Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 3 – FlagPlus Football League

Fourth and Goal – Week 3

I realized that I started off last week’s article without an introduction. So here we are to make up for it. I’m doing my best to make sure that I cover as many teams as I can… I know I’ve left out a few and will do my best to include them. But we will make do with what we have; on with the show!

The Recap

Nineteen teams won, nineteen teams lost. Two tied.

Winless Teams – An Overview

We’re going into week 4 and there are still a few teams without a one chalked up in the win column. The teams that remain are: Les Jambons, Gators, Turf Toe Inc., Dillon Panthers, Team Bring It, Discount Double Check, Lobster Dinner, Those Guys and FTP.

Before I recap them individually, here’s a bit of info that can be applied to everyone; tools are at your disposal. Example: go to the homepage, and click on ‘View Archive Videos’. Amongst the plethora of WEPLs and Moe Khan’s haircut, you’ll find Chalk Talk. This is, perhaps, the single greatest tool for new teams. It’s essentially a breakdown of almost everything you’ll see in the league in an easy guide from D1 defenders Adi Sharma and Moe Khan. Also in the videos section are the old games of the week. Look at what works and what doesn’t work for already successful teams. Try some of these for yourselves. Adapt.

These are, of course, my opinions. Nothing personal. But there is nothing that I would LOVE to see more than a division of 40 without a winless team in week 11.

Les Jambons – A team with talent and potential. The receivers are more than capable of catching passes, and QB Olivier Laurendeau does a more than decent job of spreading the ball. They’ve been close in all of their games; more effort just needs to be put on defensive play. Especially aggressiveness- tackles are good and fine, but preventing the receivers from even getting the ball (sacks, PDs, INTs) are optimal. Unfortunately, Les Jambons have the hardest schedule of the bunch, but hopefully some upsets can happen.

Gators – Very few expected the Gators to be a part of this list. The Gators are familiar faces who have been in Division 4 for the past few seasons, slightly declining with each season. The division has changed drastically since 2009, when the Gators were at their strongest. It would be important to evaluate what’s not working anymore and simply do away with it, rather than just continually airing out the ball and hoping for plays to be made. Big pickups in David Hurley and James Crowe; I don’t think that the Gators will be winless for very much longer.

Turf Toe Inc. – Besides the Wolverines, the only team from 2005 to still hold the same name. They have had perennial QB issues from season to season, but have a decent pickup in J-F Malette. Malette is a more than solid outdoor QB who just seems to have a bit of trouble adjusting to the smaller dimensions of flag fields. They should be within reach of a victory soon…

Dillon Panthers – Royal Blue has never looked as good as it does on Ben Joseph. Patrice Blouin’s FPF start at the QB position. To date, Blouin has been doing a fantastic job, but seems to be relying on the deep ball to bail him out too much. He’s got a cannon of a pass, but needs to march the ball up more when that is what defenses are giving him. They have a secondary capable of creating turnovers (6 in 3 games) but need to put the points up on offence as well.

Team Bring It – First and foremost, a decision needs to be made at the quarterback position (see my blurb below about position consistency.) It’s understandable that a team just looking to have fun between baseball seasons is going to have a tough transition, but it’s fun to win a few too. The subtleties of the game need to be learned; once they get the ins and outs, they should be having an easier time and closer games.

Discount Double Check – Unsure of how to pronounce QB Mike Saxeah’s name, I put on a southern accent and say ‘sexy’ with a southern drawl. It looks as if DDC are not fielding consistent rosters from week to week, and this is a problem. Without having a familiar unit, it’s much more difficult for improvement to be made.

Lobster Dinner – Once they chalk one win up, the others will follow in quick succession. Without staple player Matt Young, the team looks a bit off. All Jonathan Brown needs is to regain a bit of his former confidence while playing QB, and they should be restored to their former selves.

Those Guys – Cody Hemsley is in a bit of a pickle. He’s already thrown more INTs than he did the entire season of Spring 2010. It’s understandable that Those Guys are looking for a conflict-free season, and I applaud that wholeheartedly. They have an opportunity this week to have a close battle and chalk up a win, and show that it doesn’t take big names to get results.

FTP – Managed to hold their own against an experienced Clockwork crew. They’ve had two close games, and another loss without their QB and franchise player. Besides Thomas and Horobec, the remainder of FTP just need to iron out the kinks, as their first season playing football is still a pretty decent one. The abovementioned videos should help.

Stray Observations

– Reminder: Next week is the Super Bowl bye-week. So make this week count.

– I LOVE that a new team like Hall of Famers are already involved in the league community with their “trade announcement” on the Facebook walls

– Don’t ask me why, but I consistently type Turd Toe Inc. and then have to go back and proofread

– Even if it doesn’t make it into the article (I talked about it a bit during the WEPL) smack talk of all kinds that people send to me is appreciated, as well as hilarious. I will try to use it if I have the opportunity.

– Primetime, High Rollers, FOTC and 69ers: I have not forgotten about you. Your time will come in upcoming articles

The Successful GM

I wasn’t joking last week about having to write down my Successful GM ideas. I’m very absent minded, so an idea that I have now isn’t necessarily an idea I have later. However, since these are tried and true methods (at least in my opinion) they come back to me at later times when I have the ability to write them down. Without further ado:

Position Consistency – I understand that one of the hardest parts of captaining a team is finding out who is a good fit for where. But, once you have a good idea and something is working, stick to it. I understand that everyone might want to have a try at safety or rusher or QB, but you will grow better as a team and as individual athletes by sticking to the position and learning the ins and outs of it. Even in the positions that I’m comfortable with, I still find I have much to learn. However, I know enough about the other positions to know that there is no team anywhere that should choose me as their QB or safety.

Importance of Every Game – I really would have liked to have said this earlier, but there were more important ones that I wanted to get out there first. MANY teams will find themselves at the end of the season trying to make it into the playoffs, coming down to “if they score this many points in that game, and we allow only this many points…” The point is that it’s never too early to be thinking playoffs. Every win or loss counts. Even week one. You should be attributing the same amount of importance to every game.

Power Rankings

I thought it would be difficult providing power rankings in week one, where there were 20 teams to choose from. Well now there are 24 (!) teams with a record of 2-1 or better. Some teams are better than others. This is where you will find out who the top dogs are. There will be no honorable mentions; win and make a name for yourself.

1. Brocassion – A huge win against the perceived top dog. A lot of talk has been made about the strength of their offence, however the real meat and potatoes is their relentless defense. The trio of Hodhod, De Palma and Ojeaha is enough to make any QB look towards their 3rd and 4th read. That doesn’t include perennial All-Star Kyle Lebofsky.
2. Hall of Famers – That’s right. #2. If you’ve had the opportunity to see them play, you’ll know that they are no joke. They play shutdown defense against even the most seasoned of teams, and Justin Smolar is a frontrunner for QB of the year. An efficient offence with talented receivers await on every drive. I’m glad that I don’t play them.
3. X-Men – Not much to look at, but incredibly efficient. Four out of every five of Gautama Swaminadhan’s passes are caught, and one out of every three of those passes are touchdowns. Those are fantastic numbers, and numbers don’t lie. A big pickup in the agile and feisty Alex Donia gives them more depth at the rusher position.
4. Le Zoo – They know what works, and they implement it. Games are not about glamour or aesthetics, but are rather a well thought-out chess game. 10 INTs in three games is not a bad number either. So make sure to think before you battle Le Zoo; because they already have a plan.
5. Dragons – The best thing that can be said about this team (or any team for that matter) is that they truly know themselves. A veteran decision was made knowing their limitations, and finished a game with a tie rather than a loss. Also, one of the few teams left that are FPF’s ‘nice guys.’
6. Embarrassment of Riches – Those of you who know me know how hesitant I am to give my own team praise or even acknowledge the amount of skill a team I play on has. However, with the #1 offence and #4 defense in the division, it’s hard to turn a blind eye and feign “objectivity”
7. Sphinx – A slight hiccup on their quest to stardom. This team knows what works for them and has the depth to make it far in the season and the playoffs. All they need to do is not dwell on their loss and keep doing what they do best.
8. Les Caves – Had a tough loss without their starting QB this past week. They are, however, still a force to be reckoned with…Corey Greenaway is definitely a great fit for this team, adding depth and experience. Look for them to keep pace with all the top names in the division.
9. No Punt Intended – A solid squad, but haven’t been able to come up big when it really matters. They have an incredible defense…their offence just needs to keep pace. They seem to be most successful when not implementing the wildcat offence…
10. Monstars – Not a big name but certainly big in heart, the Monstars quietly go about their business from week to week. A huge pickup in Hugo and P-M Lachaine, they have become a strong defensive team that is also very proficient offensively. No weak link in sight.
11. Clockwork – After making a big name for themselves this past spring, Clockwork are right on par to having another strong season, despite having a considerably lighter roster.
12. The Family – The only reason that they are this far down the list is simply because their victories have been against the weaker teams in the division. We know what they’re capable of, and their QB issues, but they’re still a strong team in the division regardless.
13. Les Eudistes – The high school boys have grown up and have elevated their style of play. If they can keep their heads in the game, they are poised to upset more than a few teams. Their first opportunity is this week…
14. Hard Knocks – Easily overlooked, I pegged them early on as my Darkhorse. Flying under the radar and having the #14 position is perfect for this team. Kris Bastien is the standout for the team, but Jonathan Mack has already matched his Winter 2011 offensive stats in 3 games. A sign of things to come?
15. The Incredibles – After their one and two point games, I’m sure these guys got a stern talking to, because they made an example of the Golden Eagles and proved why they belong in the rankings. Much more than just a one-trick pony.

Predictions

Well, I went 13/18 in my predictions last week (with one tie) which is just, just short of my 75% prediction goal. I’m still happy with my predictions for a few reasons. One: I managed to predict all of the “upsets” last week, and two: the games that I thought were clear-cut ended up being anything but.

Misfits vs. Hard Knocks – Hard Knocks

Crème de la Crème FFC vs. Mongoose – Crème de la Crème FFC

69ers vs. Golden Eagles – Golden Eagles

Marauders vs. Discount Double Check – Marauders

Sphinx vs. Hall of Famers – Hall of Famers

Les Jambons vs. The Incredibles – The Incredibles

Brocassion vs. Flight of the Conchords – Brocassion

Primetime vs. Outlaws – Primetime

Dragons vs. Gators – Dragons

Turf Toe Inc vs. Dillon Panthers – Dillon Panthers

The Commission vs. Le Zoo – Le Zoo

High Rollers vs. Les Caves – Les Caves

Team Bring It vs. Beers – Team Bring It

Embarrassment of Riches vs. Les Eudistes – N/A

The Family vs. Longhorns – The Family

No Punt Intended vs. Certified Flyguyz – No Punt Intended

X-Men vs. Mad Monkeys – X-Men

Monstars vs. Clockwork – Monstars

Lobster Dinner vs. Trapstars – Lobster Dinner

Those Guys vs. FTP – FTP

Thanks again for reading. Please send any and all e-flowers to [email protected]

Quote of the Week

“I’m not very well liked… I’m not the most charming antagonist” – Tony Khoury, Blazers/Maniax