Board 8 > Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) Season 10: Week 11 and Beyond!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Despite posting on the contests board, I don't care about contests at all, so I don't know when the next one is.

Playoffs are on September 11th. If I give myself a six-ish week break, then we begin S11 right around Halloween.
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Meant more like getting new players in from influx of new people to the board
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Well when's the contest?
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Wow, looking at my stats, I'm actually quite surprised that most of my guys had statistically better years than they did last year, even Matt Ryan.
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It seems that tackle wise my defense was down which makes sense. The better your defense, the less plays the opponents get I guess. Sacks are way up which I figured would be the case just from what I'd seen. Fumbles and INTs are about the same. That 24 INT season a few years back seems like a crazy anomaly

Offensively my O-line was miles better than last year which was surprising given we were shipping like 6-8 sacks a game early season. Levitre looked great with 9.2 blocks per sack as a guard. Pearson got back to his old self with 10 blocks per sack on the outside. Harris was slightly down ratio wise but got the most blocks out of anyone. Rookies (4/5/7th rounders) put up 21 blocks for 3 sacks as G/C which is way better than expected.

It actually looks like the bulk of my offseason deals worked out. Will evaluate later when not on mobile but QB Turner looks like the only bad one

Rookie 6th round WR Owen who was 5th on depth chart has a silly YPC. I assume as he's a return specialist he's just fast and got some deep throws. 9 receptions for 202 yards and a TD

Roughly six days away, and I already have six ballots, including mine. Looking good.
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My TE led the team in catches and was 95 yards short of leading the team in yards too. >_< I mean, WR were in and out of the lineup all year due to injury but still...that's rough. Poor Schmidt gave up a sack and couldn't even manage a block before going down. The psychological effect of seeing his college teammate go down must have been quite the distraction for Freeman as that's why he had a bad year. Had nothing to do with having no WRs and OLine at all, nope.

The Harris/Cushing combo didn't net as many tackles as the Harris/Urlacher combo but they both hit double digit sacks with Harris nearly tripling his total from last year. Actually, Aldon Smith was my only LB who didn't hit double digit sacks so that's cool. FF total went up while INTs were slightly down. Not so much that I'd think it'd affect the games too much but seems like they did so I'm not complaining!

To be fair, Merriman did not hit double-digit sacks as a member of the Titans.
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It's interesting to see how Madden decides which is a better stat line for the awards. I don't think either of the players involved would win the category anyway but

Option A: 1 FFs, 4 FRs
Option B: 14 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 INT

Madden went with option A, Option B is not up for the award. I mean it makes sense since it's 3-4 extra turnovers versus 14 tackles / 2 sacks. Was just interesting to see since I always assumed Madden valued tackles higher given the number of high tackle candidates up for awards

Ruud led the league in tackles and wasn't a LB of the Year finalist, so I think that answers that.
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It was a Ruud Robbery
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Alright, let's do this! Evaluation of all the players I acquired in the offseason

QB Michael Turner (85) - Obtained for 2nd Round Pick via RFA (2826 Yards @ 57.17% / 13 Pass TDs, 23 INTs / 1 Rush TD)
On one hand Turner threw for more yards in a season than any of my previous QB's at roughly the same completion percentage. On the other hand it is very hard to overlook 23 INTs against only 13 TDs. Especially as the O-line was vastly improved compared to previous years. The hope is that he doesn't suffer a ratings drop and then improves statisically next season by cutting out a chunk of the INTs but off this season alone he looks a bust. Not so much for the 2nd round pick but because of the size of the contract he was given.

OT Kwame Harris (98) - Obtained via James Laurinaitis Trade with C Levitre(63 Blocks / 8 Sacks)
Harris was brought in to improve the O-line and the O-line certainly improved. His block ratio is down on his career and 7.9 Block/Sack ratio isn't especially good for an OT when he replaced a guy with a 8.0 block ratio. However, I do know that his ratio was brought down by a 4 sack game when I had multiple 75 rated rookies in the team. Right now I'm on the fence with this acquisition. He's someone who would have been been a hit if expectations weren't higher due to his rating.

C Andy Levitre (87) - Obtained via James Laurinaitis Trade with OT Harris (46 Blocks / 5 Sacks)
Levitre was the star of the O-line this season. Playing at guard he had a Block/Sack ratio of 9.2 which is comfortably the best of any C/G starter for the Steelers during my time (couple of backups have better stats in few appearances). This is easy to rate as a success.

SS Ian Cox (91)- Obtained for 1st Round Pick with CB Banks (88 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT)
Cox was acquired to fill the big boots left by Jermaine Phillips and did so without missing a beat. Cox's production was similar to Phillips last season which is substantial given Phillips had a career year in his final season (at least during the time I've ran the Steelers). So again this is easy to call a success especially as Cox is still only 28 so should fill that hole for years to come

CB Trumaine Banks (85) - Obtained for 1st Round Pick with SS Cox (13 Tackles, 1 FR)
Hard to evaluate this one. Banks was CB1 and clearly does not have a lot of stats which is typical for Steelers CBs. What I don't know if is this was because he was getting burned or if he wasn't getting thrown against as much. My other CB's did see jumps in stats compared to previous years. My defense was also the 9th rated defense so at worst was probably middle of the pack for passing defense. Also worth mentioning that Banks was acquired due to his super contract, he's getting paid like a 76-78 CB

DT Randy Starks (88) - Obtained for 2nd Round Pick (58 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 1 FF, 2 FR)
This is an easy one to call a success. Starks put up the best DT stats of any DT during my Steelers reign and it's not even close. He was likely a large reason the defense was improved as DT had always been a weak point.

WR OJ Murdock (83) - Obtained for CB Youboty (39 Receptions, 476 Yards, 1 TD)
Not a flashy signing and did pretty much as expected in the WR2 position. He was signed more for cap reasons than expected production as his contract is super cheap for a WR and allowed an excess CB to be moved off the roster. Side effect of that CB being moved was that it allowed CB McGuire to play and he put up a 6 INT season and saw a substantial rating increase (+3) which sees him now match Youboty. Maybe he will even surpass him after offseason.

MLB Bryan Vinson (84) - Obtained for 2nd Round Pick (35 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 FR)
Vinson was another signing obtained largely for cap reasons. Vinson played ~7 games, got injured and then by the time he recovered I had switched to 4-3 due to the performance of the fill in DT (6 sacks in 3 games). Had he played the full season he would have trended towards expected MLB2 numbers. His salary remains friendly and his presence on the roster allows a switches between 4-3 and 3-4 depending on injuries.

SS Levi Marquadt (77) - Obtained for a 5th Round Pick (27 Tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT for TD)
Again this was another trade done for cap reasons as he would have likely been cheaper and higher rated than a standard 5th round SS pick. Marquardt is young enough that it was like drafting a SS (23yo) and I believe he will also be RFA eligible when his contract expires. He put up decent numbers as a back-up SS and I'd expect will see a ratings jump due to the defenses performance. I'm happy with this trade.

G Glenn Castle (75) - Drafted in 4th round (5 Blocks, 0 Sacks)
Too small a sample size to evaluate. Started 2-3 games due to injury and didn't allow a sack which is a plus. He was another player drafted for cap reasons

G Luke Bowanko (75) - Drafted in 5th round (16 Blocks, 3 Sacks)
Got 1-2 starts due to injury and I suspect he stepped in on a few games due to injury given his stat lines. Over 5 blocks a sack for a rookie G seems decent enough to me given his draft position. Again on the roster due to cap reasons

WR Kevin Owen (68) - Drafted in 6th round (9 Receptions, 202 Yards, 1 TD, 21.8 KR Avg, 10.5 PR Avg)
Drafted mainly to be a returner in a cap saving exercise. His WR stats are way better than I expected with his return stats being lower than expected. For his draft position and cap hit, I am happy with him. He's going to remain rostered at least.

G Irving Williams (70) - Drafted in 7th round (1 Block, 0 Sacks)
Surprised he ever saw the field and he was drafted purely for cap reasons. He may remain rostered for cap reasons again next year too. Which is probably the best you can hope for.

By my count that is

8 Hits - Levitre, Cox, Starks, Murdock, Vinson, Marquardt, Bowanko, Owen
4 Middling/Undecided - Harris, Banks, Castle, Williams
1 Bust - Turner

With some of the hits being slightly generous I.e. they did as expected or better for the outlay, salary and their position on the roster

Even though my team had a worse season I think i made a lot of plus ev decisions, aside from early leaving of my usual defense
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Newton actually put up decent individual stats all things considered, but your offense took a huge step back. Time will tell if that is a fluke or your offense is simply not designed for a scrambling QB.
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It came up in chat at one point. It seemed like you hit the panic button and jettisoned a lot of guys when you could have maybe stayed with the same team and contended. I mean statistically you were one of the better teams last year iirc, you just got unlucky with results right?

It'll be interesting to see how people I let go performed.

Obviously my 5 retiring players didn't do shit.

MLB Laurinaitis (90) put in his usual numbers as you'd expect from a 90 MLB
OT Winston (88) was likely decent where he went. (EDIT: Actually I think I remember him getting injured long term early season)
CB Youboty (78) never really did anything for me so I doubt that changed at the Lions
G Warford (78) probably sat behind that Dolphins O-line and got like a +3-5 boost because of how good they are
DT Odrick (77) did pretty good from what KCF said early in the season
DE Harrell (76) probably didn't see a snap

I know Cutler and Grossman took some snaps so likely outperformed Turner. Sciullo went somewhere as a replacement so probably probably played in some capacity. I think Nece was snapped up as a replacement for someone. Clary I don't see on the sheet or a roster so not sure what happened to him

So KCF, I'm curious, how does one determine such things as if you have a system built properly for your players? Like what factors determine whether or not a scrambler will work well or not? Is it in the line? Do you need specific types of receivers?
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Odrick was one of the final cuts for Breakout Player.

Winston was on pace to be a potential OL of the Year candidate if he didn't miss like 3-4 games.

Warford and Harrell barely played as expected.
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Cutler was second in the NFL in passer rating regardless of qualification.

Grossman started the majority of games for the NFC South champion Falcons

Sultan signed Nece. I can't remember if he played a snap or not without looking at my PM outbox.

Clary probably a free agent.

Sciullo was Heitmann's replacement in KC and might have gone up in rating.
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My grandmother passed away suddenly. I will keep everyone informed if this will affect Tuesday plans.
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I am so sorry to hear that :( You and your family has my deepest sympathies.

Delay the playoffs as long as you need. There will always be time for them to be run and there's far more important things for you to do than run them for us

Sorry for your loss kcf. Will keep you and your family in mind
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ShatteredElysium posted...

It came up in chat at one point. It seemed like you hit the panic button and jettisoned a lot of guys when you could have maybe stayed with the same team and contended. I mean statistically you were one of the better teams last year iirc, you just got unlucky with results

Yeah that's mostly right, just lost a lot of coin flips.but I felt like ben wasnt going to last long and my next guys up were still good if I did a short rebuild now
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49ers still finished with a positive point differential, one of two teams I believe with losing records to do so (Bucs being the other).
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Up to 9 ballots received!
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I am so used to the B8NFLL collection of teams that I saw an article about the Hawks placing a player on IR and wondered, "Seattle or Washington?"
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We have now reached double-digit ballots!
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KCF0107 posted...

I am so used to the B8NFLL collection of teams that I saw an article about the Hawks placing a player on IR and wondered, "Seattle or Washington?"

Even though I'm sure the game means Washington DC, I always like to imagine that these Washington Hawks are from the state of Washington, to create maximum confusion with the Seattle Seahawks.
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KCF0107 posted...

I am so used to the B8NFLL collection of teams that I saw an article about the Hawks placing a player on IR and wondered, "Seattle or Washington?"

What gets me is all the high school/college teams named Wildcats.

A question i meant to ask last season: What are your guys' thoughts on voting someone for MVP whose team didn't make the playoffs. Should that even matter?
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I know my definition differs from most people, but I define MVP as the player who, if the team didn't have them and had some average joe, would go down in wins the most. That means not necessarily the best player. I don't factor playoffs into it.
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Team record/playoffs or not doesn't factor in when I decide who to give my MVP vote to.
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Awards and playoffs are confirmed to still be on for Tuesday.
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KCF0107 posted...

The deadline to submit award nominee ballots will be 7 PM ET on Tuesday, September 11th

I intend to open them then, try and tabulate them in time to do a live award show at 8. After, we sim the playoffs!

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By this time tomorrow, we might have our B8NFLL S10 champ decided. Our options are:

- AI
- Sultan
- KCF
- Shattered
- Stan
- Tangicide
- Eddv
- Wiz
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Eddv with the UP SET BAY BAY
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Packers gonna shock the world!!
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rooting for THE PACK
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ScareChan posted...

rooting for THE PACK

my man!!
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DoubleTangicide posted...

ScareChan posted...

rooting for THE PACK

my man!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhcnDfEMawM" data-time="
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The Steelers have not beaten the Dolphins since I've ran them. The Dolphins also have a better rated Offense and better rated Defense than us. So I think the chance of us winning is minimal. Like the Broncos are clearly better than us too but at least I have victories over them and the Jags game was an OT road game too so I'd at least have a shot there. Dolphins really was worst case scenario for the Steelers

I think the only thing I have going in my favor is my 7-1 home record this year and that it's a home game

Or maybe Turner can actually earn his money for this season and play well!

I'm glad we're getting this done soon because with this storm approachign the east coast I doubt I'll have power for a little while >.>
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The last true road team to win a playoff game was, technically, the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round in S7. Bills also won on the road that round, but their game was the earlier of the two.

Since then, true road teams are 0-26 in the playoffs. Will the Titans, Seahawks, Dolphins, or Giants end that streak?

And before I forget, with the Jets reclaiming the AFC East, the Cowboys own the longest active divisional crown streak at four seasons. Only the Broncos (3) and Rams (2) are on active streaks over one season (can you even call one season a streak?).
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KCF0107 posted...

The last true road team to win a playoff game was, technically, the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round in S7. Bills also won on the road that round, but their game was the earlier of the two.

Since then, true road teams are 0-26 in the playoffs. Will the Titans, Seahawks, Dolphins, or Giants end that streak?

And before I forget, with the Jets reclaiming the AFC East, the Cowboys own the longest active divisional crown streak at four seasons. Only the Broncos (3) and Rams (2) are on active streaks over one season (can you even call one season a streak?).

Which team is the strongest wild card team we have had in that time frame? Because I feel like the 1/2 seeds recently have been a lot better than the rest of the field but I cant think how good the wildcard teams have been. Patriots losing to me is the main lopsided match I can think of where the road team should have won

S8 Pats were a Top 5 team that season (they would have had home field through AFC Playoffs if they won Week 17) and the S8 Vikings and S9 Jets were just below those Pats imo.
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Im working tonight and Im gonna miss the playoffs ;_;
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If Vegas were to make odds (or whatever the appropriate phrase is as I am not a gambler) on B8NFLL playoffs, the Steelers over the Pats in S8 would have to be considered the biggest upset. Only other games that even come close are the infamous Falcons win over the Vikings in S4 (this was the Falcons team that had, among many things, a -80 something point differential) and the Dolphins win over the Chiefs in the inaugural season's AFC Championship.
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The AFC North was such a dumpster fire that year (and honestly hasn't improved much since) that the upset was practically nailed on just because of how ridiculous a season it was for the entire division. From what I remember it wasn't even a close game either, Steelers battered the Patriots.

Anyway I am in my hotel room connected to wifi ready for the Playoffs and award show.

Ballot submission is closed
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Awards show is officially starting with the playoffs immediately after that. Come to the spreadsheet chat if you wish to see both live.
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