06-10-2023, 10:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-15-2023, 01:51 PM by Ajax. Edited 2 times in total.)
A total of ten S42 True Rookies™ will begin the year in the ISFL, with half of them coming from the New Orleans Secondline. Shoutout to @TheRake who coined True Rookie™, a term I will look to push myself until justice is served. Tonight we will take a closer look at those True Rookies™ and what impact we might see from them in year one.
Please note I was working off the TPE Tracker to determine who was called up, so apologies if I missed anyone.
Offensive True Rookies™
RB Sailor Moon | Honolulu Hahalua | @WildfireMicro
The word “steal” gets thrown around a lot when talking about the draft, but arguably no player fits that definition more than Sailor Moon. Moon, taken in the third round with the 40th overall pick, had more TPE than the 17 picks before them. TPE certainly isn’t be-all and end-all, but this is a selection which could big dividends for the Hahalua. Moon was a speed back for the Norfolk SeaWolves but will be making the transition to fullback in year one. With star Bean Delphine Jr. in town, Moon’s role will likely be limited in the early going but I don’t expect that to last long. While I don’t think Moon is a strong offensive rookie of the year candidate, I fully expect their role in the offense to increase and develop into another weapon for the already dangerous Hahalua offense.
WR Keanu Calhoun | New Orleans Secondline | @Frostbite
One of the more surprising things to happen on draft night was Keanu Calhoun falling out of the first round, although with New Orleans holding the 13th, 14th, and 15th overall picks, Calhoun was by all accounts a first round pick. Just ask the front office, who awarded fans a point if they predicted Calhoun would be a first rounder. First round, second round, it doesn’t really matter. Calhoun is a great prospect and one that will get every opportunity to shine in year one. Calhoun is currently listed as the team’s third best receiver behind PeePee Poop-Easter Sr. and Dick Grayson, but don’t be surprised if Calhoun is the number two receiver sooner than later. If the Secondline are playing from behind just as much as they were last season, expect lots of Elessar Jones drop-backs and Calhoun targets. As a Calhoun fantasy football keeper league owner, I’m expecting big things.
WR Aaron Jäger | Orange County Otters | @MouseMazing
Aaron Jäger, like Calhoun, was a prospect many people thought could go in the first round but ended up falling to the second. In the case of Jäger, the Orange County Otters grabbed him with the 20th overall pick, after selecting running back Reginald Shrubbery in the first round. Wide receiver was a big need for the Otters, so it’s no surprise to see Jäger being called up in year one. He’ll be the teams’ third receiver going into the season, behind veterans Thomas Robinson and Teenie Hodges. Expect to see Jäger’s impact felt immediately.
TE Hank Mardukas | New Orleans Secondline | @Chicken Lips
In an unreleased mock draft leading up to the draft, I had Hank “Soft Hands” Mardukas penciled in as the third overall pick. Ultimately I felt it would be too difficult to pass up on a player of his caliber and evidently the Secondline felt the same. It’s also no surprise that Mardukas is getting the call up in year one, as New Orleans had a huge need at tight end. Mardukas, who is switching to a vertical tight end archetype, joins a group of pass catchers which includes PeePee Poop-Eater Sr., Dick Grayson, and Keanu Calhoun. The Secondline could get creative in terms of how they choose to utilize Mardukas, whether it be lining him up as a traditional tight end in some packages and/or flexing him out wide in others. Regardless of alignment, expect Mardukas to get a plethora of targets and thus be someone who is a strong offensive rookie of the year candidate.
OL Blacksmith Andre | San Jose SaberCats | @Muford
San Jose SaberCats? That must be a typo. I thought Blacksmith Andre was destined to end up in Berlin? Instead Andre ends up in San Jose, who took him with the sixth overall pick. A little birdie told me Andre will start to left tackle, but we’ll see if that’s the case early next week. Either way, Andre will be the lone offensive lineman for the SaberCats and get plenty of pancake opportunities as he blocks for Owen Farrell and Lord Farquaads. Don’t be surprised if he by the end of the year, Andre is bringing home some hardware in the form of an offensive rookie of the year trophy. The man likes to eat.
OL Shucks McShuckle | New Orleans Secondline | @Dukemarriot
A fourth round rookie starting their first year in the ISFL is probably not all that common, but when you combine a position of need in offensive line with a team with holes everywhere that’s just what you get. Shucks McShuckle has talent, but at this stage in his career is raw and inexperienced. As the lone offensive lineman for the Secondline, he will be tasked with helping to keep an aging Elessar Jones upright in addition to paving the way for second year running back Kyle Crane. He may be outclassed by more experienced defensive lineman in year one, but that doesn’t mean he won’t turn out to be a steal for the Secondline in the coming seasons.
Defensive True Rookies™
CB Dino Nuggets | New Orleans Secondline | @swoosh
The reach of the draft, first overall pick Dino Nuggets will be thrown into the fire in year one for the Secondline defense. Nuggets is listed as the team’s third best cornerback on paper, but will be starting at CB2 across from second year stand out and counting extraordinaire Ezra Azazel. As a whole, the Secondline defense and secondary in particular is an inexperienced group but one with no shortage of talent. Opposing quarterbacks will likely challenge Nuggets early and often, but with more targets comes more opportunities to prove he was worth the first pick. If Nuggets can capitalize on that and make a few splash plays, he could be a defensive rookie of the year candidate.
CB Heiiajs D. Owidhuse | Chicago Butchers | @firstfray
Chicago paid the premium to come up and get Heiiajs D. Owidhuse with Berlin’s original second overall pick, but by all accounts he’s well worth the cost of admission. Stud in every sense of the word and someone who will help out beyond the lines as well. Owidhuse is already the second best cornerback for the Butchers, barely edging out Bill Cravy. Quendyn Quarterstorm has the top spot locked down. We’ll see next week where Chicago plans to line up Owidhuse, but regardless of alignment you’d expect the former running back to get plenty of opportunities to make plays. Owidhuse and the aforementioned Nuggets will be compared throughout their careers and we will get to start that comparison next week. Let the games begin.
S Honey Humphries | New Orleans Secondline | @Komobro
This was a surprise first round pick for many, but as someone who saw Honey Humphries up close last season I love the pick. Humphries is a silent assassin who slides under the radar and was a huge part of the Luchadores’ Ultimini run last year. He gives the Secondline some much needed help at safety, especially after the post-draft trade that sent veteran Chim Rickles to Sarasota. Along with Nuggets, Humphries will be the second rookie to start in the Secondline secondary and will get a chance to prove he was worth a first round pick. Just like Nuggets, I expect some bumps along the way but expect big things for Humphries as he gains the experience at the next level.
Are Kickers People Too? True Rookies™ (yes. well, this one is.)
K Wing Wang | New York Silverbacks | @platanocat
Wing Wang. The people’s champ. Your favorite kicker’s favorite kicker. No move speaks more to the prospect and character of Wang more so than New York trading a future first round pick to move back into the second round to select him. A kicker. Wang, who tied the DSFL record with 30 made field goals last season, will get the chance to shine early in New York. The Silverbacks couldn’t quite put it together last season, but there were signs late in the season that lead me to believe this could be a team who may surprise some people this year. On offense, Falco is surrounded with no shortage of playmakers in Michaelangelo McTurtle, Mandrews McHollywood, and Matthew Mara among others. Wang should get plenty of opportunities to do what the people have come to expect from him - kick good.
Please note I was working off the TPE Tracker to determine who was called up, so apologies if I missed anyone.
Offensive True Rookies™
RB Sailor Moon | Honolulu Hahalua | @WildfireMicro
The word “steal” gets thrown around a lot when talking about the draft, but arguably no player fits that definition more than Sailor Moon. Moon, taken in the third round with the 40th overall pick, had more TPE than the 17 picks before them. TPE certainly isn’t be-all and end-all, but this is a selection which could big dividends for the Hahalua. Moon was a speed back for the Norfolk SeaWolves but will be making the transition to fullback in year one. With star Bean Delphine Jr. in town, Moon’s role will likely be limited in the early going but I don’t expect that to last long. While I don’t think Moon is a strong offensive rookie of the year candidate, I fully expect their role in the offense to increase and develop into another weapon for the already dangerous Hahalua offense.
WR Keanu Calhoun | New Orleans Secondline | @Frostbite
One of the more surprising things to happen on draft night was Keanu Calhoun falling out of the first round, although with New Orleans holding the 13th, 14th, and 15th overall picks, Calhoun was by all accounts a first round pick. Just ask the front office, who awarded fans a point if they predicted Calhoun would be a first rounder. First round, second round, it doesn’t really matter. Calhoun is a great prospect and one that will get every opportunity to shine in year one. Calhoun is currently listed as the team’s third best receiver behind PeePee Poop-Easter Sr. and Dick Grayson, but don’t be surprised if Calhoun is the number two receiver sooner than later. If the Secondline are playing from behind just as much as they were last season, expect lots of Elessar Jones drop-backs and Calhoun targets. As a Calhoun fantasy football keeper league owner, I’m expecting big things.
WR Aaron Jäger | Orange County Otters | @MouseMazing
Aaron Jäger, like Calhoun, was a prospect many people thought could go in the first round but ended up falling to the second. In the case of Jäger, the Orange County Otters grabbed him with the 20th overall pick, after selecting running back Reginald Shrubbery in the first round. Wide receiver was a big need for the Otters, so it’s no surprise to see Jäger being called up in year one. He’ll be the teams’ third receiver going into the season, behind veterans Thomas Robinson and Teenie Hodges. Expect to see Jäger’s impact felt immediately.
TE Hank Mardukas | New Orleans Secondline | @Chicken Lips
In an unreleased mock draft leading up to the draft, I had Hank “Soft Hands” Mardukas penciled in as the third overall pick. Ultimately I felt it would be too difficult to pass up on a player of his caliber and evidently the Secondline felt the same. It’s also no surprise that Mardukas is getting the call up in year one, as New Orleans had a huge need at tight end. Mardukas, who is switching to a vertical tight end archetype, joins a group of pass catchers which includes PeePee Poop-Eater Sr., Dick Grayson, and Keanu Calhoun. The Secondline could get creative in terms of how they choose to utilize Mardukas, whether it be lining him up as a traditional tight end in some packages and/or flexing him out wide in others. Regardless of alignment, expect Mardukas to get a plethora of targets and thus be someone who is a strong offensive rookie of the year candidate.
OL Blacksmith Andre | San Jose SaberCats | @Muford
San Jose SaberCats? That must be a typo. I thought Blacksmith Andre was destined to end up in Berlin? Instead Andre ends up in San Jose, who took him with the sixth overall pick. A little birdie told me Andre will start to left tackle, but we’ll see if that’s the case early next week. Either way, Andre will be the lone offensive lineman for the SaberCats and get plenty of pancake opportunities as he blocks for Owen Farrell and Lord Farquaads. Don’t be surprised if he by the end of the year, Andre is bringing home some hardware in the form of an offensive rookie of the year trophy. The man likes to eat.
OL Shucks McShuckle | New Orleans Secondline | @Dukemarriot
A fourth round rookie starting their first year in the ISFL is probably not all that common, but when you combine a position of need in offensive line with a team with holes everywhere that’s just what you get. Shucks McShuckle has talent, but at this stage in his career is raw and inexperienced. As the lone offensive lineman for the Secondline, he will be tasked with helping to keep an aging Elessar Jones upright in addition to paving the way for second year running back Kyle Crane. He may be outclassed by more experienced defensive lineman in year one, but that doesn’t mean he won’t turn out to be a steal for the Secondline in the coming seasons.
Defensive True Rookies™
CB Dino Nuggets | New Orleans Secondline | @swoosh
The reach of the draft, first overall pick Dino Nuggets will be thrown into the fire in year one for the Secondline defense. Nuggets is listed as the team’s third best cornerback on paper, but will be starting at CB2 across from second year stand out and counting extraordinaire Ezra Azazel. As a whole, the Secondline defense and secondary in particular is an inexperienced group but one with no shortage of talent. Opposing quarterbacks will likely challenge Nuggets early and often, but with more targets comes more opportunities to prove he was worth the first pick. If Nuggets can capitalize on that and make a few splash plays, he could be a defensive rookie of the year candidate.
CB Heiiajs D. Owidhuse | Chicago Butchers | @firstfray
Chicago paid the premium to come up and get Heiiajs D. Owidhuse with Berlin’s original second overall pick, but by all accounts he’s well worth the cost of admission. Stud in every sense of the word and someone who will help out beyond the lines as well. Owidhuse is already the second best cornerback for the Butchers, barely edging out Bill Cravy. Quendyn Quarterstorm has the top spot locked down. We’ll see next week where Chicago plans to line up Owidhuse, but regardless of alignment you’d expect the former running back to get plenty of opportunities to make plays. Owidhuse and the aforementioned Nuggets will be compared throughout their careers and we will get to start that comparison next week. Let the games begin.
S Honey Humphries | New Orleans Secondline | @Komobro
This was a surprise first round pick for many, but as someone who saw Honey Humphries up close last season I love the pick. Humphries is a silent assassin who slides under the radar and was a huge part of the Luchadores’ Ultimini run last year. He gives the Secondline some much needed help at safety, especially after the post-draft trade that sent veteran Chim Rickles to Sarasota. Along with Nuggets, Humphries will be the second rookie to start in the Secondline secondary and will get a chance to prove he was worth a first round pick. Just like Nuggets, I expect some bumps along the way but expect big things for Humphries as he gains the experience at the next level.
Are Kickers People Too? True Rookies™ (yes. well, this one is.)
K Wing Wang | New York Silverbacks | @platanocat
Wing Wang. The people’s champ. Your favorite kicker’s favorite kicker. No move speaks more to the prospect and character of Wang more so than New York trading a future first round pick to move back into the second round to select him. A kicker. Wang, who tied the DSFL record with 30 made field goals last season, will get the chance to shine early in New York. The Silverbacks couldn’t quite put it together last season, but there were signs late in the season that lead me to believe this could be a team who may surprise some people this year. On offense, Falco is surrounded with no shortage of playmakers in Michaelangelo McTurtle, Mandrews McHollywood, and Matthew Mara among others. Wang should get plenty of opportunities to do what the people have come to expect from him - kick good.