You're the Head Coach.

[frash.exe]

Most of us here are Panthers fans. But, whether or not you'd like to admit it, sometimes, you do have disagreements with your respective HC's philosophies and as such, you have your own opinions. We're all different people with different preferences, and even the biggest Fox supporters probably wouldn't make a carbon copy of what the Panthers are today (which, I'll say, is pretty damn good).

So, say you've just inherited a losing team, which needs some rebuilding to do. Well, first of all, what HC are you? Most HCs are one of the following two, defensive head coaches (John Fox, Lovie Smith, Mike Smith) or offensive head coaches (Tom Coughlin, Mike Shanahan, Norv Turner). Sometimes but rarely are there HCs that have a balance on offense and defense (Bill Belichick). This will make you more keen on signing defensive players or offensive players.

Offensive philosophy

For your preference of offensive philosophy you could pick one off the top of your head or choose from the list of offenses in this wiki article. This is not really complete though and if someone can find a more thorough offensive philosophy list please post it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_philosophy_(American_football)

Common/modern OPs

Air Coryell

Smashmouth

WCO

Defensive philosophy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_strategy#Defensive_strategy

common/modern DPs

4-3

3-4

Cover 2

Lets take it a step further. Let's say you can pick up some FAs and make your own mock draft up. You have decent money, enough to pick up 3 elite FAs and 5 starter material FAs.

For draft reference, http://www.draftcountdown.com/

For FA reference, http://footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

So get to work on yours and I'll be posting mine soon. Be smart about matching players with philosophies. You wouldn't sign Brian Westbrook if you're trying to pound the ball down the defense's throat.

[thefuzz]

I will get to work on this tomorrow, tonight, the brain can no longer function.

[VGcollector]

I'd try to be a balanced coach but would probably end up as a defensive coach.

My offense would be mix of west coast and Run and shoot offense.

My defensive scheme would be a 5-2-4 with DE going in to coverge.

My 3 Elite Julius Peppers, Albert haynsworth, Nnamdi Asomugha

My 5 decent Owen Danials, Derick Ward, Jabar Gaffney, James Farrior, Bryant Mcfadden

If I could choose Rookies. Top 3- Chase Danials, Brooks Foster,Gerald Cadogan

Some of my decent FA may seem expensive but i was just going by it said other notables so i thought it wouldn't be as expensive i can change them if needed. As for Rookies i didn't know where to place them or how many to get. I choose most of my players in order to be cost effective except for big ones such as Julius Peppers

[dimbee]

I'm a defensive-minded HC with a preference for the 4-3 scheme built around generating takeaways and an offensive gameplan of run the ball, control time of possession with minimized turnovers.

[frash.exe]

I'd try to be a balanced coach but would probably end up as a defensive coach.

My offense would be mix of west coast and Run and shoot offense.

My defensive scheme would be a 5-2-4 with DE going in to coverge.

My 3 Elite Julius Peppers, Albert haynsworth, Nnamdi Asomugha

My 5 decent Owen Danials, Derick Ward, Jabar Gaffney, James Farrior, Bryant Mcfadden

If I could choose Rookies. Top 3- Chase Danials, Brooks Foster,Gerald Cadogan

Some of my decent FA may seem expensive but i was just going by it said other notables so i thought it wouldn't be as expensive i can change them if needed. As for Rookies i didn't know where to place them or how many to get. I choose most of my players in order to be cost effective except for big ones such as Julius Peppers

to where you mentioned that the FAs might be expensive, I'm not going to be a nazi about it. I see you're going to take full advantage of Pep's capabilities. Never heard of a base 5-2-4 but it just might be crazy enough to work in this league.

[frash.exe]

A lot of offensive coaches rely on the offense to score points and help the defense, who might give up a lot of points. A lot of defensive coaches rely on the defense to win the game and, as such, they don’t believe in taking a lot of chances so they don’t pass the ball much and put most of the pressure on the running game. I will rely on the offense to score points and at the same time rely on the defense to stop the opposing offense.

Offense

I like the West Coast offense, but I’m gonna tweak it a bit and employ some power football. So this will be a WCO with a bit of smash-mouth football included to make a hybrid offense. Also the TE will be used more than in a traditional WCO, as both lined up next to the tackles, but also spread out wide, so I will need to get a guy with good speed and who can block well. Wideouts would need to be speedy and reliable, to catch solid short passes underneath and who have good YAC. The backs will need to be excellent pass-catchers, one guy I would like to be elusive and the other I would need to be the bulldozer. The offensive line should be large sized (310-330+; think Philadelphia’s line) and be able to maul the defensive line and get to the second level on running plays.

Defense

I incorporate a 3-4 physical defense that hits you in the mouth. D-linemen need to be over 290, and the nose-tackle should be 330+lbs. OLBs should be able to swarm the field, providing solid edge rushing on passing downs or coverage skills, while also needing to stop the run and blitz effectively, with great closing speed. ILBs will need to be able to do all the above, but pass-rush up the middle instead of on the edge. I want at least one hard-hitting drop-the-hammer safety, probably free safety, in the secondary, and I want physical, man-cover corners.

The identity of this defense will be stopping the run and putting pressure on the QB. That requires some overload blitzing and we will need reliable defensive backs to be able to keep their receiver from getting open so we can sack the QB, but these guys also need to be able to play the run well and diagnose the play as fast as possible so they can close in on the ball-carrier if it’s a run instead.

FAs

Top guys:

Terrell Suggs-He’s had success with Baltimore so it’s a no-brainer. Easy transition for him going from one 3-4 to another, and the Ravens D is the kind of one I’m looking for here.

Nnamdi Asomugha-Again, physical corners are what I’m looking for and Nnamdi is the best of this bunch available in 2009.

TJ Houshmandzadeh-Excellent possession receiver and route-runner that is required to run a good WCO.

Mid-level FAs:

Jeff Garcia-he knows the WCO so well, so it’s easy to just pick him up that way you can get results quickly, while you develop a prospect

Mark Tauscher-Good size at 316 lbs. Solid role player at RT

Khalif Barnes-An LT, he’s done a pretty good job protecting the passer and blocking for running backs. At 325 he is also a mauler.

Derrick Ward-Solid speedy back with a high YPC avg and he’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield

Chris Canty-304 lb DE who can stuff the run pretty well. Not a sack machine but we will acquire weapons for that.

Lower Tier FAs:

Luke McCown (QB)-An “under the radar” QB if there ever was one. He started 4 games in 2007 and posted a high completion pctg, decent YPA, and 5 tds. I’d look for him to be a long term solution at QB. Will probably be picked up cheap.

Zach Thomas (ILB)-Probably should be valued more because he can still play but his age will make him affordable. Savvy vet will use his head to make the plays and help lead and tutor the young-uns.

Michael Clayton (WR)-Has WCO experience with the Bucs.

LaMont Jordan (RB)-Veteran power back. In 2005 he led all RBs with 70 receptions.

Draft (I’m gonna say my team has a top 3-7 pick)

(don’t turn this into a “oh he won’t be there around the pick you’re selecting” BS. Draft projection is not the point of this thread. I just want you to see where I’m going with these players.

Round 1

Aaron Curry (OLB)-This guy from Wake Forest will make some great linebacker in the NFL. My defense would use his strengths to make him a menace to the opposing team and some plays will be designed for him to be the “ace in the hole”.

Round 2

Duke Robinson (OG)-Paired with the addition of two solid bookend tackles, I use this pick on another solid offensive linemen. Duke is 335 lbs and that’s the mold of OL I need here.

Round 3

Rashad Johnson (FS)-Force in the secondary at Bama. 5 picks this year, 6 the year before. Has some good tackle totals as well.

Round 4

Ron Brace (DT)-324 lbs with room to grow makes a good NT. NFLDC says he’s top 50 but Drafttek has him as a -41 reach in the 3rd round.

Round 5

Shawn Nelson (TE)-Great pass-catcher at TE with speed.

Round 6

Tony Fiammetta (FB)-great lead-blocking Fullback

Round 7

Edwin Williams ©-History has shown that centers can be chosen in late rounds and become solid starters. Matt Birk, Geoff Hangartner, Justin Hartwig (when he was with Tennessee but injuries hampered him as well), etc.