 3.7, 4.3, 4.9, 5.6
SIGN  DT Davidson – 2.3, 2.7, 3.3
      DT Shields - 2.9, 3.4
SIGN  DE Emerson – 3.6

SIGN  LB Brito – 2.8, 2.7
CUT   LB Dern – 3.3
CUT   LB George – 2.4, 2.8, 3.4
CUT   LB Ruiter – 730
CUT   LB Francis – 4.0, 4.7, 5.1, 6.0, 6.9

      CB Fuller – 9.3, 9.6, 9.9
      CB Sims – 9.5, 11.1, 13.1, 15.1, 17.2
      CB Bordano – 5.7, 6.6, 6.6
      CB Cranga – 930, 1.1
      CB Foster – 10.0, 10.3
      S Blades – 9.9, 11.5, 13.6
      S Rodenhauser – 910, 1.1
      S Fyie – 8.7, 10.0, 11.7, 11.5, 13.2
      S Reynolds – 3.4, 2.3

So far, that gives us 8 players for about $40 million this year. We are going to be taking cap hits this year and next - which will have to factor into our salcap decision-making as well.

We have expensive players at OL and DB to consider... and I haven't filled in anything at the QB position, either.


edit - adding WR Song to our signees pushes us to about $50m spent for this year...

[Fritz]

Cut Song? I think that is a mistake. He will probably never play to the value of his contract, but I can't see taking an 11M hit on a 2nd year guy who could be very productive. I reccomend that we keep him.

[albionmoonlight]

I like that roster setup.

In terms of actual players, that looks good right now. I'll have to be home with the files before I can really get into the #s.

[Bee]

Quiksand,

What kind of contract was DT Walt Shields wanting to resign? If it's cheap, it might be worth doing just to keep some stability on the D-line.

[QuikSand]

All things equal (absent a defined philosophy for coverage schemes), I think the DBs most worthy of a new contract would be:

CB Edgar Bordano - young, but already solid across the board, and willing to sign for less than the established veterans - upside makes him a very good player

S Louie Reynolds - veteran playmaker (ballhawk) at safety, has been reserve but could be starter, good in run support

It apears that KH picked up a couple of FA veterans post-camp to start for one year at CB - thus the two quality guys who are looking for new deals this year.

If we kept Boprdano and Reynolds, there is some possibility that Bordano remains the secondary leader. He's rated 62 in leadership - but right now is FAR behind several guys that I doubt we'll resign. If we manage the position carefully, Bordano could be our guy on a long term deal and the positional leader to boot.

Thos two would cost us something like $10 million this year - and we'd certainly have to spend some money to land another starting-caliber corner, at least.

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by Bee
Quiksand,

What kind of contract was DT Walt Shields wanting to resign? If it's cheap, it might be worth doing just to keep some stability on the D-line.

He wants 2.9, 3.4 - pretty steep for stability without talent.

[Bee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
He wants 2.9, 3.4 - pretty steep for stability without talent.

Yep....I was hoping for something around $1 Mil.

[Fritz]

We can cut all of the TE if need be, or go with TE Wester. There MUST be minsal guys in FA who could do just a well talent wise.

[Bee]

I wouldn't mind taking a look at free agency before we decide for sure about resigning DE Emerson.

[QuikSand]

If we re-sign TE Diana, he's practically a lock to be our receivers leader, meaning he has to start. There's also a benefit that he is a Taurus - same as DE Cedric Martin, our presumed defensive front leader.

That means that from those two position groups, we've only knocked off one sign for potential QBs (Libra). There;'s only one Libra among the current crop of FA QBs (Sam Cline) so that's some help, I think.