Colliders Add Talent

BATAVIA, IL

Colliders’ GM Josh Hammond came away from last weekend’s auction and draft with some key players. There were some hits, and some notable misses.

Overall, the Colliders were fairly quiet in free agency. Hammond had implemented some hard limits to avoid overspending, and he stuck to his guns. The result? He missed out on some targets, but the budget sheet is in tact.

In free agency, Hammond added kicker Jason Hanson after missing out on a couple of other kickers:

“I refuse to pay more than $1 for a kicker.  People who outbid me on that front are clowns.”

The Colliders also added defensive tackle Phil Taylor. Roughly ten minutes after acquiring him, the Browns put him on the PUP list. To quote a former presidential candidate: “Oops.”

Hammond was pleased, however, to add linebackers Derrick Johnson and Rolando McClain back to the fold, especially considering the reasonable price tags. Johnson held out last season for lots of money and found himself riding the pine for the first 7 weeks of the season. He came back and contributed as one of the top linebackers. Hammond was aggressive in his bidding and he scared people off by jumping to $12 out of the gate. Of course, Johnson injured himself in the final preseason game. Rolando McClain was a highly touted rookie in 2010, but he did not live up to the billing. When he was released, nobody wanted to touch the high salary. He proved himself to be a competent linebacker by the end of last year, so Hammond threw $5 his way, and he happily signed.

Hammond really made his mark, however, in the draft. Having been unable to secure a running back in free agency, the handsome yet suave GM rolled the dice and hoped that both QBs would be drafted in the top-3. Indeed, that is exactly what happened, which allowed the Colliders to add RB Doug Martin to the fold. He will start along with Arian Foster to give the Colliders a solid 1-2 punch.  Hammond needs some luck on the injury front, however, because his backup running backs are horrid.  Absolutely horrid.

Hammond was poised to take a linebacker with his next first round pick, and then Tom Rothfus nabbed Luke Kuechly at number 7.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Hammond quipped about missing out on Kuechly, “Tom is no fucking joke when it comes to evaluating defensive talent.”

Nevertheless, Hammond was able to acquire LB Lavonte David with the #9 pick.  The Colliders had two LBs ranked as worthy of first round status, and were happy to get one of them.

Those picks (the #4 and #9 picks) were the result of some deft off-season maneuvers by the intelligent yet grounded GM.  The #12 pick was the pick granted to them by virtue of winning the championship. Hammond knew he wanted to go wide receiver with the pick. There was some discussion in the war room about targeting Brian Quick, but ultimately Hammond saw more upside in big man Alshon Jeffery. He could be a steal, provided he stays away from fast food (Jeffery is one of those guys who could potentially eat his way out of the league.)

After the first round, Hammond realized that he wished he had done more research. He began shooting from the hip, and at one point drafted three Seahawks in a row (including QB Russell Wilson, LB Bobby Wagner, and DE Bruce Irvin.) That might end up being okay. Hammond also added TE Lance Kendricks, who of course has the same bye week as starter Vernon Davis (again, some research might have helped.) Other players added were QB Brock Osweiler, WR Mario Manningham, and DE Shea McClellin. 

The Colliders picked up QB Mark Sanchez for the bargain basement price of $1 in the seventh round.  After throwing 26 touchdowns last year, Sanchez threatened a holdout, prompting Chitons owner Tom Rothfus to drop him. Sanchez is reportedly seeking a new agent.

Hammond also drafted Miami RB Lamar Miller but promptly cut him after realizing that he is the 3rd RB in Miami, a team that is destined to suck hard for a while.

The Colliders still have a bit of work to do in free agency, but Hammond seems happy with the results:

“If this draft works out as well as last year’s draft, then we’re in good shape.”

Last year, Hammond drafted uber beast Julio Jones, and picked up the league’s best safety in the 7th round.

The Colliders still look like a top team, but the Marauders, (r)EvoLUtion, and even the Dragons all seemed to take major steps forward as well.  The Gas Giants division should be as difficult as ever.

© 2012, Josh Hammond. All rights reserved.