09-24-2019, 06:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-28-2019, 06:40 PM by Modern_Duke.)
3) All about the QBs
The season 17 Ultimus featured a premier quarterback matchup between Orange County's Franklin Armstrong and Baltimore's Corvo Havran. Armstrong had a challenging year in his first season as starting QB for the Otters, ranking 9th out of 10 in QB Rating and only completing 53.5% of his passes - a sharp contrast to the high flying Otter offense of previous years led by Gus T.T. Showbiz. Meanwhile, Havran completed nearly 60% of his passes for the Hawks, lead the league in QB Rating and tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns with 31.
However, in the Ultimus Armstrong had the upper hand in this head to head matchup. Baltimore aired it out early and often and ended with a lopsided 52 to 11 pass/rush ratio. This strategy seemed to play exactly into Orange County's hands though, as Havran had only 25 completions on 52 attempts. Havran's 376 yards show that big chunks of yards were picked up when he did connect, but at the end of the day (and even with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions) Havran's QB rating was a pedestrian (for him) 85.1. Armstrong, on the other hand, was a model of efficient play, picking up nearly 11 yards per pass attempt (287 yards on 27 attempts), 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, for a superb 135.9 QB rating. This amazing effort was enough to earn player of the game honors.
8) Draft Focus
Rather than look at the S18 draft class, I want to focus on the draft needs of my San Antonio Marshals that could hopefully be filled in the incoming S19 rookie class. We had a solid team overall, with a lot of talent on offense, including the best running back duo in the league. The defense also performed well, allowing the second fewest points per game and ranking third in yards per game allowed. The pass defense especially handled itself well, as the Marshals allowed the second fewest passing yards per game. The real culprit for any defensive struggles however was the rushing defense, which allowed 195 yards per game, the second worst mark in the league.
For that reason, I would like to see San Antonio address the defensive tackle position in the upcoming DSFL draft. The Marshals are without their first round pick after a mid season trade, but hopefully with on their first picks they can pick up someone to plug up those running lanes. The only current defensive tackles on the roster are not particularly talented inactives, whose spots could easily be replaced by some new talent. The Marshals already have some talented linebackers, but that could be another position to focus on to improve the run defense, especially if some of the current linebackers move up to the NSFL.
10) Rivalries
I have a bit of a history with Tijuana. As a prospect, I was scouted by almost every team, but in particular Tijuana took an interest and I had some good conversations with them. The good conversations, plus them being the reigning Ultimini champions made them my number one desired landing spot. Those words are hard to type now, considering how everything played out. On draft night, Tijuana had a string of back to back picks in the fifth round where I though I may have been targeted. However, Tijuana traded the 28th pick and San Antonio picked me instead.
So who am I to complain? Everything worked out great, I came into a fantasic locker room and flourished as top cornerback for the Marshals. But I definitely had those games against the division rival Luchadores circled on my calendar. Vindication came my way in week 2, as the Marshals easily handled the Luchadores 44-20. However, after an unsatisfying 20-20 tie in week 6, Tijuana took the final two head to head matchups and thereby the season series, as well as the division title. But we had our shot to make everything right again in the playoffs, and unfortunately fell just short, mainly due to some questionable in-game decisions. Tijuana then got lucky again in the Ultimini, but will surely come crashing down next season.
19) Kickers are people too!
Orange County Otters kicker Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname had a solid regular season, missing only two extra points and two field goals (both of which were over 40 yards). However, [for simplicity's sake let's just call him Alex] really shined as a punter, leading the league with an average of 48.9 yards per punt, over 2 yards better than the second highest finisher, Austin's Alfredo "Thighmaster" Crisco.
In the quarterfinals against San Jose, Alex was perfect with 2 extra points and 2 short field goals. Alex also had five punts for a surprisingly low 43.8 average, but that does include a 62 yarder and one that was downed inside the 20 yard line. In the semifinal against rival Arizona, Alex missed an extra point, but shined brightly in the punting game, where a booming 67 yard punt bumped his average to over 51 yards, with another one downed inside the 20 for good measure. Alex had a quiet game in the Ultimus, but was not asked to do much, with zero field goal attempts as Orange County had no problem finishing drives in the end zone. Alex did everything that you would need from your kicker/punter in the playoffs, and most importantly: he didn't screw it up.
The season 17 Ultimus featured a premier quarterback matchup between Orange County's Franklin Armstrong and Baltimore's Corvo Havran. Armstrong had a challenging year in his first season as starting QB for the Otters, ranking 9th out of 10 in QB Rating and only completing 53.5% of his passes - a sharp contrast to the high flying Otter offense of previous years led by Gus T.T. Showbiz. Meanwhile, Havran completed nearly 60% of his passes for the Hawks, lead the league in QB Rating and tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns with 31.
However, in the Ultimus Armstrong had the upper hand in this head to head matchup. Baltimore aired it out early and often and ended with a lopsided 52 to 11 pass/rush ratio. This strategy seemed to play exactly into Orange County's hands though, as Havran had only 25 completions on 52 attempts. Havran's 376 yards show that big chunks of yards were picked up when he did connect, but at the end of the day (and even with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions) Havran's QB rating was a pedestrian (for him) 85.1. Armstrong, on the other hand, was a model of efficient play, picking up nearly 11 yards per pass attempt (287 yards on 27 attempts), 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, for a superb 135.9 QB rating. This amazing effort was enough to earn player of the game honors.
8) Draft Focus
Rather than look at the S18 draft class, I want to focus on the draft needs of my San Antonio Marshals that could hopefully be filled in the incoming S19 rookie class. We had a solid team overall, with a lot of talent on offense, including the best running back duo in the league. The defense also performed well, allowing the second fewest points per game and ranking third in yards per game allowed. The pass defense especially handled itself well, as the Marshals allowed the second fewest passing yards per game. The real culprit for any defensive struggles however was the rushing defense, which allowed 195 yards per game, the second worst mark in the league.
For that reason, I would like to see San Antonio address the defensive tackle position in the upcoming DSFL draft. The Marshals are without their first round pick after a mid season trade, but hopefully with on their first picks they can pick up someone to plug up those running lanes. The only current defensive tackles on the roster are not particularly talented inactives, whose spots could easily be replaced by some new talent. The Marshals already have some talented linebackers, but that could be another position to focus on to improve the run defense, especially if some of the current linebackers move up to the NSFL.
10) Rivalries
I have a bit of a history with Tijuana. As a prospect, I was scouted by almost every team, but in particular Tijuana took an interest and I had some good conversations with them. The good conversations, plus them being the reigning Ultimini champions made them my number one desired landing spot. Those words are hard to type now, considering how everything played out. On draft night, Tijuana had a string of back to back picks in the fifth round where I though I may have been targeted. However, Tijuana traded the 28th pick and San Antonio picked me instead.
So who am I to complain? Everything worked out great, I came into a fantasic locker room and flourished as top cornerback for the Marshals. But I definitely had those games against the division rival Luchadores circled on my calendar. Vindication came my way in week 2, as the Marshals easily handled the Luchadores 44-20. However, after an unsatisfying 20-20 tie in week 6, Tijuana took the final two head to head matchups and thereby the season series, as well as the division title. But we had our shot to make everything right again in the playoffs, and unfortunately fell just short, mainly due to some questionable in-game decisions. Tijuana then got lucky again in the Ultimini, but will surely come crashing down next season.
19) Kickers are people too!
Orange County Otters kicker Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname had a solid regular season, missing only two extra points and two field goals (both of which were over 40 yards). However, [for simplicity's sake let's just call him Alex] really shined as a punter, leading the league with an average of 48.9 yards per punt, over 2 yards better than the second highest finisher, Austin's Alfredo "Thighmaster" Crisco.
In the quarterfinals against San Jose, Alex was perfect with 2 extra points and 2 short field goals. Alex also had five punts for a surprisingly low 43.8 average, but that does include a 62 yarder and one that was downed inside the 20 yard line. In the semifinal against rival Arizona, Alex missed an extra point, but shined brightly in the punting game, where a booming 67 yard punt bumped his average to over 51 yards, with another one downed inside the 20 for good measure. Alex had a quiet game in the Ultimus, but was not asked to do much, with zero field goal attempts as Orange County had no problem finishing drives in the end zone. Alex did everything that you would need from your kicker/punter in the playoffs, and most importantly: he didn't screw it up.