Tier 2 : Task 12
I’m not completely new to this whole thing, but it’s not something I’ve been involved with for… I’d say… 20 years. Back then it was a WWF spin-off and is actually where my username comes from (can you tell I was a Jericho fan?). From the outset this looks completely different.
So far I have nothing but good things to say about the experience. Whoever put together these user guides – thank you. Can I also take this time to give a special mention to whoever threw together the Wikipedia template. I use excel daily in my work and things like this impress me. You folks have clearly out time and effort into getting the league where it is now so big credit there.
Now in terms of users, let me pull out a few names. Obviously with it being scouting season and me being a rookie I’m pleased to say I’ve been contacted. Sure, each team has a slightly different approach but I want to take time to personally thank iStegosaurz, Darkness Rising, cincyfan96, Maglubiyet, Gucci and TheRocheLimit. I think you’ve all gone that extra mile not only to find out a little bit about my intentions (you have priorities after all) but also a bit about me and that means a lot. You’ve also all looked to offer help and advice, checked that I’m finding my way around or looked to point me to where I need to go when needed. I don’t feel like I have to say what I think you want to hear, I feel like I can be honest when I say I’d need to figure out how much time I can spend here, but that I’ll look to max my TPE and ensure I don’t let the tea down. This is much more than just a simulation game, it’s a real community.
As a UK player I’m not helped with time zones, as a Bengals fan I don’t know good football (what is a playoff?). But I do know good people. Aside from this scouting aspect I’ve also really enjoyed the fun to be had on twitter – there is great banter on there. Shout out to katarn22, Crunk and Montegue; I think we’re going to have a lot more fun with this as draft day approaches and we move into our first seasons!
I’ve yet to be drafted but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m kinda hoping a slide under the radar a little – let someone else take the pressure of being a first rounder. That said, please guys, don’t make me Mr Irrelevant!
Just to close, I’ve been welcomed with open arms, you all seem to look out for each other so lets bring on draft day and get started with this!
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Tier 3 : Task 19
Albert Ruschmann – Defensive End – Rutgers University
The journey is just about to begin for Albert Ruschmann but it may not have even got this far had it not been for the persistence of William Matthews; choir director and assistant football coach at Westfield. It was Matthews who persuaded Ruschmann that he had the right attributes (6ft2” back then) to walk into the team for the fall.
Of course it wasn’t just as simple as that. Ruschmann worked hard on his bulk, putting on 40lbs while playing junior varsity football at linebacker. It was upon moving to defensive end the following season that his stats started to catch the eye; 14.5 sacks helped lead the team through an undefeated season and divisional championship. Then in his senior year it was more of the same; 16 sacks, undefeated season, state championship. The Rusch Man was here to stay.
It was at Rutgers where we were on the same team and I was now able to judge for myself what a talent he is. As a starting defensive end, standing 6ft4” and now weighing 265lbs, Ruschmann registered 12.5 sacks; almost double than he had in the prior season where he’d been on rotation; as well as 16 tackles for loss, recovering 50% of his forced fumbles. He was instrumental in taking us to the bowl that year although we couldn’t quite make it over the line despite holding Duke to less than 50 rushing yards. That said, Ruschmann still made First Team All-Big Ten at defensive end.
In his second season as a first team starter Ruschmann really put his mark on our opponents as we managed to clinch the Jeff Bezos Amazon Bowl. He put up 14.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, recovered 66% of his forced fumbles. He made First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American. Ruschmann really was one of the stars of our team, and I was blessed to play alongside him.
So that brings us to now. We both decided that the time had come to move on and declare for the draft. His stats speak for themselves, you can all see that. But Rusch (I’m still not down with calling you Glitter Critter, man!) is a hell of a team player, a leader on the field and in the locker room, a guy you want to stand beside come game day. You sure as hell don’t want him as an opponent, especially as a QB. Now I expect my man to be drafted high and rightly so. I hope the scouts reading this take note.
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Tier 3 : Task 22
Pro Bowl Activity Ideas
1) Highland Games
Why let the Scots have all the fun? Caber toss, stone put, hammer throw, these are the kind of events which separate the men from the boys. Special kilts to be commissioned using tartans coloured as per team jerseys. Lowest scoring player has to catch the elusive haggis.
My bet for ISLF winner: Orange County Otter FB J Phillips has great speed and fantastic hands for such a tall athlete. That said, I wouldn’t rule out DT C Clemente from the Sarasta Sailfish. For a DT he’s quick and his strength/endurance combo could see him home.
My bet for DSFL winner: DT Y Cloudera from the Dallas Birddogs has a great chance to come out on top here, although I’m expecting London Royals’ LB J Domine to take it down to the wire. Both these players are strong and quick – Domine’s hands may just let him down should the rain come.
2) Bake-off
Sure, football is a game about speed and strength but players need to have the right mental mindset too. Your favourite player may be able to throw 6 TDs in a game, or hit 20 tackles… but can that MVP bake the perfect sponge while tempering chocolate and whisking up some Italian meringue?
My bet for ISLF winner: TE P Larson from the Austin Copperheads. He has a great mixture of speed, handling and intelligence which is ideal for working in a kitchen environment. Hot on his heels may well be RB F Dotson of the Philadelphia Liberty – it could be a close call this one.
My bet for DSFL winner: SS B Blanco from Norfolk Seawoves may be a safe bet here but I’m actually going to back CB R Jackson from the Minnesota Grey Ducks. Solid hands and intelligence combined with agility and endurance suggest he can take the heat of the kitchen.
I’m not completely new to this whole thing, but it’s not something I’ve been involved with for… I’d say… 20 years. Back then it was a WWF spin-off and is actually where my username comes from (can you tell I was a Jericho fan?). From the outset this looks completely different.
So far I have nothing but good things to say about the experience. Whoever put together these user guides – thank you. Can I also take this time to give a special mention to whoever threw together the Wikipedia template. I use excel daily in my work and things like this impress me. You folks have clearly out time and effort into getting the league where it is now so big credit there.
Now in terms of users, let me pull out a few names. Obviously with it being scouting season and me being a rookie I’m pleased to say I’ve been contacted. Sure, each team has a slightly different approach but I want to take time to personally thank iStegosaurz, Darkness Rising, cincyfan96, Maglubiyet, Gucci and TheRocheLimit. I think you’ve all gone that extra mile not only to find out a little bit about my intentions (you have priorities after all) but also a bit about me and that means a lot. You’ve also all looked to offer help and advice, checked that I’m finding my way around or looked to point me to where I need to go when needed. I don’t feel like I have to say what I think you want to hear, I feel like I can be honest when I say I’d need to figure out how much time I can spend here, but that I’ll look to max my TPE and ensure I don’t let the tea down. This is much more than just a simulation game, it’s a real community.
As a UK player I’m not helped with time zones, as a Bengals fan I don’t know good football (what is a playoff?). But I do know good people. Aside from this scouting aspect I’ve also really enjoyed the fun to be had on twitter – there is great banter on there. Shout out to katarn22, Crunk and Montegue; I think we’re going to have a lot more fun with this as draft day approaches and we move into our first seasons!
I’ve yet to be drafted but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m kinda hoping a slide under the radar a little – let someone else take the pressure of being a first rounder. That said, please guys, don’t make me Mr Irrelevant!
Just to close, I’ve been welcomed with open arms, you all seem to look out for each other so lets bring on draft day and get started with this!
*****************************************************************
Tier 3 : Task 19
Albert Ruschmann – Defensive End – Rutgers University
The journey is just about to begin for Albert Ruschmann but it may not have even got this far had it not been for the persistence of William Matthews; choir director and assistant football coach at Westfield. It was Matthews who persuaded Ruschmann that he had the right attributes (6ft2” back then) to walk into the team for the fall.
Of course it wasn’t just as simple as that. Ruschmann worked hard on his bulk, putting on 40lbs while playing junior varsity football at linebacker. It was upon moving to defensive end the following season that his stats started to catch the eye; 14.5 sacks helped lead the team through an undefeated season and divisional championship. Then in his senior year it was more of the same; 16 sacks, undefeated season, state championship. The Rusch Man was here to stay.
It was at Rutgers where we were on the same team and I was now able to judge for myself what a talent he is. As a starting defensive end, standing 6ft4” and now weighing 265lbs, Ruschmann registered 12.5 sacks; almost double than he had in the prior season where he’d been on rotation; as well as 16 tackles for loss, recovering 50% of his forced fumbles. He was instrumental in taking us to the bowl that year although we couldn’t quite make it over the line despite holding Duke to less than 50 rushing yards. That said, Ruschmann still made First Team All-Big Ten at defensive end.
In his second season as a first team starter Ruschmann really put his mark on our opponents as we managed to clinch the Jeff Bezos Amazon Bowl. He put up 14.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, recovered 66% of his forced fumbles. He made First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American. Ruschmann really was one of the stars of our team, and I was blessed to play alongside him.
So that brings us to now. We both decided that the time had come to move on and declare for the draft. His stats speak for themselves, you can all see that. But Rusch (I’m still not down with calling you Glitter Critter, man!) is a hell of a team player, a leader on the field and in the locker room, a guy you want to stand beside come game day. You sure as hell don’t want him as an opponent, especially as a QB. Now I expect my man to be drafted high and rightly so. I hope the scouts reading this take note.
*****************************************************************
Tier 3 : Task 22
Pro Bowl Activity Ideas
1) Highland Games
Why let the Scots have all the fun? Caber toss, stone put, hammer throw, these are the kind of events which separate the men from the boys. Special kilts to be commissioned using tartans coloured as per team jerseys. Lowest scoring player has to catch the elusive haggis.
My bet for ISLF winner: Orange County Otter FB J Phillips has great speed and fantastic hands for such a tall athlete. That said, I wouldn’t rule out DT C Clemente from the Sarasta Sailfish. For a DT he’s quick and his strength/endurance combo could see him home.
My bet for DSFL winner: DT Y Cloudera from the Dallas Birddogs has a great chance to come out on top here, although I’m expecting London Royals’ LB J Domine to take it down to the wire. Both these players are strong and quick – Domine’s hands may just let him down should the rain come.
2) Bake-off
Sure, football is a game about speed and strength but players need to have the right mental mindset too. Your favourite player may be able to throw 6 TDs in a game, or hit 20 tackles… but can that MVP bake the perfect sponge while tempering chocolate and whisking up some Italian meringue?
My bet for ISLF winner: TE P Larson from the Austin Copperheads. He has a great mixture of speed, handling and intelligence which is ideal for working in a kitchen environment. Hot on his heels may well be RB F Dotson of the Philadelphia Liberty – it could be a close call this one.
My bet for DSFL winner: SS B Blanco from Norfolk Seawoves may be a safe bet here but I’m actually going to back CB R Jackson from the Minnesota Grey Ducks. Solid hands and intelligence combined with agility and endurance suggest he can take the heat of the kitchen.