10-15-2017, 01:44 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-22-2017, 03:00 AM by RedCydranth.)
Offensive Comparison: Comparing the Otters and the Outlaws at first glance, you'd think there's nothing to compare. The Oulaws have always easily dispatched the Otters as easily as they have the Sabercats or Legion. It's almost as if they're on a whole other level. However, when you look at individual stats, you have to wonder why this clear advantage in the scoreboard favors Arizona so much. Let's look at the Wide Receiver position. Orange County's receiver Robert Phelps has been a top 3 receiver for all 3 seasons in the league. This past year, Phelps finished with 1,284 yards and 11 TDs which was the second best in the NSFL, to fellow Otter Bradley Westfield. The Outlaws top receiver this season was Dustin Evans, with 1,060 yards and 5 TDs. Given that 2 receivers in Orange County outplayed Evans, you'd think the Otters would be the more dominant team, but that analysis would mislead you. Having one facet of the game be better than your opposition is not a formula for success. Outlaws outclass the Otters in many other parts of the game. Just because their top receivers favor the Otters doesn't mean that Orange County is better by any means.
(201 words)
Defensive Comparison: Continuing a comparison between the Arizona Outlaws and the Orange County Otters, we'll take a look at the defensive side of the ball and see if there's a key matchup that shgows, truly, why the Otters fail to defeat the Outlaws time and time again. We can look no further than their top Defensive Ends. Jayce Tuck is the top DE in the NSFL for 2 years in a row. His unbelievable sack total is astronomical. This season he recorded 32 sacks. By comparison, Otters top DE had only 5. Jayce had 87 total tackles while Adamle Tomlinson had a mere 48 for Orange County. Tomlinson was no slouch, he just didn't get to the quarterback as frequently as Tuck could. The Tackle for loss stat tells a tale that has Adamle getting the runner behind the line of scrimmage more than Tuck. Adamle had 22 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while the perennial all pro and MVP had a respectable 15. Perhaps it comes down to the scheme so a direct comparison might not show a whole story, but it is in this comparison we can see that it is on the defensive side of the ball that the Outlaws dominate and find ways to win against any opposing offense.
(212 words)
Bottom Half: It is an unfortunate reality that despite a season's worth of effort, 4 teams must watch the playoffs from the comfort of their armchairs. This season it was the Las Vegas Legion, San Jose Sabercats, Yellowknife Wraiths and Colorado Yeti. Every year there's valid reasons why they do not make playoffs. I'll be examining 2 teams and why they should have made the postseason.
First is the Yeti. I know, how can you justify a team that finished with a 3-11 record be a team you can advocate as one who should have made playoffs. Well, because of two men. Logan Noble, who broke a serious rule and was forced to ride the pine all year, and Antonio Sandoval. Sandoval was given the reigns to a team in disarray and he only made it worse. I really felt that after last season, barely missing the playoffs that they were a few small pieces away from overtaking the Wraiths and Hawks and lead their division. But when Sandoval took over he saw Noble's suspension and decided instead of trying to win, he'd firesale and burn the team to the ground. Thrusting a weak rookie into the starting role, Pierno looked like a high schooler playing with pros. If Sandoval had not burnt the team down and Noble decided to not violate rules, the Yeti would be a playoff team.
The other team is the Wraiths. I suppose it could be said that the Liberty earned it, but that's too easy. Yellowknife failed to make the moves forward in the offseason and rested on what they had last season. Perhaps they'll learn from their mistakes and make some big moves in the offseason to improve their team, not play the same team again.
(292 words)
Hate the player or the game: The Liberty were a great team this year, weren't they? Wait, they weren't? But they're in the playoffs. And they finished 8-5-1. How could they not be worthy of their playoff spot? I'll tell you. They actually sucked. Rove, their QB, threw for more INTs than TDs. While better than fellow rookie Pierno, that's like saying you cake tastes better than dog shit. Doesn't take much. The team was in the bottom 4 in rushing as well. Even in receiving, with Fox North and Damien Kroetch, they still were 5th in receiving. No individual player led the league in any stat. The closest they have is a tie for first in defensive TDs with 2, by Vikian Mameladov. What I think gave them the edge was the fact that the Yeti decided to fold their season before it even began, and the Wraiths not making any moves whatsoever to make their team better. Anything they did could be argued as a sideways move at best. They left a wide open hole and the Liberty improved just enough to sneak on through. If this team continues to improve though, they could be a perennial mainstay in the NSFC Playoff picture. Only time will tell.
(205 words)
Root for the Underdog: The Orange County Otters are projected to lose in the playoffs to the Arizona Outlaws for the third straight year. It would be the 7th straight victory over the Otters if the Outlaws win the game. The Otters though, can stop the Outlaws. How? Erlich Burnsman. Last time the Otters beat the Outlaws was in the final week of season 1's regular season. The Otters won 23-16, and it was a result of a balanced play from Leroy Jenkins and Omar Wright that greatly helped. This season, Erlich Burnsman has burst onto the scene and scored an amazing 11 TDs this season. Leroy Jenkins will still be needed but it is Burnsman who has put the pain on every opponent. Of course Boss will have to pass well and Phelps, Wright and Westfield are going to be involved, but the X factor that will push the Otters over the hump this time will be their young buck, Erlich. If you look at the singleloss that the Outlaws took this season, against the Baltimore Hawks, Darlane Farlane gained 96 yards against them. The highest any other team had rushed on the Outlaws all season was 92 by Boss Tweed, and he is literally the entire offense of the Colorado Yeti. Omar Wright rushed 88 against the Outlaws and they almost won that game. I think if Burnsman can top 100 yards, keep the ball in Otter hands most of the regulation, the Otters will walk out of Arizona victorious.
(249 words)
(201 words)
Defensive Comparison: Continuing a comparison between the Arizona Outlaws and the Orange County Otters, we'll take a look at the defensive side of the ball and see if there's a key matchup that shgows, truly, why the Otters fail to defeat the Outlaws time and time again. We can look no further than their top Defensive Ends. Jayce Tuck is the top DE in the NSFL for 2 years in a row. His unbelievable sack total is astronomical. This season he recorded 32 sacks. By comparison, Otters top DE had only 5. Jayce had 87 total tackles while Adamle Tomlinson had a mere 48 for Orange County. Tomlinson was no slouch, he just didn't get to the quarterback as frequently as Tuck could. The Tackle for loss stat tells a tale that has Adamle getting the runner behind the line of scrimmage more than Tuck. Adamle had 22 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while the perennial all pro and MVP had a respectable 15. Perhaps it comes down to the scheme so a direct comparison might not show a whole story, but it is in this comparison we can see that it is on the defensive side of the ball that the Outlaws dominate and find ways to win against any opposing offense.
(212 words)
Bottom Half: It is an unfortunate reality that despite a season's worth of effort, 4 teams must watch the playoffs from the comfort of their armchairs. This season it was the Las Vegas Legion, San Jose Sabercats, Yellowknife Wraiths and Colorado Yeti. Every year there's valid reasons why they do not make playoffs. I'll be examining 2 teams and why they should have made the postseason.
First is the Yeti. I know, how can you justify a team that finished with a 3-11 record be a team you can advocate as one who should have made playoffs. Well, because of two men. Logan Noble, who broke a serious rule and was forced to ride the pine all year, and Antonio Sandoval. Sandoval was given the reigns to a team in disarray and he only made it worse. I really felt that after last season, barely missing the playoffs that they were a few small pieces away from overtaking the Wraiths and Hawks and lead their division. But when Sandoval took over he saw Noble's suspension and decided instead of trying to win, he'd firesale and burn the team to the ground. Thrusting a weak rookie into the starting role, Pierno looked like a high schooler playing with pros. If Sandoval had not burnt the team down and Noble decided to not violate rules, the Yeti would be a playoff team.
The other team is the Wraiths. I suppose it could be said that the Liberty earned it, but that's too easy. Yellowknife failed to make the moves forward in the offseason and rested on what they had last season. Perhaps they'll learn from their mistakes and make some big moves in the offseason to improve their team, not play the same team again.
(292 words)
Hate the player or the game: The Liberty were a great team this year, weren't they? Wait, they weren't? But they're in the playoffs. And they finished 8-5-1. How could they not be worthy of their playoff spot? I'll tell you. They actually sucked. Rove, their QB, threw for more INTs than TDs. While better than fellow rookie Pierno, that's like saying you cake tastes better than dog shit. Doesn't take much. The team was in the bottom 4 in rushing as well. Even in receiving, with Fox North and Damien Kroetch, they still were 5th in receiving. No individual player led the league in any stat. The closest they have is a tie for first in defensive TDs with 2, by Vikian Mameladov. What I think gave them the edge was the fact that the Yeti decided to fold their season before it even began, and the Wraiths not making any moves whatsoever to make their team better. Anything they did could be argued as a sideways move at best. They left a wide open hole and the Liberty improved just enough to sneak on through. If this team continues to improve though, they could be a perennial mainstay in the NSFC Playoff picture. Only time will tell.
(205 words)
Root for the Underdog: The Orange County Otters are projected to lose in the playoffs to the Arizona Outlaws for the third straight year. It would be the 7th straight victory over the Otters if the Outlaws win the game. The Otters though, can stop the Outlaws. How? Erlich Burnsman. Last time the Otters beat the Outlaws was in the final week of season 1's regular season. The Otters won 23-16, and it was a result of a balanced play from Leroy Jenkins and Omar Wright that greatly helped. This season, Erlich Burnsman has burst onto the scene and scored an amazing 11 TDs this season. Leroy Jenkins will still be needed but it is Burnsman who has put the pain on every opponent. Of course Boss will have to pass well and Phelps, Wright and Westfield are going to be involved, but the X factor that will push the Otters over the hump this time will be their young buck, Erlich. If you look at the singleloss that the Outlaws took this season, against the Baltimore Hawks, Darlane Farlane gained 96 yards against them. The highest any other team had rushed on the Outlaws all season was 92 by Boss Tweed, and he is literally the entire offense of the Colorado Yeti. Omar Wright rushed 88 against the Outlaws and they almost won that game. I think if Burnsman can top 100 yards, keep the ball in Otter hands most of the regulation, the Otters will walk out of Arizona victorious.
(249 words)
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