Carmine’s Coffin Corner

Wear does Mr. Everything, Chris Brockwell, stand in the “Chase for the Hardware?”

Week 5 recap & a look ahead

Welcome back for another look at the Tiger Balm Division as well as some other musings and ramblings.

The NFL continues to amuse me.  Some of these contracts being given out simply destroy teams.  Football is the ultimate team game.  Great players cannot win by themselves.  Basketball only has 5 players on the court and 1 player can take over a game.  Hockey only has 5 skaters and one player can take over.  Football?  Not so much.  Even the most electrifying player I can remember seeing, Barry Sanders, had as many carries for loss as he did incredible individual efforts.  The Lions, with Sanders, won absolutely nothing.

Anyhooo…on with the show.

A couple of quick thoughts from this past Wednesday evening:

• Louie Larouche turned back the clock and reminded us why he was once a nightmare for opposing defences.
• The revolving door, that is FPF rosters this season, continues to spin faster than a pinwheel being twirled by an excited 6 year old.
• Loudest yell of the night on Wednesday?  That was Eugene McLaren and could be heard from the Kirkland complexe.  More on that later.
• Funniest line of the night?  Tony Khoury: “I didn’t mean to run the QB.”  LOL we called it on the sidelines before it happened.
• Craig “Owie” O’Brien might be the most undervalued player in 35+.
• Each tier still has an undefeated team left.  Both had challenges on Wednesday.  Can the “perfect season” play out?

Random thoughts from around the league:

• ANP is simply on a mission.  Walking into the Lachine complexe on Sunday and ran into Mike Pierrecin from the Braves, a truly awesome player and super person, who was still shaking his head.  FMS and Braves played to a 57-56 shootout.  ANP went off for 31/34-362 yards with 9 TDs.  Funny part is that 2 of his incompletions with INTs by the Braves.  113 points in the game.  698 yards of offence??  3 receivers over 100 yards, 4 receivers with multiple TDs, the list goes on and on.  This game should have been on film!
• Jesse Dupuis from Urgence Medic continues to show his talent on both sides of the ball.  16/20-169 with 4 TDs, 3 rushes for 68 yards and 2 TDs, topped off by 6 tackles on D.
• Gryffindor getting stability at the QB position as Dan Lazarra makes his second straight start.
• Emile Taillefer also continues his strong 2-way play this season.  2 TDs on offence & 2 INTs on defence, including a PICK 6
• Had the misfortune of playing against Anthony Brisebois this past weekend.  He had 3 games amongst his different teams.  17 receptions, 282 yards, and 9 TDs on offence.  10 tackles, 3 PDs, 2 INTs (both were PICK6s) on defence.
• Killa Bees have their QB.  Jeremie Mongeon-Duby followed up his great debut last week with a 19/20 performance totaling 264 yards and 8 TDs.  D3…look out!

WEEK IN REVIEW

For those of you not familiar with my way of doing the review, I will include what I wrote the week prior and this way everyone can see if I was out to lunch or not.

So we had some confusion occur 2 weeks ago with the league moving games around to avoid having the Tier 2 teams play each other back to back.  This was done AFTER I published my article so my previews that week were for games that did not get played.  Confused yet?   To spice things up I left those previews in my article last week, for a few shits & giggles, and added new thoughts.  Not sure that they were any better.  BTW, with the new schedule adjustment, Tier 2 now plays the same team B2B next week…SMH…more on that later.

Pacemakers vs. Broady Windsor (Pacemakers win 30-20)

What I wrote two weeks ago:  After the last game it would be hard to pick Broady Windsor to shake things up and challenge the Pacemakers.  No one seemed to be able to shake up Jason Rossie and he looked comfortable all evening.  Not sure anything there will change.  Brian Martin will not be held without a catch in this one but I do not think that it will be enough.  Pacemakers for the win.  Jason is now smiling….”About Time Carm!!”

What I wrote last week:  Broady Windsor hits the half-way mark with the worst offence and worst defence in the Tier.  This is NOT a recipe for success.  Eugene McLaren has been inconsistent this season and was absent last week.  This does not bode well against the undefeated Pacemakers.  Eugene and Alex Lever, who subbed last week, are the type of QB that the Pacemakers rushers excel against so that will also pose problems.  Chris Brockwell looks to be a lock for hardware at the end of the season, either as the top receiver or 2-Way Player.  Not sure that anyone on Broady Windsor can stay with him.  This game has “Long Night” written all over it.  Pacemakers…

What actually happened:   This game began with some back and forth trading of the ball (punt & INT) before things started to get interesting.  Jason Rossie did not have a spectacular game but did enough to keep the chains moving and hit the end zone often enough to get the win.  Oddly enough, his most effective receiver on the night was Scott Binns, who normally makes more of an impact on the defensive side of things.  I have always said that “stats lie.”  Clear cut example.  Both QBs finished with 137 yards and 3 TDs.  Rossie with 2 INTs thrown and Eugene with none.  Pacemakers still win by 10, with 1 less possession, because punts & turnovers on downs are not immediately visible or counted against the QBs stats.  Stops on 4^th down and a punt are a great job by the Pacemakers D.  BTW, that yell I mentioned earlier?  Eugene made a great play to avoid a tough rush from Jason Rossie, danced to buy a bit more time, but then missed a wide open target that would have been a huge play.  I felt that same feeling later on myself, but that is a story for a few paragraphs from now.

JMJ vs FPF (FPF win 37-32)

What I wrote two weeks ago:  Not sure that Chris Olson is going to be able to top his performance from this past Wednesday.  I think that Karl De Nie might get a call to come out and spare in this one.  That would be my strategy as I do not see anyone else on the FPF roster able to stay with Olson.  Rosenblatt did better last week but it was nowhere near enough with the way that JMJ lit things up.  JMJ also rang up 8 XPTs which is HUGE!  I am on the Chris Olson bandwagon…2 very good games in a row.

What I wrote last week:  This game will come down to the QB role from FPF.  Two vastly different styles between Jeff Rosenblatt & Craig O’Brien.  There is a huge difference between playing QB for a TEAMS roster and a DRAFT roster.  The DRAFT roster takes more time to build chemistry.  Owie has played with so many squads that he does take very long to adapt to his squad.  I still say that no one on this normal roster can rush Chris Olson.  I am going to keep my original pick of JMJ for the win in this one.

What actually happened:  If Yoni Lehrer becomes a regular for FPF, and Jeff Rosenblatt actually shows up, then the Pacemakers might have a challenge for the title.  These two are quite the pair.  Everyone in the building has a pretty good idea of where the ball is going but it makes no difference.  Do not let his size fool you; Lehrer also makes an impact on defence.  David Weiss also made a difference on both sides of the ball for FPF in this game.  You can check out their stat line in the POTW as they both made the cut.  I did the math and Rosenblatt would have made it but no jersey – no official stats – no mention…LOL.  For JMJ it was a tough night for Chris Olson, who has looked really good the past couple of games.  3 INTs in one game is uncharacteristic for him.  His main target, Chris Rosen, was absent and while Alex Moreau did a great job filling in for him, it is never quite the same for a QB.  Both teams got stopped 3 times in this one but the difference in the game was the PICK 6 by Brad Evans.

Old Age Out vs. Shenanigans (Shenanigans win 38-37)

What I wrote last week: Two teams headed in different directions.  Stephen Harripersaud is getting more comfortable with his receiving corps with each week that goes by and the Shenanigans are biding time until their QB returns.  While the Shenanigans are the more talented squad, this is non-contact football, for the most part LOL, and strategy and technique play a huge factor.  Shane Williams has been the top player thus far for the Shenanigans but they should be leaning on him even more.  OAO for the win in this one.

What actually happened:  Brian Tock does not have the most orthodox style in the league at the QB position but he is pretty darned effective.  He runs around, buys time, and keeps finding the open receiver.  He also is very effective when he decides to put his head down and run with the ball.  Not sure that we have a full blown QB controversy just yet but Tock is getting results as well as the first W for the Shenanigans.  Tock did get a HUGE assist from Wade Williams on the winning play as Wade threw the winning 40 yard bomb to Louie Larouche with 3 plays to go.  Williams has had his struggles this season from the HB with 3 INTs on his previous 4 attempts but this one was money.  Larouche definitely reminded everyone of what he is capable of finishing with 161 yards and 3 TDs.  On the flip side, Stephen Harripersaud was his usual effective self, spreading the ball around, and driving defences nuts.  4 receivers finished with at least 6 receptions, and 3 had 2 TDs, for OAO so it is tough to defend things.  Both teams got stopped twice and both teams scored with two plays left in either half.  Very evenly matched game.  Difference on the score board was the 2 XPTs caught by Darren Costello.

Monster vs. Montreal Spitfire (Montreal Spitfire win 34-19)

What I wrote last week: What’s that saying?  “Get your popcorn?”  To say that these two squads have a history is an understatement.  Several of the principal players on each side began playing flag football against each other in the mid-90s.  There have been some classic matchups throughout the decades.  Monster seems to be having some roster instability at this point in time while the Spitfire have been remarkably consistent and welcomed back JP Moreau and Ryan Hector last week to solidify the defence.  Francois Deslauriers has proven to be an extremely effective rusher with his speed and range.  Not going to go into the game plan too much as these teams face off 3 times in the next 4 weeks.  As always, Spitfire for the W.

What actually happened:  The rusher position makes a huge difference in the game.  Non-contact football is won up the center of the field.  QB/C/R/S is where it all begins.  Francois Deslauriers, with a couple of assists from Andrew Carruthers, had a huge impact in this game.  Andy Peterkin still throws a beautiful ball, and knows where to throw it, but part of his game has always been his “escapability.”  With his current health challenges this has been lacking.  The Spitfire offence was on track all game.  Two poor decisions/throws from yours truly in the red zone, including a mirror/match replica of the McLaren play (still not sure why Owie was anywhere near there) were the only blemishes on the night from the offence.  Big games from Don Shepherd and Jimmy Coupethwaite as Monster seemed focused on not letting Andrew Carruthers have a big game.

Players of the Week (according to me & the stats)

Chris Brockwell (Pacemakers) – 2 rec for 26 yards and 1 TDs & 2 XPTs on offence.  2 tackles, 1 INT, and 4 PDs on defence

G.M. Kolethras (JMJ) – 10 receptions for 85 yards and 2 TDs. 1 tackle with 1 PD on defence

Yoni Lehrer (FPF) – 8 receptions for 75 yards and 3 TDs on offence, 1 tackle and 1 INT on D

David Weiss (FPF) – 4 receptions for 63 yards and 2 TDs on offence and 2 tackles and 1 INT on D

Stephen Harripersaud (OAO) 26/41 for 207 yards and 6 TDs

Brian Tock (Shenanigans) – 11/15 for 187 yards & 4 tds, 4-59-1 TD rushing and 6 tackles and 1 PD on D

Louie Larouche (Shenanigans) – 6 receptions for 161 yards and 3 TDs

Craig “Owie” O’Brien (Monster)  – 6 receptions for 73 yards and 2 TDs on offence 3 tackles with 1 INT on defence

Francois Deslauriers (MTL Spitfire) – 4 rec for 49 yards and 2 tackles, 2 sacks & 1 PD on defence

Carmine Pollice (MTL Spitfire) – 21/29 for 247 & 5 TDs on O, 3 Tackles and 1 INT on D

Donald Shepherd (MTL Spitfire) – 8 receptions for 96 yards and 3 TDs

Chasing the Hardware

We have now passed the half-way mark.  Here are my top contenders for the 4 individual awards.  I have no real say but I always have an opinion.  Players are listed in no particular order.

2 Way Player

Chris Brockwell (Pacemakers)

Craig “Owie” O’Brien (Monster)

Brian Tock (Shenanigans)

Anthony Siggia (Old Age Outlaws)

QB of the Year

Jason Rossie (Pacemakers)

Carmine Pollice (MTL Spitfire)

Chris Olson (JMJ)

Receiver of the year

Jimmy Coupethwaite (MTL Spitfire)

Paul Lapierre (Monster)

Chris Brockwell (Pacemakers)

Anthony Siggia (Old Age Outlaws)

Defensive player of the year

Shane Williams (Shenanigans)

Chris Brockwell (Pacemakers)

Craig “Owie” O’Brien (Monster)

Jeff Brown (MTL Spitfire)

Adam Tock (FPF)

The Week Ahead

As a result of some scheduling SNAFUs, we have a weird schedule for the next 2 weeks.  Only 2 games this week, followed by 6 next week.  As I mentioned earlier, this week’s games for Tier 2 are a rematch of last week.  Which we try to avoid, because of reasons.  Not sure of those reasons but reasons.

FPF vs. JMJ

We had a bit of a barn burner last week.  Both teams were evenly matched with Brad Evans’ PICK 6 being the big difference.  So many questions for FPF.  Is Yoni now a FT player?  If so, he makes a HUGE difference.  Will Jeff actually show up or is the “Owie” show?  Some roster issues for JMJ as well last week.  I do think that FPF, with Jeff & Yoni, are the better squad overall on offence.  If they are both there then I go with FPF to win the rematch

Broady Windsor vs. Pacemakers

I almost feel like copy/pasting my preview from last week as nothing that I saw last week has changed my mind.  No on on BW can truly contain Jason Rossie in the pocket or stay with Chris Brockwell down the field.  Conversely, the Pacemakers have 2 solid rushers, the aforementioned Rossie & Brockwell, who match up well with Eugene McLaren.  I f Brian Martin does not catch 10 balles for 5 TDs then this will be another victory for the Pacemakers.

That’s all for today! Thanks for taking the time to read along.