Welcome to RainDelay's NSFL in Review series! There will be 6 parts to this, one for each team in record/elimination order. I will be looking at the good things, the bad things, and the future scope of each team. I hope to make this a regular thing each season.
So far in the series:
Nothing. This is the first one.
First up is my team, the San Jose SaberCats, who finished in 3rd place in the American Simulation Football Conference this season, which did not allow them to qualify for the playoffs.
San Jose SaberCats
4-10
Third (Last) in ASFC
The Good
No team wants to be the first team mentioned in this series, but that is certainly not to say the San Jose SaberCats were devoid of good. In fact, when you look at quality over quantity, there was indeed a lot of it. While many draft picks taken by this California side did not live up to their expectations, many are on track to meet and even exceed expectations. Offensive lineman Ben Longshaw has rocketed up the ranks since being selected on draft night, and is now a vital member of the front office on this team. Linebacker A.C. Hackett is one of the unsung heroes of this team, much of that due to his rather quiet presence around the community. But he is incredibly dedicated in the training room, with hard work translating to on-field results, as his 93 tackles and 6 sacks show. Bailey Cook has emerged as a standout receiver, tallying over 1000 yards for the season, quickly making a name for himself in the NSFL. Other pass-catchers such as Shane Weston and Break Bottles also had productive seasons, especially given all the quarterback controversy that clouded this team.
The Bad
I mentioned Ben Longshaw as being an important part of this team. Of course he is, as he is growing and training every day, but that's more that can be said for the rest of the O-line, and in fact, most of the D-line, save for Dan Miller. Miller and Longshaw are team leaders, trying their hardest to set an example for the rest of their positional groups, but it didn't really work, as guys such as Daniel Robicheaux, Josh Cameron, Greg Taylor and the converted Tim Tebow have not lived up to the hype. Also, everyone by now knows the story of Jameis Christ, the first player ever to be signed by the San Jose SaberCats, and boy, was that a failed experiment. He "led" them to a 1-7 record in his only eight starts, and was quickly replaced by Ethan Hunt, who they acquired from the Otters, a squad not free of quarterback controversy themselves. With Jameis Christ not updating, and Ethan Hunt expressing desire to leave the team, that is certainly not a positive to think about when putting the season in retrospect.
The Future
Despite all the struggles the SaberCats endured during the league's inaugural season, the future is bright. The core of members is intact, and they will look to keep it together, being able to protect all of the actives in the Expansion Draft. John Canton, Clee Hardrool, Ja Brill and others are key cogs to the defense, and with their updating commitment, should be there for seasons to come. Their biggest free agent target is likely their Season 1 running back Vick Bowers, Jr. who has expressed interest in possibly returning to the team, but will hear offers. If they can get him back, great. If not, that is a need that will have to be addressed. A potential replacement is Ardie Savea, the ex-rugby player who spent some time with the 'Cats during the tail end of Season 1. I trust this management to keep its core intact, and also, possessing the #3 pick in the upcoming draft certainly helps, as they should be able to add a franchise-caliber piece while they are on the clock. Another hot topic is Alexander Selich. If he returns to the league and trains back into form, then he is another major piece of the team's future. If certain things go right, expect the SaberCats to contend for a playoff spot as soon as next season!
So far in the series:
Nothing. This is the first one.
First up is my team, the San Jose SaberCats, who finished in 3rd place in the American Simulation Football Conference this season, which did not allow them to qualify for the playoffs.
San Jose SaberCats
4-10
Third (Last) in ASFC
The Good
No team wants to be the first team mentioned in this series, but that is certainly not to say the San Jose SaberCats were devoid of good. In fact, when you look at quality over quantity, there was indeed a lot of it. While many draft picks taken by this California side did not live up to their expectations, many are on track to meet and even exceed expectations. Offensive lineman Ben Longshaw has rocketed up the ranks since being selected on draft night, and is now a vital member of the front office on this team. Linebacker A.C. Hackett is one of the unsung heroes of this team, much of that due to his rather quiet presence around the community. But he is incredibly dedicated in the training room, with hard work translating to on-field results, as his 93 tackles and 6 sacks show. Bailey Cook has emerged as a standout receiver, tallying over 1000 yards for the season, quickly making a name for himself in the NSFL. Other pass-catchers such as Shane Weston and Break Bottles also had productive seasons, especially given all the quarterback controversy that clouded this team.
The Bad
I mentioned Ben Longshaw as being an important part of this team. Of course he is, as he is growing and training every day, but that's more that can be said for the rest of the O-line, and in fact, most of the D-line, save for Dan Miller. Miller and Longshaw are team leaders, trying their hardest to set an example for the rest of their positional groups, but it didn't really work, as guys such as Daniel Robicheaux, Josh Cameron, Greg Taylor and the converted Tim Tebow have not lived up to the hype. Also, everyone by now knows the story of Jameis Christ, the first player ever to be signed by the San Jose SaberCats, and boy, was that a failed experiment. He "led" them to a 1-7 record in his only eight starts, and was quickly replaced by Ethan Hunt, who they acquired from the Otters, a squad not free of quarterback controversy themselves. With Jameis Christ not updating, and Ethan Hunt expressing desire to leave the team, that is certainly not a positive to think about when putting the season in retrospect.
The Future
Despite all the struggles the SaberCats endured during the league's inaugural season, the future is bright. The core of members is intact, and they will look to keep it together, being able to protect all of the actives in the Expansion Draft. John Canton, Clee Hardrool, Ja Brill and others are key cogs to the defense, and with their updating commitment, should be there for seasons to come. Their biggest free agent target is likely their Season 1 running back Vick Bowers, Jr. who has expressed interest in possibly returning to the team, but will hear offers. If they can get him back, great. If not, that is a need that will have to be addressed. A potential replacement is Ardie Savea, the ex-rugby player who spent some time with the 'Cats during the tail end of Season 1. I trust this management to keep its core intact, and also, possessing the #3 pick in the upcoming draft certainly helps, as they should be able to add a franchise-caliber piece while they are on the clock. Another hot topic is Alexander Selich. If he returns to the league and trains back into form, then he is another major piece of the team's future. If certain things go right, expect the SaberCats to contend for a playoff spot as soon as next season!
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 197
[OPTION]Birthplace: Tallahassee, FL
[OPTION]Number: 18
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION]S1 (SJS): 72 REC - 1062 YDS - 4 TD
[OPTION]S2 (SJS/YKW): 74 REC - 1078 YDS - 6 TD
[OPTION]S3 (YKW):
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]S2 (YKW):
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Career Highlights:
[OPTION]Drafted 9th Overall by the San Jose SaberCats in the S1 Draft
[OPTION]Named to S1 ASFC Pro Bowl Roster
[OPTION]Traded to Yellowknife Wraiths for WR Darren Smallwood and S3 1st Round Pick
[OPTION]Height: 6'3"
[OPTION]Weight: 184
[OPTION]Birthplace: Syracuse, NY
[OPTION]Number: 16
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Height: 6'3"
[OPTION]Weight: 184
[OPTION]Birthplace: Greensboro, NC
[OPTION]Number: 10
[OPTION]===========================================