NFC East Riverbottom Nightmare - NFC West St.Paul Bootleggers

The Riverbottom Nightmare went with defense to begin their franchise. If you feel like the best way to build a team is through the lines then you will like the Nightmare's first pick Alex Karras.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
4	3

Karras was a dominant defensive tackle throughout the decade. Living up to the team name, Karras was a true nightmare. After securing the defensive tackle that they wanted Riverbottom next focused on the secondary. Grabbing the talented Cornerback Erich Barnes wasn't a hard decision. Another building block for the decade, Barnes is a tough coverage defender capable of locking up elite receivers. Next you put Sherill Headrick in the Middle Linbacker spot and you have building block three levels deep.

Riverbottom did not neglect the other side of the ball as they snared two elite playmakers in Dick Bass and Lenny Moore.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
4	3

Moore will go on to three more Pro-Bowls in his career as a dual threat receiver/running back. Meanwhile Dick Bass will match Moore with 3 Pro-Bowl selections in the 60's. Both Moore and Bass are breakaway threats whenever they touch the ball and also aid in the return game. Quarterback Earl Morrall waits in the wings for his chance to lead the team. From top to bottom Riverbottom is a very solid team.

The St.Paul Bootleggers were in an interesting position in the draft. As the last pick of one round and the first pick of the next they were able to target and bookend positions on their team. That is just what they did by starting the franchise with two great offensive tackles in Forrest Gregg and Ron Mix.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
8	9

Mix will enjoy numerous accolades through his career including being labeled as the best Offensive Tackle in the league. If there is another contestant to that title it would be Forrest Gregg. Gregg would appear in 8 more Pro-Bowls and have 7 All-Pro selections. Between Mix and Gregg you are going to have a hard time getting to St.Paul quarterbacks.

As I said St.Paul was capable of bookending positions as a strategy and that's again what the did with their next two picks Charlie Krueger and Jim Marshall.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
2	0

Marshall's calling card was consistent play at a high level...and you'll have to face him for 19 years! At the other Defensive End spot you have Charlie Krueger. Fortunately you only have to deal with him for 14 years, including 2 Pro-Bowl seasons. Needless to say the Bootleggers won't be drafting DE's for awhile. Then in the secondary you have Dave Whitsell and Jim Norton both of whom have Pro-Bowls on their resume and the St.Paul defense is in very good shape. OF course with a start-up draft something has to give and in the Bootleggers case it's at the skill positions. The offensive weapons will have to come in future drafts. St.Paul can play the long game and develop the offense at a relaxed pace as so many key players on the team will be there for quite a long time.