Coming into Season 26, Tree is in a great spot. Coming into the season at 100 overall is a pretty dang good accomplishment, with only endurance left to try and max out at this point in her career. It hasn’t been the prettiest of roads to get to this point, with a lot of stress and debates of calling it quits when the going got rough. Chicago as a whole is looking to be even sharper on the offensive side of the ball with several new additions to the team on the offensive line and the return of Julio Tirtawidjaja primed and ready to carry the offensive load alongside the newly removed from fullback Baby Yoda. The issue for Chicago last season came from a lack of a running game and the overall instability on the offensive line, so while the defense was able to overcome those issues in some games, it wasn’t enough for a deep playoff run. With Tree not hitting regression for another two seasons, that represents another 100 overall on the team alongside George O’Donnell to help make the Butchers offense one to fear. With a pair of near 100 overall running backs coming along the way, development has remained the key for Chicago to become the threat that they are.
"You relieve the same day over and over again, you kind of start to see who you really are."
With my player having only been a part of the league for one full season now, the offseason has brought lots of change for both my player and the team he is a part of. For Moe, he went through the ISFL draft and became a proud Arizona Outlaw. With the Outlaw’s already having a stout defense, this gave Moe more time to continue his career in the DSFL. This opportunity allows Moe to sharpen his skills and continue striving to become the best he can be, so that when the time comes he can step up and perform in the ISFL. As a member of the Portland Pythons, Moe’s role has taken a turn for the better. Becoming the defensive captain in his sophomore year as a Python, Moe has been given the leadership role over a bolstered defense. Adding some weapons on offense and trying to recapture some offensive magic, Portland looks like a team that seems poised for a playoff run. While luck is sometimes needed to have a shot at competing on a championship stage, changing in the right direction at the right time can be the difference between falling flat and becoming a champion. The Portland Pythons and Moe Skeeter are confident that the position they’ve put themselves in over the offseason will give them a better chance for a championship.
During the offseason the Philadelphia Liberty had massive overhauls in the DB core. Losing the legendary D'Attoria V to retirement, Brandon Booker to free agency, and Wesley Eriksen in a trade, Matt Cross was the only defensive back to return to the team. It was strange how it all had happened so quickly, but Cross was now the veteran presence set to lead a handful of rookies out on the field. Since he was now the most experienced, Cross was voted as captain for the Defense for the first time since his rookie season. Looking at the new players who would be lining up beside him, Cross couldn't help but feel excited for the future to come, but he knew that in the meantime, this defense would be rough. I mean they had a guy position switch from DT to CB, that's obviously gonna take some time to work itself out. Regardless of what this current season would bring, the changes in Philly brought new potential and new excitement. Along with the four new DBs he'd be playing alongside, there were some new faces starting at LB and the DLine as well who he was excited to get to know. But despite all veterans leaving and the new rookies coming in, the biggest change overall is that for Philly, this is the beginning of a new era.
A great lot has changed over the past offseason for the Philadelphia Liberty. Potentially the most noticeable is a change in upper management. Two GM’s departed, and 2 new GM’s arrived. In addition, some major talent was lost on both sides of the ball, with a star wide receiver and defensive back choosing to leave for greener pastures in free agency. Despite these changes, there has been a renewed sense of positivity and optimism in the Liberty locker room. Impactful changes were needed to inspire both rookies and veterans alike in order to reignite their passion for the game. Very often losses experienced together grows a brotherhood. In this way Philadelphia currently holds an “us against them” mentality, as opposed to a lack of any culture previously. As for myself, I have continued to grow stronger and into a more impactful linebacker. I now aspire to make a pro bowl, though I am unsure of the likelihood of that occurring. I am now joined in the linebacker position with Gary Goodman, a player from my class, who is also an exceptional talent. Although my stats may take a dip as he makes himself known on the field, together we will be a fearsome duo. He is also a young player, and along with the rookies drafted in the previous season, our defense is still notably young. However, as every season goes past we will continue to increase our abilities until we are eventually a powerhouse.
This season, number 26, is when my expectations for the Yellowknife Wraiths take a higher step. We have been a relatively young team for the past couple of seasons and our recent draft picks are taking over vital roles. A lot of TPE gains are made early when you are a young player, big increases in performance could be expected between our 2nd and 3rd years, more or less. At QB we have a maxed out player in Cheeseman Jack. At running back we have a close to maxed out Skyline and the quickly improving Vermillion. TE Zee Rechs is experiencing a breakout campaign. That man is gobbling up passes like a real life T-Rex. We have a trio of lightning fast WRs who can turn any reception into a 30+ yard gain. Our two human offensive linemen are giving us a nice edge over a primarily bot line. On defense we have a lot of quickly improving youth such as Foster, Slammu, and McJimmerson. Experienced players like Mooney, Cho, Quaid, Valdyr, and Hellzapoppin will be entering their prime. Our specialist Kokot has one of the strongest legs in the league, he could punt balls to the moon and make field goals from anywhere in the zip code. In my opinion Yellowknife’s next championship window is now open for the next few seasons. (223 words)
Well it's a new season for Jeeeeroy Lenkins and for the second time in 3 seasons he is off to pastures new having been called up by the Berlin Fire Salamanders in the ISFL. He is leaving behind the Minesotta Grey Ducks after a disappointing finish to their season losing in the first round of the playoffs to the London Royals, a team Jeeeeroy is very open about his hatred for.
Lenkins was drafted by the Fire Salamanders the season before last and was asked to stay with Grey Ducks to gain more experience. The hard work Lenkins put in last season did not go unnoticed as not only was he one of only two players called up for this upcoming season he has also been voted as a team captain by his peers.
This season will definitely be different and challenging for Lenkins. He has to deal with the pressures of captaincy on a youthful Fire Salamander side that not many expect to have any immediate success. He's leaving his adopted home in Minnesota and going to a country where he does not speak the language and to make matters worse his new team are 0-4 for the new season. Is this season already lost? Time will tell but Lenkins will definitely be up for the challenge.