PC - Pre-2006 Season

[Chaos6]

Ok guys, its great to be back as the owner of the MBSL Dallas Cowboys.

First off, before I get into discussing my team, I would like to say that I am glad the league has returned and I would like to express my great appreciation to Commissioner Cash for bringing back the most amazing Madden Sim League ever put together. I don’t think anyone will ever quite understand the time, money, dedication, and hours of number crunching and programming that he has put into making this league what it is, not to mention the BS he has to put up with at times from people who feel he owes them this service. Thank you, Cash, for the great league and great site.

Now on to discussing my team…

This time around I get to start with a Cowboys team that is much better than I started with in the last league. There were some weak spots on the team, but overall the Cowboys were one of the better teams, a contender from the start I believe.

The biggest strength on the team to start was the Line Backing Corps. There was a ton of talent and depth here, there were about 6-7 guys who could be starting. There was no way I was going to get all those guys on the field so I decided this was the place to work from to fill holes at the weaker spots on the team. I had decided on moving the team back to a 4-3 base defense so I wouldn’t need as many Line Backers on my team. Once I decided on which 3 guys would be my starters I began moving the others to fill in weak areas on the team.

Greg Ellis, Kevin Burnet, and Akin Ayodele were all traded to other teams where I am sure they will get to start and do well. Trading these guys helped me to strengthen my D-Line by bringing in DT Bryan Young, strengthen my Full Back spot by bringing in Mike Karney, and strengthen my Kicking game by bringing in Olindo Mare. The trades also brought in a young Center, Rex Hadnot, and a young Line Backer, Jordan Beck, for some promising talent to develop behind my starters at those spots. I also managed to pick up a 1st round pick for the 2008 draft. Then I acquired a couple of younger guys for insurance at the back up spots at Line Backer in Free Agency.

I decided that I didn’t want Bledsoe’s salary as a back up to Romo and his performance for me in the last league already had me concerned about his performance in this league. Also I was concerned he would be un-happy in a back-up roll so I traded him to Oakland for a pick and picked up a couple back-ups, one via a trade and one via free agency.

Overall I was satisfied with the rest of my team, but felt I could improve some of the back-up spots. So I released some players and picked up replacements in free agency that I felt had more talent then the guys I let go.

From there I have been watching the trade wire for any players I might be interested in that would be an upgrade or help my team. I made a few offers on players that were up for trade such as Randy Moss, Troy Polomalu and a couple of Corners that I felt would really help my team if I could work a good deal, but I was not willing to weaken a spot on my team to get these guys and the offers I was willing to make were not enough to bring those guys in.

The only area of my team that I have some concern about at this point is the Free Safety spot. Both of my Free Safeties are young and talented but need to gain some awareness. I really like Pat Watkins skills and raw talent, but his low awareness could really hurt my pass defense. I am hoping he gains some awareness in the pre-season and progresses. With gains in awareness he can really develop into a strong player for me over the course of the season.

I am not sure just yet who is going to start for me at the Half Back position. That spot is up for grabs based on pre-season performance. I really like Barbers strength as a power back, but his lack of speed and agility is a concern. Jones has the speed and quickness but lacks the power and is a concern for injuries as well. If neither one of these guys can prove they are a capable starter I could end up going with Tyson Thompson and his blazing speed. He will be a free agent next season and will probably garner a huge contract because of his speed and return abilities, so there is little chance of bringing him back next season. But with little holes to fill I can always use one of my top draft picks to get a Half Back in the draft if Barber and Jones don’t pan out.

All that said, I feel this is a team that should make a solid run at the MBSL Super Bowl this season. Any thing less then the Super Bowl to me would be a disappointment with the team I have going into this first season.

I will now open this up for questions….

[T.O.F.N.]

Was there ever in thoughts in your mind to start McBrair at Kicker instead of punter?

[Chaos6]

No never, McBriar is a Punter thats what he does. Punting the ball and Place Kicking are two totally different skills, he would have to learn all over how to kick properly he would have been a below average place kicker rather than one of the best punters in the league.

I don't plan on kicking many field goals and the field position that McBriar should be able to give my team will be a tremendous advantage.

[Esimorp]

by going back to a 4-3 defense do you feel you still have the right mix of lineman given most were brought in for a 3-4?

[Chaos6]

Well in the MBSL a DT is a DT and a DE is a DE, there is not really D-linemen more suited to a 3-4 or 4-3, so I am sure I will be ok.

[titansrule]

Do you believe you start the season as Favourites to represent the NFC in the Superbowl?

[Chaos6]

You mean favorites as viewed by others?..

I am not sure, I mean there are a couple of teams in the NFC that look pretty tough right now, Philly, Atlanta, just to name a couple.

I am sure we are one of those teams expected to make a run, but I don't know about being "thee" team per say.

[greatone18]

What are the goal's for Tony Romo this year??

[Chaos6]

To Win... Pretty Simple I would say.