Tier 2, Task 7
Looking at the DSFL MVP race, one name immediately leaps out: Crowbar Theeks. The rookie running back for Tijuana has compiled an eyepopping 1,717 yards from scrimmage and 12 total TDs, which both lead the league. Digging beneath these surface level volume stats, however, we find that these were compiled across 356 total touches, with a good but not great 4.7 yards/carry. Furthermore, the Tijuana O-Line led the league in pancakes, calling into question how much of this performance is really attributable to Theeks. And of course, some voters will take issue with Tijuana's final record of 6-8. While I wouldn't fault anyone for using their MVP vote on Theeks, I found a couple alternative names that I think are worth consideration for MVP.
The first is Seawolves QB Suleiman Ramza. Although the Seawolves' QB tandem of Ramza and Luke Skywalker mean that Ramza didn't quite compile the volume stats to jump off the page, from an efficiency standpoint he has an extremely strong case for best QB in the DSFL this season. On 206 snaps, still a very healthy sample size, Ramza lead the league in passer rating and completion percentage and threw 11 touchdowns. That touchdown number is good for second most in the league, beating out several QBs who had 150+ more snaps over the season. The Seawolves have had a great season to this point, and Ramza is a big part of how they've done it.
If you appreciate the efficiency stats but are squeamish about voting for a QB who didn't even take half the snaps for his team, then perhaps Danny King will be a stronger consideration for you. Just like Theeks' volume stats jump off the page, so does King's efficiency. The running back for the London Royals had the highest yards/carry this season of any RB (min. 50 carries). He matched Theeks's 12 total touchdowns on over 100 fewer touches, and was able to compile the 3rd most rushing yards in the league. Beyond that, he did it behind a line that had the 3rd fewest pancakes and most sacks allowed over the course of the season. To top it off, his performance helped the Royals reach the playoffs.
Overall, digging beneath the top-level stats to understand more about the team surrounding each player and the playing environment they operated in, the race becomes much more open. I’m sure at this point there are several other players worthy of consideration beyond the two I’ve highlighted here, but those are the cases that stood out to me during my research into the season.
Word Count: 430
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Tier 2, Task 12
I've now been in the league almost one whole week since joining via the /r/nfl post on Monday, so I'm basically a seasoned veteran by now. The league and all the various processes involved with it have been a lot to take in, but I've really enjoyed learning about what's going on through some combination of (mostly) lurking on Discord, reading some media, and listening to a few podcasts. In particular, the 20 for 20 podcast and the Sylphestri show were really approachable to a newbie while being informative and overall fun to listen to and get a sense of what the league is like.
The majority of my personal interactions with others in the league up to this point have been either asking for help figuring out how things work, or part of the scouting process. In either case, nearly every one has been really pleasant and I have been really impressed with how helpful and open most people in the league have been. I think I have come across well in the one-on-one interactions with scouts from the 4 DSFL teams that I've talked with so far, emphasizing my desire to contribute to a successful defense even if it means fewer personal stats and less glory as a CB. I've been invited into some open locker rooms and have talked a little bit in them, but I find it difficult to stand out among such a large rookie class in the somewhat chaotic environment with everyone trying to be seen. I hope that my steady participation leading up to the draft and my good conversations with scouts will be enough to raise my draft stock, as I think I will be much more comfortable participating after getting more accustomed to the league and being drafted.
In terms of comments on the league, one part that was really exciting in drawing me into participating in the first place was the roleplaying-like quality of creating a backstory, etc. for my player. I've heard from multiple people the analogy of D&D football, and I enjoy that description of it and the types of people who would be excited by something like that. Something that I think could enhance that experience would be a more cohesive worldbuilding behind the league. Like, we're in the year 2039 and the top football league in the world (at least based on the quality of talent being attracted) consists of 20 teams spread out across a lot of small towns between several countries. Despite that, I think everyone has an implicit assumption that college football is mostly unchanged from today. I know that not everyone is as into the roleplaying aspect and writes media/wiki to get money & TPE without too much regard for broader picture and I think that's totally fine. But I think there's a fun unexplored area for people to write about involving this weird football league alternate reality (and I think that part if emphasized could maybe even open up new avenues of recruitment).
Word Count: 502
Looking at the DSFL MVP race, one name immediately leaps out: Crowbar Theeks. The rookie running back for Tijuana has compiled an eyepopping 1,717 yards from scrimmage and 12 total TDs, which both lead the league. Digging beneath these surface level volume stats, however, we find that these were compiled across 356 total touches, with a good but not great 4.7 yards/carry. Furthermore, the Tijuana O-Line led the league in pancakes, calling into question how much of this performance is really attributable to Theeks. And of course, some voters will take issue with Tijuana's final record of 6-8. While I wouldn't fault anyone for using their MVP vote on Theeks, I found a couple alternative names that I think are worth consideration for MVP.
The first is Seawolves QB Suleiman Ramza. Although the Seawolves' QB tandem of Ramza and Luke Skywalker mean that Ramza didn't quite compile the volume stats to jump off the page, from an efficiency standpoint he has an extremely strong case for best QB in the DSFL this season. On 206 snaps, still a very healthy sample size, Ramza lead the league in passer rating and completion percentage and threw 11 touchdowns. That touchdown number is good for second most in the league, beating out several QBs who had 150+ more snaps over the season. The Seawolves have had a great season to this point, and Ramza is a big part of how they've done it.
If you appreciate the efficiency stats but are squeamish about voting for a QB who didn't even take half the snaps for his team, then perhaps Danny King will be a stronger consideration for you. Just like Theeks' volume stats jump off the page, so does King's efficiency. The running back for the London Royals had the highest yards/carry this season of any RB (min. 50 carries). He matched Theeks's 12 total touchdowns on over 100 fewer touches, and was able to compile the 3rd most rushing yards in the league. Beyond that, he did it behind a line that had the 3rd fewest pancakes and most sacks allowed over the course of the season. To top it off, his performance helped the Royals reach the playoffs.
Overall, digging beneath the top-level stats to understand more about the team surrounding each player and the playing environment they operated in, the race becomes much more open. I’m sure at this point there are several other players worthy of consideration beyond the two I’ve highlighted here, but those are the cases that stood out to me during my research into the season.
Word Count: 430
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Tier 2, Task 12
I've now been in the league almost one whole week since joining via the /r/nfl post on Monday, so I'm basically a seasoned veteran by now. The league and all the various processes involved with it have been a lot to take in, but I've really enjoyed learning about what's going on through some combination of (mostly) lurking on Discord, reading some media, and listening to a few podcasts. In particular, the 20 for 20 podcast and the Sylphestri show were really approachable to a newbie while being informative and overall fun to listen to and get a sense of what the league is like.
The majority of my personal interactions with others in the league up to this point have been either asking for help figuring out how things work, or part of the scouting process. In either case, nearly every one has been really pleasant and I have been really impressed with how helpful and open most people in the league have been. I think I have come across well in the one-on-one interactions with scouts from the 4 DSFL teams that I've talked with so far, emphasizing my desire to contribute to a successful defense even if it means fewer personal stats and less glory as a CB. I've been invited into some open locker rooms and have talked a little bit in them, but I find it difficult to stand out among such a large rookie class in the somewhat chaotic environment with everyone trying to be seen. I hope that my steady participation leading up to the draft and my good conversations with scouts will be enough to raise my draft stock, as I think I will be much more comfortable participating after getting more accustomed to the league and being drafted.
In terms of comments on the league, one part that was really exciting in drawing me into participating in the first place was the roleplaying-like quality of creating a backstory, etc. for my player. I've heard from multiple people the analogy of D&D football, and I enjoy that description of it and the types of people who would be excited by something like that. Something that I think could enhance that experience would be a more cohesive worldbuilding behind the league. Like, we're in the year 2039 and the top football league in the world (at least based on the quality of talent being attracted) consists of 20 teams spread out across a lot of small towns between several countries. Despite that, I think everyone has an implicit assumption that college football is mostly unchanged from today. I know that not everyone is as into the roleplaying aspect and writes media/wiki to get money & TPE without too much regard for broader picture and I think that's totally fine. But I think there's a fun unexplored area for people to write about involving this weird football league alternate reality (and I think that part if emphasized could maybe even open up new avenues of recruitment).
Word Count: 502