Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Week 13

Once again, thank you to all the players who showed up and made it another successful outing for the Saturday Morning Football League. It’s fun to see how it has grown from a few guys who struggled to get 6 players together consistently into what it is today. In fact, because of the size, Tim Darley has begun drafting the first ever Collective Bargaining Agreement for the SMFL. The league issued the following statement: “This is something that we had hoped to avoid, but the growing size of the league demands such an agreement to protect the rights of both the league and its players.” When asked if this had anything to do with the notable absences Saturday of Darley and Romo Farrellio (the Commish’s right hand man), Favre (the Commish’s left hand man, which is not to be assumed as being of lesser importance than the right hand man) hid behind the lame excuses of marital obligations and home improvement.

There was a bitter chill in the air as the players met at the fading green gridiron of Glencoe on Saturday morning. All in attendance were cursing the weathermen who had forecasted balmy 60-degree weather for game day. However, it became evident once play began that most of the complaining was just posturing, as the players were actually sizing up each other and how the weather would affect them, because all complaining stopped and the play was stellar as usual.

The teams shook out like this:

General Josh

D-Newb

Easy E Reed

Baylor Dave

Favre - MVP!!!

Vs

Rhino

Prime Time

B-Ruby

Iman the Quick

L1 L2 RB

Daniel

The game started out fast, as Favre and Rhino directed scoring drives on each team’s initial possession, but the defenses took over as the teams traded interceptions and turnovers on downs. Some might say this is when it was a little sloppy, but all the defensive purists loved it. As for sloppy, the field was still holding residual effects from rain showers earlier in the week, so footing became an issue that the players had to overcome, as well as an occasionally wet ball.

The game turned on a possession when Easy E Reed was marching his team down the field and ended up on the goal line. Digging into their bag of tricks, they pulled out the old wide receiver reverse pass, with Reed pitching it to Favre who found a wide open Reed in the end zone. That score gave them a couple TD advantage that they were able to hang onto for the rest of the way, eventually winning it 7-4.

In the “It’s About Time” category, Favre finally broke through and won this week’s MVP award for passing for 5 TDs and catching 2 more in the victory. Congratulations, I’m glad you decided to make a difference in a game finally, halfway through the season. Asked for a comment, the normally outspoken, self-promoting Favre said, “I guess it was just my turn to get lucky on the QB carousel. I mean, we had the General, D-Newb, Easy E Reed, and Baylor Dave, and the football gods decided to smile on me today.”

Something we all hated to see was that Prime Time Casey re-aggravated his hamstring, evoking memories of Peg Leg last year. We all hope you recover and are back to speed soon. It wasn’t bad karma either, because he gave an outstanding pre-game devotional. In this world where everyone tells us we have to earn what we get, Casey told us about how the greatest gift available to us is absolutely free and doesn’t depend on anything we do…that’s God’s salvation. Thanks Casey!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Intangible, Pancakes & Hurries

Many have been asking how the SMFL determines the ratings each week. Here as quick breakdown of how each component is factored:

Touchdown Thrown - The # of TD's thrown during the game.

Touchdown Caught - The # of TD's caught during the game.

Interceptions Thrown - The # of interceptions you threw during the game.

Interceptions Caught - The # of interceptions you caught during the game.

Hurries - The # of times your individual rush or count effects the decision making of the opposing teams' quarterback.

Sacks - The # of times you sack the quarterback, via count, flag or touch.

Pancakes - The # of blocks you have during the game to help your team gain positive yardage. This stat is only tracked because of the impact T-Dar has made in the league. We should call it "T-Dar's" meaning: how many T-Dar's did you have in the game.

Intangibles - A judgmental number given to all players based on their activity away from the ball. Every player does his part during a particular play to help in the success of that play. One person throws, one person catches and perhaps another person blocks... but what about the other players on the field who ran their routes and stretched the defense enough to allow their teammate to get open and catch the ball... how should you reward their "team" effort? Intangible points is how the SMFL chooses to recognize those efforts done away from the ball that aid their team in the successful play. This is arguably the most valued point on the Stat sheet. High intangible points show the character of the teammate and his effort away from the ball that enabled his team to win even though he didn't get the glory of throwing the TD pass or catching the TD ball.

Flight of the Butterfly - Week 12

Freezing temps. awaited the gridiron gang on Saturday morning. A cold front moved through the day before and brought with it 20 degree temps and 15 mph winds from the north. By far the coldest day of the SMFL Season.


Despite the temps, lucky # 13 players showed up to battle the elements. Most were covered head to toe with at least two and some as many as four layers of clothing. Butterfly Davis, however, remarked -


"this reminds me of football back in the homeland... this is SOONER weather!"


This "SOONER" needed to scan his C.A.T as he showed up in shorts... yet "Billy Bob"never let on that it was cold to him. Quite the psychological advantage.



After the warm up wind sprints were run, the gang gathered around for the pre-game devotional; once again led by Peg Leg.



This weeks verse was Matthew 9:12-13

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."




Christ died for all people but only the broken and humble understand their need for Christ's sacrifice the gift of his redeeming grace for their life.



After 1,2,1,2... the teams sorted out as follows:


Team 1 (Game 2 Winner 5-1)

Butterfly Davis
Rhino Reist
Papi
Baylor David
Magic Patin
Iman
Romo-Farrellio



Team 2 (Game 1 Winner 7-5)

Big Game Hunter
T-Dar
Rocket
Peg Leg
B-Ruby
D-Dewb



The first game was owned by Peg Leg, Rocket and Big Game Hunter. Peg Leg and Rocket made for a solid offensive one-two punch... through the air and on the ground. Big Game was without a doubt the defensive player of the week! Batting down passes and intercepting others... he made a day out of frustrating Team 1. T-Dar was working the flat and screen blocks to perfection, while B-Ruby and D-Newb stretched the defense far and wide.



Team 1 was doing good to drive the ball out of their own end zone. Rhino, Romo and Papi could do nothing early on to drive them into the end zone. Romo got lucky toward the middle of the game and found Papi, Iman, Magic and Rhino for TD's... but after one too many interceptions, Butterfly took over the reigns and ne'er looked back the rest of the afternoon.



During Game 2, Butterfly facilitated three touchdown drives in a row finding Magic, Rhino and Papi in Pay Dirt! Butterfly also intercepted a casually thrown ball by D-Newb and returned it for another Touchdown...!



"The most incredible performance out of Butterfly since his intramural basketball days in the Pony Powerhouse! We had a spectator out earlier in the day watching the game... I think it was June Jones looking at Butterfly for a potential coaching spot on the Pony sideline... maybe as a Leadership or Motivational Coach... i certainly was inspired by his play today!" - Team 1 player with newly formed man crush.



Papi found Romo in the end zone for the final play of the game.... luckily, Team 1 was able to even the week series to 1-1.



Obviously, the week MVP was Butterfly Davis. Spring came early for this caterpillar... he certainly blossomed on this chilly winter's day!



Until next week - Stay Classy.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008