We just passed the midway point of the season and everything is starting to take shape. Here we've got some of my favorites to win each award after 7 games played (spoiler alert, Bucky Barnes for all of them). I'm just going to do the big ones and not every single position because ain't nobody got time for that. Also, no sponsors this time either because our funding got pulled for "real hot takes", whatever the hell that means.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]TOP PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Tough to choose here so I got a game from each side of the ball.
Vladimir Fyodorovich in Week 1, Philadelphia Liberty at New Orleans Second Line
After a disappointing start to his career as a cornerback, he came into Season 10 with a chip on his shoulder. The defending champs were hosting the Liberty, who look poised to pick 1st in the Season 11 draft, and poor Logan Noble was terrorized by Fyodo all game. He recorded 3 tackles, 4 pass defenses, and picked off Noble 3 times, setting a personal season high of interceptions in just the first game of the year. Not only that he collected 82 yards on his 3 kick return chances. Amazing game from the Russian. I'm sure poor Noble still hears DOOT DOOTS as he falls asleep at night...
Borkus Maximus in Week 7, Baltimore Hawks at New Orleans Second Line
In a rematch of last season's Ultimus Game, we had the Hawks in New Orleans where NOLA QB Borkus Maximus had a crazy performance. We all thought this would be a close one but Maximus and NOLA were having none of that as he completed 30 of 42 passes for a league-leading 423 yards and 4 TDs good for an incredible 135.3 QB rating, while 3 of his receivers would finish with at least 100 yards. Insane performance from Maximus against a team that was undefeated to that point in the year.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kolby Deringer, linebacker for the San Jose Sabercats is having himself a fantastic rookie campaign but I think he gets just barely edged out by
Lucari Felix | CB | Philadelphia Liberty
After an amazing season for the Portland Pythons in the DSFL Felix made the jump immediately after being drafted as a part of "The Process" they have going on in Philly. The young corner has been superb in an otherwise abysmal defense. He's currently tied for 3rd in interceptions with 3, has defended 8 passes, and made 31 tackles. He's still looking for his first pick-6, but at the rate, he's going he'll have it by seasons end.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kazimir Oles and Xavier Flash have been great for the Sabercats offense thus far but they, unfortunately, have to compete with:
Marquise Brown | RB | Philadelphia Liberty
Much like his teammate Lucari Felix, Brown is a bright spot in an otherwise bad offense. With the lowly Logan Noble under center, Philly's coaches have decided that keeping the ball on the ground and in Brown's hands is a much better and safer option. Due to this philosophy, Brown is leading the league in both rushing attempts and yards by a massive margin; he's got 225 carries good for 931 yards already just halfway through the year, and 1 touchdown. No one else has touched 800 yards yet.
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Viggo Squanch | WR | Arizona Outlaws
Squanch's play has slowly been building over the years to what we have this season. He had a decent rookie year with King Bronko but then fell off last year with the rookie Fitzpatrick under center but this season it's all come together for him. So far he's accumulated 43 receptions for 589 yards, 8th most in the league, and found the end zone 4 times. This is his first season where he's on pace for over 1000 yards and a new personal record as he's on pace for 8 receiving touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lots of guys have a shot at this one midway through the year like Andre Bly, Jr., Marc Spector, and Haruki Ishigawa to name a few. So far I have it going to
Mason Brown | LB | Orange County Otters
Otters linebacker Mason Brown has put up a stellar season to this point. He's leading the league in a bunch of defensive stats and has been the focal point of a defense that has allowed the 2nd fewest points of everyone. Brown is everywhere and does everything as evidenced by his 70 tackles, 13 sacks, 7 pass defenses, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 fumbles forced. He leads the league in tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles currently and it's going to be hard for anyone to supplant him in any of those categories.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Owen Taylor | RB | Baltimore Hawks
Owen Taylor has been a monster out of the backfield for Baltimore much as he has been his entire career. This year he's been incredibly efficient while racking up tons of scores. On the ground, he's collected 791 yards on just 171 carries, just 0.1 yards behind the leader in terms of efficiency, in addition to getting to the end zone 11 times, 3 more than the next closest rusher. He's also been a great receiving back with 21 catches for 165 yards and another 2 touchdowns. 13 touchdowns in just 7 games for this guy. Crazy.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Borkus Maximus has had himself an amazing season leading the Second Line to what will probably be another Ultimus appearance at least, but if I'm going to be giving the Offensive Player of the Year to Owen Taylor, I think he deserves this one too. I already talked about him so you all know what he's done so far. [/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]TOP PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Tough to choose here so I got a game from each side of the ball.
Vladimir Fyodorovich in Week 1, Philadelphia Liberty at New Orleans Second Line
After a disappointing start to his career as a cornerback, he came into Season 10 with a chip on his shoulder. The defending champs were hosting the Liberty, who look poised to pick 1st in the Season 11 draft, and poor Logan Noble was terrorized by Fyodo all game. He recorded 3 tackles, 4 pass defenses, and picked off Noble 3 times, setting a personal season high of interceptions in just the first game of the year. Not only that he collected 82 yards on his 3 kick return chances. Amazing game from the Russian. I'm sure poor Noble still hears DOOT DOOTS as he falls asleep at night...
Borkus Maximus in Week 7, Baltimore Hawks at New Orleans Second Line
In a rematch of last season's Ultimus Game, we had the Hawks in New Orleans where NOLA QB Borkus Maximus had a crazy performance. We all thought this would be a close one but Maximus and NOLA were having none of that as he completed 30 of 42 passes for a league-leading 423 yards and 4 TDs good for an incredible 135.3 QB rating, while 3 of his receivers would finish with at least 100 yards. Insane performance from Maximus against a team that was undefeated to that point in the year.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kolby Deringer, linebacker for the San Jose Sabercats is having himself a fantastic rookie campaign but I think he gets just barely edged out by
Lucari Felix | CB | Philadelphia Liberty
After an amazing season for the Portland Pythons in the DSFL Felix made the jump immediately after being drafted as a part of "The Process" they have going on in Philly. The young corner has been superb in an otherwise abysmal defense. He's currently tied for 3rd in interceptions with 3, has defended 8 passes, and made 31 tackles. He's still looking for his first pick-6, but at the rate, he's going he'll have it by seasons end.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kazimir Oles and Xavier Flash have been great for the Sabercats offense thus far but they, unfortunately, have to compete with:
Marquise Brown | RB | Philadelphia Liberty
Much like his teammate Lucari Felix, Brown is a bright spot in an otherwise bad offense. With the lowly Logan Noble under center, Philly's coaches have decided that keeping the ball on the ground and in Brown's hands is a much better and safer option. Due to this philosophy, Brown is leading the league in both rushing attempts and yards by a massive margin; he's got 225 carries good for 931 yards already just halfway through the year, and 1 touchdown. No one else has touched 800 yards yet.
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Viggo Squanch | WR | Arizona Outlaws
Squanch's play has slowly been building over the years to what we have this season. He had a decent rookie year with King Bronko but then fell off last year with the rookie Fitzpatrick under center but this season it's all come together for him. So far he's accumulated 43 receptions for 589 yards, 8th most in the league, and found the end zone 4 times. This is his first season where he's on pace for over 1000 yards and a new personal record as he's on pace for 8 receiving touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lots of guys have a shot at this one midway through the year like Andre Bly, Jr., Marc Spector, and Haruki Ishigawa to name a few. So far I have it going to
Mason Brown | LB | Orange County Otters
Otters linebacker Mason Brown has put up a stellar season to this point. He's leading the league in a bunch of defensive stats and has been the focal point of a defense that has allowed the 2nd fewest points of everyone. Brown is everywhere and does everything as evidenced by his 70 tackles, 13 sacks, 7 pass defenses, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 fumbles forced. He leads the league in tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles currently and it's going to be hard for anyone to supplant him in any of those categories.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Owen Taylor | RB | Baltimore Hawks
Owen Taylor has been a monster out of the backfield for Baltimore much as he has been his entire career. This year he's been incredibly efficient while racking up tons of scores. On the ground, he's collected 791 yards on just 171 carries, just 0.1 yards behind the leader in terms of efficiency, in addition to getting to the end zone 11 times, 3 more than the next closest rusher. He's also been a great receiving back with 21 catches for 165 yards and another 2 touchdowns. 13 touchdowns in just 7 games for this guy. Crazy.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Borkus Maximus has had himself an amazing season leading the Second Line to what will probably be another Ultimus appearance at least, but if I'm going to be giving the Offensive Player of the Year to Owen Taylor, I think he deserves this one too. I already talked about him so you all know what he's done so far. [/div]