Offensive Comparison
Boss vs. Draxel was a highly anticipated faceoff leading up to the Solis Cup. Both QBs had been plagued by drama all year but were on two of the most successful teams in the league. Mike Boss had begun the season by throwing 6 interceptions in a game, was then benched, and then won his starting job back only to continue throwing no shortage of picks. For Draxel's part, he is a bit of a whiner and was once sacked so many times in a game that he threatened retirement, though he no doubt regrets that now as the Outlaws hoist the Ultimus Cup. There were plenty of questions about both of these players prior to the ASFC championship. Would Boss ruin his team's chances with his picks, and would Draxel be able to hold up against the hungry Otters D-line? The answer is yes and no in that order. Mike Boss showed he's still Mike Boss by throwing 4 picks which ultimately made the game an ugly blowout, and the Outlaws continue to be bad at blocking as Draxel was sacked 5 times. It's hard to kick a bad habit, but you'd hope for these two players expected to lead their teams in the future, that Season 2 will be a bit prettier than Season 1.
Bottom Third
With a solid offensive line, the best single LB in the game, and a solid season by QB Ethan Hunt and his receiving cast the Cats' poor record has been a tough pill to swallow for San Jose fans. So where did the team go wrong to end up in a distant third in the ASFC? For starters, the team did not travel well, winning just one game on the road all season. They also played poorly against ASFC opponents, winning one game against the Outlaws and the other three cross-conference. The Otters in particular had the Cats' number, sweeping all 4 games and never allowing more than 10 points by San Jose. While the SaberCats defense seems statistically impressive, they always managed to cough up big points when they needed to lock down, and the offense just couldn't keep up with it. There's no doubt that Season 2 will be stressful for San Jose's management as now Ethan Hunt has declared he will not remain past his contract. If they don't turn things around this offense it could get even worse in the future as they will have to contend with the defending champion Outlaws and an Otters team that will be out for revenge.
Future Talent
One player who has been drawing a lot of attention for the S2 draft is Otters waiver OL Gregor Clegane. Clegane caused a surge of drama by declaring that he would hold out on any team that picked him in the first round other than the Otters. If I had done that, everyone would say "Who cares?", but Clegane has backed himself up all year by delivering physical performances with lots of pancakes. He showed his value in the playoffs as well bringing 4 pancakes with no penalties or sacks allowed. You can't understate the value of a true anchor at Offensive Tackle, and Clegane will be that player wherever he lands. The old adage is that defense wins championships, and while the Outlaws didn't stray from that this season games are ultimately won by the big guys on both sides of the ball. The Otters ran well and gave up just 2 sacks in the ASFC game, but were let down by another turnover heavy game that the Outlaws were happy to capitalize on. If Clegane continues to improve he will be a bodyguard to a QB and a bulldozer in the running game, both of which will make him a star in the post-season. GMs will have to decide if his threat to hold out is genuine or just posturing to get himself an easy road to the Otters where he seems happy.
Playoff Review
NSFC Championship - Wraiths vs. Yeti
The Glacies Cup game was certainly the more interesting and close of the two conference championships. Both teams came into it trying to avoid mistakes, and both managed to walk out with no interceptions or fumbles. The downside to that was that only one touchdown was scored all game, in what was otherwise a defensive chess match focused on getting into field goal range. The Yeti moved the ball much more effectively, out-passing the Wraiths by nearly 100 yards and almost doubling their rushing. In the end, the Wraiths played it a little too safe as they were always within reach but never delivered.
ASFC Championship - Otters vs. Outlaws
In what has become the most fiery rivalry in the league, the Otters finally cracked the code to defeating Arizona in the Week 14 season ender. That gave fans hope for the Solis Cup and made the rivalry even more intense. Unfortunately for Orange County, yet another test against Arizona's brutal home field advantage ended just as you would expect. The Outlaws secondary picked off Mike Boss 4 times, but the game was still nearly even at the start of the 4th quarter. A fantastic kickoff return by Stormblessed put the game away, as Arizona took two victory laps scoring a run and a pick six to embarrass the Otters.
Ultimus Cup - Yeti vs. Outlaws
The Yeti never gave the Outlaws very much trouble, as the ASFC proved to be the better conference this season. After getting out to a 16-0 lead, the Outlaws took their foot off the gas and allowed a couple of chip shots. Insult was added to injury at the end of the game as the Outlaws humiliated the Yeti by pulling Vincent Draxel and letting newly converted QB King Bronko line up under center. The practice paid off as he was able to throw a touchdown after the Yetis were already done for.
Boss vs. Draxel was a highly anticipated faceoff leading up to the Solis Cup. Both QBs had been plagued by drama all year but were on two of the most successful teams in the league. Mike Boss had begun the season by throwing 6 interceptions in a game, was then benched, and then won his starting job back only to continue throwing no shortage of picks. For Draxel's part, he is a bit of a whiner and was once sacked so many times in a game that he threatened retirement, though he no doubt regrets that now as the Outlaws hoist the Ultimus Cup. There were plenty of questions about both of these players prior to the ASFC championship. Would Boss ruin his team's chances with his picks, and would Draxel be able to hold up against the hungry Otters D-line? The answer is yes and no in that order. Mike Boss showed he's still Mike Boss by throwing 4 picks which ultimately made the game an ugly blowout, and the Outlaws continue to be bad at blocking as Draxel was sacked 5 times. It's hard to kick a bad habit, but you'd hope for these two players expected to lead their teams in the future, that Season 2 will be a bit prettier than Season 1.
Code:
Word Count: 217Bottom Third
With a solid offensive line, the best single LB in the game, and a solid season by QB Ethan Hunt and his receiving cast the Cats' poor record has been a tough pill to swallow for San Jose fans. So where did the team go wrong to end up in a distant third in the ASFC? For starters, the team did not travel well, winning just one game on the road all season. They also played poorly against ASFC opponents, winning one game against the Outlaws and the other three cross-conference. The Otters in particular had the Cats' number, sweeping all 4 games and never allowing more than 10 points by San Jose. While the SaberCats defense seems statistically impressive, they always managed to cough up big points when they needed to lock down, and the offense just couldn't keep up with it. There's no doubt that Season 2 will be stressful for San Jose's management as now Ethan Hunt has declared he will not remain past his contract. If they don't turn things around this offense it could get even worse in the future as they will have to contend with the defending champion Outlaws and an Otters team that will be out for revenge.
Code:
Word Count: 206Future Talent
One player who has been drawing a lot of attention for the S2 draft is Otters waiver OL Gregor Clegane. Clegane caused a surge of drama by declaring that he would hold out on any team that picked him in the first round other than the Otters. If I had done that, everyone would say "Who cares?", but Clegane has backed himself up all year by delivering physical performances with lots of pancakes. He showed his value in the playoffs as well bringing 4 pancakes with no penalties or sacks allowed. You can't understate the value of a true anchor at Offensive Tackle, and Clegane will be that player wherever he lands. The old adage is that defense wins championships, and while the Outlaws didn't stray from that this season games are ultimately won by the big guys on both sides of the ball. The Otters ran well and gave up just 2 sacks in the ASFC game, but were let down by another turnover heavy game that the Outlaws were happy to capitalize on. If Clegane continues to improve he will be a bodyguard to a QB and a bulldozer in the running game, both of which will make him a star in the post-season. GMs will have to decide if his threat to hold out is genuine or just posturing to get himself an easy road to the Otters where he seems happy.
Code:
Word Count: 235Playoff Review
NSFC Championship - Wraiths vs. Yeti
The Glacies Cup game was certainly the more interesting and close of the two conference championships. Both teams came into it trying to avoid mistakes, and both managed to walk out with no interceptions or fumbles. The downside to that was that only one touchdown was scored all game, in what was otherwise a defensive chess match focused on getting into field goal range. The Yeti moved the ball much more effectively, out-passing the Wraiths by nearly 100 yards and almost doubling their rushing. In the end, the Wraiths played it a little too safe as they were always within reach but never delivered.
ASFC Championship - Otters vs. Outlaws
In what has become the most fiery rivalry in the league, the Otters finally cracked the code to defeating Arizona in the Week 14 season ender. That gave fans hope for the Solis Cup and made the rivalry even more intense. Unfortunately for Orange County, yet another test against Arizona's brutal home field advantage ended just as you would expect. The Outlaws secondary picked off Mike Boss 4 times, but the game was still nearly even at the start of the 4th quarter. A fantastic kickoff return by Stormblessed put the game away, as Arizona took two victory laps scoring a run and a pick six to embarrass the Otters.
Ultimus Cup - Yeti vs. Outlaws
The Yeti never gave the Outlaws very much trouble, as the ASFC proved to be the better conference this season. After getting out to a 16-0 lead, the Outlaws took their foot off the gas and allowed a couple of chip shots. Insult was added to injury at the end of the game as the Outlaws humiliated the Yeti by pulling Vincent Draxel and letting newly converted QB King Bronko line up under center. The practice paid off as he was able to throw a touchdown after the Yetis were already done for.
