Playing for Keeps: What’s left to ponder?

“Yeah now well the thing about the old days, they the old days.” —Slim Charles to Bodie during Season 4 of The Wire

This week I was treated first-hand to a very entertaining Div 1 heavyweight bout, between the Finest and Flag Moi L’Sac. It was a beautiful contest of opposites, between new and old, ying and tang, that sort of thing. As the new number 1 team took on the reigning champs – who are now battling to keep a back-end playoff spot – there was an electricity in the air at Hebert, the first whiffs of playoff football were finally here, beating out the first whiffs of spring.

The game itself, was some kind of metaphor, signalling the slow changing of the guard in FPF. Everything has its day under the sun. Everything rises and everything falls. The Finest have been holding on to the title of “best team in the league” for years now. They’ve outlasted expectations, and have ruined pundits’ predictions of their downfall on far too many occasions. But I’m not here to harken the call of those pundits and rehash the same so-called “bold” proclamation. No…I’m just here to talk about the air, the sun, and the metaphors.

Read on below to see how the game played out. If one thing’s for certain, this year’s playoffs are going to be one hell of a ride. I’m getting my popcorn ready and rsvping a front row seat.

Around the Division

STL looked mean this week in their beat-down on Khantroversy. With a 27-12 lead at halftime, they looked like they would cruise to victory in a big conference game. Even though Khan came through with the big stop late to put them in position to tie, STL was the aggressor all night. A few calls and non-calls sent Dan Lazzara off-kilter down the stretch, as he became infuriated with Terrence Adams’ repeated cheap shots at rusher. Similar to what he did last year for #NR, Theo Ojeaha brings an air of championship legitimacy to this stacked STL team. They look like an utter force to deal with heading towards the conference B playoffs.
For as close as the final score was, all reports are that #NR was in control all night in their game versus Bad Boys. The revamped #NR defense, featuring Zion Love, Jermaine Parrish-Lewis and Khadeem Pierre are giving this repeat contender a new edge heading into playoff mode. Perhaps the most dominant piece on their defense has been the cryptic Mike Zimmie, who locks down his side of the field like a bank safe.
The Braves dealt D-Boys another devastating defeat this week, further separating the distance in direction between these two teams. Georges Gariépy continued his DPOY campaign with a phenomenal diving interception in the end zone. When he unwinds his arms to full wingspan and moves them up and down while blocking the passing lanes, he’s like the windmill on a miniature golf course (credit Zach Lowe). Opposing QBs are left trying to sneak passes around him rather than throwing on him.
Waste Yout may be in 6th place semantically, but for all intents and purposes they’re in the dog house of Div 1 after their systematic deconstruction at the hands of Rochdi’s DK. They desperately need the switch to turn on soon. As for DK, there’s no team currently hotter in the division. They’ve done a marvellous job working through the tough weeks and building themselves up to championship contender.

League Leaders (QB)

Week 8 feels like a good time to check in with our individual positional leaders. Let’s start with QB.

Tier 1

From a pure volume side, excluding efficiency, the above table does a nice job visualizing the field of Div 1 and 2 QBs. At the end of the day, pushing the ball downfield and scoring touchdowns is the primary concern of all QBs. Right off the bat, we can see that even after a bit of a second half slow-down, Alex Nadeau-Puize is head and shoulders ahead of competition. With averages of 246 yards and 6.1 TDs per game, he’s leading the field in both categories…Next up is the Orange Bomber Nicola Centomo, who keeps pumping big stat game after big stat game – except a week 6 slip-up vs Braves. He’s actually tied with ANP at 246 yards per game and only lags slightly behind him at 5.7 TDs. With only 5 INTs in 6 games so far he definitely deserves the nod for this year’s MIP – Most Improved Player…Rochdi deserves some serious attention for one of the two Div 1 ALL-STAR spots. With averages of 231 and 5.9 he’s not only elite in both categories, but he’s shooting the lights out with a career high 72% completion. He’s also shaped DK into the third best team in the division (or best of the second tier teams). He’s averaging an INT per game, but it’s a fair exchange for the type of high volume numbers that he’s producing…Next we have arguably the QBOY in both Div 1 and Div 2, Jonathan Maheu. He’s leading Div 2 with 5.8 TDs per game, and is maximizing his offensive attempts with 221 yards per game. Playing with an elite defense often minimizes the field for him, but he’s been the best of making the most out of every drive granted…Speaking of elite Div 2 QBs, Dylan Taylor is going stride for stride with Maheu, averaging 208 and 5.6, on a mind boggling 74.1% completion. His steady production has been the backbone behind a scary-good STL team, and he’s setting up Jamie Ojeaha for a career high season and receiver award…The unquestioned GOAT of FPF, Kevin Wyeth is having a sub-par season – by his otherworldly standards. 234 and 5.3 would be stellar averages for many, but with 9 INTs in 7 games his heavy turnover toll has left a suddenly toothless Finest defense vulnerable. We’re so used to witnessing him dominate the field that his moderate drop-off this season seems even bigger under a microscope. The truth is that no matter how he finishes 2019, he’s paved the way for the current generation of FPF premier gunslingers to thrive…

Tier 2

After the group above, who’ve outperformed the class to this point in the season, this group has been slightly above average to slightly below average so far. As we mention each week, Rick Nincheri is making the best lemonade possible out of the lemons available. If his beverage only contains 50% real fruit juice, than so be it, not his fault. With a receiving corps better suited to Div 3 than 2, he’s been able to march the field at will for large stretches this year. His 231 yards per game is a testament to the veteran gunslingers moxie, even if his 4.6 TD average leaves a little to be desired…Dan Lazzara is the surprising name on this list. Normally well known for being a trendsetter in this class and testing historical records, this season hasn’t gone exactly as planned. In Div 2 he’s leading the second tier, with 203 and 4.9 while throwing only 4 INTs in 8 games; he’s just off the leaderboard. But it’s Div 1 where the numbers fall off. He’ll look to recapture his Hall of Fame form down the stretch, and focus on winning when it matters most this season…Mario Porreca is performing admirably for someone who picked up midseason with a brand new cast of inexperienced receivers, while building chemistry and working off rust on the fly. His solid 210 and 4.8 is a major reason why his team has gone from the cellar of conference A to a 3-5 record in recent weeks. He’ll look to level up even further down the stretch and into the second season…Marco Masciotra and Rod Mashtoub are very similar production-wise this year. Both are underperforming by their normally excellent standards, and both would like to exchange a few INTs for TDs in their totals. Masciotra’s 12 INTs lead both divisions, while Masthoub was averaging 1.5 INTs per game before last week. The good news for Rod is that he had a spectacular performance against Got Fat in his first and only game thrown in February. We might be witnessing a breakout from the former Div A QBOY…Sean Avraam and Cory Pecker are two other veteran QBs seemingly linked at the hip this year. Avraam deserves credit for managing the offense marvellously while going through a mid season roster rebuild. With only 3 INTs on the year he’s tied with Maheu for the least in the division. Pecker hasn’t had his greatest season to date. He’s doing enough for his team to win each week, leading #NR to 6-1 season on their journey to defend the Div 2 title, but the optics haven’t been as good as his best years. While arm strength has never been his signature, he’s usually the sharpest decision maker on the field and perfectly balances risk mitigation with taking his shots. So far this year we’ve seen some surprisingly risky throws backfire. Always with ice in his veins, don’t be surprised to see him saving his best for the post-season repeat run…Pat Chenard is throttling the line between tier 2 and 3. His averages of 195 and 4.3 put him closer to the below average crowd, but the fact that he’s been surging in recent weeks gives him the potential to finish the season strong. There’s no surprise that his boost in play has coincided with the return to health of Nicolas Arsenault-Hum. The two form one of the best QB-to-receiver chemistry pairings in either division. Bad Boys are revived as a threat in Div 2 thanks in large part to Chenard’s improved play.

Tier 3

FPF is a real “what have you done for me lately” league, so the Below Average tier starts off with one of the true legends of QB history. Ryan Kastner is having a nightmare season for Clockmakers. With calls for him in recent years to step down from Div 1, he was largely considered the premier pivot entering the 2019 Div 2 season. None of that has come to fruition unfortunately, as a disastrous stretch of 3 games has seen him fall off the map in recent weeks. Questions and opinions abound, with some variation of greatly regressed throwing power and an offense lacking speed forming popular hypothesis of what’s gone wrong…Charles St Martin style resembles a lite version of Pat Chenard. He throws a heavy ball with great velocity, and can move quite effectively once he gets going. However, he lacks the touch necessary on the small field and too often tries to squeeze passes into too-tight windows…Tam Vilaydeth is a straight-up baller. His overall numbers are nowhere near nice, but he does what he needs to in the heat of games to pull off key plays and set his team up for victory. If he can match his team’s defense in recent weeks then Terror Squad will be in position to make a dark horse playoff run in conference A. If his recent 7 TD performance is any indication, he may just be on the cusp of busting out…Kristian Cerantola had a flash in the pan in his first week for SYO, leading them to their only non-loss of the season, but since then has cooled off considerably. It’s not entirely his fault, as his team seems to struggle to fit 6 man rosters in recent weeks…its unfortunate watching the great Paul Lapierre languish in the wasteland that is the Alkaholiks roster. He deserves better than this. However, it’s true that father time defeats us all…unless of course, you’re Vince Carter.

Recap

Flag Moi L’Sac depose the Finest

The Finest seemed to be in playoff mode in warmups, there was an effect of seriousness coming off the way they warmed up, the way they stretched. They seemed to be channeling a higher level of focus for the battle ahead. Summoning the championship spirit that’s largely eluded them to this point in the year.

As for FML, they were in a loose, jovial mood. With only 6 players to start the game, you could tell the game lacked the same dire importance to them as it did to their opponents. Generally a team with a laid back attitude, they had an extra level of zen heading into the coin flip.

Finest started with the ball and were shredding the FML defense on the first drive. Wyeth was sharp, and found Kishon on a signature fade route from 15 yards out for the opening score.

ANP got to work quickly in response. He mixed up deep shots and short game, missing on his haymakers early on but was always able to move the chains afterwards. Once at the doorstep, he was able to escape looming pressure from Finest rusher Francois Hogue, and converted the score.

The next drive gave us the first hiccup of the game. A couple of drops put Finest in a fourth and 10 position at midfield. Wyeth stepped up in the pocket, evaded the rusher and scanned the field for an open receiver. With all his men tightly covered he had to lead a deep ball to a streaking Kishon. The ball was just slightly overthrown, out of Kishon’s reaching grasp. Turnover Finest, at midfield.

ANP didn’t waste any time, as he dipped the rusher and ran in the go-ahead score from 20 yards out.

The Finest took the ball back, looking to respond after receiving the first blow of the game. They suddenly looked unsure of themselves for the first time of the evening. Their receivers were starting to have trouble with the tricky blue line at Hebert, as JCMP caught a comeback down the right wing while out of bounds. Wyeth then went to his left, attempting a wheel to Jerome. Jonathan Beaulieu-Richard, the vastly underrated superstar-type defender for FML, read the play perfectly and undercut the route, nearly intercepting it but bobbling it while going out of bounds.

Wyeth regrouped, leading a field marching drive that put them at their opponent’s goal line. A sack by JP St-Pierre pushed them back on 1st and 5. On second down St-Pierre got to the QB again, forcing Wyeth to throw a misguided pass over the middle of the field. ANP intercepted the ball and further helped his cause.

A few plays later FML scored, granting themselves a 21-6 lead. In the heat of the moment it felt like Rome was burning, like we were witnessing the physical end to a once great dynasty. The Finest brought all their energy to the field for this game, and were getting smoked.

But the feeling passed, and Finest marched and scored. Wyeth led Jerome on a perfect corner TD.

With 2 plays left before half, ANP elected to go for the crucial blow rather than take the 1 score lead into the break. He sent his receivers into the medium and deep levels of the field, looking to chop it up for a final heave. With no one open at first, he double clutched and looked for a late read. After having gotten beaten a few times earlier, Francois Hogue made no mistake this time. He cornered ANP, and wrapped him up – ready for the sack. ANP heaved a desperate pass over the middle of the field, intending a throw away. The only player near the ball was Kishon, who made a diving interception, scooping the ball off the turf and returning it to the 10 yard line. WOW. A feeling of shock permeated the sidelines, as no one expected the leading QBOY candidate to make that kind of unsolicited mistake. ANP gave the Finest a second life.

With 1 play left, Wyeth threw a comeback down the right side to Jerome. Touchdown! A two point convert made it a 21-20 lead for FML heading into the half.

The second half saw both teams clean-up their offense, and exchange score-for-score all the way to the end. Extras became key now, as neither team looked capable of being stopped.

Sam Nadeau-Piuze, who arrived sharply dressed around halftime, made a big impact down the stretch. He shredded the Finest defense vertically, as ANP used his old tricks to get his brother open downfield. He scored his second TD with a few minutes remaining to give his team a 40-33 lead. A 2 point convert was no good.

The Finest marched the field with pace, setting up Akked Moore for a score with a post from 7 yards out. Down 40-39, the Finets went for 2 for the lead. No good. FML got the ball with just over a minute left in the game.

The final phase of the game became an excellent game of chess between ANP’s clock milking offense and Kishon’s expert usage of his timeouts.

With 6 plays left, the Finest looked to be allowing JP St-Pierre to score on first down with FML in their redzone. However, St-Pierre refused to score, stopping bluntly at the 1 yard line and refusing to go any further. In a very conservative approach, ANP elected to take short sacks on the next two plays, setting up a fourth down situation at the Finest goal line with 3 plays left. Finally trying to score at last, he threw a sharp slant over the middle of the field, only to have it picked off by a cutting Jermaine Parrish-Lewis.

The Finest got the ball at their 10 yard line, with 2 plays to go for the win. With no opening to chop the field with Wyeth aired it out into the end zone on first down. No good. The final play of the night was a Hail Mary, air mailed into the center of a pile of bodies in the direction of Jerome. FML knocked the ball away, and sealed the win against their venerated opponents.

Power Rankings

FML 5-1-1 (/): The single most talented team in the division. Proved it this past week by beating the Finest with only 6 guys for most of the game. They play loose, but focused.
Braves 5-2-1 (/): While FML was defeated Finest, Braves were finishing off the ghosts of FPF past with a clean sweep over D-Boys. Their fierce, aggressive style gives them a major edge.
DK 4-3 (/): They have finally become the team we hoped they would be pre-season. This week can be a huge message to the league versus the opponent immediately above them.
Montréal’s Finest 3-4 (/): They were in playoff mode this week against FML, but couldn’t summon the juice needed to overtake the new top dogs. They won’t be an easy out any week, but are no longer the favorites in Div 1.
Monstars 4-4 (+1): Rod Mashtoub was back and delivered the goods in a high scoring showdown vs Got Fat. This is the Monstars we want to see in the playoffs.
D-Boys 2-5 (-1): Took their best shot this week but fell short against a superior opponent. Not something that we’re used to saying with this team, but there’s a new reality in Div 1. They’ll need to get crafty in the next few weeks to avoid a 2019 bust.
Got-Fat 2-4 (/): Dropped an important game as they try to make their way out of the Div 1 cellar. Doesn’t get easier this week against an enraged Finest team looking to lay the hammer down on someone.
Waste Yout 2-4 (/): Game 6 and they’re still reaching for inexperienced subs to fill the roster. This disappointing season gets worse with each loss. Fortunately they have a track record of playing the D-Boys tough. They desperately need to right the ship this week.

Braves 2.0 7-1 (/): Despite their 1 loss it’s been impossible to remove this team for the top rank. For further evidence see their demolishment of Clockmakers this past week. Rest of the season should be easy enough.
YCSWU 7-0 (/): Had a bit of a sleepy game vs Nighthawks. They don’t want to build bad habits down the stretch before playoffs.
STL 6-1 (+1): Wow, what a team. With Theo on board these guys are fierce. For the most part they made Khantroversy look easy this past week. 2 easy games to go before a deep playoff run.
#NR 6-1 (-1): The new look, all-dressed #NR defense is fun to watch. Fast, athletic, rangy and boisterous, they fit the profile of this team’s fiery history to a T.
Khantroversy 4-4 (/): They were chasing STL all game. Still don’t entirely look right. They have two winnable games against mid-ranked opponents to close off the season. These will be telling.
Terror Squad 4-3 (+1): 3 straight wins on the back of their defense has them continue to surge up conference A. Their true test will come over the next 2 games however, against some inter-conference powerhouses.
Bad Boys 3-5 (-1): A bit of a letdown game offensively following some fireworks last week. They’re still battling hard and in the thick of the pack.
Kings Landing 3-4 (/): Looking to finally touch .500 with a fourth straight win this week. Watch out though, as a hot opponent trails right behind them.
Prospect Squad 3-5 (+2): Officially on a winning streak. Offense averaging 42 per game heading into a fun tilt vs King’s Landing.
Clockmakers 2-5 (-1): Scarily approaching Alkaholiks level fall-off. But having a much more talented roster makes it even more baffling.
Alkaholiks 2-4 (-1): Unfortunate to say, they’ve become the team that good teams roll over.
Nighthawks 1-5-1 (/): They keep chopping away, trying to make the best with what they have.
Killa Bees 1-6 (/): No SCC on the past 2 weeks has been tough. But they showed signs of fight left in them this past week against a trending Prospect Squad.
SYO 4 Life 0-6-1 (/): Starring down a winless season. Let’s hope for a feel good win down the stretch.

Avraam’s Spreads:

I decided to spice things up for the projections this season. Welcome to Avraam’s Spreads, where the old head of FPF will play bookie on a weekly basis, handicapping the games for us with just the right amount of juice. Featuring Simon Dagenais and bonus picks from the odds maker himself.

Got Fat vs Finest (-7)

Alex’s pick: Finest

Simon’s pick: GF

Sean’s pick: Finest

Waste Yout vs D-Boys (-6.5)

Alex’s pick: Waste Yout

Simon’s pick: WY

Sean’s pick: D-Boys

Braves (-3) vs DK

Alex’s pick: Braves

Simon’s pick: Braves

Sean’s pick: DK

Flag Moi L’Sac (-8) vs Monstars

Alex’s pick: Flag Moi L’Sac

Simon’s pick: Monstars

Sean’s pick: Monstars

Braves 2.0 (-19.5) vs SYO

Alex’s pick: SYO

Simon’s pick: 2.0

Sean’s pick: Braves 2.0

STL (-17) vs Alkaholics

Alex’s pick: STL

Simon’s pick: STL

Sean’s pick: STL

YCSWU (-17) vs Killa Bees

Alex’s pick: NA

Simon’s pick: Killa Bees

Sean’s pick: YCSWU

Terror Squad vs Khantroversy (-1)

Alex’s pick: Khantroversy

Simon’s pick: Khan

Sean’s pick: Terror Squad

King’s Landing (-6) vs Prospect Squad

Alex’s pick: Kings

Simon’s pick: PS

Sean’s pick: Kings

Bad Boys (-6) vs Clockmakers

Alex’s pick: Clockmakers

Simon’s pick: Bad Boys

Sean’s pick: Bad Boys

Knighthawks vs NR (-13)

Alex’s pick: NR

Simon’s pick: NR

Sean’s pick: Nighthawks

That’s it for this week. Week 8 of FPF is officially in the books, and week 9 has already begun. If you have any feedback, concerns, comments or just want a shoulder to lean on you can hit me up on Facebook. If you’re craving more content please check out the Calling the Audible podcast featuring Moe Khan, Peeze and Simon, it’s a healthy dose of absurdity to get you through the week. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and make sure to check back next week to find out how week 9 shook out!