The Buzz

• Well another week is in the books. Once again we had some surprises. Lets start off with the biggest surprise of them all. Empire mercy-ruling Savages in our GOW. 34-12 was the final score. So much for the vaunted defense of Savages. Chris and co. had a field day in this match up with Ali Nobani hauling in two Tds, Dipan with another monster game both ways etc. Savages were seen practicing for a long time afterwards and they sure need more of it.
• Talking about Savages, as soon as we give Irfan props for a huge game he lays a complete egg capping with dropping a huge TD. Zevis and Butthead didn't have great days either as safeties. This was just a terrible performance all around.
• Our second shocker came from the forgotten team Outlaws. Yes they were 0-3 but they were knocking on the door of wins against teams such as NGNG and Savages. It wasn't shocking that they beat another winless team in Bandits so much as that what the final score was. 30-0. Jawid to Jeremy will soon be a household combination. Jeremy scored 4 Tds from Jawid. Count em. 4 Tds.
  
• Bandits are a shocking 0-4. So much talent and they are 0-4. Maybe its time to get back to the basics and start practicing hard fellaz. Don't even think about them Lions from NFL. Get that first win out of the way.
• Speaking of surprises, when we all bury the Believers they come out and beat a upstart NGNG squad. Razi seemed very calm in leading the team and here they are 2-2 and in the middle of the playoff race.
• NGNG absolutely looked like they took this team too easy and looking past them. Before they knew it they were down big. Then with the game on the line Captain/MVP candidate Khuram dropped not 1 but 2 game winning TDs. They let a huge chance to take over 3rd place with a 3-1 record slip by.
  
• NFL has Dream Team Eagles. SAFL has the over hyped disappointing Bellerose Wolfpack team. Preseason they were ranked no. 2. And now we have a 1-3 record. Players fighting in-house. QB performances that includes a 5 into performance by Parvesh this past Sat against Slumdogs. Will Bubbles make the start over him soon? On a positive note new addition Christopher seems like a legit two way player.
  
• Slumdogs finally have made the decision to go with Mike Chu at QB for good. Seemed like pretty obvious to SAFL fans for a while there. But it was their defense this week that stepped up big time and gave the offense short field to work with all day.
• Our most thrilling game came from the match up between Spartans vs Stop N Go. What a great finish. 4th and inches with 9 sec to go QB Anwar connects with Jose Martinez for the winning score 39-35. Bad clock management left Anwar to drive down the offense and score twice in the last 2 minutes to win the game.
• Spartans offense is a machine. They have scored 33, 31. 52 and 39 now. That's including ending 2 games early due to mercy rules.
• How many close losses can Stop N Go endure? We had the 1 point loss opening day and now this loss. They could've very easily actually should have been 4-0. They HAVE to learn to put games away.
• Talking about MVPs, QB Anwar now has a commanding lead over the field with a 26 for 36 and 6TD vs 1 Into performance. That's now 22 to 4 TD to Interception total. Dipan also had a huge game with 6 receptions 1 TD, 1 Into and some other huge defensive plays. Chris of Empire, Jose and Yamin of Spartans had big weeks to throw their name out there. Shumail, Khuram, Irfan, Farhan etc had slow weeks to make their candidacy a hard one. Some darkhorse candidates include Atif, Mike Chu, Usman, Talha, Hashim, Jawid Sarwar, Jeremy, Musaib etc.
• Our beastmode play of the week took place in the Spartans vs Stop N Go game where Jose Martinez caught a 4th down catch from Anwar with 3 defenders hanging off of him a la Calvin Johnson. The game also produced highlight reel plays like Suleman absolutely snatching away a interception by Sajeel, Sajeel's beautiful over the shoulder catch on the last drive etc.
• Some things I liked this week:

1. Outlaws getting their first win. Jawid aka Joey has a very strong arm and they have a bunch if scrappy players.
2. Jeremy with 4 Tds this week!!!!!!
3. Razi Hussaini's primal screams everytime Believers make a huge play. His child-like enthusiasm is a refreshing reminder of what SAFL is all about.
4. Ali Nobani's play since our Head and Shoulders comment. 3 Tds in 2 weeks. Nice.
5. Slumdogs, Outlaws and Empire defense.
6. Spartans offense. How do you slow that down.
7. Week 5 match up between Spartans and Empire. Two undefeated teams. Heavyweight battle.

• Some things I didn't like this week:

1. Stop N Go's clock management.
2. Razi almost taking a safety with a 2 point lead under a minute to go. What was that about?
3. Khuram's crucial drops.
4. Parvesh's 5 interceptions.
5. Some of the non-calls from the officials.
6. Bandits, NGNG and Savages coming out so flat.
7. Zone defenses. Good QBs are absolutely feasting on zone defenses with good play calling.

• Definitely wasn't football weather past weekend. Way too hot.
• Standings after 4 weeks are:

1. Spartans 4-0
2. Empire 4-0
3. Stop N Go 2-2
4. Savages 2-2
5. NGNG 2-2
6. Slumdogs 2-2
7. Believers 2-2
8. Wolfpack 1-3
9. Outlaws 1-3
10. Bandits 0-4

• Thats what I call parity.