The War Room – Week 1

After 5 months off, countless snow storms and much chatter on the Facebook group walls, the FlagPlus winter 09 season has finally begun. Week 1 is now in the books and the usual splendid array of wild games, controversial calls and entertaining football is in the books. But before I get into all that, let me give you a brief introduction to those of you who are new to this league and have no clue who I am, why I’m biased or why the commissioner bestowed such power to me through the WEPL and this article (which apparently I’m drunk off). I’ve played in this league for about three years, I’ve worn many jerseys (Jets, the U, Organized Chaos and now Walk On’s) but through all those seasons, I remain a Shocker. My hobbies include disturbing the peace on our group walls, riling up our resident GM’s R. Starwar (Ballerz) and “Chief” Shefteshy (ND), reminding Moe Khan that he isn’t in fact the eighth wonder of the world and exchanging rumours with Future HOFs via text messages throughout the week. Since joining this league, I have seen Rob Campana strive to improve it and make it the last bastion of football for those who are too old to play tackle anymore. When asked to help out, I couldn’t be more enthused. So here I am and it is with sincere hope that these weekly articles bring some sort entertainment to your lives and don’t bruise your egos too much, but that might be asking too much…

This year I will be covering Division 3 in more detail than the previous seasons, but don’t worry I’ll still be chiming in with my opinions on everything else. Now before I hear the sirens go off, yes I do play in Division three and some may be concerned that I have a conflict of interest. And to be honest, that concern is warranted. But until you have your own online article, I guess you are stuck reading mine, or worse, reading Moe Khan’s.

Now for Division Three:

Week 1 Top Ten Power Rankings:

1.G-Men: Until you beat the Champs or put up more style points, they are still the number one team in Div. 3 on my list.

2. Falcons: These gentlemen have been consistent from prior years and beat a talented “Swat” team this past week.

3. D3 Hybrids: Any team QB’d by Mike Roy in division three will be a good team. Time will tell if the other pieces are in place to form a championship caliber squad.

4. KGP Champs: These guys are always hyped each season and usually fare very well. Last summer was a bit of a disappointment but if P. Cutler is healthy, they will post 7 wins.

5. Doggone Bawlclub: Can’t say I have seen them play, but from the box score and what people told me, this score will not be an aberration. I’m going to keep a watch on these guys in the following weeks.

6. Titans: A former division two team, battled it out last week to win against a surprisingly good “Squad” team.

7. Walks On’s: Would like to take full credit for the big box score this weekend, but the other teams inexperience at QB was probably the main factor. Nonetheless, M. Godyn looked very good and so did Rookie M. Oliver.

8. Top Sauce: I’ve heard good things about this team and a nice little win last weekend. They are being hyped up quite nicely in the back rooms of FlagPlus. Team to watch closely.

9. Choppers: Nicknamed the Floppers in previous seasons, usually start hot out the gate and cool down the stretch. Hope for their sake, they gain some consistency this year.

10. Red Rebels: Very organized and talented team, could be dangerous if they get some momentum going.

Week’s Recap:

I got the chance to watch quite a few games this week and I can say that Division three has some loaded rosters. When I mean loaded, I don’t mean illegal. Just the level of talent in division three is night and day over its previous season predecessors. There are plenty of new teams this season and it will take me some time to scout each and everyone one of you, so don’t be insulted if I don’t name drop after your first week performance.

Now for some of the games I covered this weekend:

Titans vs. the Squad: Seemed like an exercise on running down the field and throwing fades but entertaining nonetheless. I really thought the Squad was going to win that game, just seemed too easy for them to score. Titans looked on their heels but pulled through. I like that moxie (or maybe I just like the word moxie).

Rude Bwoys vs Souljahs: This was the debut QB game for Shockers corner Gary “Willie Beamen” Bloomfield. He played admirably while missing three of his key players. But the Souljahs were just too much, slicing through the Bwoys defense like butter or “butta”. Play of the week goes to the Souljahs QB, D. Perriault-Dorzile, who threw a full field fade while his receiver caught the TD over his back shoulder while being blanketed by the safety.

Falcons vs. Swat: A “chippy” affair, which I think was expected. But a low scoring one too, which surprised me a little, since I usually foresee the Falcons pilling on the points like Oklahoma likes to do. Swat is a very good team and I think they will bounce back nicely in the coming weeks.

Ballerz vs Ruff Ryders: An offensive football game which was ultimately decided by the converts. Ballerz need to work on their converts if they want to eek out those close games; Tougas played well though, spreading the ball around nicely with TD’s to multiple players.

In other D3 News: Rage loses to KGP in its debut which, to the surprise of most people who know the roster of Rage, is even more shocking due to the circumstances of QB Phil Cutler’s health. While basically having one healthy knee, he just sat in the pocket and picked apart a Rage team which apparently (Rob O’Grady likes to advertise) demonstrated their age. I expect Rage to get on track soon and with Vadim C. returning in the near future from his bench to face experience, they will be more dangerous than last game indicated. G – Men took care of business beating a highly touted VR6 team; I guess the shovel pass – end zone rule didn’t bother them. P. Kamel had his usual defensive performance, picking off passes and returning them to the house.

Ten Random things I think this week in Flag Football:

1. Hooked on Phonics: Rude Bwoys, Souljahs, Bawlclub, Ruff Ryders and Ballerz need to spell check their roster sheet before sending it to management. Rude Boys, Soldiers, Ball Club, Rough Riders and Rehan’s Ringers would be the correct spelling.

2. Monarchs vs Shockers: Week two has the famous FlagPlus rivalry game, but this season is the first season it wont be a Godyn vs Roy duel. The new look teams have a Nincheri vs McNair spin on it, two old teammates from the Hurricanes. Hopefully they both understand the passion their teammates have in this rivalry.

3. Rainmakers vs Express: What a finish to this game on Saturday night, last play heroics. Kastner doesn’t mind late play heroics, too bad they lost the following nights against the ever so popular Finest.

4. Getting ahead of ourselves: Maybe I was one to jump the gun on the Facebook wall and accuse certain teams of dodging divisions, only to have them compete in week 1 and lose. Well I apologize for giving you guy’s credit you obviously don’t deserve (just joking).

5. D3 and their love for the Fade Route: The passing tree I used growing up had variations of 9 different routes. It seems to me after watching D3 in detail this weekend that D3 QBs call fade routes 75% of the time, while the other 20% is hooks and 5% is outs. If you consult QB’s in Div 1, I’m sure hooks and outs would be 75% of their playcalling. We learning yet?

6. Damn I’m getting old: Anyone else feel like they just got sat on by Yokozuna? Man, two days after my game and I’m still limping around like a guy in a rap video. The offseason was wayyyyy too long.

7. D1 dynasty: Nixon’s Renegades superstar R. Robinson is a Hurricane in Div 1. This makes the Hurricanes favorites AGAIN to win the trophy, creating a dynasty which will not soon be forgotten. I wonder if the Demons can stop them this time, since we have already seen the Finest try time and time again.

8. Refs: Didn’t hear many complaints about the reffing in week 1, which is amazing considering the coup d’etat we almost had last year. Refs have done a good job keeping up to date on our rules and it shows.

9. New Site: I’m thoroughly enjoying the new site of FlagPlus football this season. The last one was more than sufficient but this new manages the information way better. Can’t wait to see the individual pages etc.

10. Shout out to Reebok: After three years of wearing Nike Shocks without cleats on the field, I (thanks to friends at Reebok who will remain nameless) have been upgraded to their new cleats and man does it make a difference. I suggest you make the investment, just make sure they aren’t metal spikes!

Quote of the Week:

On the last play of the first half, after a hail mary pass by Kevin Wyeth which fell incomplete:

“I still beat you to the line!”
– By Kishon Thompson, to teammate Andre Knights

GAME OF THE WEEK as far as I’m concerned:

For every Division:

D1: Rainmakers vs Demons, Youth vs Experience (which is nicer than saying Age). Should be fairly offensive. I see both teams scoring 30 odd points. Demons Win.

D2: Monarchs vs Shockers, the Rivalry Game, Nincheri vs Mcnair, Knights vs Fre, Blobstein vs the World. Should be a good game! Abstaining from picking a winner based on conflict of interest.

D3: KGP vs Falcons: This game should be a classic D3 battle. And probably the closest of the weekend if Cutler is healthy. He took care of Rage in week 1, but I think the Falcons have something to say about that this week. Falcons win in a squeaker.

D4: Chaos vs Triple Sixers: Divisional game, both have good offenses. I look for the Triple 6’s to exert some aggression and build some momentum this season. Triple 6’s win!

This Tune is for You:

New segment where I dedicate 5 songs to different players around the league for various reasons….

1. Human by Killers dedicated to Rage, apparently you guys are Human and can lose football games.

2. Sober by Pink dedicated to the Demons who I still owe drinks to for running up the score last year.

3. A Mili by Lil Wayne dedicated to the fade-throwing QB’s of certain teams in div 3 who might throw that many interceptions this season.

4. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon dedicated to QB Chief Shefteshy on the plethora of talent on his offense.

5. Always where I need to be by the Kooks dedicated to the receivers of the Hurricanes who always seem to be open.

Go Ravens!

Don’t like what I wrote? Write me an e-mail and state your case. I might even put you on my block list if it’s a good enough e-mail! Contact me on Facebook or via email [email protected]