01-19-2021, 12:43 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-19-2021, 08:12 AM by Asked Madden.)
This season was bittersweet for the New Orleans Second Line. We made it to the Ultimus Bowl, won our first playoff games since our S21 Ultimus victory, and beat our biggest rivals, the Orange County Otters, in the playoffs to complete a 3-0 sweep of them on the season. On the other hand, we got blown out in the Ultimus by the Wraiths, giving up 49 consecutive points after jumping out to an early 10-0 lead. While reflecting on our successful season, I noticed that two of our offensive playmakers, running back Mike Rotchburns and wide receiver Ed Barker, had remarkable efficiency compared to their peers. The fantastic play of these two players were vital for our success on offense this season. I was curious just how good they had been in terms of efficiency compared to other players in league history, and thus, this article was born. In this article I will list all of the running backs in league history who had at least 5 yards per carry and wide receivers who had at least 20 yards per reception. I argue that the S26 seasons completed by Barker and Rotchburns are the most impressive displays of efficiency in league history at their respective positions.
Season 1:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - A. Bennett - YKW - 1 catch, 21 yards, 21.0 YPR, 0 TDs.
Season 2:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 3:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 4:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Robert Phelps - OCO - 72 catches, 1601 yards, 22.2 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 5:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Bradley Westfield - OCO - 79 catches, 1756 yards, 22.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
Season 6:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Shane Weston - SJS - 62 catches, 1300 yards, 21.0 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 7:
5+ YPC RB - Conall O'Sullivan - NOLA - 5 rushes, 28 yards, 5.6 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 8:
5+ YPC RB - Cesar Milan - YKW - 6 rushes, 30 yards, 5 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 9:
5+ YPC RB - Bubba Nuck - BAL - 32 rushes, 163 yards, 5.1 YPC, 6 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 10:
5+ YPC RB - Willie Nyquist - COL - 1 rush, 10 yards, 10.0 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Daniel Kroetch - COL - 23 rushes, 116 yards, 5.0 YPC, 1 TD.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 11:
5+ YPC RB - Willie Nyquist - COL - 2 rushes, 13 yards, 6.5 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Antonio Summer - YKW - 164 rushes, 897 yards, 5.5 YPC, 5 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Conall O'Sullivan - PHI - 43 rushes, 217 yards, 5.0 YPC, 1 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 12:
5+ YPC RB - Thomas Carrasco - YKW - 75 rushes, 397 yards, 5.3 YPC, 2 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Rickey Adams - OCO - 161 rushes, 842 yards, 5.2 YPC, 9 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Antonio Summer - BAL - 228 rushes, 1132 yards, 5.0 YPC, 10 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Vladimir Fyodorovich - NOLA - 81 catches, 1637 yards, 20.2 YPR, 10 TDs.
Season 13:
5+ YPC RB - Owen Taylor - BAL - 3 rushes, 19 yards, 6.3 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Rickey Adams - OCO - 136 rushes, 737 yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Jordan von Matt - PHI - 60 catches, 1305 yards, 21.8 YPC, 9 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Kazimir Oles - SJS - 62 catches, 1242 yards, 20 YPC, 13 TDs.
Season 14:
5+ YPC RB - Mark Grau - COL - 43 rushes, 233 yards, 5.4 YPC, 1 TD.
5+ YPC RB - Borro Gore - AZ - 41 rushes, 205 yards, 5 YPC, 2 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Tyler Swift - NOLA - 62 catches, 1308 yards, 21.1 YPR, 8 TDs.
Season 15:
5+ YPC RB - Owen Taylor - BAL - 2 rushes, 15 yards, 7.5 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Seer Zephyrous - OCO - 78 rushes, 453 yards, 5.8 YPC, 3 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Jerod Canton - YKW - 98 rushes, 532 yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Kazimir Oles - SJS - 61 catches, 1248 yards, 20.5 YPC, 6 TDs.
Season 16:
5+ YPC RB - Mark Grau - COL - 12 rushes, 62 yards, 5.2 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Sunnycursed - OCO - 59 catches, 1326 yards, 22.5 YPR, 8 TDs.
Season 17:
5+ YPC RB - Seer Zephyrous - AZ - 17 rushes, 90 yards, 5.3 YPC, 1 TD.
5+ YPC RB - Fast Boija - SJS - 32 rushes, 159 yards, 5 YPC, 2 TD.
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 61 catches, 1232 yards, 20.2 YPR, 10 TD.
Season 18:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 58 catches, 1176 yards, 20.3 YPR, 8 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Rod Tidwell - AUS - 53 catches, 1060 yards, 20.0 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 19:
5+ YPC RB - Fast Boija - SJS - 10 rushes, 61 yards, 6.1 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Charles Allan - AZ - 40 rushes, 219 yards, 5.5 YPC, 2 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 20:
5+ YPC RB - Fuzzy Dotson - PHI - 18 rushes, 108 yards, 6.0 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Deondre Thomas-Fox - SJS - 38 rushes, 785 yards, 20.7 YPR, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Saba Donut - AZ - 63 catches, 1258 yards, 20.0 YPR, 10 TDs.
Season 21:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Ahri Espeeyeeseetee - CHI - 31 catches, 688 yards, 22.2 YPR, 1 TD.
20+ YPR WR - Bona'beri Jones - NOLA - 39 catches, 847 yards, 21.7 YPR, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 55 catches, 1113 yards, 20.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
Season 22:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 23:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
[b]20+ YPR WR - N/A[/b]
[b]Season 24:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - N/A[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Michael Witheblock - SAR - 63 catches, 1312 yards, 20.8 YPR, 8 TDs.[/b]
[b]Season 25:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - N/A[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - N/A[/b]
[b]Season 26:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - Mike Rotchburns - NOLA - 202 rushes, 1067 yards, 5.3 YPC, 7 TDs.[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - Bronko Mills - OCO - 117 rushes, 596 yards, 5.1 YPC, 5 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Raphael Delacour - CHI - 5 catches, 120 yards, 24.0 YPR, 0 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Ed Barker - NOLA - 59 catches, 1410 yards, 23.9 YPR, 4 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Michael Witheblock - SAR - 79 catches, 1622 yards, 20.5 YPR, 9 TDs.[/b]
[b]Analysis:[/b]
In total, when we remove the low sample size candidates, there were only six players with at least 100 carries and 5.0 YPC. Rickey Adams and Antonio Summer both achieved this feat twice from S11 to S13, and rookies Rotchburns and Mills accomplished this feat in S26. Of those six seasons, only Antonio Summer's two seasons can rival watch Rotchburns did this year.
Summer's S11: 164 rushes, 897 yards, 5.5 YPC, 5 TDs.
Summer's S12: 228 rushes, 1132 yards, 5.0 YPC, 10 TDs.
Rotchburns S26: 202 rushes, 1067 yards, 5.3 YPC, 7 TDs.
Summer had a season over 5 YPC with more rushing yards in S12, and with a higher average in S11. Whichever one decides is most efficient, Rotchburns holds the title for the most yards per carry in a season with at least 200 rushes in league history.
There were many more receivers who hit the 20+ yards per reception benchmark. Using 50 receptions as a useful benchmark, we see that 17 times a player has maintained an average of 20 yards per catch and passed 1000 receiving yards. Robert Phelps, Bradley Westfield, Shane Weston, Vladimir Fyodorovich, Jordan von Matt, Kazimir Oles twice, Tyler Swift, Sunnycursed, Errol Maddox thrice, Rod Tidwell, Saba Donut, Michael Witheblock twice, and Ed Barker all accomplished this great achievement. Of those 17 occurences, only 4 had at least 22 yards per reception:
S4 Robert Phelps - OCO - 72 catches, 1601 yards, 22.2 YPR, 12 TDs.
S5 Bradley Westfield - OCO - 79 catches, 1756 yards, 22.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
S16 Sunnycursed - OCO - 59 catches, 1326 yards, 22.5 YPR, 8 TDs.
S26 Ed Barker - NOLA - 59 catches, 1410 yards, 23.9 YPR, 4 TDs.
Now, I will not claim that Barker had the best season on this list. In fact, his low touchdown total keeps his S26 season from being an all-time great receiving season. However, in terms of efficiency, Barker had such an insanely good season that nothing else even compares. He had the same number of catches as Sunnycursed did in S16, the second-most efficient receiving season in league history, and had 84 more yards! His 23.9 yards per reception makes him easily the most dangerous deep threat in league history. Both Rotchburns and Barker had historically great seasons, though they were not recognized by awards voters, as Barker failed to receive a nomination and Rotchburns placed fourth in offensive rookie of the year. This was due in large part to their relatively low touchdown numbers compared to their peers. However, they both played incredibly well, moving the football down the field, and contributed greatly towards setting up their teammate, Marcella Toriki, who scored combined touchdowns in her final season with the Second Line. Despite losing the Ultimus, the Second Line have a lot to be proud of from last season. They had the best defense in the league, the defensive player of the year, the leading touchdown scorer, and Barker and Rotchburns, easily the most efficient duo in league history. DOOT DOOT!
Season 1:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - A. Bennett - YKW - 1 catch, 21 yards, 21.0 YPR, 0 TDs.
Season 2:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 3:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 4:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Robert Phelps - OCO - 72 catches, 1601 yards, 22.2 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 5:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Bradley Westfield - OCO - 79 catches, 1756 yards, 22.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
Season 6:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Shane Weston - SJS - 62 catches, 1300 yards, 21.0 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 7:
5+ YPC RB - Conall O'Sullivan - NOLA - 5 rushes, 28 yards, 5.6 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 8:
5+ YPC RB - Cesar Milan - YKW - 6 rushes, 30 yards, 5 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 9:
5+ YPC RB - Bubba Nuck - BAL - 32 rushes, 163 yards, 5.1 YPC, 6 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 10:
5+ YPC RB - Willie Nyquist - COL - 1 rush, 10 yards, 10.0 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Daniel Kroetch - COL - 23 rushes, 116 yards, 5.0 YPC, 1 TD.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 11:
5+ YPC RB - Willie Nyquist - COL - 2 rushes, 13 yards, 6.5 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Antonio Summer - YKW - 164 rushes, 897 yards, 5.5 YPC, 5 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Conall O'Sullivan - PHI - 43 rushes, 217 yards, 5.0 YPC, 1 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 12:
5+ YPC RB - Thomas Carrasco - YKW - 75 rushes, 397 yards, 5.3 YPC, 2 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Rickey Adams - OCO - 161 rushes, 842 yards, 5.2 YPC, 9 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Antonio Summer - BAL - 228 rushes, 1132 yards, 5.0 YPC, 10 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Vladimir Fyodorovich - NOLA - 81 catches, 1637 yards, 20.2 YPR, 10 TDs.
Season 13:
5+ YPC RB - Owen Taylor - BAL - 3 rushes, 19 yards, 6.3 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Rickey Adams - OCO - 136 rushes, 737 yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Jordan von Matt - PHI - 60 catches, 1305 yards, 21.8 YPC, 9 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Kazimir Oles - SJS - 62 catches, 1242 yards, 20 YPC, 13 TDs.
Season 14:
5+ YPC RB - Mark Grau - COL - 43 rushes, 233 yards, 5.4 YPC, 1 TD.
5+ YPC RB - Borro Gore - AZ - 41 rushes, 205 yards, 5 YPC, 2 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Tyler Swift - NOLA - 62 catches, 1308 yards, 21.1 YPR, 8 TDs.
Season 15:
5+ YPC RB - Owen Taylor - BAL - 2 rushes, 15 yards, 7.5 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Seer Zephyrous - OCO - 78 rushes, 453 yards, 5.8 YPC, 3 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Jerod Canton - YKW - 98 rushes, 532 yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Kazimir Oles - SJS - 61 catches, 1248 yards, 20.5 YPC, 6 TDs.
Season 16:
5+ YPC RB - Mark Grau - COL - 12 rushes, 62 yards, 5.2 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Sunnycursed - OCO - 59 catches, 1326 yards, 22.5 YPR, 8 TDs.
Season 17:
5+ YPC RB - Seer Zephyrous - AZ - 17 rushes, 90 yards, 5.3 YPC, 1 TD.
5+ YPC RB - Fast Boija - SJS - 32 rushes, 159 yards, 5 YPC, 2 TD.
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 61 catches, 1232 yards, 20.2 YPR, 10 TD.
Season 18:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 58 catches, 1176 yards, 20.3 YPR, 8 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Rod Tidwell - AUS - 53 catches, 1060 yards, 20.0 YPR, 12 TDs.
Season 19:
5+ YPC RB - Fast Boija - SJS - 10 rushes, 61 yards, 6.1 YPC, 0 TDs.
5+ YPC RB - Charles Allan - AZ - 40 rushes, 219 yards, 5.5 YPC, 2 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 20:
5+ YPC RB - Fuzzy Dotson - PHI - 18 rushes, 108 yards, 6.0 YPC, 0 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Deondre Thomas-Fox - SJS - 38 rushes, 785 yards, 20.7 YPR, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Saba Donut - AZ - 63 catches, 1258 yards, 20.0 YPR, 10 TDs.
Season 21:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - Ahri Espeeyeeseetee - CHI - 31 catches, 688 yards, 22.2 YPR, 1 TD.
20+ YPR WR - Bona'beri Jones - NOLA - 39 catches, 847 yards, 21.7 YPR, 5 TDs.
20+ YPR WR - Errol Maddox - BAL - 55 catches, 1113 yards, 20.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
Season 22:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
20+ YPR WR - N/A
Season 23:
5+ YPC RB - N/A
[b]20+ YPR WR - N/A[/b]
[b]Season 24:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - N/A[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Michael Witheblock - SAR - 63 catches, 1312 yards, 20.8 YPR, 8 TDs.[/b]
[b]Season 25:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - N/A[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - N/A[/b]
[b]Season 26:[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - Mike Rotchburns - NOLA - 202 rushes, 1067 yards, 5.3 YPC, 7 TDs.[/b]
[b]5+ YPC RB - Bronko Mills - OCO - 117 rushes, 596 yards, 5.1 YPC, 5 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Raphael Delacour - CHI - 5 catches, 120 yards, 24.0 YPR, 0 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Ed Barker - NOLA - 59 catches, 1410 yards, 23.9 YPR, 4 TDs.[/b]
[b]20+ YPR WR - Michael Witheblock - SAR - 79 catches, 1622 yards, 20.5 YPR, 9 TDs.[/b]
[b]Analysis:[/b]
In total, when we remove the low sample size candidates, there were only six players with at least 100 carries and 5.0 YPC. Rickey Adams and Antonio Summer both achieved this feat twice from S11 to S13, and rookies Rotchburns and Mills accomplished this feat in S26. Of those six seasons, only Antonio Summer's two seasons can rival watch Rotchburns did this year.
Summer's S11: 164 rushes, 897 yards, 5.5 YPC, 5 TDs.
Summer's S12: 228 rushes, 1132 yards, 5.0 YPC, 10 TDs.
Rotchburns S26: 202 rushes, 1067 yards, 5.3 YPC, 7 TDs.
Summer had a season over 5 YPC with more rushing yards in S12, and with a higher average in S11. Whichever one decides is most efficient, Rotchburns holds the title for the most yards per carry in a season with at least 200 rushes in league history.
There were many more receivers who hit the 20+ yards per reception benchmark. Using 50 receptions as a useful benchmark, we see that 17 times a player has maintained an average of 20 yards per catch and passed 1000 receiving yards. Robert Phelps, Bradley Westfield, Shane Weston, Vladimir Fyodorovich, Jordan von Matt, Kazimir Oles twice, Tyler Swift, Sunnycursed, Errol Maddox thrice, Rod Tidwell, Saba Donut, Michael Witheblock twice, and Ed Barker all accomplished this great achievement. Of those 17 occurences, only 4 had at least 22 yards per reception:
S4 Robert Phelps - OCO - 72 catches, 1601 yards, 22.2 YPR, 12 TDs.
S5 Bradley Westfield - OCO - 79 catches, 1756 yards, 22.2 YPR, 14 TDs.
S16 Sunnycursed - OCO - 59 catches, 1326 yards, 22.5 YPR, 8 TDs.
S26 Ed Barker - NOLA - 59 catches, 1410 yards, 23.9 YPR, 4 TDs.
Now, I will not claim that Barker had the best season on this list. In fact, his low touchdown total keeps his S26 season from being an all-time great receiving season. However, in terms of efficiency, Barker had such an insanely good season that nothing else even compares. He had the same number of catches as Sunnycursed did in S16, the second-most efficient receiving season in league history, and had 84 more yards! His 23.9 yards per reception makes him easily the most dangerous deep threat in league history. Both Rotchburns and Barker had historically great seasons, though they were not recognized by awards voters, as Barker failed to receive a nomination and Rotchburns placed fourth in offensive rookie of the year. This was due in large part to their relatively low touchdown numbers compared to their peers. However, they both played incredibly well, moving the football down the field, and contributed greatly towards setting up their teammate, Marcella Toriki, who scored combined touchdowns in her final season with the Second Line. Despite losing the Ultimus, the Second Line have a lot to be proud of from last season. They had the best defense in the league, the defensive player of the year, the leading touchdown scorer, and Barker and Rotchburns, easily the most efficient duo in league history. DOOT DOOT!
