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+---- Thread: Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? (/showthread.php?tid=2623)
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Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - manicmav36 - 07-25-2017
With the first half of the pre-season finished and the Hawks well on their way to a repeat pre-season championship, there’s a very positive feeling throughout their facilities. Were these wins earned or are these just more empty pre-season victories against players that will never see the field? It’s time to take a closer look.
Game #1 vs. Orange County Otters
Unfortunately for the Hawks, for their first game they drew ASFC runner-up from last year, the Orange County Otters. The OC Otters had a very successful season at 9-5 last year, and after acquiring some big name rookies in the draft (Gregor Clegane, OT and Ardie Savea, RB) the OC Otters came into this pre-season looking to challenge for the ASFC championship yet again. After surrendering the lowest amount of points of any NSFL team last year, the Hawks expected a struggle.
Both teams came into this contest full strength, starting their first teams. While the Otters struck first with a touchdown pass from Boss to Phelps, Hawks rookie running back Darlane Farlane (@Gwdaja) was able to even the score with an electrifying 80-yard punt return for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter. The 2nd quarter was largely uneventful but, Turk Turkleton (@Raven), kicker for the Hawks, was able to connect on a 39-yard field goal as the first half expired to take the lead, 10-7.
The Hawks received the ball to start the second half and after a big catch by wide receiver, Cooper Christmas (@Ghostspeed) for 41 yards, the Hawks stalled in the red zone and had to settle for a 27-yard field goal to take the lead, 13-7. The Otters quickly responded with a ballsy fourth down conversion attempt at the Hawks 35 yard-line. Despite only needing 6 yards to convert, QB Mike Boss aired it out with a 35-yard bomb to wide receiver Mike Westfield for the score. After a successful Langdon kick, the Otters now lead 14-13. Following a 27-yard return by Farlane to the Hawks 35-yard line, the Hawks ran a baffling nine pass plays in a row. Luckily, Hawks QB, Scrub Kyubee (@DollarAndADream) was on fire as he completed six of nine attempts to four different receivers. Unfortunately, yet another drive stalled in the Otters end zone and the had to settle from a 28-yard field goal, to retake the lead with 2:51 left in the 3rd, 16-14.
The 4th quarter was a true defensive battle. After a missed 39-yard field goal attempt by Turkleton there were no real game changing plays until about eight minutes left in the quarter. On third and five with the Otters at their own 25-yard line, Boss faded back and attempted to hit Westfield on a slant across the middle. Unfortunately for the Otters, Hawks rookie linebacker James Wright (@PlotzkeA) jumped the route for an interception and took it all the way back for a touchdown to widen the lead, now up 23-14. With 2:44 left in the game, the Hawks were able to cement their victory with a fourth field goal from Turkleton, this time from 33 yards out. The score would stay pat from there on out. Final score: 26-14, Baltimore Hawks.
Positive Notes:
- The Hawks had four different receivers with at least three receptions, and six players total with at least one.
- The Otters were held to only 75 rushing yards on 28 attempts, a paltry 2.7 yards a carry.
- The Hawks offensive line, formed entirely of rookies, had 14 pancake blocks, nearly double that of the Otters, who had only 8.
Game #2 vs. Las Vegas Legion
For their second game, the Hawks faced off against the Las Vegas Legion. One of two new expansion teams to the NSFL, the Legion chose to take the opposite route to team building from the other expansion team, the Philadelphia Liberty. While the Liberty went the “traditional” route by building mainly through the draft with sixteen picks, the Liberty built their roster mainly through trades for established veterans, and only made six picks in the draft. Time will tell if there is a clear consensus on which way is the best to build an expansion team. With an unknown coach, and a group of players that have spent very little time together, no one knew what to expect out of the Legion.
Both teams started at full strength for the first quarter.
The Hawks received the ball to start the game, but besides a missed field goal of 44 yards and a made field goal of 32 yards, by Turkleton, there really isn’t much to talk about, as neither team did much to move the ball. The second quarter was even less exciting than the first, the closest either team made it to scoring was their opponents 39-yard line. This is mostly likely due to the Legion moving to their second team offense and the continual running of the clock due to a constant stream of short yardage plays and an usually high number of sacks (five between both teams).
Unfortunately, the third quarter was more of the same. Outside of a pair of sacks by the Hawks and a 45-yard field goal by Turkleton with seven seconds left in the quarter, there isn’t much to say. Score at the end of the third, 6-0, Hawks.
During the fourth quarter, however, we finally have a little action. An interception by Antoine Delacour gives the Hawks a short field with roughly 12 minutes left in the game, but the offense isn’t able to get anything going. In what is becoming a pattern for the Hawks, the drive stalls at the Legion 28, and they walk away with three more points, thanks to a 42-yard field goal from Turkleton, 9-0, Hawks. After a three and out on defense, the Hawks quickly get the ball back on their own 30. Following a short drive, including a nice catch by Cooper Christmas for 29 yards, the Hawks are once again forced to settle for three points, this one from 45 yards out, to put the score at 12-0, Hawks. With time running short and only 3:48 left on the clock, the Legion make a desperate play and decide to attempt a 4th down conversion on their own 21-yard line. They needed eleven yards and only came away with five, so it is now the Hawks ball on the Legion 26-yard line. Luckily, the Hawks were finally able to put it in the end zone after an eight-yard catch by tight end Carmel Gibson (@SexualEarwax). After one more sack by Kurt Hendrix (@HENDRIX) (Bert Metas (@Bertiswho) and Hendrix each had two), this offensive shoot-out finally came to an end. Final score: 19-0, Baltimore Hawks.
Positive Notes:
- The Hawks were able to hold the Legion’s first team offense to only 58 total yards in the first quarter.
- The Hawks spread the ball well once again. Four different receivers had at least three catches and a total of seven players had at least one catch. While no one has had a “break-out” game, this could actually be beneficial for the Hawks as opposing defenses may not have one player they know they need to key on.
- The Hawks got to the QB frequently, with a total of six sacks on the night.
- Linebacker James Wright one again had himself a big night with ten tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble.
So there you have it, the Hawks start the pre-season with an unblemished 2-0 record. Sure they finished 4-0 in the pre-season last year and then went on to win the same number of regular season games, but a win is a win! Wins create a positive attitude, increase the likelihood of players continuing their development, and help to create that “winning mentality” that so many clubs strive for. Can the Hawks finish out the pre-season undefeated? Will that translate to more regular season wins? At this point, who knows but, it certainly can’t hurt.
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Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - Merica - 07-26-2017
Yall beat a Bercovici-less Legion, brav-fuckin-o.
Also the 85 Bears went 0-4 in pre season, that's were going for.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - Valtookan - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 07:01 AM)Merica Wrote:Yall beat a Bercovici-less Legion, brav-fuckin-o.
Also the 85 Bears went 0-4 in pre season, that's were going for.
Same for the Season 1
, but y'all ain't repeating that.You on Leagion right? That team is coming in last.
:scrub: 
:scrub:
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - manicmav36 - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 07:01 AM)Merica Wrote:Yall beat a Bercovici-less Legion, brav-fuckin-o.
Hey, in the one quarter he played, Bercovici only completed 50% of his passes and had a meager QB rating of only 56.2. Not to mention that we led at the end of that quarter.
A win is a win, brother.... pre-season or not.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - Merica - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 12:53 PM)manicmav36 Wrote:Hey, in the one quarter he played, Bercovici only completed 50% of his passes and had a meager QB rating of only 56.2. Not to mention that we led at the end of that quarter.
A win is a win, brother.... pre-season or not.
:lol:
This is a joke right? No, a win is not a win when it's just pre-season, a meaningless four games that does not carry over to the regular season. It means nothing and proves nothing.
Bragging about the pre season is the equivalent to bragging about a fourth place YMCA trophy. Well fucking done Jimmy, you can be anything!
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - manicmav36 - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 08:32 AM)Merica Wrote::lol:
This is a joke right? No, a win is not a win when it's just pre-season, a meaningless four games that does not carry over to the regular season. It means nothing and proves nothing.
Bragging about the pre season is the equivalent to bragging about a fourth place YMCA trophy. Well fucking done Jimmy, you can be anything!
Bragging? Nah. I'm aware a pre-season game had little to no meaning, but there's nothing wrong with showing a little excitement for your team. I'm sorry that the highest paid QB in the league got his feelings hurt by a 4 win team.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - kckolbe - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 06:40 AM)manicmav36 Wrote:Bragging? Nah. I'm aware a pre-season game had little to no meaning, but there's nothing wrong with showing a little excitement for your team. I'm sorry that the highest paid QB in the league got his feelings hurt by a 4 win team.If you compared the stats for Bercovici and his backup, you'd pay a LOT more for him, though.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - Merica - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 01:40 PM)manicmav36 Wrote:Bragging? Nah. I'm aware a pre-season game had little to no meaning, but there's nothing wrong with showing a little excitement for your team. I'm sorry that the highest paid QB in the league got his feelings hurt by a 4 win team.
Feelings hurt? That's a reach if I've ever seen one, nice deflection.
Also you literally just said "a win is a win...pre season or not" and now you're saying "I'm aware it has little to no meaning" so which is it.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - manicmav36 - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 09:58 AM)Merica Wrote:Feelings hurt? That's a reach if I've ever seen one, nice deflection.For standings, it has no meaning. As a player, EVERY game should mean something to you, pre-season or otherwise.
Also you literally just said "a win is a win...pre season or not" and now you're saying "I'm aware it has little to no meaning" so which is it.
Back-to-back Pre-Season Champions? - Bzerkap - 07-26-2017
(07-26-2017, 08:58 AM)Merica Wrote:Feelings hurt? That's a reach if I've ever seen one, nice deflection.We need more Bercovici salt media posts man! I missed it when you were stuck behind Boss. Unjustly I might say!
Also you literally just said "a win is a win...pre season or not" and now you're saying "I'm aware it has little to no meaning" so which is it.