One shouldn't complain about how the nominations / voting are going until after they are done. At least, that's why I have tried to do in the past
Hmmmm so I got to choose between Todd being a cranky old grandpa or Todd being the boy toy to a cougar. Oh the fun!
Schisno Presents A Look Back At The Draft Steals Looking back at the last five years of the GML, we as GMs always wonder who really had the best draft, or best free agency class. Well in this series of retrospectives, I have decided to see if we in fact awarded the right pick. When picking the Draft Steal, most time we award the GM with a pick based on the value of the real NFL. It’s how we have the likes of Jake Locker walking away with the Draft Steal award, simply because he was drafted in the top ten of the first round in the real NFL Draft. Why do we reward our GML picks based on over drafting by real NFL GMs? Our only rules are that the player must have been drafted behind where they were actually drafted. So no, drafting Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson in the third round in the GML will not qualify. Well, let’s take a look and see if we can figure out who the real GML Draft Steal was… 2010 Draft Steal of the year: The Pick: Ryan Matthews - Buffalo Bills [dukane5/Silverphin] Drafted Round 2, #49 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 1, #12 Overall in the GML Career Stats Year Games Played Games Started Rushing Yards TDs 2010 12 9 678 7 2011 14 14 1091 6 2012 12 9 707 1 2014 16 15 1255 6 As we can see the Lord of No Rings drafted Ryan Matthews 12th overall in the 2010 Draft, while he went 49th overall to the Buffalo Bills which happens to be more than a full round of value. However Ryan Matthews hasn’t established himself as a premiere running back in the league, as he has had health issues early in his career and only broke a thousand yards twice in four years. However he may be turning a corner after finally playing in 16 games for the first time in his career. The Real Steal: Lamarr Houston – Pittsburgh Steelers [sports24/7] Drafted Round 4, #114 Overall Drafted Round 2, #044 Overall Career Stats: Year Games Played Games Started Tackles Sacks 2010 16 15 39 5 2011 16 13 51 1 2012 16 16 69 4.5 2013 16 16 69 6 Alternatively, my pick would have to be Lamarr Houston who happened to have played in all 64 career games and starting all but 4 of them. Houston has collected 16.5 sacks and just signed a $35 million contract with the Bears, a valuable defensive lineman, Houston easily beats out Matthews as the real 2010 Draft Steal. Other picks for the real draft steal include S TJ Ward who was also taken in the fourth round of the GML by the Green Bay Packers, other running backs like Toby Gerhart and Ben Tate didn’t count because they were drafted closely to where they were actually selected and their body of work is too small. Given another year and Eric Decker could leap frog all the players here. 2011 Draft Steal of the year: The Pick: Jake Locker – Minnesota Vikings [schisno] Drafted Round 2, #45 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 1, #08 Overall in the NFL Career Stats: Year Games Played Games Started Passing Yards TDs INTs 2011 5 0 542 4 0 2012 11 11 2176 10 11 2013 7 7 1256 8 4 This is a case of real NFL draft position affecting the real value of the player. Jake Locker has shown flashes but has yet to be healthy for a full season and has not come close to the production expected of a top ten pick. Then again this was a weak year for quarterbacks in the first round, especially with the likes of Colin Kaepernick being drafted in the third round. Jake Locker has to be considered a bust, even with where he was drafted in the GML, but he’s still no John Beck. Real Steal: Andy Dalton – Baltimore Ravens [Skeet84] Drafted Round 3, #92 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 2, #35 Overall in the NFL Career Stats: Year Games Played Games Started Passing yards TDs INTs 2011 16 16 3398 20 13 2012 16 16 3669 27 16 2013 16 16 4293 33 20 There is talk about Andy Dalton holding back the Bengals, but in terms of draft value here in the GML he has been the best value in the 2011 Draft, especially with the numbers in comparison to quarterbacks drafted in the first round and with the fact that he’s starter every game of his career thus far and that full round value the Ravens got can be multipled and argued that Dalton is one of a few first round level quarterbacks. Other picks include DT Phil Taylor who was drafted in the second round in the GML, another player who was up for the title of draft steal was James Carpenter, who was a first round pick of the Seahawks in the NFL but a third round pick in the GML. Unfortunately the James Carpenter pick hasn’t played up to a level that we can describe as a steal for an offensive tackle. Especially when there have been many other lineman from the draft class who has outplayed him. 2012 Draft Steal of the year: The Pick: Mark Barron – Tennessee Titans [Paul_13] Drafted Round 1, #32 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 1, #07 Overall in the NFL How much of a steal is a player if he’s drafted in the same round? Does a top ten player being drafted at the end of the first count? What if Aaron Curry or Vernon Gholston slipped to the later part of the first round? Not to say Mark Barron is a bust like either of those two, instead he has been a really solid safety for the Buccaneers and will continue to develop. However there are other players who have showed just slightly better value in terms of draft placement, No, not Harrison Smith. Career Stats Year Games Played Games Started Tackles Sacks INTs 2012 16 16 88 0 1 2013 14 14 88 2 2 Real Steal: Chandler Jones – New York Jets [schisno] Drafted Round 3, #66 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 1, #21 Overall in the NFL The real draft steal in this case happens to be Chandler Jones who was stolen by the New York Jets in the third round, but drafted by AFC East Rival New England in the first round. Jones has developed into a great defensive end and hit double digit sack totals this past season. One of the reasons for the rise in defensive play in New England, Jones is a strong part and worth more than his GML draft positions. Career Stats Year Games Played Games Started Tackles Sacks 2012 14 13 45 6 2013 16 16 79 11.5 2013 Draft Steal of the year: The Pick: DJ Hayden – Miami Dolphins [GridIronKing34] Drafted Round 3, #85 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 1, #12 Overall in the NFL Another case of NFL draft placement making a certain player look more valuable than he is, DJ Hayden was taken a little early by the Oakland Raiders but has been out played by the likes of third rounder Logan Ryan. You’ve got to play more than 8 games as a 12th overall pick, the 25 tackles and 1 forced fumble and 1 interception is an ok start. Career Stats Year Games Played Games Started Tackles Sacks INTs 2013 8 2 25 0 1 Real Steal: Kiko Alonso – Miami Dolphins [GridIronKing34] Drafted Round 3, #96 Overall in the GML Drafted Round 2, #46 Overall in the NFL The Miami Dolphins still have the 2013 NFL Draft Steal, it just happens to be the wrong player because he wasn’t a first round pick, even though he’s been playing like one all year. Kiko Alonso won the Pro Football Weekly defensive rookie of the year award. This is also a toss up because you can put the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year Sheldon Richardson here as well, however as a GML third round pick he’s definitely played pass his second round selection and would be a top ten pick if there was a redraft. Career Stats Year Games Played Games Started Tackles Sacks INTs 2013 16 15 159 2 4
Nobody has the Rams "built for now" but they likely will have 7-8 of the Top 100 players in the NFL undisputedly. Maybe I just need a franchise QB....wait? Huh?
Schisno Presents Looking Back At Free Agent Steal of the Year What makes a free agent a steal? Of course past production plays into, but you’re not paying money for what they did in the past, instead you want to use your analytical skills and find underappreciated gems who will out produce high price free agents. In a salary cap world you have to be smart and can’t throw money around if you’re going to compete for the long term. Some GMs will be seduced by a big name who went slightly below what they expected, but how closely do they look at age and production that’s left? Of course not all players in their prime will be worth that big deal, and not all minimum contracts will be a boon… heck, they can just end up a JAG. 2010 Free Agent Steal of the Year DE Adewale Ogunleye $300,000 – Denver Broncos [NickyNapolean] Back in 2010 the Salary Cap was set at a paltry $58,000,000 and some of the biggest contracts were between the $5,000,000 to $8,000,000 and then you had some frachise players like Peyton Manning who was worth a modest $14,000,000. The contract minimum was set to $300,000 and that is where we found our Free Agent Steal of the Year, he had a been a strong player and productive defensive end for both the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears, however was Adewale Ogunleye worth his contract? Hardly, the Houston Texans picked him up and were able to squeeze out 4 games with no starts and just 2 tackles, if there was ever a JAG in 2010 it was our Free Agent Steal of the Year. Of course not all the GMs thought that way back in 2010, as noted by famed Miami fan and I believe owner of an Ogunleye jersey… Schisno’s 2010 Free Agent Steal of the Year: LB Stephen Tulloch $1,250,000 – Tennessee Titans [Biggtyme13] I want you to understand something, Demeco Ryans and Shawne Merriman got contracts worth over $5,000,000 in the GML this year and both played a total of 6 games and 3 games respectively. Scott Fujita who got slightly more than Stephen Tulloch, and played in only 9 games. That’s a lot of money for a player to sit out. However Stephen Tulloch went and had a career high in tackles with 160 and added 1 sack, 1 INT starting all 16 games in 2012 and remains one of the best tackling machines in the league. You know who else got paid more than Tulloch? Ryan Pickett at $7,000,000 and OJ Atogwe at $8,000,000 and 2010 was his last solid year before washing out with Washington. Other notable free agents were Rocky McIntosh who earned the same $1,250,000 for 110 tackles, and Derrick Mason who made $1,000,000 for over 800 receiving yards and 7 TDs. We still do not agree with Paul_13 voting for Charlie Whitehurst and his $300,000 contract as a steal either. 2011 Free Agent Steal of the Year OT Vernon Carey $1,100,000 – San Francisco [Alen1] In 2011 the Salary Cap was set at $75,000,000 and Vernon Carey was part of the 22nd worst offensive line in 2011 and had a grade of (-4.1) according to PFF. Hardly an endorsement for free agent steal of the year, then again it’s a second year in a row we have a Dolphin/Former Dolphin with the nod. Granted it is harder to grade a lineman as a free agent steal. In 2011 Bobbie Williams was a top 50 offensive lineman according to Bleacher Report and went for the GML minimum of $300,000, so you can see the kind of value you can find at lineman. Also the fact that Vernon Carey was had for $450,000, tells me all I need to know. Schisno’s 2011 Free Agent Steal of the Year LB Daryl Smith $1,000,000 – Denver Broncos [GridIronKing34] It was hard to find a solid steal in free agency this year as most big names continue to go for big money. However I land back at another linebacker, another very solid player in Daryl Smith who managed 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT and 2 FFs and although he missed the majority of 2012, he bounced back in 2013 with a very good year. Most players who received minimum contracts like Clinton Portis never played in 2011, or other big names like Randy Moss who received $2,500,000 never saw the field in 2011 either. There was a lot of wasted money. How Charlie Whitehurst got $1,500,000 I will never know. 2012 Free Agent Steal of the Year DT Paul Soliai, $3,200,000 - Pittsburgh Steelers [Boik14] Paul Soliai is a solid run defender up the middle and the $3,200,000 is a modest contract, but there were other players of similar value in 2012 like Sione Pouha. Other solid players included Adam Carriker who got $1,200,000 himself. Most grades given to Soliai around this time were a B. So the investment was good for the value, and a lot of what he does won’t show up on the stat sheets. Schisno’s 2012 Free Agent Steal of the Year RB Marshawn Lynch $5,400,000 – Pittsburgh Steelers [Boik14] I think the best value and the actual Free Agent Steal for 2012 was Marshawn Lynch, I know $5,400,000 seems like a steep price for a steal but look at what Lynch was able to accomplished in 2012, 3rd in Rushing with 1590 yards, 5th in rushing TDs with 11, a Pro Bowl appearance as an alternate and an All Pro voting. Contrast that with Michael Bush receiving $5,000,000 from Oakland and Benjarvis Green-Ellis commanded $3,800,000. Honestly it was surprising to see how a top tier running back like that even enter free agency, then again Seattle decided they had to franchise David Hawthorne for over $9,000,000… he of 10 games in 2012. Even Peyton Hillis was transitioned for over $6,000,000. Though the Bills were just a year early on Jordan Cameron who they won for $550,000 after he was cut, then again 200 yards receiving doesn’t make that contract as palatable. I'll give a shout out to sports24/7 and his $16,000,000 contract to Marques Colston.
Maybe I'm saying the Dolphins blinders need to go up? Then again, not everyone can be as impartial as I.
"Mike Brown has cast his nomination votes and has now returned to napping. Enjoy and congratulations." - Mike Brown "No comment." - Bengals GM, RoninFin4
That is fine, its encouraged. Be honest and vote how you want it doesn't matter if guys are already nominated. If no-one nominates guys already nominated there will be no way to determine finalists.
but they got drafted. well then..... that's all the more reason I should get at least 1 darn Best in FA nomination.
Thinking of adding for next year: Least Likely to Follow Directions Most Likely To Wait Till The Last Second Most Likely to Miss A Deadline (yeah, that's semi related to the first one isn't it?) Least Liked (heheh... kidding... or am I? )
I gotta tell ya man, hearing the word grandpa is f***ing terrible. I'd ask to be called uncle Todd if her drama-queen grandmother didn't find it insensitive.
If UDFA's count toward free agency, then wouldn't it qualify as one of the FA Steals of the Year to get my right tackle of the future [Justin Britt, 2nd round] for free as a UDFA, especially when it was Seattle who actually drafted him?
well, he is fast, maybe he can be in two places at once? Any other **** ups you notice? (I realize that's an open ended question that as todd would put it, is ambiguous...) would have been nice if you noticed this a few days ago...
he even lists him as traded on his team writeup... Baltimore hasn't gotten much love in the nominations that I can see... but it's early in my tabulations. If they get into the top tier, might have to do something drastic.
Green Bay wins the NFC North by the way... for obvious reasons that may be considered by some to be ambiguous.
Who wins the other divisions in your opinion? Or can you not divulge that information as commissioner?
Actually considering Carolina's GM........Green Bay pulling it off just goes to show how huge a trade that one was. And Paul....just name it as it is: "Pain In The *** Of The Year".
Yeah I listed GB because they were the only team in their division to post their roster. There are a couple of others that are toss ups.
Too bad Chicago didn't post a roster... that FA signing of McCown at $495k would have been nominated into the finals (i'd have made it so, Baltimore reminded me... of course they voted for Chicago incorrectly... I digress)...
no... final voting is up... tabulating all the nomiinations and creating that final voting post literally took me all night.
I'll vote for you in the rookie of the year award oh wait, didn't you say you did this a long time ago? :don'ttellanyone:
BTW, GM of the Year award means different things to different people. A lot of rookies this year... so just trying to offer some advice here. For me, the GM of the Year is not necessarily who did the best job on paper with their roster (the other awards take care of that), to me, it's someone that participated a lot, got back to you quickly via PM, was friendly and helpful. Sort of the humanitarian of the year award. the Walter Payton award. No GIK and Mach aren't eligible even though they did help.... maybe. Neither is schisno, although he's a Patriots fan, so he wouldn't be eligible anyway.
