Baltimore Hawks
8-6
First in NSFC
Round 1: Defeated Yellowknife Wraiths
Ultimus: Lost to Arizona Outlaws


The Good

The Baltimore Hawks had a very solid season, coming out on top of the conference with an 8-6 record, and eventually representing the NSFC in the Ultimus. So there must’ve been a lot of good to come out of this season!

Number One: From worst to first. That’s right, the Baltimore Hawks completed the improbable turnaround, even with an extra team in the division this season. They finished the Season 1 campaign with a paltry 4-10 record, and doubled the win total this season, finishing 8-6 and winning the division based on their 4-2 record against NSFC foes. Veterans like Scrub Kyubee, Stephen Harrison and Antoine Delacour stepped up in big ways, and were fine complements to draftees such as Matthew Vincent, Darlane Farlane and Darnell Turner. The jump is made even more special when you compare it to the San Jose SaberCats, who also went 4-10 in the inaugural season. They failed to change much, though, and nonetheless, finished 4-10 again. Many fans thought the team had some serious work to do to improve, but as it turns out, a season made all the difference, establishing them as a legit force in the league.

Number Two: True home-field advantage. Yes, I know the sim engine, Draft Day Pro Football 2016 tends to favor home teams. By a lot, that is. But the Baltimore Hawks had a perfect 7-0 record in Maryland-based games during the regular season, and won their only home contest of the playoffs against the Yellowknife Wraiths. Baltimore is truly THEIR house, and teams should be wary of entering the stadium and expecting a win, because it just might not be possible.

Number Three: The emergence of rookie Darlane Farlane, who I briefly mentioned before. He was drafted by the Hawks and has taken the rushing world by storm, with his 376 attempts for 1267 yards. Sure, he carried the ball 30 times more than the second leading carrier Reg Mackworthy of the Arizona Outlaws, and almost 100 times more than the third leading carrier, but that shows the Baltimore Hawks’ confidence in their young star. It’s not every day that you see a rookie in such a major role on a team, but Farlane accepted the role and passed with flying colors.


The Bad

And now I have to write about the bad aspects of my own team, which is hard, but there is definitely material to pull for this.

Number One: No safeties. Let’s be honest here, Jorge Masvidal and Matt Smith, who still has base TPE, are not getting it done. This is a serious issue, as the safeties are supposed to be backbones of the secondary. Darnell Turner and Antoine Delacour, the corners, are doing a fine job of progressing with TPE, in stark contrast to the safeties. The inherent problem here is that if the corners falter, which often happened with the position as a whole last season, the safeties are not there to clean up the mess. Teams feasted in the passing game against the Hawks, and they should be thinking about shoring up the position.
Number Two: The other side of the Farlane coin. He simply needs to stop turning the ball over. Farlane has become, as tlk742 said, a “fumbles machine”, turning the ball over seven times last season. And while his volume of touches is through the roof, he will need to be much more efficient in order to remain an effective back. 3.4 yards per carry is a prime example of regression to the mean for how much he has carried, so its not to say he wasn’t pulling the load. But a lower yards per carry stat combined with the turnovers has Hawks brass thinking he has to make some improvements in the training room.
Number Three: The controversy surrounding the team, whether legit or not. The Baltimore Hawks have recently been involved in a firestorm of allegations. First it was Carmel Gibson, who was the tight end with the boosted TPE, making him much better than he was. Then it was the case of Erasmo Broadway’s 100 agility for the NSFC Championship Game against the Wraiths. Turns out that was actually the Wraiths’ GM’s fault as updater, but it still brought attention to the Hawks. Then the Hawks GM deleted a post that was trashing the team, violating moderator privileges, and creating even MORE controversy. Two of these three things should not fall on the Hawks’ shoulders, but all the negative publicity has turned some off to the team.

The Future

The Baltimore Hawks had the opportunity to sign top free agent A.C. Hackett, but he spurned them when the GM underbid the competition. That would have been a great add next to Erasmo Broadway and Stephen Harrison, but they will have to move on without. Overall, I am not really sure how bright their future is. With the Wraiths who look poised to be a force in the league, and the up and coming Philadelphia Liberty, it wouldn’t shock me if Baltimore falls into obscurity. Of course, they have proven players who can step up and perform at a minute’s notice, but I don’t think the level of dedication, both quality and quantity, matches those two teams. The Yeti, sure, they might have no trouble with, but if the Liberty really kick it into gear next season, the Hawks will have to work hard. Really hard.