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+---- Thread: *Fight to the top (/showthread.php?tid=2956)
*Fight to the top - iamslm22 - 08-05-2017
Welcome to the NSFLN exclusive about the worst team in the league through the first month of the season. Choosing the Liberty was a fairly easy decision, as they are the only winless team in the league, as well as having the worst record in the league. Before going in to how the Liberty can improve, one quick aside on who the worst team in the league is. You could make an argument for the Las Vegas Legion. The Legion have won only one game this year, and it was a fluky home win against Baltimore in over time. Las Vegas had way less penalties than Baltimore, and Baltimore's kicker Turk Turkleton uncharacteristically missed a close field goal. Now Legion fans will argue that a win is a win, but Home Field Advantage is HUGE in the NSFL and the Legion have hosted ALL FOUR of their games at home, while Philly has had to go on the road for 3 of their 4 games. That being said, it is still this writer's opinion that Philly has been the worst team in the league thus far.
There are many reasons that Philly has been the worst team in the league and there are many ways they can turn this around. A lot of the focus on the NSFL forums have been with Philly's offense, however their D has actually been much worse. Philly has given up the most points in the league at a staggering 106 points. That's 22 more than the second to last place Legion and 41 points more than the average of the other 7 teams in the NSFL. When looking at the Defensive stats for Philly it is clear where they need improvement. Philly actually leads the league in interceptions, and is league average in passing defense. Their biggest weakness is their awful pass rush. Philly has had FOUR sacks. That's it! Literally averaging one sack a game. If Philly wants to contend they absolutely have to add to their pass rush. They have one third the amount of sacks of San Jose, Yellowknife and Orange County, and those three teams are tied for second least amount of sacks. They have one seventh of the amount of sacks of the league leading pass rush in Arizona.
While the pass rushing deficit in Philly is a team wide issue, ONE player could change their fortune. There are five players in the NSFL with more sacks than Philly has. If Philly could develop one of their pass rushers, or could trade for one of the stars in the NSFL it would appear their defense would improve immediately. In fact the entire top 10 in the league in the sacks has 4 sacks or more, which would match the production of Philly's entire pass rush. Arizona has four players in that top 10. Perhaps Philly could attempt to target one of Tuck, Ernston, Luechly or Dam. Would Arizona be willing to part with one of them?
Now, Philly's offense is obviously not perfect and there are paths to improvement there. One big way to improve the team would be to work in the talented Paul DiMirio in to the offense more. He has fantastic hands, and is fast, yet Philly just has not utilized him at all. Averaging a paltry 5.4 yards per reception, and an asburdly low 3 receptions per game Philly has not been able to use their highly talented Tight End at all. The longest Reception DiMirio has on the year is actually a 10 yard reception. That would make sense if he were a blocking tight end, or even a mere safety net, but with DiMirio's speed Philly's offense is not using their weapon well at all.
So there you have it. Philly needs to improve its pass rush, and perhaps it could improve its offense by using DiMirio more.
(645) + a $600,000 bonus for NSFLN requested article.
GRADED
*Fight to the top - 124715 - 08-09-2017
Nice article! This makes me happy
*Fight to the top - iamslm22 - 08-09-2017
(08-09-2017, 06:52 AM)124715 Wrote:Nice article! This makes me happy
Thanks man! Glad to see the coaching staff took my advice and you guys got a W in your best game of the season.
*Fight to the top - 124715 - 08-09-2017
(08-09-2017, 08:56 AM)iamslm22 Wrote:Thanks man! Glad to see the coaching staff took my advice and you guys got a W in your best game of the season.
Yep! We're probably not the worst team anymore!
*Fight to the top - iamslm22 - 08-09-2017
(08-09-2017, 07:58 AM)124715 Wrote:Yep! We're probably not the worst team anymore!
Yea I agree, if I were to write the article today it would be about the Legion.