The Wrath of Khan (Div A) – Week 5

 

What did I learn as we hit the halfway point of the season? Are the Goodfellas that good? Triple Sixers are slowly ascending to the top! Mercenaries have a new Matt Norzil on their team. Also, the mid-term grades on each team, and what they need to do in the second half of the season.

Goodfellas On Top Of The Mountain

Are the Goodfellas that good? To an extent, they are. They had their best all-around effort against a depleted Shockers team led by their tenth string quarterback in the form of Shawn Haney.

In total, six different receivers had two receptions or more, as Benny Goodfriend utilized a balanced attack against the Shockers. Their defense came up with timely plays, as Marc Champagnie pilfered two passes. The scary part is, they could have had more turnovers, but were a split second too late in reacting to the football.

To add insult to injury, former Shocker, Jon Young had a “John LeClair” like performance. He accumulated two sacks, a safety, and two touchdown catches. I am confident this made Rostyn Castleton cringe to know that a former Shocker, was able to inflict severe damage onto his team.

Up to this point, the Goodfellas have not had any stiff competition, but they could run into their first real challenge this weekend, against a well rested Kingz team.

But if they continue to play as they did last weekend, I don’t see why they cannot book their ticket to DA finals in the middle of August.

Triple Sixers: Are They Contenders?

Look out, the Triple Sixers have won two out of the last three games. In Sunday’s victory over O.N.S. Karim Chaoual looked more confident in the pocket, as his sliced the awful defense for five touchdown passes.

From my observation, it seems Chaoual is more relaxed inside the pocket, and is seeing the play develop a lot clearer than he did in the first three weeks of the season. His passing completion percentage has gone up. That has been his strong point to his game play.

Factor in that the Sixers are doing this without star player, Pat Jerome who suffered a foot injury. Also, Pat Chenard has made cameo appearances, but not enough to be the difference for this team.

But sitting at 2-3, the Sixers could move into the top four with a win over the worn-out Shockers. This will be a big mental test for Chaoual facing a Shockers team that likes to chirp back to the opposition. Playing this very tough defense will be a big challenge for him, because he will not have the wide open window to throw the ball against a ball-hawking Shockers team.

The New Matt Norzil

Yes, the Mercenaries have the actual Matt Norzil on their roster. He is currently on the injured reserve list with a lower body injury. But, within the last three weeks, they have developed a new Norzil in the form of Shayne Stinson. Stinson’s stock has been ascending with four highlight touchdown grabs, five sacks, and a swagger to go along with his style.

Granted, some will say the reason for his success is because he has Carmine Pollice throwing him the football. But Stinson has definitely created a name for himself by becoming a legitimate number two receiver on the Mercenaries.

If Norzil is healthy in-time for the playoff run, they could form a devastating duo. Mix in Donald Shepherd, this trio will be tough to stop for their future opponents.

Mid-term Report Cards

Goodfellas: They sit atop of the mountain with a perfect 5-0 record. They arguably have the best quarterback in Benny Goodfriend. They have the best cover corner duo in Marc Champagnie, and Nathan Taylor which has made it difficult for opposing quarterbacks throwing options. They are running on all cylinders.

What can they improve on? With the impending suspension to Jamal Pierre, the Goodfellas take a severe hit losing their mouthpiece of the franchise. On the other hand, I have yet to see them dominate a game from start to finish (I don’t count the Shockers victory). Will complacency be an issue? It could be if they don’t take their upcoming games with some intensity. They have a fairly decent schedule, but they do face the upstart Kings twice during the second half of the season. Mid-term grade: A-

Mercenaries: With a future FPF hall of famer in the form of Carmine Pollice, it is difficult to pick against them. Pollice has been the sole reason why this team is 4-1 rather than 2-3. Their offense is unstoppable, as they are averaging a league high 37.4 points.

Donald Shepherd is the best snapper in DA, no one has been able to coral him as he has a league high 10-touchdowns this season.

What can they improve on? Their defense! As many accolades they get for their offense, it is their defense that could dent a potential title run. They have been fortunate to escape the jaws of defeat with two single-point victories over the Triple Sixers, and Rainmakers. This past weekend, in a rematch against the Rainmakers, they held them to respectable 25-points. If the Mercenaries can figure out their defense, they could run the tables. Mid-term grade: B

Kingz: The surprise of the division. The Kingz were supposed to be a bottom feeder fighting it out for the last playoff spot. However, they have pulled off wins over the defending champion Shockers and O.N.S. Even with the losses of Pat Jerome and Andre John, Rey Starwar has kept the nucleus intact and added players he was familiar with. For those who might be surprised, they have the best defense, as they have allowed 15.7 points per game.

What can they improve on? At 3-1, entering the second half, they can no longer sneak up on teams. This weekend, they have a stiff test against the undefeated Goodfellas. This will be tell-tailing sign of how really good this team is if they can match the output of the Goodfellas. However, given the momentum they have garnered in the first four weeks, will the bye-week sidetrack their winning chemistry? Mid-term grade: A

Shockers: The defending champions have been the centre of controversy prior to the season starting from the Kevin Wyeth debacle to ever changing game day roster. They have a great defense led by Kishon Thompson, Karim Binette, and Andre Knights. Their offense could be explosive with the talent they have on their roster, but they’re still finding their groove.

What can they improve on? Getting healthy, as much maligned this team is, they have suffered injuries whether it is sprained fingers (Fred Dupuis, Rostyn Castleton), pulled hamstring (Kishon Thompson), and sore ankle (Karim Binette). They need to get healthy. The offense needs to get going. Their defense is the strong point. But with the arsenal they have, they need Fred Dupuis (now it is Pascal Murray) to develop a rapport with his pass catchers. Mid-term grade: C

Triple Sixers: Give them credit for moving up to a higher division. It has not been seamless transition as they have taken their lumps. But sitting at 2-3, they potentially might become a dark horse that could sneak up on a team. Karim Chaoual has been solid with 20-touchdown passes.

What can they improve? Getting better as a team! Initially, Chaoual looked flustered playing against better, smarter, and faster players. But with the dynamics this team has developed, they will be a tough out. They just have to continue doing their yeomen work and hope for a few breaks will come their way. Mid-term grade: C-

O.N.S.: They have a legitimate receiver in Ryan Brewster, who could start on any other DA teams. They have one of the best quarterbacks in FPF in Kevin Wyeth, who can carry a team on his back (just ask the Pacmen). Factor in Tyrel Hoas on both sides of the ball, they could shake the DA landscape.

What can they improve? How about getting a defense! With the exception of the Shockers game (they allowed 15-points). They have given up 30-plus points in every other game. Clearly, they do not have the closing speed to match their opponents’ athleticism. As a result, they have given up huge amounts of real estate. Until they can stop something, whether it is a rock, a beach ball, or an offense, this will be their downfall in hopes of getting the last playoff spot. Mid-term grade: D

Rainmakers: Their offense can score with the best of them. Ryan Kastner is one of the more accurate passers in the DA. Michael Chitiyat is an excellent receiver, who is a great route runner.

What can they improve? How about getting a consistent game day roster! To date, they have used 16 players in the first five weeks of the season. Their defense has reverted back to the ’08 form, by allowing far too many points. Until they can find a comfortable roster, they are running out of race track to make a run at the last playoff spot, as the O.N.S. has two games in-hand against them. Mid-term grade: D-

Percentages%

10%, that Rainmakers will win 4-games.

10%, that the O.N.S. and Rainmakers will finish winless.

10%, that Triple Sixers will finish ahead of the Shockers.

15%, that O.N.S. will make the playoffs.

25%, that the Kingz will finish in the top-two.

30%, that the Goodfellas will go undefeated.