(S22) - Ultimus Week

[mithrandir]

Tier 2: Task 5
I believe that NOLA linebacker Ugarth the Dissector should be the S22 Defensive Player of the Year. He was one of only two players in the top 10 in both passes defended and sacks. His versatility as both a pass rusher and a coverage linebacker is unrivaled. In addition to his 9 sacks and 16 PDs, he also had an interception, a fumble recovery, and led the league in forced fumbles with 4.
He had incredible statistics, and more importantly, he showed up big in the biggest moments. His first big game came in week 1. Playing at home against the division rival Sabercats, NOLA went down 7-0 in the first quarter. After punting, NOLA gave the ball back to San Jose again. With San Jose in NOLA territory, Ugarth made a tackle on first down and deflected a pass on third to stop the Sabercats. In the second quarter, down 7 points still with San Jose in field goal range, Ugarth picked off Dan Wright and returned it 43 yards to set up McCormick's tying TD for NOLA. NOLA eventually pulled away to a nine point lead, but with 4 minutes left, San Jose got a chance to pull closer. After a few plays, Ugarth came up with a huge sack on 3rd and 16, essentially ending the Sabercats' comeback chances.
Ugarth's week 3 performance was one of the best defensive performances of any player this season. In that home game against another divisional rival, the Arizona Outlaws, he racked up twelve tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Though the final score shows a 36-14 blowout win for New Orleans, this game was quite close until Ugarth took over. Going into the 4th quarter, NOLA only had a 16-7 lead. However, on the second play of the fourth quarter, Ugarth tackled RB Baby Yoda, forcing a fumble which was recovered by teammate Ben Tu'inukuafe. NOLA scored off of the turnover to extend the lead to 16. The first play of the very next drive, Arizona's QB Jay Cue took off running but was chased down by Ugarth who again forced the fumble! After a second Tu'inukuafe recovery, NOLA went down and kicked a field goal to push the game to three scores. Forced fumbles on back to back defensive snaps is an incredibly dominant performance. As icing on the cake, Ugarth sacked Cue with under two minutes left in the game, his second sack of the game, to put Arizona behind the chains, resulting in a 4 and out. When you consider Ugarth also had twelve tackles to go with his two sacks and two forced fumbles, you realize that he was personally responsible for ending at least five or six of Arizona's offensive possessions.
Between his gaudy statistics and these two incredible performances, both wins over division rivals which likely were the difference between making a missing the postseason, I argue that Ugarth is the Defensive Player of the Year.

Tier 2: Task 6
After an Ultimus victory last year, NOLA took a step back this year, barely making the playoffs and losing a close wild card matchup on the road against Austin. We are poised to be good in the future though, with a young and talented roster. This essay will assess each position for the Second Line and suggest moves from improving the roster overall.
Quarterbacks: NOLA is in a difficult position at the quarterback position. Stan Francisco is now deep in regression, but they have prized S22 prospect Ben Slothlisberger waiting in the DSFL. Likely, Sloth will be called up to the active roster, and Francisco and Slothlisberger will battle for the starting job. Neither are elite, but Sloth will continue to improve and will be top-tier in a season or two. NOLA is set at QB and just needs a little time to develop Slothlisberger.
Running backs: NOLA has one of the best running back duos in the league, with superstar Forrest Gump and rising talent Marcell Toriki. They have deestroyed defenses the last couple seasons and will continue to do so. Gump has been the starter and Toriki has been stellar in relief, but with Gump aging and Toriki passing 1000 TPE this week, next season expect Toriki to take over as the starter. With two elite players and Toriki still fairly young, NOLA is set at RB, but might want to draft Gump's replacement this season or next.
Wide Receivers: This is clearly NOLA's weakest position group, though it isn't entirely the team's fault. They have drafted many great receivers in recent years. Jed Podolak, Bender Rodriguez, and Action Jackson were all drafted by the Second Line, who were unable to retain any of them for various reasons. This left New Orleans last season with S13 Bona'beri Jones and converting S21 running back Ed Barker. With Jones now retired, NOLA desperately needs to acquire another receiver, be it through free agency, trade, or the draft.
Tight Ends: Though they are deficient at wide receiver, NOLA has a very good pair of tight ends. Austin McCormick is perhaps the best tight end in the league and is an elite earner in the S19 class. He played many snaps at wide receiver this season and will likely play a lot of wide receiver next season. In addition to McCormick, NOLA has S21 tight end Rainier Wolfcastle, more of a blocker than a receiver. NOLA is set at TE for a long time.
Offensive Linemen: Brave Ulysses is an aging S15 player and S18 Givussafare Rubbe is one of the best OL in the league. Given that NOLA likes offensive linemen, they will probably consider going after a lineman in the next season or two.
Cornerbacks: The Second Line are set at cornerback for the foreseeable future. They lost long-time star Deon Taylor to retirement this season, but they have two great S18 corners in David Rector and Xavien Adams. Rector is one of the best players at the position. Additionally, they have S22 first round pick Andrew Witten waiting in the wings.
Safeties: NOLA has a very good group of defensive backs. Joining the three cornerbacks are safeties Mason Blaylock, a S19 player who is turning into a star at the position, and S22 send down Literally Just A. Hexagon. With Taylor's retirement, NOLA will call Hexagon up to start in the defensive backfield.
Linebackers: The Second Line will be drafting a linebacker in the second round of next draft, GM Isastarcrossed's player. He will join regressing but still great Quentin Bode and DPOY and DROY candidate Ugarth the Dissector who had a fantastic debut season. Isa's player will likely play on the defensive line next season and then replace Bode the following season. They don't need another linebacker for at least another season or two.
Defensive Linemen: Bjorn Ironside is retired, so the Second Line will need to address the position. Hank Steel is a send down who is a fairly low earner, but he'll hit 300 TPE soon, so he might be called up. The other option might be moving either DE Ben T. or DE Dorfus Jimbo Jr inside to join S22 first rounder Magnus Rikiya at DT. Then one of the linebackers (likely de Pengu) could play as a LB at DE.
Kickers: Herbert Prohaska had a rough season kicking, and Prohaska is recently inactive, so he might not be getting any better. The Second Line could potentially take a flier on a better option at the position given how few draft needs they have.

Overall, New Orleans is poised to continue to make the playoffs going forward. With five or six fantastic starters as S18 or S19 players, their championship window is wide open. They'll continue to get better, and the six rookie starters from last season will continue to progress as well. If NOLA can add an elite wide receiver and add depth on the offensive and defensive lines, they will be a championship contender for years to come.