(S6) - Ultimus Week

[manicmav36]

Robbed: Write about why a team that failed to make the playoffs should have over somebody else. Can be completed at any point

The Baltimore Hawks were, once again, robbed of a playoff spot at the last possible moment. But then again, when I say robbed, I mean just got incredibly unlucky, as the Wraiths fairly earned their spot. The Hawks came into the final two weeks of the season with a half game lead over the Yellowknife Wraiths. All they had to do was win one of two games, away versus the Philadelphia Liberty, or at home versus the Wraiths. In typical Hawks fashion, they held the lead against the Liberty for nearly the entire game but folded at the very end. With just under 5 minutes left, they kicked off to the Liberty, who then proceeded to put together a 10-play drive, moving 60 yards down the field and taking a 1 point lead with 1:06 left on the clock. Their attempt at taking back the lead was embarrassing to say the least. LeClair took the ball out of the end zone on the ensuing kickoff, only to be stone-walled and finish with an 8 yard return. They were able to complete 2 passes, 1 to Willie, 1 to Taylor, before Ron Jeremy was called for an illegal shift, essentially killing their comeback chances.
The Wraiths game was just an utter disappointment from start to finish, with the Hawks being out-played in every facet of the game.


New Talent: Write about which S6 trade will or did have the biggest impact in the playoffs. Can be written at any time depending on if you choose to write about who already has or who will do good

When looking over playoff rosters, there aren’t too many rookie players that look to have a huge impact this season. The Orange County Otters have never been known for their defensive prowess outside of their blitzing linebackers (well, until this season). One man however, Elvin Enchant, may just be the exception to the rule. Enchant has had a season that would make any linebacker proud but, considering the fact that he’s a rookie, makes it even that much more impressive. He finished third on the Otters’ defense with 83 tackles, while also recording 3 sacks, as well as forcing 3 fumbles and recovering 2 others. He was no slouch in pass coverage though either, as he recorded 3 passes defended and 1 interception on the season. He ability to makes plays and create turnovers in every facet of the game is what makes him an invaluable tool for the Otters, and is why I believe he will have a massive impact in the playoffs this season. Although he may not be well known around the league yet, I fully expect this man to soon become a household name, and it may just come on the back of his playoff performance this season.


Root for the Underdog: Pick an away team in an upcoming game and try to convince yourself (and us) why they can win. (Must be completed before the playoff series you write about)

This is the year the San Jose SaberCats finally make their push and appear in their first ever Ultimus Bowl. Everyone laughed at me when I said this was the year they finally make it over that hump and earn their first ever playoff spot and look how that turned out. After a stellar season that saw the SaberCats finish 11-3 with all three losses coming to playoff teams, the SaberCats are the real deal. The SaberCats finished in the top half of nearly every team statistical category, including second in points allowed per game. Their only weak spot was movement on the ground, as they ran for the least amount of yards per game in the league, and had the lowest yards per carry of any team in the league. But don’t let that fool you, this team is very good. However, despite tying for the best record in the league, this team will be the underdog come ASFC championship time. With an 0-2 record on the season against conference rival, and ASFC championship opponent, the SaberCats will have tough sledding to get to the championship. But as the saying goes, it’s almost impossible to beat a team three times in one season, and if anyone in the playoffs can stop this Otters dynasty, it’s the SaberCats.


Matchup Nightmares: Pick an offensive and defensive player who will be going up against each other and why it will be a nightmare for one of them. (Must be completed before the playoff series you write about)

Jordan Yates vs. Kevin Cushing
Talk about two entirely different players. Jordan Yates is a quiet, unassuming man that continues to dominate the league through the air, leading the NSFL this year in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and finishing second in receptions. His season was one for the ages as he set the single season record for receiving yards. He shows up every day, quietly puts on a show, then goes home. Then you come to the man tasked with guarding him, Kevin Cushing. A loud-mouthed man who never stops complaining about how badly he gets beat… and boy does he. Frequently. However, despite all this, after finishing the season with 13 passes defended and 1 interception, he is the best cornerback the Liberty have to offer (at least if you ask him he is). Clifford Rove, however, would beg to differ. From a statistical standpoint, Rove finished with a better season, ending the year with 15 passes defended and 4 interceptions. Despite the differences in seasons, the Liberty coaching staff believes in Cushing and will look to him to do most of the heavy lifting against Yates. Word on the street is that Yates may not be a power player much longer though, as rule changes are in the works that disallow running backs to line up at the wide receiver position.