Task #1 - It is Our Time This (Next) Year
The Outlaws clearly weren’t in the running this year, but don’t count them out for next year. The Otters and Sabercats are both formidable teams, but Arizona is flying just under the radar. Since getting DT Andrew Reese back from suspension, the Outlaws went 6-4 in their final 10 games of the season. Of course, I can toot my own horn, but one man alone doesn’t win a game. However, that says a lot about the combined effort of this defense. They were the 4th best team in points allowed even with QB Kevin Fitzpatrick having an unlucky season with 17 Interceptions. On top of that, this is a fairly young team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This defense is getting better every year and they’re young enough to keep playing at a high rate for a long time to come. If this team can stick together and make a few good moves in the draft and free agency, the Outlaws may be primed for a championship run in S13, S14, and possibly well beyond that. The opposing field is impressive, but the window is still wide open for these guys. (202 Words)
Task #2 - Going to Disneyland
So, who was this year’s ultimus MVP? Well, when it comes to the MVP award, it’s no secret that QBs get all the love. And why shouldn’t they? Afterall, the QB can make or break their team. Just ask the rebuilding teams that spent much of their first few years in the league chasing that top passer while guys like Mike Boss and King Bronco led their squads to multiple championships. Well, this year, the love goes to Gus Showbiz, who put together a passer rating of 108.5. Showbiz put together 31 successful passes on 54 attempts for a total of 459 yards! Even better, he found the End Zone 5 times, sending Touchdowns to RB Ricky Adams (2),WR Sunnycursed (2), and WR Carlito Crush (1). He also helped receivers Crush and Atwell break 100 yards; Sunnycursed was close with 99 yards, but missed the milestone by only 1 yard. Heartbreaking in theory, but word going around is that Sunnycursed is too busy celebrating the championship win to worry about it. But the real man of the hour remains Showbiz, who put up an absolutely spectacular performance to cap off an incredible season. And we expect him to continue to do just that for many seasons to come. (214 Words)
Task #3 - Unsung Hero
Since Showbiz got the MVP love, let’s showcase another Otters player who helped put his team over the top in the play-offs: WR Carlito Crush. As already mentioned, Crush broke 100 yards in the championship game with a total of 148 yards on 5 catches (that’s almost 30 yards per catch!) and found the end zone with a touchdown in the big game. He also caught the ball 6 times in the team’s ASFC Championship game, picking up 133 yards and 1 Touchdown. Now, those are impressive numbers in their own right, but when you factor in his competition for targets, veteran WR Tegan Atwell, rookie upstart WR Sunnycursed, and multifaceted RB Ricky Adams, it becomes even more impressive. Even more impressive, Carlito does it with humility and class. He always performs at a high rate, but you never hear him toot his own horn or put his accolades above his team. The man is a team player first and foremost. With players like that, it’s no surprise that the Otters have found their way back to the land of the champions. Big shout-out to Carlito for “crushing” it this post-season. Pun intended. (203 Words)
Task #4 - Enemies Happen
So, saving the best for last. We talked about players that deserve praise, but what player is overrated? Well, let’s talk about RB Ricky Adams. A guy that people are already calling “Offensive Player of the Year”. Just look at the play-off games to see how he performs under pressure. In the championship game, it was Zephyrous that carried the team’s running game, putting up more yards and scoring 2 rushing TDs. Adams did catch 2 receiving TDs, to be fair, but was otherwise non-existent while the team’s WRs absolutely dominated. Even Zephyrous himself totaled an amazing 11 catches for 49 yards. Not much per catch, sure, but he kept the chains moving both in the air and on the ground. The two split carries for a small amount of yards in the ASFC championship, but Adams was again mostly a non-factor in the receiving game and only found the endzone once. That said, I’m obviously just having some fun. Adams has been a dynamic player and undoubtedly help the team get it done on offense. He and Zephyrous make a great combination and, as the league’s first dedicated receiving back, I’m excited to see him follow in my footsteps. I hope to see him win OPotY and keep the momentum going into next season. (230 Words)
The Outlaws clearly weren’t in the running this year, but don’t count them out for next year. The Otters and Sabercats are both formidable teams, but Arizona is flying just under the radar. Since getting DT Andrew Reese back from suspension, the Outlaws went 6-4 in their final 10 games of the season. Of course, I can toot my own horn, but one man alone doesn’t win a game. However, that says a lot about the combined effort of this defense. They were the 4th best team in points allowed even with QB Kevin Fitzpatrick having an unlucky season with 17 Interceptions. On top of that, this is a fairly young team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This defense is getting better every year and they’re young enough to keep playing at a high rate for a long time to come. If this team can stick together and make a few good moves in the draft and free agency, the Outlaws may be primed for a championship run in S13, S14, and possibly well beyond that. The opposing field is impressive, but the window is still wide open for these guys. (202 Words)
Task #2 - Going to Disneyland
So, who was this year’s ultimus MVP? Well, when it comes to the MVP award, it’s no secret that QBs get all the love. And why shouldn’t they? Afterall, the QB can make or break their team. Just ask the rebuilding teams that spent much of their first few years in the league chasing that top passer while guys like Mike Boss and King Bronco led their squads to multiple championships. Well, this year, the love goes to Gus Showbiz, who put together a passer rating of 108.5. Showbiz put together 31 successful passes on 54 attempts for a total of 459 yards! Even better, he found the End Zone 5 times, sending Touchdowns to RB Ricky Adams (2),WR Sunnycursed (2), and WR Carlito Crush (1). He also helped receivers Crush and Atwell break 100 yards; Sunnycursed was close with 99 yards, but missed the milestone by only 1 yard. Heartbreaking in theory, but word going around is that Sunnycursed is too busy celebrating the championship win to worry about it. But the real man of the hour remains Showbiz, who put up an absolutely spectacular performance to cap off an incredible season. And we expect him to continue to do just that for many seasons to come. (214 Words)
Task #3 - Unsung Hero
Since Showbiz got the MVP love, let’s showcase another Otters player who helped put his team over the top in the play-offs: WR Carlito Crush. As already mentioned, Crush broke 100 yards in the championship game with a total of 148 yards on 5 catches (that’s almost 30 yards per catch!) and found the end zone with a touchdown in the big game. He also caught the ball 6 times in the team’s ASFC Championship game, picking up 133 yards and 1 Touchdown. Now, those are impressive numbers in their own right, but when you factor in his competition for targets, veteran WR Tegan Atwell, rookie upstart WR Sunnycursed, and multifaceted RB Ricky Adams, it becomes even more impressive. Even more impressive, Carlito does it with humility and class. He always performs at a high rate, but you never hear him toot his own horn or put his accolades above his team. The man is a team player first and foremost. With players like that, it’s no surprise that the Otters have found their way back to the land of the champions. Big shout-out to Carlito for “crushing” it this post-season. Pun intended. (203 Words)
Task #4 - Enemies Happen
So, saving the best for last. We talked about players that deserve praise, but what player is overrated? Well, let’s talk about RB Ricky Adams. A guy that people are already calling “Offensive Player of the Year”. Just look at the play-off games to see how he performs under pressure. In the championship game, it was Zephyrous that carried the team’s running game, putting up more yards and scoring 2 rushing TDs. Adams did catch 2 receiving TDs, to be fair, but was otherwise non-existent while the team’s WRs absolutely dominated. Even Zephyrous himself totaled an amazing 11 catches for 49 yards. Not much per catch, sure, but he kept the chains moving both in the air and on the ground. The two split carries for a small amount of yards in the ASFC championship, but Adams was again mostly a non-factor in the receiving game and only found the endzone once. That said, I’m obviously just having some fun. Adams has been a dynamic player and undoubtedly help the team get it done on offense. He and Zephyrous make a great combination and, as the league’s first dedicated receiving back, I’m excited to see him follow in my footsteps. I hope to see him win OPotY and keep the momentum going into next season. (230 Words)