Tier 2 - #7
Two Seasons into his NSFL Career, Slinky Claxton has begun making is mark on the league. Claxton, so far, has seemed to met expectations that he had established early on in the league. He has become a solid Defensive linemen and is ready to continue making his success into the NSFL. To start his career, he became a dominant run stopper for Portland and would earn himself a solid spot into the lineup. He would be drafted among the top tier of defensive ends after his first season and find himself on a great young draft class with the Arizona Outlaws. At this point, getting sent back down to the DSFL wasn’t necessarily Claxton’s big goal but the extra time to develop in the DSFL isn’t something that is viewed as a set back. This second season would give Claxton some much needed time to grow and develop some strong leadership skills. Prior to the season, Claxton would be named one of the team’s defensive captains would cemented his veteran role on the squad. This is a role than many had assumed Claxton would take on and was a big goal that he had set for himself going into the second season. Another big thing is what will his role be moving forward. Immediately after the Ultimus, Claxton would be traded to the Austin Copperheads in a move that seemingly fills a big role on Austin’s Defensive line. Going into his third season, it will surely be a challenge moving from the DSFL up to the NSFL. However, it is easy to see that teams in the big leagues see potential in Claxton. This move should allow Claxton to fit into a powerful defensive line and with a franchise that had won the Ultimus only a couple seasons ago. This move for Claxton means nothing but opportunity. On Arizona he was log jammed in a system that didn’t seem to have room for him. Now he is going to be able to go to a team where he can thrive and put in the minutes that it would take to make him a name to remember. It is hard to say where he will end up as far as awards go but he should be able to help earn a few wins along the way. Claxton is certainly eager to finally get his hands dirty in the NSFL and it is only a matter of time before we find what he can do in the big leagues.
Tier 3 - #16
During Season 22, my team, Portland Pythons were far superior to the London Royals whom squeaked into the playoffs above us. To start, our point differential was only -32 while theirs was a whopping -66. Portland seemed to be one of those teams that just couldn’t win the close games while London lucked into a few more wins throughout the year. With that being said, when London lost a game, they would get crushed far more often than Portland. More importantly, the head to head matchups between the two which also solidify this point. Although the two teams split the series 1-1 throughout the year, Portland’s win was a 27-6 throttling while London’s win they snuck by with a 29-20 close game. Not to completely take away from the playoff run that London had, but they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. You have to give them credit in their ability to slip by superior teams in close games though. It is what got them to the finals after an OT upset against the Minnesota Grey Ducks. You may wonder how they fared against Minnesota during the regular season? To no ones surprise, they went 0-2 losing 28-13 and 37-7. Their slippery ability to surpass a better team when the game is close is fluky. I think this season’s over achieving may give them a false sense of security going into next year.
Tier 3 - #17
My pick for Playoff MVP is a no brainer in going with Wolfie McDummy. To start off the Yeti’s playoff run, McDummy would face a pretty tough Sailfish defense. In this game, McDummy would lead his team to a commanding 26-0 lead to end the 3rd quarter. I wouldn’t say his stats necessarily popped in this game (possibly a reoccurring theme here) but the intangibles were evident. Leading the team to a casual 36-14 victory and moving on to face the Wraiths. Many saw the Wraiths as playoff favorites, once again, McDummy wouldn’t back down. McDummy played a game with very few mistakes and would do just enough to get the Yetis the upset. The highlight of this game was a series of long possessions to ensure the 1 point lead in the end. Last, McDummy would lead the Yetis to one of the greatest comebacks in Ultimini History. Having been down 21-3 halfway through the 3rd quarter, he would dig the Yetis out of a huge hole. Clutch throw after clutch throw, his determination was the difference maker in making sure the Yetis never gave up on their playoff hopes. All in all, McDummy had 1 rushing td in each game of the playoffs and only threw one interception. He simply was efficient enough and a strong enough leader to get the team where they needed. That’s why he is without a doubt my NSFL Playoff MVP.
Two Seasons into his NSFL Career, Slinky Claxton has begun making is mark on the league. Claxton, so far, has seemed to met expectations that he had established early on in the league. He has become a solid Defensive linemen and is ready to continue making his success into the NSFL. To start his career, he became a dominant run stopper for Portland and would earn himself a solid spot into the lineup. He would be drafted among the top tier of defensive ends after his first season and find himself on a great young draft class with the Arizona Outlaws. At this point, getting sent back down to the DSFL wasn’t necessarily Claxton’s big goal but the extra time to develop in the DSFL isn’t something that is viewed as a set back. This second season would give Claxton some much needed time to grow and develop some strong leadership skills. Prior to the season, Claxton would be named one of the team’s defensive captains would cemented his veteran role on the squad. This is a role than many had assumed Claxton would take on and was a big goal that he had set for himself going into the second season. Another big thing is what will his role be moving forward. Immediately after the Ultimus, Claxton would be traded to the Austin Copperheads in a move that seemingly fills a big role on Austin’s Defensive line. Going into his third season, it will surely be a challenge moving from the DSFL up to the NSFL. However, it is easy to see that teams in the big leagues see potential in Claxton. This move should allow Claxton to fit into a powerful defensive line and with a franchise that had won the Ultimus only a couple seasons ago. This move for Claxton means nothing but opportunity. On Arizona he was log jammed in a system that didn’t seem to have room for him. Now he is going to be able to go to a team where he can thrive and put in the minutes that it would take to make him a name to remember. It is hard to say where he will end up as far as awards go but he should be able to help earn a few wins along the way. Claxton is certainly eager to finally get his hands dirty in the NSFL and it is only a matter of time before we find what he can do in the big leagues.
Tier 3 - #16
During Season 22, my team, Portland Pythons were far superior to the London Royals whom squeaked into the playoffs above us. To start, our point differential was only -32 while theirs was a whopping -66. Portland seemed to be one of those teams that just couldn’t win the close games while London lucked into a few more wins throughout the year. With that being said, when London lost a game, they would get crushed far more often than Portland. More importantly, the head to head matchups between the two which also solidify this point. Although the two teams split the series 1-1 throughout the year, Portland’s win was a 27-6 throttling while London’s win they snuck by with a 29-20 close game. Not to completely take away from the playoff run that London had, but they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. You have to give them credit in their ability to slip by superior teams in close games though. It is what got them to the finals after an OT upset against the Minnesota Grey Ducks. You may wonder how they fared against Minnesota during the regular season? To no ones surprise, they went 0-2 losing 28-13 and 37-7. Their slippery ability to surpass a better team when the game is close is fluky. I think this season’s over achieving may give them a false sense of security going into next year.
Tier 3 - #17
My pick for Playoff MVP is a no brainer in going with Wolfie McDummy. To start off the Yeti’s playoff run, McDummy would face a pretty tough Sailfish defense. In this game, McDummy would lead his team to a commanding 26-0 lead to end the 3rd quarter. I wouldn’t say his stats necessarily popped in this game (possibly a reoccurring theme here) but the intangibles were evident. Leading the team to a casual 36-14 victory and moving on to face the Wraiths. Many saw the Wraiths as playoff favorites, once again, McDummy wouldn’t back down. McDummy played a game with very few mistakes and would do just enough to get the Yetis the upset. The highlight of this game was a series of long possessions to ensure the 1 point lead in the end. Last, McDummy would lead the Yetis to one of the greatest comebacks in Ultimini History. Having been down 21-3 halfway through the 3rd quarter, he would dig the Yetis out of a huge hole. Clutch throw after clutch throw, his determination was the difference maker in making sure the Yetis never gave up on their playoff hopes. All in all, McDummy had 1 rushing td in each game of the playoffs and only threw one interception. He simply was efficient enough and a strong enough leader to get the team where they needed. That’s why he is without a doubt my NSFL Playoff MVP.
![[Image: Hjrfs14.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Hjrfs14.png)
