(Long Form #5)
I’m going to be using this freedom to discuss what has captivated me more than most things about the league since I joined back in February. That of course being, the Chicago Butchers. More importantly, the revitalization efforts by Bayley and Muford. Only a few months ago it seemed like Chicago was truly hopeless. After a seemingly unending barrage of controversies, Chicago is now showing some tremendous progress.
Of course however, there is still a lot of work to do before we likely see the butchers in the playoffs. Though let’s take a look at what’s already been done in that aspect. To start with, there were a fair few casualties going into the Muford era. Of course with most departure’s there was some controversy that came with it. The first and perhaps most impactful was the sudden retirement of running back Ryan Leaf Jr. There was also the mid season trade of Rose Jenkins to the Sarasota Sailfish, ensuring the butchers would be content with a losing season.
It is also well documented that going into the league’s largest draft class in history, the butcher's draft capital was Abysmal. However, despite all the odds, 2 seasons later, it doesn’t look so bad. With each of their picks Chicago managed to land very active users that would be the staple of the team moving forward.
However, the S22 season for the butcher’s has been talked about at length by myself as well as others. Let’s take a look at what is happening this season, seemingly under the radar of most viewers. For the first time in recent memory, the ISFL free agency frenzy has been interesting, for the butchers at least.
Chicago managed to snag some key offensive pieces this offseason. And while not a free agency, quarterback Gearoge O’Donnell was finally called up from the developmental league. The signings of Bender B. Rodriguez and Baby Yoda this off-season could prove to be the finally jump the butchers need to start winning.
While it is likely they will still have trouble with a young quarterback at the helm, the foundation for a great future has certainly been laid. For me personally, as much as I love Chicago, I think it will still be up to the S24 draft to see whether or not they come into relevancy again. I believe there are still too many questions on the defensive side of the ball, even after the trade for defensive end Mario Vonpebbles and Osiris Firestorm-Ford switching to cornerback.
From the perspective of the leagues Head Office. This must feel like a breath of fresh air. While Chicago unfortunately still carries with it the stigma of previous years, this free agent period has proven that for some at least, the stigma has changed. Though I am still critical of how the league as a whole, has handled Chicago. While of course I understand that there’s a lot that goes on in a league like this, I still personally believe the league could have done more to avoid this in the first place.
Though, with most things, there is a silver lining. For the most part, it does seem that the unnecessary “haha chicago bad” commentary has died down significantly. Which is a great thing for newcomers to the league, as perhaps their favorite city is no longer a running joke around the league. At least not in the same sense it was when I first joined the league.
I think what happened to Chicago, and it’s evolution now, is easily one of the most fascinating aspects of this league as a whole. There are very few things that have stirred up the same kind of reaction. Going forward, I think there is a lot to learn from the Butcher’s organization. For both veteran members of the league and rookies alike.
Of course some of my opinions that stem from Chicago would of course bring about controversy themselves, I think it’s important the league always remembers what happened. Regardless of whether or not the league would like to admit it, Chicago will always be a cautionary tale. So many moving pieces were, and to some extent still are, involved in how this team got to the position it’s in.
For myself, I think the most important thing is to accept that some of those things will never be talked about. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up for interpretation. As much as I will probably hate to admit it, the past is the past. The best thing for the league now is to move on from what was. Though there will be a part of me that will likely remain skeptical of some of the higher up decisions of the league. As long as I’m in the ISFL, I will always be watching how Chicago changes and grows.
I’m going to be using this freedom to discuss what has captivated me more than most things about the league since I joined back in February. That of course being, the Chicago Butchers. More importantly, the revitalization efforts by Bayley and Muford. Only a few months ago it seemed like Chicago was truly hopeless. After a seemingly unending barrage of controversies, Chicago is now showing some tremendous progress.
Of course however, there is still a lot of work to do before we likely see the butchers in the playoffs. Though let’s take a look at what’s already been done in that aspect. To start with, there were a fair few casualties going into the Muford era. Of course with most departure’s there was some controversy that came with it. The first and perhaps most impactful was the sudden retirement of running back Ryan Leaf Jr. There was also the mid season trade of Rose Jenkins to the Sarasota Sailfish, ensuring the butchers would be content with a losing season.
It is also well documented that going into the league’s largest draft class in history, the butcher's draft capital was Abysmal. However, despite all the odds, 2 seasons later, it doesn’t look so bad. With each of their picks Chicago managed to land very active users that would be the staple of the team moving forward.
However, the S22 season for the butcher’s has been talked about at length by myself as well as others. Let’s take a look at what is happening this season, seemingly under the radar of most viewers. For the first time in recent memory, the ISFL free agency frenzy has been interesting, for the butchers at least.
Chicago managed to snag some key offensive pieces this offseason. And while not a free agency, quarterback Gearoge O’Donnell was finally called up from the developmental league. The signings of Bender B. Rodriguez and Baby Yoda this off-season could prove to be the finally jump the butchers need to start winning.
While it is likely they will still have trouble with a young quarterback at the helm, the foundation for a great future has certainly been laid. For me personally, as much as I love Chicago, I think it will still be up to the S24 draft to see whether or not they come into relevancy again. I believe there are still too many questions on the defensive side of the ball, even after the trade for defensive end Mario Vonpebbles and Osiris Firestorm-Ford switching to cornerback.
From the perspective of the leagues Head Office. This must feel like a breath of fresh air. While Chicago unfortunately still carries with it the stigma of previous years, this free agent period has proven that for some at least, the stigma has changed. Though I am still critical of how the league as a whole, has handled Chicago. While of course I understand that there’s a lot that goes on in a league like this, I still personally believe the league could have done more to avoid this in the first place.
Though, with most things, there is a silver lining. For the most part, it does seem that the unnecessary “haha chicago bad” commentary has died down significantly. Which is a great thing for newcomers to the league, as perhaps their favorite city is no longer a running joke around the league. At least not in the same sense it was when I first joined the league.
I think what happened to Chicago, and it’s evolution now, is easily one of the most fascinating aspects of this league as a whole. There are very few things that have stirred up the same kind of reaction. Going forward, I think there is a lot to learn from the Butcher’s organization. For both veteran members of the league and rookies alike.
Of course some of my opinions that stem from Chicago would of course bring about controversy themselves, I think it’s important the league always remembers what happened. Regardless of whether or not the league would like to admit it, Chicago will always be a cautionary tale. So many moving pieces were, and to some extent still are, involved in how this team got to the position it’s in.
For myself, I think the most important thing is to accept that some of those things will never be talked about. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up for interpretation. As much as I will probably hate to admit it, the past is the past. The best thing for the league now is to move on from what was. Though there will be a part of me that will likely remain skeptical of some of the higher up decisions of the league. As long as I’m in the ISFL, I will always be watching how Chicago changes and grows.
![[Image: etrigan.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/823286124390252584/828228281379323924/etrigan.png)
