All articles tagged with #roster building
The Philadelphia Eagles' training camp has begun with discussions from GM Howie Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni focusing on building a young, competitive team, emphasizing player development, roster continuity, and strategic planning post-Super Bowl victory, while also highlighting the importance of physical conditioning and internal promotions.
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's 13th franchise, selected 11 players, including seven international players, in the expansion draft as they prepare for their inaugural season starting May 16 against the Los Angeles Sparks. The team, aiming for versatility and depth, includes four players with WNBA championship experience. The Valkyries will continue to build their roster through free agency and the WNBA draft, where they hold the 5th, 17th, and 29th picks. The WNBA plans further expansion with teams in Portland and Toronto by 2026, and potentially 16 teams by 2028.
John Calipari, newly appointed head coach of the Arkansas men's basketball team, acknowledges the need for a new roster-building strategy after recent postseason failures at Kentucky. He plans to focus on older transfers and fewer freshmen, aiming to create a more experienced team. Calipari is optimistic about his fresh start at Arkansas, despite starting with no players or schedule, and is currently building the roster with a mix of top recruits and transfers.
Indiana University basketball is preparing for the upcoming transfer window, focusing on rebuilding their guard rotation and adding depth to their backcourt. The team is targeting players who can provide scoring punch, floor spacing, and rim protection. Several names have emerged as potential targets, including Kanaan Carlyle, Ryan Conwell, Connor Essegian, Connor Hickman, Tony Perkins, Myles Rice, Leland Walker, Ben Humrichous, Adou Thiero, Cade Tyson, Aaron Bradshaw, Pharrel Payne, and Amari Williams. The Hoosiers are looking to address their roster needs as they accelerate their efforts to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
The Washington Commanders lead the list of most interesting NFL teams in free agency with the most available cap space and a high draft pick, giving them the means to revamp their roster and change their status as perennial losers. New GM Adam Peters emphasized a balanced approach to roster building, focusing on the draft and supplementing through free agency. With the second overall pick, the Commanders will be targeting their future quarterback and have the resources to address other key positions.
The hiring of Jim Harbaugh as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers suggests a shift towards a more run-focused offensive strategy, based on his previous coaching experiences with the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan. This change could impact the team's roster-building approach, potentially leading to investments in road-grading offensive linemen, fullbacks, run-blocking tight ends, and a day two running back, while still maintaining a balanced approach to pass-catching options.
The hiring of Jim Harbaugh as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers signals a potential shift towards a more run-focused offensive strategy, based on his past coaching tendencies with the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan. This change could impact the team's roster-building approach, with a potential emphasis on adding road-grading offensive linemen, fullbacks, run-blocking tight ends, and investing in guards and a tight end in the upcoming draft.
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane expressed discontent with the team's limited salary cap space and emphasized the importance of drafting well due to the ongoing salary cap deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He discussed the team's upcoming unrestricted free agents, the need to continue adding weapons to support star players like Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen, and the challenges of competing in the increasingly fierce AFC. Beane also touched on the potential for one-year deals with certain players and the wealth of depth in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As MLS free agency opens, several notable players are available for the 2024 season. Some top prizes include Miles Robinson, Kai Wagner, José Cifuentes, Julian Gressel, and Kellyn Acosta. While some players are expected to re-sign with their current teams, others like Alejandro Bedoya, Diego Rubio, Carlos Vela, and Nicolás Lodeiro are in limbo. Veteran defenders and midfielders, as well as attackers, are also looking for new homes in the upcoming season.
The Columbus Crew and LAFC have built their MLS Cup rosters through a combination of strategic player acquisitions and internal development. The Crew underwent a philosophical transition under manager Wilfried Nancy, bringing in key players like Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi to complement their existing core. LAFC faced the challenge of maintaining a title-winning squad within the constraints of a salary-capped league, making necessary roster changes while retaining key players like Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga. Both teams have achieved success through a mix of continuity and strategic additions, with the Crew focusing on internal development and LAFC utilizing a combination of domestic and international transfers.
The Chicago Bears' recent offensive resurgence with quarterback Justin Fields has sparked debates about his long-term future and how to build an effective offense around him. While Fields has shown promise in the past two games, there are concerns about his sustainability and whether the Bears should reset their quarterback contract clock. The team still has significant roster needs, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines. The Bears' success this season and the potential availability of top draft prospects like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Brock Bowers could impact their decision-making. Additionally, getting other skill players involved in the passing game, such as D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Tyler Scott, will be crucial for the Bears' offensive success.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh calls out ownership for not committing to winning and not making aggressive moves in roster-building, expressing frustration with the team's lower payroll and lack of big acquisitions compared to other teams like the Texas Rangers. Raleigh apologizes for the timing of his comments but stands by his desire to bring a World Series to Seattle. The Mariners were eliminated from postseason contention while the Rangers made aggressive moves and secured a playoff spot.
The San Francisco 49ers' decision to trade up and select Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft has been criticized as a bust, but columnist Jim Trotter argues that there is no shame in taking a gamble to acquire a potential franchise quarterback. Despite missing on Lance, the 49ers have built a strong roster and have had more hits than misses in their personnel decisions. They have been proactive and unwilling to settle, which has contributed to their success as one of the league's best teams. While the Lance trade may make teams more reluctant to make blockbuster draft trades, Trotter believes that playing it safe with scared money is not the way to build a winner.
Domantas Sabonis has agreed to a five-year, $217 million contract renegotiation and extension with the Sacramento Kings. Despite turning down more money, Sabonis prioritized the franchise's roster-building flexibility over maximizing his earnings. The deal includes an additional $8.6 million for the upcoming season and a four-year extension, totaling nearly $200 million more over the life of the contract. Sabonis, coming off a strong season, aims to help the Kings return to the playoffs alongside De'Aaron Fox and the rest of the team.
Domantas Sabonis has agreed to a five-year, $217 million contract renegotiation and extension with the Sacramento Kings. Despite turning down more money, Sabonis prioritized the team's roster-building flexibility over maximizing his earnings. The deal includes an additional $8.6 million for the 2023-2024 season, bringing his earnings to $30.6 million. Sabonis, coming off a strong season, aims to help the Kings return to the playoffs alongside De'Aaron Fox. This move highlights the team-first mentality of Sabonis and the Kings' commitment to building a competitive roster.