(S11) - Ultimus Week

[manicmav36]

New Talent: Write about which S11 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

Now, it’s no secret that the Yeti had a fantastic offense this season. In fact, that offense basically carried them to the NSFC Championship game. Their biggest downfall this season was their defense, however (in fact, I’ll even write about it later). Which is why the biggest trade that happened this year is actually something that happened in the offseason. The Yeti, looking like a team that would be beginning yet another rebuild, traded away two of their best defensive players in defensive tackle Eli Kamaka and embattled cornerback, Andre Bly Jr. There was no question these were two of the top players in the league at their respective positions and the Liberty received them for a measly second round pick. Many in the league questioned the thinking of the Liberty front office, viewing it as the Liberty essentially forcing themselves into a worse drafting spot, as they was no real threat of them making the playoffs. But, in reality, we should’ve been questioning the Colorado front office. Those two would’ve made a massive difference over the course of the season, and could’ve easily swung 1 more game in favor of the Yeti, earning them home field advantage for the NSFC Championship game. With HFA, they Yeti could’ve easily dispatched the Baltimore Hawks and clinched their first spot in the Ultimus since the first season of the NSFL.


Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have? (Can be completed at any point)

The Colorado Yeti had one of the most potent offenses in the game, buoyed by breakout player of the year candidate Micycle McCormick at QB and game breaking/MVP candidate WR/CB, Howard Miller. They averaged an impressive 30 points per game and finished the season with the second most points score in the league. Despite being the worst rushing team in the NSFL, their offense was still elite thanks to their prowess passing the ball. So why am I talking about them here? The answer is simple, their defense. The Colorado Yeti allowed the most points scored in the league, finishing the season giving up 417 points, only 5 less than they scored on the season. That’s more than the 4-10 Yellowknife Wraiths or the 1-13 San Jose SaberCats. To put that number into a better perspective, they allowed 77 more points than any other team that qualified for the playoffs this season. That’s nearly an extra 6 points a game that their offense has to make up for. While McCormick, Miller, and company are clearly up to the task, one wrong step on offense and their chances are sunk. One has to wonder, however, what will this team look like once they have a formidable defense? The outlook is certainly scary for the rest of the NSFC.



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)


Unpopular opinion here but, the Orange County Otters can, and will (hopefully!) beat the New Orleans Second Line. The Orange County Otters are one of only 3 teams to beat the New Orleans Second Line, and it’s no reach to see why the Otters could do it again.
As is tradition, the Otters passing attack is in peak form, with 3 separate players finishing the season with over 900 receiving yards (Atwell, Crush, and Adams). They biggest wildcard on offense, and hardest for opposing defenses to game plan against, has to be Adams though. Atwell had one fantastic season, but seems to be a solid #2 WR, Crush, usually a contender for WR of the Year, is having an uncharacteristically average season, but Adams is just playing inspired ball. Playing out of the backfield Adams is averaging a very impressive 4.7 yards per carry and 11.4 yards per reception out of the slot. While not numbers that will light the world on fire, he will prove to be a giant mismatch for the Second Line that looks to be a problem they don’t have an answer for. While the defense is focused on controlling Atwell and Crush, expect for Adams to have a big game, and just be too much for the Second Line defense to handle. It’ll be a close one, but I think the Otters pull it out in the end.



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)

The Baltimore Hawks offense vs the Colorado Yeti offense will be a giant mismatch in general, save for Miller (who’s playing out of his mind) vs whoever he’s lined up against (rotating between Willie and Valentine). But the matchup I’d most like to focus on will be Haruki Ishigawa versus the dangerous tight end duo of Verso L’Alto and Declan Harp. Ishigawa, who has had a fantastic career for himself, has a strong argument for the Hall of Fame when his career is all said and done. Unfortunately, he had little to no help on defense this season. In seasons past, he’s always done well for himself in coverage, but he’s always had a little help. Unfortunately, combine the fact that he’s basically operating by himself with the two-headed monster that is Harp and L’Alto, it will just be too much for him. If it were just one, Ishigawa would probably do fine, but with how the Hawks manage the duo, there is constantly a fresh set of legs lined up either from the tight end spot, or out of the slot. While it may not have much of an effect in the first half, the second half is where the wear and tear of facing two separate Pro Bowl level tight ends really starts to show it’s stress on players. Look for the Hawks tight ends to thrive, especially late in the game.