Category RSP Writers Project

RSP Writers Project Update: Basic Salary Structure

0 Comments read RSP Writers Project

What can I say? I like this photo. I also like A.J. Green. Enough to put him on my RSP Writers Project Squad? We'll see. Photo by Tennessee Journalist Wade Rackley.

Author’s Note: We’re at Stage II of our RSP Writers Project, which is creating the basic salary structure to build our teams. Footballguys.com staff writer and Bleacher Report Draft Analyst Sigmund Bloom has created the setup we’ll be using. Then we had Chase Stuart of Footballguys, NY Times Fifth Down Blog, and Smart Football fame give it a once over. I’m now revealing the same bones of this structure to you that we sent to our writers so you can get ready to see what it will take to create your own team. If you have any suggestions – feedback, feel free to comment here. I can’t guarantee we’ll incorporate it, but its nice to hear ideas.

Here’s the email I sent the writers…. Continue reading →

2012 RSP Writers Project Update

0 Comments read RSP Writers Project
The RSP Football Writers Project is no fantasy league. You'll pay the price for taking a player the caliber of Tom Brady. Photo by Jeffrey Beall.

This project has generated a lot of positive feedback on the blog. Readers want to build teams with the guidelines we provide you and they have sent me questions to ask you (I have over 100 to choose from).

Just to refresh your memory, here’s the basics of the project:

The RSP Football Writers Project will include various football writers from around the country. They will each create a football team. They will be selecting these players from salary tiers provided for every player in football on a spreadsheet. Each football writer will have a salary cap. The job is to pick a team (starters and depth at each position) and then explain in writing the personnel decisions relative to salary, experience, talent, and system they plan to use on offense and defense. Think of it like one of those fantasy football games where you can pick any player (so no draft) but have to fit it in under the cap. The difference is more thought and care to an overall team concept is given and we’re not competing with the teams just presenting them and answering questions.

So far we have 24 participants – including the readers’ generated team – and there may be a few more before the month is over. Sigmund Bloom is developing the salary guidelines for the players and we have determined a basic schedule for the project: Continue reading →

On the Defense: The RSP Football Writers Project

0 Comments read RSP Writers Project
Is a shutodwn corner like Charles Woodson your preference or are you seeking a gianormous, space-eating defensive tackle? Its these choices you'll face when building a team as a part of the RSP Football Writers Project. Photo by Elvis Kennedy.

By Jene Bramel

Last week, Matt introduced the RSP Football Writers Project, in which a collection of football writers and thinkers will have 4-6 weeks to put together an NFL team.  Each writer will have access to any player they want, but they’ll be forced to work within a salary cap and personnel requirements. More importantly, they’ll have to defend their choices as part of a coherent fundamental and philosophical approach.

I expect the writeups and discussion on this blog in the coming weeks to be among the best football reads you’ll see all year.  Continue reading →

RSP Football Writers Project: The Readers Team

0 Comments read RSP Writers Project
In fantasy football Adrian Peterson is a great player to build a team around. However if you had to build a real team from scratch with realistic fiscal constraints it's not as easy a decision. Photo by xoque.

Last week, I announced the RSP Football Writers Project, which is the collection of terrific football writers who will each be given 4-6 weeks to construct an NFL team from scratch within the constraints of a salary cap. Fellow Footballguys.com writer Sigmund Bloom and I will be developing the salary list, personnel requirements, and fundamental questions that the writers must answer.

We’ll also share the info and instructions here so anyone can download and construct a team. If I can arrange the right kind of panel to judge, I might even sponsor a contest for those of you playing at home. Stay tuned.

For the past two weeks, I’ve had several initial thoughts about the construction of my team. I’m sure many of my ideas will change dramatically as I get further into the process of building my NFL team, but I thought I’d share my thoughts. In fact, I’ll probably keep you guys posted with my progress and depending on the situation, ask for your feedback.

One idea I am going to implement is a Readers Team. Based on your votes, I’ll compile a team on your behalf. Today we’re going to begin voting on the Readers Team’s football philosophy.

Continue reading →

RSP Football Writers Project

0 Comments read RSP Writers Project
I anticipate Drew Brees starting for at least one team for the RSP Football Writers Project, published this spring. Details below. Photo by eschipul.

Secretly, we all want to build a football team. It’s why we’re passionate about every player recruited, drafted, traded, and signed. It’s why we play fantasy football. It’s why many of us are fanatical about the NFL draft.

After a few weeks of my rants to Footballguys writer Sigmund Bloom about Steelers tight end Heath Miller as one of the more underrated players in football or how the Browns don’t use Josh Cribbs’ talent, Bloom got the kernel of an idea:

Why not let football writers build teams and write about them? And I want your help. Continue reading →