12-06-2021, 01:40 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2021, 05:00 AM by .simo. Edited 1 time in total.)
Be a GM - Baltimore Hawks
Hey all. AW here and double media has me thinking about these prompts and in particular the Be a GM prompts and as many know, I have been a GM in multiple leagues including in the ISFL where I served as co-GM for the San Jose Sabercats for multiple seasons, winning a couple GM awards and a championship. I love to look at things through the lens of GMing a team and even when I see things going on in the league, I think, is this a good move for the GM or for the franchise? Is that a move that was probably done way too soon or was it something that will cripple a franchise but yeah, it is always interesting. This will be hopefully the first of multiple Be a GM articles and I am just going down the list of teams as they are laid out on the ISFL site so first we have the Baltimore Hawks, which is certainly a very interesing one. The Baltimore Hawks have been one of the bottom feeders of the ISFL for a long time in the last little bit and funny enough, I was actually one of the finalists for the Baltimore GM or Co-GM position back in the day when Huskies was hiring out. It was me and Buttersquatch and Butters got the job and I gave up ever trying to get another job in the league because I thought my experience and such was a slam dunk but hey, I am now the one writing about Baltimore not being good. As a matter of fact, since season 27, the team has been the worst team in their conference and a couple times in the league, let's look at Baltimore's recent run.
Last Five Seasons:
Season 27: 0-16
Season 28: 2-14
Season 29: 3-13
Season 30: 4-12
Season 31: 4-12
Over the last 5 seasons, not including this one, the Baltimore Hawks have increased their win total almost each year so that is a good and positive thing. However, they started from 0 wins in Season 27 and capped out at 4 in both seasons 30 and 31 so it has been quite sad over the last 5 seasons for a once great franchise. Combined, the team went 13-67 (16.25% winning percentage) over the last 5 seasons so yeah, there is nowhere to go but up for the Hawks!
This Season:
Season 32: 3-9 so far
This season, the Hawks find themselves again at the bottom of the standings in the NSFC, but are tied with the Wraiths and Butchers and actually have a better point differential than those two mentioned, combined, or at least close to combined on first glance. The team has 4 games left but I would probably say that only 1 of those games, home against Yellowknife, is a great chance at winning with their other games being against tougher competition. My projection would be that the team is going to finish 4-12, beating Yellowknife and that both the Wraiths and Butchers lose out making Baltimore the 5th best team in the NSFC. With that record, they likely would finish tied with Orange County at 4-12 and due to beating Orange County earlier in the season 42-10 in week 1, Baltimore would jump them in the upcoming draft and have the 4th overall pick in the Season 33 ISFL Draft. Not a terrible pick but it sets us up with a little to work with here seeing as we now own a top 5 pick which are usually always slam dunks for the most part in my opinion. I don't actually know if Baltimore has their pick or picks but for the purpose of this article we are going to assume that they do. Actually, llet's look at the draft pick tracker. Oof. Orange County owns the pick so the Otters will have 2 top 5 picks and Baltimore does not have their 2nd round pick either so their first pick is likely San Jose's 2nd round pick at the middle of the 2nd round so not a great situation to be in pick wise. So, there is no reason to try and tank the rest of the season and any win they pick up this season just hurts Orange County and well, helps make Baltimore look a little bit better on paper and getting out of the cellar would be ideal for a team that has spent the last 5 going on 6 seasons there.
The Team:
Now, what I want to do is look at the current roster of the Baltimore Hawks, position by position and talk about the grades of each position and talk about how the team fares at that position moving forward and whether we need to worry about it now versus later.
Quarterback:
Gimmy Jaroppolo Jr. - 915 TPE - Season 29
We start here with the game's most important position. Your QB is generally your face of the franchise and we are talking about whether or not Gimmy Jr. can lead the Hawks into the next era as the Season 29 QB starts to get into his prime with a good number of years left to play. Now, in terms of TPE, Gimmy is 6th in the S29 class in TPE earnings behind Oles at the QB position. That is not a huge issue in itself, top 6 is not a bad thing of course and we saw last season, another QB who is 6th in their class, Joliet Christ Jr. win a title in Honolulu so it is possible to build around someone that is not the number one earner in their class and what not. The biggest concern right now is that Gimmy has not updated in a couple weeks despite being on the site and of course it is okay to not update but there have been no posts since 11/20 so is Jr.'s activity trailing off? Hard to say but it has to be a concern especially since I believe it is still a GM player. Maybe not doing so hot as a team has taken a toll or maybe it is a salary issue to be able to extend a lower salary QB or something?
GM thoughts: You have to be concerned here as I said about Gimmy here because without a QB, a franchise can quickly fall apart and especially for a team that is rebuilding, if that QB goes inactive, even if they are good, the inability to fight regression will quickly take apart the team's competition window and maybe you can try and get a title in there but it is not good for long term success. Now, generally, as a GM, Frick has been someone I have trusted in a lot of spots so I don't think there would be any issues there and if he is motivated and stuff, he is an elite member of your team and locker room. There is not much you can do here rather than hope it's just busy life for a couple weeks. If there is no updates leading up to the draft, QB is usually a position you can get later, maybe take a flier in the 3rd or 4th round. However, I don't believe there are many QBs in the upcoming draft so there might not be a great option. Most likely you have to roll with Gimmy and hope. Regardless he is not Baltimore's issue right now as he has thrown for 25 touchdown passes to just 9 interceptions and his passer rating is in the middle of the league right now. You can build up the team around him and make a run at things still but my guess is that I am overhyping the situation because it has just been 2 weeks and that Gimmy Jr. is going to be just fine.
Position grade: B
Need grade: B+
Running Back(s):
Busch Goose - 1129 TPE - S28
Dante King - 937 TPE - S29
Your ball carriers are a main part of the offense and touch it the 2nd most times after your QB on offense so having a guy that can reliably run for yards is big. Speaking personally, having a guy like Cobra Kai behind you takes off a ton of pressure so RB could be just as important as your QB in some cases. In Baltimore's case, they have a terrific thing going on with both Goose and King as they are some of the two elite members of their team. Goose, 2nd in Season 28 and King, 4th in Season 29 in regards to TPE, they might be too elite at the running back position. Baltimore has not run a ton and has the 3rd least rush attempts in the league which is strange but with both RBs being receiving backs they are at least reliable in the pass game.
GM thoughts: As long as these guys are happy, you are happy as a GM. You can do a lot on offense with these guys including splitting one of them out wide if you are wanting. You don't have to do anything here and that is a great thing. I would personally run the ball more than they are but it is picking your poison. These are guys who are receiving backs probably for a reason so if they watch catches, you get them catches!
Wide Receivers(s):
Luke Quick - 1123 TPE - S28
Preston Parker - 920 TPE - S27
We get to our pass catching options and Baltimore has a solid one and two right now but they are aging a bit which can be a concern for the team. The team is not super deep at the position having just the 2 so a slot receiver is more likely filled with a TE or a running back versus their receivers. This is where having their 2 receiving backs can help as their lack of depth is not as pronounced with running backs being able to split out wide.
GM Thoughts: This is a position that I might want to focus on. Parker is 11th in his draft/regression class in TPE and has just one more season before regression is beating down his door. With a Season 29 QB almost at the exact TPE as him, you have to wonder about getting a replacement at the WR2 spot. You have Quick and he even regresses a season before your QB but he should be able to outlast a few seasons of regression. If I am the GM, I am wanting to get my plans for a WR2 in place and potentially making it my best available pick or stress the area in free agency when that comes. It is not an immediate need but come Gimmy's prime, Parker is less likely to be relied upon as a top 2 receiving option. Maybe you play Goose or King as a WR and you move on from there but they are so good and versatile I almost want to get a big WR option in there to take in some catches and keep the RBs being able to be used in multiple spots. It is a position that can have generally good success early on as a rookie or 2nd year pass catcher so grab them in the next draft or 2 and you should be good. Parker can last as a reliable option but I want that insurance to surround Gimmy Jr. with a terrific complement of weapons.
Tight End(s):
Lenard Graf - 388 TPE - S32
Generally, tight end is a position that you are fine having one guy at though it could help depending on circumstances to have 2 if you are running heavier sets but if not, having one reliable pass catcher is just fine. Well, Baltimore wanted to get a tremendous tight end and spent their first overall pick in Season 32 on a tight end in Graf.
GM Thoughts: There is not too much to this one really. You spent a lot of draft capital to bring in Lenard Graf so he is counted on to be your franchise tight end. Graf is currently 10th in his class in TPE and 2nd amongst tight ends but it is just by 15 TPE so there is no need to fret there. So, yeah, you just want to make sure you feed Graf and keep your number one overall pick happy, not much else there as he can be there a long long time.
Kicker/Punter:
Paul Monitor - 373 TPE - S31
Yes, we are including the special teamer here because why not? Also, it can be a very important position in being able to make the kicks when drives stall out or to flip field position in the case of a punter so it is important to have one that can be relied upon. Last year's 2nd round pick Paul Monitor does the kicking and punting duties for the team.
GM Thoughts: This is an interesting one because in general, Monitor is not really earning much TPE but at the current time of writing this, he has 93 in kick power and 90 in kick accuracy. It is not the greatest in the world but he can be a decent kicker for awhile even if he does not update again which is the glory of the position. Would I take another kicker anytime soon? Probably not unless one just fell to me or a free agent kicker came available that would serve as a big improvement. At around 30th in his class, you still have some production and any updates going forward are just going to be icing on the cake. Not great, but not a position I am worrying about for the next 5-6 seasons unless I need to.
Offensive Line:
Bruce Buckley - 596 TPE - S22
Madison Beer - 307 TPE - S30
I debated adding offensive line in here but I thought I would anyways just to show everything Baltimore has. Personally, I am unsure of how good user OL are compared to BOTs and at what level you need your linemen at to be better and all that jazz. Well, in terms of Baltimore and the future of their OL, I don't think they are at that level.
GM Thoughts: Personally, I don't think I have ever at the ISFL/NSFL level had a user offensive linemen and we did alright in San Jose just using BOTs. Maybe if you have multiple guys there, you can create an advantage and it would be kind of fun having an all user offensive line and I think cap makes that possible with user to BOT pay being similar or potentially less. Baltimore has an old man in Buckley who has carved out a nice career as a lineman and a non-factor in Beer. Buckley I assume is in his final season or two in the league and Beer likely might be worse than a BOT especially with a lot of the 307 TPE still available. I am just balking on this one and similar to kicker, if a solid lineman falls to me or needs a FA home, I am doing it, if not, I am having some fun creating BOT names and such like Beep Bot in San Jose.
Defensive Line:
David Ramczyk - 415 TPE - S28 - DT
Will Smyth - 567 TPE - S29 - DT
Morpheus Czargyros - 588 TPE - S31 - DE
Defensive line is another position that is interesting to me in the ISFL. I think it is an underrated position and a position I could potentially recreate as but I think it is one that you can be good at even at a low TPE level, even after the change to the new sim engine. Baltimore has 3 guys here with 2 defensive tackles and 1 defensive end so I have to assume they are using a BOT in there or they are running a 3-4 primary defense. Highlighted by Season 31 first overall pick Czargyros, the group lacks depth but has some solid potential.
GM Thoughts: Defensive line is in an interesting position here if I was given the GM job in Baltimore. Personally, I like to have traditional defenses and if I am running a 3-4 I want my DEs to be competent run stoppers and a nose tackle with my linebackers providing pass rush. If I am running a 4-3, I want my DEs, in particular my LE, to be my primary pass rushers or edge rushers, along with some balanced DTs. Currently, Baltimore has a nose tackle in Ramczyk, an interior rusher in Smyth, and a speed rusher in Czargyros. I think this mold so far fits a 4-3 better but that means you are missing a piece on the defensive line. I think you have a perfect pass rushing combo in Morph and Smyth and then you have Ramczyk to stop the run but you need another guy. I would target a RE that may be more of a run stopping defensive end either high in a draft of in free agency. You could end go power rusher as well, I just want a guy that might provide some different skillsets at end. I would maybe make this one of my more desired positions to target to be able to generate a pass rush from the front, win at the point of attack, and ease your linebackers and secondary in coverage.
Linebackers:
A.J. Lucas - 1078 TPE - S26
Chet Larson - 1085 TPE - S26
Sheriff Woody - 774 TPE - S30
Next we go to the middle of the defense with our linebackers and our group of linebackers in Baltimore is rather good, though aging for sure. Season 26 is about to hit regression this off-season and it could put a wrench into things but this linebacker group has a lot left in the tank for sure. The group is highlighted by the combination of Lucas and Larson, two aging veterans but also contains promising Season 30 first overall pick in Sheriff Woody.
GM Thoughts: This one is interesting for a few reasons. The first reason is what was mentioned before in that Season 26 guys are getting hit by regression very soon and could face a small decline. Typically, it is not something I would worry too much about but if you look at the rest of the team, it is probably a team that needs 2 seasons to realistically compete so they will face a couple regressions in that time. However, that being said, you will be replacing the top LBs with Woody and the others will be around Woody's current level so it is not the end of the world. As mentioned in the DL write up, I would likely chase a 4-3 defense with the current group and they have 3 LBs already. I would maybe look to see if I can find a LB in free agency when Lucas and Larson would be upgradeable but at least for 2 seasons I think you are good. Woody is your franchise guy on defense and it is just complementing him with other LBs and so far a regressed Lucas and Larson would hardly be a bad thing so it is not a position I am looking at for a season or two.
Secondary:
Lip Gallagher - 970 TPE - S29 - CB
Pepelegs Johnson - 562 TPE - S30 - CB
Derek Wildstar - 764 TPE - S26 - S
Tre'Mendus Johnson - 867 TPE - S29 - S
Pasta the Turtle - 420 TPE - S32 - S
Initially I was going to separate both CBs and S but I found myself thinking about who they had at safety when thinking about corners and such so I just combined them. I think it is fair because you can use safeties at corner and corners at safety and such I believe so it is just defensive backs at this point. You have a great mix of young and old on the Hawks roster highlighted by Gallagher at corner, Johnson at safety, and 2nd overall pick in the Season 32 ISFL draft, Pasta the Turtle.
GM Thoughts: This is a promising group on the team when thinking about things as a GM. It is a group that I think can be worked on a little bit but it is also a group that is pretty established and moldable as things change. Gallagher is your number one guy and he is solid, and at number 2 overall in his regression class, you have a premier corner for many more years and with a lot of S29s on the roster, will grow with the core. However, your next corner is Johnson who is solid but at 23rd in their regression class and haven't updated in a couple weeks, it is a spot where you look at a potential improvement whether through the draft or free agency. If I am GM, I potentially look towards the draft but ideally it is a position in a season or two where I go all out on in free agency to get a Aqib Talib to Gallagher's Chris Harris and make a run at it. At safety, Baltimore is good. Pasta the Turtle, who converted from linebacker is now a safety and at 2nd in their class and being 2nd overall in the Season 32 draft, you are relying on Pasta here. Right now, I think your starters are Johnson and Wildstar and Johnson at 13th in their class in TPE still is going to be your top safety for a long time. With Wildstar hitting regression soon, I think you shift him and Turtle and Turtle becomes your starting free safety and Wildstar takes more of a nickel or extra safety role. You of course will want to bring in an extra defensive back regardless to make up for an aging Wildstar and with them being lower in TPE, it is something that would be smarter to replace via the draft sooner rather than later. So, Lip, Pasta and Tre'Mendus are your sure money and then you look to potentially improve by drafting one and signing another defensive back to keep that depth. Signing one to replace Johnson could move Pepelegs to nickel which could be the top option.
The Priorities:
Here is where we summarize a little on what we just talked about in our positions guide.
1. Get another defensive end
I want to build by 4-3 defense and you have 3 guys with 1 star and 2 decent fillers but I want to get another young future star or a star free agent at my right end spot to play as a power rusher or run stopper on the outside.
2. Get another WR
Yes, we would have great RBs who can do well at WR and even have your TE Graf line up in the slot but I want to prioritize playing people in their natural positions and then going versatile from there. Ideally I can find a 3rd WR to catch passes and I think it is a position that would be a great one for grabbing a free agent regressing guy who might be ring chasing in a year or two. I think drafting one is important though within the next 2-3 seasons.
3. Get another DB, Likely CB
I was going to put this one 2nd but I think it is something further down the line. Let Pepelegs develop more and see what you actually need. You might just need to replace Wildstar in a Nickel spot or maybe if Johnson is not a capable CB2, he is your Nickel and you can try and trade for or sign a big name corner to go alongside Lip Gallagher.
4. Young LB in the pipeline?
More of a luxury than anything, you have some aging LBs so having a young guy play a couple seasons in the DSFL and then come up would be nice. I wouldn't address this over the top 3 unless you have players retiring or leaving in FA such as Lucas or Larson.
5. Offensive Line/Kicker
Again, more luxuries but you don't have great long term talent at the positions. If they fall to you, sure, but generally you can use BOTs and use Monitor for awhile so it is definitely not a thing you would want to prioritize.
Summarized:
Generally, I think Baltimore is in solid shape if Gimmy Jr and the rest of their S28 and newer players keep developing. They have drafted solid recently, which I would hope considering their top picks. They have no firsts this coming draft so they have to focus on developing their current talent and then going all in on competing. I am not particularly worried about any specific position group which is nice to have and the only things I would do is small upgrades at some spots more when the team is ready to take the next step. I would guess it will be next season where we see Baltimore potentially compete for the playoffs and in 2 seasons they should be near locks to at least grab a potential spot and 3 seasons we are talking about real contenders. I think it is possible in 2 with some of the moves I had mentioned here like grabbing a DE, grabbing an upgrade at CB and another WR.
What do you think of the future of Baltimore?
Wide Receivers(s):
Luke Quick - 1123 TPE - S28
Preston Parker - 920 TPE - S27
We get to our pass catching options and Baltimore has a solid one and two right now but they are aging a bit which can be a concern for the team. The team is not super deep at the position having just the 2 so a slot receiver is more likely filled with a TE or a running back versus their receivers. This is where having their 2 receiving backs can help as their lack of depth is not as pronounced with running backs being able to split out wide.
GM Thoughts: This is a position that I might want to focus on. Parker is 11th in his draft/regression class in TPE and has just one more season before regression is beating down his door. With a Season 29 QB almost at the exact TPE as him, you have to wonder about getting a replacement at the WR2 spot. You have Quick and he even regresses a season before your QB but he should be able to outlast a few seasons of regression. If I am the GM, I am wanting to get my plans for a WR2 in place and potentially making it my best available pick or stress the area in free agency when that comes. It is not an immediate need but come Gimmy's prime, Parker is less likely to be relied upon as a top 2 receiving option. Maybe you play Goose or King as a WR and you move on from there but they are so good and versatile I almost want to get a big WR option in there to take in some catches and keep the RBs being able to be used in multiple spots. It is a position that can have generally good success early on as a rookie or 2nd year pass catcher so grab them in the next draft or 2 and you should be good. Parker can last as a reliable option but I want that insurance to surround Gimmy Jr. with a terrific complement of weapons.
Tight End(s):
Lenard Graf - 388 TPE - S32
Generally, tight end is a position that you are fine having one guy at though it could help depending on circumstances to have 2 if you are running heavier sets but if not, having one reliable pass catcher is just fine. Well, Baltimore wanted to get a tremendous tight end and spent their first overall pick in Season 32 on a tight end in Graf.
GM Thoughts: There is not too much to this one really. You spent a lot of draft capital to bring in Lenard Graf so he is counted on to be your franchise tight end. Graf is currently 10th in his class in TPE and 2nd amongst tight ends but it is just by 15 TPE so there is no need to fret there. So, yeah, you just want to make sure you feed Graf and keep your number one overall pick happy, not much else there as he can be there a long long time.
Kicker/Punter:
Paul Monitor - 373 TPE - S31
Yes, we are including the special teamer here because why not? Also, it can be a very important position in being able to make the kicks when drives stall out or to flip field position in the case of a punter so it is important to have one that can be relied upon. Last year's 2nd round pick Paul Monitor does the kicking and punting duties for the team.
GM Thoughts: This is an interesting one because in general, Monitor is not really earning much TPE but at the current time of writing this, he has 93 in kick power and 90 in kick accuracy. It is not the greatest in the world but he can be a decent kicker for awhile even if he does not update again which is the glory of the position. Would I take another kicker anytime soon? Probably not unless one just fell to me or a free agent kicker came available that would serve as a big improvement. At around 30th in his class, you still have some production and any updates going forward are just going to be icing on the cake. Not great, but not a position I am worrying about for the next 5-6 seasons unless I need to.
Offensive Line:
Bruce Buckley - 596 TPE - S22
Madison Beer - 307 TPE - S30
I debated adding offensive line in here but I thought I would anyways just to show everything Baltimore has. Personally, I am unsure of how good user OL are compared to BOTs and at what level you need your linemen at to be better and all that jazz. Well, in terms of Baltimore and the future of their OL, I don't think they are at that level.
GM Thoughts: Personally, I don't think I have ever at the ISFL/NSFL level had a user offensive linemen and we did alright in San Jose just using BOTs. Maybe if you have multiple guys there, you can create an advantage and it would be kind of fun having an all user offensive line and I think cap makes that possible with user to BOT pay being similar or potentially less. Baltimore has an old man in Buckley who has carved out a nice career as a lineman and a non-factor in Beer. Buckley I assume is in his final season or two in the league and Beer likely might be worse than a BOT especially with a lot of the 307 TPE still available. I am just balking on this one and similar to kicker, if a solid lineman falls to me or needs a FA home, I am doing it, if not, I am having some fun creating BOT names and such like Beep Bot in San Jose.
Defensive Line:
David Ramczyk - 415 TPE - S28 - DT
Will Smyth - 567 TPE - S29 - DT
Morpheus Czargyros - 588 TPE - S31 - DE
Defensive line is another position that is interesting to me in the ISFL. I think it is an underrated position and a position I could potentially recreate as but I think it is one that you can be good at even at a low TPE level, even after the change to the new sim engine. Baltimore has 3 guys here with 2 defensive tackles and 1 defensive end so I have to assume they are using a BOT in there or they are running a 3-4 primary defense. Highlighted by Season 31 first overall pick Czargyros, the group lacks depth but has some solid potential.
GM Thoughts: Defensive line is in an interesting position here if I was given the GM job in Baltimore. Personally, I like to have traditional defenses and if I am running a 3-4 I want my DEs to be competent run stoppers and a nose tackle with my linebackers providing pass rush. If I am running a 4-3, I want my DEs, in particular my LE, to be my primary pass rushers or edge rushers, along with some balanced DTs. Currently, Baltimore has a nose tackle in Ramczyk, an interior rusher in Smyth, and a speed rusher in Czargyros. I think this mold so far fits a 4-3 better but that means you are missing a piece on the defensive line. I think you have a perfect pass rushing combo in Morph and Smyth and then you have Ramczyk to stop the run but you need another guy. I would target a RE that may be more of a run stopping defensive end either high in a draft of in free agency. You could end go power rusher as well, I just want a guy that might provide some different skillsets at end. I would maybe make this one of my more desired positions to target to be able to generate a pass rush from the front, win at the point of attack, and ease your linebackers and secondary in coverage.
Linebackers:
A.J. Lucas - 1078 TPE - S26
Chet Larson - 1085 TPE - S26
Sheriff Woody - 774 TPE - S30
Next we go to the middle of the defense with our linebackers and our group of linebackers in Baltimore is rather good, though aging for sure. Season 26 is about to hit regression this off-season and it could put a wrench into things but this linebacker group has a lot left in the tank for sure. The group is highlighted by the combination of Lucas and Larson, two aging veterans but also contains promising Season 30 first overall pick in Sheriff Woody.
GM Thoughts: This one is interesting for a few reasons. The first reason is what was mentioned before in that Season 26 guys are getting hit by regression very soon and could face a small decline. Typically, it is not something I would worry too much about but if you look at the rest of the team, it is probably a team that needs 2 seasons to realistically compete so they will face a couple regressions in that time. However, that being said, you will be replacing the top LBs with Woody and the others will be around Woody's current level so it is not the end of the world. As mentioned in the DL write up, I would likely chase a 4-3 defense with the current group and they have 3 LBs already. I would maybe look to see if I can find a LB in free agency when Lucas and Larson would be upgradeable but at least for 2 seasons I think you are good. Woody is your franchise guy on defense and it is just complementing him with other LBs and so far a regressed Lucas and Larson would hardly be a bad thing so it is not a position I am looking at for a season or two.
Secondary:
Lip Gallagher - 970 TPE - S29 - CB
Pepelegs Johnson - 562 TPE - S30 - CB
Derek Wildstar - 764 TPE - S26 - S
Tre'Mendus Johnson - 867 TPE - S29 - S
Pasta the Turtle - 420 TPE - S32 - S
Initially I was going to separate both CBs and S but I found myself thinking about who they had at safety when thinking about corners and such so I just combined them. I think it is fair because you can use safeties at corner and corners at safety and such I believe so it is just defensive backs at this point. You have a great mix of young and old on the Hawks roster highlighted by Gallagher at corner, Johnson at safety, and 2nd overall pick in the Season 32 ISFL draft, Pasta the Turtle.
GM Thoughts: This is a promising group on the team when thinking about things as a GM. It is a group that I think can be worked on a little bit but it is also a group that is pretty established and moldable as things change. Gallagher is your number one guy and he is solid, and at number 2 overall in his regression class, you have a premier corner for many more years and with a lot of S29s on the roster, will grow with the core. However, your next corner is Johnson who is solid but at 23rd in their regression class and haven't updated in a couple weeks, it is a spot where you look at a potential improvement whether through the draft or free agency. If I am GM, I potentially look towards the draft but ideally it is a position in a season or two where I go all out on in free agency to get a Aqib Talib to Gallagher's Chris Harris and make a run at it. At safety, Baltimore is good. Pasta the Turtle, who converted from linebacker is now a safety and at 2nd in their class and being 2nd overall in the Season 32 draft, you are relying on Pasta here. Right now, I think your starters are Johnson and Wildstar and Johnson at 13th in their class in TPE still is going to be your top safety for a long time. With Wildstar hitting regression soon, I think you shift him and Turtle and Turtle becomes your starting free safety and Wildstar takes more of a nickel or extra safety role. You of course will want to bring in an extra defensive back regardless to make up for an aging Wildstar and with them being lower in TPE, it is something that would be smarter to replace via the draft sooner rather than later. So, Lip, Pasta and Tre'Mendus are your sure money and then you look to potentially improve by drafting one and signing another defensive back to keep that depth. Signing one to replace Johnson could move Pepelegs to nickel which could be the top option.
The Priorities:
Here is where we summarize a little on what we just talked about in our positions guide.
1. Get another defensive end
I want to build by 4-3 defense and you have 3 guys with 1 star and 2 decent fillers but I want to get another young future star or a star free agent at my right end spot to play as a power rusher or run stopper on the outside.
2. Get another WR
Yes, we would have great RBs who can do well at WR and even have your TE Graf line up in the slot but I want to prioritize playing people in their natural positions and then going versatile from there. Ideally I can find a 3rd WR to catch passes and I think it is a position that would be a great one for grabbing a free agent regressing guy who might be ring chasing in a year or two. I think drafting one is important though within the next 2-3 seasons.
3. Get another DB, Likely CB
I was going to put this one 2nd but I think it is something further down the line. Let Pepelegs develop more and see what you actually need. You might just need to replace Wildstar in a Nickel spot or maybe if Johnson is not a capable CB2, he is your Nickel and you can try and trade for or sign a big name corner to go alongside Lip Gallagher.
4. Young LB in the pipeline?
More of a luxury than anything, you have some aging LBs so having a young guy play a couple seasons in the DSFL and then come up would be nice. I wouldn't address this over the top 3 unless you have players retiring or leaving in FA such as Lucas or Larson.
5. Offensive Line/Kicker
Again, more luxuries but you don't have great long term talent at the positions. If they fall to you, sure, but generally you can use BOTs and use Monitor for awhile so it is definitely not a thing you would want to prioritize.
Summarized:
Generally, I think Baltimore is in solid shape if Gimmy Jr and the rest of their S28 and newer players keep developing. They have drafted solid recently, which I would hope considering their top picks. They have no firsts this coming draft so they have to focus on developing their current talent and then going all in on competing. I am not particularly worried about any specific position group which is nice to have and the only things I would do is small upgrades at some spots more when the team is ready to take the next step. I would guess it will be next season where we see Baltimore potentially compete for the playoffs and in 2 seasons they should be near locks to at least grab a potential spot and 3 seasons we are talking about real contenders. I think it is possible in 2 with some of the moves I had mentioned here like grabbing a DE, grabbing an upgrade at CB and another WR.
What do you think of the future of Baltimore?
![[Image: image.png?width=1111&height=625]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/683033414848348254/1104181360693874828/image.png?width=1111&height=625)
Former players:
QB Joliet Christ Jr. (HON/BER) (1x Ultimus Champ)
WR Deondre Thomas-Fox (SJS) (2x Ultimus Champ)
QB Joliet L. Christ (SJS) (Hall of Fame) (1x Ultimus Champ)
![[Image: Trempale2.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Trempale2.gif)
![[Image: esqcjQT.png]](https://i.imgur.com/esqcjQT.png)
