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Jim Fitzpatrick

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Everything posted by Jim Fitzpatrick

  1. More images. Read bottom to top: Titans' FB #39 for no gain. Tackled by Gladiators' DT #61.
  2. In what amounted to a tough defensive struggle, the Titans came from behind in the 4th quarter to edge the defending Old League champion Gladiators 24-20. Leading 20-17 in the middle of the 4th quarter, the Gladiators pinned the Titans on their own 5 yard line with an out of bounds punt. On the very first offensive play, Titans' FB #39, off a superb block on Gladiators' DT #61 by HB #47, raced 95 yards for the go-ahead (and wining) TD. Previously, the Gladiator defense had shut down the Titans' running attack, with a 9 yard run being the Titans' biggest gain through 3 quarters. The Titans had grabbed the lead in the first quarter, as Titan QB #18 threw TD passes to backup TE #84 and WR #89. The Gladiators slowly, but steadily, came back, with FB #35 rushing for 178 yards and 2 TDs over the course of the first three quarters. Following #39's 4th quarter run, the Gladiators marched the ball downfield, with QB #13 coming to life after a lackluster game to that point. Unfortunately, time ran out as the Gladiators got the ball to the Titans' 10 yard line. During the game, the Gladiators lost HB #42 to a season-ending injury (see below). [My injury policy: If a player 'jumps the board' - i.e. goes off the board - or becomes separated from his base during the time when a play is taking place, he is lost for the season. His base may not be used for another replacement player. If a player goes down - i.e. is knocked, or falls over, during a play - he is injured. If this occurs in the first half, he is out for the rest of the game; if it occurs in the second half, he must miss the next game] First image set: (read R to L) : Gladiators' FB #35 takes an inside handoff for a short gain
  3. Next, Gladiators on offense. HB #42 tries to go between C and LG, but is stopped for no gain by DT #92. Again, inverse order. View from bottom to top.
  4. Hmmm...These seem to be have uploaded inverse order. Please view them from bottom to top. #39 drives off right tackle, but SS #45 stops him.
  5. I'll try to remember to take some still photographs from future games.
  6. The Lancers #41 rushed for 224 yards and ran for 3 TDs, and QB #9 threw a TD pass to WR #2 as the Lancers decisively defeated the Hawks 35 - 15 in their first meeting of the 2023 season. The other Lancer TD came on a 37 yard run by rookie FB #37. Meanwhile, the Hawks tackled #41 in the end zone for a safety - their first score. On the ensuing kick, #6 returned the ball to the Lancer 12 yard line, and HB #26 ran it in from there for the Hawks first TD, but the extra point hit the left upright for a miss. Later, FB #36 also scored on a run in the third quarter, keeping the Hawks in the game. The Lancer defense still had problems controlling the run, but their corner backs, #44 and #21, along with their slot corner, #22, stifled the Hawk receivers. The Lancers effectively used a two tight end offense, or a single wing formation far more than has normally been the case. Lancer WRs #2 and #81 consistently got open and QB #9 passed for over 50%, spreading the ball around to everyone. Hawk WLB #58 played exceptionally well in the Hawk's losing effort, as did FB#36. Next up: Titans (1 - 0) at Gladiators (1 - 0).
  7. I'd say I'm impressed by the third and long balls. I can't say they're so much better than the felt, but I haven't used them long enough to render an "expert" opinion. Indeed, the Lancers need to do something about their run defense. I allow base changes to be made through the first set (the first 4 games), but after that, they're fixed for the rest of the season. Another option is changing the defensive alignment (meaning the position the defense lines up in, subject to rules on where the players are allowed to line up). I think using the two motors has affected things greater than I had anticipated.
  8. The 2023 season kicked off with the inter-league games, much as last year. No real surprises, except that the rule changes I made during the off season to favor the defense and reduce high scoring games didn't seem to work. The Thunderbolts used a powerful running attack in which #23 gained 153 yards and #27 gained 122, to to defeat the Lancers 34-28. Lancer QB #9 threw 3 interceptions. The Warriors looked like the complete package to defeat the Hawks 44-28. Most of the Hawks points came in the 4th quarter, as they passed constantly, trying to get back in it. The Titans put together a solid defense and a great passing game to top the Wildcats 36-17. One Wildcat TD was on a 100yd KO return by #14. The defending Old League champion Gladiators dominated the Panthers 34-14, and Gladiator FB #35 rushed for 183 yds. The three main things that are different this season are the installation of two motors on my playing field, the use of a Lavatools digital timer for the game, and the change over from the old felt footballs to "Third and Long" footballs. The two motor set up works great, although it sometimes doesn't turn on when I press the switch. Got to figure that out. Also, the cord connecting the two motors should be a few inches longer. But I'm generally pleased. Now, no more "dead" areas on the field. I'll just have to get used to the vibration pattern when I'm planning what plays to use in a given area. The Lavatools timer is also great. Again, it will take a little more getting used to, pausing it and remembering to start it again throughout a quarter. At the moment, I'm using a 30 minute quarter (by the timer), which is about 45 minutes to an hour in real time. This may change as I get more experienced. I love the "new" Tudor footballs. After practicing, I've gotten comfortable, and I think my completion percentage has gone up - especially with longer (25+ yards) passes. The one thing I still have to learn to do is lobbing the football over players' heads to get a very tight completion. I'd gotten quite good over the years with the felt footballs.
  9. I don't. I have certain rules governing the positions of defensive players which attempt to more-or-lass control my "knowing" where the ball is going, and these work fairly well. The only way I can think of to call an audible is to start every play with the QB holding the ball, and either handing off or passing, depending on how the movement of players evolve. This seems too clumsy to effectively do.
  10. Last year, the Lancers did poorly, finishing third in the "Old League". During the off-season - my training camp - new, or replacement, bases are assigned to improve certain players' performances. For the upcoming season (and based on what I've seen in training camp, players I expect will have outstanding years are, #24 (RB) and #44 (CB), Lancers; #85 (WR), #52 (WLB), and #84 (DE), Wildcats; #61 (RT), Hawks; #47 (RB), Titans; #80 (rookie WR), #75 (DE), and #55 (WLB), Thunderbolts; #87 (rookie WR, made from a 'mean 13 QB figure) and #56 (rookie WLB), Panthers; #66 (LG) and #68 (LT), Warriors; #42 (RB) Gladiators. Of course, this is all subjective and can easily change once the season begins. Training camp involves teams' offenses going against their own defenses, and has to be only a gauge determining how individual players (bases, really) curve, how much power or speed their bases give them, etc. I've created different body positions for many players in the off season, mostly by cutting away and repositioning arms. It will be interesting to see how they work out. Also, as I've mentioned, I've added a second motor unit and purchased a stopwatch timer to improve play. THAT will be interesting!
  11. ...and per Tudor's request, my teams in away and home colors. L-R: Gladiators - FS #40, RB #44 Hawks - RT #61, WLB #58 Titans - WR #11. MLB #52 Lancers - DE #87, RB #24 Wildcats - RB #32, DT #91 Thunderbolts - LT #78. DE #75 Panthers - SS #38, RG #75 Warriors - WLB #91, C #63
  12. Let me know how that goes. I might be interested. 3. Players. I wish Tudor would sell players (positions) individually, or (more likely) in packages, of say, 4. Like a package of 4 DBs, or 4 RBs, or something like that. Red colored players are easily adapted by spray painting them white. I use both the standard 11 unpainted figures and the pro-pack 'mean 13'. I have been trying to "create" different poses using the standard 11 - which only amounts to cutting off arms and repositioning them. This way I can make addition DBs out of Ts, or LBs out of Ts, or different poses for RBs. I haven't tried this with the pro-pack, except for the QB figure, which, once you cut off the ball, makes an acceptable WR or DB. Currently, I have 8 teams, divided into 2 leagues (conferences). Each team has an offensive and defensive platoon (to use the old term), in both white and colored jerseys. This gives me a roster of 32-33 players per team (in both white and colored jerseys). I don't foresee going beyond this, as this would just be too many to effectively use. The current amount allows for a few subs, to cover injury or just to 'spell' plays - i.e. get someone different in for a few plays. 4. Timer. This year I'm going to (finally!) use a digital stopwatch/timer - for obvious reasons. At this point, I'm experimenting, trying to determine the length of a quarter. Sure, it's 15 minutes in the real game, but EF moves a little more slowly. I'm taking the average number of offensive plays per game in a real game (which I get from pro-football-reference.com) and divide the total by 4. Typically, this will be around 50-60 plays per game, and thus, 12-15 per quarter. Running scrimmages with a team of mine, I've arrived at about 25 minutes per quarter. I'll go with this when I start my season, and see how it works out.. That's all for now.
  13. My "administrative'" period (between seasons) is almost over. This is when I retire certain players, draft others, repair, repaint, touch up, change rules, modify rules, etc. Once again I've rejected the two point conversion and overtime during regular season games. I've also made sure that each team has a viable kicker/punter. All this has taken all of three months, and very soon I'll be starting 'training camp'. There's a lot to work out with the new timer and rules regarding it, but I'm excited to see things progress so well. During this time, let me share some observations from the admin period: 1. Numbers. I use the varsity numbers in all colors (what happened to Burgundy???). In the past, the adhesion (sticking) of these numbers has been problematic. I find that by closely trimming the numbers on the sheet with a razor blade, or and X-acto tool helps. I suspect that it's because the sticky part seems concentrated aroung the number itself. This doesn't apply to the white numbers. The white numbers seem to have very poor adhesive quality no matter which sheet (I have several) I take them from. So with them, I have to use a little glue. I've experimented with these various sticks used for paper - none work well. I'm currently using Elmer's Washable Clear Glue. It takes a few minutes to set, but so far has been my best option. Incidentally, numbers seem to stick best on a rougher surface. Try using a thicker paint to get texture, or sand or score the surface of the player first. If you have colored jerseys, the colored numbers that Tudor puts out don't stand out enough when applied. For example, I use a yellow number on a green jersey. The Tudor yellow numbers just don't have enough (or too little?) opacity. My solution is to use a white number and color it in with a yellow sharpie. But you'll have to refresh it after ever 2-3 games, as it tends to wear off. That's the inherent problem in using sharpies: the color easily wears off. Fortunately, I don't have too many colored numbers for home team jerseys. 2. Paint. See above for comments on sharpies. As for paint, I've been using both Walmart's Apple Barrel and Hobby Lobby's Deco Art paints. Both are okay, but I think I prefer Deco Art. Matching the colors from one brand to the other can be problematic, but as long as you're not using something too exotic, there should be no problem. For example, Apple Barrel's Spiced Berry matches Deco Art's Heritage Brick very well. Using a razor blade or X-acto tool to scrape away "mistakes" is one's painting is effective. I find that the X-acto #10 blade is especially effective. This is getting pretty long. I'll add some more on this later.
  14. Over the years, the Lancers have won 16 championships, by far the most of any team. Although my teams don't represent any specific pro team, there are connections in the uniforms, but with certain modifications. For example, the Titans' new uniforms are based on those of the Chicago Bears of the late 1940s, the Lancers' are similar to (but not exactly like) the NY Giants, and so on. I've debated whether to go to league expansion, but the 4 teams per "conference" (8 teams total) is very convenient for the 10 game season I'm now playing. I have expanded individual team rosters to 32 players each, and I may go to 33. This seems to be the maximum number practicable. I wish Tudor would sell individual players at the various positions, even at a greater price per player. It would make roster expansion much more convenient.
  15. Nice. I've used the old plastic QBs for decades, and I've gotten fairly good with passes - even bombs. My completion percentage is certainly over 50%, which would be typical of NFL QBs from the 50s and 60s. My basic rukles are: 1. At least part of the base must be touching the field 2. A receiver is ineligible if he his base is being touched by a defender, or any part of his base is out of bounds 3. An interception occurs when the ball hits any defender (being touched by an opponent or not).
  16. ...but too much happening over the last few months. I did get my season in, though. The Thunderbolts took the New League title, while the Gladiators (a big surprise) took the Old League. In the Championship game, the Thunderbolts defeated the Gladiators 28-7, with a relentless pass rush that produced 1 interception (FS #20), 3 sacks (LB #55 and DB #31), and many hurries (principally from DEs #75 and #97). Currently, I'm in my off-season, in which I consider rule changes and matters of procedure, make any uniform color changes, change/retire numbers, and do any necessary repairs. I purchased an additional motor to help make the field vibrations more uniform, 2 new "mean 13" teams in order to expand each team's roster to 32, and a Lavatools' digital timer to allow me to stop the clock during exchanges of possession. The second motor, in early tests, works really well, but I'll know more when training camp starts later in the spring, when I'm doing team scrimmages. For the upcoming season, the biggest change in appearance will by the Titans, who are getting orange trim on their previously all-black scheme (see below). Also, the Hawks are reverting to silver numbers on their home uniforms. The silver is difficult to see (I had the Hawks and Gladiators initially wearing silver numbers when I made home uniforms, but changed to white numbers because of visibility), and the jury will be out for the season. I might try one of the NFL numbers in silver to see if it's any better. For other colored numbers on home uniforms, in which the number will not be strictly white, I find using the white number, and coloring it in with a sharpie is the best option, as the Tudor colored numbers don't show up so well. Unfortunately, sharpies have to silver ink - the silver/gray they have is really paint. Looking forward to the coming season, and I promise I'll be posting much more.
  17. I play the game to the conditions that are currently outside. This game was played in light rain and overcast skies. I remember the old time games, played on natural grass, that often turned into mudders - for instance, the '64 Giants at Cards 10-10 tie, in which, by the second quarter, all players' numbers were completely obscured. Those were great times, a classic age! I'm in the off season now, and the big thing is adding one more player to each team's roster, bringing each team up to 31 players. To do this, I've been "modifying" certain figures by cutting off and repositioning arms. Thus, a tackle figure is changed into a LB or S; running backs become DEs or WLBs. Thus, each team will be able to field 6 DBs for next season. The results have been good, and I wish Tudor would consider selling individual figures instead of whole teams.
  18. The 29th Championship game (Super Bowl 29) has been won by the Lancers, over the Warriors, 23-7. The Lancers concluding their 2021 season at 7-2-1, met the Warriors, who finished 6-4, at Warrior Stadium. This was the fourth championship game meeting of these two teams. Interestingly, all have been played with Warriors as home team - and the Lancers have won every one. The first quarter opened with all the auspices of a defensive struggle, as the Warriors made a concerted effort to stop the Lancers' ground game. In this, they were quite successful throughout the first half, with the longest Lancers' run being a mere 7 yards. The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie, as both teams' quarterbacks had trouble hitting their open receivers - when they were open. Coverage was generally quite good for both teams throughout the game. The second quarter opened with the Warriors moving the ball downfield in an impressive drive. RB #5 ripped off a 54 yard run, and QB #12 finding the range, and hitting 3 out of 4 passes, the last being an 8 yard TD pass to WR #82, giving the Warriors a 7-0 lead, following the conversion. The Lancers responded by driving the ball downfield themselves. QB #6 hit WR #25 on a long pass (only one of three completions he made in the game), and the Lancers advanced to the Warriors' 6 yard line. But #6 was sacked by SS #30, and the Lancers attempted a FG - which went wide left. At that point, things seemed to be going the Warriors' way, but suddenly went south. On third down, inside the 10, #12went back to pass. No one was open, and the Lancers were getting pressure. He pitched the ball to #5, who, trapped, reversed his field, trying to avoid the safety. As he was running left, Lancers' FS #30, fell over (this is considered an injury, and he was out of the game for subsequent plays), but #5 ran right into him, making the score 7-2. The half soon ended. The Lancers got the opening KO for the second half, and replacing QB #6 with #9, began a drive in which #9 completed 4 out of 4 passes. The drive was capped off with #41 running for 3 yards and a TD. After the conversion, the Lancers held their first lead - which would not be relinquished - in the game, and the momentum shifted. The Warriors found it increasingly difficult to run the ball, with #5 losing more yardage than he gained (he finished the game with only 56 yards rushing). The Lancers continued to dominate, and #9 was on a roll, making several key completions. Late in the third quarter, he drove the ball downfield, and reserve FB #24 broke through the left side of the line for a 37 yard TD run. The Lancers now had a 16-7 lead. On the last play of the third quarter, #12 completed a pass to TE #88, who fumbled, and the Lancer's DE #98, quickly running downfield, recovered. On the very next play (the first play of the fourth quarter), #41 broke through the middle of the line, and scored on a 49 yard run. With the Lancers now leading 23-7, the Warriors replaced QB #12 with #8, but he too was unable to generate any offense for the team. #41 led all rushers with 86 yards; #9 (MVP offense) went 7-11 passing in the second half, and provided the spark the Lancers needed; #85 led all receivers with 4 catches. For the Warriors, #5 had 56 yards rushing, and #82 and #88 were the principal receivers, with 3 catches each. The Lancers had 3 sacks (2 by SLB #56 and 1 by DE #87), the Warriors only 1. The Lancers also had the fumble recovery, with dashed all Warrior hopes. There were no interceptions. Warriors' #61 (who replaced the injured WLB #91 in the first quarter) was the MVP defense for sealing off the weak side throughout the game.
  19. I use time, with quarters set at 45 minutes each. No records yet. I much prefer defensive struggles (in real world games as well) to offensive blowouts. Play - especially passing - is commonly quite sloppy early in the season. There are particular running plays that usually seem to net big yardage and are difficult to defend against. I'm always looking for ways to stop them without instituting radical rule changes. This usually involves experimenting with different bases for the defensive players that are most often involved, or setting those players in different positions. The field which I bought a couple of years ago has some very unique vibration patterns which I'm not yet used to. The old field I knew by heart, having used it since circa 1970.
  20. In a surprisingly low scoring game, the Lancers defeated the Wildcats 17-6. The Wildcats, playing good defense, led the Lancers 6-3 at the half, but gave up two long TD runs to Lancers' RB #41 in the second half, and made 2 critical mistakes which led to their defeat. The first half was marred (as most early games are) by poor passing by both teams, including an interception by Wildcat rookie FS #25. Lancer QB #6, coming to the Lancers in an off season trade with the Thunderbolts for RB #27, was ineffective until just before halftime, when he led a long drive which netted the Lancers their first score, a FG. Previously, the Wildcats had taken a 6-0 lead on a pair of FGs - one set up by #25's interception. Both teams' high-powered running games were contained by good defensive play, although the Wildcats' #22 ripped off a 57 yard run in the second quarter to set up the Wildcats' second FG. In the second half, the Lancers' #41 exploded for an 80 yard TD run, giving them the lead for the first time, 10-6. The Wildcats continued to be ineffective in the third quarter, with QB #7 completing only 2 passes. Meanwhile, the Lancer's QB, #6, began to get the range, driving the Lancers deep into Wildcat territory, before settling for a 51 yd FG attempt. It was wide right, and the Gladiators took over, in good field position. Keeping the drive alive into the fourth quarter, the Wildcats faced a fourth and ten at the Lancer 19 yard line. Instead of going for the FG, which would have brought them to 10-9, with lots of time remaining, they opted to go for it, and #7 was sacked on a blitz, by reserve S #36. First mistake. But the Lancers, after getting one first down and running valuable time off the clock, were forced to punt the ball back to the Wildcats. QB #3 replaced #7, and RB #22 had a 41 yard run for the Wildcats, who once again drove deep into Lancer territory. Again they faced a fourth down situation (4th and 5). #3 went back to pass, and completed it along the sidelines to WR #85 for a first down. But as he turned and began running, the ball popped out, and Lancers' SLB #56 recovered at the 11 yard line. Second mistake. On the very next play, the Lancers set their TE #86 (their blocking TE) on the left (they had been setting TE right on all previous plays), and #41 exploded over left tackle for an 89 yd TD run, giving them a 17-6 lead, which they protected until the end of the game. Lancers' #41 led all rushers with 184 yards; Wildcats' #22 had 146 yards. Lancers' WR #85 had 4 catches to lead all WRs. Wildcats' QB #7 was sacked 3 times (one by CB #44 on a corner blitz, one by DT #78, and one by S #36 on a blitz); Lancer QB #6 was sacked once (DE #84 and WLB #52 sharing). This game concludes the opening games, and inter-league, for all teams. The current standings are: Old League: Lancers 1-0-0 Gladiators 1-0-0 Titans 0-0-1 Hawks 0-1-0 New League: Thunderbolts 1-0-0 Panthers 0-0-1 Warriors 0-1-0 Wildcats 0-1-0 Next games (beginning intra-league play): Lancers @ Titans Hawks @ Gladiators Warriors @ Thunderbolts Panthers @ Wildcats
  21. Incidentally, I was looking at Pro Football Reference the other day, and was quite surprised that the Browns highest rated (by their way of rating0 player of all time was NOT Brown, Graham, or anyone else you'd expect, but tackle Dick Schafrath, who played during the 60s.
  22. Love the old time games! I've been a Giants' fan since '62, and I remember the players of that era well.
  23. The Gladiators erupted for 17 second quarter points, and held on, to defeat the visiting Warriors 17-7, in the season opener for both teams. The first quarter was marked by good defensive play, and sloppy passing by the Warriors' QB #12, who missed several open receivers. Meanwhile, the Gladiators began to establish a running attack, based on FB #35, who wound up the game with 85 yards total to lead all rushers. After the scoreless first quarter, in which the Gladiators' QB #15 was sacked 3 times, the Gladiators put together a drive which featured a 39 yard run by #35, and ended up with a TD pass from #15 to TE #85. After the Warriors failed to do anything on their next possession, the Gladiators got the ball back, but were also unable to move it. The Warriors blocked the ensuing punt, but failed to capitalize, missing on a 45 yard FG. Taking over, the Gladiators once more drove down the field, and scored on a pass from #15 to rookie RB #44. As the quarter waned, the Gladiators kicked a short FG, giving them a 17-0 halftime lead. In the second half, the Warriors replaced their starting QB with #8, who, on his first attempt, threw a 71 yard TD pass to WR #82. Despite this, and despite an improving running attack, the Warriors still were unable to sustain any drives. In the middle of the fourth quarter, they drove the ball down to the Gladiators' 18 yard line, but, instead of going for a field goal on fourth and ten, opted to go for the first down. A blitz by WLB #66 forced #12 to throw early, and the pass was incomplete. From that point, the Gladiators ran time off the clock, punted once again, and stifled the Warriors on their final possession by playing a prevent defense which allowed short completions, but took up too much time. The Gladiators' DE #92 had one sack in the fourth quarter. There were no interceptions by either team. Next up: Lancers @ Wildcats, which will complete the first games for all teams, and complete the inter-league games for this season.
  24. Last year's last place New League team, the Panthers, at the Old League champion Titans. This was almost an upset, as the lowly Panthers came into the 4th quarter with a 17-13 lead, largely due to the Titans having missed an extra point and a chip-shot field goal early in the game. The first half was marred by sloppy play on both sides. The Panther's rookie QB, #17, opened up with an 80 yd TD pass to WR #16, who wound up the game with 4 catches and well over 100 yds receiving. As expected, the Titans relied on their running game, and FB #39 finished with 112 yds on 12 carries. But starting QB #18 had a bad day, eventually throwing 2 interceptions, to Panther FS #42 and CB #37. He was finally pulled in the 4th quarter for #15, who went 5 out of 7 and the game tying TD, to TE (and wingback) #84. Earlier, #18 had thrown a TD pass to WR #87 on what should have been an interception, the ball deflecting off CB #43 on hitting #87 on the fly in the endzone.. FB #39 also had a #13 yd TD run in the second quarter. The Titan defense pretty much controlled the Panthers' running attack, but had some difficulty against the pass. Despite throwing an 80 yd TD pass to #16 on the first play of the game, #17 completed not a single pass for the rest of the time he was in. He also threw an interception to Titans' SLB #55. He was pulled late in the first half for veteran QB #11, who, although not outstanding, made some critical throws, including a 37 yd very tight throw to #16, just before the half, which set up the Panthers' first FG. In the third quarter, Panther HB #25 scored on a 6 yd run, giving them a 17-13 lead. Early in the 4th quarter, the Panthers kicked another FG, giving them a 20-13 lead, and 2 drives later, Titan QB #15 threw his game tying score to #84. The extra point was good, and since I only have OT games in playoff or championship games, the tie remained. Even though a tie, it has to be regarded as a major upset for the Titans and something of a moral victory for the Panthers. Those extra points can be critical. DT #92 had a rare sack for the Titans, and DE #96, who brought pressure the entire game, had one for the Panthers. Next up, Warriors at Gladiators.
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