FAT DADDY CA$H’S CORNER: Week 2!
In our New Look FDC Corner, we’re adding Larkis as our resident Alpha expert to keep me in line as well as assure we cover both Conferences as fairly as possible. He will be adding his Alpha Rankings and Predictions to the thread if not to the body of this write up each week.
A word about the new format: In each installment we’ll take a glimpse at the previous week, including highlights from some of the bigger games. This will be followed by the updated Power Rankings and finally a look ahead to the biggest match-ups in the coming week. Every quarter we’ll have a player(s) of the month as well.
Let’s get to it!
Week 1 Rewind
Inter-Conference play kicked off Season 6 in WEPL and it was a fairly one sided affair as Zeta took 11 of the 16 match-ups. The bloodbath will surely give Zeta bragging rights … until the playoffs that is.
Despite the one-sided nature of the week, there were some surprises, three in particular…
ATOIAF 30 - TOLEDO 27
Ice & Fire came into Zeta with a lot to prove. With average roster level nearly 2 full levels below that of the rest of the Conference, not much was expected. However once again the coaching staff in ATOIAF proved their mettle as they knocked off a perennial Alpha Playoff contender.
After a back and forth first 3 quarters, Ice & Fire found themselves nursing a narrow three point lead with Toledo on the move. But on the first play of the 4th quarter, CB Jaqen H’ghar stepped in front of an errant C Dub pass and made a game-changing play:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212463&pbp_id=1490426
Seven plays later Ice & Fire cashed in with a 1-yard TD plunge and extended their lead to 10 points with just over 12 minutes remaining. Toledo WR Bo Bacon’s second TD grab of the day came with just over 1 minute remaining – far too late to prevent the upset.
While Ice & Fire were the big winners, a lot of question marks now surround Toledo whose defense just couldn’t find an answer to the “over-matched” Ice & Fire offense. Surrendering 428 yards of total offense, including 260 on the ground without forcing any turnovers is not a good omen for a Toledo team with a deep playoff run on their minds. With E-City up next, the Swords will have to right the ship quickly or risk falling out of the race early on.
LYON 38 – WOODRIDGE 23
When the schedule was announced earlier this month, most people felt sorry for Lyon for drawing the short straw in their WEPL debut. Having to face off against one of the elite teams in GLB is never a way to inspire confidence in a fast start. Fortunately, no one in Lyon felt the same way.
Lyon QB Ice Man wasted little time in establishing the tone as on just the third play from scrimmage he connected with WR In The Clutch for a 77 yard score:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212453&pbp_id=1495350
Things only got worse for the Lumberjacks as Lyon CB The Random Hero jumped in front of a Mario Stanfield pass and took it 67 yards the other direction to give Lyon an indomitable 28 to 3 lead:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212453&pbp_id=1497820
The Dynasty dominated in every phase of the game as they controlled the clock for 36 minutes, keeping the Woodridge offense in mothballs. The Lyon D also forced 2 INTs and held the Woodridge passing attack to just 5.6 yards a completion.
The impressive win sets the tone for what Lyon hopes will be a brilliant WEPL debut while it simultaneously casts doubts as to the health of Woodridge’s own dynasty. There’s no question that Woodridge has long been the standard bearer for WEPL and one of the best teams in GLB. But after last seasons disappointing playoff run and poor start to this season, the vultures are circling. The question remains: how will Woodridge respond?
PIMPS 58 – PHILHARMONIC 0
Normally the Weekly Rewind is reserved for close, exciting or surprising games. While it’s not a huge surprise that the Pimps won – the 58-0 thrashing they delivered to the defending WEPL champs is more than eyebrow raising.
It was no secret what the Pimps wanted to do offensively. With new HB Tremaine Stephens, Rivals wanted to pound the rock. Perhaps the most amazing stat of the game was the time of possession. The Pimps held the ball for 48 minutes to Paris’s 11 minutes. To put it another way, Paris ran a total of 40 offensive plays to the Pimps’ 90.
The Pimps’ attack was methodical and not full of their normal flash. Rather than the explosive big play, the Pimps relied on long, time churning drives to demoralize and drain the stamina of the Philharmonic defense. The final nail in the Paris coffin was delivered by the electric Lee Suggs who capped off the third 13-play-plus drive of the game with this 4th down TD plunge:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212460&pbp_id=1490103
The only flaw in the Pimps’ game was the lack of a consistent passing attack. QB Phillipp Prohl only completed 38% of his passes for less than 100 yards on the day. While the lack of a passing attack wasn’t a big deal in this game, it certainly will be when the Pimps square off against Korb next week.
While the Pimps got their revenge, Paris suddenly finds themselves in somewhat of a free-fall. It would be easy to write off their atrocious pre-season as just the pre-season had Paris showed more of a backbone in this one. But the 58-point drubbing will cause a lot of soul searching in Paris in the coming weeks – and for good reason.
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 2
1. Rivals Mainboard Pimps
Last Week: 1
What a way to start the season. A 58-0 blowout of the reigning Alpha Champs, 450 yards on the ground, 7 rushing TDs and forcing 4 turnovers on defense. No time to rest with Korb up next.
2. Korb Destroyers
Last Week: 2
After dispatching the Red Bandits in routine fashion, Korb will turn its attention to figuring out a way to stop Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens. This week’s showdown with the Pimps could very well be a Zeta Championship Game preview and promises to shake up the Power Rankings.
3. Stockholm Meatballs
Last Week: 3
An impressive drubbing of the Blitzkrieg starts the year off on the right foot for the boys from Stockholm. The defense was relentless holding Berlin to under 300 yards while posting 8 sacks, 6 hurries, 1 defensive TD and 1 Special Teams’ TD.
4. PPP Longnecks
Last Week: 4
The Longnecks’ newest HB had a spectacular debut, averaging 12.7 yards per carry helping the offense rack up 339 yards in total on the ground against Chicago. With Paris up next, the ground game should be able to have another solid day.
5. Rotterdam Roughnecks
Last Wee: 5
Rotterdam annihilated the Army of Darkness as both the running game and passing game were spectacular, amassing over 600 yards and 8 TDs. Things will get considerably tougher next week as the Roughnecks hit the road and head into Antwerp.
6. Multiple Scorgasms
Last Week: 6
Six spots in and still no change from last week – as tempting as it was to bump the Aggies up a bit more, Multiple had the more impressive win with a 30-27 victory over the Mercenaries. Despite the score, Multiple dominated the first 3 quarters in QB James McMahon’s Zeta debut.
7. Reykjavik Aggies
Last Week: 8 (+1)
QB Rich Campbell made the most of his WEPL premier as he led the Aggies to a 687-yard offensive day and tossed 5 TDs along the way. Despite 4 turnovers, the Aggies scored 42 second half points and turned a tied game into a one sided affair. On tap: a showdown with the Scorgasms.
8. Antwerp Annihilators
Last Week: 7 (-1)
Antwerp dispatched the new look Wrecking Crew thanks to 21 unanswered points in the second half. It wasn’t pretty as QB Chester Peabody was sacked 6 times and tossed an INT. But a win is a win.
9. Berlin Ballers
Last Week: 10 (+1)
The Ballers broke their pre-season pass rush slump as DE Magnus Samuelsson’s 5 sack day closed the door on the Aggies’ passing attack The Ballers logged 12 sacks in total while the Berlin Passing attack looked sharp in the blowout win. If not for a 4th quarter rally by the Aggies, this one could have been even uglier.
10.Lyon Dynasty
Last Week: 13 (+3)
A huge upset of one of WEPL’s elites results in the second biggest (positive) jump in the rankings. Despite not being able to generate the pass rush that made Lyon so deadly in AAA, the Dynasty shut down the Lumberjacks offense for most of the day. Next week’s showdown with the Ballers suddenly became much more interesting.
11. ATOIAF
Last Week: 15 (+4)
In a game that saw the lead change hand 5 times, it was the underdog ATOIAF that remained cool and collected as their balanced attack led HB Areo Hotah’s 145 yards on the ground, allowed Ice & Fire to notch the week’s second biggest upset. With a winnable game on tap, ATOIAF could very well be 2-0 heading into the BFM game.
12. Paris Musketeers
Last Week: 11 (-1)
Paris hung tough with Lake Charles for the first half despite QB Christian Soldier’s uncanny ability to score TDs for the wrong team. But in the second half the wheels fell off as Soldier had two MORE INTs returned for TDs and the game quickly turned into a blowout. Isn’t it time to turn the page on the failed QB experiment before its too late?
13. Black Forest Mercenaries
Last Week: 9 (-4)
Black Forest scored first in their game against the Monarchs but it was all downhill after that as London decimated the Merc’s defense to the tune of 697 yards and 58 points. Yikes! The BFM secondary was particularly horrendous giving up 3 TDs and 547 yards – not good with the Patriot’s coming up next.
14. Sevilla Naranjas
Last Week: 14
Despite piling up over 461 yards of offense and carrying a narrow lead into the 4th quarter, the Naranjas couldn’t hold on against the Nighthawks. With ATOIAF on deck, the Naranjas have a chance to jump up the rankings if they can play a complete 4 quarters.
15. UK Patriots
Last Week: 12 (-3)
Not the debut that the Patriots had hoped for. The one-dimensional offense only managed 202 passing yards while giving up 8 sacks and tossing 3 INTs against a ferocious Black Watch defense. No one expected the Pats to have much of a defense, but they did expect more teeth from the offense.
16. Porto Reconquistas
Last Week: 16
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 1
1. London Monarchs
Last Week: 4 (+3)
The Monarchs were one of just 5 Alpha teams to post a win in Week 1 making them easy to bump up to Number 1. Considering the Monarchs put up almost 700 yards of offense against a Zeta team many expect to be a playoff contender, the decision is even easier.
2. Black Watch
Last Week: 5 (+3)
While their 73-10 victory did not come at the expense of one of the Zeta elite, it more than warrants this significant bump. The Black Watch offense displayed balance and poise while the defense feasted on a predictable UK offense. A big showdown against Lake Charles looms.
3. Woodridge Lumberjacks
Last Week: 2 (-1)
They are trading on their reputation this week more than anything. Losing to a newly promoted team should have dropped them further – but when 11 teams in the Conference lose, it lessens the blow. A big game against the Aggies is next and while it’s too early to call it a must win, as far as aura goes, it might be.
4. Fightin’ Texas Aggies
Last Week: 6 (+2)
The two point jump despite the ugly loss to a rookie Zeta team is in part due to the poor performance of Paris and Berlin as much as it’s due to my initial Power Rankings being slightly … off. Still, the Aggies could drop quickly if they put forth the same effort against Woodridge they displayed against the Ballers.
5. London Minotaurs
Last Week: 7 (+2)
A gimme win over the gutted Porto team starts the year off right for London’s newest team. While it’s way to early to call my hunch correct about London being a playoff team, a win over the Warriors next week would be a great second step.
6. Lake Charles Who Dats
Last Week: 11 (+5)
Lake Charles was the only team in Alpha to dispatch a veteran Zeta club. That alone is enough to warrant a big jump – however the fashion in which they beat an improved Paris club was impressive in and of itself. 3 defensive TDs sealed the victory, but the Who Dats will need a better offensive effort against Black Watch this week or else their trip to the top 8 will be short lived.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks
Last Week: 13 (+6)
From 13 to 7 is a big jump no matter the circumstances. But I can’t leave one of the only teams to get a win out of the top 8 and Paris looked too bad to have them in this spot. Despite the close score, the Nighthawks ground game, led by HB Ankle Breaka’s 139 yards and 2 TDs, looked impressive against Sevilla. Still, getting to 2-0 is going to be a tall order.
8. Paris Philharmonic
Last Week: 1 (-7)
A 58-0 whoopin’ at the hands of the Pimps has cast a large shadow of doom and gloom over the city of Paris. Factoring in how miserable Paris’s pre-season was, ranking them 8th might be a gift. The Philharmonic didn’t do anything right against the Pimps and will have to steel themselves for Stuttgart’s rushing attack up next.
9. E-City Mercenaries
Last Week: 15 (+6)
Okay, this is my personal mea culpa to the E-City fans for having them ranked so low at the start of the season. My Alpha ignorance was on full display. But I promise it will get better. Now that’s out the way, the Mercs played Multiple tough but fell short. Still they faired better than most of their Alpha counterparts. A win over Toledo next week would vault them into the top 8 and (possibly) end all the death threats being hurled my way.
10. Toledo Swords
Last Week: 8 (-2)
Ice & Fire shocked the league with their 3-point win, casting some doubt on the Swords. Toledo was very one dimensional in the loss but still managed to put up 435 yards. The question remains: are Ice & Fire that good or are the Swords that bad? We’ll find out when E-City rolls into town next week.
11. Berlin Blitzkrieg
Last Week: 3 (-8)
There are plenty that will argue this is too harsh of a drop considering that Berlin had 3 fluke fumbles (2 of which returned for TDs) against Stockholm. There’s some validity to that argument, but the Blitzkrieg just didn’t look sharp as they were held out of the end zone for much of the game while allowing Mal Brown and company to run roughshod over them. A win over the number 1 Monarchs would be a great cure-all.
12. Wembley Warriors
Last Week: 12
Despite causing 4 turnovers and holding the Aggies to just 1 TD in the first half, the Warriors came apart in the second half. The Warriors looked miserable at times, giving up almost 700 yards on defense while allowing 8 sacks and turning the ball over 3 times themselves. Still, their loss came at the hands of one of Zeta’s better teams, keeping them anchored at 12 for another week.
13. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew
Last Week: 9 (-4)
Antwerp gave up 6 sacks and allowed the Aberdeen offense to draw close to even with its own offense and still the Wrecking Crew couldn’t make a game out of it in the second half. This is a team that has all the talent in the world but just hasn’t gelled yet. They’ll get a chance to get healthy against Chicago this week.
14. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits
Last Week: 14
Give the Red Bandits credit – they faired better against top Zeta competition than most of the veteran Alpha teams did this week and thus they get to keep their spot in the rankings. Plus, they get a chance to get their first win out of the way early as they face Carthage next week.
15. Chicago Rocks
Last Week: 10 (-5)
Chicago couldn’t do anything right against the Longnecks in Week 1 as PPP nearly tripled the Rocks’ offensive output. The run defense needs to step up in a hurry before Chicago reaches the meat of their schedule.
16. Carthage Army of Darkness
Last Week: 16
The good news is that Carthage defends the pass as well as they defend the run. That’s also the bad news.
Week 2 Previews
Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-0)
Breakdown: In what could be a potential preview of a playoff match-up, the high-powered offensive attack of the Roughnecks will ride into Antwerp. The Roughnecks looked sharp in their Week 1 blowout win – but then again, it was against Carthage. It’s fair to say that Antwerp has more offensive firepower and will provide a stiffer test to the suspect Roughneck defense this week.
There are some positive signs for the Roughneck defense as they head into Antwerp. The Annihilators showed some cracks in their 33-17 win against AWC. Despite the relative one-sided nature of the game, Antwerp gave up 6 sacks – something the Rotterdam defense who racked up 8 sacks against Carthage would like to see repeated.
For Antwerp, they will be looking to maintain their balance on offense. If they can pound the ball and find success on the ground, they should be able to keep the Roughnecks’ offense on the sidelines and limit the damage they can do. A lot of teams have tried this strategy with varying degrees of success – but Antwerp has the horses to make it effective.
Prediction: Even if the Annihilators are able to run the ball, they are still going to have to protect their QB better and find a way to score. This should be a fun game to watch and I’m tempted to call the upset here – but I think Corey Smith and company will have just enough offense to edge out the Annihilators. Rotterdam wins a close one, 37-34.
Berlin Ballers (1-0) at Lyon Dynasty (1-0)
Breakdown: Both Berlin and Lyon were surprise winners in Week 1, setting up this terrific showdown of rookie WEPL teams. Lyon’s high voltage passing attack will be tested by Berlin DE Magnus Samuelsson who found his form against the Aggies with 5 sacks, 1 hurry and 1 forced fumble.
Lyon displayed terrific balance against Woodridge, rushing for 215 yards and throwing for 204. However they only completed a meager 9 of 23 passes. While their completed passes averaged over 22 yards, Ice Man is going to have to improve his dreadful 39% completion percentage this week against the Ballers if they hope to be competitive.
That’s not to say the Ballers aren’t without their own issues heading into this match-up. Despite getting 12 sacks on the Aggies last week, the Ballers also allowed over 304 yards passing. Offensively the Ballers were excellent – but for the 4 fumbles they put on the turf. Both are areas the Ballers will need to clean up if they are going to get out of Lyon with a win.
Prediction: I’m excited to see what happens in this game as it may well shape the playoff forecast for both clubs. The Ballers have to hope they can get a repeat effort out of their pass rush for them to have a chance. I think they will. Ballers find a way to win a tight one, 33-29.
Lake Charles Who Dats (1-0) at Black Watch (1-0)
Breakdown: Both teams scored over 50 points in Week 1 setting up what could be an explosive showdown in Week 2. The only match-up of undefeated teams in Alpha this week should be a good litmus test for the Who Dats as well as a chance for Black Watch to stake themselves a big lead at the top of the standings.
Lake Charles surprised some with their thorough dismantling of the Musketeers in Week 1. While the win was certainly nice, it wasn’t as pretty as the score indicated. Lake Charles cashed in 3 pick-sixes to cement the win, but they also gave up over 420 yards on defense. A lot of critics wonder how the Who Dats will manage to stop the more potent Black Watch offense if Paris was able to generate those types of numbers. It’s a valid question, and one the Lake Charles coaches are spending their prep time trying to answer.
Black Watch not only blew out the Patriots in Week 1, they completely shut down the much heralded passing attack of Jim Roberts, holding him to just 202 yards and 1 TD while sacking him 8 times, forcing 3 picks and hurrying him an additional 7. That sort of defensive effort has to have the Who Dats a bit nervous this week. Offensively, the Black Watch will rely on balance once again to keep the Who Dats off balance. Their ability to both run and pass efficiently will serve them well in this one.
Prediction: While both teams’ records are identical, Black Watch clearly has the edge on paper as far as talent goes. There are too many questions about the Lake Charles’ defense for me to pick against Black Watch here. Black Watch wins big 42-27.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (1-0) at Paris Philharmonic (0-1)
Breakdown: The suddenly vulnerable Philharmonic need to make a statement this week if they have a hope of restoring the luster on their WEPL Championship trophy. In the pre-season, this game looked like a lock for Paris, but after their dreadful pre-season and horrendous game against the Pimps, it’s much more of a question mark.
Stuttgart had problems getting to the QB in their opening game win. Their defense registered 0 sacks and only 1 hurry which in part allowed Servilla to throw for 257 yards and complete 55% of their passes. The Nighthawks will have to do better in this area against the Philharmonic’s more explosive passing attack. If they can find a way to put more pressure on Tarkenton, it should ease the burden on the secondary as well as allow the Nighthawks to control the clock with their powerful rushing game.
For Paris they need to get back to basics. Whatever playbooks they were using in the pre-season they should shred, then burn, then give to a priest to exercise whatever demons they possess. There’s no question Paris still has the talent to be an elite team, they just need to start playing like it. Against Stuttgart they should be able to move the football but they are going to have to shore up their run defense quickly. The Paris front seven are still licking their wounds from giving up an astounding 450 yards on the ground as well as 7 TDs. While the Stuttgart backfield can’t match the talent of Suggs and Stephens, they should not be overlooked either.
Prediction: You can tell a lot about a team by how they bounce back from a defeat. Paris wasn’t just defeated last week, they were embarrassed. I expect them to come back strong in this one and get back in the race. Paris makes a statement, 38-10.
Game of the Week: Zeta
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (1-0) at Korb Destroyers (1-0)
Breakdown: How fun is this one going to be? Possibly the game of the regular season as the two favorites in Zeta go head to head to open conference play. While the Pimps are rolling off of their 58-0 thrashing of Paris, Korb is equally hot and having fun with all the new toys they added to the roster in the off-season.
The Pimps had their way with the Philharmonic last week, rushing for 450 yards. They will undoubtedly find the sledding much tougher this week against Korbs’ consistently great run defense. For the past two seasons the Pimps have found ways to beat Korb by switching up schemes and airing it out with Prohl and Mr. Touchdown. While they may not go to that well once again, they are going to need Prohl to step up his play after a abysmal Week 1 performance. If Prohl cannot find a way to increase his completion percentage and take the pressure off Suggs and Stephens, it could be a long day for the mighty Pimp offense.
Korb’s opening win was not as impressive as the Pimps – but that doesn’t mean it was unimpressive either. Korb thoroughly dominated the Red Bandits, shutting down their running game and amassing 4 sacks to hold their passing game to just 124 yards. The defensive domination displayed was impressive considering how many new pieces the Destroyers added to their puzzle. They have gelled quickly and are playing as a team. Korb’s first priority will be containing Suggs but the hopes are that the new pass rush anchored by DE Ed Stinson and LB Disa Destroyer will provide enough of a threat to disrupt Prohl who has had tremendous success against the Destroyers in the past.
Prediction: The big question when it comes to picking this game revolves around the Pimps. Are they really as good as the 58-0 score or is it more that Paris has slipped that badly? The truth, like always, probably lies in the middle. Korb on the other hand has been consistent so far this season, leaving less to wonder about. I’m going to go out on a limb with this one and predict the first upset of the week. Korb wins a very tight game thanks to their new pass rush, 27-26.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (0-1)
Breakdown: It’s rare to see two winless teams in the coveted Game of the Week spot, however this game provides that exception. Both the Aggies and Lumberjacks came into the season with high aspirations of a deep playoff run and both were upset in ugly losses to supposedly weaker Zeta teams in Week 1. While it’s too early to call any game a must win, this is as close as it gets for these teams. A win will right the ship for either team while a loss puts them in an ugly 0-2 hole.
Texas didn’t have anything go right for them against Berlin in Week 1. Their newfound high-powered offense was rendered moot for the first three quarters as the Ballers piled up 12 sacks and numerous hurries as well as two INTs. Texas finally found their groove late as QB Sully Ross led three 4th quarter TD drives to make the score a bit more respectable. The Aggies can’t afford to wait as long against the Lumberjacks. Ross will have to score early and often to secure a victory.
Some speculate that the Lumberjacks are merely playing possum until the playoffs where they will suddenly unleash all their weapons. It’s an interesting theory but a dangerous strategy if it is indeed what Woodridge is doing. Momentum is a fickle beast, and starting 0-2 would be a tough hill to climb. Woodridge will have to maintain their balanced attack while finding a way to stop the long ball – both things they should be able to accomplish without a major overhaul.
Prediction: While I was a fan of the Aggies’ offense in the pre-season, it’s easy to forget their big games came against the porous D of the Patriots and an undermanned Ice & Fire squad. They’ll find the yards tougher to gain against Woodridge. Woodridge gets back to 500 with a 35-23 win.
Rest of the Week 2 Predictions
Last Week: 12-4
Now … for the rest of the predictions without the breakdown.
London Minotaurs (1-0) at Wembley Warriors (0-1): London wins: 38-17.
London Monarchs (1-0) at Berlin Blitz (0-1): Monarchs win 48-10.
E-City Mercenaries (0-1) at Toledo Swords (0-1): E-City wins 33-30.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1) at Chicago Rocks (0-1): AWC wins 23-17.
Dinas Red Bandits (0-1) at Army of Darkness (0-1): Red Bandits win 21-13.
PPP Longnecks (1-0) at Paris Musketeers (0-1): PPP wins 58-20.
Reykjavik Aggies (1-0) at Multiple Scorgasms (1-0): Aggies win 38-37.
Stockholm Meatballs (1-0) at Porto (0-1): Meatballs win … by a lot.
ATOIAF (1-0) at Servilla Naranjas (0-1) : Ice & Fire win 30-29.
UK Patriots (0-1) at Black Forest Mercenaries (0-1): BMF Wins 40-30.
In our New Look FDC Corner, we’re adding Larkis as our resident Alpha expert to keep me in line as well as assure we cover both Conferences as fairly as possible. He will be adding his Alpha Rankings and Predictions to the thread if not to the body of this write up each week.
A word about the new format: In each installment we’ll take a glimpse at the previous week, including highlights from some of the bigger games. This will be followed by the updated Power Rankings and finally a look ahead to the biggest match-ups in the coming week. Every quarter we’ll have a player(s) of the month as well.
Let’s get to it!
Week 1 Rewind
Inter-Conference play kicked off Season 6 in WEPL and it was a fairly one sided affair as Zeta took 11 of the 16 match-ups. The bloodbath will surely give Zeta bragging rights … until the playoffs that is.
Despite the one-sided nature of the week, there were some surprises, three in particular…
ATOIAF 30 - TOLEDO 27
Ice & Fire came into Zeta with a lot to prove. With average roster level nearly 2 full levels below that of the rest of the Conference, not much was expected. However once again the coaching staff in ATOIAF proved their mettle as they knocked off a perennial Alpha Playoff contender.
After a back and forth first 3 quarters, Ice & Fire found themselves nursing a narrow three point lead with Toledo on the move. But on the first play of the 4th quarter, CB Jaqen H’ghar stepped in front of an errant C Dub pass and made a game-changing play:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212463&pbp_id=1490426
Seven plays later Ice & Fire cashed in with a 1-yard TD plunge and extended their lead to 10 points with just over 12 minutes remaining. Toledo WR Bo Bacon’s second TD grab of the day came with just over 1 minute remaining – far too late to prevent the upset.
While Ice & Fire were the big winners, a lot of question marks now surround Toledo whose defense just couldn’t find an answer to the “over-matched” Ice & Fire offense. Surrendering 428 yards of total offense, including 260 on the ground without forcing any turnovers is not a good omen for a Toledo team with a deep playoff run on their minds. With E-City up next, the Swords will have to right the ship quickly or risk falling out of the race early on.
LYON 38 – WOODRIDGE 23
When the schedule was announced earlier this month, most people felt sorry for Lyon for drawing the short straw in their WEPL debut. Having to face off against one of the elite teams in GLB is never a way to inspire confidence in a fast start. Fortunately, no one in Lyon felt the same way.
Lyon QB Ice Man wasted little time in establishing the tone as on just the third play from scrimmage he connected with WR In The Clutch for a 77 yard score:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212453&pbp_id=1495350
Things only got worse for the Lumberjacks as Lyon CB The Random Hero jumped in front of a Mario Stanfield pass and took it 67 yards the other direction to give Lyon an indomitable 28 to 3 lead:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212453&pbp_id=1497820
The Dynasty dominated in every phase of the game as they controlled the clock for 36 minutes, keeping the Woodridge offense in mothballs. The Lyon D also forced 2 INTs and held the Woodridge passing attack to just 5.6 yards a completion.
The impressive win sets the tone for what Lyon hopes will be a brilliant WEPL debut while it simultaneously casts doubts as to the health of Woodridge’s own dynasty. There’s no question that Woodridge has long been the standard bearer for WEPL and one of the best teams in GLB. But after last seasons disappointing playoff run and poor start to this season, the vultures are circling. The question remains: how will Woodridge respond?
PIMPS 58 – PHILHARMONIC 0
Normally the Weekly Rewind is reserved for close, exciting or surprising games. While it’s not a huge surprise that the Pimps won – the 58-0 thrashing they delivered to the defending WEPL champs is more than eyebrow raising.
It was no secret what the Pimps wanted to do offensively. With new HB Tremaine Stephens, Rivals wanted to pound the rock. Perhaps the most amazing stat of the game was the time of possession. The Pimps held the ball for 48 minutes to Paris’s 11 minutes. To put it another way, Paris ran a total of 40 offensive plays to the Pimps’ 90.
The Pimps’ attack was methodical and not full of their normal flash. Rather than the explosive big play, the Pimps relied on long, time churning drives to demoralize and drain the stamina of the Philharmonic defense. The final nail in the Paris coffin was delivered by the electric Lee Suggs who capped off the third 13-play-plus drive of the game with this 4th down TD plunge:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212460&pbp_id=1490103
The only flaw in the Pimps’ game was the lack of a consistent passing attack. QB Phillipp Prohl only completed 38% of his passes for less than 100 yards on the day. While the lack of a passing attack wasn’t a big deal in this game, it certainly will be when the Pimps square off against Korb next week.
While the Pimps got their revenge, Paris suddenly finds themselves in somewhat of a free-fall. It would be easy to write off their atrocious pre-season as just the pre-season had Paris showed more of a backbone in this one. But the 58-point drubbing will cause a lot of soul searching in Paris in the coming weeks – and for good reason.
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 2
1. Rivals Mainboard Pimps
Last Week: 1
What a way to start the season. A 58-0 blowout of the reigning Alpha Champs, 450 yards on the ground, 7 rushing TDs and forcing 4 turnovers on defense. No time to rest with Korb up next.
2. Korb Destroyers
Last Week: 2
After dispatching the Red Bandits in routine fashion, Korb will turn its attention to figuring out a way to stop Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens. This week’s showdown with the Pimps could very well be a Zeta Championship Game preview and promises to shake up the Power Rankings.
3. Stockholm Meatballs
Last Week: 3
An impressive drubbing of the Blitzkrieg starts the year off on the right foot for the boys from Stockholm. The defense was relentless holding Berlin to under 300 yards while posting 8 sacks, 6 hurries, 1 defensive TD and 1 Special Teams’ TD.
4. PPP Longnecks
Last Week: 4
The Longnecks’ newest HB had a spectacular debut, averaging 12.7 yards per carry helping the offense rack up 339 yards in total on the ground against Chicago. With Paris up next, the ground game should be able to have another solid day.
5. Rotterdam Roughnecks
Last Wee: 5
Rotterdam annihilated the Army of Darkness as both the running game and passing game were spectacular, amassing over 600 yards and 8 TDs. Things will get considerably tougher next week as the Roughnecks hit the road and head into Antwerp.
6. Multiple Scorgasms
Last Week: 6
Six spots in and still no change from last week – as tempting as it was to bump the Aggies up a bit more, Multiple had the more impressive win with a 30-27 victory over the Mercenaries. Despite the score, Multiple dominated the first 3 quarters in QB James McMahon’s Zeta debut.
7. Reykjavik Aggies
Last Week: 8 (+1)
QB Rich Campbell made the most of his WEPL premier as he led the Aggies to a 687-yard offensive day and tossed 5 TDs along the way. Despite 4 turnovers, the Aggies scored 42 second half points and turned a tied game into a one sided affair. On tap: a showdown with the Scorgasms.
8. Antwerp Annihilators
Last Week: 7 (-1)
Antwerp dispatched the new look Wrecking Crew thanks to 21 unanswered points in the second half. It wasn’t pretty as QB Chester Peabody was sacked 6 times and tossed an INT. But a win is a win.
9. Berlin Ballers
Last Week: 10 (+1)
The Ballers broke their pre-season pass rush slump as DE Magnus Samuelsson’s 5 sack day closed the door on the Aggies’ passing attack The Ballers logged 12 sacks in total while the Berlin Passing attack looked sharp in the blowout win. If not for a 4th quarter rally by the Aggies, this one could have been even uglier.
10.Lyon Dynasty
Last Week: 13 (+3)
A huge upset of one of WEPL’s elites results in the second biggest (positive) jump in the rankings. Despite not being able to generate the pass rush that made Lyon so deadly in AAA, the Dynasty shut down the Lumberjacks offense for most of the day. Next week’s showdown with the Ballers suddenly became much more interesting.
11. ATOIAF
Last Week: 15 (+4)
In a game that saw the lead change hand 5 times, it was the underdog ATOIAF that remained cool and collected as their balanced attack led HB Areo Hotah’s 145 yards on the ground, allowed Ice & Fire to notch the week’s second biggest upset. With a winnable game on tap, ATOIAF could very well be 2-0 heading into the BFM game.
12. Paris Musketeers
Last Week: 11 (-1)
Paris hung tough with Lake Charles for the first half despite QB Christian Soldier’s uncanny ability to score TDs for the wrong team. But in the second half the wheels fell off as Soldier had two MORE INTs returned for TDs and the game quickly turned into a blowout. Isn’t it time to turn the page on the failed QB experiment before its too late?
13. Black Forest Mercenaries
Last Week: 9 (-4)
Black Forest scored first in their game against the Monarchs but it was all downhill after that as London decimated the Merc’s defense to the tune of 697 yards and 58 points. Yikes! The BFM secondary was particularly horrendous giving up 3 TDs and 547 yards – not good with the Patriot’s coming up next.
14. Sevilla Naranjas
Last Week: 14
Despite piling up over 461 yards of offense and carrying a narrow lead into the 4th quarter, the Naranjas couldn’t hold on against the Nighthawks. With ATOIAF on deck, the Naranjas have a chance to jump up the rankings if they can play a complete 4 quarters.
15. UK Patriots
Last Week: 12 (-3)
Not the debut that the Patriots had hoped for. The one-dimensional offense only managed 202 passing yards while giving up 8 sacks and tossing 3 INTs against a ferocious Black Watch defense. No one expected the Pats to have much of a defense, but they did expect more teeth from the offense.
16. Porto Reconquistas
Last Week: 16
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 1
1. London Monarchs
Last Week: 4 (+3)
The Monarchs were one of just 5 Alpha teams to post a win in Week 1 making them easy to bump up to Number 1. Considering the Monarchs put up almost 700 yards of offense against a Zeta team many expect to be a playoff contender, the decision is even easier.
2. Black Watch
Last Week: 5 (+3)
While their 73-10 victory did not come at the expense of one of the Zeta elite, it more than warrants this significant bump. The Black Watch offense displayed balance and poise while the defense feasted on a predictable UK offense. A big showdown against Lake Charles looms.
3. Woodridge Lumberjacks
Last Week: 2 (-1)
They are trading on their reputation this week more than anything. Losing to a newly promoted team should have dropped them further – but when 11 teams in the Conference lose, it lessens the blow. A big game against the Aggies is next and while it’s too early to call it a must win, as far as aura goes, it might be.
4. Fightin’ Texas Aggies
Last Week: 6 (+2)
The two point jump despite the ugly loss to a rookie Zeta team is in part due to the poor performance of Paris and Berlin as much as it’s due to my initial Power Rankings being slightly … off. Still, the Aggies could drop quickly if they put forth the same effort against Woodridge they displayed against the Ballers.
5. London Minotaurs
Last Week: 7 (+2)
A gimme win over the gutted Porto team starts the year off right for London’s newest team. While it’s way to early to call my hunch correct about London being a playoff team, a win over the Warriors next week would be a great second step.
6. Lake Charles Who Dats
Last Week: 11 (+5)
Lake Charles was the only team in Alpha to dispatch a veteran Zeta club. That alone is enough to warrant a big jump – however the fashion in which they beat an improved Paris club was impressive in and of itself. 3 defensive TDs sealed the victory, but the Who Dats will need a better offensive effort against Black Watch this week or else their trip to the top 8 will be short lived.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks
Last Week: 13 (+6)
From 13 to 7 is a big jump no matter the circumstances. But I can’t leave one of the only teams to get a win out of the top 8 and Paris looked too bad to have them in this spot. Despite the close score, the Nighthawks ground game, led by HB Ankle Breaka’s 139 yards and 2 TDs, looked impressive against Sevilla. Still, getting to 2-0 is going to be a tall order.
8. Paris Philharmonic
Last Week: 1 (-7)
A 58-0 whoopin’ at the hands of the Pimps has cast a large shadow of doom and gloom over the city of Paris. Factoring in how miserable Paris’s pre-season was, ranking them 8th might be a gift. The Philharmonic didn’t do anything right against the Pimps and will have to steel themselves for Stuttgart’s rushing attack up next.
9. E-City Mercenaries
Last Week: 15 (+6)
Okay, this is my personal mea culpa to the E-City fans for having them ranked so low at the start of the season. My Alpha ignorance was on full display. But I promise it will get better. Now that’s out the way, the Mercs played Multiple tough but fell short. Still they faired better than most of their Alpha counterparts. A win over Toledo next week would vault them into the top 8 and (possibly) end all the death threats being hurled my way.
10. Toledo Swords
Last Week: 8 (-2)
Ice & Fire shocked the league with their 3-point win, casting some doubt on the Swords. Toledo was very one dimensional in the loss but still managed to put up 435 yards. The question remains: are Ice & Fire that good or are the Swords that bad? We’ll find out when E-City rolls into town next week.
11. Berlin Blitzkrieg
Last Week: 3 (-8)
There are plenty that will argue this is too harsh of a drop considering that Berlin had 3 fluke fumbles (2 of which returned for TDs) against Stockholm. There’s some validity to that argument, but the Blitzkrieg just didn’t look sharp as they were held out of the end zone for much of the game while allowing Mal Brown and company to run roughshod over them. A win over the number 1 Monarchs would be a great cure-all.
12. Wembley Warriors
Last Week: 12
Despite causing 4 turnovers and holding the Aggies to just 1 TD in the first half, the Warriors came apart in the second half. The Warriors looked miserable at times, giving up almost 700 yards on defense while allowing 8 sacks and turning the ball over 3 times themselves. Still, their loss came at the hands of one of Zeta’s better teams, keeping them anchored at 12 for another week.
13. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew
Last Week: 9 (-4)
Antwerp gave up 6 sacks and allowed the Aberdeen offense to draw close to even with its own offense and still the Wrecking Crew couldn’t make a game out of it in the second half. This is a team that has all the talent in the world but just hasn’t gelled yet. They’ll get a chance to get healthy against Chicago this week.
14. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits
Last Week: 14
Give the Red Bandits credit – they faired better against top Zeta competition than most of the veteran Alpha teams did this week and thus they get to keep their spot in the rankings. Plus, they get a chance to get their first win out of the way early as they face Carthage next week.
15. Chicago Rocks
Last Week: 10 (-5)
Chicago couldn’t do anything right against the Longnecks in Week 1 as PPP nearly tripled the Rocks’ offensive output. The run defense needs to step up in a hurry before Chicago reaches the meat of their schedule.
16. Carthage Army of Darkness
Last Week: 16
The good news is that Carthage defends the pass as well as they defend the run. That’s also the bad news.
Week 2 Previews
Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-0)
Breakdown: In what could be a potential preview of a playoff match-up, the high-powered offensive attack of the Roughnecks will ride into Antwerp. The Roughnecks looked sharp in their Week 1 blowout win – but then again, it was against Carthage. It’s fair to say that Antwerp has more offensive firepower and will provide a stiffer test to the suspect Roughneck defense this week.
There are some positive signs for the Roughneck defense as they head into Antwerp. The Annihilators showed some cracks in their 33-17 win against AWC. Despite the relative one-sided nature of the game, Antwerp gave up 6 sacks – something the Rotterdam defense who racked up 8 sacks against Carthage would like to see repeated.
For Antwerp, they will be looking to maintain their balance on offense. If they can pound the ball and find success on the ground, they should be able to keep the Roughnecks’ offense on the sidelines and limit the damage they can do. A lot of teams have tried this strategy with varying degrees of success – but Antwerp has the horses to make it effective.
Prediction: Even if the Annihilators are able to run the ball, they are still going to have to protect their QB better and find a way to score. This should be a fun game to watch and I’m tempted to call the upset here – but I think Corey Smith and company will have just enough offense to edge out the Annihilators. Rotterdam wins a close one, 37-34.
Berlin Ballers (1-0) at Lyon Dynasty (1-0)
Breakdown: Both Berlin and Lyon were surprise winners in Week 1, setting up this terrific showdown of rookie WEPL teams. Lyon’s high voltage passing attack will be tested by Berlin DE Magnus Samuelsson who found his form against the Aggies with 5 sacks, 1 hurry and 1 forced fumble.
Lyon displayed terrific balance against Woodridge, rushing for 215 yards and throwing for 204. However they only completed a meager 9 of 23 passes. While their completed passes averaged over 22 yards, Ice Man is going to have to improve his dreadful 39% completion percentage this week against the Ballers if they hope to be competitive.
That’s not to say the Ballers aren’t without their own issues heading into this match-up. Despite getting 12 sacks on the Aggies last week, the Ballers also allowed over 304 yards passing. Offensively the Ballers were excellent – but for the 4 fumbles they put on the turf. Both are areas the Ballers will need to clean up if they are going to get out of Lyon with a win.
Prediction: I’m excited to see what happens in this game as it may well shape the playoff forecast for both clubs. The Ballers have to hope they can get a repeat effort out of their pass rush for them to have a chance. I think they will. Ballers find a way to win a tight one, 33-29.
Lake Charles Who Dats (1-0) at Black Watch (1-0)
Breakdown: Both teams scored over 50 points in Week 1 setting up what could be an explosive showdown in Week 2. The only match-up of undefeated teams in Alpha this week should be a good litmus test for the Who Dats as well as a chance for Black Watch to stake themselves a big lead at the top of the standings.
Lake Charles surprised some with their thorough dismantling of the Musketeers in Week 1. While the win was certainly nice, it wasn’t as pretty as the score indicated. Lake Charles cashed in 3 pick-sixes to cement the win, but they also gave up over 420 yards on defense. A lot of critics wonder how the Who Dats will manage to stop the more potent Black Watch offense if Paris was able to generate those types of numbers. It’s a valid question, and one the Lake Charles coaches are spending their prep time trying to answer.
Black Watch not only blew out the Patriots in Week 1, they completely shut down the much heralded passing attack of Jim Roberts, holding him to just 202 yards and 1 TD while sacking him 8 times, forcing 3 picks and hurrying him an additional 7. That sort of defensive effort has to have the Who Dats a bit nervous this week. Offensively, the Black Watch will rely on balance once again to keep the Who Dats off balance. Their ability to both run and pass efficiently will serve them well in this one.
Prediction: While both teams’ records are identical, Black Watch clearly has the edge on paper as far as talent goes. There are too many questions about the Lake Charles’ defense for me to pick against Black Watch here. Black Watch wins big 42-27.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (1-0) at Paris Philharmonic (0-1)
Breakdown: The suddenly vulnerable Philharmonic need to make a statement this week if they have a hope of restoring the luster on their WEPL Championship trophy. In the pre-season, this game looked like a lock for Paris, but after their dreadful pre-season and horrendous game against the Pimps, it’s much more of a question mark.
Stuttgart had problems getting to the QB in their opening game win. Their defense registered 0 sacks and only 1 hurry which in part allowed Servilla to throw for 257 yards and complete 55% of their passes. The Nighthawks will have to do better in this area against the Philharmonic’s more explosive passing attack. If they can find a way to put more pressure on Tarkenton, it should ease the burden on the secondary as well as allow the Nighthawks to control the clock with their powerful rushing game.
For Paris they need to get back to basics. Whatever playbooks they were using in the pre-season they should shred, then burn, then give to a priest to exercise whatever demons they possess. There’s no question Paris still has the talent to be an elite team, they just need to start playing like it. Against Stuttgart they should be able to move the football but they are going to have to shore up their run defense quickly. The Paris front seven are still licking their wounds from giving up an astounding 450 yards on the ground as well as 7 TDs. While the Stuttgart backfield can’t match the talent of Suggs and Stephens, they should not be overlooked either.
Prediction: You can tell a lot about a team by how they bounce back from a defeat. Paris wasn’t just defeated last week, they were embarrassed. I expect them to come back strong in this one and get back in the race. Paris makes a statement, 38-10.
Game of the Week: Zeta
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (1-0) at Korb Destroyers (1-0)
Breakdown: How fun is this one going to be? Possibly the game of the regular season as the two favorites in Zeta go head to head to open conference play. While the Pimps are rolling off of their 58-0 thrashing of Paris, Korb is equally hot and having fun with all the new toys they added to the roster in the off-season.
The Pimps had their way with the Philharmonic last week, rushing for 450 yards. They will undoubtedly find the sledding much tougher this week against Korbs’ consistently great run defense. For the past two seasons the Pimps have found ways to beat Korb by switching up schemes and airing it out with Prohl and Mr. Touchdown. While they may not go to that well once again, they are going to need Prohl to step up his play after a abysmal Week 1 performance. If Prohl cannot find a way to increase his completion percentage and take the pressure off Suggs and Stephens, it could be a long day for the mighty Pimp offense.
Korb’s opening win was not as impressive as the Pimps – but that doesn’t mean it was unimpressive either. Korb thoroughly dominated the Red Bandits, shutting down their running game and amassing 4 sacks to hold their passing game to just 124 yards. The defensive domination displayed was impressive considering how many new pieces the Destroyers added to their puzzle. They have gelled quickly and are playing as a team. Korb’s first priority will be containing Suggs but the hopes are that the new pass rush anchored by DE Ed Stinson and LB Disa Destroyer will provide enough of a threat to disrupt Prohl who has had tremendous success against the Destroyers in the past.
Prediction: The big question when it comes to picking this game revolves around the Pimps. Are they really as good as the 58-0 score or is it more that Paris has slipped that badly? The truth, like always, probably lies in the middle. Korb on the other hand has been consistent so far this season, leaving less to wonder about. I’m going to go out on a limb with this one and predict the first upset of the week. Korb wins a very tight game thanks to their new pass rush, 27-26.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (0-1)
Breakdown: It’s rare to see two winless teams in the coveted Game of the Week spot, however this game provides that exception. Both the Aggies and Lumberjacks came into the season with high aspirations of a deep playoff run and both were upset in ugly losses to supposedly weaker Zeta teams in Week 1. While it’s too early to call any game a must win, this is as close as it gets for these teams. A win will right the ship for either team while a loss puts them in an ugly 0-2 hole.
Texas didn’t have anything go right for them against Berlin in Week 1. Their newfound high-powered offense was rendered moot for the first three quarters as the Ballers piled up 12 sacks and numerous hurries as well as two INTs. Texas finally found their groove late as QB Sully Ross led three 4th quarter TD drives to make the score a bit more respectable. The Aggies can’t afford to wait as long against the Lumberjacks. Ross will have to score early and often to secure a victory.
Some speculate that the Lumberjacks are merely playing possum until the playoffs where they will suddenly unleash all their weapons. It’s an interesting theory but a dangerous strategy if it is indeed what Woodridge is doing. Momentum is a fickle beast, and starting 0-2 would be a tough hill to climb. Woodridge will have to maintain their balanced attack while finding a way to stop the long ball – both things they should be able to accomplish without a major overhaul.
Prediction: While I was a fan of the Aggies’ offense in the pre-season, it’s easy to forget their big games came against the porous D of the Patriots and an undermanned Ice & Fire squad. They’ll find the yards tougher to gain against Woodridge. Woodridge gets back to 500 with a 35-23 win.
Rest of the Week 2 Predictions
Last Week: 12-4
Now … for the rest of the predictions without the breakdown.
London Minotaurs (1-0) at Wembley Warriors (0-1): London wins: 38-17.
London Monarchs (1-0) at Berlin Blitz (0-1): Monarchs win 48-10.
E-City Mercenaries (0-1) at Toledo Swords (0-1): E-City wins 33-30.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1) at Chicago Rocks (0-1): AWC wins 23-17.
Dinas Red Bandits (0-1) at Army of Darkness (0-1): Red Bandits win 21-13.
PPP Longnecks (1-0) at Paris Musketeers (0-1): PPP wins 58-20.
Reykjavik Aggies (1-0) at Multiple Scorgasms (1-0): Aggies win 38-37.
Stockholm Meatballs (1-0) at Porto (0-1): Meatballs win … by a lot.
ATOIAF (1-0) at Servilla Naranjas (0-1) : Ice & Fire win 30-29.
UK Patriots (0-1) at Black Forest Mercenaries (0-1): BMF Wins 40-30.
Last edited Nov 13, 2008 13:27:28
