I've been in the WCG Fantasy League for 4 seasons now and I'm looking forward to the fifth.  I will be happy to commish if that will help get the next season going.  I'm setting up my league at work and thought I might put a note up here.  Reply if you're interested and I'll setup the league (and a second if interest warrants it).  I think it fair to offer last season's teams right of first refusal to be in the league before adding new members. 

No Jump!@$%$^

Here's a look at the roster status through 2013 & depth chart based on players currently signed.  I'm working on calculating the cap hit/savings for players cut.

Signed to Future/Reserve Contract:

Cody Balogh T

John Broussard WR

Rudy Burgess WR

Joe Clermond DE

Fontel Mines TE

Tyler Reed G

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I almost never post but I read often.  I do this every couple years when people start saying that Angelo can't draft. I don't necessarily intend to argue that point one way or the other, but I like to bring up some statistical evidence for the group to debate.

Here are my calculations. It's all based on the definition of success. Rd 1-3 should be a starter or better. Rd 4-7 should be depth or better. More info on that below.

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http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080904/SPT02/309040100/1055/NEWS

Willie Anderson will sign a 3 year, $11M contract with the Ravens.  Missed opportunity for the Bears to add a proven T.  A lot of people will say it's too much money, but it's not all guaranteed money.  Depending on the bonus amount and contract structure it could be a reasonable amount.

Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler

Sports Illustrated reported that Stink is taking a recurring role on the soal opera "Guiding Light."  His character:  Detective Roc Hoover.  

This guy better not start ragging on the Bears again given this little nugget.  The big question for me is, how will they fit the other actors on screen at the same time?  

The Steelers named Viking's DC Mike Tomlin their new head coach.  
The Dolphins have Cam Cameron...
the Cardinals have Whisenhunt...
the Falcons have Petrino...

Leaving the Raiders as the only Head Coaching gig in football.  I hope Rivera doesn't take that job just because it's so lousy.  (I don't know if he's a candidate or not, by the way)

Next year there may be some coaching vacancies if some crap teams don't show some surprising improvement:  
Bills
Giants
Bucs?
Or if some longtime coaches retire/etc:
Cowboys
Seahawks
Chargers

Whatever happens, all the best to Chico

Most draft pundits are calling Troy Smith a late first round pick.  If available - would you take him?  He reminds me a lot of McNabb becaue of his ability to buy time with scrambling.  Rex has one more year, Griese will be around for several years.  I think Smith could be a real stud - What do you guys think?

What does everyone think of Bradley's return?  My gold standard of him is the famous Detroit game where he was 5 for 85 before halftime.  For his first game back I think 4 for 79 with a Touchdown is pretty outstanding.  Of course the TD was a quasi-blown coverage - he would have been open anyway.  What do you all expect out of Bradley in the next few weeks?  

http://www.wbbm780.com/

It always beats Fox's announcers.   There's a minor delay so if you're watching you may want to pause your Tivo so you can listen/watch in sync.  The other benefit is not listening to Fox color guys kiss Favre's rear end.  Is that 300 yet?  Not quite....I wonder how many more carries Benson gets...

TE is the biggest hole on the team.  Clark is no #1 and is a band-aid of a solution.  
Take a pass catcher and give Rex a bail out option over the middle.  

The only other #1 worthy pick is a CB.  Personally, I think the CB's haven't played that great overall.  Not to take anything away from Vasher, he catches anything around him, but a lot of his picks came on badly thrown balls, a credit to the pass rush.  Tillman can be great, but mixes it with a gambling style that gives up lots of deep balls.  

My breakdown of team needs follows:

Unit by Unit -
DL - Set (no picks)
LB - Backup would help (3rd or 4th rounder)
CB - Backup/Upgrade (2nd round/1st round)
S - Backup (3rd rd or later)

RB - Set (no picks)
WR - Most interesting argument, with Moose a lock and Bradley & Berrian emerging as solid 2/3 receivers, Currie getting healthy for the slot receiver job and Gage/Berlin a fine #5 receiver -A #3/4 Reciever in the draft would be okay, but more likely to be a solid #2 Free Agency Pickup.  This really could be a good, deep receiving corps next year (except Moose...zing!).  
TE - Most glaring need, (1st rounder).  Clark would be a great Red Zone threat as the 2nd TE in the formation.  
OL - Backup/Depth would be nice.  I like the move to extend Garza as a #1/2G&#2C.  Keep Terrence Metcalf as insurance for old and achy Ruben Brown, a solid OT would be good because whenever Tait or Miller goes down with a big injury things could get ugly with only St. Clair in the wings (I won't bother acknowledging Q. Mitchell and his 4 year deal).
QB - Set?  Sort of.  We have 3 and they'll all be back next year (Sorry, Kittner)

KR/PR - Berrian has done well as PR, but I wouldn't mind having someone else take those blind hits.  While we're at it, find someone who's a #1 KR and PR and use Berrian only if necessary.  
K/P - Gould is fine, Maynard was fine (sort of), but who knows what golden leg wonder is out there?

My guess at the draft:
Rd 1: TE
Rd 2: CB with solid return skills
Rd 3: OT
Rd 4: S
Rd 5: K/P/WR
Rd 6: LB
Rd 7: CB

I just read in the newspaper that Carolina has released Rod Gardner.  I presume that this makes him fair game for any team to sign.  

We're down a reciever (Wade) but have added a receiver (Berlin).  I remember wishes for a trade for Gardner for I think it was a 3rd round pick.  Now he may be had for nothing.  Although, he may very well worth nothing to the Bears.  The article follows.  Anyone interested in taking a gamble on Gardner (keep in mind we passed on Peerless Price)?  

From Panthers.com:
The Carolina Panthers have waived wide receiver Rod Gardner and have signed fullback Casey Cramer off of the practice squad, the team announced Friday.
Acquired in a trade from Washington prior to training camp, Gardner played in 10 games, did not play in one contest and was inactive for two others. He posted nine catches for 84 yards and one touchdown.

Here's a link that I found on the Steeler's web site.  

http://media3.steelers.com/article/60109/

(Sorry I didn't make it an active link...)

It says what we've said for a while this season - He's better than his stats show.  Urlacher changes the game for the whole defense.  Some of the text:

"I certainly think Brian could make a run at [the award]," San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who came from Baltimore where Ray Lewis and Ed Reed both won the award, told the Chicago Tribune. "It's all about two things at the linebacker position: making plays and how you affect your team. Brian has a tremendous effect on that team, as Michael Singletary had on the Bears when he was there. Great players not only make plays, but they have a great impact on the team as far as winning."