The Ladder 2017 - Player Cuts - Deadline is 7/6 (Sun) at 11 p.m. EST

[gstelmack]

I did mine and got an internal server error on the TE I'm in a heavy fight with Chesapeake over. Everyone else went okay.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I did mine and got an internal server error on the TE I'm in a heavy fight with Chesapeake over. Everyone else went okay.

That is the same error I got on my 2 players left.

[Kodos]

Yeah, the site has been unstable for recruiting the past few days. I've had three dropped calls.

[MacroGuru]

Recruiting done, I will be out of town Thurs - Mon...

[CU Tiger]

FYI There is an ATH USC and I have been in a dog fight for.

He lead but I was closing. I now lead and USC isnt showing in their top 8.
Not sure if thats the glitch or if EF27 dumped him

[CU Tiger]

Really excited for the next recruiting advance.
Just found out a player Ive been slow playing for a while is a +12 sleeper...
And I lead out right for 8 players...this may finally be the year FAU gets a full recruiting class.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I did mine and got an internal server error on the TE I'm in a heavy fight with Chesapeake over. Everyone else went okay.

The ghost in the machine owed me a favor after screwing me out of the game against Florida.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Finally benched my long-time starter QB after he threw 2 picks, including a pick-6, in my first 2 drives against West Virginia.

The longer story here is they both redshirted at the same time as freshmen, and Oliver started once my original QB graduated. He had a great passing season, and we did well. He's the one who is a bit more accurate, but can't carry the ball at all, and fumbles a lot.

That started to cost us during his second season, so Davenport took over, and finished that season, all of last season, and the beginning of this season. But our offense has been especially mediocre this season, with several WRs graduating, and we were 7-0 thanks mostly to the defense.

After the 2 picks today, I'd had enough. We exploded for 37 offensive points (4 TDs, 3 FGs), and got one late defensive TD off a fumble recovery to win 45-28. The biggest difference was our consistency on long throws, we got a pair for TDs that we hadn't really hit much while Davenport was QB'ing.

As long as Oliver doesn't have to scramble, we're better with him back there, but if anyone gets pressure, I'll probably have to put Davenport back in to handle that game. Just not have him throw all that much.

Both graduate after this year, but we've got a youngster on the roster who should step right in, and one signed and one possible recruit who both could be outstanding long-term solutions.

Now I just have to hope both Oliver and Davenport get picked in the draft to boost my "developing pros" recruiting score back up.

So, updating this story a bit, as it's an interesting QB story.

Davenport, the guy who started for a while but got benched, is 95 overall. Oliver, my original starter as a youngster, who has taken the reins back the last few games, is 94 overall. Key attributes:

Davenport:

Throw Power 89 Throw Accuracy 89

Break Tackle 87 Trucking 70
Elusiveness 86 Stiff Arm 71
Spin Move 80 Juke Move 82
Carrying 73 Ball Carrier Vision 84

Pretty good passer, really good runner - he only fumbles when the CPU needs him to to keep the game close, and I get great scrambles from him.

Oliver:

Throw Power 84 Throw Accuracy 93

Break Tackle 77 Trucking 59
Elusiveness 60 Stiff Arm 48
Spin Move 44 Juke Move 52
Carrying 55 Ball Carrier Vision 52

I don't even sneak with him anymore. He loses out on power, but has 4 extra points of accuracy.

And MAN is that difference from 89 to 93 HUGE. Stats:

J. Davenport 104-172 (60.5%), 1402 yds, 10 TD, 14 INT
D. Oliver 62-97 (63.9%), 1218 yds, 13 TD, 4 INT

A little more than half the attempts, and we're nearly there on yards, beating him on TDs, and the picks have been cut WAY down.

I should have revisited them after that first starting season, I wonder how I would have done last year?

[chesapeake]

So, if I have this right, if we play a bowl game against each other it is blitz Oliver and spy Davenport?

[gstelmack]

Try blitzing Oliver, I dare you to leave his receivers open ;-)

[chesapeake]

I don't know...that jello arm doesn't make me worry too much about getting beat deep.

[gstelmack]

Actually, that's one of the surprising things here - both have the power to throw deep, but the accuracy means that Davenport will miss the open guy streaking down the field, while Oliver will hit him in stride. I also get more dropped passes with Davenport, don't know if that's the extra power causing short passes to bounce, or the accuracy making them harder to catch.

The fun part to me is they aren't THAT different in passing skill, but they are WORLDS apart on the results.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

FYI There is an ATH USC and I have been in a dog fight for.

He lead but I was closing. I now lead and USC isnt showing in their top 8.
Not sure if thats the glitch or if EF27 dumped him

I'm fairly sure I dumped that guy as I don't remember your team being close on either of the guys I decided to focus on for the final spot... we'll see once we advance for sure. I know I've narrowed it down to 2 athletes left. I'll see once we advance if they are still on my list.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'm fairly sure I dumped that guy as I don't remember your team being close on either of the guys I decided to focus on for the final spot... we'll see once we advance for sure. I know I've narrowed it down to 2 athletes left. I'll see once we advance if they are still on my list.

"on second thought Ill save that until after recruiting is over"

[Kodos]

Finished my recruiting. A couple guys haven't recruited yet.

[chesapeake]

Done.

[Kodos]

Welcome to Conference Championship Week!

=============== #1 South Florida Bulls (12-0) ===============
Last week the Bulls were idle.
This week, the Bulls will host #17 South Carolina (9-3).
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) CB Anthony Banks has committed to South Florida


=============== #2 USC Trojans (12-0) ===============
Last week the Trojans were idle.
This week, the Trojans will host #15 Notre Dame (9-3).
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) LT Dan Anderson has committed to USC
- (***) LE Joe Bellamy has committed to USC


=============== #3 UTSA Roadrunners (12-0) ===============
Last week the Roadrunners were idle.
This week, the Roadrunners will host #23 Oklahoma (9-3).
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) DT Scott Graham has committed to UTSA
- (***) LT Ryan Mueller has committed to UTSA
- (****) LOLB Andrew Sparks has committed to UTSA
- (***) ROLB Freddie Hammond has committed to UTSA
- (***) FS Philip Williams has committed to UTSA


=============== #5 Rice Owls (11-1) ===============
Last week the Owls were idle.
This week, the Owls will host #8 Duke (10-2).


=============== #6 Indiana Hoosiers (9-3) ===============
Last week the Hoosiers were idle.
This week, the Hoosiers are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) MLB Zach Thompson has committed to Indiana
- (****) LOLB Andrew Sparks has committed to UTSA
- (****) LOLB Terrence Melton has committed to Indiana
- (****) CB Mike McGill has committed to Indiana
- (****) RE Brian Pollard has committed to Indiana


=============== #8 Duke Blue Devils (10-2) ===============
Last week the Blue Devils were idle.
This week, the Blue Devils travel to Houston to face the #5 Rice Owls (11-1).
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) CB Evan Jefferson has committed to Duke
- (****) LE Chris Chase has committed to Duke
- (****) HB Justin Romero has committed to Duke
- (***) RG Loren Smith has committed to Duke
- (****) QB Jason Kane has committed to Duke
- (***) DT Matt Sims has committed to Duke


=============== #16 Buffalo Bulls (10-2) ===============
Last week the Bulls were idle.
This week, the Bulls will host Fairbanks (7-4).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) CB Josh Martinez has committed to Buffalo
- (****) CB Eric Fox has committed to Buffalo
- (****) HB Adam Mayfield has committed to Buffalo
- (***) CB Ty Clarke has committed to Buffalo
- (***) CB Luke Andrews has committed to Buffalo
- (**) LOLB Danny McBride has committed to Buffalo
- (*****) HB Richard Moss has committed to Auburn
- (***) DT Andrew Jackson has committed to Buffalo


=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (8-4) ===============
Last week the Owls were idle.
This week, the Owls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) HB Adam Mayfield has committed to Buffalo
- (***) TE Brennan Williams has committed to Florida Atlantic

[Julio Riddols]

Nice, here we go.

[CU Tiger]

There is no recruiting this week is there?

[gstelmack]

No recruiting.

We started off with a nice drive, pounding the ball, a few good passes, then I got cute near the goalline and misread the defense for a pick-6 the other way. Offense went in a funk, we gave up a TD drive, then the defense settled in, got a pick or two, then I threw one of the B.S. picks, then my defense gave me the ball right back, and we hit a 56-yard FG before the half for a 14-10 deficit.

On their first drive of the second half, we got the pick-6 back with our own, defense went into ballhawk mode (5 total INTs, 4 by one player including the pick-6), got a FG, they got a TD, we got the TD back with a 2-point conversion for a 28-21 lead, then they marched down and tied it up with 1 minute left.

Tried a couple of things, then got a TE behind the defense for a long throw into FG range. A couple of runs, then we kicked the winning FG as time expired for the 31-28 win over South Carolina and the ACC title.

I think both I and UTSA are pulling for a Southern Cal loss so we meet each other, I'm not sure I've got the talent to hang with Southern Cal. Then again I took Duke and Chesapeake to overtime in an ACC title game when he had the talent, so maybe I can pull something out.

[Julio Riddols]

Yeah, after winning our conference title game we're just hoping for a shot at the title. Maybe the voters will be drunk enough..

[Eaglesfan27]

I was still going after CU's guy and the glitch dropped me from 1st or 2nd to 10th for both guys

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I was still going after CU's guy and the glitch dropped me from 1st or 2nd to 10th for both guys

I wonder if it was the glitch or the $100 handshakes

I kept beating him you about playing time and prox maybe the kid finally listened

That said sucks for it to happen that way.

[Eaglesfan27]

No big deal. Congrats on getting the kid!

Meanwhile, we had a tough game against ND as our QB fumbled early giving them a short field for a 7-0 lead. We missed a long FG on our next drive and they went up 10-0 as their ground game really pounded us. We came back with a perfectly executed drive to make it 10-7.

In the 2nd quarter, the defenses dominated and we missed another FG and then they went up 13-7. We ran a perfect 2 minute drill to get us into range for a 45 yard FG to make it 13-10 at the half.

In the 3rd quarter, they fumbled it early and our offense went to work. Thurman was PERFECT in the 3rd quarter never missing a pass or failing to make a play and we jumped to a 31-20 lead by the end of 3.

Our defense came up big again in the 4th and we cruised to a 45-20 win in a game in which Thurman accounted for over 400 yards of offense and 5 TD's.

[chesapeake]

Cartman: I can play the return match tonight (Tuesday) or Thursday night. I can usually start at about 10 PM EDT. Let me know if either night works.

[cartman]

Tonight should work. I'll hop online then, and when you are ready, shoot me an invite.

[MacroGuru]

I will play the game a little later today.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by cartman

Tonight should work. I'll hop online then, and when you are ready, shoot me an invite.

Will do.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

Will do.

Well, looks like tonight isn't going to work. We are having all sorts of power issues with the storms in the area. I've had the power flicker at least 6 times in the past hour. I'd hate for it to happen while we are in the middle of a game. Let's shoot for Thursday night.

[chesapeake]

Thursday it is.

[MacroGuru]

Oh my, the pain of my existince, Fairbanks is up for the MWC Championship game.

We can not generate a running game in the snow and we sure as hell couldn't throw the ball in the 1st half.

It took some lucky plays on defense and offense for us to take the lead in the 4 th qtr. Well, we gave up that lead with 20 seconds left and end up doing into a double OT game.

We luckily pulled out of there with a win,

Looks like the Sugar Bowl is our game.

[Kodos]

Congrats, Macro. Good snow up in Buffalo? I enjoyed watching your highlights. Looks like it was a fun game.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Congrats, Macro. Good snow up in Buffalo? I enjoyed watching your highlights. Looks like it was a fun game.

It was a great game, although I was calling Fairbanks a bunch of names, honestly I think my saving grace was knocking their starting QB out of the game.

[Kodos]

It's fun to see one of my created teams (stolen from IHOF) has become a bit of a rival for you.

[cartman]

Another great game between Rice and Duke. This one was a defensive battle, with neither offense ever able to get consistent drives going. My QB was horrendous in the 1st half, going 3 for 14. Duke got a late FG to take a 20-14 lead. I drove down to inside the 20 with less than 30 seconds to go. He sealed the game with an INT at the goal line.

[Kodos]

It's USF vs. USC for the championship. Good luck, boys.

[gstelmack]

EaglesFan27, I am available nearly all evenings from 8 PM Eastern to 10 PM Eastern to start the game. I may also be open Saturday morning until about noon. Let me know if any of those times work, or if we need to figure something else out.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think I can do either Monday or Tuesday around 9 pm eastern start time.

[gstelmack]

Sounds good. We'll confirm Monday - either night should work for me.

[Julio Riddols]

Do we play a human opponent?

[MacroGuru]

The Website login for 13 is not taking me to the league...is this happening to anyone else?

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by cartman

Another great game between Rice and Duke. This one was a defensive battle, with neither offense ever able to get consistent drives going. My QB was horrendous in the 1st half, going 3 for 14. Duke got a late FG to take a 20-14 lead. I drove down to inside the 20 with less than 30 seconds to go. He sealed the game with an INT at the goal line.

That was an incredible game. I really thought you were going to pull it out there at the end.

Usually my punting sucks, but the two I put inside the 5 made a huge difference in this game. The field position I ended up with after your punts accounted for 10 of my points.

[Julio Riddols]

We spanked MSU and now we're hoping to at least finish number 2.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

The Website login for 13 is not taking me to the league...is this happening to anyone else?

Yes. It seems to work on the second try for me.

[CU Tiger]

Won a nail biter of a game.

[MacroGuru]

This was a game the computer wasn't going to let me win. Bouncing off a RB as we tried to tackle him multiple times as he took it to the house. LB's jumping amazingly high to get the INT. Every defensive call was right to counter exactly what I called on offense, especially in passing situations.

His DL destroyed my OL and we gave up I think like 7-10 sacks for the game.

But my Freshman QB set a single season school record, my DE broke the schools all time season sack record which I set last season, my WR has the schools all time receiving yardage record and my TE holds the schools receiving TD mark.

My Freshman RB was 3rd in Heisman votes.

To bad we couldn't take home the Bowl win.

So we are building a solid program and will be promoting!

It's going to be fun!

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I think I can do either Monday or Tuesday around 9 pm eastern start time.

Let me know if you want to do tonight or tomorrow night. If I don't hear from you, I'll go online at 9 PM and check.

Do you use a headset when you play, so I know if I should have mine on?

[Eaglesfan27]

Tonight is a no go. Tomorrow, is much better. No headset the last few years.

[gstelmack]

Okay, I'll look for you tomorrow, sans-headset.

[chesapeake]

I had a bitter fight with Cal, but a 4 minute, 4th quarter touchdown drive sealed the deal and Duke emerged with the Fiesta Bowl title. I don't know if it will have any effect on our ranking, however. We were 4th coming in, and it is hard to see how we will be able to leap over either USC or USF with only one loss.

Good luck to both teams tonight.