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TOPIC: Indoor Team Reports |
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| GCFFA Reporter
March 14, 2011
3:25:51 PM
Entry #: 3675442
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KNIGHTS (Southington)
Record 6-0
Grade: A
The Knights were the clear-cut best team in the regular season. They have the leagues best QB, Jon Esmail and a slew of weapons on offense including WR's Steve Angiletta and Pito Gonzales along with multi-dimensional TE Kelvin Riddle. Their defense is just as good and when LB Dan Patterson blitzes, very few teams have been able to pick up the extra man, resulting in numerous sacks or hurried throws. If you somehow get the ball off and make a good throw you will find one of the most athletic and discipled secondaries around ready to make a play.
Beating the Knights in the playoffs is going to be a tall order for any team but not impossible. If you can find a way to get pressure on Big Ben and can hold your own on the offensive line you have a chance. Like anywhere else you have to protect the ball and win the turnover game if your going to succeed.
PLAYMAKERS (Naugatuck)
Record: 5-1
Grade: A-
The Playmakers proved to be just that this season. With an offense that features one of, if not the best WR in the league in Pat Hussey and the always energetic Rob Servidas at QB, they have put up big play after big play all year. A solid offensive line and solid TE play make the offense as well rounded as any. Defensively they feature an airtight 2 deep zone that has given up the second fewest points in the league. Word is they lost their emotional leader in LB Martine Jones who injured his knee in week 5. How well they play without him will be interesting.
Keeping Servidas in the pocket is one of the keys to beating this squad, if you can do that and find the holes in their zone defense they can be beat. A late season loss to the Knights and a narrow victory over a 7 player Chargers team makes me leary that they wont hold up vs either of these squads in a big game.........we will find out Wednesday.
CHARGERS (New Haven)
Record: 4-2
Grade: B
The Chargers started out the season with games against the Playmakers and Knights and walked away 0-2. If theres a silver lining to the winless start it is that they were grossly undermanned vs Playmakers and lost on last second play and with their back-up QB, gaving the Knights their closest game of the year. With Tim Uhl at the helm and a veteran receiving core they have the weapons to score vs anyone. The offensive line will need to do a better job vs top DE's if they are going to advance in the playoffs. Defensively the have been improving weekly but have struggled against running QB's, which could be trouble. S Jaime Mendez and CB Rich Kirkland lead the secondary and will have QB's looking elsewhere for their completions.
Besides the Knights, the Chargers are the hottest team going into the playoffs but as stated they need to improve in the trench's if they are going to win a championship. It should be very interesting to see how their rematch goes with the Playmakers..........if they get past Old Skool
RAIDERS (Waterbury)
Record: 3-3
Grade: C
The Raiders were a bit of an enigma this year, they beat everyone they were supposed to beat........looked great in an OT loss to the Knights, but seemed shell shocked versus the Playmakers and Chargers. This is the most emotion driven and athletic team in the league and that can help or hurt them. QB Brian Chouniard was as good as they come this year, keeping them in every game with big plays through the air and on the ground. The problem, from what we have seen is on defense. With as much talent as they have, they have to improve on the 30 pts per game they gave up vs the top half of the league. DE's Abby Johnson and Rodney Davis can take this D to new levels with their pass rush if they come ready to play.
There isnt a team in the league that wants to see the Raiders on their playoff schedule. They are tough, fast and skilled..........but can they keep it together for a full game is the question. If all the pieces are working together this can still be a championship team but the leaders will need to do just that, LEAD
COWBOYS (Connecticut)
Record: 3-3
Grade: B-
The Cowboys came into the league as a new merger between two average squads and hopefully will walk out of the dome Wednesday as one very solid team. They showed glimpses of being a dynamic offense but must get better overall protection. There are enough weapons on the O, with speedy WR Justin Walters and several solid targets including Matt McCaully and Carlton Doty. TE/DE Frankie Medina has become a beast on both sides and gives the team an emotional boost. Defensively, it looks like guys are still learning the system but the pieces are there for success.
The Canes open the playoffs looking to avenge a week 1 loss to the Raiders. This looks like a great game on paper but much like other teams the Canes will have to find a way to slow down the pass rush from the Raiders if they hope to advance and challenge the Knights
OLD SKOOL (Waterbury)
Record: 2-4
Grade: C-
Old Skool may be a little upset with the C- grade but thats due to how well they played in the first three games versus how they finished the season. They arent the most talented team but they play hard and they play fast. If they are going to make the move out of the lower half of the league they need to get QB Jerome Mitchell on board and at the games every week. WR Danny Awud is a solid playmaker but besides him and Pete Torres the offense lacked punch. Defensively this team needs a legitimate DE and an X's and O's type guy on the field to guide the youngsters.
Seedings have matched Old Skool with the Chargers in the opening round, and desite the 21-2 final score they played very well in their first matchup. Hopefully they will have a full squad and make this another great 1st round game
SHARKS (Bristol)
Record: 1-5
Grade: C
Despite their record and some obvious deficincies on the field the Sharks played with great energy and a lot of heart all season. QB Phil Cushon led the team in every way and provided us with more than a few memorable QB scrambles, leaving defenders on the mat. As is the problem with most newer teams the Sharks need to add depth across the board, especially in the trenches. These guys always seem to be halving fun, despite the losses and that alone is a good sign for a team ready to make the move outdoors.
UNKOWNS (Watertown)
Record: 0-6
Grade: D
There arent a whole lot of positives to pull away from this indoor league for the Unknowns, but like the Sharks this team showed up week in and week out with atleast 12-15 guys and took their lumps. They have two veterans calling the shots in Steve Sanders and Nick Perillo and both have the flag knowledge to get these guys on track. Its time to go out and get some athletes and a true QB, not to mention a few guys to block for them. We will see if they are able to regroup and get the right mix of players to get out the basement next season
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| PLAYER
March 14, 2011
6:36:55 PM
Entry #: 3675667
| CHRIS HIRE THIS GUY, THATS THE BEST WRITEUP WE HAVE EVER HAD ON THIS SITE.
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| Chris
March 14, 2011
7:51:21 PM
Entry #: 3675745
| DONE
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