CAG NFL UPDATE #1: A SIT-DOWN WITH "VERTIGHO"

SAN ANTONIO - Last season, the Simulation Football League partnered with the CAG NFL, casualadultgamers.com's All-Pro Football online v. online XBOX 360 NFL league. Since the partnership, both league's have received extra attention and more APF lovers have been united thanks to the deal. This season, simulationfl.com will bring you closer to the members of CAG and keep you updated on their fast-paced reported action of their current season, which right now, is season 37.

Season 37 has brought about some upgrades for CAG, which is now keeping track of stats after games, a page taken out of the SFL book. The league divided up into five divisions this season, with the CAG North shaping up as the most interesting race. PcatMcgoo (KC) and Dazzo0007 sit atop the division at 4-1, with Vertigho (3-1) and Dazzo47 (2-2) not far behind.

Rebelrouser1988 is making his way up the South standings (2-3) after taking down KingJavo 21-3 earlier this week, now just 1.5 out of first place. Out West, RunandShoot is the league's lone remaining undefeated squad, 4-0. RamosLynn's Broncos lead the Central (3-1). RunandShoot's defense has held offenses to just over 4 points a game this season! Incredible.

To follow along with the current season, and to see if 2x defending champion vertigho can be stopped, league update's can be viewed here: http://www.casualadultgamers.com/V5/showthread.php?3093-CAG-NFL-XXXVII-Week-5/page63

Vertigho was kind enough to sit down with the league to discuss his Patriots, his Crabs and his copy of All-Pro Football 2k8. Check out a new CAG interview every week - right here on the official site of the SFL!

CI: How many seasons have you been involved with CAG?

BS: I'm not entirely sure. If I recall correctly, I joined the league around Christmastime 2011, which would have me in the league for just over four years now. I've taken a handful of seasons off along the way but via some crude math, I think I've been involved for roughly 25 seasons, give or take.

CI: Why is CAG NFL so fun? BS: I think CAG is enjoyable because we intimately know each other and have an appreciation for one another's abilities and talents, as well as a great deal of respect for each other. We're tightly knit and are able to interact closely, and in an incredibly friendly manner. This adds to the immersion but also allows for a family-like atmosphere. There is no bad blood, no feuds or in-fighting. We have our disagreements from time-to-time, but we respectfully move forward. When you couple that with top-notch coaching and some of the best schemes and strategies you can find, you get an ultra-competitive league coupled with a tight-knit feel. It's great. The simple answer to this question that has gone overlooked in my response is that All Pro Football is the Holy Grail of simulation football. You could have a lot of fun with this game in any circumstance, but the environment of the CAG leagues certainly adds to the experience.

CI: What makes it so enjoyable that you can't put it down? BS: The competition, but more importantly, All Pro Football itself. The animations, the commentary, the player interactions... it's all incredible. I can create a team with a specific scheme in mind, and assuming that I build my team properly, that scheme will often translate successfully onto the field. The level of immersion, attention to detail and overall realism is beyond incredible. When you couple an amazing football simulator with top-notch competition, that's what ultimately makes this game impossible to put down.

CI: What's it like being the Baltimore Crabs offensive coordinator? BS: It's certainly stressful. I recall watching Crabs' games last season and cheering, hootin' and hollerin'. Not the case anymore. I might let out a fist-pump but that's about it. I'm much more tuned in to what the offense is doing, how they're executing, what plays are (and aren't) having success. You have to have a critical eye, that's for sure. Can never get too high, either. The preparation is fun, albeit challenging. You have to find plays and formations that operate well in a CPU v. CPU environment. And it's not just about getting the right plays, it's about getting the right combination of plays. It's a multi-faceted, complicated and challenging gig. I'm certainly loving every minute of it and seeing success on the field makes the job very rewarding.

CI: What is your favorite CAG NFL memory?

BS: It would have to be my first championship. That playoff run was somewhat magical. I recall I didn't have a great team going into the playoffs... I think I was the lowest (or second-lowest) seed in the CAG North and I had little momentum. I wasn't terribly confident about my chances but I took it one game at a time. After getting my first win, I started to sense a bit of destiny brewing. From that point forward I felt confident, but in a steady, controlled way. After beating the Dazzos back-to-back in order to get to the championship, I knew something special was about to happen. I knew it was a special season, my time to breakthrough. Flossin gave me an incredibly tough game, he's an unbelievable coach. But I knew I was going to win that game before it started. I was nervous throughout but had a steadiness to me. I ended up winning in overtime after a botched snap on a punt that resulted in a safety. I was ecstatic, on top of the world. But at the same time I felt horribly for Flossin. Having gone through it before, I know how difficult it is to get to that point, and to lose is devastating. It was a juxtaposition of emotions. The highest of highs, coupled with sympathy for my opponent. That, no doubt, is my favorite CAG memory... that CAG 35 playoff run.

CI: It was your birthday, last Thursday. How did you celebrate!?

BS: Thanks for asking! (channelling my inner Marshawn Lynch here). I celebrated by having sushi and miso soup with my family, followed by some gifts and a layered cake. It was a great day and I couldn't have spent it with better people. Crazy to hit 20. The years are really flying by.

CI: The greatest quality about All-Pro Football 2k8 is...? BS: I think it's the ability for real-life schemes to translate onto the virtual gridiron. I can take a two-gap 3-4 defense and replicate it to perfection in APF. Ditto for the one-gap 3-4. This goes for nearly every scheme out there. Tampa-2, an aggressive cover-3 defense similar to that of Seattle's, a bump-n-run man-coverage scheme similar to what New England runs. There are endless possibilities and you see it all translate from the real-world into All Pro Football. Couple that with every CAP being unique and you have a special game.

CI: Who is your favorite person to face off with in CAG? Who's your toughest opponent? BS: I think my favorite would be TJ. When we play it has the feel of an inter-division game. We know each other's tendencies and schemes. Heck, I could probably predict TJ's first 10-15 plays offensively, and I know exactly what he's doing defensively. He could likely say the same for me. We know each other like the back of our own hand. It comes down to how the ball bounces, a special-teams play, a spectacular individual effort by a CAP, or some other unique occurrence. All of our games are very close and the CAPs almost always determine the outcome. As for my toughest opponent, I'd have to tip my cap to tpaterniti. I don't think I've ever beaten him. His overall football IQ/knowledge and ability to attack your weakness(es) while exploiting his strength(s) is unmatched. He's a phenomenal coach.

CI: What does it take to win a championship in CAG? How do you gameplan? BS: It takes mental toughness, and more importantly, some luck. We're a fairly small league and each coach more-or-less knows what every other coach wants to do. Schemes are important, but not on the same level with the ability to deal with adversity. You're going to run into a tough time or two during a season. You're more than likely to find yourself behind and on your heels in a playoff game. The coach who can stay mentally strong, push through with adversity and overcome is who will be successful longterm. And as I mentioned earlier, you need luck. That's just part of the game.

CI: What is your favorite part about the Simulation Football League? BS: I love the commentary and immersion. When I'm watching the Crabs, I genuinely feel like I'm watching a live football game. I get emotionally invested, I start cheering and find myself analyzing various schemes and players. I ride the highs and lows as I would when watching a Pats' game. The overall immersion is unparalleled and I cannot thank you enough for your work, Cam.