Food For Thought (Div B) – Week 3

 

Recently, there is an observable trend among pivots as they seem to be shying away from the running game. For less mobile quarterbacks, it certainly makes sense to avoid running uselessly. In the case of a few gifted individuals, a stubborn attitude towards passing can only limit their natural talent. One only needs to glance casually at the Big TDs offense to realize that Jamil Springer’s running game makes his team better.

However, even though a balanced approach to the QB position can provide a spark to your offense, pivots like Tam Vilaydeth and Alex Lever run less and less every week, trying to emulate the league’s best pocket passers. If you ask me, they are making a grave mistake. When asked about his recent denial of the running game, Tam replied: “When I run, I’m not passing. That means I can lose up to 500 yards in my total passing stats!” Ok. But what’s better? Throwing for 250 yards per game and losing, or throwing for 180, running for 70 and winning?

Since we just stepped into the realm of numbers, I propose we further this investigation and see what early trends we can pick up by analyzing the 10 QB’s stats after three weeks.

 

Yards per down

Simply put, a QB’s yards per down indicate the amount of yards he averages every time the ball is snapped to him. The formula to calculate it goes as follows: (Passing Yards + Rushing Yards) / (Passing Attempts + Rushing Attempts + Sacks Against).

 

Gino Di Fazio (SWAT):                            9.33

Rick Nincheri (Trojans): 8.56

Jamil Springer (Big TDs):                       7.48

Kristian Cerantola (Broccasion): 7.29

Tony Tabet (Snookers): 7.00

Tam Vilaydeth (Terror Squad):                6.96

Paul Lapierre (Evolution):                       6.62

Alex Lever (Prestige World Wide):            6.52

Scott Kelly (Park Street Elite):                6.20

Étienne Chauvin (Patriotes) :                 5.45

 

The first anomaly that jumps at me in this list is the appearance of the struggling Kristian Cerantola in the 4th spot. Despite being ranked 9th or 10th in most categories, his uncanny ability to run for massive yardage enables him to march up the field with relative ease. What’s the problem then? He can’t buy a TD from inside the red zone…

The leader in yards per down, Gino Di Fazio, is known to rack up impressive yardage but not so much for his efficiency. His stats so far are a definite testament to his improvement. Sporting a respectable 62.3 passing percentage as well as a 109.5 QB rating, Gino is finally showing some love for a football bouncing on fake grass every so often.

 

Downs per TD

This stat is an indicator of the average number of plays needed to score a TD by a given QB. It is calculated as follows: (Passing Attempts + Rushing Attempts + Sacks Against) / (Passing TDs + Rushing TDs).

Rick Nincheri (Trojans): 4.78

Gino Di Fazio (Mercenaries): 4.87

Tony Tabet (Snookers): 5.24

Jamil Springer (Big TDs): 6.06

Scott Kelly (Park Street Elite): 6.06

Tam Vilaydeth (Terror Squad): 8.07

Paul Lapierre (Evolution): 8.27

Étienne Chauvin (Patriotes) : 8.27

Kristian Cerantola (Broccasion): 8.30

Alex Lever (Prestige World Wide): 8.90

 

While Tony Tabet and Scott Kelly both show major flaws in their game after 3 weeks, they are as efficient as ever to find the end zone. Kelly is perhaps the most intriguing of the two with his abysmal 41.6 passing percentage. Luckily for him, his cannon of an arm bails him out of tough situations more often than not. Often on his back foot and off-balance, he simply airs it out for his receivers to reel it in with gusto.

At the top of the list is none other than the reincarnation of Tom Brady, “Silvertip” Nincheri. Number one in all categories except yards per down where another old-timer is enjoying some limelight, Nincheri is the early candidate for the Daron Basmadjian Award which is awarded to the player making the year’s best comeback. If he continues to put up such staggering offensive numbers, he will undoubtedly be a unanimous selection for QB of the Year.

 

Power Rankings

(All my predictions will be tweeted via @Score_keeper on game day.)

1. Snookers (3-0): Only undefeated team in Div B, they beat some quality opponents in the first weeks.

2. Trojans (2-1): They still possess the best offense in the division. Their only problem is their inability to make key stops on defence.

3. Big TDs (2-1): As long as Jamil and Brewster are on their game, they can beat anybody. However, they will need some more stability with their roster.

4. Park Street Elite (2-1): They just might be the hottest team in Div B. When Scott Kelly gets back into shape, they will be a scary team.

5. Terror Squad (1-2): Their record is not indicative of their potential. With Jerome and Giroux in the line-up at the same time, Tam can count on the best receiving duo in the division.

6. SWAT (1-2): Definite lack of chemistry- especially on defence. Can the pure athleticism of their players be enough to make them win?

7. Patriotes (2-1): The road ahead will be rough for these newcomers. Étienne Chauvin has a chance to show that he belongs in the higher divisions.

8. Prestige World Wide (1-2): They finally got rolling and they have the talent to keep it up.

9. Evolution (1-2): After a nice comeback against Broccasion, let’s see how their QB duo of Paul Lapierre and Leon Holder will separate the workload.

10. Broccasion (0-3): Immediate future is looking bleak for the Cerantolas… O-Binette Karim. You are the great hope!

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Score_keeper where I will be blogging live from Brossard and Lachine on Game Day!

If you have any comments, suggestions or rants, feel free to email me at [email protected].

See you at the field!