Phantoms 2024 Off-Season, Step-by-Step

[JesterBlaze]

Picks
1
2 (TUL)
2 (GEO)
2
3 (TUL)
3
4
5
6
7


Wants
RB2
RT

K

CB/ST



Needs

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: I've long since signed all my 4+ year, non-expected to retire, players to at least 2 year contracts to guarantee their status next season. By the end of the trading deadline each season they should be signed or traded. At this point I'm waiting to see the final draft slots and which Phantoms retire. That will allow me to know my needs. As you can see Special Teams and Affinities are constant needs.

These are my real TC settings from this season and this whole thread will be my real off-season intentions step-by-step. Because of this I expect many will trade in front of me so I don't expect it to result in a great off-season for me but maybe some other GM(s) can benefit from what I type. Though I'll post changes in new posts, on my end it's all in 1 simple text file that constantly gets resaved as info updates.

[markc]

holy draft picks! I didn't realize you were that loaded. I assume you'll likely trade some of those away for picks down the road - or I suppose you could use them to trade for even more talent now and try to dominate like never seen before in the IFL although cap room will be of some limit to that strategy.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to follow your decision-making process.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks
1.32
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27
3.32
4.32
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
RT

K

CB/ST



Needs

QB2
RB2
RB3
TE3
LG2
RG2
RT

K

RDT2
SLB2
WLB2
LCB1
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10



Current Analysis: I now know exactly where I'm slotted in each round. I've also seen retirements and updated current team needs. Most of these "needs" will be filled with restricted FAs already "on the roster" but technically aren't signed at the moment.

[JesterBlaze]

I've had to stay out of the first 3 rounds the past 2 off-seasons, markc, so I'm probably gonna do my best to get some young talent on the roster this time around or the drop-off in 3 seasons will be great.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks
1.32
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27 - 1/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
3.32
4.32 - 2/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
RT - Carlos Mears (LR)

K

CB/ST



Needs

QB2
RB2
RB3
TE3
LG2
RG2
RT <- Gone

K

RDT2
SLB2
WLB2
LCB1
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: After a rare trade on my part, this time with NC South Little Rock, I've picked up what appears to be the RT I needed. I had a 65ish OVR of similar attribute distribution in mind, but I don't play the "perfect" game and I've filled another roster spot with a quality player.

[SteveBsFan]

I LIKE THIS THREAD! I use caps to show how much I like it. I want to be organized, but now don't want to copy you. damn you

[JesterBlaze]

Good news: I'm putting this out there FOR others to copy. Doing my best to eliminate the idea that the only way to win is to know the "secrets" of the game.

Copy away and hopefully many will have their best off-season in seasons!!

[Matt]

there are secrets?

[Mike17]

Shhhhhh. The FOF Illuminati will strike you down!

[JesterBlaze]

Current Analysis: With all my starting positions already filled, the odds have increased that I'll end up trading out of 1.32. I had that spot pegged for a RT yet already handled that with the Little Rock/Carlos Mears trade. I'll still wait to see how the draft plays out, and won't turn down the opportunity for a difference maker if there's one available, but those chances are slim in an ever-tougher IFL draft scene.

Depending on whether or not there's talent that fits my plans left on the board in the late 2nd, I could be trading out there too and go another off-season without the addition of necessary youth to the team. I'm risking the Phantoms getting old in the blink of an eye as it is so I don't like that scenerio.

[JesterBlaze]

Note: In case it's not obvious to everyone, the numbers after a position represent "2nd string", "3rd string", etc... When I was building the Phantoms base, and during restocking years, I'd also use a star system (*, **, ***, ****, *****) next to each position to remind myself which positions I absolutely can't ignore during that specific off-season. The star system represents need, not player ability. For instance I might simply need a run-stopping DT. These are plentiful and can be picked up all the way through to the Undrafteds, but nonetheless might still be a 5-star need.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks = 8
1.32
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27 - 1/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
3.32
4.32 - 2/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
K

CB/ST



Needs = 11

QB3 (Korey Dailey)
RB2
RB3
TE3
LG2
RG2

K

RDT2 (Wendell Collier)
SLB2
WLB2
LCB1 Corwin Lehr - Franchise
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: I've franchise tagged LCB Corwin Lehr, thus knocking LCB1 off my needs list. I've also noted in parentheses where I'm hoping to resign a player from my 2023 roster to the same position again in 2024.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks = 8
1.32
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27 - 1/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
3.32
4.32 - 2/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
K

CB/ST



Needs = 10

QB3 resigned Korey Dailey
RB2
RB3
TE3
LG2
RG2

K

RDT2 (Wendell Collier)
SLB2
WLB2
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: Restricted FA Korey Dailey has been retained as 3rd, maybe 2nd, string QB knocking my needs down to 10.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks = 8
1.32
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27 - 1/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
3.32
4.32 - 2/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
K

CB/ST



Needs = 6

RB2
RB3 Terrance Tucker
TE3
LG2 Donny Williamson
RG2 Vernon Galoob

K

RDT2
SLB2 Derrick Domico?
WLB2 Derrick Domico?
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: Resigned a couple guys, both FAs and players already on roster with only 1 year remaining on contract. Not sure where Derrek Domico will fit in but he's a quality LB and worked for us in spot duty last season. Noticed that I'm very tight against the 2025 cap already, which will effect my 2024 drafting. As of now I might be trading out of 2024 completely.

Needs are down. Wants are probably dreams based on my cap situation. 2024 off-season is almost over for the Phantoms and the draft hasn't started yet.

[JesterBlaze]

Picks = 7
1.32 - Lester Kevorkian, K
2.25
2.28
2.32
3.27 - 1/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
3.32
4.32 - 2/2 traded for Carlos Mears, RT (LR)
5.32
6.32
7.32


Wants
RB2
FB
K - 1.32 - Lester Kevorkian, K

CB/ST



Needs = 5

RB2
TE3

K - 1.32 - Lester Kevorkian, K

RDT2
OLB2
LCB3

ST
Affinities



TC Settings (From 2023)

TR: 2:15
Pass: 2:45
ST: 1:30
Def: 2:50
Run: 2:00
Films: 2:00
Functions: 3:10


Current Analysis: The rule is you don't take kickers in Round 1. The exception is now. We're past the stage of adding as much talent to the roster as possible. We've long since been in the team building stage, where you do what you can to gel the talent you have and turn it into Ws. Our needs were clearly defined at the start of 2024. As can be seen only one position was not a back-up position and was also on my "Wants" list. Add to that the fact that kicker directly effects points on the board, field position in a major way, has missed at least 1 FG on our team in each of our losses the past 2 seasons, and has been a thorn in my GM side for many, many seasons, etc., etc., and you get a situation ripe for a draft reach. So I've reached, yet from a perverted POV the team is still right on schedule for our off-season agenda.