Being in Love, Too Many Pistachios and The Trump Card

Hey div D, It’s been a while. I’m back from my Mediterranean adventures and largely, I had an incredible time. I got to experience love in a way that, prior to knowing my wife, I must admit, I never considered possible. I’ve been to many of the places in our travels before. I’ve been to Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Positano and Sorrento previously however, there was something completely heart warming about embarking on this experience hand in hand with my wife.

As the driver we hired for the day took us from the port of Naples and through the zig zagging cliff-side marvel that is the Amalfi coast, I got to witness absolute joy as my wife reacted, mouth agape and literally exclaiming wow as the coast unraveled before us not unlike turning the pages of one’s own imagination. I told her many times about the beauty of this region. She was quick this time around to note that pictures, youtube videos and such cannot do this area justice. The hillside is kissed by the heavens and the perfectly clear Mediterranean sea caresses the expansive shoreline with nothing but romantic cities built into the hillsides or upon the ledges of cliffs.

It drew tears to see how happy she was to experience all of this. From the natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside to the monuments to human achievement in statues, paintings and architectural marvels she was breath taken and in turn my heart swelled.

Of course then came the tastes. Food and drink were enjoyed aplenty. Below I’ll list some items that I look forward to recreating so feel free to hit me up and let me know when you wanna come by for a drink, a coffee and/or a bite.

The pandemic first shifted my view on life. I used to brag (as well as complainabrag (real word)) about how much I worked. I realized I was actually bragging about being away from family and friends. I was putting on the back burner things I legitimately love to do. This trip cemented that for me. This may be all a little disjointed but often our feelings are. I’m glad I got to share this with you all.

Musings, Ramblings, Lies and Other Assortments

I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Schur’s book: How To Be Perfect. If I can suggest one thing, it would be to not read a book about Moral Ethics while on a cruise. You’ll be conflicted about smoke stacks spilling thick grey exhaust into the night sky, plastic glasses that fill every corner of the ship as well as the deplorable self-involved people who surround you on a daily basis.
What’s worse analysis? Fabricated QB controversy (where there’s never a solution because the opposite can’t be negatively defined), or Rest vs. Rust? Unluckily for everyone Iggy Magnets gave us both on the last episode of Calling the Audible.
Julien Proulx locked down receiver of the year. I’ve always been impressed with all the things he can do on the field so it’s awesome to see him rewarded for his efforts.
Kiss My Vulture couldn’t recover from allowing a score before half and then to begin the half. These are the most crucial few minutes in an FPF game.
I never would have thought of truffle cream on
an omelet.
So wait, he cut the Ravioli into long cylinders first?!?!?!!!! Also, the consistency on the filling, additional fat or panade. Looks like experimentation is in order.
I didn’t know Stiges was a gay resort town. Honestly, it was cool to see this in an environment that was relaxed and not as part of a big cosmopolitan city.
The 17 sacks for Glory Boyz’ Tristan Koutsombas is impressive but it makes you wonder how many of the team’s 17 interceptions were due to his pressure as well.
So when you take a meatball and then you fry it, you must exclaim “ALBONDIGAS!”
In the second half of the season Micahel Caparelli threw for 24 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. No brainer for QBOY in Div D.
Why haven’t I been stuffing croissants with pastry cream or mascarpone this WHOLE TIME!!!
Marinated octopus, cut up with orange and grapefruit slices. Slight edge over the salad that featured large slices of goat cheese on baguette slices.
Danny D’Amour wins two way player of the year in Div D. If we gambled on FPF he would have been the odds on favorite.
I don’t know what the cafeteria styled tapas are but they’re served on a slice of bread and this will be my Super Bowl party as a Tableau Vivent that represents my time in Stiges.
So let me get this straight. You take a cow’s leg shank and you eat Tuna Tartar off of the marrow. That’ll do pig; that’ll do.
Tristan Scandar had two touchdowns and two sacks in a losing effort. That’s a good game but a tough ending to a season.
Focaccia Bread, Mortadella, Buratta and Pistaccio spread. There is literally, not a better sandwich on earth.
Seafood Bouillabaisse… how I missed thee.
La Cite des Jetons qb Jules Regimbald was good in his rookie debut. He’ll learn the league and get much better. I have no idea why they had a group of what appeared to be 12 year olds throw the ball to end the game but I am excited to see what this team becomes.
Chestnut flour in an Amber Ale…great idea!

Division D Game of the Week

Peerless Scarred looked impressive as ever as he intercepted a pass early in the game and his tip toe catch moments later for a touchdown showed Primetime the kind of game it would be. I remain impressed by how well Jared Buck throws a football. His high release leads to the ball arriving with pace and it’s usually placed perfectly.

Conversely, Daniel Spina’s rhythm did not seemed set within the offense. Even on deep sideline throws which, I think he does very well, the ball seemed to leave his hand late. It was almost as though he was reactionary rather than seeing the play unfold. This is what Peerless Scarred were capitalizing on. This was the case with the early interception as well as a ball that Brendan Sabloff should have picked off on his way to a would be pick 6.

It wasn’t all on Daniel Spina. He did show great anticipation on a goal-line drag to Carter Condon who uncharacteristically dropped the pass. Little miscues seemed to add to the problems getting in rhythm for Primetime. Condon scored on the next play but you could feel the team was more relieved than exuberant.

For a moment, Primetime seemed to have life as a second score would bring them within scoring range as Leo Diakoumakos would score before the half would draw to an end. However, with the Peerless getting the ball back at halftime, Primetime needed a stop that would not come. After a series of checkdowns to Michael Timmins and Mederic Lauzon, Danny “Love” would score for the second time of the game.

Primetime reacted in somewhat of a panicked fashion. Apoorly conceived deep route was thrown into coverage and Danny D’Amour waited beneath it to ostensibly begin to apply the screws to Primetime. Frustration became the name of the game of the upstarts. We saw Manny Bizogias give up a catch on a wheel route and make no attempt at a deflag, Daniel Spina looking desperately to break the rusher rather than going through his reads, and a lack of fluidity on offense that would wind the game towards it’s inevitable end.

I like Primetime a lot. They’re a very good, young team who have great roots in place for them to develop upon. This game got away from them but they did lose to long time FPF veterans. For those who haven’t had a look here it is:

Game Previews

I hate making predictions. Sports media is a landscape largely populated by C grade students. The result is rather than analysis you often get predictions that rarely get checked (save for Freezing Cold takes). I try to incorporate some analysis here but I do wanna preface this by saying, I don’t know what’s going to happen. No one does. It’s why we actually play the games.

Killer Rays v. Peerless Scarred

Killer Rays are impressive. My first thoughts while watching them in the Winter 2020 season were “when they figure out how this game works they’ll be deadly. Somewhere in the last playoff run Tylar Bianchi learned to be patient and hasn’t looked back.
Peerless Scarred have the trump card (poor card has awful branding these days). Danny D’Amour is a top 10, 12, 15ish player in all of FPF. His skill is only matched by his football intelligence. He knows how to get open and knows how to take away what you do on offense. He will make it tough as he did last round as he scored 4 touchdowns and intercepted 2 passes.
My guess is D’Amour will look to take away Tyler Gurberg. Chris Genio and Donovan Hinds will have to move the chains but Curtis Ryan and Evan White need to open up the game for the Killer Rays.
Killer Rays often employ a box defense that leaves the wideouts open on short routes. It takes discipline but if Jared Buck can attack that concept they may be able to force them into a defense that makes them less comfortable.

Narrative Prediction: These two teams go toe-to-toe however, the end of half/end of game possessions swing this in favor of Killer Rays.

Score Prediction: Killer Rays 40-Peerless Scarred 38

Dirty Dawgs v. Glory Boyz

Glory Boyz ended the game on a skid. It wasn’t great. Luckily, they had put up enough win equity to not only earn them a playoff spot but also some matchups that worked in their favor. As fun as Wide-Open Bar has been, they could not capitalize on Hiotis’ 2 interceptions nor stop him from scrambling and scoring on the ground.
On that note, perhaps no player is more key to the success of Dirty Dawgs than William Donato. He’s the team’s main rusher and will need to contain Hiotis’ running as well as force some back foot throws.
Equally elusive is Jeremy Augustin. He doesn’t run that often but he does buy time behind the snapper. If he can move and create windows to get the ball to Charles Verrault, Jean-Nicholas Brenko and Felix Boutet, Dirty Dawgs may well find themselves in the finals after impressive wins over Trap Stars and Kiss My Vulture in previous rounds.
Lucas Crivello provides a game breaking ability that is at times under used by Glory Boyz. If he can get loose a couple of times it’ll be off to the races.

Narrative Prediction: The mistakes pile up for Glory Boyz and they find themselves unable to overcome this given the consistency of the Dirty Dawgs on both sides of the ball.

Score Prediction: Dirty Dawgs 31-Glory Boys 19

Tuesday’s Terrible Turnstyle

For those who have any thoughts, commentary or complaints, I am very easy to find. I’m @peezehss on twitter, @pdellarocca and Peeze Della Reeze on Facebook. You can also take a chance by emailing me at [email protected] but I don’t check it because it’s a death trap of junk emails all trying to sell me paid podcasts about serial killers and cherry lip gloss. I really need to use incognito mode.

Iggy’s analysis…trash

Folks, if your team is struggling, Eagle, Moe, (any of the media guys really), and I love talking flag. Let us know how we can help, let us know if you have any questions. Hey, even if you have some incredible thoughts, I’m always down for an ethereal descent into introspection.

Remember that each week you can join the party on our Facebook page or at www.youtube.com/flagplus on our weekly podcast: Calling the Audible. The show is released every Friday morning.

Till next week, I want to thank you falettineme be mice elf agin!