Board 8 > Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) Season 8: Rookies + Free Agency

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ayodele nooooo

Officially looking to trade for an OLB of 82+
---

All of my FA signings got injured.

This game literally hates the Titans and doesn't want them to succeed.
---

What the hell's up with my QBs falling on their asses?
---

Oh shit. Losing a 95 center for half the season when your backup is a 75 center is semi problematic. Even though he's 2nd or 3rd choice QB, losing Gant for the year sucks too. I was hoping with him being super young, he'd slowly develop into something good.

Don't I need to sign a RB since two of mine are hurt, or no?

Also losing McAllister for the season hurts ;_;
---

Scare needs to trade me his backup C but I never see him post or do much in the threads

Both of his main Cs start on the line. One is also out for awhile
---

Depth chart, league leader, and schedule/standings sheet have been updated. Time permitting, I will send out coaching strategies and explain them a bit. If not, that will have to wait until Monday.

For the love of god though, check the depth chart sheet at least a dozen times! Every season, someone doesn't and then I am later asked why X player is starting at Y position. Please look it over and make sure you approve of what the AI did to your depth chart. If you have any changes, please let me know.
---

I dont think the mighty thunder ducks look bad on paper >_>
---

I say that every year about the Titans and yet the results speak for themselves.
---

Bump it
---

Bump
---

Coaching Strategies
Please keep a record of this so you know where you currently stand if and when you make changes.

1. Base Defense
You have a choice of 4-3 or 3-4. Under a 4-3, you start 2 DTs and 1 MLB. Under a 3-4, you start 2 MLBs and 1 DT.

2. Run-Pass Offense
The ratio of plays that will be run or pass plays on offense. This is on a sliding 100 point scale.

3. Conservative-Aggressive Offense
The ratio of plays that will be risk-averse or risky on offense. This is on a sliding 100 point scale.

4. Running Back Splits
How carries will be split among the top two RBs on your depth chart. This is on a sliding 100 point scale. That being said, I feel like coaches ignore whatever you put under this category and do whatever they please.

5. Run-Pass Defense
The ratio of plays that will be run or pass plays on defense. This is on a sliding 100 point scale.

6. Conservative-Aggressive Defense
The ratio of plays that will be risk-averse or risky on defense. This is on a sliding 100 point scale.
---

To Do
- Post my predictions
- List Week 1 matchups
- List the two changes for this season (only affect me)
- Make new topic (likely next week)

I should get those first three done tomorrow. I am leaning toward simming the first week of the regular season on Monday, May 8th. As has been the case for most of the past several seasons, I will not be able to do live simmings for most weeks.

For those who are new or unfamiliar, each calendar week will have two in-game week0s simmed. I will probably do so on Mondays (odd-numbered weeks) and Wednesdays (even-numbered weeks. I will likely sim as early as I am able to on Monday so I can post all results that day. Then, I will inform anyone who suffered injuries (regardless if they require a roster move or not) in case that affects how they wish to approach the following week(s). I will then sim as early as I can Wednesday, post that day, and then I hope to have already updated applicable portions of the spreadsheet. Then we rinse and repeat until the playoffs.

One of the two changes I will be making is the elimination of a mid-season stat PM, so I will likely not have a mid-season break. The regular season should finish in 9 calendar weeks.
---

I also see that I have a large stack of PMs that I need to open. I intend to do so as early as tomorrow!

I did open one from Fenny who let me know that life is still wacky for him and is unsure if he will ever return.
---

WalkingWiki posted...

Don't I need to sign a RB since two of mine are hurt, or no?

1. I will always let anyone know if they suffered an injury that requires a roster move except for the preseason.

2. The roster sheet lets you know how many healthy players at a position that you need. If you look closely, you will see that you just need one healthy HB. However, if you wish to not start a sub-80 rookie, you are free to sign someone off the free agent pile. Your cap space will force you to place McAllister on IR though.

Speaking of which, with McAllister out for the season, no HB will have rushed for 1000+ yards in every season, ending one of the last remaining performance streaks in the league. I will check to see if there's any others remaining, but it could be the last for all I know. There is nobody who has record 1000+ receiving yards, ran for/caught 10 TDs in a season, or 10+ sacks. There might be someone left with 100+ tackles, but retired Saints MLB Mike Peterson was the only one that I knew could claim that.
---

Ok, thanks for the info -- sorry, I forgot about the "you notify us" part

If it's fine to do it now, I'll go ahead and put McAllister on the IR tho anyway and sign another RB -- I'll inform you later who I want to sign, if that's good
---

Keeping everything the same as last year i think my jags are due for a super bowl
---

AFC West

1. Washington Hawks
2. Denver Broncos
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Kansas City Chiefs

The Hawks might very well run away with the division as they certainly have the talent to do so. Their depth is an issue however, and they've already lost reigning co-Defensive Rookie of the Year for a third of the season. Through seven seasons, HB LaDainian Tomlinson has played at least a dozen games just once. They are also relying on journeyman Philip Rivers to replace Chad Pennington who had the most Pro Bowl nods at QB after Peyton Manning. An additional injury or two, especially to Tomlinson or somewhere on the offensive line could cause things to go south in a hurry.

The Broncos had a poor season by their standards last year due to injuries. They plugged some holes during free agency and have left this preseason without an injury. They don't have as high of a ceiling as they've had in seasons past, but I expect a non-losing season at any rate and to be in the hunt for a wild card spot.

The Raiders are a darkhorse wild card team. After all those seasons of mediocrity winning between 5-8 games, they have an opportunity to make a playoff push in a relatively weak division and one of the most favorable away schedules in the league. Aside from a disappointing Season 6, new QB A.J. Feeley has been a reliable option at QB, and they have a really good defense with a few new faces. Unfortunately, their already shaky offense has taken some hits with TE Jeremy Shockey out for half of the season and LT Alex Boone gone for several weeks. Luckily, they will be gone for the easiest part of their schedule, so if they enter their Week 9 bye a winning record, they could be in position to grab a wild card even with four straight games against teams that won 10+ games last season (Steelers, Ravens, Buccaneers, and Hawks).

The Chiefs have work to do. If they lose QB Marc Bulger and/or HB Domanick Davis, they could be in line for the #1 pick. Their defense can probably hold their own, especially in a division not known for offense. Their offensive line is steady if always injured. They just lack playmakers on offense, and while defense is always the best indicator of success, playoff teams score points and this Chiefs team likely won't be putting up enough.
---

AFC East

1. Miami Dolphins
2. New York Jets
3. Buffalo Bills
4. New England Patriots

The Dolphins should still have enough to win the division for a seventh time. After seasons of the division weaknening, last year was arguably the best from the AFC East. Three teams had their best win-loss record and the Jets peripherals were that of a team close to .500. Retirements weren't kind to anyone, especially the Dolphins who lost three 90+ members of their secondary. Taking over starting jobs are three 1st round picks, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Joe Haden, and SS Antoine Bethea. The rest of the team is essentially the same, but as long as those aforementioned three pull their weight, a division crown seems to be more likely than missing the playoffs altogether.

I am still not giving up on the Jets. This is a team that never had a losing season and were coming off two seasons in which they made the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl before two 5-11 campaigns. They had an underrated draft last season, and they replaced their (aka my) free agent mistake QB Matt Leinart with the man who beat them in the Super Bowl, Drew Brees. 14 of their starters are under 30, and as long as they do not face any setbacks developing or with injuries, they could be in the running for as high as AFC East champions.

The Bills are on paper a worse team across the board than they were last season. They went 11-5 in the regular season last year, so even a slight drop might put them to 9-7 and certainly remain in the playoff discussion. They escaped the preseason without an injury and start the season on a four-game homestand, so their pursuit of another playoff berth will begin in their favor.

The Patriots, then Cougars, went 9-7 after being propped up by their defense. While it remains roughly the same and an influx of new starters on both sides of the ball, they are still low on talent relative to the rest of the division and league. While I see them dropping back to a losing record this season, Lady Luck could once again smile upon them again. Just please don't let it be at the Dolphins' expense.
---

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Mexico City Browns
4. Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens are likely here to stay for some time. Even though they always have their fair share of injuries, somebody steps up and they don't lose a beat. They have made the AFC Championship the past two seasons, and I don't see why they can't make it three in a row.

The Steelers have infamously choked away a playoff spot in Week 17 to the Browns the past two seasons. They have a balanced team everywhere you look, but without being elite in any one area, they will need to play mistake-free ball for the most part. They have a few injuries, but most are bench players and at O-line where they have plenty of depth.

The Browns still have a playoff-caliber team, but they let their released their top-rated HB, traded their #2 WR, and let their 89 RT walk. They did draft a good replacement for retired OLB Clark Haggans and signed a new #1 CB, so it isn't like it was a significant exodus of talent. However, I think that the disparity has put them below the Steelers and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since Season 5. Their total offense and defense both ranked in the 20s last season, the only playoff team from last year to claim that. To avoid a repeat and seeing a corresponding regression in record, they will most importantly need their front seven to stay healthy to help with the effective running attacks that the division employs.

The Bengals were not gutted by retirements like they had endured for the previous two off-seasons, but they still play in the murderous AFC North and face the equally murderous NFC East as their non-conference foes. They just can't catch a break.
---

AFC South

1. Columbus Pioneers
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Tennessee Titans

They may have picked in the Top 10 for three straight seasons, but the biggest threat for the Jaguars is the Pioneers. A combination of good draft choices, free agent signings, and developing players have resulted in a team that is much better than their 12-36 the past three seasons indicate. That sounds like the real-life Jaguars (while the Jaguars are more like the real-life Texans), but they have to put it together one season. This is the division to have a breakout season, so why not them?

The Jaguars' run of six straight division crowns might come to an end this season. Their offense is always injured, and their defense is showing signs of aging. They really need a respectable sophomore season from QB Tim Tebow and for HB Adrian Peterson to stay healthy in light of HB Marshawn Lynch's injury. I wouldn't count on both happening.

Every team except the Texans/Pioneers saw a significant decrease in wins last season, but none harder than the Colts. Their one true weakness is their offensive line. They released their 91 RT, and now have one member at 84+. That just isn't going to cut it with their collection of QBs, HBs, and WRs. That being said, the Hassassinator left camp as a starting WR for the first time in his career. This could be all the Colts need (along with their vaunted defense).

Madden hates many teams, arguably none more so than the Titans. I don't need to tell their history, but they right now have seven injuries when no other team has more than four. It will likely be a long season in Nashville.
---

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. St. Louis Rams
4. Toronto Wildcats

I said this last year, and was totally burned, but I think this is the Seahawks year to make the playoffs for the first time. They went hard after players in free agency (DT Matt Kroul and G Justin Geisinger), and some young guys have developed nicely (WR DeSean Jackson and OLBs Derrick Bonds/Justin Houston). They also have quality backups at positions where they didn't use to have any (QB and C). Losing former Offensive Rookie of the Year HB Lynell Hamilton for half the season doesn't help a team that has suffered more injuries than every other team except the Texans/Pioneers the past three seasons. However, in a division that seems to be getting weaker every season, that won't be as much of an obstacle as it would have been in seasons past.

I once said that no team had a bleaker future than the 49ers due to an aging core and absolutely no depth. While they are coming off three straight 7-9 seasons, the 49ers are in good position despite losing WR Torry Holt to retirement. With the target sponge gone, young pass-catchers might have more opportunities to develop and that defense, with no starters over 30, has come around after looking bleak for several seasons. A playoff berth might be just out of reach, but I do expect them to get back to .500.

The Rams are a befuddling team. They never perform how I think they will. Their starting talent is certainly playoff-worthy on paper, but they underperform individually, have middle-of-the-pack team stats, yet somehow string together 10+ wins as a team. I obviously haven't learned my lesson, but I think they are a .500 team and nothing more.

With apologies to OLB Marcus Washington, QB Michael Vick is the Toronto Wildcats. He could very well become an MVP candidate once again, but at some point, their offense won't be enough to carry their defense that has barely been better than the Titans over duration of the league. Even if Vick stays healthy all season, I see the Wildcats as a team with a losing record and possibly picking in the Top 5 again.
---

NFC East

1. Las Vegas Pumpkins
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Redskins

Arguably the best division in the league where all teams are of roughly the same quality (though major differences between them all) makes this really hard to predict. I'm going mega bold and saying that the Pumpkins earn their long-overdue playoff spot by winning the division and be in the running for a 1st round bye. After poor drafts and being non-factors in free agency, the Pumpkins have selected hit after hit in the draft and have used their vast cap space to nab long-term starters. The Pumpkins lost several players to retirement this season and traded away a young, quality DT, but they signed/drafted replacements everywhere. I honestly believe that their ceiling is that of a Super Bowl contender. It's hard to believe that this team bounced back like this after the notorious Ryan Fitzpatrick experiment. It's also what started this rebuild, so maybe MMX was a genius after all.

The Cowboys have just two playoff spots to their credit despite always having a high-rated team. They have also selected in the Top 10 four times. They could very well have a Lions-esque Super Bowl follow-up season. I'm not willing to that far, but I do expect them to win at least three fewer games than they did last season (13 in the regular season).

The Giants, much like the Jets, have had an unusual string of poor seasons despite stats suggesting they should have been at least .500. Their defense still finishes in the Top 10, so it's their offense that has held them back. A large part of that might be the rapid decline of perennial MVP candidate Edgerrin James. With 17507 career rushing yards, James needs 849 (I think I did my math correct) to surpass Emmitt Smith for the all-time record. Back on topic though, the Giants will be starting a rookie or 2nd year player at RT positions for the first half of the season. With a brutal schedule against the division and AFC North, they will need that defense to perform as usual, Edgerrin to regain his old mojo, those young OTs to hold the line, and QB Ben Olson to take another leap in his third year. That might be asking too much to get them back into the playoffs.

The Redskins had such an awful cap situation that they had to let go of many talented players. While they have been effective in free agency the past two seasons, they have spent at least 9 of their 15 draft picks on QBs and WRs in that span when they should have helped provide some depth along their lines. They still have an uber-talented team, but man, I think that the Redskins of old are gone. I really miss the inaugural season Redskins. With respect to Wars' Browns, that might have been the funnest team ever.
---

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings
2. Richmond Bears
3. Detroit Lions
4. Green Bay Packers

The Vikings cleaned house in free agency. It will prohibit most of their rookies from getting playing time, but as for their prospects this season, it is looking good. I fully expect them to retain their division crown.

The Bears didn't have a good offseason. They released their most productive DT and OLB (Gabe Watson and Lance Briggs), they lost their starting C to retirement, and only C Eric Wood projected to see much playing time among their rookies barring injuries. That being said, I have a good feeling about this team. Things are starting to click for them and it's bound to result in a winning record one of these days. While not as likely, a playoff spot is on the table.

The Lions are coming off a baffling season where they finished 30th in total defense despite having 11 of 12 starters from the Super Bowl season. QB Peyton Manning's $11.2 mil cap charge forced Nee to say goodbye to several starting players, and I expect that will hurt (not as much as losing two of his best defensive players for half the season). If that defense ascends to let's say 20th, that could easily put them in the playoff discussion as their schedule consists of the AFC South, NFC West, a home game against the Lightning, an away game against the Giants, and six games against their so-so division. If they go at least 3-3 against the division, they could even be in discussion for reclaiming the NFC North.

Outside of DE and S, that Packers defense makes me cry, no offense to Tangicide or Kora. The division is home to overlooked offenses, so that's going to be a huge liability. That combined with health issues already at the QB position, I do not like the Packers' chances this season.
---

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Anaheim Lightning

I have little reason to believe that the order will change from last season.

If there's one team in the NFC that I view as a lock to make the playoffs, it's the Falcons. The Falcons lost WR Hines Ward to retirement, but they signed Jordan Shipley to replace him and have several ascending players at the position. Their talent and balance makes every game winnable for them.

The Bucs have already been hit by some injuries, none that should derail their season though. QB Tom Brady is coming off what might have been the best season by a QB in B8NFLL history. A slight regression to the mean is expected, but he's found a home in Tampa with their offensive line and pass-catchers. That defense also had a huge bounce-back season with no reason to expect something different. They are probably lock #2 for the playoffs.

The Panthers exceeded all expectations last year, and they are better built for repeat success than other examples. That being said, so many players played by far the best season of their career that it's unlikely to see a repeat of that happening. All rookie QBs that had great rookie seasons saw significantly worse results in their sophomore season, so if the same happens to QB Matt Ryan and HB Reggie Bush gets injured like he always does, where does the offense go from there? We saw last season what happened to them when their team came back down to earth (were held to sub-10 points for something like four of their final six games). With largely the same team as last year, will we see more of the Jakyll and Hyde show from this season or will one overtake the other?

The Lightning, despite having the best off-season in the division, are likely a year or two away from being serious playoff contenders. They could be this year's version of the Panthers and Cougars and have an unexpectedly good season with bounceback seasons from players like QB Eli Manning, MLB Kawika Mitchell, and DE Justin Smith.
---

AFC Outlook (actual seeding projections and remember that division winners get top four seeds)

Playoff Field
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Washington Hawks
4. Columbus Pioneers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. New York Jets

Playoff Hopefuls
7. Denver Broncos
8. Buffalo Bills
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Mexico City Browns
11. New England Patriots

Darkhorse Candidates
12. Oakland Raiders
13. Indianapolis Colts
14. Cincinnati Bengals

Maybe Next Season
15. Kansas City Chiefs

GOD HAS FORSAKEN ME
16. Tennessee Titans
---

We may not ever make the Super Bowl but my Falcons should continue to be pretty dependable.
---

NFC Outlook

Playoff Field
1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Las Vegas Pumpkins
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Dallas Cowboys

Playoff Hopefuls
7. Richmond Bears
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Carolina Panthers
10. New York Giants
11. Detroit Lions
12. Washington Redskins
13. St. Louis Rams

Darkhorse Candidate
14. Anaheim Lightning

Maybe Next Season
15. Green Bay Packers
16. Toronto Wildcats
---

I also did a Rookie of the Year prediction for the hell of it. Every season, a couple of candidates emerge due to injuries from players in front of them on the depth chart, so I had some trouble gauging who those lucky guys might be.

Offensive Rookie of the Year (in order of finish)
1. Pioneers QB Russell Wilson
2. Lightning WR Antonio Brown
3. Titans TE Dwayne Allen
4. 49ers HB C.J. Spiller
5. Patriots HB Dexter McCluster

Defensive Rookie of the Year
1. Buccaneers SS George Iloka
2. Jets OLB K.J. Wright
3. Pumpkins OLB Jason Worilds
4. Raiders FS Reshad Jones
5. Browns OLB Aaron Curry
---

Week 1 User vs User Matchups
Jaguars (Sultan) at Bills (stevr)
Titans (Stan) at Patriots (Jukkie)
Dolphins (KCF) at Hawks (crazy)
Chiefs (Ranlom) at Buccaneers (MZero)
Cowboys (Wiz) at Falcons (mudders)
Steelers (Shattered) at Ravens (Wiki)

Game of the Week
Giants at Redskins

Week 1 will tentatively be simmed on Monday, May 8th
---

As I mentioned, there will be two changes this season that should cut down on my time spent on this project by as many as 25 hours.

The first is that I will no longer do interesting notes during the regular season. For those who are unfamiliar, interesting notes were just a random thing that I would put at the end of each game summary that usually dealt with the league's history. Since that typically requires research, interesting notes take far longer than the rest of the game summary. I can probably cut 12-20 hours by no longer doing that during the regular season. For those who liked those, which is apparently more people than I thought (only Scare and mudders consistently talked about them), I will still do them for the postseason. I also always post random bits about B8NFLL's history through the topics, so I hope that will suffice. I do intend to add more players under notable players for each game, but I will have to teach myself to redefine my personal definition of what a notable performance is.

The second is that I will no longer do mid-season stat PMs. Again, for those unfamiliar, I used to send out PMs containing the stats for every player on your team after weeks 8 and 17. I will still do so after Week 17, but not doing it after Week 8 should cut about 3-5 hours. I always allow for users to request the stats of any player on their team at any point, so I feel it isn't necessary to do the mid-season one. Usually “we” take a midseason break to coincide with me sending out the PMs, but without the mid-season stat PM, there's no need to take a break, so hopefully people will like having an uninterrupted regular season.
---

Awesome stuff KCF, as always.
---

Are you sure you wouldn't rather take a break anyway to, you know...actually take a break during the break instead of spending it doing things here?
---

Good. It wouldn't be as enjoyable a run into at least the Divisional Playoff round if KCF wasn't once again underestimating the Bills. GO BILLS!

Worst comes to worst, we'll have a decent draft pick this year!

I will open the 16 PMs hopefully tomorrow
---

I am the bestthing ti ever happen to the jags lol
---

yazzy14 posted...

Awesome stuff KCF, as always.

Seconded. I actually don't often realize how good some teams are until that prediction post and then I go look at their rosters. Very easy to overlook some teams who make massive improvements between seasons with all the stat changes, retirements and picking up of new players.

Also I drafted 5 players in the first 3 rounds (3 in the 1st!) and no rookie of the year candidates! Granted it's completely understandable as I have zero rookies starting this year unlike previous years. Although DT Gerald McCoy did have the starter in front of him get injured but it's only a minor injury (2 weeks)

Thirded on the writeups

Absolutely awesome read...even if I don't agree ;)
---

I always think that maybe this is the year KCF is wrong about the Titans.

But no. He is right. This will be a long year. AFC East is no slouch and we face the worst team in that division when all my guys are injured. NFC North is decent as well and I play 2 of those games with 3 starters still injured. My only solace is that most of my guys will be back for almost all the divisional games...but who knows who'll get injured in the mean time.
---

Jeez i got lambasted for releasing my back up running back the last season and a half and a 40 year old tackle.
---

"Worst"
---

Emeraldegg posted...

Are you sure you wouldn't rather take a break anyway to, you know...actually take a break during the break instead of spending it doing things here?

And not only that, it's good for the rest of us too. The season goes by so fast, having a breather to consider trades for the off-season or a playoff push would be helpful.

.
---

What are the playoffs? Season's gonna be long enough please just end it now.

*wallows in misery*
---

I will miss the interesting notes but if it can cut out that much time for you then you should absolutely stop doing it.
---

imthestuntman posted...

Jeez i got lambasted for releasing my back up running back the last season and a half and a 40 year old tackle.

Lambasted is too harsh of a word, but I think that you have a net change of at least -12 overall rating between all your starters on a team that overachieved last season based on record vs team stats.
---

KCF0107 posted...

imthestuntman posted...

Jeez i got lambasted for releasing my back up running back the last season and a half and a 40 year old tackle.

Lambasted is too harsh of a word, but I think that you have a net change of at least -12 overall rating between all your starters on a team that overachieved last season based on record vs team stats.

I have a flair for the dramatic and I wont apologize for it.
---

I am now up to 19 PMs, and I might not open them until tomorrow. This isn't intentional, I swear!
---

Bump.