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I had a great week last week going a perfect 3-0. This ones for all my fans which include Ragin, Coder, and Jester. They're the guys who give me the most grief, I LOVE it.
Season Record
23-21
Game of the Week
MON @ PIT (-1)
Both teams are fighting for playoff spots in this late season matchup. MON has won 2 in a row, while PIT has lost 4 of their last 5. PIT is now starting to get healthy. PIT will find a way to scrape a win out by using their homefield advantage.
LAN @ IWC (-8)
LAN has been on a roll and IWC has been great all season. QB Chris Chaplin threw for his first 300yd game and will be the difference in this one. HOWEVER, 8pts is too large of a spread for IWC. Look for the IWC win, but LAN will cover the spread
VAN(-5) @ MUR
I'm going to chalk this outcome to NFC superiority. VAN is a much better team than their record shows. Look for a VAN double digit victory.
CBA @ NOR(-7)
Not the game of the week? I'm an equal opportunity GOW picker. This is the GOW part II. CBA has lost a lot of guys in the secondary and teams are beginning to expose this. Normally I'd take CBA, but I just don't think Cartagena can win this game. I'll take NOR to win this one and cover the spread
Vic Carucci's Power Rankings
1. NOR
2. SLC
3. LRK
4. STL
5. VER
6. COL
7. IWC
8. ORL
9. LAW
10. NWK
11. LOU
12. POR
13. PIT
14. REN
15. LAN
16. WV
17. OAK
18. TUL
19. HAR
20. MON
21. MAD
22. DAK
23. WIC
24. CLE
25. VAN
26. ANC
27. MUR
28. ALB
29. HOU
30. TEX
31. BOS
32. FRE
I shook up the top 10(minus NWK) a little this week. NOR regains the #1 overall spot. SLC is the hottest team in the league and moves all the way to #2. LRK falls to #3, while STL and VER crack the top 5. Things are getting a little shaky near the top. In any given week a team could move or drop into or out of the top 5.
This was a special week in the Imperial league. Rookie RB Alan Crespo has broken the single game record for both carries and rushing yards. I caught up to a tired Crespo on the following day
1.Alan, congrats on your new record. What can you tell us about the performance this past weekend?
I really didn't know that it was a record breaking game. I was just out playing football in a must win atmosphere. The game went to OT, and we got lucky and won the game. I was told after the game about how many yards I got, and honestly I was surprised. I figured I'd run for around 200yds. I'm definatley excited about the record, but I don't think it will sink in until after I retire. In the flow of the game, and season for that matter, you just don't think about records. I just wanted to beat Dakota. We did, and now we have a slight chance to make the playoffs.
2.Speaking of records, some people are starting to talk about the single season record. Have you thought about this? Do you think it's attainable?
No I haven't thought about it 'til I heard some chatter on the radio. I think when you look at James Tart's season where he set the record, he was consistent. He had a lot of 100yd games. I've haven't been as consistent. This record breaking day makes my numbers look good. I don't think I can do it this year. I'm not counting yards here, I'm looking for a consistent 125yds/game. That would show that I'm giving my team effort from the run game. Not to mention, I'm the worst kept secret in the city. Teams are loading up to stop the run, and I've gotta give all the credit to my offensive line. Defenses are coming out hard putting 8-9 guys in the box trying to stop us. It's up to us now to have Scott Nelson hit some of our WR's. We have what it takes to be an explosive offense. I hope to be a part of that.
3.How do you see the race going in the NFC?
I really don't look outside of our division. Right now we're on the bottom looking up. We let some games slip away and we are where we are. We just need to keep winning football games and hope that there is an opportunity for us to maybe win the division. Ultimately, playoffs is our goal. This, I think, needs to be our year. The defense is getting a little older, and the offense needs to start hitting stride. Outside of our team, there are 3 great teams in our division. I don't have time to care about them. I know that they're gonna bring it everytime we play. We need to have the same attitude.
4.What does this team need to take it to the next level?
Experience. Offensively, we just need to get repititions in. There are a lot of young guys on offense. Every week we get a little better. The defense is there, for the most part. It looks like they've been pretty good about stopping the big plays that were haunting them in the early season. It goes back to the old formula for success. Run the ball, and stop the run. So far we're doing that.
This Thursday night, I was privilaged to meet with Lawrence Phantoms GM Jester Blaze. We spent the evening at a quaint Italian restaurant talking football for more than 4 hours. It was a truly pleasant experience. Here are some of the exerpts from our conversation
1. where did you see yourself at the beginning of this season? I mean I'm thinking that you are the real "surprise" team of the year. I figured that you'd be just over a .500 team.
I thought at the beginning of the season that we were primed for a championship run, which is why I traded away all but one draft pick for future picks. I felt in all three seasons that we were a championship calibur team.
However I should mention that since then I've realized that my thinking was carried over from the now relic NFL and that the outcome of this game stresses different positions and abilities. I now see that we were not playoff ready in the 2003 season.
BTW - We're not guaranteed to even be over .500 yet.
2. What are some of the big reasons that the Phantoms are having so much success?
The Phantoms are a great team! From the owner on down to the players. It's that simple.
And what makes us especially proud is the division we're doing it in. From top to bottom anyone thinking the NFC East isn't the toughest division in the IFL is fooling themselves.
3. How big of an addition has Shaun Schultz been? His combined yardage is really amazing.
*rolls eyes and grimaces* Amazing? He's caught some balls... I'll give 'em that much.
4. Talk a little about the development of Tobias Stanfield?
Tobias has progressed from Mr. Interception in 2003 to what looks to be the beginning stages of the quarterback I envisioned when drafting him in the 2nd round of the inaugural draft. I'd like to see him up there with Nigel but there are other factors at play there that are not the fault of Tobias.
We've got 9 picks in the first 4 rounds of the upcoming draft and plan to ensure that Tobias, as well as our defensive leaders, has a solid group around him for the near future so, barring injury as always, he should only get better.
5. Does this team have what it takes to take it to the next level? What are the obstacles that you may face?
I'm not sure what level system you're referring to but we expect to win the championship. Right now we're shooting for the playoffs and at that point history says you've gotta give way to the "any given sunday" theory. We might not be considered, nor consider ourselves, the "favorites" but the "favorites" rarely seem to win it all for one reason or another.
We've certainly identified some internal obstacles as of late but I'm not at liberty to divulge that information to the public.
One obvious thing I can mention to give you something to print is the penalties. Not only are we closing in on the league lead, I believe we must lead the league in heartbreaking penalties. Just last week we had an offsides penalty on 4th and 5. Honestly, what's that player thinking???
6. Who are some of your favorite players to watch in the Imperial league?
Alen Crespo! He's such a great back already and runs behind Irwin Kao. It's gut-wrenching to have him in our division but it gives our players something to focus on each season now and every other team should be easier, at least stopping their rushing attack, by comparison.
Nigel over in Salt Lake. We had him and Tobias ranked as the top two QB's in the inaugural draft so we've been following the development of Booker *smiles jokingly* and reminding Stanfield of it ever since!
What Ambrose Jones is doing at WR this season is just silly! He's outshadowing what's also a great season by that *smiles again* "other guy" in SLC.
Shawn Hernandez of Little Rock is another one! He's averaging over 3 QB hurries per game this season. That's over 10% of almost all opponents passing attempts singlehandidly thwarted! Insane!!
There are so many others too. I'm a stat freak like most GM's so just about every name in the top 10-20 of every catagory is someone I'm watching.
Thanks for the help Jester
Definitely no problem. It's great to be involved!
Until next time,
Vic
Season Record
23-21
Game of the Week
MON @ PIT (-1)
Both teams are fighting for playoff spots in this late season matchup. MON has won 2 in a row, while PIT has lost 4 of their last 5. PIT is now starting to get healthy. PIT will find a way to scrape a win out by using their homefield advantage.
LAN @ IWC (-8)
LAN has been on a roll and IWC has been great all season. QB Chris Chaplin threw for his first 300yd game and will be the difference in this one. HOWEVER, 8pts is too large of a spread for IWC. Look for the IWC win, but LAN will cover the spread
VAN(-5) @ MUR
I'm going to chalk this outcome to NFC superiority. VAN is a much better team than their record shows. Look for a VAN double digit victory.
CBA @ NOR(-7)
Not the game of the week? I'm an equal opportunity GOW picker. This is the GOW part II. CBA has lost a lot of guys in the secondary and teams are beginning to expose this. Normally I'd take CBA, but I just don't think Cartagena can win this game. I'll take NOR to win this one and cover the spread
Vic Carucci's Power Rankings
1. NOR
2. SLC
3. LRK
4. STL
5. VER
6. COL
7. IWC
8. ORL
9. LAW
10. NWK
11. LOU
12. POR
13. PIT
14. REN
15. LAN
16. WV
17. OAK
18. TUL
19. HAR
20. MON
21. MAD
22. DAK
23. WIC
24. CLE
25. VAN
26. ANC
27. MUR
28. ALB
29. HOU
30. TEX
31. BOS
32. FRE
I shook up the top 10(minus NWK) a little this week. NOR regains the #1 overall spot. SLC is the hottest team in the league and moves all the way to #2. LRK falls to #3, while STL and VER crack the top 5. Things are getting a little shaky near the top. In any given week a team could move or drop into or out of the top 5.
This was a special week in the Imperial league. Rookie RB Alan Crespo has broken the single game record for both carries and rushing yards. I caught up to a tired Crespo on the following day
1.Alan, congrats on your new record. What can you tell us about the performance this past weekend?
I really didn't know that it was a record breaking game. I was just out playing football in a must win atmosphere. The game went to OT, and we got lucky and won the game. I was told after the game about how many yards I got, and honestly I was surprised. I figured I'd run for around 200yds. I'm definatley excited about the record, but I don't think it will sink in until after I retire. In the flow of the game, and season for that matter, you just don't think about records. I just wanted to beat Dakota. We did, and now we have a slight chance to make the playoffs.
2.Speaking of records, some people are starting to talk about the single season record. Have you thought about this? Do you think it's attainable?
No I haven't thought about it 'til I heard some chatter on the radio. I think when you look at James Tart's season where he set the record, he was consistent. He had a lot of 100yd games. I've haven't been as consistent. This record breaking day makes my numbers look good. I don't think I can do it this year. I'm not counting yards here, I'm looking for a consistent 125yds/game. That would show that I'm giving my team effort from the run game. Not to mention, I'm the worst kept secret in the city. Teams are loading up to stop the run, and I've gotta give all the credit to my offensive line. Defenses are coming out hard putting 8-9 guys in the box trying to stop us. It's up to us now to have Scott Nelson hit some of our WR's. We have what it takes to be an explosive offense. I hope to be a part of that.
3.How do you see the race going in the NFC?
I really don't look outside of our division. Right now we're on the bottom looking up. We let some games slip away and we are where we are. We just need to keep winning football games and hope that there is an opportunity for us to maybe win the division. Ultimately, playoffs is our goal. This, I think, needs to be our year. The defense is getting a little older, and the offense needs to start hitting stride. Outside of our team, there are 3 great teams in our division. I don't have time to care about them. I know that they're gonna bring it everytime we play. We need to have the same attitude.
4.What does this team need to take it to the next level?
Experience. Offensively, we just need to get repititions in. There are a lot of young guys on offense. Every week we get a little better. The defense is there, for the most part. It looks like they've been pretty good about stopping the big plays that were haunting them in the early season. It goes back to the old formula for success. Run the ball, and stop the run. So far we're doing that.
This Thursday night, I was privilaged to meet with Lawrence Phantoms GM Jester Blaze. We spent the evening at a quaint Italian restaurant talking football for more than 4 hours. It was a truly pleasant experience. Here are some of the exerpts from our conversation
1. where did you see yourself at the beginning of this season? I mean I'm thinking that you are the real "surprise" team of the year. I figured that you'd be just over a .500 team.
I thought at the beginning of the season that we were primed for a championship run, which is why I traded away all but one draft pick for future picks. I felt in all three seasons that we were a championship calibur team.
However I should mention that since then I've realized that my thinking was carried over from the now relic NFL and that the outcome of this game stresses different positions and abilities. I now see that we were not playoff ready in the 2003 season.
BTW - We're not guaranteed to even be over .500 yet.
2. What are some of the big reasons that the Phantoms are having so much success?
The Phantoms are a great team! From the owner on down to the players. It's that simple.
And what makes us especially proud is the division we're doing it in. From top to bottom anyone thinking the NFC East isn't the toughest division in the IFL is fooling themselves.
3. How big of an addition has Shaun Schultz been? His combined yardage is really amazing.
*rolls eyes and grimaces* Amazing? He's caught some balls... I'll give 'em that much.
4. Talk a little about the development of Tobias Stanfield?
Tobias has progressed from Mr. Interception in 2003 to what looks to be the beginning stages of the quarterback I envisioned when drafting him in the 2nd round of the inaugural draft. I'd like to see him up there with Nigel but there are other factors at play there that are not the fault of Tobias.
We've got 9 picks in the first 4 rounds of the upcoming draft and plan to ensure that Tobias, as well as our defensive leaders, has a solid group around him for the near future so, barring injury as always, he should only get better.
5. Does this team have what it takes to take it to the next level? What are the obstacles that you may face?
I'm not sure what level system you're referring to but we expect to win the championship. Right now we're shooting for the playoffs and at that point history says you've gotta give way to the "any given sunday" theory. We might not be considered, nor consider ourselves, the "favorites" but the "favorites" rarely seem to win it all for one reason or another.
We've certainly identified some internal obstacles as of late but I'm not at liberty to divulge that information to the public.
One obvious thing I can mention to give you something to print is the penalties. Not only are we closing in on the league lead, I believe we must lead the league in heartbreaking penalties. Just last week we had an offsides penalty on 4th and 5. Honestly, what's that player thinking???
6. Who are some of your favorite players to watch in the Imperial league?
Alen Crespo! He's such a great back already and runs behind Irwin Kao. It's gut-wrenching to have him in our division but it gives our players something to focus on each season now and every other team should be easier, at least stopping their rushing attack, by comparison.
Nigel over in Salt Lake. We had him and Tobias ranked as the top two QB's in the inaugural draft so we've been following the development of Booker *smiles jokingly* and reminding Stanfield of it ever since!
What Ambrose Jones is doing at WR this season is just silly! He's outshadowing what's also a great season by that *smiles again* "other guy" in SLC.
Shawn Hernandez of Little Rock is another one! He's averaging over 3 QB hurries per game this season. That's over 10% of almost all opponents passing attempts singlehandidly thwarted! Insane!!
There are so many others too. I'm a stat freak like most GM's so just about every name in the top 10-20 of every catagory is someone I'm watching.
Thanks for the help Jester
Definitely no problem. It's great to be involved!
Until next time,
Vic
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