LONG BEACH MERMEN [GM RIZZ]

[Talon]

Team Information
City: Long Beach, California
Conference: Western
Division: South Pacific
Team Owner: Neil Cohen
Team Secretary: Ariel Mera

Official Colors:

Blue (#B8CFE9)
Blue (#003366)

Team History:
The Long Beach Mermen are owned by former Army Ranger Arthur Curry.  Curry is a very out of the box thinker, and that mindset is the reason he left a militarily life that had too many rules ... especially about hair.
Now Curry is the Unconventional Owner of the Long Beach Mermen, looking to find new creative ways to put the best team possible on the field to win games.  In Season 1 fans got to see Curry's unorthodox style flourish as Argentinean dual threat quarterback Anderson Ginobili lead the team to a 10-6 record and an amazing playoff run where the team defeated 3rd seed Oakland 27-9 before thumping Tombstone 32-17 to reach the Impact Bowl.  Unfortunately despite Ginobili's 108.3 Quarterback rating in the postseason, the Mermen could not capture the League Championship and fell 38-17 in the Impact Bowl.  The Mermen ended the year with the #3 scoring defense (allowing 21 points per game) to go with the #1 ranked rushing offense but the worst passing attack in the league.  In season 2 the team suffered a major setback going 8-8 and finishing in a 3 way tie but on the outside looking in for the playoffs due to the tie breakers, and despite keeping their run game on point, the team never reached the playoffs again going 5-11 in season 3 and 4.
The most devastating moment in team history came  in the first game of season 4 when now 3 time pro bowler Anderson Ginobili's career came to a sudden end when he suffered a late 4th quarter injury, at 34 a broken leg was a career ending injury, which sent the team into a season long tail spin. Now the Mermen look to get things back on track having signed Ginobili as the teams head coach, but having several holes to fill on the roster.

During Season 10, Long Beach founding owner Sir Arthur Curry sold the team to Social Media savant Neil Cohen, founder of a new and highly popular social media platform.

Season 1: 10-6
Season 2: 8-8
Season 3: 5-11
Season 4: 5-11
Season 5: 10-6 [GM Pancho]
Season 6: 7-9 [GM Pancho]
Season 7: 5-11 [GM Black Death]
Season 8: 3-13 [GM Black Death]
Season 9: 6-10 [GM Black Death]
Season 10: 3-13-0 [GM Black Death]
Season 11: 3-13-0 [GM Gooch]
Season 12: 7-9-0 [GM Gooch]
Season 13: 10-6-0 [GM Gooch]
Season 14: 10-6-0 [GM Gooch]
Season 15: 9-7-0 [GM Big Dog]
Season 16: 11-5-0 [GM Big Dog]
Season 17: 7-9-0 [GM  Big Dog]

Playoff Appearances:
Season 1: 2-1 (Impact Bowl Runner Up)
Season 5: 3-0 (Impact Bowl Champions)
Season 13: 0-1 (Wild Card Round)
Season 15: 0-1 (Wild Card Round)
Season 16: 1-1 (Divisional Round)

RETIRED NUMBERS:
5 - QB Anderson Ginobili
31 - RB Jose Mackey
85 - TE Armand Block
84 - TE Joseph Herzog
4 - GM James BD Wells






   

[GM Yount]

S15 LONG BEACH LOCK IN

MINI-CAMP ASSIGNMENTS GM's MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK

OFFENSE:
1. G Charles Luce- Pass Blocking
2. WR Caleb Phillips- Strength
3. WR Caleb Phillips- Hands
4. OT Richard Finn- Run Blocking

DEFENSE:
1. SS Morgan Smith- IQ
2. DE Albert Neeley- Strength
3. CB Rawdog McQueen- IQ
4. CB Whitney Pettigrew- Strength
.



STRATEGY GM OR COACHES DECISION ON ANY/ALL


OFFENSE
Attitude: Coaches Decision
Focus: Coaches Decision
Tempo: Coaches Decision
Passing Focus: Coaches Decision
Pass To: Coaches Decision
Primary Receiver: Justyn Ross
Running Focus: Coaches Decision
Running Backs: Coaches Decision
Backfield Focus: Bell Cow
Tight End Focus: Mixed

DEFENSE
Attitude: Coaches Decision
Focus: Coaches Decision
Primary Coverage: Coaches Decision
D-Line Focus: Coaches Decision
Linebacker Focus: Coaches Decision
Player Radio: LB George Manning
Match CBs to WRs?: Coaches Decision


Playing Time: Mostly Starters





TEAM CAPTAINS GM's MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK
1. LB Albert Smith
2. QB Trevor Lawrence
3. CB Joseph Mullins
4. WR Caleb Phillips
5  SS Philip Calabrese
6. CB Rawdog McQueen



OFFENSE MASTER DEPTH CHART GM's MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK (You may attach up to 4 additional Copies of this Chart for various "Packages" in your offense.)

PACKAGE NAME: MASTER/BASE

QB- Trevor Lawrence
QB2- Matt Artopeuous
QB3- Scott Loyd

RB1- John Encarnacion
RB2- Darin Cabral
RB3- Roger Quick

FB- Jonah Johnson

TE1- Joseph Ruiz
TE2- Charles Danner
TE3- Bruce Parrott

WR1- Justyn Ross
WR4- Izzy Okafor

WR2- Caleb Phillips
WR5- Mario Watts

WR3- John Busby
WR6- Jeffrey Waters

LT- Matthew Neill
LT2- Glenn Fritz
LT3- John Koenig

LG- Charles Luce
LG2- Joe Palacios
LG3- Chris Roque

C- Vernon Holland
C2- James Maxey

RG- Kenneth Pulliam
RG2- Joe Palacios
RG3- James Fitzgerald

RT- Richard Finn
RT2- Glenn Fritz
RT3- John Koenig



PACKAGE NAME: 3 Wide

QB- Trevor Lawrence

RB1- John Encarnacion

WR1- Justyn Ross
WR2- Izzy Okafor
WR3- Caleb Phillips

TE1- Joseph Ruiz

LT- Matthew Neill
LG- Charles Luce
C- Vernon Holland
RG- Kenneth Pulliam
RT- Richard Finn



PACKAGE NAME: 4 Wide

QB- Trevor Lawrence

RB1- Darin Cabral

WR1- Justyn Ross
WR2- Izzy Okafor
WR3- Caleb Phillips
WR4- John Busby

LT- Matthew Neill
LG- Charles Luce
C- Vernon Holland
RG- Kenneth Pulliam
RT- Richard Finn



PACKAGE NAME: 4 Wide Jumbo

QB- Trevor Lawrence

RB1- John Encarnacion

WR1- Justyn Ross
WR2- Caleb Phillips
WR3- Joseph Ruiz
WR4- John Busby

LT- Matthew Neill
LG- Charles Luce
C- Vernon Holland
RG- Kenneth Pulliam
RT- Richard Finn



PACKAGE NAME: Spread Empty

QB- Trevor Lawrence

WR1- Justyn Ross
WR2- Izzy Okafor
WR3- Caleb Phillips
WR4- Joseph Ruiz
WR5- John Busby

LT- Matthew Neill
LG- Charles Luce
C- Vernon Holland
RG- Kenneth Pulliam
RT- Richard Finn



DEFENSE MASTER DEPTH CHART GM's MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK (You may attach up to 4 additional Copies of this Chart for various "Packages" in your defense.)

PACKAGE NAME: BASE/MASTER

DT1- Ricky Tarr Jr.
DT3- Harold Cavanaugh

DT2- Ryan Peacock
DT4- Randy Palmer

RE1- Kenneth Diamond
RE2- Albert Neeley
RE3- Roger Morris

LE1- Gerald Roberts
LE2- Albert Neeley
LE3- Roger Morris

MLB1- Stephen Foust
MLB2- Derrick Echevarria

ROLB1- George Manning
ROLB2- Leon Choi
ROLB3- Jack McCaffrey

LOLB1- Albert Smith
LOLB2- Leon Choi
LOLB3- Jack McCaffrey

CB1- Joseph Mullins
CB4- Terry Waters

CB2- Izzy Okafor
CB5- Whitney Pettigrew

CB3- Rawdog McQueen
CB6- Gregory Creed

FS1- Earl Kopp
FS2- Jack Manley

SS1- Philip Calabrese
SS2- Morgan Smith



PACKAGE NAME: NICKEL

DT1- Ricky Tarr Jr.
DT2- Harold Cavanaugh

RE1- Kenneth Diamond
LE1- Gerald Roberts

LB1- George Manning
LB2- Albert Smith

CB1- Joseph Mullins
CB2- Izzy Okafor
CB3- Rawdog McQueen

FS1- Earl Kopp
SS1- Philip Calabrese



PACKAGE NAME: DIME

DT1- Ricky Tarr Jr.
DT2- Harold Cavanaugh

RE1- Kenneth Diamond
LE1- Gerald Roberts

LB1- George Manning

CB1- Joseph Mullins
CB2- Izzy Okafor
CB3- Rawdog McQueen
CB4- Terry Waters

FS1- Earl Kopp
SS1- Philip Calabrese



PACKAGE NAME: 5-2

DT1- Ricky Tarr Jr.
DT2- Ryan Peacock
DT3- Harold Cavanaugh

RE1- Kenneth Diamond
LE1- Albert Neeley

LB1- George Manning
LB2- Albert Smith

CB1- Joseph Mullins
CB2- Rawdog McQueen

FS1- Earl Kopp
SS1- Philip Calabrese

SPECIAL TEAMS MASTER DEPTH CHART GM's MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK

K- Arthur Pringle
P- Roy Estrella

KR1- Roger Quick
KR2- Izzy Okafor
KR3- Rawdog McQueen
KR4- Caleb Phillips

PR1- Roger Quick
PR2- Caleb Phillips






PLAY CALLING GM Chooses who calls plays, and assigns desired percentages if not left up to play calling coach


OFFENSE RUN/PASS RATIO

Play Caller: Jessica Woods
1st and 10:
1st and Short:
1st and Long:
2nd and Short:
2nd and Long:
3rd and Short:
3rd and Long:
4th and Short:
4th and Long:
Goal Line:
Last 2 Mins (Ahead):
Last 2 Mins (Behind):

DEFENSE BLITZ RATIO

Play Caller: Brandon Knotts
1st and 10:
1st and Short:
1st and Long:
2nd and Short:
2nd and Long:
3rd and Short:
3rd and Long:
4th and Short:
4th and Long:
Goal Line:
Last 2 Mins (Ahead):
Last 2 Mins (Behind):



PR CAMPAIGNS  (OPTIONAL)

N/A



MUSICAL LICENSES (GM MUST COMPLETE THIS TASK)

1. California Love - 2pac ft. Dr. Dre
Post-TD Music


2. The Next Episode- Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg & Kurupt
Team Entrance Music pre-game


COIN TOSS PREFERENCE

Heads
Receive

LOCK IN






"FINALLY

THE BIG DOG HAS COME BACK TO SO CAL

WELL FROM A BUSINESS SENSE I MEAN I ALREADY LIVED HERE"

1. Welcome back, lets talk off-season.  What was your off-season like, what was your biggest addition to your team, and who is someone you wish you didn't lose?

"ANYWAYS IT WAS AN EVENTFUL OFFSEASON FOR THE BIG DOG

LEAVING TOTTENHAM WAS BOTH THE HARDEST AND EASIEST OPPORTUNITY IVE EVER MADE AND ALL ILL SAY IS THAT THE QUOTES ABOUT POTENTIAL REASONS ARE MORE OR LESS ACCURATE AND THAT IM EXCITED TO IMPART THE BIG DOG MENTALITY ON THE MERMEN

ARRIVING IN LONG BEACH THERE WERE A FEW PRIORITIES THE BIGGEST ONE WAS ABOUT GETTING MORE PROTECTION FOR T LAW

IF YOU LOOK AT HIS NUMBERS LAST YEAR WHEN HE WAS ON THE FIELD HE WAS PUTTING UP YARDS AND TOUCHDOWNS AT A BLISTERING PACE BUT WE GOTTA FIGURE OUT A WAY TO KEEP HIM UPRIGHT WHETHER THAT WAS THROUGH SHUFFLING THE LINE WHICH I THINK LEANED HEAVY LAST YEAR WITH A LOT OF RUN BLOCK SPECIALISTS IN A VERTICAL PASSING OFFENSE AND I ALSO NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT COACH WOODS IS SUCH AN OPEN MINDED PLAY CALLER THAT IF OUR SCHEME STUFF IS LEADING TO HIM TAKING TOO MUCH HEAT SHES THE TYPE OF MIND THAT WILL FIND SOLUTIONS IF I LET HER

SO THATS WHERE A GUY LIKE JOSEPH RUIZ COMES IN BEYOND JUST HIS VERSATILITY AS A RECEIVER AND ABILITY TO SPLIT OUT WIDE HES THE BEST BLOCKING TIGHT END IN THE LEAGUE AND A GUY LIKE CHARLES LUCE AT LEFT GUARD IS JUST ABOUT TO HIT HIS PEAK YEARS AND ALSO LET US SHUFFLE AROUND A BIT

RICHARD FINN IS A GUY THATS BOUNCED AROUND A BIT SO HELL NEED TO SOLIDIFY HIMSELF AS OUR ANSWER AT RIGHT TACKLE BUT WHAT MADE HIM AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION IN THE TRADE MARKET IS THAT HES A PRETTY ADVANCED PASS BLOCKER

I ALSO WANTED TO HELP BALANCE THE BOOKS AND KEEP THIS MORE SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD WHICH LED TO SOME DEALS THAT WERE TOUGH LETTING GOOD PLAYERS GO IN TRADES OR WALK IN FREE AGENCY

I CAN LIVE WITH MOST OF THAT BUT I AM KICKING MYSELF THAT I GOT CAUGHT WITH MY PROVERBIAL PANTS DOWN AS FAR AS THE MARKET CORRECTION TO THE COACHING SALARY MARKET WHICH WAS OF COURSE DESERVED BUT IS WHAT ULTIMATELY LED TO THE VIKINGS EXPIRING DEAL GETTING STAPLED TO RODERICK TO FREE UP BONUS MONEY

I AM TRYING TO GROW AND BE A WISER SMARTER BIG DOG SO IM NOT PROUD ANYTIME I MAKE A MOVE AS A REACTIONARY MEASURE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES A PLAYER OF THAT CALIBER

THAT SAID I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR EDGE RUSH GROUP REGARDLESS WITH DIAMOND ROBERTS AND NEELEY

NOW ALL THE TALK ABOUT MONEY IS PROBABLY GONNA HAVE THE TWITTER PEOPLE WHO SCOFFED AT THE DEAL WE GAVE IZZY AT THE TIME SAY WELL WHAT ABOUT THAT

HERES THE THING WE WENT HIGH WITH OUR FIRST OFFER TO GUARANTEE WE GOT A TRANSFORMATIONAL TALENT LONG TERM AND MOREOVER THE CALCULUS IS PRETTY DAMN SIMPLE THAT ITS PAYING FOR TWO HIGH QUALITY STARTERS ONE ON EACH END OF THE BALL

NOW OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO MONITOR HIS SNAPS ALL THAT AND WEVE BEEN LOOKING AT DIFFERENT PACKAGES TO MAKE SURE WE DO SO BUT A LOCKDOWN CORNERBACK IS A VALUABLE ENOUGH ASSET TO BEGIN WITH ADD IN THAT HES AN ELITE DEEP THREAT RECEIVER AND THE MATH MAKES SENSE

WHILE IM ECSTATIC ABOUT ALL OF OUR ADDITIONS HE HAS TO BE CONSIDERED OUR BIGGEST ONE CONSIDERING HOW MUCH HE CAN IMPACT ALL PHASES OF THE GAME"

2. Take us back to Draft Day, what lead to you taking the player you took with your first pick?

"ALBERT NEELEY IS A SPECIAL KID AND ONE THAT ALSO HAD THE FIT AS FAR AS FAMILIARITY WITH WHAT OUR NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR COACH KNOTTS WANTS

WERE BIG IN THE BRANDON KNOTTS BUSINESS LET ME TELL YOU BROTHER AS FAR AS WHAT HE BRINGS TO OUR STAFF MENTALITY WISE AND HAVING THAT KNOTTS FAMILY ABILITY TO DEVELOP ALL AROUND D LINE MONSTERS

BUT BACK TO ALBERT HE WAS A GUY THAT FLASHED RARE ATHLETICISM FOR HIS SIZE AND THE POTENTIAL AND DISCIPLINE TO THINK HE SHOULD BECOME A FORCE AGAINST BOTH THE PASS AND THE RUN

WHILE HE NEEDS SOME TIME TO HIT THAT PEAK WE ALSO HAVE A SITUATION IN PLACE WHERE HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GROW INTO THAT EVENTUAL ROLE AND BE NOURISHED

VERY EXCITED ABOUT HIS FUTURE AND FINDING SOME BITS AND PIECES TO USE HIM RIGHT AWAY

ALSO NOT TO GET OFF ON A TANGENT BUT ID BE REMISS TO MENTION THAT WE GOT THE PICK WE USED ON ALBERT IN THE DEAL FOR PHILIP CALABRESE WHO GIVEN THE TURMOIL AROUND HIS TEAM LAST YEAR I ALMOST VIEW AS A SECOND HIGH PICK FOR US THIS YEAR TO BE BRINGING INTO THE FOLD AND IVE GOT A FEELING THIS FRESH START AND CHANGE OF SCENERY IS GONNA BE HAVING HIM FLYING AROUND LIKE A REAL BALLHAWK BROTHER DUDES"

3. Coming out of Training Camp who is the player you wish you would have seen on your "most improved list" that you didn't see?

"CONSIDERING HES A GUY THAT I CHOSE TO BRING OVER WITH ME FROM THE BATS AND HES HITTING HIS CONTRACT YEAR ITS A BIT DISAPPOINTING THAT MY COUSIN THE T DOG DIDNT QUITE SEEM TO TAKE THAT LEAP YET IN CAMP

EVERYONE GROWS AT THEIR OWN PACE BUT WEVE GOT A LOT OF COMPETITION AT CORNER"

4. If you were to improve one position on your team with a trade before the season starts, what position do you target, and are you looking to trade picks or players to get a deal done?

"PROBABLY DEPTH AT OFFENSIVE TACKLE JUST TO BE SAFE BUT IDEALLY IM NOT LOOKING AT MAKING TRADES RIGHT OUT OF CAMP I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A PRETTY BALANCED ROSTER WE HAVE TO GIVE A SHOT ESPECIALLY AFTER THE BIG SHAKE UP

ALSO ADDING TO THAT RELUCTANCE IS WELL

I MEAN YOU SAW WHAT I INHERITED DRAFT PICK WISE FROM A TEAM THAT WAS GOING ALL IN TO WIN LAST YEAR WHICH FAIR PLAY THEY HAD SOME BAD LUCK BUT ANY MOVE WOULD REQUIRE IT LIKELY BEING PLAYER HEAVY WHICH ADDS TO THAT RELUCTANCE YOU KNOW

I WANNA START BUILDING INSIDE THE BUILDING NOW THAT CAMPS BROKEN NOT FROM OUTSIDE IF I CAN HELP IT"

5. How many wins should your fan base expect this year, realistically what should fans expect to see?

"DOUBLE DIGITS WINS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A MINIMUM REALISTIC EXPECTATION HOPEFULLY MORE THAN LAST YEAR

IF WE DONT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS EITHER I GROSSLY MISJUDGED SOMETHING WE HAD AWFUL LUCK OR BOTH

IT MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME FOR THE NEW PIECES THE HASHTAG BIG DOG MENTALITY TO REALLY START TO GEL BUT ONCE IT DOES OUR FANS SHOULD EXPECT A TEAM THATS FLYING AROUND BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL

WEVE GOT GREAT LEADERS IN THE LOCKER ROOM SO I EXPECT THE BUY IN WILL BE THERE

OR ELSE

HAHA KIDDING

NO BUT REALLY WE EXPECT EVERYONE TO BUY IN AND GIVE THEIR ALL BROTHER

BUT THAT BASELINE EXPECTATION ASIDE THE GOAL BEYOND THE BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE CULTURE AND WHATNOT IS ABSOLUTELY TO WIN A DAMN IMPACT BOWL FOR A FRANCHISE THATS GONE WAY TOO LONG WITHOUT ONE

GUYS LIKE EARL KOPP AND JOSEPH RUIZ DIDNT COME HERE BECAUSE I SAID OH WERE LOOKING TO MAYBE BE COMPETITIVE AND BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING KNOWS WHAT THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS SO LETS DO THE DAMN THING

ARF ARF"

[Talon]

Hey boss, so what do you want to go over from camp?

[GM Yount]

"WELL IVE GOT SOME BIGGER PICTURE QUESTIONS ON SOME OF OUR PLAYERS FOR THE LONG TERM BUT ILL SEND THOSE TO YOU IN PRIVATE IN A BIT

SO I GUESS ILL JUST GO OVER SOME DEPTH CHART STUFF

YOU SAID CREED TOOK A BIG LEAP IN CAMP THIS YEAR AND HES THE TYPE OF GUY THAT FITS YOUR SYSTEM AS A BIG CORNER

YOU THINK WE SHOULD SWAP HIM INTO WATERS DIME BACK ROLE"

[Talon]

 

Quite possibly.  I think he can hold his own, I don't mind letting either or both of them play, but Creed did show some promise.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT ILL MULL THAT OVER FOR NOW

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE DEFENSIVE TACKLE TWO BATTLE BETWEEN PEACOCK AND CAVANAUGH

I WANTED TO GIVE PEACOCK A LEGIT CHANCE TO EARN THE STARTING SPOT AFTER THE NEGOTIATIONS TO BRING HIM HERE ON A PROVE IT DEAL BUT I WANT TO PUT WHOEVER LOOKS BEST OUT THERE NEXT TO TARR

IT LOOKED LIKE FROM THE CAMP SHEET THAT YOU ALL MIGHT BE A LITTLE HIGHER ON CAVANAUGH THAN PEACOCK AS FAR AS THE ORDER YOU LISTED THEM BUT I WANTED TO CHECK"

[Talon]

I think in a situation where we anticipate the run we lean on Peacock, but when we think its a passing situation we go with Cavanaugh.  Cavanaugh is significantly more athletic but Peacock is a great gap eater and has experience as a NT so he knows how to fill the lane.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY COOL

I THINK THAT GIVES ME A GOOD IDEA I KNOW COACH KNOTTS ALSO HAD SOME IDEAS FOR PASSING DOWNS WITH THE D LINE SO I THINK I CAN COME UP WITH A DECENT ROTATION

SPEAKING OF WHICH HOW ARE YOU GELLING WITH YOUR ASSISTANTS SO FAR THEY FELT TO ME LIKE THEYD FIT WELL WITH WHAT YOU WANT FROM YOUR STAFF AS FAR AS BEING SMART OPEN MINDED YOUNG AND OBVIOUSLY HAVING GROWN UP IN THE GAME BUT IM NOT IN THE MEETING ROOM WITH YOU ALL"

[Talon]

I like the working relationship we all have.  We all come from football families, so while philosophies differ at times, we all know the game and are passionate about it.  It's been very good.

[GM Yount]

"COOL COOL

AS FAR AS MONITORING IZZYS WORKLOAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS ON THAT FIRST ONE I WANTED TO START OFF WITH WAS IM THINKING WELL USE THE FOUR WIDE JUMBO AND FIVE TWO FORMATIONS RESPECTIVELY TO GIVE HIM BREATHERS ON THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THINGS RESPECTIVELY AND I WAS ALSO THINKING WE CAN TAKE HIM OFF RETURNING KICKS JUST TO PRESERVE HIM AS TEMPTING AS HIS BIG PLAY ABILITY MIGHT BE BACK THERE

THEN WE CAN MONITOR FROM THERE AND ADJUST IF HES STILL GETTING TOO FATIGUED DOES THAT SOUND GOOD TO YOU"

[Talon]

I like it.

[GM Yount]

"GREAT

MY OTHER QUESTION WAS WITH THE WAY THE DEPTH CHART IS CURRENTLY SET UP WHO WOULD BE COMING IN TO SPELL IZZY AT CORNER TWO IF HE NEEDS A BREATHER"

[Talon]

 

I've got Pettigrew slotted in as the first corner off the bench across the board right now.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

ILL LET YOU GO FOR NOW IM GONNA TALK TO COACH KNOTTS FOR A SECOND AND START ADJUSTING MY TWEAKS TO THE LOCK IN"



"ARIEL COACH KNOTTS PLEASE"



"HEY COACH ITS THE BIG DOG

WANTED TO GO OVER THE IDEA YOU HAD FOR LONG PASSING DOWNS

HOW WOULD YOU THINK OF RUNNING TWO SEPARATE NICKEL PACKAGES ONE A MORE STANDARD ONE FOR LIKE THIRD AND FOUR TYPE SITUATIONS WITH CAVANAUGH AS THE SECOND DT AND THE OTHER FOR LONGER DOWNS WITH ROBERTS KICKED INSIDE AND NEELEY OUTSIDE THEN DOING THE ROBERTS AND NEELEY LINEUP IN OUR STANDARD DIME FORMATION AS WELL "

[Talon]

I like that, very similar to some of the schemes my Dad used with Wilkinson and Cobbs in Alabama, so I'm familiar with the concept.

[GM Yount]

"AWESOME ILL PUT THAT IN THEN AND LET YOU GET BACK TO IT"



"ARIEL CAN YOU GET ME TREVOR LAWRENCE WHEN HE HAS A MOMENT THANKS"



"HEY T LAW ITS THE BIG DOG GOOD TO OFFICIALLY MEET YOU

WANTED TO CHECK IN WITH YOU AS THE FACE AND LEADER OF OUR TEAM AND ALL

REALLY EXCITED TO BE WORKING WITH YOU HERE AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE WERE PUTTING A FOCUS IN ON ACCENTUATING YOU AND PUTTING YOU IN THE BEST POSITION TO SUCCEED

I SEE BIG THINGS AHEAD FOR US SO LETS GO KICK SOME ASS BROTHER"

[Talon]

Nice to meet you boss.  I'm excited to see our vision not change too drastically in terms of wanting to win games and not going into a rebuild with a new GM, so I'm ready to get out there and push this team to the top of the division.

[GM Yount]

"HELL YEAH BROTHER LETS DO IT

ILL LET YOU GET TO WORK MAN"



"ARIEL CAN YOU SEND THIS LOCK IN INFO TO THE COACHES PLEASE THANKS"



Harold Cavanaugh to DT2 in Nickel

Gerald Roberts to DT 2 in Dime
Albert Neeley to DE2 in Dime

Terry Waters to KR2 take Okafor off return duty

SPEED NICKEL PACKAGE (for longer passing situations not in Dime)

DE1 Kenneth Diamond
DE2 Albert Neeley
DT1 Ricky Tarr Jr.
DT2 Gerald Roberts
LB1 George Manning
LB2 Albert Smith
CB1 Joseph Mullins
CB2 Izzy Okafor
CB3 Rawdog McQueen
SS Philip Calabrese
FS Earl Kopp

LOCK IN

[GM Yount]

1. Discuss your week 1 results, what were you happy with, what were you disappointed with?

"STRONG DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE TEAM

REALLY HAPPY WITH HOW CHOI STEPPED IN AFTER THE AWFUL INJURY TO GEORGE

WE MADE SOME MISTAKES NOT CAPITALIZING IN THE RED AREA AND IN THE KICKING GAME THAT COULD HAVE MADE THIS WIN MORE COMFORTABLE THAT WELL NEED TO CLEAN UP

STRONG STARTING POINT BUT WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING TO IMPROVE"

2. How do you feel about not having pre-season this year?

"WELL ID IDEALLY LOVE PRESEASON AS A WAY TO TEST OUT DIFFERENT LINEUPS BUT GIVEN THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE TO PRESEASON OPERATIONS LAST YEAR THAT TOOK A LOT OF IT OUT OF THE CLUBS HANDS ITS NOT MUCH OF A LOSS NOW"

3. What did you think of Alejandro McGhee's comments about the Bay Area Sea Lions being able to beat any HIFL club?

"I WHOLEHEARTEDLY DISAGREE WITH HIM BUT IM NOT GONNA TRASH ANYONE FOR PUBLICLY BEING CONFIDENT IN THEIR TEAM AND LEAGUE EVEN THOUGH IM BEYOND CONFIDENT THE HIFL IS THE BEST LEAGUE ON EARTH"

4. Discuss any news that interested you, if you had team specific news address it first.

"GEORGES INJURY IS DEVASTATING NEWS HES WORKED REALLY HARD TO RECOVER FROM HIS LAST INJURY HE HAD BACK IN THE XFL AND MAKE HIMSELF AN ELITE BACKER

WELL HANG IN THERE NEXT MAN UP BUT IT SUCKS TO SEE NONETHELESS

I CANT TAKE THE HIGH ROAD ON TRADING WITH THE PFL GIVEN I MADE A DEAL BUT I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT DEALS GOT A BIT OUT OF CONTROL AS THE OFFSEASON WENT ON AND ROGER HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE UPSET ABOUT THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS

I WANT PLAYERS TO FEEL A BOND WITH THEIR TEAMMATES SO EVEN IF IT COMES BACK AS UNFLATTERING TO OUR BEHAVIOR AS GMS IM GLAD TO HEAR ROGER SPEAK OUT"

5. Discuss your next opponent and game.   How likely do you feel your team is to win this contest?
   
"IM VERY CONFIDENT IN OUR TEAM

IF WE EXECUTE LIKE WE SHOULD PORTLAND IS A TEAM I THINK WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS TO BEAT BUT THERES NOTHING EASY IN THIS LEAGUE ESPECIALLY ON THE ROAD

IF WERE GOING TO BE THE ELITE TEAM WERE CAPABLE OF THEN WE NEED TO SHOW OUR LEVEL IN GAMES LIKE THIS"

[Talon]

I'll be livid if we don't dominate Portland this week.

[GM Yount]

"NO REASON WE SHOULDNT BE ABLE TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THEM EARLY AND THEN PUT OUR DEFENSE IN POSITION TO MAKE PLAYS BY FORCING THEIR DINK AND DUNK QB TO HAVE TO ACTUALLY TAKE CHANCES

ILL DEFINITELY BE DISAPPOINTED IF THEY COME OUT FLAT AND DONT EXECUTE

THAT CLEVELAND WIN IS NO REASON TO THINK OUR FARTS SMELL LIKE ROSES

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW OUR QUALITY BUT THE LAST THING WE CAN DO IS GIVE THEM HOPE AND LET THE CROWD START BECOMING A FACTOR"

[Talon]

As usual, we are on the same page.

[GM Yount]

"I WILL SAY ONE POSITIVE FROM THAT CLEVELAND GAME BETWEEN THE TWO OF US

I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU AND COACH KNOTTS SAID TO HIM TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER HIS ASS AFTER WE TRADED FOR HIM BUT THAT CALABRESE LOOKED TO BE BALL HAWKING WITH A WHOLE NEW INTENSITY OUT THERE WITH THAT PICK AND FUMBLE RECOVERY"

[Talon]

Sometimes a change of scenery and a new scheme just work for a guy. Hopefully he keeps up the great work for us.

[GM Yount]

"SPEAKING OF HIM

WELL NEED A NEW DEFENSIVE RADIO WHILE MANNING IS OUT

I KNOW CALABRESE IS A HIGH IQ GUY DESPITE BEING YOUNGER DO YOU THINK HED BE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR IT

KOPP AND ALBERT SMITH WERE THE OTHER TWO I WAS THINKING OF"

[Talon]

I think Calabrese could handle it eventually, but for now I'd go with Kopp, he's a veteran with good leadership so he should command the attention of everyone when the call comes in.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL FAIR CALL

SO WITH ALL THE PROGRESS CREED HAS MADE DO YOU THINK HED BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE OUTSIDE CORNER SPOT IN THE FIVE TWO FORMATION THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE RAWDOG IN AND JUST USE RAWDOG EXCLUSIVELY AS THE NICKEL CORNER

JUST A THOUGHT SINCE CREED IS ON THE BIGGER SIDE FOR A CORNERBACK"

[Talon]

 

I think from a raw talent perspective Creed is the answer, but from a technique and overall view I'd say Pettigrew could give it a shot as well.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY MAYBE I GIVE CREED A SHOT FIRST AND LET PETTIGREW STAY SPELLING EVERYONE ELSE AS TOP SUBSTITUTION SINCE WE HAVE A MORE LIMITED TIME FRAME TO JUDGE HIM

CAN ALWAYS PUT PETTIGREW THERE IF CREED STRUGGLES WITH HIS REPS

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT IM GONNA CHECK IN WITH A COUPLE PLAYERS BEFORE WE GET GOING"



"ARIEL CAN YOU GET ME ON A ZOOM OR SOMETHING WITH GEORGE MANNING PLEASE I DONT WANT TO MAKE HIM HAVE TO LIMP ALL THE WAY OVER HERE ON HIS CRUTCHES"



"HEY GEORGE ITS THE BIG DOG

GUTTED WITH YOUR INJURY MAN AFTER YOU WORKED SO HARD TO COME BACK FROM YOUR ONE IN THE XFL BUT I KNOW YOURE GONNA WORK YOUR ASS OFF TO COME BACK WITH A VENGEANCE AND REMIND EVERYONE WHO YOU ARE

WELL HAVE OUR FULL SUPPORT BEHIND YOU AND CANT WAIT TILL YOURE BACK ON THAT FIELD DOING WHAT YOU DO"

[Talon]

Hey, I appreciate the support Boss Dog, I'm going to try to get back to it as soon as I am able to get cleared, nothing worse than being injured on the sidelines.

[GM Yount]

"ALWAYS LOVED YOU AS A PLAYER MAN WHICH IS WHY I WANTED TO BRING YOU WITH ME

WELL DO OUR BEST TO HOLD DOWN BUSINESS AND HAVE EVERYONE STEP THEIR GAME UP SO WERE IN POSITION TO BRING THIS BAD BOY HOME WHEN YOU RETURN

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK MAN"



"ARIEL CAN YOU GET ME LEON CHOI NEXT THANKS"



"HEY LEON ITS THE BIG DOG GOOD TO MEET YOU FACE TO FACE

I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK YOUVE PUT IN TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME SINCE THE DAY YOU STEPPED IN THE FACILITY AND HOW YOU RESPONDED AFTER BEING THRUST INTO THE LINEUP UNEXPECTEDLY AFTER UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH A BIG INJURY

I KNEW YOU HAD A GIFT THAT CANT BE TAUGHT WITH YOUR SPEED AS A LINEBACKER AND YOUVE REALLY TAKEN TO OUR COACHING AND EVERY OPPORTUNITY WEVE GIVEN YOU FOR EXTRA TRAINING AND BULKING UP SO JUST KEEP BUSTING YOUR ASS AND SEIZING EVERY OPPORTUNITY THATS PUT IN FRONT OF YOU MAN"

[Talon]

HE THANKS YOU

[GM Yount]

"YOU DA MAN NOW CHOI DAWG"



"ARIEL CAN I SEE COACH KNOTTS NEXT"



"HEY COACH GREAT FIRST OUTING FOR THE LADS ON THAT SIDE OF THE BALL I WANTED TO PICK YOUR BRAIN ON A COUPLE THINGS

THE FIRST WOULD BE IM NOT PLANNING ON MAKING ANY MOVES AT THIS TIME OR ANYTHING I THINK WE HAVE GOOD DEPTH ON YOUR SIDE OF THE BALL

BUT MANNINGS INJURY IS A STARK REMINDER OF HOW HARD WE CAN GET HIT BY INJURIES SO I WANTED TO GET THE LOWDOWN FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE IF WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE DO HAVE TO MAKE AN ADDITION TO THE TEAM AND HOPEFULLY WE DONT UNTIL THE OFFSEASON

ARE THERE ANY TRAITS IN PLAYERS AT THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS YOU PREFER WE SEEK OUT OR AVOID STYLISTICALLY ETCETERA

LAST THING ID WANT TO DO IS MAKE A PANIC TRADE TO FILL A HOLE AND HAVE IT BE A BAD FIT FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO RUN OR WHATEVER"

[Talon]

I like guys with good speed and agility, we can teach the technique but you can't teach athleticism.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY COOL THAT MAKES SENSE WITH THE PROFILE OF PLAYERS THAT SHINED LAST WEEK FOR US WITH CALABRESE AND CHOI

ANYWAYS WITH MANNING OUT IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME ECHAVARRIA IS THE BEST SHOUT FOR OUR TOP BACKUP AT THE LINEBACKER SPOTS ID ASSUME HES WELL MORE ADVANCED THAN MCCAFFREY WHOS A ROOKIE CONVERTED SAFETY BUT ID ALSO IMAGINE HES MUCH MORE ATHLETIC THAN THE GUY IN HIS THIRTIES"

[Talon]

 

Echavarria is surprisingly spry for his age, while he and Jack are close across the board, he has more experience at the position, so I'd stick with him.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL

THATS ALL I NEED FOR NOW BUT IF YOURE HEADING BACK BY THE LOCKER ROOM OR DEFENSIVE MEETING ROOM AREA HERES A PRESS CLIPPING OF PORTLANDS GM SAYING THEY HAD AN EIGHTY PERCENT CHANCE OF WINNING IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO DO WITH WHAT YOU WILL IF YOU SO CHOOSE"



"LOCK IN INFO COMING ARIEL"



LB Leon Choi to fill in for injured George Manning in all formations

Gregory Creed to replace Rawdog McQueen as CB2 in the 5-2 Formation; McQueen stays as nickel CB

Keep Derrick Echavarria as top LB reserve option

FS Earl Kopp to take over defensive radio with Manning out of line up

LOCK IN

[GM Yount]

1. Discuss your week 2 results, what were you happy with, what were you disappointed with?

"WEIRD UGLY GAME BUT GLAD WE CAME OUT WITH THE WIN AND OUR DEFENSE PLAYED SOLID AGAIN

MULLINS GETTING BANGED UP IS A CONCERN TOO OF COURSE

OUR TEAM NEEDS TO GEL TOGETHER AND FIND SOME CONSISTENCY ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL AND IM SURE AS THE PLAYERS ON THAT SIDE LEARN OUR PLAY STYLE MORE AND WE LEARN THEM BETTER THEY CAN BOTH GAIN THAT COHESION AND WE CAN FIND WAYS TO PUT THEM IN POSITIONS TO SUCCEED"

2. After two weeks do you feel your team is where you thought they would be, if not what is the biggest area of improvement needed?

"I MEAN I THINK I JUST SAID WHERE WE NEED TO IMPROVE BUT WERE TWO AND ZERO WHICH YES IS WHERE I THOUGHT THEYD BE"

3. Are you happy with the play of your quarterback so far? Where do you rank him across the league's 32 starters?

"YES IM HAPPY WITH T LAW

CAN HE DO MORE ABSOLUTELY BUT I THINK THATLL COME WITH TIME AS WE GET MORE COMFORT WORKING WITH EACH OTHER

NEW PLAYBOOK A LOT OF HIS WEAPONS CHANGED OBVIOUSLY HE WAS A GUY THAT HAD AWESOME NUMBERS LAST YEAR BUT WAS TAKING TOO MANY HITS AND GOT INJURED SO RIGHT NOW WERE JUST IN A POSITION OF FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE EXPLOSIVE AND MANAGING HIM TO KEEP HIM UPRIGHT

FAR AS THAT SECOND PART I MEAN THE BIG DOG ISNT SOME DAMN NERD THAT HAS A SPONTANEOUS LIST OF ALL THIRTY TWO STARTERS IN THE LEAGUE I CARRY AROUND IN CASE I GET ASKED

I THINK ID BREAK IT DOWN INTO WHETHER A QUARTERBACK HAS THE ELITE TOOLS LEADERSHIP AND HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER TO BE IN THAT TOP TIER WHERE YOU CAN REALISTICALLY PICTURE THEM WINNING YOUR TEAM AN IMPACT BOWL IF THEYRE A MIDDLING GUY WHO CAN LOOK GOOD IF EVERYTHING IS PERFECT BUT NOT MAKE SPLASH PLAYS TO WIN YOU GAMES OR IF THEYRE BELOW PAR FOR A STARTER

AND ID ABSOLUTELY PUT T LAW IN THAT TOP TIER OF GUYS WHO CAN WIN YOU GAMES AND PUT YOU IN THAT CONVERSATION AND I THINK ITLL SHOW AS WE CONTINUE TO PROGRESS"

4. Discuss any news that interested you, if you had team specific news address it first.

"I MEAN I GUESS I DONT REALLY CARE IF THE OTHER TEAM ISNT HAPPY WERE CELEBRATING

IF HES GOT A PROBLEM WITH THE OFFICIALS THATS NOT ON US BROTHER OUR GUYS BUST THEIR ASS DURING PRACTICE AND PUT THE WORK IN SO WHEN THEY WIN OR A BIG PLAY GOES THEIR WAY I EXPECT THEM THAT PASSION TO SHOW THROUGH

IM GUESSING ITS PROBABLY A BIT OF MISDIRECTED SOUR GRAPES BECAUSE HIS TEAM IS IN A HOLE TO START THE YEAR NOW AND OUR TEAM IS TWO AND ZERO

IN GENERAL ITS JUST A WEIRD STATEMENT TO SAY HOW YOUD NEVER PLAY FOR ANOTHER TEAM WHEN YOUVE GOT YOUR OWN TEAM AND TEAMMATES TO FOCUS AND HONESTLY NOT VERY BOLD EITHER GIVEN YOU KNOW THAT SAID OTHER TEAM IN THIS CASE US ALREADY HAS AN ALL WORLD GUY IN JOSEPH RUIZ STARTING AT TIGHT END

JUST A WEIRD THING TO SAY BUT HEY THATS NOT OUR PROBLEM"

5. Discuss your next opponent and game.   Where is your biggest advantage?
   
"WE GO TO MILWAUKEE NEXT WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME PROBLEMS THEY PRESENT WITH ELITE CORNER PLAY AND SOME BIG PLAY GUYS WHO CAN MAKE SPLASH PLAYS

ITS ON THE ROAD TOO A TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY SO WE NEED TO KEEP IMPROVING AND BEING BETTER THIS GAME

IF I HAD TO PINPOINT A BIGGEST ADVANTAGE FOR US ID SAY ITS IN THE TRENCHES ESPECIALLY SINCE THEIR CRITERIA FOR FINDING OFFENSIVE TACKLES APPEARS TO JUST BE QUOTE IS THE GUY NAMED ROBERT UNQUOTE RATHER THAN IF HE SHOULD BE A STARTER IN THE HIFL

I THINK WELL OUTWORK THEM IN THE TRENCHES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL AND SET A TONE BUT WE NEED TO BE A LOT SHARPER IN ALL ASPECTS THAN WE WERE LAST WEEK AGAINST PORTLAND ESPECIALLY IF MULLINS CANT GO"

[Talon]

Undefeated so far, and hungry for more.. I like it boss.

[GM Yount]

"HELL YEAH BROTHER"

[Talon]

 

One thing I think we need is more pass blocking on the interior o-line, I'm taking a ton of heat up the middle which is rough to deal with.

[GM Yount]

"ILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AS SOON AS I CAN MAN

IF I CAN PRY ANYONE THATS AN UPGRADE LOOSE ILL USE THE RESOURCES I HAVE AVAILABLE TO BRING THEM IN

IT MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE BIT TO DO MY HOMEWORK IDENTIFY A GUY THAT FITS THAT BILL INSTEAD OF BEING ONE OF THOSE GMS THAT JUST SWAPS IN LINEMEN BASED ON THEIR MCFADDEN RATING AND A TEAM THATS WILLING TO PART WITH THEM

THAT WILL BE NUMBER ONE ON MY PRIORITY LIST THOUGH AND THOSE QUALIFIERS ASIDE REST ASSURED I UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY OF MAKING SURE WE CAN KEEP YOU UPRIGHT AND LET YOU COOK"

[Talon]

 

Thanks Ma'am.  I appreciate it.


 





Anything for me this week?

[GM Yount]

"A COUPLE THINGS

I KNOW IT MIGHT LEAD TO A RIOT IF I EVEN TRY TO MAKE THIS CALL BUT T LAW MENTIONED HES BEEN FEELING A LOT OF PRESSURE UP THE MIDDLE AND OBVIOUSLY TEAMS ARENT USUALLY WILLING TO GIVE LINEMEN UP

AS SOMEONE THAT ENJOYS THE PERSONNEL EVALUATING SIDE OF STUFF HOW DO YOU THINK OUR OLD CENTER BACK WITH TOTTENHAM WILLIE CASTLE COMPARED TO WHAT WERE GETTING NOW FROM HOLLAND AS A PASS BLOCKER"

[Talon]

  Nearly identical.. Our biggest liability pass blocking inside is Pulliam, he's a great run blocker but as a pass protector he's very suspect.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT THANKS THAT HELPS

JUST LOOKING AT INTERNAL OPTIONS BEFORE I START PUTTING FEELERS OUT

I KNOW ROQUE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REALLY RAW BUT HOWS HIS SKILLSET AT RIGHT NOW AFTER THAT POSITION BATTLE"

[Talon]

 

I still wouldn't feel comfortable with him on the field outside of an emergency situation.  He's a run-first guy still as well though, but he's just a long ways from playing meaningful snaps.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY THANKS

SO KIND OF A WONKY GAME LAST WEEK

ANY DETAILS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO A RESERVE IN ECHAVARRIA BEING OUR MOST VISIBLE LINEBACKER ON THE STAT SHEET OR IZZY ENDING UP BACK ON RETURNS"

[Talon]

 

Echevarria subs in more in the 5-2 so he got some plays and showed up that way, with Izzy we moved him down the chart but he still got returns so we removed him completely now.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY COOL

ALWAYS GOOD TO UNDERSTAND HOW THESE THINGS WORK

AS FAR AS THIS WEEK HOPEFULLY MULLINS CAN GO BUT IF HE CANT GO DO YOU THINK WITH IZZY MOVING UP TO CORNER ONE THAT PETTIGREW TAKING HIS SPOT AT CORNER TWO WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO"