July 5, 2023
By Matt Rezin
“Player Chatter” is a series consisting of player quotes, thoughts, and feelings from around the league. All current AUDL players were sent a handful of prompts earlier this week designed to be as open-ended as possible. Additionally, players were asked to vote in a single-question, multiple choice survey.
Week 11 Survey Results
Who's your current pick to win the 2023 AUDL Championship?
New York Empire: 46.7 percent of votes
Salt Lake Shred: 23.3 percent of votes
Any other team: 30.0 percent of votes
Week 10 Reactions
“DC [...] all bark and no bite. Jasper Tom's defense on Ryan [Osgar] was so non-existent that Osgar got Player of the Game.” Antoine Davis, New York Empire
“DC needs to get their act together before the playoffs. They have the depth, but things still haven't clicked for whatever reason.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
“[Jordan] Kerr and [Jeff] Babbitt both having strong games after coaching at AUDL National Academy all week is crazy.” Matt Smith, Atlanta Hustle
Overrated or Underrated?
“[Most underrated team:] Carolina Flyers. Playoff season ramps up intensity, and they're very experienced in high pressure environments.” Anonymous AUDL Player (verified)
“Philly and LA are the most underrated teams right now.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
“Now that Colorado have fallen from their summit, Philly is the new most overrated team in the league. The only five teams with a worse hold rate than the Phoenix have combined for two wins this season. If you remove those same five teams (Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Portland, and Montreal) the Philly offense has the worst O-line conversion rate in the league. Philly beat a really good Carolina team (thanks for that one), squeezed by a mid Pittsburgh team, and then got fat off of the Canadians. On the other hand, Boston is among the worst in red zone conversion and completion percentage in general. So I guess both teams are uniquely positioned to choke away this game that is functionally a playoff play-in game. Should be a good one.” Jacob Blackman, Atlanta Hustle
“The Central Division is the most overrated right now.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
On To Week 11
“This weekend will be critical for the East. Boston plays Philly and DC, all three teams could take the second or third playoff spot, or fall out of contention. […] Expect a closer game this week than the last time [Boston and DC] played. Boston is hungry for revenge.” Boston Glory player (verified)
“DC wipes the floor with Boston.” Kyle Henke, Austin Sol
“Big week for the Central Division! Four teams on doubleheaders. Chicago and Pittsburgh play a home-and-home series with major playoff implications. The Indy-Minnesota matchup could decide the one seed.” Andrew Sjogren, Chicago Union
“Madison AT Detroit??? I’m calling it, Detroit breaks the streak this weekend!” Kyle Henke, Austin Sol
“After losing to Minnesota, the Radicals will hand Detroit their first win in years.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
“Union and Thunderbirds are sharing a bus back to Chicago between their two matchups.” Andrew Sjogren, Chicago Union
“Phil Joyce is gonna pop off this weekend, I can feel it.” Boston Glory player (verified)
Water Cooler
“I think [MVP] is still Jeff Babbitt? Other players making cases like [Evan] Swiatek, [Sean] McDougall, [Christian] Boxley, etc.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
“This year feels like there’s less stardom than normal, am I wrong?” Kyle Henke, Austin Sol
“I saw someone the other day saying that he used to think Cam [Brock]'s goals were empty stats and that's one of the most confusing hot takes I've ever heard. Even if you're trying to say counting stats are a product of longevity, Cam has always been out running, out jumping, out efforting every single player on the field his whole career. His goals are the least ‘empty stat’ of anyone I've seen.” Colin Ringwood, Indianapolis AlleyCats
“LA needs to basically beat Oakland twice to make the playoffs, and based on their play this past week I think that's definitely a possibility.” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
“New York road trip to Colorado and Salt Lake looking spicy with Shred continuing to dominate!” Kyle Henke, Austin Sol
“Thinking about how it's crazy a Central Division team makes Championship Weekend, but both New York and DC, or both Salt Lake and Colorado can't go. Why not change Champ Weekend to eight teams where the best team from each division makes it, and the other four spots are determined AP poll-style?” Anonymous AUDL player (verified)
