As of writing this response, we are currently 6 games into the ISFL season. As a member of the New Orleans Second Line, we are in a pretty good position being tied for the ASFC lead with a record of 4-2. Last season did not end the way we would have liked, being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual ASFC champions in Austin. This sent the Second Line's stock to bottom out, literally, as the Second Line stock value was 3rd lowest in the newly created ISFL Stock Market that opened up in the Casino section of the website. While I question why the stock value was so low, it did not stay low for long as the Second Line started the season 3-0 on the backs of a dominate defense. Following a 0-2 skid, the Second Line picked up a much needed win against the Butchers to give them the tie of the ASFC lead and an increased stock value. This is in complete contrast to the Orange County Otters, who are the reigning ASFC regular season champions but now find themselves at the bottom of the division. Much of this is due to turnovers from the GOAT QB Franklin Armstrong, who has played more like a goat than the GOAT so far this season.
FORMERLY Bud R. Fingers - WR
-S32 DSFL Offensive Rookie of the year
FORMERLY HANK "BEEFQUAKE" STEEL - DT - 2 TIME NSFC PRO BOWLER (S29 and S27)
After six weeks of ISFL action the Chicago Butchers are not living up to their offseason hype. With many predicting Chicago would take their division and even go on to win the ultimus chicago is sitting at a miserable one win and five loss record. After a strong draft it appears that chicago hasn't quite put all the pieces together to have success this season but what exactly needs work?
The easiest thing to identify is the amount of points for, chicago has only scored 86 points this season which puts them second to last on points for. Most other teams are sitting well into the 100's for points scored. To make matters worse they have also allowed themselves to get scored on the second most out of any of the teams in the ISFL. Perhaps the QB play has been lacking? The QB for chicago O'Donnell ®, G. has the third worst Quarterback Rating of 78.5, so the play on offense definitely needs improving in order for Chicago to become a contender. But the biggest thing in my opinion that they need help with is the offensive line. Having allowed 9 sacks in the past 6 games they definitely need to better protect their QB so he can make plays downfield. Perhaps chicago can turn it around, or perhaps they will need to wait another draft until people are high on them again.
So I've been really interested in how poorly the Orange County Otters have performed this season. Sure they ran up the score against us with a series of huge plays on special teams and a few garbage time TDs, but outside of that game they sit at just 1-4. Franklin Armstrong is playing his final season and next year they get a zero XP QB. I'm not so sure that things look bright for these guys in the foreseeable future. One thing that they will need for sure is a second running back, right now Nakamura shoulders a huge load in the running game. Franklin Armstrong won't be there to replace the ground production of a second back this year.
I also think they've had some unfortunate sim luck, but if that really is the case, I would expect to see it even out over the second half of the season. Still I find it hard to look at them right now and say that they're a playoff team. For me NOLA, SJS, and Austin are better than them right now. They're also playing catch up with Honolulu, who is currently looking like we can land between 7 and 9 wins this season, so they may find themselves in 4th or 5th come the end of the season.
The Kansas City Coyotes came off of an Ultimini appearance with high hopes for the 2039 season. The first four weeks of the season has all but dashed those hopes as they have stumbled out of the gates to a 1-3 start. The lone bright spot of the season so far has been a harrowing overtime win against the Luchadores that required a 21 point 3rd quarter and 2 clutch interceptions in the 4th quarter and overtime by S Mac Griddle. Besides that, their stock has been in free fall. Perhaps predictably due to these struggles, the sources of the Coyotes' problems have been abundant, arising on both sides of the ball.
The defense has struggled mightily through the first four games. They are the worst scoring defense in the DSFL, the worst in rushing yards allowed, the second worst in yards allowed, and bottom three in both sacks and turnovers. The rushing defense has especially been a problem in such a run-heavy league as the DSFL, and the Coyotes have yet to figure out a defensive strategy or defensive line rotation that can help sort out this glaring issue. If they hope to improve their stock, they will need to figure out a solution to this issue first and foremost.
While the offense is clearly the strength of the team, it is not without its issues either. While the offense, driven by a league-leading passing attack, has been solid with the 3rd best points scored in the league, the reliance on the pass has also driven a high volume of turnovers. The Coyotes have thrown 5 interceptions, compared to forcing only 3 on defense. 2 of those 3 were the aforementioned interceptions against the Luchadores, which is the only game in which the Coyotes have won the turnover battle. Limiting turnovers will be key to not add more pressure to an already struggling defense.