Now the focus has shifted to the "real season" the playoffs. That's right baby PLAYOFFS!!!! I'm going to focus my writing on the AA playoffs from this point forward and allow my man Sidekick to do what he does best and cover the AAA from here on out. 71-21 on the season was my final count. Not too shabby for my first year on the board.
I want the say that it truly has been a pleasure writing my predictions for all of you this year. I was surprised by the overwhelming positive response I received throughout the season from some pretty respected members of this league. I look forward to next season and continuing my predictions and attempting to spark of some competitive debate! For those of you who aren't in the playoffs this season, rest up, enjoy your families during the summer, and see you next season!
As for the playoff pairings, there are going to be a few very physical games this weekend. All of these teams are well respected organizations with some good balance between veteran and new players. This is the time where you look across the line into your opponents eyes and determine how you will beat him. If you want to be faster, then run harder then him. If you want to be more physical, then knock him in the jaw. If you want to out smart him, then hustle just that much more. Good luck to all the teams involved.
The Boise Generals are coming off of a big time victory against the Matadors. Although they gained the "W" I think the Matadors proved that the Generals are not invincible and can be tamed. The Generals again are leading the league in passing and all the passing categories. But they are very one dimensional and mediocre at best with their rushing attack at 15th in the league. They are proven vulnerable when matching up against a formidable defensive backfield. It is no secret the Generals bread and butter is the passing game, Rhode just threw over 40+ times against the Matadors.
As much respect I have for the Utah Cobras organization I really don't see them traveling and knocking off the Generals. I just don't see the personnel to do this. They are hard nosed, gritty, and physical. But I think BJ and his crew of top tier receivers will pick apart the Cobras defense. Has anyone heard of first year QB Jordan Wager? If you haven't you better check him out, because I think he is going to be a hot commodity come next year, I would be surprised if the Cobras can hold on to him. He is young, poised, and has a rocket for an arm. But he needs to work on his accuracy and completion percentage. He would need to play the best game of his young career to get the "W" in Idaho on Saturday.
In the end the Cobras were in position to knock off a very talented Sting team this pat weekend, but when it came down to crucial drives and making big time plays they couldn't get it done. For these reasons I predict they put up a fight but don't get it done this weekend.
#5 Billings Bullets at #4 Idaho Matadors - Matadors 28-16
This game is going to be another physical one for the Matadors who are coming off of a very taxing loss to the Generals. BUT I don't expect the veteran Matador team to stay too low and allow someone else to knock them out of the playoffs. I feel that they have this burning desire to make it to round two because they want to be the ones who knock the Generals out of the playoffs. To no ones surprise the Matadors are right at the top of the league in most of the major categories. But I give the edge to their defense in this one.
This Bullets team is very physical on both offense and defense, and if the Matadors don't respect them they are more then capable of beating them in a low scoring affair. The Bullets are very offensively balanced with just over 800 yards both passing and rushing on the season. And they have the defense to slow down a lot of offenses in this league. This would be a fun one to watch.
#8 Magic Valley Bulldawgs at #2 Brigham Sting- Sting 28-20
What a year it has been for the Brigham Sting in their franchise first season. I don't get the impression that this a championship or bust year for them, but I do know that they have good balance of youth, veteran leadership, and championship experience. All of these factors have vaulted them into the #2 overall seed in the playoffs and home field advantage. Have I mentioned that no one has beat them at home yet? The Eyre brothers have brought a tough as nails team to an area of Utah that is rich in a loyal and rowdy fan base. On the flip side though I urge the Sting not to be fooled by the #8 attached to Magic Valley. That team is used to competition and they will fight until the end. The Sting are more then capable to make a deep playoff run, but they need to play all around to do so. QB Brad Thurber and his receiving core need to get it on track and fast this week. The Sting feature a very tough running attack with a few monster sized fullbacks who love to hit. And very capable running backs such as veteran Dave Williams and productive newcomer Jesse Balls. They have a very dangerous offense and the #3 ranked defense in the league, the DARKSIDE has stepped up in some tough spots for them throughout the season. But I think they may/could give up the most points that they will this season. And if the passing attack isn't there they may struggle in this one.
Whoah! Did Magic Valley really put up 80+ points this past weekend? Holy Sh**! Talk about making a statement going into the playoffs. Don't think for one second that this team is intimidated at all by going to Utah to play the Sting. They will look to counter the Sting's defensive front lines by attempting to spread them out with screens and such. They are a confident team that is feeling like they have paid their dues in this league and are ready to prove their worth. They will be looking to jump on the Sting fast on Saturday in front of their hostile home crowd. Led by QB Travis Spring and WR Brad Cook Magic Valley is ranked #3 in total offense, scoring, and passing, and they are #5 in rushing. But feature a by no means mediocre defense that is middle of the pack in the league. Could their defense be the weak link in this one? They have given up 119 points...We shall see on Saturday.
**UPSET ALAERT** #7 Arco Anarchy at #3 Great Falls Gladiators -Anarchy 31-21
At the middle of the season upon completing my All RMFL team I had a conversation with QB Shane Jurasek. He expressed his disappointment that I didn't choose him and threatened to hunt me down. JK Shane. Man talk about coming back from injury and being clutch for your team right? He is boasting a 64.3 passer rating good enough for #2 in the league. And is even #4 in passing yards. CLUTCH. Great falls is led on offense by Matthew Kennerson and Marshayne Haynes. But they rank only #7 in team defense and lack any standouts in any major defensive category, some of which they have no players representing them, this combined with playing in a weaker Montana division (with the exception of the Bullets) sends up a red flag for me. Great falls is solid in the passing game but they will need to be able to run the ball as well this weekend. They have scored points but struggled to stop capable offenses so far. They split the season series with the Bullets giving up 29 and 31 points in both meetings with them.
Arco Anarchy loves to inflict havoc on their opponents. They are always solid in a very tough Idaho division and are ranked #2 in the league in scoring and boast a #5 ranked defense. They are ranked just one spot below Great Falls at #5 in team offense. Led by RB Russ Cummins they are averaging over 200 ypg rushing making them #1 in the league. But like Great Falls they lack on the other side of the offensive coin with an underwhelming passing attack. But I will say beware because they are capable of throwing the ball. I feel that the Anarchy are equipped with the fortitude, talent, and toughness to pull off the monster upset in Great Falls. Arco has averaged 50.6 points in their last five games but have struggled against the Matadors and Generals defenses. I see them moving the ball towards a "W" in the end.
Well ladies and gents my first playoff predictions is in the books...Until next week TURK OUT!! When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. -Dick Butkus
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
Love the write-ups, Turk! A lot of effort and always well put together. You got a big fan here. I would like to state for the record that four years ago, I coined the term "Darkside" for the Matador defense. I've kept quiet but bugger that! Sting...FIND YOUR OWN NICKNAME! Vader out! Hooooooooo Pa! Hoooooooo Pa! Good luck to all in the playoffs and stay healthy.
Tom Dowers Idaho Matadors #10 The first and true Dark Sider
Love the write-ups, Turk! A lot of effort and always well put together. You got a big fan here. I would like to state for the record that four years ago, I coined the term "Darkside" for the Matador defense. I've kept quiet but bugger that! Sting...FIND YOUR OWN NICKNAME! Vader out! Hooooooooo Pa! Hoooooooo Pa! Good luck to all in the playoffs and stay healthy.
Tom Dowers Idaho Matadors #10 The first and true Dark Sider
I really appreciate the love TD, I have noted your quarrel with the term "DARKSIDE". I will no longer use it for the Sting. Sorry Sting we will have to brainstorm together for another nickname for you guys. Or you both can settle it when the Matadors knock off the Generals and meet you in the league championship.
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
Hey Turk, one more storyline you didn't mention--the Anarchy/Great Falls game is a re-match of the AA Championship game from 2010. While some of the names have changed, a lot of players from both sides played in that game--should be a good one.
Tom, if the Dors want "Darkside" back, then come take it.
Good write-up, Turkelberry and I agree with your picks but there are a couple of things that I'd like to point out. You may have taken them into consideration but they're not readily apparent in your post:
1. I don't think it's fair to categorize the Generals offense as one dimensional or mediocre based on a #15 rating in rushing. With such an effective passing offense, they don't HAVE to rely on a rushing attack... go with your strengths, right? A good secondary like the Cobras' will force more running and will answer whether the Generals have been holding back on rushing or if they really ARE one dimensional.
2. I am of the opinion that the Bulldawgs 80-something blowout was all hype in preparation for the playoffs. I liken it to someone publicly beating the **** out of the weaker kid in order to psych out tomorrow's real schoolyard opponent. I could be wrong here... it could have been one of those cases where the Dawgs couldn't NOT score (breakaway dives and poor poor POOR defense on the Guardians' part).
Good luck to all of the teams in the playoffs (except to the Bulldawgs... I only wish you guys good health and safety, not GAME luck)!!
I 100% agree with your assessment about the Generals rushing attack. But I did take it in to account, I felt that they faced the best defensive backfield in AA this past weekend when playing the Matadors. If any team could alter them into a rushing attack it was them. Yet they still were not impacting the game much with rushing, and to me it shows a lack of confidence in your ability to shove the ball down a teams throat when you throw 40+ times against one of the best defenses in the league. Whether or not your effective at it. But you have good points for sure.
As for the bulldawgs game the level of competition was definitely taken into account, I just didn't say anything. I didn't want to disrespect a team that just got embarrassed. But you have to admit 80+ points is still impressive.
-- Edited by Turkelton on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 05:54:55 PM
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
Tom, if the Dors want "Darkside" back, then come take it.
Good write-up, Turkelberry and I agree with your picks but there are a couple of things that I'd like to point out. You may have taken them into consideration but they're not readily apparent in your post:
1. I don't think it's fair to categorize the Generals offense as one dimensional or mediocre based on a #15 rating in rushing. With such an effective passing offense, they don't HAVE to rely on a rushing attack... go with your strengths, right? A good secondary like the Cobras' will force more running and will answer whether the Generals have been holding back on rushing or if they really ARE one dimensional.
2. I am of the opinion that the Bulldawgs 80-something blowout was all hype in preparation for the playoffs. I liken it to someone publicly beating the **** out of the weaker kid in order to psych out tomorrow's real schoolyard opponent. I could be wrong here... it could have been one of those cases where the Dawgs couldn't NOT score (breakaway dives and poor poor POOR defense on the Guardians' part).
Good luck to all of the teams in the playoffs (except to the Bulldawgs... I only wish you guys good health and safety, not GAME luck)!!
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Darrell Baranowski
Utah Shock #51
Player... just a player. Hallelujah, I'M ONLY A PLAYER!!
Hey Turk, one more storyline you didn't mention--the Anarchy/Great Falls game is a re-match of the AA Championship game from 2010. While some of the names have changed, a lot of players from both sides played in that game--should be a good one.
Thanks brad for pointing that one out for everyone. I actually didn't realize that. It will for sure add another storyline to the game.
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
TD, your Darkside name is granted full copyright and exclusive rights to Matadors after tthe sun didn't stop shining on the Bulldawgs in Brigham during the secind half yesterday. (insert machine gun noises and two large forearms here)
