Byron Blackwell - S22-S25 - Dallas Birddogs CB
Kevin Morrison - S26-S31 - New Orleans Second Line OLB / Honolulu Hahalua DT
Jake Jefferson - S40-
S24 - DSFL CBOTY
S31 Ultimus
The Ultimini is in reach as the dominating Norfolk Seawolves strive for their first Ultimini win ever. With only two games away from total victory, the Seawolves gird their loins for the playoffs, with their ever encouraging QB, Luke Skywalker, at the helm.
The season for the Seawolves have been almost a Cinderella story; with many vital positions, including that of QB, filled by rookies, most DSFL players and fans brushed the Seawolves off as merely in the mode of team building and stat improving. However, it only took one week for the Norfolks to prove their dominance. The first week opened with the defense preventing a single touchdown the entire game. Luke started his DSFL career with 2 touchdowns and 10/14 passes, while wide receiver Kevin Koh started his career with a TD and TE Lewandowski set himself up with an impressive 24 yards. Although week 2 presented a L, weeks 3 and 4 only improved the Norfolk standing, where the defense seemed to meld together into a single, unstoppable unit. Week 3 had Jimbo Jr had 2 sacks and 6 tackles, while hot shots Scott and Brosley each put up 12 impressive tackles. Skywalker again had a touchdown but showed that he had no favorites, spreading out his passes to multiple players. Week 4, Jimbo Jr repeated his wonder with 2 sacks and 8 tackles, while Skywalker put up an insane 3 TDs with Panda and Birscoe getting a TD each. Weeks 5 and 6 showed heartbreaking losses to the Seawolves, but Week 7 brought the Seawolves back, with Luke throwing 2 TDs and Jimbo Jr putting another sack. Week 8 was described as a “defensive masterclass” as the defense put up an insane number of sacks and Luke finally had his first 100+ yard throwing game. Unfortunately, Weeks 9, 10, and 11 ended up with a heartbreakingly close losses to the Coyotes and the Royals, but the team came together in Week 12 as Luke threw for an insane 169 yards and 1 touchdown to destroy the Luchedors 27 to 6. The final 2 weeks of the season, Norfolk showed that there really was no folk like the Norfolk, with every player putting up great numbers, with Suzuki putting up 13 tackles and Skywalker putting up another 100+ yard game in week 11. The Norfolks have spent their season building up their defense and offense and are ready to bring home their first Ultimini tropy! (408 words)
The Birddog season unfortunately came to an end today. But unlinke any ordinary expansion team, we fought hard and performed very well exceeding most expectations. With the NSFL draft coming up soon, Dallas will be forced to fill up many holes to continue their journey towards the Ulitimini. However, there is no fear in the Dallas locker room as Gm's Kyle and Stego will surely get things done. Kyle and Gucci did beyond an excellent job at drafting in last season's DSFL draft. They managed to produce possibly 6-7 players that may get drafted in the first two rounds. I have a lot of hope that they can find the answers to next year's team. In terms of specific needs for the Birddogs next year, they are going to need a lot. From the looks of it, all their runningbacks, tight ends, and offensive linemen are leaving next year. Sources tell me that Monty Jack may choose to stay in the DSFL to help out the Birddogs next year. So look for the Birddogs to find legitimate replacements for those they are loosing. On the defensive side of the ball, I do not think anyone, as of right now, is looking forward to staying another year. So Dallas will once again have to start with a new slate and see if they can replicate the great draft they had last this past season.
One thing that may not be the same however is the locker room. That Birddgo locker room was quite "lit" this year and I do not think that it can be matched by next year's class. I do wish Kyle and Stego best of luck next year and will for sure be rooting for them. Word count: 288 words Thank you to @enigmatic, @Kyamprac, @mithrandir, @Mooty99, and @Number 82 for some of the sigs in this rotator.
What exciting times!
Just last week I was claimed by the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers, now I'm in the middle of a serious run for the DSFL championship. It's a bit unreal at the moment, but nonetheless we need to stay focused, the hardest games of the season are still ahead. Currently, I’m playing a subordinate role during games. Of course, as a running back I want to get touches to help the team. But I understand that I’m still new in league, I need some additional time to find my way around. Also, our depth at running back is extraordinary, Frost and Apollo form the most dynamic RB duo in the whole league right now. It’s a pleasure to work with them and learn from them, especially in this early part of my career. I also want to give a shoutout to the big boys upfront. Our O-line is a crucial part of our offensive system, they are providing outstanding run blocking and pass protection. I think, this will be the decisive factor in the playoffs. If we win the war in the trenches, we can control the game by running the ball and taking time off the clock. Another factor will be discipline, as penalties can force us into passing downs. We need to minimize those risky downs and control the game with rushing. If we can execute these points, we can go all the way!
Myrtle Beach has been a bastion of consistency over the last few seasons in the ever changing, fluid landscape that is the DSFL. Being a perennial playoff contender, and making an Ultimini appearance without winning it all can be a tough pill to swallow, and it absolutely would be if the lockerroom wasnt built the way it is by the GMs. Constant improvement and competition is the culture here in the beach, with one goal, the Ultimini.
Its a tale as old as time, "this season is different", but you see, this time it is different. Mostly down to one key thing. Home field advantage in the playoffs changes everything. Generally it leads to more fluid and smart play, while the noise of the arena and the pressure of being in a hostile environment in the playoffs causes quarterbacks to hold and running backs to get flagged for offensive pass interference. It truely is absurd the difference we see every year while teams are on the road in the playoffs. We know this, because last season it was us. Not this time though. In short, home field advantage will be the difference in Myrtle Beaches Ultimini campaign, and will put us over the top to win it all on the back fo our fans.
Here's the crazy thing. Even though our record might not show it, I strongly believe that this year's New Orleans Second Line is one of the best teams to grace this national simulation football league. Let's start off with the actives. There are literally so many people active on the team that we were unable to call up our farm system to the bigs. Additionally, we've been putting up NUMBERS and we've tested better than the other best NOLA team in history, the one that won the Ultimus. Bullshit by the sim is the only reason why we didn't go undefeated and I will maintain that for my whole life. Even though the sim might screw us over again, I strongly believe that slow and steady win the race but work and talent win the war. I mixed metaphors but you generally understand what I mean: we have so much talent and active TPE on both sides of the ball that it would be ridiculous if we didn't at least make a deep run into this. Plus, with expansion and retirements and the like, my window to win something with this team is at least shuttering a little so hopefully the power of heart will pull us through!
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