04-23-2019, 11:44 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-29-2019, 11:12 PM by ven_knight.)
Task 3) All about the QBs, Ultimini Edition: Armstrong vs Havran
There's going to be an interesting face off in the Ultimini this time in which an experience QB (Tijuana's Corvo Havran) gets to face a rookie that has been improving by each week (Portland’s Franklin Armstrong). Certainly both QBs were in the top 3 as far as statistics for the season goes, with Armstrong slightly topping what Havran did, posting an impressive showdown of 22 TDs, 2614 yds, 59.8 completion percentage and a rating of 86. But looking into the playoffs match ups, Havran did better against a tough San Antonio defense on the road with 156 yards and a TD; The whole Pythons offense struggled for 3 quarters against a good defensive scheme, in which Armstrong didn't have an impressive game but managed to end with 155 yards and 1 interception.
So for the Ultimini, I'm excited to see if Havran is going to maintain his rhythm even though he faces yet another stacked defense; if his offensive line gives him enough protection, he will be able to make the most of it, plus he has the advantage of a good running system with Gump and co. For Armstrong, is all about minimizing mistakes; if he can complete short and medium passes to move the chains and put some points early on the game, he’ll make it easier for his defense to shine. No matter what the outcome of the game is, expect an intense QB battle in which I'll give the edge to Havran, who has the weapons and Ultimini experience to bring once again the trophy back home.
Task 1) Playoff Review: Philadelphia Liberty vs Baltimore Hawks
Baltimore came into this game confident that they will come out with a victory, after all they destroyed Liberty in week 14 by a score of 52-17. So with home advantage, the Hawks started hot with a Brian Mills’ sack in Philadelphia’s first offensive drive; after some short passes from Gambino and little runs by Brown, they capitalized a long drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Maddox. Liberty got a chance to tie the game with a 44 yard pass to von Matt, but they couldn't convert a 3rd and 7 on Baltimore’s 8 yard and had to settle with a field goal. In the second quarter, after Falconi threw another long pass to von Matt and got close to the endzone, she scored a touchdown with an 8 yard pass to Batoff. It took at least 2 more offensive drives for the Hawks to answer back with a 4 yard run touchdown by Brown. The first half came to an end without much more done by both offenses and the game was 14-10 with Baltimore ahead.
On the second half of the game, things went very well for Liberty’s offense. After a slow start on the third quarter for both teams, at 9:22 Brown found the endzone again and put the Hawks ahead 21-10. But Falconi refused to give up after 3 sacks and threw a 1 yard pass to Davenport. By the start of the fourth quarter, Baltimore wanted to finish things with a 7 yard pass touchdown to Squanch. Again, Falconi tried to score back but didn't succeed and team decided to go for a 55 yard field goal; to the surprise of everyone, Fulture made it and this just boosted the Liberty’s moral. Their defense went on to sack Gambino 2 times and left the Hawks out of the Ultimus with another touchdown pass to Batoff and a winning 32 yard field goal by Fulture (final 31-28 score). Too bad for Baltimore that had a golden opportunity to capitalize the good season they had; but Liberty's QB Falconi decided to give one of her best performances and earned the offensive player of the game honor with 25/34 passes completed, 394 yds, 3 TD and 0 interceptions.
Task 5) Spotlight on Youth: Spencer Castle, CB
San Jose Sabercats not only find themselves as S14 Ultimus champions because of an excellent performance from QB Joliet L. Christ during the season, the defense was another factor for their success since they appeared when it mattered the most. One of the players that contributed in this aspect was young cornerback Spencer Castle. During the regular season, Castle played 14 games in which he had a total of 58 tackles and 23 passes defended, this last stat was the best for an individual performance in S14; even though he couldn't produce an interception, the kid got thrown into the fire and he was ready to face it.
Castle definitely saved his best showing for the playoffs; in the first game against the Otters, he finished with 6 tackles, 1 pass defended and a very important interception during the fourth quarter with 3:36 minutes remaining which helped the team to win their first ever playoff game. In the Ultimus, Spencer had again 6 tackles and 1 pass defended; during the second quarter he made a key interception in Philadelphia’s territory which allowed the Sabercats to score a touchdown and finish the first half one point behind Liberty. All this must be a great source of inspiration for Castle, who will look to become one of the best cornerbacks for San Jose and the league.
Task 7) Next year, Norfolk Edition
It was a closed playoff game between the SeaWolves and the Pythons, just a 3 point difference (16-13). Norfolk managed to secure a playoff spot in spite of being an expansion team full of rookies. And it really fought for the win until a late pick six and a FG in the fourth quarter. I think next season the SeaWolves can make it all the way to the Ultimini, they have a good amount of active players on both offense and defense so having another successful draft will only help the team fill in some key position needs, combined with those players that will stay for S15.
If Norfolk comes out of the draft with an active LB, DL, TE or another WR, the offensive side will have enough weapons which will help with the slow performance that usually troubled the team during the season (stats showed that the team ended up in 4th place for receiving yards and the lowest completion percentage of 53.8 compared to the running game that was also the 4th place in yards with a excellent 5.3 avg per attempt). Plus, there's the momentum gained from all the achievements accomplished in S14, coupled with losing to a division rival during the playoffs, will only make everyone fired up to return in better shape.
There's going to be an interesting face off in the Ultimini this time in which an experience QB (Tijuana's Corvo Havran) gets to face a rookie that has been improving by each week (Portland’s Franklin Armstrong). Certainly both QBs were in the top 3 as far as statistics for the season goes, with Armstrong slightly topping what Havran did, posting an impressive showdown of 22 TDs, 2614 yds, 59.8 completion percentage and a rating of 86. But looking into the playoffs match ups, Havran did better against a tough San Antonio defense on the road with 156 yards and a TD; The whole Pythons offense struggled for 3 quarters against a good defensive scheme, in which Armstrong didn't have an impressive game but managed to end with 155 yards and 1 interception.
So for the Ultimini, I'm excited to see if Havran is going to maintain his rhythm even though he faces yet another stacked defense; if his offensive line gives him enough protection, he will be able to make the most of it, plus he has the advantage of a good running system with Gump and co. For Armstrong, is all about minimizing mistakes; if he can complete short and medium passes to move the chains and put some points early on the game, he’ll make it easier for his defense to shine. No matter what the outcome of the game is, expect an intense QB battle in which I'll give the edge to Havran, who has the weapons and Ultimini experience to bring once again the trophy back home.
Code:
261 Words
Task 1) Playoff Review: Philadelphia Liberty vs Baltimore Hawks
Baltimore came into this game confident that they will come out with a victory, after all they destroyed Liberty in week 14 by a score of 52-17. So with home advantage, the Hawks started hot with a Brian Mills’ sack in Philadelphia’s first offensive drive; after some short passes from Gambino and little runs by Brown, they capitalized a long drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Maddox. Liberty got a chance to tie the game with a 44 yard pass to von Matt, but they couldn't convert a 3rd and 7 on Baltimore’s 8 yard and had to settle with a field goal. In the second quarter, after Falconi threw another long pass to von Matt and got close to the endzone, she scored a touchdown with an 8 yard pass to Batoff. It took at least 2 more offensive drives for the Hawks to answer back with a 4 yard run touchdown by Brown. The first half came to an end without much more done by both offenses and the game was 14-10 with Baltimore ahead.
On the second half of the game, things went very well for Liberty’s offense. After a slow start on the third quarter for both teams, at 9:22 Brown found the endzone again and put the Hawks ahead 21-10. But Falconi refused to give up after 3 sacks and threw a 1 yard pass to Davenport. By the start of the fourth quarter, Baltimore wanted to finish things with a 7 yard pass touchdown to Squanch. Again, Falconi tried to score back but didn't succeed and team decided to go for a 55 yard field goal; to the surprise of everyone, Fulture made it and this just boosted the Liberty’s moral. Their defense went on to sack Gambino 2 times and left the Hawks out of the Ultimus with another touchdown pass to Batoff and a winning 32 yard field goal by Fulture (final 31-28 score). Too bad for Baltimore that had a golden opportunity to capitalize the good season they had; but Liberty's QB Falconi decided to give one of her best performances and earned the offensive player of the game honor with 25/34 passes completed, 394 yds, 3 TD and 0 interceptions.
Code:
374 Words
Task 5) Spotlight on Youth: Spencer Castle, CB
San Jose Sabercats not only find themselves as S14 Ultimus champions because of an excellent performance from QB Joliet L. Christ during the season, the defense was another factor for their success since they appeared when it mattered the most. One of the players that contributed in this aspect was young cornerback Spencer Castle. During the regular season, Castle played 14 games in which he had a total of 58 tackles and 23 passes defended, this last stat was the best for an individual performance in S14; even though he couldn't produce an interception, the kid got thrown into the fire and he was ready to face it.
Castle definitely saved his best showing for the playoffs; in the first game against the Otters, he finished with 6 tackles, 1 pass defended and a very important interception during the fourth quarter with 3:36 minutes remaining which helped the team to win their first ever playoff game. In the Ultimus, Spencer had again 6 tackles and 1 pass defended; during the second quarter he made a key interception in Philadelphia’s territory which allowed the Sabercats to score a touchdown and finish the first half one point behind Liberty. All this must be a great source of inspiration for Castle, who will look to become one of the best cornerbacks for San Jose and the league.
Code:
225 Words
Task 7) Next year, Norfolk Edition
It was a closed playoff game between the SeaWolves and the Pythons, just a 3 point difference (16-13). Norfolk managed to secure a playoff spot in spite of being an expansion team full of rookies. And it really fought for the win until a late pick six and a FG in the fourth quarter. I think next season the SeaWolves can make it all the way to the Ultimini, they have a good amount of active players on both offense and defense so having another successful draft will only help the team fill in some key position needs, combined with those players that will stay for S15.
If Norfolk comes out of the draft with an active LB, DL, TE or another WR, the offensive side will have enough weapons which will help with the slow performance that usually troubled the team during the season (stats showed that the team ended up in 4th place for receiving yards and the lowest completion percentage of 53.8 compared to the running game that was also the 4th place in yards with a excellent 5.3 avg per attempt). Plus, there's the momentum gained from all the achievements accomplished in S14, coupled with losing to a division rival during the playoffs, will only make everyone fired up to return in better shape.
Code:
220 Words