Politicized Death, Picks and Out of Date Power Rankings

Peeze’s Playbook 

Week 9

 

Every time there is a school or public shooting it is an absolute tragedy.  I could not possibly communicate how it feels for someone who has spent the better part of a decade working in public schools. Yet, what hurts the most is that both sides of this oddly dichotomous debate step upon the bones of the deceased and use their loss as a proverbial soap box upon which to spout their politics.

 

A popular narrative that appears is to criticize the “thoughts and prayers” sentiment.  This is most frequently a thought communicated by those who’s politics lie left of centre.  The issue with this idea is that it is to suggest that the dead do not take a moment for us to mourn their loss.  The next sentence is inevitably about gun reform.  The concern is valid, however, why is the concern never apparent during times where tragedy isn’t afoot.  I feel it necessary to separate my criticism as those who take this stand do not.  Gun reform is important.  Using the death of children to promote that is despicable.

 

On the other end of the spectrum we have those who look to change the discussion to that which is easier to defend.  If we had guns then the bad guys wouldn’t be the only one’s.  We can’t let fear take away our freedom etc.  This is just as deplorable.  It negates the issue that those who are unfit to use a firearm still have access or that those with mental illness could use the screening and diagnosis to get the help they need.  

 

In the end here is the only thing that matters.  The following people died in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting:

 

Alyssa Alhadeff

Scott Beigel

Martin Duque Anguiano

Nicholas Dworet

Aaron Feis

Jamie Guttenberg

Chris Hixon

Luke Hoyer

Cara Loughran

Gina Montalto

Joaquin Oliver

Alaina Petty

Meadow Pollack

Helena Ramsey

Alex Schachter

Carmen Schentrup

Peter Wang

 

May your lives never be forgotten.

 

 

Power Rankings

 

Division 6

 

  1. Vick in a Box (7-0): Seven up, seven down for the un-cola.  Their offence is consistent and their defence is stifling.  I don’t see VIB losing during this regular season.
  2. Pension Plan (7-1): Their only loss has come to Vick in a Box earlier in the season. Robert Trombino and Giovanni Gianmerella have emerged as threats and there may be stopping this golden aged squad.
  3. Fighting Flamingos (6-1): I’ve had higher hopes for Fighting Flamingos.  They’re still getting results but perhaps midseason boredom has set in because FF have been somewhat lacklustre since the midway point.
  4. 2 Flags, 1 Cup (6-1): The most impressive thing I’ve seen all season is Zach Jauniaux’s passing.  Very good for a rookie, while not being the league’s most prolific.  However, with his ability to extend drives and his pairing with Alex Deslauriers on defense, this team may be a contender after all.
  5. Practice Squad (5-2): Practice Squad is now on a two game winning streak and quarterback Shayne Feinberg is learning each week.
  6. The U (5-2): The U is far from flawless but their defence adapts well and with Evan Frank firmly in place as the quarterback, this team is one no one wants to see on their schedule.
  7. Channel 4 News Team (6-1): I have my concerns.  They do keep winning, however, they have played a few more close games than I like. Greg Castiel has only thrown 5 interceptions and has shown he’s adept at protecting the ball.  I have them outside my top 5 but they continue to prove me wrong.
  8. Tough Lungs (4-3): The Lungs look good.  They have been streaky on time but at the moment no one seems capable of stopping the duo of Justin Lerner and Daron Migdesyan.

 

Division 6D

 

  1. Ball So Hard U (6-1): Division 6D has a top 3 and then there’s everyone else.  The best of the top 3 at this point is likely BSHU.  They haven’t lost since week 4 and Jono Mandracchia is establishing himself as top threat in the division.
  2. Sick Pick (6-1): Sick Bick’s offensive output has been somewhat grounded since their shocking week 6 loss.  However, where the offence has looked more regular, their defence is still among the best in the division.
  3. Air Force 1 (6-1): Air Force 1 has one real test left with their game against A Determiner this week.  That said, AF1 looks like they may be susceptible to lose in games where they take their opponent lightly.
  4. Broke Boys (5-2): Broke Boys are the “best of the rest” in division 6D.  One of their only two loses came in week 1 and their other came against the favoured Ball So Hard U. Keep an eye out for the best of the second tier.
  5. Green Monster (6-2): Jason DeSouza has improved throughout the season and it’s been a welcomed change for Green Monster.  The offence keeps improving and we can expect GM to be a force in the second season.
  6. Quackers (5-2): Karim Sy-Morissette is pacing a talented defence with 7 interceptions.  The defence will be key if Quackers are to make a move on the division.
  7. Sunday Touch Boys (4-3): Sunday Touch Boys have allowed 2 points over the last two weeks.  This is a good sign for a team that has not played up to expectations in the early part of the season.
  8. Vultures (4-3): It’s been hard to get a read on this team but they dismantled the Replacements a week after the Replacements beat AF1.  They can win games but consistency appears to be an issue.  

Predicitons

 

This week has a lot of great games.  When examining division 6D I noticed 3 in particular that would help us figure out who the best teams in the division are. My picks are in bold:

 

Division 6

 

Practice Squad

Hopeful Division 6 Champions

The Pack

Guardians

The U

Not Fast, Just Furious

The Potatoes

2 Flags, 1 Cup

Farmers

Vick in a Box

Flonkerton

Blitz Babes

Sticknmoverz

Fighting Flamingos

Goon Squad

Bruins

Clinkers

Channel 4 News Team

Pension Plan

Los Banditos

Cugi Squad

Diablos

Tough Lungs

One Speed: Power

 

Division 6D

 

Broke Boys

 

Sick_bick

Pine Riderz

 

Baker Boys

Brewers

 

Vultures

Here for the Beer

 

Quackers

À Déterminer

 

Air Force 1

DGC

 

Sunday Touch Boys

Goat Depot

 

BlackSox

Ball So Hard U.

 

Green Monster

Replacements

 

Krakens

Raw Sauce

 

Fourth & Twenty

 

Refelctions, Ravings and Ramblings

 

  • In preparation to finally watch Creed (FPF and my other work keep me very well occupied), I’ve decided to rewatch the entire Rocky series.  Many of my reflections will likely be related to those movies.
  • If the movie took place in 2017 Adrian would be #MeToo after that crappy first date.
  • Matthew Gottlieb put up 225 passing yards, by far his best outing of the season.  He eclipsed his previous total by 41 yards.
  • Guardians tying Blitz Babes was as surprising as it gets. 
  • Division 6D, Conference A isn’t an example of parity.   It’s the worst division in FPF.
  • Hulk Hogan calling Rocky Balboa the ultimate meatball would probably offend more people today than it did then.
  • Paulie is probably as bad as bad as brother-in-law’s get.  They never are great but throwing your bottle through a dude’s pinball machine is a less than laudable action.
  • Benjamin McMahon of Vultures has added 418 yards and 4 touchdowns to his totals.  That often gets overlooked.  I can assure you it has caught my attention.
  • Over the last 2 weeks 3 teams have reached out to me for information and looking for ways to improve.  This is the community that makes division 6 and 6D the most interesting in FPF.
  • Gazzo has to be the nicest and most forgiving gangster of all time.
  • The Potatoes are better than most are giving them credit for.  They are 1-1-1 in their last three and in their losses, only one has been by more than 7 points.
  • Vince Pisano QBOY…collision Course
  • Ball So Hard U vs. Green Monster may be the best matchup in all of FPF this week.  Catch it if you can.
  • “Adrian, I was thinking, you know, that maybe you wouldn’t mind marrying me so much”. Not bad, maybe I should try that.

 

Saturday’s Simple Succubus 

 

Nuit Blanche is upon us and I need to take a nap before I find myself in all the gin joints in all the world (or Montreal anyway). Reach out for complaints, thoughts, questions and feedback!  You can always reach me @peezefpf on twitter or Peeze Della Reeze on facebook. 

 

You can also reach outh through more official channels by emailing me at paolo@flagplusfootball.com

 

For further analysis, tune in to the official FPF podcast Calling the Audible, where Moe Khan Simon Dagenais and I work to annoy GM Koletheras as we discuss telethons, mini binoculars and the best cracker jack surprises. Tune in to Facebook live on the FPF Facebook page on Thursday nights at 7:00pm, watch it later on www.youtube.com/flagplus or download the podcast on iTunes or Podomatic!

 

Thank you all, falettinme be mice elf agin