Task 13 - 451 Words
To this point in the league I would describe my start as a sort of reverse bell curve. Being drafted by the defending Ultimini champions was a blessing in and of itself and to win our opening games felt even better. From there we went from strength to strength looking largely unbeatable. We'd rock up, win the game, leave. It was the order of things and whilst I wasn't putting up MVP numbers I was still capable and competent which is about all you can really hope for for a first season player. Then the decimation hit. Overnight we went from 5-0 to 5-1. Well, okay, fine that's not the worst thing that can happen. It's still almost unbeaten. Then 5-2. Before we knew it it was 5-4 and it was a pretty rock bottom moment. Now I know, I know, 5-4 is not rock bottom. Some teams won't even see 5 wins and would bite your hand off for that. But when you're unbeaten and on the road to a second Ultimini in as many years it can feel somewhat deflating to suddenly be facing the prospect of that being snatched away from you. We've managed to corral these losses, a further slip up against the Royals being our only issue thus far. But the trajectory leading upward again is a great place to be coming into the Ultimini. Outside of that being drafted and the locker room experience as well as the in game experience of watching my disk fly around at speed has been great fun. It's given rise to a number of ludicrous memes in the Norfolk Locker Room and it's been great to build that camaraderie as the season has gone on. It's really a part that isn't that advertised, how you'll gel with the people in your LR and how that'll spur you on to do the tasks, to get stuff done in order to build your player so you can all grow that sense of accomplishment. My only real criticism I could levy at the moment is having in season development tied to a glorified guessing game. Whilst you can somewhat predict it people don't say things like "That's just the sim being the sim" for no reason. It's pretty random at times and you can extrapolate some of the TPE differences in players based on their time in the league with their guessing performances. It's a fairly galling moment to have a bad day on the guessing and receive 0, 1 and 1 TPE for a given week and watch someone else go 3-3-3. Whilst it'll average out eventually you'd hope that's still a difference of seven for the same effort in theory.
Task 7 - 445 Words
Outside of myself, being the certified stud that I am, it's hard to pin down just one player that I would suggest is deserving of league recognition. Everyone from the previous draft class has really held themselves to a high standard throughout the season and a lot have performed some impressive feats in season. Whilst it's always challenging to pin down those individuals and give reasons as to how they've performed the way they have I feel comfortable with my selections.
First overall I'd have to give an award to Lionel Rumper, the hard hitting Safety coming out of Wake Forest. Playing for the rather maligned Dallas Birddogs this year Rumper managed to keep his stat line respectable with 50 tackles to his name. Add to that the two sacks he got as he flew through the line, scything it to pieces like a bullet at high velocity. He even added a safety to his tally as well, his will being imposed on the offence throughout his season with Dallas. His interceptions speak for themselves. A man you don't want to throw the ball near and definitely don't want to get near whilst carrying it. A bonafide Safety prospect for the next level.
Second overall would have to be my man Sheed Thebaw. The Wisconsin Badger came to the DSFL and aligned himself alongisde the Dallas Birddogs with Rumper and the DT has overcome his fair share of double and triple teams playing arguably the least sexy position in football. He currently sits with thirty seven tackles, two TFL's and two sacks. For a man who's constantly dealing with having to make his presence felt whilst impeded by the best O-Line currently in the DSFL in the hardest division in the DSFL I'd say that's pretty good going.
Finally on the list for awards consideration we have the highest TPE earner that I know of and thats Raylan Crowder. With all the education of a common house brick the Defensive End from Shelbyville Kentucky has managed to amass quite the portfolio of training in his time also with the Dallas Birddogs. Unfortunately that training hasn't quite manifested into the stats you would expect just yet, but his time will come. The unfortunate nature of being the most noticeable player on a defense means you garner extra attention. With 43 tackles, TEN TFL and three sacks it's safe to say that Crowder is a man that's got a bright future ahead of him.
All of these men deserve consideration for not only the stats they've amassed whilst playing on an almost eleven rookie defense, but doing it whilst in the most difficult division in the DSFL.
To this point in the league I would describe my start as a sort of reverse bell curve. Being drafted by the defending Ultimini champions was a blessing in and of itself and to win our opening games felt even better. From there we went from strength to strength looking largely unbeatable. We'd rock up, win the game, leave. It was the order of things and whilst I wasn't putting up MVP numbers I was still capable and competent which is about all you can really hope for for a first season player. Then the decimation hit. Overnight we went from 5-0 to 5-1. Well, okay, fine that's not the worst thing that can happen. It's still almost unbeaten. Then 5-2. Before we knew it it was 5-4 and it was a pretty rock bottom moment. Now I know, I know, 5-4 is not rock bottom. Some teams won't even see 5 wins and would bite your hand off for that. But when you're unbeaten and on the road to a second Ultimini in as many years it can feel somewhat deflating to suddenly be facing the prospect of that being snatched away from you. We've managed to corral these losses, a further slip up against the Royals being our only issue thus far. But the trajectory leading upward again is a great place to be coming into the Ultimini. Outside of that being drafted and the locker room experience as well as the in game experience of watching my disk fly around at speed has been great fun. It's given rise to a number of ludicrous memes in the Norfolk Locker Room and it's been great to build that camaraderie as the season has gone on. It's really a part that isn't that advertised, how you'll gel with the people in your LR and how that'll spur you on to do the tasks, to get stuff done in order to build your player so you can all grow that sense of accomplishment. My only real criticism I could levy at the moment is having in season development tied to a glorified guessing game. Whilst you can somewhat predict it people don't say things like "That's just the sim being the sim" for no reason. It's pretty random at times and you can extrapolate some of the TPE differences in players based on their time in the league with their guessing performances. It's a fairly galling moment to have a bad day on the guessing and receive 0, 1 and 1 TPE for a given week and watch someone else go 3-3-3. Whilst it'll average out eventually you'd hope that's still a difference of seven for the same effort in theory.
Task 7 - 445 Words
Outside of myself, being the certified stud that I am, it's hard to pin down just one player that I would suggest is deserving of league recognition. Everyone from the previous draft class has really held themselves to a high standard throughout the season and a lot have performed some impressive feats in season. Whilst it's always challenging to pin down those individuals and give reasons as to how they've performed the way they have I feel comfortable with my selections.
First overall I'd have to give an award to Lionel Rumper, the hard hitting Safety coming out of Wake Forest. Playing for the rather maligned Dallas Birddogs this year Rumper managed to keep his stat line respectable with 50 tackles to his name. Add to that the two sacks he got as he flew through the line, scything it to pieces like a bullet at high velocity. He even added a safety to his tally as well, his will being imposed on the offence throughout his season with Dallas. His interceptions speak for themselves. A man you don't want to throw the ball near and definitely don't want to get near whilst carrying it. A bonafide Safety prospect for the next level.
Second overall would have to be my man Sheed Thebaw. The Wisconsin Badger came to the DSFL and aligned himself alongisde the Dallas Birddogs with Rumper and the DT has overcome his fair share of double and triple teams playing arguably the least sexy position in football. He currently sits with thirty seven tackles, two TFL's and two sacks. For a man who's constantly dealing with having to make his presence felt whilst impeded by the best O-Line currently in the DSFL in the hardest division in the DSFL I'd say that's pretty good going.
Finally on the list for awards consideration we have the highest TPE earner that I know of and thats Raylan Crowder. With all the education of a common house brick the Defensive End from Shelbyville Kentucky has managed to amass quite the portfolio of training in his time also with the Dallas Birddogs. Unfortunately that training hasn't quite manifested into the stats you would expect just yet, but his time will come. The unfortunate nature of being the most noticeable player on a defense means you garner extra attention. With 43 tackles, TEN TFL and three sacks it's safe to say that Crowder is a man that's got a bright future ahead of him.
All of these men deserve consideration for not only the stats they've amassed whilst playing on an almost eleven rookie defense, but doing it whilst in the most difficult division in the DSFL.
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