Hi there. I'm going to write a random article now because I feel like it. I know who the DSFL players have been drafted to but no one else does yet. :ph34r:
Anyway. Let's look at some stuff. Starting with the almost Hall of Famer, Wyatt Fulton. Ge currently sits 12th all time in tackles with 514. Everyone ahead of him and 8 of the 9 players behind him all played more games. That's nuts. He's also tied for 3rd all time in forced fumbles, top 25 in sacks and passes defenced. He's among the top Linebackers in virtually every other stat, too. All while being measured against players who overwhelmingly played more games than he did. He very nearly got my vote and form the discussion, he nearly had the votes of a number of other people as well. Had he played one more season, he probably would be the first NSFL Hall of Fame players. And this was his second season of eligibility. If he doesn't drop by the end of next season, expect him to actually get a few votes.
Now let's talk about other stuff. Is Mat Akselsen actually the MVP? Well, let's examine the case he has.
First let's talk about the negatives. 5th in touchdowns, 4th in yards, tied for 2nd most ints (despite having fewer throws than 6 of 7 other QBs), 6th in TD percentage, and #1 in interception percentage. He also led the league in fumbles with 7 (which was as much as the 5th and 6th place combined). He also enjoyed the lowest percentage of sacks of any QB.
Now let's get some positives. Highest average per completion. Highest completion percentage. 6.9 yards per carry, most in the league by a LOT for anyone who ran the ball a reasonable number of time. Over 900 rushing yards. 16 rushing touchdowns, which was the most in the league. The longest run in NSFL history when he scampered for an 80 yard touchdown with the entire Arizona Outlaw defense strung out behind him in a line like a parade. Without a doubt the play of the year. If you disagree, you're wrong.
So all by himself does this resume strike you as being MVP? No. Look no further than the guy who shares that backfield with Akselsen. Eric Kennedy absolutely destroyed this league a few seasons ago in a way somewhat similar to what Akselsen did. And similarly, it was by excelling at characteristics not native to his position. Kennedy as a running back did all his damage as a receiver with pretty pedestrian running numbers. Akselsen did his damage as a runner with pedestrian to bad quarterbacking numbers.
I'm not going to suggest that he was a failure or anything. But he was clearly not the MVP according to the way we decide things in this league. Of course, as these things go, if you say someone isn't MVP worthy, it doesn't matter that they weren't on their own to begin with. People are going to expect you to come up with alternates when you dare to suggest that the 4th or 5th best quarterback isn't automatically the MVP of the league. (i'm sorry Bzer. I love you)
Well, let's start with the obvious. Mike Boss fatigue exists. His numbers should put him in the conversation yet again. I'm not gonna do that however. He's reached that Lebron, Michael, Brady, Gretsky stage. Instead, I'm going to put forth Avon Blocksdale.
38-9 ratio, 4400 yards, incredibly low interception rate, 2nd best completion percentage, highest percentage of touchdown throws in the league, and a very good yards per attempt, despite the fact that he was carrying a group of receivers who had among the worst average on yards per catch. Basically, he did massive damage and well over-performed his supporting cast. Not to mention an extremely mediocre defense that couldn't consistently sack the QB, had low passes defenced, and gave up the kind of points that the 4 and 5 win teams did. They forced among the fewest punts of any defense in the league, too. And he did it without stealing the touchdowns of his running back to make up for lacking QB play. Seriously guys, I do actually like Bzerkap.
What if we didn't give the award to a QB though? Running back? The only one close enough is Mackworthy but voters will probably ignore that 1800 yards from scrimmage and 1500 more in the return game. The rest didn't quite do enough to really be called MVPs. Receivers? No. Kickers? Seems pretty unlikely. So how about defense? Surely that are a few candidates right? Somebody had a tremendous year? Well..not quite enough to overcome the whole "not being a quarterback" thing. And so we come back to Blocksdale. Thus he is my pick.
Stephen Harris kicked a perfect 42 of 42 field goals this year for the Philadelphia Liberty. For comparison, Micycle McCormick and Dean Jackson combined to go 42 of 44.
While we're on the Ultimus Champions, they won both the conference title game and Ultimus on the road. In a season where someone who I don't remember had said that we probably weren't gonna see that exact thing happen for a while. And they did it while generating less yards and points than both of their posts season opponents, and giving up more yards and points than both as well. Maybe Tyler Oles ought to be in that MVP conversation, considering he's working with a pretty average support cast at this juncture. Josh Garden stopped being elite in S5, Fox north is competent, Kroetch is the most replaceable running back in the conference, and DiMirio can't be everything all the time. The Otter has THREE skill position players who would be significant straight up improvements over their Liberty counterparts. In fact..let's get crazy. If Oles and Boss switched places, Oles would still be Ultimus Champion and Boss would be losing a playoff spot to Baltimore.
These takes are so hot, that I don't have a punchline for this. Want some more?
Arizona and San Jose will not make the playoffs again until at least S10.
Next season's Hall of Fame candidates will actually combine to receive more than zero votes.
If Blocksdale doesn't win the MVP this season, he will next season with the most dynamic passing attack in the league. Look for Baltimore to contend for the Ultimus.
The Yeti will not give up the most points next season.
A former MOP or MVP will announce their retirement next season.
The S7/8 DSFL draft class will have the highest retention rate in league history.
Penalties being turned off will be bought up by at least two separate parties.
We will NOT see any established players (400+ TPE) switch to QB during this coming season.
Verso L'Alto will win Rookie of the Year, just as I predicted before the season started.
And finally...............................................A bot team will win the Ultimini. :ph34r:
Anyway. Let's look at some stuff. Starting with the almost Hall of Famer, Wyatt Fulton. Ge currently sits 12th all time in tackles with 514. Everyone ahead of him and 8 of the 9 players behind him all played more games. That's nuts. He's also tied for 3rd all time in forced fumbles, top 25 in sacks and passes defenced. He's among the top Linebackers in virtually every other stat, too. All while being measured against players who overwhelmingly played more games than he did. He very nearly got my vote and form the discussion, he nearly had the votes of a number of other people as well. Had he played one more season, he probably would be the first NSFL Hall of Fame players. And this was his second season of eligibility. If he doesn't drop by the end of next season, expect him to actually get a few votes.
Now let's talk about other stuff. Is Mat Akselsen actually the MVP? Well, let's examine the case he has.
First let's talk about the negatives. 5th in touchdowns, 4th in yards, tied for 2nd most ints (despite having fewer throws than 6 of 7 other QBs), 6th in TD percentage, and #1 in interception percentage. He also led the league in fumbles with 7 (which was as much as the 5th and 6th place combined). He also enjoyed the lowest percentage of sacks of any QB.
Now let's get some positives. Highest average per completion. Highest completion percentage. 6.9 yards per carry, most in the league by a LOT for anyone who ran the ball a reasonable number of time. Over 900 rushing yards. 16 rushing touchdowns, which was the most in the league. The longest run in NSFL history when he scampered for an 80 yard touchdown with the entire Arizona Outlaw defense strung out behind him in a line like a parade. Without a doubt the play of the year. If you disagree, you're wrong.
So all by himself does this resume strike you as being MVP? No. Look no further than the guy who shares that backfield with Akselsen. Eric Kennedy absolutely destroyed this league a few seasons ago in a way somewhat similar to what Akselsen did. And similarly, it was by excelling at characteristics not native to his position. Kennedy as a running back did all his damage as a receiver with pretty pedestrian running numbers. Akselsen did his damage as a runner with pedestrian to bad quarterbacking numbers.
I'm not going to suggest that he was a failure or anything. But he was clearly not the MVP according to the way we decide things in this league. Of course, as these things go, if you say someone isn't MVP worthy, it doesn't matter that they weren't on their own to begin with. People are going to expect you to come up with alternates when you dare to suggest that the 4th or 5th best quarterback isn't automatically the MVP of the league. (i'm sorry Bzer. I love you)
Well, let's start with the obvious. Mike Boss fatigue exists. His numbers should put him in the conversation yet again. I'm not gonna do that however. He's reached that Lebron, Michael, Brady, Gretsky stage. Instead, I'm going to put forth Avon Blocksdale.
38-9 ratio, 4400 yards, incredibly low interception rate, 2nd best completion percentage, highest percentage of touchdown throws in the league, and a very good yards per attempt, despite the fact that he was carrying a group of receivers who had among the worst average on yards per catch. Basically, he did massive damage and well over-performed his supporting cast. Not to mention an extremely mediocre defense that couldn't consistently sack the QB, had low passes defenced, and gave up the kind of points that the 4 and 5 win teams did. They forced among the fewest punts of any defense in the league, too. And he did it without stealing the touchdowns of his running back to make up for lacking QB play. Seriously guys, I do actually like Bzerkap.
What if we didn't give the award to a QB though? Running back? The only one close enough is Mackworthy but voters will probably ignore that 1800 yards from scrimmage and 1500 more in the return game. The rest didn't quite do enough to really be called MVPs. Receivers? No. Kickers? Seems pretty unlikely. So how about defense? Surely that are a few candidates right? Somebody had a tremendous year? Well..not quite enough to overcome the whole "not being a quarterback" thing. And so we come back to Blocksdale. Thus he is my pick.
Stephen Harris kicked a perfect 42 of 42 field goals this year for the Philadelphia Liberty. For comparison, Micycle McCormick and Dean Jackson combined to go 42 of 44.
While we're on the Ultimus Champions, they won both the conference title game and Ultimus on the road. In a season where someone who I don't remember had said that we probably weren't gonna see that exact thing happen for a while. And they did it while generating less yards and points than both of their posts season opponents, and giving up more yards and points than both as well. Maybe Tyler Oles ought to be in that MVP conversation, considering he's working with a pretty average support cast at this juncture. Josh Garden stopped being elite in S5, Fox north is competent, Kroetch is the most replaceable running back in the conference, and DiMirio can't be everything all the time. The Otter has THREE skill position players who would be significant straight up improvements over their Liberty counterparts. In fact..let's get crazy. If Oles and Boss switched places, Oles would still be Ultimus Champion and Boss would be losing a playoff spot to Baltimore.
These takes are so hot, that I don't have a punchline for this. Want some more?
Arizona and San Jose will not make the playoffs again until at least S10.
Next season's Hall of Fame candidates will actually combine to receive more than zero votes.
If Blocksdale doesn't win the MVP this season, he will next season with the most dynamic passing attack in the league. Look for Baltimore to contend for the Ultimus.
The Yeti will not give up the most points next season.
A former MOP or MVP will announce their retirement next season.
The S7/8 DSFL draft class will have the highest retention rate in league history.
Penalties being turned off will be bought up by at least two separate parties.
We will NOT see any established players (400+ TPE) switch to QB during this coming season.
Verso L'Alto will win Rookie of the Year, just as I predicted before the season started.
And finally...............................................A bot team will win the Ultimini. :ph34r: