How would you build a football team?

[Bowser]

Let's say you have just been named head coach of the newest NFL expansion team, the Las Vegas Travelers (or Gamblers, or Skullthumpers, or whatever). You have sat down with your owner and GM, came to the conclusion that it takes at least three years to be a playoff contender in the NFL, and it has been decided that you basically have carte blanche to run the team as you see fit for three years, provided you have at least a two game improvement every year from the last. You have the college draft, the expansion draft, and the Owner, GM and yourself will pursue four free agent players for both offense and defense (meaning eight players) that will hopefully step in and make an impact in year one. The team comes to life in 2008, has a state of the art practice facility to go along with a spanking new rolling roof stadium that seats 87,000 that is the envy of the league, and has already sold all luxury boxes and PSA's for years to come. Public interest is very high, as is the excitement.

What is your offensive/defensive/team phillosophy, and who do you pursue in free agency?

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Bowser

It's ****ing Las Vegas, complete with buzzards. But you're the man in your scenario, so let the record show that cdcox's team will be feeling like hammered shit come November.

I overlooked the Vegas aspect. I want to change my reply.

Pull the roof off the stadium and bury it in the desert. I'll invest the $500 I saved in littering fines in palm trees on the home sideline.

[Hammock Parties]

I'd trade for Damon Huard and Larry Johnson and fill the rest of the roster with NFL Europe players.

[Mecca]

If you are just starting, taking the BPA in each round of the draft is the way to go you need any sort of foundation you can find.

Originally Posted by Mecca

If you are just starting, taking the BPA in each round of the draft is the way to go you need any sort of foundation you can find.

Baker
Ellis
Davis
Jackson
Rivers
Maualuga
Thomas
Booty
Walker
Smith

['Hamas' Jenkins]

I'd draft Jake Long or Glenn Dorsey #1, but most likely Long, as DT busts a LOT on high picks.

I basically mirror Coach in my philosophy

I'd spend most of my first day picks on BPA, as you have to fill an entire squad.

with a solid LT like Long, you could run the Coryell offense, but I actually prefer the run-based variant that Vermeil and Saunders installed, but I'd rather use zone blocking, as it is the ultimate scheme for "making chicken salad" as Gus Johnson would say.

On D I think that you can be more dominant with a 3-4, and many of the top D's of recent years have been 3-4's (New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh), but it's very hard to find a true NT, although OLB/DE tweeners are really plentiful in the draft.

I'd target the following FA's
Marc Bulger--QB
Kyle Boller--QB
Cleo Lemon--QB

Derrick Ward--RB

Bryant Johnson--WR
Bernard Berrian--WR
Patrick Crayton--WR
DJ Hackett--WR

Floyd Womack--OG
Ryan Lilja--OG


Jared Allen--DE
Terrell Suggs--DL/OLB
Karlos Dansby--OLB

Gibril Wilson--SS
Eugene Wilson--S

Charles Tillman--CB

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Mecca

If you are just starting, taking the BPA in each round of the draft is the way to go you need any sort of foundation you can find.

BPA's

I'd only sign FA's that we're 28 and younger and weren't coming off a major injury.

[88TG88]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Baker
Ellis
Davis
Jackson
Rivers
Maualuga
Thomas
Booty
Walker
Smith

holla

[Bowser]

OK - here is my draft, and the eight targeted "impact" free agents, four for both sides of the ball -

Rd 1: Jake Long - LT - Michigan

Rd 2: Dennis Dixon - QB - Oregon

Rd 3: Quentin Groves - DE - Auburn

Rd 4: Justin Forsett - RB - Cal

Rd 5: Marcus Harrison - DT - Arkansas

Rd 6: Ezra Butler - OLB - Nevada

Rd 7: Ambrose Wooden - CB - Notre Dame



Impact Free Agents:

Jared Allen - DE - KC

Justin Smith - DE - Cinci

Eugene Wilson - S - NE

Quentin Jammer - CB - SD

Tony Romo - QB - DAL

Bernard Berrian - WR - CHI

Ryan Lilja - G - INDY

Alan Faneca - G - PITT


I actually went through and got two players from all 32 teams, but that may more than I'm willing to type right now.

[TinyEvel]

I would get some hot cheerleaders, and then take a prison team to the SuperBowl.

[Bowser]

Also, my coaching phillosophy would be to attack from both sides of the ball. I would employ an Al Saunders offense with the Air Coryell system, and I would have a defense as closley resemblin what Jim Johnson runs in Philly. None of this conservative, play-not-to-lose crappola from either the offense or defense. Just get after it. If you have the ball on offense - score, however you can. If you're on defense, kill the ball carrier and take that sumbitch away from him.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

I would get some hot cheerleaders, and then take a prison team to the SuperBowl.

So basically, you want Adam Sandler for your QB, Nelly as your RB, and the chicks from The Replacements. It could work!

[Sure-Oz]

Definetly start with a Rookie Damon Huard and Groom him behind Jay Fiedler or David the Gnome

[ChiefaRoo]

I'd higher a tight ass, Arrogant GM and introduce him to a hungry fan base. I'd then raise prices year after year after mentioning something about a five year plan.

[keg in kc]

I agree with most of the what people have said so far, but I'd hold off on quarterback until 2009.

Long term draft strategy:

2008: 1st round LT, 2nd round WR/BPA, 3rd round BPA
2009: 1st round QB, 2nd/3rd round BPA
2010: 1st/2nd round RB, 1st/2nd/3rd round BPA

I hire a tough defensive minded headcoach and the most aggressive offensive and defensive coordinators I can find, wanting an aggressive, hard-nosed team that will knock you on your ass and then put their collective boot on your throat, in all phases of the game.

I'd focus heavily initially on the offensive roster, working first on building the best line possible, and putting a veteran quarterback behind them for the first season to season-and-a-half. My line (and my 2nd round WR from '08) should be solid and productive before my '09 Franchise QB ever sees the field. The last thing I want to do is give him the David Carr treatment.

I go with a focus on offense first because I think it's the more difficult unit to build, and takes longer. It's also better in terms of entertaining my new fanbase.

Personnel focus begins to shift towards bolstering the defense (which would be about league average at this point, 15-20) in the latter half of the '09 draft and then into 2010, although I acquire the final piece of the offense that year, my franchise back.

The defense would come together in a season to a season and a half, and I have the team I want on the field by 2011.

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Also, my coaching phillosophy would be to attack from both sides of the ball. I would employ an Al Saunders offense with the Air Coryell system, and I would have a defense as closley resemblin what Jim Johnson runs in Philly. None of this conservative, play-not-to-lose crappola from either the offense or defense. Just get after it. If you have the ball on offense - score, however you can. If you're on defense, kill the ball carrier and take that sumbitch away from him.

You should replace Herm.