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+---- Thread: *DSFL S39: Midseason Evaluations and Power Rankings (/showthread.php?tid=42871)
*DSFL S39: Midseason Evaluations and Power Rankings - Akoustique - 01-11-2023
Welcome to Akou's Generally Unbiased And From A Completely Rookie Point of View Evaluations And Power Rankings! AGUAFACRPOVEAPR for short, of course.
In our inaugural evaluations, we're going to take a midseason look at the Developmental Simulation Football League, full of not only rookie prospects looking to make a name for themselves, but those trying their best to push through a proverbial glass ceiling and make it to the "big time". This season has seen some fairly competitive games in both the DSFL North and the DSFL South divisions, but one division takes the cake with its strength and determination. We'll be ranking the teams based on their stats and looking at specific players who have managed to make an impact for their teams. Note that my impact players are based on one rookie's opinions and one rookie's opinions alone; you may have better stats on your team and didn't get a shoutout. Don't take my opinions as an assessment of your ability! Once we've done our evaluations, we'll also have a projected record for these teams and see how said projections stack up at the end of the season!
Without further ado, let's start from the bottom and move to the top!
8. Bondi Beach Buccaneers (0 - 6 - 1)
A streak is broken! While Bondi Beach’s last win came in a spectacular Ultimini... two seasons ago, Week 7 marked a spark of hope as they had a gutsy fight against the Minnesota Grey Ducks that ended in a tie. The players all have potential under QB Smokin' Jay, but it hasn't been reached yet. So far, they've relied on Jay's arm through the air, but the rushing game is nearly nonexistent; RB Malik Jordan is their leading rusher with 87 carries for 367 yards this season, the lowest in the DSFL. It feels like for every positive thing we can say about the Buccaneers, there's a negative lurking in the background. Smokin' Jay has the most passing attempts in the league this season with 256 with a 56% completion rate; however, he's got the most interceptions this season with 9. The Bucs have scored a reasonable amount of points against their opponents, tied for second in their division with 148... but opponents have scored 258 points against them, the most in the league by a landslide. Despite that scary stat, the defensive side of the ball has a glimmer of hope with rookies and veterans alike, and while Bondi Beach seems to believe in themselves more so than the public believes in them, trying their darndest to keep each game competitive, it's not looking good halfway through this season.
Impact Player: While it's hard to find a shining star in this roster, the defensive potential is huge if acted upon, and the rookie LB Money Tolliver is showing that he's a big part of that, standing out among the rest. A blistering 79 tackles plus a sack this season is enough to earn him this spot.
Projected Record: 1 - 12 - 1
7. Norfolk Seawolves (2 - 5)
In a roster fraught with rookies, Norfolk has managed to eke out some gutsy wins. Unfortunately, the strength of those wins is in question, as they have come over both Bondi Beach and London, two teams that are dealing with their own issues as of this season. Norfolk seems to have the opposite issue of Bondi Beach, in that their rushing game is strong but their receiving game leaves a lot to be desired. It’s been shown that a stellar defense can stop Norfolk in their tracks, though; the shutout from the Kansas City game where the Seawolves lost 41 to 0 looms large over their season. Norfolk has shown they have the ability to win games on the ground with the tandem running back offense of Hot Chocolate, Howard Coward, and Henry Oswald-Newman already amassing a total of 1,233 yards this season… but this writer isn’t sure that it’s enough to carry them to glory.
Impact Player: As mentioned before, the tandem rushing offense of Norfolk is one of its strongest points as a team, and RB Henry Oswald-Newman is spearheading that effort. 492 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns this season is a cut above the rest.
Projected Record: 4 - 10
6. Tijuana Luchadores (3 - 4)
Tijuana is the definition of potential. The Luchadores have so much potential, and a bright future awaits many players on the team. This writer’s opinion is that the biggest problem in Tijuana is a mix of discipline and lack of ball security. In games when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent, the Luchadores turn the ball over more. In games where they have good ball security, they commit more penalties. Despite this, they still have a strong defense and a competent offense. RB Gucci Gurley tears through defenses and has managed to pull 548 rushing yards out of 117 carries. QB Gore Done Ram Say hits a 60% completion rate and 8 touchdowns. On the defense, linebackers Musgrave Rage and Colby Covington combined for a stunning 104 tackles, two interceptions, and four sacks. If Tijuana can clean up their play, they could be a real contender in the DSFL this season. Will it happen? Only time will tell.
Impact Player: Tijuana’s defense really shines, and an unsung hero of that is DT Bourtol Halcomsby. 19 tackles and two sacks means that opponents need to prepare for him more than they might other defensive tackles. They’ll get punished if they don’t.
Projected Record: 5 - 9
5. London Royals (3 - 4)
The London Royals is a prime example of a team that could be far better than it is. A team that went 9 - 5 last season is sputtering at the start this season. A strong rushing game is key to this offense, and they’ve exemplified that with the rookie RB Lord Farquaads pushing through the 800-yard mark in yards all on his own. QB Willier Miller has a tough touchdown-to-INT ratio, with 7 TDs and 8 picks, but a 68% completion rate shows that he’s on the edge of consistency. London has shown throughout the season that if they score hard and early, they can win games… it’s when the second half hits that they begin to lose steam. London has so far scored 118 points in their first halves… compared to the 34 points scored in the second halves. Unfortunately, football doesn’t last two quarters. That being said, their lopsided 41 - 10 win against Dallas in Week 7 was a statement that this team shouldn’t be underestimated. If London can find a way to keep their momentum rolling through the rest of the season, they could be a top contender.
Impact Player: As mentioned before, RB Lord Farquaads has been a stunning part of their offense. 884 rushing yards with 8 rushing touchdowns is nothing to scoff at.
Projected Record: 7 - 7
4. Minnesota Grey Ducks (4 - 2 - 1)
The top four is where things become murky. Three teams all share the same record, and their strengths of wins and losses are all fairly equal. If the Minnesota Grey Ducks had their way in Week 7, they’d be tied with the rest of the top teams at 5 - 2. Not including the tie, the Grey Ducks have won every game thus far in which they’ve scored over 30 points, and lost every game in which they’ve scored under. QB Blaine Falco has been instrumental in their success, but when the offensive line fails him, the team suffers as a result. RB Cape The Party Rhino has rushed for 9 touchdowns this season and is depended upon when the downs get tough. Tying with Bondi Beach was a setback, but this team is definitely good enough to be a contender. Consistency will be key when it comes to
Impact Player: RB Cape The Party Rhino has been a stud in the backfield, charging forward for 432 yards on 134 carries and 9 touchdowns. They may not break through as often as other runningbacks, but when they do, it’s hard to stop them.
Projected Record: 8 - 5 - 1
3. Dallas Birddogs (5 - 2)
Dallas may have been at the top of these rankings if they were done on Week 6. But against both London and Portland, weakness was shown and it was enough for the other team to capitalize. Mistakes like that need to be adjusted before the end of the season if the Birddogs want to capture the Season 39 Ultimini. QB NCADV RAINN has been consistent this season, with a near 56% completion rate and 8 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. RB KK Slider has been given opportunity after opportunity with 120 carries, picking up 523 yards and 5 touchdowns. The defensive side of the ball has been strong too, with CB Scoobert Doobert amassing 42 tackles and one interception, and SS Mike Holiday racking up 43 tackles. This team is good, regardless of Week 7’s result, and they need to push forward through the second half of the season acting upon their strengths.
Impact Player: FS Notso Smart has a staggering 37 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 interceptions. Smart is a huge difference-maker on this defense even as a rookie, and he has a bright future.
Projected Record: 10 - 4
2. Portland Pythons (5 - 2)
These last two spots are up for grabs, closer than a hair, whatever metaphor you feel like using. Portland lands just underneath our number-one team for now, but it very well could change next week. QB Donovan Winters III is showing an exceptional 63% completion rate, and 17 touchdowns. When they’re not flying through the air, the Pythons are relying on their ground game with rookie RB Tyler One, who’s carried 186 times for 831 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, their monster LB lineup consisting of rookies Jude Ash and Fronky Fresh and veteran Haloick Haloick have combined for 130 tackles, 14 sacks, and 1 interception. On any given week, in any given game, Portland can take over the top spot.
Impact Player: TE Detective Crashmore is a viable and reliable endzone weapon. 33 receptions, 414 yards with 4 touchdowns shows his QB has trust in him in tough situations.
Projected Record: 11 - 3
1. Kansas City Coyotes (5 - 2)
Kansas City takes the shaky top spot here with a defining win over Tijuana in Week 7. QB Creg Jerrith IV is one of two QBs in the DSFL to break the 2000-yard mark midseason. 16 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions shows his efficiency in the red zone, and the dangerous triple threat of WRs Keno Akara, Jimmy Ryder, and Monty Cooper have pushed the offense to an insurmountable degree, combining this season for 80 receptions, 1,384 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. The defense is nothing to scoff at either, with LBs Jimmy Crystal and Big Bad Wolf combining for a whopping 117 tackles. Kansas City lost in week 3 to Minnesota, but they have shown they can learn from their mistakes as a team and improve upon themselves, scoring back-to-back 40-point games in weeks 4 and 5 before losing in a stinger one-score game against Dallas. Week 7 showed a return to form for the Coyotes, with a 41-point score over the Luchadores, and they show no signs of stopping now. The race behind them might be close, but if Kansas City continues on their path of destruction, it’ll be hard for any team to stop them.
Impact Player: FS Dalibor Dvorsky has been shown to be a difference-maker on defense, driving forward with 31 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. Kansas City would not be the same without him in the secondary.
Projected Record: 11 - 3
Thanks for making it this far if you did!
RE: DSFL S39: Midseason Evaluations and Power Rankings - Twenty6 - 01-11-2023
Good read! The projected record is a nice touch!
RE: DSFL S39: Midseason Evaluations and Power Rankings - kenvald - 01-12-2023
Quote:Projected Record: 1 - 12 - 1
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