6. Write 800 words or more on something about anything in the league that interests you. It could be related to statistics, a league issue that you take seriously, or a niche part of history that doesn’t fit neatly into either of the above categories. This must be directly related to the league, so don’t wax 800 words about your team’s participation on a Werewolf server or something.
---
Duke's Choices for S28 Awards:
Most Valuable Player - Mattathias Caliban
I just want to take a minute to marvel at Caliban's stat line. 5668 yards is a new league record, and one that was previously thought to be unbreakable. Yes, he needed a lot of attempts to get there, but I feel it would be absurd to not honor an important piece of league history like this.
Offensive Player of the Year - Mattathias Caliban
See above.
Defensive Player of the Year - Dex Kennedy
Andrews has a strong case, but possibly his strongest stat (3 touchdowns) is overshadowed by Kennedy's 4 touchdowns. I also vote for Kennedy due to his more complete stat coverage.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Luke Quick
To me this was between Quick and Chunt the Badger, each of whom had over 1000 receiving yards. Chunt had the edge on volume, but I give the vote to Quick as he had over 20 more receptions, plus more touchdowns and pancakes.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Jonathan Shuffleboard
There were many solid candidates here, including Marlon Brando who had 9 sacks and 2 safeties. However, my vote goes to Shuffleboard due to his all around stat coverage, plus a defensive touchdown.
Offensive Breakout Player of the Year - Captain Rogers
Even though his touchdowns and receiving stats did not change much, Rogers went from a paltry 825 yards on 3.7 yards per carry up to 1329 yards, good for second in the league, along with much improved efficiency with 4.3 yards per carry.
Defensive Breakout Player of the Year - Mac Griddle
Griddle's tackles more than quadrupled from 16 to 78, which may have been enough to give him the award, but he also improved in most other categories as well, including 10 passes defended, up from only 1 in the prior season.
Quarterback of the Year - Mattathias Caliban
See above.
Runningback of the Year - Tatsu Nakamura
This is a two horse race between Nakamura and Chan, and I don't think Chan's lead in efficiency is enough to overcome the almost 300 yards and 3 touchdowns that Nakamura has over him.
Wide Receiver of the Year - William Lim
I have seen the arguments for others such as Barker and Videl-san to win based on advanced stats. However I think a lot of those arguments are a bit too granular. I'm going to overthink this and give it to the player with the most receptions ever for a wide receiver and the second most receiving yards ever.
Tight End of the Year - Clark Boyd
Boyd was one of two tight ends with 1000 receiving yards on the season, and also had strong contributions as a blocker.
Offensive Lineman of the Year - Calvin Golladay
Another easy call, as Golladay had the most pancakes among players with zero sacks allowed.
Defensive End of the Year - Tex Wrecks
Van Sanzo had one more sack than Wrecks, but Tex had the lead in almost every other category. Also of note, Rapid Eagle lead the league with 12 tackles for loss.
Defensive Tackle of the Year - Daymond Brooks
This is fairly straight forward, as Brooks lead defensive tackles in sacks with 11, and was the only one in double digits. He wasn't solely a pass rusher either, with 70 tackles.
Linebacker of the Year - Dex Kennedy
There are players with more tackles or more sacks, but no one can possibly match Kennedy's four defensive touchdowns. Other than that, Kennedy has a pretty full resume with plenty of tackles for loss, forced fumbles, sacks, and passes defended.
Cornerback of the Year - Harrison Andrews
This is a very interesting one, as Andrews has the edge on big plays with an amazing 9 interceptions and 3 touchdowns. Meanwhile Rich Triplet had an absurd 46 passes defended and 6 interceptions himself. I will give the edge to Andrews.
Safety of the Year - Bob Roberts
Roberts will take this one home due to a huge lead on interceptions, with 7 as the next highest total for a safety was 4. Roberts also contributed a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown for good measure.
Returner of the Year - NationalSimulation FootballLeague
Speaking from experience, a kick return average of 30 yards is fairly uncommon, as it happens in about one half of all seasons. NSFL got 31 yards per return which lead the league. The only issue is a lack of a touchdown which voters always love. I wouldn't be surprised to see Flash Panda take this one home to do a very good average in addition to a touchdown.
Kicker of the Year - Danny King
Dougie Smalls had a better field goal percentage, but King get the edge here due to distance, as he was an amazing 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards, and still managed to finish second in field goal percentage.
Punter of the Year - Matthew McDairmid
McDiarmid seems like a straight forward pick here, as he lead the league in punting average and was second in punts inside the 20 (but first in percentage of punts inside the 20).
Offensive Performance of the Year - Tatsu Nakamura W7
Raphtalia Chan's 5 touchdown performance is probably the biggest competitor here, but Nakamura had 4 himself, with better volume and efficiency. Also dark horse candidate that should actually win (but won't) is William Lim's record setting 219 receiving yard game.
Defensive Performance of the Year - Haha Mango-Panda W5
Three forced fumbles I believe ties the all-time single game record, so add a defensive touchdown and two sacks of top of it and that about clinches it.
---
Duke's Choices for S28 Awards:
Most Valuable Player - Mattathias Caliban
I just want to take a minute to marvel at Caliban's stat line. 5668 yards is a new league record, and one that was previously thought to be unbreakable. Yes, he needed a lot of attempts to get there, but I feel it would be absurd to not honor an important piece of league history like this.
Offensive Player of the Year - Mattathias Caliban
See above.
Defensive Player of the Year - Dex Kennedy
Andrews has a strong case, but possibly his strongest stat (3 touchdowns) is overshadowed by Kennedy's 4 touchdowns. I also vote for Kennedy due to his more complete stat coverage.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Luke Quick
To me this was between Quick and Chunt the Badger, each of whom had over 1000 receiving yards. Chunt had the edge on volume, but I give the vote to Quick as he had over 20 more receptions, plus more touchdowns and pancakes.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Jonathan Shuffleboard
There were many solid candidates here, including Marlon Brando who had 9 sacks and 2 safeties. However, my vote goes to Shuffleboard due to his all around stat coverage, plus a defensive touchdown.
Offensive Breakout Player of the Year - Captain Rogers
Even though his touchdowns and receiving stats did not change much, Rogers went from a paltry 825 yards on 3.7 yards per carry up to 1329 yards, good for second in the league, along with much improved efficiency with 4.3 yards per carry.
Defensive Breakout Player of the Year - Mac Griddle
Griddle's tackles more than quadrupled from 16 to 78, which may have been enough to give him the award, but he also improved in most other categories as well, including 10 passes defended, up from only 1 in the prior season.
Quarterback of the Year - Mattathias Caliban
See above.
Runningback of the Year - Tatsu Nakamura
This is a two horse race between Nakamura and Chan, and I don't think Chan's lead in efficiency is enough to overcome the almost 300 yards and 3 touchdowns that Nakamura has over him.
Wide Receiver of the Year - William Lim
I have seen the arguments for others such as Barker and Videl-san to win based on advanced stats. However I think a lot of those arguments are a bit too granular. I'm going to overthink this and give it to the player with the most receptions ever for a wide receiver and the second most receiving yards ever.
Tight End of the Year - Clark Boyd
Boyd was one of two tight ends with 1000 receiving yards on the season, and also had strong contributions as a blocker.
Offensive Lineman of the Year - Calvin Golladay
Another easy call, as Golladay had the most pancakes among players with zero sacks allowed.
Defensive End of the Year - Tex Wrecks
Van Sanzo had one more sack than Wrecks, but Tex had the lead in almost every other category. Also of note, Rapid Eagle lead the league with 12 tackles for loss.
Defensive Tackle of the Year - Daymond Brooks
This is fairly straight forward, as Brooks lead defensive tackles in sacks with 11, and was the only one in double digits. He wasn't solely a pass rusher either, with 70 tackles.
Linebacker of the Year - Dex Kennedy
There are players with more tackles or more sacks, but no one can possibly match Kennedy's four defensive touchdowns. Other than that, Kennedy has a pretty full resume with plenty of tackles for loss, forced fumbles, sacks, and passes defended.
Cornerback of the Year - Harrison Andrews
This is a very interesting one, as Andrews has the edge on big plays with an amazing 9 interceptions and 3 touchdowns. Meanwhile Rich Triplet had an absurd 46 passes defended and 6 interceptions himself. I will give the edge to Andrews.
Safety of the Year - Bob Roberts
Roberts will take this one home due to a huge lead on interceptions, with 7 as the next highest total for a safety was 4. Roberts also contributed a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown for good measure.
Returner of the Year - NationalSimulation FootballLeague
Speaking from experience, a kick return average of 30 yards is fairly uncommon, as it happens in about one half of all seasons. NSFL got 31 yards per return which lead the league. The only issue is a lack of a touchdown which voters always love. I wouldn't be surprised to see Flash Panda take this one home to do a very good average in addition to a touchdown.
Kicker of the Year - Danny King
Dougie Smalls had a better field goal percentage, but King get the edge here due to distance, as he was an amazing 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards, and still managed to finish second in field goal percentage.
Punter of the Year - Matthew McDairmid
McDiarmid seems like a straight forward pick here, as he lead the league in punting average and was second in punts inside the 20 (but first in percentage of punts inside the 20).
Offensive Performance of the Year - Tatsu Nakamura W7
Raphtalia Chan's 5 touchdown performance is probably the biggest competitor here, but Nakamura had 4 himself, with better volume and efficiency. Also dark horse candidate that should actually win (but won't) is William Lim's record setting 219 receiving yard game.
Defensive Performance of the Year - Haha Mango-Panda W5
Three forced fumbles I believe ties the all-time single game record, so add a defensive touchdown and two sacks of top of it and that about clinches it.