07-11-2017, 03:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-12-2017, 06:39 AM by HalfEatenOnionBagel.)
We’ve all heard this tired old adage that defense is the most crucial aspect to a championship winning team, but is it really the case when put into practice? I think in the playoffs this year we have seen that so far it most certainly is.
The Arizona Outlaws put on quite a spectacle for us in the first ever NSFL Championship games, absolutely trouncing the Colorado Yeti to the tune of 29-6, following up an also impressive game in the divisional round in which they also hosed the Orange County Otters 36-13. What probably stands out most just from looking at the scores is that this team can put some points on the board. Arizona QB Vincent Draxel completely outdueled Noble, widely regarded as one of the best passers in the league, in the championship game. The tandem of Jefferson and Stormblessed were a huge mismatch for defenses. But while this scoring ability is impressive, what I think really needs to be looked at is the score in the other column, how many points the outlaws gave up. This defense is absolutely gnarly and completely overwhelmed their opponents in both playoff matchups. In the two games combined this defense had 10 sacks and 5 interceptions including 2 returned for touchdowns. Their defense scored more touchdowns in the two games they played than the offenses they played against! Let’s take a look at the two defensive performances this unit posted in the playoffs.
ASFC Championship vs OC Otters: The Otters came into this game boasting arguably the best offensive line in the league and they got absolutely destroyed. Their powerful rushing attack was completely stifled and the great Angus Winchester was even beaten for a sack in the game, a feat that no defense could lay claim to in the regular season. And it wasn’t just the running game that suffered, but QB Mike Boss was under fire all day from this defense, resulting in 4 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown at the very end of the game just to add insult to injury. This defense is absolutely brutal, they take no prisoners. Jaylon Lee and Brady Stropko put on a clinic in this game, racking up 9 tackles each and Lee of course getting that interception return for a touchdown. Flipping the sides, the Otters defense couldn’t slow the Outlaws down at all, even giving up a touchdown on a kickoff. Had the Otters had a better defense and kept the game a little closer throughout, you never know when a big play can swing the momentum for one team or the other and the entire playoffs could have been much different. Even if the Otters’ offense had been clicking on all cylinders, it’s hard to completely lean on that to win a game, especially if you aren’t causing turnovers. And besides, nobody wants to get into a shootout with some outlaws.
NSFL Championship vs CO Yeti: Once again when we look at the team that the Yeti came into this game with, having one of the best QBs in the league, you could easily expect that things were going to go a little differently than they did. But the Outlaws defense didn’t take long to make a huge impact in the game and run away with it. Before even five minutes had passed, the Outlaws were on the board as a result of a beautiful Ryan Flock interception for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Outlaws had already built up a lead that the Yeti would not be able to surpass even with their scoring for the entire game. Forget about a bend but don’t break defense, in this game the Outlaws defense was an absolutely immovable object. And the domination continued throughout the whole game as the Outlaws terrorized a particularly weak offensive line, getting 6 sacks and putting enough pressure on Noble to keep his completion percentage under 50%.
So, what these two huge defensive performances seem to indicate is that a solid defense is almost more reliable than having a star QB, especially when it comes to big games. Should teams be looking to emphasize building a defense more going forward or was it just a couple of fluke games. Certainly a huge influx of offensive line talent in the upcoming draft could help to even the playing field some after so many bots and inactive players filled those positions this season but even a solid line like the one the Otters had wasn’t able to stand up to an elite pass rush and can’t provide much help once the ball is in the air except maybe to tackle the defensive back that intercepts it. Sure it’s fun to score touchdowns and rack up stats on offense, but it looks like in the next draft there is going to be an overflow at offensive skill positions. Should defensive players then, especially in the draft, be considered more of a premium? This is the question that teams need to think about as we head into this next season. For the new expansion teams, Liberty and Legion, this is especially critical to think about because these teams are being built from the ground up. The Legion has already been really active in trades, trying to handpick some players to build the new franchise around, but there’s a good mix of offensive and defensive talent on the roster; nothing to indicate the team is leaning heavily one way or another. Liberty, on the other hand, has been a little more quiet, but the players they have managed o acquire so far indicate that this team wants to build around some offensive firepower. But, even existing teams are still in their infancy and could consider changing course now to try and build for the future.
So, is there something to this idea that a solid defense is the most reliable key to victory in the league right now? Is it about controlling the turnover margain in the game? Is it just a symptom of poor offensive line play that will be counteracted over time as more lineman join the league? Will offensive positions like QB that may require more TPE for a better build catch up to defenses over time? And if it really is about having a strong defense will other teams follow suit in a copycat league or try to stay two steps ahead?
It will be interesting to see the evolution of the different offenses and defenses as players become more specialized, but for now it really does seem like defense will win you a championship.
((Word Count: 1103, ready for grading))
The Arizona Outlaws put on quite a spectacle for us in the first ever NSFL Championship games, absolutely trouncing the Colorado Yeti to the tune of 29-6, following up an also impressive game in the divisional round in which they also hosed the Orange County Otters 36-13. What probably stands out most just from looking at the scores is that this team can put some points on the board. Arizona QB Vincent Draxel completely outdueled Noble, widely regarded as one of the best passers in the league, in the championship game. The tandem of Jefferson and Stormblessed were a huge mismatch for defenses. But while this scoring ability is impressive, what I think really needs to be looked at is the score in the other column, how many points the outlaws gave up. This defense is absolutely gnarly and completely overwhelmed their opponents in both playoff matchups. In the two games combined this defense had 10 sacks and 5 interceptions including 2 returned for touchdowns. Their defense scored more touchdowns in the two games they played than the offenses they played against! Let’s take a look at the two defensive performances this unit posted in the playoffs.
ASFC Championship vs OC Otters: The Otters came into this game boasting arguably the best offensive line in the league and they got absolutely destroyed. Their powerful rushing attack was completely stifled and the great Angus Winchester was even beaten for a sack in the game, a feat that no defense could lay claim to in the regular season. And it wasn’t just the running game that suffered, but QB Mike Boss was under fire all day from this defense, resulting in 4 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown at the very end of the game just to add insult to injury. This defense is absolutely brutal, they take no prisoners. Jaylon Lee and Brady Stropko put on a clinic in this game, racking up 9 tackles each and Lee of course getting that interception return for a touchdown. Flipping the sides, the Otters defense couldn’t slow the Outlaws down at all, even giving up a touchdown on a kickoff. Had the Otters had a better defense and kept the game a little closer throughout, you never know when a big play can swing the momentum for one team or the other and the entire playoffs could have been much different. Even if the Otters’ offense had been clicking on all cylinders, it’s hard to completely lean on that to win a game, especially if you aren’t causing turnovers. And besides, nobody wants to get into a shootout with some outlaws.
NSFL Championship vs CO Yeti: Once again when we look at the team that the Yeti came into this game with, having one of the best QBs in the league, you could easily expect that things were going to go a little differently than they did. But the Outlaws defense didn’t take long to make a huge impact in the game and run away with it. Before even five minutes had passed, the Outlaws were on the board as a result of a beautiful Ryan Flock interception for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Outlaws had already built up a lead that the Yeti would not be able to surpass even with their scoring for the entire game. Forget about a bend but don’t break defense, in this game the Outlaws defense was an absolutely immovable object. And the domination continued throughout the whole game as the Outlaws terrorized a particularly weak offensive line, getting 6 sacks and putting enough pressure on Noble to keep his completion percentage under 50%.
So, what these two huge defensive performances seem to indicate is that a solid defense is almost more reliable than having a star QB, especially when it comes to big games. Should teams be looking to emphasize building a defense more going forward or was it just a couple of fluke games. Certainly a huge influx of offensive line talent in the upcoming draft could help to even the playing field some after so many bots and inactive players filled those positions this season but even a solid line like the one the Otters had wasn’t able to stand up to an elite pass rush and can’t provide much help once the ball is in the air except maybe to tackle the defensive back that intercepts it. Sure it’s fun to score touchdowns and rack up stats on offense, but it looks like in the next draft there is going to be an overflow at offensive skill positions. Should defensive players then, especially in the draft, be considered more of a premium? This is the question that teams need to think about as we head into this next season. For the new expansion teams, Liberty and Legion, this is especially critical to think about because these teams are being built from the ground up. The Legion has already been really active in trades, trying to handpick some players to build the new franchise around, but there’s a good mix of offensive and defensive talent on the roster; nothing to indicate the team is leaning heavily one way or another. Liberty, on the other hand, has been a little more quiet, but the players they have managed o acquire so far indicate that this team wants to build around some offensive firepower. But, even existing teams are still in their infancy and could consider changing course now to try and build for the future.
So, is there something to this idea that a solid defense is the most reliable key to victory in the league right now? Is it about controlling the turnover margain in the game? Is it just a symptom of poor offensive line play that will be counteracted over time as more lineman join the league? Will offensive positions like QB that may require more TPE for a better build catch up to defenses over time? And if it really is about having a strong defense will other teams follow suit in a copycat league or try to stay two steps ahead?
It will be interesting to see the evolution of the different offenses and defenses as players become more specialized, but for now it really does seem like defense will win you a championship.
((Word Count: 1103, ready for grading))
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION](S2) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S3) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S4) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S5) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S6) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S7) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S8) 14 Games Played
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION] 27839
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]Most Likely to Break the Team Bench When Sitting Down
[OPTION]Pumpkin Chuckin' Rally 2017 Semifinalist
[OPTION]Most Likely to Get Traded in S8 (T-1st)
[OPTION]Ultimus Champion S7, S8