Coming into the 2012 fantasy football season, expectations around the team were high. Still fuming over the Pierre-Paul debacle – which cost them a trip to the Finals – pundits were now claiming anything less than a Championship would be an outright failure. Despite harsh criticism, Pirate GM/Coach Jason Enright stuck with his same “no draft” mantra, by electing to again not to move up in the draft and instead, fill team needs through free agency and trades.
Despite having few actual needs by the time free agency rolled around, almost every single one of those needs was met with top 10 talent. After moonlighting with the Pirates at the end of the 2011 season (see: Enright’s Folly), Marshawn Lynch was high on Enright’s radar, but apparently, no one else’s. He was even quoted on signing day as saying, “The only RB I want is Marshawn Lynch. No matter what it takes, I will have him in a Pirate jersey this season.”
Ironically, this was scoffed by die-hard fans, claiming “Beast Mode” was simply a 1 year fad and that he had only played hard for the Pirates due to it being a contract season, in hopes of a franchise tag. Enright was then quoted as saying, “I think most of our fans are just spoiled by the type of RB talent we’ve had in the past (AP, McCoy, Rice, etc). I don’t blame them. But Marshawn is the real deal.” Kicker David Akers was franchised instead.
Aside from a RB, the teams greatest need was a solid, consistent CB. Not far behind that was DT and DE. Marshfield hit on all 3 as they were able to sign DeAngelo Hall, Kyle Williams and Muhammid Wilkerson, respectively. All 3 finished in the top 10 or better and were instrumental in the Pirates success. Even TE Jacob Tamme was traded for RB Jacquizz Rodgers – a solid RB backup.
The Pirates’ draft, despite not having a pick until the 5th round, was not a complete bust, as the likes of DE Jason Babin and S Yeremiah Bell were decent contributors all year, but the real buzz was AP and his appearance on the trade block. Despite the aforementioned brilliance of Enright in free agency, there is no denying he made one fatal error that nearly cost Marshfield the Championship.
It is no secret that a player, even RB Adrian Peterson, coming off reconstructive knee surgery with a $63.25 salary would be a tough thing for any team to swallow. Management thought long and hard about keeping him (since the only other RB on the roster was McCoy) but in the end, it was decided to let him go and begin shopping around. Unbeknownst to most, AP was offered for the likes of: a Round 1 pick, DT Haloti Ngata, RB Matt Forte/R1, CB Lardarius Webb/R1, and Wes Welker. Ultimately, he was traded to Bestine for RB Michael Turner, who was then shipped with WR Greg Jennings to Sweet Home for RB Ray Rice.
Despite this fatal error, the fact Ray Rice was the consolation prize was not a bad deal. Turning bust WR Kenny Britt and S Roman Harper into WRs Dwayne Bowe and Torrey Smith also worked out very well for the Pirates. But what really surprised everyone the most of the trading of WR Pierre Garcon, in which the Pirates actually *gained* a draft pick, and a 1st rounder at that. Collider GM Josh Hammond was quoted as saying “WOW” and “Bold”. Fransburg GM Adam Franssen was “not quite as blown away” but Silvertip GM Josh Weldin was “extremely hopeful”. Given he was hurt most of the season, this also worked out very well for Marshfield.
© 2012, Jason Enright. All rights reserved.
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