Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 4

Fourth and Goal – Week 4

 

Because of the super-bowl bye week, this is going to be either the most read article of the season, or the least read. In any case, I’ve fulfilled my duty of bringing you the happenings of Division 4.

 

The Recap

 

Nineteen teams won, nineteen teams lost. Two tied. Seriously though, I’ll have some more recapped in the coming weeks.

 

Playoff Picture

 

With nothing to do for the next 10 days but sit and wait until the next time my toes touch the turf, I thought that it would be best to take a look at who is sitting where, and how the playoff tree would look  if the playoffs were to start today. Remember: stats are unforgiving. Divisional leaders get the top four seeds, and then the rest is decided by wins and then plus/minus.

 

Conference A:

 

1: Brocassion                            (4-0)      {+ 46}

2: Hall of Famers                       (3-1)      {+ 56}

3: Sphinx                                  (3-1)      {+ 54}

4: Les Caves                             (3-1)      {+ 14}

5: No Punt Intended                   (3-1)      {+ 51}

6: The Incredibles                      (3-1)      {+ 31}

7: 69ers                                    (3-1)      {+ 9}

8: Longhorns                             (3-1)      {- 5}

9: Dragons                                (2-1-1)   {+ 26}

10: The Family                           (2-2)      {+ 42}

11: Outlaws                               (2-2)      {+ 8}

12: High Rollers                         (2-2)      {- 35}

 

Conference B:

 

1: X-Men                                   (3-0-1)   {+ 44}

2: Embarrasment of Riches        (3-1)      {+ 72}

3: Hard Knocks                         (3-1)      {+ 28}

4: Le Zoo                                  (3-1)      {+ 23}

5: Crème de la Crème FFC         (3-1)      {+ 46}

6 : Monstars                              (3-1)      {+ 27}

7: The Commission                    (3-1)      {+ 12}

8: Mad Monkeys                       (2-1-1)   {+ 27}

9: Les Eudistes                         (2-2)      {+ 44}

10: Mongoose                           (2-2)      {+ 31}

11: Marauders                           (2-2)      {+ 22}

12: Clockwork                           (2-2)      {+ 14}

 

FPF Fantasy Football Picks

 

I figured since we’re in a bye week, I’d have a bit of fun this article. While we don’t actually have a fantasy pool with our own FPF players (…yet?), I figured that I’d put together a few picks for my hypothetical team. 

 

Since I get to make up all the imaginary rules I want, I decided that:

A) Higher division players are not allowed (I don’t want the stats skewed)

B) Two-way players only (You want players performing for you on both sides of the ball)

C) There are other imaginary people participating in this imaginary pool. So I have to pick under-the-radar players that I KNOW will perform. Sleeper picks, if you will.

 

So, without further ado, here are my inaugural six “FPF Fantasy Football Picks”

 

Jonathan Brown, Lobster Dinner (QB, CB)

 

A QB with the highly underrated ability to spread the ball evenly, Jon would be the ideal pick for you at the QB position. He has a knack for finding the open receiver and calling good routes, and can take off on a run at the drop of a dime. Also noteworthy is that he’s one of the few QBs in the division who also plays defense well, and could even be called upon to rush if need be.

 

Jad Aridi, Monstars (C, MLB)

 

Jad is your prototypical “bailout man.” Whenever the play goes awry, and you need someone sure-handed to make a play out of nothing, Jad is your man. Not a quality you normally see in a center, Jad is quick and can accumulate YACs as well. He’s also my choice for MLB due to his ability to defend short or deep passes just as easily.

 

Thomas Zorko, No Punt Intended (WR, R)

 

Lightning-quick and smart, Thomas can be relied upon to be your “big play” candidate every once in a while. With the rest of No Punt Intended under the limelight, Thomas can go about his business quietly and be the difference maker when it counts. Also, count on Thomas to contain the QB and tackle him while on the run, yet still be able to come up with those timely sacks when his team needs them most.

 

Marco Bertoldi, The Incredibles (SB, CB)

 

The big man on a team that’s relatively small in size, Marco is a power receiver if there ever was one. He has the ability to box out his defenders and run those difficult routes. A good knowledge defensively and the ability to make an interception out of an otherwise uncatchable pass will boost the points in your pool.

 

Florian Bouer, The Family (SB, S)

 

Veteran knowledge and football smarts allow ‘Flo’ to get between defenders and find the open route. He’s a utility man who can be called upon to play any position effectively, and get stats of all kinds. A shutdown safety like him will limit the reads of QBs, yet still get those PDs and INTs for your pool.

 

Suhael Brohi, X-Men (WR, S)

 

The right mixture of size and speed, Suhael can run a fly and catch a deep pass much easier than most his size. He’ll fight for the ball, and get the TD, which is all you really need in a pool pick. As easily as he can go up and fight for a receiving TD, he can go up and keep you from catching that deep ball.

 

 

 

Stray Observations

 

–          I went throughout that whole segment without making a “peeing in the pool” joke. Good for me.

–          It’s too bad that the bye week is this week. Because my extra-special article is next week.

–          I only received one e-flower. However, the sender knew my favorite flower…

–          This is a recreational league. Recreational. So recreate. Or procreate off.

–          I think if my imaginary team got together, they could probably be a contender for the D4 title. But, of course, I’d like the GM credit for assembling that team.

–          Don’t worry if you haven’t been mentioned. EVERYONE will be mentioned next article. I promise.

 

The Successful GM

 

While I feel like this could get redundant, I feel like I might just have enough tips to last me until the end of the season. Here’s to hoping.

 

Referees – It astounds me as to how much this should be filed under the ‘goes without saying’ category, but here we are. In case you didn’t know, referees are people too. They’re doing a job. They will be the first to admit that they aren’t perfect, so cut them some slack. No one is forcing you to like every referee; I’m not even suggesting that. But be polite, and be respectful. Because, contrary to what you believe: referees don’t forget.

 

Know Your Opponent – I was originally going to call this “Be Prepared,” but there is so much that would fall under that category (more in the coming weeks). But knowing your opponent is an aspect of that. Does the team you’re facing like to march the ball up short? Go deep often? Is there a receiver who stands out as their star? This goes beyond the stat sheet as well; if you know your opponent well enough, though should even be going to whether you make the choice to receive or defer the ball at the beginning of the game. It’s all in the details.

 

 

Power Rankings

 

 

1. Brocassion – Have been at the top of this list, and will probably stay here. Their one-two punch of a quick offence and an impenetrable defense is a challenge for any opponent in the division.

2. X-Men – Were able to hold their own this week, even with a depleted roster. This speaks volumes about their play and how they adapt. Are also the only other undefeated team.

3. Embarrassment of Riches – Best offence (statistically) and best plus/minus for the second week in a row. Edward Shoshan is also in the running for Quarterback of the year.

4. Sphinx – Having been battle-tested against strong divisional teams, Sphinx continue to shine. This united core is just as balanced on defense as they are on offence.

5. Hall of Famers – Even with their recent loss, HoF are right where they should be. They have an enviable playoff spot, and a roster chalk full of talent. Let’s see how they fare this week against their rival vying for the top of Conference A.

6. The Incredibles – With heavy pressure from my girlfriend telling me to move The Incredibles up in the power rankings, the Incredibles rose to the occasion and gave me reason to do so. Greg Stern is using his past FPF experience to lead by example, putting up solid numbers on both sides of the ball.

7. Hard Knocks – The boys in black have something to prove on offence; high-flying and quick-scoring. Combine that with12 interceptions in 4 games, and you have a team that everyone’s afraid to play.

8. The Commission – Had a big win this week against an undefeated Le Zoo. Finally with their full roster, The Commission are ready to play the football that we’re used to seeing them play.

9. Les Caves – A very strong roster with great athletes, the only thing that I’m not sure about is the inconsistency from week to week. The same core is there, but they have probably fielded the most players of any team in D4.

10. No Punt Intended – Still wreaking carnage. This team has been together many seasons, biding their time on the sidelines. This could actually be their time to shine.

11. Monstars – A very strong defensive squad. Have had a few hiccups on offense, but the defense can more than carry the weight.

12. Le Zoo – Their first loss was handed to them this weekend. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from it in the coming weeks. They’ve had close games up until now, so they need to go back to what works for them and examine how they can make those wins more significant.

13. 69ers – A team that haven’t really gotten any attention from me, yet have earned their place. Dean Demetriou is arguably the strongest two-way threat (throwing and running) of all the D4 quarterbacks. Not bad for a first-time FPF QB.

14. The Family – Of everyone, I was probably most skeptical of J-S Ouellette’s quarterbacking abilities. However, he’s certainly risen to the occasion, leading by example. The Family are definitely better than their record suggests.

15. Crème de la Crème FFC – Have certainly gotten their act together since Chili Con Carne. A team that used to be made up of individuals are now playing together as a team, and this is definitely a huge gain for them, both in the victories and experiences.

 

 

Predictions

 

(Running count: 22/35)

 

Misfits vs. Mad Monkeys – Misfits

Marauders vs. Mongoose – Marauders

Les Eudistes vs. The Commission – Les Eudistes

Those Guys vs. Clockwork – Clockwork

Hard Knocks vs. Monstars – Monstars

Flight of the Conchords vs. 69ers – Flight of the Conchords

Discount Double Check vs. Team Bring It – Discount Double Check

Brocassion vs. Hall of Famers – Brocassion

Dillon Panthers vs. The Family – The Family

Les Caves vs. Turf Toe Inc. – Les Caves

The Incredibles vs. Primetime – The Incredibles

Embarrassment of Riches vs. Beers – N/A

Certified Flyguyz vs. Sphinx – Sphinx

Longhorns vs. Gators – Gators

High Rollers vs. Outlaws – Outlaws

Les Jambons vs. Golden Eagles – Les Jambons

Trapstars vs. X-Men – X-Men

No Punt Intended vs. Dragons – No Punt Intended

FTP vs. Crème de la Crème FFC – Crème de la Crème FFC

Le Zoo vs. Lobster Dinner – Lobster Dinner

 

 

That’s it for me this week. Pickup game invitations can be sent to [email protected]