08-05-2019, 09:26 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-05-2019, 11:20 AM by Leafs4ever.)
Task 1: Playoff Predictions
NSFC Championship: Philadelphia Liberty @ Chicago Butchers
The NSFC Championship Game features a first time match up and one that I don't think anyone expected. The expansion Chicago Butchers are hosting the championship game against the Philadelphia Liberty. An expansion team in this game is crazy enough, let alone that team being the number 1 seed and hosting it. Expansion or not, Chicago has been dominate this season, especially on defense. Their defense is the reason they're here, leading the league in yards given up and second in points allowed. They have been a little vulnerable to the run, but hasn't really hurt them yet. On offense, they are run by their running back Sam Torenson. They leave some things to be desired in the passing game, but honestly the combination of a stifling defense and a clock killing run game has put Chicago were they are, hosting this game. On the other end, Philly is coming in after beating Yellowknife in the wild card game. The Liberty have been about average in every category, just humming along this season. Their passing has led them this year, but matching up against the best defense in that regard doesn't help them. They have been good against the run on defense which could help them in this match up, but I don't see a scenario where Philly escapes Chicago with a win. Butchers move on to the Ultimus Championship. Butchers win 24-10
ASFC Championship: Anaheim Outlaws @ Orange County Otters
The ASFC Championship is once again being hosted by the Orange County Otters, but a new challenger has emerged. After defeating the SaberCats in the wild card round, the Arizona Outlaws now travel to Orange County. The Otters were once again great this season, both on defense and offense. They have one of the best passing games in the league with Showbiz, Valentine, and Sunnycursed. They only thing they really struggled with was the running game, on both sides of the ball. They didn't rush the ball well and they couldn't stop it either. That's where Arizona has to attack them. The problem is Arizona isn't really good at any one area, so I don't think they pose much of a threat to Orange County. They are like Philadelphia, average at every thing so nothing that should scare this Otters team. Otters win 27-3
(377 words)
Task 5: Spotlight on Youth
The Season 15 draft class was one of the biggest this league has seen. Even though it was just a year ago, we've already seen the impact from some of the players. One of those players just happens to play on the number 1 seeded Chicago Butchers. He is linebacker Guy Nikko.
Of course, a young talent on the Butchers' defense is being spotlighted. Chicago's defense has been their calling card all season and Nikko has been fantastic, especially as a rookie. This season, Nikko put up 77 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception, and 15 pass deflections. He was a threat at every aspect of the defense at the linebacker spot. His ability to read the play at the line of scrimmage is rare in a rookie. As a dual threat against the run and the pass, opposing quarterbacks had to key on him in every set up, which really disrupts the offense.
Going into the NSFC Championship Game, Nikko is once again going to be counted on to step up. He's going up against a great quarterback in Liberty's Adriana Falconi, but he's shown that he's ready for the spotlight. I expect Nikko is be all over the field. He's going to get out in coverage and bat some balls away and he's for sure going to attack the offensive line and get in the face of the quarterback.
The future looks bright on defense for Chicago and Guy Nikko is a huge reason why.
(246 words)
Task 8: Strategies
After getting eliminated in the wild card round, obviously our eyes went directly to next season in San Jose. There are changes that we can make that will get us to the promised land again.
The biggest change we need to make is on offense. We need to throw the ball more. As the number 1 wide receiver on the team, I say that with no bias attached. As a team, we threw the ball the fourth fewest times in the league, but still finished top 4 in passing yards. Christ was also the most accurate quarterback in the league, completing 61.6% of his passes. We have an elite passer in Christ, a bonafide number 1 receiver in Flash, and an up and coming tight end in Cameron Olsen. There's no doubt that if given the chance, we could have the best passing attack in the league and blow teams out of the water.
The other big change we need is help at cornerback. It's no secret that was the weakness on defense and teams exploited that all season. We were easily the best team against the run, but that could be attributed to teams throwing more against us because of our corners. We'll see natural improvement in our current corners because they're still young and developing, but I think we need to bring in a veteran corner to hold it down while the young guns continue to work on the skills of the position.
Pass more and improve the cornerback position and I think San Jose makes it back to the promised land next season.
(266 words)
Task 10: Rivalries
Let's talk about a team lucking their way to the ASFC Championship game, the Arizona Outlaws. I've never seen such a mediocre team in the playoffs and it's a shame that they will ruin the championship game by getting decimated by the Otters. Let's take a closer look.
First off, nothing the Outlaws do on the field is anything better than average. On offense and defense, they range from 5-8 league wide in almost every category. Literally right down the middle or near the bottom half of the league. Outside of maybe Slim Shady, there is no player that brings anything special to the field. Orange County is going to have a field day with this team. Now, I know you'll say, well they beat your SaberCats in the wild card round, but let's look at that game shall we?
In the wild card game, the Outlaws beat us 41-21. Pretty decisive right? Now, look at the underlying stats of the game. Total yards were 444 to 443, first downs 18 to 18, and third downs 5-16 for San Jose and 2-12 for Arizona. Time of possession was only an 8 second difference and turnovers were 1 to 0. Do you want to know where the biggest difference was between the two teams? Penalties. San Jose took 7 penalties for 63 yards while Arizona took 0. That's right, they played a perfectly clean game in a rough wild card game. Oh, they also out rushed us by 97 yards, but that just proves that they bring nothing to the table outside of Slim Shady.
Everyone that's going to watch the ASFC championship game needs to be cheering for the Otters. The NSFL can't have such a below average team with no stars or any semblance of excitement represent in the Ultimus Game. Mediocrity should not be rewarded, and the Outlaws are the poster team for skating on mediocrity.
(318 words)
NSFC Championship: Philadelphia Liberty @ Chicago Butchers
The NSFC Championship Game features a first time match up and one that I don't think anyone expected. The expansion Chicago Butchers are hosting the championship game against the Philadelphia Liberty. An expansion team in this game is crazy enough, let alone that team being the number 1 seed and hosting it. Expansion or not, Chicago has been dominate this season, especially on defense. Their defense is the reason they're here, leading the league in yards given up and second in points allowed. They have been a little vulnerable to the run, but hasn't really hurt them yet. On offense, they are run by their running back Sam Torenson. They leave some things to be desired in the passing game, but honestly the combination of a stifling defense and a clock killing run game has put Chicago were they are, hosting this game. On the other end, Philly is coming in after beating Yellowknife in the wild card game. The Liberty have been about average in every category, just humming along this season. Their passing has led them this year, but matching up against the best defense in that regard doesn't help them. They have been good against the run on defense which could help them in this match up, but I don't see a scenario where Philly escapes Chicago with a win. Butchers move on to the Ultimus Championship. Butchers win 24-10
ASFC Championship: Anaheim Outlaws @ Orange County Otters
The ASFC Championship is once again being hosted by the Orange County Otters, but a new challenger has emerged. After defeating the SaberCats in the wild card round, the Arizona Outlaws now travel to Orange County. The Otters were once again great this season, both on defense and offense. They have one of the best passing games in the league with Showbiz, Valentine, and Sunnycursed. They only thing they really struggled with was the running game, on both sides of the ball. They didn't rush the ball well and they couldn't stop it either. That's where Arizona has to attack them. The problem is Arizona isn't really good at any one area, so I don't think they pose much of a threat to Orange County. They are like Philadelphia, average at every thing so nothing that should scare this Otters team. Otters win 27-3
(377 words)
Task 5: Spotlight on Youth
The Season 15 draft class was one of the biggest this league has seen. Even though it was just a year ago, we've already seen the impact from some of the players. One of those players just happens to play on the number 1 seeded Chicago Butchers. He is linebacker Guy Nikko.
Of course, a young talent on the Butchers' defense is being spotlighted. Chicago's defense has been their calling card all season and Nikko has been fantastic, especially as a rookie. This season, Nikko put up 77 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception, and 15 pass deflections. He was a threat at every aspect of the defense at the linebacker spot. His ability to read the play at the line of scrimmage is rare in a rookie. As a dual threat against the run and the pass, opposing quarterbacks had to key on him in every set up, which really disrupts the offense.
Going into the NSFC Championship Game, Nikko is once again going to be counted on to step up. He's going up against a great quarterback in Liberty's Adriana Falconi, but he's shown that he's ready for the spotlight. I expect Nikko is be all over the field. He's going to get out in coverage and bat some balls away and he's for sure going to attack the offensive line and get in the face of the quarterback.
The future looks bright on defense for Chicago and Guy Nikko is a huge reason why.
(246 words)
Task 8: Strategies
After getting eliminated in the wild card round, obviously our eyes went directly to next season in San Jose. There are changes that we can make that will get us to the promised land again.
The biggest change we need to make is on offense. We need to throw the ball more. As the number 1 wide receiver on the team, I say that with no bias attached. As a team, we threw the ball the fourth fewest times in the league, but still finished top 4 in passing yards. Christ was also the most accurate quarterback in the league, completing 61.6% of his passes. We have an elite passer in Christ, a bonafide number 1 receiver in Flash, and an up and coming tight end in Cameron Olsen. There's no doubt that if given the chance, we could have the best passing attack in the league and blow teams out of the water.
The other big change we need is help at cornerback. It's no secret that was the weakness on defense and teams exploited that all season. We were easily the best team against the run, but that could be attributed to teams throwing more against us because of our corners. We'll see natural improvement in our current corners because they're still young and developing, but I think we need to bring in a veteran corner to hold it down while the young guns continue to work on the skills of the position.
Pass more and improve the cornerback position and I think San Jose makes it back to the promised land next season.
(266 words)
Task 10: Rivalries
Let's talk about a team lucking their way to the ASFC Championship game, the Arizona Outlaws. I've never seen such a mediocre team in the playoffs and it's a shame that they will ruin the championship game by getting decimated by the Otters. Let's take a closer look.
First off, nothing the Outlaws do on the field is anything better than average. On offense and defense, they range from 5-8 league wide in almost every category. Literally right down the middle or near the bottom half of the league. Outside of maybe Slim Shady, there is no player that brings anything special to the field. Orange County is going to have a field day with this team. Now, I know you'll say, well they beat your SaberCats in the wild card round, but let's look at that game shall we?
In the wild card game, the Outlaws beat us 41-21. Pretty decisive right? Now, look at the underlying stats of the game. Total yards were 444 to 443, first downs 18 to 18, and third downs 5-16 for San Jose and 2-12 for Arizona. Time of possession was only an 8 second difference and turnovers were 1 to 0. Do you want to know where the biggest difference was between the two teams? Penalties. San Jose took 7 penalties for 63 yards while Arizona took 0. That's right, they played a perfectly clean game in a rough wild card game. Oh, they also out rushed us by 97 yards, but that just proves that they bring nothing to the table outside of Slim Shady.
Everyone that's going to watch the ASFC championship game needs to be cheering for the Otters. The NSFL can't have such a below average team with no stars or any semblance of excitement represent in the Ultimus Game. Mediocrity should not be rewarded, and the Outlaws are the poster team for skating on mediocrity.
(318 words)