Peeze’s Playbook (Div D) – Week 11

In a town where dancing was outlawed, Kevin Bacon fought oppression to show that even the town’s most conservative constituents could be swayed by the power of Kenny Loggins.  The magical toe tapping beat even convinced John Lithgow’s character (a religious zealot) that perhaps 80’s music was not in fact sent from Gargamel (or the devil… I forget) to poison the youth.

 

If FPF were outlawed what would we do to make our case?  It would need to be so powerful that even the most anti-FPF adversary would be reformed.  Perhaps we could compile a video footage of Justin Blanchard making a variety of faces featuring puppy dog eyes (although that may unite them even more steadfastly against the league).  Conceivably we need nothing more than to show them the emotion, passion and excitement of the FPF playoffs.  As always, I urge everyone to come down to Lachine on Sunday and check out our division’s final four. You never know when John Lithgow will try to take it all away.

 

Les Affreux (2) vs. Mongoose (3)

 

Perhaps FPF analyst Simon Dagenais said it best, “When the Mongoose show up, the are the best team in the division.”  I believe he meant this to have a double meaning.  Given that they have a small roster and, famously have won games despite not being able to field 6 players.  However, there are also games where the Mongoose are also just off.  They won a couple of tight games that I thought should have been blowouts and they lost some games that could easily have been wins.  The Mongoose do a good job of masking their coverage defensively and this will be key if they want to disrupt Jonathan Lemieux’s timing.  This is a game that I expect to be close but can turn quickly on a huge defensive play. As much credit as Gaudet gets as a player he is a stellar defensive player as well. Surrounding him are ball-hawks Marc-André Lapointe and Cédric Nuckle.  Additionally, Jonathan Chevallier had a great season recording 12 sacks this season against many of the top quarterbacks.

 

For these reasons, Les Affreux will have to be patient on offence.  They need to avoid the big mistake and take what the defense is giving them.  As these are both quick teams, Les Affreux won’t win matchups across the board as they normally do, so, they will need to beat the defense schematically.  On defense Les Affreux have a unique talent at rusher that is unrivaled in the lower divisions.  Daniel Bellefeuille is the kind of rusher that causes so much stress in opponents that he makes you argue with your girlfriend the night before a game. In their last matchup Les Affreux got a pick-6 from Martin Jackson and that seemed to blow the game open.  If they can get a huge play like that in this one Les Affreux will be punching their ticket to Brossard for August 11^th.

 

Predicition:  Mongoose by 3

 

Conference B

 

Longhorns (1) vs. Checkmate (5)

 

What Checkmate does well is obvious.  They throw the deep ball well.  Aside from that they have a cast of receivers that seemingly never drop a pass and show a knack for getting open.  What is less talked about is their aggressive, and athletic defense that may give up a score or hand the ball back to their offense on any given play.  However, the most intimidating feature of this season’s Checkmate unit is that once they get a defensive stop, they make it difficult for opposing teams to keep pace.  If the Longhorns turn the ball over early, and Checkmate’s offense is rolling they will force the Longhorns to have to throw deep against the likes of James Floreani, Max Lachapelle, Joe Mbaya and Minh Tôn Thât.  Once they begin to apply pressure Checkmate needs to tighten their stranglehold if they expect to make their first final’s appearance. At times, the navy blue bombers have looked soft this season.  They need to accept the role of the bully and play like a squad intent on striking fear into their opponent.

 

If I had to choose a team that I least expect to be intimidated by Checkmate it would be the Longhorns.  The Longhorns who are a group of veterans that will definitely come into this game with the intention of using their aggressive zone defense and intelligent play calling to neutralize Checkmate’s speed advantage. Angelo “Aggie” Kalaidopolous has made a name for himself as the Longhorn’s defensive commander-in-chief but he could not have done so with out remarkable performances by Chris Rosen and Dale “The Laughing Fire” Williams.  Much like Morissette, Moodie avoids mistakes and hee is having, arguably, his best season ever. All season long, Moodie has shown the ability to find his receivers in defensive holes.  His comfort and trust with his receivers is outstanding and they are all a physical possession receivers (ie. Brian Martin, Dale Williams, Dave Allen etc.) who get the ball at all costs.  Provided they can keep pace with Checkmate and slow the game down, this game could be there’s for the taking.

 

Prediction: n/a

 

Press Conference

 

Just as we did last season we will be hosting a special edition of Calling the Audible in which, Terry and I, will be interviewing players from each team that will be playing at the finals.  For those involved at the game, please ensure that Terry or I get a chance to make the appropriate arrangements.  For those who won’t have the fortune of moving on to the final dance (again think Kevin Bacon, sorry guys, I watched Footloose again this week, it’s all that’s on my mind), take my word for it and tune into the press conference.  They tend to be a mix of good times, trash talk and a little pro wrestling. If you don’t want to take my word for it, I’ve had my Chinatown hookup litter fortune cookies with the following message:

 

Tune in to Calling the Audible via iTunes or at http://fpf.podomatic.com

 

If you don’t listen to the ancient wisdom of a cookie then you are beyond salvation.

 

Going for One/Going for Two

 

Every season, after we’ve come up with the all-star teams someone, who is displeased with the selections will inevitably complain that someone got snubbed.  In many cases, I have sympathy for these cases and can see an argument being made for said person to make the all-star team.

 

However, it is remarkably difficult to choose 12 players to represent the entire division when one is being asked to choose from some 300 players representing 30 teams.  Additionally, while people may make the claim for someone to make the all-star team, they rarely mention whom they would remove in their place. So in the future, when you go off on your diatribes defending your own honor or pleading the case for a teammate please tell us where we got it wrong and who should be replaced.  The league won’t ever change its mind but we can at least explain to you why the decision was made.  In reality, these aren’t arbitrary decisions and the ‘voters’ argue and discuss at length before a final all-star roster is selected.

 

Of course, despite this little rant, I’m sure that next season will see similar disputes on the Facebook wall next season.  In the end, it allows league officials and players the opportunity for more discussion.  That is after all, the main purpose of the FPF Facebook group.

 

The Weekend Wrap-Up

There we have it, some of my final thoughts before Sunday’s action.  In case you think I’ve got it completely wrong you can always email me at [email protected] or reach me on Twitter @PeezeFPF.  Please remember that you can always insult Terry @TerryTamFPF. 

 

Division D’s Calling the Audible has been a huge success. Some have said that it is the single greatest podcast ever recorded.  Those people would be Terry and myself.  Remember, just because we’re biased it doesn’t mean it’s not true.  However, much like people who are only watching now Red Dwarf for the first time, if you haven’t heard the show, you have fallen behind the curve. Luckily it isn’t too late.  You can check us out at http://fpf.podomatic.com or by subscribing on iTunes.  See you on the fields, till then, thank you for letting me be myself.