On the Bubble

Peeze’s Playbook

Week 8.5

By Paolo Della Rocca

 

My grandfather was an interesting man.  He was highly intelligent, kind of grump but also fairly comedic.  About a decade ago, at his funeral, I met a man who told me story about his arrival to Canada.  Let’s call him Jim (as my memory fails me and I can no longer remember his, likely very Italian name).  Jim just arrived from Italy and was very excited to see Montreal and go downtown.  Downtown he had heard as this amazing bustling place where people spoke many different languages and hurried off to do various different activities.  

Nono Giovanni obliged and took Jim to see Montreal’s amazing downtown area.  Jim glanced around in every direction and was truly in awe.  He said to Nono Giovanni “This is amazing.  This is America (a distinction Italians still have trouble with today).”  He had no response form my grandfather.  Jim looked back to restate his statement of amazement only to find that Nono Giovanni had disappeared.  My grandfather had taken Jim downtown as he had promised.  He did not promise that he would spend the day with him.

 

Hubba Bubble

Rather than keep my standard format I decided to explore the teams that are currently in the playoff hunt or trying desperately to hold on to playoff positions.  I tried to look at their upcoming games and the situation and context ton the whole to present the scenarios that each teams need.  Remember that for head to head tie-breakers the criteria is as follows: wins, points, head to head matchup, divisional record, points against.  For three or more way ties the criteria for tie breakers is: wins, points, divisional record, points against.

 

D-1

 

Conference A

 

Supply and Command

 

Current Position: 6

Current Record: 3-4-1

Remaining Schedule:  Frosty Bronsons, Straight Outta Breath

What They Need: To not piss this season away!

When I saw our roster and our schedule, I never thought that when I thought of this article I would be describing my team as one of those fighting to remain in the playoffs with three weeks remaining. The season ending injury to Ridwan Abdur, the absences by virtually everyone on the team and injuries have derailed what most would have thought would have been a dominating season got the green and…um green I think? Justin Blanchard needs to return to his season opening form and most importantly this top heavy team with no depth needs to be present at every game. SNC will likely make the playoffs with one win in their last three but nothing has been guaranteed for a team that went 1-3 to miss the playoffs at the end of last season.

 

Frosty Bronsons

Current Position: 7

Current Record: 3-4

Remaining Schedule: Fun Boys, Supply and Command, Get Off My D

What They Need: 1 win and help, 2 wins will likely clinch a playoff spot.

Having lost 2 of their lat 3, Frosty Bronsons are not in the position I though they would be going into the season. James Nowakowski has not played well and despite offensive contributions from Alex Holowach (9 TDs), Patrick Geffard (5 TDs), Kevin St.Pierre (4TDs).  Their struggles in the redone have been chronicled and can be tied into the lack of production from snapper Terry Tam who simply has not been targeted in tight areas despite that being where he excels. Tam’s dating exploits non-withstanding, Frosty’s season has not been anything to brag about.  They face Fun Boys and Supply and Command who are teams looking to lock up a playoff spot before facing a very tough Get off My D.  Frosty Bronsons will likely get the help to get into the playoffs, hopefully they can surge once clinched as they did last summer.  It’s like twisting again.

 

Green Lantern Corps

Current Position: 8

Current Record: 3-5

Remaining Schedule: Diablos, Fun Boys

What They Need: A win against Fun Boys will clinch a spot for certain as it will give them a better divisional record and help them with tie-breakers.

GLC have won their two last games and are looking to turn their season around in a hurry.  Their schedule does not get easier but they beat perennial playoff squad Les Affreux and the streaking ICU team.  In the last 3 weeks, Hai Minh Luong has thrown 15 touchdowns and no interceptions.  The offence has been limited to Mendy Cardichon and Franck Ngandui combined for 21 touchdowns.  The rest of the team combined has 5 touchdown catches. Luong has seen the writing on the wall and the writing has read, no need to spread the ball. My dad’s philosophy when coaching basketball was, “get the ball to the good guy”. Hai Minh Luong, who I accused earlier this season of being somewhat unadaptable has shown that he has adapted to this team and has Green Lantern Corps. soaring toward the playoffs.

 

ICU

Current Position: 9

Current Record: 3-5

Remaining Schedule:Badgers, Dreamville

What They Need: A win against Dreamville in week 10 should do the job with some help from Green Lantern Corps.  Winning out would almost guarantee a playoff berth.

The loss by ICU to GLC has stunted the growth of Div. D-1’s hottest team. ICU’s defence, when it works well is spectacular. Domenic Benevento is the rangiest player that no one knows about. Eddy Lee is a deep ball specialist on both sides of the ball and Chris Olson simply does not miss flags in the flats.  Olson’s play is limited but effective.  He knows what throws he can make and who to use his pieces to the best of his advantage.  If ICU runs the table, they have the head to head tie breaker over Supply and Command, Les Verges Aeriennes, and Frosty Bronsons.  A win over Badgers would give them yet another win over a upper divisional contender.  I expect ICU to either clinch the final spot or jump up as high as third in the conference.

 

Dreamville

Current Position: 10

Current Record: 2-5

Remaining Schedule: Les Affreux, Les Verge Aeriennes, ICU

What They Need: Two wins in their next 3 games (with help).  They may even need to win out.

Dreamville did not do themselves any favours as they lost games to Frosty Bronsons, Badgers and Fun Boys.  They also have a Green Lantern Corps. Eli Saleh has not performed at the quarterback position as evidenced by Dreamville’s 134 points scored. Andrew Langburt has scored 6 touchdowns but the rest of the receiving corps has been unreliable.  This has been the case for those who actually have been on the field but the team’s issue of absenteeism has gotten worse throughout the season.  Their remaining schedule looks very tough as the unreliable Dreamville take on two of the steadiest opponents in Les Affreux and Les Verges Aeriennes and an explosive ICU.

 

Conference B

 

Affreux

Current Position: 5

Current Record: 3-4

Remaining Schedule: Dreamville, Bruh-Mitzfah, Kiwi Island

What they need: 1 loss by two of the following teams: Backyard Bruisers, Zoo or Bruh Mitzfah or a win in week 9.

The fact that Les Affreux have scored roughly 22 points per game is not surprising.  They are a steady, yet non-expolosive offence led by the competent Jonathan Lemieux.  However, Les Affreux are typically known as a defensive powerhouse but injuries to JD Joly and rusher David Faucher (he has played some however), have hampered this typically frenzied defensive unit.  They are allowing 28 points per game and seem to be not quite able to keep pace.  They have an easy remaining schedule facing one of the teams that is implicitly involved in their clinching of a playoff spot (Bruh Mitzfah).

 

Globo Gym Purple Cobras

Current Position: 6

Current Record: 3-4

Remaining Schedule: Kiwi Island, TOPSZN, Zoo

What They Need: 1 loss by two of the following teams: Backyard Bruisers, Zoo or Bruh Mitzfah or a win in week 10.

GGPC are the biggest disappointment this season.  We have come to expect the Two and a Half Dan family of teams to succeed in FPF. I thought that Eric Maiorino and his purple Cobras were too strong for the division.  Thus far, I have been wrong.  They are .500 in their last 4 games in a stretch that I expected them to dominate.  Thy do not have the head to head tie breakers against Les Affreux, or Straight Outta Breath. They do have an opportunity to end the season with a better divisional record than Straight Outta Breath with a win against either Kiwi Island and Zoo or a Straight Outta Breath loss to either TOPSZN or Go Ghetters.  Zach Zwirn has led this aggressive well balanced defence all season long as his 3 interceptions lead a team where 6 different players have recorded at least one.

 

Go Ghetters

Current Position: 7

Current Record: 3-4

Remaining Schedule: Backyard Bruisers, Straight Outta Breath, Bruh Mitzfah

What they Need: 1 loss by two of the following teams: Backyard Bruisers, Zoo or Bruh Mitzfah or a win in either week 8 or week 10 

The threat of Straight Outta Breath seems to have been mitigated as the one time division leader is now gasping for air in the middle of the pack. The other two teams that lie ahead came into the season with a great deal of hope but now look to be scarping the bottom of the barrel as they did with the failing stem cells that created Chapman…but I digress. Go Ghetters need to be very happy with the position they are in. Dilan Daoust has performed well enough to make his team competitive in this season and the surrounding cast of Jeremy Anderson and Jordan Moses have helped keep this team relevant when they are not in Mexico.  They do not have a win against a top tier opponent but, they have won the would be trap games that appear on their schedule.  Go Ghetters are all but clinched.

 

Zoo

Current Position: 8

Current Record: 2-6

Remaining Schedule: Backyard Bruisers, Globo Gym Purple Cobras

What they Need: At least 2 wins in their next 3 where week 9 is one of those two wins.

Looking at the Zoo roster and the insanely difficult schedule they drew, I knew this was going to be a tough season for Gang Green. The one point victory over Bar Mitzvah last week and the beating they handed to Supply and Command has put them in decent position to clinch a playoff spot but their schedule is unrelenting.  They play against three hugely underperforming teams but both have deeper rosters and can score with greater ease than Zoo. Patrick St. Amand has filled in admirably at quarterback and while Etienne Vaillancourt’s 8 touchdowns have helped resurrect the Zoo, this team doesn’t seem to have a much else in their receiving corps.  Such is the situation that the season ending injury to Frank Kaye has caused but nonetheless, Zoo need to keep storming the gates with still a glimmer of hope.

 

Back Yard Bruisers

Current Postion: 9

Current Record: 1-6

Remaining Schedule: Go Ghetters, Zoo, TOPSZN

What they Need: 2 wins in their next three will clinch them.  The game against Zoo is particularly important.

Back Yard Bruisers were the team that started the demise for Straight Outta Breath but have been unable to steady their ground since the mid-season show down. Rich Humes has obviously had a great season as the team’s leading target.  Cameron Maag has emerged as a secondary target as he and Derick Fontana have caught 5 touchdowns a piece. However, having allowed 218 points so far is far too many to expect to be effective.  A win against Zoo will likely clinch their playoff spot but 2 wins in three games will help the Brusiers sleep at night.

 

Bruh Mitzfah

Current Position: 10

Current Record: 1-7

Remaining Schedule: Affreux, Go Ghetters

What They Need: Realistically, they need to win out.

This has been a flop of a season for David Daoust.  A team with this much talent should definitely have come together by now.  They do have an opportunity both offences they face in the last two weeks are dependable but not prolific.  These are the kind of “muddy-track” games that Mitz can win.  However, their does also exist a dubious scenario where they win out, as does Zoo and Backyard Bruisers and a three way tie that would implicate them and Go Ghetters would ultimately still have Bruh Mitzfah eliminated.  However, this is, as I said, dubious and unlikely.  More likely is that two wins should get them into the playoffs all be it with some help (which is not altogether unlikely). In a sense, Bruh Mitzfah controls their own destiny insofar as if they win out they should get in!  

 

Division D-2

 

Conference A

 

Still Preaching 

Current Position: 6

Current Record: 3-3-1

Remaining Schedule: Black Knights, Lobster Dinner, Buffalo Wild Wings

What The Need: 1 win should do it

A tie in the winter the season is usually a black mark for a team with post-season aspirations.  In the Spring, with fewer teams and with a greater chance of making the playoffs, a tie helps keep one’s season afloat.  I have said that the receiving corps of Nic Saro, Alexis Labonte, Patrice Lindor and Vladimir Pirrus would be an absolutely dominant receiving corps.  However, with Lindor throwing this receiving corps is strong but not quite elite.  The game in week 9 against Lobster Dinner is very important as it may be the tie-breaker that keeps Still Preaching in the driver’s seat.

 

Buffalo Wild Wings

Current Position: 7

Current Record: 3-4

Remaining schedule: Big Fun Party Mix 8, Norfolk In Chance, Still Preaching

What they Need: Two wins should lock it up, 1 game with some help would do the trick.

Buffalo Wild Wings were helped by the fact that the got to face Lobster Dinner with their backup quarterback. Yet, they have won 3 games thus far which is impressive for a team that I doubted from jump street this season.  Looking at their remaining schedule, I have to say that I will once again call this team’s chances into question.  The “easiest” game of the three is against Norfolk in Chance who have some key pieces that may allow for an upset in week 9. If any team in conference A has the ability to fall off the their playoff standing it would be Buffalo Wild Wings.  Marc-Alexandre Piette has impressed me visually but he makes just enough mistakes that he cannot be counted on. Guillaume Fontaine and Charles Boyer have 7 combined interceptions.  Yet, I can’t help but think that someone else needs to step up on this defense.  They are in a decent spot and helped by a 3-1 divisional record.  However, I can see a reality when Buffalo Wild wings lose out.

 

ETC

Current Position: 8

Current Record: 2-5-1

Remaining Schedule: Warriors, Trinity

What they Need: beating the Red Sharks has all but clinched their playoff spot.  

It amazes me that ETC are still alive this season.  They have not looked great yet, a tie in week 1 and a win last week have ETC holding the last spot.  Juwan Edghill has arrived on the scene riding a horse like a hero from a romance novel.  While I don’t think having him throw is the best use of his abilities I can understand that this team is probably best with their best athlete at the most important position.  Owen Bujarsky has evolved into a very good receiver and Edghill’s ability to move in and out of the pocket has given ETC a new dimension.  I don’t think they can beat Warriors or Trinity but, the Black Knights don’t have an altogether easy path either.

 

Black Knights

Current Position: 9

Current Record: 1-6

Remaining Schedule: Still Preaching, Red Sharks, Lobster Dinner

What they Need: 2 wins plus 2 ETC losses or 3 wins and 1 ETC loss

This is probably the team with the easiest remaining schedule.  Red Sharks have been a disaster and Still Preaching are a team that have been vulnerable at times.  Lobster Dinner doesn’t blow teams out and will allow for Black Knights to potentially upset LD in the final game of the season. Quarterback Joe Marceli has thrown 18 interceptions and it has hampered Black Knights all season long. Anthony Siggia leads the team with 41 catches and 325 yards.  He also only has 3 touchdowns which is hard to believe since a player with his size and voracity is tough to contain in tight spaces.  Black Knights offence need to improve immediately or risk being caught out in the cold.

 

Red Sharks

Current Position: 10

Current Record: 1-6

Remaining Schedule: ETC, Black Knights, Warriors

What they Need: Two wins will likely be enough, a win over ETC this week makes it a virtual lock.

If Red Sharks beat ETC, with ETC’s schedule for the last two weeks, Red Sharks would likely earn a post season berth. Their roster is an absolute disaster they list nearly 20 players where only 5 are playoff eligible.  They have not done themselves any good early in the season and having had a quarterback carousel with 4 abs rotating this season, it does not give one much hope for Red Sharks.  However, be it Pat Lefebvre, Jonathan Doughlin, Luis Begin or Alexandre Guertin Red Sharks need to find a way to win an ugly, yet important game for a chance to stay alive.  A win against Black Knights after a potential win agains ETC will essentially etch their playoff spot into stone.

 

Conference B

 

Norfolk in Chance

Current Position: 5

Current Record: 4-4

Remaining Schedule:  Buffalo Wild Wings, Longhorns

What they Need: Ostensibly clinched.  If they beat Buffalo Wild Wings they will have mathematically clinched.

Norfolk have been an underdog coming into the season.  With Akeem Hoyte Charles, Chris Miliard and Chris Williams appearing on the roster, it is clear that this team does not lack talent.  My worry about this team was uncertain quarterback play and a lack of leadership.  The leadership has begun to shine through and Rocco Cristiano looks to be a solid quarterback for this division.  I’m not certain if NIC will be battle tested come playoff time but, they likely will make it to the second season.

 

Goofy Goobers

Current Position: 6

Current Record: 3-4-1

Remaining Schedule: War Pigs, Pandas

What they need: A win next week should put them out of reach.  Otherwise a win against Pandas will solidify their entry.

The Roadshow hangover is done. Jack Zergiotis has taken over from Styles Trudeau (who wasn’t awful in his own right). Zergiotis has games where he looks like he will be a stud and others where he looks like he should be laid out to pasture.  Wessam Tayeh was sure to point out my questioning of the quarterback change prior to the Goofy Goobers week 8 game.  However their tie against Vikings is indicative of this being a move that can go either way.  

 

War Pigs 

Current Position: 7

Current Record: 2-5-1

Remaining Schedule: Goofy Goobers, Les Montagnards

What they need: They absolutely need a win.

Pandas and Longhorns both have a win in their divisional records.  War Pigs show a zero in that column.  Their remaining games are against the very unpredictable but strong Goofy Goobers team and against a divisional powerhouse in Les Montagnards.  Corey Walwaski has been a top their quarterback for most of the season.  He has protected the ball but at times the offence just seems to stall.  When the offence is moving they can’t seem make a stop. This has been the case in the last four games where they have allowed 31, 41, 30 and 40 points respectively.  War Pigs have the head to head over Longhorns but not over Pandas.  Either of those teams can move up and end the season with more wins than War Pigs and even a pair of ties can land War Pigs off the ticket.  They are holding a spot yet they do seem to be somewhat vulnerable.  

 

Smoking on that Lalla

Current Position: 8

Current Record: 2-5-1

Remaining Schedule: Ravens, Roadrunners

What they need: A win is largely important.  If they lose out they will need too much help to make the playoffs a reality.

The remaining two games are against two very explosive offences.  Smoking on that Lalla are a team I thought would dominate the division. However, it does appear that Avery Lalla will take some time to develop before he becomes the next coming in FPF.  This team has great receivers, yet, Will Hurst and Brent Calendar lead the team with 6 touchdowns a piece.  Both players are competent but aren’t true number one receivers.  This has put them behind the 8 ball.  I see Smoking on the Lalla as the team that is most likely to drop from the playoff rostrum.

 

Pandas

Current Position: 9

Current Record: 2-6

Remaining Schedule: Longhorns, Goofy Goobers

What they Need: One win may just be enough, if they beat Longhorns that will go a long way toward locking down a playoff spot.

Having to play the Longhorns (who are the 10th seed) will essentially all-but guarantee that the the winner of that game will make the playoffs.  The Pandas look the part at times but then in a moment, they tend to fall apart.  Alexandre Bachaalani is a legitimate top receiver in the division and Ryan Kharouf has all the makings of a top tier quarterback.  The Pandas can be dangerous if they make the playoffs but it will take (at the very least) a week 9 win.

 

Longhorns

Current Position: 10

Current Record: 2-6

Remaining Schedule: Pandas, Norfolk in Chance

What they Need: One win could do it provided that win comes over Pandas

Brad Evans is no John Moodie.  This is the reason that the Longhorns are in division D-2.  His struggles are the reason that the Longhorns have not been successful.  This team is not speedy but that isn’t a necessity in a lower division.  These are players with good hands, run good routes and get open.  Often it feels like Evans simply does not take what the defence gives him.  As I mentioned in the previous write-up, if they beat Pandas they will likely find themselves holding a playoff spot.  

 

Monday Morning Miracle 

If you have input for this breakdown feel free to reach out to me @PeezeFPF on Twitter or by messaging me @ Peeze Della Reeze on Facebook.

 

For further analysis, tune in to the official FPF Division D podcast “Calling the Audible,” where Moe Khan and Alex Holowach discuss the X-rated cakes, Moe Khan’s massive ego and plans for the fourth of July. Tune in to www.youtube.com/flagplus on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. or download the podcast on iTunes or Podomatic!