Hello everyone that is reading this, or in some of your cases having it read to you, hope you are all having a great week. I know this past weekend it was supposed to be raining and a little cooler, but it wasn’t. We ended up with the blistering heat again and everyone needs to drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after so you can stay hydrated. It’s not cool see a guy throwing up on the sideline after a long run. I know you guys are all grown men and shouldn’t need to be told, you obliviously do need to be told also remember sunscreen. That is enough of me trying to be your parent and look after all of you guys. I just don’t want anyone to get heat stroke like last year and blame a poor performance on it or not even play the game (ed's note: heat stroke is incredibly serious and I believe the MFL may have even done a PSA about it that got "lost").

 

Weekly Recap

 

Outlaws vs Trollers (27-18)

This was a battle between the two best teams in the division and it played out like that. Outlaws had a few subs playing with them and that is fine, but we need to get the sub rule cleared up. Right now you can have a sub to bring you up to seven unless you have a QB that doesn’t play defense then you can have it up to eight. I’m fine with that, but that eighth player should not be allowed to step on the field on offense (ed's note: I like the idea and we can implement it for the fall). That’s just how I see it. I just wanted to put that out there. The outcome of the game was not decided by that at all, it was decided by the Trollers not being able to stop Smuda.  He was a one man wrecking crew. He had over 100 yards receiving and came up with a huge interception when the Trollers were in the red zone and looking to score and go up. Outlaws took the ball after the turnover marched down the field and scored to go up seven. They setup to go for one called a timeout and went for two, got it, and were up nine and that was it. Not enough time for the Trollers to score twice. These two teams look to be on a collision course to play again, but this time if everything plays out properly it will be in the finals.

 

Revolucion vs Bitter Boys (26-54)

So Raph gets in the Hall of Fame and then plays like this. You all looked at me like I was crazy when you voted him in. This was a game that they needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Raph choked and has now allowed Bitter Boys to jump them into the last playoff spot. I will say that Bitter Boys played really well, should they play like this the rest of the way they might be a force to reckoned with come playoff time. I knew Bitter Boys played a lot of tight games and it was going to take a while to get used to playing stronger teams before it started to click for them. They have it all figured out now and will rely on JS, Pat, and Guillaume the rest of the way. Oh, I also forgot about their beast of a rusher David. Bitter Boys are a good team, I can’t say the same about Revolucion as they are short a real QB who can get it done week in and week out. People think I crap on Raph all the time and that might be true, but he is inconsistent and always starts the season well then his arm gives out.

 

Henchmen vs Gros Coqs (25-0)

So this game was a forfeit since Gros Coqs couldn’t get there on time and once they did it was already too late as they had surrendered enough points for the game to be over. It also didn’t help that the Henchmen had all left since it was only going to be for fun at that point. I know rules are rules and need to be followed so I did have to enforce them. Jon could have allowed for the game to be rescheduled since this was a big matchup for both teams in a tight playoff battle with each other (ed's note: Wait, what? I was the one saying it shouldn't even be a forfeit and we could just wait! The refs said no!). Henchmen would rather take the easy win and get a game up then postpone to another day and play like real men (ed's note: see previous ed's note). If this game comes back as the deciding game it should really be played out. Jon man up and play don’t run and hide behind the rules (ed's note: This has to be ironic, right? I was still there when my team had half left saying "let's play!"). Play the game over. The league deserves the four best teams in the playoffs not the top three and your team by a technicality. (ed's note: maybe the Trollers won't qualify, by "technicality"...)

 

GOTW (Game of the Week)

Bitter Boys vs Gros Coqs

QB- We have two totally different styles here. JS is going to sit in the pocket and not move and throw quickly and hard. Dom is going to run around and buy time to find a guy open or take off and run. Both styles work for each QB, though if they tried to switch and play like the other I’d give Dom the advantage since JS doesn’t move around that well. I’m not asking them to do that so overall at times Dom running around is great, but it also gets him in trouble so with that said I will give the advantage to JS and Bitter Boys.

 

WR- This one is tough Bitter Boys have three guys who catch most of their passes in Mario, Pat, and Guillaume. Two of them can and will make plays consistently and Mario doesn’t drop many balls and will make a play here and there. For the Gros Coqs it will be a matter of who shows up for them. They also have three guys who catch most of the passes in Bresse, Etienne, and Vince, out of those three only one guy is a true game changer. That would be Bresse. He is also the only one of the three to average more than 8 yards a catch. The reason why this is tricky is that you never know who will show up for the Gros Coqs. Gros Coqs have a better group of receivers they are faster more athletic, they are also less reliable on showing up to games and for that reason only I have to go with Bitter Boys since I know they will all show up even with a busted knee. So advantage Bitter Boys.

 

Defense- I have said this for years now you need a strong rusher to get good pressure and force the QB to make bad throws or throw before he is ready. Bitter Boys have the number two guy in David who doesn’t only get sacks he also bats the ball away. He is tall fast and very disciplined. After David the Bitter Boys are alright, but nothing special. They have managed 5 picks and batted 10 balls away, they are solid tacklers and that is a good thing they make you drive down and earn your points. Gros Coqs have the worst pass rush in the division with only 1 sack on the year. Tommy missing is a huge blow to the team and something they need to address. They have managed 7 picks and batted 20 balls away. For the group that they have I would expect the picks to be higher and the batted balls to be way less. The big problem I have with the Gros Coqs is who shows up, on paper they are a way better defense, that’s on paper and you can’t win on paper unless it is fantasy football and this isn’t. I’ll go out on a limb and give the advantage to Gros Coqs. 

 

So this game is going to come down to how well David from Bitter Boys can keep Dom in front of him and not allow him to run. This is a matchup of student vs teacher. Bitter Boys coached a lot of the Gros Coqs so now it is time to show them what they learnt or for the teachers to pull out a few trick they didn’t teach them. It will be a long game For Bitter Boys if they can’t keep Dom from running all over the place. Guess we will have to wait and see what happens. 

 

Predictions

So last week we had three games scheduled then one team showed up late and there was a forfeit so I am not counting that in on my picks because I feel that the game should be played at another time. So out of those two games I actually only had to pick one game since I never pick games that my team is playing in. I went zero for one which brings me to a total of 12 for 18 on the year. It is below my expectations but it will have to do. This week we only have two games to pick from and one of those games is mine so one game only.

Trollers vs 4Simba NA

Bitter Boys vs Gros Coqs

 

That is it for this weeks pick and I know Bitter Boys are going to complain that I didn’t pick them to win especially after such a huge win last week. They have never really seen what Gros Coqs can do when they feel slighted.

 

Power Rankings 

So with one and two playing each other this weekend there was going to be a chance for some movement in my top three. So here they are. 

 

#1) Outlaws

#2) Trollers 

#3)

 

I’ve come to the conclusion that no one deserves the third spot. Henchmen got a free win this week. Bitter Boys won big against Revolucion this week. Gros Coqs can’t show up with a complete team every week. Revolucion have Raph playing QB. 4Simba only have one win and aren’t close in the standings. That is why I left the third spot blank. Anyone who wants it can say it is their team, but you didn’t earn it.

 

Final Thoughts

I want to let you all know that moving forward players need to avoid the refs on the sideline. No talking and stay at least 5 yards away or you team will be penalized. We need the refs to be focused on the game not talking to the players. Teams will be warned during the coin toss and after that flags will begin to fly. If you don’t like it then suck it up and deal with it. Three weeks left in the season and it is very tight for two playoff spots so play hard and try and get in. Remember we are out to have fun get some exercise so play safe and have fun. It’s only a game.