The War Room (D3) – Week 6

 

Finally, the division three bye week, a time for players to rest their injuries, make up for valentine’s day weekend letdowns and plan some quality time with your girlfriends/boyfriends. Now that the first six weeks have been played, I figured I would give you the playoff picture as of right now. It is such a tight race that honestly, things could look very different in 5 weeks time. So take this at what its worth, which is namely … nothing.

Conference A:

1. Ducks (6-0)

2. DK(5-1)

3. GPK(5-1)

4. Lazy Boys (5-1)

5. AMB Eagles (4-2)

6. Primetime (4-2)

7. VPC (4-2)

8. VR6 (3-2-1)

Conference B:

1. Dirty Birds (5-1)

2. D- Boys (4-2)

3. Park Street Elite (3-3)

4. The U (3-3)

5. Outlawz (3-2-1)

6. Sandlot Saints (3-3)

7. Big TDs (3-3)

8. Bandits (3-3)

 

MVP Chase will be written next week in lieu of a regular article (due to no games being played this weekend)

Power Rankings (1-10):

#1 Ducks (6-0): This team is the real deal. They listened all week to DIP talk and then opened a can of Whoop A## on them when it counted. They have everyone talking on how they limit turnovers (3 so far this year), how they have 2 Legit QB’s (Nadeau and Nadeau-Piuze) and how they basically are destroying their opposition. My only concern is they may not be used to this spotlight, and that could spoil a flawless season.

#2 D-Boys (4-2): Before all the 5-1 teams email me to complain, check their roster. The addition of Marc Champagnie makes them serious contenders for Division 3. He can single handedly play a 4 – 1 and cover the entire back end of the field. With Gino Di Fazio playing consistent and Giovanni Lanni shredding secondaries, this team is probably the scariest team on paper.

#3 Dirty Birds (5-1): The brunt of the credit on this team usually goes to Jon Young, but with him being ill last week, others got to rise up and shine. Victor Kozlowski played admirably at QB vs the tough Cobras hooking up with multiple receivers for the win. The most impressive thing about the Dirty Birds is the depth at receiver and their statistically production.

#4 Lazy Boys (5-1): Yes they have fallen slightly in the standings, but not from lack of winning. I’d credit their decline in the rankings to a complacent defense which makes me wonder how they will handle a really tough team. I also wonder how long before a potential QB controversy is brewing based on last week’s performance by Paul Lapierre who passed for 2 Tds (while Nathan Thompson passed for 5 Td and 2 Int).

#5 DK (5-1): They have a rather interesting schedule coming up with games against Big TDs and GPK. I have a feeling that they might not be legit contenders as they seem to have beaten cupcakes. Their one loss came to the Lazy Boys, who let’s face it, man handled them. This team is based on the prowess of Rochdi Benabdelkader and their success will be directly related to how he plays on both sides of the ball.

#6 GPK (5-1): Well they have a tell-all game vs. AMB Eagles coming up, and I’m anxious for the result. They smashed the Spartans, which was expected, so it doesn’t shed much light on their real ability. Their offense is a thing of beauty, but that defense is shaky at best. And to rip off the most overused cliché in football “defense wins championships”. Erik Legarde and Ryan Joyce are becoming stand out players for this offense which is good considering the load Jason Smith has been carrying.

#7 AMB Eages (4-2): Lets examine their losses, a two point loss against the Dirty Birds and a 5 point loss to the Ducks. That is nothing to be ashamed of. This team has all the skill to win any div 3 game. If they can generate a more rhythmic offense and not gamble so much on defense, they could be a legit Div 2 team. They have a bunch of tough games to end the regular season, but I expect them to win their respective division.

#8 VPC (4-2): They have a legit shot at winning out, with only the Cobras left as a real test. The team is a feel good story for the league as they weren’t even considered a powerhouse in division 4 in prior seasons. They play smart football, even though they might lack some athletic ability at times they have two of the best athletes in D3 with Robinson and Richard. They are hot on offense and improving very fast on the defensive side of the ball. They will give AMB a run for their money in the division.

#9 Primetime (4-2): The Primetime boys are back with a big win over Sandlot Saints. They played a great defensive game and managed to score just enough to win. Although, I am not too impressed with their offense as of late, they have the tools to make it into the playoffs with some swagger. VR6 and Dip will test their abilities.

#10 Rude Bwoys (3-3): Two big back-to-back wins have propelled this formerly underperforming team into the limelight. The renaissance has come at QB, where Matt Clowe has steadily improved into a good QB and a great leader. He is constantly a motivational force even from the sidelines and I attribute their success to his great attitude.

Castleton’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

1. Renegades vs ONS: What the hell? I could compliment you both on such historic offensive performances, but instead I’ll criticize you for a lack of a defense. Serge Brosseau is making FPF look like Madden on rookie mode. Arguably the best free agent pickup in the history of FPF, CFL players INCLUDED.

 

2. Montreal’ Finest: This year’s finest could be the most complete and dominant team ever assembled in FPF history. I seriously wonder if anybody can beat them when they are playing up to their abilities. The Race to a perfect season is on!

 

3. Shockers: Injuries or no Injuries, they got their butt whooped by an opponent that dominated all facets of the game. Congrats to Waterbuffs on kicking our backsides and proving they belong in Div 1 (considering they Won div 2 last season with the Same roster).

 

4. Timebombs vs the World: After a lengthy and uncalled for back in forth between the Timebombs and Garrett Taylor’s extended crew, it is with great hope that we can end the pointless name calling on our flag wall and keep the discussion to factual football.

 

5. Outlawz: How many people are on your roster, I counted 14 when you played against my Dirty Birds! An offense and defense is 12 men… what on earth do the other two guys do? Go out for the coin toss and special teams?

 

6. The Fields: I’m looking for feedback on which fields you enjoy playing on the most and the advantages you believe each one gives you. Please feel free to email me them at [email protected].

 

7. Briscoe High Hawks: Congrats on winning the Castleton Challenge! They will have their game taped this weekend vs Venom. Full figures on our donations will be disclosed in next week’s article when all payments are finalized.

 

Quote of the Week:

“Ruff Ryders 6-point favorite over Renegades”

– Dale Williams, Manager of the Renegades on his team’s line vs the Ruff Ryders.

There is one thing about staying humble, there is another thing being completely facetious (go look it up).

 

Game of the Week (after Bye):

# 6 GPK vs #7 AMB Eagles: This will be a very interesting game as both teams are polar opposites of one another. I think AMB could potentially slow down the GPK offense in a very tight game.

Prediction: AMB 26 – GPK 24

Ask the Expert with Paul Kamel (Click Clack (D2) Bandits (D3)), perennial All Star WR/ Safety and Former Div B Champ

Cover 2 – Are you doing it right?

Everyone in this league, all divisions, have played, or currently run a version of this defense. But really, how complex can you really get when playing a Cover 2? Not very, sometimes the simplest thing in this league can be effective every game, every drive, every play. However, the mistakes I see when a team is lining up to play a Cover 2, are players being scared at every position. Safeties playing 20 yards off the ball pre-snap, CB’s and MLB’s lining up behind the Rusher. Problem with this is your rusher is at 7 yards, which is way too far for the Front Line (CB’s and MLB) of defense to be lined up. Captains, time to start lining up your boys properly.

1 – Line up! Make sure, no matter what defense you’re in, you are all lined up together. Safeties no deeper than the rusher’s stance and Front Line “at least” 2 yards ahead of the Rusher. Every offense in this league runs some form of “everyone hook at 5 yards or 7 yards”. If you’re Front Line is 7 yards off excluding their drop step, you’re looking at easy pickings for the QB.

2 – Trust your instincts! If you see a route develop in front of you. Hit it hard. Get into your break step and blast forward to get between the WR and the ball. Trust what you’re seeing. You may get burned every once in a while however, 6 points going the other way will be in your near future. I mean, how else do you think you’ll get an interception? Letting the WR catch the ball and tackling him right away isn’t a good thing. As a CB especially, if you’re lined up where you should be, WR’s will run by you, but hold on, this is a GOOD thing! You want to be underneath the route. If the WR runs past you, then it’s time to start playing the Zone defense you’re in. Read the QB’s eyes; make him direct you to that WR behind you. Remember, the ball is going to have to beat your wingspan, your eyes and most importantly have to go through your body to get completed.

3 – CB’s: remember you are playing short and you have help, deep. You are meant to cut off routes underneath the WR while your Safety behind you plays over top. Also an important point in a Cover 2, if you’re playing a speedy Slot WR, line up in front of him, make him run around you to get deep. This is a non contact league so the closest thing you can do bump-n-run coverage is get in that straight line path of his. He’ll have to loop around your body, slow down for a second or 2, while giving your deep Safety that extra to recognize the route. A free release ‘seam pattern’ is hard to chase down without a bit of help (Unless you’re playing with the MLB deep). This subtle play can be made while you’re making your read steps.

4 – MLB’s: have the ability to freelance into short coverage and deep. It’s your read. You make the call. You’re the one that can confuse the offense the most. Start high, shoot low, or vice-versa. Make useless-unrelated calls. “I got #56. Acrobat! Acrobat!”. The offense has no idea what you’re saying but they think you’re making an audible into something; get the QB thinking that extra second. Make sure your team knows though, you may be screaming some nonsense; otherwise you can confuse your own team. Also, do not be scared to jump the patterns by the Slot WR, his inside hooks are your priority as well (after the snapper).

5 – Safeties: Remember one thing. Any deep ball completed is your fault! You are the safety, the last guy back. Know whom you are playing. Check the team’s stats. Know the deep threats. Know the down and distance and feel out when that bomb is coming. On the QB’s cadence and your anticipation for the snap, start creeping backwards just a bit, your version of cheating. You want to get the vantage point to all the routes as they develop over the Front Line. Your reads should be WR-Slot-Center-Slot (opposite side Slot). Yes, the other slot is your responsibility as well. If he runs a post pattern, you should read the QB’s eyes and under cut that post for an easy interception. The QB will never see you coming. As you can see, you’re going to need your best athletes at this position.

Practice makes perfect. You will get burned, you will get beat. Learning from your mistakes for the next play makes you a better defender. Have a short memory and trust your instincts! If one of your players gets ‘burned’, get over there, slap him on the ass, keep his spirits high and ask him what he read on the play. No one learns from screaming and blame, fix the reads and be positive with each other.