Hate the player or the game
The Norfolk Seawolves must have prayed often and prayed hard to Poseidon this year to end up in the S5 DSFL Playoffs. They finished the season at a meagre 6-8-0, which at a glance already looks like the record of a team whose season ended in Week 14. But instead, they had a shot at the big one. That’s right, a 6-8-0 team might have been playing for the Championship. Now, I know what you're probably thinking: "It doesn't matter if their record doesn't look great, it was obviously better than at least one other team!" And you'd be totally right. The DSFL playoffs are far from difficult to make, and with Kansas City dwelling in the basement of the Eastern Conference with only 4 wins, it's no surprise the Seawolves booked a playoff berth. The issue I have is in their overall performance this year. With 202 points scored on the year, their offence ranks second last. And with a whopping 294 points allowed, their defence ranks dead last. They also ended the season with a sorry 3-game losing streak. If not for some early season, out-of-character form, the Seawolves wouldn't so much have sniffed the playoffs this year.
That Magic Moment
Any Chicago Bears fan from around the league will be able to tell you what the first thing that went through their mind was as they watched Alex Hayden return the opening kickoff of the ASFC Championship Game 101 yards for a TD... this nearly identical play from the opening of the 2006 Super Bowl.
While any Bears fan knew from experiene what the result of the matchup between the Outlaws and the Otters would be as soon as the return TD occurred, it was nonetheless an incredible moment to be a part of. The Otters, the new dynsasty in the ASFC, were looking to make it to back-to-back championship games. The Outlaws were counted out before the teams took the field. But the moment Hayden caught the ball in the endzone off the game-starting kickoff and looked upfield instead of dropping his knee, you could fee the electricity in the stadium.
As the Outlaws cornerback and return man strolled into the endzone to open the Ultimus with a touchdown, there was a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the Outlaws could overcome the odds and get back to their winning ways. That play was the rallying call for the rest of the team, but unfortunately for the Outlaws, it went unheeded, and they ended the day at the wrong end of a very lopsided match, and saw the Ultimus slip through their fingers.
Root for the Underdog
In the NSFL S5 championship game, the Yellowknife Wraiths take on the reigning Ultimus winners, the Orange County Otters, in a rematch of the S4 final. Despite signing one of the most talented available players in the inaugural draft when they selected then-commissioner Josh Garden, until last season the Wraiths had never made the championship game. Now they've made back-to-back championship appearances, and are seeking revenge and redemption after their 30 - 23 loss at the hands (flippers?) of the Otters last season.
So, what's different this year? Why do the Wraiths have a chance? What can they do to get the championship-sized monkey off their back? Last season, the Wraiths offence was 4th best for scoring, while the Otters defence was second best for points allowed. The Wraiths defence was 4th best for points allowed, while the Otters offence was second best for points scored. This year, the Wraiths offence is second in the league for scoring, only being beaten out by 3 points by the Outlaws, and their defence is second only to the Otters themselves. The Otters offence is only a step behind the Wraiths and Outlaws, but their defence allows the fewest points of any team in the league. It seems like a pretty close matchup, but when two elite offences and defences face each other, when two top-to-bottom completely competitive teams face off, the only thing that can give one an edge over the other is mentality, and the Wraiths are looking for revenge and their first Ultimus. Although the Otters are looking to defender their title, and some might say that will motivate them even more than winning their first, I have a feeling some players might be thinking it doesn't matter too much if they lose, because they've already got a ring at home.
Wraiths to win in a shootout.
Matchup Nightmares
Defence wins championships. It's touted so often now that to some it's become little more than a soundbite. Something to quip once the playoffs roll around so you can feign football knowledge. But is it true?
You might not have noticed, but the Palm Beach Solar Bears gave up the second most sacks of any team in the DSFL this year. In fact, you probably didn't notice this because they also happened to record more sacks than any other team in the league. Along with the Marshalls, who were only one sack away, they were miles ahead of all other defensive units. This helped to mask their issues on the Offensive Line. You also probably didn't notice because, despite their issues on the line, the Solar Bears racked up the most yards for both passing and rushing. They are clearly a dominant offensive unit.
But if you dig a little deeper into the defensive stats, you'll see a name coming up over and over again: Norman Bagwell. With 11 sacks (good for equal 4th in the DSFL this year) out of the Defensive Tackle position, Bagwell is a force to be reckoned with. He's not coming off the edge to take guys down in the backfield, he's charging right through the centre of the very line that is supposed to protect team's quarterbacks and runningbacks.
The guy tasked with stopping the human wrecking ball that is Norman Bagwell is the Solar Bear's guard Keith Van Horne. You might know Keith as the player to allow more sacks than any other in the league this year.
Yep. That's right, the Pythons' best defensive player, who sets up camp in oppositions' backfields, is facing off against the league's biggest turnstile in the championship game. Talk about a nightmare for Keith Van Horne.
Does defence win championships? I'm going to go with outstanding defensive performances win championships, and my money is on Norman Bagwell having a very good performance in the championship.
The Norfolk Seawolves must have prayed often and prayed hard to Poseidon this year to end up in the S5 DSFL Playoffs. They finished the season at a meagre 6-8-0, which at a glance already looks like the record of a team whose season ended in Week 14. But instead, they had a shot at the big one. That’s right, a 6-8-0 team might have been playing for the Championship. Now, I know what you're probably thinking: "It doesn't matter if their record doesn't look great, it was obviously better than at least one other team!" And you'd be totally right. The DSFL playoffs are far from difficult to make, and with Kansas City dwelling in the basement of the Eastern Conference with only 4 wins, it's no surprise the Seawolves booked a playoff berth. The issue I have is in their overall performance this year. With 202 points scored on the year, their offence ranks second last. And with a whopping 294 points allowed, their defence ranks dead last. They also ended the season with a sorry 3-game losing streak. If not for some early season, out-of-character form, the Seawolves wouldn't so much have sniffed the playoffs this year.
That Magic Moment
Any Chicago Bears fan from around the league will be able to tell you what the first thing that went through their mind was as they watched Alex Hayden return the opening kickoff of the ASFC Championship Game 101 yards for a TD... this nearly identical play from the opening of the 2006 Super Bowl.
While any Bears fan knew from experiene what the result of the matchup between the Outlaws and the Otters would be as soon as the return TD occurred, it was nonetheless an incredible moment to be a part of. The Otters, the new dynsasty in the ASFC, were looking to make it to back-to-back championship games. The Outlaws were counted out before the teams took the field. But the moment Hayden caught the ball in the endzone off the game-starting kickoff and looked upfield instead of dropping his knee, you could fee the electricity in the stadium.
As the Outlaws cornerback and return man strolled into the endzone to open the Ultimus with a touchdown, there was a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the Outlaws could overcome the odds and get back to their winning ways. That play was the rallying call for the rest of the team, but unfortunately for the Outlaws, it went unheeded, and they ended the day at the wrong end of a very lopsided match, and saw the Ultimus slip through their fingers.
Root for the Underdog
In the NSFL S5 championship game, the Yellowknife Wraiths take on the reigning Ultimus winners, the Orange County Otters, in a rematch of the S4 final. Despite signing one of the most talented available players in the inaugural draft when they selected then-commissioner Josh Garden, until last season the Wraiths had never made the championship game. Now they've made back-to-back championship appearances, and are seeking revenge and redemption after their 30 - 23 loss at the hands (flippers?) of the Otters last season.
So, what's different this year? Why do the Wraiths have a chance? What can they do to get the championship-sized monkey off their back? Last season, the Wraiths offence was 4th best for scoring, while the Otters defence was second best for points allowed. The Wraiths defence was 4th best for points allowed, while the Otters offence was second best for points scored. This year, the Wraiths offence is second in the league for scoring, only being beaten out by 3 points by the Outlaws, and their defence is second only to the Otters themselves. The Otters offence is only a step behind the Wraiths and Outlaws, but their defence allows the fewest points of any team in the league. It seems like a pretty close matchup, but when two elite offences and defences face each other, when two top-to-bottom completely competitive teams face off, the only thing that can give one an edge over the other is mentality, and the Wraiths are looking for revenge and their first Ultimus. Although the Otters are looking to defender their title, and some might say that will motivate them even more than winning their first, I have a feeling some players might be thinking it doesn't matter too much if they lose, because they've already got a ring at home.
Wraiths to win in a shootout.
Matchup Nightmares
Defence wins championships. It's touted so often now that to some it's become little more than a soundbite. Something to quip once the playoffs roll around so you can feign football knowledge. But is it true?
You might not have noticed, but the Palm Beach Solar Bears gave up the second most sacks of any team in the DSFL this year. In fact, you probably didn't notice this because they also happened to record more sacks than any other team in the league. Along with the Marshalls, who were only one sack away, they were miles ahead of all other defensive units. This helped to mask their issues on the Offensive Line. You also probably didn't notice because, despite their issues on the line, the Solar Bears racked up the most yards for both passing and rushing. They are clearly a dominant offensive unit.
But if you dig a little deeper into the defensive stats, you'll see a name coming up over and over again: Norman Bagwell. With 11 sacks (good for equal 4th in the DSFL this year) out of the Defensive Tackle position, Bagwell is a force to be reckoned with. He's not coming off the edge to take guys down in the backfield, he's charging right through the centre of the very line that is supposed to protect team's quarterbacks and runningbacks.
The guy tasked with stopping the human wrecking ball that is Norman Bagwell is the Solar Bear's guard Keith Van Horne. You might know Keith as the player to allow more sacks than any other in the league this year.
Yep. That's right, the Pythons' best defensive player, who sets up camp in oppositions' backfields, is facing off against the league's biggest turnstile in the championship game. Talk about a nightmare for Keith Van Horne.
Does defence win championships? I'm going to go with outstanding defensive performances win championships, and my money is on Norman Bagwell having a very good performance in the championship.
[div align=center]
Update Page
[div align=center][/align]
[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:maroon; color:white; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br]
[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================
Update Page
[div align=center][/align]
[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:maroon; color:white; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br]
[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================