The War Room (DB) – Week 1

Welcome back dearly beloved friends to another season of rather exciting FlagPlusFootball; this spring brings forth a plethora of new rosters all determined to make that proverbial leap towards fame, glory and ultimately champions. It is with distinct hope that I can fill the next several weeks of your FlagPlus lives with a decent level of entertainment, controversy and ramblings.

 

To start this season off right, I figure I should give a brief, albeit biased look at the contenders, sleepers and potential busts in division B (the division I have been entrusted to speak of).

 

Contenders:

 

Mercenaries: This team is composed of several DIV A talents which is no surprise considering Gino DiFazio and his recruiting techniques. With Gino ever improving at QB, a receiving corps which boasts Tony Testa, Mr. Controversy Adrien Kellman and Beebop and Rocksteady (aka Shawn Haney and Vinny Gualano), this team is a legitimate Div A caliber team on offense. The other side of the ball is also impressive with rusher extraordinaire Matt Kirouac leading their D.  They should have limited problems winning their division. Much to the chagrin of those around the league…

 

Texas All Stars: I’m glad these ex buckeyes have changed their name. (Mainly due to my hatred for Ohio State and their bloody Buckeyes). At least now they can say they are legitimately from the best state of football. On a relevant note, Nathan “primetime” Taylor is once again QB of his team. The same jargon about speed, athleticism yada yada yada can be inserted here. The basic thing you need to realize is that the Taylor Brothers with Thompson and underrated player Mike Harrington will win many games. Not only win, but win big. And let you hear about it too. They don’t care, it’s all in there “SWAGGA”. 

 

Kings: Rehan has a soft spot for two things in life; facial hair and recruiting Francophone teams to adopt him. This summer the Div A Gladiators have agreed to become part of the Starwar Empire and try their luck at winning in Division B. Very Admirable…I mean it, no sarcasm here …. None really. Lever and Andre John are the basis of the talent on this roster and I look for them to propel this team into the upper echelons of their division. Oh wait note to those playing the Kings, Rehan likes to give ten yard cushions on defense.

 

G-Men: I like to consider myself friends with Paul Kamel, so I can’t bash him too much on returning his team to Div B this season. So instead I’ll bash Pavlos and Alex Khamis for not insisting their QB put them in a higher division. Those feelings aside, I think the champs have a legitimate shot at repeating if they can continue to get Calla and Yessayan the ball.

 

 

 

 

Pretenders:

 

Dip: These guys are like the Thundering Herd of division A. They have talent, a good little offensive system and they will win some games. Only problem is keeping their emotions and mouths in check during the game. I don’t know if they have the intestinal fortitude to pull through as a team when they need a major comeback or a tough opponent rolls around. Nonetheless, this team is on the shoulders of their QB, Samir Chebbo and my own “Superfan” Julien Hebert.

 

Motley Crew: I like this team for no other reason than Jacques “Titans” Void and Mathieu Rene. But I feel like this duo will not be enough to win a championship. They will make a mockery of certain defenses and I do think they are top-notch division B talent, I just need their surrounding crew to show just as much firepower. 

 

Falcons: My dearest Simon Richard, I really like your team. You have boatloads of talent, a great offensive system, a decent defence and most of all, you guys have heart. But somehow, every playoffs the wheels fall off the wagon and you lose a shocking game in which you’re favoured. Until this trend is stopped, you are on this list.

 

Sleepers:

 

Alkaholics: This team isn’t much of a sleeper, due to the inconspicuous nature of their two biggest talents Jamaal Pierre and QB Paul “Chuck it” Lapierre. I’m not sold on the replacements of certain key Ruff Ryders but I do think that a new name and different roster look could pose serious problems for teams not expecting an offensive battle.

 

Dirty Birds: Division 4 Champs took it to the wire with the former Spring Division B champs last weekend. This should be a sign of things to come. With great talent spread across the field with the Bishara Brothers, Eddy Martinez and Jon Young leading the way, I think they will shock some teams who may overlook them on their schedule. Either way, it will be a great springboard for next winter’s Div 3 season.

 

Choppers: If all the rumours on roster adjustments are true, nobody in this league will have a chance. But for now we can rest certain that any team with Anson Dudek and Sean Avraam will put together some nice quality wins. Let alone if they get Andrew McDonald and Chad Byers (in which case, “Konichiwa, bitches” to the rest of the league)

 

Five Players to watch:

 

Adrien Kellman, Mercenaries: Great Receiver, gets open downfield, plays good defence. A huge asset in the endzone for Gino DiFazio. He may lead the league in Td’s by the end of the year.

 

Jon Young, Dirty Birds: Playoff MVP in division 4 playoffs, has a great blend of toughness and speed to be a dual threat at QB and rusher. He has the confidence of a leader and demonstrates it for coach Birds on a weekly basis. His 4 TD effort against the G-Men is not a surprise.

 

Roderick Hassani, DIP:  An emerging star for the DIP squad, he puts up great numbers and gets very little credit on the WEPL and articles. He defiantly makes Chebbo’s life easier and takes the coverage off J. Hebert as well.

 

M. Girouard, Redemption: Tall athletic defensive player, has some Flagplus experience. Does not lack toughness and has a good knack for knowing where the QB wants to throw it. His reach is also a problem for opposing QB’s as he cuts down angles playing corner. A valuable weapon for a Redemption squad who “cough cough” lost to DIP.

 

Mike Majeur, Predators: A staple of the Monarchs old defense, he has signed up to be the new leader and QB of the Div B predators. In his first outing he posted a nice 179 yards with two TDs. Not bad for a first game, especially against the Alkaholics. I see him emerging as a potentially decent option in the QB game.

 

 

 

Castleton’s Random thoughts of the week:

 

1. Division dodging: I think a lot of teams are dodging divisions just to win a championship. I think its getting out of hand. Sometimes you just have to challenge yourself, take your lumps in the upper division and improve.
2. Pigksin: Thank goodness for the league allowing us to play with our own footballs, have yet to hear one complaint so far. After all, why not let the players decide!
3. 49ers: I tip my hat to the 49ers for entering Division A, Chief for all the teasing we gave you back in the day about the ND squad dodging this and that, well you have made up for it!
4. Rehan’s Gladiateurs: Call them what you will, I find it hilarious that another spring season comes around and our Starwar has pulled off another GM move of the year entering Div B with a former Div A squad.
5. Hot Boys and Shockers: If you can’t beat em, Merge THEM!
6. Monarchs: I’m a little disappointed that there is no Monarchs team this season, it was a good rivalry which I always looked forward to.
7. Gordon Hogan of the Dirty Birds made the greatest diving interception I have ever seen in FlagPlus history against the G-Men, I’m sure even Paul Kamel was amazed that he managed to jump that pass. 

 

 

What does RHC Stand for?

Every week, I will attempt to guess what Ara Ekmekdjian’s new team name stands for. Hopefully by the end of the season, he will enlighten us…until then:

 

Rainbow Hunt Club?

 

Quote of the week:

 

“Rehan’s beard is like a PLANET!”

                                    – WEPL host Daron B, on his fellow panellist’s facial hair