Expansion: The Los Angeles Hawks

[Jay [FSU]]

Hey guys.

Little side-project for me here, I just started a dynasty with a created team, and I am liking it. I simulated the first year, so I will be acting as though last year never happened and this is the first year of existence.

I think it will all make sense soon to ya'll, so I hope you enjoy the story. As always, comments are appreciated!!!!

[Jay [FSU]]

February 9, 2008
"Hello everyone, and welcome to our press conference. I am Richard Farmer, many of you know who I am, and for those who do not, I am the owner/CEO of Cintas. Recently, I proposed a deal worth 850 million dollars to the San Francisco 49ers organization in 2007. Last season, the deal was privately accepted, and we started construction on a new stadium in the Los Angeles area. Many believed it was for the San Diego Chargers, but much to the chagrin of the fans and the city of Los Angeles, it was not. Instead, we are going to be moving in there next season, 2009.

We will play in the Southern Cal stadium which hosts the Trojans of college football. And we have a team name and uniform, but unfortunatley, no players yet. So a flagship player is not here to talk to you, but I do have my coaching staff ready to talk. First, let me introduce the head coach, Mike Singletary. Singletary comes to us with a wealth of defensive knowledge, which will be quite valuable to us, because defense wins games, I have always believed.

Our offensive coordinator is Mike Martz. Mike comes to us from Detroit, where he found a bit of success. But he is better known for conducting the "Greatest Show On Turf" with the Saint Louis Rams a few years ago. Since we want to conduct a dynamic offensive scheme, Martz seems like the man to turn to.

Defensively, Rob Ryan comes to us from Oakland. He was their head defensive coordinator last year, and we hope that when paired with Singletary, our defense will be simply lethal next year.

Finally, Todd Grantham comes to us as a Special Teams coordinator. As the defensive coordinator in Cleveland last year, he posted a 10-6 record, but the defense was almost last in the league. I feel that in a different city and position, he could thrive. So it made sense to bring him here, to start fresh.

Now, our team will not be announced until April 26th, a few days after the draft. We feel as though we should announce our first player to ever be picked as our flagship player. We are certainly looking at quite a few players that would make an immediate impact on our team, but at the same time, listening to offers for the first pick in the draft. All is going to be revealed soon, and we hope you enjoy Los Angeles Hawks football for years to come!"

[Jay [FSU]]

February 25, 2008

"Hi Bill, this is Mike. Mike Singletary. How are you doing? That's good. Listen, I was wondering what it would take to get a player from you. A certain wide reciever named Ted Ginn. Name the price, and I'll pay it.

Second and fourth round choices? Hm.
I can say I will consider it."

[Jay [FSU]]

April 30, 2008

Los Angeles Expansion Team Announces Roster
-- via NFL.com

Ticker--
The Los Angeles Hawks, recently announcing their colors of black and blue, have now announced their team as a whole. To start the team out, they took five players from the NFL Europe pool of players that were still avalible after the disbandment of said organization. Tai Connor from Western Kentucky, a left tackle, was signed. Marvin Lamont from Syracuse, a wide reciever, was signed to a three year deal. Curtis Caswell, a runningback/kick returner from Nigeria, was signed. Lawyer Pierce, a right end from Wisconsin, was signed to a four year deal. Finally, JaQuan Biggs, a tight end from Illinois, was signed to a one year contract.

Roy Williams from the Dallas Cowboys came on day one to the team. Along with Williams, Koy Detmer (QB), David Ragone (QB), Corey Dillon (RB), and Ben Utchet (RB) all signed on Day one. Day Two brought some surprises, as Joe Andruzzi (OL) and George Foster(OL) both signed deals with Los Angeles. Foster, who made the Pro Bowl the year before, was signed to a six-year deal, locking Foster up for a while.

On Day Three, Travis Taylor (WR) signed with the Hawks. Taylor played the previous season in Tampa Bay, where he caught 87 balls for 964 yards and three touchdowns.

For the rest of free agency, Zach Hilton (TE), Alex Stepanovich (OL), and Nate Burleson (WR) also signed. Day Four brought Sean Ryan (TE), Casper Warrick (DB), Chad Lavalias (DT), Teddy Lehman (LB), Brandon Chillar (LB), Ben Forbes (K), Sean Bowen (DE), Danny Carpenter (DB), Geoff Hangartner (OL), Tutan Reyes (OL), Ricky Dutton (P), Benny Sapp (DB), Jason Thomas (OL), Paul Woods (LB), and Justin Thomas (DE) all signed deals.

When the NFL Draf rolled around, the Hawks owned the right to the first overall pick in the draft. They selected running back Darren McFadden out of Arkansas with the first pick. McFadden would not be the only college phenom the Hawks selected early, as quarterback Matt Ryan from Boston College was selected in the second round. Dré Moore, a defensive tackle from Maryland, was selected in the third round. Adam Krause, an offensive lineman from Michigan was taken in the fifth round, after the team traded their fourth round pick away. DeJuan Tribble, a defensive back from Boston College, was taken in the sixth round. Finally, after a long draft, Corey McKeon, a middle linebacker from Nebraska, was taken by the Hawks.

Their depth chart was recently announced, and is below:

QB
12 Matt Ryan
10 Koy Detmer
15 David Ragone

HB
25 Darren McFadden
28 Corey Dillon
47 Curtis Carswell

FB
86 Ben Utchet
88 Sean Ryan
80 Zach Hilton

WR
11 Travis Taylor
81 Nate Burleson
85 Marvin LaMont
13 Justin Ferguson

TE
87 JaQuan Biggs
80 Zach Hilton
88 Sean Ryan

LT
72 Tai Cnnor
66 Geoff Hangartner
65 Jason Thomas

LG
63 Joe Andruzzi
66 Geoff Hangartner
57 Adam Krause

C
69 Alex Stepanovich
57 Adam Krause

RT
79 George Foster
66 Geoff Hangartner
72 Tai Connor

RG
70 Tutan Reyes
66 Geoff Hangartner
72 Tai Connor

LE
91 Josh Thomas
73 Stephen Bowen
64 Dwayne Missouri

RE
78 Lawyer Pierce
73 Stephen Bowen
93 Chad Lavalais

DT
93 Chad Lavalais
92 Dré Moore
67 Tito Preston

ROLB
58 Pierre Woods
56 Keith Newman
51 Cato Krause

MLB
54 Teddy Lehman
99 Corey McKeon
56 Keith Newman

LOLB
55 Brandon Chillar
56 Keith Newman
51 Cato Krause

CB
20 Benny Sapp
40 DeJuan Tribble
22 Curtis Henderson
33 Casper Warrick
34 LaBron McAllister

FS
27 Dwaine Carpenter
34 LaBron McAllister
48 Jay Maddox

SS
31 Roy Williams
34 LaBron McAllister
48 Jay Maddox

K
11 Brandon Forbes
19 Ricky Dutton

P
19 Ricky Dutton
11 Brandon Forbes

KR
25 Darren McFadden
81 Nate Burleson
40 DeJuan Tribble

PR
40 DeJuan Tribble
34 LaBron McAllister

===

So there you have it, the depth chart for these young Hawks. Led by two rookies anda plethora of "has-beens" and "have nots," can this young team win?

[Chief Bstn]

Ryan + Tribble = big bonus points

[Jay [FSU]]

May 24, 2008

Hawks Announce Preseason Schedule
via NFL.com

Ticker-- The Los Angeles Hawks have announced their preseason schedule.

Week One, the Rams will come to Los Angeles to visit the Hawks. Matt Ryan, who was heavily compared to Marc Bulger in the draft, will look to combat the Rams' highly potent offensive attack. Bulger threw for 4,529 yards with 50 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while guiding the Rams to the Super Bowl, where they were defeated by the New England Patriots 43-50. With the addition of tight end Ben Watson and offensive lineman Alan Faneca, this offensive looks to be as deadly as the previous season.

Week Two brings the Chicago Bears to USC Stadium. Chicago stumbled to a 5-11 record last season as Rex Grossman blew out his knee in the third game of the season. With Grossman back and Steve Slaton in the backfield, look for the Bears to make it rain on LA.

In Week Three, the Hawks travel to New York to play the Jets. Kellen Clemens, in his first year as a starter last year, threw 21 touchdown passes against 4 interceptions for 3,841 yards with a 101.5 quarterback rating. Jon Vilma made 183 tackles and had 17 sacks, and Ty Law, back to New York, had 76 tackles and 7 interceptions last season. The early favorite for the Super Bowl, the Hawks will have trouble this week.

Finally, LA travels to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in Week Four of the preseason. Chad Henne was taken by the Chiefs with the seventh overall pick in the draft, and will be starting this season as the quarterback. Can LA make it a W over the young Chiefs?

There is the schedule for the preseason, and we'll let you know how it all goes down here on NFL.com!

[Jay [FSU]]

September 1, 2008

Hawks Wrap Up Preseason, Regular Season Schedule Announced.
via NFL.com

Ticker--

In Week One, the St. Louis Rams came to Los Angeles looking to destroy the Hawks. It didn't quite work out that way. In the third quarter, Roy Williams hit Stephen Jackson in the backfield, and injured Jackson for five weeks. After a 25-12 lead turned into a 25-17 lead after Los Angeles defensive end Lawyer Pierce hit Marc Bulger in the endzone resulting in a safety and Brandon Forbes kicked a 43 yard field goal, St. Louis put in Tyler Lorenzen, who threw a touchdown pass and led the team down the field resulting in a 54 yard field goal by Josh Brown. The final was 34-17, Rams.

Week Two was a nail-biter. Matt Ryan threw for 119 yards and three touchdowns, but it was not enough as the Bears scored on a field goal with three seconds left in the game. 25-24, and the Hawks lost a great one. Rex Grossman threw for 392 yards in three quarters of action for the Bears and new addition Ernest Wilford caught 8 passes for 183 yards for the Bears.

Week Three can only be described as demoralizing, with the Jets destroying the Hawks 10-45. Kellen Clemens threw for five touchdowns in two quarters and Thomas Jones ran for 87 yards on 9 carries as Jon Vilma held Matt Ryan, Koy Detmer, and David Ragone to a combined 139 passing yards.

Week Four ended the preseason for the Hawks, and the Chiefs took it to them. Kansas City, behind Chad Henne and Damon Huard, threw two touchdown passes on the Hawks and Larry Johnson ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The final score was 28-31, with the Hawks getting a great performance from Darren McFadden, who had 97 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

The season begins soon for the Hawks, September 14 being kickoff day. We have the schedule below, and it looks to be a hard one for these young Hawks.

Week 1 -- vs. Seattle
Week 2 -- vs. Washington
Week 3 -- at Philadelphia
Week 4 -- vs. Arizona
Week 5 -- vs. St. Louis
Week 6 -- BYE
Week 7 -- at Arizona
Week 8 -- vs. Carolina
Week 9 -- at Buffalo
Week 10 -- at Chicago
Week 11 -- vs. NY Giants
Week 12 -- at NY Jets
Week 13 -- vs. Miami
Week 14 -- at St. Louis
Week 15 -- at Dallas
Week 16 -- vs. New England
Week 17 -- at Seattle

This is arguably one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, as they face, from week 11 to 16, teams who were each four games over .500 last season. It also does not help that their division is one of the best in football.

Also, breaking news out of the collegiate circuit. The NFL will not be doing an exclusive college draft for this coming year. This will be the only year it happens, because of an error in the collective bargaining agreement. *

---

* - I accidentally hit NO for draft classes for this season, sorry guys.

[Jay [FSU]]

September 15, 2008

Hawks Fall To The 'hawks, 27-20
via NFL.com

Ticker-- Matt Hasselbeck lived up to his name he established last year. Shaun Alexander showed he was still alive. Lofa Tatupu dominated.

Matt Ryan? Decent debut at best. Darren McFadden? Amazing.

These characterizations sum up how the game went for yesterday for the Los Angeles Hawks in their 'home' debut against the Seattle Seahawks.

In the first quarter, Hasselbeck completed a 67-yard pass to Alexander for a touchdown. Matt Ryan answered by driving his team down the field, setting up a 5 yard run enabling Darren McFadden to score.

After a second quarter where no one scored, Hasselbeck again threw a touchdown pass to rookie reciever DeShawn Jackson, a 21 yard bomb that LaBron McAllister bit on too early, resulting in an easy catch for Jackson.

When asked about his game -- 21-31 for 238 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, Hawks quarterback Matt Ryan said, "It was a good game. I definately did not expect for us to contend with one of the best teams in the NFC. I got some good looks tonight, D-Mac (McFadden) was just excellent for me, he had like 19 carries for 106 yards, man. I also was happy we were able to get Cee-Dee (Corey Dillon) in for some runs... I think he went 2 carries for 19 yards. If we can get him in more and get some more performances from D-Mac like we did tonight, I think we'll be fine. I know I have to step up big time. Numbers don't mean a thing unless we win, man. I could throw for 600 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions in a game, but it wouldn't mean a thing if we lost. I just want to be the quarterback for this team and lead us to wins."

The Hawks will have a chance to redeem themselves next week, as they take on the Washington Redskins. Washington lost to the Cleveland Browns, 3-59, after Jason Campbell was injured and Clinton Portis sustained a sprained ankle. If they don't get those two key cogs back on offense, we can expect a Hawks win.

[Jay [FSU]]

September 17, 2008

Hawks Add Players
via NFL.com

Ticker-- Los Angeles Hawks owner Richard Farmer knew it needed to be done. General Manager/Head Coach of the team Mike Singletary knew who he wanted.

So it was only a matter of time before the team added a few new players to help bolster the overall depth of the team.

"We knew we needed a reciever to compliment Travis Taylor and Nate Burleson. I tried trading to acquire Ted Ginn Jr., but the deal fell through. Instead, we signed David Boston. David is an excellent possesion reciever, and is an experienced veteran on this relatively young offense we have." said Singletary. In 5 games last year with the Buccaneers, Boston had 31 catches for 412 yards -- a 13.2 yard average, with 3 touchdowns. These five games came from Week 11 to Week 17. For his career, he has 346 catches for 5,111 yards and 28 touchdowns. Boston will wear number 89 with the Hawks.

Two linebackers were also added -- Al Singleton and James Darling. Spending the past four seasons in Dallas, he has averaged 33 tackles a season, but he has had trouble staying healthy in Dallas. In Los Angeles, they will use him predominatley as the right outside linebacker. He will wear number 59.

"We brought in Al because he has a great locker room presence. Also, he is a veteran with a lot left in the tank. He will be starting immediatley. We then brought in James Darling, who we feel will be the cornerstone of our defense. He's an 11 year vet, but again, a lot is left in the tank." said Singletary as he left the press conference.

Darling spent four years in Arizona, averaging 53 tackles a season. In an injury shortend season last year, Darling played in three games and had just two tackles. But many believe he will rebound in LA. Darling will wear number 52.

The Hawks also signed defensive backs Travis Fisher and Chris Crocker.

[Jay [FSU]]

September 22, 2008

Hawks Declawed, 34-13
via NFL.com

Ticker-- The defense showed up. The offense? Not so much.

Los Angeles quarterback Matt Ryan went 9 for 19 for 110 yards, with 1 touchdown and three interceptions. Koy Detmer replaced Ryan with 3:29 left in the second quarter, and went 9 for 15 for 112 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Redskins scored 34 points in the first half, all off of turnovers and fieldgoals. Carlos Rogers, arguably one of the best corners on the team after the tragic death of Sean Taylor last year, intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns.. For a combined 103 yards. "We didn't defend well on offense," said Hawks coach Mike Singletary, "we got intercepted, but didn't recover and defend the returner."

Rogers, Marcus Washington, and LaRon Landry all returned interceptions for touchdowns for the 'Skins. The Skins played without Jason Campbell and Clinton Portis today, insteasd suiting up Aaron Brooks and LaDell Betts for the backfield. Brooks went 20 of 32 for 265 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. Bennie Sapp and Chris Crocker intercepted the two passes. Betts ran for 87 yards on 24 carries.

The defensive unit for the Hawks did not allow an offensive touchdown all game, much to the chagrin of head coach Joe Gibbs. "We could have capitalized on a lot more offensive opportunities, but chose to rely too much on our defensive unit. I applaud both teams today. Though the score may not reflect it, it was truly a battle of defenses today."

Al Singleton and James Darling, the two major additions to the defense for the Hawks, performed well. Darling had five tackles, one for a loss, including a blast of LaDell Betts for a loss of 7 yards. Singleton did not enter the game until the fourth quarter, Singletary instead opting to let Brandon Chillar play. When he did enter, though, it was to a rain of cheers. "I never felt so pumped, ever." said Singleton, who finished the game with three tackles and a sack.

Matt Ryan may be benched for next Sunday's game in Philadelphia. Early word is that Mike Singletary is going to try and acquire an experienced quarterback to teach Ryan how to settle down in the pocket and make smarter throws. In two games (with two starts) this season, Ryan has gone 30-50 for 366 yards, thrown 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His quarterback rating is a 63.0.

[Jay [FSU]]

September 26, 2008

Hawks Acquire Quarterback, Pick
via NFL.com

Ticker-- After ailing under a rookie quarterback and a backup who never really found his groove under any offensive coordinator, Los Angeles Hawks coach/general manager Mike Singletary decided it was time to upgrade the position.

"We're very happy today to introduce our last move in the free agent/trade phase of building our team for this season. We're happy to introduce Daunte Cullpepper to the Hawks family."

Cullpepper was acquired by the Hawks for quarterback David Ragone, a second round pick, and a fifth round pick. Cullpepper also came packaged with Miami's fourth round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

"I am quite happy to be in Los Angeles this season. After I was traded to Oakland, and then brought back by Miami in the offseason, I'm happy to find somewhere where I can shape a team and build a legacy. I've been in this league for nine years now, and I know I have at least another five in me. I realize I may not start all of those years as we have a sick young Q in the making in Matt (Ryan), but I'mma make the most of my situation here." said Cullpepper.

It is not clear if Matt Ryan will be the second or third string quarterback now, since Detmer was Ryan's backup. Only time will tell.

"Matt is by no means being shoved out of the way by this organization. We have faith that in a few years he will be able to lead us to a championship. We just want him to learn under a great quarterback. We just need to build this team to suit two quarterbacks now." said Hawks owner Richard Farmer.

Since the NFL Draft will not include college players this year, instead only Arena players, NFL Europe players, or players who can declare from other facets of football.

The NFL Draft will resume next season.

[Jay [FSU]]

September 28, 2008

Hawks Send Scout To Arena League
via NFL.com

Ticker-- Adarius Morency is a man amongst boys. With 142 receptions for 2001 yards and 40 touchdowns, he held the record for most yards and receptions in a season for the New Orleans Voodoo this past season.

His talents may just translate to the NFL. At age 17, he enrolled in Thiel College, a small Division-III school where he excelled in football. He played wide reciever, running back, and defensive back for the college, accumulating statistics that consist of:

308 receptions
7,083 reception yards (23 yard avg.)
58 recieving touchdowns
108 rushes
1,375 rushing yards (7.3 yard avg.)
29 rushing touchdowns
142 tackles
21 interceptions
10 sacks
8 forced fumbles
10 fumble recoveries
8 defensive touchdowns
85 kick returns
1,932 yards
5 touchdowns

===

While his stat line is impressive from college, the reciever never latched on to an NFL team. He made the practice squad for the Cincinatti Bengals last season, but was cut and then latched on to the Arena circuit. His high-flying play and sure-handedness are a big draw to many scouts now, his one flaw being his height -- he is listed as 5'6, 150 lbs. without shoes and pads. Morency is projected as a first round pick, to be picked late in the first round or early second. Other teams that sent scouts to see him are the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns.

^^
Adarius Morency