Survey Says...
posted Tuesday November 23rd, 2010 by Crooks

A couple of weeks ago I decided that a second Turkey Bowl XI preview was in order. This second run at the game preview would not serve as yet another microphone for me to voice my own opinions and thoughts, but rather an opportunity for our other combatants, those who do their talking on the field rather than the website, to provide a bit of insight concerning their feelings and predictions related to this year’s game.

Obviously, not trusting many of you to provide any real or tangible information, I did add my two-cents by deciding and finalizing which questions each participant completing a survey would be answering.

After giving everyone ample time to reply, I have received eight surveys, not including my own. And, after reading through the selected answers, I can honestly say that many of us seem to be on the same page in regards to certain facets of the game, while other questions and answers only proved that the certainty of some game facets, those in which the questions applied to, are far from solidified or constant amongst us.

I guess the best way in which to tackle the results, which represent your opinions, is to go through each question one-by-one.

Who has the best chance of being this year’s MVP?
Five names came up, but one, that of Paul Middleton, made repeat mention. In fact, 50% of the answered and returned questionnaires named Middleton as the odds on favorite to win the Turkey Bowl XI MVP award. Does this mean that Paul is the best player on the field? No, even though an argument could be made in his favor. What this basically tells us, me in particular being the one interpreting the surveys, is that with Paul slotted to play QB for Grease Busters, the opportunity for him to lead his team to victory in a position (QB) that is a bit unorthodox for him garners more recognition than, per say, Tim Dougherty or Mike Trill serving as the winning quarterback.

Other players mentioned in regards to this question included Kevin Rayer, Matt Marcelli, Ian Hart, and Keith Cottom.

Which lineman will have the best game?
Again we’re looking at multiple names, but one dominating the field: Mike Bucella. Tuna, as he is better known, has been a force in the TFL trenches. There’s no surprise that most of you thought he would again present himself as the premiere lineman in the league. Bucella, like Middleton in the previous question, walked away with 50% of the votes.

Other linemen named in answers to this particular question were Four Lokos’ Keith Cottom and Jon Hart. Cottom came in one vote short of equalizing Tuna’s total.

Which match-up will be the best linemen competition?
How could we expect any battle to be named other than the one chosen by the majority of responders: Tuna v. Cottom. Funny though, the theoretical match-up of Tuna v. Dougherty made a small push for the number-one answer with two votes.

Tuna and Cottom are arguably the most devastating two-way lineman the league has to offer. Yes, Tony can be a defensive menace, but nobody plays both sides of the ball, at least in the trenches, in such a volatile fashion as Cottom and Tuna.

Other responses included Tony v. Cottom and Tony v. Jon Hart.

Which receiver/d-back match-up will be the most interesting?
There are a plethora of possibilities offered up in this question, but two stood out amongst all the applied options: Marcelli v. Marcelli and Ian Hart v. Crooks. Both match-ups are very similar on paper: The size of Matt and Ian in direct conflict with the speed of Mark and Crooks.

In addition, meetings between Rayer and Middleton, Middleton and Matt Marcelli, & Crooks and Matt Marcelli also garnered mention.

Realistically though, we all must admit that with six total receivers and defensive-backs on the field at any time the likelihood of any one of these match-ups remaining constant throughout the game’s entirety is unlikely.

Which player do you consider the best defensive back?
Congratulation goes out to Paul Middleton. Not for being the number-one answer, but for at least being mentioned. Hands-down, according to those TFL members surveyed, Mark Marcelli, acquiring 75% of the votes, will be the best defensive-back on Pritchard Field this year. Honestly, you’ll get no argument from me. Mark has proven countless times that he is not only quite a good cover-corner, but also a devastatingly physical defensive standout.

Which receiver do you think is the biggest threat to break the big play?
Paul Middleton and Ian Hart, judging from the survey responses, have obviously caught the eye of a number of TFL players in regards to their receiving abilities, but Kevin Rayer walked away with 75% of the votes.

Rayer is coming off a huge game in Turkey Bowl X, and it’s hard to believe that a year could change his play so dramatically to rule him out as the league’s number-one big-play threat.

Look for Rayer to give Grease Busters’ defensive backfield fits.

Which Four Lokos' QB has a better game?
Nobody is belittling the arm strength and accuracy of Mike Trill, but, when it came to this question, responders chose Tim Dougherty 3-1. Doc leads the league in touchdown passes and, even with talk of retirement constantly surrounding the two-time MVP, Tim has found a way to throw 36 touchdown passes since statistics have been recorded.

Tim could be a dual or triple threat for Four Lokos this year with the possibilities of him lining-up at QB, receiver, and lineman all prevalent.

Which team strength is Four Lokos best?
There was no doubt in my mind that most would choose the overwhelmingly obvious answer: Having Dougherty and Trill.

Doc and Trill are the only true quarterbacks the league has to offer. The two have, since the recording of stats began, combined for 69 touchdown passes and distanced themselves from the league’s #3 QB Paul Middleton by at least 27 throws ending in TD’s each.

Other answers mentioned by respondents included having a height advantage at receiver and d-back & having record breaking receiver Kevin Rayer.

Which of the following is Four Lokos biggest weakness?
Defensive-backfield depth and deciding which QB to employ between Trill and Dougherty proved to be concerns for some Turkey Bowl XI participants, but the depth at line, both offensive and defensive, won out as Four Lokos’ biggest weakness.

Jon Hart, Keith Cottom, and possibly Tim Dougherty will have the unenviable task of blocking and rushing against Tony Laughlin and former MVP’s Tom Orio and Tuna Bucella.

That’s a tall order.

Which team strength is Grease Busters' best?
Bringing strong corners like Rich DiNofia and Mark Marcelli to the table is one thing, having a dominant lineman like Tuna is another, but depth in the trenches proved to be the most common response to this question.

Grease Busters has three proven lineman in Tom Orio, Mike Bucella, and Tony Laughlin, while Joe Simcox can be used sparingly. If we have learned anything from previous games it is definitely that keeping the big-boys fresh and rested is important. This is most definitely something Grease Busters can do.

Which of the following is Grease Busters' biggest weakness?
Smokers? Check. Small receivers? Check.

NO TRUE QB? CHECK!

Both teams have weaknesses, but Grease Busters’ lack of a legitimate and proven quarterback has to be the most obvious of them all.

Pressure on Middleton? Check.