The War Room (DB) – Week 3

It seems that this spring season, Division B is the place for compelling storylines, fierce competition and an unusually high level of talent. With so many Division A players, splitting up to form or join other lower division teams, it seems that a war beyond the usual B calibre football is being waged on a weekly basis. It is good to see so many upper echelon players flooding the lower divisions to assist those with less experience and also refine their own talents. This is ok if a true balance exists on each team between upper and mid level talent, however a certain amount of teams do not show this level of respect to the league. Our beloved commissioner is in no position to help filter these teams to the correct division as he is not aware of the rosters before week 1. I’m sure that if captains were required to submit their final roster on registration day, a more equitable divisional breakdown could be accomplished. Now, certain of you know the teams I speak of, others might not have any clue. I don’t feel like this article is a forum to expose those who choose to get a championship by submitting ridiculous rosters (reminiscent of certain div 1 champions) in a lower division. Our league requires a certain level of honour and integrity to ensure fair play and competitiveness. Those of you who choose to ignore this virtue are tarnishing the meaning of the very trophy you so desperately covert. It is sad to think that only 6 teams entered division A this summer, while I could name another 4 division B teams who “Should” be playing in that division. This is not to say they would win with ease in division A, but it would be a challenge and not simply an ego driven boost for players with low self esteem and empty trophy cases. It is with those last thoughts that I congratulate the 49ers and Thundering Herd for registering and challenging themselves in the upper echelons of our game. The teams who make a mockery of our rules and enter in Division B by rationalizing their choice through misguided logic should look to Richard Shefteshy as an example of a competitor and respected member of our Flag Plus community. I only wish more division B captains had the same intestinal fortitude as Chief and would challenge their team in a more competitive environment.

 

That being said, onto last weeks recap:

 

Recap:

 

Redemption 27 vs RHC 24:

 

This game was a strange one as the stats do not fully tell the story. If I told you Tony Tabet had 85% percent passing, 4 TD’s and 177 yards and lost, you would assume the other QB M. Godyn would have massive passing yards and Td’s, however that was far from the case as M. Godyn only completed 9 passes, 5 of which when to go to all world receiver Andre “Boogie” Knights. The real kicker was Godyn’s rushing yards as he had 98 yards and 1 TD in FLAG! This could be example of how using the rushing game to control the clock can make up for a terrible passing attack. As for the RHC, perhaps realizing that rushing the QB (cough cough certain rushers) is the integral part of a defense. And perhaps, if you couldn’t get production out of this position, a change to a more successful rush may be needed. This being said RHC is still winless. (But in other news S. Kaloussian is an emerging star on the RHC).

 

Motley Crew 34 vs Mercenaries 20:

 

This game was an upset of mega proportion as a very cocky mercenary squad got their gluteus maximus kicked in the first half of the football game. The Crue got out to a 22 – 6 lead at halftime on the fantastic play of their QB Mathieu Rene. He managed to control the clock (throwing 33 times) and scoring 5 TDs through the air. His receivers really stepped as Void, Foucault, Cote and Mercier all pitched in a team effort to knock the smile off G. Di Fazio’s band of stars. Mr. Di Fazio had a strange day at QB, only completing 11 passes with 3 Td’s and 2 Int’s (both to Mercier). I really expected more production from the potent offense of Testa, Kellman and Haney.  But I guess time will tell if there are too many stars on this receiving corps to work together in unison. And after writing this, I’m sure some “Me against the world” attitude will develop and the Mercenaries will now think the entire league is out to get them (alas if they only knew)…

 

5 Players to Watch:

 

Maxime Mercier (Motley Crew):  This gentleman is becoming a force to be reckoned with on defense with 2 Int’s against the Mercenaries. He is also pitching in on the offensive side of the ball to ensure some of the pressure is off Jacques Void, I see him developing into a great second option for Rene perhaps in front of Foucault. 

 

Sebouh Kaloussian (RHC):  This man was the offense for the RHC against Redemption and it seems Tabet and him are developing some good on field chemistry. This should translate into more production down the road, but nonetheless scorching a defense with Andre Knights and Mike Oliver is something to be proud of.

 

Jean – Francois Cloutier (Falcons): He did make the ALL Star team last year, and he isn’t such an unknown star to those who really pay attention to the rushing game of the league. He is a focal point of the Falcons defense and a player who can contribute on every play when needed. He is a force to be reckoned with.

 

Sean Avraam (Choppers): Mainly a Wide Reciever in past years, he has developed into quite the solid option at QB. It helps that his team is loaded with Division 1 talent but he did pitch in with three INT’s on defense, which is saying a lot for a QB. I think he should stay and evolve as QB rather than give in to team pressure and hand over the spot to teammate Chad Byers.

 

Mike Godyn (Redemption): My teammate on the Shockers who gets blasted a lot for his play as an inconsistent QB. However, what he has always managed to do is stay competitive. He makes plays when he is asked to and irks out games with quite possibly some of the ugliest stat lines you will ever see. Last week, he reminded me of Vince Young, with terrible passing stats and a potent rushing game. Time will tell, if he can also evolve into a championship calibre QB.

 

Castleton’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

 

1. Choppers: They destroyed my Dirty Birds, which was kind of expected. But a certain individual on their team e-mailed me, stating that his team was just as good (if not better) than my highly touted Division A Shockers. Now I take personal offense to that, and if you think so, why not enter your squad in Division A and let ALL 6 Division A teams show you just how good you really are… 
2. Facebook Wall: The spring season just seems slightly more boring without the usual banter on the FB walls. Where is CP and his remarks? Where is Rob O’Grady with his completely useless youtube posts? Where is Anthony Da Ponte? I miss you guys… (insert single tear down cheek here)
3. Terminators: Your roster is like a quilt. Patches of good and bad players sewn together to make a championship. You even have a coach, who by the way is no way as remotely cool as Joe Birds (the original ball coach). Stephen Free and Renaldo Jordan, I expect more from you two than hanging out in Division C.
4. Refs: I rarely criticize the referees in our league as I have the utmost respect for a lot of them. But just like a bag of apples, you’re bound to find a couple who are “off”. Sorta like the calls a certain ref gave my Shockers the other night… (I wonder if this will get edited out?)
5. Falcons: You guys are playing well, I beg that you do not become too complacent. Work on winning in different ways, that way when the playoffs roll around you will be more than a one trick pony. I’m rooting for you guys, after my Dirty Birds of course (but aren’t our teams sort of related?)
6. Division C: I rarely find that much excitement in the lower division of football, basically because that’s not my level of expertise in covering this league. But thanks to Triple Sixers, Cobras and Chaos, I’m finding new joy in watching the division. I really think the DC final will be a dandy of a game. Also, congrats to For Teh Lulz for their first win!
7. Dale Williams: One of our beloved members of Flag Plus is recovering from an injury which has forced him to miss the season, and I would just like to wish him a good recovery and that I EXPECT to hear him shouting “DUDE!” on the gridiron in the near future.

 

 

Predictions:

 

1. Rainmakers (8-3): They will compete at the highest level with the Shockers and Ruff Ryders, but their defense may let them down. I see Kastner as the key to the team’s success as his ability to control the game through methodical drives is a good strategy in  keep away football.

 

2. Falcons (8-2): They have a difficult schedule, but one which will test them more than ever before. This is a good thing as they prep for the playoffs. I think this could be the season we see Simon and Co. lift that trophy high. Might lose to G-Men and Mercenaries though.

 

3. For Teh Lulz (4-6): They will be way better than the Orangemen of last season. But that isn’t saying much, they need to secure a legitmate QB to make the jump to a contending “middle of the road” team. If this was NCAA 09, they would still be labelled as “cupcakes” on most teams roster (M. Young gets what I mean… )

 

Castleton Connection:

 

This week’s questions:

 

–         Who is the best dressed Flag Football player and why (jersey etc.)?

–         Most Overrated player in FlagPlus football is…

–         The team you hate playing the most is …

–         Most embarrassing song on your Ipod…

–         Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?

 

 

Mathew Young, WR (For Teh Lulz):

 

– Who is the best dressed flagfootball player and why (jersey etc.)?
It has to be someone on the Cobras, probably the nicest jersey’s in the league. I’ll say Lever because of the extra gear.

– Most Overrated player in flagplus football is…
Rehan, I haven’t seen much but I don’t think he is a top 5 wideout (Moe). But he does bring a lot to a team given experience and seems like a good teammate.

– The team you hate playing the most is….
Andre John

– Most embarrassing song on your ipod…
How do you sleep (Jesse McCartney)

– Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?
Whoever posts it first, So Khan Ross then 48 hours later Rehan’s. The one that I enjoy the most is Ross’s but I look most forward to Rehan’s for content.

 

Eugene Mclaren, QB (Chaos):

 

-Who is the best dressed flagfootball player and why (jersey etc.)?
I would say is the whole Nixon’s renegades squad, but Dale Williams adds a little spice to the uniform with a head bandana and socks over his shoes.

 

-Most Overrated player in flagplus football is…
hmmm good question. Well to keep this fun i’d have to say Karim Chaoual QB for 666, he’s not that good. I’d love to meet him in the finals to show him how to play.

.

– The team you hate playing the most is….
No team in particular, just the teams that play dirty and know it. A team that plays dirty because it’s the only way they have to try and make their team interesting

– Most embarrassing song on your ipod…
I’ll just say it’s an Elton john song… but i won’t specify which one hehe

– Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?
Whoever is posted first.

 

Patrick Chenard, Qb (Titans):

 

Who is the best dressed flagfootball player and why (jersey etc.)?

-I don’t think that there is one player in the league who should deserve the title of the best dressed player because too many players have their own style, but I will say that the MTL finest is the team with the most swag!

Most Overrated player in FlagPlus football is…

– When I read that the trio of me, Nic Arsenault-Hum and Mathieu Thuot was underrated….that means that the entire league is overrated!!!

The team you hate playing the most is …
– I hate playing the Hurricanes and I love so much to play against the Demons! In the spring league….I hate the f%#$ Shockers!!!!

Most embarrassing song on your Ipod…

-Why should I put an embarassing song on my Ipod!? But I can be honest on something….yess I like” destin” of Celine Dion…but it’s not on my Ipod!

Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?

– I read the one who talks about my division first. After I will read either Moe or your article. Rehan is so boring!

Frank Grenier, Wr (Cobras):

 

– Who is the best dressed flagfootball player and why (jersey etc.)?
*** I know we’re supposed to answer for this season, but I can’t forget that Love Cows player in Div 4 last Winter with those short shorts, tight t-shirt and headband. Straight out of the 70’s, with a pink cow on his shirt. No one will top this in my mind.

– Most Overrated player in flagplus football is…
*** Hesitating between Karim Chaoual and Eugene McLaren… Two QB’s that aren’t able to beat us ever. They run because they can’t throw, they choke on big plays. And their nomination in my answer has nothing to do with the fact that we’re playing them at season’s end and that I’m trying to get in their heads. :p

– The team you hate playing the most is ….
*** Any team that thinks flag football is contact football. We had a hard game against the Snookers which wasn’t fun (they gave us a reality check) and when I played Div. B last Spring, I didn’t enjoy playin the G-Men who just toss the ball around like it was NFL Blitz. Throw overhand, will you! But the worst teams to play against, the less fun, is any team with a division dodging QB Scott Mironowicz. How fun must it be to play receiver on a team with a QB that runs a play out of 2…

– Most embarassing song on your ipod…
*** My whole Ipod is embarassing. If I had to choose, I have a few songs from 80s-90’s franco star Julie Masse. The most embarassing part: I can probably sing all those songs flawlessly.

– Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?
*** I would say Rehan’s because it talks about the division I play in, but I can’t answer that since he’s always last to post! So, by default, Ross’ Div B. column.

 

Sean Avraam QB (Choppers):

-Who is the best dressed Flag Football player and why (jersey etc.)?

The best dressed player has to be Adam Ciampini of choppers … his tights, the 80’s cut off shirt , colorful headbands , oh ya he’s the guy

 

-Most Overrated player in FlagPlus football is…

Well don’t know too many guys in fpf , but for sure my pick would me N.Taylor of texas all stars … (well maybe there whole team ) No hard feelings ..

-The team you hate playing the most is …

Has to be the F-A-L-C-O-N-S … Find that ever time I’ve played them , Had a bad game ..Also I hate the whole steroid chant after every TD ( WOOOOOO .. ) But I do love there fans .. wait maybe that’s the reason why those bad games occur, ladies ladies ladies … ( way to get players off there game guys)

 

-Most embarrassing song on your Ipod…

Ohh man has to be secret lovers – midnight starr . Saw a commercial with it and was an instant classic .. Secret loverssssss thats what we are yaaaaaaa

– Which FPF article do you read first (Rehan’s, Moe’s or Mine) and Why?
I don’t even read Moe ‘s or Rehan’s article , zzzzzzzzzzzz sounds like they talk about the same things every time , Only take a look at what they are going to say about the Floppers oops Choppers on there little sports night Video every week .. Give the article award to Castleton , plus his music picks every week are pretty good .

 

Quote of the week:

 

How is that for a System Receiver!

            – P. Lapierre to the Shockers Bench as Rochdi B scored a great TD (he then proceeded to drop the extra point however :p)