2) League Milestone
Written: This year is the 20th playoff season of the NSFL. In your opinion, what was the most thrilling playoff game of these past years? Give a review of that game and why you consider it to be great.
Graphics: Create a graphic depicting the major stats and performances of your chosen game.
The most thrilling playoff game to me was one with a lot of personal significance. It was the S16 Ultimus in which the Arizona Outlaws defeated the Philadelphia Liberty to win the team’s fourth Ultimus… and their first Ultimus since the controversial first 3 seasons that saw them win the trophy under unfortunate circumstances. This was my first full season as GM and I was extremely proud of the squad we had developed by that point, coming off an extraordinary S15 draft that practically resulted in a total rebuild.
Arizona started off strong, racking up 3 touchdowns in almost 20 minutes. Philly would respond with a touchdown and two field goals and Arizona hit a field goal of their own to end the first half 24-13. Philly rallied, bringing the score to 27-23 by the end of the third quarter. Philly then scored a TD to take the lead in the 4th Quarter and Arizona answered by a Touchdown of their own, the third receiving TD by MVP Jeffery Murphy that game. With only 90 seconds left, the Arizona defense had to step up and hold the Liberty back, but Vander Jones caught a 42-yard pass that looked like it was destined for the end zone. However, CB Lucas Knight came through, tackling him only a few yards from the goal line with 0 seconds on the clock, officially ending the game and securing the victory for his team.
238 Words
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6) Expansion
Written: There have been a lot of new players entering the league recently. If you were in charge of a new expansion team for the NSFL or DSFL, how would you go about it?
Graphics: Create a design for your new team.
As a former GM of a non-expansion team, I think taking on an expansion team would be a fun prospect. In addition to creating your own branding, you would get to put together the building blocks of a team that could be around for a long time. In the most recent NSFL expansion draft, we saw two approaches as the Austin Copperheads targeted a youth strategy while the Chicago Butchers focused on picking up experienced players through the expansion draft and using drafted rookies to supplement their veterans through a “win now” strategy. History has been more kind to the Copperheads as a whole, but win now strategies are always risky and ultimately judged merely on whether or not they were successful. One different coin flip or sim calculation and we could have been calling the original Butchers GMs geniuses, but even though it takes more patience, long-term team-building is the more consistent strategy.
Were I to run or advise an expansion team, I’d encourage them to go for youth, particularly a promising young QB and 1-2 WRs or other receivers (TEs, Receiving Backs, etc.) . My experience as a young QB was that having a great receiver can help out drastically and pairing together a QB with a WR of similar age and dedication is a recipe for offensive success. I’d also invest in young defenders, especially on the D-Line and Linebackers to establish a strong front seven. Ideally, I’d also seek out some veteran FAs to help out at RB and DBs. The offense would lean on the rushing attack the first few seasons (hopefully with a strong O-Line) while the DBs would try to help create takeaways and take some of the pressure off of the rest of our defense. It takes time to get there and the following 1-2 drafts would be focused on filling holes and replacing the previously mentioned veterans with younger rookies if regression is a threat (which it probably would be); however, nailing that first draft would go a long way toward success.
344 Words
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8) Scouting Report
Written: Write a scouting report for one of the incoming draftees in either the NSFL or DSFL.
Graphics: Create a graphic showing their stats or attributes.
Alright, now for the fun part: My player! Let’s flex on Baby Yoda for a minute. Of course, we’ve all read the awesome media I’ve produced (which as everyone is clearly reading each and every one of these Ultimus responses, right?). So, you know his story. He’s short and green. He comes from a small third world country named after a planet in Star Wars. And he’s pretty much your favorite DSFL prospect. Or at least he should be. But in addition to being cute, he’s actually surprisingly good at football. Currently boasting 90 speed, 70 strength, agility, hands, and endurance, he’s practically ready for the big league. He could use some higher hands and endurance and that 90 speed cap will hurt him as a pure running back, but Yoda is a versatile weapon that can benefit almost any team, whether they deploy him as a receiver, blocker, or part of a RBBC. He was one of the top rushers in the DSFL last season, coming in 2nd overall and holding claim to the most rushing yards by any rookie. He didn’t have double-digit touchdowns like Cardrissian or fellow Grey Duck RB Brehio, but Yoda has drastically increased his strength in the offseason, helping prepare him for more rushing attempts in the red zone. Yoda also has a reputation as a team player and will be an asset to whatever team picks him up through the draft.
238 Words
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9) Brotherly Love
Written: We always talk about what teams and players are our rivals. This season, give me what team or player you have a soft spot for.
It’s probably no surprise that I’d love the opportunity to return to the Arizona Outlaws. I absolutely loved being their GM and only stepped down out of the blue due to carrying too heavy of an IRL workload. But whether they re-draft me or not, I’ll remain fond of them. The team is full of great people that I will dearly miss. Saba, Opera, Moose, Soulja, Ven, Shane, & Roly were all great teammates that I will miss dearly. And both Unicorn and Drizzy have shown me that they have the passion and wisdom to lead the team forward. I’m truly excited for their future and will be rooting for them from afar if it comes to that. Of course, I’ll also be pulling for my new team if I end up somewhere elsewhere else, but it was a bittersweet exit as I left behind the team that meant so much to me in order to ensure that they ended up in the right hands.
The Outlaws took a dive last season, mostly thanks to the consequences of a few “win now” moves on behalf of yours truly. But they also hit some big steals in the recent drafts and I think they are on the right path. I can’t put over that war room enough. They simply needed the right person in a leadership role and fortunately I had the sense to realize that was no longer me. I loved my run, but 7 seasons is a great run on top and I think passing the torch is good for the overall health of the team. In addition to the absolute steal of the draft Drizzy (the co-GM that was drafted #30 last draft), the team also picked up a great DT in evryday, retained former co-GM Moosecop as a LB (and on-going advisor) , and hit big time after soryantyler somehow fell to #21. They also did well in the S18 Draft, taking star QB Jay Cue to replace my former player Andrew Reese as well as Ruff Ruff, who despite going inactive recently, hit the 500 TPE mark and looks to be en-route to becoming the next Slim Shady. And, while he wasn’t technically drafted, the team did trade for Toasty’s WR, meaning they have 3 star earners at WR in Saba, Toasty, and Soryan. That’s one hell of a trio!
394 Words
Written: This year is the 20th playoff season of the NSFL. In your opinion, what was the most thrilling playoff game of these past years? Give a review of that game and why you consider it to be great.
Graphics: Create a graphic depicting the major stats and performances of your chosen game.
The most thrilling playoff game to me was one with a lot of personal significance. It was the S16 Ultimus in which the Arizona Outlaws defeated the Philadelphia Liberty to win the team’s fourth Ultimus… and their first Ultimus since the controversial first 3 seasons that saw them win the trophy under unfortunate circumstances. This was my first full season as GM and I was extremely proud of the squad we had developed by that point, coming off an extraordinary S15 draft that practically resulted in a total rebuild.
Arizona started off strong, racking up 3 touchdowns in almost 20 minutes. Philly would respond with a touchdown and two field goals and Arizona hit a field goal of their own to end the first half 24-13. Philly rallied, bringing the score to 27-23 by the end of the third quarter. Philly then scored a TD to take the lead in the 4th Quarter and Arizona answered by a Touchdown of their own, the third receiving TD by MVP Jeffery Murphy that game. With only 90 seconds left, the Arizona defense had to step up and hold the Liberty back, but Vander Jones caught a 42-yard pass that looked like it was destined for the end zone. However, CB Lucas Knight came through, tackling him only a few yards from the goal line with 0 seconds on the clock, officially ending the game and securing the victory for his team.
238 Words
* * * * * * *
6) Expansion
Written: There have been a lot of new players entering the league recently. If you were in charge of a new expansion team for the NSFL or DSFL, how would you go about it?
Graphics: Create a design for your new team.
As a former GM of a non-expansion team, I think taking on an expansion team would be a fun prospect. In addition to creating your own branding, you would get to put together the building blocks of a team that could be around for a long time. In the most recent NSFL expansion draft, we saw two approaches as the Austin Copperheads targeted a youth strategy while the Chicago Butchers focused on picking up experienced players through the expansion draft and using drafted rookies to supplement their veterans through a “win now” strategy. History has been more kind to the Copperheads as a whole, but win now strategies are always risky and ultimately judged merely on whether or not they were successful. One different coin flip or sim calculation and we could have been calling the original Butchers GMs geniuses, but even though it takes more patience, long-term team-building is the more consistent strategy.
Were I to run or advise an expansion team, I’d encourage them to go for youth, particularly a promising young QB and 1-2 WRs or other receivers (TEs, Receiving Backs, etc.) . My experience as a young QB was that having a great receiver can help out drastically and pairing together a QB with a WR of similar age and dedication is a recipe for offensive success. I’d also invest in young defenders, especially on the D-Line and Linebackers to establish a strong front seven. Ideally, I’d also seek out some veteran FAs to help out at RB and DBs. The offense would lean on the rushing attack the first few seasons (hopefully with a strong O-Line) while the DBs would try to help create takeaways and take some of the pressure off of the rest of our defense. It takes time to get there and the following 1-2 drafts would be focused on filling holes and replacing the previously mentioned veterans with younger rookies if regression is a threat (which it probably would be); however, nailing that first draft would go a long way toward success.
344 Words
* * * * * * *
8) Scouting Report
Written: Write a scouting report for one of the incoming draftees in either the NSFL or DSFL.
Graphics: Create a graphic showing their stats or attributes.
Alright, now for the fun part: My player! Let’s flex on Baby Yoda for a minute. Of course, we’ve all read the awesome media I’ve produced (which as everyone is clearly reading each and every one of these Ultimus responses, right?). So, you know his story. He’s short and green. He comes from a small third world country named after a planet in Star Wars. And he’s pretty much your favorite DSFL prospect. Or at least he should be. But in addition to being cute, he’s actually surprisingly good at football. Currently boasting 90 speed, 70 strength, agility, hands, and endurance, he’s practically ready for the big league. He could use some higher hands and endurance and that 90 speed cap will hurt him as a pure running back, but Yoda is a versatile weapon that can benefit almost any team, whether they deploy him as a receiver, blocker, or part of a RBBC. He was one of the top rushers in the DSFL last season, coming in 2nd overall and holding claim to the most rushing yards by any rookie. He didn’t have double-digit touchdowns like Cardrissian or fellow Grey Duck RB Brehio, but Yoda has drastically increased his strength in the offseason, helping prepare him for more rushing attempts in the red zone. Yoda also has a reputation as a team player and will be an asset to whatever team picks him up through the draft.
238 Words
* * * * * * *
9) Brotherly Love
Written: We always talk about what teams and players are our rivals. This season, give me what team or player you have a soft spot for.
It’s probably no surprise that I’d love the opportunity to return to the Arizona Outlaws. I absolutely loved being their GM and only stepped down out of the blue due to carrying too heavy of an IRL workload. But whether they re-draft me or not, I’ll remain fond of them. The team is full of great people that I will dearly miss. Saba, Opera, Moose, Soulja, Ven, Shane, & Roly were all great teammates that I will miss dearly. And both Unicorn and Drizzy have shown me that they have the passion and wisdom to lead the team forward. I’m truly excited for their future and will be rooting for them from afar if it comes to that. Of course, I’ll also be pulling for my new team if I end up somewhere elsewhere else, but it was a bittersweet exit as I left behind the team that meant so much to me in order to ensure that they ended up in the right hands.
The Outlaws took a dive last season, mostly thanks to the consequences of a few “win now” moves on behalf of yours truly. But they also hit some big steals in the recent drafts and I think they are on the right path. I can’t put over that war room enough. They simply needed the right person in a leadership role and fortunately I had the sense to realize that was no longer me. I loved my run, but 7 seasons is a great run on top and I think passing the torch is good for the overall health of the team. In addition to the absolute steal of the draft Drizzy (the co-GM that was drafted #30 last draft), the team also picked up a great DT in evryday, retained former co-GM Moosecop as a LB (and on-going advisor) , and hit big time after soryantyler somehow fell to #21. They also did well in the S18 Draft, taking star QB Jay Cue to replace my former player Andrew Reese as well as Ruff Ruff, who despite going inactive recently, hit the 500 TPE mark and looks to be en-route to becoming the next Slim Shady. And, while he wasn’t technically drafted, the team did trade for Toasty’s WR, meaning they have 3 star earners at WR in Saba, Toasty, and Soryan. That’s one hell of a trio!
394 Words
Thanks to Jangorhino for the sig.