(Ready to be graded)
Week 2 of the DSFL evened things out quite a bit. The undefeated San Antonio Marshals were dealt their first loss of the season by the Pythons, and the Solar Bears and Coyotes both won their first games. I'm a little late this time, but here are a few of my observations from last week.
1) The Pythons are going to make things difficult for the Marshals
The Pythons and Marshals faced off in weeks 5 and 8 of the DSFL season. Week 5 ended with a comeback drive by the Pythons stalling after a timely sack by Franklin Cooper on 3rd and 15. Week 8 ended quite differently. Down 10-17, the Pythons were able to score 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to get a win against the Marshals at home. The Marshals led in nearly every team category, but had trouble finishing off drives with touchdowns. Their final drive ended on a bizarre throw by Bigsby that was picked off in the endzone by standout DB Emoji, who had the assignment of covering Morgan Marshall out of the backfield.
The Pythons present some matchup problems for the Marshals. Cooter Bigsby and his receiver corps have struggled mightily against the vaunted Python secondary. He has failed to throw a touchdown in both of their matchups. Mister Big Chest and Rob Kleven have been absent from practice for several days now, and it's starting to show on the field, as they simply can't create separation from the Python corners.
One bright spot for the Marshals has been their running game in both of these matchups. Marshall and Vaz have been able to run the ball effectively in both games, and it was a key in their first win. Look for the Marshals to lean on these two if these teams meet in the playoffs.
2) Ludicolo Bigby and Ben Bortboy are giving defenses fits
This dynamic duo has combined for 1526 yards and 9 touchdowns and averaging 5.49 yards per carry. They've carried the Solar Bear offense to both of their wins as Apollo Lange continues to develop. Bigby's blazing speed allows him to get to the edge quicker than almost all LBs. The Solar Bears have been allowing him to get these chances with a lot of off-tackle runs and tosses. Bigby broke off a 83 yard touchdown run in their last win over the Kansas City Coyotes. Once he gets to that second level, he's nearly impossible to catch in space.
Bortboy brings a bit of a different skillset. He still has nice speed, but combines that with the ability to break arm tackles, and a little lateral quickness. The Solar Bears like to run him up the middle, where he can make defenders miss, and make safeties pay for trying to bring him down. He had an incredible run of his own this week, rushing for 78 yards to paydirt.
The combination of these to runners have given Palm Beach a shot at a run to make the playoffs in the second half of the season. As Apollo continues to improve, defenses won't be able to stack the box as much against them. While still a couple games out of the race, the Solar Bears shouldn't be overlooked.
3) After a red-hot start, the Seawolves have cooled down
The Norfolk Seawolves started off a sizzling 3-0, but have had a hard time beating the more experienced teams. The other expansion team outside of the Solar Bears are now sitting at 4-4 and have lost three straight. While there isn't one thing in particular to blame for this skid, their inexperience might be starting to show. This team plays much better when ahead, as they can wear you down with stud RBs Dorfus Jimbo and Apollo Reed. Jay Longshaw has been a decent first-year QB this year, but he does not excel when forced to throw from behind for most of the game. The Pythons showed this in week 6, holding him to a 54.2 passer rating as he went 15/33 for only 113 yards. The Pythons brought consistent pressure and forced him into short checkdowns or incompletions for most of the game. The Seawolves couldn't rely on their running back duo as they faced a lot of 3rd and longs. The Seawolves defense will need to step up as well down the stretch, as they need to hold on to their playoff spot, being able to play from ahead will significantly help them maintain their #2 slot in the NFC North.
Bonus) The end of the Ryan Leaf Jr. Quarterback Era
Ryan Leaf Jr. announced last week that he had demanded a trade. Their had been several reports of a QB controversy in Kansas City between he and Rose Jenkins. The Coyotes have struggled mightily this season, as they hold the worst record in the DSFL. The KCC GMs granted Leaf's request, sending him packing to the Seawolves for a pick. This will free them up to play their 250 TPE QB full-time, and should allow them to be a little more competitive in the second half of the season.
Leaf Jr. also announced that he would no longer be playing QB, as he would be switching to defensive tackle. Leaf's time at quarterback was brief, possibly peaking with an 87 yard TD in the now somewhat meaningless Prospect Bowl. He was quick, but lacked the arm talent to be effective in the DSFL. This makes the switch to DT make a little more sense. Leaf Jr. was seen arriving at the Norfolk facilities having ballooned to 310 pounds. Health concerns and weight gain methods aside, he seems ready to switch to the other side of the ball. We might have to wait until Leaf's tell-all memoir is written years down the road to know all of the details, but realistically he will probably just spill it all in the general Discord at some point. Time will tell if he can help a Norfolk rush defense down the stretch. We'll get to see him matchup against his arch-nemesis Jenkins tomorrow night.
Week 2 of the DSFL evened things out quite a bit. The undefeated San Antonio Marshals were dealt their first loss of the season by the Pythons, and the Solar Bears and Coyotes both won their first games. I'm a little late this time, but here are a few of my observations from last week.
1) The Pythons are going to make things difficult for the Marshals
The Pythons and Marshals faced off in weeks 5 and 8 of the DSFL season. Week 5 ended with a comeback drive by the Pythons stalling after a timely sack by Franklin Cooper on 3rd and 15. Week 8 ended quite differently. Down 10-17, the Pythons were able to score 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to get a win against the Marshals at home. The Marshals led in nearly every team category, but had trouble finishing off drives with touchdowns. Their final drive ended on a bizarre throw by Bigsby that was picked off in the endzone by standout DB Emoji, who had the assignment of covering Morgan Marshall out of the backfield.
The Pythons present some matchup problems for the Marshals. Cooter Bigsby and his receiver corps have struggled mightily against the vaunted Python secondary. He has failed to throw a touchdown in both of their matchups. Mister Big Chest and Rob Kleven have been absent from practice for several days now, and it's starting to show on the field, as they simply can't create separation from the Python corners.
One bright spot for the Marshals has been their running game in both of these matchups. Marshall and Vaz have been able to run the ball effectively in both games, and it was a key in their first win. Look for the Marshals to lean on these two if these teams meet in the playoffs.
2) Ludicolo Bigby and Ben Bortboy are giving defenses fits
This dynamic duo has combined for 1526 yards and 9 touchdowns and averaging 5.49 yards per carry. They've carried the Solar Bear offense to both of their wins as Apollo Lange continues to develop. Bigby's blazing speed allows him to get to the edge quicker than almost all LBs. The Solar Bears have been allowing him to get these chances with a lot of off-tackle runs and tosses. Bigby broke off a 83 yard touchdown run in their last win over the Kansas City Coyotes. Once he gets to that second level, he's nearly impossible to catch in space.
Bortboy brings a bit of a different skillset. He still has nice speed, but combines that with the ability to break arm tackles, and a little lateral quickness. The Solar Bears like to run him up the middle, where he can make defenders miss, and make safeties pay for trying to bring him down. He had an incredible run of his own this week, rushing for 78 yards to paydirt.
The combination of these to runners have given Palm Beach a shot at a run to make the playoffs in the second half of the season. As Apollo continues to improve, defenses won't be able to stack the box as much against them. While still a couple games out of the race, the Solar Bears shouldn't be overlooked.
3) After a red-hot start, the Seawolves have cooled down
The Norfolk Seawolves started off a sizzling 3-0, but have had a hard time beating the more experienced teams. The other expansion team outside of the Solar Bears are now sitting at 4-4 and have lost three straight. While there isn't one thing in particular to blame for this skid, their inexperience might be starting to show. This team plays much better when ahead, as they can wear you down with stud RBs Dorfus Jimbo and Apollo Reed. Jay Longshaw has been a decent first-year QB this year, but he does not excel when forced to throw from behind for most of the game. The Pythons showed this in week 6, holding him to a 54.2 passer rating as he went 15/33 for only 113 yards. The Pythons brought consistent pressure and forced him into short checkdowns or incompletions for most of the game. The Seawolves couldn't rely on their running back duo as they faced a lot of 3rd and longs. The Seawolves defense will need to step up as well down the stretch, as they need to hold on to their playoff spot, being able to play from ahead will significantly help them maintain their #2 slot in the NFC North.
Bonus) The end of the Ryan Leaf Jr. Quarterback Era
Ryan Leaf Jr. announced last week that he had demanded a trade. Their had been several reports of a QB controversy in Kansas City between he and Rose Jenkins. The Coyotes have struggled mightily this season, as they hold the worst record in the DSFL. The KCC GMs granted Leaf's request, sending him packing to the Seawolves for a pick. This will free them up to play their 250 TPE QB full-time, and should allow them to be a little more competitive in the second half of the season.
Leaf Jr. also announced that he would no longer be playing QB, as he would be switching to defensive tackle. Leaf's time at quarterback was brief, possibly peaking with an 87 yard TD in the now somewhat meaningless Prospect Bowl. He was quick, but lacked the arm talent to be effective in the DSFL. This makes the switch to DT make a little more sense. Leaf Jr. was seen arriving at the Norfolk facilities having ballooned to 310 pounds. Health concerns and weight gain methods aside, he seems ready to switch to the other side of the ball. We might have to wait until Leaf's tell-all memoir is written years down the road to know all of the details, but realistically he will probably just spill it all in the general Discord at some point. Time will tell if he can help a Norfolk rush defense down the stretch. We'll get to see him matchup against his arch-nemesis Jenkins tomorrow night.