Sports Trough: 53-man Roster Challenge, Tm 1

Inspired by the The Rookie Scouting Portfolio the writers here at The Sports Trough are going to try their hand at playing Jerry Jones. Using a sheet of player values that the RSP developed we’ll each build 53-man rosters from the ground up with a $160 million cap, including coaches and overall team philosophy.

One team will be posted each day with the other 4 writers sharing their thoughts on each team, basic pros and cons, likes and dislikes, etc. Then next week we’ll try the exercise again, but this time everyone will be assigned a number of players that they will be forced to have on their rosters. The players will be chosen with the specific writer in mind to challenge them to build a team based around players they love and/or hate.

For now I’ll be taking the first crack at playing Owner/GM and my team, the Des Plaines Raccoons, is as follows:

Head Coach –

Lovie Smith: Being a Bears fan Smith has grown on me over the years. While others long for the glory days of Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, maniacs who stomped up and down the sidelines and dropped memorable quotes both during and after the game, I’ve come to appreciate Smith’s steady approach. Because Lovie so rarely raises his voice or verbally undresses his team, on the occasions he does do it, it has a significant impact.

Smith is also a player’s coach in the best possible way. He respects his players and treats them as adults, with the result being little player/coach confrontation that spills over into the press and a locker room full of players ready to go the extra mile for him. If only his desire to stand up for his players didn’t spill over into poor use of challenge flags there really wouldn’t be a drawback.

But Smith is my choice for more than just his demeanor. It’s his approach to the game that I have bought into the most, an approach I’ve coined the “Lovie Equation”. The Lovie Equation is as follows: Our Big Plays – Our Mistakes > Your Big Plays – Your Mistakes. As long as that holds true you give yourself an excellent chance to win the game. That means long runs and deep throws on offense. It means turnovers and returns for scores on defense and special teams. But it also means controlling the football on offense with a balanced attack, and making teams drive the length of the field on defense by not giving up big plays and keeping everything in front of you in the Cover-2.

Offensive Coordinator –

Scott Linehan: He ran the most shotgun heavy offense in the league last year and that’s exactly what I expect him to do for my team. While every teams needs to be able to execute from under center the idea that it needs to be the basis or default approach for your offense is antiquated. The rules favor passing and the shotgun formation gives your quarterback the clearest view of what’s going to happen downfield, why not take advantage of it?

The base offense will be 3WR/1TE/1RB in a shotgun formation. Man blocking scheme that will dare defenses to attack, but with weapons to seriously burn them if they miss. Quick explosive backs mean there’s no reason to build a head of steam towards the line of scrimmage when they can do just as much damage picking their way through the holes that develop. Combined with a strong-armed quarterback and a couple of big-play receivers the defense will constantly be stressed vertically, creating openings for the tight end or running back underneath. This is a group built to take yards in big chucks, with pressure over the top and speed players who can make plays after the catch.

Quarterback –

The goal for any team in the NFL should be to have an elite quarterback. Without one the degree of difficulty in competing for a championship goes up drastically, trust me on this, I’m a Bears fan. That’s what led me to Ben Roethlisberger, owner of two Super Bowl rings. Over the last 3 seasons his per 16 game averages are for almost 4,500 yards and 24 TDs with a 64% completion rate. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense first, pound the ball reputation is masking one of the elite playmakers at the position. His ability to extend plays with his feet, avoid the rush, and complete throws while taking a hit are key reasons why I picked him to lead this team offensively. The quarterback has to make those around him better and Roethlisberger certainly does that.

Seneca Wallace provides the team with a reliable and experienced backup. Roethlisberger’s recent injury woes means that #2 on the depth chart has to be able to do more than look good holding a clipboard and Wallace has proven to be an asset over his 7 year career. Dennis Dixon is a developmental quarterback with a similar playing style Wallace and the potential to take over the backup role down the line.

Running Back –

Explosion is the name of the game and Jamaal Charles and Reggie Bush have it in spades. Charles in particular has never averaged less than 5.3 yards per carry (YPC) in a season. In a league where the “elite” class of RBs – MJD, Rice, Peterson – averaged 4.7 YPC that difference is significant. Bush compliments Charles well in that they play a very similar style. Neither guy is built for 300 touches a year but being able to use them interchangeably without a serious shift in play calling will keep them both fresh and the offense in rhythm.

Jonathan Dwyer provides size and a different look. While bruising opponents with a battering ram RB isn’t a big part of this offense, it always helps to have the option in short-yardage situations or when trying to grind out the clock late. Armando Allen is a back similar to Charles and Bush who can contribute on special teams while also being able to do a passable imitation of the top two guys if the need arises.

Wide Receiver –

Pairing Mike Wallace with Ben Roethlisberger was one of the earliest decisions I made when constructing this roster. They are a readymade elite deep threat combo with Wallace just entering his prime years. Victor Cruz has already demonstrated what he can do when defenses can’t focus on stopping him, and with Wallace constantly demanding safety help over the top Cruz will be able to work out of the slot and look to make big plays after that catch.

Earl Bennett rounds out the starting trio as the possession receiver. Facing almost exclusively single coverage thanks to Wallace and Cruz his route running ability and sure hands should be able to pick up plenty of underneath yardage. Golden Tate is a bit of a developmental choice. While he doesn’t always look the prettiest catching the ball he gets the job done. He was a dynamic player in college and I always felt he’d actually translate better to the NFL than fellow Golden Domer Michael Floyd. He has the speed to create separation and the shiftiness to do damage after the catch.

Jeremy Ebert and Darius Reynaud round out the wide receiver group with another set of sure hands and an infusion of speed respectively. Ebert will have to prove he can cut it on special teams but his roles in Northwestern’s spread offense should mean he’ll fit right on here. Reynaud is here to add speed to the third phase and that’s pretty much it.

Tight End/Fullback –

You can’t spend big bucks everywhere and on offense Tight End is where I decided to try and be thrifty. Tony Moeaki was coming off of a breakout season before tearing his ACL last year and if he fully recovers has the athleticism to create the same sort of match-up nightmares that second tier TEs like Jermichael Finley and Fred Davis do. Martellus Bennett is one of the best blocking TEs in the league who can serve as an extra tackle in short yardage and max protect situations; he’s also never gotten the chance to be out of Witten’s shadow in Dallas and might have more to contribute as a receiver.

Evan Rodriguez is drawing Aaron Hernandez comparisons. While it’s unlikely he ever contributes on that level there’s an advantage in having a guy on the roster that can line-up anywhere from fullback to slot receiver. Lawrence Vickers is the resident fullback. While rarely featured in the offense, if you are going to barrel straight ahead Vickers is reliable enough to make sure he clears that first LB out of the way.

Offensive Tackle –

Trent Williams is a young and up and coming pass blocking tackle and if Roethlisberger is going to face pressure I’d prefer that he be able to see it coming. Ryan Harris is as a solid pass blocking tackle, although certainly no longer with the elite potential of Williams. Unfortunately like Williams he leaves a bit to be desires in the running game. Still both are more than athletic enough to keep their man engaged on running downs and all Charles and Bush need are a moment to slip by and into the second level.

J’Marcus Webb is a player I never thought would end up on my roster. He’s woefully miscast as the starting left tackle of the Bears and there’s a decent chance his suspect pass blocking is going to get Jay Cutler hurt at some point this year. But he does have the size and athleticism to play both tackle positions and hopefully can develop when not thrust into a starting role.

Guard –

The interior of the offensive line is built with a couple of maulers. Daryn Colledge and Harvey Dahl aren’t elite guards but they both play a physical brand of football and have plenty of starting experience. They will set the tone in the trenches and Dahl brings the added ability to kick out to right tackle in a pinch.

Edwin Williams and Ryan Wendell are both developmental prospects. Both have a chance to develop into starters at either guard position down the line and Wendell could eventually back-up three positions. Neither would be great if thrust into a starting role, but both could hold their own.

Center –

Eric Wood is coming off of a torn ACL but before that he was a key part in one of the most underrated lines in the league. The emergence of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson are due in no small part to the work that Wood and his fellow Bills linemen have done the last two years. Until he’s fully recovered Chris Spencer is a passable starter at center who can also back-up at the guard positions.

Defensive Coordinator –

Rod Marinelli: While he’ll likely never fully escape the specter of the Lions’ 0-16 season under his tenure as Head Coach it’s hard to argue with the results as a position coach and coordinator. Previously seen only as a defensive line coach, although one of the best in the league, Marinelli stepped in as coordinator for the Bears last season and helped continue to diversify the Tampa-2 attack and keep offenses from getting too comfortable.

He’s capable of working seamlessly with Lovie Smith, who will have considerable influence over the defensive gameplan, and of getting the most out of the defensive line, whose pressure is essential in running a base Cover-2 defense. There aren’t going to be a lot of exotic looks or blitzes, instead this defense will rely on athleticism and execution; forcing teams to execute all the way down the field while constantly looking for opportunities to take the ball away.

Critics of this approach point to all the yards it can give up, labeling it a bend-but-don’t-break defense. I see it as forcing your opponent to play at his best. By not gambling and allowing teams to pick up big hunks of yardage – plays that far more often lead to scores – the Lovie/Marinelli Cover-2 approach forces teams to consistently pick up 3^rd downs and execute over and over again to move the ball down the field. It’s also overstated just how often the Bears played the base Tampa-2 in a given year. Lovie’s defense has evolved to include plenty of man and Cover-3 looks.

Defensive Line –

This style of defense requires a dominant pass rushing force and in this case it’s Trent Cole. Cole has the added bonus of being a quality run defender too, but first and foremost his job is to get to the quarterback. A consistent double-digit sack guy, Cole has several years left in his prime and will be counted on to be the star of this defense going forward. Flanking him on the other end is Israel Idonije, a stout run defender, underrated pass rusher, and admittedly personal favorite. He was exposed as a full-time starter last year, wearing down over the course of the season and struggling to bring a pass rush in the second half of the year. But in this defense he’ll be in a rotation with rush specialist Ray Edwards. Edwards struggled during his first year in Atlanta; hopefully he’ll recapture his 8 sack form by being allowed to focus on one side of the field and only getting after the quarterback.

In the middle emerging 3-technique tackle Henry Melton will be joined by converted 3-4 DE Pernell McPhee. Both players generate a ton of pass rush, and in a one-gap style defense the ability to get to up the field from the tackle position is the quickest way to blow plays up. There is some concern that Pernell will struggle moving effectively to a NT position but that’s what cagey veteran Anthony Adams is there for. Very little flash to his game but Spice Adams is technically sound and knows the in’s and out’s of this defense.

Youngsters Stephen Paea and George Selvie round out the defensive line. Neither is ready for bright lights of a starting gig yet but they are both impressive physical specimen. Ideally under the tutelage of coach Marinelli Paea can develop into a swing tackle, capable of playing both NT and the 3-technique or “under tackle” and being a key cog in the rotation. Selvie should at least be able to make an impact on special teams.

Linebacker –

Some will say I went cheap at linebacker but I consider this crew just vastly underrated. While no one is going to confused David Hawthorne with Brian Urlacher, he’s been a tackling machine when given the opportunity and has the athleticism to drop down the middle of the field and defend against the pass in Cover-2. James Anderson and Thomas Davis are also racked up huge tackle numbers in Carolina. They are both firmly in the prime of their careers and posses sideline to sideline speed, especially Davis who is a converted safety.

Davis has struggled with knee injuries the last few years, but behind him Nick Roach is an absolute steal at $0.5mil cap hit. He’s played and started in the scheme for the last few years and can back-up all 3 LB positions. Rob Ninkovich has played mostly inside in a 3-4 defense to this point in his career but the 10.5 sacks he’s racked up over the last two years hint at an athleticism that could excel given some more space. Rocky McIntosh is a player the Bears once targeted to fill Lance Briggs shoes and is a capable tackler on the weakside. Heath Farwell is a standout special teamer, who isn’t here to do anything more than cover kicks.

Defensive Backs –

When first considering this task the one thing I knew immediately was my starting safety tandem. Tyvon Branch as emerged as an elite safety with the unique ability to match-up with and defend the new breed of elite TEs. As Sam Monson noted in his Q&A over at RSP, “He limited Gronkowski to one catch for 15 yards in their game last season going man coverage with him most of the game.  He also blanked Dustin Keller and Antonio Gates (twice!) last season while Owen Daniels and Kyle Rudolph could each muster just a single catch against him.” Given that TEs are often considered Cover-2 busters having Branch patches a serious hole and takes the unit one step closer to an elite level.

He’s paired with the criminally underrated Danieal Manning. Manning combines elite coverage ability, using his speed to take away huge chunks of the field over the top with some of the surest tackling in the league. Oh, and he’s not too shabby of a kick returner either. Rounding out the starting secondary is Lardarius Webb an emerging star at CB who has the physicality for the necessary run support in the Tampa-2 along with the man coverage skills to follow opposing teams #1 WR around the field. He’s joined by Tim Jennings, undersized for some systems his ability to play in space and willingness as a tackler make him the perfect fit for this defense.

Covering slot receivers will be nickleback D.J. Moore. He’s proven to be a playmaker at the position both with big INTs and pressure as a blitzer. Behind Branch and Manning are Haruki Nakamura and Craig Steltz, both guys provide solid depth and would not embarrass themselves if forced into a starting role.

Finally Chris Cook, Dwight Lowery, and Corey Graham bring diversity and versatility to the secondary. Cook has the biggest upside and will likely develop into a starter at either cornerback position in the near future. Lowery has the flexibility to play both CB and S as he demonstrated during his time with the Jets, and Graham is just flat out one of the best special teamers in the entire league.

Special Teams –

Dave Toub: He has long lead a consistently elite special teams group in Chicago. It goes far beyond Devin Hester’s individual brilliance as both Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning have both made pro bowls as returns thanks in part to Toub’s schemes. He’s on the most creative minds coaching and hasn’t missed a beat despite all the rule changes.

Neither Neil Rackers nor Adam Podlesh is anything special as a kicker in the NFL. Both guys are league average but should fill their roles very comfortable on this team. Rackers won’t be asked to attempt a lot of long field goals, because the offense is going to be aggressive on going for it on 4^th and reasonable once they cross the 50. Podlesh will be supported by outstanding coverage units featuring two of the best in the business in Corey Graham and Heath Farwell.

Final Thoughts –

The challenge of building a roster and really an entire team from the ground up was an enlightening one. Everyone wants to best playmakers, but in such a physical and violent game you really can’t afford to completely sacrifice depth. Finding the balance as money quickly dries up was difficult and really forced prioritization.

Overall I feel like my team represents what I want to see most, a pass heavy, speed oriented offense geared towards making big plays rather than simply controlling time of possession, complimented by a defense that doesn’t give up explosive plays and challenges the opposition to be at peak execution. How would they fare? That’s for my fellow GMs to decide…

Tags: 53-man roster, NFL, Rookie Scouting Portfolio, RSP