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Welcome to the 2006 Imperial football season. I had a rough playoffs last year and finished up the season with an even 29-29 record. I hope to turn things around this year. I refuse to pick week #1 games due to the issues with the Vegas oddsmakers during that week. A lot of guys get rich.
Season Record
0-0
Career Record
29-29
Game of the Week
FRE @ OAK (-1)
This is going to be a great game. As I analysed this game in depth, and in talking with the FRE GM, I think FRE wins this game. FRE has a lot of talent in key positions. I think RB Bucky Beaver is really the X factor. His gamebreaking skills will give FRE the advantage over OAK. OAK has also struggled a little at home losing 7 of 8 at home last season. Gene Hamilton will try his best to keep this one close, but FRE will win the possession battle and keep Hamilton off of the field. I will be travelling to OAK for the game this weekend. Stock up the press box this weekend, Jave.
ALB (-1) @ SLC
Maybe I've just got too much respect for Sweet, Money, and Booker. I just think that having the Stallions as 1 point underdogs is a little crazy. Don't get me wrong, ALB is a much improved team. I think the advantage goes to TJ Palmeteer and the Stallions coaches. Stallions win at home
MON @ CBA (-2)
CBA has a big advantage in a QB comparison. Lyman Shropshire is a decent QB, but not in the same class as Julian Cartagena. Cartagena breaks out with his first 300yd passing game of the year in leading his team to victory
MUR @ LAW (-8)
LAW is coming off of a tough loss last week. They get a "get well" card this week against MUR. My guess is that the MUR offense will not score more than a FG. They should get their young rookie QB in there this week. Get the young lad some reps!
HOU @ NWK (-2)
Alan Crespo has a new running mate in Colin Blain. NWK also has some keys to a good passing game. HOU is a little thin at CB this week with Alonzo Sack being doubtful. Look for Scott Nelson to pass the Bulldogs to victory in this one.
Vic's Top 5 Teams
1.Vermont Mountaineers
2.Columbia Fire
3.Little Rock Toads
4.Louisiana VooDoo
5.St.Louis Cardinals
These are my top teams going into week #2. This is based mostly on my current perceptions of each team with some minor consideration given to week one results.
This week I was able to sit down with a very special guest. Jeff is the former GM of the Columbia Fire and current GM of the undefeated Fresno Chaos. Here is some of the transcript of our conversation.
1. This is your first year in Fresno. Have you had time to "put your stamp" on this team?
Most definitely. We've brought in 19 new faces this season and completely revamped offensive and defensive schemes. My teams thrive on consistency and teamwork and it'll be no different this year.
2. Where do you see this team going in the future? Can you make the playoffs this year, with this team?
There's only one way I know to answer both of those questions and that's all the way to the top. I don't ask for anything less than excellence from my players, so it wouldn't be right if I asked for anything less from myself. We've got the playmakers, we've got what we feel are very strong lines on both sides of the ball, and we've got brilliant minds up in the box upstairs. My staff and I don't mess around; we don't make any sissy 3-year plans. We give 110% effort and let the football gods decide the rest. That said, I expect us to be an AFC powerhouse for years to come.
3. What happened in Columbia last year? There were rumors about a falling about between yourself and star QB Julian Cartagena. Is there any truth to this?
I'm surprise an esteemed reporter such as yourself would give any weight to such rumors to tell you the truth, Vic. No, my resignation last year had nothing to do with Julian. It really boiled down to a lack of committment on my part. Sometimes you've got to sit back and look at things from a different perspective to see what's really going on. Due to a number of things, football became started to play second fiddle in my mind. It's unfortunate that it happened in the middle of the season, but it was totally necessary. I'm just thankful that Chaos ownership and the city of Fresno were willing to take a chance on a guy like me.
4. You've got a big game against a talented Oakland team. What advantages does Fresno have over the Assassins?
Fresno has quite a few advantages over the Assassins. Firstly, we feel that we've got more football players on this team; guys that want it more. My players are willing to go to war with each other and that not only gives up an advantage in Week 2, but for the season here on out. Secondly, us coaches have been working our tails off getting this team prepared technically. Our coordinators are the cream of the crop and have come up with systems that are sure to keep many teams off balance this season.
5. Talk a little bit about your star players, Kraig Marasco and Bucky Beaver?
Bucky is exactly the kind of guy you want staring down the defense from the backfield; he's fearless. He's got great vision and can break the long on on any given play. We expect big things from Bucky this year, since we've got one of the strongest lines in the IFL. He just needs to do what he does best and that's to run hard on every play.
Kraig is as fearless, if not more. Unfortunately for him, he was working with a pretty young quarterback during his days in Lawrence and he wasn't able to get the number of touches he needs on a consistent basis. In 2006, he's going to be a large piece of the puzzle. I had a talk with him and we both agreed that this will be his first 1000-yard season. He's going to get the ball plenty, there's no doubt about that. We've implemented something that we feel is pretty groundbreaking. We call it the 'Kraig ratio'.
6. Is there anything else you'd like to add, that I haven't asked?
Not really, though I would like to thank you for sitting down with me today; it's much appreciated. We'll have to drink some champagne after a Chaos victory on Sunday. Of course, you'll be buying.
Thanks to Jeff for taking time this week.
Until next time,
Vic
Season Record
0-0
Career Record
29-29
Game of the Week
FRE @ OAK (-1)
This is going to be a great game. As I analysed this game in depth, and in talking with the FRE GM, I think FRE wins this game. FRE has a lot of talent in key positions. I think RB Bucky Beaver is really the X factor. His gamebreaking skills will give FRE the advantage over OAK. OAK has also struggled a little at home losing 7 of 8 at home last season. Gene Hamilton will try his best to keep this one close, but FRE will win the possession battle and keep Hamilton off of the field. I will be travelling to OAK for the game this weekend. Stock up the press box this weekend, Jave.
ALB (-1) @ SLC
Maybe I've just got too much respect for Sweet, Money, and Booker. I just think that having the Stallions as 1 point underdogs is a little crazy. Don't get me wrong, ALB is a much improved team. I think the advantage goes to TJ Palmeteer and the Stallions coaches. Stallions win at home
MON @ CBA (-2)
CBA has a big advantage in a QB comparison. Lyman Shropshire is a decent QB, but not in the same class as Julian Cartagena. Cartagena breaks out with his first 300yd passing game of the year in leading his team to victory
MUR @ LAW (-8)
LAW is coming off of a tough loss last week. They get a "get well" card this week against MUR. My guess is that the MUR offense will not score more than a FG. They should get their young rookie QB in there this week. Get the young lad some reps!
HOU @ NWK (-2)
Alan Crespo has a new running mate in Colin Blain. NWK also has some keys to a good passing game. HOU is a little thin at CB this week with Alonzo Sack being doubtful. Look for Scott Nelson to pass the Bulldogs to victory in this one.
Vic's Top 5 Teams
1.Vermont Mountaineers
2.Columbia Fire
3.Little Rock Toads
4.Louisiana VooDoo
5.St.Louis Cardinals
These are my top teams going into week #2. This is based mostly on my current perceptions of each team with some minor consideration given to week one results.
This week I was able to sit down with a very special guest. Jeff is the former GM of the Columbia Fire and current GM of the undefeated Fresno Chaos. Here is some of the transcript of our conversation.
1. This is your first year in Fresno. Have you had time to "put your stamp" on this team?
Most definitely. We've brought in 19 new faces this season and completely revamped offensive and defensive schemes. My teams thrive on consistency and teamwork and it'll be no different this year.
2. Where do you see this team going in the future? Can you make the playoffs this year, with this team?
There's only one way I know to answer both of those questions and that's all the way to the top. I don't ask for anything less than excellence from my players, so it wouldn't be right if I asked for anything less from myself. We've got the playmakers, we've got what we feel are very strong lines on both sides of the ball, and we've got brilliant minds up in the box upstairs. My staff and I don't mess around; we don't make any sissy 3-year plans. We give 110% effort and let the football gods decide the rest. That said, I expect us to be an AFC powerhouse for years to come.
3. What happened in Columbia last year? There were rumors about a falling about between yourself and star QB Julian Cartagena. Is there any truth to this?
I'm surprise an esteemed reporter such as yourself would give any weight to such rumors to tell you the truth, Vic. No, my resignation last year had nothing to do with Julian. It really boiled down to a lack of committment on my part. Sometimes you've got to sit back and look at things from a different perspective to see what's really going on. Due to a number of things, football became started to play second fiddle in my mind. It's unfortunate that it happened in the middle of the season, but it was totally necessary. I'm just thankful that Chaos ownership and the city of Fresno were willing to take a chance on a guy like me.
4. You've got a big game against a talented Oakland team. What advantages does Fresno have over the Assassins?
Fresno has quite a few advantages over the Assassins. Firstly, we feel that we've got more football players on this team; guys that want it more. My players are willing to go to war with each other and that not only gives up an advantage in Week 2, but for the season here on out. Secondly, us coaches have been working our tails off getting this team prepared technically. Our coordinators are the cream of the crop and have come up with systems that are sure to keep many teams off balance this season.
5. Talk a little bit about your star players, Kraig Marasco and Bucky Beaver?
Bucky is exactly the kind of guy you want staring down the defense from the backfield; he's fearless. He's got great vision and can break the long on on any given play. We expect big things from Bucky this year, since we've got one of the strongest lines in the IFL. He just needs to do what he does best and that's to run hard on every play.
Kraig is as fearless, if not more. Unfortunately for him, he was working with a pretty young quarterback during his days in Lawrence and he wasn't able to get the number of touches he needs on a consistent basis. In 2006, he's going to be a large piece of the puzzle. I had a talk with him and we both agreed that this will be his first 1000-yard season. He's going to get the ball plenty, there's no doubt about that. We've implemented something that we feel is pretty groundbreaking. We call it the 'Kraig ratio'.
6. Is there anything else you'd like to add, that I haven't asked?
Not really, though I would like to thank you for sitting down with me today; it's much appreciated. We'll have to drink some champagne after a Chaos victory on Sunday. Of course, you'll be buying.
Thanks to Jeff for taking time this week.
Until next time,
Vic
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