The Goal Line Stand (Div 5) – Week 10
20-03-2012 12:00 AM
THE GOAL LINE STAND (WEEK 10)
I’m writing this article at the same time as I’m watching a special on CNN about socialized medicine.
Apparently it’s a debate between two groups of people, each fighting for what they believe to be their rights. One side is arguing for the right to affordable health care, while the other is arguing for the right to die of melanoma. It’s really quite riveting.
One man even cut off his nose to prove he didn’t need the health care system to help him put it back on. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
This reminded me of the new rusher’s right of way rule and the attention it’s been receiving all season and especially lately on the Facebook forum initiated by Tiger Horn of No Regard (the most under-hyped team in Division 5). Is it the rusher’s right to have an unobstructed path to the QB? Is it the centre’s right to be able to run his route unimpeded? What if one of the two has melanoma? Has this increased or decreased the number of sacks?
Anyways, as much as we all love talking about each other’s’ sacks, let’s get down to business.
Here’s what the final overall standings look like:
|
Conference A |
Points |
Wins |
+/- |
Divisional |
|
|
1 |
No Regard |
19 |
9 |
131 |
3-0-0 |
|
2 |
Coyotes |
17 |
8 |
142 |
2-1-0 |
|
3 |
Flying Comics |
16 |
8 |
154 |
3-0-0 |
|
4 |
La Sauce |
14 |
7 |
117 |
2-1-0 |
|
5 |
Mean Machine |
16 |
8 |
120 |
2-1-0 |
|
6 |
Mustangs du Gridiron |
14 |
7 |
105 |
3-0-0 |
|
7 |
Centurions |
12 |
6 |
55 |
2-1-0 |
|
8 |
TCO |
10 |
5 |
47 |
3-0-0 |
|
9 |
Big Birds |
10 |
5 |
13 |
0-3-0 |
|
10 |
Mudsharks |
8 |
4 |
0 |
1-2-0 |
|
11 |
Team CoreXcellence |
6 |
3 |
-4 |
1-2-0 |
|
12 |
Pendant Publishing |
6 |
3 |
-106 |
0-3-0 |
|
13 |
Dark Knights |
6 |
3 |
-114 |
0-3-0 |
|
14 |
Love Cows |
4 |
2 |
-74 |
1-2-0 |
|
15 |
Marvels |
4 |
2 |
-167 |
1-2-0 |
|
16 |
Blue Mountain State |
4 |
2 |
-108 |
0-3-0 |
|
Conference B |
Points |
Wins |
+/- |
Divisional |
|
|
1 |
Les Buddays |
18 |
9 |
189 |
3-0-0 |
|
2 |
Checkmate |
14 |
7 |
79 |
2-1-0 |
|
3 |
Thunder |
13 |
6 |
60 |
3-0-0 |
|
4 |
Js |
10 |
5 |
38 |
3-0-0 |
|
5 |
Team Ethnik |
15 |
7 |
79 |
2-1-0 |
|
6 |
Tyrants |
13 |
6 |
17 |
2-1-0 |
|
7 |
Affreux |
12 |
6 |
62 |
2-1-0 |
|
8 |
Lockdown |
12 |
6 |
27 |
2-1-0 |
|
9 |
Warhawks |
10 |
5 |
-7 |
2-1-0 |
|
10 |
Takers |
8 |
4 |
-27 |
1-2-0 |
|
11 |
Spartans |
7 |
3 |
18 |
0-3-0 |
|
12 |
Venom |
6 |
3 |
-36 |
1-2-0 |
|
13 |
Green Lantern Corps |
6 |
3 |
-107 |
1-2-0 |
|
14 |
Crooklyn Dodgers |
6 |
3 |
-75 |
0-3-0 |
|
15 |
Tailgates |
2 |
1 |
-228 |
0-3-0 |
|
16 |
Predators |
2 |
1 |
-323 |
0-3-0 |
The Matchups
The road to the Super Bowl may be long and pointless, but the road to the D5 championship begins this weekend. Here’s a look at the matchups and who I predict to win and by how much.
Conference A
No Regard vs. TCO: No Regard by 2.
Coyotes vs. Centurions: Coyotes by 10.
Flying Comics vs. Mustangs du Gridiron: Mustangs by 6.
La Sauce vs. Mean Machine: La Sauce by 8.
Conference B
Les Buddays vs. Lockdown: It would be inappropriate to pick a game I’m so closely tied to. Everyone knows I’m a huge Les Buddays fan.
Checkmate vs. Affreux: Checkmate by 11.
Thunder vs. Tyrants: Tyrants by 1.
J’s vs. Team Ethnik: Team Ethnik by 5.
Tune into the WEPL to watch an expanded analysis of all the Division 5 playoff matchups!
Weekly Recap
Thunder !
Par Simon Dagenais
Samedi soir, Thunder affrontait Les Affreux pour déterminer qui allait être le leader de division. Après une partie particulièrement intense, et incroyablement offensive, Thunder l’emporte 45-39. Malgré l’excellent ratio de Mathieu Domon (6 TD, 0 INT), ce n’était pas suffisant. La défense des Affreux a causé deux INTs, mais Thunder revenait à la charge aussi vite. Frédéric Morrisette (6 TDs, 2 INTs, 202 verges) connu une excellente partie permettant à Thunder de demeurer premier de division. Une partie digne du hype autour d’elle. Attendez-vous à un rematch aussi intense en playoffs !
Mustangs Go Vroom
Par Simon Dagenais
Une équipe “flying under the radar”. Mustangs, terminant la saison avec une fiche de 7-3, passe incognito assis deuxième derrière les Coyotes. Néanmoins, une équipe particulièrement efficace qui pourrait faire beaucoup de dommage en playoffs. C’est avec une partie comme celle de la semaine derrière qu’on reconnait la véritable force des Mustangs du Gridiron. Simon Vallée, toujours aussi efficace, connecte avec ses receveurs peut-être un peu trop bien. Espérons que leur playoff run sera plus longue que l’hiver précédente. Pour ce qui est de Mudsharks, la saison se termine amèrement, mais nous avons remarqué une amélioration. Espérons les revoir la saison prochaine avec plus d’expérience !
J’s Fly Faster than Hawks
The J’s pulled off the improbable Saturday night when they simultaneously stole the game, the division, and the only playoff spot awarded to Conference B West from the Warhawks. Fadi Nasralla and company were tied with the veteran Warhawks after the first half (7-7) but stormed back in the second in a big way, winning it 18-0. Both teams went into this game knowing that losing meant going home. To add to the drama was the presence of Warhawks’ newest addition, Chris Olson. Olson was a member of the J’s last season and defected during the offseason. The J’s earned their spot by winning the games they had to (Predators, Venom, Green Lantern Corps) and, as a result, give us the joy of non-repetitiveness in the playoffs and reinforce the perception of parity in Division 5.
TCO: The Curious Opponents…?
Curiouser and curiouser (Alice in Wonderland, 1951). They at one time seemed too far out of the race mathematically to even seriously consider them. Now, they officially have the ticket to the 8th and final playoff spot in Conference A. It may not come with a pre-game lodge and buffet like the 1st place seeds get (or so I’m told), but no matter. TCO beat Blue Mountain State – only now do I understand who Moe Kahn was referring to when he kept saying “BMS” – last weekend as most had predicted and snuck into the playoffs, taking a hotly contested spot. TCO did everything they could by winning their last four games of the season. In their way, among others, were the Crooklyn Dodgers and La Sauce – no pushovers. They may not be favored against No Regard in the first round, but they are nowhere near as big of underdogs as they would have been in the first half the season.
By the Numbers
This will be the final By the Numbers segment of the Winter 2012 season. I know, thank God.
But admit, you were tuning in every week to see how many decimal points I thought was necessary to demonstrate an increase in the average yards per rush on games taking place on odd numbered days but even numbered registered temperatures.
Highest Average Total Passing Yards Per Game: 191 (Thunder)
Highest Average Yards Per Reception: 14.26 (TCO)
Highest Touchdown Percentage: 25.34 (Coyotes)
Lowest Interception Percentage: 1.92 (Flying Comics)
Lowest Sack Percentage: 1.07 (Js)
Highest Average Total Rushing Yards Per Game: 58.7 (Checkmate)
Highest Average Rushing Yards Per Rush: 11.24 (Takers)
Highest Average Rushing Touchdowns Per Game: .5 (Affreux& Spartans)
Highest Average Tackles Per Game: 15.8 (Mudsharks)
Highest Average PDs Per Game: 2.9 (Checkmate, No Regard, Takers).
Highest Average Interceptions Per Game: 3.2 (Les Buddays)
Highest Average Pick-6s Per Game: 1.1 (Takers)
Lowest Average Total Yards Against Per Game: 89.6 (No Regard)
Lowest Average Yards Per Reception Against: 8.3 (No Regard)
Lowest Average Total Rushing Yards Against Per Game: 11.5 (Mean Machine)
Lowest Average Rushing Yards Per Rush Against: 5.81 (Thunder)
Lowest Average Rushing Touchdowns Per Game Against: 0 (Big Birds, Blue Mountain State, Les Buddays, Love Cows, Mean Machine, Takers, Team Ethnik)
|
Stat |
W’ 2011 (20 teams) |
W’ 2012 (32 teams) |
Difference |
Additional Value* |
Adjusted Difference** |
|
QB Rating |
72.39 |
82.14 |
9.75 |
98.39 |
26.00 |
|
Average Completion % |
48.19 |
53.05 |
4.86 |
61.15 |
12.96 |
|
Average Points Scored |
22.97 |
23.54 |
0.57 |
24.49 |
1.52 |
|
Average Yards Per Rush |
8.54 |
8.50 |
-0.04 |
8.43 |
-0.11 |
|
Average Interceptions |
1.84 |
1.58 |
-0.27 |
1.13 |
-0.71 |
|
Average Sacks |
1.22 |
0.93 |
-0.29 |
0.46 |
-0.76 |
* Additional Value assumes the 20 teams from 2011 are identical to the top 20 teams in 2012 and shows the value added per team by the 12 additional teams
** Adjusted Difference shows the difference between the Additional Value and 2011 teams
Seriously someone e-mail me with a suggestion for a new segment next season.
Honorable Mentions
Every year FPF awards players for outstanding individual achievement in several categories. Since the media has a lot of influence on these decisions, and since I basically am the media for Division 5, I figured I’d throw around some of my personal picks for the upcoming award ceremonies.
Quarterback of the Year:
Frank Grenier(Flying Comics) and Sammy Feder(Coyotes) are the runaway statistical winners of this category. They occupy the first and second spots for completions, yards, and TDs, and completion %. Though Feder has the edge on Grenier in three of four of these categories, Grenier has thrown 2 less INTs and has been sacked 8 less times. Usually the tie breaker would be their teams’ respective records, but they’re almost identical as well. We’ll do it Old Testament style and just cut the trophy in half. Don’t forget Anthony Carbone (Checkmate) who’s 3rd in TDs and leads the league in rushing.
Receiver of the Year:
Here, Josh Feder(Coyotes) is a very sexy pick (football, not intercourse). He leads the league in both receptions and TDs. It’s probably helped him to have his brother throwing to him all season. Josh has finally realized the benefits of sharing his G.I. Joes so many years ago. Jad Aridi (Marvels) should also garner serious consideration, as his reception totals have him sitting tied with Feder. Not to be forgotten are the Checkmate dynamic duo. One is perennial all-star and backyard do-it-yourselfer (again, football, not intercourse) Alex David. He provides his team with a consistent short to medium threat and the potential for longer routes as well. His counterpart, Michael Carbone has also been known to rack up the yards and is tied for 2nd in TDs.
Defensive Player of the Year:
It’s going to be very hard for league officials to ignore Matthew Rupcic’s stat totals this season. He leads the division in INTs and has even run back 3 for TDs. John Kelly Bastien of the Takers may not have as many INTs as Rupcic, but he has more PDs, defensive TDs, and has approximately doubled Rupcic’s tackle totals.
Always deserving mentions when talking about defense are the league’s talented rushers. Separating themselves from the pack have been No Regard’s Deemy Feelgood (who I just learned actually took the time to tweet about me after our game. Deemy called me salty. Most people claim I’m bitter.), Vladir Boursiquot (Team Ethnik), and Antonio D’Aversa (Checkmate).
Two-Way Player of the Year:
Simon Richard (Centurions) made himself a candidate for this category once he took over as the full-time QB for the Centurions. Another two-way QB is Francois Raymond of La Sauce. Raymond has 8 INTs and is the leader of a very strong group.
Deserving another shout out is the previously mentioned Michael Carbone. Carbone compliments his offensive play with well-rounded defensive play as well. He leads his team in INTs with 6 and defensive TDs… with… one.
—————————————————————–
For those of you following Simon Dagenais and the Dragons’ move to D4 from D5, here’s his final entry for the season. I may be the kind of girl you date, but Simon is the kind of girl you marry because he makes you wait until the end for the grand finale.
Intensité
La saison régulière se termine et, après 10 parties, beaucoup d’expérience en est ressortie. On a beau avoir les meilleurs joueurs, les meilleures stratégies, si l’intensité et le timing n’y est pas, la victoire n’y sera pas non plus. C’est la leçon que les Dragons ont appris cette saison. Chaque game doit se jouer comme un Super Bowl. L’équipe qui veut le plus la victoire s’avère, souvent, à l’obtenir. Les playoffs approchent, sont ici, et c’est la dernière chance pour plusieurs équipes de “step up” et de prouver qu’ils sont plus que ce que leur fiche montre. Hold nothing back. Si vous croyez que vous devriez économiser certains jeux pour la prochaine équipe, vous vous trompez. Si vous pensez l’avoir facile cette semaine, vous vous trompez. Donnez tout ce que vous avez, laissez tout sur le terrain, et si vous terminez une partie en vous disant que vous ne pouviez
rien faire de plus, que vous avez tout fait pour gagner, alors vous avez probablement gagné, sinon, vous allez sortir la tête haute, fier de ce que vous avez accomplis.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
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Frankly, I think this article was perfect. And that’s because I settle for nothing less.
I settle out of court.
If you want to sue me, or just chat, e-mail me at [email protected].