Warrior General Games

Love this Ethaan, and I very much appreciate it.

Another great write-up. Looking forward to the next one.

Good work Ethaan. Good stuff.

Season (Day 3)

42
Minnesota Skulls
Another game, another day that the Skulls aren't top of the conference... Makes a change doesn't it? Surely only a matter of time though... The Skulls looked comfortable throughout against the Breakers scoring on each of their first 5 possessions. They coasted to a 56-3 victory and they set their sights on the tough stretch of games they have coming up. Willie Catch obviously felt overshadowed by Big Bomb last week so made amends hauling in 9 catches for 134 yards and a TD.

San Antonio Rahls
Rahls loaded up Dayel Elessedil this week and let him carry them to victory but the real story here was the impressive Rahls defence with standout performances from DE Rosen Drewhouse (5 tk, 5 hur, 3 sacks) and CB Ryukir Rahl (5 tk , 2 int)... Will this strong pass-rush combined with an excellent kicking game (FG and punts) be enough to overcome the Skulls? Who knows? But they can look forward to that game now as they have a much easier journey there than their rivals.

Fort Richardson Redskins
Vikings 7-0 Redskins... Well in the 3rd quarter at least. The rest of the game belonged to the Redskins. They didn't do too badly on special teams in the first quarter returning the opening kickoff (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94447&pbp_id=1407550 ) and 2 punts (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94447&pbp_id=1408086 and http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94447&pbp_id=1409422) for TDs. Was it the poor kicking team (only 2 defensive players on it) or are the Redskins just that explosive on returns? All I know is that teams will be paying more attention to their special teams depth charts following this game. Rahls will be thankful for their kickers when these 2 sides meet later in the year...

Birmingham Beavers
Well the points conceded column now no longer reads 0 but the Beavers will be very happy with their second game performance and must be confident of playoffs this season and maybe even breaking into the top contenders... My pick, FB Duke Nukum for the Pro Bowl and with 6 carriers for 193.5 yards and 3 first quarter TDs, how could anyone disagree? Not to be outdone on the ground Emmitt Smithers pitched in with 257 yards and 4 TDs of his own off 18 carries.

San Antonio Gunslingers
Now QB Matt Weston isn't splitting time with Brian Torby he's really showing the BBB#5 what he's really got... 294 yards and 6 TDs, and the lower completion % and an INT this week won't concern the Gunslingers. I don't know what they were up to last season but San Antonio B look ruthless this season. They could be the shock package this season and may even upset the Skulls or their cross-town rivals? We shall see though...

Oops... nearly forgot to mention the 4 catch, 3 TD and 114yd performance by league leading WR Pembrooke Sunspire... Great game.

Albuquerque Isotopes +3
Welcome to the 42 club... The A-Town Isotopes seem to have taken heart from last years upset of the Skulls and carried that momentum into this season to secure their place in the top teams in the conference. The Topes are doing this on the back of Rohn Jiggins, league leader in rushing yards and TDs who turned in another fine performance this week. Have we seen such RB dominance since the days of Jovorskie Lane? People may say it's the new tweaks to the system, others may argue that their backs split time more... All I'm saying is that this kid is special...

39
Las Vegas Aces
Everything is coming up trumps for the Aces. They dispatched the Lowriders with ease this week and if they continue to decimate their lower-levelled opposition this season they can afford to be more aggressive when playing the higher rated teams. They already beat their closest rivals, the Tigers and we should forget that this team was in the mix for 4th place last season... Ironhead Cambell had a quieter game this week but Zo King more than picked up the slack with 8 carries for 130 yards and 3 TDs including this 80 yard strike (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94461&pbp_id=1403168 ) He will be very happy with his downfield blocking too. TIP. Don't think the Aces only can get in done on the ground, both their backs can catch coming out of the backfield and Aaron Koppinger is an elite WR in this league.

Raleigh Fighting Tigers
Being at 0-2 hurts but the Tigers proved a sterner test than the then un-gutted Aggies for the Rahls. Plays like this (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94523&pbp_id=1405056 ) give the Tigers hope but they need to start scoring more first half points if they want to crack the play-offs this season.

36
Miami Breakers
I think the Breakers are definitely the strongest of the sides at 36 although playing against the Skulls makes it hard to prove yourselves. They have a couple of glaring holes on their depth chart where they have to use players not appropriate for this level. If the upgrade there however then they could be a force majeur later this season or early next year... Games against the Extreme and the Vikings will define their season in the next couple of weeks

Austin Extreme
I think I may have under-rated the Extreme so far. Okay they don't have any players in the lvl 20's beyond QB Koboh Wrath (who is definitely Austin's best player). But they are putting up points on decent teams and only conceding 30ish... Very respectable. I may have had a change of heart in the last minute or so... They could be the best side below the top 9... next weeks game is the decider.

Ditka's Army
Playing the Isotopes is tough... following that up with games against the Beavers Aces and Rahls is just cruel! I think Bajek will keep this side together though, keep their spirits up and continue to re-build. Losing to the Breakers was tough on them, but there are other teams out there for them to beat...

Death Valley Vikings
Maybe poor special teams play made last game worse than it actually was, but really there are only a couple of bright spots for the Vikings this season. The first being that there are teams out there they can beat, and the other is that Dawg Schroeder is an excellent player that their defence needs. Unfortunately for the Vikings he will probably lead the stats this season just by being forced on the field so much. If his stats start to go down... It'll be a sign that the Vikings are improving (Similar happened to original Pro-Bowler Jay Robins... the Tigers improved, he got less tackles).

33
Fort Worth Aggies -6
Wow... They were building so well too... Maybe putting all that work in just to be crushed by the Rahls week 1 was the final straw. It is a shame but it means that there will be a private battle between the "expanision" teams at the bottom of the table this year.

St Louis Lowriders
Possibly the toughest first 3 games of the season befell the Lowriders... They have done well to continue to recruit though and if they stick at it could be a decent side. I think that will come next year though... Right now, its just taking their punches as and when they come and sticking with it.

30
Java Monkeys +3
They aren't worried, they aren't complaining. They are just going about their business adding players and tasking up the challenge. They won't overpay under-talented players and trash the team. It's a slow builder but it's coming along well. Expect a high level LB to sign on day 23 of this year and a high level HB to join them next season.

This originally started as a list of numbers, but it just grew. This is all based on opinion and memory and a quick look over rosters... No offence was intended to any of the teams. Roll on game 3!

Another Great Write-up! Really enjoy the work bro!

wish someone would do this for the east also!!! Great work

Nice work buddy.

Yeah the Beavers have benefitted by playing 2 teams that are starting their rebuilding. Good luck to both of them this season. Its a tough conference to be trying to rebuild in!!

Gutted those cheeky Monkeys put 3 points on us and ended our run of 3 successive shutouts though.

Great write up! I always look forward to these!

Good work again.... "rival". Just down to 2 teams at 39.

Aces-Tigers was Game 1, Season 1 (well 2 technically)

Although I signed just after the Sim so didn't play in it

I like the lack of Wedgies information too. We remain invisible.

Superb work on the 'power rankings' mate! I think I will be bookmarking this to get a different take on how the season is progressing!

Wow. Great Work. I love this Ethaan!!!! Really know what your talking about.

your doing a great job ethaan. Can't wait to read the A-Town Tope's review this time after knocking if the skulls for the second time in a row and ending their 34 win streak in regular season

Season (Game 3)

45
Minnesota Skulls +3
To quote xfrozenxsoulx "wow...umm shocked? ye...." This loss has spread to 3 threads on this forum already and no-one really saw it coming. Okay the Topes knocked them off in the playoffs but this is the regular season, this is the Skulls' specialty?!?! I couldn't imagine them going anything other than 16-0 this year, even with the Rahls hot on their heels... Enough shock I guess, maybe we should look at how the game actually went.
The first quarter was very close and back and forth until the Topes managed to put a drive together that resulted in a 2nd Quarter FG. The Skulls immediatly struck back with a FG. The Isotopes next drive resulted in a TD, with a great Rohn Jiggins rush and 3 Rock Slinger incompletes and a punt gave the Topes a chance to capitalise. They didn't and punted away. The Skulls came back to kick another FG before HT. The crucial point of the game was a Topes punt that dropped on the 3.5 yard line forcing a return that could only muster 8 yards. The Skulls tried to pass their way out but a False Start by John Guard on 3rd and 3.5 stalled the drive and forced a short punt that started the Topes on the 36 yard line. 1 Rohn Jiggins rush later and the Topes lead was 11. Rock Slinger managed to drive the Skulls from their 20 all the way down to the Topes 30 but Sam Foote missed the FG. The Topes immediately marched back down the field with a mix of run and pass and rushed in for a 3rd score to put the game beyond the shell-shocked Skulls. The Skulls added another TD early in the 4th but the Topes immediatley hit a FG to keep the lead at 14. The Skulls got all the way down to the 9.5 yard line passing in the 4th but a 1 yard rush on 4th down was no-where near enough and the Topes just ran out the clock.
Following this loss things can only go only 1 of 2 ways... 1. They stomp everyone else in the league out of spite and this is the year that the Skulls finally go all the way without the 16-0 hanging over them or this is a sign of things to come and the Rahls, Redskins and Beavers will push them close and may even over turn them... I'm thinking they'll still be top of the table come the end of the year.

42
San Antonio Rahls
The Rahls went untested this week as they breezed past the Lowriders. They only got a FG in the first Quarter but picked up momentum as the game went on. Fukudome Fukuyoudo still looks like the best 3rd string RB in the league after his big games vs the Lowriders and the un-gutted Aggies. The Rahls also managed to break in new RB "The Heat" who replaced outgoing F.A. Pat Thedog. Behind that O-Line, do the Rahls have the best running game in BBB#5 history? ... I think yes, and will have at least 2, if not 3 1000+ yard rushers come the end of the season.

Fort Richardson Redskins
Skins-Gunslingers would have been Game Of The Week almost any other week of the season but was overshadowed this week. It was a very close game but getting the first TD and having the extra FG made all the difference to the Redskins. Having dispatched the Gunslingers they look still very likely of being a top 4 team this year... The duo of Joe "Fastest Man" Jefferson and Thundering Beast are dangerous both running and catching out of the backfield and could be the most consistent 1-2 punch in the conference. (Oh and Orangello Bourderaux, as mentioned by yours truly in the pre-season, recorded a safety in the 4th)

Birmingham Beavers
They said they weren't looking past Ditka's Army but I hope for their sake that they were keeping at least 1 eye on the game against the Skulls the week after. Para b00n was very efficient again before sitting down and letting his back-up get on the field to close the game out, and Duke Nukum added another 2 TDs to his total... Can any FB compete with him for the Pro Bowl this season... Well maybe... The Beavers are another top team that shows this is the year of the RB, maybe the pass-heavy offence of the Skulls won't be as dominant as it once was?

San Antonio Gunslingers
The Gunslingers came back to earth with a bump this week after a fantastic return to form this season yet won't be too disheartened to have lost to the Redskins, particularly in such a close game. Disappointingly for San Antonio B though, Matt Weston looked average and Pembrooke Sunspire was held to only 1 catch. James Curbo and Crosby Tuck looked useful though (both selections of mine at KR and PR for the Pro Bowl Season 1 (2) http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=234982 )... I think the Gunslingers are another side hampered by not being run-first this season, maybe a tweak next off-season will make them unstoppable though?

Albuquerque Isotopes
May I just quote myself here for a minute regarding Rohn Jiggins "All I'm saying is that this kid is special..." and goddamn did he prove me right this week. We saw the write-up of the game up in the Skulls section but what I didn't mention was this man's 8 carry, 134 yard 2 TD performance that included this 39.5 yard display of power and pace (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94498&pbp_id=1839541 ) and a repeat perfomance in the 3rd quarter (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=94498&pbp_id=1841603 )... Will Topes manage to scheme above their level to overcome the Rahls, Redskins and Beavers? (I know they're all 42, but all 42's aren't equal) I think they could do 1 or 2, but all 3 could be a push... They'll be aiming for top 4 this year, and they may just get it... especially if Rohn Jiggins keeps doing what he does.

39
Las Vegas Aces
Four 1st Quarter passing TDs meant this game was over before it began... Ironhead Cambell finally got the yards this week that his play has been deserving... A true power back, he took the limelight this week from Zo King, who also performed well. This was against the Java Monkeys though before they get too excited. If they can have another week where both RBs managed to put everything together then they can threaten the high and mighty teams in the 40's... The Aces have the all around offence with Aaron Koppinger catching balls pinged at him by Cutlers DrinkingBuddy, will it be enough to push for a top 4? I don't know, it will be enough for the playoffs though. The Aces should be experts on the Beavers by the time they meet in week 13, they're following their schedule exactly and should be scouting everyone of those games.

Raleigh Fighting Tigers
First win of the season! and in style... although it was against a gutted Aggies team. FB Handy Richardo made a name for himself this week with 20 carries for 130 yards and 3 TDs. That was added to his opening Kick-off return for a TD, all 89.5 yards of it... QB Alex Brunell went to the top of the league in passing yards with a 20/26 292.5 yd 4 TD performance. Defensive highlights were 4 sacks by DT Ronny Bullrush (Pro-Bowl snub last season) and 0 tackles for either starting safety Humble or Robins as the other 9 players stuffed the Aggies offence... Hopefully similar performances will follow until a tough Skulls game in 4 weeks time.

Miami Breakers +3
Another side that went up by 3 points overall but still lost to a team they would have hoped to beat. 2 late scores made it look more respectable, but surprisingly they actually outgained the Extreme in yards they just couldn't punch it in. The Breakers have good players, but they need more of a supporting cast before they can make an impact... Good off-season recruiting and they could be up there...

36
Austin Extreme
"I think I may have under-rated the Extreme so far. Okay they don't have any players in the lvl 20's beyond QB Koboh Wrath (who is definitely Austin's best player). But they are putting up points on decent teams and only conceding 30ish... Very respectable. I may have had a change of heart in the last minute or so... They could be the best side below the top 9... next weeks game is the decider."
I think that was the most accurate write up so far this season. Koboh Wrath proved me right, throwing for all 3 TDs (including from 0.5 yards out). They are the best side below the top 9...

Ditka's Army
Well they probably pissed Staners of... They put 10 points on his Beavers. And that's what they have to focus on... They have the Aces next week and that won't be fun. As long as they concentrate on scoring and keeping it respectable, the rebuilding will be going just fine.

Death Valley Vikings
Dawg Schroeder got another 10 tackles and CB Chester Vergara got 17... That tells us that it was another long day for the Vikings... A solid game by HB Jason Mathew was a bright spot on offence though... But these 3 players are miles above their team-mates... Without more players, the Vikings will struggle.

33
St Louis Lowriders
Another team in need of players... They still haven't scored a point all season and results are slowly getting worse... They've benched their "top" QB, I assume for refusing to re-sign and are starting a lvl 4. Another team that is looking to the future... At least the Aggies are in worse shape...

Java Monkeys +3
You know what? The monkeys are going to win a game this season... maybe even 2, maybe even 3... They have the Rahls next in their hellish start to the BBB#5 but soon they get the Aggies... Unless they have a quick turn-around under new ownership, that could be win #1. The Lowriders are definitely within their means to upset but with that game being early in the season I think it'll be tough... If it was towards the end of the year I'd chalk it up as win #2, alas not though... Doesn't mean they shouldn't try. And getting the Flames in the inter-conference week is a stroke of luck... but I think they deserve it. Very, very winnable game (barring miracualous re-build before then)...

27
Fort Worth Aggies -6
They were at the same sort of level as the Aces and the Tigers season 1, they'd really started to build well too... They would have been at least 10th this season if they'd carried on. As it is... 176 plays each for Ikatcha Tings, 53rd Man and Benji Franklin and 164 for Bustin Noggins may be reminiscent of old-scool Iron-Man football but it's not going to work in GLB... Someone is gonna have some work to do here. BBB#5 started with 2 Aggies and 2 Brawlers... Soon there will be none.


This originally started as a list of numbers, but it just grew. This is all based on opinion and memory and a quick look over rosters... No offence was intended to any of the teams. Roll on game 4!