SAFL – TOUGH QUESTIONS

AK: What’s changed since last year for AK?

While most teams retool in the off season, AK has the same team that couldn’t get over the hump in the last few years. They are still the fastest and most athletic team in the league but it’s their lack of creativity in play calling and tendency to get stuck in patterns that causes them to fall short every year. They need to show some creativity in their game planning if they want to hold the SAFL trophy at the end of the season.

Gators: Can The Gators beat man to man?

Gators can seemingly beat every team in the league… Except AK. AK has been their kryptonite for years. Shady is an incredible talent but he’ll have the best corner in the league, Amneet, lining up across from him every time they play. Can the Gators come up with the scheme and find a mismatch on AK’s 4th and 5th corner to finally get the monkey off their back?

PT: Who’s the compliment to DJ on PrimeTime?

Prime Time has been playing great. But last week they were without DJ and were someone exposed by the one win Savages with a hobbled Hash at the helm. The talent at this team is very top heavy with DJ at the top and everyone else below. Luckily they’re seeing their problems just before the playoffs. Who’s going to step up and move the ball while DJ stretches defenses deep?

Browns: Do the Browns want to get into a shootout every week?

The Browns have recently gotten into shoot outs with the elites and the bandits, two teams with very average offenses. Their defense will need to straighten things out come playoff time because the top 3 teams have solid defenses and Shu will be hard pressed to score more than 4 or 5 tds against them.

CK: Can CK’s talent play up to their scheme?

Cobra Kai has brought a very smart QB, Yasha, into the league who’s been tearing defenses apart with great play calling. Who would’ve thought a WR coming out of the backfield would make such a big difference? The scheme here is great. But the reason they’re not in the elite class with AK and Gators is because of their average talent. There’s no one in particular who needs to be accounted for on every play. Can someone step up and throw a wrench into opposing defensive plans in the final stretch of the season?

Bandits: Why aren’t The Bandits scoring?

The Bandits have a very talented roster with Dheeraj and Miguel as a serious one two punch. But they’ve only managed to score more then 4TDs on one occasion. And unfortunately that was against the high powered Browns Offense. The QB will need to do what he did last year and step things up at the end of the season. Jay has been clutch before, and the Bandits will need him to step his game up at the end of the season if they want to make it to the big game.

Elites: Will the Elites learn to make in game adjustments?

Elites seem to have turned a corner by beating the 3 teams below them in convincing fashion. They want the league to see them as a top 5 team but they’ll need to be smarter during the game for that to happen. Elites have been in every game until the half. But they’ve faltered in the second half in all their losses, most notably blowing a 3TD halftime lead vs CK. The best teams in the league fix their mistakes at half time. Elites haven’t proved that they can adjust in these first 8 games.

Savages: Can Hashim carry the Savages?

Getting Hashim back was a huge boost for Savages. He showed the league what he can do by beating a top 3 team in this league with his arm. There’s no shortage of athletes on this team. Great WRs and defense, but this is a QB driven league. The Savages will only go as far as Hash can carry them. Can he handle the load?

Thunder: Can Thunder stop shooting themselves in the foot?

This is a great group of guys who play with a lot of heart. Unfortunately they make way too many silly mistakes. Thunder is the only team bold enough to run man to man coverage vs AK in recent memory and paid heavily for it (55 Points). They will need to understand match ups better and play accordingly going forward. On the offensive side of the ball, its simple. Catch the ball. Jawid isn’t the MVP of the league but he’s more than capable. Thunder WRs are getting open but they’re dropping way too many passes. They’ll to work on that if they want to get deep in the playoffs.

Renegades: Where are the Jimmys and Joes!? Where are the Xs and Os!?

Renegades only have 1 player with All Star talent, that’s Anwar. He’s got a great arm and veteran IQ, but there doesn’t seem to be talent anywhere else on this team. No WR not defenders to be afraid of. There is absolutely no reason why this team should’ve given up 55 points to a 5 man offense. Even without talent, a few smart defensive adjustments should’ve held CK to half that score. Renegades need someone to step up this week if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.