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WHEW! I went 4-0 last week for my first ever sweep! Let's see if we can keep this thing going
Season Record
16-16
Game of the Week
ORL(-2) @ LAW
This is a terrific divisional game, on divisional weekend. This is no shot at ORL, but LAW will win this game and really throw the NFC East into chaos. LAW lost last week on a late 53yd FG. I do believe that they have what it takes to beat ORL. I also believe that the homefield advantage is critical this late in the season.
POR(-5) @ ANC
ANC seems to have found their step winning 3 of their last 4. I see them winning this game in their late run for a playoff spot.
SLC(-4) @ OAK
OAK has too many guys hurt. SLC is hitting their stride and have a sour taste in their mouths from week 1. Look for SLC to THROW their way to victory and cover the spread.
BOS @ WV (-9)
WV is on a roll, and BOS is rolling down. WV will turn the Dragons into geko's and win big.
Vic's Top 5
1.Norfolk Vipers
2.Columbia Fire
3.Little Rock Toads
4.Orlando Pirates
5.Vermont Mountaineers
Norfolk continues their success with a narrow win vs. FRE. COL won a close one vs. TEX. LRK beat MAD and are showing why they could be #1 anytime soon. ORL beat a tough REN team last week and rolls into LAW this weekend for a big game. VER narrowly lost to a focused SLC team. Their in tough this week for a game at NWK
This week I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the great GMs of the Imperial league, Mr.Don Berner
1. Your team has been somewhat inconsistent this year. You've gone through stretches of wins and losses. Do you guys have what it takes to string together some wins and make the playoffs?
Yes. If you look at our rushing and passing offenses we are solidly in the top 10 statistically. On the defensive side we are in the top 10. What has killed us this year is PENALTIES and turnovers. We lead the league in penalties assessed and penalty yards. No matter how good your defense is you cant win if you extend drives with penalties. For all of our offensive production, we arent scoring an equivalent number of points. Drive killing penalties are to blame. That is being addressed and Wichita should finish strong. Another tough element to control is the injuries to some players on the O-Line and the Secondary.
2. How would you rate this year's draft class compared to the last year's?
We made a number of trades this year so our draft class was essentially selected with lower round slots. With that said we picked up some great future picks and still found good talent we needed. We took RBs Richardson and LeGrande in the 2nd round in the last two drafts. Those guys split the load and have performed very well for us. We also looked to upgrade our D-Line by taking 1st round DTs in House and Ruth. Both are solid performers. Overall I would have to say that this last draft was better for us than last years. With that said, you should keep in mind that the question is really best answered in a couple more years.
3. Why does Mikel Hutson continue to start over Tyler Conners? Has Conners a distraction in any way?
Not at all. Conners is still recovering from his injury earlier this season. You should expect him to return to the starting lineup after the bye week. If you look hard at the last two games, Conners has gotten about the same number of passing plays as Hutson. We run a lot of multiple WR sets. The guy listed as starting really doesnt mean a whole lot. We think Conners is fully healed but we just didnt want to take any chances with his health.
4.In your opinion, who do you think would meet in the Imperial Bowl, if the season ended today?
That is a tough question and presumes a lot. We have to give full credit to the Iowa City Hog Ranching Roadkill. Im not even sure we can win our own division let alone make it to the big game. But I will play along.
Im looking at Little Rock and Columbia as the favorites in the "other" conference. You cant count out teams like Salt Lake, Lawrence, or Burlington but something screams Little Rock at me. They are hot (and probably horny) and they are dangerous.
5.What does WIC need to do to take this team to the next level?
Our defensive line is still a work in progress. Particularly at DE. We have some solid role players at the end spots but really need to add some star power. We have put together a team that we anticipate holding together for years to come. Another position we may look to solidify is RB. We could probably use an experienced vet to come in and pick up a few carries a game and teach our young guys what it is to be a RB in the IFL.
6.Thanks for your time and cooperation,
Thanks for having me on the program.
Until next time,
Vic
Season Record
16-16
Game of the Week
ORL(-2) @ LAW
This is a terrific divisional game, on divisional weekend. This is no shot at ORL, but LAW will win this game and really throw the NFC East into chaos. LAW lost last week on a late 53yd FG. I do believe that they have what it takes to beat ORL. I also believe that the homefield advantage is critical this late in the season.
POR(-5) @ ANC
ANC seems to have found their step winning 3 of their last 4. I see them winning this game in their late run for a playoff spot.
SLC(-4) @ OAK
OAK has too many guys hurt. SLC is hitting their stride and have a sour taste in their mouths from week 1. Look for SLC to THROW their way to victory and cover the spread.
BOS @ WV (-9)
WV is on a roll, and BOS is rolling down. WV will turn the Dragons into geko's and win big.
Vic's Top 5
1.Norfolk Vipers
2.Columbia Fire
3.Little Rock Toads
4.Orlando Pirates
5.Vermont Mountaineers
Norfolk continues their success with a narrow win vs. FRE. COL won a close one vs. TEX. LRK beat MAD and are showing why they could be #1 anytime soon. ORL beat a tough REN team last week and rolls into LAW this weekend for a big game. VER narrowly lost to a focused SLC team. Their in tough this week for a game at NWK
This week I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the great GMs of the Imperial league, Mr.Don Berner
1. Your team has been somewhat inconsistent this year. You've gone through stretches of wins and losses. Do you guys have what it takes to string together some wins and make the playoffs?
Yes. If you look at our rushing and passing offenses we are solidly in the top 10 statistically. On the defensive side we are in the top 10. What has killed us this year is PENALTIES and turnovers. We lead the league in penalties assessed and penalty yards. No matter how good your defense is you cant win if you extend drives with penalties. For all of our offensive production, we arent scoring an equivalent number of points. Drive killing penalties are to blame. That is being addressed and Wichita should finish strong. Another tough element to control is the injuries to some players on the O-Line and the Secondary.
2. How would you rate this year's draft class compared to the last year's?
We made a number of trades this year so our draft class was essentially selected with lower round slots. With that said we picked up some great future picks and still found good talent we needed. We took RBs Richardson and LeGrande in the 2nd round in the last two drafts. Those guys split the load and have performed very well for us. We also looked to upgrade our D-Line by taking 1st round DTs in House and Ruth. Both are solid performers. Overall I would have to say that this last draft was better for us than last years. With that said, you should keep in mind that the question is really best answered in a couple more years.
3. Why does Mikel Hutson continue to start over Tyler Conners? Has Conners a distraction in any way?
Not at all. Conners is still recovering from his injury earlier this season. You should expect him to return to the starting lineup after the bye week. If you look hard at the last two games, Conners has gotten about the same number of passing plays as Hutson. We run a lot of multiple WR sets. The guy listed as starting really doesnt mean a whole lot. We think Conners is fully healed but we just didnt want to take any chances with his health.
4.In your opinion, who do you think would meet in the Imperial Bowl, if the season ended today?
That is a tough question and presumes a lot. We have to give full credit to the Iowa City Hog Ranching Roadkill. Im not even sure we can win our own division let alone make it to the big game. But I will play along.
Im looking at Little Rock and Columbia as the favorites in the "other" conference. You cant count out teams like Salt Lake, Lawrence, or Burlington but something screams Little Rock at me. They are hot (and probably horny) and they are dangerous.
5.What does WIC need to do to take this team to the next level?
Our defensive line is still a work in progress. Particularly at DE. We have some solid role players at the end spots but really need to add some star power. We have put together a team that we anticipate holding together for years to come. Another position we may look to solidify is RB. We could probably use an experienced vet to come in and pick up a few carries a game and teach our young guys what it is to be a RB in the IFL.
6.Thanks for your time and cooperation,
Thanks for having me on the program.
Until next time,
Vic
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