01-18-2024, 10:38 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-21-2024, 11:27 AM by xenosthelegend. Edited 1 time in total.)
2x First Gen Bonus plz
Welcome readers to the very first edition of what I hope will become a regular publication for our great league (inspiration-dependant, of course): THE DOGHOUSE
PREMIERING PROGEDIES OR PARIAHS? PROSPECTS PREP TO PREEMPT PEERS IN THE PROSPECT BOWL
ISFL and DSFL offseasons are in full swing and with that comes the annual showcase of draftees and prospects in the Prospect Bowl! Fans, players, and GMs alike gather to cheer for the new up-and-coming players looking to fulfill their dreams of playing in the ISFL. Will your favorites astound and impress or flounder and fail? The first night of festivities has come to a close, but first let's take a deeper look at the history and significance of this popular offseason spectacle.
Prospect showcases existed before the Prospect Bowl in various forms, but the event we know today was founded September 1st, 2037 as an official start to the 2037 ISFL Season. The original Prospect Bowl format had all eligible rookies separated into four pools of three teams each, resulting in twelve total all-rookie teams. The teams played matches against the other teams in their pools and the team that finished with the best record advanced into a single elimination bracket against the victors of the other pools. The Buffalo Ramblers and Miami Grenadiers were the NGC Finalists out of their pools, with the Houston Turtles and Tennessee Tigercats as their AGC counterparts. Buffalo and Tennessee would advance to the first Prospect Bowl Championship, culminating in a dominant win by the Buffalo Ramblers to claim the title of champions of the very first Prospect Bowl!
The format of the Prospect Bowl has varied in its twenty-four year history but in general, modern iterations have been simplified. "Rough idea is all of the prospects get split into even numbered teams. I think one time we had four, sometimes we have two. But [then] these teams essentially play a full season over three nights. They'll all play each other three teams a night and it'll be streamed on Youtube as well," describes Norfolk Seawolves Co-GM Tmoney6996, "It’s a fun time and honestly, it’s absolute blast knowing that everyone is on the same field."
Outcomes are certainly not the focus of the Prospect Bowl, but that does not mean it holds any less value. Team GMs use the event and its surrounding festivities to gauge the respective draftees on much more than their stat lines. While players enjoy putting up (mostly) meaningless stats, the GMs are evaluating new players' presence and commitment more than their in-game accolades.
"The Prospect Bowl is more an avenue to give prospects the opportunity to experience ISFL game day," says LtHudz, Co-GM of the DSFL's Minnesota Grey Ducks, "to get that rush from making a big play or helping the team win. When it comes to draft stock, a player's stat line does not impact their standing much at all. In actuality, DSFL GMs rarely look at the Prospect Bowl boxscores; we are looking to see how the player interacts in the league during this time. How does the prospect respond to the ups and downs of their team winning and/or losing? How do they interact with their teammates? Their rivals? No matter if they are outspoken, brash, or reserved, this is a wonderful opportunity to see their sportsmanship and activity in rooting for their team in action."
In this way, the Prospect Bowl can be one of the most important events in the nascent careers of ISFL/DSFL rookies and this year's will be no exception.
The Season 46 DSFL draft class has been separated into four teams for this year's Prospect Bowl. Competing for ultimate rookie bragging rights this season are the Bismark Thundering Herd, the Denver Dire Wolves, the Juneau Grizzlies, and the La Brea Smilodons. Early standouts include Herd CB Roquefort Cotswald, Dire Wolves WR Brad Woof, Grizzlies QB Puddles O'Duck, and Smilodons DE Maurice Gunner.
Cotswald himself was openly praising his selected team's defense prior to their first game. "Just looked through our team, it's pretty sweet," he said, "offense is a bit lacking but we're gonna lock people up."
Grizzlies DE Dunkler Sowerwine also voiced his excitement about his team after placement. "I was skeptical about [the] Prospect Bowl before, but now I will go to the depths of hell for the Grizzlies." GMs will likely be appreciative of these players and their passion.
The Doghouse got to chat at some length with Dire Wolves WR Brad Woof about the Prospect Bowl and how he feels about the games and the lead up to draft day. "It's tough, but I'm trying to look past it, if that makes any sense. Of course I'm ready and excited to tear it up out there, don't get me wrong, but you and I know its not really about the game. I'm focusing on helping out my guys, running drills, getting into a fast, sustainable rhythm. Maybe I'll play with these cats again after the draft, maybe not, but either way I'm trying to get into the league mindset, ya dig?"
Digging aside, Woof appears to practice what he's preaching. Anonymous sources have confirmed several DSFL scouts coming away from meetings from Woof with positive notes about the player, and he hopes the "vibes" speak for themselves. Now that the first night of Prospect Bowl activities has come to a close, how will these rookies move forward and make themselves more desirable to prospective teams?
The Grizzlies are currently leading in the standings after going 2-0 against the Smilodons, Denver and Bismark split their series and are tied for second, and La Brea therefore is last at 0-2. The ground game appears to be the going strategy for our prospect teams after their first outings, especially with the somewhat underwhelming performances by our rookie QBs. The Smilodons RB Soul King Brook seems to be the top beneficiary of this strategy after getting 32 attempts for 123 in Game 1 and an astonishing 31 attempts for 234 yards and a TD in Game 2.
Receiving totals were fairly pedestrian on the night with no individual receiver hauling in more than seven targets. Some though, like Grizzlies WR Maria de la Rosa, made the most of their limited receptions and turned their two and three receptions in Game 1 and 2 into 86 and 88 yards, respectively. Is this the result of rookie QB nerves though, or dominant defenses? The Dire Wolves were able to nab three turnovers in their second game against the Thundering Herd, but with their offensive struggles they still only barely held on to win 20-17. The Grizzlies appear to have been the best defense on the night, if less flashy, holding their Smilodon opponents to only 3 points in Game 1 and 17 in Game 2.
Overall an exciting night for the new, young crop of players and we can all look forward to this Saturday for Round 2.
Welcome readers to the very first edition of what I hope will become a regular publication for our great league (inspiration-dependant, of course): THE DOGHOUSE
PREMIERING PROGEDIES OR PARIAHS? PROSPECTS PREP TO PREEMPT PEERS IN THE PROSPECT BOWL
ISFL and DSFL offseasons are in full swing and with that comes the annual showcase of draftees and prospects in the Prospect Bowl! Fans, players, and GMs alike gather to cheer for the new up-and-coming players looking to fulfill their dreams of playing in the ISFL. Will your favorites astound and impress or flounder and fail? The first night of festivities has come to a close, but first let's take a deeper look at the history and significance of this popular offseason spectacle.
Prospect showcases existed before the Prospect Bowl in various forms, but the event we know today was founded September 1st, 2037 as an official start to the 2037 ISFL Season. The original Prospect Bowl format had all eligible rookies separated into four pools of three teams each, resulting in twelve total all-rookie teams. The teams played matches against the other teams in their pools and the team that finished with the best record advanced into a single elimination bracket against the victors of the other pools. The Buffalo Ramblers and Miami Grenadiers were the NGC Finalists out of their pools, with the Houston Turtles and Tennessee Tigercats as their AGC counterparts. Buffalo and Tennessee would advance to the first Prospect Bowl Championship, culminating in a dominant win by the Buffalo Ramblers to claim the title of champions of the very first Prospect Bowl!
The format of the Prospect Bowl has varied in its twenty-four year history but in general, modern iterations have been simplified. "Rough idea is all of the prospects get split into even numbered teams. I think one time we had four, sometimes we have two. But [then] these teams essentially play a full season over three nights. They'll all play each other three teams a night and it'll be streamed on Youtube as well," describes Norfolk Seawolves Co-GM Tmoney6996, "It’s a fun time and honestly, it’s absolute blast knowing that everyone is on the same field."
Outcomes are certainly not the focus of the Prospect Bowl, but that does not mean it holds any less value. Team GMs use the event and its surrounding festivities to gauge the respective draftees on much more than their stat lines. While players enjoy putting up (mostly) meaningless stats, the GMs are evaluating new players' presence and commitment more than their in-game accolades.
"The Prospect Bowl is more an avenue to give prospects the opportunity to experience ISFL game day," says LtHudz, Co-GM of the DSFL's Minnesota Grey Ducks, "to get that rush from making a big play or helping the team win. When it comes to draft stock, a player's stat line does not impact their standing much at all. In actuality, DSFL GMs rarely look at the Prospect Bowl boxscores; we are looking to see how the player interacts in the league during this time. How does the prospect respond to the ups and downs of their team winning and/or losing? How do they interact with their teammates? Their rivals? No matter if they are outspoken, brash, or reserved, this is a wonderful opportunity to see their sportsmanship and activity in rooting for their team in action."
In this way, the Prospect Bowl can be one of the most important events in the nascent careers of ISFL/DSFL rookies and this year's will be no exception.
The Season 46 DSFL draft class has been separated into four teams for this year's Prospect Bowl. Competing for ultimate rookie bragging rights this season are the Bismark Thundering Herd, the Denver Dire Wolves, the Juneau Grizzlies, and the La Brea Smilodons. Early standouts include Herd CB Roquefort Cotswald, Dire Wolves WR Brad Woof, Grizzlies QB Puddles O'Duck, and Smilodons DE Maurice Gunner.
Cotswald himself was openly praising his selected team's defense prior to their first game. "Just looked through our team, it's pretty sweet," he said, "offense is a bit lacking but we're gonna lock people up."
Grizzlies DE Dunkler Sowerwine also voiced his excitement about his team after placement. "I was skeptical about [the] Prospect Bowl before, but now I will go to the depths of hell for the Grizzlies." GMs will likely be appreciative of these players and their passion.
The Doghouse got to chat at some length with Dire Wolves WR Brad Woof about the Prospect Bowl and how he feels about the games and the lead up to draft day. "It's tough, but I'm trying to look past it, if that makes any sense. Of course I'm ready and excited to tear it up out there, don't get me wrong, but you and I know its not really about the game. I'm focusing on helping out my guys, running drills, getting into a fast, sustainable rhythm. Maybe I'll play with these cats again after the draft, maybe not, but either way I'm trying to get into the league mindset, ya dig?"
Digging aside, Woof appears to practice what he's preaching. Anonymous sources have confirmed several DSFL scouts coming away from meetings from Woof with positive notes about the player, and he hopes the "vibes" speak for themselves. Now that the first night of Prospect Bowl activities has come to a close, how will these rookies move forward and make themselves more desirable to prospective teams?
The Grizzlies are currently leading in the standings after going 2-0 against the Smilodons, Denver and Bismark split their series and are tied for second, and La Brea therefore is last at 0-2. The ground game appears to be the going strategy for our prospect teams after their first outings, especially with the somewhat underwhelming performances by our rookie QBs. The Smilodons RB Soul King Brook seems to be the top beneficiary of this strategy after getting 32 attempts for 123 in Game 1 and an astonishing 31 attempts for 234 yards and a TD in Game 2.
Receiving totals were fairly pedestrian on the night with no individual receiver hauling in more than seven targets. Some though, like Grizzlies WR Maria de la Rosa, made the most of their limited receptions and turned their two and three receptions in Game 1 and 2 into 86 and 88 yards, respectively. Is this the result of rookie QB nerves though, or dominant defenses? The Dire Wolves were able to nab three turnovers in their second game against the Thundering Herd, but with their offensive struggles they still only barely held on to win 20-17. The Grizzlies appear to have been the best defense on the night, if less flashy, holding their Smilodon opponents to only 3 points in Game 1 and 17 in Game 2.
Overall an exciting night for the new, young crop of players and we can all look forward to this Saturday for Round 2.