Word from the Mouth: Week 5 - Raiders Double Down edition!

Hello and welcome back. This week there were a lot of interesting games being played and we had to deal with some not so great weather for a few of those games. I hope that the rest of the season we have nice weather. I want to let everyone know that we are going to be starting a canteen selling drinks and little snacks. We are also thinking of doing a BBQ and this should be starting in a few weeks, but I'd love to hear what you guys the players think of the idea. Now let's move on to some football.

Week 4 recap

Iron Wolves vs Red Raiders (24-33)

This was Red Raiders first big challenge of the season and they took it in stride and kept on rolling. I know that Red Raiders were missing a guy or 2, but so were Iron Wolves. This game only had 1 turnover in it and that was thrown by Jon. I figured going in that it was going to be like this as Jon takes minimal chances and prefers to slowly work down the field. What was a little more shocking was that Red Raiders didn't jump more of those short routes. I'm not sure if Rob (who was away for the early game) calls the defense and if he does then that might be why there was a lack of turnovers. This was a close game and next time they meet it might be a little different.

Raccoons vs Nice TDs (27-6)

So Raccoons man handled the Nice TDs on Saturday. It was nice to see Sebastien out playing with the guys this week. In case you are unaware he was the QB last season and from what I was told was taking the season off to get married. Congratulations on getting married, but also on serving Kris a nice piece of humble pie. I have been waiting for the Raccoons defense to wake up and it looks like they finally did with 4 picks, 1 sack, and only allowing 15 yards rushing on 4 attempts. It looks likes last years champs are having some trouble as it's 2 weeks in a row they get beat. Kris was saying that to be the best you have to beat the best and it looks like Nice TDs are no longer the best.

Les Centurions vs Spritz (37-18)

Les Centurions started the season off slowly with 2 losses by 1 score, but have rebounded with 2 straight wins both in convincing fashion. I will say winning a game with 4 picks is very difficult to do, but they pulled it off this week. Their QB Guillaume is getting more comfortable behind center, but needs to cut back on the picks if they want any chance at beating some of the top teams in the division. Spritz are in desperate need of a guy who can come in to fill the void left by JS. That is until the injury heals up. Spritz have been around for a few seasons and should be able to weather the storm until he is back, but sitting at 1-3 and a few hard games coming up it might be too big of a hole to dig out of. I hope that JS gets back soon so he can try and right the ship.

Red Raiders vs Old School (30-6)

Old School went out and gave it their best shot, but that didn't seem to be enough. I would say that Old School doesn't look like they have in the past and Dahic isn't playing QB the way he did a few seasons ago when he led them to the title. I spoke to Dahic after the game and he said that these guys are really good and could go play division 1 easily. I said that exact same thing a few weeks back. Now that Red Raiders have a consistent roster I just don't know who will beat them or how you can even slow them down. Michael is the cream de la cream at the QB position in the division. Their defense has 3 or 4 ball hawks on the roster, so everyone in division 2 have fun trying to beat them. My suggestion to you would be stick around and watch a few of their games and see what they do and if you can spot any weak points. I can bet you that no team will be able to hang with their athleticism. Teams might have 1 or 2 guys who can, but there are 4 or 5 of them.

Free Agents #3 vs Sofa Good Kings (31-13)

This will be short and right to the point. This should be a forfeit 2 players from Free Agents #3 were there and I understand that it was a team put together by the league. If they need subs go ahead and get them, but there needs to be some sort of rule. You can't have a guy in the same division who plays QB playing QB for a team he is subbing on. In my opinion Sofa Good Kings came out to play a game with their roster and had to play a bunch of subs. (ed's note: Until this upcoming Saturday Free Agents only had 3 players on their roster, so they have to have subs! They have 5 on the roster now with 2 new potential joins, so with any luck this won't be the case from now on!)

Space Apes vs Pipe fitters (44-0)

This game was played in the worst weather of the day and was a complete blowout. Half the guys wanted to end it at half time, but they stuck it out and played until almost the end of it. Pipe Fitters needs to do something at the QB position for the season. Singh is completing less than 22% of his passes. I feel he is trying to go deep way too often and should take the short passes which will open up the deep ball. This was such a hard game to watch. Charles played a good game for Apes, but that is what he does. Against weak teams he plays well and stronger teams he tends to fold sometimes.

GOTW (Game of the Week) - Raccoons vs Space Apes

QB- Charles is a decent QB and can make all the throws needed to win a game for you but he is inconsistent. Last week he played well in the rain, but will he continue playing like that this week? Charles tends to look for big plays rather than just take what is there. For the Raccoons, I'm not sure who will be throwing. If Sebastien is coming out to play then I have to assume he will be throwing, if not then it will be Phillipe. Phillipe needs more time to get used to playing the position and with time he will become better, but if they want a chance at winning then Sebastien gives them a better shot. Both QB for Raccoons shouldn't have to do that much to win games, just don't turn it over and score 2 or 3 times and you should be in every game. I have to go and give the advantage to Space Apes since I know who I'm getting for the game.

WR- Raccoons have 4 guys with over 10 catches and 100 yards. There is no one that stands out as the go to guy, but you do need to watch out as the ball gets spread around quite a bit. There is no true deep threat on this roster and it's more mid-range passes that guys will take to the house. For Space Apes Terry and Francios seem to be the guys on this roster, but last week they added a former teammate in Louis and if he is sticking around it makes this unit very dangerous. For now, not knowing if Louis is on the roster permanently, I have to go and give the advantage to Raccoons just because of depth.

Defense- It looks as if Space Apes have a new rusher in Kevin. I thought going into the season that Terry would have been doing it since he has made a name for himself as one of the top rushers in the league. Kevin had big shoes to fill but has been doing a nice job getting 4 sacks and 1 pass defensed. The team has a total of 7 picks so far this season, but have only allowed 19.3 points a game so it seems to be working. Raccoons have stayed with a guy name Alexandre, not sure if Alexandre Lemoyne has just missed game or if he is hurt but Alexandre Sinigagliese is doing his best impersonation and has gotten 4 sacks. The Raccoons also have a very stingy defense as well giving up just a bit more at 19.5 points a game and they have also picked off 11 balls, oh, and they have 3 safeties. Both defenses are solid and make you work for everything you get, so this is what made the decision hard, but I'm going to go ahead and give the advantage to Raccoons based on the teams that they have faced.

This game will be decided by the QBs. If Charles can take what the defense is allowing them to take then Space Apes have a chance. For the Raccoons the big question is who is playing QB. If I knew that then this might be an easier game to pick.

Predictions

Here we are that time of the week again and now we get to see how much confidence I have in your team. Last week was a 500 week going 3 for 6, but there was 1 game that should have been a forfeit which would have made me 4 and 2. On the season I have done a decent job going 17 for 24, just under 75%. Now this week I have 7 games to pick from. Remember my picks are in bold.

Spritz vs Nice TDs

Old School vs D#Nasty

Raccoons vs D#Nasty

Free Agents #3 vs Pipe Fitters

Sofa Good Kings vs Iron Wolves

Raccoons vs Space Apes

Free Agents #3 vs Red Raiders

There you have it, my perfect picks for the weekend. I'm pretty sure I have 5 games and only 2 games worry me.

Power Rankings

This past week there were a lot of games that impacted my thought process on pick the top 3 teams. So here it is my top 3.

#1) Red Raiders

#2) D#Nasty

#3) Iron Wolves

I know it's the same as it was last week even after #1 beat #3 but everyone else that could have crawled up to #3 lost and it was a close game. That was why I left Iron Wolves up, but they are on the bubble and could get knocked off at any point. That could happen to any of the top teams a bad loss and poof you out the top 3.

Final Thought

I like how the season is going so far but I still see a difference between the top and bottom teams, but you are always going to have that. I also think what some teams need to try something different. If the game is out of hand and there is still time left if someone else want to try a new position let them it can't hurt. I have coached flag football for a few years now and I have always allowed a kid to try a position if he wants to and the game is out of hand. You never know what you might get out of it. Remember this is a game we are all out there to have fun, so go have fun and play safe. If you have questions, I'll be there all day Saturday so feel free to come speak to me.