Tweet
YUMA and UTAH both with over 10 FA and trade pickups...
YUMA with 13 FA and 5 by trade has to be close to a record...
YUMA with 13 FA and 5 by trade has to be close to a record...
-
-
Yeah, I picked up some receivers because at one point I had two guys out and I only started with 4 on the roster.. So theres three signings I think.. There was also a kicker change, and R.J. Glaze went 9/11 while my previous kicker Shawn Kesi was 5/8 and showing no signs of improvement after the first 7 games.
I traded for J.R. Abrams, a mentor QB who hopefully sticks around for one more year in hopes that he can mentor a more long term answer at the position next season. This may have been my most questionable deal when its all said and done, but it also could be my best pickup should he stick around and play teacher next year.
In the interim, QB Doug Allen has been pretty steady for the most part, not quite what I had hoped for when I initially made that deal, but he was better than I would have expected my original starter to be. It was a straight up trade, QB for QB, so I think I got a good deal out of it.
Three more FA's were mentors at positions I really needed them at, ILB, OLB, and T. I started about 12 rookies this season, and about 5-6 more saw significant playing time, so I figured mentors would be a good idea. At the three positions I signed mentors I had a total of 7 rookies seeing significant time, 6 starting.
I also replaced my original punter with one who fit my philosophy more closely, though I doubt he did any better than my original punter would have done.. I don't think he did any worse either though, so I'll call that one a push. He was really nothing more than a stopgap and I fully expect to find his replacement this offseason.
That covers 9 FA's and 2 trades..
At RB, I wanted roleplayers for the position, because I didn't really have a strong candidate for the number one spot, So I dealt for rookies Deion Stuart and Vince Coles to fill the spot, and both performed pretty well considering the inexperience we had on the field in key spots and poor offensive playcalling from our coach.
the 5th trade was for WR Maurice Reader, another mentor for rookie Edgar Minkel and a potential mismatch 3rd WR. He should fare much better with someone more capable throwing the ball next season, and will eventually fill the number 2 role when Al Cole calls it a career.
As for the other 4 FA signings, DE George Mohler could be a great third down pass rusher if he continues to develop, SLB Billy Kurzeja has been a good utility LB, and will most likely move to WLB next season to back up as well as being a gunner next to WLB C.J. Tylicki, another FA pickup. Finally, there is CB Ernie Lambuth, who fits our scheme and should see more time next season in our dime packages.
Looking back, I did make a lot of moves, but I think this season was sort of a preparation for the next 2 to 3 years. Our youth should give us lots of time to come together and develop and the role players and special teams signings will help keep our studs off the field in unnecessary situations. I'm hoping the payoff comes in that time period, when I fully expect this team to start seriously contending for a title.
Not that I felt the need to explain my Snyder-esque dealings, but I got sort of nostalgic. I'm really enjoying this league and its sort of bittersweet to see only one game left on the schedule. Our first offseason should be a lot of fun though, so I'm looking forward to that.
Comment