(S5) - Ultimus Week

[ralams123]

Playoff Matchups: Make a graphic displaying the matchups in the first round of the playoffs.


Playoff Recap Infographic: Make a graphic displaying the results of the playoffs.


Robbed: Make a graphical stat comparison of a team who failed to qualify for playoffs but why they should have over another team.

[PDXBaller]

Robbed: Write about why a team that failed to make the playoffs should have over somebody else. Can be completed at any point
The Philadelphia Liberty were robbed and should have made the playoffs over the Baltimore Hawks. I know I’m pretty biased since I’m on the Liberty and I don’t mean to disrespect the Hawks either. Both teams tied again in record with the Hawks getting the tiebreaker over the Liberty because of a better conference record. The team started off with some decent wins, but had a hard time against a rough schedule in the latter half of the season having to face the Wraiths, Hawks, and Outlaws on the road. We saw the same thing last season, but the Hawks were on the flip side of the conversation from this year. I still think the Liberty were robbed because they had a more difficult schedule and the Hawks had an easier time this season. The Liberty struggled with really tough games down the stretch and losing three of the last six games by a total of 15 points. If the team was in the ASFC, they would easily beat out the Arizona Outlaws based on record and I think it shows how much more competitive the NSFC really is if the Hawks and Liberty have been fighting for a playoff spot over each other for 3 seasons straight.

Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game
It’s hard to find the best play from the championship game considering how well the Orange County Otters played and how dominant their performance was. After re-watching the game and reading the play by play, I decided to write about the Otters defense during the third quarter. Following a field goal by the Wraiths, the Otters defense stepped up big time and put on the best performance any defense has ever had in the NSFL. They absolutely stopped the Wraiths offense in the second quarter and the closest they could get was the OCO 49. This allowed the offense to get closer and score 3 field goals to put the Otters up 19-6 at the half. When the third quarter rolled around, the Otters defense smothered the Wraiths offense and stifled any and all attempts by Akselen. Almost every Wraiths possession was a quick 3 and out with the best drive around the 10:30 minute mark after a Bailey Cook reception for a first down. Clegane followed that catch with a sack and the Wraiths couldn’t get anything going until the next quarter. This was the best defense all season and they showed their absolute utter dominance against the Wraiths. You cannot dispute how well the team has constructed this defense. This team is unstoppable right now and will probably continue with the development of Ryan Sierra.

Unsung Hero: Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
The unsung hero of the playoffs was Dermott Lavelle (@White Cornerback) of the Yellowknife Wraiths. He was one of the league’s top cornerbacks going into the playoffs with 15 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and a pick 6 in the regular season. This guy was all over the field against the Baltimore Hawks and put up some of the best cornerback stats we’ve ever seen in the playoffs with impressive play all around. Lavelle ended up with 8 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the only interception against the Hawks which helped the Wraiths clinch a convincing Ultimus trip with a final score of 37-21. He provided great coverage against some of the best wide receivers that Baltimore had. Although he didn’t get as many tackles against the Otters, I believe his incredible game IQ and excellent reads resulted in 2 tackles and 3 pass deflections against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Mike Boss, and the most dangerous wide receivers in Robert Phelps and Bradley Westfield. I think the Wraiths have the best defense in the NSFC and Lavelle is one of the key components of that defense. They have such great flexibility in their front seven and their secondary group is led by Lavelle.

Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have? (Can be completed at any point)
I can’t imagine how it would feel to be the San Jose Sabercats…oh wait I can! They also should have made the playoffs but didn’t because their conference record was an abysmal 2-3 while the Arizona Outlaws were 4-2. With both teams having the same record, it’s a shame to see a decent team always on the outside looking in. This is especially heartbreaking given the Arizona Outlaw multi scandal that tainted the league’s first 3 seasons and makes you wonder if the Sabercats would have gotten to the ASFC playoffs a few occasions during that time. Granted their points for and points against were less than the Outlaws, but I believe they had a decent shot this year given how well Darren Smallwood, Mayran Jackson, and Shane Weston are playing. Even the trade for Connor Tanner helped their offense greatly. Dan Miller continues to be the best DT the league has ever seen and Vincent Sharpei remains solid as well. The Sabercats have the second best rush defense in the league and are dominant in the run game themselves. They had a rough stretch from weeks 7 through 9, but finished pretty strong and even beat the Otters at home in week 1. It’s a shame to see such a great team be on the outside looking in again…

[Aenir]

Written Points

Robbed: Write about why a team that failed to make the playoffs should have over somebody else. Can be completed at any point

The San Jose Sabercats should have made the playoffs, and here is why! The Outlaws (besides being boring seeing them yet again...) were found to have used some illegal depth chart shenanigans, and league sources were found to have invalidated their original match vs the Otters. Who is to say this occurrence had only happened now, why couldn't it have happened earlier in the season for any of their regular season games! The Outlaws should have had some of their wins stripped and the Sabercats should have been awarded the 2nd playoff spot in their stead. When the tiebreaker is points scored, but there is a lack of trust or evidence that their playbooking has been up to snuff all year, why do they get the benefit of the doubt? it is harsh on the players, no doubt... but the punishment must be levied or that sends the message that any other team can do what they want...when they want... and suffer no consequences about their actions, which is a terrible precedent no matter what the circumstances are! The Sabercats have not been found with any irregularities, have a good team, fanbase, and city, and deserve a chance to prove themselves in the randomness of the playoffs, and why is that chance taken away from them? (216)

[table border=\\\'0\\\' align=\\\'center\\\' width=\\\'95%\\\' cellpadding=\\\'3\\\' cellspacing=\\\'1\\\' id=\\\'QUOTE-WRAP\\\'][tr][td]QUOTE [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\\\'QUOTE\\\'][!--QuoteEBegin--]Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have? (Can be completed at any point)

Once again the San Jose Sabercats were on the outside looking in, due to their inability to finish the games they need to finish, and the constant quality of the Outlaws. The Sabercats should have made the playoffs instead of the Outlaws, as evidenced by the fact that before the resim, the entire league was tired of seeing the Outlaws in the Ultimus. With comments such as, if we hadn't beat the Sabercats, the Outlaws wouldn't have made it in. Sabercats fans can rejoice that they have been ridiculously close to the playoffs each year, only missing due to tiebreakers each year. This article isn't based on anything but people being tired of seeing Arizona making it every year. The league needs some more parity to keep people interested and the Otters date=]
Sit-down with a star:Interview a player from a team that is not your own that is in the playoffs. You must ask them four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. YOU MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS FOR CREDIT. (Can be completed at any point)
[/quote]

How has your expirience in the league changed since you went from OL to QB, Replacing the first Franchise QB Orosz? Have the Yellowknife Fans been behind you the entire time, was there any adjustment period?

The experience has been pretty incredible. I’m really surprised with how much I’ve been able to do at a position I haven’t played since pee wee football. I mean I’m still learning and adapting to the position but it’s all been a really great time.
The fans of Yellowknife have been by far the best part of the whole experience
They’ve been behind me the whole way and I’ve really had a great time interacting with them. They’re the best part about Yellowknife. I mean obviously considering there’s nothing to do here....

Any ideas or hints you want to give about making back to back ultimus appearances? how was it, i mean obviously the results werent there, but making it twice is a huge accomplishment!


No hints, no tricks, no shortcuts. It’s been hard work from me and my teammates. We all put in the work this offseason and every week of the season. Hard work is the only trick I have

aww, such a non-answer, give us something!

Lol
Well I mean if I’m honest I guess I could say that the all-meat diet is putting me over the top. I’ve never felt better

ok, Do you have any regrets about your ultimus appearances, do you think you could have played it differently if your opponents were the Outlaws instead of the Otters? both are good teams, but provide unique challenges obviously

No matter the team I have to play better. I really regret my entire performance in the ultimus. I played like trash, looked like trash, and probably smelled like it too. My teammates were great but I couldn’t seal the deal. They gave me the ball and I gave it right back. I need to totally re-do my ultimus performances

ok then, and finally, just out of the blue, any personal secrets that you feel like tossing out? Maybe, i dunno, what the GOAT TE/DE did with the bodies

No comment

ok, what about the rumor that the Wraiths' fan sections sacrifice "Super" fans before the game to create wraiths as a mascot?

The coach just tells us to keep our eyes on the field. Plausible deniability is real

cool, appreciate it

thanks to @Bzerkap, 401 words

Championship Banner: Make a banner featuring the champions of the league (can be NSFL or DSFL) in the same style as the current banner featured at the top of the NSFL site. This can feature the team celebrating their trophy, or just a few key players that helped the team win the league. Must be completed after the Championship Game

[Bzerkap]

Playoff Series MVP: Choose an MVP for one of the playoff series and write about why you chose them. Must be completed after the playoff series you write about

When the Wraiths brought in the visiting Hawks for the NSFC Championship, it was obvious that the team was gonna have to play at its best to win. Well, there was one player that went above and beyond, putting the team on his back. Mat Akselsen played his heart out for four quarters and willed the Wraiths to a victory, bringing them back to the promised land. His final stat line shows the kind of game he played that day. 28 completions on 45 attempts for 485 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. His completion percentage wasn't the best at 62% but that's because he was absolutely bombing the ball down the field. Those 486 yards were impressive in that three of his receivers averaged over 20 yards per catch. Those stats also came together for an absolutely gaudy 10.8 yards per attempt. However, he was also accurate and careful with the ball when he needed to be. No interceptions and two of his touchdowns were in the red zone when they were only eight yards out.

Akselsen had it all going on today. He was ballsy, pushing the ball down the field, but in control, protecting the ball and carving the secondary up with some short chain movers.

Playoff Review: Write a short review of the playoffs and each of the matchups. Must be completed after the Championship Game

The playoffs started with another brand new matchup to the NSFC, they've had a different one every year of the five-year lifespan of the league. The Wraiths hosted the Hawks in a close matchup of foes that split the regular season series. This game was a passing affair as there was 849 yards through the air in total. Alexander LeClair and Owen Taylor were dominant with eight catches and over 100 yards each. However, their counterparts on the Wraiths did them one better, with Cook, Jarden, and Law all gaining over 100 yards and Cook and Law scoring touchdowns. The Wraiths won the NSFC Championship 37 - 21.

The ASFC was the classic matchup between the Otters and Outlaws, but this time with a twist, the Otters were hosting the big game. It was definitely not needed though as the Otters simply crushed the Outlaws 43-19. Boss and his receivers put on a clinic. Boss completed 66% of his passes for 366 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He was scalpel sharp and shredded the Outlaws pass defense en route to his second Ultimus birth.

The Ultimus was a rematch of the S4 game that ended in jubilation for the Otters and heartbreak for the Wraiths. Would S5 be different? The game was an ugly affair on both sides, a total of six turnovers between the two teams. Boss threw two interceptions for the Otters, Akselsen threw three interceptions and lost a fumble on a twenty-yard scramble. That was the difference in the game as the Otters again won the Ultimus, defeating the Wraiths 26-15.

Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game

Well this isn't the best play of the game, but the most key moment from the Ultimus I would say. The moment where you knew the Otters were gonna win their second in a row.

The first half ended with fireworks, but only for one side. The Otters were leading the game 13-6 and it was the end of the 2nd quarter. Boss was driving his team down the field, all the way to the Yellow Knife 12 yard line when he threw an interception. Redemption! This was the break the Wraiths needed. With 2:27 left Akselsen tried to get the Wraiths downfield for at least a field goal to bring the game a little closer. Two penalties and a dropped pass later the Wraiths were forced to punt the ball away. At least they stopped the Otters from scoring. Well, with 1:36 left Westfield made an 18-yard return and it seemed inevitable with only 1:36 left the Otters would score again. However, the Wraiths managed to hold them to a field goal. With 57 seconds left the Wraiths came back on to the field to try and score a quick one or at least run out the clock, Akselsen immediately throws a pick giving the Otters the ball at the 18 yard line and another easy field goal for Madlad. The Wraiths get the ball back again with 28 seconds left in the half clearly looking to just limp into the locker room, but to add insult to injury the coach calls a pass, Akselsen is sacked, they call a timeout, and then Akselsen throws an interception that was almost housed.

That was the point when you knew it wasn't getting any better for the Wraiths.

Sit-down with a fan:Answer questions for an interview from a player that is not your own. You must answer at least four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. Link to the interviewers PT to receive credit. NOTE: THEY MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR YOU TO GET CREDIT. (Can be completed at any point)

Aenir interviewed me

[TheMemeMaestro]

Playoff Series MVP: The MVP of the NSFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Hawks and the Yellowknife Wraiths was apparent. Leading his team to a 37-21 victory, Yellowknife QB Mat Akselsen was a man amongst boys in this game. He put up some amazing stats in the game that would send the Wraiths back to the Ultimus. He demolished the Hawks defense in impressive fashion. An outstanding 486 yards, with 3 TD's and 0 INT puts this game in the memories of fans everywhere as one of the best performances ever put together by a player, especially when his team needed it the most. The Wraiths needed something special for them to repeat as NSFC champions, and Akselsen delivered. His 121.2 QB Rating is absolutely absurd. His play could not come at better times either. He led them to a TD on the first drive of the game. He then threw a TD when they were only up by 1 point. And finally, his crown jewel, in the 4th Quarter, only up by 6, Mat Akselsen throws a bomb downfield to Wide Reciever Bailey Cook. 47 yard TD to ice the game, and send the Wraiths to the Ultimus. The Hero Yellowknife Deserves.

Unsung Hero: It is no surprise that the unsung hero of the playoffs if the position that is the unsung hero for all great teams. The Orange County won their 2nd consecutive Ultimus game this season, and one of their most important players came at one of the less "flashy" positions. But he was none the less crucial to the victory of the Otters. I am talking, of course, about Orange County Kicker Brad Madlad. The kicker is a very important position in the sport of football, as it can make or break your success. Trust me, I am an expert on this. I am a Minnesota Vikings fan. Madlad will never get the recognition he deserves for the Otters success. The credit will go to Boss, Westfield, and Phelps, but Madlad is just as important. He scored 13 points in the Ultimus game. Having an important kicker is important in being versatile in your offense. You can either go for it on 4th down or kick it from far out enough if you kicker is reliable enough. Madlad allowed the Otters to do this and was a very important and crucial part of the success they enjoyed this season and will most likely continue to have.

That Magic Moment: The moment that many will remember from this playoffs comes from the NSFC Championship game between the Baltimore Hawks and the Yellowknife Wraiths. It was the 4th quarter and the Wraiths had the ball, leading by 6 points. Wraiths QB Mat Akselsen had been having a tremendous game and looked to continue his amazing play. Even a field goal would be suitable, however, Akselsen had the end zone in his mind. He knew who his best weapon was, Wide Reciever Bailey Cook. He knew exactly what he had to do. He read the defense perfectly, as he had all game. And when the time was right. He cocked his arm back, and threw a perfect spiral, directly into the hands of the waiting Cook. Cook took off full speed and found his way into the end zone for a 47 yard touchdown, and with the kick, it put the Wraiths up by 13. This would ice the game for the Wraiths, and although they would not end up winning the Ultimus, the play will be remembered much like how I remember the Diggs play. That play happened and then nothing else for the rest of the playoffs. They stopped the playoffs after that, thats how it ended.

Robbed: The simple argument for the team that was robbed of making the playoffs in Season 5 in the Philadelphia Liberty. They were tied with the Baltimore Hawks with a 8-5 record, and if we do some quick maths we find out that they actually had a better point differential. The tiebreaker in the engine cannot be changed, so we can't set it to be anything, however the fact that it isn't Point Differential is very strange. I have said this since Season 2 when the Colorado Yeti missed not just the playoffs, but also being the first seed, because of the tiebreaker system. The Yeti would have made the playoffs, and with Home Field Advantage, might have even repeated as NSFC champions. However, the past is in the past. Also, we can not change this tiebreaker game setting. But we sure can complain about it. It is truly a shame to the players on the teams that the poor game design is costing teams playoff spots. Sorry Baltimore, but Philadelphia deserved your spot. And for Philadelphia, I know your pain. I felt the very same way in Season 2. It sucks, but it's better to not dell on it. Live for the future.

[AzhekAhriman]

Championship Game Recap(DSFL): The DSFL Championship game pitted the terminator-like efficiency of the Palm Beach Solar Bears against Pythons GM Rashaad Brooks and his crew of future first round draft picks. PB was storming into the title matchup having blown the doors off the Luchadores in the conference finals while the Pythons had won a close but decisive matchup against the Norfolk Seawolves. The game was hard fought and without much of the controversial officiating that came up in the Ultimus, with only eight total penalties for just over eighty yards being incurred by the combined sides. Portland built their strategy around using workhorse tailback Borro Gore to control the tempo of the game and limit the explosive Palm Beach offense. Gore started out in a timeshare but worked his way into the primary back’s spot by the time the title rolled around, and he delivered for the Pythons with 19 carries for 69 yards into the teeth of the PB defense. The game was won, however, in the air. Like in many of their blowout wins the Solar Bears sent the ball deep on a regular basis and were able to convert those long gains into points on the back end. PB Quarterback Jim McMahon was beyond excellent, boosting a 118.6 passer rating and completing 5 passes over 20 yards. In the end the Solar Bears’ offense was simply too explosive, and the era of human dominance in the DSFL came to an end.

That Magic Moment(NSFL, Ultimus): The moment that served as the beginning of the end for the Yellowknife Wraiths in the S6 Ultimus also served as the title matchup’s magic moment. With the game tied 3-3 midway through the first quarter the YKW forced a punt from Orange County’s Madlad from out of his own end-zone. The punt was an impressive 55 yarder, but an eleven yard return set the Wraiths up on a short field and an opportunity to take the lead heading into the second quarter. On the very next play Wraiths QB Akselsen evaded the pass rush, faked a defender out and took off downfield, racing into Otters territory and toward the goal line. Akselsen’s scamper didn’t end up rosy for the Wraiths, however, as Atwell, the Otters third CB and nickel-back made a heroic play. After chasing down Akselsen from his slot corner position Atwell took an opportunistic punch at the ball and forced a fumble that was scooped out by Angus Winschester at the OCO 33. Whether the moment was too much for Akselsen, he just wasn’t used to carrying the ball in those situations, or Atwell just made a helluva play the results speak for themselves. Orange county marched down the field for a go-ahead TD and never trailed again as they powered their way to yet another Ultimus.

Going to Disneyland!: The Ultimus MVP can be none other than receiver Bradley Westfield. The offensive speedster for the Orange County Otters regularly burned the Wraiths’ secondary deep during the game, hauling in 141 receiving yards on a mere six catches. The eye popping 23.5 YPC would have ranked as the best in the NSFL for receivers with over 10 catches in the regular season. Westfield moved Orange County down the field when they needed it, and despite not punching it into the end zone on any of his touches Westfield proved himself to be the most dynamic player on the field whenever he stepped on it. Orange County was able to run their offense through Westfield, allowing him to match up in single coverage against his Wraith’s counterparts and relying on him to torch those same cornerbacks on go-routes and deep posts. On a night of generally sloppy football that saw six turnovers, ten penalties, and the complete absence of a running game Westfield showed out. All said and done, the receiver accounted for just under 41 percent of the Otters’ total offense on the evening, and for that consistency combined with his proven explosiveness with the ball in his hands, Westfield takes the MVP.

Playoff Series MVP(DSFL, POR vs NOR): The MVP for the Pythons in their game against Norfolk could be no other player than defensive tackle Norman Bagwell. Bagwell has had an excellent season shoring up the interior of the Python’s defensive front but he didn’t really stuff the stat sheet while doing so. Well, they say that the best comes out to play in the playoffs, and Bagwell certainly took that to heart, tallying 4 tackles and two huge sacks that ended up being a big part of the difference in the game. Bagwell’s most important play was a sack on 2nd and two from the Portland 34 yard line. Two plays, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Seawolves, and another sack from safety Bobby Ruckus later the Seawolves had been forced back onto their own side of the field and what had looked like a sure field goal at the least ended up being a punt back to the Pythons. While that sequence in and of itself may not sound like MVP material, when you consider that this was a four point game with the Seawolves driving late only to turn the ball over on downs because they needed the TD, the magnitude of Bagwell’s contribution becomes apparent. The Python’s #1 OA pick showed out when he needed to most to make sure his team went to the Ultimini.