Task 1 – Playoff Predictions – Predictions are always a fun time, but usually when I do my ultimus week they’re already simmed. So this is exciting for me! On one hand, we have the Yellowknife Wraiths and the Baltimore Hawks. The Hawks have been the conference’s premier team for so long, this almost feels like the official passing of the torch type game. There should be a lot of points on the board in this one, as it features two of the top three scoring offenses in the league. The issue is going to be defensively, and its not good for the Hawks. The Wraiths can stop anyone, and they were dominant this season. The Hawks? Not so much. They allowed over 100 points more than the Wraiths this year. Yes, the Hawks beat Yellowknife 33-27 in Week 1 this season, but let’s not forget that they needed a 108 KO Return TD and a Pick 6 to do so. The chances of that happening again are not that high. The Wraiths won the second matchup 30-17, in a game that’s going to look a lot more similar to this Monday’s playoff game than the first one will. Give me the Wraiths to go to the Ultimus, with a 31-20 victory over the Hawks. (209)
Task 2 –Underdog – There is an incredibly good chance that the underdog Arizona Outlaws have a chance to ‘upset’ the first seeded Orange County Otters in tonight’s playoff game. I put that in quotes because I don’t think this is that much of a surprise. Arizona finished 9-4 in the regular season, while Orange County was 10-3. These teams split the season series 1-1, with the road teams surprisingly taking the victories. The Outlaws won 31-22 in OC on the strength of Andrew Reese’s 340 yards and 2 TDs. They lost 24-17 when Reese had 3 interceptions and played probably his worst game of the season, blowing a 17-0 lead. That’s why Arizona can win. They almost won Reese’s awful game, and after the season he’s had (where he should strongly be considered for MVP) it’s clear Arizona has a large advantage at the QB position. These two offenses are very close in scoring, but I think the Outlaws have the better players at just about every skill position. As for the defenses, the Outlaws weren’t *as* successful at stopping the other team from scoring as Orange County was, but they only allowed about 4 points more per game over the season. If these two teams play their game, and there isn’t unexpected fuckery, we could very well see the Arizona Outlaws walk out of Orange County with a victory and an Ultimus berth. (231)
Task 7 – Next Year – Steady improvement from Day One. That’s been the mantra of the Austin Copperheads since our inception. And, in three seasons, it’s been true to form. We have improved each and every season, with this season giving us some big wins and making the playoffs. So why will we be considered Ultimus contenders next year? We have a completely full, active team of players working hard to get that TPE for each other. Our team’s total TPE goes up by a great amount each and every week. We have my player, Easton Cole, breaking out as one of the top QBs in the league nowadays. And let’s not forget that our offense was VERY good and is only getting better. Austin’s issue this year was it’s defense, who needed to keep gaining TPE and get better. We have a few younger guys like Net Gaines and Xavien Adams who are stars, but need to keep training. That takes time. Our offense is going to continue to improve, and our defense is going to catch up as well. Everything is coming together for the Copperheads, and while we may not be the favorite going into the playoffs next season, anything can happen in those games, and we’ll have a great shot to get that title. (213)
Task 8 – Draft Focus – When I consider all of the good things that are happening in Austin, and all of the good players we have at every position, it’s really hard for me to figure on what we TRULY need in the draft. It honestly won’t matter this season, as we’ve traded our first rounder in S19, but had we kept the pick, I think the focus for us is getting another stud WR into the mix here. Easton Cole has shown how good he is with the weapons he has, but imagine just ONE more stud WR. Rod Tidwell is great, and with Ashley Owens, Mako Mendonaca, and Larsen at TE, it’s a great core. But let’s look at Anoai. He’s at regression now, and he’s only gotten up to 797 TPE. There’s not going to be a ton of time left for him on this NSFL Earth, and because of that we need to start thinking about his replacement, and fast. I’d love for us to draft a WR that will take over for him, because if we wait too long, the offense may skip a beat during the team’s “Ultimus winning prime”. Austin will need a new #2 WR sooner than later, so I think that’s where our draft focus should be. If we had a pick, anyway. (217)
Task 2 –Underdog – There is an incredibly good chance that the underdog Arizona Outlaws have a chance to ‘upset’ the first seeded Orange County Otters in tonight’s playoff game. I put that in quotes because I don’t think this is that much of a surprise. Arizona finished 9-4 in the regular season, while Orange County was 10-3. These teams split the season series 1-1, with the road teams surprisingly taking the victories. The Outlaws won 31-22 in OC on the strength of Andrew Reese’s 340 yards and 2 TDs. They lost 24-17 when Reese had 3 interceptions and played probably his worst game of the season, blowing a 17-0 lead. That’s why Arizona can win. They almost won Reese’s awful game, and after the season he’s had (where he should strongly be considered for MVP) it’s clear Arizona has a large advantage at the QB position. These two offenses are very close in scoring, but I think the Outlaws have the better players at just about every skill position. As for the defenses, the Outlaws weren’t *as* successful at stopping the other team from scoring as Orange County was, but they only allowed about 4 points more per game over the season. If these two teams play their game, and there isn’t unexpected fuckery, we could very well see the Arizona Outlaws walk out of Orange County with a victory and an Ultimus berth. (231)
Task 7 – Next Year – Steady improvement from Day One. That’s been the mantra of the Austin Copperheads since our inception. And, in three seasons, it’s been true to form. We have improved each and every season, with this season giving us some big wins and making the playoffs. So why will we be considered Ultimus contenders next year? We have a completely full, active team of players working hard to get that TPE for each other. Our team’s total TPE goes up by a great amount each and every week. We have my player, Easton Cole, breaking out as one of the top QBs in the league nowadays. And let’s not forget that our offense was VERY good and is only getting better. Austin’s issue this year was it’s defense, who needed to keep gaining TPE and get better. We have a few younger guys like Net Gaines and Xavien Adams who are stars, but need to keep training. That takes time. Our offense is going to continue to improve, and our defense is going to catch up as well. Everything is coming together for the Copperheads, and while we may not be the favorite going into the playoffs next season, anything can happen in those games, and we’ll have a great shot to get that title. (213)
Task 8 – Draft Focus – When I consider all of the good things that are happening in Austin, and all of the good players we have at every position, it’s really hard for me to figure on what we TRULY need in the draft. It honestly won’t matter this season, as we’ve traded our first rounder in S19, but had we kept the pick, I think the focus for us is getting another stud WR into the mix here. Easton Cole has shown how good he is with the weapons he has, but imagine just ONE more stud WR. Rod Tidwell is great, and with Ashley Owens, Mako Mendonaca, and Larsen at TE, it’s a great core. But let’s look at Anoai. He’s at regression now, and he’s only gotten up to 797 TPE. There’s not going to be a ton of time left for him on this NSFL Earth, and because of that we need to start thinking about his replacement, and fast. I’d love for us to draft a WR that will take over for him, because if we wait too long, the offense may skip a beat during the team’s “Ultimus winning prime”. Austin will need a new #2 WR sooner than later, so I think that’s where our draft focus should be. If we had a pick, anyway. (217)