06-28-2021, 11:40 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2021, 11:41 AM by jzajenius36.)
12.
I know this short form task is supposed to be writing about another team or player that isn’t your own, but I’d like to use this time to write about my team’s General Manager, Lip Chap – or as others affectionately know him as – Pat. As I’ve outlined in previous write-ups, I feel like I arrived at a pretty tumultuous time for the Philadelphia Liberty. Our team was not good, we were young, but way too young to be on anyone’s radar, our handful of decent vets were basically in their last season before retirement or heavy regression, and we were about to go through a managerial change. Considering it was my first season in the ISFL, I figured hey maybe this is standard procedure. Ignorance is bliss I guess. Well after my rookie season the new GM took over, and I wonder if all teams are this lucky. Looks, I’m probably somewhat of an ‘old head’ on this site, so the memes and the crazy non-stop discord action is a bit too much for me, but Pat has always made it a point to reach out to me directly to keep me engaged has answered and solved a lot of my inquires in mere minutes, and continues to be Honky Tonk Haywood’s biggest advocate in the league. And that’s been from day 1. So while the wins have been a bit slow to pick up, it’s clear we have a plan as well as the support system in place to keep the team energized and morale up while we forge ahead. While I’ve enjoyed my experience thus far, it’s been a bit tough to watch Haywood’s counting stats sit at the bottom of the league – until this year at least. And my general manager, Lip Chap, has been preaching to anyone that will listen about possible player awards. Mr. Chap isn’t just one of these suits who sits upstairs and sends a minion to do his bidding. No. He’s often found in the locker room, giving advice to young players about what they should focus their training on and how their skills will translate to the field in this age of the ISFL. He’s also terribly optimistic and upbeat. Anytime Philly wins you can hear Lip speaking to reporters about how these young kids have finally made it, and ‘look out league!’ But anytime Philly loses he’s the first in the locker room telling us ‘we fought till the end against one of the best in the league. Our time is nearly here!’ Maybe annoying to an outsider, but as one of these ‘young guy’ players, it really makes you want to get out there and win one for the Gipper! So here’s to you, Mr. Chap. Not a playoff birth yet, but at least acknowledgement in the form of an Ultimus Week article!
(474 words)
_________________________
14.
Ok so I need to use this short form task to finally highlight my player, Honky Tonk Haywood, but this time for good reasons! While I’ll admit I tend to write about myself quite frequently, often the message is something along the lines of how Haywood is not impacting the stat sheet yet, or committed some terrible penalty at an inopportune time, or is the quiet type in the locker room, BUT NO. NOT THIS TIME. Season 29 was finally a chance to celebrate individual success for the fat boi. Yes, it was a disappointing season on a whole for Phildalphia, as it’s clear we’re still another season or two away from factoring into playoff scenarios, but personal pride will get it’s due this year. While Haywood’s rookie numbers were solid, finishing with 42 tackles and 4 sacks, Hawyood’s sophomore year was one to forget as he finished with just 47 tackles and one forced fumble, with zeros across the board for everything else. The following two years saw an uptick in impact plays, but nothing indicating Haywood was on his way to establishing himself as anything more than an occasional short yardage run stuffer. A far cry from his collegiate success in Tennessee. However, Haywood came out as a man possessed in Season 29. Be it offseason results in the weight room, the improvement of defensive teammates, coaching, or a combo of it all, Haywood became most impactful defensive tackle in the league. Haywood finished 50th in the league in tackles with 80, an absurd number for his position. Only 3 other defensive tackles and one defensive end even broke the 60 tackle mark, with none above 67. Although Yellow Knife Defense End Leonard Taylor may be the frontrunner for DLOTY with 67 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, Haywood’s 11 tackles for loss were tied for second in the league. So although Haywood may likely lose out to defense end/s with more flash and sexy stats in sack and fumble departments, it’s evident that the best run stuffer in the league resides in Philadelphia. Austin Copperhead’s defensive tackle Owen Isaac did tie Haywood with 11 tackles for loss and had two more sacks, Haywood did have one more forced fumble and a whopping 28 more tackles. There is no doubt Haywood still needs to work on some parts of his game - his discipline and getting to the quarterback being top priority. And while eclipsing S29’s numbers may be a tall ask, it seems clear that Haywood has arrived as an impact player and, as scary as it sounds, just might even be a better all around player this year.
(444 words)
I know this short form task is supposed to be writing about another team or player that isn’t your own, but I’d like to use this time to write about my team’s General Manager, Lip Chap – or as others affectionately know him as – Pat. As I’ve outlined in previous write-ups, I feel like I arrived at a pretty tumultuous time for the Philadelphia Liberty. Our team was not good, we were young, but way too young to be on anyone’s radar, our handful of decent vets were basically in their last season before retirement or heavy regression, and we were about to go through a managerial change. Considering it was my first season in the ISFL, I figured hey maybe this is standard procedure. Ignorance is bliss I guess. Well after my rookie season the new GM took over, and I wonder if all teams are this lucky. Looks, I’m probably somewhat of an ‘old head’ on this site, so the memes and the crazy non-stop discord action is a bit too much for me, but Pat has always made it a point to reach out to me directly to keep me engaged has answered and solved a lot of my inquires in mere minutes, and continues to be Honky Tonk Haywood’s biggest advocate in the league. And that’s been from day 1. So while the wins have been a bit slow to pick up, it’s clear we have a plan as well as the support system in place to keep the team energized and morale up while we forge ahead. While I’ve enjoyed my experience thus far, it’s been a bit tough to watch Haywood’s counting stats sit at the bottom of the league – until this year at least. And my general manager, Lip Chap, has been preaching to anyone that will listen about possible player awards. Mr. Chap isn’t just one of these suits who sits upstairs and sends a minion to do his bidding. No. He’s often found in the locker room, giving advice to young players about what they should focus their training on and how their skills will translate to the field in this age of the ISFL. He’s also terribly optimistic and upbeat. Anytime Philly wins you can hear Lip speaking to reporters about how these young kids have finally made it, and ‘look out league!’ But anytime Philly loses he’s the first in the locker room telling us ‘we fought till the end against one of the best in the league. Our time is nearly here!’ Maybe annoying to an outsider, but as one of these ‘young guy’ players, it really makes you want to get out there and win one for the Gipper! So here’s to you, Mr. Chap. Not a playoff birth yet, but at least acknowledgement in the form of an Ultimus Week article!
(474 words)
_________________________
14.
Ok so I need to use this short form task to finally highlight my player, Honky Tonk Haywood, but this time for good reasons! While I’ll admit I tend to write about myself quite frequently, often the message is something along the lines of how Haywood is not impacting the stat sheet yet, or committed some terrible penalty at an inopportune time, or is the quiet type in the locker room, BUT NO. NOT THIS TIME. Season 29 was finally a chance to celebrate individual success for the fat boi. Yes, it was a disappointing season on a whole for Phildalphia, as it’s clear we’re still another season or two away from factoring into playoff scenarios, but personal pride will get it’s due this year. While Haywood’s rookie numbers were solid, finishing with 42 tackles and 4 sacks, Hawyood’s sophomore year was one to forget as he finished with just 47 tackles and one forced fumble, with zeros across the board for everything else. The following two years saw an uptick in impact plays, but nothing indicating Haywood was on his way to establishing himself as anything more than an occasional short yardage run stuffer. A far cry from his collegiate success in Tennessee. However, Haywood came out as a man possessed in Season 29. Be it offseason results in the weight room, the improvement of defensive teammates, coaching, or a combo of it all, Haywood became most impactful defensive tackle in the league. Haywood finished 50th in the league in tackles with 80, an absurd number for his position. Only 3 other defensive tackles and one defensive end even broke the 60 tackle mark, with none above 67. Although Yellow Knife Defense End Leonard Taylor may be the frontrunner for DLOTY with 67 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, Haywood’s 11 tackles for loss were tied for second in the league. So although Haywood may likely lose out to defense end/s with more flash and sexy stats in sack and fumble departments, it’s evident that the best run stuffer in the league resides in Philadelphia. Austin Copperhead’s defensive tackle Owen Isaac did tie Haywood with 11 tackles for loss and had two more sacks, Haywood did have one more forced fumble and a whopping 28 more tackles. There is no doubt Haywood still needs to work on some parts of his game - his discipline and getting to the quarterback being top priority. And while eclipsing S29’s numbers may be a tall ask, it seems clear that Haywood has arrived as an impact player and, as scary as it sounds, just might even be a better all around player this year.
(444 words)