Winless, but still fighting

[Philip - New York]

Barcelona is 0-6.  Not what you are looking for as a brand new GM.  "I am pleased" was the only comment from GM Phil Schofield following the loss today to Montreal.  The Dragons are winless, but do not look hapless or floundering.  They have battled and lost late in the game.  The offensive line is improving and Tony Romo is finally starting to match well with his receivers.  Jamal Robertson's numbers out of the backfield were down, but his receiving game was impressive.  That was by design.  There are a few more trades in the works between Barcelona and a few other teams.  When the building is complete, the Dragons will be contenders.  "I am content" seems to say it all for Schofield.

[Niki]

Barca is not playing that bad, but I think the best way to (re)built the team is to do roster management: at the moment the roster of the Dragons is to unbalanced in age and by positions. you only have 5 Lb's and 8 db's and you have to much receivers and Oliners (9 and 13) The age of your Lb's is creasy (you only have 5)
How to manage a roster:
1) have variation in age by position (bad example of this is your LB: 3 out of 5 could retire after thi season whith age above 10)
2) by position: 3 QB, 6/5 Rb, 8/7 WR, 10 Oliners, 2 K/P, 8 dliners, 7/6 LB's, 10/9 DB = the number by position depends on the avg age = the older the avg age the more you need, in your case you need atleast 7 LB's (they are really old and I think atleast two will retire after this season)

[Paul-London]

Yep totally agree with Niki.

Its very useful to look at rosters for teams with winning records and see where you are going wrong.  Eg a 4-2 team might have 4 LB's all with 80 or above speed or a secondary where the starters have 86 SP and above.

Your defense is ranked very low and taking a quick look your slow LB's dont help.  Dont get me wrong i've got the 18th ranked defense and have 80 SP+ LB's but i think in the case of the Dragons the LB's need to be upgraded.  At the end of the day you are 0-6, perhaps get some young players starting to get some experience and see how they do.

I would start young LB Phil Archer perhaps at LB2 to get him some action, wont be worse than any of the LB2-LB4's

Having CB Central McClennion with his slow slow speed is a waste, i would cut him and sign a young CB eg Vontez Duff.  After a few training camps these young players will be very good.

It takes time to build up a good team though, the draft is so important.  Often some players picked in the later rounds can get decent after a training camp or two.  The passing game looks good, Romos a good fit, the veteran WR's are playing well. But i would try to fix that defense

[Philip - New York]

Thanks guys.....I am working hard.  We will get there, so far I am not getting blown out.  One piece at a time!

[Paul-London]

Exactly.  You could go the approach of signing some former big name players who are on the downside of their career (Like the Redskins used to) or take the approach that these things take time and get each piece bit by bit.

Look at where your weak areas are and try to address that in the draft upcoming or some young FA's who may need some time but should come good in the end.

I also find it useful looking at past seasons.  Eg

www.fwl.org.uk/sseason16.htm

www.fwl.org.uk/steam16.htm

A player might have 80 catches for their team two years ago but two years later is now just a backup and could be got cheaply.  I do believe 'if a player can play' then get him regardless of his age or even sometimes his stats.  I had a QB years ago - Charlie Ward, worst INT of all QB's in the league but he led the league in passing once and was All-FWL.  My TE Jeff Nicholson on paper had terrible player stats but one year had 900 yards receiving.

Get G Marshall on the line though !