Peeze’s Playbook Week.1 – FlagPlus Football League

Montreal’s spring has to be the oddest and at times the most traumatic climate change on the planet. In one week we feel the oncoming summer as the glow of the sun tingles our sun-starved skin. The next night feels as cold as we would anticipate for Hallow’s Eve. What I have learned, walking in short because you have convinced yourself that the cold weather is behind is, is a recipe for cold legs.

However, I would make the claim that the spring season mirrors it’s temporal location in the calendar. I promises to have it’s share of hot streaks and cold slumps. It will be unpredictable yet enjoyable and anyone who stops to enjoy it for too long may feel as though it passed too quickly and find themselves as spectators as the season becomes host to summer. What i have learned from the season, the heat from the complexes will not afford the possibility for cold legs.

Stars Align, Tide Shifts

So I need to start off by saying that I am totally impressed with Jordan Moses at the quarterback position. I did not think he would be as effective as he was so early on. In his first game as a quarterback, Moses threw for 5 touchdowns and carved up the middle of the field like a knife slicing through warm butter. He hit his #NoRegard BFF Kendal Mayers for 3 touchdowns, as well as a division 6 walk-on Ara Simonian, for another. 5 Star Prospects started off this game by looking like the dominant force but, they’re offense slowed to a halt in the second half.

Perhaps I should praise Crimson Tide for making appropriate adjustments at halftime. However, I cannot believe that it took a defense that boasts Brent Callendar and Doug McKernan an entire half to stop playing cover 2 and exposing the middle of the field. Chris Pinsonneault actually looked very good for parts of this game. However, he faced a defense that featured Jeremy Anderson, and given his inexperience at the position, some clock management issues can be expected. In future weeks, I would expect that Crimson Tide will look better as Pinsonneault makes the transition from dude with a good arm to effective FPF quarterback. 5 Star Prospects will also be a front runner now; I can say that now as I have seen that Jordan Moses can handle his own at quarterback. For now however, 5 Star Prospects earn a week 1 win against Crimson Tide by a score of 25-22.

Hot Boys Withstand Venom

Two and A Half Dans are one of the most successful group of rising stars who have come up from the lower divisions and have started to make their presence felt in the intermediate levels in FPF. They are also known for frustrating teams by being one of the most unorthodox teams that the league has ever seen. What we have seen in Globo Gym Purple Cobras is essentially a collection of the same corps of players with Eric Maiorino at quarterback. Danny Aylward is of course one of the top players on this team and he made his presence felt, as did Joey Taylor who is trying his hand at a receiving capacity. The two combined for 7 catches and 64 yards with Aylward catching a touchdown as well. New comer Alex Joltopuf returned to his award winning form as he was effective on both sides of the ball.

Hot Boys Hotline defensive captain Alex D’aquila was charged with the rather ominous tsk of shutting down an unpredictable offense. Yet, he was able to use his experience to dissect the Cobras offense and take away Maiorino’s checkdown option in Foti Evangelista. Yet, after a quick score by GGPC, the Hot Boys Hotline took the ball with less than 5 plays and marched the ball deep into Cobra territory. Gatehouse looked left and with so many defeders crashing on the quick ins and outs he was able to hit a wide open Vadim Chernyak at the back of the endzone on the last play for the win. This was a hard fought battle but in the end it was the Hot Boys Hotline who would withstand the Globo Gym Purple Cobras and they won by a score of 31-26.

Backyard Carpet Bombed

Carpet Bombed would not be entirely accurate but I was raised in an era where newsmen never let the truth get in the way of a good headline. In the end, what happened in this game was that Jaggerbomb survived a plague of injuries. The game started with two healthy teams squaring off in the opening week of the FPF season. Simon Duchesne and the Jagerbomb offense looked nearly untouchable early in this game. Martin Gelinas made his return with the black shirts and caught a touchdown and made his presence felt on defense as well. Marc-Andre Nguyen also found his way into the endzone twice and another score was tallied by Jonathan Hotte. However, the pressure applied by rusher Jay Lavoie Patrie was the difference as he forced 3 interceptions (2 to Duchesne and 1 to Jean Felix Daloze).

However, this is when the injury bug hit and the game started to turn. Rich Hume took advantage of the Jagerbomb in the second half as he faced a team that featured and injured Martin Gelinas and J-F Daloze. This was compounded with the ejection of snapper Jamil Benhamida. Humes looked ready to pounce and Hit several receivers up and down the field. Bryan Mongeau elevated his game with some key catches and scored as well. Backyard Bullies made it a game by outscoring Jagerbomb in the second half. However, with proper clock management an intelligent play calling Jagerbomb was able to hold on for victory as they left the field boasting a 24-20 victory over Backyard Bullies.

Power Rankings

After one week of action I feel as though I know less about this division than ever before. Nonetheless, here are my thoughts. Think I’m totally off base? Let me know by tweeting me @PeezeFPF.

Jagerbomb (1-0)- Having won with so many injuries and so many missing players shows the string character that this group has. I believed in them preseason and my belief is unwavering. Jagerbomb #1

Tomahawk Nightmare (1-0)- Tomahawk dismantled Les Affreux this week. They were dominant on both sides of the ball and I may appear foolish by not placing them on top of this list. I want to see how they perform against another offensive powerhouse as they face off against Warhawks in week 2 before I am ready to jump ship.

Warhawks (1-0)- Now that I have seen the product I can admit that this is in fact the real deal. Fred Malette has struggled in higher divisions but given his receiving corps, he may have found a comfortable home in division D.

Les Affreux(1-0)- So this seems high for a team that got crushed in the first week. However, I believe that they just finished playing against tone of the strongest teams in the division. I think Les Affreux will bounce back quickly.

5-Star Prospects (1-0)- Jordan Moses had a great debut performance and I like this teams defense. Moses will need to learn to adapt to the defense’s adjustments but I do think this is a twam that will look better with each week.

Gotham Knights (1-0)- Gotham took care of business against a new team. You don’t chose who you’re scheduled against. All you can do is beat whoever appears on your schedule. For this reason, they’ve moved up.

D’s Nuts (1-0)- They are in a similar situation to Gotham Knights. They were given a new team to face off against in week 1. However, I rank them one spot lower because I expected them to win by a much wider margin. I lost a bet; as far as I’m concerned D’s Nuts owe me money.

Formerly Formerly Formerly Teamless- They will eventually play against a quarterback with more experience. However, a shutout cannot be ignored.

Sticky Hands- 51 points is a whole bunch to score in week 1 and Alexis Labonté looked near perfect in week 1. They face Back Yard Bullies in week 2 and I hope that I can get a better beat on this team after that game.

Backyard Bullies- Humes and co. lost to a bruised an battered Jagerbomb team. However, an injured Jagerbomb team may still be better than most. BYB will bounce back.

Bronxbombers- The bombers faced off against an experienced team in Show Me Your TDs. With Micahel Sanchez at quarterback they were able to put up enough points to let their defense be dominant. I expect that this defense will continue to be that way for weeks to come

Other Teams Receiving Votes

I asked my girlfriend for her votes. She informed me that we were late to go to her sister’s house. As such the only votes that were cast were my own….in a hurry I might add.

Globo Gym Purple Cobras (0-1)- They haven’t won a game yet but this is a team all should fear. They lost on the last play of the game and that shouldn’t happen often. Look for a quick turnaround.

Tyrants (1-0)- I want desperately to believe that this is a sign of things to come. However, my heart has been broken before. They’ll need to score some more points in order for me to truly believe.

Woofpack (1-0)- Terry Tam looked good in week 1. Without Bradley Augustin to rely on, he was forced to play at a higher level and did so. He hasn’t exactly been a monument to efficiency and we will need to see if he can maintain his high level of play.

Rants Reflections and Ravings

Week 1 saw teams score an average of 24.15 points. This seems low; I expect firepower to increase as the season goes on.
Thunder Buddies are now called D’s Nuts. I wonder if their team names have a double meaning?
I learned that many other players in FPF are also Comic Book geeks. However, if you don’t watch Daredevil on Netflix, you obviously have terrible taste, are a bad parent and are untrustworthy as a fellow human. You don’t need to be a graphic novel enthusiast to enjoy quality programing.
Our new home for the FPF podcasts is quite comfortable. The Sportira Cages are spacious and have an interesting atmosphere. Did I mention they make jerseys?
Speaking of jerseys, make sure you and your boys are matching this week as it is picture week and we want all players to look their best. Just do it so you don’t get fined!!!!
The LA Lakers have earned the 2^nd pick in this year’s NBA draft lottery. Is that suspicious enough to set off the NBA conspiracy theorists?
Reports suggest that Blue Devils will be featuring a female player that they expect to be dominant this week. This won’t be the first female FPF player, however it is still a notable event.
I learned this week that players should keep their women away from Leo Gervais. FPF’s head referee is a charmer.
It isn’t quite game of the week time. However, if I had to choose a game this week it would be Tomahawk Nightmare against the Warhawks.

Hung-over Visions of the World of Tomorrow

This was a tough first week for me when it came to predicting games. I went 5-7 in my first week and I feel two games behind eventual loser Mat Domon. Not only did I fall slightly behind Mat in our season long competition, but I was also accused of cheating by that less than upstanding individual. I understand his need to attempt to tear me down from atop my pedestal. I feel the same sting of jealousy that the New England Patriots must feel at the hands of their less successful counterparts. Unlike Tom Brady however, my balls are not deflated. I’m coming for you Mat! Join me as I trash talk him on twitter @MathieuDomonFPF.

Sunday’s Syndical Snake

With one more reference to picture day I will have officially given everyone fair warning. So here it goes. Remember that week 2 is picture week. Look good, bring your jersey, be creative. There you have it, you’ve all been given fair warning. Let me know how you thought your picture game can be improved: email me at [email protected] or if you would like the world to see you can always reach out to me on twitter @PeezeFPF.

For further analysis, tune in to the official FPF division D podcast Calling the Audible where GM Kolethras and I will discuss which the benefits of office setting olympic games, we will define what exactly hipster music is and debate which of us has prettier eyes. If you watch for long enough we may discuss some flag football relevant topics!

You can watch us live Thursday nights at 8:30 at www.youtube.com/flagplus or download the show via iTunes or at http://fpf.podomatic.com. You can always tweet the show live by tweeting @EagleFPF or feel free to tweet GM @GMKole44 and let him know your vacation plans.

Have a great and safe week of action. See you at the fields!