The Dallas Birddogs are rolling right now. They enter week 8 with a 7-2 record. Nothing wrong with that. Several things are working well for the team right now, but the strength of this team is clearly the defense. After an unusually gross showing in week one where they allowed 45 points to the Luchadores, they've given up 17, 26, 17, 13, 0, and 10 points in the six games after. All but one of those games were wins. What's interesting is that while this team isn't leading the league in sacks, fumbles, or Ints, they are in the top half of all those categories. Offensively, this team likes to move the ball through the air, with the second most attempts in the league to the third least in rushing. That's not all that surprising when you have stud receivers like Frost III and Paris-Johnson who are two of the top three receivers in terms of yards right now. While I am in no way biased, it does seem like Dallas may want to spread the ball out more on the ground. So far they've given 105 of the team's 170 carries to a rookie back, while Crane, who is averaging 1.4 more YPC than the rookie, is left with only 38% of the load. Sharing is caring and in this case, would clearly benefit the team.
As Honolulu's General Manager, Head Coach, and Genius Strategist, there are always tiny little things to poke holes in even after a 5-2 start and more recent dominance. That week 7 win against the Otters, we just came out flat. Nova Montagne is playing at MVP candidate level, and she just came up limp noodling it nearly that entire first half, giving up an interception that went for a touchdown. Then when that happens, I see Stetson David taking his helmet off and walking to the sidelines while Jay is running to the end zone. Like, buddy, go tackle him. We have a world class defense that can prevent points getting on the board. And speaking of defense, they've given up no more than 2 touchdowns in the previous 6 games, and suddenly they want to allow a 2nd year quarterback chew them up like he's Joey Chestnut. IceBear's special teams decision making has been atrocious as well, to say the least. Like, I know Ray Ray is the reigning kicker of the year, but you think he's gonna make 70 yarders now? C'mon man.
The Dallas Birddogs started off the season slow but have been steadily improving culminating in four straight wins punctuated by a 29-0 win over Kansas City and a 38-10 win over London. This has put us in 2nd place, one game behind Tijuana, and now we control our own destiny over the back half of the season in order to make the playoffs.
What stands in our way? Our next game, a rematch versus Tijuana who obliterated us 45-0 in week 1. It was an embarrassing game in which the Luchadores out gained us on the ground 220 - 26. As the season has progressed, Tijuana has leaned on their four headed running game to steamroll opponents en route to a league high 164.4 rushing yards per game. The Birddogs on the other hand have struggled to stop the run allowing 115 yards per game (ranked 5th in the league). In order for the Birddogs to overcome the obstacle that is Tijuana, the run defense needs to step it up. Stopping the run and making teams one dimensional, will play into the Birddogs strengths. DSFL S43 Draft - Round 4 Pick 30
ISFL S44 Draft - Round 1 Pick 12
S43 DSFL Pro Bowl
S44 DSFL Pro Bowl
S45 All Rookie Team
S48 ISFL Pro Bowl
S48 ISFL 2nd Team All-Pro
S49 ISFL Pro Bowl
S49 ISFL 1st Team All-Pro
Gemini Media Awards
14 Gemini Nominations
Best Article (Limited) - S43 "Do Penalties Really Matter?"
Best Author - S43, S44
Over the past few games, the Sarasota Sailfish have put the league on notice. Wins against Baltimore, Arizona, and New York are definitely statements that the Sailfish have a team that could make a run in the playoffs. The biggest change we've made over the last few games has been doubling down on our almost 1300 TPE quarterback; Willier Miller. We decided that an archetype switch for running back Ace Anderson to receiving back, would help make him a little more useful and give Miller another option to pass to and boy, has it worked. Defenses have had to take note of Anderson's ability to gain yardage after a reception and it has opened up the lanes for wide receivers Johnny Blaze Jr, Thomas Robinson, Rockbot Rockbo and tight end Lucius. After all, why would we not lean on one of the highest TPE QBs in the league in a pass heavy offense? All the Sailfish is have to do is protect Miller in the pocket and one of his elite skill position players will find the space to reel in a catch.
Watching the Arizona Outlaws play I think there is a few improvements I would love to see them make over the next half of a season. I would like for their offence to score more points. I think they should go about this by scoring more touchdowns because you go up in groups of 7 then and not 3s. So touchdowns is the way to go here along with not fumbling the ball or throwing interceptions.
On the other side of the ball I would like for the defence to concede less points. You could go about this by limiting long drives to just a field goal instead of a touchdown or even better make them fumble the ball or throw interceptions so you get the ball back. These two plans kind of work in with each other cause if you are doing one of them it makes it much easier to do the other also. |
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