The GMs Scouting Report (Div A & B)

With Week 2 in the books, we have a season that’s quickly unfolding into one that’s been strange yet interesting. Despite being the top division, some teams are still struggling to find an identity. Others are using chemistry and experience to their advantage to prey on those who are still struggling to build it.

 

Here’s hoping that by this time next week, when I’m struggling to find filler to introduce the article with, that I can talk about the fact that teams are starting to bounce back and there are far fewer winless teams and weak performances. However, that will be then, and hindsight is always 20-20. So, with that in mind, let’s pretend like I’m an expert who knows what he’s talking about and I’ll go about talking about some relevant stuff in Divisions A and B.

 

 

Top Performers of the Week

 

Paul Lapierre (Alkaholiks)

 

Three passing TDs, three rushing TDs, zero INTs. When a quarterback’s performance makes you question whether or not the opposition actually fielded a defense, you know they’ve done well.

 

Charles Baillargeon (Gladiateurs)

 

Limiting the options of a very mobile Leon Holder, Baillargeon came out with three sacks and is likely a huge part of his team’s success in keeping The Commission at bay. Throw in two touchdowns on two catches, and you have beastmode.

 

Nicolas Arsenault-Hum (Les Grosses Tetes Molles de Chernobyl)

 

Absolutely incredible, and absolutely unstoppable. Arsenault-Hum is consistently referred to as perhaps one of the most underrated players in all of FPF by the FPF media (myself included.) It’s easy to make a case for yourself when you have 6 catches that average out to half the field a grab, and three touchdowns.

 

Errant Thoughts

 

– I don’t like choosing ONLY Division A players for the top performers of the week, but all three really warranted it.

– Kevin Wyeth probably also warranted it with 8 passing touchdowns, but when you’re Wyeth, the bar is already set high.

– Don’t forget; for the first time in FPF history, photos are Week 3. Make sure to brush.

– I think that part of the reason for the trouble that AMJ Campbell are having is due to the preseason roster they declared. If they were to field a team with those players, things would be different. Since they have a team of free agents, an 0-2 start is to be expected.

– If ever you’re curious as to what Benoit Groulx’s playbook looks like, you can look as far as the turf next to him, as he throws it to his side after every huddle.

– For those of you paying attention, I mistakenly went back to the old name of this article last week.

– LGTMDC have the best breakdown chant I’ve heard in a while. Definitely worth a laugh.

– Every one of my players to watch has a rating under 80, and one has an offensive rating under 70!

 

The Best Players You’ve Never Heard Of

 

The upper divisions are very much a boys club. It’s a sea of familiar faces and household names. As such, it’s harder for newer players to get seen and be talked about. However, having covered (and still covering) multiple divisions in the past and present, I know that there’s plenty of talent in the lower divisions just waiting to be discovered. As a good GM, you should always be looking for talent. Here are some new players to the higher divisions who definitely merit keeping an eye on:

 

Jourdain Alexis (Usual Suspects, Darkside)

 

One of the familiar names on the Montreal Transit, Jourdain is definitely a familiar name outside of FPF. However, within the confines of our league, he hasn’t been seen outside of Division 5 or Division D. Until now.  He’s played one game for each team, and he’s stolen the spotlight both times. Having a great field awareness, speed to burn and a knack for getting open, you should expect to be seeing him put up big numbers week after week.

 

Travis Moses (#NR)

 

Lost in a team filled with loud and boisterous players, it’s easy to glance by Travis. However, don’t mistake his quietness for weakness. Travis is a game-breaker on both sides of the ball and a phenomenal athlete. He’s been racking in stats left right and center, and is definitely a reason for his team’s success up to this point. I’m very interested to see how he’ll hold his own in the crossover game with the Alkaholiks against some of the raw Division A talent. That’s when you’ll know he’s for real.

 

Fred Saleh (KGP Champs)

 

In the lower divisions, you can be either fast or skilled. In the higher divisions, you need to be both. Thankfully, Fred is. Boasting speed as well as physicality, Fred is a nightmare to go up against for a jump ball. When you look at KGP’s roster and are trying to decide which of the big names are more of a threat than the others, make sure that you don’t overlook Saleh, lest you be taught a lesson very quickly as he finds end-zone with relative ease.

 

 

 

 

Predictions

 

I went 6-1 last week, with two ties not being counted. Fairly proud, but it’s still too early to have any sort of gloating. Here’s hoping that I can keep it up and not look like an idiot.

 

Certified Flyguyz vs. Hustlers – It`s easy to pick the undefeated team going up against the winless team. But there is reasoning behind it. Certified Flyguyz have had two rough games thus far, but they`ve got the athletes to keep up with the Hustlers. However, this isn’t the first season that the Hustlers play together; they usually prey on more inexperienced teams and use their chemistry to their advantage against them. When in doubt, go with experience.

Prediction: Hustlers

 

#NR vs. KGP Champs – The battle of some of the best teams that have moved up from Division 3. There are a lot of athletes and game breakers on both sides, but I think that KGP might just fall into #NR’s trap. With more focus on responding to the talk rather than keeping up with the play, I think KGP might just lose themselves and lose the game as well. #NR are vicious in both their talk and in their play.

Prediction: #NR

 

Alkaholiks vs. Rainmakers – A revisiting of the intense Division 1 semifinal that went into overtime. Both teams will be fielding similar yet different rosters, so it’s hard to decide whether their three meetings have any meaning or not.  In truth, with the athletes and skill on both sides, this is going to be a measure of which quarterback makes the least amount of mistakes. It’s going to be a close one, but I’m going to side with red on this one.

Prediction: Rainmakers

 

DA Finest vs. Usual Suspects – Definitely a nightmare matchup but yet a good springboard for the Usual Suspects. If they can keep this game close and stay competitive, it’ll be a good indicator of how they will fare throughout the season and whether or not Division A was a good move. If it’s not even close, it may make for a long season indeed. On the flip side, the Finest will be…the Finest.

Prediction: DA Finest

 

Wolverines vs. One Night Stands – ONS have been looking better and better with every game. Their pickups have been outshining their departures from last spring, and I’m a big fan of the two possible pivots in Lapierre and Springer…sort of a two-headed monster that’ll take a lot of defenses by surprise. I’m thinking that with the powerhouse that is ONS and the fact that the Wolverines may not be at full strength, it’s easy for me to pick ONS on this one.

Prediction: One Night Stands

 

Gladiateurs vs. Roosters & Donkeys – The one game this week that I’m really not sure about. If this game was to take place in Weeks 8 or 9, I would definitely side with Roosters & Donkeys. However, a case can be made for the fact that they’re still finding themselves and have yet to nail down that chemistry. As such, you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason as to why the Glads won’t win.

Prediction: Gladiateurs

 

AMJ Campbell vs. Daron World Wide – This one is not going to be pretty. Pitting the division’s defending champion against a team that’s struggling will not bode well. I’m all for parity in the division, but there’s a difference between being hopeful and keeping my prediction streak alive. Best of luck AMJ, but I’m going to play it safe here.

Prediction: Daron World Wide

 

Les Grosses Tetes Molles De Chernobyl vs. Darkside – CROSSOVER GAME! It’s currently 1-1 so far, with both Division B and Division A each taking home a victory. While it’s always nice to see the underdogs take it, I’m thinking that LGTMDC are too powerful and too much of a unit.

Prediction: LGTMDC

 

The Commission vs. Legends – The Legends seem to be upset when I pick them to lose and they end up winning. Let’s see what happens when I don’t think that they’re the underdog. The Legends find ways to win when you wouldn’t think that they would, and it’s a big point in their favour. If The Commission are going to come out ahead, they’re going to have to not underestimate the Legends.

Prediction: Legends

 

 

Well, that’s it for me. I’ve given up any hope of getting anything other than spam in my FPF email, so if there’s anything you’d like to discuss, come see me in person or send me a facebook message. Until then, the GM is out for another week.