Categories: Division A-B

Carmine’s Coffin Corner: Div A/B Preview

Welcome to the Spring 2019 Season!

After a couple of weeks off to bask in glory, for a select few, or to soak in sorrow, for the vast majority of players, we approach a new season with anticipation and eagerness.

After wetting my feet, so to speak, covering the Old Man Division, I have been challenged with covering the weirdness that is Division A & B.  More on the weirdness shortly.  When PDR asked me if I was interested in writing the articles for this season, I said “sure…sounds like fun.”  I should have looked at the web site first!  4 teams in DA, 8 teams in DB, an interlocking schedule, AND you can play in both divisions!!!  Great googly moogly, this is going to be a weird season for sure.

For those of you who are not familiar with my name, I have been involved in the league since Day 1, have played in most divisions, and am spending the summer facing that dilemma that all players eventually face: dealing with injuries that restrict you from playing at the level that you are used to playing at.

Each week you can expect a recap of the previous week’s action, some random thoughts on the two divisions, some random thoughts on any other league action that I see or read about, and a preview of the upcoming week’s slate of games.  For those of you who have a thin skin…heads up as I tend to call things as I see them.  Feel free to tell me how wrong I am when you see me at one of the various complexes…always willing to chat.

 

Pre-Season Preview (all based on the rosters currently submitted and in alphabetical order)

Division A

  • Braves

My pre-season favorite to take home the DA title.  They are a veteran team with very few weaknesses and it took a perfect game from Marco Masciotra to keep them out of the D1 finals this past Winter.  The majority of the core have been together for several years now and they also keep sharp by playing in the Terrebonne league.  They are led by 2-way monsters Jonathan Maheu and Georges Gariepy.  Add in JD Chevalier and Mike Pierrecin, who might have the quickest first-step of any center in FPF, and they have talent everywhere.  This should be a FUN team to watch this season…just don’t blink too often or you might miss something.

  • #NR

One of the advantages to the Spring Season is that we see some teams merge and move up.  In this case the core of the D2 version of #NR has remained and added some various “bits & pieces.”  Of course, when 2 of those “bits & pieces” are Paul Lapierre & Jordan McLaren you have definitely stepped things up.  Cory will have one of the taller receiving corps in FPF with the crew that they have assembled, with the exception of the quickster, Jordan Moses.  I think that they will definitely be able to hold their own in DA.

  • Outsiders

It was weird to see a top division FPF final that did not include the Finest or Kevin Wyeth.  I am not completely convinced that the Spring Season will not repeat that occurrence.  Truly difficult to write that about any team with Kev, Pat Jerome, and Serge Pilon on it, but the game is played 6 on 6 and not 4 on 4.  Of course, there is a HUGE difference between knowing that the ball is going to Pat and Serge and stopping the ball from going to Pat & Serge!  Matt Bond and Tam V. have also played at this level for quite some time but, as of Monday, the team was still advertising on FB for a Rusher, which is never a good sign.  I think Week 1 will be a good indication if I am completely off the mark with my thoughts or if this will be a long season for the Outsiders.  Curious if the name is a reference to the iconic ‘80s movie or one of the earlier Dean R. Koontz novels.

  • YCSWU

This team kind of snuck up on people this past Winter but I do not think that they will fly under the radar this season.  Like #NR they are a D2 team that has stacked the roster for the Spring season.  Adding Anthony Vendrame and Quaid Johnson, while keeping Chris Milard (might explain why the Outsiders are advertising for a rusher?) makes them an extremely talented team.  Alex Holowach has continued to improve as a QB each season and Terry Tam continues to provide a reliable outlet when he has to check things down.  The defence should also be able to more than hold its own so I will go out on a limb and pick them to make the A division finals.

 

Division B

  • Alpha-T’s

Have to give them credit for making the move up the ladder for the Spring Season.  A very veteran team in FPF who have moved steadily up the ranks.  They tend to rise & fall with the play of their QB, Jesse Dupuis.  Mike Pierrecin had a massive Winter Season for them and the bizarre rules allow him to play for them which is HUGE PLUS because now they do not have to face the Braves!  Big loop hole in the rules:” How do you avoid one of the top teams?” “Recruit one of their players!”  In this case they also have Julien Paiement from the Braves roster.  I really hope this does not get edited out!!!  In all seriousness I think that the Alpha T’s will do just fine this season.

  • Dad Bod

Sean Avraam is coming off a solid season this past Winter.  King’s Landing had a decent year and he then captured the playoff MVP award with the Bearskins in D3.  He must now figure out how to merge the two performances into one if Dad Bod want to have a chance to take the division.  Plenty of talent on this roster with AJ Gomes, Eddy Lee, Jordan Allard, and Vinny Gualano (sorry if I left you out but I did not want to simply copy/paste the entire roster!).  Having said that, this team can be one of the more emotionally unstable squads out there.  Other than Jordan Allard, the aforementioned group have all put on a performance for the officials at some point in recent memory.  If they can keep their Zen Focus about them then they should be fine.  If not, then the fireworks will be unleashed

  • BYOB

Another amalgamation of players put together for this season.  Mathieu Rene has shown some flashes of brilliance in his FPF career so far.  Of course, he has had some days that are best left undiscussed.  If BYOB is going to find success, he will need to be consistent every week and skip the erratic side of things.  Laurent Foucault, MA Lapointe, Sebastien Crisi-Lauzon, and Stephan Osman give them some very talented defenders.  Some big boys here who can man up with most offences.  I have a feeling that they will be involved in multiple close game this season.  If Mat Rene can hold up his end, then it will be all good.  If not, this will be a very long season for BYOB

  • Dirty Dawgs

Looking at this squad and the word “athleticism” jumps out.  Some very talented athletes are on the squad.  Hopefully none of them get hurt because they have a 7-man roster at this point although, in yet another FB advertisement, they are looking to add a defensive player to the squad.  Not sure why guys wait until the last minute to find a “QUALITY DEFENSIVE PLAYER?”  Good luck with that Ryan…. LOL.  Potential 2 headed monster at the QB spot with Jordan Panetta joining this squad.  I think they have the talent to hold their own however I am not sure that their defence will put them over the top.  Still good to see another squad take a step up.

  • Dream Killers

A really interesting roster.  I am really not sure how many of these guys have ever played together in the past?  Chemistry might prove to be an issue early on as they try to understand each other.  They do have some talented pieces, but I foresee them having a tough year.  Jeff Rosenblatt reads things well, and his LATE release and height allow him to hold the ball for a very long time.  This should help him get to learn his receivers.  There is good individual talent, but I am not sure that the defence, as a unit, will be able to hold up with most of the offences that they will be facing.  Then again, that is why they play the game.  Best of luck this season.

  • Jasmin N Sons

Here we have another team featuring DA players BUT, in a wonderful twist of scheduling fate, Anthony Vendrame will need to decide which team he plays for when JNS square of with YCSWU.  I wonder if he allowed to play offence for both teams?  I did say that this was a weird division when I started this ramble multiple paragraphs back!  The squad should be able to hold their own in DB, Fred Viens is taking a step up to challenge himself, which I truly admire, and they also have Tam Vilyadeth should things go South at any point.  Not sure that this defence can run with the top teams but we shall see how things play out.

  • Lightweight

Another team making the move up to test themselves.  Simon Dagenais might be the most “tagged” individual in the history of FPF social media.  Hopefully this has helped him develop a “thick skin” and high patience level as I feel that this season will definitely test both of them severely.  In reviewing the roster there really does not seem to be a “go to” receiver anywhere to be found.  While Francois Raymond has put up some decent numbers in the previous seasons, it has all happened in the lower divisions and this is his first real foray into the higher levels of competition.  This might be a long season for Simon and the boys.

  • 2 ½ Alkaholiks (this is how I am going to write your name…. get used to it)

First off, I think that Mike Smith should lobby the league for a separate QB rating just so he is not the ONLY player on the team not to have one.  Seriously!  Every other player on this squad has a QB rating.  5 of them actually played QB full time this past Winter!  This should be a gong show if they really want to mess with people and drop 4 QBs!  Of course, this should be the Joey Taylor & Paul Lapierre show.  Big contrast in styles between the two.  Joey lets the rusher get close, contorts his body into a pretzel, and “throws” a 2-yard crossing pattern.  Paul also lets the rusher get close, after making him run 17 yards because of his deep drop, then he throws the ball 35 yards on a line and it arrives with enough force to sprain the receiver’s wrist!  My favorite to make the DB finals

 

 

Playoff format – Remember that part about the weirdness?  It continues with the playoffs.

Division A (everyone makes it)

1 vs. 2 (winner moves to the final, loser plays winner of 3 vs 4)

3 vs. 4 (winner plays loser of 1 vs. 2, loser is eliminated)

Division B (Top 6 qualify)

1 and 2 get a BYE week

3 vs. 6

4 vs. 5

 

Now that I have either entertained or annoyed you, let’s take a quick look at the week ahead

  • 2 ½ Alkaholiks vs Lightweight

We shall see very quickly if my comments regarding Lightweight hold true or not with this opening week match up.  I see 2 ½ running away with this one.

  • Jasmin N Sons vs. Alpha-T ’s

Both team s have talent so this should be a fun game.  JNS have more experience and they also have Alex Vendrame, who can be a 1 man wrecking crew.  JNS with a close win.

  • #NR vs Braves

I like the additions that #NR have made for this season.  I like the lack of changes from the Braves even more.  Braves with the W.

  • YCSWU vs. Outsiders

Starting the season picking against Kevin Wyeth.  While I do think that he is going to play this season with a bit of an edge to make up for this past Winter’s D1 results, it is a team game and I think that YCSWU is simply the better team.

  • Dirty Dogs vs. Dad Bod

Speed vs. Speed.  Both teams are fast.  Like VERY fast.  Dad Bods have been there, done that more often than the DD.  Dad Bod for the win

  • Dream Killers vs. BYOB

This should be another close game.  If BYOB can get some pressure on Jeff, then they win this game.  Mat Rene CANNOT have an off night.  Carefully going to go with BYOB.

Catch you at the field!