8)
The Austin Copperheads are a team that is well on their way to build towards being a powerhouse for years to come. Many see the team is being full of old players and veterans but it has been apparent that they are still a team that is in a good position to be a contender in the league. The past couple of seasons they have lost some key players due to both retirement and the expansion draft. However, they also have gained a lot of great younger athletes that not only offer plenty of upside, but also plenty of leadership to help build the team for years to come. In this league, it has proven that draft capital is not everything. The value of a sure handed solid player is immeasurable and the Copperheads have made a clear effort to go after signing those kind of players in the offseason. Whether it be through trades or free agency, they are willing to keep a more solid core of determined players around their lockerroom rather than risk it for the unknown rookies that there are in drafts. This effort greatly lessens their chances of having busts and also lessens the odds of great players leaving the team for greener pastures. This is because there clearly are not many pastures greener than that of Austin. So, going into this season, the team now will be featuring plenty of young star talent on offense. This is both with their wide recievers as well as the ground game now that Mendonca has retired. This will be coupled with the very experienced quarterback play of Easton Cole. It should couple to make sure that the offense does not lose a step moving forward. I also think that the receiving core can help keep the offense high powered enough for when the departure of Easton Cole eventually does happen. On the Defensive side of the ball, their line is full of valuable talent for many years to come. Probably making them have one of the most valuable lines in the entire league. There is some work that needs to be done in their secondary, with many of their weapons being gone and a very young talent pool in play. They also could use some help in bulking up their linebacking core. However, the GM of the team seems to have a handle on this and will likely address both issues via the free agency. Moving forward, the copperheads will ultimately continue to adapt and remain strong contenders for the next few years to come. They will be a fun team to watch and will constantly be in the mix within their conference.
23)
If our league had a pro bowl skills competition similar to the NFL, it would have to include many different types of games than theirs. The ISFL is full of a lot more skilled athletes that can further push themselves to lengths that the nfl couldn’t imagine. With that being said, I think one thing the ISFL could do is have a beauty pagent. There are all sorts of beautiful creatures and specimens in our league. With the recent competition involving fighting for the love of our commissioner, it makes sense to have a nice way to judge ones beauty. I would say leaving out a kissing competition would be a nice touch though. That is something that could easily get out of hand and the audience would not necessarily be fond of. I also think that having some sort of extreme mini golf could be a good idea. Something like that of Holey-Moley. Our version would allow a lot more violence and interreference when attempting putts. I think the skill set of our players focusing on a putt while having to fend off a tackler would make for pretty good television. Lastly, I think that we would have a chess competition. This would be nice to show off the leagues intellect. Afterall, not everyone can compete in the ISFL.
25)
I think the biggest change that I have seen since being in the ISFL is the previous expansion draft that took place. This would give birth to the Honolulu Hahalua as well as the Sarasota Sailfish. This change caused a huge impact on the growth and regression of current teams in the league. It also would immediately allow the chance for a competitive expansion team. What we have seen so far, especially from the Sarasota Sailfish, is that it is possible to build up an immediate contender. After only their second season, they are now going into their 3rd ever season being what many see as a highly competitive team with a chance at the Ultimus. This has been a huge impact as going into this season, we now have two more expansion teams adding to the mix. Either of these teams could either choose to build for a team to compete in the present or take a more long term approach and draft for a team to build for the future. This is obviously something that will make a huge impact on the league and is especially pertinent given how recently the previous expansion draft had occurred. Only time will tell to see how these next teams will impact the league but I am sure it will cause quite the ripple within the leagues history.
The Austin Copperheads are a team that is well on their way to build towards being a powerhouse for years to come. Many see the team is being full of old players and veterans but it has been apparent that they are still a team that is in a good position to be a contender in the league. The past couple of seasons they have lost some key players due to both retirement and the expansion draft. However, they also have gained a lot of great younger athletes that not only offer plenty of upside, but also plenty of leadership to help build the team for years to come. In this league, it has proven that draft capital is not everything. The value of a sure handed solid player is immeasurable and the Copperheads have made a clear effort to go after signing those kind of players in the offseason. Whether it be through trades or free agency, they are willing to keep a more solid core of determined players around their lockerroom rather than risk it for the unknown rookies that there are in drafts. This effort greatly lessens their chances of having busts and also lessens the odds of great players leaving the team for greener pastures. This is because there clearly are not many pastures greener than that of Austin. So, going into this season, the team now will be featuring plenty of young star talent on offense. This is both with their wide recievers as well as the ground game now that Mendonca has retired. This will be coupled with the very experienced quarterback play of Easton Cole. It should couple to make sure that the offense does not lose a step moving forward. I also think that the receiving core can help keep the offense high powered enough for when the departure of Easton Cole eventually does happen. On the Defensive side of the ball, their line is full of valuable talent for many years to come. Probably making them have one of the most valuable lines in the entire league. There is some work that needs to be done in their secondary, with many of their weapons being gone and a very young talent pool in play. They also could use some help in bulking up their linebacking core. However, the GM of the team seems to have a handle on this and will likely address both issues via the free agency. Moving forward, the copperheads will ultimately continue to adapt and remain strong contenders for the next few years to come. They will be a fun team to watch and will constantly be in the mix within their conference.
23)
If our league had a pro bowl skills competition similar to the NFL, it would have to include many different types of games than theirs. The ISFL is full of a lot more skilled athletes that can further push themselves to lengths that the nfl couldn’t imagine. With that being said, I think one thing the ISFL could do is have a beauty pagent. There are all sorts of beautiful creatures and specimens in our league. With the recent competition involving fighting for the love of our commissioner, it makes sense to have a nice way to judge ones beauty. I would say leaving out a kissing competition would be a nice touch though. That is something that could easily get out of hand and the audience would not necessarily be fond of. I also think that having some sort of extreme mini golf could be a good idea. Something like that of Holey-Moley. Our version would allow a lot more violence and interreference when attempting putts. I think the skill set of our players focusing on a putt while having to fend off a tackler would make for pretty good television. Lastly, I think that we would have a chess competition. This would be nice to show off the leagues intellect. Afterall, not everyone can compete in the ISFL.
25)
I think the biggest change that I have seen since being in the ISFL is the previous expansion draft that took place. This would give birth to the Honolulu Hahalua as well as the Sarasota Sailfish. This change caused a huge impact on the growth and regression of current teams in the league. It also would immediately allow the chance for a competitive expansion team. What we have seen so far, especially from the Sarasota Sailfish, is that it is possible to build up an immediate contender. After only their second season, they are now going into their 3rd ever season being what many see as a highly competitive team with a chance at the Ultimus. This has been a huge impact as going into this season, we now have two more expansion teams adding to the mix. Either of these teams could either choose to build for a team to compete in the present or take a more long term approach and draft for a team to build for the future. This is obviously something that will make a huge impact on the league and is especially pertinent given how recently the previous expansion draft had occurred. Only time will tell to see how these next teams will impact the league but I am sure it will cause quite the ripple within the leagues history.