ATTACK OF THE KILLER FINS: MIAMI DOLPHINS DYNASTY (NFL HC 09)

[AnchiKai2]

I'm a rookie on this forum but I have been playing the HC games for years now. Feeling very motivated by the threads I've read, I wanted to create a dynasty of my own. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I will be playing it. Please feel free to comment and even offer ideas as well.

For now I am doing the Dolphins regime because of the difficulty factor, high cap space, and two 1st round picks. My goal will be to get the team into the playoffs during my first year as HC. I am aggressive with FA and trades (especially during the drafts). I also try my best to be cheap in regards to contract negotiations.

Here we go:
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BREAKING NEWS:
THE MIAMI DOLPHINS HAVE HIRED THE FORMER BALTIMORE RAVENS DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT COACH, ANCHIKAI LG, AS THEIR NEW HEAD COACH.

In a statement made by the front office, “We searched high and low and we found our guy!”

- AnchiKai LG

Background

Coming up from the ranks of his playing days in college as a linebacker and tight end(Morehead State), Coach LG started out his NFL career as a scout for the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then went on to be the linebacker’s coach for Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then for the Baltimore Ravens. He was brought on board by Rex Ryan (from their days together in Morehead State). Once Coach Ryan was promoted to defense coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, Coach LG was then promoted to the defensive assistant coach to the Baltimore Ravens. His understanding of the game on both sides, his ability to develop impressive defensive schemes was another tool that Ryan was able to utilize as they continued to develop the Raven's defense as a dominant unit. This raised many eyebrows across the league as Coach LG continued to develop a reputation as an up and coming coach. Eventually Coach AnchiKai LG next step was to become a head coach.

In addition to the Miami Dolphins, Coach LG also interviewed for the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons head coaching vacancies. It was soon reported that he was selected in the final rounds for Atlanta’s position. However having the responsibility of turning around a team that ranked 26^th in offense and 30^th in defense in 2007, posed as a challenge that was in his words, “too good to pass up”.

Press Conference (Brief Summary)

Not a man of many words, after introductions were made by the GM, Coach LG made the following statement: “My number one goal is to turn this franchise back to its glory days. From the 1972 perfect season to the era of the ‘The Killer B’s’ defense, our Fins will once again be dominant! Because of our numerous needs across the board, we will be aggressive in terms of free agency and the draft. Only the best of the best will don our uniforms. To our fans, I promise you that you will not recognize this team when we take the field. We will be nasty, ambitious, and aggressive on both sides of the ball. Crushing our competition will be weekly priority and drafting at the #32 spot during the drafts will be our yearly goal.” At that point, Coach LG thanked everyone and started to leave. Several reporters were already raising hands and trying to get his attention. But to no avail. He had work to do.

Next up: Coach skills, offense-defense playbooks, and philosophies

[Shaka23]

Already excited for this...

My only advice to you as you start this dynasty is to set some self controlled ground rules if you are a veteran to the game. I see many people lose interest in dynasties because it's far too easy to win when they are drafting every steal, changing players positions and trading for them, etc, etc.

The harder the challenge the more exciting it is to coach and the more exciting things are the more enjoyable a read.

Good luck in Miami. I've never started a Dolphins career. Already excited to see what you do with that expensive first overall selection.

[Mike3207]

The Dolphins have a lot of holes to fill, so you might want to trade down from 1-1. Also, Joe Staley is a LT who can be gotten pretty easily through trade.

[AnchiKai2]

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" - Joe Sabah



Coach Name: AnchiKai LG (Overall Skills – 14)
Personality: Titan
Coach Skills: Performance - Level 5
Learning Development (QB) – Level 2
Learning Development (RB) – Level 2
Learning Development (WR) – Level 2
Learning Development (DL) – Level 3
Learning Development (LB) – Level 3
Special Coach Skills: None

Offense
Super Chargers Attack (Power Running Offensive Scheme and Heavily on No Huddle Philosophy)
Philosophies
QB – Pure Passer
HB – Balanced
FB – Blocking
WR – Tall/Redzone Threat
TE – Soft Hands/Route
OL – Run Block Specialists


Defense
Rex Ryan 4-6 (Blitz Heavy and Man Coverage)
Philosophies
DE – Versatile/3-4
DT – Run Stopper
OLB – Pass Rusher/3-4 Blitzer
MLB – Balanced
CB – Man Coverage/Ballhawk
FS – Centerfielder
SS – Run Support/Big Hitter

Team Building Philosophy: Build Through NFL Draft (for age and cap reasons)
Defining Moment Philosophy: Aggressive (I plan on taking multiple chances during games).

Salary Cap Status: $57.87M
Draft Picks: 1^st, 32^nd, 57^th, 64^th, 97^th, 161^st, and 193^rd. (I plan on stockpiling picks by trading down).

Draft Preview: The draft is strong in WR, CB, and DT. Very weak in QB and I am pondering whether to draft one earlier (Rd. 1) or trade for a starter with one of my first rounder and then draft a player, that will address another need, with my second pick in the 1^st round (or trade it away).

Current Roster Preview: Immediate weaknesses noted in my WR department. Ted Ginn has highest POT (79 – obviously not tall/redzone threat) with a price tag of $3.8M (7.5M in penalties). Hmmm. My current DTs POT do not exceed 75, yet two of them will cost me $9.5M to keep. My LB corp is headed by ROLB Joey Porter (POT 88). I’m also contemplating on changing Jason Taylor (POT 92) from RE to ROLB and moving Porter to LOLB. My CBs are very weak as well. Will Allen POT is at 77 (highest of group), but with a price tag of $3.1M and a penalty of $2.4M. And to run this defensive scheme, I will need top safeties to step in. My highest rated is FS Jason Allen (POT 79) with a price tag of $1.92M ($6.4M IN PENALTIES!). My work is cut out for me.

My strategy: Based on who fits my schemes, and using a player’s learning potential, I will be dropping and trading multiple players while risking having to pay penalties (see below). In addition, I will be aggressive in my free agent pickups and look to trade away one of my first round picks for a starting caliber player (QB?).

Ground Rules:
· Not allowed to trade up in a draft
· Automatically save after each pick made in the draft (to keep me from reloading a draft to get a player I want to get)
· Trade for players at proper value (no changing of positions to get a player cheaper)
· Penalties not to exceed $10M (tough one, I have 4 players combined that will cost me a least $15M in penalties…. What to do?)
· Must reach approval goal of 90 by year’s end (OR RESIGN)
· Must accept 3 GM suggestions during the draft (I will note those)
· Must drink at least 3 cups of coffee while drafting

Any other ground rule suggestions, please let me know.

Now to make changes (add/drops) and review the upcoming free agency period. First cup of coffee in hand.

[Mike3207]

Draft Intuition and the other advanced GM special skills are really powerful-you might consider not using them.

[Shaka23]

Some suggestions:

• Don't pull the trigger on a franchise QB until you know he's the one
• Know the importance your playbook puts on positions before investing in players
• Don't be afraid to sign veteran players to 1 year deals to fill holes.
• Don't grow attached to particular players without being willing to pay the financial consequences
• Value your sense of production highly, don't resign a player if he's not getting the job done
• Develop a system in everything you do

Good luck.

[AnchiKai2]

Here’s the roster that I have inherited. I’ve made some adjustments of players’ positions below (i.e. J. Taylor was moved from RE to LOLB). In addition, the numbers listed next to a player’s name (in parenthesis) is his potential:

Miami Dolphins (Pre-FA and Pre-Draft) Depth Chart - 2008
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	Ted Ginn (79)	Derek Hagan (74)
TE	David Martin (70)	Justin Peelle (60)
LT	NONE
LG	NONE
C	Samson Satele (91)	Drew Mormino (82)
RG	Vernon Carey (75)
RT	NONE
WR	Greg Camarillo (76)	Chandler Williams (68)
QB	John Beck (86)
FB	Reagan Mauia (88)
HB	Ronnie Brown (90)	Ricky Williams (79)	Lorenzo Booker (79)
Base 3-4 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	Vonnie Holliday (75)	Rodrique Wright (75)
NT	Paul Soliai (75)
RDE	Jason Ferguson (72)	Chase Page (69)
LOLB	Jason Taylor (91)	Matt Roth (78)	Rob Ninkovich (72)
LILB	Channing Crowder (82)
RILB	Edmond Miles (69)
ROLB	Joey Porter (89)	Abraham Wright (77)	Quentin Moses (67)
CB	Will Allen (77)	Andre Goodman (66)
SS	Cameron Worrell (70)
FS	Jason Allen (79)	Renaldo Hill (68)
CB	Travis Daniels (73)
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Jay Feely (85)
P	Brandon Fields (85)
PR	Lorenzo Booker (92)	Ted Ginn (91)
KR	Ted Ginn (91)	Lorenzo Booker (92)
LS	NONE

Based on the roster above, my LB corps is my strongest area (which is a very important piece when trying to implement a 3-4 defensive front). The rest of the defense could use a major makeover. DL will be huge, especially in the draft.

On the offense side, my strengths are in the RB department, while my weakness is on the O-Line and WR corp. Beck looks to be serviceable at QB, but this team needs a true franchise QB. Question is whether or not I draft one with my high pick or trade for one.

The following players were franchised by their respective teams:

LG Stacy Andrews (Bengals)
WR Randy Moss (Patriots)
LG Alan Faneca (Steelers)
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders)
ROLB Karlos Dansby (Cardinals)


Side note: I was hoping Nnamdi would be available


But before I begin to bid on free agents....... there's a matter of the.... SENIOR BOWL

I scouted some of the players that I wanted to scout (especially in the QB and DL areas). I've made several adjustments to my draft board, especially after what was reported below.



As reported by Adam Schefter :



“Virginia DE dominated, USC QB struggled, and Kentucky QB looked great (MVP – 3tds passes)”. Interesting things to note.


Back to the free agents. I've listed the top 15 free agents available below (minus Kickers and Punters as I have no interest in signing any of those players):

1. DT Albert Haynesworth (94)
2. CB Asante Samuel (92)
3. RT Jordan Gross (91)
4. ROLB Lance Briggs (90)
5. RE Justin Smith (90)
6. HB Marion Barber (89) - Restricted
7. CB Marcus Trufant (89)
8. FS Eugene Wilson (89)
9. ROLB Terrell Suggs (89)
10. FS Ken Hamlin (87)
11. LT Flozell Adams (86)
12. C Jeff Faine (86)
13. RG Jake Scott (85)

14. RT David Stewart (85) - Restricted
15. LE Antwan Odom (85)

There are many directions for me to go with the free agents. Signing Haynesworth would be a boost for my D-Line, but how much am I willing to pay for this DT? Samuel could be an important key to building up my defense from the back. Gross would fill a need immediately. Maybe signing Suggs would allow me to put one of my OLBs on the trading block (Porter/Taylor) and allow me to pick up more picks for the upcoming draft?

Decisions, decisions… One of the things that will guide me are the free agents’ learning scores and their experiences as it relates to the type of offense/defense I am planning on running here with the Fins, including the philosophies I’ve developed. Getting a guy who has experience in a 3-4 defense would be more valuable than the other player that has a higher potential score.

Stay tuned for the players that will soon have the honor of donning our uniforms. In addition, many others will have to say good-bye and leave theirs back in the locker room. First free agent to be signed will occur by tomorrow.

Until then....

[AnchiKai2]

FINS central news


Day 1 of the 2008 Free Agency period started off with a bang. DT Albert Haynesworth resigned with the Tennessee Titans. However the Titans were not done as they went on to sign one of the top cornerbacks available in this year’s draft in Marcus Trufant. The premier cornerback as many proclaimed, Asante Samuel signed with the New Orleans Saints. The day would end with linebacker Lance Briggs, formerly of the Chicago Bears, signing with the Buffalo Bills while former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end, Justin Smith, would leave to sign with the Denver Broncos. Many were left wondering, what in the world are the Miami Dolphins waiting for? With so many holes to fill, the fans are hoping that new head coach LG will make a splash soon.

End of Day 1

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Day 2

BREAKING NEWS:

The Miami Dolphins sign three top free agents!!!


The Miami Dolphins have signed right tackle Jordan Gross, formerly of the Carolina Panthers, for a reported 5 year deal ($37 million with $6.0 million bonus)!!!!


The Miami Dolphins have signed former New England Patriots free safety, Eugene Wilson, to a 5 year deal ($23 million with $3.50 million bonus).



The Miami Dolphins have signed former New England Patriots cornerback, Randall Gay, to a 4 year deal ($19 million with $2.5 million bonus).


Reasoning: Needing an upgrade for my OL, Gross fit the profile immediately. I'll move him over to the left side. This can almost guarantee me not picking a LT in the first round. Although trading down to pick up Ryan Clady would give this line a great bookend.


Both Wilson and Gay are players that are coming from a 3-4 defense. They both have high learning scores and high scores in the coverage department. Both are immediate upgrades to my secondaries.


Although Haynesworth would look great as my nose tackle, or even as a DE, it was just too expensive for my taste. There are many DTs in this draft, although there is a strong possibility of me trading for one.


CB A. Samuels too had experience in the 3-4, but too expensive as I think the premium cash should go to my DL (not $10M a year, Haynesworth) and LB corp, not necessarily the CB spots.


Other notable signings: OLB T. Suggs signed with the New England Patriots, FS K. Hamlin with the New York Giants, HB M. Turner with the New Orleans Saints, and finally OLB K. Mitchell with my beloved Philadelphia Eagles.



Next up, look for the Dolphins to continue adding free agents. There are rumors circulating of trade talks in the works. Stay tuned......