(S9) - PT 5 - Revisiting Expectations

[iamslm22]

PBE PT http://probaseballexperience.jcink.net/ind...indpost&p=35230

[Dangles13]

http://probaseballexperience.jcink.net/ind...indpost&p=36031

[infinitempg]

Well I think I can say I mostly avoided the dreaded slump this year, despite missing my first kick of the season. In the end, I made every field goal (18/18) and only missed two extra points (37/39). This was by far the most field goals I've ever attempted in a season through my career, it was also the least amount of field goals I've ever attempted. Now on the one hand we can attribute this to a better Yeti offense that has scored more touchdowns compared to drives stalling out in field goal range, but THAT IS A DIRTY LIE. I don't have the actual statistics on this, but watching the streams I've noticed an extremely high uptick in punts from the opposing 31 - where the alternative is a 48 yard field goal. 48 yard field goals are makeable kicks, but yet I've only attempted 5 kicks this season from over 40 yards (mind you never missing). This is by far the lowest in the league, and it makes me wonder if the slump is on my part or on the part of some higher power keeping me from racking up more stats. On multiple occasions this season, a Yeti drive stalled at the 31, 32, or 33, and instead of letting me kick to take the lead or further a very small lead, I was sent out to punt. Who is out to stop me? Was the developer of DDSPF16 a maniacal placekicker hater? Do they not believe in winning? Are the Yeti playbooks simply cursed? Or do they only want me to claim punting milestones? I don't know.

[GoonerBear]

Kolby Deringer finished second in the DSFL in tackles, was among a few who forced a fumble at all and fewer who forced two, recorded two tackles for loss, an interception and four pass deflections. It is only at the back end of this season, I realize the expectations spoken of earlier were based on a different defensive setup that worked at a different time and did not in this iteration.

LBs were plotted better against and sacks from the second level fell off almost entirely. The bulk of duty was to get the tackle and secure it before they hit the first-down marker. Not getting the flashy play meant no DPotG honors in the regular season, though with a 9-5 campaign and home-field in the NFC Final, the aid to the team effort matters more now.

It was a bit disappointing for that, though understandable that it couldn't last and someone would find some way to stop that tactic from working. All in all, though, still at least one of the best LBs in the S9 NSFL Draft class, one of the best in this DSFL campaign and looking strong headed into the playoffs and into the pros from here. I'm still of firm belief this sets a record to consider Deringer for League award nominations, even if I'm not as certain now of him achieving top honors.

[JKortesi81]

Back in PT 2, I talked about my expectations for the season. The one thing I talked about, of course, is winning the Ultimus with the Otters. While I clearly can’t comment on whether or not that happened yet, I’m proud to say that we did make the playoffs yet again. As for my personal goals I mentioned, I said I’d like to lead the league in yards. I also said I’d like to get to 1400 yards. Well, I’d have to say that its mission accomplished here. I had a season like no other, that’s for sure. I DID lead the league in yards, and I shattered my goal of 1400 yards. I ended up with 1532 yards, 166 yards better than anyone else. But even more fun stuff came from this excellent season. I had 100 catches! That’s an awesome number that’s only been done 8 other times in NSFL history. And then I did the one thing I never expected to do: I broke the single season touchdown record by a receiver! I had 17 touchdowns in my 14 games. That’s insanity. I had an average stat line per game of 7.1 catches for 109.4 yards, and 1.2 TDs. That’s a damn good season, and one that should get me some MVP consideration. Needless to say, I think I met my expectations this season. It was awesome. (230)

[37thchamber]

This season there was just one expectation for Antoine Delacour. Win the Ultimus. Knowing that realistically, he has maybe one more year after this one where he might still be capable of being a difference maker, there is a sense of urgency. With the talent on the Hawks roster -- Delacour has pointed out that he is no longer the team's best defensive back, for example -- it would have been a huge shock if they had failed to reach the playoffs. Winning an Ultimus is not a simple task, though. Looking at the state of things, they will have to overcome an improving Yeti side in the conference championship, and assuming they manage that, they're going to be up against either the Otters or the Second Line. Two games away from achieving the ultimate goal, and yet it still feels miles away. It's still too early to make a call on this one, but there is a general feeling in Baltimore that this is the team's best shot in six years, and if they fall short, they might not have another one for a while.

New expectations are that the Hawks beat the Yeti, but will likely face a strong opponent in the Second Line for the Ultimus. Delacour estimates the chances of a Hawks win in such a scenario are "probably around two to one", but nobody is ruling them out.

[Zoone16]

Alexandre LeClair came into this season with the knowledge that he would be played as the 3rd wide receiver on the team and as such tampered his goal expectations from the early onset. He had said during pre-season that he would “be working for the team and not for his own personal stat line, with the goal being a championship ring”. However, lets look back at the past season. 937 receiving yards for 3 touchdowns and 63 catches. Only the Orange County Otters had a better performing player at 3rd wide receiver than the Baltimore Hawks and they run a pass heavy team. Ideally it would’ve been nice to hit the 1000yds received once more as well as at least 6 touchdowns but with the team finishing 1st in the NSFC there is little room to complain other than the fact that the Hawks won’t have home field advantage against New Orleans should they meet in the Ultimus game.

So, was this season a success on the individual level for the aging LeClair? Not at all. But at this point in his career, anything goes to reach the milestones he set himself to call it a career and hang up his cleats.

(202 words)

[Renrut]

So, at the beginning of the season I made a statement that the only goal this season for the Baltimore Hawks was "the expectations on this season start, and end, with hoisting that Ultimus Championship Trophy". At 11-3 on the regular season, Baltimore now heads into the playoffs with home field advantage in the championship game as they look to get back to the Ultimus game. The goal of winning it all for the great city of Baltimore is alive and well.

For personal expectations I said I wanted to see Childish Gambino with 40 tackles, 10 sacks, a couple forced fumbles, as well as a couple of fumble recoveries. Well, while I did not hit these goals, I still had a better sophomore season than I did in my rookie campaign, and I am okay with that. I have most of my core attributes maxed out so I am hoping I can only continue to climb. It gets a little frustrating at times thinking he should be better, but that is the game sometimes, we can not all be god-like out there.

Defensive End Childish Gambino Regular season stat line: 22 tackles, 7 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

-204 words

[mabb]

Xandra set out this season to integrate into the community and feel like a true member. By the end of the regular season, she really was feeling the love. Unsure of how well she would fit in, Xandra was pleasantly surprised that the chat channels were a nice off the field way to bond with teammates. Seeing the dynamics among certain teams and players was entertaining, as well.

In terms of her other more technical goals, like anyone, Xandra was hoping to contribute to an Ultimini-winning team. Right now, the future looks good for this plan. The Tijuana Luchadores are heading to the playoffs, leading their division and playing record-setting football. This regular season record was the best in franchise history. So, that is obviously pretty great to be a part of such a fantastic team as a rookie.

Lastly, she really wanted to work on her skills as a cornerback, to be able to stick with the hot-shot receivers and make some critical plays. Having had a decent activity level through the season, she was able to really focus on key stats like speed, intelligence, agility, and hands. She had thought that strength would be the focus at first, but later shifted her goals based on feedback from the coaching team and their reads on how she would best execute their strategy.

Word count = 223

[timeconsumer]

I'd say that Angus Winchester and the Otters hit pretty close for their expectations on how season nine was going to play out. Stacked with some aging veterans they knew that they had an uphill battle to compete with teams like the Hawks or the Second Line who had a lot of players that were a little younger and a little faster than the old Otters. By playing to their strengths and sticking to what has made them a great team for so many years the Otters were still able to finish in 3rd place with a 9-5 record and a playoff berth. Although they would have liked to secure home field advantage in the playoffs there was simply too much of an offensive struggle for them with an again Mike Boss that had lost the ability to escape pressure in the pocket. Angus Winchester was hoping to finish another season near the top in the league with sacks, but excellent play by his defensive line ate into his sack production. Meanwhile his young teammate Mason Brown was out there playing like linebacker of the year, forcing numerous turnovers and leading the league in tackles. It looks like old Angus finally has some real competition on his team for who is the best defender.