(Wednesday 6th December 2017)
As the 2018 season draws ever closer with open tryouts taking place across the country, the guys from LFL Talk and some of the LFL 360 writers took the time to reflect back on the 2017 season and create this year's list.
This years list is again full of players that both really excelled at their positions and stood out from the crowd as well as those who have failed to live up to their hype and reputation. So without further ado, let's get cracking with those categories:
As the 2018 season draws ever closer with open tryouts taking place across the country, the guys from LFL Talk and some of the LFL 360 writers took the time to reflect back on the 2017 season and create this year's list.
This years list is again full of players that both really excelled at their positions and stood out from the crowd as well as those who have failed to live up to their hype and reputation. So without further ado, let's get cracking with those categories:
OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES
TOP 3 RUNNING BACKS OF 2017
1) Stevi Schnoor (Seattle Mist) Stevi has now taken over the mantle of the league’s premier running back. Granted ‘The Ferrari’ Chrisdell Harris has been subject to restricted carries these last two season but even still, Stevi has been far and away the best ball carrier in the league. This season she rushed for 391 yards and 15 touchdowns, add to that her receiving stats of 125 yards and 5 touchdowns and you have to ask, has there been a better single season from a running back?
2) Dominique Maloy (Seattle Mist) Lightning Maloy has had another steady season but when you have to share carries with ‘The Bull’, your touches are going to be limited. In spite of this, Dominique had a solid year and is definitely a dual threat out of the backfield posting 29 carries for 256 yards and 9 touchdowns, and 12 receptions for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Every time Maloy touches the ball you expect fireworks and Seattle’s backfield is in no danger of slowing down should Schnoor decide to hang up her cleats!
3) Carmen Bourseau (LA Temptation) Ever since joining the league with the Las Vegas Sin, Bourseau has always been a great talent at running back. Nicknamed the F150 for her dependability in the running game, Carmen is definitely one of the elite backs in this league. This year with Salerno struggling to find her passing rhythm, Bourseau was a big reason the LA Temptation went 4-0 during the regular season. Bourseau was 100% in the running for league MVP this year with 343 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns and 68 receiving yards.
TOP 3 CENTERS OF 2017
1) Megan Hanson (LA Temptation) Consummate professional and one of the most consistently underrated players in the LFL are the words that best describe Megan Hanson. It’s possible that because of how great and consistent she is on the field, it is easy to overlook the impact she has on every game. This season Megan didn’t start at centre because of her move to middle linebacker in the offseason but it wasn’t long before LA turned to Megan to sure up the offensive line. After another solid season Megan has once again proved she is the best centre in the league and deserves her place on the all star roster.
2) Brittany Wilson (Chicago Bliss) Brittany is quickly becoming one of the best at her position and has proved to be another great find by the Chicago coaching staff. In her second season Brittany has showed great development from the few games she played at centre last year and has become a lot more consistent and reliable with her snaps. With her tall frame and athletic physique Brittany has all the tools to become the most dominant centre in league history. We are certainly looking forward to seeing how she progresses in her third year in the league.
3) Nicole Peterson (Seattle Mist) Nicole is another player who is often overlooked by the critics because she doesn’t have the prototypical frame for a centre and is often thought of as not being physical enough to play the position. Yet here we are with another season under her belt and she again makes the list for being one of the best centres in the league. Nicole is a real student of the game and you will rarely see her miss a block or be overpowered at the line of scrimmage.
TOP 3 WIDE RECEIVERS OF 2017
1) Jade Randle (Seattle Mist) It's getting very difficult to keep coming up with superlatives to describe how great a player Jade Randle is, if you don’t believe us, take a look at the first play from scrimmage in the Legends Cup and get back to us. Her big play ability makes her a threat all across the field and there hasn’t been a defense yet that can keep her under wraps. Stat wise, she didn't stack up with her stellar rookie campaign as she only had 214 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, however you will struggle to find a better receiver in this league!
2) Kassandra Bills (Austin Acoustic) Kassandra exploded onto the scene this year with her blistering pace and ability to get behind the defense. Her addition to the Austin roster is one of the big reasons they have shown a vast improvement compared to last season and she has been a consistent and reliable target for sophomore quarterback Teshay Winfrey. It will be great to see how this offensive weapon builds on a big rookie season featuring 17 receptions for 326 yards and 8 touchdowns.
3) Lauran Ziegler (Atlanta Steam) There is a reason that Lauran Ziegler was enshrined into the hall of fame this year and that is because she is simply the best receiver of all time. Lauran is a player every coach wishes they had on their team. Her pure ability, work ethic and presence off the field are unmatched in the LFL. Despite a quiet regular season, as true ballers do, Lauran came to play in the postseason scoring multiple touchdowns and proving too much for opposing defenses. Ziegler is the benchmark for the next generation of receivers in the LFL.
TOP 3 TIGHT ENDS OF 2017
1) Jade Randle (Seattle Mist) It is becoming a bit of theme that Jade is the top of our lists in every position that she plays. Her versatility is just one of the many things that make her one of the league’s elite players and even at this early stage of her career, you would have to say she is a future hall of famer! When lined up at tight end, Jade is just as lethal as Rob Gronkowski in the passing game and she can also block like a lineman.
2) Adrian Purnell (Atlanta Steam) With deceptive speed and great hands, Adrian is a versatile tight end who can beat you in the passing game or simply run through you following a hand off. Over the last couple of years Adrian has been more a threat on offense than on defense but she remains one of the league’s all stars. Although you may not be blown away by her stats this year (6 receptions for 35 yards and 2 touchdowns), the Atlanta offense would not be the same without her.
3) Kiana Takairaingi (LA Temptation) Kiana is probably one of the most overlooked Aussie imports in the league however she is certainly the most consistent. Kiana possesses both deceptive speed and great hands making her one of the best tight ends in the league. Everyone needs to keep an eye on this one because she only gets better as the seasons go by and it won’t be long before she has a breakout year.
TOP 3 QUARTERBACKS OF 2017
1) Teshay Winfrey (Austin Acoustic) Teshay is fast becoming one of the brightest stars at the quarterback position and her sophomore year only added to her rising profile. She has shown major improvement from last year in her footwork and decision making. While Winfrey can still beat you with her wheels, she is more comfortable in the pocket and will only resort to scrambling if no one is open downfield. Despite being on a winless team this year her stats speak for themselves especially because they were obtained against some of the best defenses in the league. Winfrey finished the season completing 33 of 58 passes for 505 yards, 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
2) KK Matheny (Seattle Mist) Following a disappointing campaign in 2016, it’s fair to say that KK bounced back to form this year, leading her team to another Legends Cup victory. KK got off to a slow start and struggled to connect with her no.1 target Jade Randle but by the time it got to the playoffs, KK was as deadly as we have ever seen her. KK is one of the toughest players in the league and how she always manages to get up after taking huge hits is a true credit to her character. Stat wise KK had a solid year completing 42 of 76 passes for 499 yards, 16 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
3) Dakota Hughes (Atlanta Steam) Since her rookie season, Dakota has consistently been one of the top quarterbacks in the league. She regularly has solid numbers but at times her performance in the big games has been found wanting. This season however Dakota was able to get a big monkey off her back by beating Chicago in the Eastern Conference Playoff and advancing to her second Legends Cup. In the Legends Cup itself Dakota had a really good game, and barring one errant throw in the fourth quarter she could easily have been named game MVP.
DEFENSIVE CATEGORIES
TOP 3 DEFENSIVE BACKS OF 2017
1) Jade Randle (Seattle Mist) This one was a very close race for top spot between Jade and her teammate Michelle Angel, however we have given the edge this season to Jade. It is not until you see her live that you can truly appreciate the amount of grass she covers in each game. Jade is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks wherever she lines up and in 2017 she registered 5 sacks along with 35.5 total tackles (29 solo), 1 interception and 5 passes defensed.
2) Michelle Angel (Seattle Mist) This season we saw Michelle return to her original position at Safety and she did not disappoint with her performances on the field. Michelle spent her time at Dallas last season playing quarterback, and this has only increased her awareness and ability to read plays on defense. Michelle truly is one of the best defensive players in the league and she forms an awesome duo at safety with her partner in crime, Jade Randle. This season saw Michelle making more interceptions than some receivers had catches as she finished the year with 5 interceptions, including the game sealing pick in the Legends Cup itself.
3) Kiara Williams (Seattle Mist) Bearing in mind that she was only a rookie, Kiara had a very solid year at cornerback for the Seattle Mist. It's not easy to win a roster spot in the pacific northwest but Kiara played herself into the starting corner role. With a full season now under her belt we look forward to seeing her progression in year two. Kiara finished the season with 14 total tackles (14 solo), 2 interceptions, 1 sack, 3 passes defensed and of course, a legends cup!
TOP 3 DEFENSIVE ENDS OF 2017
1) Brittany Demery (Atlanta Steam) Brittany was by far the most destructive force on a defensive line this season. Her combination of size and power made her a nightmare for opposing offenses. Brittany is the last player you want closing in on your quarterback because she hits like freight train and takes no prisoners! This season despite having limited game time, Demery had 20 total tackles (14 solo), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 2 passes defensed. Her hit on KK Matheny on the first play of the Legends Cup would probably have been heard two states over!
2) Naja Christmas (LA Temptation) This season Naja was one of the key components that made LA’s defense one of the best in the league. She has great speed off the edge and can often be found wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. This year Naja was responsible for 17.5 total tackles (9 solo), 4 sacks and 1 forced fumble. For years it’s been said that Chicago has the best defensive ends in the league, but with the right coaching Naja could certainly give them a run for their money.
3) Nneka Nwani (Chicago Bliss) With a lot to prove following the negative perceptions created by ‘Pretty Strong’, the LFL’s reality series back in 2015, this season could easily have been disastrous for Nneka on her return to the Chicago lineup. Instead of that, what we saw this season was a powerful, disruptive defensive end that racked up 14 total tackles (12 solo), 4 sacks and 3 passes defensed. Nneka has great raw ability and will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
TOP 3 LINEBACKERS OF 2017
1) Megan Hanson (LA Temptation) If this was your first season watching the LFL then you could quite easily think that Megan has been playing linebacker her entire career, however this is actually her first season at that position. Megan had incredibly big shoes to fill following hall of famer Mo Gaxiola’s retirement but she took to the new position like a duck to water. Although Megan is not the fastest player on defense, she does excel at reading the play and finding herself in the right position to make a play on every snap. Megan is now the lynchpin of that defense and her stats prove just how valuable she is. She finished the season with 34.5 total tackles (25 solo), 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack and 1 pass defensed.
2) Danielle Hawkins (Seattle Mist) Danielle is one of the most talented linebackers in the league but sadly this season she found herself spending time at defensive end as well. When given a full season at middle linebacker we have seen just how destructive she can be and we would like to see her given that chance again next season. Despite limited playing time at this position, Danielle was able to show off her speed and beastmode tackling ability. This season she was responsible for 23 total tackles (18 solo), 2 Interceptions, 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 3 passes defensed.
3) Kristin Morrison (Chicago Bliss) Many would argue that there is currently not a better linebacker in the league than Kristin Morrison. She possess all of the tools you look for when scouting this position, great play recognition, speed across the field, she attacks the ball carrier and most importantly, she rarely misses a tackle. This season Chicago didn’t really have a competitive game during the regular season except 1 outing against Atlanta but she was able to post great numbers. Kristin finished the season with 31.5 total tackles (26 solo), 3 interceptions, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 2 passes defensed.
OTHER CATEGORIES
TOP 3 HEAD COACHES OF 2017
1) Chris Michaelson (Seattle Mist) Coaches are always judged by their success and over the last three seasons there has not been a more successful coach in the league. Coach Michaelson has walked away with two of the last three Legends Cups and he has turned Seattle into one of the League's powerhouse franchises. Michaelson is a true player’s coach which is why he has been able to recruit so many great players like quarterback KK Matheny. Although he is more famous for his expansive offensive playbook, he knows more than a thing or two about running a successful defense.
2) Keith Hac (Chicago Bliss) Coach Hac is the most successful coach in LFL history, just look at the number of games he has won, not to mention the three Legends Cups. Despite having a perfect regular season record, Chicago came up short in the playoffs against Atlanta. Coach Hac has assembled an incredible coaching staff in Chicago and he uses them to train athletes into football players. There is no one better than Coach Hac at finding great athletes and turning them into great football players.
3) Dane Robinson (Atlanta Steam) Coach Robinson has had the fortune of coaching an Atlanta roster stacked with talent, but at the same time he has had to deal with the adversity of them not winning a big game. This season however we saw a new Atlanta, one that was more composed in key situations and one that didn’t let the big occasions get to them. Although they lost to Chicago in the regular season they managed to finally get the win over them in the playoffs.
TOP 3 ROOKIES OF 2017
1) Jessica Salazar (Atlanta Steam) Jessica has had an incredible first season in the league and has made such a huge difference to an already talented Atlanta roster. Firstly she was able to beat out all fantasy regular Dina Wojowski to the gain starting linebacker position, then she started getting reps on offense as running back and tight end as well. Jessica is a ferocious tackler with a great ability to read the game on defense, and on offense people struggle to bring her down. She capped off a great season with a big performance in the Legends Cup and was rightly selected to the all fantasy roster. Expect big things from Jessica in the years to come because she really is one of the league’s elite players.
2) Kiara Williams (Seattle Mist) It's not easy to come into a successful franchise like Seattle and find your feet right away, but that is exactly what Kiara did. Admittedly Seattle did have one of the easiest regular season schedules and you could argue that she had time to settle in but we all know that is not how Coach Michealson works. Michaelson expects perfection on every play and if you don’t deliver it, you will soon know about it. Kiara made some big plays in the postseason showing she can handle the big occasions and we would expect her to become Seattle’s no.1 cornerback next year.
3) Khendria Robinson (Austin Acoustic) Khendria has made a name for herself this year on both sides of the ball. On offense she provides a consistent target for Teshay on the underneath routes with her speed and sure hands. On defense she hits like a sledge hammer and earned the nickname mighty mouse from her teammates. If you haven’t yet check out her wow clip on YouTube, so you can see just how hard she hits. Khendria posted very solid numbers for a rookie with 23.5 total tackles (21 solo) and 1 pass defensed.
TOP 3 OVERRATED ATHLETES OF 2017
1) Alex Drake (Omaha Heart) It feels bad giving top spot to Alex bearing in mind her season was cut short due to a nasty injury, however when you take into account her natural ability at the position and her lack of growth this past offseason, it seems fitting. Alex has all the tools to be successful at this position and perhaps it has just been a case of her not finding the right coach to develop her properly rather than her underperforming. We all wish Alex a speedy recovery and hope to see development from her if she comes back to the league next year.
2) Jayne Caldwell (Chicago Bliss) Jayne is a good player but at the same time she can be very frustrating. Every week this season we have seen either the good Jayne or the bad Jayne with no middle ground. The good version moves the ball well, uses her check down receivers when she needs to and destroys teams with her running ability. The bad Jayne makes poor decisions often leading to interceptions and can’t hit a simple screen pass. Like Alex we really hope she makes the list next season but just not in this category.
3) Ashley Salerno (LA Temptation) Ashley is without question a future hall of fame player, however this season we have not seen anywhere near the same level of performances we are accustomed too. Salerno struggled to move the ball through the air and relied too much on her running ability to see LA through some tricky games. Salerno is a very accurate quarterback and has a cannon for an arm, unfortunately we did not see it this year.
TOP 3 UNDERRATED ATHLETES OF 2017
1) Megan Hanson (LA Temptation) We really do not think Megan has been given the credit she deserves for her performances this year; she made the transition from defensive end to middle linebacker which is not easy in its own right, but add to that the fact that she was taking over from team captain and hall of famer Monique Gaxiola and you have yourself a real headache. Megan did not let this phase her and in fact thrived in the role. It wasn’t long before she had the most important role back on offense by taking over at centre in the early part of the season. Megan is the very definition of versatile and deserves nothing but respect from both fans and pundits alike.
2) Jessica Hopkins (Seattle Mist) Jessica is one of those players that any coach wishes they had, she always gives her all and puts her body on the line for the sake of her team. Despite not being as quick as she once was, she uses her experience and knowledge of the game to stay ahead of the opposition. You can normally find Jessica in the gym, watching game film, rehabbing or helping rookies with their game study. If you ever needed a big play then Hopkins would not let you down. Following her decision to retire this year, Seattle will miss her presence and work ethic in the locker room next season.
3) Dominique Maloy (Seattle Mist) By far the quickest running back in the league, Dominique is the lighting to Seattle’s running back duo. Dominique is often overshadowed by her partner in crime Stevi Schnoor, but it is important to remember the threat of her speed carrying the ball often gets defenses moving in the wrong direction, clearing space for ‘The Bull’. This season was probably Maloy’s best season to date with over 350 combined yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. Quite honestly Maloy could go to any other team in the league and be their number one running back.
TOP 3 TWO WAY PLAYERS OF 2017
1) Jade Randle (Seattle Mist) Whether it be on offense or defense, Jade is a real difference maker and she can influence the game from anywhere on the field. This season Jade has lined up at tight end, defensive end, wide receiver and safety, and she has excelled in each of these positions. There really doesn’t seem to be anything that she can’t do on football field. The future is bright for Jade Randle and we expect to see her shine on the upcoming all star tour.
2) Stevi Schnoor (Seattle Mist) What can you say about ‘The Bull’ that hasn’t already been said. Stevi is a born winner and her contribution to the Seattle Mist is a big reason why they have been so successful these past few seasons. This year Stevi took her performance to another level with over 500 all-purpose yards, which for the first time included passing yards. Admittedly I don’t think quarterback KK Matheny needs to be worried about her position but still Stevi showed she can do it all and nothing is out of her reach.
3) Megan Hanson (LA Temptation) This season really has been a breakout year for Megan, when we first heard that she was making the switch to middle linebacker it was easy to be skeptical of how she would play there. Megan has however proved all of her doubters wrong with an incredible year on defense. Megan is a sure tackler (34.5 on the season), and shows good instincts when diagnosing plays. We are all hoping that Megan sticks around for a few more seasons so we can see her full potential as a baller.