As our gift to the SAFL community, we present the annual scouting report. Herein you will find our take on each team’s QB, offense, defense, and intangibles. If you want to win the SAFL trophy take heed of our insights. You’re welcome
AK
QB: Possesses above average arm strength. More mobile than physique suggests. IQ above average. Misses many easy throws. Has trouble connecting past his secondary read. A flexible zone is kryptonite.
Offense: Very fast. Plays at full speed. Hands are above average. Has too many easy drops. Players rely on out running back end of defense for big plays. Play calling unimaginative. Can be shut down with a rotating zone.
Defense: Most athletic team in league. The only team who primarily relies on man to man coverage. Susceptible to crossing routes. Never misses a flag.
Intangibles: Plays well together. Always roots for each other. Temperamental. A patient team can get under their skin.
Savages
QB: Possesses above average arm strength. Very immobile. Loves to throw deep. Play calling above average. Has trouble against any team that can take away the deep pass.
Offense: Runs mostly zone breakers. Utilizes personnel well. Personnel is ideal combinations of size and speed. Excellent hands throughout. If opposing defense stays home, team has trouble moving ball because there is only two/three man route. Others are decoys.
Defense: Plays mostly zone. Below average speed up front. Middle man always vacates trying to be Superman. Deep defenders can be had with a wheel route. Flag pulling very good.
Intangibles: Very high level of camaraderie. Always pulling for each other even if QB makes a dumb throw.
Browns
QB: Below average arm strength. Prone to turnovers. Needs elite talent to move ball. Has no value with the legs. Can be shut down with aggressive man to man defense.
Offense: Top heavy talent. Slowest team in league. Can not break away from man to man defense. Runs a variation of the same play consistently.
Defense: Flag pulling the absolute worst. Does not adjust personnel. Very slow up front. Middle can be had for whoever wants to take it.
Intangibles: Camaraderie some of the very best of all teams. Stays calm in close situations and keeps eyes on the final prize.
Gators
QB: Very good arm. Ball arrives quickly. Throws a nice deep ball. Can complete intermediate throws with regularity. Trouble with short routes. Very mobile. A cloud zone will force throws in the middle which is a weakness.
Offense: Good team speed. Tremendous stamina. Hands are above average. Route running is solid. No elite speed limits easy throws. A stay at home true zone can take away almost all sets in the playbook.
Defense: Very high stamina. Can play man to man or zone. Deep corners do no possess ideal speed. Can be susceptible to post out patterns. Excellent flag pulling.
Intangibles: Plays hard until the final whistle. Team is always under control. Effort is unmatched. Leadership still hasn’t shown ability to stop the top teams despite knowing them well.
Underdogs
QB: Very mobile. Above average arm strength. Throws very well on intermediate and short routes. Below average on deep throws. Can be shut down if primary and secondary option is covered.
Offense: Very good mix of size and speed. Runs good structured routes. Does not attack opponents weaknesses with regularity. A base 3-2 defense can render majority of their plays useless.
Defense: Swarms to ball. Elite flag pulling. Does not rotate well to strength of route. Height limitations a concern.
Intangibles: Very focused and serves each other well. Can fall into a shell when hitting rough patches. Needs more vocal leadership.
Elites
QB: Original starting QB is hurt and possibly out for the season. Replacement QB has above average arm strength. Takes too long to recognize primary opening. Forces throws off balance late in the count. Prone to turnovers. Does not utilize athleticism advantages.
Offense: Has youth and speed but play old and slow. Play calling lacks purpose. 3-2 zone can stymie.
Defense: Has good speed. Flag pulling above average. Almost everyone vacates their zone responsibilities. Does not adapt well to opponents strengths and weaknesses.
Intangibles: Superior camaraderie. Team is always pulling for each other. Lacks top flight leadership to guide ship.
Bandits
QB: Throws a great intermediate pass. Long ball ability needs improvement. Needs to check down more often. Has trouble reading the weakness in zone coverage.
Offense: Has enough athleticism to be really good. Size is also a plus. Route running is subpar. Play calling doesn’t cater to the strengths of available personnel. A 3-2 zone is sufficient to shut down offense.
Defense: Ideal mix has not been identified. Too many combinations leading to confusion. Deep defenders rotate too late. Has trouble covering intermediate middle. Flag pulling is horrendous
Intangibles: While team always pulls for each other, the team environment is disjointed. There is no clear understanding of roles. Team feels like it was thrown together at the last minute. Shows great heart by playing until the end.
Thunder
QB: Very raw. Throws a good deep ball. Arm strength is above average. Can complete direct throws. Placement on moving targets below average. Must learn to throw to first open receiver. Any stable zone can fluster.
Offense: Effort is there. Ideal mix of personnel still yet to be put on display. Play calling does not anticipate opposition’s tendencies. Does not have the speed to break man to man and does not have the coordination to break zone.
Defense: Does not adapt well. Sticks to the same looks expecting different results. Has the ability to be an above average D provided they play with more urgency. Average flag pulling.
Intangibles: Guys are in this together. They work well together. Always encourage each other. The enthusiasm is always there. Able leadership is missing.
Cobra Kai
QB: Average arm strength. Not mobile. Strictly a pocket passer. Pushes the ball rather than throwing it resulting in throws with subpar velocity. Play calling needs to be diversified.
Offense: Very good at crossing routes. Ideal size and speed. A 2-1-2 zone can take away most of their routes.
Defense: Still learning how to play with each other. Very good athletes all over the field. Rotation is slow when in zone. Flag pulling average.
Intangibles: Pull for each other. Quite a feat for a new team full of strangers. Team is calm amid chaos. Future is bright. Must learn to speed up play calling to maximize possessions. Must learn to communicate on defense.
