(S26) - PT 1 - Keep the Change You Filthy Animal

[huck24]

SHL affiliate PT

[majesiu]

PBE Affiliation

[cho1325]

This offseason was a tough season to swallow. It was the realization of being so close but so far away. The Yellowknife wraiths pulled out with a losing record of 7 wins and 9 losses. We finished 5th in our division and truly that doesn’t cut it. Because of that Cho started training at an extreme rate. His motto was always plus one, no matter what and he would go until his body physically couldn’t. Of course he knew that he alone couldn’t make that huge of a difference but he knew that if he trained to his maximum that he could most definitely contribute a little. He also knew his fellow teammates shared his fervor. They all shared the fact that they knew in their hearts that they should have finished top 3 in the division with a winning record. This set a fire among all the Yellowknife wraith players and thus everyone trained to their maximum capability. We also added some new rookies to our team that could also make a difference. We got Big Slammu a ferocious linebacker and Arthur Naught a wide receiver he can help with the pass game. These two rookies have made there ISFL debut and already made an impact. The training and the realization that we should be better shows because right now the wraiths are 3 and 1 of this writing tied for the first spot.

[Guriinwoodo]

PBE Affiliate

[The_Kidd]

Compared to the chaos of last offseason, this past offseason was calm, maybe too calm. Lesean Paris Crooks entered free agency in lieu of the expansion draft and shifted teams; he left the Baltimore Hawks and joined the Austin Copperheads. The Copperheads were in a transition phase, but ultimately fell out of the playoff picture with a couple extra weeks in the season. For Crooks, he expected to perform better and lost his way a little bit towards the end of the season. After getting back in the lab, Crooks has re-dedicated himself to stay on top and fulfill his potential to the maximum.

As of now, Crooks is a season or two away from hitting his peak. He has three more attributes to improve, but he'll need approximately 2 full seasons of TPE to gain enough to improve them all the way. As of now, he'll still retain the outside spot on the Austin secondary, as he and Mendoza look to form a scary tandem while rookie Alexander-Arnold slides in the mix. Mcgregor, Bowie, and the two CB's will have to do their best to protect the rookie, expected to be targeted heavily as the Copperheads start their post-Dermot Lavelle Jr. era. Lavelle Jr., in his final moments of his career, moved onto Baltimore.

Dermot wasn't the only player to "depart" from the Copperheads. Longtime vet Peter Larson retired and former captain Carolina BBQ had a surprise retirement. However, for the latter, it was due to becoming the new co-GM of the team. As we are all happy for the promotion, the team will miss his presence on the d-line, hopefully the loss isn't too damaging to the front 4. Likewise, the Copperheads decided to bolster the front 7 by trading away inactive LB Mark Arianlacher for the promising Brach Thomslacher. With the changes, the Copperheads went from one of the oldest rosters two seasons ago, to a decently youthful collective, with over half of the roster S22 or younger. The only player on their last legs is QB Easton Cole. Cole hopes to find some Cooter Bigsby magic before Jackie Daytona takes over next year.

The Copperheads offense has enough weapons between Watts, Jeeta, Videl-San, Vequain, and even the IA Jones. The Copperheads will be competitive but I believe not having any developed o-linemen or tight ends will hurt the offense as Cole's mobility and endurance drops. And the defense doesnt have any major holes except for the CB2 slot, but they are a year or two away from having superstars up and down the roster.

[GoonerBear]

PBE affiliate

[caltroit_red_flames]

SHL PT

[toivo]

SHL PT

[thevoicelesscreator]

Another offseason marks another year of grinding for Mo Mamba. It’s hard to believe that it’s been five seasons since this journey has started. Or at least closing on it. I’ve lost count frankly. I don’t know if that is a good thing, or a bad thing, all I really know is that the grind is always going. For Mo, and for myself. We were so close last year. Another tantalizing loss in a game where I know we could have won. Could have, should have, didn’t. 

So here we are instead, talking about working back to that big moment. That’s what it really is. Work. Day in, day out, grinding to get to that ring, to get to that win, to that ship. It’s amazing where a ton of players have hit their prime, I can still see Mo getting better each and every day. I think he’s a 3-time Pro-Bowler now? Twice as an Offensive Linesmen, once as a defensive tackle. I suspect that he will add to that this coming season.

Speaking of additions, the Yeti made a few that I am very excited about. We picked up Big Edd in the first move of the offseason (accidentally trading away a club legend because typos get us all) who will really help fill in the gap at defensive tackle we’ve had since Bubba moved to New York, and Mo moved to offensive line to help Wolfie. We drafted Eph (Redbeard McFredBeard) to not only fill in that gap as well, but to also bring a dear friend home. We ended up losing our beloved Rotticus Scott to Free Agency, but wish him nothing but well as he pursues success with the Otters. But we we’re about to bring in long-time friend of the team, Randy Vuxta, who moved to cornerback and will now serve on our elite DB line.

Speaking of which, with Pete Parker retiring, we had some space to bring up the NationalSimulation FootballLeague. NFSL had a great couple of seasons in the DSFL, and we’re excited to see what he can bring to the ISFL! NSFL will be sliding into the nickelback position, which was previously held by Joel Drake, who will be moving up to Free Safety, and playing alongside last season’s acquisition, Eugene Smoothie, who is lining up at Strongside Safety.

Offensively, we welcome Greedy Sly to the winner’s table! He made a massive leap going from overweight safety, to playing offensive line to protect our new number 1. Speaking of which, perhaps the most exciting acquisition will be the call-up of Caliban. Wolfie has been getting old for some time now, so when we drafted Caliban, we knew it was only a matter of time before he was ready. That time has come, and I can’t wait to see him sling it at the next level!

[overdoo]

For me personally, the change was the team. Playing for Norfolk at the end of last season, I knew there was a decent chance I could be drafted by another team the upcoming draft. I hoped they'd choose to keep me, but it didn't happen that way. The locker rooms are different, but I like each. I could definitely be doing more for the Pythons right now, but that'll come soon. 

As for my player, I've focused on becoming faster, at the suggestion of some Portland coaches. All I have worked on is speed, being faster, starting faster, getting places faster. I think that'll help me keep up with some veteran receivers as a rookie CB, and it seems to have paid off already as we came out on top against a team like London, who I've heard have a good receiver core. I'm still working on it, but it'll be where I want it to be by the end of the season, I am sure. From there, who knows what I'll improve next. 

As far the the Pythons go, I think they had an incredible draft. I did not expect to go 4th overall to them, I'll be honest. I valued myself less, at least compared to some other players in my rookie class. Then, at 16 they had picked up Kita Chiasa, or Sabremike, who I slightly knew from the SHL. Great guy. At 20, we got Morrison, or Boom, who is one of my fellow SMJHL GMs, and later on Carter Fox, who is a former SMJHL GM, and current SHL GM. I bring those positions up to show the value they got from those picks at the position they were made, they know their way around a sim site, and are great guys to talk to in the LR. I couldn't really be happier with how that draft went.