Post by CowboyinAmerica on Dec 5, 2011 15:54:43 GMT -5
After weeks of preparation and angst, the football season is finally here. With week one set to begin tonight, UFSL fans are on edge to see their teams finally take the field for some meaningful action. The New York Nightmare will be travelling to St. Peter to take on the Griffins, while the Reno Predators will be headed north to battle the Seattle Stormtroopers. While everybody knows the big names like Osuwah and Afella, in these early season matchups, you’ll begin to see other players arise as playmakers, even though they don’t necessarily have the practice hours to back them up. We here at Pro Football Weekly like to be ahead of the curve. Here’s three names you might not expect that we think will come up huge in week one.
Expect to see some successful passing in the Reno-Seattle game.
WR Staphid Jervis – Reno Predators
While the receiving corps in New York gets all of the media attention with Graham and Miller, the duo in Reno has the potential to put up some nice numbers as well. Quarterback Rock Afella currently sits at the top of the practice hour charts at his position, meaning that the balls will be there for his receivers. Second-round draft pick Devin Street gets most of the opposing attention, but especially in this offense, that just means that the opportunities will be there for the number two receiver to make plays. And out of all the matchups for Jervis, this one may be the best. With his 79 speed, he currently holds a 17 point advantage over Bam Risso, the Seattle CB that will be covering him in this game. The Stormtroopers have solid safeties, which should limit Jervis somewhat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run by Risso and go the distance at least once in this game.
TE Aldous Steele – Seattle Stormtroopers
Originally wanting to be a quarterback, Aldous Steele has found his home at tight end in this Seattle offense. While others may have discredited the position, Steele has found a way to make it his own, currently sitting at the top of the tight end charts. The Seattle receivers haven’t been as active in practice recently, and Steele is perhaps just as good of a target catching the ball as Seattle’s number one guy, Jordan Oakley. But while Oakley will be stuck dealing with Dick Lane, Steele will be dealing with either the Reno linebackers or safeties. What is the number of combined practice hours of those linebackers and safeties, you ask? Well, that number would be 6, with 4 for MLB Dominique Johnson and 2 for FS Abu Ezekwesili. In other words, expect Steele to have a field day.
CB Rick Ross – New York Nightmare
You may know him as that guy who goes around shouting random expletives and catchphrases. (Yes, Rick, we know you’re the boss.) However, his bite is just as good as his bark, as Ross has rocketed his way up to number six in the overall UFSL practice hour rankings shortly after entering the league. Playing the number two cornerback slot in New York next to highly-touted AJ Rockin, Ross is likely to see a fair share of passes come his way. If that’s Lawson Forbes plans to do, however, he’s sadly mistaken. Against Griffins number two receiver Marcus Kennard, Ross holds a 4 point speed rating advantage and, perhaps most importantly, a whopping 26 point awareness rating advantage. Expect Ross to get at least one interception in this game, and two picks or a defensive touchdown wouldn’t be the most shocking occurrence either.
