Word From The Mouth: Now In New Fall Flavour!

Word From The Mouth: Now In New Fall Flavour!

Kevin Kousaie

Here we are at the start of another season, and let me start by saying congratulations to the Holy Trollers for winning their second straight title. There are a few questions that we need to find the answers to. Can the Trollers become the first 3 time champs and become the first real dynasty in the MFL? Can Les Gros Coqs go undefeated again this season, but this time finish it off with a title? How much of an impact is Smuda going to have with the Outlaws?

 

From what I'm hearing but it’s not set in stone yet, but it’s possible that only 4 out of 6 teams will make the playoffs. If that is the case barring some sort of major injury who is going to be the fourth team to make it in? My bet would be on Revolucion making it in, but Deep Threats came on strong at the end of last season and there is no way OG Panthers are going to be that bad again this season. I won’t talk about the one and only preseason game from last week since it was the Outlaws vs three members of the Gros Coqs.

 

(Ed’s note: The OG Panthers are unfortunately out for the fall season, so it will be 4 of 5 making the playoffs this year)

 

So lets get to answering those questions I asked before. Yes, the Trollers are the first real dynasty the MFL has ever had. They have been around from the beginning, they have 4 titles, and these guys have played together for years now. Trollers might not have the most skill from top to bottom (Ed’s note: they have the most skill from top to one away from the bottom), but they do play together very well and know what it takes to win close games. Will they win it all this season? I want to say yes but some people will think I’m being cocky, heck if you want to be the champ you got to beat the champ when it counts and no one has been able to do that in years, so why not make us three time champs. Yes, this is before a game has been played but I know what the Trollers are capable of.

 

Gros Coqs chances of going undefeated. They did it last season and they have a really strong roster that is more that capable of doing it again. The question is will they want to knowing what happened last season? This season it will be harder to get to 10-0 as the division got way stronger since there are fewer teams and all the teams are going to compete to win. The thing is how they will come back this season after a real tight loss at the end of last year. There are only two ways to handle it: come out and prove that last year wasn’t a fluke or that they weren’t really that good last season and they played a few weaker teams. Best of luck guys and lets see how you guys play this season.

 

Smuda to the Outlaws. This is the biggest move of the off season. I will give it to Steve, he is always looking to upgrade his team and bring in new players. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. Steve should know that it will take time for them to gel as a unit. Yes Smuda is a great player and the Outlaws are a team that competes every year, but will it be enough to bring them a second title. Has Steve finally found his replacement for Shyanne? Only playing the season will answer these questions, but I’d bet that I’m pretty accurate with what I’m saying here.

 

As for who the fourth team to make the playoffs will be, my money would be on Revolucion. During the one week off season it looks as if they found a new QB and another solid player. It looks as if Ben, last falls MVP, throwing the ball around and there is a possibility that David who played a few seasons ago with them is back. I don’t think they have any problems on offense, I think their struggles will be on the defensive side of the ball. They are a bit older, slower, and take too long to make adjustments. Their offense will mask some of those because they should be able to score so all their games might be shootouts. Lets hope so those are fun games to watch. Deep Threats need to make sure that Jon is there all season if they want to have any chance. Jon is hands down there best player by far. JC has made strides at becoming a better QB, but still takes too many shots deep and he needs to keep the ball away from Francis the guy with the worst hands in the league by far.

 

 

Predictions

 

This sections is the only part that really matters to some people they want to see if I have them winning. So lets start off the season by giving you all what you want.

 

Outlaws vs Deep Threats                         Outlaws

Revolucion vs Gros Coqs                         Coqs 

 

That’s is it for this week and I want to let you all know that we are glad you are all back and it should make for a fun and exciting season. I’m going to add a new section onto my article next week and some of you will like it and I can guarantee some of you won’t. I want to say that this year make sure your shirts or pinnies are tucked and your flag belt is visible at all times we are going to be cracking down on this and also the only person the refs want to here talking to them is the team captain. So lets go out there have fun and be safe. See you all on Saturday.

Word From The Mouth: Word From The Finals

Word From The Mouth: Word From The Finals

Kevin Kousaie

So where should I start or how should I go about writing this since it will be my conclusion to the season? I was thinking about only writing about the championship team and how they got there or just write about the weekend as a whole. I will say that the semifinals games were a lot more exciting than the finals were. I understand that teams are missing players, but come on guys, it’s the playoffs. You play all season for this then can’t make the playoffs? All you have done was hurt your teams chances at winning.

 

Outlaws vs Krakens

 

I will say this to start that both teams were missing guys and not guys you can easily replace. I mean Outlaws got a text at 10:15 saying their rusher was sick and wasn’t going to be able to make it. Mathieu you got to suck it up and play. It’s called having a pair and not letting your team down. For the Krakens you had one of the Mathieus missing along with nice guy Silvio who was unable to make it back from his new home city in SF. All 3 of those guys could have and probably would have made a difference. This was still a very close game from what I heard from the players after the game. Going into the game I felt that the Krakens were a stronger team, but not by a lot until you pencil in the missing guys and when Steve has to be the guy rushing. I figured that Rob was going to have a field day on their defense. Krakens were able to score on their first possession and then force a turnover on a pick by Francisco to jump out to an early 12 to nothing lead, but then the Outlaws got it together and started playing. On the last play of the half the Outlaws managed to score and make it an 8 point game since they were going to be starting with the ball in the second half that was huge. In the second half both teams were scoring at will, but with 1:45 left in the game Outlaws scored and it was now a 1 point game, but they were unable to get the convert. They still had a chance to get the ball back and win though. They forced a punt and had the ball with 29 seconds left. Steve on first down wasn’t able to connect with anyone and then on second down while trying to gain some field position threw a pick and that was all she wrote on the Outlaws season. Krakens move on with a 1 point victory.

 

Trollers vs Gros Coqs

 

This was one of the most exciting games that I have been a part of in the MFL, if not the most exciting game ever for the league. I’m not going to lie, going into this game I was very confident that the Trollers were going to walk away with the win. I know Les Gros Coqs were undefeated and they beat us twice but those other times they beat us we weren’t a full team. The Trollers were able to play some great defense early on in the game and managed to jump out to a 12 point lead, though that didn’t last for too long as the deficit started to get them to play better. Early in the game Andre was having his way with Dom amassing 5 sacks on the day, then Dom decided to start running and that is when this really became a game. Now going in at half time the score was tied at 12 and Les Gros Coqs were starting with it in the second half and had gotten some momentum. 

 

That momentum didn’t last as the Trollers forced a turnover on downs and then proceeded to score and get the convert and go up 7. We stopped them again and went down and scored to go up 25-12 with just under 10 minutes left. Now all we needed to do was not allow any big plays and the game should be ours. F*cken Dom has to go and throw a 44 yard bomb to Bresse to keep it interesting. He didn’t score but Vince did on the next play. Trollers couldn’t score and put the game away but we did manage to waste almost 5 minutes of clock which was ok but not great. Coqs start to move the ball and bring it real close to endzone where Ben makes a beautiful interception on our 2 yard line with 43 seconds left, now we now that the game is over and we are going to the finals. You should never count your chickens before they hatch. Tommy comes up with a safety to give them the ball back down by 4. Under 15 seconds and Dom throws up a pray and somehow with 3 Trollers around Boris is able to catch it and get into the end zone. 12 seconds left we knew it was over for us but we had time for 3 plays and were going to give it a shot. We cut field in half on first play and Josh caught the ball on the 1 yard line and got in on what was the last play of the game. It was a nail bitter right up to the end. I definitely don’t want to go through that again. 

 

Final: Trollers vs Krakens

 

I felt that going into the finals that the Trollers had expelled all their energy and luck against Les Gros Coqs and thought that we were going to come out flat. I will tell you this that no one on the Trollers felt like there was any chance in losing to the Krakens on Saturday. It wasn’t being over confident, but knowing what we were able to exploit. Trollers very rarely huddle up, but right after the first play Max came up to me and said if they leave this defensive match up on me then we were going to take advantage all day long. After each team had one possession I had it in my head that this is going to be a tight game and converts were going to be big, that never came to. This game was a real mismatch, I would have much rather have played the Krakens with their full squad, yes we all want to win but I would like for some drama for the game to be a little closer. Truth of the matter was the Trollers couldn’t stop Smuda all day, but no one else stepped up their game so it was just about not allowing one guy beat us. It also helped that Ben was able to get 3 picks. How I thought going into the game about the Trollers being drained it was more like the Krakens came out strong on first possession, but had nothing after that. I’m not sure of what to write about this game as it wasn’t really a game and both of the semifinal games were much more exciting and way better games. Going into next season teams will be looking to knock us off, but I say bring it we’re ready and waiting.

 

I want to thank everyone who played, refereed, score kept, or even came out to watch this season without you guys there is no MFL. I hope to see everyone in the fall, but I know that isn’t going to happen as we always lose a few teams for fall season. Remember any team can win any week except Raph’s team winning a title, that will never happen. In case you’re keeping score its 4-0 for Kevin. Just messing with you Raph you’re always competitive even with a weaker roster, though you got a few guys now you just need a few more and a guy to throw them the ball. That’s is it for my writing in Division 1 this season.

Word From The Mouth: Championship Saturday Edition

Word From The Mouth: Championship Saturday Edition

Kevin Kousaie

So we are here the final week of the season. At the beginning of the season I could have bet money that it would have come down to these four teams. I could choose to talk about what happened in last week’s games, but really none of the games were that close and who wants to talk about the past when we can talk about the upcoming finals. Plus I have to get back to whooping ass in Madden 19 (ed’s note: back on PC! Now about bringing NCAA back…). Lets jump right into this weeks games.

 

Game Previews

 

Outlaws vs Krakens

 

This is the third meeting between these two teams they split those games with a 1 point differential for the Krakens. That was in the season and now that we are in playoffs anything can happen. Both teams are strong, you have to be to get this far, but it will come down to QB play. The guy who can stay calm and keep his cool and not turn the ball over should walk away with the win.

 

QB - The Krakens have Rob and he might be the oldest QB in the league, but the guy has put up great numbers and doesn’t show his age. Rob is one of the more competitive guys who plays the position. Yes all QBs want to win, but Rob shows it. He can be very emotional at times and that is the only area for concern with me. He makes all the right throws and takes what the defense gives him. To make that change you need to get after him quickly and take that first read away. Outlaws have Steve who I have played with for a few seasons now in FPF, I could be a real a** and tell you exactly what he wants to do and who to watch out for, but I want it to be a competitive game. Steve has been in the league since the LCL days. I have seen him succeed and choke at different times. Steve has always put his guys where they have a chance to win. Steve might not have the strongest arm in the league, but he knows how to throw guys open and design plays that will work to get guys open. I love Steve and all but I have to give Rob the advantage here.

 

WR - Outlaws have a bunch of solid guys who can all make plays. The guy with the least catches on the team is Vince with 19, but he missed 3 games. I think that Vince is a very hard guy to guard since he is really fast and can make a guy or two miss. I’ve seen him take a 2 yard pass and run right by the entire defense and score. Outlaws have a lot of guys but they don’t really have a go to guy, it’s more like when they get chance they make things happen. Krakens to me have the best group in the league. I talked about this group at the beginning of the season. How can you stop all the weapons they have? You got Smuda, Silvio, Carmelo, and Francisco. Those would be the four guys that you really need to pay attention to since they get most of the balls. The only way to stop them is hope that someone drops a pass or they run a wrong route or Rob throws a bad pass, cause if they are all on their games it is a long day for the defense. I have to go and give the advantage to the Krakens but it is was closer than you’d think. I would take either group and be happy with it and not complain (ed’s note: I literally cannot imagine a scenario where Kevin would not complain. I don’t mean just in football either. I mean in any scenario in anything).

 

Defense - Krakens defense isn’t like their offense. Yes they have a few guys who can make plays, but they didn’t do it this season. If you take Carmelo off the field then you really just have guys out there that play it safe and give up the catch and make the tackle rather than try to get the pick. They lack a solid pass rush so QBs have time to get to their second and third reads. Outlaws on the other hand have a very good rusher in Mathieu and can cover on the back end. The thing with these guys is that since Mathieu gets good pressure they know the ball is coming out fast and can cover short and jump balls. If you can eliminate the pressure then they are forced to cover longer and you can expose the few weak spots that they have. I am giving the advantage to the Outlaws on the defensive side of the ball. 

 

As for the winner of this game I want to go with the Outlaws but I know that Steve has a hard time with the Krakens. I think Steve will have trouble with them again this weekend but I think he will pull it off. Give me the Outlaws.

 

 

Trollers vs Gros Coqs

 

This is also the third meeting between the two teams, but really this is actually going to be the first meeting where the Trollers have a full team. They were missing a QB the first time and two WRs the second time. This time will be a much tougher game if Les Gros Coqs want to win and stay undefeated (ed’s note: Kevin, do you feel there’s a chance that they don’t want that?).

 

QB - We have two guys here who can both beat you with their arm and legs, but it will come down to who plays the smarter game and doesn’t force the ball. Dom from Gros Coqs had a great season, the guy accounted for 58 TDs with 54 in the air and 4 on the ground. In my opinion Dom is a top QB and if I was to start a team from scratch I think he’d be my number 1 pick. In the past he used to run circles around everyone, but he has gotten away from that and has become a better thrower which makes him even more dangerous since he can still run like there is no tomorrow. Trollers have Max and he is a competitor and wants to win every game. He can make every throw necessary to win, if you need a 40 bomb at the end of the game he can launch it to give you a chance. He has great hip movement and makes a lot of guys miss on first attempt. If Max could get a better feeling on reading defenses I think he would be unstoppable. I have to give the advantage to Dom and Les Gros Coqs.

 

WR - Trollers have two guys in Ben and Josh. Yes, they have other guys but they will need to be given the chance to get the ball. Ben can and will beat you deep all day long. Josh will take a short pass and make a few guys miss and beat you that way. Gros Coqs have so many guys that can beat you and they are all young, fast, and very athletic. The question becomes who is who is going to be the guy this week. You might be able to stop one or two of those guys, but they have about four guys in Vince, Alexandre, Etienne and Charles but lets not forget about Julien and Thomas. Everyone of these guys can and will beat you if you let them. I have to give the advantage to Les Gros Coqs.

 

Defense - Trollers have always been about playing defense and have always been tough to score against and this season wasn’t any different. They were right up there in picks and have a solid rusher in Andre. Ben led the league in picks so that helps us out, but he isn’t the only guy and everyone has the capability to pick a ball off here or there. Gros Coqs have the best rusher in the league and probably the defensive player of the year in Thomas (ed’s note: he was my vote for DPotY by 1.6 km). Thomas gets after the QB so fast and is relentless that the guys on the back end know it’s coming out real fast and don’t real need to worry about the deep ball. Each and every player on the Gros Coqs can and do make plays on defense. I hate to do this but I have to give the advantage to Les Gros Coqs and you guys can thank Thomas for getting the edge in this category. 

 

I won’t be picking a winner in this game (ed’s note: Coqs), but I will tell you that is will be a close game and converts are going to make all the difference.

 

So, this is the last from the mouth for 2 weeks. I want to wish all 4 teams good luck in the semifinals. With the top 4 teams in we might actually have a good finals for the first time in a long time. Everyone that has been eliminated, there is always next season. I’ll see you all on Saturday. Thank you for reading all season long. This was my first time writing for the league so if any of you have any pointers that would be great.

Semi-Finals and Finals this Saturday!

Semi-Finals and Finals this Saturday!

Jon Evans

The first round of the playoffs are over and only 4 teams remain!

 

Returning champs The Holy Trollers have to climb the mountain that is the indomitable Gros Coqs and the Outlaws battle the Krakens for their chance to face the victor of the Trollers vs Coqs matchup.

 

Should be an amazing set of semi-finals games and the finals should be one for the ages!

Word From The Mouth: DIV 1 Playoffs Edition!

Word From The Mouth: DIV 1 Playoffs Edition!

Kevin Kousaie

Well as you all know I wasn’t here last weekend, so I don’t know what I should write about for last week. The regular season is over and now we can move on to the real season. I hope everyone remembers that you needed to play 5 games to be eligible not 1, not 2, not 3, but 5 games. Let’s all give a hand to Les Gros Coqs for being the first team in MFL history to go undefeated. The pressure is on to win now guys, don’t be like the patriots and choke. You won’t have to face Mathieu rushing until possibly the finals so remember that. Win it all or go home with your tail between your legs. This week I will be writing about each game and I’ll pick the winner at the end of each match up. Just so everyone is aware this season I was able to predict 26 out of 34 or 76.5% of the games so I think I know what I’m talking about. Now lets get right to this weeks games. I have decided that I’m going to break the team down by position and say who has the advantage in each then pick the winner.

 

Game Previews

 

Deep Threats vs Outlaws

 

Theses 2 teams met a few weeks ago and boy was I shocked to see a 1 point game in favour of the Outlaws. The truth of the matter is the Outlaws took them for granted, but I’m sure it won’t happen this time around. Deep Threats are better when Jon is out playing as long as JC doesn’t try to go deep all day long it should be interesting. JC remember Francis can’t catch the ball (ed’s note: Fact). I wont talk about the Outlaws up top here cause they have been around for a while and know what they are doing. I mean Steve just came back from taking his team to the Semifinals in a world tournament. He is no longer just tearing up the MFL, he now has the world on notice.

 

QB - This one isn’t even hard for me to call, but the Outlaws have a giant advantage here. Steve has played for years and knows what to do and when to do it. JC on the other hand is still learning the position and forces the ball way too much. Advantage Outlaws.

 

WR - Outlaws have 6 of 7 guys over 200 yards and the only guy who doesn’t have 200 has 199. While for the Deep Threats you got one guy who is far and away the teams number 1 guy and then there is a huge drop to the next guy. Deep Threats should have been distributing the ball, not just using one guy. Advantage Outlaws.

 

Defense - Deep Threats had 9 picks and 8 sacks which isn’t great if you ask me. Outlaws end up with 18 sacks and 20 picks. They were able to double what the Deep Threats did. Advantage Outlaws. 

 

In order to have any chance to win Deep Threats need to keep the ball and not take shots when they aren’t there. I’m picking Outlaws as my winner in this game.

 

 

La Revolucion vs Krakens

 

So in this game it will come down to who has less (ed’s note: fewer) mistakes. Both team are solid but one has been able to pull off the wins and the other teams hasn’t found their stride yet. Raph, it’s now or never to finally pull one off. 

 

QB - This is closer then you’d think. Yes, Rob doesn’t turn the ball over, and yes he has a great team around him. Rob has great numbers but there are always one or two throws that get away from him. Raph on the other hand has turned the ball over a bunch and he is still trying to get use to the new guys on his team. Raph will need to eliminate the turnovers to keep it close. I have to give the advantage to Krakens.

 

WR - If I had to pick the team with the best receiver I’d go with Revolucion but I’m picking based on the team. JC is a top target and they also have Gabe and Ted, but neither one really stepped up all season as a dominate number 2. For the Krakens you got Smuda, Silvio, Francisco, and even Carmelo. They have way to much fire power so even when you stop their 1 they got three number 2’s. Advantage Krakens.

 

Defense - Krakens are solid but have lacked a consistent rush. They played 10 games and had 3 sacks but they were still able to walk away with 16 picks. They are solid tacklers so you need to be smart against them. For Revolucion they had 10 sacks and 12 picks and have decent tacklers. I’d have to give advantage to the Krakens.

 

 

Gros Coqs vs Locomotion

 

The big question with this game is can Locomotion pull off the upset of the year by beating Gros Coqs? I’d love to see that happen but I also would like to see them win it all also.  Last time there was a scuffle so if might get a little heated on the field. 

 

QB - Dom has had a great season this year and he can take off and run to score whenever he chooses to though over the last few seasons he has gotten away from that to be a better passer which he definitely achieved. Alex is solid at the position, but what makes him very good is the running. He runs with so much power that people just move out of his way and try to grab the flag from the side, but he is too quick for that. If Alex was a more consistent thrower I would put this as a tie, but since he is more of a streaky passer I have to give the advantage to Gros Coqs.

 

WR - Locomotion have good receivers, but no one is that guy you need to fear or game plan against they need to march down the field and score rather than take a short ball and make a few guys miss. Gros Coqs on the other hand are a team where anyone can take it to the house on any play. They have 4 guys with more than 300 yards plus 2 guys with over 200 yards. Have fun trying to stop that. Advantage Gros Coqs.

 

Defense - Gros Coqs have the best rusher in the league in Thomas with 18 sacks, that’s almost 2 a game. Plus a solid buch of guys on the back end with these guys amassing 21 picks on the season, sh*t a little more than 2 a game and everyone can tackle. For Locomotion they only got 6 sacks in 10 games. You need better than that if you expect to win but with 13 picks it helps a little bit. You will need more pressure if you want to win. Advantage Gros Coqs. 

 

I would have to give the win to Gros Coqs as they have way too many weapons.

 

 

KOLB vs Trollers

 

This will be the third meeting between these two teams and you know what they say, third times a charm. Both teams are solid, just one was able to get more wins, plus I think a few teams have figured KOLB out. After last years loss to KOLB the Trollers have vowed to never let that happen again. The Trollers are defending champs and they want to keep it that way.

 

QB - Jon is a solid QB for KOLB. He has good numbers and is able to look the defense off his reads, this is what makes Jon such a threat. Jon also is able to spread to spread the ball around to keep defenses guessing. As for Max he has all the tools to be a top tier QB. He can run, has great arm strength, but he can get rattled at times and that is when mistakes come out. If we were to be playing tackle football I think I would go with Jon on this one, but since we are playing flag I have to go with Max.

 

WR - KOLB have a lot of solid guys that can catch the ball and make some plays. They don’t have a true number 1 but they do have about three number 2’s. They had 6 guys with over 200 yards. The Trollers have two guys and a center. Trollers have two guys that can be number 1’s, but after that there is such a huge drop off that it’s like they don’t even exist. I have to give the advantage to KOLB.

 

Defense - Trollers have always been about playing defense and not allowing teams to score, but this season was a little different since they only played two games as a full team. The Trollers were able to get 12 sacks this season which is big considering they had 6 all last season. They also managed to get 24 picks which I think leads the league. For KOLB they seem to do everything by committee with 10 sacks by 5 different players and the top guy only had 4. As for picks they managed to get 21 of them. That number really surprised me. I thought it was going to be less than that. Both teams have a good defense but I have to give the advantage to the Trollers because of the rusher. I should pick the winner for this one, but I won’t since the Trollers are my team.

 

I don’t really see too many upsets in the first round but there can always be one or two. I want to wish all team good luck in the playoffs stay safe and have fun.  

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