(S12) - Ultimus Week

[PDXBaller]

SPOTLIGHT ON THE YOUTH: Written: Write 200 words on one of the players in this year's Ultimus Week that are Season 10 or newer and spotlight on how they can affect this year's Ultimus. (Or have affected)
I think there should be a big spotlight on Orange County Otters safety, Danny Grithead (@Trautner). I’m a big fan of this guy and even though he’s not terribly outspoken on the forums, I’ve seen him pretty active in discord and he’s one of the top defensive backs from his class. As a fellow safety, I can really appreciate how hard this guy works on and off the field and I think he contributed greatly to the Otters Ultimus victory. Heading into the playoffs, Grithead finished with 95 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 1 pick. For such a young player, he made a large impact for the OCO backfield and he had solid performances in both playoff games against San Jose and Baltimore. Grithead had 6 tackles against San Jose and 6 tackles with 1 forced fumble against Baltimore in a key play that stopped Baltimore’s drive dead in its tracks. In a league starved for defensive players, Grithead is a hot commodity and I would anticipate him being able to demand a large salary in his next negotiation and any team would leap at the opportunity to sign him. I’m a big Grithead fan from his Coyote days as a runningback too.

PRE-GAME or...POST-GAME: Written: Write a 200-word preview or review on one of the Conference Championship Games or Ultimus Games.
We had some great conference championship games and an utter beatdown in the Ultimus game. I’m going to write about the NSFC championship game since things weren’t even close to being a fun game to watch when Orange County was involved. They absolutely crushed the SaberCats and Hawks. The NSFC championship game featured the bitterest rivalry in the NSFL: Baltimore and Philadelphia. The longtime rivals faced off in Baltimore and we saw a close match-up throughout the whole game. Baltimore took an early 17-7 lead at the half after responding to Philadelphia’s touchdown at the end of the first quarter. Right out the gate in the third quarter, Philadelphia came right back with a Carter Bush touchdown and a 27 yard field goal to tie things up. It was a competitive battle in the fourth which saw the teams take it into overtime. This was an exciting game to watch as both sides battled back and forth on the field to get closer and closer to the end zone, but get stopped by the opposing team’s defense. In the end, Baltimore prevailed with an Owen Taylor touchdown at 8:32 in overtime. I don’t think this will be the last battle we’ll see between these two teams and the rivalry continues.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP: Written: Write 200 words on one of the QB matchups in this year's playoffs. What are you most excited to see (Or excited to have seen), who will play better (Or who played better), etc.
There were some exciting quarterback matchups this playoff season with lots of interesting stories. We saw the playoff debut of 3 quarterbacks: Adriana Falconi, Joliet Christ, and Childish Gambino along with the return of the veteran Gus Showbiz. For me, the matchup I enjoyed watching was Gambino vs. Falconi in their NSFC championship game. I think both quarterbacks did a stellar job leading their team which lead to very competitive game that ended in overtime in favor of the Hawks. Falconi showed that she was a worthy competitor going 21/35, 260 yards, and 3 touchdowns with one interception. Gambino had an incredible game himself that saw him go 26/43 for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t have any interceptions and ended with a slightly higher passer rating than Falconi. Seeing two up and coming quarterbacks is always exciting and the high stakes environment through both of them squarely into the spotlight. I believe both teams are pretty evenly matched with Baltimore having the edge in rushing because of their two back system. They were able to attack the Liberty in several ways and Falconi did her best to compensate for the Liberty’s struggles on the ground. Ultimately it was the difference in the receiving corp that helped Gambino win this quarterback matchup.

Unsung Hero:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us.
The unsung hero of the playoffs was Blackford Oakes (@Beaver). The former Second Line safety was traded to Baltimore and he was a significant contributor to their success towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. It was tough to see him leave New Orleans since he was a leader of the defensive back unit that I was apart of. Against Philadelphia, Oakes had 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception. That interception was a big game changer as the Liberty were getting down into Baltimore territory and lead to the Hawks scoring after changing possession of the ball. The Hawks lost in devastating fashion against the Otters in the Ultimus, but even when all things looked grim Oakes decided to keep going and even had a pick 6 in the fourth quarter despite the Hawks being down 17-48 at that point. Oakes refused to quit playing in the blowout loss and ended the Ultimus game with 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 pass deflections, and that pick 6 that I mentioned earlier. He was all over the field and was a true playmaker in the Ultimus, just as he had been all season long. Oakes doesn’t get enough praise for being a big part of the Hawks defense and is my unsung hero.

[Beaver]

~One Task~ PBE PT

~Two Task~ SHL PT

~Red Task~
Task 1 - Show how your team improved


~Loser Task~
Task 5 - Show an Overrated Player

[Leafer]

1) PRE-GAME or...POST-GAME - Written: Write a 200-word preview or review on one of the Conference Championship Games or Ultimus Games.

The battle between the Hawks and Liberty was a lot of fun and very intense for fans. It was a very close game. So close that the game went to OT and the good guys won the game of course. No surprise at all because the liberty just suck and the hawks are clearly the better team and they had heavy favourites. It starts with Owen Taylor getting the touchdown so asipi can go fuck himself for the hate he has towards him because Taylor is ten times better than asipi will ever become and that is jealousy. Anyways, liberty get the TD then the hawks get 10 points and then the same happened to the liberty Then taylor gets the pass and goes for TD and asipi can go fuck himself twice because Asipi III is full of shit. Liberty gets the TD and we go to OT. But the hawks manage to win thanks to of course, Owen Taylor. Can anyone send asipi to the sun so that he can never trash talk and fuck off about Taylor. It was a close game, Gambino had a great game, Falconi had an INT, Roenick was again a tackle master and brown cried.

2) QUARTERBACK MATCHUP - Written: Write 200 words on one of the QB matchups in this year's playoffs. What are you most excited to see (Or excited to have seen), who will play better (Or who played better), etc.

The QB matchup between Gambino and Falconi is probably the matchup we all want to see. These two put on a show in the regular season so they should be doing a bigger one in the playoffs. Except one nails it and one fucks up. This is the matchup of the fumbles, and interceptions. It is going to be a hell of a matchup because both are young. They are the future of their franchise and hopefully, the good guys manage to have a better run than the otters. It is definitely the best matchup because who the hell wants to see the sabercats play. They are the lamest team. Otters are just too good and no one wants to see them be good so they are for sure out of this conversation. Falconi might not do much because Brown will just demand her to just send the ball to him and just run like he did all season long and the reason why he breaks records. Both QB have great talent and they can do some crazy shit at any time. Like hail mary or just dumb shits like intercept while the WR is just wide open. It is fun isn't it.

3) ENEMIES HAPPEN - Written: Not everyone loves each other, write 200 words on an opposing player or player in this year's Ultimus playoffs about how they will struggle, why do you want them to lose? (Don't be too mean).

I really do want to talk about Arbin Asipi III but the garbage man is not even in the playoffs so what is the point, he sucks and his team sucks. But there is another player who I want to struggle and that is of course from the Liberty. I find that team a disgrace and hope for all to struggle and shit the bed and that is the goal for my career. But M. Brown is the player we all hate the most and hope for a failure. He is a disgrace to this league and someone who is probably the most hated player. Obviously I have every right to say this because he is on a team that hates my guts, our guts and he plays for philly which is worse. Playing for a team with a shit fanbase and a shit city with absolutely nothing. I hope to god that philly never succeeds in life because they do not deserve it. Hope Brown has a career like any player the bills have and that is disappointment and absolutely get fucked by the hawks in the conference finals because who the hell even likes Brown or the city of philly.

PBE PT

[Blastmeaway]

shl pt

[PaytonM34]

PBE PT

[Saliva^]

1. GOMHL

2. PRE-GAME or...POST-GAME

It's going to be a post game writing. The Ultimus final saw the Hawks and Otters fighting fir the highest prize in this league. Baltimore was pretty much lucky in semis against Philly and there was only was favorite of this matchup. Orange County could easily outdo the 10-4 San Jose and we were expecting the same in the finals. So it was kind of a surprise when Baltimore was staying close to their opponent after the first half. They were even leading 14-7 in the beginning of the second quarter. 20-17 wasn't the end of the world for the Hawks. However, this game was done one more quarter after. Zephyrous TD wasn't a death blow yet, but then the Showbiz-Adams one two punch happened. After that, spectators were congratulating the Otters with a win. Coing back from a 24 point deficit against a 11-3 team was pretty much an impossible job to do. And indeed, nothing much happened in last 15 minutes. Both teams exchanged touchdowns and the Orange County Otters team celebrated a 48-24 victory. I believe this is their fourth championship, but I don't recall. Anyways, their success was expected after they trounced the Sabercats' in conference finals since that team was expected to be the toughest opponent.


3. That Magic Moment

Out of 4 playoff games only one was a nail bitter. The NSFC finals showdown Baltimore Hawks vs Philadelphia Liberty was a memorable one due to one really interesting moment. These teams were neck to neck the majority of this match. By the 5:00 of the fourth quarter both teams were even, 24-24. So why chose Kulture Fulture fail[t]ure as the magic moment of these playoffs? Let me say in advance, this is a magic moment only for the Hawks' players and some neutral spectators as well. With three and half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the rookie Trout pushed Falconi back by 10 yards by his sack. Andrea could get 7 yards back, but it was kind of too late. Coaches were hesitating or a bit just to send Kulture to...punt. Were they afraid he would fail from a long distance field goal or something else, but the the game continued with the 53 yard punt instead of the FG. Hawks got away with a huge luck. But was there a chance him to score a long FG with his pretty weak legs? It is known that Kulture is struggling with 40+ year field goals and it looks like it will be his Achilles' heal during his entire career. But one way or other, this moment was definitely one of the most memorable ones in the S12 playoffs. Philly fans will be asking what could've been question for a while after the end of that match.


4. ENEMIES HAPPEN

To be honest I was about to write about the Colorado Yeti team. I'm still salty they were too lucky in three seasons in a row when they somehow made the playoffs when they had no business in doing so. And I was the member of an uncluky team in two occasions. But since this is about the player, my pick would be Neo Donaldson. You know, my guy is the kicker. With Turkleton riding into the sunset there is a good fight for being the best kicker/punter in this league. And this also means we want win some awards too. It could be even better to take both KoTY and PoTY awards. So looks like Kulture might become this season's best punter, but what about the kicker award? Right now, people are talking about Neo as the main guy for this thing. And I'm not ok with this. This semi active ass bloke wasn't even supposed to win anything with his low TPE count, yet he is riding on his team's coattails. Let's be honest, San Jose offense > Philly offense so Neo was getting more chances to score field goals. And this dude somehow scored one 52 yead FG which is a fluke imo. To be honest, Peg Leg is another irrelevant player for this since he is supposed to be even less skilled than Neo. But looks like he won't be the favorite anyways. Meanwhile, Neo is considered as the KoTY. Which is why fuck this dude. I hope he's gonna make miss after miss after miss after this season.

[37thchamber]

POST-GAME
The NSFC Championship game between the Baltimore Hawks and Philadelphia Liberty might go down as the most entertaining matchup between the two rivals so far. Going into the game, the Liberty were the clear underdogs; having lost heavily to the Hawks already this season, and having to overcome the huge disadvantage of being the away team. That the game went to overtime will have stunned more than a few. Liberty quarterback Adriana Falconi threw three touchdowns, including a fourth quarter tie-up to Carter Bush, and it was at that point an already exciting back and forth game cranked it up a notch.

The Liberty stifled the kickoff return at a short nine yards, before sacking Gambino on the next play. A penalty and a lapse in coverage followed, but four plays later, the Hawks had been forced to punt. And Falconi led the Liberty back toward the Hawks endzone, reaching mid-field before consensus defensive rookie of the year Charlie Trout stopped progress with a monster ten yard sack, leaving Philly at 3rd and 22. Predictably, this led to another punt. With three minutes to go, the Hawks were forced to burn all three of their timeouts as they tried -- in vain -- to get back into field goal range, falling short after Lennox Garnett halted Antonio Summer's barrelling run, L'Alto uncharacteristically dropped a pass, and Gambino threw two incompletions. With a minute to play, Philly played safe, trying to run the ball downfield, but couldn't make significant gains. Overtime beckoned.

Perhaps it was fatigue on the part of the Liberty, perhaps the Hawks were desperate not to lose it in that manner, but a mediocre return from Garnett, followed by a three-and-out drive put the result in the hands of the Hawks. After a big pass to Nagasawa, they methodically inched their way into Philly territory, before Owen Taylor made the catch on 2nd and goal from the Philly one yard line. Baltimore progress to the Ultimus, but not without a fight, and a marker from the Liberty that made it clear they are a force to be reckoned with.


IT IS OUR TIME NEXT YEAR
At the risk of sounding like a Liverpool fan (shudder), you really have to consider the Philadelphia Liberty to be a contender for the Ultimus next season. The Liberty have lost just one player this season in Hondo, while seeing noticeable improvement to the majority of the roster, and being able to call up some stashed talent from the DSFL. Their NSFC rivals however... not so much. The Hawks, while still formidable, are losing key players in Taylor, Oakes, and L'Alto... the Wraiths are still rebuilding, and don't look likely to be ready to really challenge for a conference title yet, and the Yeti... well... despite their improvements, they are a franchise that has historically struggled to realise the potential of their roster. Not saying they're not capable, but history has shown us that even when they have a strong roster, they somehow fall short. It seems likely that the NSFC Conference Championship could wind up being Liberty vs Yeti, a matchup that, on paper would seem like a nightmare for a rush-heavy Liberty with a weakened secondary, going up against a solid defensive side with arguably the league's best passing offense for the upcoming season.

But what if I told you that the Liberty pass rush is potentially the best in the league? And they couple that with a unit that still ranks among the league's best pass defenses? What if I told you that Falconi's output is noticeably improved, and she could have more weapons this coming season? What if I told you that the Liberty offense -- probably their biggest weakness this past season -- might well be top three in the league next term after extending Jordan von Matt and calling up their promising young talent from the DSFL? Would you still doubt they can pull this off?


SIT DOWN WITH A STAR
So I interviewed @manicmav36

This is your final season of football, what would you say are the chances you can go out on a high with another Ultimus win?
The Otters are a great squad and one of the most successful franchises in NSFL history. There's no question that playing in Orange County gives them a huge advantage, and it's going to be a hell of a fight for us, but we've got a few tricks up our sleeves. As they say, "Games aren't played on paper. "


With you and Smallwood out of the picture, who would you say is most likely to replace you as the league's most dominant rusher? Can anyone?
I loved having Smallwood in the league. At the height of our careers it was a real battle for running back supremacy... we really pushed each other. But beyond that, we did so in a positive way, always congratulating each other on our victories and accomplishments. He's a true professional. Now days you have some of these young kids coming in, slinging mud at everyone, and demanding respect before they've earned it. The league could use more Taylor vs Smallwood rivalries.

If you could go back and replay one snap in your career, make it go differently, which one would you choose? Why?
With about 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the S11 Ultimus, we were ahead by 4. Our defense had just done their job by forcing a stop and all we had to do was run out the clock. First play was a 12 yard gain to get us to our 45. Then tragedy struck and I fumbled the damn ball. Just dropped it. No excuses. New Orleans ended up driving down the field to take the lead. If I don't fumble, there's no overtime, we win that game in regulation. I'll never forget that.

Do you have any intentions of transitioning into coaching, or maybe becoming an agent, now that your playing career is over?
I've definitely considered coaching. I love the game and have a hard time picturing my life without it in some capacity. After spending my entire career with the Hawks organization, I would love to continue being involved with them somehow. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the future holds.



SIT DOWN WITH A FAN
I was also interviewed by @manicmav36

For a long time, the sentiment in Philadelphia has been, "Trust the process." After making the NSFC championship, would you say that the "process" is complete?
I think this coming year will be the determining point. Taking the Hawks to overtime was impressive, but then looking at the manner of the Otters' win, it's hard to say "we're on the same level as those guys" just yet. Can't say the process is complete until we're at that level.

The Philadelphia and Baltimore rivalry is easily one of the best in all of the NSFL, yet the Hawks have had the upper hand recently. What needs to happen for you to surpass the Hawks?
The Hawks had a really strong team for a long time, but the key members of that team are gone or going, so now its a case of "who has the best young talent?" ... and it's a lot closer in that respect than I think a lot of people realise. Next season looks like it's gonna be the year. It all depends on how the offseason goes, and who can fill in the gaps in their roster best.

Historically, the Liberty have been a pass first team, but after drafting Marquise Brown, that seems to have changed dramatically. Will we ever seen the Liberty unleash their young and rapidly improving QB, Adriana Falconi?
Falconi is doing great, she was fantastic in the latter stages of this season, and a major asset. I think the trick is to do whatever gives the best shot at a win, and sometimes that will be to run it with Marquise, sometimes it will be to sling it with Falconi. I'd say teams with bad secondaries should probably be worried... but they should be anyway.

You had a fantastic sophomore campaign, and many consider you an strong choice for the NSFC pro bowl squad. What are your personal goals for next year?
I try not to have personal goals beyond winning. But if I had to put one down on paper, it would be to keep picking off passes, and make a serious challenge to the league's all-time interceptions leader before I retire. Someone mentioned to me that if I keep up my current rate of interceptions, I'd take that record. But that means nothing if I retire without at least one ring.




SHL: academydropout
PBE: OnceAndFutureKing

[Rise of Smitty]

1) IT IS OUR TIME THIS (NEXT) YEAR - Can be completed anytime

Written: Write 200 words on your team and either why they should be looked at as Ultimus champions this season, or if your team has been eliminated, next year, or the year after for those non-believers.

The San Antonio Marshalls had a rough season this past season but what they lacked in success they made up for it in future talent. While the Marshalls made a surprise appearance the DSFL championship, they were obliterated by the Coyotes, who were a vastly superior team. While it was tough to lose in that fashion it showed the DSFL world that the coaching staff for the Marshalls is top notch and they have the game-planning and forward thinking ability to make up for lack of talent.

(to be continued)

[Rich]

Code:

1) IT IS OUR TIME THIS (NEXT) YEAR
Written: Write 200 words on your team and either why they should be looked at as Ultimus champions this season, or if your team has been eliminated, next year, or the year after for those non-believers.

The San Antonio Marshals were a bit of enigma this season. They finished with just a 5-9 record, but still had a positive point differential. When they won, they usually won big. The offense was usually there, but defense was questionable at times. It was just enough to get them into the playoffs. They were not favorited, by any stretch of the imagination. The first-round matchup was against the Tijuana Luchadores, a team that has won the Ultimini a bunch of times, and was considered a heavy favorite going in to the game. The Marshals ended up coming out on top in a close game. In the championship game, the Marshals were the underdog again against a strong Kansas City Coyotes team. The Coyotes came out on top in a one-sided game.

Look ahead to next season, it is hard to say what the Marshals will look like. It sounds like they may be losing their talented, young running back, Tyler Swift. It is unclear if they will be losing anyone else. If they want to contend, I think they need to work on fixing the defense. It really depends a lot on how they draft. Adding a few pieces to get a bit more consistent defensively will help mitigate the lost of Swift and put them in a position to contend next season.

Code:

2) SPOTLIGHT ON THE YOUTH
Written: Write 200 words on one of the players in this year's Ultimus Week that are Season 10 or newer and spotlight on how they can affect this year's Ultimus. (Or have affected)

San Antonio already had a solid running back in Fast Boija, but when a guy as talented as Tyler Swift is available in the draft, you make that pick. Swift’s impact was immediate in the Marshals’ run heavy offense. In his first game of the season he had 90 yards while splitting carries with Boija. The second game of the season was his coming out party. 20 carries for 119. Nearly 6 yards per carry. Swift was letting everyone know he was for real. At the end of the season, he ended up with nearly an even split in carries with Boija. Both guys were over 1000 yards and better than 5 yards per carry. There was a good chance that if the Marshals wanted to go anywhere in the playoffs, Swift was going to be a big part of it.

In their first round win over Tijuana, Swift carried the ball 21 times for 118 yards. This is exactly the kind of performance the team needed from him to grind out a close win on the road. 5.6 yards per carry in a game that was won by just a 6 point margin. The Coyotes wouldn’t let that happen to them. In the Ultimini, Swift carried the ball 16 times for 78 yards and 1 TD. A solid showing from Swift, but it would have taken more than just a solid game to lift a San Antonio team above a clearly superior Kansas City squad.

SHL PT

[manicmav36]

Spotlight on the Youth

Kwame Abayomi Mbanefo has one of the hardest names to type in the entirety of the National Simulation Football League. Unfortunately for the league, the name is going to be popping up a lot very soon. In his rookie season for the NSFL, Mbanefo finished with 32 tackles and 3 sacks. While not shockingly impressive on their own, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that he also led all season 11 rookies in tackles for loss for that year. It wouldn’t be surprising then if I told you that although he’s only in his sophomore season he still finished seventh in the entire league for tackled for a loss with 9, while also setting career highs in tackles (45), sacks (4), and forced fumbles (1). Mbanefo has a rare combination of strength and agility that you rarely find in a six foot, four inch frame. When facing a team that passes as often as the Orange County Otters (2nd most attempts in the league), you need as many threats on the defensive line as possible, and Mbanefo fills that role more than adequately. Expect to see Mbanefo meeting Gus T.T. Showbiz in the backfield with a frightening consistency that will surely drive the Otters offensive line coach mad with anger.


Quarterback Matchup

While the conference championships each featured an established QB versus a young, up and coming start, the most exciting quarterback matchup in this year’s playoff is easily Childish Gambino of the Baltimore Hawks versus Gus T.T. Showbiz (the extra “T’ is for talent) of the Orange County Otters in the Ultimus. In the Orange County corner, Showbiz put up a fantastic season, finishing second in passing yards, tied for first in passing TDs and finished tied for fourth with the fewest INTs despite being third in passing attempts. As is tradition, Orange County continued their historically strong offensive play by finishing second in the NSFL in both offensive yards and points scored. In the other corner you have the leader of the #1 rated offense in both scoring and total yards, Childish Gambino. Gambino was a master of efficiency this season, leading the league in yards per attempt, completion percentage, and QB rating (by a full 6 points!), all while still managing to finish third in passing yards. On paper this looks to be quite the matchup. While I give a slight lead to Showbiz if this game becomes a shootout, (just based upon the sheer number of weapons he has at his disposal), I expect Gambino would have the edge in the Hawks are able to play Hawks style football.


Sit Down With a Star
I was interviewed by @37thchamber

1. This is your final season of football, what would you say are the chances you can go out on a high with another Ultimus win?
- The Otters are a great squad and one of the most successful franchises in NSFL history. There's no question that playing in Orange County gives them a huge advantage, and it's going to be a hell of a fight for us, but we've got a few tricks up our sleeves. As they say, "Games aren't played on paper."

2. With you and Smallwood out of the picture, who would you say is most likely to replace you as the league's most dominant rusher? Can anyone?
- I loved having Smallwood in the league. At the height of our careers it was a real battle for running back supremacy... we really pushed each other. But beyond that, we did so in a positive way, always congratulating each other on our victories and accomplishments. He's a true professional. Now days you have some of these young kids coming in, slinging mud at everyone, and demanding respect before they've earned it. The league could use more Taylor vs Smallwood rivalries.

3. If you could go back and replay one snap in your career, make it go differently, which one would you choose? Why?
- With about 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the S11 Ultimus, we were ahead by 4. Our defense had just done their job by forcing a stop and all we had to do was run out the clock. First play was a 12 yard gain to get us to our 45. Then tragedy struck and I fumbled the damn ball. Just dropped it. No excuses. New Orleans ended up driving down the field to take the lead. If I don't fumble, there's no overtime, we win that game in regulation. I'll never forget that.

4. Do you have any intentions of transitioning into coaching, or maybe becoming an agent, now that your playing career is over?
- I've definitely considered coaching. I love the game and have a hard time picturing my life without it in some capacity. After spending my entire career with the Hawks organization, I would love to continue being involved with them somehow. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what the future holds.


Sit Down With a Fan
I Interviewed @37thchamber

1) For a long time, the sentiment in Philadelphia has been, "Trust the process." After making the NSFC championship, would you say that the "process" is complete?
- I think this coming year will be the determining point. Taking the Hawks to overtime was impressive, but then looking at the manner of the Otters' win, it's hard to say "we're on the same level as those guys" just yet. Can't say the process is complete until we're at that level.

2) The Philadelphia and Baltimore rivalry is easily one of the best in all of the NSFL, yet the Hawks have had the upper hand recently. What needs to happen for you to surpass the Hawks?
- The Hawks had a really strong team for a long time, but the key members of that team are gone or going, so now its a case of "who has the best young talent?" ... and it's a lot closer in that respect than I think a lot of people realise. Next season looks like it's gonna be the year. It all depends on how the offseason goes, and who can fill in the gaps in their roster best.

3) Historically, the Liberty have been a pass first team, but after drafting Marquise Brown, that seems to have changed dramatically. Will we ever seen the Liberty unleash their young and rapidly improving QB, Adriana Falconi?
- Falconi is doing great, she was fantastic in the latter stages of this season, and a major asset. I think the trick is to do whatever gives the best shot at a win, and sometimes that will be to run it with Marquise, sometimes it will be to sling it with Falconi. I'd say teams with bad secondaries should probably be worried... but they should be anyway.

4) You had a fantastic sophomore campaign, and many consider you an strong choice for the NSFC pro bowl squad. What are your personal goals for next year?
- I try not to have personal goals beyond winning. But if I had to put one down on paper, it would be to keep picking off passes, and make a serious challenge to the league's all-time interceptions leader before I retire. Someone mentioned to me that if I keep up my current rate of interceptions, I'd take that record. But that means nothing if I retire without at least one ring.