This blog entry is based on Draft League Europe, a custom league with 32 coaches playing only human teams. NFL is a big influence to a league. One of the league's main selling points is the draft system, which allows coaches to draft players that are already skilled during the off-season. I shall preview the team I have chosen to take over, Remas Eagles, adding some fluff for the team analysis. :)

Background: To this day, Remas Eagles haven't made it to the playoffs a single time during their long stay in DLE. Indeed, they are one of the foundation teams of the league! Misfortune after misfortune, the team's rebuilding efforts have sank down the drain countless times. After taking over this team with only 2 regular season games remaining on season 9, there weren't many assets left in the team, and a massive team overhaul was completed mid-season. Only three players survived this procedure: Leonard 'BD' Williams, 'The' Don Marino and Frank Light (more about those players later). Coach Supa also brought 6 finnish players with him to the team, and played the rest of the season with Tilean mercenaries, with the aim to survive the season without permanent injuries (which was succesful).

Eagles finished the season dead last, with a record of 0-2-14, which meant that they were to select first overall in the draft. Their draft capital for D10 included two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks, one third round pick and one fourth round pick. However, the mid 1st round pick was traded to Drakenhof Legion in exchange for Hannibal Mekins. This trade greatly upset the legendary thrower Don Marino, who was already disappointed due to the lack of success in the team. Requesting a trade, he gathered plenty of interest, and was eventually traded to Middenheim Classics in the following exchange:

Remas Eagles give:
- 'The' Don Marino
- Current 4th round pick

Middenheim Classics give:
- Jim McMahon
- Chris Jones
- Future 1st
- Future 3rd

And so, the Remas Eagles finished the offseason with two trades. Here is how the team looks like, and how the different positions compare to their rivals after the draft.

Ogre:

- Jari 'Bull' Mentula: Only one player here naturally, but he's an interesting one. Joining during the team restructure, this ogre is surprisingly smart compared to his peers, having learned textbook blocking techniques, and overall not being so... "limited" in certain areas. The cons? He's somewhat lacking on being the brutal roadblock ogres are being asked to do. There's still room for him to improve on that department, but how much will this affect the team's games this season?
Verdict: Serviceable, although somewhat risky player to fulfill this role. If he pans out, he could become one of the better ogres in the league.

Blitzers:

- Leonard 'BD' Williams: Was traded to Eagles mid-season during season 9 thanks to the previous coach, and Williams made the cut during the major team overhaul. He was a key player during his Unicorn years, and the team is looking forward to watch him deliver same level of performances for Eagles in the future.
Verdict: Key player for most teams in the league, still has some room for improvement. Brings some playoffs experience for Eagles, something the team is lacking.

- H.J. Summerson: Finnish-American player, he was brought during the restructure by coach Supa to fulfill the near mandatory "killer" role in the team.
Verdict: Able to do his (crucial) job, is showing promising signs to improve on his role.

- Olli Jokinen: Another Finnish blitzer, and quite a maniac! Great utility package with solid hitting power as well as support for his team. Already a starplayer in the team.
Verdict: Core player, can still develop even further.

- Solomon Thomas(DRAFTED): 1st round pick from this draft. The pick was nearly traded to another team which would've been one of the biggest trades in DLE history, but that didn't quite pan out in the end. Nevertheless, the Eagles have a strong and sturdy blitzer that offers some important muscle and support to the team.
Verdict: Key player without having played a single game, and he should only get better from here.

Overall, the blitzer core is quite strong for the Eagles. All four can still learn a thing or two, but that doesn't stop the fact that they should hold their ground admirably against everyone else in the league.

Throwers:

- Jim McMahon(TRADED): A player well past his prime, he was still considered to be an useful player for Eagles. He barely has legs anymore, but this veteran is the oldest player in the roster right now, and was an important player during Classics Superbowl run. It isn't surprising that the team named him to captain the Remas Eagles.
Verdict: Once one of the better players in the league, this old dog still has some tricks to show and isn't ready to retire. The team's morale has been boosted with his presence during the training sessions.

- Hannibal Mekins(TRADED): The reason why 'The' Don Marino is no longer in the team. This player is still somewhat of a raw prospect, but this Drakenhof Legion talent suddenly rose to the spotlight and was an important player during their season that led them to playoffs. Now he'll get to play even greater role in a team which is lacking in agility, and his abilities shall be truly tested.
Verdict. Hot prospect of the future that can improve in so many ways. Despite that, he'll be the quarterback Eagles will rely on their offensive drives.

Both throwers are new additions in the Eagles, but that shouldn't upset the balance too much. Arguably, the thrower pairing would've been stronger with both Marino and Mekins, but a big move was needed to secure the team in other areas. This should still be a fine pair of throwers to play next season.

Catchers:
- Hannes Kolehmainen: The only catcher in the team, which is a severe weakness. In fact, this was hastily brought by coach Supa during the team restructure. It doesn't help that he's not a great, although not bad by all means. He'll be used sparingly only for special occasions and it is not impossible he will have some hero moments in the future. That said, there are far better catchers in the league than he is.
Verdict: Fringe player in the team, probably won't have a long future in the team. Still, due to circumstances, he will have to do for now.

Linemen:
- Frank Light: Funnily enough, he is the 2nd player that has won a Superbowl, doing so with the Patriots on season 8. Still, back then he was a fringe player, and was traded to the Remas Eagles next season. While not a true starter, he was showing impressive development, and could very well develop into an elite lineman. He keeps training hard, as he wants to prove he is not a bench warmer.
Verdict: Hot prospect of the future, team should keep a close eye on him, as he could take big steps forward during the season on his development.

- Dylan Donahue(DRAFTED): A hard hitting lineman that could develop into a solid sweeper. Will get some playing time on offensive drives, but possibly on defense too.
Verdict: Useful player for the team. Has some hidden potential within him, core player status might not be too farfetched in the future.

- Corey Levin(DRAFTED) and Conor McDermott(DRAFTED): Solid linemen already, although to truly make them starting candidates they should both still improve a little bit. They are both still competing for a spot on starting 11. On default Levin goes ahead of Conor McDermott on the depth chart, but McDermott should get the nod ahead of Levin depending on the number of dodgers opponent is rostering.
Verdict: Depth players that have plenty of room to improve.

- Chris Jones(TRADED), Kaarlo Anttinen and Janne Happonen: The grunts of the team, their main purpose is to be there to take a good hit for the team, so that others wouldn't have to. While they might seem underwhelming, ideally they soak up hits as long as they can so that the other players can keep handling out other duties on the pitch.
Verdict: Useful players on defense most importantly.

- Matti Hautamäki: Mostly like the above players, except he's much more complete, which makes him far more useful player in the team. Still, his role is mostly the same as the other grunts, he just offers some more utility for his team in case an opportunity rises.
Verdict: Core player in the team, quite complete package that is unlikely to develop further.

8 linemen is certainly a big number to have in DLE, but at least these linemen are good, if not great. It might not be the ideal route, but Eagles aren't contending for the title next season anyways (unless all the pieces fit together).

Conclusion: Some readers might've noticed that many players have still some "room for improvement", which will be the main goal of the next season: Developing the players the roster already has, and go from there. The team can afford some failures too with so many linemen rostered, and next season's draft capital consisting of 6 picks (including 2 for first round). Admirable position on the standings is also desired, but that is a secondary objective. Getting Eagles to playoffs would be challenging, but also a big boost for the team's morale if they were to do it.

Hopefully I have done most of the things for my team right so that the initial ride towards honor and glory is much more comfortable than it tends to be. If this season goes well, it might not be too foolish to dream of some greater results for season 11... or will the Eagles get destroyed again, like past has proven? That remains to be seen!