LAS VEGAS SCORPIONS [GM METRO]

[Talon]

 

Sorry GM Metro, but Sam took a $12MM deal in New Jersey.

[GM Metro]

Thanks Amber, I must have missed that in their flurry of signings.
---
Anthony Campanelli please - re: David Deal.
---
Anthony, looking at trying to bring in David Deal. Can we do a 4 Year, 1.5MM deal?

[Talon]

 

Sure.

[GM Metro]

Thanks.
---
Demi, Eli Harris please.
---
Eli, wondering if we can bring John Lash on board. Looking at 3 Years, 1.5MM to be a part of our RB committee?

[Talon]

 

We'd do 2 years at $2MM

[GM Metro]

Let's meet halfway, 3 Years, 2MM or 2 Years, 1.5MM.

[Talon]

 

3 for $2MM, but if he rushes for 800+ yards or 10+ TDs, he can opt out the following off-season.

[GM Metro]

To this point we've had a club policy against options that I don't see bending in this scenario Eli but we've got a history of taking care of players that outperform their contracts. That's not a promise of course but our history is ripe with that. 3 for 2 is what's on the table at the moment.

[Talon]

Fair enough. We'll take it.

[GM Metro]

Thanks Eli.
---
Demi, Scott Forrest please.
---
Scott, looking at Guy Simpson. Any interest in a 2 Year, 1.25MM deal; rebuild some value as part of our always good secondary and capitalize when he hits the market in 2 years.

[Talon]

 

Deal.

[GM Metro]

Thanks.
---
Demi, my understanding is that we can submit a bulk list of UDFA offers. Can we send the following three our for our final 3 roster spots?

FS Larry Reyes, 1 Year, 350K
DT Francis Butler, 1 Year, 350K
TE Lance Corbett, 1 Year, 350K

[Talon]

DEAL

[GM Metro]

Thanks - Demi - want to confirm that has us as full roster and we are compliant with the salary cap.

[Talon]

 

I have us full with $7.7MM in cap and $4.5MM in bonus.

[GM Metro]

Hooray - we match.
---
Amber Molina please, RE: Jorge Mojica.
---
Amber, wondering if we could do a contract extension for Jorge Mojica. Looking at the market and using Holt and Black's contracts as comparable values. Wondering if we could do a 3 Year, 12MM and 1MM in bonus starting immediately?

[Talon]

I feel that Jorge is better than either of those players, and I'd ask for a release before I agreed to a deal like that with the salary cap set to increase next season.

[GM Metro]

Thanks Amber.
---
James T. Crain please Demi.
---
James, looking to lock up John Chance before he goes to restricted free agency. Willing to do a 4 Year, 2.5MM deal that begins immediately.

[Talon]

 

Make it so.

[GM Metro]

Thanks.
---
Demi, looks like we're good to go.

[GM Metro]

MINI-CAMP ASSIGNMENTS

OFFENSE:
1. Micah Larkin – Accuracy
2. Micah Larkin – Football IQ
3. Miguel Cassidy - Strength
4. Ares Antetokounmpo – Pass Blocking

DEFENSE:
1. Michael O'Donnell - Strength
2. Ronald Velasco – Football IQ
3. David Deal – Football IQ
4. Michael O'Donnell - Agility



STRATEGY


OFFENSE
Attitude: Balanced
Focus: Balanced
Tempo: Slow
Passing Focus: Long
Pass To: Outside
Primary Receiver: Darren Pierce
Third Down Back: DeAnthony Floyd
Goal Line Back: John Lash
Running Focus: 3WR-Sets
Running Backs Role: Running
Backfield by Committee?: Yes 
Tight End Focus: Blocking
QB Tuck and Run: Rare

DEFENSE
Attitude: Aggressive
Focus: Pass
Primary Coverage: Mixed
D-Line Focus: Pass Rush
Linebacker Focus: Coverage
Player Radio: Gordon Goulet
Match CBs to WRs?: Yes
Align Man Coverage?: Always

SUBSTITUTION LOGIC
Point Margin for Backup Package 45
Sub Package Minimum Energy 60
Sub Package Maximum Energy 80

END OF GAME SCENARIOS
If Winning Run More
If Losing Pass More

COUNTER STRATEGY
Coaches Decision? Yes




OFFENSE MASTER DEPTH CHART

PACKAGE NAME: PRIMARY
FORMATIONS: Pro, Shotgun 3 Wide, 3 Wide Spread, Jumbo
USAGE: 70%
PLAYS: No Designed QB Runs


QB- Micah Larkin
QB2- John Carr
QB3- Ruben Archibald

RB1- DeAnthony Floyd
RB2- John Lash
RB3- Jarrett Corbett

FB- John Lash

TE1- Jeff Carter
TE2- Cesar Thomason

WR1- Darren Pierce
LWR4- Geraldo Anderson

WR2- Steven Jackson
WR5- David Cross

WR3- Vincent Brice

LT- Ares Antetokounmpo
LT2- Donn Brown

LG- Devin Martin
LG2- Chris Roque

C- Thomas Maggard
C2- Jeffrey Faulkner

RG- John Chance
RG2- Chris Roque

RT- Miguel Cassidy
RT2- Donn Brown


PACKAGE NAME: PIERCE SLOT
FORMATIONS: Shotgun 3 Wide, 3 Wide Spread
USAGE: 30%
PLAYS: No designed QB runs

QB- Micah Larkin
QB2- John Carr
QB3- Ruben Archibald

RB1- DeAnthony Floyd
RB2- John Lash
RB3- Jarrett Corbett

FB- John Lash

TE1- Jeff Carter
TE2- Cesar Thomason

WR1- Vincent Brice
LWR4- Geraldo Anderson

WR2- Steven Jackson
WR5- David Cross

WR3- Darren Pierce

LT- Ares Antetokounmpo
LT2- Donn Brown

LG- Devin Martin
LG2- Chris Roque

C- Thomas Maggard
C2- Jeffrey Faulkner

RG- John Chance
RG2- Chris Roque

RT- Miguel Cassidy
RT2- Donn Brown


DEFENSE MASTER DEPTH CHART

PACKAGE NAME: BASE
USAGE: 70%

DT1- Talon Wilkinson II
DT3- Angelo Scott

DT2- Puhleleitte Ah Sam
DT4- Angelo Scott

RE1- 2Face Obaje
RE2- Angelo Scott

LE1- Michael O'Donnell
LE2- Angelo Scott

MLB1- Gordon Goulet
MLB2- Curt Pitts

ROLB1- Joseph Hernandez
ROLB2- Rusty Stubblefield

LOLB1- Jared Garza
LOLB2- Rusty Stubblefield

CB1- James Porter
CB4- Anthony Shuler

CB2- Jorge Mojica
CB5- Anthony Shuler

CB3- Ronald Velasco
CB6- Anthony Shuler

FS1- David Deal
FS2- Danny Edelman

SS1- Guy Simpson
SS2- Shelton Tenney


PACKAGE NAME: HEAVY
USAGE: 30%

DT1- Talon Wilkinson II
DT3- Angelo Scott

DT2- Puhleleitte Ah Sam
DT4- Angelo Scott

RE1- 2Face Obaje
RE2- Angelo Scott

LE1- Angelo Scott
LE2- Michael O'Donnell

MLB1- Gordon Goulet
MLB2- Curt Pitts

ROLB1- Joseph Hernandez
ROLB2- Rusty Stubblefield

LOLB1- Jared Garza
LOLB2- Rusty Stubblefield

CB1- James Porter
CB4- Anthony Shuler

CB2- Jorge Mojica
CB5- Anthony Shuler

CB3- Anthony Shuler
CB6- Ronald Velasco

FS1- David Deal
FS2- Danny Edelman

SS1- Guy Simpson
SS2- Shelton Tenney

SPECIAL TEAMS MASTER DEPTH CHART

K- Eugene Leone
P- Fred Carranza

KR1- Danny Edelman
KR2- John Lash
KR3- Ronald Velasco
KR4- David Cross

PR1- Darren Pierce
PR2- Danny Edelman




PLAY CALLING


OFFENSE RUN/PASS RATIO

Play Caller: Head Coach
First and 10 – 45/55
First and Short – 45/55
First and Medium – 45/55
First and Long – 45/55

Second and Short – 30/70
Second and Medium – 45/55
Second and Long – 35/65

Third and Short – 80/20
Third and Medium – 40/60
Third and Long – 20/80

Fourth and Short – 70/30
Fourth and Medium – 0/100
Fourth and Long – 0/100

Goal Line – 50/50

Final 2 mins of half (w/ lead) – 80/20
Final 2 mins of half (trailing) – 0/100

DEFENSE BLITZ RATIO

Play Caller: (Head Coach or Defensive Coordinator)
First and 10 – 20%
First and Short – 20%
First and Medium – 20%
First and Long – 20%

Second and Short – 20%
Second and Medium – 20%
Second and Long – 20%

Third and Short – 80%
Third and Medium – 20%
Third and Long – 0%

Fourth and Short – 100%
Fourth and Medium -30%
Fourth and Long – 0%

Goal Line – 100%

Final 2 mins of half (w/ lead) – 20%
Final 2 mins of half (trailing) – 100%



MUSICAL LICENSES

1. Shots - LMFAO
Vegas' victory song to get the party started for the rest of the night. Shooter girls from the night club will come around and start passing out pill-bottle shooters during the song in the "Shot Zone."

2. Hey You – Disturbed
General entrance song with pyro etc. massive Scorpion tunnel the players enter through etc.

COIN TOSS PREFERENCE

Heads or Tails
Receive or Defer

[Talon]

Here We go!

[GM Metro]

Thanks Demi. Coach Rhodes please.
---
Coach, I'm excited for this year. I think when we look at the team obviously it's not the most star studded but I think we're it doesn't pop off is guys we're excited about going forward and their potential.

I think there's two things I see and then two follow-up's I'll have.

1) Linebacking core - I believe we're fine there. Garza and Hernandez are solid veterans who've performed previously and I don't think we've seen a drop unless you tell me otherwise but obviously that position is getting up there in age.
2) Safeties - David Deal looked good in camp but obviously the staff still have Edelman ranked ahead of him. What's the gap there and what's our risk with him in the lineup if we bank on future growth there?

[Talon]

 

I think we're fine for another year or so at linebacker but getting some groomable talent is definitely advisable. Pitts has a great work ethic but he looks like a quality backup at best for his ceiling and the other two rookies are likely in the same boat at best. 

With Deal, He is a very physical run stopping safety.  Stronger than our other FS's a little less fluid in the hips, but very intelligent and has decent closing speed.  He would benefit from playing time to increase his positional understanding and in the off-season I'd look at working on his tackling if we keep him, but he could start over Edelman without too much of a fuss.

[GM Metro]

Perfect - that lines up with my thoughts. The other two questions I had were about the depth we had at corner and guard. I've always been a huge fan of Shuler from afar - his stats have historically been great at corner and Roque was solid for us last year in limited time. What would be the drop from a Mojica to Shuler and Martin to Roque/Roush? Not suggesting an imminent move but looking at the roster that is I think were we can potentially subtract from to add elsewhere.

[Talon]

Mojica is a far superior tackler and has bigger playmaking ability with his hands.  Shuler is a near equal in his agility and speed and actually may have a higher football IQ.   The drop would be real, but survivable I think.

At guard, Martin is significantly better than our other three and has the best and most well rounded blocking skill set vs the run and the pass so I think he's a guy we really shouldn't let go.

[GM Metro]

That's good to know - especially going forward.

Looking at this week - I think we match up well. We just need to make sure we don't have any of those pesky QB scrambles on the play sheet that have killed us in prior week 1's. Agree, disagree?

[Talon]

I can try to make sure nothing designed is in there, but if he scrambles on his own, there isn't much we can do about it.

[Talon]

Any other business this week, boss?

[GM Metro]

None.

Let's go.

Lock In

[Talon]

WEEK 1 PRESS QUESTIONS

1. Discuss your performance and result for week 1. What were some sustains, and what were some improvements going into week 2?

2. Once again you have 3 first round picks and a handful of middle rounders.  Are you already eying upgrades via trade for your club?

3. Coming out of training camp and now seeing the team in week 1, what should fans expect to see this year from your club?

4. Did any news catch your eye this week?

5. Discuss your next opponent and game.

[GM Metro]

1. Discuss your performance and result for week 1. What were some sustains, and what were some improvements going into week 2?
I think you really have to start with an incredible individual performance from Talon Wilkinson II. Amazing game and watching it live was something special. Beyond that, I think you're hoping to sustain positive momentum. That was a big win against a good Rapid City team but there's still a lot to clean up. Historically, turnover margin and negative plays are the best indicator of success and so I think we need to do a bit better of handling the football, protecting Micah in the pocket, and eliminating some bad penalties. Our defense played stout and our offense had some explosive plays which balanced those things out. I'm excited going forward to see this team continue to develop.

2. Once again you have 3 first round picks and a handful of middle rounders.  Are you already eying upgrades via trade for your club?
We're going to do what's in the best interest of the Las Vegas Scorpions. I think our modus operandi is pretty well known at this point across the league.

3. Coming out of training camp and now seeing the team in week 1, what should fans expect to see this year from your club?
I think we've made some big improvements. It was great to see Micah take a step forward in week one and having two of the most explosive receivers in the league is a big benefit there. I think the big thing for us will continue to be winning the trenches. If we can protect Micah offensively, I think we've got a great rotation along the defensive line that should allow us to attack in all four quarters and create opportunities for the secondary to make plays.

4. Did any news catch your eye this week?
I think the biggest thing is the continued comments from PFL players about the perception of general managers. Hallquist's comment's should resonate with the GM's and really make them evaluate how they conduct themselves. I think the players understand that it is a business and moves need to be made but everyone is a professional and adult and I think a big part of being a GM is having the hard, honest, conversations but also setting appropriate expectations. No one looks for platitudes and empty promises.

5. Discuss your next opponent and game.
Kansas City put up 48 on Salt Lake. We'll have to play strong defensively and look to capitalize on some big plays again against them. I think if we execute, clean up some things and continue to improve after a good week of practice, we've got a good chance.

[Talon]

 

A solid start, contributions from all over the defense, and despite Hyland's knack for big plays we held them in check.  I'll take that.

[GM Metro]

Every day of the week. Prior years we might have lost that game looking at the box score but to win the way we did gives me some good feelings going forward. That doesn't absolve us of the fact we've still got some obvious things to improve on. The protection and third down efficiency I think improve naturally over the season but one of the other things I noticed was the 30 yards in penalties on Velasco. What was that about? Defensive penalties can be killer and so that was one thing that stood out.

[Talon]

 

The kid had an early DPI and then a facemask later, the DPI extended a drive and lead to a field goal, but the facemask didn't hurt us, but tightening up in those areas is definitely important.

[GM Metro]

Fair - I think it is something we want to be cognizant of and start to develop good habits at the pro-level. Heading in to Kansas City,  I think we continue to do things our way. Agreed?

[Talon]

 

Absolutely.

[GM Metro]

Perfect - thanks Coach.
---
Talon Wilkinson II please Demi.
---
Talon, just wanted to recognize the performance last week. One hell of a performance from one hell of a player. Sincere congratulations.

[Talon]

 

Appreciate it Unc, felt good to get off to a hot start.  I think with this start I could be the first DT to ever hit 20 sacks.  That's my personal goal, but obviously #1 is to win a championship for Vegas.

[Talon]

 

Anything else we need to hit?

[GM Metro]

Nope - let's go.

LOCK IN

[GM Metro]

1. What stood out to you about your team this week, any surprise performances good or bad?
When you get a win having to go to your 3rd string quarterback in game, you're happy. That's not a scenario you can really prepare for and you have to give a shoutout to Ruben stepping in and beyond that Darren Pierce. That's a big game from him and the defense to help us overcome five turnovers. That's something I think we need to continue to focus on cleaning that up if we're going to have success long term.

2. Discuss any news that interested you. (Cover your news first; then move on)
You have to tip your hat to GM Dario's team; they fought hard. You know they have one of the best coaches in the game at the helm and look to be a tough outfit game in, game out this year. We're familiar with the laments of missed kicks in Vegas though and your heart goes out to K Dario on that one. Again though, hats off to our team for their effort even with the injuries to pull that one out.

3. Talk about your next match up, how do you win this game?
Execute. We know San Antonio. They know us. I think our guys are geared up for a divisional game. If we execute and protect the football we'll be in good shape.

---
Coach, not pretty, but a win is a win and a huge performance from Pierce. Looking at the injury report and both Micah and John being probable gives me a bit of concern heading into the week. Do we need to look at bringing in a 4th arm, even as insurance? If so, I'm looking at Ronnie Wilbanks given his time with Coach Mumbasa last year to have some form of familiarity after a week in case calamity strikes and is necessary.

[Talon]

 

I'll let you decide if you want to add a fourth, but health wise for this week I don't think it's an issue.   If we did add another arm, I think Wilbanks makes sense.

[GM Metro]

If we're confident in their health I'm loathe to sacrifice the cap space with some of these moves this early, especially given how sensitive some teams are this year to a luxury tax bill. I'm liking our aggressiveness pushing the ball but one thing I want to continue to keep an eye on is the interceptions. I don't think it's something we need to bring to Micah's attention currently but is worth noting. Right now I want Micah to be free and aggressive and continue to develop and focus on core teaching points and building good habits. Coming in we loved his accuracy and ability to protect the football and I'm okay with growing pains but I'm hoping we can prevent bad habits from forming that are hard to break. Is that something you and Mumbasa can keep an eye on in the interim and see if we can walk that line?

[Talon]

 

Absolutely.  So far its been some timing issues more than accuracy, I dont think its an area of concern yet, but we'll watch for it.

[GM Metro]

Sounds good Coach. Appreciate it.
---
Darren Pierce please Demi.
---
Darren, just wanted to recognize one hell of a performance last week.

[Talon]

When the offense needs a spark, I have to come up and deliver, it's in the DNA.   All about winning a ring man, that's all that matters.

[GM Metro]

100% aligned there. Thanks for stopping by.
---
Demi, nothing further.

LOCK IN

[GM Metro]

That's a good win for our team. Still some things we need to clean up; you can't let your quarterback get sacked 6 times but that's an area we can continue to address and work with. We've got a ton of talent on the offensive line that's going to continue to develop and mesh with each other. Want to give a big shout to D. Floyd for what he did this week. That was a huge performance and really helped salt away the game in the second half and protect the lead and you'd be remiss to not give a shout out to the defense for not allowing a touchdown. That's a great team win all in all that still gives us room for improvement going into a big game against Dallas. We know them well, I've been effusive in my praise for Coach Hoffman and how he runs his team for a long time. They'll be ready to play and we just have to go out, execute, and handle our business accordingly.

---

Coach, I think two big things this week. Gutsy performance from Micah but sounds like he's going to be on the shelf for the next two weeks. I think we probably want to tweak a few things to take advantage of what John does well. I'm thinking we use Pierce in the slot significantly more, maybe even exclusively, and then focus on the intermediate passing game to take advantage of John's accuracy at that level. It still makes sure that teams are respecting S-Jax but I don't think we're doing ourselves a service dropping back and looking to chuck 60 yard bombs with John.

Secondly, I wanted to talk about the medical staff. I know it's a hard job and things happen but I think we need to be able to trust them and this is the second year we've had yo-yo type injuries where a guy is probable, plays, then misses time afterwards. Anything we can do to help avoid this? That's an easy investment from my perspective.

[Talon]

We can definitely make those tweaks to the offense if you lock it in, as far as the medical, we can't do much about that, I think it comes more down to a guys personal injury tendency unfortunately.  We could possibly help avoid some of the extra time but as far as being knocked out of the game itself, nothing we can do.