We went into the draft in pretty good shape, probably in too good shape really as no one retired. Compensation was thus negligible and the rest of the draft was a desperate attempt to deal with the step-losses (and important reductions are going to have to wait a few weeks).
KK Norm Johnson picked up a step loss and his P45. His spot will be taken by our 1st round pick Kris Brown who's looked good in practice.

Next to go was Veteran ILB Levon Kirkland. We replaced him in round 2 with Levon Kirkland Jnr. Junior will be playing OLB on the weak side of the D where his open field tackling and pass coverage skills will be of most use.

In round 3 we added a WR to our threadbare receiver corps. These guys are going to need a lot of help from the running game again next year, but hopefully we'll be able to spread them far enough apart to allow one of them to give 4yr QB Steward a clear throw.

All in all it wasn't a bad draft for us, Injuries have hit quite hard (4 points above the league average), but we still have a solid core of healthy talent (6 points above the league average on 'safe' players.
Looking forward to next year. Hopefully this time we'll win that clinching game and we'll actually make it to the big boys party :o)

Overall, a disappointing loss. I went for it on offence and it did, to a degree work. Yardage was good, points weren't. However two critical plays (whether they were mistakes by my O or good play by the Skins' D isn't too relevant) won Washington the game. As you can probably guess, they were turnovers. One gave Washington the ball on my 9, one on my 7. Result? 2 TDs and the win. I am glad it was a close game and there is a sense of deja vue here, as Paul's team have done exactly what my Eagles did last year in getting to the big game. I also can't really begrudge him the win as he's been damn unlucky not to win a playoff game before this season. One day all that bad luck has to be balanced out by some good luck, and it certainly has been so far. I wish him all the best for the big game, but I'm predicting a Bills win as, if the pattern of last season continues, Paul will recreate my close loss to the Browns last year. I just hope I'm wrong.

Roll on next season, as it's almost certainly Cunningham's last chance at a Superbowl ring. I don't want him to fit the real life Marino bracket!

The Boys are getting there I can assure you, after our nail biting win over Mr Birchnell in the Bronze bowl, we feel the job has been done what we wanted to achieve, i.e. to get as much training in as possible to give us something to start off with next season. We will be trying to win the Bronze bowl but to be honest I couldn't give a monkeys, we done what we wanted and the result is not going to get us more training.
The squad continues to improve and will be somewhere near where I want it for the opening games, the crappy FA market has not yielded anyone we need at present & I still have 149 LP's to spend, I would rather buy some decent 3* or 2* players but there aren't any so I will have to use my LP's to train the guys I have got, not ideal but there you go. I will be looking forward to making an impact on the east next season but I feel my best year maybe the one after when I have at least some carry over in the plays I use the most. The NFC looks a competitive conference with some well known names, looks good & I'm going to enjoy playing them, be seeing you.

by The Roving Reporter

Change is good they say, especially when talking my about underwear, and this off-season has been no exception in Detroit.

After making noises for the last few seasons, the management has finally found some new minds to focus on the abysmal efforts of their offence over recent times.
According to one spokesperson, this will enable the head-coach to work on his defensive strengths, safe in the knowledge that the offense, a part of the team that since arriving at Detroit has fallen into disrepair, will be in good hands.
It's not clear who in fact are heading up the offensive coaching staff changes, but they are most definitely starting a revolution. Possibly most surprised by the changes taking place was long time starter Charlie Batch, who is now hoping another team, might pick him up after being waived earlier this week. It's certainly not that he hadn't been consistent over recent seasons, it's just that he had been consistently bad, easing the Lions easily toward the bottom of the league in both passing yards and touchdowns.
When asked about the events leading up to his dismissal, Batch replied, "Hey man, I show up Monday for practice and the coach tells me to get my stuff. How the **** do you think I feel?"
On Tuesday a new face appeared in the front office at Ford Field. The rising star and former University of Michigan graduate, Scott Dreisbach arrived, to take over the reigns as starting quarterback.
The Lions immediately allocated him to NFL Europe team Claymores to gain some crucial scrimmage time and develop his leadership skills. Originally drafted by the Raiders, a season-ending broken leg during a preseason game had him on the bench, to finally be waived later. "I've been a little unlucky til now," Dreisbach said of his professional career to date, "but I'm eager to show the Lions what I'm capable of".

When questioned about the spring camp in Europe, Dreisbach appeared happy about the game time he'd be receiving there, "Yeah, it's kinda cool. Look how it helped Warner. The more you get to play, the more chance you have to develop skills that the vet's have as second-nature". Valid points indeed.
However, was he not concerned as to sustaining other injuries. "Every time you step onto the field there's a chance of getting injured. I think the benefits of game experience out-way that". Coach Henderson also agreed, "Experience is the key. And training. Experience and training. Yeah, what he said".

There were other roster changes during the off-season. Notably, linebacker Chris Claiborne and fullback Cory Schlesinger's retirements. Claiborne, a member of the very experienced and highly rated defence will be sorely missed, and one wonders how they might fill in the large hole made by his departure. Certainly, the drafting of ex-KU Chaz Murphy is hoped to shore up the exposed seams, but with the line backing corps looking decidedly younger these days, one wonders how they are going to stand up to the beating.
With Schlesinger's departure, Stewart is likely to move into the fullback slot, although they'd possibly be looking for experience from elsewhere before the new season gets underway, as Sedrick Irvin is still learning the ropes as 3rd down back and special teamer. Tight end Walter Rasby was also released early after a niggling back injury returned. This opened up the scouts to acquire seven year pro, John Waerig through free agency. His experience should have him sliding straight into a starting role.
Pressed for his hopes for the coming campaign, the coach would only say, "Aye, time will tell, time will tell".

Only time will tell if the turnover of staff will result in a turn-around in results. Certainly, finishing with another 4-win record won't be doing the coach or the players much good.

Name

I'm greatly looking forward to competing in AB. I've seen that this league has some of the greatest coaches and I can't wait to get coaching the soon to be Chargers (Paul will be renaming and relocating the Denver Broncos. Ed)

I'm 33 years old, live in Barnsley but originated from Sunderland. I have a family of which I spend a lot of time with my 12 year old son and soccer. He plays for Barnsley Football Academy of which I'm a professional coach there.

I started gameplan way back in 1989 and stopped for a while around 1997. In that time I've been in the Superbowl three times but won just the one. I started back in gameplan just before Christmas and made many friends already thanks to the gameplan club site and endzone. I currently do four more teams (BX, BG, N & BU) and soon to be a 6th team!!

Last season winners are in brackets.

Best Offence (Rams)

Best Defence (Redskins)

Best Team (Redskins)

Best Coach (Canwell - SR)

Best Rookie Coach (Horne - CL)

Most Improved Team (Browns)

Most disappointing team (Jets)

Most Hated Coach (Graham Canwell)