All about the QBs
The Ultimus game was an epic matchup for both teams in different ways. The Liberty had only been to the Ultimus twice before that game and San Jose was itching to get their first Ultimus victory in league history. It was a historic first that saw Adriana Falconi as the first female quarterback to make it to the Ultimus. There was a common thread between the teams though besides their matching 9-5 season record; this was a matchup of the S10 quarterbacks because Falconi and Christ were both from the same draft class. It’s always exciting to see 2 players peak at the same time and play each other in their prime. Both players had pretty comparable performances: Falconi went 22/36 completions/attempts for 286 yards and 1 touchdown. Christ had 18/28 completoins/attempts for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. These quarterbacks each had 1 interception and the extra touchdown was the only reason why Christ had a better QB rating. I do think San Jose had better receivers than Philadelphia which helped decide the game more in the favor for San Jose. Oles, Brannigan, Flash, and Justice were all on their game and Christ had an easier time throwing to them compared to Falconi’s receivers.
Next year
After setting a league best record of 11-3, the Baltimore Hawks were primed and ready for the playoffs clinching home field advantage for the NSFC playoffs and possibly the Ultimus based on the ASFC playoffs. In a massive trade during week 6, we saw Pro Bowl cornerback Axel Hornbacher leave Colorado to bolster the Hawks roster and increase their playoff chances. Unfortunately, the Hawks were not able to defeat their long standing division rival, Philadelphia, in the NSFC playoffs. Next year will be different though, but whether or not the Hawks can replicate their success is a big mystery. They have one last chance before starting quarterback Childish Gambino is retired and numerous players will be departing the team this offseason: Ishigawa, Mills, and Miller. I remain optimistic that the Hawks will win the Ultimus next season, but realize that it will require lots of luck for us to be able to win again. The team can remain competitive in the NSFC again if they can fill those holes left on defense by Ishigawa and Mills. If the Hawks can do that, I believe they’ll have another good shot at winning the Ultimus. Next year will be the last chance the Hawks have at getting into the playoffs for sure.
Sit-down with a star & Sit-down with a fan
Sat down with @moonlight and asked him questions. He asked me questions as well.
To Moonlight:
1. How does it feel to win the Ultimini as a rookie quarterback?
This has been a dream rookie season for me. I really have to thank Pablo Sanchez, of the Sanchez Company (and also my Pythons GM) who gave me a chance. He brought me in during S14 as a practice squad body, and while I didn’t get any real playing time, I gained some of the valuable experience that I was yearning for. He then drafted me in the S15 draft (albeit, a little late). No one else wanted me, that is for certain.
To play and win the Ultimini was something I couldn't have foreseen even just a few months ago.
2. What do you have to say to all the teams that passed on you and drafted other quarterbacks ahead of you so early?
How do you like me now? Drafting scrubs like Ryan Leaf Jr. (who I hear has gained over 200 pounds and is now playing defensive tackle) among others, rounds and rounds before me. How did that work out for those other teams? Draft day was pretty rough but to get a chance to play, and be the starting QB, for the Portland Pythons was a dream come true.
3. What prospective NSFL teams appeal to you?
They all do. Though, I definitely want an opportunity to get a starting job within a couple seasons and that simply isn’t an opportunity many of those teams can give me, no matter how sincere their intentions may be.
4. What expectations do you have for the next season if you come back to Portland?
We are trying to repeat. It might be a much tougher challenge because we are losing a significant amount of talent to the NSFL, but we remain confident all the same. It's Ultimini or bust.
Q&A from Moonlight:
1. What went wrong in the S14 playoffs against the Philly Liberty?
2. In S14, you had 1 Int, while the season before you had 5? Is this a decline or are QBs just not testing you anymore?
3. What is the expectation in the Baltimore locker room on how you guys can get back to the big game in S15?
4. Are there any defensive beasts in the S15 draft that you hope to play alongside in a Hawks uniform?
1. We felt really confident going into the playoffs against Philadelphia. We had home field advantage and beat them in week 14 handedly. I think we underestimated them and they came back with a great gameplan that we weren’t expecting. They threw tons of different looks at us from offense and we didn’t adjust well.
2. I think it’s a testament to my off season work and conditioning in Colorado. The elevation prepares you for everything much better and I worked very hard in the off season to learn as much as I could from my coaches and gameplanned well in those games that I got interceptions.
3. We have high hopes for next season considering the success we had last season. I think with a few more pieces to replace our retired guys and we have a shot at making it to the Ultimus again. I have no clue what our general managers have planned, but I hope that they can draft well and give us another shot.
4. I love the defense coming out of Palm Beach and I think playing with anyone of those guys would be awesome. I hear their linebacker corps are awesome and the defensive backs are great too.
The Ultimus game was an epic matchup for both teams in different ways. The Liberty had only been to the Ultimus twice before that game and San Jose was itching to get their first Ultimus victory in league history. It was a historic first that saw Adriana Falconi as the first female quarterback to make it to the Ultimus. There was a common thread between the teams though besides their matching 9-5 season record; this was a matchup of the S10 quarterbacks because Falconi and Christ were both from the same draft class. It’s always exciting to see 2 players peak at the same time and play each other in their prime. Both players had pretty comparable performances: Falconi went 22/36 completions/attempts for 286 yards and 1 touchdown. Christ had 18/28 completoins/attempts for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. These quarterbacks each had 1 interception and the extra touchdown was the only reason why Christ had a better QB rating. I do think San Jose had better receivers than Philadelphia which helped decide the game more in the favor for San Jose. Oles, Brannigan, Flash, and Justice were all on their game and Christ had an easier time throwing to them compared to Falconi’s receivers.
Next year
After setting a league best record of 11-3, the Baltimore Hawks were primed and ready for the playoffs clinching home field advantage for the NSFC playoffs and possibly the Ultimus based on the ASFC playoffs. In a massive trade during week 6, we saw Pro Bowl cornerback Axel Hornbacher leave Colorado to bolster the Hawks roster and increase their playoff chances. Unfortunately, the Hawks were not able to defeat their long standing division rival, Philadelphia, in the NSFC playoffs. Next year will be different though, but whether or not the Hawks can replicate their success is a big mystery. They have one last chance before starting quarterback Childish Gambino is retired and numerous players will be departing the team this offseason: Ishigawa, Mills, and Miller. I remain optimistic that the Hawks will win the Ultimus next season, but realize that it will require lots of luck for us to be able to win again. The team can remain competitive in the NSFC again if they can fill those holes left on defense by Ishigawa and Mills. If the Hawks can do that, I believe they’ll have another good shot at winning the Ultimus. Next year will be the last chance the Hawks have at getting into the playoffs for sure.
Sit-down with a star & Sit-down with a fan
Sat down with @moonlight and asked him questions. He asked me questions as well.
To Moonlight:
1. How does it feel to win the Ultimini as a rookie quarterback?
This has been a dream rookie season for me. I really have to thank Pablo Sanchez, of the Sanchez Company (and also my Pythons GM) who gave me a chance. He brought me in during S14 as a practice squad body, and while I didn’t get any real playing time, I gained some of the valuable experience that I was yearning for. He then drafted me in the S15 draft (albeit, a little late). No one else wanted me, that is for certain.
To play and win the Ultimini was something I couldn't have foreseen even just a few months ago.
2. What do you have to say to all the teams that passed on you and drafted other quarterbacks ahead of you so early?
How do you like me now? Drafting scrubs like Ryan Leaf Jr. (who I hear has gained over 200 pounds and is now playing defensive tackle) among others, rounds and rounds before me. How did that work out for those other teams? Draft day was pretty rough but to get a chance to play, and be the starting QB, for the Portland Pythons was a dream come true.
3. What prospective NSFL teams appeal to you?
They all do. Though, I definitely want an opportunity to get a starting job within a couple seasons and that simply isn’t an opportunity many of those teams can give me, no matter how sincere their intentions may be.
4. What expectations do you have for the next season if you come back to Portland?
We are trying to repeat. It might be a much tougher challenge because we are losing a significant amount of talent to the NSFL, but we remain confident all the same. It's Ultimini or bust.
Q&A from Moonlight:
1. What went wrong in the S14 playoffs against the Philly Liberty?
2. In S14, you had 1 Int, while the season before you had 5? Is this a decline or are QBs just not testing you anymore?
3. What is the expectation in the Baltimore locker room on how you guys can get back to the big game in S15?
4. Are there any defensive beasts in the S15 draft that you hope to play alongside in a Hawks uniform?
1. We felt really confident going into the playoffs against Philadelphia. We had home field advantage and beat them in week 14 handedly. I think we underestimated them and they came back with a great gameplan that we weren’t expecting. They threw tons of different looks at us from offense and we didn’t adjust well.
2. I think it’s a testament to my off season work and conditioning in Colorado. The elevation prepares you for everything much better and I worked very hard in the off season to learn as much as I could from my coaches and gameplanned well in those games that I got interceptions.
3. We have high hopes for next season considering the success we had last season. I think with a few more pieces to replace our retired guys and we have a shot at making it to the Ultimus again. I have no clue what our general managers have planned, but I hope that they can draft well and give us another shot.
4. I love the defense coming out of Palm Beach and I think playing with anyone of those guys would be awesome. I hear their linebacker corps are awesome and the defensive backs are great too.