Back on Track, Predators Improve to 3-1

After starting the season 2-0, the Predators dropped a game 7-13 to a talented Ticknor team.  The Predators statistically played better than the Ticknors, however it didn't show on the score board.  They moved the ball better, played better D, but the breaks(refs) didn't go their way, but that's the game.  Not to mention they were not at full strength because they were INTIMIDATORED out of a man.  However, last week the Predators got back on the winning track beating David B's 25-18.  A team they beat 30-2 three weeks earlier.  The Predators didn't play to their potential but they came away with the victory.  They now have shown the ability to play below their potential, but still get a win.  Something they don't want to get in the habit of doing, but that they can.  It is an affect of putting in their dues and never giving up, a trait all Predators obtain on and off the field.

Offensivley the game started exactly how the first game started, with #7 Brown throwing a INT on the first play of the game.  But this time the Predator D didn't respond with a stop and the Predators were down 0-6.  The Predators then moved the ball and found themselves with a 4th and 3 at mid field.  #7 Brown capitalized as he hit #33 Price in the flats for a long TD reception.  #33 Price caught the second TD later in the game when the Predators faced a fourth and goal from the 4, putting them up 13-12.  Later in the game with time winding down the Predators found themselves 3rd and goal from the 25 down 13-18 with 1:35 left on the clock.  #7 Brown scrambled around ultimately finding #2 Long in the back of the endzone, putting the Predators up 19-18.  The final minute and a half was just a formality against the Predator D.  #1 Clark picked off a David B's pass and returned it 68 yards for a TD!  #1 Clark was sniffing that pick like fine wine the whole game, in position to take it the other way on numerous occasions.  It was a great ending to a game that looked like it was going to get away from the Predators.  They stayed together and hung in and got the win.

Defensively the Predators played pretty good.  Overall it wasn't what they are used to, but they hung in and got it done.  #33 Price got two sacks in the game along with 2 TDs offensively.  #27 Clapper was also big on D with an INT and 3 defensed passes and was crucial offensively moving the ball down field, very close to breaking one.  #7 Brown also INT'd a pass and defensed two, his one INT was huge for the D.  #1 Clark made the play of the game on D and also defensed 6 passes.  #45 Price also played well defensively and caught 5 passes on offense.  # 2 Long defensed 3 passes and made the game winning catch offensively. 

It wasn't their best game but the Predators will take it.  They have come so far that they can play poorly and still win.  But they know they can't have an effort like they had last week, or the week before in the loss and win the title.  This is a good week to put it all together, as they play the First Place team.  If they play the way they have the last two weeks then we might as well chalk up a L in that colum.  But if I know the Predators they will play with a chip on their shoulder.  We'll see what happens this week, as the Predators play Akron's Finest Thursday at 9pm.

Offensive Player of the Week- #7 Brown

#7 Brown wins Offensive Player of Week honors with 3 TDs and 1 INT.  Keeping his head late in the game, with the Predators down, #7 moved the Predators into position when he found #2 Long in the back of the endzone for the go ahead score.  The throw and catch foreshadows what's to come in the 2012 Title run. #7 Brown also intercepted a pass on D and defensed many passes.

Defensive Player of the Week- #1 Clark

#1 Clark wins Defensive Player of Week honors with 6 passes defensed and his game winning INT for TD.  Week in and week out #1 Clark continues to prove he pulls flags better than any other Predator and his pick six puts him alone as the only Predator to return 3 INT's for TD's in the teams history.

Game Starts Late, Predators End It Early

The Predators week 2 game against infocision started late and wasn't much of a game.  infocision was beat up so bad they don't deserve to get the first letter of their team name capitalized in this blog.  Right from the beginning #7 Brown moved the offense well, getting all Predators involved throwing 5 TDs and 1 INT.  The performance gives him back to back 5 TD games which is a first in Predator history.  Creating most of the damage receiving for the Predators was #2 Long and #45 Price.  #2 Long caught many passes and scored 2 TD's.  He also added 2 INTs defensively, totaling 5 on the season. #45 Price led the team in receptions for the game and scored a TD.  #45 Price came close to scoring three but was stopped twice at the one yard line.  One catch inperticular was amazing catching it on the sidelines on the last play of the first half.  He also added a INT on defense.  #27 Clapper added a TD offensively, on a very nice play where he started right and went back left, and played lock down D as infocision wouldn't even throw his way, but he still somehow managed 6 passes defensed!!!!!  #1 Clark was his usual Spriderman self as he once again led the D in pulls for the game.  So quick noise isn't made when he pulls flags.  And #33 Price busted out with 3 sacks, 1 safety and a knocked down pass defensively while adding a TD offensively.  It was his first 3 sack performance since season 2.  All and all it was a great win against..... who ever they were.... but the Predators are foaming at the mouth for a more difficult hunt and it's coming up this week as they play the current defending Winter Champion Ticknors.  The offense is thirsty for blood, the defense smells fear and the Predators are coming Thursday at 10pm.  You better wear your rain coat, because it's going to get messy.

Week 2 Players of the Week

Offense- #7 Brown

Back-to-Back 5 TD Performances gives #7 Brown Player of the Week honors.  Increased arm strength and accuracy has been apparent going back to last fall and his teammates get to reep the benefits.  The Predators have only punted once this season and have only 4 turnovers.  They are off to their fastest start offensively in team history and #7 is leading the way.

Defense- #33 Price

A 3 sack, 1 safety and 1 knocked down pass performance gives #33 Price Player of the Week honors.  The Predators Defense is once again nasty and #33 has done his part.  Relentless pressure on opposing QB's helps the Predator secondary go in for the kill!  The D has yet to be scored on this season and the Predators this week will be going for a Predator record 3 straight games without giving up a touchdown.  I don't know about you, but I smell a blood bath!

Predator Win Big in Opener 30-2

The season got off to a good start Thursday night as the Predators crushed David B's/BroBakers 30-2. The Predators were the more polished and experienced team and it show as the game progressed. The Predators have a plan in place offensively and are more organized from past seasons. They know what works better in certain situations than they used to. Individually on defense their personnel knows their role and executes the defense in a textbook fashion. It was a great opening night win and only their second season opening win in 7 season.

With all the good we saw there still was some rust on behalf of the Predators. They missed many flag pulls, something we're not accustom to seeing from the Predators. They turned the ball over on 1st and goal from the 10 after #2 Long intercepted a pass and nearly returned it for a touchdown. They had a botched snap in their own end zone that result in two points for the opposition. They also had a miscommunication on an easy 4th and two at mid field in the first half. But these are correctable errors that happen at the beginning of seasons. All in all, the offense played consistent and smooth and the defense was it's usual "lion hunts down a gazelle on the Discovery channel" self.

It was a great team effort in the win. #7 Brown had a strong first outing throwing for 5 TD's and 2 INT's. He also had a pass defensed. #45 Price had a good game scoring 1 long TD, out running the defense for on the score. He also had two passes defensed. #1 Clark scored 1 TD in the game where he got behind the D for a fifty yard score. Now for the players of the week:

Offensive Player of the Week- #27 Clapper

Scoring 2 TD's and making many catches and runs earns #27 Clapper Player of the Week honors. He made one really tough catch in traffic deep down the middle of the field. He also contributed with 1 INT and 3 passes defensed.

Defensive Player of the Week- #2 Long

With 3 INT's and 3 passes defensed #2 Long led the way for the defense. He was one player away from taking one of his picks for six. He added 1 TD on offense.

The Predators will play again next Thursday but they don't know who they play and when because they don't have a schedule. Awesome. Stay tuned for week 2 information.

Expectations High Amongst the Predators

Last season for the Predators was a good one. They posted a 7-3 record and got to the title game. However, the last time we saw the Predators in action, the lost a tough championship game 13-21. It was a game where they out played the opponent the majority of the game but made a few costly mistakes that they couldn't recover from. They were proud of season 6, but now they want more.

Going into Season 7 the Predators are essentially the same team they were exiting season 6. They were and still are a six man roster in a six on six league. Leading the way this season is current Predator MVP #7 Brown who had an outstanding year but has unfinished business and wants to finish the job in 2012 with a title. #33 Price is back again and is hungry to break the 12 sack Predator record in a season. Lets not forget about former Predator MVP #2 Long who looks ready to take back that MVP title. He is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year performance and looks trim and ready to roll. Then there's #1 Clark, who recieved the coveted Predator Award last season with his big play potential and heads up on the field play. He has his seat belt strapped and is ready for a title ride. Don't forget about #27 Clapper, who's gears are oiled and is ready for a breakout season. He's looked quick in OTA's and wants to make his impression felt right from the first snap. He is once again will be in the mix for player of the year. He took home Performance of the Year last season. The biggest improvement to the Predators this season is the transformation of #45 Price. As the Predators walked off the field in the championship game #45 Price carried 247 pounds on his shoulders. When he walks onto the field tonight he will be carrying 208 pounds. Get ready for #45 Price to have a big season. #11 Brown will also be helping out the Predators this season. He is young, strong and isn't sore the next day after games!!! The Predators are fortunate to have #11 Brown in their corner. He was even offered a contract by another team, but decided to stay. And don't think for a minute that the Predators won't go "retro roster" and bring back #52 Oberhaus for a game or two. He has even lost 30 pounds. It's shaping up to be a good year.

The Predators toasted "one more year" at the extremely up scale banquet last season put on by management at the 5 star gormet Cleats(Registered Trademark LLC sole proprietor Cleats Inc.) in Wadstucky. This year is deemed "Title in Twelve" and is their fourth year in existance and in some ways feeling like a Senior year. Well, it seems the Predators ment what they said at the banquet. In some way or another each Predator has improved their role going into this Season 7. Some trained harder, ran a bit more or watched their diet but the roster has improved and it's the same players. But will all this reflect in their record? Will they take the title in 2012? They know it won't be easy but if they play the way they did last season and focus at the tasks at hand; good throws, catchingballs, tough D, getting 6 yards on 3rd and five, making QB uncomfortable, ect., everything else should take care of itself.

Spring is finally hear and it's going to be a fun 10 weeks. It's crazy a team that started 0-9 in their first season has survived to a 7th season. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we will see once again and again and again what the Predators are made of as Season 7 kicksoff tonight at 10pm, as the Predators take on David B's.

Fall '11 Awards

After looking back on season six it was quite a ride. The Predators posted a 7-3 season and it was one to remember. With more ups than downs along the way, this season will go down as the best yet. Unfortunately it ended with a loss in the title game. However the Predators accomplished many good things. The Predators had both their best seasons both offensively and defensively. The offense average a team best 19.3 ppg and the strong defense only gave up 10.5 ppg. Beating their great season 2 mark of 12.1. The offense put up more than 30 points 3 times this season, something never been done before. The defense unfortunately did not have a shut out, but they gave up less than 10 points in 7 of their 10 games! HOLY SHIT! And the most points they gave up all season was 21 in the title. These BRO'S can play some D!

We all know the Predators are one team and they win and lose that way and that's the way they like it. But for shit sake what follows are some award nominations honoring individual Predators for their contributions this season, I apologize if I forgot anything great (I'm sure you'll let me know, probably should have had a poll);

PLAY OF THE YEAR

#33 Price go ahead TD in Playoff win vs Akron's Finest

#1 Clark slant catch and made 4 defenders miss on way to end zone

#1 Clark lateral to #45 Price en route to TD

#45 Price pass deflection on 4th and goal in Playoff win vs Akron's Finest

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

#27 Clapper 1 TD 1 Pass TD and two INT's on first two defensive plays vs Seedmen

#45 Price 2 TD's, 1 pass TD in win vs Older but Still Good

#7 Brown 5 TD passes in win vs Dip Set

#45 Price backup QB performance in win vs Akron's Finest

#12 Wolny 3 INT's coming out of Retirement in win vs Akron's Finest

#2 Long 4 INT's in win vs Older but Still Good

#33 Price 3 TD's in win vs Gunners

WORST DROP PASS

#33 Price deep pass in loss to Gunners and 4th and goal drop in end zone vs whoever that was

#27 Clapper over the shoulder drop when Mr. Price said "Come on Matt!"

#45 Price for sure long TD in loss vs Gunners

#1 Clark drop in end zone at the end of first half in playoff game vs Akron's Finest

BEST BROBAKER'S MOMENT

Every time we saw Rob Winegar!!!

#33 Price amazing pool shots on his birthday!!!

The one night on the outside part laughing a lot and talking about whatever, that was fun!!!

The chick fight by the bathroom!!!

The "That looks like a nice roast beef sandwhich! Cute girl though" moment

PREDATOR AWARD- For leadership, field IQ, intangibles....you get the idea

#1 Clark

#27 Clapper

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

#7 Brown

#27 Clapper

#33 Price

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

#1 Clark

#2 Long

#45 Price

MVP

#1 Clark

#2 Long

#7 Brown

#27 Clapper

#33 Price

#45 Price

These are the nominee's for season 6 of the Predators saga. I would really like to have some kind of voting where no Predators know who voted for who. I (the anonymous person who writes the blogs that's not a Predator) do not know how to do that. If you know of a way please let me know. I tried to remember all the great moments this season. It's all in fun so sorry if I forgot something. I can't wait till next season so all of us can shoot for worst drop of the year award again. And remember.....GO PREDATORS!

Nothing Can Stop The Predators!

Last Thursday night the Predators punched their ticket to the title game by beating Akron's Finest 12-7. The semi-final win was just another step forward in what already is a successful season. The Predators found themselves down early and at half time 0-6. But instead of panicking they stuck to their game plan offensively and trusted in their defense to keep them in it. They put together two great drives and had two outstanding goa line stands in the second half and rallied to a 12-7 victory in the semi-finals. It improved their record to 7-2 and honestly the Predators could be 9-0. In both losses the Predators outplayed their opponents but it didn't show on the scoreboard. The 7-2 record is unquestionably their best season to date. Their roster is strong bottom to top and it shows in their record.

Throughout the entire season the Predators have proved they are strong both physically and mentally. Anchored by their defense, which basically suffocates offenses in the red zone, the Predators have piled up win after win. After an opening game defeat, the Predators are 7-1 and rolling. This season their offense has taken it to another level. #7 Brown has had a breakout season at QB piling up TD's and has pretty much eliminated mistakes. His play has really been the difference for the success of the Predator offense. And his ability to break up passes and pull flags defensively makes you think why he wasn't out their sooner. #1 Clark has finally gotten his chance to start on offense and has made management look bad for waiting so long. He just puts the defense to sleep on the outside and makes them pay late in games. Who can forget making 4 defenders miss pulls on his way to a long TD this season. And if he doesn't want to score he'll just pitch it to a teammate so they can get some ink. #45 Price is slimmer and faster and it shows in his play. His new light frame has shown as he's made some defenders miss this season and opened up the stride scoring his share of TD's and also really making his presence known on Defense. His increased productivity by knocking down passes and pulling flags has really elevated the Predator defense to best in the league. #2 Long continues to do what he does on both sides of the ball, catching TD's, knocking down balls and intercepting passes. He has been the constant during the Predators six seasons. His 4 INT's in one game this season is a Predator record that will be hard to beat in the future. And who can forget what #27 Clapper has contributed this season to the Predators. First two defensive snaps in a game, two #27 Clapper INT's.... That won't be duplicated! His strong defensive play and explosiveness offensively is another reason why the Predators are having their best season. There's a reason why the Predators have had their best seasons when #27 Clapper is on the roster....enough said. And we can't forget about #8 Wagar who has toughed it out through a bitter sweet season. After getting hurt early in week 1, which he toughed out and played the whole game and they didn't have a sub (no names please), he fought the injury through the whole season. He did come up big with a huge TD in a 13-8 victory in week 6 when again they didn't have a sub (no names Jake). And lets not forget about #12 Wolney who came out of retirement for one game and picked off the QB 3 times helping the Predators get a big win. Thanks Greg! Then there's #33 Price, he just fucking wants it bad! He'll even throw a hissy fit 5 minutes into the post game bar meeting after a loss.... What a baby!!!!!!!

As you can see by the descriptions of these players and the Predators themselves have found this out over the course of 6 seasons!!!!!!! It takes all six guys out on that field to make a great team and that's what the Predators have put together. Their offense is very strong and their defense is tops in the league. The Championship is there for the taking, LETS TAKE IT!

Back On Winning Track!

The Predators went into the Armadillos game focused and composed and came away with a big win. It started off bad and the Predators fell behind but came back in a big way to secure a 27-15 victory. It took every Predator contributing to get the win. Whether they were throwing, catching, pulling, blocking or decoying the Predators came together for the win and put them into 4th in the standings.

Right from the start the Predators were playing decent D but got caught in man coverage and gave up a long TD putting them down 0-8 early on. They came back in a big way when #7 Brown fond #27 Clapper for the first TD of the game. After a big turnover on downs the Predators found themselves in scoring position on 4th down when #7 Brown found #33 Price in the back of the end zone to put the Predators ahead. The Armadillos came back quick when the found the Predators in man D again and scorched them for a big play, putting them very close to scoring territory. They eventually scored making it 13-15 at half time.

At the start of the second half the Predators moved the ball down field but after a costly turnover things weren't looking good. But the defense made a stop on 3 straight plays from the two yard line giving them the ball back. It was the series of the game and a huge reason why they came away with the victory. All the Predators in the secondary were making pulls and stops all night and the entire unit should be applauded for the effort.

Once the Predators got the ball back the moved it again. The entire night they used options, laterals, multiple passers as they moved the ball down field. They seamed to create some chemistry in the huddle on this night. They ended up scoring again when #27 Clapper scored his second TD of the game, making him the 4th Predator in team history with multiple TDs in a game. At this point in the game the Predators D had figured out the Armadillos funky offense that gave them a headache and stopped it with ease at this point. But don't get me wrong, the Predators struggled with this O but talked about it and tried to figure it out as a team and did. If the Predators can continue to talk both offensively and defensively and do the things that continually make them better then they can be a team to reckon with. #45 Price capped the game off when #33 Price found him on short catch and run for a TD.

It was a big game and something that can encourage the Predators. With big games coming up we will see what Predator team shows up. Will it be the inconsistent one we've seen in the past or will the Predators get nasty and continue to grow for the future.