07-20-2020, 11:15 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-20-2020, 11:59 PM by Leafs4ever.)
Task 6:
The Austin Copperheads journey to the playoffs this season was quite an up and down affair. There was some bright spots, but a big dark spot that they almost got sucked in. Luckily for them, they found a way out and a way in to the playoffs. Let's see how they got there.
Austin came into the season loaded on offense with some big name weapons. At quarterback they had Easton Cole, a franchise player and always near the top in quarterback rankings. At the skill positions, they had running back Mako Mendonca and wide receivers Net Gaines and Rod Tidwell. They were easily one of the most deep offensive group in the league so there was high hopes that they would carry them this season. It started out well, winning their opening game and going on to win 4 of their first 6 games, giving them a 4-2 record. The biggest win in that stretch was a Week 4 victory against the Outlaws, a team they would battle for the final playoff spot. After splitting the next 2 games, they went 5-3 into the middle stretch of the season and feeling good. This is where things took that downward route. The Copperheads went on to lose their next 4 games, capped off with an embarrassing 40-3 loss against Honolulu. This dropped them to a disappointing 5-7 record and putting them square in danger of missing the playoffs. The offense was ice cold and they same themselves dropping behind Arizona for the final spot. After splitting the next two games, the Copperheads would meet the Outlaws in a crucial, season-deciding, match-up. Arizona was 7-7 and Austin was 6-8 going into that game. A win for Arizona clinches the final playoff spot, while Austin would officially be eliminated. The game was in Arizona this time and boy what a thriller it was. Arizona held a 5 point lead late into the 4th quarter, but Austin was driving. They drove down the field against the Outlaws defense, on the road, and got to the 2 yard line, where Make Mendonca powered through and scored what turned into the game winning touchdown to give Austin the huge 16-15 victory. With the victory, Austin and Arizona were tied in the standings, but Austin held the tiebreaker as a result of winning the head-to-head matchup. The final week of the season saw Austin and Arizona both winning and putting them at 8-8, but the two huge wins against Arizona gave Austin the tie-beaker and the final playoff spot.
During the season, they were lead by their offense, but didn't put up the numbers that many expected. They finished in the top 3 in yards in the league, but only 7th in points scored. Their defense had a tough time keeping up as well, finishing in the bottom half of the league in every category. Luckily for them their offense showed up in enough games to drag them into the playoffs and a date with the New Orleans Second Line.
(504 words)
Task 8:
We've been waiting for that breakout season in Philadelphia for a couple of seasons now. Filled with talent at every position, it's been a rough go of it. After a dog fight of a season this time around, we finally grabbed a playoff spot, but the skin of our teeth. We were so excited to finally see all the hard work mean something. We put a great fight on the road against the defending champions, the Yeti, but we fell just short of the victory. Next season brings about our biggest chance at becoming the favourites for the Ultimus Trophy.
Next season, I think we've narrowed down where to improve. First things first, we need to improve the offensive line. Once again, quarterback Brock Phoenix was under siege almost every play, having to scramble away from missed blocks and either throwing on the run or getting sacked. The Liberty line gave up the second most sacks in the league, letting Phoenix take 34 hits to the ground. Staying with the offense, the running backs held their own, but there is room for improvement at the wide receiver spots. The Liberty are hoping that their young receivers can develop more speed in their skill set. There was times when you noticed that a lack of foot speed stopped them from getting separation from their coverage. Getting a speedier receiver in there could open up the field for Phoenix and the other receivers.
Looking at the defence, it was outstanding this season. They were top 3 in the league in every category, except one, and that's where the next improvement needs to come. The only hole in the Liberty defense was in the secondary. They were 9th in the league in receiving yards given up and found themselves giving up some big plays down the field too many times. The good thing for Philly is the improvement should come from within as they are still young at the position and the current crew will almost assuredly get better in the off-season.
Finally, the biggest improvement that the team needs right now is in it's quarterback. Phoenix has been underwhelming so far in his career, but it's not lack of trying. It just hasn't come together on the field the way he has wanted. Next season is his final chance to show the Liberty what he's made of. He needs to push the ball down the field more and learn not to check down the ball as much. Too many times on 3rd down Brock would throw the ball 2 yards and making his receiver make up the remaining yards. He needs to be more aggressive and start slinging the ball all around the field and wear out the opposing defense. If Brock can finally take the big step in his career, Philadelphia will be the leading contender for the Ultimus Trophy in Season 24.
(482 words)
The Austin Copperheads journey to the playoffs this season was quite an up and down affair. There was some bright spots, but a big dark spot that they almost got sucked in. Luckily for them, they found a way out and a way in to the playoffs. Let's see how they got there.
Austin came into the season loaded on offense with some big name weapons. At quarterback they had Easton Cole, a franchise player and always near the top in quarterback rankings. At the skill positions, they had running back Mako Mendonca and wide receivers Net Gaines and Rod Tidwell. They were easily one of the most deep offensive group in the league so there was high hopes that they would carry them this season. It started out well, winning their opening game and going on to win 4 of their first 6 games, giving them a 4-2 record. The biggest win in that stretch was a Week 4 victory against the Outlaws, a team they would battle for the final playoff spot. After splitting the next 2 games, they went 5-3 into the middle stretch of the season and feeling good. This is where things took that downward route. The Copperheads went on to lose their next 4 games, capped off with an embarrassing 40-3 loss against Honolulu. This dropped them to a disappointing 5-7 record and putting them square in danger of missing the playoffs. The offense was ice cold and they same themselves dropping behind Arizona for the final spot. After splitting the next two games, the Copperheads would meet the Outlaws in a crucial, season-deciding, match-up. Arizona was 7-7 and Austin was 6-8 going into that game. A win for Arizona clinches the final playoff spot, while Austin would officially be eliminated. The game was in Arizona this time and boy what a thriller it was. Arizona held a 5 point lead late into the 4th quarter, but Austin was driving. They drove down the field against the Outlaws defense, on the road, and got to the 2 yard line, where Make Mendonca powered through and scored what turned into the game winning touchdown to give Austin the huge 16-15 victory. With the victory, Austin and Arizona were tied in the standings, but Austin held the tiebreaker as a result of winning the head-to-head matchup. The final week of the season saw Austin and Arizona both winning and putting them at 8-8, but the two huge wins against Arizona gave Austin the tie-beaker and the final playoff spot.
During the season, they were lead by their offense, but didn't put up the numbers that many expected. They finished in the top 3 in yards in the league, but only 7th in points scored. Their defense had a tough time keeping up as well, finishing in the bottom half of the league in every category. Luckily for them their offense showed up in enough games to drag them into the playoffs and a date with the New Orleans Second Line.
(504 words)
Task 8:
We've been waiting for that breakout season in Philadelphia for a couple of seasons now. Filled with talent at every position, it's been a rough go of it. After a dog fight of a season this time around, we finally grabbed a playoff spot, but the skin of our teeth. We were so excited to finally see all the hard work mean something. We put a great fight on the road against the defending champions, the Yeti, but we fell just short of the victory. Next season brings about our biggest chance at becoming the favourites for the Ultimus Trophy.
Next season, I think we've narrowed down where to improve. First things first, we need to improve the offensive line. Once again, quarterback Brock Phoenix was under siege almost every play, having to scramble away from missed blocks and either throwing on the run or getting sacked. The Liberty line gave up the second most sacks in the league, letting Phoenix take 34 hits to the ground. Staying with the offense, the running backs held their own, but there is room for improvement at the wide receiver spots. The Liberty are hoping that their young receivers can develop more speed in their skill set. There was times when you noticed that a lack of foot speed stopped them from getting separation from their coverage. Getting a speedier receiver in there could open up the field for Phoenix and the other receivers.
Looking at the defence, it was outstanding this season. They were top 3 in the league in every category, except one, and that's where the next improvement needs to come. The only hole in the Liberty defense was in the secondary. They were 9th in the league in receiving yards given up and found themselves giving up some big plays down the field too many times. The good thing for Philly is the improvement should come from within as they are still young at the position and the current crew will almost assuredly get better in the off-season.
Finally, the biggest improvement that the team needs right now is in it's quarterback. Phoenix has been underwhelming so far in his career, but it's not lack of trying. It just hasn't come together on the field the way he has wanted. Next season is his final chance to show the Liberty what he's made of. He needs to push the ball down the field more and learn not to check down the ball as much. Too many times on 3rd down Brock would throw the ball 2 yards and making his receiver make up the remaining yards. He needs to be more aggressive and start slinging the ball all around the field and wear out the opposing defense. If Brock can finally take the big step in his career, Philadelphia will be the leading contender for the Ultimus Trophy in Season 24.
(482 words)