Saturday 12 March 2016

2016 Team of Free Agents - The Offence

Article by Ian Hughes


With the Franchise Tag deadline passing. We now know which players are likely to hit the open market. This got me thinking about one of my yearly challenges. Can I put together a quality NFL roster made up of players hitting Free Agency?

If you want to play along at home or send in your own rosters, the Rules are pretty simple. No more than 53 Guys. Must have sufficient depth to cover the starters, can’t just list 5 OL players and have a ton of WR’s for example. Linked to that, players must be listed in the position they have played NFL or a suitable alternative, no padding out positions with players that have no right being there. And that’s about it. Let’s see what sort of team I can scrape together this year.

My Offence – Pro Style, 21/12 Personnel, Zone Run

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Shanahan

I try and include coaches where I can as it ties the whole thing together nicely and sticking with the same rules as the players makes it difficult, there are very few good coaches out of work. So for the OC position I will go to Mike Shanahan. Ran the Zone system with great effect during his career. Has been out of the game a while but showed that he wants back into the NFL circle by putting his name out there for HC jobs this season. I wouldn’t have him as my HC but is more than welcome to run my Offence.

Player Talent overview

Just having a quick glance at the talent available. This is not the year to be looking for a WR. Nothing much in the Draft and almost nothing in FA. Alshon Jeffery would have been the superstar target, but the Franchise Tag saved the Bear from losing their biggest weapon. There is depth at the TE position with some big names hitting the open market, leading me to build around that strength.



QB

Starter: Josh Freeman

Once was seen as the Franchise QB for the Tampa Bay Bucs, Freeman almost feel out of the NFL circle. Reasonably athletic QB with a live arm would be my Starter. There isn’t much to choose from at the QB position this year, so the proven starter is the safest bet.


Back-ups: T.J Yates + Travaris Jackson

Yates and Jackson are 2 of the better back-ups in the NFL. Yates played well for the Texans as an emergency starter a few years back and Jackson was an average full-time starter in Minnesota. Both have movement skills and enough arm work the ball around the field.

RB

Starter: Matt Forte

Could it be anyone else at Running back? Forte has been one of the best at the position for the last 5 years. The best catching out of the backfield. The only reasons he is out looking for are his age and the play of the younger backs in Chicago.

Back-ups: Doug Martin + Pierre Thomas + Tyler Clutts

Doug Martin was going to be the next big thing at RB until a decline in touches stalled his career. Had a resurgence last year but still had to fight of the rest of the depth chart. Thomas is that 3rd Down back teams crave to have, but don’t want to pay. Will find work but probably won’t get paid. Tyler Clutts, I LOVE THIS GUY! Chicago should never have let this guy go. Capable FB, stepped in as an emergency Long Snapper, played on ST and has recently been used as a Tailback by the Dallas Cowboys. This versatility will get him on a roster for sure.

TE

Starters: Vernon Davis + Dwayne Allen

Both of these guys are receiving options from the TE position. And that’s key in a 2 TE offence. Davis has the speed to challenge teams vertically, Allen can find space and is a decent blocker. Both together will create mis-matches.

Back-ups: Jared Cook + Ladarius Green

Jared Cook had a big a problem while a member of the Rams, QB play. When Bradford was healthy, Cook had a good time. Shame Bradford was rarely healthy, then he left. As for Green, he made the most of his time as the only TE in SD while Gates was out. But that wasn’t enough to see him keep he job full time.

WR

Starters: Roddy White + Malcom Floyd

As of writing this, Roddy White had just become a Free Agent. Which was great as I was really struggling to find 2 Starting receiver in this year’s group. He might be getting up there in age, but he can still run his routes and catch the football. Won’t be carrying a passing game at this stage for his career, but you pair him with an explosive partner and you’ll get fireworks. Malcom Floyd became a spare part at times in the Chargers offence. Another guy that is getting up in age, but can still produce.

Back-ups: Marques Colston + Rishard Mathews + Brandon Tate

Colston was recently cut by the Saints. Another guy that is being considered too old for his big pay check. A Luxury pick by me really. Would never make a roster as a 3rd receiver. But you put him on the field with 2 other ‘Starters’ and you start to win the personnel battle. Mathews had some big games for the Dolphins, but there problems protecting Tannehill effected his production. Well, that and the play of their Star Wideout. Tate rounds out my receiving core nicely. Has been a #2 in Cincy, more suited as a slot in my opinion. Can be useful in the return game.


OL

Starters: LT – Donald Penn + LG – Evan Mathis + C – Alex Mack + RG – Mackenzie Bernardeau + RT – Russel Okung

Offensive Line talent is hard to come by in Free Agency. You can normally find just one guy at each position. Had that’s just what I have managed to do. Penn at Left Tackle is probably the easiest pick I had to make on Offence behind Forte at RB. Played there for what seems like forever. 11 Years in the league, 9 as a starter. He’ll play. Mathis was a nice pick-up by the Broncos to protect Peyton Manning. Again an aging player, but I am not building a franchise here, just a roster. Mack at Center is another obvious one. Might be the best Center in football, could finally have found a way out of Cleveland to play for a contender. Bernardeau was a major factor in the Cowboys success running the football over the last couple of years. Is due a nice payday, but weather he gets it is another matter. Okung will be the biggest winner of the Free Agency sweep stakes. I don’t see him as a Left Tackle, but teams searching at the position will spend good money to see if he can do it. I would rather have him at Right Tackle.

Back-ups: Lance Louis, Guard + J’Marcus Webb

Ok, so my Bears Fandom shows again. Both Louis and Webb played for the bears during a time when they were searching for the right 5 guys on the O-Line. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. Louis was a competitive Guard that was best when working in space. Makes little sense you say, a Guard plays in a phone booth. But this guy gets better as the space opens up, loved to get out in front as a pulling blocker. As for Webb. A solid Right Tackle that was forced to play out of position at Left Tackle. Just a solid guy, that got the bad end of the stick.


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