Sanders Division Outlook

During the pre-season, the DTC predicted Hermitage would be the Sanders division winner but now, at midseason, San Pedro and Philadelphia are ahead of them. Is there a problem? Could the DTC have miscalculated? Did someone replace the Apple Operating System in Colossus with Vista? Have the scientists redirected processing resources to predict the Presidential election? Read and see.

 

San Pedro 5-4

Colossus is having a very hard time with the Corsairs. They were expected to be only 1-8 at this point so they are confounding the microchips. The upsets of Dallas and New England and weeks 7 and 8 are particularily troubling. And the upset of Hermitage, 17-13, as 16 point underdogs in week 3 changed the balance of power in the division. Expected finish: 9-7.

 

Philadelphia 5-4

The Liberty is about where DTC had them. After starting the season with 4 consecutive losses, they are now enjoying a 5 game winning streak. The biggest digital upset was of Dallas in week 6 (oh my Dallas what has happened to you?) as 9 point underdogs. But the real stunner was knocking off a 5-1 Muncie the following week. Expected finish: 6-10. However, 3 of those losses show tight margins.

 

Hermitage 4-5

The Heroes defeated Philly in week 1 and lost a close one to San Pedro in week 3. They are only one win back from expectations. But the schedule improves for them: they will be favored the rest of the season with the exception of week 15 where they face future Super Bowl champ Tillman. They should cruise by San Pedro and Philadelphia in their next meetins with them. Expected finish: 10-6. And Division Champ. Colossus Rules, Man Drools.

 

Donelson 2-7

The Warriors stunned San Pedro in week 1 but otherwise are on track. They did play New England very tough last week, losing by only 3 as 18 point favorites. It was one of those rare games we see these days where coaching makes a difference. It would be wise for San Pedro to be careful in week 14 when they play again. Donelson will only be a 1 point underdog. Expected finish: 5-11.

 

 

Endorsement Requested

Both Presidential campaign staffs have requested an endorsement from the TTFBA. They feel that this could be the deciding factor in the election. Please vote in the posted poll and the candidate of choice will be notified. To better simulate the actual election, the DTC encourages you to vote early and often. Vote in the name of living and dead relatives, your favorite NFL players, etc.

Write in candidates are not available but the DTC did provide some alternative candidates in case the Republican and Democratic candidates are not palatable selections for you.

The Buffalo Herd Get A Boss

The rightful heir to the Harris division crown just got back into the race with the discovery of a Buffalo Boss in Brookly, New Yawk - Jim Martin. The scientists at the DTC have been agitated for weeks that such a talent-laden team could be rudderless. But now things will be made right, the mighty DTC Colossus Super Computer will be at peace and the Super Geeks can take a power nap after a sugar feeding frenzy.

 

Here's how we expect the Harris division race to shape up:

 

Wausau at 3-6 is expected to lose the rest of the way with the possible exception of an upset of Donelson this week.

 

Dakota, also at 3-6, could finish as good as 9-7.

 

Ohio, the current division leader at 5-4, has a shot at 11-5 but the margin of victory in the DTC predictions is very tight for most of those games.

 

Knoxville is sitting right behind Ohio with a 4-5 record and could also win out.

 

The key game is in week 14 when Knoxville visits Ohio. In week 1, the Buffaloes didn't allow the Glory to score until 4 minutes were left in the game. In the meantime, they scored 38 points. The final score: 41-7. Ohio has one of the stingier defenses, allowing only 17 points a game, so 41 points was quite a feat. Jeff Garcia posted a 129 rating with 2 Tds and Marshawn Lynch scored twice making the most of his 8 carries. Davenport has been the featured back most of the season but expect Lynch to start carrying the load more for the rest of the way, including week 14.

 

It will be an uphill fight but having someone at the helm of Knoxville will make the Harris division race much more interesting.

 

 

TTFBA Week 10 Point Spreads

Week 9 Accuracy: 9 out of 12 (75%) That's more like it.

Season Accuracy: 73 out of 108 (67%) Abysmal.

 

+3 Philadelphia (5-4) vs Knoxville (4-5)

Alas poor homeless Knoxville - should be 7-2.
+4 San Pedro (5-4) vs Dakota (3-6)

Blizzard could inch closer to Harris division leader Ohio this week.
+4 Fresno (6-3) vs Montcalm (5-4)

Both have power offenses but Montcalm's defense is stingier.
+6 Wausau (3-6) at Donelson (2-7)

Bottom feeder game of the week. Great coaches, bad teams.
+7 NW Missouri (8-1) at Great Lakes (6-3)

Really? Can the Midshipmen handle Westbrook?
+8 Muncie (7-2) vs New England (4-5)

Really? Generals' fans clamoring for new coach.
+8 Steeltown (7-2) vs Tillman (9-0)

Rangers cut through RoughCut steel like it was butter.
+8 Dayton (2-7) at Death Valley (2-7)

The Dragons aren't a terrible team, they just live in a terrible neighborhood: the Cambell division.
+12 Ohio (5-4) at Hermitage (4-5)

Both teams should consider this game playing for their playoff lives.
+15 Mt. Pilot (2-7) at Dallas (2-7)

These coaches usually match up closer than the spread indicates.
+16 North Carolina (3-6) at Real Charleston (2-7)

Three wins may not seem like much but NCT is overachieving.
+19 Transylvania (4-5) at Nashville (8-1)

This is Halloween Week - will that infuse power in the EVIL DEAD?

Tillman's Double KR TDs Doom Nashville, 48-31

Tillman Rangers ace kick returner ace Andre Davis returned two kicks for touchdowns to contribute to Nashville's tumble the undefeated ranks. Only one TTFBA team remains undefeated : Nashville's Slayer: The Tillman Rangers.

 

Another kick return man, the Force's Torry Holt, helped put Nashville in the hole early by fumbling a return near the end of the first quarter with Tillman up 10-3. The Rangers went the 25 yards and finished up with a 7 yard pass to from David Garrard (16 of 25, 177 yds, 1 Int, 4 Tds) to Ronnie Brown. Interesting observation: Brown has a reception rating of 8, second only to Brian Westbrook's 10 and equivalent to Reggie Bush's 8. However, Brown only caught 39 passes in 2007, Bush caught 73 and Westbrook caught 90. There are at least 9 other RBs who caught more passes than Brown but none ranked higher than a 6.

 

Still, Nashville responded on the next drive with a touchdown of their own with Jake Delhomme (12 of 20, 197 yds, 1 Int, 3 Tds) hitting favorite target of the day Bobby Engram (6 rec, 82 yds, 2 Tds) on a crossing pattern for the TD. This put them back within 7, down 17-10. The Rangers score another TD, then Nashville answers with another one of their own. 24-17.

 

But then the first of Davis' returns for a TD occurs and the Force go 3 and out. The first half ends with Nashville two touchdowns behind, 31-17. They open the 3rd quarter getting a FG and Tillman answers with a FG of their own. Delhomme is intercepted by Rod Hood to start the 4th quarter and returns it to the Nashville 2 yard line. Garrard connects with T.J. Houshmamdzadeh for their 3rd touchdown completion.

 

With Tillman up 41-20, the Force, in falters on their next drive and miss a 44 yard FG with 10:26 left. Fred Taylor's biggest run of the day, a 41 yarder is wasted. He laid out the yardage, 16 attempts, 151 yards for a 9.4 average but failed to score, extending his TD drought to 4 games.

 

The Rangers attempted to finish Nashville off on the next play with a long pass, only the second long attempt during the game, but it is picked off by Anthony Henry. Nashville strikes quickly with Garrard hitting Antonio Gates for 33 yard TD. Down 41-27 with 10 minutes to go.

 

Then, BOOM! Davis returns the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for the coup de grace.

 

 

 

TTFBA Week 9 Point Spreads

Some improvement in accuracy but huge upsets make the scientists wonder if there are ghosts in the machine.

 

Week 8 Accuracy: 8 out of 12 (67%)

Season Accuracy: 67 out of 96 (70%)

 

 

Week 8 Upsets

+1 Dakota 29, Real Charleston 28

+1 Death Valley 31, Knoxville, 17 

+17 San Pedro 43, New England 31

+14 Wausau 27, Steeltown 17

 

 

Week 9 Spreads

+1 Tillman (8-0) vs Nashville (8-0)
Game o' the Week! Preview of Conference Championship.

+1 Transylvania (4-4) vs Philadelphia (4-4)

The Evil Dead pattern is Loss-Win,Loss-Win. Next up: Win.

+1 Dallas (2-6) at Montcalm (4-4)

Dallas secondary banged up, Panthers win by larger margin.

+2 Real Charleston (2-6) at Knoxville (3-5)

Even at 3-5, Knoxville could still win the division.

+5 San Pedro (4-4) at Mt. Pilot (2-6)

Even at 4-4 San Pedro could still win the division.

+5 Death Valley (2-6) at Ohio (4-4)

Even at 4-4 Ohio could still win the division. Like that pattern?

+5 Dayton (2-6) vs Muncie (6-2)

Brandon Jacobs still out for the Dragons.

+6 Dakota (3-5) vs Steeltown (6-2)

Roughcut recover from embarrassing loss to Wausau.

+9 Hermitage (4-4) at NW Missouri (7-1)

Heroes are 0-3 vs teams with winning records. Welcome to 0-4.

+12 Wausau (2-6) vs Fresno (6-2)

Wausau coming off HUGE upset over Steeltown.

+18 Donelson (2-6) at New England (3-5)

Warriors may have a win or two left in them but not against the Generals.

+20 North Carolina (3-5) vs Great Lakes (5-3)

Midshipmen get back in the win column after loss to Tillman.

TTFBA Week 8 Point Spreads

Perhaps the worst week in the history of DTC Predictions. Just terrible.

 

Week 7 Accuracy: 6 out of 12! (50%)

Season Accuracy: 59 out of 84 (70%)

 

+1 Death Valley (1-6) vs Knoxville (3-4)

Surprising spread considering DV is allowing 400+ yards per game.
+1 Dakota (2-5) at Real Charleston (2-5)

Galacticos Kurt Warner snacks on Blizzard secondary.
+3 Ohio (4-3) at Fresno (5-2)

Both teams battling for top of their respective divisions. Good one!
+5 Great Lakes (5-2) vs Tillman (7-0)

Inactive PacMan will cause distraction fighting with stadium security.

+6 Mt. Pilot (2-5) at Philadelphia (3-4)

Gamblers have a kicker for every one of their wins (2).
+9 North Carolina (3-4) at Muncie (5-2)

Triad Trembler on 3 game winning streak in defiance of rebuilding year.
+10 Transylvania (4-3) at Hermitage (3-4)

Heroes heroically survived Muncie and Great Lakes, get back to winning.
+11 Donelson (2-5) vs NW Missouri (6-1)

Warrior offense no match for that Redneck defense.
+12 Montcalm (4-3) at Nashville (7-0)

Nashville quietly undefeated (except for the occasional Engram outburst)
+14 Wausau (1-6) at Steeltown (6-1)

Matt Ryan already trying on Blue Bomber jersey.
+17 San Pedro (3-4) vs New England (3-4)

Corsairs are overachieving, Generals are underachieving.
+18 Dayton (2-5) at Dallas (1-6)
Battle of the Bottom Feeders. Just played: Dallas 30, Dayton 7.

 

 

Philly upsets Muncie in 5 INT Game

The award for most terrible passing by both quarterbacks in a regular season game goes to Philadelphia vs Muncie, October 2008. Liberty QB Trent Green and Packer QB Peyton Manning combined for 5 interceptions, 5 sacks, 1 td, 1 fumble and an average rating of 58. Manning did pass for 310 yds in the losing effort but it was Green who, in spite of only having only 158 yds for the day, threw the TD pass.

It's difficult even reading through the play-by-play on this game because of all the turnovers (9). So, I made a chart. I only counted 8. Perhaps they count a failed 4th down attempt as a turnover? I know about 4th down attempts, I played San Pedro. Anyway, here's my chart...

T1 MUN Manning fumble (result=Gore fumble)
T2 PHI Gore fumble (result=MUN TD)
T3 PHI Green INT (result=Pittman fumble)
T4 MUN Pittman fumble (result=missed 60 yd FG)
T5 MUN Manning INT (result=PHI TD)
T6 MUN Manning INT (result=Tatupu fumbles while returning INT)
T7 MUN Manning INT (result=Green INT)
T8 PHI Green INT (result=MUN TD)

My brain hurts. I can't go on much longer. Dear Mr. Muncie Mercenary Coach - didn't I warn you about Philly? Didn't I? The computers and the geeks are not happy when I contradict them. Then they really get mad when I'm right. You hurt their almighty blessed accuracy percentage. They can hack Congressional computers and insure your clubs are one of the few entities not to be bailed out by taxpayers. But I digress...

The teams had some success on the ground. Liberty's Frank Gore came up a yard shy of 100, average 5.8 per carry but fumbled more times than he scored (1 fumble, 0 tds). Adrian Peterson tacked on 23 yds but embarrassed those of us from the Sooner Nation by averaging only 3.8 yds and not scoring. Philly, call me. We'll take him and try to rehabilitate him. Muncie Packers' Three Tenor Trio of Buckhalter, Dayne and Pittman averaged 4.4 yds per carry with Buckhalter punching in a 4 yd TD in the 2nd quarter.

Look at that Liberty, will ya? After going 0-4 to start the season, they have won 3 in a row. They'll actually be favored for a change next week against Mt. Pilot. And in their division, 3-4 is a contender. The Muncie Packers should get back on the victory wagon against North Carolina.

Air Steeltown Defeats Generals, 23-13

[By Guest Correspondent Cela Noltz]

A tough tough game, Steeltown outlasts New England for a hard-fought 23-13 win.

The Roughcut run-game was sluggish most of the day, mainly due to a concerted effort by the New England defense. Earnest "Cracker" Graham managed 47 yds, most coming late, while Ryan "Land" Grant had 31 tough yds. Tony "Mojo" Romo and the passing game were again key, managing 341 yds and two TDs on a 24 for 35 day. He was harrassed and sacked 4 times by a rugged New England attack. Jerricho "Wall" Cotchery had 97 yds on 7 catches while Hines "Ketchup" Ward added 88 yds on 6 catches. Terrell "Gimme the Ball" Owens was knocked out of the game early.

Jay "Fine" Cutler led the Generals, throwing for 246 yds and a TD, 22 of 32 passing. Julius "Caesar" Jones could manage only 21 yds on the ground, on 9 carries. Braylon "Crayon" Edwards was a standout for the visitors, catching 9 passes for 85 yds and a score. Reggie "Wedgie" Wayne added 96 yds on 6 catches, mainly double-teamed.

San Pedro Continues Dallas Losing Streak

San Pedro Corsair RBs Marion Barber and Joseph Addai combined for 171 yds and 2 yds rushing in a 24-14 upset of the Dallas Gladiators. Addia also took a short flat from QB Derek Anderson 46 yds for a TD that was 28% of Anderson's 165 yd output for the day.

 

Corsairs scored first with a 43 field goal on a drive featuring a successful 1st down attempt on 4th and 2 from Dallas's 44 yd line, one of 2 successful conversions in the game. The second one was a 2 yd TD run by Barber to put them up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter. San Pedro historically has gone for it on 4th down more than any other team in the TTFBA. Their success at it has been mixed over the years but so far this season they have converted 70% (14 of 20).

 

That's right, folks. You only see this expert analysis from the scientists of the Dallas Technology Center. We may not be able to figure out how to stop a 5 game losing streak but we sure can analyze how teams crush us.

 

Addai's TD pass reception mentioned earlier occurred at the end of the first half putting the Corsairs up 17-7. Dallas was unable to capitalize on a pick from Anderson by CB Ronde Barber to open up the 3rd quarter because they attempted a San Pedro and went for it on 4th and inches from the Corsairs 12 but the Corsairs were waiting for the Tom Brady sneak.

 

Dallas did score on their next drive with Santonio Holmes taking a short pass ala Barber 44 yds for a TD closing to 17-14. 

 

Brady's stats were good (22 of 30 for 217 yds and 2 tds) but he couldn't singlehandedly win the game for the Gladiators. RB Shaun Alexander got "tired" during a key stretch of the game forcing Dallas, without any healthy RBs, to go all pass, all the time. Alexander eventually returned, only to get "hurt".

 

Still, Dallas trudged on but any comeback hopes were deflated when Kris Brown missed a 52 yard FG attempt with 2 minutes left that would've tied it. San Pedro's bonus TD came in the final seconds on a 27 yd romp by Addai when the Gladiators went aggressive goalline max blitz. Addai ran the entire 27 yards with half of the Gladiator defense hanging on him trying to strip the ball.

 

Dallas (1-6!) play again at home next week and will be 18 pt (hahahaha!) favorites against Dayton. San Pedro, even at only 3-4, can easily take the Barry Sanders division. Division leader Hermitage was 3-3 coming into this week and San Pedro defeated them earlier in the season. But they face New England and will be 17 pt underdogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTFBA Week 7 Point Spreads

Week 6 Accuracy: 9 out of 12 (75%)
Season Accuracy: 53 out of 72 (74%)


+1 Philadelphia (2-4) at Muncie (5-1)
The Packers better be careful.
+2 Dayton (2-4) vs Ohio (3-3)
RB Brandon Jacobs injured for the Dragons. Won't be this close.
+3 North Carolina (2-4) vs Wausau (1-5)
Blue Bombers beat Triad Tremblers by a Trio.
+4 Transylvania (3-3) at Death Valley (1-5)
The Evil Dead staying in the mix for a playoff slot.
+4 Steeltown (5-1) vs New England (3-3)
New England has choked in big games. This one as well?
+7 Mt. Pilot (1-5) at Real Charleston (2-4)
RCC has potent passing attack but one of the worst defenses.
+9 Hermitage (3-3) at Great Lakes (4-2)
Even at 4-2, Great Lakes is still only 3rd in own division.
+9 Fresno (5-1) vs NW Missouri (5-1)
Two scoring machines go at it. NWM has better defense.
+10 Knoxville (3-3) at Montcalm (3-3)
Knoxville's QB Jeff Garcia is out. Backup Kyle Orton is no Garcia.
+13 San Pedro (2-4) at Dallas (1-5)
I scoff at my own DTC at this one. Several key Gladiators are on crutches.
+16 Dakota (2-4) at Tillman (6-0)
The Blizzard will be competitive in most games this season. Just not this one.
+21 Donelson (2-4) at Nashville (6-0)
Father vs Son. Pre-game group hug: father,son and Bobby Engram.

Muncie 31, Hermitage 19

The Packers released Kryptonite on the Heroes this weekend, defeating them soundly 31-19 with the hot hand of Peyton Manning (21 of 29, 287 yds, 4 tds, 143 rating). Muncie deployed a defense in the first half to throttle RB LaDainian Tomlinson (16 carries, 64 yds, 1 td, 4 receptions) and dare Hermitage to beat them in the air with Jon Kitna and Andre Johnson, Joe Jurevicius and Jeremy Shockey. This would appear to be a bold strategy considering Tomlinson was the top rusher in the league coming into the game with 774 yds and a 6.5 avg. Although the stats show Muncie's defense as 2nd against the run, allowing only 76 yds per game, they hadn't played anyone with a running game like Hermitage's except perhaps Nashville.

 

The strategy was effective although Tomlinson can only be contained, not shut down. One key play in putting Hermitage in a hole, 17-3, was a Packer pick off Kitna on his own 8 yard line while keying on Tomlinson. It was a short out pass into a tight man defense but you'd expect the odds to be in the Heroes favor to complete that one, especially at home.

 

Hermitage did put together a nice 72 yard drive to end the half with Tomlinson contributing 22 yards on 3 carries and 2 receptions for 15 yards. A 15 yard seam to Jurevicius for a TD put the favorite Heroes back in the game 17-10.

 

They closed the gap even more with another field goal 6 minutes into the 2nd half but Muncie delivered the fatal blows with back-to-back touchdown drives where Manning went 10 of 11 and TD passes of 2 and 17 yards. Manning was the Lex Luthor to the Heroes.

 

Hermitage's final TD drive had one of the most interesting plays. On a 2nd and 40 (because of a 10 yard sack and two 10 yard penalties) Kitna tosses a pass to Dennis Northcutt in the flat against a loose man defense in a dime package. He's able to take in 46 yards for the first down! It's like the game engine was compensating for denying much for Tomlinson by allowing a ridiculous pass result. It wasn't so sorry that it didn't force the Heroes to take 4 plays from the 4 to punch it in for the TD.

 

Hermitage goes to 3-3 probably staying a game up in their division unless, by some miracle, San Pedro defeats Nashville. They'll be 9 pt underdogs next week at Great Lakes. Muncie continues to confound the pundits rolling at 5-1 not letting up on undefeated division leader Nashville. They will only be 1 pt favorites at home against Philadelphia.

 

Blizzard Freeze-Dry the Panthers, 22-17

The DTC had the 3-2 Montcalm Panthers as only a 3 pt favorite over the 1-4 Dakota Blizzard this week. It was free Dairy Queen Margarita Blizzard at Dakota's Arctic Circle Stadium Friday night and the fans were fired up.

 

Many of them passed out soon after Montcalm scored on their first possession on a Drew Brees to Roy Williams 14 yd pass in the face of a Blizzard blitz. The rest of the first half scoring consisted of 3 field goals, 2 for Montcalm, 1 for Blizzard, putting the score at 10-zzzzz-6 at halftime. Brees went 5 of 7 on the final (zzzz) field goal drive, thwarting the Dakota double coverage by throwing to the single covered guys.

 

The Blizzard offense, one of the lowest scoring squads in the league, was playing as poor as expected so it was up to the defense to get the game back. On the first play of the 3rd quarter, S Josh Bullocks picked off Brees giving Ben Roethlisberger & Co. a short field. They capitalize on a 16 yard seam to Kevin Faulk taking the lead which they would never give up. The Panthers would eat up over 6 minutes on their next drive and come up...with nothing - a missed 45 yard FG. Dakota gets (yawn) another FG to go up 10-15. Montcalm follows up with a nice drive that gets them to Dakota's 20 but CB Nate Clements is part of the double coverage and snags an interception, running it all the way back to Montcalm's 9. Roethlisberger decides to throw to, who else, Kevin Faulk for another TD strike.

 

Down 22-10 with 13 minutes left,the Panters go on another clock eating 6 minute drive with Marques Colston catching a pass in the flat then taking 20 yds for the score. The Blizzard are able to hang onto the ball long enough to only allow Montcalm one final desperation play - a long slant to Sam Hurd that falls incomplete.

 

Dakota's running game was essentially non-existent with 51 yds on 27 carries (1.9 avg) but Big Ben went 16 of 21, 229 yds and 2 TDs for a QB rating of 142.8. His effort, along with the two picks of Brees, were the difference in the upset. 

 

 

 

 

Tillman Head Honcho Interview, Part 3 of 3

This is the final segment of DTC's interview with Tillman Ranger Owner/Coach /Super Bowl Loser Chris Erath. He has failed to provide any good bulletin board material or even a hint at how we could defeat the Rangers but he did drink up most of our Green Blob Energy Drink (available at all Geek Convenience Stores in your area!) and has been gracious about any distortions we have made of his quotes. The result of our calculations have the Rangers as this season's champs (providing Erath doesn't choke in the playoffs again).

 

DTC. Your team was originally named the Ouagadougou Walrus. You changed its name to the Tillman Rangers for the 2004 season to honor former Arizona Cardinal S Pat Tillman who joined the Marines in 2002 and was killed in Afghanistan in April, 2004. You suggested the league rename the OJ Simpson conference to the Pat Tillman conference and when that didn't occur you renamed your team. I really liked the Ouagadougou name. I miss it. If the Simpson conference was renamed for Tillman, would you revert to the Ouagadogou name?

 

Erath. Absolutely.  But who would back a proposal to rename a conference for someone who died making a selfless sacrifice when it can be named for a congenital criminal?

 

DTC. The press has power. We impose our will on presidential elections, we can help make this happen.

 

Somebody want Knoxville, anybody?

It's a shame Knoxville is still an available team. Based on a 40 season simulation, DTC has the team ranked 10th with a 365-272-3 record. Their offense ranked 11th with an average of 20 pts per game and their defense ranked 8th, allowing 18 pts per game.

 

They are slight favorites to win their division over the Ohio Glory with the Dakota Blizzard right behind Ohio. Knoxville, Ohio and Dakota are ranked 10th, 11th and 12th overall. They crushed Ohio 41-7 in week 1 but currently trail them in the standings by a game at 2-3. Including the week 6 game, they will be favorites in 7 out of the remaining 11 games.

 

The offense has an average offensive line for the run but below average in protecting the QB. Notable offensive players include RB Marshawn Lynch (1115 yds, 4.0 avg), WR Bernard Berrian (71 receptions, 5 tds), TE Owen Daniels (63 receptions, 3 tds) and the ageless wonder QB Jeff Garcia (94.6 rating, 64% completion, 13 tds, 4 INTs, 19 sacks) . Garcia's back up is Kyle Orton and the team has several TEs including Kevin Boss, Tony Scheffler and Bubba Franks.

 

The defense has average overall rating points featuring very good pass defense points with below average run defense in the base 4-3 defense. The rush points are among the worst (only 15 sacks) but they have the most INTs (23). Notable players on defense are CB Antonio Cromartie with a 10 rating and LBs Gary Brackett (7 rating) and Angelo Crowell (7 rating). The defensive line needs more beef with the starters averaging only 5.5.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Runs Over Dallas, 27-17

A devastating Liberty ground attack and two 2nd quarter picks from Gladiator QB Tom Brady were major contributors to Philadelphia's upset of Dallas in week 6 action. Brady's errors resulted in two TDs for Philadelphia providing a 20-3 hole from which Dallas would never emerge.

 

The Gladiators got back in it in the 4th quarter on a TD driving featuring two 4th down conversions and an early Christmas gift from Liberty QB Trent Green to Gladiator CB Lito Sheppard deep in Liberty territory that set up another. A 20-3 blowout became a 20-17 game in the space of 75 seconds. But, alas, the comeback fell short when Dallas' next drive stalled midfield and a goalline defense against an Adrian Peterson offtackle run resulted in a 49 yard scamper, setting up Philly's final score.

 

Instead of letting the ground game finish the clock off in the final minute, Philadelphia rubbed the Gladiators face in the loss with an 18 yard fly pass to Plaxico Burress for a TD with 1:10 to go. Led by Peterson's 137 yds, the Liberty rushed for 170 yds with a 6.3 avg. With the running game rampant, Green could complete passes at his leisure - the few times he was asked to put it up, going 12 for 17, 117 yds, 1 INT, 2 TDs. Coach was so intent on humiliating Dallas that he didn't consider rewarding Peterson's effort by letting him try to punch one in during the final minute. 

 

Philadelphia improves to 2-4, Dallas falls to 1-5 with a losing streak now at 4 games. The Liberty will be 1 pt underdogs at Muncie next week. They are a better team than their record indicates. Amazing what can happen when someone coaches them. Another amazing thing is that Dallas will be 13 pt favorites at home against San Pedro with 3 RBs, a TE,  and both starting safeties out. What kind of voo-doo we use to come up with the spreads? 

Tillman Head Honcho Interview, Part 2 of 3

DTC. The geeks of DTC have already crowned you the champ for this year going so far as posting a countdown timer to your Super Bowl victory. What do you think your chances are this year? I'm sure the pressure to live up to the DTC pronouncements must be incredible. It is reported that girly-boy players like Peyton "Place" Manning of the Muncie Packers, Bobby "Who's Your Daddy" Engram of the Nashville Force and Warren "Dancing with the Stars" Sapp have wet themselves when they heard their names mentioned in the DTC press. Can your players handle it? You can't afford your RBs to get rattled with your embarrassing lack of the depth at that position.

 

Erath. Rumor has it that Ronnie Brown is planning a major injury to get out from under the pressure.  But he'll spend his time off learning to torch evil teams by taking direct snaps.  Other than Ronnie, they are hanging tough and taking it one game at a time.  As for my chances, I think I'm in the pool of teams which has a legit chance.  It'll be hard to get out of the conference, though, given all the talent in the DTC's home division.

 

DTC. Take it from me - it's a division of wimps. You should see all blubbering the coaches do on chat when I play them. "Please don't let your Gladiators harm my effeminate man-boy team." That Nashville Force guy is the worst. And they say geeks aren't studly.

Tillman Head Honcho Interview. Part 1 of 3

Owner/Coach Chris Erath of the Tillman Rangers visited with a team of geek interviewers in the cubicle labyrinth of the Dallas Technology Center recently. Head of Security Dr. Tribble Phaser considered a security lockdown before Dr. Erath arrived to insure none of our top secret technology and strategies could be observed by him but with the Dallas Gladiators at 1-4 realized the DTC has nothing the 5-0 Rangers could possibly be interested in.

DTC. Welcome Dr. Erath. Thank you for letting us interview you. If you would just let us attach these electrodes we'll start the questioning...
Erath. Back off pimple face. We agreed that no electronic devices would be attached to me.
DTC. Sorry about that. Help yourself to the Skittles and Green Blob Fusion Energy drink.
Erath. I hate Skittles but that drink looks pretty good...
DTC. It's delicious.
Erath. Mmm. Yes it is.
DTC. You have the 3rd best overall record in the TTFBA (98-35) only arch-division rival Mark "Smarty Pants" Liveringhouse of North Carolina and Mike "MROD" Rodriquez of NW Missouri have won more games. You've made the playoffs 7 out of 8 seasons, have 4 division titles and one Super Bowl appearance (a loss to Wausau way,way,way back in 2001). Outside of the lopsided trades you've made that make the billion dollar bailout ripoff of taxpayers look tame by comparison, what would be two or three key reasons why you've had such success?
Erath. Despite your snarky comment, I've made very few trades over the years. At least trades which affected anything. I was fortunate in the initial draft to be able to ignore skill positions until the 10th round or so and then get lucky with Jeff Garcia, who was just starting out. That gave me a good base of non-skill players, and I overcame my lack of RBs with a committee approach initially and then taking some guys who could become starters before they were. As they became starters, the team improved to where it could compete. But I have no magic wand, as evidenced by the Minnesota Viking-like flameouts I've taken in the playoffs.
DTC. The 10th round? That's hard to believe. You had a 13-3 the first season. Unfortunately, the draft records for that year have disappeared (coincidence? I think not) so we are unable to verify your statement.
Erath. I think I had one receiver and no RBs or QBs in the 10th round, when I took Garcia.
DTC. You said your "team improved to where it could compete". What was there to improve? Consistent excellent records and all those playoffs. The one missed appearance was the 2005 season where you obviously blew off the season for a high draft pick and went 2-14. However, you went 11-5 in 2006 and 15-1 last year (choking against arch-nemesis NCT in week 5 and round 2 of playoffs). That's more than just building a great base 8 years ago. I could see a few great years maybe but you have nearly 100 regular season wins like NW Missouri (except that he's appeared in 4 Super Bowls and won 2 of them and you've only been in only one a long,long time ago and withered under Wausau's blitzkrieg attack in the 4th quarter).
Erath. Improved in the sense that I could not compete with [NCT] in year 1; I made the playoffs, got lucky against [Dallas], and then got trampled by [NCT] for the third time that year [in the conference championship]. And if we had played 50 times, NCT would have won 51. After that first year, I could compete, and was in the set of teams that had a legit chance to win, even if it didn't work out that way due to poor owner and substitute playoff coaching (Full disclosure: Gladiator owner/coach Greg English coached Tillman against NCT in round 2 of the 2007 playoffs and lost 34-20.)
DTC. Is good coaching a part of your success or is it mostly player talent?
Erath. It's largely player talent because of the software. If your defense is not up to snuff, you'll get freighttrained even with the right call most of the time. And if your defense is good against the run, teams without a top-notch running attach will struggle to do anything on the ground even if you call pass every time. Dave K, if you are listening, make the software more responsive to play calls and do not be a slave to having replays turn out just like real life.

At this point of the interview, one of the DTC reporters overdosed on Skittles and Energy Drink and threw up on the digital recorder, shorting it out. Fortunately, the DTC has the greatest technology in the history of the TTFBA and was able to extract the data for your reading pleasure.