Sex Cults, Polo Riding Gear, and Some Playoff Talk

Peeze’s Playbook

Divisional Playoffs

By Paolo Della Rocca

As I sit in my office and sip on bourbon while pondering the release of OJ Simpson, I recognize that I am a man torn. I believe, like many do, that “Juice” literally got away with murder when he was cleared of all charges of the double homicide, of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994. The case is further complicated when superimposed on the Bill Clinton presidency that began a movement of mass-incarceration of young black Americans and the climate that surrounded the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles. The case ceased being about the victims and became about a cause that still has yet to truly be addressed and resolved in any meaningful way in 2017.

That does bring me back to 2017 when Simpson was released on parole after serving 9 of the 33 years he was was sentenced for an armed robbery charge. If the sentence he received seems heavy, it’s because it is. Simpson was giving the maximum penalty for for every part of the robbery that could conceivably be laid upon a defendant. For example, he had a guard tied up as a part of the robbery. This allowed the prosecution to add a kidnapping charge to the robbery. In the end, OJ was punished for having gotten away with murder years before. This is problematic. The law is meant to deal punishment for crimes. If the legal system seeks to punish the person rather than the act, it is unjust.

Punishing the person rather than the act actually has some negative connotations more than just beyond the superficial moral judgements. If we look at crime and morality through the prism of personality, we find ourselves in a precarious position. I have heard many people defend celebrities who went to court for a variety of serious offences because we, the public, love their art or their athletic performances etc. For example, it is highly statistically improbable that all the women that made allegations against Bill Cosby were lying. Yet, when the trial was declared a mistrial, Dr.Huxtable across the globe celebrated. Which made me wonder, does this mean that we would celebrate if this trial featured someone who wasn’t a part of our collective childhood? Would we be so quick to run to the defence of someone who was fighting rape charges from 1965-2008 if he wasn’t in an adorable Jello ad?

Similarly, Michael Jackson supporters point to a lack of convictions because of the guilt they feel about loving the music of someone who may have ruined the childhood of many young children. Likewise, Mark Wahlberg lovers feel that they can’t enjoy the movie Ted if they remember that Marky-Mark once nearly beat a blind man to death.

This brings me to the latest conundrum. R.Kelly, is currently being accused of physical and emotional abuse of several young women who are involved with his sex cult. As of right now, R.Kelly has not been convicted of anything. However, this is a man who married Aaliyah illegally at the age of 15 years old. We know that he had a video where he had sex with an underage girl. Yet, it seems bizarre that people jump to his defence. I’m not against a man’s right to earn. As long as he is free, he has the right to make a living in his chosen career. However, personally, I can listen to the soundtrack to Space Jam, believe I can fly and still believe that this man should be punished similarly to someone who committed the same crimes without celebrity. Once again, the crime should be the focus not the person who may or may not have committed it. People will point to the TMZ interview where Jocelyn Savage indicated that she was not being held captive. It does appear to me however that she was taking off camera direction and she did not answer any question outside of her initial, reversed statement. This of course is a matter of opinion and not one of fact of course because these are my reactions to watching the interview.

Now here’s the kicker. I recognize that many will say that I don’t understand because of my heritage. People will say that I’m prejudice against R.Kelly because I am white and I do not understand (I’ve literally heard that exact sentence). I am not claiming to understand any experience beyond my own. My experience has definitely been one of privilege. It seems strange to me that in all these cases, the victims were often people who’s voices matter less than mine (and definitely less than a celebrity). Women and a blind man are the one’s we are saying matter less in our judicial system than the vastly talented. In the specific case of R.Kelly, the victims are those who have the voice that seems to matter least in our society. It is for that reason that I’m fine acknowledging my privilege, as long as I get to use it to speak for those who are disenfranchised and who’s voices do not have the same platform. After all, isn’t that the world that Dr. Huxtable wanted us to believe in?

Send me your thoughts @PeezeFPF or message me directly on Facebook.

For those who have come and gone…we salute you

“Don’t Worry Justin (Blanchard), EVERYONE makes the playoffs in Div D!” Well, not everyone makes the playoffs. It turns out that I learned this lesson as well as so many others who entered the season wide eyed, and full of hope. Here is a tribute for those who have fallen.

ICU: While my expectations for this team where fairly high, I did think there was something missing. The corps was strong but it needed to come together and never really did. Still I like the building blocks that include Domenic Benevento, Chris Olson and Eddy Lee. Best of luck for the future boys!
Supply and Command: Oh FFS. This is now the third consecutive season that this team did not make the playoffs. The strong group of players have been surrounded by a cast of players such as Pat Lindor, Juwan Edghill, Alex David, Mike Addona, Will Power and Sami beg over those three seasons. Either this franchise is cursed or it needs a quarterback.
Zoo: They made it interesting after the season ending injury to Frank Kaye and an absolutely brutal schedule. Patrick St.Amand filled in well but this team was missing playmaking outside of Etienne Vaillancourt
Bruh Mitzfah: The games has evolved beyond David Daoust’s offence during his sabbatical from playing quarterback. His play was inconsistent and he never seemed to get on the same page as his receivers. Marty freedman, Jarred Buck and Zach Goldstein didn’t have the impact I expected them to coming into the season. However, hats of to Devin Daoust who had a great season for a struggling squad.
Red Sharks: I didn’t like replacing Guert (yes Moe everyone calls Alexandre Guertin “Guert”) so early in the season. The team didn’t truly seem to have a plan. Luis begin is far better served as a receiver and Jonathan Doughlin still needs time to adjust to FPF. Pascal Nkengue turned out to be a true star for the Red Sharks and I do look forward to seeing him play again in the future.
Black Knights: Addition by subtraction would help this team tremendously. Ten players would have qualified for the playoffs on this massive roster and that means your best players are not getting the playing time they need. It makes no sense to me why Stephane Larosiliere has yet to figure out how to succeed as a qb in FPF. Darryl Dorcely and Anthony Siggia are a great tandem and the cornerstones around which the franchise should be built.
War Pigs: I told you so! Ok, enough gloating; but only because I like these guys. Corey Walwaski had a very good season. However there were times that they’re defence simply did not play well and other times where they could not score enough points. Guillaume and Charles Tremblay were a revelation to me as these guys looked better in person than they even appear on a stat sheet. War Pigs put together a valiant but losing effort.
Longhorns: I don’t mean this as a slight to the Hawaiian shirt adoring Brad Evans, but the Longhorns are simply not the same without Jon Moodie taking snaps at quarterback.Karime Yasmine and Vince Mancini had great seasons but one wonders how Dave Allen had such little production considering his size, hands and the prevalence of 4-1 defences that allow snappers to work the middle of the field with ease. Longhorns will return and will be better; of this I am certain.

Playoff Previews

So I’m an odd choice for a sports media writer and a stranger choice for a guy to run a media team. The reason I’m an odd choice is that I don’t like giving takes, I prefer talking about games that past than giving takes and I generally hate most sports media which is typically lazy and delves into the world of the imagined rather than the world that is. With that said, I felt it largely unnecessary to recap games with all that is on the slate ahead of us. So with this I put on my Simon Dagenais mask and get to work. Man it’s an awful downgrade in looks.

Division D-1

Conference A

Get off my D vs. (8) Green Lantern Corps

Previous Result: Get off my D 26- Green Lantern Corps 19 (week 2)

Analysis: The last time these two teams met, it was the first of this season’s incarnation of GLC. They have since far improved while Get off my D essentially turned that week 2 win into an 8 game winning streak before losing this past week to Frosty Bronsons. Don’t take the close score to think that this game was not at hand for Get off My D. They are a well built team that doesn’t often blow teams out. Their defence is smart and adjusts well which is the kind of defense that gives Hai Minh Luong struggles with.Sam Mashtoub and Kevin Boustany keeps a lid on the offence while Daniel Farag patrols the flats and it allows Jad Aridi to free roam and make plays. Hai Minh Luong has had great success throwing to Mendy Cardichon and Franck Ngandui who have accounted for 28 touchdowns between them. He will need to look to his secondary and tertiary options to find success in this game.

Prediction: Get off My D 31-Green Lantern Corps 25

(2) Diablos vs. (7) Dreamville

Previous result: Diablos 38-Dreamville 32

Analysis: The last time these teams faced off against each other Eli Saleh had trouble going the ball and he threw 3 interceptions against the Diablos defense. Dreamville found some late season success with Daniel Sananes who helped Dreamville earn an important week 9 win. Dreamville’s playoff roster seems fairly strong and if they all show up they will give the Diablos, a fraudulent 2 seed, a run for their money. My concern is that in the absence of Daniel Sananes, Andrew Langburt or Eli Saleh will have to throw. Langburt got Dreamville an important win in a veritable play-in game. Saleh was the quarterback to start the season but struggled throughout and was replaced in an important stretch of the season. Moreover, removing Langburt from the receiving corps weakens the group that would include Adam Rockman, Tony Kouri and Avery Assyag. Diablos went 2-3 to hang on to their number 2 seed. Francois Martin had a solid season but, Diablos scoring would be impressive one week only to look lethargic the next week and their defence would let them down in some moments while giving opposing qbs fits the next. The entirety of their playoff roster does not fit the cap as the team will always be able to field two of the following three players: Alexis Gaumont, Marc-Andre Lapointe and Gabriel Wiseman. How they manage this situation will tell the tale of their success or their failure.

Prediction: Diablos 33- Dreamville 18

(3) Fun Boys vs. (6) Badgers

Analysis: Fun Boys forfeit. Badgers move on. Analysis: awesome.

Prediction: Badgers 30-Fun Boys 0

(4) Frosty Bronsons vs. (5) Les Verges Aeriennes

Previous Result: Les Verges Aeriennes 27- Frosty Bronsons 25

Analysis: The previous game was a Terry Tam drop from going the other way. Frosty Bronsons are a team that are going to be very matchup dependant this post season. Frosty Bronsons have a great playmaker with an awful haircut in Alex Holowach. Holowach makes plays on both sides of the ball and James Nowakowski will put the ball up and let him go get it. Snapper Terry Tam has marvellous hair but is somewhat underused in this offense. Maxime Lopez of Les Verges Aeriennes only had 4 sacks and I think he will have a hard time containing James Nowakowski. Nowakowski can take off whenever he likes but more importantly he will scramble and buy time. The receiving corps is strong enough to find time and work in the holes left behind in zone. For LVA, Chris Rivest has had a solid season. Alexandre Perrera and Justin Cerantola have had amazing seasons and have had a great deal of success in Rivest’s cross and flood heavy system. LVA will need to limit the length of plays that Nowakowksi extends and they will need to keep scoring in order to turn this game into a slug fest.

Predicted Result: Les Verges Aeriennes 38- Frosty Bronsons 31

Conference B

Kiwi Island vs. (8) Backyard Bruisers

Previous Result: Kiwi Island 48- Backyard Bruisers 14

Analysis: Kiwi Island have been a behemoth all season long. They have shown the ability to score at ease and their defence works well as a unit and looks to take reads away continually. So far, they are 0-1 without quarterback Joey Fiorillo and will go into the playoff part of the schedule without him. Backyard Bruisers have looked much better with Brennan Burke at quarterback. He replaced perennial starter Chris Pendenza who did fine for most of the season but just didn’t see a lot of success on a macro level. Rich Humes is a great receiver but will likely be locked up by AJ Gomes in what will likely be the most compelling matchup in this game. Dan Lazzara showed me something in game of the week when he rallied his troops after somewhat of a sub par performance in the first half. He is a good enough athlete to make up some of the ground lost by the suspensions. However, Lazzara can’t throw the ball and Kiwi Island’s success will likely fall on the shoulders of back up quarterback Joseph Buffone as this team will truly go as far he will take them.

Prediction: Kiwi Island 26- Back Yard Bruisers 12

(2) KGP RA vs. (7) Go Ghetters

Previous Result: KGP RA 51- Go Ghetters 18

Analysis: The last time these teams played was week 1 (a week that I don’t put a lot stock into). This has even less bearing on a future matchup then usual as this was Dilan Daoust’s first game at quarterback for Go Ghetters. Daoust had an impressive second half of the season where he threw 23 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions in his last 5 games. Jeremy Anderson caught a ridiculous 21 touchdowns for his team while Jordan Moses had a solid season as he second leading scorer on the team who scored 9 touchdowns. This is a team that suffered some adversity but has been on the path to success recently. The rush of Raffi DiTella will be important this game as Dylan Garber has bene a lot better throwing from the pocket then while backed up with rushers in his face. For KGP RA, Dylan Garber’s best game of the season came against Go Ghetters where he posted a 129.5 QB Rating. This should be a defensive struggle but the edge likely will go to the ball hawking triumvirate of defenders that is Phil Cutler, Nathaniel Neidermann and Jonathan Garfinkle of KGP RA.

Prediction: KGP RA 44-Go Ghetters 32

(3) Straight Outta Breath vs. (6) Globo Gym Purple Cobras

Previous Result: Straight Outta Breath 24- Globo Gym Purple Cobras 20

Analysis: It isn’t easy to beat the same twice in a season. That said, Straight Outta Breath are a great matchup for Globo Gym Purple Cobras. Shaq Lattimore makes ridiculously athletic catches along the sideline and increases the throwing window for his quarterback. Mikey “So Fine” Marini is a great receiver when he has room in front of him. Kyle McGuigan and snapper Olivier Emmons add a lot of size to a very speedy roster. Globo Gym Purple Cobras have not been as strong as I expected. However, this is the kind of team that just needs to make it to the playoffs to be dangerous. Past performance in this case is not necessarily predict future outcomes. Eric Mairorino is not the best version of Joey Taylor but he does apply somewhat of a Doctor Eric Brule sensibility to the position. The simpler the game is the easier it is for Mairino to succeed. If he can limit mistakes, GGCP will be successful. Joey Taylor, Brandon and Danny Aylward and Zach Zwirn are great two way pieces that can take a lot of Mairino’s shoulders. If he can leave the game on the broad shoulders of his great teammates expect the cobras to be dangerous…cause their snakes. Man people gotta take less chances in nature.

Prediction: Globo Gym Purple Cobras 26- Straight Outta Breath 6

(4) TOPSZN vs. (5) Les Affreux

TOPSZN has been the most pleasant surprise this season. I had questions about the QB position but Khalil Kerr has looked great. I do mean this measured against his expected performance. His TD/IINT ratio is not quite what is needed for long term success. For this reason matchups will be important for TOPSZN. They will need to be the physically superior team to win games and often they are. Andel Thomas Gordon and Matthew Canuel are great defenders and Shane Blackwood (to Alex Holowach’s point) is extremely underrated (and a great twitter follow). Les Affreux are a different kind of beast. The collective flag experience on this team make Les Affreux truly dangerous. Jonathan Lemieux may not be able to expose matchups but he will scheme players open all game long. The size and skill of Mathieu Dubois, and JD Holy (size), Mathieu Domon and Martin Jackson (skill) makes Les Affreux’s defence make this unit formidable. They will have to be great to get by TOPSZN.

Prediction: Les Affreux 20-TOPSZN 18

Division D-2

Conference A

Warriors vs. (8) ETC

Previous Result: Warriors 19-ETC 18

Rumors have it that Michael “O” Solimene won’t be here for the first game in the playoffs. While, Warriors will likely be heavily favoured in this game (I have yet to confirm with Vegas) they may slip up in Solimene’s absence. ETC saw a revival when Juwan Edghill joined the tream. However, in the last time these teams faced each other Edghill suffered a season ending ACL and meniscus tear. ETC’s hopes will likely rest on the shoulders of Benjamin MacMahon. He has a lot of learning to do before he can truly be an effective FPF QB. The Warriors defence led by Angelo Mourelatos and Peter Giannis is hyper aggressive and will pick off most errant throws. Warriors aren’t a team that get a ton of sacks but pressure not withstanding, they play aggressive in their zones and have the football iq to take advantage of sloppy play.

Prediction: Warriors 18- ETC 6

(2) Trinity vs. (7) Still Preaching

Previous Result: Still Preaching 25-Trinity 20

Analysis: Still Preaching are one of the better 7 seeds I’ve seen in a while. They beat Trinity last time around and that was before the season ending injury to Vincent Marquis. For all intents and purposes, they beat Trinity at their strongest this season and that is impressive. Pat Lindor has done just enough for his team this season but, I still think this combination of talent is strong but not at its best and I think that will be important at this time in the season. This past week I got to share the field with Nic Saro and Alexandre Jubinville and JF Marquis and it was truly a pleasure. To think that these are just some of the athletes that will be on the field for both teams is truly impressive. This is truly a game that can go either way. While I do think Still Preaching have the ability to overreach; I don’t think it will come against Trinity.

Prediction: Trinity 33- Still Preaching 26

(3) Vikings vs. (6) Buffalo Wild Wings

Analysis: The Vikings have been the story of the yer for me. While earning 13 points with 3 ties is far from traditional, the Vikings play has been far better than expected. I even had questioned the move of one of the division’s best receivers (Nicholas Gendron Vallee) to quarterback but it has revitalized a team who looked as tho there offence was sub par to start the season. People may not remember how good Phillipe Kotrabty is but, his 16 touchdown total was his third best effort after his 17 and 20 touchdown seasons (Spring 2012 and Winter 2013 respectively). Sylvain Paquette is an even lesser known commodity and he helped move the chains all season long with 40 catches and he scored 6 times on the season. They face the Buffalo Wild Wings who are another team who surprised me this season as I thought they were going to be a total wash. Nonetheless they proved to be cashless as they showed some real promise this season. This will be a hard fought game and I think the defensive efforts of Charles Boyer and Guillaume Fontaine will be the difference.

Prediction: Buffalo Wild Wings 25-Vikings 18

(4) All Hooks vs. (5) Lobster Dinner

Analysis: This is a battle between teams that are superior to their record. Lobster Dinner were a team that I thought were strong enough to compete in D-1. They tied twice and played a game without stately quarterback Jon Brown. I say stately of course because the dude would look wicked in polo riding gear. On the other hand the All Hooks have missed mobile strike quarterback C-O Lavigne in several games. I’ve have been assured that his absence was not do to a brothel visit including nothing but Hooks. However, for that reason I think it taints how we see each of these teams. However, in his last game of the season C-O Lavigne was deeply perturbed by the Vikings defence where he was intercepted 3 times. I give the edge to the All Hooks receiving corps because I like the pairing of Jeremy White and Jean Christophe Ferland. However, in this particular game I think we see Simon Duchesne (yes I pronounced it “that way” when I typed it) go off. He is deceptively quick and paired with Francois Hogue and Brian Eudoxie (both known for their rushing but are fantastic receivers as well). Hogue and Eudoxie should do damage early but expect the big hits to come from Duchesne.

Prediction: Lobster Dinner 27-All Hooks 24

Conference B

Ravens vs. (8) Smoking on that Lalla

Previous Result: Ravens 19-Smoking on that Lalla 12

This team would have definitely been a lot more dangerous with Mathieu Houle in the lineup. It looks as though the injury he sustained at the end of the season will keep him out for at least the first round. Mike Addona’s return will be a welcome sight for Alex “The Blazing Mullet” David and the trio of Adonas featuring Mike, Dan and Anthony will still be a very dynamic offense. What Alex David has relied on is the size of Houle in the redone and he will likely need to call plays that will allow him to use his other threats in the redzone. Luckily Alex David is as good a play caller as there is in the division. I believe Avery Lalla will be there for this game and one of the reasons this team has been less successful than anticipated is that he has not been at as many games as advertised. Nonetheless, this is not a group that the Ravens can take lightly. Brent Callender and Tony Lalla are shifty in tight spaces and fit perfectly with Lalla’s slants, outs and overload heavy system. However, I do believe that Smoking on that Lalla are one or two weapons short of being able to capitalize on the injuries to the Raven’s squad.

Prediction: Ravens 24-Smoking on that Lalla 20

(2) Les Montagnards vs. (7) Pandas

Previous Result: Les Montagnards 21-Pandas 0

The last time these two teams played Ryan Kharouf was intercepted by his opposite number (Julien Fiset Cyr) twice. The game, all things considered ended to be somewhat closer than predicted. Most impressively, Pandas held Les Montagnards to only 21 points. Perhaps Kharouf can ignore his broads who may or may not be in Atlanta long enough to put his offence into a better position to win despite their somewhat heroic effort in the last time these two teams played. Alexandre Baachalani is by far the best receiver on this team but Kharouf needs to do what it takes to make the game easier on his developing receivers. Alex David once told me (as a guy who throws slants and drags far too hard), “slants and drags get open on their own, you don’t need to fire the pass. Use your fastball on comebacks and ins and plays that you need to throw open”. This is the same advice I bestow onto Ryan Kharouf who’s seems to only ever see the one finger pointing down between the catcher’s legs. The edge clearly goes to les Montagnards as Julien Fiset-Cyr has had a more accomplished season than Kharouf. However, I think this one will get out of hand early and the collective playoff experience of Marc-Antoine and Fred Viens who have a higher division championship under their belts (man sharing a belt between them would look bizarre).

Prediction: Les Montagnards 44- Pandas 12

(3) Roadrunners vs. (6) Goofy Goobers

Previous Results: Goofy Goobers 34-Roadrunners 26

Analysis:Roadrunners were a team forgotten after their week 7 loss to Ravens. However, sine then the Roadrunners won 3 straight games to end the season and in third place. The defence let them down at times but there is no doubt of their offensive firepower as Matthew YanaKoulias led his team to 334 points scored on the season. Justin Lerner did, predictably, lea the way with 17 touchdowns but Nick Rompotinos and Daron Migdesyan padded the scoring with 8 touchdowns a piece. Back when Styles Trudeau was en vogue, their week 3 win over Roadrunners in week represented their first notch in the W coloumn. However, the Goobers are likely to o with what or who got them there. What or who in this case being Jack Zergiotis who threw 12 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in relief of Trudeau to close the season. I think the aerial attack to Shamar Joassaint and Max Burah will prove to be too much for Roadrunners once again.

Prediction: Goofy Goobers 27-Roadrunners 25

(4) Norfolk in Chance vs. (5) Big Fun Party Mix 8

Previous Result: Big Fun Party Mix 8 44- Norfolk in Chance 29

Analysis: I caught up with Akeem Hoyte Charles this week. He expressed…let’s call it dissatisfaction… with my analysis of Norfolk in Chance this season. The tide has turned on NIC and to be honest so has my opinion. I really like Rocco Christiano’s repitoire of throws and the team has improved as they learned to trust him in the huddle. Chris Miliard is an absolute freak and when the ball is in his hands he runs like a bull charging toward a lady’s twirling red dress. Don’t worry Chris, I saw her too, I’d be charging at her too! Chris Williams and Akeem Hoyte Charles have had excellent seasons too and their contributions to this team have shown that this is far more than a one man show. The last time this team played Oathbreaker and quarterback Evan Ely Nolet tore it up and threw 7 of his would be 48 touchdowns against NIC. However, that happened in week one and since then Norfolk in Chance have improved dramatically while BFPM8 have lost that spark that once had them as a division leader. Darcy Cloherty and Rico Tulino have scored a combined 30 touchdowns this season but, this team is simply better when Dean Demitrou is in the mix. Since I don’t know if he’ll be there I’ll go with Norfolk!

Prediction: Norfolk in Chance 33- Big Fun Party Mix 8 19

Friday’s Freckled Fervour

The playoffs are set to begin and the real FPF season is set to kick off on Sunday! Let me know what you think of my weekly column and all of our media production by reaching out to me @PeezeFPF on Twitter or by messaging me @ Peeze Della Reeze on Facebook.

For further analysis, tune in to the official FPF Division D podcast “Calling the Audible,” where Moe Khan and Alex Holowach will discuss which FPF players most closely resemble Sean Spicer, the life and death of Kenny Shields and whether or not horses should smoke medicinal marijuana. Tune in to www.youtube.com/flagplus on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. or download the podcast on iTunes or Podomatic!