1) Bottom Third: The inagural season of the NSFL has come and gone, and my San Jose Sabercats have been left on the outside looking in. While its fortunate that I can write this part of the point task based off my own experiences, it is quite unfortunate in the same way. I wish my team had been in the playoffs, of course. The problem starts with issues with the signal callers. Jameis Christ struggled mightily to the tune of a 1 and 7 record, digging the 'Cats a hole they couldn't climb out of. While Ethan Hunt had a better go of it at the end, they only managed to split the games he started, finishing the dismal season at 4 and 10. With the exception of player/manager Ben Longshaw, there was a serious lack of commitment in areas like the O-line, which also struggled to protect the aforementioned quarterbacks, Jameis Christ and Ethan Hunt. Speaking of lines, the defensive line's dedication to training was also pretty pitiful, save for top team player Dan Miller. Some highly touted prospects such as Josh Cameron and Greg Taylor went inactive, and hung the front four out to dry. TPE was not aplenty in those positions, but the team will look to shore that up in the future, and hopefully avoid missing the playoffs again!
2) Playoff Review: Let's start with Game 1. Honestly, I thought the Yellowknife Wraiths were going to come through and advance. But the Yeti were up to the task. While the Canadian side had a lot of trouble moving the ball, especially early on, the Yeti, led by Logan Noble and Luke Tiernan found success. The early assault proved to be a difference maker in what would send Colorado to the Ultimus Cup. Game 2 was a heated one, based on a rivalry that had been culminating all season. Mike Boss, the much maligned Orange County Otters quarterback had an alright game, but was unable to stave off the onslaught of Outlaws, who ran rampant on defense. Otters lineman Angus Winchester, often regarded by many as the best in the game, picked the wrong time to give up his first ever sack, as Blaster Blade was able to overpower him. Finally, the championship game saw the Outlaws on top for essentially the whole contest, something that I predicted correctly before the stream started. I would never have pegged these two teams in the finals when the season started, but once they got there, I figured Arizona would walk away victorious. And they did, in what was an overall pretty interesting game.
3) Championship Game Recap: To set the stage, we are early on in the first quarter in the Ultimus Cup between the Colorado Yeti and the Arizona Outlaws. The Yeti have the ball at their own 24 yard line and are looking to do some aerial damage, where they have enjoyed great success throughout the season. Logan Noble has had an MVP type year, and is a major reason they are here. The ball is snapped. Noble drops back to pass. He looks at D.J. Law. He's covered. He glances at his running back Luke Tiernan who also happens to be in no man's land. Noble scans a bit more and finds a seam. Rich Gucci is open over the middle. Noble fires...oh! He took too long and the ball was read perfectly by Ryan Flock. Interception! Flock backtracks a bit, then starts up the sideline. The Colorado offense is trying to get him down, but Flock is too quick, as he streaks down the right sideline and tumbles into the end zone for an emphatic pick six. He really beat the offensive players who were turned into defenders on that one. I'm not sure what went wrong, but Logan Noble telegraphed that one a bit. Adrien Nugent follows it up with an easy extra point, thrusting the Outlaws out to a 7-0 lead over the Yeti.
4) Offensive Player Comparison: When it comes to leading a team to a shot at the Ultimus Trophy, one must start by looking at the quarterback. Logan Noble of the Colorado Yeti was the first player to sign with the team and has been hailed as the golden boy who also adds to staff board room discussions. Vincent Draxel of the Arizona Outlaws had some off the field drama this season, threatening to retire, and then briefly going inactive. But both these guys are here in the finals anyways, so let's look at the stats, and give some insight into how they truly reached this point. Leading his team to an 8-6 record, which was tied for the division lead, Logan Noble completed 56.5 percent of his passes, throwing 15 touchdowns and 8 interceptions en route to a 77.2 QBR. The Outlaws were also tied for their division lead, but this time with a 9-5 record, one-upping Colorado during the regular season. Vincent Draxel completed 51.3 of his passes, and threw 14 picks, but led the league with 20 touchdowns thrown. Draxel's QBR ended up being 73.6. With both guys having solid showings in the semifinals, the Ultimus Trophy should prove to be an interesting QB battle.
5) Defensive Player Comparison: We already looked at the quarterback comparison between the two final teams standing, so now it is time to switch gears to the other side of the ball. The scope will be focused on the linebackers, specifically the best on each roster. For the Colorado Yeti, Jonathan Saint is the defensive captain. This many leads the team in both tangibles and intangibles, and always makes his presence known. For the Arizona Outlaws, Jaylon Lee has been the unsung hero. It is a shame that these guys don't get more praise, since they are both killing the show out there. Jaylon Lee has made twenty more tackles (121) than Saint (101), but they both possess the same number of tackles resulting in a loss of yardage (3). However, Lee has only sacked the opposing quarterback 4 times, whereas Jonathan Saint has absolutely destroyed O-Lines, tallying 14 sacks on the year, more than triple his Arizona counterpart. Saint also added two forced fumbles, but failed to recover either, whereas Lee only forced one fumble, but recovered it himself. Those numbers aren't too crazy, but it does show they both possess big-play capabilities. Both these players have some extravagant stats, and ball carries should be aware of running towards them, especially with something such as the Ultimus Trophy on the line.
2) Playoff Review: Let's start with Game 1. Honestly, I thought the Yellowknife Wraiths were going to come through and advance. But the Yeti were up to the task. While the Canadian side had a lot of trouble moving the ball, especially early on, the Yeti, led by Logan Noble and Luke Tiernan found success. The early assault proved to be a difference maker in what would send Colorado to the Ultimus Cup. Game 2 was a heated one, based on a rivalry that had been culminating all season. Mike Boss, the much maligned Orange County Otters quarterback had an alright game, but was unable to stave off the onslaught of Outlaws, who ran rampant on defense. Otters lineman Angus Winchester, often regarded by many as the best in the game, picked the wrong time to give up his first ever sack, as Blaster Blade was able to overpower him. Finally, the championship game saw the Outlaws on top for essentially the whole contest, something that I predicted correctly before the stream started. I would never have pegged these two teams in the finals when the season started, but once they got there, I figured Arizona would walk away victorious. And they did, in what was an overall pretty interesting game.
3) Championship Game Recap: To set the stage, we are early on in the first quarter in the Ultimus Cup between the Colorado Yeti and the Arizona Outlaws. The Yeti have the ball at their own 24 yard line and are looking to do some aerial damage, where they have enjoyed great success throughout the season. Logan Noble has had an MVP type year, and is a major reason they are here. The ball is snapped. Noble drops back to pass. He looks at D.J. Law. He's covered. He glances at his running back Luke Tiernan who also happens to be in no man's land. Noble scans a bit more and finds a seam. Rich Gucci is open over the middle. Noble fires...oh! He took too long and the ball was read perfectly by Ryan Flock. Interception! Flock backtracks a bit, then starts up the sideline. The Colorado offense is trying to get him down, but Flock is too quick, as he streaks down the right sideline and tumbles into the end zone for an emphatic pick six. He really beat the offensive players who were turned into defenders on that one. I'm not sure what went wrong, but Logan Noble telegraphed that one a bit. Adrien Nugent follows it up with an easy extra point, thrusting the Outlaws out to a 7-0 lead over the Yeti.
4) Offensive Player Comparison: When it comes to leading a team to a shot at the Ultimus Trophy, one must start by looking at the quarterback. Logan Noble of the Colorado Yeti was the first player to sign with the team and has been hailed as the golden boy who also adds to staff board room discussions. Vincent Draxel of the Arizona Outlaws had some off the field drama this season, threatening to retire, and then briefly going inactive. But both these guys are here in the finals anyways, so let's look at the stats, and give some insight into how they truly reached this point. Leading his team to an 8-6 record, which was tied for the division lead, Logan Noble completed 56.5 percent of his passes, throwing 15 touchdowns and 8 interceptions en route to a 77.2 QBR. The Outlaws were also tied for their division lead, but this time with a 9-5 record, one-upping Colorado during the regular season. Vincent Draxel completed 51.3 of his passes, and threw 14 picks, but led the league with 20 touchdowns thrown. Draxel's QBR ended up being 73.6. With both guys having solid showings in the semifinals, the Ultimus Trophy should prove to be an interesting QB battle.
5) Defensive Player Comparison: We already looked at the quarterback comparison between the two final teams standing, so now it is time to switch gears to the other side of the ball. The scope will be focused on the linebackers, specifically the best on each roster. For the Colorado Yeti, Jonathan Saint is the defensive captain. This many leads the team in both tangibles and intangibles, and always makes his presence known. For the Arizona Outlaws, Jaylon Lee has been the unsung hero. It is a shame that these guys don't get more praise, since they are both killing the show out there. Jaylon Lee has made twenty more tackles (121) than Saint (101), but they both possess the same number of tackles resulting in a loss of yardage (3). However, Lee has only sacked the opposing quarterback 4 times, whereas Jonathan Saint has absolutely destroyed O-Lines, tallying 14 sacks on the year, more than triple his Arizona counterpart. Saint also added two forced fumbles, but failed to recover either, whereas Lee only forced one fumble, but recovered it himself. Those numbers aren't too crazy, but it does show they both possess big-play capabilities. Both these players have some extravagant stats, and ball carries should be aware of running towards them, especially with something such as the Ultimus Trophy on the line.
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 197
[OPTION]Birthplace: Tallahassee, FL
[OPTION]Number: 18
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[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):
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[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]S2 (YKW):
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[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
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[OPTION]Height: 6'3"
[OPTION]Weight: 184
[OPTION]Birthplace: Greensboro, NC
[OPTION]Number: 10
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