![[DEV] ISFL Forums](http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/images/emerald/logo.png "[DEV] ISFL Forums"){kind=logo}
+- [DEV] ISFL Forums (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Community (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Media (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=37)
+---- Forum: Graded Articles (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: * S3 Rookie Wide Receivers Season Wrap Up (/showthread.php?tid=5175)
* S3 Rookie Wide Receivers Season Wrap Up - ItsJustBarry - 10-13-2017
With the regular season in the rear-view mirror, we can wrap up the rookie wide receiving predictions for S3 and see why I shouldn’t be predicting anything.
Samuel Zhang – 23rd overall – Arizona Outlaws
Prediction: around 500 yards and 4 TDs
Week 13 and 14 were the week of Zhang. After having 3 consecutive down weeks, he returned for the week 13 matchup between the Arizona Outlaws and the San Jose Saber cats and put on a show. After not even being targeted in the first half, King Bronko started looking his way in the 3rd quarter. Off of 4 targets, Zhang pulled in 3 catches for an astonishing 93 yards as the Outlaws went on the win by double digits. Week 14 saw the Outlaws traveling to their neighbors in Nevada for what everyone expected to be an easy game heading into the playoffs. Not only was it easy, but the Outlaws handed the Legion a 45-0 beat down. Zhang was exceptional in this game as well. Bronko got Zhang involved early this time and it paid off. Zhang was targeted 7 times and managed to reigned in 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 TDs. In terms of yards and receptions, this was his second best performance of the season with his week 8 performance slightly ahead. In terms of TDs, this was by far his best game as these 2 TDs doubled his current season production. When the season began, we all knew the Outlaws were going to be good but I was sure how involved Zhang would be. With my prediction of 500 yards and 4 TDs, Zhang surpassed my yardage prediction by an additional 39% and thanks to his week 14 performance, matched my TD prediction. The Outlaws have a player in Zhang who has demonstrated he can show up when called upon.
Jaquan Young – 28th overall – Yeti
Prediction: 250 yards and 2 TDs
JaQuan Young actually had his best week of the season in week 13. In a game where the Yeti lost a close one to the Liberty, Young contributed 4 receptions for 38 yards. This matches his high for receptions in a game and set a season high for yards. He also managed a fumble recovery when QB Nicholas Pierno lost the ball while scrambling. Week 14 saw a very unusual stat line for the Yeti. Although they won the season finale against San Jose by a huge margin, Pierno only attempted 11 passes and completed 6 for 83 total yards. Young was targeted once but the pass was deflected. This was the only time that Pierno looked his way. Only 2 receivers managed receptions this game however, they Yeti defense found the end zone 3 separate times. As the As the Yeti head into the offseason and S4, Young should become a more involved player on offense. Only time will tell if Colorado will stay the course with Nicholas Pierno or make the less popular decision to bring Logan Noble back. My prediction for Young was 250 yards and 2 TDs. He finished up the season with 234 yards hitting 93.6% of my prediction but failed to ever find the end zone. No matter which QB is starting in S4, they will be an improvement over this season and Young is likely to benefit as well.
Connor Tanner – 41st overall – Legion
Prediction: 400 yards and 3 TDs
Connor Tanner was our lone tight end in this series. He was also our only rookie who started in the DSFL before being called up to play with the big boys. He found his groove quickly and became a reliable target for struggling QB Josh Bercovici. Week 13 we saw more of the same from Tanner as he racked up 5 receptions for 46 yards. Unfortunately, the lone Legion TD was scored by their defense. Week 14 was different story completely and a difficult day to be a Legion member. Their offense never got anything going. Tanner had his absolute worst game with only a single completion for 4 yards. This is not a direct reflection on Tanner though as their best receiver only had 62 yards and the Legion were shutout 45-0 to close out their season. With their season completed, Tanner finished with 51 catches for 494 yards, an average of 9.7 YPC and 6 TDs. Tanner exceeded my yardage prediction by an additional 23% and doubled my TD prediction. It will be interesting to see if Las Vegas stays with Bercovici or if they look to acquire a new signal caller this offseason.
Budda Browning – 43rd overall – Philadelphia Liberty
Prediction: about 300 yards and 1 TD
Budda Browning is up next and just like Tanner, his last 2 games were a little unfortunate. In week 13, the Liberty hosted the Colorado Yeti. As we have seen all season, you never know what you are going to get when the Yeti take the field and this game was no exception. While the Liberty scored early and never lost the lead, the Yeti did manage to tie it up at the end of the 3rd quarter and only lost by 1 as their kicker missed an extra point. What is more surprising than this is that Budda Browning did not take the field in this game. I am not sure if there were off field issues or what but Browning’s week 13 stat line is all zeroes. He was back in week 14 when the Liberty played host to the Baltimore Hawks is what was a preview to the NSFC Championship game scheduled for next week. Baltimore was up 14 early in the game before relinquishing 31 unanswered points. Philadelphia went on to win easily 31-14. Budda was involved as he caught 3 passes for 25 yards and scored 1 of the Liberty’s 4 TDs. With him being inactive for week 13, Browning has scored a TD in each of his last 2 games played. As the Liberty head into the postseason this is a great time for their young rookie to get hot. With the regular concluded, Budda had 36 receptions for 311 yards, an average 8.6 YPC and 2 TDs. Browning exceeded my yardage prediction by 3.7% and doubled my 1 TD prediction.
Nate Atasuke – 46th overall – Otters
Prediction: 400 yards and 2 TDs
The Orange County Otters did just enough the edge out the Baltimore Hawks in week 13. Luck may have also played a part as Baltimore K Turk Turkleton missed a long field goal as time expired. Mike Boss had a typical 300+ yard game and rookie receiver Nate Atasuke had his typical game as well. Of Boss’ 46 pass attempts, Atasuke was targeted 7 times bringing in 4 for completions for a modest 25 yards. Like we’ve seen all season, Atasuke is a respectable member of this high powered offense that is only going to become deadlier as Nate’s skillset progresses (assuming Mike Boss returns for S4 too). In week 14, we saw the Otters host the Wraiths in a meaningless game to finish the regular season. The Otters had already clinched the #2 seed in the ASFC and the Wraiths were only playing for pride at this point. Mike Boss dropped back 52 times adding another 300+ yards to his season total. Atasuke was more involved this game being targeted 8 times and reeling in 5 of those and finished the game with 50 yards. After 4 subpar weeks for Nate, it was nice to see him rebound in this performance and just in time as the Otters are headed to the desert to face off with the Arizona Outlaws for their shot at an Ultimus appearance. For the regular season Atasuke finished the year with 57 receptions, 590 yards, a 10.4 YPC average, and 2 TDs. He exceeded my yardage prediction by 47% and matched my TD prediction with 2. With Mike Boss’ future undetermined, the future of Nate’s performance may be up in the air as well.
Brian Wheat – 47th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 300 yards and 2 TDs
Brian Wheat is the mirror opposite to Connor Tanner. Wheat began his career as a member of the Baltimore Hawks and had very little participation through the first quarter of the season. Once the trade that brought Stormblessed into the Hawks locker room, Wheat was sent down to the DSFL to continue his development. He was immediately acquired by the Kansas City Coyotes and wasted no time showing off. In his first DSFL game, he tripled his entire 4 game NSFL yardage total. From there, he went on to have several more impactful games and his season stat line is looking good. In week 13 he kept this trend going as the Coyotes traveled to Virginia to face the Seawolves. During this game, Wheat was targeted an incredible 13 times, pulled in 8 completions for 82 yards, and scored a TD. In the final game of the season, the Coyotes hosted the San Antonio Marshals. Wheat had another impactful game where he contributed 100 yards on 7 receptions. This was his 2nd time hitting the century mark in receiving yards. Despite his effort, the Coyotes lose their final game and end their season at 7-7. Combining his time between the NSFL and DSFL, Wheat racked up 614 yards on 46 receptions, a 13.3 YPC average, and finished his rookie season with 3 TDs. I did not alter my initial prediction once Brian joined the DSFL. My original prediction was 300 yards and 2 TDs and Brain smashed that exceeding my prediction by 104% and added 1 more TD. Keep in mind after this season concludes, Wheat will be returning to the Hawks’ lineup where he will need to step up and fill in the void that Matthew Vincent left. As the Hawks’ future WR3, all eyes will be on Wheat when he returns to the NSFL next season.
Trey Willie – 10th overall – Baltimore Hawks
Prediction: 700-1000 with 7 TDs
With the Hawks’ securing the #1 seed in the NSFC, these last 2 games had little meaning for them. That’s good news for Baltimore as they finish their season on a 2 game losing streak. In week 13, the Hawks were headed to Orange County to redeem themselves from their week 8 55-23 loss to the Otters. In a much closer game, the outcome wasn’t definitive until the final whistle blew and Orange County once again prevailed 25-23. For the majority of the game, Trey Willie was facing off against former team mate Marc Spector. After being held to just 34 yards in their last matchup, Willie had better game with 110 yards on just 4 completions. In week 14, the Hawks headed to city of brotherly love for a preview of the NSFC championship game. The Hawks scored quickly but was soon overcome by the persistent Liberty offense. Willie had his 3rd worst game of the season attributing just 56 yards on 2 receptions. Willie is going to need to step up in a major way next week when these 2 teams face off again for their ticket to the Ultimus Championship game. During the regular season, Willie has accumulated 64 receptions for 1163 yards, a 18.2 YPC average, and 3 TDs. When I made my initial prediction, Matthew Vincent had not retired and Stormblessed was still on the Legion. Willie spent a portion of this season as WR1 but the majority of the time was as WR2 (WR1.5 really). My original prediction was 700 yards and 7 TDs. With his increased role on the team, he exceeded my yardage prediction by 463, an increase of 66% but fell way short of my TD prediction. Willie did not score a TD in the entire second half of the season. As a part of the Baltimore Hawks special teams unit, Willie fielded 26 kickoffs for 745 yards, an average of 28.7 return yard average and 1 kickoff returned for a TD. With Vincent gone next season and Brian Wheat returning, I would expect Willie to have a similar performance next year.
2017 words