Tier 2: 8)
When looking towards the future, I think it will be a difficult but rewarding grind upcoming for the Austin Copperheads. Currently, they have been a consistent playoff contender however there is still a pretty solid balance of rising stars and experienced veterans on the squad. However, it is hard to say they have an uphill battle having just fell short of what would’ve been a miraculous Ultimus run. The way the Copperheads can continue to improve is by adding key leaders and players of quality rather than spraying the board and hoping that something sticks. This has been a strategy the team has implemented and has bode well for them in the past. It is most important for the Franchise to continue plugging away and doing just that, as it has clearly worked well so far. As far as cap and free agency signings go, it is probably not too necessary for the team to make a splash at this point. Very soon a few key players will be retired and it is best to wait it out for a year or two and see how the team gels together. Going through the roster, the offense should be pretty impressive this upcoming season. Retaining QB, Easton Cole, who proved to be a force to reckon with. Running backs Mendonca and Jones should be a great one-two punch as well. Mendonca may be hanging up the cletes somewhat soon but having Jones coming into his own will help take off that pressure. Not to mention, their great WR core that is rising up. Having Gaines and Tidwell’s veteran leadership paired with flashy up and comers Jeeta and Videl-San. Once Tidwell passes the torch to Gaines, the Jetta and Videl-San duo will be a fun one to keep an eye on. They are already working out together plenty this off season and you can expect great things in the future. On Defense, they will continue to also bolster a solid squad through the upcoming season. With a stout defensive line having Idlewyld, Egghands, and Claxton; they should be the glue to the squad. Egghands and Claxton are also both fairly young into the league. It has been great seeing them feed off of Idlewyld’s leadership up front. Not to mention dynamic CB duo Lavelle and Mendoza. Also linebacker Edmond is no slouch holding down the middle of the field. This is clearly going to be a team that is solid for the next few seasons and will be one to watch as they continue to come together. Their dynasty is one that the players truly believe in and it will be exciting seeing them build it as time goes on.
(448 words)
Tier 3: 15)
My Favorite non-playoff game this season was Week 15 matchup between the Austin Copperheads and the Arizona Outlaws. Leading up to the game, both squads pretty much knew that it could potentially decide who makes the playoffs. If Austin won, they would just need to win in week 16 to make it. If Arizona would win, they would all but lock up the wildcard seed as well. That set the stage for an epic battle to happen in Arizona. For myself, looking at Slinky Claxton’s past played a huge narrative in this game. He had just been traded from Arizona to Austin in the offseason and was having a pretty decent season on the Defensive Line. For him, this was a big time revenge game opportunity. He would want nothing more than to show the team that traded him what could’ve been. The game was extremely back and forth and a defensive showdown. The score was 10-9, in favor of Austin going into the 4th quarter when Baby Yoda would run in a touchdown to take a 15-10 lead for Arizona. Mendonca would run one in later taking the lead 16-15. With a one point lead, Arizona was moving the ball downfield. Then, with 2:04 left in the game, on a 3rd and 4, Slinky Claxton would make a huge sack on his former team. The next play, MacGregor, former teammate of Claxton, would make the game ending sack. Huge win for Austin and the beginning of what would end up being their run to the Ultimus.
(260 words)
Tier 3: 22)
If the league pro bowl had a skills competition, it would be one of the more thrilling moments of the season. The skills would have to vary demonstrating different key attributes that separate the average player from the star. To demonstrate speed and agility, the players would be playing a game of tag. This is simple enough but would still be pretty fun to watch. For strength, again lets keep it simple and hold an arm wrestling competition. To make things interesting, there would have to be some challenge to demonstrate the strong will of the players. This is where there would be an eating competition. The foods could vary from common hot dogs all the way to the more disgusting such as bugs or cow intestines. Would be a good time watching our athletes attempt to press on with something they are uncomfortable with. I would say one more game to demonstrate teamwork would be a nice addition. Perhaps capture the flag or a game of laser tag. This would be fun to show off communication skills and such. Then in addition to these, we would have the more common skills games that is shown in the NFL competition. As far as performance goes, I think this format would suit a variety of players with varying abilities which would make it more entertaining than just skilled roles. The ASFC would likely come out on top but it would be a pretty close contest.
(244 words)
When looking towards the future, I think it will be a difficult but rewarding grind upcoming for the Austin Copperheads. Currently, they have been a consistent playoff contender however there is still a pretty solid balance of rising stars and experienced veterans on the squad. However, it is hard to say they have an uphill battle having just fell short of what would’ve been a miraculous Ultimus run. The way the Copperheads can continue to improve is by adding key leaders and players of quality rather than spraying the board and hoping that something sticks. This has been a strategy the team has implemented and has bode well for them in the past. It is most important for the Franchise to continue plugging away and doing just that, as it has clearly worked well so far. As far as cap and free agency signings go, it is probably not too necessary for the team to make a splash at this point. Very soon a few key players will be retired and it is best to wait it out for a year or two and see how the team gels together. Going through the roster, the offense should be pretty impressive this upcoming season. Retaining QB, Easton Cole, who proved to be a force to reckon with. Running backs Mendonca and Jones should be a great one-two punch as well. Mendonca may be hanging up the cletes somewhat soon but having Jones coming into his own will help take off that pressure. Not to mention, their great WR core that is rising up. Having Gaines and Tidwell’s veteran leadership paired with flashy up and comers Jeeta and Videl-San. Once Tidwell passes the torch to Gaines, the Jetta and Videl-San duo will be a fun one to keep an eye on. They are already working out together plenty this off season and you can expect great things in the future. On Defense, they will continue to also bolster a solid squad through the upcoming season. With a stout defensive line having Idlewyld, Egghands, and Claxton; they should be the glue to the squad. Egghands and Claxton are also both fairly young into the league. It has been great seeing them feed off of Idlewyld’s leadership up front. Not to mention dynamic CB duo Lavelle and Mendoza. Also linebacker Edmond is no slouch holding down the middle of the field. This is clearly going to be a team that is solid for the next few seasons and will be one to watch as they continue to come together. Their dynasty is one that the players truly believe in and it will be exciting seeing them build it as time goes on.
(448 words)
Tier 3: 15)
My Favorite non-playoff game this season was Week 15 matchup between the Austin Copperheads and the Arizona Outlaws. Leading up to the game, both squads pretty much knew that it could potentially decide who makes the playoffs. If Austin won, they would just need to win in week 16 to make it. If Arizona would win, they would all but lock up the wildcard seed as well. That set the stage for an epic battle to happen in Arizona. For myself, looking at Slinky Claxton’s past played a huge narrative in this game. He had just been traded from Arizona to Austin in the offseason and was having a pretty decent season on the Defensive Line. For him, this was a big time revenge game opportunity. He would want nothing more than to show the team that traded him what could’ve been. The game was extremely back and forth and a defensive showdown. The score was 10-9, in favor of Austin going into the 4th quarter when Baby Yoda would run in a touchdown to take a 15-10 lead for Arizona. Mendonca would run one in later taking the lead 16-15. With a one point lead, Arizona was moving the ball downfield. Then, with 2:04 left in the game, on a 3rd and 4, Slinky Claxton would make a huge sack on his former team. The next play, MacGregor, former teammate of Claxton, would make the game ending sack. Huge win for Austin and the beginning of what would end up being their run to the Ultimus.
(260 words)
Tier 3: 22)
If the league pro bowl had a skills competition, it would be one of the more thrilling moments of the season. The skills would have to vary demonstrating different key attributes that separate the average player from the star. To demonstrate speed and agility, the players would be playing a game of tag. This is simple enough but would still be pretty fun to watch. For strength, again lets keep it simple and hold an arm wrestling competition. To make things interesting, there would have to be some challenge to demonstrate the strong will of the players. This is where there would be an eating competition. The foods could vary from common hot dogs all the way to the more disgusting such as bugs or cow intestines. Would be a good time watching our athletes attempt to press on with something they are uncomfortable with. I would say one more game to demonstrate teamwork would be a nice addition. Perhaps capture the flag or a game of laser tag. This would be fun to show off communication skills and such. Then in addition to these, we would have the more common skills games that is shown in the NFL competition. As far as performance goes, I think this format would suit a variety of players with varying abilities which would make it more entertaining than just skilled roles. The ASFC would likely come out on top but it would be a pretty close contest.
(244 words)