Welcome back to the NSFC series Why They Will/ Why they Won't. In case you missed yesterday's article by @kckolbe on the Yellowknife Wriaths here it is . I highly recommend reading the article, but just in case you don't read it, I'll give an explanation as to the series. We're going to have a series of four articles written on each NSFC team as to why each team will win the division and what would stop them. What makes this set of articles unique is that each article is written from the insider's perspective on why a team will be successful and why they won't be.
For the first article we had @kckolbe (who came up with this awesome idea, shouts to him) on the Yellowknife Wraiths.
Next is my article on the Baltimore Hawks (which you are reading now)
Next up you have @HalfEatenOnionBagel on his own Philadelphia Liberty
And finally you have @TheMemeMaestro on the Colorado Yeti.
But forget about all those other teams. You are here to find out why the Baltimore Hawks will repeat (or won't) in the NSFC. Lets start off with reasons why.
WHY THE HAWKS WILL REPEAT
First off, any discussion of the Hawks' success starts off with the dominant seven on the defensive side of the ball. The Hawks are lead by an outstanding four Pro Bowlers up front. Starting on the defensive line we have the captain Kurt Hendrix (@HENDRIX). Hendrix was a monster on the d line leading all NSFC defenders in sacks. The other Pro Bowler on the defensive line was Burt Metas (@Bertiswho) at D tackle, and also returning is Owen Taylor (@manicmav36). Some will say that losing JD Boom will hurt the squad, but the NSFC's best defensive line added incredible first round pick (and better Sandoval Brother) Ricardo Sandoval (@cosbornballboy). As impressive as these D-Linemen were the linebackers might've been even better. The NSFC's best linebacker this year was definitely Erasmo Broadway (@evryday). Broadway was absolutely incredible this season in all facets of the game; coverage, pass rushing and run defending. He had 12 sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, 115 tackles, 13 passes defended and 3 picks. If there was an NSFC defensive player of the year, Broadway would have won it. And returning next to Broadway is fellow Pro Bowler Stephen Harrison (@Noppadet). Harrison was also a monster this year and pass rushing Line Backer James Wright (@PlotzkeA) was no slouch. This monstrous front seven lead the Hawks to lead the NSFC in sacks, with 9 more than second place Colorado and 21 more than the Philadelphia Liberty. The Hawks are active at essentially all seven of these spots, and there's little to reason to believe the Hawks won't be even better at that spot this year.
For the second reason we'll stick with the defense and go the outside. The Hawks have one of the best Corner Back tandems in the league with Antoine Delacour (@37thchamber) and Darnell Turner (@Darnellthebeast). Delacour and Turner were great together, especially consider the lack of safety help in S2 (we'll get to that shortly). They combined for eight interceptions and were both top five in passes defended. Rafael Reyes (@Julio) could be a very strong third corner, but is playing safety and has had some success there in pass coverage. Overall though the two corners are another reason the Hawks could repeat.
For the third reason let's get to the offense. The offensive line was second best in the conference and is only going to get better this year. The line allowed the second least amount of sacks and had the second most pancakes in the conference (both behind Yellowknife). The big three of Avon Blocksdale (me), Brokk Lee (@BrokkLee) and Dieter Koch (@Sleepy) are all returning this year. And while losing big body Pat Pancake (@`Pat17`) will certainly hurt the line, the Hawks added two linemen in the draft who look to make a big impression with Juan Andres (@luchalibre) and Jordan Danvers (@NITROONE). The line is a big reason they can be successful and that gets us to our fourth point.
The Hawks have explosive skill position players. Lets start with the NSFL's leading rusher Darlane Farlane (@Gwdaja). He is an awesome player, and will only be getting better next year as he was one of the only Rookie Running Backs to be the featured back. Farlane had a big flaw last year (we'll get to that), but after leading the entire league in both yards and carries, expectations are high for Farlane in S3. The Hawks also have an awesome trio of receivers, one a piece from each season. Pro Bowler Cooper Christmas (@Ghostspeed) was awesome last year, and can make great plays. Matthew Vincent (@sapp2013) was great in the playoffs, and will be looking to increase consistency, and rookie receiver Trey Willie (@ItsJustBarry) somehow fell to the second round where the Hawks smartly traded up for him. These skill position players along side veteran QB Scrub Kyubee (@DollarAndADream) bring a high level of potential for a team that was tied for second in scoring in the conference and second in yards.
The final reason the Hawks might win comes down to the special teams maestro Turk Turkleton (@Raven). Turkleton is a top flight kicker and punter and no doubt about it he's super valuable in close games.
WHY THE HAWKS WON'T REPEAT
Let's start with obvious glaring hole at the Tight End Position. Obviously Carmel Gibson's controversial exit left the Hawks with a huge hole at Tight End. Jesse Sanderson had some moments, but should in no circumstances be starting in the NSFL. The Hawks drafted two wide outs, so perhaps either Willie or Brian Wheat (@Wheaties) will play some Tight End? We will see.
Another reason the Hawks might not repeat is safety. Last years safeties of Jorge Masvidal and converted corner Rafael Reyes are not going to cut it. Rookie Safety Vincent Valentine (@Unicorn) has impressed Hawks coaches early in training camp with his activity, and the team has hopes that he should be able to replace one of the starters almost immediately. Even if Valentine steps up and plays right away it looks like Reyes or Masvidal will be a liability on the field.
A final reason the Hawks might not win the conference is turnovers / consistency. The offense is super turnover prone with Farlane having a major fumbling problem. Farlane had nine fumble this season, and one in the playoffs. That could come back to haunt the Hawks majorly. Scrub Kyubee only threw 15 interceptions (about league average in the category), but only had 14 TD passes. Having a TD - INT ratio of less than one is not good. Kyubee had some amazing games where he was on fire, and some others where he was not very good. Consistency from the Quarterback position is vital, and if Kyubee can be a star in every game, the Pro Bowler will certainly help lead the team to the NSFC title. If his consistency issues come up in the playoffs though, that could definitely stop the team.
Overall the prospects for the Hawks looks good. The defending champions have a few holes, but should be able to repeat if things go right.
Graded
Payout=$1,810,000
For the first article we had @kckolbe (who came up with this awesome idea, shouts to him) on the Yellowknife Wraiths.
Next is my article on the Baltimore Hawks (which you are reading now)
Next up you have @HalfEatenOnionBagel on his own Philadelphia Liberty
And finally you have @TheMemeMaestro on the Colorado Yeti.
But forget about all those other teams. You are here to find out why the Baltimore Hawks will repeat (or won't) in the NSFC. Lets start off with reasons why.
WHY THE HAWKS WILL REPEAT
First off, any discussion of the Hawks' success starts off with the dominant seven on the defensive side of the ball. The Hawks are lead by an outstanding four Pro Bowlers up front. Starting on the defensive line we have the captain Kurt Hendrix (@HENDRIX). Hendrix was a monster on the d line leading all NSFC defenders in sacks. The other Pro Bowler on the defensive line was Burt Metas (@Bertiswho) at D tackle, and also returning is Owen Taylor (@manicmav36). Some will say that losing JD Boom will hurt the squad, but the NSFC's best defensive line added incredible first round pick (and better Sandoval Brother) Ricardo Sandoval (@cosbornballboy). As impressive as these D-Linemen were the linebackers might've been even better. The NSFC's best linebacker this year was definitely Erasmo Broadway (@evryday). Broadway was absolutely incredible this season in all facets of the game; coverage, pass rushing and run defending. He had 12 sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, 115 tackles, 13 passes defended and 3 picks. If there was an NSFC defensive player of the year, Broadway would have won it. And returning next to Broadway is fellow Pro Bowler Stephen Harrison (@Noppadet). Harrison was also a monster this year and pass rushing Line Backer James Wright (@PlotzkeA) was no slouch. This monstrous front seven lead the Hawks to lead the NSFC in sacks, with 9 more than second place Colorado and 21 more than the Philadelphia Liberty. The Hawks are active at essentially all seven of these spots, and there's little to reason to believe the Hawks won't be even better at that spot this year.
For the second reason we'll stick with the defense and go the outside. The Hawks have one of the best Corner Back tandems in the league with Antoine Delacour (@37thchamber) and Darnell Turner (@Darnellthebeast). Delacour and Turner were great together, especially consider the lack of safety help in S2 (we'll get to that shortly). They combined for eight interceptions and were both top five in passes defended. Rafael Reyes (@Julio) could be a very strong third corner, but is playing safety and has had some success there in pass coverage. Overall though the two corners are another reason the Hawks could repeat.
For the third reason let's get to the offense. The offensive line was second best in the conference and is only going to get better this year. The line allowed the second least amount of sacks and had the second most pancakes in the conference (both behind Yellowknife). The big three of Avon Blocksdale (me), Brokk Lee (@BrokkLee) and Dieter Koch (@Sleepy) are all returning this year. And while losing big body Pat Pancake (@`Pat17`) will certainly hurt the line, the Hawks added two linemen in the draft who look to make a big impression with Juan Andres (@luchalibre) and Jordan Danvers (@NITROONE). The line is a big reason they can be successful and that gets us to our fourth point.
The Hawks have explosive skill position players. Lets start with the NSFL's leading rusher Darlane Farlane (@Gwdaja). He is an awesome player, and will only be getting better next year as he was one of the only Rookie Running Backs to be the featured back. Farlane had a big flaw last year (we'll get to that), but after leading the entire league in both yards and carries, expectations are high for Farlane in S3. The Hawks also have an awesome trio of receivers, one a piece from each season. Pro Bowler Cooper Christmas (@Ghostspeed) was awesome last year, and can make great plays. Matthew Vincent (@sapp2013) was great in the playoffs, and will be looking to increase consistency, and rookie receiver Trey Willie (@ItsJustBarry) somehow fell to the second round where the Hawks smartly traded up for him. These skill position players along side veteran QB Scrub Kyubee (@DollarAndADream) bring a high level of potential for a team that was tied for second in scoring in the conference and second in yards.
The final reason the Hawks might win comes down to the special teams maestro Turk Turkleton (@Raven). Turkleton is a top flight kicker and punter and no doubt about it he's super valuable in close games.
WHY THE HAWKS WON'T REPEAT
Let's start with obvious glaring hole at the Tight End Position. Obviously Carmel Gibson's controversial exit left the Hawks with a huge hole at Tight End. Jesse Sanderson had some moments, but should in no circumstances be starting in the NSFL. The Hawks drafted two wide outs, so perhaps either Willie or Brian Wheat (@Wheaties) will play some Tight End? We will see.
Another reason the Hawks might not repeat is safety. Last years safeties of Jorge Masvidal and converted corner Rafael Reyes are not going to cut it. Rookie Safety Vincent Valentine (@Unicorn) has impressed Hawks coaches early in training camp with his activity, and the team has hopes that he should be able to replace one of the starters almost immediately. Even if Valentine steps up and plays right away it looks like Reyes or Masvidal will be a liability on the field.
A final reason the Hawks might not win the conference is turnovers / consistency. The offense is super turnover prone with Farlane having a major fumbling problem. Farlane had nine fumble this season, and one in the playoffs. That could come back to haunt the Hawks majorly. Scrub Kyubee only threw 15 interceptions (about league average in the category), but only had 14 TD passes. Having a TD - INT ratio of less than one is not good. Kyubee had some amazing games where he was on fire, and some others where he was not very good. Consistency from the Quarterback position is vital, and if Kyubee can be a star in every game, the Pro Bowler will certainly help lead the team to the NSFC title. If his consistency issues come up in the playoffs though, that could definitely stop the team.
Overall the prospects for the Hawks looks good. The defending champions have a few holes, but should be able to repeat if things go right.
Graded
Payout=$1,810,000
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