The GM’s Scouting Report (Div 1&2)

We’re getting closer to the mid-season point. Fair warning: Players that you add are going to need to play from here on and not miss games in order to be playoff eligible. There seems to be a disparity between Conference A and B in both divisions, but the disparity is slowly evening out.

 

“Beastmode” Players of the Week

 

Division 2:

 

QB: Rochdi Benabdelkader (DK) – Played error and interception-free football against a stifling D-Boys defense. Without a doubt his game planning is the reason that DK came out ahead in this matchup.

 

Receiver: Carmine Pollice (Hustlers) – Already has more receptions than 9/10ths of the players in this league get in a season. He’s on pace for a 100 reception season, which will shatter the reception record in a spectacular fashion. Added 11 to the total this week, along with 3 TDs.

 

Defender: Moy McDonald (Bodyhype) – Came up with a TIMELY interception that all but saved his team from a loss as Wolverines were marching up the field and in the redzone. Huge pick that put the team on his back when they needed him most.

 

Division 1:

 

QB: Patrick Chenard (Express) – 60 points is a disgustingly awesome stat to put up in a week’s outing. Sliced and diced the Maniax defense and only had ONE incompletion the entire game. Great sleeper pick for the fantasy draft.

Receiver: Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (Express)

Defender: Matt Bond (Rainmakers) – Was everywhere on the field against Terror Squad, and came up with two picks to seal the deal for the Rainmakers.

 

FPF Fantasy Draft – WEEK 1

 

The D1/D2 points were not calculated this week, so they will be put up on the Facebook wall, and next week’s will be in the next week’s article. Any and all hate mail can be sent to Eagle.

 

Random Thoughts and Musings:

 

– I debated titling this essay “Why I shouldn’t pick against Montreal’s Finest, and other things I learned this week” but thought better of it.

– Renaldo Jordan is actually a deceptively good snapper. Maybe we might see him there full-time, moving Steph Chartrand to slot or wideout?

– Surprise of the season (thus far) definitely goes to the Rainmakers defense. Without a doubt their strongest yet, and definitely a reason for their current record.

– If you’re going to taunt someone because you play CIS and they don’t, it would be better for your bragging rights if you didn’t get ejected for a UR and then an OC for having pockets. Just saying.

– SCC didn’t get picked in the D1 fantasy draft; imagine what could have been if he stays on for the rest of the season.

– Ryne Bondy consistently throws a bullet of a pass. When he and his receivers get more in synch with each other, Bodyhype are going to be really dangerous.

– The Alks jerseys with their favorite alcohol on the back is a nice touch. Bonus points to Stephane Chartrand for sporting Peach Schnapps.

– Don Shepherd mentioned in the podcast about Patrick Chenard looking great because he’s throwing in D1 and D2, giving him more opportunities. The last time Chenard threw in two divisions, he won a championship. Food for thought.

 

Weekly Predictions*:

*accuracy to be determined

 

Division 2:

 

Road Runners vs. Bodyhype – Road Runners are moving from darkhorse pick to legitimate condender. Bodyhype are a first-year team still working out the kinks but have a winning record nonetheless (and a loss that can be partially attributed to their starting QB not being present.)That being said, I think that Road Runners are just a bit too much to handle, and Patrick Chenard will have another great day at the office. Prediction: Road Runners

 

Ice Up Son vs. Wolverines – Both teams are going to be hungry, coming off of a game that they should have won. I think that tempers are going to be at an all-time high this week, and the game is going to be decided defensively. While the Wolverines have the best chemistry in the division by far, I think that IUS is definitely the deeper defensive team, and will come up with the stops to win the game.

Prediction: Ice Up Son

 

Served With Ice vs. Pantheres – After coming up with a much-needed win this week against an undermanned Top Guns team, Served With Ice have put one on the board, and will be facing off against an equally-struggling Pantheres team. The Pantheres came up with a big week 1 win but have faced some tough opposition and will be looking to right the ship. Both teams are going to need this one as a confidence booster and to keep playoff hopes alive. Prediction: N/A

 

One Night Stands vs. Hustlers – Guaranteed this game is going to be a shootout. Both teams are going to score, and score often.  Without a doubt, this game is going to fall on the shoulders of the two quarterbacks. I don’t think that the Hustlers can muster a bunch of stops on Kevin Wyeth defensively, so this one is for sure going to ONS. Prediction: One Night Stands

 

Team Padon vs. Wolfpack – You’ve got a team of athletes going up against one of the more organized teams in the division. Padon are speedy and physical, but lack a lot of organization. Unless they play an error-free game, Pascal Murray’s offense is going to make it a rough day for Team Padon. Add in a destructive and lightning-quick Felix Prevost rush, and Wolfpack have all the tools needed to take this one. Prediction: Wolfpack

 

GoonzSquad vs. DK – There’s not much I can say about GoonzSquad that hasn’t been said already. What I do know is that if Yan Vanasse doesn’t go into this game with some sort of plan, it’s going to be the longest 44 minutes that GoonzSquad will see this season. A relentless rush from Ryan Aridi (with the option of Alex Pilon as well) will give Yan Vanasse almost no options since he’s so used to buying time with his feet. This one might get ugly. Prediction: DK

 

Division 1:

 

Terror Squad vs. Flag Moi L’Sac – Terror Squad are good, but you start seeing the partition between them and the top-tier teams when you compare the players as a whole. Some on Terror Squad have size, while others have speed. On FMS, just about all their players have size AND speed. It’s going to be close, but I still see FMS taking this one. Prediction: Flag Moi L’Sac

 

Alkaholiks vs. Express – I’m really unsure of this one. I keep going against the Alks, and they’ve been proving me wrong (albeit just barely…) They’re able to score at will, and have a solid defense. Express, meanwhile, are coming off of a monster win. They’ve got one of the best receivers in flag (when he’s there) but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to neutralize the Alkaholiks defense. Prediction: Alkaholiks

 

Gladiateurs vs. Montreal’s Finest – I don’t think it would have mattered who the finest played, I would have picked them anyways. However, going up against the 0-4 Glads seems to reinforce my decision even more. Frank Lebeau is really going to need to play ball-control offense and hope for more possessions in order to keep his squad in the game. Prediction: Montreal’s Finest

 

If you’re sick and tired of what I have to say and want to hear a different opinion, you can always tune into the KHAN & Bomb podcast with Moe Khan and Donald Shepherd Wednesdays on www.theunclehood.com or by downloading the podcast at http://fpf.podomatic.com

 

If you’re not sick and tired of me just yet, you can follow me on twitter at @GMKole44 where I sometimes live-tweet D1, D2 and D3 games if I’m not scorekeeping. I’ll start adding D1/D2 final scores even if I am scorekeeping starting this week.

 

Until next week, the GM is out.