”30 for 30: Otters S1 QB Controversy” (A look back at the S1 Otters QB Controversy, and where they all stand now)
Welcome to ESPN 30 for 30 short stories! This week we are exploring both a familiar and a deeply unsettling story: a battle which raged on for weeks, threatening to tear a powerhouse dynasty apart. This story might have concluded with a storybook ending, and the journey which will not soon be forgotten by the Ownership and general managers, the teammates, or the hysteric Otters fan base.
THE ACTORS:
Ethan Hunt was the first Quarterback drafted by the otters, at twenty fourth overall. As a mobile Quarterback, he was one of the first quarterbacks chosen in the draft, surprisingly by a team which, at the time, sported a quarterback as it's general manager. Ethan Hunt has been a man of different heads. While investigations show he loves the spotlight, at the draft he professed a preferance for the Quarterback position, even as a backup player. Hunt in his stated article" E. Hunt Will Not Return to SJ" his preference to return to a rebuilding team, despite being in sole control of a heralded starting role. At the time of the draft, Hunt was a large question mark for teams. Stated Here in his draft profile:
ANALYSIS
Hunt is this year's big-time question mark at quarterback. Unlike those who have held this title in the past, Hunt is a stellar passer who shows arm strength and accuracy when he is able to deliver the ball without a hitch. The Idaho State transfer has outstanding football intelligence, as he picked up the Idaho offense in a short time and was the opening-day starter. But teams will have concerns whether Hunt can see over the pocket to make the throws at the next level. He is a mechanical mover who has strong technique and leadership qualities. If Hunt were three inches taller, there would be debate at the top of the draft as to where he fits. But look for teams to take a flier on him in a late round to see if he can develop and outplay his size.
STRENGTHS
Hunt is an accurate passer. He is a very mechanical quarterback who not only is consistent in his drop step, but also understands how to move within the pocket and evade when the pocket collapses. He is an athlete and can torque his body to make any sort of throw on the run, and is accurate in this setting. He is a born signal-caller who shows command of the offense. He has the arm strength to make the deep throws and the touch to put it on a receiver in stride. He is effective when scrambling and extending plays.
WEAKNESSES
Hunt's height will be his biggest inhibitor at the next level and the largest reason for his late-round value. It remains to be seen if he can throw effectively from the pocket at the next level.
Mike Boss was the second Quarterback drafted by the Otters, at 48th overall on the back end of the eighth round. As a pocket passer, he was one of the earliest quarterbacks chosen, although at the time of the inaugural draft several quarterbacks were already well positioned as the teams general managers. Interestingly Boss was drafted four rounds before Ethan Hunt, who's biopsy this investigation will discuss later. Boss came into the league as the calm, confident, professional Quarterback. While some might consider Boss to be extremely confident, compared to his competition, Boss is a cool and efficient field general who was given early playtime to lead the otters. In this story, Boss can be seen as the protagonist. The calm, quiet, Boss might be blazed all the time, but his demeanor makes him a hero to the Otters. At the time of the first draft, Boss' draft analysis was cutting. Cited Here:
Analysis:
Baseball catcher and football quarterback in high school who was drafted by the Cincinatti Reds in the 18th round of the June 2012 baseball draft. Opted for football and redshirted at Boston College in '12. Saw limited action in '12 and '13 and started the past two years. Completed three of five passes for twenty six yards, no touchdowns and one interception in '14, 12-15-103-0-0 in '15, 214-350-2,636-15-12 in '16 and 180-295-2,216-16-6 in when he often shared time with super sophomore Chris Titus. Went all the way against Alabama in the Orange Bowl and completed 34-46-369-4. Unlike many Boston College quarterbacks, Boss is a pocket-type passer who plays best in a dropback-type system.
Mike Boss Positives: Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Has some Brian Griese in him and is a gamer. Generally plays within himself. Team leader.
Negatives: Poor build. Very skinny and narrow. Ended the '16 season weighing 195 pounds and still looks like a rail at 211. Looks a little frail and lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you'd like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can't drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own.
Summary: Is not what you're looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great Cunningham-like improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone.
Josh Bercovi was the third Quarterback drafted by the Otters, at 96th overall on the back end of the sixteenth round. As a gunslinger, he was one of the last quarterbacks chosen, although at the time of the inaugural draft several quarterbacks were already well positioned as the teams general managers. Bervobi came into the league as the loud, cocky, insulting Quarterback who made it clear he had something to prove in the NSFL. While some might consider Boss to be confident, Bercovi was considered by the Otters arrogant. He threw bombs, and didn't care who had to land on them. In this story, Bercovi plays the role of the antagonist on the Otters, franchise, launching viscious attacks on the incumbent player in his position and showing a general lack of empathy for his fellow Otters. The Otters tried to shop Bercovi out to three different trades, but the volitile man difregarded all offers. At the time, Bercovi's draft analysis was hopeful, yet descripting and failty apactalyptic to his future faults as a player. Cited Here: Josh Bercovi has made tremendous strides since his freshman season. He had the greatest freshman season of any quarterback in Arizona State history. In 2012, he threw for 1,433 yards and ten touchdowns, but also had nine INT’s and only completed 48.6% of his passes. He also ran for 393 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Shaking off the sophomore slump, Bercovi had an awesome sophomore campaign. For the year he completed 57% of his passes for 2,847 yards, with a 18/13 TD/INT ratio. As a junior, he threw for 1,844 yards while completing over 61% of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, he added 349 yards and six touchdowns. Bercovi went out with a bang this season, throwing for a career high 3,073 yards while completing 59.1% of his passes to go along with twenty one TD's to just nine picks.
ANALysis:
Josh Bercovi has all the talent and the mindset to be an NFL caliber Quarterback. He’s big and strong, has a very good arm, but also brings surprising athleticism to the field. He has the ability to make every throw, and can make plays with his feet when things break down. Bercovi also possesses excellent toughness. He has taken a beating playing for Arizona State, but gets up every time and continues to battle.
There has not been much help on offense during his four years at Arizona. That has caused Bercovi to try and do too much to help his team win. He will try and force balls into coverage to make the big throw. He needs to show better decision making on the field. For all his experience, Bercovi still needs work. His line play has never been very good, so Bercovi has never truly gotten the ability to consistently sit in the pocket and set up a play.
If he had not played at Arizona State, Bercovi would get a lot more publicity. He also probably would be a little more developed. He’s had to run for his life his entire career, and hasn’t had much help around him. He’s still a legitimate NFL quarterback talent though. His performance during Senior Bowl week has cemented him as the #3 QB in this draft. He still only grades out as a late first rounder, but some teams may look to reach for him because of the position he plays.
The Prologue:
It might be hard to believe now, but the first three full seasons of Ethan Hunt's career were statistically about the same as Mark Sanchez's, minus the playoff wins.
So when the Otters used a fortune in draft stock for Mike Boss at the 2016 NFL Draft, it was clear there was going to be a quarterback controversy in Orange County.
Going into the 2004 season, Hunt had a record of 10-17 as a starting quarterback and had thrown 31 interceptions against just 29 touchdowns.
Aside from that, he stood just 6'0" tall and was a second-round draft choice in 2014.
Most figured that while Hunt had potential, his physical limitations would keep him from ever being a dominant NSFL quarterback.
The Sabercats held the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft and it was pretty clear that Mike Boss was going to be the top pick. However, Michael Bossington made it perfectly clear that his son wouldn't play in San Jose.
So eventually the Sabercats and Otters worked out the deal swapping draft stock, and the real controversy in Orange County was about to begin.
At 6'5", 220 pounds, Boss looked the part of an NSFL quarterback and it seemed like the Ethan Hunt experiment was going to come to an abrupt end.
Head coach and player Grapehead proclaimed it would be an open competition, but Boss would start behind the pace because a contract holdout caused him to miss a large chunk of training camp.
Hunt put a stranglehold on the job when he lit up the stat sheet in the preseason and ultimately led the Chargers to a surprising 12-4 record and AFC West title. This came just one year removed from a 4-12 2013 season.
Hunt was a free agent after the 2014 season and was designated the Chargers' franchise player in 2005. Rivers meanwhile continued to sit behind Brees, learning and adapting to life in the NFL.
Free agency loomed once again in 2015 for Hunt, but as the season came to a close, fate intervened and helped the Chargers avoid having to make a difficult decision between Hunt and Boss.
During the final game of the season, Hunt tore the labrum of his throwing shoulder trying to recover his own fumble in a game against the Sabercats.
With Boss ready to take over, there was no way the Otters could guarantee Hunt a big contract off of such a catastrophic injury.
They offered an incentive-laden contract to Hunt that was quickly turned down.
Hunt explored his options, chose the Sabercats over the rest of the league, and Boss became the new leader of the franchise.
THE SETTING:
In the preseason, the first game Otters Mike Boss the starting reigns for the first two games, and Boss flourished. Throwing 11/17 with 138 yards one touchdown and zero picks, boss stomped on the hated outlaws with a Qb rating of 109.4. The Otters rolled to a victory 16-3. In Boss's second game, the Otters continued their streak, bouncing off the Sabercats at home 17-10, with boss throwing 13/29 for 181 yards two touchdowns and two picks at a 59.7 quarterback rating. Each of these wins was impressive, but not enough to hold out Hunt and Bercovi's chances to start the other preseason games. At this point, the Otters were 2-0 during the preseason, even taking a tough away game against the Arizona Outlaws, something they never managed to do in the regular season.
In the third and fourth preseason games, Bercovi and Hunt each took a half of football to play, although neither proved they were a difference maker to snatch the job away from Boss. Hunt went 9/18 for 111 yards zero touchdowns and one interception for a 46.3 quarterback rating. Bervobi went 7/12 for 540 yards zero touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 64.6 quarterback rating. The otter lost to the Owls 16 to 9 in an away game. In the final game, Orange County lost 27-13 in a game at yellowknife. Again, Hunt and Bercovi failed to prove themselves anything above Boss. Hunt went 12/19 for 74 yards zero touchdowns and one interception. Bercovi went 7/18 for 69 yards for zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. The controversy, at this stage of the game, was building. None of the trio had shown themselves legendary, but Boss was ahead (and 2-0) Bercovi persisted in viciously attacked Boss in person, in the media, and on the field.
THE GAME
Week one of the NSFL will always be remembered as the ignition week in the quarterback controversy. Orange County pitted against Arizona Outlaws, perhaps the best matchup in the NSFL season one. The game was at home for Orange County. Boss in lead position. Orange County dominates the game - by all visible metrics. The offense achieves twenty first downs, 430 yards of total offense. The defense holds the Outlaws to 2.3 yards per rushing attempt, while the Otters roll at 4.7. The defense holds the Outlaws to four (!!!) first downs. The Otters roll to a victory... except they do not. Six interceptions by Boss drowns the Otters of any chances in this game. The Otters mourn, then they move on to prepare against the Hawks in week two.
Again, in back to back weeks, Boss flounders with the football. The Otters defense is not so exemplary, holding the Hawks to ten first downs 255 yards of total offense, one touchdown and one field goal. Altogether a solid effort. The Otters offense produced 351 yards of total offense. The Otters won in the end, 13-10. Boss went 19/35, 213 yards one touchdown, and... three interceptions. This was the final straw for Head player and coach Grapehead. Heads rolled. Boss threw three interceptions. Bercovi pounces. Lambasting the entire coaching staff for what he called "blunt and obvious favoritism."
Bercovi got the start week three in a home game against the sabercats. While the Otters defense supported the game nicely, Bercovi went 18/31 for 213 yards two touchdowns and three interceptions. The otters vaulted run game only produced eighty four rushing yards, but the sabercats clearly sold out the defense to stuff Omar Wright and Leroy Jenkins. Bercovi produced a high flying quarterback rating of 100.6, and the controversy was on!
In week four, Bercovi went 16/27 with 221 yards two touchdowns one interception and another solid outing, at 94.8. Mike Boss demands a trade. Going so far as to halt TPE production and bank points assembled, Boss has had it with the Bercovi experiment. Bercovi is given another game. In their fifth regular season game, the bug catches up to Bercovi.
At an away game against the stout Colorado secondary, Bercovi throws 16/35 for 147 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions for a dismal 22 quarterback rating. The carousal continues another week. The Otter furiously simulate several seasons, with Boss, Bercovi, and Hunt at the helm as starting quarterbacks. The results are inconclusive.
In the end, Boss was given the role as head, Hunt traded to the Sabercats a few weeks later. Bercovi became a free agent at season's end, and ended up a rich man at the head of a new franchise.
How it all ended up:
Mike Boss
Boss, now secure in his role as the incumbent quarterback of the Orange County Otters, is in the driver's seat in one of the premier franchises in the NSFL. The Otters finished the year 9-5, and which one less six interception game on their record could have achieved home field advantage against the Arizona Outlaws, and therefore a victory in the series. The Otters dominated each side of the ball against their opposition in the first season, however will need a good springboard into the second season to achieve good results following the bloodletting of the expansion draft and following
Ethan Hunt
Hunt was traded to the San Jose Sabercats mid season. Post draft, the sabercats have not made any moves to secure a new signal caller, so it is assumed by the author he is secure as his position as the incumbent starter on the cats' squad. With Hunt on the squad the cats achieved a .five hundred record, showing vast improvement over the majority of the season for the cats. The Otters received a solid defensive tackle from the Sabercats for their quarterback.
Josh Bercovi
Josh Bercovi recently became the highest paid player in the NSFL! After his one year contract expired on the Otters, he declined to extend it and instead accepted the largest free agent offering the league has ever seen. While the deal was punctured several times by the league commissioners and the relevant regulations in place, it is still a landmark achievement for the league. Josh Bercovi lands at the head of the Las Vegas Legion franchise, as their golden boy. Perhaps Bercovi should be known as the green boy? For both his $9 million dollars and the envy he routinely shows for Mr. Mike Boss. Regardless, there isn't anyone who can claim Bercovi is currently in a bad position. As head of the Legion, he looks to lead the young franchise to winning ways as the expansion teams scout of the new, improved division.
Words: 3055. Requested Article Bonus - $800,000 bonus - min 500 words - July 21
Welcome to ESPN 30 for 30 short stories! This week we are exploring both a familiar and a deeply unsettling story: a battle which raged on for weeks, threatening to tear a powerhouse dynasty apart. This story might have concluded with a storybook ending, and the journey which will not soon be forgotten by the Ownership and general managers, the teammates, or the hysteric Otters fan base.
THE ACTORS:
Ethan Hunt was the first Quarterback drafted by the otters, at twenty fourth overall. As a mobile Quarterback, he was one of the first quarterbacks chosen in the draft, surprisingly by a team which, at the time, sported a quarterback as it's general manager. Ethan Hunt has been a man of different heads. While investigations show he loves the spotlight, at the draft he professed a preferance for the Quarterback position, even as a backup player. Hunt in his stated article" E. Hunt Will Not Return to SJ" his preference to return to a rebuilding team, despite being in sole control of a heralded starting role. At the time of the draft, Hunt was a large question mark for teams. Stated Here in his draft profile:
ANALYSIS
Hunt is this year's big-time question mark at quarterback. Unlike those who have held this title in the past, Hunt is a stellar passer who shows arm strength and accuracy when he is able to deliver the ball without a hitch. The Idaho State transfer has outstanding football intelligence, as he picked up the Idaho offense in a short time and was the opening-day starter. But teams will have concerns whether Hunt can see over the pocket to make the throws at the next level. He is a mechanical mover who has strong technique and leadership qualities. If Hunt were three inches taller, there would be debate at the top of the draft as to where he fits. But look for teams to take a flier on him in a late round to see if he can develop and outplay his size.
STRENGTHS
Hunt is an accurate passer. He is a very mechanical quarterback who not only is consistent in his drop step, but also understands how to move within the pocket and evade when the pocket collapses. He is an athlete and can torque his body to make any sort of throw on the run, and is accurate in this setting. He is a born signal-caller who shows command of the offense. He has the arm strength to make the deep throws and the touch to put it on a receiver in stride. He is effective when scrambling and extending plays.
WEAKNESSES
Hunt's height will be his biggest inhibitor at the next level and the largest reason for his late-round value. It remains to be seen if he can throw effectively from the pocket at the next level.
Mike Boss was the second Quarterback drafted by the Otters, at 48th overall on the back end of the eighth round. As a pocket passer, he was one of the earliest quarterbacks chosen, although at the time of the inaugural draft several quarterbacks were already well positioned as the teams general managers. Interestingly Boss was drafted four rounds before Ethan Hunt, who's biopsy this investigation will discuss later. Boss came into the league as the calm, confident, professional Quarterback. While some might consider Boss to be extremely confident, compared to his competition, Boss is a cool and efficient field general who was given early playtime to lead the otters. In this story, Boss can be seen as the protagonist. The calm, quiet, Boss might be blazed all the time, but his demeanor makes him a hero to the Otters. At the time of the first draft, Boss' draft analysis was cutting. Cited Here:
Analysis:
Baseball catcher and football quarterback in high school who was drafted by the Cincinatti Reds in the 18th round of the June 2012 baseball draft. Opted for football and redshirted at Boston College in '12. Saw limited action in '12 and '13 and started the past two years. Completed three of five passes for twenty six yards, no touchdowns and one interception in '14, 12-15-103-0-0 in '15, 214-350-2,636-15-12 in '16 and 180-295-2,216-16-6 in when he often shared time with super sophomore Chris Titus. Went all the way against Alabama in the Orange Bowl and completed 34-46-369-4. Unlike many Boston College quarterbacks, Boss is a pocket-type passer who plays best in a dropback-type system.
Mike Boss Positives: Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Has some Brian Griese in him and is a gamer. Generally plays within himself. Team leader.
Negatives: Poor build. Very skinny and narrow. Ended the '16 season weighing 195 pounds and still looks like a rail at 211. Looks a little frail and lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you'd like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can't drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own.
Summary: Is not what you're looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great Cunningham-like improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone.
Josh Bercovi was the third Quarterback drafted by the Otters, at 96th overall on the back end of the sixteenth round. As a gunslinger, he was one of the last quarterbacks chosen, although at the time of the inaugural draft several quarterbacks were already well positioned as the teams general managers. Bervobi came into the league as the loud, cocky, insulting Quarterback who made it clear he had something to prove in the NSFL. While some might consider Boss to be confident, Bercovi was considered by the Otters arrogant. He threw bombs, and didn't care who had to land on them. In this story, Bercovi plays the role of the antagonist on the Otters, franchise, launching viscious attacks on the incumbent player in his position and showing a general lack of empathy for his fellow Otters. The Otters tried to shop Bercovi out to three different trades, but the volitile man difregarded all offers. At the time, Bercovi's draft analysis was hopeful, yet descripting and failty apactalyptic to his future faults as a player. Cited Here: Josh Bercovi has made tremendous strides since his freshman season. He had the greatest freshman season of any quarterback in Arizona State history. In 2012, he threw for 1,433 yards and ten touchdowns, but also had nine INT’s and only completed 48.6% of his passes. He also ran for 393 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Shaking off the sophomore slump, Bercovi had an awesome sophomore campaign. For the year he completed 57% of his passes for 2,847 yards, with a 18/13 TD/INT ratio. As a junior, he threw for 1,844 yards while completing over 61% of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, he added 349 yards and six touchdowns. Bercovi went out with a bang this season, throwing for a career high 3,073 yards while completing 59.1% of his passes to go along with twenty one TD's to just nine picks.
ANALysis:
Josh Bercovi has all the talent and the mindset to be an NFL caliber Quarterback. He’s big and strong, has a very good arm, but also brings surprising athleticism to the field. He has the ability to make every throw, and can make plays with his feet when things break down. Bercovi also possesses excellent toughness. He has taken a beating playing for Arizona State, but gets up every time and continues to battle.
There has not been much help on offense during his four years at Arizona. That has caused Bercovi to try and do too much to help his team win. He will try and force balls into coverage to make the big throw. He needs to show better decision making on the field. For all his experience, Bercovi still needs work. His line play has never been very good, so Bercovi has never truly gotten the ability to consistently sit in the pocket and set up a play.
If he had not played at Arizona State, Bercovi would get a lot more publicity. He also probably would be a little more developed. He’s had to run for his life his entire career, and hasn’t had much help around him. He’s still a legitimate NFL quarterback talent though. His performance during Senior Bowl week has cemented him as the #3 QB in this draft. He still only grades out as a late first rounder, but some teams may look to reach for him because of the position he plays.
The Prologue:
It might be hard to believe now, but the first three full seasons of Ethan Hunt's career were statistically about the same as Mark Sanchez's, minus the playoff wins.
So when the Otters used a fortune in draft stock for Mike Boss at the 2016 NFL Draft, it was clear there was going to be a quarterback controversy in Orange County.
Going into the 2004 season, Hunt had a record of 10-17 as a starting quarterback and had thrown 31 interceptions against just 29 touchdowns.
Aside from that, he stood just 6'0" tall and was a second-round draft choice in 2014.
Most figured that while Hunt had potential, his physical limitations would keep him from ever being a dominant NSFL quarterback.
The Sabercats held the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft and it was pretty clear that Mike Boss was going to be the top pick. However, Michael Bossington made it perfectly clear that his son wouldn't play in San Jose.
So eventually the Sabercats and Otters worked out the deal swapping draft stock, and the real controversy in Orange County was about to begin.
At 6'5", 220 pounds, Boss looked the part of an NSFL quarterback and it seemed like the Ethan Hunt experiment was going to come to an abrupt end.
Head coach and player Grapehead proclaimed it would be an open competition, but Boss would start behind the pace because a contract holdout caused him to miss a large chunk of training camp.
Hunt put a stranglehold on the job when he lit up the stat sheet in the preseason and ultimately led the Chargers to a surprising 12-4 record and AFC West title. This came just one year removed from a 4-12 2013 season.
Hunt was a free agent after the 2014 season and was designated the Chargers' franchise player in 2005. Rivers meanwhile continued to sit behind Brees, learning and adapting to life in the NFL.
Free agency loomed once again in 2015 for Hunt, but as the season came to a close, fate intervened and helped the Chargers avoid having to make a difficult decision between Hunt and Boss.
During the final game of the season, Hunt tore the labrum of his throwing shoulder trying to recover his own fumble in a game against the Sabercats.
With Boss ready to take over, there was no way the Otters could guarantee Hunt a big contract off of such a catastrophic injury.
They offered an incentive-laden contract to Hunt that was quickly turned down.
Hunt explored his options, chose the Sabercats over the rest of the league, and Boss became the new leader of the franchise.
THE SETTING:
In the preseason, the first game Otters Mike Boss the starting reigns for the first two games, and Boss flourished. Throwing 11/17 with 138 yards one touchdown and zero picks, boss stomped on the hated outlaws with a Qb rating of 109.4. The Otters rolled to a victory 16-3. In Boss's second game, the Otters continued their streak, bouncing off the Sabercats at home 17-10, with boss throwing 13/29 for 181 yards two touchdowns and two picks at a 59.7 quarterback rating. Each of these wins was impressive, but not enough to hold out Hunt and Bercovi's chances to start the other preseason games. At this point, the Otters were 2-0 during the preseason, even taking a tough away game against the Arizona Outlaws, something they never managed to do in the regular season.
In the third and fourth preseason games, Bercovi and Hunt each took a half of football to play, although neither proved they were a difference maker to snatch the job away from Boss. Hunt went 9/18 for 111 yards zero touchdowns and one interception for a 46.3 quarterback rating. Bervobi went 7/12 for 540 yards zero touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 64.6 quarterback rating. The otter lost to the Owls 16 to 9 in an away game. In the final game, Orange County lost 27-13 in a game at yellowknife. Again, Hunt and Bercovi failed to prove themselves anything above Boss. Hunt went 12/19 for 74 yards zero touchdowns and one interception. Bercovi went 7/18 for 69 yards for zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. The controversy, at this stage of the game, was building. None of the trio had shown themselves legendary, but Boss was ahead (and 2-0) Bercovi persisted in viciously attacked Boss in person, in the media, and on the field.
THE GAME
Week one of the NSFL will always be remembered as the ignition week in the quarterback controversy. Orange County pitted against Arizona Outlaws, perhaps the best matchup in the NSFL season one. The game was at home for Orange County. Boss in lead position. Orange County dominates the game - by all visible metrics. The offense achieves twenty first downs, 430 yards of total offense. The defense holds the Outlaws to 2.3 yards per rushing attempt, while the Otters roll at 4.7. The defense holds the Outlaws to four (!!!) first downs. The Otters roll to a victory... except they do not. Six interceptions by Boss drowns the Otters of any chances in this game. The Otters mourn, then they move on to prepare against the Hawks in week two.
Again, in back to back weeks, Boss flounders with the football. The Otters defense is not so exemplary, holding the Hawks to ten first downs 255 yards of total offense, one touchdown and one field goal. Altogether a solid effort. The Otters offense produced 351 yards of total offense. The Otters won in the end, 13-10. Boss went 19/35, 213 yards one touchdown, and... three interceptions. This was the final straw for Head player and coach Grapehead. Heads rolled. Boss threw three interceptions. Bercovi pounces. Lambasting the entire coaching staff for what he called "blunt and obvious favoritism."
Bercovi got the start week three in a home game against the sabercats. While the Otters defense supported the game nicely, Bercovi went 18/31 for 213 yards two touchdowns and three interceptions. The otters vaulted run game only produced eighty four rushing yards, but the sabercats clearly sold out the defense to stuff Omar Wright and Leroy Jenkins. Bercovi produced a high flying quarterback rating of 100.6, and the controversy was on!
In week four, Bercovi went 16/27 with 221 yards two touchdowns one interception and another solid outing, at 94.8. Mike Boss demands a trade. Going so far as to halt TPE production and bank points assembled, Boss has had it with the Bercovi experiment. Bercovi is given another game. In their fifth regular season game, the bug catches up to Bercovi.
At an away game against the stout Colorado secondary, Bercovi throws 16/35 for 147 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions for a dismal 22 quarterback rating. The carousal continues another week. The Otter furiously simulate several seasons, with Boss, Bercovi, and Hunt at the helm as starting quarterbacks. The results are inconclusive.
In the end, Boss was given the role as head, Hunt traded to the Sabercats a few weeks later. Bercovi became a free agent at season's end, and ended up a rich man at the head of a new franchise.
How it all ended up:
Mike Boss
Boss, now secure in his role as the incumbent quarterback of the Orange County Otters, is in the driver's seat in one of the premier franchises in the NSFL. The Otters finished the year 9-5, and which one less six interception game on their record could have achieved home field advantage against the Arizona Outlaws, and therefore a victory in the series. The Otters dominated each side of the ball against their opposition in the first season, however will need a good springboard into the second season to achieve good results following the bloodletting of the expansion draft and following
Ethan Hunt
Hunt was traded to the San Jose Sabercats mid season. Post draft, the sabercats have not made any moves to secure a new signal caller, so it is assumed by the author he is secure as his position as the incumbent starter on the cats' squad. With Hunt on the squad the cats achieved a .five hundred record, showing vast improvement over the majority of the season for the cats. The Otters received a solid defensive tackle from the Sabercats for their quarterback.
Josh Bercovi
Josh Bercovi recently became the highest paid player in the NSFL! After his one year contract expired on the Otters, he declined to extend it and instead accepted the largest free agent offering the league has ever seen. While the deal was punctured several times by the league commissioners and the relevant regulations in place, it is still a landmark achievement for the league. Josh Bercovi lands at the head of the Las Vegas Legion franchise, as their golden boy. Perhaps Bercovi should be known as the green boy? For both his $9 million dollars and the envy he routinely shows for Mr. Mike Boss. Regardless, there isn't anyone who can claim Bercovi is currently in a bad position. As head of the Legion, he looks to lead the young franchise to winning ways as the expansion teams scout of the new, improved division.
Words: 3055. Requested Article Bonus - $800,000 bonus - min 500 words - July 21
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