Extra Point (Fail) Streak Hits 8

Due to extraordinary failure by What?!'s "special team," this marks the 2nd game in a row that the team scored the same amount of TD's as their opponents but yet lost the game.

"I heard Jason Elam just retired from the NFL, so we might think about bringing him aboard, especially if he fits within the team salary cap structure." Eric A said, when asked about the team's inability to convert extra points. "But I would still be the team's All-Pro kicker/punter," as he backed that statement up with his 2 punts, downing one at the 1 yard-line, while being robbed of a 65 yard punt due to the field only being 53 yards long.

Aside from the inability to score extra points, What?! played a good game for the most part. Offense moved the ball efficiently, except for 1 failed 4th down conversion and 1 key turnover towards the end of the game. The defense played well and got back on track, holding their opponents to 2 scores while generating 3 turnovers, including 1 in the red zone. In fact, What?! held the lead for most of the game. It was unfortunate that the lead, and eventually the game, came down to an extra point conversion.

The other notable news was that the team is now fully equipped in their new handsome teamshirts, which should undoubtably help turn their losing streak around. Right guys?

PLAY OF THE GAME: Felix's bat down in the end zone, times two, and Eric A's coffin corner punt.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lance and Brad tied, as they both stepped up big time on both offense and defense.

Game 3

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What?! Happened?

Sunday was a tough day for the team. Not just because the team lost, or that they lost a very close game, or that they could and should have won, but because theye lost to Team With One Major Douchebag an opponent so early in the season.

In a game decided by extra points, What?!'s ineptitude in converting those doomed them. That, as well as the slumping defense giving up 6 touchdowns. And while the offense put up tons of points and seemed to remedy its drop issues for the most part, inopportune turnovers and 1 big drop in the end-zone still hurt. Failure can also be partly attributed to the lack of adjustments made from the coach, who was too busy trying to bundle up and stay unsick warm instead of paying attention to the game (failed in that regard too as he had to call out of work the next day).

But for those for played, the biggest sticking point in their memory was that of the big douchebag on the other team who tried to perfect his failed sportsmanship by refusing to get the ball and bring it back to the the line of scrimmage. It was even more awkward for his teammates since they didn't know what to do with him yelling at them not to do so either. Clearly someone who fails at life sportsmanship and has no knowledge of the delay of game penalty.

"The only reason I signed on to play was to beat ginger douches like this guy. It's very disappointing to let him get away for a week feeling happy, after winning a meaningless Zog football game," said Lance in a post game interview. "It's a shame, and a travesty of the game for this to happen. If we square off again, they best be ready for some payback," added Bekim.

Eric A also had this to add about the game, "A very interesting stat to note, we've never won a game without a completion to me." A "random observation" of course.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Lance's diving/flying/in the air TD grab.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brad, for his offense/defense performance (even though he would have gotten a bunch more catches/TD's if he got the ball all the times he ran free on the right sideline)

P.S. hiring someone to do recaps and on-field stats on a temporary basis for the next 4 weeks. Must be able to count from 1 to 70, forwards and backwards. Pay compromises of peanuts, chance to make fun of team/opponents in public space known as the internet, and promise of eternal fame. Interested parties should let me know.

Game 2

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Clash of the Reds

Only days after the team records were posted online, What?! went onto the field in a battle with their undermanned rivals in maroon, and demolished several of those said records, including most points and most 2pt conversions for a game. Given the suspect timing for this performance, to call What?! a bunch of stat whores would be a major understatement.

The offense was firing on all cylinders, completing 60% of passes despite the continued drop barrage from the team. As Brad had noted, everyone on the team had at least 1 catch, with 6 different receivers catching TD's and 9 players scoring points. The defense got back on track as well, generating 4 turnovers, including a pick 6.

The game did have its blemishes in the form of several missed TD and extra point conversions while the defense allowed their opponents to score towards the end of the game. However, for the most part, it was a magnificent effort, and one that What?! hopes to emulate every game going forward.

And while the schedule only gets tougher from here on out, the team will savor this well deserved victory in conjunction with St. Patty's week of celebration. Cheers!

PLAY OF THE GAME: Bekim's pick 6 tied with Alja's catch-and-taunt-and-then-score.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt, only because no one's ever thrown so many TD's before.

Side note, Happy Birthday Alison!

Game 1

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Fabulous Week of Album Releases

New albums out from Lifehouse and Sanctus Real. They're awesome, so go check them out!

Sanctus Real - Pieces of a Real Heart

Lifehouse - Smokes and Mirrors

Monday Morning Chit Chat

Regarding our football stat categories

Anonymous: What about a +/- while on the field? like hockey

Me:  That's hard to keep

Anonymous: nm

Me: since we swap in and out

Anonymous:  matt's would be too high
 

Posted at Anonymous's request. Nothing but love Matt.

Scrimmage!

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Since it's a scrimmage, I'll just do a short bullet-point recap:

• Team apparently wants to change name to Hands of Butter with 7 drops. Either that, or they're protesting Bekim at QB.
• Janine made a nice TD grab at the corner of the end zone, as did Bekim with a toe tap, and Eric A on a jump ball (although he is on a dropsie streak as well, see previous games).
• No one can cover Lance on slants and drags over the middle.
• Alja was all over the field on defense with 4 tackles.
• Veronica had a perfectly timed pass breakup as Ronny paced the team with passes defended.
• Defense is now in a 2 game slump.

Solemn Mood As What?! Falls Short of Playoff Goal

For the many fans and followers of team What?!, Sunday turned out to be a roller coaster ride of sorts. Here's a list of all the things that stood out from my memory.

Semi's
What?! orchestrated a nice comeback victory over an opponent who provided more of a challenge than the team expected, though this is now the 2nd season in a row in which this has happened in the 1st round of playoffs. (Hopefully, the pattern stops now) Half-time was key as the team did a great job making adjustments based on what they saw.

Some key performances included April, who threw a long TD to Veronica, Bekim, who caught 2 TD's to finish off the win, and interceptions from Brad, Ronny, and Felix to help turn the tide. Also, a shout-out to Tara for spending the entire game on the sideline and supporting the team even though she was absolutely bombed from the night before.


Finals
This was perhaps one of the most frustrating games ever played by What?!. The team struggled to perform up to their standards on both sides of ball, as they were unable to finish off drives or make a stop on their opponents. Even though What?! finished the 1st half down by only 1 score, it felt like a much bigger deficit to the team. This was certainly not the way the team wanted to finish season.

Nevertheless, we did see several inspired performances. Brad made a beautiful diving interception near the sideline, Jamie made several nice grabs, while Eric A padded his yards after catch average with a long TD.


Warp-Up
All in all, winter was another relatively successful season for team What?!, 3rd time reaching playoffs and 2nd time reaching the finals in a row. In what amounts to be a short off-season before spring starts, What?! will look to make some tactical evaluations and adjustments, and start anew on their journey to the promised land for glittering shiny silverware.

Winter Season Stats

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Championship

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Semifinals

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