The Wrath of Khan (Div A) – Week 13

 

What did I learn from this week’s press conference? It was by far the best ranting from two teams we’ve seen thus far. Here are some quick observations on what to expect this weekend.

Press Conference

If Monday night’s press conference was any indication of what to expect this Sunday, it might be a great final after all. For starters, Jamal Pierre (Goodfellas), and Jamil Springer (Mercenaries) were playfully jabbing each other with comments such as “11” (in reference to Pierre’s 11-game suspension).

There is a sense of serious competition between the two teams, even though many have pegged this game as the “Empire Country Club Bowl” due to the many connections there are between these two teams. Some may think there might be a “laissez-faire” atmosphere to this game.

Clearly, as stated by both teams, there won’t be any post-game celebrations between them regardless of who is victorious! Both are here to prove a point that they mean business.

But there were some surprising comments. Pierre mentioned that he doesn’t think his teammate, Benny Goodfriend is the best quarterback in FPF, and that honour is bestowed onto his counterpart Carmine Pollice.

There is a new focus on the Goodfellas team. Last year, it seemed they were not confident in their abilities to win the DA title, and were not mentally in the game. This year, hearing Paul Lapierre talk, this is all business, and they are not leaving the field without the title.

On the other hand, the Mercenaries seemed relaxed. Don Shepherd was confident in his team to come out on top in this game. Springer was a bit more vocal, as he backed up his arguments by pointing out the Goodfellas will have a tough time stopping the Mercenaries offense.

The bottom line, this was an eventful press conference. Don’t believe me? Just go onto the FPF site and watch it, it will give you the giggles.

The Matchup

Quarterback

The master (Pollice) versus the pupil (Goodfriend)! Simply put, can Pollice stay at-top his throne? He has been ruling the empire for many generations, and it seemed no one would come within distance to knock him off the mountain.

But now, it looks like Goodfriend is ready to take over as leader of the Empire. He has arguably had the best 12-months in the FPF calendar by winning the D2 winter title, and now in his second consecutive spring finals. He has all the tools in the box that he can use to his advantage.

All he has to do is make an accurate pass, and allow his pass catchers take care of the rest of the play. With the likes of Rochdi Benabdelkader, Marc Champagne, Ricky Martin, and Nathan Taylor, they are blessed with hands, size, and speed.

Pollice on the other hand, will need to rediscover the Kobe Bryant in him to win this game. Remember he has yet to lose a championship game in his long FPF career. In the victory over the Shockers, he simply took over the game on both sides of the football. He will need to use his smarts to find the weakness in the Goodfellas defense.

Pollice will need to stay on-top of his guys. The key to his success is to make sure his teammates and opponents are on their toes. He will need to exude a killer instinct for his team that regardless of the score, they’re still in the game.

Pollice has the ability to change the momentum of the game. If his inner-Bryant is unleashed, it might be a long day for the Goodfellas defense.

Receivers

The glamour position of FPF! This game has the best group of receivers that anyone can ask for. Looking at the Goodfellas, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, with all that talent on their roster, it is shocking they didn’t go undefeated.

The key player that will have a huge influence is Ricky Martin. In the win over the Kingz, he had two critical drops that could have made the score line a lot bigger. But with his size, speed, and knack to being around the football, if Martin is focused, he is dangerous.

There isn’t a player on the Mercenaries that can physically matchup with Martin. Goodfriend will have to keep an eye on him at all times. If he sees a matchup he desires, he should exploit it to the maximum.

The Mercenaries have a combination of veterans and youth. Don Shepherd had a fabulous season with 19-touchdown receptions. He was the main cog that opened up the field for his cohorts Stephane Chartrand (now injured) and Adi Sharma, amongst others during the regular season.

If Pollice has a comfort zone with one player, it is Shepherd. He has the knack to find the open space on the field, especially near the opponent’s goal-line.

If there is one word to describe the rest of his receivers it’s: confidence! The cast of characters includes Springer, Norzil, and Stephan Osman! This trio has brought a self-belief to a team that lives by the New England Patriot philosophies. Essentially, no matter who the opposing defense is, they will score touchdowns.

It seems, to an extent, the Mercenaries have loosened up the strings to allow the players the freedom to voice their thoughts to the opposition. I am sure Pollice will keep them in-check, but they have explosive ability to change the image of the game.

Defense

Both teams have hard-hitting players that possess no fear in attacking the football. Some of these combatants have suffered injuries (Taylor, and Pollice) but are right back in the action on the next play.

The Goodfellas can matchup with any of the Mercenaries receivers. Given how the defenders are familiar with their opponents. It will not be surprising to see them mirror all the routes the Mercenaries draw up.

Rochdi Benabdelkader, who had been Pollice’s right hand man since the Regan administration, knows the master’s playbook. He will have his teammates in the proper position to make the stop. There would be nothing sweeter for him and his defense than to completely shutdown the Mercenaries.

Will Jon Young have an impact on this game? He is one of the better pass rushers, but he must know that going against Pollice is no easy task. He must stay patient, as the master has some deceptive moves in eluding the pass rush.

The Mercenaries defense has been in question for the bulk of the season. There were times where they couldn’t stop a mosquito team getting past them them. But gradually as the season progressed, they improved, as players got healthy, and comfortable in the schemes laid out by Adi Sharma.

Sharma will need to call a perfect game against Goodfriend and co. There are too many times this defense has missed tackles and allowed points in bunches. They will need to cut down on the mental errors and come up with a few key stops.

Their strength is their ball hawking abilities. They have some players that can snatch away the football from the opponent’s hands. Springer will need to be active in the pass defense department. It seems the football always finds his hands. If they can create any turnovers, it will help alleviate the pressure from the offense to score on each possession.

Final Conclusion

In their first meeting, the Goodfellas were left with a bitter taste in their mouths based on how the game ended. It seems they have recharged their focus and are ready to win the DA title. If Goodfriend is on point with his accuracy, and they make a few big plays on defense, they will be hoisting the title.

Final score: Goodfellas 37, Mercenaries 31