Robbed
Given the limited number of teams and the two round playoff format, the Baltimore Hawks were easily robbed of a playoff spot they had deserved. A team that was 7-7 and had beaten the Philadelphia Liberty missed the playoffs. In contrast, the weak competition in the ASFC allowed a suffering 5-9 Arizona team to make the playoffs and get instantly blown out by the Orange County Otters. It seems that the different levels of parity in the league between the conferences has made the NSFC much more difficult than the current play of the ASFC. Multiple teams in the ASFC are in the middle of rebuilds, or about to begin them. Ideally this could be resolved by realigning the conferences based on yearly performance, but a solution along those lines is incredibly unlikely. The only real solution would be to eventually expand the league and add another round of the playoffs to ensure that each conference has a good mix of teams making an Ultimus run in the playoffs. League parity should improve over time as these teams which are stockpiling younger talent improve and show significant strides over the next couple of seasons. For now, the Hawks were simply on the receiving end of a system with some issues.
Going to Disneyland!
The name I haven't heard all that much when it's asked "Who is the Ultimus MVP?" is Micah Hendrix. To understand his contribution to the Liberty's upset win over the Otters we have to go to the late third quarter with only a minute remaining. A three and out from the Liberty gives the Otters possession of the ball at their twenty two yard line. The score is 21-19 and the Otters have all the momentum in the game after falling behind early 21-3. Micah Hendrix out muscles Phelps for the ball and intercepts Boss for a return of 15 yards from the Otter 29 yard line. On the ensuing Liberty drive Oles throws a touchdown pass to Paul Dimirio, putting the game out of reach for the Otters just as the fourth quarter begins. This all but ends the hopes the Otters had to win their fourth consecutive Ultimus championship with a two possession lead by the Liberty. In addition to his contribution on the back end in sealing the Liberty's victory, Hendrix also had five tackles, a sack, and a pass defense. If Hendrix doesn't intercept that pass, there's a good chance that the Otters would have been able to continue striking against a beleaguered Liberty defense late in the game.
Unsung Hero
Josh Garden had an infamous drop in Season Six that cost the Liberty a chance at taking a lead late and winning their first ever Ultimus. Coming into the playoffs, reportedly there were fears that he would do the same once again. However, he dispelled all doubt by first putting up six catches and 113 yards against a tough Yellowknife secondary headlined by veteran Dermot Lavelle. Expectations were highest for him when the Ultimus match up against the Otters played itself out once again. He immediately set the tone for the game by returning a kick for 103 yards to set the Liberty seven in front of the Otters less than 20 seconds into the first quarter. This shocking turn of events easily saw the Liberty propel themselves to a 21-3 point lead and thanks to a timely turnover, their first Ultimus win. Garden was relatively quiet outside of his first return, posting two catches for 21 yards. His initial contribution more than made up for some lackluster production in the traditional passing game. He easily redeemed himself by stunning the league with an electric kick return that setup the Liberty to finally unseat the Otters as league champs. League historians might forget his tale of redemption in favor of his prior history, but Garden was the Liberty's hero in the Season Seven playoffs.
Sit-down with a star
Quarterback King Bronko
Questions:
1. Arizona has been a veteran team for quite some time with considerable success dating back to the founding of the league. Heading into the Season Seven playoffs, was there anything different about this particular appearance in Orange County?
2. What exactly did Arizona do to prepare for the game as a colossal underdog against the Otter juggernaut on their home turf? Were there any special strategies designed to specifically win this match up or was it treated as any other game?
3. The Outlaws were absolutely thrashed by the Otters in a game that quickly got out of hand. You're getting up there in age, so are we getting close to the time where Bronko hangs up his cleats for good?
4. What was your favorite part of Disneyland when you visited a few seasons ago?
Answers:
1. For sure, we were riding a big wave of emotions. Most years we make the playoffs and we know it, or play with the lead at the very least. This time, after missing the playoffs last year and seemingly destined to do so again, we pulled it out and clinched, so we were very excited coming into this game.
2. We never treat games differently. I mean you gameplan accordingly, you don't treat Applehort like you treat Boss, but we don't do crazy different stuff just because its the playoffs. Week 1 or Ultimus, it's all the same here.
3. This next season will probably be my last. I've had a good run but I'm getting old. Mah knees hurt!
4. I really liked everyone who took pictures with us. It was fun, we got to flex on that Mickey Mouse motherfucker. Disney princesses? Ain't got shot on us, kids and their parents want pics us not you! We coming into yo amusement park and we leaving like we own the place. Other than that, I mean, I was pretty high the whole time, so I don't remember most of the trip, but it was really fun. Favorite ride? Had to be the teacups you spin yourself. Sounds pretty lame, but after you are 12 beers deep and high off your ass they get like 50 times more fun.
Given the limited number of teams and the two round playoff format, the Baltimore Hawks were easily robbed of a playoff spot they had deserved. A team that was 7-7 and had beaten the Philadelphia Liberty missed the playoffs. In contrast, the weak competition in the ASFC allowed a suffering 5-9 Arizona team to make the playoffs and get instantly blown out by the Orange County Otters. It seems that the different levels of parity in the league between the conferences has made the NSFC much more difficult than the current play of the ASFC. Multiple teams in the ASFC are in the middle of rebuilds, or about to begin them. Ideally this could be resolved by realigning the conferences based on yearly performance, but a solution along those lines is incredibly unlikely. The only real solution would be to eventually expand the league and add another round of the playoffs to ensure that each conference has a good mix of teams making an Ultimus run in the playoffs. League parity should improve over time as these teams which are stockpiling younger talent improve and show significant strides over the next couple of seasons. For now, the Hawks were simply on the receiving end of a system with some issues.
Quote:Word Count: 210
Going to Disneyland!
The name I haven't heard all that much when it's asked "Who is the Ultimus MVP?" is Micah Hendrix. To understand his contribution to the Liberty's upset win over the Otters we have to go to the late third quarter with only a minute remaining. A three and out from the Liberty gives the Otters possession of the ball at their twenty two yard line. The score is 21-19 and the Otters have all the momentum in the game after falling behind early 21-3. Micah Hendrix out muscles Phelps for the ball and intercepts Boss for a return of 15 yards from the Otter 29 yard line. On the ensuing Liberty drive Oles throws a touchdown pass to Paul Dimirio, putting the game out of reach for the Otters just as the fourth quarter begins. This all but ends the hopes the Otters had to win their fourth consecutive Ultimus championship with a two possession lead by the Liberty. In addition to his contribution on the back end in sealing the Liberty's victory, Hendrix also had five tackles, a sack, and a pass defense. If Hendrix doesn't intercept that pass, there's a good chance that the Otters would have been able to continue striking against a beleaguered Liberty defense late in the game.
Quote:Word Count: 213
Unsung Hero
Josh Garden had an infamous drop in Season Six that cost the Liberty a chance at taking a lead late and winning their first ever Ultimus. Coming into the playoffs, reportedly there were fears that he would do the same once again. However, he dispelled all doubt by first putting up six catches and 113 yards against a tough Yellowknife secondary headlined by veteran Dermot Lavelle. Expectations were highest for him when the Ultimus match up against the Otters played itself out once again. He immediately set the tone for the game by returning a kick for 103 yards to set the Liberty seven in front of the Otters less than 20 seconds into the first quarter. This shocking turn of events easily saw the Liberty propel themselves to a 21-3 point lead and thanks to a timely turnover, their first Ultimus win. Garden was relatively quiet outside of his first return, posting two catches for 21 yards. His initial contribution more than made up for some lackluster production in the traditional passing game. He easily redeemed himself by stunning the league with an electric kick return that setup the Liberty to finally unseat the Otters as league champs. League historians might forget his tale of redemption in favor of his prior history, but Garden was the Liberty's hero in the Season Seven playoffs.
Quote:Word Count: 224
Sit-down with a star
Quarterback King Bronko
Questions:
1. Arizona has been a veteran team for quite some time with considerable success dating back to the founding of the league. Heading into the Season Seven playoffs, was there anything different about this particular appearance in Orange County?
2. What exactly did Arizona do to prepare for the game as a colossal underdog against the Otter juggernaut on their home turf? Were there any special strategies designed to specifically win this match up or was it treated as any other game?
3. The Outlaws were absolutely thrashed by the Otters in a game that quickly got out of hand. You're getting up there in age, so are we getting close to the time where Bronko hangs up his cleats for good?
4. What was your favorite part of Disneyland when you visited a few seasons ago?
Answers:
1. For sure, we were riding a big wave of emotions. Most years we make the playoffs and we know it, or play with the lead at the very least. This time, after missing the playoffs last year and seemingly destined to do so again, we pulled it out and clinched, so we were very excited coming into this game.
2. We never treat games differently. I mean you gameplan accordingly, you don't treat Applehort like you treat Boss, but we don't do crazy different stuff just because its the playoffs. Week 1 or Ultimus, it's all the same here.
3. This next season will probably be my last. I've had a good run but I'm getting old. Mah knees hurt!
4. I really liked everyone who took pictures with us. It was fun, we got to flex on that Mickey Mouse motherfucker. Disney princesses? Ain't got shot on us, kids and their parents want pics us not you! We coming into yo amusement park and we leaving like we own the place. Other than that, I mean, I was pretty high the whole time, so I don't remember most of the trip, but it was really fun. Favorite ride? Had to be the teacups you spin yourself. Sounds pretty lame, but after you are 12 beers deep and high off your ass they get like 50 times more fun.
Quote:Word Count: 226
