Food For Thought (Div 3) – Week 12
07-04-2012 12:00 AM
Conference A is a total mess. Every team I predict to win ends up losing… Am I cursing them? Who knows! The only sure thing is that SWAT and the D-Boys have definitely earned their spots in the D3 semi-finals. In Conference B, VPC continued its way to the finals while Terror Squad had a fairly easy game against the Pats. Will their weak playoff schedule hurt them as they now face the relentless VPC?
Here is my analysis of the two semi-final matchups:
D-Boys (2)
While their offense remains a concern, they possess so much defensive ability that they don’t even need to score 20 points to win. Against an opponent at the top of their game, the Boys will need to up their offensive game if they want to emerge victorious…
Rusher: Matt Kirouac
One of the only rushers to win the “defensive player of the year” award (he actually won it twice), Matt is considered by many as the best rusher in D3. His hustle and his ability to break down efficiently in front of the opposing QB and limit his rushing yards make him an intricate part of the D-Boys rock solid defense. If need be, he can also fill in as a backup QB, receiver or even snapper.
ADVANTAGE
Key Receiver(s): Leonardo Lanni and Jeff Chabot
While Chabot has earned many praises for his play in D4, Leo Lanni doesn’t exactly pile on the accolades. A solid receiver, he never stacks many individual stats due to his QB spreading the ball evenly amongst his receivers. Still, if these two get the ball often, they will undoubtedly wreck havoc upon their opposition’s defense. Leo also plays defense.
DISADVANTAGE
Key Defender: Antonio Lanni
Antonio is the tallest of the 3 Lanni brothers and also the most reckless. He dives, jumps and throws his body around like there is no tomorrow. One of the few spectacular defensive players in D3, Lanni has been refered to by many talented quarterbacks as the best defender they’ve ever played against.
ADVANTAGE
X-Factor: James Crowe
A long time ago (2007), James was elected receiver of the year for his stellar season in Div B. After flying under the radar for almost 5 years, he is back at the top of his form in the playoffs. After a 4 catch, 69 yards and 2 TDs performance against Briscoe, James seems ready to lead his receiving corps straight to the finals.
ADVANTAGE
QB: Marco Masciotra
While Marco’s completion percentage, INT rate and QB rating aren’t out of this world, he is leading his teammates to victory which, ultimately, is the only thing that counts. Avoiding turnovers continues to be his biggest challenge. On the other hand, he is spreading the ball evenly amongst his receivers. Nevertheless, he remains a better defensive player than QB.
DISADVANTAGE
Reg. Season offense: 16th
Reg. Season defense: 1st
SWAT (6)
Rusher: Keenan Alleyne
A bottomless pit of raw energy, Keenan’s legs (and mouth) never stop. While he isn’t the fastest rusher in D3, he has the arm length to faze many QBs. Against a scrambling QB like Marco Masciotra, his stamina will definitely be tested. Look for Jon Lyristis to relieve him on some second half drives.
DISADVANTAGE
Key Receiver: Rashawn Perry
Intensity is a word that fits Rashawn Perry like a glove. “The man who never smiles” is one of the truest competitors in FPF. While he sometimes gets carried away with his desire to win at all cost, his intensity allows him to perform on both sides of the ball. Hard to cover on a deep route and difficult to run deep routes on, he is rarely seen in the flats. Being covered by Antonio Lanni might feel like being covered by yourself. A sort of dark link imitating your every move… Will Rashawn “hammer” (for those of you geek enough to understand this reference, yes, I am referring to the Water Temple) his way to victory?
ADVANTAGE
Key Defender: Michael Malinaric
While Rashawn Perry has been SWAT’s key defender throughout the season, Michael Malinaric was instrumental in disrupting Served with Ice’s offense last week (1 INT, 2 PD). His playoff performances and his relative anonymity as a first year player make him a bigger threat than Perry at this point. His presence can also be felt on offense (he was, after all, the team’s number one receiver all season). His range should definitely handicap Masciotra’s completion percentage this weekend.
DISADVANTAGE
X-Factor: Gino DiFazio / Jon Lyristis
Why two players? Because I’m not sure yet if both will be playing. The starting snapper will be the X-Factor as he will be relied on heavily to pierce the D-Boys’ red zone defense. Gino did an admirable job in replacement of Lyristis but without the latter, they wouldn’t even be in the semis. In the end, Lyristis’ game winning catch in overtime should serve as a launching pad to elevate his game this week.
DISADVANTAGE
QB: Nathan Thompson
The MVP of the playoffs so far, Thompson seems to have found a way to stay clear of turnovers: complete passes! His numbers so far in the playoffs (13 TDs, 1 INT, 86% completion and 143.8 QB rating) are simply staggering. Obviously to capture the Playoff MVP award he still needs to win 2 more games. However, if his team does reach that first championship, we won’t need to look very far to find the reason to their success.
ADVANTAGE
Reg. Season offense: 12th
Reg. Season defense: 10th
Previous matchup: None
Prediction: D-Boys 19 – SWAT 25
VPC (1)
Rusher: Mike Boyer
VPC had the least sacks out of all playoff teams during the regular season. For rusher Mike Boyer, this is obviously not a stat he cherishes. Nevertheless, he can still make an impact as post-season is, after all, a whole new season. Now, will he be able to take advantage of this or will Tam Vilaydeth run all over him?
DISADVANTAGE
Key Receiver: Louis RIchard
This guy would be the key receiver on any team. Tall and quick, Richard is lethal as soon as he breaks from the line of scrimmage. Against a porous defense like Terror Squad’s, he should have no trouble at all racking up yards and TDs. Unless Pat Jérome or Weiland Prosper turn in the game of their lives…
TIE
Key Defender: Robbie Robinson
Robinho, as the Brazilians call him, is the “homme-à-tout-faire” on his team. On top of being a top of the line QB, he provides shutdown defense for a team that usually doesn’t do much defensively. Opposing QBs try to avoid him, but his ability to cover huge amounts of ground make him a tremendous safety. If there is a man who can cool down the red hot Nathan Thompson, it is Robbie.
ADVANTAGE
X-Factor: Vinny Gualano
A talented receiver, Vinny provides balance on offense as well as steady hands for those critical red zone situations. While he can also play some defense, his impact will be mainly offensive as Louis Richard’s presence might open up some space for him. Against a shaky defensive squad, he might have his best game this season.
TIE
QB: Robbie Robinson
Regarded by many as a marginal QB, Robbie has shown everyone that he is now part of the elite. His amazing regular season numbers speak for themselves, but even more amazing is his ability to adapt. When many anticipate him using Louis Richard over and over again, he distributes the ball to his childhood friends. When his opponents prepare for the deep pass, he runs for a TD and vice-versa. His skill set is so distinct from any other player in the game that, at this point, I’m not sure a team has what it takes to impede VPC’s way to the championship.
ADVANTAGE
Reg. Season offense: 1st
Reg. Season defense: 6th
Terror Squad (3)
Rusher: Patrice Blouin
After suffering a large cut to the forehead and losing a tooth – the result from a collision with Patriotes QB Étienne Chauvin – Blouin might be back at his regular spot come Saturday night. An experienced rusher, he definitely has his work cut out for him against Robinson who scored two rushing TDs against the Snookers last week.
ADVANTAGE
Key Receiver: Patrick Jérome
The beast seems to have met his match in Louis Richard. While Jérome might have slightly greater athletic capabilities, his production was slightly in decline this season. However, after two playoff games, he is averaging 5 catches for 127 yards and 2TDs per encounter… Will he keep those numbers up or will Robinson shut him down?
TIE
Key Defender: Weiland Prosper
Weiland is another player who goes under the radar due to his lack of games played in the league. Whenever he is the lineup, he changes the defense completely. Like many defenders of size, he seems to attract the opposing QBs errant throws. Don’t ask me how or why, but such is the physics of FPF…
DISADVANTAGE
X-Factor: Kevin Lubin
A player not usually known for his commitment, Lubin seems to have found some reason to go all out lately because he is playing his best football of the season. Often lost amidst the talent on his team, Lubin is a excellent two-way player who, if he turns on his competitive switch can take a game over.
TIE
QB: Tam Vilaydeth
A diluted version of Robinson, Tam can run and gun with the best of them. Still, he may not have reached the status of VPC’s QB at the top of the pile. A year or two away from greatness, Tam has nevertheless surrounded himself with a plethora of offensive and defensive talent. Now, the most important question of them all: Who will make the most of their rushing attempts, Robbie or Tam?
DISADVANTAGE
Reg. Season offense: 3rd
Reg. Season defense: 18th
Previous matchup (Week 5): VPC 39 – Terror Squad 24
Prediction: VPC 38 – Terror Squad 33
That’s it for my semi-final previews. Make sure to watch the games you’re not involved in as every single matchup at this point is bound to display some amazing flag-football. Good luck to all!