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Baltimore Offseason Priorities
1. Staff. Hire and Fire. Doesn't matter how good your roster is, if they can't coach, they can't coach.
2. Team Cohesion. Baltimore's Team Cohesion Ratings are worse than a high school dropout's report card.
We need more Mentors on defense. Two total in the defensive unit isn't going to cut it. Two Mild Affinities on the defensive squad isn't going to cut it, either.
3. Franchise Quarterback. Baltimore will move a stud wideout and draft pick or picks to move up in the draft if needed. We have to have a quarterback.
4. Improve the center of our offensive line.
5. Improve Specials by drafting rookies in the later rounds with good Specials bars.
My observations on these priorities:
1. I think coaching may be more important than I gave it credit for previously. Not sure if this is version related or not, but coaching matters.
2. I was always big on cohesion from previous versions and going into last year we were near the top in all groups. After losing many players in the off season we are near the bottom in all groups and managed to make it back to the big dance. My cohesion with cohesion is less cohesive.
I still try to minimize conflict but don't avoid it at all costs. I'm more interested in mentors though. I always have a mentor at positions I have young players at.
3. Franchise QB? This ain't your father's FOF. The only studliness needed in a QB is avoiding interceptions. Stud QB's and stud WR's are not needed in the current version. Minimizing turnovers and playing solid defense are the recipe to success. Don't believe me? Interview the 2 serviceable journeyman QB's that took me to the last 2 CFL Bowls. Not impressive on paper or the field, just good at managing the game. Yes, I said it. Give me Trent Dilfer in this version of FOF.
4. Maybe I forgot to mention the O-line in #3. I'll take a stud o-line over a stud QB/WR combo any day in this version. Consider moving this to #1 on your list.
5. Another one I forgot to mention in #3 after minimizing turnovers, defense, and o-line. Special teams easily accounted for 2-3 of my wins this year that I can remember off the top of my head (including a playoff win - sorry Tulsa). Others have preached it in the CFL for years and I am officially on the bandwagon. Special teams may need to be moved to #2 behind o-line. This is the cheapest/easiest fix on the list and can be brought up to playoff caliber in an off season or two.
I'd be glad to hear everyone's feedback on my observations...
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ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062