06-16-2019, 09:12 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-20-2019, 06:20 AM by terriblehippo.)
5) SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTH: Write 200 words on one of the players in this year’s Ultimus Week that are Season 13 or newer and spotlight how they can affect this year’s Ultimus.
Cameron Olsen (@Rradum) was a workhorse for San Jose this season. He put up solid numbers both on the line (26 pancakes while allowing zero sacks) and downfield (416 yards on 53 catches, good for an average of 7.8 yards per catch). While those might not be the most impressive numbers, one has to keep in mind that Olsen is a true rookie, and this season was his first in the NSFL. For a player who’s earned 402 TPE to date (which is impressive in and of itself), those numbers are both an accomplishment and a statement of things to come. He continued to perform in the Ultimus--if the blame for San Jose’s beatdown at the hands of Baltimore lies anywhere, it certainly isn’t with Olsen. He lead San Jose in catches and was third in total yardage, behind wide receivers Ty Justice and Xavier Flash. While he didn’t manage to find the end zone, neither did anyone else on the Sabercats’ roster. He also recorded two pancakes and continued his streak of zero sacks allowed. Olsen’s play during the Ultimus is one of the few bright spots in San Jose’s otherwise poor defense of their title. Tight end is a position that is often overlooked or undervalued, but having a talented player at that position can make a big difference. With his performance this season, Olsen has more than demonstrated that he has the potential to be that player for the Sabercats.
7) NEXT YEAR: If your team has been eliminated, why will next year, or the year after that, be the year that your team is going to win the Ultimus.
New Orleans had a poor season. There’s really no other way to say it. The defense consisted mainly of two types of players: inactives and low TPE. Some of the low TPE players were rookies, which does bode well for the future, but that doesn’t excuse the rest. The offense had a different issue: not enough threats. The Second Line offense was limited in terms of legitimate weapons, and so opposing defenses had little trouble shutting it down. But both sides of the ball are about to get a dramatic overhaul. Johnny Slothface, one of the two linebackers New Orleans took in the draft, is expected to return to the team next season. Having the young linebacker duo of Bode and Slothface to anchor the defense will give the team a much needed boost, and stability on that side of the ball means the offense has less pressure on them. Speaking of offense, Forrest Gump is also expected to join the team next season. The young and talented running back will provide an immediate jolt of energy to what has been a stagnant offense, and the addition of Gump to the ground game will impact every area of the offense. The team is also hoping to attract top-tier talent in free agency, and getting some big names would go a long way in turning the team around. All of this, paired with the great talent that will be present in the next several drafts, means that New Orleans is quickly going to find itself contending for the Ultimus once again.
8) STRATEGIES: Unless your team won the championship, what changes does your team need to make in the offseason to improve your chances next year.
I’m almost certainly biased, but I believe that defense wins championships. So, if New Orleans hopes to win the Ultimus anytime soon, it must take steps to greatly improve its defense. Some of those steps have already been taken: drafting Quenton Bode and Johnny Slothface was an unexpected but fantastic move, and next season the duo will show the NSFL what they can do when playing side-by-side. But the secondary needs a lot of help as well, and that problem--while solvable--will require a little more work. There is plenty of up-and-coming talent at cornerback and safety in the next few drafts, most notably Dermot Lavelle Jr. But building through the draft is a risky way to build, and so New Orleans will also need to aggressively court free agents in order to supplement their draft haul. They have the freedom to be aggressive too: they have a decent amount of cap space, thanks to a handful of team-friendly deals, and their young core will be dangerous in several seasons. Free agents looking at New Orleans might see a roster that is only a few short seasons away from a title--and even fewer with every star added to it. To the casual observer, it might seem like New Orleans needs to make some major changes in order to be competitive. But in reality, the Second Line are just a few pieces away from a championship, and only a few more from a dynasty.
12) SIT DOWN WITH A STAR: Interview a player from a team that is not your own that is in the playoffs. You must ask them four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. YOU MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR YOU TO GET CREDIT. (438)
I recently sat down with Baltimore safety Walt Green, a season 15 rookie and a member of “The Fab Five”, to talk about his rookie season and the playoffs. My interview with him is presented here in its entirety.
Interviewer: “Let’s start with an easy one: how do you feel about your rookie season?”
Walt Green: “The only way my rookie season could have been better would be intercepting Cooter. However I can’t complain. I got sacks, interceptions, TDs, and safeties. Plus I’m playing in the Ultimus. Zero complaints for my rookie season.”
I: “Let’s talk about the Ultimus. You’re facing the Sabercats, who you defeated twice in the regular season. But the Ultimus is a different beast, and the Sabercats are defending champions. What do you expect to see from San Jose in this winner-take-all matchup?”
WG: “I expect us to dominate. Both games combine we held the Sabercats to a total of 3 TDs. They’ll have to concoct a crazy scheme to fool us. I know how fortunate I am to start my career on this team. This is a beast of a defense. I’m sure it will be a much more competitive game than the regular season, but I’m confident in my teammates. They all been emphasizing how important it is to remain discipline and focused, they dealt with the pain last year of not making the Ultimus, just as SA missed the Ultimini. I’ve been able to relate and connect with them on that common ground. So we all know how important it is to not lose sight of our goal.”
I: “You’re under contract for two more seasons, but those seasons have team options on them. Do you think Baltimore will elect to keep you on roster going forward and, if not, where would you like to play?”
WG: “I think Baltimore wants to keep me. With Eco & I, they’re set at safety for a few more seasons. They’re losing several players who are retiring. I’m sure they don’t want add more holes by trading me to another team.”
I: “Final question. You already talked about the outstanding production you had this season. How are you planning on building on that going forward, and what would be a successful sophomore season be for you?”
WG: “I’m a team player. Do I get excited about big plays & stats, yes. However team success is more important to me. Our goals for next season will be dependent on the outcomes of the Ultimus candy expansion draft. Should we be a playoff team next year? Definitely. Will we be as good as this year? Hopefully.”
13) SIT-DOWN WITH A FAN (Waldo)
Cameron Olsen (@Rradum) was a workhorse for San Jose this season. He put up solid numbers both on the line (26 pancakes while allowing zero sacks) and downfield (416 yards on 53 catches, good for an average of 7.8 yards per catch). While those might not be the most impressive numbers, one has to keep in mind that Olsen is a true rookie, and this season was his first in the NSFL. For a player who’s earned 402 TPE to date (which is impressive in and of itself), those numbers are both an accomplishment and a statement of things to come. He continued to perform in the Ultimus--if the blame for San Jose’s beatdown at the hands of Baltimore lies anywhere, it certainly isn’t with Olsen. He lead San Jose in catches and was third in total yardage, behind wide receivers Ty Justice and Xavier Flash. While he didn’t manage to find the end zone, neither did anyone else on the Sabercats’ roster. He also recorded two pancakes and continued his streak of zero sacks allowed. Olsen’s play during the Ultimus is one of the few bright spots in San Jose’s otherwise poor defense of their title. Tight end is a position that is often overlooked or undervalued, but having a talented player at that position can make a big difference. With his performance this season, Olsen has more than demonstrated that he has the potential to be that player for the Sabercats.
Code:
244 words7) NEXT YEAR: If your team has been eliminated, why will next year, or the year after that, be the year that your team is going to win the Ultimus.
New Orleans had a poor season. There’s really no other way to say it. The defense consisted mainly of two types of players: inactives and low TPE. Some of the low TPE players were rookies, which does bode well for the future, but that doesn’t excuse the rest. The offense had a different issue: not enough threats. The Second Line offense was limited in terms of legitimate weapons, and so opposing defenses had little trouble shutting it down. But both sides of the ball are about to get a dramatic overhaul. Johnny Slothface, one of the two linebackers New Orleans took in the draft, is expected to return to the team next season. Having the young linebacker duo of Bode and Slothface to anchor the defense will give the team a much needed boost, and stability on that side of the ball means the offense has less pressure on them. Speaking of offense, Forrest Gump is also expected to join the team next season. The young and talented running back will provide an immediate jolt of energy to what has been a stagnant offense, and the addition of Gump to the ground game will impact every area of the offense. The team is also hoping to attract top-tier talent in free agency, and getting some big names would go a long way in turning the team around. All of this, paired with the great talent that will be present in the next several drafts, means that New Orleans is quickly going to find itself contending for the Ultimus once again.
Code:
260 words8) STRATEGIES: Unless your team won the championship, what changes does your team need to make in the offseason to improve your chances next year.
I’m almost certainly biased, but I believe that defense wins championships. So, if New Orleans hopes to win the Ultimus anytime soon, it must take steps to greatly improve its defense. Some of those steps have already been taken: drafting Quenton Bode and Johnny Slothface was an unexpected but fantastic move, and next season the duo will show the NSFL what they can do when playing side-by-side. But the secondary needs a lot of help as well, and that problem--while solvable--will require a little more work. There is plenty of up-and-coming talent at cornerback and safety in the next few drafts, most notably Dermot Lavelle Jr. But building through the draft is a risky way to build, and so New Orleans will also need to aggressively court free agents in order to supplement their draft haul. They have the freedom to be aggressive too: they have a decent amount of cap space, thanks to a handful of team-friendly deals, and their young core will be dangerous in several seasons. Free agents looking at New Orleans might see a roster that is only a few short seasons away from a title--and even fewer with every star added to it. To the casual observer, it might seem like New Orleans needs to make some major changes in order to be competitive. But in reality, the Second Line are just a few pieces away from a championship, and only a few more from a dynasty.
Code:
242 words12) SIT DOWN WITH A STAR: Interview a player from a team that is not your own that is in the playoffs. You must ask them four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. YOU MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR YOU TO GET CREDIT. (438)
I recently sat down with Baltimore safety Walt Green, a season 15 rookie and a member of “The Fab Five”, to talk about his rookie season and the playoffs. My interview with him is presented here in its entirety.
Interviewer: “Let’s start with an easy one: how do you feel about your rookie season?”
Walt Green: “The only way my rookie season could have been better would be intercepting Cooter. However I can’t complain. I got sacks, interceptions, TDs, and safeties. Plus I’m playing in the Ultimus. Zero complaints for my rookie season.”
I: “Let’s talk about the Ultimus. You’re facing the Sabercats, who you defeated twice in the regular season. But the Ultimus is a different beast, and the Sabercats are defending champions. What do you expect to see from San Jose in this winner-take-all matchup?”
WG: “I expect us to dominate. Both games combine we held the Sabercats to a total of 3 TDs. They’ll have to concoct a crazy scheme to fool us. I know how fortunate I am to start my career on this team. This is a beast of a defense. I’m sure it will be a much more competitive game than the regular season, but I’m confident in my teammates. They all been emphasizing how important it is to remain discipline and focused, they dealt with the pain last year of not making the Ultimus, just as SA missed the Ultimini. I’ve been able to relate and connect with them on that common ground. So we all know how important it is to not lose sight of our goal.”
I: “You’re under contract for two more seasons, but those seasons have team options on them. Do you think Baltimore will elect to keep you on roster going forward and, if not, where would you like to play?”
WG: “I think Baltimore wants to keep me. With Eco & I, they’re set at safety for a few more seasons. They’re losing several players who are retiring. I’m sure they don’t want add more holes by trading me to another team.”
I: “Final question. You already talked about the outstanding production you had this season. How are you planning on building on that going forward, and what would be a successful sophomore season be for you?”
WG: “I’m a team player. Do I get excited about big plays & stats, yes. However team success is more important to me. Our goals for next season will be dependent on the outcomes of the Ultimus candy expansion draft. Should we be a playoff team next year? Definitely. Will we be as good as this year? Hopefully.”
Code:
438 words13) SIT-DOWN WITH A FAN (Waldo)
![[Image: BODE.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/800790374204571721/893650710489628732/BODE.png)
