[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Concern in YKW: Has Kennedy Peaked?[/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]![[Image: amen1.jpg]](http://image.ibb.co/ko3NGS/amen1.jpg)
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Rumblings coming out Yellowknife early into the preseason have suggested that some within the organization are now growing concerned about the long-term viability of Running Back Eric Kennedy. No one has commented publicly on the matter, but anonymous sources inside the organization have let it slip out that coaches feel that his success in S5 may turn out to be an outlier. Kennedy had a career high year in S5 that resulted in him being voted both Breakout Player of the Year and Offense Player of the Year. The head office also voted him MVP (tied with QB Mike Boss), though the Player’s Association did not back them in that vote and chose to honor Otters RB Jordan Yates. Still, it was a year that finally put Kennedy on the map after seeing him struggle to find a clear role during his first 3 years in the league.
Owner Spike Crown and his coaching staff reportedly had high hopes for the Running Back coming out of last season. They paid a low price for him in the S2 draft, picking up in the 12th round. Kennedy also chose to re-sign a very team-friendly 3-year deal out of loyalty to the organization at $8 million over 3 years; by comparison, Jordan Yates, who was the Player Association’s choice for MVP last season and is ranked close to Kennedy in the NSFL’s “TPE” Rating System, received $21 million over 2 years from the Otters. A lot of people feel that Kennedy could have gotten a much better rate on the open market had he chosen to test free agency. It was a move that was well-appreciated by management and that sign of loyalty was rewarded with a much larger role in the offense, which Kennedy capitalized on, breaking the season catch record with 130 receptions, averaging over 9 catches a game. There’s no doubt that Yellowknife has gotten their money’s worth out of Kennedy, but the internal feeling now seems to be that he’s more likely to continue to be the “reliable hand” that he’s been for most of his career and not the superstar player that many saw him as in S5.
While Kennedy’s success on the field was admired by many, several critics questioned if the RB was thriving due to sheer talent or if this was a mere exploitation of the existing rules. The NSFL has long made a habit of treating players differently based on their positions in order to balance the impact of their roles. It’s a controversial measure that often causes a variety of reactions whenever rules changes are announced, but the rules are just as much there to protect the players as they are to enforce balance. The rise of the receiving back over the last few seasons has been met with growing concerns due to Running Backs generally being much more aggressive in their playstyle. That level of aggression might be acceptable when challenging a 300-pound defensive lineman or linebacker, but there are already a wide array of risks involved for receivers and defenders out in the open field, where high-velocity throws create the need for these players to be especially careful. Replacing a player typically known for their finesse with an (arguably) more reckless player is considered by many to be damaging to the long-term health of the league. While Kennedy popularized the trend, the Wraiths have defended that usage by pointing to the rise of other Running Backs being used in receiving roles. However, that trend may be the very catalyst for these rules being put in place.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]![[Image: amen3.jpg]](http://image.ibb.co/bS8Hi7/amen3.jpg)
[/div]
Though the intent of these changes was reportedly never to discourage the use of “receiving backs”, it would be hard to fault them for that given the outcry from some organizations within the league. Any time a player is at risk of breaking multiple records in a season, it’s going to draw some backlash. Leading into the second half of the season, Kennedy was on pace to also challenge the receiving yards record and the Touchdown record, but those records were ultimately fell out of range after a surprisingly low usage in the final 2 games of the season, the only 2 games in which he did not break 100 receiving yards. Kennedy was on the field for much of those games, but functioned primarily as a decoy for the defense. Some suggest that YKW was looking to rest their top target for the play-offs as they were facing the Yeti and the former Legion, the two lowest-ranked teams in the league. Others have also suggested that Kennedy simply choked and that coaches instructed Wraiths Quarterback Mat Akselsen to purposely avoid him as those games went on.
With the rules changes still fresh in everyone’s mind and a breakout season behind him, it would be surprising not to see Yellowknife give Kennedy the benefit of the doubt as he attempts to adjust to these changes. He came into spring training fired up despite the looming threat of changes that might endanger his aggressive playstyle. However, since the changes were implemented, coaches have noticed that Kennedy appears to be improving at a slower rate than he’s ever improved before. The Running Back underwent a massive weight loss two seasons ago and has since seen a dramatic improvement in speed and agility, but that level of mobility has looked to have finally peaked if these reports from within are correct. Yellowknife is still looking to find creative ways to use Kennedy and utilize his natural talent, but the aura of “untapped potential” that once surrounded the former college star has now been replaced with a sense that the well may have run dry. And, with other comparable Running Backs already proving to be stiff competition for him, an inability to keep up might leave Kennedy quickly fading from stardom to mediocrity if he doesn’t find a way to reinvent himself.
Of course, while there are internal reports coming from within the Yellowknife organization, the looming rise and fall of a player has to take quite an impact on the individual and sources close to Kennedy himself have also started to leak rumors of their own. The Louisiana native has worked hard to establish his image in the public eye as a role model, which is often magnified by his charity work back in his home state, but Kennedy also has a reputation behind the scenes for being very competitive. Tension with fellow Yellowknife Running Back was well-documented before Kennedy’s breakout in S5 and reportedly was the primary factor in his consideration of free agency until a large exodus of players in S4 led him to change his mind and re-sign with the team. Kennedy has told teammates before that he’s determined to be the best Running Back in the NSFL and he’s developed a reputation inside the league for being frustrated when met with obstacles, something that also plagued him as an NSFL prospect and was likely the reason he fell to the 12th round in the S2 Draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]![[Image: amen2.jpg]](http://image.ibb.co/mg91An/amen2.jpg)
[/div]
It’s also been revealed that Kennedy feels “targeted” by the NSFL with these recent rules changes, which also affect the way that players are trained in addition to their play on the field. The NSFL requires teams to classify players under archetypes and to train them accordingly, so that each player’s potential is maximized with their natural abilities in mind. However, because of the amount of dedication and work required to allow a player to change archetypes, it is often only done once in a career. Kennedy started out as a Power Back and transitioned into the Receiving Back archetype after losing weight for health reasons. Such a change would be difficult to undergo again, especially after the last four years in the league have taken a large toll on his body. A spokesman has said that they are working closely with all teams to make sure that Running Backs that wish to remain active in a consistent receiving role undergo the proper level of training required to allow them to safely participate in that aspect of the game. That hasn’t stopped Kennedy from souring on his perception of the league, though, as sources close to him note that he hasn’t responded well to the league’s attempts to correct course. Those sources apparently feel that, while he’s still very confident in his own abilities, he can also be a bit vindictive at times and that his personality can sometimes get the best of him, which may be what is concerning the coaching staff in Yellowknife the most.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to determine if this recent slump is due to a mental barrier on Kennedy’s part, perhaps fueled by his refusal to acclimate to the changes being made. Critics still contest that the player was exploiting a gap in the rules and are pleased that these gaps have now been closed. Ultimately, Kennedy now has an opportunity to legitimize himself in the eyes of his doubters, but he’s going to need to adapt and reinvent himself if he hopes to keep up with the level of competition in the NSFL. With the Wraiths gearing up for what they hope will be their third attempt at the Ultimus, officials are expecting every player to step up, but expectations continue to be low for Kennedy given these recent struggles. Still, many inside the organization have their fingers crossed that he’ll be able to bounce back before the regular season starts. If he doesn’t, the Wraiths have already hedged their bets as they still have 3 rookie Running Backs waiting in the wings, so the pressure is at an all-time high. And it appears that this season will prove to be sink or swim for the S5 Offensive Player of the Year.
Ready for Grading
(1,636 Words)
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
[/div]Rumblings coming out Yellowknife early into the preseason have suggested that some within the organization are now growing concerned about the long-term viability of Running Back Eric Kennedy. No one has commented publicly on the matter, but anonymous sources inside the organization have let it slip out that coaches feel that his success in S5 may turn out to be an outlier. Kennedy had a career high year in S5 that resulted in him being voted both Breakout Player of the Year and Offense Player of the Year. The head office also voted him MVP (tied with QB Mike Boss), though the Player’s Association did not back them in that vote and chose to honor Otters RB Jordan Yates. Still, it was a year that finally put Kennedy on the map after seeing him struggle to find a clear role during his first 3 years in the league.
Owner Spike Crown and his coaching staff reportedly had high hopes for the Running Back coming out of last season. They paid a low price for him in the S2 draft, picking up in the 12th round. Kennedy also chose to re-sign a very team-friendly 3-year deal out of loyalty to the organization at $8 million over 3 years; by comparison, Jordan Yates, who was the Player Association’s choice for MVP last season and is ranked close to Kennedy in the NSFL’s “TPE” Rating System, received $21 million over 2 years from the Otters. A lot of people feel that Kennedy could have gotten a much better rate on the open market had he chosen to test free agency. It was a move that was well-appreciated by management and that sign of loyalty was rewarded with a much larger role in the offense, which Kennedy capitalized on, breaking the season catch record with 130 receptions, averaging over 9 catches a game. There’s no doubt that Yellowknife has gotten their money’s worth out of Kennedy, but the internal feeling now seems to be that he’s more likely to continue to be the “reliable hand” that he’s been for most of his career and not the superstar player that many saw him as in S5.
While Kennedy’s success on the field was admired by many, several critics questioned if the RB was thriving due to sheer talent or if this was a mere exploitation of the existing rules. The NSFL has long made a habit of treating players differently based on their positions in order to balance the impact of their roles. It’s a controversial measure that often causes a variety of reactions whenever rules changes are announced, but the rules are just as much there to protect the players as they are to enforce balance. The rise of the receiving back over the last few seasons has been met with growing concerns due to Running Backs generally being much more aggressive in their playstyle. That level of aggression might be acceptable when challenging a 300-pound defensive lineman or linebacker, but there are already a wide array of risks involved for receivers and defenders out in the open field, where high-velocity throws create the need for these players to be especially careful. Replacing a player typically known for their finesse with an (arguably) more reckless player is considered by many to be damaging to the long-term health of the league. While Kennedy popularized the trend, the Wraiths have defended that usage by pointing to the rise of other Running Backs being used in receiving roles. However, that trend may be the very catalyst for these rules being put in place.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
[/div]Though the intent of these changes was reportedly never to discourage the use of “receiving backs”, it would be hard to fault them for that given the outcry from some organizations within the league. Any time a player is at risk of breaking multiple records in a season, it’s going to draw some backlash. Leading into the second half of the season, Kennedy was on pace to also challenge the receiving yards record and the Touchdown record, but those records were ultimately fell out of range after a surprisingly low usage in the final 2 games of the season, the only 2 games in which he did not break 100 receiving yards. Kennedy was on the field for much of those games, but functioned primarily as a decoy for the defense. Some suggest that YKW was looking to rest their top target for the play-offs as they were facing the Yeti and the former Legion, the two lowest-ranked teams in the league. Others have also suggested that Kennedy simply choked and that coaches instructed Wraiths Quarterback Mat Akselsen to purposely avoid him as those games went on.
With the rules changes still fresh in everyone’s mind and a breakout season behind him, it would be surprising not to see Yellowknife give Kennedy the benefit of the doubt as he attempts to adjust to these changes. He came into spring training fired up despite the looming threat of changes that might endanger his aggressive playstyle. However, since the changes were implemented, coaches have noticed that Kennedy appears to be improving at a slower rate than he’s ever improved before. The Running Back underwent a massive weight loss two seasons ago and has since seen a dramatic improvement in speed and agility, but that level of mobility has looked to have finally peaked if these reports from within are correct. Yellowknife is still looking to find creative ways to use Kennedy and utilize his natural talent, but the aura of “untapped potential” that once surrounded the former college star has now been replaced with a sense that the well may have run dry. And, with other comparable Running Backs already proving to be stiff competition for him, an inability to keep up might leave Kennedy quickly fading from stardom to mediocrity if he doesn’t find a way to reinvent himself.
Of course, while there are internal reports coming from within the Yellowknife organization, the looming rise and fall of a player has to take quite an impact on the individual and sources close to Kennedy himself have also started to leak rumors of their own. The Louisiana native has worked hard to establish his image in the public eye as a role model, which is often magnified by his charity work back in his home state, but Kennedy also has a reputation behind the scenes for being very competitive. Tension with fellow Yellowknife Running Back was well-documented before Kennedy’s breakout in S5 and reportedly was the primary factor in his consideration of free agency until a large exodus of players in S4 led him to change his mind and re-sign with the team. Kennedy has told teammates before that he’s determined to be the best Running Back in the NSFL and he’s developed a reputation inside the league for being frustrated when met with obstacles, something that also plagued him as an NSFL prospect and was likely the reason he fell to the 12th round in the S2 Draft.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
[/div]It’s also been revealed that Kennedy feels “targeted” by the NSFL with these recent rules changes, which also affect the way that players are trained in addition to their play on the field. The NSFL requires teams to classify players under archetypes and to train them accordingly, so that each player’s potential is maximized with their natural abilities in mind. However, because of the amount of dedication and work required to allow a player to change archetypes, it is often only done once in a career. Kennedy started out as a Power Back and transitioned into the Receiving Back archetype after losing weight for health reasons. Such a change would be difficult to undergo again, especially after the last four years in the league have taken a large toll on his body. A spokesman has said that they are working closely with all teams to make sure that Running Backs that wish to remain active in a consistent receiving role undergo the proper level of training required to allow them to safely participate in that aspect of the game. That hasn’t stopped Kennedy from souring on his perception of the league, though, as sources close to him note that he hasn’t responded well to the league’s attempts to correct course. Those sources apparently feel that, while he’s still very confident in his own abilities, he can also be a bit vindictive at times and that his personality can sometimes get the best of him, which may be what is concerning the coaching staff in Yellowknife the most.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to determine if this recent slump is due to a mental barrier on Kennedy’s part, perhaps fueled by his refusal to acclimate to the changes being made. Critics still contest that the player was exploiting a gap in the rules and are pleased that these gaps have now been closed. Ultimately, Kennedy now has an opportunity to legitimize himself in the eyes of his doubters, but he’s going to need to adapt and reinvent himself if he hopes to keep up with the level of competition in the NSFL. With the Wraiths gearing up for what they hope will be their third attempt at the Ultimus, officials are expecting every player to step up, but expectations continue to be low for Kennedy given these recent struggles. Still, many inside the organization have their fingers crossed that he’ll be able to bounce back before the regular season starts. If he doesn’t, the Wraiths have already hedged their bets as they still have 3 rookie Running Backs waiting in the wings, so the pressure is at an all-time high. And it appears that this season will prove to be sink or swim for the S5 Offensive Player of the Year.
Ready for Grading
(1,636 Words)
![[Image: baby-yoda-by-jango-sm.png]](https://i.ibb.co/1rgfYXP/baby-yoda-by-jango-sm.png)
Thanks to Jangorhino for the sig.
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