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+---- Thread: *Yeti Talk: Thoughts as we near the half-way mark (/showthread.php?tid=9089)
*Yeti Talk: Thoughts as we near the half-way mark - keanex - 06-09-2018
For the past few seasons the Yeti have been the laughing stock of the National Simulation Football League, one where many players around the league consider to be a place where talent goes to die. In season 7 the Colorado Yeti were loaded on draft picks and knew that they needed to nail the their picks in order to make strides towards being competitive. They needed to draft correctly, and then strategize correctly to change the narrative
In the season 7 draft the Yeti picked surefire stud wide receiver Howard Miller first, a pick that surprised absolutely no one who was in attendance of the draft. They doubled up on wide receiver with pick number four to pick myself, Portland Pythons stud wide receiver, Mark Grau. The next two picks centered on defense, picking up stud linebacker Ryan Lefevre and stud cornerback Desta Danger. They finished up the first round with an expected pick of their future franchise quarterback Ryan Applehort, a week one starter and clear-cut top quarterback of the draft due to experience and activity.
Despite the phenomenal draft, the Yeti were the butt of many jokes in the NSFL, finishing the season 7 0-14 with a pitiful 137 total points scored, less than 10 points per game. To the outsiders the Yeti were still a joke, but us new draftees and the veterans on the Yeti knew better. We knew that we were building something special and we knew that with time we would make strides to change the narrative. With an active and dedicated locker room the Yeti definitely had their foot in the right direction.
Things changed though, the arrival of a new GM SuperSquare and Mark Grau making his debut - after switching from wide receiver to running back - breathed a newfound energy in the locker room of the Yeti. Tons of excitement, even if there was a hint of apprehension. In the pre-season the Yeti went 2-2 managing to win over the Yellowknife Wraiths, and the Philadelphia Liberty - two teams that have a recent history of winning at a high level.
Pre-season is pre-season though, and many on the outside took those wins as a gimme of sorts. Inside the locker room the Yeti payers, new and old, were thrilled. We had beat not just one, but two great teams. It felt like all of the hard work was starting to pay off and we went into season 8 with high hopes and lots of determination.
Week #1
Yeti at Liberty | Loss 16-38
Despite the pre-season win over the Liberty, the Yeti were unable to get much going in their week 1 debut in Philadelphia. Mark Grau had a lackluster debut averaged 3.4 yards per carry on 11 carries, though netting a touchdown on a goal line run and adding 11 yards on 2 receptions. It was also a poor week for quarterback Ryan Applehort who completed 19 of 51 passes for no touchdowns, though no interceptions. Receivers Duane Aaron and Howard Miller each had a solid game statistically though, each accruing 80+ yards.
Breakout player of the year linebacker Ishigawa racked up a team lead tying 9 tackles, a pass defensed, and a sack. Linebacker rookie Ramero managed 2 tackles and a sack. The rest of the defense had a lackluster performance. Nothing against the defense though, it was a lackluster performance as a team with only a small handful of noteworthy performances.
Week #2
Yeti vs Second Line | Loss 36-9
In their home opener in Colorado the Yeti were hoping to make a debut to set the pace for the season, and instead had an absolutely awful game with the only points being scored by elite kicker McCormick.
Offensively speaking only wide receiver Howard Miller has a noteworthy game, hauling in 5 catches for 101 yards, also being a key special teams player running for 132 yards on returns. Meanwhile Ryan Applehort completed only 50% of his passes while throwing no touchdowns and three interceptions. Yikes. Grau didn’t perform much better, 11 attempts for 25 yards adding 2 catches for 6 yards. After the game there were many questions of whether Grau was actually cut out to be a running back. Mutters were heard from fans, “Grau should go back to Portland, he can’t compete with the big boys.” Maybe they were right.
The defense didn’t have much to write home about either. Bly had 7 tackles and a pass defensed, Saint had 8 tackles and a sack, and otherwise there wasn’t much to write about.
After this game there was some down feelings in the Yeti locker room spurred up by some outside talking. Were the Yeti just a mirage? Are they bound to finish 0-14 again?
Week #3
Yeti vs Outlaws | Win 13-10
Wait, did that really just happen? The Yeti broke their losing streak against a formidable Arizona Outlaws team in a hard fought battle that went into overtime. The crowds went absolutely nuts while sports pundits were a mix of shocked and calling it a fluke win, “Even a deaf elephant finds a water hole sometimes.”
Quarterback Ryan Applehort was able to get some rhythm going completing more than 55% of his passes for 201 yards, no touchdowns, though throwing a pick. Grau showed that he is a true three down workhorse, carrying the ball a stunning 41 times for 133 yards and a touchdown. Despite a paltry 3.2 yards per carry, it was the game Grau needed. The Yeti were patient with Grau and used this game to help him get used the speed of the game and it paid off. He also showed a return to form in the passing game hauling in 5 passes for 56 yards, totaling 189 yards on the offense. Elite kicker McCormick was perfect on the day making an extra point and going 2/2 on field goals.
Much like Mark Grau, rookie linebacker Ricky Ramero finally broke through with a standout game of 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pass defensed just narrowly missing the team lead in tackles behind J. Saint who led the team with 12 tackles and a sack himself.
Negative talk about the Yeti subsided a bit as they finally broke the loss streak.
Week #4
Yeti at Outlaws | Loss 21-33
The following week the Yeti headed to Arizona for a rematch as the visiting team. Unfortunately the Yeti couldn’t bring in a win, but it was an exciting game nonetheless with a return touchdown by each team.
Ryan Applehort totaled 2 touchdowns this game, one by air and one by foot, while throwing for one interception. He had one of his better games in terms of accuracy going 20 for 31 over 239 yards. Wide receiver Howard Miller was a monster when he got the ball, hauling in 4 catches for 108 yards, including a 56 yard touchdown. Cornerback Bly also ran 98 yards on a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Meanwhile the Yeti defense played decently, Ishigawa had a team leading 10 tackles and a tackle for loss, rookie Ricky Ramero had 8 tackles and a sack, and A. Sandoval netted 6 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
It wasn’t good enough for a win though, but it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a year, especially back to back.
Week #5
Yeti vs SaberCats | Win 12-10
In a game that was a defensive struggle the Colorado Yeti were able to pull off a win, and a hugely important one at that. Before this season’s win against the Outlaws the Yeti hadn’t won a game since week 12 of season 5, and that season they went 2-12. Many people wondered whether the win over the Outlaws was a fluke, a win that snapped the Yeti’s 32 game loss streak. This win, if nothing more, showed grit and determination, and that the Yeti aren’t ready to roll over satisfied with one win.
In a matchup of two young quarterbacks, neither particularly had a good game, though rookie Pennington edged out second year quarterback Ryan Applehort. In-fact Applehort wasn’t able to even surpass 150 yards in the air. Meanwhile Mark Grau rushed for 30 times gaining 120 yards for 4 yards per carry, adding on another 2 catches for 8 yards on the day. Howard Miller made the best of a bad Applehort game hauling in 5 catches for 58 yards. The only Yeti touchdown came at the feet of running back Joyce.
Ricky Ramero stepped up to a huge game with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass defensed, and a safety, easily player of the game and a huge reason why the Yeti won this one. Hats off to the rookie playing at such a high level at such a tough position. Ishigawa followed Ramero’s lead with 10 tackles of his own, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a pass defensed. Outstanding play. In-fact the Yeti were sack machines this game with 6 sacks, even Cornerback Desta Danger got in on the action. Desta Danger also contributed 7 tackles, a pass defensed, and an interception - his first of the year.
This was a team effort in a defensive struggle and the game was won on the leg of McCormick with a clutch 48 yard field goal after a promising drive that stalled.
Week #6
Yeti at Otters | Win 20-17
Are you kidding me? Are you serious right now? The Otters were beaten by the Yeti? Go back a few weeks and tell the nation that the Yeti would beat the Otters for their third win of the season and no one would believe you. This was a monumental win, not only did it show that the Yeti could beat a good team coming off of a tough fought win, it was the first time the Yeti had three wins or more since season 3 where the Yeti finished 3-11. Wow.
Applehort had his best game of the year completing 72.3% of his passes for 328 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions in what became a shootout against one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NSFL - Mike Boss. Mark Grau was no slouch either, carrying the ball for 22 times for 74 yards, averaging 3.2 yards per carry while bringing in 8 receptions for 54 yards. The ball was spread around a lot but Wheat had 7 receptions for 107 yards, Miller had 6 for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Aaron had 6 for 51 yards and a touchdown. An all around solid offensive performance. Honorable mention to big leg McCormick for nailing a 54 yard field goal in the first quarter.
Cornerback Bly led the team in tackles with 9, including 2 passes defensed, and a forced fumble. Ricky Ramero continued his dominance with 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 passes defensed. Ishigawa also came through with 7 tackles and 2 sacks of his own.
Thoughts
Many are wondering if the Yeti are for real, and I may be biased, but I’m going to say yes, yes we are. Looking back at the season 7 draft the Yeti pretty much changed their entire destiny in one go. They picked up a franchise quarterback with Ryan Applehort, an excellent #1 quality receiver to compliment their existing one in Howard Miller, a key defensive player in Desta Danger, and their workhorse running back in Mark Grau. Only one miss in Lefevre and things could still change there.
Where are the Yeti going? Will they continue their success? Only time will tell, but I’m very excited about the future with the addition of SuperSquare to the leadership and rookie Ricky Ramero showing that he’s headed towards elite talks.
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1957 words, ready for grading*Yeti Talk: Thoughts as we near the half-way mark - Ramero - 06-09-2018
#YetiNoises
Let's keep it up and kick some ass hehe
*Yeti Talk: Thoughts as we near the half-way mark - bovovovo - 06-09-2018
Really nice overview and article. Things are definitely looking up for the Yeti, it's a nice thing to see.
*Yeti Talk: Thoughts as we near the half-way mark - TheMemeMaestro - 06-09-2018
#YetiNoises
great write-up of the year so far, Grau has been killing it and is my OROTY so far