A Tribute To Anthony Bourdain, A Reference to a Fictional Song and a Loose Comparison Between FPF and Dr.Dre

Peeze’s Playook

By Paolo Della Rocca

Week 6

Those who know me personally know that I work for a culinary institute. The food industry is largely important to me (as evidenced by me waistline). Natalia, my fiancee worked for many years in the fashion industry. While I turn to FPF as a second job, Natalia designs and makes her own jewellery. So the week we lost Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade hit home hard for us.

I’m not usually particularly moved by celebrity death or suicide. I don’t know these people and have no connection with them beyond loving Purple Rain, finding Allan Thicke charming or confusing Bill Paxton with Bill Pullman. However, when my partner at work messaged me to inform me that Anthony Bourdain killed himself I felt as though the world was spinning. I drove to work in a complete haze and entered my office where a dark cloud hovered above this group of chefs and office workers. We lived vicariously through Anthony Bourdain. He spoke for our industry and gave voice for us who are crazy enough to work in an abusive industry filled with ego-centric and magical perfectionists who sleep little and drink too much (if that’s even their worst vice).

More than anything else, Anthony Bourdain represented recovery to many as he was a drug addled flameout in his youth and his book Kitchen Confidential became the manuscript for a revolution in North America. Someone was speaking fro the disenfranchised. Someone was taking the industry from underneath the pretentious toque and sharing the secrets that were otherwise bound by an almost secret organization of the self-involved. His success helped countless people realize how much they meant to those around themselves and helped them turn their lives around.

Bourdain was also a symbol for actual life. Sure we’re all living but he really, really lived. Through our TV sets we got to experience Hawker centres in Singapore, the reverence for raw fish in Japan or even celebrate him getting hammered through the streets of Montreal with local legend Martin Picard (if you’ve ever been out with Martin, you know that keeping up is no small feat).

Yet someone who seemed to truly understand the value of life and really enjoyed each day struggled so deeply with his demons he took his own life. This completely took the air out of the room for me when I read that text message. For me, he represented a symbol for change in my own life.

I have written about it before but as every article is someone’s first article I wanted to draw attention to this story once more. When I started working for Flag Plus Football, I was in once of the darkest periods in my life. I spoke to a man I scarcely new at the time (Rob Campana) and I told him I needed to do something creative and I needed to do something that would help me focus on things outside of my own demons. When Rob Campana took a chance on this one guy who was intent on completely changing the paradigm for our media coverage and a guy who’s insane ramblings gave an insight to at the time, a truly tortured person. Robert Campana literally saved my life. Everything I have earned over the last 5 years I owe to a man who I’m proud to call one of my best friends. Without him I may not have been around to have everything I now have in my life.

Everyday we meet new people or get closer or more detached from people who are or were important to us. It’s impossible to maintain every friendship and relationship you’ve ever had. However when people ask for help, no matter how insignificant it may seem remember that you can be making a literal lifetime of difference.

Fight for Your Right to Tie?

Heading into the season a game between Fighting Flamingos and Pension Plan was certainly circled on virtual calendars by media types such as myself. However, the season has taken it’s toll. Coming into the game, Pension Plan were without signal caller Vince Pisano and star player Anthony Siggia. Fighting Flamingos have started to find their footing but these season started off somewhat disappointing. Still with Pension Plan now quite literally armed with Adamo Iadeluca at quarterback they are ready to turn their season around.

One of the first things that drew my attention in this game was just how good Vince Pisano is at receiver. As players age and lose a step we need to remind ourselves that speed is merely a singular measure of athleticism. Not the only one. Pisano was constantly open out of his cuts and consistently found holes in the defense and won his matchup. Adamo Iadeluca connected with his QB brethren twice for a score. Still perhaps the receiver of note throughout this game was Mario Rinaldi. Rinaldi was dropping balls like Dre dropped beats back when honey’s was wearing Sassoon. Still, experienced and patient quarterback Adam Iadeluca stuck with it and allowed Mario Rinaldi to make a ton of catches on the last drive. Moments before failing to score on the potential go ahead convert, Rinaldi caught the most important pass of the game; the game tying touchdown.

Fighting Flamingos actually started their backup (and a man who I always make the case for as the starter) Frankie Scalzo. Scalzo was still looking to fit into what has become somewhat of an established offense. He managed to connect well with Billy Makris who helped move the ball for chunks at the time. Still, when a score was needed Scalzo looked to the less appreciated Keiller. Brandon Keiller converted 3 of his 4 catches into touchdowns. Still, where Scalzo looked most impressive was on the defensive side of the ball. He was constantly challenging Pension Plan receivers and ended the game with a pick 6 and 2 passes defended. This was perhaps a welcomed performance after the Fighting Flamingos allowed a 40 yard touchdown to Junior Spera who caught a hook and ran footloose around, between and through FF defenders. Unfortunately this and everything else did little else to alter the income at the start of the game as the game that once started even ended 25-25.

Let’s Get Tropical

A season that was planned with so much promise has yet to have the traction of the great fictional 70’s hit: Jackie Moon’s Love me Sexy. Tropic Thunder are a frustrated group of gentleman. While perhaps as they age frustration can be solved with little blue pharmaceuticals in their youth they are physically gifted yet without a notch in the victory column. Tyler Grondin seems to have n of the better arms in the division. The key appears to be Tyler Grondin’s ability to read and execute at an FPF level. Simpler and more effective plays will help their play improve. This has been a main contributor to why Tropic Thunder continues to turn the ball over.

This game was no exception. The Clinkers defense, who were simply a class above Tropic thunder intercepted Grondin 5 times. Jean Sebastien Rochon and Luis Begin each had two interceptions while Alexandre Levesque recorded another. The game could have been far worse if Francois Martin had a decent pair of hands as he had three PDs (notably not interceptions) in this game. They limited Tropic Thunder’s offense to only two men who caught passes in this game (6 by Emile Sagir and 4 by Richie Mondesir).

The game ended 25-7 in favor of Clinkers. That is however where the good news ended for Clinkers. I have oft praised Marc-Andre Desaulniers but he was awful in this game. In a bizarre attempt to seemingly play worse than Tyler Grondin, Desaulniers threw three interceptions on his own. Often these were due to misreads and often the ball was delivered into the chest of his opponents. Perhaps this shook Desaulniers into spreading the ball around better as in addition to a touchdown pass to Luis Begin, he found Alex Jubinville and Phillipe Aussant for touchdowns as well.

On Their Grind But it’s Not Enough

You ever date someone and think you’re the total package? You’re nice dude, your caring, understanding hard working. Imagine being hardworking but the person you’re trying to impress doesn’t see it. The Grinders have had this kind of season. Benjamin Reid has actually shown to be a competent thrower of the football. However he does have a ways to go to become a truly effective quarterback. He has trouble putting a “full game” together and a lot of it is that he doesn’t particularly adapt as the game goes on and he tends to stare down his receivers. Given that, he did protect the ball against Rancerz and Grinders all but came back in a game where they simply ran out of time. Felix-Arnaud Laflamme Desjardins scored two of the 4 touchdowns for Grinders in the week 6 matchup.

On the other hand Rancerz have been a stead and strong defensive team but with each passing week Jeremie Ledoux looks more and more competent as a signal caller. Typically, the Rancerz need Ricardo Desrosiers to get going to be truly successful. However, Jeremie Ledoux in a sign of absolute maturity spread the ball well and when the game was done, Desrosiers was the on of the only receivers who hadn’t scored and his stat line would read a paltry 2 catches for 15 yards. The game ended 27-24 in favour of Rancerz. Where Benjamin Reid of Grinders struggled in this one was in the redone on turnovers. Staring down receivers led to routes being cut off and defenders picking apart the concepts. On the other hand Rancerz offence was a little more refined as they would use the extra points to pull ahead of their opponents.

Got a Cold Beer in My Hands; Life is Good Today

I look o the standings page and nothing makes me happier than to see Brewers with 2 in the win column. The most recent addition to this column is a tight 27-21 win over Replacements. Eagle and I went to coach them up a little last season and they’ve taken that information as well as everything they’ve learned early in their FPF careers and improved by leaps and bounds. Jeffery Lefebvre has helped firm up the attack. While being far from perfect importing a seasoned arm has helped the Brewers be a part of every game. Yet one flaw did emerge in this game. Dwight Browne ended with a stat line of 3 catches for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sure that sounds amazing. Except he was simply left open up the sideline on EVERY hook, fly, hook and go. This lost opportunity was almost as grave as Eric Pawlusiak who did intercept 1 pass but was just late on 3 other attempts where he recorded a PD. Yet the last bastion of success needs to be finding success at the snapper position. The snapper position is hugely important and Brewers neglect to improve this. A lot of the time, snaps are going over Lafebvre’s head or he catches the snap and he has little time to make a throw.

Replacements have the distinction of being, probably, the weakest division winner after a sub .500 win last season landed them in the 2 seed heading into the playoffs. However, this season, the team has played similarly yet the wins are even more sparse than their initial FPF offering. After this game they are 1-5. Frank Teoli-Colatrella is still struggling with accuracy and it appears as though he simply can’t get on the same page as his receivers. They struggle to win games where they need to score more than 3 times and that simply isn’t a recipe for long term success in FPF. When studying this game as a microcosm, Marco Mallozzi was the only receiver who recorded multiple receptions (3 catches where 2 of them were touchdowns). Furthermore, their third score came on a Mallozzi run. Both of these teams have things to work on. For the Replacements, their defence looks as good as it did in their initial season. Playcalling and route running need to be improved if they expect to be successful.

Reflections, Rants and Ravings

If you think you can be healed by magnets, you need to take a high school science class.
Lemons, you’re cowards…that is all.
The U beating Loyola’s Finest reminds us that at times we’re too high on the new shiny thing an we discard the boring typically successful team. Weird considering The U were the shiny thing a little while ago.
When I was a kid we all understood that the world wasn’t flat. Somehow, with more information, we have less ability to search for truth and understanding.
Has they ever been a greater age disparity than Green Means Go vs. Glogang?
Footloose is the Die Hard of Dance Movies.
Are Pension Plan better with Adamo Iadeluca at quarterback and the leaning Vince Pisano at reciever. An argument can be made. Personally, while I can acknowledge the supremacy at quarterback with Iadeluca slinging the ball, there is something special with Pisano undercenter. I really hope you heal up soon my man.
Injuries are the worst 🙁
Is Number Juan beating ORSA a good win by the 5-1 upstart? It’s had to assess because I don’t know what to make of either team.
Don’t piss on my piñata.
Marco Mallozzi wearing number 96. I see you!
Stef Fennes finally found the endzone…from a distance. He was certainly there in spirit as Riley Pincombe threw 4 touchdowns.
Zone 6 Ballers losing to Underdogs doesn’t help clear up the top of the Div E love triangle between Underdogs, Z6B and OSP as Jeansley Valbonard was not at this game.
Ordering flowers from Costco is as convenient as it is stressful.

Power Rankings

Glogang (6-0): Glogang intercepted Sean Mudrosky 6 times this week showing that they are the top of the order in div.E
Los Avocados (6-0): I couldn’t be happier for these guys. They beat Guardians to take their seat atop the Div E throne. Los Avocados success against a tough schedule is very impressive.
The U (5-1): Aaron Rosneberger has added 4 interceptions to his output at quarterback. He’s very quietly becoming a candidate for two way play of the year.
Rancerz (5-1): They have a mixed schedule ahead. However, with their only loss coming against the still undefeated Glogang, Rancerz still seem to be one of the best teams in the division. They didn’t take kindly to my midseason ranking and as such they seem to have emerged from that previous loss with vigour.
Vultures (5-1): You’d think 5-1 is too good to fly under the radar. Vultures remain one of the least talked about teams in the division and they have outscrored their opponents by 50 over the past two weeks. Alright Vultures….I see you.
Guardians (5-1)– While I’m happy to see that they’re fallible. However, it did take big bad blue to have a pretty bad game to drop one. I’m excited to see how they’ll do in the E1 playoffs.
Fighting Flamingos (3-2-1)-Maybe I’m a little high on them but don’t let the one tie distract you. FF haven’t lost in 4 weeks.
One Speed Power (5-1): A win by forfeit; ‘nuff said.
Underdogs (5-1): Jonah Eisneberg is averaging a touchdown in every game. A quiet, yet remarkably impressive season.
Pension Plan (3-2-1): Adamo Iadeluca is about as good as you can get as a backup quarterback and he may be one of the top slingers in the division. The losses are simply due to injury. Hopefully they’re short term.
Zone 6 Ballers (4-2): Perhaps what’s most impressive for Z6B is that the two teams to beat them this season have a combined two losses.
Los Banditos (4-2): They’re a team on the rise. However, it’s been an inconsistent season. For now I’m a little skeptical but likely the talent on this team will overcome the consistency issue.
Bulldogs (4-2): I’m ready to call their win over Savages a statement win. The Bulldogs have a +/- of 98 and they are impressive on either side of the ball.
EZW (4-2): After taking a loss in week 4, EZW have scored 82 points in their last two games. The key to stopping them has been stopping Charles Olivier Lavigne. Luckily, that’s easier said than done.
Broken Ankles (3-3): Finally Jonathan Lemieux is starting to look as good as I remember him from ye olde FPF.
Bruins (4-2): None of their remaining games are easy. What’s the opposite of a cupcake schedule? They have an un-cupcake schedule ahead.

Top 16 – 6^e semaine

GloGang : Ils ont gagné malgré l’absence de leur quart-arrière vedette, Arno Desjardins.
Los Avocados : Quelle victoire contre les puissants Guardians ! Wow!
The U : Evan Frank a été brillant dans les moments importants.
Clinkers : Petite sueur face à Tropic Thunder.
Rancerz : Jeremie Ledoux est tout un compétiteur!
Vultures : Prestation magistrale de la défensive encore une fois.
Guardians : La prestation brillante de Etienne Vaillancourt n’a pas suffi.
Underdogs : Victoire inspirée face à Zone 6 Ballers
One Speed: Power : Petite semaine de repos pour la bande à Will Power avec une victoire par forfait.
Fighting Flamingos : Brillante performance de Frankie Scalzo au poste de QB!
Pension Plan : La meilleur performance de cette équipe depuis la blessure de leurs deux vedettes.
Los Banditos : Un match parfait face à A-Side!
Bruins : Défaite qui va les motiver pour l’avenir.
Brokens Ankles : Wow, trois victoires de suite !
Ducks : Ils commencent à jouer à la hauteur de leur talent, ils sont de retour.
Bulldogs : Victoire éclatante face à Savages.

Happy St.Jean Everyone!

If ou haven’t added someone to your roster yet remember that while you may still do so they will no longer be playoff eligible. In some cases picking up someone may be just what you need to make the playoffs in the first place.

For further info on this division and the rest of the league feel free to tune into Calling the Audible where Moe Khan, Simon Dagenais, Eagle at Master Control and GM Koletheras will discuss tabloid news, why the world cup incites war, and aquatic conveyer belts. Tune in to the Facebook page for more info about the podcast. Please feel free to reach me @peezefpf on twitter or @ Peeze Della Reeze on Facebook to let me know about the various ways in which I was wrong.