News From Punxsutawney

[sawblade300]

There's a new sheriff in town, or should we say, Groundhog Marshall. GM Sawblade300 takes over a Phils team that hasn't fared too well the last couple seasons. After having a winning record and making it to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2027, 28 and 29. Punxsutawney could only manage 9 combined wins in 2030 and 2031.

Part of the slip could be attributed to an aging team. Especially at the QB position. 15 year vet, Mickey Baines, has definitely seen his glory days pass him by. After signing a monster 3 year, $120 million deal at the start of last season, Baines could only manage 1875 yards and 6 TD's. His monster contract almost will force Sawblade to play him this season. You never like to see $40 million sitting on the bench.

It's not entirely Baine's fault. He has nobody to throw the ball to. Almost literally. There are only 4 receivers currently under contract. Two WR's and two TE's. Sawblade says this is going to be a focus in the offseason. Getting some targets for whomever ends up behind center.

The offensive line is also an area of concern. While there is some promise there. There is also great room for improvement.

Defensively, the front line looks good. Trying to resign 8 year DT Ernie Gonzalez will be tricky as he may get a lot of offers on the FA market. The LB crew is serviceable in the starting rotation, but lacks depth. If anyone knows Sawblade, they know he loves LB's. So that's going to be a position that's sought after in this offseason.

In the secondary, the previous owner made a BIG mistake not resigning CB Shannon Fulton. The former #5 overall pick was left without a contract after an 11 INT season. He will most likely be franchised and resigned during the season. It's not often you get a shutdown corner like Fulton on your roster.

All in all, it's going to take some time for Sawblade to build this team to his liking and make it a winning franchise once again. Patience is the word of the day. Overall, though. Sawblade tells us he's looking forward to the challenge and to the people of Punxsutawney "Don't worry. Phil won't see his shadow on the football field and go hiding back in his hole. He's going to see his shadow and kick its ASS!!!"

[Matt]

Welcome and good luck!

[Guest]

Damn, didn't realize Baines was costing that much. Insane.

[Aston]

This is great stuff man. Welcome! Looking forward to playing you.

[Guest]

[sawblade300]

This is great stuff man. Welcome! Looking forward to playing you.

Wish I could say the feeling is mutual. But after what, 5 consecutive championships, I'm kinda hoping you're not on my schedule.

[sawblade300]

Damn, didn't realize Baines was costing that much. Insane.

I don't know if it was AI or a human owner previous, but that was a stupid contract to offer to a then 14 year guy. He's now in year 15. What are the odds he holds his ratings and is effective at all this season?

[Sharkn20]

I don't know if it was AI or a human owner previous, but that was a stupid contract to offer to a then 14 year guy. He's now in year 15. What are the odds he holds his ratings and is effective at all this season?

He was a FA adquisition from Motor City by the AI, I remember a lot QBs playing great football with 14,15 or 16 years under his belt in this league... So maybe you have QB this year and can find an answer in other areas via Draft or FA, then next year or next next sign your next Franchise QB... It will be the strategy that I will take in other league

[sawblade300]

Well, we'll see how he does. With the money he's getting paid, he's certainly going to get the shot to be on the field.

[sawblade300]

With a staff in place that management can deal with, new GM Sawblade now turns his sights to building this team back into a playoff contender. The first order of business was to slap the franchise tag on the Phils stud CB, Shannon Fulton. Of course, that franchise contract will be renegotiated to make room for other FA's and draft picks. But there was no way Sawblade would let that guy hit the open market. Defensive backs like Fulton don't come along very often and when you get a player like that, you need to hang on to him.

Next up was finding a player that could use a little more development. The Phils chose G Travis Hudson. This second year player looks like he can be a solid lineman for many years. Offensive line is a big part of Sawblade's offenses. If you have big men that can move other big men...you have an advantage.

Next up....contracts and FA's. This is where the good stuff and team building happens. Stay tuned Phils fans.

[sawblade300]

So here we are Phils fans. Post draft and post training camp.Things have gone relatively well here in Punxsutawney. Let's take a look at how the draft went first.

1.13: WR Bennie Mandel . +5/+3. Mandel was a wild card in the draft as he had skipped the combine. So we had nothing to go by other than our interview of him. After that, we knew this kid could be special and we wanted him. This draft was deep at the WR position, so when Mandel fell to us at 1.13, we had to pull the trigger. His speed is world class. His ability to get downfield exceptional. HE still needs some work on running his routes effectively. But he has plenty of room to grow here. Once he gets that down, this kid is going to be one of the top WR's in the league.

1.22: DT Ben Childress. +6/+2. After trading down into the 1st round, the Phils were able to pick up much needed defensive help in the way of Childress. Childress is a strong kid who is going to get after the QB in the pass defense. He's a punishing hitter who could cause some fumbles. His run stopping can improve though.

2.8: DE Pat Daniels. +6/-3. Daniels is another player sought after to help the defense. He's going to be very good stopping the run and coming off the corner in the pass rush. He'll get after the QB plenty in his rookie year.

3.7: K Sean Roberson. 0/-2. Without a kicker and not finding a satisfactory one in FA, the Phils turned to the draft for one. Roberson was actually #2 on the board for kickers, but you could almost say he was 1b. His kickoff distance will help keep the opponent pinned deep.

3.11: QB Horace Dehart. +3/-3. The QB cass wasn't great this year. But with incumbent starter, Micky Baines entering his 15th season, the Phils needed someone for the future. Dehart may not be it, but if he can develop some more, he can hold the position until a franchise guy become available. For now, he's going to be a helluva holder for FG's.

4.6: G Bryant Morton. -1/-9. The offensive line is hurting. Morton isn't going to help. He didn't have a good camp and will need a very good preseason if he wants to stay on the team.

5.14: RB Adrian Charlton. +1/-3. With Ed Bergendahl holding on tight to the starting RB roll, Charlton was a depth chart/kick return pick. He will most likely make the team for his return ability.

6.8: FB Gus Gardner. +3/+2. Gardner was taking because he can block. He's going to pick up the blitz and protect old man Baines.

7.2: TE Bubba Hill. +10/+3. JACKPOT!! Hill surprised everyone with his showing in camp. He improved tremendously and still has plenty of room to grow. He will be one more target in the passing game. If anyone knows GM Sawblade, they know he likes using TE's in the passing game. Hill is going to be a go to guy in the red zone for many years to come.

7.7: QB Roosevelt Tarkenton. +3/-8. How can you not pick a QB with a name like Tarkenton? He was on Sawblades board since the start of the draft. He had some traits that looked good. When he was still there for the Phils last pick, they couldn't pass him up. Like Dehart, he's not the future of the franchise, but with some work, he may be a good guy to play in the meantime.

Undrafted: C Tracy Robinson. +5/-6. Needing offensive line help, Robinson could develop into a decent lineman. He will be given a shot in the preseason to do that.

Undrafted: LB Alan Strong. +4/-5. Mostly a depth chart, affinity kinda guy. He may turn into an okay backup.

Undrafted: WR Leonard Norris. +2/-7. May be iffy to make the team. Has some return potential and possible a 3rd down receiver.


A few vets who stood out in camp........

2nd year G Travis Hudson went +18/+4. It looks like he will anchor the middle of the line this season.

Another 2nd year player who had a good camp was DE Greg "Psycho" Ward. This beast of a defensive lineman went +7/+1. Between him and rookie Daniels, the Phils pass rush is going to be strong.

The future looks bright in Punxsutawney. Here's to a much improved season Phils fans!!

[sawblade300]

It's been a while folks. however, after serving my time, er, I mean, taking a vacation, I'm back to give you an inside look into your hometown Phils.

Let's not waste any time and jump right in, shall we? We will start with this years 2035 draft.


1.11: RB Kennedy Mayes. Initial rating: 37/45
With the retirement of the Phils all time leading rusher, Ed Bergandahl, a running back was priority. Mayes was tops on the list. His 40 times is stellar at 4.35. He's also very smart and can spot the opening quick and hit it fast. The best thing about Mayes are his legs. This kid can flat out run and that's what we need him to do. He won't be catching any balls out of the backfield as he has hands of stone. We're looking for the ground game and hopefully we found it here.


2.10: WR Bernie Springer. Initial rating: 38/56
Offense was the theme in this draft. With the addition of QB Heath Morton last season, we wanted to get him some weapons. Mayes was the first. Next was Bernie Springer. Springer is another speedster. 4.47 40 time. He also possesses great hands and agility. He's going to catch the ball and get some YAC. Last season's injury to the team's #1 WR, Bennie Mandel left him a shell of his former self. This then required the team to get a new target for Morton. Spinger will most likely start as the #2 behind now #1, Zander Ogden.


3.9: T Dana Kolodziej. Initial rating: 27/56
Staying with the offense, tackle was a big need. Especially one that can protect Morton. Kolodziej will hopefully do that. He didn't work out at the combine, but our scouts saw something in him. Film we watched on him showed him to be an excellent run blocker and above average pass blocker. For now he most likely will play RT.


4.8: SS Winston Sheffield. Initial rating: 17/43
We move to the defensive side of the ball for our next pick. Safety was need on defense. Sheffield looks to be a good addition to the pass defense. His coverage skills are what attracted us to him. He should battle for a starting spot on pass D, depending on how well he develops in TC.


5.7: C Marc Nowak. Initial rating: 22/49
Again, offensive line a big need to protect Morton. Nowak looks to have tremendous blocking skills and strength. He will most likely move to guard.


6.11: FS Fred Hirschman. Initial rating: 26/46
Hirschman is another coverage guy we liked. One of the things we liked most was his strength. He's going to knock the snot out of some receivers and hopefully create turnovers.


7.10: MLB Dan Bratcher Initial rating: 19/33
Bratcher was an audible pick. We had a couple others guys in this position group we wanted, but when it came time to pull the trigger, Bratcher was an affinity and we went with him. Depending on his development, he may or may not make the roster.


There were also many FA signings this off season as GM Sawblade was looking to get some leaders and mentors. Some of the more notable and standouts are listed below.

RB: Jamal Montague: Needing a RB was paramount. Montague will provide a veteran slant and help rookie Mayes along until he's ready to take the reigns all himself.

DE: Aaron McElreath: Great run stopper and mentor. McElreath will also help on the pass rush. Strong guy that will create some fumbles.

TE: Jessie Kurtz: We needed a solid TE we could depend on in the blocking game as well as catching the ball. Kurtz can handle both. His run blocking is off the charts and his agility to move after catching the ball will be fun to watch. Both Heath Morton and Kennedy Mayes are very happy Kurtz will be catching and blocking for them.


It's going to be fun seeing how this team comes together. GM Sawblade tells this reporter "I'm very excited about the new additions. I think we can put together a much better season than we did last year. We are definitely on the right track with the pieces to a winning puzzle. In addition to the players we added, our staff got much stronger. We added a new OC and DC who both are excellent at calling a game. That should give us big advantage in those tough games."

I'll be back during the preseason to see how these young guns are developing.

[Aston]

Wow, nicely formatted!

That Sheffield guy was definitely someone we noticed early on and were wondering if he would fall to us in one of the later rounds. You made sure it didn't happen. Springer was my backup plan for the Waco WR in Round 2, so I was extra bummed when both of them went off the board.

[sawblade300]

Wow, nicely formatted!

That Sheffield guy was definitely someone we noticed early on and were wondering if he would fall to us in one of the later rounds. You made sure it didn't happen. Springer was my backup plan for the Waco WR in Round 2, so I was extra bummed when both of them went off the board.

Good to know you were targeting the same guys. I may have a shot yet.

[Sharkn20]

McElrearth is a former Shark, I really loved that guy and was sent to Morgantown for a 2nd Round pick, I hope he doesn't has that impact as a Phill in our match-ups!