(S12) - Ultimus Week

[manicmav36]

Spotlight on the Youth

Kwame Abayomi Mbanefo has one of the hardest names to type in the entirety of the National Simulation Football League. Unfortunately for the league, the name is going to be popping up a lot very soon. In his rookie season for the NSFL, Mbanefo finished with 32 tackles and 3 sacks. While not shockingly impressive on their own, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that he also led all season 11 rookies in tackles for loss for that year. It wouldn’t be surprising then if I told you that although he’s only in his sophomore season he still finished seventh in the entire league for tackled for a loss with 9, while also setting career highs in tackles (45), sacks (4), and forced fumbles (1). Mbanefo has a rare combination of strength and agility that you rarely find in a six foot, four inch frame. When facing a team that passes as often as the Orange County Otters (2nd most attempts in the league), you need as many threats on the defensive line as possible, and Mbanefo fills that role more than adequately. Expect to see Mbanefo meeting Gus T.T. Showbiz in the backfield with a frightening consistency that will surely drive the Otters offensive line coach mad with anger.


Quarterback Matchup

While the conference championships each featured an established QB versus a young, up and coming start, the most exciting quarterback matchup in this year’s playoff is easily Childish Gambino of the Baltimore Hawks versus Gus T.T. Showbiz (the extra “T’ is for talent) of the Orange County Otters in the Ultimus. In the Orange County corner, Showbiz put up a fantastic season, finishing second in passing yards, tied for first in passing TDs and finished tied for fourth with the fewest INTs despite being third in passing attempts. As is tradition, Orange County continued their historically strong offensive play by finishing second in the NSFL in both offensive yards and points scored. In the other corner you have the leader of the #1 rated offense in both scoring and total yards, Childish Gambino. Gambino was a master of efficiency this season, leading the league in yards per attempt, completion percentage, and QB rating (by a full 6 points!), all while still managing to finish third in passing yards. On paper this looks to be quite the matchup. While I give a slight lead to Showbiz if this game becomes a shootout, (just based upon the sheer number of weapons he has at his disposal), I expect Gambino would have the edge in the Hawks are able to play Hawks style football.


Sit Down With a Star
I was interviewed by @37thchamber

1. 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."

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 Interviewed @37thchamber

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) 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.