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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