ISFL NEWLETTER 

The Internet Simulation Football League Newsletter

Volume #15 Issue #18 – January 1, 2012

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Current League Officers

Commissioner: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)

League Statistician: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)

ISFL WWW site: http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/ISFL.htm

ISFL Review Board:  Jeff Barricelli, Dave Stewart, Don Antonelli

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LEAGUE NOTES

I.   Message from the Commissioner

II.  News from Around the League

III. Standings

IV.  Round 1 Playoff Results

V.   Round 2 Playoff Schedule

VI.  Transactions

VII. Other News including Players of the Week

I. MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Excellent work in round 1 guys, done before it even started and we even had a mild upset as Buffalo get by the division winning Patriots.  Round 2 is ready to go, so go ahead and get your game contacts going and good luck to all!

Awards ballot is up and can be found at http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=OCMIHG_96b21c12.  This is mandatory and ALL must cast a vote within the next two weeks as it closes on Sunday, January 15^th at midnight.  Any questions, let me know.

Also, ballot prop discussions are welcome to begin.  Please see the email I sent out for specifics and feel free to send either to me or the list for everyone to toss it around a bit.

I can’t stress enough that need to IMMEDIATELY send me your game export when the game is complete.  This is the second straight week that a host had something come up and forget to send me an export.  It takes about 30 seconds following your game to export it and send it to me.  Send your write up later on, that’s fine, but I MUST have the game export as soon as the game ends or I’ll have to sim the game to keep things.

***A new game update is available dated 11/29, please get it from the ISFL website before you play any games this week.*** 

Don’t forget, if you lose a player for 2 or more games, you can ask for an injury replacement, but it must be done the same week as the injury, so don’t wait, get those requests in right away and take advantage, especially the teams who are already challenged for the amount of games they have to work with.

Reminder that you MUST send a boxscore and writeup to the league after each game.  The home team is responsible for this, but either team can do it, as long as it does get done.  Also, you MUST send me the game export immediately after the game is complete.  It takes about 30 seconds, so I shouldn’t have to chase you down for that file after a game, just get it in right away so I don’t have to guess whether a game has happened or not.

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II. News from Around the League 

In the AFC, Denver gets the win over Tennessee, 23-12 and Buffalo gets the upset 20-17 win over New England to advance to round 2.

In round 2 of the playoffs, we have the rubber match between Denver and the NY Jets as the Broncos will try and avenge their week 16 loss that cost them the division title.  Buffalo will head to Dallas in a matchup of teams that have not yet met this year, but it is Tom Brady’s return to the team he played on for so long and Buffalo will try for a second straight upset. 

In the NFC, Jacksonville squeaks by Arizona, 17-16, and New Orleans beats Seattle 20-13 to move on.

Round 2 of the playoffs in the NFC has game 3 of the year between Detroit and Jacksonville as we look to see who the better team is as they split a pair of regular season games.  New Orleans heads to Green Bay in another matchup of teams who didn’t meet in the regular season, so this one should be good as neither team knows what to expect from the other except that they are both very good.

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New Orleans (20) at Seattle (13)

Seattle traveled to the Superdome for a rematch in the first round of the playoffs.  The dome was a rockin when the Saints received the opening kick.  It only takes 5 plays for the Saints to take a 7-0 lead as Tony Romo hits Lance Moore for a 7 yard TD pass.  Seattle's first drive fails after a sack by Brian Cofield on first down and Vick not being able to find a receiver the other downs.  NO drives for 10 plays but stalls and punts back to Seattle.  Vick and McFadden drive down the field for 18 plays until Saints safety Bethea intercepts Vick as the Seahawk's were trying to get inside the red zone and returns it to the Seattle 33 yard line.  NO converts the turn over into a field goal for a 10-0 2nd quarter lead.  Seattle comes back with another 18 play drive that ends up with a field goal but it's costly as their #1 RB McFadden gets hurt and is done for the game and season.  Also their deep treat DeSean Jackson gets hurt for the season in the first half.  The Saints run out the half with a 10-3 lead and Seattle gets the ball beginning the 3rd quarter.

Seattle takes the 2nd half kick and is driving past mid field when disaster strikes when Vick gets hurt.  But Carson Palmer is a quality back-up.  He doesn't get it done with with 3 incomplete's in a row to the Hawks lose it on downs at NO 37 yard line.  NO takes advantage of good field position and drives down to the Seahawks 16 yard line and settles for a FG for a 13-3 two score lead.  Palmer gets going and the Seahawk's score on a 24 yard TD pass to Manningham to make it a 3 point game.  The Seahawks defense come up big on pinning the Saints at the 11 yard line on the kick-off and sacking Tony Romo at the 4 yard line. NO has to punt and the Seahawks get great field position.  Seattle drives down to the NO 27 yard line but miss the tying FG at the beginning of the 4th quarter.  Huge play in this game.  The Saints hand the ball to Charles and he does not disappoint as the run the ball down the field ending with another Romo TD pass and a 20-10 lead.  Seattle comes back but their 17 play drive ends up with a FG to go down by 7.  NO tries to run out the clock but has to punt with 46 ticks on the clock and a 7 point lead.  The Saints defense holds to advance. 

Tough game for injuries for the Seahawks.  Congratulations to Bill on a great year and a well played game.  2 plays (An interception and a missed FG) and injuries were the difference in this game. 

Jacksonville (17) at Arizona (16)

This was an epic battle. The first score came early in the second quarter, set up by Arizona's only turnover of the game, an Asante Samuel interception of Jay Cutler. The key to the drive was 24 yards on 3 rushes by Donald Brown and a 22 yard Brees to Garcon pass which set up a 4 yard Tomlinson TD run to give the Jags a 7-0 lead.

After trading punts, Arizona went on a 11 play, 69 yard drive with all yards coming on rushes but the key being a 50 yard end around by Eddie Royal. It led up to a 29 yard FG by John Kasay to close the gap to 7-3.

The Jags punted on their next drive and then the Cardinals went to work again. from their own 20 with time running out in the first half. On this drive, Jay Cutler had the first of 3 Arizona fumbles which they'd recover and retain possession each time. This one came on a 12 yard scramble. Jay Cutler then hit Witten on 12 yard short sideline pass and run. Then he'd drop back, look deep to LLoyd and hit him for a 33 yard TD pass to give the Cardinals their first lead at 10-7 going into the half.

The Jags first drive of the second half was stopped by their only turnover of the game when Flowers jumped a short crossing pattern intended for Chris Cooley. Nothing would come of the resulting Cardinals' possession as the Jags D forced a punt.

Webb returned the ensuing punt for 19 yards setting up the Jags on their 30 yard line. The Jags overcame 3 penalties in driving the ball 75 yards on 12 plays and took 7:57 off the clock. Brees went 6-6 for 64 yards and hit 4 different receivers in setting up Tomlinson's 2nd TD rushing of the game. That gave the Jags a 14-10 lead with 3:28 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Cardinals replied with an equally long drive resulting in a 25 yard FG to bring the game within 1 point at 14-13. They drove 12 plays for 65 yards and used 6:36 off the clock. On the drive, the Cardinals rushed 6 times for 43 yards before settling for the FG.

The Jags did nothing on their next drive but Weatherford punted the ball down to the 3 yard line, pinning the Cardinals backs against their own goal line. Starting at the 3 yard line, Matt Roth committed a facemask penalty for 15 yards as he tackled Shonn Greene. From the 18 yard line, Brandon Jacobs hit a big hole in the middle of the line and rushed for 29 yards. After an Iupati 10 yard penalty, Asante Samuel gave the Cardinals an easy first down with a penalty when it was 1st and 20. Cutler would then hit Fitzgerald, Lloyd and Royal to set up a 45 yard FG, That gave the Cardinals another lead 16-14 with 3:13 left in the game.

So, all the Jags need is a FG to win and 3:13 to get it with all 3 timeouts left. The Jags, though, could not get the ball beyond their own 31 yard line before they were faced with the decision that could decide their season. It was 4th and 6 at the 31 yard line with 2:17 left on the clock. Do you go for it? or punt it away, try to stop the Cardinals and hope that there is enough time left to drive for the winning FG?

After quick deliberation, the Jags punt it away. Weatherford punted it to Eddie Royal who returned it 12 yards to set up the Cardinals at their own 36 yard line. Shonn Greene runs off tackle to the left side and it's a FUMBLE! Who has it? There is a big pile up. This could decide the game. The refs peel off the players and the Cardinals recover the ball and retain possession. That would force the Jags to use their first timeout with 2:12 left. The Jags defense then gang tackled Brandon Jacobs on the next play and call their second timeout with 2:08 left. Cutler then missed on Lloyd on a long pass and the Cards were forced to punt with 1:51 left.

Lardarius Webb returned the punt 7 yards to set up the Jags on their own 20. The Cards led 16-14 with 1:41 left and the Jags needed a FG into a 10 MPH wind. Brees then went to work. He hit Gibson for 13 yards and then a 5 yard dump to Garcon where they were able to get out of bounds. On 2nd and 5, Brees then dumped it off again to Garcon for 5 yards and the first down but he couldn't get out of bounds. Brees rushes the team to the line and he spikes the ball, preserving the Jags' final timeout. There was 1:12 left on the clock and the Jags were still on their own 38 yard line.

After an incompleted pass to Tomlinson, Brees hit Mike Williams for 7 yards, Reggie Wayne for 10 yards and Pierre Garcon for 12 yards. Each time they were able to get out of bounds. That set up the Jags on the Card 28 yard line in long Fg range (when you factor in the wind) with 37 seconds left. Tomlinson then rushed for 6 yards and got out of bound to stop the clock with 26 seconds left. On 2nd and 4, the Jags were just looking for positive yardage to improve the FG slightly. Tomlinson rushed for another 3 yards down to the 22 yard line and the Jags finally call their last timeout.

With 3 seconds left, it came down to a 37 yard Olindo Mare FG into the wind with 3 seconds left. Kick it and he's the hero and the Jags move on to the divisonal round. Miss it and the Cardinals win and they advance. The ball is snapped, the hold is good, Mare approaches the ball as the final seconds tick off the clock. He kicks it and.....it's GOOD!

Their was no time left on the clock as Mare's 37 yard FG sailed through the uprights, giving the Jags a 17-16 win in absolute thriller.

LaDainian Tomlinson was named MVP as he rushed 14 times for 56 yards with 2 TDs. Brees had no TD passes but he passed to set up the game winning FG, For the Cardinals, Brandon Jacobs rushed 11 times for 73 yards, Ward rushed 5 times for 50 yards, Shonne Greene added 9 rushes for 22 yards and Eddie Royal added an end around for 50 yards as the Cards piled up 28 rushes for 209 yards,

Andy coached an absolutely great game. Congrats to him on a great season.

Buffalo (20) at New England (17)

# 6 Bills visit # 3 Pats in AFC Wildcard match-up.

Brady and Stafford each direct their offenses to impressive scoring drives on first possession.

Tied at 7-7 Bills drive again finding themselves 2nd and goal from the 1, visitors take 3 shots, but are repelled each time by the stubborn NE defense.

Patriots grind away, move out to their own 43 only to see Toby Gerhardt fumble the ball back to Buffalo.

Bills push it NE 29 where Daniele makes another key defensive call, his boys jump the route, doubling Knox, intercept Brady and squash another BUF opportunity.

A key 19 yard reception by Santana Moss helps to push the Pats into enemy territory, drive ends in no mans land as they go "over on downs" at the BUF 38.

As the half nears, Brady mounts a mini attack with a series of short completions and Isaac Redman's 14 yard run, the drive nets a Robbie Gould 42 yd FG and a 10-7 lead at the break.


Tactical battle of field position ensues after intermission, a 20 yard screen pass (Stafford-Brian Leonard) brings Adam Vinateri to the edge of his range...the veteran place kicker nails a clutch 52 yarder...we head to the 4th quarter tied at 10.

Buffalo offense comes to life marching 72 yards with Johnnie Knox taking center stage, he grabs a key 3rd and 13 reception to extend drive and then caps 'er off with a 15 yard TD catch and a 17-10 BUF advantage.

Undaunted, the AFC Central champs march right back, TE Kellen Winslow would match Knox's heroics making 2 outstanding catches getting the Pats inside the 5.
RB Adrian Peterson would do the rest and our game was knotted at 17 with just under 2 minutes remaining in regulation.

Brady hits Davone Bess out to the BUF 42, but a big Ahmad Brooks sack would force Bills into a punting situation with time winding down.

Disaster would now strike New England...as return man Andre Roberts fought for extra yardage the ball was stripped and recovered by Buffalo at the NE 27.
Bills maneuver a bit closer and with 3 secs on clock, Gould connects for the game winner 20-17.

A disappointing loss for a tough NE team, but a fun and exciting game for sure.
Congrats on a successful season Daniele, you have a terrific young team and will be a force in ISFL for years to come.

RONCOS DOWN TITANS IN WILDCARD GAME, 23-12
Defense and Running Game Bring Home Win

January 1st, 2012: The Broncos edged the Titans in a tough defensive struggle that was a lot closer than the final scored indicated. With just five minutes left in the game, the Broncos held a narrow five-point margin at 17-12, but added two field goals in the next three minutes to take first an eight-point, then an eleven-point lead that Tennessee could not overcome.

The Titans were held to just 44 yards on the ground while the Broncos rushed for 186. Chad Henne responed to the challenge for the Titans, throwing 50 times and completing 30 for 310 yards, but two interceptions helped seal the Titans fate. The first came in the second quarter and led directly to the Broncos taking their first lead of the contest. With the Titans at their own 41, Will Witherspoon, who has played at a high level all season, dropped off his man and picked off Henne at the Denver 44, returning it nine yards before being hit and fumbling. With the ball loose on the field, both coaches held their breath until fellow Bronco linebacker Ernie Sims came out of the scrum with the ball. On replay, it looked like the Titans recovered the fumble but somehow Sims managed to come out of the pile of the pileup with the ball held aloft. After the game, Sims said with a smile, "All's fair in love and war, and football pileups. It's not who gets the ball first, it's who has it last."

The Broncos took immediate advantage, keeping the ball on the ball for all eight plays of the drive, marching for 47 yards and their lone score of the first half, punching it over from five yards out on a Ryan Torain pitchout around left end for the touchdown on third and five to give them a 7-3 halftime lead. Ricky Williams lost the handle on the ball on a 13-yard run off-tackle at the Tennessee nine yard line, but Denver guard Josh Sitton managed to get the recovery and keep the drive alive.

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III. STANDINGS

http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/Standings11.htm

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IV. RESULTS – Wildcard Round

Buffalo 20 New England 17
Arizona 16 Jacksonville 17
Tennessee 12 Denver 23
Seattle 13 New Orleans 20

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V. SCHEDULE – Round 2 Playoffs

Round 2 Playoffs

Jacksonville at Detroit
New Orleans at Green Bay
Buffalo at Dallas
Denver at NY Jets

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VI. TRANSACTIONS

AFC

BUF –
CHI –

CLE –

DAL – Returned Bobby Carpenter to FA pool.

DEN – Returned Antwan Odom to FA pool.

HOU –

IND –

MIN –

NE  - Returned Leonard Pope to FA pool.

NYJ –

PIT –
SD  -

SF  -

TEN –

NFC

ARZ –

ATL -

CAR –

DET –

GB  -
JAX –

KC  -

MIA –

NO  - Sign Terrance Copper to replace Reshad Jones through Super Bowl.

NYG –

PHI –

SEA –

STL –

TB  -

DRAFT PICKS FORFEITED:

None

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VII. OTHER NEWS:

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

WEEK ONE

OFFENSE: Matt Forte, NY Giants – 155 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Terrance Knighton, San Diego – 3 sacks, 3 tackles

WEEK TWO

OFFENSE: Eli Manning, Houston – 27 for 32, 291 yards, 4 TDs

DEFENSE: Alphonso Smith, Miami – 2 INTs, 10 tackles

WEEK THREE:

OFFENSE: Michael Vick, Seattle – 14 for 25 for 221 yards, 5 TDs

DEFENSE: Charles Johnson, Arizona – 3 sacks, 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble

WEEK FOUR:

OFFENSE: Terrell Owens, St. Louis – 11 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSE: Camerion Wimbley, Buffalo – 3 sacks, 6 tackles

WEEK FIVE:

OFFENSE: Matt Cassel, Dallas – 29 of 41 for 427 yards, 4 TDs

DEFENSE: Derek Landri, Minnesota – 4 sacks, 7 tackles

WEEK SIX:

OFFENSE: Rashard Mendenhall, Green Bay – 22 carries, 145 yards, 3 TDs

DEFENSE: Trent Cole, NY Giants – 2 sacks, 8 tackles

WEEK SEVEN:

OFFENSE: Phillip Rivers, Green Bay – 27 of 42 for 375 yards, 4 TDs

DEFENSE: Lawrence Jackson, Seattle – 5 sacks, 5 tackles

WEEK EIGHT:

OFFENSE: Jamal Charles, New Orleans – 18 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Clay Matthews, Kansas City – 1 Int, 2 sacks, 6 Tackles

WEEK NINE:

OFFENSE: Tom Brady, Buffalo – 17 of 25 for 344 yards, 4 TDs

DEFENSE: Osi Umenyiora, Atlanta – 7 sacks, 8 tackles

WEEK TEN:

OFFENSE: Shaun Hill, Pittsburgh – 28 of 39 for 332 yards, 3 TDs

DEFENSE: Troy Biermann, Carolina – 4 sacks, 5 tackles

WEEK ELEVEN:

OFFENSE: Michael Bush, Tennessee – 19 carries, 130 yards, 2 TDs

DEFENSE: Trent Cole, NY Giants – 2 sacks, 10 tackles

WEEK TWELVE:

OFFENSE: Josh Freeman, Denver – 18 of 26 for 165 yards, 4 TDs

DEFENSE: Brian Orakpo, Dallas – 3 sacks, 7 tackles

WEEK THIRTEEN:

OFFENSE: Andre Johnson, Dallas – 9 catches, 144 yards, 3 TDs

DEFENSE: Jamaal Anderson, St. Louis – 2 sacks, 10 tackles

WEEK FIFTEEN

OFFENSE: Ladainian Tomlinson, Jacksonville – 20 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSE: Ike Taylor, New Orleans – 1 INT, 11 Tackles

WEEK SIXTEEN

OFFENSE: Rashard Mendenhall, Green Bay – 33 carries, 242 yards, 2 TDs

DEFENSE: Tramon Williams, Kansas City – 2 INTs, 3 Tackles

WEEK SEVENTEEN

OFFENSE: Arian Foster, New Orleans – 27 carries, 179 yds, 2 TDs

DEFENSE: Jason Babin, Philadelphia – 3 sacks, 4 tackles

WILDCARD ROUND

OFFENSE: Tom Brady, Buffalo – 23 of 34 for 249 yards, 2 TDs

DEFENSE: Antoine Bethea, New Orelans – 1 INT, 10 tackles