Blood in the Water- 2013 SFL New GM’s
That’s right, I know it has been like our own Shark Week, yes the SFL’s Shark Week! All these new GM’s or GM’s with new teams it has been like Blood in the Water.
Perhaps it has not been that bad but I am sure the new GM’s and the GM’s with new teams have been bombarded with trade offers. It has been an exciting time with as much that has been going on in the league. Discord has been going nuts! Our new GM’s may not have experience with our league but are no strangers to the game which makes them very much different than what we normally consider new GM’s. As I am healing up from a nearly week long bout of sickness, I am finishing up my planned articles with this one. Let’s take a look at the kind of activity each new GM or relocated GM has done thus far and what kind of win expectation they will be faced with for the 2013 season.
Here is the link to information regarding GM Contracts:
https://sfl-football.com/lg_rulebook.php?t=1478&skin=lp
Garth Pearce | New team: Atlanta Falcons | Former team: Oakland Raiders
Talk about shoes to fill, Garth takes over for the 2012 SFL champion Atlanta Falcons. After the Falcons former GM was indicated on supplying doctors with fraudulent SFL demands for performance enhancing drugs and alter suspended for life, Garth is coming into a team who still has high expectations for 2013. Garth comes in tied for most regular season SFL wins with 105.Garth leaves the Oakland Raiders in great shape as they won their division, coming up a bit short in the playoffs. The Falcons won 10 games next year meaning Garth would need to hit at least 9 wins to maintain 3 contract years in 2014. He has been very active this offseason and grooming the team to his liking. I for one hope he does not get 9 wins since he is now in my division but let’s face it, he is going to get that needed win total.
GM Scott Gardiner | New team: Arizona Cardinals | Former team: Detroit Lions
Our long time pal, Scotty Gardiner on one hand comes into a nearly perfect situation. Scotty earned an extra year in Detroit due to the GM save but was not able to hang onto the team he loved, the Lions. We were all pulling for Scotty and the Lions but he enters the helm of a very good franchise. His new team was the favorite to win the SFL championship when the 2012 playoffs began. The team is great and will be expected to win again. That is where the challenge comes in for Scotty. The Cardinals were a crazy impressive 14-2 last season. Let’s face it expecting the team to improve on that record would be one of the largest challenges ever requested. Scotty will be focused on bringing home a championship but a smaller goal that would keep his 2014 GM contract years at 3 would be obtaining 9 wins.
GM AC Cepparulo | New team: Philadelphia Eagles | Former team: San Diego
AC lost the San Diego Chargers after a 2012 campaign where the Chargers went 1 and 15. The Philadelphia Eagles franchise that he took over made the playoffs last season after winning the SFL’s NFC East. This means AC will need to total 9 wins or make the playoffs with less win to maintain his fresh 3 year contract in 2014. The Eagles have a veteran QB with key players in specific roles which should help AC in his quest. There is a new GM of the Dallas Cowboys (see below) that will be looking to help AC not make his needed win total. Division veteran GM Romeo Medez won the 2012 SFL GM Save so watch out, the Giants are looking for a playoff appearance in 2013 meaning they also have it out for AC and the Eagles.
Brad Barber | New team: Oakland Raiders | Former team: Philadelphia Eagles
Brad enjoyed a great 2012 season which included a division title. He did not enjoy success in the playoffs but you can not win them all. He, similarly to Scotty and AC is going to be in a tough spot. He will also need to hit that magical 9 wins (or make the playoffs with a lesser # of wins) in order to enter 2014 with 3 years on his GM contract. (Obviously a playoff appearance would net +1 on any GM’s contract.) There has been lots of player movement in the AFC West. Will Cook seems to be improving the Chargers daily, Tom Collins is always a championship contender and the Chiefs new GM, Shah Khan is a total wildcard. From what I have heard, this guy knows how to win. Buckle up everyone, the AFC West is going to be a wild division this season.
Anthony Fernandez | New team: Dallas Cowboys | Former team: n/a
Anthony has been retired for a few years so not everyone knows of him. From what I remember AF was always near the top of the GZL, the only league I have been in with him. If you commission a league you are usually very good (with the exception being Will Cook…..burn bitch, burn…. mic drop). I am going to make a claim now that states AF will be in the division championship scene all season. The Cowboys need a strong showing this year, assuming the GM’s new to the SFL also must improve their record to at least keep their 3 contract years. As long as I am correct AF will need to shoot for at least 8 wins to maintain his contract. I going to guess that AF exceeds the total and earns an extra year going into the 2014 SFL season.
Shah Khan | New team: Kansas City Chiefs | Former team: n/a
I do not know anything about Mr. Khan but he come highly recommended by Apollo which should mean he knows what he is doing. He will need to shoot for 7 wins to increase the Cheifs win total from 2012. As I previously mentioned, the AFC West is going to be a wild ride this year. I can not watit to watch the battle. I like Mr. Khan’s chances as he brings back veteran QB Eli Manning as well as other key players such as LE Tyson Jackson, LOLB AJ Hawk, WR Calvin Johnson, WR Matt Jones and many more.
Felipe Santos | New team: St Louis Rams | Former team: n/a
Just like Shah Khan, I do not know anything more than Mr. Santos other than he was recruited by Apollo. I personally do not think the Rams have the same talent as the Chiefs but they do have a QB under 30 years of age with 90 AWR. That by itself goes a long way in this league. The Rams need to win 7 games this year. We will see how well Mr. Santos can run the team has it may be hard to achieve this with the current Rams. However, as we all know, if a GM does poor one season it only makes it that much easier to regain form the following season and hopefully even earn +1 to their GM contract.
Justin Herr | New team: Detroit Lions | Former team: Kansas City Chiefs
Justin did not lose the Chiefs, he chose to leave for his favorite and hometown team, the Detroit Lions. As much as we all loved Scotty we are also just as happy to see Justin with the team he has wanted for so long. Justin will need to improve on the Lions 2012 win total of 3 this season. Based on the moves Justin has done thus far in the offseason, I think he will crush that total. I do wonder though, what is in long term plan with QB Sam Bradford. Bradford already missed one season due to injury and the Lions traded for veteran QB Drew Brees this offseason. One has to think Brees will be given every opportunity for the Lions this year and next, if this season is successful. Where does that put the younger Bradford?
Will Cook | New team: San Diego Chargers | Former team: Dallas Cowboys
SOB… GM Cook finally lost the Cowboys and I could not claim any part of it. That sort of hurts me deep down. Okay, I am only kidding (or am I?). On a serious note what Will has done with the Chargers this offseason has been completely impressive. I have zero doubts he will maintain his GM contract years going into 2014. I would actually be somewhat surprised to see him not earn +1 on his contract years. Yes, that is how much confidence I have in him after watching how the offseason has ran. If there were a preseason GM of the year award, this guy would be your 2013 winner.
