(S1) - Weekend PT #5 - Top 50

[Deusolis]

"Don't get cute"

The saying bounces around the skull of every decision-maker in sports who's ever made something harder than it has to be.

Throwing the ball on the half-yard line? Getting cute.
Calling a bubble-screen pissing distance from your own end-zone? Getting cute.
Turning down a spot-up three for a contested long-two? You get the picture.

There are lots of cute choices for the NSFL top-50 list, but I'll leave them for the other guys and gals. Rather, I'm going to talk about San Jose SaberCats WR Bailey Cook, who ought to be a look for the list. Bailey served as his team's primary receiving (and offensive) option en route to a 1062 yard receiving season, third in the league. He was also 5th in yards-per-catch, showing that he was more than just a possession receiver. Through a season that featured two quarterbacks and general turmoil, Bailey was one of the few sources of stability for the Cats offense.

While there were certainly flaws in Bailey's body of work, primarily a lack of end-zone production. It's probably best not to overthink this decision, Cook was one of the best receivers in the league and, without question, one of it's top players. This is an easy one, don't get cute

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[Ben]

[Anti-Hype]

Mark Ramrio proved to be one of the most solid defensive linemen in the NSFL. Racking up 57 tackles, 14 sacks in 14 games (tied for 2nd most in the regular season) a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, and last but certainly not least, a blocked punt. The argument can be made that he is the top defensive tackle in the league though the competition is quite fierce. His effort off the field seals the deal on him as a top 50 player in this league. Ramrio is almost always happy to go out of his way and help a new team mate get acclimated to they way they train in the big leagues. If people start to seem distant, or start slacking he's will more often then not reach out to them in private to see whats up and to find out if there's anything he can help with.

Ramrio wants to do one thing and that's win. He's aware you're unable to do that on your own in this game and he's not too proud to admit that. With all of the talent and how early on we are in its life span its tough to say exactly where Ramrio will fall on the official list, but I think we can rely on him being a consistent play maker for years to come.

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[7hawk77]

Dan miller should be the in the top 50 because he has achieved the second best defensive performance ever in a single game in the league. He achieved 4 sacks in a single game. At the time this occurred, this was the all time sack record. Recently another player has beaten this, but no one else has tied it. On top of this feat, he has lead the defensive line for the San Jose Sabercats in performance and leadership. As far as comparing him to other defensive tackles, he hasn't had an amazing season. I feel like the reason for this is he doesn't have a great supporting cast on the line. None of the other linemen had more than 100 TPE. The other best good defensive linemen on the sabercats was traded away for a quarterback which really hurt the defensive line and Dan's performance. Overall his performance has been pretty decent given the circumstances and I think deserves to be considered for the top 50. On top of this the linebacker situation coupled with a weak corner and defensive line allows opposing quarterbacks to throw much more rapidly and doesn't allow him the pressure to achieve sacks. In spite of this, he has the ability for amazing performances and it will be interesting what he does in the future.

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[Bengals1Fan]

Vick Bowers Jr. - Top 50 Consideration

Let's talk about a grinder. Vick Bowers Jr who played for San Jose was such a tough guy last season. Playing on a team that went 4-7 is tough enough in it's own right, but splitting carries with a guy who wasn't even around the league? Even tougher. Bowers Jr. ground through it anyways and still came out with over 1,000 yards. Can you imagine the yards this guy would have collected had he been the only back behind that MONSTER Sabercats line? Incredible. This guy is also going into free agency, and he knew he had to play big in order to really put the juice onto tape. In a prove it season, the guy proved it. He was even in the MVP considerations for a while. So to remove Vick from the Top 50 is just absurd in my book. Heading into free agency i'm really not sure what team would not be looking to add a quality halfback like Bowers. I mean the guy's so great that an expansion team traded a real pick, just to have the rights to MAYBE sign the guy. MAYBE. Can you believe that? Now that he's hit free agency, you know this dude is screaming SHOW ME THE MONEYYYY.




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[youngcricket]

Mayran Jackson should be in the top 50 NSFL players, not because of stats, but because of what his defense achieved with him at the helm. Looking at the FS numbers around the league, they are all less than what should be expected, but that could have to do with the way the game is evolved. At the end of the day, the Outlaws are going to be in the championship game and boast one of the best defenses, which has not allowed many big plays at all, and that could partially be attributed to the defender he is in the back of the defense. Did Jackson have impressive statistics? Not really. 55 tackles and one tackle for loss? Don't really jump off the charts, but it also disregards the fact that he was able to overlook what stats might mean to him and was a team player to help push them to the championship game. Ryan Flock performed slightly player and was very effective, creating the best safety duo in the league, in my opinion. Looking at these two safeties, I think that both deserve to be in and I think the Outlaws' defense is nowhere near as good without one of the other.

[ADwyer87]

Blaster Blade

its an interesting name, sure, but why should he be top 50?

First of all, lets look at the stats.

among defensive ends, Blaster Blade is tied for 3rd in tackles, tied for 2nd in tackles for a loss, and tied for first in fumbles forced. The only "bad" stat in blade's resume is his sack count, which at 7 is still above average for a defensive end. This put him at worst as a top 5 player at his position, and at best a top 3. I think its very safe to say that 5 DEs belong in the top 50, so with that i'd say Blade is more than qualified for a spot here.

Secondly, he is versatile.

Blaster Blade has done it all so far. He has played on both sides of the end, he has played at defensive tackle, and he has played in a backup role. This shows that if any team is looking at him, he can do a lot more than just rush the tackle, and he is happy with any role.

Lastly, he is the man that took down Angus Winchester.

No one had a sack allowed on Winchester all regular season. Until Blade did it in the ASFC Championship game. Taking down the GOAT makes you the GOAT

[Esa77]

[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

When it comes to any top 50 list, you have to recognize some of the unsung heroes of the league and this season one of those had to be the Baltimore Hawks' tight end Gabriel Tenzini. Tenzini made a splash in the first season of the NSFL, showing that he had what it took to be an elite receiving threat by leading all tight ends in receptions (67) and touchdowns (3), while also recording the second most receiving yards by a tight end (407). As if that wasn't enough though, Tenzini played a huge role as a blocker as well, a necessity when you consider how dreadful the Baltimore offensive line was. Tenzini finished with 22 pancakes on the season, second most by a tight end. So, not only did Tenzini consistently step up where his team needed him to, but he did so at an elite level in all facets of his game. Not to mention, he did all of this while playing on a team that was destined to struggle and eventually fail to make the playoffs. Most players can get to the end of a season like that and just give up but Tenzini played his heart out and it shows in the box score and in the way that players in the league respect him. His attitude and work ethic is something that all NSFL players can aspire to. Tight ends may not put up the gaudy stats that come with other offensive skill positions, but Tenzini was easily the best one in the league this season and the impact that he has on those that play around him is undoubtable.

[Ltsmashie]

Bubba Nuck, MVP candidate is a mere certainty to make the Top 50 best players in the NSFL list. The real question is just how high up his name will be placed.

Nuck provided for a career of highlight real moments in his first season in the NSFL. Amassing a whopping 1217 yards on 277 rushing attempts.

Leading the league in yards by a considerable margin, with the next highest rusher more gaining more than 200 yards less than the Wraith's superstar. Nuck also leads the way in rushing touchdowns, however he does share this honour with Yeti running back Kieran O'Connell and Mr Novel from the Baltimore Hawks with all three men getting into the endzone with the ball in hand on six occasions this season.

The one area of his game that may be highlighted by the experts as a negative part of Nuck's game will be his pass blocking, while Nuck has chalked up 13 pancake blocks on the season, he has been directly at fault for four sacks on the Wraiths QB Chris Orosz

But pass blocking is not Bubba Nuck's game, he is a feature back, a three down rusher who, while working behind the league's best performing offensive line, has set the league a light and looks to continue to do so for seasons to come.