2037 End of Regular Season Review

Final Record: 15-1; 1st in division; 1st Seed in the AFC

The Arkansas Thrashers Organization was trepidatious about the Football Moguls league rules and mechanics changes, but ultimately, the team adapted and persevered. The Thrashers only lost one game (but many were last second victories), and now they are primed for the playoffs, once they receive the customary Wild Card Bye. Let's take a look at the year in review, beginning with the offense:

Offensive Highlights:
The first season for Calvin Hahn as QB1 could not have went better. He finished 2nd in passing yards (3563), 1st in TDs thrown (27), and--among qualified QB with 200 or more attempts--2nd in QB rating (87.13). However, he did throw for 18 Interceptions as well. All things considered, Hahn shined instead of looming in the shadow of QB John Spartan. Much of Hahn's success has to be shared with one particular individual, but more about that player later though. Now let's look at the run game.

The early predictions of this first new-look system were run, run, run. And run, they did, but the Thrashers failed to put a 1000 yard rusher in spite of all the off-season rumblings. A lot of that is due to various injuries spread across the running back corps, but three primary running backs all yielded over 500 yards each. The lead rusher (un)surprisingly turned out to be Ignatius Infernus with 953 yards and 9 TDs; however, after nursing injuries through 3 games (barely playing in another), Henri Boudreaux contributed over 800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving for 1363 total scrimmage yards and 7 TDs, The rushers all averaged over 4.3 yards per carry, ranked 5th in rushes per game, 2nd in yards per game, 4th in yards per carry, and 2nd in rushing TDs per game.

On the receiving front, everything starts and stops with one man: Stacker Freaking Pentecost. Not only did he lead the team in total scrimmage yards, he led the league in receiving yards (1341) and TDs (16). Of course, there were many other contributors on the team, but Hahn's first-year success is directly tied to the connection he developed with Pentecost and the receiver's ability to get open and get yards after the catch. Pentecost has made a solid case for league MVP.

The Thrashers ranked 1st in points scored this season with 457. For reference, that would have ranked 3rd in 2036 and 4th in 2035, so scoring is down across the league as a result of the new changes. However, the Thrashers themselves improved their scoring total compared to both of those years.

Offensive MVP: Stacker Pentecost

Defensive Highlights:

LDE Ronald Surface led the team with 17 sacks, a breakout performance in his 8th season, but even with this growth, the team would be remiss to not acknowledge DE Michael Cherrito furthering his case for the Hall of Fame in a time when sacks were very difficult to come by. Cherrito managed to snag 9 new sacks this season, bringing his career total to 102 sacks and 360 QB Hurries. The team collectively finished with 40 sacks, which was only good enough 16th in the league. Oddly enough, this was the lowest statistical category for any tracked metric for the team. The team will possibly look for pass rushers in the offseason.

Interceptions was a mixed bag this season; rather than one player really standing out, several contributed all season long and opposing QBs could never tell where the next INT might come from. This was a good problem to have in hindsight. The team ranked 4th in the league with Interceptions per game (1.1) and finished with 21 total interceptions. Nat Romanov led the team with 5 Interceptions.

However, when examining the whole approach to the defensive attitude of this team, one need not look further than The Dude. He finished with 77 tackles, 12 Knockdowns, 4 Interceptions, and only allowed a completion on 37.8% of the ***** thrown his way. His efforts were instrumental during this season for the success the team has shared.

The defense allowed the 4th fewest points (tied with the Seahawks) this season with 152.

Defensive MVP: Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Now, the playoffs start next week and the ultimate competition begins. Can the Thrashers claim another Football Moguls title? Stay tuned.

Congratulations to your 2037 Football Moguls Champions: The Arkansas Thrashers

In a game that got away from the Chicago Bears quickly, the Arkansas Thrashers made their 10th Super Bowl appearance and won their 6th championship. Going into this match-up the Bears and Thrashers had met twice before in Super Bowls VII & VIII--a victory going to each organization. Now, let's hear it for your Football Moguls Champions: The Arkansas Thrashers!

Post-Season Highlights

After capturing the bye, the team faced division rivals The Real Kayfabe, and although the Kayfabe won the turnover battle, their offense couldn't generate anything against the Thrasher's stingy defense, which allowed less than 100 yards of total offense. On Offense, Calvin Hahn threw for over 300 yards for 2 TDs and 2 INTs, most of that yardage going to Stacker Pentecost (8-120-1 TD).

The next bout, Roswell traveled to Little Rock for a rematch that further kindles the rivalry between the two. The first meeting was billed as the Game of the Season by yours truly, so the excitement was palpable for this second contest. The result wasn't as exciting as the first match, but it was the greatest challenge of the post-season for the Thrashers. Hahn could have lost the AFC Championship by throwing 3 INTs, but the running duo of Henri Boudreaux and Ignatius Infernus bombarded the Invaders for 193 yards and a TD. Pentecost added an additional 125 receiving on 5 catches to bolster his numbers as well. The Thrashers held on to win 20-17 and advanced to Super Bowl XXI.

The Bears had been excellent all season, sporting the best turnover differential in the league and allowing the 2nd fewest points. In the playoffs, the Bears handed losses to the Duckies, Shadow Dancers, and Demons to get to the big dance. However, the Thrashers swarmed and swatted George Wilson all night, amassing 4 sacks and 11 knockdowns. In addition to two sacks, DE Walter Kraus forced a fumble, as well.

Offensively, Calvin Hahn must have got the memo of his Football Mogul MVP status because he played the game of his life by throwing for the second most yards of his career (393) with 3 TDs. His yards per attempt was an unfair 11.56. Hahn was simply on fire. The run game was supportive and instrumental in setting up the strikes Hahn was slinging. The backs added an additional 183 yards with a 6.3 yards per rush. Stacker Pentecost contributed another 100 yard game and 2 TDs. Things just could not have gone better for the team.

What's next?

In spite of a well-earned celebration, there is a bittersweet air in the halls of the Thrasher Athletic Complex. This was the final game for future Hall of Famers, QB John Spartan and DE Michael Cherrito. They will mutually part from the team (if they choose not to retire). Others are set to head off as well, including starting MLB Alvin Taylor.

However, the future looks to be pretty bright. QB Calvin Hahn is rostered for two more years and is obviously in his prime. The Brothers Boudreaux, Stacker Pentecost, and Iggy Infernus are all returning. The emergence of DEs, Ronald Surface and Walter Kraus, will give offensive lines fits, while Jeff Lebowski and Henry Tyler are potentially one of the deadliest linebacking combos in the league. The secondary is aging but rookie CB Peter Venkman showed promise in his first season, pairing with the defensive onslaught of Alonzo Harris, Cap Rogers, Ira Lewis, and Nat Romanov.

From an organizational standpoint, the team has 10 picks in the upcoming draft (8 of which are in the first 5 rounds), so the team could make some great investments for the future or trade for draft capital further down the road. Everyone knows this is not the time to start resting. As teams begin to account for the new league mechanics, the competition will only become stronger.

Until 2038, this is Reporter Newsman, signing off.

2038 Off-Season Report

Coming into the 2038 season, owner Timothy Thompson wanted to keep the consistency from last season's success, so no changes were made in coaching staff. Coach Terry Caskey's style has been fully implemented, and expectations are once again high. In addition, although some stalwarts (John Spartan, Alvin Taylor, and Michael Cherrito) left for free agency, no players retired.

Early Free Agency

The organization had loads of caps space but could not seize on any of the upper echelon talent. Other teams paid mega-contracts for middling talent, and the market became bloated like my uncle at the summer fish fry. Here's who the Thrashers lured in before the draft:

David Bender, QB (from BCB) - The 15-year veteran signed a one year contract to back starter Calvin Hahn. Bender never achieved league glory, but his ratings suggest he's still got game left. This gives the team security for this year, and if the team drafts a QB prospect, it never hurts to have veteran leadership on the team.

William Phelps, LB (from LON) - Phelps came from the Ravens of London to bolster the line-backing corps. Although he spent the last two years as a starter, he'll be relief now for Lebowski and Tyler. Phelps added 3 Interceptions and 2 forced fumbles last season, so he should contribute.

Scott Shoults, OL (from ARZ) - Shoults should never have been used as an every-down Center. Instead, the Thrasher see him as a run blocking swing-guard. The team aims to scale his weight up and put that elite strength and run block to use.

2038 Draft

The organization made a few minor moves to produce 9 picks in this draft.

Draft Needs: S, CB, TE, OL, LB, QB

(1:32) Steven Strange, S Grambling. 6’2”, 223 lbs.
Strange possesses preternatural instincts which got him nicknamed the “Sorcerer Supreme” in college. Along with that, this wizard has above average speed and solid pass coverage skills. Strange is a definite need for a position whose average age is now 30, and he happened to be the safe pick as well.

(2:64) Arthur “Drax” Douglas, OL Maryland. 6’6”, 320 lbs.
This mountain of a man has been questionable off the field. His fury is legendary, which explains how a player of this caliber fell to the end of the 2nd. Coach Caskey believes Drax can be a career blindside tackle. His tools are there if he can get himself straightened out during training camp.

(3:70) Peter “Spidey” Parker, CB/FS Midtown SciTech. 5’11”, 199 lbs.
Parker will never be a top end scorcher, but his burst and potential should help him stick to WRs and tangle them up in his coverage web. Paired with other Peter (Venkman) and fellow rookie, Steven Strange—these fellas could anchor the secondary for years to come.

(4:102) James “Bucky” Barnes, LB San Diego St. 6’1”, 241 lbs.
Barnes is a prototypical LB build. Although his speed is decent, he has above average intelligence and discipline. His potential for rushing the passer and man coverage is heavily sought in this defense. For now, Bucky is LB depth, but with a full season under his belt, this post-season he could be the Winter Soldier.

(4:127) Peter “Starlord” Quill, RB/FB Purdue. 6’1”, 199 lbs.
Quill spent a fair amount of his collegiate years not living up to his potential, and for that, his self-proclaimed “outlaw years” could have cost himself a higher draft spot. However, the Thrashers see him as the guy who can blow up a hole in the running game. His run blocking can be otherworldly, so let’s put those skills to use.

(5:135) James "Rhodey" Rhodes, EDGE Arizona St. 6'0", 233 lbs.
Rhodey comes in from a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker who played the EDGE rusher. Here, he'll transform into a traditional defensive end, leaning into his pass-rushing with his excellent speed and penchant for forcing fumbles.

(5:159) Sam "Falcon" Wilson, FS/CB Cal-Poly. 6'2", 232 lbs.
The Falcon earned his moniker flying all over the field. His speed could be truly elite if he drops weight during camp although his top end is far better than his quickness. His tackling and coverage skills potential are decent for an end of 5th round pick.

(6:171) Carol Danvers, P Penn State. 6'0" 218 lbs.
Danvers has the skillset to eventually replace longtime punter Mike Walker, who has flirted with retirement for some time. However, it would take an amazing camp for that to happen this season. Right now, Danvers is a low-cost, low-risk prospect.

(7:204) Scott Lang, LB Texas A&M. 5'11", 238 lbs.
For a 7th round nogoodnik, Lang has a modicum of potential. As with many others, much depends on training camp.

That's it for 2038 draft coverage. The team has serious decisions to make on the roster front as 6 spots have to be cut by the end of the preseason (that's if no others are added from waivers!). The team feels confident in its picks and is hopeful that all of the defensive picks will rejuvenate an aging defense that is set to lose multiple starters at the end of the 2038 season.

2038 Rookie Training Camp Report

"A blind man walks into a bar and says, "I did not see that coming..." -- Reporter Newsman, in response to the 2038 Thrashers Training Camp.

It was another mixed bag of letdowns and surprises---busts and booms, if you will--for the 2038 Arkansas Thrashers. Unfortunately, not a single pick in the first five rounds (7 selections) boomed. It's not all a loss, however. Let's get right into it:

Booms

Carol Danvers (+10)
Danvers was a marvel on the field during camp so much that the organization is quietly hoping Mike Walker retires. The team could very well keep two punters and just use Danvers as a kick holder to hone her skills in the wings while Walker mulls retirement.

Scott Lang (+7)
Color-me-shocked, Scott Lang showed up and showed out in camp. Although, he was brought in as a--checks notes--middle linebacker, Lang got picked up by Secondary Coach, Charles Tran, and was seen backing up Captain Rodgers with fellow rookies, Steven Strange and Pete Parker.

Meh So-So

Steven Strange (-1)
In spite of a lackluster camp, Strange is the de facto starter as strong safety. Longtime starter, Ira Lewis had a terrible camp in his age 30 season and lost more than a step entering into camp. Strange was always perceived to be a safe pick, and he's living up to the hype. Interestingly enough, CB Alonzo Harris was also seen taking reps out of the Safety position as well.

Bucky Barnes (-1)
Bucky is projected to be outside linebacking depth as Ken Webb slides to the inside to take over MLB duties. Barnes, however, was billed appropriately. He's a man coverage linebacker with solid pass rushing skills. He'll never be the star of the show, but he doesn't need to be.

James Rhodes (-1)
The speedy EDGE rusher had a few setbacks, particularly in tackling, but he should be able to generate some pressure on occasion. Definitely looking forward to see him in gameday action getting after that QB.

Busts

Drax Douglas (-4)
All the potential in the world means nothing if you can't commit. For that reason, Drax's blocking skills never materialized, and he'll be relegated to the bench. He's not terrible, but being serviceable on a team with Super Bowl aspirations is a dangerous cocktail--one that Drax should be painfully aware of.

Peter Parker (-3)
Parker will be a career backup corner. Parker never had the speed and his coverage skills were exposed in training camp. He fights off the line like crazy but gets lost in traffic and ultimately burned on long routes. Parker is a liability for anything beyond a 10-yard pass (fortunately, that works in his favor with this system...and why he still has a job).

Peter Quill (-3)
As a pure blocker, Quill has a job. He needs to bulk up, of course. Otherwise, Quill won't be on the field outside of running downs and special teams plays.

Sam Wilson (-5)
Wilson will probably not make this team. There's just not enough spots. Wilson has the speed and nothing else. He's a one-dimensional defender.

Other News

The team already parted ways with C Winston Zeddemore and T David Trudeau and will closely monitor free agency to fill any gaps for the preseason. The team must get down to the required 53 bodies by the end of the preseason. Currently, there are 57 rostered players.

2038 Preseason Report

With only the inconsequential Game 4 of the Preseason remaining, the Thrashers are 3-0 in the preseason and have not lost a game since Week 5 of the 2037 Season. During the preseason, the team has outscored opponents 93-10. The team seems to not have any sort of Superbowl Hangover in spite of Calvin Hahn tossing 4 Interceptions in 3 games.


Now, let's examine the current state of affairs for the Arkansas Thrashers:

Signings / Extensions

Longtime C Matt Hooper was re-signed for 3 years. Hooper is now the longest tenured player originally drafted by the team.

LB Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski inked a 6-year deal worth just shy of $30m to make him a Thrasher for life, most likely.

DE Ronald Surface signed a 4-year extension after amassing 17 sacks and 9 QB Hurries last season.

The Thrashers signed WR Willie King from free agency to a 6-year $2.5m contract. King is a possession receiver who should thrive in a dink-and-dunk game. Teams overlooked him based purely on speed but his hands, route-running, and fearlessness make him a real find.

Trades

TE John David was acquired from the Brawndo Co. Dildozers for a 2040 3rd round pick and 2039 7th. With the aging of perennial TE1 John W. Creasy falling below Chester Gillum on the depth chart during training camp, the need for a new TE was evident. David projects much better than his rating or playtime indicate. His receiver measurables are above average and he should excel in the run-blocking phase. Under contract until 2041, the big man will fortify the position until a future draft or free agent acquisition can be made.

Roster Cuts

With the addition of John David and Willie King, six roster cuts must be made before the end of the preseason.

Here are the projected cuts to the team:

TE Julio Cole
WR Jason Lipscomb
LB Julio Jones
SS Ira Lewis
C Archie Armstrong
DT Scott Meyer

2038 1st Quarter Report

Current Record: 4-0

In spite of a flawless opening record, statistically, the team does not look quite as sharp as when they hoisted the Super Bowl trophy last winter. However, wins are wins, right? Here's an evaluation of the team thus far:

Offense Report
The offensive line suffered multiple injuries, including a horrific neck injury to starting G Blain O'Painless who is set to miss a minimum of eight games. This forced the front office to re-sign C Archie Armstrong and also pick up the waiver claim on veteran LT Ibrihaim Moizoos. As a result, the team parted ways with TE John W. Creasy and WR Raymond Broadhead.

Although the team found ways to win in Weeks 1 and 2 (especially against talent like the Tigers and Argonauts), Calvin Hahn did not appear to be in MVP form. Perhaps blame can be laid at the feet of a cobbled-together and injured offensive line. In any case, Hahn failed to throw over 200 yards in either game and threw more INTs (3) than TDs (2). It really wasn't until Week 3 and 4, when they offense hit its stride. Over the last two games, Calvin Hahn has thrown for nearly 500 yards, 4 TDs with 2 INTs.

The running game has been adequate. Ignatius Infernus still remains the burst of speed (6.3 ypc) to Henri Boudreaux's bruiser game, but in the latter's case is only managing a paltry 3.7 ypc. Hard to say, if lack of blocking is contributing to this regression or if it's the uptick in defensive quality. Could the Thrashers put up two 1000-yard rushers this season?

The receiving game is still chugging along. WR Stacker Pentecost once again leads all of Football Moguls in receiving yards (259), but the gap is much closer in 2038. Three other receivers have over 100 receiving yards. Newcomer TE John David ranks 3rd on the team in yards and has a nice 11 yards per catch average.

Collectively, the offense is still a top eight unit through the first four games, and maybe as the season progresses, they will regress toward the mean of a top five unit as they were last year.

Defense Report
The defensive unit is tied for 4th in Points Allowed (26), 1st in Interceptions, and 24th in sacks. Prior to the Week 4 sackfest in London (5), the team only managed one sack in Weeks 1-3. DC Nicholas Hunt switched some personnel for Week 4 and the results speak for themselves (although it is a one-game sample size).

Rookies, Steven Strange and Peter Parker have both been productive in the secondary, while the all-star is once again LB Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, hauling in 3 Interceptions, 7 knockdowns, and only allowing 35% catches while in coverage.

Up Next
The team has an even split the next four games. However, the team has to play the Independence Pirates twice in three weeks as well as the Kayfabe too. However, up next is a road game against the Bangles of the Queen City.

Keep watching.

2038 Mid-Season Report

Current Record: 8-0

The Thrashers once again lead the AFC with the best record (8-0) in the toughest division in the conference as well. Currently, the AFC East is the only division in the Football Moguls that each team is sitting at .500 or better. However, it must be stated once again that statistically, the Thrashers are in a bit of a lull. Scoring is down, sacks are down, and more often than not, the team finds itself punting and forcing punts defensively. Is this the new status quo of Football Moguls?

As it stands, the team ranks 10th in passing yards, 6th in rushing yards, 1st in Interceptions, 21st in sacks, 2nd in Points For, and 2nd in Points Against. It's a well-rounded team, to be certain, if only underperforming by its own standards.

In other news, injuries to the defensive line has forced the hand of the organization to sign waiver pickup, DE R. Carrow. He'll be a stop-gap at defensive end in the meantime, but will shift to defensive tackle when the health of the other players resumes. As a result, longtime Punter, Mike Walker, has been cut, so the job officially belongs to Rookie Carol Danvers as the franchise punter for the next decade and beyond.

Best match: Arkansas Thrashers @ London Monarchs, Final Score 36-13, Arkansas Wins
After three unimpressive wins, Arkansas traveled across the pond to square off against the London Monarchs--also undefeated--for a thrilling match that Arkansas looked like a championship caliber team. QB Calvin Hahn threw a clean game for 266 yards and 3 TDs. A collaborative effort from the running game added another 150 yards as well. Defensively, the team managed 5 sacks and a forced fumble. This was a stark reminder which team took home the championship last season.

Mid-Season Offensive MVP: Henri Boudreaux, RB
Henri Boudreaux once again hoists the mid-season Offense MVP designation. His dual threat ability as a receiver ensures that he accumulates a lot of yardage, and indeed, leads the team half way through with 755 yards. Boudreaux is never the flashy pick, but he's always consistent. As long as injuries are staved off, Boudreaux should finish the season as 1,000 yard rusher for the second time in his career.

End of Season prediction: 1,100 rushing yards, 50 Catches for 450 yards, 7 total TDs

Mid-Season Defensive MVP: Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, LB
This was a tough call, but for the same reasons as Henri Boudreaux gives consistency and reliability to the offense, Lebowski provides it for the defense. He's accumulated 30 tackles, 15 knockdowns, and 3 Interceptions, while only allowing a 40% completion against opposing QBs. Collectively, no other players contributes in every level of play as much as The Dude.

End of Season Prediction: 65 tackles, 25 knockdowns, 5 Ints, 1 sack

Up Ahead
The Thrashers will embark on a 3-game road trip, beginning with a trip to the desert in Roswell. Then, it's Atlanta and finally to Brooklyn to complete the series against division rivals, Tigers.

2038 3rd Quarter Report

Current Record: 12-0

Team Update
The Arkansas Thrashers are the only unbeaten team through 12 games. They are also currently the highest scoring team and allow the fewest points. In short, they are the clear cut #1 team in Football Moguls. The schedule has not been a cakewalk either. Eight of their Twelve victories have been against teams with winning records. The team is already guaranteed a playoff berth and could secure a 1st round bye with the strength of schedule remaining. Because of that, I'll make my end of season prediction, just that: 15-1 Final Record; 1st round bye

Prediction Corner: Offense
Calvin Hahn is 4th passing yards (2,259) and 2nd in TDs (15). That's the lowest totals in recent memory. Fortunately, he's still keeping close to 2:1 TD:INT ratio and maintains a 78.81 QB rating which is good enough for 3rd. The big question is: can he even get to 3,000 yards? I think so, but it'll be close. Final prediction: 3050 yards, 22 TDs, 15 INT (still significantly lower than 2037 in every category).

Will the Thrashers finally net a 1000-yard rusher in this run-heavy offense? Probably. After announcing that Henri Boudreaux had been named the mid-season MVP, he promptly received a brutal ankle injury that originally carried an 8-week return diagnosis. However, after just 4 weeks, it looks like H. Boudreaux will be in line for some limited playing time in Week 13. Currently, he has 682 yards on the ground. On the other hand, Ignatius Infernus continues his role as a 1B and has accumulated 817 rushing yards, so it looks--barring injury--Infernus will be the first to eclipse 1000 yards this season. In H. Boudreaux's stead, Donnie Kerabatsos has piled it on as well, gaining 547 yards. Final prediction: I. Infernus - 1050 yards; H. Boudreaux - 870 yards; D. Kerabatsos - 660 yards

After Stacker Pentecost dominated the receiving crew the previous 2 years, it looks like he won't make it to a 1000 yards a third time. In fact, it's hard to imagine any Thrasher getting 60 total catches. You'd have to average nearly 17 yards per catch to get 1000 yards on 60 catches. Pentecost is averaging 15.0 currently. In other news, TE John David has been a bright spot replacing John W. Creasy and is the second leading receiver. Final Prediction: S. Pentecost - 55 / 800 / 7 TDs; J. David - 50 / 600 / 4 TDs

Prediction Corner: Defense
Three-quarters into the season, and the team has tied its sack total from 2037 of 40. Once DC Nicholas Hunt shifted the d-line, putting Ronald Surface back at his natural RDE position, the results have been far more aggressive. Although Surface has racked up 13 sacks, he's not the only contributor; Rookie James Rhodes has pulled 7 himself. Final Prediction: R. Surface - 18 sacks; team total - 50

Eleven players have snagged an interception this season, making it good enough for 2nd in the league. Leading the way is 2nd-year CB Peter Venkman with 4. The Interception love is spread around so well, it's hard to complain or dish out any other nuggets of wisdom here. Final prediction: P. Venkman - 5 INTs; team total: 23 INTs

2038 End of Regular Season Report

Current Record: 16-0; 1st seed, Round One Bye

The Arkansas Thrashers have completed a perfect regular season (for the second time, see 2019). Although the Offense never quite caught up to 2037's numbers, it did well compared to the league's other teams and still had the highest scoring Offense. The team also led the league in scrimmage yards with 384.9 per game. In turn, the Defense mitigated any decline of the offense by only allowing 89 total points across the entire season, which was also tops in the league.

Offensive Highlights

QB Calvin Hahn seeks his 2nd MVP by throwing 3,243 yards (2nd) for 26 TDs (1st) and 1 Rushing TD. He reduced his Interceptions down from 17 to 14 in Year 2 of Coach Caskey's West Coast Offense. He finished with an 84.82 QB Rating (2nd).

The running game saw its share of injuries through this season, which limited starter Henri Boudreaux. Boudreaux still finished with 912 yards (and led the team with 1,274 scrimmage yards and 6 TDs). The added dimension of Boudreaux's receiving game will always separate him from his compatriots as a true 3-down back. To his credit though, Iggy Infernus led the team in rushing for the second year in a row with 1,041 yards. Donnie Kerabatsos filled in nicely absence of the other two and compiled 786 yards and 6 rushing TDs. In addition, the running crew ranked 1st in per carry average with 5.1 and ranked 5th in rushing TDs. Effectively, this makes the Thrashers a 3-headed monster, proving no matter which back is in, the opposing defense is in trouble.

As far as the receiving front goes: Say one thing for Stacker Pentecost, say that he finds a way. Twelve games in, not a pundit in Thrashernation would have guessed that Pentecost could accelerate as he did to cross the 1000-yard threshold for the 3rd time in 3 years--twice leading all Moguls' receivers (2037, 2038). Pentecost finished with 60 catches for 1,013 yards and 10 TDs. Other contributors include, TE John David and Muhammad Boudreaux, both crossing the 500 yard receiving line. RB Henri Boudreaux was second on the team with 55 catches as well.

Offensive MVP: Calvin Hahn, QB

Defensive Highlights

DE Ronald Surface once again led the team in sacks with 13; however, Rookie James Rhodes made his case by snagging up 11 of his own. Special shout out to Jeff Lebowski for pulling in 6 sacks from the Linebacker position. The team had a total of 54 sacks and 5th in league with sacks per game (3.4).

In addition, the ballhawks came out to play this season, as well. The defense had a total of 24 Interceptions or 1.5 per game (2nd in the league) but did not have a clear standout; instead, 12 players contributed altogether, and three players hauled in 4 INTs a piece. In addition, CB Nat Romanov had 74 tackles and 30 knockdowns to lead the team. That being said, the most valuable player on the defense has to be SLB Jeff Lebowski for the 2nd year in a row. "The Dude" racked up 64 tackles, 6 sacks, 21 knockdowns, and 4 INTs, all while only allowing catches 36.6% of the time.

Defensive MVP: Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Now, the team gets a bye to get completely healthy and could face any AFC East division rivals, as all four teams made it to the playoffs. This pundit already vowed that the AFC East and NFC West would meet in the Super Bowl, and the chances of that are extremely high! Can the Arkansas Thrashers go back-to-back? It seems they're positioned in any case, but Any Given Sunday rules always apply!

Stay tuned for the Post-Season Report!