This is the fifth in a sixteen part series reviewing the current PAFFL teams and what one owner feels the next steps for each franchise will (should?) be over the next 2 weeks up to and including the 20th anniversary of the PAFFL Draft.
Fifth Team: THE FIGHTIN' IRIE!
I would love to begin this review of The Fightin' Irie (Irie, for short) with a look back at their legacy and impressive years as part of the PAFFL. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. The Irie's management had once been nominated to be replaced by a new owner due to a lack of their participation before, during, and after the football season. They have been the weakest team in the PAFFL over the past few years. While the Irie's management is one of the nicest individuals in the PAFFL, the results from the past few seasons scream for some sort of change. One lucky playoff appearance in a weak AFC division doesn't change things. That said, let's take a lot at their squad...
Currently, The Fightin' Irie have spent close to $200. This does NOT include possible holdovers Leftwich ($80) or Boldin ($55).
At QB, Michael Vick ($80, 2007) is the centerpiece. Vick is a top 10 QB in the PAFFL, although I have concerns about his ability to morph into the QB his new coach wants him to be. Vick can't complete 65% of his passes unless he makes his first one and just runs out the clock for the rest of the game. Also, I'm wondering if sanctions (legal or nfl) are heading his way. Still, Vick's a top QB. Leftwich, not so much. He missed most of 2006 and there have been talks of Garrard, Culpepper, or even Gray taking over in Jacksonville. The new OC loves to throw, but JdR will still call the shots. This means a strong running game and letting the defense seal the win. They also have Charlie Frye at a decent salary. Personally, I tried to trade for Frye nonstop last summer. I thought Cleveland was going to turn the corner and Frye would take them there. As of now, Frye might be 3rd on the depth chart behind Anderson and Quinn. This is another example of how a PAFFL owner needs to trade his players when they have the most value, not the least. Yes, Frye could have turned out to be something special and it's hard to trade a player like that. However, he's now a $21 liability unless he wins the starting job. Mid-priced players under 3-year are an interesting lot... You don't want to waste a cut on them and it's not financially rewarding to acquire a cut to do so... so you're stuck with them. Brian Calhoun for the Pomona Stoned Hens. Kevan Barlow for the Jibbers. Chris Simms for Team Kitty. These players can drain your budget quickly.
At RB, Lawrence Maroney is the jewel that provides a strong #1. Yes, there are shoulder issues, but I believe that the Pats would have pulled in a better back-up if they were concerned about Maroney's shoulder. They could always resign Dillon... and they didn't so they seem confident that Maroney can handle the load.
Here's a story on how the Irie acquired Maroney... Did they just sit back and do nothing, hoping Maroney fell to them? No. Did they go out and try to acquire a higher pick to snatch Maroney away from another team? Not exactly...
I had the 4th rookie pick. With Bush gone first, most projections had Addai going second to IMT. Wanting Vince Young, the Beavercats traded up from the 6 (which cost them Chad Johnson) and Dom Rhodes (@ $10) to acquire the 2 pick. They drafted Vince Young. LFP meanwhile had traded Chambers (who at the time had 2 years left at $26 and was considered a top 10 WR) for the 3rd pick, taking Leinert. I was sitting on the 4th pick, acquired years ago as "Blak Jesus' next top 8 rookie pick" for giving up Marshall Faulk's rights. I wanted to take Addai at the 4th spot. I knew that the three teams picking 5th, 6th, and 7th wanted to take Maroney, who was my 2nd choice. I did not want LenDale and did not want DeAngelo. I contacted the Irie and encouraged them to trade up to the 4th pick at a cost of $20. They negotiated the price down to $15 and we swapped picks. Maroney goes 4th, Lendale 5th, DeAngelo 6th, and Addai fell to 7th. For those keeping score, Cutler went 8th to the Jibbers.
If I hadn't approached the Irie, I'm pretty sure the order would have been Addai at the 4, Maroney at the 5, DeAngelo at the 6, and LenDale at the 7. Cutler might have jumped up to 7, but most likely given Irie's need for a RB, it would have been LenDale. So, because they made that move and gave up $15, they now have Maroney as their #1 RB instead of needing to find a cut to get rid of LenDale.
The point is this: Make tons of offers. Talk to your fellow PAFFL owners. Send out random e-mails, asking about players. Get people to make a counteroffer back to you. Talk it up. Sometimes, just sending a text message to Team Kitty can make you part of a 7 team trade. This can work in many ways... but you've got to start the chatter and reach for certain players. It has to be done 365 days a year. Paying attention the week of the draft and 10 weeks during the season IS NOT ENOUGH. You've got to do more... Anyway, back to the review.
After Maroney, we've got Edge's rights to place a topper on. Edge will probably go for $100 and to be honest, I think that's a good price. If he went for $85 last year and got 3 year'ed, I'd say it was a good deal. $100 isn't bad, although I suspect, if things play out a certain way, he'll go for more. Michael Robinson is a decent bye week player. The Irie could use a few quality #3 and #4 running backs for depth purposes. Perhaps a Davenport or Dayne to fill in the spots. There's not a lot out there to choose from.
At WR, I assume that the Fightin' Irie will hold over or at least top Boldin. Boldin could go for a low $40 to the mid $60's. A lot of people are hyping up Leinert and the Arizona passing game. Vincent Jackson at $7 is a nice quality player that might surprise this year. He's getting a lot of press and mentions on the "sleeper" lists that float around. Chris Cooley at TE would be nice, as Irie has the toppers there as well. I think a top WR is necessary for Irie to compete. Branch is a bit overrated (and I assume the topper will be used on Edge), so a trade to secure a top WR or at least some savvy moves in the draft to get depth at WR would prove beneficial for Irie.
Overall, The Fightin' Irie's chances to have a good season rest with Maroney's shoulder and Vick's legal troubles. This isn't a bad squad at all; it's just not a great one. I have no doubt that new ownership could transform the Irie into a AFC Champion within 2 years. Perhaps the current ownership is going to make it happen. I just feel that it's looking quite unlikely given the Irie's laid back nature.
Final Record: 6-7, missing the playoffs
This is a good review, maybe a bit harsh on the management stuff but more than fair on the lineup. If they re-acquire Edge, then they'll have a very solid Vick, Maroney, Edge & Boldin top 4 lineup - but they'll have big holes at #2 QB/#3 RB and will need to spend big (w/o much $ left) to acquire flex starters. I think anywhere from 5-8 to 7-6 is possible but a lot is riding on whether Frye is servicable and/or what they're able to get with their remaining cap room.
Posted by: Beavercat | July 14, 2007 at 11:43 PM
I love Johny Cakes but showing up for the draft is not enough for an owner in the PAFFL. I would like to see the Irie make a trade outside of the Lopez group (RJFC, Firkin, or EBF). Can anyone say that Irie has made a trade with him outside the draft and not been one of the above teams. With that said, Irie my extra topper is available for $5. You save that much on either Bolden or Edge.
Posted by: Jibaholic | July 17, 2007 at 11:23 PM
i love the strategy of taunting someone into making a trade with you. I'm going to try that.
Hey Johnny, you have never traded me Maroney. With that said, what about a DS spot for Maroney?
Posted by: todd2006 | July 18, 2007 at 12:43 AM
'Johnny Cakes'
Posted by: Beavercat | July 18, 2007 at 02:12 PM