Hartford Nor'easters--Good House Rules! [Archive]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 07:15 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS

Situation
After 2 quick-sim seasons with the St. Louis Rams and 15 All-Out seasons (and 5 Super Bowl wins) with the expansion Des Moines team, its time to take over another expansion team in a heavily house-ruled career. In 2017 the Albany Hill Cats join the NFC Central, and the Hartford Nor’easters prepare for battle in the NFC East. I take over the helm of the Nor’easters.

House Rules
My desire for this career is that I’ll be able to use as many of the options that the game offers (trading, free agency, renegotiation, etc) while not abusing the AI. Therefore the principle governing my house rules is this: If the AI is allowed to do it, then I am too, but with restrictions to help keep it fair. So, here are the rules governing the various aspects of the game:

General/Miscellaneous
1. Draft picks not automatically signed, but I can’t change the offer. This will allow me the flexibility of not signing some picks, as the AI has. It also will force me to be under the cap.
2. Sim all games.
3. Start with 2017 expansion draft.
4. No real NFL players on my team.
5. I am allowed to move the franchise.
6. GM may be fired for poor performance.
7. Must take between 53 and 60 players to training camp each season.
8. Must keep 53 players on the roster all season long.

Ticket Prices
1. Ticket prices can be no higher than the nearest competitor (the 2017 expansion Albany (NY) team at the beginning of the challenge).
2. No raising prices at all after a non-winning season.
3. 5% maximum price increase after a winning season.
4. 10% maximum price increase can only be implemented if I get at least to the NFC Championship

Trading
I have noticed that the AI offers trades of draft pick(s) and/or players for a player. It never trades a player for a pick. It does trade up/down during the draft. Therefore, I’ll have these trading house rules:
1. I can initiate trades, but they must be either player(s) and draft pick(s)-for-player(s) or draft-pick-for-draft-pick.
2. Draft-pick-for-draft-pick deals can only be initiated during the draft.
3. I can accept any AI-initiated trade that I’d like, if it fits the exception in rule four.
4. ONLY PLAYERS WHO STARTED AT LEAST SIX GAMES LAST YEAR CAN BE TRADED. THIS RULE SUPERCEDES ALL OTHER TRADE RULES.
5. Trading of players is only allowed from the amateur draft until the deadine.
I use the last rule because it appears the AI overvalues players when its roster has no one at that position. Once free agency is over, the AI has far fewer pure holes to fill. It seems harder to trade with the AI then.

Unrestricted Free Agents
It appears that this is where the biggest advantage goes to the human, therefore restrictions are more important than realism in this area.
1. Limit of one UFA signing during first 10 weeks, 3 in final 10 weeks. The exception is the inaugural year, 2017, where I may sign an unlimited number.
2. No signing of any FA with more than 3 years of experience after the 20 step process is over. However, I may re-sign any of MY unsigned free agents after the 20-step process and before training camp.
3. No backloading contracts. No more than a 25% increase is allowed from year to year.
4. Franchise tag can be used as often as one likes, but the Franchise Player must be signed at the very beginning of the 20-step process.
This will insure that the Franchise player gets top dollar.
5. Any FA signed outside the 20-step process must have no more than 3 years of experience.

Restricted Free Agents
1. Rookie RFA’s can be signed to a maximum of a 3-year deal, with the exception that ONE per season can be signed to a 7 year deal, structured as x,2x,3x,3x,3x,3x,3x, where x=the rookie minimum salary for that season.
2. My own 2nd and 3rd year RFA’s can be signed to a maximum of a 4-year deal.
3. 2nd and 3rd year RFA’s from the pool can be signed to a maximum of a 3-year deal.

Renegotiation
1. Renegotiation allowed only in last year of contract EXCEPT in the case of "Classy Veterans," who I can renegotiate with at any time.
This is a good compromise for renegotiation that I use. A "Classy Veteran" is defined by me as a player who meets ALL of the following criteria: 1. In the 10th year or later of his career.
2. Has played 5 full seasons on my team.
3. Has a Loyalty rating >75.
It is my opinion that such a player should be free to renegotiate to relieve cap pressure. He has made his $$$ and loves to play for my team. He'll make personal sacrifices to help the franchise win.

2. No player whose Play For Winner Rating is over 75 can be renegotiated with following a season when the team didn't make the playoffs. He can only be re-signed via the 20-Step Process.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-17-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 07:35 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2017 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME

None.

RETIREES

None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
Here are our coach and scout:

HEAD COACH
<pre>Ross Bishop
Age: 61
REPUTATION
QB: F KICKER: G
RB: F YOUNG TALENT: E
WR: G MOTIVATION: G
OL: E DISCIPLINE: F
DL: G OFFENSE PLAYCALL: E
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: G
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Anthony Meza
Age: 54
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: E
RB: G LB: VG
WR: VG DB: F
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Stadium
Capacity: 77,600
Type: Outdoor/Natural Grass
Upper Deck: 23,100 seats
End Zone: 16,700
Mezzanine: 9,600
Sidelines: 14,800
Club Seats: 11,000
Luxury Boxes: 60

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 65
Support For New Stadium: 0

Albany is playing in a stadium built in 1960. A new stadium will be ready for them in 2024. But for now, our ticket prices will be severely limited by Albany’s. Here they are:
Upper Deck: 32
End Zone: 37
Mezzanine: 51
Sidelines: 92
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800 (Albany has no club seats so I use the Hartford default value here.)
Luxury Boxes: 81,000

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-10-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 08:00 AM

2017 Expansion Draft
There wasn't much talent available, so I only drafted the first six or eight guys myself and then let the computer take over. I cut the guys I deemed unworthy of their salaries. Here's who I'm left with after the expansion draft and cuts:

<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
FB Chris Kattus 7 8 7 2018
TE Kris Fernandez 9 10 8 2018
WR Jesse Wheeler 9 9 9 2018
C Louie Franz 8 8 5 2018
C Phil Pharms 7 7 10 2018
G Darryl Kinsella 7 7 16 2017
T Ralph Mathews 6 7 7 2017
DE Scott Adams 7 8 11 2017
LB Joseph Simmons 9 9 7 2018
LB Stephen Barber 7 8 5 2018
LB Rich Donaldson 6 8 7 2017
LB Brenden Hill 6 9 4 2018
CB Floyd Hays 7 10 6 2018
CB Jackie Gallop 6 6 12 2017
S Gene Andres 4 12 2 2019 </pre>

I feel that these guys are either potential starters or decent low-priced reserves. On to free agency

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 08:52 AM

Franchise Player History
2017: NONE

Free Agency Period

Initial Cap Room: $129.53
Amount Needed For Draft: $14.64M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
None

Offensive Strategy
There are big-timers available at QB and RB in the draft. I have the 1(1) pick, so I can take my pick. There are a couple of QB’s around via free agency, but no good all-around RB’s, so I’ll go for the RB in the draft and try to snag a QB via free agency. I’d like to get a strong run-blocking offensive line together as quickly as possible for my rookie stud to run behind. TE and FB will be important too, as well as one quality WR.

Defensive Strategy
I believe in man-to-man defense by the secondary, and solid run defense by the front 7. I’ll look for a lock-down CB, a blitzing LB and solid DL’s as my first priority. I also want a safety with a high interception rating.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
None.

Cuts To Save Cap Room
None.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
TE Gerald Bryant—79/83 in run blocking
T Kim Copenhauer—62 in run blocking, 98 in pass blocking.
S Richie Newman—66/67 in run defense, 75 in M2M, 84 in interceptions
WR Derek Tillery—84/89 in catch frequency, 73 or above in all the other key receiver ratings.
T Mo Barlow—76 run blocking, 83 pass blocking.
G Jerome Howard—50/59 in run blocking, 60 endurance. He came very cheaply.
C Alonzo Mueller—94/65/75. What’s not to like???
CB Myron Bennett—73/89 in M2M. Lock-down CB.
S Nick Bensen—79/81 run, 81 M2M. Very solid.
QB Nathan West—Good-looking 6th-year QB. Ratings range from 62-94. Career 75.6 rating.
LB Irv Rickman—77/84 run defense, 82/83 pass rush, 96 endurance. Like him a lot.
FB Kerry Garner—good all-around fullback. can run, block and catch. Ran for 749 yds and 9 TD’s last year as a FB for Indianapolis!
G Cris Brady—68/73, 43/49, 79. Completes my offensive line!
DT Wade LaFavor—61,26,47
T Roosevelt Sweat—11/48,4/24,33—Cheap young backup signed to 3-year deal

I cut a few more expansion draft guys due to better alternatives signed via free agency.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
None.

FA Analysis
Well, I only grabbed players who were still in their prime (or about to enter it) and was able to grab an entire offense with the exception of WR2 (where I intend to start expansion draftee Wheeler) and RB1 (where I intend to start a rookie draftee. Defensively, I’m left with needing to get a DL together to stop the run. I am happy with my secondary and my LB’s will do for now.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-10-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 09:39 AM

2017 Amateur Draft
My priority is to get the RB I want, then try to get a DL together. Here are my draftees:

1(1): RB Tyrus Dunn—78,39/100,89,40/100,90,39/100,71,92,64. If he doesn’t bust, he could be a star of HUGE proportions running behind this OL.
2(1): DT Kirk Hamilton—38/62,41/58,37. Pretty decent. Like his current ratings especially. He’ll start.
3(1): DE Broderick Fairfield—14/60,6/28,51. Good potential. Might as well start him.
4(1): P Carlon Grzegorczyk—81,22/47,31/68. Need a good punter always.
5(1): DE Roosevelt Cousin—10/37,16/64,31. Good potentials. Could start.
6(1): C Tom Brewer—22/52,18/42, 65. Solid backup
7(1): DT Dana Altman—24/38,14/25,61. Pretty decent backup.

Seven Year Signee: WR Marco Hastings—Decent 3rd-WR type. Nice to get this position cheaply.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 54 players.

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: set right in the middle.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
With low cohesion, I decide to run only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 3-4 and zone. Others are set near the middle.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: None.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 63,200 out of 77,600

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 10:02 AM

2017 ROSTER
<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 15 17 6 2021
QB Desmond Moss 2 11 1 2017
QB Duane Helton 2 3 1 2019
RB Tyrus Dunn 12 17 1 2022
RB Dale Rasmussen 7 7 1 2017
RB Curtis Flowers 4 10 1 2017
RB Rico Liesegang 3 9 1 2017
FB Kerry Garner 13 13 5 2019
FB Chris Kattus 7 8 7 2018
TE Gerald Bryant 12 15 6 2019
TE Kris Fernandez 8 9 8 2018
TE Renaldo Bailey 4 7 1 2017
WR Derek Tillery 14 16 5 2021
WR Jesse Wheeler 9 9 9 2018
WR Derek Holmes 6 6 1 2017
WR Leroy Lapointe 6 6 1 2017
WR Marco Hastings 6 8 1 2023
C Alonzo Mueller 16 16 8 2020
C Phil Pharms 7 7 10 2018
C Tom Brewer 5 10 1 2019
G Cris Brady 11 13 7 2020
G Jerome Howard 7 10 5 2019
G Darryl Kinsella 6 6 16 2017
G Leonard Hammers 5 6 1 2019
T Kim Copenhauer 15 15 10 2020
T Mo Barlow 15 15 7 2020
T Roosevelt Sweat 4 7 2 2019
T Irv Sturdivant 2 2 1 2017
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 11 14 1 2018
K Deon Alarcon 7 7 1 2017
DE Scott Adams 7 7 11 2017
DE Gary Gaylor 3 4 2 2017
DE Roosevelt Cousin 3 10 1 2019
DE Broderick Fairfield 3 8 1 2019
DT Kirk Hamilton 9 9 1 2020
DT Wade LeFavor 8 9 11 2019
DT Dana Altman 4 5 1 2019
DT Cris Sinclair 1 2 1 2017
LB Irv Rickman 14 15 5 2020
LB Joseph Simmons 9 9 7 2018
LB Brenden Hill 8 9 4 2018
LB Stephen Barber 6 7 5 2018
LB Rich Donaldson 6 7 7 2017
LB Jay Roberts 4 4 1 2017
CB Myron Bennett 11 14 5 2020
CB Floyd Hays 7 11 6 2018
CB Richard Pearson 5 5 1 2017
CB Nate Compton 4 4 1 2017
CB Donny Meseck 3 4 1 2017
S Nick Bensen 13 13 7 2019
S Richie Newman 13 13 5 2019
S Heath Leat 5 5 1 2017
S Gene Andres 5 11 2 2019 </pre>

Stadium: 5
Roster Strength: 86
Support: 69
Economy: 65
Cohesion: 20,12,25,8

Outlook: Well, hard to tell. I have the 2nd-best roster strength in the league, a good QB, a talented offensive line, horrible cohesion and a suspect DL. I’m guessing around 7-9 with a lot of 37-34.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,70,30
2nd Down: 60,70,45,30
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 20,45,20,5,5
Running: I-50,Pro-30,Single-20
Passing: I-20,Pro-55,Single-25
FB As Runner: 70
0WR: 20
1WR: 20
2WR: 50
3WR: 65
4WR: 60
5WR: 50

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 60
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 75
Blitz Multiple: 30
M2M: 70
Bump/Run: 30

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 10:57 AM

2017 Mid-Season Report
Record: 6-2!
Standing: 1st Place. Dallas, Philly and Las Vegas are tied for 2nd at 4-3
QB Stats: West, 120 for 213 (56.3%), 9TD’s, 3INT’s, 88.9 Rating
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 166* for 829yds*,4.9ypc,7TD’s*
Leading Receiver: Jesse Wheeler, 20 catches for 302 yards, 3TD’s
Leading Tackler: Irv Rickman, 57 tackles, 14 assists, 2.5 sacks

People are starting to think RB Dunn’s initials are “R.S.” as in Rookie Sensation Dunn. No secret to our expansion success.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-10-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 11:30 AM

End of Regular Season

Key Injuries During The Season
QB West—Suffered a sprained neck in Game 9. Didn’t start again until Game 14, when he was up to probable, in which he reinjured and didn’t play again.

Season Recap
A tough second half. We were 7-2 before West got hurt. Went 1-6 the rest of the way to finish 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Arrggggh! To the numbers:

Record: 8-8
Standing: 3rd Place. Las Vegas Cardinals won the division at 11-5.
QB Stats: West, 126 for 223 (56.5%), 11TD’s, 3INT’s, 92.3 Rating
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 318* for 1652yds*,5.1ypc,13TD’s*
Leading Receiver: FB Garner and WR Tillery—Both had 40.
Leading Reception Yards: WR Tillery, 559
Leading Tackler: LB Rickman, 93 tackles
Leading Pass Rusher: Rickman, 7 sacks, 1 block, 4 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: S Newman, 39 catches, 7 INT’s, 10 defensed, 43.4PDQ

Points Scored: 359
Points Against: 317

Rushing Yards: 2275 (2nd)
Rushing Average: 4.4 (League Average 3.8)
Passing Yards: 3046 (34th)
Passing Average: 6.7 (League Average 6.6)
Rushing Defense: 1706 (19th)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.9 (League Avg 3.8)
Passing Defense: 3856 (31st)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.8 (League Avg. 6.6)

Yes, the defense could use some work.

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 11:40 AM

2017 Postseason Report

Contract Extensions
None.
Super Bowl
Cleveland beat Chicago 17 to 9 to win the big ‘un.

Awards
RB Dunn—1st Team All Pro, Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year
FB Garner—1st Team All Pro
S Newman—1st Team All Pro

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 37
Frnc. Value: 40
Profit/Loss: 8
Difficulty: 69
YrEnd Score: 31

2017 Profit: ($256,970,000) OUCH!

Ben E Lou

03-10-2001, 08:53 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2018 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
C Alonzo Mueller--Surprising early retirment. I'm gonna need a new center.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout. Her’s the update.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Ross Bishop
Age: 62
REPUTATION
QB: F KICKER: G
RB: F YOUNG TALENT: E
WR: G MOTIVATION: G
OL: E DISCIPLINE: F
DL: G OFFENSE PLAYCALL: E
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: G
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Anthony Meza
Age: 54
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: E
RB: VG LB: VG
WR: E DB: F
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 69
Support For New Stadium: 0

Didn’t have a winning season, so ticket prices remain the same. Here they are:
Upper Deck: 32
End Zone: 37
Mezzanine: 51
Sidelines: 92
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 81,000

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 06:43 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2018 20-STEP PROCESS

Franchise Player History
2017: NONE
2018: NONE

Free Agency Period

Initial Cap Room: $15.2
Amount Needed For Draft: $10.88M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
G Darryl Kinsella—backup. I’ll let him fly.
DE Scott Adams—the two youngsters got most of the DE starts anyway. Let him fly.
LB Rich Donaldson—5th LB. Let him fly.
*K Deon Alacorn—I can do better.

Offensive Analysis
I need a starting center to replace the retired Mueller and a kicker. I also might want to upgrade at WR. Wheeler is mediocre and getting paid near top dollar. He’ll probably get cut outright.

Defensive Analysis
I’m set in the secondary. At LB, Rickman is very good and Joseph Simmons is solid (plus he has the same name as Run from Run-D.M.C, always a bonus!). Simmons is a little expensive for his talent level though. I think I’ll go with Rickman, Brenden Hill and someone else and get rid of D.J. Run’s grandson. I feel good about my DT’s, and about young DE Fairfield. I’d like another DE.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
CB Hayes—4years, $38.2M (saves around $2M this year)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
FB Chris Kattus—backup
TE Kris Fernandez--backup
C Phil Pharms—backup
LB Joseph Simmons—I can do better for that price.

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
Well, without question center is the position with the least depth in the FA and draft pools this year. I’ll go after a C in the first 10 weeks, then see what is around at WR, LB and DE in the last 10. I can grab a kicker in the draft or in the last 10 weeks if WR,LB or DE is depleted by then.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 2—C Brock Bailey—2yrs, $15.25M. 51/64,50/67,39. Don’t like his 39 endurance, hence the 2-year deal. Was 1st Team All Pro Center last year. 5th-year man.
Week 13—WR Donnell Thompson—1yr, $6M.29/36,34,30/40,62,63. Best available.
Week 14—G Pat Benjdya—3yrs,$5.45M. 23/69,8/24,34. Pretty decent backup. 2nd year man.
Week 15—DT Cary Pyne—3yrs,$7.5M. 5/41,4/39,39. Could develop into a decent backup.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
K Deon Alacorn—1yr,$940K. No bonus, so I’ll cut him if a better one comes along in the draft.

FA Analysis
Well, that was pretty much a disaster. There were around 6-7 very good players available at each position at WR, DE and LB, and all were signed in the first 10 weeks. Ouch.

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 07:40 AM

2018 Amateur Draft
I still have holes at DE and LB, and would welcome upgrades at WR and K. Here are my draftees:

1(16): DE Graham Frohbieter—41/79,31/56,72. Looks like a starter from Day 1. Love those run-stopping DE’s.
2(16): LB C.J. Dole—30/69,32/76,26/54,17/36,53. Looks solid. I’ll start him to make sure he develops.
3(16): QB Wes Palmer—Potentials range from 55-80. Currents in the 20’s and 30’s. Decent backup. Maybe will take over when West’s contract expires?
3(25): K Malcolm Hoag—32/75,71,60,63. Solid kicker.
4(16): RB Adrian Hudson—24/78 in catch frequency. He’ll get a look at WR.
5(16): WR Bo Rasmussen—Near redliner, great punt and kick returner.
6(16): RB Leroy Ashford—redliner. Everything 20’s-40’s.
7(16): TE Ricardo Goulet—pretty solid backup. Potentials in 40’s-60’s.

I had to make some more cuts to get enough cap room to get us up to 53. Here’s who got the axe:
QB Helton—3rd QB
WR Wheeler—No GM expressed interest in him. He was getting paid too much.
K Alacorn—Draftee Hoag looks a lot better.

Seven Year Signee: LB Ralph Wilcox—29/51 run defense, 68 endurance. He’ll be a solid backup at worst.

I re-signed one of my RFA’s as a backup, S Heath Leat—2yrs, $4.52M.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 55 players.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 07:51 AM

2018 TRAINING CAMP
Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set around 4.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
With still-low cohesion, I decide to stick with only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 3-4 and zone. Others are set farily high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: None.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 64,900 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 08:33 AM

2018 ROSTER
<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 16 17 7 2021
QB Wes Palmer 7 14 1 2020
QB Vince McKenzie 4 4 1 2018
RB Tyrus Dunn 15 17 2 2022
RB Leroy Ashford 7 7 1 2020
RB Adrian Hudson 6 9 1 2020
RB J.C. Shepps 5 5 1 2020
FB Kerry Garner 12 13 6 2019
FB Johnnie Newsome 5 8 1 2018
TE Gerald Bryant 14 15 7 2019
TE Billy Pryor 7 7 1 2020
TE Ricardo Goulet 4 12 1 2019
WR Derek Tillery 15 16 6 2021
WR Marco Hastings 8 8 2 2023
WR Donnell Thomson 7 9 6 2018
WR Trent Rodgers 7 7 1 2018
WR Bo Rasmussen 6 7 1 2020
C Brock Bailey 9 12 5 2019
C Tom Brewer 6 11 2 2019
C Kyle Hendrix 2 10 1 2020
G Cris Brady 13 13 8 2020
G Jerome Howard 7 8 6 2019
G Leonard Hammers 7 7 2 2019
G Pat Benjdya 5 9 2 2020
T Mo Barlow 15 15 8 2020
T Kim Copenhauer 15 15 11 2020
T Roosevelt Sweat 4 7 3 2019
T Lewis Summers 4 7 1 2020
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 10 14 2 2018
K Malcolm Hoag 7 16 1 2020
DE Graham Frohbieter 7 15 1 2022
DE Roosevelt Cousin 5 10 2 2019
DE Broderick Fairfield 4 8 2 2019
DE Leroy Stanton 1 5 1 2018
DT Kirk Hamilton 10 11 2 2020
DT Wade LeFavor 9 9 12 2019
DT Dana Altman 5 6 2 2019
DT Cary Pyne 4 8 2 2020
LB Irv Rickman 16 16 6 2020
LB Brenden Hill 9 10 5 2018
LB Stephen Barber 7 8 6 2018
LB Ralph Wilcox 5 7 1 2024
LB C.J. Dole 4 11 1 2021
LB Lance Schmaltz 3 9 1 2018
CB Myron Bennett 10 16 6 2020
CB Floyd Hays 9 10 7 2021
CB Fred Stevenson 5 5 1 2018
CB Donnell Rose 4 4 1 2020
CB Kelly Blackburn 4 6 1 2018
S Nick Bensen 14 14 8 2019
S Richie Newman 13 13 6 2019
S Gene Andres 6 11 3 2019
S Heath Leat 4 5 2 2019</pre>

Stadium: 11
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 71
Economy: 65
Cohesion: 31,40,45,46

Outlook: Well, the keys are going to be how quickly my young DL comes around and how well new C Brock Bailey does. If those things come around, we could be looking at a deep playoff run.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,70,40
2nd Down: 40,70,40,30
3rd Down: 75,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-50,Pro-30,Single-20
Passing: I-20,Pro-55,Single-25
FB As Runner: 95
0WR: 20
1WR: 50
2WR: 70
3WR: 65
4WR: 60
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 70
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 75
Blitz Multiple: 30
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

[email protected]

03-11-2001, 08:35 AM

is anyone there i could use some help with FOF2001

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 11:23 AM

2018 FIRST HALF INJURY REPORTS
<pre>
After Preseason Week 1:
None
After Preseason Week 2:
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 2-3 Months
Pat Benjdya, G - Hip Pointer, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Preseason Week 3:

Floyd Hays, CB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 2-3 Months
Pat Benjdya, G - Hip Pointer, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Carlton Grzegorczyk, P - Hyperextended Elbow, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Adrian Hudson, RB - Sprained Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Preseason Week 4:
Nathan West, QB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Floyd Hays, CB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 2-3 Months
Pat Benjdya, G - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Cary Pyne, DT - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Adrian Hudson, RB - Sprained Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Bo Rasmussen, WR - Turf Toe, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 2-3 Months
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Preseason Week 5:
Nathan West, QB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 2-3 Months
Pat Benjdya, G - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Cary Pyne, DT - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 1:
Kim Copenhauer, T - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Nathan West, QB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Richie Newman, S - Deep Thigh Bruise, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brock Bailey, C - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 2-3 Months
Cary Pyne, DT - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 2:
Kim Copenhauer, T - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Nathan West, QB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Richie Newman, S - Deep Thigh Bruise, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brock Bailey, C - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Cary Pyne, DT - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 3:
Kim Copenhauer, T - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Richie Newman, S - Deep Thigh Bruise, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brock Bailey, C - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kirk Hamilton, DT - Hyperextended Elbow, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Ralph Wilcox, LB - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 4:
Kim Copenhauer, T - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Donnell Thomson, WR - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Brock Bailey, C - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kirk Hamilton, DT - Hyperextended Elbow, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Ralph Wilcox, LB - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Fred Stevenson, CB - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 2-3 Months
After Regular Season Week 5:
No Report (Off Week)
After Regular Season Week 6:
Mo Barlow, T - Broken Nose, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Brock Bailey, C - Turf Toe, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Jaw, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Cary Pyne, DT - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 7:
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Brock Bailey, C - Turf Toe, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 8:
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Gerald Bryant, TE - Sprained Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 9:
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Gerald Bryant, TE - Sprained Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Graham Frohbieter, DE - Sprained Neck, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks</pre>

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 12:12 PM

2018 SECOND HALF INJURY REPORT
<pre>After Regular Season Week 10:
Nick Bensen, S - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Graham Frohbieter, DE - Sprained Neck, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kelly Blackburn, CB - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 11:
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Graham Frohbieter, DE - Sprained Neck, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 12:
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019 (I put him on Injured Reserve and signed Harry Lorenz to replace him on the roster.)
Kerry Garner, FB - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Malcolm Hoag, K - Concussion, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Graham Frohbieter, DE - Sprained Neck, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 13:
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019
Kerry Garner, FB - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Derek Tillery, WR - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in time for the playoffs
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 14:
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019
Donnell Thomson, WR - Hyperextended Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Derek Tillery, WR - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in 2019
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Broderick Fairfield, DE - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Bo Rasmussen, WR - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Ralph Wilcox, LB - Turf Toe, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 15:
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019
Gerald Bryant, TE - Broken Nose, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Jerome Howard, G - Deep Thigh Bruise, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in 2019
Myron Bennett, CB - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Broderick Fairfield, DE - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Bo Rasmussen, WR - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Ralph Wilcox, LB - Turf Toe, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 16:
Cris Brady, G - Broken Hand, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019
Gerald Bryant, TE - Broken Nose, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Jerome Howard, G - Deep Thigh Bruise, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Myron Bennett, CB - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Broderick Fairfield, DE - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
After Regular Season Week 17:
Cris Brady, G - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Mo Barlow, T - Torn Knee Cartilage, full strength in 2019
Irv Rickman, LB - Severe Hamstring Pull, full strength in 2019
Brenden Hill, LB - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Pat Benjdya, G - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Leroy Stanton, DE - Sprained Knee, full strength in 0-2 Weeks

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 01:46 PM

2018 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 13-3
Standing: Division Champs. Best Record in the NFL.
QB Stats: West, 206 for 343 (60.0%), 16TD’s, 6INT’s, 92.1 Rtg*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 318* for 1360yds,4.2ypc,15TD’s*
Leading Receiver: Tyrus Dunn, 71
Leading Reception Yards: Tyrus Dunn, 946
Leading Tackler: S Richie Newman, 69 tackles
Leading Pass Rusher: DE Fairfield, 4 sacks, 3 blocks, 2 hurries (Cousin had most sacks with 7.)
Leading PDQ DB: S Newman, 37 catches, 5 INT’s, 8 defensed, 39.4PDQ

*-denotes league leader

Points Scored: 381
Points Against: 245 (best in league)

Rushing Yards: 2234 (5th)
Rushing Average: 3.7 (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 3373 (23rd)
Passing Average: 7.3 (League Average 6.7)
Rushing Defense: 1278 (1st)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.4 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 3622 (20th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.6 (League Avg. 6.7)

Tyrus Dunn had an all-world all around season.

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 01:47 PM

2018 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
None.

Division Playoff vs. Las Vegas
We open the playoffs at home against division rival Las Vegas. The defense has a nice game, holding the Cardinals to 225 yards and 13 first downs and coming up with 3 interceptions. The offense scored off turnovers mostly, and West hit two big bombs, a 73 yarder to Garner and an 82 yarder to Hastings. West finishes 14 for 23 for 309 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s. Dunn carries 23 times for 88 yards an a TD. We romp 41-18.

NFC Championship vs. Green Bay
Star LB Rickman, injured in the first game of the season, has been updated to questionable. He finally gets back in after playing only one regular season game. He only makes one tackle, but it really doesn’t matter. This game was dominance defined. The offense scored on its first seven possessions (5TD’s and 2FG’s) and Green Bay only ran 3 plays in the entire second quarter. We held the Packers to 160 yards and 6 first downs, while racking up 530 total yards and a phenomenal 33 first downs! West led the way with 29 for 36 passing for 430 yards and 4TD’s. The Packers’ only TD was on a kickoff return. 43-10 good guys.

Super Bowl vs. Baltimore
We struggled to stop the Ravens’ big passing offense. Their QB threw over 500 passes this season and still had a 90.8 rating. We struck first, but Baltimore put two field goals and a TD (sans extra point) on the board to take a 12-7 lead going into the half. We opened the 2nd half with the football on our 22 after the kickoff. West hit Hillary on back-to-back passes of 38 and 21 yards, then on the next play Dunn carried it 16 yards down to the Raven 3-yard-line. Fullback Garner completed the drive with a 3-yard run and we very quickly took a 13-12 lead. (The AI went for two and failed.) On the very next offensive play for Baltimore we stuffed ‘em and caused a fumble, taking over on the Raven 15. Two plays later Garner took it in from 4 yards out and we kicked the extra point to take a 20-12 lead. Baltimore scored later in the quarter on an interception return for a TD, but failed in going for 2. We hit a FG early in the fourth quarter to go 23-18, and after the kickoff got an interception on the first play from scrimmage. We took advantage of the turnover with a West-to-Dunn 8 yard TD pass and our lead increased to 30-18. The Ravens answered on the very next play from scrimmage with a 70-yard bomb for a TD, and the game was 30-25 with 9:19 to play. We eat up a lot of clock on the next possession, a 13-play classic drive, but the Ravens intercept a pass in the end zone on 2nd and goal from the 3 with 3:02 to play. The Ravens get as far as our 32-yard-line but CB Myron Bennett comes up with a huge interception in the end zone with 1:46 to play. We run out the clock and claim our first Super Bowl win in only our second season of existence!!! YES! Safety Richie Newman wins the game MVP.with 7 tackles, 1 assist and an INT. FB Garner had 12 carries for 58 yards and 3 TD’s, and RB Dunn had 20 carries for 57 yards. QB West was 15 for 24 for 252 yards, 1TD and 2 INT’s.

Awards
RB Dunn—1st Team All Pro, Offensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP
FB Garner—1st Team All Pro, 124 carries, 476 yards, 2TD’s, 32 catches, 367 yds, 1TD, 9 for 20 KRB.
C Brock Bailey—2nd Team All Pro, 25 for 73 KRB, 3 sacks allowed, 23.1 OPCT
T Kim Copenhauer—2nd Team All Pro, 30 for 78 KRB, 4 sacks, 17.8 OPCT

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 100
Frnc. Value: 42
Profit/Loss: 44
Difficulty: 68
YrEnd Score: 58

2018 Profit: ($95,630,000) Better.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 02:08 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2019 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
My coach’s ratings seriously decline. I hire a new young coach, and keep the same scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 40
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: VG
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Anthony Meza
Age: 54
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: E
RB: VG LB: VG
WR: VG DB: F
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 83
Support For New Stadium: 12

Won the Super Bowl so prices go up either 10% or to match Albany, whichever is lower. Here they are:
Upper Deck: 34
End Zone: 40
Mezzanine: 52
Sidelines: 93
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 89,000

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 09:06 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2019 20-STEP PROCESS

Free Agency Period

Initial Cap Room: $12.82M
Amount Needed For Draft: $9.52M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
WR Donnell Thompson—3rd WR.
*P Carlton Grzegorcyzk—He’s been a solid punter. Need to re-sign or get a better one.
LB Brenden Hill—only got 6 starts last year.
*LB Stephen Barber—I can do better via free agency, even in the last half.

Offensive Analysis
I am happy with my current starters.

Defensive Analysis
I need a punter and a LB, and that’s really about it. Everyone else is returning from a team that pretty much romped its way to the Super Bowl. I can re-sign Grzegorcyzk and be quite happy.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
TE Bryant—3yrs,$16.5M (saves a little over $1M this year)
S Newman—3yrs,$18.7M (saves $600K)
FB Garner—3yrs, $11M (saves $1.5M)
T Sweat—3yrs,$7.95M (costs $200K—but 2 additional years at that price for a decent backup tackle is a beautiful thing)
C Bailey—3yrs,$18.75M (saves a little under $1M)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
RB J.C. Shepps—4th RB
TE Billy Pryor—3rd TE
S Heath Leat—4th safety

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
I’ll go after the best LB I can get for what I can afford, then re-sign my RFA punter. Draft will be best availables if all goes according to plan.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 5—[b]LB Rod Blackburn[b]—4yrs, $33.75M. 6th-year man. 82/91,90/94,94/96,72/74,87.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
P Grzegorcyzk—2yrs,$3.2M

FA Analysis
Got a star LB and re-signed my punter. Exactly what I needed.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 10:03 PM

2019 Amateur Draft
I could stand to upgrade at DE and DT, but I’m ok with who I’ve got. I’ll be drafting for best available talent mainly. Here are my draftees:

1(36): RB Johnathon Armenta—Yes, I know I’ve got a great one, but he’s the only first-round calibre talent around. Armenta is near-redliner with currents ranging from 49-75. His only greens are in short yardage (49/54), yards per carry (55/65) and catch frequency (54/65). If he breaks out, I might just trade RB Dunn.
2(36): DE Joe Bertrand—12/58,9/40,58. Could be a starter in a year or two.
3(36): C Mack Collier—24/80,16/58,44. Could be a starter also.
4(36): CB Kerry Burke—near redliner—29/43,24/36,14/19,60, 74 endurance. At worst a solid backup. If he breaks out, its just gravy.
5(36): LB Billy Keith—26/65,26/68,14/35,18/46,42. Could be a starter one day.
6(36): FB Lonnie Wilkerson—Pretty decent-looking backup FB.
7(36): S Cary Duncan—21/27,13/22,25/33,32 and has return skills—near redliner.

I had to make some more cuts to get enough cap room to get us up to 53. Here’s who got the axe:
C Kyle Hendrix—4th center on depth chart
CB Donnell Rose
DT Cary Pyne

Seven Year Signee: DT Bryant Wynn—4/37,4/36,57. Solid backup DT.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 53 players.

Ben E Lou

03-11-2001, 10:14 PM

2019 TRAINING CAMP
Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set around 4.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
With still-low cohesion, I decide to stick with only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 3-4 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: None.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 72,900 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 05:24 AM

2019 ROSTER
<pre>Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 16 17 8 2021
QB Wes Palmer 10 13 2 2020
QB Quentin Portis 2 7 1 2019
RB Tyrus Dunn 15 17 3 2022
RB Jonathan Armenta 11 12 1 2023
RB Adrian Hudson 7 10 2 2020
RB Leroy Ashford 7 7 2 2020
FB Kerry Garner 12 12 7 2021
FB Lonnie Wilkerson 4 12 1 2021
TE Gerald Bryant 13 14 8 2021
TE Ricardo Goulet 7 12 2 2019
TE Brock Wingate 6 6 1 2019
WR Derek Tillery 16 16 7 2021
WR Marco Hastings 9 9 3 2023
WR Bo Rasmussen 7 7 2 2020
WR Terrell Durham 6 6 1 2019
WR Billy Fleming 4 4 1 2019
C Brock Bailey 10 12 6 2021
C Tom Brewer 6 10 3 2019
C Mack Collier 3 13 1 2021
G Cris Brady 13 13 9 2020
G Jerome Howard 8 8 7 2019
G Leonard Hammers 7 7 3 2019
G Pat Benjdya 6 9 3 2020
T Kim Copenhauer 15 15 12 2020
T Mo Barlow 13 13 9 2020
T Lewis Summers 6 6 2 2020
T Roosevelt Sweat 5 7 4 2021
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 11 14 3 2020
K Malcolm Hoag 10 15 2 2020
DE Graham Frohbieter 9 13 2 2022
DE Roosevelt Cousin 7 10 3 2019
DE Broderick Fairfield 6 8 3 2019
DE Joe Bertrand 2 11 1 2022
DT Kirk Hamilton 11 11 3 2020
DT Wade LeFavor 7 7 13 2019
DT Dana Altman 5 6 3 2019
DT Bryant Wynn 1 8 1 2025
LB Rod Blackburn 17 18 6 2022
LB Irv Rickman 14 14 7 2020
LB C.J. Dole 6 13 2 2021
LB Ralph Wilcox 6 8 2 2024
LB Billy Keith 5 12 1 2021
LB Britt Beyer 4 5 1 2019
CB Myron Bennett 12 13 7 2020
CB Floyd Hays 9 10 8 2021
CB Norm Herndon 8 8 1 2019
CB Kerry Burke 6 6 1 2020
CB T.J. Barber 4 4 1 2019
S Nick Bensen 14 14 9 2019
S Richie Newman 13 13 7 2021
S Gene Andres 8 10 4 2019
S Cary Duncan 6 6 1 2020</pre>

Stadium: 15
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 83
Economy: 66
Cohesion: 57,55,58,54

Outlook: Pretty much everyone is back from last years championship team. I see no reason why we shouldn’t make another deep playoff run.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,70,40
2nd Down: 40,70,40,30
3rd Down: 75,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-50,Pro-30,Single-20
Passing: I-20,Pro-55,Single-25
FB As Runner: 95
0WR: 20
1WR: 50
2WR: 70
3WR: 65
4WR: 60
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 70
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 75
Blitz Multiple: 30
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 06:17 AM

2019 FIRST HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

RB Dunn is questionable for the opener with a bruised shoulder. I make him inactive for the first game, which we win, so I keep him inactive another week so he’ll be totally healed.
C3 Mack Collier is out long term with a Torn Biceps Muscle, full strength in 2-3 Months. This could hurt his development.

In Game 2, I lose my top TWO QB’s for a while. Nathan West bruises his sternum and is listed as doubtful, then Wes Palmer comes in, only to break his ankle. He is out Long Term. I release WR Billy Fleming and pick up undrafted rookie QB Byron Warner, who has better current ratings than our original #3 QB, Quentin Portis. Warner goes from undrafted rookie without a team to emergency starter for the defending Super Bowl champs! With RB Dunn back from his injury, I up the rushing %’s even a little more for Game 3. Also in Game 2, G1 Cris Brady bruises his ribcage. He is listed as probable and will play.

Unbelievable! In Game 3, QB Warner pulls his groin late in the game and is listed as Doubtful. West is still doubtful, so Portis is set to start game 4, with two guys doubtful as his backups. G Brady still probable. LB Blackburn probable with broken finger.

After Game 4, both Warner and West are upgraded to questionable. Since we are 3-1 and playing 1-3 Des Moines, I go with Warner to let #1 QB West continue to heal. WR Tillery is probable with Turf Toe. DE Frohbeiter breaks his hand and is doubtful. I make him inactive, forcing me to start DE Cousins, who also got hurt in Game 4 and is questionable with a dislocated shoulder. LB Blackburn’s finger got worse, and he is now questionable.

T Kim Copenhauer sprains his neck in Game 5 and is Out. LB Blackburn is upgraded to probable. Both Warner and West are still questionable, but now at 3-2 I feel the need to go with West. DE Cousins is still questionable.

QB’s West and Warner are both upgraded to probable after Game 6. T Mo Barlow breaks his finger and is questionable, but will still start. T Copenhauer is upgraded to doubtful. DE Frohbeiter is now questionable, but I’ll still let him stay on the inactive list. DE Cousins is upgraded to probable. LB Blackburn is now fully helaed.

The bye week came after game 7, so we got some further healing. Going into Game 8, QB West is probable, QB Warner is fully healed, C Collier is upgraded to doubtful (still inactive), T Copenhauer is still doubtful and inactive, and T Barlow is still questionable and DE Frohbeiter is still questionable and inactive.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-12-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 06:21 AM

2019 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 5-3
Standing: Tied for first with NY. Philly right behind at 4-4, and Las Vegas is 3-5.
QB Stats: West, 91 for 138 (65.9%), 12TD’s, 2INT’s, 116.7 Rating*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 103 for 440 yards, 4.2ypc, 3TD’s
Leading Receiver: Derek Tillery, 32 catches for 535 yds, 3TD’s.
Leading Tackler:LB Rod Blackburn, 50 tackles, 6 assists

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 06:49 AM

2019 SECOND HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

Going into Game 9, QB1 West is now fully healed, C3 West is upgraded to questionable, G2 Jerome Howard is doubtful (inactive) with a stretched knee ligament, T1 Copenhauer is upgraded to questionable (inactive) and T2 Barlow and DE2 Frohbeiter (inactive) remain questionable.

Lots of injuries in Game 9. We go into game 10 with the following laundry list of injuries:
<pre>Kim Copenhauer, T - Sprained Neck, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Mo Barlow, T - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Kerry Garner, FB - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Derek Tillery, WR - Bruised Shoulder, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Jerome Howard, G - Stretched Knee Ligament, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Tyrus Dunn, RB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Marco Hastings, WR - Bruised Sternum, full strength in 3-5 Weeks
Wes Palmer, QB - Broken Ankle, full strength in 2-3 Months
Adrian Hudson, RB - Hip Pointer, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Bo Rasmussen, WR - Sprained Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Graham Frohbieter, DE - Broken Hand, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Terrell Durham, WR - Dislocated Knee, full strength in 2020
Mack Collier, C - Torn Biceps Muscle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks</pre>

All four WR’s are injured. Sheesh. I put WR Durham on the IR, cut TE3 Brock Wingate and sign WR Luke Wasserman. G Howard and T Copenhauer are the only starters inactive for Game 10. So many guys are hurt, I have to play a number of guys injured though.

After Game 10, the list is even longer, but no changes were made to the active/inactive list. Just a couple of minor new ones I won’t mention.

No new injuries in Game 11.

T Copenhauer back and fully healed after Game 12. Both starting CB’s suffer minor injuries and are listed as probable. RB Dunn fully healed.

After Game 13, the injury report is down to this:

Mo Barlow, T - Broken Finger, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Marco Hastings, WR - Bruised Sternum, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Wes Palmer, QB - Broken Ankle, full strength in 0-2 Weeks
Terrell Durham, WR - Dislocated Knee, full strength in 2020

All but Durham are active for game 14 as we push toward the playoffs.

In Game 14, G Howard breaks his nose and is listed as questionable.

G Howard’s injury worses. He’s doubtful for Game 16 and is inactive.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-12-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 06:58 AM

2019 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 8-8
Standing: Division Champs. Guess it was the NFC Least this year.
QB Stats: West, 230 for 364 (63.1%), 25TD’s, 12INT’s, 99.0 Rtg*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 187 for 686yds,3.6ypc,5TD’s
Leading Receiver: Tyrus Dunn & Derek Tillery 59
Leading Reception Yards: Derek Tillery 1035
Leading Tackler: S Nick Benson, 98
Leading Pass Rusher: DT Hamilton, 4.5 sacks, 2 blocks, 6 hurries (LB Blackburn had most sacks with 6.)
Leading PDQ DB: CB Myron Bennett—27 catches, 1 INT, 11 defensed, 32.2PDQ

*-denotes league leader

Points Scored: 362
Points Against: 276

Rushing Yards: 1772 (14th)
Rushing Average: 3.5 (League Average 3.7)
Passing Yards: 3968 (5th)
Passing Average: 7.7 (League Average 6.6)
Rushing Defense: 1510 (12th)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.5 (League Avg 3.7)
Passing Defense: 3495 (18th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.5 (League Avg. 6.6)

Whew. Slipped into the playoffs as division champs the last week of the regular season.

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 07:16 AM

2019 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
None.

Wild Card Round vs. Carolina
We open the playoffs at home against Wild Card Carolina. Our defense holds ‘em to 192 total yards, 9 first downs and only 3 points. We win 13-3. Dunn has 22 carries for 80 yards and 4 catches for 44 yards and a TD. West is 18 for 30, 207 yds, 1TD and 0 INT’s

Division Playoffs vs. Green Bay
In a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship, we meet the Packers. This time we must go on the road though. On a snowy, 13 degree Green Bay day, our offense gets shut down. The defense runs back an interception 97 yards for a TD and the score is close. Green Bay 30-27. They outgained us 471-143 in total offense though.

After the loss, I cut some guys in their last year who definitely won’t get re-signed.

New Orleans beats Kansas City 17-10 to win the Super Bowl.

Awards
FB Garner—1st Team All Pro, 91 carries, 465 yards, 2TD’s, 33 catches, 347 yds, 5TD’s, 8 for 21 KRB.
C Brock Bailey—1st Team All Pro, 34 for 100 KRB, 3 sacks allowed, 23.7 OPCT
LB Rod Blackburn—1st Team All Pro, 88 tackles, 29 assists, 6 sacks, 2 hurries, 2INT’s
RB Tyrus Dunn—2nd Team All Pro, 187 carries for 686yds, 3.6ypc, 5TD’s, 59 catches for 776 yds, 4TD’s.

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 76
Frnc. Value: 55
Profit/Loss: 46
Difficulty: 67
YrEnd Score: 58

2019 Profit: ($85,660,000) Still getting a little better.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-12-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 07:39 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2020 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 41
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Anthony Meza
Age: 57
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: E
RB: VG LB: VG
WR: E DB: G
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 91
Support For New Stadium: 25

Last year was a non-winning season, so no price increase.
Upper Deck: 34
End Zone: 40
Mezzanine: 52
Sidelines: 93
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 89,000

Franchise Player: S Nick Bensen

Ben E Lou

03-12-2001, 08:23 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2020 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $28.71M
Amount Needed For Draft: $9.94M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
G Jerome Howard—backup Pat Benjdya will be a lot cheaper with very similar ratings
DE’s Roosevelt Cousin & Broderick Fairfield—They are DE2 and DE3. Both are mediocre and will be very expensive. I’d rather go with last year’s 2nd-round pick, Joseph Bertrand.
*S Nick Benson--franchisee

Offensive Analysis
I am by and large happy with my current starters. If I can afford someone better than G Pat Benjdya, I’d like a better option, but I’d be satisfied to stand pat with my starters.

Defensive Analysis
I cut last year’s staring DT Wade LaFavor after the playoff loss. I either need a LB to go 3-4, or a DT. All other positions are fine.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
T Copenhauer—3yrs, $24.6M (saves $800K)
T Barlow—3yrs, $32.8M (saves $150K)
LB Rickman—4yrs, $34.5M (saves $750K)
CB Bennett—4yrs, $42.75M (saves $1M)
P Grzegorczyk—2yrs,$3.6M (saves $200K)
G Benjdya—3yrs,$7.6M (saves nothing, but costs no new cap room either)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
RB Leroy Ashford

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
LB’s are cheaper than DT’s, so I’ll go 3-4, plus there are several guys who could be backups/potential starters available in the draft and free agency. DT is a lot thinner right now. I’ll stand pat at guard and try to get a future starter there in the draft.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 6—[b]LB Orlando Erickson[b]—2yrs, $16.25M. 13th-year man. 66,29,90,79,62. He’ll be an inside LB and not rush the passer. All of his other ratings are very nice.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
S Bensen—1yr,$8.74M (He only wanted a one-year deal.)

FA Analysis
Got a solid run-stopping LB and re-signed my star safety. I’m happy.

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 07:01 AM

2020 Amateur Draft
I’m pretty much ok at all starting positions, although I’d love upgrades at WR, DE and G if I can find ‘em. Also, more depth is desired at TE, DT and T. Here’s

1(31): G Earl Huntley—36/98,38/92,60. ‘Nuff said. Hope he doesn’t bust.
2(31): WR Rodney Baxter—40/85,43,33/66,41,41. WR2 or WR3.
3(31): DE Hugh Conwell—38/51,16/22,58. Nice currents. Adds to depth at run-stopping DE in the 3-4.
4(31): LB Shannon Russell—29/66,22/50,26/60,18/49,72.
5(31): WR Chester Walden—24/39,48,30/50,68,45. Good ratings for a WR this late. I grab him.
6(31): FB Britt Bersch—near redliner, good run blocker, not a good pass catcher or ball carrier.
7(31): DT Rickey Pickens—21/28,23/38,34. Nice backup for this point in the draft.

I had to make some more cuts to get enough cap room to get us up to 53. Here’s who got the axe:
FB Lonnie Wilkerson
WR Bo Rasmussen
T Lewis Summers

I also need to initiate a trade to save cap room. My rookie FB, Britt Bertsch, has pretty good current blocking, short yardage and 3rd down running ratings. He won’t be the pass catcher that FB Kerry Garner has been, but I don’t have enough money to get up to 53 players, so someone has to go. I trade Garner and a 3rd round pick next year to Miami for TE Joseph Goodwin. Goodwin is a 2nd-year man with strong potential ratings. This trade gives me the cap room to sign a full roster.

Seven Year Signee: RB Al Gustafson—redline rookie—ratings range from 16-70. If he breaks out, booyah!

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 54 players.

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 07:24 AM

2020 TRAINING CAMP
Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set on 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
With still-low cohesion, I decide to stick with only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 3-4 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: None.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 75,200 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 07:52 AM

2020 ROSTER
<pre>Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 16 17 9 2021
QB Wes Palmer 9 12 3 2020
QB Mitch Rex 6 6 1 2020
RB Tyrus Dunn 16 17 4 2022
RB Jonathan Armenta 11 12 2 2023
RB Al Gustafson 8 8 1 2026
RB Adrian Hudson 8 10 3 2020
FB Britt Bertsch 9 9 1 2022
FB Nicky Oskia 3 8 1 2020
TE Gerald Bryant 14 14 9 2021
TE Joseph Goodwin 10 13 2 2021
TE Bo Stoner 4 5 1 2020
WR Derek Tillery 15 16 8 2021
WR Marco Hastings 9 9 4 2023
WR Rodney Baxter 7 11 1 2023
WR Chester Walden 7 7 1 2021
WR Heath Amos 5 5 1 2020
C Brock Bailey 10 12 7 2021
C Joey Escalante 8 8 1 2020
C Mack Collier 6 11 2 2021
G Cris Brady 14 14 10 2020
G Earl Huntley 7 11 1 2024
G Pat Benjdya 5 9 4 2022
G Ralph Weiler 0 2 1 2020
T Kim Copenhauer 14 14 13 2022
T Mo Barlow 13 13 10 2022
T Roosevelt Sweat 4 8 5 2021
T Kyle Young 4 5 1 2020
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 11 13 4 2021
K Malcolm Hoag 10 15 3 2020
DE Graham Frohbieter 11 13 3 2022
DE Hugh Conwell 5 7 1 2023
DE Joe Bertrand 5 9 2 2022
DE Dwayne Steffen 2 4 1 2020
DT Kirk Hamilton 11 11 4 2020
DT Ricky Pickens 4 4 1 2021
DT Bryant Wynn 4 8 2 2025
LB Rod Blackburn 17 18 7 2022
LB Irv Rickman 15 15 8 2023
LB Orlando Erickson 12 12 13 2021
LB C.J. Dole 9 11 3 2021
LB Ralph Wilcox 7 7 3 2024
LB Billy Keith 7 12 2 2021
LB Shannon Russell 4 12 1 2022
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 8 2023
CB Floyd Hays 8 9 9 2021
CB Kerry Burke 7 7 2 2020
CB Myron Brock 6 6 1 2020
CB Phillip Fuller 5 5 1 2020
S Nick Bensen 14 14 10 2020
S Richie Newman 13 13 8 2021
S Terrell Davidson 5 5 1 2020
S Cary Duncan 4 5 2 2020</pre>

Stadium: 17
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 90
Economy: 68
Cohesion: 60,59,60,62

Outlook: VERY talented ball club. Definite championship contender.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,70,40
2nd Down: 30,70,45,35
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-40,Pro-30,Single-30
Passing: I-15,Pro-30,Single-55
FB As Runner: 20
0WR: 20
1WR: 50
2WR: 90
3WR: 65
4WR: 50
5WR: 50

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 0 3-4: 100
Nickel: 30
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 99
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 09:14 AM

2020 FIRST HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

Going into Game 1, the only injury is to WR Derek Tillery, who is doubtful with a broken foot. He is made inactive.

No new injuries going into Game 2.

Going into Game 3, Tillery is upgraded to questionable. LB Rickman is questionable with a sprained knee, and backup DE Joe Bertrand is out with a broken wrist and is made inactive.

Week off after Game 3. Going into Game 4, WR Tillery has been upgraded to probable. I’ll let him fully heal since we’re 3-0 at this point. CB Bennett is questionable with a bruised sternum. LB Rickman is now fully healed, and DE Bertrand is still out.

Going into Game 5, DE Bertrand is upgraded to doubtful. No other changes.

Going into Game 6, WR Tillery is fully healed and activated.

Going into Game 7, DE Bertrand is upgraded to questionable. LB Blackburn is probable with a concussion, and LB Rickman is out (inactived) with broken ribs. CB Bennett is upgraded to probable with his bruised sternum. He’s been playing hurt and will continue to do so.

Going into Game 8, DT Kirk Hamilton is questionable with a bruised shoulder. I drop him to #3 on the depth chart. CB Bennett and LB Blackburn are fully healed.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-13-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 09:18 AM

2020 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 8-0
Standing: First place. Las Vegas and New York are both a distant 4-4, tied for 2nd.
QB Stats: West, 125 for 197 (63.4%), 18TD’s*, 4INT’s, 109.1 Rating*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 146 for 750 yards, 5.1ypc, 10TD’s*
Leading Receiver: WR Baxter and RB Dunn, 27 each
Leading Tackler:S Richie Newman, 38 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 04:18 PM

2020 SECOND HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

Going into Game 9, TE Bryant is probable with a bruised shoulder. With backup Goodwin being strong, I make Bryant inactive. DE Bertrand is up to probable. I’ll still wait on him to fully heal. LB Erickson is questionable with a stretched knee ligament. He’ll stay active, but won’t start until he’s probable.

Going into Game 10, TE Bryant is still probable and I let him sit. DE Bertrand is fully healed and is re-activated. DT Hamilton is upgraded to probable and returns to starting. LB Erickson is still questionable.

Going into Game 11, TE Bryant is fully healed and re-claims his starting position. No other changes.

Going into Game 12, LB Rickman is upgraded to doubtful. and CB Hayes is probable with a broken nose. No other changes.

Going into Game 13, star LB Blackburn is out with a dislocated knee. LB Erickson, despite still being questionable, needs to start now. CB Hayes is fully healed.

Heading to Game 14, LB Rickman is upgraded to questionable, but I’ll keep him inactive. CB Bennett is questionable with a broken hand and I make him inactive. No point in risking further injury to my best CB.

Heading to Game 15, T Copehauer is questionable with a sprain knee and I make him inactive. LB Erickson is finally upgraded to probable.

Heading to the final game of the regular season, LB Rickman is upgraded to questionable, but stays inactive. Ditto CB Bennett. S Newman is probable with a broken nose but plays.

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 05:21 PM

2020 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 15-1!
Standing: Division Champs by 6 games
QB Stats: West, 245 for 389 (62.9%), 28TD’s, 6INT’s, 104.8 Rtg*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 303 for 1661yds*,5.4ypc,22TD’s*
Leading Receiver: Tyrus Dunn 63 catches
Leading Reception Yards: Tyrus Dunn 897 yards (10 TD’s)
Leading Tackler: S Richie Newman, 75
Leading Pass Rusher: DE Bertrand 6.5 sacks,1 block, 3 hurries (DE Frohbeiter had most sacks with 7.5)
Leading PDQ DB: S Richie Newman—34 catches, 7 INT, 9 defensed, 45.9PDQ

*-denotes NFL leader

Points Scored: 548*
Points Against: 225

Rushing Yards: 2730* (1st)
Rushing Average: 4.9* (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 3339 (26th)
Passing Average: 8.0* (League Average 6.6)
Rushing Defense: 1366 (2nd)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.4 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 3111 (3rd)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.0 (League Avg. 6.6)

That’s the most dominant season I’ve ever had as a GM, including my three 16-0 seasons. We held opponents to 14 points or less 10 times, while scoring 30+ points 13 times. The fewest points we scored in any game was 20. Wow! RB Tyrus Dunn led the way in a BIG way. He scored 32 total touchdowns rushing and receiving. Wow!!!

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 05:44 PM

2020 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
G Chris Brady—2 more years

Division Playoffs vs. New Orleans
Going into this game, RB Dunn is probable with a sprained ankle, LB Rod Blackburn is still out with a dislocated knee and DT Kirk Hamilton is out with a dislocated shoulder. All others are healed going in. Our dominant ways continue. West connects for two 1st quarter TD passes to Tillery and Dunn and we take a quick 14-0 lead and coast to a 34-6 win. Tyrus Dunn has 21 carries for 132 yards and a TD to go along with 3 catches for 32 yards and a TD on his sprained ankle. West is 15 for 23, 224 yards, 2TD’s and 0 INT’s.

NFC Championship vs. Atlanta
LB Blackburn is still out and DT Hamilton is upgraded to doubtful as we face the Falcons, 14-2 in the regular season. Our defense shuts ‘em down for most of the game. The Birds score two TD’s in the last 4 minutes of the game to make it close, but we hang on for a 20-14 win and a return to the Big Dance. Dunn has 25 carries for 165 yards and 2TD’s, and 3 catches for 43 yards.

Super Bowl vs. Seattle
The domination of the NFL is completed, and Tyrus Dunn leads the way once again. His numbers: 25 carries for 161 yards and 3TD’s, along with 6 catches for 78 yards. The defense holds the ‘Hawks to 239 yards and 13 first downs, and we romp 31-3. West is 19 for 27 for 282 yards, 1TD and 0 INT’s, but the MVP goes to the great Tyrus Dunn. Perfect way to cap off his amazing season.

Awards
RB Dunn—1st Team All Pro, NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP. Quad-Fecta.
P Carlton Grzegorczyk—1st Team All Pro
S Richie Newman—1st Team All Pro
QB West—2nd Team All Pro
G Earl Huntley—2nd Team All Pro

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 100
Frnc. Value: 60
Profit/Loss: 45
Difficulty: 66
YrEnd Score: 65

2020 Profit: ($92,990,000)

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 05:56 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2021 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
My scout’s contract runs out. I keep the same coach and signed a new scout

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 42
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Ed Loseth
Age: 52
REPUTATION
QB: E DL: VG
RB: VG LB: G
WR: E DB: F
OL: VG YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: G</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 46

Last year was a Super Bowl season, but due to Albany’s lack of price increase, the only price I can increase is luxury boxes up $4,000.

Upper Deck: 34
End Zone: 40
Mezzanine: 52
Sidelines: 93
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 93,000

Franchise Player: S Nick Bensen

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 08:15 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2021 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $29.68M
Amount Needed For Draft: $8.88M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
*K Malcolm Hoag—RFA—One o’ the best around. I’d like to re-sign.
*S Nick Benson—franchisee
*DT Kirk Hamilton—nose tackle. I need one. I have a feeling I’ll be able to sign a better one than him.

Offensive Analysis
We scored over 540 points last year and all starters are returning. I’m with what I’ve got. I’ll just re-sign K Hoag.

Defensive Analysis
DT Hamilton’s endurance is down to 23. I’d like to replace him and re-sign Benson and that’s all. The defense was very solid last year.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
QB West—4yrs,$65M (saves $6M)
WR Tillery—3yrs,$26.7M (saves $600K)
S Newman—3yrs,$19M (saves $500K)
T Sweat—3yrs,$9M (costs no more cap room, saves no cap room)
P Grzegorczyk—2yrs,$3.94M (saves $300K)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
None necessary at this point.

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
There are a couple of DT’s available better than Kirk Hamilton. I’ll go after them.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 6—[b]DT Wesley Hutchins[b]—4yrs, $55M. Ratings are 89,49,74. Perfect 3-4 DT. 6th-year man.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
S Bensen—3yrs,$23.02M
K Hoag—2yrs,$4.25M

FA Analysis
Upgraded at DT and re-signed my other 2 starters I had the potential of losing. Looking to repeat.

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 09:02 PM

2021 AMATEUR DRAFT

I’m pretty much ok at all starting positions, although I’d love upgrades at DE and C if I can find ‘em. Also, more depth is desired at QB,CB and S. Here’s who I get:

1(36): CB Mack Crawford—30/84,32/93,20/55,82. Prototypical MTM cover corner.
2(36): QB Ralph Swinger—Lots of reds. Looks like a solid backup
4(36): S Darryl Strunk—20/43,30/60,23/47,42. Solid backup
5(36): S Rodney Belcher—9/10,29/34,23/33,17. Near redliner, and I needed 2 more safeties on my roster.
6(36): DT Pete Willow—15/63,14/57,17. Backup.
7(36): T Gary Gonzalez—15/55,6/30,24. Backup.

I had to make a cut to get enough cap room to get us up to 53. Here’s who got the axe:
DT Ricky Pickens

I also need to initiate a trade to save cap room. I trade starting LB C.J. Dole to SD for safety Roderick Morton, who’ll be a VERY good backup. I can afford to do this because 3rd-year man and former 5th round draft choice LB Billy Keith is progressing very nicely and looks ready to be a full-time starter after 7 starts last season.

Seven Year Signee: RB Lewis Savickas—redline rookie

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 53 players.

Ben E Lou

03-13-2001, 09:12 PM

2021 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set on 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
With still-low cohesion, I decide to stick with only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 3-4 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: Undrafted WR Deron Nelson jumps up to 29/68, 62,33/87,70,53. Nice!
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 05:15 AM

2021 ROSTER

<pre>Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 17 17 10 2024
QB Ralph Swinger 10 13 1 2024
QB Phil Spooner 4 7 1 2021
RB Tyrus Dunn 17 17 5 2022
RB Jonathan Armenta 11 13 3 2023
RB Al Gustafson 6 7 2 2026
RB Lewis Savickas 5 5 1 2027
FB Britt Bertsch 8 10 2 2022
FB Carlton McIntosh 3 3 1 2021
TE Gerald Bryant 13 13 10 2021
TE Joseph Goodwin 12 12 3 2021
TE Leon McCune 3 8 1 2021
WR Derek Tillery 16 16 9 2023
WR Rodney Baxter 10 10 2 2023
WR Marco Hastings 9 10 5 2023
WR Deron Nelson 8 14 1 2021
WR Chester Walden 7 11 2 2021
C Brock Bailey 12 12 8 2021
C Mack Collier 9 10 3 2021
C Archie McIntyre 5 12 1 2021
G Earl Huntley 16 19 2 2024
G Cris Brady 10 10 11 2022
G Pat Benjdya 5 6 5 2022
G Louis Inman 3 8 1 2021
T Kim Copenhauer 14 14 14 2022
T Mo Barlow 13 13 11 2022
T Roosevelt Sweat 5 6 6 2023
T Gary Gonzalez 2 8 1 2022
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 13 13 5 2022
K Malcolm Hoag 13 13 4 2022
DE Graham Frohbieter 13 13 4 2022
DE Joe Bertrand 6 7 3 2022
DE Hugh Conwell 5 9 2 2023
DE Preston Power 1 4 1 2021
DT Wesley Hutchins 14 14 6 2024
DT Bryant Wynn 5 6 3 2025
DT Pete Willow 2 12 1 2022
LB Rod Blackburn 16 16 8 2022
LB Irv Rickman 12 13 9 2023
LB Orlando Erickson 10 10 14 2021
LB Shannon Russell 8 8 2 2022
LB Billy Keith 8 16 3 2021
LB Ralph Wilcox 6 10 4 2024
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 9 2023
CB Floyd Hays 9 9 10 2021
CB Dustin Cabbage 6 8 1 2021
CB Mack Crawford 6 16 1 2025
CB Lance Dowdell 3 9 1 2021
S Roderick Morton 14 14 3 2021
S Richie Newman 13 14 9 2023
S Nick Bensen 12 14 11 2023
S Daryl Strunk 8 8 1 2024
S Rodney Belcher 5 5 1 2023</pre>

Stadium: 27
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 61
Cohesion: 63,78,61,58

Outlook: On paper, we’re better than last year’s 18-1 squad. But the games aren’t played on paper.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,70,40
2nd Down: 30,70,45,35
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-40,Pro-30,Single-30
Passing: I-15,Pro-30,Single-55
FB As Runner: 5
0WR: 20
1WR: 50
2WR: 90
3WR: 65
4WR: 55
5WR: 55

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 0 3-4: 100
Nickel: 30
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 99
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 05:47 AM

2021 FIRST HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

Going into Game 1, WR3 Marco Hastings is out with a broken wrist.

Going into Game 2, TE Bryant is questionable with a deep thigh bruise. Since his backup, Joseph Goodwin, is almost as good, I inactivate Bryant. WR Hastings upgrades to doubtful, and CB Hayes is probable with a bruised shoulder. I’ll keep Hayes active, but let rookie 1st-rounder Crawford start until Hayes is fully healed.

Going into Game 3, CB Hayes is fully healed and DE Bertrand is questionable with turf toe.

Going into Game 4, WR Hastings is up to questionable, C Bailey is probable with a bruised ribcage and CB4 Dustin Cabbage is out with a broken hand and made inactive.

Going into Game 5, TE Bryant is fully healed and re-activated, C Bailey is downgraded to questionable and made inactive, DE Bertrand is upgraded to probable, CB Crawford is probable with a sprained ankle.

Going into Game 6, WR Hastings upgrades to probable and is activated because WR Tillery has bruised his shoulder and is questionable. I inactivate Tillery. CB Crawford is fully healed.

Week 7 is our bye week. Going into Game 7, everyone is fully healed except CB4 dustin Cabbage, who is up to questionable.

Going into Game 8, LB Erickson is questionable with a broken finger, and CB4 Cabbage is up to probable. Erickson remains active, but won’t start.

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 05:50 AM

2021 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 6-2
Standing: First place. Las Vegas and New York are both 5-3, and Philly is 4-4
QB Stats: West, 121 for 204 (59.3%), 1517 yards, 9TD’s, 5INT’s, 86.9 Rating
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 183 for 880 yards*, 4.8ypc, 6TD’s
Leading Receiver: RB Dunn, 34 for 463 yards
Leading Tackler:LB Blackburn, 39 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-14-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 06:12 AM

2021 SECOND HALF KEY INJURY DIARY

Going into Game 9, CB4 Cabbage is fully healed and re-activated.

Going up to Game 10, LB Erickson is upgraded to probable and CB Crawford is probable with a broken nose. S Bensen is questionable with turf toe.

Heading to Game 11, DT Wesley Hutchins is questionable with a bruised shoulder. It’s a big game against 2nd-place Las Vegas so he starts anyway. CB Crawford is fully healed and S Bensen upgrades to questionable.

Heading to Game 12, T Copenhauer is probable with a broken finger, LB Erickson is downgraded to doubtful and made inactive. We won the big game over Las Vegas and now hold a 2-game lead, so DT Hutchins, still questionable, will not start until deemed necessary or fully healed. S Bensen is fully healed.

Heading to Game 13, DT Hutchins is upgraded to probable, and LB Erickson is upgraded to questionable.

Heading to Game 14, WR Hastings is questionable with a hip pointer and made inactive. S Richie Newman is questionable with a concussion and made inactive. DT Hutchins is fully healed and returns to his starting spot. T Copenhauer is also fully healed.

Going into Game 15, CB Myron Bennett is probable with a broken nose. He’ll remain active but not start. S Newman is upgraded to probable.

Going into Game 16, WR Hastings upgrades to probable, and DT Hutchins is questionable with a deep thigh bruise. LB Erickson and S Newman are fully healed.

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 06:21 AM

2021 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 14-2
Standing: Division Champs by 5 games
QB Stats: West, 265 for 405 (65.4%*), 3510 yards, 29TD’s, 9INT’s, 107.3 Rtg*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 361* for 1810yds*,5.0ypc,17TD’s*
Leading Receiver: Tyrus Dunn 68 catches
Leading Reception Yards: Derek Tillery 1044 yards (9TD’s)
Leading Tackler: LB Rod Blackburn, 72
Leading Pass Rusher: LB Blackburn 17.5 sacks,2 block, 5 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: S Richie Newman—28 catches, 6 INT, 15 defensed, 58.1PDQ*

*-denotes NFL leader

Points Scored: 486
Points Against: 234

Rushing Yards: 2495* (1st)
Rushing Average: 4.5* (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 3740 (12th)
Passing Average: 8.5* (League Average 6.6)
Rushing Defense: 1353* (1st)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.5 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 3191 (5th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.0* (League Avg. 6.6)

Another very, very strong season. Tyrus Dunn is utterly amazing.

Ben E Lou

03-14-2001, 09:56 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2022 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 43
REPUTATION
QB: G KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: VG
OL: G DISCIPLINE: VG
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Ed Loseth
Age: 53
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: VG
RB: VG LB: G
WR: E DB: F
OL: VG YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 63

Last year was a Super Bowl season, and Albany’s prices went up, so we go up 10% from last year all around.

Upper Deck: 37
End Zone: 44
Mezzanine: 57
Sidelines: 98
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 102,000
VR Boxes: 102,000

Franchise Player: None.

Ctown-Fan

03-14-2001, 10:05 PM

I just wanted to let you know that I am following the team.

Good luck!

Ben E Lou

03-15-2001, 02:05 PM

Slightly out of order, but I just realized I never posted the postseason report for LAST season. C-Town, glad you're watching. This has been fun so far. Tyrus Dunn is the MAN.


2021 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
None.

Division Playoffs vs. Green Bay
Going into this game, the only injured player is WR Tillery, probable with a hyperextended elbow. Tyrus Dunn sets playoff records for carries (36) and rushing yards (278) and scores 3TD’s as we roll 34-18.

NFC Championship vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs, 13-3 in the regular season, come to Hartford and we put ‘em over our collective knees.Dunn has 17 carries for 113 yards and catches 6 for 65 yards and a TD. Backup RB Armenta has 7 for 61 yards. West is 23 for 35 for 334 yards and 4 TD’s and 0 INT’s. WR Baxter catches 9 passes for 158 yards and a TD as we humiliate Tampa Bay 55-17.

Super Bowl vs. Austin
The Lone Stars come to town and actually give America a close Super Bowl against the Nor’easters. Dunn does yeoman work though, 32 carries for 84 yards and 2TD’s and 5 catches for 71 yards. West is 18 for 30 for 303 yards, a TD and 0 INT’s. Dunn wins his 2nd straight Super Bowl MVP.

Awards
RB Dunn—1st Team All Pro, NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP. 2nd Straight Quad-Fecta.
G Earl Huntley—1st Team All Pro
T Kim Copenhauer—1st Team All Pro
LB Rod Blackburn—1st Team All Pro
QB Nathan West—2nd Team All Pro

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 100
Frnc. Value: 74
Profit/Loss: 36
Difficulty: 69
YrEnd Score: 67

2021 Profit: ($92,990,000)

Fritz

03-15-2001, 02:39 PM

Skydog - You seem to betting good work out of your running game. Perhaps you would like to stop by the Wyoming Wildfire discussions and make some suggestions. Our offence has not gotten it together yet.

fotballgamefanatic

03-15-2001, 08:18 PM

Just wanted to let you know I am also following your team. Thank you for the updates.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 05:18 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2022 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $42.54M
Amount Needed For Draft: $10.78M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
TE Gerald Bryant—UFA—Has been a solid run blocker. Average pass catcher.
*TE Joseph Goodwin---RFA—Very similar ratings to Bryant. I only need to sign one of them. Right now I’m leaning toward Goodwin because he’ll be cheaper as an RFA.
*C Brock Bailey—UFA—He’s been solid, but not great. I may look elsewhere. I’ve got 2 RFA’s with solid ratings.
LB Orlando Erickson—UFA—15th year guy—Due to injuries, he only started 7 games last year and 12 the year before. I’ve got youngsters who can start.
CB Floyd Hayes—He’s been strong, but 2nd-year CB Mack Crawford looks to be ready to step in.
*WR Deron Nelson—RFA—Breakout player from last year could turn out to be better than anyone I’ve got at WR. I’ll find a way to keep him around.
S Roderick Morton—RFA--my other two safeties are just fine

Offensive Analysis
We averaged over 30 points per game last year and almost all of our players are either about to reach their prime or in it already. No need for massive restructuring here.

Defensive Analysis
Last year was my best all-around defensive season in this career, and I’m only losing two starters (both to better, younger personnel). I’m happy.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
T Mo Barlow, 3yrs, $22.8M, (saves $1.9M)
LB Rod Blackburn 3yrs,$24M (exact same cap hit as before, but 2 more years)
G Pat Benjdya 3yrs,$8.05M (saves $400K, plus I keep a solid, fairly cheap backup, a rarity!)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
None necessary at this point.

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
There’s a solid center I want. I’ll re-sign TE Goodwin for the cap savings.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 6—[b]C Dennis Rasmussen[b]—4yrs, $40M. Ratings are 58/66,85/97,61. 6th-year man.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
WR Nelson—4yrs,$44.25M
TE Goodwin—3yrs,$18.8M
C Archie McIntyre—2yrs,$4.5M--27/56,25/64,46. 2nd-year guy. Good backup

FA Analysis
Very happy. Got a better center, kept my breakout FA WR around and kept the nucleus. Anything short of a three-peat will be a disappointment.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 05:35 AM

2022 AMATEUR DRAFT

I’m pretty ok at all starting positions. I could use depth at FB,TE,CB and LB.

1(36): TE Zach Daniels—40/71,42/76,100,36/64,100,100,68. Very nice.
2(36): CB Deion Guliford—12/40,12/46,16/65,60. I needed a backup CB. Best available.
3(36): DT Antoine Lusignan—24/70,25/82,63. With a guy like this around at the end of the third round, I just had to snatch him up. May go back to 4-3 in a year or two now.
4(36): LB Heath Perez—15/60,18/67,11/41,8/29,55. With some development could be quite solid.
5(36): FB Charles Martin—22/61 in run blocking, 83 in endurance. That’s all I’m looking for.
6(36): LB Quinn Giles-near redliner
7(36): DE Alonzo Delrio—redliner—17,20,34

After the draft, I seek to trade away last year’s starting WR, Rodney Baxter, since I just signed breakout 2nd-year WR Nelson to a 4-year deal and intend to start him. The ‘Skins are the team most interested in Baxter, and they have a 3rd-year STUD DE named Sammie Thornton. I trade WR Baxter, last year’s starting DE Bertrand and my 1st round pick next year to get Thornton. Thornton’s ratings are 84/92,81/92,90, and he was a 1(3) pick.

I release last year’s 7-year signee, RB Lewis Savickas

Seven Year Signee: WR Clay Courtney—16/78,48,12/55,43,23. My scout is Excl at WR, and my coach is VG. This guy should develop into a 3rd WR, and maybe even a starter.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 55 players.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 05:44 AM

2022 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set on 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
I decide to stick with only three offenses, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 3-4 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: 7th Round DE Delrio goes from 17,20,34 to 24/38,28/44,53. Not great, but not bad!
Significant Busts: Two undrafted FA’s, a QB and C, have their ratings drop to nearly 0. Both are cut.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-17-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 06:12 AM

2022 ROSTER

<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 17 17 11 2024
QB Ralph Swinger 7 13 2 2024
QB Bob Fletcher 3 10 1 2024
RB Tyrus Dunn 17 17 6 2022
RB Jonathan Armenta 11 13 4 2023
RB Al Gustafson 6 9 3 2026
RB Bob Scioli 6 6 1 2022
FB Britt Bertsch 8 9 3 2022
FB Charles Martin 8 9 1 2024
TE Joseph Goodwin 11 12 4 2024
TE Zack Daniels 11 17 1 2025
TE Brady McDowall 4 12 1 2024
WR Derek Tillery 16 16 10 2023
WR Deron Nelson 11 14 2 2025
WR Marco Hastings 7 8 6 2023
WR Clay Courtney 5 11 1 2028
WR Jose Vaughn 4 4 1 2022
C Dennis Rasmussen 12 16 6 2025
C Archie McIntyre 11 12 2 2023
C Donald Martinez 2 3 1 2022
G Earl Huntley 17 19 3 2024
G Cris Brady 10 10 12 2022
G Pat Benjdya 5 6 6 2024
G Roman Delcorio 5 5 1 2022
T Mo Barlow 13 13 12 2024
T Kim Copenhauer 12 12 15 2022
T Roosevelt Sweat 6 6 7 2023
T Gary Gonzalez 4 9 2 2022
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 13 13 6 2022
K Malcolm Hoag 14 14 5 2022
DE Sammie Thornton 18 18 3 2025
DE Graham Frohbieter 13 13 5 2022
DE Alonzo Delrio 6 9 1 2023
DE Hugh Conwell 6 9 3 2023
DT Wesley Hutchins 14 14 7 2024
DT Pete Willow 5 10 2 2022
DT Bryant Wynn 5 5 4 2025
DT Antoine Lusignan 5 16 1 2025
LB Rod Blackburn 15 15 9 2024
LB Irv Rickman 13 13 10 2023
LB Shannon Russell 11 11 3 2022
LB Ralph Wilcox 7 10 5 2024
LB Quinn Giles 7 7 1 2024
LB Heath Perez 3 13 1 2024
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 10 2023
CB Mack Crawford 11 16 2 2025
CB James Woodson 7 7 1 2022
CB Deion Guliford 4 12 1 2025
CB Bernie Hoover 4 7 1 2022
S Richie Newman 13 14 10 2023
S Nick Bensen 11 12 12 2023
S Daryl Strunk 6 9 2 2024
S Rodney Belcher 4 4 2 2023</pre>

Stadium: 29
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 62
Cohesion: 67,53,61,76

Outlook: As I said after free agency, anything less than a Super Bowl ring is a disappointment with this squad.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,65,40
2nd Down: 30,65,40,35
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-40,Pro-30,Single-30
Passing: I-15,Pro-55,Single-30
FB As Runner: 5
0WR: 20
1WR: 30
2WR: 80
3WR: 60
4WR: 50
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 0 3-4: 100
Nickel: 50
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 99
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

We're putting it up just a little more than in the past, due to having better receivers/pass catching TE.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 07:29 AM

2022 FIRST HALF DIARY

Yes, I've decided to go with a full-fledged game-by-game diary. Here it is:

Game 1
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: None
We flex our muscles in the season opener at San Diego in a BIG way. QB Nathan West ties an NFL record with 6 TD passes (to five different guys) to go along with a 20 for 26, 340 yard performance. RB Tyrus Dunn rushes for 76 yards and a TD and catches 8 passes for 127 yards and a TD. WR Tillery has 5 catches for 109 yards and a TD. The defense picks off 5 passes and recovers a fumble. We destroy the Chargers 63-10.

Game 2
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: None.
In the home opener against the Redskins, we do further damage to the collective psyche of the NFL. The ‘Skins have the 3rd-best roster rating in the league and can’t stick with us at all. Dunn rushes for 107 yards and 3TD’s, while catching 8 passes for 120 yards. West is 24 for 36 for 326 yards and 2TD’s. The defense hold the Redskins to 234 total yards and we win 38-6.

Game 3
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Starting FB Bersch is probable with a bruised shoulder. Backup Charles Martin will start. Inside LB Ralph Wilcox is probable with a sprained ankle. Heath Perez gets the start. Both Bersch and Wilcox are kept active.
We travel to Dallas on a rainy Sunday. Tyrus Dunn gets 33 carries for 138 yards and a TD in the rain (does the computer coach make adjustments for rain????), and also catches 5 for 66 yards, and West is 18 for 26 for 187 yards and 1TD. The Cowboys are held to 205 yards and 8 first downs as we win a 28-3 contest.

Game 4
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: FB Bertsch is still probable. Martin still starts. LB Wilcox is downgraded to questionable after re-injuring his ankle, and LB Shannon Russell is also questionable with a bruised ribcage. I inactivate Wilcox, activate rookie Quinn Giles (who’ll start) and send Russell to the bench but active for this game.
We head to Las Vegas for our third straight game against a Division Rival, and its another no-contest. We fumble away the opening kickoff and the Cardinals take over on our 15 and score a TD. They only made it into Nor’easter territory once more all game long, and never scored again. Tyrus Dunn had over 300 yards from scrimmage: 20 carries for 171 yards and a TD, and 10 catches for 143 yards and 2TD’s. The defense had 3 interceptions and held the Cards to 178 yards as we romp 40-7.

Game 5
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: FB Bertsch is fully healed and regains his starting spot. LB’s are both still questionable so they stay the same status as last game.
For this game we go to Des Moines to play the team I GM’ed through 2016, the Corn Hawks. They throw for 321 against us, but can only muster 2 TD’s as our defense comes up with 3 INT’s. Dunn has 28 carries for 126 yards, and 6 catches for 141 yards and a TD. Teams across the NFL are searching for Kryptonite mines to be able to stop Tyrus Dunn. West is 15 for 23 for 223 yards, 2TD’s and 0 INT’s. Right now Dunn is leading the NFL in both rushing and receiving yards!!! We win 28-14.

Game 6
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB’s Russell and Wilcox still questionable. No change
The 3-2 Cowboys come to Hartford for a re-match on a clear, crisp, 45-degree fall afternoon. The Cowboys only cross midfield once in the first 3 quarters, and get shut out without ever turning the ball over. Tyrus Dunn rolls once again. He has 25 carries for 185 yards and a TD to go along with 5 catches for 72 yards and 3TD’s. West is 18 for 27 for 238 yards, 3TD’s and 0 INT’s. Nor’easters win 34-0.

Game 7
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB Russell upgraded to probable, but I still don’t let him start. Wilcox still questionable and inactive.
The 1-4 Rams come to Hartford to face the mighty 6-0 Nor’easters and manage to throw a big-time scare into us. They take a 21-10 lead into halftime, mainly on the legs of RB Al Buck who has all 3 first-half TD’s and rushes for 144 yards on the day. Both our offense and defense take it up a notch in the 2nd half though. Dunn rushes 32 times for 204 yards and a TD, and catches 7 passes for 83 yards. We take it 28-24.

Bye week is after Game 7.

Game 8
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Deron Nelson is questionable with a broken foot. I make him inactive, activate rookie Jose Vaughn, and start rookie 7-year signee Clay Courtney. LB’s Wilcox and Russell are now both fully healed and re-claim their starting spots.
We travel to the nation’s capital to face the Redskins. Dunn has 27 carries for 90 yards and a TD, and catches 4 passes for 71 yards. We take a 21-3 lead at the half and coast to a 28-21 win that the ‘Skins make appear close with 2 late TD’s.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 07:29 AM

2022 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 8-0
Standing: First place with no challengers. Four teams in the division are 3-5, and the Giants are 2-6. The other 5 teams are a collective 2-9 outside the division.
QB Stats: West, 148 for 221 (66.9%*), 2030 yards, 21TD’s*, 5INT’s, 118.3 Rtg
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 200* for 1097 yards*, 5.4ypc*, 9TD’s*
Leading Receiver: RB Dunn, 53 for 833 yds*, 7TD’s*
Leading Tackler:LB Blackburn, 52 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

OK. Tyrus Dunn has a shot at putting up the greatest single statistical season I’ve ever seen or heard of. WOW!!!

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 08:44 AM

2022 SECOND HALF DIARY

Game 9
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Nelson is upgraded to probable. With a 5-game lead, I’ll wait until players are fully healed for them to return to starting. Stud DE Sammie Thornton is out with a broken jaw. The injury report says he’ll be fully healed in time for the playoffs. I deactivate him and activate DT Bryant Wynn. Rookie Delrio will get a shot at starting. Finally CB/KR/WR James Woodson is out 2-3 months with a torn thumb ligament and is inactivated.
The 3-5 Eagles come to Hartford and refuse to lay down for us. In fact, they take a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The world looks to be back to normal as we score 2 4th quarter TD’s to take a 24-17 lead with 6:17 to play. However, the Eagles go 73 yards on 12 plays the very next possession to tie it up with 2:34 remaining. We come up short of the first down and punt it away, giving the ball to Philly on their own 35 with 1:32 left. 4 plays and 53 seconds later, the Eagles are leading 31-24. We are penalized for holding on the kickoff return and get it on our own 6 with 10 seconds to play, and West gets sacked for a safety on the final play of the game, dashing our perfect season hopes. Philly wins 33-24. Dunn has 16 carries for 80 yards and 1TD, and 6 catches for 74 yards, but its not enough. Rookie DE Delrio in his starting debut had 7 tackles, 1 hurry and 1 sack.

Game 10
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Mo Barlow is doubtful with shoulder tendonitis. He is de-activated and T Roosevelt Sweat will start. Starting CB Mack Crawford is probable with a bruised shoulder. He’ll stay active, but I’ll let rookie Deion Guliford start. DE Thornton and CB/KR/WR Woodson still out. I’ll let you know when they are activated.
The 5-4 Oakland Raiders come to town and the fans are treated to a high-scoring affair that isn’t nearly as close as the score might indicate. We win 37-31, but the Raiders scored 2 late TD’s, and one of their early TD’s was on a 105-yard kickoff return. Dunn has 22 carries for 209 yards and 2 TD’s for his 2nd 200-yard rushing day of the season to go along with 6 catches for 88 yards.

Game 11
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB Wilcox is doubtful with a dislocated shoulder and is made inactive. 4th-round draft choice Heath Perez gets another start. CB Crawford is fully healed and will start again. CB Guliford broke his foot and is doubtful, but will have to remain on the depth chart due to Woodson still being out. No other changes.
The 3-7 Las Vegas Cardinals come to town to take on the 9-1 Nor’easters, and we treat our visitors very rudely. Dunn has 19 carries for 117 yards and 2 TD’s to go with 5 catches for 48 yards, backup RB Armenta has 136 yards on only 9 carries (including a 68-yard TD), West is 25 for 33 for 295 yards and 4TD’s, WR Tillery catches 8 passes for 106 yards and 3TD’s, and on the whole we gain 555 total yards and 27 first downs as we romp 58-18.

Game 12
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No changes from last week other than Wilcox upgrading to questionable and Woodson to doubtful but they’re both still inactive.
The 3-8 Giants come up to Hartford, and they get “Dunn” in. Tyrus has his best day from scrimmage all year: 33 carries for 178 yards and 7 catches for 163 yards and a TD for a total of 341 total yards. West is 13 for 23 for 215 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s. Nor’easters 31, Giants 7. Rookie DE Delrio has 1.5 sacks. He has filled in quite admirably for DE Sammie Thornton.

Game 13
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Only upgrades of inactive players. No changes in who is playing.
We go to Philly to face the 6-6 Eagles with a chance to go ahead and clinch the division title. The Eagles do a pretty good job of containing Dunn. He has his lowest total yardage output of the season: 18 carries for 68 yards, and 3 catches for 64 yards. Also his first game not getting in the end zone one way or another. Our offense is held without a touchdown, but thanks to an interception return for a TD and four field goals, (and giving up no sacks or turnovers) we go away with an 18-10 victory. West is 20 for 34 for 233 yards.

Game 14/b]
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DE Frohbeither is questionable with turf toe. He’ll stay active, but Hugh Conwell will start for him. Nose tackle Wesley Hutchins is doubtful with a pulled groin and is inactivated. Rookie Antoine Lusignan gets the start.
We get to test ourselves with several defensive starters injured against 9-4 Tampa Bay, and we pass. The patchwork defense holds the Bucs to 10 points and 246 total yards. Dunn has 21 carries for 76 yards and 7 catches for 119 yards. 2 straight games without scoring for him. It makes headlines across the country. WR Tillery has 6 catches for 120 yards. West is 24 for 31 for 379 yds, 2TD’s and 0 INT’s. We win 20-10.

[b]NOTE
With 2 games to play, this team has a shot at several offensive milestones. Here they are:

Dunn has 1825 rushing yards. He’s locked up the rushing title with a 560-yard lead, but has a shot at the league record of 1,979 and the magical 2,000.

Dunn is also leading the league in receiving yards with 1389. Two players are close thought. He is 34 yards ahead of SF’s Steven Mitchell and 50 yards ahead of Oakland’s Howie O’Donnell. TB’s Donovan Dewey is 4th, but is 146 yards behind Dunn and not considered a serious threat.

Barring injury, West has all but locked up the passing yards title with a 375-yard lead over the nearest competitor. He has 3802 and is of course gunning for 4,000. He also has 34 TD’s, 6 away from the record set last year by TB’s Junior Cox. Barring a major screw-up, he will set a league record for QB rating as well. Currently he is at 116.1. The record is held by my Des Moines QB, Wayne Rogers, at 109.6

Game 15
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Barlow and DE Thornton are both up to questionable, looking like they’ll be ready for the playoffs. DE Frohbeither is up to probable. I’ll still let him not start. LB Wilcox is up to probable. I leave him inactive. CB3 Guliford is up to questionable. He’s listed at CB4 and will stay there until he’s healed.
We head South to Atlanta to face the Falcons and much of the record-oriented suspense is put to rest. Dunn has his 3rd 200 yard rushing day of the season to put him over 2,000 yards and set a new NFL rushing record, but Oakland’s Howie O’Donnell catches 10 passes for 255 yards to pretty much lock up the reception yards title. As far as the game goes, we waltz to another blowout. Dunn has 34 carries for 205 yards and 3TD’s and 3 catches for 52 yards and 0 TD’s. Hartford wins 41-16.

Game 16
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: With home field advantage throughout the playoffs locked up, all injured players are made inactive with the exception of those who have to play due to more than one player in their group being injured. In those cases, those guys are off the depth charts. DE Delrio is doubtful, no one else is worse than questionable, so all are likely to be ready for the first playoff game in two weeks. I set play injured players to 20 also for this game.
We go to New York to face the 4-11 Giants for the final game of the regular season. Dunn closes out his magical season with 25 carries for 160 yards and 2TD’s to go along with 3 catches for 45 yards. West is 20 for 34 for 287 yards. We win 26-11.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 08:54 AM

2022 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 15-1
Standing: Division Champs by 6 games
QB Stats: West, 311 for 480 (65.7%*), 4335 yds*, 34TD’s*, 6INT’s, 112.0 Rtg*
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 388* for 2190yds*,5.6ypc,19TD’s*
Leading Receiver: Tyrus Dunn 93 catches
Leading Reception Yards: Tyrus Dunn 1486 yards (8TD’s)
Leading Tackler: LB Rod Blackburn, 89
Leading Pass Rusher: LB Blackburn 14.5 sacks,1 block, 6 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: S Richie Newman—38 catches, 7 INT, 12 defensed, 51.3PDQ*

*-denotes NFL leader
Dunn sets an NFL record for most rushing yards in a season.
West sets an NFL record for QB Rating.

Points Scored: 542
Points Against: 231

Team Statistics
Rushing Yards: 2883* (1st)
Rushing Average: 45.0* (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 4335* (1st)
Passing Average: 9.0* (League Average 6.7)
Rushing Defense: 1409 (3rd)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.6 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 2926* (1st)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.2 (League Avg. 6.6)

*--denotes best in NFL

This is without question my best regular season performance, better than anything I’ve seen in an all-out career I’ve played. Never been first in rushing yards AND passing yards before. Dunn and West are both simply amazing.

Ben E Lou

03-17-2001, 09:52 AM

2022 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
Several key starters’ contracts are about to run out. I’d like to extend one or two now so I don’t have so many things up in the air in free agency next year. In order to do so, I have to sign some extensions, including using for the first time in this career the “Classy Veteran” rule. Its the House Rule that states a 10/5 player with loyalty over 75 can have his contract restructured at any time. Here are the guys who get extensions.

CB Myron Bennett (classy veteran—loyalty 79)—an extra year—saves $1M in cap room.
LB Irv Rickman (classy veteran—loyalty 100)—an extra year—saves $1M in cap room

After these, I can afford to extend G Chris Brady for one more season.

Division Playoffs vs. Tampa Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: G2 Chris Brady is probable, DE3 Delrio is questionable. DT1 Hutchins is probable, CB2 Mack Crawford is probable. It’s the playoffs. Everyone starts. Willingness to use injured is bumped up to 60
This time Tampa Bay has to play us with all of our defensive starters back, and they’re unable to do much of anything. We hold ‘em to 191 yards and 13 first downs. Dunn has 30 carries for 123 yards and 2TD’s, and 5 catches for 55 yards. West is 17 for 28 for 208 yards. We win 30-3 in 18-degree weather.

NFC Championship vs. New Orleans
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is probable with a concussion. DT1 Hutchins is downgraded to questionable, but will still start. No other changes. Willingness to use injured stays at 60
The Saints leave the controlled climate of the Superdome (yes, they’re still playing there, built in 1975) to come to 19-degree Hartford, and our defense utterly freezes their offense. They only manage 67 yards and 4 first downs and are 0 for 12 on 3rd down. They only cross midfield twice all day. Dunn has 25 carries for 69 yards and 4 catches for 49 yards, and West is 19 for 27 for 291 yards and 2TD’s. We win 29-0.

Super Bowl vs. Cleveland
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Hutchins is downgraded to doubtful and won’t start. Rookie Lusignan will start, with Hutchins listed as #2. LB Rickman and S Bensen are both questionable but will start. Willingess to use injured is up to 70 for the Super Bowl.
Pretty much the same pattern as the whole season and the playoffs. Cleveland is held to 9 first downs and 158 total yards. Dunn has 26 carries for 146 yards and 2TD’s, to go with 4 catches for 59 yards, and West is 14 for 19 for 267 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s. Dunn wins his 3rd straight Super Bowl MVP as we waltz to a 41-12 victory! THREE-PEAT! THREE-PEAT! THREE-PEAT!

Awards
RB Dunn—1st Team All Pro, NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP. 3rd Straight Quad-Fecta.
QB Nathan West—1st Team All Pro—in a normal career (one without a Tyrus Dunn). His numbers would have been shoo-in for NFL MVP.
C Dennis Rasmussen—1st Team All Pro
G Earl Huntley—1st Team All Pro
T Kim Copenhauer—1st Team All Pro
K Malcolm Hoag—1st Team All Pro
LB Rod Blackburn—1st Team All Pro
S Richie Newman—1st Team All Pro

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 100
Frnc. Value: 74
Profit/Loss: 24
Difficulty: 69
YrEnd Score: 66

2022 Profit: ($169,190,000)

Vegas Vic

03-18-2001, 04:53 AM

Way to go, Skydog. By the way, it's the year 2022 and Tampa Bay still can't win a game when the temperature is less than 32 degrees.

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 05:13 AM

Yes, Tampa has lost to us three straight times (2 playoff games and 1 regular season)--all late in the season, all in Hartford.


 HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2023 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 44
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Ed Loseth
Age: 54
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: VG
RB: VG LB: G
WR: E DB: F
OL: VG YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 79

Last year was a Super Bowl season, but Albany’s prices went up only a small amount, so we go up just a tiny bit.

Upper Deck: 38
End Zone: 46
Mezzanine: 58
Sidelines: 98
License: 0
Club Seats: 4,800
Luxury Boxes: 104,000
VR Boxes: 104,000

Franchise Player: RB Tyrus Dunn (duh)

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 06:01 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2023 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $53.55M
Amount Needed For Draft: $7.2M

Franchise Player Contract: Dunn gets $62M over three years, costing $20M in cap room this year.

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
*FB Britt Bersch—RFA—Dunn rushed for 2,190 yards last year in Bersch’s first year as the starting fullback. That’s reason enough to re-sign him.
*T Kim Copenhauer—UFA—16-year veteran has won back-to-back 1st Team honors. The only reason I didn’t extend him last year was fear that he’d retire. There really needs to be a way to know if a player is considering retirement or not. Anyway, I’ll try to get him back on a one or two year deal.
*P Carlton Grzegorczyk—UFA—I want to either sign him to a long-term deal or get someone else, just so I don’t have to keep spelling his #%^#$% name! Seriously, I’ll see what’s out there.
*K Malcolm Hoag—UFA—Solid ratings. He’ll probably stay around.
*DE Graham Frohbeiter—UFA—Solid ratings. Has been a good run stopper. I’d like to keep him.
LB Shannon Russell—RFA—With young DT Antoine Lusignan getting 3 starts last year to help boost his development, I think I'd rather switch back to 4-3 than put a lot of money into another LB.

Offensive Analysis
I’d sure like to keep that offensive personnel around as much as possible.

Defensive Analysis
Time to switch back to 4-3 to keep from having to sign a LB. In fact, in 4-3 I might be able to get away with not re-signing DE Frohbeiter as Alonzo Delrio performed quite well in 7 starts due to injury.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
S Richie Newman—3yrs,$18M (saves $.5M)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
RB Armenta—in his last year of contract, and I just can’t afford a backup as expensive as him
S Rodney Belcher--#4 safety in last year of contract

Priorities After Examining FA & Draft Pool
There’s a studly 6th-year LB with 2 All Pro Awards under his belt available. I decide that I’ll not sign DE Frohbeiter, but still stay in the 3-4.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 2—LB Tyrell Corbett—4yrs, $43.5M. Ratings are 66/76,74/89,84/97,48/57,94. 6th-year man. 2 time All Pro…fits perfectly into my blitzing, man-to-man defense philosophy.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
P Grzegorczyk—3yrs,$9.25M. He was best available. Gotta keep spelling his name.
K Hoag—3yrs, $14M.
T Copenhauer—2yrs,$18.74M
FB Bersch—3yrs,$14.75M

FA Analysis
Upgraded at LB. Downgraded, but not too bad, by using young DE. Re-signed all offensive players. Going after the four-peat.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-18-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 06:44 AM

2023 AMATEUR DRAFT

I’m pretty much ok at all starting positions. I can use young potential starters at WR,G,T,DE and S. I traded my #1 pick away last year in the deal that brought DE Sammie Thornton to Hartford. Lets examine the players in that deal and see how they did last year:

WE RECEIVED:
DE Sammie Thornton—started 8 games, 14 tackles, 6 assists, 4.5 sacks, 1 block, 3 hurries, 4.2PR Pct, 6.6Tck Pct.

WASHINGTON RECEIVED
WR Rodney Baxter—started 16 games, caught 68 passes for 916 yards and 2 TD’s
DE Joe Bertrand—started 14 games, 29 tackles, 12 assists, 2.0 sacks, 2 blocks, 3 hurries, 3.0PR Pct, 9.0 Tck Pct.
1(36) pick this year

Well, the only solace I have so far in this deal is that Thornton is only in his 4th year. So far the ‘Skins have gotten the better end of the deal. Good. The House Rule seems to be working.

2(36): WR Cole Finch—very imbalanced ratings, but I like his 21/86 in catch frequency and 82 in endurance. I throw short a lot, so his 30 in yards per catch doesn’t scare me away.
3(36): G Scottie Rawlins—35/56,33/45,47—I’d be satisfied with him at RG one day.
4(36): S Paul Peters—23/30,18/22,19/24,54—near redliner-best available safety.
5(36): T Moe McCarthy—9/28,20/68,50—Pretty good grab for this late.
6(36): DT Deion Tyler—33/40,34/42,28—best available position player—near redliner—solid backup at worst. Plus, I like guys named Deion from Florida State.
7(36): RB Moe Murphy--redliner

Seven Year Signee: LB Grady Doyle—17/64,21/81,19/76,10/38,31—I’ll make sure to develop him into a starter.

Signing Doyle gives me 7 LB’s on the roster and I need a little cap room to get up to 53, so I cut LB Quinn Giles.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 53 players.

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 06:52 AM

2023 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Set on 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I stick with my three offensive sets, I, Split and Single Back. All three are maxed out. I minimize all other offensive settings, except goal line which is around the middle.

Defense
I maximize 3-4 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: None.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 07:15 AM

2023 ROSTER

<pre>Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 17 17 12 2024
QB Ralph Swinger 9 14 3 2024
QB Bob Fletcher 5 11 2 2024
RB Tyrus Dunn 16 16 7 2025
RB Christian Hodges 7 7 1 2025
RB Al Gustafson 6 9 4 2026
RB Moe Murphy 6 6 1 2024
FB Charles Martin 10 10 2 2024
FB Britt Bertsch 8 11 4 2025
TE Zack Daniels 15 15 2 2025
TE Joseph Goodwin 12 13 5 2024
TE Brady McDowall 7 11 2 2024
WR Derek Tillery 16 16 11 2023
WR Deron Nelson 12 15 3 2025
WR Clay Courtney 9 10 2 2028
WR Marco Hastings 7 8 7 2023
WR Cole Finch 6 12 1 2026
C Dennis Rasmussen 14 15 7 2025
C Archie McIntyre 11 11 3 2023
C Emmanuel Fields 3 11 1 2025
G Earl Huntley 16 19 4 2024
G Cris Brady 10 10 13 2023
G Scottie Rawlins 8 10 1 2025
G Pat Benjdya 6 6 7 2024
T Mo Barlow 12 13 13 2024
T Kim Copenhauer 11 12 16 2024
T Roosevelt Sweat 6 6 8 2023
T Moe McCarthy 3 12 1 2024
P Carlton Grzegorczyk 13 13 7 2025
K Malcolm Hoag 13 13 6 2025
DE Sammie Thornton 17 17 4 2025
DE Hugh Conwell 6 8 4 2023
DE Alonzo Delrio 6 7 2 2023
DE Jason Hancock 2 7 1 2023
DT Wesley Hutchins 14 14 8 2024
DT Antoine Lusignan 9 14 2 2025
DT Deion Tyler 7 7 1 2025
DT Bryant Wynn 4 5 5 2025
LB Rod Blackburn 15 15 10 2024
LB Tyrell Corbett 14 16 6 2026
LB Irv Rickman 12 13 11 2024
LB Ralph Wilcox 7 10 6 2024
LB Heath Perez 6 10 2 2024
LB Grady Doyle 2 13 1 2029
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 11 2024
CB Mack Crawford 11 16 3 2025
CB Deion Guliford 5 11 2 2025
CB Damon Holmes 5 5 1 2023
CB Wendell Nickel 2 11 1 2023
S Richie Newman 12 12 11 2025
S Nick Bensen 10 11 13 2023
S Daryl Strunk 9 9 3 2024
S Paul Peters 7 7 1 2025</pre>

The AI wants to use new 2nd-year guys at FB and TE. After last year’s offensive outburst, I’d rather go with known commodities for now. I’ll start Bersch at FB and Goodwin at TE at the start of the season and see how the offense produces.

Stadium: 34
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 64
Cohesion: 71,71,78,82

Outlook: On paper, our team still stands out head and shoulders. The next-nearest roster rating is GB with 54. Everyone else is 50 and below. We’re pursuing another title.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,65,40
2nd Down: 30,65,45,35
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-40,Pro-30,Single-30
Passing: I-15,Pro-55,Single-30
FB As Runner: 5
0WR: 20
1WR: 30
2WR: 80
3WR: 60
4WR: 50
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3: 0 3-4: 100
Nickel: 50
Dime: 30
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 99
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 08:05 PM

2023 FIRST HALF DIARY

Game 1 vs. Washington Redskins
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Backup QB Swinger is out with a torn thumb ligament. I make him #3 on the depth chart. Starting DT Wesley Hutchins is probable with turf toe, but will start because backup Antoine Lusignan is doubtful with a torn calf muscle. LB Rod Blackburn is questionable and inactive with shoulder tendonitis. Rookie Grady Doyle will get the start and begin his development. CB Myron Bennett is questionable with a bruised sternum and CB Mack Crawford is doubtful with a stretched knee ligament. Crawford is inactive, and Crawford goes to the bench. I’ll start two unproven CB’s, Deion Gulliford and rookie Damon Holmes.
Washington QB Joey Goodwin has little trouble throwing against our depleted CB’s. He is 24 for 34 for 345 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 Int’s. He connects with WR Ross Crownhart 9 times for 205 yards and 2 TD’s. However the ‘Skins were unable to contain the Nor’easter offense. Dunn has 18 carries for 102 yards and a TD, but only 2 catches for 26 yards. WR Deron Nelson catches 6 passes for 127 yards and 2 TD’s, and Nathan West goes 17 for 30 for 269 yards and 4 TD’s with 0 INT’s. We win 36-29.

Game 2 at Carolina
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Starting T Mo Barlow is questionable with a deep thigh bruise. I leave him active, but drop him to fourth on the depth chart and give rookie Moe McCarthy the start. DT Hutchins is fully healed now. LB Blackburn upgrades to probable, but I’ll wait to next game for his return. Inactive CB Crawford upgrades to questionable, but remains inactive.
The defense plays a much better game against the Panthers, holding them under 300 total yards. Dunn has 20 carries for 113 yards and a TD to go along with 5 catches for 57 yards. WR Tillery catches 7 passes for 146 yards and a TD, and Nathan West is 20 for 31 for 273 yards, 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s. We win 21-13.

Game 3 at New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Barlow is upgraded to probable, but I’ll let the rookie start again. The still-inactive DT Lusignan upgrades to questionable and LB Blackburn is fully healed and reclaims his starting spot. CB Bennett upgrades to probable and will start.
The New York defense sparkles, holding us to only 243 yards and 12 first downs. Dunn is held to 43 yards on 11 carries and 3 catches for 59 yards. West is a dismal 9 for 24 for 198 yards with a TD and an INT. Giants win 24-16.

The bye week is after Game 3.

Game 4 at Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: After the bye week, only QB Swinger (out), DT Lusignan (probable,inactive) and CB Bennett (questionable,inactive) are injured.

We head to Las Vegas. I decide to listen to my scout and start TE Zack Daniels over Joseph Goodwin. I’m not sure if its Daniels’ lesser skills in run blocking, but Dunn has one of his worst rushing games ever—24 carries for 37 yards. However, he catches 6 passes for 74 yards and a TD. West is dominant, going 22 for 31 for 357 yards, 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s. We win on a last-second field goal, 22 to 21.

Game 5 vs. Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Lusignan is fully healed, and I activate him. LB Blackburn is probable with a concussion. I’ll start the rookie and make Blackburn my #1 backup. CB Bennett is upgraded to probable, but I leave him inactive.
TE Goodwin returns to the starting lineup. What happened to our offense??? Dunn carries 25 times for 101 yards and a TD and catches 6 passes for 75 yards. He has 176 total yards, the team has a total of 267. West is 11 for 24 for only 127 yards. We win, but look anemic in the 14-12 triumph.

Game 6 at Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: C Rasmussen is questionable with a concussion and I make him inactive. LB Blackburn is downgraded to questionable, but still will be the top backup. CB Bennett is fully healed and activated.
The offense continues to struggle. Dunn has 30 carries for 95 yards and a TD, and only 1 catch for 12 yards. West is 13 for 22 for 189 yards. We eek out a 19-17 win.

Game 7 vs. Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No changes.
The offensive anemia remains. Dunn has 21 carries for 54 yards, and 3 catches for 47 yards. QB West has a big day: 26 for 42 for 364 yards, but only 1 TD and one INT. We win 20-10.

Game 8 at Austin
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB Swinger is upgraded to doubtful. He’s still #3 on the depth chart. C Rasmussen is upgraded to probable, but still is inactive. DT Wesley Hutchins is questionable with a hip pointer. Backup DT Lusignan gets the start.as Hutchins is de-activated. LB Blackburn is still questionable with his concussion, and remains a backup.
The offense finds itself in Austin. Dunn has 26 carries for 163 yards and 1 TD, with 5 catches for 63 yards and one TD. WR’s Nelson and Tillery have over 100 receiving yards each, and West is 23 for 30 for 320 yards, 2TD’s and 0 INT’s.

Ben E Lou

03-18-2001, 08:09 PM

2023 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 7-1
Standing: First place. New York is 6-3, Las Vegas is 5-3.
QB Stats: West, 141 for 234 (60.2%), 2097 yards, 12TD’s, 2INT’s, 103.1 Rating
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 175* for 708 yards, 4.0ypc, 5TD’s
Leading Receiver: RB Dunn, 31 for 413 yards
Leading Tackler:S Newman—49 tackles.

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-19-2001, 06:25 AM

2023 SECOND HALF DIARY

Game 9 vs. Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: C Dennis Rasmussen is fully healed and made active, but backup Archie McIntyre outperformed him and will hang on to the starting job. LB Blackburn upgrades to probable, but will still be used in a backup role.
The Cardinals come to town looking to make a close race out of the NFC East and succeed in a big way by picking off West 4 times en route to handing us a 31-24 loss. Dunn has 13 carries for 69 yards and a TD, and 6 catches for 85 yards.

Game 10 vs. New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Backup QB Swinger is upgraded to questionable. FB Martin is doubtful with a hip pointer and inactive. No biggie there as Bersch has started 7 of 9 times anyway. DT Hutchins is upgraded to probable. I’ll activate him, but he won’t start yet. LB Blackburn is fully healed.
In a big division showdown, we play the 6-3 New York Giants. Fortunately, the offense decides to show up again. West goes 21 for 29 for 397 yards, with 3TD’s and 1 INT. Dunn carries 28 times for 96 yards and a TD and catches 3 passes for 47 yards. Tillery has 8 catches for 168 yards and 3TD’s. We pile up 508 total yards en route to a 35-28 victory.

Game 11 vs. New England
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Hutchins is fully healed and reclaims his starting position at nose tackle. FB Martin is upgraded to questionable, but remains inactive.
In a matchup of 8-2 teams, we get to test ourselves against a potential Super Bowl foe, and we pass the test. Nathan West leads the way with 19 for 29 passing for 310 yards, 4TD’s and 0 INT’s. Dunn has 29 carries for 72 yards and 2 catches for 24 yards. It’s the first time in over 2 years he doesn’t have 100 total yards in a regular season game. We win 37-20.

Game 12 vs. New Orleans
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Deron Nelson is doubtful with shoulder tendonitis. I inactivate him. Rookie Cole Finch gets the start. DE Sammie Thornton is questionable with a broken finger. I inactivate him and let Alonzo Delrio start.
The 7-4 Saints come to town for another playoff preview. Our defense plays bend-but-don’t-break, giving up 343 passing yards but only 7 points, while scoring 7 points. Good thing, because the offense went on vacation again today. Tyrus Dunn was injured in our 2nd possession and didn’t return. We had a whopping 44 yards rushing on the day in his absence. We had 219 total yards and only 11 first downs. However, thanks to an 83-yard Richie Newman interception return and Grzegorczyk keepin’ ‘em bottle up with 3 punts downed inside the 20, we prevail 10-7.

Game 13 at Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Backup QB Swinger upgraded to probable. Tyrus Dunn is questionable with turf toe. With the division lead up to 2.5 games, Dunn is inactive, and will be until he’s fully healed. I don’t have a solid backup right now, so I’ll use a more pass-happy offense for the next few games. Starting G Early Huntley is out with a torn calf muscle, and may miss the postseason. Rookie 3rd-round choice Scottie Rawlins will start. A couple of inactive guys upgrade as well.
The offense really struggles with Dunn’s absence and we lose 21-14, and our lead over Las Vegas is down to 1 game and a half.

Game 14 at Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Best news is that Dunn is up to probable. He may be back before the end of the regular season. LB Tyrell Corbett is probable with a deep thigh bruise, but with us fighting to ensure a first-round bye, he starts.
Our defense shuts down the eagles, and we find enough offense for a 17-3 victory.

Game 15 at Green Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Tyrus Dunn is fully healed, as as FB Charles Martin. TE Zack Daniels is questionable with a sprained knee and made inactive. T Mo Barlow is doubtful with a broken hand, and also made inactive. LB Irv Rickman is doubtful with shoulder tendonitis and is also made inactive.
Gotta love Green Bay in December. In 10-degree weather, Tyrus Dunn returns and reminds us what he means to this team. He has 24 carries for 107 yards and 2TD’s, and catches 3 passes for 35 yards and another TD. Nor’easters win 28-17. We clinch division title and best record in the NFC as well.

Game 16 vs. Indianapolis
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DE Sammie Thornton is fully healed and activated. DT Wesley Hutchins is questionable with a bruised shoulder and made inactive. S Nick Bensen is probable with turf toe, and also made inactive.
We close the season unimpressively with a home loss to 3-11 Indianapolis. We enter the playoffs with the best record in the NFC, but looking very vulnerable.

Ben E Lou

03-19-2001, 06:26 AM

2023 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 12-4
Standing: Division Champs by 2 ½ games
QB Stats: West, 287 for 480 (59.7%), 4322 yards*, 27TD’s, 11INT’s, 98.5 Rtg
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 280 for 1081yds,3.8ypc,9TD’s
Leading Receiver: Derek Tillery 62 catches
Leading Reception Yards: Derek Tillery 1302 yards (7TD’s)
Leading Tackler: S Richie Newman, 91
Leading Pass Rusher: DE Sammie Thornton, 7 sacks, 2 blocks, 4 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: S Richie Newman—40 catches, 3 INT, 6 defensed, 28.8PDQ

*-denotes NFL leader

Points Scored: 350
Points Against: 291

Rushing Yards: 1632 (23rd)
Rushing Average: 3.3 (League Average 3.8)
Passing Yards: 4322(3rd)
Passing Average: 9.0* (League Average 6.8)
Rushing Defense: 1585 (11th)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.5 (League Avg 3.8)
Passing Defense: 3721 (24th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.9 (League Avg. 6.8)

I think our problem was that the pass rush wasn’t getting it done. I was planning on switching back to 4-3 next year anyway. Looks like I need to.

Ben E Lou

03-19-2001, 06:51 AM

2023 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
None.

Division Playoffs vs Tampa Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Tillery is probable with turf toe. G Earl Huntley is out. T Mo Barlow is questionable with a broken hand and made active, but a backup. LB Irv Rickman is questionable and won’t start.
We have spanked the Bucs the last 3 times we faced them (twice in the playoffs the last two years) and nothing changes in our fourth meeting. Nathan West goes 23 for 28 for 395 yards , 5TD’s and 0 INT’s. dunn carries 20 times for 54 yards and catches 8 passes for 109 yards and a TD. We win 35-6 in 25-degree weather. We flat-out OWN Tampa Bay.

NFC Championship vs. Chicago
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: G Early Huntley is upgraded to doubtful. I leave him inactive. No other changes.
Da Bears come over to Hartford and watch the collective offensive frustrations of a whole season get taken out on them. We EXPLODE for 574 total yards. Dunn carries 29 times for 205 yards and 3TD’s and catches 2 passes for 20 yards. West goes 21 for 30 for 331 yards, 2TD’s and 1 INT. We win 48-24.

Super Bowl at Buffalo
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No changes.
We head over to Buffalo and receive a thorough beating at the hands of the Bills. WE only manage 197 total yards and go 1 for 14 on third down and manage only 7 first downs. Dunn is held to 5 yards on 13 carries. We get spanked 31-6, ending our 3-year domination of the league.

Awards
RB Tyrus Dunn—NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, 1st Team Running Back—catching all those passes sure helps his award status. He had 50 for 663 yards
QB Nathan West—1st Team All Pro
WR Derek Tillery—2nd Team All Pro
S Richie Newman—2nd Team All Pro

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 95
Frnc. Value: 85
Profit/Loss: 32
Difficulty: 68
YrEnd Score: 69

2023 Profit: ($171,550,000)

Well, it was the most dominant run I’ve ever seen in a strict house rules career. Over three years we went 53-4 and won all three Super Bowls, with Tyrus Dunn winning three straight quad-fectas. Can’t ask for much more.

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 04:54 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2024 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
T Kim Copenhauer—Copenhauer was a 1(7) draft choice by the Lions in 2008. He spent 2 years in Detroit, then 7 years in Des Moines before coming to us in our inaugural 20-step period in 2017. He played seven solid seasons in Hartford, winning All Pro honors thrice, to go along with the three times in Des Moines. He retires with a BPCt of 35.8 and an OPCT of 16.1.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 45
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: VG
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Ed Loseth
Age: 55
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: VG
RB: VG LB: F
WR: E DB: F
OL: VG YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: G</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 92

Albany built new stadium! Their tickets are all over $100! Now I can start increasing by the maximum every year for a good long while. Went to Super Bowl, so I go up 10% all around.

Upper Deck: 42
End Zone: 51
Mezzanine: 64
Sidelines: 108
License: 1000
Club Seats: 5,300
Luxury Boxes: 114,000
VR Boxes: 104,000

Franchise Player: None.

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 06:35 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2024 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $38.46M
Amount Needed For Draft: $11.62M

Franchise Player Contract: None.

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
*WR Derek Tillery—I’ve got 3 other decent WR’s, but I like having a go-to guy around. If I can afford him, I’ll re-sign him, but its not top priority.
G Chris Brady—2nd-year man Scottie Rawlins looks like he’s ready to start at RG.
T Roosevelt Sweat—Has been a decent cheap backup for me, but he wants bigger bucks now.
DE Hugh Conwell—Too expensive for his mediocre talent. I’ll look elsewhere
DE Alonzo Delrio—RFA—Because he’s an RFA, I may use him since he’ll be cheaper than the market.
S Nick Bensen—It appears 4th year man Darryl Strunk is ready to be a solid contributor.

Offensive Analysis
Well, first priority is to get a starting tackle to replace the retired Copenhauer, then if affordable I’d like to re-sign Tillery, and perhaps get a better G. I might trade away last year’s starting FB, Britt Bersch, as Charles Martin is quite a bit better according to my scout.

Defensive Analysis
We’ll definitely play 4-3 this year with DT Antoine Lusignan having nearly reached his potential. LB Irv Rickman has a 21 in M2M defense. I’ll cut (if I need the cap room now) or trade him (if I can wait until the draft) and go with one of the youngsters at the 3rd LB position.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
DT Wesley Hutchins—4yrs,$51.25M (saves $725K)
LB Rod Blackburn—3yrs,$18.25M (saves $500K)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
QB Bob Fletcher—QB3
RB Christian Hodges—RB4
RB Mo Murphy—RB3
DT Bryant Wynn—DT4

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
Week 8—T Jackie Kenney—2yrs, $24.0M. Ratings are 48,78,52. 14th-year man. Solid career. Never been all-pro. Not the kind of star I would have liked, but he’ll do.
Week 14—P Oliver Brennan—3yrs,$8.25M. Ratings are 71,98,78. Better than Grzegorczyk, plus I’ll never have to spell “Grzegorczyk” again.  I cut Grzegorczyk.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
WR Tillery—2yrs,$29.75M

FA Analysis
Well, I was able to to get a tackle and re-sign my WR. I could still stand upgrades at S and G. Perhaps I can trade last year’s FB & TE for one or both of those position, since my younger guys are better and ready to start.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-20-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 07:18 AM

2024 AMATEUR DRAFT

Before the draft, I attempt to trade FB and TE Joseph Goodwin. Both were the primary starters last year, but younger, cheaper and are now better. No one wants Bertsch, so he’ll either play another year in Hartford as an expensive backup, but San Diego is interested in TE Goodwin. I trade Goodwin, this year’s 2(35) pick and next year’s 3rd round pick for S Jerald Suto. Suto is a 4th-year man, has been an All Pro, and has ratings of 85,63,86,98 and 64 endurance. Nice to improve the secondary.

Entering the draft, I could stand to pick up a starting G, a young, future-starting T, and a starting DE. Here’s who I get:

1(35): DE Tyrus Darchi—21/54,22/65,59. He’ll start from Day 1 provided he doesn’t bust.
3(35): DE Robert Neufeld—6/40,10/57,50. Insurance, could become pass-rush specialist for mediocre starter.
4(35): G Luther Richardson—16/23,34/48,62. Near redliner. Decent current ratings.
5(35): G Joseph Blake—11/37,25/80,52. Could become a great pass-blocking G.
6(35): RB Roman Stinson—near redliner, current ratings from 20-43. Could use a solid backup.
7(35): WR Charlie Wagner—14/65,37,10/44,64,47. Pretty solid WR. My scout is excellent.

Seven Year Signee: QB Jeffrey Hamilton—With Nathan West in his 13th year, this is a good time to get a 7yr rookie QB. Hamilton’s future potentials range from 36 to 86. I’ll do everything I can to groom him.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 55 players.

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 07:31 AM

2024 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Right in the middle
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
I’m going to add the shotgun look this year, so going with 4 sets overall, I,Single,Split,Shotgun. All are set very high.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3, dime and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: FA RB Bernard Meadows. He’s signed for three years. All potentials now 49-70.
Significant Busts: 1st-Round Draft Choice Darchi drops to 4/31,6/38,46.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 08:00 AM

2023 ROSTER

<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 17 17 13 2024
QB Ralph Swinger 10 12 4 2024
QB Jeffrey Hamilton 3 11 1 2030
RB Tyrus Dunn 16 16 8 2025
RB Bernard Meadows 9 12 1 2026
RB Roman Stinson 8 8 1 2025
RB Al Gustafson 6 8 5 2026
FB Charles Martin 10 10 3 2024
FB Britt Bertsch 9 9 5 2025
TE Zack Daniels 15 15 3 2025
TE Brady McDowall 7 11 3 2024
TE Nicky Buckner 4 12 1 2026
WR Derek Tillery 15 15 12 2025
WR Deron Nelson 12 14 4 2025
WR Cole Finch 9 12 2 2026
WR Clay Courtney 8 10 3 2028
WR Charlie Wagner 4 10 1 2025
C Dennis Rasmussen 13 15 8 2025
C Emmanuel Fields 6 9 2 2025
C Leroy Corbett 1 8 1 2026
G Earl Huntley 15 16 5 2024
G Scottie Rawlins 10 10 2 2025
G Luther Richardson 6 8 1 2026
G Joseph Blake 3 11 1 2026
T Mo Barlow 12 13 14 2024
T Jackie Kenney 12 12 14 2025
T Moe McCarthy 7 12 2 2024
T Zack Webb 1 4 1 2024
P Oliver Brennan 16 16 5 2026
K Malcolm Hoag 13 13 7 2025
DE Sammie Thornton 17 17 5 2025
DE Robert Neufeld 2 11 1 2026
DE Kris Oliver 1 8 1 2024
DE Tyrus Darchi 1 7 1 2027
DT Wesley Hutchins 14 14 9 2027
DT Antoine Lusignan 9 14 3 2025
DT Deion Tyler 5 6 2 2025
DT Jeremy Flake 3 7 1 2026
LB Tyrell Corbett 16 16 7 2026
LB Rod Blackburn 15 15 11 2026
LB Irv Rickman 11 12 12 2024
LB Grady Doyle 7 12 2 2029
LB Ralph Wilcox 7 9 7 2024
LB Heath Perez 5 11 3 2024
CB Mack Crawford 14 16 4 2025
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 12 2024
CB Deion Guliford 6 11 3 2025
CB Bryce Kirchner 5 5 1 2024
CB Rusty Carr 2 8 1 2026
S Jerald Suto 18 18 4 2026
S Richie Newman 12 12 12 2025
S Daryl Strunk 8 8 4 2024
S Paul Peters 6 6 2 2025</pre>

Stadium: 36
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 65
Cohesion: 80,60,69,85

Outlook: The next-nearest roster rating is the Giants’ 67. We have 4 new starters on offense and 3 on defense. I feel that overall the team has improved on offense. However, I am quite concerned about DE. I think I’ll start one of my linebackers there.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,35,70,35
2nd Down: 25,70,35,30
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 10,50,25,10,5
Running: I-40,Pro-25,Single-25, Shotgun-10
Very Likely Running: I-50,Pro-25,Single-20, Shotgun-5
Passing: I-15,Pro-30,Single-30, Shotgun-25
Very Likely Passing: I-5,Pro-35,Single-30, Shotgun-30
FB As Runner: 10
0WR: 20
1WR: 30
2WR: 80
3WR: 65
4WR: 35
5WR: 65

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3:100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 70
Dime: 0
Prevent: 0
Blitz Tendency: 70
Blitz Multiple: 60
M2M: 80
Bump/Run: 20

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 02:39 PM

2024 FIRST HALF DIARY

Game 1 vs. Cleveland
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Dunn is questionable and inactive with a broken nose suffered in the final exhibition game. Breakout FA Meadows will start. FB Martin is doubtful with a broken foot. Glad Britt Bertsch is still around. WR Deron Nelson is questionable and inactive with a hyperextended knee. G Scottie Rawlins is questionable with a broken finger, but will start anyway. Ditto CB Myron Bennett, who is probable with a broken nose.
The offense has a hard time getting rolling without Tyrus Dunn, especially when backup RB Meadows breaks his arm in the 2nd quarter. Cleveland wins 21-14 in a field position battle. Neither team had 250 yards total offense.

Game 2 vs. Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Dunn is upgraded to probable. With backup Meadows out/inactive with a broken arm, Dunn is back starting. G Rawlins is upgraded to probable. CB Myron Bennett is fully healed.
The offense explodes against the Eagles, looking like the 2022 Nor’easters. I set Tyrus Dunn to start, but I forget and leave willingness to use injured players at 25 from the preseason, so third stringer Roman Stinson gets the snaps, and boy does he perform well. He had 21 carries for 173 yards and 2 TD’s, and WR Cole Finch, starting for the second week in place of the injured Deron Neslon, has 9 catches for 129 yards and a TD. West is 23 for 36 for 362 yards, 2TD’s and 0 INT’s. We win 40-17.

Game 3 vs. Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No changes. With Stinson’s performance last week, I set him at #1 on the depth chart and Dunn at #2. No need in risking further injury to Dunn.
We fall behind early, and have to play catch-up all day. Stinson has 10 carries for 60 yards, and West throws for 379 yards and 2TD’s, but also has 2 costly interceptions. The Cardinals defeat us 33-20.

Game 4 at Baltimore
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Nelson and RB Dunn are both fully healed. CB Crawford is probable with a sprained ankle, but still starts..
He head over to Baltimore to face the 3-0 Ravens. Dunn has a Tyrus-like game, 20 carries for 76 yards and 5 catches for 91 yards. West goes 25 for 34 for 325 yards with 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s. We win 30-20.

Game 5 at Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Dunn is questionable with a hyperextended elbow. He’ll drop to #3 on the depth chart. G Early Huntley is also questionable with a hyperextended elbow, but will start. CB Crawford drops to questionable with his sprained ankle, and becomes the nickel back.
We head down to the Nation’s Capital, and come away with a 21-13 win, mainly on the arm of Nathan West. He goes 20 for 29 for 269 yards with 2TD’s and 2 INT’s. RB Stinson is ineffective with 11 carries for 25 yards. WR Nelson has 8 catches for 101 yards

Game 6 vs. Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Welsey Hutchins is doubtful/inactive with a broken foot. No other changes. I keep Stinson as the #1 RB with Dunn still injured, but I pump up the passing numbers.
Some ball-control passing and solid defense does the Cowboys in at home. West goes 23 for 38 for 434 yards with 2TD’s and 0 INT’s. Stinson has 16 carries for 85 yards. Tillery, Nelson, Daniels and Finch all have 80 yards or more receiving. DE Sammie Thornton has 4 sacks, and we win 30-14.

The bye week is after Game 6.

Game 7 vs. Washingon
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Dunn is fully healed. G Huntley is up to probable. T Barlow is doubtful/inactive with a sprained back. Mo McMarthy gets the start. DT Wesley Hutchins is up to probable, but I’ll leave him inactive at least another week or two. CB Crawford is still questionable and remains the nickel back.
Dunn comes back, and the team looks like its coming together. He rushes for 133 yards and 2TD’s, West throws for 280 yards with no INT’s, and we roll 34-10.

Game 8 vs.New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB Tyrell Corbett is questionable with a concussion. No other big changes. Corbett will back up.
The 4-4 Giants come to town, and we really flex our muscles. Our defense holds them under 200 yards, and the offense seems to move the ball at will. Dunn has 24 carries for 102 yards and 2 TD’s along with 5 catches for 62 yards. West goes 24 for 31 for 374 yards with 3 TD’s and 1 INT. We win 44-10.

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 02:47 PM

2024 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 6-2
Standing: Tied for first place with Las Vegas. New York is 4-5, Dallas and Philly are 3-5.
QB Stats: West, 167 for 262 (63.7%), 2614 yards*, 17TD’s*, 6INT’s, 108.7 Rating
Leading Rushers: Roman Stinson, 92 for 418 yards, 4.6ypc, 3TD’s, Tyrus Dunn, 66 for 322 yards, 4.8ypc, 4TD’s
Leading Receiver: WR Derek Tillery—43 for 718 yards, 5TD’s
Leading Tackler:LB Blackburn—47 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 05:54 PM

2024 SECOND HALF DIARY

Game 9 vs. Wichita Cyberhawks
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DE Thornton is probable with a hyperextended elbow, but will still start. DT Hutchins is fully healed and returns to the lineup. CB Crawford is upgraded to probable but remains as the nickel back.
Looks like the Nor’easters have hit full stride once again. Dunn has 81 yards rushing and 64 receiving, West is 14 for 20 with 2 TD’s and 0INT’s, and the defense comes up with 6 sacks and an interception in a 38-8 win.

Game 10 at Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: CB Crawford is fully healed, and now CB Bennett is questionable with a broken nose. Crawford starts, and Bennett goes to nickel back. LB Corbett is upgraded to probable and will start.
We control things most of the way in Philly, and head to the fourth quarter leading 24-10. The Eagles put a scare into us late, but can’t take it. We hold on for a 27-24 win. West has 358 yards, 1TD and 0 INT’s.

Game 11 at Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Lusignan is doubtful/inactive with a hyperextended knee. .LB Corbett is fully healed and returns to the starting squad.
We head to the desert with a 8-2 record to match up with 7-3 Las Vegas with the inside track to the division title on the line. It’s a tough, hard-fought field position battle which we lead 12-7 on the strength of four Malcolm Hoag field goals going in the fourth quarter. About midway through the quarter, the Cardinals penetrate to our 38-yard-line but can’t get any farther. They punt to us and bury us at the 7-yard-line, where West promptly hits TE Zack Daniels for a 93-yard, back-breaking touchdown pass that gives us a 19-7 lead with 8 minutes to play. We go on to win 26-14 and take a 2-game lead in the NFC East.

Game 12 vs. Chicago
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Backup RB Bernard Meadows is fully healed and is activated. DT Lusignan remains inactive, but upgrades to questionable.
The 4-7 Bears come into Hartford and refuse to bow down before the 4-time defending NFC Champs. In fact, they take it to us all game. Tyrus Dunn is the only Nor’easter on either side of the ball who has a strong performance. He rushes for 74 yards and 2TD’s and catches 6 passes for 112 yards. He can’t do it alone. We lose 24-20.

Game 13 at New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No status changes from last week.
We head to New York, and this time everything, including Tyrus Dunn, gets shut down. We lose 26-7 and only manage 36 yards on the ground.

Game 14 at New Orleans
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Tillery is doubtful/inactive with a sprained neck, and CB Bennett is now doubtful with a broken nose and made inactive.
We head down to New Orleans and have our 3rd straight anemic offensive performance. In fact, this one is downright dreadful. We only manage 201 yards and 22:40 time of possession in a 26-15 loss.

Game 15 at Jacksonville
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No changes.
Down in Jacksonville, QB West is knocked out of the game on our first possession and does not return. However, backup Ralph Swinger does a fine job off the bench, going 17 for 22 for 218 yards with 2TD’s and 2INT’s. Dunn carries 18 times for 70 yards and we pull off a 28-24 win on the road.

Game 16 at Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Mo Barlow and DT Antoine Lusignan are both fully healed and activated.
We travel to Dallas for the final game of the regular season. We right the offensive ship and come away with a 34-17 victory and win our 7th straight NFC East title.

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 06:02 PM

2024 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 11-5
Standing: Division Champs by 1 game
QB Stats: West, 266 for 434 (61.2%), 4139 yards, 25TD’s, 11INT’s, 101.5 Rtg
Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 185 for 747yds,4.0ypc,8TD’s
Leading Receiver: Cole Finch, 66 catches for 1016 yds, 7TD’s
Leading Reception Yards: Finch—1016 yds.
Leading Tackler: LB Corbett—102 tackles
Leading Pass Rusher: DE Sammie Thornton, 20.5 sacks, 3 blocks, 8 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: S Jerald Suto—28 catches, 5 INT, 7 defensed, 38.6PDQ

*-denotes NFL leader

Points Scored: 428
Points Against: 303

Rushing Yards: 1843 (12th)
Rushing Average: 3.7 (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 4534 (2nd)
Passing Average: 9.5* (League Average 6.7)
Rushing Defense: 1410 (3rd)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.3 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 3520 (20th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.6 (League Avg. 6.7)

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 06:16 PM

2024 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
CB Myron Bennett—2 more seasons.
G Earl Huntley—2 more seasons.

Division Playoffs vs San Francisco
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: CB Bennett is probable and will start. All other starters are fully healed and will start.
An all-around solid performance in a 28-14 victory. Dunn has exactly 100 yards rushing.

NFC Championship at Green Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Bennett is fully healed now. No new injuries.
We get shut down in 8-degree weather in Green Bay. West is picked off four times and we lose 35-15 to the team with the best record in football.

Cleveland beats Green Bay 23-14 in the Super Bowl.

Awards
TE Zack Daniels—1st Team All Pro—43 catches, 748 yards, 10TD’s
DE Sammie Thornton—1st Team
LB Tyrell Corbett—1st Team—102 tackles, 11 sacks

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 81
Frnc. Value: 75
Profit/Loss: 24
Difficulty: 67
YrEnd Score: 60

2024 Profit: ($198,540,000)

Ben E Lou

03-20-2001, 07:38 PM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2025 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
None.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach and scout.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 46
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: G
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: VG
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Ed Loseth
Age: 56
REPUTATION
QB: E DL: VG
RB: VG LB: F
WR: E DB: F
OL: VG YOUNG TALENT: VG
K: G</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 100

Went to NFC Championship, so I get to increase by 10%

Upper Deck: 46
End Zone: 56
Mezzanine: 70
Sidelines: 119
License: 1100
Club Seats: 5,800
Luxury Boxes: 125,000
VR Boxes: 11,000

Franchise Player: QB Nathan West

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 05:33 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2025 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $52.46M
Amount Needed For Draft: $10.44M

Franchise Player Contract: 3yrs,$117.2M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
QB2 Ralph Swinger—I’ve got a 7-year guy to use as backup.
FB Charles Martin—RFA--Bertsch is still under contract.
T Mo Barlow—Younger RFA will get signed
*T Moe McCarthy—He’s a 3rd year RFA will probably take over as starter
LB Irv Rickman—Younger LB Grady Doyle is a lot cheaper

Offensive Analysis
A better fullback would be nice if I can afford one.

Defensive Analysis
A decent DE would be nice if I can figure out how to free up the $$$.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
C Emmanuel Fields—2yrs,$3.69M (saves $150K)
K Malcolm Hoag—3yrs,$9.04M (Saves $1.9M)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
RB3 Al Gustafson
WR5 Charlie Wagner
C3 Leroy Corbett
G4 Luther Richardson
G3 Joseph Blake
DT4 Deion Tyler
CB4 Rusty Carr
S4 Paul Peters

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
None.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
None. With cap room low. I’ll wait until after the draft to see if I can afford T McCarthy.

FA Analysis
I abstain due to not being able to afford anyone.

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 06:28 AM

2025 AMATEUR DRAFT

With WR Cole Finch having a great year last year and Clay Courtney signed for four more years to a cheap deal and Deron Nelson about to enter his prime, I can afford to trade WR Derek Tillery, in his 13th year and in the last year of his contract. I could really use a defensive end. I make a deal with Tampa Bay, sending Tillery and a 4th rounder next year for 11th-year man Vince Greer (70,53,35). He should be a solid run stopper for me.

Entering the draft, I could use a future-starting T and solid backups at G,FB,LB and S. Here’s who I get:

1(33): T Reuben Casas—19/58,24/73,56. Should start in a year or two. Just what I need with Jackie Kenney in his 15th year.
2(33): G Kenyon Gooch—36/82,26/53,64. Very happy to grab a guy like him late in round 2.
4(33): RB Johnny Gougeon—Could cause a total change in direction of the franchise. Just couldn’t pass him up at this point in the draft. 86 in breakaway speed, 36/83 in short yardage, 44/100 in yards per carry, 61 in catching, 32/73 in catch frequency, 57 in endurance. Tyrus Dunn is in the last year of his contract. He needs a big-time year, otherwise he’s out the door. If the right deal comes along after the draft, I’ll trade him now even.

Two guys are still around who I just MUST have this late in the draft, so I make trades up to grab them. I trade the 5(33) pick plus my 5th and 6th rounders next year with Austin for the 5(7) pick, and I trade my 4th,5th and 6th rounders in 2027 with Detroit for the 5(8) pick.

5(7): DT Chad Peters—18/70, 15/55,62. Couldn’t pass him up this late. I think he’s worth what I traded for him.
5(8): S Sammy Easterling—16/62,21/81,11/48,26. Again, very much worth what I traded to snag him.
6(33): CB Scottie Myslinski—13/34,26/70,25/61,24. With some development, could be solid
7(33): LB Colin Foley—near redliner—21/26,23/28,28/34,26/37,18. Could be a decent backup even if he doesn’t break out.

If all pan out like my scout says, this will be my best draft in this career. After the draft, I sign my own RFA, T Mo McCarthy, to a 3-year deal.for $32M.

Seven Year Signee: TE Bruce Connell—31/75 in run blocking, 74 in yards per catch, 63 in 3rd down catching. In a year or two, he’ll probably become my starter.

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 53 players.

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 06:40 AM

2025 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Around the 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
I’m going to run I,Split,Strong I and Single Back this year. All are set just above the boldfaced black dot on the right. Gold line is also set there. Weak and shotgun minimized.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 4-3, dime and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: Wow! Undrafted FA LB Robbie Hall breaks out HUGE. 41/90,42/92,22/54,27/60,60. Fortunately he’s one of a couple rookie FA’s who got 3-year deals. I’ll do everything I can to get him on defensive plays to speed his development. 4th –Round pick RB Gougeon got a little better. Breakaway speed rose from 86 to 96, catching went from 61 to 67 and endurance from 57 to 63. I’ll start him at fullback some this year to get him the snaps.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 07:37 AM

2025 ROSTER

<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 15 15 14 2027
QB Jeffrey Hamilton 6 11 2 2030
QB Quinn Barreto 4 4 1 2025
RB Tyrus Dunn 15 15 9 2025
RB Bernard Meadows 9 9 2 2026
RB Johnnie Gougeon 8 16 1 2026
RB Roman Stinson 7 7 2 2025
FB Britt Bertsch 9 10 6 2025
FB Reggie Glasgow 4 4 1 2027
TE Zack Daniels 16 16 4 2025
TE Nicky Buckner 7 11 2 2026
TE Bruce Connell 7 9 1 2031
WR Deron Nelson 13 13 5 2025
WR Cris Silverman 9 9 1 2027
WR Clay Courtney 9 10 4 2028
WR Cole Finch 9 11 3 2026
WR Andrew Bohn 4 9 1 2025
C Dennis Rasmussen 13 15 9 2025
C Emmanuel Fields 6 9 3 2026
C Carlton Schulz 4 5 1 2025
G Earl Huntley 15 16 6 2026
G Scottie Rawlins 12 12 3 2025
G Scottie Weems 7 7 1 2025
G Kenyon Gooch 6 15 1 2028
T Jackie Kenney 11 11 15 2025
T Moe McCarthy 7 11 3 2027
T Reuben Casas 4 12 1 2028
T Tito Politte 2 7 1 2027
P Oliver Brennan 16 16 6 2026
K Malcolm Hoag 13 13 8 2027
DE Sammie Thornton 17 17 6 2025
DE Vince Greer 10 10 11 2027
DE Robert Neufeld 5 9 2 2026
DE Tyrus Darchi 3 8 2 2027
DT Wesley Hutchins 13 13 10 2027
DT Antoine Lusignan 11 13 4 2025
DT Chad Peters 4 14 1 2026
DT Jeremy Flake 4 7 2 2026
LB Rod Blackburn 15 15 12 2026
LB Tyrell Corbett 14 16 8 2026
LB Grady Doyle 9 12 3 2029
LB Colin Foley 5 5 1 2027
LB Jeff Brockermeyer 5 5 1 2025
LB Robbie Hall 4 17 1 2027
CB Mack Crawford 15 16 5 2025
CB Myron Bennett 13 13 13 2026
CB Deion Guliford 7 9 4 2025
CB Steven Flowers 2 3 1 2025
CB Scottie Myslinski 2 10 1 2027
S Jerald Suto 17 17 5 2026
S Richie Newman 11 12 13 2025
S Perry Cassidy 6 6 1 2025
S Sammy Easterling 3 13 1 2026</pre>

Stadium: 36
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 66
Cohesion: 81,63,63,82

Outlook: The next-nearest roster rating is the Skins’ 71. Our defense looks rock-solid now, with good depth to boot. I think we should return to the league’s elite this season.

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 20,50,70,40
2nd Down: 40,70,40,25
3rd Down: 80,20,10,20
4th Down: 80,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,45,25,10,5
Running: I-25,Pro-40, Strong-15, Single-20
Very Likely Running: I-40,Pro-25, Strong-20, Single-15
Passing: I-15,Pro-50, Strong-15, Single-20
Very Likely Passing: I-5,Pro-55, Strong-5, Single-35
FB As Runner: 85 (I’m using rookie RB Gougeon as my primary fullback. If he’s starting at RB or sitting, this will be set at 10.)
0WR: 20
1WR: 50
2WR: 75
3WR: 65
4WR: 30
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3:100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 60
Dime: 20
Prevent: 0
Blitz Tendency: 85
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 80
Bump/Run: 20

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 03:16 PM

2025 FIRST HALF DIARY

Game 1 vs. Kansas City
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: C Dennis Rasmussen is probable with turf toe, but will start.
The Chiefs control the clock most of the game with their ball-control passing game. We only have the ball for 21:05 on the day, but come up with enough big plays. Dunn has 10 carries for 147 yards and a TD. We win 24-17.

Game 2 at Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: None.
In our first division contest, we face the 1-0 Eagles and the defense looks absolutely fearsome. The Eagles go 0 for 13 on third down and manage only 176 yards and 9 first downs all day. QB West is erratic, going 19 for 38 with 1TD and 3INT’s and 282 yards. Gougeon rushes for 70 yards on 14 carries from the fullback position, and Dunn has 11 carries for 44 yards. Need to get him the ball more. We win 27-10.

Game 3 vs. Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: S Jerald Suto is doubtful/inactive with a hyperextended knee. Rookie Sammie Easterling gets to start in his place.
Dunn has 2 touchdowns rushing, and Gougeon has one, as we defeat the ‘Skins 21-14. West has a better day, going 18 for 29 for 236 yards with 0 Td’s or INT’s.

Game 4 vs. Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Courtney is questionable with a concussion. I make him the #4 receiver. Suto is still doubtful.
In a matchup of unbeaten division rivals, the Cards come to town and are unable to contain our multiple threats. Dunn has 14 carries for 49 yards and a TD, and 5 catches for 47 yards and 3TD’s. Gougeon runs for 57 yards, and Meadows has 85. West is 18 for 24 for 206 yards and 3TD’s. Good guys spank ‘em 38-15.

Game 5 vs. Oakland
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Courtney is upgraded to probable and moves to WR3. C Rasmussen is probable with a bruised shoulder but still will start. CB Mack Crawford is questionable/inactive with a bruised ribcage. S Richie Newman is questionable with a bruised shoulder, but I need him to start with S Suto still inactive.
The defense holds the Raiders to 9 first downs and 0 points. Dunn has 23 carries for 110 yards. We win 22-0.

Game 6 at Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Courtney is downgraded to questionable and drops back to WR4. C Rasmussen is also downgraded to questionable and I let backup Emmanuel Fields start. DT Wesley Hutchins is questionable/inactive with a broken nose. S Newman upgrades to probable.
QB West is knocked out of the game in the first possession. All still looks ok as we enter the fourth quarter with a 10-0 lead, and stretch it to 17-3 with 9:46 to play, then the bottom falls out. The ‘Skins score 4 times in the final 8:41 to take a 31-17 win. Dunn and Gougeon both rush for over 100 yards each, but backup QB Hamilton is a dreadful 7 for 20 with 3 INT’s.

Game 7 at New Orleans
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Courtney and C Rasmussen are upgraded to probable and reclaim their starting spots. A couple more upgrades, but no other status changes.
We head down to the Bayou to take on the 4-1 Saints, and get a good ol’ fashioned Cajun whuppin’. Dunn is held to 8 carries for 0 yards. Overall the defense didn’t play too badly, but the offense was just dreadful and we lose 30-3.

The bye week is after Game 7.

Game 8 vs.Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: TE Zack Daniels is doubtful/inactive with a stretched knee ligament. T Mo McCarthy is probable with a sprained ankle but will still start. DT Hutchins upgrades to probable and will start. CB Crawford and S Suto are fully healed and return to starting.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR OFFENSE???? We win 10-3, but only manage 260 yards against one of the worst teams in football. I’m going to make some changes in the second half of the season.

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 09:33 PM

2025 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 6-2
Standing: Tied for first place with Las Vegas and Washington
QB Stats: West, 113 for 200 (56.5%), 1508 yards, 6TD’s, 6INT’s, 78.0 Rating
Leading Rushers: Tyrus Dunn, 116 for 546 yards, 4.7ypc, 6TD’s, Gougeon has 367 yards
Leading Receiver: WR Deron Nelson, 28 catches for 468 yards, 1TD
Leading Tackler:LB Blackburn—56 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-21-2001, 10:04 PM

2025 SECOND HALF DIARY

Game 9 at Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Jackie Kenney is doubtful/inactive with a pulled groin. No other injury changes.
I decide to shake things up a bit and hopefully boost our passing game by starting Dunn along with Deron Nelson at WR, and put Gougeon at RB. I have some success, but we still get beat. Dunn catches 5 passes for 82 yards and a TD, and Gougeon rushes for 145 yards on 20 carries. West is only 13 for 30 though, and we lose 24-17.

Game 10 at Seattle
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: DT Hutchins is fully healed. No other changes.
I stick with the same offensive lineup as last game, but struggle again as QB West gets knocked out early. We succumb to Seattle 27 to 22.

Game 11 at Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is probable with turf toe but will start. TE Zack Daniels is still questionable and inactive. No other injured players.
We head to Las Vegas for a BIG showdown, as we’re down to 6-4 and the Cards are 7-3. We stick with Dunn at WR, and he comes up with 11 catches for 198 yards! Gougeon rushes 26 times for 80 yards and we pull out a 27-26 victory.

Game 12 at New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: C Dennis Rasmussen is questionable/inactive with shoulder tendonitis. No other changes of note.
Nathan West really is struggling to get it done. However, Tyrus Dunn and Johnnie Gougeon are getting it done for us. Dunn catches 2 TD passes, and Gougeon rushes for 127 yards and we come away with a 36-23 win.

Game 13 vs. Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No status changes from last week.
Dunn returns to the backfield against the Cowboys, and with West struggling so much I switch to classic 75 offense settings and we’re effective, getting 368 yards total offense and winning 37-7.

Game 14 at Green Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: All healed except for C Rasmussen, who is probable and will start.
The 9-4 Nor’easters head to Green Bay to play the 9-4 Packers in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. The Pack takes a 30-10 halftime lead and then coasts to a 33-20 win.

Game 15 vs. San Francisco
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: CB Bennett is doubtful/inactive with a bruised sternum. A couple of other minor things, but they’ll all start as we’re fighting for a playoff birth.
West throws for 310 yards and we take a 24-16 win over the Niners.

Game 16 vs. New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Except for CB Bennett who is still doubtful/inactive, everything is minor and they’ll play.
We get great results with Dunn at FB and WR3, and Gougeon at RB. Dunn has 6 catches for 88 yards and a TD, and Gougeon rushes 23 times for 121 yards and a TD. We close out the regular season with a 33-13 win.

Ben E Lou

03-22-2001, 05:35 AM

2025 END OF REGULAR SEASON REPORT

Season Recap

Record: 11-5
Standing: Division Champs. Washington was also 11-5. We split the head-to-head matchups. We win the division on the strength of our 8-2 division record.
QB Stats: West, 244 for 430 (56.7%), 3293 yards, 21TD’s, 14INT’s, 83.9 Rtg
Leading Rusher: Johnnie Gougeon, 196 for 1041 yards, 5.3avg, 6TD’s. Dunn had 647 yards.
Leading Receiver: Deron Nelson and Tyrus Dunn—59 each
Leading Reception Yards: Nelson—860 yds
Leading Tackler: LB Rod Blackburn, 95 tackles
Leading Pass Rusher: DE Sammie Thornton, 17 sacks*, 2 blocks, 11 hurries
Leading PDQ DB: CB Mack Crawford—32 catches, 7 INT, 8 defensed, 48.0PDQ

*-denotes NFL leader

Points Scored: 377
Points Against: 289

Rushing Yards: 2143 (5th)
Rushing Average: 4.3 (League Average 3.9)
Passing Yards: 3576 (15th)
Passing Average: 7.4 (League Average 6.8)
Rushing Defense: 1461 (3rd)
Rushing Average Allowed: 3.4 (League Avg 3.9)
Passing Defense: 3496 (14th)
Passing Average Allowed: 6.1 (League Avg. 6.8)

Better than the league average all around.

Ben E Lou

03-22-2001, 06:04 AM

2025 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
CB Myron Bennett—2 more seasons.
G Earl Huntley—2 more seasons.

Wild Card Round vs Albany Hill Cats
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: A few probable and one questionable (CB Bennett), but all starters are in. Dunn will play FB and WR3,and Gougeon will play RB.
The 11-5 Hill Cats come over to Hartford and Nathan West, mediocre all season, passes ‘em silly. He goes27 for 37 for 383 yards with 3Td’s and 1 INT. Dunn catches 7 passes for 123 yards, and Nelson has 7 for 104. We take a 24-14 victory.

Division Playoffs at Green Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: Everyone is fully healed except for CB Bennett, who is still questionable but will start.
We head to Green Bay. The Packers have beaten us twice in a row heading into this contest. Our rushing game gets stuffed and West has another mediocre day and we fall to the Packers for the third straight time, this time the score being 21-16.

After the loss, I cut some guys in the last year of their contract. I also cut former bust DE Tyrus Darchi. I feel I’ll be able to afford the cap hit next year since I’m not going to re-sign Tyrus Dunn. These cuts are to give me the cap room to re-sign the following, all in the last year of their contracts.

DE Sammie Thornton—3 more years
CB Mack Crawford—3 more years
WR Deron Nelson—3 more years
S Richie Newman—2 more years

Green Bay avenges last year’s Super Bowl loss to Cleveland and wins 13-7.

Awards
DE Sammie Thornton—1st Team—stats above
LB Rod Blackburn—1st Team—95 tackles, 11 sacks
CB Mack Crawford—1st Team—stats above

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 84
Frnc. Value: 76
Profit/Loss: 19
Difficulty: 67
YrEnd Score: 59

2025 Profit: ($259,480,000)

Fritz

03-22-2001, 07:02 AM

Your QB west looks like he is starting to fade after a long career. How much longer will you start him?

Ben E Lou

03-22-2001, 09:07 PM

Fritz:

That's a good question. Partially depends on when a studly-looking QB appears in the draft that I can trade up to snag or one is available via free agency.

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 05:08 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2026 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
T Jackie Kenney--I signed him in 2024 to a 2-year deal. He played 2 solid seasons for me, giving up 4 sacks each year. He retires after a 15-year career. I drafted T Reuben Casas 1(33) last year andhe looks solidly ready to step up in Kenney’s place.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
I keep the same coach, but my scout gets hired away, so I get a new one.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 47
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: G
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: VG
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: G
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Byron Humphrey
Age: 58
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: E
RB: VG LB: G
WR: VG DB: G
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: G
K: VG</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 100

Made playoffs but not NFC Championship, so 5% increase.

Upper Deck: 48
End Zone: 59
Mezzanine: 74
Sidelines: 125
License: 1,200
Club Seats: 6,100
Luxury Boxes: 131,000
VR Boxes: 11,000

Franchise Player: TE Zack Daniels

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 05:42 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2026 20-STEP PROCESS

Initial Cap Room: $59.52M
Amount Needed For Draft: $9.9M

Franchise Player Contract: 4yrs,$45M

Nor’easters’ UFA’s and key RFA’s (*--represents players I feel the need to re-sign or replace as starters)
RB Tyrus Dunn—He’s just costing too much to no longer be the stud of the league. Gougeon looks great.
*FB Britt Bertsch—Not the all-around stud I like in a FB. I’ll look for a better option.
*C Dennis Rasmussen—Again, not my ideal, but I need a fullback more, so Rasmussen may get re-signed by default.
G Scottie Rawlins—RFA—Last year’s 2nd-round draft choice, Kenyon Gootch, is ready to be given a shot.
DT Antoine Lusignan—Last year’s 5th-round draft choice, Chad Peters, still has potentials of 76 and 56. I’m going to let Peters start.

Offensive Analysis
Other than getting a center and fullback, if a marquee WR is around in the last 10 weeks it would be nice.

Defensive Analysis
I’m content with who I’ve got for now.

Renegotiations To Save Cap Room
G Earl Huntley—3yrs,$25.6M (saves $300K)
P Oliver Brennan—3yrs,$9.1M (saves $350K)
LB Tyrell Corbett—3yrs, $26.75M (saves $1.25M)

Cuts To Save Cap Room
None needed now.

Thoughts After Examining Pool
Well, FB Bertsch and C Rasmussen are the best available at their positions, so I’ll try to re-sign them. There’s a stud 6th-year WR available. I’m going after him with my extra cap room.

New UFA’s Signed During 20-Step Process
C Jim Cash—Week 8—2yrs,$22M--After Rasmussen gets signed away, Cash is the next-best available center. 6th-year man, 58/65,78/87,46. He’s been an All-Pro before.
S Dustin Whitmire—Week 11—3yrs,$8.5M—9/40,16/82,13/65,23—2nd-year man.

My Own RFA’s and UFA’s Re-signed
FB Bertsch-1yr,$6.31M
G Scottie Rawlins—2yrs,$16.5M—Had plenty of cap room left over. Why not?

FA Analysis
C Rasmussen and the stud WR I wanted, Kirk Fox, signed elsewhere. In fact, Kirk Fox and Tyrus Dunn both signed with Chicago. They also signed a solid QB. Look out for Da Bears this year. As far as us, good to re-sign Rawlins, but I don’t see us making a run at winning it all unless QB West rebounds, which I doubt he'll do without a stud WR.

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 06:06 AM

2026 AMATEUR DRAFT

Entering the draft, I could use future starters at QB,FB and CB.

1(33): CB Graham Barton—36/68,41/81,42/72,28. Pretty solid current ratings makes him a good backup now, and a future starter as well.
2(33): C Dwight Palmer—25/74,21/68,51. Could be the kind of center I’m looking for.
3(33): TE Richard Kincaid—Pure redliner. Ratings from 19-73.
7(33): DT Ed Henderson--backup
If all pan out like my scout says, this will be my best draft in this career. After the draft, I sign my own RFA, T Mo McCarthy, to a 3-year deal.for $32M.

Seven Year Signee: LB Courtney Schultz—pure redliner—23,23,29,14,56

My signees get my roster going into training camp to 54 players.

[This message has been edited by SkyDog (edited 03-24-2001).]

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 06:18 AM

2026 TRAINING CAMP

Training Camp Settings

Special Skills
Overall Time: Around the 4th dot.
I zero out hail mary and FG/PAT block.
Top three settings are punt return, punt cover/block and red zone offense.

Offense
I’m going to run I, Split, Single and Shotgun this year. All are set just above the boldfaced black dot on the right. Goal line is set in middle. Weak and strong minimized.

Defense
I maximize 4-3 and Man To Man. I minimize 3-4 and zone. Others are set fairly high.

Post Training Camp
Significant Breakouts: 7-year signee Schultz breaks out a bit, to 33/58,32/44,42,76,19/33,80.
Significant Busts: None.
Trades: None.
Season Ticket Sales: 77,600 out of 77,600

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 03:12 PM

2026 ROSTER

<pre> Position/Player Current Est Future Est Exp Sgnd
QB Nathan West 15 15 15 2027
QB Jeffrey Hamilton 7 13 3 2030
QB Kenyon Hines 2 8 1 2026
RB Johnnie Gougeon 14 17 2 2026
RB Bernard Meadows 10 10 3 2026
RB Cole Harper 6 6 1 2026
RB Perry Sherman 4 4 1 2028
FB Britt Bertsch 9 9 7 2026
FB Bryan Norris 6 7 1 2026
TE Zack Daniels 16 16 5 2029
TE Bruce Connell 10 11 2 2031
TE Nicky Buckner 8 12 3 2026
WR Deron Nelson 13 13 6 2028
WR Clay Courtney 9 10 5 2028
WR Cris Silverman 9 9 2 2027
WR Cole Finch 8 12 4 2026
WR Luther Allamon 5 5 1 2028
C Jim Cash 12 14 6 2027
C Emmanuel Fields 6 9 4 2026
C Dwight Palmer 4 15 1 2029
G Earl Huntley 15 16 7 2028
G Scottie Rawlins 12 12 4 2027
G Kenyon Gooch 8 15 2 2028
G Adam Colton 1 10 1 2028
T Reuben Casas 7 12 2 2028
T Moe McCarthy 7 10 4 2027
T Tito Politte 4 9 2 2027
T Troy Stone 2 8 1 2028
P Oliver Brennan 15 15 7 2028
K Malcolm Hoag 13 13 9 2027
DE Sammie Thornton 17 17 7 2028
DE Vince Greer 9 9 12 2027
DE Robert Neufeld 6 8 3 2026
DE Antonio Silvan 2 8 1 2026
DT Wesley Hutchins 11 11 11 2027
DT Chad Peters 7 13 2 2026
DT Jeremy Flake 3 8 3 2026
DT Ed Henderson 2 6 1 2027
LB Tyrell Corbett 16 17 9 2028
LB Rod Blackburn 14 14 13 2026
LB Grady Doyle 10 12 4 2029
LB Robbie Hall 7 15 2 2027
LB Courtney Schulz 7 11 1 2032
LB Dale Fann 4 4 1 2028
CB Mack Crawford 13 16 6 2028
CB Myron Bennett 11 11 14 2026
CB Graham Barton 7 13 1 2029
CB Scottie Myslinski 5 10 2 2027
CB Brenden Monroe 1 4 1 2026
S Jerald Suto 17 17 6 2026
S Richie Newman 11 11 14 2027
S Sammy Easterling 6 14 2 2026
S Dustin Whitmire 4 12 2 2028</pre>

Stadium: 38
Roster Strength: 100
Support: 99
Economy: 67
Cohesion: 80,68,75,80

Outlook: The next-nearest roster ratings are Philly and Pittsburgh with 64 each. Our defense looks strong. The offense has some question marks though.

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 03:28 PM

2026 GAME PLANS

Offensive Game Plan
1st Down: 25,50,60,40
2nd Down: 25,60,40,35
3rd Down: 75,20,10,20
4th Down: 75,15,0,0
Pass Distance: 15,50,20,10,5
Running: I-45,Pro-30, Single-20, Shotgun-5
Very Likely Running: I-55,Pro-10, Single-35, Shotgun-0
Passing: I-10,Pro-30, Single-30, Shotgun-30
Very Likely Passing: I-5,Pro-25, Single-30, Shotgun-40
FB As Runner: 5

0WR: 20
1WR: 30
2WR: 50
3WR: 50
4WR: 30
5WR: 20

Defensive Game Plan
I leave the down tendencies alone always.
4-3:100 3-4: 0
Nickel: 65
Dime: 50
Prevent: 30
Blitz Tendency: 65
Blitz Multiple: 65
M2M: 85
Bump/Run: 15

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 08:25 PM

2026 FIRST HALF DIARY

Game 1 at Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: FA C Jim Cash is out with a torn calf muscle, and what’s worse his ratings declined with the injury. He went from 62/65,84/87,46 to 47/56,66/78,38. Not a huge decline, but noticeable. DT Chad Peters is questionable/inactive with a broken hand. Rookie Ed Henderson starts in his place. CB Mack Crawford is doubtful/inactive with a sprained back and CB Bennett is probable with a bruised shoulder but will still start.
Over to Las Vegas for an opener with division rival, and we play a fine all-around game. The defense holds the Cards to 259 yards and 14 first downs. Gougeon has 21 carries for 135 yards and a 3 TD’s. West goes 14 for 23 for 184 yards before leaving with a Broken Nose. Hamilton came in and went 6 for 7 to close it out. Nor’easters win 27-3.

Game 2 vs. Atlanta
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is probable with a broken nose. I’ll let backup Hamilton start. LB Grady Doyle is doubtful/inactive with a bruised sternum. Breakout 2nd-year undrafted FA Robbie Hall with start. LB Tyrell Corbett is probable and will play with a broken nose.
The home opener looks a lot like the away opener. The defense holds the Birds to only 9 rushing yards and 8 first downs, and Gougeon has 3 rushing TD’s again, this time in a 17 carry for 169 yard performance. Hamilton is 19 for 26 for 227 yards in his first career start. Good guys win 29-3.

Game 3 vs. New York Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West and LB Corbett are fully healed. A few other status changes, but none that make any inactive players active yet.
The defense is getting it DONE. Still no touchdowns given up yet. We take the victory, 19-6.

The bye week is after Game 3.

Game 4 vs. Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: C Cash has improved to questionable (still inactive). Same situation for LB Doyle and CB Crawford
OK. This defense has been amazing so far. The Cowboys only manage 123 yards and 5 first downs. DE Thornton gets 3 sacks. West throws for 284 yards. We win 28-3. Still no touchdowns allowed.

Game 5 at Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Gougeon is doubtful with shoulder tendonitis. Bernard Meadows will get the start. CB Crawford and LB Doyle both are upgraded to probable, but will remain inactive. Its not like they’ve been hugely missed.
We head to Philly to face the 4-1 Eagles and our touchdown-less string ends, but the Eagles only score one. Backup RB Meadows has 23 carries for 193 yards and 2 TD’s. West goes 25 for 36 for 284 yards with 1TD and 2INT’s. DE Thornton has 3.5 sacks on the day, and we roll on 24-10.

Game 6 vs. Las Vegas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB Doyle and CB Crawford are both fully healed and activated and return to starting. DT Hutchins is probable with a deep thigh bruise, but remains active.
With the 2 defensive starters back in, the defense finally looks vulnerable. QB West hyperextends his elbow on our fourth play from scrimmage and backup Hamilton throws 3 INT’s. We lose at home, 28-27..

Game 7 at Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is questionable. Hamilton will start. C Cash is fully healed. DE Thornton is questionable with a dislocated shoulder, but will start. CB Bennett is out/inactive with a dislocated elbow.
The defense shows up big once again. No TD’s given up by the defense. We go home with a 37-10 blowout win. ‘Skins’ only TD comes on an interception return.

Game 8 vs.New England
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West upgraded to probable and will start again. No other changes.
Playing while hurt, West gets knocked out on our fourth play from scrimmage. Hamilton comes in and throws 3INT’s, but 3TD’s too. Meadows rushes for 104 yards and we pull out a 24-21 win.

Ben E Lou

03-24-2001, 08:37 PM

2026 MID-SEASON REPORT

Record: 7-1
Standing: First place. Philly is 6-2 and Vegas is 5-3.
QB Stats: West, 61 for 97 (62.8%), 801 yards, 3TD’s, 4INT’s, 81.9 Rating
Hamilton, 112 for 182 (61.5%), 1320 yards, 7TD’s, 9INT’s, 76.6 Rating
Leading Rushers: Bernard Meadows, 102 for 512 yards, 5.0ypc, 4TD’s, Gougeon has 431 yards
Leading Receiver: WR Cole Finch, 43 catches for 586 yards, 3TD’s
Leading Tackler:S Newman, 47 tackles

*-denotes NFL leader

Ben E Lou

03-25-2001, 05:53 AM

2026 SECOND HALF DIARY

Game 9 at Dallas
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is questionable with that hyperextended elbow. Hamilton will start. T Reuben Casas is out/inactive with a hyperextended knee. DE Thornton is upgraded to probable and continues to start. LB Corbett is questionable with a deep thigh bruise and I make him inactive.
Dee-fense! Dee-fense! Dee-fense!17-0 shutout of Cowboys. Meadows has 105 rushing yards.

Game 10 at NY Giants
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: RB Gougeon is fully healed and activated. C Cash is questionable/inactive. LB Corbett upgraded to probable, but still inactive.
New York pushes us to overtime, but we prevail 29-23. Hamilton goes 30 for 45 for 323 yards with 1TD.

Game 11 at Austin
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West is still questionable. Hamilton continues to start. TE Daniels is probable with a sprained ankle and will start. LB Corbett is fully healed and will start again. S Suto is probable with a bruised shoulder and will start.
We head down to Texas to take on the 4-6 Lone Stars. The defense leaves angry at the special teams, for they gave up a punt return and kickoff return for TD’s, inflating Austin’s score. No matter the offense was well-nigh unstoppable under Hamilton’s leadership. We held the ball for 36:10 and only punted three times all day. Defense held the Lone Stars to 37 rushing yards and we come away with a 48-31 win. Gougeon rushes for 128 yards and a TD, and Hamilton throws for 299 yards and 4 TD’s.

Game 12 at New Orleans
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: QB West upgraded to probable, but Hamilton gets at least one more start. C Jim Cash is fully healed and returns to starting lineup. The probable guys from last week are all fully healed.
Down to Cajun Country we go to face the 8-3 Saints. WE control things most of the day, but the Saints score two late TD’s to make it close. We hang on for a 20-17 win. Gougeon has 103 yards on the day, and Hamilton goes 19 for 34 for 164 yards, 2 TD’s and an INT.

Game 13 vs. Washington
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: WR Deron Nelson is out long term with a broken fibula and goes on the I.R. I sign a 2nd-year guy named Willie Sutter to replace him on the roster. T Casas is upgraded to questionable, but still inactive. DT Hutchins is probable and will start with a sprained knee. QB West is fully healed and will start.
Back at home after four straight road games, Nathan West shows the home folks that he isn’t done yet by throwing 4 first-half touchdown passes and no interceptions as we blow out the Redskins 48-13.

Game 14 vs. Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Casas is upgraded to probable, but left inactive. DE Thornton is questionable/inactive with a broken nose. DT Hutchins is still probable and I let him start.
SHOWDOWN between the two teams with the best records, roster ratings and power ratings in the NFL as the 11-1 Nor’easters face the 10-3 Eagles. With a win we would clinch the division title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs and BOY do the Nor’easters show up big. West riddles the secondary to the tune of 320 yards, 4 TD’s and 0 INT’s and RB Gougeon racks up 129 yards and 2 TD’s. We destroy the Eagles 52-17. This team is now looking like one of the dominant squads from 2020-2022.

Game 15 vs. Green Bay
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: T Casas is fully healed. T Mo McCarthy is questionable and made inactive. DE Thornton upgraded to probable but remains inactive. LB Corbett is doubtful/inactive with a hyperextended knee. LB Blackburn is probable with a bruised ribcage. Getting close to the playoffs, so he won’t start..
In a meaningless game against GB, we rest injured guys and knock down playing time for starters. That Nor’easter intensity is there though and we romp 47-6.

Game 16 at Buffalo.
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: No new injuries. DE Thornton is fully healed and will start with a 2 in playing time. All injured players inactive. All starters’ playing times set at 2.
In the final regular season game we play the 11-4 Bills, who have already clinched their division but are playing for home field throughout the AFC playoffs. With our starters not playing much we look fairly anemic in a 24-6 loss.

Ben E Lou

03-25-2001, 06:33 AM

2026 POSTSEASON REPORT

Contract Extensions
None.

Division Playoffs vs. Philadelphia
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: LB Corbett is upgraded to questionable. I’m going to let him sit one more week. CB Bennett is probable and will play.
The Eagles get a rematch from the Game 14 humiliation and all-in-all its same song, second verse. Gougeon rushes for 196 yards and 2 TD’s and the defense records TEN sacks. We win 46-24.

NFC Championship vs. Da Bears
Pre-Game Injuries Of Note: S Suto is out with a broken tibia, and S Newman is questionable with a hyperextended knee. LB Corbett is still questionable, but I need him to play to help get a better pass rush to compensate for the secondary. DT Hutchins is also questionable with a broken finger but will start.
Yes, the great Tyrus Dunn makes his return to Hartford. He rushed for 1485 yards and 17 Td’s to lead his new team. With hype galor surrounding this matchup, the defense rises to the occasion in a big way, holding Dunn to 6 carries for 14 yards, recording 4 sacks and picking off 4 passes. Gougeon gains 135 yards and scores 4 rushing TD’s as we spank Chicago 37-6.

Super Bowl vs. Denver
No new injuries
The Broncos come to town to see if they can stop the raging Nor’easter blizzard. No luck. Gougeon and Meadows gain over 100 yards each. West throws 2 TD’s and 0 Int’s, and the defense only gives up 151 total yards. Super Bowl MVP is DE Sammie Thornton with 2.5 sacks. How ‘rout them Nor’easters! We win 35-6.

Awards
TE Zack Daniels—1st Team—58 catches, 794 yards, 9 TD’s.
K Malcolm Hoag—1st Team—35 for 42 FG’s, 51 for 51 PAT’s
G Scottie Rawlins—2nd Team—37 for 78 KRB, 7 sacks, 18.7 OPCT

Herb's Ratings
Performance: 100
Frnc. Value: 84
Profit/Loss: 52
Difficulty: 66
YrEnd Score: 76

2026 Profit: ($88,530,000)

Ben E Lou

03-30-2001, 08:38 AM

HARTFORD NOR’EASTERS 2027 PRELIMINARIES

HALL OF FAME
None.

RETIREES
LB Rod Blackburn--Retires after a 13-year career. I signed him in 2019 as a UFA. He was a 4-time all-pro, all as a Nor’easter. Had 17.5 sacks in 2021. Anchored the defense during the 2020-2022 Super Bowl title run.

LB Robbie Hall--This one hurts. Was a breakout rookie FA in 2025. Started 8 games in 2026, but had to have back surgery after the Super Bowl and his career ends after only 2 seasons.

STAFF HIRING PERIOD
Both my coach and scout’s contracts expire. My coach re-signs, but my scout gets signed away. Here’s update.

HEAD COACH
<pre>Thomas Elliott
Age: 48
REPUTATION
QB: VG KICKER: G
RB: E YOUNG TALENT: P
WR: VG MOTIVATION: E
OL: G DISCIPLINE: G
DL: F OFFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
LB: E DEFENSE PLAYCALL: VG
DB: VG AVOID INJURY: VG</pre>

SCOUT
<pre>Everett Hutchins
Age: 40
REPUTATION
QB: VG DL: VG
RB: VG LB: F
WR: G DB: VG
OL: G YOUNG TALENT: G
K: F</pre>

Ticket Price/Stadium Information
Fan Loyalty: 100
Support For New Stadium: 100

10% ticket price increase for Super Bowl.

Upper Deck: 53
End Zone: 65
Mezzanine: 81
Sidelines: 138
License: 1,300
Club Seats: 6,700
Luxury Boxes: 144,000
VR Boxes: 11,000

Franchise Player: None.

Ben E Lou

06-23-2002, 07:40 AM

{BUMP}

I just love reading about the great Tyrus Dunn. <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Cornhuskerly

06-23-2002, 03:34 PM

Impressive mega-bump, SkyDog.

Ben E Lou

06-23-2002, 05:28 PM

LOL Cornhuskerly....Yeah...over a year old. I was playing my Kentucky Wildcats career and I've get a back who reminded me somewhat of the great Tyrus Dunn during his glory years, so I did a search to re-read the saga of 2022. I got misty-eyed. <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0">

Ben E Lou

09-26-2002, 07:35 AM

OK, The Great Tyrus Dunn needs to be bumped again. <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Senator

09-26-2002, 09:00 AM

Yeah, I loved this team. We may never see the likes of Dunn again in our lifetimes.

Ben E Lou

09-26-2002, 01:52 PM

What's even more of a bummer is that my FOF2K1 license went to computer hell and I had to buy FOF2K2, so I can't access that team any more to find out his final career stats after I let him become a free agent.

Ben E Lou

01-19-2003, 08:02 AM

SUPER-bump. <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Ben E Lou

01-24-2003, 08:28 AM

lol...only two dynasty threads made it over on the first try, and this would be one....and i promise i had nothing to do with it either!!! :D

Ben E Lou

07-06-2004, 06:03 PM

All hail Tyrus Dunn.

Ben E Lou

09-06-2010, 06:40 AM

Leading Rusher: Tyrus Dunn, 388* for 2190yds*,5.6ypc,19TD’s*

Over 9 real-time years later, I finally had a player surpass this yardage total. I've never had a guy in SP or MP to beat it before now.

WOOF: RB Roger LaBrosse Player Details (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/woof/ben/playercard.php?playerid=14117)