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Figured that I should take a page out of Jzicc's book and make a thread for this instead of a new page each year. I was having a hard time paying attention to class so I finished this write-up instead. Be warned, it's a long one.
2060 Off-Season Review
Another year, another Utah team that is teeming with talent with a massive hole at WR. I think that this is a decent team, one that could really make a playoff push as long as we don’t put too much on our young QB, Erik Dotson. Unfortunately, with our leading target from last year (Donnell Fuller) holding out because we brought in WR Marky Mark (Dude's on a 1-year deal and we only have 1 good WR, there are 2 other starting spots in that group dude your job is safe) we have a significant talent sink at WR. I invested 3 2nd round picks on that group and I have next to nothing to show for it, drafting guys that seemed like they had potential only to get shafted during EX2. I blame my old OC, who couldn't scout offensive talent if his life depended on it. Anyways, I want to go into a review of the offseason/ a preview of the season for the Utah Golden Spikes.
I came into this offseason knowing I needed to do a couple of things.
This off-season was about setting this team up with a proper championship window opening in a couple of years. I know that we won't be able to compete till Dotson matures a little bit but I need to start clearing bad contracts to make way for better players while also figuring out what I should do to ensure that the team runs smoothly by that point. The plan is clear: Year 1: Clear up cap space and add depth to the roster. Year 2: Add playmakers around Dotson as he matures, build up a ferocious pass rush to help the secondary. Year 3: Compete.
Free Agency Review:
Free-Agency Signings:
Bryson Mitkov, K, $7.4/2 yrs
Needed a kicker and wanted one cheap. Didn't want to use one of my picks on kickers and I wanted to get someone who I thought could be a producer on a small contract
Roderick Ramirez, TE, $13.01/3 Yrs
3rd TE for the roster. I like to use 12 personnel a lot and I think that having 3 good TE's on the roster is important to me. He's an elite blocker and can see some 3rd down snaps as a blocker and receiver, just not too many snaps with his low (5) endurance
Brody Joyner, RB, $9.79/3 yrs
I want to go run-heavy this year and I don't want to run that often with my 2 backs that were on the roster. They both had a lot of runs for 20+ while also getting tackled behind the LOS a lot and I wanted to supplement that with backs that were more north-south. Joyner is a well rounded back that gives us some youth on the roster while also having good Blitz pickup and RR, giving him 3rd down potential.
Desmond Juneau, RB, $10.9/2 yrs
He was the primary back that I wanted to sign. I was hesitant to sign a back over 30 but my primary target was going for a lot more money, which was something I just didn't have to spend. Juneau is a perfect North-south runner for us with significant speed and I envision him as the primary back for this team for 2 years.
Kerry Cassidy, DT, $9.94/1 yr
I wanted some depth at because I was looking to trade MacDowell and I think Cassidy is alright there. I wanted someone else but Cassidy can help this DL transition away from MacDowell
Deron Barnhill, DE, $10.53/2 yrs
I need more edge rushers and that's what Barnhill should provide. He's not a run stopper but he can rush the passer and hit somewhat hard and that's what I'm counting on
Jon Corbett, WR, $19.2/3 yrs
He was productive with us and I could lock him up for cheap for 3 years. Good AD and 3DC, should be a good specialist as a 4th WR on the roster.
Brian Vaughn, TE, $6.91/1 yr
He was good for us last year, why get rid of a relatively cheap TE1/2 when you can keep him and retain some cohesion?
Gabriel Berry, WR, $14.3/3 yrs
I needed WR's after losing out on Particelli and I figured that berry's been on this team for so long, might as well as give him a chance to compete for the starting job here
Pete Berryman, OLB, $5.76/2 yrs
He's been a solid backup for us after being signed as a UDFA, I want to give him a chance to start for us at SAM.
Derek Peters, LS, $1.9/1 yr
Gotta get special players for special teams
Joel Kamilewicz, DT, $8.54/2 yrs
Depth DT, a good player that will help develop a 3 DT rotation for us
Douglas Adams, G, $10.04/ 2 yrs
Wanted some depth at G. It always seems like I have a G go down over the course of a season and I don't want bad depth to hurt me. Abolofila also might get shafted because of a significant injury, want some kind of insurance for the team in case he goes down
Jeffery Hartstock, T, $15.45/3 yrs
I don't necessarily trust my RT to keep producing so I added Hartstock to potentially start if necessary. And in case my LT goes down, Hartstock has a really good affinity with my RT so I might actually see improved line play from that.
Garrett Tubbs, C, $5.67/2 yrs
Backup center. I wanted my starter from last year but I wasn't gonna pay him a lot.
UDFA Signings:
Corbin Bryant, WR, $1.09/1 yr
Buddy Perry, DE, $1.09/1 yr
Cedric Greer, DT, $1.09/1 yr
Kristopher Judkins, DT, $1.09/1 yr
Pat Foreman, OLB, $1.09/1 yr
Colby Ackerman, OLB, $1.09/1 yr
Ian Thomas, DE, $1.09/1 yr
Lincoln Fulcher, S, $1.09/1 yr
Draft Review
1.14: Quinn Terrell, C, Minnesota
Rookie Projection: Back-up IOL player
Year 2 projection: Starting C
Long term projection: High-end starter at C
Scouting Report:
I didn't love the prospects at WR or DE at this point and I knew I had a glaring hole at C. I didn't get my interview in with him so I don’t know if he's overrated but he was by far the highest-graded prospect on my board. We need a center really bad. We can't keep relying on veterans there and Terrell was my favorite C prospect that I have seen in a while
3.15 Marcus Rodgers, OLB, Oklahoma
Rookie Projection: Depth LB with special team upside
Year 2 projection: Starter at WLB
Long term Projection: Quality starter that will be good, not great. Needs to play in a defense that runs M2M to maximize potential.
Scouting Report:
I really wanted Josiah Vieane, CB here because I think his skills would make it easy to move on from Josh Schneider in a couple of years when his rookie deal ends but I couldn’t do that since he was taken by SLC (Hate that I have to see him twice a year). Instead, I wanted to try to replace another defensive starter in Marcus Jacobs. Jacobs was signed to a 2 year deal and has been a productive starter on this defense. He has helped solidify our nickel package and was a big reason why we allowed a league-leading 9.78 YPC. Unfortunately, he's 30 and wants a $2 mil/3 yr deal that I'm not that interested in paying. This is where Rodgers comes in as I expect him to contribute as a back-up and spot starter in his first year before starting once Jacobs contract ends.
Marcus' skillset is similar to Jacobs. He's a well rounded LB but has a very low RD bar. It sucks but I'm hoping I can work around this by beefing up the DL this year. With a great M2M and Press bar, I think he can play some safety in sub-packages while starting in our nickel defense. I could see him playing dime corner in a heavy set as well.
4.32 Harry Farmer, RB, Stanford
Rookie Projection: Back of the roster RB, Potential punt returner
Year 2 projection: 3rd RB, potential 3rd down back
Long term projection: Change of pace back with 3rd down potential
Scouting Report:
This year I wanted to have an offense that featured the backfield. Without any good WR's, we needed to make do with another position with players that I could get for cheaper without overpaying for an average guy. Harry farmer is a guy with punt returning potential that also has some interesting bars for being a 3rd down back (BP 57-100, 3DC 58-100, HR 35-77). I think he has the potential to be a productive 3rd back on the roster and I want people that can recreate Lowe's receiving production
5.13 Jeffery Needham, FS, Mississippi State
Rookie Projection: Starting FS
Long term production: Low-end starter that has potential as the 3rd safety on the roster
Scouting Report:
Great fit for FS for me. Has good RD, ZD, PD, and END bars with decent bars in INT and PH. A guy that I could probably find a replacement for with better M2M and BNR that can play in the box if needed but he is a true FS that I have slotted in as a starter for this season if his bars hold.
6.15 Cristian Zapata, CB, Kansas
Rookie Projection: Returner
Long Term Projection: 4th or 5th CB who happens to be a special teams ace
Scouting Report:
Not very developed but has great punt and kick returning bars with a good special team bar. Not great in BNR but has great M2M, RD and ZD bars meaning he has good coverage upside. I wouldn’t like him as a starter because of his size (5'7) but as a returner, he should be great
2060 Off-Season Review
Another year, another Utah team that is teeming with talent with a massive hole at WR. I think that this is a decent team, one that could really make a playoff push as long as we don’t put too much on our young QB, Erik Dotson. Unfortunately, with our leading target from last year (Donnell Fuller) holding out because we brought in WR Marky Mark (Dude's on a 1-year deal and we only have 1 good WR, there are 2 other starting spots in that group dude your job is safe) we have a significant talent sink at WR. I invested 3 2nd round picks on that group and I have next to nothing to show for it, drafting guys that seemed like they had potential only to get shafted during EX2. I blame my old OC, who couldn't scout offensive talent if his life depended on it. Anyways, I want to go into a review of the offseason/ a preview of the season for the Utah Golden Spikes.
I came into this offseason knowing I needed to do a couple of things.
- Start working on the cap. I have to free up money for Dotson when his contract is up. I have him for 3 more years and if he develops I have to spend a lot of money keeping him on the team. It's good practice to start making moves that either clears up when his contract is up.
- Add some North-south runners. I want to make this a run-oriented team this year. I have spent significant capital adding quality OL players the last few years and because of that I want to dominate the trenches with my RB's
- Add cheap depth
- Trade DT MacDowell and figure out how to maximize the value of interior pass rushers
This off-season was about setting this team up with a proper championship window opening in a couple of years. I know that we won't be able to compete till Dotson matures a little bit but I need to start clearing bad contracts to make way for better players while also figuring out what I should do to ensure that the team runs smoothly by that point. The plan is clear: Year 1: Clear up cap space and add depth to the roster. Year 2: Add playmakers around Dotson as he matures, build up a ferocious pass rush to help the secondary. Year 3: Compete.
Free Agency Review:
Free-Agency Signings:
Bryson Mitkov, K, $7.4/2 yrs
Needed a kicker and wanted one cheap. Didn't want to use one of my picks on kickers and I wanted to get someone who I thought could be a producer on a small contract
Roderick Ramirez, TE, $13.01/3 Yrs
3rd TE for the roster. I like to use 12 personnel a lot and I think that having 3 good TE's on the roster is important to me. He's an elite blocker and can see some 3rd down snaps as a blocker and receiver, just not too many snaps with his low (5) endurance
Brody Joyner, RB, $9.79/3 yrs
I want to go run-heavy this year and I don't want to run that often with my 2 backs that were on the roster. They both had a lot of runs for 20+ while also getting tackled behind the LOS a lot and I wanted to supplement that with backs that were more north-south. Joyner is a well rounded back that gives us some youth on the roster while also having good Blitz pickup and RR, giving him 3rd down potential.
Desmond Juneau, RB, $10.9/2 yrs
He was the primary back that I wanted to sign. I was hesitant to sign a back over 30 but my primary target was going for a lot more money, which was something I just didn't have to spend. Juneau is a perfect North-south runner for us with significant speed and I envision him as the primary back for this team for 2 years.
Kerry Cassidy, DT, $9.94/1 yr
I wanted some depth at because I was looking to trade MacDowell and I think Cassidy is alright there. I wanted someone else but Cassidy can help this DL transition away from MacDowell
Deron Barnhill, DE, $10.53/2 yrs
I need more edge rushers and that's what Barnhill should provide. He's not a run stopper but he can rush the passer and hit somewhat hard and that's what I'm counting on
Jon Corbett, WR, $19.2/3 yrs
He was productive with us and I could lock him up for cheap for 3 years. Good AD and 3DC, should be a good specialist as a 4th WR on the roster.
Brian Vaughn, TE, $6.91/1 yr
He was good for us last year, why get rid of a relatively cheap TE1/2 when you can keep him and retain some cohesion?
Gabriel Berry, WR, $14.3/3 yrs
I needed WR's after losing out on Particelli and I figured that berry's been on this team for so long, might as well as give him a chance to compete for the starting job here
Pete Berryman, OLB, $5.76/2 yrs
He's been a solid backup for us after being signed as a UDFA, I want to give him a chance to start for us at SAM.
Derek Peters, LS, $1.9/1 yr
Gotta get special players for special teams
Joel Kamilewicz, DT, $8.54/2 yrs
Depth DT, a good player that will help develop a 3 DT rotation for us
Douglas Adams, G, $10.04/ 2 yrs
Wanted some depth at G. It always seems like I have a G go down over the course of a season and I don't want bad depth to hurt me. Abolofila also might get shafted because of a significant injury, want some kind of insurance for the team in case he goes down
Jeffery Hartstock, T, $15.45/3 yrs
I don't necessarily trust my RT to keep producing so I added Hartstock to potentially start if necessary. And in case my LT goes down, Hartstock has a really good affinity with my RT so I might actually see improved line play from that.
Garrett Tubbs, C, $5.67/2 yrs
Backup center. I wanted my starter from last year but I wasn't gonna pay him a lot.
UDFA Signings:
Corbin Bryant, WR, $1.09/1 yr
Buddy Perry, DE, $1.09/1 yr
Cedric Greer, DT, $1.09/1 yr
Kristopher Judkins, DT, $1.09/1 yr
Pat Foreman, OLB, $1.09/1 yr
Colby Ackerman, OLB, $1.09/1 yr
Ian Thomas, DE, $1.09/1 yr
Lincoln Fulcher, S, $1.09/1 yr
Draft Review
1.14: Quinn Terrell, C, Minnesota
Rookie Projection: Back-up IOL player
Year 2 projection: Starting C
Long term projection: High-end starter at C
Scouting Report:
I didn't love the prospects at WR or DE at this point and I knew I had a glaring hole at C. I didn't get my interview in with him so I don’t know if he's overrated but he was by far the highest-graded prospect on my board. We need a center really bad. We can't keep relying on veterans there and Terrell was my favorite C prospect that I have seen in a while
3.15 Marcus Rodgers, OLB, Oklahoma
Rookie Projection: Depth LB with special team upside
Year 2 projection: Starter at WLB
Long term Projection: Quality starter that will be good, not great. Needs to play in a defense that runs M2M to maximize potential.
Scouting Report:
I really wanted Josiah Vieane, CB here because I think his skills would make it easy to move on from Josh Schneider in a couple of years when his rookie deal ends but I couldn’t do that since he was taken by SLC (Hate that I have to see him twice a year). Instead, I wanted to try to replace another defensive starter in Marcus Jacobs. Jacobs was signed to a 2 year deal and has been a productive starter on this defense. He has helped solidify our nickel package and was a big reason why we allowed a league-leading 9.78 YPC. Unfortunately, he's 30 and wants a $2 mil/3 yr deal that I'm not that interested in paying. This is where Rodgers comes in as I expect him to contribute as a back-up and spot starter in his first year before starting once Jacobs contract ends.
Marcus' skillset is similar to Jacobs. He's a well rounded LB but has a very low RD bar. It sucks but I'm hoping I can work around this by beefing up the DL this year. With a great M2M and Press bar, I think he can play some safety in sub-packages while starting in our nickel defense. I could see him playing dime corner in a heavy set as well.
4.32 Harry Farmer, RB, Stanford
Rookie Projection: Back of the roster RB, Potential punt returner
Year 2 projection: 3rd RB, potential 3rd down back
Long term projection: Change of pace back with 3rd down potential
Scouting Report:
This year I wanted to have an offense that featured the backfield. Without any good WR's, we needed to make do with another position with players that I could get for cheaper without overpaying for an average guy. Harry farmer is a guy with punt returning potential that also has some interesting bars for being a 3rd down back (BP 57-100, 3DC 58-100, HR 35-77). I think he has the potential to be a productive 3rd back on the roster and I want people that can recreate Lowe's receiving production
5.13 Jeffery Needham, FS, Mississippi State
Rookie Projection: Starting FS
Long term production: Low-end starter that has potential as the 3rd safety on the roster
Scouting Report:
Great fit for FS for me. Has good RD, ZD, PD, and END bars with decent bars in INT and PH. A guy that I could probably find a replacement for with better M2M and BNR that can play in the box if needed but he is a true FS that I have slotted in as a starter for this season if his bars hold.
6.15 Cristian Zapata, CB, Kansas
Rookie Projection: Returner
Long Term Projection: 4th or 5th CB who happens to be a special teams ace
Scouting Report:
Not very developed but has great punt and kick returning bars with a good special team bar. Not great in BNR but has great M2M, RD and ZD bars meaning he has good coverage upside. I wouldn’t like him as a starter because of his size (5'7) but as a returner, he should be great
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