WEEK 8 SFL NEWSLETTER
- Cameron Irvine
- Aug 15, 2014
- 5 min read
Feature of the Week
Players on the chopping block
This off-season promises to be the most dramatic we've seen in league history. With a lot of big contracts expiring, there are a lot of high-profile players that will need to step their game up to keep their bank accounts and their careers afloat. Here's who we believe has a make-or-break final three weeks ahead of them.
1) Cesar Cannon, Dallas WR
Cannon has been cast aside for Freeman Goodspeed and with both players' contracts up, the Stars will likely try to keep Goodspeed over Cannon - Goodspeed being one of the greatest wide receivers in the SFL. Cannon's $3 million salary hasn't lived up to the bidding and the Stars will likely not invest. Cannon is a monster though and could be a key free agent pickup for a team like Grand Rapids or Oklahoma City.
2) Ohno Matsumoto, Kailua QB
Jaimie Walsh would love to keep Matsumoto but his play on the field has just not lived up to par with her expectations and his $4 million price tag. That price tag will likely drop this off-season, but Matsumoto will need more performances like last week's second half in order to get the attention of SFL teams in free agency. Dallas could possibly be a destination, but there's not too many options here for Ohno.
3) Xavier Brunson, San Francisco TE
Brunson has gotten paid $6 million over the last two years for doing absolutely nothing. If he wants to save his career, he'll need to prove he can be a red zone and reliable target for Joseph Redfeather, who is still searching for the prime of his game. Brunson has been overpaid and underwhelming. His days are numbered.
4) D.J. Greenwood and Cam Michael, Oklahoma City CB's
The Renegades defense is always one of the best in the league, but these corners have not done much in Oklahoma City the past couple of years and Irvine could look to upgrade at this position with an Andrew Ball, Koma Keleka or with a converted safety. It's tough to tell and will likely be determined by how OKC's defense finishes this season. The last two seasons, they've finished giving up 40+ points in the finale.
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DESPERATE TIMES: Rollers trying to turn gut-wrenching season around
Saturday August 16 — New York (4-1) @ Grand Rapids (2-3), noon CT
All-time series: New York leads 2-0
Matchup tracker: Park HeeChul vs. the Gatlin brothers. Park HeeChul is slowly making a new for himself this year and has been dynamic in New York's two home games. HeeChul hasn't been as successful on the road, however, and former Knights Jeb and Billy Joe Gatlin lead the Rollers in tackles this season. The Little Dynamo is tough to bring down, so it's their responsibility to keep him contained.
GRAND RAPIDS — A couple of seasons ago, if we would have told you New York and Grand Rapids would have the league's top two defenses in the league in a years time, you might have called us crazy. The top two defenses clash Saturday with a lot on the line.
Grand Rapids gives up 20.0 points per game - New York 20.4. The Rollers defense holds the No. 1 ranking in run defense - giving up just 68 rushing yards per game. Strong offenses sometimes can be the best defense as well - their two offenses are also in the top 3 in time of possession.
The Rollers could easily be 4-1 after two heart-breaking 1-point losses to the Walsh's. New York could easily be 5-0 if it weren't for a Crabs miracle field goal in week 1. Expect this one to be a knock-down, drag-out defensive fight as the Rollers try to save their season from free falling.
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SEARCHING FOR SPARKS: Intimidators defense of title rocky, face Dallas
Sunday August 17 — Orlando (3-2) @ Dallas (0-5), 6 pm CT
All-time series: Orlando leads 2-1
Matchup tracker: Zach Parker vs. Zach Elpheage. Elpheage is having another stellar season, doing what he can on a troubled Dallas defense. Zach Parker has struggled asserting dominance in his first three seasons, but against Dallas in the past, he has combined to rush for 554 yards and 6 TD's. For Dallas to stand a chance, Elpheage will need to be the difference.
DALLAS — It has been a season to forget for the Stars. Their last desperate chance for a playoff push is Sunday. The Stars must win out, with Orlando losing out and then must hope the Rollers and Wyverns don't finish better than 3-5 in order to break the tie with point differential.
They'll host the defending champs who are 0-1 all-time against Dallas in Dallas. The winner of the first three matchups between these two scored at least 40 points. The Intimidators and Stars also turn the ball over more than any other two teams in the league this season - combining for 31 giveaways in 10 games.
Orlando's No. 2 ranked pass defense will have a test trying to defend Scott King, Freeman Goodspeed and Cesar Cannon, as OKC did last week. Their secondary - which only includes corners Rodney Woods and A.J. LaCoste, must not get beat deep. Orlando does not have a double-digit win this season since Week 1.
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BREATHING FIRE: Wyverns trying to right the ship, battle Bulldogs
Monday August 18 — Kailua (2-3) @ San Francisco (1-4), 6 pm CT
All-time series: San Francisco leads 3-2
Matchup tracker: James Cooley vs. Nathaniel Graison. The Bulldogs have proven can't succeed without a downfield passing attack, due to a lacking run game. Graison leads the league with 5 interceptions this season and winning the battle against Cooley deep down the field will be crucial for the Wyverns to win their second in a row.
SAN FRANCISCO - The Bulldogs defeated Kailua in their first three meetings, but the tables have turned in this West rivalry. Kailua has never won in San Francisco, however, as both teams make their final surges for a playoff spot.
Matsumoto is coming off a season-high performance in Grand Rapids and earlier this year passed for a season-high 334 yards against the Bulldogs. In the first meeting, Kailua's pressure was enormous, held Urban to a near season-low 1.10 yards per carry and sacked Joseph Redfeather a season-high 6 times (NOTE: He's been sacked only 4 times in San Francisco's 4 other games.) Keeping Kailua's pressure at bay will be crucial to the Bulldogs' success in front of a friendly crowd.
San Francisco is 7-3 at home all-time and has never lost more than 1 home game in a season. It might be a chance for the struggling San Francisco's offense to shine, as Kailua's defense ranks 7th in the league in points allowed. The last three times San Francisco has played the Wyverns, they've scored 13 points each outing.
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