A week with football is always a good week! We had another good one last week with the Rebels and Shock gaining victories. This week promises to be a winner as the Rebels host the Rev and the Shock host an underachieving Stealth team.
Stealth @ Shock
This is a more intriguing matchup than it seems on paper (Stealth 0-2 Shock 2-0). I was able to witness the Stealth and Rebels play, almost went home at halftime due to lack of excitement…. The Stealth are definitely missing the O and D lines that won them a championship a year ago and they seemed to be lackadaisical (possibly content?), maybe those rings are too heavy. I do like the athletes they have on the outside they look a little more athletic than a year ago. On D they have a very active and capable group of linebackers that could cause havoc with JK. They spent most of the game making the Rebels O look like Swiss cheese, as they tortured Chad Draper relentlessly. But the secondary has some question marks not the same group from last year certainly, as they gave up the game late. IK was back in pads for this game and he is scary. If you try the old grab and throw, or hit with no wrap up you will end up with a nice grass side view of the bottom of his cleats. Wissler was put out early in the game, or I do believe the Stealth receivers would have been able to do more damage, as long as Wissler is in this week I look to see more movement from the Stealth in that area. Without those big boys on both lines the Stealth better look to their athletes early and often to spread the field then come back inside for a steady dose of IK.
The Shock handled business as expected defense looks solid according to the Shocks kicker I am crazy for thinking the Ducks would score 21 on them, even though they put up 8 on the Rebels and 18 on the REV….not sure the implication there as you would think teams improve over time….That D however did stand the test of a kickers pride and absolutely shut down the Ducks O…not sure if the Ducks got over 170 total yards…maybe they are the best D in the league???What is for sure is that as long as JK is captaining the ship the Shock O IS the most dangerous in the league. I see quite a few of the offensive weapons are now stepping up to the plate to help out, however I would like to see more from the run game (not from JK). I like this team but many many years of status quo is scary can I depend on you shock to continue on this route and keep JK healthy??? If so this could be the year of the Shock.
I believe this is a good game but I don’t believe the Stealth get the big dogs back and without them it won’t be enough.
Shock 28- Stealth 14
The Game
Every year this one seems to be a headliner, I don’t believe there is any love lost here…Last Saturday I was able to see the only two teams play that I had not seen this year with the Stealth and the Rebels.So let’s begin with the Rebels…..
The Rebels Defense is scary especially if you play QB (take caution Charlie) if my knowledge is correct the Rebels have taken out every starting QB they have faced this year… 3 for 3 I would personally not like to be taking snaps... Wayne is truly a terror, you also have the Nose Mike Johnson have you heard of him?? He is a monster just ask those with the job of standing in front of him… the secondary looks to be a good matchup for the Rev and they don’t lack for size here either they have safeties as big as some teams D-line…anyone want to go over the middle??? I would say the weak spot here is the linebackers but maybe that was just a steady does of the best RB in the league. Overall this D looks to be very good as they were able to keep the Rebels in the game for three and a half quarters until the offense decided to show up. The Rebels O on the other hand was slow, lethargic and can I say ineffective? I more fully understand the plight of their leading rusher as his blocking seemed to be lacking. HOWEVER at some point in the fourth quarter I saw the sun emerge, warm up the playing surface and suddenly there appeared a offense to match its defense, run ,pass, score, you name it they caught fire so the question remains can that O keep up with its D? I like the receivers and running back. I believe Draper is the real deal and may rival old Charlie for the best pocket passer in the game this year…IF we see the fourth quarter Rebels and IF they can protect in both the run and pass game…
The Revolution, let’s see can you say consistent? I think that describes the Rev in one word. While these other teams seem to be searching for identities the Rev and the Shock seem to know exactly who they are and continue to improve upon their foundation. This Defense looks very good with Levine, Solo, and Angel leading the way. Their front looks to be as dominating as it has ever been with Reid and Mapu forcing teams to constantly worry about them. Golden seems to be finding some great comfort in his role at safety and the Rev certainly have the best kicker in the game if it comes to that. This D gets after QB’s as I believe they are leading the league in sacks. They have also been stifling the run game I believe they would lead the league in rush yards against if the stat was kept.
The Rev O is centered on Charlie and he does a fair job in mixing up the run and pass to keep opposing teams off of him. They have an excellent core of receivers led by Joe Mapson, Poloa is back and as big as ever which should add to their ability to strike the big play, as teams will have to dedicate a few defenders to stop him. They do remain a bit pass happy, this could be dangerous against the Rebels as I noted before they have put 3 of 3 QB’s out all on legal hits as far as I have heard. Feel free to further inform me if I am wrong… Maybe Charlie will keep those split back receivers in the backfield this week??? Possibly even use Mr. Trill-X to keep that Rebel D off?, Or will he take his chances??? I say watch out! As I believe the weak point of this team remains up front on the offensive side of the ball.
Either way this one goes it will be a good game wish I could attend and add to Sarges bank account with some of those fine concessions he produces, I am in need some of that down South sun and relaxation!! Nevertheless I will keep a close eye on the twitter/facebook newsfeed for this game. I do believe the Rebels stay hot but it’s not enough to stop the Rev as they are on a tear right now.
REV 35 Rebels 28 (as long as Charles can stay cleats down)
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IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW THINK TWICE THE SUM OF ALL PARTS IS NOT ONE..
