Preseason doesn’t count for much, so seems like a good time to take stats from meaningless games in terms of record and declare opinions about times.
1. Arizona Outlaws Δ0
Anyone surprised that they’re one? No. It’s not that the outlaws won, it’s that they won in convincing fashion, beating the only team that has ever played them close on a regular basis (Otters) to the point where it was beating a dead horse. The Outlaws are good, and the trade from Yeti firesale has more or less cemented the Outlaws not only as the team to beat, but the s3 favorites for the Ultimus. It’s going to be tough to beat them, as the outlaws have cemented themselves in league of their own. If any team has outgrown the NSFL, it is them.
2. Baltimore Hawks Δ+1
Well the Hawk returned to their usual preseason win-streak. The real kicker is they seem to be improving on the problems from last season, winning on the road. Although preseason, the Hawks went to Orange County and pulled out a win. The defense, that has been suspect, seems to have been firing on all cylinders putting up 5 sacks against an Otters line that is hard to beat. The NSFC crown is theirs to lose and the real challenge is whether Kyubee will be able to take this team to the next level in the super contentious NSFC.
3. Yellowknife Wraiths Δ+2
There’s no doubt that Wraiths were outplayed in San Jose in all three phases. But the defense showed up against Philly and the offense didn’t play too poorly either. There’s a lot to like about this Wraiths team, it’s young and it’s hungry. I don’t have access to schemes, so I’m not sure if it is the Wraiths playing around with things, but Orosz didn’t play like the pro-bowl QB people know him as. The wraiths still need to figure out how to play both offense and defense in the same game, but if they play like they did in philly with a bit more strength to their offense, there’s no reason this team cannot meet the expectations people have had for the last two seasons.
4. Orange County Otters Δ-2
What a step back for Orange County. The offense has no run game. Burnsman doesn’t look like the replacement for Bowers and neither does Jenkins. If the offenses is going to rely on Boss to sling the rock, the defense needs to be ready to deal with his turnover-prone tendencies. Going 0/13 on third down in a loss at home is also a cause for alarm. Remember, the Otters started slow last season, but if the Sabercats are baring their fangs and the Legion are getting in phalanx, then the late season surge for the Otters may not be enough for them to get back to the playoffs.
5. Philadelphia Liberty. Δ0
Rove will improve, but it was a bad welcoming. He didn’t play bad per se, as much at this point in time he cannot be counted on to win games. That’s ok, he can easily be there as the season progresses, but he cannot do it alone. The Liberty seem to be on the rise, but time will tell if the defense is all it is touted to be.
6. Colorado Yeti Δ-3
Here’s the thing, the Yeti do not inspire confidence. You have the best defense in the NSFL, arguably, it is yours for the taking, and rather than try to compete in a year when it’s doable, the Yeti threw in the towel and sold off most great assests because of approaching contract years. Here’s why this is dumb, 0 games have been played. No inventory has been taken, and in all honesty the Yeti started the season in a place to easily compete and possibly succeed. Now, the roster has been gutted, and while Noble and Tweed look good on offense, the team’s defense has essentially become Wozy and Saint. The fact that there was a 6 point difference in a game where the defense generated 3 turnovers means that the Yeti GMs need to do some soul searching and figure out what direction they want to go. There’s never going to be an easy path to the Ultimus, biding time is ok, but biding for what?
7. San Jose SaberCats Δ0
I’m not ready to move the Cats up just yet, but they looked like the team people expected them to be at the end of week 4 last season. Ethan Hunt went up against Noble and Orosz, arguably the two best Quarterbacks in the league and reminded people that he is as underrated as they come. He had a higher QB Rating than both of them in their games. Shane Weston put up back to back 100 yard games, Darren Smallwood put up 80 yards against Lavelle and averaged 79.5 yards a game. @Durden had a quietly good game well running the ball. And that’s just offense, John Canton reminded people that he’s the Island, and while Bailey Cook was looking forward to going against, Garden, who got lost on the island. Blewitt sailed some in and did well. But the real testament to this team looking good is the loss to the Yeti. 3 turnovers and still keeping the game close means the Sabercats can definitely turn some heads in #MrRodgersSaberhood.
8. Las Vegas Legion Δ0
Leclair seems like the only offensive force on that team. It might be a resurgence of the Legion, now with an active offensive line, but is it too little to late? Hard to say. But what’s interesting to notice is that the defense is still going strong, the addition of Blade makes that defense formidable against the pass, 6 sacks in 3 games is not bad. It’s going to be interesting to see the trajectory of this team, if their draft picks pan out, they could be a team people regret playing as the season ends.
Please send my buddy @okonkwoco the first 1mil from this. I’ll take the rest.
1. Arizona Outlaws Δ0
Anyone surprised that they’re one? No. It’s not that the outlaws won, it’s that they won in convincing fashion, beating the only team that has ever played them close on a regular basis (Otters) to the point where it was beating a dead horse. The Outlaws are good, and the trade from Yeti firesale has more or less cemented the Outlaws not only as the team to beat, but the s3 favorites for the Ultimus. It’s going to be tough to beat them, as the outlaws have cemented themselves in league of their own. If any team has outgrown the NSFL, it is them.
2. Baltimore Hawks Δ+1
Well the Hawk returned to their usual preseason win-streak. The real kicker is they seem to be improving on the problems from last season, winning on the road. Although preseason, the Hawks went to Orange County and pulled out a win. The defense, that has been suspect, seems to have been firing on all cylinders putting up 5 sacks against an Otters line that is hard to beat. The NSFC crown is theirs to lose and the real challenge is whether Kyubee will be able to take this team to the next level in the super contentious NSFC.
3. Yellowknife Wraiths Δ+2
There’s no doubt that Wraiths were outplayed in San Jose in all three phases. But the defense showed up against Philly and the offense didn’t play too poorly either. There’s a lot to like about this Wraiths team, it’s young and it’s hungry. I don’t have access to schemes, so I’m not sure if it is the Wraiths playing around with things, but Orosz didn’t play like the pro-bowl QB people know him as. The wraiths still need to figure out how to play both offense and defense in the same game, but if they play like they did in philly with a bit more strength to their offense, there’s no reason this team cannot meet the expectations people have had for the last two seasons.
4. Orange County Otters Δ-2
What a step back for Orange County. The offense has no run game. Burnsman doesn’t look like the replacement for Bowers and neither does Jenkins. If the offenses is going to rely on Boss to sling the rock, the defense needs to be ready to deal with his turnover-prone tendencies. Going 0/13 on third down in a loss at home is also a cause for alarm. Remember, the Otters started slow last season, but if the Sabercats are baring their fangs and the Legion are getting in phalanx, then the late season surge for the Otters may not be enough for them to get back to the playoffs.
5. Philadelphia Liberty. Δ0
Rove will improve, but it was a bad welcoming. He didn’t play bad per se, as much at this point in time he cannot be counted on to win games. That’s ok, he can easily be there as the season progresses, but he cannot do it alone. The Liberty seem to be on the rise, but time will tell if the defense is all it is touted to be.
6. Colorado Yeti Δ-3
Here’s the thing, the Yeti do not inspire confidence. You have the best defense in the NSFL, arguably, it is yours for the taking, and rather than try to compete in a year when it’s doable, the Yeti threw in the towel and sold off most great assests because of approaching contract years. Here’s why this is dumb, 0 games have been played. No inventory has been taken, and in all honesty the Yeti started the season in a place to easily compete and possibly succeed. Now, the roster has been gutted, and while Noble and Tweed look good on offense, the team’s defense has essentially become Wozy and Saint. The fact that there was a 6 point difference in a game where the defense generated 3 turnovers means that the Yeti GMs need to do some soul searching and figure out what direction they want to go. There’s never going to be an easy path to the Ultimus, biding time is ok, but biding for what?
7. San Jose SaberCats Δ0
I’m not ready to move the Cats up just yet, but they looked like the team people expected them to be at the end of week 4 last season. Ethan Hunt went up against Noble and Orosz, arguably the two best Quarterbacks in the league and reminded people that he is as underrated as they come. He had a higher QB Rating than both of them in their games. Shane Weston put up back to back 100 yard games, Darren Smallwood put up 80 yards against Lavelle and averaged 79.5 yards a game. @Durden had a quietly good game well running the ball. And that’s just offense, John Canton reminded people that he’s the Island, and while Bailey Cook was looking forward to going against, Garden, who got lost on the island. Blewitt sailed some in and did well. But the real testament to this team looking good is the loss to the Yeti. 3 turnovers and still keeping the game close means the Sabercats can definitely turn some heads in #MrRodgersSaberhood.
8. Las Vegas Legion Δ0
Leclair seems like the only offensive force on that team. It might be a resurgence of the Legion, now with an active offensive line, but is it too little to late? Hard to say. But what’s interesting to notice is that the defense is still going strong, the addition of Blade makes that defense formidable against the pass, 6 sacks in 3 games is not bad. It’s going to be interesting to see the trajectory of this team, if their draft picks pan out, they could be a team people regret playing as the season ends.
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