The Wrath of Khan (D2) – Week 2

The FPF has hit the 20% mark of the season, and already in division 2 we are slowly seeing the separation from the contenders, pretenders, and surprises. This year, there has been a fair share of exciting games from the Shockers-Monarchs, Texas All-Stars-Homosapiens games that has come down to the final 3 minutes. Before I continue to express my boring propaganda, I will like to acknowledge for those who think I am being negative about your team, just prove me wrong, that’s all, all it takes is a couple of simple victories.

Last week, my Montreal’s Finest teammate, Nathan Taylor, questioned why I had his Texas All-Stars ranked in the middle pack? The truth is, until the All-Stars start racking up victories against quality opponents, they will be questioned until further notice. However, Taylor and co. started to prove me wrong with a gutty 25-19 win over the Homosapiens, a team that surprised many in their week 1 victory over Notre Dame. The one difference for the All-Stars is their acquisition of quarterback, Jeremi Roch. So far, Roch has provided confidence, and stability to a team that at times had questionable quarterback play while as the old Buckeyes team in previous seasons. This is not a slight towards Nathan Taylor and his skills, but when a team possesses the speed, of Taylor (Nathan), Garrett Taylor, and Anthony Thompson the more beneficial scenario is to have an established quarterback who can get the ball to these playmakers. To date, Roch has accumulated solid statistics, as he has thrown for 9 touchdowns, 386 passing yards, and the key number; he has not been intercepted yet. If they can continue to get this type of exceptional play from their new acquisition, the All-Stars will definitely creep up the ranks of Conference A. But once again, they will have to be convincing in their victories with style points.

What is wrong with the Waterbuffaloes? In my “Johnny Wishbone” prognostication of where they will finish, I honestly felt they would be in the penthouse of the league due to the quarterback play of Craig O’Brien. However, with them being winless, they have been relegated to the back row of a United Nations conference meeting, and it does not help their cause to lose to newly promoted Nixon’s Renegades. Please do not discount that the Renegades are a solid team, but with no Kirby Short, and Scott Mironowicz manning the captain’s seat. How does a more experienced Buffaloes team not capitalize on the nerves of a vulnerable Renegades? It might have to fall on the shoulders of O’Brien, who has only completed 52.1% of his passes, he has been sacked 3 times, and his quarterback rating is a Billy Joe Tolliver like 96.4. If the Buffaloes are expected to make a stampede, its time for them to get out of the water and start rolling tide. However, it does not get any easier, as they will face an angry Monarchs team this weekend, furthermore, they have upcoming games against the Messengers of Happiness, All Blacks, and Shockers. 

Congratulations are in-order for the Renegades. To get their first victory in the second week of the season, is a big gorilla off their backs. It can get awfully tough for an expansion, or newly promoted team to win their first game. But once again, with the roster they possess, from Liam Mahoney, Scott Mironowicz, and Robbie Robinson, one has to consider, do the Renegades have the Carolina Panthers, circa ’95 to make a deep run? However, with no Kirby Short last weekend, and Mironowicz throwing, could there be a quarterback controversy on the horizon? Mironowicz threw for 5 touchdowns, and had 151 passing yards. Short in the week 1 loss to the Shockers, had 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 102 passing yards. Mironowicz has proven to be a winner in the lower leagues, and for him to come into a tough week 2 matchup, and beat a solid but yet underachieving Buffaloes team, maybe it is time the Renegades consider the changing of the guard, since it was revealed on the WEPL that Short will be moving on in the near future. Also, could we be seeing a potential hybrid, wild Nixon’s, dual quarterback formation from the Renegades? They have already wowed the league with their new, flashy, Michael Jackson uniforms, so why not incorporate some trickery into the foray to win games. They have the potential with the likes of Mironowicz and Mahoney.  

Can someone please explain to me why FPF has me writing for them, when I picked the All Blacks to finish with a record of 3-7, and already, they are 2-0? All they need to do to make me look good, is lose 7 out of the next 8 games. But for a team that does not have Myles Gibbon at quarterback, but Tony Tabet throwing, it seems that the All Blacks are playing better as team. I stress “team”, because in talking to a couple of the players, they feel that Tabet spreads the ball around, rather than Gibbon who would buy time by running around, and hoping someone would be open. Tabet has put up great numbers, as he has amassed 9 touchdowns, and he has produced a gaudy Peyton Manning quarterback rating of 145.5. However, the big test comes this weekend, as they will face the Messengers of Happiness. The Happiness rank second in points allowed, as they have given up an average of 10.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the All Blacks rank fourth in points for as they have scored 32.5 points per game. This will be an intriguing battle, and a great litmus test for the All Blacks to see if they are a contender or pretender. 

Percentages%

-0.5%, that Mike Roy will become the full time starter at the quarterback position for the Monarchs. Maybe he will if Rick Nincheri throws more interceptions.

5%, that Monarchs quarterback, Rick Nincheri will have another 2 interception day.
8%, that any of the 7 remaining undefeated teams will go perfect.

9%, that Texas All-Star receiver, Matt Norzil will have 20 touchdown receptions, currently, he has 5.

10%, that we will see another shutout for the third consecutive week. Week 1, Click Clack stone walled the Pacmen, and Week 2, Notre Dame was able to handcuff the Red Ballers.

12%, that Monarchs, Kimani Selman will have 50 tackles this year, right now he has 9, and is on pace for 45 total tackles. 

14%, that any D2 team will score 60 points in a game.

20.5%, that Homosapiens quarterback, Benjamin Leger will have a passing percentage better than 38.1%.

25%, that Mercenaries quarterback, Gino Di Fazio aka, Jerry Jones is not content with his 0-2 start in D2.
 
Who do I like, and I don’t mean Rehan Sarwar’s B.C. forest like beard.

• I like the Blacks Knights over the Pacmen. I think sadly the Pacmen might be the FPF’s version of the Detroit Lions.
• I like the Wolfpack over the Mercenaries. Wolfpack on offense are averaging 39 points per game.
• I like the Thundering Herd over the Byrdgang. In my previous column, I pointed out how, Thundering Herd quarterback, Tom Cesari, will always have one good game followed by a bad game, and then a good game. This week, it’s time for the good game.