Addis Ababa Emperors (5-5)
It takes a long time to overcome an 0-3 start: Addis has gone 5-2 since then, but still only sit at .500. The 13-9 loss to Cape Town stands out as the most damaging, but Addis holds an outside shot at a playoff spot still.
John Jefferson‘s loss through injury hurt, but this is still an excellent team: 2nd in the league in offensive yards per play at 5.2 and one of only 4 teams giving up less than 4 yards a play on defense. All of that–and a +10 turnover ratio–really should put them higher up in the standings.
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. Ret, LB, OL.
Week Four Draftee Update: Tom Jackson. Has struggled to see playing time beyond 5 tackles on special teams.
#QB
Philip Rivers is not performing at his Year I MVP levels. He’s still quite good, throwing for 17 TDs and only 4 interceptions and nearly 2400 yards. He’s taken every single snap for the Emperors so far in Year II.
#RB
It’s the LaDainian Tomlinson story at running back, yet again. LT has taking 232 of their 256 carries, and produced over 1300 yards through 10 games, with 14 TDs. Marcel Reece has emerged as a solid option in addition to being their best blocking back, with neither Napolean Kaufman nor Danny Woodhead showing much.
#WR & TE
Once again, the best and deepest collection in the league. Jefferson missed the 1st 8 games of the year, and in his absence, everyone else stepped up. Wes Chandler leads in catches with 45, while Lance Alworth leads in yards with 605 and TDs with 7. Those 2 have combined with Charlie Joiner and Tim Brown for over 120 catches and over 1500 yards.
At TE, Kellen Winslow remains 1 of the best in the league with 34 catches and only 2 drops. Recently, the Emperors have gone to a 2 TE set with Antonio Gates, which has been quite effective: look for more of that as the season winds down.
#OL
A strong showing, led by the incomparable Ron Mix, who has 23 key blocks while only allowing 1 sack and 1 bad run. Marcus McNeill has been close to as dominant, as has Louis Vasquez. Jim Otto at C has been just a notch behind, and Doug Wilkerson would be a star on most teams, while here he is merely the 5th lineman.
The reserve situation is thin, with only Joe Cocozzo seeing much playing time so far.
#DL
A very strong front 4, balancing Big Hands Johnson and Louie Kelcher inside with Leslie O’Neal and Howie Long at the ends. Johnson, O’Neal, and Long have 4 sacks each. Behind them, Jamal Williams and Ernie Ladd have been decent when called upon.
#LB
Perhaps a little bit of a surprise here, as the LB corps has not contributed to the expected level. Junior Seau has been great against the run, and Khalil Mack has been solid, but the only sacks registered by the group are the 2 by Mack. Gerald Irons has forced a couple fumbles and Ted Hendricks has been solid in reserve as well.
#DB
Carlos Rogers has been dominant, with 57 tackles, 14 deflections, 3 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions and Dick Harris has been close, with 4 picks of his own. The rest of the secondary has suffered a string of injuries, and while Eric Weddle‘s absence is felt, it has allowed the team to get a better look at Tommy James, who has performed well at safety.
#P & K
Sebastian Janikowski has been perfect on XPs, but has missed 8 FGs, but 7 of those have been from 40 yards or further, so perhaps it’s OK.
Mat McBriar has been solid at P.
#Returns
Kaufman is averaging 23 yards on kickoffs: fine, nothing special, while Brown and Harris have been similarly uninspired returning punts. A dangerous return man could certainly provide an edge for Addis.
#Awards
Offensive PoW: Tomlinson (2)
Defensive PoW: Rogers (1)
Team of the Week: Alworth (1), Harris (1), Janikowski (2), McBriar (1), McNeil (1), Mix (2), O’Neal (1), Otto (1), Rogers (2), Seau (1), Tomlinson (5).