As each roster is posted the other Sports Trough GM’s will weigh in with their thoughts, opinions, critiques, etc. After posting my team, the Des Plaines Raccoons, my fellow roster architects had this to say:

Kyle Knopp –

Looking over the roster, I see some decisions that I really love. First thing I like is putting a QB and a star WR on the team that already have experience playing with each other. Wallace should get plenty of looks with guys like Cruz and Bennett on the field. Those three should really open things up for Bush and Charles, though I’m not sure I would really go with a two-back set with those two. Neither can be a great pass blocker, but Roethlisberger can move in the pocket to make up for that.

The only problem is the more Roethlisberger runs, the less accurate he gets. Plus, if you’re running those two back sets, you don’t get the option to have Martellus Bennett, and his blocking, on the line. Even with the skill position players put together Sean was still able to spend some money on the O-Line. While there isn’t much for depth there, there are some solid starters.

As for the defense, I love the secondary, but feel like the money spent on Webb could have gone to the linebackers a little bit. Same with the front 4, while Trent Cole is a great DE, that’s a lot of money to spend on one guy. Not to mention, there’s no depth there. I don’t trust Ray Edwards enough to go a full game and keep up the intensity.

It’s an interesting look to have a SS be the captain of your team. I’m used to the MLB running that side of the ball, and I don’t think Hawthorne would get the respect of his peers here to lead them on the field. I think Branch is the obvious choice for D captain.

When it comes to coaches, I like Rod on defense. He normally sets well there. I’m not too sure about Scott Linehan though. He isn’t used to having running backs that are the caliber of Charles and Bush on his team (Yes, that’s a slight on Kevin Smith. Take it as you will) along with the quarterback talent you have. With the Rams he had Steven Jackson, but no other offensive weapons. I’m not sure I would be able to trust him with the play calling. And Lovie is a good fit here. The team seems to have a pretty conservative approach, which Lovie fits the bill for.

Overall I like the approach. The offense is modern, and the defense is conservative. It’s a sound game plan for success. My only concern with this team is depth on the O-Line, D-Line, and linebackers. Everything else is as solid as it can get.

Justin Wynter –

The roster appears to have pretty good flexibility, with two solid receivers (Wallace and Cruz) and a pseudo-slot receiver in Reggie Bush. I am concerned about Jamaal Charles’ durability especially since there isn’t a blocking full back (Rodriguez playing out of position does not count) on the roster. I also think that the league is moving towards athletic and dynamic tight ends. Moeaki has a lot of upside but doesn’t strike me as the guy who is going to create plays when Roethlisberger scrambles and has to get rid of the ball quick.

On defensive side of the ball, I think it’s interesting that you put your best pass rusher on the left side of the line. Trent Cole has traditionally played on the right side where he has had success attacking the traditional right-handed quarterback’s blind side. On the other hand, Israel Idonije and Ray Edwards are great value guys at their positions. I’m very interested to hear what sorts of defensive schemes are planned.

Jeff Lin –

The first thing I notice about this team is the extreme risk/reward that Sean has decided to play with ACL injuries, gambling that these players will bounce back to their pre-injury level. I like the ballsyness of this play but only time will tell if these players can return to form after these injuries.

The second thing I find interesting is that while Sean is a Chicago Bears fan which could be considered linebacker U of the NFL he decided to go cheap at that position. I believe that the players chosen at LB could be considered underrated, their upside is limited. That being said I like the defense as a whole, getting a couple of nice safeties that will be helped by a tremendous pass rush lead by Trent Cole. It’s a good philosophy that should play out in Sean’s favor.  Also I wouldn’t have believed this was a Sean Cassidy team if Israel Idonije wasn’t on the roster.

Overall there are some things I like and some I don’t, but putting it all together this is an above average roster. One of the things I don’t like is Big Ben but that’s probably just personal bias.