10-23-2020, 06:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-23-2020, 07:00 PM by dogwoodmaple.)
A week ago, I posted this tweet and it received an overwhelming response. Because of that, I've decided to split this article into multiple parts as we start the T.R.M. (Twitter Requested Media) series. This is the third and final part - if you posted but didn't get a shout out, let me know and I'll be sure to remedy that!
**And one programing note - part of this article was written before Week 9's games, so pardon any (now) out-of-date information.
What could be more fun than talking about some of the league's most notable players? Nothing!
We’ll get things started off with something new - a full team gets a mention! How about those Sarasota Sailfish @Frostbite @sakrosankt ? They’re fresh off back to back wins and have their eyes fixed on a postseason berth out of the NSFC. They lead all of football in passing yards and are the only team with both a kick return and punt return for a touchdown. In their last two victories, they’ve dominated the second half, outscoring opponents 51-13. Whatever speeches are being given in the locker room at halftime, keep ‘em coming in Sarasota. With a quarterback like Dexter Banks II, timely defense, and explosive special teams, the Sailfish could stay hot down the stretch.
From Sarasota, we travel northwest to Portland and safety Moe Skeeter @TheDude83. The rookie has been an elite playmaker from day one for the Pythons. He’s the only DSFLer with 2+ sacks and 2+ interceptions, which just goes to show his athleticism and instincts. Thanks to his contributions, Portland is firmly in the postseason hunt with a 4-2 record after six games. In their most recent victory, Skeeter got the party started early with a first quarter pick and finished with another six tackles and a key pass deflection in the fourth quarter. Good luck completing anything deep and over the middle against this suffocating Pythons’ secondary led by a potential DROY.
We’ll criss-cross back to the East as we land in the City of Brotherly love and Jake Fencik @xenosthelegend. The Liberty’s kicker has been exceptional this year and ranked second in field goal percentage among those with more than 15 attempts. He’s also made every extra point, allowing Philly fans to pencil in the point-afters without a sweat. Fencik has been especially hot of late, nailing eight field goals in the last three games. The Liberty have a -43 point advantage on the season, but are right in the thick of the playoff hunt, thanks to their fantastic special teams. If they’re going to make the playoffs, it’ll be due in large part to Fencik’s right foot.
Next, we’ll head to Big D and visit the Pope himself, Pope Francis @ThePope of the Birddogs! His Holiness is the only player with at least two tackles for loss and both a forced and recovered fumble. On the season, he’s got five total TFL, one sack, and 21 total tackles and has been a revelation on the Dallas defensive line. In last night’s (unfortunate) win against Norfolk, he had both a sack and TFL, and helped keep the Seawolf offense off-balance all game. Whether it’s his speed around the edge or praying on interior defenders with his power, il papa has everything you look for in a game-changing defensive lineman.
I’m not sure if the Pope watches wrestling, but nonetheless, we’ll head to Tijuana and the Luchadores @mithrandir @SwankyPants31 for this next profile. They’re currently 3-4 on the season, but are firmly in second place in the SFC. They lead all DSFL teams in sacks (23) and are one of two teams with at least two blocked kicks. Their big play capabilities on both the defensive side and on special teams make them a threat every single week. They’ve allowed the third fewest points in the league and have been able to lean hard into that side of the ball through the first seven games. Once the Luchadores get rolling on offense, look out. Will they take home their eighth Ultimini this year?
We’ll stay in Tijuana and go to their offensive tackle Adam Mellott @GuitarMaster116. Mellott is second among all players in pancakes and, despite defenses being able to pin their ears back, has only allowed one sack all year. He’s opened up holes all year for Bronko Mills, who is third in the nation in yards per carry among players with at least 70 attempts. It’s that big play ability that Mellott is known for, as he constantly blows up defensive ends and springs rushers for huge gains. When it comes to pass protection, let’s just say that Tijuana QB Mike Boss Jr. buys Mellott a nice gift every Christmas.
From Tijuana we’ll jump up to the ISFL and WR Sean Snyder @DatSmolBoi of the New York Silverbacks. Snyder has been electric in the Big Apple, ripping off 19.0 yards per catch. That number is fourth best among players with more than 15 catches and he’s been lighting up secondaries all year. He’s coming off a clutch performance last week, hauling in four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in a close loss against the Philadelphia Liberty. The Silverbacks are still looking for their first franchise victory, but with players like Snyder who can simply take over a game, it won’t be long until New York is on the right side of the win column in a big way.
From Silverbacks to snakes, we’ll go to the Lone Star State and rookie phenom Zoe Watts @Kyamprac. So far this season, Watts is first in rushing touchdowns (9) and third in rushing yards (679), and making a strong case for Rookie of the Year. The Copperheads are 4-5 this season, but are right in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to Watts & Co. Whether it’s grinding out the tough yards between the tackles or burning linebackers in open space, Watts has everything you could want in a top-tier ISFL running back. On top of the ground game, Watts also has over 100 receiving yards, which just further shows the versatility of this Copperhead. I predict a lot of trophies, both individual and team, in Watts’ future.
Players like Zoe Watts rely on offensive linemen to help open up holes, which is a great segue to Alexander Franklin @Hordle of the Minnesota Grey Ducks. Franklin is already a fan favorite in Minnesota thanks to his rookie-best 23 pancakes so far this season. From elite pass protection to getting to the second level on inside runs, Franklin has all the makings of a future ISFL Pro Bowler. General managers and scouts are already fawning over the Grey Duck’s left tackle and there’s talk of Franklin leapfrogging all the way to one of the first picks in the upcoming ISFL Draft. Whoever ends up with AF at the next level will be more than pleasantly surprised both on and off the field.
Next we’ll head to the Gulf Coast and Sarasota Sailfish linebacker Fawn Dillmiballs @"enforcer". This Sailfish is the unquestioned leader of the defense and has already racked up 64 tackles and a couple of pass deflections on the season. After a rough start, Sarasota has won back to back games, thanks in large part to Dillmiballs and that trophy-level defense. In those games, the Sailfish have allowed only 13 combined second half points and Dillmiballs has an astounding 19 tackles. When one of your top players has more tackles than the opponent does points after halftime, you know you’re doing something right. I see Sarasota continuing on in their hot streak, thanks to some more stellar play by one of the league’s top overall ‘backers.
Time for some secondary love as we head to the reigning Ultimus Champs and cornerback Chester Sweets @revuhlution. Sweets does a little bit of everything for San Jose, from providing much-needed run support to close down entire portions of the field to opposing offenses. The Sabercats are fifth in the ISFL in points allowed, thanks in large part to the work Sweets has done this season. If you want to see perfect technical skill and fundamentals, just turn on the tape of Sweets not only this season, but his career overall. There simply isn’t much this standout corner can’t do and he’ll be one of the main reasons San Jose has a chance to defend their Ultimus title this year.
Peter Patterson @slate? That name sounds familiar. We mentioned him in Part One! I said he’d get another mention, but didn’t guarantee how long it’d be.
We'll get some more kicker love here with Venus Powers @Baron1898of the Honolulu Hahalua. The first word that comes to mind is perfection. So far, Powers is the only kicker to make every single kick she’s attempted. You read that right - every single one. 31 extra points and 23 field goals, to be exact. But they aren’t all chip shots for Powers - her eight made kicks from 40+ yards lead all football. Coming off two straight wins, the Hahalua are in prime position for a playoff berth. In the last two, Powers has made five field goals and accounted for 23 points overall. That total is almost as much as the Hahalua have allowed on that stretch (27). When it comes to the clutch moments that might result in an Ultimus bid, you want a kicker you can rely on to come through. That’s no more evident than with Powers.
We’ll end this series with defensive tackle Chuck Roth @zeagle1 of the Portland Pythons. Roth has been a disruptive force all season for Portland and already has six tackles for loss, which ranks second among all defensive tackles. In their last three games, Roth has nine tackles and two sacks and has been near unblockable in that span. The Pythons currently sit at 4-3 and are firmly in the thick of the postseason hunt thanks to their elite defense. They’ve only allowed 13 points per game and opponents are finding it near impossible to get consistent drives against that stifling Python front seven. Roth isn’t just a big body, though. He’s able to force double-teams and shed blocks with ease, whether it’s from a tackle or interior lineman. The Outlaws got a good one in the most recent ISFL draft, that’s for sure.
Did I say we'd end this series with Roth? Too bad! We'll go to the King to finish this thing off. LeBron James III @Orhanello will be our last player and boy are we ending on a high note. The rookie quarterback has been a revelation for Portland and currently leads the league in completion percentage by a full point. He's shown why he was a first round pick as he can make every throw and has no trouble diagnosing defenses. At this stage, he looks more like a five-year veteran than a rookie and he's already gotten a healthy buzz of draft interest from ISFL teams. It would not shock me at all to see a rookie quarterback take home the Ultimini this season and James has all the tools to get it done. We're witnessing the birth of a superstar in the Pacific Northwest.
**And one programing note - part of this article was written before Week 9's games, so pardon any (now) out-of-date information.
What could be more fun than talking about some of the league's most notable players? Nothing!
We’ll get things started off with something new - a full team gets a mention! How about those Sarasota Sailfish @Frostbite @sakrosankt ? They’re fresh off back to back wins and have their eyes fixed on a postseason berth out of the NSFC. They lead all of football in passing yards and are the only team with both a kick return and punt return for a touchdown. In their last two victories, they’ve dominated the second half, outscoring opponents 51-13. Whatever speeches are being given in the locker room at halftime, keep ‘em coming in Sarasota. With a quarterback like Dexter Banks II, timely defense, and explosive special teams, the Sailfish could stay hot down the stretch.
From Sarasota, we travel northwest to Portland and safety Moe Skeeter @TheDude83. The rookie has been an elite playmaker from day one for the Pythons. He’s the only DSFLer with 2+ sacks and 2+ interceptions, which just goes to show his athleticism and instincts. Thanks to his contributions, Portland is firmly in the postseason hunt with a 4-2 record after six games. In their most recent victory, Skeeter got the party started early with a first quarter pick and finished with another six tackles and a key pass deflection in the fourth quarter. Good luck completing anything deep and over the middle against this suffocating Pythons’ secondary led by a potential DROY.
We’ll criss-cross back to the East as we land in the City of Brotherly love and Jake Fencik @xenosthelegend. The Liberty’s kicker has been exceptional this year and ranked second in field goal percentage among those with more than 15 attempts. He’s also made every extra point, allowing Philly fans to pencil in the point-afters without a sweat. Fencik has been especially hot of late, nailing eight field goals in the last three games. The Liberty have a -43 point advantage on the season, but are right in the thick of the playoff hunt, thanks to their fantastic special teams. If they’re going to make the playoffs, it’ll be due in large part to Fencik’s right foot.
Next, we’ll head to Big D and visit the Pope himself, Pope Francis @ThePope of the Birddogs! His Holiness is the only player with at least two tackles for loss and both a forced and recovered fumble. On the season, he’s got five total TFL, one sack, and 21 total tackles and has been a revelation on the Dallas defensive line. In last night’s (unfortunate) win against Norfolk, he had both a sack and TFL, and helped keep the Seawolf offense off-balance all game. Whether it’s his speed around the edge or praying on interior defenders with his power, il papa has everything you look for in a game-changing defensive lineman.
I’m not sure if the Pope watches wrestling, but nonetheless, we’ll head to Tijuana and the Luchadores @mithrandir @SwankyPants31 for this next profile. They’re currently 3-4 on the season, but are firmly in second place in the SFC. They lead all DSFL teams in sacks (23) and are one of two teams with at least two blocked kicks. Their big play capabilities on both the defensive side and on special teams make them a threat every single week. They’ve allowed the third fewest points in the league and have been able to lean hard into that side of the ball through the first seven games. Once the Luchadores get rolling on offense, look out. Will they take home their eighth Ultimini this year?
We’ll stay in Tijuana and go to their offensive tackle Adam Mellott @GuitarMaster116. Mellott is second among all players in pancakes and, despite defenses being able to pin their ears back, has only allowed one sack all year. He’s opened up holes all year for Bronko Mills, who is third in the nation in yards per carry among players with at least 70 attempts. It’s that big play ability that Mellott is known for, as he constantly blows up defensive ends and springs rushers for huge gains. When it comes to pass protection, let’s just say that Tijuana QB Mike Boss Jr. buys Mellott a nice gift every Christmas.
From Tijuana we’ll jump up to the ISFL and WR Sean Snyder @DatSmolBoi of the New York Silverbacks. Snyder has been electric in the Big Apple, ripping off 19.0 yards per catch. That number is fourth best among players with more than 15 catches and he’s been lighting up secondaries all year. He’s coming off a clutch performance last week, hauling in four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in a close loss against the Philadelphia Liberty. The Silverbacks are still looking for their first franchise victory, but with players like Snyder who can simply take over a game, it won’t be long until New York is on the right side of the win column in a big way.
From Silverbacks to snakes, we’ll go to the Lone Star State and rookie phenom Zoe Watts @Kyamprac. So far this season, Watts is first in rushing touchdowns (9) and third in rushing yards (679), and making a strong case for Rookie of the Year. The Copperheads are 4-5 this season, but are right in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to Watts & Co. Whether it’s grinding out the tough yards between the tackles or burning linebackers in open space, Watts has everything you could want in a top-tier ISFL running back. On top of the ground game, Watts also has over 100 receiving yards, which just further shows the versatility of this Copperhead. I predict a lot of trophies, both individual and team, in Watts’ future.
Players like Zoe Watts rely on offensive linemen to help open up holes, which is a great segue to Alexander Franklin @Hordle of the Minnesota Grey Ducks. Franklin is already a fan favorite in Minnesota thanks to his rookie-best 23 pancakes so far this season. From elite pass protection to getting to the second level on inside runs, Franklin has all the makings of a future ISFL Pro Bowler. General managers and scouts are already fawning over the Grey Duck’s left tackle and there’s talk of Franklin leapfrogging all the way to one of the first picks in the upcoming ISFL Draft. Whoever ends up with AF at the next level will be more than pleasantly surprised both on and off the field.
Next we’ll head to the Gulf Coast and Sarasota Sailfish linebacker Fawn Dillmiballs @"enforcer". This Sailfish is the unquestioned leader of the defense and has already racked up 64 tackles and a couple of pass deflections on the season. After a rough start, Sarasota has won back to back games, thanks in large part to Dillmiballs and that trophy-level defense. In those games, the Sailfish have allowed only 13 combined second half points and Dillmiballs has an astounding 19 tackles. When one of your top players has more tackles than the opponent does points after halftime, you know you’re doing something right. I see Sarasota continuing on in their hot streak, thanks to some more stellar play by one of the league’s top overall ‘backers.
Time for some secondary love as we head to the reigning Ultimus Champs and cornerback Chester Sweets @revuhlution. Sweets does a little bit of everything for San Jose, from providing much-needed run support to close down entire portions of the field to opposing offenses. The Sabercats are fifth in the ISFL in points allowed, thanks in large part to the work Sweets has done this season. If you want to see perfect technical skill and fundamentals, just turn on the tape of Sweets not only this season, but his career overall. There simply isn’t much this standout corner can’t do and he’ll be one of the main reasons San Jose has a chance to defend their Ultimus title this year.
Peter Patterson @slate? That name sounds familiar. We mentioned him in Part One! I said he’d get another mention, but didn’t guarantee how long it’d be.
We'll get some more kicker love here with Venus Powers @Baron1898of the Honolulu Hahalua. The first word that comes to mind is perfection. So far, Powers is the only kicker to make every single kick she’s attempted. You read that right - every single one. 31 extra points and 23 field goals, to be exact. But they aren’t all chip shots for Powers - her eight made kicks from 40+ yards lead all football. Coming off two straight wins, the Hahalua are in prime position for a playoff berth. In the last two, Powers has made five field goals and accounted for 23 points overall. That total is almost as much as the Hahalua have allowed on that stretch (27). When it comes to the clutch moments that might result in an Ultimus bid, you want a kicker you can rely on to come through. That’s no more evident than with Powers.
We’ll end this series with defensive tackle Chuck Roth @zeagle1 of the Portland Pythons. Roth has been a disruptive force all season for Portland and already has six tackles for loss, which ranks second among all defensive tackles. In their last three games, Roth has nine tackles and two sacks and has been near unblockable in that span. The Pythons currently sit at 4-3 and are firmly in the thick of the postseason hunt thanks to their elite defense. They’ve only allowed 13 points per game and opponents are finding it near impossible to get consistent drives against that stifling Python front seven. Roth isn’t just a big body, though. He’s able to force double-teams and shed blocks with ease, whether it’s from a tackle or interior lineman. The Outlaws got a good one in the most recent ISFL draft, that’s for sure.
Did I say we'd end this series with Roth? Too bad! We'll go to the King to finish this thing off. LeBron James III @Orhanello will be our last player and boy are we ending on a high note. The rookie quarterback has been a revelation for Portland and currently leads the league in completion percentage by a full point. He's shown why he was a first round pick as he can make every throw and has no trouble diagnosing defenses. At this stage, he looks more like a five-year veteran than a rookie and he's already gotten a healthy buzz of draft interest from ISFL teams. It would not shock me at all to see a rookie quarterback take home the Ultimini this season and James has all the tools to get it done. We're witnessing the birth of a superstar in the Pacific Northwest.