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TB is pleased to present its sixth edition of its "Ten Game Review".
:scratchhead: All of you know should be familiar with the drill from the past: TB has taken a liking to this particular time in the season (after week 11 is completed), a point in time when the bye weeks are kaput and each team has played a full ten games.
At this juncture ... the playing conditions are the same for each team’s GM for the remainder of the season:
:arrow: You have ten games are under your belt and there remains only six games to help determine your destiny in the playoffs.
:arrow: You have played four of your six division games, so there is not too much wiggle room in that category.
:arrow: Trading has long past you by and you are stuck with what you currently have because there is absolutely nothing, and we repeat, zero, in the FA pool.
:arrow: There are no more bye weeks to heal an injury or two.
As we turn the corner, we can see the playoff promise land in the distance. Yes, all GM's can finally visualize the finish line in the distance (granted some have a better view than others). The plan will be simple ... nut up for the privilege to make a statement in the playoffs. With a six game schedule, a team can get hot. On the other hand, a team can cool down and let another pass it up on the rail.
TEN WEEK REVIEW: 2019
American Conference Observations:
Portland opened a new 99,000 seat stadium last year. The next largest stadium in the IFL can be found in Orlando at 85,000 seats. Incredibly, every seat was sold in the 2018 season. This year's attendance is running at 98,700 which is only 300 seats/game short of another sellout season. Somebody is doing something right!
Biggest Controversy: For the second season in a row, we sorely miss the cartoons featuring "Wile-E- Coyote” :behindsofa:.
:shithappens: A Death Spiral: Fresno, you knew this was coming. After two promising seasons and some nice talent additions, the Warthogs have really stubbed their big toes this year, and have thus earned the “shit happens” award.
:shoot: Most Dangerous Team: West Virginia have staked claim to their previous perch, high on top of the AC mountain top. Rightfully earned, they have wins over 9-1 Lawrence and 9-1 Norfolk.
The Dark Horse Team: Portland has caught our eye. After benching a future hall of famer candidate, Jay Caro, the Seal coaching staff has the team hitting on all cylinders. Since taking over the helm at QB, the 4th year signal caller, Karl Bauer, has quietly positioned the Seals to seriously challenge the high flying Beasts and Vipers. We’ll find out how real they really are after they host the Vipers in a regular season matchup in one week.
:?: Projected wins needed to reach the playoffs as a wild card: We believe that a team should feel comfortable to gain a berth in a wild card game with ten (10) wins.
Most exciting division:
AC-SOUTH - This division has had some bad times in recent years … and in honesty, still has a way to go. BUT, we like what we see in the reemergence of St. Louis and Houston to challenge the Mules. Murfreesboro may have a lead at this juncture, but we wouldn’t advise them to think that they can coast to a division championship quite yet.
Teams, we think are out of the hunt: This is our least favorite thread in this review but we call them like we see them. The black list includes: Montreal, Wichita, Louisiana, Chicago, Hartford, Los Angeles, Fresno.
Locks for a playoff spot: Norfolk, West Virginia, Portland have enough wins and/or the schedule to carry them to a playoff berth. This leaves six teams vying for the remaining four slots – Cleveland, Iowa City, Murfreesboro, Houston, St. Louis, & Anchorage. There will only be one wild card up for grabs because either Norfolk or West Virginia will claim it as the runner-up of the AC-EAST. A new report will be issued each week to the end of the regular season to track progress.
THE INFAMOUS TB PREDICTION (barring any critical injuries):
:arrow: AC North Champion - Iowa City
:arrow: AC South Champion – Murfreesboro
:arrow: AC East Champion - West Virginia
:arrow: AC West Champion -Portland
:arrow: Wild Card – Norfolk
:arrow: Wild Card – Anchorage
National Conference Observations:
A Good Surprise:Take a look at Pennsylvania. The team lost Cavazos several seasons back, but rebounded right away by acquring all-world Mr. Hamilton. Then they lost him to Dakota during the off season. And now ... they still lead their division. This all but points out that the team is well managed and has depth beyond the talented signal callers from their most recent seasons.
Biggest Controversy: The acquisition of the aforementioned Mr. Hamilton by Dakota is one which many will “Monday morning quarterback” for a long time. And perhaps that is a bit unfair to the Dakota front office, but we think there were a lot of GMs looking at this acquisition at the same time it was made. Discussion at the water cooler focuses on: 1) A lot to pay for a man about to retire (granted Hamilton has shown he can do it all and even as a senior); 2) And a commitment to more big bucks next year as well; 3) And was there really the supporting cast to really compete with the elite. Well, if we only had 20/20 hindsight vision!
:shithappens: A Death Spiral - Multiple teams had declines, Madison, Georgia, Vermont, Salt Lake City. No team stands out from the others to take the award out right … so, all get a share of the stink and can call this season a big “fart.”
:shoot: Most Dangerous Team: Lawrence at long last has reclaimed its perch on top of the National Conference. Having beat Newark twice, and Tulsa, their only blemish was by 3 points to AC power house West Virginia.
The Dark Horse Team: Tulsa isn’t really a dark horse ... but they are our choice. After losing to Lawrence early in the season, their offense as well as their defense are in their own zones.
:?: Projected wins needed to reach the playoffs as a wild card:
As in the American Conference, the runner-up in the NC-East will get a wild card … so there is only one wild card up for grabs and that will come out of the NC-West. Projected wins needed to claim this berth is nine (9).
Most exciting division: NC-WEST Oakland, Reno, & Vancouver)will provide a lot of entertainment for the division championship and a wild card berth. The next six weeks will be like musical chairs and when the music stops, one team will not get an invite to the post season party.
Teams out of the hunt: Don't kill the messenger. Madison, Lansing, Georgia, Texas, Little Rock, Vermont, Orlando, & Salt Lake City.
Locks for a playoff spot: Lawrence,Tulsa and Newark. This leaves five teams still in the hunt for a playoff berth: Pennsylvania & Dakota in the North; Oakland, Vancouver & Reno in the West.
THE INFAMOUS TB PREDICTION (barring any critical injuries):
:arrow: NC North Champion - Pennsylvania
:arrow: NC South Champion – Tulsa
:arrow: AC East Champion - Lawrence
:arrow: AC West Champion - Oakland
:arrow: Wild Card – Newark
:arrow: Wild Card – Vancouver
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:thewave:
Circle these on your calendar : Prime time games that most likely will impact a First Week Bye.
Lawrence at Norfolk (week 12)
Norfolk at Portland (week 13)
Lawrence at Oakland (week 13)
Pennsylvania at Tulsa (week 13)
West Virginia at Newark (week 14)
Norfolk at Newarkweek 14)
Tulsa at Murfreesboro (week 16)
West Virginia at Norfolk (week 16)
Tulsa at Montreal (week 16)
Iowa City at Cleveland (week 17)
Happy hunting for all playoff hopefuls!
:scratchhead: All of you know should be familiar with the drill from the past: TB has taken a liking to this particular time in the season (after week 11 is completed), a point in time when the bye weeks are kaput and each team has played a full ten games.
At this juncture ... the playing conditions are the same for each team’s GM for the remainder of the season:
:arrow: You have ten games are under your belt and there remains only six games to help determine your destiny in the playoffs.
:arrow: You have played four of your six division games, so there is not too much wiggle room in that category.
:arrow: Trading has long past you by and you are stuck with what you currently have because there is absolutely nothing, and we repeat, zero, in the FA pool.
:arrow: There are no more bye weeks to heal an injury or two.
As we turn the corner, we can see the playoff promise land in the distance. Yes, all GM's can finally visualize the finish line in the distance (granted some have a better view than others). The plan will be simple ... nut up for the privilege to make a statement in the playoffs. With a six game schedule, a team can get hot. On the other hand, a team can cool down and let another pass it up on the rail.
TEN WEEK REVIEW: 2019
American Conference Observations:
Portland opened a new 99,000 seat stadium last year. The next largest stadium in the IFL can be found in Orlando at 85,000 seats. Incredibly, every seat was sold in the 2018 season. This year's attendance is running at 98,700 which is only 300 seats/game short of another sellout season. Somebody is doing something right!
Biggest Controversy: For the second season in a row, we sorely miss the cartoons featuring "Wile-E- Coyote” :behindsofa:.:shithappens: A Death Spiral: Fresno, you knew this was coming. After two promising seasons and some nice talent additions, the Warthogs have really stubbed their big toes this year, and have thus earned the “shit happens” award.
:shoot: Most Dangerous Team: West Virginia have staked claim to their previous perch, high on top of the AC mountain top. Rightfully earned, they have wins over 9-1 Lawrence and 9-1 Norfolk.
The Dark Horse Team: Portland has caught our eye. After benching a future hall of famer candidate, Jay Caro, the Seal coaching staff has the team hitting on all cylinders. Since taking over the helm at QB, the 4th year signal caller, Karl Bauer, has quietly positioned the Seals to seriously challenge the high flying Beasts and Vipers. We’ll find out how real they really are after they host the Vipers in a regular season matchup in one week. :?: Projected wins needed to reach the playoffs as a wild card: We believe that a team should feel comfortable to gain a berth in a wild card game with ten (10) wins.
Most exciting division: AC-SOUTH - This division has had some bad times in recent years … and in honesty, still has a way to go. BUT, we like what we see in the reemergence of St. Louis and Houston to challenge the Mules. Murfreesboro may have a lead at this juncture, but we wouldn’t advise them to think that they can coast to a division championship quite yet.
Teams, we think are out of the hunt: This is our least favorite thread in this review but we call them like we see them. The black list includes: Montreal, Wichita, Louisiana, Chicago, Hartford, Los Angeles, Fresno. Locks for a playoff spot: Norfolk, West Virginia, Portland have enough wins and/or the schedule to carry them to a playoff berth. This leaves six teams vying for the remaining four slots – Cleveland, Iowa City, Murfreesboro, Houston, St. Louis, & Anchorage. There will only be one wild card up for grabs because either Norfolk or West Virginia will claim it as the runner-up of the AC-EAST. A new report will be issued each week to the end of the regular season to track progress. THE INFAMOUS TB PREDICTION (barring any critical injuries)::arrow: AC North Champion - Iowa City
:arrow: AC South Champion – Murfreesboro
:arrow: AC East Champion - West Virginia
:arrow: AC West Champion -Portland
:arrow: Wild Card – Norfolk
:arrow: Wild Card – Anchorage
National Conference Observations:
A Good Surprise:Take a look at Pennsylvania. The team lost Cavazos several seasons back, but rebounded right away by acquring all-world Mr. Hamilton. Then they lost him to Dakota during the off season. And now ... they still lead their division. This all but points out that the team is well managed and has depth beyond the talented signal callers from their most recent seasons. Biggest Controversy: The acquisition of the aforementioned Mr. Hamilton by Dakota is one which many will “Monday morning quarterback” for a long time. And perhaps that is a bit unfair to the Dakota front office, but we think there were a lot of GMs looking at this acquisition at the same time it was made. Discussion at the water cooler focuses on: 1) A lot to pay for a man about to retire (granted Hamilton has shown he can do it all and even as a senior); 2) And a commitment to more big bucks next year as well; 3) And was there really the supporting cast to really compete with the elite. Well, if we only had 20/20 hindsight vision!:shithappens: A Death Spiral - Multiple teams had declines, Madison, Georgia, Vermont, Salt Lake City. No team stands out from the others to take the award out right … so, all get a share of the stink and can call this season a big “fart.”
:shoot: Most Dangerous Team: Lawrence at long last has reclaimed its perch on top of the National Conference. Having beat Newark twice, and Tulsa, their only blemish was by 3 points to AC power house West Virginia.
The Dark Horse Team: Tulsa isn’t really a dark horse ... but they are our choice. After losing to Lawrence early in the season, their offense as well as their defense are in their own zones. :?: Projected wins needed to reach the playoffs as a wild card:
As in the American Conference, the runner-up in the NC-East will get a wild card … so there is only one wild card up for grabs and that will come out of the NC-West. Projected wins needed to claim this berth is nine (9).
Most exciting division: NC-WEST Oakland, Reno, & Vancouver)will provide a lot of entertainment for the division championship and a wild card berth. The next six weeks will be like musical chairs and when the music stops, one team will not get an invite to the post season party. Teams out of the hunt: Don't kill the messenger. Madison, Lansing, Georgia, Texas, Little Rock, Vermont, Orlando, & Salt Lake City. Locks for a playoff spot: Lawrence,Tulsa and Newark. This leaves five teams still in the hunt for a playoff berth: Pennsylvania & Dakota in the North; Oakland, Vancouver & Reno in the West. THE INFAMOUS TB PREDICTION (barring any critical injuries)::arrow: NC North Champion - Pennsylvania
:arrow: NC South Champion – Tulsa
:arrow: AC East Champion - Lawrence
:arrow: AC West Champion - Oakland
:arrow: Wild Card – Newark
:arrow: Wild Card – Vancouver
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:thewave:
Circle these on your calendar : Prime time games that most likely will impact a First Week Bye.
Lawrence at Norfolk (week 12)
Norfolk at Portland (week 13)
Lawrence at Oakland (week 13)
Pennsylvania at Tulsa (week 13)
West Virginia at Newark (week 14)
Norfolk at Newarkweek 14)
Tulsa at Murfreesboro (week 16)
West Virginia at Norfolk (week 16)
Tulsa at Montreal (week 16)
Iowa City at Cleveland (week 17)
Happy hunting for all playoff hopefuls!
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