01-19-2019, 01:38 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-19-2019, 01:39 PM by 37thchamber.)
POST-GAME
The NSFC Championship game between the Baltimore Hawks and Philadelphia Liberty might go down as the most entertaining matchup between the two rivals so far. Going into the game, the Liberty were the clear underdogs; having lost heavily to the Hawks already this season, and having to overcome the huge disadvantage of being the away team. That the game went to overtime will have stunned more than a few. Liberty quarterback Adriana Falconi threw three touchdowns, including a fourth quarter tie-up to Carter Bush, and it was at that point an already exciting back and forth game cranked it up a notch.
The Liberty stifled the kickoff return at a short nine yards, before sacking Gambino on the next play. A penalty and a lapse in coverage followed, but four plays later, the Hawks had been forced to punt. And Falconi led the Liberty back toward the Hawks endzone, reaching mid-field before consensus defensive rookie of the year Charlie Trout stopped progress with a monster ten yard sack, leaving Philly at 3rd and 22. Predictably, this led to another punt. With three minutes to go, the Hawks were forced to burn all three of their timeouts as they tried -- in vain -- to get back into field goal range, falling short after Lennox Garnett halted Antonio Summer's barrelling run, L'Alto uncharacteristically dropped a pass, and Gambino threw two incompletions. With a minute to play, Philly played safe, trying to run the ball downfield, but couldn't make significant gains. Overtime beckoned.
Perhaps it was fatigue on the part of the Liberty, perhaps the Hawks were desperate not to lose it in that manner, but a mediocre return from Garnett, followed by a three-and-out drive put the result in the hands of the Hawks. After a big pass to Nagasawa, they methodically inched their way into Philly territory, before Owen Taylor made the catch on 2nd and goal from the Philly one yard line. Baltimore progress to the Ultimus, but not without a fight, and a marker from the Liberty that made it clear they are a force to be reckoned with.
IT IS OUR TIME NEXT YEAR
At the risk of sounding like a Liverpool fan (shudder), you really have to consider the Philadelphia Liberty to be a contender for the Ultimus next season. The Liberty have lost just one player this season in Hondo, while seeing noticeable improvement to the majority of the roster, and being able to call up some stashed talent from the DSFL. Their NSFC rivals however... not so much. The Hawks, while still formidable, are losing key players in Taylor, Oakes, and L'Alto... the Wraiths are still rebuilding, and don't look likely to be ready to really challenge for a conference title yet, and the Yeti... well... despite their improvements, they are a franchise that has historically struggled to realise the potential of their roster. Not saying they're not capable, but history has shown us that even when they have a strong roster, they somehow fall short. It seems likely that the NSFC Conference Championship could wind up being Liberty vs Yeti, a matchup that, on paper would seem like a nightmare for a rush-heavy Liberty with a weakened secondary, going up against a solid defensive side with arguably the league's best passing offense for the upcoming season.
But what if I told you that the Liberty pass rush is potentially the best in the league? And they couple that with a unit that still ranks among the league's best pass defenses? What if I told you that Falconi's output is noticeably improved, and she could have more weapons this coming season? What if I told you that the Liberty offense -- probably their biggest weakness this past season -- might well be top three in the league next term after extending Jordan von Matt and calling up their promising young talent from the DSFL? Would you still doubt they can pull this off?
SIT DOWN WITH A STAR
So I interviewed @manicmav36
This is your final season of football, what would you say are the chances you can go out on a high with another Ultimus win?
The Otters are a great squad and one of the most successful franchises in NSFL history. There's no question that playing in Orange County gives them a huge advantage, and it's going to be a hell of a fight for us, but we've got a few tricks up our sleeves. As they say, "Games aren't played on paper. "
With you and Smallwood out of the picture, who would you say is most likely to replace you as the league's most dominant rusher? Can anyone?
I loved having Smallwood in the league. At the height of our careers it was a real battle for running back supremacy... we really pushed each other. But beyond that, we did so in a positive way, always congratulating each other on our victories and accomplishments. He's a true professional. Now days you have some of these young kids coming in, slinging mud at everyone, and demanding respect before they've earned it. The league could use more Taylor vs Smallwood rivalries.
If you could go back and replay one snap in your career, make it go differently, which one would you choose? Why?
With about 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the S11 Ultimus, we were ahead by 4. Our defense had just done their job by forcing a stop and all we had to do was run out the clock. First play was a 12 yard gain to get us to our 45. Then tragedy struck and I fumbled the damn ball. Just dropped it. No excuses. New Orleans ended up driving down the field to take the lead. If I don't fumble, there's no overtime, we win that game in regulation. I'll never forget that.
Do you have any intentions of transitioning into coaching, or maybe becoming an agent, now that your playing career is over?
I've definitely considered coaching. I love the game and have a hard time picturing my life without it in some capacity. After spending my entire career with the Hawks organization, I would love to continue being involved with them somehow. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the future holds.
SIT DOWN WITH A FAN
I was also interviewed by @manicmav36
For a long time, the sentiment in Philadelphia has been, "Trust the process." After making the NSFC championship, would you say that the "process" is complete?
I think this coming year will be the determining point. Taking the Hawks to overtime was impressive, but then looking at the manner of the Otters' win, it's hard to say "we're on the same level as those guys" just yet. Can't say the process is complete until we're at that level.
The Philadelphia and Baltimore rivalry is easily one of the best in all of the NSFL, yet the Hawks have had the upper hand recently. What needs to happen for you to surpass the Hawks?
The Hawks had a really strong team for a long time, but the key members of that team are gone or going, so now its a case of "who has the best young talent?" ... and it's a lot closer in that respect than I think a lot of people realise. Next season looks like it's gonna be the year. It all depends on how the offseason goes, and who can fill in the gaps in their roster best.
Historically, the Liberty have been a pass first team, but after drafting Marquise Brown, that seems to have changed dramatically. Will we ever seen the Liberty unleash their young and rapidly improving QB, Adriana Falconi?
Falconi is doing great, she was fantastic in the latter stages of this season, and a major asset. I think the trick is to do whatever gives the best shot at a win, and sometimes that will be to run it with Marquise, sometimes it will be to sling it with Falconi. I'd say teams with bad secondaries should probably be worried... but they should be anyway.
You had a fantastic sophomore campaign, and many consider you an strong choice for the NSFC pro bowl squad. What are your personal goals for next year?
I try not to have personal goals beyond winning. But if I had to put one down on paper, it would be to keep picking off passes, and make a serious challenge to the league's all-time interceptions leader before I retire. Someone mentioned to me that if I keep up my current rate of interceptions, I'd take that record. But that means nothing if I retire without at least one ring.
SHL: academydropout
PBE: OnceAndFutureKing
The NSFC Championship game between the Baltimore Hawks and Philadelphia Liberty might go down as the most entertaining matchup between the two rivals so far. Going into the game, the Liberty were the clear underdogs; having lost heavily to the Hawks already this season, and having to overcome the huge disadvantage of being the away team. That the game went to overtime will have stunned more than a few. Liberty quarterback Adriana Falconi threw three touchdowns, including a fourth quarter tie-up to Carter Bush, and it was at that point an already exciting back and forth game cranked it up a notch.
The Liberty stifled the kickoff return at a short nine yards, before sacking Gambino on the next play. A penalty and a lapse in coverage followed, but four plays later, the Hawks had been forced to punt. And Falconi led the Liberty back toward the Hawks endzone, reaching mid-field before consensus defensive rookie of the year Charlie Trout stopped progress with a monster ten yard sack, leaving Philly at 3rd and 22. Predictably, this led to another punt. With three minutes to go, the Hawks were forced to burn all three of their timeouts as they tried -- in vain -- to get back into field goal range, falling short after Lennox Garnett halted Antonio Summer's barrelling run, L'Alto uncharacteristically dropped a pass, and Gambino threw two incompletions. With a minute to play, Philly played safe, trying to run the ball downfield, but couldn't make significant gains. Overtime beckoned.
Perhaps it was fatigue on the part of the Liberty, perhaps the Hawks were desperate not to lose it in that manner, but a mediocre return from Garnett, followed by a three-and-out drive put the result in the hands of the Hawks. After a big pass to Nagasawa, they methodically inched their way into Philly territory, before Owen Taylor made the catch on 2nd and goal from the Philly one yard line. Baltimore progress to the Ultimus, but not without a fight, and a marker from the Liberty that made it clear they are a force to be reckoned with.
IT IS OUR TIME NEXT YEAR
At the risk of sounding like a Liverpool fan (shudder), you really have to consider the Philadelphia Liberty to be a contender for the Ultimus next season. The Liberty have lost just one player this season in Hondo, while seeing noticeable improvement to the majority of the roster, and being able to call up some stashed talent from the DSFL. Their NSFC rivals however... not so much. The Hawks, while still formidable, are losing key players in Taylor, Oakes, and L'Alto... the Wraiths are still rebuilding, and don't look likely to be ready to really challenge for a conference title yet, and the Yeti... well... despite their improvements, they are a franchise that has historically struggled to realise the potential of their roster. Not saying they're not capable, but history has shown us that even when they have a strong roster, they somehow fall short. It seems likely that the NSFC Conference Championship could wind up being Liberty vs Yeti, a matchup that, on paper would seem like a nightmare for a rush-heavy Liberty with a weakened secondary, going up against a solid defensive side with arguably the league's best passing offense for the upcoming season.
But what if I told you that the Liberty pass rush is potentially the best in the league? And they couple that with a unit that still ranks among the league's best pass defenses? What if I told you that Falconi's output is noticeably improved, and she could have more weapons this coming season? What if I told you that the Liberty offense -- probably their biggest weakness this past season -- might well be top three in the league next term after extending Jordan von Matt and calling up their promising young talent from the DSFL? Would you still doubt they can pull this off?
SIT DOWN WITH A STAR
So I interviewed @manicmav36
This is your final season of football, what would you say are the chances you can go out on a high with another Ultimus win?
The Otters are a great squad and one of the most successful franchises in NSFL history. There's no question that playing in Orange County gives them a huge advantage, and it's going to be a hell of a fight for us, but we've got a few tricks up our sleeves. As they say, "Games aren't played on paper. "
With you and Smallwood out of the picture, who would you say is most likely to replace you as the league's most dominant rusher? Can anyone?
I loved having Smallwood in the league. At the height of our careers it was a real battle for running back supremacy... we really pushed each other. But beyond that, we did so in a positive way, always congratulating each other on our victories and accomplishments. He's a true professional. Now days you have some of these young kids coming in, slinging mud at everyone, and demanding respect before they've earned it. The league could use more Taylor vs Smallwood rivalries.
If you could go back and replay one snap in your career, make it go differently, which one would you choose? Why?
With about 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the S11 Ultimus, we were ahead by 4. Our defense had just done their job by forcing a stop and all we had to do was run out the clock. First play was a 12 yard gain to get us to our 45. Then tragedy struck and I fumbled the damn ball. Just dropped it. No excuses. New Orleans ended up driving down the field to take the lead. If I don't fumble, there's no overtime, we win that game in regulation. I'll never forget that.
Do you have any intentions of transitioning into coaching, or maybe becoming an agent, now that your playing career is over?
I've definitely considered coaching. I love the game and have a hard time picturing my life without it in some capacity. After spending my entire career with the Hawks organization, I would love to continue being involved with them somehow. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the future holds.
SIT DOWN WITH A FAN
I was also interviewed by @manicmav36
For a long time, the sentiment in Philadelphia has been, "Trust the process." After making the NSFC championship, would you say that the "process" is complete?
I think this coming year will be the determining point. Taking the Hawks to overtime was impressive, but then looking at the manner of the Otters' win, it's hard to say "we're on the same level as those guys" just yet. Can't say the process is complete until we're at that level.
The Philadelphia and Baltimore rivalry is easily one of the best in all of the NSFL, yet the Hawks have had the upper hand recently. What needs to happen for you to surpass the Hawks?
The Hawks had a really strong team for a long time, but the key members of that team are gone or going, so now its a case of "who has the best young talent?" ... and it's a lot closer in that respect than I think a lot of people realise. Next season looks like it's gonna be the year. It all depends on how the offseason goes, and who can fill in the gaps in their roster best.
Historically, the Liberty have been a pass first team, but after drafting Marquise Brown, that seems to have changed dramatically. Will we ever seen the Liberty unleash their young and rapidly improving QB, Adriana Falconi?
Falconi is doing great, she was fantastic in the latter stages of this season, and a major asset. I think the trick is to do whatever gives the best shot at a win, and sometimes that will be to run it with Marquise, sometimes it will be to sling it with Falconi. I'd say teams with bad secondaries should probably be worried... but they should be anyway.
You had a fantastic sophomore campaign, and many consider you an strong choice for the NSFC pro bowl squad. What are your personal goals for next year?
I try not to have personal goals beyond winning. But if I had to put one down on paper, it would be to keep picking off passes, and make a serious challenge to the league's all-time interceptions leader before I retire. Someone mentioned to me that if I keep up my current rate of interceptions, I'd take that record. But that means nothing if I retire without at least one ring.
SHL: academydropout
PBE: OnceAndFutureKing
I impersonate a programmer for a living
Father of the League Wiki • Friendly Neighbourhood Angry Black Guy™ • NOT British
Originator of the Sim League Cinematic Universe (SLCU)
Super capitalists are parasites. Fite me.
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