Food For Thought (Div B) – Week 7

The trade deadline is over and things are quickly starting to get serious. The best teams are sharpening their weapons for the playoffs and the ones who didn’t perform are thinking about 2012.

While last week was dedicated to the Div B QBs, this week’s edition of Food for Thought will be paying tribute to the best receivers and defenders in the game. Yes, there will be some surprises. So strap yourselves in boys and enjoy the ride!

 

Receivers

1. Vinny Gualano: If there was a Heisman trophy to be given out in FPF, Vinny G would be a sure bet as the league’s 2011 MVP. While he doesn’t have the speed of some other receivers, he makes up for it by having the uncanny ability to catch anything thrown in his general direction. His anticipation and body control is excellent and he has a slew of highlight reel catches to prove it.

2. Mathieu Bélanger: Underrated and usually taken for granted, Mathieu has shown he’s got the game to excel at the higher levels of FPF. While many anticipated a less productive season than the ones he had in Div D and Div 4, he managed to assert himself as one of the best deep threats and overall ball-players in Div B. Props.

3. Patrick Jérome: When he comes to the field, Pat always brings his cleats, gloves, flags and, obviously, a foldable ladder. Once in the end zone, he discreetly takes it out of his back pocket, props it open and climbs it to make the high flying catches he is recognized for. At least that’s what he would be doing if he was human…

4. Adam Bailey: Even though he’s only played 4 games this season, Adam cracked the total yards and TD top ten this week. Spectacular and extremely agile, he’s become Gino Di Fazio’s go-to-guy on the Mercenaries squad.

5. Matthew Brethour: The Ben Cahoon of FPF, Matt relies on his sticky hands and his sharp route-running to pile up yardage. He remains the lone bright light on an offense that struggles to score points.

6. Sean Kennedy: After a slow start to the season, it is safe to say that Sean and his QB Paul Lapierre are now clicking. By far the strongest receiver in the top ten, he uses his physique to gain an advantage in the end zone and corral the ball in traffic.

7. Raffi Kozanian: DB recently converted to receiver, Raffi is mostly known for his speed and jump-ball ability. While sharing touches with Raffi Bastadjian, Shane Paquette and Sevag Kaloussian, Raffi remains Tony Tabet’s favourite deep ball threat.

8. Danny Guarna: This is not your typical run-of-the-mill receiver. Danny, who plays linebacker in tackle football, has one key ability that makes him indispensable to his team’s offense: his speed. Nicknamed Lightning McQueen by Jamil Springer, Danny can flat out fly down the field and easily gain an advantage over a taller defender.

9. Ryan Browne: Robin, as many like to call him, is one of the best snappers in the game. A key component of the overpowering Big TDs offense, he provides a sure-catch option on every play all the while racking up TDs at an impressive rate.

10. Sevag Kaloussian: “Savage” Kaloussian has been around for a while, yet, he still goes unnoticed in the FPF community. His taciturn football persona clashes with his extraverted teammates. Nevertheless, he is one of the most polyvalent players in the game and Tony Tabet’s most used target on the field.

The best of the rest: Ryan Brewster, Mike Smith, Donald Shepherd, Sébastien Pereda, Anthony McComber…

 

Defenders

1. Shawn Haney: Tall, athletic and highly spectacular, Shawn loves giving a show. Whether it is by making one-handed interceptions or barely getting his feet in-bounds on an end zone pick, he always makes his games highly entertaining.

2. Alex Grace: The prototype of the perfect flag-football defender, Alex makes up for his lack of FPF experience with his raw football abilities. Rarely getting burnt, he has a chance to make a play on virtually every ball thrown to his side of the field.

3. Anthony McComber: Grace’s partner in crime, McComber loves to make big plays on both sides of the ball. Highly streaky, he tends to get his INT and TDs in bunches.

4. Serge Moumdjian: The defensive general of the Snookers, Serge is intense, vocal and determined on the field. Always eager to jump a pass and take it back for a TD, he anticipates the opposing QB’s decisions and patterns with ease.

5. Patrick Jérome: Only player to make both top 10s, Jérome is less entertaining on defense than he is on offense. Nevertheless, he remains a solid tackler and a constant interception threat.

6. Alex Pereda: Perhaps Div B’s best tackler, Alex keeps getting better and better every season. If he continues to improve, he may soon be as feared an opponent as his brother.

7. Sébastien Pereda:  The perfect complement to Alex’s tackling ability is Sébastien’s stifling defensive coverage. Recipient of a Defensive Player of the Year Award (2010) and Div 4 playoff MVP (2011), Pereda also has 3 straight all-star nominations to go with his impressive resume.

8. Brian Eudoxie: By far the best rusher in Div B, Brian is one of the main reasons behind the stellar showing of Prestige World Wide’s defense. What makes him so valuable? His never-quit attitude and his desperation.

9. Nigel Thomas: The 3rd wheel in Park Street Elite’s defensive scheme, Nigel doesn’t have McComber or Grace’s game-breaking ability. Nevertheless, just like Dennis Rodman did, he contributes to his team’s domination.

10. Paul De Nardis: With the absence of Roberto Cosenza, Trojans’ defenders have had to step up their game. While the overall result isn’t too pretty, the individual contribution of De Nardis cannot be shunned. A rock amidst a less than solid defense, his consistency still gives the Trojans something to be hopeful about on defense.

The best of the rest: Brandon Pierre, Mather Warsame, Justin Cerantola, Renaldo Jordan…

 

Power Rankings

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

1. Big TDs (6-1): Can their offense sustain PSE’s high defensive pressure? They will have another chance to show FPF how they roll.

2. Snookers (6-1): The recess is now over. The Snookers will now need to find a way to stop the prolific Nincheri-Gualano combination.

3. Trojans (5-2): After clinching a playoff berth, they will now be looking to stay on top of their Conference and maybe secure the QB and receiver of the year trophies.

4. Evolution (4-3): They’re slowly pulling away from the Pats and TS, all the while almost confirming their playoff spot. Paul Lapierre has been scary good of late.

5. Park Street Elite (4-3): After 2 straight losses, PSE are in for a tough game against the best team in Div B, the Big TDs.

6. Patriotes (3-4): While this week’s game is important, the true make or brake encounter will be their week 9 tilt with Terror Squad.

7. SWAT (3-4): Adam Bailey has been the story so far for them this season. After single-handedly defeating PSE, can he pull off another 3 TDs / 3 INT performance?

8. Terror Squad (2-5): Lucky for them, the Pats keep losing. However, they will need to stop bickering among themselves and focus on winning some games if they want to make the playoffs.

9. Prestige World Wide (2-5): Matt Bishara and JF Trudeau were sidelined due to injuries and Lever had to step down from the QB position due to a sprained finger. Same old song and dance for this injury riddled team.

10. Broccasion (0-7): I really thought this was it. With Guillaume De Palma back, they had a terrific game against the Trojans only to lose at the very end.

 

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!