6) Our Time
(Disclaimer: yes, I know my team lost in the Conference Championship, but I'm writing about why we should have won.)
At the end of the season, one thing is clear: the Kansas City Coyotes should be looked at as the favorite to win the Ultimini this season. Actually, it probably isn't that clear. After all, they weren't the best team during the season. The Portland Pythons have a better record. So do the Tijuana Luchadores.
So why, you may ask, should we call this team a favorite? What could they possibly have more of than those other teams? The answer is heart. The Coyotes have heart and they have a lot of it. The young group is quite dedicated to getting better and leaving it all on the field every time they go out there. Mason Blaylock is always working in the gym and watching film on opposing receivers and running backs. He studies their patterns in order to know his plan of attack for each play. Rayne Gordon has been doing sprints, long distance running, you name it. He had one goal and that was to be the fastest player out there. He's done a pretty damn good job so far. Speaking of fast, you can't forget about Orien Drake. The record setting KC Running back might be their best chance of winning, but it is the collective heart of the entire core that will get Kansas City to the promised land.
10) Rivalries
The specific prompt for this task says to talk about why a team is overrated. I'm bending the rules a little bit. I don't think the Orange County Otters are overrated, they are quite good. But oh boy, am I sick of watching them win football games. Ever since my heyday in the NSFL, the Orange County Otters have been a thorn in my side. More often than not, the Otters stingy defense was able to thwart my offensive attack, and I was a damn good receiver. I used to give opposing defenses fits, but not Orange County.
Why else do I want them to lose? When I came back to the site this season, I figured that by now maybe a different team would have the upper hand, but of course they dont. There is a shiny orange banner hanging atop the NSFL forums, and I would like that to be replaced by a blue and black banner (*eyes emoji*). Nineteen seasons and the Otters are still winning important football games. Seriously, someone stop them!
Let me go on record saying that I don't actually dislike this team, or anyone on it. I'm just a bit tired of seeing their continued success and figured it would be nice if some other teams could share in the fun from time to time.
8) Draft Focus
I'm not on an NSFL team yet, so I'm going to talk about my own draft hopes. Some teams have a desperate need for a Wide Receiver and may want to address that in the first round. Well, fear not, because Rayne Gordon is a first round talent for sure. With not that much TPE in my first DSFL season, I put up pretty solid numbers all things considered. I was also the #2 wide receiver for the team, so my numbers would've been higher if I had been given more targets. That's OK, NSFL teams understand that I made the most out of my minutes. Also, I am completely dedicated to improving and honing my craft. Since I re-created, I have not missed an opportunity to gain TPE. Every Point Task, every Trivia, every Activity Check, every Weekly Training. I did the Wiki page, the Predictions, and here I sit doing Ultimus Week for that big ten spot. My first player was a Wide Receiver who went #8 overall, and my goal is to surpass that and go higher. I think my name is well-known enough around here to open some eyes and garner interest, so all that is left is to wait by the phone and hear my name called. With my team out of the postseason, I will also be working on my large offseason update!
Need a future #1 WR? Give Rayne Gordon a ring.
3) All About the QBs
If your team is playing in the Ultimus, chances are they have a pretty good quarterback. That is definitely true for both the Yellowknife Wraiths and the Orange County Otters. This will be a top-flight QB matchup.
Lets first take a look at Wraiths QB Cooter Bigsby. He led the league in completions, but part of that is because he also led the league in attempts. He was tied for the lead in Touchdowns thrown, with Easton Cole of the Austin Copperheads. The 31 to 13 TD/INT ratio is definitely something to hang his hat on, as protecting the ball is crucial in this league and in football in general. 4398 yards is also a ridiculous statistic, and really highlights the Wraith's pass-heavy attack.
Now, on the other side we have Orange County Otters quarterback Franklin Armstrong. A steal back in the Season 15 draft, Armstrong was taken with the 8th pick in the 3rd round. And as his name would suggest, Arm-strong has a strong arm. He may not have put up crazy numbers this season, but he was relatively efficient with the ball, completing 59.1% of his passes. Orange County also relies more on the run than Yellowknife does, so Armstrong wasn't always in the spotlight. 18 touchdowns were not bad in a solid campaign for the still developing Armstrong.
Overall, I would give the quarterback edge to Yellowknife with Cooter Bigsby, but it will definitely be a thrilling matchup to watch. I, for one, am looking forward to it!
(Disclaimer: yes, I know my team lost in the Conference Championship, but I'm writing about why we should have won.)
At the end of the season, one thing is clear: the Kansas City Coyotes should be looked at as the favorite to win the Ultimini this season. Actually, it probably isn't that clear. After all, they weren't the best team during the season. The Portland Pythons have a better record. So do the Tijuana Luchadores.
So why, you may ask, should we call this team a favorite? What could they possibly have more of than those other teams? The answer is heart. The Coyotes have heart and they have a lot of it. The young group is quite dedicated to getting better and leaving it all on the field every time they go out there. Mason Blaylock is always working in the gym and watching film on opposing receivers and running backs. He studies their patterns in order to know his plan of attack for each play. Rayne Gordon has been doing sprints, long distance running, you name it. He had one goal and that was to be the fastest player out there. He's done a pretty damn good job so far. Speaking of fast, you can't forget about Orien Drake. The record setting KC Running back might be their best chance of winning, but it is the collective heart of the entire core that will get Kansas City to the promised land.
10) Rivalries
The specific prompt for this task says to talk about why a team is overrated. I'm bending the rules a little bit. I don't think the Orange County Otters are overrated, they are quite good. But oh boy, am I sick of watching them win football games. Ever since my heyday in the NSFL, the Orange County Otters have been a thorn in my side. More often than not, the Otters stingy defense was able to thwart my offensive attack, and I was a damn good receiver. I used to give opposing defenses fits, but not Orange County.
Why else do I want them to lose? When I came back to the site this season, I figured that by now maybe a different team would have the upper hand, but of course they dont. There is a shiny orange banner hanging atop the NSFL forums, and I would like that to be replaced by a blue and black banner (*eyes emoji*). Nineteen seasons and the Otters are still winning important football games. Seriously, someone stop them!
Let me go on record saying that I don't actually dislike this team, or anyone on it. I'm just a bit tired of seeing their continued success and figured it would be nice if some other teams could share in the fun from time to time.
8) Draft Focus
I'm not on an NSFL team yet, so I'm going to talk about my own draft hopes. Some teams have a desperate need for a Wide Receiver and may want to address that in the first round. Well, fear not, because Rayne Gordon is a first round talent for sure. With not that much TPE in my first DSFL season, I put up pretty solid numbers all things considered. I was also the #2 wide receiver for the team, so my numbers would've been higher if I had been given more targets. That's OK, NSFL teams understand that I made the most out of my minutes. Also, I am completely dedicated to improving and honing my craft. Since I re-created, I have not missed an opportunity to gain TPE. Every Point Task, every Trivia, every Activity Check, every Weekly Training. I did the Wiki page, the Predictions, and here I sit doing Ultimus Week for that big ten spot. My first player was a Wide Receiver who went #8 overall, and my goal is to surpass that and go higher. I think my name is well-known enough around here to open some eyes and garner interest, so all that is left is to wait by the phone and hear my name called. With my team out of the postseason, I will also be working on my large offseason update!
Need a future #1 WR? Give Rayne Gordon a ring.
3) All About the QBs
If your team is playing in the Ultimus, chances are they have a pretty good quarterback. That is definitely true for both the Yellowknife Wraiths and the Orange County Otters. This will be a top-flight QB matchup.
Lets first take a look at Wraiths QB Cooter Bigsby. He led the league in completions, but part of that is because he also led the league in attempts. He was tied for the lead in Touchdowns thrown, with Easton Cole of the Austin Copperheads. The 31 to 13 TD/INT ratio is definitely something to hang his hat on, as protecting the ball is crucial in this league and in football in general. 4398 yards is also a ridiculous statistic, and really highlights the Wraith's pass-heavy attack.
Now, on the other side we have Orange County Otters quarterback Franklin Armstrong. A steal back in the Season 15 draft, Armstrong was taken with the 8th pick in the 3rd round. And as his name would suggest, Arm-strong has a strong arm. He may not have put up crazy numbers this season, but he was relatively efficient with the ball, completing 59.1% of his passes. Orange County also relies more on the run than Yellowknife does, so Armstrong wasn't always in the spotlight. 18 touchdowns were not bad in a solid campaign for the still developing Armstrong.
Overall, I would give the quarterback edge to Yellowknife with Cooter Bigsby, but it will definitely be a thrilling matchup to watch. I, for one, am looking forward to it!
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 197
[OPTION]Birthplace: Tallahassee, FL
[OPTION]Number: 18
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION]S1 (SJS): 72 REC - 1062 YDS - 4 TD
[OPTION]S2 (SJS/YKW): 74 REC - 1078 YDS - 6 TD
[OPTION]S3 (YKW):
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]S2 (YKW):
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Career Highlights:
[OPTION]Drafted 9th Overall by the San Jose SaberCats in the S1 Draft
[OPTION]Named to S1 ASFC Pro Bowl Roster
[OPTION]Traded to Yellowknife Wraiths for WR Darren Smallwood and S3 1st Round Pick
[OPTION]Height: 6'3"
[OPTION]Weight: 184
[OPTION]Birthplace: Syracuse, NY
[OPTION]Number: 16
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Height: 6'3"
[OPTION]Weight: 184
[OPTION]Birthplace: Greensboro, NC
[OPTION]Number: 10
[OPTION]===========================================