We begin today's blog post with the defensive rookie of the year candidates, presented by Booger926. We thank Booger for his contribution. If anyone else wants to contribute blog content, it is always welcome.
----------
 |
| Martin McMeans, RDE, Memphis Showboats |
There is no greater honor than being selected by the AI Writers of
Simerica as the best of your class, except being selected as the best by
your peers. This year, I am proud to introduce the 1976 Rookie
Defensive Players of the Year Candidates as decided by AIWS
https://usflwfl.myfootballnow.com/player-awards1)
RDE Martin McMeans – Memphis Showboats The
ninth overall pick in the 1976 draft from Iowa State and standing at 6-foot-2, this 276-poound Mean Machine put fear in opposing quarterbacks
in his 14 games as the designated starting RDE for the Showboats. During
that time, he led his team in hurries with 55, the 14th-highest number
of all defensive players league-wide, while being second on his team in
sacks with 12 and 35 tackles. His ferocious play style helped him force three
fumbles, in which he recovered two. And he quickly blocked offensive coordinators' plans of “Take Advantage of his Aggressive Nature” by
knocking down 2 and intercepting 1 of the four screen passes thrown his
way. His only setback was his two penalties for delay of game where homicide investigators had to draw chalk lines around those he tackled.
2)
DT Brandon Kidney – Georgia Force Being
a sixth-round pick in the 1976 draft from the Illinois Fight Illini,
one would expect that Kidney would be put in a reserve role, which he is
being listed as the #4 DT on the playoff-bound Georgia Force,
but another definition of reserve is stockpile. When he does play, he
makes the most of his chances. He started 14 games where he is ninth in
the league with 17 sacks and 57 hurries. He forced opposing RBs to
fumble the ball five times out of sheer panic when they thought they had a
hole and Kidney suddenly appeared to close it. He recovered two fumbles while
they stood paralyzed in terror. And standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in
at 310 pounds, Kidney doesn’t have a jersey number, but instead his own zip
code and there is nobody getting into his area code
3)
SS Cory Vargas – Houston Gamblers The
sixth overall pick in the 1976 draft from Texas A&M, this fighting
Aggie has already “WHOOPED!” the offensive passing game. Designated as a strong safety, but playing as the Gamblers' right cornerback, he has
played in 88 percent of the team’s defensive plays in his first 12 games. Leading the Gamblers in tackles with 73 and interceptions with five, fifth-best in the league, he now realizes that
“defense” is the side without the ball. Opposing quarterbacks, thinking
that Vargas is “just a newbie,” like to test him by throwing to their No. 1 WR, which Vargas covers. Just this year, QBs have tossed the ball
Vargas' way 119 times, though he allowed just 36 percent to be
caught. He has knocked down 14 passes and, as mentioned, is in the top five
league-wide in INTs.
4)
CB Oliver Serrano – Cleveland Thunderbolts Being
the equivalent of a defensive weapon of mass destruction, Serrano plays
all over for the playoff-bound Thunderbolts. Listed as No. 3 in a rotating secondary as well as filling in as a LB when needed, he has made others
take notice. With blinding speed, incredible tackling ability, and
unbelievable man-to-man coverage skills, he is the prototype of an
advanced ALL-STAR. If one could build a defensive player from the ground
up, one would definitely look at Serrano for inspiration. In 14 games,
five in which he was a starter, he has 54 tackles, six sacks coming off
the corner, and has hurried the QB 29 times. While thrown at 50 times
for the season, he has knocked down six while intercepting two passes and
allowed 19 to be caught.
Coach of the Year?
It occurred to me (this is the commish speaking now, not Booger, but thank you, Booger, for your time) that, when the All-Pro ballot comes out following Tuesday's season finale, there are going to be a lot of candidates for Coach of the Year. Consider:
- mwd65, Los Angeles Express: Took a 6-10 team and won the Pacific Division.
- Pembronze, Portland Storm: On the verge of a playoff berth despite playing the toughest schedule in the league.
- Smirt211, Arizona Wranglers: Went from 3-13 to the verge of a playoff berth.
- jabillups65, Cleveland Thunderbolts: Took over an 8-8 team and has them at 13-2 and tied with Detroit atop the Midwest Division.
- Mcarovil, Tampa Bay Bandits: Built the Bandits from 6-10 (partial season) to 8-8 to 14-1, the league's best record.
- setherick, Orlando Renegades: Team is 9-1 since he took over and headed to the playoffs.
- greyghost1225, New Orleans VooDoo: Took over team that finished last in the South Division in 1975 and has them in first place headed into the final week.
Firing an Owner?
The only owners I have removed during the USFL/WFL's three seasons have been those who totally ignored their team. Another user-owned league, Paydirt, has a system for removing owners/GMs for under-performance. Their guidelines are below. I have not previously considered doing this. But, in the quest for competitive balance, it may be something we want to consider.
Hiring and Firing of GM'sA) If they have a winless season.
B) If they have 3 consecutive seasons with less than 5 wins
C) If they have 4 consecutive seasons with less than 7 wins
D) If they have 5 consecutive seasons under .500
E) If they have 6 consecutive seasons not making the playoffs
F) If a GM takes over a playoff team and miss the playoffs for 3 consecutive seasons.
G) 3 league conduct violations.
H) No GM can be fired in their first 3 seasons with exception of rule 4.
I) If no one is on the waiting list each GM will retain their tenure with exception of rule G.
J) Once a GM is fired from their team they may not be hired by that same team for 3 seasons. They may be hired by another team at any time, determined by the waiting list.
